Part 2 - Favorite Memories

This is episode 2 of a two-part series in which I discuss some of my favorite memories from PCTI participants:

Legs Feed the Wolf:

1) Ben Wilson: There are no shortage of great memories to choose from when it comes to PCTI's favorite grizzly bear. I thought about the 27-13 he slapped up in PCTI 2 Game 1 as well as the masterpiece 29 point performance that included 7 triples in PCTI 1 Game 2. Also coming to mind was the time that Ben and Hops were "eye goggling" each other after Hops connected on a 3 ball in PCTI 2. And I even thought about the time that Ben busted my chops at Thursday night's film session by stating "Sabin, you gotta make that shot" after I had missed a routine 8 footer in the lane. But for me, the one that will always stick out above all others is Ben making a sweet pass in PCTI 1 to a cutting McKinney along the baseline. For those who may not know, McKinney was not in the game at the time and was running to the water fountain to get a drink. This continues to be one of the most underrated pieces of unintentional comedy in PCTI history. The look on Ben's face at the conclusion of the play is priceless. A classic WTF moment.

2) Bruise: This wrecking ball force of nature is one of my all -time favorite PCTIers. I suppose with Bruise I could talk about some of the awesome on the court moments he has demonstrated, like the time he snatched an ungodly 17 boards in PCTI 2 Game 6. I suppose I could also talk about the infinite number of times he has big boyed other PCTI players when they get too deep in the lane with him. And I could most certainly bring up the time when he almost assassinated the Godfather after the Bruise took exception to the flagrancy with which DK fouled him in PCTI 2. But perhaps my most favorite recollection of the Bruise is him being laid out after the Game 4 Cramp Game in which he was simply splayed across the gym, unable to move due to cramps and unwilling to try and stretch it out due to anticipated pain. He also remarked during Game 4 "What are we doing to ourselves?" after Game 4 began to take its toll physically on both teams. Not enough is made of the fact that Bruise's statement was both prescient and poignant.

3) DK: PCTI's simultaneously most feared and beloved member has a plethora of lasting memories that stick out to me. I could mention the time he went off for 8 points in 2 minutes in PCTI 2 Game 4, then didn't shoot for the rest of the game. I could also bring up the time he and Chase Hardin had a conversation in PCTI 2 debating whose air balls were worse between the two. And I would most certainly be remiss if I didn't reveal the underrated storyline of how DK confiscated Mike Hite's muscle roller for much of the weekend to massage hamstring muscles that by some accounts don't exist. But easily my most revered and lasting impression of DK in PCTI is how he used all of his commissioner weight and influence to "create" a third host spot on the PCTI podcast when he discovered that "booking agent" was less than his significant skill set deserved. Just goes to show you that what the commissioner wants, the godfather gets.

4) Michael Beasley: The Beas and I don't know each other yet, but I have a feeling this guy will be one of my favorites when we meet and play together. I have been told that the player is tough, conditioned, and unselfish, and that makes him a player after my own hoops heart. And I certainly have tremendous respect for the fact that Beas drops his Latin American lady lovers when he learns that they cannot support his PCTI participation. So since I have no memories yet with Beas, let me say I have gotten tremendous giggles out of the headlines that come from his namesake in Minnesota. Whenever the TWolf forward makes news like "Beasley busted for pot use", "Beasley misses flight to key game", or "Beasley slapped with paternity tests by 11 Minnesota women", I always get a massive giggle out of it. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to meeting this lady slayer.

5) Orr: It would be cliche if I only discussed Smo's affinity for humor and good times. So let me reverse field and say that Smo and I guarded each other for a meaningful amount of minutes in PCTI 2. I can remember a few times thinking that I might be able to take him to the rack or at least get a high percentage shot off against him. Wrong, wrong, wrong. My first shot against Smo was a 12 footer that was returned to sender, and my second shot was altered enough to where I didn't hit the rim on the attempt. I came away from these 2 transactions feeling that I would need to get more creative to have success against him. Unfortunately, that success against Smo never came. In a related story, I drafted this long and dynamic player-man 6 months later with the intent of having him frustrate the likes of Abe and Hops in PCTI 3. Smo is my defensive captain and dude is primed for a breakout performance with the Wolfpack in III.

6) Bryan McKinney: BMac has been much maligned this offseason for his vocal cord dysfunction in the last two PCTI tournaments. Many players have criticized the fact that he did not say 3 words to them over the course of two weekends despite the assertion from many of his lifelong friends that he is indeed opinionated on a great many topics. What's funny to me is that I came away with the same feeling about BMac in PCTI 2 in terms of not connecting conversationally. But I was his roommate in Lexington, along with Dawson, in what was undoubtedly the least exciting and sexy rom in the history of PCTI. So you would think that I would've had lots of time to talk with him and get to know him. Not the case. Although I was anxious to ask him about his PCTI 2 performance and experience, it seemed like he was ultimately too busy with setting up his AllState 401k and health insurance than to discuss the awesome mediocrity that is PCTI basketball. Don't be surprised though if this player doesn't break out in PCTI 3 with unbelievable conversation and unbelievable hoops performance generated by CrossFit training.

7) Wes: Has anybody made a better comeback in the offseason than Wes-Fil-A? I love the way he has become a sniper, laying low waiting for his moment to strike with one-liners and in-your-face challenges. His confrontations with Joe and DK in the offseason have been the stuff of legend. I could certainly mention the Game 3 PCTI 1 performance in which he personally assaulted the nets by not touching the rim with any of his shots on his way to 19 points. And I could further detail a conversation I had with him while we were at Cracker Barrel the evening before PCTI 2 was to commence in which he arrogantly admitted that he had neither touched a basketball or lifted a weight since PCTI 1, as if it were somehow a notch in his pride belt. But by far my favorite memory of Wes is him, once he found out that In-n-Out Burger had located to Dallas, requesting that we eat there as part of a pregame meal. This conniseur's love of American fast food is insatiable, and I will always respect and remember that about him. Side note:I thought Ben and Wes may have been brothers when I first saw them in PCTI 1 due to the uncanny amount of chest hair, back hair, and facial hair these dudes generate. Turns out it's just an awesome resemblance but not familial.

As for myself, I'm just glad that I get to be a small part of this thing and have thoroughly enjoyed this offseason. Really looking forward to seeing you boys in 11 days.

Sabin