Non-Fiction reading response 2

            Sometimes their people in the world that have the natural ability to do something. Some people for example, like a disable person with no left arm, that can play basketball like a pro. This person can dribble, pass, and shoot like no others. His outstanding determination and dedication led him to teams that won back to back games. This person name is Zach Hodskins a person with no left hand and forearm. In the article “The Natural” by Mike Tierney, the authors wants readers to know that anyone can play a sport or any other kind of activity, with lots of dedication and determination. According to the article, Hodskins started to play basketball when he was 5. By the third grade he started to make his own style. “ I had to come up with my own style” Hodskin says. The author show readers the perspective of the other people. For example, when people watch Hodskins shoot three-points and pass with one hand, they notice as much as his missing hand is his drive. Hodskins is 6' 4” with his incredible ability to shoot from anywhere, along with his drive plus his pass.

           The author Mike Tierney wants readers like me to feel inspired by Zach Hodskins playing of basketball. He wants us readers to feel what it takes to be determined, and dedicate your life to that one thing. The author conveys readers with lots of examples of what it means to be determined and dedicate your life to that one thing. For example, he started to play ball when he was 5. By the time he was in third grade he wanted to make his own style to playing basketball. “ I just had to come up with my own style,” Hodskins said. In some ways his disability made him want to play harder. “ It made me want to work harder to overcompensate for things people said I couldn't do.” This quote shows us readers that he used his weakness to his advantage. It made him determined and hard working. He wanted to show that he can do what a non disable can't do. His captain for every pick-up-game played Hodskins was not chosen to play. The captain was concerned that he was pushing himself too hard. In middle school he went out for cross-country, primarily as conditioning for basketball. The family of Hodskins feared for his health because, of Hodskins coming home everyday tired and exhausted. When Hodskin was playing a game and his coach saw Hodskins struggling with dribbling left, the coach forced him to go left. So that in real games he doesn't struggle with his left or right.

             When reading this article, I've realized that you have to work really hard to achieve your goal. When I play basketball I don't really work as much as I need to. When I read this article I felt the determination Hodskins had over basketball. This made me feel like a loser compare to Hodskins. I felt like he had more determination and dedication over basketball than me. I play basketball as a hobby where he plays it for his career. This article has made me appreciate and acknowledge what it takes to be the basketball player you can be.