The beginning of the "offseason"Posted by Cory Underwood: May 4 10:55 a.m. ET

I'm letting you know now...get comfortable! You might want to read this
while you use the bathroom or load the link so you can read on that long
train commute to work, (for my NYC readers) its been a minute and I have
a lot to say this time around...

It’s 5am, May 2nd...taking my Grand Theft Auto break, (to my
friends...please nobody contact me...I've been playing the game since
the 28th and I plan of playing 'til the TV explodes or my eyes
bleed...which ever comes first) Where do I begin?...

Ok, how about we traded the big homie (Darvin) Ham to Austin with about
four games to go. And how ironic our next game was against him,
however...not only him...but Serge (Angouno) and Josh Gross, ALL former
members of the Albuquerque T-Birds...the Basketball team, not my Singing
group (I'm sure you get confused) that broke up due to "creative
differences"...so lets call these guys the Austin Thunderbirds...

As I informed you previously in the last bloggington (sorry I can't
help it) we were out of the playoffs so after our last home game I stayed
around town for a few days...mailed some belongings back to Queens and
then drove to Texas with Cheyne. I actually caught Game 1 of the
D-League Finals, good game...Justin Bowen was the hero for Austin and
also played great defense on Randy Livingston, (What up Randy, great
talking to you after the game) really shadowing him all night.

So right now I'm in Austin...working out and doing some work for the
Spurs/ Toro's 'til about June...I really miss my friends and family in
the city...and the Basketball. When I touch down the summer leagues will be
kicking off...and yes I'll be playing everywhere again. From West 4th to
Watson, I'll be all over trying to get to that number one slot as NYC's
best streetball (not that trick $h!*) player...last summer I started out
something like #17 in the Bounce magazine's pre-summer rankings and
ended the summer #12, 3rd team all-summer...so now its time to climb in
that top 5! Other than that, I'll be at Big Momma's off Farmers...or in
the 'Hurst between the Barbershop and Kecia's...or up on Northern Blvd.
With C.J. Ko and company hanging out. Nights in the Bronx and
Harlem...yea, I got it all planned out...

As for the future...I'm not sure...

Its 50/50...D-League or Europe...I say this because although I had some
big games and these guys definitely respect my G 'round here...but, I
didn't put the numbers up that I wanted...I remember after we played
Kasib and them at Sioux Falls he texted me saying this was the start of
me "putting in work"...he knew I could put up good numbers in this
league...and get up top as well...I feel the same for sure, however
between splitting minutes with K.P. (Pittsnogle) and falling in and out
of grace with Coach Ruland for my "lack of defense" (I felt I was 1 of
our better defenders personally) it was a rollercoaster ride...but you
can't deny, when given the minutes...I PRODUCED!...check the game log
famm...so yes the competitive side wants to come back, unfinished
business...however, in my head the song "Where them dollars at?" by
Gangsta Boo is on repeat and Europe is where they at...ya digg?! After
NBA summer league, offers over the water will be 6-digits deep, that's
hard to turn down...D-League step your game up...a lot of guys would
stay if you up the ante. Something to ponder during the summer months I
suppose...

But then...

I read a blog from a well respected vet like Gabe Muoneke, where he's
saying if you get 90% of your money in Europe call it a "success"...

HOLD UP...

Don't joke with me...

In the words of the O.G. Bill Blass, (God Bless the dead) "I'm taking
mine off top!"....but I've always heard this, however I wouldn't expect
that from a dude playing for Tau Ceramica...which is like playing for
the Knicks or Lakers...so in other words, if he's stressed playing for
the Spain "Los Lakers", imagine the grind these other dudes are on in
France, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, etc...it makes you wanna double back
on the double back, if you get jist of what I'm saying (eye wink and
guns baby!)...I'll leave that stress for later on, I guess...

Even though it’s the "offseason", (I use quotations b/c there really
never is such of a thing) I still put in 3, 4 hours of work 6 days a
week, taking Sunday's off...but there's still tons of free time on my
hands...so in between Xbox 360, beating Cheyne in 1 on 1's (I beat you
like 4 times inna row man, left you on zero once...yes...& no post
action involved, perimeter!) I'm heavy on the television
thing...especially at night...

Now I, Cory Allen Underwood...I'm a God fearing man and don't take this
the wrong way because I'm very spiritual, attend Church with my
Grandmother every Sunday when I'm home kinda dude...but this guy on
BET...Kerney Thomas, I know some of y'all have seen him...hoping "Uncut"
comes on, you run into this character...BET, please take that guy off,
he's 7:30...Another 30 minutes of "Morning Inspiration" won't hurt,
trust me...please. This guy will be holding conversation with a caller
(its pretty much a call-in, I need a blessing/ healing type of show) and
this guy sporadically screams out "GOOOOOOD!"....for example...

" I know sister (fill in the blank) you are trying to endure in these
tough times...but I know that (screaming to the top of his lungs)
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD...(back to normal vocal settings) will see you past
this..."

Don't believe me...YouTube it or sleep all day and watch BET all
night...or put that TiVo to use...

Then I caught an infomercial...selling Tasers! I mean give me a bow and
arrow...let me make the news for taking out a perpetrator with a sweet
Arrow to the knee or Achilles...now that would be news! Cops Taser
people all the time...and there's a few 7:30 'ians in this world that
can take a Taser and still manage to kick your ass...when you find a
human who won't drop to the floor after gettin' picked off from a bow
and arrow...holla at me, cory.underwood@yahoo.com....I mean, me
personally...just the sight of an arrow in my body will have me
like..."hold up, let me just sit the next couple plays out 'til EMS gets
here...I have an arrow in my leg, this could be serious..."

Also a random thought...

