Careers of PCTI part II

Team Good Guys + special guest:

Name: Michael Orr

Where do you live: Marcy projects – chattanothingtodoga 409 georgia ave 37403

Where do you work: CH Robinson

What is your job title?: Sales

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: I find people who move freight and I sell to them. It's unrewarding.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: [No answer]

Name: Danie Krow

Where do you live: 5 minutes from the Shops at Legacy, Plano and 1 minute from Prestonwood Church, home of PCTI4.

Where do you work: FreshPoint, Dallas.  15 minutes from the Shops at Legacy, Plano.

What is your job title?: I don't have one.  Seriously, I have no title.  If I did, I wouldn't say it either because I'm so tired of all these ridiculous titles people throw out.

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: I'm currently working on putting together an outbound freight program for FreshPoint.  Three weeks ago, I had no idea what outbound freight meant.  Thanks to fellow PCTI member (and one of the many logistics gurus in this league) Smo Orr, I've been able to gain enough knowledge to understand what lanes, lumpers, etc. mean.  For anyone that knows me, they know how hilarious me working on this is.  I can't get anywhere without a GPS, have no idea how to build a pallet, and really just hate logistics as it is.  As far as giving anymore detail I'm going to stop there, as I've always preferred people not actually have any clue what I do, so that it's left up to their imagination as to whether I make $10K or $500K/year.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: If you ever see a FreshPoint truck on the road, think of me unloading the truck.  I've done it.

Name: Bryan McKinney

Where do you live: Scottsdale, AZ

Where do you work: Allstate Insurance, Tempe, AZ

What is your job title?: Field Sales Leader

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: I drive around visiting Allstate agents helping them develop business plans that drive the results they want...if it doesn't generate revenue, I don't talk about it. I also have to hire a certain number of agents per year.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: [No answer]

Name: Abraham

Where do you live: Right cheer...

Where do you work: Aspen Dental Laboratory. 3 miles east of that blue dot seen above

What is your job title?: I can technically choose anything considering I'm the only one in my position and have the potential to earn more cash money than the owner of the company. So I'll choose... "Senior Executive National Sales Account Manager"

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: I get to talk to women all day, and an occasional metro/homosexual male, at dental offices. My goal is to persuade them to use our products and services through common sales tactics with the help of an award winning smile and unmeasurable charm. 

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: My company consists of 90% Koreans. It makes for a lot of awkward moments and smells.

Name: Michael Beasley, aka Cap’n

Where do you live: Alpine Meadows California. 

Where do you work: High Sierra water ski school.  Sunnyside Lake Tahoe

What is your job title?: Boat Captain/Instructor......Instruct kids- adults how to water ski, wakeboard, surf, and give site seeing tours around Lake Tahoe.

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: What is important about this job is that it goes from May 1- Nov 1. This winter I decided to wing it and not work. This has provided ample time for PCTI training.  However, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are getting old. 

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: [No answer]

Name: Brian Eskildsen

Where do you live: I live in Palo Alto, CA about 5 minutes away from Stanford's campus

Where do you work: I work for Stanford's Men's Basketball team in the Arrillaga Family Sports Center on Stanford's Campus.

What is your job title?: Video & Recruiting Coordinator

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: Most days involves scouting opponents, working practice, sending recruits information, and watching basketball.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: [No answer]

Name: Josh Pitto

Where do you live: Murfreesboro, TN. Living with the pops and little brother (Rocco).

Where do you work: Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, TN.

What is your job title?:  High school Math Teacher (Senior math)

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: Change lives.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: No.

Name: AHOP

Where do you live: 5 min south of downtown Nashville right behind Zanie’s.  

Where do you work: CEVA Logistics. (Making Business Flow)

What is your job title?: Production Control Manager

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: CEVA in Nashville is in charge of getting Dell’s orders to the customer as quickly as we can. I am in charge of making sure we have all parts we need to ship those orders at our warehouse. If a part is not in house, I have to order it or figure out when it will become available to order. I also do a bunch of daily reports to show how well we are performing our jobs.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: My job has caused me to become an Excel Master. I am one level away from Excel Guru status. If anyone needs help, please ask. $30/ hr is a deal.

Name: Deuce

Where do you live: I live in a suburb of Nashville TN (Donelson) 15secs away from tobacco shops in all directions.

Where do you work: Stream2theweb. Also work for Marshall Graphic Systems. Work out of Cool Springs (Brentwood TN).

