"It's the best place in L.A. to ball...one court houses the homeless and the other accommodates the fearless." (Chapter 1, p. 4)

"Everything else in the world turning off." (Chapter 3, p. 18)

"Sticky swipes gear like he shoots hoops. Shuts off his mind and rolls instinct." (Chapter 6, p. 31)

"Type of dribbles that get you in the groove to cut and slash, body loose and quick to make somebody look like a fool." (Chapter 8, p. 44)

"I could tell you a lot about this game ... How a dark gym like Lincoln Rec is a different world. Full of theft and dunk, smooth jumpers and fragile egos." (Chapter 9, p. 52)

"But no matter who they are, or why they come, every one of them squints their eyes when they step foot out of the dark gym and back into the bright world that waits outside." (Chapter 9, p. 55)

"I know it don't sound good...