An Email Exchange in prep for IV, Part 2

On Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 12:59 PM, Anthony Hopkins wrote:

I wouldn't start taking shots at the most badass group of ladies men in PCTI.

I completely agree with the villian thing turning in the wrong direction. I think it became very childish and uncomfortable for most people, but the past is behind us. I think BC had the most true statement last year when he said you turned a team that was more talented into the underdog and united us to keep pushing. Are you and Joe trying to build up an "underdog" persona for this team? I don't really see your team buying into that. Also, this brings up something I think would be interesting to see at PCTI. Odds on games to bet on. Everyone might not be much of a gambler, but I think everyone would be interested to see A) who is favored and B) how those lines change throughout the course of the weekend. Would "Ben was seen out until 3 am Thursday night" impact the lines for Friday?

I think we all knew Joe would come in focused. For a few reasons, the first is Joe loves trying to pretend like he doesn't prepare for this weekend. Next would be that he  cares more about being the only undefeated guy left (sans Spotlight) than even he would admit. Finally, the rivalry with Abe goes back to high school days when we would play. Let's just say while he might like Abe off the court, he is not a fan of his on the court. I am expecting an intense.

I think one of the strongest things about your team is the way yall can rebound, especially on the offensive boards. The guards on Team Vision Board can attack the glass. If we keep yall off the glass, we have a much better chance of winning.

Abe and Brian do so well moving without the ball and making plays with the ball, I think that is a great strength of ours. Matchups on those 2 are difficult for anyone. Pitto is an excellent creator too and is hard to keep in front of you. I believe it all goes back to getting the defense moving though.

You know, as far as offseason goes, it is 100% on the person. It is alot easier for some people if they have a partner, so it may depend on that. I do not do nearly as much training as you, but I am ok with that. I think it comes down to if you feel like you can come in and help your team out in some way. If you can't, you need to motivate yourself to do so.

I meant to ask you this last time when you mentioned the social aspect of PCTI. Do you think it has taken over too much of PCTI? I personally love being able to get to hang out with these guys and go out til all hours of the morning, but some people tend to keep to themselves. I guess let me ask you on a bigger level if you do not like anything about PCTI?

Bruise has been very quiet this offseason, and don't think it's going unnoticed. I believe he is focusing on being the breakout star. Is there anyone you would put in that category?

On Wed, Feb 13, 2013 at 5:05 PM, Jeff Sabin wrote:

A couple of interesting points you brought up. Number one, some guys train for PCTI and some guys don’t. That’s fine. I don’t begrudge anybody for not training for PCTI because not everybody is wired the same. I am completely Ok with that. Yet, in my own mind, if I came to PCTI after not having touched a basketball for 11 months and not having visited the weight room for the better part of a year, and then turned around and shot some gawdawful FG% for the weekend and let my team down, I would have a hard time dealing with that. Again, not saying anybody has to train, but it would be nice to get the opponent’s (or teammate’s) best effort when we show up to play. I guess that is more an ideal situation than the current reality where half train and half show up. To each his own.

Number two, not everybody socializes the same way. I think there is a group that likes to bar hop and perfect their lady-slaying skills. And there is also a group that would probably rather finish dinner, go back to the house, and watch an NBA game. I’m sure you already know which group I belong to, but the greater point is that there will probably never be 100% harmony between 16 guys with individual tastes and preferences. I’m completely OK with the fact that PCTI has sub-groups inside the larger group. You’ll find that in any walk of life. But what I would like to see is an effort in the offseason from guys we never hear from (BMac, Wes, etc…) to keep PCTI alive and breathing instead of counting on the same 4-5 guys to generate blog posts and email strings. They have value to contribute, and I for one, would like to see it.