What is your job title?:  Stream2theweb- Producer/Editor/Videographer

                Marshall Graphics Systems:  Demo Artist/Product Specialist for NEWTEK Products

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: Filming, Editing & Producing Videos.  Traveling all over the Southeast Selling and Demo'ing products, Taking Tech Support calls.

Produced several online, Commercial and Promotional videos.   Latest Commercial was unfortunately for CNN...For Al Gore.  Worked with Dave Ramesy Group, Dee Haslem and been offered to help Live productions with CMT/MTV here in Nashville.  No job is to big, no fee is to big!  HOLLA!!

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: [No answer]

Careers of PCTI part I

I emailed some questions to everyone about their careers and I finally have gathered everyone's answer's. I will break this out by team.

Team Josephine:

Name: Bruiser Stickman Van Gay

Where do you live: Burton Hills Neighborhood - Pretty much the corner of Harding Place and Hillsboro Road about 10min from down town Nashville.

Where do you work: DC Integration - Located in Spring Hill TN - 35+ min drive to work.

What is your job title?: Project Manager/Office Manager/Treasurer

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: Manage on going projects of mine. Try and bring in new projects/sales. Oversee Accounting. Make decisions on day to day operations of the office.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: We specialize in designing and installing turn-key conveyor systems for major distribution centers. Although our specialty is full conveyor systems, we also deal with any other operations related to material handling including but not limited to scaling, packaging, autoboxing, mezzanines, racking, and sorting. We also handle spare parts and offer preventative maintenance services. We strive in developing exclusive, long-term relationships with our customers.

Name: Dr. Joe Thompson (Stage Name--Jeremiah Ensworth)

Where do you live: Hollywood; Runyon Canyon

Where do you work:  All of Los Angeles

What is your job title?: Actor

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: I have two jobs.  Working on finding work and actually working (acting).

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: Getting into character is tough.  Creating a backstory that you can convey through the camera lens and move the audience is extremely tough.  All I can do is perform and everything else is completely out of my hands when it comes to Casting Directors, Directors, Producers, Studio heads, Marketing Executives, etc making the decision on whether I get a role or not.

I also have managed to do impressions of every person of PCTI.  THAT'S FUCKIN' ACTIN'.

Name: Scott Andrew Donley

Where do you live: Neenah, Wisconsin.  30min South of Green Bay and 90min North of Milwaukee and Madison.

Where do you work: Kimberly-Clark Corportation in Neenah, Wisconsin.  For those that may not be familiar, we are a Consumer Packaged Goods company.  A few KC brands include -- Huggies, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Pull-Ups, Depend, Viva, Scott Extra Soft and Towels, and multiple Kirkland Signature brands (shout out to all Costco shoppers).

What is your job title?: Sr. Production Planning Specialist - Infant Care

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: Bullet Points!

·  Owner of 12wk to 6mo production planning horizon, providing production scheduling direction to 6 tactical indirect reports for all Huggies Supreme, Huggies Pure & Natural, and Kirkland Signature diapers -- Krow, we'll talk about what you need to purchase at a later date.

·  Manage inventory and SKU (or Stock Keeping Unit for the non business folks) mix for North America to hit 2.2 billion dollars in sales and 10 million in operating profit, with a cost savings objective of 3 million in 2013

·  Bored Yet?

·  Manage production cycle time and asset utilization accross three mills and 12 assets.

·  I'm assuming maybe half the group has a better understanding of what I do now.  And I did my best to keep it high level.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?:  If anyone actually wants to know more, I'd be happy to indulge them in their attempt at suicide by boredem.

Name: Wes Murray

Where do you live: Martinsburg, WEST, by god, VIRGINIA

Where do you work: Macy's Logistics, Martinsburg, WV

What is your job title?:  Beauty Operations Manager

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: I manage a team of 49 associates that are responsible for shipping Macy's .com orders (think Amazon). I listen to people bitch and moan about having to hit productivity numbers, think of new ideas to improve productivity, set schedules, correct clockings for pay, and most of all get bitched at for the incompetency of the other managers around me. Can you tell I have hated my job for the past 6 months?

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: [No answer]

Name: Jeff Sabin

Where do you live: Plano, TX

Where do you work: An undisclosed national bank

What is your job title?: Correspondent Banker

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: What that means is that I make loans to our bank customers, not individuals. So if a bank wanted $50M to make mortgage loans or car loans, they would come to us to get funding for it. My primary responsibility is to be a relationship manager for our bank customers in my sales territory. An easy way to think about it is that I sell money. I work in Dallas.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: [No answer]

Name: Benjamin Wilson

Where do you live:  I live in Atlanta, GA, in the northern suburb of Sandy Springs.  Roughly 15 miles north of downtown.

