Original subtitles

Xièxiè.

Isn't this home?

For the book or the Town Car?

Keep taking bets through football season.

Then I want to wash my hands of it.

We're in the basketball business now.

It's all on you, Alfred.

That's right.

Listen to your Uncle Jackie, Alfred.

It's for lunch money.

Says "prep."

They're definitely not in the basketball business.

Good morning, AP English class.

Yeah.

"Good morning, Mr. Richmond."

Oh.

Whether you know it or not,

you are a coming-of-age story.

That's right. This moment... right here, right now...

you are coming of age.

Now, give me an example of

a coming-of-age story that you relate to.

All right, Miss Eleanor.

What is a coming-of-age story that's affected you?

Free Willy.

Um, I'm not familiar.

It's a movie about releasing a killer whale into the wild.

Man, free Max B.

Mister... Alfred,

welcome to AP English.

I prefer my stripper name, Boogie.

Uh, okay. Ok...

No, all right, all right, that'll do.

- Max B is in jail for murder. - You got to hear both sides.

Mr. Boogie,

one day, we all meet our match.

So...

I present to you...

Holden Caulfield.

That's not what it says.

Oh, Lord.

I missed you.

I'm gonna keep telling myself that I missed you.

- 'Ey, yo. - Mm?

Tell me this nigga ain't staring straight into my trap.

You mean this Hunan beef on the curl machine?

- Yeah. - That's Boogie Chin.

What's he doing here?

- Don't he go to Bishop Molloy? - Mm.

He tested into City Prep so he could play Monk.

Personally, I think he's wrapped like a wonton.

- Fuck Monk. - Mm-hmm.

And fuck ballplayers.

You know I can't quit ballplayers.

Man, it was quiet for ball

till you transferred here.

Now you got these little Asian niggas

pressing up your jersey like you Jeremy Lin.

Man, Jeremy Lin can suck my dick.

Man, what?

I thought y'all fucked with him.

Nah, he more model minority Jesus freak than he is Asian.

- Chill, man. - No shade, though.

Yo.

Who is that?

Oh, that's Eleanor.

He could get it if he stopped staring.

I really don't care.

He could watch me suck that sweet and sour sparerib.

Girl, you just hungry talking about all this Chinese food.

Mm-hmm.

Come on, man, back me up.

No, bro, we got to get to the elliptical.

Shut the fuck up.

- Nice pants. - You got a staring problem.

- You got a pretty vagina. - Hey, yo.

Get the fuck out of here

with all that bullshit.

You better respect my mind.

Yo, facts, though.

Hold on.

I know this stew chicken didn't say "facts" to my face.

All the beef's gone bad.

Mm-hmm. I'm 'bout to go vegan.

- She wants it. - My vagina?

Get up.

Use your eyes.

Let's show 'em you can focus.

I am focused.

They give everybody else credit for being passionate

but look at me like I have an illness.

They're not gonna give us shit in this country.

You understand?

No one believes in an Asian basketball player.

It's a joke.

We can cook, clean, count real good,

but anything else, we're picked last.

But if you stick to our plans and we beat Monk,

we'll get our shot at the NBA.

Well, I wish I could just beat Memphis Houston

and prove 'em wrong.

Memphis?

Come on.

Memphis is soft.

If you want to be the best, you got to beat Monk.

That's why I transferred you to City Prep.

You got to show those recruiters

you're better than Monk.

That you're the best in the city.

What's up, Mom?

Nothing.

Same old fucking ji bai bullshit, inshallah.

You got to relax.

Relax?

Why don't you tell me how to relax, huh?

You and your father have this crazy NBA dream...

- How to relax? - I can walk on at Georgetown.

How are we gonna pay for it? All we have are unpaid bills.

Who cares? It's my problem, not yours.

You're always so miserable.

I'm miserable?

- Uh... - Mm. What?

I can get financial aid.

Hmm?

Boogie, run the play.

Yo, float to the corner, fam.

Boogie, use the screen.

- Use the screen! - Throw the ball, bro.

Pass it.

Come on.

What happened?

- That's selfish basketball. - Look at this fucking cornball.

What'd I tell you about snitching, man?

- All right. - You got a wire on you?

Everybody, relax.

You want to borrow my phone, call 911?

Relax. Come on. He's just doing the play you called.

Come on.

All right, everybody, hit the showers.

That's it for today.

Think that's funny? Huh?

I mean, a little bit.

See next practice if it's funny.

Go take a shower.

And you, I want to have a conversation.

Come on, guys, keep it moving.

Nothing to see here.

Chill out on the rubbernecking.

Come on, speed it up.

Snitches get stiches.

Let's get this Axe body spray going.

We're all excited.

We have a chance to win every game

with you playing on this team.

But if you want to beat Monk and Brooklyn...

and let's be honest, it's the reason why you're here...

you have to start playing team ball.

This team is hot trash.

You can't say that.

It's a fact. You won three games last year.

You can't reduce people to hot trash

regardless of how many games they lost last year.

I'm not talking about them as people.

On the court, team is hot trash.

We didn't ask you to come here.

You're here for your own selfish reasons.

You chose this family when you transferred here.

Hey!

Oh, shit.

- Damn. - You always forget

the south-side exit got the fishmongers.

Yo. How is Chinatown next to SoHo?

These gremlin keepers,

they ain't learned to boutique their shit.

