O' CANADA!!!!

This is my short shout out to the Great Nation of Canada. Who knew it would ever produce such a wealth of basketball talent.

This is my list of number 1 picks (starting with this years draft) for the next two years of the NBA Draft, and yes they are all Canadian.

1. To begin with this years draft.

Meet my dude Anthony Bennett. For many of you who do not know him he went to UNLV and he is an absolute beast. Rebounds the hell out of the ball and can throw down like no other. Yeah he may be a little over weight but nothing an NBA strength and conditioning coach can't chisel away. He'll help this Cavs team right away I say. Oh. And he's from Toronto. O' CANADA!!!!!!

2. Meet the #1 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.

Andrew Wiggins. A man amongst boys to say the least. Dunks on everybody in the arena when he throws one down and can shut a gym down in an instant. The clear cut one hundred percent going to be the number UNO pick next year in the draft. It's just his destiny. Can't wait to see if he blossoms into a star. I hope he does. Nevertheless, this beast is from, you bet, Canada!!!! Toronto to be exact. O' CANADA!!!!!!!

3. 2015 NBA Draft #1 pick.

Who in the world is this guy?!?!?!

Oh yeah that looks more like him. He was the ACC Rookie Of The Year this year. Meet my good buddy Olivier Hanlan. The reason I even did this post is because I saw for the first time today that I got one single page view from the country of Canada and by God I hope it was Olivier Hanlan. As much as I doubt it was because he could literally give less F's about me then he does about golf. And that is saying something. Nonetheless I love him dearly and consider him a good friend of mine. If all goes well with him he could be in the draft by after Junior year just like late BC point guard Reggie Jackson who is now on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Probably nothing I said here will ever happen. But he is Canada's only shot to go back-to-back-to-back #1 picks in the NBA Draft. DA FREAKIN LEAGUE!!!! Crazy man. 

So I'm basically all in for Canada at this point. Go Canada. O' Canada. What's the difference.

Who even knew living in Canada was such an adjustment that there is a whole website and happy family devoted to making you feel better about it? Hell I'm getting on the first train, flight, boat, hover craft, eagle, caribou, what have you, to get my ass to Canada so my son can be the next #1 pick and smile as wide as this youngster here. Not even thinking twice about it either. 

Living In Seattle And A Building Frustration

I feel like I'm on the set of Grey's Anatomy or living Ichiro Sizuki's life during the prime of his career, or traded places with some random hard working always trying to ball short dude who lives in Seattle Washington. You may ask why? Or atleast you should. Now let's be honest who has ever been to Seattle Washington actually? I sure have not and do not actually think I ever, ever, ever want to go there. Basically the only thing I know about Seattle is it has got that huge building with a large point. They never ever win anything except for that one time the Seahawks had Sean Alexander and were almost good. And that it probably definitely rains there like all the time. I mean who hasn't heard that it rains in that city constantly? I think we all have. Whatever.

So I actually live in Broomall Pennsylvania. It is the best place in the world. Don't let anybody ever tell you any differently. Usually the last week in June always brings that really really hot spell where the humidity is crazy high and you can't go outside without thinking about breathing. But this years crazy hot humid thinking about breathing wave came, and it rained every single afternoon religiously around 4 o'clock. I have never seen this ever before. I hear stories about like oh yeah in Florida that daily afternoon thunderstorm rolls in and everybody knows it's coming and plans their schedule around it. I thought it was a myth. Yah know like the Lochness Monster. Everybody talks about it so much you just believe it. Well that is exactly what happened to us this past week!!! In Pennsylvania for Christ sake!! It was wild the thunderstorms were so violent I could tell my house was afraid of them just as much as I was because the power would go off before the storm even came through. Lightning struck like we were living in some far away land. And honestly it rained like we were under Niagra falls for 30 minutes and that is no joke. I've never seen it before in my life! And it was so annoying. I do not understand how Eddie Odio does it down there in the 305. I texted him today and he says he's all excited to head back to Miami and all but man how can you be happy to return to the nuisance of that constant afternoon thunderstorm. It's just so infuriating when it comes around. Ugh. Whatever.

Summer is indeed an awkward time for Walk On Nation. First of all we have to work actual jobs. While those scholarship athletes "are not allowed to work a summer job" because their job is to be up at school practicing and lifting and getting stipends from the NCAA/ school (who even knows where that money comes from anyway) to pay for their hard work. I don't know man last time I checked it was always good for a young kid to get a low paying job bussing tables or mopping floors etc. I don't know why the NCAA doesn't allow that. But that is neither here nor there. What's awkward is that I have to somehow keep all of you readers interested when nothing I have to say actually deals with the walk on life style or my life with fellow walk ons around campus. That'll come soon enough. But for now, hang with me, and I will open the gates to Walk On Nation with a swift, powerful stroke that none of you have ever experienced. Whatever.

Quick note. If your ever bored. Just take a listen to Jason Aldean's "My Kind of Party" album. It is magical in so many indescribable ways.

-SteveO

The NBA Finals

I had a Padre's Day dinner at my Aunts house Sunday night and left unsettled. Not because the ribs were bad (they were delicious) or the corn was over cooked, but because I realized my sports crazed family had no love once so ever for NBA basketball. All afternoon I had about eight cousins surrounding the TV with me to watch the U.S. Open being played at Merion Country Club in Ardmore PA, which was pretty freaking baller because I live a grenade's throw away from the course and drive by it on a weekly to monthly basis. Either way, once the Open ended I'm all excited because it was like exactly game time! The Open ended at 7:40ish and the Finals game started at 8, perfect! Get to watch and talk basketball with my family, nothing better.

