You are really putting your heart in your writing and because of that you are going to do a greart story.
P.S. Il keep my eye on this story.
Against All Odds: The Mike Black Story
63 posts
• Page 3 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
by The GOAT on Sat Feb 25, 2006 6:39 am
sorry for the absolute lack of updates, but honestly things have been going great for me, so it's hard to write a story about a character representing me struggling with problems. As soon as things go back to normal and life sucks again I'll start updating.
EDIT: Man, I'm bored
next update:
EDIT: Man, I'm bored
next update:
There is no truth. There is only you and what you make the truth.
- The GOAT
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:06 am
- Location: Long Island, New York
by The GOAT on Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:48 pm
November 5, 2005
Wizards vs. Magic
Mike had found out at the pre-game practice, but apparently it was all over ESPN (he wouldn’t know, he didn’t catch it today). The Wizards had acquired Brent Barry for Calvin Booth on a trade proposed by the Spurs. This was a trade where Washington gave up pretty much nothing, considering Booth was inactive, to get exactly what they needed: a three-point threat. Black realized this would be more competition at the guard position, but he didn’t care. It would help the team, and that’s all that mattered. Coach Jordan’s pre-game speech was focused mainly on Steve Francis – guard him, contain him, foul him if you have to, just don’t let him blow up on us for 40. The Magic were starting Stevie at the 2 and Jameer Nelson at the point, so Black figured he’d be spending a lot of time at shooting guard to try to stop the Franchise.
The Wizards won the tip and started off well, with an Arenas-to-Jamison alley-oop. The Magic fought back with a Nelson jumper, and the quarter continued on with each team battling for the lead, neither keeping it for more than 20 seconds. Jordan watched as Nelson hit a three in the tired Arenas’ face before deciding to take him out. The fast-paced game had obviously worn him down. This was, of course, Black’s cue. Jordan looked at him and Mike immediately jumped off the bench into the game. He was eager to get something started, but it wasn’t happening. Mike wasn’t doing much but missing shots - well, and playing good defense, but the missed shots overshadowed that in Black’s mind. He was 0-5 from 3-point range, and Nelson was just leaving him open, as if mocking him. Still, Black couldn’t buy a bucket. The same routine happened over and over; a guard would miss an outside shot, then either Haywood, Jamison or Ruffin would gather up the rebound and put it back in. The half ended with the Wizards up 5 thanks to some great defense and transition offense by Arenas in the final 2 minutes, who had 16 points and 5 steals.
“I like the game we’ve played so far, real intense guys, real intense.” Eddie Jordan talked positive, but is voice indicated there was more on his mind. Black nodded in agreement of the coach’s statement. The team seemed focused on nothing but the game at hand. Coach continued on with his speech, telling the team to keep fighting hard and eventually the baskets will start coming. He also mentioned better interior defense, but that wasn’t Black’s problem. His problem was his shooting, or lack of it. He had missed almost all of his shots, only had 5 points, and had even missed a fast-break lay-up. A LAY-UP. He closed his eyes, looked up for assistance and left the locker room with the rest of the team.
The third quarter started with both Arenas and Black on the court, but Arenas was doing almost everything for the Wiz offensively. Jamison helped out a bit too, but watching Arenas pull off behind-the-back lay-ups and threes over another player would have been astonishing – if Black were a spectator. Instead, he was a player, and there was no time for astonishment. This was a game. Black held Francis to 3 points and the Wizards pulled ahead with Arenas leading the way. Meanwhile, while all eyes were on number zero, Black had been in since the first. With only a couple minutes left in the third, he was absolutely exhausted. He could hear his own heartbeat, felt it pulsing in his head. It was all he could do to keep himself standing. Jordan finally saw this and put Barry in as a replacement. “Nice job, kid.” Jordan said as Mike came back to the bench. “Thanks,” he said, although he didn’t agree. He hadn’t scored since midway through the 3rd and would sit out the rest of the game as the Magic were destroyed by the Wizards, 99-89, though the came was a lot more of a dominating effort than the scoreboard showed. Arenas lead all scorers with 32, and although not happy with his individual performance, Black went home with a smile on his face. Washington was 3-0 and there was no game until Wednesday, so Mike had 4 days to get his shot back on track.
