My Top 5 Things about PCTI IIII in Scottsdale

This past PCTI may have been my favorite overall. I feel like there was a perfect blend of good weather, good times, and good basketball. With this in mind, and the fact that I'm bred as shit at work right now, I decided to write up a quick Top Five about why I enjoyed this PCTI so much in good ol' Scottsdale, AZ.

 

Number Five: Pool Time

 

This year, we all had the pleasure of staying in a pretty pricey nice hotel. The best part about it was the pool area and the time spent there. There was a decent size pool with nice cool water along with a nice spa we could soak our old bones in after the games. We'd take that bitch over and no one out there really minded which made for a great atmosphere. The weather was damn near perfect, except for that one cloud that would never leave the sky, which made it very easy and highly enjoyable to sit out there for hours boozing and hanging out. The pool area even provided us a great spot for what is hopefully a new yearly contest, trivia night. It was just overall a great set up in my opinion and provided some of my favorite times of the trip.

 

Number Four: Golf Carts

 

What a badass idea. I didn’t fully grasp the awesomeness of this service when it was first explained to me but when I hoped on first my first ride, it all became clear. These people would take you anywhere you wanted to go all for a tip! And after 7 games of hard fought basketball, I might not have made it out the last night without them. The only thing cooler would have been if they cruised around in golf carts like the one Bubba Watson rolls in.

Number Three: Women

From the moment I first walked into the Morning Squeeze one thing became abundantly clear; Scottsdale has some fine ass women. I consider myself spoiled when it comes to being around smoking hot hunnies having grown up in Williamson County and especially Brentwood which is saturated with them. But Scottsdale is on a whole other level. Seriously. I’ve never see so many good looking waitresses in a 1mile radius. I swear there must be a certain standard of hotness that has to be met to even be considered for a waitress job there. And to top it all off, they all wear spandex to serve you in. SPANDEX! That’s an even better idea than the golf carts. Hell the idea must of started a trend because I swear that’s all the girls wore out at the bars too. So hears to the HOT women of Scottsdale and their spandex landing in at number 3.

Number Two: Competition

I feel like this past year’s basketball was some of the most intense, competitive we have had. I can barely think of anyone showboating or talking to the camera or even celebrating for that matter, because everyone knew they had to keep grinding it out because the other team wanted it just as bad as you did. We went from a blowout victory for the bad guys, to a tough fought rebound win for the good guys…Twice. Then the good guys pull out a victory in game 5 which puts the bad guys in a win or go home situation for two games in a row. After a win in the first win or go home game for the bad guys, both teams drug their asses out for a final, exhausting, EXHAUSTING, game 7 which the bad guys ultimately won. I’m tired as hell just thinking about it. Yeah I fucking hate losing, but that was some badass ball and great competition, and being a part of that was good enough for me….and if you believe that last part you don’t really know me that well. Fuck the bad guys.

Also, PCTI brought some new competition to the board. TRIVIA NIGHT. I honestly thought it was going to be kind of lame (sorry Hops) but I actually really enjoyed it. Anything new that separates us into smaller groups and pits us against each other is great because no one wants to lose. What was even greater about this competition is there was beer drinking involved, which always bumps it up a notch in my book.

Number One: Morning Squeeze

There’s no denying it, I love to eat. But I’m also very lazy. So to have a place that was soo close and soo delicious was the most clutch thing about this trip for me. What did Morning Squeeze NOT have?? Convenient location? Check. HUGE variety? Check. Amazing Smoothies? Check. Smoking Hot Waitresses? Check. Seriously, the only thing that would have made that place better was if I got a happy ending after each meal. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was soothing. A perfect combination for me and for that, it lands at my numero uno spot.

PCTI IIII Stat Leaders-Predictions

One of the beautiful things that come from the stats being all over the place is that no one has any clue who actually put together a good all-around PCTI.  I have vivid memories of some guys playing well in some games, but it doesn't go any further than that.

Allow me to make a few predictions of my own, without looking at any of the original stats sent out.  Why am I doing this?  A couple reasons:

1. I'm really bad at guessing.
2. I want a measuring stick (no pun intended) of how bad my memory is.
3. I don't have a 3 but you have to have a minimum of three numbers to make it look good.