Until next thing I knew I found myself alone. My Uncle sat down near me and played on his laptop, paying no attention to the action on screen. Everyone had opted to sit in a circle and talk instead of watching one of the best NBA Final's Series ever (to bold?). It baffles me. I do not understand what people do not like about the NBA??? I asked my uncle. He claims college basketball is his favorite think to watch on TV over anything. He says he hates the NBA because it's too boring, to much one on one and not enough excitement and movement.

.............. (Long Pause to over emphasize the point).......

IS HE SERIOUS????? TOO BORING TO MUCH ONE ON ONE AND NOT ENOUGH BALL MOVEMENT???? I was in shock. SHOCK. This is the same argument every non-NBA fan makes! "Oh it's too much one on one it's too flashy not enough team basketball blah blah blah" BULLSHIT! If you like basketball and understand the game, you have to understand that the NBA is on a different level than college basketball. The rules are different for entertainment purposes and the crowds cannot be matched. But NBA basketball is better basketball. It's smarter basketball, more intelligent basketball. This has been exemplified by this Final's series. The Spurs and The Heat, full of future Hall of Fame players, have put on a team basketball clinic both offensively and defensively. These two teams are on another freakin level and it is so much fun to watch. Almost too much to watch. There is so much movement on both sides of the ball on every play that when I watch on my big screen TV I honestly don't know what to look at and look for anymore. Danny Green is running circles around the three point line. Tony Parker is dribbling half way to China at peddle to the metal speed. LeBron and Wade have found this incredible knack to drive, kick, and cut at all times of the possession. It's riveting! Awe inspiring if you will. All those people who have some sort of love for College Basketball because of the excitement and all the fans and buzzer beaters, I understand what your saying. But for the basketball junkie, guru, genie, pervert, mad scientists, craftsmen, whatever the hell you want to call us. This stuff that's going on in The Finals right now is absolutely incredible. Whoever's not watching is missing out.

Now just to blurb a little about some Final's things:

1. LeBron almost effed up. Almost effed up REAL BAD. Two possessions with under two minutes left went absolutely wrong. Two turnovers. That can't happen. But it did. And what's crazy? He got away with it. Rats.

2. What an overall performance by James. Incredible numbers. Fourth quarter brilliance. Willing his team to have a chance. And that's really all they needed.

3. Ray Allen. Ray Ray. Raaaaayyyyy Alllleeeennnn. Ugh he pisses me off. Like it's kind of funny because after watching him shoot for so long you can tell right off the release if his shot is going to go in or not. I was crying before the ball even hit the net. You just knew it was going in.

4. To clarify my tears above, I really really realllllly want Tim Duncan, Pop, Manu, and Tony to get one more. The love story between those three is something that you do not see ever in the NBA. Phil Jackson, Kobe and Shaq are a great example of people who could not stay civil while yearning the spot light. Somehow these four kept their heads on straight for 16 years. 16!!! And still today, have not even let Tim Duncan's recent divorce stand in their way of a championship. Incredible.

5. If the Spurs to get one more, Timmmmaaay, Pop, Manu and Parker, should all hang it up. It's only right. I do not want to see Tony playing with other guys. I do not want to see Pop coaching other players. I just don't. It's only right for these four to leave on top and most importantly, together.

6. If the Heat win, LeBron is staying in Miami forever. Especially if the win three in a row. No way he's leaving after a three peat.

7. If the Heat win, the NBA Final's MVP should go to LeBron. Obviously. If the Spurs win, give it to the whole freakin team. None of them care who gets it. Just give it to everyone. They all deserve it. And I'm not even kidding.

I CANNOT wait for Game 7 tomorrow. Going to be a doozy. Go Spurs!

The Greatest Show On Earth

Last night I popped my Kenny Chesney concert cherry. I'm not gonna lie, I walked out of the Lincoln Financial Field speechless, and I still have not gotten over how amazing the entire day was. So here are the 11, yup 11, things I want to tell you about the Kenny Chesney Concert last night within two different categories.

The Tailgate

1. To begin, I've never woken up earlier in my life for a concert than I did for yesterdays Kenny Chesney extravaganza. The concert began at 5 o'clock and we did not expect to get to our seats till 7. So, naturally my alarm went off at 8:15 am and my three buddies and I, who all slept at the same house so we could get going, all had no trouble getting up. As Matthew described it "I've had this date saved in my phone calendar as 'THE BEST DAY EVER.' That's why this morning was so easy to get up, it's like Christmas morning." We packed our coolers full of fruit punch and headed for the train.

2. Before I dive into the Kenny tailgate, I first have to tell you of the travesty that was the Luke Bryan tailgate a week ago. Parking lots for said tailgate in Camden hadn't opened till 4 o'clock for a 7 o'clock concert. I got down there at 1 o'clock and spent an hour driving around with a good thousand other people who did not know where to go because the parking lots were not open. Luckily we found a secret spot to tailgate until the real lots open. You'd think that Camden would understand that the summer concerts are the only thing they got going for them so they should want to make the people happy? So now that we got that settled, by the time we were walking down Broad Street and towards The Linc parking lot, it was 10:15 in the morning. The lot was PACKED. Already!!!! I couldn't believe it but there were people everywhere and cops all over just patrolling the entire situation. We headed to a friend of ours' tailgate who's dad rents an RV every year for one day and uses it to tailgate the concert. They already had their beach chairs set up around their tailgate along with a flat screen TV that was playing Kenny Chesney's Philadelphia concert of last year. So legit.

3. As soon as we got into the parking lot, the first thing we all realized was all the different music we were hearing. As you walked through the parking lot you'd here one tailgate playing Kenny, the next playing Eric Church, maybe a little Luke Bryan. Once we even heard the same song being played by two different cars at the same damn time! By the time we had walked through two lots I had seen 45 different tailgate spots playing 45 different songs out of speakers or out of their respective cars. Pretty cool.