Mike Black stat line: 5 pts, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 4 TO, 2/13 FG, 0/8 3PT, 1/2 FT
Wizards vs. Magic
Mike had found out at the pre-game practice, but apparently it was all over ESPN (he wouldn’t know, he didn’t catch it today). The Wizards had acquired Brent Barry for Calvin Booth on a trade proposed by the Spurs. This was a trade where Washington gave up pretty much nothing, considering Booth was inactive, to get exactly what they needed: a three-point threat. Black realized this would be more competition at the guard position, but he didn’t care. It would help the team, and that’s all that mattered. Coach Jordan’s pre-game speech was focused mainly on Steve Francis – guard him, contain him, foul him if you have to, just don’t let him blow up on us for 40. The Magic were starting Stevie at the 2 and Jameer Nelson at the point, so Black figured he’d be spending a lot of time at shooting guard to try to stop the Franchise.
The Wizards won the tip and started off well, with an Arenas-to-Jamison alley-oop. The Magic fought back with a Nelson jumper, and the quarter continued on with each team battling for the lead, neither keeping it for more than 20 seconds. Jordan watched as Nelson hit a three in the tired Arenas’ face before deciding to take him out. The fast-paced game had obviously worn him down. This was, of course, Black’s cue. Jordan looked at him and Mike immediately jumped off the bench into the game. He was eager to get something started, but it wasn’t happening. Mike wasn’t doing much but missing shots - well, and playing good defense, but the missed shots overshadowed that in Black’s mind. He was 0-5 from 3-point range, and Nelson was just leaving him open, as if mocking him. Still, Black couldn’t buy a bucket. The same routine happened over and over; a guard would miss an outside shot, then either Haywood, Jamison or Ruffin would gather up the rebound and put it back in. The half ended with the Wizards up 5 thanks to some great defense and transition offense by Arenas in the final 2 minutes, who had 16 points and 5 steals.
“I like the game we’ve played so far, real intense guys, real intense.” Eddie Jordan talked positive, but is voice indicated there was more on his mind. Black nodded in agreement of the coach’s statement. The team seemed focused on nothing but the game at hand. Coach continued on with his speech, telling the team to keep fighting hard and eventually the baskets will start coming. He also mentioned better interior defense, but that wasn’t Black’s problem. His problem was his shooting, or lack of it. He had missed almost all of his shots, only had 5 points, and had even missed a fast-break lay-up. A LAY-UP. He closed his eyes, looked up for assistance and left the locker room with the rest of the team.
The third quarter started with both Arenas and Black on the court, but Arenas was doing almost everything for the Wiz offensively. Jamison helped out a bit too, but watching Arenas pull off behind-the-back lay-ups and threes over another player would have been astonishing – if Black were a spectator. Instead, he was a player, and there was no time for astonishment. This was a game. Black held Francis to 3 points and the Wizards pulled ahead with Arenas leading the way. Meanwhile, while all eyes were on number zero, Black had been in since the first. With only a couple minutes left in the third, he was absolutely exhausted. He could hear his own heartbeat, felt it pulsing in his head. It was all he could do to keep himself standing. Jordan finally saw this and put Barry in as a replacement. “Nice job, kid.” Jordan said as Mike came back to the bench. “Thanks,” he said, although he didn’t agree. He hadn’t scored since midway through the 3rd and would sit out the rest of the game as the Magic were destroyed by the Wizards, 99-89, though the came was a lot more of a dominating effort than the scoreboard showed. Arenas lead all scorers with 32, and although not happy with his individual performance, Black went home with a smile on his face. Washington was 3-0 and there was no game until Wednesday, so Mike had 4 days to get his shot back on track.
Mike Black stat line: 5 pts, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 4 TO, 2/13 FG, 0/8 3PT, 1/2 FT
There is no truth. There is only you and what you make the truth.
- The GOAT
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:06 am
- Location: Long Island, New York
Dissappointing stat line though, 0-8 3PT? 
