AN OFFICIAL NBA PUBLICATION $4.99 USA Greatest-Ever Slam Dunk Contest What About Cleveland? 1 LOVE Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook and Brandon Jennings are ushering in the era of the point guard, along with flip over Aaron Brooks, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry and John Wall.
I LOVE Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook and Brandon Jennings are ushering in the era of the point guard, along with Aaron Brooks, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry and John Wall.
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AN OFFICIAL NBA PUBLICATIONAN OFFICIAL NBA PUBLICATION
$4.99 USA
Greatest-Ever Slam Dunk Contest What About Cleveland?
1 LOVEDerrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook
and Brandon Jennings are ushering in the era of the point guard, along with
fl ip over
Aaron Brooks, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry and John Wall.
Client: Jordan Billing #: NSAJORM11002 eCD: Jerome Austria/Kevin Proudfoot CW: Luke Behrends BleeD: 17.75” x 11.375” gutter: 0.25”
Campaign: Chris Paul traCking #: NA CD/aCD: Derek Barnes Sa: Damian Voerg trim: 17.25” x 10.875” puBliCation: Hoops
exeCution: Gatefold - Spread aD: Eric Collins pm: Bianca Jose Safety: 16.25” x 9.875” puB Date: January 2011
DoC name: NSAJORM11002_CP_Gtfld_Hoops_Page_02.indd laSt moD: 11-10-2010 12:14 PM
WARMUPSAndrew d. Bernstein/nBAe/Getty imAGes
Kobe Bryant has said many times how as he’s gotten more
experienced, the game has “slowed down” for him on the
court. If that’s the logic, does that mean after the final
buzzer sounds, things speed back up? It certainly looks that
way from this captured moment.
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WARMUPSBarry GossaGe/NBae/Getty ImaGes
For the third straight year, the Phoenix
Suns hosted an outdoor exhibition game at
the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. In al fresco
fashion, the Suns dispatched the Dallas
Mavericks, 98-90.
WARMUPSsam GreeNwood/Getty ImaGes sport
Sometimes you don’t realize how high Dwight Howard can
jump until you see it captured in freeze frames. Just look at
Howard’s leap as he soars to send a shot back. No, that’s
not a little guard whose shot he is swatting; that is Darko
Milicic—who at 7-0 is 2 inches taller than Howard.
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WARMUPSGlenn James/nBae/Getty ImaGes
Dallas’ Jason Terry, entering his 13th NBA
season, shows Chicago’s Keith Bogans that
he’s still got plenty of fuel left in his “Jet.”
WARMUPSlayBe murdoch/nBae/Getty ImaGes
Much has been made of his long wingspan
helping him on the offensive end, but
Kevin Durant can also use his long reach
on the defensive side of the ball. Just ask
Emeka Okafor.
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February 18-20
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HOOP10
The GameplanFeaTures
Jan/FeB 2011
For decades, the League belonged to the big men. Where the dominant centers went, the championships followed. Times are quickly changing as waves of transcendent
point guards are crashing onto every NBA shore. These playmakers are no longer just looked upon to walk the ball up and toss it into the post. They are now the focal
points of teams and changing the way the game is played.
52 FacebrookWe’re still waiting to hear back from Brook regarding
our friend request, but we imagine his profile includes
Nets franchise center, co-captain of the team,
likes DC comic books with a wall post that reads,
“Working hard to become the best center in the
game.” Just please don’t poke him.
Black History Month Spotlight72 Keeping Up with The Jones
Forgotten among the great shooting guards is a
man who is second to the immortal Bill Russell in
championship rings, known for his clutch ability
and one of the first to perfect the bank shot. More
importantly, Sam Jones has paved the way for future
minorities with his stand for equal rights.
PosterMonta Ellis on one side; Earl “The Pearl” Monroe on
the flipside.
40 The Other Guys
Yes, those two guys in Utah—Paul Millsap and Al
Jefferson—are slowly becoming the best big man
duo in the game. It’s just too bad no one has even
noticed.
46 B.D. (Before Decision) /A.D. (After Decision)Time heals everything, but even after six months
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are copyright of WNBA Enterprises. All NBDL photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBDL Enterprises. HOOP is published monthly, December
BONUS POINTS1. I’m also often asked: “What are NBA players like?” My answer is: “Like you and I, except they
wear shorts and sneakers on the job and when they’re not available to work, they wear a suit and tie.”
2. Hakeem and MJ. I will admit that I occasionally reach for Russ in the middle.
3. What’s with Cavs fans serenading LeBron with chants of “Scot-tie” during his return to the Q? I
could think of plenty of worse things than being labeled a Top 50 Greatest HOFer with six rings.
4. It really shouldn’t require any thought: With a win percentage of .700, two MVPs, four titles and
three Finals MVPs in his first 13 years, no other in his position even comes close.
5. I can run point and this squad would go 99-1 over a 100 games. I’m also 99.99 percent sure the
one loss would be on account of me dribbling the ball off my foot at a crucial moment.
6. No disrespect to Nate Archibald, Bob Cousy, Clyde Frazier, Pete Maravich, Oscar Robertson, Lenny
Wilkins and other point gods that I was too young to have watched play.
7. Consider this my personal tribute.
8. The teardrop and shimmy was just gravy.
9. I’ll bet that there are retired NBA PGs who still wonder to this day how Stockton beat them.
10. The classic moment of Glove would be him bobbing his head up and down while jawing at his
opponents with that cocksure sneer on his face before ripping the ball away from them.
11. I’m sure Ice Cube wrote that line thinking of Magic.
12. Tim Bug’s shot floated through the net like a knuckleball.
13. I never saw Sam get that shot blocked. I bet he can still unfurl it now over cats half his age.
14. The one where he goes behind his back and off his elbow in the 2000 Rookie Challenge is
unforgettable even though Raef LaFrentz didn’t convert.
I’m often asked1 who’s my all-time favorite player at every position. When it comes to
the center and shooting guard spot, I instinctively reply with the same two names.2 The
3 and 4 spots? Given some thought, I will choose Scottie Pippen3 and Tim Duncan.4
Who’s running the show for this holy grail of teams?5 If I had to pick just one name,
I’d go with Magic. His combination of size, showmanship, infectious team play, passing
and running the fastbreak would be too good to pass up. But being my favorite position
in the game, it’s tough for me to choose. Which makes this the perfect segue for all the
1s whom I’ve admired6 for various qualities over the years (in no particular order):7
Mark Jackson: The lookaway bounce pass to Ewing had me sold on the Knicks forever.8
John Stockton: The ultimate Billy Hoyle—you think he can’t play, but he’ll rip your heart out.9
Kevin Johnson: Even if he did nothing else, that one yam over Hakeem puts him on this list.
Rod Strickland: Always amazed me at how he finished around the basket over/under/
around dudes.
Mark Price: Best overall shooter from the position until…
Steve Nash: Ups the Price ante and raises it with his knack of finding every conceivable
angle to pass.
Gary Payton: The king of PG swag who intimidated10 guys a foot taller.
Jason Kidd: “Messed around and got a triple-double.”11
Spud Webb: An inch shorter than me and did dunks that taller guys could only dream of.
Muggsy Bogues: Seven-footers come and go but there’s still only been one 5-3 player
who made a mark in the League.
Fat Lever: Outside of Big O, Magic and Kidd at the position, Lever was triple-doubles.
Isiah Thomas: Moxie and guts were unsurpassed.
Tim Hardaway: It wasn’t a pretty shot,12 but it always seemed to drop when it counted
the most. Oh, and the killa crossover.
Penny Hardaway: Coolest shoes and commercials.
Allen Iverson: Forget practice, no one played harder or cared more.
Stephon Marbury: When I saw him as a high-school prodigy, I really thought he’d be the
greatest 1 to ever play.
Sam Cassell: His one go-to move—the dribble, stepback J—was the skyhook13 of PGs.
Terrell Brandon: Best midrange shooter.
Jason Williams: My generation’s version of the Pistol.14
And all the countless savvy PGs during pickup games who were able to coolly control
the game and made it so much easier to play (and watch) and win for the other four
guys on the team.
The game is as point-guard-friendly as it’s ever been, and with this new generation
of playmakers who continue to remix the position controlling the rock, the League is
certainly in good hands. And the above list is undoubtedly going to get longer.
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Numerology
And
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HOOP 017
The 123s of The NBA
$145,000,000
31-31
The sum the NBA has donated to charity through its NBA Cares program, exceeding the goal of $100 million that Commissioner David stern set when the charitable initiative was launched on october 2005. In those 5 years, teams and players have completed more than 1.4 million hours of community service and created more than 525 recreation and learning centers.
41-15 54The number of points the Indiana Pacers scored in
the 3rd quarter on 11/9/10. It was the 4th-most points in a quarter in NBA history
and 4 points shy of the record. The Pacers almost
went perfect from the field, converting on their first 20 shots and going 13-of-14
from 3-point range; the only miss was a Josh McRoberts’ 3-pointer (don’t boo Josh; he did collect 10 boards and 5
assists in the game)
Blake Griffin’s points and rebounds on
11/20/10 against the New York Knicks.
It was only the 4th time since the ABA-NBA merger that a
rookie topped 40 and 15. The other 3 guys: Shaquille O’Neal (46-
21 in ’92-93), David Robinson (41-17 in ’89-90) and Michael Jordan
(49-15 in ’84-85)
9 First-quarter points by the MiaMi heat in the big three’s regular season debut.
82The number of assists Rajon Rondo totaled in his first 5 games of the season to break John Stockton’s former record of 81 in ’89-90. At this pace, Rondo will be only the 4th player to eclipse 1,000 assists in a season, joining Stockton (7 times), Isiah Thomas and Kevin Porter. It would also mean he would surpass Erick Dampier’s 15-year total of 791 dimes.
the number of points
and rebounds that
Kevin love scored
and pulled down on
11/12/10. it was the
first time any player
has seen the 30/30
mark since Moses
Malone pulled off a
38-32 in 1982.
The number of years
since the Golden
State Warriors
have had a player
represented at the
All-Star Game, the
longest current
drought of any NBA
team. The last Warrior
All-Star was Latrell
Sprewell in 1997.
All numbers as of press time
14
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HOOP018
So now that you’ve experienced a
little taste of the NBA, how does it
compare to life in the Big East?
It’s kinda the same speed, [the players are]
just bigger. The people are bigger but the
same speed, so that makes a difference.
So, as a rookie, what do you have to
do in order to get on the court for a
veteran Mavericks squad?
I’ve got to make myself better in order to
make us better because we’re already a
good team. The better the players are, the
better the players work off the court, the
better the team will be on the court. I can’t
be a rookie this year. I can’t play like a
rookie, can’t look like one.
What’s it been like playing next to two future Hall of Famers like Jason
Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki?
Just being around Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Jet, all those guys, it’s like every day is
my birthday.
Well, you grew up in Lake Wales, FL, which is about 45 minutes outside
of Orlando. So, were you a Magic fan?
I was a little bit, when D.A. [Darrell Armstrong] played there, just because
everybody from where I was from liked the Magic and he was the point guard.
And now, coming into the League, do you have a favorite player or a guy
you’re looking forward to playing against most?
I mean, I’m looking forward to playing against everybody. I don’t have an idol. I feel
like I’m my favorite player.
As a shooting guard, you’re not looking forward to going head-to-head
with Kobe and D-Wade?
I just feel like if D-Wade or Kobe is my favorite player, how do I approach that when
it’s time to play against them? So, I feel that I’m my favorite player. No idol. I’m just
ready to play every time I step out here.
Are you cool with any of the other rookies in the League, or do you just
view them as competition for the ROY?
I think everything is business. The only friends I want to have are the players on
the Mavs. I might have a couple of them that I knew through college or from high
school. But, you know, I feel like I’m representing the Mavericks. So, when I see this
person or this person, if we’re in a certain environment, we might clown around.
I don’t go taking their numbers like, “Hey, we should be cool.”
How has your rookie initiations been?
[laughs] I’ll carry bags. I’ll do that to pay my dues. But I’m not for all that cutting
hair stuff.
You cool with the bag-carrying?
Oh, yeah. It’s a vets’ league. So you come in, you pay your dues. And then when
I’m 10 years in the League, there will be another set of rookies coming in to pay
their dues. So, it’s only right. [laughs]
Earl K. SnEEd #23
KNOW YOuR NEWB
dominiquE JonES
That was a game that was actually really hard to regroup from,
but it wasn’t because of our team. Normally, right after the games,
the guys had a good time and we’d leave it on the floor and move on
to the next game. That one was more difficult because we knew the
prize was so big.
