Sprout 1 | Page 11

Unfortunately, the Jazz came back strong in the third quarter and I had to watch Jordan sitting on the bench looking like he was about to pass out. The doubt had filled the room once again. This time the announcers for the game had joined the party. “I just don’t think he can go on, Marv” was one of many things said by the commentators from TNT. “He’s out of gas man, looks like this one is going to have to go to 7” my cousin remarked. My mom and cousin were trying to break it down for me as if I didn’t understand what being sick meant. I would have none of it. I remember comparing him to a super hero at that point and told them to be quiet and let me watch the game. My mom made a comment about me being grumpy from being up so late. I didn’t bother arguing that one; I was zoned in to the game as it returned from a commercial break.

Then, it happened again. Jordan checked into the game a couple of minutes into the final quarter of play and went to work. He sank one shot, and then put a nasty move on a defender right before hitting another shot. He got a steal which led to another easy Bulls basket. The room was full of cheering and the announcers were baffled. Jordan would go on to drop 17 points in that quarter, 38 for the game, and the Bulls won that game 90-88.

pg. 10

It was that night that I realized something that I would take with me on my journey of life. That night had become about more than basketball to me. That night was about sticking to my gut, about faith, about willpower. The memory of that night, with the chanting negativity being thrown at me from every angle, is what proved to me that what other people think does not matter. Doubt and/or support from others are merely additives. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does if you want to make it. My hero had overcome the obstacle that no one thought he could. That night taught me that you just have to believe in yourself and stick to what you believe. It showed me that anything is possible if you put in the work and have faith in your abilities. It might sound cliché, but it’s what I believe and it has led me to success so far in life. I take on every school assignment, friendly game at the park, and even sickness with Jordan’s attitude from that night. When my little brother had a fever just the other day and didn’t want to play in his soccer game I called him out on it, again reminiscing on that special night, “C’mon man, Jordan dropped 38 with the flu, you better play!” And then he did, and he scored in that game. Hopefully, he will take this mentality with him on his life journey now too.

Final score 90-88