4. Trucks. Trucks everywhere. Big trucks small trucks red trucks big wheeled trucks. Trucks.

5. The girls. THE GIRLS!!!! Absolutely gorgeous women everywhere you went. It's the new style to rock the high waisted jorts at the country concert for women these days and I definitely don't not like it (you see that double negative usage there). Along with the cowgirls boots and belly revealing top, the girls at concerts are extremely drool-able.

6. I've never seen so many people in one place having such a good time without police interference or a fight breaking out. It really, really, really was just a free time with a no harm no foul sort of relationship between the authority and the general public. Something someone under 21 just absolutely adores. Lastly, I've never seen this anywhere else but supposedly at Kenny Chesney tailgates it is a common thing for people to bring pounds and pounds of sand to spread around their tailgate so they can pretend their on a beach? That's pretty freakin awesome.

The Concert

7. I noticed this at the tailgate as well, but in the concert it really stood out. The age range of people within the Kenny Chesney concert was, no lie, 2 years old to 90 years old. I literally saw an elderly couple walking to their seats holding hands trying to avoid the crowd, and I saw a little baby being held by his mother in the seats surrounding me. It's amazing how music can bring so many different people together.

8. Going into the concert I knew that I was in for something special. Two of the biggest names in country music these days were headlining the concert, Kenny Chesney, and Eric Church. Eric's big hits include Springsteen, Hell on The Heart, Like Jesus Does, Drink In My Hand, and others. He is new and hip and totally awesome. Kenny Chesney continues to poor out new hits to go along with his old hits. I knew it was going to be awesome and it was. It was so freaking awesome. Eric killed it. Rocked his guitar until I found myself playing air guitar in the crowd. When he sang Springsteen I've never had so many chills in my body before. It was music beauty. Kenny rocked the house so hard. I've never heard so many people singing the right, yes right, words at a concert before. Everyone knew every word to almost every song. When he played You and Tequila, the crowd took over for the final chorus and allowed Kenny to soak in the atmosphere. It was awesome. It was so freakin awesome. Woaah Woah Woaaah Wooooah

9. I understand why Kenny Chesney's tour is only playing in football stadiums around the country this year. This was my first concert in a football stadium and it really just doesn't compare to the concert venues else where. The stage was so big and the video board was big enough to see up close shots of the performers. The ability of the lights was phenomenal and perfectly timed. Also, I've never been able to hear the artists so clearly than I could last night and I attribute that to the football stadium. Truly a well done performance by the behind the scenes special features people.

10. When Kenny Chesney came out I really did not know what to expect. A lot of the previous country concerts I've been to have not met my expectations. I couldn't hear anything and plus the performer would sing covers of pop songs. I don't know why. I think that's really stupid for a country performer because the people at the concert want to hear your songs not you singing someone else's songs. Anyway. Kenny Chesney blew me out of the water. He sang, very very roughly, 20 songs back to back to back to back with NO break! He went for a solid 2 hours and sang every one of his famous songs. First off it's a testament to him that he has 20 famous songs that everyone loves. But also, I give him props for trusting in his music in concert. He started off with Whatever Makes You Feel Like A Rock Star and ended with She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy. A true class act of a performance. As I mentioned earlier, the performance left me speechless and I still can't rap words around what he did during concert.

11. My favorite song. I Go Back. It almost makes me cry every time I hear it. Kenny killed it on stage.

If you have not gone to one of Kenny's concerts. Do it. Make it a tradition with your friends. I promise you, Kenny will not disappoint.

Good News Bad News

Someone please tell me why it is a thing to ask "hey man I got some good news and bad news which one do you want to hear first?" I really don't get it because usually in each case the good ends up out weighing the bad and the person who is being told both the good and the bad news is content. Either way I just want to hear the good news. The bad news is never bad enough to literally make me cry or something ridiculous like so save the suspense and just drop it on me. Don't ask questions before the answer cause that just pisses everyone off just tell us the answer straight up put a but at the end of it and watch as nobody cares which one you dropped first.

So I've been driving around a lot lately because I just have so much crap going on in my life. This means I listen to like A LOT of radio. Can you believe how compelled these radio people feel to play "mirrors" by Justin Timberlake (JT for short) every other song?? It's like these stations are competing against one another and the competition title is who can play mirrors the most in one day... GO! It's a good song I actually like it but they have to take it easy on how many times they play it before I punch my radio in the face. It's crazy. 

Lastly. Having so much to do in one day makes me wanna do more things with my day, not less. Isn't that weird? I thought doing more in a day would make you wanna just lay around when it's all done with. But I am experiencing the exact opposite! When my schedule is over for the day I just feel like I've missed out on life for the day and need to do something to fulfill the stuff that I missed. It makes no sense I know. 

-- Steve-O

Life of a Walk On: Summer, Part 1

As you all know, us walk on's do not have scholarships; therefore, we have to pay for our own living expenses all summer long. This means that we have to go out and find a summer job that pays not so well. Personally, I co-own a neighborhood lawn cutting business with my younger brother, and we make absolute GUAP. This job that I created for myself as an eighth grader has payed for half of my car (since my parents are the best and split the cost with me), all my gas money throughout high school, concerts, dates with the lady friend, Christmas gifts, and drinks for when I get dehydrated on the weekends. I have had this job for five years now and still going strong. It's awesome.