I haven't caught it, but can somebody tell me if J-KIdd still
blows a kiss when he shoots a free throw?? I know him & Mrs. are
done...wonder if he does it anyway. Some of the stories I heard about
them were kinda crazy...but she's so pretty...I mean Joumana
Kidd...she's the type that after you have her arrested you go to the
precinct and visit her, like "Baby...this is the 3rd time you set the
house on fire, and the second time I've woke up tied to the bed reeking
of gasoline...but we can still get past this, lets invest in some
marriage counseling?" I mean we all know the pretty one's are the
craziest one's, no...? and us men change our minds as often as we change
clothes...I was telling my Grandmother, since last August I'd say, I've
thought I was in love about 50 times...with 50 different women, it
varies weekly... (shaking my head) some I love past 2, 3 weeks...to
quote 50 Cent on the song "puppy love", "I'm messed up in the head, the
women...they made me this way, its no wonder I can't sit still...Monday
its Tasha...Tuesday its me and you Wanda..." And with that being said,
I'd like to announce my new love interest for the months of May and
June...

Ready?...

Natsha Ramos...

She sings this song called "Midnight Hour"...I swear this song came out
a year too late, probably could've saved my relationship...but that's
another story...(perhaps a light novel or 5) but real rap, I love the
song...and her even more...if you have a myspace page, or even if you
don't, search her name and listen to the song...its on Limewire
too...but, don't download and when the boys in blue come looking for
you, please don't point them in my direction..."Cory Underwood said
download music...I read it on his blog..." with all this being said...I
think its time for another list! I know I got a lot of slack for the
list...e-mail's about my list...nothing about the blog, just the
list...oh, and why didn't you give me a shout out...that's becoming the
norm now...anyway, back to the subject...don't get me wrong, I love all
those girls from the last list too...still...I don't wanna even say top
10 anymore...we'll go with "C-Wood's temporary Love interests"....in no
particular order:

* The Girl from the TV show Grey's Anatomy...she's also the girl from
the movie "Knocked Up"
* Toni Braxton
* Alicia Keys
* Taraji P. Henson...Common's girl...shorty from "Hustle & Flow"....
* Joy Bryant!
* Eva Pigford Marcille...the only girl who I'd love with short hair...
* Rocsi from 106 & Park
* Danella from BET
* The Dominican girl who does hair 'round the corner from my house
* Lightskin Keema from Corona (I'm speaking for ALL MY FRIENDS...WE ALL
LOVE YOU!)

Ladies, please don't be mad if I didn't mention you...there's always
July, August and those other months...

A special shout out goes to Madonna...I saw her new video and you have
to give it up to her...she's like knocking on 70 and looks great! I
remember when I was a little guy and that song "Justify my Love" came
out and they showed the video on the 10pm news...if you don't remember
the video, YouTube it...it was a little "different" I'll say...men
wearing leather under garments & masks...yea, that different...I
remember my aunt walking in on me in my boxers...lights off watching
this video...only can imagine what was going through her mind...moving
on...

D-League rims are higher than NBA rims!! I just wanted to put that out
there...yes you NBA guys take off, however I bet half of you wouldn't
finish these big time plays on a D-League rim...we play on ten and a
half foot rims, no lie...that's how it feels at least. When we played at
the Staples Center the rim was so low I felt like I was 5 years old
playing on that wire hangar hoop I made above my door.

Music Update...check "Queens Da Movement" mixtape...on myspace or
download it at www.datpiff.com I promise you that you will enjoy
it...shout's out to Oxx, L*Gang...next big thing coming from Queens!
Also what up to Losin' Isiah and the Bang Bang Boogie machine...and my
guy P.O. from Watson...Joe Pope what it does moe...

Also shout out Jonell and the Queens Spy Shop which was on B.E.T. a few
weeks ago...Hakeem, Rockport...what's goody...happy belated to my #1
girl, Rita Frederique aka Grandmother (LOL noelle) aka Mummie...love you
lots and see you in June...Keanna, who has a birthday coming up, enjoy
sonn...my homegirl Erika aka "Boogie" or "Boggie" somedays...the walking
soap opera Young Magnum P.I...tisk, tisk, tisk...my lil' cousin
Noelle...who's got a prom coming up...YOU BEHAVE DAMNIT!...shout ot to
Vic for the light love connection...and Chrissy for being a team
player!...what up to his sister Shaniyah, Annie, Keisha, Barry,
Roy...Momma Dee welcome home, I need that rice and Turkey wings when I
touch down!...Jamel hold your head...AUNT JOYCE...Noelle tell your
mother I gave her a shout out...Cuzzo Vic, Happy Bday my G'z...Unk's
Wes...welcome back East...A-T-L "Shawty"...man if you develop an
accent...Oh Man! ! !...and on a serious note Rest in peace to the Lil'
homie Tyshawn aka Fly Ty...my cousin Tyrell, Rashard and the D.I.P. Fam
hold your head...22 years old...damn...enjoy life, never know when its
your time, you know??...

I'll Holla...
- C Wood



No playoff money for the T-BirdsPosted by Cory Underwood: April 2 12:42 p.m. ET

YUURRRRRRRRR-Eee! What's goody everyone! Hope all is well and glad that you made time for yet another bloggington with me, C-Wood aka Wavy Dee Williams. I write to you during an extended road trip. As some of you may know we made a few power moves to make one last playoff push. It was going as we ran off six...yes SIX straight victories!! Then...ran off four L's in a row, DAMN! No playoff money for the T-Birds...damn...

Like I was saying, the new additions...Will Conroy, Julius Hodge, my cousin Cheyne Gadson and Tuck (Alando) came back down to finish out with us. We were looking real wavy on paper...you saw that roster and I know for a fact y'all other teams got nervous! During that streak myself, J.T...Majic, 'Mone Dyer and Coach Coffino were going to this spot called Frontier to eat before all of our home games you know...it was something like a superstition. I tell you...Coach Coffino is like my personal Zagat survey...NOBODY knows restaurants like my man "Johnny Ca$h". He knows the best dishes and might even give you some background history on the spot! If you need his number shout me a holler and I'll e-mail it to you...

