November 19, 1998

I’ve been meaning to email you to let you know how the basketball is going over here. In short I’m not on the team, but that may change. The way they do things here is you try out for the team on the first day of the meetings. Now it just so happens that I had one of the worst days of basketball I’ve ever had. I could not dribble the ball to save my life. I did manage to make it to the final cut but that was it. I later found out that the people that returned from last year are on the team automatically and they get just about all the playing time.

Since I’m a member of the basketball club here - they have clubs for everything - I get to play every Sunday. For the first two weeks I was all right. I’ve played enough to get a modicum of dribbling skills back and I’m definitely the best guard out there. This past week, well lets just say “basketball was very very good for me.”

You all know how I have a knack for “shit-shots” or so you call them. Well you should have seen me the other day. The first game was pathetic. My hands were cold and I turned the ball over at least five times. (We play games to 7 straight and behind the arch is 2.) I had my Chinese exercise balls with me so between games I would twirl them in hopes that they would warm my hands up. Boy did they ever.

The next game was much better. I had a few layups and made a few steals. It all started to happen in the next game. I had a perfect 3/4 floor pass to our big guy. The pass was just over the fingertips of the defender. I got a nice round of applause from the guys waiting for the next game. In the same game I had a offensive rebound, pump-faked, dribbled under the basket and circled back into the paint, dribbled behind my back three straight times, circled back the way I had came, pump faked again and made a fall away. (Another applause) We won that game, but just barely.

It all started in the next game. I had a coast to coast layup, made a steal and had a layup in which I got clobbered in the process. The guy couldn’t believe I made the shot. Add a couple of jumpers and we won the game going away.

Mark, remember that pass you made to me at Bear Down where you thought you over threw me? I have a better one now. Almost the same exact situation except this time I had a defender to contend with. I caught the ball in the air brought it up above my head and then cupped it under as the defender went by and made a reverse. In the same game I made my only real shit-shot. On a fast break the pass came right over my shoulder but I let it go so that I could take it in off the bounce. It went a little further than I thought and all I could manage to do was grab it and throw it up as I ran full speed past the basket, and then into the wall. I turned around hoping that someone on my team would get the rebound only to see it fall through the hoop. (Standing applause this time.) Throw in a few jumpers and assists and another win.

The next game I’m feeling pretty cocky. (Yes me.) First time down the court, three point range, swish. Next time down the court, same place, same result. Next time down the court my teammate makes a three pointer from about five feet behind the strip. Next time down the court (we lead 6-0) I shoot from about 10 feet behind the strip - swish. We were on the court for maybe 2 minutes.

The next game was just a continuation of the last few - layups, steals, assists, jumpers. For the day I can remember missing just two shots. Aside from the retched opening game I only remember one other turnover. So when we show up it is nice to know that I am the go-to-guy on the team no matter who is on the team with me. I had better enjoy it while I can. I have no doubt that my reintroduction to American b’ball will be harsh.

Adieu, idano

Btw, I can’t get used to the three-step rule here. I still take just two.