The Office Episode 1.05 Basketball

Michael's brilliant idea was about to pay off: That afternoon, the office staff and the warehouse staff were going to face off against each other in a basketball game.

Michael put together the starting lineup, beginning with Stanley, the office's only African-American male. Others, like Phyllis, really wanted to play, but Michael shot them down, basing his decisions on gender and ethnic stereotypes. And to make the game even more interesting, the loser would have to work on Saturday.

Game time! Stanley, Michael's "secret weapon," immediately turned the ball over to the warehouse guys who took it to the goal. As it turned out, Jim and Ryan were the only ones from the office staff who could actually play. Michael, who talked a big game, was the worst of the lot.

After taking a beating, Michael called a time out to regroup his team. Jim volunteered to cover Roy, the warehouse's best player. The tide started to change with Jim sinking shot after shot. Even Dwight and Phyllis had a chance to shine. But when Michael was fouled, he called "game over." It didn't hurt that his team was ahead.

Michael put together the starting lineup, beginning with Stanley, the office's only African-American male. Others, like Phyllis, really wanted to play, but Michael shot them down, basing his decisions on gender and ethnic stereotypes. And to make the game even more interesting, the loser would have to work on Saturday.

Game time! Stanley, Michael's "secret weapon," immediately turned the ball over to the warehouse guys who took it to the goal. As it turned out, Jim and Ryan were the only ones from the office staff who could actually play. Michael, who talked a big game, was the worst of the lot.

After taking a beating, Michael called a time out to regroup his team. Jim volunteered to cover Roy, the warehouse's best player. The tide started to change with Jim sinking shot after shot. Even Dwight and Phyllis had a chance to shine. But when Michael was fouled, he called "game over." It didn't hurt that his team was ahead.

The warehouse staff refused to come in on Saturday. They ganged up on Michael, staring him down until he caved in and volunteered his office staff to come in.

"Screw corporate," Michael told his disgruntled staff after the game, letting everyone off the hook for Saturday, even though it wouldn't bode well for them at headquarters.