One day before practice, Dawk was called over to the bench by his coach, Billy Cunningham.

"Have a seat," Billy C. said. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

Darryl was happy to oblige.

"You been in the league for five seasons, Darryl. I know that you're still a youngster, but you have so much incredible talent that you could easily be an All-Star for many seasons to come. What bothers me, Darryl, is that you're wasting your talents. You don't work hard enough and you don't take the game seriously."

"Yeah," said Dawkins. "You're right, Coach."

"I mean, you're always kidding around with your buddy, World, when there's work to be done, and you never push yourself in practice."

"You're right, Coach."

"Do you want to be an ordinary player? Or do you want to be one of the best in the league? It's up to you, Darryl."

"You're right, Coach."

"You've got to change the way you approach the game, Darryl."

"Absolutely. From now on, you're going to see a new me. No more fooling around."

"That's it, Darryl. That's all you have to do."

"I'm going to work my butt off."

"All right, Darryl!"

"Starting from right now, I'm going to get serious."

"Yes, Darryl. Go for it."

They shook hands to seal their bargain. Then, as Billy C. stood up and started to walk away, Darryl gleefully stuck out a leg and deliberately tripped him.

While Dawkins laughed, Cunningham could only sigh.