HOOP January/February 2010

The Third Annual A to Z Issue

Jan/feb 2010

AN OFFICIAL NBA PUBLICATION

Devin Harris Life in the Fast Lane

Kevin Garnett and Rudy gay

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King

The Best Basketball Fl ick of All-Time is...

Also inside

Dwight Howard Derrick Rose Tony Parker Vince Carter Rajon Rondo Russell Westbrook Tyreke Evans Ving Rhames HOOP0102-cover-USA.indd 1

Forget Kobe and LeBron for a second and pay attention to Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony $4.99 USA

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WARMUPS

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Down by 16 points with just under seven minutes to play, the Minnesota Timberwolves stormed back to tie, then defeated the New Jersey Nets thanks to a Damien Wilkins (on floor) buzzer beater on opening night at the Target Center.

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WARMUPS

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Same faces, new places. Some of the NBA’s biggest offseason acquisitions have been strutting their stuff in their new unis and the results have been pretty good all around.

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Chris Bosh and DeMarre Carroll let their hair down while battling for a rebound during a game last October. Bosh has been on fire this season, averaging career highs in points and rebounds as of press time, while Carroll has played major minutes for the young Grizzlies in his rookie campaign.

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One of the most slept-on players in the League, Shannon Brown is often only recognized as a key role player for the Lakers, but the former Spartan definitely has a few highlight reel worthy plays up his sleeve (his preseason yam that obliterated Mikki Moore is a YouTube classic).

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JAN/FEB 2010 Features

53

The Gameplan

A-Z of the NBA

From the emergence of star rookies and the continued success of crafty veterans, we invite you to a course in NBA English 101. After poring through our third annual A-Z of the NBA, you should be a regular wordsmith when it comes to all things hoops.

53

68 All Growns Up Melo was only six wins short of a championship last year, and this year he has the Nuggets focused on the goal. Opposing teams still haven’t found a way to slow down Anthony as he is on pace for the best season of his career.

60

82 The King and I

It’s The Little Things

In honor of Black History Month, we sit down with some of the League’s top names to get their opinions on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Slow motion instant replay was designed for people like Dwyane Wade. D-Wade is so quick to the basket that a second look is often necessary. His play this season has carried the Heat, and the intangibles that he brings to the game have put him in the discussion for most dominating player in the League.

90 Devin Harris Take a ride with Devin Harris, HOOP’s newest car editor, as he shows you his miracle whips.

The Nets may be in a rebuilding year, but Harris’ taste in rides is of championship quality.

82

Poster

68

Steve Nash on the front; Mark Price on the flipside

49 24 Seconds… with the Houston Rockets’ Luis Scola

49 HOOP

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The Gameplan

JAN/feb 2010

Departments

14 The Point 17 Jumpball

Don’t mention the “S” word around NBA players; Good Looks: Zaza and C-Dub get their Project Runway game on; Transition Game: Andre Miller; Head2Head: Monta Ellis vs.

Mo Williams; 3 Pts: What was your first basketball sneaker?; Bread and Butter: Kobe’s Fadeaway Jumpshot; Brack-It: Best basketball movie of all time; Straight Shooter: Steve Nash has all the answers; and more

94 Call Out

102 34

120 Final Exam

95 Check It

Spin Moves: David Lee isn’t the only Knicks gamer; Triple Double: Thaddeus Young and Carl Landry on Weezer, Amerie and Ghostface; Game Rec Game: Nate’s been waiting all year for COD: Modern Warfare 2; Videogame Wrap-Up: HOOP’s top picks of ’09

Does Andre Iguodala make the grade?

35 106

20

118

118 Stepback

1994 playoffs, Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks

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28

39 First Five

39

Mario Chalmers, Courtney Lee, Channing Frye, Marc Gasol, Russell Westbrook

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The Point BONUS POINTS 1. Back in the ’80s, the NBA logo might have well been colored purple, green and red.

2. The joints made by Champion that would have the letters and numbers peel off after a few washes.

3. My go-way-back boy BC would remember that day at Herald Square.

4. And seemingly the entire city of NYC. 5. Possibly the greatest heel in wrestling history.

6. Another reason why the King beat the Golden Arches.

7. The frown came courtesy of mom who had to stock both Coke and Pepsi.

8. They resembled M&Ms, made with cocoa and carob, had a malty taste and came in clear cellophane packages.

9. Manhattan Center for Science and Math 10. C’mon, that 360 piledriver was ridiculous if you were good enough to pull it off.

11. In my world at the time, those Court Victorys that Michael Chang rocked were the be-all and end-all in footwear.

12. Baruch College 13. Believe me, it’s purely coincidental that I’ve made unconventional choices.

14. Having lived in Chinatown for 24 years, Brooklyn was a refreshing change.

15. I will admit to some iPhone envy.

16. Vidgame ed Nate Robinson certainly comes close to that.

17. Whoever owns China, owns the world.

18. Which is to say, pretty popular.

19. That and because we wanted to avoid angry mobs of readers.

20. From the hypocrisy department: we couldn’t even avoid the mention of Kobe and Bron on our cover.

21. I like to think that is an accomplishment in and of itself.

I’ve always gone against popular opinion. Everyone seemed to gravitate to either Magic, Bird or MJ.1 Me? I owned a John Starks replica2 and spent a whole day waiting in line for a Charles Oakley autograph.3 Most of my friends4 were Yankees fans; I rooted for the long-suffering Mets. Hulkamania didn’t run wild for me; I preferred dubious and often more funny heels like the Million Dollar Man.5 Most folks read comic books of Spider-Man, X-Men, Superman or Batman. I was more drawn into the superpower-less and angst-filled world of the Punisher.

Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese on a sesame bun at MickieD’s? Not for me. I had it my way at Burger King with a Whopper. Fries with that Whopper? I’ll substitute those fries with onion rings,6 thank you very much. Coke and a smile? I drank Pepsi.7 Plain or Peanut M&Ms? I’ll have a handful of Sixlets.8 All of my friends stayed close to home for high school; I ventured uptown to East Harlem.9 Ken, Ryu and Guile? I always had a soft spot for Zangief.10 Most people fondly recall their first pair of Air Jordans or Nikes. I still get giddy thinking about how cool it was to squeeze my first pair of Reebok Pumps.11 For college, most people went away; I stayed home for my higher learning. I went to a school12 that specialized in business, just so I could major in Journalism.13 Post-college, everyone aspired for a place in Manhattan; I fled across the bridge to Brooklyn.14 iPhone? I’ve got a G1.15 Hit me up on Facebook? Sorry, I don’t have an account.

OK, the point is made. Which brings me to the real topic of this page: Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. To be clear, I’m not calling these two guys runner-ups, bridesmaids or whatever term is used to describe the “other” choice. An argument can be made that Wade belongs in the best-player-in-the-NBA discussion. And unless you’ve been logging 16-plus hours a day on Xbox Live playing Modern Warfare 2,16 you’d know that Melo is an MVP candidate this season. But in terms of worldwide popularity, Kobe is tops,17 followed closely by LeBron. DWade and Melo? Well, they fall somewhere between Jay-Z and Brad Pitt.18 With all the attention that Kobe and LeBron garner, it’s easy to forget about #3 and #15. We wanted to go as far as having a 100-percent Kobe- and LeBron-free issue just to prove our point, but it proved too impossible19 to do. I can say that this is probably the least Kobe/LeBron-centric20 issue we’ve had in quite a while.

So as I continue to thumb my nose at the popular and conventional, I hope you enjoy this issue that will sport 80-percent less of #23 and #2421 and 60 percent more Wade and Melo.

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Editor-in-Chief Ming Wong #2 Design Director Kengyong Shao #31 Associate Editor Seth Berkman #91 Associate Designer Matt Candela #52 Editor-at-Large Jeramie McPeek #4 Tech Editor Shane Battier #31 Style Editors Zaza Pachulia #27, Candice Wiggins #11 Straight Shooter Steve Nash #13 Videogame Editor Nate Robinson #2 Music Editors Thaddeus Young #21, Carl Landry #14 Movie Editor Danny Granger #33 Car Editor Devin Harris #34 WNBA Editor Lois Elfman #40 Senior Writer Michael Bradley #53 Contributing Writers Christopher Carson #24, Jon Cooper #10, Anthony Gilbert #1, Darryl Howerton #21, Andy Jasner #27, Trevor Kearney #8, Brett Mauser #25, Dave McMenamin #35, Melody #34, Jeff Min #12, John Nemo #16, Brett Olson #36, Rob Peterson #9, Earl K. Sneed #23 Editorial Intern Josh Gordon #44 Retired Numbers #6, #11, #13, #30, #99 Professional Sports Publications

519 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018 Tel: (212) 697-1460 Fax: (646) 753-9480

Executive VP Operations Jeff Botwinick Executive VP, Business Development Martin Lewis Executive VP, Sales Steve Farkas Executive VP, Sales Mitch Gibbs Executive VP, Team Relations Dave Gerschwer Executive Administrative Director Julie Wong Manager, Marketing Services Aron Sawyer Production Manager Jaime Ziegler

NBA Publishing/NBA Photos

VP, Entertainment & Player Marketing Charlie Rosenzweig VP, NBAE Communications Mike Bass Senior VP, Multimedia Production Paul Hirschheimer Senior Director, NBAE Assignment Desk Marc Hirschheimer Senior Director, NBAE Production John Hareas Executive Vice President, Global Merchandising Group Sal LaRocca Vice President, Licensing Mary Pat Gillin Coordinator, Licensing Tom Cerabino Manager, Global Media Programs Felecia Groomster Directors & Senior Official NBAE Photographers Andrew D. Bernstein, Nathaniel S. Butler Senior Director, NBA Photos Joe Amati Senior Manager, Photos Imaging David Bonilla Official NBAE Photographer Jesse Garrabrant Photo Editor Brian Choi Photo Coordinator Kevin Wright All NBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBA Entertainment. All WNBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, 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 through June, by PSP. © 2010 Professional Sports Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of publisher is prohibited. To subscribe to HOOP, call (800) 829-3347.

PRINTED IN THE USA

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Ming Wong #2

Volume 38, No. 2

HOOP

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Take it to the hole, on the court or on the street.

KEYWORD:

KEYWORD:

PRO

SMASH

Text HELP to 84174for help, STOP to stop. T&Cs on www.gameloft.com Standard text messaging, data, and game charges apply.

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Brick Layers Sometimes, no matter who you are and what you’re doing, the ball just can’t find its way to the bottom of the net

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12/2/09 9:39 AM

By Jeramie McPeek #4

“Just one of those nights.”

Every player has them. Those forgettable performances where the shots just aren’t falling. Even the game’s all-time greats1 had those outings that were sub-par from time to time.

You may hear players or coaches acknowledge them in the postgame media huddles, but they’ll often dismiss them just as quickly as anomalies. Fans and reporters, however, have another name for them. A term those involved don’t particularly like, especially if they’re the ones being talked about.

“C’mon, man! Why you gotta ask me about shooting slumps on a game day?” asks a surprised and slightly annoyed Warriors swingman Corey Maggette when we broach the subject. “That’s wrong. What are you trying to do to me?”

Sorry, Corey. Nothing personal. We just want to know, are shooting slumps real or are they just a myth?

“They definitely are real,” confirms Suns off-guard Jason Richardson2 of those unexplained off-nights.

“It seems like one game you can go out there and score a hundred points and the next game you can’t hit the side of the backboard. Shooting slumps are something that every shooter goes through.”

We thought so. It’s more than just a fluke. But what causes them? How do professionals, who’ve

played the game their entire lives, putting up thousands upon thousands of jumpers, suddenly go cold out there?

“It could be anything,” says J-Rich, who struggled with his shot during preseason until his trainer pointed out that he was shooting flat-footed. “It could be something minor you’re doing wrong. It might be fatigue. You could be having a bad day at home and that can affect you. Shooters, we’re really touchy and emotional, so one little thing could throw your whole game off.”

Timberwolves forward Kevin Love agrees, noting that slumps can build upon themselves if players let them.

“I think most of it is mental,” he says. “It’s all up top. You can play mind games with yourself. It’s hard, especially when people are talking about it. That’s when you start thinking, ‘I am missing a lot of shots.’

Regardless, if you believe it or not, you hear it, so it’s kind of embedded in your brain a little bit.”

Shooting skids3 are not reserved for shooters alone. Big men can have their own struggles with putting the ball in the hole at times, according to Hornets forward-center Emeka Okafor.

“In my opinion, sometimes the closer range shots are harder than the longer range shots, because it involves more touch,” he says. “When you’re

touch is off, it can mess with your head a little bit.”

Of course, few players are on the floor for their shooting alone. But you may have noticed over the years that when your favorite players are in one of those funks, they’ll often struggle with the rest of their game, too.

“It all seems to be tied together at some point,” Okafor admits. “I guess it’s just your psyche in general. When everything is falling, everything is good. When something’s off, it kind of meanders into the other parts of your game.”

“You get frustrated that your shots aren’t going down,” adds Warriors guard Monta Ellis.4 “and then you’re not doing [everything] else you’re supposed to be doing, so it just kills your whole game.”

So what do you do to stop a slump? How do you put an end to your shooting woes and get back into a rhythm? Richardson’s strategy is to set aside the outside shot and take it to the rack instead.

“The first thing you want to do is get to the basket,” says the two-time Slam Dunk champion.

“A dunk, a layup… just draw a foul so you can get to the free-throw line, something that’s real automatic.

Then you can take your time and just see the ball go through the rim.”

Hornets guard Peja Stojakovic subscribes to the same philosophy.

“You have to be aggressive,” says the 13-year veteran. “You can’t worry about stats or missing shots. You just have to keep being aggressive and not think about the games you play bad.5 There’s always the next game6 and the next shot.”

Anything you want to add, Corey?

“No one can make every shot,” Maggette says, after our assurances that we aren’t trying to jinx him.

“Even the best shooters in the world only shoot 50 percent. So you just have to believe in yourself and keep shooting.”

BONUS POINTS 1. During his ’01-02 comeback with the Wizards, Michael Jordan had a game where he went 2-of-10, scoring a career-low six points, at Indiana on 12/27/01. Of course, he bounced back with 51 points vs.

Charlotte two nights later.

2. At press time, Jason Richardson was shooting a career-high 51 percent on the season and 45

4. As of this writing, Ellis was shooting better from three-point range than mid-range (50 percent vs. 44).

5. Sorry Peja: Stojakovic shot 0-8 from the floor after we interviewed him for this article on 11/11/09.

6. Sorry again, Peja: Stojakovic shot 1-7 in the Hornets’ next game on 11/13/09.

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Illustration: Matt candela

percent from behind the arc.

3. We’re trying to think of another way to describe them.

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good looks

checking the league’s fashion game HOOP’s Style Eds Zaza “ZQ” Pachulia and Candice Wiggins bring a baller’s perspective to the world of fashion.

Amar’e Stoudemire

Mike Dunleavy

Carmelo Anthony

Candice: Well first of all, he’s wearing a Phoenix Mercury shirt, so that’s a big plus. The fatigue shorts and red Converse shoes give it a laidback, cool feel, and complement the shirt nicely.

Candice: It would’ve been nice to see this picture without the yellow laundry bag... however, I like the button down shirt. It’s safe, but it doesn’t look terrible. I would’ve chosen a darker color, and the length of the pants could be longer because he’s tall.

But we like the shoes, although a bit too (but needs work) dressy for this outfit.

Candice: Well put together, stylish, and purposefully chosen. Not much to say but *Candice’s Nattiest two thumbs up.

Zaza: This is a good outfit. I like the red shoes, the Converse All-Stars are always a nice touch, and I like the camo pants. They aren’t the same colors, but they still look nice together. My only suggestion is that he should have a tighter shirt, but this is a nice look for the summer time.

Zaza: This is a very business-like outfit.

I like everything he has on—a nice looking suit, a nice shirt, the colors work very well together. A definite thumbs up for this * ZQ’s Nattiest outfit.

Zaza: Another very simple outfit with good colors. Hopefully he’s got a black belt on, and I’d add a black watch if it were me.

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The Phoenix Suns scored 100 points or more in each of their first 17 games of the season, breaking the ’94-95 Utah Jazz streak of 12 consecutive games with 100 points or more to begin a season.

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Kelenna Azubuike

Stephen Curry

Tyson Chandler

Candice: I know firsthand how difficult it is to travel all the time and still be fresh to death. I feel like he’s balancing comfort with style. This outfit can serve two purposes: he can go chill at home, his hotel, or add something and go out with friends. Again, he looks comfortable, the classic “traveler’s look.” Ditch the backpack, suitcase and headphones, and I think I’d give it a thumb up.

Candice: He has a very “Lupe Fiasco” vibe going on, and I love the watch. I think the watch is stealing the show. Plus, for some reason I’m liking the backwards hat, even though I’m not sure which way guys are wearing their hats now a days.

Candice: For a man of his stature I have to say he’s pulling this look off great. Very relaxed, polished, nice. The cute girl on his right went with a more daring colorful vest, which I love, and the bow, too! With the two of them together, I give it two thumbs up!

Zaza: This is a very simple outfit. No watch, no accessories, which normally I would take points away for, but he’s about to fly out, so he’s keeping it simple, which is smart. This looks like a very comfortable outfit for flying.

Zaza: It’s hard to tell where he is here, but it looks like other people are dressed up a bit more than he is. He’s a rookie, so he’s got time to learn, but I’d say he can improve his wardrobe a lot from here. His dad, Dell, was in the NBA, so he should be able to give Stephen some tips.

Zaza: I like the colors here, very good for summer. I think he needs to add some jewelry though, which I like for the summer time. You have to have some accessories to go with the outfit—a nice watch, or something like that.

all PHOTOs/NBAE/Getty Images

“Please, don’t do it at home or anywhere, avoid contact with bats, skunks, raccoons, rats and animals like that.”

—Manu Ginobili

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fab five

A longtime pop culture aficionado, Jalen Rose, pits his personal tastes against some notable personalities. Up this month: Modern Family hottie Sofia Vergara.

Sofia Vergara

Jalen Rose New Year’s resolution?

My New Year’s resolution is to attend church more. I find time to chase my career; I need to also make sure that I find that same passion and time to frequently visit the home of the man upstairs.

I never make New Year’s resolutions. It’s useless.

I never end up doing anything. I say the same New Year’s resolutions every year: I’m going to work out more; this year I’m going to eat better; this year I’m going to travel to Colombia more to see my family and friends.

Things happen and you forget.

Most grueling part of your workout regimen?

OK, the gym is calling but recently it’s not grueling at all. I’m lazy and fat and out of shape, but just very happy that my knees don’t hurt anymore!

Nothing is grueling about it because I’m very lazy.

I come from a culture where working out wasn’t big when I grew up in Colombia. I started working out when I moved to Los Angeles because everybody is so health conscious. The good thing is because I’m Latin, people expect me to be a little bit chunkier. So I don’t have to be too thin or work out too much. I do everything in moderation.

If you could switch places with one person, it would be…

C’mon this is easy: President Barack Obama... for so many reasons and I would love to play hoops in the White House!

I wish I was my son (Manolo, 17). He’s like the perfect person. He’s intelligent, he’s so driven and he has a mom that takes care of all of his needs.

