The battle for bragging rights

It was the match up every NBA fan across the country was looking forward to...Los Angeles vs Cleveland. And while the rosters didn't include either Kobe or Lebron, the pick-up game played between LA SCORES Executive Director, and Cleveland native, David Joseph and AmeriCorps VISTA, and LA groomed, Dre De La Peza was just as captivating.

There had a been a buzz around the LA SCORES office for the past few months; David Joseph, an undefeated 1-0 against SCORES staff in previous meetings, had challenged the newcomer VISTA to a game of basketball. As time passed, the anticipation grew. Backed with a seemingly endless supply of linguistic quips and verbal artillery, David's trash talk would've sent Floyd Mayweather himself, back to his corner, head hanging in despair. But Dre absorbed every word, hoping that with each blow the the mighty would only have farther to fall.

Fast forward to lunch hour on Monday. The two competitors find themselves at Palms Rancho Park taking some shots to ease the tension the last week of school has brought. After warming up David casually states "For fitness sake, wanna run one?" and with those few simple words the battle had begun. Cleveland vs. LA: Games 1-7 all at once. First to 11 and to the winner go the spoils.

The game begins and David wastes no time. A stong drive to the hole for an easy lay-up. 1-0, winner's outs. Then the Ohio version of Rex Chapman steps back and nails a shot from distance. 3-0 Cleveland. (Dre's thoughts:"Uh oh") On the ensuing play, Dre grabs a rebound of a missed lay-up. Needing to get on the board, he drives to basket to score on a reverse. 3-1. Next play, another lay-up followed by a long range shot of his own. 4-3, advantage LA. The two trade baskets leaving LA up 5-4.

Now I wish I could say what ensued was an epic battle, one of those straight to ESPN Classic games that people use to define their childhood. But it wasn't. LA would not score another bucket. Cleveland would tally 7 straight points ending on a long range 2 pointer to seal it. David's range and length allowed him to block multiple shots while converting from all over. He moves to 2-0 against SCORES staff and was able to back up his pre-game poetics. Dre had an extra long drive home that day, as he stands 0-1 and impatiently awaits the re-match.

So Congratulations Cleveland, you might not be able to win in the Majors but you're undefeated in 501 (c)(3).