This summer, however, I decided it was time to step my game up and get another job on top of the lawns in order to accumulate the most money possible so I can just be a straight baller during the school year. I got hooked up down at a local company which manufactures plane and helicopter parts. I basically do all the bitch work. This past week our job was to clean up the section behind the factory that was full of weeds and other such crap (we found a swivel chair in the middle of all of it, a real live swivel chair). I've done some weeding before in my life and I do indeed know that I get poison ivy kind of easily compared to others. I swore that this time was going to be different and ferociously attacked the weeds with these sweet pair of gloves I bought at Home Depot. That reminds me about the dude who walked into a home depot and saw'd both of his arms of, which then leads me to think if one of his arms was saw'd off already how did he possibly saw off the other one? Or did he saw both of them off at the same time? What?  

Oh yeah, so I'm just absolutely clearing the F out of this area in the back of the factory filled with weeds and other such crap and when the week is over, the area is basically all cleared. I wish I had pictures but I just don't. So anyway, everything is chill until sometime Friday night. I suddenly realize that my right forearm is violently itchy and so I itch it a little. Saturday morning I wake up and my right forearm is as red as a baby's spanked bottom. My sweet Granny gives me some of her lotion she has in the house and I put it on twice before leaving for the day. My day continues and I forget about my arm. Saturday night, I wake up and my forearm, lower thighs, and calfs, are just on fire and itching SO BAD. I'm writing this blog tonight, Monday night, with an oozing right forearm. I am poison ivy. It SUCKS!!!! I can't even get my workouts in because sweat is not good for it said my mommy (don't tell my trainer).

So to all other walk on's out there getting buckets, or just doing odd jobs like me to make ends meet, when in doubt, Helicopter. Or just wear long sleeves and pants so your not hating your life and rubbing ointment up and down your body seven times a day like me. Poison ivy will always be greater than you. Always.

For some reason this is the first picture that pops up when you type in poison ivy on google images. Idk man.

-Steve-O

Twitter and Basketball Mix Like Fire and Gasoline

I am an extremely opinionated person when it comes to basketball. Just ask any of my teammates. I build opinions on players based on their individual game and dig deeply into the negatives of said game while stating obvious positives and not diving into detail about them. It's probably because I'm like 5 foot 8 inches tall and think that the bigger dudes out on the court don't work nearly as hard as me but are labeled as better than me because their genes are favorable to the sport. Yeah that's definitely it. Nate Robinson embodied the true colors of the under 5 foot 8 inches club this post season. His heart, determination, and f everyone who doubted me mentality was evident. When it comes to the men with the talent, I am always skeptical.

So last night/today I realized how many people we're watching that Heat vs. Pacers game last night. What a thriller!! Great basketball game for sure and set the tone for the Eastern Conference Finals Series to come. When I checked twitter after 6 hours of dormancy, I was shocked to find the reloading of tweets to only be from 39 minutes ago. Basically that meant that there have been A LOT of tweets since 39 minutes ago. As I read through them and realized they were alllllll about the game! And a majority we're about Paul George. I saw people going ballistic over the shot he made. I'm sorry but I can provide no examples because my twitter will not go back that far right now. Either way, it really got me going. I tweeted twice about it. Everyone really needed to chill, like literally sit in a fridge. His shot was not that good, and his overall performance was not as good as LeBrons. Paul George, meet my opinionated side...

You say Paul George is a star?

1. Paul George had 6 turnovers.

2. I respect the fact that Paul George's "stardom" status may have been acclaimed last night by everyone else in the basketball world, but not by me. The game tying shot was a heave that really couldn't have any thoughts or decisions attached to it. He grabbed the ball and shot it because he had to. It wasn't like he cleared everyone out, went one on one with LeBron, turned away from the double team, and hit a fadeaway three to tie it.

Tell me I'm wrong. Great shot but not much thought in that one down by three with 2 seconds left I'm heaving it up to coming off that dribble hand-off.

3. Before we get to the nightmare that was the OT for Paul George, let's remember he missed a two pointer with 27 seconds left to tie the game and then got a second chance at it... and threw it to his bench players drenched in yellow swag-iforms on the sideline. DUMB.

4. Paul George made the 2nd Team All Defensive Team today. The Pacers are supposed to be known for their gritty defense. Paul George is the leader of that team...? And their defense down the stretch in OT was HORRIFIC. Paul George's and-1 foul on Chris Bosh was really stupid. He jumped carelessly into a rebound that was not his to get an committed an extremely obvious foul. Mis-communication at the top by David West and Paul George caused Shane Battier to be wide open for the three that he luckily missed. Can't have those blemishes in the playoffs.

5. With 16 seconds left, I think it was Norris Cole, doesn't really set a screen, he just kinda shuffles through slash exchanges with LeBron at the top of the key. Miami throws this in their offense thinking hey maybe we can get the opposition to screw up the communication on the simple exchange and force the smaller guard defending Cole to slip into a switch and have to defend LeBron one on one. Clear advantage to The King. And the freaking Pacers fell for it. They freaking fell for it!!!! They fell for that dumbie little exchange that basically is a decoy. Paul George switches with George Hill and LeBron takes Hill to the rack on a straight blow by. When does a second team all-defensive dude who matches up best with LeBron (and knows it) pass up the opportunity to defend The King on the last play of OT with the game tied? NEVER EVER! EVER!!!! No "star" does that, not even Kobe and there is definitely no D in "Kobe Bryant." You get my point.

6. The last play of the game. The last play of the game! THE LAST PLAY OF THE GAME!!!!!!

If Paul George became a star during that game last night, they might as well give me a scholarship because I've definitely done all that wrong shit during one single practice once. Ask the team, I have made a shot like Paul George's three, it's not that hard when the shot clock or game clock is going off it's basically second nature. The King would blow by me too. And I could easily tape my mouth shut and not communicate an exchange at the top of the key. Simple as that, I could have done what Paul George did last night on defense and IF I was 6 foot 8 with the wingspan of a dinosaur I could have made that three too.

