64 pages • 2-hour read
Rez Ball
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Symbols & Motifs
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of racism, substance use, and death.
“Rez Ball”
The motif of “rez ball” is central to the novel’s exploration of basketball as a form of cultural identity and resistance. It isn’t merely a style of play but an assertion of Indigenous authenticity against the more rigid, conventional style of basketball that their white opponents favor. Described as “beautiful chaos,” rez ball is a fast-paced, improvisational, and flashy approach to the game of basketball that reflects the community’s resilience and spirit.
The rez-ball playing style becomes a crucial narrative and thematic symbol, representing a source of power that is unique to the Red Lake team. When facing Bemidji, a school whose fans yell racist taunts like the “tomahawk chop,” the Warriors’ initial attempts to play a structured game fail. Their comeback begins only when they embrace their own identity and play their way. By reverting to rez ball, the team reclaims its power, turning the court into a space of cultural expression and defiance. The choice to play rez ball is a conscious rejection of assimilation and a celebration of their unique heritage. It demonstrates that their greatest strength lies not in conforming to external standards but in embracing the very identity that their opponents mock, connecting basketball to community empowerment.
Jaxon’s Basketball Shoes
The LeBron James basketball shoes that Jaxon once wore symbolize The Burden of Family Legacy as a theme. Throughout the novel, Tre struggles under the weight of his deceased brother’s heroic reputation, feeling like an inadequate replacement or simply “the nerdy version of Jaxon” (48). The shoes represent the literal and figurative space that Jaxon occupied, a legacy so large that Tre feels he can never fill it. For much of the story, this legacy is a source of pressure and pain, a constant reminder of his perceived shortcomings.
However, the symbol’s meaning evolves when Tre’s father gives him the shoes, encouraging him to “[w]ear them next game. See what happens. Bring a little part of him with you” (201). This moment marks a significant shift. By choosing to wear the shoes in the pivotal game against Minneapolis, Tre no longer lives in his brother’s shadow but actively integrates Jaxon’s memory into his own identity. The shoes are no longer a symbol of an impossible standard and instead become a source of strength and connection. Tre’s phenomenal performance while wearing them signifies his ability to carry his brother’s legacy not as a burden, but as an inspiration that fuels his own unique path to greatness.
Drinking and Partying
The motif of drinking and partying represents the primary internal threat to the team’s success and Tre’s personal journey, as the self-destructive escapism jeopardizes their shared dream. This behavior isn’t just a backdrop but a catalyst for major plot developments. Mason and Mike’s suspension for drinking is the event that gives Tre his opportunity on the varsity team, highlighting how one person’s destructive choices can inadvertently create an opportunity for another. Later, Tre’s own participation in a party leads to his physical fight with Wes, fueled by jealousy and alcohol, fracturing his most important friendship.
Mason articulates the grim reality that drinking represents, stating that former rez superstars often “end up alcoholics, hooked on drugs, or dead” (226). This illustrates that the team’s biggest opponent isn’t on the court but within their own community’s cycle of trauma and escapism. The motif culminates in the team’s collective pact (which Tre initiates) to stay sober for the playoffs, a crucial turning point that symbolizes their maturation and unified commitment. By consciously rejecting this destructive path, they demonstrate the discipline required to transform their potential into a true legacy.
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