Good luck next game..how good's my sig 
by The GOAT on Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:43 pm
November 9, 2005
Clippers vs. Wizards
It was Black’s first game at home, but he wished it had come at a better time. Sure, the Wizards were 3-0, but they hadn’t really faced any good competition. The Clips would be the first team they played that was even close to the level the Wizards were on. Their lineup caused problems; Brand would be tough for Jamison to stop, considering how much more power and weight the big man had over Jamison. Maggette was too big for Black or Arenas to guard, so they would have to count on Brent Barry and Jarvis Hayes, neither of whom would be called reliable when it came to defense.
Besides that, Mike had just come off the worst shooting game of his life. He had worked hard since the last game to get his shooting touch back, but so far no luck. He had missed a lot of his shots during the shootaround before the game. He figured he just wouldn’t shoot too much today, just layups and wide open shots. Arenas and Jamison had been tearing up practice, so he figured he would let them do the work.
The game started off with the Wizards missing a jumper by Hayes while Corey Maggette finished the fast break with a two-hand windmill dunk. Arenas came back with a bucket, and the game was on. It was Arenas vs. the Clippers. Arenas was hitting everything, pull up threes, layups in traffic, foul shots, you name it. Every once in a while he would draw defenders away from Jamison and a pass down low would lead to a powerful dunk. Everyone else, however, was not faring so well. Mike had hit a jumpshot from a couple of steps inside the arc. The first quarter was pretty much back and forth, but the game started to tilt toward LA when Jamison twisted his ankle on a foul from Brand. Boos erupted from the crowd as Antawn limped off the court with assistance. Jeffries had to come in and shoot foul shots, but within a minute and a half the quarter was over. Gilbert Arenas had 18 points and yet they were down 3.
The second quarter went even worse, with Arenas doing just as well but the team doing just as badly. The Clippers were getting everyone involved; Sam Cassel was the leading scorer for Christ’s sake. Arenas seemed to be the only one trying as other players stood on the court and watched him create for himself. His frustration with his teammates wasn’t visible, but it was there, and Black knew it. He wished he could help, but he was off today and didn’t want to waste any possessions. Mike was already 1-3 from the field. The only good news came at the end of the quarter when it was announced that Jamison was cleared to play again. The Wizards trotted into their locker room, heads down, at halftime, down by 12.
“I don’t even know what to say! Do you even want to win? Are you really trying?” Coach Jordan was fuming and he had a right to be. There was no way Washington should be down by this much. “It seems like Gilbert is the only one that’s trying! He has 30 of our 48 points!” There was silence in the locker room. Jordan shook his head. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re better than this, and you know it. Antawn, you’re back in to start the half. You’re good to go right?” “Yes coach.” Jamison answered, his face showing deep concentration.
The third quarter was when the Wizards battled back, Arenas not scoring as much as Jamison. He had only scored 6 in the first half, and had already brought his total up to 18 a few minutes before the third ended. He went up for another shot and – came right back down. Wilcox had fouled him hard and Jamison was rolling around on the floor, holding his ankle and grimacing. This looked serious. The trainers came out and carried him off the court, and it wasn’t likely at all that he would return today. Arenas once again had to carry the load, going on another shooting streak to end the quarter. The fourth would prove to finish the game in the same fashion it had been going on, Arenas scoring but the points ending up meaningless as the team failed to stop the Clippers on the other end. Arenas finished with 53 points in a losing effort, 105-94 LA. Just as quickly as life had been going the right way for Mike, they had turned right back around and it seemed like Black was back to getting the short end of the stick in life.
Mike Black stat line: 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 block, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 TO, 2/5 FG, 0/0 3PT, 2/2 FT
Clippers vs. Wizards
It was Black’s first game at home, but he wished it had come at a better time. Sure, the Wizards were 3-0, but they hadn’t really faced any good competition. The Clips would be the first team they played that was even close to the level the Wizards were on. Their lineup caused problems; Brand would be tough for Jamison to stop, considering how much more power and weight the big man had over Jamison. Maggette was too big for Black or Arenas to guard, so they would have to count on Brent Barry and Jarvis Hayes, neither of whom would be called reliable when it came to defense.
