Swagger (2021) s02e01 Episode Script

1
[JENNA] Ooh child ♪
Things are gonna get easier ♪
Ooh child ♪
Things'll get brighter ♪
Ooh child ♪
Things are gonna get easier ♪
Ooh child ♪
Things'll get brighter ♪
["O-O-H CHILD" PLAYING]
[HUMMING]
[SONG CONTINUES]
[SONG ENDS]
[PLAYERS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
We brothers, we brothers ♪
We brothers, so strong ♪
[ALL] We brothers, we brothers ♪
We brothers, so strong ♪
We brothers, we brothers ♪
We brothers, so strong ♪
- [JACE] Ay, ay.
- [ROYALE SHOUTING] So what? So what?
We brothers, we brothers ♪
[SHOUTING] Hey, who we gonna be?
We brothers, so strong ♪
[SHOUTING] Hey, who we gonna be?
[CROWD CHEERING]
[CROWD APPLAUDING, CHEERING]
[ANNOUNCER] Welcome to the Maryland
State Basketball Championship
between Seat Pleasant High and
Cedar Cove Prep High School.
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]
[REPORTER] Talk to us.
Who's winning state?
Uh. They both seem solid.
Nah, Icon, you ain't getting
off that easy, brother.
- [SCOFFS]
- You played at Seat Pleasant,
and Phil Marksby, who
you coached in club ball,
- plays for them now.
- Didn't even notice.
You notice the starters in Cedar
Cove played for you as well?
Jace Carson and Nick
Mendez? Top 30 in the nation.
They won two national ABO
Championships with you.
You teach them everything you know?
- Oh, that's a hell, yeah.
- Hell, yeah.
- And they learned a lot more than that.
- [NAIM] Amen. [LAUGHS]
I'm not even mad at y'all.
[CHEERLEADERS CHANTING]
[DREW GRUNTS]
My bad.
- [PHIL GRUNTS]
- [GRUNTS]
My bad.
[NICK GRUNTS]
Ay! Shot!
That's a foul. Hold up! That's a foul!
Back, back, back, back. Drop.
Switch it. Switch it, Jace.
[DREW GRUNTS]
Our babies are all grown up.
[GRUNTS]
[CROWD CLAMORING]
What the hell?
No more diapers.
That was a mistake.
- Aight.
- Ay, ay, shake it off.
- That's a bet.
- Right here. Come on.
[GRUNTS]
- [WHISTLES BLOWS]
- [ANNOUNCER] Offensive foul!
Come on, Ref. He's flopping. Come on.
- Let's go.
- Come on, man.
- Wrap 'em up. Let's go!
- Come on, Jace.
- [GRUNTS]
- [CROWD CHEERING]
[CHEERS] That's how we do it.
[CROWD CHEERING]
[CHEERING CONTINUES]
[GRUNTS]
[CHEERING]
Whoo!
[CHEERING]
[CROWD CHANTING] Ten,
nine, eight, seven, six
- No. Give me the ball, bro. No.
- five, four, three, two, one.
- [CROWD CHEERS]
- [HORN SOUNDS]
[ANNOUNCER] Final Score. Seat
Pleasant, 63. Cedar Cove Prep, 71.
The new state champions
Cedar Cove Mustangs.
[CHEERING CONTINUES]
Hey, big man.
[WHISPERS INDISTINCTLY]
[SNIFFLING]
[CROWD APPLAUDING]
Good job.
[MOUTHING WORDS] I love you.
[MOUTHING WORDS] Love I love you too.
Come on, man! You know
what time it is! Yeah!
[CROWD CHEERS]
I'm talking about, Son.
I'm so proud of you.
- [CJ] We did it, Pop. We did it.
- Yeah, we Yes. You did that.
You did that.
Thank you.
- Coach. Fantastic game.
- Ms. Diane.
- That was the kids.
- They're state champions.
- Can I get an interview with you?
- Yes, of course.
Cool. Set up.
- [CLEARS THROAT]
- Set up.
Let me know.
- [CAMERAPERSON] All right, rolling. Yeah.
- I'm good?
I'm here today with Dr. Emory Lawson.
