Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
After much waiting and anticipation, there will finally be a rematch between the Los Angeles based Drew League and the Goodman League of Washington D.C.
The game will take place on Oct. 9 in Los Angeles at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The time is tentatively set for 5:30 p.m. PT. Longtime Drew League commissioner Drew Smiley confirmed the news and date to ESPNLosAngeles.com.
The first meeting on Aug. 21 in D.C. saw the Goodman League squad, fueled by 44 points and a pair of clutch free throws from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, eke out a 135-134 victory. Since then, fans and participants alike have been clamoring to see these squads meet up again. After a series of scheduling conflicts, a mutually agreeable time was finally discovered.
“We kind of laid back and figured we had enough NBA guys here in L.A. to put together our own type of exhibition and do some good things,” said Smiley. “But in the back of our minds, we definitely wanted that Goodman game. And we figured everybody else wanted it, too. It was a great game.
“I know on our side, we sent out the Twitter and the text messages to each of our players and told them we needed to hear from them as soon as possible. Within five minutes today, I started hearing back, ‘Definitely! Can’t wait!'”
Among those who suited up for Drew League in D.C., the only player who won’t be available is Washington Wizards big man JaVale McGee. His place will be taken by Cleveland Cavaliers center Ryan Hollins, and other new faces for will include New Orleans Hornets forward Trevor Ariza, Timberwolves rookie Derrick Williams, Golden State Warriors forward Dorell Wright and Wizards guard Nick Young.
“We’re lining up all our young guns for this one,” said Smiley.
As for the biggest potential addition of all, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant hit a game-winner during an Aug. 16 Drew League scrimmage but isn’t a formal member of the team. He was recruited to play for Drew in D.C., but he declined the invitation.
“I haven’t heard anything from Kobe. We reached out to him for the one in D.C., but never really got any definite answer from him or from his contacts, so we kind of left it alone this time. I know (Milwaukee Bucks guard) Brandon (Jennings) and a few of the other guys felt they really didn’t want him to play. They felt that Drew was basically an in-house (team) and you really had to come and play. And all those guys are L.A. based guys.
“We would love to have him. If he wants to play, I’m sure he will, but we’re not gonna go out and recruit him.”
WRITTEN BY Andrew Kamenetzky covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com & FULL STORY HERE
