The Art of Basketball

Jump ball.
The referee throws the ball up for two players at the center of the hardwood court. The centers jump simultaneously to try and tip back to one of their four teammates. You, the point guard, receive the ball. You bounce the ball up the court, dribbling with swiftness. Passes, cuts, screens, bodies are moving all over as you make a decision on who to pass it to. You set the tone with each and every pass, and the ball starts flying from hand to hand. Movements organized by your coach become autopilot, as you’ve practiced them each and every day. These movements are nonstop with one goal in mind.

Put the ball in the basket.
It’s in the name of the game. All of the sudden you find yourself wide open, standing behind a wide arcing line that represents three points. You put your dominant hand under the ball and use your other hand to guide it above your head. You flick your wrist and the ball flies upward with extreme backspin. The whole world watches each and every spin, waiting with anticipation.

Clunk.
You missed it. Don’t hang your head, there’s defense to be played. You hustle back down the court. The other team, commanded by their own coach, embarks on their own movements that they’ve practiced just as much as you have. They are similar conceptually, but never identical. It’s your job to make sure your opponent does not get open. Unless you hear a call for a switch, you must stay with your man at all times. You have a job, and you can’t be the one to let your team down. You shift your feet with their players' crossovers, not allowing for any separation. The ball never stops flying until it is shot, in which everyone attempts to reach up and grab the ball for their team.

Rebound!
Bodies collide underneath the basket, fighting each other for possession of the ball. Despite the result, no two possessions are identical, yet they repeat over and over again. The squeaks of the hard cuts made using the grip of a tightly tied shoe are on beat with the collision of the ball and the wood. The shouts of players communicating back and forth turn into white noise. The eruption of the crowd fuels the energy and passion. These sounds align and turn into a perfect symphony when right, and they're all put together with the cherry on top...

Swish.
The sound of the ball falling perfectly between the orange rim hits harder than any drug the streets have to offer. The satisfaction released when you make a shot so perfectly will have you never wanting to stop. The combination of passes, movements, and dribbles that led to the shot. Whether it's a layup, a free throw, a jumpshot, or even a slam dunk, there is no better feeling than tallying up a few points for your team, hoping to contribute to a victory.

Tick tock.
The cohesive motions go on and on, as two forces of five players collide for 48 minutes straight. You don’t realize how much energy you’ve expended, but all of the sudden there is 10 seconds left. The game is tied, and you are trusted with the ball. Your adrenaline levels are through the roof, and the roar of the crowd is nothing but white noise at this point. Once again you find yourself matched up with the same person you locked eyes with at the beginning. Sweat drips down your face, and each and every possession accumulates into this one moment. Dribble, dribble, cross over, shoot, buzzer...

Ball game.

"Basketball is an art form, not a game” - Kyrie Irving