A baller’s coming of age rarely excludes the bumps and
bruises of being recognized as second best.
I mean, let’s face it, Lebron James had to go through some disappointment-filled
seasons, while playing in Cleveland.
His
individual accomplishments meant nothing until he took his talents to South
Beach three seasons ago. And we all know
how that turned out. Right?
Team Hakuna Matata is this season’s underrated steamroller. With two decisive victories over team
Apocalypse – the preseason favorite to win the chip – the lead operator of this
steamroller, E-Smoove, isn’t the least bit hesitant about revealing his
ambitions for the upcoming postseason.
“This is our championship
to lose. Frost and me were teammates on
last year’s runner-up squad, ‘Silverbacks.’ We came on strong in the end, but
we couldn’t finish when it counted.
Somehow the draft brought us together again for another run at it. Will we lose it? Not this year, Big Homie.”
You can’t help but appreciate the confidence of a baller
like E-Smoove. Over the years, I’ve
watched him evolve from the quiet complementary player; to the vocal leader
with a midrange game that’s simply smoove like butter. Word is bond!
After eight games, E-Smoove is averaging 26.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and
2.1 steals.
With six games scoring
25-plus points (including 36 and 32 points outbursts) and tallying four
double/doubles while doing so, it’s no wonder why the words ‘All-Business” has
become a continuous chant around the yard, when E-Smoove steps on the
court. I asked him what’s been the
difference.
“If you don’t put in
the work, you don’t get better. If I’m
on the yard playing ball, I’m working on something to better my game. The difference this year is I knew I needed
to get better, because when the whistles blow, nobody is going to give you
anything. So if you bring nothing you get
nothing. Believe that!
In search of his first title, E-Smoove is driven by his
hunger for the chip, but understands he can’t do it alone. “I know
I wouldn’t be doing any of this without the support of my team. When the ball goes up, I’m All Business, but
one can’t win the chip. In my eyes,
individual is not a word on this team.
The only accomplishment that counts is winning the chip.”
This season has been the ‘All Business’ campaign for
E-Smoove, but his modesty becomes apparent when I asked him to describe his
hunger of winning a title. A subtle hint
of pride surfaces when he shifts the focus to his niece, Ke Yana Jones. “My
niece is the best point guard coming out of The Ville (Fayettville, N.C.). So two-six stand up!” He pauses to gather
his thoughts. He rubs his beard, and his
head angles toward the floor. He takes a
few seconds before continuing.
“I’m not sure if I have the words to
describe such a feeling. But this letter
that my niece wrote to me is on point. She
mentioned something about Hoop Life. She
told me to stand strong regardless of what obstacles I have to cross, I will
succeed! She ended the letter by saying,
‘go win!’” His head bounces in agreement with Ke Yana’s inspiring
words. The determination to win was
evident in his body language.
When I gave him a pound, Ke Yana’s words were still ringing
through my mental. I was reminded of
that climatic moment when Adrian whispers in the ear of her stressed out #1
contender, in the epic film, ‘Rocky II.’ She was just coming out of a coma when
she says, “win.” Three letters that inspired a contender to become the
champ. Don’t be surprised if this
season’s “All-Business” campaign concludes in a similar fashion. Ya heard?
Be Easy,
MannofStat
Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann
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