Post by RexLuthor on Mar 8, 2023 4:34:28 GMT -8
A New Arrival: A Tiny Championship Aspiration
As I walked out of the Portland International Airport, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with nerves. I was Tiny Archibald, one of the most talented point guards in the league, and I had just arrived in Portland to join the team for a chance at winning the champio p title. When I received the call to join the Portland Trailblazers, I knew that I was in for an adventure. I had heard a lot about my new teammates. I knew that I could help this team achieve greatness, and I was eager to get started. As I walked into the locker room, I was greeted by the some of the team. Mel Daniels, McCoy McLemore, Earl Manigault, and Jim Davis were all there, and I was pleased to see that we had a strong core of black brothers. They were a great group of guys, and I was thrilled to be playing with them. One thing that set me apart from my teammates was my size - at only six feet tall, I was considerably shorter than most of them. But I knew that my speed and agility would make up for my lack of height, and I was ready to prove that on the court.
As I looked around the locker room to get acclimated, I noticed something strange. There was a name Billy Paultz next to my locker. I said to myself "who the hell is Billy Paultz and why they put my locker next to his." I haven't had the chance to meet him yet, but it sounds like some Hill Billy Bob ass white guy, but let me get onto the court to get busy. I continue on and head onto the practice court with the rest of the team. There was one player in the shooting around with the starters lineup who was white. In my head I said "I know that ain't who I think it is? that better not be Bil" then you hear Davis yell out "Yo Billy, I see you finally be working on your boxout game. About damn time!" Now I realize that's my damn locker mate Billy fucking Paultz, and he stood out like a sore thumb. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I thought about the irony of the situation. Here I was, a black man with championship aspirations, and I had envisioned an all-black starting five. And yet, the reality was that we had a white guy in the mix.
At first, I wasn't sure what to make of Billy. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but I couldn't help but feel a bit of skepticism. I wondered if he would be able to keep up with the rest of us, both on and off the court. As we started practicing together, I found myself keeping a close eye on Billy. I wanted to see how he would fit in with the rest of the team. And to my surprise, he held his own. He was a skilled player, and he had a great sense of humor. We would crack on Billy but surprisingly he would return fire with his own jokes and making us all laugh. Over time, I started to appreciate Billy more and more. He wasn't just a white guy in the starting lineup; he was a valuable member of the team. I said to Billy "Ya know ya like a unicorn on this team? Aint too many of you whites around here, but you're holding your own just fine. But! you can't be hanging out with us on the outside with that wet mop on ya head." We both laugh. He had a unique perspective on things, and he brought a different energy to our practices and I hope this would translate into the games. And as the offseason progress, I found myself growing closer to Billy. We would hang out off the court, joking around and sharing stories about our lives. I realized that I had been quick to judge him based on the color of his skin, when in reality he was just another player trying to help us win a championship.
As much as it pains me to admit it, Billy Paultz ended up being one of my favorite teammates. I mean, sure, he was as white as they come, but the guy could ball. Plus, I never had to worry about losing him when we go out to my parts of town. Looking back on it, I realize now that Billy challenged my preconceived notions about race and diversity, and that was a pretty valuable lesson. Who knew that a white guy could bring so much diversity to a black team? This offseason taught me a lot about inclusion and acceptance, and it made me a better player, and dare I say it, a better person; even though he's still a little goofy looking
The End