Besides that, Mike had just come off the worst shooting game of his life. He had worked hard since the last game to get his shooting touch back, but so far no luck. He had missed a lot of his shots during the shootaround before the game. He figured he just wouldn’t shoot too much today, just layups and wide open shots. Arenas and Jamison had been tearing up practice, so he figured he would let them do the work.
The game started off with the Wizards missing a jumper by Hayes while Corey Maggette finished the fast break with a two-hand windmill dunk. Arenas came back with a bucket, and the game was on. It was Arenas vs. the Clippers. Arenas was hitting everything, pull up threes, layups in traffic, foul shots, you name it. Every once in a while he would draw defenders away from Jamison and a pass down low would lead to a powerful dunk. Everyone else, however, was not faring so well. Mike had hit a jumpshot from a couple of steps inside the arc. The first quarter was pretty much back and forth, but the game started to tilt toward LA when Jamison twisted his ankle on a foul from Brand. Boos erupted from the crowd as Antawn limped off the court with assistance. Jeffries had to come in and shoot foul shots, but within a minute and a half the quarter was over. Gilbert Arenas had 18 points and yet they were down 3.
The second quarter went even worse, with Arenas doing just as well but the team doing just as badly. The Clippers were getting everyone involved; Sam Cassel was the leading scorer for Christ’s sake. Arenas seemed to be the only one trying as other players stood on the court and watched him create for himself. His frustration with his teammates wasn’t visible, but it was there, and Black knew it. He wished he could help, but he was off today and didn’t want to waste any possessions. Mike was already 1-3 from the field. The only good news came at the end of the quarter when it was announced that Jamison was cleared to play again. The Wizards trotted into their locker room, heads down, at halftime, down by 12.
“I don’t even know what to say! Do you even want to win? Are you really trying?” Coach Jordan was fuming and he had a right to be. There was no way Washington should be down by this much. “It seems like Gilbert is the only one that’s trying! He has 30 of our 48 points!” There was silence in the locker room. Jordan shook his head. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re better than this, and you know it. Antawn, you’re back in to start the half. You’re good to go right?” “Yes coach.” Jamison answered, his face showing deep concentration.
The third quarter was when the Wizards battled back, Arenas not scoring as much as Jamison. He had only scored 6 in the first half, and had already brought his total up to 18 a few minutes before the third ended. He went up for another shot and – came right back down. Wilcox had fouled him hard and Jamison was rolling around on the floor, holding his ankle and grimacing. This looked serious. The trainers came out and carried him off the court, and it wasn’t likely at all that he would return today. Arenas once again had to carry the load, going on another shooting streak to end the quarter. The fourth would prove to finish the game in the same fashion it had been going on, Arenas scoring but the points ending up meaningless as the team failed to stop the Clippers on the other end. Arenas finished with 53 points in a losing effort, 105-94 LA. Just as quickly as life had been going the right way for Mike, they had turned right back around and it seemed like Black was back to getting the short end of the stick in life.
Mike Black stat line: 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 block, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 TO, 2/5 FG, 0/0 3PT, 2/2 FT
There is no truth. There is only you and what you make the truth.
