From the upcoming issue of Bounce Magazine (#11). Available June 12th.
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Verbals: Joseph Vecsey Illustration: Sean Kernick
The AND 1 dynasty no longer reigns supreme. Ten players from the pioneering squad have bolted to form their own Ball4Real Tour, including Spyda, Main Event, AO, Shane The Dribbling Machine, 50, High Octane, Air Up There, Circus, Pharmacist, Special FX and Half Man Half Amazing. I’ll Be Right Back long overdue for being signed to AND 1 and Main Event protégé Killa Kirby also are on the new tour, called Ball4Real, and the players have an ownership stake in the project. The new group says it will hit 30 cities this summer, 20 colleges this fall, plus 25 international events. Meanwhile, AND 1 says it is going back outside to the playground this summer, touring 10 major cities with remaining players Professor, Hot Sauce, Helicopter, Baby Shack, Bad Santa, The Assassin, Escalade, Go Get It, 8th Wonder, Springs and Silk. AND 1 also says it has 20 international events lined up. “We’ve assembled the best AND 1 team ever,” says the company’s marketing director, Mark Woolsey.
AND 1 began in ‘93 as a school project by three students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton business school. Soon they expanded from trash-talk T-shirts to sneakers, which may well have ended up next to Kangaroos in the history books if not for some grainy footage of the skinny Cardozo HS graduate Rafer “Skip To My Lou” Alston running amok at the Entertainers Basketball Classic. From that point on, the AND 1 Mix Tape series and tour became synonymous around the world with the new style of “streetball” that transformed basketball the way the ‘70s blacktop warriors revolutionized the game.
AND 1 peaked in ‘03, raking in $175 million in revenue and recording chart-busting ratings on ESPN. In ‘05 the company was sold to American Sporting Goods, maker of Avia and other lesser-known shoes, for an undisclosed sum. As ASG took over, many longtime AND 1 employees were pushed out and resentments began to build on the most famous team of playground stars ever assembled.
One of the last original executives left was Lisa Fusco, who handled the tour. In ‘06 she tried to buy the Mix Tape brand with investors and keep AND 1 as the title sponsor. Fusco wanted to build and freshen the Mix Tape property, while AND 1 would still get the advertising exposure and the players endorsing the brand. But that deal fell through, so Fusco started Street Ball Entertainment and Ball4Real, taking many of the players with her and making them part owners.
AO, one of the players who made the Mix Tape tour flourish, said he went with Fusco because she was responsible for AND 1’s success. “I didn’t believe that whoever they brought in or whatever they were trying to do was going to be the equivalent to what she did, and now AND 1 only has a ten-city playground tour, which is definitely not the same thing as what we’re doing,” AO said.
“It’s a better situation with Lisa,” said Shane the Dribbling Machine, “because now we are part owners of something we started. For them to be bringing it back outside is like moving backwards.”
Another conflict was AND 1 locking players into an apparel deal. AO wasn’t able to do certain modeling gigs and Main Event felt restricted while working with his own multi-faceted company. ”You have to be true to your hustle,” Main said in explaining why he left, “because if you ain’t true to that, than you’re not true to yourself.”
Back at AND 1, the company described the seismic changes as simply a shift in focus. “AND 1 has been the key driver of streetball and its growing popularity and we want to take the Mix Tape tour back to where it all began-outdoors, on the street,” says Woolsey. AND 1 marketing executive Steve Wright says they want to focus on signing more NBA endorsers: “We lost some of the respect we had gained as being a major player in the NBA as well as in the high school front.”
Returning to the playground sounds like a great move, but there is more to the story. New owners often seek to cut costs, and while the Mix Tape tour is a fantastic marketing tool, it has never been profitable. AND 1 would not make any of its players available for interviews without a company executive on the line, and the company declined to comment on Fusco’s departure.
One recently departed exec said AND 1 was considering a deal to sell shoes at Payless, which would make big money but damage the brand as a legitimate playground product. (Woolsey said AND 1 “partners with a variety of retailers…to make our products more accessible to consumers.”) According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office web site, AND 1 also trademarked Taurian “Air Up There” Fontenette’s nickname, prompting him to change his name to “Mr. 720.” It’s ironic that AND 1 is releasing the 720 mid and having players wear it this summer, but they don’t have the player who performed the famous 720 dunk.
AO says that if Fusco and all the players had stayed, AND 1 would have been back in arenas this summer. Woolsey responded that outdoors “is the most authentic environment for streetball.” At press time, Ball4Real had Mountain Dew as the main sponsor, plus Wrigley’s and also Steve and Barry’s, maker of the Starbury shoe. AND 1 had Old Spice, Gatorade and Wrigley’s.