One of the funnier stories from the past weeks was a little situation we had with our uniforms. Mainly our home uni's, Dwight Brewington was wearing jersey number 10 'til one day we were told it came up missing...I'll say that instead of stolen. Then he was given jersey number 32 as a replacement. Cool...you're thinking right? I'm thinking the same thing...So enters Dwight into the locker room as we're having our pre-game talk, we finish up and Will takes off his practice jersey and puts on his game jersey...which so happens to be number 10...with "Conroy" on the back! Dwight sees this and looks at Coach Coffino like...."Yo! What the...I thought somebody stole it!" I replied, "I figured, somebody found it and put "Conroy" on the back..."

As I always say, there's a lot of downtime during a season...you figure you practice for 2 hours, and you may go workout on your own for an hour or two which leaves you with...a lot of downtime. So, one night I'm up watching one of those ESPN channels...I think it was the "Ocho" like in that movie Dodgeball...and I tell you...it's funny to me 'cuz these kids really have a routine down. For example, when the judge says the word..."Goodington" the kid pulls out all the stops... anything to buy some extra time. You will hear anything from "Can I have the definition please...to Can I have the origin of the word please (Watching this I've realized most words have Latin roots behind them) and May I have the word in a sentence please..." about 30 times before they actually spell the word! It's bugged out! I watched this for about two hours and during that span, out of the ten kids left five of them actually went!

The other day me and Jules were shooting the breeze, and the subject of favorite women came up after watching "Martin' (I don't like saying "movie stars/celebs because I just don't believe in it) but a woman we both expressed our love for was...Lark Voorhies, Lisa from "Saved by the Bell" know what I'm talking 'bout?? Oh man...she was my first love! As a youngin' I watched that show every day and during the summer I had my Aunt tape it for me while I ran the streets. Do you remember when she was on "Martin" for a few episodes playing his girlfriend...a major upgrade from Gina...Shout out to you Lark!(She's my friend on Myspace, LoL) If I ever catch you out in the streets girl...you're mine!

*C-Wood's Top 10 Girls* (Based solely off looks)

1. Lark Voorhies
2. The Sister-Sister Twin who play's on "The Game"
3. Mudda from Cypress
4. Robin Thicke's Wife...Paula Patton?
5. Jada Pinkett
6. Cassie
7. Lauren London
8. Gabriel Union
9. The girl from the "Vibrant Thing" video by Q-Tip...I think her name is Leila Arcieri 10. Kim Kardashian

A question for residents of Albuquerque...
Why do the Horses here seem to be 5x's larger than the horses anywhere else in the world?? Perhaps the Albuquerque Police Department is injecting H.G.H. (Horse Growth Hormones) in these guys? I'm telling you, they're just as big as the regional jet I'm flying on now...amazing...

The other day Cheyne and I were talking and the question arose...why in these D-League cities out of town, we kinda-sorta dance but, back home we just pull up our pants and do the rock-a-way?...

After a few minutes of thought, I said because in NY, the club is more like a fashion show. People in NY come to the club to sit in V.I.P., pop bottles and look like they're famous. Everyone is in that "Light 2-Step Mode" but let's not get confused people...I, Cory Underwood can dance! Yes at 6' 10", I gets the puppies moving, ya digg! A lot of you may not know but I wasn't always tall. When I graduated from 8th grade I was 5'8"...yupp... During the summer going into my second year of High School I went from 5'8" to 6'3". At 6'3" I was still dancing...somewhat but when I hit 6'6" the next year, I retired my dancing shoes! So in my earlier years, I was nice! Ask my Moms and my Uncle they will tell you! Only my loved one's get to see me boogie now, but a few other people can co-sign that...Vic (Vic, you use to beg me to dance for you! "Cory do that dance for meeee!...please!" Ha!), my Lil' Cousin Tyrell, (stop stealing my moves famm!) and Noelle just to name a few...Every now and then, when I'm far...far...far away from home I get it in. Like that time on the cruise with my Uncle and the fam back in '01 (they still talk about it to this day!), where I pulled out my James Brown routine, Oooow!

My dancing idols you ask? Mr. Cheeks from the Lost Boyz (Queens, Ya Heard?! YouTube my man if you're not familiar with that man's foot game!) and of course the originator of the two-step, Doug E. Fresh. Those two guys were my inspirations coming up...

Before I get gone:

- Shout Out to the homie Smush Parker....L.A. Clippers! Smush is free!!
- Happy Belated to Maria, NYPD's finest...Tiffany, LoL...Nina, who fries everything possible, she wants to put me in a deep fryer, who does that?? And Francine...stop using that phrase without giving me credit, we both know I made that up (Congrats on your baby boy!)
- Jelila...I hate Kansas! How wanky (wack) they boxed and 1 Steph Curry?!?
- To my original editor, Nakeiya Cadet! aka Boobie Cakes, LoL...what up to you, the baby and Rondoit...
- April 6th, my sister Tash Baby Shower...performing live Rich Dinero & Trigg. Special invited guest: P. Diddy, Run DMC, LL Cool J, and Dave Chappelle...also big up to Yung Kris, Money Train...who was in Queens visiting.
- Happy Birthday to Alexis aka Fuuume! Have fun today La-La...and my homie Disco Tone Younger!
-Happy Belated to my babydoll Cierra aka Ci-Ci...hope you had fun at the Build-a-Bear Spot...Uncle C-Wood Loves you...what up Mun'z, Mi-Mi and Dez...see y'all soon!
- Shout out to Sho- Gizzy....Sho me the Money in stores May 5th, go get that...and my Young G Ni$h, his solo mixtape coming out soon...N.B.A.
Records, Ooooow!
- Special get well soon to my favorite cook/Mother Diane, get well soon babe, miss you & love ya...

Holla at you later...
C-Wood


Wizzing in a cupPosted by Cory Underwood: March 9 8:15 p.m. ET

What's goody, checking in real quick with you guys to shoot the breeze
real light...hope everything is all gucci with everyone out there...

