Roman Perez a.k.a. “El Regalo” going to the skillet on me hard at Goat Park on 8/5/09. Kevin Couliau photo.

“Anytime, Anyday” Work-out/Open Run Read More »

all photos: sports.espn.go.com

With the L.A. Clippers winning the Blake Griffin lottery, and the talk surrounding the upcoming draft, I was taken back to the still tangible tragedy of a player with similar skills from 23 years ago. Here’s Part II

June 17th, 1986. It was a beautiful day in NY, a blue sky welcoming the start of summer vacation and symbolic of the wide expanse of the promise that lay ahead. My cousin Disco and I hit the half-courts at P.S. 11 in Brooklyn, on Greene Ave between Washington and Waverly to get some jumpers up. Afterwards, we sat in the barbershop, getting fades with the V-cut in the back. All the while, I kept looking at the clock.

“We gotta bounce,” I said. “The draft’s getting ready to start.” Read More »

photo: photobucket.com

With the L.A. Clippers winning the Blake Griffin lottery, and the talk surrounding the upcoming draft, I was taken back to the still tangible tragedy of a player with similar skills from 23 years ago…

IF!

It’s the most far reaching two letter word in the English language.

And when referring to the late, great Len Bias, we can’t help but insert the word into almost every sentence. IF he didn’t die, Michael Jordan might’ve been the second best player of his generation! IF he didn’t die, the championship legacy of the Boston Celtics might’ve hummed along uninterrupted into the ’90s! IF he didn’t die, he would’ve taken Reebok to the same heights in the sneaker market that Nike enjoyed with MJ! IF he didn’t die, he would have been the greatest player ever! The list goes on. Read More »

photo of Hank Gathers: washingtontimes.com

March Madness is unequivocally my favorite time of year. For the next few weeks, we’ll examine some of the greatest performers who used the NCAA Tournament as their own personal playground.

North Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where they spent most of their days.

The first time they met, Eric “Hank” Gathers and Gregory Kevin “Bo” Kimble were in junior high school. Bo went over to the Moylan Playground in North Philly on 23rd and Diamond to run with his cousin. While Bo was throwing down some dunks on a rim that was a little higher than the standard 10-feet, Hank wandered over to watch.

“Where you play at, man?” Hank asked. Read More »

images courtesy of flytip.com

Watching the slam dunk festivities this weekend had me reminiscing on, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest in-game slams I’ve ever seen. So I decided to bring this one back, on the re-mix tip, with some added highlight videos for your viewing pleasure.

He personified the New York Knickerbockers in the early ’90s – fearless, blue collar, hungry, relentless and very good, yet a few inches short of great. Still cherised and appreciated, his deficiencies were accepted. There was never any doubt that he played with every ounce of blood and nerve sinew, as if each time on the court could be his last. What can you say about a man that turned his life around and always tried his best? You give him respect! Read More »

Hoops 4 Hope game in Africa. Peep #42 gold who’s playing shoeless. You can help . . .

Read info on these non-profit organizations below, all of which collect sneakers for needy, sometimes shoeless, kids worldwide:

www.hoopsafrica.org
View video of the Hoops 4 Hope (H4H) program in Africa:

Read More »

Dime Magazine & Nikebasketball.com are looking to build their team. BALLERS NETWORK ————-

Ballers Network – powered by Dime Magazine & Nikebasketball.com – is looking for brand ambassadors on college campuses to rep the Network. We’re looking for ballers on college campuses nationwide – the people who play ball every day and who know everyone else who plays ball on their campus. Male and female players welcome. Read More »

Well, it was good while it lasted. No need to build suspense here. The Bounce squad was ousted in the SBL semi-finals on Sunday. I will point out, though, that ¬the crew exemplified streetball at it’s finest all season long and the playoffs were no exception. With only five guys suited up, it was like we showed up in the gym and called out, “We got next!” Bang made a Willis Reed-esque comeback to the team after suffering a concussion that should have sidelined him for the season and some. Bang couldn’t even wear his jersey because the doctors had to shred it up! Now that’s the heart and toughness that flows through the veins of a true streetball product. In fact, that might rank up there above Ron Artest tucking his chipped tooth into his sock and continuing the game (see Bounce Magazine issue #17). Read More »