tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297910672024-03-18T22:39:42.710-05:00HOOPSARCHIVE.COMMATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-67112910248703690532008-03-05T14:05:00.005-05:002008-12-11T21:12:04.409-05:00THROWBACK : Dominick Young<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yd7tH0V23fS4iknbtHanpYYCI-u2ulXGpzx75oMZ1qU8meIUdtUgRN5v0BFf94VQaBct51J4ea3hIb2n4WuRn35Intudbl-7jEq4SJ7KcV7ZGHuxLNiUkGH8IE1VZ733mirsng/s1600-h/dyoung.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yd7tH0V23fS4iknbtHanpYYCI-u2ulXGpzx75oMZ1qU8meIUdtUgRN5v0BFf94VQaBct51J4ea3hIb2n4WuRn35Intudbl-7jEq4SJ7KcV7ZGHuxLNiUkGH8IE1VZ733mirsng/s400/dyoung.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174338352992706978" border="0" /></a><br /></div>About ten years ago, Dominick Young was a really tough point guard playing for the Fresno State University Bulldogs. The Chicago native was a sub-six-foot spitfire and in the Top-10 Assist leaders in the nation as a senior on Jerry Tarkanian's <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n49_v220/ai_18944693/pg_5">squad of shady ballers.</a> Like many of his Fresno teammates, Young play through a ton of controversy, <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E1D6103EF931A35756C0A96E958260">including several point shaving scandals</a>. The FBI and several local newspaper reporters were hot on the trail of Young and his teammates, however, the mob allegedly wouldn't allow any info to come forward and the story was squashed.<br /><br />Young left Fresno in 1997. He hoped to join his teammates Rafer "Skip to My Lou" Alston and Chris Herren in the NBA, but he never made the big jump. Directly after college, he went overseas and played in the NIKE Treviso Summer League. He made a stop in Argentina before he began making the rounds in American professional leagues like the ABA and the now defunct (or suspended) IBA and USBL. According to the database site, USBasket.com, Young hasn't played professional ball since he went out for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Fame">short-lived Hollywood Fame</a> of the ABA at the start of the 2006-2007 season.<br /><br /><br />Today on the ABA homepage, Joe Newman announced that <a href="http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2008030406001">Young will be bringing the ABA back to Fresno</a>. A Google search of the name "Dominick Young" <a href="http://dominickunsensored.com/">produces a slightly more disturbing result</a>.<br /><br />The site includes <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jun-20-Fri-1997/sports/5583482.html">links to stories about the point-shaving scandal</a> at Fresno State. Links about Jerry Tarkanian's role in the scandal, as reported by a number of newspapers, as well as a video of him allegedly speaking the truth about the point-shaving allegations that does not appear to exists and if it did would come with a charge of $1.99 per viewing via PayPal. If that's not enough, Young uses his website to peddle everything from a "$1300" Plasma TV to a bunch of Porn for sale at $5 a pop. Probably from Dominick's <a href="http://www.dominickunsensored.com/2005/11/domdomdomdomdomxxx-on-sale-now-only-5.html">private collection</a>.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-18404580664053958702008-03-02T16:34:00.008-05:002008-12-11T21:12:04.549-05:00What's in a Trade?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD_lTVp8I53QkwoPZt4u3eHGwMDldWETzhsR3azE5iPcTjiAmYBnqDN9zLGRXJAS-AJqz6OJDMrjO_wchGjV-rBATAbvsjhy0JS2dPXXyO3kpuym2DLxFp_1st-AyoZRfiDrPoQ/s1600-h/dickaujordantrade.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD_lTVp8I53QkwoPZt4u3eHGwMDldWETzhsR3azE5iPcTjiAmYBnqDN9zLGRXJAS-AJqz6OJDMrjO_wchGjV-rBATAbvsjhy0JS2dPXXyO3kpuym2DLxFp_1st-AyoZRfiDrPoQ/s400/dickaujordantrade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173267233535396994" border="0" /></a><br />For years, I've studied the daily sports transactions in newspaper. This tem acquires one guy or his rights, or a bunch of guys and the rights of others. It's a consistent type thing even <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3244818">in the era of players with "no-trade" clauses in their contract.</a> Some trades, like the ones that have recently given new life to the Celtics, stacked the Cavs, improved the Spurs, and kind of confused the Suns are, for obvious reasons, the most visibly successful deals or, the ones the have the most impact.<br /><br /><a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE5D61339F931A35754C0A960958260">Other trades</a> are more subtle. Maybe only affecting the guys who have to pack their shit and move to another city. Sitting in front of the TV watching the Knicks for the past few weeks, I feel like the cold night air has got me sentimental. In September, NBA journeyman <a href="http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/28/report-zach-randolph-traded-to-the-knicks/">Dan Dickau was traded by the Blazers to the Knicks in the Zach Randolph trade</a>. Soon after, the Knicks traded Dickau to the Clippers because he'd have a good shot of making the team. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=3043755&campaign=rsssrch&source=dan+dickau">The Knicks accepted Jared Jordan </a>in exchange because he'd have a good shot of not making the team and roster space was what they needed.<br /><br />In the preseason, Jordan struggled and averaged about 1 point and 1 assist in 6 games. He graduated from Marist College<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/05/24/jared.jordan/">a legend </a>but was a long shot to make any NBA roster. He lasted most of the preseason, if I remember, and then signed to play in <a href="http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=LTU&Team=683">Lithuania</a>.<br /><br />Despite the fact that I think Jared Jordan might have been a decent component for the Knicks success. If the Knicks had won ten more games at this point and had Jordan was playing one of <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jerome_james/index.html?nav=page">Jerome James </a>or <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/randolph_morris/index.html?nav=page">Randolph Morris</a>' roles as the Knicks official practice players, I bet seeing the semi-local Jordan, a Hartford native, who lacks the erratic behavior and bad tattoos of Stephon Marbury, might give some folks another reason to cheer for a team that the city didn't really want to begin with.<br /><br />Then there's Dickau to consider, keeping Dickau meant losing the only other guy that was technically on the Knicks roster over the summer who had any experience at the point guard slot. He's now <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Dickau">been traded eight times and played on seven teams,</a> avoiding picking up paychecks in EUROPE and the D-League at that. He'd of been tough for Robinson, Collins and maybe even Marbury in practice. He's been rumored to be working on becoming a Polish citizen so that he can represent them in the Olympic games.