A June FlightReacts & CashNasty 1v1 basketball game arrived in fans’ sub boxes to wrap up the month. To save you time, I already mentioned the significance of this matchup in my latest article.
Since their last meeting almost a year ago, the two have improved their game. Cash used quarantine to improve his jumper, vertical, and ball-handling. Flight, in preparation for June, worked with basketball trainer Ryan Razooky (R2BBall) to reach his ‘final form.’ Both entertainers have also thrown jabs at each other online, leading up to the battle. Before being uploaded on YouTube, the two content creators leaked footage onto their Twitter to build hype.
Let’s breakdown the June FlightReacts & CashNasty 1v1.
The Game
The social media influencers squared off at Dune Citi gym on June 29. Unlike any previous, a June finale wager was on the line. If Flight wins, Cash has to shave his beard. If Flight loses, he has to burn a pair of his own sneakers.
The rules of the game were first to 11, scoring by one’s and two’s. Take backs included everything but steals and blocks. Also, the game isn’t one-shot. I don’t agree with the style of a non-one-shot 1v1, however, it seems that the method is common in the 2K community.
To start, Flight shot for the ball and missed short. Off rip, Cash hit Flight with a right-foot jab to create space for an open three. Cash, while doing so, yelled out his signature catchphrase “wet like water.” 0-2 (Cash)
After trading tough misses for almost a minute, the game already got heated. Flight drove to the basket and got hit on the durag. Cash, in the heat of the moment, argues that he didn’t make contact. I understand where Cassius is coming from. Everyone who’s played basketball without a ref knows that you most likely don’t know you fouled somebody unless it’s obvious. In response, Kimani makes a rule that four fouls equal a disqualification.
Possessions after a Cash three-pointer, another argument occurred. While going for a loose ball, Flight claimed Cash forced him out of bounds. That was a fair call being that he’s smaller in weight compared to his opponent. Like any pickup game, shoot the ball if a call is in dispute. Flight made the shot to earn the possession. That was his first make, and it didn’t even count for points. The guy at the moment was 0-5 from the field. 0-4 (Cash)
Immediately following the disagreement, Mr. White had a good first step on Mr. Clay but took a bad shot. Flight has a tendency to drive all the way to the cup then putting up a tough fallaway shot. I would rather him go straight up when going to the rack like Russell Westbrook instead of stopping to throw up a bad look. A strong take to the hoop can lead to fouls, so he can get the ball back instead of losing it on a low-percentage shot. He is also 6’3″. Cash is a lot stronger, but Flight has the height to keep the ball out of Cash’s reach. Add that to an unlocked contact finisher badge, and Flight can be on a whole other level.
Another thing Flight needs to work on is his perimeter defense. He did poke the ball loose at times, but that was about it. He didn’t apply any pressure on Cash when he had the ball at the top of the key. It was as if he was social distancing from him. For players who like to shoot, Flight needs to have a hand in their pocket at all times. Again, he has inches over almost all of his opponents. Flight shouldn’t let them constantly shoot over him.
Cash’s top-of-the-key jumper finally found the bottom of the net again after bricking many in a row. Flight took off his white t-shirt like he usually does in the middle of games. Cash, in response, tore his tank top off like the Incredible Hulk. That’s when I knew it was over. Cash is swole, so the intimidator badge reached Hall of Fame. Cash, hilariously, proceeded to airball his next shot. 0-6 (Cash)
At the 9:36 mark in the video, Flight does a bunch of dribble moves in place similar to his signature “dutt bait.” He even instant replays it. The funny move obviously didn’t lead to anything and forced Flight to settle for a contested jumper. If Flight is still working with a trainer post-June, he needs to incorporate drills into the workouts based on dribble moves that create open opportunities.
Flight finally saw a shot fall after Cash went on a quick three-point run. He drilled a pretty nice step-back. He needs to throw more quick and balanced step-backs in his bag for future 1v1s. These moves allow him to set his feet in time to increase the probability of a made basket. What he usually does is a weird, rushed step that causes a shot path to be nowhere close to the rim. Don’t let the move distract you from the fact that Flight was 0-13 at that point. 2-9 (Cash)
Cash buried a top-of-the-key jumper to end the game. Not wanting to go out so quick, Flight convinced Cash to play up to 15. 2-11 (Cash)
When the game picked up, Cash banked home a left-handed lay-up. Following a miss, Cash allows Flight to try a corner three, and he swishes it. Unfortunately, those were Flight’s last points of the match. 4-12 (Cash)
Cash went on to sink another shot from the top of the key, then a mid-range jumper to win the game for real. Despite rooting for FTC, I’m ok that he lost. He needs to burn those shoes because they’re hideous. 4-15 (Cash)
The Twitter clip above shows one of the many top-of-the-key shots Cash selected during the game. Interestingly, almost all of his seventeen 3PTs were attempted in that spot. As he says, it’s his hot zone. His jumper and confidence enhanced in 2020. Though, 17 shots from downtown is insane even for Stephen Curry.
Going forward, I’d like to see a balance between bully-ball in the paint and jump shooting. He usually works in the post frequently during his 1v1s. He’s a big dude compared to his competitors, so posting up almost guarantees him a bucket or some drawn contact. That side of him wasn’t present against Flight. I wanted to see him baby Flight for entertainment purposes, but it didn’t happen. I think it was due to a new sense of confidence in his shot.
Final stat lines:
FlightReacts
2/17 FG (12%), 2/9 3PT (22%), 9 REBs, 1 BLK, and 1 TO.
CashNasty
8/20 FG (40%), 6/17 3PT (35%), 6 REBs, 2 BLKs, and 3 PFs.
Final Thoughts
CashNasty finally got a taste of June FlightReacts. However, this matchup was a bit disappointing in the end. It lacked the entertaining moments that the other duels before it did, such as embarrassing Flight plays.
What it did show was Cash’s improving skill set. He should be given more respect as one of the best players in the community. His three-pointer is increasing overall. This makes Cash a more viable option on the offensive end. Flight, on the other hand, is getting better, but he still needs more work to even get close to his ‘final form.’
The June finale was needed, and fans are thankful that the two managed to go head-to-head at the end of the month. There’s always a chance for the two to play again. They’re friends who like to use each other for content. Also, according to Flight, he doesn’t reach his actual ‘final form’ until March 2021. Hopefully, he can get his first win over Cash in that one.
Do you agree? Did the June FlightReacts & CashNasty 1v1 live up to your expectations? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram.