The Roster.


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JAM THAT SONG while you read. it’s smooth.

let’s keep it real. i don’t care who you are – jock, nerd, heart throb, class clown, recluse, homebody, mama’s boy, cool kid, shy guy – everybody who is anybody has a roster, girls and guys alike.

you know what i mean. a roster, a team, a squad. it’s far from that list of names in your favorite sports franchise’s brochure at the game; rather, it’s a metaphor that my friends and i developed (no arguments here. we are, in fact, the originators of the term. if you believe otherwise and you’re looking for co-signers, you’re on the wrong blog. go lobby for supporters somewhere else, because you’re SOL on my turf.), and i feel as though this is the perfect time to reveal the intricacies and inner workings of such an elaborate system.

what is a roster?

a person’s roster is a group of individuals, occasionally referred to as prospects, which share some type attraction with that person. the level of attraction can range anywhere from booty call jumpoffs to certified wifey material, and every notch between. rosters have proven to be advantageous to and preferred by many because of their ability to always provide options. want to catch that movie at the uptown, but have no one to see it with? check the roster. starving, but don’t feel like eating by yourself? check that roster. want to wow your friends with your ability to bring yet another dime to one of those house parties on 16th street? check that damn roster. bladaow. that’s what it’s for, baby.

rosters have, until recently, been under harsh scrutiny for their contribution to ruining relationships and ideal situations. fortunately, i have developed a few pointers to limit problems as well as lessen the collateral damage done by these rosters. follow these guidelines closely before and during your team’s draft:

1.    never add friend’s siblings, roommates, close friends, or any other type of special relationship to the roster. it has disaster written all over it. TRUST ME!

2.    stay away from similar networks. in a world of Facebook, text messages, and encouraged networking, one tagged picture seen by the wrong set of eyes could bring your all-star roster’s playoff run to a screeching halt faster than you can say DCtoBC.com.

3.    keep your $#!t tight. nobody wants to know they’re one of a few, or worse, one of many. even if they do know, they never want to hear it from your mouth. work on the “don’t ask, don’t tell” communication method, and things should be smooth sailing.

4.    unless you can afford it, leave the high maintenance players to the big dogs. i’m talking about like tom cruise or will smith. let those guys wine and dine them. chances are, you don’t really want the ones who require all that. work and live within your means. you don’t want to wow her with flowers one day and then struggle to pay the bill at P.F. changs the next.

5.    trading players and other negotiations are tolerable, but sweet talking them to switch sides isn’t. if you think you can better your chances at winning the title with a player on another team, work out a deal. don’t try and scoop them on the low, because karma is will rock you.

now that you know the cardinal rules of rosters, let me highlight a few things.

championship bottles.

the goals associated with these rosters vary. the two most popular:

1.    to eventually find the one person you actually care about

2.    to build a monster team during your prime so that when you become older, you can look back and say “damn. i was doing great work with that squad.”

either way, you are looking to win, and that takes MVP-caliber talent. so find that, ASAP.

size doesn’t matter.

the depth of one’s roster means nothing. instead, it depends on the preference of the creator of the squad. some may enjoy being able to cycle through girls like they do outfits, and perhaps not see the same girl for weeks, even months. their benchwarmers are frequently rotated in, and therefore the utmost energy can be exerted on each and every chill session with one of these team players. others keep a close-knit circle of durable, solid starters, very rarely tapping into their injured reserves unless absolutely necessary. whatever strategy floats your boat.

always recruit.

hold open gyms, invite players to individual workouts, and throw them in some light scrimmages. see how they work, and you just might be surprised with their compatibility with the team. don’t just look for all-stars. you may need a veteran or a role player on the squad. Or maybe you need reinforcements on the bench in case things get tough. and don’t get me started on relocation. that’s the number one roster killer. so be like ludacris, and lock down as many different area codes as you can. like i said, you never know what the future holds.

maintain relationships.

always communicate with your players. let them know that you haven’t forgot about them, even if it’s as simple as a text, call, a quick visit or a wall post. that way, they can’t really get upset about their playing time.

don’t be mad.

you can never be too blown when you suspect you may be on somebody’s roster. after all, rosters aren’t permanent or set in stone, and in many situations, they are more of a safety net for those too insecure or unsure of a future with a given guy or girl. so really, the chances of you being on some type of roster are relatively high. just make sure you’re aware of this before you start making long distance, surprise trips to see them and they aren’t picking up phone calls.

the next time you see someone spitting game your way, try and figure where they fit in on your depth chart. you may just end up creating the most crucial squad of all time, and everybody will be jumping for joy when you bring home the title.

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48 comments ↓

#1 Ashlee on 07.03.08 at 6:29 AM

cruial ass fucking post

#2 Dawn on 07.03.08 at 11:09 AM

Wow. Agreed. Best Post ever.

