Critics who are still skeptical of man's innate ability to take flight obviously didn't attend Thursday's DT Summer Slam.
Hundreds of fans jammed into the East Lansing High School gym as former Spartan ballers went to battle in an alumni game dream matchup.
In its fourth year, the event was presented and hosted by David Thomas of the Spartans' 2000 championship team. Summer Slam is part of Thomas' basketball camp.
"I wanted to give back to the community," Thomas said. "To let the community see some of these guys who they only get a chance to see on TV."
The matchup serves as entertainment for the MSU community, charity for local-area middle schoolers and an excuse for Spartan basketball alumni to reunite over the hardwood. A portion of the proceeds goes to help Lansing-area middle schoolers participate in athletics.
"For us, it gives us a chance to get together," Thomas said. "If you can hear us in there, we're laughing and joking because we haven't seen each other in so long. It's good for us as well."
The Spartan alumni were split into two teams. The Black squad featured players from the 2000 national championship team, represented by Mike Chappell and Mat Ishbia and coached by Tom Izzo. The White team presented standouts like Jason Andreas and current Milwaukee Buck Charlie Bell, who managed to sink 50 points by the time the dust settled.
However, the high-flying, high-scoring, offensive exhibition could hardly be called a realistic basketball game. With Izzo's Black squad taking the win, 139-132, watching the star-studded showcase was more like staring at a video game or an "And 1" mixed-tape than actually attending a hoops matchup.
Mega-dunks, behind-the-back passes and 40-foot jump shots echoed throughout the gym over the thick beats of a hip-hop DJ and the boisterous banter of Lansing's own David "The Mad Dog" Demarco, who announced during the game. It was like watching a Harlem Globetrotters game, but faster.
The game was 86-81 at halftime, with Bell left alone to rip 30-footer after 30-footer; it was clear that defense wasn't exactly being stressed. Actually, defense was completely nonexistent.
Izzo noticed this trend at the intermission but was too thrilled to see some of his former players putting on an offensive clinic.
"You know, we're not playing very good defense," Izzo said. "But other than that, Charlie Bell has been unbelievable, and David Thomas has been close to him."
With big smiles and colorful dialogue being exchanged, the real draw of the event for Izzo was seeing old teammates take time to reunite back in Spartan territory.
"You know what, I don't like these guys … I love 'em," Izzo said. "They're the best. They're not only good players, they're really unbelievable guys, and I really appreciate them for coming back. They're all here, and that's what's neat."
