Andrew Pace
In the chapter In Like a Lion, Junior explains that his improvement in basketball is due to increased confidence and the power of expectations. He explains that he was a decent player on the reservation, but always assumed he would be on the bench cheering on his bigger, faster, more talented teammates like his friend Rowdy. However, at Reardon, Junior's coach made him a starter on the varsity basketball team as a freshman and expressed confidence in his abilities, which motivated Junior to work harder and improve his game. Junior also felt that he had something to prove to himself and others, especially when playing against the reservation team, as he wanted to show that he was worthy of the new expectations placed upon him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Increased |
| Expectations | Higher |
| Scoring | 12 points a game |
| Team | Starter on the varsity basketball team as a freshman |
| College | Play ball at a small college |
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What You'll Learn
Increased confidence from not being the lowest Indian on the reservation totem pole
In the chapter "In Like a Lion," Junior explains that his improvement in basketball is due to increased confidence from not being the "lowest Indian on the reservation totem pole".
On the reservation, Junior was a described himself as a "decent" player, but he always assumed that he would be on the bench, cheering on his bigger, faster, and more talented teammates, such as his friend Rowdy. However, when he leaves the reservation, he is no longer at the bottom of the metaphorical totem pole. He is now an important player on the basketball team, and his coach and teammates expect him to be good. This leads to increased confidence in his abilities, which further fuels his improvement.
Junior's improvement in basketball can be attributed to what he calls "the power of expectations". He explains that the expectations of others led him to have higher expectations of himself, which motivated him to improve his game. Junior's coach at Reardon, for example, made him a starter on the varsity basketball team as a freshman and even told him that he could see him becoming an all-state player and playing at a college level. This shocked Junior, as the idea of an Indian going to college was uncommon in his community.
Junior's newfound confidence and the expectations of those around him combined to drive his improvement in basketball. This is evident in his performance during the game against the reservation team, which became a pivotal moment for him to prove his worth and live up to the expectations that had been set.
Junior's improvement in basketball is thus a result of a combination of factors, including increased confidence, the power of expectations, and the support and belief of his coach and teammates.
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The power of expectations
In the chapter "In Like a Lion," Junior credits his improvement in basketball to the power of expectations. He explains that the combination of his own increased confidence and the expectations of others created a positive feedback loop that propelled his success on the court.
Junior's improvement in basketball can be attributed to the expectations set by his coach and teammates at Reardon. As a freshman, Junior was made a starter on the varsity basketball team, and his coach expressed confidence in his potential to become an all-state player and even play at the college level. These high expectations from his coach and teammates fueled Junior's motivation and belief in himself.
Previously, Junior had been a "decent" player on the reservation team, but he often found himself on the bench, cheering for his more talented teammates. However, when he joined the Reardon team, the expectations for his performance were significantly higher. Junior felt that he had something to prove, not just to others but also to himself. He wanted to show that he was worthy of the new expectations and that he belonged on the court.
Junior's improvement in basketball highlights the crucial role that expectations can play in shaping one's performance and outcomes. When individuals are expected to excel and are provided with the necessary support, their confidence increases, leading to improved performance. Junior's experience demonstrates that the power of expectations can be a potent force for positive change and growth.
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Junior's coach believed in him
In the chapter "In Like a Lion", Junior credits his basketball improvement to increased confidence and the power of expectations. He explains that at Reardon, his coach believed in him and made him a starter on the varsity basketball team as a freshman. The coach even told Junior that he could see him becoming an all-state player and playing at a small college, which shocked Junior as he had never heard the words 'Indian' and 'college' in the same sentence.
Junior's coach at Reardon played a significant role in his improvement and newfound confidence. The coach's belief in Junior's abilities motivated him to work harder and raise his expectations of himself. This is evident in Junior's statement: "they expected more of me, I expected more of myself, and it just grew and grew until I was scoring twelve points a game." The coach's encouragement and support empowered Junior to strive for excellence and fulfil his potential on the court.
