The Crossover

by

Kwame Alexander

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Crossover makes teaching easy.

Dad Character Analysis

Josh and JB's dad. As a young man, Dad was known as "Da Man" and played professional basketball in Europe. At some point in his career, he received a championship ring, which the boys covet in the present. Dad, however, insists that the boys can only have it when they themselves become "Da Man," or follow in his footsteps as basketball stars. To this end, Dad supports his sons in basketball and doles out wisdom to Josh, which Josh then relates to the reader. Dad does his best to make sure the boys understand that their natural aptitude for the sport is something they inherited from him, while also impressing on them the importance of practice and constantly trying to get better. While Josh is looking through his parents' closet for a box for his locks, he and JB begin to make discoveries about Dad's medical history that complicate their reading of their dad. They learn that Dad refused to get surgery for patellar tendinitis and therefore, wasn't allowed to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Josh also discovers that Dad has hypertension, which makes Dad's fainting episodes and bloody noses start to make more sense. Because Dad's dad, Josh and JB’s grandfather, died in the hospital of hypertension, however, Dad distrusts doctors. This is why he refused surgery for patellar tendinitis and why, in the present, he refuses to see a doctor until he ends up in the hospital after suffering a major heart attack. After about a week in a coma, Dad wakes up around Christmas. In his last few days, he tries to encourage Josh and JB to abandon their beef and reaffirm their support of each other. He also encourages Josh to keep playing basketball and continue to practice. While Dad is in the hospital, Josh refers to him as the backboard of the family, suggesting that Dad is the one who keeps the family in line. Dad dies of another heart attack during Josh's final championship game. He leaves his championship ring to Josh, suggesting that Josh is now “Da Man.”

Dad Quotes in The Crossover

The The Crossover quotes below are all either spoken by Dad or refer to Dad. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Inheritance and Genetics Theme Icon
).
Warm-Up Quotes

But, as I got older
and started getting game,
the name took on a new meaning.
And even though I wasn't into
all that jazz,
every time I'd score,
rebound,
or steal a ball,
Dad would jump up
smiling and screamin',
That's my boy out there.
Keep it funky, Filthy!

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 8-9
Explanation and Analysis:

1. ever since I watched
the clip of Dad
posterizing
that seven-foot Croatian center
on ESPN's Best Dunks Ever;
soaring through the air—his
long twisted hair like wings
carrying him
high above
the rim—I knew
one day
I'd need
my own wings
to fly.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Related Symbols: Locks/Wings
Page Number: 14-15
Explanation and Analysis:
First Quarter Quotes

That boy is special, and it doesn't hurt
that Chuck "Da Man" Bell is his father.
And mine, too.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, JB
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:

And while Dad is telling us another story
for the hundredth time, Mom removes the salt
from the table and JB goes to the buffet.
He brings back three packages
of duck sauce and a cup of wonton soup
and hands them all to me.
Dad pauses, and Mom looks at JB.
That was random, she says.
What, isn't that what you wanted, Filthy? JB asks.
And even though I never opened my mouth,
I say, Thanks,
because
it is.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), JB (speaker), Mom (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 42
Explanation and Analysis:

As in: I wonder why my dad
never had surgery
on his patellar tendinitis.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 49
Explanation and Analysis:

As in: Hypertension
can affect all types of people,
but you have a higher risk
if someone in your family
has had the disease.

As in: I think
my grandfather
died of hypertension?

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, Grandfather/Dad's Dad
Page Number: 76
Explanation and Analysis:
Second Quarter Quotes

On the way home
Dad asks if we should stop
at Pollard's.
I tell him I'm not hungry,
plus I have a lot of homework,
even though
I skipped lunch today
and finished my homework
during halftime.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, Mom
Page Number: 99
Explanation and Analysis:
Third Quarter Quotes

I prefer to be called Josh, Dad.
Not Filthy.

Oh, really, Filthy? he laughs.
I'm serious, Dad--please don't call me
that name anymore.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad (speaker)
Page Number: 166
Explanation and Analysis:

Like heirloom.
As in: Dad treats his championship ring
like some kind of family heirloom
that we can't wear
until one of us becomes Da Man.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Related Symbols: The Championship Ring
Page Number: 183
Explanation and Analysis:

JB and I look out
the window
at the exact moment
we pass by the mall
and I know exactly
what JB wants.
Dad, can we stop
at that sneaker store
in the mall?
Yeah, Dad, can we? JB echoes.
And the word we
never sounded
sweeter.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), JB (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 189
Explanation and Analysis:
Fourth Quarter Quotes

As in: Dad's in a coma
because of a myocardial infarction,
which is the same thing
my grandfather died of.
So what does that mean for me
and JB?

