Figurative language
“The clock stops
The gym explodes
Its hard bleachers empty”
This is an example of hyperbole. The gym did not actually explode. It has been exaggerated to tell us that the people in the gym were very excited and hyped.
“Play hard
Practice harder”
The meaning behind this is that his dad is saying to always play hard, but practice even harder than he does play. He wants Josh to excel in his performance when there are games but he also wants him to do more work more and harder when he is practicing.
“JB was on fire”
This is an example of imagery. This line creates a very vivid image JB actually being on fire.
“’Cause when FILTHY gets hot
He has. SLAMMERIfIC SHOT
It’s
Dunkalicious CLASSY
Supersonic SASSY.
This is an example of rhyming because the poet is constantly using the same vowel and consonant sounds at the end of words.
“Think less and less about basketball, and more and more about GIRLS.”
This is a disappointed tone since Josh want JB to also focus a lot on basketball so they can do good instead of just thinking about girls all the time.
“JB cackles like a crow.
He walks up to me
grinning,“
This is an example of a simile. JB‘s laugh is being compared to a crow‘s screech using “like”.
“A winning a strategy is not about planning, he says. It’s about quick response to changing conditions.”
The meaning behind this is that planning ahead of time for a strategy may not always work in your winning favor. But instead if you know how to react fast a enough when things aren’t going as planned it lets you have a better chance of winning.
“old school, like an ol' Chevette,"
This is an example of allusion. Josh is comparing his dad’s old style to an old car model. This tells us that Josh is saying his dad isn’t as modern as his generation.
“The ROCK to the
glass, fast, and on BLAST.”
This is an example of onomatopoeia because the poet is using ”BLAST” to make a sound.
“We’re down by seven at halftime. Trouble owns our faces but coach isn’t worried.”
This is a cocky tone since the coach knows his players a very good and can always get the win no matter how far back in points they are in.
“Your game so sweet, it’s a crepes Suzette”
This is an example of a metaphor. Crepes suzette’s is being compared to the game JB and Filthy just played Without using “like” or “as”.
“Always shoot for the sun and you will shine.”
The meaning behind this is to always do your best in anything. If you try really hard you will shine because of your determination.
“Thinking less and less about basketball, and more and more about GIRLS.”
”and when his last-second shot
tick
hits net.”
This is an example of irony because Josh talks about how JB started to care more about girls and thought less about basketball. But the second quote shows JB’s importance to his team showing a situational irony.
“Im Da Man,”
”Yeah, you Da Man.”
This is an example of repetition because the phrase “Da Man“ is being repeated a lot.
“But I do hear the sound of calamity when Vondie hollers, OH, SNAP.”
This is a shocked tone because the “OH, SNAP.” creates a surprise like reaction.
“The cat is so hip, when he sits down he’s still standing“
This is an example of hyperbole. He is calling the cat very cool that even if he sits he’s still standing, which he’s not but it is being exaggerated because he is so cool.
“JB was on fire and we won and I lost the bet.”
“The art of war:
A winning strategy is not about planning, he says.
ITs about quick response to changing conditions.”
This is an example of Allusion because josh’s and jb’s coach reads a book from an ancient Chinese military by Sun Tzu (referring to him).
I had the sickest double cross, and I kissed so any pretty ladies, they called me Lip-Gloss.”
This is an example of Rhyming because the poet is rhyming cross with gloss having the same vowel sound
“Ya’ll did okay, Dad says, but, JB, why did you let that kid post you up? And, Filthy, what was up with that lazy crossover?”
This is a confused tone because Josh’s dad asked the words “why” and “what was up” indicating a confused tone.
“JB and I are almost thirteen. Twins, Two basketball goals at the opposite ends of the court.”
This is an example of a metaphor. Josh is comparing him and JB to basketball goals on the court without using “like” or “as”.
“I knew one day I’d need my own wings to fly.”
The meaning behind this is that Josh was talking about why he had dreads. This example shown was because it makes it feel like Josh has wings and lets him fly through the air and dunk on anyone.
“When JB’s soft jumper sails
tick
through the air
tock
The crowd stills,
tick
mouths drop,
tock
and when his last-second shot
tick
hits net.
This is an example of tone because the poet is creating suspense since JB is about to make the game breaking shot. He also builds suspense by adding the clock sound effects.
“A quick shoulder SHAKE
a slick eye FAKE.”
This is an example of rhyming because shake and fake both have similar sounds when pronouncing them.
“Hustle dig Grind push Run fast Change pivot Chase pull Aim shoot Work smart Live smarter Play hard practice harder.”
This is an example of a motivational tone because this is the text that Josh’s dad sent him inspiring him to always try his best and work hard.