Still, AND 1 has kept some talented and well-known players. Hot Sauce is one of the originals and has entertained fans for years with his innovative moves. The Professor is in Will Ferrell’s movie Semi-Pro and is up for the lead role in the upcoming basketball film Ball Don’t Lie. Springs can do a through-the-legs dunk from the foul line. Six of the 11 guys on the team have played D-1. Mark Edwards, who manages Escalade, Professor and Springs, said that AND 1 gave his players guaranteed three-year, six-figure deals and hand-delivered them bonus checks. (Ball4Real also offered three-year deals, worth anywhere from $40,000 to $300,000.) And the ten dates AND 1 plays this summer should be blowout events. The company says it is building outdoor courts in every city, with the first stop in Coney Island, New York. Don’t forget, they also have almost 30 cities overseas plus two shows still running on ESPN.
“I went to a Knick game earlier this year and I didn’t see Willis Reed starting at the five,” said Escalade. “Earl Manigault is dead, Joe Hammond is limping around Harlem, does that mean we still can’t do our thing?”
AO says Ball4Real will do it better. “You don’t get any more entertaining than me and Shane,” he said. “The guys we got really know how to keep the show going. Who’s going to make sure Go Get It, Helicopter, and Assassin gets their dunks? Hot Sauce just wants to get his tricks off, Professor just wants to get his, Baby Shack just wants to get his, Silk is a 1-on-1 player, and their newest guy Springs is one dimensional. Headache, Sik Wit It, Shane and myself all sacrificed our moves to get those guys the ball, so who’s gonna do it now?”
Shane, Main Event and AO still have love for the remaining AND 1 stars, but they also feel a little betrayed. “A main reason the other players who signed with AND 1 are getting that money offered to them is because we turned it down,” AO said. “AND 1 was only trying to sign 10 or 11 guys.”
Only time will tell what will happen with these two competing and equally exciting tours. The game is big enough for both of them. AND 1 is the defending champ and the established brand. It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction Ball4Real gets from fans. My prediction is that both tours will succeed in different ways. But it does seem that Ball4Real, which is planning its own TV shows, is moving forward more aggressively than AND 1. Personally, I feel that there’s no one like the true originals who started the AND 1 tour-Main Event, Half Man, AO, Hot Sauce,
Shane, Headache and I’ll Be Right Back. They were the first ones whose moves I rewound and imitated. So even if the new version of the legendary tour does well, it will never be the same.
Contributing writer: Sidik Fofana
Which tour do you think is best? E-mail editor@bouncemag.com
June 7th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Justin says:
Great story. It is going to be interesting to see how this thing shakes out. Who wins in a head to head match up?
June 7th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Buckets2334 says:
yeah, good story. i’d say Ball4Real takes it. AO is the best player of the whole group. and those cats have been together a long time…chemistry, ya know.
June 7th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Co Co says:
AO made a great point about who’s going to get those guys the ball.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Justin says:
We shall see. It’s been a minute since those guys have been outdoors also. The wind and sun aren’t too forgiving. If any of these guys need pointers just talk to my man Jack Ryan. He shoots laser beams from 30ft. in 20mph winds. Never seen anything like it.
June 7th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
and done??? says:
The story’s name is And done? That’s the funniest shiat I’ve ever heard.
June 8th, 2007 at 1:12 am
Beasty says:
And1’s streetball is going the same ways as it’s shoe design eh? Is there anything appealing left about that brand?
June 8th, 2007 at 6:26 am
moo-moo love says:
“Got to be true to your hustle”. Man, when I read that quote by my man “Main” I had tears in my eyes. Even my Moms started cryin’ like a baby. And if my Pops wasn’t locked up I’m sure that bitch be’d cryin’ too.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Joeman says:
Great story, I was trying to find some info on what caused the breakup of AND1. Yea I think it is a step back for AND1. One fight breaks out and they are done. Ain’t half man like 60 years old, can he still bring it? The original crew should have held out, got a part of AND1 and started making the long money earlier. Great move by Fusco. Bet money Sauce quits(gets injured/sick/homesick for the arenas) before the tour ends!