<br /><br />Instead, the Knicks lost games early, Steph got all fucked up in the head and Jared Jordan never played for the Knicks, just a few preaseaon games, ten minutes total. Dan Dickau just went through the motion as the Clippers, who will probably never see a 100% Shaun Livingston, without mentoring anyone considering the Clippers sent Guillermo Diaz back and fourth in to the D-League and now picked up journeyman <a href="http://www.nba.com/dleague/austin/barrett_080301.html">Andre Barrett </a>finish out the year for <a href="http://www.probasketballnews.com/pbn_shootaround.html">Diaz, who's rumored to be signing in Italy</a>.<br /><br />My point is, the Knicks, who <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=MarburyLA-071115">should have known better than to look to Stephon Marbury for leadership</a>, signed a veteran (<a href="http://ballhype.com/story/magic_knicks_talk_trade_by/">like Carlos Arroyo, who they narrowly missed at the trade deadline</a>) or decent young point guard somewhere along the way this season and they might have been able to clean up their act enough to at least play hockey and spoil some Eastern Conference playoff hopes. Therefore, trading Dickau left the Knicks without a point guard in their back pocket and waiving Jordan left the Knicks without a feel-good story off the bench, something a team with a 18-41 record could probably use more of.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-11371539936135573022008-02-28T00:28:00.005-05:002008-12-11T21:12:04.913-05:00Biggest Little City Joins Big League's Little League<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXi-f30tVZDOWutVILcY5eXRMGHpCeyRqN9oUcY_UJQKFPGXaCu8teXDN0u_684A1_K2lKBzGKOdeLXGUgB9euOvYR9V0qwd4atC-eSY3xJMM7rPkCJhnVCtHLuc3T-DKIblmSA/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXi-f30tVZDOWutVILcY5eXRMGHpCeyRqN9oUcY_UJQKFPGXaCu8teXDN0u_684A1_K2lKBzGKOdeLXGUgB9euOvYR9V0qwd4atC-eSY3xJMM7rPkCJhnVCtHLuc3T-DKIblmSA/s400/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171872456055288562" border="0" /></a> This <a href="http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/SPORTS/802210366/1018">link to a story in the Reno Gazette-Journal</a> made it past me. It says here that Reno will be next stop on the NBA D-League minor league basketball gentrification tour.<br /><br />Another destination <a href="http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/022911.html">the D-League is dealing with is Portland, Maine</a>. With the resent resurgence of the Boston Celtics, the D-League hope to capitalize on some of the other somewhat-success stories in minor league hoops in New England, the <a href="http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/">Vermont Frost Heaves</a> and the <a href="http://www.manchestermillrats.com/">Manchester (NH) Millrats</a> of the ABA.<br /><br />My next guess is that the D-League will target the <a href="http://www.albanypats.com">Albany Patroons </a>of the CBA, and rumors circle that the 76ers will look to place a team in Trenton, NJ. Trenton was the home of the short lived <a href="http://www.titans101.com/tss.htm">Trenton Stars</a> of the original IBL, but now their home court, the Sovereign Bank Arena, however perfect for minor league hoops, remains pretty vacant. However, I can imagine, Reading PA, current home of the <a href="http://www.readingrailers.com">Reading Railers</a> of the PBL might make for and obvious choice.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-34316229699481953592008-02-27T07:22:00.000-05:002008-12-11T21:12:05.947-05:00KICK GAME!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuU-GqyP1X-S4wsyujjzORq-SaaSx57uO8DHN-dJajInijQQd9OBCCC3SqUUjpadHsW6dqdIztelRc-HqBQ9L4Dt0fRNbdRuXmJ5D9PUY-0M6fnvFVf484v43WDQl0hR0EwdSUw/s1600-h/starbury-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuU-GqyP1X-S4wsyujjzORq-SaaSx57uO8DHN-dJajInijQQd9OBCCC3SqUUjpadHsW6dqdIztelRc-HqBQ9L4Dt0fRNbdRuXmJ5D9PUY-0M6fnvFVf484v43WDQl0hR0EwdSUw/s400/starbury-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171755448261243602" border="0" /></a><br />So much for that idea...MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-33223546578791117012008-02-27T06:06:00.000-05:002008-12-11T21:12:06.930-05:00THROWBACK: Lawrence Moten<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5bfjj1lkYijoNmWUuBP6Wi63Qoalc43sos58lTNC-XGgtGp9HjX9R_hS3MdMJHnht5mEvagFzITNvXYSpkEadR-Vq2KHPuD1Je0qMevRX6wDYJGhDAlfuoTMbmHCGWSjR_aTYQ/s1600-h/271038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5bfjj1lkYijoNmWUuBP6Wi63Qoalc43sos58lTNC-XGgtGp9HjX9R_hS3MdMJHnht5mEvagFzITNvXYSpkEadR-Vq2KHPuD1Je0qMevRX6wDYJGhDAlfuoTMbmHCGWSjR_aTYQ/s200/271038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171714319654416930" border="0" /></a><br />In Reading, Pa a few months ago, I saw Lawrence Moten coaching a professional basketball game in a grey sewatsute. He was a lot older than the kid with the high-top head and could score in just about every way <a href="http://www.orangehoops.org/LMoten.htm">for the Syracuse Orangemen</a>. He was the type of skinny two-guard, who just had what it took to get the job done. Nicknamed "Poetry in Moten," he left the 'Cuse as the Big East's All-Time leading scorer. It seemed like, in my mind, Moten could be a taller Isiah Thomas. However, the NBA scouts thought otherwise and Moten's pro career took a different path.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/vancouver/vangriz.html">Vancouver Grizzlies</a> (they're playing out of Memphis now, I hear) took Moten in the 2nd round with the 36th pick in 1995. He spent two years with the Grizzlies and then had a cup of coffee with his hometown NBA team with the Washington Wizards. He bounced around overseas places like Greece, Spain, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic and played in the CBA before getting involved with the ABA, where he played for teams in Philly and Maryland. The highlight of his pro career may be the fact that the picture below is all the evidence he'd need to prove he played against Michael Jordan. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXkaIxyFl_TU5UXuNA64WvcDGW90yPn2JymbaMYDUFVlH2io2sctivIJzIBoZvKhFL2uT-GKFANqnw44er3Myck4KboPdOHcJ9k8dydAEtyCxekjB4quwnw-UDjlKYohAMTOZyQ/s1600-h/moten_full.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXkaIxyFl_TU5UXuNA64WvcDGW90yPn2JymbaMYDUFVlH2io2sctivIJzIBoZvKhFL2uT-GKFANqnw44er3Myck4KboPdOHcJ9k8dydAEtyCxekjB4quwnw-UDjlKYohAMTOZyQ/s320/moten_full.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171710471363719698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When the Maryland Nighthawks <a href="http://www.gazette.net/stories/010208/gaitspo165521_32357.shtml">bolted from the ABA to form their own league, the PBL</a>, Moten became their head coach. The team features (and featured) Tamir Goodman, Randy "White Chocolate" Gill, as well former AND1 players Baby Shaq and Prime Objective. The Nighthawks have struggled in the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pblproball.com">PBL</a> standings thus far, but by all reports Moten is working hard as both a coach and a community ambassador for the Nighthawks. I give him a pass for wearing a sweatsuite because, thinking back, he was probably wearing a uniform underneath it in case he had to check himself in to the game.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/motenla01.html">If you look at his stats, </a>he may appear to be another college star that had a couple of years years in the NBA and then ironed out a career overseas. However, while his team is struggling, he's still doing good work with basketball and from his actions on the sidelines is still passionate about the game. Look for him to get a job in the D-League if they ever come east.