Legacy Infinite: Resilience, Day 3

In game 1 of our double-header, Coach T.C. brought his undefeated Apocalypse to battle Coach LaLa and his underdog Dead Game squad.  And we found out early on that these dogs bite!  It appeared that the wrong team was favored as crisp, precision passing and a balanced scoring attack led by Heart-N-Soul (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals) helped Dead Game maintain as much as a 12 point lead throughout much of the 1^st half.  Lil’ Bison had 14 points, Scrappy poured in 6 and Pitt Bull had 8; all in the first half.

But wait, as the 1^st half was drawing to a close, The Phenom (40 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block) found his range and we were treated to an electrifying aerial assault.  His 24 first half points kept his team in the game and Dead Game led at the half by only 6; 41-35.

Apocalypse controlled the 2^nd half from start to finish, taking the lead 47-46 at 11:48; they would not trail again.  Maybe it was the heat or the humidity.  Or, perhaps it was the lack of solid bench play that led to fatigued starters, but the double-team employed so successfully on The Phenom in the 1^st half, suddenly seemed to melt away.  But, ultimately the game was lost on the line as Dead Game missed 16 free throws.

And with 4-0-9 (10 points, 15 rebounds) and Bucktown (5 point, 11 rebounds) cleaning the glass and Billy-Ho (8 points, 9 rebounds) sinking clutch FT’s down the stretch, its another Apocalypse win, 73-66.

The 2^nd game pit TTTB against Hakuna Matata.  TTTB was without its coach.  Apparently The Gem was involved in some sort of altercation and it is unlikely he’ll coach anymore this season.  His presence was obviously missed as his team was without their usual energy, losing 56-48 in a lack luster performance.

Silk Money has a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds) before fouling out.  Tone “Wild Thing” Loc has 10 points and fouled out.  The Carpenter is rebounding back into form nicely though after leg surgery, contributing (10 points, 18 GMBs, 1 assist, 1 block) and Hilltop (8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block) definitely came to play.

But Hakuna Matata was solid from top to bottom.  Led by the Lil’ Giant, Young Frost (18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals). The kid is so lightning quick and freaky fast, he could deliver for Jimmy Johns!  E-Smoove had a steady (17 points, 9 rebounds) Geezy chipped in (11 points, 20 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 2 blocks).  A good team win, after a disappointing last second defeat for Coach Chimmi and Hakuna Matata.

There were a lot of great performances this week, but none better than The Phenom; your Player of the Week.  Checkout these numbers for the week:  95 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, 8 steals and 2 blocks!  Nuff said!

Mr. Blue

Copyright © 2013 by Paul Brown

Legacy Infinite: Longevity, Day 2

“The game is scheduled, you must play, you might as well win.”

Bill Russell, a.k.a. The Truth

Ballers,

This season has been BOFFO for death row basketball!  From preseason games until now, we are running on all cylinders!  Everyone plays an integral part to the whole of what we are trying to accomplish!  Let’s continue to gain ground gentlemen and put all the naysayers to rest.

Today’s first game featured TTTB (0-2) versus Dead Game (1-1).  Tone “Wild Thing” Loc was definitely on that “Funky Cold Medina” today.  Going for (14 points, 33 rebounds, 1 assist) in the first half while displaying an array of difficult shots that converted into buckets.  Not to be outdone, Lil’ Bison for Team Dead Game had 8 points at the half to help cut the lead 24-27.

Opening the second half, Dead Game went on a 13-7 run, giving them a 37-34 lead at the 9:14 minute mark.  With El-Concrete grabbing 16 monster boards and outrebounding TTTB’s ‘Twin Towers’ (Carpenter and 2Moons) who combined for 14 boards, and scoring (17 points, 2 assists, 2 steals) for his first double/double of the season.  He helped Dead Game stay in the mix to the end.  Silk Money helped his Team TTTB to tie the game at 42 all with 3:13 to play.  His (17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steal) kept the game on the line when he buried two clutch free throws with 9 seconds to play. 

But, leave it up to the old veteran Pit Bull (8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal) to give his team Dead Game the upset of the day.  With 2.7 second on the clock, Pit Bull hits a left-handed lay-up in transition!  Dead Game wins 50-48.  Giving them their first win of the season.  Their unselfish ball movement and physical play was the key to victory.  The General, Heart-N-Soul and Pop-A-Shot for TTTB collaborated for (8 points, 13 rebounds 3 steals, 1 block).  Tone “Wild Thing” Loc finished up with (18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist). 

Our second game match-up featured Apocalypse (2-0) versus Hakuna Matata “No Worries” (1-1). 

