Puerto Rico Pro Legends (L-R) Coach Santos, Me, Mark “The Sharpshooter,” “Corky” Ortiz, “Baby Shaq,” Pachaco, “Wil’ Wild” Wes Correa, Danny “Italian Job” Basil, Ray Rivera
Back in August ‘07, I reported about our PR Pro Legends shocking the Rucker Pro Legends by 30 (http://www.bouncemag.com/2007/08/14/pr-pro-legends-shock-rucker-pro-legends-by-30-golden-hoops/).
The 10 year series continued Martin Luther King Memorial Weekend at the El Faro Beacon School in Spanish Harlem. We won again! The MVP was Ray Rivera who played at LIU when the squad was tops in D1 scoring led by Charles Jones. Another big contributor was Wes Correa. As a National Team member in ‘83 during the Pan-Am Games, he dropped 38 on a US team that featured Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. He stills plays in Hoops In The Sun and West 4th even though he is now in his mid-40s! I put in 12 points, including a 3 pointer that sealed the win in the final minute, and 8 assists.
Honestly, I don’t know how we won. The Rucker Pro Legends had “Future,” “Speedy” Williams, “Master Rob,” Tone “Batman” Greer, “Big John The Punisher,” and a bunch of young cats who were total ringers considering it’s supposed to be a 38 and over contest. No one complained of course as the point was to honor Dr. King. AG was on the mic being his usual hilarious self, and the crowd was treated to a lot herk, jerk, and mustard sauce, along with some good ol’ “Let’s win this game” quick passing. Shout out to “Corky” Ortiz (who is finally healthy and back playing again), Bob McCullough Sr. (former Rucker Pro Tournament Director ‘65-’87), Freddie Crawford (former Knick and Rucker Pro co-founder), coach Santos, and all the other hallowed names in the building that day. Word up!
MVPs “Speedy” Williams and Ray Rivera
Young Tyreke took MVP honors of the earlier game.
Tim “Headache” Gittens got the crowd out their seats a couple of times during the game before ours. He’s playing for the ABA Westchester Phantoms this winter, coached by former WNBA stand-out Theresa Weatherspoon.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Bigg Wash aka The Original Power Point aka Points of the Package says:
Holla at me Bob!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Dan the Man says:
Make it happen: PR Legend Carmelo Anthony is #1 in my book ! Check out Jay “Real Game” Boogie & Alimoe on the state of the game… giving proper respect to East Coast Ballers !
February 4th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Bakar says:
Shout-out to Mr. Ortiz, who repped lovely with the Starbury Is!
February 4th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Coach Santos of PR Legends says:
Hey Bob -The way you and guys was shooting 3’s and spreading the floor had alot to with the win. I believe this game was played correctly and the floor was balance
with excellent outside shooters. Ray, Danny, Corky and yourself had the net on fire. Good game and special props to Danny Basil - Santos
February 5th, 2008 at 2:54 am
love life says:
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEPA!!
many congrats!!
hit me with sum SHORTS..JERSEYS when ya
get back from P.R.!!
if i can recall correctly
there was this baller of
RICAN HERITAGE..MITE HAVE played in the MCDONALDS ALL AMERICAN GAME with ZO MOURNING….i think his name is……ORLANDO VEGA…(?!?!?!?!?) i saw a clip of him a few years back..he was like the PUERTO RICAN VERNON “MAD MAX”" MAXWELL!!
any word(S) on him..?!?!?
peace and safety and blessings
on ya trip 2 the homeland!!
February 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
funkalot says:
Bobbito aka “Kool Bob Love” keep doing your thang. Your genuiness and love for the game, nyc, brothers,companeros, hip hop and urban culture is to be admired. You have become the “hood’s basketball ambassador” and those of us who are manic like you, dig that!
February 5th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
love life-
check out my “Leg, 2-Pieces, Extra Crispy, Please . . .” post tomorrow, you’ll love the 1 2 combo punch.
funkalot-
good lookin’ for the love, primo. i’ve worked years and years to bring shine to the unknown, whether it be ballplayers, MCs, musicians, whatever. it’s nice to be acknowledged. word.
santos!
let me know about the globetrotters game asap. i don’t want to miss that one! you a coaching legend and heads don’t even realize it. representa!
February 5th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Derrick Canada says:
Bob,
You keep putting this stuff out there and you gonna have a brother moving back to NY just for the 38 and over hoops. Keep doin’ what you do!
DC
February 5th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
DC! man–you’d love the Pelham Fritz 38 and over. Everyone you know, from Tony Hargraves, Speedy, Big Ernest, Wendell Alexis, on and on and on plays in it. You still playin, bro? Or more importantly, you still got your hops?!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Derrick Canada says:
I play as much as I can out here (WI), but nothing compares to hoops in NY. I still got a good amount of game left in me, but like the rest of us find myself reminiscing about the work we put in in the 90’s. I can still climb the ladder on occassion, but I’m not trying to dunk on folks. I leave that to the youngsters.
DC
February 10th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Feets Malone says:
DC-
YOU NEED TO MOVE BACK ANY WAY OR AT LEAST FLY IN FOR THE SUNDAY GAMES. NEW BERLIN HAS AN AIRPORT DON’T THEY???
BOB-
LOOKS LIKE THE EBC TEAM WASN’T THE ONLY TEAM WITH RINGERS. IF IT’S 38 & OVER HOW DID YOUR MVP PLAY WITH CHARLES JONES AT LIU AS AN UNDERCLASSMAN???
JUST MY THOUGHTS…
February 11th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
Feets Malone-
you may not know, but Ray Rivera had an almost life-ending car accident 4 years ago. he was expected to never play again, adn took 2 years to get back on the court. he is nowhere near the player he once was, but obviously knows the game so well he can still go. plus, his jumpshot form is still water even if he can’t run full speed. so yes, rr is not 38, but his body may very well be in that category and that’s not his fault at all. that was God’s will. hope that answers your question.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Da italianjob says:
Bob what up? Just wanted to say its always a pleasure sharing the backcourt with my fellow brothas cool bob love and Rockin Ray aka the crippler. Santos good looking out on the call for the game its nice to know some ppl still want you to play ball for them.
Bob i need a project playground show for my high school. I also need a spot in the Pelham Fritz joint lol! Hope all is well and ill see you throughout the summer.
peace my brotha,
DB