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/naobugovfw4&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/naobugovfw4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-3526117067422332492008-02-27T04:17:00.000-05:002008-12-11T21:12:06.952-05:00KICK GAME!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_oTtrB8YFXVY_W0ZwNEKDSSfl8gDJWJWyLgn0dGnTGizyLDKNG933hf_fG967HyMGV8ZuHyfcDbt_whWPgYFLqUwufD06wiWnxOzMO5cKs2YFkQmcHL72ORLvEgHYGMXhhGqpw/s1600-h/DSC03203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_oTtrB8YFXVY_W0ZwNEKDSSfl8gDJWJWyLgn0dGnTGizyLDKNG933hf_fG967HyMGV8ZuHyfcDbt_whWPgYFLqUwufD06wiWnxOzMO5cKs2YFkQmcHL72ORLvEgHYGMXhhGqpw/s320/DSC03203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171692110378529266" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Top Star Mid "SEMI PRO" Edition </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUbH_WvP8MMtRFN4VVoQzqdaMUko4nobdx6WYH2LdpWpA09leGiRUj-PXFOTx-AUuMaOHCIwWyQYZJAJmpfGt4VLg9SKeup5xHzeOW0uyM9qwCZmzf0HmT_bGvKeu3drZFoKxjQ/s1600-h/DSC03208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUbH_WvP8MMtRFN4VVoQzqdaMUko4nobdx6WYH2LdpWpA09leGiRUj-PXFOTx-AUuMaOHCIwWyQYZJAJmpfGt4VLg9SKeup5xHzeOW0uyM9qwCZmzf0HmT_bGvKeu3drZFoKxjQ/s320/DSC03208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171691375939121618" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;"> LE Uptown Daryl Dawkins "Chocolate Thunder"</span><br /><br />My man Andrew Pitagorsky from SLAM get's a tone of cool gear sent to the office. One movement that has a special place in my heart is the return of the PONY line. Spudd Webb, Daryl Dawkins, David Thompson and a ton of other NBA cats rocked back in the day.<br /><br />Today, PONY is working towards a new movement both in foot fashion and athletic shoes. They signed <a href="http://www.wate.com/global/story.asp?s=7167166&ClientType=Printable">Wilson Chandler from the Knicks</a>, but since he hasn't played as much as everyone expected, they've had limited reach with him. However, their casual kicks are surely dope and a nice alternative to low-key shoes everyone is already wearing. Their basketball kicks are dope and rumors floating around tell me they are ready to make a big push into the hoops market. I've already gotten good feedback about their <a href="http://www.pony.com/cs2_perform.htm">PONY QUIX </a>from some of my friends who play serious ball.<br /><br />Above are some new kicks they are pushing now and have been pushing for a minute.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-33693694849737455852008-02-24T22:58:00.010-05:002008-12-11T21:12:07.420-05:00Marbury Played in This Year's All-Star Game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tFbvnS15NW1MByhE_ttER9psK0ReGttRQ6dWd5DD0nTopkHH_hitXxbKYiOMa_PAnamDCKvf4APP6MWZbBtobAaxiX2zAqTikkg_EXrzkzySzImDBfSoanT6iqBstAJVHA1uNg/s1600-h/ZackMarburyCBA3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tFbvnS15NW1MByhE_ttER9psK0ReGttRQ6dWd5DD0nTopkHH_hitXxbKYiOMa_PAnamDCKvf4APP6MWZbBtobAaxiX2zAqTikkg_EXrzkzySzImDBfSoanT6iqBstAJVHA1uNg/s320/ZackMarburyCBA3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170763349470572978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSxK0jQG3asHUvVoT1vIuAPBkjw3Ly8YNZZV5VXW-IMGa0lEXamJD7izWz459mHjQTfGUey84JlS6rl2BDRknw5eWyUWEkCfdUkdl8j0dDx4zVU7I2vds-L4OCgAhSYwpUZl1hA/s1600-h/ZackMarburyCBA1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSxK0jQG3asHUvVoT1vIuAPBkjw3Ly8YNZZV5VXW-IMGa0lEXamJD7izWz459mHjQTfGUey84JlS6rl2BDRknw5eWyUWEkCfdUkdl8j0dDx4zVU7I2vds-L4OCgAhSYwpUZl1hA/s320/ZackMarburyCBA1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170763207736652194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC1FWYCYaIFMOYshIj6ZNYjtPaWDQG1T8LtDi5QSS7aoXaQnud6Xcqsxe54CZloe0XlWmZWOb7340oLFdPVWc1uMfFrXQa1z1urOMxwN9RatWqUksTLsck0l3cYgzkILlQP1mYw/s1600-h/ZackMarburyCBA2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC1FWYCYaIFMOYshIj6ZNYjtPaWDQG1T8LtDi5QSS7aoXaQnud6Xcqsxe54CZloe0XlWmZWOb7340oLFdPVWc1uMfFrXQa1z1urOMxwN9RatWqUksTLsck0l3cYgzkILlQP1mYw/s320/ZackMarburyCBA2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170763005873189266" border="0" /></a><br />Zack (or "Zeck" or "Moses") Marbury and the CBA All-Star game, that is. He's been having what is easily his best year as a pro since leaving the University of Rhode Island too early to try to get drafted. Now he's the point guard of the Atlanta Krunk and don't be surprised to hear he earned a decent contract overseas. By all accounts, his playing in this <a href="http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news.php?read=1043">All-Star game </a>was pretty well earned.<br /><br />However, something had to be bizarre about the other Marbury's All-Star visit to the exotic and <span style="font-style: italic;">tropical</span> Yakima, Washington. It seems, as evidence of the photos on my man Chuck Miller's private myspace page, Stephen's younger sibling didn't pack his uniform and competed in the All-Star game 3-point contest with an All-Star game t-shirt on. Can you guess what kind of sneakers he was wearing?<br /><br />Chuck Miller, an Albany resident, was there as the semi-official historian of the CBA. He has devoted a ton of time to the CBA/Eastern league history project. Check out <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.chuckthewriter.com">Chuck's website</a>, this is sure to go down in hoops history.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-1225662574313866452008-02-24T21:29:00.008-05:002008-12-11T21:12:07.574-05:00Throwback: Who the F**K is Johnny Sikiric?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemCL4P3hZPXxK9ZdvwwLRlB7UvB3T2Ze1RfmImc900JUHOlxbP4KtQFYn3dfVcGUdrS5UGUCGzxe3XXUVndpBerLfdChsNrlefxnnTP2TBipalHiNN6dffgeQsCshiGv4vCqNyw/s1600-h/johnny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemCL4P3hZPXxK9ZdvwwLRlB7UvB3T2Ze1RfmImc900JUHOlxbP4KtQFYn3dfVcGUdrS5UGUCGzxe3XXUVndpBerLfdChsNrlefxnnTP2TBipalHiNN6dffgeQsCshiGv4vCqNyw/s320/johnny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170739916129005938" border="0" /></a>When I was in the 4th grade, I played on the St.Adalbert 5th grade CYO team. I did not play or contribute much more than a few steals, hand full of rebounds and a one single basket. I was the fourth spring shooting guard on a 47-7 team that won the Sectional Championship that season.<br /><br />Johnny Sikiric was our best player. Shit, he was the best player around for a few miles. He scored well over 1,000 points that year and from what I know, probably more the next year. I literally, to this very moment, remember being on the court and watching him miraculously pass the ball ahead of two guys, run and get it before they turned around, and score a lay-up. We ushered him off our home court after he sank two free throws to win our Christmas tournament. Johnny was kind of quiet, but totally competitive in some ways. I remember watching him play an intense game of paper-maiche table football in the IS 73 cafeteria back in the day.