Athletic Director at Cedar Cove Prep.
Dr. Lawson, what does the
state championship mean to you?
At Cedar Cove, excellence is our charge.
These young men answered the call,
and frankly, I'd expect nothing less.
[JENNA] Miss Durant.
- Hi, how are you?
- Hey. I'm good. I'm Jenna.
- Hi, Jenna.
- I'm Jace Carson's mother.
You have yourself a
serious baller there.
Thank you. He's going
into his senior year.
Is there any advice you could give me?
Some of the people that love
your son, will love to hate him.
But don't let that get to him or to you.
Thank you. Okay.
- All right?
- All right.
All right. It's a pleasure meeting you.
Great year, Coach.
Yo!
Proud of you.
Ay, state!
Yup. Hell, yeah.
Hell, yeah.
No matter who's holding the
clipboard, I'm here 'cause of you.
- [CHUCKLES]
- I'm proud of us. Aight?
Aight. Love you, man.
- I'm gonna tap in, all right?
- All right.
Love you too.
["WHEN WE WERE YOUNG" PLAYING]
[CHEERING, CHATTERING]
[CHEERING]
[PARTYGOER] What is he doing here?
Can I help you?
I'm just looking for someone.
Hey, big man.
Thanks for pulling up, bro.
- [LAUGHS]
- [PHIL] Sup, dog.
Hey. He's with me, all right. Come on.
Come on, man. You see how we
do it over here at Cedar Cove.
This turn up is crazy.
Candace house. [CHUCKLES]
Hey, bro, I didn't realize you
was the next Michael B. Jordan.
Now don't start that.
[PHIL] You acted your ass off.
- [SCOFFS, CHUCKLES]
- Floppin' and shit.
I baited you, then I got inside
your head. Kinda like I always do.
- Hey, you got inside the referee's head.
- [CLICKS TONGUE]
If we breathed on you,
his whistle came out.
Man, I remember Cedar
Cove wanted you too.
Could've been down with us.
And be a part of Jace
Carson's supporting cast?
- [SCOFFS]
- Bruh, I've been there. Done that.
Crazy number of scouts were
there, anyone hit you up?
Uh, Saint Johns, Syracuse
Few others. You?
Wake Forest, UCLA, a few others.
Hey, you left it all out there, bro.
And congrats.
This year's gonna go by fast, man.
I'ma go one and done,
then I'ma enter the draft.
Bruh, we're two years away from the NBA.
It's crazy, right?
- [CHUCKLES, HUMS]
- [SHUTTER CLICKING]
Ah. [CHUCKLES] We look so pretty.
Bro, what in the world?
All eyes on us.
Can't mess this up.
[CHUCKLES]
[SCOFFS]
["DAY ONES" PLAYING]
Flight okay coming out?
Yeah, it was cool.
It was a little tight.
You're a big boy, it's gonna be
tight. You like California so far?
- Yeah. Oh, Coach, you did not What?
- [COACH LAUGHS] We had to do it for you.
[LAUGHS]
- Yo. [CHUCKLES] Mom, that's your boy.
- [JENNA] Mm-hmm.
Twenty-five.
[CHUCKLES] UCLA has more
national championships
than any program in the
history of college basketball.
There are over a dozen Bruins
on NBA rosters right now,
Jrue Holiday, Zach LaVine,
Westbrook. You know the names.
Yes, sir. [LAUGHS]
[COACH] Mm-hmm.
Given all of your options,
you have to decide.
Do you want to be good at the next
level? Or do you wanna be great?
- What do you think? [CHUCKLES]
- [CHUCKLES]
I like it. Uh, I like it here.
It's far away from home though.
What do you think, Mom?
It's far away from home.
[INHALES DEEPLY]
Hmm.
This is a great opportunity.
- [SIGHS]
- I'm so proud of you.
Hold up, hold up, hold up.
I know you not trying to cry right now.
Boy, shut up and give me a hug.
Give me a hug.
I'm so proud of you.
[PARTYGOERS] Happy birthday to you ♪
Happy birthday to you ♪
Happy birthday ♪
- [BLOWS]
- [CHEERING]
[KISSES]
[ALL CHUCKLING]
- [IKE] Oh, wait, wait.