I got quite a few e-mails from people asking me do I have a favorite
team which I would like to play for...ummmm....anybody! I don't cheer
for any team, however teams I love to watch and would love to play for,
if I had my choice...I love the Jazz and their offense...its like
unorganized structure, if that makes any sense...UCLA screen, Deron
Williams back screening for me as I flash down to the block to put that
work in...Oooow! I can see it!...Second would be the Bobcats, I'm a big
fan...and I like the city a lot, its an up and coming city...I plan to
move to Charlotte in a year or three...I’m digging the 76ers as
well...what's up to Mr. Stefanski in Philly...lets do the summer league
thing baby (wink and the gun, LoL)

Quick fact...does anybody know that in some states...You can play Junior
Varsity...as a Junior...INSANE! How bad are you if you have to play JV
as a Junior?? My homie Donald told me that you can do this in Long
Island...I'm shocked at New York...I know you can do it in L.A. from my
time there in 2004. I don't like the rule...I remember when I was a 10th
grader...and the growth I had basketball wise...if I played JV as a
Junior I would have averaged 75ppg! Really real...

...I had my first drug test in the D-League a few weeks ago...something
else...I wanted to include it in my last blog but I chose to hold it off
for this one...if you think it’s a ok wizz in a cup, thanks, your done
kinda thing...nah! I was told right before our Colorado game that I was
selected...along with 3 other guys (shout out to Kev Pittsnoge who
couldn't "wizz" past the red line...3rd times a charm Kev!) and this
procedure really takes a long time! So this guy...who handles urine for
a living starts telling us about his past experiences handling...urine,
and anything somebody said...he had a story for it! Not to make fun of
this guy but I don't think...I, personally can go city to city watching
guys use the bathroom, nor do I want to hear about other people's urine
fammo...anyway, so this is how it goes down...I sign a few forms, pick
the cup I want to deposit my urine in...sign that too, my boy scan bars
a few things, wash my hands...because I can have some type of solution
on my hands to alter my results (and yes, he had a story for that too!),
lift or take my shirt off to show I'm not hiding anything... (Guess
what? A story about that too...he saw my tattoo's and told me a story
about the time he "had" Rodman, OK) THEN take it back to kindergarten
and drop my pants and boxers to my ankles and do the damn thing...no
need to tell you I was uncomfortable, so my peter wasn't cooperating
right away...when he finally did, I tried to make a little joke of it,
(since he was waiting in the stall with me for about a minute or two) I
said "Uhp! Here we go!...there it is!..." and he said "alright!" LOL! I
was proud of myself...I went way past the infamous "red line"...and yes,
it just so happened he had a story why we have to go past the red
line...something about they use half of it to store...to compare your
future samples...yup...

Another interesting day was my school visit with Abdul to a middle
school. We signed autographs and encouraged the children to read and
check out some of our home games. It was going smooth 'til Trey,
our mascot, started signing some of the kids foreheads...next thing you
know kids were asking me to sign their cheeks, (on their faces)
foreheads, sneakers, backpacks, arms, necks and hands...I had fun, I
asked the kids if they were sure their parents wouldn't body slam them
when they got home for having their foreheads signed by a Thunderbird
and of course they all said no..."Hey, its your forehead, right?..."

The real fun took place as we went to a gym class right before
we left...and I ended up playing Dodge-Ball with the kids...BAD
MOVE! I was trying to take it easy on them, you know throw a few and get
out...however, there was this one kid...he must have been related to
Roger Clemens or he was taking H.G.H. Himself because this kid had an
arm! Yea, the dodge balls were made of that nerf material, but a few
times he zoomed a few good one's at me to where I heard the sound effect
in my ear! It turned into an all out war...I picked the lazy side of the
class, they pretty much didn't feel like playing dodge ball that day and
left me for dead...I had a few kids passing me balls, but that was
it...it got ugly, Ab's had to come help! I had about 30 kids chasing me
down trying to take my head off! I had a great time though...shout out
to all those kids man...they were really cool...

A few blogs ago I told you about my group, the T-Birds...the group
"consisted" of me, Ali and Ramon...the dancer. Well since then,
things with the group have taken a few twists and turns...I put out my
mixtape and my buzz started to get pretty big, Dream, R. Kelly and
myself were working on the "Falsetto" remix, thoughts of pulling an
Omarion were running through my mind, and I guess Ali could sense it.
With the feeling of animosity in the air in our apartment, and Ali
leaving for Puerto Rico the next morning...he had the audacity to
challenge me to one final sing off to see who should be the lead singer.
It got pretty intense...so intense that one of our neighbors called
security on us...no need to tell you I was killing him before they shut
us down...Ali, if you're reading this, you can't see me son! You will
always be my back...backup singer!

Let me define the word "Play-Around Haters" for you...these people are
the type to wish you bad, discourage you...but the way they do it...they
make it seem like its a joke when they are dead serious. Example, say a
group of guys are talking and one guy says "I finished with 10, but if
my wrist wasn't hurting I would've had 30, easy." and the play-around
hater in the group replies (Slightly laughing) " Even when your wrist is
fine you don't have 30..." That's a play-around hater!
Watch out for the "kinda-sorta laughing" when he or she makes their
comment, its the signature move performed by the play-around hater...

Be sure to check out my main man Max B, "Million Dollar Baby Part
2...seriously, nobody compares to Max B, the mixtape is HOT! Trust
me...my favorite songs are "Sexy Love" and "Nasty"...download that off
Limewire and let me know what you think...Cory.Underwood@yahoo.com
Also the DJ Drama, Fab Mixtape "There is no competition"...I'm still
moving around with the G-Unit "Return of the Bodysnatchers" and Clipse
"We got it for cheap Vol. 3"...and I like that "Maybach music" by Rick
Ross...