- The GOAT
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:06 am
- Location: Long Island, New York
by The GOAT on Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:43 pm
November 10, 2005
12:30 PM
Mike stared hard at the rim. He took two small dribbles down low, rose up and shot it – but again the ball clanked off the back iron. 12 out of 20. He watched the ball bounce around the empty gym as the sound echoed throughout the building. Mike just couldn’t understand it. He was putting in all these extra hours, all this time of practice and effort, yet still he was shooting 60% from the line. He couldn’t make a three-pointer for his life, he had gone 2 for 10, and his head was pounding from all the running he’d done while running conditioning drills for himself. He was running his own practice every day, just for himself, for an extra 3 hours, but his shot still wasn’t falling. Not only that, but he had gotten a call from the doctor. His mom was very sick. The doctors didn’t know how serious it was, but asked him to get down there as soon as he could. He was about to jump on the plane and fly back to New York to visit his mom, right after practice. Yeah, life was definitely returning back to normal for Mike. Life had slapped him across the face once again, this time both in his private life and in the eyes of the whole country. Every Wizards fan in the world seemed to know about his terrible shooting game in Orlando. Suddenly, the dream of being an NBA rookie on the rise had turned into a nightmare. He was having typical NBA rookie struggles, and he felt like a moron to think that for once life was going to go his way. As these thoughts ran through his mind, depression took over him…
12:30 PM
Mike stared hard at the rim. He took two small dribbles down low, rose up and shot it – but again the ball clanked off the back iron. 12 out of 20. He watched the ball bounce around the empty gym as the sound echoed throughout the building. Mike just couldn’t understand it. He was putting in all these extra hours, all this time of practice and effort, yet still he was shooting 60% from the line. He couldn’t make a three-pointer for his life, he had gone 2 for 10, and his head was pounding from all the running he’d done while running conditioning drills for himself. He was running his own practice every day, just for himself, for an extra 3 hours, but his shot still wasn’t falling. Not only that, but he had gotten a call from the doctor. His mom was very sick. The doctors didn’t know how serious it was, but asked him to get down there as soon as he could. He was about to jump on the plane and fly back to New York to visit his mom, right after practice. Yeah, life was definitely returning back to normal for Mike. Life had slapped him across the face once again, this time both in his private life and in the eyes of the whole country. Every Wizards fan in the world seemed to know about his terrible shooting game in Orlando. Suddenly, the dream of being an NBA rookie on the rise had turned into a nightmare. He was having typical NBA rookie struggles, and he felt like a moron to think that for once life was going to go his way. As these thoughts ran through his mind, depression took over him…
There is no truth. There is only you and what you make the truth.
- The GOAT
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:06 am
- Location: Long Island, New York
by The GOAT on Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:44 pm
November 11, 2005
Sonics vs. Wizards
The word was out that Jamison would be on the injured list for at least a week. Not having Antawn would be a big setback for the Washington offense; someone would need to step up as the number 2 scorer. Black was determined to make that someone him. He didn’t know if it was today, but he would make a name for himself by stepping up in the Wizards’ time of need. His outside shots weren’t falling today, but when Black wanted to do something as much as this, he did it, you could be sure of that.
The game was pretty even until halfway through the first quarter when Arenas blew up again. Luke Ridnour could do nothing but make feeble attempts at stopping him as he hit three after three, driving past him for easy layups when he guarded him too close. When Black got in, he made things easy for himself and let Gilbert do the work. No on else really even needed to touch the ball on offense. Meanwhile, on defense, he was doing great on Ray Allen – sure, he had 6 points already, but giving up the size and strength he was it was amazing to do that. By the end of the first Washington had a comfortable 10 point lead and Mike had hit his only shot, a step inside the 3-point arc for two points. “Just keep the lead. Don’t let their long range game get going and keep coming at them, you’re doing well.” Jordan said in between quarters. The team listened intently as he went over the gameplan once again.
The second quarter went pretty much the same as the first, except this time Black went 2 for 3 from the field, the two shots he hit being open layups. He had also hit a free throw to complete a three-point play on one of the layups. This bumped up his point total to 7, 3rd on the team behind Arenas with 17 and Barry with 14. Barry had been knocking down three-pointers all game as well; it looked like the earlier trade was really paying off. The Wizards were up 10 at halftime and Coach’s halftime speech went pretty much the same as the previous speech: don’t’ let them shoot threes, score every possession, and most of all keep an eye on Ray Allen. He was the Sonics’ leading scorer with 12. Black thought he could start trying to score more, but didn’t see the point; as much as he wanted to be the number two option Barry and Arenas were doing a great job and as long as they kept getting the ball and shooting like they were the Wiz would win. That was, after all, the most important thing. In the third quarter, the Sonics started narrowing the gap. Rashard Lewis hit a few threes and while Black was on the bench Ray Allen scored 7 straight points. At the end of the quarter, the Sonics were behind by only 5. The fourth was still to come.