- Y'all, hold on. Let me get it.
- Let me get it.
- [SHUTTER CLICKS]
[IKE] Oh. Okay, okay.
Hmm. [STAMMERS]
Hey, you okay?
Daddy, I don't feel so good.
Aw. What's wrong,
baby? Your stomach hurt?
- Oh. Okay.
- [CHILD] Ooh. Ew.
It's o It's okay, it's okay.
[CHUCKLES]
[SIGHS]
How is she?
[GROANS] Out like a light.
Good. Well, maybe next time
when I tell her she can only
have two slices of pizza,
you will refrain from saying,
"But it's her birthday."
Mmm. As long as you avoid
the, "I told you so" look.
Ooh.
But I have been waiting to give
you that look all day, so
Mmm. [INHALES DEEPLY]
All right, go ahead.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Happy?
Very.
[ASSISTANT COACH] There you go. Come on.
Use your fingertips, not your palms.
Nice. Nice, there you go. You
got rhythm, you got rhythm.
- [SPECTATOR 1] Coach Bailey.
- [SPECTATOR 2] Hey, Coach.
[SPECTATOR 3] Keep moving your
feet. All right. All right. [GROANS]
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
Fellas, if we continue to
have unforced turnovers,
we're only beating ourselves.
If we beat ourselves,
they'll eat us alive.
So, go get some water. Let's run
it again. All right? [CLAPPING]
- I like how you handled that, Coach.
- Really?
Oh, for sure. Mmm.
I mean, turnovers like
that make me wanna throw up.
- How 'bout you, Meg?
- Yeah, it's enough to make me wanna puke.
Oh. Y'all done?
It depends. You wanna see the videos?
I've only seen it ten times.
[STAMMERS] I'm fine. I'm
cool off the damn video.
- You sure? Because I'll put it on TikTok.
- No, no, no.
- I promise you, I don't
- [CHUCKLING]
Is Kathryn okay?
Yeah, they make 'em pretty durable now.
- [CHUCKLES]
- I can't believe she's three already.
[IKE] Yeah, and the wife
is getting stir-crazy.
Tonya wants to get
back in the workforce,
but I don't think my old job
at Independence Tool and
Repair appeals to her.
Yeah. Somehow I think
there's a better fit.
- [IKE] Yeah.
- I'll let her know if I hear of anything.
I appreciate it.
Um, can y'all hold it down?
- Yeah.
- Yeah, no doubt. We got it.
[IKE] Bet.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
[NAIM] Let's go. Run it back.
[IKE] Principal Freeman.
My apologies for popping
in on you like this, Isaac.
- I called a couple of times.
- Oh, I'm sorry about that.
We had a party for my daughter.
I was running all weekend.
I understand. You have a few minutes?
- Uh, yeah. Absolutely.
- Thank you.
[NAIM] It's a lot of work to do.
Is, uh Is everything okay with Phil?
This is about Coach Washington.
Hmm. It's not public knowledge
yet, but he's retiring.
Wow.
Uh, he had a hell of a run.
What's that? Fourteen, 15 years?
Seventeen.
After your father, he's the
most successful coach we've had.
[STAMMERS] I hope he gets
the send-off he deserves.
I'll see to it.
You know, I was a new teacher
when your father was coach,
I asked him about his philosophy.
- He told me it was, "To love the game"
- "But love the players more."
[CHUCKLES] Yeah. He was a great man.
He was.
You've had amazing success
with your basketball program.
A couple of National Championships.
Former players who are
on the NBA trajectory.
And you were one of the best guards
we've had in our school's history.
Hmm.
We'd love for you to come home
and become our next head coach.
Uh [SIGHS]
[CHUCKLES, STAMMERS] I don't
I don't know what to say.
You can say yes.
But you take a couple of days.
I'm sure it's not as lucrative
as your grassroots team here.
This is about continuing
an incredible legacy.
Yours and your father's.
["PROOF" PLAYING]
[MUSIC STOPS]
Damn! Ten dollars for a smoothie?
