Dad Character Analysis in The Crossover

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:

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 and Citation: 8-9

Explanation and Analysis:

Josh explains how he eventually came to enjoy his nickname, Filthy McNasty. He didn't like it at first, since kids made fun of him for it, but Dad's praise using the name helped him learn to like it. This shows the immense power that Dad has over his sons. He's a powerful role model for them, and the things that he likes can, with enough repetition and insistence, become the things that his sons like. This also speaks to the ways that Josh is currently working on shaping his identity. As a pre-teen, Josh is pulling from all sorts of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accu

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 and Citation: 14-15

Explanation and Analysis:

Josh tells the reader why he has locks, and that the main reason he wears his hair like this is because Dad used to. This shows that for Josh, emulating Dad's style is a way to emulate Dad's other qualities--in this case, his ability to dunk. Josh later shares that he's the only kid on his team who can already dunk, which suggests that his attempts to align himself with Dad are at this point successful. Specifically, Josh's language when he talks about one day needing his own wings shows that he understands that as he gets older, he'll eventually Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt

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

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), JB, Dad

Page Number and Citation: 27

Explanation and Analysis:

During one of Josh's play-by-plays, he praises JB's skills on the court and links them specifically to the fact that Dad is who he is. Dad is a famous former basketball player and at a number of points, he and Josh imply that the boys' natural aptitude for the game is something they inherited from him. In this situation in particular, notice that Josh is quick to note that both he and JB are Dad's sons, thereby reaffirming their connection to each other for the reader. With this, he shows the reader again that he's not yet willing to accept Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt

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: Mom (speaker), JB (speaker), Josh (speaker), Dad

Page Number and Citation: 42

Explanation and Analysis:

While the family is eating at a Chinese restaurant, JB gets Josh food without asking and Mom takes the salt off the table. Though Mom thinks that JB's behavior is strange, Josh and JB don't agree with her; for them, it's proof that because they're twins, they're more connected and in tune with each other than different-age siblings are. Given that this is also taking place not long after JB cut Josh's locks, his choice to do something nice for his brother suggests that the two are beginning to make up. Mom's removal of the salt, on the other hand, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Volupta

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

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad

Page Number and Citation: 49

Explanation and Analysis:

After Josh and JB discover that Dad wasn't able to play for the Los Angeles Lakers because he refused to get surgery on his patellar tendinitis, Josh is confused as to why Dad made this choice. Patellar tendinitis is an overuse injury, which first suggests that Dad's insistence that the boys practice hard and practice well has limits. It implies that Dad's constant practice actually had negative effects on his body and, eventually, got to the point where Dad was unable to play the game anymore. However, it's also telling that Dad chose not to have surgery. The fact that Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus temp

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 and Citation: 76

Explanation and Analysis:

After Josh overhears Mom and Dad fighting about Dad's refusal to see a doctor about his hypertension, Josh defines the word and explains that the disease can be hereditary. With this, Josh is forced to confront the possibility that Dad hasn't just passed his skill and aptitude for basketball on to his sons; he may have also passed on what can be a deadly disease. The possibility that Josh's grandfather died of hypertension reinforces this danger, as it indicates that Dad's struggle with hypertension is something that he inherited from his dad. The fact that Josh is learning this information Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi nece

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 and Citation: 99

Explanation and Analysis:

The day after Mom tells Josh that he shouldn't let Dad take him to Krispy Kreme or Pollard's anymore, Josh lies to Dad about not being hungry. In spite of the anger and victimization that Josh felt when Mom talked to Josh about the need to eat healthier, Josh's choice to lie to Dad shows that he takes Mom's conversation very seriously. In other words, he recognizes that Dad's health isn't good, and that food is one of the best ways for Dad to control his high blood pressure if he's not willing to go to the doctor. With this, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Prov

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 and Citation: 166

Explanation and Analysis:

During a conversation between Josh and Dad, Josh asks Dad to call him by his real name instead of his nickname, Filthy McNasty. When Dad laughs at this request, it shows that he's not quite ready to accept Josh's bid for an individual, adult identity. The fact that Josh is asking at all though suggests that despite his desire to remain close with his brother, as he did in childhood, he is ready to begin forging his own identity. At this point, the only way Josh can do this is by controlling the language that others use to speak about Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt.