#3 Rel on 07.03.08 at 11:51 AM

It aint all about the roster tho. It’s definately how you manage your roster. You can’t have your players in the game too long cause it’s a long season and you want everyone to be able to get in the game and shine because you have to pick a leader. O yea, don’t get yoru roster so that it’s so deep (through your constant recruiting)that you got people on the bench to long. When someone sits on the bench for a grip and gets all those ass splinters, some GM will definately come and try to pry that option away from you. You may not have realized the potential because it was on the bench for so long, but when you see that star shining on the other team…OH BOY!!! Don’t shoot for the coach, be the GM…fuck it the owner. It’s always a team out here trying to get better and cash in on some of your pieces to the puzzle. BUT once you get that point guard who can run your offense, stick with it son. quality point guards come every once in a while. the pg is the distributer and controls the offense ultimately runs through them. I got more, but I’ll holla.

#4 H-Town Repasenta on 07.03.08 at 12:37 PM

Deep like ll and omar epps. I’ma go examine my roster n make sure i’m within guidelines….lol….Modi u my new relationship counselor..lmao!

#5 ricky on 07.03.08 at 1:05 PM

best post ever. i’m on your nuts modi. thanks mayne.

#6 the tamale king pin on 07.03.08 at 1:49 PM

actually this could be the best post i’ve ever read on a blog haha its so true. so any chicas who would like to taste a tamale or two please let me know i have enough to go around! vatos locos forever

#7 s on 07.03.08 at 2:26 PM

toche’

#8 che on 07.03.08 at 5:44 PM

This whole post is TOO real! Im sittin in the house goin over my roster and looking for loose talent and wondering who needs to go through training camp. When fall comes hopefully I’ll be able to pick up a few rookie phenoms… I think the best thing to take away from all of this is that u gotta have a game plan. I know i’ve made some mistakes by alerting some of my starters to each other… I almost lost my big 3 but i pulled it together last minute. But I’m def. goin over my plays and shit. I’m bout to start goin all or nothin like the patriots… “if u ain’t cheatin, u ain’t tryin…”

#9 Cel on 07.03.08 at 7:51 PM

This is the thing. I don’t think “the roster” is the best sports analogy we can come up with to describe this. I think of it more like boxing. You have your champion, aka the main joint. Then you have people battling, aka the contenders. It’s not really a roster, cause the contenders change everyday. You could meet some little “ummm bop” on the train or a nice fly joint in Jamba Juice that could rock your world. I guess you could say u picked up a free agent, but then u would have to release someone off the roster to get her in. And what about the Salary Cap?!?!?

The boxing rankings are almost infinite, anyone at any time can make a run for the money.

#10 CJ on 07.03.08 at 9:18 PM

Plain and simple the roster idea is key to success…while my man did go real extra hard on the analogy…its meaning holds true…lol but like hov said “if there’s beef between the post and the point that puts the ring in jeopardy…” so keep your sh*t tight…

#11 Cel on 07.03.08 at 9:30 PM

I get bitches by the way.

#12 Cel on 07.03.08 at 9:31 PM

a lot.

#13 Boooogie on 07.04.08 at 1:41 AM

DONT EVER STOP RECRUITING! lol

#14 charles hamilton is the truth. | DC to BC on 07.04.08 at 4:31 AM

[...] happy july 4th. i got hate texts for that roster post. [...]

#15 Benjamin Woodruff Hunt on 07.04.08 at 10:45 AM

Why you gotta go dissing PF Chang’s and shit!? I will give you props on the Skip Prosser picture, R.I.P. to that man. It’s a good post but the basketball metaphor gets pushed to the point where I can’t do anything but laugh aloud.
So the only post you put your heart and soul into was about how to keep a stable of bitches? Fair enough…

#16 Kayla on 07.04.08 at 5:33 PM

The only way to be on a roster is to be point guard, sometimes referred to as number 1. Any other position is unacceptable. The ball is in your hands because you have great handling skills.That way you control the pace of game, call the plays and decide when and who to pass it to. Everyone else is just on the court to support you they don’t really matter and the bench is just there to give you a break when you need it.

#17 modi on 07.04.08 at 6:31 PM

so then find me a PG then.

#18 Kayla on 07.05.08 at 11:59 AM

You find me one and I’ll see what I can do.
I just want to know if the world is ready for women to have “rosters”.

#19 Ashlee on 07.05.08 at 4:58 PM

amen

#20 modi on 07.05.08 at 7:17 PM

yall do have rosters. don’t even try and play games. i’ve been a back up point guard on so many teams, and i normally can ball better than the starter.

#21 Kayla on 07.06.08 at 5:45 AM

I didn’t say they didn’t do it. I asked if the world was ready. people are quick to give women who DATE (I can’t get down with the roster) titles that they don’t give men.

#22 camlikestojam on 07.06.08 at 2:47 PM

i agree with Kayla. the double standards are tired. my girls and i talk about this allll the time. but the inconsistency is a whole other topic, whole other post.

this post though, was hilarious as well as insightful. some of my guy friends need this link ASAP!

