Legacy Infinite: Longevity, Day 12

“You must win from within “ – Gatorade

Ballers,

Today was your regular season finale!  Twelve games got played with efficient, competitive professionalism.  Even though today’s games wouldn’t affect the outcome of post-season team rankings, every team played hard and spirited.

Our first game matched up the #1 seed; team Hakuna Matata (8-4), taking on the #3 seed team TTTB (6-6).  TTTB’s regular season record against Hakuna Matata was (3-1).  They seem to have “No Worries” number, and today was no different.  TTTB jumped out to a 13-1 lead at the 12:31 mark in the first half.  Silk Money led the charge with teammate Tone “Wild Thing” Loc.  At the half, with TTTB up 42-22, Silk Money scored 19 first half points while Wild Thing logged 15 points.

As the second half got underway, Hakuna Matata, a.k.a. “No Worries” finally woke up and commenced to track down a twenty-point deficit.  E-Smoove 21 points (9/18 from the flour)(6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals) willed his team back into contention.  He got help from Lil’ Giant 18 points (8/15 from the floor)(8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal) and The Human Eraser 14 points (4/9 from the floor)(8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks). 

With 6.3 seconds remaining in the game, E-Smoove goes baseline and hits a basket to give Hakuna Matata a 60-59 lead.  Having squandered a twenty-point lead, Silk Money 25 points (11/18 from the floor)(5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal) made sure the win was coming to TTTB.  He travels coast to coast with a kiss off the glass to a roaring rec yard crowd and a 61-60 victory.  The Carpenter finished up with (7 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block).  He also guaranteed TTTB making finals!

Tone “Wild Thing” Loc (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals) did this week’s Rap Session and apparently his words inspired his teammates: “Every family will have their in-house disruptions, but when another team gets the big head, we’ll pull together to put them in their place.  This is Grown Man Ball (GMB).”  Enough said!!!

Game two featured #2 seed Apocalypse (8-4) vs #4 seed Dead Game (2-10).  Apocalypse led at the half, 28-20.  Billy Ho took charge in the first half scoring 8 points, 7 rebounds, for Apocalypse.  The Phenom didn’t play until the second half (coaches decision).  Not to worry because 4-0-9 (24 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal)(8^th double/double) held the fort down for team Apocalypse a 68-64 win.  Dead Game fought back but there wasn’t enough time on the clock to pull it out.  Heart-N-Soul (23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) and Lil’ Scrappy (21 points, 3 steals) played all-out!  El-Concrete and Pit Bull accumulated (12 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks).

The numbers for last week’s resilience session will be included for this week’s Player of the Week.  This award goes to Silk Money who carried his team to two victories while scoring 41 points (17/33 from the floor)(12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks).  Congratulations and keep doing it!

-       Regular season is past…post season just ahead… Now it gets real!!!

Bigg Dogg

Copyright © 2013 by Chris Gregory

Legacy Infinite Rap Session: Finality of a Season

“Every family will have their in-house disruptions, but when another team gets the big head, we’ll pull together to put them in the place.  This is Grown Man Ball (GMB)”

The Wild Thing of TTTB

The summer season knows its end when Labor Day is on the horizon.  This change in season usually indicates students returning to class.  The NFL kickoff is at your door and death row basketball is transitioning into it’s post season.  A point where the dominant species of ballers separates themselves from the casual ballers, merely content with extra time on the rec yard.  Na mean?

For me, a trip to the chow hall is anything by casual.  For nearly 2 decades, the trip has been the bridge to my primary source of nourishment.  The environment of the chow hall seems to change whenever death row steps through the threshold.  The tension rises and the unknown is served long before you sit at the steel tables to eat.  SMH.

While standing in line, I shared some words with a beast of a baller, better known as The Wild Thing.  He’s the rugged small forward of The Team To Beat (5-6); a gritty baller who’s always in the mix of any action between the baselines.  And let me just say; he’s intent on using the regular season finale as a measure of intestinal fortitude for his teammates as well as himself.

“Win or lose, this regular season finale should let everyone know that TTTB is not to be taken lightly – going into the postseason.  Its going to take a team to beat us, not one or two men.  So get your house together, and bring you’re A, B, and C game.”

