2016 WWE Comparisons

One week from RIGHT NOW PCTI VII will be on and poppin' in Cincinnati.

In all likelihood this will be my final lead up post. Congratulations to everyone on surviving another off-season. Please remember to pack your backup shoe laces.

Since we'll be in Thursday, if this post doesn't mean much to you, plan on catching up with a little Thursday Night SmackDown and some Teddy's with the Fruit Stand Man and me.

See you soon!

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Beas : Dolph Zigler

First off, Zigler is undeniably attractive. As of late, the one time collegiate wrestler has fought to defend his reputation as the best pure wrestler in the game. Obviously if anyone appreciates the purity of things, it’s our very own nature lover. Zigler’s career goes up and down, while he’s held a variety of belts through the years, in no way is he a central figure these days. Does he deserve a spot battling with the best of the sport or is he destined to be the best of the rest type? It’s hard to say. I would argue that the combination of charisma, looks and athleticism is a formidable combination, but it remains to be seen.

TP: Big Cass 

New to the scene and mostly unknown, the first thing that jumps out about TP is his height and size, both of which have no equal in PCTI….and you can’t teach that! Cass can wreck shop in short spells but it is unknown if he’s got enough polish to match his obvious physical potential. If he does, watch out.

Rainbow Boy: Enzo Amore 

Like his tag partner Big Cass, this is his first year in WWE. Amore has unmatched energy and attitude to the extent that even a casual observer would say, “what is up with that guy.” Like Rainbow, who has never played organized basketball, Amore has a shockingly low amount of in-ring work accrued compared to the typical WWE Superstar. It cost him dearly when he knocked himself out cold while performing a routine bump at WWE Payback. Let’s hope Rainbow avoids the same fate. Nobody wants another trip to the hospital.

Bruiser: Titus O’Neil 

Obviously the first thing that jumps out about Titus O’Neil is his breathtaking stature. Even compared to the rest of the locker room, his size and strength separate him. Currently O’Neil is feuding with Rusev. The normally mild-mannered and level-headed O’Neil snapped recently when the Bulgarian Brute had the audacity to take to the mic on Memorial Day to taunt America. Just like I would imagine Bruiser reacting, O’Neil did not stand for an attack on country. To compound things, Rusev later mocked O’Neil in front of his children. In a fit of rage, O’Neil snapped and savagely attacked his rival. Like Titus O’Neil, Bruiser has quickly earned a reputation as a doting father and dedicated family man. We all know that aggression, frustration and strength is the recipe to a perfectly served Bruiser cocktail. Learn from Rusev and tread lightly.

Actor: The Miz 

Talk about two guys wrapped up in the Hollywood lifestyle. Recently the former reality TV star turned WWE Superstar left the company for a month to film a movie. The timing was odd as he recently captured the Intercontinental Championship. One can’t help but wonder if in an attempt to expand his brand, he is getting too far away from what worked in the first place. Likewise, Actor is a notoriously prepared and consistent PCTI performer, but observers would be fair to question how daily JTSingz music videos are affecting his training. Apparently staying in character means having cut up arms and a flabby chest, which on paper seems impossible and must require a truly unique training regimen. His teammates can only hope basketball fits in those plans.

BenWilson: Corporate Kane 

For years Kane wreaked havoc with a blend of unique physical strength and surprising athleticism. But things started to get a little more complex when Kane shed the mask, cut the hair and joined the white collar work force as a politician and WWE executive. Similarly, for years Ben dominated PCTI with size, quickness and his own maks of wonderfully groomed facial hair. But what will happen this year as a now clean cut and slimmed down Wilson divides his attention between basketball and a burgeoning career as a book czar? Is the Demon Kane still within, or will his game go to hell?

Sabin: Shane O’Mac 

 Here comes the money! Sometimes you never know what you’re losing until it’s gone. WWE was a shell of its former self during Shane O’Mac’s seven-year hiatus, just as PCTI suffered with Sabin gone. Why? For both guys the appeal is in their versatility. Shane O’Mac is capable of shining as a fan favorite, heel or elder statesman leader. On one hand Shane can stay above the fray as an organizer and executive, while on the other hand he may go flying off the top of the hell in a cell and through the Spanish announce table in an effort to catch Undertaker with an elbow drop. Likewise, Sabin is PCTI’s great conversationalist and everyone craves his advice on all matters. But is he above a petty trash talking war or going hard on the court? Of course not.

Wes: Neville 

Neville is small and did some really cool things when he burst on the scene. The thing is, I have no idea what happened to Neville. As in I truly don’t know where he went. Wes has had some PCTI moments, but none since we left Kentucky after PCTI II. Since then, I’m not sure where he went or if he'll ever return to that form.