June 8th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
and1 4ever says:
First of all i have seen over 60 percent of the and1 games since the tour started. I can understand why these guys are so bitter. Half of the guys over there are way past there prime and from what i heard a lot of them didnt have a choice but to go with Lisa Fusco. IF u look at the players one by one the core guys are all upgrades from the old tour. Even though Air up There and Springs are two different type of dunkers they both bring that same energy when they dunk. Springs can put it on the floor and create his own shot though. Silk and Baby Shaq are two of the newest up and coming streetball killers that are about to shine. Baby Shaq is a freak of nature being 6′3, 235, with a near 50 inch vertical, a wicked handle and a jump shot along with a killers attitude. He averaged 40 something and had them defenders running from him at the games. Silk is a master of both games and is in my opinion better than AO, and i love AO’s game, but i gotta give the edge to Silk. I have seen them head to head and Silk got the best of him, He can run the team but has more moves and a better all around game. He can dunk, shoot the deep 3, and passes just as good if not better than AO. AO is a slightly better defender but Silk is a way better scorer and assist man, AO only throws the lob, Silk has some J kidd/AI type shit with him, and makes it look so easy.Silk be throwing no look half court lobs with the left hand, thats some crazy shit. Sauce and Professor are goin to do there thing and the new guy 8th wonder destroyed half man in the garden in 05. Add Bad Santa a defensive stopper and former mcdonald’s all american along with former LA Laker Assasin and Go Get it, the and1 tour sounds like a better tour to me. Helicopter is back on his game and sky the limit for these guys.Let the truth be told that all of these guys got signed by bussin the main teams guys asses. Point Blank. It is what it is…I have seen the games and heard the stories when i wasnt at the games. Bright spots for Fusco is Special Efx and the circus, but how much shine will they get being behind shane and main?
June 8th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Lefty says:
My office was just talking about this article. We went to the AND1 game in Boston last year or the year before. It was boring. I’d rather go to the Globetrotters, which I know is choreographed but still entertaining. there was maybe 2 or 3 great plays. Maybe some competition is what everyone needed.
June 8th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
bk's best pg says:
Yeah that nigga shaq is a beast. I saw him give Junie like 30 up the rucker a couple summers ago. They started callin him The Punisher up in the park.That Silk and Ao comparison is a tough one though. Silk is ill, i read about how he destroyed a bunch of nba guards and all that. Plus i heard about his battle with probably the most feared streetball cat the bone collector and busted his ass and dropped him to the floor. So me personally i think And1 is in great hands. That ball for real tour might make a lil noise but without air up there who would u wanna see play? Who the hell is killer kirby? get the fuck outta here. BK all day!!!
June 8th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
bk's one and only says:
I’m goin to see the and1 tour fuck that other corny shit.No body wants to see Pharmacist doin that same bullshit, Shane is a mess and them other niggas just some fill in niggas b.Me personally i think And1 is in great hands. That ball for real tour might make a lil noise but without air up there who would u wanna see play? Who the hell is killer kirby? get the fuck outta here. BK all day!!!
June 8th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
I think if ball4 real went against And 1, it would be a good game but Ball4real would end up winning. They have more players and tougher guys than And 1 has right now. I don’t think outdoors is going to be a big deal for the And 1 guys. Their bodies will have to adjust but they were doing about six or seven(maybe more) crash the courts during the arena years so this won’t be that hard. They got only ten games but I think each game will be blowout events and really crazy. The arena games will not ALL be crazy. They proved that over the years when all 30 games were indoors.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Just testing
June 8th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Hot Sauce will be fine. This will be one of his better years because he doesn’t have people that hate him as far as I know on the same court with him. He’s been playing outside for years so he will last to the end of the tour and do just fine.
Half Man is no longer an offensive threat but still a great guy to have on your team. He just needs to set a better example for kids who watch everything he does.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Both tours will be good. I look forward to seeing both of them and hopefully getting to play on the Ball4real tour if time permits. AO is a better player than Silk. Silk is great and eventually wiil be better but don’t forget they are both around the same age so they will both be declining right around the same time. Silk is a great player with moves and passes but it’s hard to compare the two since they play differently. You can’t go wrong with either one. Most ppl would probaly like playing with AO more because he looks for others first. I love Silk though. He’s extremely exciting to watch.
Circus and Special FX will get plenty shine behind Main and Shane. Circus is so confident that he would make himself shine on Kobe’s team. He doesn’t back down from no one. Watch out for him. He’s for real.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Silk did not actually make Bone fall. It looked like it at the time but he was actually tripped. If you want to read about that story where they went head to head in DC, order a back issue. I wrote about that. It was a heated match and Silk ended up getting the W. When u look at it, Silk has more in his arsenal than Bone does. But Bone is still crazy and it’s one of the hardest guys to guard in the game. For the record, Silk did not drop Bone but, not this is basketball, but Bone threw the ball off of Silk’s head so hard that I thought they wre gonna fight. It was crazy. I’ve never seen somebody throw the ball off of a guy’s head that hard and from that far. I’ll try to get a copy of that tape. It was nuts. I need to do that to Bobbito(just kidding, Bob. Relax).