Number 3, I like what you said about the strength of your team being Abe and Esk. Certainly seems to me to be a fair statement. I think if you polled PCTI participants, those two would consistently place in the top 3 players in the tournament. And yet, this brings up a larger question of perception versus reality, and also the question of guys with reputations. Take BC, for example. His perception this offseason is that he has been criticized for the things that he allegedly can’t do. And yet, in 17 career PCTI games, he has averaged 12.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 46.3% shooting with 40 assists and 11 blocks. In what universe would you not want that guy on your team? But again, his perception is one thing. The reality is quite the opposite. And by the way, I played with BC a few weeks ago. If he wasn’t the best player in the gym, it didn’t take long to call roll for him.

Meanwhile, other players enjoy a reputation that, in many cases, exceeds the player’s actual production. As an example, Pitto enjoys something of a reputation for being a shooter. And I think we’ve all seen situations or games in which he has shot the ball really well. And yet, the reality is that he is a career 41.8% shooter and 32% from 3. I’m not saying he’s not a great shooter, just that the reputation for being a great shooter might be out of alignment with the reality. Maybe the reality is that he’s just a good shooter when he has time to get his feet set. And of course, where someone’s judgment lies is largely dependent on how they feel about that player as an individual. I’m not trying to dissect any PCTI participant’s individual game, but more trying to draw the conclusion that the value we place on players may have more to do with how we perceive them versus their actual production on the court. This also might explain some players’ wild fluctuations in 3 drafts. Speaking of, did you feel like anybody slid too low or rose too high in the recent draft?

On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 8:05 AM, Anthony Hopkins wrote:

I agree that everybody doesn't have to train year round, but part of the reason every single person was asked to play was because they were basketball lovers. In some people's mind that means consume as much basketball through all types of media. Some just want to play all the time. Some have events like this and they try and train for them. Again I think it comes down to the person's mindset and how they feel about their contribution.

I think the social question came off the wrong way, but I completely agree with the sub groups within the group is going to happen. I also agree with your comment on people who don't post or email. It really doesn't take more than 10 minutes to write "10 things I am looking forward to in PCTI." or "This is why Scott Donley is the most overrated player in PCTI." Only examples of course.

I disagree with your take your perception section considering BC went #2 overall (after Joe passed on the top pick). I also think that Pitto is a great shooter when he gets his feet set and a below average when he is rushing it. So I guess it depends on what you think is the perception of the group.

As far as the draft question, it all depends on how you look at it. If we are going purely on talent and potential, it was probably pretty close to where people should've gone. If you factoring in the mindset of the captains, how people performed last year, and what a specific team needs, there could be arguments for a lot of people. Obviously, I don't like going #12 overall. I think everybody thinks they bring more than they do and I am probably one of them since I keep falling in the draft. Again I think you were right about some people's perception. I think you went too high. Not because of talent, but because I don't think Brian was taking you. The value at the pick was already high so I can't blame Joe for that. I have seen Ben play lately, so I don't think his pick was too high, but I think a lot of people do. Last year was (hopefully) a low point for him and people draft on what people might could do and not what they've done lately. I could rate each draft pick, but we need to start wrapping this thing up.

Since I'm selfish, I'm going to end it on the next email, so go ahead with anything else you want to touch on. But try and hit these questions at some point. Can you give me some predictions (on and/or off the court) for this PCTI? What is your favorite memory from the first 3, what is your least favorite? What is something you are focusing on this year? Is there anything that you think could make PCTI better? What do you miss most about me not being in Dallas? Just kidding on the last one.

On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 9:33 AM, Jeff Sabin wrote:

Good thoughts. I think at some point we should get a roundtable discussion going for the first three drafts. You know, hits/misses, guys who were intentionally avoided, guys who were acquired at a reach, chemistry/talent considerations, etc…We could probably get this going on a podcast if DK and BC would take ownership of the platform. But they often devolve into being pretty boys, relying on natural talent instead of working to perfect their craft. I think it would give former captains a chance to explain their thought process in the draft. For example, I’d like to know why Esk “had to have” Pitto in the third round while it was pretty clear Joe would not have taken him until the last pick, and even then he would’ve had to think about it.

