Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Y'all Betta' Recognize!
posted by Roger Olivieri, 2/01/2009 07:40:00 AM
Rapper, Dr. Dre once penned the lyrical masterpiece otherwise know as U Better Recognize. Somewhere within his artistic display of prose, he unknowingly describes the 2008-09 Gamecock basketball program.
“I'm on an up rise, so I think you better recognize!”
I wanted to write this during the basketball game. That was important. It was necessary if I was going to capture true emotion to prove my point.
At the 15:15 mark of the second half Patrick Patterson throws down a thunderous dunk – the exclamation on a ten point margin.
South Carolina has fallen behind by double digits and I’m not skeptical. Last year, same situation, I’m tempted to walk out of Rupp Arena feeling like Big Pussy in The Soprano’s right before they shot him…
“Not in the face, guys. That’s all I ask. Not in the face.”
Certain doom held up by the question of extent. You know it is about to get bad – really bad. Avoid the embarrassment. At least, if anything, make this a moral victory. God knows, Gamecock Nation has seen the Wildcats play cat and mouse before dismantling the garnet and black in the second half. Before you know it, the game has turned into a 20+ point laugher.
Then a funny thing happened… (both to me and the Cocks)
Calmness overwhelms, all the while a famous Gamecock wilt is not happening. This is not a sure-fire loss, dammit! This is a game. As a matter of fact, this is a game with a ton of time left. I know Devan Downey “don’t roll like that.”
What changed? Why the confidence? I have no reason to rely on tradition – none what so ever. The nerve of me!
Raley-Ross misses a three pointer, but Holmes snags the offensive board! Zam for three! It’s a seven point game.
Yet another Patterson dunk, immediately followed by another Fredrick threeeeee!
Kentucky isn’t giving in, but neither are the Cocks. Downey surveys the landscape with a scowl. He looks as though he’s ready to beat someone up. In a basketball sense, the Rupp Arena fans probably don’t realize it – but he will. I know he will and I’m surely not the only one.
BOOM, just like that, it’s happening. Downey nails a three, then a jumper, then a steal punctuated by a lay-in for the lead.
Rupp Arena fans, like the Wildcat basketball team, resemble Apollo Creed shaking his head in the fifteenth round when Rocky pushes off the mat again. Bloodied by Creed where most men would quit, Balboa waves him in, “C’mon.”
Creed looks at the ground in disbelief, realizing this isn’t another victory. This is war and strangely the opponent isn’t going away. From that point forward, Creed was the one fighting for his life to avoid the inevitable.
Back and forth they go, exchanging blows - neither backing down. Then, off two missed free throws by Perry Stevenson, Holmes grabs the rebound and it’s a timeout for the last shot!
Amazingly, I’m confident the game is right where Gamecock Nation wants it. Last season, I’m confident (insert any team name here) has the game right where they want it. They know the Gamecocks will blow this.
Not these guys. No way. Either Downey is hitting the last shot or one of the big men will tip in a miss.
IT’S GOOOOOOOD!
Like I said, y’all betta’ recognize!
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Rapper, Dr. Dre once penned the lyrical masterpiece otherwise know as U Better Recognize. Somewhere within his artistic display of prose, he unknowingly describes the 2008-09 Gamecock basketball program.
“I'm on an up rise, so I think you better recognize!”
I wanted to write this during the basketball game. That was important. It was necessary if I was going to capture true emotion to prove my point.
At the 15:15 mark of the second half Patrick Patterson throws down a thunderous dunk – the exclamation on a ten point margin.
South Carolina has fallen behind by double digits and I’m not skeptical. Last year, same situation, I’m tempted to walk out of Rupp Arena feeling like Big Pussy in The Soprano’s right before they shot him…
“Not in the face, guys. That’s all I ask. Not in the face.”
Certain doom held up by the question of extent. You know it is about to get bad – really bad. Avoid the embarrassment. At least, if anything, make this a moral victory. God knows, Gamecock Nation has seen the Wildcats play cat and mouse before dismantling the garnet and black in the second half. Before you know it, the game has turned into a 20+ point laugher.
Then a funny thing happened… (both to me and the Cocks)
Calmness overwhelms, all the while a famous Gamecock wilt is not happening. This is not a sure-fire loss, dammit! This is a game. As a matter of fact, this is a game with a ton of time left. I know Devan Downey “don’t roll like that.”
What changed? Why the confidence? I have no reason to rely on tradition – none what so ever. The nerve of me!
Raley-Ross misses a three pointer, but Holmes snags the offensive board! Zam for three! It’s a seven point game.
Yet another Patterson dunk, immediately followed by another Fredrick threeeeee!
Kentucky isn’t giving in, but neither are the Cocks. Downey surveys the landscape with a scowl. He looks as though he’s ready to beat someone up. In a basketball sense, the Rupp Arena fans probably don’t realize it – but he will. I know he will and I’m surely not the only one.
BOOM, just like that, it’s happening. Downey nails a three, then a jumper, then a steal punctuated by a lay-in for the lead.
Rupp Arena fans, like the Wildcat basketball team, resemble Apollo Creed shaking his head in the fifteenth round when Rocky pushes off the mat again. Bloodied by Creed where most men would quit, Balboa waves him in, “C’mon.”
Creed looks at the ground in disbelief, realizing this isn’t another victory. This is war and strangely the opponent isn’t going away. From that point forward, Creed was the one fighting for his life to avoid the inevitable.
Back and forth they go, exchanging blows - neither backing down. Then, off two missed free throws by Perry Stevenson, Holmes grabs the rebound and it’s a timeout for the last shot!
Amazingly, I’m confident the game is right where Gamecock Nation wants it. Last season, I’m confident (insert any team name here) has the game right where they want it. They know the Gamecocks will blow this.
Not these guys. No way. Either Downey is hitting the last shot or one of the big men will tip in a miss.
IT’S GOOOOOOOD!
Like I said, y’all betta’ recognize!
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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Roger Olivieri. Roger began working with GamecockCentral in December of 2007. He currently serves as the site's chief videographer. He may be reached by email at roger(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.