Points Per Game-Josh Stephen, 13 ppg.
Rebounds Per Game-Michael Beasley, 7 rpg.
Assists Per Game-Joe Thompson, 3.5 apg.
Steals Per Game-Who knows.
Blocks Per Game-Stickman Van Horne-.8 bpg.
FG%-Josh Pitto/Spotlight, 50%.
3 pt FG%-Bryan McKinney, 42%.
Fouls Per Game-Spotlight, 4.
Most Box Outs Per Game-Wes Murray, 15 bopg.

I'm going to leave off all of Hops, Smo and my specialty categories because we never feel the need to have all eyes on us. 

PCTIIIIII Offseason Calendar of Events

Typically the month after PCTI is used for everyone to take a much needed recharge from the game of basketball, the event of PCTI, and each other.  In a shocking twist of events, no one (me especially) appear ready to go back to life. 

After a lengthy convo work day phone convo with Hops, we decided it would be good to get a tentative calendar of events for this offseason.  The Brat laid it out perfectly in an email immediately following PCTI of how we have our biggest offseason yet, giving us a perfect opportunity to overplan and promote each event as we sit fit. 

One quick key call out: The voting for All-Tournament Team and MVP will not take place until after the videos have been distributed and the stats have been sent out. 

On to the Calendar Stick (exact dates will be established closer to time)...

July-PCTIIIIII Location Selection Show

• (Early)-Video presentation and pitch posted to the blog.  KNOW YOUR BUSINESS.
• (Mid)-PCTI wide Google Hangout to vote.

August-All Tournament Team and MVP voting and award ceremony.

• MVP and reigning champ has the right to retain captainship or give away.
• A more detailed system will be in place beforehand.

October 26 (Birthdate of PCTI)-PCTIIIIII DRAFT.

• Location to be determined.
• Will be on air live via Google Hangout.

January-Roommate Draft (Best Day of the Year).

If anyone has any ideas, thoughts, etc. on how any of our busy offseason can get better please start voicing it.

#Creativity

#postnotedited

NFL Draft Mock Stick-PCTI's Favorite Teams

In case you haven't figured it out by now, I love all forms of drafting.  My passion for drafting originated with the NFL draft.  I spent more time studying players than I did studying schoolwork.  Because of that, I always considered myself a draft expert.  You're probably wondering how someone could be an expert on the NFL draft when they don't watch college football.  Fact of the matter is that I didn't need to.

My passion for the draft has dwindled the last few years ever since I waged war on the Tennessee Titans, but because this draft class is heavy on defensive lineman and linebackers (by far my favorite positions), I've found new life.

I'm going to give call outs as to who you should all be hoping that your team calls out the name of when they are on the clock in the first round:

Tennessee Titans-Hops, Pitto, BC, Smo, Spot, Bruise, BMC, Beasley, Wes (I think)

Pick #10-Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

A lot of the locals have fallen in love with the idea of getting one of the dominant OG's like Warmack or Jon Cooper-Nickel-Cooper-Roberts (OC shout out to Julie Cooper).  Don't get me wrong, I love dominant OL that push people around in the trenches, however this team is not going to take the necessary step by improving their OL.  Their OL paved the way for a CJ 2,000 yard year, and that helped them to go 8-8.  Locker isn't a pocket QB and will never be good (even though I like him as a guy and want to see him do well) because he isn't accurate, and never has been.  If the Titans want to win anytime this decade, they have to get BIG, mean and tough up front.  Star is all three of those things, along with being a shut down run defender, something they desperately need. 

St. Louis Rams-Thompson and Krow

Picks #16 and #22-Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia and Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

St. Louis is on the verge of breaking out this year.  They have a dominant young DL unit with Brockers, Chris Long and Robert Quinn.  They have a stud young LB in Road Warrior Animal Junior.  They have a playmaking young corner in Janoris Jenkins.  All those guys should take a step forward.  Getting Austin would give a playmaker like Janoris on the other side of the ball (something Bradford desperately needs).  I actually prefer Matt Elam from Florida over Kenny Vaccaro, but Elam is a head case and I doubt Fisher will touch him.  With Jake Long in the fold, they no longer are forced to take an OL, and Bradford might be able to go a full season without getting killed.

Cincinnati Bengals-Scott Donley and Brett Wilcutt

Pick #21-Matt Elam, S, Florida

For being such a young team, the Bengals really don't have a lot of holes.  That's probably because I've always liked the way they have drafted, putting a premium good football players.  Every mockstick you will see will probably have them going Ed Lacy, which shows how dumb the experts are that they don't think the Law Firm is an every down, explosive back.  Bengals are too smart to take a RB that early.  Elam is projected to go early 2nd, but he is a hard hitting, passionate football player that will set the tone for their secondary.  The last Florida safety to go in the 20's was Reggie Nelson, who coincidentally would be starting alongside of him.

