“Aldridge, congratulations. This year you’ve proven that the Ramblers’ gamble on you paid off.”
“Well, I like to think of myself as a sure thing. And I trust the abilities of my teammates.”
“The team worked hard to secure this win. Looking back, it’s as if this was destined.”
“I believe in the importance of getting the right players in the correct seats. Once we accomplished that it was hard to stop what I like to call inevitable.”
“One thing you don’t lack is confidence. Where does that come from?”
“Hard work and dedication to my craft. I’ve loved basketball since I was a kid and being allowed to play on a professional level is a dream come true.”
“You and Colin Prat seemed to put your differences aside during the playoffs and finals. How was it playing alongside him?”
“I’m a fan. Naturally there would be a bumpy transition, but we both had the same objective and that was to win, and we came out here and proved that tonight.”
“What does Aldridge Mosley do next?”
“Tonight, I’ll celebrate with my girl, who was my support system for much of this season. I was already a winner coming into this game because I had her in my corner.”
“Do you want to give her a shout-out now?”
“No because you people are nosy and what she and I have going on is for us. This isn’t no Hollywood PR stuff.”
“Congratulations again. Enjoy the celebration, you deserve it.”
The excitement transitioned to the locker room with bottles of champagne and other manners of carrying on. I never understood the tradition of dousing the coach in liquids like Gatorade or champagne as a form of celebration. It’s a waste and everything gets sticky. But when in Rome you do Roman shit. The kinetic energy was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
When Danessa entered the room, she made a beeline toward me. Wrapping her arms around me, she gave me the biggest hug.I leaned into her and lifted her off her feet, planting a soft kiss to her lips.
“Oh my God, baby, congratulations, you deserve this.” Danessa whispered affirming words into my ear. “You were so amazing out there. I knew it. I sensed today was going to be a special day.”
“You knew we were going to win huh?”
“Never doubted you for a moment.”
“Is this the same woman who right before I left held my hands and told me and I quote, ‘Just try your best, that’s all anyone can ask.’ And no matter the outcome, you were proud of me regardless.”
“I didn’t say that because I didn’t believe. I said it to take some of the pressure off of you.”
“And I love you for it but you can admit you were split fifty-fifty.”
“Maybe just a little bit but once you ran out on that court, I could tell you were locked in. You had that same determined demeanor the afternoon of your NCAA championship.”
I planted several pecks to her lips. “I’m just glad you’re here to share it with me.”
Danessa caressed my cheek. “There is no place on this earth I’d rather be than right here with you, my MVP.”
Winning this championship with Danessa by my side made this moment all the more rewarding. Danessa knew what I had to sacrifice to get here. She would hang out in the stands typing papers while I practiced my free throws at the campus training facility. At the library while she was studying her notes, I was studying my playbook. And at night we’d dream about the life we’d have, me a celebrated NBA player and her a junior lawyer on the thirty under thirty list.
Winning a championship was always an inevitability but winning Danessa’s heart was far less certain. My life wasn’tperfect, but having her by my side made it easier. Rapping two empty champagne bottles together, I grabbed the attention of the players and their family members who were gathered.
“I just want to take a minute to acknowledge that most of you hated me on my first day. And I don’t blame you, I can be a little prickly. But with all sincerity, I am so proud of this team and the opportunity to play alongside each and every one of you. We are forever connected because this is a moment we will remember for a lifetime. Thank you for trusting me.”
Teammates patted my back while others cheered or nodded in agreement.
Colin Pratt cleared his throat while raising the half-empty bottle he was holding. “To the newbie.”
The locker room erupted with stomping of feet and laughter.
