B-ballers,
What it do? I just got the news that the starting date for this year’s b-ball fest, “Bringing the Heat,” has been pushed back for the second time in the last two months. The administration is claiming they’re short on staff, so, I’m officially playing it by ear. When I know something, you’ll know something. Until then, I hope that you’ll enjoy our 08’ season, Summer Madness.”
Speaking of summer madness, I recently got a comment from Highrise, on my ‘Word to the Masses blog (http://word2themasses.blogspot.com/). He displayed some b-ball braggadocio in reference to a June 28th post entitled, “Recognize the Real.”
The braggadocio of Highrise is a common language amongst North Philly ballers. In our hood, ballin was a rite of passage. The mention of our adolescent days, playing ball, ignited the flames of my b-ball soul. I haven’t played ball in over a year. That is until today (7/11/2010). That’s right, your MannofStat put down the stat sheets and took my rightful place on the court. Real talk.
My recent hiatus is the longest I’ve ever been off the court since I was 8 years old. I took the court with the likes of ballers like Silk Money, last season’s top rookie, as well as the league’s best 6th man. Everybody’s favorite glue guy, Big Bank and the most improved player from two seasons ago, Nasty Nas, held things down in the paint, while I had my work cut out for me guarding our league’s top coach, Slick Rick, (30-3 in his last 2 seasons) on the perimeter.
Today’s comeback was merely OCS (on the court scouting). It gave me the chance to experience the vast improvement of a 3rd year youngsta, Streets from an on the floor perspective. Playing with Streets proved to me that the only thing he’s been missing is the best point guard on the row feeding him the rock. Na mean?
The first two games proved to be my phase of adjusting to the 92 degree heat. My legs felt like wet sandbags, which caused me to play flat-footed defense. But, the ballers showed me no mercy, especially coach Slick Rick. We’re the same age, but he’s been ballin with the youngstas the entire offseason. He took full advantage of my sluggish movements, draining spot up jumper after spot up jumper. Needless to say, we lost those first two games. No doubt.
I got my groove back in games 3 & 4. Despite the fact that I’m at the front door of my mid 40’s my jumper is still wetter than Niagara Falls. Ya heard? I started draining long range jumpers, forcing defender to step out and challenge my marksmanship. This eventually led to my dribble drive penetration, which resulted in pinpoint dimes and floaters sweeter than a bee’s knees to close out games 3&4. That’s what’s up!
Being the MannofStat for the last 4 years, I kept mental notes of my on court production. I finished the day with 12pts, 14 dimes & 4 turnovers in 4 games played to 11. Not bad for the old school, huh? The ball is now in your court Highrise. Holla if ya hear me.
Be Easy,
MannofStat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann
