Saturday night at Trinity University in Washington DC, a Goodman League team led by Kevin Durant and John Wall edged a Drew League team 135-134.
Brandon Jennings was heroic for the Drew league in a losing effort.
Durant was often matched up against James Harden, his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate. Harden was very expressive in the game, shoving around a few opposing players, but within reason and in the spirit of respectful, intense competition.
Durant scored 44 points -- though some say he scored 42. The lanky star came up in the clutch, hitting key free throws that helped clinch the win.
DeMarcus Cousins delivered tons of jaw-dropping buckets as well.
Nick Young did not play for the Drew League. And Michael Beasley, reportedly attending events in China, did not play for the Goodman league.
Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports: Early in the third quarter of his team’s 135-134 victory over the Los Angeles-based Drew League, Goodman League commissioner Miles Rawls looked down at the opponent to his right and said, “It’s a long flight to L.A. with an ‘L’ on the chest.” The words elicited laughter from the crowd but seemed to fire up the players from the left coast as they immediately overcame a double-digit deficit to eventually take the lead as James Harden drove and dunked and Brandon Jennings, scored, flipped on his back and later danced. The visitors silenced the stunned overflow crowd until Wizards point guard John Wall and District native Kevin Durant brought back the Goodman League -- Wall with his quick feet and nifty passes; Durant with his high-flying dunks -- and set up a thrilling finish.
More from the Washington Post: The intensity for a supposed summer league exhibition perhaps exceeded what many of the participants had expected, but also spoke to the pride that was at stake for players who earn their reputations on the asphalt at Barry Farm or the indoor gym that Washington Park. Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins used his big body to pound Wizards center JaVale McGee on back-to-back dunks in the first half, local street ball legend Hugh “Baby Shaq” Jones exchanged some words with Los Angeles Clippers forward Craig Smith and Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Harden threw aside all pleasantries as they staged an often physical duel at Trinity University.
Still more from the Washington Post: “That’s why we set this whole thing up. Both teams are going to play hard,” said Harden, who scored 34 points. “I don’t want hear nothing about that Kevin Durant, Thunder up. We’re enemies right now.” Harden made those comments before Durant won the game by sinking two free throws with 21.5 seconds remaining to finish with a game-high 44 points and then blocked Harden’s shot as time expired. Durant said he wasn’t surprised by how Harden went at him. “That’s with anything, that’s in practice, that’s in shootaround. If we’re on opposite teams, we go at it.”
Benjamin Standig of CSN Washington reports: Durant, named the game Most Valuable Player, scored 44 points and stymied his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden’s attempt at a game-winning shot. John Wall, the Washington Wizards electric point guard, scored 28 points including six of the Goodman League’s final 10 points. His swiftness was displayed on numerous aggressive coast-to-coast drives, an appropriate act considering the coastal tussle to show which city does basketball best being waged on the court. Fellow Wizard JaVale McGee scored 21 points for the Drew League, whose members paid their own way to travel east for the most anticipated game of the summer.
More from CSN Washington: A raucous crowd filled every one of the gymnasium’s 1,500 seats with additional patrons setting up shop along the baseline. Local hoops notables Delonte West and LaRon Profit were among the entertained onlookers while both local and national media ringed the track overlooking the court.
Still more from CSN Washington: Jennings paced the Drew League with 34 points. McGee added 21 points, but was dominated in stretches by Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who joined his former Kentucky teammate Wall on the Goodman squad.
More coming Monday, including video highlights.
DREW VS GOODMAN LEAGUE GAME PREVIEW
The Drew League is one of the best summer rec basketball leagues in California and the Western United States.
The Goodman League is a top summer rec basketball leagues in Washington DC and the Eastern United States.
And on August 20, the Drew League vs Goodman League basketball game will take place, with the game location set at Trinity University (125 Michigan Ave, NE) in Washington DC. The doors open at 3:30pm ET. There's an AAU game at 4:30pm ET. And the main Drew vs Goodman game time is 6:30pm ET.
On August 16 it was reported by the Washington Post that Michael Beasley, who was on the Goodman league roster, will be unable to play. Beasley will instead be attending events of some kind in China.
Rumors also emerged that Kobe Bryant might play in the Drew-Goodman game, and speculation increased when Kobe recently suited up for the final Drew league game of the year. But there's no evidence he's going to play. We'll see. But don't count on it.
The Drew League is referred to as streetball, but it's played indoors. The Goodman league actually is streetball and played on an outdoor court. But really, it's all just rec-league basketball. Wild, thrilling, fun basketball.
GOODMAN VS DREW GAME ROSTERS
The Goodman League Basketball Team Roster: Kevin Durant (OKC Thunder) John Wall (WAS Wizards), Tywon Lawson (DEN Nuggets), Gary Neal (SA Spurs), Tyreke Evans (SAC Kings), Michael Beasley (MIN Timberwolves), DeMarcus Cousins (SAC Kings), Josh Selby (MEM Grizzlies), Sam Young (MEM Grizzlies), Donte Green (SAC Kings), Hugh “Baby Shaq” Jones (AND1 Mixtape Tour), Emanuel “Duce” Jones and Warren “D-Nice” Jefferson.
The Drew League Basketball Team Roster: James Harden (OKC Thunder), DeMar DeRozan (TOR Raptors), Nick Young (WAS Wizards), Dorrell Wright (GS Warriors), Brandon Jennings (MIL Bucks), Javelle McGee (WAS Wizards), Craig Smith (LA Clippers), Pooh Jeter (SAC Kings), Bobby Brown (Aris BC), Marcus Williams (MEM Grizzlies) and 3 players TBA.
InsideHoops.com will cover game. We're looking forward to it!
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