The Big 3: Turn pain into Power
The worlds of entertainment and basketball collided as legendary west coast rapper turned actor Ice Cube turned the page on year two of his basketball tournament, The Big 3. He has created a platform where former NBA players play 3-on-3 in a half court setting to compete for the Julius Erving trophy. These games are highly entertaining and gives ex-NBA players the chance to still be competitive and show that they can still compete at a high level. The Big 3 tournament made waves in its first two seasons because it is the first of its kind. This season the tournament featured fan favorites like Nate Robinson, Mahood Abdul-Rauf, Amare Stoudamire, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Corey Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Metta World Peace, and many more…
Corey Maggette shoots a tough fadeaway with the defense giving him no room to breath. Maggette won this years MVP award after coming back from injury. Photo Cal Griffin of ATH
This summer the Big 3 players fought through many challenges including some tough injuries. At the end, team Power, led by Hall of Fame coach Nancy Lieberman were able to come out victorious and claimed the championship trophy. They were able to fight through all the adversity they faced during the tournament. The team consisted of Cuttino Mobley, Big 3 league MVP Corey Maggette, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Chris “Birdman” Anderson, Ryan Gomes and Xavier Silas. They all came together and willed each other to fight through whatever they were going through.
This team is about brotherhood, a bond that is deeper than just getting on the court and playing 3-on-3 basketball.
-Cuttino Mobley
A few of these guys should still be playing in the NBA, but sometimes basketball politics get in the way with teams choosing potential over production. Once a player gets to a certain age they become outcasts, as teams look to get faster, stronger and more athletic. Each of these guys have spent a lot of time in the league and are the ultimate professionals, so its second nature for them to know how to challenge themselves for a common goal. “This team is about brotherhood, a bond that is deeper than just getting on the court an playing 3-on-3 basketball” Cuttino Mobley said at the press conference. Team Power is very reminiscent of the LA Clippers of the early 2000’s as most of the team played on both teams.
Lieberman spent time in the WNBA, NBA G-League, and NBA, making her more than qualified to coach a group of men athletes. Photo ATH
Even in today’s modern era, many feel as if Nancy Lieberman wouldn’t be capable of coaching a team of grown men athletes. That couldn’t be further from the truth as Lieberman exceeded expectations as the first woman to coach in a men’s league. She raised that bar by claiming the Big 3 title in her first year. Lieberman spent time in the WNBA, NBA G-League, and NBA, making her more than qualified to coach a group of men athletes. It’s entertaining 3-on-3 battles weren’t taken lightly and players came to play every game. Team Power was more like an extended family on and off the court.
Chris “Birdman” Anderson was a huge part of Team Powers success! Photo ATH
The stage was set for an epic championship game. Celebrities and ex-NBA players were scattered in the crowd as the Barclays Center appeared to reach its capacity. Teams Power and Three’ Company would go head to head for the Julius Erving trophy. There was even a little skirmish as Dante Jones of Threes Company and Cuttino Mobley exchanged words. I had the opportunity to sit courtside for the action and caught some really good photos. Lieberman and her team were running like a well oiled machine. Power came out to an early lead by exploiting mismatches, playing physical basketball and playing stingy defense all night. As team Power approached the 50 point winning mark, Three’s Company would make one last ditch effort to cut the lead. MVP candidate Andre Emmitt hit on consecutive jumpers and his team a little hope. One shot away from claiming the title Cuttino Mobley got the ball on an isolation play and delivered on a play that he has hit many times before. After the game winning jump shot he would lay on the floor while his team piled on top of him in celebration. With confetti showering the players they took a moment to fully acknowledge what they just accomplished. Tears of joy flowed from Corey Maggette and Glen “Big Baby” Davis’ eyes and the season was filled with so much adversity. Maggette experienced a season ending injury and Davis went through depression, but their teammates never let them down and were there to help them every step of the way in recovery.
Ice Cube presents team Power with the Julius Erving trophy. Photo
At the podium, Ice Cube presented Lieberman with the Championship trophy and told how an earlier conversation they had came to fruition. “Why do you want me to be the coach of Power?” Lieberman said in that conversation. Being fully convinced that Lieberman was the right person for the job, Ice Cube responded “Because I think you can win the Championship!!! And here we are!! She won the championship!!… Let’s break all these barriers. A female can do anything in sports!!” Lieberman is as gracious a champion as any and is very humbled by the entire experience. Ice Cube and his Big 3 tournament are breaking ground all around and gaining momentum. They are making a huge impact on the basketball culture and I don’t see anything getting in their way for a long time… Now if they only can secure Kobe for next season. Their brand would go through the roof.