Swagger (2021) s01e04 Episode Script

1 Those don't look like the ones on the box.
They're not supposed to, stupid.
They're homemade.
- Crystal, I'm good.
Chill out.
Crys.
- Stop playing.
Just try it.
Seriously.
Jace.
This is nasty.
This is bad, yo.
Straight tastes like dirt.
Hmm? Hmm.
I I don't know what I did wrong.
Me neither.
Let me try another one.
Maybe I just got a bad one or something.
Nah.
This one's bad too.
Just not as bad.
I'll just Bad too, right? Horrible.
Now I need some horrible milk to go with it.
[BOTH GIGGLE.]
No.
Yo, Crys, I know you saw Lester's repost.
My views are over 100K.
This is what it's like to officially be on the come-up.
Man, we out here.
Are you even listening? A hundred thousand views.
Congratulations.
Don't worry, I'ma be reposting you too.
Get your numbers up.
I don't need you to do anything for me.
Are you seriously jealous right now? That's it.
I'm jealous.
Matter of fact, the whole world is jealous of Jace Carson.
The whole world said I sucked, and I'm overrated.
Remember that? I remember.
DMV's got me back to number one with that Mendez kid.
And I'm finally getting some love.
If anyone could understand, I thought that would be you.
And if I was able to talk to someone, I thought it'd be you.
Talk about what? I thought something was wrong but I made a mistake.
So, you're angry at me because you made a mistake we never talked about? Forget about it, bro.
I see you into overpriced organic shit.
Got your quinoa, coconut water.
What's this? Ginger root? Icon trying to keep his sexy up, huh? - My sexy stay up.
What's good, Lil' Pip? - [CHUCKLES.]
- What's goin' on, big dog? - All good.
Me and the lady, we expectin'.
So, you know, gotta do the healthy thing.
Y'all 'bout to have a little Icon Junior running around? We having a little girl.
Oh, hey, ain't no gender lock on greatness, brother.
- I know that.
No doubt.
- Yeah.
But I hear your team doesn't suck as bad as it normally does.
[SCOFFS.]
Come on.
Ready for your annual tradition of getting whacked by my G-Dub mafia? Yeah, we do got y'all on the schedule comin' up.
Oh, yeah.
You know you do, man.
And I don't wanna hear your soft Swagger boys bitching and crying to the refs all night either.
- We don't play dirty, and we ain't soft.
- Mm-hmm.
But on the real, Jace Carson? That was a nice pickup.
He most definitely gon' get your paper up.
I tried to holler at his mom 'bout him playing for G-Dub.
Been a different story if I had a sponsorship when I talked to her.
Oh, y'all got a sneaker deal? So, what? Skechers? Or what what's good? [CHUCKLES.]
Jokes, man.
Nah, it ain't official yet, but Lester Davis? He's showin' interest, man.
You know the dude.
Think you could put in a good word for me, good brother? My good word? Stay clear of that situation.
For real.
Man, so what? He givin' you all that help.
- What help? - All that free advertising.
He blowin' up Jace Carson on IG and all that.
You tryin' to keep all the blessings to yourself, huh, Icon? I don't go by that no more.
Hmm.
I forgot how touchy you Seat Pleasant boys can be.
Okay, Isaac.
Guess I'll see you at the beatdown.
Okay.
[SIGHS.]
It's time.
Coach Bobby, I don't know how to thank you.
No need.
Really.
I feel lucky to be around him.
He's a great young man.
But hey, before I forget, I need you to sign the guardian papers.
¿Cómo? Guardian papers? Yeah.
Here, take a look.
It's all pretty standard stuff.
[SPEAKS SPANISH.]
Allows us to save a lot of time if something pops up.
Look, I can assure you everything that's in here is in his best interest.
You introduced him to a sneaker guy who likes your team, mm-hmm? I did.
Gladiator Sneakers might sponsor us.
And how does that work, actually? If the deal closes, and I'm confident that it will, we'll be getting a lot of gear.
And travel expenses to tournaments.
And exposure.
It means a lot of opportunity for your son down the line.
- For my son? - Yeah.
And the whole team.
But for him to be able to play in those tournaments, I need to be able to sign consent.
But if you let me know ahead of time, I could sign a consent and send it back to you.
Teresa, it's a lot more than tournaments.
For him to play at a school like Saint Augustus the next fall, I can't make that happen without guardianship.
But I am his mother.
Of course.
But I don't have time to track you down in Puerto Rico every time something comes up.
It just [CHUCKLES.]
It doesn't work that way.
But you had no problem tracking me down when you wanted my son to go play for you.
Is that why you flew me here? So that I could sign over guardianship? I'm going to try to forget you asked me that, Teresa.
Guardianship would allow you to make all the decisions.
You wouldn't have to talk to me, right? You would control what team he plays for.
You would control his future.
Look, honestly, with everything that I'm doing for him, his future will be a lot brighter if I'm in the mix.
You should try thanking me.
Nicolás! [SPEAKING SPANISH.]
- Mom Mami.
- No.
Nicolás! - [NICK.]
Mami.
- Teresa.
Nick.
Okay, Teresa.
Listen.
Hey.
Let's Let's calm down, okay? You are about to make a foolish mistake.
I may not be calm, but I am not foolish.
Come on.
And you stay the hell away from my son.
[SPEAKS SPANISH.]
- I'll be back to pick you up.
- [ROYALE.]
All right.
Hey.
Give 'em hell.
[CHUCKLES.]
I will, Dad.
- Yo, Phil.
- What's up? Yo.
We had some words after last game.
Does that mean I gotta run laps or something? [CHUCKLES.]
No.
Look.
[SIGHS.]
I shouldn't have brought you to Lester's house in the first place.
Why not? He's a distraction, and I want you focused.
Meeting him made me more focused.
Lester said the best of the best are consistent.
We got two dubs in a row, so let's get a third.
Florida, right, Coach? All right.
Let's get it.
Let's get it.
[WHISTLE BLOWS.]
[IKE.]
Pound, pound, wall.
Pound, pound, pass.
G-Dub Hoops are physical.
Strong.
But we are stronger.
- [WHISTLE BLOWS.]
- Jace! [IKE.]
Where's the focus? Stay focused.
Come on, y'all.
Tighten up.
Tighten up.
Get ready.
Finish strong.
Pound, pound, wall.
Pound, pound, pass.
They got us tied for number one.
Yeah, not for long.
Why you here? My moms must be trying to find out how much your coach paid for that ranking.
- I pay on the court, bro.
- The game I dropped 40 on you? We'll see what happens next time.
Oh, you already know.
You don't want it.
I want all the smoke.
[MEG.]
Exactly what kind of help are you looking for? I took my son off the Dominion Ballers.
That's a decent program.
We're living in Puerto Rico.
Coach Bobby recruited Nicolás, let him stay with him and his family.
Now he insists that I sign over guardianship.
- I'm not doing that.
- I don't blame you.
How did you get hooked up with Bobby? He saw a video of Nicolás playing ball, contacted his coach on the island.
Everybody said this area is the basketball mecca.
And so when the invitation came, we decided to go for it.
But now [SCOFFS.]
If I can't find a team willing to take my son, we'll have to go home.
- Willing to take him or put him up? - Both.
[INHALES DEEPLY.]
What does he want to do? He wants to stay.
[CHUCKLES.]
Nicolás feels like this is the only place he can realize his dreams.
He belongs here.
But I will have to stay.
I am not leaving my son alone again.
I assume that we're not the only team you're speaking with.
No.
But you are the first.
[BRETT.]
You realize what you're asking? There's nothing criminal or illegal going on here.
It's a moderate request for a good family.
You're asking me to graduate from buying uniforms and covering tournament fees to sponsoring a family from Puerto Rico.
That's moderate? [STAMMERS.]
Uniforms and tournament fees? He's an angel investor.
That's all.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
Look, I might be able to set them up in corporate housing.
Perhaps put the mom on someone's desk.
But as long as you got my boy shaking a tin cup for playing time, I'm not guaranteeing a damn thing.
Well, I don't really give a kid minutes based off their father's pockets.
[CHUCKLES.]
Okay, look, hold on.
Nick Mendez takes our team from being a good team to a super team.
Okay? I mean, think about Royale being in that mix.
And also instant egos.
Which is the benefit of having a great coach like you.
- [SIGHS.]
- [STAMMERS.]
I hate that term.
- "Super team.
" - So do I.
What do you prefer? A strong starting five that includes my son.
At least I know why Royale was your protected pick.
Here's a term I hope you both like.
Life is too short to be shady.
[SIGHS.]
That's a lot of drama to assemble a good team.
You stick at this long enough.
I mean, you'd be lucky to land a kid like Jace.
But to have two high-level players on one team? Changes everything.
- [SIGHS.]
- See what you can do, Brett.
I'm gonna talk to Ike.
[BREATHES HEAVILY, GRUNTS.]
