Foul Trouble

In this section of the novel, both protagonists are forced to learn hard lessons about The Unfairness of Subjective Value Judgments, and as the boys also face new offers that attempt to exploit The Power of Temptation, Feinstein makes it clear that Danny’s friendship with Terrell has withstood the divisive challenges that come with fame. Although many representatives devalue Danny even as they court Terrell, Danny does not let their slights and insults bother him because he has gained enough confidence in his abilities to avoid feeling threatened by Terrell’s fame. When Danny and Terrell are reunited with Swanson and Alex, they soon realize that the other boys have also been grappling with the moral quandary of accepting gifts and deals, and Alex in particular has succumbed to the temptations of such offers. For Alex, his ability to play basketball has become the whole of his identity, and he has allowed his worth as a basketball player to dictate his life choices, not realizing that he has far more to offer himself and the world than his athletic prowess.

Several brewing conflicts also reach a climax in this section, as when Danny finds himself fending off a physical attack from the Dudes in Chapter 25. Although the current situation sparks the incident, the fight is really the result of years of pent-up aggression, exacerbated by the fact that Danny condemns anyone who would misuse a friendship and treat Terrell like a tradeable commodity. However, although the altercation brings the simmering conflict out into the open, it also has profound consequences for Terrell, who is injured when he rushes to Danny’s defense. By jumping into the fight without considering the consequences, Terrell proves that he is Valuing True Friends over Fair-Weather Friends. Of all the people claiming to be Terrell’s friends, he knows that Danny is a true friend, and Terrell is willing to put himself in physical danger to help Danny because Danny has always stood up for Terrell. This fight officially ends Terrell’s friendship with the Dudes, emphasizing the fact that Terrell must let go of several unhealthy aspects of his life to find the right path forward.

Terrell’s injury temporarily also has significant consequences for his present lifestyle and Danny’s, for his temporary inability to play basketball forces him to rethink his priorities. Although Feinstein intends for this incident to act as a lesser version of Omar’s life-altering injury earlier in the novel, Terrell also has an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on his sport. While he is terrified by the idea of losing his ability to play, he does enjoy the break from the stresses of gameplay, and his positive mindset helps him regain his sense of satisfaction with his life in general. Instead of being the star player, Terrell uses this time to focus on the tactics and strategy of gameplay, discovering that his sports-related skills are more versatile than he previously realized. By contrast, Danny is suddenly forced into the spotlight, and he overcomes his nervousness and rises to the challenge for the sake of his team. Thus, Danny and Terrell’s shift in roles highlights their steadfast dedication to the sport and to one another. In addition, this interlude proves that no matter what Danny does, he will never have the same star status as Terrell. Even while Danny is the primary player on the team, he is never approached by the media or brand representatives. However, Danny does not mind this lack of attention because his goal is to help his team, not to show off.