Concrete Soul: Chorus, Day 7

B-ballers,

What it do?

Today’s action registered a feverish pitch. A total of 4 points made the difference in two very intoxicating contests.  Your MannofStat is still feeling the effects as the ink spills onto these pages.  “Elroy Jetson, I’m somewhere out in space.” Ya heard??

Team “Chaos” (6-1) is in the driver’s seat.  Taking a commanding 2 game lead over 2^nd place, team “Quiet Storm” (4-3).  The level of play, in this match-up was top notch throughout.  “The Phenom” produced another phenomenal double/double, 25 points (3/5 from the stripe) including 4 treys, 16 boards, 6 dimes, 2 steals and 3 swats.  “Billy-Ho” brought some fire to this already heated rivalry.  He scored 5 points, but snatched a career high, 11 boards, for team “Quiet Storm,” who trailed 37-35 at the half.

Coach “Lil Magic” wasn’t available for today’s game.  So, lead assistant/fan “Big Bank,” assumed the coaching duties for team “Chaos.” Neither team held more than a 2 point lead at the end of each quarter.  “Heart-N-Soul led the way for team Chaos. He tallied 16 points (0/7 from the stripe), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block.  As a team Chaos shot 8/28 from the stripe.  I mean damn!!  I smell fish! Na mean?

The poor free throw shooting by team Chaos didn’t outweigh productive efforts by “Silk Money” (14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 4 swats), “The Carpenter” (12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block), Geezy (10 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal), and Frost, a.k.a. J.J.B, (9 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal).  The QuietStorm outrebounded Chaos 53-42, but Chaos ironically won this game at the stripe, 68-67.  Giving them a 2-1 edge on the QuietStorm in their regular season series

Team Hustle (2-5) made an attempt to end what is becoming a gruesome losing streak.  After starting the season at 2-0, they’ve lost their last 5 games. Today’s opponent, the Silverbacks (2-5) were hungry for a win, after yesterday’s drubbing at the hands of the QuietStorm.  It appears that a steady diet of team Hustle brings out the beast in the Silverbacks.  Both of the Silverbacks wins this season were at the expense of team Hustle .  Real talk.

The Silverbacks jumped out to a 16-5 first quarter lead.  They ended the half with a commanding 32-11 lead.  All this without a single point from their two top picks, SunChild and Bucktown.  Rookie swingman, Tone led the SilverBacks with 13 points (9 in the 2^nd half), 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.  Slick Rick contributed 10 points (all in the 1^st half) and the X-Factors, Shorty Wop and T-Owl raised their level of play, combining for 14 points, 4 assists, 3 steals and some energetic minutes on the floor that just won’t show up in the stats.  Feel me?

Team Hustle made it respectable in the 2^nd half, outscoring the SilverBacks 29-11 and nearly pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of our league.  But, a clutch assist from SunChild to Tone slicing down the lane was the decisive play.  SunChild and Bucktown didn’t score a basket between them, but their G.M.B (Grown Man B-ball) was most definitely in the house.  They collaborated for 10 boards, 8 dimes, 5 thefts and 2 blocks. That’s what’s up!

Team Hustle was led by J-Rock (15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a season high 6 thefts).  Bigg Dogg finished with 7 points, 10 boards, 1 assist and 1 steal, but teal Hustle will have to wait until next week to bring their losing streak to an end.  The SilverBacks are beating their chests after today’s 43-40 victory.

This week’s Player of the Week is Silk Money.  In 3 games, he tallied 48 point, 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and 8 blocks.  His team Chaos went 3-0 this week and at 6-1, a heavy favorite to win the Chip.  Word is bond! 

Be Easy, 

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Concrete Soul: Rap Session, Week 3

B-ballers, 

What’s good?

Role players. A championship is nothing more than a mirage without them. With them? The chip is inevitable. Hakeem “The Dream” had Mario Elie. “Air” Jordan had B.J. Armstrong. Kobe “Bean” Bryant had Derek Fisher. And, “Dr. J” had Bobby Jones, a.k.a. “The Secretary of Defense.” Proof that role players help the best players achieve greatness. Feel me?

To me, watching basketball is much deeper than who’s going to score the next basket. I enjoy observing the intangible qualities of a baller. I mean, have the patience to make the extra pass, game clock awareness or shifting the momentum of a game, by diving for a loose ball are all qualities of a good ball player, that won’t show up in a statline. However, I applaud these efforts, because greatness on the court can’t be accomplished without the gritty efforts of the role player. Ya heard?

Me and Geezy go back like bucket seats in a 86’ Maxima. Like most role players, he’s comfortable in the back seat, but today is his opportunity to take the front seat and drive us into his perspective of death row b-ball. Na mean?

MannofStat: Geezy, what it do, Dunn?

Geezy: I’m good

MannofStat: I know interviews ain’t really your thing, so I appreciate your time for this rap session.

Geezy: It’s all good, MannofStat. Talking b-ball with you is always a pleasure.

MannofStat: Well, we’re definitely gonna talk some b-ball. But, first things first, how long have you been on the row?

Geezy: (Laughs) I see we’re starting out with the tough questions first, huh?

MannofStat: (Laughs) Gotta give the people what they want Geezy.

Geezy: Ah man, It’s been a minute. I actually got here in April 2000.

MannofStat: I’m gonna turn the clock back then.

Geezy: Let’s do it

MannofStat: D-block, what up?

Geezy: Oh man. Cats were ballin crazy hard. See, back then we only went outside twice a week. So, dudes were trying to get it in. Straight grudging and T’ings.