With a couple of defensive stops, a Ray Allen three and a Luke Ridnour layup the Sonics had tied it up. Eddie Jordan’s yelling could be heard from any given part of the arena, you could almost see the steam coming out of his ears. From then on it was back and forth. Arenas had slowed down and Barry was cooled off, so this was Black’s chance to step up. He drove right past Ridnour and hit layups, one after the other, for four straight possessions. They didn’t do much though, Ray Allen was unstoppable. Jumper after jumper, he was single-handedly dismantling the Washington defense and keeping Seattle in the game.
The Wizards had the ball with 30 seconds left. After running down the clock to 3 seconds and two shot clock possesions, Black saw an open opportunity from about the free-throw line – and made it to put the Wizards ahead by 2. Seattle called a timeout to try to tie it up or make it. During the timeout, Coach Jordan wasn’t angry as he’d been the entire second half. He was concentrated. Just completely concentrated. “Okay, they’re gonna want to get the ball to Allen,” Jordan started, “so we’re going to double team him. Whoever’s guarding the inbounder, help out Black with him. Don’t let him get an open look. They only have time for one shot.” Washington took the court for the final time, the score 103-101. Lewis inbounded the ball, but not to Allen which is what everyone expected. He threw it to Ridnour. Fooled, Hayes took off to double Luke, but he unleashed a beautiful touch pass to Ray. It was just Allen and Black; Hayes wouldn’t be able to get there in time. Allen looked him right in the face, rose up and shot the three-pointer to win the game right over Black. They both watched as the ball fell towards the hoop and, in what seemed like slow motion, fell through the net perfectly. The Sonics had won the game, 104-103.
Sonics vs. Wizards
The word was out that Jamison would be on the injured list for at least a week. Not having Antawn would be a big setback for the Washington offense; someone would need to step up as the number 2 scorer. Black was determined to make that someone him. He didn’t know if it was today, but he would make a name for himself by stepping up in the Wizards’ time of need. His outside shots weren’t falling today, but when Black wanted to do something as much as this, he did it, you could be sure of that.
The game was pretty even until halfway through the first quarter when Arenas blew up again. Luke Ridnour could do nothing but make feeble attempts at stopping him as he hit three after three, driving past him for easy layups when he guarded him too close. When Black got in, he made things easy for himself and let Gilbert do the work. No on else really even needed to touch the ball on offense. Meanwhile, on defense, he was doing great on Ray Allen – sure, he had 6 points already, but giving up the size and strength he was it was amazing to do that. By the end of the first Washington had a comfortable 10 point lead and Mike had hit his only shot, a step inside the 3-point arc for two points. “Just keep the lead. Don’t let their long range game get going and keep coming at them, you’re doing well.” Jordan said in between quarters. The team listened intently as he went over the gameplan once again.
The second quarter went pretty much the same as the first, except this time Black went 2 for 3 from the field, the two shots he hit being open layups. He had also hit a free throw to complete a three-point play on one of the layups. This bumped up his point total to 7, 3rd on the team behind Arenas with 17 and Barry with 14. Barry had been knocking down three-pointers all game as well; it looked like the earlier trade was really paying off. The Wizards were up 10 at halftime and Coach’s halftime speech went pretty much the same as the previous speech: don’t’ let them shoot threes, score every possession, and most of all keep an eye on Ray Allen. He was the Sonics’ leading scorer with 12. Black thought he could start trying to score more, but didn’t see the point; as much as he wanted to be the number two option Barry and Arenas were doing a great job and as long as they kept getting the ball and shooting like they were the Wiz would win. That was, after all, the most important thing. In the third quarter, the Sonics started narrowing the gap. Rashard Lewis hit a few threes and while Black was on the bench Ray Allen scored 7 straight points. At the end of the quarter, the Sonics were behind by only 5. The fourth was still to come.
With a couple of defensive stops, a Ray Allen three and a Luke Ridnour layup the Sonics had tied it up. Eddie Jordan’s yelling could be heard from any given part of the arena, you could almost see the steam coming out of his ears. From then on it was back and forth. Arenas had slowed down and Barry was cooled off, so this was Black’s chance to step up. He drove right past Ridnour and hit layups, one after the other, for four straight possessions. They didn’t do much though, Ray Allen was unstoppable. Jumper after jumper, he was single-handedly dismantling the Washington defense and keeping Seattle in the game.