Yo, I need to see a white chick cop a durian, for real.

You been to this spot before?

Nah, but my mom wrote it up for The Times, though.

Damn, your moms works for The New York Times?

Yeah. What your parents do?

Man, my mom talks shit, and my dad drives a Town Car.

Hey, I mean, my pop's Dominican,

so you know I never met him.

Man, you stupid.

Hey, can't stop us now.

Yo, that's Eleanor.

Oh, shit, it is.

You still want to go in?

Yeah, I mean, she kind of bad

when she not dressed like Capone and Noriega.

- I love this. - Mm, I don't know.

I think you're kind of swimming in it. It's like...

Yeah? I really like it.

Oversize is cute, no?

Oversize is cute,

but you got them sleeves looking like used condoms.

- Excuse me? - Out. Get the fuck out.

- Damn. - I'm sorry.

- Get-get out. - I'm trying to buy that.

- He just gets like that sometimes. - Sorry.

Uncalled-for. Uncalled-for.

So... what's good?

You're a fucking asshole.

Don't front. You know that was funny.

That girl and her little influencer friends

help keep the shop open.

She got bread like that?

She's 18 and sells Fit Tea.

She don't spend money on nothing

but vintage and wet wipes.

So you hate this chick more than I do.

Of course I hate this chick.

I hate all these fucking thirst traps

with their spray tans and their butt injections

fucking up the game.

Who doesn't hate a thirst trap?

Don't front.

Should come to the game this weekend, though.

I don't fuck with ballplayers.

You ever huff spray paint before?

- Spray what? - Hmm?

- Go on. - Shit, nah, but...

I'm 'bout... I'm 'bout it all.

This what you got to do to get daddy mad?

Ooh, shit.

Damn, this is crazy.

I like freaky girls like you.

- All right. - This is what I'm talking about.

- Freaky like y'all do exciting stuff. - Nah. Mm.

- Mm-hmm. - Like, you're doing good work out here.

- Yeah. - Like, you-you living life.

'Ey, yo. Richie, you, too. Get the fuck out.

Okay.

Damn, girl, I was actually gonna cop something.

- But now I'm not. - Bye.

Sorry.

You will all present your own coming-of-age stories,

but as we see in the literature,

while you may one day stand singular and triumphant,

no one ever gets there alone.

Except maybe Bilbo Baggins.

John Wick?

John Wick. Good. I'm culturally relevant again.

So, let's all break into pairs.

I'll leave it to you to choose your copilot.

Don't be shy.

Can you believe I'm hungry again?

Good day, madam.

Yo, so what's up?

About what?

Being partners.

Don't play yourself.

What do you want?

I-I... I want to... I want to be partners.

I want to read the book together.

We'll, like... we'll get mad A's together.

I'm spoken for.

Damn, though.

That was close.

Good try, Arroz Con Pollo.

You know, you a little bit racist.

- You know that, right? - Nah, I'm just hungry.

- Mm. - Mm-hmm.

I feel like the game is strong. I don't know what it is.

Is it strong?

I feel like a left-handed layup right now.

What year was this again?

June 5, 1989.

One day after Tiananmen.

Greatest moment in Asian American history.

This tennis match?

Come on.

Name another.

Unbelievable.

'08 Olympics.

You cried when Yao Ming carried the flag

for the opening ceremony.

8/8/08 was emotional, but it was a ceremony.

Plus, not Asian American.

Linsanity.

He gave the credit to Jesus.

He did.

What about the girl

that designed the Vietnam War Memorial?

Ah. That was big.

Maya Lin was only 21 when she designed that.

But Michael Chang won a Grand Slam.

Mm, how old was Michael Chang when he won this?

17, same as you.

I'm 18, man.

You know what? Whatever.

You've been watching this old-ass tennis match from 1989

over and over again.

Against the number-one seed...

If you were Chinese in America in 1989,

this match would matter to you.

...who literally should not be on the court.

If you are just joining us, you are joining us

at one of the magic moments in this sport.

Double fault!

Michael Chang has won the match.

I don't believe it.

- Is the coach coming? - He said 5:00.

It's 5:10.

He's gonna be here soon, okay?

He's not gonna sit in this chair, is he?

What's wrong with the chair?

What's wrong with this chair? It looks like fuck.

Dining room chair?

We're not a Chinese restaurant.

Xiao Ming?

No.

- It's my chair. - No!

- I like my chair. - No, this is ridiculous.

It's the best chair we have.

This is not a spa.

It's a great chair.

Don't worry about it.

Get ready.

It's a good chair.

It is a good chair, right?

- Hey. - Oh, hey.

- Welcome. - What's happening?

Thanks for coming.

- Thank you for having me. - Yeah.

- Come in. Good to see you. - How are you today?

- All right. - Oh, I'm sorry. Um, no shoes in the house.

- Oh. Not a problem at all. - Yeah.

Hold on. Not a problem.

- I'll put some respect on the house. - Thank you. Thank you.

- Absolutely. Boogie. - Patrick.

- What's up, my guy? - Nice to see you.

- How are you? - Good.

- The man of the house. - Hey, Coach.

- Thank you for coming. - Thank you for having me.

How's the day going?

Just hanging. Uh, would you like some tea?

Oh, nah, that's the official beverage of the Sunken Place.

- I'm cool on that. - Oh, do you want some coffee, then?

Uh, it's a little too late for coffee, but thank you.

