photo: flickr.com

The Dunk! The Ram! The Slam! The Bong! Whatever you want to call it, it’s an art form, birthed on the playground, that has revolutionized the way the game is played. And in game 4 of the Western Conference playoff battle between the Houston Rockets and Pheonix Suns on May 5th, 1994, Kevin Maurice Johnson threw down one of the illest yokes of all-time. Read More »

photo: si.com — Senior Point Guard Craig Austrie

Got a chance to watch Saturday’s game between Gonzaga and UCONN. Gonzaga sat in a zone most of the first half and limited UCONN’s guards to 4 transition points and only 2 field-goals in the paint. When UCONN’s guards took the initiative and drove the gaps, they got to the line. Craig Austrie didn’t do much in the first half but one of the things that scouts look for is how guards react to a zone, create against bigger players, stay in control, and finish plays. Austrie ended up with 6 points, but at the end of the game he was the first option for a three in the crunch and plays the point for a still undefeated UCONN Husky team. While projected draft choices AJ Price (24pts) and Jerome Dyson (21pts) put the book bag on winning the game today, I believe Craig has NBA potential. Read More »

photo: viewimages.com

During this holiday season, I’ll be dipping into the archives to offer up some updated goodies in the form of some of the most delectable “The Playground Gave Us…” joints from ‘08.

Before he reached 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than anyone in NBA history except The Big O, the incomparable Mr. Oscar Robertson, and prior to the Nike commercials that raved about his “skeeels”, the playgrounds of the Windy City knew him as “Tim Bug.” Read More »

photo: si.com

During this holiday season, I’ll be dipping into the archives to offer up some updated goodies in the form of some of the most delectable “The Playground Gave Us…” joints from ‘08.

The time has come to pay homage to Tiny, the ultimate point guard.

As a skinny kid that always looked much younger than his actual age, Nathaniel “Tiny” Archibald insulated himself from the worst elements of the South Bronx with a ball and a hoop.

“We paid $109.00 a month rent and got the neighborhood for free,” he once said. “We were overcharged for both.” Read More »

In 2006, Bounce produced a two-on-two winner-take-all contest called Truth, Dare, Consequence – (TDC), at Kingdome in Harlem. The winners of the 32-team contest were Darren “DP” Phillips and Junie Sanders. They received $2,000 dollars for one day of good work. We’re thinking about bringing it back on the pro and amateur levels! The two-man game is one of the leading indicators coaches use to evaluate players. It is also a great way for all players to display their shooting, ballhandling, and passing talent in space. TDC rewards players for offensive and defensive execution. It is built to make players go equally hard with and without the ball. A steal and block counts as much as a bucket inside the three-point line. The game within the game is what makes TDC appealing. Imagine watching Amare Sy go up against one of the top defenders in the city. Who would that be? One person that comes to mind is Gold Gym’s Maniac. Who would win a game to 5 if Maniac had tips, steals, blocks and charges as points to go along with regular offense? Could a team win just on defensive points? Real interesting game.

On the amateur level, we’ll have other ways to show love and give shine. So if your in junior high or high school and ready to show your rachet, chop, and no-look, hit us back and tell us your strategy to win. In the meantime, get some prep from Indiana Pacer Assistant Coach Lester Conner on the Pick and Roll. Check some Steve Nash/Amare Stoudemire and Chris Paul/Tyson Chandler execution and let us know who you think is the best pick and roll combination. My pick:Stockton/Malone.

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