The 5th Ave. Classic All-Stars
Last Friday, I was invited to run with the 5th Ave. Classic All-Stars against the K1X squad played at Madison Square Garden. I looked at our opponents and saw Corey “Homicide” Williams, James “Stix” Williams, Corey “the Undertaker” Underwood, and Ryan “Special FX” Williams among other top flight players representing the German sneaker brand. Our 5ASL crew was small with a gang of up and comers, with our most prominent name being Tommy “Gunn” Eddie.
I checked into the game late in the 1st quarter, and my biggest fear confronted me. Homicide yelled out, “I got Bob!” Great. Does that mean I have to check the man who just dropped 45 on Artest and 40 on Smush Parker too? But then I thought shoo, Hom is doing that on pro dudes, so if he totally abuses me, why should I feel scared?! No one is gonna look at me funny! So I just went out there and played my game. I hit a buzzer beater from three to end the period and put us up, and my whole squad came out to give me a high five. Felt nice, plus Taz and Gumby were announcing the game (their first time on the mic at the Garden), and they really made a brother feel loved as they screamed out, “Kool Bob Looooooooooooooooove for threeeeeee!”
(L-R) 5th Ave. Classic announcers Taz and Gumby, who also do Kingdome and Showboat in Harlem.
Oh, I should mention that our coach Andre Ricketts, who is my man and a former teammate from the Caton Park League (Flatbush, Brooklyn) all the way back in ‘91, took us quickly out of a man and into a zone while I was in the game. Thanks for protecting me Dre! Ha ha! Homicide might’ve left another body chalked out on the floor, and it would’ve been mine! Ha ha! The other funny moment for me was when the K1X bench yelled to me, “Bob, you getting old–your number is falling off!” I thought they were totally joking, but then when I came back into the game in the 2nd half, this lady from the crowd screamed, “He, your number is hanging off your shirt!” So I pulled it off completely and asked her, “You want it?!”
The final score was 5ASL 85, K1X 77. We were led by former Duquesne U. stand-out Kojo Mensah’s 21pts and the game’s MVP Tommy “Gunn” Eddie’s who put the bookbag on in the second half and was unstoppable in the post. Game high was Homicide’s 24, and Stix added 18 for K1X.
Shout out to Ali and Alphonso for putting a brother down. Highlights from the game will air this Thursday at 7pm, Saturday at 10:30pm, then Sunday at 10am and 11am, all on MSG Summerball.
I also want to mention that the game was a charity event benefiting Diamond Empowerment Fund, a non-profit international organization with the mission to raise money to support education initiatives that empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. That’s real.
For more information on 5ASL, checkwww.5ASL.com or hit up Commissioner Alphonso Howlett: Alphonso@5ASL.com
July 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am
ali says:
yeah bob! i’m back in the gym trying to knock off the rust of my premature retirement. you’re an inspiration to all of us in the 30 and over crowd.
i used to watch tommy eddie when he was in high school, playing with my cuz lee church for coach ruth lovelace at boys and girls. glad to hear he’s doing good.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:01 am
40 cal says:
Is KIX becoming the new Nike
July 17th, 2008 at 11:31 am
mr. k1x says:
we are nowhere near that yet, but we are definitely in the game. makin moves and stayin hungry. takin over one court at a time.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Vern says:
BOB,
Thanks for shouting out Gunzz. Also, I would like to say that Brooklyn has some serious B-Ball players besides Harlem & the Bronx. Players like Mike “Smooth” Campbell, Charles “CJ” Jones, Raphael “Blade” Edwards, Chris “Six” Wehye, James “Stixx’ Williams, Darren ‘Primal Fear” Philips, Junie ‘Mr. Excitement” Saunders, John “Mookie” Thomas, Shawn “Murder” Simpson, the list goes on and on.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:42 am
emp84 says:
those guys are all over the place this summer!!! the shoe that homicide is rocking on the courts is hot…
July 17th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Mr.Commissioner says:
Shout out to Kool Bob love and the whole Summerball staff, K1X, MSG, and everyone else that help us keep the ball rolling on 135th n 5th every Monday and Wed night @ 6:30pm and 7:45pm until Aug 13.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
A's says:
Bob - thanks for the love! u forgot to mention that Simmons Jewelry Co. sponsored the lovely and famous “GREEN BRACELET” for the winning team and coaches!
- Shout out to:
5ASL
k1X
Simmons jewelry Co
Powerade
This is what we do!
MAP’nOUT
July 17th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
A's says:
And my bad: CROWN TROPHY of Forest Hills!!
July 18th, 2008 at 3:21 am
bobbito garcia says:
aaaaaaaaaaaa-ight! i’m down to play ball with y’all anytime, just let a brother know when the next game is. word up.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:25 am
g says:
good call Vern,but you forgot one,that for some reason people always seem to overlook, Gordon “Boobie” Malone. That dude has arguably been the best big man in the city (that title rest between he and Murda Death Kill in my personal opinion) And a new Bk force has emerged, Eugene “Open Road” Lawrence…. he’s been getting it in every where he’s touched ground this summer,im really happy for him……
July 18th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Mr.Commissioner says:
Don’t sleep on Dominic Jones, YES YOU KNOW THE NAME. Harlem own, AKA Disco Dime O, AKA Passenger57. You think about why they call this kid that. He had 37pts last Wed @ 135th n 5th On BK X-Press, yes he play on the home team Map’n Out ENT. Then went over to Show Boat Classic on 108st n 3rd Ave. Yes shout out to the Show Boat Family and got the name Passenger57. YOU DO THE MATH.
5ASL.COM
July 19th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Vern says:
G,
My bad dude. Gordon and Eugene are on my top list of Brooklyn Players who put it down year in and year out.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:22 am
Sand from HITS says:
K1X is giving nike a serious run…
Also…being a queens resident myself everyone talk bklyn & harlem…queens ran nyc last summer…players? Undertaker, (courtney underwood?)…he has an nba game and is very close to an invite with the 76ers from camp in oct. Some guy at hunter told me…40 woodward, his brother 20, BJ the beast, Rashard Bell…Cheyne Gadson, Anti-Freeze, J-Hi, Foots, Special FX, Skip, Ron-Ron, L.O., Showtime Hill, The Wire, Fred Razor Williams…you guys can’t be for real…and…Queens has the most nba players in the city! Do your math
QUEENS!