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

Game 4's Tonight

As a basketball junkie, I have sat and watched close to every NBA post season game. The intensity in every game so far this post season is riveting (minus the sweeps of the Lakers and the Bucks.) The Lakers should have just stayed at home and watched movies with Kobe. Playing the series against the Spurs was a waste of time because it told us what we have known all year, that they suck and exert zero effort and complain like babies to the refs way too much. And the Bucks did not even belong on the same court with the Heat, or any other competitive NBA team still alive.

Tonight I am expecting Nate Robinson to do what he's been doing all playoffs long and that is lead the Bulls into a tight game in the second half. Joakhim Noah and Taj Gibson will continue to make those "Oh shit why did he just shoot tha...., oh okay good shot" shots, and out rebound the entire world. And Carlos Boozer will still play a lot like his contract is worth... said nobody ever. And LeBron will stomp around the court staring everybody deep into their souls after just about every play. Wade will drop a pass. Ray Allen will make a three. Ultimately this may be a tight game may be a blowout, but I think the Heat will win this game, and the series. Their overpowering Chicago at there own game of "how hard can I hit you before you hit me," and proving that they are the defending champs. The Bulls have given me hope (I'm 5'8'' just like Nate Robinson, #HeartOverHeight), and hope to the city of Chicago. They've actually kind of been able to get over Derrick Rose's torn ACL that happened a year ago and that makes anyone think wait wasn't Adrian Peterson running over everybody in sight and breaking rushing records like 6 months after tearing his ACL???????? Valiant effort Chicago, but bow down to King James.

Ps. did I mention the rise of Jimmy Butler??? Holy crap, at Marquette he was like decent, made you nod your head at a good play or a dunk but he's played like almost every single minute of every single game since April and is killing it and guarding LeBron pretty well?? Did I really just say that? No I didn't. Wait yeah but it's true.

The Thunder Grizzlies series is especially interesting. The big questions are in this order specifically: Can Kevin Durant carry a team of nobodies in the playoffs? And is Mike Conley really the leader of this new look no Rudy Gay Grizzlies squad?

1. During the Rockets series, Kevin Durant looked as if he was overwhelmed by the workload on offense, and forgot to play defense, along with the rest of his team. During their two losses, one in Houston and one at home, there were obvious defensive lapses by the Thunder team. Perkins, who is supposed to be a defensive stalwart, looked really stupid on multiple occasions due to mis-communications with teammates, who then also looked really stupid. The defensive lapses have not continued into the next round, but Durant still looks extremely over-whelmed, especially on Saturday when he missed two free throws down the stretch like he had never made them ever before in his life. He also missed multiple shots down the stretch to clinch the game. It will be nice to see if he responds to the loss well, and very sad to see if he doesn't. Interesting story line fer sure.

PS. Reggie Jackson, graduate of BC himself (Hoorah!), is playing fantastic. His defense isn't fantastic but it is improving highlighted by that steal and dunk at the end of the game. His help defense definitely needs to get better. I've personally seen him ball watching multiple times and not get in trouble for it. It may bite him later.

PSS. Derrick Fisher first of all is balling out. Draining spot up threes from everywhere and providing some key plays and leadership down the stretch that is needed. Except he really needs to stick to spot up threes and drive and kicks. When he drives to the lane its a train wreck and makes me so angry. Please stop Derrick Fisher.

PSSS. Kendrick Perkins is god awful. So bad. Needs to not be on the Thunder anymore because the playoffs don't need him anymore. I hate when he's on the court. He can't shoot and can barely make shots within 5 feet of the rim.

2. Mike Conley is sooooo good. I've known it since he was at Ohio State with Greg Oden. Back then he was my favorite player and for good reason. He could make floaters with both hands in the lane, and create any shot for himself and his teammates. He was so fun to watch and still is. He's grown so much since those times and it shows. In game 2, he led the Grizzlies to that win with his 25 points, 9 assists, 10 rebound performance and made clutch shots down the stretch. Z-bo and Marc Gasol's post efforts at the end of game don't really workout. I don't know any team in the NBA who goes down to their post players at the end of games for clutch buckets anymore. If Mike Conley is able to continue his success and Gasol and Z-bo provide the buckets and rebounds throughtout the game, Memphis may be one of the most well-rounded teams in the league and in these playoffs. The Heat play small and everybody seems to be going along with it to try to beat them. But Memphis plays a lot of back to the basket basketball and plays with Z-bo and Gasol, both legit 4's and 5's on the court at the same time, which many teams have not been doing (e.g. Kendrick Perkins and Ibaka don't really play on the floor together anymore).

Ultimately I think Memphis will beat the Thunder and continue to Grind out these playoffs.

YAY NBA BASKETBALL!

ITS HAPPENING!

Our new walk on blog begins today. This cite is designed to create interest to the life of an average "walk on" on D1 athletic teams. Most specifically basketball and football. My team and I will blog about certain things that go on throughout the day or any random thought that comes to mind. This blog revolves around sports so expect sport themed postings. When in doubt, Keep Calm and "Walk On."







This goes out to my colleagues.