N.I.K.E. 1 poses following the victory. Photo: Kevin Couliau.

By Trevor Kapp

After Darren Phillip connected on a jumper with two minutes left in the Pro City championship between N.I.K.E. 1 and PDG Queensbridge, the former Fairfield star ran back on defense with one finger the air. DP was simply pointing out the obvious. After a one-year hiatus, N.I.K.E. 1 was once again #1.

Dean Murray’s team defeated 2008-champion PDG Queensbridge, 134-107, Thursday night, giving the team its fourth Pro City title in five years.

“At the end of the day this is the best tournament in New York City and we’re one of the best teams in the city year in and year out. We wanted this and we got it done,” Phillip said. Read More »

Mookie Thomas connects on a free-throw during the first half.

By Trevor Kapp

“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” was the perfect choice for music during halftime of the game between #4 N.I.K.E. 1 and #1 Dyckman. It was an old song for an old team with lyrics that couldn’t have captured the moment any better.

There really was no stopping the 37-year-old Junie Sanders, or 32-year-old Darren Phillip or 31-year-old Tyrone Grant as the veteran-led N.I.K.E. 1 held an unfathomable 35-point lead at recess, eventually defeating the younger Dyckman, 119-107. Read More »

Sundiata Gaines blew past N.I.K.E. 1 defenders all night. Photo: Kevin Couliau.

Sundiata Gaines drilled a three. Then he grabbed a rebound on the other end, pushed it and hit an open teammate for a lay-up. Next, he got to the bucket for an and one. Gaines did almost everything at Pro City Tuesday night, and his 35 point, 8 rebound, 6 assist performance was just another testament to why he should be playing in a different pro league come the end of October.

Gaines, whose biggest weakness has always been free-throw shooting, also connected on 16 of his 18 attempts from the line as Prime Time defeated N.I.K.E. 1, 108-103. 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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