photo of colorado’s alec burks: massappeal.com

Let’s be real. How many people, other than us true connoisseurs, were really up on Joe Dumars while he was killing it at McNesse State? Or John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone or Dennis Rodman during their college days? Or how about guys like Wes Matthews when he was at Marquette, Carlos Arroyo and Raja Bell at Florida International, Bruce Bowen at Cal State Fullerton, Udonis Haslem at Florida, Ben Wallace at Virginia Union, Michael Redd at Ohio State or Gilbert Arenas at Arizona?

In today’s Deep Cover Chronicles, we’ll take a quick peek at some of the young fellas who are leaving bodies in their wake, despite some minimal coverage by the national media. But in the days and weeks ahead, with the glare of the conference races heating up and the impending glare of March Madness, they’ll get an opportunity to show the world their superfluous stylistics.

Cue the music! Read More »

The Dish, aka The Assist. It’s my favorite part of the game because it’s the most philanthropic. While most casual observers appreciate the dudes that can get buckets, my informal education as a New York City playground point guard stipulated that I acknowledge, comprehend and cherish the brilliance of the pass that led to the basket, as well as players with an innate ability to make others better.

And right about now, Deron Williams seems to stand head and shoulders above every point guard in the league. Read More »

photo of UTEP’s Randy Culpepper: elpasotimes.com

Let’s be real. How many people, other than us true connoisseurs, were really up on Joe Dumars while he was killing it at McNesse State? Or John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone or Dennis Rodman during their college days?

In today’s Deep Cover Chronicles, we’ll take a quick peek at some of the young fellas who are leaving bodies in their wake, despite some minimal coverage by the national media. But in the days and weeks ahead, with the glare of March Madness upon them, they’ll get an opportunity to show the world their superfluous stylistics. Cue the music! Read More »

photo: tampabay.com

Let’s be real. How many people, other than us true connoisseurs, were really up on Joe Dumars while he was killing it at McNesse State? Or John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone or Dennis Rodman during their college days?

In the Deep Cover Chronicles, we’ll take a quick peek at some of the young fellas who are leaving bodies in their wake, despite some minimal coverage by the national media. I’m not saying that these guys are headed for the accomplishments of the above named legends. But you should know who they are now, before the world eventually jumps on the bandwagon.

Today’s feature: Mr. Dominique Jones from the University of South Florida. (cue music) Read More »

photo: weallbe.blogspot.com

For years, he contentedly stood in the shadows. Unlike his more celebrated teamates at the time, he didn’t walk through the b-ball corridors with a fancy nickname or a respected pedigree backed up by a blue blooded institution and some fawning media.

Far away from the bright lights, he morphed from a good high school player into an incredible college performer. And when the spotlight and eyes of the world finally cast their admiring gaze upon him in the pros, he’d completed his metamorphisis from role player to one of the finest all-around talents and greatest defensive players the world ever witnessed.

And through the entire journey from the hoops backwoods to the crescendo of the sport, he never stopped being “Boopie” to those who knew him way back when. Read More »

photo: jamd.com

It seems unfathomable that a point guard who led his team to three straight NCAA Championship games and two rings in four years would be underappreciated. But that is indeed the case with Robert Matthew Hurley, Jr. Read More »

photo: jamd.com

“Simple and plain, give me the lane, I’ll throw it down your throat like Barkley!” - Chuck D’s lyrics from the Public Enemy classic, Rebel Without A Pause.

To young fans, Charles Barkley is simply a former player. He’s better known as the affable television personality that always has something funny to say on the TNT show, Inside the NBA.

But for those who watched ball in the ’80s and ’90s, he was an awe inspiring, revolutionary talent that turned the establishment on its ear. He was an unstoppable, undersized, 6′4″ power forward who owned the low post, an explosive leaper and ferocious rebounder who could dribble, pass, score and pump gallons of fear through the hearts of even the most accomplished big men. Read More »