What did you get teased about as a kid?

I liked to “cap” and play the “dozens” daily growing up, so while dishing it out, I had to be ready to take it. I always heard things like being broke, skinny, having rock teeth, bad skin...you get the point.

I was very, very skinny when I was kid. They always called me “la flaca,” the skinny one. Over there I was skinny.

Over here, I would have been regular.

Best celebration gift to yourself?

A restored 1959 Bentley with the wheel on the right-hand side.

It’s a classic that looks and feels presidential.

andre miller

all photos/NBAE/Getty Images

Transition Game

My son is going to college next year, so all my money this year is for his education. He knows he wants to go to NYU or Columbia, of course.

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head 2 head

monta ellis vs. mo williams

Monta Ellis and Mo Williams have much in common. Both are combo guards who have been pleasant second-round surprises and hail from the same hometown. But between the two, who is Jackson, Mississippi’s finest?

1

Round

Scoring: Both Ellis and Williams can fill it up in their own way.

Williams has a reliable J (especially from deep) and can net 20 on occasion by using his head to exploit a defense. Ellis is more about using his speed and quickness to blow by defenders to the cup.

However, playing with LeBron and Shaq, Williams won’t be afforded many opportunities to do so. On the other hand, as the featured guy in Don Nelson’s breakneck system, Ellis will likely see 20-25 points on the regular (including a career-high 45-point in November). Schemes aside, Ellis is the more gifted offensive player who is a dependable jumpshot away from being a 25-ppg scorer.

Winner: ellis

2

Round

Floor Game: Both guys are cast as point guards for their respective teams, but neither is one in the traditional sense. Like most 1.5s, their job for most of their career has been to bring the ball across the line and then get theirs. Once again, the Warriors’ open system, unlike Williams’ more structured Cleveland system (not to mention LeBron), allows Ellis to showcase other facets of his game more. We have little doubt Williams’ production would go up in Golden State and vice-versa for Ellis in Cleveland, but for now, this one belongs to Ellis.

monta ellis Guard 6-3, 180 golden state warriors

Ellis

Williams

PPG

19.0

17.8

APG

3.7

4.1

RPG

4.4

3.5

SPG

1.6

0.9

AST:TO

1.4:1

1.8:1

FG%

.451

.467

3PT%

.308

.436

FT%

.830

.912

PER

14.57

17.25

’08-09 stats

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ellis: glenn james; rocky widner; williams: brock williams-smith; chris covatta/NBAE/Getty Images

Winner: ELLIS

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4

Round

mo williams guard 6-1, 190 cleveland cavaliers

Clutch: Performing when it counts is tough to quantify for someone as young as Ellis who hasn’t seen many close and/or meaningful games in his previous four seasons since making the jump from high school. He’ll be afforded many chances this season to make a mark, as the ball will undoubtedly be in his hands down the stretch. With #23 as a teammate, Williams won’t have as many looks as Ellis, but he’ll have his opportunities when defenses collapse on James in the critical moments. He’s proven to come up big in the past with Milwaukee and we seem to think he’s got the better make-up for the big moment.

Winner: Williams

3

Round

Defense: We’d like to make this close, but like Shaq vs. Mark Madsen in a dance-off, this matchup was one-sided. Williams is often asked to shadow the opposition’s playmaking guard and he does it doggedly. Ellis’ lack of bulk pits him at a disadvantage against burlier 1s like Baron Davis who can and will post him up whenever they please. Playing in Nellie’s freewheeling scheme certainly doesn’t help, but for all his athletic gifts, Ellis hasn’t been able to translate them onto the defensive end.

Winner: williams

5

Round

Leadership: With the whole trade-me demands followed by the stripping of his captaincy, Stephen Jackson’s questionable actions have left a void in the Warriors’ leadership. Whether Ellis fills that hole remains to be seen. As the team’s best player, all eyes will be on him, but it’s never a guarantee. Williams, flanked by LeBron and Shaq, seems to be overshadowed, but going into his second year with the team and an All-Star season under his belt, he’ll undoubtedly feel more comfortable handling the reins from time to time.

Winner: Williams

The Verdict

The Ellis-Williams battle boiled down to talent vs. the things that are harder to quantify. There’s little doubt that Ellis is the superior player from the standpoint of natural skill, but Williams holds the edge in the categories that are based more on effort, focus and experience. While Ellis has the potential to be a perennial All-Star, we give the slight nod to Williams, who is the type of player that makes a championship team.

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By jeff min #12

catching up with... wouldn’t say I’m still in denial, but I still haven’t fully dove into just opening myself up completely to finding out this and finding out that because it’s a scary thing. The deeper you go, the more it’s revealed to you as to what’s probably going to happen to you in ten years or twenty years or thirty years. It’s a scary thing and I’ve been kind of tip-toeing my way in with that. And as far as family support… that’s a whole other issue.

Brian Grant During his 12-year career, Brian Grant was always counted on as a guy who could not only come in and give you a double-double nearly every night, but bring the kind of heart and hustle that every team needs to gel into a contender. He still looked in good physical shape during his last stint with the Suns in ’05-06, but Grant has had to face some unexpected obstacles since then—last summer he announced he had young onset Parkinson’s disease. But the Ohio native is ready to tackle his latest challenge just like he took on the elite centers of the NBA. With a focus on educating himself and others afflicted by the disease, Grant is ready to become a leader in the movement in battling Parkinson’s.

HOOP: You announced this past summer that you have young onset Parkinson’s disease; how has your life changed since that announcement?

Grant: It’s changed dramatically in terms of the way I try to take care of myself. I’m involved with Dr. [John] Nutt over at [Oregon Health and Science University] as well as a homeopathic/ naturopathic, Chinese medicine doctor by the name of Daniel Newman in Vancouver, Washington. I get the best of both worlds, I get to know what’s going on with me in terms of what’s best from western science, and from the naturopathic side I try to go more organic. I’m just trying to eat a lot healthier and make better choices on what I take in.

HOOP: It took Michael J. Fox seven years to go public with his diagnosis, and during that time he spoke of the difficulties of trying to hide his symptoms. You made your announcement fairly quick; in what ways did that liberate you?

Grant: Well I think the fact that Michael J. Fox is out there bringing Parkinson’s to the forefront made me courageous enough to just come out with it anyway. From an embarrassing standpoint, I was not able to tell people why I have a tremor in my hand. I didn’t have the answer, and when I did have the answer I wasn’t really ready to put it out there you know. I was still trying to get a job with the Blazers in some capacity whether it be the community relations side, T.V. or radio.

So, it just kind of seemed like a no-brainer to put it out there and get it out there in the open so everybody knows what’s going on.

HOOP: Do you have a support system there to back you, like family and friends?

Grant: I definitely have a support system of friends. I definitely met a lot of people who are going through the same situation and who love to share information about the treatments. And I

The number of games it took Brandon Jennings to score over 50 points in a game when he threw down 55 points against the Warriors. That is the fewest amount of games played before reaching 50 in NBA history. The second fewest is eight held by Wilt Chamberlain.

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HOOP: I wanted to read you a quote: Michael J. Fox said in regards to his battle with Parkinson’s disease, “You get in your life very few chances to make a difference, and if this is the circumstances that make this possible then I’m grateful for it.” How does that statement impact you?

Grant: Whew, big-time. I know that statement, not only have I read it, but I’ve heard it come out of his mouth. And it’s just not a statement, it’s for real, with conviction and truth. We all have our own walk, and he’s been able to come through it with that optimism with his support group and everything. And I think that’s great because he’s giving a lot of people hope and we got to go through our walk and we all have different circumstances surrounding our lives that we have to deal with besides Parkinson’s. The one thing we can fall back on in that statement is that no matter how good or how bad things are going we have to go through it. I have a platform of being a twelve year vet of the NBA and I want to stand up and do something about it. I want to bring awareness and bring as much funding as I can into the Ali and Michael J. Fox foundations so that hopefully, one day, we’ll have the cure.

“I went to the old-white-guy-at-the-YMCA shot and I was lucky to make something happen.”—Steve Nash

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Image sports

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HOOP: Do you think embryonic stem cell research will help?

Grant: I’ve actually heard two different opinions on it: I’ve actually heard that we’re getting nowhere with embryonic stem cells. Then I’ve heard the way to go is extracting stem cells from your own hip, and use those stem cells. The problem with embryonic stem cells is when they’re introduced you kind of don’t know where they’re going to go or what they’re going to do, and it’s foreign to the body.

It’s stuff really up to the scientists. But I will say this, Michael J. Fox’s foundation, I’ve toured the facilities and met everyone that’s part of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and I tell you what if it wasn’t for him and Muhammad Ali’s foundation [Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center] we would be nowhere with this disease, nowhere. They go in and fund people who most conventional doctors won’t even mess with because it’s all about maybe taking L-Dopa and taking the temporary fix versus trying to find something that’s going to stop the progression. You can’t reverse it, but you can find a way to stop the progression in certain people and in certain cases. That’s a big plus because that means everyone has hope even if it works for you or it doesn’t. There’s hope for a cure out there it just may not be for everybody.

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Dance Life

Danielle Magic Dancer HOOP: Like the players, do the dancers have a training camp?

Danielle: We start at the beginning of September. It’s always fun to start off the year, especially with the new girls. You don’t really know everybody yet and it’s an exciting time.

HOOP: How many years have you been dancing with the Magic?

Danielle: This is my fifth season with the Magic.

HOOP: Do you embrace taking on a leadership role with the squad?

Danielle: I am a Leo so I think leadership has always been a personality trait. [laughs] I’ve done this for so long that it’s sort of natural. I love when the girls have questions, especially if it’s their first season and they don’t know how games work or rehearsals usually run, it’s nice to be able to help out.

HOOP: And you’ve danced with other teams as well?

Danielle: Yes, this is actually my third team in the NBA. I danced with the Cavs—I’m originally from Cleveland so I danced with the Cavs in

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When opposing teams play at Milwaukee with a losing streak of ten or more games,

college—the Atlanta Hawks and then I moved down here [to Orlando]. I just keep moving south apparently because it’s not warm enough for me anywhere. [laughs] HOOP: Was it hard for you last season during the playoffs when Orlando played Cleveland?

Danielle: [laughs] It was probably harder for my father than anyone [else]. …I had a feeling if we got through Boston it would be us in the Finals. My dad loved to argue with that. It wasn’t hard for me, my poor mom was stuck in the middle of it.

It was kind of fun, the camaraderie. My dad would send e-mails to all the girls like, “Big game tonight, try not to get too excited.” It was cute.

HOOP: How different was it performing in the Finals as opposed to the regular season?

Danielle: It was huge. I had never been to the playoffs until I danced with the Magic. My first season down here we went and every year we got better. I don’t have words to explain what it is like dancing in the Finals. It’s packed, it’s intense, people are crazy...it was awesome. It was the most surreal experience I’ve ever had. Dwight [Howard] and Jameer [Nelson] stayed out for the trophy ceremony and I loved that. I hope it shows them to be hungrier and want it more.

HOOP: In the WNBA and with the NBA practice uniforms they’ve started selling sponsorships; do you think that will happen soon with dance teams?

Danielle: I think they already do somewhat. I personally wouldn’t be opposed to it as long as it was a sponsorship that went along with the ideas of the organization and helped benefit the team. They do that with the soccer uniforms in Europe. If it’s a good way to make more money and help everyone out in the long run, why not?

—Seth Berkman #91

“It exploded on me. I didn’t have time to react or anything. It’s crazy, man. I keep reflecting in my head. It’s crazy.” — Francisco Garcia on his freak accident with a physioball

they are 0-15. Milwaukee beat the 0-11 Nets, 99-85, on November 18.

3 pts

TOPIC: What was your first basketball sneaker?

Larry Hughes: Whatever I could afford. [laughs] I wore Converse, I wore Reebok, that was probably it. The one

shoe that I always remember I could afford were the Kevin Johnson Cons. They were black with the orange and the almost pink tip at the front of the toe with the strap. I had those for a while.

Anthony Parker: I’ve been a Nike guy for most of my career. I remember when Patrick Ewing was with Georgetown and they had those Georgetown Nike [Terminators] with NIKE on the back. The color didn’t even match my uniform, but it didn’t matter.

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danielle: michael cairns; 3 pts: from left: scott cunningham; jeyhoun allebaugh; nathaniel s. butler

Al Horford: I wear Nikes now, but I actually had some Chuck Taylors. The old school Converse were the first pair of basketball shoes I had.

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celeb row

bada ving Movie tough guy Ving Rhames, who has appeared in memorable films such as Pulp Fiction and Mission: Impossible I, II and III, is insistent that two things be published in this piece and neither has anything to do with his movies due to be released this year. Before we get to the big two, we will mention that Piranha 3-D is scheduled to open in April and Master Harold...and the Boys and Rogue’s Gallery will hit the big screen later in 2010. Now let’s talk some basketball.

What teams do you like?

Last year, I took my son, Freedom, and my daughter, Reignbeau, to their first basketball game. It was the Lakers playing against the Hornets. The wonderful thing is Chris Paul took a photo with my son when they were warming up. Of course, my son loves Kobe because he’s in L.A., but Chris Paul was the first professional basketball player at my son’s first game to take a photo with him, so Chris Paul has become a favorite.

You’re originally from New York City. When NYC people move to Los Angeles, they go to Lakers games, but their hearts are always with the Knicks.

I’m an old Knicks fan. I’m not necessarily a Lakers fan, because after the Lakers traded Shaq that kind of really disappointed me. I was a Shaq fan. I do want Shaq to get another ring with LeBron.

Who are your favorite players?

For me as an old school guy, Shaq plays ball the old way when basically the center was very dominant. Shaq is a power player. There are two things I’m going to say and please put this in the magazine. First, the greatest basketball player of all time is not Michael Jordan. I always ask people if you’re starting a basketball team and you could pick one player throughout the whole history of basketball, would you choose Michael Jordan? I wouldn’t. I’d choose Magic Johnson above Michael Jordan. Magic Johnson really made everyone better.

Second, I have to go with Wilt Chamberlain above Bill Russell and anybody else. Then I have to look at Oscar Robertson, a man who almost averaged a triple-double for a whole season I believe. Then if I look at this generation, I have to say LeBron James, who may become the first player closest to averaging a triple-double in “modern times.”

You grew up in Harlem and played in legendary Rucker Park. How were you both a jock and an actor growing up?

My thing was I played basketball like everybody in Harlem plays basketball. I’ll just say God led me to a youth center across the street from where I lived, the 126th Street Youth Center. A guy named Charlie Jenkins had poetry classes there.

I went into poetry class because the girls were going there and I was following the girls. That’s when I got introduced to Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry and James Baldwin. Then I went to Performing Arts High School and from there I went to college at the Juilliard School and graduated. For me, I almost want to say God had his hand on my life. I didn’t choose acting, God chose me to act. Lois Elfman #40

Photo Buckets

Jimmy Charoonsrisavasd Beverly Hills, CA

rhames: jamie mccarthy/Getty Images

Congratulations to Jimmy Charoonsrisavasd, winner of this issue’s Photo Buckets contest. Each issue we ask readers to submit their best offcourt photo with an NBA player, past or present. This issue we chose this entry (one of our best ever) taken with Michael Beasley on Jimmy’s wedding day last July at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills (kudos on the matching Jays).

Send us your best fan photo of or with an NBA player for a chance to win a HOOP t-shirt. Each month the winning entry* will also be published in an upcoming issue of HOOP. Send all entries to hoop@pspsports.com or by mail to: HOOP Magazine 519 8th Avenue 25th Floor New York, NY 10018 *All submitted entries become property of HOOP

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“Maybe I’ll fumble a few passes here and there, but I do that anyway.”

—Kwame Brown on his injured hand

There were nine Cavs on the opening night roster who were not picked in the first round. Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Leon Powe, Darnell Jackson and Danny Green were picked in the second round. Jamario Moon, Jawad Williams and Coby Karl were not drafted.

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Matt Barnes became the sixth player in League history to score 13 points and grab 13 rebounds on a Friday the 13th.

Bread and Butter Like Kareem’s skyhook—and to a lesser extent, Magic’s babyhook—another Laker great has developed a patented, unstoppable signature shot: Kobe Bryant and his fadeaway J. He’s gotten so good at it that it’s beginning to resemble, dare we say, MJ’s shot, one that even the best in the League can’t defend (Shane Battier says, “It is virtually an unblockable shot because Kobe is able to elevate over all attempts to block the shot. The only chance a defender has to make a play is by jumping as high as you can and trying to get a piece of the ball.”) Peep for example the screen grab below, where the physically bigger LeBron James D-ups KB24.

Smelling blood, he commands the ball against LBJ, savoring the opportunity. After making space, Kobe gives one small shoulder fake then begins to make a move to the hole with his left. Bringing the ball back up, he gives one more shoulder fake to his left, this time baiting LeBron to bite for a split-second, giving Kobe enough time to jump, fade and create enough space to get his shot off. Despite LeBron’s ridiculous wingspan, not even he can get a piece of the ball, as Kobe hits nothing but net with a beautiful floating jumper. It’s this shot that makes Kobe Bryant arguably the best player in the game. Seth Berkman #91

Kobe Bryant’s fadeaway jumpshot

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Eight things. One undisputed champ.

Best Basketball Movie SPACE JAM vs. LOVE & BASKETBALL These two movies have more in common than it may seem. Love & Basketball is a dramatic story about two childhood neighbors and their passion for the game and each other. In fact, the relationship between Monica and Quincy (played by Saana Lathan and Omar Epps) in Love & Basketball may have been inspired by the on-court romance of Bugs Bunny and Lola Bunny (OK, maybe not). Space Jam has an all-star cast with actual all-stars including Muggsy Bogues, Larry Johnson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley (Oscar snub), and of course Michael Jordan. But despite the physical comedy and classic Looney Tunes characters, Love & Basketball edges the kid’s movie with a solid story line about the road to making it as a professional athlete, and the drama between two long time friends. It is also a favorite of many NBA players.

COACH CARTER vs.

WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP This is a battle between the Bay and SoCal, hustlers and students, the ’90s and the ’00s, a celebrated true story and a probably true story somewhere. Samuel L. Jackson carries Coach Carter, a tale about the Richmond Oilers, a struggling public high school basketball team.

Coach Carter (Jackson) takes a group of undisciplined individuals and breaks them down to build a team. The movie deals with the frustration of the coach dealing with a rough community that wants to see winning more than the development of the young boys into men. Meanwhile, White Men Can’t Jump is a cult classic about the life of two basketball hustlers, Sidney Deane and Billy Hoyle (played by Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson), who team up to dominate the basketball scene of Venice Beach, CA. The fast talking Deane and the relationship between Hoyle and his girlfriend, Gloria Clemente (played by Rosie Perez), make the movie thoroughly entertaining. Just like how the two unlikely friends struggle with the ups and downs of the hustle to end up on top of the game, White Men Can’t Jump outhustles Coach Carter this round.

LOVE & BASKETBALL vs.

WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP This is the battle for supreme SoCal basketball movie. Both movies have interesting storylines that follow the different realms of basketball while juggling life off the court. White Men Can’t Jump has Billy Hoyle trying to outrun his gambling debt, Gloria Clemente getting on Jeopardy, Sidney Deane trying to move out of the hood and the ever-important issue of a white man’s ability to dunk. On the other side you have Quincy dealing with the pressures of stardom, Monica struggling with her temper on the court and the romantic tension between neighbors that is thicker than an In-N-Out Burger milkshake. Both movies have quality basketball scenes, but White Men Can’t Jump has the added bonus of in game trash talking and day glow tank tops. Love & Basketball may be the better date movie, but White Men Can’t Jump moves on to the finals.

Winner:HOOSIERS 030

HOOP

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By JOSH GORDON #44

HOOSIERS vs.

THE FISH THAT SAVED PITTSBURGH These two movies are the oldest of the contenders, Hoosiers made in 1986 and The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh made in 1979, but both have legs and are still enjoyable to watch today.

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh is a campy, disco romp about the struggling Pittsburgh Pythons, who after meeting with an astrologist, decide to make a team of players all with the same astrological sign, Pisces (maybe that is what is wrong with the Clippers). The movie has a Hall of Fame cast with Dr. J playing the leading man, Moses Guthrie, and a host of other basketball stars, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mychal Thompson and Meadowlark Lemon. If The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh is the Blazing Saddles of basketball movies, then Hoosiers is the Casablanca. The story of the Hickory Huskers and Coach Norm Dale’s (played

by Gene Hackman) epic championship season is a deep basketball movie about what it takes to be a champion. The dramatic storylines of a small town against the coach, an alcoholic father’s fight for redemption and the unlikely run of small Hickory makes Hoosiers one of the greatest sports movies ever made.

HOOP DREAMS vs. HE GOT GAME Both of these films are stories of high school basketball stars trying to make it to the next level and eventual NBA stardom, and both movies are thought provoking and entertaining. Hoop Dreams is a documentary that follows the lives of William Gates and Arthur Agee, two teenagers from Chicago who have been recruited by the high school basketball powerhouse, St. Joseph High School, in a predominantly white middle class suburb. The cautionary tale is as real as it gets, tackling the issues of urban poverty and the dreams of many inner city youth. He Got Game, directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington (Jake Shuttlesworth) and NBA player Ray Allen (Jesus Shuttlesworth), follows the life of a high school All-American and the pressures of leading his team to the state championship, while answering questions about his plans to go to college or the pros. His father, who was released from prison for one week to try to convince his son to go to the governor’s alma mater, complicates Jesus’ life as the two end up playing a game of one-on-one for his father’s freedom. These movies are filled with drama, and can even make the coldest person feel for the struggles of the ball player. He Got Game wins a close one at the buzzer, with an inspiring performance by Denzel and amazing cinematography.

HOOSIERS vs. HE GOT GAME

HOOSIERS vs. WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP The two finalists are considered cult classics and both are worthy of being in any VHS or Betamax collection. They both have quality story lines with superb drama and amazing basketball montages. White Men Can’t Jump brought street ball to the main stage and showed audiences the lives of two people who made basketball their life and don’t have the expensive cars or gwap in their short shorts. It is also a story of two rivals becoming partners and friends through the amazing game of basketball. Hoosiers has the pedigree of tradition and fundamentals without the flash. Coach Dale had to break down the colts to rebuild them into a team, and the movie brings the viewer along for an emotional ride. You can’t help but root for the Huskers as they march through the Indiana State Tournament with narrow victories. The movie is inspiring and Gene Hackman’s performance as Coach Dale should get him a job coaching in the NBA. Hoosiers may have been an underdog, but it dominates in the Best Basketball Movie Brack-It. As Coach Dale said “If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don’t care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book we’re gonna be winners.”

Indiana and New York are considered two of the most important basketball states, so it only seems fitting that both have a great basketball movie to call their own. He Got Game gives an in depth look at the issues surrounding college recruiters and the people who surround star high school athletes trying to persuade them to choose a direction. From girlfriends, family, agents, coaches and friends, everyone sees Jesus as their meal ticket. It also has a killer soundtrack with Public Enemy doing a remix of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” on the title track. Hoosiers is the exact opposite, a bunch of undisciplined, unskilled country high school kids who buy into Coach Norm Dale’s system to overcome adversity and win a state championship. The movie is based in a rural Indiana town as opposed to the streets of Brooklyn. The players of Hickory High School aren’t looking at basketball scholarships (except maybe Jimmy Chitwood) and this is their one shot at glory. Hoosiers may be over 23 years old, three years older than Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings, but it is still engrossing to watch and exciting. It has seniority on He Got Game and is the quintessential high school sports movie and should be watched by any varsity team before a big game. Hoosiers takes the matchup.

HOOP

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know your newb

Tyreke Evans

Sacramento Kings Coming from Eastern PA, how have you been adapting to Sacramento?

It’s been pretty good. I don’t go out much so I just work out a lot and chill when I’m at home.

When people think of California they normally imagine the sunshine and beaches, but do you prefer the laidback atmosphere of Sacramento?

Definitely. There’s not too much going on out here, so you can’t get into too much trouble. [laughs] Which of the vets have been showing you the ins and outs of the league so far?

[Francisco] Garcia, he’s been unbelievable. Telling me a lot, letting me know how I’m doing and what to do in certain situations.

Memphis has had a lot of success in the pros; do you get advice from any former college teammates?

9

The Grizzlies set an unwanted NBA record with their ninth straight opening-night defeat when they fell to the Pistons, 96-74, on October 28.

Just keep working hard. I’m a rookie, but it’ll eventually come. So I just try to go out there every game and do my best.

What has been the biggest adjustment coming from the college game?

They’re stronger, more athletic and you also have to get used to the shot clock.

Being the only pro team in town, when you’re out have you noticed the support of the strong Kings’ fanbase?

Yeah, definitely. When I go out they let me know that the fans here really care about the Kings and hopefully we get on the right track.

How do you spend your off time?

I’m a big videogame guy, I play 2K10, go out to the mall, maybe check a movie out. I’ve been listening to Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 and Lil Wayne. I mess around a little bit with music, but nothing serious.

Are you satisfied with your 2K10 rating?

It’s OK. [laughs] It’s just cool playing myself in the game, I got a lot of moves and handle. Seth Berkman #91

“There were times last year where I did things and I’m running down the court [and I say to myself], ‘Man, I haven’t done that since I was in Detroit.”

— Grant Hill

txt msgs

Kevin Love

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sports guy, and we have it all here in the TC. HOOP: Speaking of prince, we hear ur a big chappelle’s show fan. Is that the best sketch evr? Any other favs?

Kevin: Got all seasons on dvd…its tough to argue that chappelle is [not] king.

HOOP: What other fav movies/shows u got in the dvd collection? Seen anything good this summer?

Kevin: Always have gladiator and he got game in the mix…the summer hit for me was inglorious bastards, check it out.

HOOP: Nice selection…how did it feel putting on the team usa jersey this summer?

Kevin: Great, always an honor no matter what the occasion…hopefully I will continue to have those 3 letters across my chest for the upcoming summers.

HOOP: Nice. Last q: with Halloween just passing, what was ur best costume as a kid?

Kevin: The blue power ranger…shut it down with that costume HOOP: Haha, that’s great. Thx a lot for taking the time out today. Best of luck to u and the t-wolves this season #91 Kevin: I appreciate it.

evans: don smith; love: david sherman; andrew d. bernstein/nbae/getty images

HOOP: Hey kev…happy to be back in minny for the start of the season?

Kevin: No question, very excited to be back in MN…we gotta whole new group of guys to play with HOOP: Was it tough adjusting from west coast weather to mn.?

Kevin: Haha I guess you could say that…I never mind it being 75 and sunny during the holidays, so the Twin Cities was a tough adjustment.

HOOP: Seems like u adjusted well on the court too. We gotta ask: did u get to keep any mr. Love glass cleaner bottles?

Kevin: Lol, I gotta say the PR department was pretty stingy when it came to the Mr. Love glass cleaner…haven’t seen a bottle since [last] season.

HOOP: That’s messed up, lol. U ever buy anything from an infomercial?

Kevin: I always thought Billy Mays was very convincing but I never bought anything from the tv ads…RIP Billy Mays HOOP: They can be tempting, especially come late at night…alright, if im coming to the twin cities, where r the hot spots? Target? Prince’s house?

Kevin: You gotta find out for yourself…I just turned 21 so I’m finding out about the night life a bit. But I’m a

HOOP

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Memory Lane

playlist

Al harrington new york knicks Drake Drake Fat Joe Jay-Z

Fast Life Yungstaz

“Forever” (feat. Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Eminem) “Best I Ever Had” “Aloha” “Empire State of Mind” (feat. Alicia Keys) “Swag Surfin”

what were we thinking?

grant hill

February 20, 2005 all-star game Denver, co 17 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

hill: andrew d. bernstein; harrington: jennifer pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images

I’ve had some good ones, but maybe making the All-Star Game [in 2005] after I had all those injuries. I didn’t necessarily play well, but there is sort of the [feeling of] coming over obstacles of being hurt, not sure if I will ever play again, and to be back playing in the All-Star Game. That [game] more so than any other of the good stuff and the really great games in Detroit, because that was certainly the hardest. For whatever reason, of all the games I remember that game and I remember a lot of the details of that game.

“I think I’m the most hated player in the League. In fact, I know I am.

Sometimes I do things that are kind of crazy, but that’s my thing.”

— DeShawn Stevenson

Fantasy Files- Mar/Apr 2007 We like Gerald Green. His cupcake dunk and barefooted windmill may be two of the most underrated attempts in dunk contest history. But asides from having major hops, he hasn’t been noted for much else during his career, let alone fantasy numbers. The 18th overall selection of the 2005 draft, Green was supposed to be a building block in the pre-Big 3 era in Boston. He’s played for three other teams since then and entered the ’09-10 season without a contract. 23 is way too early for a former first rounder to flame out, especially one with the talent of Green. But a fantasy beast he has never been.

Let’s just hope he finds his way and gets back in an NBA uniform soon.

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straight shooter

Phoenix’s Steve Nash Aims for Honest Answers to Your NBA Questions Kid Canada gives us the low down on holiday season north of the border, what to do if he ever ended up like Tom Hanks in Cast Away and what his relationship with the Gorilla really is like

If you were stranded on an island, excluding anything that would provide you a means to escape, what three things would you want to have with you?

Well, obviously my family, but if I can’t bring people… if I’m stranded on an island, I guess books, music and some sort of lighter or something that I can use to start a fire.

Does it stink to have to play on weekends and holidays so we can enjoy watching basketball?

Sometimes. You know, when you have family or friends who are off for the weekend, or Thanksgiving or Christmas, it can be hard when you have to be gone, or traveling, or focusing on a game. But that’s just the nature of our business. You can’t play forever, so we just sacrifice while we can play. Christmas is probably the toughest one. It’s traditionally been a great holiday for my family growing up. So that’s a tough one when you have to play and can’t really enjoy it.

What is Boxing Day and what traditions does it involve?

To be honest, I don’t know what the meaning is behind it. But Boxing Day is the day after Christmas [in Canada]. It’s basically just another day off, so it extends the Christmas holiday, and it just kind of makes the whole holiday season a little longer and better. So it’s a lot of fun.

What’s your most embarrassing moment on the basketball court?

Umm… I can’t think of one really. I mean, I know generally the feeling of embarrassment when you make a bad play or something, but I can’t think of one particularly embarrassing moment.

Settle a bet for us: my friend thinks you’re chums with the Phoenix Suns’ Gorilla. I can’t imagine you giving him the time of day. What is your relationship with the Gorilla?

I don’t get to hang out with him much, because he lives in the zoo. Doesn’t he?

What did you get your kids for Christmas?

Where do you hide the gifts in your house?

I’m not sure what we’re getting them yet, but they love a lot of girly stuff, princesses and dolls. But you always want your kids to enjoy educational things and sports, as well… so they’re playing tennis and learning languages. Hopefully we can get them reading early and enjoying books as well.

Actually, I don’t know where my wife is going to hide the presents. I think she hides them from me too.

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barry gossage/NBAE/Getty Images

Got a question for Steve? Email it to hoop@pspsports.com

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12/7/09 5:12 PM

HOW WILL YOU

TAKE OVER?

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06 - Guard - Miami Heat

MARIO CHALMERS

By Christopher Cason #24

BONUS POINTS 1. Last season, Chalmers was the only Miami Heat player to play all 82 regular season games, as well as seven playoff games.

2. Mario’s full name is Almario Vernard Chalmers

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3. He led Kansas to the 2008 NCAA national title and was named Most Outstanding Player.

4. As of press time, Chalmers is averaging 2.4 steals per game.

5. ‪Chalmers is the cousin of former Los Angeles Clippers guard and Xavier standout Lionel Chalmers, and former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Chris Smith.

Pressure.‪‬‪ Just a word, right?

For the Miami Heat’s durable1 second-year point man Mario Chalmers,2 it is just that. But for opposing point guards, pressure is the Alaskan native being glued to their jersey for 30-plus minutes per night.

After making the transition from two-guard (which he played in college)3 back to the point, Chalmers quietly had an impressive rookie season, thanks in large part to his tenacity on D. “Defensively, he is a playmaker,” says Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra. “He finished fourth in the League in steals4 last year.

“At the point guard position, he has a lot of responsibility to get us into [our] offense and do it mistake-free.”

The pressure of such responsibility for a 23-year-old?

There isn’t any when you’re prepared.

Chalmers spends countless hours studying his opponent’s moves on tape and attributes that to helping him successfully cover perhaps the toughest position on a nightly basis. Then there is always the backing he receives off the court.

“My mom and family5 always supported me,” says Chalmers, who hopes to make the NBA All-Defensive Team this season. “[They taught me] hard work and dedication.”

When it comes to pressure, the only amount applied to Chalmers is that which he places on himself.‬ HOOP

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By Rob Peterson #9

06 - Guard - New Jersey Nets

courtney lee If Courtney Lee thought his rookie season provided a valuable learning experience, imagine the lesson he took from this offseason. Lee, who last season started 42 regular season games1 as a rookie for the Eastern Conference champion Magic, was shipped to New Jersey in a deal that sent Vince Carter2 to Orlando on June 25, just 10 days after the Magic lost to the Lakers in The Finals. The news hit Lee harder than a Dwight Howard elbow.3 Still, his love for the game kept him grounded after the trade.

“It’s fun, it’s a game,” says Lee. “Even though at this level, it’s looked at as more of a business, it’s still fun.”

Because of that mature approach, Lee has adjusted to his New Jersey surroundings.

“I definitely think we’re coming together,” Lee says of the Nets. “But we’re still building team chemistry.”

With the Magic, Lee could rely on All-Stars such as Howard and Jameer Nelson. In New Jersey, Lee still complements (younger) stars such as Devin Harris and Brook Lopez by blending in.

“I did a lot of work moving without the ball and trying to make an impact without the ball,” Lee says of his summer regimen.4 But his greatest influence on the Nets this season could be the experience he brings from playing in The Finals.

“The more games you play, the better you learn,” says Lee. “You get confidence when you’re playing at that high level.”

BONUS POINTS 1. Lee received two third-place votes for ’08-09 Rookie of the Year.

2. Ryan Anderson, who was also traded from the Nets to the Magic, was drafted one spot (No. 21) ahead of Lee in the 2008 NBA Draft.

elbow to the face from Howard in Game 5 of the Magic’s first round series with the Sixers.

4. Lee on his desire to play in the NBA: “It was my sophomore year in college, it really sunk in that I have an opportunity and that I need to take this seriously.”

5. With 21 playoff games, Lee has more playoff experience than every Nets player except Eduardo Najera (56 games) and Rafer Alston (51 games), who also came to New Jersey in the trade.

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3. Lee had sinus surgery and missed three postseason games when he took an inadvertent

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By Josh Gordon #44

8 - Center - Phoenix Suns

Channing frye A son of the Valley of the Sun is shinning in the fun and gun. Hometown hero Channing Frye has been filling seats at the US Airways Center while helping the Phoenix Suns fight to be back on top of the Western Conference.

Frye was born in White Plains, NY and moved to Arizona when he was seven. He dominated the Arizona high school basketball scene1 and decided to stay close to home and join the University of Arizona under legendary coach Lute Olsen. After collecting many accolades and All-Pac10 honors, Frye was drafted eighth overall in the ’05 draft by the New York Knicks.2 After a stint in Portland,3 last summer he signed a two-year deal with the Suns and has thrived in his role of replacing the big Shaqtus at the 5.

He is posting career highs in minutes played, points, assists, blocks, rebounds, steals4 and is shooting almost 46 percent from three. It is easy to dismiss these improved stats by claiming the Suns running style is the cause for the boost in numbers, but just watch Frye play and you see how devastating he is for teams who think they have Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire bottled up, only to find Frye open beyond the arc open for a tray.

Last year with the Blazers, Frye attempted only 33 three pointers all season5; through one quarter of the ’09-10 season he had already taken 122 shots from deep and sank 56 of them. Martel Webster, Frye’s teammate on the Blazer’s last season, says that Frye’s explosion from three is no surprise. “Channing has always been a phenomenal shooter especially from the three point line,” he says. “So that is not something that he developed overnight. He just didn’t get that many looks from there [with us] cause we had him playing at that big position, playing that spread.”

It may be a dry heat in Arizona, but Channing plans to make it rain from deep all season long.

BONUS POINTS 1. Frye played at St. Mary’s High School.

2. Frye made the NBA All-Rookie team in 2006.

3. He was also HOOP’s Straight Shooter last season, answering fan-submitted questions. His current teammate, Steve Nash, has since taken over the role.

4. 31 mpg, 12.6 ppg, 1.5 apg, 0.9 bpg, 5.9 rpg and 0.8 spg as of press time.

5. He made 11.

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MARC GASOL

33 - Center - Memphis Grizzlies

first five

by Trevor Kearney #8

Things look a little different when you’re sitting on top of the world. So this summer, Marc Gasol ran up to take a peek. He liked what he saw and came down a completely different player. Gone is the grizzly beard and about 20 extra pounds he’s carried since his first stint in Memphis, and so is the notion that’s he’s playing in the shadow of his brother, Pau. 1 Between wrapping up his rookie season in April and helping Spain win gold at the European Championships in September,2 he made daily treks to the top of Collserola mountain, high above his hometown Barcelona. The daily runs3 helped him report to camp slimmer and faster, and start the season on a tear.

Getting up and down the court quicker, shooting the ball better, but maintaining his physical presence, Gasol is now a doubledouble waiting to happen.4 “I definitely feel less winded,” Gasol says. “The thing we were trying to do is lose weight but not lose strength. I don’t feel weaker than last year—even a little stronger. There are things I didn’t know I could do; sometimes I don’t think I can get that block, but I go for it and I block it. It’s just a plus as I get used to the new body.”

He’s still got some climbing to do, though—Pau is a ring up and counting. “We’re not there yet, but we’re on our way,” Gasol says of his improvement. “I want to be better, and I know I can be better.

“We achieved the goals for this year, but I still have a lot more to prove.”

BONUS POINTS 1. Marc played for Lausanne High School in Memphis for two seasons while Pau starred for the Grizzlies. Marc was drafted by the Lakers in 2007, but was shipped to Memphis as part of the deal for Pau in 2008.