Hops: Bray Wyatt 

Sister Abigail! While Hops has never given off even the hint of a haunting, super creepy, Southern Gothic vibe, there’s a lot of similarities between the two, based on the company they choose to keep. Bray and Hops both do their best work as leaders of men. Or maybe more accurately, they are gifted at leading a band of followers who help mask (in Bray’s case, literally) some of their own personal shortcomings. When Bray has gone out on his own and tried to handle things by himself, he has failed to emerge with the same ferocity and effectiveness as the Wyatt Family achieved together as a faction. Likewise, when Hops strays from his team at all costs persona, he’s not been as effective in PCTI. Hops greatest strength in PCTI, either on the court as a team-first guy, or off the court as the heart and soul of the QP is as the pack leader. May he never stray.

Abe: Brock Lesnar 

Two guys who are widely regarded as unstoppable forces. Size, athleticism, focus and blond locks, Lesnar and Abe Unit both are as formidable an opponent as you will find. But as the old saying in Texas (PCTI’s second most populated state even after losing Pun Daddy) goes, “there ain’t a horse that can’t be rode and there ain’t a man that can’t be thrown.” While both Lesnar and Abe appear to be completely unstoppable, they have been stopped. Both men have been humbled, though neither has lost his confidence. Abe’s status as the undisputed king of PCTI was on the line last year after a disaster in PCTI IIII and he responded with arguably his best performance to date. Much the same, there were questions about Lesnar upon returning from the UFC but he immediately silenced anyone foolish enough to question his dominance. Both guys are lone wolves which is risky considering that both guys are flake out risks. Lesnar has bounced in and out of WWE for years while Abe is a guy you feel like you have to worry about until he walks through the door (and puts on his shoes and jersey). Lesnar was smart enough to let Paul Hayman be his handler. Abe could certainly put his teammates at ease if he considered making a similar addition to his camp.  

Bambi: Kevin Owens

 Much like me, when you first watch Kevin Owens, you’re not going to be immediately impressed. But if you give it a little time, Fight Owens Fight will start to win you over. It’s never spectacular but he’s a hard worker and comfortable working with anyone he shares the ring with. Owens mouth is his gift and his curse. On the one hand, he has a quick wit and can get the last word in on anyone. On the other hand, he’s whiny. Kevin Owens, just like me, is a hard worker…to a point. If pushed hard enough we both will cave in to a spiral of self-pity and lash out whoever we can find to blame for our problems. It totals moments of greatness, as well as moments of absolute self destruction.

Spotlight: AJ Styles 

There may not be a more popular wrestler right now than the Phenomenal AJ Styles. Just like Spotlight, no matter what this guy does, people seem to like him. Like Spotlight, Styles was a late bloomer that earned his place as one of the best after years of persistence and continued refinement of his craft. For too long both were overlooked by the mainstream, but once they got their chance on the big stage they wasted no time proving to everyone that it was long overdue. However, now that they have climbed the ranks, one can’t help but wonder if they’re holding themselves back from taking the final step to the summit. Styles has shown he has the ability but refuses to part ways with his old running mates, the less capable and more devious Anderson and Gallows. As for Spotlight, he refuses to completely turn his back on the fuck up behavior of his youth that has left him without a jersey one year or severely hungover come game time on several occasions Both can point to their long past as evidence of their devotion, but each must turn his back on his old ways to truly reach greatness.

Dan The Boy: John Cena 

When the music hits for the fifteen time World Champion the crowd always goes crazy, then collectively catches itself and remembers how lame Cena is and tones it back. He’s got the jean shorts, he looks too short, he sprints to the ring, he’s just flat out way too in to it to possibly look cool. But the same stuff that makes Cena so easy to mock is what makes him impossible not to like. He gives it everything he has and it means so much to him that you can’t help but get caught up in it. He makes no apologies for how he is and doesn’t care at all what people think about it. That has made him the undisputed face of wrestling for nearly a decade. When you think WWE, you think John Cena. Same goes for Dan The Boy. Easily mocked for caring, trying too hard, wearing ridiculous things, telling you to pack an extra set of shoe laces, etc., Dan is the embodiment of PCTI. And like Cena, as other more physically gifted competitors fade, Dan is getting stronger and even more determined, making him ever the more formidable.

