A couple times a week for the entire length of the summer, a Dallas Mavericks basketball player makes his way to the Dallas Mavericks youth basketball camp going down in a gym somewhere across the Metroplex.

The player gives a speech to the attendees about his path to the NBA that is followed by a chance for the kids to ask the players some questions.

The questions are always the same and the answers, depending on the player, also commonly fit a theme.

Obviously, to be a player in the NBA takes a singular focus and an uncommon determination. To be one of 400 NBA players in the entire world is a mathematical improbability, to say the least.

At the end of the question and answer sessions is the part I like best. I am nearly UM-hum-um years old and I still get goosebumps watching this game being played.

As a treat, the kids from each youth group (usually split in three age groups), ranging from five to 17-years-old, get to pick 10 or so kids from their ranks to play a game of “Knockout.”

Knockout is an individual shooting game that pits each shooter against every other shooter in the line. Played with two basketballs and a spot shot from the free throw line or three point line, the object of the game is for the first shooter to make his basket before the second shooter behind him puts his in the basket.

It’s simple: make your first attempt or put the ball back in the basket before the player behind you takes and makes his shot or put back. The direct match is against whatever shooter is directly behind you or directly in front of you.

For me, there is nothing more exciting than basketball shooting games. The reason: this game is solely about shooting. Make your shot before the person behind you and you rotate to the back of the line to fight another day. Miss your shot and risk being knocked out.

No excuses. No gray area. No do-overs. Make your shot before the next shooter or you’re done.

Today, more often than most days, I was reminded of exactly how underdogs can be big dogs in this game. But more importantly, I was reminded of how underdogs are rooted against when they seemingly come out of their place.

And this is my exact point about the game of Knockout. There is no pigeonholing in Knockout. There are no shoo-ins. I don’t care if you are Dirk Nowitzki against a five year old – if you don’t make your shot before the guy or girl behind you, you are toast. Sit down – you are out.

The responsibility is on you and your ability to put it in the basket. 100 percent on you. Not your teammate. Not your mom. Not your dad. Not your brother. Not your sister. You.

It has nothing to do with socioeconomic standing, athletic ability, intelligence, race, ethnic background, or good looks. It has to do with one thing: YOU PUTTING THE BALL IN THE BASKET before the person behind you.

I almost saw an underdog take the title today. He got cold down the stretch and lost. But he put up a big-time fight against everyone else in the shooting lane behind him (except one) and everyone in the gym around him, including some of the coaches, that were also rooting against him.

I hope he took pride in his effort. It really was an old-timey shootout. I hope he’ll work harder on his shot (now that he’s had some success) so the next time he plays knockout he can beat the shooter in front of him.

I also hope that some of the other kids took note and will work on their shooting more. I hope they give that underdog his due. You know, congratulate him on his effort because it’s something that should be congratulated. He put the ball in the basket when it counted.

It’s the point of the game.

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