Furthermore, the coach's decision to make Junior a starter on the varsity team as a freshman demonstrated his faith in Junior's skills and potential. This act of validation from the coach gave Junior a sense of belonging and purpose within the team. It is clear that the coach's belief in Junior was a pivotal factor in his transformation as a basketball player.
The coach's impact extended beyond the basketball court. By seeing Junior's potential and encouraging him to pursue higher education, the coach challenged societal expectations and broadened Junior's horizons. This is particularly significant given the cultural context of Junior's story and the underrepresentation of Indigenous people in higher education. The coach's belief in Junior's athletic and academic capabilities empowered him to break free from limiting stereotypes and strive for a brighter future.
The game against the reservation team became a pivotal moment for Junior. He felt the need to prove himself and show that he was worthy of the expectations set by his coach and himself. Junior's determination to succeed and never give up was fuelled by his desire to justify the faith that his coach had placed in him. This mindset not only improved his basketball skills but also shaped his overall outlook on life, fostering a resilient and tenacious spirit.
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He had something to prove
Junior's improvement in basketball is partly due to his increased confidence from not being the "lowest Indian on the reservation totem pole". On the reservation, he was a "decent" player but always assumed he would be on the bench cheering for his bigger and faster teammates. However, at Reardon, his coach made him a starter on the varsity basketball team as a freshman. The coach even told Junior that he could see him becoming an all-state player and even playing college ball. This shocked Junior, who asks, "How often do you hear the word 'Indian' and 'college' in the same sentence?".
Junior's game against the reservation team became very important to him as he felt he had something to prove to himself and others. He tells a reporter doing a story about the game: "I have to prove that I am stronger than everybody else. I have to prove that I will never give up. I will never quit playing hard. And I don't just mean in basketball. I'm never going to quit living life this hard, you know? I'm never going to surrender to anybody. Never, ever, ever."
Junior's improvement is also attributed to the "power of expectations". He explains that the expectations of his coach and teammates made him expect more of himself, and this drove him to improve his game. Junior's improvement in basketball can be seen as a result of his determination to prove himself and the positive impact of the expectations placed upon him.
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He was never going to give up
Junior's improvement in basketball is due to his increased confidence and the power of expectations. In the chapter "In Like a Lion," Junior explains that, on the reservation, he was a "decent" player but always assumed that he would be sitting on the bench, cheering on his bigger and faster teammates. However, once people started expecting him to be good, he started believing in himself, and his skills improved.
Junior's coach at Reardon made him a starter on the varsity basketball team as a freshman. The coach even told Junior that he could see him becoming an all-state player and even playing at a small college. This shocked Junior, who couldn't believe that someone would think an "Indian" could go to college. This is why the game against the reservation team became so important to him. He had to prove to himself and others that he was worthy of these new expectations.
Junior's determination is evident in his statement to a reporter: "I have to prove that I am stronger than everybody else. I have to prove that I will never give up. I will never quit playing hard. And I don't just mean in basketball. I'm never going to quit living life this hard, you know? I'm never going to surrender to anybody. Never, ever, ever."
Junior's improvement in basketball is thus a result of his increased confidence, the support and expectations of his coach and teammates, and his own determination to prove himself and never give up. He carried this mindset not only on the basketball court but also in his everyday life, demonstrating a strong and resilient character.
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Frequently asked questions
Junior explains his improvement in basketball is due to increased confidence from not being the "lowest Indian on the reservation totem pole" and from people expecting him to be good.
On the reservation, Junior was a "decent" player but always assumed he would be on the bench cheering for his "bigger, faster, more talented teammates" like his friend Rowdy.
Junior's coach at Reardon made him a starter on the varsity basketball team as a freshman, boosting his confidence. The coach even told Junior that he could see him becoming an all-state player and playing college ball, which shocked Junior.
Junior talks about the "power of expectations", saying that the expectations of his coach and teammates made him expect more of himself, leading to his improvement. He also mentions that the game against the reservation team was important to prove to himself that he was worthy of these new expectations.
Junior faces opposition from his former teammates, who see him as a traitor after he transfers schools. He also has to deal with the pressure of being the only Native American on his new team and proving his worth.
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