Introducing the 2011 All-World Squad

B-ballers,

What it do?

The last time I was in your ear, there was a December chill in the air.  Spring is here and the hibernation period of your MannofStat has officially ended.  March Madness has awakened the baller in me with the likes of UNC’s Kendall Marshall, aka “Ken Dime.” Witnessing his unlimited feeds to his Tarheel teammates restored the hunger of the point guard that dwells within me.  Word is bond!

Last season’s “Bringing the Heat” concluded with “Team Mayhem” reigning supreme as the champs for the 2010 season.  The ballers on the row are ready to bring you some “Concrete Soul” in 2011.  The preparation for this year’s tournament started at the final buzzer, last December.  Real talk.

The NCAA tournament never disappoints.  I’m a realist so I knew that my Villanova Wildcats wouldn’t be in the final four this year, but I enjoyed watching Jimmer Fredette, Jared Sullinger, Kawhi Leonard and Kemba Walker display their elite b-ball skills during the month of madness.  Na mean?

March Madness excites me, no doubt.  The high level of b-ball competition ignites the flame in this point guard’s soul, but it’s not the main event.  March Madness is a prelude to the fire simmering on the death row rec yard. Without question, the death row ballers have been “Bringing the Heat” throughout the cold winter months of 2011.  As Jay-Z would say, “Going H.A.M.” Feel me?

Phenom and Lil’ Magic battling like every pickup game is a game 7.  The youngstas: Scrappy, Billy-Ho and Frost have been hitting the weight pile, preparing their bodies for the duration of what promises to be a very physical season.  Silk Money continues to grow as a true point guard.  Scorching the nets and dishing out dimes like a cashier and, The Carpenter remains a force in the paint, snatching boards at will.  Ya heard?

Basketball continues to be the pulse of the row.  We can’t stop, won’t stop.  On the row, basketball is much more than entertainment.  It’s a pact amongst men who chose to Ball Til We Fall.  That’s what’s up!

 2011 All-World Squad:

1^st Team

The Phenom

Lil Magic

Silk Money

J-Rock

Heart-N-Soul

2^nd Team

The Carpenter

Bigg Dogg

Scoop

E-Smoove

Bucktown

3^rd Team

Billy-Ho

Big Bank

Scrappy

Nasty Nas

Geezy

Honorable mentions: Frost, Streets, Concrete, The General and The Blanket

Peace and Love,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2011 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Bringing the Heat: Therapy for the Human Race

B-ballers,

Basketball has always been a sport predicated on emotions. No matter where it’s played: playgrounds, rec centers, driveways, arenas or a death row rec yard. An emotional meter that ranges from frustration to jubilation will be put to the test. Feel me?

Basketball is universal. It brings people together, male and female, friend and foe, spiritual and atheist. Basketball is a sport that’s good for the human race. Death row basketball is no different. Our annual b-ball tournament has been in existence since 200. I have manned the position of league statistician (MannofStat) since 2007. I must say, this was our best season to date. Real talk.

Once again, the death row ballers have seized another opportunity to prove that we’re not “the worst of the worst.” In an environment that could easily be perceived as a house built on the foundation of melancholy with windows of despair. Death row b-ball has been a source of positivity, rehabilitation and team work. We have eclipsed our negative predicaments and brought forth something good in all of us. Word is bond!

I asked “Bigg Dogg” what he wanted society to know about death row b-ball. He said, “I want people to know how we as fellow human beings get down on the ball court. All participants dedicate themselves. Practicing throughout the year, whether it’s 30 degrees or 100 degrees, guys truly appreciate the opportunity to display their skills in a team oriented sport. The games are played at such a high intensity level, that even the officers enjoy it.”

“Heart-N-Soul” exhibits a genuine sense of appreciation for this tournament when he was awarded Player of the Week in week 1. “Catching Player of the Week was completely unexpected. It’s a great achievement amongst so many other players who are better than you. I never gave much thought in achieving any individual goals during this tournament. Having fun and winning the championship is the most important achievement.”