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 and Citation: 183

Explanation and Analysis:

Josh explains that he's studying for a vocabulary test and makes up clues to help remember the words. This is his clue for the word "heirloom." The way that Dad positions the championship ring for Josh and JB shows that he's well aware of his role as the boys' primary role model. By offering them this tangible token that will someday indicate that they've become like him, he's able to more effectively encourage them to take after him on the court by dedicating themselves to practice and honing their natural talents for the game. However, as Dad's health begins to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asper

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: JB (speaker), Josh (speaker), Dad

Page Number and Citation: 189

Explanation and Analysis:

When Dad tells Josh and JB that they can choose a Christmas gift as a reward for their good grades in school, Josh asks to go to the sneaker store knowing that sneakers are what JB loves the most. When Josh does this, he shows that he's learning how to connect with JB now that JB is growing and changing. This one part of JB's identity, his love of sneakers, isn't changing, so it's an easy thing for Josh to try to connect over. JB's use of "we" in his response may be something that Josh fixates on just because Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea

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, Grandfather/Dad's Dad, JB

Page Number and Citation: 202

Explanation and Analysis:

After Dad ends up in the hospital after a heart attack, Josh begins to realize that because both Dad and Dad's dad suffered from hypertension and Dad's dad died from the disease, he and JB might be at risk. This shows that Josh finally understands that not everything he stands to inherit from Dad is an entirely good thing. While Josh can certainly continue to take pride in his physique and the aptitude for basketball that he inherited from Dad, the possibility that he might also be at risk for a life-threatening disease shows him that Dad's genes aren't unilaterally Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. V

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

Related Characters: Josh (speaker), Dad, Mom, JB

Related Symbols: The Backboard

Page Number and Citation: 204

Explanation and Analysis:

Josh gives Mom a list of all the reasons that he's currently angry. In these entries, his mention of the backboard becomes an allusion to Dad. In basketball, the backboard keeps the ball from going out of bounds, and it's often used by players to make baskets. By likening Dad to the backboard of the family, Josh recognizes that Dad was a guiding force in the family. He kept the boys in line, kept them interested in basketball, and made sure that they didn't stray too far. Because of this, Josh fears what will happen if Dad dies, as that Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Qu

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 and Citation: 235

Explanation and Analysis:

After Dad's funeral, Josh goes outside to shoot free throws alone and makes it his goal to meet Dad's record of 50 in a row. This offers hope that even with Dad gone, Josh will still be able to connect with him by playing basketball and remembering how much Dad loved it. Further, the fact that Josh is getting so close to Dad's record suggests that Josh's willingness to work is paying off, as he's following closely in Dad's footsteps as a star player. This sets Josh up to become "Da Man" in the future and give his dad's legacy Dolorem et

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: JB (speaker), Josh (speaker), Dad

Related Symbols: The Championship Ring

Page Number and Citation: 236

Explanation and Analysis:

After JB interrupts Josh's solo free throw shots, he gives Josh Dad's championship ring and declares him "Da Man." When Josh says he doesn't want it, it indicates that he no longer thinks of the “Da Man” mystique as an entirely and unquestionably good thing. Instead, Dad's heart attacks and death show Josh that even though Dad was an amazing basketball player and an amazing dad, he also made choices that led ultimately to his death. This complicates Josh's initial reading of Dad, "Da Man," and what it means to take on this honor and follow in Dad's footsteps. It's Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti sol

Dad Character Timeline in The Crossover

The timeline below shows where the character Dad appears in The Crossover. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...shame. He's tall with long hair and sees himself as the next big basketball star. Dad often reminds him that he played basketball with the greats like "Magic" (Earvin Johnson Jr.)... (full context)

How I Got My Nickname. Josh says he's not a fan of jazz music, but Dad is. One time, when Dad was making Josh listen to a CD by Horace Silver,... (full context)