- Beer? Yeah? - Beer.

A man after my own heart.

I'd definitely take a beer.

Everyone likes beer. All right.

This chair is very comfortable, man.

- Yeah. - Oh, thank you.

Chinese beer.

Chinese beer? It says "Taiwan beer."

- Oh, um, it's complicated. - Oh.

Okay. Well, look, man, uh, thank y'all for having me.

I know you got a big game this weekend.

Yeah, I'm-I'm looking forward to it.

Yeah, man. Hey.

Dennis Thompson, he's tough, but I know

you got some tricks up your sleeve.

Yeah, we'll see. I-I feel pretty good.

Yeah, I'm not even worried about that,

but when you going against the Dennis Thompsons of the world

and the Monks, like, you know, you just...

you-you can't keep your foot on the gas the way that you do.

You know, you got to switch up your speeds.

You know, put some trust in your teammates, stay focused.

At the highest level, it's-it's mental.

- You dig? - Mm-hmm.

- Yeah. - Thank you.

- Hey, that's right. - Thank you.

Pops likes that.

Okay, I'm sorry, Patrick, but, uh...

I mean, are you gonna give him a scholarship or not?

- Hey, hey. - No, wait. I mean, this is a valid question.

We've been talking for over a year now, but...

there's still no scholarship offer.

Hey, Mrs. Chin, you know, uh,

like this beer, it's complicated.

But we can give Boogie

a first-class education at Georgetown

and a walk-on spot on the team,

and I'll connect him with some of

our financial aid advisors and, you know,

see what can happen, but unfortunately,

there are no scholarships available right now.

Welcome to the Barracks,

where, if you're not going hard,

you should've stayed on the FDR.

You know how NY gets it cracking.

And by the way, this is Monk's house,

so if you trying to be the best,

you got to beat the best.

And that's word to Artest. Let's go.

Oh, shit.

Monk is here.

The champ came to stake his claim.

Let's go, baby.

- Everything good? - No doubt.

Y'all look at this nigga right here.

I see you, Chin!

That nigga ain't worth shit, man.

- That ain't nothin'. - Little cute-ass nigga.

- Word. What up? - Fire his ass up today.

Let's get it poppin'.

Monk, let's get it, baby.

Let's go!

A'ight, hit Monk.

Spin on 'em. Serve it up.

Banzai!

Look who we have here.

The Vanilla Gorilla.

Memphis Houston is in the building.

The young Jedi has arrived.

Try to pull a sword out of stone on Monk's court.

A'ight, what you gonna do, Vanilla?

Gotcha!

A'ight, let's go, Monk.

This your crib. Let's get it.

Welcome to the party!

Aah!

Get 'em. Caught 'em.

Split 'em both.

Oh!

What the fuck?

Sure fucked this nigga, man.

Somebody get this nigga some crutches, man.

Fuck it, he need a wheelchair.

What the fuck is wrong with you guys? Are you okay?

Here.

Patch him up.

That's what it means

to you niggas, huh?

Who's fucking each other up?

I don't enjoy doing it, but if it's what I got to do,

I'm-a do it.

I wouldn't hurt someone just to win a game,

and I hope you wouldn't, either.

Why you so upset about it, though?

He's a bully.

It's one thing to cross someone.

It's another to break their ankles and then laugh at them.

It's just a game.

Yeah, I like talking about this with you, though.

That's just game.

It's not game. I've been consistent.

Okay.

I'm into you.

What else are you into?

Dominoes.

You play dominoes?

Yeah. I mean, I used to.

What happened?

My Uncle Jack, he don't want me taking people's lunch money.

He right, though.

You nice?

Not as nice as I am at basketball,

but I don't really care.

I just like counting 'em up.

That's the most Asian shit you've said.

- She shoots... - Flying down.

...she doesn't score.

So, don't go too far left. That make sense?

Yeah, but... Yeah.

So, I know you want to go, like, down the middle

and, like, Michael Jordan airtime it.

- You know what I mean? - Yeah, why not?

So just go from over here, here...

You're good.

Yeah.

But it looks so cool when you go fast.

You know, when they're, like...

- when you're, like... - Oh, oh.

Okay.

- Oh! - Oh, I got it.

Get it.

Shoot a couple.

Feel like I need to put some swag into it, you know?

Let's go. You got it. Put the swag in it.

- Aw. - Damn, I suck.

It's like I'm going too high.

- It's a miracle. - Shut up.

We out.

Did you guys see that?

We out. We out.

That's what I'm talking about.

Stay focused. Team defense.

Close out! Close out!

Oh, you fucked up now.

You know what it is!

All right, stay focused.

This is our first big test against Midtown Tech.

Fuck it, we passing this test.

Box, box.

Clear it, clear it, clear it, clear it.

And all these scouts that came out

to see Dennis Thompson and doubted my baby

can choke on a ham bone.

Listen, as a self-hating Chinaman, I was skeptical

about this Boogie character coming to City Prep.

Why? 'Cause he wasn't playing Jenga with you

in the boba spot?

Perhaps.

Terry, you got to stop hating.

Do you see them yellow thighs?

Mm, I see you, zaddy!

What's "zaddy"? Is that an app?

It's like "daddy," but it's sexy.

You just put some twang on it. "Zaddy."

There he goes. There he goes.

All right.

Boogie has busted Midtown,

so now they're playing Dennis on him mano y mano.