It gotta come with a toy or something.
[CHUCKLES] I know, right?
[JACE SIGHS, GRUNTS]
- You getting any looks?
- Huh?
- You Jace Carson, right?
- Yeah.
I used to see you on
the circuit in club ball.
I was, like, 15U. You
were 12U. [CHUCKLES]
We used to check you
out every chance we got.
[CHUCKLES] We were saying,
man, "Shorty's got next."
[CHUCKLES] I appreciate
you, man. What's your name?
I'm Semaj.
Samson?
- Used to play for Kentucky, right?
- A few years.
Overseas for a hot minute.
Now, I'm just trying to make some
dough while I figure out what's next.
- I feel you.
- How 'bout you?
Getting a couple looks.
Still trying to decide my next move.
I feel you.
- Hey, can we take a picture?
- For sure.
[SIGHS]
[JENNA] I've been able
to rent a house now
for the last couple years.
Not just because of hard
work, but because of vision.
Things turned around
for me when I realized
that we're not selling
cosmetics and skin care
to make someone attractive.
Our mission is to tap into
our customers' inner beauty
and to provide products that
illuminate what's already there.
- Right?
- [MEETING ATTENDEE] Yeah. [CHUCKLES]
Uh, a lot of significant
others, asleep behind the wheel,
they're not telling their
queens that they are beautiful.
[JACE CHUCKLES]
- How you doing, sir?
- My man.
[SIGHS]
- Saw this guy today. Semaj Samson.
- Mm-hmm.
Played at Kentucky, then went overseas.
Didn't get drafted. Now he's
making smoothies for a living.
[SIGHS]
Honestly, I can't say I'm
much better than he was.
Honestly, I can.
- You don't know who I'm talking about.
- I don't need to.
[SIGHS]
Maybe he didn't make it
'cause he doesn't have
a mom as good as you.
Mmm. You just earned
you some more lasagna.
I got it. I got it. I don't know
what Jackie's eating in college,
but she ain't eating as good as this.
Her go-to meal is Cheerios for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
[CHUCKLES]
My NIL agent has
something to pitch to us.
Something about an apparel company
wanting me to rock their gear.
You should've told your agents
that you appreciate the two
G's a month they give you
to sign photos and merchandise.
Beyond that, nobody's gonna care
about your name, image or likeness
if you don't continue to
elevate your game and studies.
Come on, Ma. I told 'em we'd
be happy to hear 'em out.
Well, I'm happy that they changed
the game for amateur athletes.
And I don't have any problem with
you putting money into your savings,
but they need to understand
that I'm working two jobs
so that you don't have
to worry about money.
This is a very important year for you.
You don't need distractions.
[JACE] Ma.
[INHALES DEEPLY]
There are some high-school
players making 20,000 a month now.
Trust, I am focused.
And I like having my own money.
No living in fear.
Fine.
[CHUCKLES]
[SIGHS, CHUCKLES]
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
[CHARLIE] Take over, Ike. No one better.
[CROWD APPLAUDING, CHEERING]
[RAP MUSIC PLAYING]
[ENGINE REVVING]
That boy cold.
What's up?
- Ah.
- Mr. Mendez.
- Good to see you.
- Back at it for another one.
Let's do it.
[CAR ALARM BEEPS]
Stretch.
You joining us in our stretch
today, Mr. Mendez? [SIGHING]
One of the reasons I
fought as athletic director
to teach a history class
is for this lesson.
It's a subject that is
near and dear to my heart.
Now, I trust you all did your
reading, so I turn it over to you.
[EMORY] What makes us a democracy?
Our ability to pursue our own dreams,
our religious freedoms, and our
abilities to elect our leaders.
[EMORY] What about you, Mr. Mendez?
Do you agree with
Matthew's declarations?
I agree in theory.
[EMORY] Ah.
But not in application?
My family and friends
are in Puerto Rico.
They can't even vote
in Federal Elections.
Puerto Rico does not
participate in Federal Elections.
What about you, Ellie?
Are we failing our democracy?
I think we'll always have our
shortcomings and room for improvement,
but that doesn't mean
we're not a democracy.