...he started to like it. Whenever Josh scored or did something exceptional on the court, Dad would jump and scream praise for "Filthy." That made Josh feel good about the nickname. (full context)

...sheets, underwear, cups, and sunglasses. He even used $50 he won in a bet with Dad to purchase a Michael Jordan toothbrush off of eBay. Josh believes that JB is actually... (full context)

...helping people realize that he isn't JB. Most importantly, Josh once saw a clip of Dad dunking in Europe, and Dad's locks looked like wings. After seeing that, Josh realized that... (full context)

Mom tells Dad. Mom always makes Dad sit at the very top of the bleachers during Josh and... (full context)

Conversation. Josh asks Dad if he misses playing basketball. Dad answers that he misses it like a genre of... (full context)

Dad asks Josh to fetch JB so they can get to practice, but Josh asks about... (full context)

...and fails. Josh laughs, makes fun of JB, and dunks the ball to show off. Dad cheers and Josh explains that he's the only kid on the team who can dunk.... (full context)

...that JB likes to tease and trash talk other players during games, which is what Dad used to do. Josh, on the other hand, is silent, as it allows him to... (full context)

...and Josh passes to JB. Josh notes that JB is special, and that JB's dad (Dad) is Chuck "Da Man" Bell. JB passes the ball back to Josh, who performs a... (full context)

...It can throw off an opponent, and basketball greats have used it to great effect. Dad taught Josh to perform a crossover slowly at first, to test one's opponent, and then... (full context)

...Mom is very upset to see Josh's hair and calls it a calamity. She tells Dad to take Josh to the barber over the weekend to cut off the rest of... (full context)

...it when the family eats out, she lets them choose a restaurant once per month. Dad chooses Chinese, even though Mom won't let him eat most of what's on the buffet.... (full context)

As Josh fills his plate, JB asks Dad for insight on how they played. Dad says they did okay, but deems Josh's crossover... (full context)

The inside of Mom and Dad's bedroom closet. Mom and Dad's closet is off limits. JB often asks Josh to go... (full context)

JB notices that Josh has Dad's box open, so they rummage through it. They find newspaper clippings and old memorabilia, as... (full context)

...jumps a lot. Josh uses it in a sentence and says that in Mom and Dad's closet, he and JB discovered that Dad has patellar tendinitis, which is known as jumper's... (full context)

...center. They listen to hip-hop and, once all the teasing dies down, the game begins. Dad passes to Josh, Josh passes to JB, and JB shoots the ball. (full context)

Basketball Rule #2. In a random text, Dad tells Josh to hustle, run quickly, pivot and chase, aim and shoot. He tells Josh... (full context)

...JB with questions. He asks if JB thinks they can win the county championship, why Dad never had knee surgery, and why Dad can't have salt. JB responds that he doesn't... (full context)

After dinner. After dinner, Dad takes Josh and JB to the rec center to practice free throws. While the boys... (full context)

Dad Takes Us to Krispy Kreme and Tells Us His Favorite Story (Again). Dad bites into... (full context)

Dad reminisces about how, when Josh and JB were two, he taught them to play. Mom... (full context)

...goals. Other people expect out of you what they expect out of their own lives. Dad encourages Josh and JB to shoot for the sun. (full context)

I Missed Three Free Throws Tonight. Josh explains that every night after dinner, Dad insists that he and JB shoot free throws until they get ten in a row.... (full context)

...music, but Josh thinks it sounds more like Jay-Z. JB also doesn't hear Mom and Dad arguing. (full context)

Mom shouts. Josh listens to his parents fight. Mom wants Dad to see the doctor for hypertension since it's genetic. Dad insists he doesn't need a... (full context)

...blood pressure. Josh uses it in a sentence and says that Mom tries to keep Dad from eating salt, as too much salt can cause hypertension. In another sentence, he notes... (full context)

Conversation. Josh takes his problem to Dad and says that JB is acting weird: he's smiling, he gets spacey when Miss Sweet... (full context)

Out of Control. Dad yells at the ref that a kid on the other team was traveling (moving with... (full context)