A'ight, stay focused. Get that zone set up on the defense.

Yo, man, scouts is here for Dennis Thompson,

your man got us playing this weak-ass zone.

- He ain't my mans. - Call the shot, nigga.

One, one, one.

Come on, don't go rogue.

Stick to the plan.

Play the zone.

Time-out.

Reading you like a menu, son.

Come on. Too easy!

Sit your ass down.

- Don't play yourself. - What?

I'm the coach of this team.

You respect the plays that I call.

That's a weird flex, Coach, but a'ight.

Excuse me?

We're up 11. It don't matter if I sit.

You know what? Get out of here.

With about three minutes left,

Coach Hawkins has sent Boogie to the locker room.

Did you not agree with that?

Why don't you go handle the coach again?

Shit.

- Mrs. Chin. - Huh?

I'd like to introduce you to Josh from St. John's.

Mrs. Chin, Josh. Nice to meet you.

Hi. Nice to finally meet you in person.

Yeah, well, it worked out this time

because I'm here to see Dennis Thompson.

- Okay. - Oh, I mean,

Boogie put on a hell of a show, for sure.

That's, uh... that's why I'm here now.

Well, thank you.

- We really appreciate that. - Mm.

Now, I'm gonna have to confirm this with the coach,

but I think we could guarantee Boogie

a non-scholarship spot at St. John's next season.

- A non-scholarship spot? - Yeah. Yeah, exactly that.

With all due respect, Boogie could walk on

- at any college and start. - Mm-hmm.

As I said inside, we're looking for a scholarship offer.

Hmm.

Look, I love Boogie... I really do... but...

well, you saw him self-destruct

- at the end of the game. - Well, I...

Now, physically, he's all there, but...

mentally, he's raw.

Maybe he's just passionate about winning, Josh.

Uh, let's keep in touch, okay?

Mrs. Chin, it was a pleasure.

Talk to you soon.

Don't look at me like that.

What'd he say?

I don't have a problem.

Meet Uncle Melvin.

He can help you get a scholarship

into a Division I school.

He'll clean up your mess.

It's, uh, nice to meet you, Alfred.

He's your new manager.

Mr. Chin, Alfred,

pleasure to meet with you both today.

- Hmm. - The pleasure is ours.

And Alfred would like to begin by saying something.

Well, if Boogie's not ready,

there are a few things I want to get off my chest.

I'm sorry, Coach Hawkins and Principal Kodak.

That's not necessary.

This is our culture.

I sincerely regret embarrassing the school,

my family and my ancestors.

I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity

to play at City Prep

and won't take it for granted again.

And we are happy to have you, Alfred.

I hope this is satisfactory

and assures both of you that Alfred has strong parents

who value respect and discipline.

These are things our culture is founded on,

and without them, we are nothing.

It's water under the bridge.

I mean, it's good to know that Alfred values

respect and discipline,

and I look forward to coaching him.

Dude.

Two million.

Give me that back.

Don't be mad.

Yo, you ain't even shuffled right, son.

Oh, you're gonna blame it on the shuffle.

Clearly, bro, you got all the money, you got all the...

- This is not right. - All right, well, you know,

how about next time, you shuffle the deck?

Let's-let's just get to the book real quick, you feel me?

You really want to read this book over playing this game?

Look, I don't want to read the book.

I just kind of have to read the book

if I'm finna get into college.

Like, I need to pass this class, homey.

I'm just saying, bro, like, none of these books...

- Uh-huh. Uh-huh. - ...that... none...

the school has given me did I connect to.

Not one. None of the characters,

none of the stories, nothing.

- It's fake, man. - Man, we don't got to connect.

We just got to get some grades, you feel me, man?

Have you ever connected to anybody in a story like this?

Legit, have you, in any book?

I mean, my mom put me onto this-this one dude Oscar Wao.

He a Dominican cat, and, uh,

he had to go back to the DR

and live with his family over there,

and that shit was pretty cool, actually, so...

you know, if you keep looking, there might be something.

I need to pass this class, homey.

We'll finish this shit after, bro.

I'll take your money afterwards.

I should've bet.

So, um, you don't think it's likely

that Alfred gets a scholarship

to one of the top-ten schools at this point, huh?

No, I don't.

The blowup in the last game really hurt him.

Oh, come on, Melvin.

He's just aggravated because

his father has him on this suicide mission

to beat the number-one player in the five boroughs.

- Don't think that's the issue. - Okay.

Listen. Alfred is my only son,

and I've sacrificed everything for him,

so I'm not gonna allow him

to fall through the cracks like his father did.

You got to trust me.

You brought me in to look out for Boogie's best...

"Alfred," please.

Right. Alfred's interests.

You know, it was actually a very astute move

to transfer to City Prep.

Excuse me?

That game against Dennis Thompson,

that's what opened the door to China.

- China? - Yeah.

See, this is actually what I wanted to speak with you about

before we got side-tracked with scholarships.

I took it upon myself

to send Alfred's tape from the game against Dennis Thompson

to a few teams in the CBA.

CBA is?

The Chinese Basketball Association.

Okay.

Alfred checks a lot of boxes for China.

- Yeah? - He speaks Mandarin.

- Mm-hmm. - He has Chinese values.

But he looks culturally American,

and he's good enough to play here.

I spun it as Alfred bypassing the NCAA

and choosing China over America.

The teams ate it up.