Paul George, I love you man, you played great and I'm with everyone that you are separating yourself as a promising young star. But my twitter feed really needed to chill because there was way to much love for a dude who basically lost his team the game and not enough love when LeBron shut all those George lovers up with two straight buckets, and one of them at the buzzer to win it. I hate that Twitter fired me up like that I just had to take it out on y'all. I will not apologize for it. Next time everyone do not tweet praising one player until the game is over!!! Or at least apologize in your next tweet for praising the man who lost his team the game because that just pisses me off.

P.S. my friend today said: "Never trust a man with two first names." lol. Paul George.

The Sandlot: Where Are They Now?

Every now and again I find myself thinking about some of the movies from my childhood and how truly great they were.  Furthermore, I bring myself to think about how awesome some of the characters were in some of those films, which always inevitably leads me to same question, “where are they now?”

Today’s daydreaming session belonged to the 1993 hit “The Sandlot,” which is a sports film that transcends generations.  The story follows the tale of a young man by the name of Scottie Smalls who is new in town, but quickly progresses into one of the most compelling coming of age stories to date, right up there with the likes of “Stand By Me” and “Almost Famous.”  The film harnesses a kind of innocence that everyone experiences as a child, but gradually loses with age.  It highlights a time in one’s life when everything seems so simple, and all of the worries and troubles of the world can be washed away by doing something as simple as playing baseball.  The film encompasses values that everyone should strive to have in their lives: friendship, compassion, perseverance, honesty, and bravery.  “The Sandlot” remains on a very short list of films that I never grow tired of seeing, and brings great excitement on the rare occasion that I hear one of its quotes referenced or see one of its actors in another role. 

Two characters in particular seem to be branded into my memory, Scottie Smalls and Wendy Peffercorn.  Sure, there were other unbelievable characters in the film, but these are the two that led me to that very familiar, inevitable question: where are they now?

Tom Guiry.  Also known as the protagonist Scottie Smalls, Guiry plays the role of a young man new to the neighborhood whom sets out to find his way.  He brought a sense of shyness and beautiful awkwardness to the role that many kids could relate to.  His character had a strong desire to just be one of guys and fit in with the neighborhood kids, which led to tremendous predicaments.  Tom Guiry turned Scottie Smalls into a household name.  So, Where is he now?

For starters, he looks exactly the same.

Sure you can throw some adult clothes on him, but come on now -- one look and everyone knows that’s the face of Scottie Smalls.  Guiry is 31 and a father of three.  Since “The Sandlot” he has had roles in other box office hits such as Lassie (1994), Black Hawk Down (2001), and Mystic River (2003).  Most recently he’s made appearances in television shows such as “Law & Order” and “CSI: Miami.”  Unfortunately, he now works as a patient transporter at his local hospital to make ends meet.  However, something that I found to be awesome is that his friends all call him Smalls to this day, and he also hears “You’re killing me, Smalls” many times every day!

Favorite Scottie Smalls Scene:

        

Marley Shelton.  Also known as Wendy Peffercorn, Marley plays the role of a lifeguard at the local pool who draws the attention of the boys, “Squints” in particular. You know, as I think more about it, Wendy Peffercorn very well may have been my first love.  Squints stole my woman, and I’ll never forgive him for that. 

So, Where is she now?

She’s only gotten better looking with age, not just in my opinion, but she has also been in the ranks of the sexiest women in the world, according to Stuff Magazine.  Marley is now married and the mother of two children, while she still pushes onwards with her acting career.  Since “The Sandlot” she has acted in other noteworthy films such as Uptown Girls (2003) and A Perfect Getaway (2009.)  While she may never play as infamous of a role as Wendy Peffercorn, she will always remain a legend to millions of 90’s kids everyone and no one can take that away from her.

 Favorite Wendy Peffercorn Scene:

"Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong." - "The Babe" in "The Sandlot"

~ Michael P.

Sources:

The Huffington Post; Tom Guiry photo by Terry Thompson; IMDB.

Car Accidents: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Car accidents are a unique rarity in life. I'm gonna say that every person gets into an average of 2 accidents during their entire span of life (citation definitely needed). But I can't even fathom a statistic for the average number of car accidents people witness and are NOT APART OF per the average person in this world. It is so rare to literally sit in your car and witness a car accident happen right in front of you. Oh yeah, I wouldn't be writing this if it didn't happen to me today. Yes I witnessed a car accident today, and it was actually hilariously exhilarating and exciting. At no point was I nervous for anyones life and at no point did I feel remorse for the victim or the suspect. This got me thinking about car accidents for the whole rest of the day, naturally, and I came up with a theory.The Three Stages Of Car Accident Viewings or Traffic Experiences Because of That Accident In Life Theorem of Highway Driving. That's what it's called because it made sense to me and nobody else and I don't care who knows it; however, allow me to explain.

Stage 1: The Ugly
You all know what I'm talking about here. These are the car accidents that you drive by and automatically feel like that little lump in your stomach that makes you think or say "Holy crap that looks kinda bad." The car is just absolutely mashed everywhere on the road. Shards of glass everywhere, tire shreds everywhere, maybe the car is flipped, maybe it's on fire or just absolutely totally totaled (you see what I did there). The ambulance is on scene interviewing somebody with cuts on their face and towels rapped around them (I never understood this, there not suffering from hypothermia? And I don't know but if your in a state of shock I think the last thing I'd need is a towel to keep warm, but that's why I am not becoming a doctor). Maybe the helicopter is swirling around trying to pick someone up. I don't know, you fill in details. This is also the kind of accident that causes extremely annoying and frustrating and kill yourself amounts of traffic. And then as soon as you pass the actual accident, if you had the patience, you suddenly take back all the harsh words and feelings towards the traffic and immediately begin praying to God slash thanking something you believe in that you were not apart of the wreckage. We've all been there on the highway before.

