Bringing the Heat: (The Blue View) Day 18

Sixty-two degrees overcast and partly cloudy, a ten percent chance of precipitation in playoff-intensified air! Game one featured the 2nd seed “Gatlins” vs the #1 seed “Mayhem.” At the 19:38 mark, .22 into the contest: “Timeout Mayhem.” The call came not from coach “Dirty Bird”, but from the wily veteran, “Diesel” who spoke to his team with vehemence. The only words clearly decipherable from the scorer’s table were “no layups!”

Message received. “Mayhem” emerged from the time out playing ferocious defense. Not only challenging every shot, but also every pass, every rebound; every dribble. A gritty performance by “Heart-N-Soul” who had 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists in the first half finishing with 29 points (career high), 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal. He was countered by a just as determined “The Phenom” 33 points (17 in 1st half) 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 3steals, 1 block (16/17 from the stripe) – 32-21, “Mayhem” at the half.


Points were hard to come by for the “Gatlins” for the defensive intensity by “Mayhem” never waned. “Scoop,” 13 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks, fouled out at the 5:22 mark. And, just as it seemed the “Gatlins” would make a late push, a 3 point dagger by “Frost,” 5 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block off the bench killed all momentum and sealed the win 66-54.

Although the “Gatlins” lost “Lil’ Magic,” they are still a deeply talented team acquiring “E-Smoove” 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 4 blocks and “Bucktown” 4 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks via supplemental draft. But, they have not had the time to gel as a unit and they were not prepared for the defensive onslaught that was “Mayhem!”

Game 2 featured the #4 seed “The Realest” vs the #3 seed “Elixir” in an elimination game. “Silk Money” 24 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal is on his game early 18-10 advantage. “Elixir” lead by “J-Rock” 30 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks, respond with a 14-6 run; and it’s on and poppin. “The Realest” lead by 3 (34-31) at the half, getting a boost from “Scrappy” who hit 11 of his 13 points in the 1st half. It was nip and tuck the rest of the way.

Tempers flared, elbows flew, double fouls were called: playoff basketball. “Elixir” loses “Bigg Dogg” 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal, to visitation with 11:08 to play and a seeming advantage went to “The Realest.” But, great team chemistry from “The Gem,” “Big Shot Bo” and “Lil’ Bison”, who combined for 16 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks along with “J-Rock” to close it out down the stretch and hold on for a 57-51 win.

And, we say goodbye to “The Realest” and thanks for the effort. Also much respect for being men of character. This is our league and we represent it with everything we do. And we will be back tomorrow with unfinished business. I’m out.

Mr. Blue

Copyright © 2010 by Paul Brown