This game totally cheats for you

People like to hype up the dumbest things.

It’s always a “big deal” when an NBA player goes to the Drew League, Goodman League, Rucker Park, Dyckman etc. and drops a large total of scoring statistics on his opponents. It’s like it’s a complete shock when Brandon Jennings or James Harden or Kobe Bryant or Kevin Ollie goes to play streetball against a bunch of amateurs (sometimes glorified amateurs who just never got a real chance except for the time in high school when they totally could have earned a scholarship to college) and dominates the game.

These are professional basketball players in the greatest league this world has to offer. Their nightly competition from an ability and strategic standpoint can’t be matched. That’s not to say that these streetball players and semi-pros aren’t good competition. Some of these guys can really play on an elite level, and have the ability to challenge the world’s best for short, selective stretches. However, to compete mentally and physically with the Navy SEALS of the basketball in a proverbial basketball knife fight just seems like a losing battle for the common streetballer.

So when I hear that Kevin Durant went to Rucker Park and dropped 66 points on the unsuspecting crowd and opponents, it’s pretty hard for me to go nuts over it. He’s arguably the best scorer in the world. He torched the grounds of international basketball in Turkey this past summer. He led his team to the Western Conference Finals and averaged 28 points per game against one of the best and most sophisticated team defensive systems the league has seen in a long time. It’s great that Durant lit up some guys that would never get a second look by NBA scouts but it doesn’t mean…

HOLY GUANO! DID YOU SEE THAT?!

Some people would be yelling that Durant was in video game mode last night, but that’s an incorrect assessment. Video games give you a system of checks, trends, and equalizers in how players shoot. It’s almost impossible to make five straight baskets in a video game these days because they weight the odds against you. Durant just took on double teams for five straight possessions and ended them with long 3-point makes. You can’t really do that in a digital and pixelated realm of existence, let alone one comprised of flesh, blood, and bones. It would take some serious Game Shark-Game Genie splicing to create a level of artificial intelligence and self-awareness that would cause Skynet to take a step back and wonder if we’ve gone too far.

Forget video game mode. That’s serial killer mode. That’s some Dexter-level villainy. He was killing in a similar way, but each time getting more and more graphic and extravagant in the way he killed his victims and then gratified himself sexually over the bodies. He got sloppy with each one, leaving evidence at the scene. It was like he wanted to get caught. He wanted to even the playing ground between him and the detectives working hard to stop this trend of bodies he was leaving all over Harlem.

The scary thing is they never caught him. He’s still out there. He’s lurking around the perimeter, waiting to enter your domicile and kill again.

Twitter: @talkhoops

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That was very well written, props to you.

I actually would say that in person. Is that really THAT inflammatory? Are you that sensitive? The entire start of the article was a set-up to the reaction to the video. It was dripping with sarcasm, and from the response I've received for the article, you seem to be the only person that didn't pick up on it. Hence "learning the concept of context." It's really not a difficult thing to grasp. So I stand by my previous comment. Calm yourself, "tough guy."

Stick out my ass? You can't be serious, I responded to poor writing and grasp of the game. If you've been to a decent pro-am then you wouldn't have wrote what you did. Or maybe you know the truth and decided to downplay the competiton for whatever reason. But you did write this sentence correct? "It’s like it’s a complete shock when Brandon Jennings or James Harden or Kobe Bryant or Kevin Ollie goes to play streetball against a bunch of amateurs (sometimes glorified amateurs who just never got a real chance except for the time in high school when they totally could have earned a scholarship to college) and dominates the game." Thats just untrue so I was pointing out the flaws in the statement. Take responsibility for your writing. And I suggest you watch your mouth and speak like you have some intelligence because I doubt you would say that in person tough guy.

Wayne, may I suggest getting the stick out of your ass and learning the concept of context? I've been to a ton of Pro-Am games. I've coached kids that play in them. Calm down and get over yourself. Also, I love that part of your reasoning is that someone in the crowd plays college basketball. Grasping for straws there?

yeah! KD the serial killaH... love the last part: "The scary thing is they never caught him. He’s still out there. He’s lurking around the perimeter, waiting to enter your domicile and kill again." watcha back y'all... lol

Mr. Harper sounds like he's never been to a pro-am or "streetball" game in his life. Its funny how he assumes that all the players are wannabes or has beens, but in reality these leagues are filled with the best players that city has to offer. These leagues are full of PROFESSIONAL players who feed their families on their basketball abilities. Overseas, D-league, or whatever. Please don't degrade the quality of players in these leagues because they don't have a NBA contract. And don't forget sometimes more than one NBA player is playing in these "streetball" games. So yes you should be impressed when KD or Brandon Jennings goes off for 60 plus points. They aren't playing against "rec league" guys. I bet Mr.Harper didnt even recognize the "fan" in the white tee at the 0:51 mark saying "I told you"....he was a starter for Georgetown University in the Big East and his name is Jessie Sapp. So just imagine the other resumes of the players actually playing in that game. There is a reason guys come to the Rucker, Melo Center, and Barry Farms. And that reason is to play against really good competition.

You must have not played with J.R. Smith in 2k10, dude could hit 7 straight 3's, it was absurd.

NICE. Love the wording: "Forget video game mode. That’s serial killer mode. That’s some Dexter-level villainy. He was killing in a similar way, but each time getting more and more graphic and extravagant in the way he killed his victims and then gratified himself sexually over the bodies. He got sloppy with each one, leaving evidence at the scene. It was like he wanted to get caught. He wanted to even the playing ground between him and the detectives working hard to stop this trend of bodies he was leaving all over Harlem."

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