The Villain

Josh was a bit tired. It was Wednesday, and the week was starting to catch up with him. But that’s how it goes. It ain't easy being a gangster, and hoops was at 7. The email chain for the night’s run was overflowing with people excited to play. Josh didn't say he was coming. Sometimes he liked to catch the guys by surprise.

Josh put on his fourth-best pair of Jordans and made his way down to the court in his building. The same court he had been playing at nearly half his life. The court that saw him grow up, that raised him in a way. Lots of people came and went, but Josh had now been playing there for 15 years.
He started as the kid getting indulged by a 30-something-year-old getting his kicks from winning pickup basketball. Now he was that 30-something-year-old. The tables had turned; he was now the hero.

Josh may sound full of himself, but the last 3 times he stepped on this very court he went: 5-1, 7-1, and 5-0. For that mathematically challenged, that’s 17-2. When was the last time you were 17-2 at anything? Josh may have been arrogant, but he backed it up.

A big part of Josh’s dominance was how well he knew the court. And the house rules. You needed to be a good free throw shooter, because that’s how you get on a team. Making that initial free throw also lets you pick your shooting side. The rim on the west was a bit limp, making it a much easier target. All 17 of Josh’s wins were going that way.

You also needed to be a good shooter and to make sure your teammates were too. The games were to 11, and unlike how it’s done in the NBA, baskets were one-pointers and two-pointers. The quickest path the victory was nailing open 2s and not giving them up. Josh was both a good shot and likely the best defender on the court.

The first game was an easy win. Josh was a willing passer, and he found his teammates for plenty of open twos. They jumped out to a 7-1 lead and never looked back.

"You can't guard me," said a Bum on the other team.
"You have zero points," replied Josh.
"I'm not even trying."
"Maybe you should."

Josh had played Bum before. He sucked but thought he was God's gift to the basketball court. He played zero defense but could score on occasion and was a good driver of basketball.

Josh played him aggressively, which frustrated Bum to no end. He was held powerless against someone who bothered to play some defense.

The next game went similarly. Bum was on the other team again, and this time he did not even have the heart to pretend to guard Josh. But they managed to keep closer, with Josh’s team holding onto a 9-7 lead.

Josh drove right, got past his man and there was no help. 10 - 7. The other team came down and got a layup. 10 - 8. Stupid, they should have taken a 2.

Josh drove, but this time the right wasn't there, he crossed over. Bum was in the middle of the paint literally standing with his hands on his hips. Hard to play defense when you're out of shape.

The thought of passing literally did not cross Josh's mind once. They needed one point, and he was the best driver on his team. It was his game to lose. He dribbled left and the seas parted, no help from Bum. He flicked a floater off the glass. Game. High fives everywhere.

Then entered the Villain.

Josh knew something was amiss as soon as the Villain came on. He was wearing a headband and a Lakers shirt with the sleeves cut off. He was 6 feet tall, and off build alone Josh knew this guy could play. He was in supreme shape. Game on.

On the first play of the game, Josh drove right. But the Villain kept up. Josh got him in the low post and started physically backing him down. The Villain didn’t budge. Josh went up with two hands. The Villain flew up and blocked it.

"Good block," said Josh.

The game went on. Josh’s team jumped out to a 4-3 lead, but Josh had to labor for it. The Villain kept leaving Josh open from NBA range, daring Josh to shoot. Josh knew the math, so he kept shooting. And he kept missing. Something was off with his wrist. He hurt it the previous weekend and now had trouble following through.

Fuck excuses.

The Villain came down and splashed an open two-pointer. Dang, Josh thought, he can shoot too.

Josh got to the same spot the next time up the court. He shot again, and he missed again. His team grabbed the rebound and got the ball back to him. Another brick. That last one felt good too.

Villain got the ball, and Josh picked him up full court. Never shy away from a fight. The Villain calmly weaved through traffic and pulled up quickly. Josh contested it well, but it clinked in. Damn, nothing you can do there.

Josh set up a pick-and-roll on the next possession, but his teammates refused to cut off screens. This frustrated Josh to no end. Cutting makes the defense choose and generates easy offense when they fuck up. Why don't they just cut early and hard?

This time his teammate made an, albeit later, cut. Bucket. 7-6. Then Josh’s boys made another 2-pointer to take back the lead. Game on.

The Villains brought the ball down. Josh's pressure made the Villain give up the rock. A shot went up, and a scrap for the rebound ensued. The ball eventually wound up back in the Villain’s hands for a contested three. But he was one of those guys who could actually jump to take his shot, and he took full advantage. It rattled home. 9-8.

Josh needed 3 points. He drove right on the Villain, bumped him hard, and created space on the right block. He had a clean look at the rim and shot a standing floater. The Villain leaped but couldn't block it. Josh hit the side of the backboard. Fuck!

The Villain missed his next attempt. Josh got to walk into a 2 on the other end. Clank.

The Villain dribbled the ball up and elevated for a shot just a step past half-court. Swish! The crowd went nuts! Where the fuck did a crowd come from? Only when you lose.

After the game, Josh had no choice but to tip his hat. He got beat. Back, for a moment, to being that teenager getting pushed around by the 30-somethings.

Until next time, Villain.