They're going to make offers.

Offers?

Look, I know it's a lot to take in,

but you got to trust me.

How did everyone feel

about Catcher in the Rye?

Mr. Todd.

It's real. It reads like

it could be written by one of my friends.

The observations he makes about, uh, other students

and adults and just phonies in general,

I can literally feel it on my skin as I read.

God, that's great that you had such a visceral reaction.

Even-even just your description of it

is-is very, um... very touching.

Thank you, Todd.

Ah. Miss Eleanor.

I agree with Todd.

Holden questions.

Questions what we're told should matter to us,

and he sees through them as meaningless and phony.

And it makes me think whether

we actually have meaning in our lives

or if we're just...

playing a game.

Y'all crazy.

Excuse me?

Uh, Mr. Boogie, I am excited to hear what you have to say,

but let's honor decorum.

Word.

Please continue.

- I can't stand Holden. - That's interesting.

I do like Mr. Antolini, though.

Ah. That's weird.

He's usually the parents' favorite.

- And most kids like Holden? - Yeah.

Your other classmates look at him as a hero,

or at least a... an antihero of sorts.

He's not a hero.

He's just privileged.

Anyone with that much free time

is gonna be good at complaining.

You're a nihilist. You think life is basketball.

Playing basketball is gonna save my broke-ass family.

Okay, okay.

Decorum.

Mr. Boogie.

Look, I'm-a just speak for myself.

There are a lot of kids like me that have a lot of...

...stuff going on at home,

and they have no choice but to grow up fast.

I resent Holden 'cause he's looking for meaning

and he's dying for responsibility

but doesn't have the slightest idea

of how that actually feels.

Hmm.

I want you to speak up more in class

like that, okay?

That was really smart.

You're lucky you have purpose.

You don't want to know what's going on in my house.

Try me.

Hello?

I don't want to count it up. Does that make sense?

No.

I'm not trying to play struggle Olympics.

I'm not, either, but you the one

that wanted to ask me about my trash-ass life.

Yeah, I want to know your shit,

but I didn't think you'd have to know mine.

My mom, she's a controlling psychopath

that doesn't love or believe in me,

but she's responsible.

My dad is irresponsible,

but he loves and believes in me.

Your mom loves you.

How do you know that?

It's just one of them things... parents love you.

I really don't think she fucks with me

unless I succeed.

Why's your life trash?

My dad loves me,

but it's kind of like how a dog loves their owner.

It's unconditional, but it's unconscious.

And my mom,

she just wants me to be more like my older sister.

She thinks I'm unnecessarily difficult

and opinionated,

and I'm just trying to keep it real.

Just want to be real.

What's so funny?

We sound like losers.

Have you seen these docs like The Jinx or The Staircase?

Yeah, but what you trying to say?

How does someone that loves you

end up throwing you down a staircase?

How does... how does O.J. become O.J.?

O.J.?

How'd I get to this point with my mom?

You don't have to smile about it.

Nah, I mean, it...

it's just funny.

It doesn't have to be funny if you don't find it funny.

That was like a thank-you kiss.

What's a thank-you kiss?

Like, "Thanks for listening, friend."

I want you to kiss me because you like me.

I always liked you.

You're annoying.

Yeah, but I think you like it.

- Just a little bit. - I got to pee.

- Again? - What you mean, "again"?

- We just... Goddamn. - You're so rude.

We got to navigate around tai chi lady,

but we out. Come on.

I actually really want to learn tai chi.

Oh, you think you got me sewed up now?

What? I'm not pump-faking you.

I'm here with both feet on the ground.

You getting gold or red?

- Red. - Done.

- The gold look kind of cool. - Don't you like the red?

All right, all right.

Y'all didn't want the smoke.

Alissa, you...

Uh-huh. Yo.

You look nice from here.

I didn't see you knock.

A'ight.

Hey, come here, come here. Look, relax.

Look at the scoreboard.

We're winning.

That was actually really smart.

Because I can't go.

That was a good move.

Going into your little fortress.

Stop judging my stack.

You really think you slick, huh?

You want to see the show?

Aquariums are like Rikers for dolphins.

I do want to show you my coming-of-age story, though.

Okay.

You're not scared at all?

I've never been allowed to be scared.

Why you scared, though?

Are you out?

Cut the check!

Have you ever been in love?

Mm, nah.

Mm, that's so good.

I want to show you something.

That's real romantic.

I like it.

That's a funny story that I don't feel like

getting into right now.

Fine. My bad.

I love this dolphin collection.

From Trinidad.

All this stuff kind of fits, but why the cat?

It was from my grandma.

She passed away.

This was always on her coffee table.

I don't even fuck with cats, but I fuck with this one.

It's Grandma, so I get it.

It's cool.

What is wrong with you?

- What's wrong with me? - Yeah.

What's up with this ice-skating music?

Quit stalling and just pull it out.

Don't laugh.

What?

I never done this.

That's cool, but you still gonna have to pull it out

if we gonna do this.

You done this before?

- Once. - With who?

None of your business with who.

You gonna talk yourself out of this if you keep playing.

All right.

I measured my shit hard, and I'm above average,

but...

I'm soft right now.

Let me see the wick.

Damn.

We might just need to be friends.

Fuck you.

- I'm sensitive about this. - I'm just playing.

Why you so sensitive?

You got this crazy music pumping,

and it's my first time.

It's a lot of pressure.