Denver Broncos-Abe Unit

Pick #28-Datone Jones, DE UCLA

This team is incredible already... Then they pick up Welker.  Most people probably think they will begin to groom Champ Bailey's replacement, but this is what I think they should do, not what I think they will do.  Datone earned the nickname Datonesetter from Jon Gruden, immediately after Chuckstick called him the best player in the draft.  He will work great with Von Miller wrecking (halloween) havoc in the backfield.

SF 49ers-Ben Wilson and Danie

Pick #31-Jon Cyprien, S, FIU

From Scouts Inc (I don't need much more than this to make me a fan): Four-year starter and team leader. Loves the game and reportedly has professional work ethic.

From Scouts Inc (Only negative I see is in the below... BIG CONCERN): Range is above average on film. Covers deep half with ease and effective centerfielder when makes sound reads. Closes quickly and can deliver big hits when receivers catch the ball in front of him. Fluid, fast and strong enough to match up with tight ends. Doesn't match up as well with slot receivers. Balanced and good body control but tightness in hips and takes too long to transition in and out of cuts.

Miss Brian Ripping his jersey? I got it on tape

Not taking any breaks from PCTI BABYYYYYY

Hey Brohamid Ali's,

I would like to take a moment before embarking on my Earth Day festivities to show my appreciation for a wonderful PCTI iiii.  First, I would like to thank Brian.  Thank you for all of your time and energy in orchestrating my favorite weekend (soon to be full week) of the year.  I am sure it created a lot of stress, but I hope it was as fun a weekend for you as it was for me.  Secondly, I would like to thank all my PCTI brethren.  Drinking exorbitant amounts of alcohol is always fun, but you guys make it even more.   I  value my relationships with all of you and if there is anything I can ever do for you let me know (except burrow money bc I am as broke as Abe).  Third, I would like to thank spandex.  Never in my life have I gawked at more extremely fit cabooses as this one.  Now that I think of it, I feel ashamed that not one guy in PCTI saw any action on this trip.  We will have to change that for next year.  I can't wait for draft weekend.

Well, Earth is calling, I'm out.

The NaturE Boy  

Gaining Perspective in Our Fantasy World

Hey Fellas, as we get ready to embark on another weekend of hoops and shenanigans I'd like to take a second to both reflect on the events in Boston yesterday and what we are getting into this weekend.

In times of tragedy, horror, and (potential) terrorism there is an instinct in all of us to stop and think more conciously about the state of our world, both the world itself and our personal world.  Questions begin to arise about what is happening in this societal bubble we live in as Americans: Who did this?  People are crazy, why would this happen?  Are we going to end up going to war for 15 years if we find out this was a terrorist organization?  Do I truly feel bad/sorry enough for what is happening, is this registering to me with the historical significance that it should, or moreso that it was intended to have?  There is an innate trigger in our minds that forces us to think about how random these acts are and question how truly safe we are just living our normal lives.  For me, with that comes more personal questions: Did I tell my wife I loved her today?  Should I call my parents and let them know I am thinking about them?  Should I reach out to the socially awkward guy at work and just ask him how his day is going?  What can I do to positively impact my family and friends, and the world around me?

There is a vast majority of good versus evil in the world.  If that statement was not true the world and our species would not exist.  And with that comes a deep breath and level of comfort.

Now how does this relate to PCTI?  As all those questions above were scrolling through my mind I got lost and forgot about our 4-5 day journey on the horizon.  As my mind descended from the clouds and back to real life I couldn't help but think at how special this group and this event is within my own world.  I can't think of anything more American than a group of 16 dudes (with very irrational views of their own games) getting together and blowing a 7 game series of mediocrity out of proportion and into a year long web of entertainment.  I truly appreciate what we have here, that we are able to get together once a year and be important to something that is so important to all of us.  Gentelemen, we have something very unique and so very special here.  In the wake of the events yesterday, I take solace in the fact that I am afforded the freedom to get on a plane and compete, talk trash, laugh, and create memories.  PCTI is something that is a very big part of my life, it is something that I will never forget, and it is something that no one can take away from me.

CAN'T WAIT!  See you dickwads in two days.