Although Finley believes that basketball exists as a way for him to escape from the trauma of his childhood as well as the violence of Bellmont, basketball is also associated with his solitary nature. In what he pretends is his earliest memory, he thinks, “I only wanted to shoot hoops alone for the rest of my life” (3). In this way, basketball represents a symbol not only of escaping from trauma but also of positive experiences, a manifestation of the defense mechanism that prevents Finley from developing meaningful interpersonal relationships. Basketball, therefore, does not represent an entirely positive aspect of Finley’s life; it is complex and problematic.

One of the primary ways basketball becomes problematic for Finley lies in its repetitive nature—the very thing he had thought of as a source of freedom. In the beginning of the novel, Finley believes that “[y]ou can lose yourself in repetition” (2). Although this statement does hold some truth, Finley does not realize the cost off this loss of self. By losing himself in basketball, Finley is no closer to leaving Bellmont. Rather, basketball’s repetition allows him to be stuck in the mire of the community, unable to extricate himself from its grasp.