[STUDENT] So you're saying
when women didn't have the
right to vote in this country,
it was still democratic?
Hold on. How do you answer
that question, Mr. Carson?
Um
Saying it's a democracy
doesn't make it a democracy.
Women protested and
got the right to vote,
and we made democracy better.
But we only could have made that
happen in a democratic society.
Black people didn't feel
this was a democratic society
when we were denied our rights.
[EMORY] And now you have touched upon
our big project for this semester.
Is democracy a destination?
Hmm?
Or is democracy
a journey?
[BELL RINGS]
For the record, my parents bought
a vacation home in Puerto Rico.
We love it there.
[BELL RINGS]
- [CHUCKLES]
- [CHUCKLES]
[CHUCKLES]
- [GRUNTS]
- [CROWD CHEERING]
Yes! That's my baby.
[CHEERLEADER] Go, Jace!
Go, Jace! Come on, Jace!
You've got this, babe!
Yes, Jace! [GIGGLES]
[NICK GRUNTS] Ay!
[GROANS]
- [CROWD CLAMORING]
- [WHISTLE BLOWS]
That's a foul!
Ref! [SPEAKS SPANISH]
- Are you good?
- Back up.
- Come on, man.
- [REFEREE] Help.
[NICK GROANING]
- [COACH] Real slow. You're okay. Here.
- [GROANS]
- [CROWD APPLAUDING]
- Yo.
Hey, boys, bring it in here. Come on.
Listen, he's gonna be fine, all right?
He's got the wind knocked out of him.
This is our game. CJ,
you're in. Johnny, you're in.
- Let's go. Let's go.
- [DREW] Yo, come on.
[PLAYERS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[CROWD CHEERING]
[COACH] Stay on him.
Come on, get back, get back.
[CROWD CHEERING]
Man up! Let's go!
[CHEERING]
[COACH] Swing it! Swing it!
[CROWD GROANS]
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
Oh!
[CHEERING]
CJ. CJ, right.
[PLAYERS CHEERING, CHATTERING]
It was a good one. That was a
great win. Give it another round.
Come on. Keep it going.
[PLAYERS CHEERING, CHATTERING]
Man. I'll tell you, I am I am
so, so proud of each one of you.
The amount of growth we've made,
and how quick we've made it.
I mean, we got a pair
of division titles.
- We've got a state championship.
- [PLAYERS CHUCKLE, CHEER]
[COACH] That's y'all. That's y'all.
Listen, boys. Um
What I've got to tell you,
there's never a great time for.
So, I'm just going to shoot
you straight and tell you, okay?
I've been offered an assistant
coaching job in North Carolina.
Yeah. I don't know if you know this,
but it has always been my dream
to be head coach at the next level,
and I see this being
the path to do that.
Now, boys, I have loved every second
of helping you all accomplish
your dreams. I have.
Unfortunately, in
in this situation, I have
to pursue my own, okay?
When are you leaving?
[SIGHS] Two weeks.
[PLAYERS MURMURING, SCOFFING]
I I don't understand. We're
two weeks from our regular season.
I've activated a search committee,
and we will find a suitable replacement.
[COACH] Listen, I'll be here meanwhile
to make sure that transition happens
as smoothly as possible, boys.
You said you'll do everything you
can to ensure we go back to State.
I understand that, Jace. I do.
This was unforeseen.
Congratulations, Coach. Congratulations.
[PLAYERS APPLAUDING] Yeah.
That's right. Congrats, Coach.
Congratulations.
These are delicious.
[CHUCKLES] They're Crystal's recipe.
Her world-famous vegan brownies.
Yet another reason to
be impressed by you.
[CHUCKLES] Thank you, Coach.
I don't mind telling you,
we've been tracking you for
quite some time, Crystal.
Now, a part of our identity
at the University of Maryland
is defend, rebound and run.
All three things that you've
been doing at the highest level.
I think you would be a
great fit for our program.
I've been a huge fan of UMD
for as long as I can remember.
[ANGIE] Mm-hmm.
Do you like the idea of your parents
being able to see you play in person?
Very much so.
