HOOP March/April 2009

10 for Ten: special All-Decade Team Collector’s edition

AN OFFICIAL NBA PUBLICATION

MAR/APR 2009

AI, Shaq , Duncan

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No, Kobe hasn’t mastered the art of levitation, but that may be one of the only things KB24 cannot accomplish on the floor.

NOAH GRAHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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Sometimes Agent Zero can appear to be larger than life, so what better way to honor him than with a wax statue courtesy of Madame Tussads?

NED DISHMAN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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After starting only 36 games during his NBA career prior to this season, Dahntay Jones has found a home in Denver and displayed the kind of ferocious athleticism perfect for the Nuggets up-tempo offense.

JED JACOBSOHN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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With 2010 on the horizon, we decided to hit the rewind button and examine the decade and the players who defined the League from the ’99-00 season ’til the present.

Aside from our cover boys, each selection is open to some debate but it’s hard to argue the accomplishments and versatility each of our selections brings to the table

++ Century 21 ++

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There’s nothing flashy about his game, but there hasn’t been a more consistent—and possibly better—player this decade than Tim Duncan

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For the past 10 years, the world of basketball centers has revolved around Shaquille O’ Neal

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with Toronto’s Jose Calderon

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Poster CP3 on the front; The Glove on the back

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the gameplan

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The Point

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Practice?; Fab Five: Jalen Rose vs. Kevin James; Playlist: Picks from LaMarcus Aldridge; 3 Pts: The most important attributes in today’s player?; Catching Up With: The NBA’s “Guitar Hero,” Wayman Tisdale; Many Faces Of: Andrew Bogut; Brack-it: Best Commercial Ever; Head2Head: Josh Howard vs.

Danny Granger; and more

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Call Out Check It Spin Moves: Drew Gooden deserves some 2K love; Game Rec Game: Nate supes up his Kombat skills; The Goods: Blast your beats old school style; Tech Ed: Shane Battier takes on the turkey fryer; Gear: New joints from CP3, Kobe and Money Mike

&') Sneaker Game

What’s on the League’s feet

&'+ Stepback

Reminiscing the League’s past

&'- Final Exam

Does David West make the grade?

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the point Volume 37, No. 3

Editor-in-Chief Ming Wong #2 Design Director Kengyong Shao #31 Associate Editors Tom Gottlieb #0, Seth Berkman #91 Associate Designer Matt Candela #52 Editor-at-Large Jeramie McPeek #4

Can you guess which two guys in this photo didn’t make the team?

I joined HOOP back in 2001.1 The clock had just turned midnight on the Sixers’ Cinderella2 run to the chip, it was just announced that Beijing would host the ’08 Olympic Games3 and September 11 changed4 the world.

Eight years5 later, I’m still here. Besides being subjected to mockery6 from the staff at how old7 I8 am, it also lends me some perspective9 in deciding who makes up our All-Decade Team. The many nights spent eating mediocre press food10 at the Garden, all the remote control squabbles11 with then-girlfriend/now-wife,12 the compulsive habit of watching game recaps, the meticulous obsession of stats and box scores and the careful dissection of players’ games13 finally paid dividends. Some of the selections on the team—AI, Kobe, Shaq, Duncan—were as easy as picking between Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in a dunk contest.14 There were some players we agonized over.

There were others, which after delving deeper, became increasingly more difficult to discern.15 We made sure to look beyond stats and consider other factors—influence on the game, legacy, dominance. Consider some of the dudes on the cutting room floor: Paul Pierce,16 Tracy McGrady,17 Yao Ming,18 Chris Webber19 and Elton Brand.20 It wasn’t easy, but we certainly believe we got it right.21 With any luck I’ll even make it to see22 another decade.

BONUS POINTS 1. A long time ago…I know.

Ming Wong #2

2. Phil Jackson, Shaq and Kobe played the roles of the evil stepmom and stepsisters.

3. At the time, the U.S. still held a shaky grip on the top spot of international basketball.

Tech Editor Shane Battier #31 Style Editor Zaza Pachulia #27 Literary Editor Adonal Foyle #31 Straight Shooter Channing Frye #7 Videogame Editor Nate Robinson #4 Music Editors Thaddeus Young #21, Carl Landry #14 WNBA Editor Lois Elfman #40 Senior Writer Michael Bradley #53 Contributing Writers Jon Azpiri #15, Brett Ballantini #97, Rick Barry #24, Jon Cooper #10, Jim Eichenhofer #12, Anthony Gilbert #1, Bill Heinzelman #20, Darryl Howerton #21, Eric Justic #3, Clay Kallam #14, Trevor Kearney #8, Jeff Lenchiner #48, Brett Mauser #25, Melody #34, John Nemo #16 Design Intern Daniel Fatto #9 Editorial Intern Dan Israeli # 83 Contributing Illustrators Lina Chen, Jamie Stolarski 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 Managers Jaime Collins, Claudette Keane

4. I day after 9/11, I was supposed to play Tracy McGrady one-on-one for a story.

5. Or as the same length of time as that other Ming’s career on the Rockets.

6. I’m often asked to identify players in old photos.

7. I’m still younger than the following dozen active dudes: Brent Barry. Bruce Bowen, Sam Cassell, Michael Finley, Grant Hill, Bobby Jackson, Jason Kidd, Donyell Marshall, Steve Nash, Theo Ratliff, Eric Snow, Kurt Thomas.

8. I’d be honored to be that team’s 13th man.

9. It’s merely a nice way of saying I’m old.

10. I guess calling it mediocre is wrong. After all, it was good enough for Clyde Frazier who was a regular in the pressroom.

11. LeaguePass or some TV drama or reality show that involved catty women.

12. The fact that we’re married now with child meant I endured a lot of Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl, America’s Next Top Model and The Bachelor.

13. Tim Duncan prefers going glass from the left side.

14. Or Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in a free-throw shooting contest.

15. Kind of like LeBron’s crab dribble.

16. The truth is, Pierce has been one of the best scorers of the decade.

17. He had a seven-year run of 26.7 ppg that was bettered only by AI and Kobe.

18. Not quite enough, even if he did open up the NBA gates to a billion people.

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 Coordinator, Entertainment Products Matt Holt Department Assistant Evan Levine 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

19. Age and injuries robbed him of a shot.

20. The man was an automatic 20-10 going into this season.

21. And if you disagree send us an email: hoop@pspsports.com 22. My apologies for the obscene number of bonus points, especially to the older folk like myself who struggle to read the small type.

014

HOOP

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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. © 2007 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.

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It was early December and the Toronto Raptors needed to practice…badly. Unfortunately, the schedule wasn’t cooperating. The road-weary team had only six home games in December, recently changed coaches and desperately needed a tune-up to right their season—not to mention some rest. For as long as Jay Triano waited for his first head coaching job, the wait seemed even longer to implement his new strategy.

“There’s a real fine line between practice and resting because the games keep piling up so you have to find the happy medium,” Triano says. “But you need practices HOOP

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JUMPBALL

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practices hard improves his chances of playing.

“We take practices pretty seriously around here,” Utah’s Morris Almond says. “That’s a reflection of our coach and organization. It helps me out a lot, almost as much as playing in a game.”

For the most part, practices are based on what a team needs to do to be successful. The Jazz run more off-the-ball movement in practice than a lot of teams, but the essential practice is similar throughout the league. After a brief stretch and warm up, players get to work on offense running plays and the skeleton offense until it’s ingrained.

Defensive strategy is based on what principles are important to the team, like the Raptors’ focus on guarding the screen-and-roll. Conditioning is also important to make it through a season; hence there are drills like covering a teammate the length of the court or an all-out scrimmage. If a team is really lagging, drills known as suicides2 are in order.

Practice drills are especially important for rookies, who are learning the ways of the League.

Most of the drilling is done in training camp and as the season wears on, the focus is shifted toward strategy and personnel. Players will run3 elementary exercises like three-man weaves or guard three-ontwos and two-on-ones. There is also individual work such as having big men work on post-up moves.

At times, coaches will use pads to handle contact against the banging big men.

“Honestly, just coming in, I thought it would be

BONUS POINTS 1. The fines for missing a practice according to the collective bargaining agreement are: $2,500 for the first offense; $5,000 for the second offense; $7,500 for the third offense; and for the fourth or any subsequent offense, reasonable discipline (including suspension).

2. Suicides normally begin on the baseline and start by running to the free throw line and back, the halfcourtline and back, the opposite free throw line and back and then a full court sprint—all in under 30 seconds.

3. After practice, players often challenge each other to shooting games or games of one-on-one.

4. Famous for hating to lose at anything, Jordan would make it a point to not just win, but to obliterate the competition—even against teammates.

5. On game days, teams usually just have shootarounds or walkthroughs. It’s a less strenuous practice where teams go over strategy typically in sweatsuits.

ILLUSTRATION: DANIEL FATTO

just to work on different things, tweak different things.

It’s one thing to walk through it, it’s one thing to see it, but you have to physically be able to go through it.”

Practices usually don’t last more than 90 minutes but a lot can be accomplished by stringing a few sessions together. The Raptors needed to fix their transition offense and control the paint better, but were only able to practice twice in Triano’s first week. They tried extra video sessions and extensive shootarounds, but needed some time in the gym.

“There’s nothing like practicing a new system,” Jermaine O’Neal says. “You have to have time to get it going and guys need to be able to get a feel for it.”

To be clear, players understand the importance of practice, but that doesn’t mean they have to enjoy it.

Just ask Allen Iverson, who doesn’t even like talking about practice—he repeated the word approximately 23 times in his infamous 2002 rant—and was fined1 for skipping one with Detroit on Thanksgiving earlier this season.

Meanwhile, coaches love them. It’s one area where they have complete control over the team. Larry Brown loves them so much that he has ran threehour practices in the past, while Rick Carlisle, Nate McMillan and former coach Randy Wittman are also known for grinding out sessions.