2. “That was the only gold medal we were missing, other than the Olympics,” says Gasol, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds for Spain, up from the 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds he averaged for his national team in 2006, when it beat Greece for

3. “It’s pretty nice because you can see the whole city when you get to the top. The whole time you can see the city on your side,” Gasol says. “It’s a reward, but then you’ve got to get back down.”

4. A month into the season, Gasol was second in field goal percentage. As a rookie, he put up his fifth double-double in his 33rd game; this year, he notched his fifth just seven games into the season.

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gold at the World Championships.

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0 - Guard - Oklahoma City Thunder 046

by Dave McMenamin #35

Through a little less than a season and a half, Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook’s career averages of 15.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds more than triple1 those put up by his coach, Scott Brooks, during Brooks’ playing days.

Westbrook’s chiseled2 6-3, 190-pound frame dwarfs Brooks’ 5-11, 165-pound mass. He also boasts the flashier basketball pedigree, with Westbrook being selected fourth out of UCLA and Brooks going undrafted out of U.C. Irvine.

Not to mention Westbrook’s paycheck for this season alone eclipses the total salary that Brooks earned in 11 seasons of NBA service.

So what kind of advice can Brooks offer Westbrook that would make the 21-year-old pay attention? Try everything.

“It’s very important because when we talk he knows exactly what point guards go through, especially young point guards,” says Westbrook. “He’s been on a great3 team and he’s been on teams that didn’t do so well, so he knows how to build.”

Brooks was a backup on the 1994 champion Houston Rockets, but before that he played dutifully on a fresh Minnesota Timberwolves franchise that went just 29-53 in ’90-91, the second year of the team’s existence.

Westbrook is mimicking the same professional approach as his coach, hoping to turn the Thunder into a playoff team just a year after going 23-59 in the franchise’s first4 season in Oklahoma City.5 “Our goal is to get better as a team each and every game,” Westbrook says. “It’s just a learning curve.”

Luckily for the student,6 he has a pretty apt teacher by his side.

BONUS POINTS 1. With 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Dallas last season, Westbrook became the first rookie since Chris Paul to post a triple-double.

2. Just like LeBron James, Westbrook eats and writes lefthanded but shoots with his right hand.

3. Follow Russell on Twitter (@russwest44) and you’ll soon find out his highest compliment when describing something is “bomb.” (Ex: That nap I just took was bomb.) When really heaping on the praise he updates the phrase. (Ex: That chocolate cake was bomb.com) 4. Westbrook did not have an in-game dunk until his final game at Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, CA. 5. Westbrook, along with Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, all participated in USA Basketball’s mini camp held over the summer in Las Vegas.

6. Westbrook took summer classes at UCLA and received a B+ in both of the history courses he enrolled in, including one on the Civil War.

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Russell westbrook

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24 seconds with Luis Scola

By Jeramie McPeek #4

HOOP: You took the Lakers to seven games last year. What did that do for this team’s confidence?

SCOLA: They were better and deserved to win, but we were so close. It was hard to see them win the championship. It’s good to compete1 with the best, but we have to forget about last year. This is a different year with different expectations.

HOOP: We read an old interview4 in which you said that if you ever got to meet Larry Bird, you might never wash your hand again. Have you met him yet?

SCOLA: No. He came to watch me play once when I was in Spain five or six years ago. That was a pretty special moment for me. We’ve played in Indiana, and he was there, but I didn’t want to bother him.

HOOP: What was your team’s mindset heading into this season with Yao and McGrady out, and Ron Artest having left for L.A.?

SCOLA: There were a lot of changes, but I think everybody was positive. We’ve got great players and a lot of talent, so we all believed we could be competitive.

HOOP: We’re glad to hear you’re still washing your hands…

SCOLA: You have to wash your hands now because of all the viruses out there. But maybe for a couple of days I won’t if I ever meet him.

HOOP: How has your role changed?

SCOLA: I’ve been pretty much doing the same things, but getting a little bit more2 involved. The system that we have is about moving and passing, so a lot of guys are touching the ball.

HOOP: How would you describe your game?

SCOLA: I try to move a lot, try to be very active and try to play hard every game.

Those would be my strengths.

HOOP: We’ve heard other players describe you as annoying.

SCOLA: [laughs] Well, when they play on the other team that’s what you want. You have to play hard and try to make them uncomfortable.

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HOOP: Did you pick that up from watching the Celtics growing up?

SCOLA: That’s something that just came to me, but I did love the Celtics. I remember my dad bringing home a VCR tape when I was really young. It was one of the Finals games between the Celtics and Lakers, and I decided that I liked the Celtics.

HOOP: Did you watch that game over and over?

SCOLA: I watched it a few times. In ’92, we finally got cable in our house and we saw the Finals between Portland3 and Chicago.

That was my first game I saw live.

HOOP: What did you like about Bird?

SCOLA: He was not real athletic, but he played so hard and he knew how to play. He was very smart and really competitive.

HOOP: What do you like about U2?

SCOLA: I’ve been listening to them for years now. It’s a cool band. I like that kind of music5, like U2 and the Rolling Stones, two legendary bands.

HOOP: Have you ever seen U2 in concert?

SCOLA: No, but that is definitely on my to-do list. I did get to see the Rolling Stones once in Saragossa, Spain. It was the last date of their world tour and for a few months there were huge rumors that they were going to split. So I thought I had tickets to their last concert ever. That would have been sweet.

HOOP: What are your favorite NBA cities for sightseeing?

SCOLA: I’ve got a few. New York is definitely one of my favorites. San Francisco is another.

HOOP: Do you still enjoy seeing some of the monuments on the road, like the Statue of Liberty?

SCOLA: I couldn’t do the Statue of Liberty.

Usually when we get there it’s like three or four in the afternoon, and the last boat has already departed. I also miss Alcatraz every time. Someday I will come back and do all those things, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go out and get a taste for the city.

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HOOP: What’s your favorite NBA city for dancing?

SCOLA: I don’t dance.

HOOP: We watched a video on YouTube of you winning the dance competition6 during a Rockets open practice in 2008?

SCOLA: Oh no, I thought everybody forgot about that. That was one of the worst days of my life [laughs].

HOOP: You’d be great on Dancing with the Stars.

You’re known for your footwork.7 SCOLA: I’m not real athletic and I’m not really tall, so I have to develop whatever I can to survive in the NBA. Footwork is what’s helping me and I’ve worked on it every day.

HOOP: How do you work on footwork?

SCOLA: You can do drills. But I think you have to be in shape and play a lot. Your quickness, reaction, body memory has to be automatic. If you’re out of shape, what should take a tenth of a second takes your legs three-tenths of a second, and you’re done.

HOOP: How do you keep your hair in shape? What kind of shampoo do you use?

SCOLA: I change it every couple months, because my hair gets used to it. But right now I am using Dove Frizz Control.8 HOOP: Do you ever get your hair pulled during a game?

SCOLA: No, that would be cheating. I don’t think anybody wants to do that. People would talk about that for years.

There are a lot of other ways to play defense.

HOOP: How often do you shave?

SCOLA: I don’t have a pattern. Sometimes I’ll go two weeks, sometimes I shave four days in a row. It grows really fast, so even if I shave today it will look like a shadow tomorrow.

HOOP: A good look for fishing, right?

SCOLA: I like all the rituals of fishing—being outside on the boat in the water, and eating it after—but I wouldn’t call myself a great fisherman.

HOOP: Do you have a favorite fishing hole?

SCOLA: I’ll go anywhere, I don’t care. In Houston it’s difficult, but when we go on vacation, I like to go fishing.

Or when I’m back home, I go to a big river we have and go with my dad.

HOOP: Biggest fish you’ve ever caught?

SCOLA: My dad says that my fish grow all the time [laughs]. I’ve never measured them, but I get pictures because nobody believes it.

Bonus Points 1. In their first rematch since the 2009 playoffs, the short-handed Rockets surprised the defending champion Lakers at the Staples Center, winning 101-91 on Nov. 15.

2. At press time, Scola was averaging career highs of 15 points and 9.7 rebounds a game.

3. The Blazers’ coach in 1992, Rick Adelman, is currently the head coach in Houston.

4. We had to use Google Translate to find that little nugget.

6. The dance-off was a competition among the rookies, organized by the Rockets’ veterans, of course.

7. Scola endorses Anta, a shoe line in China, and is featured in a commercial that focuses on his footwork.

8. According to Dove.com, the Frizz Control Therapy Shampoo “repairs and smoothes the uplifted cuticles that cause frizz, leaving hair resilient in damp, humid weather.”

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5. Scola’s favorite U2 song? “With or Without You.”

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TURNER SPORTS CONGRATULATES

DOUG COLLINS ON HIS PRESTIGIOUS 2009 CURT GOWDY MEDIA AWARD FROM THE NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

TM & © 2009 TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. A TIME WARNER COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ®ATAS/NATAS

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*definitions taken from the Merriam-Webster and Oxford-American dictionaries HOOP

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adjective unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others Tracy McGrady

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Generosity comes easy when you bank millions. Cutting a check out to help others less fortunate, while commendable, is the e-mail or text messaging of giving back: quick, easy and impersonal. Devoting your time, pocketbook and efforts for a cause is the selfless way to go about it. Just ask Tracy McGrady. He’s dedicated himself to bettering the lives of the people in the region of Darfur in Africa, who have been afflicted with genocide, rape and violence, resulting in a tattered community where basic needs have become hard to come by. McGrady has visited the area and met face-to-face with the victims and has become a public face to champion their cause. He’s essentially worn the millions of Darfurians on his sleeve, or rather on his chest. This season McGrady swapped out the #1 he’s worn his entire career to #3 in honor of his Darfur endeavor, 3 Points, which stands for Peace, Protection, Punishment.

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noun a person who exercises control or authority; specifically : one who directs or supervises workers Jerry Sloan If the NBA followed the storyline of The Sopranos, there’s no doubt Jerry Sloan would be one of the untouchables. Over 1100 wins, 18 playoff appearances and two Western Conference titles will earn the admiration of any basketball player, fan or fellow coach. But when you’re still among the best in your business at the spry age of 69—and a Hall of Famer while still active—well, that puts you on another level. There are very few in the biz who are as respected as the Jazz general, who has transformed the team with the unfitting nickname from a once fumbling franchise to a powerhouse. You’d think after his Springfield enshrinement last summer he’d ride off quietly into the sunset, but Sloan is still grinding his players, getting in refs’ ears and teaching the X’s and O’s of the game, making the Jazz a playoff threat each and every year. The guys he coaches are always described as “hard-working” or “fundamentally sound” and Sloan wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s just how real bosses move. Jerry Sloan, made man.

noun something invariable or unchanging from top: melissa majchrzak; nathaniel s. butler/NBAE/Getty Images

Paul Pierce Since 1998 you can depend on one thing happening when the Boston Celtics take the floor: Paul Pierce getting buckets...and buckets...and buckets. When P-Dub landed in the Celtics lap at the 10 slot in the 1998 draft, Celtics fans were hoping they got a steal; they got much more though...they got a franchise player. It’s inevitable that Pierce’s #34 will join the rafters alongside the greats like Bird, Havlicek and so many others. There’s been a lot of ups and downs since this SoCal expat came to New England, but his desire for excellence and the green and white has never wavered. Many will say the turning point for this current Celtics legacy will be noted for the arrival of KG and Ray, and we don’t argue with that. But don’t ever forget the man who’s been there from the genesis, Paul Pierce. And that is the truth.

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adjective a: neat and trim in appearance b: very spruce and stylish

adjective marked by or acting with prompt efficiency

Derek Fisher

Some players in the League are fast and use that attribute mainly to get buckets in bunches on defenders who can’t keep pace. Then there’s Rajon Rondo who uses his Usain Bolt-like quickness to craft an all-around game that is just, as Bostonians would say, “wicked good.” Forget to box him out and he’ll scoot right by you for an offensive rebound.

Take your eye off the ball for a millisecond and he’ll be halfway down the other end with the rock in his hand on a fastbreak. And don’t get us started on the pivot moves in the post— sometimes we almost think it’s the Tasmanian Devil in the green #9 spinning and whizzing by unsuspecting guards. How one player can keep up such an efficient pace for nearly three quarters of playing time a night is remarkable—it’s also a key reason why the Celtics are so damn good.

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Good dressers know one thing: they know what works for them and they don’t stray far away from it. That would certainly fit the mantra that Derek Fisher holds himself to. Much like his on-court career—play dogged D, knock down the open jumper and be an extension of the coach—D-Fish knows exactly what is needed from him and stays right there. His fashion game is the same. He’s all about impeccably tailored suits, the perfect matrimony of accessories to the outfit, subtle perfection in the details, and most importantly, having the confidence to back up any outfit he’s donning.

Rajon Rondo

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adjective a: treated, affected, or crusted over by freezing b: in basketball, the act of making a defender stop in one’s tracks during a crossover dribble Derrick Rose

from top: jesse d. garrabrant; chris mcgrath/NBAE/Getty Images

We like Andre Miller. We think he’s one of the most underrated guards in the game. But what Derrick Rose did to him last season was just dirty. Coming out of Memphis, we heard all the talk about what he could do with the ball, but would he be able to get the best of the top players in the world? Apparently, yes. From turning Dre and a whole bunch of other 1s into statues with his ballhandling, Rose has already catapulted himself into the top PG convo with only one year under his belt. Kid’s got a good shot too and can blow by defenders. But the handles are just down right ridiculous. Don’t worry Andre, we still respect your game. And we can assure you, you won’t be the only one who ends up on the wrong end of a Derrick Rose highlight.

noun a: an individual or special taste b: enthusiastic and vigorous enjoyment or appreciation c: vitality marked by an abundance of vigor and enthusiasm Nate Robinson The NBA is not without guys short on flair. Plenty of dudes showcase their personality after a big yam, ridiculous shot or stinkface-inducing block. A little shoulder wag, a little airplane flying downcourt, a subtle wink or smile, or the not-sosubtle chest thump or roar to the crowd. Nate Robinson? He’s all that, and that’s before the opening tipoff. Robinson is a can of energy drink personified (drink makers, looking for a pitchman? Nate is your man) On the floor, he’s a virtual pinball, bouncing from baseline to rim, sideline to free-throw line, teammate to fan (just ask Will Ferrell). Cut off his 5-9 frame and you’d still be left with a head that would express every one of Robert Plutchik’s eight basic emotions and probably a few that he missed.

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noun a: a place of safety or refuge b: a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden is not the fabled arena it is because of the Knicks, especially the team that it has trotted out for the past decade. What makes it such a sacred place to all is the mystique that it holds, the media glare that it receives, the history that it has seen being the oldest NBA arena, its location smack dab in the middle of Manhattan. a city that boasts more outdoor rims than any other metropolis in the world and where the lights outside the arena are brighter than the ones inside. For an opposing player, the cramped visitor’s locker room might be unbearable, the paint on the walls a bit peeling and the ever-lingering scent from the annual circus visit a tad off-putting, but the glamour and intrigue of having a statement game in the Garden is too alluring (MJ, Reggie, Bron and Kobe would agree). Jay-Z recently rhymed (and before him, Frank Sinatra sang), “If you can make it here, you make it anywhere.”

Who’s going to disagree with those two guys?

Steve Nash A skinny, wide-eyed kid from Canada? He can’t ball! Are you serious?

We’re sure Steve Nash heard this a lot growing up, but here he is, two Podoloffs in tow, not to mention a gaggle of all-star berths, thousands of dimes and buckets and the title of one of the best point guards alive. But Nash is never one to gloat; he lets his play do the talking. A determined gym rat, Nash is off to another MVP-quality start, having the Suns run and gun back like the days of old (and putting fear in the eyes of the rest of the West). He also is quite the personality off the court, making the rounds with Letterman and working tirelessly with his numerous charities. He’s also the guy NBA players go to for a cause or to cameo in a viral video, doing it all while always walking to his own beat. People say there will never be another MJ or Bird, and they may be right. But we can also guarantee that there won’t ever be another Steve Nash.

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noun a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions

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noun a quality that cannot be described or named easily

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By Michael Bradley #53

Maybe it’s because he could be out of Miami after this season.

Or, perhaps he’s just sick of hearing about LeBron and Kobe when it comes to talk about the best players in the NBA. Whatever the case, Dwyane Wade is different these days, and Erik Spoelstra can see it. There is an immediacy to his behavior... a need to win right now.

We see it in big things, like buzzer-beating buckets to defeat Jersey, 30-point outbursts and that stinkface-inducing dunk that he delivered on the head of Anderson Varejao. Spoelstra looks at the more nuanced aspects of Wade’s performance, like what he did during an early-November practice. Play had become shabby. The coaches were grumbling. Instead of leaving the disciplinary work in the usual hands, HOOP

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Wade stopped practice himself and chided his teammates. Wake up, he told them. Pay attention and get the work done.

“He said, ‘Hey, let’s focus. We’ve got to get better,’” Spoelstra says. “It meant so much more than if a coach said it. I felt he had a sense of urgency for the moment. There has been so much discussion about 2010 free agency.1 He is committed to the team and sees the future as now.”

We all know about Wade’s substantial set of skills and how few players in the League can approach his ability. There are many who believe he should have been the MVP last year. He has an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal.2 He’s involved in the community and one of the few bankable and marketable stars in the League (see sidebar). Whether the Heat and Spoelstra want to talk about it or not, he will be a highly coveted commodity come next June. At a time when fans celebrate the spectacular and rarely delve beneath the surface, Wade has all the credentials necessary for the reverence that comes with stardom.

There’s more to it. That’s where Wade’s story gets most interesting. Now in his seventh season, he has moved well beyond his God-given strengths to incorporate a collection of less noticeable but equally vital and harder to describe traits into his game. By embracing the smaller things, he has become more complete and dangerous, even though it’s difficult to recognize the improvements without studying him closely.

Wade works hard, but so do dozens of NBA players. It’s how he works that makes the difference. His skills are diverse and many. The way he chooses to augment them is a huge reason for his success. That attention to detail separates him from others.

“The little things are the biggest things about the game,” he says, almost channeling his inner Yogi Berra.3 “A lot of people see Kobe [Bryant] on TV, and they see the 40 points he scores and the shots and the dunks, and they don’t see he’s one of the most fundamental guys in the game. He does all the little things right, like footwork and getting open.”

Wade then gives an example. Suppose he throws the ball into a post player from the

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wing and makes a cut. If he jogs through, he draws some attention simply because of who he is. If he breaks hard he causes a panic, since his defender and perhaps the man guarding the big fella will feel compelled to pay attention. “That makes it easier for the big guy to head to the basket,” Wade says.

You may be unable to avert your eyes from Wade’s buzzer-beater that killed the Nets back in mid-November. It’s hard to think about anything when he can still place the dagger, despite having Trenton Hassell stuck to him like a piece of gum on a sneaker.

That’s the highlight. That’s what most people see and how they assess Wade’s night. He won the game.

What they don’t see is how Wade had to change his position earlier in the game because of an injury to point man Mario Chalmers. Instead of spending the night exclusively on the wing, Wade had to run the team for long stretches. He has done that before, but it shows his flexibility and commitment. Then, with four seconds left and the Heat teetering on the brink of becoming Jersey’s first victim of the season, Wade went from team player to team

savior. Forgetting about his 0-for-4 three-point performance up to that moment, Wade overcame a momentary mishandle to end the evening. He was perfectly comfortable in the moment, caring only about that shot and not the one he had missed—or how another misfire would mean disaster.