It'd be a dream come true.
[CHUCKLES, INHALES DEEPLY]
- I wouldn't be too upset.
- [CHUCKLES]
[COACH] Uh, what we'd like to do
is have you come visit us on campus.
We'll show you around
and see if you think the school
is as good a fit for you as we do.
Because we're offering you a full ride.
Thank you, Coach.
[CHUCKLES]
[CHUCKLES]
[CHUCKLES]
[TONYA] No, well, I've only been
out of the workforce for three years,
and these salaries that they offer me
is like I'm a college
kid on summer break.
Mmm, it's no joke out there.
You know, you can always come
and work with Holly Ann Cosmetics.
So you can fire me?
- [IKE CHUCKLES]
- [TONYA] Girl, no. [CHUCKLES]
Coach, did you hear about Nichols
moving on to North Carolina?
[HUFFS] Yeah, I heard.
I'm sorry about that.
Looks like they're thinking
about bringing in Camden Ryder,
some dude from overseas.
What you think?
Well [INHALES DEEPLY]
Camden did have some issues with
his temper when he was in the NBA.
Hopefully, he's matured since then.
Jace has got too much riding
on his senior year to be hoping.
That part.
We need to know he's with
someone who will watch his back.
[IKE] Yeah, for sure.
Uh, I'll ask around and see what
else I can find out about him.
And then give me the
name of the overseas guy.
You don't know anyone else interested
in coaching high school basketball?
No one at all?
Who told y'all?
Told us what?
Okay, I got it.
I tell Naim, Naim tells
Musa, and Musa tells you.
- Or my mom's just psychic.
- [IKE, TONYA CHUCKLE]
[IKE] Look, it's [SIGHS]
It's not that I'm interested
in coaching high school ball.
But But Seat Pleasant?
That's where I became a
man, let alone a baller.
I mean, it's-it's
it's where I met Tonya.
Naim.
It's It's where my dad coached me.
And no one's trying to take
that away from you, Coach.
But you did say if I
ever needed anything.
- [CLICKS TONGUE, CHUCKLES]
- [TONYA CHUCKLES]
You don't need me no more.
Would you be willing to meet with
the Cedar Cove athletic director?
Say yes. You owe us.
- [IKE] I owe you?
- Mm-hmm.
- [IKE] Okay. How do you figure?
- [CHUCKLES]
- Give me time. I'll figure it out.
- [TONYA] And you know she will.
[JENNA, IKE CHUCKLE]
[IKE] A-A place like that
don't want a guy like me.
Let me worry about that.
Is that a yes?
[CLICKS TONGUE] Yeah, I'll
I'll have a meeting with the man.
All right?
- Yes.
- [IKE] Okay.
[INHALES DEEPLY, SIGHS]
[CAR ALARM BEEPS]
You must be the Dr. Athletic Director.
And you're Coach Isaac Kennedy Edwards.
Uh, do we gotta keep it so
formal? Everybody calls me Ike.
Um. Informal's fine
by me, Ike. Pleasure.
[PHONE DEVICE] You've
arrived at your destination.
Ah, sorry. Sorry about that.
You have trouble finding the place?
Oh, no, it was fine.
It's, uh, quite the architecture
y'all got around here.
It's older than it looks.
Been doing some recent remodeling.
We're hatching a new
science building over there,
and the main building for
the upper school's torn down
to meet environmental standards.
We even have a garden on the roof.
- Match that rise in tuition. [CHUCKLES]
- [CHUCKLES]
Well, it did pay for
the new athletic wing.
Mmm.
- [MOUTHING WORDS] Come on.
- Okay.
Our coaches usually come from
their own Ivy League backgrounds.
Had some of our playbooks,
signed and bound.
We've gotten some steam
from our football program,
but it's really basketball
that put us on the map.
Jace Carson graced the
cover of our newsletter
after winning the state championship.
But we don't let our students
slack on their studies,
and provide some of the best tutors
to support them throughout the season.
What is your Jace Carson plan?
[BREATHES DEEPLY] My Jace Carson plan?
Well, you see, he has a long way
to go in a short amount of time.
