Just Two Points

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — December 5th, 2003

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Just Two Points

When I am sitting at home watching a basketball game, start to think of Cali. 

 

I am not from Cali and no I don't like the Lakers (by the way, what the hell is a Laker). I will give y'all love (besides half the Hilltop staff, including my man Jozen claims Cali). I'd love to visit, but couldn't live there because I still can't get over that whole earthquake thing. 

 

The ground is not suppose to move, I mean people and cars move, but the ground, now I see why people come to Howard.

 

But, I think about Cali because of Skee-Lo's "I wish." 

 

Y'all remember Skee-Lo don't you:

 

"I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller..." you get the point.

 

I am not trying to be six-foot-nine, I am 5'10"...5'11" on a good day, but I want to be 5'12" (yes, I said 5'12") or 6'1". 

 

It's not an esteem thing because I am comfortable with being 5' 10, I mean 5' 11" and if you have something to say about my height just wait, I've been drinking my milk and in a few years...who am I kidding, I am done growing.

 

I just want to be able to dunk, that's all. I get rim, I just need a few more inches so I can get the ball up there. 

 

For those who believe the hype, dunking is more than just a mere two points. How can I explain it...

 

It's a like getting in to an exclusive club, looking behind you and laughing at those who won't get in. I want to be in that club. 

 

Dunking seems so liberating. Everybody has that one super power they want, I want to fly and it's the closest thing to defying gravity. 

 

Yeah, VC can try and prove he's an all-around player, but he will always be infamous for immortalizing innocent victims on posters. 

 

The dunk is so powerful that the NCAA banned dunking for nine years because of the "unfair advantage" it gave players.

 

Let me put it like this: whenever you can go heads up against a 7' 2" center (Frank Weis of France), elevate over him on the Olympics stage and make him leave the arena, the only "unfairness" is that his family was watching.

 

Before that, Michael proved that flight is possible. I don't care what you thought you saw, the man took off from the free throw line. I was about six when it happened. I remember watching in amazement as he, not jumped, leaped or any other verb that explains a momentary period off the ground, but flew.

 

Just like that T-Mac commercial, the world slowed and people had a moment to think: is it the shoes?

 

But it was Spud Webb, who, at 5'6", challenged all laws of physics and allows us sub-six footers to keep hope alive.

 

So, all I want for Christmas is two more inches, some snow and a validation sticker next semester. I don't want much.