Coach Swendel was shocked to hear Jason's suggestion "Listen Jason I want to win this game just as much as anybody. Hell my career is riding on how well we do this season.
But even I know that it's more important to put your body and well being first. What are you going to do if you get hurt?"
Jason wasn't too worried about any potential injuries. The first thing that gave him the confidence to suggest taping up his legs was the fact that Jason already knew first hand what it felt like to push his body to the breaking point.
In his past life Jason had played well beyond his limits a number of times. Some of which were to the point of injury. Jason could tell that his body wasn't at that point yet.
The second thing that Jason was counting on was the system. Although Jason never really thought about it much because it wasn't a skill that actively affected his or his team's performance Jason did have a badge before Defensive anchor.
[Ironman(Bronze): Gives you a tougher body. You will be less likely to experience an injury as well as recover from injuries at an improved rate. Effectiveness decided by badge rank.]
Jason felt that with Ironman making it less likely for him to get injured and the recovery function in case something does happen. That the risks weren't that high.
Jason reassured Coach Swendel "Don't worry Coach. I know my body well. I have such a bright future ahead of me. I wouldn't do something if I felt that it was dangerous."
Coach Swendel was hesitant but after he saw Jason's determined expression he gave up "Alright come over here. I'll start taping you up."
As he was getting taped up Jason was surprised by the focused look on Coach Swendel's face.
Ever since he had first met him Coach Swendel had always given him the impression of someone that was never serious.
The third quarter had ended but instead of talking to the players as they sat down on the bench Coach Swendel's attention was soley on Jason as he taped him up.
'It's been a while since I practiced this in college. I have to make sure I tape it up perfectly. If Jason gets injured we'll go back to being one of the worse teams in the county!'
From the midsection of his calves to the middle of his thighs Jason had his leg taped up tightly.
Only a small portion around his knee was left without medical tape in order to still allow some movement to flex.
Coach Swendel's face was dripping with sweat by the time he finished. Just as he finished taping Jason up the clock buzzed again indicating the start of the last quarter.
He looked at Jason before patting him on the shoulder "Good luck Jason." Jason stood up and started slowly feeling out how his legs felt in the tape before nodding his head "Thanks Coach."
As Jason was walking back out to the court Kyle walked to his side "Are you gonna be okay?"
Jason laughed before playfully punching Kyle on the shoulder "Just focus on playing Kyle. It's dangerous to be on the court if you're not focused on the game."
Kyle inbounded the ball to Jason as he then proceeded to bring it up the court. On the floor with Jason were Kyle, Matt, DJ, and Vince.
Udonis wanted to start off the fourth quarter but he had to sit on the bench as he started cramping up. He was currently getting massaged by Coach Swendel.
The score was now 56-51. It was one of Jefferson's closest games of the season. Jason threw out a signal with his hand as he called out a play from their playbook.
Kyle stepped out to the right side of the perimeter. Jason was on the left side as he passed the ball to Kyle before moving further left to set a double screen for Matt alongside Vince.
As Matt came off of Jason and Vince's screens he was left wide open. Kyle passed him the ball.
As Matt was getting into his shooting motion he saw Alex chasing after him. Although he was just a couple steps away now Matt ignored him 'It's just you and the ball Matt. Ignore everything else.'
Matt went up with the ball and shot it toward the basket. Jason's instructions on the fundamentals of having good shooting form played in his head.
Matt was able to get the ball out of his hands a split second before Alex was able to reach him.
Maybe it was the fatigue setting in but Alex's closeout was sloppy as he wasn't able to kill his momentum in time.
The referee blew his whistle as Alex bumped into Matt while he was on his way down. Everyone stared at the ball as it flew through the air.
Jason ran up to Matt and started ruffling his hair after he saw the ball go through the net "That was nice man!" It was potentially a four-point play!
Matt made his way to the free-throw line. As he was walking the lights seemed brighter than they were before and it seemed as though the audience had become three times louder.
He couldn't hear what everyone around him was saying as all he could hear was the noise coming from the bleachers. His heart started to race and his hands started to become slick with sweat.
Matt had shot thousands of free-throws in practice and dozens of them in games. But he had never felt like this.
Jason was on the side as he saw Matt looking like a deer caught in the headlights and instantly knew what was going on 'The pressure is getting to him.'
Jason might have never been a star player in his past life but he knew what it was like to be a role-player put into a high-pressure situation.
He walked over to Matt and put his arm over his shoulder "You need to chill Matt. Just take a deep breath and relax.
You already did the hard part, you made the three-pointer. This is just the icing on top of the cake. You've made thousands of free-throws before. This is just one more hash mark."
Jason had to walk away and get into position as the referee got everyone ready for the free throw.
The referee gave the ball to Matt as he tried to calm himself down 'Jason's right. Relax and breathe. This is just another drop in the bucket. I've shot a ton of shots just like this.'
Matt closed his eyes and took a deep breath before dribbling the ball. He was trying to get himself into the same state that he was in when he shot the three-pointer.
But just as his head was about to reach that clarity there would be something popping up to interrupt him. The argument in the locker-room, Jason as he got his legs taped up, Trell sitting on the bench.
Time was ticking down as finally, Matt had to just shoot the ball otherwise it wouldn't count. He started his form and shot the ball.
It was a bit to the left as it hit the backboard. It bounced on the rim a few times before seemingly standing on the side for a second. It then fell off.
Matt looked down in disappointment. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Jason smiling.
Jason patted him on the shoulder "I told you before. That free throw was just the icing on top of the cake. Don't worry about it.
You need to focus and get ready for the rest of the game. Who knows? You might hit another three and get the chance for another four-point play haha"
Matt cracked a tiny smile before making his way back on defense with Jason.
- - -
Two minutes had passed so far in the fourth quarter. The score was 63-53. Even though his legs had a restricted range of motion Jason was able to defend Danilo effectively as he shuffled his feet as best as he could.
Udonis had just finished getting massaged by Coach Swendel as he watched the game "Crazy to think that Jaya's depending on some tape to help him stand and yet he's still putting out that same intensity."
Trell was sitting next to him but he didn't respond. He acted as if he didn't hear anything. Udonis sighed "I know that you feel like you just been done dirty Trell.
But you gotta see things from Jason's point of view. Try taking a couple steps in his shoes. Everyone has been puttin in some serious work this season.
Would it be fair for Jason to let you gamble on whether or not you can learn to defend the opposing team's best scorer?
You ain't just playin with your own money Trell. You gamblin with everybody's blood and sweat man. Tell me, you ready to carry that kind of weight?
Cause I can tell you one thing. Jason been carryin that weight since the first game. Every game we play if we lose it's gonna be on Jason.
It'll be because Jason didn't score enough, because he didn't get the rest of the guys involved more, because he didn't play better defense.
I'm sure you saw how Matt looked when he had to walk up to the free-throw line. You saw how badly the pressure got to him.
Now imagine instead of just short moments every time you stepped out on the court you had that kind of pressure on you.
That's what Jaya's got to go through. He carryin the weight of everyone's hard work, dreams, and expectations.
Even when his own body is tellin the dude to rest he forcin himself to go out there. I guarantee you forget just taping his legs.
He would go out there lookin like a mummy if it meant bringing in the W for his team. Can you really say that someone that cares that much for his team don't trust his guys?"
Trell sat silently on the bench as he looked out on to the court. His eyes locked on to Jaya as he stiffly moved around the floor.
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