Late Night Tip - TBT

Gentlemen of PCTI,

Although to some I may seem a little, dare I say... disorganized, there are aspects of my life that I am a little OCD. For instance, I take sips from water fountains in multiples of 3. EVERY TIME. Those 15, 18, and yes 21 sip trips typically result in a heavy breath/cough/throwup afterwards. My gmail inbox is another area that stays meticulously pieced together. Because of this, I have every single PCTI related email, all 335 threads. That's right... threads.

For some random reason I got the urge to look back on number 1 tonight. Just so happens that it's the ever popular Thursday that people have deemed the day to throw back to. After 7 solid years, it's a pretty nostalgic read. For those lifers, it will stir up some damn good memories. For those of you who weren't as fortunate, here is a glimpse into our origin. I give you, the Alpha Document.

Sent March 1, 2010

Fellas,

 

At this point, either myself or someone else has reached out to you guy's about what we are interested in doing.  After 3 year's of torturing me in college with his inability to wake up before noon, show up to a game on time, or simply being the slightest bit reliable, my arch enemy Josh Pitto came to me yesterday with an excellent idea him and Brian Eskgljkhdsfkgjshkfjhdsen thought up. 

 

So most guy's when they start growing into their mature years like to take golf trips with their buddies.  Since golf is an expensive, boring headache I have vowed to never play it again.  Anyway, that has nothing to do with it. 

 

Since we all graduated college I think we can all agree finding a really good game to play in is significantly tougher.  To some, it's non existant.  So here is what we are proposing:

• Basketball trip.  Set in a central location. 
• Everyone arrive Friday night (No work taken off).
• 14 players (All approved by me)
• Draft takes place schoolyard style that Friday night.
• Session Saturday morning, Saturday evening and then final tournament Sunday morning.
• Three games in each session.  2- 15 or 20 minute halves with running clock.
• Referees, scoreboard, stats all will be kept.
• MVP voted on and crowned at the end of the weekend.
• A weekend we can turn into a tradition.

The brightest side to all this is how inexpensive it will be.  Renting a gym, refs and stat keepers will probably cost about $30-40 a person.  With hotel and food we are talking about a $150 weekend to get some great hoops and make us feel like we are high school ballers again.  I know I haven't played in real games with solid players, no arguing, refs, free throws etc. in god knows how long.  I think keeping the stats will be a nice touch.

 

If things go smoothly I think this will be a great tradition.  Maybe put together a website that keeps track of our yearly stats, wins and losses, MVP's, etc.  So far I'm pumped about the feedback I have gotten from everyone.  Sounds like we are all on the same page.

 

Logistically, what do you guy's think about the weekend of June 5th and 6th set in Lexington, KY.  Good basketball city that is centrally located for most everyone I have spoken to, not to mention a good little city that we can have a good time in.  One of the player's included in this has some contacts there that could probably get us in a pretty good gym. 

 

I know Nashville would be the best spot now, but that defeats the purpose of this being a "Hoops trip."  So far, we are looking at a really solid group.

 

Let's use this email chain to discuss specifics including if that weekend works for you guy's (It's plenty of time in advance that it shouldn't be a problem) and what you guy's think. 

 

Quick scouting report on the guy's included on this email chain so that if they send an email you can put a game with the name:

 

