Playground basketball on the other side of the globe…
Playground ball in Milan, Italy? Who knew?! I got the call from Nike’s D. Seales about a tournament there during fashion week as part of Nike AF1 25th anniversary’s year-long celebration. Italy, Germany and France were all going to represent and he wanted me to take a UK squad made up of some of my Midnight Madness players. I heard legendary DJ and ultimate AF1 head Clark Kent was going too, plus we were scheduled get a sneak peek at next years AF1 range.
He didn’t have to ask twice.
The games took place in the middle of a big park that kind of reminded me of Central Park in NYC (or Hyde Park for all my London heads). Very clean. I was told the park was the only playground in Milan any players came to. Very different. Once the games got underway, it was clear to see despite the cultural differences between London and Milan – basketball is that universal language that’s understood wherever you go. If you’re nice with the pill, you’ll always be locally accepted.
My squad played France first, which featured some players from the Quai54 tournament that takes place in Paris each summer. My UK squad was led by 6’1” Marcus ‘Machine Gun’ Knight, and we ran away with the first game surprisingly easily. Highlight of the game came when Marcus banged straight on a 6’7” French big standing just inside the dotted line. I think “Watch Out” got lost in translation. Ouch!
Nike AF1 European Champions: Midnight Madness UK
We then went on to beat Germany in Overtime and then the hosts, Italy, by 4 in the final game. Toronto Raptors Italian Stallion Andreas Bargani was on hand to present us with the ‘chip.
Then it was on to the afterparty…
Before the set, we got a chance to speak with DJ Clark Kent and legendary LA tattooist ‘Mr Cartoon’. At his peak, Clark Kent had over 4,800 pairs AF1’s in his stash (stop…read that again and visualize that for a moment…CRAZY!), he’s since given away over 3,000 pairs to charity and only kept the best of the best – his foot game is STRONG, please believe. We also got an exclusive peek at some of the AF1’s coming down the line in ’08 (I tried to bag a couple, but security were not willing to compromise…) the verdict?: pure heat.
3 The Hardway: Mr Cartoon, Nhamz & DJ Clark Kent
Shout out to Nike for making this happen and special shout out to DJ Clark Kent who proved he can rock a party better than the rest of them, home or away. Internationally known and locally respected.
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Jesse Washington says:
Nhaaaamz!! Great to see you on the site, brother. When are you going to bring the Madness crew to Noo Yawk?
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Nhamo Shire says:
Whats Good Jesse! Thanks for the kind words and hospitatlity brotherman. Man, we’re discussing that right now! I want to come back to the mecca asap – but ATL is trying to get us out there next summer too, so it’s gonna come down to what type of tournament situation we can arrange in either city. I love NYC, after London, it’s my favorite city in the world – so you know it’s not going to take much to get us back out there! I got lots more to post too, so watch this space Fam!
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
Nhamooooooo! congrats on the W, too bad you still haven’t figured a way to beat me in a 3 point contest after all these years! haaaaa!
BIG SHOUT OUT to midnite madness crew, and especially mr. cartoon and dj clark kent who i both had on my espn series ‘it’s the shoes’ in ‘06.
and welcome to the http://www.bouncemag.com family. you a supreme welcome addition, b. you’re writing, as usual, is fire.
love and basketball,
bob
October 4th, 2007 at 3:22 am
Nhamz says:
B, you’re still clinging onto that one game in London where I was shooting in dress pants and shoes while you were in full ballers uniform? C’mon man…Ha Ha!
We’ll continue that 3 ball battle soon my brother.
It’s always a blessing to be around Bounce Fam.
Basketball All Day – All Night.
Nhamz
October 5th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Sean Couch says:
Nhamz
Just to get a rep player….Yo great info from
Milan. Am I hearing a Bob Ito full uniform vs Nhamz
church shoes and silk socks main event matchup?
Peace and many more
reports from across the water
October 6th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Nhamz says:
Sean (aka: Legendary Status)
Let me state for the record that Kool Bob Love can shoot the rock from deep, all day, every day. No doubt. But I always like my odds in any shooting contest from 3…providing we’re on a level playing field! B, got me on the sneak tip in the one time we got it on – and fair is fair – he won (even though I was in my pants and shoes!). All i’m saying is let’s see what’s good when I’ve got my sneakers and shorts and anything but a button up shirt on!
Peace and Lamar Mundane type blessings from beyond the arc
October 7th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
alright Alright . . . i’ve heard enough! let me say this–i was in a time-zone 6 hours different, was jet-lagged, and had DJ’ed the night b4 until 4am. So Nhamz, even in a silk robe, should’ve waxed me. You had homecourt advantage. What do you think i’d do to him in a 3 point contest if I was actually rested?!!!
I propose this . . . come to new york. i’ll wear a bozo clown outfit with the big red shoes and bowtie. even the big red nose! you’ll still take an L!!! hAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
yo, b–just playing, yo. you my man. and for all those wondering, nhamz form is ridiculous, and all jokes aside, when project playground went to london to play 3 on 3s, we LOST EVERY GAME against Nhamz’ crew. he was wet from the stripe. and he doesn’t even play anymore.
much respect.
bob