The Draft Day Review...For Real

B-ballers,

What it do?

The 2k11 b-ball draft, for death row, has finally come to fruition.  The testosterone reached high levels in the barbershop today.  The hot topics were coaches and players.

This season we’ll go with 4 teams instead of 5.  Team 1 (Quiet Storm) will be coached by Big Bo.  This will be his second stint as a head coach.  His last employment was in 2008.  He coached team “Fast Forward” to a historical championship appearance.  Only to come up short to a Lil’ Magic within a Dark Cloud.  Na mean?

Speaking of “Lil Magic,” he’ll be taking his talents to the sidelines this season.  The injury bug has been a consistent pest for Lil’ Magic this past offseason.  So he’ll take the reins as head coach of team 2 (Chaos) this year.

Coaching team 3 (Hustle) will be the savvy veteran coach, Smoke Digga.  His last championship run was in 2007 with the high powered, Undertakerz.  Team 4 (Silver Backs) will be led by 1^st time head coach, Lil’ Chris.  We’ll see if he can ignite the beast within his “Silver Backs.” Ya heard?

The first 3 picks of this year’s draft came as no surprise.  Big Bo took the “All Everything” of last season’s “Bringing the Heat” tournament, “The Phenom,” with the number 1 pick.  Lil Magic selected “Silk Money” at number 2.  Smoke-Digga initiated an “Undertakerz” reunion when he selected “J-Rock” at number 3.

The surprise pick in this year’s draft was the rookie big man, “SunChild.”  Lil’ Chris chose the rookie’s lingth and rebounding prowess over two former defensive players of the year recipients as well as the always emphatic big man, known as “The Carpenter.”

Lil’ Magic and his team, Chaos have employed the services of “The Carpenter” this season.  There’s no question “The Carpernter” will be tightening his tool belt and marking the dates his team Chaos will face the Silver Backs.  That’s what’s up!

“Concrete Soul” is the title for this season’s b-ball festivities.  Hopefully we’ll play 3 days a week.  If so, the top of the week will be known as the “Bassline” session.  Scripted by yours truly.  Mr. Blue will handle the Mid-Week Special, (The Blue View), and I’ll close out the week with the “Chorus” session.  Aight?

This season may be special for some and it might be a migraine for others, but remember this:  The best teammate is someone who takes responsibility for the energy they bring to a particular space.  Feed on that b-ballers. 

Until next time, I’m out like the 43^rd president.

Stay Up,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann

The Draft Day Review that Wasn’t

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming season, we got off to an inauspicious start.  Instead of conducting the player draft this afternoon we were informed the season, dubbed “Concrete Soul” by the MannofStat, has been postponed due to some aggressive above the rim tactics performed on the yard.

The game plan is to get that back-board repaired and finish their intramural tournament, and then begin our league play.  Our start date has been pushed back to a tentative July. 

We were assured by the head of the recreation department and unit manager that they will do all in their power to ensure we get started in a reasonable amount of time.  And we are all committed to making this the best tournament we’ve had to date.  Playing each game as if it were your last takes on a whole new meaning on the row, ya heard?

Everyone was looking forward to the jump off and there is disappointment at the delay.  However, the down-time can be used as an opportunity by some star players to tend to nagging injuries, Lil’ Magic (foot, back, knee), J-Rock (ankle).

The time can also be used to patch-up those rough spots on the court, which is long overdue and for ballers to fine tune their games.

Due to illness, Big-Shot Bo will take his talents to the bench and use his energy and emotional leadership as a coach this year.  In another twist – two time championship coach, Slick Rick will be runnin and gunnin as a player this year.  It promises to be a very entertaining season.  Until then, let the rock continue to pound the pavement like a heartbeat…

Keep it 100,

Mr. Blue

Copyright © 2011 by Paul Brown

Concrete Soul: Preseason Rap Session

These events occurred previously in the summer of 2011                             

B-ballers, 

What’s good?

The sign-up sheets have been posted.  It’s official.  The 2011 death row basketball tournament will jump off in May.  Our annual draft will take place next week.  So sign your name on the designated line, if you’ve got the skillz to send the rock through the twine.  Ya heard?

Last season, the masses experienced the high temperatures of “Bringing the Heat.” In 2011, the masses will feel the rhythm of the bounce.  “Concrete Soul” is now upon us.  Feel me?

This will be our final preseason “Rap Session.” Allow me to introduce you to “The Carpenter.” Off the court, we know him as the easy going big man, “Chubb.” But, when the court is dry and the ball goes in the air, this 6’4” 267lb easy going big man, becomes a daunting presence in the paint.  He is by far, the most controversial character of all the ballers on the row.  Real talk.

“The Carpenter” invited me to his workshop to discuss his plans to add to his rebounding legacy – He owns the single game rebounding record (22) – and to elaborate on his passion for this game.  Opponents beware, “The Carpenter” is building his legacy.  Na mean?

MannofStat:  In the last two seasons, you’ve established yourself as the rebounding giant, better known as “The Carpenter,” but give us the history on the name “Chubb.”

Carpenter:  “The Carpenter” is a moniker I earned due to my ability to handle the boards on either end of the court.  As for the history of the name, “Chubb,” it came about when people would hear my mother call me.  My name is actually “Chabby,” but people will hear what they wanna hear.  Over the years, I just let the name “Chubb” stick.

MannofStat:  Talk to me about your passion for the game.

Carpenter:  My goal is to always be productive. To get to the big dance, I have to do better than I did last year.  My guys have to understand that my passion for this game is not meant to be taken as negativity.  I mean, some ballers are more vocal or animated than others.  Because of my extreme desire to win, I am that baller.

MannofStat:  Are you the best big man this league has seen?  If not, who is?

Carpenter:  (Laughs)  Without a doubt!!  I am the best big man in this league.  My stats speak volumes.  Double-double nearly every game.  I average 16 boards a game.  It’s what I do, MannofStat.

MannofStat:  (Laughs) What about the nonbelievers? 

Carpenter:  Well, for those who think otherwise, they’ll need to get with you and your stat crew, because your crew records the truth and nothing but the truth.

MannofStat: (Laughs)

Carpenter:  I’m serious.  You can hate it or love it.  Pass me by in the draft, you’ll hate it.

MannofStat:  I feel you.

Carpenter:  (Changing his voice and looking toward the sky) “Man, I should have picked that dude.” That’s what they always say.  The coach that I play for will love it.  He’ll know that he’s got a passionate baller.  He might hate that I walk to the beat of my own drum, but I’m still a team player.

MannoStat:  Do you think b-ball makes a difference on death row?

Carpenter:  Of course!  It pulls us (the ballers) and even those who don’t play, away from the daily monotony and stress of being here, at least for a little while.  And, I really enjoy the trash talk that comes with it.

MannofStat:  That’s what up.  Thanks for your candidness, “Chabby.” (Laughs)

Carpenter:  (Laughs) It’s all good, MannofStat.

Both:  (Bump fists.)

Keep it 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann

2011 Concrete Soul: Recap

B-ballers, 

I know its been a minute, but the masses will get the chance to experience the 2011 North Carolina Death Row Basketball Tournament.  "Concrete Soul" took place in the summer of 2011, but due to some unforeseen obstacles, the game couldn't be brought to the masses. 

Now the game can be broadcast to the masses, just in time for the return of the NBA season.  While you await the return of Lebron and Kobe, checkout Concrete Soul with your MannofStat and the North Carolina Death Row ballers.  Let's see if "The Phenom" will have a repeat M.V.P. season.  There will be a new post every day for the next 26 days.  Tell all your family and friends

Now, let's pick up where we left off