Good teams tend to practice better. It can be indicative of where a team is headed—last year Isiah Thomas reportedly ran 20-minute jaunts towards the end of his Knicks tenure. Likewise, a player who

more laidback figuring it’s a long season,” New Jersey’s Brook Lopez says. “But you really get at each other. It’s the best way to get better.”

Sessions can get heated, as jobs and minutes are on the line, and competitive spirits take over. Michael Jordan was famous for his noholds-barred mentality4 when it came to innersquad scrimmages during practice, taking them as seriously as a game seven of the Finals.

Players understand their career can ride on what happens in practice, so a professional approach goes far.

“Guys are playing for playing time and you want to show the coach and prove to him that you belong on the court,” Minnesota’s Kevin Ollie says. “It gets intense. Sometimes, that’s my game.

When you are on the injured reserved list or trying to make a team like I was earlier in my career with no guarantees, it was very important to me.”

Players also go against each other so that makes for another challenge. Familiarity breeds for some tougher fouls and harsher defense. For that reason, no matter how much a team needs practice, they can’t wait to play the games.

“You know what, practice is harder than the games because you are practicing against one another,” says Toronto’s Jamario Moon. “The other side knows the offense that you are running so it’s harder than the games. When it’s game day,5 it’s time to have fun and take it out on someone else.”

HOOP

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Dance Life

B6GI>C: C:L DGA:6CH =DC:N7::H yet the dance team is called the Honeybees.

What gives?

Martine: For starters, the Honeybees are sweet as honey. On game nights, our arena becomes the Hive.

Our Hornets defend the colony when visiting teams pose a threat and we produce the honey to sweeten the Hive. It’s a perfect combination!

Fourth-year Honeybees member Martine is a rarity in the NBA, having performed in two different cities for the same dance team. The Louisiana native debuted with the Honeybees during the ’05-06 season, when the Hornets were temporarily based in Oklahoma City. Now, the Hornets are back full-time in New Orleans, where they’ve emerged as one of the League’s up-and-coming teams.

HOOP: The basketball team is the Hornets,

The arena got so loud last year during the playoffs that chills ran through my body. Our fans have so much heart, and their energy and support is overwhelming.

HOOP: Chris Paul is one of your favorite players; who’s the Chris Paul of the Honeybees?

Martine: I am, of course! No, I’m just kidding.

Together as a team we can dominate the court like Chris Paul. The Honeybees are all smart, beautiful and phenomenally talented. Every fan has his favorite, so I’m sure each one of us is someone’s Chris Paul.

HOOP: What other NBA dance team rivals the Honeybees?

Martine: This is a hard one because I think as a team we believe that we are the best. We work hard to keep up with every aspect of our job so we can stay on top. We believe in each other and ourselves, and to me, that’s what makes our team so special.

But there are so many incredible NBA dance teams.

We look to the Miami Heat dancers because they always raise the bar. They are all beautiful and talented and those girls can move!

HOOP: Is it better or worse for you to come out to entertain the crowd when the game is close or when there is a blowout?

Martine: It is definitely better to entertain the crowd when the game is close—as long as we come out on the winning end of it. I can feel the energy and intensity in every fan when the game is a nail-biter.

HOOP: What’s the best way to evaluate a player?

Points/rebounds/assists? PER? Or plus/minus?

Martine: I don’t think it is one item that makes one the best player. I think it’s a combination of all the above. I think heart and dedication are also a key component in evaluating a player.

— Jim Eichenhofer #12

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Triple Double This issue we welcome our two newest HOOP scribes, Illadelph’s Thaddeus Young and H-Town’s Carl Landry.

Each issue in Triple-Double they will be reviewing the latest in music, displaying a chemistry reminiscent of Eric B. and Rakim.

Thad-Yo loves hip-hop, but also rocks out every now and then. His southern roots run deep on his musical palate. Just don’t try to get him on the mic; he does all his damage on the hardwood.

Carl Landry may be a bruising hustler on the court, but he keeps things smooth when he puts the headphones on. A big fan of gospel and R&B, Landry always keeps the likes of Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp near the top of his playlist. He grew up playing drums and never misses a beat when it comes to choosing choice cuts.

Turn to page 94 and follow the leaders!

I6A: D; I=: I6E: Carl Landry Thaddeus Young Musical genres Gospel, R&B and some Hip-hop Mostly rap and some rock Favorite artists Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, T.I., and Kirk Franklin Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Linkin Park Favorite Albums Fred Hammond’s Free to Worship, Marvin Anything by Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, T.I., Sapp’s Thirsty, The Dream’s Love/Hate, Jay-Z, and Kanye West Ne-Yo’s Year of the Gentleman Musical background Grew up playing the drums in his church Does not have a musical background. choir. His brother, Marcus, who plays at Thaddeus: “I don’t play any instruments Wisconsin, played the guitar. and I definitely don’t sing!”

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Catching Up With...

L6NB6C I>H96A: As a three-time All-American at Oklahoma,1 a 1984 Olympic gold medalist,2 No. 2 overall NBA draft choice,3 and 12-year League veteran,4 you wouldn’t think that Wayman Tisdale’s second career could be more successful than his one on the hardwood. But that’s exactly what’s happened.

Tisdale, a jazz bassist, released his first album while still an active player, and has recorded seven others in his 14-year career as a professional musician. With two No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz charts in the books, the former Sooner’s musical renown has reached all-pro status.5 But in recent years, Tisdale became famous for a reason other than basketball or the bass. After breaking his right leg in an accident, the tissue was revealed as cancerous. After resisting intensive chemotherapy, Tisdale’s leg had to be amputated at the knee.

His most recent release, 2008’s Rebound, traces Tisdale’s journey back from cancer and represents a new career launch for the former star.

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HOOP: Your cancer proved very resilient. How were you able to stay strong and positive?

Tisdale: My family.6 I couldn’t have accomplished anything in my life without them. And I sure couldn’t have survived a health scare like this if I didn’t have the people around me that I do.

HOOP: Did the amazing outpouring of support on your website7 from your fans help?

Tisdale: I was helped from so many places. Friends calling, my family, my fans…I have a special relationship with my fans; I feel close to every one of them, like family. Cancer makes you look at your life and your impact on the world differently. You can’t help but feel gratitude.

HOOP: Were you able to take solace in your music?

Tisdale: Oh, yes. People will tell you I have a sunny perspective of life, but cancer improved my entire outlook. I knew Rebound would make people feel different. They’re going to feel happy. My message, through the music, was that if I can rebound, so can you.

HOOP: Is it true that you never had any formal music training?

Tisdale: No, not really. Growing up, my father was the pastor of our Friendship Church, and I played bass there every Sunday. I just sort of picked it up. So no, I didn’t read any music or know what notes I was playing.

HOOP: What in the world made you think of teaming up with Toby Keith for a Barry White cover on Rebound?

Tisdale: [laughs] Well, we’re both from Oklahoma. He’s an old friend of mine. I’m the ambassador of old school, and on every one of my albums I cover an R&B classic. I was searching for songs to cover, listening to Earth, Wind & Fire, and Toby calls and says he found the song: “Never Gonna Give You Up.” I thought…OK, Toby Keith doing Barry White. [laughs] But we got to the studio and my jaw hit the ground. Toby had it down cold!

HOOP: You’ve been an inspiration as a basketball player, a musician, and now a cancer survivor. Is there something you tell people now, when they’re struggling with their own challenges?

Tisdale: You can’t let a setback take you out. Don’t run away from hard times. God will take care of you. You can’t quit—it’s not an option. Until you take your last breath, you have to fight.

BONUS POINTS 1. One of only 99 players in NCAA history to tally at least 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, Tisdale’s #23 jersey was the first ever to be retired by the Sooners on 2/22/97.

2. With teammates including Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, Tisdale helped the U.S. capture the gold at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

3. Tisdale was drafted by the Indiana Pacers, sandwiched behind Ewing (New York Knicks) and ahead of Benoit Benjamin (Los Angeles Clippers) in 1985, the year of the first Draft Lottery.

4. Tisdale finished his NBA career with 12,878 points and 5,117 rebounds, and shot 50.5 percent from the field, 81st-best in NBA history.

HOOP: Not everyone reacts with appreciation when they break a leg, do they?

Tisdale: [laughs] I suppose not. But if I hadn’t fallen [down a flight of stairs] and broken my leg, the doctors wouldn’t have discovered my cancer. It could have gone long undetected. It could have killed me.

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Wynton Marsalis, and Branford Marsalis.

6. Wayman met his wife, Regina, as a junior in high school. The two have been married 27 years, with four kids. Their home in Tulsa is near a road named for his father, Louis.

7. waymantisdale.com

BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

5. Actor/singer Jamie Foxx places Tisdale on his dream backup band, along with Herbie Hancock, Prince,

HOOP

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Old School’n

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“Not much to tell about the Spalding ad. The endorsement came late in my career and the ad was a part of the overall deal I had with Spalding. I did not receive any additional compensation for the ad. I don’t remember exactly how much I received for my deal with Spalding, but I know it wasn’t in excess of $25,000 for the whole year. My comment about the ad is that you noticed they didn’t have me dunking!”

I hesitate to reveal this, but after becoming a pro my first endorsement deal was for a brand new candy bar—you may have heard of them before—called Snickers. This Halloween, my son got about 50 of them in his candy bag, but he didn’t believe me when I told him that he owed it all to me. Well, not really, but I will never forget filming my first Snickers commercial. I had to look into the camera, say: “Snickers—sounds crazy, tastes great,” and then take a big bite of the candy bar. I don’t even remember how much I was paid, but I can guarantee that it was nowhere near the amount pocketed by today’s players for an endorsement.

Twenty-five to 30 years ago, successful NBA players were not utilized very often to promote products. Today’s stars can be seen endorsing goods ranging from cars to shoes to medications.