“I grew up in Chicago,4 and I watched Michael Jordan,” Wade says. “What he said was that if he had the chance to take the shot, you might hit or miss, but you have to do it again. You have to feel you can do it, even if you miss.”

What has happened with Wade is a growth in his perspective on the game of basketball, and that gives him the ability to play a deeper, more layered game. It’s often hard to pinpoint why he is succeeding, beyond looking at his physical skills. There is more than that, and it comes from a desire to understand the game and its smaller components.

Don’t be mistaken; Wade doesn’t survive only by guile and study. He’s a remarkable athlete. He thrives because of how he supplements that firepower with a desire to go beyond the spectacular.

From 2005-07, Dwyane Wade’s Miami Heat jersey was the most popular seller at the NBA store. Though it currently sits at the number six spot, everybody from consumers to publicly traded corporations know that D-Wade can still move product. Wade signed his first endorsement contract with Converse after being drafted in ’03 and soon became the face of the brand. A few years later during a spree of All-Star and Olympic berths he signed endorsement deals with Gatorade, Lincoln, T-Mobile, Staples, Sean Jean and was featured on the cover of EA Sports’

NBA Live 06. After taking home the chip in the summer of ’06 and winning the Finals MVP, Wade took his signature Wade shoes to a whole new level. It’s obvious D-Wade has taken a personal interest in the products he promotes, helping to design five different Wade shoes for Converse and even putting some personal touches on the D-Wade edition of the Sidekick 3 for T-Mobile. This season Wade has moved on to the Jordan brand and will rock the Jumpman logo along with fellow US Olympic teammates Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony—this year’s release of the Air Jordan 2010 was held in Miami and featured events centering around MJ and Wade. After coming into the League in the shadows of Melo and LeBron’s marketing hype, D-Wade is an equal force on the global brand market and one of the most wanted spokesmodels in professional sports.

Josh Gordon #44

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“He’s more detailed with his thought,” Spoelstra says. “Before, he was able to read situations in the game so much off of his instincts, and he does have incredible instincts at both ends of the floor. He can see things develop before most people do. Now you see him intelligize the game.”

While Spoelstra petitions Webster’s for a ruling on “intelligize,” he gives an example of Wade’s development. Instead of just looking at the two primary defenders in a pick-and-roll situation, Wade is examining the help that could be coming, should he get past the first line. He doesn’t divide the game into small pieces; he looks at everything, in order to get everyone involved.

“He’s like a quarterback seeing where the open guys are, so he can make someone better,” Spoelstra says.

There are times—many times—when Wade shouldn’t be thinking about others so much. During every game there are situations where he must be in charge. The term “take over” is abused, because it’s hard to hijack a game with so many moving parts. More often, Wade is called upon to exert substantial influence because of his ability to produce.

It’s rare that he does it for an entire game, but he is expected to be available for such work.

Wade prefers that it comes upon request, but he also knows that his Heat teammates are quite comfortable with his stepping to the front of the stage for a solo.

“It’s different every game,” he says. “You have to read how your teammates are playing, and how the defense is playing. You have to pick the right time to attack and be aggressive. Then, when I’m aggressive, and the defense keys on me, I have the chance to help my teammates. But you can’t do it for 48 minutes.

“Sometimes, my teammates come to me and say, ‘Do what you do. We’re with you.’

It’s great when teammates give you that confidence and say, ‘We need it. Go do it.’

But I’m not perfect.”

Nobody is or will be. What Wade is working toward is a better understanding of the game and a means of maximizing his talents within it. It becomes harder to explain as he gets further along in his career, because it’s much easier to describe a gravity-defying dunk than it is to pick out a bit of leadership that results in success. For instance, when the Heat dispatched visiting Washington, 90-76, in early November,5 Wade wasn’t particularly impressed, saying that Miami should have won the game, given the Wizards’ depleted state. (Antawn Jamison and

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others were out with injuries.) He wasn’t trying to be dismissive, rather he wanted to show his teammates that the better NBA teams recognize opportunities and expect success.

“That shows his maturity and how far his leadership has come,” Spoelstra says. “Early in his career, he was playing with a lot of veterans, and he was deferential. He led by his actions, but not by his voice. Last year, when we met, I told him he had to be more of a vocal leader. This year, the team has to feel his competitive spirit when there is a lack of focus and adversity. He has become more vocal in huddles.”

Wade’s increased volume has meant a lot to the Heat, who can now clearly count on him as a leader in every way possible. His biggest difference could well be much harder to hear and more demanding on the eyes. By preparing more diligently—“His dedication in general is notable,” Spoelstra says—and working more conscientiously on parts of basketball that require more cognition than ignition, Wade is leading by performing at near peak efficiency. Most of that will never be obvious, but in a game where players seek every possible advantage, it’s vital. Wade is an athlete in his prime. Soon he will be a complete basketball player at the apex. That’s harder to describe but much more valuable in the long run.

BONUS POINTS 1. Wade can opt out of his contract after the ’09-10 season and become a free agent, joining other big names like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh, Tracy McGrady, Manu Ginobili and Carlos Boozer on the market.

2. Although the gold-medal experience for Wade in Beijing in 2008 was sweet, he wasn’t so happy four years earlier, when he was part of the US squad that managed bronze in Athens.

3. Yogi Berra played 18 seasons with the Yankees, was on 13 world championship teams, won the MVP award three times and was a 15-time all-star, but he is best known for his “creative” speeches, like “I really didn’t say everything I said,” and “Ninety percent of the game is half mental.”

4. Wade was born in Chicago on 1/18/82 and graduated from Richards HS in Oak Lawn, IL, in 2000.

5. Wade scored 41 points, pulled down five rebounds, handed out five assists and collected three steals in the win, playing just 38 minutes.

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noun In basketball, a term used to define sneakers.

More so than any other sport, the basketball shoe is the one personal connection to the game. A baseball player will argue his glove or bat is more sacred, but we will respectfully disagree that a piece of equipment that isn’t used half the time wields such importance. Ask an NBA player and he’ll tell you the same. You run, cut and jump off your feet. After a rebound, dunk or jumper, your shoe absorbs all of your weight. You think Devin Harris jets up the court without his adidas TS Cut Creator? Can Chris Paul weave through the traffic cones of defenders without his signature Jordan CP3s? And when you’re built and jump as high as LeBron, his Nike Zoom LeBrons serve as one hell of a buffer zone every time he lands. For us, basketball shoes are a means of fantasy and aspiration. We may never jump, shoot, dunk, dribble or play like our heroes on the court, but for a brief second when we lace up a crispy new pair, we feel like we are them.

adjective a: the confinement of prisoners to their cells for all or most of the day as a temporary security measure b: in basketball, referring to a defender who stifles an opposing player with tough defense Shane Battier

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Just to be clear, there was no nepotism in play with our selection of Shane Battier (he’s HOOP’s long-running Tech Editor). Dissenters will argue that Ron Artest is more dominating on D (at his peak he might be better, but Ron-Ron does suffer from defensive lapses), Dwight Howard has more impact at affecting shots (certainly, but he also has the benefit of honing in on just the shot itself and not having to contend with everything leading up to the shot) or that Kobe Bryant is more accomplished (no argument, although Kobe rations his energy on defense for offense and the big moments). Some cry that Battier is a specialist. We say, “So what?” That’s like saying Coca-Cola can only make a great tasting soda. Battier is a genius at making a scorer work for every field goal. He won’t block many shots nor will he pick many pockets, but he’s a master at subtleties—forcing shooters to uncomfortable spots, covering up sightlines to the basket, leaving practically no space between himself and his man, anticipating moves and beating them to the spot. Can someone please get this man the DPOY already?

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By Andy Jasner #27

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all growns up It took an agonizing loss, some personal setbacks, a few birthdays and a son, but Carmelo Anthony is now ready to assume his spot as one of the League’s brightest stars Some birthdays are more memorable than others.

Carmelo Anthony will remember his 25th birthday1 for a long time, but for all the wrong reasons.

It bothered him during the summer, eating away during his quiet time away from the court, and troubled him all the way up to the beginning of his seventh training camp with the Denver Nuggets. Yes, Anthony spent much of the offseason reflecting on the events of May 29, 2009, specifically the scoreboard image from Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals standing out in big, bold letters and numbers: LAKERS 119, NUGGETS 92.2 In a game played at the Pepsi Center in front of the rabid Nuggets fans, no less.

Ouch.

“We got that close and could taste it,” Anthony says. “We wanted it so bad. I wanted it so bad. I thought we had that game and were taking it back to Los Angeles. We didn’t get it done.

“We got experience, but we felt we were good enough to win. I know it. I know it.”

doug pensinger/Getty Image sports

noun the process of becoming mature

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During Game 6, Anthony paced the Nuggets with 25 points on 6-of-17 shooting, yet watched helplessly in the waning minutes as the Lakers celebrated.

Of course, the Lakers went on to capture their 15th NBA championship by ousting the Orlando Magic, while the Nuggets had to endure an eighth straight loss in a playoff elimination game.

“It was uncool, man,” Anthony says. “It hurt. It wasn’t fun to lose. I hope to change that.

“The goal is a championship. I play for one reason and that’s to win a ring.”

He believes the Nuggets are extremely close to overtaking the Lakers for Western Conference supremacy. In order to leapfrog the best, you have to perform at a high level.

It starts with your team leader.

“I’m not a big speechmaker,” Anthony says. “I’m about leading by example. I feel like I’ve matured a lot since I’ve been in the League. I will show the guys on the court and in workouts off the court. I’m excited.”

Anthony sure didn’t wallow in the Game 6 loss to the Lakers, feeling sorry for himself about what could have been. Rather, he went to work.

He has shed about 15-20 pounds since last season thanks to a rigorous training regimen. Let’s not forget the thousands of jumpers he launched every single day in the gym, or the countless hours he spent fine-tuning his already-deft footwork on drives to the basket or positioning in the low post.

This is a determined player, probably more determined than ever.

“I would agree,” Anthony says. “I’m focused. I’m not worried about the past. I feel like I’m more prepared than ever for this season. It’s a great feeling.”

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Anthony has clearly advanced into the upper echelon of players in the League, and his offseason schedule was evidence of that fact.

There was a basketball camp in Spain that he was asked to run. There were guest appearances on national television shows and too many charitable events to keep track of. It was a whirlwind indeed. But it never got in the way of his goal for a title.

“No, I never let anything interfere with my workouts,” Anthony says. “I would make sure my schedule was worked in the right way.”

Having family support3 away from the court has been a blessing. When he has a bad game or a tough day, he can count on a smile from his son, Kiyan.

“Oh yeah, it’s something,” Anthony says. “Your child just loves you no matter what.”

Life in the NBA hasn’t been completely rosy and pain-free for the silky-smooth forward, who won a national championship as a freshman at Syracuse University in 2003.

Anthony has had run-ins with coach George Karl and faced suspensions in the past.

Anthony refuses to dwell on the past. He can’t. He won’t.

“It’s all in front of me now,” Anthony says. “It’s all positive. I’m a positive person in every way.”

from top: andrew d. bernstein; rocky widner/NBAE/Getty Images

The Sixth Sense

The Jordan Melo M6 shoe is Carmelo Anthony’s sixth as part of the Jordan Brand.

Is it the best?

“I like it a lot,” Anthony says. “It’s comfortable and I like the design.

I think it’s a perfect fit for me.”

Along with Hornets guard Chris Paul and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Anthony is now part of an incredibly elite group of athletes to earn their own signature brand collection.

With Heat guard Dwyane Wade on board with the Jordan Brand, is there a friendly rivalry?

“Nah, not really,” Anthony says. “When I go up against these guys on the court, we’re just trying to win.”

The Jordan Melo M6, which went on sale for a suggested retail price of $120 last October, is just 14.2 ounces, the lightest Melo signature shoe yet. The star graphic on the outsole represents the Puerto Rican flag and goes back to Anthony’s roots.

AU79/08 on the outsole references the atomic number for gold and Anthony’s gold medal from the 2008 Olympics. The graphic on the outsole shows the Baltimore harbor skyline honoring Anthony’s “Charm City” hometown. And the star perforations on the tongue symbolize the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center, which is located in Baltimore.

“I think it’s cool that I had input into what the shoe was all about,” Anthony said. “It’s the right fit for me in every way.”—#27

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The rest of the League is aware of what Carmelo Anthony can accomplish. With career averages of 24.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, he is a top concern for any opposing coach. This season the hard work has reaped early dividends as Anthony topped 30 points per game over the first 11 games, more importantly, leading the Nuggets to a 8-3 start.

And it’s not just the numbers that worries the opposition. It’s the whole package.

“I think Carmelo Anthony is one of the most dynamic players in the League because he does everything well,” Philadelphia 76ers coach Eddie Jordan says. “Yes, he can score and rebound. But he runs the court as well as anyone. He’s adept at getting to the foul line when he needs to. He has great court vision.”

Celtics coach Doc Rivers took his description one step further.

“Melo demands a double team every time he touches the ball,” Rivers says. “There are only a handful of players who fall into that category. He has developed into an all-around player capable of hurting you in a variety of ways. He can be unstoppable at times even if you do everything right defensively.

You just hope you can make things a little bit tougher on him and force him a little bit out of his comfort zone.”

Can that be done?

“That’s why you need a team to win,” says veteran Nets guard Rafer Alston. “You can’t do it by yourself. You need five guys on the court at once disrupting everything. Man, oh man, Melo is good. Real good. He’s breaking out for sure.”

Anthony definitely broke out in the 2009 playoffs. Maybe it was the frustration of being passed over for an All-Star berth as a reserve. However it came about, Anthony4 averaged 27.2 points, shooting 45 percent in 16 playoff games.

Alex English averaged 30.2 points in the 1985 playoffs for the Nuggets.

Get the point?

“I’d trade the points for two more wins and going to the Finals,” Anthony says.

A more mature Carmelo Anthony indeed.

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It took Michael Jordan what seemed like forever to overtake the Detroit Pistons in the ’90s. The Sixers finally ousted the Lakers in ’83 with the addition of Moses Malone.

The Nuggets need to find a way to get past the mighty Lakers. Sure, it might never happen. That’s not the point.

They have to do everything possible to advance to the Finals.

“As someone who never won an NBA championship, I know the frustration,” says Charles Barkley, whose Phoenix Suns lost to the Bulls in six games in the 1993 Finals. “You give your heart and your soul and there’s nothing left and you fall short. You’re empty inside. You have nothing left. But you know you gave everything you had. I think Melo is understanding of that. He was fantastic in the playoffs last year. It ended in a bad way, which was probably terrible to him. You come back and re-energize yourself and try to do it again. You have to have that mental toughness, which I know Melo has inside.

“I know he can do it. As a young kid, he learned some life lessons. I think it has made him stronger. He’s a different player from when he came in as a rookie from Syracuse. He’s a much more rounded player and much, much tougher mentally and physically.”

Fast forward to the ’09-10 season and Anthony is ready, willing and able. He relishes the chance to lead the Nuggets to a championship.

Being a leader isn’t something Anthony takes lightly.

“You’ve got to bring it every night,” he says. “Back-to-backs, long road trips, you have to do it on the court.”

Talking and putting words into action are two completely different things. The question remains: can Anthony elevate the Nuggets5 to another level?

“I think so, but the whole team has to play well, better than ever,” Barkley says. “The Lakers are going to be there as always and the addition of Ron Artest obviously helps. The San Antonio Spurs are much, much better. Portland is better. I’d like to see Melo win a championship because you can see how badly he wants it. The Nuggets are on the verge. Melo can be even better. He has to be the best player on the court every night and I think he can be.”

As the days and weeks have passed since the Game 6 loss to the Lakers, Anthony has taken some time off, traveled around the world and thought continuously about what transpired.

Amazingly, he has not watched the game film of Game 6.

He’s motivated, refreshed and ready to go.

“I’m so excited for the season,” Anthony says. “I have a lot of goals to accomplish.”

One major goal is playing well beyond his 26th birthday.6 If you’re playing into June, you’re playing in the Finals.

That would make the next birthday so much more memorable.

BONUS POINTS 1. Anthony was born on 5/29/84.

from left: garrett ellwood; fernando medina/NBAE/Getty Images

2. Anthony made only 7-of-28 of his three-pointers against the Lakers in the Conference Finals.

3. In addition to his son, Anthony has two brothers and a sister.

4. Anthony has played in 445 career regular season games with an average of 36.2 minutes per game.

5. Nuggets coach George Karl is an inexplicable 0-10 in the playoffs after his team loses Game 1 of a series. It’s the longest skid by a coach in NBA history.

6. Anthony has scored 10,768 career points in a Nuggets uniform with a career-best 2,122 in ’05-06.

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adjective following, succeeding, upcoming, to come Tyreke Evans, Blake Griffin, Brandon Jennings It’s an accomplishment just to hold up a NBA jersey on draft day. But these three rookies look to do more than just be drafted by a NBA team; they are the future of their respective franchises. Blake Griffin, Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings are all trying to bring the bottom of the league to the top. Griffin, the No. 1 draft pick of the perennial lottery team of Los Angeles, sat out for the first six weeks with a broken kneecap. But when healthy, the power and skill of the Oklahoma product have the Clipper faithful looking forward to watching the man Gregg Popovich called “a monster” change the losing culture of the other team in the Staples Center. Evans and Jennings are only 20 years old, but have already established themselves as team leaders. Evans is hoping to have as successful a rookie season as his fellow former Memphis guard Derrick Rose had last year. He started out the season with a fury, dropping 32 points on Utah in only his seventh game as a professional. Meanwhile, Jennings has been working hard to pull the struggling Bucks out of the bottom of the Central Division and improve on last season’s 34 wins. The flashy guard made a huge impact in his first game in the League, falling just one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double. Add a 55-point gem that had the sports world in a frenzy and it is evident that these three are hungry and in line to be the next generation of stars in the NBA.

Joakim Noah You’re not supposed to be able to judge a book by its cover, but one look at Joakim Noah and you know there’s something different about this cat. It may be the hair or the wardrobe choices (let’s not forget his 2007 draft suit), but it’s more than just his accoutrement that separates Noah from the pack. An absolute beast who dominated on the college level, many thought Noah’s wreckless style of play wouldn’t adapt to the big leagues. But he is still as ferocious and unpredictable now as he was when he was a Gator, out hustling and out muscling bigger players for boards and points. He’s talkative, but respectful, emotional and jovial, a true conglomerate of NBA player personalities. His stand-alone style has the Bulls as one of the toughest teams in the League...and he’s also one hell of a dresser.

