Speedy with the lock down clamps. (Wasn’t handchecking outlawed years ago?) Jason McDonald photo.
Playground legend James “Speedy” Williams, age 41, plowed through players bigger, stronger, and faster than him to take the second-ever Last Man Standing 1 on 1 Championship today at Madison Square Garden. Along with a trophy and ring he won a $5000 check and a work-out with an NBA scout. How did a guy who didn’t even play high school achieve all this?
Speedy is an enigma. Many of us in the community have noticed that he keeps on getting better every year, and have joked that by age 45 he will be an NBA lottery pick! In the last three years he has played in every single major championship that NYC summers have to offer, and has taken MVP honors in Nike Pro City and West 4th. He is no stranger to any of this. Since starring at Division 3 Medgar Evars College (Brooklyn), he has taken every tournament, in any borough, by storm. In the ’90s, when the National Pro-Am had their title games @ Rucker Park televised, it was Speedy who led New York past a Chicago squad filled with former D-1 players. He was immortalized in the film “Above The Rim” as he played that dude in the park with the handle who couldn’t be beat.
In the 2003 Nike Battlegrounds 1 on 1 championship, he took second to another playground legend, Junie Sanders. “I lost that game on emotion,” he told me, then offered, “That wasn’t gonna happen again today.” It was heart, and smarts, that carried him to the LMS chip. Big men had to come out on his three, little dudes got bodied underneath. And no one could figure how to box him out. He ran a clinic, and had a strategy round after round. Now consider this–he had already played in a tournament game this morning, and as soon as the award ceremony at the Garden was over, he ran off to a play-off game at Kingdome! The man’s in tip top shape, b!
Returning 2005 LMS champ Corey “Homicide” Williams was shocked in the first round when he lost to a 5′7″ lefty guard that played D-3 that nobody knew. I think his name was Al? I can’t even remember! But I’ll never forget that upset. Homeboy stuck 3s to stay in it, then hit a foul shot to win. It was the first game of the day. I would’ve predicted Homicide and Speedy in the final. Once Hom took an L, the rest of the day was pretty decided.
Highlights of the whole tournament will air during an hour broadcast on MSG Network September 25. visit www.nyknicks.com for more info.
Speedy Williams hugs his Game Over Championship trophy with Ballgurl giving him dap.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
gladstone says:
9 PM on Sept 25 is the air date for the LAST MAN feature on MSG Network, thanks for the support during the summer 2007. gstone
August 20th, 2007 at 11:17 am
BallGurl says:
Congrats to Speedy,
2007 Last Man Standing and Hoops In The Sun Champion with DDN/Sean Bell All-Stars…
Don’t sleep on him. He has not lost one step in his game. Speedy still got it. Keep doin your thing player!!
BallGurl
August 20th, 2007 at 11:48 am
the truth says:
Al Callejas… Al Callejas…Al Callejas… K1X should give him Homicide’s shoe deal.
August 20th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
CCB says:
Yo, what size shoe does Speedy wear? I’d love to get him in our shoes. More importantly how do you reach him. Help Bobbito!
August 20th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Bakar says:
Damn, I knew Speedy was good, but to win a 1-on-1 chip at age 41? Mad respect!
August 20th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
CB47 says:
“Returning 2005 LMS champ Corey “Homicide” Williams was shocked in the first round when he lost to a 5′7″ lefty guard that played D-3 that nobody knew. I think his name was Al? I can’t even remember!” Ah man! How can you forget that name!? Talk about the highlight of the tournament! It’s not as if Homocide played Al sweet, or took him lightly and had to play catchup. He Faceguarded the little guy from the first check! Al couldn’t come close to stoppin’ Homocide, make no mistake about it, I think ‘Hom scored each time he touched the ball but Al really played the perfect game to get that dub. If they played 10 more times, would that happen again? Doubtful, but, that man made the most of his one shot. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I can’t wait for that tape!
August 20th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
CB47 says:
CCB: I wouldn’t there, Homocide is a tough player, he deserves all he got, but from the looks of things that kid Al can really play too. But Hom did show love post-game and it looked like he gave the kid the credit he deserved… much respect for being a good sport. peace!
August 20th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
CB47 says:
B clear, I didn’t mean to spell the mans name wrong, respect to Homicide. Thats my fault.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:49 am
Feets Malone says:
Bob,
I don’t know… you printed that dudes age. May not be a good look. You know how protective that guy is about his secret identity. lol But it goes to show, that if you truly love this game you can play it forever, it will always be there for you and you can never stop improving. Speedy is hands down the best guard in the city and absolutely the winningest! (Oh, yes! That’s definitely a word now!!!!) Speedy’s basketball IQ is leaps and bounds above all those in the game and to watch him play is a tribute to all those who came before him. And he hits the toughest shot in basketball; full speed spin to the front of the rim bank 2ft dead center!!!! Congrats Speedy
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:46 am
MS. Martin says:
Hey wassup yea my big brother won.. I’m so happy for him.. really it was good seeing you again bob.. And people remember age ain’t nothing but a number.. He’s game is better then 98% of the younger dudes.. CCB hit me up on my email divas@tmail.com.. His size is a 10 1/2. I’m his lil sister. Shout out to ball gurl.. Yeah you know im @ every game..
March 1st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
DJ Candygirl says:
That dude can play some ball but he is also a very goor stand-up comedian and karaoke singer…you can check him out on Sunday Nights at Manhattan Proper in Queens…he is HILARIOUS!!!! ((His man Corey is pretty funny too))
Congrats Speedy you’re AWESOME baby!!