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#6 How did Junior make the basketball team? In what ways was this related to his conversation with his dad earlier? (Madera L)

Before Junior tries out for the basketball team, his father gives him an encouraging talk that helps Junior step on the court with confidence. ]unior was a great basketball player on the Rez, but now that he is at Rearden, he is starting to doubt himself. Because of Junior's preconceived thoughts, he automatically thinks, "[he] wasn't going to be good enough to make even the C squad... [He] didn't think [he] could live through that humiliation" (Alexie 135). However, when he talks to his father, they share some experiences. Junior's dad explains that he is eight years younger than his wife and that she "boosted [him] up so [he] could get a drink. And imagine, all these years later [they're] married and have two kids" (Alexie 136). At first, Junior doesn't have a clue how this relates to him trying out for the basketball team, but then his father explains that "you have to dream big" (Alexie 136). Although Junior has multiple doubts, his father showed him that if you are optimistic and hopeful, good things can happen. When basketball started, Junior took his fathers advice and didn't give up, even when he wanted to. Junior was exhausted from playing against Roger but insisted to "take [Roger] on again" (Alexis 140). Because of Junior's father's advice, Junior reached for a goal that once seemed impossible, and made the varsity basketball. 

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