Tales of the 3rd Team

Story 1:

Feels different. It’s the same but feels different

In episode one of the HBO series, Ted Lasso, the main character, is hired as the new coach of the soccer team AFC Richmond. Upon arriving into England, Ted Lasso comes to the arena, walks onto the field, takes a knee, and touches the grass. He looks up at his assistant coach Beard and says, “Feels different. It’s the same but feels different”.

I remember my first experience refereeing a game with players on the court. The smell of the gym was memorable—the hardwood floors were imperfect, creaky, and unleveled. The baseline had a particular sag near the basket, and that first step felt uncertain. I remember The roar from disappointed fans, coaches, and players, and they could care less that today was my first day.

Whenever I go to a new arena, I walk onto the court and touch the wood floor. “Feels different. It’s the same but feels different.” Many days I questioned my ability to do this job, I often failed. My bright spot was the next game. The smell, the wood floor, reminds me of that first day.

I do love the smell of the gym. Smells like potential.

I do love the smell of the gym. Smells like potential.

Story 2:

He doesn’t Like me

Ihad two off-ball offensive fouls. The coach didn’t believe either. He said, “They’re flopping.” They weren’t. In the first play, the ball was transitioning up the court in the backcourt. I didn’t get all of the information. I failed to get my eyes on the defensive player as he attempted to gain a legal guarding position on the transitioning post player. The post player had his eyes over his shoulder, looking back at the ball. He never saw it coming. My guess, it was a block. The defender slipped in late. But who would know? It wasn’t on tape, and everyone had their eyes on the player in the backcourt watching the ball.

Play two. I was ready, and I saw the set up then the crash. The defender set up nicely took a deep breath and took the contact center in the chest.

Coach screamed, “They’re flopping. What are you doing? You just don’t like me.”

I responded, “OK.”

He realized I wasn’t entertaining his conversation and approached my partner. “He doesn’t like me.” The conversation became a whisper far from my visual field.

My partner approached me at the next timeout. “Coach says you don’t like him.”

“I don’t. But if I did like him, what would it change?”