Well that's that...shout's to:
Juels Hodge, who just came to Albuquerque...My homegirl since grade
school, Akyaa...lady Alexis (Fuuume! LoL) Francine...who had her baby
shower a week ago...and my N.B.A. fam Tay-Bundles who had his last week
too, what up D-Tay, my NBA family...Happy belated birthday's to Big Boss
Real, M.O.E...to my Lil' heart, my cousin Noelle, my cousin
'Manda...Love y'all...'Esha from the block, happy belated...What up
Niels, Fu, Chris...K1X...to my big homie in Maryland Brian James...I
thought about you the other day...Spaceballs, the movie was on, I
remember that was one of your favorite movies...with the dink-dink guys,
LOL...Speedy holla at me! and last but not least, This guy Chudney
Gray...who has some doctored audio of me talking about how I love
chocolate covered cherries from when I was in Poland...Chud, you wiz
kid...destroy that material...and yes I have ate them before, but I
don't do chocolate cherries fammo!...but if you do...please e-mail me so
I can forward your e-mail's to chudney...

Stay Blessed, C-Wood


C-Woodington is backPosted by Cory Underwood: Feb. 15 2:19 p.m. ET

What it does my main damies, (100 points if you can guess what movie
that's from...shoot me an email) C-Woodington back after a little hiatus
from you guys...so much has been going on that I really haven't gotten a
chance to sit down with the sidekickington (sorry its a NY thing adding
the "ington" to certain words) and vent to you...but here I am, lets get
it...

Last I left you we were on our way to Sioux Falls...FREEZING...to the
tune of 20-25 below...yes I'm from Queens, bright lights, big
city...don't care! There should be a weather rule that it never gets
cold like that anywhere. No need to tell you I didn't step foot outside.
It wasn't a good look for the team...Big homie (D-Ham) was sick, didn't
play...Coach Ruland was so sick that if he stood up for longer than 30
seconds he might fall out, no lie...however, I was super geeked to
play...I was playing versus the homies from back home, Kasib Powell,
Carl Elliot and J.C. "C-Wood's blog is the best" Mathis, and to make it
even sweeter my old Coach at Yakama, Tony "Fritzy" Fritz is an assistant
for Sioux Falls. Man, they had a great crowd, I was kinda jealous...we
played a great 36 minutes but it fell apart in the 4th as Sioux Falls
pulled away...I had 18, couple of rebounds and 2 blocks, Tuck (Alando)
had a good game too, but no need to talk about it, we took an "L"...

After the game...somebody had the idea that it would be cool to drive
from Sioux Falls to Bismarck...not cool...at all! Keep in mind the
weather...wow! 6 hours on a bus where the inside of the windows were
frozen...the insides Family!....Eesh...I was writing "Help" in the Frost
at one point...the trip was so long, me, Ab's(Abdul), Tuck and Ham
starting think of crazy scenarios where dude from Jeepers Creepers came
for us on the bus and we chose that our Assistant Coach, John Coffino
would have to go first...LoL, Tuck said he'd strip him down and put a
Barbeque sauce bullseye on his belly (yes, his "belly") slab some more
in his hair, throw an Apple in his mouth...hog-tie him and toss him off
the bus for duke...talking 'bout, "That should be more than enough for
you...now get!" I was in tears...

Once we got to Bismarck around 5am, I slept for a few hours and watched
TV 'til it was time to go to work. Again, for some reason I was extra
hoody (hyped) to play...I mean, I'm always ready to play, ya dig...but I
had that extra, extra pep in my step, ya digg? And I really went crazy
when I heard "Chicken Noodle Soup" playing when the Wizards came
out...(I'm 1,000% sure Rod Benson had something to do with that, check
out his videos and you will get what I'm saying) I felt like I was at
55th (Rucker Park) or Kingdome for a second...I even threw down a
windmill in the layup line...

As for the game...(I thought to myself, my blog will be more about me,
and the off court stuff, so just check the D-League website for
results...(OK, we lost...I know...I did good though) we put in another
36 minute effort...with that dreaded 3rd quarter killing us...but the
highlight of the game for me was conversating with this guy
Benson...he's a little bit different...as you know, he's the blog god
'round here...even Big Homie mentioned his blog before the tip-off, "Too
much Rod Benson baby!...Rod just looked at me like he was kinda
embarrassed...uhhh, what do you expect Rod? You're like a fake celeb my
man...I'm sure you expect it now...like dude told you in a game last
year after he scored on you, "put that in your blog!" hilarious...but
seriously, we spoke all game about everything...our coaches, (don't ask)
the short leashes we think we both had, (Rod I'm wearing a choker now,
since you last saw me in Albuquerque, I'm now the 6, 7th man on a 10 man
roster Urrgh...) my boy Homicide Williams, (shout out to Mrs. 187 who
came to my game in Denver the other day, love you Angell!...what up
Pnut!) and my K 1 X sneakers. (check out www.k1x.com tell me who you
see) Anyway, I'll get back to Rod later...

Finally...our road trip was over...and we drove back to Sioux Falls to
fly to Denver...(shout out to whoever arranges our travelling...you guys
are the best...see the sarcasm in my letters??) and once we arrived in
Denver, a couple of guys took an early flight around 9am Mountain
time...you lucky punks, because about 5 of us, including myself ended up
staying in Denver waiting for our plane which was missing in action for
EIGHT hours...yes, I was in Denver from 7am 'til 3,4pm...I'll leave that
alone...but this billboard I always see when get back to town made it
all better...some guy in Albuquerque....Ron Bell, a Lawyer...this guy
looks just like Ron Burgundy from "Anchorman" I swear...I bust out
laughing every time I see the billboard...I'll have a picture for you
next time, promise. I think his website is www.ronbell.com.