<br /><br />Basketball was, in fact, in his blood. His father was always around, helping out and giving us pointers. His oldest brother, Andrew, didn't play a lick of high school ball at Archbishop Molloy in four years, but he managed to be named to the All-Star team of the Hudson Valley Athletic Conference at tiny St. Jospeh's College in Brooklyn. As was his brother Steven, who was Molloy's best player as a senior after being cut three years in a row. And then, they had a little cousin that was really nice, naturally.<br /><br />When it came time for Johnny to go to high school, Molloy was well aware of him. He played on the varsity as a sophomore and seemed like he'd be a D1 player. In the end, he chose to stay close to home and took a full ride to D2 Queens College. Johnny also loved baseball and wanted to be able to play both sports, so Queens was a good fit.<br /><br />I don't know much about his baseball career, but at one point, Johnny was in the top ten in th country in three-point field goal percentage. He averaged 19.6 points as a senior and was named the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association D2 Player of the year.<br /><br />I'm not quite sure what he's doing right now. He was always pretty smart and hardworking. I do know that he played some pro ball in Macedonia and Slovenia in 2006.<br /><br />Once when I was in college, I was up late trading CYO hoops battle stories my friend Danny "Dutch" Warshall.<br /><br />I said. "I played with this one kid, Johnny Sikiric..."<br /><br />"Sick Ear Rick," Dutch said.<br /><br />Somehow, we figured out that the St. Adalbert team that Johnny and I played on lost to Danny's CYO team in the Diocese's Championship game that season. Then I remember thinking "How the heck did he remember that kid's game?" and then "He was just that nice."MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-83723862165983074122008-02-24T19:48:00.009-05:002008-12-11T21:12:07.766-05:00The Gift & The Curse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BrjFftc1Ltz3rw6dOqQ82Bhq9GED3VyV8hrtT7gIKR8GH3k6GBCA6JSTc4VUbtYrtx6xSqdey1iTNwp_8sYbVuVn7owi2aUx9A6cPCxzQYQ-AVH48gH43WpbgA11IzWNqhy5Iw/s1600-h/JamalCrawford.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BrjFftc1Ltz3rw6dOqQ82Bhq9GED3VyV8hrtT7gIKR8GH3k6GBCA6JSTc4VUbtYrtx6xSqdey1iTNwp_8sYbVuVn7owi2aUx9A6cPCxzQYQ-AVH48gH43WpbgA11IzWNqhy5Iw/s320/JamalCrawford.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170720876538982738" border="0" /></a>How does a guy who's team can't win (and often looks content down 20) get any respect when he is having the <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jamal_crawford/game_by_game_stats.html">best year of his career</a>?<br /><br />I know I'm probably the only one watching tonight as my 17-38 Knicks are down fifteen (in the fourth) to the Raptors. Tonight, Sunday, they are in Toronto and things are not working out. On friday, these two teams played and Jamal Crawford had 43 points in what was an excellent victory for the extremely troubled Knicks.<br /><br />Granted, Crawford didn't deserve to be an all-star, but he should begin to get credit as being the Knicks best player. If they had ten more wins, he very well should have been in New Oreleans. He's got 23 points so far tonight and he's visibly doing everything he can and can be credited for a good majority of the team's workload.<br /><br />This link from the <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/ny-spknix245590069feb24,0,1919045.story"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">New York Newsday</span></a> had me wanting to defend Crawford, because if I'm the only one watching, I think I owe it to him. I might even say a nice work about Zach Randolph too.<br /><br />Is Crawford a winner? Yes. Why?<br /><br />I think if you watch him out there, he is clearly the Knicks most focused player. Deep into this awful season he's the only guy still playing with a playoff-race poker-face and tons of intensity. He's the one player on the Knicks who is staying positive. How does one become a winner in the NBA? Isn't only a testament to the kind of player and kind of character Crawford is that he has helped his team win all of their games in this terrible season while improving, redefining and raising his game to another level?<br /><br />I'd hate to give Isiah Thomas any credit, but the truth is Crawford beat the system with his help. Many other skinny 2-guards from tough backgrounds with only three years of organized ball behind them upon entering the league have faded into obscurity. Crawford, who only really played two years of high school ball, has really grown as a player in the NBA. It has a lot to do with Thomas because, clearly, Crawford could be his carbon copy. Sometimes, those of us who were alive when Zeke played, will tell you Crawford is a dead ringing for his coach. Fearless and energetic. Possessing an effortless mastery of scoring the basketball. I don't think the Crawford improves as much under Larry Brown and I thought firing him was a least premature, if not totally bad.<br /><br />Compare him to the other guys who were drafted ahead of him in the 2000 NBA Draft if you need to. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenyon_Martin" title="Kenyon Martin">Kenyon Martin</a> • <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stromile_Swift" title="Stromile Swift">Stromile Swift</a> • <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_Miles" title="Darius Miles">Darius Miles</a> • <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Fizer" title="Marcus Fizer">Marcus Fizer</a> • <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Miller_%28basketball%29" title="Mike Miller (basketball)">Mike Miller</a> • <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DerMarr_Johnson" title="DerMarr Johnson">DerMarr Johnson</a> • <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Mihm" title="Chris Mihm">Chris Mihm</a> • <strong class="selflink">Jamal Crawford</strong>. How many of them were better choices than Crawford? How many of them average 20 points? How many times did Marcus Fizer score <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxKEou4vPHk">52 points in a game</a>?<br /><br />Crawford also appears to be low-key on and off the court. He wears Reebok's and despite the mild association of Jay-Z and 50 Cent with that brand a few years back, that's a pretty unassuming blue-collar brand that matches his game. His attitude during the games and in post-game chats says a lot about who he is and what kind of player he might be on a team with a few more studs.<br /><br />The game just ended and t<a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20080224/NYKTOR/gameinfo.html?nav=scoreboardhome">he Knicks lost another one. </a>You can't say Crawford didn't show up. He left 26 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds as evidence of his presence in Toronto tonight. Can the same be said for the rest of the guys on what might be the most over-paid group of people in the history of anything?<br /><br />What's wrong with Knicks is the converse of what's going right for the Raptors. For example the Raptors have a European base that helps them win on and off the court. A formula if you will. You need a formula. The Knicks don't have any kind of formula. It that is not Crawford's fault.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-37172369741141386532008-02-24T14:34:00.006-05:002008-12-11T21:12:08.293-05:00KICK GAME!