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The Fundamentals

Album: 21: Wish You Were Here

Episode: 282

Lesson/Theme: The importance of learning and wisdom.

Bible Verse: Proverbs 1:5

Characters: Jimmy, Tom

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer: Mark Drury

Original Air Date: September 17, 1994

Last Air Date: February 20, 2009

Description:
It’s basketball season. Camp What-a-Nut is putting on a clinic. Dale Jacobs and Tom Riley are coaching. Jimmy, Phil, and Rusty are participating. Phil is a hot-dog player, and not a bad one. He makes every shot he tries, but his style leaves little to be desired. Unfortunately, he thinks he plays great. Phil stubbornly refuses to listen to any instruction from Tom. Then Tom asks Rusty to play against Phil. Rusty is bigger, and better, than Phil. Rusty ends up blocking every one of Phil’s shots. Phil is so humiliated that he steals Rusty’s expensive shoes and hides them in a locker. Jimmy lies about it for Phil. When Rusty’s father finds out, he is so upset about this, he doesn’t let Rusty come to the camp the next morning. But Rusty does return that afternoon, again showing up Phil. Phil finally realizes that he doesn’t know as much about basketball as he thought. He seeks out Tom’s help. Finally, Phil’s shooting improves to the point that he actually scores on Rusty! Meanwhile, Dale talks with Jimmy about the lie he told to protect Phil. Dale explains that Phil isn’t a Christian. His father hoped that sending him to the camp would be a good influence on him. Jimmy realizes that he’s made a mistake. In front of Phil, Jimmy apologizes to Rusty. The camp ends, and both Phil and Jimmy realize that sometimes the only way you can improve is by getting back to the fundamentals.

Questions:
Why did Jimmy lie for Phil? Why did Phil finally seek out Tom’s help? Why should we watch our actions and attitudes at all times?