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: celticsbeagle.net

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the one year anniversary of “The Playground Gave Us…”

A year ago this week, we examined the late, great Reggie Lewis. In celebration of the belated birthday of “The Playground Gave Us…” series, I give you the updated version on the re-mix tip.

The fall of the Boston Celtics empire was not due to, though it did coincide, with Larry Bird’s back problems in the late ’80s and early ’90s. The definitive blows were delivered in the forms of the untimely passing of the franchise’s future torchbearers – Len Bias in ‘85 and Reggie Lewis in ‘93.

Reggie Lewis, known as “Truck” to his family and friends in his hometown of Baltimore, was on the cusp of stardom when he succumbed to a heart condition. At the moment of his death, he was doing what he loved – playing ball. 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 »

photo: cqubasketball.blog.sohu.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 became everyone’s favorite Grandmama, Larry Johnson was a straight up MONSTER! - a remarkable talent and imposing force on every court that he stepped on. LJ was quite possibly the most dominant two-year player in NCAA history. He was the next step in the evolutionary chain that eventually gave us Lebron. Read More »