Where do you work:  PGA Junior League Golf.  Office is located in Norcross, GA, which is roughly 15 miles northeast of downtown.

What is your job title?: Don't really have one, as I am a master of all things.  If I had to have one, I guess you could say I'm a Regional Manager...I do a jumble of different things.

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: As mentioned, I do a bunch of different stuff.  For 2013 season, it looks like this:  October 2012-March 2013, essentially I am a salesman/recruiter.  Traveled a few times to different shows/conventions to talk about the program and recruit facilities and their golf professionals to hop onboard and have a team(s) of kids to compete in a local league.  April 2013 I will be tying up recruiting and beginning to shift into event management mode, as I start to place my people into leagues and get each league on the same page to get the season underway.  May 2013-mid July 2013 will be full on event management, as I'll be administering each of the leagues/regions I've been given and making sure each league runs smoothly (will be GA, NC, SC, and a few other areas which are TBD that I'll be given).  Mid July-end of August 2013 will have me traveling to various City/Sub-Regional/Regional championship sites to run each event.  September 6-8, 2013 will have me helping run our National Championship.  Once that's over, the cycle pretty much starts again.

On top of this, I manage the logistics of our materials, I develop the intra-office spreadsheets and documents, I am the liaison between our Creative and the office, and I do inventory control.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?:  No, think that about covers it.

Name: Spotlight

Where do you live: Jamaica Plain (Boston), under 30 minutes walking to Fenway PAAHHK 

Where do you work: World Connect 

681 Main St Suite 337

Waltham, MA 02451 

www.worldconnect-us.org

(feel free to make donations peoples)

What is your job title?: Program Manager 

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: Officially: Manage a portfolio of more than 150 international development projects focused on improving the lives of women and children in the developing world. Create lasting connections between these international projects and middle and high school student groups in the US.

Unofficially: Talk on the phone and email with anywhere from ten to one hundred Peace Corps Volunteers per day, troubleshooting and collecting data for ongoing projects, and hang out with high school kids.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: In 2013, I'll get paid to travel to Dominican Republic, Rwanda and Peru. Eat it. 

Name: Brent Carney

Where do you live:  I live in Austin, ten minutes northwest of downtown in an area called The Arboretum. I live in an apartment with my girlfriend Angie and my dog Reuben Carney.

Where do you work: I work at KXAN. It is located in Austin, nearby the campus of the Univ. of Texas

What is your job title?: My job title is Weekend Sports Anchor

Give us a day to day breakdown of what you do: I anchor the sports during the news at 6, 9 and 10 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I also work two other days during the week, typically Wednesday and Thursday. What I do on those days varies depending on what's going on. Often times I wind up anchoring on one of those days, too. Otherwise I'm either at sporting events or working on stories about local athletes, teams, etc. About half the time I do my best Deuce Hite impression and shoot my own video, the rest of the time I work with a photographer. On the days I anchor I'm responsible for choosing what I'm going to put in the show, writing the scripts and editing the video.

Anything else of importance we need to know about your job or what you do?: Anything else important? I interviewed for this job and later in the same day played in PCTI III.

Quad Pod HANG - Hops due to technical difficulty

Hangin

Underrated Aspects

I was going to write an article on the overrated aspects of each player in PCTI, but apparently there is a million word limit on each blog post...

Underrated Aspects 

Team Thompson

Patrick Higdon - I use his actual other name for 2 reasons. 1) I'm kind of over "Spotlight". Mainly because he is not on my team, and I don't want to call anyone on an opposing team by a nickname they thoroughly enjoy. 2) His first name correlates perfectly with another Patrick... Patrick Star, the simple-minded starfish from Spongebob. Just like his cartoon counterpart, Mr. Higdon tends to keep his mind on one thing for an extended amount of time. That one thing is "cut to the basket". Whether it be a back-door cut or a direct line to the rim for an offensive rebound, he is always cutting. One of the few, if not the only, players who isn't stagnant on offense from time to time.