Relax.

You ever fucked with an Asian dude?

Nah.

I don't know why you tripping.

I'm tripping 'cause my dick might be trash.

I'm good?

You good, babe.

Hey, Alfred.

Yo, what's up?

Alfred. How are you?

I'm good. Three weeks till we play Monk.

Tang yuen.

What's the occasion?

Hmm. What's the occasion?

Well...

Me and Uncle Melvin are working on a big plan

to let you play basketball in China.

- China? - Yeah.

China's an amazing opportunity, baby.

It's a chance of a lifetime. Right?

Alfred, maybe we should start at the beginning

so you can get a sense of, uh, context.

Allow me.

I'm the youngest.

Okay.

Thank you, Alfred.

Cheers.

So, I sent several teams in the CBA

a tape of your game against Dennis Thompson.

- Everyone was thoroughly impressed. - Mm-hmm.

And the Shanghai Sharks came through

with a one-year contract.

$750,000.

Guaranteed.

That's a lot of money.

I knew you'd be impressed.

What's the catch?

Vivian asked the same thing.

There's no catch.

Well, you'd relinquish your college eligibility,

but you can enter the NBA Draft at 19

once you satisfy your year.

Mushi mushi.

What's going on here?

I was just in the middle

of telling Alfred some good news.

You're, um, just in time.

Who doesn't like good news?

As I was telling Alfred,

the, uh, Shanghai Sharks have offered

a one-year contract to play in China.

He's a good son.

Absolutely.

A great son.

So, you think my son

is gonna go behind my back and sign this contract?

We have our own plan.

Nobody's going behind anybody's back.

We're all here to discuss this together.

Xiao Ming...

did you know we were going to discuss this?

I didn't know.

Melvin can save our fucking family.

Save our family?

Did you hear that, Xiao Ming? Melvin...

Melvin is gonna save our family.

With all due respect, Alfred doesn't even have

a college scholarship offer right now.

The NBA is very unlikely for him.

- Knock on wood. - Knock on wood?

Lawrence, I'm not knocking on wood.

Knock on wood.

Lawrence, this isn't the time to go all Chinese

and superstitious.

We need to be practical.

Hey! Stop!

- Lawrence, no! Lawrence! - Get off!

It is my dream.

You never thought I was good enough to make it,

because you weren't.

All you do is talk shit and blame Dad.

Huh?

Ask your dad who's gonna pay these bills, huh?

You can't walk on anywhere.

- He's fucking broke. - You don't know shit.

Yeah, yeah, come. You want to hit me, too?

You have trash genes, just like your father.

He's not like his father.

You assholes are gonna be homeless without me.

I got you a deal for $750,000, cash money.

Wait. Melvin, hang on a second.

Melvin!

I'll get the money.

You just beat Monk in three weeks.

If you beat Monk,

none of this matters.

Let's go! Let's go!

He doesn't look anyone in the eye.

Exactly.

He's not playing the defenders. He's playing the floor.

Let's go!

I know your parents are putting

a lot of pressure on you,

but it's generational.

Their parents put it on them,

their grandparents put it on them,

and so on and so forth.

You know why we're in this country.

I know, Uncle Jackie. We lost the war.

We lost a war.

That's why we're here.

That's why we're second-rate citizens

in a country that resents us.

You know, me and your dad,

we never expected to have freedom

or independence or equality

or any of these things you ABCs expect to have in this country.

I don't really have it, either.

You don't.

You don't have it like these Americans,

but you got more than we do.

That's what we all sacrificed for.

But if I sign that deal, I'd be giving it all back now.

Back at zero.

You could still play in the NBA, right?

- Yeah. - Well...

then you're still in the basketball business.

What's going on? He didn't do anything.

- Please step aside. - We were just watching...

I said step aside.

Yes.

I got to keep my mind clear.

This shit is fucked up.

I mean, can they even keep him on these charges?

It's usually not a big deal, but my dad's on parole.

For what?

Assault. Twice.

So, if you sign, your dad walks?

Yeah. He'll drop the charges.

What's the downside?

Determines where I play ball.

Oh, so I ain't get a say in this?

Don't put more pressure on me.

You think I want to leave you?

Who said anything about leaving?

I'm not trying to put pressure on you.

I understand how difficult this family shit is.

It's not just about family.

I owe like 5,000 years

of fucking Chinese history.

What you mean, "5,000 years of fucking Chinese history"?

You don't understand.

Your parents don't hold it over your head

that they sacrificed everything to give you

- this opportunity in America. - Okay.

Not the exact same thing, but do you know

how fucking hard it was for me to find out where I come from?

My history was fucking ripped from me.

I was cut off from my ancestors.

You're not the only one who deals with these problems.

Okay.

Do you like beef with broccoli?

Yeah. Who doesn't?

Italians... they got broccoli rabe on the menu

right next to the braciole.

This motherfucker said "beef and broccoli."

Okay.

The Greek... they have garlic broccoli

right next to the shell steak.

So?

So, anyone could have put them together,

but only the Chinese were willing

to bow their heads and serve something

as stupid and basic as beef with broccoli.

Okay, there's nothing stupid about beef and broccoli.

Beef and broccoli isn't stupid.

It's fed neighborhoods, and it's sustained us,

but Chinese people could be so much more

if this country didn't reduce us down to beef and broccoli.

You can be so much more, too.

It's hard.

