Real-Life Decision Making
You think the game is almost over when you see one of your players taking the bait. Number 32, your best friend's son, is playing the body a little bit too ambitiously and follows the point guard, who has the ball, out of his zone.
The point guard passes the ball to the open man who was hovering on the three-point line. It is William "Sharpshooter" McGerk. He shoots.
As the ball soars through the air, you know it's going in. Even so, you bite your tongue as the ball goes into the basket. The game is tied and you are headed for overtime.
During overtime, your team tries their best, but the last-minute basket from the "Sharpshooter" really took away their momentum. Luckily, it is only an exhibition match, but it was a game your team should not have lost.
Next week, the season really starts and the losses are going to count. Before you start the final practice, you must determine your roster for the season. You have to cut five players from the team.
You look at the remaining list of players. You determine that the most expendable player on the list is number 32, your best friend's son Tommy. He loves basketball and even dreams one day of playing in the NBA, but you know he does not have the skills to play in the majors.
At the same time, if you cut him from the team, you are not just going to crush his dreams, but also the dreams of your best friend, who wanted so much to see his son play professionally.
Other than number 32, there is number 16 on the team. He is a rookie on the squad, and if you cut him this year, he can always play for you next season. The rookie is a great talent, though. He is rough around the edges, but very agile on the court.
If you keep him, you will have to cut Tommy. Your best friend will be very disappointed if his son is cut. But while Tommy's play might not hurt your team in your season opener, it might hurt you later on in the season. What do you do?