Banana Split.

I stayed up late tonight. 

Again.

During that time, I found some old pictures and videos on my computer.  I happened upon one I felt like sharing.

Another classic AM juggle.

This was taken at "Banana Split Sundays" at Club LAX a few weeks before he passed.  Easily the most fun I have ever had in a club.


[Yes kids, I was that close.]

You're welcome,

-The Todd

Blocking Out.

On Sunday nights, I play basketball in a Rec League out in Calabasas, CA.

A couple of weeks ago, my team began imposing its will on the opponent in the second half.  On one play, I ran out after a steal, caught a beautiful outlet pass, and was all alone on the offensive end of the court for what could have been an easy layup in front of my on looking girlfriend.  But, as I peaked behind me, I noticed my team’s Center (and the largest human on the team in terms of overall mass…by about 100 lbs.) running hard to trail the play.  So, rather than chalk up two more uncontested points for myself, I dropped a dime on the big man and let him rack two more on the score sheet under his own name.  

[Hey, it’s an unspoken rule in Basketball – you reward big men for running the floor.]

Two possessions later, the same big man that I had just rewarded with an easy layup was holding the ball at the top of the key.  I saw an opening under the basket, so I cut to the box.  When I arrived under the rim I noticed I was all alone.  No one saw me standing by myself in the paint…except my teammate.  So, obviously, our Center looked at me, paused, decided against passing it to me to reciprocate my previous assist, and launched a 30-foot bomb.

Wet.

It didn’t even hit the rim.  It was all net-just like when the nerd in every movie hits a jumper at the end.

Fans in the stands clapped.  

I was enraged.  

How could he NOT have returned the favor there?  And to compound it, how could he not return the favor to instead take a terrible shot (in terms of percentages and also in terms of his skill limitations)?

After the game, this set off an exchange between my Center and me about how I plan to exact revenge before the end of the season by blocking his next wide open layup attempt.

Yes, I am planning to block my own teammate’s shot.  I might even foul his ass.  Hard.

The idea of this happening really got us all thinking about what in the world the referees would do if I purposely fouled my own teammate. 

Would I actually be charged with a foul?

Would there also be a Technical foul involved?

Would he shoot free throws?

Would my teammate have the option to decline the penalty, like in Football?

We are all excited to see what happens when I put the refs on the spot.  I personally feel like this might tear a hole in the universe.

We’ll see.

(Trust me, we’ll see.)

Stay close…

You’re welcome,

-The Todd