Donley: Roman Reigns 

As Reigns likes to say, “I am not a bad guy, I am not a good guy, I am THE guy.” Just like in WWE, in PCTI life can be tough when your roll is not clearly defined. Sometimes, in the case of the two-time champ Reigns and of Cockstrong Donley, this is more of a result of their uncommon versatility. But, there’s a thin line between doing a little of everything and doing a lot of nothing. Is it their fault for failing at times to properly carve out a niche, or is it on the WWE or the PCTI brethren for not clearly identifying and harvesting what each does so well? It's hard to say. Both guys are menacingly athletic and both earn A+ grades on the eye ball test. Both guys have had their moments where they dominated, and both guys have had their moments where it felt like a square peg was going in a round hole. We’ll see if it all comes together this year for Donley as it has for Reigns. Who knows, perhaps it’s an omen that current WWE World Champion Dean Ambrose hails from Cincinnati, too.

Keys by Player

Typed on an iPad, unedited.

The Brats...

• Ben the Brat: Steady, controlled attacking in one on one situations. Trust that his teammates will get him open looks from deep. Avoid guarding wings so he can focus defensive efforts down low and establish himself as PCTI's top rebounder.
• The Brat: Continued focus on doing what no one else does or thinks to do. Work elbow to elbow offensively where he can use his strong interior/mid range game, along with his smooth head fake, one dribble routine to get open lay ups. Very willing and strong screener, adding a roll could open up the entire offense. 
• Dan the Brat: Dial in defensively, distribute to scorers, and hit a few shots.
• Nature Brat: Repeat PCTI4 in Scottsdale performance. Crash the boards relentlessly and have faith his pass and cut game will be rewarded with new teammates. Anchor the perimeter defensive unit The Killer Beas (Beas, Bow, Boy), leading by example with active hands, switching and getting into passing lanes. Let his defense and rebounding open up his offense.
• T. Brat: Be real active early and let his work on the glass ingratiate himself into the game. Stay out of foul trouble and avoid going for a Bruiser fake. Be confident in knowing no one shoots well, and to not be tentative. Lead PCTI in second chance points.
• A. Brat: Repeat the ball hawking, defensive captain performance now famous from PCTI6. Utilize superior rebounding instincts and timing to get a couple second chance looks/points each game. Known for his random backbreaking offensive performances, pulling one out would be huge for The Brats so they can pour a few out Saturday in celebration.
• RainbowBrat: Pull the trigger early and often. Attack defensively and on the glass to get used to the game speed, and don't be tentative. 

The Snipeunits:

• Sabin: Will knock down his shots, but getting a couple racehorse lay ups each game will be key. At one point one of PCTI's top rebounders, he will need to be called upon to mix it up down low. Pacing himself will be key in the case this series goes deep.
• Abe: Play his usual game... Run through screens, mix up catch and shoot, post and offensive rebound game. Continue using his impeccable timing to knock down shots when the game is at a lull. 
• Actor: Continued focus on well rounded game. Utilize defensive instincts and timing to make another run at the blocking title. Crash offensive boards more frequently as his success rate is second to none. Attack on O and set up teammates. 
• Donley: His most important performance to date, he has to be prepared to anchor the interior D with two guards that love to get out and run, and an opposition that loves swarming the glass. Also will be called upon to lead his squad with second chance points/opportunities... A lot of pressure on The Host!
• Spotlight: Putting together a performance like he has in the last two will probably be the X-Factor in deciding who wins. Be the glue guy where the ball is moving through to get his shooters shots. Continue attacking offensively. The jokes have been made, but he needs to step up his rebounding performance, specifically with long rebounds.
• Stick man: Talking about PCTI pressure, no one has more this year (most of which has been applied by himself) than the Stick... The new look Bash Brothers Stick and Donley will be looked upon to control the pain, both offensively and defensively. Stick needs to have his best defensive rebounding performance, and needs to find a way to get a few easy buckets.
• Wes: Knock down open shots, don't give a shit about missing and give max effort defensively. 

Observations by Player Leading Up to PCTI7

Preparing for the games in PCTI is one of the best parts. More have grown to embrace/admit the fact that PCTI has been great for all of our health.  Outside of the obvious, there's no question it keeps us exercising in ways we probably wouldn't, and playing more than we normally would.

I can say with 100% certainty that although the wins/losses have been lopsided the last two years, the pace and prep shown by the majority of the guys has improved in a big way.  I doubt any of us thought we would be improving over time, but that shows you the level of dedication and competitiveness to ourselves, the weekend, and our teammates.

As we all know, I keep tabs on most everyone's game... I try to coordinate my travels to play with different guys but if I can't, I'll stay connected through the grapevine (or just straight up ask you) to make sure I'm up to speed.

All that said, a quick look at what I know, and an observation on each of you this off season.