June 8th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Silk did not actually make Bone fall. It looked like it at the time but he was actually tripped. If you want to read about that story where they went head to head in DC, order a back issue. I wrote about that. It was a heated match and Silk ended up getting the W. When u look at it, Silk has more in his arsenal than Bone does. But Bone is still crazy and it’s one of the hardest guys to guard in the game. For the record, Silk did not drop Bone but, not this is basketball, but Bone threw the ball off of Silk’s head so hard that I thought they wre gonna fight. It was crazy. I’ve never seen somebody throw the ball off of a guy’s head that hard and from that far. I’ll try to get a copy of that tape. It was nuts. I need to do that move to Bobbito(just kidding, Bob. Relax).
June 8th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
BABY SHAQ says:
JOSEPH VECSEY YOU NEED TO CUT IT OUT YOUR MAGAZINE IS A PIECE OF SHIT FOR REAL IF YOU ASK ME WHEN WE WAS 1 TEAM YOU DIDNT START NO SHIT LIKE THIS AND BE HONEST IF YOU DONT LIKE SOMEONE ON OUR TEAM THAN BE STRAIGHT UP WITH EVERYBODY…AND I TALKED TO AO AND HE SAID THAT HE DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT BOUNCE MAGAZINE IS SO STEP UR GAME UP AND INTERVIEW BOTH SIDES THATS HOW I KNOQW THAT THE WHOLE STATEMENT IS FLUKE!!!!!!
June 8th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
the bad 1 says:
i also spoke to aron owens and just like he told baby shaq he told me also he didnt even know who you were. whos telling the truth hummmmmmmmmmmmm until i know for sure i will hold off on my comment but just know im like the 2pac of strretball and my word is bond so until then i wont get caught up in the hype having said that bless you ball 4 real and any other company trying to get there feet wet good luck with your career and may god blees us all i pray the truth comes out then ill really get started on who ever when ever peace
June 8th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Killa Kirby is one of Main Event’s guys. I have played with him and he’s a good dude and a good player. It will be interesting to see how he does on tour being the least famous player to be signed. Once Ball4real signs Pat Da Roc and There He Go, they will be really ready to go.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
joseph vecsey says:
If that really was baby shaq, I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about. When I interviewed u, I asked what I needed to ask. U were giving 1 word anwsers so I didn’t even go further and waste my time. I’m telling what both sides said. I have no problem with anybody on your team, maybe that so called coach of yours but that’s it. Other than that, I don’t know what ao is saying but I talked to him and I have his interview on tape.
As for bounce, we support street ball is what you do. I’m not sure what your beef is with the article because its what ao said and what escalade and some other guys said. I’m just writing the story, when I state an opinion on what I feel, you’ll know. I’m cool with silk and pat so if you honestly have a problem, I’d be interested in hearing it. So hit up pat or silk if u wanna contact me so I can undertstand your beef cuz right now I don’t. Thanks.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Silk is a great player. The way he passes and dribbles, it is amazing. He is a guy that I would pay to see play. As an overall player he is better than most street ball guys. He’s also real great guy too. I look forward to seeing him on tour and doing his thing.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Silk is a great player. The way he passes and dribbles, it is amazing. He is a guy that I would pay to see play. As an overall player he is better than most street ball guys. He’s also real great guy too. I look forward to seeing him on tour and doing his thing.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
I’m in LA right now. I was working on a movie called Ball Don’t Lie. I was suppose to have a part in it but due to a certain director’s assistant who will remain nameless(Harry Wallace) was a real control freak and on a power trip, I was forced to leave. I left on my own terms but it’s amazing how guys get a little bit of power and abuse it. It was shades of my old high school. Anyway, I was orginally brought out to try out for the lead in case Grayson Bouche(the professor) walked and he ended up staying. I would have had a small role but things went sour. I have to thank the director’s assisant for being a nutjob because It lead to bigger and better things. So thank you. I am now working on something much bigger and better which I can’t say right now.