Why the change? The answer is simple: television exposure. In 1975, the NBA Finals were shown on network television as a tape delay. Today, the NBA can be seen live, worldwide, on a myriad of

stations. Players have become household names, their marketability has increased, and their value as endorsers has skyrocketed.

Many NBA players receive huge amounts of endorsement money before they even set foot on the court for their first professional game. LeBron James scored a $90 million multi-year deal with Nike right out of high school. In my day, we were happy just to get a few pairs of free sneakers and maybe a bag or two. Now, shoe companies fight over signing the next potential superstar.

Today’s basketball players need only to play well and behave themselves on and off the court in order to reap the benefit of endorsements. Companies often link their reputations with those of the players they choose as endorsers. That’s why the image of the player is of penultimate importance. Mess up, and the penalty for the athlete may turn out to be much more than just a loss of salary. It may become a loss of millions in endorsement dollars as well —Rick Barry #24

D-Velopments

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the game, more than how they can improve their jumpshot,” says NBA Development League president Dan Reed. “It may be how to carry themselves off the floor. How to associate themselves with the right people. How to pick an agent. How to set up an investment strategy. All those things are topics that are related to your NBA career.”

The legends make at least two trips to visit their assigned mentees each month, but also make regular calls and trade text messages.

“The feedback from players has been overwhelmingly positive,” Reed reports. “They appreciate the wise, sage advice from a former3 NBA player who can help prepare them for the future, whatever that might be.” —Jeramie McPeek #4

BONUS POINTS 1. Davis won the award in ’77-78 after averaging better than 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal his first season out of North Carolina.

2. The Suns’ all-time scoring leader, Davis earned several nicknames during his days in Phoenix, including “The Greyhound” and “The Man With the Velvet Touch.”

3. Davis admits, laughing, that the players he has mentored don’t know a whole lot about his glory days. “Their parents remember me, but they don’t.”

BARRY AD: HOOP ARCHIVES; DAVIS: ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Walter Davis has built an impressive résumé throughout his basketball career. He earned NBA Rookie-of-the-Year1 honors, made six All-Star appearances during his 15 seasons and had his #6 jersey retired by the Suns in 1994.

He has also spent time in the broadcast booth, as a scout and now serves as a community ambassador for the Nuggets. So it should come as no surprise that he jumped at the invitation to become a mentor and share his knowledge with some of the top prospects in the NBA Development League.

“It’s fun to watch a young guy grow and try to make it,” explains Davis, who is joined by NBA legends Thurl Bailey, A.C. Green, Tracy Murray and Norm Nixon in the mentor program. “Growing up, my brothers and their friends were mentors to me, always helping me out. So I like to pass that on myself.”

Although “Sweet D”2 scored more than 19,000 points over his career, he was not really recruited to help pass on basketball skills. The program was created primarily to help the top players in the D-League with everything else that comes with the NBA life.

“It may be how they can improve mentally in

HOOP

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My ďŹ rst game? I vaguely remember it. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going way back. [laughs] I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember who we were playing, but I know it was at home. I was a bit excited going into it, probably more of a nervous energy excitement than anything. I checked in for the ďŹ rst time [Ed note: Pippen didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start any of his 79 games his rookie season.] and I got a standing ovation from the crowd. It was great. And I always played knowing that the way I started [my career] is the way I wanted to end it. I wanted to give the fans some of their best times. I remember playing in the NBA being so different

from the college atmosphere because college didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that same excitement or feel about it.

Getting out there for the ďŹ rst time with Michael [Jordan], I mean, I had watched him for a couple of years, especially when I was in my senior year, I think.

But I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as much of a fan of his at the time as I was of just the game in general. I just loved playing basketball and being around it all the time. And he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet the player when I entered the League that he was when we started winning championships. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Scottie Pippen as told to Tom Gottlieb #0

Faces

PIPPEN: JONATHAN DANIEL; BOGUT: ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF NBAE/GETTY IMAGES; ALDRIDGE: SAM FORENCICH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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Playlist

From the Archives

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HOOP Magic Johnson, November 1983

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“Magic Johnson, No. 1. Then [Ric] Flair.”

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—Greg Oden telling reporters what he did when the Blazers visited the Big Apple to play the Knicks last December

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: WALTON: FERNANDO MEDINA; MURPHY: RON HOSKINS; SHAQ: SAM FORENCICH; ODEN: DAVID DOW; ODOM: ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; BARRY: BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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“In New York…me and Steve Blake went out to dinner and I got to see some of the places that were on this week’s episode of Gossip Girl.”

—Lamar Odom’s top childhood heroes —Brent Barry on former teammate Matt Bonner

“Matt had a coupon for half off a sandwich, which said: ‘Valid at participating stores only.’ The owner said we’re not ‘participating stores’ and Matt was like ‘Well aren’t you a Subway? I walk outside and I see the name ‘Subway.’ After 10 minutes, he talked his way to half off a turkey sandwich. He saved like $2.16.”

the last couple of years.”

—Troy Murphy

“I’m going to be an event planner—weddings,barmitzvahs, everything like that. That’s my passion. It is. I’ve just taken it up

JUMPBALL

overheard “Thanks, Kobe Bryant. Thanks, LeBron James.”

—Luke Walton’s response to receiving his $25,000 NBA Player’s Association licensing check

“I’m probably the ugliest guy in the yoga class but I’m getting it.”

—Shaq on taking up yoga this season

HOOP

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Penny Hardaway (Nike) vs. Tracy McGrady (adidas) In one of the best uses of special effects for a sports-related ad in the 21st century, T-Mac plays the role of Gulliver as a miniature army tries to stop the “unstoppable.” Like a scene out of G.I. Joe or a Michael Bay film, soldiers in helicopters and armored vehicles do their best to contain McGrady on the court, but he still breaks through for a slam. All Penny needed was a pint-sized puppet and the voice of Chris Rock—not to mention a few cameos by Tyra Banks—to create some of the most memorable ads of the ’90s. Some people might even recognize Lil Penny more than the original thanks to the series of star-studded clips. It’s a tight race, but Houston’s #1 advances in an upset.

Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan (Nike) vs. Gheorghe Muresan (ESPN) Thanks to studious hoop fans across the world (who wouldn’t let their moms throw out those VHS tapes of ’90s-era NBA games) we have a bevy of nostalgic basketball-related commercials on the Internet these days. Like the guards on the Western Conference All-Star ballot, we had a plethora of worthy options to choose from, but narrowed the field down to eight. This matchup pits a pair of polar opposites. MJ would become the king of the commercial by the time his career was over, but it all started with his spot co-starring a budding Brooklynite by the name of Spike Lee, a.k.a. Mars Blackmon. There aren’t many things funnier than watching Muresan break it down on the dance floor, but you can’t overlook the history behind these two cultural giants merging to make advertising history.

Tracy McGrady (adidas) vs. Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan (Nike) The flipped brim of the Brooklyn hat, the gold jewelry, the glasses…there is no doubt that Mars Blackmon is a cultural icon, almost as much as the man he shared the screen with. When this commercial debuted, it showed two budding stars, the filmmaker (Lee) and the phenomenon (Jordan). For T-Mac, he rolled mostly solo in his ad, unless you count the camouflaged army on the foul line. The best part is when he leaps in the air against the full on brigade, ripping threw their nets and cords for a nasty dunk. Poetry in motion indeed, but enough to top MJ and Spike?

Close, but not really. Mars and Michael onto the finals.

Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan (Nike) vs. Nike freestyle campaign You kind of knew Jordan would be in the finals, whether it was for his commercials for Gatorade, Nike, McDonald’s or Hanes…well, maybe not Hanes. And the freestyle spots were arguably the best of this decade from the Swoosh, right up there with the Air Force 25—which didn’t even make the cut in this stacked field*—and the LeBrons. But will we remember 10 years from now that ad the same way we do Michael’s? Probably not. The deciding factor for the Mars and MJ win? Of course, it’s gotta be the shoes!

032

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Nike freestyle campaign vs. Grant Hill (Sprite) Grant Hill drinks Sprite? Well, we’re not sure if he still does, but everyone knew what Hill’s favorite soft drink was back when he was wrecking shop on the League in D-town. The polar opposite of Jordan’s famed Gatorade ad, it played on the myth that wearing or drinking a product endorsed by an athlete would give you an edge on the court.

Meanwhile, Nike’s freestyle campaign was less gimmicky and in a combination of audio and visual creativity, provided one of the most artsy bball commercials ever. J-Will, VC and a host of streetball talent all get down, showing us the kinds of moves we could only dream of pulling off on the court. Nothing against Hill, but we gotta give this round to the freestylers.

Charles Barkley (Nike) vs. Michael Jordan (Gatorade) With the sip of a sports drink, we all believed we could fly from the free throw line and drop 63 on the Celtics. “Be like Mike” became one of the catchiest phrases in advertising history, up there with “Just Do It” and a HOOP office favorite “1-800-M-A-T-T-R-E-S” (j/k). On the other hand, Chuck used nothing more than a black and white screen, a ball and a rim and freedom of speech for his classic “I am not a role model” commercial.

It’s hard to overlook the message behind Barkley’s ad, which is obviously more meaningful than shilling a drink. But to play devil’s advocate, wasn’t Barkley’s ad also created in part to sell shoes? It’s a controversial decision, but the lore of MJ wins out. And we’re sure Barkley won’t hear the end of it from his longtime friend/competitor.

Nike freestyle campaign vs. Michael Jordan (Gatorade) After we reviewed all these clips, many of us still had the beat of screeching sneakers on a hardwood floor and bouncing balls in our head. Some of the best moves of the Nike freestyle commercial came from non-NBA ballers, but they co-existed well with the pros to create a soundtrack for the streets.