Underrated aspect = constant movement

Quaker Steak and Wes - If the amount of criticism regarding this guy's basketball skills was a burger it'd be an animal style thousand-stacker with a block of American cheese between each patty. I could literally pick any aspect of his game and call it underrated, and everyone would be like, "yeah, that definitely has potential as an underrated aspect of his game, because I think he sucks at that". That being said, I truly think Fil-A has a quality that several people in PCTI do not possess. Wes very rarely, if ever, wastes possessions due to poor decision-making. Look at the tape... He keeps the (Montee) ball moving, stays spaced and never forces a shot. HE KEEPS THE BALL MOVING, STAYS SPACED AND NEVER FORCES A SHOT. I understand he has an infinite amount a few negatives in his game, but I guess what I am saying is... It could be worse.

Underrated aspect = ball movement

Scott Donley - I feel like everyone is on the Donley train as him being an elite player in PCTI. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from last night his early departure in PCTI II, but everyone knows that good-looking people can get away with stuff like that. When it comes to an underrated aspect of Donley's game, there isn't much to pick from since everyone has most aspects of his game at the top of leaderboard. However, I think his ability to space the floor is vastly underrated. If a team in PCTI has a guy who guards the other team's 4 or 5 AND not have to worry about him clogging the lane on the offensive end, that's extremely valuable in my book. If he can play like a 2 (which he claims is his natural position) and nullify/neutralize an opposing rebounder, Team Eskildsen will have to use a prime defender, and that leaves weaker defenders on an island with the likes of a big time scoring threat like Joe, and God knows no one wants be stuck on any island with Joe...

Underrated aspect = versatility

Bambi - I still don't think I know what BC (powder) does out there. There are games he puts up a double-double and I can't (total) recall one made shot or rebound of his. With the first two PCTI's being coordinated almost solely by him, I just chalked this conundrum up to Bambi paying off the stats keepers he personally hired. However, after close examination of the PCTI III dvds I began to notice a tiny/slender object grabbing loose balls around the rim... I honestly believe that I just couldn't see him the first 2 years. I thought the basketball was still "loose" or "up for grabs", when in actuality that was BC controlling a rebound or dribbling. Most underrated aspect = invisibility?

Underrated aspect = sneaky effectiveness

Bruiser - Everyone knows when this guy has the energy and will power, his low-post game is nearly impossible to stop. So the question for anyone on a team (Mark) graced with Bruiser's presence has to ask themselves what can be done to keep his energy and will power higher than Beas at 4:20 on a Saturday. I think the answer ties in with Bruise's most underrated aspect, and that's his versatility. Anytime you can save some energy while scoring points, that's going to be a plus. If he can hit that shot at the elbow and force his defender out 5-10 further than he'd like, it will make gaining position on the inside much easier when the time comes. When Bruise is hitting his (White Men Can't) jump shot, it can turn his team into an offensive juggernaut.

Underrated aspect = ability to carry an offense

Ben Wilson - I promise I'm not going to mention a possible resurgence or his past greatness on the basketball floor (except for this sentence). BMW isn't an X factor. He is the A, B and C factor for the Actor's Guild. This stud muffin caught some a lot of grief for his defensive effort in PCTI III, and deservedly so. Most of this heckling was due to a lack of weak-side help, but he was actually in the top 3 in deflections (Eski and Abe were 1/2). I know that because I "restatted" the entire series... seriously.

Underrated aspect = deflections (I was going to put "quick hands", but that's a little strong)

Joe Thompson - The dude can score. End of story. I'm not fully sold on the reputation of "awesome offensive rebounder" everyone keeps (hula) hooping and hollering about. However, I am completely sold on his ability to acquire the ball when the opposing team is putting forth an effort to advance the ball in a manner that will result in a made basket (aka steals). I'm the first person to scream overrated when it comes to the "steal" statistics in basketball. Although I like gambling, I do not like gambling on defense. I think it contributes to more easy baskets for the team on offense than it does for the defense, BUT this is PCTI basketball, and that means it doesn't matter if no one is playing defense, easy baskets don't happen often. If Joe gambles in a passing lane and loses, worst case scenario is an open jump shot for the opposing team... Not many any high percentage jump shooters in PCTI.

Underrated aspect = steals that result in easy baskets for his team

PCTI4 OFFICIAL ITIN STICK

Exactly one week from today we will be arriving to kick off PCTI4 with a nice, laid back golf game.  Rest assure that will be the only laid back portion of the trip, as this is going to be hands down the most competitive, hard nosed, balls to the wall hoop session any of us will get for a long time.  Who the victors will be remains to be seen, but this is going to be a 3 day battle that I for one am chomping at the bit for. 

Without further ado, allow me to present the most important part of everyone's year, the PCTI4 itin stick. 