The chow hall is filled with chatter, but as the line slowly progresses forward, the honesty of The Wild Thing bares a distinctive tone that blocks out the cacophony of voices surrounding us.

“MannofStat, you and everyone else on that rec yard, know that I can be a hot head.  This final regular season game will be about taking control of my emotions so that TTTB can have one less of a negative factor bringing us down.” 

We’re briefly distracted by the sound of a tray hitting the floor.  The chow hall becomes an orchestra of complete silence.  When it becomes clear that the distraction is merely the result of an overload of trays in the dish room window, the crescendo of small talk commences.  The Wild Thing shakes his head, then continues. 

“Going into this postseason as a #3 seed will make getting to the finals a tough road to travel.  But every road in life has its cracks and potholes.  I know if we play as a team, TTTB can win this tournament.  We’ve taken some L’s, but we’ve also beaten every team in this tournament.”

At times, the chow hall can be a setback.  The pitch of an officer’s instruction; discrepancies with the food servings; or the filthy cups displayed as suitable for us to drink from, can at any time, lead to disorder and chaos.  As we reach the ice machine, The Wild Thing circumvents any further distractions with a little history about his wild style.

“Street ball was a part of growing up for me.  You get your 5 best, and hood-hop or hit up the rec centers. And that waiting line,” he raises both hands for emphasis. “That waiting line can mean a long day if your team can’t run that rock to stay on the court.  I hate to lose at anything, MannofStat.  So I go hard at all that I do.”

I’m sure certain officers see everyone in a red jumpsuit as an animal.  The sound of the plastic trays sliding across the stainless steel is the reality of our here and now.  The Wild Thing glances at the unrecognizable food portions, on his tray.  He shakes his head, and then leaves me with this thought.  “Every man must fight the war within himself to truly say that he is the controller of his own destiny.”

What more could be said after that?  I mean, a wild thing doesn’t necessarily have to be an un-caged animal.  Sometimes it’s simply the possessor of the grown man logic of how to defeat the cage.  Ya heard?

Be Easy,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Legacy Infinite: Resilience, Day 11

Charles Dickens wrote, ‘A Tale of Two Cities, a classic.  Today’s contest between Hakuna Matata and Apocalypse was a tale of two runs.  In this highly anticipated match-up for first place and the top seed in the post-season tournament, tensions were high.

Led by The Phenom’s (32 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals) and Billy Ho’s (10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals), Apocalypse exploded out of the gate, opening with a 15-1 run.  And it appeared that we were on our way to a blow out city.  But, hold up, pump the brakes, Young Frost (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal) stopped the bleeding with a breakaway basket. 

And it was Hakuna Matata who were off and running, using tenacious D to key the fast break, cutting the deficit to 4, 26-22 at the 5:23 mark of the 1^st half and taking the taking the lead 27-26 at the 3:21 mark.  They led by 10 at the break 37-27 and went on to win by 10, 73-63.

Two incredible runs, but the story of this game was defense.  Despite his numbers, The Phenom was stifled and the offense for Apocalypse was not cohesive.  While Hakuna Matata got huge contributions seemingly from everywhere: Geezy (17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals), E-Smoove (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block), The Human Eraser (13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 swats), El Toro (8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals).  This team simply has too many ways to beat you, and Coach Chimi has them single-mindedly focused.

The second game featured Dead Game vs. TTTB.  These two teams always play each other close and today’s match-up was no different.  It was nip and tuck all the way.  Silk Money dictated the tempo, going for (16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks).  He teamed with Tone “Wild Thing” Loc (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Hilltop came up huge (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) and its official, The Carpenter is back!  He had (9 points, 20 GMBs, 1 assist, 5 steals, 1 block). 

Also, solid contributions from T-birds, Pop-A-Shot, and Big Duke.  TTTB pulled off the victory in their typical hard-nosed fashion 57-51.  Dead Game was led by Heart-N-Soul (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals) Pitt Bull (14 points, 7 rebounds) El Concrete and Scrappy.  This team is true to their name, they never quit, but they sorely lack offensive firepower.  Two players were sent to the hospital today. 