June 9th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Joseph Vecsey says:
I’m also currently shopping around my screenplays. I have a few companies looking at them right now. Miramax turned me down today but they were very cool and respectful about it. I’m gone for the day…
June 9th, 2007 at 4:50 am
the truth says:
I seen the b 4 something bs lets get 1 thing straight aron nick name shold be liar liar and don’t get me started on shane event the myspace banger I’m keeping this all facts fact 1 both shane and main or fake they talked behind ao s back called him 5 mins from being gay and now they all friends wow. Ao used to be ok but if he really said that then he faker then shanes game how old are these lil kids anyway I know the truth mains like 35 ao 34 shane 40 if I was that old and my team wanted to get a better group of young guys I might be bitter 2 oh and its crazy that ao said that the and 1 guys only got money cause they didn’t wana sighn that’s bs cause ao was trying to sighn with and 1 even after he already sighned with ball 4 real and he’s not the only fake 1 but since he open his month my big bro thought I should close it as for beef how can and 1 the nba of streetball have a beef with the aba or ibl haha that b 4 life I mean real is for the birds get a job niggas ur time is over oh and we laughing all the way to bank with this haha ha hahaha ha haha ha ill leave my true streetballers with this I got no time for fake 1s to busy counting chips with my real ones from east to west spread love son and y yall keep hating we counting bank founds
June 9th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Moses Townsend says:
thanks ey’body for checking in. This is yer man Moses Townsend, the mule of this Bounce Magazine gang. we’re looking for somebody to actually watch one of these new-style and 1 or ball4real games and report back. hit us up at editor@bouncemag.com. that way it can go beyond speculation into the realm of the real. holla. and now for Baby Shaq: whoa nellie! I hear you, boss. Do an official interview with my dude Joe V and we’ll print it in the magazine, online, pass it out on flyers, tattoo it on justin’s fat butt, whateva. But I have to vouch for Joe: he’s official, with the pen and on the court. he don’t play no favorites. it’s all real talk with him. he spoke to ey’body on both sides and laid it down flat. be easy my neezys … Big Mo.
June 9th, 2007 at 11:50 am
ok! says:
Joe, I thought the story was very fair and well done. You gotta ease back on the posting a bit though.
These guys are just bitter. Both sides. Let’s get them on the court.
June 9th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
What do you mean ease back o the posting?
June 10th, 2007 at 1:32 am
humble them says:
? Both dime and bounce are sponsors on the ball 4 real tour right then y should anyone even care what u write its a conflict. How can u be fair and objective when the company you write for has money tied up in the company ball 4 real. That’s a lil strange don’t u think anyway I heard about how you use to try out at the open runs but never made I can’t wait to see your face when you finally get a chance to live ur dream as the new professor on b 4 real tour then you can stop all this corny bs about who did this or who said that the funny thing is in a few weeks the truth will start to come out and after all the bs u caused with this I’m sure nobody will even talk to u again I know 4 of the top streetballers and a few pros who walk away when they here your name 1st you wana play streetball and don’t make so know your a writer I guess it does run in the family your hater and the world will find out how you cried when they told you that you couldn’t be down with streetball open runs wow cried like a baby and now ur a tough writer I hope u figure it out one day maybe next you wana be a ref lol
June 10th, 2007 at 9:38 am
ok! says:
You’ve posted 26 comments.
June 10th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
JOE SCHMO says:
Joe are you related to Peter Vecsey?
June 11th, 2007 at 1:30 am
joseph vecsey says:
I haven’t posted 26 comments and its my blog! Why don’t people think before they write stuff?
I am not related to peter vecsey. I am related to george vecsey
June 11th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Nopace1 says:
The reality is that and1 slipped up and let their two best players leave (720 and AO). Those are the only guys I would pay to see. Silk vs. AO isn’t a contest. Silk can ball his ass off but will never have the combination of skills and ability to carry a game like AO. This isn’t about individual match-ups though. This is the demise of the AND 1 Tour. The question is whether B4R can build on what AND 1 was doing from 2002-04 when the Tour was hot.
June 12th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Joeman says:
I went to an AND1 show a few years back and was disappointed. There was no defense being played at all. I know it is supposed to be entertainment, but to pay $20+ you want to see someone man up and play D. If they get got, then they repay on the other end. Every time Sauce got the rock, everybody in the crowd wanted to see somethin, but nobody wanted to D-up. Hopefully both tours will bring it and short change the fans just to save face.
How bout a $1 million game between AND1 & Ball4real, I bet they would man up then!!!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Yash says:
Good article. I wrote something similar after a recap of the B4R launch in Seattle –> http://streetballdiaries.wordpress.com [free advertising -- sorry!]…
In a head to head match-up, legit streetball I’m taking And 1. We’re talking Baby Shack who’s only what 6′3″, 6′4″ tops and made it to the Final 8 of the OG Battlegrounds Tourney 3 years ago..GGI who may be hands down the best all around player on the squad; Bad Santa, 8th Wonder, Escalade, Silk and self-proclaimed one of the best streetballers out there in Springs.