**BRUISESTICK CALL OUT: THIS ITIN IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Room Breakdown (each named after a former wrestling tag team/stable)....

The Heenan Family: Skillz, Ca$h, Smo

Money Incorporated: Actor, Bruisestick, BMC.  Watch video below to see Actor welcome Stick to the company.

Truth Commission: Sabes, Brat, Goldberg (couldn't you see these three walking out to this song?)

The Spirit Squad: Donley, Beas, Hops, Spot.

The Faces of Fear: Pitto, Murray, Abe.

Wednesday, April 17th:

9:15 am: Cockstick arrives.
9:35 am: Ben Wilson Chandler arrives.
10:35 am: Ca$h Money Stick, Sabestick, Abestick arrive.
12:45 pm: Spotstick arrives.
2:10 pm: Tee Time @ Moonvalley CC.  Club Pro-Bubba Franks.
5:45 pm: SmoStick arrives-Picks up van.
5:45 pm: DEUCE arrives-Ride with Smo.
5:50 pm: Hop Money arrives-Ride with Smo.
5:55 pm: Wes Money arrives-Ride with Smo.
6:00 pm: Check-In Marriott Suites Old Town Scottsdale (7325 E 3rd Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ)
7:00 pm: Drinks in the Heenan Family room.
7:10 pm: Pittstick arrives-Arrange transportation via Smo/McKinney/cab.
7:55 pm: The Act Unit arrives-Arrange transportation via Smo/McKinney/cab.
8:15 pm: Skilkstick arrives-Arrange transportation via Smo/McKinney/cab.

*NOTE-No official meal plans.

Thursday, April 18th:

9:15 am: The Bratstick arrives-Arrange transport via Smo/McKinney/cab.
10:00 am: Cinnamon Challah French Toast at THE BREAKFAST CLUB.  Guest Emilio Estevez.
11:11 am: Michael Bizstick arrives-Arrange transport via cab.  No one is coming to get you.
12:30 pm: Stickman arrives-Arrange transport via Smo/McKinney/cab.
3:00 pm: Senior citizen dinner @ Oregano's.
6:00 pm: Game 1 Tip Stick, Rancho Polano Prep School.
7:00 pm: Game 2 Tip Stick, Rancho Polano Prep School.
10:00 pm: PCTI TRIVIA and pre-game in The Heenan Family room.  Bring your knowledge!
BAR CHOICE: Head to Bruise's dream bar "Saddle Ranch" for some country livin' and beer drinkin'.


Friday, April 19th:

10:00 am: Omelets at THE BREAKFAST CLUB. 
11:00 am: Activate a good bronze for the camera.
1:00 pm: Snack work/lunch on own.
3:30 pm: Game 3 Tip Stick, Rancho Polano Prep School.
6:00 pm: Game 4 Tip Stick, Rancho Polano Prep School.
7:00 pm: Game 5 Tip Stick, Rancho Polano Prep School.
10:00 pm: Pre-Game in The War Room.
BAR CHOICE: Head to Actor's hometown bar "Martini Ranch" for some Ricky Martini's and overpriced drinks.


Saturday, April 20th:

10:00 am: Game 6 Tip Stick, Rancho Polano Prep School.
11:00 am: Game 7 Tip Stick, Rancho Polano Prep School.
1:00 pm: Lunch at PF Chang's.  Special sauce must be ordered extra spicy.
2:00 pm: Long Island Ice Teas at the pool. Only the strong survive.
7:30 pm: Dinner @ Bungalow Bar.
7:40 pm: BC makes a toast.
8:15 pm: VOTE on PCTI5 location.
9:00 pm-3 am: See below.

Sunday, April 21st:

• Who wants to talk about Sunday?
• Not me.

Dress Code-From what I have gathered, Scottsdale is a very fashion forward town.  If you have questions on what that means, please contact Bruisestick or Skillz for details.

Notable Links:

Old Town Scottsdale Area: http://www.scottsdaledowntown.com/RestaurantsAndNightLife.aspx
Hotel: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phxst-scottsdale-marriott-suites-old-town/
TR Dinner: http://www.oreganos.com/oldtown.htm
Treats: http://www.sugarbowlscottsdale.com/
TR and FRI Breakfast: http://www.breakfastclub.us/
Sat. Night Dinner: http://www.bungalowbarandgrill.com/
Gym: Below is a picture of Rancho's HS football coach. Mike Hite Sr.?

See you foolettes soon.

