76%
Charity stripe. Double meaning. Clever.
This probably won’t interest you.
I was recently recruited for a charity event, the United Way Charity Stripe Challenge, which works like this: All the different departments within the university entered three-person teams for a free-throw shooting contest. Each person shoots 25 shots, for a total of 75 per team. Each of us was supposed to encourage our non-shooting co-workers to donate money on our behalf. Donations could be a single, set amount, or a certain amount per shot.
I encouraged my co-workers to donate a set amount, so as not to unnecessarily punish the needy children of Central Pennsylvania for my inability to make an uncontested 15-foot set shot. I haven’t played a lot of ball since I moved up here. Plus, some people know I used to work at SLAM and expect me to be good at basketball. In the face of such expecations, I lacked confidence.
The shootout was yesterday afternoon, at Penn State’s Intramural building. College kids ran pick-up on the three adjacent courts while we—a mix of university employees, most of whom appeared older and less basketball-savvy than I—warmed up. Then it was time. We shot as a team, the three of us each getting five “official” warm-up shots, then rotating through, five shots at a time, until we were done. I went first.
I made 19 of 25. Today, I walk with my head held high. My man Jayson, who works down the hall from me, hit his first 11 and finished with 21. I told him if he hit 20, I’d write about it on slamonline. Nice work, Jay.
I told you this probably wouldn’t interest you.
19 Responses to “76%”
Nov.16 at 2:48 pm
Myles Brown says:
*Too lazy to make a LeBron joke*
Nov.16 at 2:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I’m not. Just looked it up, Myles — you know he shot 75.4 percent from the line as a rookie, and his percentage has gone down every year since? I know it’s early — well, not too early to pick a ROY and compare the Celtics to one of the best teams ever — but he’s only hitting 64 percent FTs right now. Kid is garbage.
Nov.16 at 2:54 pm
H to the izzo says:
RyanJones4ROY!!!!!!!!!
Nov.16 at 2:54 pm
Rasheedionics says:
Ryan “Ice Water” Jones
Nov.16 at 2:58 pm
Myles Brown says:
Wanna trade for Kobe?
Nov.16 at 2:59 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Nah. Then I’d have to root for the Lakers again, and that would be too much trouble.
Nov.16 at 3:03 pm
white hot eboy says:
Ryan failed to mention that because it was for charity, the shots were taken on 8 ft rims.
Nov.16 at 3:04 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Thank you.
Nov.16 at 3:14 pm
white hot eboy says:
Hey, it WAS for charity. You deserve the recognition.
Nov.16 at 3:32 pm
jayson says:
Thanks ock.
Nov.16 at 3:38 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Jones loves da kids
Nov.16 at 3:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Want to play center for the Bulls?
Nov.16 at 3:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Yes I do, Khalid.
No I don’t, Russ.
Nov.16 at 4:41 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Dammit.
Nov.16 at 5:49 pm
Jake Appleman says:
Not quite as impressive as Tim Cahill hopping on his bike, but good work nonetheless.
Nov.16 at 5:51 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Told you, Jake. I love that little Aussie.
Nov.16 at 5:54 pm
BETCATS says:
you are right that didnt intrest me
Nov.16 at 8:53 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I think Ryan and BETCATS might be tied as my favorite slamonline commenters. And those last 2 comments show why.
Nov.17 at 1:44 pm
Sesa says:
interesting