I feel like a piece of beef

surrounded by sprouted greens and MSG.

I need you to fight for yourself

the same way you fight for being Chinese.

Alfred, you made it.

Two signatures.

You're doing the right thing, Alfred.

You should look this over.

There's a bunch of stipulations.

It potentially limits your playing time with City Prep.

Just drop the charges. Get my fucking money.

What's up, little man?

I seen you taking notes at the Barracks.

Now it's time for me to take my notes.

Know what I'm saying?

Take it easy, man.

Nice new haircut.

Just got a report they say you was an angry little dude.

Come on, guys.

- Guys, it's not necessary. - We good.

I ain't worried about this little kid.

Yeah, grab your backpack.

Hey, tell Juicy I said, "What's up?"

Who the fuck is Juicy?

Oh, your girl didn't tell you I used to call her Juicy?

Hey, well, ask her how my dick taste, nigga.

Salty!

Yo. You know I don't give a fuck if you smoke.

The game's tomorrow night, B.

Yeah, fuck it. Doesn't really matter

what happens in the game tomorrow.

How you figure?

My dad's in jail again.

My mom sold me to China.

My girl's a liar.

Who cares anymore?

She ain't lie to you.

She should've told you, but she ain't lie to you.

Word.

I should've known it was "don't ask, don't tell."

So you ain't tell Eleanor about China yet?

Fuck you.

My man, I'm trying to help you pick up the pieces here.

I don't give a fuck anymore, man.

I got nobody.

Who am I picking up the pieces for?

Look, I know that even if I play my best tomorrow night,

I'm not touching Monk.

You're the only one who has a shot at beating him.

All right, don't be like that white boy

"Colden Haulfield" or whatever the fuck.

A'ight, that's not you.

Don't you want to know if you can beat him?

Fuck Monk.

My man, fuck you.

Everyone on that team wishes they was you,

but they not,

so they give up shots,

they play defense.

We do the dirty work all season long

so that you get your shot.

It's a team game.

Ain't about me.

Oh, so now you a team player.

I've been a team player.

My man, this has always been about you.

Your plan to beat Monk, your shot at college,

your dream to make it into the NBA, a'ight?

Everyone here is here for you.

And now you're not even here for your goddamn self.

Does he realize

how important this game is?

Man, he's gonna get here.

It's just, you know...

Richie, Boogie's gonna miss shootaround.

You know where he is?

Yo, you pressing on me like a 7-Eleven Cuban, Coach.

- Yo, he'll be here. - Chill out, man.

- 7-11 Cuban? - You're making these kids nervous, man.

Come on.

What's a 7-Eleven Cuban?

It's a sandwich.

You ready?

You ready? You?

It's simple.

This game, this moment,

all the hard work, all the sweat, all the drills,

it's what we've been working for.

And we did it as a team.

Not as one person; as a team.

Let's go. Come on!

Let's get it. Let's get it. Let's get it.

Richie, come here.

We're gonna get it rollin' and roasted.

Listen, level with me. Where's Boogie?

I don't know.

You told me he'll be here.

Look, Coach, I'm here, a'ight?

I can't speak for nobody else, but I'm here, Coach.

Get dressed.

Boogie! Boogie!

Boogie! Boogie! Boogie!

Boogie! Boogie!

Let's go.

Alfred, what the hell are you doing?

Your deal with the CBA strictly forbids you

- from playing in this game. - What deal?

You should've read the contract.

He needs to play in this game.

- What is he talking about? - I just want to play ball.

- He signed a deal. - Hey, hey. Do you not speak English?

- What'd he just say? - I do. I... Wh-What's going on?

- Relax. Take it easy. - What are they talking about?

Fellas, wh-what's going on over here?

Listen, we-we got a game to play.

- Listen, if you don't play on time, you forfeit. - I know.

We just need a couple of minutes.

Supposed to be in China. That's what the problem is.

- So? - You signed the deal, right?

Yo, so we playing?

He can't play in this game.

- Yo. - What's going on?

You here for me or Monk?

- What did you say? - You heard me.

What's up, Juicy?

I see you chose this egg roll.

Shut the fuck up, you big-head biscuit.

Your sister give you that busted-ass lineup?

She always did talk a lot.

All right, guys, come on, back in the locker room.

Let's get 'em, nigga.

This game is disqualified! Everybody!

This team's supposed to be in the locker room.

I don't want to hear it. Good. I don't care.

This game is forfeited. Let's go. Everybody out! Out!

We'll settle this shit at the Barracks.

Whatever you want to do, Wonton Soup.

Xiao Ming, no! Xiao Ming!

Enough.

You made this always about you.

You let the school down. You let this team down.

Saturday, I'm-a be at your house.

I'm-a be home.

Yeah, a'ight. Sound good. Sound good.

Come on, come on. Let's go! Let's go!

Xièxiè.

- One, two, three. - Barracks!

- Four, five, six. - Shake it, baby.

And we're off!

Who will reign supreme?

Who will be the king of the Barracks?

Who will be the coco bread to Juicy's patty?

Ew. Fucking pervert.

A'ight, Boogie, what are you gonna do?

Oh, yeah, shorty.

- That's-that's all you got? - Yeah.

Watch this. Look, look.

A'ight, let's go. Bring it up.

Look, look. You a baby. Look.

Oh, there it is.

Monk with the bucket. Four-zip.

