For the championship. Gatlins vs Mayhem. It all comes down to this, for the Gatlins, its win or you’re done. For team Mayhem there is a 13-game winning streak and supreme confidence. They’ve been a runaway train all season long. A Mayhem victory seems a foregone conclusion; or is it?
Heart-N-Soul’s 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists,3 steals and impassioned play steers the ship for the Gatlins; and team Mayhem starts out tight. Then “The Phenom” 38 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block begins to heat up, repeatedly beating the double team seemingly at will. Adeptly feinting and maneuvering like a master of puppets. An extremely gifted athlete; a joy to watch.
“The Phenom” picked up his 3rd foul late in the first half. And aside from “Scoop’s” 9 points (8 in the 1st half), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, Mayhem was unbalanced – “The Phenom” and “Scoop” scoring all but one of the team’s 1st half points – and they were clearly out-played by the Gatlins who were buoyed by big time efforts from “Nasty Nas” 7 points, 13 rebounds and “Billy Ho” 20 points (a career playoff high – 13 in the 1st half), 7 rebounds and 1 steal to take a 32-21 lead at the half.
Mayhem begins the 2nd half in a blur going on an 8-0 run. The Gatlins do not look like the same inspired team of the 1st half, but just as it appears Mayhem would take control of the game, “Heart-N-Soul” (Man on Fire) comes up huge to stem the tide. Then “The Phenom” sensing the chip, cuts the lead to (4), as low as its been since early in the 1st half. The Gatlins seemed to be wilting under the Mayhem surge. Then, out of the phone booth steps “Billy Ho” to save the day with a monster trey to push the lead to 49-42. Mayhem responds. “Billy Ho” answers back. “The Phenom” slashes, scores. “Billy Ho” in the corner; nothing but net. Suddenly crunch time is “Billy Ho” time! But, Mayhem makes a frenzied late push. Back to back treys from “Diesel” 7 points (all in the 2nd half), 5 rebounds and “The Phenom.”
Mayhem takes its first lead 58-55. Under 5 minutes to play. It’s a one point lead with under a minute to play. A crucial turnover by Mayhem and uncharacteristic sloppy play down the stretch give the Gatlins life. Under 10 seconds. The Gatlins go to “Bucktown” 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. In the paint – a driving basket… and the foul; pandemonium!! After the made free throw it’s the Gatlins by 2. Seven seconds. “The Phenom” is fouled. The best free throw shooter in the league… misses the front end of a one & one – Gatlins win 60-58! An instant classic!
Coach “Slick Rick” dedicated this win to his superstar guard – first team All-World selection and reigning league M.V.P “Lil’ Magic” who is unable to participate and with whom he has teamed to win the last two league titles. We will have a final game. Can Coach “Slick Rick” and the Gatlins do the improbably and win it all without the reigning league M.V.P? Or, will team Mayhem come back with a vengeance? Tune in Monday when the MannofStat will bring the word to the masses.
This is the final installment of The Blue View; the pleasure has been all mine. Thanks to the MannofStat for the opportunity and allowing me to share rare air; it is truly an honor-word is bond! Much respect to the recreation staff. They made it fun everyday. And, big ups to all the players. You make it go. We have our ups and downs, but we live and we learn and we continue to grow. The only thing that’s final is the score, ya heard?
Fade to Blue…
One Love,
Mr. Blue
Copyright © 2010 by Paul Brown
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