Concrete Soul: The Chip, Day 17

B-ballers,

The following statement was made by the director of Strawberry Mansion Athletic Association, after a shooting at the rec center on 33^rd and Diamond, the old stomping grounds of former high school legends, Hank Gathers (R.I.P.) and Rasheed Wallace.

“This is the reason we don’t have basketball games, because historically, they have a culture that brings on a whole negative side.”

-          -Derrick Ford

Forgive me if my interpretation of this quote is out of context, but it sounds like Derrick Ford is implying that b-ball begets violence.  But, I know better.  B-ball doesn’t breed violence.  Communities, authorities and government do.  B-ball has been a scapegoat for far too long.  Ya heard?

According to Derrick Ford’s statement, a death row b-ball tournament is incapable of existing for a decade, without incident.  We are labeled, “the worse of the worst.” We are recognized as the most violent criminals in the state, but somehow we contradict the negative culture that Derrick Ford speaks of.

We do this and we do this well.  The eyes of the world are on us, but there are others – like Derrick Ford – that continue to wear blindfolds, when dealing with violence in their communities.  If the blindfold is removed, Mr. Ford and others like him, would see that the violence in his community didn’t start with some youngstas and a gat.  Na mean?

Team Chaos finishes this season as the 2011 tournament champs.  Chaos (13-3) weathered the QuietStorm (12-5), 75-57.  Heart-N-Soul led the onslaught with 19 points (8/14 from the field), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.  The regular season M.V.P./Defensive Player of the Year, and now Player M.V.P, set the pace.  Giving team Chaos a 16-6 advantage at the end of the 1^st period.

QuietStorm would rally in the 2^nd period.  E-Smoove shot 6/14 from the field and finished with a team high 15 points (2/3 from the stripe).  He scored 10 points in the second quarter, leading a 29-12 surge to close out the 1^st half with a 35-28 lead.

The 2^nd half belonged to Chaos.  Heart-N-Soul did most of the damage, scoring 12 of his game high, 19 in the 3^rd quarter.  The Carpenter closed out the season in dominant fashion, 16 points (7/10 from the stripe), 10 boards and 1 block.  Including a deep trey, to add to a dominant 25 point third quarter, for team Chaos.  The league’s top 6^th Man/Most Improved Player, Frost, had 16 points (4/4 from the stripe), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. 

And, 1^st team All-World Selection, Silk Money registered 15 points on a dismal 5/20 shooting.  He recovered from his poor shooting by tallying 10 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks.  Silk Money was also 5/8 from the stripe.

The Gem closed out his season with team QuietStorm on a strong note.  He finished with 14 points (season high), 5 rebounds and 2 steals.  Billy-Ho registered his 1^st career double/double (10 points, 10 boards, 2 assists and 1 block).  The Phenom struggled offensively.   He shot 3/10 from the field (2/6 from beyond the arc).  He finished with 9 points, 10 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.  QuietStorm was outscored 47-22 in the 2^nd half.  SMH

This season is another success story in the history of our lives, b-ballers.  I wanna take this time to thank my incomparable statistical Dream Team, Mr. Blue, El Indio and Froggy-Frogg.  This season was everything it was supposed to be.  Without your support, none of this is possible.  Real talk.

I thank all of you for your support and participation.  The coaches, the role players (Flex, Shorty-Wop, Instant Offense and Lou Loc), thank you for being a part of history.  And I can’t forget my man Father Time.  Good look, Dunn.

One Love,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann

2011 All-Tournament Squad

Heart-N-Soul

15.2 points, 4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.3 steals (4 playoff games)

Silk Money

17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2 steals, and 2.1 blocks (4 playoff games)

The Phenom

23.2 points, 8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and .2 blocks. (5 playoff games)

E-Smoove

16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2 assists 2.1 steals, and .8 blocks (5 playoff games)

The Human Eraser

14 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2.1 steals, and 3 blocks (3 playoff games)

Honorable Mentions:  J-Rock, The Carpenter, Bigg Dogg, Frost and SunChild