PIMP LIMP
Legs rigid and barely able to bend at the knee, feet shuffling as if their weight possesses an insurmountable challenge to lift, and hips that appear to have been cast to a pelvic floor rather than move in any sort of naturality. You may think this description is that of a car crash victim or the sight of an elder straining to move from point A to point B with the assistance of a walker. But what I describe here is the common gait pattern of the modern day basketball player after a game. No matter the age, no matter the playing time, there is a universal, predetermined limp that every player employs after the kicks come off. The painfully slow speed of the walk, the slight pigeon-toed direction of feet and the stiff back often add to the dramatic effect. It's like a signalling style to the world that, yes, I just played basketball, no, I don't stretch, and yes I'd give you thirty if you laced up against me.
The game of basketball is a physically taxing endeavour to be fair, and surely the stiffness in walking post hoop session holds some validity in the honest expression of dynamic exercise. But there's the badge of honor that is worn in every painstakingly slow step, a triumphant limp that lets everyone know that you are better than them because you play ball at a wildly mediocre level and it's hard to do so and makes you walk this way. There's a nonchalant attitude that states, I've hooped therefore anything else I do today is simply an afterthought and can be done in the slowest manner possible. A basketball player that's just played is never in a hurry. The hurrying is done and now it's time to move in a way that lets everyone else know, yes, I play basketball.
Shuffling into the Weekly Recap:
Just two games on the docket this week as we gear up for the impending start of our summer sessions this Tuesday. But first let the old heads run (and then limp).
Game one in the 35+ league was a tight contest through the first half as an undermanned Fazo team hung tough with Zia Elite only to run out of gas in the second stanza and succumb 59-92. Matt Valdez earned his post game slo mo limp as he went for a game high 35 pts while Oscar Nuñez chipped in a 20 piece for Zia. For Fazo, big man Tim "Junior” Aragon had a solid outing as he amassed 20 pts to go with 8 rebs, while Salamon Romero had a nice game with 14 pts on some solid shooting stats.
Game two showcased some tragically anemic scoring for both teams as Santa Fe Elite edged out Vatos Locos 57-49. Luke Wakefield put together the only game worthy of post play pimp limp as he scored 20 pts and pulled down 8 rebs. Smooth shooting Bobby Richardson added a nicely packaged 10 pts 5 rebs and 5 thefts then proceeded to saunter out the gym with his back stiff and head high. For Meeklo and the gang, they may need to recruit some scoring before next game if they wanna shoot for a win this season. Paul Kirpes (12), Chase Stafford (11) and Captain Nick Williams (10) all scavenged some buckets to hit double digits but a 4-23 from deep performance got these bandana wearers in the loss column once again. But we believe in Vatos Locos forever. So shuffle those shoes, stiffen those hips and let everyone know that you too play ball.
Respect the game, Santa Fe Swish
