By Ali
photo: thesunblog.com
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 once upon a time, not too long ago, Jay Williams took the college game by the throat with some fierce offensive weaponry. Read More »
Tags: allan houston, Ben Gordon, carlos boozer, Chris Duhon, feature, gary payton, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Kidd, jay williams, luke walton, mike dunleavy jr., Ray Allen, richard jefferson, shane battier, Steve Smith, tim hardaway
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By Ali
photo: celticsbeagle.net
A few weeks ago, we celebrated the one year anniversary of “The Playground Gave Us…”
It’s been an incredible journey – connecting the past with the present and opening a floodgate of discussion, debate & appreciation for the exploits of those who touched our spirits through our beautiful game.
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 »
Tags: bill russell, bob cousy, bob wade, david wingate, jim calhoun, john havliceck, larry bird, len bias, muggsy bogues, Paul Pierce, perry dozier, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, reggie lewis, reggie williams, terry dozier
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By Ali
photo: si.com
At the conclusion of the greatest opening round playoff series the NBA has ever seen, folks couldn’t help but marvel at the exploits of Ben “Madison Square” Gordon, Ray “Jesus Shuttlesworth” Allen, Rajon “Better Call Us The Big 4″ Rondo, Paul “The Truth” Pierce and the dramatic unfolding of a spectacle that Hollywood script writers would have had trouble fathoming.
But the one element that surpassed all others was the placement of a once in a generation talent, a 20-year-old point guard who earned Rookie of the Year honors, in the epicenter of the hoops universe. And although the Bulls succumbed to the Celtics in the series finale, the play of Derrick Martell Rose – which was consistently succulent throughout the entire year – made even the most exacting aficianado nod in sincere appreciation. Read More »
Tags: Ben Gordon, ben wilson, brandon-jennings, chris douglas-roberts, darren collison, derrick rose, Eric Gordon, isiah thomas, joey dorsey, john calipari, juwan howard, kareem abdul jabbar, leon smith, mark aguirre, nick anderson, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, rashard griffith, Ray Allen, rod strickland, ronnie fields, stephon marbury, thomas hamilton, tim hardaway
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By Ali
all photos: jamd.com
From the early ’90s through the middle of the new millenium, his bark and bite were equally loud and vicious. For those whose memories reside in recent history, they might only remember Glenn Allen Robinson as a role player from San Antonio’s 2005 NBA championship team.
But for those of us who saw him as a youngster on the come up, he’ll always be fondly remembered as the “Big Dog”, one of the greatest and most dominant players the college game has ever seen. A tenacious rebounder and deadly shooter, he singlehandedly altered the hoops and financial landscape as one of the most complete and unstoppable forces in the illustrious history of the NCAA. Read More »
Tags: alan henderson, carmelo anthony, cory alexander, damon bailey, donyell marshall, fab five, frank kendrick, gene keady, glenn robinson, jalen rose, jerry west, john wooden, johnny dawkins, juwan howard, kareem abdul jabbar, kevin duckworth, larry bird, lefty driesell, magic johnson, Ray Allen, sam cassell, scottie pippen, shawn respert, tim hardaway, travis best, vin baker
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By Ali
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 »
Tags: allan houston, allen iverson, altgeld gardens, charles barkley, chris mullin, Chris Paul, david robinson, dwayne wade, gary payton, isiah thomas, Jason Kidd, kevin garnett, magic johnson, mitch richmond, oscar robertson, pearl washington, Ray Allen, Steve Smith, tim hardaway, tiny archibald, utep, vince carter
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