All due respect,
I acquired inner-city kids
to win a state championship
and buy into the Cedar Cove way.
Don't underestimate
the impact that has had.
The Cedar Cove way?
Expect greatness, achieve greatness.
Well, obviously we can agree
that these inner-city kids
are not trophies.
When we succeed, on
some level, we all are.
Let's talk in my office.
[IKE] Vinyl?
I'm a purist.
Do you mind?
Feel free.
[IKE] Come on.
Now, I know the good doctor
don't have Chuck Brown up in here.
Go-go music is the soul of the people.
You mind?
Please do.
["BUSTIN' LOOSE" PLAYING]
Keep what you got until
you get what you need, y'all ♪
[CHUCKLES]
You got to give a lot just to
get what you need sometimes, y'all ♪
Gimme the bridge now ♪
I feel like bustin' loose ♪
Bustin' loose ♪
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
[CHUCKLES]
[MUSIC STOPS]
[IKE] So you was one of those
jack-of-all-trade athletes, huh?
Tennis, baseball, lacrosse. I even swam.
You don't see a brother grace
a swim meet quite enough.
I like to defy all misconceptions.
We're capable of setting out
whatever we wanna accomplish.
Winning is just a frame of mind.
Do you like to win, Ike?
Very much.
Well, we have something in
common. Let's get some fresh air.
You have a very impressive list of
accomplishments on your résumé.
I have to ask, what happened in
college? Noticed a lack of a degree.
Oh, um, it's because I didn't get one.
I took a personal leave from Georgetown
and got too busy going back and forth.
Six credits from graduation.
We care deeply about
optics at Cedar Cove.
Our coaches have to set
our standard for discipline
and take academics as
seriously as our students.
For the Ivy League playbook?
Wouldn't hurt.
[CHUCKLES, INHALES DEEPLY]
If it was a nonstarter,
why'd you waste my time?
I got a ton of emails from
parents whose kids you've coached.
Jenna Carson was especially insistent
that you are the man for the job.
[INHALES DEEPLY] Besides winning,
how would you describe the job?
Our head coach needs to be a great
role model and a great leader.
Profanity's okay in the locker
room, but not on the court.
[CHUCKLES, INHALES DEEPLY]
And, uh,
players, whether they play
a lot or hardly play at all,
they must feel like they
are a true part of the team.
It's important for people
to know their roles.
I do that for my players,
not for the optics.
You're very confident in
your personal playbook.
They don't call us Swagger for nothing.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
- Oh, there she is.
- [CLEARS THROAT]
- Mike, how are you?
- Good to see you.
- I am well. Well.
- [CHUCKLES]
Alonzo Powers, meet Diane
Harrison-Fitzpatrick.
- It's a pleasure to meet you.
- Nice to meet you as well.
- Please.
- Thank you.
[ALONZO GROANS]
So I was just sitting
here talking with Mike
about your many accomplishments
over at Cedar Cove Prep.
[CHUCKLES] Mike is one of our
most trusted board members.
[CHUCKLES]
He should be our press secretary.
[MIKE, ALONZO LAUGH]
But we did, in fact, have a good year.
- [MIKE] Yes.
- We doubled in donations.
That's impressive.
Well, how do you attest
for such a dramatic uptick?
Oh, our support team, really. [STAMMERS]
As chairwoman of the board, I
get to work with people like Mike
and amazing volunteers.
Mmm.
I bet winning state last
year didn't hurt, did it?
[CHUCKLES] No, it
absolutely did not hurt.
[MIKE CHUCKLES]
So, I was wondering if you could,
uh, withstand another donation?
[STAMMERS] What would
that look like exactly?
Well, I'm I'm sure Mike told you
that I work with Gladiator
sneakers, correct?
That He did mention that. Mm-hmm.
Well, we believe that the
development of youth athletes, uh,
is of the utmost importance.
So, we would love to outfit
your entire Cedar Cove Mustangs.
Cross-country, water polo,
soccer, football, baseball
And And basketball.
Especially basketball.
And you'd outfit our entire
athletics just because of one team?
Oh, no, no. No. [CHUCKLES] No.