• Wilson: Down close to 15 lbs through an increase in playing, exercising and getting out of Atlanta, look for an increase in quickness, feel for the game, and work on the glass, but no loss of power.
• Big Brat Carney: Game play has been steady, has changed up his workouts to include more power/explosion.  A closet strong player with great stamina despite not putting much focus on exercise in the past, expect this regimen change to be a positive.
• Sabin: The king of prep has toned it down due to a lifestyle change that no longer revolves around PCTI (wah), Sabin will come in with his sharp shooting, uber efficient, racehorse style but along with the CrossFit workouts, his days of attacking the glass with wreckless abandon might be a thing of the past.
• Abe: A regular and favorite on my PCTI offseason hoops tour, this year was sorely missed. After taking a Rocky approach to preparing for PCTI/recovering from Plantars Fasciatis for what appeared like three months in Joshua Tree, Abe is back to his usual 6'5" 240 lbs of muscular and dominant self.  
• Actor: Thankfully, the alter ego JT Singz has been keeping us all up to speed on the physical prep being put on at Fox Studio.  The Act has continued to focus all his workouts on keeping his arms cut, and his career as a flourishing ugly plus size model has ensured that his body stay poor. That said, he told me he's been playing non stop, is working with a hoops trainer, and feels like he's playing his best ball since college.
• Nature: The King of Produce has a busy schedule of tomatoes, nature, and a poor attitude about anyone he doesn't know playing basketball, so there isn't much time left for hoops.  Always well conditioned and chiseled from his work walking up rocks, riding bikes, and sleeping in tents, The Biz will be his usual reckless abandon self on the court, but with a little less on court experience than in years past.  
• Donley: Year in and year out, The Don is one of, if not the most prepared for battle, playing his way into games no matter what city he lives in.  A recent pic with a bicep flex was his way of putting PCTI on notice that the recent move to Cincy did not set him back and that he's as ready as ever.
• TP: A lot of people were concerned about if he had enough time to get into playing shape given his injury, but a clip of his workout prep, along with a pic of his newly built full court outdoor hoops, has me extremely confident he's ready to make an impression and impact on the Brats in a big way.
• Spotlight: Three years ago he came into PCTI as a sharpshooter, but each year has improved his offensive game with a steady dose of playing, exercising and improved diet.  It's amazing that he's able to continue improving in between his time developing countries, and deserves some credit for his efforts.  After our session a few months ago, Spot is on track for another quality performance as a highly efficient scorer/good looking/incredibly unlikable guy.
• Hops: Coming off arguably the best defensive performance in PCTI history, word out of Nashville is Hops has added weight training to his offseason program, which should make him even more lethal as a defensive demon/trash man and assist in overall conditioning.  One of Hops closet strengths is his instincts moving without the ball, which an increase in strength/explosiveness could help create more scoring opportunities.
• Stickman: Every year, the Stick is the most highly scrutinized player because of the unknown as it relates to his conditioning.  Always a good communicator, he's been candid about the negative effects his job/baby has had on his offseason prep.  He's trying to ramp it up the last few weeks, but it might be too little too late to see the PCTI2 Bruise.  The good news is his best performance was his All-Tourney work, bursting onto the scene and having a borderline dominant Year 1 was probably the year he came in the worst shape, so there's a possibility The Stick has cooked up the right recipe for PCTI7.
• Wes: Conditioning is no longer an issue for this guy... It's the fact that he touches a basketball maybe three times a year, than we all have to hear him throw a fit when he can't make a shot. I quit keeping tabs on him because I know it's not going to change, and I'm sure this year is no different.  
• Rainbow: I've observed him all year and can say he's probably in the top three as far as preparing goes.  Playing three days a week, shooting on off days, in between running marathons will go a long way to having a good showing in his first PCTI.  The most impressive thing is that he's actually done some work watching last years videos to assist him in preparing for playing with people he doesn't know.
• Dan The Brat: Doesn't matter, it will yield the same results.

10 Days.

10 Day Out PREP

After a very busy offseason, the calm before the storm is now behind us, and the storm is officially in full effect. It's no secret the second most popular post each year outside of the Itin Stick is when I help people prepare for the final moments, and most importantly, what to pack.

A post about who has the best on court PCTI style each year is long overdue, but not going to happen now... Just know it's recognize by the Bored who comes looking sharp, and it will be rewarded.

Packing (Hoop Clothing):

• Jerseys--First look at the new jerseys along with my pretty face below.
• Abe is still paying off the overnight cost when he forgot his in PCTI 2.
• Shoes--I hope to see some new stuff, can't watch you guys wear the same units each year.
• LACES--This is the year Wilson gets rewarded.
• Shorts-Three pair, please try and match a little better than previously (Beas).
• Socks-Anyone ready to unseat Donley for best sock game in PCTI.