B4R is alright, but to be honest it just seems like the And 1 Tour WITHOUT so many tricks, but more dunks. Don’t see too many jumpshots – yeah the counter argument is “Who pays to see jumpshots?” – but then why call it Ball 4 Real? If And 1 couldn’t make money off the tour I doubt B4R can, especially in their first year.
They need to take it back to how it was in Season 1 of “Streetball: The Series”..I was watching a high-light reel of it earlier today and at least the gym was pure packed.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
joseph vecsey says:
the funny thing is, I only tried out 4 an and 1 open run once after playing at the crash the court the day before with the and 1 guys. And in a later article ill expose some real fake ppl. I just wanted to put that out there that in only played in one open run. As for now, I love the hate humble. Keep it comin.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
bk's one and only says:
yo..i went to the game saturday and it was way more competive than i thought it would be. I seen some ill match ups and overall a pretty good game. Team new york had krossing guard, world premier, total package, maniac, tone capone, some jumping cat named somewhere up there and player coach john franchise strickland. Team new york started with the bullshit foulin and it kinda fucked the game up for a minute. Silk and World Premier squared off and Premier was hacking the shit outta Silk and everybody else who had the ball for that matter. Silk drove pass him after a move one time and he shoved Silk in the back and he hit the back stop of the and 1 thing under the goal. I was like got damn. Premier did more talkin than anything else, but after Silk sent his ass into damn near the first row with some type of move he didnt guard Silk the rest of the game. Franchise has some nice behind the head passes that caught the and 1 team off guard and total package was doin his thing to in the first half. But the second half was all and1, that nigga silk put on a show with some of the craziest moves i have seen in a long while. He came down on the break and fake one way then threw the shit between his legs to Baby Shaq and he dunked that shit hard as hell. The nigga Springs almost caught a reverse alley oop while takin the ball outta Maniacs hand and try to dunk it, if he woulda pulled that off they woulda went bananas. Bad Santa choked World Premier out during the second half because of his constant foulin and the benches cleared for a second, but it was intense hard nosed basketball. The crowd was a little light though because of the location probably..it was only like 2000 people in there.
June 18th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
ruckers best sg says:
The nigga World Premier was hackin but he ripped Silk once that and that was clean, even though he was doin a lot of foulin the nigga Silk just kept playing and kept his composure and did a good job running the team. Silk and World Premier was talking shit to each other the whole first half until silk did some type of move and premiere went damn near into the front row. Silk, Shaq, bad Santa and springs turned it up the second half with the kid Silk stealing the show., I wanted to see Krossin Guard and Sauce go at it, but as usual this nigga sauce is hurt. The nigga Strick was sayin he was scared to play because World Premier was gonna try to embarass him. I dont know how true it is but this nigga sauce is never around when the real competition is in the game. Professor came in the game and got a few baskets and at least he competes. This nigga sauce be on some hollywood bullshit b. Baby Shaq and Go get it played well and Bad Santa was a terror on the defensive side of the ball. The game was alright but i think the open run and the arenas are more like and1 not the outside shit. Its too damn hot first of all but i was impressed with some of the new guys and i think and 1 better do a open run to generate more interest to the public. The overall show was good but i think the fouls kinda took away from the showmanship. If it wasnt for the kid silk it woulda been wack.
June 18th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
huh? says:
This is for the cat talkin about the AO and Silk matchup. Silk had to go threw him to get signed. U better do research on the kid Silk and stop the hatin b. No disrespect to Ao because i think he is a fine point guard but i feel and i know that Silk brings a whole other element to the game when he plays. To keep it 100 ao doesnt have any moves like that. He stolethepharmacist shirt move that he does and if it wasnt for the leapers he had and have now he wouldnt be anything special i would pay to see. He throws a good lob but who couldnt with guys like baby shaq and go get it and air up there. Now that the tour is broken up he has to go to special efx and air up there and spyda now. But i seen silk in milwaukee in 05 when he destroyed the and 1 team and i drove to chicago and watched him give ao 36 with my own eyes. Not no phone call, a text message, i was in the 7 th row and watched him fuck all them cats up b. Some of the footage is on that vol.9 they got out. No disrespect intended but Silk is better and the bad thing is that u know it too. Be your own man b…
June 19th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
oaktown says:
fuck that ao and silk shit..thats like arguing about jkidd and steve nash. U cant go wrong either way. Lay that shit to rest homie.
