Q&A with some people's favorite: Spotlight!

I caught up with Spotlight via email recently for the most tension-filled exchange we've had in our 13 plus year relationship. To be fair, I deserved it and should have known better than thinking he would let me off easy. But as Spot is wont to do, he made me feel better at the end. The same can't be said for Ratings Man Dan.

My recommendation for reading this: Throw on a nice back beat, similar to what Beas had pumping out the speakers during last year's Friday night festivities at his crib spot. Something about the way Paco puts it down - even through email - just has a nice rhythm to it.

Here we go:


1. Ever since you and Beas entered this thing in PCTI III you guys have competed for the "Most Popular" superlative. Yet this offseason I feel like you've come under a little fire for the first time. How much of that is just a creation of Dan Dan the Ratings Man and how much of it is valid?

I'd probably flip that question back at you, seeing as you're Second (in) Line Sass Ma(s)ster in Chief, no? I have no doubt the Fruit Snack harbors very real resentment towards me, and he's been vocal about the origin story for that (Rumble 2015). I got SUPES toasty on accident the night before flying to meet up with him, you know like then 32 now 33 year olds do all the time. And again, as then 32 now 33 year olds tend to do, I rode the struggle bus for about two days afterwards, including the Rumble day/night. Combine that with my Abe-induced Game 5 perfectly time-released LEGAL high last year, and my reputation for irresponsibility (and somehow insubordination?) has apparently cemented. I'm cool with it. Danny actually loves me, he's just not ready to be transparent about it.

2. You're on the short list of guys in PCTI whose basketball opinion I value most. I think you get the game well and do a good job of contextualizing it. With that said, what's your take on your squad?

I think we present a pretty significant matchup challenge for the Bratwursts. Obviously Joe and Abe have learned to coexist, with only the Denver Derp feeling like a blip on the radar, which means they'll demand a ton of attention. So my guess is someone not named Danny and not named My Best Friend is going to have to chase Sabin off screens and run him off his mid range, and someone is going to have to chase me fucking everywhere. I'm intrigued to study the tape of IIIII to understand the offensive patterns during me and Sabezilla's shared court time.

3. What about the opponent?

Motor. You could argue the Peanut Brattles have the five best motors in PCTI. Two guys who I fucking love playing with (Beas and you, even though I'm currently beefing HARD with you) because you're both relentless while balling out and mostly composed (game not attitude). One guy (Fart, I mean Fruit) who is essentially my polar opposite, static bordering on dead sloth on offense, balls meet wall on defense, and two newbs who self-proclaim to be leave everything they have on the court types. For the record, I never did nor would I have considered going near the word "hustle" in my PCTI intro features. If those two dudes prove to be blowing smoke, it sucks to be them bc no captain will ever trust them again. Welcome to PCTI guys.

Also Hops and Benji, my bestie and my bearded Buddha. Love em, miss em. Motor not relevant.

4. There's been a lot made of Ben passing up picking you in the draft. What did you make of that, especially now that you know TP is still very much recovering from a serious knee injury?

I knew it was coming. Ben believes TP is one of the four or five best players in PCTI; FACT. I'll let the gen pop rank order and chew on who Ben disrespects near the top, but let me just season the pot by saying it ain't Abe and it ain't Joe.

5. Since Day 1, you completely embraced the nickname Spotlight. Has its usage spread outside of PCTI?

Not to a single person. Literally. Even when I wear my jersey to hoop, people just assume it's weirdly related to a movie about the Catholic Church and Priests gone real bad.

6. At PCTI Portland you mentioned that after this season you might be moving to Europe next year. Where does that stand and how it affect your PCTI status after this year?
There's a coded reference in one of my answers about my longer term trajectory, but for the shorter term the plan is still London in the fall, then Nairobi for about 3-5 years before repatriating.

7. Back to your game, too much has been made of your rebounding prowess, or lack thereof. In my mind, not nearly enough is said about your ability to finish in the lane, as I would say only a few guys in PCTI do it as well. After a few years in this thing, how do you assess your game and where you fit?

I'm an exceptional pickup player because defense isn't necessary, so I've actually improved a lot in the last three years or so off the bounce and at the rim bc I unashamedly intend to shoot every time I touch the ball in my pickup or league games. So I can fill it up a lot of different ways when I'm rolling.

My ability to accept role player status and do the little things was always touted as a strength of my game in my early days in PCTI, but that always disgusted me. So this year, as maybe fourth or even fifth scoring option on my squad, after a couple years intentionally working hard to shed my perception as a good teammate, should be interesting. Likely scenario, I bitch and pout all weekend about not getting enough shots. Best case scenario, Abe, Joe, Sabes, and our bigs draw doubles and pass well, in which case I'm launching uncontested bombs all weekend.

8. Who's the most underrated player in PCTI?

McFish.

9. Is the man bun/ponytail gonna still be on the menu come Cincinnati time?

100%. It's Activity A in my efforts to recapture the Spotlight brand from the Church.

10. How's married life and New York City living? Those are some drastic changes to take on in the same year.

City's crazy, wife is a BOSS, come visit I miss you.