Packing (Supplements/Recovery):

• Creatine/Glutamine-Easy to transport and helpful for recovery.
• Potassium-If you can't handle PCTI's official drink of choice that is Coconut Water, I'll have some tablets on hand.
• Melatonin-Natural sleep aid to help us crash.
• Foam Roller-If you're driving, please bring.
• Stem Machine-Will not be used for the community this year, bring your own.

Week of Prep:

• Shots/Stretch/Light lift.
• Massage-Get the kinks worked out.
• IV Therapy/Pre-Hydrate-We don't know how dehydrated we really are.
• Haircut-Tradition made famous by Sabin.
• Get a Tan-You have to live with this look for the next year.

In.

PCTI Basketball Training: Spotlight

On average, how often do you play? 

I play twice a week (3x if my wife is out of town) in two hour pickup games that are organized so you never sit more than one game. Games are all 1s to 7 so they go pretty quick even if you have to sit one. I'm usually playing in one men's league as well, though I'm taking off the current season because I was out of the country for a month and it's expensive as FUCK. So generally minimum 3x/wk, occasionally 4x/wk.

How did you get involved in the game(s)? How does it get put together?

indoorhoops.com, the greatest thing that's happened to the world since me and Beas joined PCTI, and then ABC Hoops men's league in NYC. For those who missed Dan the (Lady)Boy's POST, indoorhoops is a website that organizes about 5-10 pickup games around the city every day. You can register for one of fifteen spot(light)s per game, usually costs $10 or $12 bucks to reserve you a spotlight. The system won't allow more than 15 people to register per game, which is why you're never off the court more than one game at a time.

Whats the make up of the group? Age, skill, size, etc. 

indoorhoops.com can be hit or miss on quality, though I've learned what the best gyms are and for the most part how to find the best games. It's built on a self-rating system, where you rate yourself from 1.0-4.5, with 4.5 supposed to be the best players registered. I'm registered as a 3.5, and I registered Danny as a 3.5 when he was in NYC. When you're selecting games, you can see the skill level range of everyone who is registered for the game you selected, something like 2.0-3.5 for example. EVERYONE overrates themselves, obvi. I've been to games that have 4.0 and 4.5 players registered when I'm clearly the best player in the gym, and I've also been to games that are like 2.0-3.0 registered players when I'm not even in the top 5 best players in the gym. For the most part, I'd say I've gotten it down to a point where I generally get the following demographic in games I'm registered for: 8 or 9 white guys 5'10 - 6'2", 1 or 2 black guys, 2 or 3 Latin or Asian guys, 1 other (old or fat or weird, etc.). There's usually 2 or 3 big men, though rarely actual bigs who play like bigs, usually 6'2" or 6'3"ish guys who play like bigs because they can't dribble or shoot, or 6'5"ish guys who play like guards and only shoot threes or try to go one on one. I literally want to kill every last one of that last group. 

As for the men's league, it's decent, usually four or five good teams, 2 or 3 average teams (I'll be generous and include mine here), 2 or 3 complete shit teams. Lot of legit big guys, which is nice, one team of all Asian guys that's really good, one team of all Aussies that' really good, and one team of all black guys that's REALLY good.

What is your role in these games? How does that differ from your role in PCTI?

indoorhoops I'm usually a primary scorer. If my squad has a good PG my role is pretty similar to PCTI, constant movement on O gets me a lot of open shots, which I hit at a high percentage, lot of back cuts lead to layups and assists, etc. If my squad doesn't have a PG then I'll handle the ball, and usually that ends with me shooting before I make a pass or maybe running a pick and roll that leads to me shooting or straight line driving, or passing out of it and never actually looking at the roll man. On defense I don't even pretend to try, so very similar to PCTI actually. My men's league team is horrible, so I mostly just jack up bad shots, or watch our one other good player jack up shots (more this than the former, he's really good). Over the course of about 16 games that I've made it to, my career averages for the men's league are 10 PPG, 4 RPG, 2 APG, 1 SPG, 41% FG, 31% 3FG, 68% FT (barf), career high points 26, career high rebounds 10 (eat a dick Danny), career high 3P FG in one game is oddly only three. Underwhelming is prolly the best way to describe that line. 

What is one thing you love about it? What is something you don't like?

Cost is a bitch in NYC, the men's league is $250 for 8 games guaranteed, which is fucking nuts, and the referees RUIN just about every game (I've been Td up 5x that I can remember in 16 games that I've played in), so I have no clue why I do it. Mostly cuz they keep stats and take pictures like the one I've attached here, where I'm clearly getting cleanly blocked by two under-athletic white guys, and somehow ended up at the line for two free throws, of which I of course only made one. I'm also sick of playing white guys in general, so PCTI should be GREAT.

