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April 19-20: Pressure

We were at home facing the Banger Tides. The game was really close the whole way, thankfully John Stoat was really keeping us in the game. I'm glad coach was giving us more time in the past few games, but after the Tennessee game, it hasn't been going to well for me. I thought this would be my time to get better and show the coach that I can play more....It's not working out so well. I got one shot, but I already had two turnovers. The Tides played some tough defense though. I have to be more careful with the ball. I was banging my head against my leg in anger. The Fourth quarter started and coach put me back in. Before I stepped on the court, Coach Howard brought me over and said.

"Protect the ball. No more turnovers."

I nodded my head and ran on the court to get position. I started out okay. I got my first few shots in, but only two. After that I kept giving the ball to Stoat and Mac. At least I kept the ball moving, but that didn't feel like enough. I was getting greedy, I knew it. I wanted more points. I wanted to score. The team needed it anyway. The game was too close. So, one possession, I brought the ball up court and faced against Nelson. I looked around the court. Mac was calling for the pall. I should've past it to him, but instead, I went right for the layup. Blew past Nelson and went straight for it...But my luck ran out when Jones blocked my shot and bumped hard into me. I landed on my paws in a weird way and fell right to the floor. I could hear a "oooooo" in the crowd. I was feeling kind of embarrassed, but then it got worse when I tried to stand up. Left foot fine, then right foot sent me back on the floor.

"Ah!" I yelled.

I managed to get back up. But I was limping.

"Crap." I said with anger. Not an injury. Anything but an injury. I still have to play in the playoffs.

Coach signaled Wendy to come back in and I hurriedly limped back to the bench. Our trainer Tina was waiting for me.

"Come here Tex." She said. "Walk through it. Come on."

I finally made it to my seat and sat down right in front of her.

"What hurts and how bad?" She asked.

"I don't know." I answered. "Something about my paw."

She looked at my paw carefully, but it was pretty obvious that one of my toes was swollen and sore. She squeezed it gently and felt around it.

"AH!" I yelled again. As you can see, I'm not a good patient.

"Well, it doesn't seem to be broken." Tina said. "Just a jammed toe."

Then Josh came over.

"Whoa." He said when he caught a glimpse of my toe. "You okay Tex?"

"Yea, I'm fine." I said. "Tina, patch me up so I can get back out there."

She looked at me like I was speaking portuguese again.

"Tina?" I said.

"Tex, that toe needs to heel. You're done for this game." She said.

"What?!" I said surprised. "Tina, come on. I can play."

"Tex, It's not up for debate. Rest this one out. You'll be back next game."

"I'm needed now! The game is so close!"

She just ignored me and wrapped ice around my foot. I stopped arguing. I'm done for the game. Tina's orders. Tina's stupid orders.

It was close, but thankfully we came out with the win. I limped back to the locker room. Everyone was happy with the game, although T-Balt may have wanted to play more. Either way, I wasn't happy. As if proving myself wasn't hard enough, now I have a swollen toe. I sat there by my locker and just waited for Tina to take this block of ice off my foot. Then, the assistant coach came over to me. It was Wei.

"Teixeira, I need to speak with you." He said in a disappointed way. I slowly got up and limped towards him, not feeling too confident.

He lead me outside the locker room to talk.

"I heard you were arguing at Tina about sitting the game out." He started.

"I wasn't arguing coach." I said. "I new I could still play."

"Tex, you can barely walk without limping! I understand your determination, but you have to work smarter, not harder!"

"Coach, I get that but..."

"Oh you do?" He interrupted. "So you think you limping up and down the court trying to make more impossible layups is best for the team?"

I was silent.

"What's gotten into you lately, huh?" Wei asked. "We give you more minutes to rest the starters and you start playing..."

"Better?" I interrupted.

"Selfish." Wei continued. I decided to shut my mouth. "In case you didn't realize Tex, there are four other players on that court that are playing with you and you need to give them the respect they deserve."

We both just stood there. Wei was staring me down and I just looked down on the floor.

"So?" Wei said looking for an answer.

"I....I just want to prove that I belong on this team.....That I'm not just some nobody."

Wei took in a deep breath and spoke again.

"Listen Tex. We gave you that contract for a reason. We signed you for your hustle, your determination, and your ability to work with others. That's why we signed you. And also, we signed you to be a part of the team. Get that? A team."

I was still looking down at the floor....just feeling ashamed.

Wei seemed to calm down and said.

"You want to know something Tex?"

"What?" I asked.

"You lead the team this year in most steals in a game."

"I do?" I said. I was shocked.

"Do you remember that game?"

"Yea, I think I remember. It was a really fun game too."

"In that game, we all played like we should be playing. As a team."

I was speechless......how could I be so stupid. Coach Wei then patted my shoulder and said.

"We all have to do our part Tex......that's how we win games.....together."

Wei then walked away and left me there. I just sat down on the floor and banged my head against the wall a few times. I was doing this all wrong. I was so worried about my stats, so worried about the fame and glory....that I forgot why I'm on this team in the first damn place. To chase down that championship dream. We have a shot, I know we do.......and I want to be a part of that championship team.

The morning after the game was relaxing. I made my own breakfast in my apartment and continued to rest my paw. Tina was gonna help me work on it later on today, but now, I had to rest, not just my body, but my mind. I was feeling a new type of determination now. I was just feeling confident and happy that I'm actually here, finally, in the FBA. I had to make it up to my team today and show them that I'm ready to do my part, but first, I had to make a phone call. I dialed the number and waited for an answer.

"Hola niña." My dad said.

"Hola papa." I answered while smiling at the sound of his voice.

"Thank you for calling me.....I need to apologize for the way I acted. Are you okay niña?"

"I'm fine papa.....and you don't need to apologize.....you were right. I have forgotten where I came from, and I promise that I will visit you as soon as I can."

"Oh.....that would be great Cloricia, but don't worry about me, okay?"

"But I want to see you papa.....I miss you"

"I miss you too niña.....but I want you to do something for me first."

I paused and asked. "What is that?"

"bring home a championship trophy, ha ha."

We both laughed loudly. You could tell we were related. I was glad to have my farther support me. I know he makes mistakes and all, but he is still my papa.

"I love you papa." I said

"I love you too niña." He answered.