I remember Kobe going around and I was playing D on him and
he missed the shot and all of a sudden it was tipped by Vlade Divac
and I had the flashback of that game Magic Johnson had against
Portland in the ’80s and I started running without looking. It’s like
Vlade couldn’t have passed the ball better. [laughs] And then I was
like, what is Robert Horry doing out there? He’s a power forward,
he should be down low rebounding. [laughs] Chris [Webber] and
I were running and jumping towards him and I had my back turned
when he shot it. I kinda knew. It was like a bomb went off in the
building, it got so loud. I looked at my wife in the crowd and it was
like what just happened? I just thought, we gotta go, it’s just another
game. That was such a great game though. That’s the game Mike
Bibby hit all those the big shots. Guys just had to let it go and we
had to pay the next game.
When we lost to the Lakers the in the 2001 playoffs, 4-0, we were
in every game and we thought to ourselves we were right there.
They were a measuring stick after that. We won games against them
and knew it didn’t matter what time of year it was. You had Shaq and
Kobe in their primes, they were such a superstar team and we were
a true team of individuals who came together and made something
special. doug ChriStiE aS told to mCg #93
IN HIS SHOES
Doug Christie on robert horry’s Shot in game 4 of the
2002 Western Conference Finals
HOOP 019
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By Steve Hunt #29First Five
Some players abstain from competitive basketball during the
offseason, preferring to rest or work on their game. Rockets forward
Luis Scola is glad he got to play for his native Argentina1 at the
FIBA World Championship where they finished as a quarterfinalist.
“It keeps me in shape and makes me a better player,” he says.
“The high level [of competition] and intensity you can never find
anywhere else in the world.”
So far this season, it’s hard to argue those extra minutes have
had any ill effects. After 17 games, he was averaging 20.6 points
and 9.1 boards, both career highs.2
Even growing up where soccer is king, Scola never was fond3 of
the beautiful game.4
“I did for a year. It’s pretty much mandatory there but I never really
liked it and I wasn’t very good at it,” he says.
Sticking with basketball allowed him to get noticed by NBA
scouts during the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit5 in San Antonio. Scola
was subsequently drafted by the Spurs in 2002 before getting
traded 200 miles east to Houston. The Spurs probably wish they
could get a do-over on that trade as the fourth-year forward has
upped his scoring every year he’s been in the League.
Despite his newfound 20-ppg status in the early going this
season, Scola doesn’t fancy himself as a scorer.
“There are many different ways to contribute,” he says. “Scoring
is one of them and sometimes you have to do other stuff. You need
to focus on being productive for the team.”
Luis
scoLa
04 - Forward - Houston Rockets
BONUS POINTS
1. Scola holds the record for most points by an Argentine in the FIBA World Championship with 331 and also the single-game
scoring record with 37 points.
2. After 17 games, he was also averaging 33 minutes a game, another career-high.
3. Always the consummate team player, Scola laments that despite his better numbers the Rockets hadn’t won more games early
in the season.
4. Scola is also a big fan of tennis but only likes to watch it. He admits after he first picked up a basketball at age 7, he never
really thought about playing another sport again.
5. Among the other future NBA players in the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit: Al Harrington, Rashard Lewis and Dirk Nowitzki.
Kevin is donning his Straight Shooter specs. Doesn’t he look
sharp? Oh, he knows.
Opponent or teammate—it
doesn’t matter—they’re all
Kevin’s rebounds.
Kevin doing his best to not
be a poster on some kid’s
bedroom wall.
In an attempt to get into his
good graces, Kevin attends
Game 2 of the Finals with
head coach Rambis.
When it comes to boards and wit, David Lee is a worthy
adversary (and friend) to Kevin.
The Minnesota big man aims for honest answers to your questions
“Normally, they’re
worried about that
first step. i’m so
slow, it’s about my
eighth step by the
time i get there.
—Brad Miller
“You can put
robin Williams
and eddie Murphy
next to Kevin and
he’s going to be
Kevin garnett.”
—Doc rivers
on whether
the addition of
shaquille o’Neal
has tempered
garnett
“one of the
philosophies
is who is more
important—who’s
giving up more,
the chicken or
the pig? the pig
is definitely that
guy, because
he’s giving up his
whole body. Now
i’m not calling
glen a pig, but he
does give up his
body.”
—ray allen on
glen Davis taking
charges
“sometimes i
don’t even want to
go for a rebound.
if i can get one
more rebound and
somebody else
can get it, let them
have it. What am i
going to get, five
rebounds? i’m still
not going to be
president with five
rebounds.”
—ron artest
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HOOP 023
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By Holly Mackenzie #32First Five
Celtics Forward Glen Davis spent his summer in
Vegas. No, not on the strip; he was sweating it out in
the gym. When Davis reported to training camp, the
work he put in over the offseason1 was apparent. He
was noticeably trimmer. The 24-year-old says he has
shed more than 30 pounds since Boston’s Game 7
loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals last June.
“It has a huge effect on how you perform,” Davis
says, of his slimmed-down physique. “I feel so
much like a better player. Losing weight gives you
confidence. I feel really good.”
It’s easy to see that Davis is feeling lighter on
his feet. At press time he is leading the League in
charges taken. That focus on defense has Davis
averaging a career-high in minutes per game. The
summer of hard work proved to his coaches that he
has matured2 and is ready for added responsibility.
On a team full of superstars, Davis not only knows
his role, he relishes in it.
“My job on this team is not to score,” he explains.
“Who is the guy on the team that does the little
things? Who is going to make sure he gets a charge
every game, makes sure he’s going to get a loose
ball? Players that teams need to win championships—
that’s how I want to stand out3 on my team.”
From little-used reserve as a rookie out of LSU4 to
integral part of the rotation, Davis describes his game
as “blue-collar.”
“Just a hard worker,” he says. “I don’t jump that
high, I don’t run fast, but in some ways I feel like I play
at a high level of IQ so that’s the way I look at it. I’m a
little bit of everything.”
Doing all of those little things, he desperately
wants to get back to the Finals to take care of
unfinished business.
“Champagne campaign,” Davis says of his goal
this season. “That’s what it’s all about. Trying to get
banner No. 18.”
Glen
Davis
11 - Forward - Boston Celtics
BONUS POINTS
1. Davis recently paired with author John Goode for a children’s book titled “Basketball with Big Baby.”
The book has Davis spelling out the word basketball with different adjectives that he believes are
important to keep in mind while playing the game.
2. While the “Big Baby” nickname worked to his advantage for the title of his book, Davis has said
publicly that he would prefer to be known by his given name after having the nickname bestowed upon
him by a youth league coach when he was 9 years old.
3. During the offseason, Davis posted a video to YouTube of himself dancing to the song “Teach Me
How To Dougie.” The video went viral overnight and was an instant YouTube-sensation. The clip was
viewed more than 300,000 times by December.
4. Davis first met teammate Shaquille O’Neal when at 15 he attended O’Neal’s basketball camp during
the summer of ’01. When it was time to go to college, the Baton-Rouge Davis chose Louisiana State,
O’Neal’s alma mater.
HOOP0102-FirstFive.indd 23 12/14/10 2:19 PM
HOOP024
1Round
Scoring: Both Gasol and Lopez are relative throwbacks
as centers who play primarily with their backs to the basket.
Both are effective around the rim: Last season, Gasol made
good on 64 percent of his attempts in the paint while Lopez
connected 59 percent of the time. Neither guy would be
mistaken for Hakeem on the post, and both rely heavily on
their right hands, but they get the ball through the rim on the
regular. As for midrange jumpers off the pick and roll, Gasol
has a better touch, but Lopez is much more effective at the
line at 81 percent for his career. A quick look at their career
points per game would suggest Lopez is the superior scorer,
but dig deeper and it’s more a result of playing more minutes
and getting more attempts. This is a tough call, but we’d have
to give a slight edge to Lopez despite his poor shooting start
this season since he’s only a jumper away from being the
most polished offensive center in the game.
Winner: Lopez
2Round
Floor Game: Like most European-bred players, Gasol
entered the League with a varied skill set in place. Despite
his obvious size tailored to play center, Gasol is not lacking in
abilities found in guards. A fine passer out of the post, Gasol is
adept at finding Rudy Gay or O.J. Mayo cutting to the basket
and an overlooked outlet passer following a rebound. And
although he’s slower and less athletic than Lopez, Gasol is
more seasoned in the pick and roll, thus better at using his big
body on screens and sliding over to pop the J or lumber to the
basket. Lopez, on the other hand, is still working on passing
out of double-teams. On the break, Lopez is one of the best
in transition. His speed allows him to beat every center in the
League (not named Dwight Howard) down the court. As a
whole, Gasol gets the check for this category.
Winner: GasoL
3Round
Defense: As anchors to their teams’ interior defense,
Gasol and Lopez do a phenomenal job of controlling the
middle. Lopez relies on his speed and quickness over
opposing centers and a good timing to erase baskets while
Gasol is more about being an immovable object that forces
guys outside of their comfort zones. The one thing that both
guys do equally well is stay away from the silly fouls that take
most young centers out of game. Neither guy is a stalwart
at defending the most important play in the NBA, the pick
and roll. Gasol and Lopez’s (especially Gasol) lack of lateral
quickness means offenses can exploit them on situations
when they are switched off onto a fleet guard. Gasol does
make up for the shortcoming with quick and dexterous
hands that he relies on for for some strips and steals. As
legit 7-footers, both guys have yet to crack the 10-rpg mark,
although Gasol is better between the two. And for what it’s
worth, Marc, with his intimate knowledge of big brother Pau
(perhaps the most skilled big in the NBA), might defend him
the best.
Winner: GasoL
heaD 2 heaD
Marc GasoL vs. Brook Lopez Big men in the NBA typically take some time to develop, but that wasn’t the case with Marc Gasol and Brook Lopez. Both young pivots were thrust into the middle as rookies and
have shown to be quick studies in the center position. But which third-year center is better?
no
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Marc GasoL Center 7-1, 265 pounds
MeMphis GrizzLies
HOOP0102-H2H.indd 24 12/14/10 5:52 PM
HOOP 025
4Round
Clutch: Clutch is tough to determine with Gasol and Lopez, with their small body of work
while coming up with teams that are going through growing pains. With budding shotmaker
Rudy Gay on the Grizzlies, Gasol will likely not get his number called in the closing moments, but
with his defense and ability to run offense through him, he’s certainly a big piece of head coach
Lionel Hollins’ game plan when it counts. The same can’t be said of Lopez as he’s the Nets’
centerpiece. The ball might be in the hands of Devin Harris, but the team will look to feed it to
Lopez to make something happen. In today’s NBA, game-winners don’t usually find their way into
the hands of centers, but Lopez is a big that we can envision making one.
Winner: Lopez
5Round
Leadership: Taking the lead is something difficult for any young player in the League,
especially when you’re still learning the ins and outs of the position. Gasol and Lopez have
excelled from day one at manning the middle, so bearing the mantle of leadership isn’t out of
the unattainable even at their 25-and-under age. Gasol may have the experience of being a key
player on the Spanish national team and a former Spanish League MVP on his résumé, but he
isn’t looked upon to pave the way for the Grizzlies. Lopez is already seen as the team’s “man” as
co-captain of the Nets, and he’s given every opportunity guide the team.
Winner: Lopez
The VerdicTThe gap between the two young centers is so narrow that it comes down to some speculation on our part. While it could
be argued that Gasol is better at this very moment, we think that Lopez will likely surpass the best that Gasol will ever
offer. Even as it stands now, Lopez’s slow start withstanding, he might have a slight edge. Coupled with the better potential,
we’re going with the New Jersey center.
Gasol Lopez
PPG 11.4 19.2
APG 2.5 1.2
RPG 7.4 6.2
SPG 1.2 0.5
BPG 1.2 1.7
FG% .587 .453
3PT% .000 .000
FT% .730 .843
EFF +17.71 +17.17
‘10-11 stats as of press time
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“I was going to
spank him. He
may not hurt. It
may hurt me.”
—Doc Rivers
on how he
might punish
Shaquille
O’Neal for
being late to a
practice.
Brook Lopez Center 7-0, 265 pounds
New Jersey NeTs
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HOOP026
Bread and Butter
I have made a nice career out of exploiting one of the most controversial plays
in basketball: the charge. I get asked all the time about the secret to taking a
charge. The answer is simple. You need three things: anticipation, quick feet and,
for a lack of a better phrase, cojones.
