Bob Cook

Here is Bob Cook. His life is basketball.

The picture you see here was taken at Bedord Junior High School in Bedford, Texas, as he served as official scorekeeper for his 8-year-old nephew's game in the Mid-Cities Basketball Association, Junior League (Third Grade) division. (His nephew's team won, 23-9.)

The picture was taken by Bob's 7-year-old son, whom he coaches in the Oak Lawn (Ill.) Park District's 6- and 7-year-old coed league. No scorekeeper needed -- they don't keep score in that league

However, they do keep score in Bob's league through the St. Catherine of Alexandria Men's Club in Oak Lawn. Bob has learned that at this stage of his career, like the current season of Reggie Miller, the man whose shirt he is wearing in this picture, he still has a killer outside shot, but that any team counting on him as a leading scorer is bound to lose.

Also, Bob recently has been recruited to be a basketball referee. He's at the first stage -- filling out the paperwork to prove he's not a pedophile or some other unclean type. Being a referee is not the pressure-free zone that scorekeeping is, but as we mentioned, Bob's life is basketball. Playing it, scoring it, coaching it, reffing it. And watching it. And crying every time he sees "Hoosiers," even when it's just scenes being used in a hackneyed way to fire up the torpid crowds at NBA arenas.

Did we mention Bob spent most of his growing up in Indiana? That explains a lot, really

— Bob Cook (bobc@flakmag.com)