Ball is life, you said after every one of your 29 game winning shots.
Ball is life, I thought to my 8 year old self as I pulled up with .9 seconds on the imaginary clock over an imaginary defender.

Ball is life, you said after winning the NBA Slam Dunk Championship with a between the legs dunk.
Ball is life, I yelled after rattling in the least convincing of dunks.

Ball is life, you said when you showed those kids at Rucker Park what it’s like to play against the best.
Ball is life, I proudly said, as I wore your #24 jersey to every pickup game at the local park.

Ball is life, you said as you didn’t let a cocky 14-year old show you up at your own camp.
Ball is life, I said as I pleaded, tears in my eyes, asking my parents if I could go to your camp.

Ball is life, you thought when you stepped out to play a grown man’s game at the age of 17.
Ball is life, I wrote on the tongues of my sneakers before my first ever high school game.

Ball is life, you said when you ruptured your Achilles tendon and tore your rotator cuff in consecutive seasons, yet still had the drive to play another grueling NBA season at the age of 37.
Ball is life, I thought to myself as the doctor told me I had torn my ankle ligament.

Ball is life, you said when you won 5 NBA Championships.
Ball is life, I said when our high school team won a game.

Ball is life, you said wide awake at 4:00 AM, impatiently waiting for your trainer to arrive.
Ball is life, I said drowsily as I woke up before school to get workouts in.

Ball is life, you said, not breaking a sweat, after shooting 1000 shots that day.
Ball is life, I said through short breaths, struggling to get 200 shots in after practice.

Ball is life, you said after being selected to play for the Olympic team.
Ball is life, I said happily after coach told me I was good enough to start.

Ball is life, you snapped at reporters who don’t understand why you were so demanding of your teammates.
Ball is life, I said angrily to my parents when they asked why I cared more about a game than I did about school.

Ball is life, you said for the most inspiring 19 years a small, scrawny Indian boy with hoop dreams could have asked for.
Ball is life, I said, as I pushed myself every day, trying to come close to your greatness.