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi006xfHGmkX0lMqP7OK_LWY9mprUP5uu3FiTcEsEBrmVkCzWVjJC5_5THcDxJNRkA8pbxQ2JcqNdTCGQGV4xX6sPz9CbYlcECu2ihxcsEJHgBicjwAqp4n0qZ7CGT6D84Fp7oOIA/s1600-h/DSC_0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi006xfHGmkX0lMqP7OK_LWY9mprUP5uu3FiTcEsEBrmVkCzWVjJC5_5THcDxJNRkA8pbxQ2JcqNdTCGQGV4xX6sPz9CbYlcECu2ihxcsEJHgBicjwAqp4n0qZ7CGT6D84Fp7oOIA/s320/DSC_0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170632627845951778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwdYbHkKQ0v1pdiVgIS-oh7VcZQF9P2tkNQ5Qock8ZrjjXmSsEarQjo-DKSCPWEfydbVRoXDxapeEjph84_8BaSUxd27B1hHS5u0r_A7p1l8rkWJvPzGGRxfugBo2576jTVR-Lg/s1600-h/DSC_0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwdYbHkKQ0v1pdiVgIS-oh7VcZQF9P2tkNQ5Qock8ZrjjXmSsEarQjo-DKSCPWEfydbVRoXDxapeEjph84_8BaSUxd27B1hHS5u0r_A7p1l8rkWJvPzGGRxfugBo2576jTVR-Lg/s320/DSC_0003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170632795349676338" border="0" /></a><br />These kicks come from my personal collection. I got them last year right down the block from the SLAM/Harris Pub offices on Broadway on a rain day. To the best of my knowledge they are Nike Aire Force II joints, but that's not for certain. They are supposed to be basketball shoes, but by all account they are more build for lounging. They <a href="http://www.eastbay.com/catalog/productdetail/cm--GLOBAL%20SEARCH%3A%20KEYWORD%20SEARCH/supercat--home/model_nbr--86592/sku--105754/node--0/">Adidas/Arenas-style below the ankle</a>, however, I did peep an Asian kid in Crowley Park (Queens) last summer playing ball in them with ease. So check them out, if you're into that.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-55099791579088930862008-02-24T11:04:00.003-05:002008-12-11T21:12:08.489-05:00Switching Uniforms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ag77MQvlNqoZaspuheiIJoujcawJ9AvvONefGJXfM_TE-vxR3OD-Bp6ZZzVPRmEKWkJhDSKgkf9J_XkVN1Dc53MRm_Fw13gH4m59EeT8j6_WYurA94hPg0dlRW8XtVXno0ZEQw/s1600-h/group_080223_250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ag77MQvlNqoZaspuheiIJoujcawJ9AvvONefGJXfM_TE-vxR3OD-Bp6ZZzVPRmEKWkJhDSKgkf9J_XkVN1Dc53MRm_Fw13gH4m59EeT8j6_WYurA94hPg0dlRW8XtVXno0ZEQw/s320/group_080223_250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170578799020830994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><---Recently, these guys all got traded to the Cavs. And <a href="http://www.probasketballnews.com/pbn_newswire02.html">this link</a> on ProBasketballNews.com broke it down really well.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-30697815845707398202008-02-24T10:39:00.008-05:002008-12-11T21:12:08.686-05:00Medical Miracle?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL-M6J9cyT0R7xdi7SdVszG76Cey1udE8fEVLbprBPNzCYmp4XeF1AYYyh9NF9I2afGsotipB700VXCwZ6JqzUiu28NrBhJpAppSaQXmAw321Q5rZog8mF7jT7du1W6miiF7xxg/s1600-h/34290715.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL-M6J9cyT0R7xdi7SdVszG76Cey1udE8fEVLbprBPNzCYmp4XeF1AYYyh9NF9I2afGsotipB700VXCwZ6JqzUiu28NrBhJpAppSaQXmAw321Q5rZog8mF7jT7du1W6miiF7xxg/s320/34290715.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170573151138836722" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/wires/02/23/2030.ap.bkn.wizards.arenas.0329/">According to the Associated Press</a>, Agent Zero will remain on the bench for some time. With his team holding down semi-solid playoff positioning, it's hard to say if Arenas' absence won't propel the Wizards to another level in a Joe Osteen kinda way.<br /><br />However, Arenas hasn't been the only Wizard who has missed a number of games this season. <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/antonio_daniels/index.html">Antonio Daniels </a>(^left) is enjoying one of his better seasons (when not in a suite himself). <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/caron_butler/index.html">Caron Butler</a> "isn't ready to go," and the trade deadline has come and gone. If the playoffs started tomorrow, the Wizards would play a really healthy Orlando team anchored by <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dwight_howard/index.html?nav=page">one of the hottest players in the sport right now</a>. Having watched the Wizards in the last couple of season's playoffs, I've kind of begun to look forward to how they play with their backs against the wall.<br /><br />My question, which, by evidence of my comment counters, I'm sure, I am only posing to myself is : With a healthy Caron Butler, can the Washington Wizard get out of the first round of the playoffs without Gilbert Arenas?MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-9142264025597528272008-02-23T10:01:00.005-05:002008-12-11T21:12:08.853-05:00BASKETBALL MAGAZINE WATCH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYUtw9EhdCtutMRU4noZ27iILA8OZhAeKs1DCwBFka1BpKbjyNKOFPT5DMDokP60FIh1R3RrwL-t2ljX2MWHaKSJYsuiHDl9Q3qvUZESPZSvvvRNPtowHhx2r36ZTwRZ0a9WBAQ/s1600-h/cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYUtw9EhdCtutMRU4noZ27iILA8OZhAeKs1DCwBFka1BpKbjyNKOFPT5DMDokP60FIh1R3RrwL-t2ljX2MWHaKSJYsuiHDl9Q3qvUZESPZSvvvRNPtowHhx2r36ZTwRZ0a9WBAQ/s400/cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170191285596549346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BOUNCE #14:</span><br />White Boys<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bouncemag.com/index.php/?page_id=22">Bounce </a>has been around for a minute now and is like a graffiti magazine about basketball. They always drop knowledge on some dope streetball shit. Check out their newest issue, if you can find it, for an incredible oral history of the white players of the New York City playgrounds.<br /><br />Not only do they go in-depth on Jack Ryan, Randy "White Chocolate" Gill, Grayson "The Professor" Boucher, but they get into other, almost forgotten white playground ballers like Chris Avignone, Billy Rieser, even Ron Naclerio gets his props.<br /><br />There is also an interview with Tommy Baker, a ball handling wiz, who runs with the NYC based "<a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=149209438">Street Godz</a>"<a href="http://www.streetgodz.com/"> </a>crew I wrote about for SLAMONLINE once. As a whole, Street Godz is pretty dope, but Baker is the Bobby Brown of this New Edition to the alternative basketball landscape. I've seen Tommy, who is from the UK, do his thing live and man, he puts on a dope optical scene.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-47391540917903994712008-02-20T18:27:00.007-05:002008-12-11T21:12:09.025-05:00THROWBACK : Bernard King<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqzdav5XsYyzR5qWjuXeXZ_mrd7ga9swHIUlRHY3ivKj-82Nep22xoz8g3OwAqx6DIZYU2xLUk04Dww1N0GfODdncvYPhPgaOiG-N6esWGbLccsaYDcHrvF3u8hTcHJ2oIwMRzQ/s1600-h/p1.king.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqzdav5XsYyzR5qWjuXeXZ_mrd7ga9swHIUlRHY3ivKj-82Nep22xoz8g3OwAqx6DIZYU2xLUk04Dww1N0GfODdncvYPhPgaOiG-N6esWGbLccsaYDcHrvF3u8hTcHJ2oIwMRzQ/s320/p1.king.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169208339381186770" border="0" /></a>Bernard King was nasty. MSG Network in New York has been running this "Vault" series, where they go through old tapes that have been long forgotten, and today, they broke down some old Bernard King tapes. I remembered he'd come back from a terrible injury, but not that he went on to become and All-Star with the Bullets.