#23 DrSpaceman on 07.07.08 at 12:45 PM

Duude, I like to consider myself the king of Analogies, seems like i need to cede my title, at least until I can re up with some sicker proposotions. Anyway, women have rosters just like men, this analogy is stretched a bit but works well, its always better to have a deep team over a shallow one, and finally LMAO @ Ben Woodruff Hunt’s final statement. DAMN!

#24 Cam on 07.07.08 at 11:23 PM

best post. But do you even have a roster right now, modele!? yeah, I’m calling you out. I’m looking like a basketball team…what about you!?

#25 The Wizard on 07.10.08 at 1:53 AM

got to hand it to you Modi, you kept it 100. This joint is like a crucial playa’s handbook.

#26 corn dawg on 07.10.08 at 2:39 AM

weaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak

#27 Dani {gimme} Sum on 07.10.08 at 4:22 AM

of course women have rosters..until someone comes and buys the team out ;)

i love this..u got eerrrrrrrybodddy up here re-evaluating!

#28 amberj on 07.13.08 at 1:55 AM

after reading this i just realized i’m not even in the league.

#29 Marty Mcfly on 07.17.08 at 6:18 PM

wtf……. love the post my man…. but sory to say im starting a new squadron lol

#30 D-Murder on 08.09.08 at 6:00 PM

building a roster? hmmm… very interesting.

#31 this isn’t your average blog. at DC to BC on 09.08.08 at 2:10 AM

[...] the roster. [...]

#32 melissa on 09.18.08 at 5:31 PM

nice mind games.
i freeakin lov it.

#33 Lazy Genius on 09.22.08 at 2:57 PM

Man… I miss havin’ a roster… Now all I have is a head coach… lol!

#34 formerly known are reading on 09.22.08 at 5:19 PM

LOL! This is classic.

#35 Father Breakfast on 09.24.08 at 2:28 AM

Clutch post for back to school. Couldn’t have said it any better myself.

#36 G*Two on 10.01.08 at 4:02 AM

LMFAO!
Spygate Modi! Nooo!!!
Did fuckin’ HITCH ghost-write this shit or smthn? This is waaay too indepth to be on the world wide web! Facebook tags! Tat’s the reason my account is deactivated! lol!
“damn. i was doing great work with that squad.” — My life goal.
“want to wow your friends with your ability to bring yet another dime to one of those house parties on 16th street?” Dog you need your own “roster” infomercial. And i was calling it a lineup first. Starting 5 to be exact even though it is rarely any exact number… Good shit broham.

#37 CV to BC? on 10.18.08 at 3:39 PM

lol this is on point
i need to make some notes of this lol.

#38 Lyriciss on 10.18.08 at 10:52 PM

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand it’s back…
and it’s still so true
oh so true
lol

Peace & Hip-Hop
Lyriciss

#39 Marvelous Mo on 10.18.08 at 10:58 PM

This post is so ill because it has a lot of truth in it. Not sure why there are [few] heads in the comment section writing this off.

To be honest, I was just content living the life with no worries about a “roster” but after this post, I might dab into it.

…If only I can stop being mean.

Awesome drop.

#40 araba on 10.18.08 at 11:41 PM

my girl sarah says: sounds like a harem
and then she conceded to “platonic” harem

#41 Tjett on 10.19.08 at 11:35 AM

a classic post, if ever there were one.

#42 brran1 on 10.19.08 at 11:42 AM

You hit it out the park with this one as well Modi.

You always have to be on the lookout for prospects and you always have to know how to manage your roster, otherwise things will go to shit.

#43 Boooogie. on 10.19.08 at 3:59 PM

classic post.

#44 Cee Paxton on 12.01.08 at 4:40 PM

These are great words you have written on this here internet. It is also important to hold regular coaches meetings with brothers you know and respect. I, myself, believe that the #1 rule of running a successful team is DO NOT BECOME A DREAM PEDDLER. Also, watch who you sign. You might end up with a Ron Artest on your squad. Great all-around game but a damn basket case. Run scrimmages, Sign a 10 day contract if you have doubts. But, alas, I digress. This was a great post. It took me back to my early undergrad days as a young coach in the league. BTW, We definitely pioneered the “coach” analogy way back. We even had coaches meetings and drafts. But, it’s your world, fam. Stay up.

Cee

#45 Kenji Summers on 12.23.08 at 11:48 AM

Great post!

However the term originated in New York (like everything else great). Anywho, New Years (Holiday season period) is a great time to recruit for the Spring/Summer. Everyone is merry! So get off you chair and go make some recruitment visits.

#46 A.B. The Producer on 01.28.09 at 6:49 PM

Real Talk!!! I feel like These Girls Be On The Same Shit As Us Guys…LMFAO Its No Secret. “Keep it Player Mane”(Pharrell)

#47 A.B. The Producer on 01.28.09 at 6:52 PM

Im recruiting for my spring Roster…Soon As Pro Cred Drops!!!

#48 Mi J on 06.07.09 at 10:25 PM

haha! right
1) real recognize real
2) as a good friend once told me…..everyone has someone (don’t let them fool u)
3) management is key!

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