THANKFUL CELEBRATIONS
When most people think of the word "celebrations" it may conjure up images of birthdays, weddings and holidays, singing, songs and sweets, maybe an adorable two year old's feeble attempt to blow out their candles on a cake, or a round of thankful ado's at the table before the turkey and mashed potatoes feast? Not me bro, when I think of celebrations, the image of Shaq throwing up the Wu after throwing down Kobe's oop comes to mind or Vince Carter's "it's over" in the 2000 dunk contest. In-game creativity like Melo putting "three to the dome" or D-Lo throwing the "ice in the veins" and of course the less celebrated Ja Morant mimicking firearms after getting fined for waving one around on IG only to move to the grenade celebration. Whatever Ja.
In the history of sports celebration or "celly" as the kids say, no origin story is more bizarre than James Harden and the "let me cook" gesture he gave in the 2015 Playoffs. Since then it has become adopted by athletes in college, the NHL, NFL and fans alike, but the origin story of where this celebrated celly was cooked up begins in a recipe outside of sports altogether.
In 2010 Bay Area rapper Lil B performed the iconic dance gesture of pretending to shovel food from a bowl with a utensil into his grill during his music video, Cooking Dance w/ Souja Boy, yet five years later when he asked Harden to acknowledge the origin of the imaginary bowl and fork move Houston's all-star point guard refused, instead took credit for the invention and went a step further by denying knowing who Lil B was! Given the popularity and synergistic relationship between the NBA and hip hop, Lil B called bull shit. So in retaliation for Harden's lack of respect to his name, game and more importantly, his celly, Lil B had his alter ego "Based God" place a curse on Harden during the Western Conference Finals against Golden State where Houston was eventually eliminated and Harden posted an NBA single-game record for turnovers in the fifth and final elimination game. Eventually Based God lifted the curse and as we all know Harden has gone on to have a Hall of Fame career yet still searching for that elusive championship ring. Maybe resulting in leftovers from a curse basted in envy, greased in ego, and deep fried in failure but I'll say this for Harden and his gravy train, the man has made a living of cooking defenders, serving up L's and giving us thanks for the step back three.
We are so thankful to all of you, spending your nights participating in Swish's basketball leagues, creating a great competitive atmosphere, celebrating your moments with class and handling defeats with stoic humility. We are thankful for the sweet old gym we get to occupy and the sick shot clock system we have in place. We are thankful for stats and refs, family and friends and we hope you all enjoy this week off of competition in whatever way celebrates you. Stay away from curses and that extra piece of pie and come play some pick up Monday and Wednesday night 5-8pm, before celebrating the slaughter of culture and turkey alike.
That's right! You heard it here! Free Open Gym this week on Monday and a holiday special of pick up basketball on the eve of our country celebrating the cowardly pilgrimage of European settlers. But hey, at least they gave us the euro step and Dirk Nowitzki.
Now on to Celebrating Week 8 like Americans...let 'em cook.
In comp league action Tuesday night we saw Antonio Lovato and Killer Bz (4-0) take down the always salty Mario Archuleta and Degenerates (3-2) 68-59. Each star stuffed the stat sheet with 25 pts but "Tone" gobbled up 10 rebs, dished out 4 assists and picked up the leftovers after Christian Kavanaugh suffered a season ending knee injury in the second half. We're wishing you a speedy recovery Kav!
Game two pitted Santa Fe Style (4-0) against the bottom feeders of the bracket, Crazies (0-4). Everyone on Style was eating this game, big plate energy was Cody Garcia's 29 pts 15 rebs 6 dimes and 2 steals and Angel Parra cleaning glass like turkey day dishwashers with 23 rebs (16 offensive) to help fuel his 25 pts, 6 helpers and 3 take aways. For Crazies, Julian Lopez was gravy on a dinner roll all game pouring in 21 pts 11 dimes and 4 thefts but in the end a little under cooked, Style cruised 109-81.
Speaking of meal time, Blakes Lotta Buckets (4-2) ordered that double lotta combo on Heatwave (1-5) as Isaac Shanley and Jermanie Wilkins put on the chef hats and cooked for 25 pts and 24 pts respectfully. Heatwave was cold as cream most the game despite newcomer Tre Morinia giving thanks to his new opportunity with a 20 ball. Let's see if Heatwave can warm up with the new addition and bounce back from the 87-65 twamping after the break.
Wednesday Rec League had three helping's of gametime as well this week.
Blakes Lotta Buckets (2-2) was back for seconds to start off the night but Flash Flood (3-2) busted out the Tupperware and an ass whoopin, denying nutrition and posting a 79-65 dub behind Dominic Roybal's 21 pts 6 rebs 5 helpers and 2 steals. Matt Brito helped shut the fridge with 17 pts 7 rebs and 5 dimes. Isaac Shanley managed to find some extra stuffing and throw down dunks on his way to 37 pts 8 rebs 2 helpers and 3 thefts but the rest of Blakes seemed to suffer heartburn against some tough as over cooked turkey defense from Floods.
The 7pm game gave us a sweet slice of undefeated's going fork to fork but 505 Unit (6-0) left no crumbs for Hoopers (3-1) and savoured victory 72-53. Angel Parra was back for seconds and ordered a double double of smack down with 17 pts 13 rebs in light work sitting out most the second half no doubt stuffed from Tuesday night and the filling first half. Veteran Steven Lovato seems to age like fine wine and was smooth as California Pinot from down town sinking 3 of 4 threes in route to an additional 17 pts. For Hoopers, young bucks Diego Ortiz and Carlos Quintana ordered up best they could with 16 pts and 15 pts but couldn't find the right temp and got burned down the stretch.
For the night cap we finished that bottle of fine gametime wine with 2nd Stringers (3-3) hammering Nothing But Net (1-3) 76-64, behind Wilford Troup's drunk and in love 33 pts on 13 for 16 from the floor. Xavier Padilla was water personified for Nothing But Net, trying to put out Troup's sizzling performance, but his 18 pts 16 rebs and 4 dimes weren't enough to sober up the efficient shot taking and making from 2nd Stringers.
35 Over League on Thursday night gave us two mercy rules as we stuffed our bellies and loosened our belts from the week.
Zia Elite (3-3) took down Meyers Bros (0-7) 76-46 as Captain, Cook and Coach Oscar Nunez was spicy from three totaling 22 pts on 7 threes. Henry Lozado nibbled at the lead by getting 17 pts for Meyers Bros but mercy eventually prevailed.
Mother mercy shown down again in the 7pm contest with Mob (6-0) smothering Santa Fe Elite (1-6) 71-44 with stingy servings of defense and sharp cheddar cheese flavored shooting by Andrew Ellsworth and EJ Martinez who ate from behind the arc, netting 20 pts and 13 pts to lead the Mob. Bobby Richardson provided the only flavor profile for SF Elite with 10 pts.
For dessert we were treated with a delicious game between 505 Unit and Nothing But Net. Martin Ortiz chewed up the defense for 20 pts but choked towards the end while Mario Montano and Rob CdeBaca turned the second half into a buffet with six combined threes and a dub.
What a full week. Yum. Eat, drink, be happy and safe this week if you celebrate. Beware of the curse, mind your manners, and we're eager to get back to serving you the finest in Northern New Mexico basketball after the holiday. And if you are feeling thankful and generous please think about donating to our organization by hitting that menu button (on phones) or DONATE button on the website www.santafeswish.com to know your competition, analyze the stats and work on that new celly. See you chefs soon.
Respectfully and thankfully, Santa Fe Swish Gobble Gobble
