Rookie Of The Year

Used to lace up on the driveway

Chalk lines crooked, but the aim straight

Jersey three sizes too big

Still I swore I'd be the next big thing (yeah)

Dad yelling, “Bend those knees”

Chain-net rings, echo through the trees

Streetlamp buzz, playing past dark

Last shot, last chance, last spark

I was the rookie of the year in my backyard

Crowd in my head going crazy when I shot hard (hey!)

Now I'm staring at a life I never planned

Dream in the dust, sweat drying on my hands

I was the rookie of the year in my backyard

Still hear the roar every time it gets too hard

Maybe I lost that game on the court

But I still feel that child when I talk my talk

Coach said, "Son, you got heart"

But heart don't heal a torn part

Cold bench, hoodie on tight

Cleats by the door, never saw light

Friends moved on, made state, made tape

I stayed home, put weight on the page

Same fire, just a different flame

Same kid, just a different game (ooh)

Who am I if I don't make the league?

Is it me, or just the numbers on a sleeve?

Every scar, every rolled-up sleeve

Still shows the number that I used to believe

I was the rookie of the year in my backyard

Crowd in my head going crazy when I shot hard

Now I'm staring at a life I never planned

Dream in the dust, sweat drying on my hands (yeah)

I was the rookie of the year in my backyard

Still hear the roar every time it gets too hard

Maybe I lost that game on the court

But I turned that loss to a different kind of sport