Any great charge-taker must be able to anticipate where the ballhandler is
going to dribble three or four steps before he actually gets there; some call this
defensive awareness. Once you know the path of the ballhandler, you must have
quick feet to beat the offensive player to the spot. The toughest part of taking a
charge is the actual impact of the collision. This is the single greatest reason that
guys don’t take charges—they don’t like the contact. Once you know that you have
beaten the defender to the spot on the floor, the last thing you do is, ahem, protect
yourself and take the impact of the collision. I have taken well over a hundred
charges that have been called offensive fouls in the last 10 years and well over a
few hundred that have not. Like a stuntman, you learn how to fall to minimize the
impact on your body. Usually I land on my bum and slide across the floor.
I think I am the only living person to take a charge in the open court from both
Yao Ming and Shaq (and lived to tell about it). That is the pinnacle of charge-
taking, one that hopefully I will not have to repeat anytime too soon. I am brave but
I’m not dumb. Shane Battier #31
Shane Battier Taking a Charge
“Very
embarrassing.
Very, very
embarrassing.
Very
embarrassing.
If I had to sum it
up in one word:
embarrassing.”
—Hawks head
coach Larry drew
following a loss
“Honestly, I just
black out. I stop
thinking about
everything, cause
when I think, it’s
not really too
good.”
—Michael Beasley
describing what
he went through
after his game-
winning shot
against the L.a.
Clippers on 11/
17/10
06
090807
01
Watch more highlights by following us at twitter.com/HOOPmag and joining us on Facebook!
02
04 05
03
HOOP110102-BButter.indd 26 12/13/10 9:01 PM
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HOOP 027
“I will take getting dunked on for the rest of the year, every single game, if we
get the win.” ”
—Ronny Turiaf
“He is the sweatiest guy in the NBA. He needs a sweat catcher every time he
runs up and down the court.”
—Cole Aldrich on teammate Nick Collison
3 pTs
Derrick Rose
“Not at all. I’m a guy where I don’t let anything get
under my skin. So those calls that they’re calling now
haven’t affected my life at all. I’m sleeping easy. I’m
sleeping good. It’s probably affecting some people.
All those fines might change the way guys act
towards people. But I’m doing fine.”
Baron Davis
“It’s only enhanced my life. It’s made me more in touch
with my chi. Since I can’t yell at the refs, I don’t yell at
anybody else in life either.”
Jason Richardson
“No. I have had to release some of the energy that I
have on the court off the court, so I don’t get fined.
So I’m going home and yelling at my wife, ‘That’s
a bad meal!’ [laughs]. If I come home after a bad
game and am arguing, she’s like, ‘You need to get a
technical.’ But that’s how they’ve changed the game.
I guess they want it emotionless, so we’ll just go out
there like zombies. [laughs]”
Has the new technical foul rule on on-court complaining this season affected your life off the court?
peRIpHeRAl VIsIoN
Clipper Darrell
Clippers fans need
no introduction to him,
but for the uninitiated,
Clipper Darrell is quite
possibly the team’s
biggest fan, one who
wears his fandom on
his sleeve—literally;
his trademark suit is
Clipper blue and red,
right down the middle
(same for his car, too).
The origin story of
Clipper Darrell took
place in 2001 when
a former boss told Darrell Bailey he would never
amount to anything. When Bailey came home that
night, he heard a TV broadcaster say the same thing
about the Los Angeles Clippers during a game.
So right then, two peas in a pod, Bailey decided to
commit himself to Clipper Nation, for better or worse.
What’s it like to be the Clippers’ No. 1 fan?
I think it’s fun. It’s an experience similar to winning a
race. At the end of a race, you got the crowd going
crazy. That’s how I feel. I’m like an Energizer bunny for
the team. It’s a fun thing for me also. I love doing it. I
love being the life of the party.
Your half-red, half-blue suit is recognizable all
the way across court at staples Center. Are you
always in red and blue?
On game days, away or home, I have a ritual that
I have to wear something Clippers. Clipper shirt,
Clipper hat, Clipper jacket, it has to be something
Clippers on game day. If it’s not a game day, I don’t
have to wear it. Sometimes I’ll wear a suit if I’m going
to a meeting or whatever. It used to be I could go
incognito. I could get away with a pair of jeans, a
shirt and just get in my truck and go. But now people
know me even without the red-and-blue suit.
especially when you’re driving your customized,
tricked-out Clipper car?
If I drive that, it’s over with then.
Do you drive that car everyday?
Yes, that’s my everyday car. When I go on a business
meeting, I jump in that. But when I don’t want to be
Clipper Darrell for a second or two, I jump in my
truck. But it still happens, I get recognized, so I don’t
even fight it anymore.
You’ve got your “MVp” chant for Blake Griffin
and “UsA” for eric Gordon, what are the fans’
favorite chants?
The one that people love the most is “U-G-L-Y.” That’s
the one. The most popular one is, “Let’s go Clippers!
Let’s go!” Everybody looks forward to that one.
I read where leBron James even chanted that
U-G-l-Y one to you once.
I was at his hotel where they were staying at. He
drove up in a van and he’s hanging out the window
and he was saying, “U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi,
you ugly!” He saw me because I was in my suit and
everything. He was running up after the game. It was
about 1 or 2 in the morning. He came out and started
dancing, doing my little dance. It was so cool, man.
It was like a priceless moment. Being known by the
superstars, man, it’s like the greatest thing for me.
From Tracy McGrady to Chris Paul to Kobe Bryant.
Guys that respect me and say, “I respect what you
do.” It’s a good feeling.
Who’s your favorite Clipper of all time?
I don’t have one. As long as you wear that red, white
and blue uniform, I got love for you. And when you
leave and you move on, I still got love for you. But
within that 48 minutes that you’re on the court, you
ain’t got no love unless you wear that red, white and
blue.
Darryl Howerton #21
For entire interview, log on to Hoopmag.Com
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HOOP028
Gorgeous California girl Marisa Miller—often referred to as
America’s ultimate supermodel—may be known for her feminine
attributes, but she’s a jock at heart. For her, being on the cover of
the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is an opportunity to
share pages with the athletes she so greatly admires. Even her
endorsements are ultra guy-friendly—from being official spokesperson
for the NFL and Harley Davidson to her own Captain Morgan ads,
her own line of sneakers for Vans and a paddleboard line for Surftech
that she designed for female riders. Of course, you can catch her
donning angel wings for Victoria’s Secret, but you’re just as likely to
find her courtside at a Chicago Bulls game.
What sports were you into growing up?
I was the type of girl who played the sports. I wasn’t really a
cheerleader or a girlie girl. I was more of a tomboy. I grew up surfing
and playing basketball and volleyball.
How does one go from being a tomboy to a supermodel?
My life took a crazy detour after I met Mario Testino, who is arguably
one of the best photographers in the world. It just kind of rolled from
there. It wasn’t something that I went after or thought would ever
become my career. It’s cool now because it’s kind of circling back to
the things I love. I get to choose what I want to do now and be a part
of the NFL and be invited to NBA games. I’m also a big fan of the
San Francisco Giants. I’ve seen them win the World Series.
What does being on the cover of the Sports Illustrated
Swimsuit Issue mean to you?
Sports Illustrated is a big part of American culture. The women that
have been in the swimsuit issue are icons. To be a part of that group
is a huge honor. My dad has been a subscriber to Sports Illustrated
since I was little. I always remember seeing the issues. They’re still
in my house now. When you can do something in your career that
is that big professionally it’s great when you have an awareness of
it from early on and it’s a part of your personal life
that makes it bigger. When your grandma and your
grandpa hear that you’re doing Sports Illustrated,
they get excited because they know what that is. It’s
not like doing a high fashion magazine they’ve never
heard of.
Were you any good at basketball?
At first, I was a bit of a ball hog. Then I learned to give
the ball to my teammates. Look around before I took
a shot—that was my big lesson. As a teenager you
learn healthy competition and you have your coach’s
support. I look back at my childhood with really good
memories of being able to have that support with my
teammates and my coaches. It really toughened me
up. I’m disciplined because of that. Obviously now
with my job and being fit and healthy, it definitely
made some good tools for me for the rest of my life.
Most of the products you’re associated with are
guy-type things—why is that?
I don’t know how it worked out like that, but it sure
makes my job a lot more fun. It’s fun breaking down
the stereotypes.
What was the first NBA game you saw live?
I went to a Sacramento Kings game in the seventh
or eighth grade and saw how physical the game
was. Before that, you think in basketball, you can’t
touch anybody or you get a foul. We had floor seats.
I couldn’t believe how big the guys were. They were
giants. And how much physical contact they had and
how aggressive it was.
Does watching a game courtside give you a new
perspective beyond what you see on TV?
Especially when you’re on the floor because you have
that eye level view. The endurance they have, all the
running, the jumping. Basketball players are really
amazing athletes.
What’s your favorite team these days?
Obviously, I love the Lakers. They’re such a great
team to watch. But personally I really love the Chicago
Bulls. They have such a great history with how many
championships they have. They’ve invited me to
games. One home game I went to happened to be
Derrick Rose’s career high; he had 39 points. They
were playing the Boston Celtics. To see Kevin Garnett
and these guys in person was great. It was great to
see Derrick have the game of his life. The fans were
going crazy—the whole arena in red. At one point
Garnett bumped into me and the person next to me.
You could feel the power. These guys are like warriors.
Favorite NBA player?
Derrick Rose without a doubt. Lois ELfman #40
Check out hoopmag.com for extras from the interview.
HOOP: Is it true Patrick Ewing introduced you to basketball?
NOAH: Kind of. My father and mother had a restaurant in New York, and he used to go there a lot
when I was a baby. Apparently he put a little basketball in my crib one day. So symbolically, yes.
HOOP: You grew up a Knicks fan, right?
NOAH: Huge Knicks fan1 growing up. I was a fan of Patrick, Charles Oakley, John Starks and
Derek Harper, all of those guys, and the later teams when they had guys like Larry Johnson and
Marcus Camby.
HOOP: So that explains why you disliked Jordan so much.
NOAH: Exactly. I was an anti-Jordan2 fan. But you know what? Even though we used to hate
Mike, we had a lot of respect for him.
HOOP: We saw you after your double-OT win at Phoenix and you were wincing in pain.
How sore are you after games?
NOAH: Really sore. During the game, everything is numb, because you’re so into it. But when
you come down from all that adrenaline, that’s when the aches, bumps and bruises kick in.
That’s when you feel the elbows.
HOOP: What’s the first thing you look at in the box score?
NOAH: I check if we outrebounded our opponent as a team. That’s important. Plus/minus is
pretty good, too. I like that one. There is no lying in the stat sheet.
HOOP: You’re having a great season.3 What’s been the biggest difference for you?
NOAH: Just being more in tune with my body. Now that I’m in my fourth year, I understand that
everything matters. Drinking a lot of water, sleeping—little things. Your body is your temple.
HOOP: We were just listening to “Vic the Brick” in L.A., who said he thought you were
going to be a bust after your rookie year, but you’ve impressed him. What do you think when
you hear things like that?
NOAH: It feels good, but at the end of the day, that’s not why I play the game. It’s not to get love
from a commentator. Whether they like me or not, I just want people to say: “That guy gives it
everything he has on the court.”
HOOP: It seems like fans either love you or hate you. Do you enjoy that dual relationship
with NBA fans?
NOAH: Yeah. It’s been like that for me since I was a little kid. Some teachers loved me, some
teachers hated me. To be honest, I don’t know why, but it’s something I’ve come to grips with.
HOOP: You’re a laid-back guy off the court. Where does the intensity and fire come from
that you show on the court?
NOAH: I just know I have to play with a certain intensity to affect the game and I try to do that to
the best of my ability.
HOOP: Have you ever hurt yourself pounding your chest?
NOAH: I do try to do it a little bit less now, because it does take some energy out of you.
HOOP: Have you ever scared anyone when you scream?
NOAH: I don’t know. I’m in my own world.
HOOP: We hear you’re just as intense when you’re bowling?
NOAH: I’m real bad at bowling. I just suck at it. My form is terrible and I hate the bowling shoes.
I wish they’d just let me wear my sneakers. I need the grip.gary d
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HOOP 035
with
Joakim NoahBy Jeramie mcPeek #4
24 seconds
HOOP0102-24 Seconds.indd 35 12/13/10 8:04 PM
HOOP: How would you describe your fashion style?
