Generation 58, Uptempo 62

This game was serious business for the two teams involved. For Generation, after making it all the way to the Garden and losing, they wanted their revenge. For Uptempo, as the defending champs, they had to prove to the league that - even with a revamped roster - they're still the team to beat.

And for those of you that don't know the personalities involved, that's what this game was all about. In the game preview, Generation's young buck Rafael DaSilva went on record by saying that not only would his team get the W, but that he was going to win Player of the Week. Bold statement for sure, but want made him a marked man was calling out one of the league's best (and most popular) players, Scott Williams, and his "cheerleaders." Not a smart move Raf.

Not that Williams needs any more motivation when he steps on the floor (this guy looks like he eats babies during halftime for protein), but these types of remarks definitely got him going. With both teams playing with only six guys, the game started as a defensive battle. Don't believe me? After three minutes, Uptempo led 4-1.

After Week 1's loss to Hyperflight, you could see that Generation is not the same team from last year. Sure they have some nice pieces, but they're going to have to learn to play together again if they hope to battle with the big dogs and make it back to the Garden. Case in point: An Uptempo sequence went from Danny Milan to Mike Won in the lane to a no-look pass to Williams for the and-one to make it 10-3. It's that type of teamwork that stems from teams playing together. And if you ask me, things seem to be working out for Uptempo.

After an early airball, DaSilva started to heat up, knocking down two threes. Couple that with a three from Joe Branch at the 8 minute mark, and Generation had cut the lead to 18-17. This was probably where Williams entered what I like to call his "dark place." With his cheering section yelling COOKIES whenever he got his hands on the ball for a bucket, Uptempo quickly pushed that lead to 33-22 with about 2 minutes to play in the half.

But the second half was all about Mike Won. If DaSilva is Derrick Rose, Won is Steve Nash. The grizzled veteran went on a tear in the second half starting with a fastbreak layup and followed by a jumper to push the lead to 39-30 early on. As Uptempo's offense started to click, so did their defense, as Milan had a couple monster blocks on Generation.

"I never get no calls," exclaimed Williams to the officials, but loud enough for the fans, as he lined up for a Generation free throw. While pleading his case like one of O.J.'s lawyers, he winked towards press row, knowing that the game at this point was in hand. Nonetheless, Williams and Milan decided to press and trap Generation in the backcourt, turning their D into easy buckets and a 53-38 lead. At that point, it was all but over.

After the game, a 62-45 victory for Uptempo, Williams' "cheerleaders" made sure that "the media" knew they were aware of this battle and that at the end of the day, much can be said off the court, but the real talk is on it. Don't worry, we got you...

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