...is aghast that they have to start tonight, but Mom asks Josh to not let Dad take him to Pollard's or Krispy Kreme after their rec center outings. Josh understands what... (full context)

...35-18. A reporter from the paper asks JB and Josh how they got so good. Dad takes it upon himself to respond and says they learned from "Da Man." On the... (full context)

...take turns shooting free throws. JB has gotten twelve in a row so far, so Dad laughs and tells Josh to pay attention. Suddenly, a look of horror comes over Dad's... (full context)

He probably. When Josh asks JB if he thinks Dad is sick, JB says that Dad probably just got something caught in his throat. Because... (full context)

...astronomy. He says it's not ironic that his grandfather died in a hospital and now, Dad hates doctors. He also thinks that it's ironic that JB spends all his time showing... (full context)

...he doesn't know, to which she tells him to stop being silly. Alexis asks about Dad and if the family is rich because he played in the NBA. Josh corrects her... (full context)

...point is the point at which something shifts into an entirely different position. According to Dad, the tipping point of the U.S. economy was greedy bankers and housing gamblers. Josh is... (full context)

...I can't sleep. Josh can't sleep. Though he's worried about the game tomorrow, concerned about Dad, and hates how his hair feels, he can't sleep mostly because JB is on the... (full context)

...to JB about how he's spending all his time with Alexis and ignoring him and Dad. However, Josh's plan is thwarted when he hears a car horn, looks outside, and sees... (full context)

Conversation. While Dad drives Josh to the game, Josh asks if going to the doctor will kill Dad.... (full context)

Game Time: 6:00 p.m. Just before 5:30, a police officer pulls Dad over because he has a broken taillight. A minute later, the officer asks Dad for... (full context)

...and then sit on the bench. He doesn't want to listen to Josh's excuses that Dad got pulled over and instead, tells him that being early is always better than being... (full context)

...team are in front of Josh. Josh sees that JB is free and thinks of Dad's assessment that if JB is open, he can be trusted to earn points. Josh, however,... (full context)

...Josh. He decides to try to dunk until he realizes his locks are gone. Coach, Dad, and the crowd all scream for Josh to pass the ball. JB is still open.... (full context)

...As the Bell family drives home from the hospital, the car is silent. Mom and Dad are serious, while JB leans his bandaged face against the window. Even though Josh is... (full context)

...be difficult to work with. Once, when Josh wanted a pair of Stephon Marbury sneakers, Dad insisted that Marbury had a bad attitude and said that Josh didn't want to be... (full context)

The Nosebleed Section. Josh sits with Mom and Dad in the top row of the bleachers. He thinks that they're in the clouds and... (full context)

Storm. Dad races down the stairs to yell at the ref that what happened to JB was... (full context)

The next morning. At breakfast the next day, Mom tells Dad to call the doctor or else. Dad apologizes to his family for losing his cool... (full context)

...has also thanked JB profusely for leading them to the playoffs. Mom also said that Dad's blood pressure during the game was so high, his anger at the ref caused his... (full context)

...his eyes. Mom points out that she cares about Josh's behavior, not his grades as Dad tries to change the subject by talking about Mom's much-awaited Christmas dinner. He tells a... (full context)

I run into Dad's room. Josh runs to investigate the panting. He finds Dad on the floor cleaning a... (full context)

Dad assures Josh that he and JB are mature enough to be okay and asks why... (full context)

Josh tells Dad that since it means so much to him, he'll ask Mom about the job on... (full context)

Behind Closed Doors. Mom yells that she and Dad decided that he wouldn't play basketball. She won't listen when he insists it's just coaching... (full context)

...Josh is finished cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, Mom comes in. Josh asks when Dad has his appointment with the doctor and when Mom scolds Josh for eavesdropping, he insists... (full context)

...onto the court. As the game starts, Josh looks up and notices that Mom and Dad aren't in the bleachers. He turns back to the court and meets JB's eyes. He... (full context)

...from Mom, Part One. Around 7 pm, Mom texts Josh to say that she and Dad went out for some fresh air since Dad wasn't feeling well. A few minutes later,... (full context)

