Three Point Champion, All-Star Game MVP, and Defending Champion:

Donnell Cummings

Queens, NY—It has been a pretty good year for Donnell Cummings, the somewhat shy hoopster who stars for the defending champions, No Excuses.  Two Sundays ago, Cummings won the first three-point shootout during the Almighty Force’s Superstar Sunday with a score of 15 out of a possible 20.  “I thought I had a great chance coming in.  I knew John (Young) Miller and a couple of other great shooters were in the mix, but I always follow through on my shot and angle myself correctly,” Cummings said.

With a win in the three-point contest, you think Cummings would have been content—but no.  He decided to hit the game-winning buzzer-beater during the Superstars’ game.  “When I got the ball at the top of the key, I faked and went in, and then out.  I knew it was going in as soon as it left my hands,” Cummings told Black Athlete.  “Next year, I’ll repeat as champion.  In fact, I’ll repeat for as long as I live.”  Now that ain’t somewhat shy.  

I DON’T MEAN TO BRAG, I DON’T MEAN TO BOAST, BUT…

Queens, NY—Black Athlete sat down with one of the best little giants in the Almighty Force Tournament—call him Smooth.  He’s a point guard on the deepest  streetball team on the planet, Miller Tyme.  In this section, “I Don’t Mean to Brag, I Don’t Mean to Boast, But…” we asked the streetballer to do the opposite of what the title says—brag and boast.  So this is what the usually humble Smooth had to say:

“I’m the best little man in the game today.  If you’re not 6’5” or better, I’m runnin’ up in you.  I’m a giant in a little man’s body.  When I play against someone, I look to see if they mix it up when they’re on offense.  If they don’t, I dictate what they do.  I’m like the old Damon Stoudamire with a touch of Baron Davis.  I’m Smooth.”

PUSH, PUSH WITH THE BUSH(WACKER)

Queens, NY—Known to all as the Bushwacker because of his penchant for dispensing hard fouls, Black Athlete sat down with the outspoken ex-player, ex-coach, and referee to get his thoughts on the state of street ball.

B.A.: What’s right about the state of street ball today?

BushWacker: The elevation of the talent.  When I played, it was more specialized, and we were more specialized.  The players today are able to do more things.

B.A.: What’s wrong about the state of street ball today?

BushWacker: And One.  That’s what’s wrong.  The And One Era.  The players today take seven extra dribbles instead of doing what’s necessary—like a pass for instance.  That’s a novel idea.  A pass.  And I don’t mean behind-the-back.

B.A.: Why is street ball growing in popularity?

BushWacker: Streetballers today have more credibility than back in the day.  They’re going more places and are receiving greater exposure.  They’re on television and on video games.

B.A.: Why are the playoffs so intense at the Almighty even though they’re not playing for money like the pros?

BushWacker:  True players always have the hunger, and the fake ones fall by the waste side.  It doesn’t matter if there’s money on the line.  True players play.