It bangs in comparison to MJ’s Gatorade theme music, which you would be hard pressed to find anybody nodding their noggin to these days. The new school takes down the old school, as there will be no Jordan vs. Jordan final.

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Critic, comedian, interior decorator...

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Channing Frye is Portland’s own Renaissance man.

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How did you come up with the Frye scale? [Ed note: Peep channingfrye.com/blog]

What’s the funniest joke you’ve ever heard?

Which teammate has the nicest crib?

Who’s the most popular NBA player among NBA players?

034

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This is my favorite joke because it’s so bad and it always gets a laugh because of how bad it is. It goes like this: “A guy walks into a bar. Ouch.”

The teammate with the nicest crib is [former University of Arizona teammate] Richard Jefferson’s crib in NYC [Ed note: We’re not sure if Richard has sold his New York condo yet]. It’s definitely a guy’s bachelor pad with everything in it: pool table, movie room, all types of cool stuff. It is a nice house, middle of New York City, so it’s a great location, there’s a lot to do, and it’s awesome.

Man, I don’t have a clue who’s the most popular and I don’t care [laughs]. I’m not trying to make friends other than my teammates or guys I’ve known. I’m trying to win games. But, if I had to guess, I’d say myself because I know if I had to vote for the coolest person in the League I’d at least get one vote and that’s from me.

Dang, heck yes we can hear hecklers sometimes when the game gets quiet. They’re funny, though sometimes they just say funny things and you have to refocus on the game. One time in college I was playing Washington and they got hold of my cell phone number and they were chanting it the WHOLE game and kept saying “Can you hear me now?” from that phone commercial. It was the worst. So obnoxious.

But it didn’t throw my game off; I had 30.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: SAM FORENCICH (3); NICK LAHAM; FERNANDO MEDINA/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Can you actually hear individual heckling in arenas?

I go a lot of places and watch a lot of movies and stuff like that and I like giving my opinion. But I didn’t want to just say what I thought. I felt I needed a proprietary system to accurately communicate my opinions in an easy to understand visual way. And, given my name, the Frye scale just works.

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

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Different day, same story.

That’s how it’s been this season with Dwyane Wade. He steps on the floor, drops close to 30 on an opponent and in the process posterizes at least one unsuspecting member of the opposing team foolish enough to challenge him in the lane.

Despite graduating college in three years with a 3.95 GPA, Emeka Okafor still had some lessons to learn—the hard way—when he saw Wade slice through a Charlotte double-team like a Ginsu knife, stepped up and tried to block Flash. Instead D-Wade flushed one home on the Husky and carried Miami to a 100-96 victory. With Miami in the mix of a playoff hunt and Wade playing at an MVP level, once again he has proven the haters wrong.

Yup, different day, same story.

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The Fab Five 6 ADC<I>B: EDE 8JAIJG: 6;>8>DC69D! ?6A:C GDH: E>IH =>H E:GHDC6A I6HI:H 6<6>CHI HDB: CDI67A: E:GHDC6A>I>:H# JE I=>H BDCI=/ @:K>C ?6B:H#

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@Zk^c ?VbZh Favorite Sneaker

Adidas top tens, high top or low...instant classics.

In the ’80s, Run-DMC set the trends with these stylish, comfortable and sporty kicks. They even had patent leather and snakeskin versions. You could rock them with or without shoe stings or with thick shoe laces. Still fly to this day!

My favorite sneakers were the Converse All-Star high tops.

I also liked the Pro-Keds. Those were pretty cool. I was a big sneaker buff. I remember when adidas came out with the hi-top Superstars…I liked those too.

Favorite Candy Starburst. They come in individual packs so you can share with your friends or be stingy. With all of the multiple pieces of tasty and fruity flavors make sure to keep the dentist’s phone number handy!

Without a doubt it’s a Clark Bar. I don’t know if you can find them anymore. It’s kind of similar to a Butterfinger–that’s an updated version.

Favorite Uniform University of Michigan football uniforms and helmets. Along with the “Hail to the Victors” fight song, both are second to none.

New York Mets, and I’m very specific on this one: the pinstripes.

I don’t like the black hats or anything like that. It’s the royal blue and the pinstripes, the original. Not the ’80s ones with the stripe on the sleeve, before that, just the regular pinstripes. The ’70s one is better for me.

Favorite Music Video Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige’s “Can’t Knock the Hustle.”

Two legends on one track and the title explains it all.

The one that rings in my head is “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran. It just got stuck in my head.

Favorite TV Character Dr. David Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Incredible Hulk.

Everyone has multiple personalities...“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry!”

My favorite TV character of all time, without a doubt, is Ralph Kramden. Jackie Gleason nailed it, no doubt. We took his idea and our whole show is based on The Honeymooners. I love him. He was a great, great man.

Numerology

11

20

Rudy Fernandez began his career by making a three-pointer in each of his first 20 games. No other player has started his career with even a 10-game streak

The consecutive number of games the Cavaliers won by 12 points or more from November 15 to December 9, setting an NBA record

The number of games on 1/2/09, the only time all 30 teams in the League have played on the same day

JALEN: BARRY GOSSAGE; JAMES: CHRIS MCGRATH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

33

Carmelo Anthony tied an NBA record for most points in one quarter with 33 points in the third quarter of Denver’s 116-105 win over Minnesota on December 10

038

10815

Chris Paul’s streak of consecutive games with at least one steal, an NBA record

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L=6I >H I=: BDHI >BEDGI6CI 6IIG>7JI: ID ID96NÉH EA6N:G4 NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry says: If you had asked me that question 30 years ago when I played, my answer would have been “knowledge of the game.”

The best players in the League knew how to play the game of basketball properly.

They had excellent footwork, sound shot mechanics, knowledge of how best to exploit their opponents’ weaknesses, and the ability to execute fundamentals like setting picks and blocking out. In today’s

game, the answer is undoubtedly “athleticism.” Sure there are a few really big or really tall players who lack in that area, but the majority of successful players possess quickness, speed, strength, jumping ability, power and coordination. Couple those physical attributes with basketball skills and you have a model for today’s NBA player.

However, what still separates the elite player from the rest is his knowledge of how to play the game properly.

Portland Trail Blazer Rudy Fernandez says: For me [the travel], it’s difficult. We travel sometimes up to a whole week around the US. I think

it’s important to prepare for the speed of the games like they were the Finals. It’s important for us to play

Associate Editor Seth Berkman says: It’s interesting to hear today’s player’s viewpoint—especially from a European perspective—as well as the old school point of view. What really separates the

champions from the rest of the players is the drive to succeed, the killer instinct. Call it the “Jordan Factor.” I know every player’s goal is to win a championship, but not every player has that “lay it all on the line” mentality night in and night out for 82 games. It’s all about show and prove. Magic, Bird and Isiah had it in their blood; Jordan did too and so does Kobe and the Spurs. You can start to see it in LeBron, but all too often we are left wishing more of our favorite stars lived by that credo. Athleticism and preparation are major factors in climbing the mountain, but it’s the passion to make it to the summit that will ultimately get you there.

040

Gang Leader for a Day is a book about rogue sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh, who decided to turn his back on the traditional model for sociological investigation and, instead, instilled a new model that put himself in danger by infiltrating the world of tenant and gang life in Chicago’s Robert Taylor Home projects.

After six years of investigation, what he uncovers is a rich and vibrant economic structure where most people hustle to make money. The gangs were accessible to Venkatesh because of his relationship with an up-and-coming gang leader named “J.T.” For those unaware of the social and economic conditons affecting the youths in inner cities who turn to gangs, this is an in-depth account of what they go through to survive. It is sometimes mind-boggling to think what limits certain people will go to in life just to survive.

There is something disturbing about Venkatesh’s method of research—the seriousness of potential harm to future followers. It’s true that this was a great alternative to studying poverty by reaching deep into the workings of inner-city gangs; however, I believe that the author crossed the line when he became involved. Venkatesh was involved in several incidents where his life was put in jeopardy.

My hope is that no aspiring student will try to put himself in similar circumstances by thinking that this kind of sociological investigation is applicable as real sociology. Venkatesh certainly deserves credit for doing something different, but to think this is a systematic way to conduct an investigation—by putting your life in harm’s way—I have a very serious problem with that kind of outlook.

In the end, I think this book deserves a read because it is a fascinating look into gang culture in a way I don’t think we’ve ever seen it before. You will be in shock and awe as the author really brings to life the gang and ghetto culture in a new light. It will move you, it will make you angry, it will make you sad and by the end you will be filled with so many mixed emotions. It’s a wonderful book to read. — Adonal Foyle #31

Adonal Foyle is a center for the Orlando Magic and in his 12th season in the NBA. For more information about what Adonal is reading, log on to www.adonalfoyle.com. You can also check out his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/ adonaldavidfoyle

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: BARRY: WALTER IOOSS JR.; FERNANDEZ: SAM FORENCICH; JORDAN: BRIAN BAHR; FOYLE: FERNANDO MEDINA/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

hard every game. The [talent] level is very strong, it’s stronger than Europe. Every game is hard, everybody can score, everybody can play defense, and here we have the best players in the world. It’s more different in Europe.

GANG LEADER FOR A DAY: A ROGUE SOCIOLOGIST TAKES TO THE STREETS Sudhir Venkatesh Publisher: Penguin Press

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Celeb Row

Good Looks the whole phenomenon of The Wire is an underdog story. It’s a part of hip-hop culture.

NBA and hip-hop, there’s a love affair there.

You’re a Brooklyn native and playground ball is very much part of life in Brooklyn.

Did you play growing up?

I sucked. I played handball. I liked a little baseball. I ran track for a minute. But that was about it in sports. I was real clumsy.

A>K: L>G:

You have some very big fans among NBA players. Have you ever encountered any of them face to face?

I throw the love right back at them. I’m real good friends with Carmelo Anthony. He’s like my little brother. I’ve hung out a few times with Kevin Garnett. I’m real close with these brothers.

