This is the first year I've ever played basketball and I didn't think I'd like it. But after a couple of weeks, I found out I liked it a lot.

Vern has been a big help. I didn't know anything when I first started, but after a few days of practice and his coaching, I was able to learn the game and actually enjoy myself.

Vern has been a big help. I didn't know anything when I first started, but after the first few days of practice and his coaching, I was able to understand the game and enjoy it.

Kobe Bryant is my favorite basketball player. He takes risks. He goes for the shot. He isn't cautious with whatever he does.

I'd been in Sacramento a day and already noticed the pervasiveness of its homeless problem. The city seemed like California without the masks or pretense: a place where dreams were occasionally made but mostly torn apart.

Games tell stories best when they're elliptical and ambiguous and there's a sense of roaming and freedom.