Hoop dreams surface in the lives of women too. Peering through window {pains} etched with a white square that marks the spot. A net attached to a hole - dream catchers. Wishing on goals. Learning new tricks...to stay ahead of the game...to be picked...First. Round. Draft. Sounding a little like... He'll put a ring on it and it'll feel something like winning the championship. The ring comes after the sacrifice. Always after the sacrifice. Was it always like this? Did we always have to prove we could do the work of an entire team, alone? They say nowadays that you're not a real player unless you can play every position... We'll retire at 47 and live the rest of our lives in the 'off-season'. I'll go down in history as a repeat MVP if only for a couple of seasons. I. Will. Make. History. All-time leader in assists. The game will never forget me. If he values my commitment to the team enough, I might consider bearing an entire starting lineup for him. Wait, I already did that, so I'm good. Right? Hand me the playbook, just in case. And on the back of the jersey, we'll imprint the family name. Although, with all the work I've put forth, the team should probably be named after me. First. Middle. Maiden-last. Gotta remain humble. Be a team player. Pass the ball. Always pass the ball. Think of the team first. The team first. You are but a player in your own dream...team. Yeah, women have hoop dreams too. Although it's been watered down to repetitious mantras of: don't get traded, don't get traded, don't get traded. Maybe try out for mascot, mascot, mascot, mas(k)...Bend over backwards. What? You thought you played forward? Jokes on you. Fuck it - flexibility's an asset.