Whoo! Done before sunrise? I'm out here setting new records this morning.
Oh, here's a towel for you, son.
Please use it before you get in my car.
[SIGHS, SNIFFS.]
I forgot to tell you.
Nick Mendez came at the end of practice.
For what? I don't know.
[PANTS.]
His mom was talking to Coach and Meg.
Whoo.
The end of the world is upon us! You will ask to be saved, but are you unwilling to be your brother and sister's keeper? They crucified my Lord.
They said Harriet was a fugitive.
The end of the world Apocalypse Anne is at it early this morning.
[CHUCKLES.]
[JENNA.]
Nine dollars of superfood.
You better lick that glass clean.
There's some left, Jackie.
You wanna kill it? You're joking, right? She just afraid it's gonna put hair on her chest.
It's definitely not putting any hair on that bony little chest of yours.
- [JACE.]
Oh.
Oh, wow.
- You should hit them push-ups harder.
[CHUCKLES.]
All right, I see what y'all got going on.
Little Black girl magic thing.
- Very nice.
Well done.
- Very nice.
Hey, Mom.
Lester Davis DMed me this morning.
Says I can go train with him, but it's at the same time as practice.
I'll call Ike.
Wait.
So, I can go? Of course.
You can't miss an opportunity like that.
Oh, it's over.
You and Lester still getting mad love on the IG, huh? Please don't say "mad love.
" I'd really be killing it if I got a pic next to that blacked-out Lambo.
Why didn't you? Him and Coach have some static.
What kind of static? I don't know.
One minute they was talking, then Ike got mad, and we bounced.
Hey.
Do y'all think I'm selfish? [CHUCKLES.]
Wait, no, no, no.
How is that even a serious question, Mr.
Won't-Wash-A-Dish Toothpaste-In-The-Sink Who-Loves-To-Leave-The-Toilet-Seat-Up? Again with the toilet seat.
Do you not look before you sit down? Is this basketball-related? Yes.
Then you already know my response.
- [JENNA.]
Not selfish enough.
- "Not selfish enough.
" I know.
All right, I'm gonna leave early so I can have a longer lunch break for my deliveries.
I'll see y'all.
And Jace, about the toilet seat.
Like your jumpers, you need to be working on your aim.
Booyah! [LAUGHS.]
[PHONE BEEPS.]
[SIGHS.]
[JENNA.]
Hello.
- Melony.
Your order came in.
- [MELONY.]
Hey, girl.
Wow, thank you.
That was fast.
Well, I don't waste no time.
I give FedEx a run for their money.
- Oh, you do.
And it's my color too.
- Mm-hmm.
[CHUCKLES.]
Jenna-Jen.
You got extra beauty samples for some of the ugly brothers up in here? No, but I got a swift butt kick coming your way.
Did you really cut a swoosh up in my son's head? Okay, look.
Your boy come up in here peacocking, talking 'bout, "Mr.
Sawyer, my mom won't mind.
" In retrospect, wrong decision.
You forgive me? Next cut on you? Deal.
Jace is a real good kid, though.
Real good.
- I love what you're doing with him.
- Thank you.
Sawyer, let me ask you something.
What about Ike, his coach? - What do you think about him? - The Icon? One of DMV's finest.
He's up on the wall.
Only the best gets up on my Wall of Fame.
Jace'll be up there, one of these days.
The '08 Seat Pleasant High School team.
They went to State twice.
Won the first time.
Icon, Lester Davis, and Ron Young.
Boy, those boys could go.
Ike and Lester have any issues with one another? I don't know about anything between Ike and Lester, but Ike had a few issues with his pops.
Right after the last state tournament.
It was sad.
They were real close.
Real close.
Then Charlie passed away.
Wow.
Ike [SIGHS.]
His game was never the same after that.
Never quite reached that Icon status again.
But he's a good man.
Hmm.
What about Lester Davis? [CHUCKLES.]
Solid as they come.
[SWAGGER PLAYER.]
Watch him! Switch! Let's see it.
I got it! I got it! - Right here! Cut! Cut! - Where's Jace? Jenna left a voice mail.
Said he couldn't make it.
- Just like that? - Just like that.
[MUSA.]
There you go! I'll look into it.
I'm over here! Come on, finish that.
[CHEERS.]
Okay, Royale! I see you! [EXCITED CHATTERS.]
[PANTS.]
Yo, check this out.
- What? - [ROYALE.]
That's crazy.
Bro, I can't believe this dude skipped on practice, bro.
What's going on? [SIGHS.]
