Personal Essay: The 1992 Dream Team

Fans rushing in just to see their home team take on a less than sub par team, the Brooklyn Nets. The first sense that struck me as I remember was smelling the aroma of over priced nachos and other cuisine I didn’t even know they sold at a basketball game. As bad as I wanted to get to my seats I couldn’t resist exploring the stadium just so I could get a feel of every experience that has been held at this venue. As I arrived to my seats I began to see everyone standing as my Lakers team jogged their way to the court to warm up. I don’t think I sat the whole warm up with just so much enthusiasm and energy running through my legs I could not sit and miss one moment of just seeing warm up lay-ups; I knew this game was going to be one to remember. Once tip off was under way I remember center Andrew Bynum tip the ball away from Nets center Brook Lopez with ease. I looked down the court and I got a glimpse of two of my favorite actors from a far , Adam Sandlar and Jack Nicholson, both sitting in front row seats. As the game continued this was clearly a no challenge for my team. We held a 15 point lead through most of the game. Each of Kobe Bryant’s 27 points I hold in memory forever as he would whistle down each Net player with ease. Fading away to create space, he was a beautiful basketball mystro. I left feeling as if I never wanted that night to end, it was one memory I will hold on to for

I knew right as we started warm ups that this game was going to be the highlight of my high school career. We were playing the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Braves who we had not easily beaten earlier in the season. It seems like whenever the Winner Warriors and the Braves match up against each other it has always been fun to watch. After warm ups both teams left their huddles and shook hands before tip-off. As the ref lobbed the ball in the air and I got the tip was loudest noise I have ever heard while playing in a game. Running down the court I could see

The reff whistled he called a travel on there team it was now are ball. So then they put there press on us we needed a three to win it all. Now only 30 seconds left we couldn’t get pass there press It was the leagues best I didn’t feel so well.

During the eight games, the Dream Team went undefeated and averaged 117.3 points per game the most by a team in Olympic history while defeating teams by an average of 43.8 ppg. "You will see a team of professionals in the Olympics again," said Coach Chuck Daly, "But I don't think you'll see another team quite like this. This was a majestic team." Chuck Daly also went on to say that he had an exceptional group of players who really understood the goal and wanted to share (The Dream Team).

Basketball has been more than just a game in my life, it has always been a big part of my life, but it has been a part differently than what it is to others. I love everything about basketball. I have done everything from keeping the official book for a men's and women's collegiate team to washing a high school team's practice clothes and even making sure everyone has their uniforms and shoes before leaving for an away game. You don't have to be on the court, you don't have to be the one taking the winning shot or calling the play to be part of the team. I want you to think about this instead of feeling sorry for yourself because you didn't make the cut. I hope by the time you finish reading this you will realize

With two seconds left in the first half, Wes Washpun was at half court and time was running down, so he shot the ball and it went through the hoop! ¨WOOOO!¨ I jumped up and down and saying to the players as they were going into the tunnel, ¨Let's go boys! We can do this!¨ UNC was up 41 to 32 at halftime.

Both me and Kaden have 3 fouls already. Then Kaden gets his fourth foul, so now he has to be careful not to foul out of the game. Then with 1 minute and 59 seconds left I get my fourth foul. Then only 10 seconds later I foul out. My team is down to 5 players left. With the clock ticking down the two teams were exchanging baskets. Finally, with less than 30 seconds left the white team miss two key free throws. Then with the Rhinos down by one with only 5 seconds left to tick down on the clock, the Rhinos have the ball at half court. Jack Rush gets the ball makes a spin move to get a path to see the basket. 2 seconds remain. He shoots the ball. 1 second left in the game. The ball goes right in, and my team and our fans jumped up and down with excitement. The atmosphere was filled with excitement. The other team then with less than one second remaining chucks up a full court shot that missed by a

With four minutes left in the game, Jimmy passes to Frank and Frank drains a three. The next Bull’s possession Jimmy hits a floater. The lead is three points for the Heat. But just as things started to go well, Vick hits a step back three pointer. But Jimmy answers right back with a three of his own. The Heat call a timeout. After the break, Frank gets a steal but misses the lay-up! The game looks to be over with only fifteen seconds left. But Vick being Vick jacks a three with ten seconds left and misses! Jimmy grabs the board and outlets to Frank. Frank dribbles down the court and does a step-back three. As the whole crowd and people watch with awe, the ball floats up and makes a perfect “swoosh” sound! The ref blows the whistle and calls a foul! With this free throw, he could win the finals! He thought back to all the critics and people, and even himself who thought the Bulls couldn’t do it. He thought of all those times Vick had called him out and then he

The ref just blew his whistle which meant the timeout was over. As I slowly walked on the court, I looked up in the stands to my family and I took in the scene. I noticed the crowd was going crazy. When I got to where I was going on the court, I noticed the Lions star player, Michael Farling, guarding me. I thought that plan was very odd; Michael is one of the tallest players and I’m one of the smallest. The coach of the Lions was screaming to tell Michael to contest the shot, but not to foul.

There's fifteen seconds left in the game, and we're down one. It’s summer league game, but there is a large crowd of red and black screaming their support. The crowd is nervously sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting to see the outcome. The tall, player from the other team, with sweaty hair matted to her forehead shoots the ball, and it clangs off of the rim into Brooke's awaiting hands. With lightening speed the orange ball hits Ally's open hands before finally landing in mine. I pound the bright ball up the floor and towards the waiting basket. Planting my right foot I push off the ground for a layup. As my body connects with the opposing player, knee to knee, I hear the high-pitched sound of the referee's whistle. With a sickening

Then later on Mudiay started firing and he couldn’t miss leading his team to a ten point run. Now the score was 68-67 with two minutes to go and the team’s tempo slowed down again. Within the thirty second mark no one was scoring, but when LeRoyal drove in he dumped the ball off to Kareem who got fouled on the shot. Kareem then stood at the line and took the first shot, Clank! There still was hope for Mudiay’s team. Then when Kareem took the second shot he drained it, making sure to not making the same mistake. With only twelve seconds left Coach James decided to call a timeout.

I was glued at the tv, watching game seven of the NBA finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors were tied at 89 with 1:05 left on the clock. The Cavaliers had the ball after a clutch block by Lebron James. Kyrie Irving was dribbling the ball down the court to the three point. Everyone knew that this possession would make or break these two teams while series and season.

The crowd starts booing at Lebron and he misses the free throw. Then Curry gets the rebound and passes it Klay who then shoots a three. The crowd goes wild. Lebron gets mad and decided to hit the ref and then Lebron got suspended from the next 5 games because of that. Poor Lebron, how sad. It is all up to Kyrie, Kevin Love, Moscov, and Varejo to win the game, but I doubt that will happen. Kyrie then shoots a three and it goes in, the crowd starts to boo. I said “How is that even possible! Bogut was guarding him and he shot over him. The crowd started to get sad.” The third quarter had just ended and the cavs were up 103 - 100. The Warriors needed this win so badly to prove that they aren’t a team that got lucky and won the championships. The fourth quarter had started and Curry quickly shot a three and it went in but Kyrie returned the favor and shot it. Then Draymond alley-ooped the ball to Bogut for the monster slam, but Kyrie being the machine for the Cavs ever since Lebron got suspended returned the favor. I said “Oh my! The Cavs are winning 123-121. The Warriors need a 3 point shot to win the game but there is only 1 second left in the clock.”Draymond passes it to Curry, and throws it full court and it goes

Running into the gym with my team, knowing it was my last middle school basketball game, but first championship game I felt elated and truly blessed. My knees quivered with anticipation after seeing all the bleachers filled with people. After realizing even the press and other media was in attendance I grasped the moment like a newly elected president at his inauguration. I am warming up doing basketball drills, when I began to look at the flags on the gym wall depicting the history of the basketball team. The years and dates of the last championship game, Historically a championship game had not been won since 2007 . The more I stared at the flags, the more it made me want to win this game and make history in this gym. As the crowd and cheerleaders start to chant, cheer and get loud, I started to feel more comfortable and rowdy more than I had ever felt in any other game that I’ve played. Waiting for the referee to blow the whistle for jumpall to start. I felt my fingertips tapping the side of my leg, which for some reason gives me a sign to myself that I am pumped up and ready to play!

The game had just started has Steph drained a three and they said and on the screen they were putting up a contest for if they call your seat number, you get to try and shoot a three from half court and win $5,000 and a 5 day trip to Hawaii. So after the first quarter was over they were going to announce the number. “Alright folks.” said the announcer. “We are going to announce the winner of that will be trying to win the jackbox prize.” “Alright, the section is in the 100’s. The row is 2 and the number is 2.” I can’t believe it. They called the spot I was in and on the screen showed me sitting as cheerleader were right next to me holding up a sign saying, “You won.” “122 is the winner.” said the announcer in a loud voice. So after that the second quarter started and then it was halftime as the cheerleaders came by and took me to the court. “What’s your name kid?” said the