The crowd was rumbling as thousands had piled into the Thomas and Mack. Fans were just a month removed after a NBA Finals that lasted six games and we were now treated with some of the greatest young prospects in the NBA Summer League. It was my first year going to one of these yearly events, and I was ready for it to be the highlight of my summer. Several games had been planted throughout the day so it was encouraged to hop throughout games to see all of the talent. Two other basketball fanatics accompanied me, Dylan and Uriah. Looking at the schedule, we all piled onto the Mavericks and Pelicans game to be most interesting for the two o’clock slot. Piling into the bleachers, we were in awe, as professional basketball players scrimmaged only
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Our excitement levels reached new heights as we realized we were in the presence of one of the most successful people beyond basketball. My fingers latched into my pockets and I snatched the marker out of it. Common sense then hit me as I saw bodyguards barricaded around him. I settled for a picture from all the way across court, zooming in fully, until I could see the distorted figure. From that moment, I made it my goal to at least meet someone who I can idolize and get a signature. Games passed by, and it was late into the Bulls vs Timberwolves game. The crowd was dead as its energy was killed off by a twenty-point deficit that the Timberwolves had faced. Instead of cheering, side conversations ensued and we headed off to grab a bite. As we were walking throughout the food booths, we talked about who we wanted to meet and a raspy voice interrupted. “ Do you want to meet Joel Embiid?” We turned around facing a man who appeared to be around his forties. In his hands laid a half opened photo album with player cards neatly tucked in. My eyes centered onto the cards, seeing black scribbles on every one except Joel Embiid. Looking at Dylan and Uriah, we all knew this guy was the real …show more content…
Falling back behind him, I saw as he ignored each and every single kid holding out their paper. The door was approaching and we all knew to stand back as we saw a large body duck under an exit. We stopped in our tracks and all thought to ourselves, “How could an NBA player who gets millions of dollars, be able to ignore kids for a simple signature?” The day was over, and security proceeded to tell people to leave. Walking to our car, we all thought about how he could have made the day for all of the kids that ran up on him. Three simultaneous dings sounded and we all took out our phones. “ No way!”, Uriah shouted. It had just been reported that Joel Embiid will miss all of the 2015-2016 season due to another injury to his right foot. We all looked at each other astonished. The events dealing with Joel Embiid all made sense to us that very moment and we knew he was having a tough day. At that very moment all of us realized that he is just an ordinary person who goes through the same emotions we all do. Dropping the bitter taste of being denied from Joel, we gained a little bit of respect seeing he is just a normal human
Our excitement levels reached new heights as we realized we were in the presence of one of the most successful people beyond basketball. My fingers latched into my pockets and I snatched the marker out of it. Common sense then hit me as I saw bodyguards barricaded around him. I settled for a picture from all the way across court, zooming in fully, until I could see the distorted figure. From that moment, I made it my goal to at least meet someone who I can idolize and get a signature. Games passed by, and it was late into the Bulls vs Timberwolves game. The crowd was dead as its energy was killed off by a twenty-point deficit that the Timberwolves had faced. Instead of cheering, side conversations ensued and we headed off to grab a bite. As we were walking throughout the food booths, we talked about who we wanted to meet and a raspy voice interrupted. “ Do you want to meet Joel Embiid?” We turned around facing a man who appeared to be around his forties. In his hands laid a half opened photo album with player cards neatly tucked in. My eyes centered onto the cards, seeing black scribbles on every one except Joel Embiid. Looking at Dylan and Uriah, we all knew this guy was the real …show more content…
Falling back behind him, I saw as he ignored each and every single kid holding out their paper. The door was approaching and we all knew to stand back as we saw a large body duck under an exit. We stopped in our tracks and all thought to ourselves, “How could an NBA player who gets millions of dollars, be able to ignore kids for a simple signature?” The day was over, and security proceeded to tell people to leave. Walking to our car, we all thought about how he could have made the day for all of the kids that ran up on him. Three simultaneous dings sounded and we all took out our phones. “ No way!”, Uriah shouted. It had just been reported that Joel Embiid will miss all of the 2015-2016 season due to another injury to his right foot. We all looked at each other astonished. The events dealing with Joel Embiid all made sense to us that very moment and we knew he was having a tough day. At that very moment all of us realized that he is just an ordinary person who goes through the same emotions we all do. Dropping the bitter taste of being denied from Joel, we gained a little bit of respect seeing he is just a normal human