Danny Grows When It No Longer Matters
All Danny wants to do is grow a little bit so that he doesn't miss out on opportunities in the sport that he loves and excels at. His old coach dropped him because he wanted the team to "go bigger" and Danny is the smallest boy on the team by quite some margin. No matter how hard he tries to make himself get taller, he never does. He is significantly undersize for his age. Nonetheless he manages to lead his team of "outcasts" to an amazing underdog victory proving that he might be small but his is still mighty. When he gets home from celebrating he finds that he has grown a couple of inches since he last measured himself. This is ironic because it doesn't matter now anyway; he didn't let his shortness of stature hold him back.
Mr Ross's Anger
Mr Ross is a hard task-master and feels that the more he pressures his son, Ty, to play against Danny's team, the more his son will respond the way he wants him to. However, this has the opposite effect. Ty sees that basketball is much more fun when played with his friends than played when bullied into it. He ultimately decides to play on Danny's team which is ironic because it is the polar opposite effect than Mr Ross was intending with his behavior and manner.
Danny's Talent
Danny's coach dumps him from the team purely based on height. This is ironic because he is actually the most gifted player on the team and by letting him go his former coach creates a difficult opponent for his old team to play and also creates a hunger in Danny to avenge this wrong that he never had before.
Richie's Car Accidents
A car accident, caused by driving whilst drunk, ended Richie's playing career. It seems ironic that another car accident - this time, whilst driving sober - seems destined to end his coaching career. Unlike the first accident, however, it ends up bringing him closer together with his ex-wife and his son.
Richie and Danny's Relationship
This is a hugely ironic relationship because the more Richie doesn't turn up when he is supposed to, the more Danny idolizes him because he sees him so scarcely. Although this ultimately changes when they get to spend far more actual time together, Richie's absence creates a fascination in Danny rather than an anger which is a very ironic outcome to the situation.