NOAH: Comfortable. I think comfort is the most important thing. The second
adjective I would say: funky.
HOOP: Tell us about your draft wardrobe.4 What was the fashion
statement that night?
NOAH: It’s crazy, that was four years ago and people still talk about it. It was an
exciting day for me and my suit symbolized that. The seersucker look is a great
look. I really enjoy that style. And the bow tie went great with the suit.
HOOP: Have you worn a bow tie since?
NOAH: No. I never wear bow ties. I don’t wear regular ties either.
HOOP: Anyone ever pull your hair during a game?
NOAH: No, nobody ever pulled my hair. You better not write that or you might
give people some ideas [laughs]. I wouldn’t be too happy about it if they did.
HOOP: Tell us about your shoes.
NOAH: I’m the only player in the League that wears the Le Coq Sportif. Arthur
Ashe used to wear the shoe and he found my dad when he was 12 years
old. My father became a tennis player because of him and ended up wearing
Le Coq Sportif. So it’s kind of like a family heritage. It’s more than just a
marketing deal.
HOOP: You’re the only player with a rooster on his shoe, as well.
NOAH: I always tell my teammates, there are a lot of ducks in the NBA, but I’m
the only rooster.
HOOP: We’ve got to ask you about your dancing.
NOAH: [laughs] What about it? I don’t really have a dance style.
HOOP: What did you call that dance after your 2007 NCAA
Championship?
NOAH: The dance of joy. I was really happy that our team had won a
championship. The Gator song was on, our fight song, and I just started
messing around. It was pretty funny; the people at school loved it.
HOOP: What’s your favorite dance music?
NOAH: I love a lot of different music, but I listen to mostly reggae. It’s
conscious music. It has a good beat and a good rhythm, but it’s the kind of
music that puts things into perspective. It’s music for the people.
HOOP: What’s your favorite Bob Marley lyric?
NOAH: “Until there’s no longer first class or second class citizens of any
nation, there will be war.”
HOOP: Your father5 is now a singer and your cousin is a rapper. Do you
sing at all?
NOAH: Only in the shower.
HOOP: Are you an artist?
NOAH: No, my mom6 is an artist. But I like going to art exhibitions and looking
at art. Every time we go to L.A., I go and check out the street artists. What’s
so cool about a piece of art is everybody has their own interpretation of it, and
there’s no wrong answer.
Bonus Points
1. Noah attended the Knicks’ summer camp as a kid and won the camp championship.
2. Noah was at the infamous “Double-Nickel” game in 1995 when Jordan scored 55 in his first game back at Madison Square
Garden after coming out of retirement. “I remember that like it was yesterday.”
3. At press time, Noah was averaging career-highs with 15.6 ppg and 13.2 rpg.
4. Don’t remember Noah’s draft night handshake with Commissioner Stern? Google it. It’s classic!
5. Joakim’s father, Yannick, won the French Open in 1983 and is now a successful singer in Europe.
6. Joakim and his mother, Cécilia Rodhe, launched the Noah’s Arc Foundation,
“empowering youth through the means of sports and arts.”
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HOOP036
HOOP0102-24 Seconds.indd 36 12/13/10 8:04 PM
Softsheen.indd 1Softsheen.indd 1 12/7/10 2 :18 P M12/7/10 2:18 PM
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1. In August, James took out a full-page ad in his hometown newspaper—the Akron Beacon Journal—but he didn’t mention the city of Cleveland, where he played
for seven seasons with the Cavaliers in his thank-you sendoff.
2. Then-owner of the Cleveland Browns, Modell relocated the franchise to Baltimore in 1996, where they became the Ravens. Cleveland would subsequently see
a return of its NFL team in ’99.
3. James averaged a career-best 31.4 points per game in ’05-06, his third season in the League.
4. Scott was the 2007-08 Coach of the Year after leading the New Orleans Hornets to 56 wins.
5. Williams was a unanimous selection for SEC Freshman of the Year in 2001-02 at the University of Alabama, and he was also named to the SEC All-Freshman
Team by the league’s coaches.
6. LeBron is now teammates with four other guys who made their rookie debuts in the ’03-04 season: Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, James Jones and Dwyane Wade.
7. The first game in Cavaliers history took place on 10/14/70.
8. In James’ rookie season, the Cavaliers missed the playoffs by just one game. The following season, despite a 42-40 record, they missed out on the playoffs on
a tiebreaker. In James’ last five seasons with the Cavs, they made the playoffs every year and averaged 54 wins.
Time may heal things, but for now, the wounds are still too fresh and too deeply etched
in the back of their minds.
“I’m a die-hard Cavs fan,” says Jimmy Smithson, who has attended at least 20 Cavaliers
games per season for the past 25 years. “I would go to every game except for the fact that
my job has me traveling a good bit. When they’re on the road, I would go to the Fox and
Hound in Mayfield Heights. The bar would be packed every night during the LeBron era.
We all braced ourselves for what could happen. I guess we all just hoped he would change
his mind. He didn’t, obviously. I will still go to the games. These players give it all they
have. They make me proud to be a ticket holder. I will never stop being a Cavs fan. I will root
for the Heat to lose as much as possible. I know it’s a business. But we’re talking about
LeBron. He is Cleveland. At least we thought he was. I guess not. We go forward. Go Cavs!”
A basic theme has emerged since July. James is not liked or respected for the most part
in Cleveland as well as other cities. Those vendors and business owners won’t have James
to push their sales. Sports bars aren’t buzzing like they once did. This isn’t earth-shattering
news on any front. It’s just reality.
But it likely will always be a bitter reality because of what could have transpired.
“I think the ESPN special was wrong as well as his decision to leave for Miami,” Barkley
reiterates. “I would not have done it. Michael Jordan wouldn’t have done it. Magic Johnson
wouldn’t have done it. Larry Bird wouldn’t have done it. We were all just trying to lead our
team. We wouldn’t have chosen to join with other free agents to team up. LeBron did it
differently. It’s his life. He knew what he was doing and what the backlash would be in
Cleveland. If LeBron doesn’t win multiple championships in Miami, he’ll be viewed as a
failure. Imagine if the Cavs do win one first. Wow. I don’t think it will happen. Think about it.
That would be something, man.”
The Mistake by the Lake? Only time will tell whose mistake it was.
Maybe it’s his common first and last name that keep Sam Jones from being more recognized in NBA lore. It’s
not like his basketball accomplishments—Jones is second only to the mythical Bill Russell in championships with 10, he’s
a Hall of Fame inductee, and a member of the NBA’s 25th Anniversary Team and 50 Greatest Players in NBA History—are
lacking. Known for his perfect form on the jumpshot and putting it off the backboard, Jones had a reputation as a clutch
scorer, especially during the playoffs.
More important than his on-court accolades were Jones’ achievements in life. From his humble beginnings in
Wilmington, NC, Jones went on to star in North Carolina Central University, a historically black college and university in
Durham, NC, where he graduated. Following a stint in the U.S. Army, Jones entered the NBA during an era of turbulent times.
As an advocate of civil rights, Jones was a part of the NBA’s first all-African-American starting five with the Celtics and he
and his teammates stood together—not only on the court with a common goal of winning championships, but off the court
as well for equality.
Now 77 years steeped in wisdom, few can match Jones’ insight on basketball, breaking down barriers and playing for the
legendary Boston Celtics organization.
HOOP: When did you begin playing basketball?
Sam Jones: I started playing basketball in junior high school, in Laurinburg, NC. I played for an outstanding coach by the
name of F.H. McDuffie, and I certainly wanted to play on his team. I found out that a few of the players that had played
before me...had gone to college on a full-scholarship. The only way to go to college back in those days was on some type of
scholarship, so I played four years for Mr. McDuffie and got a scholarship to North Carolina Central University, then known
as Carolina College at Durham. There I played for Coach John McLendon, one of the first African-American coaches to go
into the Hall of Fame. Getting that scholarship was one of the greatest things to ever happen in my life because through
basketball I was able to get my college education; I thought that was an outstanding situation at that particular time.
KeepingUp With the
Jones
By AXG #1
Black History MontH spotligHt
Through his life and basketball career,
Boston Celtics legend Sam Jones has
paved a way for others to follow
HOOP0102-f-SamJones.indd 72 12/15/10 12:06 PM
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HOOP074 HOOP074
HOOP: Talk about Coach McLendon.1
Jones: My mother was the reason for me going to North Carolina Central University.
Because the coach and my mother’s house were back to back from each other, she told
the coach: “If you’re looking for a basketball player, you should recruit my son.” The coach
started looking at me in junior high school, and he felt that I could play for him at North
Carolina Central University, and he recruited me. Now I only played for him for one year
because Hampton University offered him a lot more money than my college at the time
could give him. He later went on to become the first African-American to coach in the pro
league.
HOOP: Can you describe your game, and what were the types of things you worked on
to get better?
Jones: First of all, I had an outstanding junior high school, and middle school junior varsity
coach...his name was Coach McDaniels and he is what we call a no-non-sense coach.
In other words, he believed in the fundamentals, and he taught us that. So when we got
into high school, we were fundamentally sound and we were ready for anything that the
varsity coach could give us. It was a tough team to make, and I figured the best way to
make the team was to be a team player. I could always shoot, I could always jump, I could
always run, but I had to play within what the coach wanted, and that’s what we did. I
perfected my shot, by what people call, shooting off the boards...it’s [now] called a bank
shot, and I perfected it so well, that it was like making a layup. Fifteen feet and in was like
me making a layup, because I had so much confidence in that shot. That shot got me into
college. And when I got to college, I was the only one who shot that shot consistently off
the backboard. People didn’t know what I was doing because they had never seen anyone
consistently shoot off the backboard. It was something new that I also brought to the
NBA. It became Sam Jones’ shot, because I shot it so well. I think the reason I got from
high school, to college, to the pros, is because I played team basketball...that’s what made
me so successful.
HOOP: Now you see fundamentally sound players today like Tim Duncan and Kobe
Bryant shoot off the backboard.
Jones: That’s true, and even Dwyane Wade uses it a little bit, too.
HOOP: What was it like growing up during the times of Jim Crow laws?
Jones: I would like to say this: Growing up in North Carolina, we were not allowed to play
white teams, because the schools were segregated. And because of segregation, the
state did not allow us to play everybody, and so the black schools had to play all the
black schools. When I was in high school the whites and the blacks got along pretty well.
Coaches from the white school would come and watch us practice because we were so
good. They wanted to see what our coaches were doing to make us so good. We won four
state championships [but] it wasn’t an outright state championship because it was just
the black schools playing against each other. And that’s one of the tragedies of North
Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia. We were not honored—we were not in the paper, we
didn’t get the perks like the other schools. In order to find out about us you had to come
and see us play. It was a tough transition. It wasn’t hard for me because, like I said, in
Laurinburg, we knew most of the white kids. We just could not participate in sports or go
out with them. That’s just the way it was, and that was all throughout the South. Those
were the type of things that I think made America bad. You had segregated bus and train
stations, segregated movies, you had to ride on the back of the bus, you had to give up
your seat if a white person came in and all the seats were taken—they had the right to
take your seat. Those were the types of things that happened.
HOOP: Would you say you played a role in the change of America as a professional athlete?
Jones: I feel that I helped the change when I went into the Army. In 1948, President
Truman said there would be no more segregation in the military. That really didn’t happen
because in 1954 I was in service stationed in Columbia, SC. [Even though I was] in an
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Army uniform and serving my country, there were places that I could not go in the town
of Columbia—that’s how bad it was and it made me wonder the possibility that I could be
killed fighting a war to keep Americans here safe and come back home and not be able
to eat in a restaurant or go to a movie and sit where I want to sit. So I began to speak up
about that—and in the Army, when you speak up about things—they ship you someplace
else and that’s what happened to me. There were things that happened to me as a black
man that made me feel really small. Then when you bring prisoners of war into the United
States and they can sit where you couldn’t sit, [meanwhile] they were fighting against
you, that tells you something about how America was at that time.
HOOP: Talk about playing with the Celtics, and players like Bill Russell, and K.C. Jones.
Jones: I will tell you this about Boston, we played under one of the greatest coaches to
ever coach basketball, a fellow by the name of Red Auerbach. Boston was one of the first
teams to bring in a black player.2 Boston was the first to have a black coach, Bill Russell.
Boston was also the first to start five black players3—Russell, Willie Naulls, Satch Sanders,
K.C. Jones, and me—and we were very, very successful. And when I say successful, we
went to the NBA Finals and we won it. We gave something back to the blacks, but when
you look up in the stands, there were white people, so we were not only playing for black
people, we were playing for everybody.
