The Perfect Shot

Brian explicitly states that he believes basketball is a sort of symbol or microcosm of the way real life works. He believes that the way someone acts on the court is the way they will act in life—this is embodied by his leadership roles on and off the court. Likewise, basketball becomes a metaphor for teamwork and community over individualism as the team falls apart when they stop trusting each other. Brian’s ability to lead his basketball team and make the right decisions for the common good are skills that make him successful outside of sports as well. He manages to get the basketball players to work better with their non-athlete partners, and everyone supports each other while working on their history projects. He helps Julius when he is arrested and makes the right call when he calls the reporter about the jogger. Basketball gives Brian a framework for understanding the world and others, and his decision to become a coach shows that he cares about helping other students navigate life in the same way.