<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/02.01.html"><br />It's guys like Bernard King </a>that make it hard to think that athletes aren't role models. Someone like King is a reminder that obstacles are made to be gotten through or around. I hope the kid from the Clippers, Shaun Livingston, can benefit from Bernard King's courage.<br /><br />I really shouldn't talk about baseball on a basketball blog, so I won't. I also do not want to, in any way, make it seem like I have some dark info on B.K.'s past. But I will say, wouldn't you rather hear Bernard King took steroids to return to an All-Star career or that he used steroids to become an All-Star?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED:<br /><br /></span><b style="font-style: italic;">Bernard King:</b><span style="font-style: italic;"> He averaged 22.5 points over 16 seasons, but the explosive scorer was at the peak of his powers (32.9 ppg in 1984-85) when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in March 1985. That cost King a whole season and much of his explosiveness, but he adjusted and made a successful comeback with Washington, earning a final All-Star slot in 1991 at age 34. King sat out the 1991-92 season with more knee problems, then played just 20 games for New Jersey the following year. Great career, all things considered? Until King makes it into the Naismith Hall of Fame, it counts among the curtailed.</span>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-42905673880006516522008-02-20T18:09:00.003-05:002008-12-11T21:12:09.426-05:00BASKETBALL MAGAZINE WATCH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHoyt0FWG-_TjMONmFeptn5lguPM4WojjtFYt55r9UdHaa0Cx1OhoSQ463-aD8SLH0sHDqr7j30SD0-xuLWfx6DzFy8EiMrZbPSuMSIRA9V59cmLmWOllilr9x1-iKlAXD4xcGA/s1600-h/cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHoyt0FWG-_TjMONmFeptn5lguPM4WojjtFYt55r9UdHaa0Cx1OhoSQ463-aD8SLH0sHDqr7j30SD0-xuLWfx6DzFy8EiMrZbPSuMSIRA9V59cmLmWOllilr9x1-iKlAXD4xcGA/s320/cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169204594169704642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIME #39:</span><br />k.o.b.e.<br /><br />Interesting that the Dime dudes went with Kobe on their latest cover. I ain't mad at it.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-40525006126041659842008-02-20T11:33:00.006-05:002008-12-11T21:12:09.480-05:00Knuckle-Up Knicks!It's a wonder it didn't happen earlier in the season. The overtime antics of Nate Robinson and Zach Randolph is the current example of the team "looking bad." The N-Y-K circus doesn't appear to be coming to an end either, the Knicks have been silent during trade season and have really been forgotten about, or put out of mind, since the NY Giants scored their Superbowl success.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JP_VHQi8jtW73TOipShf7N7-yjqkE4oj2wIKthcdU5H2JaTjyeandGnImpoV8K2Pz0_PMIGf5MGqc406oH7mvPLL3yrvhsXUP-B5wOBk7mZ_pZMZIKyjtlaFypXk0uNrL-BJcA/s1600-h/Kids+%26+team+line1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JP_VHQi8jtW73TOipShf7N7-yjqkE4oj2wIKthcdU5H2JaTjyeandGnImpoV8K2Pz0_PMIGf5MGqc406oH7mvPLL3yrvhsXUP-B5wOBk7mZ_pZMZIKyjtlaFypXk0uNrL-BJcA/s320/Kids+%26+team+line1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169121606811611314" border="0" /></a>Hard to imagine things getting any worse for the Knicks. They are the forgotten franchise in basketball's greatest city. No one knows when they play, rushes home to catch their tip-offs or spends a penny on their memorabilia. It's really no wonder that the NBA has been trying to move the Nets to Brooklyn. It is so obviously the only way New York could have a winning basketball team.<br /><br />Somewhere down the line, I hope to pen a SLAMONLINE column entitled "Where are all the NY Basketball Fans"-or something. I am fascinated by how few people really care about the Knicks. It is a pain to believe, or even try to swallow, the fact that more men in New York City were hanging on the edge of their lazyboys watching American Idol than the Knick game.<br /><br />Somewhere in overtime Nate Robinson and Zach Randolph got into it. It seemed like they were talking shit back and fourth, but then Randolph stepped over the line and gave Nate a cool-down via a cup of water, backwash and all I'm sure. Nate sent a towel flying back at Randolph, which caught Z-BO right in the side of the face.<br /><br />However silly the two Knicks looked, they managed to spare the few fans paying attention their usual piss-poor effort and ended up actually coming away with a victory, for only the 16th time this year. <br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qPwAAn7FiGY&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qPwAAn7FiGY&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-10210824068793954872008-02-19T21:23:00.009-05:002008-12-11T21:12:09.611-05:00KICK GAME!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF75xUCEPyUuaXubsdLsIlOSh3Di9CoMHmHiWhb-XYN7YVC-FxkXG4ny0lQan93ajFn87tRWJD7mNuRCjbg3_4Zup7ETn8OXF_51Y3Sc6-jzCLGA_OU6Bq_7HejzbW28yEN5ygXw/s1600-h/Photo+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF75xUCEPyUuaXubsdLsIlOSh3Di9CoMHmHiWhb-XYN7YVC-FxkXG4ny0lQan93ajFn87tRWJD7mNuRCjbg3_4Zup7ETn8OXF_51Y3Sc6-jzCLGA_OU6Bq_7HejzbW28yEN5ygXw/s320/Photo+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168883300551192738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_78dlvl84O2oH3bTMoG6PfKQrb_nbu0FPuegPJ5X9cxah1DJQ-c5ezoaGJ-msihQswjQZX6uAAtrcj3UPT0eYWMbE1l9PMuf6yRj7T2d3b4-38l3mL8vq6SRVZLHQoiur7vHuBw/s1600-h/Photo+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_78dlvl84O2oH3bTMoG6PfKQrb_nbu0FPuegPJ5X9cxah1DJQ-c5ezoaGJ-msihQswjQZX6uAAtrcj3UPT0eYWMbE1l9PMuf6yRj7T2d3b4-38l3mL8vq6SRVZLHQoiur7vHuBw/s320/Photo+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168883201766944914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">A few months back, Sean Malcolm, my former cube-mate at KING magazine, assigned me the sweet task of speaking with both Gilbert Arenas and Chris Paul about their places on the covers of NBA Live '08 and NBA 2K8 respectively. The interviews were eventually published in the November '07 issue of KING and I kind of didn't think much about them after that. Agent Zero has sat out most of the season with an injury and Chris Paul's career couldn't be in more full swing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Last week, I noticed (quite delayed) that Adidas, Arenas' shoe of choice, made a special NBA LIVE / EA SPORTS version of their Team Signature sneakers in honor of their man's presence on the cover of their magazine. More accurately known as the <a href="http://www.eastbay.com/catalog/productdetail/cm--GLOBAL%20SEARCH%3A%20KEYWORD%20SEARCH/supercat--home/model_nbr--86592/sku--581928/node--0/%20">Men’s TS Lightswitch Low (EA Sports)</a> they seem way more suited for off court than on. However, playing in sneakers below the ankle is an acquired taste. I mentioned my discovery to my esteemed superior editor, Khalid Salaam, who promptly placed a call to the three-stripe folks and had them send me over a pair.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I missed work Friday (flu bug) and made it in to work today, Tuesday, to find a fresh pair of said sneakers (with Khalids name on them) set aside for me to check out. Not only did I check them out, but I rocked them for the majority of the day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">By coincidence, a freelance assignment had me speaking with Chris Paul about his new signature sneaker from Jordan. The kick features the number 61 (in honor of the age his grandfather was when he was murdered) and the name, SKIP, on the inner tongue (to honor his college coach, Skip Prosser, who passed away late last year).