Team Uptempo has to be up for the Empire Strikes Back award (if one ever did exist). Winning the title last year was their first step to a dynasty, or better, the start of a trilogy. (I won’t compare them to the awful versions of Star Wars.) As Bobbito would say, “They came out of the box thick this year.” Uptempo is directed as usual by Terrence Chin. T-Chin might just be the George Lucas of this league. He was once a student of the game, then became the director of arguably the best squad in the NRF. He has thought of – or at least figured out in his mind – how to get both sides of good (the Federation) and bad (the Darkside) on the same page.

Uptempo is led by Mike "Obi" Won. Mike (whose parents come to the game) is the Jedi Master of Uptempo. He has taught the system well for the newcomers such as Scott Williams and Stalley. His game is like Lawrence Moten’s from the days of ’Cuse not Vancouver: “poetry in Moten.” He has a good enough outside shot that you’re forced to defend him, but he’ll cross you over with a lazy head-fake that defenders constantly bite into.

So far this season, this squad has blow away the competition. T-Chin hasn’t played in a handful of the games, and they’re still getting it done. Terrence seemed to have the draft come to him or fall into his lap. Who would’ve thought Williams aka “Rufio” (a draft no-show) would be this good. Mr. Williams is that bad guy, sorta like Boba Fett. Boba Fett always had that cool guy effect to him, and was the most sought after action figure during that time. Scott drains threes and always seems to be in the right place on the fast break for a quality and-one finish.

You can’t forget Kevin Wildes a.k.a. Han Solo with his partner-in-crime Stalley (the skinny Freeway) a.k.a. Chewy. If your zone seems to work somehow against Uptempo, you still have to figure out how to guard Stalley. This duo gets it done on both ends of the floor. Wildes comes in as the potential Sixth Man of the Year, capable of pulling down some key boards in his Sunday church socks every Wednesday, while Stalley’s shot off the glass competes against Do Kim’s for the Tim Duncan award.

The two backbone players of Uptempo are Dave Jacoby a.k.a. Darth Vader and his buddy Danny Millan a.k.a. Mahoney from Police Academy. Dave is the guy you don’t want to play with but sure has hell don’t want to play against. Danny is the older Patrick Ewing of the team, right before his missed that finger roll against the Pacers (hope that doesn’t happen this year for Uptempo), which also makes him the Yoda of the crew. His low-post game is super tough to defend, especially when he throws a baby hook your way (off the glass of course). Why Team Generation let him go two seasons ago is still a mystery to me. If Danny can stay healthy and not throw out his back or something else crazy, Uptempo will be extremely hard to beat come playoff time.

With all that said, Terrence seems to have “the force” on his side so far. DJ Reason is that hardworking Stormtrooper that hustles down the loose balls. He can also hit a key three when needed. Every team in the league is gunnin’ for the so-called Darkside. Defending their hard earned title is exactly what T-Chin and the Empire are doing this year.

Till next time,

Halo