Editor's Note: Spot did a great job with this and gave great insight to his hoop life. Playing 3+ times a week is how this old man seems to get better (honestly it's probably him staying the same and everyone else declining). I love hearing he's been T'd up multiple times. Welp, this concludes the series and one of my favorite things I have written about on the blog. Thanks to everyone for sending me this info. We are very close to Game 1 tip!

PCTI Basketball Training: HOP

I play 3-4 times a week, which has recently gone up for me. I still play a couple times a week with the crew that Ben talked about earlier. Some of you have gotten the pleasure of playing with these guys over the years. A little older than I would like, but there are some good players that come occasionally. Another game has recently started that is put together by some former Lipscomb guys. I don’t play in any leagues because they have not been fun due to the lack of competition and dealing with refs.

I like both of the games because there are some quality players but I am usually one of the more skilled players. I like that because I think it makes me get in an aggressive mind set for PCTI and keeps me in good basketball shape. Even though focusing on offensive is not my role in PCTI, I still am matching up with one of the more skilled players as well so I am having to play both ends of the floor well. The only thing I dislike about the games are there are some lazy players and that annoys me. I love that I have something consistent that I do not have to put together. This is the most I have played leading up to a PCTI in a while, so I am hoping it produces positive results on the floor.

This was much shorter due to not wanting to repeat the things Ben shared.

PCTI Basketball Training: Dani Boy

·  On average, how often do you play?

o 3x/week.

·  How did you get involved in the game(s)? How does it get put together?

o I found out a local gym had a half court with games so I checked it out.  The games were great and I started getting to know the guys... Ever since I earned my stripes and was added to the text chain, I've worn out my welcome but they are stuck with me, which seems to be my specialty.

·  Whats the make up of the group? Age, skill, size, etc

o 25-30 with one 42 year old.  All white, mostly played in high school, all bad athletes..  I would say it's a similar framework to PCTI, just on a lesser skill level.    

·  What is your role in these games? How does that differ from your role in PCTI?

o The opposite.  3-on-3 has always been my favorite brand of hoops because my style of play is much better suited for it.  I rarely leave the paint on offense but the fact that I can play inside/out and have all sorts of space to operate on both sides of the ball make me significantly more effective than in PCTI.

·  What is one thing you love about it? What is something you don't like?

o The owner recently sold the gym, so we have since moved to a really thin, very short court that looks like a Wallyball court with basketball nets. Initially, it was a negative because it appeared small, but we play no out of bounds, no passing it in and it's become straight chaos and EXTREMELY fast paced, which is awesome.  It's still 3-on-3 so we get the positives you want from 5-on-5 (the full court run), but also get the offensive repetition that comes from 3-on-3.  I wouldn't change a thing and love every second of it.  This game has become part of me, and I feel like I will be the most well prepared I've ever been coming into a PCTI.  

Editor's Note: We've been working on setting up a triangle on offense for our team. Good luck stopping us with Dani controlling everything and dominating the paint. 

PCTI Basketball Training: JJ Stephen

- I've been playing about twice per week. I doubt if anyone knows this, but I partially tore my plantar fascia either during PCTI Portland or soon after. It took until about February to heal because I kept trying to play and fucking it up, so that kept me out of hoops for quite a while. I'm back playing now with hopefully enough time to get my game somewhat in order. Thankfully during that time off I didn't get too fat.

- I don't have a "game" so to speak. I have to deal with weekday pickup runs at my local 24 hour fitness. Danny has been there and can attest to the drastic variation of skill amongst the players.

- Like I said before, ALOT of variation. Not many people over 35 though. Im usually the largest but occasionally some people will show up that are larger than I am. You'll have the typical overconfident horrible shooters, the guy that you can leave wide open under the basket and he panics and misses but for some reason thats where he stays 100% of the time, the guy that is scared to pass because a defender is within 3 feet of you so you have to literally go take the ball out of his hands, you know the usual.

- Role varies largely depending on who I play with. There are games where I may only get the ball a few times. These games typically don't make me very happy. It helps when I get to play with better players since they understand the basketball basics a little better.

- As compared to my role in PCTI, playing in these games puts me in an unfamiliar position. I've never been a good face up one on one player and typically when I get the ball that's what I have to do. I'm much more effective moving without the ball and using screens to get open and get in better positions to score.

- Love having something I know I can go to run around regardless of how shitty it may be. Hate pretty much everything else about it.

Side note, I just purchased my first pair of bball shoes since I got my Vince Carter Shox three plus years ago. They arrive Monday and I expect that purchase to spur me into playing more, just as buying a new toothbrush makes you automatically want to brush your teeth 3 times per day. Of course that's until you realize 2 days later how annoying it is to do that. So hopefully it will encourage me to get in the gym a lot from now til Cincy.