[DREW.]
Dirty.
- Hey, I appreciate you, man.
- You got it, bro.
[BLOWS.]
Okay.
- Yo.
Hey.
- Thank you.
Remember to keep working on your range.
Add a three to your game with some consistency, sky's the limit.
- I'm serious.
- [JACE.]
Thanks.
- [COACH.]
Good to meet you, Jenna.
- You too.
- So what's up? I'll cook you right now.
- That's what's up.
- We gotta go, Jace.
- I'll cook But Mom, Lester said he was gonna give me a ride in the Lambo.
Don't put the man on the spot like that.
Nah.
It's cool.
Jace says he wants to go to Eddie Wang's Carryout.
That used to be my spot, so Driving or speeding? Nothin' over the speed limit, Moms.
I promise you.
- [IMITATES WHOOSHING SOUND.]
- [SIGHS.]
Okay.
- Yes! - Okay.
- Check up right now.
I want the NBA smoke.
- What's up? You want the heat? I don't know if Ike told you, but I offered to sponsor the team, and he turned me down.
- Why? - I don't know.
Maybe 'cause he resents how well I've done.
It's almost like he's trying to keep you from making it too.
The brother can be petty.
[CHUCKLES.]
You know that, right? Man, it's all good.
You ain't gotta say nothing.
But anyway, I'm sponsoring the G-Dubs.
- That's who we play next weekend.
- I know, I know.
We won't let that come between us, man.
I'm rooting for my team, but I'm also rooting for you, young king.
And when you're ready, we got a jersey with your name on it.
G-Dubs make it to nationals every year.
Every year.
- Thanks for the ride, Lester.
It was fire.
- It's all good.
Check out that car, bro.
Come on, bro.
[JENNA.]
This color would look good on her.
- Here.
- Helps with the the redness - Okay.
- Hold on.
- and the discoloration.
- I understand.
- Hi, Ike.
- Hey.
Oh.
I tried calling.
Yeah, and I didn't pick up, Coach.
I'm a little busy, and Jace isn't at home right now.
I was just coming to check in.
About what? You got something to tell me about Mendez? Mendez? Nothing there to tell.
But I saw a video, and Jace skipped practice to train with Lester.
It was a rare opportunity.
I told you about it.
You left a voice mail.
Look, Jenna, um I think basketball can teach life lessons.
Really? Accountability.
Reliability.
Look.
I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings for not speaking to you directly.
How 'bout you leave the life lessons to me, and you handle basketball? - I didn't mean Mmm.
- I'm sure you didn't.
Are there any other basketball concerns? The morning runs.
I'm listening.
Maybe you could cut back.
[CLICKS TONGUE.]
- It's a lot of strain on a young body.
- [SIGHS.]
You're on a roll.
Don't stop now.
- That's it.
- You sure? Maybe sometimes my wife can come see your cosmetics? [SIGHS.]
You know what? This is for her.
This is not necessary.
I insist.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Oh, and - Well, goodbye.
[MUSA.]
You ready? You sure you not too busy, Mr.
Carson? I mean, you big ballin' now.
You pulled up to a carryout in a Lambo.
[OVERLAPPING CHUCKLES.]
I guess times have changed.
For some of us.
So y'all gonna stay salty about that Dominion Ballers game, huh? I took over to get us all the dub.
Nah, you took over to get your clout up.
And you wanted to show off for a girl.
So don't give me that team ball bullshit.
At least I know how to pass.
Yo, we all agreed to have Musa's back, and you bailed on us, bro.
- He did.
- Just like you bailed on practice.
No, if I wanted to bail on you, I wouldn't still be here, aight? My bad on practice, but I'm not apologizing for ballin' out last game.
But which one of y'all did that J.
Amnesia post? - What post? - Says I forgot how to pass.
I want y'all to take it down.
Drew, you know about a post? - You know anything, Royale? - Nope.
All right, look.
We got two wins.
If we get a third in a row, we're off to a really good start.
But Lester Davis is sponsoring the G-Dubs now.
You know what that means? It's gonna be crazy cameras and press.
So let's show up.
[SCOFFS.]
All right, yeah, yo.
Let's show up, right? So Jace Carson can show out for all the cameras and press.
- Yeah.
- [PHIL CHUCKLES.]
Wait, nah, I didn't mean it like that.
[CLICKS TONGUE.]
Let's go, y'all.
Let's go.
Where y'all going? Serious? Lester says Jace is the future.
[SIGHS.]
That's unnecessary pressure to put on a kid.