HOOP: Were there times when you had to take a stand or speak up as a professional?
Jones: There were times even in the NBA when we had to say we’re not playing. This
happened in Lexington, KY. We played an exhibition game at the University of Kentucky...
we got in that day, and we stayed at a hotel downtown, but the black players could not eat
in the restaurant. And because we did not eat, we boycotted the game. And when I say we
boycotted the game, not only did we not eat, we left Lexington and returned to Boston.
We didn’t want to be in a place that allowed us to show our talents but they wouldn’t let
us eat. They didn’t need to see us. So Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders and I got on a
plane and came back home. We wanted to let the League know that we were not going to
stand for any place that was going to keep us from being Americans.
HOOP: You are a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, as are Bill Russell, K.C. Jones,
Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain and others. Did being in a fraternity help you as a
professional?
Jones: I’m glad you bought that up. It was good, especially in my day, because now you
can go any place you want to but when you’re on the road and your Kappa brothers know
you’re there, they would come and pick you up, and take you places where you could
enjoy yourself and relax. My frat brothers would call me and pick me up, and this was in
the early ’60s. That’s when you could really enjoy it back in those days. The brothers would
pick me up, introduce me to the city, and we would have a good time.
HOOP: Talk about the championship teams and the winning that you helped accomplish
with the Boston Celtics.
Jones: I can say that it was an accomplishment from us just having fun. My very first
year I didn’t play that much but I got a chance to play in the championship and we lost,
and I think we lost because Bill Russell got hurt. He hurt his ankle just before the sixth
game and we lost [Game 6] in St. Louis, but we played well. And for the next eight years,
from 1958 to 1966, we won eight straight NBA championships. We felt that that we were
probably the best4 team ever assembled. In the 1966-67 season the Philadelphia 76ers,
with Wilt Chamberlain, Lucious Jackson, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Chet Walker, and
Wali Jones, beat us 4-1 [in the Eastern Division Finals] and they won the championship.
They were the ones that dethroned the Boston Celtics. Then in my last two years we
won the championships. So when I left, I had played 12 years5 and I had been to 11 NBA
Finals, and we won 10. When people talk about Michael Jordan and his six rings, I don’t
even think about it. For some reason, if you take 10 people...and you ask them how many
championships did Sam Jones win...they couldn’t tell you, but ask about Michael Jordan,
HOOP0102-f-SamJones.indd 76 12/15/10 12:07 PM
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everyone knows he won six. People don’t know what we did, and what we accomplished
under so much adversity. We had a team, and I will tell you this: Bob Cousy, Tommy
Heinsohn, Jack Nichols and Frank Ramsey, they are some of the greatest guys I’ve ever
played with. We were a team, and the reason why I knew this is because: One time we were
in St. Louis—back then, we could eat in the hotel we stayed in, however we got in late, and
the hotel dining room was closed, so we had to go across the street. We went across the
street and they guy said “I cannot serve you guys.” He was talking about me, Russell, and
Satch [Sanders]...and when the rest of the team heard that we couldn’t eat there, they
walked out with us, and that’s when I knew we had a team. I knew they were hungry but
they walked out with us and that made a huge statement of what we were about.
HOOP: What does being a member of the 50 Greatest NBA Players mean to you?
Jones: It’s a great honor6 to me because it was voted on by my peers. In 50 years of
basketball, I was one of the greatest players to play. When you get that kind of honor, it’s
a huge recognition. I was also voted one of the greatest players in [the first] 25 years of
NBA basketball. It’s the 25th anniversary team, and nobody knows about that. The 25th
Anniversary Team doesn’t even have 25 guys, it has only 10 guys.7 I was on that team
with Bill Russell and nobody knows about that. I’m also in the Hall of Fame. I didn’t play
basketball to go into the Hall of Fame, I played basketball to make a living. Basketball to
me was a job, and it probably was the best job of them all. It was something that I had
been doing all my life so there was no pressure. I never looked at basketball as pressure.
I never looked at games as pressure. I think the fans had more pressure because they
wanted you to win, but when you come up through junior high school, through college,
through the Army, and you have been playing basketball all of your life, why would that
have any pressure? It is something that you do. You have to deliver, and if I had to take a
last-second shot, I didn’t even think about it because this is what I do.
HOOP: Is there any significance to you wearing #24?
Jones: I was born on June 24, and when I went in the service and came back to school I
was 24. I had one more year of school, and when I got married I was 24 years old, and I
didn’t have a chance to choose my jersey when I was with the Celtics like players do now.
I was given #24.8 What’s strange is the last game I ever played in, I scored 24 points. My
last game that I ever played in was the championship game and for some reason I scored
24 points.
HOOP: How would you sum up your accomplishments?
Jones: We made it better for a lot of players.
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BONUS POINTS
1. John McLendon is a legendary coach who attended Kansas University in the 1930s and learned the nuances of basketball from Dr. James Naismith.
2. Chuck Cooper was the first black player drafted by an NBA team. The Celtics took him in the second round of the 1950 draft.
3. In the 1963-64 season, the Celtics became the first NBA team to start five black players.
4. In 1962-63 season, Jones paced the Celtics in scoring with 19.7 pgg.
5. Jones totaled 15,411 points and averaged 17.7 ppg over his career.
6. Jones played in five All-Star games and was a three-time All-NBA Second Team selection.
7. The 10 were: Paul Arizin, Bob Cousy, Bob Davies, Joe Fulks, Sam Jones, George Mikan, Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Dolph Schayes, Bill Sharman and coached by
Red Auerbach.
8. The other HOF guys who have worn #24 in their careers: Rick Barry, Bill Bradley, Dennis Johnson and Moses Malone. Kobe Bryant has a good chance to one
day join the hallowed list of #24.
HOOP0102-f-SamJones.indd 78 12/15/10 12:07 PM
HOOP 079
HOOP Promotional Section
Directory of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
4-Year PUBliC inStitUtiOnS
Alabama A&M University
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Delaware State University
www.desu.edu
Florida A&M University
www.famu.edu
Albany State University
asuweb.asurams.edu
Fort Valley State University
www.fvsu.edu
Savannah State University
www.savstate.edu
Kentucky State University
www.kysu.edu
Grambling State University
www.gram.edu
Southern University and A&M College
www.subr.edu
Southern University at New Orleans
www.suno.edu
Bowie State University
www.bowiestate.edu
Coppin State College
www.coppin.edu
Morgan State University
www.morgan.edu
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
www.umes.edu
Alcorn State University
www.alcorn.edu
Jackson State University
www.jsums.edu
Mississippi Valley State University
www.mvsu.edu
Harris-Stowe State University
www.hssu.edu
Lincoln University of Missouri
www.lincolnu.edu
Elizabeth City State University
www.ecsu.edu
Fayetteville State University
www.uncfsu.edu
North Carolina A&T State University
www.ncat.edu
North Carolina Central University
www.nccu.edu
Winston-Salem State University
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Central State University
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Langston University
www.lunet.edu
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
www.cheyney.edu
Lincoln University
www.lincoln.edu
South Carolina State University
www.scsu.edu
Tennessee State University
www.tnstate.edu
Prairie View A&M University
www.pvamu.edu
Texas Southern University
www.tsu.edu
Norfolk State University
www.nsu.edu
Virginia State University
www.vsu.edu
Bluefield State College
www.bluefieldstate.edu
West Virginia State University
www.wvstateu.edu
University of the Virgin Islands
www.uvi.edu
4-Year Private inStitUtiOnS
Miles College
www.miles.edu
Oakwood College
www.oakwood.edu
Selma University
Web address not available
Stillman College
www.stillman.edu
Talladega College
www.talladega.edu
Tuskegee University
www.tuskegee.edu
Arkansas Baptist College
www.arkansasbaptist.edu
Philander Smith College
www.philander.edu
Howard University
www.howard.edu
Bethune-Cookman University
www.bethune.cookman.edu
Edward Waters College
www.ewc.edu
Florida Memorial University
www.fmuniv.edu
Clark Atlanta University
www.cau.edu
Interdenominational Theological Center
www.itc.edu
Morehouse College
www.morehouse.edu
Morehouse School of Medicine
www.msm.edu
Morris Brown College
www.morrisbrown.edu
Paine College
www.paine.edu
Spelman College
www.spelman.edu
Dillard University
www.dillard.edu
Xavier University of Louisiana
www.xula.edu
Rust College
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Tougaloo College
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Bennett College for Women
www.bennett.edu
Johnson C. Smith University
www.jcsu.edu
Livingstone College
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St. Augustine’s College
www.st-aug.edu
Wilberforce University
www.wilberforce.edu
Allen University
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Benedict College
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Morris College
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Knoxville College
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Lane College
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Lemoyne-Owen College
www.loc.edu
Meharry Medical College
www.mmc.edu
Huston-Tillotson College
www.htu.edu
Jarvis Christian College
www.jarvis.edu
Paul Quinn College
www.pqc.edu
Southwestern Christian College
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Texas College
www.texascollege.edu
Wiley College
www.wileyc.edu
Hampton University
www.hamptonu.edu
Saint Paul’s College
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Virginia Union University
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Virginia University of Lynchburg
www.vul.edu
2-Year PUBliC inStitUtiOnS
Bishop State Community College
www.bscc.cc.al.us
Shelton State Community College
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Gadsden State Comm. College
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J.F. Drake State Technical College
www.dstc.cc.al.us
Lawson State Community College
www.ls.cc.al.us
Trenholm State Technical College
www.trenholmtech.cc.al.us
Southern University at Shreveport
www.susla.edu
Coahoma Community College
www.ccc.cc.ms.us
Hinds Community College, Utica
www.hindscc.edu
Denmark Technical College
www.denmarktech.edu
St. Philip’s College
www.accd.edu/spc
2-Year Private inStitUtiOnS
Concordia College
www.concordiaselma.edu
Lewis College of Business
www.lewiscollege.edu
Clinton Junior College
www.clintonjuniorcollege.edu
HBCUs
HOOP0102-f-HBCUs.indd 79 12/14/10 12:47 PM
HOOP080
01
Nene, George Karl, Gary Forbes and several Denver Nuggets Dancers
posed for a picture with a patient during a visit to the Rocky Mountain Hospital for
Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center on December 2, 2010.Garrett ellwood/NBae/Getty ImaGes
04 0503
01
04
In this case, one-size-fits-all means one shirt can
actually fit all of them at once; Grizzlies big man Zach
Randolph poses with Memphians who received some
clothing from the All-Star power forward during the
26th annual Memphis Thanksgiving Dinner for the
Homeless and Hungry on November 26, 2010.Joe murphy/NBae/Getty ImaGes
03
The usually sleepy-eyed James Harden
widened his eyes for a picture with some fans when
the Thunder served up Thanksgiving meals on
November 23, 2010 at the City Rescue Mission in
Oklahoma City.layNe murdoch/NBae/Getty ImaGes
02
Through the Ray of Hope Foundation, Ray Allen assists youth with realizing
their potential through sports-related programs. During the foundation’s
Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway, Allen addresses a group of children at the Boston
Center for Youth and Families Center in Mattapan, MA.BrIaN BaBINeau/NBae/Getty ImaGes
05
No, the Los Angeles Lakers did not decide to
trade their trademark gold for Clippers’ red. The
donning of red warmups was just a part of a League-
wide recognition of World AIDS Day.BIll BaptIst/NBae/Getty ImaGes
02
call out
HOOP0102-Call Out.indd 80 12/13/10 8:42 PM
Own all of your favoritemoments from all your favorite seasons.Award-winning HBO Original Series, now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
marks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. The NBA and individual NBA member team identifi cations used on or in this product are trademarks, copyrights designs and other forms of intellectual
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family l ogo are registered trademarks of
Software Association. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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HOOP 083
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Feet on FireDepending on where you reside, the winter months can be brutal
on your feet. We’re big on sneakers here, but when it’s bitterly cold
outside with several inches of snow on the ground, it doesn’t matter
how many pairs of socks you’re wearing, those Air Force 1s ain’t
going to cut it. You need something rugged to stave off the elements
and keep the feet toasty. the Bugathermo techlite boot by Columbia
is equal parts new and old school to get the job done right.
A tried-and-true waterproof thermal rubber shell keeps the water out,
a rechargeable battery in each boot powers an adjustable heating
system to keep things warm and 200g thinsulate insulation keeps
the heat in. For more cold weather gear, turn to page 96.