Editor's Note: We almost got through a whole post with Abe without talking about teeth or dental hygene. All I could think about when he was describing the bad players were Anderson and Franklin that were up at UT and awful. As a follow up, I would like Abe to post a pic of his new shoes and how they are holding up. TIA

PCTI Basketball Training: Sabesizzle

I'm playing twice a week right now. Would like to play more, but too many life commitments get in the way of hoop time. 3 kids plus a full-time career makes hoops a luxury item that doesn't always get its due.

I play in my pickup game on Saturday mornings and in a league on Sunday nights.

I organize my pickup game and have done so for 15 years. The talent pool is diminished but we enjoy each other and have a good time. We are mainly 30-45 year old ballers who just love to play. I would say I am one of the better players in this game, but it is a clear step down from PCTI-level talent.

The Sunday night league team is a bunch of my hoop friends who are good players. We are mainly 30-39 years old and many of us used to play in college. The league is a lot better competition than my pickup game. Perhaps comparable to PCTI-level talent.

I love my pickup game because it is mine. I created it and I am the President. But the talent level has gotten stale and thin over the years.

The league games are good, but I wish that I still had enough athleticism to really compete with some of the good young players. Some of these guys are still catching alley-oops, but that is beyond my current ability to compete.

Still love hooping. My favorite activity of all-time, outside of sex. Hopefully I can get in great shape for VII and be a meaningful contributor to my team.

Editor's Note: Good to know about the sex! This is bittersweet to hear for me because when I lived with Joe in Dallas, the game was so enjoyable. Great competition and never had to worry about not having people. I probably didn't appreciate it as much as I should have but hindsight is 20/20. Hate to hear talent has fallen off but glad it is still going. Much love to the Plano Mormons for letting us play in their gym!

PCTI Basketball Training: BAMBI

·  On average, how often do you play?

There's a 10:30 AM game M,W,F that I play in one to three times a week. I also played in a league in the winter and will play in another one before too long. The league is not very good competition but helps with getting in a game flow, shooting free throws, etc. 95 percent of my hoops comes in the pickup game. 

·  How did you get involved in the game(s)? How does it get put together?

This is a game that exists at the gym I belong to, Lexington Athletic Club. It's famous in PCTI lore as the site of the shoot-around before PCTI II. If my memory serves me correctly, we were fresh off the infamous PCTI wine night and had opened up a full box of Stanford swag sent in by Skillz. Hilariously, we were mistaken as an actual basketball team. 

Anyway, I got linked in to the game before moving to Austin because it worked well with my work schedule, since TV people work at night. The game was still intact when I got back to town and I joined back in it. Although I'm a "regular" this is just your typical health club gym (shoutout to PCTI Denver), so anyone could join the game at any time. 

·  Whats the make up of the group? Age, skill, size, etc

Ability wise, the vast majority of people are in a good age range and athletically inclined enough to make the game competitive. We just added an ex-NFL defensive tackle who is a few years younger than me who helps with the general size and athleticism of the game and who I often get matched up against because of my height. 

In a perfect world, I'd like to play in a game where I was in the middle third of players as far as ability goes, in this game I'm always in the top third. The competition is good enough that I'm confident my skills will be sharpened adequately for PCTI. I do have major concerns about conditioning, as the pace/energy of the games is slower than normal, as is often the case at an open pick up game. 

·  What is your role in these games? How does that differ from your role in PCTI?

PCTI historically is always a departure of sorts from the way I typically play. Since I'm a "big man" in PCTI (you know, since I'm 2 inches taller than about half of the supposed guards) I know for my PCTI team's spacing and overall flow I have to be willing to be the screen setter ("little to big" screens in PCTI are illegal, if you haven't heard) and float between the high post and short corner to do what's best for my team. In pickup games (and really in any basketball I've ever played sans PCTI) I typically have a little more freedom to float between the post and the perimeter, depending on who is guarding me and where the rest of my team is comfortable. I used to struggle with this but now I just make sure I make a point to focus a little bit more on getting in a big man's mindset in my pickup games in the weeks leading in to PCTI. 

·  What is one thing you love about it? What is something you don't like?

Obviously private games are ideal but considering I have typically worked at night and on the weekends, I'm fortunate to have this game at all. What I like most is that the guys are all pretty decent people and it's regularly scheduled, so I can also itch the basketball scratch within my schedule and never go more than a week without playing. What I like least is that it's still an open pickup game where if you lose you may have to sit for a half hour so sometimes it feels like you spent a lot of time at the gym and didn't get much in return. 

Editor's Note: What a glorious gym that was. I think this is the reason PCTI is so great. You can have a good consistent game but at the end of the day, PCTI is another level (or 3) over a good pickup game. Also, I like how he threw out the new addition of an NFL DT, but didn't name drop. That is journalistic integrity! 

