AWVP

I have but one Memorial Day AAR to deliver: in 27 parts! So buckle up, because some things happened today that go to certain concepts that are still up for debate in this league and have been for a while.

Let’s go back to the beginning. When I was finally able to infiltrate the security of the exclusive resort community, they had a win and stay in system. So one super team would form and beat everyone else all day.

Now I was just a waterbaby from a who dat place called the Argosy, but I was still able to figure out how to solve this dilemma. You have to beat the super team. And do it fairly consistently. Then when you offer to mix up the teams, they might actually agree. Such was the birth of both the mixed ball and dynasty system.

Is I perfect? No. Fairness is something that’s hard to achieve, not always popular, and there are all sorts of ways to rig the system, like coordinated arrival, and strategic sitting, so you don’t have to play with people you don’t want to, which can lead to the same players getting herded into the same teams and suddenly there it’s hard to get enough players even though the pool is full of them.

https://youtu.be/5cSYNuEmHQk?si=xCRaoE6xkCzKpJPa

That gets kinda tiresome, so I will go in, even if it means I’m stuck in that rote. Because games need to keep moving. And I don’t mind trying to help out to the extent I can (I am not young, I am not tall, I do not have a good vertical, the weight room is a stranger to me) so there is a better chance for that team. And, for the aforementioned reasons, almost every time I play it’s against the odds. None other than the Lip himself has said I’ve played on many more “bad” teams than people who complain about playing on “bad” teams.

Maybe try this concept out: “I will fight just as hard with you as I will against you.” I think that’s fair, and gets you some respect and often times better performances from your teammates than you might expect. It’s called win the crowd.

And, to quote something else I heard recently: “I don’t like to play with players where I have no chance of winning”. Self fulfilling prophecy. If you don’t play you have zero chance of winning.

Almost there on the big news from today.

So here we go with battling concepts. LJ did strategic sitting to get the team he wanted. Ram was dry and wanted to get in on the next game. Them’s the rules (except the game does not wait for you if you wander off); he got back just in time, and I can only give up one spot, which is mine. So in Ram goes. Then Henry, decided he would sit so I could play. I’d played plenty, and would consider this courteous, if this was my first day of watervolleyball. It ain’t.

So ok, we’re gonna get smoked. I’m not saying Javi, Kenny, Dan, and Scully our chopped liver like C tier players such as myself, but we were overmatched.

And I certainly understand LJs instinct to stack his team after his bad experience he wouldn’t shit up about at the Saturday tournament.

Kenny, what were the odds of us winning game one?

But wait, we won! Bye LJ.

https://youtu.be/CE1cTTRj8tg?si=bFjkjUIL9u4lvMq6

Kenny, what were our odds of winning two games?

Oh shit. Won the second one, too.

Kenny, what were our odds of winning yet a third game? I’ll give you a second, because now we’re getting into astronomical calculations.

3rd one was like 15-4.

Dan has already provided the photo.

If memory serves, this is the first recorded nerd dynasty.

https://youtu.be/gZEdDMQZaCU?si=OZdGbHHHJEHB9VT0

Did I say before this is why we play the games?

Did I say before this is why it is helpful for good players like Javi to be willing to jump in and play with the nerds, even back in the first recorded nerds game in ultra competitive Dallas to get us a W? Greater share of glory when you fight against the odds. Proved again why he is king of the nerds.

I want to thank the whole team, especially Ram, for doing what we did. Ram had serves, Ram had net play(I shit you not). It goes to my philosophy that if you give people a chance, they can, on occasion, confound expectations.

So maybe play hard and help your C tier teammates out, rather than deciding to sit and stew, complain, or just start shanking balls to get the game over with? You’re good players, how about acting like it rather than arguing or being grumpy?

I know it’s a huge ask. But I remain optimistic, that maybe some of you will come around after witnessing a miracle today:

https://youtu.be/obQF671T8pI?feature=shared

That’s probably not gonna happen though. I expect it will be more like this:

https://youtu.be/eA4FxBQ020k?si=dMgbLpTKyR57i_2A

I suspect your dark master LJ will be handing out blame and punishments.

https://youtu.be/qdFLPn30dvQ?si=JqkDwVBXx8up1yLy

Or… you can join team Chief, where we believe in one league where everyone gets to play and gets a chance. And sometimes the results can surprise you. Like they did today. I saw some people really step up, which can happen if you lend them your skills and expertise by playing with them in “mixed” ball.