President Barack Obama is also a fan.

Have you met him?

I’m a bigger fan of his. I actually campaigned for him. I did most of my legwork in Gary, IN. I did the primary and I did back to school voter registration. We met in Harrisburg, PA and took pictures. He met my family. My mom, I think she coined the phrase Obama Mama.

She’s the first one I heard say that.

Why do you think NBA players love The Wire and name Omar as their favorite character?

First of all, I think the reason the NBA community embraced The Wire is because 042

You worked with Tupac Shakur.

Obviously, he had a good deal of renown and popularity when he was alive, but now 12 ½ years after he passed there is still a burning fascination with his work. What impact did he have on you personally?

He mesmerized me. When you got in his presence you felt this huge fortress of knowledge. This brother read books and he studied. He was so far from stupid. Then he had the street swagger. He had a passion. It was really weird to see that kind of meaning in such a young brother. He was a baby. I can’t help but wonder what would he have been if he’d gotten a chance to blossom. Because he hadn’t even scratched the surface of what he could have done had he been given the chance.

Your film, Brooklyn’s Finest (starring Don Cheadle), was shown at Sundance.

I’m super proud of that movie for a number of reasons. [Director] Antoine Fuqua, I’m a huge fan of his. My early years of studying acting were stylized from Wesley Snipes and Don Cheadle [Ed Note: both of whom are in the movie]. I’ve always kind of been compared to them on one level or another. To be on the same frame with those two brothers meant so much to me. I’m super psyched about that project. I can’t wait until it drops.

—Lois Elfman #40

8=:8@>C< I=: A:6<J:ÉH ;6H=>DC <6B: 6 [gZh] [VXZ dc i]Z hinaZ hXZcZ! =DDEÉh HinaZ :Y OVoV ÆOFÇ EVX]ja^V d[ i]Z 6iaVciV =Vl`h Wg^c\h V W^i d[ :jgdeZVc eZgheZXi^kZ id i]Z AZV\jZÉh [Vh]^dc hZchZ Craig Smith Only thing I don’t like about this outfit is he should have his shirt tucked in. With the way he is wearing it, it’s too long to be untucked— there is too much room between his vest and his pants. He should wear a shorter shirt if he’s going to dress like this, otherwise tuck it in. I like his tie though, and he has good colors in his outfit. But the untucked shirt makes everything else look bad.

Gregg Popovich Popovich is one of the best coaches in NBA history, and he’s an old school guy. You can’t really judge old school people on their clothing because they wore a completely different kind of style in their day. He looks like a coach. I’m glad at least that he decided to trim his beard—it looks much better now.

Al Horford This is Al’s second year in the League, and he has really improved his taste in clothing since last year. I know he went to Milan this summer to do some shopping, and you can really tell the difference in his wardrobe. This is a nice sweater—it fits him well, and the black stripes match his black shoes and bag. My only issue is that he needs to learn to pose a little better.

ZQs’s Nattiest: Shaq I’ve critiqued Shaq before in this space, and in the past I’ve given him credit because it’s hard to get clothes that fit when you are as big as he is. Here, he looks good. His clothes fit, and his vest is really nice. This kind of vest is really popular right now, so the Big Fella is definitely keeping up with the trends.

The only small criticism I have is I might have chosen a darker color vest, like dark blue or black, cause this vest is almost the same color as his shirt. Otherwise, it’s cool.

MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS: PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO; PACHULIA: SCOTT CUNNINGHAM; SMITH: DAVID SHERMAN; POPOVICH: NOAH GRAHAM; HORFORD: JESSE D. GARRABRANT; SHAQ: BARRY GOSSAGE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

There are actors who are fans of basketball and then there are actors who have fans in basketball. Put Michael Kenneth Williams in the latter category. His portrayal of stick-up man Omar Little in the HBO series The Wire, set in Baltimore’s inner city, has earned him a legion of NBA admirers. He will soon be seen in the new NBC series The Philanthropist, playing right-hand man to the title character.

Williams also has five films scheduled for released this year, including Brooklyn’s Finest and The Road. Just because he’s busy doesn’t mean he doesn’t have time to check out some hardwood action. So players, pass some tickets his way.

The Wire was set in Baltimore. What do you like about the character of that city?

First and foremost, [it’s got] some of the best food in the country—hands down. It’s a bar town, but not sloppy bars with beer smell all over the floor. The swagger of the city is real. It’s special and unique—especially in the black community. They have their own style of music, it’s called Baltimore club. I’m doing a documentary on that right now chronicling that whole genre of music.

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head 2 head JOSH HOWARD Forward 6-7, 210, Dallas MAVERICKS SCORING Howard has seen his average slowly creep up toward that magical 20-ppg barrier since he first entered the League in 2003. A subpar second half last season nudged it just below (he finished at 19.9 ppg), and his brief playoff spell was even worse (29.2 percent shooting, 12.6 ppg). But a bevy of offcourt storylines likely served as distraction to one of the League’s most stealthy stars. It took about two seasons for Howard to find his footing on the offensive end, but his game is suited to first Avery Johnson’s and now Rick Carlisle’s halfcourt-set offenses, courtesy of steadily increased range on his alwaysaccurate jumper and a stellar face-up game. He probably will never be a consistent go-to guy, but as long as he’s playing the role of wingman, Howard has evolved to the point where he can be counted on for 20 a night.

FLOOR GAME It’s here where Howard distances himself from most of his contemporaries at the 3. The sixth-year pro is one of the best rebounding small forwards in the game today, a necessity for a team whose most skilled seven-footer does his best work from 15 feet and out. He also takes very good care of the ball, having never averaged more than 1.8 tpg despite a steady increase in usage as his career has progressed (a career-high 25.9 percent usage last season against only a turnover and a half a night). He isn’t much of a distributor, but with Jason Kidd now running the show, there’s really no reason for him to be.

DEFENSE The Mavericks originally deployed Howard as a defensive gatekeeper—a lengthy, dogged 3 who was equally comfortable harassing 2s on the perimeter in one-on-one situations or banging with 3s and even some 4s in the post. As his offensive game has burgeoned he has saved himself a little on the defensive end. But while his numbers were down last season and early this season—his 59 steals in ’07-08 and this year’s matching 0.8 spg are both career lows—the effort and ball pressure are still very much there. He’s more of a disruptive force at this point, but when the opponent has only 24 seconds to get a shot off, energetic disruption is as good a weapon as any.

CLUTCH PLAY About the only thing that went right for the Mavericks in their epic 2007 postseason exit at the hands of the Warriors was the ascension of Howard into the ranks of today’s elite. With Dirk Nowitzki effectively stymied, Howard went bonkers, throwing up 21.3 ppg on 51.5 percent shooting to go along with 9.8 rpg, 2.8 rpg and 2.2 spg. He certainly could not be faulted for that horrifying exit. However, when the Mavs needed him most last season—down the stretch and in another eventual first-round flameout—he was nowhere to be found, shooting a combined 35.8 percent in seven April games and five playoff games. One can excuse the poor showing on the aforementioned off-court issues, but he will need to put the past behind him quickly and regain focus for the Mavs to make it back to the playoffs this season.

LEADERSHIP Dirk is the unquestioned leader of the Mavs in the locker room, and with Kidd now in town full time, he is the unquestioned floor general. So where does that leave Howard? Unfortunately, he’s kind of the odd man out. His behavior comes off as reactionary at times. But what’s especially troubling is his lack of a killer instinct, since Dirk has also displayed a lack of such qualities in the past. It’s safe to say that without it, the Mavs are likely doomed to one-anddone playoff scenarios for the foreseeable future.

THE VERDICT

DANNY GRANGER

Though he has toiled in the relative obscurity of Indiana while Howard has evolved under a more public microscope, Granger at this point has become the more elite

044

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DANNY GRANGER Forward 6-8, 228, Indiana PACERS SCORING With Chris Paul and Deron Williams stacking up accolades like Pringles, Danny Granger often gets overlooked in the heralded 2005 draft class.

He has evolved into a dangerous scorer and one of the most underrated stars in the game. His averages have been the antithesis of the stock market, climbing steadily each season (7.5 ppg in ’05-06, 13.9 ppg in ’06-07, 19.6 ppg in ’07-08) and peaking at 24.4 ppg this season, as of press time. A big threat from outside and excellent from the charity stripe, Granger also gets a bevy of buckets in the paint thanks to his size and speed.

Granted, his numbers have seen a spike due to the absence of Mike Dunleavy earlier in the season, but he has flashed his prowess against an increased amount of double teams. His numbers won’t be dipping anytime soon.

FLOOR GAME His assist totals are nothing to go wild over (a career average of 1.6 apg), but on a team where he is the main scoring option—with very few viable options elsewhere—it’s more often that teammates are trying to give him the ball, not vice versa. Still, he does the little things on the floor as well, hustling for loose balls, rebounds and the like, so don’t get him twisted as a “me-first” type of player.

He has also played alongside Jamaal Tinsley and TJ Ford—two solid, albeit not great, point guards—who are good at running offenses, allowing him to be more effective in other areas.

DEFENSE Like Dave Chappelle, Danny Granger loves a good block party. If you haven’t witnessed, we suggest you peep his filthy rejections of Josh Childress, Willie Green, Antoine Wright, TJ Ford and a host of others. A good combination of size and strength allows him to match up well with most small forwards and he is quick enough to hang with many of the top 2s in the League as well. He has yet to be recognized as a lockdown defender, but given time, we think Granger will slowly gain recognition for his skills on the other side of the ball.