HOOP0102-CheckItOpener.indd 83 12/15/10 11:42 AM
BY DARRYL HOWERTON #21
ILLUSTR
ATIO
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HOOP084
Omri CasspiSacramento Kings
As the NBA’s first Israeli-
born basketball player, Omri
Casspi became a rockstar
his all-rookie year, always
repping Israel well. With
aplomb and grace by day,
he’d sign pictures, jerseys
and even Israeli flags for
his many national and
international fans, and then
by night, the small forward
would stake his claim as a
future star on the court as
well. Off the court, Casspi’s
tastes are just what you’d
expect from a 22-year-old
in his position: one part
Israel, one part Americana.
Omri’s Movies“I really liked the movies Seven Pounds and The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith. He’s a
great actor. Another one of my favorites is the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. And I also liked the
new movie about the bank robberies in Boston, The Town, starring Ben Affleck. It’s action-packed
and based on a real story that happened in Boston.”
Omri’s TV“I watched LOST. I got lost in LOST—somewhere in the fifth season. I
watched Prison Break and Wipeout, too. That’s been about it.”
Omri’s Books“Most of the books that I read are Israel stuff, but I read a book recently in English, The Accidental
Billionaires. It’s about Facebook and got made into the movie, The Social Network. It was really
good.”
Omri’s Videogames“I like PlayStation 3. I have one. And I like playing NBA games—NBA
2K10, NBA 2K11. I like action games. I like a lot of sports games, too—
football games, NFL games.”
Omri’s Music“I like all kinds of music. I like hip-hop. I like everything from Black Eyed Peas to country music to
Israel music. I like to listen to everything that’s on the radio. I have a lot of good friends in Israel who
are great artists: Eyal Golan, Muki, Idan Amedi.”
SPIN MOVES
CHECK IT
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CHECK IT
Three albums. Two players. One dynamic pair of music critics
Kanye’s back with his fifth studio album. The sound Kanye introduces in this album combines aspects from his first four albums, showing that he continues to grow as a rapper. After the first listen, I understood why My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy reached No. 1 on the charts. The album starts with a very soulful “Dark Fantasy,” which features Nicki Minaj. I gotta love “Power,” an instant hit, with a very cool and artistic music video; I listen to it to get me pumped for games. There is a beautiful sadness to “Runaway” with the piano playing throughout, and the string instrumentals at the end. “Blame Game” featuring John Legend has a similar sound. I love all of the collaborations—Jay-Z, Rick Ross and Kid Kudi to name a few. “All of the Lights” is a great song I can really get into. Overall, I really enjoyed the album, and will continue to listen to it.
Kanye seems to push the envelope each time he drops a new album. I think it is safe to say that everyone has a favorite album or a Kanye verse they like; this one will only add to it. Leading up to My Beautiful Dark Twisted
Fantasy’s release, there were several tracks in heavy rotation on the radio already, giving the album a lot of buzz and anticipation. Like always, the album did not disappoint. I think the most special part about Kanye’s music tends to be the “what’s next?” factor. He’s always on something new, always something thought-provoking and there’s always something humorous. “All of the Lights,” “Power” and “Runaway” are outstanding tracks. I found myself getting caught up in the beats and had to keep replaying the tracks to catch the lyrics. I decided to purchase the deluxe version of the album on iTunes because I heard a lot of talk about the “Runaway” short film and wanted to see it. After listening to the album a few times, I really appreciate the “Runaway” film more. It is a great summary of the entire album. I am really feeling the new Kanye project and suggest that anyone who appreciates good music give it a strong listen.
After a bunch of single releases and Cannibal is Ke$ha’s first extended play album. Ke$ha’s poppy style is not exactly my favorite genre of music. I do respect Ke$ha for reaching #15 on the charts for this album. There are a number of catchy beats, but overall not too much substance. The single “We R Who We R” debuted at No. 1, a song I listen to more than I would like to admit. The song promotes individualism, and taking pride in who we are. It’s not an album I would listen to again, but I certainly won’t change the station when Ke$ha hits come on the radio (and that’s often).
This album caught me by surprise. I had no idea who Ke$ha was and never listened to her music in the past. Although Ke$ha is classified in the pop music category, she shows some versatility by rapping and singing on several of the tracks. Ke$ha drops shocking language and very catchy hooks. The entire album has an upbeat party sound. I found myself humming the “Cannibal” track after one listen. If I had to pick a song I enjoyed the most I would say “We R Who We R” was pretty solid. Other than that, not much here I could enjoy. I do think that Ke$ha has some talent, but I am just not a fan. I would not suggest purchasing this album for your kids due to some racy content, but it may be the right listen for some of you party animals—or cannibals.
Nicki Minaj is the hottest female rapper right now. She’s sexy, talented and has an attitude. I really enjoy “Right Thru Me.” She sings the chorus, demonstrating her range of vocal skills. “Fly” featuring Rihanna is an inspirational song, with a very catchy beat, and the lyrics are relevant to my career, especially the line: “I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive…” I am very happy for Nicki for her debut album Pink Friday reaching No. 2 on the charts. “Blazin’” featuring Kanye West is another track I really like. It has a different feel than the other songs on the album, where they rap about their success. The hit single “Your Love” has been all over the radio for months, and also shows her lyrical range. Nicki Minaj has a hit in her debut album Pink Friday.
Nicki Minaj has had a ton of hits on guest appearances with some of the heaviest hitters in hip-hop this year. She is not only the hottest female hip-hop artist in the game right now, but has created a name for herself outside of hip-hop with her crossover appeal. Lyrically, Nicki is a beast. Her rhymes are quick and witty. I immediately checked the track list to see who the guest appearances were and attempted to predict which tracks will be big radio successes. “Your Love” and “Right Thru Me” are already getting a lot of spins and I anticipate she will have at least two more big singles left on here, maybe three. Nicki collaborated with some well-known players—Kanye, Drake, Eminem, Will.i.am and Rihanna. There are several songs on this album that feature a very “poppy” sound, such as the “Check It Out” track with Will.i.am and the “Last Chance” track with Natasha Bedingfield. Kanye did a number on the “Blazin’” track and Drake and Nicki did not disappoint on “Moment 4 Life.” I was not a big fan of the “Fly” track with Rihanna, however, I can see the song getting a lot of attention because of the Rihanna hook. All in all, I feel the album was very pop heavy and not exactly what I expected, but well put together. I am sure the true Nicki fans will love it.
Kanye West
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Nicki Minaj
Pink Friday
Ke$ha
Cannibal
Carl laNdry
TrIplE doublE
Thaddeus yOuNg
HOOP0102-TripDub.indd 85 12/15/10 12:17 PM
HOOP086
the goodsJawbone JamboxKnown for its high-end Bluetooth headsets, Jawbone’s Jambox is equally luxe with Jambox, its first Bluetooth speaker. The size of about six Hershey’s chocolate bars stacked together, the Jambox is compact enough to travel with, but not quite portable for say, your pocket. The rubberized body looks light, but pick it up and you’ll notice the hefty steel construction that lies beneath. We just couldn’t find fault with the audio quality (keep in mind we’re judging it relative to similar portable speakers) or its cool design (it’s available in black, silver, blue and red) and although it doesn’t add to the performance, we dug the way it emits a stirring rumble when you turn it on and a chirping sound when you power it down. The unit’s premium price tag means it’s just as costly as the portable device the Jambox will provide audio for, but its fetching features and looks make it worth the price of entry.
$199
HTC SurroundWindows is forcing its way back into the crowded mobile OS field currently dominated by iPhone OS, BlackBerry and Android with its updated Windows Phone 7 creeping onto a slew of smartphones. The Surround, geared towards a user who consumes multimedia, features a slide-out speaker strip (sorry, no keyboard), a button for virtual surround sound and a pull-out kickstand in the rear for personal hands-free tabletop movie-watching. The 3.8-inch 480 x 800 resolution touchscreen is bright but the key element to the Surround is its speakers. It beats the pants off typical tinny audio from a mobile device, but that’s not saying too much. The 5-megapixel camera is very usable and responsive and it captures decent HD (720p) video. Another plus is the updated Windows Phone 7 interface. It’s very intuitive and cuts down the number of clicks to do things that plague other OSes, but there is a bit of a learning curve.
$199.99 (with 2-year AT&T phone contract)
Dremel TrioThe Trio is a triple-double of small power tools. One tool allows you to cut, sand and rout for small projects. The interchangeable bits swap out for different tasks and the 90-degree pivoting head provides control and flexibility. The telescoping foot offers exact depth during cutting or routing and a variable speed (10,000-20,000 RPM) dial means you can go from precision to power. The kit comes with bits and a hard storage case.
$99
Rover PuckPerfect for the traveler who craves untethered connectivity, the Rover Puck is a 4G hotspot that requires no contracts and uses pay-as-you-go options for daily, weekly and monthly offerings for unlimited 4G access (provided you’re in its coverage area). Up to eight devices can be connected to the puck-sized (hence the name) hotspot. We experienced good speeds (in New York City) but we recommend you check your coverage area before committing.
jawbone.com; Dremel Trio, dremel.com; Black & Decker Pilot Vac 18V,
blackanddecker.com; HP Envy 14 Beats Edition, hp.com; Grace Innovator III,
gracedigitalaudio.com; Journey to the Ring, amazon.com
HOOP0102-Goods.indd 86 12/15/10 12:34 PM
HOOP 087
CHECK IT
HP Envy 14 Beats EditionGeared towards the audiophile, the Envy 14 Beats edition pairs a stocked laptop (Intel Core i5 2.53 GHz dual core processor, 4GB of RAM, 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon graphics, 500GB hard drive, 14.5-inch screen) with a dedicated Beats by Dre button that provides, discerning ears will confirm, deeper bass and fuller sound. The red backlit keyboard and Beats-branded logo round out the premium Beats package. Users looking for an even deeper experience can opt for the Beats by Dre Solo on-ear headphones.
Envy 14 Beats: $1,149.99
Headphones: $199.95
Journey to the RingThe Lakers championship DVD is great for a frenetic look back at the Purple-and-Gold’s 17th title run, but a coffee table-style book is a much more introspective journey of their season. With intimate black-and-white, on- and off-court photography (many never published before) by NBA senior photographer Andrew D. Bernstein paired with insightful anecdotal captions by Phil Jackson, you almost feel like you’re a 16th man on the Lakers’ 2010 chip. Our favorites? A rare glimpse of the team in the locker room before Game 7 of the Finals, Jackson preparing Thanksgiving dinner at home and Ron Artest playing touch football on the beach with some of his Twitter followers.
$35
Black &Decker Pilot Vac 18VThe venerable DustBuster that mom used to pull out to clean up your cereal crumbs gets a total body makeover and returns with some new head-turning features (literally—the head of the vac swivels like a G.I. Joe figure to reach almost any angle and tight spot and to store compactly) and added power. The cordless Pilot Vac sports 18V of muscle and all the necessary tools (brush and extendable crevice tool) are built into the unit. The washable filter and removeable dirt bowl means that cleaning up the device that cleans up your life will be just as easy.
$108
Grace Innovator IIIWe all grew up listening to FM radio but no amount of nostalgia can replace the frustrations of staticky reception and limited programming. Paired with a WiFi connection, the Innovator III delivers an always crystal-clear broadcast with an almost-endless variety of genres and programming. And it does so in a glossy and smooth white (black also available) compact package that would look great on any tabletop. The unit can also stream your digital music collection from your computer (PC and Macs) or music device (via a 3.5mm audio input) and an app turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into a remote (it also comes with a remote control).
$169.99
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HOOP088
the goods
CheCK It
Where to Buy:
FreeDarko Presents the Undisputed Guide to Pro
Basketball History, freedarko.com/history/buy
HTC G2, tmobile.com
Conservetec Envi, eheat.com
DECODED, amazon.com
Merkur Safety Razor + The Art of Shaving Kit,
theartofshaving.com
FreeDarko Presents The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball HistoryThe follow-up to 2008’s The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac by the popular NBA blog FreeDarko, TUGTPBH is a broader look to the game from their one-of-a-kind point of view. It begins with the birth of the game and takes it to almost current 2009. Great writing and perspective aside, the FreeDarko folks are also known for their uniquely distinguishable illustrations that complement and pontificate their points (one of the dopest ones in the book is the one of Michael Jordan “overshadowing” a cadre of Hall of Fame players).
