138: Amazed Or Unfazed?

138. Such a random number. No historical, religious, or cultural significance. What could it even mean?
But on November 20, just last Tuesday, one Jack Taylor scored exactly 138 points for Grinnell College against Faith Baptist Bible College.

Standing at 5'10, 170 pounds, Jack Taylor took one shot every 20 seconds during the game, most of them three pointers, which added up to a breath-taking 52 made baskets out of 108 taken. Impressed, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant had this to say: "That's crazy. I don't care what level you're at, you score 138 points, that's pretty insane."

It sounds too good to be true. How could a person take an entire 108 shots during a real basketball game?  There seems to be a method for this madness. Jack Taylor's coach, Arsenault, has developed a plan for this high-scoring stunt.

In this offensive plan, one shooter is selected to play offense the entire game, shooting and scoring to the best of their ability, while his other four teammates work as quickly and efficiently as they can on defense. Lacking a fifth player on defense, these four teammates are rotated throughout the game from a deep bench, so that four players will always have enough energy and rest to carry on with their four-man defense. Then, on offense, these four players' roles are to get the ball to the shooter as quick as they can, so he may score. The designated shooter, primed to score, leaves all the rebounding, defense, and work to his other four teammates.

With such an offense centered on only one person, it casts some doubt on the teamwork involved in basketball. ESPN's Stuart Scott believes this: "Not a big fan of Jack Taylor's 138-pts in Grinnell win. He took 108-shots, including 71-3's...Just say that out loud. Now say "team"!"

Hmm...so what could this 138 mean? An amazing, incredible feat that all players should strive to match? Or just merely a selfish, vaudeville stunt that doesn't reflect the true spirit and purpose of the game of basketball?

I'll leave this 138 for you to figure out the meaning.

T_L

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