Mark Jackson, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, returned to San Quentin with ex-NBA champion, Brian Scalabrine, Warriors General Manager Bob Myers and others to play a scrimmage game against the San Quentin Warriors.
The spirited competition was called by comical play-by-play announcer Aaron “Imam Jeddi” Taylor.
The visiting team won 134-119. They had inspirational support by Marreese “Mo” Speights. Speights won a championship with the University of Florida. He was not allowed to play because “he is too valuable to risk injury,” said Myers.
The visiting team roster included Jackson, Scalabrine, Myers, who played for the UCLA 1995 championship team, Kirk Lacob, son of GS Warriors owner, former college players Chris Demarko, John Fahey, Joe “Time” Boyland, and Ben Draa.
The event started out with both teams circled around SQ resident Robert “Bishop” Bulter at center court. He introduced NBA Hall of Famer Jackson to the crowd. Jackson said a few words before leading everyone in a prayer. He did the same at halftime:
“Thank you guys…the same way we impact your lives, you impact ours,” said Jackson, who is also a pastor at True-love Worship Center International in Reseda.
“Floyd Mayweather said, after winning his fight, ‘my daddy put an incredible game plan together and I just followed it.’ Your father has a plan for you too, embrace him and he can turn your life around,” added Jackson.
“This event is good for the men, good for the institution and good for the Warriors organization to want to come and reach out to the men,” said SQ Warden Kevin Chappell.
“It is an extraordinary day when you can have such enjoyment at San Quentin, and it is good to be here,” added Lt. Sam Robinson.
“This game is a great opportunity for everyone. The visiting team gets to meet the guys at San Quentin,” said Don Smith. Bill Epling, Draa, Myers and Smith’s Christian Sports Ministries were instrumental in getting the Warriors Organization to come into San Quentin to play basketball.
“This was big. I may never have this kind of experience again. Even guys on the street don’t get this opportunity. For them to take their time out is a blessing. A cat in prison can’t have a better day,” said SQ Warrior Michael Franklin. Franklin scored 30 points against the NBA and college level talent.
“This experience was great. I always aspired to play in the NBA. Now I got to play against the Hall of Famer and actually got fouled by him,” said SQ Warriors’ forward, Greg Eskridge. 6’3” Eskridge blocked Scalabrine on consecutive plays.
The game was very competitive. Golden State had a huge size advantage with the 7 foot Scalabrine and 6’7” Bob Myers, while the tallest SQ Warriors was about 6’4”.
“They have the size, but we have the speed, and we want it more,” said SQ Warriors Coach Daniel Wright.
On the second play of the game, A. McIntosh slammed a rebound dunk off the backboard. “That woke me up. I knew we had a game to play at that moment,” said Scalabrine. In the second quarter, McIntosh tried to dunk again on Scalabrine, but it was blocked. Scalabrine made his size difference evident. But, McIntosh managed to score 23 points, which impressed Scalabrine. “I’m used to banging against big bodies, but those guys are fast and have great reflexes. They’re good,” said Scalabrine.
“I’m disappointed in that 23, I think I should have had 43,” said McIntosh. Wright called McIntosh his best player.
Toward the end of the first half, Jackson hit a three pointer with 10 seconds left. SQ Warrior Franklin responded by hitting a three at the buzzer, leaving the score, 68-67 SQ.
Golden State was up one at the end of the third, after Oris “Pep” Williams’ long two point shot with 3 seconds left on the clock. Williams normally plays for the SQ Kings, but he and Larry “TY” Jones suited up as SQ Warriors for this game.
The SQ Warriors are “playing well. Formidable foe,” added Degregorio.
“If I had to pick one player for the NBA, it would be Maurice Hanks,” said Speight
“Keep playing! It ain’t over till all zeros are on the clock,” Hanks rallied the team toward the end of the fourth, down 10 with 3:20 left in the game. He scored 24 points.
The SQ Warriors broke down in the fourth. GS Warrior representative Demarko kept finding himself open for easy baskets, scoring 32. “When they ain’t looking, I cut to the hole,” he said.
Scalabrine had several dunks, including an alley-oop pass from Jackson. He scored 25 with 16 rebounds.
Taylor’s play-by-play calling using a wireless PA system enhanced everyone’s fun. He had the crowd in stitches.
“I’ve never heard [play-by-play] quite that entertaining. It enhanced the game. I stopped taking pictures to hear what he was saying,” said SQ photographer, Sam Hearnes.
After blocking a shot, Jackson waved his index finger a ‘No, No,’ Mutumbo fashion. “Mark Jackson had zero blocks his whole NBA career, and he comes in here with a 1/16 of an inch vertical and blocks two,” joked Taylor over the PA system.
“Somebody come off the bench for Joe-Time, ‘cause he’s not working out,” joked Taylor after Boyland failed to score in the first half. The 5’9” Boyland responded by hitting a 3 and mugging the crowd while throwing up three fingers on his way down court. He went on to score 13 points and left the game to a cheering crowd initiated by Taylor’s comment, “Give Joe-Time a round of applause. He played well.”
“I had fun. Joe Time/Show Time changed the game in the third quarter,” said Scalabrine.
“What you think I came here to do?” clowned Boyland. “A lot of guys said I hadn’t made a bucket yet. I had to show them I can make a shot,” he added.
Taylor nicknamed the players names like, Anthony “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” Ammons, Michael “The Option” Franklin, Maurice “Optimus Prime” Hanks, Bryan “The Red Mamba” Scalabrine and Joe “Joe-Time” Boyland.
When Jackson’s behind the back pass ended in a turnover, Taylor joked in Chick Hearns fashion, “the mustard just came off the hotdog.” On the next play, when Jackson’s pass resulted in an easy bucket, Taylor added, “Way to put the mustard and relish back on the hotdog.”
“He did Chick Hearns proud,” said SQ resident Earlonne Woods.
Everyone had a good time. “I had a lot of fun. It was great coming out here. These guys are incredible,” said Jackson.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen NBA players up close, and it’s a cool and positive experience. They’re friendly,” said stat keeper Troy Allen Smith.
“It was a pleasure and a privilege to see them come kick back for a day and show we aren’t forgotten,” said spectator Walter Cook, who is incarcerated at San Quentin.
“Lovely. A blessing,” said SQ Warrior guard Montrell Vines.
When Myers was told he only scored 35, compared with 40 last year, he joked, “That’s disappointing. I came to get 40. If I got 30 rebounds, that’s okay.” He had 24 boards. The game ended as it started, with prayer and good will.