$25
Conservetec Envi Forget those oil-filled radiator heaters (eyesore) and those red-coiled space heaters (fire hazard). Besides the aforementioned drawbacks, they are typically energy hogs. Step up to the Envi, the equivalent of a flat-panel TV for space heaters. At just 2 inches deep, the Envi can easily be mounted on the wall, is completely silent and uses convection heating for consistent warmth (no cycling on and off causing temperature swings). The adjustable-temperature heater uses just 450 watts and can heat rooms up to 130 square feet.
$119.95
DECODED by Jay-ZLike the Andy-Warhol Rorschach that graces the cover of his debut book, Jay-Z is many things to onlookers—multi-platinum recording artist, the best MC in hip-hop, an entrepreneur, an icon. DECODED takes the reader on his journey from Shawn Carter to Jay-Z through his life and lyrics. Even the most hardcore Hova fans will discover something they never knew about the man, and for the uninitiated, DECODED will give you an understanding of one of the most influential artists of this generation.
$35
HTC G2The follow-up to the G1, the first mobile phone to run the Android OS, the G2 is, in our opinion, the best Android device with a physical keyboard. For those who still prefer thumbing on actual keys, the G2’s slide-out keyboard is amply laid out. The numerical and alpha keys can be tough to distinguish, but the keyboard was a joy to type with. The G2 gets a peppier engine from its predecessor at 800MHz—slower than the 1GHz benchmark of top of the line smartphones—but we didn’t notice a difference. The 5-megapixel camera (also capable of HD video capture), like most camera phones, fared better when taken in bright outdoor settings. The 3.7-inch touchscreen doesn’t compare to the vividness of a super AMOLED screen, but it’s plenty bright and sharp. The big selling point, especially for those who loved the G1 but hated its aesthetics, is the G2’s improved design. The awkward “chocolate bar” look is gone, replaced by a curvier silhouette with hints of brushed metal.
$199.99 (with T-Mobile contract)
Merkur Safety Razor + The Art of Shaving KitTake a step back in time before the era of multi-bladed (and expensive) cartridge razors and shave the way grandpa used to with a double-sided single blade razor. Merkur has been handmaking these razors in Solingen, Germany, for over 100 years. Although called a safety razor by name, the heavier razor requires a more precise hand to operate. The best way to shave is to let the weight of the razor and the blade do the work and take your time. Of course, the best way to complement this old-school shave is to pregame the face with pre-shave oil, lather up cream with a fine badger hair brush and finish with some aftershave balm.
Safety Razor: $50Shave Kit: $100
HOOP0102-Goods.indd 88 12/15/10 12:35 PM
HOOP 089
Tech ediTor and gadgeT junkie Shane BaTTier TeST-driveS The laTeST in Tech goodS.
in ThiS iSSue, he TakeS on The norelco SenSoTouch 3d.
I don’t know one little boy who didn’t watch their dad shaving and wish they could be like their father and
have his daily shave. We didn’t know it at the time, but how wrong were we? Shaving, for most, is a necessary
evil—time-consuming, monotonous and sometimes treacherous. Men, however, do not have the luxury of
roaming the earth like cavemen—hairy, swarthy, and free—not in cultured civilization anyways.
There have been many entrants into the world of electric shaving. Over the years, we have been sold the
premise that the next electric shaver would revolutionize the way men shave. We’ve all been waiting for the
Michael Jordan of electric shavers since cavemen used sharpened stones on their five o’clock shadows.
This month we review the Norelco SensoTouch 3D. Norelco promises that the SensoTouch 3D provides
its closest shave yet. Combining Gyroflex 3D (flexible shaving system that contours to face), Ultratrack
heads (specialized shaving channels, slots for the long hairs, channels for the longer hairs and holes for the
shortest, making sure no hair gets missed) and SkinGlide (low-friction surface), the 3D promises a closer
shave in less strokes. Where have I heard this before?
The SensoTouch 3D is a wet/dry shaver. You can use it with or without shaving cream and gels; in and out
of showers. It also contains a trimmer for “skin-friendly precision for your moustache, goatee or sideburns.”
The 3D takes about an hour to fully charge and provides up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving and retails
for about $200. After a full charge, I decided to shave half of my face using shaving cream and opted for a
dry shave on the other side. Obviously, it is easier to see where the 3D has cut on the dry side, whereas the
shaving creamed side took longer because I had to continually re-lather to hit the missed areas.
Results were a mixed bag. The 3D actually did a surprisingly good job shaving my beard above the neck.
It took about 10 trips of the razor around an area to fully remove the hair, but when the hair was finally gone,
it was surprisingly smooth. There was very little irritation on my beard above the neck. So far, so good.
The problems started when I tried to shave my mustache around my nose. The SensoTouch 3D is
somewhat bulky and had trouble navigating the moustache area. I found I had to touch up the area with a
straight edge razor when I was finished.
I found the SensoTouch 3D too bulky for a close shave on my neck. As a result, I pressed a tad too
hard trying to get good results. Poor choice. After I had finished, not only were some of the areas shoddily
touched by the razor, but I had terrible razor burn. It looked like someone raked her nails all over my neck. No
bueno! In fact, the razor burn was so widespread, my teammates asked me who scratched my neck up and
down in that night’s game.
If I had to handle light shaving, I might be able to get away with the SensoTouch 3D. But I am a man.
A testosterone-filled man’s man with a man’s beard. I need a man’s electric razor and this one just does
not cut it. Until then, I will continue to wait for the Jordan of electric shavers.
Norelco SensoTouch 3D $199.99
For video reviews of Shane’s TECHed page, check out hoopmag.com
ProS:
+ Quick charging
+ Smooth finish on face
+ Wet/dry shaving
conS:
– Terrible razor burn
– Does poor job on the rough spots
– Can’t reach certain moustache areas
– Bulky, not ideal for travel
After seeing Shane’s ill-advised ’stache look, a razor review was in order.
where to buy:
philips-store.com
tech ed
Issac B
ald
Izo
n/n
BaE/G
Etty I
maG
Es
HOOP0102-TechEd.indd 89 12/15/10 1:49 PM
HOOP090 HOOP090
Converse
SicksPrice: $75.00
Weight (size 9): 14.25 oz.
Ektio
Post UpPrice: $199
Weight (size 9): 16 oz.
Now that Dwyane Wade has left the Converse roster, the brand can go
back to what it does best: making quality basketball shoes that won’t
cost a benjamin (Wade’s signature models were the only shoes in their
basketball lineup to be priced at $100). At $75, the Sicks gives great
bang for the buck.
Converse’s two big heritage pillars lies in the Chuck Taylor All Star
and the Weapon. The previously reviewed Star Player Evo (Nov/Dec
’10) takes inspiration from the Chucks while the Sicks is based off of the
Weapon. Fans of the Weapon will dig the Sicks’ similar DNA. Of course,
the updated amenities include a lighter weight without the stiff upper and
a slick visible Balls technology cushioning system (more on that later).
Fans of retro shoes (or those old enough to get nostalgic about it) will dig
the Sicks’ upper construction. Devoid of any mesh, patent or newfangled
tech, it’s almost a breath of fresh, but familiar, air in shoes. While it didn’t
knock our socks off in performance, the Sicks didn’t raise any red flags. In
every key performance area—lateral movement, stop-and-go, cushioning—
the Sicks met all minimum requirements. The cushioning, a full-length Balls
midsole (visible from a translucent outsole) gave a nice feel on landings,
although some testers lightly complained that it felt a little “mushy.” Overall
it felt a little like a softer version of Zoom Air. The one thing Sicks lacked
was a good traction; the combination of the translucent material and wide
pattern on the outsole made for some slipping.
Rarely is any shoe perfect, and the Sicks has its minor flaws, but at
such a budget-friendly price with some features of a shoe priced $15-20
higher, we highly recommend getting Sicks for your winter basketball
league or pickup gym.
Construction:
Comfort:
Playability:
Value:
Style:
Innovation:
gear
As any seasoned basketball player knows, the ankle sprain is as common
as a layup in the sport and it has left many a player sidelined. Start-up
brand, Ektio, makes big claims that its shoes will prevent ankles sprains.
Invented by a podiatrist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Barry Katz, the
Post Up’s two key features lies in the strap and the side bumpers on
the lateral side. Unlike most midstraps that are cosmetic and superficial,
the one found on Ektio shoes is more elaborate, going into the shoe
and cinching the foot down, essentially making it a built-in ankle brace.
The pronounced side bumpers jut out about half an inch from the shoe,
serving as an anti-roll guard for the foot.
In our testing, the shoe’s ability to prevent ankle sprains was
admittedly tough to prove or disprove. We couldn’t try to purposely turn
our ankles during testing. And while we’ve occasionally experienced an
ankle turning during testing, we’ll rarely ever note that, preferring to chalk
up the unfortunate mishap to to the law of averages.
The Post Up’s ankle brace does give a nice lockdown feel. We initially
imagined the side bumpers would limit our lateral movement, but were
proven wrong. The traction left a lot to be desired as the outsole’s wide
herringbone, one-piece design gave little court feel. The heavy upper left
the foot feeling like two pairs of shoes were being worn. Aesthetically,
the shoe isn’t too bad, save for the garish branding on the strap’s face.
It’s difficult to judge any product that touts a preventive device as its
main selling point. At this price point, it’s tough for us to recommend
it, especially since we don’t know for sure how well it works, but for
someone who suffers from chronic ankle ailments, the Post Up might
very well be a cure to your woes, which to us, makes this a specialty
product. For now, we’ll stick to advocating low-cut shoes for ankles since
it doesn’t restrict the foot’s natural movement.
Construction:
Comfort:
Playability:
Value:
Style:
Innovation:
CHeCK IT
HOOP0102-Gear.indd 90 12/15/10 4:12 PM
HOOP 091HOOP 091
adidas
InflitratePrice: $90
Weight (size 10): 16 oz.
Based on the AdiZero line that stresses speed through weight reduction,
the Infiltrate is team-based shoe that continues the philosophy. Ounces
are shaved off with breathable mesh replacing a large portion of the upper.
The heel counter and the ankle collar is patent with GeoFit (foam inserts
inside the foot collar that molds to your individual foot) on the inside. More
weight is jettisoned on the tongue that is comprised of more mesh.
We can’t say we loved the shoe’s design, but on the court, the Infiltrate
gave us a solid shoe to ball in. We were wary of the heel counter in the
beginning, but we didn’t encounter any negative feedback. The foot
stayed locked against the shoe the whole time. The outsole is similar
to the ones we’ve been seeing in adidas’ lineup this season: Three
PureMotion pods provide traction and responsiveness at key points of
foot and the wavy adiPrene outsole pattern gives good traction. We would
have preferred a lower ride, but our guess is that adidas had designed
the Infiltrate to be an all-around shoe for as many types of players, so they
tried to aim for a sweet spot down the middle. The other small gripe is the
stiffness of the forefoot where your foot bends the most. It required some
time to properly break it in before it stopped pinching down on the foot.
Otherwise, it’s a solid in every other performance area that hit average to
above average grades in mobility, cushioning and traction.
Adidas has had a solid lineup of performance shoes this season but
loses points again for playing it safe on design. Other than the AdiZero
Rose, every shoe from adidas has been a bit unimaginative. But as we
keep stressing, the style grade we dole out is the most subjective of all
and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Construction:
Comfort:
Playability:
Value:
Style:
Innovation:
Under Armour
Micro G Black IcePrice: $109.99
Weight (size 10.5): 14.75 oz.
It took almost two years since Brandon Jennings signed with Under Armour before his
signature joints hit the market. The Micro G coincides with the launch of the brand’s basketball
initiatives and Under Armour has put their money on Young Buck. On the court, Jennings did
not disappoint, putting up a debut that was good for third in ROY voting. His shoes did even
better; the fact that they weren’t available of them just stirred greater interest.
No strangers to footwear, UA has been a player in the football, baseball, soccer and
training categories. Aesthetically, the Micro G hits all the right notes for the fan of the
understated. The upper medial and lateral is a simple perforated pattern, topped off with
a irridescent top cap and a rubberized forefoot strap (more decorative than functional).
UA branding is found on the heel counter, the side of the toecap and the tongue. Jennings
markings? Nothing, save for his signature embroidered on the inner ankle collar.
With the swift guard in mind, the Micro G is not a big man shoe. The first thing you’ll
notice when you slip them on is the low ride. This is achieved by the Micro G, the low
compression foam that provides bounce back in a low profile package. The insoles are also
pretty high quality, something nice to see, especially reassuring at the shoe’s relatively
high price point. Micro G is very responsive and gives you the feeling of energy on the toes.