June 20th, 2007 at 5:37 am
Bakar says:
Here’s some flavor from outside the border: And 1 is the shit… with pre-pubescent school kids. They get a thumbs up for organizing tournaments, but messed up big time when it comes to marketing strategy. Unlike in the US, here they’re targeting the mainstream; which is overwhelmingly Chinese, think N’Sync is hip-hop and haven’t got a clue about street basketball. The result? Straight wack. Forget Payless, And 1 is already discount bin fodder in my country. They just got too bloated with corporate bullshit (ie. changing player’s nicknames for marketing gain) and lost touch with the essence of the culture. Bring back the Skip tape!
June 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
jerry says:
If my memory serves me right,Pete Vescey has a son that went to Archbishop Malloy High School.Once when Rafer couldn’t play in an and1 game at the garden he took his jersey off and gave it to Pete (not George) Vescey’s son and he played in the game.Streetball has become a profitable and marketable business.Besides street creditibily players should be looking at the business side of it too.Protect your assets; TRADEMARK YOUR OWN NAME.
June 20th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
jerry says:
My bad I spelled credibility wrong.Also Rafer aka Skip not only gave Pete Vescey’s son the jersey he gave him the whole uniform.Again I urge all of you ballers who plan to make ballin your chosen part-time or full-time profession protect your assets.If you have a nickname trademark it to cover everything from tee-shirts,caps sneakers and all other clothing apparel. It gives you more leverage when signing a contract because the company not only will pay you a salary but will have to pay you a licensing fee for the use of your name!
June 21st, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Yash says:
And1 probably has a much stronger fan base overseas than they do over here…I think when the focus was on players like Skip, Latrell [!!!!], Steph, Larry Hughes the brand was reaching their solid point..Now it’s just fallen off..
Damn I still remember paying $60 for my first set of And 1 shorts in high school.
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Real says:
Look at the older comments:
“Joseph Vecsey says … Both tours will be good. I look forward to seeing both of them and hopefully getting to play on the Ball4real tour if time permits.”
Son, you just killed your credibility right there. You’re trying to play Ball 4 Real and we’re supposed to think you’re objective writing about the end of And 1? Come on, now.
And Peter Vecsey is George Vecsey’s brother, so what are you talking about you’re only related to one of them?
June 24th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Joseph Vecsey says:
Bounce isn’t the New York Times, so if I’m playing with the Ball4real and not and 1, that’s what it is. I’m not gonna not play just cuz I’m writing about them. I have no reason to favor one more than the other. I don’t work for Ball4real. I’m just playing in some games. But I could see how you could think that.
And I’m glad you figured that Peter Vecsey/George Vecsey thing out. I wasn’t being serious. Dont take the blog that seriously.
June 30th, 2007 at 5:15 am
kevin says:
can somebody please tell me one game that they seen silk kill in that you can
foul out?? I think silk is talented but I never seen him kill in a real game when you can foul out. he did lose 100,000 to wc. I’ don’t think you can compare him to ao because did work in philly. Can somebody tell me did silk lose to women on that show?? i don’t really remember
June 30th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
bball101 says:
Hey kevin…u better do some reading homeboy. If u google silk u will see that he has been laying it down in bmore for years. My brother seen him play against Daniel Ewing who plays for the clippers,last year in Beumont texas..Silk 31pts D. ewing 23 and he said they would have one the game but they double silk for the last shot and he was blocked by his hometown homeboy carmello anthony. And since u think u know so much, silk had 11 of the 12 points on that show against white chocolate who just like every other guard who checks him was fouling like shit. And the legendary pee wee kirkland said he was the best talent there. He didnt lose to a girl it was a skills challenge and the other white boy beat him by 1, but when the girl who went last tied the other white boy that left silk out she slid into the last spot..learn to google…type in silk and1, its all right there.
July 21st, 2007 at 9:39 am
moo-moo love says:
Got’s to walk them dogs ONCE in awhile, fellas.
October 6th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
acc says:
you are full of cr-p joe, petes your dad and you are the nutjob. stop lying and wake up!! or we will speak about you! and your phobias!!!!
October 14th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
JohnC says:
How’s the investigation going, Starky? Don’t get caught now
October 14th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
moo-moo love says:
watch your tone…. or we will look into the money…
October 14th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
JohnC says:
Hey
October 15th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Moo-moo Love says:
Got’s to walk them dogs ONCE in awhile, fellas. C’mon.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
John C says:
Vernon won’t be there forever. Amd you right, Moo-moo. Gotta walk them dogs once in awhile, fellas.