Bucktown for Apocalypse had to leave his game just before the half to get stitches in his hand.  And Big Duke for TTTB took a nasty spill and had to be examined by a doctor.  Also, E-Smoove had to visit the nurse’s station to get an ice pack for his busted lip.  The intensity, the physicality and we’re not even in the post-season yet!

But when you get knocked down and you get back up; you get stronger.  The blacktop, like life, is unforgiving.  Learn your lessons, go to the next level; and always get back up.

Mr. Blue

Copyright © 2013 by Paul Brown

Legacy Infinite Rap Session: Choppin It Up With The Barber

“We view each game like a chess match, and do our best to out-think our opponents.  If you think before you act in an endeavor, you will achieve better results.”

Bucktown, of Team Apocalypse

Nostalgia awaits me whenever I enter a barbershop.  The smell of the powder; the buzz of the clippers, even the sting of the alcohol seeping into my adjusted image is always a welcome experience.  

Just sitting in a barber’s chair without the slightest reservation of what may become of your image – says a great deal about the barber assigned to the task of adjusting your image.  Think about it; a barber can be like a good teammate.  If you trust him to do his job, you should expect the best results.  Na mean?

As this goes to press, team Apocalypse sits at 7-3 – upon facing team Hakuna Matata (7-3) for the 4^th, and possibly the final time of the regular season.  Former Defensive Player of the Year, Bucktown, has emerged for team Apocalypse, as a dependable defensive anchor, to their front line.

Averaging 2.2 steals and 1.9 blocks (8 in one game), Bucktown embraces the magnitude of the upcoming battle for first place with the same approach as a barber cutting his first head.

“It’s a must win game for us.  It’s our biggest test; one we want to pass.  You know that feeling you have before facing an important task?” He pats his stomach for emphasis.  “Anxious. That ‘s how we feel.”

Bucktown makes his point, then proceeds to put the sharp line to my “ant trail” sideburns. With a steady hand, the southpaw comments on the possibility of entering the postseason as a #2 seed.

“Second place is not an option.  It’s something I don’t even think about.  I’ve played for 3-second place teams, and I’m not trying to be like the Buffalo Bills.  I want it all, so anything less would be a big disappointment.  Feel me?”

I can only raise my eyebrows to acknowledge his point.  I’m compelled to remain silent, as his clippers make their way toward my mustache.  It begins to feel like a defensive tactic when Bucktown takes full reign of the Rap session.  “Legacy Infinite is Immortal After Death.  It says when we are gone from this place, the spirit of what we’re doing and why we do it, will continue.”

He starts in on my goatee.  I trust in his craftsmanship, so I mention “The Blueprint” from the corner of my mouth.  “Aw man, The Blueprint?” The clippers release my face, and for the first time Bucktown appears to be incapable of carrying out his task as a barber.  He hits the off switch and the clippers go silent.  The only buzz in the barbershop is the passion within Bucktown’s voice.

“Here on North Carolina’s death row, The Blueprint is immortal after death.  Us playing basketball in an organized fashion is his legacy.  And through us it’s infinite.”  He takes a step back before continuing.

“He put it down, and it’s on us to carry it on.  You picked up the torch, MannofStat and took it to the next level.  Because of you, Bro, death row basketball in North Carolina has meaning.  We are literally Ballin’ Til We Fall.  The court, for us, is a double-entrendre.  We on it, and in it until we fall. Feel me?”

Yeah, I’m definitely feeling that like an old school Tribe Called Quest track.  This vibe is milk; we may as well be breast-fed. Na mean?

Bucktown gives me a pound, and the ensuing buzz of the clippers warns me of Bucktown’s return to work.  I don’t care where your barbershop is located: in a prison, the hood, suburbs, or a ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  The barbershop experience can be a teaching moment. 

Whenever I sit in Bucktown’s chair, I expect the best results.  When he steps on the court, the best results have already been played out, in his mind.  A good barber can be the best teammate.  Look in your mirror and check the results.  Ya heard?

Much Love,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2013 by Leroy Elwood Mann