Lateral movement is excellent but the outsole felt a little stiff in the onset, but after some
ample break in, it went away. Traction could’ve been better. The translucent ice outsole has
a “shattered ice” pattern. Cool as it may look, it could be improved on with a tighter pattern.
Cushioning is good for a guard shoe, but as we said earlier, a big man should look elsewhere.
Overall, the Micro G is a worthy debut and competitors should take notice. The product
commands a high price tag but it’s also a premium product with high production values. The
tested colorway is based off the Bucks’ colors, but coincidentally it’s very similar to Gucci’s
signature colorway, for what it’s worth.
Construction:
Comfort:
Playability:
Value:
Style:
Innovation:
Where to Buy:
Converse Sicks: converse.com
Ektio Post Up: ektio.com
Under Armour Micro G: underarmour.com
adidas Infiltrate: adidasbasketball.com
HOOP0102-Gear.indd 91 12/15/10 4:12 PM
HOOP092
Li-Ning continues their push into the American market with the follow-
up to their US debut, the BD Doom, Baron Davis’ signature model. For
the sequel, Li-Ning doesn’t deviate too much from the original. Gone
are the holes that make up the BD Doom I’s upper; it’s replaced with
faux crocskin overlays and a unique accordian-like synthetic that makes
up the vamp (a boon for those who can’t stand their toe caps getting
creased up from wear). The crowd-pleasing Beardman logo makes a
return on the tongue, this time it’s encased in a bubble and serves as a
sleeve to tuck your shoe laces in. The DNA of the shoe stays the same—
it’s a rugged shoe that follows the lead of Davis, a beefy guard who
relies on power and size.
We had high hopes for the BD Defend initially since the shoe felt
very comfortable once our feet entered it. The good vibes ended when
we took it for a test ride. Our feet felt wobbly in the shoe, moving every
which way during cuts, so we made sure to strap on the shoe tighter.
It improved a little, but we still didn’t feel the shoe provided enough
stability. We couldn’t really isolate the problem, but narrowed it down to
three things: the lacing system that didn’t properly lock the feet down,
the inner foot bootie that could’ve been tighter on the foot and the
midsole (compressed foam) that left a rocking feeling between the upper
and the outsole.
The BD Defend is tough to recommend despite being pretty
comfortable. In fact, we regret to say we wouldn’t recommend it
as a basketball shoe. There was just too much movement in the foot
to our liking.
Construction:
Comfort:
Playability:
Value:
Style:
Innovation:
Nike
Zoom Kobe VIPrice: $130
Li-Ning
BD DefendPrice: $100
Weight (size 9): 16.75 oz.
gear
As of presstime, we were unable to
review the Zoom Kobe VI. Please log on
to hoopmag.com for the full review.
HOOP0102-Gear.indd 92 12/15/10 4:12 PM
HOOP 093
Nike
KD IIIPrice: $88
As of presstime, we were unable to
review the KD III. Please log on to
hoopmag.com for the full review.
Where to Buy:
Nike Zoom Kobe VI: nikebasketball.com
Nike KD III: nikebasketball.com
Li-Ning BD Defend: li-ningusa.com
CHeCK IT
By AXG #1KICKIN’ It with Evan turner
The Philadelphia 76ers’ top pick (second overall)
Evan Turner made headlines this summer after signing
a footwear deal with the Chinese based sports
footwear and apparel brand Li-Ning. Turner recently
expressed his thoughts on everything from why he
chose Li-Ning to his future aspirations with the brand.
Talk about your decision to go with a Chinese-based
company rather than starting your career with an
established domestic brand.
I think with anything you have to look at what’s best
for you in regards to this business. I thought Li-Ning
presented me with the best opportunity for things I
wanted to do. They’re going to headline me as one
of the main athletes and give me an opportunity to
start my own line. The better I play and the more
successful I get on the court will lead to better things
off the court and I feel that Li-Ning is coming up and
they’re going to make a big splash here if the right
steps are taken. They showed confidence in me, and
it’s a great opportunity. Li-Ning has a rich tradition in
China and they are looking at me to help them grow,
as I personally look to grow my brand.
How does it feel to enter the NBA with a shoe deal?
It’s pretty cool…it’s a dream come true! Not many
people have an opportunity to be a front man guy,
and as a kid you dream of being in the League, and
having your own shoe.
Was Li-Ning giving you your own brand something
that Nike or adidas didn’t offer you?
Yeah...I think they really didn’t need it, you know.
Nike definitely really didn’t need it—they’ve got like
50 players. Jordan didn’t really need it...sometimes
you have to go to other spots. You see John [Wall]
went to Reebok—I had to go across the waters, so
it’s all about being realistic of doing what’s best for
you once again and just start off right. I want to help
carry the brand from China to get people to wear the
brand here in the United States.
Were you able to speak to some of the other
Li-Ning athletes…did you speak to Baron Davis
about Li-Ning before you signed…and now you
join him as an ambassador...what have you learned
from him?
No, I haven’t spoken to him or Shaq about them
yet…but, I know Baron Davis has a great deal...they
really market him well overseas, and he has his own
line. I’m pretty sure he’s happy about that.
You flew to China this summer…what was that
experience like?
I had never been to China before, and they are
basketball crazy over there! I flew first class 13.5
hours from DC with my mom and agent…and I got
the full experience, including a trip to see the
Great Wall.
One of the good things is that besides basketball,
I feel that I’m in a good situation with [Li-Ning]…
off the court and on the court. I took a tour of their
campus and saw the future direction of the brand.
Were you able to try on and play in the footwear
before signing the deal?
I tried them on and saw a couple of pairs. I just
figured shoes are shoes…I’ve never been the type of
guy to say I need these shoes or this and that. [Most
shoes] are made in China, so it’s all good.
Now it’s your turn to follow in that same path, or
create your own.
Yeah, definitely…like I said, I want to build the
Li-Ning brand here in the United States, as well as
establish myself as a brand.
HOOP0102-Gear.indd 93 12/15/10 4:12 PM
HOOP094
gear
CHeCK IT
For more:
LOG ON TO HOOPMAG.COMFollow us on
Facebook (HOOP Magazine)
and Twitter (@hoopmag)
Where to Buy:
adidas Beast Commander: adidasbasketball.com
adidas
Beast CommanderPrice: $100
Weight (size 9): 15 oz.
Dwight Howard, the Three Stripes brand’s other premier athlete (along
with Derrick Rose) also gets his signature model, the Beast Commander.
Like Slim Chin proclaims from his lady pyramid: “Fast Don’t Lie” so like
Rose’s adiZero Rose, the Beast Commander is all about speed.
Staring with its light weight, the BC features the same SprintSkin
insets that drops ounces off the shoe’s weight, while maintaining
integrity, and offering breathability. Although tailored for Howard, his
unique athleticism at his size makes him anything but the traditional big
man; the shoe reflects that as it’s not the typical chunky, heel-oriented
cushioning, heavy shoe. The chassis is actually very similar to the adiZero
Rose, the biggest difference being the addition of PureMotion pods in
the heel and midfoot (adiZero Rose only has them in forefoot). The pods
are based on the natural contact points of a foot and is essentially an
evolution from the Feet You Wear tech from adidas’ archives. The pods
do an excellent job providing some cushioning and traction. The midfoot
pods feature an east-west direction for lateral movement while the
forefoot and heel pods are north-south for stop-and-gos. The outsole’s
circular grid pattern gives great traction as the little circles grip the foot
like suction cups, while the midfoot Torsion System gives stability. The
low-profile mid and outsole (one of the lowest we’ve experienced in a
shoe made for a big man) makes us think even a guard can wear the BC.
The BC’s design was a bit unimaginative, surprising given the fact that
Howard has such a gregarious personality. Other than a few call-outs
to Howard—signature on ankle collar, “Man Child” on tongue and a
Untitled-3 1 Untitled-3 1 10/21/10 1 1:22 A M10/21/10 11:22 AM
HOOP096
wear
(Clockwise from top left) Columbia
Heat Elite Jacket, $170; Reebok x
Pickyourshoes.com Iverson 2000 All-
Star Pack, $109.99; Reebok Rebound
Vulc Low, $54.99;
Their line of battery-powered boots might be a little extreme in the name of staying warm, but Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology doesn’t require any recharging between wears. The lining is actually comprised of little silver dots that reflect the body’s heat back; Columbia claims this will keep you 20 percent warmer than typical linings. The space between the dots allows the jacket to vent excess heat and moisture out, making sure you don’t get too hot and sweaty.
It was All-Star 2000 in Oakland and Allen Iverson was supposed to lace up these Question Mid make-ups during the game. But he didn’t. The Answer would’ve copped MVP had the East not lost as he scored 26 points and dropped 9 dimes in the losing effort. A decade later, these golden Questions are now seeing the light of day as a pickyourshoes.com exclusive. Based off of the Golden State Warriors’ gold and navy, the Question Mid comes with a matching Deuce Brand watch, Good Wood NYC beaded bracelet and a mouse pad (not pictured).
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HOOP 097
CHeCK IT(Clockwise from right) Rumba Mercer
Collection Watch, $175 (each); The
North Face Decker Jacket, $149; Reebok Dash Runner, $64.99
Jacket: l-r-g.com; New Balance Sonic 1574: newbalance.
com; Columbia Bugathermo Techlite: columbia.com;
adidas Originals Fortitude Mid: David Z and Dr. Jay’s
in New York City; Superstar 2 Hemp: journeys.com;
Timberland Earthkeepers Cupsole 2.0 Canvas Deck
Chukka: timberland.com
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HOOP100
CHECK IT
(Clockwise from top left) LRG Core
Collection Overshirt, $84; adidas
Originals Freemont Mid Snoop, $95;
P.F. Flyers Center Hi, $55
wEar
Multiplatinum-selling hip-hop artist. Actor. Reality TV star. Now you can add shoe designer to the long list of things that Snoop Dogg has accomplished in his career. Collaborating with adidas, Snoop has designed his own basketball lifestyle shoe, the Freemont Mid Snoop, that drew inspiration from his team, the L.A. Lakers. Laker purple and gold accent a premium leather upper sits atop a vulcanized sole for the laid-back California vibe. The shoes will also hook with a coordinating adidas track suit and be available exclusively at Shiekh’s in Los Angeles beginning February 18.
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HOOP 101
(Clockwise from right) Columbia Vector Parka, $224; adidas Originals Ace Driver (Driving), $70; Abington 7-Eyelet Moc Boot, $180
Freemont Mid Snoop: Shiekh’s in Los Angeles (available
February 18) adidas Originals Ace Driver (Driving):
journeys.com; P.F. Flyers Center Hi: pfflyers.com;
Columbia Vector Parka: columbia.com; Abington 7-Eyelet
Moc Boot: abington.timberland.com
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HOOP102
STEP BACK
D. Clarke evan
s/nBae/G
etty ImaG
es
Febrary 28, 1998 san antonIo spurs vs. phIlaDelphIa 76ers alamodome, san antonio
In their lone meeting in the Lone Star State in 1997-98, the Spurs defeated the Sixers, 100-88.
Coleman (1990), Iverson (1996) and Duncan (1997) were all No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft.
The flight from Philadelphia to San Antonio is 1,507 miles according to TravelMath.com.
The Spurs played at the Alamodome from 1993-2002, including Games 1 and 2 of the 1999 Finals, in which they won their first championship.
D. Clarke Evans has been the Spurs’ team photographer since 1989.
Tim Duncan led the way on this night, recording 27 points and 17 boards in the win. Derrick Coleman scored 35 for Philly.
Duncan would go on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors in ’97-98, a year after Iverson earned the award.
Iverson was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001. Duncan won the following two MVP trophies.
The popular playmaker scored a career-high 60 points on 2/12/05 vs. Orlando.
After going unsigned by an NBA team this past offseason, Iverson signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club Besiktas in October. His debut was broadcast on NBA TV.
Theo Ratliff has played for nine teams over his 16 NBA seasons, including two stints with Philadelphia.
Coleman was traded from New Jersey to Philadelphia in November 1995 in a multi-player deal for Shawn Bradley.
An 11-time NBA All-Star, Iverson started for the Eastern Conference in his final All-Star appearance, last season at Cowboys Stadium.
A.I. averaged 26.7 points and 6.2 assists a game over 14 NBA seasons, won four NBA scoring titles and led the Sixers to the 2001 Finals.