Predictions: No specific order or format, just random musings. I think Danny and BMac will play well for your team. We probably say that every year, but Danny has been playing really well in Dallas and BMac can’t shoot poorly forever. On our team, I feel strongly that Joe and BC will play well. BC seems to play better when he is needed, and we definitely do. And Joe will be laser-focused to lead and play well. On the flip side, I think Abe, Esk, and myself are due to have a lesser performance this year. Not necessarily that any of those will play poorly, just that I don’t think any of us will match last year’s outputs. I also predict that the team that makes the most 3 balls will be the champion in the tourney. Because each team is fairly evenly matched in that category, could come down a 3 ball here or there. I also think one of these guys will make his first all-tourney team: Beas, DK, or Bruise.

Favorite memory includes Game 4 cramp game when 5 of us systematically were snipered. I remember Abe not even able to walk as his calf muscle was spazzing on him as he tried to get off the court. I also remember me shooting a layup and when I came back down to the floor feeling like somebody had shot a bullet through my calf. Looking back on it, what in the hell were we thinking playing 4 games in 8 hours in PCTI I? Or 6 games in 24 hours? We definitely bit off more than we could chew.

Least favorite memory was Game 4 last year when I realized with about 15 minutes to go a sweep was inevitable. I also remember fighting in vain trying to catch up but that your team’s lead simply continued to swell. That was an awful, miserable, sinking feeling. Like running in quick sand only to find that you are sinking faster.

Over time, one thing I think will make PCTI more special for us is the quality of the gyms we play in and the quality of the video production. BC’s gym was memorable but for the wrong reasons, but if we could find high school gyms to play in with good floors and good lighting, it might make an incremental improvement to our experience. We should also probably give Deuce more feedback in terms of what we want on the videos. Don’t know how time intensive it would be, but getting a 2 or 3 minute highlight clip for players seems like it would be desireable, except for Wes who would only have 12 seconds of highlights. Other than that, I’d like to see more steady offseason contributions from guys who can add value to the podcast, blog, or email.

And yes, we miss you in Dallas. Would be nice if we could get the band back together at some point…would like to get your thoughts on these and then I think we are ready to post. Thanks for the discussion. Enjoyed it.

Sabin

On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 11:55 AM, Anthony Hopkins wrote:

That's a great point with Pitto. As you are the captain, I guess you just can't risk that the other captain would put his personal preference out of the way and take the best choice. I wish I had the time to crunch number like Hollinger did and figure out the top value guys (trying to calculate pace of game and some other factors would be terrible) and then go back and see where guys "should have gone" based on those numbers.

Let me go ahead and get on board with the "where the hell are the podcasts" wagon. We might need your captain to step up and take the reins back and give it to the people who want and crave it. Maybe make Wes host it weekly until this year's event in order to make him contribute. (Also, Wes has been bashed for 2 straight years now. I like the dude, but hopefully this has lit a fire under his ass)

My favorite moment was when myself BC and (I think) Pitto busted into "Free taco night" after we hit 100 points on Joe's 3 last year. (Does that reflect poorly that my favorite moment I was on the bench?) Also, pretty much every time we have gone out over the last 3 years. My least favorite moment was the ride home after PCTI I. God bless Bruise for being capable physically to drive home.

I am thankful that everyone has helped out in making this thing improve each year. Did not imagine going into year 4 all this would be happening (even though I did tell DK it would be over 5 or more days in no time). I think we will look back in a couple years and see things improve we think are great now.

My Predictions: We struggle at first keeping you off the boards. Donley or BC has a BIG game. More than 1 person gets a tech. Beas and Spot get laid. Bruise murdering Pitto is on the table. Ben continues to struggle with me pestering him calling him ugly names. Joe shows up in better shape than any other year. I continue to underwhelm. Deuce gets more involved in the social game. Team #lambogrind wins 4-2. Finally, PCTI continues to deliver and I go home depressed it is ending once again.

Jeff, thanks again for taking the time out of stuff that is not nearly as important as PCTI to have a back and forth. This has been fun and we will need to do it again. Also, TMZ is reporting that there might be a couple PCTI members down in Dallas for a warm up around Easter weekend. With that we are out. Hope everyone links this and likes it on facebook!

AHOP