Love & Basketball Page #4

I mean,

we're talking about...

the Dukes, the Kentuckys,

Arkansases.

But my surprise treat

this season...

Is the probable emergence of USC

as a basketball powerhouse.

On the men's side...

the heavily recruited

freshman phenom Quincy McCall.

One of my real diaper dandies,

a genuine PTPer...

a prime time player, baby.

And for the women...

while not boasting one of

the top recruiting classes...

they are returning four starters

from last year's squad...

which made it to the sweet 16.

And Coach Ellie Davis

feels that if just...

one of her freshman

has a breakout season...

It's gonna be awesome, baby,

with a capital "A"!

And at guard...

player number 22...

Quincy McCall!

Here, now! A break!

Go, go, go, go!

What else do I have to do?

I mean, up and under between

2 defenders with the left?

That's got to make

"Sports Center."

Zeke and Q.

How you doing, Terry?

What can I get you?

Genuine draft for me.

Orange juice for my son.

Hey, Pop. The numbers

I'm putting up this year...

are better

than any other freshman.

People saying

I'm a definite lottery pick.

What people?

Just people, you know.

Tell them to mind

their own damn business.

Here you go, fellas.

Thanks, Terry.

Quincy,

give yourself time to develop.

Get an education.

The NBA ain't going nowhere.

You're right.

Besides,

the sooner you go pro...

the sooner you got to deal with

the mess I'm dealing with.

What mess?

There's this thing out there,

this paternity suit.

What?

Some girl that's been

hanging on at every party.

Now I'm supposed to be

her baby's daddy.

I told your mom I wanted

to be the one to tell you.

Tell me what?

I just told you.

I mean, it's...

it's not true, is it?

You got the balls

to ask me that?

I'm sorry, Pop.

No. If you need

to hear me say it...

I'll say it.

It's not true.

Yo, Q-man.

Awesome game.

Thanks, man.

- Can I get your autograph?

- Sure.

To Paul.

Thank you.

Take it easy.

Let's go, let's go.

Let's go, USC.

Time!

You all right, Sid?

It's gonna be all right.

Just hang on. Stay calm.

It's all right.

Mom?

I'm late.

What's up, Ma?

Hey, you scared me, baby.

Oh, I'm sorry.

You OK?

Mm-hmm. I'm fine.

You know, Ma, last time

my mother be drinking...

Marvin Gaye died.

Is it about dad?

I guess he talked to you.

Don't sweat it.

The truth's bound to come out

sooner or later, right?

And whose truth are

you talking about?

We can't let something like this

break up the family.

You do believe him, right?

Don't you?

Quincy, just let it go.

Ma, this ain't

nothing but about money.

Quincy, please.

How many times you told me

to watch these hos out there?

I should have been telling

your father that.

So you're gonna take

the word of some trick over Pop?

What's this?

I hired somebody.

Ain't that pathetic?

After all his late nights

and his meetings...

and I still needed proof.

I used to think that I was lucky

being married to Zeke McCall.

I am too tired.

I am tired.

Mama, don't cry.

Put your hands in your pockets.

Keep your head up.

Always look a man in the eye.

All the time,

I'm hanging on his every word...

like he's God or something.

Q, I know he messed up...

but that doesn't change

what he's been to you.

What has he been to me?

The man looked me in my eye...

and he lied to me

like it was nothing.

Like...

Like it was easy.

I know some guys dog

their wives, you know, but...

man, I didn't...

I never thought my pop

would do something like that.

What?

Nothing.

Why don't we walk to my dorm?

I don't feel like

running into anybody.

Let's just kick it here.

I can't.

Why not?

Coach has us on 11:00 curfew.

If I'm late, I don't suit up.

I could stay a few more minutes.

Don't sweat it.

Quincy, I'm sorry.

All right, for real,

I should be alone right now, OK?

Give me a call, maybe,

when you get in?

I'll stay up.

Gimme the ball!

Hustle up!

Let's play.

Play smart.

Hold it!

Get back, get back!

No shot!

Offensive foul!

Good job!

Yeah, baby! We won!

You see that crowd?

Oh, damn, mon,

I think old girl...

took out your chi-chis

with that shot.

Yo, T, why you so quiet?

Just thinking about next year.

I thought you were hyped

about playing overseas.

I was, but it's never

gonna be like this...

playing in front of my family,

hanging out with my homegirls.

Probably don't even have

a McDonald's over there.

Girl, please,

there's always a McDonald's.

Is she pregnant?

Better be Q.

You could have given up

after you threw that ball away.

But you kept your head,

and you showed real heart.

Thanks, Coach.

Our final games are against

Oregon and Oregon State...

and I want to shake

things up a bit, so...

I'm starting you at point again.

But l...

I thought Sidra's ankle

was OKfor next game.

You want the job or not?

What?

It just...

It just seems like

you're always riding me.

You think I'd go hoarse

for a player with no potential?

When I ignore you,

then you worry.

Q in the house!

I missed you all day.

Really?

I came by your crib.

Darren said you'd be here.

When was this?

A little after my game.

Look, we went

to celebrate after, all right?

But I came right after that.

Sorry about your game.

Hey, it happens, right?

What's up, superstar?

Did you hear about your girl?

She won the starting spot.

Oh. Hey, where the keg at?

It's in the back room.

What's up?

Just wanted to say good game.

But?

No buts.

Thanks.

Just one word of advice

for next season.

What's that?

Never let a freshman

take your spot.

All right, Q-man.

I'll see you.

Who was that?

Nobody.

Who's nobody?

Look, this party's wack.

You ready to go?

Do you want to go talk?

Not really.

We can finish what we were

talking about last night.

Q, quit!

What's wrong?

You know what?

I'm gonna go crash.

Fine.

Maybe I'll come by later.

Nah, I got curfew.

What are you doing here?

The door was unlocked.

It still is.

You can let yourself out.

I messed up, OK?

I know that.

But I ain't that kid's father.

Lucky kid.

I ain't saying it's right,

just sometimes, things happen.

Some things should

never f***ing happen!

Look, boy, you so perfect

you can look down on me?

I'm not a liar.

Your mama's real quick

to show you those pictures, huh?

She was 19

when she got pregnant.

Don't get me wrong, you're

the best thing in my life.

But she knew I wasn't ready

for no marriage.

You're trying to say

my mother trapped you?

I'm saying I handled

my responsibilities like a man.

Now when you're in the NBA,

and you roll into a city...

there's a hundred girls

waiting down in that lobby.

Listen to me.

There's twenty more that make it

past security onto your floor...

and the boldest one

is there at your front door.

After a while, it just becomes

part of the game.

I'm sorry I lied to you

when I shouldn't have...

but I only did it

because I didn't want to see...

that look on your face

that you got right now.

Well,

since we're being so honest...

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