Man-2-Man

Now how did I get myself into this mess?  I could think of a thousand other things to do besides coaching these snotty nose kids who don’t know jack about basketball.  Well, it’s just a one-day deal so I figured what the hell.  I’ll kick it with the lil’ fellas for a while, share some of my talent and skills with’em and get a good work out at the same time.  I had no idea what I was really in store for.

I had played sports all my life, including college ball.  But that was over now, and all I was interested in was money, women and more money... in that order.  I was enjoying my life to the fullest... nothing to tie me down, or get in my way.

When I entered the gym, every thought I had about this being a one-day deal was reinforced.  No nets, poor lighting, and the gym had a smell that flat out just made you want to throw up.  It was a combination of mildew and funk, which I expected in a run down gym like St. Peters.  It was that dead rat smell on top of the mildew and funk that made me want to loose my stomach.  I just kept telling myself, “two hours and I’m out!”

Four kids were running around the court with their shorts hanging off their butts, due rags on their heads, and raggedy old gym shoes on their feet.  I blew the whistle that was hanging around my neck and summoned the boys to the bench.  (Hey, if I was gonna be coach, I had to look the part).  I had on a fresh jogging suit hook-up with the newest Jordan’s.  I had stopped by the sporting goods store, and bought a shiny new whistle with a string that matched my jogging suit of course.  I picked up a stopwatch, and a clipboard with the court design on it.  It was one of those boards you could write on and wipe clean.  You know, the kind the pro’s used.  If I didn’t do anything else, I made a good impression walking in the door.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“What’s up”, they said almost in unison.

“Where’s the rest of the team?”

“This all we got.  Kevin and Earl quit last week.”

“What’s your name shorty?”

“It ain’t shorty.  My name is Darnell.  That’s DeAnte, Jason and Darryl.  What’s your name?”

“Coach.”

“Coach what”?

“Your coach for today.  That’s all you need to know.  Ok look, I’ma work with y’all today cause your other coach can’t make it, so lets get started.  Let me see whatcha got.”

“Whatcha want us to do?”

Darnell was obviously top dog in this group, and he spoke arrogantly for them all.

“Ok, I’ll be the fifth man.  We can practice some screenplays.  Lets do a 1-2-1.”