photo: yahoo.com
Last night in a classic game 3 of the ‘09 NBA Finals, NYC’s own Rafer Alston – aka “Skip To My Lou” – brought that asphalt boogie and bounce to the world’s greatest stage, helping the Magic get back in the series with his 20 point (8 for 12 from the field), 4 assist gem.
He finally brought out the magician for the first time in this series – the sleight of hand and slicing, dicing, aggressive, attacking brand of point guard play that L.A. had no answers for – as Orlando made it’s first stand, 108-104.
In the ’90s, Skip mesmerized all of us w/ his exploits on the NYC asphalt, most specifically at Rucker Park. I remember a teenage backcourt of Skip and Stephon Marbury up there that terrorized the status quo.
For those of us that have followed him on his journey, from Cardozo to asphalt deity, from Fresno State running the point for Tark the Shark, the And1 takeover and on through his ten year career in the league, I know I speak for all of us, those who’ve been nourished by the playground culture, by saying, “Yo Skip, you did us proud last night. Keep bangin’ ‘em!”
June 10th, 2009 at 10:18 am
sure says:
Needs to play like this all the time with his N.B.A. improved 3 ball. Mix it up. And you’ll get big bucks and win chips. Orlando is your home. In 2 years you could come back home and help win us one. It would be a storybook ending. No one can guard you one on one. Stay in attack mode and help lead the team to the promise land. Spin of D.Fish back was a rucker special. Big ups to skip and the true streetball players who’s games can translate to structure or summerball.
Skip Skip Skip 2 my Lou. His own park song. LINCOLN PARK- SKIP BRING IT BACK ONE TIME. QUEENS ALL UP IN THE FINALS. It’s funny the role each player has. They play good they’re team wins. Can we get a queens special or something. 2 players in the finals and no love. That’s pretty big. They could acutally end up in N.Y. with that special other piece. Imagine a lineup of Skip,A.I.,Ron,LB,LO-and any solid 5. Warriors 07.POW
June 10th, 2009 at 10:36 am
ali says:
don’t worry sure, i’ve got a queens special marinating for just this special occasion. Lamar and Skip representin’ NYC and Queens in the finals. no doubt!
June 10th, 2009 at 11:05 am
illest says:
thats was good to watch. and hes hitting that jumper. very key. those queens kids.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
sure says:
@Ali & Illest
Appreciate it. I hope they know what they’re playing for. May never happen again due to trades,injuries and whatever else. Let all out the bag now & a majority of the past failures and youngness is out the window. Ali I apologize you’re right. Representing NYC first & foremost and a little Queens dressing. Ali(One of my favorite columinst) you the man. Spice that up something nice please. Would be beautiful to see them both at all NYC tournaments playing or just showing love. Lets get this basketball back to where it needs to be. LO & Co. could use a skip pt 2. His cousin is Daryll Showtime Hill(Cardozo Alum) who could have easily contributed more than Farmar in helping Kobe and Phil conquer they’re feats. That’s the Lakers weakest position and worse off they drafted the Chinese kid this year. They’re last few draft picks have been horrible.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Blk Caesar says:
Long time fellas.. I was actaully waiting for someone to finally give props to the NY guys in the Finals this year (i.e. Skip and Odom..) I am really happy for Skip man.. He had quite a journey to this point and to be playing in the Finals(against Kobe and the Lakers at that) has to be surreal to him right now.. No matter who wins NY will have a player that will be an NBA champion by mid June..
June 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
ali says:
zactly cease. and Sure, i appreciate the compliments. will definitely spice that piece up. and let’s not forget that ron-ron was a yao ming injury away from snuffin’ the lakers before the conference finals.
been in the lab for the upcoming edition of the mag, that’s why i’ve been MIA. the joint is certifiable FIRE!!!
but i got some mouth watery “TPGU” joint dropping in the A.M.
look for it!
June 10th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
sure says:
Can’t wait but already know the outcome.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
shout out to the teacher ron naclerio. the cardoza hs reunion pick-up game is coming on june 20 or 21 i think. skip was out there in ‘07, not playing, just chilling, but there were mad good games going on the whole day with other former naclerio’s disciples
June 10th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
ali says:
jeff van gundy gave naclerio mad love on the telecast last night after one particularly freaky-deaky skip move.
“He learned that move from his high school coach Ron Naclerio,” Van Gundy screamed into the mike. and yo bob, i couldn’t help but laugh and holla “Mustard Sauce!”
June 10th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Jeremy Ripley a.k.a. Cheesecake says:
^Yeah, I caught the Nacerio reference. I first learned about him in the book he co-wrote about Swee’ Pea and other playground legends. That joint was fire…
The spin alluded to above was saucy, but my favorite moment was the inside out hand change running lay-up and the subsequent homage Skip paid to Mark Jackson on the broadcasters bench.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:10 am
illest says:
he needs to play the same way tonight.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:33 am
ali says:
word up illest. in order for his name to percolate in the annals of history, he needs to get bizmark tonight and in every remaining game of the series.
June 11th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
illest says:
yeah he does. respects to escalade who was on espn this morning talking about skip and mark.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Russ M says:
Did Daryll Hill play pro ball anywhere this year?
June 12th, 2009 at 8:11 am
illest says:
van gundy is one of the worst coaches ive seen. the master of panic no doubt. where the hell was skip in the 4th and ot? where the hell was skip in the 4th and ot?
June 12th, 2009 at 10:06 am
ali says:
he played himself, van gundy. other than a couple of assists, jameer nelson was not doing anything. skip needed to be there, if nothing else than to have someone who could break down the d, drive the lane and create. shame!
June 12th, 2009 at 10:15 am
illest says:
gundy should be fired. nelson has done nothing. he obviously doesnt like skip. there needs to be a shirt made where the hell was skip in the 4th and ot?
June 13th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
eyez says:
@Russ M
He played in the C.B.A. for the Albany Patroons & then the PBL. For the Quebec City Kebs. He tried for the D-League to no avail. The year prior he was in Macedonia wth Jared Frye & Taliek Brown. Not sure why teams overseas and the D-League wouldn’t want a player like him. He had a great career at St.Johns while healthy. I hope too see him one day on T.V. He’s a special talent. I think he deserves a shot in the league. Especially the Knicks being a homegrown talent.