Don Juan
Page 4 In January of this year, Milt was invited out to Louisville to have his number retired during a Cardinals home game. Dajuan accompanied his father and the two were greeted by throngs of well-wishers. They remembered the legend of Ice and had heard about the exploits of the young Wagner. He was a blue chipper, a prized recruit for the program that was lucky enough to land him. Needless to say, the trip served as both a celebration of Milt and a courtship (although fruitless) of Dajuan. During some down time, father and son escaped the celebrations and red carpets. They retreated to the familiar confines of the gym. There was a score to settle, a life-long rivalry to resume. Juanny was 0–for-life against Milt, but the tide was changing. Ice could see the improvement; the runs against his son weren’t as easy anymore. While not yet winning a series, Dajuan was scoring individual game victories. They both knew it was a matter of time. As always, the two combatants went at each other hard. Real hard. This time, though, Dajuan’s larger frame could absorb the blows that Milt dealt. Instead of bouncing off a hard check, the younger Wagner continued toward the hole. Dajuan was now slashing to the tin, cuffing the rock and finishing with authority. Milt smiled; that was his move. The years of tough losses and bruises of love had paid off. Milt had taught his learner well and now the elder Wagner was being beaten by the same moves his son formerly couldn’t defend. Milt had watched his son’s game develop, recognizing the fact that most of his moves exploded off two dribbles. The one-on-one battles had a huge influence on the killer skills Juanny now possessed. That cold day in January, the roles had reversed. The student was no longer simply learning, he was dictating the action. And winning. "I’m the daddy now,” Dajuan said. “You’re too little – got to get your weight up.” Both Wagners smiled. The transformation was complete. For the first time, Dajuan had taken out the best baller Camden had ever seen. It was Juanny’s time now; he had proved he was ready. The torch had been passed. It was now as it was written.
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