PCTI the Cuatro: MVP Odds

I like to talk. No one will answer a phone call if they know it's me. PCTI has a blog. Everyone reads it. It's time for me to capitalize.

I've been hesitant to post on the blog for a variety of reasons.

1. I'm lazy, and this requires some degree of effort.
2. I don't want to be anything like Sabin.
3. I don't ACTUALLY want to piss anyone off (except Sabin).

That being said, I don't need to contribute more than just the entire idea of this weekend everyone loves so much.

Everyone knows I like to (Chris) gamble, so I thought I'd go with some MVP odds for PCTI IV.


Josh Stephen(s): 2:1

Clear favorite. Coming off the first sweep in PCTI history, he'll be anxious to remind everyone he's more of a Bill Russell than a R.C. Buford. Having the highest ppg should lock up MVP for Abe, especially since he has figured out the formula for being the most liked guy in PCTI...

1. Have very few opinions
2. Be the runner-up "most liked guy"
3. Let Krow constantly hate on someone for being the actual "most liked guy" (Ben Wilson)
4. Abe wins.

 Brent Carney: 12:1

Probably getting some decent value on Bambi here at 12 to 1 based on his popularity, and well deserved after his Craig Sageresque performance in PCTI III. However, I'm taking the 35:1 prop bet that he shows up in a Milwaukee Bucks "Fear the Deer" t-shirt. I really hope I just ruined something simple he has been planning for months.


Scott Donley: 6:1

Betting on Donley to win MVP is like betting on Lee Westwood to win a PGA tournament. You know you are going to get a solid performance, and everyone will mention him as a possible winner throughout the entire tournament, until he doesn't win.


Michael Orr (Smo): 10000:1

A few centers who never had a chance at an MVP in the NBA:

• Kendrick Perkins
• Bill Cartwright
• Tyson Chandler

They all have something in common (besides being black and human)... role players on a championship team. That will have to be good enough for this tall drink of water, but don't feel too bad for this guy. The odds of Smo winning the off-court MVP are 1:10000 every single year.


Michael Beasley: 5:1

I feel like (bumble) beas is the only player in this thing who has the possibility of averaging anywhere from 5 to 25 ppg. Having only played in one PCTI, his true niche has yet to be determined. I believe he is one of the few players who can win MVP without averaging double-digit points. Rumor has it he will be guarding the "actor", and a lot of people will put MVP type value in that defensive effort should Team Eskildsen come out on top, and rightfully so. Throw in his ability to create for others, I'm not sure he has to score a point all weekend to win MVP... but he will score... Damn... (recalculating odds)...


Wes Murray: off the board

I love Wes. I'm serious. That's not just a compliment to cushion the blow of any statements that might will follow. He really is an awesome guy, and I hate any talk of him being forced out of PCTI. That's ridiculous. Not borderline ridiculous, full on ridiculous. I could write an entire article on why that is, but I'll save it. Anyways, if you want a good laugh, envision what Fil-A putting in an MVP performance would look like. Gives you the same feeling as envisioning Chris Paul not flopping for an entire basketball game or Mark price dunking all over Mutombo and Mourning simultaneously.

*Odds of Murray becoming a captain before BC/Donley/Sabin: Even money. (Seriously).


Ben Wilson: 4:1

If Team Thompson (TT) wins this year, it has to be due to the resurgence of this once nimble grizzly bear. The actor has put the spotlight on himself (there is a sexual joke in there somewhere) when it comes to scoring, so TT is going to need someone to lighten the load, if not take the majority of it. A little bird told me "Ben is back". If that's the case, 4:1 on this guy is easy money. IN MY OPINION, I think TT winning PCTI IV and Ben winning MVP goes hand in hand.


Hannibal Lector: 55:1

This sportsbook has Team Eskildsen winning PCTI IV, so anyone on that team is going to have slightly better odds of winning MVP (Yes, I said I believe my team is going to win. I didn't Jeff Sabin Rasheed Wallace it or say the other team is garbage, so don't get your panties in a wad.). Ahop is an interesting bet here at 35:1. I think a lot of people were taking the easy way out with MVP the first few years, but as everyone starts to resent the same people winning gets more and more comfortable with each other, their votes for MVP will reflect more of an all-around performance or "glue players" and away from "points scored". If that's the case, give me a Ulysses S. (Horace) Grant on Hops.

*The Horace Grant thing was forced in about 8 different ways on my part, but it's Horace Grant. Come on.


