“being small was in his DNA”
To some extent, this statement is literal. Height is all in one’s DNA, but as applied to Danny specifically, this can be perhaps better be understood as the novel’s controlling metaphor. This is not about biological tendencies toward height - or, rather it is about that, but only partially. The story is every bit as much about psychological conditioning and how that becomes invested in one’s biological tendencies.
Stockton is God
The poster of John Stockton on the ceiling looking down on Danny is a potent metaphor. Like Eric Clapton was at one time to every kid who was struggling to learn how to play guitar, for Danny Stockton is God. Stockton just over six-feet-tall which can hardly be considered short anywhere in the world except on the courts of the NBA. It was there while surrounded by superstars who routinely towered over him by more than half-a-foot that small point guard John Stockton set records for assists and steals in the late 20th century still standing well into the 21st century. Stockton thus becomes a metaphor for what a “small” person can do in a tall man’s world and his placement on the poster looking down inverts him with a godlike eye reminding Danny of this.
Generation Gap
Young adult novels often must deal with a generation gap between the older and younger characters. Sometimes, this gap is central; others time mere background. When background, it is often best addressed through a subtler use of humor such as when Coach Kel subs for Richie as coach one day:
“`Say hello to your substitute teacher,’ he said. `You ever hear of a movie called To Sir, With Love? Starring the great Sidney Poitier?’ He got blank looks from everybody, as if he’d started speaking Russian to them.”
What do Moms Know?
A conversation with mom reveals the extent to which parents understand the world as it really is, but even so sometimes just don’t get it. In a story about basketball, this philosophical assertion couldn’t be any more ironically off-base.
“I know we’ve gone over this before,” she said, “but basketball isn’t a matter of life and death.”
Embiggening the Smallest Guy
Jebediah Springfield was wrong. It is not a noble spirit that makes bigger the smallest man. It is the affection of just the right girl. Such as when Tess kisses Danny on the cheek and addresses him as “little guy.”
“It was all right for her, calling him little guy.
Because when he was with her like this, Danny felt like the biggest guy in town.”
