It took a long long time…some had waited years and years for this to happen. But last night in the long awaited anxiously anticipated completion of the findings handed down it was Affirmative Action 
who overcame the odds and beat the Supreme Court, handily, in a unanimous decision, 2 wins to none. What a series final.
Listen to what some of the standing room only fans had to say about the basketball game-
"The game was amazing, one for the books – the drive, the sweat, the beer, the fans, the ladies – really, what more can you ask for? It was a night that truly defined the spirit and camaraderie of LegalMatch; an amazing game with amazing talent and heart, and I can only imagine the impending glory of the ping-pong tournament." 
-Erin Loeb –
"Wednesday night was an excellent display of competitive spirit on the part of both teams. Like in Yankee stadium we had a lively crowd, which made the event that much more exciting. Hats off to the Affirmative Action team. They played clutch ball when it counted. Also, kudos to Laurie Wells’ homestyle Chili!"
– -Douglas Ott –
"Well the game was very exciting and hard fought by both teams. My loyalty was with Affirmative Action, so I was pleased with the outcome. The one thing I was not pleased with was the ball flying in through the door and knocking a full beer all over me. 
Who ever threw that is lucky I don’t know who they are…or they would get stuck with a dry cleaning bill. I still had a good time, spilled beer and all. Looking forward to the next one." – Sarah Wigdor-
"As my first exposure to LegalMatch Basketball, the Founders Cup final was an eye-opener! Intensity was certainly the name of the game, not to mention simple survival with everything intact. Even the spectators exposed themselves to risk, if only from a stray pass and resultant flying beer. There seemed to be high spirits beneath the sweat and determination, and I’m sure winning was nice, but really it seemed more about effort and committed participation and even the losers must have been proud of their efforts. What was the difference between the Final and the Baseball? Well, in the LM contest, nobody’s career was on the line and friends remained friends after it was over. That seems a good reason to have a party." -Denis Johns-
Food – Drink & Entertainment!
Basketball to my right – baseball to my left.
The only thing missing: Togas.
The Founders Cup championship was that all-important mix of friendly competition, good times with the large gathering of enthusiastic Match-heads and beer-driven hilarity. Sorrowful shooting drew early jeers from the peanut gallery, but in the end the game was exciting and there was much less flailing than many people anticipated. Everyone came. Everyone left happy—with the notable exception of the Yankees fans in the office. If you had a better time in this neighborhood on a Wednesday, there’d be a $15 dollar cover and a two drink minimum." 
-Arthur Gaus –
Off the Wall Ball!
There will be those that argue over technical points, critiques of skill and even why the women mysteriously disappeared toward the end of the big game…
No one but no one will ever doubt the heart, commitment and ferocity of the warriors that played the court that fateful night. The San Francisco sky literally opened to grace the showdown. Even while pulling double billing against one of the greatest baseball championships of all time, our own heroes raised our passion and connected us and gave us the gifts of sweat, adrenaline and joy.
Hell – what I mean to say is – I had a GREAT time and loved being there with all of you. There was NO PLACE better to be.
In the words of that great NFL hero:
“I Love you man!” – Rod Tidwell
-Marsh Agobert-
"The tireless efforts of Lance Burton to establish a basketball tradition here at LegalMatch were rewarded last night with a championship battle of athleticism and valor unmatched in any previous game. Unlike the NBA, here at LegalMatch we play to 10 points, best out of 3 games. And affirmative action was able to make it to 10 twice in a hard won series in the house that Lance built with TeeJay Clemena as his co-commissioner. It seems fitting that the battle came down to the 2 teams pitting the men who put this whole league together. Big ups to Lance and TeeJay and the LegalMatch budding dynasty in basketball, and big ups to Affirmative Action and Supreme Court both for giving us a championship match up to remember." -Ona Ahumada – 2004 Womens MVP
Yes, there was a sense within the crowd that this would go down as a day in LegalMatch history to remember. 
Not that there hadn’t been other days to remember…like the day Lauri Tanner spent 18 hours interviewing an attorney on the speaker phone and the attorney actually asked that Lauri call back the next day to continue the process. Wow. That one was hard to beat. But I think we did it. This was a tough tough match 
and the amount of blood washed off the walls this morning would attest to the intensity and desire spent to gain possession of that coveted Founders Cup. At the end, it would be Affirmative Action that would walk away with the vaunted inscribed crystal vase with the little milk chocalate balls stashed inside the Founders Cup. Oh My!
Needless to say, the photos capture the action, but you really needed to be there to get a sense of the energy and mounting tension as every players’ movement seemed to fire up the entire crowd upon the rooftop garden. This must have surely aroused the South of Market neighborhood, where our HQ resides, as it might have seemed that Pac Bell Park had suddenly drifted several blocks north and onto the top of our LegalMatch building. We certainly may have made just as much noise in our cheering as would have been heard on a normal night of Giants baseball just a few blocks away.
Every point in this contest was earned. And official Referee Randy Wells was not about to let any hanky panky go unnoticed or un-penalized. Wells kept a watchful eye over the play of all 10 contestants and in the end it was team work and desire that would make the difference.
After the game, reporters visited both the winners and losers locker room.
So, Pete JaReis. What were you thinking while out there in the heat of the battle?
"I was thinking Inter-departmental events (in any form) are a blessing."
OK, er… How did you manage to get so open on that hook shot?
Props go out to Diane and Lance and my home boys for adding to the intrigue by documenting the tourney and making sure no one left the building before I got my trophy”
I see. uh…Do you feel like you may have played your best game of the season in this one?
“It wasn’t pretty, but a good game nonetheless. You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my backhand reverse spin over the top skip jump mesmerizing net banging torpedo twisting…
Ok, Ok. Uh Thanks Pete…now let’s go over to the losers where Diane Tran is standing by. Diane?
Thanks Lance.
I’m standing here with a dejected Ice Man.
Ice Man, what happened out there tonight?
The Red Sox won. They just kept coming back. We thought we had them but they just wouldn’t quit.
Who? Who wouldn’t quit?
The Red Sox.
Well, what about tonight’s basketball game?
Did the Warriors play tonight?
No you dumb bunny. The game you played in against Affirmative Action?
Oh oh, ok. I remember now. Let’s see… 
last I remember Peter Reis handed me my butt
Showed me the door, kicked me through it to the curb, 
where a bus ran over me.
Is the game over yet?
Geez. I think that about wraps it up from here Lance. Back to you.
Ouch! Sounds like the Ice Man went through a meltdown.
Well, it looks like the fans got the game they were looking for. 
Plenty of competitive spirit. Lots of talent on display, including the comedian who hosted the event, Arthur Gaus. He was funny. So great entertainment was had by all.
We’re going to sign off on the basketball tournament for now. Copies of the Championship game can be viewed on the LegalMatch television network in an office near you, 
courtesy of Ben Wells.
Remember, next season’s Basketball draft is right around the corner for the 2005 Spring Rooftop Tournament beginning in March. Until then, however, the 2005 LegalMatch Winter Penthouse Tower Table Tennis Tournament trials will begin November 1st. Look for the announcements to follow right here on this same channel. So until then, Peace out.
This has been brought to you by LegalMatch – If LegalMatch is the best place to find the right attorney, then, LegalMatch is certainly the right place to focus and grow a legal practice. Not to mention, an outstanding place to work, play, grow and continue to develop one’s upside potential. Welcome to the adventure.
Lance Burton