Brian Eskildsen (I chose to spell it correctly. Shocking, I know.): 7:2

He's the best player in this thing. I know it. You know it. He knows it. I'm not sure if that works for or against him this year. I won't vote for him, because I secretly want to win MVP myself, so I wouldn't vote for the player who I think has the best chance of getting more votes than me. I'm hoping everyone secretly wants to win MVP and after reading this now realizes what they need to do in order for someone else other than Brian to win.


Danny Krow: 55:1

The explanation is right along the same lines as Ahop's. I would say he is a (Samari) role player, but I'm not exactly sure what the term "role player" means anymore. Does that mean he lacks a skill to make him something more than a role player? Does it mean he specializes in one aspect of the game? I think even he would admit that scoring isn't his (too easy) forte, but does that make him a less valuable player than someone who would admit playing defense isn't that their forte? I would say his specialty is defense, but his above average passing ability was put on display at times in PCTI III. Team Eskildsen legitimately has 4 point guards, but the fruit man may be the most... (I literally just sat here for 5 minutes trying to think of something he did better than the other 3 point guards, and I'm now typing this sentence)...


Spotlight: 1500:1

This guy had a solid showing in PCTI III, but there seemed to be a bit of  a "surprise performance" feeling from those who had seen him play prior to the event. I thought he played the game the right way. He let the game come to him (this strategy didn't work as well for him with Angeline). In a basketball tournament where the majority of the shots feel forced or unwarranted, he chooses his "spots" (ba-zing) wisely. He doesn't play the type of game that most would consider MVP worthy, but like i said earlier, I think that attitude changes in the coming years.


Bruiser: 18:1

I'm going to choose my words very carefully here. First off, this whole "Bruise hates Pitto" thing isn't entirely correct. Off the court, it is beyond cordial between us. One would almost call it a friendship. However, everyone saw the look in his eyes during game 4 when I was going in for a fast-break layup. I'm 100% serious when I say I might be typing this post using one of those blow straws attached to a keyboard mechanism (I think those exist. For some reason that comes to mind) if I had not bailed out on that layup. I'd like to chalk that incident up to it being the final game of the impending sweep. I think anyone was getting Dick "Night Train" Lane'd there, and I just happen to be the unlucky soul. At least that's how I am going to rationalize it.

Oh yeah, MVP odds... He could win if PCTI was built like a college basketball season, but it's not. It takes a TON out of you to bang down low for an entire game, and since PCTI is built more like an NFL team playing the Thursday night game, that one Saturday night game, Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, Sunday night and MNF in the same week, it's going to be tough for Bruise to remain consistent throughout the entire series.


McKinney: 400:1

This is an instance where I feel a little bad about deeming someone such a long-shot to win MVP. McKinney is a unique player in every sense of the word. We aren't even sure what makes him unique (other than injuring everyone), but yet we are so sure he is unique. I think I just said he has unique uniqueness...

Here is the thing about McKinney, I think he is stuck in between trying to be an MVP candidate or an elite role player. Ironically, I think he has a better chance of becoming MVP if he embraces being an elite "role player". I personally asked Brian to draft McKinney so he wouldn't be guarding me. I don't if that had any influence on his draft selection, but I do know whoever McKinney ends up guarding won't be happy about it. If he is put on a team that has him confident in his role, or a roommate willing to watch the entire CostCo documentary the night before (dude loves him some History channel), I think he shines as one the best 2nd tier players (1st tier: Abe, Brian, Donley, Joe).

Pitto: Even money

"Sportsbook Pitto" knew "degenerate gambler Pitto" was going to bet on himself no matter what the odds were, so he just gave him shitty odds.  


In summation, thank you for the distraction from doing what I get paid to do.

As PCTI Draws Near, Off-Season Silence Speaks Volumes

Fifty-three weeks have passed since PCTI III, but the event known as the Easter Massacre still resounds league wide, even as PCTI IV is less than two weeks away.

Posts, podcasts and emails have been few and far between this off-season. A fact that puzzles league analysts whose data shows enthusiasm among players and fans at an all-time high.

"Nobody wants to be this year's Sabin," said Anthony Hopkins, a veteran guard who like many of his comrades has intentionally and atypically kept a low profile this off-season.

Sabin, the out spoken captain of team Legs Feed The Kitten, took the brute of the backlash following four consecutive lopsided losses. But it seems a fear of providing bulletin board material is only part of the explanation for the quiet off-season.