...clues he made up to remember them. To remember what heirloom means, Josh says that Dad treats his championship ring like a family heirloom, and that Josh and JB can't wear... (full context)

...estranged from himself. He also shares that even though he and JB are currently estranged, Dad is going to make them play together in a tournament at the rec center tomorrow. (full context)

School's Out. On the last day of school before winter break, Mom works late so Dad picks up Josh and JB. The boys still aren't talking, but they both laugh at... (full context)

The Phone Rings. Josh answers the phone since Mom is decorating the tree and Dad is outside shooting free throws. Miss Sweet Tea asks if she can speak to JB,... (full context)

When we get to the court. At the rec center, Josh challenges Dad to a warm-up game. Dad agrees and hits Josh in the chest with the ball--Josh... (full context)

At Noon in the Gym, with Dad. People watch Dad and Josh play. Josh does well and is up by five points,... (full context)

...Jordan and me on the back and says. The doctor tells JB and Josh that Dad will be fine; they'll be fishing again soon. Josh petulantly says they don't fish, which... (full context)

...or dying. JB says that now, he hates basketball because it was the thing that Dad loved the most, and it caused his myocardial infarction. The doctor sees Josh looking up... (full context)

Okay, Dad. Josh decides to talk to Dad, even though he's been told that Dad might not... (full context)

Mom, since you asked, I'll tell you why I'm so angry. Josh is angry because Dad tried to dunk and Josh wants to win a championship, but he can't do it... (full context)

...sideline. It was creepy but it worked--the Wildcats won and dedicated the game ball to Dad. He asks if Josh and JB are coming to practice, if Dad's okay, and if... (full context)

On Christmas Eve. Dad wakes up. He smiles at Mom, gives JB a high five, and then looks Josh... (full context)

Santa Claus Stops By. The Bell family celebrates Christmas in Dad's hospital room with relatives from five different states. Mom sings and Dad plays cards with... (full context)

Dad reminds the boys of how, when they were seven, JB wanted to swing. All the... (full context)

Questions. Dad asks if Josh has been practicing his free throws, but Josh responds by asking why... (full context)

Dad jokes about how horrible Uncle Bob's turkey was, but Josh doesn't think it's funny. Josh... (full context)

...writes that his Christmas wasn't merry, and he's not happy in the new year either. Dad's still in the hospital and has been for nineteen days. (full context)

...shoots free throws and eats donuts alone. He's alone because JB is in love and Dad is in the hospital. (full context)

...she shrieks. She runs past the boys' room and when JB asks, she explains that Dad had another heart attack. She's going to the hospital and promises to see the boys... (full context)

...the hospital with his family, he should go. Josh cuts Coach off, assures him that Dad is going to be okay, and says that Dad wants him to play. He asks... (full context)

Text Messages from Mom, Part Two. Mom texts Josh and says that Dad is having complications, but he'll pull through and sends his love. She sends Josh luck... (full context)

For Dad. Josh's free throw rolls around the rim, but finally goes through the net. The Wildcats... (full context)

...#2 in the Daily News (January 14). The paper writes that Charlie "Da Man" Bell (Dad) collapsed in a basketball game with Josh. He suffered complications and died of a massive... (full context)

...feels unprepared for death, since there aren't rules and there’s no referee. He listens to Dad's teammates tell funny stories and thinks that the choir's songs almost cover up Mom's sobs.... (full context)

...trying and failing to dunk. Josh dribbles to the free throw line and thinks that Dad once made 50 free throws in a row. Josh's record is nineteen. Josh makes his... (full context)

...as the years of his life. Each one represents a year that he had with Dad. By the time Josh gets to free throw number 27, he's making them with his... (full context)

...still being cautious around him. Josh asks if JB had a chance to speak to Dad before he died. JB says that Dad told him to stay out of his closet... (full context)

Dad Character Analysis

Dad Quotes in The Crossover

Warm-Up Quotes

First Quarter Quotes

Second Quarter Quotes

Third Quarter Quotes

Fourth Quarter Quotes

Overtime Quotes

Dad Character Timeline in The Crossover