#89 - The First Time My View Of The World Changed - 1983
Being a middle class white boy from the suburbs, I led a sheltered existence growing up. I assumed that everyone grew up playing Little League baseball, WCYAA basketball, Rec Swimming, Soccer, etc. I also assumed that most people like me spent their afternoons after school playing basketball, a lot! Boy was I in for a shock.
Jeff and I talked Luis into going to the Rec Hall with us to play some pick up basketball. Luis reluctantly agreed and we got to the gym. We waited our turn and headed on to the court it was Luis, Jeff, me and a couple of guys we picked up for the team. Luis is fairly short and slight of build so I figured he was obviously a point guard. The game started the first possession the other team shot and missed, I got the rebound and passed it to Luis at half court. He got the ball and immediately shot it from half court, it banged off the backboard about 3 feet above and to the right of the basket. Luis stood at halfcourt with a goofy smile on his face. Everyone playing in the game was shocked! We never again passed the ball to Luis.
This was the first time I realized that not everyone had the same athletic background or experiences that me and my friends from back home had. I went to that gym assuming that everyone at least had a modicum of experience playing hoops, I left realizing it just ain't so.
This was the first time my view of the world changed, the 2nd time involved Zippy (but that's a story for another day)