- What you gonna do, Boogie? - Trap, trap.

- Oh, the trap. - Richie!

Bad pass. Guess who's there.

Oh, Monk for two.

Backdoor, Monk.

Bring it up.

Oh, Monk for three. Wow.

That's two.

Block that.

Boogie on the layup.

Oh, Monk for three.

Hey, watch corner.

Arthur looking like food out here.

Step back, cha-cha-ching!

That's the first half, folks.

Fuck basketball.

Mm-hmm. I might even quit ballplayers.

They're exposing me. I can't stop him.

They're not exposing you.

They're exposing the entire right side of the zone.

Just give us what you got.

Look, let's play a box and one.

You take Monk at the top of the key.

You'll have him one-on-one like you always wanted.

Coach, he's better than me.

I don't want to play him one-on-one.

I want to win. You was the one talking about team all year.

I'll stop pushing buttons.

Come on, man, let's go.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!

Dragons on three.

- One, two, three. - Dragons!

- Oh, shit. - Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

- Let's do it. Get it. - Let's go.

You good?

I'm good.

Game's over.

You got the game. It's over.

Let's go, man. Let's get this done.

Oh! Boogie with the three.

Hey, look out.

Oh, Boogie off the rebound.

Oh, there it is.

Hey, yo, look.

Lowe, throw...

Give it up, bro.

Look.

Bro, what? Yo, what are you doing, bro?

Richie. Richie.

- Oh, you want me to bring it up? - Trust me.

Hey, step up. Step up.

Boom. Boogie with the bucket,

pulling City Prep within four, 50-46.

They on a comeback.

Richie with the bucket.

Yo, you took my chair, B.

You missed the whole second half, man.

I thought you ditched.

I had to take a shit in the bush. I got IBS.

Harden step-back, Cash App, cha-ching!

Go, go, go, go, go.

Ay! Boogie with the two, pulling it closer.

Pick up. Pick up.

Richie for three. Splash!

And with 57-52, City Prep is creeping on 'em.

He got one. He got one.

Pick up. Pick up.

I got you. I got you.

Block party. Block party.

That's two. A'ight.

Let's go. Bring it up.

Oh!

Boogie on the layup.

Yeah!

Monk with the three.

Two minutes left.

Boogie with the put-back.

City Prep is on a comeback.

Barracks on top, 60-59.

Set one. Set one.

Passes it off, top of the key.

Oh.

Oh, long range.

Chicken and Cashew Nuts puts the Dragons up two.

Good gracious. City Prep With their first lead.

Come on. Clear out. Clear out.

Clear what out?

- I'm going left. - Go wherever you want.

Richie taking it to the box.

Oh! He just showing it off!

What? Where's the foul?

Where's the foul?

- Where's the foul? - He got him with the body.

Stop crying, little ninja.

- Well, that chain weighing you down. - Yeah, a'ight.

Still 62-60.

You know that shit ain't no foul.

More like a love tap.

Yeah, that soft shit.

I wasn't soft when I was in Juicy.

Cut the shit out, fellas. 18 seconds left in the game.

Let's go.

Oh, we all get lucky.

Don't worry about 'em.

Cute-ass nigga. Watch this.

It's all tied up, 62-62.

18 seconds left in the game.

Come on, come on, come on.

Hey, what you gonna do?

- Yo, Richie. - What you gonna do now?

What you gonna do now?

You better off taking it yourself.

Do something with it.

- Told you. - Oh, don't let Boogie get it.

Got him.

Hey, step up.

Boogie with the slam!

City Prep up 64-62 with seconds left.

Pick up that D!

Ball game, fellas.

City Prep wins, 64 to 62.

That's it. The Dragons win.

Yo, you good, bro?

Yeah, we good.

Chin, what up?

- First one's for free. - Yeah?

- We gonna see you again. - Mm-hmm.

So, let me get this straight.

- You got a D1 scholarship? - Yeah.

It wasn't to a top ten, but I got one.

Mm. Let me pour.

I'm the youngest.

My parents took it hard, too, so I didn't say anything.

Feel that.

Only Holden Caulfield would give his parents an invoice.

You feel me?

So, when were you gonna tell me about China?

I didn't think you cared about China.

- Don't be like that. - Be like what?

Monk happened before I met you.

You can't hold that against me.

- You lied to me. - I did not lie.

You knew it would hurt me.

You didn't tell me about China.

Fuck it, then. We're both liars.

Why are you doing this to me?

People are doing it to me.

I did everything I'm supposed to,

and I'm still being sent to China.

Shit happens to everybody.

You can't keep feeling bad for yourself.

China could be a real blessing.

A blessing without you.

China is an amazing opportunity,

but it isn't shit without you.

I love you.

You mean it?

I really mean it.

You still want to hear about dolphins?

Yeah.

When I was a little kid, my parents took me to SeaWorld,

and I saw these dolphins with flawless skin,

and I thought, "Those are dolphins."

But when I was 15, we went back to Trinidad,

and we saw these wild dolphins in a pod.

So I jumped off the boat,

and everybody thought I was buggin', but I didn't care.

And I swim toward the pod,

and there's these dolphins around me just swirling.

But they're not like the dolphins at SeaWorld.

I look down, and they all got buck-50s.

They're all scarred, but they're...

still chirping, swimming,

living like the dolphins at SeaWorld will never know.

Never know.

You cut me.

But we wild.

And we still here.