"A lot of guys got embarrassed last year, something we weren't sure could happen when we first came up with the concept of a basketball weekend," said charter member Brent Carney. "Even for guys like me who were on the winning team, we saw what could happen if we're not prepared to compete. Before we thought there was so much equality that nobody could stand out in a negative way. Now we know that's not true. While it may have hurt those guys [on TLFK] more than us, we all got the message. Fear is a great motivator, and what happened last year brought it to our league.

I remember that Sunday morning," Carney said of the tournament's final day in 2012, when for the first time, games were cancelled. "Nobody wants to be responsible for that again."

--

Michael Beasley stands beneath the snowy mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada and thinks he can sense something in the spring wind. "I'm telling you, mahn, there's a lot of confidence floating around out there, bro."

Even from afar, the second year guard has kept tabs on his teammates and a few of his opponents this off-season. Many have told him the same thing. Yes, they are playing regularly. Yes, they are excited for PCTI IV. After that, getting details out of anybody is a challenge.

Beasley rubs his beard and squints his eyes in to a deep, almost meditative gaze.

"Redemption, fear, I don't know what it is, mahn. Those are some heavy forces to just be spinning around, messing with your chi, your inner sanctum, you know? You just reach up and grab them out of the galaxy and it's like, oh there you are powerful object of god and man. It's just like we're all connected, you know? Connected but separately connected in ways.

"Look, I'll get real with you. Everybody has something to prove. To each other, yes but more so right here," Beasley says as he taps his chest, "right here, Brohamid Ali, right here."

--

The sense league wide is that while nobody wants to entice the other team, most players are more concerned with themselves. Several unnamed players admitted that they were keeping quiet in an effort to focus on their own preparation.

Michael Orr's explanation is more tangible.

"There ain't shit left to say," the third year forward said.

"Think about it, playboy. What happened in III that changed anyone's reputation? We're saying the same shit  about the same dudes that we were saying before III as we are after III. What can we take from four blowouts? Not shit my man, not shit.

"Come close, player," Orr says as he leans in and lowers his voice. "I'll tell you the truth. Maybe there's all sorts of new shit to say. Truth is, nobody knows. Know why? Nobody's watched those DVD's. No chance, player. Nobody wants to watch that again. Certainly not us, and not them either."

"You realize how much ched we lost on that weekend? We paid for refs, score keepers and a gym that we never used on Sunday. Now add on to that that we played such beat ass basketball that the discs are useless. Think about this, player, apparently there's a highlight reel from last year. But only a few guys have seen it. And you know why you don't hear more guys bitching about that? Because nobody wants to see it. Everybody just wants to move on. That's why nobody's saying shit. If you won or if you lost, everybody just wants to move on. And how are you gonna talk about PCTI if you don't mention last year? Can't be done, my boy, can't be done."

A highlight reel DVD was given to Danny Krow at no extra charge, photographer Brian Hite confirmed. Hite was under the impression that Krow would distribute copies to the rest of the league either online or through the mail.

Krow released a statement through publicist Danny Hastaba,  admitting having a copy of the highlight DVD but deflected any controversy. The statement read in part: "A PCTI highlight reel, isn't that an oxymoron?"

When pressed to prove that he knew the meaning of the word oxymoron, Krow erroneously answered, "I think that's one of the vitamin supplements my mom mails to me." Hastaba was fired as a result.

"Can you imagine how mad Danie would get if he didn't have his own copy of that DVD within four days, let alone a whole year....shit..."Orr said.

---

Monday night the eyes of the nation will focus on Atlanta for the National Championship game between Louisville and Michigan.

All but two of the sixteen players in PCTI also said they had plans to watch.

One exception is Krow, who will not watch for reasons that remain unclear. He has not watched a college basketball or football game all year.

The other is Donley, who will be aboard a plane bound for Texas. The first leg of a trip that will take him to Scottsdale, site of PCTI IV.

"This is it, it's here. This is the real basketball not that garbage college game, no offense Skillz," he said Monday night when reached by phone at the airport.

Donley's departure marks the beginning of PCTI. But don't expect it to be trumpeted about on the league's official website. Mum is the word and the silence will likely continue for another week.

"Why say anything, bro? Like Confucius says, silence is the true friend that never betrays. And I know about true friends. Shout out to the Quad Pod," Beasley said.

All the players seem to understand the importance of an exciting offseason for a league that only is in season four days a year. But it seems that will have to wait until order is restored on the floor.

"We just need to have good competitive games. Once that happens everyone will be able to take the focus off proving themselves all over again and focus it back on to what's important, making fun of a lot of really average basketball," Hopkins said.