Stage 2: The Bad
To jump right into the traffic and remorse idea again, we introduce Stage 2, The Bad. This is when you are waiting in that kill yourself traffic and your so mad and so frustrated, and right fully so. You have waited all that time and showed like the most patience ever during this traffic jam in order to keep your pride in the chosen path to get home because you don't wanna say that you tried some other way, got lost 5 times, found your way again, and then got stuck in more traffic. That sucks. So you FINALLY get to the accident spot, and there's only one car with a couple dents, there's like one cop, maybe a person, an unused ambulance, and this makes you think where's the second car and is this really the reason I've been stuck in this god damn traffic all evening? This is exactly the point when you floor it down the highway in wide open road so pissed off that not even your 3 year old at home can cheer you up when you walk in the door and you just have to take out your frustration in the form of a beer or some manly thing like man cave chilling or mowing the lawn or watching TV and not say a word until your head falls into your stomach and your sleeping the night away. For ladies, it's time to piss off the entire house with your stressed out madness, obviously. BAD IS NOT GOOD IN THIS SITUATION!! (you know what I mean)

Stage 3:  The Good
Haha. I'm laughing just thinking about it. This type of accident is so hard to explain because a car accident is a car accident. For the people involved it is innately bad. Let me start off with the witnesser. For the witness of "The Good" car accident, it is HILARIOUS. Literally so funny. Example: today my two buddies and I are driving home from our day job on Delco's infamous road for rush hour traffic.... 476! It's like 5 o'clock, which reminds me that it is definitely 5 o'clock somewhere and somebody is definitely enjoying a strong drink on the beach watching the sun go down with their sweetheart... Nothing better. So anyway there's that point in the traffic that you speed up kinda, and then slow down pretty darn quickly and you need to use the breaks heavily but controllably. Well this girl, 25 looking in age, to the right and in front of us had to be either texting or thinking about her future boyfriend who she was not going home to tonight and fender bender'd the old couple driving in front of her. The unique and hilarious part about this fender bender was that the glass that covers the headlights was basically the only affected element of the crash. Naturally my bros and I were jamming to country music and enjoying the fine breeze so our windows we're down. The noise we heard was so funny it sounded like on of those high fives you do with your bros that make that shocking popping sound that excites you! PLUS, the glass from the headlight burst everywhere in splash form like it was water! On top of all that the 25 year old girls face who caused the bender could not have been more shocked. Like this dude I found on Youtube.  We cheered like we won the lottery. Some screaming, a couple Aooooaaaahhh's, a triple high five, a bunch of "dude holy shit did you see that"'s!!!! It's funny because it sucks A LOT for that shocked 25 year old without a boyfriend, and because we saw it LIVE, and because we know that if it happened to us we would know how much we suck, and how dumb we are for being that fender bender-er. Lastly, those two in the fender bender calmly pulled over, no cops no ambulances, and probably exchanged numbers while the 25 year old cried her eyes out then cried the entire way home and called her best friend when she got home because she was lonely in her apartment without her to be determined boyfriend. And no excess traffic was caused. PERFECT! Everyone's happy. It's Good.

This is, The Three Stages Of Car Accident Viewings or Traffic Experiences Because of That Accident In Life Theorem of Highway Driving. Simple as that. Really do not know another way to put it. It's just that obvious.


This video was really funny to me when I first watched it and embodies the theorem (not really). Just a bunch of people getting like so lucky and involves cars and avoided accidents:

A Unique Breed

Ahhhh, being a part of a major Division I college program. Sounds like a dream, a rarity, an opportunity accompanied by a sense of entitlement, right? Right. 

There's no better feeling than realizing you are a part of the 1% of people in the world who compete in D1 athletics. There's no better feeling than strolling into the locker room with your family after a long day's work, stripping down to your underwear (because, who cares?), sitting at your locker and thinking, "Damn, at least I don't have to pay tuiti......" Haha PSYCH. I'm a walk-on.

People probably wonder: Wait....what? You mean to tell me that you have to dedicate at least 30 hours a week toward athletics (with very little probability you'll contribute in the games) on top of worrying about your academics, social life, and paying tuition?!?!

My answer is obvious and blunt. Yes, and I love it.  I love the game. I love the daily routines. I love the hustle (even though I'm a kicker and there is not much hustle going on aside from replaying my 6th grade glory days at scout team free safety while I wear gloves and try way too hard to intercept the starting QB).  I love making my teammates better, forming relationships, and, most importantly, being a part of a family that I couldn't see myself living without if I ever decided that it wasn't worth it.  

There's a certain enjoyment and tradition that comes with being a walk-on.  As most of us have lockers next to each other, you learn a lot about the joys and struggles of being a walk-on.  First thing's first, know the sign/hand gesture: the 3 fingers stands for the "W" in Walk-On and the circle stands for the "O" (get it right or quit reading this blog).

Now, I'm not telling you about this sign solely because it's what we do and how we recognize each other from across campus, but also to inform you of all the famous walk-ons that you may not have known about prior to this blog:

1) Mickey Mouse

2) Mila Kunis 

3) Drake

There are also some other pretty notable walk-ons including Clay Matthews, Santana Moss, Scottie Pippen, and Ben Wallace. However, that's besides the point. I'm talking about the hometown kids who show their middle finger to DI recruiters and join their college teams by simply balling out and proving that they are worthy of being on the team.  People like Clay Matthews and most kickers who walk on and make it to the NFL are people I look up to because they were forced to take the long way out without a scholarship and still made it by earning that scholarship and standing out to NFL scouts.  Those are the guys that I model my work ethic toward. 

