In the gritty city, the streets speak, and the wise man listens. Greg Marius, CEO of EBC at Rucker Park, hasn’t lasted 28 years in this game for nothing. He’s a competitive dude and wants the Rucker to remain the World’s Greatest Street Tournament. This past off-season, he heard the whispers that “Rucker has lost it’s swagger” (read about it here). Kingdome, Tri-State, and Dyckman are hot for that No. 1 Spot. So Greg is raising the ante. “I would like to take the time to respect my fans and haters whether in good light or bad,” he told me this weekend. “I’m a businessman who is smart enough to listen to what coaches, general managers, spectators, players or celebrities are saying when it comes to EBC. It’s time to address one of your viewers opinions, and that one came from a great coach who has won the championship as a player and general manager. A person I highly respect with the great team that has graced the courts of Rucker Park. Yes, it’s time to bring the star power back!”
Greg has given this preview of his Summer ‘08 lineup exclusively to Bounce:
-Snoop Dogg Allstars
-Mario Allstars
-Chris Brown Allstars
-Shaquille O’Neal Dunkman Allstars
-Team Cintron – Comprised of NCAA All-Americans from around the country.
-EBC International Dream Team: Pro Team from Europe staying in Harlem for the whole summer just to compete in EBC.
-Angie Martinez Allstars
-Miss Jones Allstars
-Ed Lover Allstars
-Swizz Beatz Allstars
-Rocsi-106 and Park. **Defending Champions**
-Mike Bivins Sport Rich team
-Hot 97 Allstars
-Ray J Allstars
OK, you gotta admit: Home boy is SERIOUS.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Staceylite says:
Hey, Jesse do you have the roster list for these teams or know where I can get one?
April 21st, 2008 at 9:51 am
Elliot Rosado says:
The line up is all good, But that was never really the problem. Am i going to have to stand on line for three hours while security let’s there favorites in. Is there going to be enough seating for the real fans since half the park is now cut off for V.I.P.? How long do we have to wait for the games to start while these teams celebs make an “Appearance” I don’t have to go through all That to get in the Tri State Classic or the Watson Classic. Hopefully it will be all good.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:35 am
Carlito Roc says:
The team names arent impressive. More of the same..
Its who plays on the teams that I’ll be looking out for.
I still ride with the Ebc though, let the trend hoppers flock elsewhere to do the chicken noodle soup.
Carlito Roc
Tck Kroo
April 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am
Jesse Washington says:
Yo Stace: Let me see what Greg has for rosters…
April 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Sean Couch says:
Greg and I talked at the Jordan Classic and he says he’s coming correct this year. The line up speaks for itself and
the coaches will bring the players. The question is… will we be able to get in the park????
Seriously, the biz of the playground flows through the Rucker and everyone has pulled their game up in the city. Better product means, better players. The best environment on all levels will win.
Look for good ball in the city this summer.
April 21st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
40 cal says:
this sounds like a major improvment due to the sponsers, i think major sponsers is what was also missing last year cause with major sponsers comes NBA players
April 21st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Ken says:
i hear the word “all-stars” being thrown around real loosely amongst these theams….
seemingly, the only all-stars im hearing are either entertainers or musicians (except for 1 NBA player) this would be a great lineup if it was f****** SummerJam 2008 at Giants Stadium…but since im not planning on attending a concert, but better yet a basketball game, i would need to be advised on some of the players that will be partcipating on these “all-star” teams…
because in my estimation, EBC for the past 2 years has been a ghost-town, prior to that, i have NEVER EVER heard of being able to show up at 155th and 8th avenue during gametime and being able to walk directly in the park!
in past years, if you were not on line at least 2pm in the afternoon, you could literally forget about it…i think that speaks volumes within itself…
in closing, ive heard of great comebacks before, but this would have to be monumental
good luck EBC, you wont see me until I see IT!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Ken says:
and as far as about the “kingdome and dyckman fighting for the hot #1 spot”, that would be a matter of a personal opinion…
in my estimation, both t’ments need major overhaul and improvements as well, starting with Dyckman…
how about upgrading from two 20 min halves to grown man four 12 min quarters??? AND, if possible, starting games on time…
as far as Kingdome, how about being able to play music again??? AND, being able to stay in the park past 6:00pm???
the aforementioned t’ment flaws is what has led me to believe that neither of them are ready to claim the #1 NYC T’ment Spot. AND, as a personal note to you, there are OTHER t’ments in the city of New York. If you would allow yourself to be exposed to these OTHER t’ments, thus it would allow you to broaden your horizons that these OTHER t’ments can ALSO be up for #1 spot consideration.
Just to name a few: hoops in the sun at orchard beach, watson classic and tri-state classic.
take a min out of your busy schedule & you will be SHOCKED to notice there is life beyond EBC, Kingdome & Dyckman.
NYC IS A BASKETBALL PHENOMENON…do yourself a favor and take advantage of it, guarantee that you wont be sorry.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 am
Steve Kluback says:
Angie Martinez? ahahahahaha
December 31st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Erica wright says:
Who is keeping stats for the games??? I know a professional for free
January 13th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Peter Robert Casey says:
Last year, one of our student interns covered the books.