![]() ![]() Those who walk through those doors only have an ID and faith in the protocols. It’s a haunting thud just loud enough to rattle the soul. It’s jarringly clear where the prison experience begins - on the other side of a thunderous clang when the rusty barred gate closes. On a much smaller level, and in a different way, it’s revealing for the visitors, too. The incarcerated people participating have done and are doing the work of confronting their damaged selves, of addressing their traumas and fears, through intense therapy, counseling and self-improvement mechanisms. This trip to San Quentin happens annually because this grungy prison - with a history of housing the most notorious, and still home to death row - is a model for rehabilitation possibilities. But what was clearer than the sky hovering over this infamous edifice is why Paul could work as a Warrior.īecause this once-sworn enemy of Golden State might be more like the Warriors’ championship core than anyone in these parts could have imagined. That baptism must happen on the court, in the deep waters of the NBA playoffs. This wasn’t the day he truly became a Warrior. As fancy as can be with a barbed-wire halo. The Golden State visit is a bit fancier now. A small section of chairs was set up in the corner for family, friends and San Quentin staffers. The anthem was played by a guitarist after a presentation of the flag from the Armed Forces Color Guard. A digital scoreboard now joined the manual flip scoreboard. A Behringer mixer and a pair of Yamaha speakers were brought over from the chapel. The event has been upgraded since Showtime was last on the mic there. Warriors player development coach Noel Hightower was dubbed “Jesus Shuttlesworth” by Showtime and “K-Swizzle” was his name for assistant general manager Kent Lacob. ![]() Me walking back out means that one day, they’ll walk out.”Īs he did for years, Showtime brought life to the event, enough to distract Paul from the domino table. I never plan on wearing blues again, but a piece of me is still in there. Them knowing that I still care means something to me. “To walk back inside means I haven’t forgotten them. “It means I’m keeping my word,” Taylor said. He came back to where he honed his craft, this time as a free man. Showtime, who spent 28 years incarcerated, has become a freelance broadcast guru since getting paroled, known for his humor and flair, and hosts a podcast, “ Hard In the Paint.” It was Taylor, known as “Showtime,” who got Paul out of his seat. Rafael Cuevas, featured prominently in “Q Ball,” was the coach of the San Quentin Warriors before being released in January after 17 years.Īaron Taylor, released in October 2020, was the play-by-play announcer for the annual showdown. Montrell Vines, released in January after 23 years, played in six of the nine games against the visiting Warriors. Rahsaan Thomas, released this past February after 21 years, co-hosted the Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast “ Ear Hustle” and wrote about Golden State’s visits for the San Quentin News. To mark the occasion, the Warriors brought with them four former incarcerated people from San Quentin. But this year, on a warm Wednesday in late September, was the first full-throttle affair since 2019. This game gained widespread notoriety as the subject of the Michael Tolajian-directed documentary “Q Ball,” executive produced by Kevin Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures. The tradition began in 2012 and has grown into a partnership of sorts between the global sports franchise and this reputed rehabilitation facility. The starting lineups were being announced for the resurrected annual game between the San Quentin Warriors basketball team and the intramural version of the Golden State Warriors - a squad comprised of front-office and staff personnel. “Hold up,” Paul said, getting up from the table to check out the hoopla on the court. Reg sat down at the table, so Paul wanted to beat him. Or what he did to end up in the carceral system. It doesn’t matter that Reg is from East Oakland. ![]() Paul could have never imagined when the Warriors traded for him back in June that it would land him in prison surrounded by convicted criminals. ![]() “You ain’t getting me,” Paul fired back, his eyes locked on the dominoes he selected. A little of that Chris Paul locking-up-on-defense energy. But they did match his energy at the domino table. His black hoodie and black sweats didn’t jive with the beaming Marin County sun. A crowd gathered, hovering over the table. That it was happening at San Quentin State Prison only added to the challenge. The occasion to slap bones in person excited him. “You in trouble,” Reg told Paul while shuffling the dominoes. ![]()
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