The Wizards had the ball with 30 seconds left. After running down the clock to 3 seconds and two shot clock possesions, Black saw an open opportunity from about the free-throw line – and made it to put the Wizards ahead by 2. Seattle called a timeout to try to tie it up or make it. During the timeout, Coach Jordan wasn’t angry as he’d been the entire second half. He was concentrated. Just completely concentrated. “Okay, they’re gonna want to get the ball to Allen,” Jordan started, “so we’re going to double team him. Whoever’s guarding the inbounder, help out Black with him. Don’t let him get an open look. They only have time for one shot.” Washington took the court for the final time, the score 103-101. Lewis inbounded the ball, but not to Allen which is what everyone expected. He threw it to Ridnour. Fooled, Hayes took off to double Luke, but he unleashed a beautiful touch pass to Ray. It was just Allen and Black; Hayes wouldn’t be able to get there in time. Allen looked him right in the face, rose up and shot the three-pointer to win the game right over Black. They both watched as the ball fell towards the hoop and, in what seemed like slow motion, fell through the net perfectly. The Sonics had won the game, 104-103.
There is no truth. There is only you and what you make the truth.
- The GOAT
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:06 am
- Location: Long Island, New York
by The GOAT on Sun Mar 05, 2006 2:52 am
November 12, 2005
7:30 PM
The game tomorrow is against the Spurs and Manu Ginobili. The Wizards are on a losing streak and the Spurs are on a winning streak. Both have a 3-2 record, but San Antonio won their last 3 games. It seems like everything is lined up against Black.
He wasn’t shooting well; his last scoring run was only able to happen because he was driving past a poor defender every time he got the ball. His defense, the part of his game that he took pride in most, the part of his game he was sure would never slump, had failed him. HE had given up the game-winning shot and everyone was giving it to him about it. He was in the NBA, but the way he was feeling made him feel like he was back in the hood. He picked up the phone by his bed as soon as it started ringing.
“Hello.” Mike said in a low, depressed tone.
“Wassup homie!” It was Marcus. Again. This was the third time in the past 3 days, and to be honest, Mike was fighting the urge to give in.
“No Marcus.”
“I’m in Orlando tonight! Yo, let’s hang. I got a dime bag…”
Black thought about the situation. His mom might be dying, he was getting scrutinized publicly, and even basketball was making his life miserable. Things couldn’t get much worse. After a long silence, Mike spoke into the phone.
“Marcus,” Black said, still a little unsure about it.
“Yeah?”
“I’m in.” Mike responded.
“Niiiiiice!” Marcus spoke back. Mike could hear the happiness in his voice
7:30 PM
The game tomorrow is against the Spurs and Manu Ginobili. The Wizards are on a losing streak and the Spurs are on a winning streak. Both have a 3-2 record, but San Antonio won their last 3 games. It seems like everything is lined up against Black.
He wasn’t shooting well; his last scoring run was only able to happen because he was driving past a poor defender every time he got the ball. His defense, the part of his game that he took pride in most, the part of his game he was sure would never slump, had failed him. HE had given up the game-winning shot and everyone was giving it to him about it. He was in the NBA, but the way he was feeling made him feel like he was back in the hood. He picked up the phone by his bed as soon as it started ringing.
“Hello.” Mike said in a low, depressed tone.
“Wassup homie!” It was Marcus. Again. This was the third time in the past 3 days, and to be honest, Mike was fighting the urge to give in.
“No Marcus.”
“I’m in Orlando tonight! Yo, let’s hang. I got a dime bag…”
Black thought about the situation. His mom might be dying, he was getting scrutinized publicly, and even basketball was making his life miserable. Things couldn’t get much worse. After a long silence, Mike spoke into the phone.
“Marcus,” Black said, still a little unsure about it.
“Yeah?”
“I’m in.” Mike responded.
“Niiiiiice!” Marcus spoke back. Mike could hear the happiness in his voice
There is no truth. There is only you and what you make the truth.
- The GOAT
- Posts: 3197
- Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:06 am
- Location: Long Island, New York
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