When Amen and Ausar are in the same city, the competition gauges are converted to 10. On and below the court. Two-word texts sent 40 minutes before prompting the two-word texts are “kill” to promote connectivity across state lines.
“It could be like 71 games happening,” Osal said, “One, because sometimes I really forget he has a game.” If you send it in a game, that won’t be the case. If he was playing games on the West Coast, I would think the game was at seven o’clock, it was really nine o’clock, and it was really nine o’clock. Or he would go from the West Coast to the East Coast and I was late in the race and I would think I would try as much as I could, so I would pay as much as I could.
The twins explain this sentence similarly. Be as aggressive as possible on both ends of the court. Play every game, just like your last game. Give all your strength. Dominate in any way, even if that means only 9 points next to your name. “Let your existence know there,” Amen said.
Writing out affirmative daily exercises is still the same as they were when they were 9 years old, writing out those vision boards. This habit is not unique to their pre-match rituals. Ausar has a new poster board to write what he wants to attack. When the Rockets entered the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last season, Amen resumed his diary, inspired by his grandmother who brought a framed version of the visual board to his Houston home.
“Whenever I’m in the hotel, you have paper and pen, I keep writing, I’m going to be great before the competition. It’s new to me,” Amen said. “But I wanted to make a brand new dream board because I did it when I was 9. Now I’m 22, so I feel like I’m going to think of what I really want to accomplish.”
So, what has been after the Thompson Twins’ revised vision board caught the attention of the past two seasons? They both said unanimously: “Champion.”
“But you’re not on the Rockets,” Amen said. “Then how could you win?”
“Which franchise has more championships?” Australia asked.
“I think we’re in the same number. Oh no, you have more,” Amen realized. At that moment, Ausar turned to the back of the jersey, pointing out the number “3” in a small Larry O’Brien patch, indicating the Pistons’ three NBA champions. “Didn’t I say three of my things on the back?” Australia asked verbally.
“What do I say?” Amen asked.
“Two,” Osal said, his chest swelling.
“Oh, it’s Finna, like 10,” Amen said.
“Ten are crazy. Ten are crazy,” Osal said, the two twins laughing. “But no, champion, there are many other things that won’t be said. But they will happen.”
“Oh. Come on,” Amen said. “It’s a little tough.”
