CHAPTER 6

TRYING TO LOOK GOOD

Suddenly, Anton understood why Malik was playing selfishly. Malik’s uncle was a famous pro football player.

Malik was trying to show off.

But Anton was worried about his team. They had a record of two wins and one loss.

There were only six games left in the regular season. To make it to the playoffs, the Giants had to have at least six wins.

That meant they had to win four of the next six games to qualify.

Malik was a good player. But if he was going to keep playing selfishly, it was going to be tougher for the team to win.

And it might hurt their chances of making it to the playoffs.

Anton wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. He didn’t want to say anything to Malik, because Jerome Biggins was his uncle.

So Anton decided to talk to Coach Benson.

After the next practice, Anton walked over to the coach. “Coach, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked.

“Sure,” Coach Benson said. “What’s up, Anton?”

“I’m worried about Malik, because I think he’s trying to show off in front of Jerome Biggins,” Anton said.

Coach Benson frowned. “Anton, Malik is a very good player, and he has a lot of confidence,” he said. “Sometimes players who have a lot of confidence think they can do everything, and they don’t trust their teammates as much. I think as the year goes on, Malik will begin to share the ball more.”

Anton decided to trust Coach Benson. But he also started paying more attention to Malik’s behavior.

During the two games that Jerome Biggins attended, Malik kept the ball too much. Anton thought it seemed like Malik was showing off during those games.

The Giants lost those two games, but Malik was the team’s star both times.

When Jerome wasn’t there, Malik played much smarter and shared the ball.

He kept the ball when he should. He pitched it on the option play when he should. And when he dropped back to pass, he threw the ball most of the time.

When Jerome Biggins wasn’t there, Malik was a great teammate.

The Giants won both games they played when Biggins did not show up.

With two games remaining, the team had four wins and three losses.

Anton knew they probably needed to win their last two games in order to make the playoffs.

Anton decided that he didn’t have a choice. He had to talk to Malik.

Before the next game, Anton pulled Malik aside.

“You’re pretty lucky to have an uncle who’s a pro football player,” Anton said.

Malik smiled.

Anton continued, “I just want to make sure that we’re going to play as a team these next two games, like Coach said. We’ve got to make it to the playoffs. Just because your uncle was a great player doesn’t mean you need to show off in front of him.”

Malik’s smile disappeared. “Show off?” he said. “You think I’m showing off? I’m just playing the game, Anton. I’m just trying to win.”

“Yeah? Well, It just seems like when he’s here, you don’t share the ball as much,” Anton replied. “It seems like you’re trying to do everything yourself. It seems —”

He stopped when a man approached.

It was Jerome Biggins.