330: Prove it to me

Prove it to me

On a stylish broadcasting set with silver metallic scoop-styled stools and a high-tech-looking table with built-in displays and touchscreens sat two men on opposite ends.2

At the leftmost side of the table sat Shawn B. Stevens, dressed in a nice dark blue suit with a black turtleneck underneath.

While on the rightmost side of the table Logan Banks who was rocking a new look as his shiny bald head was accompanied by his thick white frame glasses, white and gold plaid suit, and black collared undershirt.

"Haha I see you Logan, I thought I was the only one giving any effort into my fit but here you are looking all styled out."

With a smile on his face Shawn then reached over the table to extend his hand out to Logan "How you doing man, good to see you."

Logan smiled politely back as he reached over the table to shake Shaw's hand "Doing great Shawn, especially with how my Bulls are doing so far in the playoffs."

"I knew you were about to be in a good mood when I saw that game last night. But let's save that talk for after the intro."

Shawn then turned to one of the cameras with a smile "Thanks for tuning in for another episode of court vision, your go-to show for all things basketball.

I'm Shawn B. Steven and this well-dressed man on the other side of the table is Logan Banks. Unfortunately, Candice is still out giving us eyes on the ground for the Eastern side of the playoffs so she won't be joining us this morning."

Logan laughed "So you'll have to settle for our ugly mugs for your basketball news." Shawn straightened out his suit a bit as he shrugged his shoulders a bit.

"Speak for yourself Logan. You might have me beat with the threads but this right here is a national treasure." He posed with his hand under his chin for a moment before chuckling. 

"But let's get into what the people really want. This weekend we had some real good games. Including a major upset as the Bulls continue their Cinderella-like run through the playoffs."

Logan grinned as he looked at Shawn "Except the Bulls don't have a timer for when their carriage is going to turn back into a pumpkin."

Shawn looked at Logan with wide eyes "You can't be serious Logan. I'll admit that the Bulls are a feel-good story but you can't really think that this is their actual level?

I mean, the two series they managed to get out from both teams beat themselves. They didn't beat them."

Logan took his glasses off and placed them on the table before pinching the bridge of his nose "Oh come on Shawn.

Reggie has been amazing this postseason. All those acrobatic finishes have him looking like he should be a part of the gymnastics team for the next Olympics. Why can't you just give him and the Bulls the credit that they deserve?

They took the number one seeded team in the East to seven games and managed to come out on top in enemy territory.

Not only that but they took out the fourth-seeded Toronto Raptors in five games. A gentlemen's sweep in once again hostile territory.

Actions speak louder than words and right now the way they're playing the Bulls are shouting to the whole world that they are legit."

Shawn laughed before giving Logan a mischivous-looking grin "You know what Logan? You're right, I should give Reggie some more credit. He has been amazing in these playoffs.

But I feel like I need to return your words right back to you" He then began to point and wave at Logan " Just like you said actions speak louder than words. So are you ready to do the same to Jaya and his squad over at Jefferson and finally give them some credit?

Because that kid has been putting on a show in this year's national tournament. Back-to-back wins where they have convincingly dominated their opposition.

You have to admit at this point that they should have been a seeded team right?" Shawn then put his hand on his chest as a smug look crept over his face.

"I mean, I always knew that they shoulda been a seeded team. I was a believer from the start. But their recent run must have proven that to everyone else. Including maybe even you."

Logan sighed "And here I thought we were going to talk about real basketball. No offense Shawn but I really would rather talk about the playoffs than some middle school team."

Shawn continued to grin as he stared at Logan "Come one Logan, just treat this as a warm-up piece before we get to talking about the big games.

I know that Jefferson is just a middle school team, but according to the numbers they're a hot topic being talked about online."

Logan rolled his eyes "That's just because Jefferson has their star player on a nationally broadcasted show that gives him an outlet to garner attention.

He might not have what it takes to be a high-level prospect but I have to give the kid credit. He really knows how to work the media to his advantage.

That last scene where he pretty much taunted all of the high-level programs to come after him and his team was top notch."

Shawn shook his head as his arms helplessly fell to his sides "Here we go again. You know what? I don't even know why I bothered.

I should have known you were going to pull something like this Logan. In his first appearance at the national level Jaya drops 36 points and in his second he goes for 44, and you still can't give him the slightest bit of credit. All while playing his usual brand of hard-nosed defense mind you."

Some highlights of Jason from his first two games at the national tournament began to play on the screen behind the table.

Geared up in his Jefferson Middle School jersey and his black arm sleeve Jason confronted his defender at the top of the perimeter with the ball in his hands.

The defender who wore a purple and white Jersey with 'West Gardens' stitched on the back got into a low defensive posture as he braced himself for Jason to make his move.

Kyle began to make his way over from the right low post in order to set a screen but Jason waved him off, indicating that he wished to take on his defender by himself.

Jason began to approach his defender with slow and methodical crossovers. Left, right, left, right, then without warning he drove toward the left with a burst of speed as he pummeled the ball into the ground for another crossover.

The defender turned his hips as he dashed toward him in that direction, but before he could catch him Jason reversed directions back toward his right, dribbling the ball behind his back from his left hand to his right.

The defender's body still following his momentum he was helpless as all he could do was turn his head in Jason's direction.

Watching as he gathered his dribble and got into his shooting motion. With more than a step of space between him and his defender, Jason rose up for the shot.

His right hand still in the air from the follow-through of his shot Jason looked on as the ball sailed through the air.

As the ball swished through the net Jason held up three fingers on his hand that was still held high and began nodding.

More highlights followed as it appeared to be an entire clip showcasing Jason's outings thus far in the national tournament.

Shawn dramatically covered his face with his hand as he began to shake his head "Lawd, I still can't believe that you ain't ready to admit that Jaya should be universally recognized as the high level prospect that he is.

At this point I don't think there's anything he can do to change your mind Logan. I mean, the kid could do the unthinkable and win a national title with his team's first outing at that level and you would still find something to hate on."

Logan rolled his eyes "Please, I get that he put on a good show in his first two games but look at the teams he faced.

West Gardens from Ohio and Rockey Step middle school from Tennessee? You want me to be impressed that he did well against these low level programs that are barely above Jefferson in terms of their history of success?"

Shawn waved Logan off "Don't do that Logan, they might not be powerhouse middle school programs but they sure as hell ain't no Jefferson.

Between those two schools they have ten plus national tournament appearances. Compare that to Jefferson who is just now making their first appearance thanks to no other than that cat right there."

Shawn then pointed back to the screen behind them that was still showing Jason's highlights "Sure they ain't Golden Oaks or Central Park but Jaya's already shown what he can do to teams of that caliber.

So you tell me Logan. What in the world is it going to take for you to finally be convinced that Jason Yang, aka Young Buckets, is a legitimate and certified hooper?"

Logan shrugged his shoulders "All I need is to see him do it at the next level. I'm not trying to be a hater alright?

All I'm saying is that middle school is too early to try and label these kids as pro-level prospects. Hell, even high school might be too early depending on who you ask.

Just take a look at all those high schoolers with amazing mix tapes that ended up being five-year bench riders or at best fringe role players."

Shawn sighed "Fine, fine. You know what? I'm not even going to press the issue. Let's get back to talking bout the playoffs. Hopefully with that you can start making some actual sense."

- - -

Sitting on the bus Jason wore a comfy pair of gray sweats as he listened to some music with his headphones on.

Looking out the window he rested his head against the back of his chair 'Our first game against a seeded team.' A small smile appeared on his face 'This should be good.'

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