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, JB, Grandfather/Dad's Dad
Page Number: 202
Explanation and Analysis:

Because the only thing that matters is swish.
Because our backboard is splintered.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, JB, Mom
Related Symbols: The Backboard
Page Number: 204
Explanation and Analysis:
Overtime Quotes

On the forty-ninth shot,
I am only slightly aware
that I am moments from fifty.
The only thing that really matters
is that out here
in the driveway
shooting free throws
I feel closer to Dad.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 235
Explanation and Analysis:

You earned it, Filthy, he says,
sliding the ring on my finger.
My heart leaps
into my throat.

Dad's championship ring.
Between the bouncing
and sobbing, I whisper, Why?

I guess you Da Man now, Filthy, JB says.

And for the first time in my life
I don't want to be.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), JB (speaker), Dad
Related Symbols: The Championship Ring
Page Number: 236
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire The Crossover LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Crossover PDF

Dad Quotes in The Crossover

The The Crossover quotes below are all either spoken by Dad or refer to Dad. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Inheritance and Genetics Theme Icon
).
Warm-Up Quotes

But, as I got older
and started getting game,
the name took on a new meaning.
And even though I wasn't into
all that jazz,
every time I'd score,
rebound,
or steal a ball,
Dad would jump up
smiling and screamin',
That's my boy out there.
Keep it funky, Filthy!

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 8-9
Explanation and Analysis:

1. ever since I watched
the clip of Dad
posterizing
that seven-foot Croatian center
on ESPN's Best Dunks Ever;
soaring through the air—his
long twisted hair like wings
carrying him
high above
the rim—I knew
one day
I'd need
my own wings
to fly.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Related Symbols: Locks/Wings
Page Number: 14-15
Explanation and Analysis:
First Quarter Quotes

That boy is special, and it doesn't hurt
that Chuck "Da Man" Bell is his father.
And mine, too.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, JB
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:

And while Dad is telling us another story
for the hundredth time, Mom removes the salt
from the table and JB goes to the buffet.
He brings back three packages
of duck sauce and a cup of wonton soup
and hands them all to me.
Dad pauses, and Mom looks at JB.
That was random, she says.
What, isn't that what you wanted, Filthy? JB asks.
And even though I never opened my mouth,
I say, Thanks,
because
it is.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), JB (speaker), Mom (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 42
Explanation and Analysis:

As in: I wonder why my dad
never had surgery
on his patellar tendinitis.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 49
Explanation and Analysis:

As in: Hypertension
can affect all types of people,
but you have a higher risk
if someone in your family
has had the disease.

As in: I think
my grandfather
died of hypertension?

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, Grandfather/Dad's Dad
Page Number: 76
Explanation and Analysis:
Second Quarter Quotes

On the way home
Dad asks if we should stop
at Pollard's.
I tell him I'm not hungry,
plus I have a lot of homework,
even though
I skipped lunch today
and finished my homework
during halftime.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, Mom
Page Number: 99
Explanation and Analysis:
Third Quarter Quotes

I prefer to be called Josh, Dad.
Not Filthy.

Oh, really, Filthy? he laughs.
I'm serious, Dad--please don't call me
that name anymore.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad (speaker)
Page Number: 166
Explanation and Analysis:

Like heirloom.
As in: Dad treats his championship ring
like some kind of family heirloom
that we can't wear
until one of us becomes Da Man.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Related Symbols: The Championship Ring
Page Number: 183
Explanation and Analysis:

JB and I look out
the window
at the exact moment
we pass by the mall
and I know exactly
what JB wants.
Dad, can we stop
at that sneaker store
in the mall?
Yeah, Dad, can we? JB echoes.
And the word we
never sounded
sweeter.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), JB (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 189
Explanation and Analysis:
Fourth Quarter Quotes

As in: Dad's in a coma
because of a myocardial infarction,
which is the same thing
my grandfather died of.
So what does that mean for me
and JB?

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, JB, Grandfather/Dad's Dad
Page Number: 202
Explanation and Analysis:

Because the only thing that matters is swish.
Because our backboard is splintered.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, JB, Mom
Related Symbols: The Backboard
Page Number: 204
Explanation and Analysis:
Overtime Quotes

On the forty-ninth shot,
I am only slightly aware
that I am moments from fifty.
The only thing that really matters
is that out here
in the driveway
shooting free throws
I feel closer to Dad.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad
Page Number: 235
Explanation and Analysis:

You earned it, Filthy, he says,
sliding the ring on my finger.
My heart leaps
into my throat.

Dad's championship ring.
Between the bouncing
and sobbing, I whisper, Why?

I guess you Da Man now, Filthy, JB says.

And for the first time in my life
I don't want to be.

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), JB (speaker), Dad
Related Symbols: The Championship Ring
Page Number: 236
Explanation and Analysis: