The Jamaica Basketball Business House League (better known as the JBBHL or jibble) started last weekend.  After 6 months of 7am Saturday practices we were underway.  For all of you who are back home please think of corporate leagues you would play in - and then compare to what I am saying.

 

The league started with a parade of teams where we came out and walked around the court and then we all lined up.  Each person had to be exactly one arm length away from the person in front and the person beside.  Then came the dress parade component.  They sent judges around to inspect each and every player - including nails, facial hair and general attractiveness.  After the judges inspected a guest speak was introduced... the introduction took almost 25 minutes.  The guest speaker spoke for about 5 minutes.  Then they announced the top three best dressed teams.  Unfortunatley most teams including my team were disqualified as knee-high socks are apparently the standard dress for basketball (ridiculous).

 

The actual first day is a tournament where you play 4 other teams.  We ended up 2 and 2 for the day.  Each game was about 10 minutes.  I played for almost 5 minutes in one game - 5 out of 40 minutes.  My only achievement was setting a massive pick on a guy - some would say I was moving and the pick was illegal given I was running full speed elbows up at the guy... but the refs saw my side of the arguement and called nothing.

 

Of course I am the only white guy in the league.  This is intimidating  - I honestly feel like I have the pressure of my whole race riding on my back - and unfortunately it is not a race known for basketball prowess beyond clumsy, big white guys and smallish shooters. I can't say the stares of the opposing players were friendly - and now I know what it was like for Jackie Robinson.