• Danny Krow (G/F/C)-Can do it all.  Score from anywhere.  Will rebound and both ends of the floor.  Relentless on D.  Post up game is nearly unstoppable.  Impossible to keep out of the lane.  Sets up teammates nicely and does whatever it takes to win.  Potential number 1 overall pick that will probably bring home the MVP.  Think Eric Snow.
• Brent Carney (F/C)-6'5" and extremely long.  Can step out and shoot mid-long range.  Post up game can only go to the middle.  Defends the block well and times jumps perfectly.  Defensive assasin with his long arms and well timed jumps.  Relentless rebounder on both ends.  Weakness is that he has trouble controlling himself in key situations.  With refs, could definitely hurt his team with technical fouls. 
• Josh Pitto (PG)-Smallish 0 guard that stretches the court and wears out defenses with his range and ability to get into the lane.  Lazy on the ball defender but shoots the gaps well.  Prototypical Golden State Warriors player.  Attitude is a problem.  Can carry his team for a quarter then tear them apart just as quickly.  Whether Pitto has matured over the years remains to be seen, however he can make an impact and can catch fire at any time.
• Brian Eskildsen (PG, F)-Do it all guy.  Great teammate.  Combines excellent vision with a high basketball IQ.  Defends the post well and rebounds with authority.  Good finisher that can handle the ball.  However, a slow release and inability to get a decent rotation on his shot make him a relatively easy cover but you must account for him.  Tough guy to keep off the glass. 
• Bryan McKinney (F)-Ex marksmen who needs this game more then anyone.  A combination of no talent in Denver along with law school makes it tough for this guy to get into the games he once thrived in.  Quick release and mentality makes this guy a threat to catch fire at any time.  Rangy defender and offensive rebounding master that will punish you if you don't box him out.  Wears defenders out by never getting tired, running the floor, and crashing the boards on every play.  The only question is if McKinney still has it after years away from competitive games.
• Joe Thompson (PG)-Oversized PG with fluid hips and good core strength.  One of two ex-college basketball players that will be partaking in this game.  Solid defender that is known for his poke from behind steals.  Will shoot it with range and loves shooting on the run.  Likes to get physical with small PG's.  Hot head that can blow at any time.  How has this ex-Rhodes stars game progressed since graduation?  Will he be a heavy favorite for MVP?
• Josh Stephens (PG)-6'5" that plays like he is 5'5".  Gunslinging mentality.  Good finisher that can step out and knock down from anywhere.  Used to be a liability defensively but his passion on that side is coming along.  Can be a black hole at times but also dominant at times.  One of the few players in this game with actual talent.  The question is can he learn how to play as a team first guy with a few extra years under his belt? Working on his 8th year of college, one wonders whether this guy has matured or if he has just gotten even more immature.  If that's the case, don't expect much of a showing from this guy.  If so, look for a potential MVP candidate.
• Dawson Huff (F)-Ex college swingman that makes a living off a deadly set shot and mid range jumpers.  Can defend any size and has a variety of ways to score in his repatoire.  Rarely misses foul shots but lack of physicality does not put him there much.  Tough to say whether his game and passion have progressed or regressed.  That question will go a long way in finding out what kind of performance we can expect from Huff.
• Ben Wilson (G,F,C)-Extremely oversized and physical point guard with good vision.  Can take you down low and score with either hand.  Streaky shooter that prefers banging rather then playing along the perimeter.  Will work hard defensively and on the glass.  Struggles to handle the ball and can't do anything if Danny Krow is on the court with him. 
• Anthony Hopkins (UTL)-In rythmn shooter that can catch fire at any time.  +/- guy that will never be caught out of position.  Excellent on the ball and help side defender.  Good feel offensively when it comes to cutting or hitting a cutter.  Good teammate.  Loves the game.  Struggles to finish occasionally but overall a good guy to have on your squad.

There it is fellas.  Let's get some dialogue going.  Can we do this???

What had me laughing...
- The godfathers are no longer included. Are we the ultimate basketball mutiny? Yes.
- Dan Dan the Nostradaumus Man predicts his MVP... seven years prior.
- And I quote, "The brightest side is how inexpensive it will be".
- 3 sessions, 3 games per session. 9 total games. IN 2 DAYS! We were so young and naive.
- Poor Nashville, ostracized from the get go.
- BMac's needs have obviously changed
- Ahop "struggles to finish occassionally" only brings back the sight of Danny keeled over with tears of joy after watching what is now the infamous Red Sea Layup.

Miss you guys.