Story:Rough Beginnings
Rough Beginnings
Written by 0utFox, RobbieSox, Drakken, Zenbas
It should've been a great evening. It should've been the first step towards a successful season, and for the Moonshiners, it was, as they beat the Firestorm in the Eastern Conference season opening match. But not everyone in the team was happy. Wojtek mostly watched the game from the bench, only getting on the court for a few minutes at a time. He was assigned as a reserve for this match. It didn't add up to him, he was drafted 6th. Yes, on the projections, he was 11th, so we went sooner than expected, but at the time, he didn't know why. Nobody really knew, apart from Moonshiners executives. He wanted to prove that the team made the right pick… but he couldn't.
After the final siren sounded, he only briefly fist bumped and high-fived his teammates, which already felt like an obligation rather than an actual congratulatory celebration, and disappeared into the locker room. After washing up, he was about to pack his things, but he started thinking… A new feeling he hadn't really experienced before…
“Dlaczego nie grałem więcej? Czy zrobiłem coś źle? Czy trener uważa, że nie jestem wystarczająco dobry?” (“Why wasn't I playing more? Did I do something wrong? Does the coach think I'm not good enough?”)
He was thinking to himself in Polish, actually thinking out loud, so others could hear him mumbling, even if they didn't understand a word. Arther picked up on it and wanted to make sure everything was ok, but Wojtek didn't respond, busy with his thoughts. That's when coach Fontenot took notice and made his presence known to the rookie, tapping his cane on the floor.
“Is there an issue, Monsieur Pietrowski?”
Wojtek knew there might be a language barrier. He didn't understand a word in French, but he'd try to take what he could.
“I just…I want to help the team… how can I do that when I'm a reserve and barely on the court?”
Coach Fontenot stepped up and placed his large webbed hand on the bear's shoulder, meeting his gaze with his own calm blue eyes. "C'est tout?"
A toothy grin was bared on the gator's maw. "Patience, c'est bon? You are young and so is the season, oui?"
His voice boomed around the locker room, somewhat jovial but reassuring as he shifted to clap the bear on the shoulder.
"It is only the first game, gason. Lâche pas la patate."
Wojtek struggled to understand. He got the basic gist, but about half of what the coach said was lost due to the language barrier. Even though the bear knew the coach was trying to be supportive, the feeling of disappointment didn't move an inch. He just nodded, and got to packing his things to head home for the day. Before he left, though, a dark figure stopped him from behind. It was assistant coach Landry. His beak clacked, and he plastered on a sly smile.
"He's tellin' ya not to worry, boyo. We's trying to give ya'll a fair shot. But he ain't wrong; i's the first game of the season. Ya, ain't the only rookie that'll be taking turns on the bench and in reserves in the league. Y'll git there.”
Wojtek only turned his head, listening to what the vulture said. Even through that unusual Appalachian twang, he got the message, and gave a nod without a word. This did help, some hope that he won't be stuck as a reserve forever. But he was determined to not get in this position again.
The next morning, before starting his day, Wojtek checked his phone. So many messages about the match from his family and former teammates from Krakow. Even the Polish press chimed in, and there were apparently a lot of complaints from Polish fans that coach Fontenot is wasting a great talent, some even going as far as to call him a fraud. Wojtek just turned the phone off. This wasn't helping. He needed to empty his head and focus on the day ahead. So after breakfast, he went into the city with a deep breath and a small hope for the future.
…
Over the following weeks, the bear was getting more opportunities. More playtime, even occasional starting positions. But it seemed that the initial confidence hit still lingered in his head. His performances were rough, not what he was used to in Poland, sometimes feeling like the step up to FBA was too big, that he should've signed for one of the top European teams first before coming to the States… Wojtek felt vulnerable for the first time in his adult life, and he didn't know how to process it. He struggled with keeping his emotions in check after games sometimes, not anger, just sadness and disappointment in himself. Thankfully Coach Fontenot and his teammates were there to lift him up… well, almost all of them.
After a match against the Minutemen, the team's main center Xiaoxing Cuauhtli got injured after an unlucky contact with WIL’s Matilda Shanahan. Wojtek knew it was an accident and that Matilda didn't do it on purpose… Xiaoxing didn't share that opinion though, swearing like a sailor in the locker room, throwing insults at Matilda. Wojtek didn't like Xiaoxing. He was professional enough to play with him, but the two would probably never get along. He muttered a few words in Polish under his breath about him. But Xiaoxing noticed.
“You got something to say to me?
At that moment, Wojtek stood his ground.
“Just that a bit of humility would suit you.”
Before the dialogue could get out of hand though, Coach Fontenot stepped in, trying to maintain order. Wojtek got the signal immediately and went back to his things, but Xiaoxing was fired up. He slammed Wojtek for for being a crybaby and that this isn't a daycare, getting into a heated argument with coach Fontenot who defended the bear. Wojtek listened to the whole conversation. He was glad the superiors have some sense, but there was still something that Xiaoxing said that resonated with him. He can't be down in the dumps forever, otherwise his performances will never pick up. The bear still didn't like him and thought of him as a prick with too big of an ego, but in this regard, he was right.
Wojtek spent the rest of the year studying the plays and seeing where he can better himself. He knew it wouldn't be an instant change, but if he could identify the right area to focus on, the improvements will come. He's still studying and likely won't ever stop. He doesn't aim to be the next Turner or DQ, he just wants to feel good about himself, to be proud of what he's doing. Until that happens, he won't quit.
Featured Characters
Wojciech Pietrowski Arther Selby Xiaoxing Cuauhtli