The Bel-Air boys basketball team hasn't won a game all season, so the coach recruits Will when he sees him actually making a basket. Will quickly becomes a star, causing Carlton, who's been on the team, to feel overshadowed.
This episode provides examples of the following tropes:
- An Aesop:
- Carlton and Will both get one from Uncle Phil. Carlton learns to not let selfishness get in the way of his team's performance, while Will learns that being the best player on the team doesn't justify showboating or disregarding his team.
- Will tells Carlton that just because you're the pride of your parents doesn't mean other people don't deserve their chance to shine when they've earned it. Phil agrees with him and adds to it that his feelings of insecurity don't make Will's feelings any less valid.
- Dream Sue: Will sleeps while in practice and dreams that he has his own gym shoe, Air Fresh, and engages in an one-to-one basketball game with popular NBA star Isiah Thomas in the commercial where Thomas loses to Will. Even better, Isiah is seen as a Graceful Loser to Will and the slogan is the same one his coach has been saying to his teammates: "Just Pass It To Will".
- Hard Truth Aesop: Carlton learns that although his dad will do his best to support him in his activities, Will may need more support at times due to going through more issues.
- Irony: Will ended up in Bel-Air ultimately because he missed a shot while playing basketball in Philadelphia, resulting in the rebound going to the troublesome gang that Will got in a fight with. He likely would never have become the star of Bel-Air Academy's basketball team if he had made that shot in the opening.
- Parental Neglect: Carlton feels this, saying Phil only started coming to the basketball games after Will joined the team. Phil apologizes for any hurt feelings, but he points out he regularly attends Carlton's other activities and that Will has a greater need due to being so far away from his own mother.
- Save Our Team: Will is brought in to give the basketball team an actual shot of winning.
- The Gambling Addict: Jazz likes to gamble, even going so far as to agree to bet against Will. Shockingly enough, he ends up winning.
- Throw the Dog a Bone:
- Jazz ends up winning his bet with Geoffrey on Will's basketball game, although Geoffrey moves to get his money back by betting on a sport Jazz knows nothing about.
- Will has gotten virtually no slack since showing up in Bel-Air. He finally gets appreciation from everyone, including Uncle Phil, when he turns the worst team in the league into formidable competition.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Phil chastises Carlton for selfishness that cost the team the game and really lays into Will for his obnoxious showboating.
- Will gives Carlton one, pointing out that he's the Black Sheep of the family and deserves a chance to shine too when he deserves it.