Apocalypse opens the game on a (7-0) run.  4-0-9 (16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals) was a force to reckon with in those early moments, scoring the game’s first five points.  The Phenom doing his usual had (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assist) in the first half.  E-Smoove for Hakuna Matata had (10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) in the half.  But, I personally would like to thank El-Toro for taking me to Pamplona, Spain to see the RUNNING OF THE BULL! LOL.  His (6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist) in the first half helped cut down Apocalypse lead by two (30-28).  LET THE BULL RUN…PLEASE!!!

In the second half, Frost, a.k.a, Lil Giant (12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 3 steals) along with Human Eraser (6 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals, 1 block) helped will their Team Hakuna Matata to a 53-41 lead at the 3:09 mark.  With a 12-point lead surely they felt like they had ‘no worries!” Unbeknownst to them, The Phenom loves to play from behind in the closing minutes.  Going on a scoring tear by hitting a three pointer, getting a steal, then converting for another two points with (32 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block) before fouling out of the game.  He helps put Apocalypse in contention to win the game. 

With Phenom and Buctown sitting on the bench, Coach T.C. had all the confidence in the world in his young baller, Billy Ho to take the final shot.  With the game tied at 61-61 and 9.6 seconds on the clock, Billy-Ho went to work, catching the inbounds pass and pulling up from 18 feet out!  He shoots; cowhide straight through the nets; SWISH!!! Giving his squad Apocalypse the 63-61 victory and finishing up with (10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals).  E-Smoove finished with (27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals).  El-Toro finished up with a double/double (12 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal).  His performance today was a complete 180-degree turnaround from his rookie debut last week.

Ingredients

2 – fresh nets

1 – cowhide pill

&

Heat index in July

= Equals the recipe for how you best describe today’s action…SUPERB!!!

I’ll catch you at the scorer’s table tomorrow gents!

Bigg Dogg

Copyright © 2013

Legacy Infinite: Longevity, Day 1

At last, we tip off the 2k13 death row b-ball tourney with temperatures in the high 80’s and a few sprinkles, which seemed only appropriate as we had a bit of everything today.

We pick up this year where we left off last season with the growing legend know as The Phenom controlling the action inside and out; finishing with (23points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) pacing Team Apocalypse to a steady 53-38 victory over TTTB.

An uphill battle turned into the impossible for TTTB when team leader Silk Money had to leave the game at 5:01 of the 1^st half due to an appointment with his team trailing only by 3, 20-17

Apocalypse did it with “D,” logging 17 steals as a team, led by Bucktown, clogging the passing lane and triggering constant fast breaks leading to easy basket.  He finished with 11points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 8 swats!  4-0-9, last year’s rookie sensation and clearly the steal of this years draft, had 8 points, 11 grown man boards (GMB), 2 assists and 5 steals.  Billy-Ho put up 7 points, 3 rebounds 2 assists , 4 steals and a few primal screams for good measure.  Modest numbers, but a solid contribution.

Game 2 showcased Team Dead Game and Team Hakuna Matata (No Worries).  Heart and Soul (23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals) started out on fire and led Dead Game to a 12-4 advantage at the 11:32 mark of the 1^st half.  But not so fast my friends, E-Smoove - All Business! With a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) in the 1^st half; finishing with (25 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals).  He made his pressure felt.

Scoop chipped in a double-double of his own (11 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 4 blocks).  Young Frost, Geezy and J-Dubb combined for (30 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 9 steals, 1 block) in a solid team effort.  Gritty performance from Lil’ Bison, Scrappy, The General, El Concrete (12 GMBs!), Pitt Bull and Big Nate for Dead Game.  However, they were undone by turnovers all game long, and had 3 players foul cut down the stretch.

Twenty missed points by Hakuna Matata kept it close until the end with Hakuna Matata prevailing 66-62 in a tightly contested, highly competitive and well coached game.

Not bad for starters.

Mr. Blue

Copyright © 2013 by Paul Brown

Legacy Infinite: Draft Review

Welcome to the 2k13 death row b-ball tournament.  This year for the first time, thanks to the creative vision of Scrappy, we began with a pre-season tournament.  And you had to watch closely to recognize that they were only exhibition games and not the playoffs.  Yes; it was that intense!  It was hard and competitive; but fun, clean basketball.  The kind of ball we’ve become accustomed to seeing here.

In a move that surprised no one, Coach T.C. of Team Apocalypse, selected The Phenom with the number one selection.  He will be teamed with Bucktown and Billy-Ho to try and secure yet another chip.  Coach T.C. was also fortunate enough to pick up 4-0-9, last year’s top rookie and current rebound record holder in the 6^th round!  It appears as if someone was asleep at the wheel on that one.

Silk Money was drafted 2^nd overall by The Gem, Coach of Team The Team to Beat who will hence forth be known as TTTB.  Silk will join forces with Tone “Wild Thing” Loc and The Carpenter in their quest for the chip.

