October, 2009.
"Swish." The sound of a ball cleanly entering the basketball hoop could be heard. The sound of people in the surroundings followed, surprised after seeing such a clean basket.
"Don't let him shoot again!" an African-American boy could be heard shouting with frustration in his voice, after seeing the boy score yet again.
"You mark him then, if you think it's so easy!" said another boy exasperatedly, being the one responsible for guarding him. After that, he grunted while stepping into position to restart the game. His gaze couldn't help but linger on the boy who was the cause of all this frustration.
The boy wore a black Spurs jersey with Duncan's number 21 on the back, along with Reebok Answer 12s on his feet.
"Is he really only 14 years old?" the guy couldn't help but think as soon as he heard the kid's age; the way he played, he could easily be a High School senior. And if you added his height of over 6 feet to that, it was practically incredible and terrifying how good the kid was at playing. A hint of regret couldn't help but cross his mind when he remembered he had accepted that bet minutes before.
20 minutes earlier
"Are you sure this is it, man?" his friend asked doubtfully, wondering if this was the right place.
"Yeah, man. I heard on the streets that there's a guy here who really knows how to play," said the guy from before in a haughty tone, approaching Rufus King Park once they left the station with his entourage.
"But if he's as good as they say, what's he doing here in Queens?" his companion asked in doubt.
"He should be in Harlem playing against the best," said another companion in a somewhat arrogant tone, since they had just come from there and, after defeating some guys, they found out there was a good player here.
"Apparently, from what I was told, the subject in question is a Middle School kid," he said in a serious tone. That simple sentence earned him incredulous looks from his companions, imagining they had made this whole trip of over an hour just to challenge a kid with no hair on his chest.
"Man, are you serious?" the same companion who asked what they were doing in Queens instead of where the real action was couldn't help but say.
"I swear, man. My sources are reliable," said the guy in a tone that said he knew what he was talking about.
"The same source that told you KD was playing streetball here in NY," his companion said, rolling his eyes as he remembered that event.
"Ahem," with a slight throat clearing, he couldn't help the embarrassment showing on his face as he remembered that past experience. "This source is different. Look, according to him, this kid is destined to be someone great," the guy said with a serious tone in his voice.
"Alright, man," his companion said in a resigned tone, considering they were already there and had nothing to lose by going in.
"Trust me, bro," the guy simply said once they visualized the court. On one half, a crowd could be seen watching a full-blown streetball game, while on the other, a lanky kid could be seen shooting three-pointers with total concentration, as if he didn't hear the crowd on the other side.
Once they arrived at the spot, the boys saw it was a classic 3-on-3 game. From how the crowd cheered and the scoreboard a boy was holding, they saw the game was nearing its end: 18-20. Suddenly, we see a player in possession of the ball take his position, shaking off the player defending him as he rises for a simple jump shot that bounces off the rim before going in. After that, the score changes to 18-21.
Once the game ended, the winning team was seen celebrating while the losers approached with dejected looks and began taking out the bet money.
"Well played, man," said one of them, handing over the money.
"Whenever you want, friend. You played well," the other told him as he took the money. After that, the atmosphere was relaxed until suddenly a voice was heard shouting:
"I got next!" a kid with dreadlocks was heard saying, followed by four others behind him. Once those words were heard, the people around stepped aside to let them pass as they walked straight to the hoop.
"My name is Deandre," the guy said, identifying himself. "In Harlem, they know me as D-DRE," he said this time in a proud tone, puffing out his chest, since any good streetball player has a nickname. At the mention of where they came from, the crowd couldn't help but mutter with a slight trace of awe as they observed the five guys again. Harlem is the mecca of streetball, where the best players gather, including NBA players.
"I heard there's a great player in this place," Deandre continued with his speech, while scanning the crowd for the kid he had come here for. Then he put his hand in his pocket, taking out some bills and said: "I have $250 dollars here if he accepts a 5-on-5 game; that's 50 for each player," he said, hoping that would grab the player's attention.
Once the players saw the money in Deandre's hands, the murmurs returned to the crowd while everyone's gaze turned to the kid who was shooting three-pointers on the other half. One then approached him and started talking to him:
"Hey, Aaron. These guys want a game against you. 50 dollars a head, you in?"
At that, the subject facing the hoop turns around and says:
"$50 dollars... sure, let's do it," as he approached the other half of the court. The crowd began to shout and the murmurs grew louder.
"Aaron is going to play," one said with an excited voice.
"Poor guys," said his friend upon seeing Aaron approach Deandre and his friends. Once they were face to face, they began a stare-down, evaluating each other.
"You're the kid I'm looking for," Deandre said while giving him an analytical look. "He's tall," he thought mentally while continuing to analyze him. "About 6 ft 1 in, thin but with some muscle."
"I don't know who you're looking for, but you've got me," was the only response Aaron gave him as he took 50 dollars out of his pocket. After that, he waited for four other people to decide to play to start the game.
"Ok, kid, I'll give you the first play," Deandre said with a tone of confidence as he stepped into position and tossed the ball to Aaron.
"You sure?" was the question Aaron asked him, giving the ball slight bounces.
"Sure, kid, don't hold back," Deandre said with a smile without taking his eyes off the ball.
"Very well," Aaron said. From one moment to the next, he gave a quick sprint forward, leaving a stunned Deandre and his teammates behind before any of them could react; Aaron was already under the hoop making an easy layup to add a point for his team. Then the crowd's roar was heard as they saw the look of disbelief on Deandre and his henchmen's faces.
"1-0," Aaron told him as he stepped back into position.
"Tstch," Deandre grunted and then picked up the ball. "You take him," he told one of his guys as the play began.
"Ok," was his companion's simple response, this time with a more serious look. After that, Deandre had the ball and approached the hoop, scanning the court for his teammates until someone got on him and blocked his path.
"Alright, kid, let's see what you've got," Deandre said as he dribbled the ball between his legs trying to throw Aaron off balance, but he was unshakable, hands extended, knees bent, and a steady gaze without losing sight of the ball.
"Let's see what you do against this," Deandre said as he passed the ball behind his back and penetrated Aaron's left side, ready to face the hoop. Once under the basket, Deandre jumped, ready for a dunk, until suddenly he saw someone else jumping and a giant hand was heading straight for the ball. Then the unmistakable sound of a block could be heard.
"POW!" The sound of the ball hitting the backboard was heard once the shot was blocked, followed by the frantic screams of the fans. Deandre, with a look of surprise and disbelief, directed his gaze straight at the kid who blocked his shot; then he watched as the same kid, with the same look, turned and headed straight back to his position.
Feeling a trace of anger and humiliation, Deandre felt his opponent was looking down on him as he gnashed his teeth and waited for his teammate to pass the ball. After that, Deandre took the ball again and got more serious, heading toward another opponent; he faced him directly, got past him with a crossover that made his rival fall, while stepping to the three-point line and releasing a shot that went into the basket.
The score was now 1-2. Then his gaze turned to Aaron, who remained unshakable as he watched the whole play unfold.
"I'm getting serious this time, so don't hold back," Deandre told him while looking directly into Aaron's eyes. After that, the game resumed with possession in the hands of Aaron's team. This time the roles were reversed and it was Deandre blocking Aaron's path.
"You're not getting past here, kid," Deandre said with his eyes on the ball, while Aaron dribbled the ball slowly, scanning the court. Then, to Deandre's surprise and disbelief, he saw Aaron stop dribbling and throw the ball directly to his teammate who was open in the corner. His teammate made a textbook shot for the ball to go in.
The score was now 3-1. "What was that?" said one of Deandre's teammates in shock. "Is that even legal?" said another with incredulity at what he had seen.
"Focus!" Deandre shouted at his teammates, still with a look of disbelief toward that play. "Mark everyone and don't leave any gaps," he said, trying to prevent Aaron from making those kinds of passes again. "So he's a pass-first point guard," Deandre thought mentally as he drew a conclusion. "Let's see what you can do now that we've cut off your passing lanes."
After that, the game resumed with Deandre's team in possession. He passed it to a teammate believing he was open, but once his teammate was about to catch it, a shadow was seen approaching. "Watch out!" another teammate shouted, trying to warn him. Too late. Aaron, predicting the direction of the ball, ran and managed to block the passing lane and intercept the ball.
Then possession returned to Aaron's team, but this time he saw the rival team blocking each of his teammates while another was in front of him.
"Let's see how you get out of this, kid," the guy said in a petulant tone, believing they now knew how to limit Aaron. But to his surprise, he saw Aaron simply walk with the ball toward the three-point line and release the ball cleanly, as if it were a move he had done hundreds of times.
"5-1," the score was now. After that, Deandre and his teammates gathered and began to argue. "What do we do now?" one said in an irritated tone. "If you don't block his passing lanes, he throws incredible passes; if you block the lanes, he can shoot." "How do you defend that?" one said in a tone of defeat.
"Just increase the defense on him; as good as he is, he can't go alone against two," Deandre said with desperation. "But what if he can?" one of his teammates said doubtfully. "Then make it three!" Deandre shouted.
The game continued until the score showed the final stretch: 19-15. Aaron had possession and was blocked on the right wing of the hoop. Then, with a calm voice, he said:
"Ok, guys, I see you can't stop me, so I'll tell you what's going to happen: fake right, spin left, stepback, and I score."
Then, to the disbelief of Deandre and his teammate, they watched as he made his feint to the right and then made a sharp spin and got into shooting position, watching the ball leave his hands straight to the hoop and fall cleanly with a "swish."
21-15 final score.
"Game over," Aaron was heard whispering while the crowd went wild at the last play.
Author thoughts
What do you think about todays chapter?
Regarding the team for the 2014 draft, I am considering three options: Cavaliers, Bucks, and 76ers.
The Cavaliers are my least favorite option because, even though they would win a ring, Aaron would be behind LeBron and Kyrie Irving. Since that was the year of LeBron's return, Aaron practically wouldn't be able to become a superstar until LeBron leaves.
The Bucks are a consideration I'm taking into account because I read a comment from someone who wanted a 'Twin Towers' duo; and what better combination than Giannis and Aaron together? They could be even better than Duncan and Robinson.
If he goes to the 76ers, he would practically arrive as the team's immediate franchise player. This would prevent them from having to wait two years for Embiid to recover, and he could play from the very first season. However, there's also the issue of Hinkie's 'TheProcess,' though I believe that once they have Aaron, they could start pursuing the championship right away because they already have a generational player.
Which team do you think would be the best?
Love interest:
Regarding the love interest, I read your comments, but I also thought about what would happen if he were with a female athlete; so I searched and found two options.
Alica Schmidt
Jutta Leerdam
Would you guys like that or not?
Leave your comments below to let me know what you think