In a well-crafted story, everything makes sense. Which is more than I can say for sports.
-- Gene (Prologue )

Importance: Gene is far more comfortable with stories than with sports and has been since he was a child. Over the course of this novel, he learns to respect the players who step out onto the court without the assurance of a victory.

Oh, come on. Stories are all around us.”
-- Theresa (Prologue )

Importance: Gene has just received copies of his previous comic. He has not been working on another project for the past year, and he is worried about finding inspiration. Theresa responds with this quote.

You have to know your past if you want to create a future, Yang.”
-- Lou (1 )

Importance: Lou is explaining to Gene the reason he chose to major in history.

But eventually, because it required little equipment and no grass, the game was embraced in urban areas like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles...
-- Gene (2 )