Image: media-cdn.tripadvisor.com.

About a month ago, Bobbito, Casey Lee and I sat down for lunch at a Jamaican spot up by Bob’s crib in Harlem. The food was pretty good. The dialogue was even better.

Among the several topics we touched on was the most overrated player in the city. I know Bounce is in large part about spreading love, which I’m all for, but this query just seemed too intriguing to be left to three reporters sitting at a table on a hot Thursday afternoon.

I won’t list any of the names we came up with; however, I would like to pose the question because I think it could encourage serious debate: Who is the most overrated playground/tournament player in New York City?

Jacksonville, Fla. Photo: http://api.ning.com.

As this summer draws to a close, it’s never too soon to anticipate the one ahead. Greg Vasicek has done just that. The Beach Jam 2010 creator is looking to gather over 1,000 teams across the country to vie to be “The Last Team Standing.”

Ultimately, 64 tournaments will be played across 16 states, and the winners will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for a chance to win $100,000 and a four-day, three-night all-expense paid trip for four to Walt Disney World.

Tournament champions receive a $300 travel voucher and a six-day, five-night beachfront accommodation in Jacksonville. Read More »

Hannover celebrates its title.

The 5×5 Germany Reality Check, Germany’s biggest professional streetball tournament, attracted top-level talent for two days of intense, physical playground ball.

The tournament, which took place on July 11 & 12, was comprised of 85% pros and featured 12 German teams and four from France.

Teams went after it both days.

Germany’s Hannover squad knocked off France’s Paris Shets Hustler, 37-25, in the final.

Bjorn Schoo earned tournament MVP.

Schoo poses with his MVP trophy.

Joel Mondo won the one-on-one championship.

Donnie McGrath terrorized the United Brooklyn defense all night.

With about 2:30 left in the first quarter of the game between Dyckman and United Brooklyn at Pro City Thursday night, Dyckman guard Donnie McGrath dragged his pivot foot and was called for a walk. That was about the only thing the former Second-Team All Big East selection did wrong.

McGrath absolutely abused the nets for two hours, shooting 10-for-11 including 7-for-7 from behind the arc en route to 29 points in Dyckman’s 121-104 win over United Brooklyn. Read More »

The final playoff birth was up in the air at West 4th Wednesday.

Their coaches were class acts. Their young point guard wowed us all summer with his ability to finish around the bucket. They played with intensity and passion that is often absent at West 4th these days. But, in the end, the many positives of the NJ Trail Blazers were outweighed by one negative: they didn’t have the size.

In the battle for the final spot in the West 4th Street playoffs, the Usual Suspects upended the NJ Trail Blazers, 96-89.

Stan Milien, String and Derrick Williams each scored 19 points for U.S. Read More »

Image: blog.k1x.com.

Kyrie Irving and Doron Lamb headline the final 12 players added to the fourth-annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 at Rucker Park.

Irving, a St. Patrick’s HS product, is considering UConn, Duke, Florida and Kentucky, among several others.

Lamb, a 6-4 guard who originally attended Bishop Loughlin but now plays shooting guard for Oak Hill Academy, has offers from UConn, Marquette and Pitt, according to scout.com.

To see the entire Elite 24 roster, click here.

The game is set for Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.

The X-Men defeated PDG Queensbridge in the first game.

As Gold’s Gym center Gordy Malone turned to his team’s bench and shouted, “He can’t guard me. He too little,” in reference to N.I.K.E. 1’s Darren Phillip, DP just stood there with a big smile on his face. Malone’s words might have rattled a youngster, but Primal Fear is too experienced, too shrewd and far too talented. An hour and a half later, he would have the last laugh.

The former Fairfield star drilled a jumper from the left baseline with one minute remaining to give N.I.K.E. 1 a five-point lead and put the game out of reach.

DP finished with 21 points, and Nick Carter and Rob Lewin combined for 44 as the ’07 champs defeated Gold’s Gym, 131-124. Read More »

Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” DeLeon scored 21 points to lead the Uptowners.

It was difficult to figure out why Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” DeLeon had a little smirk on his face as he stepped onto the court at Hunter College Thursday evening. After all, his winless Uptowners were taking on undefeated Gold’s Gym, which suited up former Duke star Jason Williams and former first-team all ACC selection Julius Hodge, in addition to studs Mike “Optimus Prime” Glover and Gary Ervin. Perhaps DeLeon knew something no one else did because two hours later, the smile was still there.

In the biggest upset of the summer, the Uptowners defeated Gold’s Gym, 107-106.

DeLeon led the guys in powder blue with 21 points, and James Roberts added 19 and 11. Read More »