During our two week homestand, Coach Terry Stotts came and paid us an
visit. He's like the mentor to all the D-League coaches I think, he
watched a few practices, and afterwards spoke to us about the NBA, what
they're looking for, working towards next year...things of that
nature...shocking enough, everybody thinks that you must average 30 here
to get a call up, I'm sure that will help too...but he also said that
playing hard always helps...pushing a starter in practice is another
way, team "enforcer", the guy who puts the "no layup rule" in
effect...being a good teammate, these are ways to get in. Coach Stotts
said D-Ham made it with him in Milwaukee simply because he brought
toughness and heart everyday. Things to ponder...

After our homestand, we had about Four days off...I stayed in
Albuquerque, did some lifting, hung out with some of my teammates,
mainly Ali, Daniel and Ramon...we went bowling, know this people...I'm
no JOKE when it comes to the lanes...my bowling alter ego is "Ronnie
Pinz"...Ronnie Pinz is know all over...from N.Y., down to Pine Bluff,
Arkansas and Baltimore...now add Albuquerque to the list...look out for
me on ESPN2, I'll be on that PBA tour after I'm done here...I roll 130
and better, easy! Oh, and I also did the driving range...my Golf name is
"CiJay Singh" named after my main man Vijay Singh...when I get my
driving game up, (my put game is serious!) come see me!

Ok...now back to Benson...we played them about a week ago & the guy
looked at me and said..."you're not 6'10!"...the hater...this guy tried
to tell me I'm like 6'7, and throughout the game it really bothered me,
I'm like "Rod...you can't be serious man..." he's like "Oh yea, you're
like 6'8" tops, maybe 6'6" without shoes, LOL...C'mon...I mean D-Ham is
6'7...and I clearly have 3, 4 inches on him...OK, honestly, I'm 6'9
1/2"...I last got measured with the Nets...however, I have the wingspan
of a guy who's 7'2"....so is it safe to call myself 6'10? I think
so...so take that Benson...

Another great day for me was Super Bowl Sunday...of course we all know
what took place...GIANTS...but it was also my singing debut, yes, I'm
also an R&B singer...you may catch it on NBA TV one day, of course Ham
caught me singing in the Backyard of our owner's house. (Sam thanks so
much for inviting the team over, we had a great time!) I performed...yes
performed (with a Mic...and my background singer Ali, and background
dancer Ramon) with my group...the T-Birds "where I wanna Be" by Donell
Jones and "Goodbye" by Tevin Campbell...be on the look out for that new
album, coming soon to your local bootlegger...

My Music / Movie section...let me tell you what's hot in the eye's of
C-Wood...
Music: Max B, Public Domain Pt.2: Rise of the Silver Surfer....Max B. is
one of my favorite artists...gotta download that! Speaking of ByrdGang/
Dips-Set, shout out to Twin and his son Ja who's Birthday was on
Valentine's day, and shout out to Juelz with a Birthday coming up on the
18th...
Also, G-Unit: Return of the Bodysnatchers...crazy, even though I'm
Queens biased, this mixtape is a classic...and finally Clipse, we got it
for cheap Vol. 3...Pusha-T is one of my top 5 rappers, (Stack Bundles,
50, Max B, Budden or Jadakiss?) he just has a way with words...and
that's what I'm rocking out to at this moment! Movies/ TV...I'm watching
Superbad, Southpark, Anchorman, Old School, City of God, Family Guy and
Curb your enthusiasm...Larry David is too funny...

As always, before I go, let me say what's up to everyone who wished me a
happy Birthday via Myspace, Facebook, text...or even the conventional
phone call...good looks...what up to my fam, Corona...N.B.A., the
'Hurst...Ummm...K1X! Ashley, Kasib, Erika, Hak, Dj
Finesse...Cheyne...get money in Israel...my dude Royal Ivey, The Cheron
sisters LoL, Yall are crazy! Enjolie, 7:30 Nina, Philly Liss, Jelila, BJ
McFarlan, my homie Money Lo, Happy Birthday to my Cousin
Tyrell...Donald, Miguel, Chance, Tee, Rich Dinero, Tash, my Unk's,
Special and Justice...

Stay Blessed,
C-Wood


First D-League actionPosted by Cory Underwood: Jan. 18 3:29 p.m. ET

Good Morning / Afternoon...depending where you reside...C-Wood checking
in live from my bathroom (yes...consecutive days of P.F. Chang's will do
that to you) in the Hampton Suites in Boise, Idaho....my last day at the
2008 NBA D-League Showcase. In a few I'll walk over to the arena and
watch a half of Austin vs. L.A. then catch my flight to Sioux Falls...in
the mean time, I'll catch you up to speed on what's what with me...

After two days of practice, trying to get down the playbook as quickly
as possible, we headed out to Texas for three games. As soon as we
touched down, the team found out DJ (Strawberry) was going back to the
Suns and Alando Tucker was coming down. So our first game against Austin
we wouldn't have any NBA help...just us, which was fine with me. The
Toros are an NBA team...straight up stacked from my homie Cheyne "call
me Suga G" Gadson, Marcus Williams, DerMarr Johnson, J-Reed, Kris Lang,
Keith Langford, and Ian Mahinmi...on assignment from the Spurs. Our
defense was pretty bad the first night and Ian, Keith, Marcus and
Dermarr all scored 20+. No need to tell you that we took an "L" with
those stats. I had a decent first game, 10 points, 4 rebounds in 18
minutes. In this league you have to learn on the fly, there's really no
time for adjustment...you don't pick it up fast, you could be gone even
faster, Ya Dig? So before the next game, a few roster changes were
made...we picked up Kevin Pittsnoggle, a pick and pop big, and Tuck got
into town late thursday night after our game...Tuck is a funny dude,
he's real personable, a people person...our team's comedy relief...DJ
has more of a business-like approach...I think it has more to do with
him being drafted so late and he feels he has a lot to prove. You get a
lot more subliminal jokes from DJ, as where Tuck is like a
comedian...Anyway, Tuck and Kevin both played great games for us as we
became the first team this year to beat Austin on their home floor. I
finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds which pretty much all came in the
first half because Kevin was shooting the ball so well for us in the
second half. I have no problem being a cheerleader on the bench if
another guy is getting it done! A win is a win man... I learned early
that every night isn't going to be your night, you have to make
adjustments and move on very quickly!

