It’s like Butter baby, it's like Butter QTip voice….

Coming into this game I had Mamba Forever (MF) as a 1 point favorite over Washed and Folded (WAF).  WAF had their entire squad and MF only had 4 guys.  Not gonna lie had I known this prior to the game I probably would’ve made WAF the favorites by 1 but oh well as the saying goes hindsight is always 20/20.

First half:

There was no disappointment in the game whatsoever.  As I expected, both teams were really battling each possession.  You could tell this was a playoff game as the intensity level was like nothing I had seen all season.  Mostly a back and forth affair for the half but MF went into the half up 29-28.

Halftime stats:

WAF:

Jamil Ball 5 pts, 3 stls, 2 orebs, 2 drebs, 4 asts

Ben Butterworth 1 oreb, 1 ast

Robert Wood 7 pts, 1 blk, 3 dreb, 1 ast

Patrick Blaikie 12 pts, 1 stl, 1 ast

Joshua Gettings 4 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk,  3 drebs, 2 asts

Sami Hameid 1 dreb
 

MF:

Djordje Vlajkovic 8 pts, 1 stl, 2 blks, 1 oreb, 2 dreb

Emmanuel Okharedia 8 pts, 2 stls, 1 dreb, 5 asts

Jake Darby 2 pts, 1 stl, 2 oreb, 3 dreb, 1 ast

Seth Kopel 11 pts, 2 orebs, 1 dreb
 

Player of the half:

Emmanuel Okharedia
 

Second half:

At the 14 minute mark the game was tied at 39.  After this the offense started to click slightly more for WAF and they were up 48-43 with about 9:22 left.  I thought the game might be over when at the 6:53 mark WAF still had a two possession lead up 52-47.  Not so fast the game ended up tied at 58.  After getting fouled by Emmanuel with about 3.4 seconds left.  Jamil went to the line.  I thought for sure he would hit one but somehow he missed both.  A Djordje rebound and a timeout with 2.9 seconds left and the game was tied at 58, MF ball.  So it looked like WAF was going to go with Jamil, Josh, Rob and Pat for the last 2.9 seconds.  Then I heard it, Ben say to Pat “you want me to come in for you there’s only 2.9 seconds left.”  Pat said ok and proceeded to the sideline.  Jake was the inbounder.  I couldn’t really see who he was trying to pass it  to but it was deflected by deflected by Rob who then made a miraculous steal.  After being double teamed in the corner, he kicked the ball to Ben.  With Djordje right there in his face and the time running low I heard someone yell shoot it, which Ben did from the three point line.  The ball hit the backboard and went in.  A jubilant celebration ensued.  Game over WAF wins 61-58.

Player Grades:

Jamil Ball A yes he missed some crucial free throws but it’s irrelevant because his team won.  I could tell as he said he made an effort to get his teammates involved.  Still managed to have an amazing game despite not scoring his normal average.

Robert Wood A+ aside from making the game winning defensive play, Rob was all over the place.  He picked up his intensity for the playoffs and did everything in his power to help his team win.

Patrick Blaikie A- was the game's leading scorer in the first half but for some reason didn’t score in the second half.  Regardless he was still a constant threat out there.  I’m really only putting the minus on his grade for questioning my point management.  Not going to go into too much detail because we won a championship together but really bro?

Joshua Gettings A was aggressive and efficient all game and completely stuffed the stat sheet.  Loved every bit of what I saw from him.

Sami Hameid C didn’t do much on the court but was overall a great support for his teammates.  My one grip is if you don’t know the rules and I tell them to you, move on unless you can prove me wrong.  They are also listed on the website under info.  Thankfully Jorge was there to show me some stat keeper love.  Maybe next season things will be different.

Djordje Vlajkovic A even though the game winning shot was essentially made on him he did everything in his power to help his team win.  I don’t blame him at all, that's just how those things go sometimes.  As had been the case all season he played extremely well.  I hope to see him return to the league next season.

Emmanuel Okharedia B- his three ball wasn’t good like I expected (maybe it was his ankle that impacted it) but overall he had a pretty decent game.  One thing I gotta say is and it’s the reason I added the negative to his grade.  To come over to me after the game and even mention something about the 2.9 seconds as if I held the clock or something is absolutely ridiculous.  Listen I know you’re mad your team lost to mine, I know you’re mad in the game I reffed you got 12 free throws and only made 2. Take this from someone who has been around and played a lot of basketball.  Sometimes you gotta just look in the mirror and ask yourself what you could’ve done better or differently.  It’s not always about other people.  I actually thought we were cool but if not that’s fine just let it be known and move on. I will publicly say this too.  I have nothing against you regardless, never have and never will.

Jake Darby B played his role well and had a good overall rebounding game.  I don’t fully blame him for the inbound turnover; it was honestly just a great play.  I’m glad to see he is coming back next season. 

Seth Kopel B played well on both sides of the ball.  Almost hit a game clinching three but unfortunately for him he was out of bounds (ref had eagle eyes to see it).  Overall he had a good game and season and I hope that he comes back.

Players of the game:

Robert Wood not only did he make the game winning steal, he was all over the court and shot the ball extremely efficiently on the day.  

Ben Butterworth anytime you hit a game winning shot that automatically qualifies you for player of the game.  That shot gave me Winter 19 Over Legends Draft League Championship game vibes 😂.  Great shot and congrats on the win.