The Brat's Preamble: Behold, the full
evolution of PCTI. Sabin began as a mostly unknown and quickly evolved in to an upper
tier player. Then from the upper tier to to the target of
scorn, mockery and humiliation. Out of that he made it through the
fire and reaffirming his spot as a solid player. And now, back to a
spot in the upper tier.
It's been a Homeric journey for one of
PCTI's most controversial and indispensable members. Yet the one
thing missing from this odyssey is what he desires most: a winning
weekend.
Despite the losses, Sabin is one of the
big winners to come out of this exercise. It's overwhelmingly clear
that any negative feelings - either genuine or embellished for our
entertainment = as well as any questions about his ability to be a
winning player, simply do not exist.
Over the years I've spent more time
talking and writing about Sabin than probably anyone else in PCTI
short of myself. There's two reasons for this. One, because I know he's at times been divisive - and that makes for entertainment - and
two, because I know that at all times he can take it. In fact he can
take any criticism far better than anyone in this thing or really
anyone I've ever known and certainly way better than I can. But as
you know if you paid any attention to me through these years of
rambling, I'm typically speaking out in his defense or in agreement with him. So for me now,
what more is there to say? Only this: IT'S A DAMN SHAME you won't be
with us when we invade Denver, you'll certainly be missed.
(Do keep in mind, the voting happened
before Sabin's injury, so no sympathy points awarded)
Voting Breakdown: highest vote: 2,
lowest vote: 8. How about that? If there's any Sabin haters still
around, the worst they think of him is as eighth. Only four guys avoided
a double digit vote.
Lifetime PCTI Record: 0-4...sigh...
Lifetime Stats: 11.4 ppg (T-3 with a
former player), 5.9 rpg (6th, the low man in the top tier
of PCTI rebounders), 17 steals (part of four way (pause) tie for
5th), 9 blocks (5th), 60 assists (4th),
42.9 percent shooting (6th, of the five ahead of him, four
would be classified in PCTI terms as bigs), 35.6 perecent from three
(2nd), and the all-important his productivity number: 216
(3rd)
Lifetime Bests: 24 points (PCTI III,
game 1), 12 rebounds (PCTI II, game 1), 5 assists (PCTI I, game 4)
Other Notes: Sabin's stats are among
the most consistently good in PCTI. The same can be said for his
effort. The irony in looking back at Sabin's PCTI history is that few
if anyone is wiling to make the necessary personal adjustments
year-to-year, team-to-team to get a W as him. We've seen him as an
attacker/tempo maven, a rebounder/defender, a spot shooter/Rip Hamilton type and as a guy who's willing to gladly acquiesce to his
teammates. Impressively, he's played each roll well. And yet, still
and 0-fer by his name.
Looking at his PCTI's through the
years, I saw a lot of big games early in the weekends (With PCTI
being a bit of an exception.) This speaks volumes about his talent
relative to the rest of us, as those games are often the hardest
times to put up numbers, with everyone bringing maximum focus and
energy and teams often yet to gel.
One does have to wonder, does Sabin's history of tailing off at the end of the weekend stem from an over exertion of energy (both physical and mental) in those first few games? Certainly his advanced age does not help. Another question to ponder, how much of it is Sabin trying to continually adjust to his team's changing style rather than taking more of the alpha dog approach in hopes that they will adjust to him? For a guy who has been bombarded at times with negative press and uncertain relationships with some of the brethren, perhaps seeing where he stands in the eyes of his peers through this exercise will change that.
One does have to wonder, does Sabin's history of tailing off at the end of the weekend stem from an over exertion of energy (both physical and mental) in those first few games? Certainly his advanced age does not help. Another question to ponder, how much of it is Sabin trying to continually adjust to his team's changing style rather than taking more of the alpha dog approach in hopes that they will adjust to him? For a guy who has been bombarded at times with negative press and uncertain relationships with some of the brethren, perhaps seeing where he stands in the eyes of his peers through this exercise will change that.
Sabin barely registered in the superlatives. The only category where he received more than one vote was in the guy who has played most above his ability level category. He picked up two votes, putting him in a tie for second with Donley and a former player. Of course, Beas, BenWilson, DTOMFS and Wes were the only guys not to get a vote in that category.
RIP Sabez. Sure, you may not be dead, but with your advanced age anything's possible, right? Sabez has been a Spotlight supporter from day one, even though I came out guns blazing on my first appearance on the (formerly assuredly mediocre now entirely defunct) PCTI podcast. Great player, great teammate, hopefully not really dead. RIP.
ReplyDeleteSabin is the definition of consummate teammate/player in PCTI. He finds and plays to his strengths on every team he has played on in PCTI (refer to his aforementioned career stats above). We had some good battles on and off the court in PCTI II/III but as someone who makes this a basketball weekend and means it (unlike somebody that we used to know-gotye), I hate that he will not be with us to play. His competitiveness and positive demeanor for everyone is always overlooked, yet should applauded.
ReplyDeleteHe's always good to talk knowledgeably about hoops at every moment which I can't get enough of. However, one thing I will secretly miss that BC failed to mention his threadbare use of "And 1!!!" Won't be the same without that flying through the air on every drive.
Sabin and I became quick friends when I was in Dallas and playing in his game. One of the top people at putting together pick up games, and coming from me that might be the greatest compliment I have ever given.
ReplyDeleteIn PCTI, I have had disagreements with him and we have had countless emails, texts, and chats about those. Like BC said, he takes criticism better than anyone I know. He is one of the toughest people to guard in PCTI and he is very efficient on the offensive end. He competes and is a solid defender on D too. If you forget this, remember he got up in Joe so much that the doctor threw an elbow that if connected would have shut off Sabin's lights for a little bit. Overall this guy competes whenever he is out there.
The one thing I wish he would be better at during PCTI is pushing his team. He holds himself to a very high standard on the court, but is hesitant to get on to other people. Considering I yell at people and I am the 14th ranked player, I don't see people taking his criticism harshly.
#RIPSabez
I can't stop laughing at Hops last 2 sentences. We will miss you Sab. Get well soon and know that while this will be a good weekend as PCTI always is, it will not be the last. You will be there for many more.
ReplyDelete***Skips over A Hops comment***
ReplyDeleteGonna miss you Sabz, won't be the same without you. The basketball that is, pretty much everything off the court will be.
Speak for yourself Anthony, Sabin isn't even going to be at IIIII and he's already getting after me (we're forever linked as teammates until one of us gets a win obvs). He just needed a forum to do it! I am dedicating my performance at IIIII to him so that 1) he has a terrible time doing the stats when I'm playing like my man Fat BORIS Diaw out there, so many tally marks comin', and 2) he can carry the burden of being 0-fer on his own, because he's probably the only person in this thing strong enough to do it. I would have quit like Pitto if I was the only winless one.
ReplyDeleteBut in all seriousness, will be missed on the court and looking forward to getting him back for VI. Luckily the World Cup so we don't have to go through this again. Get well soon Sabintooth Tiger.
Sabin I will miss our long chats poolside ab life. A wise man once told me that life is cyclical, full of peaks and valleys. If this is a valley, not too bad.
ReplyDelete