First Team All Sportface: Newcomer John Poulakidas

Get outta my way. I got this.

These Auburn guys can’t check me.

Slid to the right side, back beyond three, late in the second half with the game hanging up in the air, and stuck a three, a left-handed stroke that reminded basketball historians of Chris Mullin Jack Givens. Easy release, long follow through. Left-handed lullaby.

Nylon.

Turned to the wildass crowd, now exhilarated we might upset so-called almighty Auburn, and shouted something primal: “They can’t check me. This game is mine.”

Next time down, we needed a bucket. Took the ball. Told my guys to clear out. Went baseline. Auburn guy checked me pretty good. Figured I would have to shoot a fall-away in his face. He didn’t think I could.

Bamb. Fall away in his face. Turned to my team’s bench and shouted something like “told you they can’t check me. Fell away in his face.”

The game of my life, 28 big ones, 10 of 15 from the field. Annihilated Auburn. Lit them up. Couldn’t be stopped. Auburn is just a color, nothing else.

Kept gettin’ buckets of buckets. In March Madness. A dream coming true. Knew it would. Cuz I can shoot. Can stroke it. Swish. Scored more points than anyone who ever played ball at my high school, 1,300. Was All-State. Busted 49 in one game.

An under-recruited phenom, stroking Js from the sidelines, elbows, top of the key. Just like against Auburn. Neer heard from Coach Pearl about him wanting to play for him. Bet last night he wished I was playing for him. He’d be rolling into the second round.

Maybe he’s not very smart.

Unlike at Yale where everybody is.

Why Yale? Because I made a 40-year decision, not a four-year decision.

I’m also smart. Like my J I take the long view.

What color is auburn? Don’t care. They’re out. We’re in. On to the second round. Dancin’. Auburn sitting on the couch. San Diego State, you can’t check me either. Can’t no one check me?

Woke up this morning a national phenomenon. Best of all, found out Sammy Sportface named me First Team All Sportface. Never been more honored. Sportface writes like I stroke Js.

Bet he can’t be checked either.