Coach Chimmi-Short for Chimichanga of Team Hakuna Matata, used the third pick in the draft to select E-Smoove.  He’ll be rolling with The Human Eraser, Young Frost, Geezy and Runny Ray, in what appears to be the deepest team in the league.  The term “Hakuna Matata” is Swahili for “No Worries.”

Coach Chimmi chose this name because he wants this particular coaching experience to be enjoyable.  He doesn’t want his players to be concerned about all of the particulars.  He just wants them to step out and have a good time.  So, Hakuna Matata!

Coach La-La took Heart-N-Soul with the 4^th pick for Team Dead Game.  Heart-N-Soul will be joined by Lil’ Bison, Scrappy, The General and Pit Bull.  Dead Game is a term used to describe a competitor who never loses heart and will fight to the bitter end.  Coach La-La says he chose the name for the naysayers who believe his team would not be competitive.  He promises to make believers out of any opponent who sleeps on his squad.

There are rumors floating around that this may be the final season for The Phenom as a baller, that he’s talking retirement.  Wow, talk about doing a Barry Sanders!  He’s never been better.  I can’t wait for the Rap Session on that one.

And there has already been some grumbling about the selections for the pre-season All-World team!  Easy gentlemen, easy.  The preseason list is merely a projection.  As always, season ending honors will be based on work put in during the season and nothing is given.  And if you think character doesn’t count, that’s where you’d be wrong; we do it grown man style.

The season is not yet underway and we’re already in mid-season form.  It’s shaping up to be the best, hottest and most competitive season ever.  That’s what’s up.  I’ll be at the table.

Mr. Blue

Copyright © 2013 by Paul Brown

Legacy Infinite: Rap Session, Between the Baselines

B-ballers,

What it do?  By now you should already be appreciating my man Bigg Dogg’s commentary pertaining to our inaugural preseason b-ball tournament.  He and Mr. Blue will be handling the game-by-game commentary for this season’s b-ball expressions.  Your MannofStat will be coming at you from time to time, on the Rap Session tip.  So let’s do this the way it’s supposed to be done.  Aight?

Last season’s top coach has been establishing his b-ball pedigree since his kinship to the legendary “Team Dynasty” in 2006.  Low key like a baritone, J-Rock coached last season’s tournament champs (Runnin Rebels) to a respectable 12-2 record.  As I write these words, I find it to be poetic justice for a “Team Dynasty” alumnus to have coached a team, skilled enough to tie our postseason scoring record (94 pts) – set back on 4/25/06.  That’s what’s up!

The topic of his chip chasing Runnin Rebels and Team Dynasty, inflames the already heated b-ball passion within the coach/wing nightmare.

“Team Dynasty consisted of the best players, but we still had to show and prove on the court.  Last season, I had the luxury of coaching great players.  But hell; witness Lebron James.  Talent alone doesn’t get this job done.  You still gotta compete.”

J-Rock’s fiery passion for this game, transitioned into a discussion about the 2001 NBA finals.  This is a painful memory for me, because his Lakers handled my Sixers in 5 games (4 straight wins after game 1).  Three of the Lakers’ wins came at the expense of my hometown crowd.  SMH.

“I love a good fight, even if I lose.  It’s the answer to the game.  Like Allen Iverson in the NBA finals, Philly took game 1, at Staples, but sometimes one blow is enough to inspire that competitive spirit.  Everybody can’t win.  Someone has to lose to Goliath.”

Okay Playa, Despite the fact my Sixers’ 30 year championship rut is a sensitive subject for me; I continued our rap session without pause.  I quickly changed the subject by asking if he could put together another championship squad.

“No doubt.  The talent pool on the row is filled with men who are willing to put forth the effort it takes to win.  The improvement amongst players and the mental part of the game is there.”

Now, the ballers on the row pat the rock all year long, but they decided to put some numbers to this year’s off-season feats.  The top coach decided to lace up his kicks and accumulate some numbers of his own.  Na mean?  He put forth an impressive preseason showing.  I had to ask if this preseason tournament awakened his desire to play. 

“Pretty much.  Drop a couple of treys; take em’ to the rack with the left; And 1!! I’m good (Laughs).  I don’t know, I this its time to hang it up.”

When asked how he deals with the tension and negativity that surrounds our current living status, he leaves us with this jewel:

“Yoga; plain and simple.  At the end of the day, it’s the challenge of overcoming that negativity that drives me.  So, I accept this challenge, because without it I couldn’t grow.  It’s life.  You gotta appreciate the negative with the positive.”

That’s real talk coming from a baller who wants to finish as a winner, on and off the court.  On that note, I’ll leave you with the high-powered And 1 slogan:  “Before you start, you better know how to finish.” Ya heard?

 

Much Love,

MannofStat, RAP SESSION

Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann