This year, the school allowed parents to watch the primary inter-school basketball competition for the first time. According to his teacher, Link kept asking whether I had arrived because he was worried I wouldn’t make it in time. I think he had been looking forward to competing in front of his dad. Likewise, I was glad to watch him play.
Link scored 14 points and helped lead his team to a 20–2 victory. He has good individual skills for his age. His playing style reminds me of Rukawa from Slam Dunk, relying heavily on isolation plays. To reach the next level, he’ll need to bring out the best in his teammates, improve his basketball IQ, and better manage his emotions.
The primary school rims were lower than standard ones. After the games, I casually jumped up and hung on one with both hands. Some of Link’s teammates saw it, causing a small ruckus as the boys took turns trying to touch the backboard. Later that day, Link told me I had become popular among the boys because of it.
I usually don’t care much about how others perceive me and prefer to judge myself by my own standards. Still, it felt good to be seen as cool by my son’s peers. I suppose we all want to be someone our loved ones can be proud of.
I should cherish this period while he still looks up to me. In a few years, he’ll probably surpass me in basketball, be less impressed by what I know, and perhaps even find me old-fashioned or embarrassing. Until then, I’m grateful to have a place in this chapter of his life.
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