Ghani vs The Shakur's: The Basketball Showdown of the Ages... [preview]

Hi

Long has there been a battle of words between Taha and The Shakur Brothers on a match-up in the game of basketball. Taha, hailing from an honorable Punjabi family, has recently reignited a challenge between two dominant households of Punjab: The powerful Shakur's against the fearless Ghani's. Or rather, the singularly fearless Ghani. The so-called “challenge” that has been issued is one that calls upon the three musketeers (Ali, Umar, and me) – not to be confused with the three stooges – to play a 3-on-1 match-up against Taha. Yes, you read that correctly, a 3-on-1 match-up.

For the sake of my good friend and brother Taha, I ask that you refrain from your laughter and continue reading for there is some basis for such a match-up, as much as it pains me to admit...

A long time ago, in a place far, far away, T-Wade had challenged Umar and me to a two-on-one basketball game at the Ray Meyer Recreational Center at DPU. Umar and I laughed about it, but Taha's deadpan, stoic expression indicated that he was in fact serious. (In hindsight, perhaps those were the early stages of his Hulk-like personality and demeanor...) After he called us out, we obliged and played him for fear of getting pounded by his massive naak (nose). After all, the only thing bigger than Taha’s nose is his ego; which this challenge makes evident.

As fate (and sadaqa) would have it, Taha ended up winning the game. Ok, maybe not entirely sadaqa on our part since Taha is a talented baller. Just don't ask me how one man could possibly beat two in hoops. It just happened. But, I will say that T does actively take HGH; in fact, I'm convinced that he's the one that invented it, but that's another blog entry for another day...

After that happened, Tahiti naturally wanted to take it to the next level and test his balling abilities against all three of us. An ambitious pursuit by a talented man when it comes to basketball, no doubt, but one that will ultimately be futile. What you have to understand about T is that he’s a passionate man, or more accurately, a passionate brute. Some may even say a passionate buffoon. However you want to look at it, you must agree that he is passionate. Unfortunately, that passion can lead to whimsical challenges like this one. While I admire passion in anyone, I’m cautious against passion that leads to irrational decisions. At this point, maybe now you’ll understand where his Hulk-like personality comes from; it’s not just his physical prowess, but also the mental umm...“edge.”

So, the 3-on-1 challenge was resurfaced after Umar wished Taha a sal gira mubarak on his fb wall. Taha had replied back saying something along the lines of taking the Shakur Brothers down in the 3-on-1 match-up. The next thing we know, Taha was on speakerphone with Umar and me where the smack talking heightened. Hulk’s wit did not fail him with classic one liners like, “I’m gonna use you guys to set picks on yourselves…” Then Taha tried to get personal with me and tried attacking my blog: “Look, Pac, your blog has fallen off. You need to spice it up again.” Umar retorted, “What about your blog, Taha?” Without hesitation Taha shot back in stern fashion, “Look, guys, only dorks have blogs.” A collective “Oooooo” was followed, but Umar came through like the Shakur Clan usually does and said, “Yeah, but only losers read them…”

The shataaak was heard around the world. Taha fell silent.

Sadly, we expect much the same on game day...

Until then