NFL
In its second season, the BIG3 has proven it has cemented itself as the go-to for basketball fans while the NBA is their offseason. After an intense regular season., the BIG3 held their Championship Game at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY. While many felt that MSG would have been a better venue, the home of the Brooklyn Nets did a wonderful job playing host.
In the first game, the 3 Headed Monsters defeated Tri-State in thrilling fashion with a final score of 52-49 as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf scored 24 points to go along with Qyntel Woods double-double (20 points, 11 rebounds). While Tri-State tried to ride Amare Stoudemire and his 22 points to a third-place finish, it just wasn’t enough. As good as the third place game was, the Championship Game was just as intense as a Lakers and Celtics Finals clash.
In the BIG3 finale, Power was out to prove that the regular season was no fluke. However, standing in their way was 3’s Company and their go-to-guy, Andre Emmett.
From the start, Power commanded respect as they built a halftime lead of 25-13. During that first half, things got a bit chippy between two former Duke University players (Corey Maggette and Dahntay Jones) which may have been the spark Power needed to take control. While no punches were thrown, it seemed to ignite Power, especially Maggette (Regular Season MVP) as he would finish the game with 27 points in the 51-43 victory.
The problem 3’s Company had was that they had no answer for the chemistry between Big Baby, Maggette, Quentin Richardson, and Cuttino Mobley. In basketball, scoring wins games but in a halfcourt set like the BIG3, chemistry wins championships.
Cat called game!
Cuttino Mobley hits the J to get ???? for Power, and they are your 2018 @thebig3 champions! pic.twitter.com/ux7XTAmlBb
— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) August 25, 2018
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In her first season as a coach in the BIG3, Nancy Lieberman knew she had to win with a team of penetrators and shooters while having rebounders and defenders in the post. With Maggette, Mobley, and Richardson on the wings, Lieberman, just needed Glenn Davis and Birdman to rebound, kick out, and take whatever scraps were left off missed attempts. While 3’s Company was missing Baron Davis, Power took the opportunity to control the game from the perimeter.
As they built their lead to almost 20 points, they did become a bit cautious and almost let 3’s Company back in the game with a late charge led by Emmett. But then, that’s where the chemistry came in with Lieberman and her trust with her core of guys that led them there.