MannofStat: Word is bond.

Geezy: Before you continue, MannofStat, I gotta shout out Ed Lemons, Diesel, Wakil, John Daniels and of course yo’self, Da MannofStat. It was all love back then. But crazy intense.

MannofStat: How has your game improved over the years?

Geezy: One word, MannofStat. “Ambidextrous.” To be honest, watching yo’self, E-Boogie and Puff, all the cats with the dual handed skillz. It really left an impression on me. So yeah, working on my left hand has to be my most accomplished improvement. Also, the I.Q. that comes with the years of playing.

MannofStat: Is winning a championship in your near future?

Geezy: Most def, fam. I think coach “Petey Crack” (Lil’ Magic) assembled a decent squad this year. Chaos will definitely contend for the chip. The level of completion is high, but we’ve got some returning vets and some new recruits and everybody has their eyes on the prize. So, we’ll see.

MannofStat: That’s what’s up. Keep on keepin, Geezy.

Geezy: No doubt.

Both: (Bump fists) 

Stay Up,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Concrete Soul: Mid-Week Special, Day 6

What do you do when you’ve been labeled “the worst of the worst,” cast off from society and left to die? You accept the challenge ; Elevate! Game 1 Chaos vs. Hustle. Silk Money sets the tone of how its going to be with a pull-up trey off the rip, proving his All-World status with an effortless (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks) and Chaos blows out to an early 20-7 lead they would never relinquish. He along with Heart-N-Soul *15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals) frustrated team Hustle, swarming the passing lanes like killer bees.

The lead was cut to 4 in a scoring lull for Chaos when Frost stepped up, hitting all of his 14 points in the first half including (4 – treys) boosting the lead to 37-2`. That lead ballooned to 47-25 deep into the 3rd quarter and J-Rock (7 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 1 block) was whistled for a technical foul at the 2:22 mark that seemed to ignite his team, who would finish on a torrid 31-14 run led by Scoop who played out of his mind in the 2nd half with (26 points, [18 in 2nd half], 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocks).

Bigg Dogg’s (5 points, 17 monster boards, 4 assists and 2 blocks) and the General nailing two huge treys (3 for the game) cutting a 23 point deficit down to 4 at 60-56 with under 2 minutes to play, but it would be too little too late as the door got slammed shut with two humongous boards by the Chubsta. The Carpenter went in the paint and got his grown-man on (10 points, 13 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals) sealing the deal and allowing Chaos to escape 61-56.

Game 2 same the Quiet Storm and the Silverbacks do battle. The Silverbacks did it their way; gully. With lock-down D. and get it with your muscle style of play led by Bucktown’s (12 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocks) and Sunchild’s (4 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks). Good team balance with the Diesel, Tone and Fowl combining for (22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 10 steals and 1 block) and once again coming away with the rebounding edge 43-35.

The Quiet Storm were paced by the Phenom’s (19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks) and E-Smoove’s (15 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks). E-Smoove put it in over-drive early with – 9points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block in the 1st half. And with (11 points) from Lil’ Bison, it was enough to secure a hard-fought 61-47 victory.

We’re about half way through the battle for the chip. Just when you think it’s over you might find that it’s only just beginning. In basketball as in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Go 100 all the way through. That’s the Blue View.

Mr. Blue

Concrete Soul: Bassline, Day 5

B-ballers, 


What’s poppin?

The NBA finals are now complete. Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd have solidified their positions amongst an elite class of professional ballers. Becoming a NBA champion is a dream come true, for most ballers. The passion to compete between the lines is attained by the best ballers.

Death row is far from a baller’s dream of competing in the NBA. The deprivation of freedom is a nightmare we live from day to day, but thru basketball we can compete for the right to be called a champion. Tragedy to Triumph. Feel me?

The Quiet Storm (3-2) faced team Hustle (2-3) for the second time this season. The final shot made the difference the last time these two teams faced off, a shot that ascended team Hustle to 2-0. But today’s forecast would be much different. You might need your umbrellas.

Team Quiet Storm led 25-13 at the end of the first quarter. They closed out the first half leading 42-27. The Phenom led the way with 25 points (5/6 from the stripe), 11 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. The Phenom appears to be getting back into his scoring groove. In his first three games, he accumulated no more than 17 points. He’s tallied 26 and 25 points in his last two outings and achieving his 5th straight double/double of the season. Nasty Nas and Streets stayed active in the Quiet Storm front court. They collaborated for 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Team Hustle was led by Bigg Dogg (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal), but he needed a lot more help because this one was never close. Team Hustle was hung out to dry in a Quiet Storm romp, 67-50. The Quiet Storm 3-game winning streak is the real. The raw uncut. Have your MannofStat O.D’d cause it’s never enough. Holla if ya hear me Lil’ Kim.

Team Chaos stands alone at 4-1. First team All-World selection, Silk Money, came off the bench to tame the beasts. He tallied 18 points (4/4 from the stripe), 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Heart-N-Soul aided the demise of the Silverbacks (1-4) with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals of his own. The Carpenter had 14 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. The Carpenter is averaging 12.1 rebounds per game this season.

The Silverbacks were led by Bucktown’s 16 points (10 in the 4th quarter), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Diesel and Wakil a.k.a. T-Owl, combined for 15 rebounds, 6 rebounds and 5 steals, but the Silverbacks were outrebounded 53-28. Word is bond!

Team Chaos recovers from last week’s loss to the Quiet Storm, by shellacking the Silverbacks, 59-42.

Nuff Said,

MannofStat
Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann