The Wire Comparison, Part II

After part 1, I realized some of you have not watched the Wire. In the wise words of Clay Davis:

You should clear your weekend plans and get started. If you need a HBO login, Joe has one from the SAG. Anyways, here is part 2 comparing players in PCTI to The Wire characters:

TP

“That’s real muscle right there” – Bodie

Bodie was the kid that raised from the corner boy to a general for Barksdale’s crew fairly quickly. Similarly TP rose from a late round pick to 3^rd overall! The thing that made Bodie great was he knew his role and he tried to teach others the best way to succeed was listen to those giving the orders. Will TP listen to those giving him orders or will he try and do more to prove his worth at 3? Also, this quote was just too good not to give TP.

BC

“But you know cameras. Kinda like pigeons in the storm. You know what I'm saying? Sometimes they come back, sometimes... but I'll keep an ear out on it.” – Marlo

Marlo was the young kingpin that was trying to take down Avon. In many ways, he was different than Avon, but he also has a lot of the same tendencies that made him great. If Abe is Avon, BC must be Marlo. It took Marlo’s crew years before they took over West Baltimore’s drug scene but eventually did. This quote is also fitting because BC saying he was done with the cameras, but he’s like a pigeon in the storm, this time he came back. Is this the year BC take the crown from Avon as PCTI’s best player?

Smo

“Little Squeak, off of Lanvale. Yeah, she used to boost for Turtle Wells' old mob. She lost a little bit of weight, too. I mean, looking a lot better than I remember. And I remember a lot about that girl.” – Bubbles

I imagine Smo saying this exact quote to BC and fucking lose it every time. I just hope he says it at PCTI. Bubbles was one of my favorite characters as he was always in a good mood and trying to get people around him to laugh. Unfortunately, he also struggled with shooting up. On and off the court Smo tries to make everyone laugh but unfortunately, he struggles with caring about basketball (and shooting up, per Ben and TP). In both cases, pretty much everyone is rooting for him. Can Smo turn it around like Bubbles did?

Doctor Joey

“I still wake up white in a city that ain't.” – Carcetti

Carcetti was an up and coming politician that wanted to make an impact the “right way”. Being a white politician in a city that was majority white, he knew he was going to have to hustle. Similarly, Actor decided to take on Tinseltown even though he is ugly as sin in a town where everyone is beautiful. He finally broke through with his role as Gunner in Talents. He continues to gobble up tens of followers with his dramedy performances on Instagram as JT$ingz. It was clear last year at PCTI that his fame had gotten to his head and didn’t perform well. Rumor has it he went to rehab immediately following Cincy. Will he bounce back this year or will Gunner Dawson return to the courts?

Sabes

“I'm doing like one of them marriage counselors. Charge by the hour to tell some fool he need to bring some flowers home. Then charge another hour telling the bitch she oughta suck some cock every little once in a while. You know, keep a marriage strong like that.” – Prop Joe 

First off, Sabin and Prop Joe are twins. Second, they are roughly the same age. JOKES!! The comparison is great because Prop Joe was the “wise” gangster that always gave advice and had his hands in everything. Just like Saban is the “wise” PCTI guy and does everything well on the court. I’m really excited to see who Saban takes under his wing this year. I’m also really excited for when shit goes down with him and Joe. I also think Saban is great to get into a conversation with about life because he has some great things to share but he also genuinely listens which most of us don’t (you know, because we are narcissistic assholes). I doubt you’ll hear Sabez give the advice Prop Joe did, even though it’s #smart.

Spot

“At all hazards, a man must keep up appearances. Dignity, I say. Dignity above all.” – Bunk

A man that keeps up appearances is Spot. Not afraid to be himself, he will dress as wild as he wants but can also be the coolest looking dude in the room. Bunk was also an excellent detective but stayed within the rules of the law. Spot is an excellent player but stay within the rules of himself. He doesn’t turn the ball over, knocks down open 3s, cuts and drives to the rim, and rarely gets burnt bad on D. Off the court, Spot and I have been able to enjoy a few cold ones together and while there are times we both get loose (same as Bunk and McNulty), he is also one of the best guys to have a conversation with.

DK

“We didn’t think we would make it this fucking far, but fuck if we ain’t standing here right now with the whole world at our feet. The whole world, man, not these fucking corners. The whole world, B.” - Stringer

I had to finish with the captains and IMO the two best characters in the show. Stringer is the “smart” gangster that goes to school and takes business classes to figure out a way to run their drug ring better, but always played second banana to Avon. He also tried to get in legitimate business deals investing in real estate (with shady politicians). DK has always been known as a gritty defender that wouldn’t hurt you on offense and an overall smart player (plus both are beautiful men). He also continues to work on his game and really developed his shot over the years and carried his team on both ends for the first couple days. Stringer’s demise came from him thinking he could run the business without involving Barksdale. Did anyone think Dan would make it this far? Fuck it he’s the MVP with the whole PCTI at his feet. PCTI man, not 3 on 3 pick up. PCTI, boys.

BIN

“Y’all might need to think this through and stop wasting my time, ’cause Omar can come back tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day.” - Omar

Omar comin! Omar comin! This is the cry of many people as Omar would walk down the street in broad daylight whistling while carrying his sawed-off shotgun, a bulletproof vest, and a trench coat. He was a fan favorite because he would rob the gangs and take care of the poor. Also, Omar was gay and I still have questions about Wilson and TP. At one point, Omar had to jump down from roughly 50 feet up to save himself, which was basically what Ben did with the trash can pass last year. This was the hardest character to pick a good quote for because he has so many but I thought this represented Ben well because when you are guarding him, he keeps coming at you. Omar was the most destructive single person on the show and wasn’t afraid to take on anyone. While Abe is consistently better, I think Ben is the most destructive player in PCTI when he is rolling. Will Dani’s team be saying “Ben comin! Ben comin!” all weekend or will it just be TP?

I know the writing was choppy but hopefully everyone enjoyed. Again, if you haven’t watched the show, I would tell you to get on it ASAP. I’ll leave you with one of the best scenes of the entire show: