73) Tennis Meets Basketball

​What do you mean?

At a park, I was playing one-on-one basketball against Jerry.

Who is Jerry? I just met him. Why play him? I miss playing basketball so I asked him to challenge me in a game up to 11. Also, he had a basketball. (I have a basketball but it is a bit flat. I cannot find the needle pump as well.)

What does this story have to do with tennis meeting basketball?

Not just yet. Be patient. I am still telling my story.

Halfway through our one-on-one game, I saw two kids walking into the court. I knew one of the two kids.

How? Jared is one of my tennis students. I greeted him. He was surprised. He has never seen me play basketball before. (During his tennis group clinics, I would tell him that I play basketball.)

I told Jared, "Let's play 2-on-2 when I finish playing a game against Jerry." He said, "Okay!"

Jerry and I finished our game. Now, we are ready to play on a game of 2-on-2. Obviously, I teamed up with Jared against Jerry and Rishi (Jared's friend). We played a game up to 11. Jared and I have won first possession. How? Since Rishi missed his shot for takeout.

I told Jared to set a pick for me, and he rolled towards the basket. I set him up with a lead pass, then he makes the first basket of the game. Then, I loudly said, "1-LOVE!"

Tennis meets basketball.

As the game went on, we used our pick and roll with perfection. (He moves pretty well without the ball, and he is ready to catch the ball every time I find him. For instance, I gave him a no-look behind pass then he drains the corner mid-range jumper.) We were already up 10-3. Bad news: We had to end it there.

Why, so? I had to attend a parent-coach meeting.

Time was our enemy.

Tennis does meet basketball. Both sports are a stop-and-go movement.

Few days later, we see each other again at tennis group clinic.

​I told Jared, "We should have finished it real quick, but I had to go immediately because of parent-coach meeting."

He surprisingly answered, "You're a very great basketball player." With a smile, I told him, "Never judge a book by its cover."

Even though it does not make sense, I will end it with this. Game, set, and match!