All right, that's enough.
Can I have my phone? And aren't you the man who thinks that social media is bullshit? Yeah, but the problem is Jace doesn't think that way.
[SIGHS.]
Are you telling me that if you were 14, and an NBA player invited you for a workout, you wouldn't go? I sure the hell would.
Exactly.
Thank you, Brother Naim.
He shouldn't be missing practice.
That's all I'm saying.
He lets the team down when he pulls stunts like that.
And I agree with you, babe.
Okay? His mama can give me all the makeup in the world, and it doesn't matter.
Jace is not too young for responsibility, but Here it goes.
he's a kid in a grown man's body.
There are plenty of people just waiting for him to mess up.
Just give him a minute.
He'll see that you're there for him.
[SIGHS.]
She's not wrong.
- She never is.
I kinda hate that.
- [CHUCKLES.]
[CHUCKLES.]
Yeah, well, your work wife makes sense too.
Meg? Are you serious? Hey, we get Nick Mendez, we have two of the best players in the DMV.
So you don't have a problem with Meg asking a team parent to cut the check for the kid? - Given his situation? Hell no! - [SCOFFS.]
It's less corrupt than college ball.
Look, these schools, they'll drop an armored truck full of cash on a coach.
But let these ballplayers take a stick of gum, and they're in violation.
They're making moves to change that.
All right, so then let's not be behind the times.
Now, Nick Mendez, he got that dog in him.
[BARKS.]
- Come on, man.
That's your answer? - [CHUCKLES.]
Yep.
My pops was gettin' offered fancy cars and shit for me and Lester to play for this team or that school.
- Yeah.
- There's too much shady shit in the game.
Your pops did roll around in that old-ass Plymouth.
- With pride.
[CHUCKLES.]
- [CHUCKLES.]
He did, though.
I miss that grumpy-ass man.
He'd be proud of you.
You're not just building ballplayers.
You're building young men.
Just like your pops talked about.
But you know what? I think it's time for you to bring the Icon back.
What you saying? [STAMMERS.]
I'm I'm saying shake up the world, man.
One more time.
Look, we get these two players, and I'm telling you we'll have the DMV on lock.
- Real talk? - Mm-hmm.
I don't know if there's enough room on the court for Nick and Jace's ego.
And let's not even talk of how Jenna Carson'll flip if Jace gotta share more ball.
But I do know this.
Nick Mendez? He got that dog in him.
[BARKS.]
Stop doing that.
[SNIFFS.]
Hey, you busy? - Depends.
- [JENNA.]
Okay.
Where were we? So everybody made their goal last week - I [SIGHS.]
wrote a letter to our father.
- but I think we can do better.
What? I was gonna send it to his work address, and I I think you should write one too.
And say what? Uh, you can tell him about yourself and how not hearing from him makes you feel.
[SCOFFS.]
Or you could tell him about basketball.
Oh, I get it.
Like, how an NBA player cares more about me than he ever did.
[CHUCKLES.]
Like how Lester is willing to help me with my game so I can reach my dreams because my own pops is too caught up with his own shit.
Nah.
I'm good.
Okay.
Hey, Jack.
Hold up.
[JENNA.]
Yes.
You wanna Yes.
You wanna put it on really lightly.
- Do you know how to make brownies? - Yeah.
Vegan ones? I mean, I could figure it out.
Can you make some for me? Okay, but since when are you a Oh, wait, wait, wait.
Isn't Crystal a vegan? Yes.
Yes, she is.
- Ew.
No, she's like my sister.
- So, what what? Oh, really? So, then, what are you gonna make me? Nothing.
Look.
She's going through a tough time now, and I really need you to help me out.
Okay.
But if you wanna make brownies for her, then a good first step is not trying to get me to make 'em.
Done.
Yo, we still hittin' the carryout? Hell yeah, I'm about to kill me some wangs.
- "Wangs"? Simone, you so 'bama.
- [CRYSTAL LAUGHS.]
I know you did not just call me 'bama with them big old corns on your feet.
I do not have corns.
Crystal.
Crystal, please tell your girl about her ugly feet.
Like No cap though? Your feet are kinda jacked up.
Like, you've been kickin' on bricks all day, and they jacked up.
Like, 24/7.
- [GIRL.]
Thank you.
- [SIMONE.]
Show me your feet.
Hey there, Crystal.
Can I see you a minute? You want us to wait on you? Oh, she'll catch up.
Save me some wangs.
[BREATHES SHAKILY.]
