1) Clifton Mitchell interned with the organization that put on an exhibition basketball game between NBA players from Washington D.C. and Philadelphia during the 2011 NBA lockout. 2) The game was highly competitive and intense, with Kevin Durant scoring 56 points for D.C. and Lou Williams scoring 55 for Philadelphia. 3) Mitchell commented that the internship was a wonderful experience that allowed him to apply what he learned in school, and that the game felt like an actual NBA game due to the buildup, crowd, and high-level play.

1. CSL's Clifton Mitchell Gets the NBA Experience During the Lockout
On October 15, 2011, Washington D.C. was the site for a NBA Lockout exhibition game between
professional players from the nation's capital and Philadelphia, PA. The CSL's own Clifton Mitchell (Class
of 2012) interned with the organization that put on the event, and catalogued his experiences below:
Dubbed as Chocolate City vs. the City of Brotherly Love, this game was one for bragging rights
filled with pre-game trash talk between players and fans from both cities. The D.C. Team was led by
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), John Wall (Washington Wizards), DeMarcus Cousins
(Sacramento Kings), Sam Young (Memphis Grizzlies), Jeff Green (Boston Celtics), Nolan Smith (Portland
Trailblazers), and Jarrett Jack (New Orleans Hornets). The Philly Team featured Lou Williams
(Philadelphia 76ers), Hakim Warrick (Phoenix Suns), Kyle Lowry (Houston Rockets), Jason Thompson
(Sacramento Kings), Ronald "Flip" Murray (Turkey), and Dionte Christmas (Greece). Held at Calvin
Coolidge High School in the northwest section of the city, the gym was packed with over 2,000 people in
attendance. There was a large group of fans from the Philadelphia area as well as hundreds of young
basketball players from local high schools and colleges. It was evident that both the public and media
were starving for real basketball action as TNT's David Aldridge and the Washington Post's Ivan Carter
were spotted in the crowd. Even the Grizzlies' Tony Allen and former Cleveland Cavalier, Delonte West
stopped by to check out the game.
The game began with a long jump shot from Kevin Durant that sent the D.C. fans into frenzy;
Durant has definitely become a local legend amongst the city's historic basketball scene. As the first
quarter moved along it was plain to see that the Philadelphia team were focused and wasn't taking this
game lightly; all week there had been discussion on which city produced the best ball players. With 4
minutes left in the first quarter Team Philly was up by 10 after a 3 pointer by Christmas; by this point
they were in full control. The D.C. Team seemed to lack enthusiasm, but out of nowhere came John Wall
rushing out of the locker room to check in. Wall flew in straight from Kentucky; the night before he
participated in his former school's Midnight Madness activities. As soon as Wall entered the game he
went to work scoring on a couple of lay-ups, however, Williams, Lowry, and Thompson continued to
score in a variety of ways for Philadelphia. At the 9:36 mark of the second quarter Jeff Green converted
on a lay-up and was fouled; He hit the free throw which made the score 55-34. Sam Young chipped in
and nailed a three pointer, and Durant followed up with a dunk to cut the lead to 57-39. Later, in the
second quarter Team Philly was up by nine with 1 minute to go in the half 80-71, but Durant, Cousins,
and Wall started to take charge. At half time the score was 85-75 Team Philly.
The second half pace really picked up in the third quarter and the game became really
competitive. The stars of the game were Lou Williams, Kevin Durant, and John Wall. The local team got a
lift from former Duke standout Nolan Smith as he hit a three pointer to make it a five point ball game.
Then Team Philly hits the back end of two free throws to make it 92-86. Mardy Collins came along and
hit a two point field goal and put Philly up 98-90. With 6:16 left in the 3rd Smith started a fast break and
Durant finished the play, he was fouled and he hit the free throw at this point the score was 101-96;
everyone was standing in their seats as the action heated up! Lou Williams and Hakim Warrick both had
some exciting two-handed dunks that made the Philly faithful stand up and cheer. Team Philly still had

2. the lead in the game but it was slipping they were up at one point in the 3rd 108-99. Kevin Durant
brought life back to the DC crowd by hitting a three and then by scoring three free throws after getting
fouled in a three point attempt. Lou Williams would not let DC take the lead; his dunk made it 110-108.
The fourth quarter was like an old NBA playoff duel between Durant and Williams. Durant would
finish the night with 56 points and Williams finished with 55 points. John Wall had 38 points and
DeMarcus Cousins had 20 rebounds. In the 4th DC took the lead at 123-121 behind Durant's hot hand,
Cousins' rebounding, and Wall's fast break layups. Lou Williams connected on several jump shots and
three pointers in the quarter that eventually sealed the victory for his team and he wrapped up game
MVP honors. Team Philly outlasted Team D.C. 172-169.
Speaking of his experiences organizing the game, Clifton Mitchell commented, "This was a
wonderful internship experience. I was able to implement many of the principles I've learned during my
studies within the Sport Leadership Program. I assisted the event staff with game setup, event
promotions, and the social media campaign. Unlike many professional basketball summer league games
or exhibitions I've attended, this particular game felt like an actual NBA affair because of the pre-game
build-up, advertisement, intensity of the crowd, and exceptional play by of the players."
Written by: Clifton Mitchell, CSL Class of 2012
Posted by Dr. Carrie LeCrom on the VCU CSL website on December 7, 2011