Mom's Role & Impact
In addition to being Josh and JB’s mother, she holds this position at their school, giving her authority over both their home and academic lives.
What is Assistant Principal?
JB accidentally cuts off too many of these during a bet, forcing Josh to cut them all off.
What are Josh's dreadlocks?
Josh experiences this internal conflict as he watches JB fall in love and leave him behind.
What is jealousy (or feeling lonely/left out)?
JB wins a bet against Josh on a free throw. Effect: This happens to Josh's hair.
What is losing five (and eventually all) of his dreadlocks?
Dad formats his wisdom and advice for the boys throughout the book as these numbered guidelines.
What are Basketball Rules?
Mom’s constant insistence on healthy meals and doctor visits for Dad shows her active role in trying to prevent this major conflict.
What is Dad’s health decline (or heart attack)?
Driven by anger and jealousy, Josh makes this dangerous decision during the game against the Vondell Panthers.
What is throwing the basketball directly at JB's face?
The physical conflict between the twins on the court results in this specific injury for JB.
What is a bloody/broken nose?
Alexis (Miss Sweet Tea) enters JB's life. Effect: This happens to the bond between the twin brothers.
What is a growing distance/tension between them?
The term "Crossover" is a basketball move, but metaphorically represents this change happening to Josh and JB.
What is growing up (or transitioning into young adulthood)?
Mom takes this disciplinary action after Josh hurts JB, showing how her role as a decision-maker directly affects the basketball team's season.
What is suspending Josh from the basketball team?
JB starts making this choice with his free time, which causes him to drift away from Josh.
What is spending time with his new girlfriend (Alexis / Miss Sweet Tea)?
Dad reveals that his professional NBA career ended early because he made this health decision in his youth.
What is refusing to get surgery on his knee (patella tendinitis)?
Josh hits JB in the face with the basketball. Effect: Mom enforces this disciplinary consequence.
What is suspending Josh from the basketball team?
According to Basketball Rule #1, "In this game of life, your family is the..."
What is "court"?
By constantly reminding the boys that "education comes first," Mom's influence leads to this long-term effect on their future priorities.
What is keeping them focused on going to college (or balancing academics with sports)?
Dad makes this risky choice when a police officer pulls him over for a broken taillight.
What is driving without a valid driver's license?
Near the end of the 3rd Quarter, this medical emergency happens to Dad while he is playing one-on-one with Josh at the gym.
What is a heart attack (or collapsing/passing out)?
Dad ignores his high blood pressure and avoids doctors. Effect: This happens to him at the end of the 3rd Quarter.
What is collapsing/having a heart attack at the gym?
Basketball Rule #5 warns when you stop playing your game.....
What is "you've already lost"?
Even when Dad insists he feels fine, Mom forces him to do this after he starts experiencing severe chest pains during a game.
What is going to the hospital / seeing a doctor?
To try and fix things with JB after the suspension, Josh takes this action in the library.
What is leaving his vocabulary/study notes in JB's locker?
Josh faces this major punishment during the team's regular season games following his fight with JB.
What is sitting on the bench / being suspended from playing?
JB remains furious with Josh after the nose incident. Effect: JB responds to Josh's attempts to talk by doing this.
What is giving him the silent treatment (or ignoring him)?
Dad’s championship ring, which he keeps in a box in his closet, represents this major achievement from his past.
What is winning a professional basketball championship in Europe?