Final Preseason Rap Session

B-ballers,

What it do?

On the eve of the NBA finals, I can’t help but think of the great championship squads of the past.  In doing so, the point guard position immediately comes to the forefront of my thought:  “Magic” Johnson and the “Showtime” Lakers.  Rajon Rondo and the Celtics “Big 3.” “Zeke” Thomas and the “Bad Boys” from Detroit.  Even the great Haeem “The Dream” had the sharp shooting and shifty ball handling skills of the King from Queens, Kenny “The Jet” Smith.  In my personal opinion, the b-ball universe revolves around the “Point god.” Ya heard?

Speaking of Queens, NY our first regular season rap session is with a spirited baller – who hails from Queens – and is never short of conversation once the call goes in the air.  It’s a pleasure to be in the company of my fellow point guard, “The General.”

MannofStat:  General, what’s going on, Dunn?

General:  Everything’s good, MannofStat. How you?

MannofStat:  Days away from my b-ball fix.  So you know what it is, right?

General:  No doubt.  It’s tournament time.  You get 7:30 like CharlieSheen when the whistles blow.

Both:  (Laughs, then bump fists)

MannofStat:  True indeed, but tournament or no tournament, you’re amped whenever the ball goes in the air.  What do you use as motivation on the court?

General:  My love and knowledge of the game and knowing that I can compete at a high level.

Mannofstat:  Do you look for a particular play when you’re bringing up the rock?

General:  Without question.  The “Pick-n-Roll.” I mean, when its done correctly, it’s a thing of beauty.

MannofStat:  What’s the make-up of a great point guard?

General:  A great point guard knows the strengths and weaknesses of each of his teammates.  He knows how to control the flow of the game.  He recognizes who’s hot and feeds them without a second thought.  He also has to be an extension of the coach on the floor.

MannofStat:  That’s what’s up.  What are your expectations for team Hustle?

General:  I think we’ll win it all.

MannofStat:  Word?

General:  Most definitely.  You heard it here first, MannofStat.  We have a good balance of youth and wisdom.  We’ve got some talent on this squad. Throw in a good coach (Smoke-Digga) , it all smells like a title to me.

MannofStat:  Aight.  I feel your energy, Dunn.  If you could, you’d drop somebody off at that cup, right now, wouldn’t you?

General:  I’m amped MannofStat!  Let me shout out my team Hustle. We got the tools to do it baby!  J-Rock, Scoop and Bigg Dogg.  This is our time!  Ya heard?

MannofStat:  You spoke of the talent around you.  How can you make your teammates better?

General:  I know what each player can and can’t do.  I’ll have to put them in situations where they’ll thrive.  It’s my job to work with them on and off the court. I’ll know they’re sweet-spots so that we can flow as a unit.

MannofStat:  That’s what’s good, Dunn.

General:  Yo, MannofStat.  Good lookin, Dunn.  I mean this format gives me a chance to spit about my love for this game.  Feel me?

MannofStat:  No doubt.  Handle your business General.

Both:  (Bump fists)

Keep it 100,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann

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