ALPHARETTA, GA: Maximum Strength: The Urban Legend of Greg Barlow.

Lately, I had been hearing about a player at UH Alpharetta that many feel is a playground legend in their own right but has the under the whistle I.Q to go along with it. I’ve never been impressed with anyone I’ve seen in a rec ball because you’re either good enough for the streets or good enough for The League. Then, I was introduced to the game of Greg Barlow and his last name certainly does not describe his level of standards. He’s a 6.1 215 pounder at best that at first glance would look like an electronic geek trying to fit it with the jocks. That of course until the ball is tipped; which at that time he transforms into a hellion on the hard wood. Imagine if you will a biologically toxic mixture of Gary Payton’s demising defense, with a dosage of Isaiah Thomas’s shakes and takes equipped with a Kobe Bryant kill-switch. This guy is a one man massacre that provides his opponents with a multiple choice death penalty option as to how they desire to lose. His handles will leave you burning across the floor in gas chamber like fashion. The shot is a lethal injection all by itself and his cannon sounding, vicious dunks have the shock value of an electric chair.

While many players trash talk their way through a game his talk is more of an aggressive way to motivate his teammates which provides his team an extra advantage because the tone intimidates their opponents. Unlike many pick-uppers and playground legends, Barlow is not a lace them up and take the ball out type of player. The Vegas native has plenty of heart, but doesn’t just rely on that or his natural ability. He has a work ethic that pushes his body beyond the limits for the sole purpose of punishing yours. Whether it’s shooting drills or weight lifting he puts in the work and he treats his food intake system similar to that of a luxury vehicle; nothing less than a 93 octane variety. It literally amazes me why this man is not on an NBA roster because he has the ability to “play” on that level along with the humility and discipline to “stay” on that level. Primarily, I believe he has what it takes play at the highest level of basketball but most certainly if I were a gambling man I’d most definitely place my bets on the Sin City product against anyone in any Ultimate Hoops league.

He's the UH Alpharetta's Reigning MVP and his team Max Contracts is currently undefeated and are the defending champions. They take on Rainmakers this Sunday in perhaps their greatest test yet. Max Contracts are outsized but not outmanned in any way, shape, or form.

Unlike Mr. Lewis, I believe every legend is entitled a nickname and UH Alpharetta now has Greg “Brutal Honesty” Barlow, because I’ve seen firsthand that his game is the truth, and experienced it for myself that the truth hurts.