HOWARD: TIM HEITMAN; GRANGER: RON HOSKINS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

CLUTCH PLAY If you were still recovering from a turkey coma the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, you may have missed arguably this season’s most clutch performance. DG scored 32 points to carry Indy to a 118-117 victory over the then 14-1 defending Western Conference champion Lakers after trailing by 15 after three quarters. Entering the game, Granger was in the top five in scoring, hanging with the likes of Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh and LeBron James, but he was hardly mentioned in the same breath elsewhere among those All-Stars and Olympians. That changed with his fifth 30-point performance in only the 16th game of the season.

LEADERSHIP Granger arrived in Indiana on the heels of Reggie Miller’s exit and the team’s long run of playoff appearances. As a rookie he took his lumps but showed signs of maturity early on. He has missed only six games his first four years in the League, displaying the kind of leadership Larry Bird loves. That’s probably why he signed him to a five-year extension before the season began. Earlier this season he knocked out two front teeth hustling for a possession but continued to play and helped the Pacers to a 95-79 win over the reigning champion Celtics.

A few weeks later he sprained his ankle against the Heat but returned two minutes later and hasn’t missed a game since. It’s becoming clear that they love him in Indiana, but this kid’s got the kind of moxie and bravado that any team would love to follow into battle.

scorer, capable of providing genuine leadership and a willingness to take big shots.

That’s all he needs to edge Howard, 3-2.

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first five

03

Trevor Ariza

Foward Los Angeles Lakers BONUS POINTS 1. Pierce averaged 21.8 ppg, 6.3 apg and 4.5 rpg in the six-game series against the Lakers, up from regular-season averages of 19.6 ppg, 4.5 apg and 5.2 rpg.

2. In his 15 games with the Lakers in ’07-08, Ariza flashed his defensive prowess as well as offensive skills, dropping in 6.5 ppg in 18.0 mpg with a .594 true shooting percentage.

3. In the first 15 games of ’08-09, Ariza averaged 9.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 2.6 apg in 23.9 mpg, with a .561 true shooting percentage and a 21.45 PER. 4. At press time, only six teams in history got off to better starts than the ’08-09 Lakers: the ’69-70 Knicks (23-1); the ’9394 Rockets (22-1); the ’96-97 Bulls and ’02-03 Mavericks (17-1); and the ’66-67 76ers and ’63-64 Celtics (15-1). Five of the aforementioned won NBA championships

NOAH GRAHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

that season.

When Paul Pierce was lighting up Vladimir Radmanovic and Luke Walton in the 2008 Finals, Trevor Ariza did everything he could to try to get Phil Jackson to put him in the game.

But after playing only 10 minutes since recovering from a fractured foot in January, the then-22-year-old Ariza knew it was a tough sell. The 6-8, 210-pound defensive stopper knew Phil understood that he was their best line of defense against the eventual Finals MVP,1 but that the Lakers coach also needed to proceed with caution regarding his small forward’s long-term future.2 So Ariza played only 35 minutes in the six gameseries—and Pierce had his way with the Lakers.

“Me being a competitor, I wanted to play,” Ariza says.

“I thought I was 100 percent, but my foot wasn’t healed all the way yet. The organization and coaching staff were looking out for my interests, because if it was up to me, I would’ve been out there on the floor playing.”

Oh, what a difference half a year makes.

With the unleashing of Ariza this season, Phil is kicking back while everyone else in the League is looking out for Ariza.

During the Lakers’ torrid 14-1 start, Ariza quickly transformed himself into a top candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award with his high-flying, defensive-stopping, energy-supplying, three-point-popping ways.3 He suddenly has become a fan favorite in L.A. and parts beyond by morphing into a 21st-century mashup of Michael Cooper and James Worthy, all while his squad garners talk of being perhaps the greatest team ever.4 “I definitely think we’re a different team than [we were] last June,” Ariza says. “We can do things from so many angles. We have so many good players on our team that when one player comes out, it’s not really a drop-off.”

And when Ariza goes in, everybody scoots a little closer to the edge of their seats.

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Spencer Hawes

Center Sacramento Kings BONUS POINTS 1. Hawes’ father, Jeff, played for the University of Washington from 1972 to 1974, while his uncle, Steve, played for the school from 1970 to 1972.

2. Hawes led the Huskies in scoring (14.9 ppg) and set a freshman scoring record with 461 points.

3. He played in 71 games and started eight as a rookie with the Kings.

4. Hawes averaged 20.0 ppg as a senior for Seattle Prep High School and led the team to the 2006 state Class 3A championship.

He was named the game’s MVP.

Spencer Hawes probably works a lot harder than you.

He’s always in the gym, arriving early and staying late, working on his dribbling, shooting, post-up moves— basically every aspect of his game.

“I feel like if I work harder than everyone, I’ll continue to get better and learn,” says Hawes, a second-year center with the Sacramento Kings.

“My family1 always taught me to work harder than others in the classroom and on the court.”

The seven-foot Hawes is rapidly improving, a positive sign for the man who is no doubt a centerpiece of the long-term plans of the rebuilding Kings. “The coaches have been great in working with me and teaching me,” Hawes says. “I’m willing to learn and to put in the time to get better. I want to be like a sponge.”

Hawes spent one year at the University of Washington2 and was selected by the Kings with the 10th overall pick3 in the 2007 NBA Draft. Before attending college,4 Hawes constantly watched the NBA on television. He was especially interested in following his favorite player, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan.

“I’ve been watching Tim Duncan since I was a little kid,” Hawes says. “I’ve always tried to emulate my game after Duncan. He’s so smooth and makes the game look easy.

I noticed things like his footwork and ability to use the glass for his patented bank shot. I feel like watching film of Duncan has helped me.

Then playing against him as a rookie was a thrill.”

ROCKY WIDNER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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01

Maurice Evans

Guard Atlanta Hawks BONUS POINTS 1. A career 37.2 percent shooter from three, Evans has shot over 40 percent this season as the Hawks have been among the league’s top 10 in three-point shooting.

2. While Evans was left out, current teammate Joe Johnson was selected 10th overall in that year’s draft by the Boston Celtics.

3. Only Mike Bibby’s 58 games rank ahead of Evans on the Hawks. 10 Hawks on the ’08-09 active roster have only seven games or less, many coming from last year’s first-round series against the Celtics.

4. Evans also contributes time and energy to help end hunger world wide. He went to Kenya in 2007 with the NBA Players Association as part of the Feeding One Million Campaign and is active with Feed the Children and the American Red Cross.

5. Evans became the 10th Atlanta Hawk to wear #1. Wes Matthews wore it the longest, while Ray Williams, Gus Williams, Leon Wood, Ennis Watley, Travis Mays, DerMarr Johnson, Stephen Jackson and Childress also wore it.

Amongst notable wearers of # 1 in the other cities where Evans wore it are Penny Hardaway and Tracy McGrady in Orlando and Rod Strickland, Anthony Peeler and Rashad McCants in Minnesota.

SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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Mo Evans doesn’t believe in coincidence.

He’s worked too hard to establish himself to give the credit to anything he can’t control, like public perception.

“When I first came into this League my shooting was overlooked, everyone knew me as a dunker and a defender,” says Evans, now in his sixth NBA season and first in Atlanta.

“A couple of years ago I was known as a corner, three-point shooter.1 This year, I’m shooting threes from all over the place as I have in the past, but now, we’re finally starting to get credit for our efficiency and the way I’ve been able to score and the way I’ve been able to defend.”

Evans earned a reputation as an underdog after going undrafted in the 2001 NBA Draft,2 then signing as a free agent with Minnesota. But he played only l0 games during the ’01-02 season.

He headed to Greece and played for Olympiakos—long before the man he replaced in Atlanta, Josh Childress, went there—then starred one season in Italy.

Since returning to the NBA prior to ’04-05, Evans has played with Sacramento, Detroit, the Lakers, Orlando and now Atlanta. And he’s never missed the postseason.3 He plans to continue that trend with the Hawks and is contributing plenty to that end.

“He’s brought energy, a guy who can shoot, can make the open shot, he’s a good defensive player and he’s very versatile on both ends of the floor,” says All-Star two-guard Joe Johnson. “Mo’s helped4 us out since day one.”

Evans also helped himself to uniform #1,5 but not to take a shot at Childress.

“It was the number I wore last year after the trade to Orlando and it was the number that I wore my rookie year, so that’s been a significant number for me as well,” he says, then he added with a smile, “It’s just coincidence.”

Maybe Evans does believe in a little bit of coincidence after all.

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Al Thornton

Forward Los Angeles Clippers BONUS POINTS 1. That’s three All-Stars (Davis, Brand and Cassell), one Defensive Player of the Year (Camby) and one Most Improved player (Randolph) amongst a group of eight longtime vets.

2. Thornton made the 2008 NBA All-Rookie First Team with Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Luis Scola and Jeff Green.

3. While at Florida State, Thornton was an AP ’06-07 third-team All-American.

4. Thornton began his career averaging 16 minutes per game in November 2007, which was bumped up to 38 mpg by April 2008.

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There’s nothing quite like on-the-job training, and though Al Thornton is only in his second year in the NBA, that’s one thing the Los Angeles Clipper has gotten a lot of in a relatively short time.

“I’ve had so many great professionals all around me in my time here,” says the 6-8, 220-pound small forward.

“Guys who have taught me about being ready, night-in and night-out. How to do things to take care of my body for the NBA grind. I’ve had a lot of help.”

And it’s not just current teammates Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Zach Randolph and Chris Kaman. It’s guys who also were with him last year in Los Angeles—Elton Brand, Sam Cassell, Cuttino Mobley, and Corey Maggette.1 Some people may look at the Clippers’ roster turnover and see a team in disarray—and that may be true. But from Thornton’s perspective, it’s brought the 25-year-old a wealth of valuable mentors in a relatively short time, which is exactly what an All-Rookie first-team2 selection needs when trying to carve his niche in The Association.

You see, Thornton has always had the athleticism. His high-flying ability, quick first step and knack for always getting his shot made him the 14th pick3 in the 2007 NBA Draft.

