Judge Faith Season 3 Episode 6 For The Love of Basketball

For The Love of Basketball, the sixth episode in the third season of the courtroom show Judge Faith, revolves around a dispute between ex-boyfriend and girlfriend, both basketball players, over a borrowed basketball.

The episode opens with plaintiff Nicole, a professional basketball player, explaining that she had allowed her then-boyfriend and fellow basketball player, defendant Ray, to borrow her personal basketball for practice. Despite multiple reminders from Nicole, Ray had not returned the ball to her, and even went a step further by denying ever borrowing it from her, causing Nicole to file a lawsuit against him.

Judge Faith is introduced in the courtroom as Nicole and Ray both take their places in front of her. She wastes no time in diving straight into the issue at hand, issuing a warning to both parties to keep their emotions in check and not to interrupt each other during the proceedings.

With the basic facts of the case established, Judge Faith questions Ray about why he had not returned the basketball to Nicole. Ray claims that he had returned it to Nicole already, but helpfully adds that he will check with his friends to see if they know where the ball may have ended up. Nicole, however, is not convinced, and brings forth a series of text messages that had taken place between the two of them after the basketball had gone missing. The messages reveal that Ray had indeed borrowed the ball, and that he had made efforts to return it to Nicole, but in the end, had failed to do so.

Judge Faith takes a closer look at the text messages, which also reveal a slightly strained relationship between the two of them. She questions them about what the root of their disagreements may be, to which they both agree that they are both very passionate basketball players who take the game very seriously.

Sensing an opportunity to delve deeper into their issue, Judge Faith asks them to explain how their shared love of basketball has caused problems in their relationship. Ray explains that both of them play basketball professionally, and that Nicole may sometimes exhibit a certain amount of jealousy when it comes to his success on the court. Nicole counters by saying that this is not true, and that in fact it is Ray who has a problem with her being a successful basketball player, which she claims has caused tension between them.

Judge Faith listens carefully to both sides, and ultimately decides to rule in favor of Nicole, ordering Ray to pay the value of the basketball to her. However, before the episode ends, she decides to give them a little bit of relationship advice.

Pointing out that basketball is a game that should bring people closer together, not tear them apart, she suggests that they try playing together as teammates, instead of against each other. She urges them to work together on the court, to find a way to lift each other up and bring out the best in one another.

By doing so, she concludes, not only will they become better basketball players, but they may also find a way to reconcile their differences and build a stronger, healthier relationship outside of the court.