“The Accelerator.”

One of my favorite players in college ball is Harrison Barnes. I even have a nickname for him – “The Accelerator.” Barnes is super-fast in the air to the hoop just like a man who Michael Jordan won chips with, Scotty Pippen. I did a How We Do (Our signature move section) with Harrison in Bounce #22 and in it he mentioned how he patterned his game after the versatile Pippen.

As the Sweet 16 starts up tonight, I read a tweet from @RadioHoopGirlz about Michael Jordan telling Harrison Barnes to shelf his Nike Zoom Kobe VI’s and wear Jordans the rest of the way. No one really argues with Mike, but it reminded me of something… Read More »

As we transition into one of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory, my mind has been shifting into overdrive, thinking about some of the more memorable moments in my hoops-loving life. For those of us who are similarly afflicted, I need not explain to ecstatic rush of emotion and joy that overwhelms us as we witness these brilliant episodes of b-ball transcendence.

Caught up in the moment, you realize that not only are you watching a once-in-a-lifetime display, but you value the fact that these experiences will escort you through life, in the same way that birthdays, first kisses, senior proms, graduations and anniversary’s do. Read More »

As we transition into one of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory, my mind has been shifting into overdrive, thinking about some of the more memorable moments in my hoops-loving life. For those of us who are similarly afflicted, I need not explain to ecstatic rush of emotion and joy that overwhelms us as we witness these brilliant episodes of b-ball transcendence.

Caught up in the moment, you realize that not only are you watching a once-in-a-lifetime display, but you value the fact that these experiences will escort you through life, in the same way that birthdays, first kisses, senior proms, graduations and anniversary’s do.

It’s like the first time you heard Sucker MC’s, Eric B is President, Dougie and Slick Rick’s The Show or Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s They Reminisce , in that you knew that your life was irrevocably altered from that moment on. Read More »

As we transition into one of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory, my mind has been shifting into overdrive, thinking about some of the more memorable moments in my hoops-loving life. For those of us who are similarly afflicted, I need not explain to ecstatic rush of emotion and joy that overwhelms us as we witness these brilliant episodes of b-ball transcendence.

Caught up in the moment, you realize that not only are you watching a once-in-a-lifetime display, but you value the fact that these experiences will escort you through life, in the same way that birthdays, first kisses, senior proms, graduations and anniversary’s do.

It’s like the first time you heard Sucker MC’s, Eric B is President, Dougie and Slick Rick’s The Show or Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s They Reminisce , in that you knew that your life was irrevocably altered from that moment on. Read More »

As we transition into one of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory, my mind has been shifting into overdrive, thinking about some of the more memorable moments in my hoops-loving life. For those of us who are similarly afflicted, I need not explain to ecstatic rush of emotion and joy that overwhelms us as we witness these brilliant episodes of b-ball transcendence.

Caught up in the moment, you realize that not only are you watching a once-in-a-lifetime display, but you value the fact these experiences will escort you through life, in the same way that birthdays, first kisses, senior proms, graduations and anniversary’s do. It’s like the first time you heard Sucker MC’s, Eric B is President, Dougie and Slick Rick’s The Show or Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s They Reminisce , in that you knew that your life was irrevocably altered from that moment on.

Catch me in the midst of one of these magical events, like Jordan’s 63, Bernard King’s Christmas gift, Mo Cheeks running a team, Phi Slamma Jamma, a young Penny Hardaway on the come-up, the Fab Five or Lebron’s 48-Special and, if you didn’t know me, you’d swear that I’d just escaped from Bellevue, in serious need of meds and some padded walls.

In today’s installment of Machine Gun Funk, we take it back to the spring of 1988, when Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird put on a show that will forever stand the test of time. Read More »

mvp’s and the future of tobacco road, kyrie irving and harrison barnes photo: alton ritter

Basketball, broken down to its simplest compound, is about scoring more buckets than the team you’re playing against. The Semi-Automatic refers to players who leave bodies in their wake with their innate ability to get buckets.

And this past Saturday, April 17th, at the mecca of Madison Square Garden, the next class of semi-automatic candidates had the stage all to themselves at the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic. The White Jersey’s beat the Black Jersey’s 129-125 after the black squad’s furious second half comeback fell just short. They trailed 75-56 at the half.

With Jordan Game alum and New Orleans Hornets PG Chris Paul sitting courtside, the next generation displayed their skills for the final time in their capacity of high school phenoms. Now, they must prove that they deserve the same classification on the college level. Here’s a brief rundown of some of my insights and observations – Read More »

Basketball, broken down to its simplest compound, is about scoring more buckets than the team you’re playing against. The Semi-Automatic refers to players who leave bodies in their wake with their innate ability to get buckets. And this Saturday, April 17th, at the mecca of Madison Square Garden, the next class of semi-automatic candidates will have the stage all to themselves at the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic. Read More »

March 8, 2010. 40 days left to the Jordan All-American Game at Madison Square Garden. Four Elite 24 Rucker Park MVP’s are playing: #5 Tobias Harris [has an NBA skill-set already], #7 Josh Selby, #8 C.J. Leslie, and # 25 Doron Lamb.

The top-10 ranked high school players, according to ESPNU, have all been given the Jordan All-American shine but which one is ready though, for the hot ESPN lights, the Spike Lee scrutiny and the New York City critique. Who’s your early MVP favorite? Read More »