But when he first broke into the League last season, the inconsistent Thornton needed to learn the new game he was playing. The rook was up and down more than a mood swing, having 30-point showcases just as often as he’d have 10-turnover nights or 1-for-15 shooting woes.

By consistently listening to elders though, Thornton saw his playing time increase steadily during his rookie run,4 not to mention seeing a 10-minute increase this season, where he’s averaged 38 minutes, 17 points and five rebounds in the Clippers’ first 23 games.

“I’ve got more focus now,” says Thornton, minutes after exiting his team’s film session. “I’m in that room now, learning my opponents’ tendencies in key areas. And I’m now finding the coaching staff trusts and believes in me more. I’ve got teammates like Baron who are making the game easier for me. And with more playing time, I’m learning on the go. It’s a combination of all these things that’s making me a better player.”

He’s got a long way to go, as does his team. But at least he’s moving in the right direction.

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Wilson Chandler

Forward New York Knicks BONUS POINTS 1. Wilson is the two-time winner of the Wendell Smith Award as MVP of the annual DePaul-Notre Dame game.

2. Other DePaul players that have once donned a Knicks uni include: Ron Sobie (1956-60), Emmette Bryant (1964-68), Rod Strickland (1988-90) and Terry Cummings (1997-98).

3. Chandler broke Richardson’s freshmen single-game rebounding record with 16 boards in a game against Dayton.

4. Wilson credits his grandmother the most with helping him mature.

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Wilson Chandler fits the profile of the type of player the Knicks are looking for, as they rebound toward the future.

The greatest example of that? Consider the team’s revival plan. Even with the lofty illusions that one 6-8 superstar forward ultimately becomes a part of the mix in 2010, the Knicks have given their current 6-8 second-year forward a burgeoning role in the rotation.

And why wouldn’t they? Everything he’s done in the first few months this season has illustrated that the former DePaul star1 is quite the keeper. “This is pretty much his rookie year in terms of minutes,” says mentor and fellow former Blue Demon2 Quentin Richardson.3 “I’m real proud for him. His confidence is crazy right now.”

Chandler is proving that hard work truly is a gauge of success. “During the offseason, I worked on my jumper, handling the ball and lateral movements,” he says. “I got my conditioning up because I knew we were going to run. I’m doing a lot of little things.”

And they’re all paying huge dividends for the Knicks, on par to improve upon the 23 games they won last year on the strength of Chandler’s 14-plus points and almost six rebounds per night during the season’s first quarter.

“I knew I could play against this competition,” says Chandler “if I got the chance.”4

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24 seconds l^i] ?DH: 86A9:GDC HOOP: We won’t reveal your hotel alias,1 but we got a good laugh out of it.

How did you pick a name to stay under?

Calderon: We were watching a movie one day and I got a picture the next day from my teammates. They thought I was looking like the [lead character], so that’s why I use that name. Mine is really funny.

HOOP: Have you always used an alias?

Calderon: No, I just started, because last year I had some calls while we were in Orlando during the playoffs. This year I had another call late at night, so beginning of this season I started using a name.

HOOP: Calls from fans of the opposing team?

Calderon: Sometimes. From media, too, trying to make jokes on the radio stations.

It’s not good when you have a game and they call you late the night before or early in the morning.

HOOP: What’s the best and worst thing about hotel life?

Calderon: The best is I get to sleep more. The worst is sometimes it’s too many hotels, too many rooms. You’re on the road and you’ve been in three hotels in four nights, you’re tired and you don’t know where you’re at.

HOOP: You mean you forget what room you’re in?

Calderon: Yes, it happens a lot. You know, you arrive late and you think you’re still in the other hotel. It’s weird. I’ll be in the elevator and just be thinking, ‘Was it the sixth floor or the seventh floor?’

HOOP: Your game is on the rise like an elevator. Where have you improved most in your four years in the League?

Calderon: I think my shooting. My first season I had like 16 percent2 from the three-point line. Now I’m around 40 something.

HOOP: We love your logo3 with the three fingers up, but shouldn’t it be a silhouette of you making a pass?

Calderon: Maybe I could do one with the three and another one for assists. It was funny. We were doing that in practice a couple years ago, and then one day I did it in a game just joking and everybody liked it.

HOOP: We hear you had Lasik4 surgery a couple years ago. Did that help your passing?

Calderon: I don’t think so, but I feel pretty comfortable now with no eyeglasses, no contacts, nothing. It’s great. I don’t know if it helped me with shooting or passing, but right now its working.

HOOP: So you played with contacts before that?

Calderon: Yes. My contact would fall out sometimes during games and everybody would be looking for it on the floor.

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HOOP: Who was your favorite point guard growing up?

Calderon: Well, I really liked Magic Johnson, but that was a long time ago. I like Steve Nash now. He can do everything. He gets everybody involved, he can score.

HOOP: How difficult is the jump from Spain5 to the NBA? Calderon: It’s a really big challenge. You have to adapt your game to the NBA, because it’s a different way to play. For a point guard, it’s even worse because you’ve got to be the coach on the court, and my language was really bad four years ago.

HOOP: How is the game different?

Calderon: Here everything happens faster. You have more possessions, sometimes we’re shooting after one pass. But in Europe, it’s more like run for 20 seconds and there’s more defense, more basket control.

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HOOP: How much English did you know when you came over?

Calderon: Just a little. I thought I knew more, but when I arrived here, I couldn’t understand anybody. Nobody could understand me. It was really bad to try to call the plays.

HOOP: How difficult was it to pick up and how did you learn it?

Calderon: Just watching TV and reading, going to movies…even if I made mistakes, I tried to speak English all the time.

HOOP: What was the most confusing part of the English language for you?

Calderon: I think the most difficult thing is the use of the verb the correct way. Sometimes I use the present for everything, or I don’t use the past or the future the right way.

HOOP: Doing interviews probably wasn’t easy at first?

Calderon: Not really. Talking to the media was really tough.

But they understood in Toronto that I had a problem with my English, so they were really patient with me.

HOOP: The Raptors’ Media Guide says you own a pig farm. Is that true?

Calderon: Well, kind of. It’s not like I have it all by myself, but yeah, we sell the ham there in Spain and I’ve tried to get it here to Canada, too.

HOOP: Ah, okay. We thought you had a bunch of pigs for pets6 or something.

Calderon: No, no. It’s just for my business, that’s it. They’re really nice animals sometimes, but it’s not like I have pigs because I like them.

HOOP: How did you get into that? That’s an unusual business.

Calderon: Not really in Spain. Where I’m from is where the best ham7 is. I thought it would be a good thing to bring the ham here to Canada and to the U.S. HOOP: What’s different about the ham in Spain?

Calderon: Well, the pigs there only eat walnuts, so everything is organic.

It’s much better.

BONUS POINTS 1. Calderon did this interview by phone from his hotel room on the road.

2. To be exact, Calderon shot 16.3 percent from

HOOP: Speaking of things being different in Spain, tell us about being the cover athlete of the Spanish edition of NBA 2K9.

Calderon: It’s great. It’s special to see yourself on there. It’s something you dream when you are a kid and you play computers or PlayStation.

three-point range as a rookie, and was shooting 45.7 percent at press time in this his fourth NBA season.

3. Visit JoseManuelCalderon.com for a look at his personal logo.

4. Editor-at-Large Jeramie McPeek had Lasik surgery back in 2000 and says it’s the best money he’s ever spent.

5. Calderon helped lead the Spanish National Team to the silver medal in the 2008 Olympics.

HOOP: We thought you would say baseball. Didn’t you throw out the first pitch at a Blue Jays game this past season?

Calderon: Yeah, but it was terrible. It was really bad. It was my first time with a baseball. I have never done that before, but I tried.

At least he caught the ball.

two dogs for pets, “Curro” and “Homer,” who was named after the Simpsons character.

7. Spain is famous for their Jamón Ibérico, or Iberian ham, which is made from the Black Iberian Pig that subsides on a diet primarily of acorns.

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HOOP: Maybe you should use a baseball player’s name next time you check into your hotel. No one would guess that.

Calderon: Yeah, that’s true. I’ll check on that. _%NQ_LNQD_PTDRSHNMR_VHSG_)NRD _UHRHS_ GNNOL@F BNL

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6. The 27-year-old guard and his wife have

HOOP: Do you play games much now?

Calderon: Not really now. I don’t have too much time to play. But I used to play with my brother a lot and try to challenge each other at soccer or tennis, something like that.

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DOMINANCE

THE 10 PLAYERS THAT DEFINED THE PAST 10 YEARS

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10 All-Star appearances, two-time All-Star Game MVP

Led the NBA in free throws made in ’05-06 and ’06-07

All-NBA Defensive selections

Scored 81 points (second highest single-game total) against Toronto Raptors

NBA MVP for the ’07-08 season (28.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.4 apg) and led team to NBA Finals against Boston Celtics

NBA scoring titles (’05-06, ’06-07)

Won gold medal at 2008 Olympics

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All-NBA First Team selections

Three-time NBA Champion with Los Angeles Lakers

KOBE BRYANT When the year dropped three nines for three zeroes, Kobe Bryant became this generation’s Michael Jordan. Forget the statistical, physical and skill set comparisons (those all check out) and throw out the 81-point outburst and crazy talk of besting Wilt’s sacred 100 (not gonna happen); it’s the similarity in unrelenting demeanor and drive that makes Kobe the best MJ clone to date. Bryant has become to the ’00s what Jordan was to the ’90s. Even the way Kobe has tantalized and handled the media has us reminiscing of Money. And let’s not forget how Jordan was the darling of European basketball fiends during the ’92 Olympic Games in Barcelona, while Bryant was a one-man Beatles tour while in China for the ’08 Games in Beijing. The rings haven’t come in the same frequency as Mike, but KB24 still has a few peak years left in him, and with a Lakers roster filled with all the right parts, Kobe still has a shot to equal MJ’s six chips. Much like Jordan, many compare Kobe to his contemporaries throughout the decade—Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade—and like #23, #8/24 has held his grip as the top talent in the game. —Ming Wong #2

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His showing in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is often considered the greatest performance in Contest history

Holds several Toronto franchise records, including: minutes played, total games started, and points.