However, as days go by, you eventually start to find humor in being a walk-on (when you're not on the grind and getting better, obviously) and truly bond with other walk-ons about "that one moment" that you need in order to prove yourself.  Jokes about if the head coach actually knows your name and about how you're going to relive your high school glory days through your children seem to never get old.  As a walk-on, you know you've made it when you get awesome gear that fits you after months of getting XXL leftover gear (I'm 5'8" 145 lbs.) from the travel team. I'll be there one day I think. 

At the end of the day, we're still working our asses off on the field/court and in the classroom and trying to make ourselves and our teammates better. 

The Good Ole Days

So one of my really tight buddies from high school who's a couple years older than me tweeted one of the most sad/inspiring things I have ever laid eyes on the other day

This sure did hit home for me. It feels like yesterday when I was sitting in my high school classroom as a skinny pale sophomore excited for the ride home with this "Jay Moriarity" character seen above. Feels like yesterday when I spent my first day at college. And it feels like yesterday that I attended my childhood friend's high school graduation party. Okay that's because it was yesterday that that happened. My point is that nobody will ever tell you to stop and take a look around because the experiences and days are gonna fly by and soon turn into that moment when you go "holy crap that was a year ago."

I don't know about you guys but I'm starting to feel like really old, and my buddies and I have discussed this. I just spent the past two days and nights with my best friend since second grade and nothing scares me more than how old he looks now. I can remember him as a frail skinny kid with short hair, and I'm sure he remembers me the same. You never really realize how old you are until your next birthday means your 20 years old. 20 years old?!?! When I was 10 years old a 20 year old felt like the oldest person in the world to me. AND NOW IM THAT PERSON.

So Here's to never growing up. And staying forever young. To all my old friends and new friends, the people I care about and the people who I've lost in the shuffle of growing up, remember that you never know a good thing till it's gone, and nobody will ever tell you your in the good ole days until you leave them.

Adieu!

Tonight, I sit writing to you from the dead of my kitchen, happily embracing the month that was, and sadly saying goodbye to Steph Curry and The Splash Brothers; and the entire Golden State Warriors everything. Think back to what you were doing in March of 2008. Okay now think back to what you were doing this time last week. Did you ever think they would be equal?

In March of 2008, Steph Curry, a young scrawny guard from none other than Davidson University (Wait what school? Oh right continue) was leading the Wildcats into their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. For the next two weeks, the country was taken a-storm by Steph Curry's ability to make three point shots, from ANYWHERE, at ANYTIME. Curry scored 40 points on 8-10 shooting against Gonzaga, 30 against Georgetown in an amazing come behind victory when he scored 25 in one half, 33 in an easy win against Wisconsin, and 25 against eventual national champion Kansas. Never before had the country seen someone release the ball so quick and with so much accuracy. That year Curry shot 43% from behind the arc and proved his accuracy during the tournament, quickly generating national fame. A smart move on his part, he decided to stay in college and develop his game for one more year before hitting the pros. Then what happened?

Curry got drafted by who? The Golden State Warriors. Who have been notoriously bad in the past, well, in the past 30 years of NBA history. Bill Simmons highlighted this in an article written in March of 2012 seen here. http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7714701/how-annoy-fan-base-60-easy-steps . So why didn't any expert predict the unveiling of the leagues best kept secret before two weeks ago???? Because nobody, I repeat NOBODY, saw this coming. Not even the great Bill Simmons. Nobody in this world could have predicted that the Golden State Warriors were going to win their first round series against a very good Nuggets team, and convince everyone that they were going to beat the Spurs as well, until Tony Parker told everyone too....

But that's a story for a different day. For now we raise or glasses to the 27 days that was the Warriors run through these NBA Playoffs.

So who is to thank for such a tremendous run in the playoffs? Is it Mark Jackson the head coach, is it the GM, is it Steph Curry, or David Lee? No, it is EVERYONE, and ANYONE who has anything to do with Warriors basketball. Thank you fans, for standing the entire game and making the arena feel like a college arena. Thank you for screaming at the top of your lungs at all times and going absolutely ballistic when Steph and Klay decided to go absolutely crazy on national TV during Games 2 and 3 of the Nuggets series and capturing the attention of everyone who is remotely interested in the NBA, you made these two weeks fun for the viewer who puts college basketball over NBA basketball but still watches the NBA because theres "nothing else on."

Thank you Mark Jackson for proving that small ball was a good thing, and toughness isn't pushing The Birdman when he's on top of your teammate or flopping when being pushed by 95 year old Nazr Mohammed (you think i'd forget about you Bron Bron?). Thank you for inspiring your group to play as they did throughout these playoffs. Mark's emphasis on toughness on the defensive end inspired these kids to ball out offensively. Oh yeah this is bad but thank you David Lee for allowing small ball to happen. (Don't ask me how anyone can play on a torn hip flexor muscle I don't know but that sounds like the most painful thing ever).