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adjective independent and creative in thought or action

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adjective a: of great value or high price b: highly esteemed or cherished Remember Gollum from Lord of the Rings? Well, there’s a bit of Gollum in almost every NBA player. While none of them squat like a hobbit, NBA players do lust for the “precious” in almost the same manner as the creepy CGI-ed fantasy character. Remember KG’s unbridled elation when he copped his first one? Can you imagine the inner fire burning inside of Jason Kidd to get the elusive prize, stoked by 16 years of futility? Did you hear how Kobe, even after having garnered one for every member of his family, has put all of them on ice so he can focus on his quest for a fifth? It’s that common passion that fuels the greats to endure 82 games and be the first to reach 16 wins in the postseason, it’s not about the dazzling carats or the glistening gold, it’s about being encircled by the symbol of blood, sweat and tears that will forever mean champion.

noun used in similes and metaphors to describe something that moves or changes very quickly, or that is difficult to hold or contain Devin Harris Call it hustle, speed, wheels, jets, burners... whatever you like. The point is Devin Harris can move and in a hurry. Maybe it’s the shoes or just God-given talent—whatever it is, Harris seems to run just as fast with the ball as he does without it as he dips by defenders to break to the basket. Mix his natural ability to sprint with shut down defense and that leads to plenty of easy buckets for Harris and the Nets. Last year at the All-Star game, Harris set the Guinness World Record for fastest time from baseline to baseline dribbling a basketball at 3.93 seconds. At that pace Harris could break a four-minute mile while dribbling a basketball. He is proving everyday that you can’t defend what you can’t catch, and in the NBA speed is something opposing teams can’t easily adjust to. After five years in the League and coming off his first All-Star season, Harris is looking to get to the top very quickly. Don’t blink.

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transitive verb change (something) so much that it appears to be entirely new Vince Carter For over a decade Vince Carter has mesmerized basketball fans across the world. It began in the purple dino jerseys when he unleashed an arsenal of dunks on the League never seen outside of NBA Jam. But as injuries to his legs squeezed some of the life out of his uncanny athletic body, Carter realized he had to switch his flow. By the time he arrived in New Jersey, many envisioned the most exciting backcourt tandem ever in Jason Kidd and VC, but Vince was more proficient at bombing treys and fadeaway Js. Oh yes, there were many highlight reel 360s and tomahawks, but we finally got to see Carter as a complete offensive threat, one who could beat you off the dribble, could never be left alone around the three-point line and of course, could yam one on your head with a backdoor alley-oop. Most importantly though, he showed us that he could be a leader, the type of exemplary veteran many in Toronto thought he’d never become. As he takes on the role as a key piece in Orlando’s championship drive, Vince may actually be a better player now than he ever was before.

The Laker Girls All NBA teams have diehard fans that will scream till their lungs get sore and wave those ridiculous blow-up noodles behind the backboard during foul shots to cause distractions.

But when there are five seconds left in the fourth quarter and coach is mapping out a play for the final shot, only in L.A. can you find the entire team watching the Laker Girls shake it at midcourt—that is what we call a home court advantage. The Laker Girls are basketball royalty and a staple in the Staples Center like Jack in the front row or the banners in the rafters. Even if Kobe doesn’t drop any dimes, you can be sure to see a team full of 10’s come out during timeouts to keep the crowd in their seats. They are every sports fan’s fantasy and do things on the court that prove the NBA is where amazing happens.

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adjective (of a work, event, moment, or figure) strongly influencing later developments

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noun a situation in which all outcomes or options are equally possible or equally attractive Kobe and LeBron Not since Bird vs. Magic and before that, Wilt vs. Russ, has there been such a hotly contested debate as to who rules the NBA roost. Fans of precision and skill seem to sit in the Kobe camp, enamored by #24’s deliberate and efficient way of carving up opponents: MJ-like stepback fadeaway Js, jab step and drive, head and pump fakes, up-and-unders, mamba-quick strikes to steal the ball, en route to a typical Kobe-like 30-point night. Backers of #23 appreciate the all-around wonder of this generation’s Big O and his pure physical abilities. Whereas Kobe’s greatness is more singularly driven, LeBron is all-encompassing, keeping a scorekeeper busy with his relentless accumulation of stats and just overwhelming the opposition with his size, speed and strength. From the perspective of chips, it’s not even worth arguing, but they are both tied in MVP finishes. They’re both boxoffice and merchandise draws, packing arenas and as fans can’t get enough of their myriad of shoes, jerseys and other collectibles. Our take? Even we’ve been known to waver from one camp to the other depending on what time of day you ask us.

noun an unidentified flying object

from top: harry how; rocky widner/NBAE/Getty Images

Anthony Randolph The Warriors aren’t as popular as when Baron and crew owned the Bay, so you may not be on the lookout for Golden State many times this season. But if you do catch them—we suggest firing up NBA League Pass Broadband—be sure to keep your eyes on #4. Cause if you blink, you might just miss him. Best bet is to keep your eyes near the rim when the Warriors have the ball, because that’s where Anthony Randolph puts in work. Whether it be a putback jam or a vicious driving dunk on an unprepared defender, Randolph makes his living in the sky. He only averaged 7.9 ppg last season, but came on strong towards the end of the year. He continued to give us highlights throughout the summer and is already close to doubling his points per game output this season. If the kid keeps it up, pretty soon everyone will be able to identify #4 on the Warriors.

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adjective not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so Dwight Howard For all of our um, more “seasoned” readers, do you remember the scene from Airplane! (starring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) where the guys in the tower are playing a super crude (the ball was a square comprised of like four pixels) basketball vidgame instead of controlling traffic? That was a real game—simply called Basketball—for the Atari 2600. For all the young’ns: history lesson is over. The game has certainly evolved since those days. From Jordan vs. Bird to Double Dribble to NBA Jam to today’s thriving Live and 2K franchises and everything in between, the basketball gamer has been treated with a gradual progression in vidgame realism. With each succession, we’ve been treated to better graphics, improved gameplay, more ways to play, but more importantly, the experience behind the controller is almost as real as sitting next to Spike or Jack at the real thing. The realistic faces glean with sweat, player tats, shoes and mannerisms are carefully rendered, the crowds roar and quiet with the pulse of the action, Marv Albert and Steve Kerr’s voices offer up their takes as the game progresses and the games even mimic the real-life storylines happening around the L. How many times have you walked into a living room and seen a game going on in the big screen only to find out that it’s not TNT, but someone balling via Xbox Live? Against Nate Robinson or Gilbert Arenas, no less.

It used to be that a courtside seat was the closest you could get to the game without being arrested by security, but now with the information superhighway in your pocket you can get more access to the NBA than ever before (and maybe more access than you wanted). The NBA is on Twitter and Facebook for all of the up-to-the-second information to keep your fantasy basketball team in top shape or to check out the latest random acts of Shaqness, Chris Bosh’s experience while on safari in South Africa or Dwight Howard’s thoughts on his latest doubledouble. Did your GM just break up your playoff caliber team and trade your first round draft pick? Well, why not send an e-mail with details on moves you would have made with ESPN. com’s NBA trade machine? Suns fans also have a way to connect with others who bleed orange and purple at the official social networking site of the Phoenix Suns, Planet Orange. The Internet has definitely changed the way the fan experiences the game, allowing players to interact with fans and fans to pretend to be best friends with their favorite players.

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howard video game image courtesy of EA Sports

noun a widely used information system on the Internet that provides facilities for documents to be connected to other documents by hypertext links, enabling the user to search for information by moving from one document to another.

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transitive verb to copy Chris Paul and Isiah Thomas

from left: bob levey; andrew d. bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

To use the literal sense of the word Xerox would be unfair to both the original, Isiah Thomas, and the copy, Chris Paul. Both have distinguished himself in their own unique way, but they both have embodied the same small-in-stature, but big-on-game point guard approach. Paul still has a long way to go, but after a four-and-half year sample of his career thus far, he’s proven to be every bit of the 19.2 ppg and 9.3 apg player (Paul: 19.6 and 9.9) that Zeke was over his 13-year career. But beyond stats, Paul is a carbon copy of Thomas. Both exude a confidence that inspires their four teammates on the floor, possess a brash attitude and moxie that makes up for being the smallest guy on the court and have the inner drive to not just win, but be the best while doing so. It’s a shame it’s not so simple as pressing COPY to pump some more of them out.

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noun opposite sides, elements, or extremes Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley In the longstanding tradition of buddy comedies—Fred and Barney, Laurel and Hardy, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker—Inside the NBA’s tandem of Kenny and Chuck provide insight, entertainment and of course laughs to create the best NBA-related show on the tube. Smith, a Queens product, maintains an inner-city edge and wittiness that plays perfectly off the country roots of Leeds’ own Round Mound of Rebound. When Kenny throws out stats and logical arguments, Barkley is sure to rebut with a contradicting—and most likely off-thecuff—answer. The result usually leaves a dumbfounded “Did he just say that?” look on The Jet’s face, while millions of viewers are at home laughing it up and uploading the quotables to YouTube. From outrageous bets (Yao Ming and the donkey) to good-natured ribbing (Kenny’s jersey retirement), the rapport never seems scripted or forced, and every once in a while you can even see them team-up for some jabs at host Ernie Johnson. Like Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid, this tag team was made for each other.

noun eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something The love of the game and goal of a championship is what Ronny Turiaf fights for one game at a time. It’s somewhat of a miracle that he even gets to lace up the Nikes at all; Turiaf needed open-heart surgery before his rookie season. But since then he’s played the game with a certain panache that you can’t find in every player. Last year, Turiaf was signed by Golden State and immediately named a team captain. He showed his passion for the game and was a leader on defense averaging 2.1 bpg, fourth best in the League. Don Nelson has started to use Turiaf this season at the power forward position with Andris Biedrins at center, which has added to Turiaf’s minutes and makes opposing guards hesitate before driving in the paint.

Watching Turiaf fly around the basket brings hope to Warrior fans that the team may be able to reach out of their current doldrums sooner than later and restore glory back in the Bay.

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Ronny Turiaf

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Subscribe to HOOP The Official Basketball Lifestyle Magazine of the NBA

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The

King

By Anthony Gilbert #1

and I

Remembering what Dr. Martin Luther King meant to three generations of the NBA family

The turbulent times of yesteryear have evolved and are now the celebration of where and how far our society has come. One of the prominent figures that emerged from the negativity and practiced the art of peace is Dr. Martin Luther King. What he taught was a non-violent approach to living and being, and through his example and many others, things were changed, and the world many decades later is a better place in the name of fairness and equality.

It takes a special heart and mind to put aside your life and lifestyle for the benefit of others, and Dr. King’s dedication to civil rights still shines today. From his letter against injustice while incarcerated in a Birmingham jail, to his famous “I Have A Dream” speech during the march on Washington, Dr. King, his family, and advisors made a difference that was as historic as it was necessary.

The illustration of Dr. King is one that continues to guide and inspire people the world over. As the NBA continues to expand and grow, the solid foundation from people such as Dr. King provides an opportunity for those playing a professional sport to help make a difference in the lives of people both near and far. Community programs like NBA Cares are a mirror image of what people making a difference and giving back is all about, and with an example like Dr. King, the will and desire becomes second nature, making teams and players advocates of hope.

Humankind worldwide in one way or another have seen the fruits of Dr. King’s labor, and when asked about his life, three generations of the NBA family—Sonny Hill, Philadelphia 76ers executive advisor, Kevin Garnett, and Rudy Gay—give their thoughts and regards to the man who was at the forefront of preaching change in America.

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Sonny Hill Can you talk about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and remembering him this month?

“Well I think that it’s something that we not only celebrate here in America—Dr. King was a world figure. So when you think about his demeanor, and what he has contributed not only to America but the world itself, it’s very highly recognized. In fact, the things that he was laying down, we need even more today than when he was here. He was about all mankind, us recognizing one another and appreciating one another because we’re all one. We got away from that philosophy, and if he was around today, he would be very disappointed in the manner in which things are done here in America and around the world.”

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Rudy Gay Can you talk about you and your family’s bond as a strong unit?

“We’re definitely a tight knit family. We weren’t raised with too much, but we always received what we needed. So my mom worked hard, and that just goes to show you how I grew up and how I began to do things as I grew older. We’re real close, and my family is happy for me, and they support me and they keep pushing me to get better.”

What are your thoughts on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday?

“It affects me because when I talk to my grandmother, and my mother, I’m able to see

from Left: Hill: Courtesy of Philadelphia 76ers; gregory shamus/NBAE/Getty Images

What does he mean to you personally?

“Well it’s people like him who have allowed me, and other people to be able to do the multitude of things we’re now doing. You have to understand that in my case, I was born in 1936. So when I was born, I couldn’t have dreamed that I would have the lifestyle and the kind of things that I would be able to do in my life, and it’s because of people like him... and not just him, but other people even before him. Because he’s off the backs of those before him who wanted to make a difference and could only get it done up to a certain point, and then he took the baton and took it to the next level, and then when he was killed the baton to some degree began to be dropped, and I think that as each generation goes by the baton of life and what he stood for has been dropped even more. Don’t forget that we were closer to it in our time, therefore we could appreciate it more. In fact, when Dr. King was killed, I had a Baker League All-Star game in Philadelphia and brought in players from across the country to play in a Charles Baker League Dr. Martin Luther King benefit game.

The players then recognized what it meant to say I can be a part of something like that.

How specifically did his example help you in your aspirations?

“Well not only with Dr. King, but I’m old enough to have other people who did the same kind of thing. With the success that I’ve had it’s the success of those before me who were as good as I was but didn’t get the opportunities, so [it’s] living their dream. I’m living the way that they would have preferred to do things. So I think that in my case people live vicariously through individuals like myself, meaning that they take great joy in the fact that they can say ‘that’s my boy,’ or ‘I’ve known him throughout the years, I knew him when he was younger,’ ‘I knew he was going somewhere,’ or ‘I knew he was going to be special.’ So I think that if we all look at it from that point of view, we can better appreciate the things that we have. I think that in today’s society, from an athletic point of view, from an entertainment point of view, or from individuals who have had a great deal of success, they don’t realize that they are [succeeding] off the backs of people like Dr. Martin Luther King, and even people before him, who opened the door, who made it possible for us to have the kind of success that we’re now having, and many times I think that people look at it like this is how it’s supposed to be.”

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how he affected their lives and how what he stood for helps me right now. I take that very seriously, because what he stood for was very important then and even more so now.”

You play in the city where Dr. King was assassinated; what does that mean to you?

“I mean, going to the spot [The Lorraine Motel], every time it sends chills up my spine.

You know how you get like that eerie feeling, because it all happened right here? When you think about it, it shouldn’t of had to happen. Sometimes I think that if he wasn’t at that spot, maybe he would still be alive today. I get those kinds of feelings sometimes, [asking] ‘What if he wasn’t there?’ or ‘What else would have happened?’

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Dr. King’s birthday is a national holiday. What are your feelings on that?

“I think for myself, it stands out. It’s a part of history that as a young black man or any other culture, or any other nationality that struggles, I think there are so many levels of struggle, in which we can all refer to as people, and I think each culture has struggled at some point, and I think we can all use references from Dr. Martin Luther King. I think his day doesn’t just represent African-Americans, I think it represents all, because I think everybody struggles in their own way, and whatever you use to get through it, whatever you use to find strength, I think that one day represents all of that.”

brian babineau/NBAE/Getty Images

Kevin Garnett You play with a lot of emotion and intensity, where does it come from?

“My upbringing was very sound, very much a foundation of respect and loyalty, definitely a work ethic. My mother taught my three sisters and I—no different from any other family—the valuable things in life: to work hard, to respect people and to demand respect.”

How do you think the life of Dr. King has played a role in the Garnett family?

“Well, I can’t speak for all young black kids, but I know for my family, I was taught to see no color, that every man was equal, and to treat every man with respect, to demand respect from every man. I think what is shown as individuals, it’s all about what we know, what we are able to teach one another, and we are to be able to learn from one another. My mom made sure that we weren’t a prejudiced family, or that we didn’t see or follow anything remotely close to that, and I thank her for that. We have a very sound respect for culture and how people live.”

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HBCUs HOOP Promotional Section

Directory of Historically Black Colleges and Universities 4-Year Public institutions

Elizabeth City State University www.ecsu.edu

Stillman College www.stillman.edu

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J.F. Drake State Technical College www.dstc.cc.al.us

Delaware State University www.desu.edu

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Claflin College www.claflin.edu

Lawson State Community College www.ls.cc.al.us

Florida A&M University www.famu.edu

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Coahoma Community College www.ccc.cc.ms.us

Savannah State University www.savstate.edu

South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu

Clark Atlanta University www.cau.edu

Knoxville College www.knoxvillecollege.edu

Hinds Community College, Utica www.hindscc.edu

Kentucky State University www.kysu.edu

Tennessee State University www.tnstate.edu

Interdenominational Theological Center www.itc.edu

Lane College www.lanecollege.edu

Denmark Technical College www.denmarktech.edu

Grambling State University www.gram.edu

Prairie View A&M University www.pvamu.edu

Morehouse College www.morehouse.edu

Lemoyne-Owen College www.loc.edu

St. Philip’s College www.accd.edu/spc

Southern University and A&M College www.subr.edu

Texas Southern University www.tsu.edu

Morehouse School of Medicine www.msm.edu

Meharry Medical College www.mmc.edu

Southern University at New Orleans www.suno.edu

Norfolk State University www.nsu.edu

Morris Brown College www.morrisbrown.edu

Huston-Tillotson College www.htu.edu

Bowie State University www.bowiestate.edu

Virginia State University www.vsu.edu

Paine College www.paine.edu

Jarvis Christian College www.jarvis.edu

Coppin State College www.coppin.edu

Bluefield State College www.bluefieldstate.edu

Spelman College www.spelman.edu

Paul Quinn College www.pqc.edu

Morgan State University www.morgan.edu

West Virginia State University www.wvstateu.edu

Dillard University www.dillard.edu

Southwestern Christian College www.swcc.edu

University of Maryland Eastern Shore www.umes.edu

University of the Virgin Islands www.uvi.edu

Xavier University of Louisiana www.xula.edu

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Hampton University www.hamptonu.edu

Bennett College for Women www.bennett.edu

Saint Paul’s College www.saintpauls.edu

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Virginia Union University www.vuu.edu

Livingstone College www.livingstone.edu

Virginia University of Lynchburg www.vul.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 088

4-Year Private Institutions Miles College www.miles.edu Oakwood College www.oakwood.edu Selma University Web address not available

2-Year Private Institutions Concordia College www.concordiaselma.edu Lewis College of Business www.lewiscollege.edu Clinton Junior College www.clintonjuniorcollege.edu

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Driven

Quiet Storm His whip game resembles his floor game to a T: speed, style and superior quality.

Devin Harris is New Jersey’s man in the driver’s seat Devin Harris lives life in the fast lane. But this isn’t one of those cautionary tales of flaming out too soon (truth be told, Devin is as unpretentious as a professional athlete could be). We’re talking about the All-Star’s palate for driving down the block and driving towards the hoop.

Speed is his weapon of choice, evident by lightning-quick layups and his custom-designed Maserati and Ferrari. We caught up with the Nets’ franchise point guard on an overcast, chilly day last fall on the Weehawken waterfront. With the New York City skyline as a backdrop, Devin showed us his current fleet of choice cars (he’s got a few more in Dallas), while also talking about his lifestyle off the court and showing us a behind-the-scenes look at the life of one of the League’s most engaging superstars.

So hop on in and join us for a ride as we welcome HOOP’s newest addition, car editor Devin Harris.

Just be sure to buckle up.

