By Fred Jones, Jr.
fjones@theoklahomaeagle.net
Big 3 basketball has taken summer to another level for NBA fans. For the many followers of great NBA basketball competition who were that were once subject to summer leagues and brand tournaments. The Big 3 has resurrected some of the greatest retired NBA legends and provided an NBA half court game mixed with a Hip Hop concert type of atmosphere.
The Big 3 is grown man basketball that so many experienced growing up at the parks, in the driveways and those days when only 6 or 7 people showed up at the gym.
Oklahoma City and Kansas City was treated to such this past weekend with coaching legends and veterans from Julius Irving, Rick Barry, George “Ice Man” Girving, Clyde Drexler, Nancy Lieberman and so many more.
Ice Cube has put together a sports concept that will last a very long time and is destined to get bigger and continue to expand. I would advise you to get out to a city near you or to your location make sure you go and check it out live and up close you wont be disappointed.
Listed below is the OKC weekend games recap. For more information logon to www.big3.com
Clifford Ray and James Gary Photo Credit Strahm Jones Photography
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – July 21, 2019 – Chesapeake Energy Arena
• The BIG3 visited Oklahoma City Sunday for three rounds of toe-to-toe games.
• Brandon Rush puts Ricky Davis on skates to seal a win for the Aliens.
• David Hawkins and Trilogy earn another win over hard-nosed Enemies.
• Frank Session show the “Nitty Way” as he dominates the second half in a rout over the Ball Hogs.
• League Co-founder Ice Cube performed “It Was a Good Day” during halftime of the afternoon’s second matchup.
• The BIG3 continues its third season on Saturday, July 27 in Salt Lake City at Vivint Smart Home Arena (9:00PM ET). Games will also broadcast on CBS and CBS Sports Network.
Game Recaps:
Aliens 51 (2-3) vs Ghost Ballers 35 (2-3)
Sunday’s first matchup featured two teams desperate to remain in playoff contention. The Aliens, looking to bounce back from a Week 4 blowout loss, received a much-needed lift from high-flying specialist Shannon Brown. The 2x NBA Champion netted 16 points and eight rebounds in the first half.
Ghost Ballers made things interesting with a late 6-0 first half run before the period ended in favor of Aliens, 25-21.
Tempers were flaring shortly into the second half as Ghost Ballers’ Captain Mike Bibby and Co-Captain Ricky Davis each received technical fouls. Following the penalty, the Ballers’ deficit stretched to double digits.
Captain Andre Owens and the rest of the Aliens squad dug in to maintain their early game lead with several buckets from inside and out of the paint. With a victory in sight, Brandon Rush sent Davis to the floor with a nasty crossover and pulled up for a game-winning three.
Top Performers:
Ghost Ballers Aliens
Alex Scales 12 pts, 5 reb Shannon Brown 18 pts, 10 reb
Ricky Davis 10 pts, 5 reb Andre Owens 14 pts, 6 reb
Aliens building momentum at (2-3); Ghost Ballers still working for a win, now (2-3)
Trilogy 50 (3-2) vs Enemies 38 (3-2)
The streaking Enemies looked to maintain their winning ways against the always dangerous Trilogy on Sunday afternoon.
Things got off to a quick start for Enemies, behind easy buckets from Craig Smith and Perry Jones. But, the team struggled to match the defensive intensity as Trilogy went on an 11-0 run to take a 13-11 lead.
Building off consecutive standout performances, David Hawkins helped Trilogy build onto its momentum, scoring 13 points and stretching the lead to 25-18 at the half.
Enemies’ Royce White provided a spark off the bench in the second period, narrowing the lead with nine points. His effort wasn’t enough, as Trilogy pulled off its third-consecutive win.
Top Performers:
Enemies Trilogy
Craig Smith 18 pts David Hawkins 18 pts, 7 reb
Royce White 9 pts, 5 reb James White 18 pts, 9 reb
Trilogy continue their winning streak at (3-2); Enemies slip to (3-2)
Killer 3’s 50 (4-1) vs Ball Hogs 35 (0-5)
The Killer 3’s looked to return to winning form this week, while the always gritty Ball Hogs vied for their first win of the year.
DeShawn Stevenson pushed the Ball Hogs off to a quick start with nine points in the first half. Big man Eddy Curry dominated the Ball Hogs defense, netting 10 points and helping the Killer 3’s secure a 27-21 halftime lead.
The Killer 3’s continue to embody their coach’s energy. Charles Oakley instilled a fire in Captain Stephen Jackson and Franklin “Nitty” Sessions, who dominated the game in the second half and helped close things on a 16-2 run.
Top Performers:
Killer 3’s Ball Hogs
Stephen Jackson 11 pts Will McDonald 19 pts, 8 reb
Eddy Curry 10 pts DeShawn Stevenson 12 pts, 4 reb
Franklin Sessions 17 pts, 10 reb
Killer 3’s climb to (4-1); Ball Hogs continue to fall at (0-5)