October 16th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Mike says:
You right Moo-moo. You must walk them dogs once inawhile. And a bowl of water wouldn’t hurt.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Retro Sneakers says:
I think Nike’s are going to the retro look now for the more casual crowd. Their athletic line is ugly, but I like the retro looking ones.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Mr. Street ball says:
Ive read down through this. This Vesecy kid dont know shit and is biased all the way around. On top of him not knowing the game, he thinks he can play it?? Please for the sake of this magazine, get rid of this kid and get some real folk on here who know the streets and not a silver spoon. How does Joe Blow know Harlem? He cant even step foot into Kingdome, hows he gonna report on it? He still think main’s got game? Pleaaassseee, Baby Shaq, Springs, 8th Wonder, High Rizer, Sky High, Airborne, Flight, Hawk all could get more shine than old main just walken up the court.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Mr. Street ball says:
Mr Main Event,
I did not mean to take shots at you. You are no doubt one of the founding fathers of the streetball movement. Im just saying, cats get older and slip off alittle bit. The guys I mentioned are doing what you did in the late 90’s today. 720 when he’s not hurt and Spyder when he’s not being chased out of town by the Crips are doing their thing as well. I think everyone respects Ball 4 Real, but on the real, young guns are always on the rise. Much respect to you and your legacy but this blog was about the kid who thinks he knows streetball.
Real Talk
Mr. Streetball
January 21st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Mr. Street ball says:
One more thing for Main Event,
After reading your reply again I did some research into your tour. It came to my city in Atlanta and catz were saying you had some 400 pd white dude playing who was 5′11..on top of that, this piece of blubber, was matchen none other than the Main Event! Do you think this is a good look for streetball? Do you think you are on top of your game playing a white boy with twinkies? Bring your shit to Run and Shoot here in Atlanta and I’ll personally POSTER MAIN EVENT! Tryen to come at me but you a broke has been playing silly video game catz in arenas. People actually paid money for that, dont come to Altanta anymore FAKER! Should check your source before you run your mouth, do us all a favor, and go play Blubber Butt again, oh wait, I heard this nicca traveled with the tour to Birmingham, Charlotte and other place…Are you serious!?!
Streetball needs a new look fo sho and you need to sit your has been ass down and recognize that you are hurten the game we love by not representen….
Mr. Streetball
January 21st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Jon Riley says:
If Mr. Street Ball claims to know everything and calls himself that, then why don’t you state who you are, coward? You too scared to stand behind your words. I know Joe and he did the research for this article. U just a guy sitting at home writing comments. You must be broke and bored…Maybe I’m wrong, but we won’t know cuz’ you won’t say who you are. You are hiding behind “Mr. Streetball.” You sound like a fake! It’s fun reading it though. You guys are a dime a dozen.
Jon Riley
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 am
Mr. Street ball says:
Jon Riley AKA Corn Bread
Ive ran over 500 games in the last 7 years…yeah, now Main Knows who I am. Wally knows Im right….you hurten the game son, and now you got Corn Breads trying to defend you….you know I know about the word on the street and Im just being real here, if B4 Real had REAL niccas playing you then things would have been on the up up, but that wasnt the case with twinkie on the tour.
stop haten ATL, we taken it to another level
Mr. StreetBall
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
Mr. Street ball says:
Now Main is reppin Joe. You done gone Hollywood son. You got your silver spoon, lost your bounce, and now rollin with corn breads from coast to coast….
Dont Forget the streets
Joe and Jon Riley never been to the hood, dont ever step foot in the hood, so how they gonna know about Hood Athletics AKA Streetball…Thats Real talk, but for the record Main roll with Corn Bread now…
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 am
Mike O says:
Hey, Jon and Main:
Mr. Street Ball still won’t state who he is. It’s funny. I love nobody’s that sit at home and have nothing going on in their life.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Larry says:
Hey, Bobbito…How come not that long ago you took down the comments made by Main Event againsts Mr. StreetBall?
October 17th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
WHITE-ESCALADE says:
You know… I was just reading articles one day that I googled.. Just to see who was talking… lol.. Who is this guy mr. Atlanta? Lol.. I am the “5′10 400lb” that was guarding main… first of all… lol.. I am 6′3.. 340.. and I was invited by lisa to play in birmingham, after my good showing there she invited me to play in my hometown of atlanta and also in charlotte. But I didn’t make it to charlotte… I have played in so many local games with these guys they know my game… I am not a joke… or a gimmick.. I entertain the crowd and make streetballers look stupid.. Not to metion one of the best 3 point shots in atl… not braggin.. But I have worked hard over the last 3 years and I have lost over 100 lbs… I use to be 445… get it right homie