Seth Berkman #91

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PHotos by: nathaniel s. butler

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CHECK IT

What year did you get the Maserati?

I got it in 2008.

How do you like the way it drives?

I’m usually a guy who likes fast cars—very rarely do you get a fast car with the ability to have a lot of people in it. When Maserati came out with the Quattroporte, I knew I wanted something with a backseat that was still able to get up and move, and this fit the bill.

Is speed something you really look for in a car?

Yeah. Obviously I’m a guy that runs fast, likes to play fast and when I’m driving I like to pick up the speed as well. I like to have a little bit more pick-up in my cars.

Were there any bells and whistles you wanted to add when you got the car?

There’s some stitching in the seats, but I didn’t really want to add too much. It’s already got the

Bose speakers so it already sounds pretty good.

I like to be able to play the iPod, so that’s the only thing I really added to this one.

Is this the car you drive around mostly in the state and when you go to the city?

Probably just in the state. I don’t really drive this one in the city too often. The potholes don’t really go too well with the tires, I’ve had a few flats here and there. [laughs] So I try to keep this one out of the city as much as possible and more stateside in New Jersey.

Is it a big difference learning to drive in New Jersey and the area compared to Dallas and Wisconsin?

It is. The roads being the way they are, I’m trying to dodge potholes, and dealing with more of the winter stuff, the snow, it takes a little bit of time. It kind of reminds me of driving back home in Wisconsin.

Did the U-Turns confuse you?

Yeah, there’s not many left-hand turns. [laughs] That took me a while to get used to. And in the city you can’t make a right on a red light. And you can’t pump your own gas [in New Jersey]. That kind of threw me off, too.

When you were growing up did you have a ride you always wanted?

When I was growing up, one of my best friends got me into sports cars and he drove an Eagle Talon. He was a few years older than me, so when I got to 16, the kind of car I was looking forward to getting was an Eagle Talon. They stopped making them a few years after that I think, so Mitsubishi started making the Eclipse and I was really looking forward to getting into that. But that’s what kind of got me into the sports cars, driving stick and that feeling from him driving us around—we were only freshmen at the time, he was a senior. The Eagle Talon was that car.

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Was your first car an Eclipse?

It was not. I had a certain price range that my dad wanted to get my first car and we could not find one in that price range. So I had to settle. My first car was a Pontiac Sunfire. It was stick shift and I got in an accident within the first five days that I had it. [laughs] It was my first time really driving stick on a primary basis and it was my fault. I picked up my boy going to school and I actually backed into a tree. [laughs] I thought I was in first, but I wasn’t in first, I was in reverse.

Has there been one teammate in particular that always came real big with the car game?

In my rookie year, and he’s another guy that really got me into the car selection, and that’s Michael Finley. As a rookie I had to [attend] to his cars and boy, does he have a car collection! I’d wash his cars, get them detailed, things of that sort, and he actually let me borrow a couple of them for dates and things like that. But his car collection really got me into the Ferraris and the Maseratis and such. But the car I liked the most that I used to love to take out was the Aston Martin.

On the flipside has there ever been a teammate that everyone kind of clowns on for the car he chooses to ride?

Not really. There are guys who have basic cars, but not really one guy…I’ll tell you, Erick Dampier. He drove this car for the three years that I was in Dallas and then he finally got a new truck and we like threw a party for him.

How’d you choose the color for the Maserati?

The color has a lot to do with where I went to school. I’m a big fan of red, obviously the Badgers, and it even goes back to high school, the red, black and white were our team colors. My girlfriend in high school, her dad always had a red car, he was big into Lexus, but he always had to get red and that kind of rubbed off on me when I chose this.

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Can you talk about the rims?

They came standard but I wanted more of an effect. I’m a big kind of matchy-matchy guy, even when I dress, so I like the rims to kind of match the cars. I didn’t want to put too much into the rims, I wanted to keep a lot of things standard, so I just chose to paint the factory wheels and match them with the car.

Do you have any speakers in the trunk?

I’m not a big speaker guy. Obviously with this kind of car they did it justice by having Bose speakers already in, so I didn’t do a whole lot with the speaker system.

Now you had a black Ferrari before the white one?

My first one that I had was black-on-black. I gave that up when I was traded. In purchasing this one I didn’t want to go with the same black, and this one I actually got out of San Francisco.

It kind of goes into the Badger thing as well, the white with the red interior.

What are some of the things you like about this one compared to the black model?

What is there not to like about this one? [laughs] This one actually comes with a few things the ’07 didn’t have; the one thing I like the most is when you have the top down, it gives you a button that allows the speaker system to [boost] a little bit more so you can hear a little bit more from the speakers when you’re driving. I think this one has a little bit more horsepower.

Would you say the white Ferrari is your favorite?

Oh, without question. This is my baby right here.

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Toronto Raptors assistant coach Alex English gets a laugh at Amir Johnson’s new outfit prior to a game with the Minnesota Timberwolves last October. david sherman/NBAE/Getty Images

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Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams plays with a new buddy during a community food drive at the Utah Food Bank in Salt Lake City, UT.

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Kobe Bryant and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers received their championship rings before the season opening game on October 27 against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Last October, Royal Ivey and members of the Philadelphia 76ers ran drills with kids during an NBA Cares Special Olympics Basketball Clinic at the Irish Institute in Monterrey, Mexico.

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Everything But The...

Kitchen Sink. Which also happens to be the name of Oakley’s backpack that has every conceivable (OK, we’re pretty sure that is hyperbole) feature covered for the the modern user. Mobile phone slot, padded sleeve for 17inch laptop, protective eyewear compartment, headphone port, a stowaway spot for wet gear that sports drainage holes, inner organizers, oh, and plenty of pocket and attachment and tie-down points. Check, check and check. All that and a steel-cable top flap with industrialgrade hardware all around. Maybe it isn’t mere hyperbole, after all. Peep the the Kitchen Sink and other top picks in Wear, page 110.

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by Seth Berkman #91

spin moves

David Lee

New York Knicks Raised in the ’Lou and now living it up in the Big Apple, David Lee has always been a guy that keeps it pretty low-key. The former Florida Gator is known for his workmanlike attitude with the Knicks, but Lee likes to take it easy once he gets home.

A big gamer, Lee has a penchant for the classics, but also likes taking on fellow teammates in some Xbox Live action. He’s not known for talking trash on the court, but will always rib Nate Robinson whenever he gets the best of him online.

David’s Games The game that Nate and I are most competitive with is Call of Duty 4. I was hooked on that game last year. We have completely different styles in that game, like he’s a sniper and sits long range and I’m up in the mix of everything, kind of like on the basketball court when he sits behind the three-point line and I’m mixing it up in the paint. We have some great battles and always talk crap to each other the next day in practice.

Growing up I was a huge Nintendo guy. Recently I went back and bought some of those games like Paperboy, Mario Kart, stuff like that. I went through the whole Mortal Kombat phase on Sega and then back with James Bond and GoldenEye 007 on Nintendo 64.

David’s Music I listen to everything. I saw U2 at Giants Stadium this summer. But I also listen to a lot of rap because my teammates listen to that, so Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, that gets me excited to play.

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Illustration: matt candela; lee: david dow/nbae/getty images

David’s Movies I recently caught The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. I’m not as much into the fantasy stuff, but some of my favorites of all-time are The Usual Suspects, and more action-adventure stuff like Braveheart.

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12/2/09 1:06 PM

DRIVEN

Volkswagen Touareg

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devin harris #34

I’ve had good experiences with Volkswagens. In high school I spent a lot of time driving a VW bug. Volkswagens are not bad vehicles and the Touareg continues a long line of tradition. It seems to ride pretty smoothly even with some of the rougher roads out here in New Jersey, and its got a lot of gadgets, which I’m a big fan of. It also feels like it would be a good car when the snow is on the ground and to tote the children around.

When I look at SUV’s, I always look for space, how many people I can fit in and how it takes impact—God forbid if I ever got into an accident—and how responsive it is in those kinds of situations. I try not to choose an SUV too much by speed, but it’s good to have something that has a little bit of pick-up, just in case.

Perks like the navigation system, satellite radio, heated seats are big pluses.

Navigation is top on my list. I gotta have navigation, especially with places I’m not too familiar with yet in New Jersey and New York. Once you have navigation, you can’t go back. I’m a guy who frequently knows how not to get to places, so I need navigation to help me out. Satellite radio, if it has it great, if not, it’s not a dealbreaker. Heated seats are big, definitely if it’s gonna be somewhere where I’m gonna be cold (like in New Jersey in the winter).

White cars have been the new thing for me lately and this looks great. It handled great and was a really smooth ride. In the sports cars you want to go fast but in the SUV’s you want a more comfortable ride. It’s more of an every day car and you feel like you’re kind of sitting on a couch cruising to work. If you’ve got a lot of stressful things going on, this is the kind of car you want to take.

Photos: nathaniel s. butler

*ride with devin as he test drives the touareg on hoopmag.com

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triple double

Three albums. Two players. One dynamic pair of music critics

Amerie In Love & War

Ghostface Killah Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City

Weezer Raditude

I am a big fan of R&B, and Amerie’s sound is a blend of R&B, hip-hop, pop and rock.

At times when listening to In Love & War, I really thought I was listening to an alternative band, especially when I heard the intro for “Dangerous” because of the heavy guitar in the background. I had to recheck my iPod to make sure it was still Amerie! The first single, “Why R U” is a raw and powerful song with a strong, blended musical style. Also, Fabolous is featured on some of the songs including “More Than Love,” which made for a cool, relaxing break in the middle of the CD. His flow is a perfect addition to the song, just like Trey Songz’ vocals on “Pretty Brown.” Although this blended sound is not my favorite style of music, Amerie’s In Love & War is pretty good from start to finish.

I have never really been a huge Wu-Tang Clan fan, and I wasn’t familiar with Ghostface Killah. Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City is Ghostface Killah’s eighth studio album, and it is a slow, easy sounding version of rap. The whole album has heavypiano, really good hooks and casual lyrics.

Every time he rhymes, it just seems like a freestyle over the top of an R&B beat, which I like. The hottest track was easily “Let’s Stop Playin’” with John Legend just because he is one of my favorite artists.

Also, one interesting song is “Guest House” with Fabolous because it has almost the same model as “Contagious” by Ron Isley and R. Kelly, with Ghostface catching his girl cheating on him. It has a great back-and-forth between Fabolous and Ghostface, bringing the whole song together at the end. I really liked the album.

From what I hear, Weezer is a rock mainstay and has been for a long time, but this was the first time I had heard any of their songs. Raditude didn’t work for me.

Some of the songs were OK, but most were just boring and predictable. If I had to pick a favorite song, it would be “Can’t Stop Partying” because it actually has a verse with Lil’ Wayne and I think this song could be a big club song because of the heavy-synth background. This is definitely an album I won’t be listening to again.

Carl Landry

Amerie always comes with a couple of big party tracks. This album seemed to have her usual uptempo-soulful, big band sound.

I have always liked her style ever since the “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” video back in the day. The “Heard ‘Em All” video has been getting a lot of play lately and you can tell that she’s definitely an entertainer. You have to love that she always puts a ton of energy in her music. The “Pretty Brown” remix is the best song on the album, and I also liked the “More Than Love” track, because Fabolous rocked his verse! The second half of the album is really good. I liked the beats on “You’re A Star,” “Red Eye” and on “Different People” she slowed it down for a good change of pace.

My boy told me about this album when it first came out. I have been listening to it for a few weeks now. Ghost went out of the box on this one and basically put together an R&B album. The album has some serious singles on it and I can listen to it front to back. I really like “Do Over,” “Back Like That Remix” and “Paragraphs Of Love.” “Lonely” and “Baby” are tight, too. Like I said, the whole album is very good. It is by far the best album of the three. Smooth listening, great lyrics and good story lines. I definitely suggest getting a copy, especially if you are a Wu-Tang fan. I think this may get my highest rating ever.

This was my first time ever hearing about Weezer. The album was a little too alternative for me, and I had a tough time feeling the music. My first impression when I opened the box was, what’s up with this album cover???

You can tell that these guys are all about having fun, so I tried to give it an honest listen.

“Put Me Back Together” had a pretty cool sound to it at first. The last track “I Don’t Want To Let You Go” is the mellowest track on the whole album. I think that may be the reason I liked it the best.

thaddeus: Jesse d. garrabrant; carl: bill baptist/NBAE/Getty Images

Thaddeus Young

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Game Rec Game

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 First off, I gotta say that my kids love the night vision goggles that came with the special Prestige Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

The coolest thing about the game is the shield you can use, like a SWAT team. I also dig how you can utilize two pistols at once—I use that a lot. And the silencers on the snipers, that’s classic. Plus, the heart monitor sensor that you can put on your weapon so you can see where people are when they have camouflage on… man the game is unbelievable.

I think they need to add one more thing, which is the ability to peek around the corner. In Gears of War you can peek around the corner and then shoot. Other than that, the game is perfect. The weapons they have on there are unbelievable.

The regular player mode with all the different locations is cool—underwater, on snowmobiles, all that. I usually play online but I’m gonna try to beat the game this year for the first time. I also like how they kept capture the flag.

By nate robinson #2

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I can’t wait to see how the game improves even more. I can literally not leave my house and play Call of Duty all day. It’s so awesome, the way you set your team up—some guys are great snipers, some are good running up—you work as a team and it makes you feel like you’re in a real unit.

I’m currently up to level 50 now, but I want to get up to 70. David Lee plays a lot near headquarters, because he likes to level up fast that way. I don’t mind leveling up, I just like to play with my friends more. We started up a B-Fam Clan and we got a lot of people crossing over. David said he’s going to cross over soon, Ronnie Brewer, too. I’m just trying to get as many guys as I know personally and build up this clan. It’s the game of the year.

DJ Hero DJ Hero is awesome. For anyone who loves hip-hop, it’s a great game. I didn’t have any experience with the turntables before, so it was definitely a good way to begin and immerse myself in the techniques. I think it would be cool in the future if you could somehow connect an iPod to the game and you could play music from your iPod and have it translate over to the game, so you could scratch to whatever song you want. Or expand the library or have it where you can play the music downloaded on your Xbox from your computer and use that in the game. But overall the game was so much fun. nate: nathaniel s. butler/nbae/getty images

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CHECK IT HOOP’s Top Videogames of 2009 BASKETBALL

Sports

Once again, we hand the virtual Larry O’Brien Trophy to 2K. Delivering the best graphics and gameplay, 2K10 maintains its lead while adding NBA Today, which ties in the current season and the commentary, making for a very realistic simulation of the actual NBA season.

With the new Wii Motion Plus controller add-on, Wii Sports Resort brings such staid leisure activities like frisbee throwing, ping pong and canoeing, and action sports like wakeboarding and skydiving into your living room. Over a dozen games are available but we’re obviously most fond of the two basketball ones, the threepoint contest one in particular.

NBA 2K10

Don’t Sleep On...NBA Live 10 OK, they were the runner-ups in a two-team race, but that doesn’t mean it’s a dud. Live put up a nice bounce back season by closing the gap between it and 2K. The gameplay has been beefed up (less robotic) and the AI improved (no more hesitation, crossover, spin move, dunk).

We anticipate an epic battle for vidgame hoop supremacy next year.

Wii Sports Resort

Don’t Sleep On...FIFA 10 With all apologies to what we Americans call “football” here, one of the top sports sims in recent memory is a “football” game, FIFA 10. Any soccer buff can appreciate the authentic translation from the pitch to your TV. The AI is a little wonky, but online play is where the game truly shines.

RACING

Music/Rhythm

Xbox 360’s answer to Sony’s Gran Turismo franchise, the third installment of the racing sim might seem like it’s meant for hard-core car enthusiasts. Being NYC-dwellers, most of us at HOOP take the subway to get around. The beauty of Forza is its versatility—it is fun for someone with a bus pass and the grease monkey who likes to fine-tune his turbo.

The whole guitar/rock concept gets flipped and remixed— literally—into a turntable. Classic tracks meshed together, a realistic-enough wheel of steel and a new learning curve makes for a great time. We predict the next edition will include a mic, b-boy and hype men.

Forza Motorsport 3

Don’t Sleep On...F1 2009

DJ Hero

Don’t Sleep On...

The Beatles: Rock Band

The perfect racing game to turn your PSP into the cockpit of an F1 racer. The sim takes the art of F1 racing, highly tuned specialized cars that can go in excess of 220 miles per hour but can still handle hairpin curves, making for white-knuckled racing on the go.

Admittedly, the whole “band” game is getting tiresome but the guitar/bass/drum/mic format gets a boost from what many would say is the greatest band ever. Even though the entire Beatles catalog isn’t included, fans of John, Paul, George and Ringo would love the story mode where they can re-live the Beatles climb to fame.

Shooter/FPS

fighting

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Peep your gaming buddies on Xbox Live. They’re all undoubtedly playing this action-packed follow-up. This includes our vidgame editor, Nate Robinson. Check out his review on the opposite page.

Don’t Sleep On...Left For Dead 2 This survival horror release was largely trumped by the massive tsunami that was Modern Warfare 2, but it’s no less fun. While it may seem like a mindless shoot-’em-up, strategery is required in teamplay, lest you get eaten alive by the hordes of brain-chomping zombies.

Street Fighter IV Do call it a comeback. After being remixed in various forms since the breakthrough SFII (III didn’t really count), Ken, Ryu, Chun-Li and company are back in true next-gen fashion. Ha-dou-ken!

Don’t Sleep On...

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger The follow-up to Guilty Gear didn’t garner too many headlines, but the slick presentation (gorgeous characters and backgrounds) and rapid-fire action makes this a worthy get if you’re tired of Ken and Ryu.

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Skullcandy NBA Player Series

the goods

For the fan who wants to go beyond the standard jersey and wants to rep their fave NBA player through their audio gear, Skullcandy’s line of NBA Player Series headphones has you covered. Featuring the player’s team colors, logos and other player-oriented flair, the headphones also sport custom and patent leather, suede, mesh and other details. Not just all form, we found the headphones perform well, offering up rich sound with enough-but-not-too-much bass. There’s also a nice bonus in the in-line microphone that enables chatting on mobile devices. Available for the following players: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams.

$49.95

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Samsung TL225

If you’re the type of person who is into self-portraits or likes to also be the director and subject of photos, the TL225 is for you. Featuring a front LCD screen that helps you frame the shot while still being in front of the camera, you no longer have to awkwardly ask someone to take a picture for you anymore. The front screen isn’t nearly as sharp and crisp as the generous 3.5-inch rear touchscreen (one of the best ones we’ve seen to date), but it does the trick. The camera also records in high definition (720p) and sports a 27mm wide angle lens that can capture stills at up to 12.2 megapixels.

$349.99

Cuisinart Grind & Brew There’s no more need to wait for the snarky barista to call out your name for your drink. The Grind & Brew can deliver coffeehouse taste with a seamless system that grinds up fresh beans a mere seconds before the hot water hits it. The 10-cup thermal carafe keeps the joe piping hot and yes, the parts are super easy to clean.

$129

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Samsung Behold II Samsung’s latest Android phone is quite the sight to behold... literally. The Behold II is a major step up from the original, boasting many new quirks and capabilities to have any user—novice or pro—excited.

