Air West is that crackin' hoop spot, but what led DeShawn Stephens to this gym? His life, his game, his resume of course.

This baller reminds me of the hoop version of rapper Eminem.

You see D-Stephens, that chiseled, bouncy, 6-8 at 225 lb cat that won a dunk contest while ballin overseas.

At San Diego State D-Stephens was a good scorer and rebounder. Then he went and stepped up his game while earning bread and playing in Japan and Turkey.

That's the story with so many of these great guys at Air West. They do well at their high school and or college, then they bring their sharp game to Air West.

Hear Stephens talk about why he likes Air West, "This place is fun for me. Playing with friends, hanging with Keion, it's all just a great place to play.”

Keion Kindred, who co-founded Air West along with Chris Young, says of Stephens, "A walking highlight reel. The moment he takes flight...just sit back and enjoy the show."

DeShawn echoes what all the ballers feel, this tremendous hoop game seems like that great rap song by Eminem, as he sings Lose Yourself in the movie 8 Mile:

“Look

If you had

One shot

Or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted

In one moment

Would you capture it

Or just let it slip? "

Yup, that's Air West, that chance to experience joy, hang with dudes, feel something dope in the form of basketball. it's the highlight of the day for these ballers from what I see, as Eminem says, feet fail me not.

I could tell you how the gym smells musty, the air fills your nose with sweat, the girlfriends watching from the stands are crossing their fingers, that their man's are "up on their game."

But that's not it, but then what is it E-Woods, that makes Air West special?

Let Eminem tell you how it feels at Air West:

"His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy...

He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready."

All these dudes at Air West are Slim Shady. They're all ready to hoop like Eminem battle rapped in 8 Mile. But these ballers battle with their hoop game instead of mic rhymes, both are dope and electric.

You see 8 Mile and Air West are both poetry in their own way.

I could tell you how DeShawn dominated in the post all night long but I didn't just see him play. I'll give DeShawn the ultimate compliment, "I felt his game", like I'm listening to these lyrics that describe his play.

He was calm and ready...

“To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgettin'

What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud

He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out

He's chokin', how, everybody's jokin' now

The clocks run out, times up, over, blaow!"

Yup, blaow all night long, left hook baseline, turn facing jumper, dude D-Stephenson brought it all night like he was in the Rap Olympics.

I can't describe Stephens’ game. Only Eminem can, because he speaks the same language - Dopeness.

And on a hard fought Wednesday night, that's the only language that dudes truly respect: giving your best to what you love.