Thursday, July 27, 2006

Not writing today. Too busy prepping for an ass kicking.

I was all ready to write something this afternoon. Really, I was. That is until I received word that I'll be playing in a semi-pro basketball game this evening. Based on what many of you know of me this may sound a bit out of character. Sure, I play basketball on a regular basis. I even play on a very successful team in the local city league. However, I do not live a lifestyle that one would normally associate with high level (or even mid-level) athletics. Besides the fact that I drink too much and cast more papal ballots than your average hackey sack player, I also happen to be 5'10" (maybe), white and damn near 30 years old. With all that said, I knew that this was a possibility as of last week. It's just that I didn't really give it much thought until yesterday when it became increasinlgy apparent that my services would be needed. I'd even considered declining the invitation to participate in tonight's game up until a few hours ago when I finally decided, "Shit. When am I ever going to get a chance to play in a semi-pro league for anything?"

More than likely, tonight's game will be a decidely one-sided contest. You see, I'll be suiting up for team that has never played together (save for the three of us who play on the aforementioned city league team) against the local semi-pro team who has been playing and practicing together for the better part of two months. Add to that the fact that we'll also be the lesser team in terms of size and overall talent tonight and I'm pretty sure that you can figure out that tonight's chances of victory for my squad will be right on par with Bartolo Colon's chances of winning a triathalon.

Bartolo winning the Ironman vs. My squad winning tonight= Push

So there's my excuse for not posting today. I've got better things to do. It's really that simple. I'm also leaving work today at 3:30 so that I can tend to a few things before it's time for my game this evening. Did I mention that former Magician (and Greg's all time favorite sixth man) Anthony Bowie is going to be my coach this evening? No? Yeah, well he is so at least we have that going for us.


Not only my coach this evening but also Ricky Davis' triple-double role model.

Oh, I'm also leaving for Tallahassee tomorrow so don't expect anything else from here until Monday. Believe me when I tell you I'd rather be working tomorrow than driving up to that hell hole.

12 comments:

T.J. said...

Good luck...we're all counting on you.

Mark said...

I'm sure you'll all be awaiting the results with baited breath.

CFunk28 said...

Central Florida All-Stars? Wow, how your skills have developed. Tell that dumbass Richman that he should have just scheduled your City League team. He was probably scared though.

Can you believe I know 2 people here that are big FSU fans? Neither one has ever been within 250 miles of that hell hole and neither one of them believe me that it is a hell hole. Blind fools.

Mark said...

Cnetral Florida All-Stars is just some name that we were given. It's in no way a refelction of skill. Richman probably would've gotten our City League team except his starting center is the starter on our League team.

All things considered, we played pretty well. We lead at halftime and were down 8 heading into the fourth quarter. Not bad for 9 guys who've never played together (I literally met all but 3 of them for the first time during warmups).

We ended up losing by 15-20. I played ok. Ending up with 5 points. 7/8 assists, 3 TOs, and 1 charge taken. I know this sounds like sour grapes but we got royally hosed by the refs all game long too. Plus, the ABA ball that we used was really strange (light, almost lopsided feeling). I thought it might get really, REALLY ugly but we kept things competitive.

Mark said...

Oh yeah, I feel awfully old this morning due to a combination of soreness and having to match up with a 22 year old fresh out of Div. 1 basketball for 30 some minutes last night. I'm pretty quick but this kid was a full step faster than me. Quite a challenge.

The game also served to give me a new appreciation for the kind of shape NBA (or even ABA, ISBL, etc.) players are in. I play pickup ball or run a couple of miles 5/6 days a week and I was gassed at a couple of points in last night's game.

T.J. said...

The bigger question: did you properly celebrate like all NBA ballers do after a game?

Mark said...

If you're referring to the casting of multiple papal ballots, then yes. Yes I did.

T.J. said...

Yep, I'm talking landslide election...

Mark said...

You're right there. It wasn't even close. Good thing too, since the Cubs decided to become a collection of Gold Glove worthy defensive players from the sixth inning on last night. Why am I still so pissed off about that? Don't know...just know that I am.

Jerry said...

Well, at least now you can tell chicks at bars that you're a semi-pro basketball player and you were invited to an NBA tryout. Maybe when we're in Jacksonville we can resurrect Greg's favorite fictional hoops squad, the Vancouver Millionaires.

Mark said...

Sounds like a plan. I've even been to Vancouver.

Mark said...

Of course. He was happy to know you're doing well.