Gladiator sneakers will be donating to the Dominion Ballers $25,000 in gear and apparel, which must be worn by you and your team at all basketball-related events.
And then we will give you an additional $75,000 for team expenses and core necessities.
Huh? [CHUCKLES, SIGHS.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Listen, Alonzo, um, this all sounds great.
Hey, man, come on.
We're excited.
You know what actually put you guys over? That last game.
Watching Nick Mendez give Jace Carson the business.
[EXHALES.]
Boy is box office.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Coach, your program just went from a nice place to pass through to a full-blown destination.
[COACH BOBBY LAUGHS.]
- Couldn't be more excited, brother.
- My man.
[CHEERING.]
Yeah.
Get that, Drew! Yeah! Yo! We need gear like that, bro.
- [PHIL.]
They got that court drip.
- [DREW.]
Oh, my [SWAGGER FAN 1.]
Yeah! Yeah! All right, all right! Yeah! Swagger's on.
What's up, young king? How you feeling? Hype.
For sure, I'm rootin' for you.
I can't say the same for your teammates.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Make us proud, aight? - No doubt.
Aight, for the city.
This place is a circus.
And there goes the clown.
[CROWD CHANTING.]
G-Dub.
D-Dub.
Welcome to today's game, featuring Swagger DMV versus our very own Lester Davis's G-Dubs Hoops Squad! Thanks to the giving spirit of Lester, we are proud to unveil what this gym has been begging for for years.
Let's give it up for Lester Davis! Real quick.
Shout-out to the Southeast! I love y'all with everything! Yeah! I also want to give a big ups and a shout-out to my old high school teammates over there.
Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo! Naim Rahaim! He was a senior our freshman year.
And I always looked up to you, bro.
And the head coach of Swagger.
Isaac Kennedy Edwards AKA Icon! This dude used to be the truth, man.
Too bad he's about to catch this fade today.
[LAUGHS.]
Come on up here, man.
Let's get this pic.
[WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY.]
Too good for my sponsorship, huh? The kids could've used my money.
All this bullshit just because we had a falling-out? Annihilate the competition.
Your old man taught us that.
I gave you a chance to apologize.
Our business is our business.
Just leave Jace out of it.
- You afraid I'm gonna steal him from you? - You don't give a shit about him.
Of course, I do.
A good kid like that is good for my image.
Wait until I get him on my team.
I'm not gonna let you mess with his head so you can play games.
He's hands-off.
Or what? You wanna settle this outside? Let's go then.
Nah.
I think I'm good, Isaac.
You see, 'cause unlike you, I actually got something to lose.
- God bless.
Yeah, you too, man.
- Good game.
Let's show 'em, baby! Yeah! That's why we here! That's why we here! Let's go! Let's go! We got this! Come on! All right, fellas.
Feel it! Go! Come on! We got you! [SWAGGER FAN.]
I see you! Yo, ref! [GRUNTS.]
Go, boy.
Post! That's what I'm talkin' about! Go, Swan! You're not gonna call that? You didn't see that? [PLAYER.]
Spread out! Spread out! [REFEREE.]
Foul! Twenty-five! Push! Yes! Yes! Oh! [GRUNTS.]
You gonna call that play? There's a foul on the court! - Stop! - [YELLS.]
[CHEERS.]
[GRUNTS.]
That's not a foul.
Ref, come on.
What is that? - It's a foul.
- That's all ball.
Don't worry about him, Ref.
Good call.
Ball don't lie! [IKE.]
Good job, Jace! [SOUND MUFFLES.]
- [DISTORTION STOPS.]
- [BUZZER BLARES.]
So, what? Y'all thought I was joking? I told y'all they were comin' to play.
No, they keep fouling us, Coach.
So, let 'em foul! Fight through it! All y'all! Fight through it! I hate to say it, but y'all playing scared.
Y'all gotta man up.
For real.
Jace, you got four fouls.
I need you.
All right? Slow it up.
Musa, I guarantee they gonna double Jace.
When they do, you got the numbers.
Drive, or kick it to these shooters.
Or pass me the rock! Not if you doubled, bruh.
I don't care if I'm doubled.
- You don't care.
- Pass me the ball.
- Yo, yo, chill! - I know what to do with it! - Hey! - Relax, relax.
[IKE.]
Check them egos right now.
It's not helping.
Bring it in! [IKE.]
Don't let them see you with your head down.
Now let's get out here and let's show up.
Together on three.
One! Two! Three! Together! You can't beat this team by yourself.
Not this one.
All right? [SIGHS.]
Take over.
[GRUNTS.]