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">While Adidas promptly put in my request for the kicks pictured above, Jordan brand claimed they lacked the product. So, I doubt I will be able to bring original photos of a pair of Chris Paul Jordan brand kicks to this blog. Their loss!</span></span>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-1753662546072055772008-02-13T17:48:00.009-05:002008-12-11T21:12:09.764-05:00Westchester Monarchs Sign Rupel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg5sZE4R4aluLrIn-63TVG3y5As47TV_3ZnEQphODqFNMUkubyjoKXIlFcsi7I3wTVIQ-cu2H3jKTmlfJ9dn95UUEl3LxNDnz7bJxy2etHxf5C8rCRe3HWcIURf7juK8uZ3babQ/s1600-h/080128.br.1.JPG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg5sZE4R4aluLrIn-63TVG3y5As47TV_3ZnEQphODqFNMUkubyjoKXIlFcsi7I3wTVIQ-cu2H3jKTmlfJ9dn95UUEl3LxNDnz7bJxy2etHxf5C8rCRe3HWcIURf7juK8uZ3babQ/s320/080128.br.1.JPG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166600959225065586" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">As I mentioned in an earlier post, my friend Benny Rupel was rocking k1x gear and some Shirts & Skins shorts that found its way to him from the SLAM Dome in a recent semi pro tryout. Well, Benny did in fact make the 12-man roster and is now a member of the Westchester Monarchs of the </span></span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.npbll-ball.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">National Professional Basketball League</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">, a union of weekend warriors playing for just about gas money. If you're in Elmira, NY, Rockland County, NY, Westchester, NY, Alexandria, VA or Maryland, the NPBL might be worth a look</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">.<br /><br />This photo was taken from the Monarch's website.<br /></span> </span>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-31909653866212150862008-02-13T10:15:00.006-05:002008-12-11T21:12:09.927-05:00SLAM & CAPUTO PRESENT...S K I L L Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Bb3koPNrBB4cEPRVNu2ckEVYfr_MsuZ01OZejqEfCm2gG5eJP1LyUcirACxSES5QUM0MUjZvIGU2H9Uw362407kQyRedwud34BHayon6_qniDIM9cveVuPqRpKzVTRk4ukaA_w/s1600-h/353867-c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Bb3koPNrBB4cEPRVNu2ckEVYfr_MsuZ01OZejqEfCm2gG5eJP1LyUcirACxSES5QUM0MUjZvIGU2H9Uw362407kQyRedwud34BHayon6_qniDIM9cveVuPqRpKzVTRk4ukaA_w/s200/353867-c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166484496891867234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:180%;" >L</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">ast week, SLAM in-house video wiz, Matt Sheridan, and I took a ride up to ritzy Fairfield County to produce a ball handling video for SLAM Online. Fairfield U Assistant Coach, Aki Collins, is a cool cat and was happy to have two of his junior guards, </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://slamonline.com/online/2008/02/slam-presents-skillz/">Jon Han and Herbie Allen, break down some basic ball handling drills for our audience.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">While Matt and I were going over the film after the shoot, Ben Osborne brought the fact that SLAM, the magazine, once featured a section called "Skillz" to my attention. I hadn't exactly ironed out a name for the series yet. I was leaning toward "Drill Tips," for some perverse reason. I think it's best to go with "Skillz" because it was already a part of the magazine. With the addition of the video element, it's totally just a fresh take on an old trick.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've got some other teams lined up to lend us a hand in the development of these flicks. It's cool beacause, since the videos are free in both cost of viewing and of a sponsor (i.e. Strength Shoes or Wonder Rim) everyone with access to a computer can benefit from checking out these drills. See you in the park.</span>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-91871657204235362042008-02-08T14:12:00.001-05:002008-12-11T21:12:10.173-05:00THEN AND NOW: SHAQ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaMsEqLYlVzItCAK0HTa9InsmliBwzRzWo3D8dNtHBE4VnWbPR2HktcY12O0kUkszKNll6Jy3blpHqii37oFRHNEa_WdHBxnECcprzJ94VEQXU2Vw1qgaW8YpFp0zIRodlEdY6A/s1600-h/shaq_magicphonebooth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaMsEqLYlVzItCAK0HTa9InsmliBwzRzWo3D8dNtHBE4VnWbPR2HktcY12O0kUkszKNll6Jy3blpHqii37oFRHNEa_WdHBxnECcprzJ94VEQXU2Vw1qgaW8YpFp0zIRodlEdY6A/s200/shaq_magicphonebooth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164694754112946322" border="0" /></a><br />Shaq O'Neal is on the move once again, out west (again), to prove his legs aren't as rusty as they have appeared throughout this season (also, again). It's unclear how he will fit into the Suns run and gun mentality. Someone told me they imagine he will be three plays behind the rest of his team on every play.<br /><br />Starting with his role in the Nick Nolte-classic <span style="font-style: italic;">Blue </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Chips, </span>Shaq became an instant celebrity and grew into one of the most dominant players ever to come into the NBA. Certainly the most dominant big man. His foot work was long underrated and, although he couldn't sink a free throw to save his life, how the hell can you argue with the four championships rings he earned?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReRiqfdMyVdYrFhNiUpkZTrtrb5YGcei33M62mzQqy46pJxhpFCWEfctwTf-W6a9lU8jfLBN5JlJ_NJBZgY46FYbfb_yphVAZVKIPBgYQduu__C3yFwXw4kYXjDL0bM9IJVY1dQ/s1600-h/080207_shaq_intense.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReRiqfdMyVdYrFhNiUpkZTrtrb5YGcei33M62mzQqy46pJxhpFCWEfctwTf-W6a9lU8jfLBN5JlJ_NJBZgY46FYbfb_yphVAZVKIPBgYQduu__C3yFwXw4kYXjDL0bM9IJVY1dQ/s200/080207_shaq_intense.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164694457760202882" border="0" /></a>I don't know if Shaq makes the SUNS a championship squad, or even a better team at all. The Heat certainly got the youth out of the deal. It leaves the question of if O'Neal doesn't get win a title this year, will he ever win another one?<br /><br />Since it's, kinda, political season, O'Neal is starting to remind me of our of our ex-presidents. Much like former country czar, Bill Clinton, O'Neal is pressing his luck by claiming to want four more championshp rings to create an even six. He's won his titles, earned his respect, and probably should have ended his career when the Heat took home the title two years ago. He was on top of the world; he'd won a world championship with the Heat, practically by himself.