Team “Mayhem” finished the season 14-2. They defeated “Heart-N-Soul’s” team “Gatlins” (12-5) in championship game, 60-40. Team “Elixir” (5-9) finished 3rd, but a couple of their players, “Lil’ Bison” and “J-Rock,” have 1st place attitudes when I asked them how death row b-ball has affected their lives. “Lil’ Bison” said, “Basketball doesn’t build character, it reveal it. I’ve witnessed there words manifest themselves here on death row.”

“J-Rock” said, “It’s been a growth experiment, you know, trial and error. I have learned that being an athlete is a service. Ballers provide entertainment, a past time for tans. It’s no different on the row.”

This season has been nothing short of a success. Congrats to team “Mayhem” for winning the chip, in a pure dominant fashion. Special congrats to “The Phenom” for claiming M.V.P. honors in the regular and post season, as well as attaining his 2nd championship in 4 years. That’s what’s up!!

Be Easy,

MannofStat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Bringing the Heat: (Championship Monday) Day 21

B-ballers,

What it do?

Welcome to Championship Monday. The “Gatlins” (12-5) are coming off of a monumental victory. In game 1, they snapped the 13-game winning streak of the mighty “Mayhem” (14-2). Putting themselves in a position for a classical game 2 match up, but their well of optimism ran dry over the weekend.

From Tuesday (10/19), to Friday (10/22), our playoffs became an autobiography for the “Monster Ballers.”

Chapter 1: “The Phenom” in pursuit of his 2nd title in 4 years.

Chapter 2: “Heart-N-Soul” is the Defensive Player of the Year. He becomes a lock for playoff M.V.P if the Gatlins win the chip.

Chapter 3: The explosive combination of “TNT” is now in a position to attain their long time goal of winning a championship together.

Chapter 4: “Billy Ho” blanks in game 1 of the championship. He scores a playoff career high 20 points in an upset victory over the top seeded “Mayhem.”

Chapter 5: “MannofStat” O.D.’d on b-ball euphoria. “Mr. Blue” takes the helm and writes a special edition of “The Blue View.”

Chapter 6: “Billy Ho” and “E-Smoove” are ruled ineligible for game 2 of the finals.

Chapter 7: Coach “Slick Rick” suits up for his undermanned “Gatlins.” He gives them 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block, coming off the bench.

Chapter 8: The “Gatlins” led by 9 at the half, but “Mayhem” started the 2nd half with a 17-3 run, and it was official. The “Gatlins” were out of ammunition.

Chapter 9: “The Phenom” completes his playoff run with another championship. He is also the league’s scoring champ. The regular season M.V.P and now, the playoff M.V.P. Monster ballin,’ indeed. Ya heard?

Chapter 10: “MannofStat” closes the books on another productive season.

Acknowledgements:

I wanna thank all of the ballers. Without your participation, there would be no tournament. Special shout to “Psycho.” You could’ve passes on this tournament, due to your severe foot injury, but you kept on swinging and made it back for the playoffs. Now you and your squad, “Mayhem,” reign supreme as the Death Row B-Ball champs of 2010. That’s what’s up!

To the best stat team ever, Mr. Blue, El Indio, and Froggy-Frogg. I couldn’t have done it without you. Your support has made me a better MannofStat. The scorer’s table is a clear scope due to your presence. Thank you.

Father Time, Geezy, Diesel and Heart-N-Soul, good look with the paint job. If I forgot to tell you, I’m telling you now. You did a magnificent job. The fresh paint added a little something to our b-ball swag. Real talk.

I appreciate the rec staff giving us another opportunity to prove we aren’t the worst of the worst. For a minute, this year’s tournament was touch and go, but once again, we’ve proven that our tournament can be a beacon for positivity. No matter how fierce the negativity that surrounds us, may be. Feel me?