We'll outfit your entire
athletics because of one player.
Ah. Jace Carson.
He's that special.
I I sponsored his
15-year-old club team.
He led that team to two
championships back-to-back.
You think winning state
attracts donations?
What do you think winning a high school
national championship would attract?
Well, I I hadn't considered that.
- Perhaps you should.
- [DIANE CHUCKLES] Yeah.
Oh, how are you guys doing
with the coaching vacancy?
[EMORY] Hi, Diane.
Hope it's not too late. [SIGHS]
Not at all.
I was wondering how the
search for head coach is going.
[EMORY] I have two strong candidates.
Camden Ryder, NBA
pedigree. And Neil Wicks.
Was head of Fieldston
Academy in New York.
Both understand the
culture of Cedar Cove.
Hmm. Thank you, Emory,
but I'm gonna need you
to take another look
at one of our other candidates.
[PHONE RINGING]
- Hello?
- Ike. Dr. Emory Lawson, Cedar Cove Prep.
O-Oh, hey, brother, listen, if
if something's missing out of that
office, I promise it wasn't me.
[CHUCKLES] I am calling to offer you
the position of Head Basketball Coach.
Seriously?
Officially, Interim Head Coach.
Meaning what?
[EMORY] It's just a formality.
We are prepared to make
you an attractive offer,
which includes housing and day care.
[STAMMERS] I'm, um I'm not
gonna lie, I wasn't expecting this.
There's a stipulation.
You will take classes, on your
own time, in pursuit of a degree.
Oh, man, if I, uh if I
accept the job, I could do that.
I would need to pick
my own coaching staff.
- [EMORY] But you keep Coach Seymour.
- [IKE] Who's Coach Seymour?
Seventy-two years old. He's been
on the coaching staff for 35 years.
Uh, I won't need him.
[EMORY] He's harmless,
and it's not negotiable.
[INHALES DEEPLY]
Listen. Uh, thank you
for the unexpected offer.
I'ma seriously think about it.
So, why'd you wanna meet me here?
[IKE] Sentimental, I guess.
Hmm. You getting old or soft, or both?
[CHUCKLES]
I'm getting better and more handsome
by the day. I can't control that.
[JACE CHUCKLES]
So, how you feel?
[JACE SIGHS]
Man, half of the time, I'm
just as hyped as I am nervous.
When we used to play here,
I taped this sign on my wall.
It said, "NBA. Never be afraid."
[SIGHS] Been trying to
remind myself of that.
Doesn't always work though.
King, it can't always work.
You know? You don't think I get scared?
I mean, do guys as
handsome as you get scared?
[BOTH LAUGH]
Maybe
Hmm. Maybe you should tell yourself
"Never be afraid to be afraid."
"Never be afraid to be afraid."
"NBATBA."
- [GROANS, CHUCKLES]
- Ah.
My mom is tripping
about all this NIL stuff.
I mean, you didn't have to deal
with that when you were coming up.
No. I just had to worry about
being broke. [EXHALES SHARPLY]
[LAUGHS, INHALES DEEPLY]
Man, I talked to the athletic
director at Cedar Cove.
How'd that go?
It was all right.
I was walking into Seat
Pleasant High when he rang me.
He offered me the job.
So, that's why all the
sentimentality. To let me down easy.
That word is gonna go
out your vocabulary.
- What word?
- "Easy."
I ain't going easy on you one bit.
What are you saying?
I'ma take the job.
You said you was on your way to
Seat Pleasant. Why switch it up?
The other night, I said
you don't need me no more.
Maybe I'm right.
Might be wrong.
But what I need is to help Jace
Carson cross that finish line.
You good with that?
The world ain't ready for
what's about to happen, are they?
Not even close.
[GAME FOOTAGE PLAYING]
[JACE] Let's go, let's go, let's go!
[VIDEO STOPS]
[JACE] Let's go, let's go, let's go!
- [WARRICK GRUNTING]
- [DREW] No. You're going too far.
You're gonna kill him.
- [DREW, MUSA, PHIL SHOUTING, CLAMORING]
- [JACE] Let's go, let's go, let's go!