CAL JOHNSON
Cal, the team's coach is the only one Lonnie believes he can't beat. The first appearance of Cal is drunk and lying in the middle of a basketball field. Because of this Lonnie sticks with the term, "First impressions are lasting" and has shaky feelings about Cal. The Tournament of Champions is coming up and Lonnie's friends want to enter. Mainly because scouts will be there and they want to be "Discovered".
Long story short, they meet Cal, who is known as a local bum and drinker, they find out he played for the NBA and really likes the game. Cal and Lonnie play each other. Cal wins, and he becomes the team's coach. Lonnie is not to accepting of the idea at first, however, after his friends convince him, he becomes a good team player and agrees. Ever so slowly, Cal grows on Lonnie by Cal giving him some useful tips.
Another way Lonnie and Cal bonded, is by telling each other personal information about themselves. On occasions, they might share their secrets together showing how trusting they are of each other. Since Lonnie figured out that since Cal is the coach, they might meet one another's friend or family from time to time. To close their partnership, they greet their loved ones to each other.
Long story short, they meet Cal, who is known as a local bum and drinker, they find out he played for the NBA and really likes the game. Cal and Lonnie play each other. Cal wins, and he becomes the team's coach. Lonnie is not to accepting of the idea at first, however, after his friends convince him, he becomes a good team player and agrees. Ever so slowly, Cal grows on Lonnie by Cal giving him some useful tips.
Another way Lonnie and Cal bonded, is by telling each other personal information about themselves. On occasions, they might share their secrets together showing how trusting they are of each other. Since Lonnie figured out that since Cal is the coach, they might meet one another's friend or family from time to time. To close their partnership, they greet their loved ones to each other.
Cal sees Lonnie's potential which is why he is hard on him and always "on my case" as Lonnie explained it. One secret Cal shares with Lonnie is his story back when he was in the NBA and how he got out. Cal had been forced to quit playing after officials founded out he took bribes to shave points from his score to make money.
When his "bookies" come around again, they tell Cal to throw the game once more. This is where Cal's character starts to show when he sees how much Lonnie's hope has risen and where he believes that they as a team are going to come through and make it to the big leagues. Cal does not want to end it all so he risks his well being to help his team. Cal does the right thing and does not let Lonnie blow the chance of a lifetime, but he does it at a fatal cost.
When his "bookies" come around again, they tell Cal to throw the game once more. This is where Cal's character starts to show when he sees how much Lonnie's hope has risen and where he believes that they as a team are going to come through and make it to the big leagues. Cal does not want to end it all so he risks his well being to help his team. Cal does the right thing and does not let Lonnie blow the chance of a lifetime, but he does it at a fatal cost.