A Dunphy's Basketball System ( Modern Family )

The invitation to the basketball showcase had arrived in a sleek, embossed envelope, complete with the promise of scouts, cameras, and high-level competition. It was Adrian's first major step into high school basketball stardom, and everyone around him treated it like an event of the century.

Of course, it couldn't just be a simple trip. It had to be a Dunphy family road trip—which meant chaos was inevitable.

The Two-Car Setup

Phil's excitement about the trip had been evident from the moment the invitation arrived. "We'll leave early, take the scenic route, and maybe stop at that diner with the pie. It'll be bonding time!"

Jay rolled his eyes. "Or we can get there on time by not taking detours for dessert. I'll drive one car."

But plans changed when Jay handed Adrian the keys to a sleek new car as a gift for his middle school nationals victory. "You earned this," Jay said gruffly, though the pride in his voice was evident.

And so, the group split into two vehicles. Adrian drove his new car with Dylan, Cole, Kendall, and Kylie in tow—a combination destined for mischief. Phil, Claire, Gloria, Jay, and Manny piled into the other car, where Phil's enthusiasm was matched only by Gloria's passionate singing of Colombian folk songs.

In Adrian's Car: Chaos on Wheels

From the moment they hit the road, it became clear that Adrian's car would be the epicenter of hilarity.

"Can we stop for snacks?" Dylan asked, barely ten minutes in.

Adrian glanced in the rearview mirror, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't you bring anything?"

Dylan grinned. "I thought this was a catering situation."

"You're lucky Adrian's the one driving," Cole said dryly. "Jay would have kicked you out by now."

Meanwhile, Kendall and Kylie debated music choices, both vying for control of the aux cord.

"Let me pick," Kylie argued. "Adrian listens to my playlists all the time."

"That's because you force him to," Kendall shot back, snatching the cord.

Adrian sighed. "How about we don't fight and just stick to my pump-up playlist?"

"Let the MVP decide!" Dylan proclaimed, leaning dramatically against his seat. Adrian's playlist eventually won, though not without some grumbling from Kylie.

Rest Stop Shenanigans

When Adrian finally relented and pulled over at a roadside diner, chaos ensued. Dylan insisted on ordering the greasiest burger on the menu, while Cole meticulously reviewed the nutritional facts of his meal. Kendall and Kylie took selfies, debating the best lighting angles, while Adrian patiently waited for his turn at the counter.

"Can you believe how many people are staring at us?" Kylie muttered to Kendall.

Kendall shrugged. "Welcome to being famous. You get used to it."

Dylan, overhearing, grinned. "Oh, they're staring at me. It's the burger aura."

Adrian chuckled, but when Kylie nudged him, she whispered, "You realize people were taking pictures of you, too, right?"

Adrian blinked. "What? Why?"

Kendall rolled her eyes. "You're Adrian Dunphy. You're basically a sports star now. Get used to it."

The Game

The showcase venue was massive, with rows of seats packed with fans, scouts, and coaches. The energy in the air was palpable, and Adrian felt the familiar buzz of adrenaline as he stepped onto the court.

Dylan and Cole immediately made their presence known in the stands. "Let's go, Adrian!" Dylan yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth. "MVP in the house!"

Cole, ever the deadpan, added, "We're expecting at least three highlight plays. Don't let us down."

Kendall and Kylie joined in, though with slightly more subtlety. Kendall clapped enthusiastically, while Kylie leaned back and smirked. "No pressure, Adrian."

The game began, and Adrian quickly found himself targeted by the opposing team's star player, a brash guard named Marcus who seemed determined to shut him down.

"Heard you were some kind of middle school legend," Marcus sneered as they squared off. "Let's see what you've got."

Adrian didn't reply. Instead, he let his game do the talking. A no-look pass here, a perfectly timed steal there—he was everywhere on the court. By halftime, he'd already racked up an impressive stat line, much to the delight of his cheering section.

Dylan stood up mid-play, shouting, "Somebody call ESPN! We've got the next LeBron over here!" His energy was infectious, drawing laughter and cheers from nearby fans. When Adrian pulled off a no-look pass, Cole smirked and said, "I taught him that," as though it were true, earning even more chuckles from the crowd.

Kendall and Kylie weren't far behind. Kendall was practically on her feet the entire time, clapping and yelling, "That's my Adrian!" before realizing how loud she was. Kylie nudged her and teased, "Relax, Kendall. You're going to scare the scouts." But even Kylie couldn't hide her excitement when Adrian nailed a three-pointer, yelling a triumphant, "Yes!" before quickly composing herself and muttering, "Not bad."

Meanwhile, in the other car's cheering section, Gloria's enthusiasm knew no bounds. She screamed, "That's my niño!" loud enough to echo across the gym, while Phil proudly held up a homemade sign that blinked with the words, "Adrian = MVP." Jay, usually reserved, couldn't help but stand and yell, "That's my grandson! Keep watching, you might learn something!" Cam, on the verge of tears, declared, "I'm making us all matching Adrian jerseys. Dunphy pride, everyone!"

The buzzer sounded, and Adrian's team emerged victorious, with Adrian sealing the win with a jaw-dropping, buzzer-beating three-pointer. The crowd erupted in cheers as Adrian's teammates swarmed him on the court. From the stands, Dylan leapt over the railing and dramatically hugged Adrian. "We're best friends now. This is going in the documentary," he announced, earning amused looks from everyone nearby.

Cole followed more composedly, phone in hand, recording as he said, "Adrian Dunphy: The Legend Begins. Coming to Netflix soon."

Kendall pushed through the crowd, beaming. "That was incredible, Adrian!" she said, her pride shining through. Kylie smirked from behind her, adding, "Not bad, for someone who listens to such basic playlists."

Adrian laughed, shaking his head at their antics. "Thanks, guys. Couldn't have done it without you screaming in my ear."

The Drive Back

Exhausted but exhilarated, the group piled back into Adrian's car. Dylan, unable to contain himself, insisted on rewatching clips of the game on his phone, narrating each play with exaggerated drama. "And here we see Adrian in his natural habitat—dominating!" he proclaimed.

Kylie, scrolling through social media, pointed out every time a girl in the stands posted about Adrian. "Do you even notice how much attention you get?" she asked.

Kendall rolled her eyes. "Jealous much?"

Adrian groaned. "Can't we just enjoy the quiet for five minutes?"

Cole, nose in a book, muttered, "Quiet doesn't exist with this crowd."