In closing, I gotta give it up for my man, “The Phenom.” Congrats on your best season ever, Dunn. You closed out the season with 24 points (14 in the 2nd half), 10 boards, 4 dimes, and 2 steals. Your playoff averages of 31 points (124 total), 9 rebounds 2.1 assists, 2.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks, were phenomenal indeed. 2010 will be known as the season of “The Phenom.” No doubt. Mayhem defeated the Gatlins 60-40.

I hate to say it’s over, but it is what it is. Your MannofStat has left the table, but our memories will go on and on like a rolling stone. Word is bond!

I’m out like a convict on parole.

The End,

MannofStat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann

Bringing the Heat: (The Blue View) Day 20

For the championship. Gatlins vs Mayhem. It all comes down to this, for the Gatlins, its win or you’re done. For team Mayhem there is a 13-game winning streak and supreme confidence. They’ve been a runaway train all season long. A Mayhem victory seems a foregone conclusion; or is it?

Heart-N-Soul’s 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists,3 steals and impassioned play steers the ship for the Gatlins; and team Mayhem starts out tight. Then “The Phenom” 38 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block begins to heat up, repeatedly beating the double team seemingly at will. Adeptly feinting and maneuvering like a master of puppets. An extremely gifted athlete; a joy to watch.

“The Phenom” picked up his 3rd foul late in the first half. And aside from “Scoop’s” 9 points (8 in the 1st half), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, Mayhem was unbalanced – “The Phenom” and “Scoop” scoring all but one of the team’s 1st half points – and they were clearly out-played by the Gatlins who were buoyed by big time efforts from “Nasty Nas” 7 points, 13 rebounds and “Billy Ho” 20 points (a career playoff high – 13 in the 1st half), 7 rebounds and 1 steal to take a 32-21 lead at the half.

Mayhem begins the 2nd half in a blur going on an 8-0 run. The Gatlins do not look like the same inspired team of the 1st half, but just as it appears Mayhem would take control of the game, “Heart-N-Soul” (Man on Fire) comes up huge to stem the tide. Then “The Phenom” sensing the chip, cuts the lead to (4), as low as its been since early in the 1st half. The Gatlins seemed to be wilting under the Mayhem surge. Then, out of the phone booth steps “Billy Ho” to save the day with a monster trey to push the lead to 49-42. Mayhem responds. “Billy Ho” answers back. “The Phenom” slashes, scores. “Billy Ho” in the corner; nothing but net. Suddenly crunch time is “Billy Ho” time! But, Mayhem makes a frenzied late push. Back to back treys from “Diesel” 7 points (all in the 2nd half), 5 rebounds and “The Phenom.”

Mayhem takes its first lead 58-55. Under 5 minutes to play. It’s a one point lead with under a minute to play. A crucial turnover by Mayhem and uncharacteristic sloppy play down the stretch give the Gatlins life. Under 10 seconds. The Gatlins go to “Bucktown” 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. In the paint – a driving basket… and the foul; pandemonium!! After the made free throw it’s the Gatlins by 2. Seven seconds. “The Phenom” is fouled. The best free throw shooter in the league… misses the front end of a one & one – Gatlins win 60-58! An instant classic!

Coach “Slick Rick” dedicated this win to his superstar guard – first team All-World selection and reigning league M.V.P “Lil’ Magic” who is unable to participate and with whom he has teamed to win the last two league titles. We will have a final game. Can Coach “Slick Rick” and the Gatlins do the improbably and win it all without the reigning league M.V.P? Or, will team Mayhem come back with a vengeance? Tune in Monday when the MannofStat will bring the word to the masses.

This is the final installment of The Blue View; the pleasure has been all mine. Thanks to the MannofStat for the opportunity and allowing me to share rare air; it is truly an honor-word is bond! Much respect to the recreation staff. They made it fun everyday. And, big ups to all the players. You make it go. We have our ups and downs, but we live and we learn and we continue to grow. The only thing that’s final is the score, ya heard?

Fade to Blue…

One Love,

Mr. Blue

Copyright © 2010 by Paul Brown