That's fine.
Yeah.
No, it's halftime.
It's everything.
I gotta go.
I hear you like poaching players.
I hear you like trying to take kids from their mothers.
Know what, little girl? No, condescending jackass, I don't.
Why don't you tell me? I talked to Teresa.
I know what you're trying to do.
But I got too much time and too much money invested into Nick for you to come play fairy godmother.
Because I have the sneaker contract, the school pipeline, and everything else he needs.
They'll come to their senses.
[BUZZER BLARES.]
Boys are soft.
Hey! Where you going? Where you going? Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! [GRUNTS.]
Help him out! Yo, get back, get back.
[IKE.]
Let's go! Yeah! Yeah! [NAIM.]
Let's go! Way to go! Move! Yes, sir! That's right! That's right! Let's go! - [IKE.]
Let's go, big man! - [NAIM.]
Go, go, go, go! Let's go! [GRUNTS, GROANS.]
- Yo, what the hell is wrong with you, bro? - [WHISTLE BLOWS.]
What the hell is wrong with you? - Who do you think you are? - Let go, man.
- The hell is that move? - [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
[IKE.]
This what you want? [PIP.]
Get your boy some Kleenex! Good play! Good play! - What? He clotheslined my point guard! - [PIP.]
Good job! - That's right! - Are you serious? Call that both ways! - [LAUGHS.]
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! - What you call that? - Somebody's paying her.
- You taking it from us! Yeah, boy! Let's go! Let's go! Goodbye! Goodbye! Goodbye! Love you, baby! Everybody, bring it in.
[IKE.]
Jace, you fouled out.
- That ain't fair, Coach.
- Look.
I know.
[JACE SCOFFS.]
Royale, you in.
You all right? Yeah, yeah.
Look, you know why I'm putting you in? Because of that defense you showed me in practice.
All right.
We're down by eight.
If y'all wanna win this, we gotta go get it.
And go get it right now.
- Bring it in.
- Let's get it! Wait.
Check it.
Musa, last game was your time to shine.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry to all y'all.
But y'all time to shine is right now.
You earned this.
- Feel me? - Yeah.
And after the game, I'm unfollowing Lester Davis.
[LAUGHS.]
All right, y'all, we gotta fight.
- [BUZZER BLARES.]
- Come on.
Fight on three.
Fight on me.
- One! Two! Three! - Fight! - Go! - Come on! Hey, make sure y'all keep talking.
Keep talking.
- [IKE.]
Play together! D-up! - [MOUTHING.]
Call me.
D-up! [GRUNTS.]
[NAIM.]
Up! There you go! Get the ball! Stay out! [YELLS.]
[CHEERS.]
Let's go, Drew! That's what I need! [GRUNTS.]
Yeah! Come on! Go! Come on! Come on! - [IKE.]
Ooh! - Oh, yeah! All right! Ready? Eyes up! Eyes up! Look at the clock! Look at the clock! Meet in that middle.
Meet in the middle.
[PIP.]
Defense! Defense! Defense! [GRUNTS.]
[IKE.]
Come on, Royale! [IKE.]
Five! Four! Three! Two! One! [BUZZER BLARES.]
- [CROWD JEERING.]
- [PLAYERS SHOUTING.]
- Come on! Are you kidding me? - Come on, man.
Come on.
You all right? I got you.
You know I got you, all right? Come on.
Good game.
It was a good game, all right? Good game.
- Good game.
- Good game.
- Hey, keep it up.
Good game.
- [JACE.]
Good game, bro.
Hey.
About that J.
Amnesia post? What? That was you? Nah! I'm sorry, big dog.
Good game, man.
You scrub! [SIGHS.]
Well, almost had 'em.
Yeah, almost.
You aight? Need me to call you an ambulance or something? 'Cause the Icon I know don't like to lose.
Still hate losing.
But we damn sure won the fight.
What do you mean? Our boys showed us something.
Number one: Showed that they damn sure ain't soft.
Number two: They showed they can play unselfishly.
That's real.
Three: If we gon' run the DMV, we need to make room for a dog.
What about that stuff with your pops? Pops taught us to annihilate the competition.
That he did, that he did.
So, I'm just saying, can I, uh - Go ahead.
- [BARKS.]
[LAUGHS.]
I got a B-plus on my Spanish quiz yesterday.
I only missed, like, three words, but it was only the conjugation You really gonna talk to me about your quiz right now, Royale? Really? That's what we're doing? Just thought you would wanna know.
Fine.
Good job on your B-plus.
Now, you wanna tell me why you act like you never picked up a damn basketball before in your life? I just I had a bad game, I guess.
You had a bad game? Son, you keep having bad games.
I mean, you're fumbling the ball.
You won't shoot with confidence.
You're running up and down the court like you're lost half the time.
Like you're running through a damn maze.
What is going on with you? - Nothing.
- No, it's something.
I seen you hit that shot a thousand times, Royale.
A thousand times.
There's only so many opportunities we get in this life to be great.
To set ourselves apart from everyone else.
And tonight, you blew one.
You don't think I know I'm letting everybody down all the time? That I'm letting you down all the time? Whoa.
No, no, no.
We not playing the victim card.
Them boys in that team, they don't got close to what you got, and they out there balling out.
I got you playing in the hood so that you can get out this soft little bubble you in.
You need grit, Royale.
Work harder, man.
I do work hard! You see how hard I work! I just can't help it, okay? I don't know if it's me or the dyslexia.
I put in that work.
I'm sorry.
Look, man, I I didn't mean to go in on you like that.
Son [SIGHS.]
Okay.
Let's, uh [SNIFFLES.]
[BRETT.]
Let's go home.
[IKE.]
What's going on with you and Bobby? I saw y'all about to slap box each other earlier.
That man does not wanna see me in a ring.
Trust me.
So, I was thinking.
Of all the people in the world Nick's mom could've made a connection with Shit, she made it with you.
That's why you so good at what you do.
You're a connector.
That's why you're my partner.
Partners.
Doesn't always feel like we're partners.
- [CHUCKLES.]
- You didn't bend on the Lester thing.
You made it real hard with Gladiator.
[CHUCKLES.]
True, but you didn't really come clean about the whole Royale thing.
Let's press reset.
I'm down with that.
So [SIGHS.]
Nick.
Where does that stand? Brett says he'll step up.
Put the family up somewhere in the area.
- Mm-hmm.
- No strings attached.
Okay, well, let him know Royale's minutes are coach's discretion.
Period.
I'll get him to agree to that.
You think Nick is coachable? Let's find out.
- Mom, can you let me out here? - Let you out? Where you going? I wanna catch the end of Crys's game.
Jace, why did you let the other team get in your head like that? Huh? And then you almost get into a fight.
What was I supposed to do? Just let 'em tear Musa's head off? - You weren't supposed to get t'd up.
- But that's my teammate.
You the team, Jace.
You can't afford to do stuff like that.
Other kids can, but you can't.
Mom, as a leader, it's my job to be there for them.
Who told you that? Your coach? Nah.
He didn't have to.
So can I go? Boy, go.
Love you, Mom.
I love you too.
[PG PRIME PLAYER 1.]
Get on her! Come on! Back up! - Oh yeah.
Lock up! Let's go! Let's go.
- I'm open! [JACE.]
Yo, come on, Crys! Let's go! You got this! [COACH WARRICK.]
What are you doing? Fight for the threes! [PLAYER.]
Corner! Corner! [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
Crystal! Bench! [GRUNTS.]
[COACH WARRICK.]
Let's go! Let's go! Come on! Let's go! Come on! Let's go! Come on! Come on! Come on! [IKE.]
Sometimes we push the ball.
Other times we pound it inside.
Depending on the matchup, really.
You never want to be one-dimensional.
Yeah.
I remember you guys gave us a lot of different looks on D too.
[IKE CHUCKLES.]
Yeah.
Yeah, we did.
But I think I can learn your system pretty fast.
And with me on the squad, you might not lose again.
[CHUCKLES.]
But the thing is, if I were to play for your team, I have to wear number 21.
Well, that would be something that we need to discuss.
Every team I've ever played for, I've had that number.
[SIGHS.]
I understand that, but we already have a number 21.
Coach, I'm gonna be honest with you.
It's nonnegotiable.
Let me be honest with you.
If you're not willing to compromise, then I really don't see this being a good fit.
Uh What's it about number 21? It's the same number Roberto Clemente wore when he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Same number my father and grandfather wore when they played basketball.
I wear 21 to honor them.
So, what do you think? I think we gotta find Vince a new number.
Whatever.
[LAUGHS.]
[PEOPLE CHEERING.]
- [FENCE RATTLES.]
- [CHEERING FADES.]
Sup.
Thought you were gonna flake on me for a minute.
But then I said, she better not, especially not after I made these.
[LAUGHS.]
I admit, they're not as good as yours, but Hey.
- [SNIFFLING.]
- Hey.