Lastly, thank you Steph Curry, thank you Klay Thompson, thank you Jarret Jack, and thank you Harrison Barnes. Most importantly, thank you Steph Curry. Thank you for bringing out the little boy in all of us, the same boy you brought out in March 2008. Thank you for making it okay to be in your own living room standing up watching an NBA basketball game and clapping and screaming for made shots like you were in the first row. During the third quarter of game three of the Nuggets series, I found myself sitting in my dorm room slamming my fist into my mattress pad screaming and yelling in utter jubilation at what I was witnessing. It was just so unfair to everyone on the court. He could have pulled up from Mount Everest and the ball would have landed in the hoop, it was inevitable. My roommate did not understand because he doesn't play basketball. But what Steph Curry did is nearly impossible for anyone to do. Your in front of thousands of fans, and your trying to score that ball in that hoop against five of the most skilled athletes in the world, and Steph makes them look like 7 year olds. As my buddy Joe Rahon would say, "He is that DUDE." He is that dude that made everyone put down anything they had that night to watch the Warriors game and see if they could catch The Splash Brothers catching fire live on TV. It was like that weekly television show that you can't miss, you just had to see Steph Curry go absolutely BASERK on the court. So Here's to you Steph Curry, Here's to you Mark Jackson, Here's to you Golden State, thank you for making the past month so enjoyable.

At the 1:05 mark is about when I started pounding mattress pads and screaming. This is when I knew Mount Everest was possible. You know how far away that shot is? Did you see how quickly he got it off in? Wait the defender was in his face I forgot about that too. I digress.

Dear Lord. I almost forgot about 1:32, that entire sequence, was when I started jumping up and down waiting for him to just pull one from anywhere because at that point it was destined to go in. And then I banged pots and pans outside like it was New Years because it was.

HA! Okay so 1:53, that amped Golden State fan gives Curry a high five basically on the court. One of the most fine things I've ever seen. It's fine.

The Concept of "Grinding"

Last night highlighted the Memphis Grizzlies toppling the Oklahoma City Thunder in their own arena. Memphis has been known as a team who plays their games at a slow pace treating every possession with care and not taking bad shots or forced shots but running their offense until they get a shot that they like. On the defensive end, the team is known for defending to and until the end of the possession, and this is why they are the true definition of a "Grind it out team." So much so that NBA analysts have named their home court "The Grind House."

The term "Grind" is thrown around loosely, and not so loosely in basketball circles. A classic loosely thrown phrase is "It's a Grind out here." Each and every walk on, and scholarship athlete experiences The Grind on a daily basis. The concept revolves around the tight schedule of the day that usually consists of class, lift, stretching, practice, more class maybe, homework, and other such college activities you may enjoy during a day in college. For a walk on, The Grind is especially tedious because there really is no reward. We pay for our tuition, and don't play in the games. We do it for the true love of the game and only the love of the game. That's why The Grind is really really "real" because we do it for the love of basketball and only the love of basketball. Walk ons are the definition of The Grind, and don't get enough recognition for our efforts. The only recognition is maybe a little TV clip that ends up on SportsCenter.... which reminds me.

Yeah thats me and my colleague Uncle Drew. We're obviously really proud of it. And who wouldn't be?! We're on SportsCenter for christ's sake!!!!! I was getting texts out the wazoo from buddies who I havn't talk to in years telling me "GREAT SCOTT!!! Steve I saw you on SportsCenter!" Damn right yah did, because I'm out here Grindin, but no one seems to know it.



-- Steve-O

Walk-On Role Model: Kent Bazemore, Golden State Warriors

As a blogger for Walk On Nation, I have grown to love and appreciate the undying efforts of those who patrol the bench on game days. Over the last year, I have paid close attention to some bench players waiting to get a chance to get off the pine and lace up the sneakers. These players seem like the losers who can't get any minutes in a pick-up game (the NBA), but they deserve more recognition for their dedication to #thegrind. My close colleague Steve-O and I view some select players as our "Walk-On Role Models".


ROLE MODEL #1:
KENT BAZEMORE

For the uninitiated, Kent Bazemore (Golden State Warriors guard from Old Dominion) looks like your typical bench clown who gets too crazy over every basket that Golden State makes. However, Kent Bazemore is arguably one of my favorite players in the league.

I was watching the Warriors-Spurs game the other night, I think Game 1 that went into Double OT. I was getting uninterested in the game when suddenly a sub goes to check in.... KENT BAZEMORE. Not only is Bazemore an idol for bench celebrations, with popular hits like the 3 point statue:

And the  And-1 Donkey Kong:

... but Bazemore was actually in the game for some reason in overtime. Not that I would ever follow the Golden State Warriors during the regular season - (in all seriousness I don't know anyone who follows the NBA Regular Season besides that one guy everyone who won't stop talking or tweeting about the  Jazz-Nuggets game on TV... who cares dude) but this living bench legend was in the game in OT. I can't remember a time being more hyped after Steph Curry fed Bazemore for the go-ahead bucket and thinking that a role model of mine could have scored the game winner against the Spurs. He ended up getting a 3 banged in his eye by Manu Ginobili with 1 second left, but I was still happy with the way he balled out when he got his chance. Making all of us on #thegrind proud.

P.S. I kind of feel bad for this guy - his teammates filled his car with popcorn earlier in the season. All the poor guy does is ride for his team and get hyped at every basket and is repaid by his brand new whip smelling like an AMC Super Combo with Extra Butter. He'll probably be finding popcorn kernels  just hiding in his car for the next couple years.

P.P.S. I thought it was hilarious how Richard Jefferson was advocating for caramel popcorn in the video. What a weird request...  like why would you even say that in the video? Is Richard Jefferson a caramel popcorn type of guy? These types of questions run through my head.

P.P.P.S. Notice how mad he is after he opens the door and is shoveling the popcorn out of his front seat... but you can't not notice his car... must be worth a couple hundred grand. The guy is a rookie that plays 4.4 minutes a game and is driving a car that a lot of CEO's don't even drive. Wild. What's the league minimum these days? (Editor's note: around $500,000 a year). 

If you don't like this dude for his celebrations, then you must not respect the Walk on Nation.

-- Uncle Drew