<br /><br />Now Shaq faces the challenge of continuing to play in the later years and, so he says, still trying to win championships? Doesn't Shaq realize he doesn't need to prove anything?MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-15421847195459408462008-02-08T11:38:00.001-05:002008-12-11T21:12:10.382-05:00Legend in Two Games<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnG2gfhy_Fex11UOLXQF3Vooo7j3rjR84YUkiQp1f7eBXl2o6SWthtmpLf9njLIvL16TKUBiY5VWsCA6iFwhEj31SXPwnx_g51yULre-gT04zaXDe_y8RgVp6K1WQplsGULzW8A/s1600-h/852516534_l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnG2gfhy_Fex11UOLXQF3Vooo7j3rjR84YUkiQp1f7eBXl2o6SWthtmpLf9njLIvL16TKUBiY5VWsCA6iFwhEj31SXPwnx_g51yULre-gT04zaXDe_y8RgVp6K1WQplsGULzW8A/s200/852516534_l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164654016348143698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dual Citizen:</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Too Real for The League<br /></div><br />Pee Wee Kirkland turned down a whole bunch of money from the Lakers to stay in New York and hustle that shit. Today, he's turned his life around and gives clinics around the city. Although he'll live in infamy as a street icon of the back blocks, Kirkland's legacy as a blacktop legend has brought out the best in who he is.<br /><br />I found <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blackhistory2008/columns/storypage=buckheit/080207">this link</a> to a new article about Pee Wee on ESPN.COM's Page 2MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-71581457359048580352008-02-07T13:56:00.000-05:002008-12-11T21:12:10.442-05:00VIDEO LINK<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq-lt4eykQuuPV5kwtTv4nMybbGXBoqqCMzLvCfpFsCylTpWY18A4PzZAYNLBdH9UYNYTzumkQ2DeuTBV81NbVncw-UtG47WHEjw0r-AWtr4s9_XOJ8WU34XZ0i_-Zk-kLLO49Q/s1600-h/migdal2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq-lt4eykQuuPV5kwtTv4nMybbGXBoqqCMzLvCfpFsCylTpWY18A4PzZAYNLBdH9UYNYTzumkQ2DeuTBV81NbVncw-UtG47WHEjw0r-AWtr4s9_XOJ8WU34XZ0i_-Zk-kLLO49Q/s320/migdal2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164315761903779874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">SLAM TV:</span><br />Who is Wilson Chandler?<br /><br />At my day-job with SLAM, I've been working on building video content for our website with our in-house director, Matt Sheridan. I've been trying to produce videos that may be a little off-beat and/or helpful to players. For our first video, we kept it simple and drove up to Westchester to hang with Knicks rookie <a href="http://slamonline.com/online/2008/01/who-is-wilson-chandler/">Wilson Chandler for the day</a>. Chandler was real cool about kicking it with us, we passed by the courts of my old college and went with him to get his dome clipped. Hopefully, he'll make it off the bench a little more in the second half of the season.<br /><br />As a Knick fan and producer of the video, I know who Chandler (left) is from seeing him play in the seven games he has appeared in. However, The identity of the other guy in the photo above remains a mystery.MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-59504383861985985802008-02-07T13:24:00.001-05:002008-12-11T21:12:10.685-05:00BASKETBALL MAGAZINE WATCH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHdhAWSo9UkQbhKiibaqOUY_4ts3OH2TtcRnKDbhovvAgD4BfY19528eqQM4S0BwVCOOpRkWkJMMgbVfySruCxBp-u7DYLIHYe89G534JwwjfdSzGqzdd-saQWnVArpHWmUrn8g/s1600-h/116brons_0408.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHdhAWSo9UkQbhKiibaqOUY_4ts3OH2TtcRnKDbhovvAgD4BfY19528eqQM4S0BwVCOOpRkWkJMMgbVfySruCxBp-u7DYLIHYe89G534JwwjfdSzGqzdd-saQWnVArpHWmUrn8g/s320/116brons_0408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164306068162592770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SLAM #116:<br /></span>Lebron Trio<br /><br />Newest issue of SLAM features a dope story on Isiah "JR" Rider. Also a dope Baron Davis poster, cool story on Chris Paul and an awesome SLAM Classsic section dedicated to Converse and it's gigantic impact on the history of hoops.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-55380893581980705792008-02-07T12:59:00.000-05:002008-12-11T21:12:10.791-05:00KICK GAME!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9cw-JdL2sq7xoTatKw5yf0IfnxKpxdP8WQ3h31k4QcfINYq3o6og3hgQ2vLJyxq60sp2lkqf4rQCFzk8R2xgdO13XIWSel726CGB4YJU1C1gG_8LN_tqiJcvNbgqYx5zYPQh7Q/s1600-h/Photo+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9cw-JdL2sq7xoTatKw5yf0IfnxKpxdP8WQ3h31k4QcfINYq3o6og3hgQ2vLJyxq60sp2lkqf4rQCFzk8R2xgdO13XIWSel726CGB4YJU1C1gG_8LN_tqiJcvNbgqYx5zYPQh7Q/s400/Photo+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164300604964192242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">K1X:</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Originals<br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Last week, while making the rounds through this busy city I came across a pair of </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.k1x.com/">k1x</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> cheifgliders. I can't say where I got them, but I can say I've wanted a pair of these things for years. Here is a quick look at these cult classic kicks. Peep the old-school "Naismith-era" basketball on the side. chiefgliders, Rucker Edition. As my sources say, they are very hard to come by in the U.S. and are unlawful to ship into the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">These kicks date back to when Zach Marbury, Steph's little brother, was one of the German brand's first endorsers. Since then, Ron Artest and rapper Joel Ortiz has rocked k1x and more recently street ball king Corey "Homicide" Williams. </span></span><br /></span>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29791067.post-59576466518943690622008-02-07T12:06:00.001-05:002008-12-11T21:12:10.948-05:00Random Hoops Photo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8yR7OX1qbf4MERZCZ9SYW9jvfh9DwrRQBDUwyVeeaLStZoL4rCtMf5Y3tQv1fQeLMee9778P64aZGhU-DWAnsWw9f6CaNyc8zn9kKGrv3oFzcgMQWBaU9iWFzfZBBpoORxqXEQ/s1600-h/080127.md.3.JPG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8yR7OX1qbf4MERZCZ9SYW9jvfh9DwrRQBDUwyVeeaLStZoL4rCtMf5Y3tQv1fQeLMee9778P64aZGhU-DWAnsWw9f6CaNyc8zn9kKGrv3oFzcgMQWBaU9iWFzfZBBpoORxqXEQ/s320/080127.md.3.JPG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164307283638337554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >NPBL TRYOUT:</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">snapshot</span><br /><br />After a long hiatus, I'm hoping to resurrect HoopsArchive.com. It's a passion project I have surely missed. Writing about random happenings in hoops is something very dear to me. I want to try and document the games I go to, practices and tryouts I visit, and sneakers and roundballs I encounter. While I already blog, and write features for SLAM ONLINE, Hoops Archive is a place I'd like to store random basketball related things that might night exactly fit into the context of a story. You'll find stories about small time hoops, links to other stories, pictures of sneakers and courts I've seen. If you're really into hoops, this may be a cool place to keep coming to.<br /><br />For instance, this photo is over a recent tryout of the <a href="http://www.npbl-ball.com/">National Professional Basketball League</a>. Pictures (in the black tank top) is Ben Rupel, my college buddy. In this picture, Benny rocks a jersey fron k1x and some Shirts & Skins shorts he got from me. Benny, who does a lot of promo work for us at <a href="http://www.slamonline.com/">SLAM</a>, is attempting to make a semi-pro club called the "Westchester Monarchs."<br /><br />I wish him luck.</div>MATT CAPUTOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00540716061985307350noreply@blogger.com0