PCTI Basketball Training: BINNY

Ben "JD" Wilson:

-Usually play 2x a week...Wednesday nights and early Saturday mornings.  Don't play outside of this game.

-First few times I played in the game was during visits to Nashville, and Ahop was able to slide me into the game.  Two of my high school teammates also play in said game, so that also helped for my vetting process.  One of three people put the game together...you get a text a day or two before each game asking if you can play.  A tight rotation of guys is usually kept...so if you miss a couple games, you move down the list depending on that game's organizer.  The "staples" get the text every time, and I think I've gotten into that group having played for a year now and making it a point early on to be available for every session when I first moved here.

-The usual group of guys range from late 20s to early 40s...I'm one of the youngest guys that plays.  Skill wise it's pretty comparable to PCTI minus the intensity most of the time...a couple of the guys probably played small college ball.  Size wise (in PCTI terms) it's usually 4 non-guards that get split up 2/2, and then 6-8 guards.  The staples pretty much play on the same team every time, so you have an idea of who you'll be playing with each time.  It's a mostly Caucasian game with an occasional dash of an ex-Titan player that one of the organizers would prolly give a handy to if he could.

-My role in these games is similar to my PCTI role...I think I'm relied upon to score so I don't hesitate to fire away, usually all for naught.  I usually have a non-guard that can also score that I can defer to if needed, but guard-wise I'm usually the top option to create my own shot...hardly goes in when I do, but you get the idea.  Will occasionally have better scorers put on my team, and I can defer to them as well.  But I'm not as effective that way because I'm not a great mover without the ball.  Defensively, I usually guard the other team's least threatening scorer...the only difference from Wes is that he doesn't stop moving, so I don't mind to guard him as PCTI prep so I can try to be totally not out of shape when I show up for PCTI.

-I love the format/timing of the games (3 games to 50 by 2's and 3's, sub in/out freely since we usually have 12, takes about 1.5 hours to play, winning team of last game gets ball first the next session).  The post-ball Chick Fil-a with the guys I hang out with outside of the game is also cool.  Dislikes, there are 1-2 people I just don't like playing with, and I'm basically always on my least favorite guy's team...and the 7am Saturday time can be hard to get up for sometimes, but it's getting easier in my advanced age. 

Editor's Note: This is the same game I play in so more to come when I post. 

PCTI Basketball Training: Rainbow

As sad as it may be, and it is sad, basketball might be the only hobby I've enjoyed over the past 6 years.  Given that I only play twice a week, that may help explain why I have so much anger/lash-outs when I play.  Until this year, I've never played organized basketball which i assume wont bode well given the group has been together for quite some time.  

I apologize ahead of time, but unfortunately DAN's name will be brought up in a few of the answers to the questions you asked.

I played pick up ball about 4 times a week at Gonzaga when I was in school; mainly to subdue the hangovers.  Games were 5 on 5, with fundamentally sound players but lacked any real "athleticism", as you could expect being in the Northwest.    

The first year and a half in Dallas, I didnt touch a basketball, due to not being able to find a game.  One faithful day, DAN naturally was able to recognize how miserable I was, and invited me to his 3 on 3  "crew" that meets after work.  We have been meeting about twice a week since then, and have kept a tight-nit, fairly competitive style game of 3 on 3.  

We have about 8 guys that routinely show up all ranging from late 20's to late 30's.  The skill level is all over the place yet each player has his own way of being effective: be it athleticism, vision and awareness, decision making, body control, or pure hard work and tenacity.  Although, it is 3 on 3, so the skills and movement we play against won't translate to full court play. Long story short, DAN is the slowest and most obnoxious of the bunch.  

To this day, no one, including myself, can explain my role as a basketball player.  I could be wrong, but given the meticulous dissecting that takes place amongst the members of PCTI; I'm confident someone will be able to define a role for my game.  Time will tell.  I dont have much to say about my role in PCTI for obvious reasons; but the overall consensus among the people who previously know me and spent time with me (smo & DAN) is: I am hated by almost everyone for unknown reasons.  We will see.  

The greatest thing about the 3 on 3 game is the consistency of the game.  Week in and week out I can count on playing and competing at a high level, and getting more than enough shots up and touches on the ball.  The one thing I dislike is playing against the same people creates routine and lazy habits which wont translate well going up against a dozen other guys I have never seen play.   

Hope this helps.

Editor's Note: This does NOT help... my confidence. You may as well have added, "I also like going to the pop-a-shot at Chuck E. Cheese every Friday to keep my shot strong." It is really going to embarrass me when you outplay me at PCTI.