Easy to navigate like their previous hi-tech offerings (the Memoir is still an office fave), this has way more buttons to play with and an even crisper presentation. The cube function (just shake the phone and it rotates a cube, picking an application at random on the phone) is a fun—albeit unnecessary— tool, but other features like the camera phone, video capturing and web browsing are all must-haves.

Sometimes it was hard to type on the QWERTY touch screen and with so many options it can take a while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, the Behold II is one heckuva smartphone.

$229 (with two-year plan)

Black & Decker Thermal Leak Detector Find the areas in your home that are siphoning your heating and cooling costs out with the Thermal Leak Detector. The gun-shaped device works like a radar gun. You point it at a spot in the house, and it’ll let you know its relative temperature, giving you a cue on whether you need to insulate or patch the area.

$49.99

JVC Picsio With the success of the Flip, there have spawned many clones to the ultracompact camcorder game, including the Picsio. Unlike the Flip, the Picsio ups the resolution to 1080p, doubles the digital zoom to 4x and expands the memory by relying on infinitely expandable SD cards. Like with all camcorders in this category, audio and shaky video is a problem, but the Picsio is perfect for on-the-go or impromptu video capture with its ease of use and portability.

Delta/Porter Cable 18V Combo Kit

$199.95

Any new homeowner needs a good starter power tool kit and we’d recommend this one. The four-piece 18V kit has a compact drill/driver, 6.5-inch circular saw, reciprocating saw and flashlight, all powered by an 18V lithium-ion battery for long run times between charges.

$269

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Black & Decker ReadyWrench We wanted to hate the ReadyWrench, as we’re still in love with our draconian set of socket sets, but the newfangled doubleheaded wrench with 16 of the most common standard and metric sockets came in handy with everyday tasks around the home and car. While it doesn’t replace our beloved socket set, its all-in-one design and simplicity make it a nice addition to the toolbox.

$32.99

PSP Go There have been complaints about the Go not being a viable upgrade because it lacks a slot to play traditional UMD-based (disc) PSP games. While true, Sony does provide a means to transfer any existing games you already own to the Go. What sucks is not being able to borrow a friend’s game or buy used versions of games to play on your PSP. Outside of that, we like the new layout of the PSP. The slide-out screen makes for a more compact footprint, and the battery life is improved with no spinning media (it’s replaced with a 16 GB hard drive to house your games) to read. The addition of Bluetooth for wireless headphones is another nice touch.

$249

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Air-O-Swiss Humidifier The dry winter weather and heating systems leave the air in your home parched for moisture, making you more susceptible to germs and other ailments. The AOS 7142 delivers the much-needed moisture in an elegant design. When off, it looks like a fancy subwoofer; when on, the unit turns ordinary tap water into micro-fine mist. The humidifier uses highfrequency vibrations with whisper-like efficiency for up to 860 square feet of air humidity. The hydrostat regulates the air while the Ionic Silver Stick uses the natural antimicrobial qualities of silver to prevent any funky stuff from growing in the water.

$229.99

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Sony Bravia Z-Series 46” LCD TV Do your NBA viewing proper with the crisp 1080p output by Sony’s Bravia engine and 240Hz refresh rate (so you can fluidly follow speedsters like Tony Parker with no trailing effects). We found the colors of NBA unis to pop on the TV and during commercial breaks we were entertained with the on-demand widgets (weather, news, sports) and content (Amazon VOD, YouTube, Slacker, Sony Pictures, to name a few) streamed in via the Ethernet port. Our only complaint was that it didn’t come with a LeaguePass subscription.

$2099

Duracell MyGrid It’s not quite as slick and seamless as you’d think, but if you have a compatible phone or device (it supports the most common: iPhones, Blackberrys, iPods) the MyGrid system can help you get rid of the mess of power adapters for each device. You need to attach a power nub to the battery (which sticks out like a thumbtack) that makes the device rechargeable by placing it on the mat, charging it as it would normally, but without the wires.

$79.99

Beats by Dre Solo Just like how the good doctor doesn’t stop churning out hits, Monster and Beats By Dre continue bringing the goods with the Solo headphones. A smaller, less expensive version of the original, these come in a handy carrying case and can fold to a size that will fit in most jacket pockets. The base is booming, but on several hip-hop heavy tracks it can actually be too much. The headphones do a good job of drowning out sound, and they aren’t a distraction to people sitting in close proximity.

Though lacking the overall quality of the original, they are still a good deal and leave some extra change in your pocket to buy Dr. Dre’s Detox [Ed note: please finally bless us with this album in 2010!] or any other albums you might want to add to the collection.

$199.95

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gear

Jordan

CP3.III $118

Weight (size 9): 15.75 oz.

Being the digit on his chest, the third iteration of Chris Paul’s signature joint better be on point. And based on first impressions, Jordan has come proper for the CP3.III. We certainly found little to pick at regarding its aesthetics. Designed

by Air Jordan 2009 and CP3 II architect Jayson Mayden, the CP3.III is littered with a lot of personal references to Paul—the family crest pattern on the upper represents Paul’s family, the honeycombed outsole (Hornets), the call out to the shoe’s size on the bottom (bowling, one of his favorite hobbies), the “336” on the lace tips (Winston-Salem’s area code).

Like Paul himself, the CP3.III is deceptively tough. The full leather upper makes for a durable shoe, yet it maintains its flexibility. The speed lacers (always appreciated) offers up a nice lockdown fit. We wished the shoe were lighter, but we never once experienced being bogged down during play. The responsiveness was excellent as we would expect for a shoe designed for the premier PG in the game (sorry, D-Will). The fine herringbone pattern on the outsole gave a nice grip to the floor that all perimeter players crave. Cushioning, achieved by a molded phylon heel pod, is ample on the CP3.III for fleet guards, but we’d recommend big dudes look elsewhere.

The pictured NOH colorway might not get as much play as say the OG red/black/white makeup off the court, but we see the CP3.III getting some off court love, too. We certainly think they’re the best CP shoe to date.

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Shoe buffs recall that the Kamikaze was made famous when Shawn Kemp laced ‘em up. It’s an old fave by some fans since you got a long glimpse of the shoe every time the Reign Man went up and over dudes to the rim.

The redux of it is the Kamikaze 2K10 (will the 2K naming scheme continue until 99…2K99?) and Reebok made sure to drop some design hints at the original ‘Kazes. The jagged overlay in the 1995 joints come back in the form of geometric lines in the 2K10 version. They’ve added a Huarache-like cutout on the ankle and another opening on the mid-portion of the shoe.

As with the Stop and Dish II, Reebok is all about the big logos on its shoes and the Kamikaze 2K10 stays true to that. Someone commented on how the shoe resembled the comic-book character, Spawn. After some Google image searching, we agree.

Like the original, the Kamikaze is built for the big man who has some mobility and hops. Picture a Josh Smith, an Anthony Randolph, a well...

Shawn Kemp. The upper provides a flexible fit that allows movement while the bottom sports a full foot Hexride (Reebok’s answer to Nike’s 360 Air) for maximum absorption of landings. Beefier players might find the Kamikaze to be unsubstantial. Some guards might find the shoe to their liking, especially those who like more cushioning.

Much like the original Kamikaze, the look was very hit or miss. A lot of fanboys are still waiting for Reebok to retro the originals but for now they’ll have to make do with its remake.

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Kamikaze 2K10 $85

Weight (size 9): 17.5 oz.

all photos/NBAE/Getty Images

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Reebok

For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

12/8/09 10:37 AM

And 1

Tai Chi Tribute $75

Weight (size 9): 14 oz.

Sneakerheads remember the Tai Chi as the shoe that Vince rocked when he electrified the basketball world and single-handedly rescued the Slam Dunk Contest from obscurity. Now that And1 is looking to awaken from their years-deep slumber, the company that brought to life the Mixtape Tour and “The Player” (the faceless dude on the ubiquitous-in-the-‘90s And1 trashtalk tees) re-releases their most famous shoe. And1 even laughs at the face of inflation; they’ve even managed to shave off $5 from the original retail price from a decade ago.

Slipping the familiar yin-yanged Tai Chi [Ed note: the revived Tai Chi is an upgraded tribute version to the original with a limited release.] on brings back some fond memories (pick-up games in between classes during college, winning Knicks teams, and yes, reverse 360 windmills, off-the-bounce between-the-legs and elbow dunks) and it’s hard to put a price on that. It was a solid shoe to ball with then and the same remains now. The upper offers up the same pillowy feeling. Midfoot and arch support come by way of a TPU shank. Our memory did tell us that the Tai Chi was low to the ground, but wearing it now, it doesn’t sit as low.

Ten years later, the Tai Chi is still a beloved shoe, fond in the hearts of many ballers who tired of the powerhouse trio of Swooshes, Stripes and Pumps at the time. You can count us as one of them.

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Reebok

Stop and Dish II

all photos/NBAE/Getty Images

Of late, Reebok has been sticking to a tried-and-true formula with their basketball shoes: keep them low, stick to the basics, don’t get too creative with the design and make sure they’re wallet-friendly. The Stop And Dish II might as well be the visual mantra to the company’s philosophy.

From a looks standpoint, the picture says it all: big Reebok logo splashed on lateral side, repeat on the medial side, throw in some patent, fill the blank space with some lines and call it a day. While sober, like the grilled cheese sandwich, there’s something satisfying about its simplicity.

On the court, the SaDII toes the company line of being a no-frills, lowriding basketball shoe. It didn’t excel in any one area, nor does it disappoint in any department. Cutting, stopping and starting were satisfactory across the board. The rear Hexalite pods lent some nice shock absorption in the rear of the shoe.

Admittedly, this was one of the tougher shoe reviews we’ve done. The Stop and Dish II is as basic as they come, leaving us nothing to highlight or pan. On one hand, we couldn’t recommend a shoe that left no indelible impression, but on the flipside, there was nothing to find fault with it.

$68

Weight (size 9): 15.25 oz.

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Style: Innovation: For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

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gear

Kickin’ it

with Nick Young

The Washington Wizards battled through injuries last year; nevertheless one person remained constant, appearing in all 82 games, posting career-highs across the board. Nick Young is a diamond from the southern California rough, and has blossomed into a promising NBA combo guard.

Since his days at Cleveland High School, Young has excelled in his Nikes. Recently, he took a time out to answer a few questions about his loyalty to the swoosh.

Can you explain your relationship with Nike?

“The relationship is great, and I’m really happy that Nike [acquired] Converse! You know, me being from L.A., you have to wear the Chuck Taylor’s. I just grew up with Air Forces and the Jordan Brand and I was just so happy when they signed me.”

What’s it like playing in low cut sneakers?

“I’ve never been into playing in low cut sneakers until Kobe made his shoe, but they’re real comfortable,

By Anthony Gilbert #1

and I can see why he made them. Those things are comfortable and people don’t understand… they think that because it’s low that they won’t get that ankle support, but I feel good when I’m out there.”

name and initials on his sneaker. Hopefully I’ll get there. I’m waiting, I’m trying to get there, I’ll be the second coming.”

Describe your game and how your footwear is incorporated into its style.

“You need that style, you need that flavor and I think Nike can do that for you. They have that swag that you can bring to the court when you’re wearing a clean pair of shoes like Nike. To me, it’s like the shoe makes you play better. If you have the right shoe on, and it feels nice and it looks nice, and you look good on the court, it helps you play well.”

Do you have any superstitions, or if you have a bad game would you discard the shoes?

“Yeah, CB [Caron Butler] told me that I can’t wear plain shoes. I don’t play well with plain shoes [laughs] so I have to finds some shoes with some colors. He always has something fresh–he has his

CHECK IT Our initial impression of the UL-38 is that it looked eerily similar to Converse’s EB1. With its pronounced midstrap and similar silhouette, we thought Pony just bit off Elton Brand’s signature debut for their own athlete, Wilson Chandler (who’s wearing the UL-38 this season). That is, until we picked up the shoe. At a feathery 12 ounces, it shaves off an ounce on the Hyperdunk and is just half an ounce more than the low cut Kobe IV, two of the more popular and lightweight releases of recent note.

While in your hand the UL-38 seems promising; with your feet in them they were a different story. While light, the shoe fits a bit wonky; our feet kind of “swam” around in the shoe. Even with the laces cinched and the midstrap tightened to the max (like many midstraps, we question their usefulness) the shoe never gave us a true secure feeling. The shoe does have a low-profile design, but the midsole is plagued with a weird gumminess to it, leaving it soft and mushy with little springback (imagine memory foam found in mattresses).

Ultimately the UL-38 is much like Chris Washburn (neophytes, go basketball-reference.com him): full of tantalizing promise but in the end, a disappointment.

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UL-38 $80

Weight (size 9): 12 oz.

young: david liam kyle/nbae/getty images

Construction:

Comfort: Playability:

Value:

Style: Innovation:

Pony

For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

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CHECK IT

wear (Clockwise from top left) Converse by John Varvatos Long-Sleeved Oversized Popover Hoodie, $225; New Era Traditions Morehouse Sprinter Spirited Tee, $35; LRG Grassroots MC Jean $64; New Balance 574 Cercom, $65; New Era Cavs 40th Anniversary Cap, $35; PF Flyers Center Hi, $75

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(Clockwise from top left) New Era Traditions North Carolina A&T Track Stripe Woven, $55; adidas Originals by Originals Kazuki Flannel Shirt Waterproof, $220; adidas Originals by Originals David BeckhamCardigan$170; PF Flyers Glide, $150; Jordan Air Jordan 1 Retro High Premium, $115; Oakley Kitchen Sink, $200

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wear (Clockwise from top left) New Balance 455, $100; Timberland Original Earthkeepers YĂŠle Haiti 6-inch Boot, $130; Kidrobot Stacked Hooded Henley, $95; adidas Originals by Originals David Beckham Pullover Hoodie, $150; New Balance 574, $60; Converse by John Varvatos LongSleeved Oversized Popover Hoodie, $225

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(Clockwise from top left) New Era Traditions North Carolina A&T State Thrower Raglan Tee, $40 ; Kidrobot Doppelganger T-Shirt, $50; New Era Traditional North Carolina A&T Plaid Sprinter Woven, $55; Jordan AJF 8, $140; PUMA Basket II Bumpers, $60; Kidrobot Munny King T-Shirt, $50

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CHECK IT

wear (Clockwise from top left) Jordan J’s Ain’t No Bull Tee, $30; LRG Scarborough Woven, $65; LRG Grassroots Tee, $24; Pony Eclipse, $80; PF Flyers Glide, $85; PUMA First Round Mesh, $80; Onitsuka Tiger California 78, $70

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(Clockwise from top left) Converse by John Varvatos Long-Sleeved Feeder Stripe Duo Layer Hoodie, $125; New Era Traditions Morehouse Hear The Noise Tee, $40; LRG Killa Cambridge Track Jacket, $98; Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81, $65; Abington Abington Hiker, $180; Jordan International Cargo Pant, $80

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CHECK IT

wear (Clockwise from top left) adidas Originals by Originals David Beckham Beanie, $30; Kidrobot Logo Robot T-Shirt, $40; LRG Grassroots C47 Jean, $59; Reebok Pump Omni Lite, $110; Reebok SH Omen, $65; Jordan Full Zip Memory Nylon Jacket, $120

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(Clockwise from top left) adidas Originals by Originals Kazuki Sweat Hoodie, $130; Onitsuka Tiger Colorado Eighty-Five, $75; Converse by John Varvatos LongSleeved Slouch Neck Crew, $165; LRG Gun Salute Back Pack, $98; adidas Originals by Originals David Beckham ZX8000, $130; PF Flyers Astor, $140

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STEP BACK The Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Miami Heat in the first round of the 1994 playoffs. After falling behind in the series 2-1, Atlanta won the final two games to comeback and clinch the series. The Hawks lost to Indiana in the Eastern Conference Semis.

The Heat now play in American Airlines Arena, which opened in 1999.

Less than two years later, the American Airlines Center, home of the Mavericks, opened in Dallas.

Opened in 1988, the Miami Arena was the first home of the Miami Heat. The stadium was also the initial home for the NHL’s Florida Panthers and hosted the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team for 15 years.

Perhaps best known as the defender during Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1989 playoffs, Craig Ehlo played 14 productive seasons in the NBA for the Houston Rockets, Cavs, Atlanta Hawks and Seattle Sonics.

May 3, 1994 Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat Miami Arena, Miami, FL

Before being selected fourth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft, Glen Rice starred at the University of Michigan.

Rice was named the 1989 NCAA Tournament’s Most Oustanding Player, leading the Wolverines to a national title over Seton Hall. His #41 is retired by Michigan.

Rice played for six NBA teams, but had his longest run with the Heat. He holds the franchise record for games started and ranks in the top three in steals and points.

Rice ranks fifth all time in three-pointers made. Only Peja Stojakovic, Dale Ellis, Ray Allen and Reggie Miller best his 1,559 treys.

In 2000, Rice won his only NBA title as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

He would retire in 2004 with the Clippers, having played in exactly 1,000 NBA games.

Drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 1990 draft, Vernell Eufaye “Bimbo” Coles was immediately traded to Miami for Rory Sparrow. Playing 14 years in the NBA, Coles retired averaging 7.8 ppg.

After retiring, Ehlo coached high school basketball at Spokane Rogers in Washington. He went 10-41. Ehlo had more success afterwards as a college basketball play-by-play broadcaster.

Coles was also a standout outfielder at Greenbrier East High School in Virginia and was selected by the Angels in the 1990 MLB draft. In 2008 he was hired as an assistant basketball coach at Greenbrier East.

Despite living in infamy in commercials and TV replays, Ehlo has been good-natured about being victim to “The Shot.” Ehlo recently worked with MJ’s son during a Nike Skills Academy camp in California. Ehlo says, “We had this drill where (campers) started on the wing like Michael did, and I was standing in the same place. When it got to Marcus’ shot, I blocked it. I rubbed it in. I said, ‘I finally blocked a Jordan shot.’ George Raveling (a former coach running the camp) immediately called Michael. He laughed.’’

Seikaly became the first ever draft pick of the Heat in 1988. He played with Miami until 1994, winning a Most Improved Player Award in 1990.

After finishing his career with the New Jersey Nets and FC Barcelona in Spain, Seikaly started working as a DJ in clubs around the world.

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Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Rony Seikaly would become an All-American center at Syracuse. He led the team to the 1987 NCAA championship game, where they lost to Indiana.

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Does andrE iguodala make the grade?

final exam

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KitchenAid- Celebrating 90 Years of Mixing Excellence.

The year 1919 was truly a time of change. The gray days of war were giving way to the gaiety of the Roaring ’20s, and an era of prosperity and progress was upon us. Like other war munitions plants across the country, the Troy Metal Products Company (a subsidiary of Hobart), revived its peacetime efforts, and set to work on the Model H-5 stand mixer— the first electric “food preparer” for the home. Wives of Troy executives were commissioned to test the initial prototypes. After a successful trial run, one famously reported, “I don’t care what you call it, but I know it’s the best kitchen aid I have ever had!” A brand name was born, and the first KitchenAid stand mixer was unveiled to the American consumer in 1919. Now, in the year 2009 we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Visit Amazon.com to see the full line up of exciting models, colors and attachments.

Available at

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