The next day we flew south and took on Rio Grande. They had a nice
arena...the floor was pretty much a spitting image of the Rockets home
court...I liked their set-up out there. As for me that's a game I
totally want to forget...accoring to the ref's, I was fouling
everybody...the players, coaches, the mascot...some fans and I might
have fouled a couple ref's that game too! I had 5 fouls in the 6 minutes
(the boxscore for that game was wrong, so disregard it) I was out there,
most importantly, we got the win, P Snoggy-Snogg had the game winning
lay-up for us which was a pretty ugly game for both teams. Shannon Brown
is tough, I wonder why he gets no minutes for the Cavs...I couldn't help
but wonder if him and Chris Brown the singer are related...I was waiting
for him to just run over to the scorer's table, grab the mic and start
singing " Poppin' " besides Chris...I mean Shannon, they put a few
cracks in the backboard and we got the fans involved in the game with
our turnovers, but hey...

Also, again...showing love to to D-Ham who's multi-tasking like a true
vet on the road...as some of you may know, Ham wears many hats (that
just sounds funny to me), last season he worked for NBA TV and Fox
Southwest, so NBA Entertainment gave him his own camera...no, not for
that, but to catch those moments you people would never see...for
example, us waking up at 4am to catch a 6am flight from Austin to
Dallas...then from Dallas to Rio Grande. He even called the Dakota / Rio
Grande game for NBA TV! Get paid Ham! I'm gonna follow in your footsteps
big homie. I myself have aspirations to work for the NBA once my playing
days are over, like my mentor Shawn Respert. Shawn is the best thing
that happened to me in a long time Basketball-wise, the man is like my
legal Guardian now, LoL...Res, you're stuck with me brother!

Some of the great things the NBA offers us D-Leaguer's is a real life
simulation of how the "big show" is ran...how to carry and handle
ourselves in all situations. Once we arrived in Boise, we had a seminar
about diet/ nutrition, classes specializing in relationships, money
managment, starting our own business ventures...things of that nature.
The speaker that left a lasting impression on me was Walter Bond, a
former NBA player from Chicago. The theme was "Nobody can stop you but
yourself." He also gave us advice on confidence vs arrogance,
Networking, relationships...being a straight shooter, paying the
price...which was more about looking yourself in the mirror and working
on your shortcomings so you could be a better person/ player. Two
things, no three things he said to me really stuck out more than
anything...One: If you want to be rich, you must have a rich
mindstate...Two, "Your salary will be the average of your five closest
friends"....think about that...and third, your life really begins after
you finish playing basketball...what do you have planned for yourself
when you're done playing? Great stuff Walter...talk to you soon buddy.

As for the games itself, we took two L's man...it was very
disappointing...I think all of us were pressing kind of hard because we
knew every NBA team was in attendance and of course we all want to
perform well. Our first game versus the 14er's was a very winnable game,
(as are all of our games) however we let it get away from us in the
second half...I couldn't buy a shot in the showcase, I went 1/6 from the
field, but rebounded well (seven) in the minutes given, (18...remember
people, I just got here about a week or two ago) which is what I was
told the NBA people want to see me do...I'm a proven scorer, what is in
question is my defense and rebounding, so I'm really trying to improve
on that. The second game (versus Tulsa) we were up even though we didn't
play our best ball, but after they hit us with a hay-maker, we couldn't
respond...I think this is the one thing really holding us back from
getting to the next level...taking a team's best shot...us not hanging
our heads, staying positive and going right back at it! Once we figure
out how to do that, we will be fine. Tulsa had a nice team with Mike
Hall, Ramon Sessions (reminds me of Omar Cook...what up O!) and Nick
Fasekas. I finished (be prepared to cringe) with 4 points...2/11 from
the field, (but they were all good shots! Felt good and all, and Keith
Closs goaltended one of my shots!...Ref's owe me one) however...10
rebounds, 2 steals and 4 blocks! Not so bad...I guess?

Being all the teams were here in Boise, I got to catch up with a few of
my friends from the city...J.C. Mathis (my blog is better than yours
J.C.! LoL) Kasib Powell, 'Dre Barrett, Cheyne, Sean Banks...and even
made some new friends...like Kaniel Dickens, (well I met K.D. In Las
Vegas this summer, so he really don't count) Marcus Williams, Dermarr
Johnson, Brian Chase, Devin Green, Jelani McCoy, Jackie Manual and
Ernest Scott. The third day of games, I'm sitting with my agent, Brian
Elfus watching Rio Grande and Idaho play and out of nowhere, someone
says "Yo, Shannon Brown don't like Chris Brown to you??" I look up and
its Steven Smith talking to Kedrick Brown...I guess I wasn't
alone...LoL, moving on, my last night in Boise I went out to Dinner with
Sean and a few of his teammates, had a good time...Oh yea, I also signed
up for a program with the NBA sales/ marketing team (I guess that's the
proper term) where I'll be gettin' my hustle and flow on back in
Albuquerque to sell more tickets...What's up to Kev Carr, Murph and the
other guys involved in this...they gave us some great advice on how I
could bait you guys into spending your hard earned money to watch a
future NBA player like myself! Also major shouts to the George Bush of
the D-League, President Dan Reed...Dan Reed people...told me, and I
quote, "enjoyed your blog very much..." He mentioned J.C.'s blog...he
said it was "solid" (LoL, just kidding) but real talk, Dan is a good
guy, so is Chris Alpert, he's down to earth, I was kind of up tight
around him at first, but he's easy going too...always available to
answer a question and shoot the breeze with you...shout out my buddy
Bardon Barnett too. I really look forward to staying under the NBA
umbrella for a long, long...LONG time...

That's wraps up another blog session for me...Oh! Wait, before I go...a
major Yooie to my new friend...Ronnie Nunn, Ronnie Nunn for those who
don't know is the man in charge of all the referee's in the NBA and the
D-League...he sat down with Darvin, Alando and myself during our layover
in Denver and spoke about the game, wanting more players to become
referee's, life...his life and travels...just another example of all the
great things the D-League has to offer...

Some quick hello's:
My family as always...and everyone who was upset I didn't shout them a
holla in the first blog (are you happy now?) My coaches...Coach Ruland
and Coach Coffino...and Mark too, Mark is our trainer (#1 trainer in the
D-League) and I'm also starting my "free Smush Parker Campaign" Let my
boy play Riles....Let my boy PLAY! And a special what's "goodinton" to
Victoria Strong...hope you're alright Mudda...'Til next time...stay
positive and blessed...(Mark 11 : 24 words to live by!)

C-Wood


Allow me to introduce myself... Posted by Cory Underwood: Jan. 9 5:29 p.m. ET

First and foremost, special thanks to ElevationMag for giving me the chance to tell my story to you people, I owe you one...

As for the rest of you... What's goodie blog fans, Cory Underwood reporting live from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fresh out of D-Ham's & DJ Strawberry's apartment watching hours of DVD's and eating... However, before I get into all that, you have to know how I got to where I'm at right? So lets double back...

After working out with the Knicks all September and going head to head with Troy Murphy three nights a week at the New York Athletic Club (what up Uncle Milty), I'd say I was ready to make major moves. Being a man of my word almost killed my winter, literally... but God is good and he helped me to bounce back! Anyway, I told Kenny Anderson that I would come to Atlanta and play for him, knowing already the situation probably wouldn't be a good one. I turned down going to vet camp with Albuquerque, (what was I thinking?!) but after talking to my Aunt and best friend Tee about the situation, I decided that keeping my word was very important. So Atlanta is where I went... BAD MOVE... and without getting into details I'll just say click right here .... think Jersey Squires, and Gainsville. Enough said.

Fast forward three weeks, I was back in the city working out at NYAC. I had started the process of entering the D-League player pool, but didn't want to sign unless I knew I was going to be picked up. Lucky me, Shawn Respert happens to be a frequent visitor at NYAC and I got to pick his brain and get a feel about things, and at the same time get some great... no GREAT advice, pointers on my game. My confidence level on the court was already high, but after working with Shawn for a few weeks it just made me THAT much sure of myself on the court. You see, at 6'10 everyone wants to throw me down low and bang. That's not my game, but I will if needed. I'm more of a face up four, mobile... skilled like a vet, I can handle and shoot that thing, I can do a few things.

Moving on... nobody was really looking to make changes at the time in the D-League, and not looking to be home in my comfort zone (friends, family, etc.) I signed with Pittsburgh in the CBA. My time in Pittsburgh was cool. I only stayed two weeks, played four games without ever getting a chance to practice because of the schedule. So if you saw my numbers and said "Ill", now you know why. Pay that no mind! I liked Coach Knox and my teammates a lot and I truly enjoyed my time there. It was a good situation, but destiny was calling...

So after spending New Year's in Queens (my date stood me up, you know who you are! LoL), it was time to make the move out west...

So far it's great, I love it. My teammates are cool, and I'm here with my high school friend Abdul Mills. I spend most my time with him and Darvin Ham... D-Ham is the coolest big homie ever! I've been around vets before like Pig Miller and "Goldie" Goldwire, but Ham has really took me under his wing. Its a win-win for me. He will make getting to that next level that much easier for me... for instance, he told me he doesn't eat sugar... like candy, soda, etc... so guess who's cutting sugar out their diet... get what I'm saying people? Last night he cooked (Chef Boy-R-D-Ham) for the team and it was pretty good. He pulled out that Championship ring from '04, the ring is sick! I tried to take a picture of it for you guys but the diamonds wouldn't allow me to...and he put me up on some DVD's I never saw...2Pac at the House Of Blues (a good look), the Richard Pryor Show (never knew he had a show! Now I see where "In Living Color & Chappelle's Show came from) and a Wu-Tang concert from a few years back...people really sleep on how great Wu-Tang was, THEY HAD HITS! Big shouts to the "W"...LoL. I love music, I'm currently rockin' out with: Anything with Stack Bundles, (R.I.P.) My favorite rapper, Joe Budden's Mood Muzik 3, Alicia Keys new album, Jim Jones Members of Byrdgang Part II, Lupe Fiasco's the Cool, and old school songs from the 70's and 80's such as "Running Away" by Roy Ayers or "Reasons" by Earth, Wind & Fire...

That about does it for me, for now... I'll be on the road for about 12 days so my next post I'll have some game action for you. I'll be checking in about once or twice a week so make sure you check back often...

Before I go, as always a few "Yoooie's" to my Fam and friends: My Family, smoochie, mummie, Aunt Joyce, pop, Unk's Wes, my cousins No-No, Ty, 'Manda, Monica, please say a prayer for my Aunt Bunny, she's not feeling too well... my Money Train fam... Tee, Chance, Pea, Donald, L, J.O., Black, Miggz, Tash, Tashe and the lil' one on the way. The N.B.A... Ko, CJ, 'Sha, 'Tae, Dingy, Sho, Beezy & Nish, what up! M.O.E...Real, Lo, Bryant, Chewy, Face, Stacks..everybody, what's goodie...Also...What up to Moon, Dez, Cierra and baby Mi-Mi, love yall...Sam Worthen, Corey "Homicide" Williams, Angell, Shawn Respert, thanks for everything... Cheyne, Rose, Breeze... Team Vol-Tron! Last but not least my Quarterback Toy, who keeps me in check...you're sooo appreciated...

Also, anybody who wants to get in contact with me for whatever reason,
hit me up at Cory.Underwood@yahoo.com --Questions about girls, basketball, ANYTHING, holla at me...

Stay Blessed,

C-Wood