Tied for NBA record with most three-pointers made in a playoff game with nine

Led Toronto Raptors to first playoff berth in 2000

Carter is traded to New Jersey for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two draft picks

Holds New Jersey franchise records for most points scored in a season (2,070’06-07) and most consecutive games with 20 or more points (23- ’05-06)

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All-Star appearances

Won gold medal, and forever remembered for posterizing 7-2 Frenchman Frederic Weis

Created the Embassy of Hope Foundation to support causes for children in Florida and Ontario and was named a Goodwill Ambassador by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America

VINCE CARTER Admittedly, VC was one of our last choices for this squad. Compared to the other nine cats on the team, Carter is the least accomplished in the postseason, where legends are forged. He’s also one of two out of the 10 to never have even played in the Finals.

But Vince’s place here isn’t measured in playoff rounds, but in inches, err, make that feet—like in seven-feet-two inches of Frederic Weis that Vince pogos over—or feats—way too many to even begin listing here. People may forget (peep YouTube for a reminder as there are countless reels of VC crams, bams and yams) but Carter owned the League the first few years of this decade. Ever since the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest (as a whole, his five dunks from the Contest were the best ever. Sorry MJ, Nique, Spud and even Dr. J—it ain’t even close) he became a fan fave and arenas sold out just to get a glimpse of something spectacular every time Vince flew in. He made basketball relevant in Canada, his #15 jersey (even the questionable Dino ones) were on backs everywhere and of course the comparisons to another high-flying, North Carolina guard followed. Ultimately, our expectations of Vince were higher than even he could jump. Vince Carter does, however, go down as the greatest showstopper in the game and earns a place among the best of this decade.—#2

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All-Star appearances, 2000 All-Star Game MVP

time NBA MVP (’01-02, ’02-03)

Two-time Finals MVP

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CENTURY 21 Led NBA in rebounds

HE MAY NOT BE THE FIRST PERSON THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF THIS DECADE’S FINEST, AND THAT’S PERFECTLY FINE WITH TIM DUNCAN The first time I saw Tim Duncan was 15 years ago at the Oakland Coliseum, where a team of college all-stars were giving Team USA a tune-up before the FIBA World Championship in Toronto.

When the 18-year-old entered the game in the first half it was nothing memorable to those in attendance. He was a 6-10, 230-pound teenager from Wake Forest. He averaged only 10 points in 30 minutes his freshman year. But the nuanced knew he had the potential to be an all-around star with his averages of 10 rebounds and four blocks per night, coupled with a willingness to learn.

In fact, when young Duncan—after studying his opponents from the sidelines—re-entered the game with 11 minutes left in the second half, the true experts began to see the signs and wonders of things to come.

Duncan immediately went at Shaquille O’Neal, dropping a five-foot jump hook over the Diesel.

Shaq—wanting to respond immediately—took it inside at the kid who gave up 70 pounds in the matchup, only to be rejected.

On the next possession, Duncan responded in kind by drilling a 17-footer as Shaq just watched him shoot.

Next play, someone else missed a shot and Duncan out-tipped Shaq for the rebound.

Then, the next time down the floor, Duncan lifted Shaq with a ball fake 17 feet from the basket. This time, however, as the kid blew by the big fella, O’Neal’s USA teammate Larry Johnson leveled Duncan to the floor, sending him to the foul line while also sending the message not to mess with your elders.

It was the most amazing five-play sequence a teenager ever had over a legend.

Nearly 15 years later, these kind of results are now commonplace. It’s no big surprise anymore because we have seen Duncan dominate hundreds of bigs in a thousand-plus NBA games during the 20th and 21st centuries.1 Indeed, Duncan is now generally regarded as the game’s biggest winner since Michael Jordan2 first retired in 1998. And Shaquille O’Neal now has a fondness in his heart for the San Antonio Spur, regularly referring to his rival as “Mr. Duncan,” a sign of respect he bestows on a select few (Mr. Russell, Mr. West, Mr. Olajuwon).

It certainly has been enjoyable watching this slender teen grow into the future and now present of the game.

But back then, it was just as fun catching a glimpse of the greatness to come simply by talking to Duncan in the postgame interview.

And even then you could see the wheels in his head turning after the game.

BY DARRYL HOWERTON #21

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All-NBA Defensive First Team selections

Has averaged a double-double in points and rebounds every season Awarded with the St. Croix Medal of Honor, the highest award a citizen of the nation can receive

Cue the July 31, 1994 tape.

Question: “What’d you learn out there?”

Duncan: “They have a lot of tactics. Just the little things they do. They’re so strong. Little moves they’re doing to keep you away from getting to where you want to go.”

Question: “Like what?”

Duncan: “Like maybe holding onto your arm when you’re going through a screen so you can’t roll. Little things. They’re so strong. I have to get a lot stronger. I know what I have to work for.”

Question: “Do you think your life has changed because of this game?”

Duncan: “Uh, I don’t know. Whatever happens, happens. I’ll take it as it comes.”

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Fifteen years later, he took everything as it came and now has the whole League in his hands. Basically by doing what he alluded to in that initial convo—studying his opponent, and making the necessary adjustments.

Back at Wake Forest, he did it by bulking up with muscle, adding 18 pounds over the next three years so that when he entered the NBA in ’97-98, he looked the part of a 6-11, 248pound power forward. He would continue that process in the NBA until he became the stout 6-11, 260-pound center we see today.

Duncan also showed his studious efforts in other areas, too—absorbing knowledge like a sponge from Gregg Popovich, David Robinson, Avery Johnson, Terry Porter, Steve Kerr and all the other great minds he teamed up with in his early career.

That's why the beginning of the 21st century has become the Duncan Decade. AllNBA3, All-Star, and All-Defense every season. Three NBA championships and two Finals MVP trophies, boasting a career of accomplishments that not even Jordan4 matched at age 32.

He studied footwork like he was the next Hakeem Olajuwon, and became so fundamentally sound, Shaq bestowed the nickname on him, “The Big Fundamental.”

With his newfound status, The Big Fun relaxed even more and became the leader everyone wanted to be around. Free agents like Michael Finley, Brent Barry and Nick Van Exel came for less money just to be around his winning ways.

He would never embarrass a teammate by publicly calling them out. He always palmed their head when they needed to be congratulated. That was his trademark move.

His coaches loved him. Popovich even went as far to say, “When Timmy retires, I’m retiring.”

Players around the League noticed, too. He always ranked high on the list of ESPN The Magazine polls of Who’s The Best Leader? Who’s The Best Teammate? Who’s The Smartest Player In The NBA? It was always Tim ... Tim ... and Tim. He kept his minutes down, saving himself for the postseason, starting a trend that now KG, Kobe and LeBron follow to a T. It hurt him in subsequent MVP voting following his winning '02-03 season because his stats would suffer. But he didn’t care. He’d rather win championships playing 33-34 minutes in the regular season than wearing down his body with 39 minutes a game.

And to paraphrase from The Usual Suspects: “The greatest trick Tim Duncan ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn’t exist.”

Out of sight in the MVP voting after April, he’d always sneak up on opponents in May and June when it really counted, going to the Western Conference Finals for the last six seasons and winning NBA Championships half the time.

Just before the decade, Duncan gave a glimpse into his inner workings for a story I helped him co-write for Sport Magazine in 1999. In that piece, he said, “You ever see the movie Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon? If so, you’ve got a true psychoanalytical picture of me. I’m just a taller, slightly less hyperactive version of the Damon character in that movie. I really enjoyed how he probed people and found out their weaknesses—what they like and didn’t like—just by asking questions and saying outlandish, random stuff just to get a reaction. People expect me to be this shy, quiet type, so I’ll ask them outlandish questions in a serious tone. Some of your best pranks can come when others think you’re serious.

“I try to take this mental-probing attitude onto the court with me at all times. People in college thought I was lackadaisical because I didn’t show emotion. They thought I was soft because I didn’t yell with every rebound. Emotions must not always be shown. If you show excitement, then you may also show disappointment or frustration. If your opponent picks

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Created the Tim Duncan Foundation to raise health awareness and fund youth sports and education

All-NBA First Team selections

up on this frustration, you’re at a disadvantage. I make sure my opponents don’t know what’s going on in my head—I guess that’s why the fans never know either. Basketball is like a chess game. You can’t reveal all that you’re thinking or you’ll be at a sizeable disadvantage to your opponent.”

It wasn’t the blueprint the NBA was used to—the plan laid out by Magic and Bird, then Michael, followed by Shaq.

His demeanor, actually, was a pretty novel throwback to John Wooden-type thinking.

Keep your mouth shut. Your eyes open.

And win.

That’s precisely what Timmy did, to the tune of four championships and a greater team winning percentage than anyone in the post-Jordan era.

And strangely enough, Duncan has spawned so many clones to his way of thinking that you now see so many champions sharing his style: Tiger Woods...Phil Ivey...even Barack Obama has some Tim Duncan in him, which was best showcased in the 2008 presidential debates when he gave his best Jedi stares.

Never knew a basketball player would change the country, huh?

Oh, how times have changed.

Duncan used to be called boring by some, but strangely enough, he has become this decade’s most marketable active player—believe it or not.

His Q ratings5 for the last few years have averaged 30 on the likeability scale, which places him above all active peers—Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Granted, Duncan has not chosen to cash in on the almighty advertising dollar, but let the studies show, America has come around to embrace Tim Duncan’s laid-back style.

It was only a matter of time that the public welcome him in. After all, he’s fit in with everybody else he’s met.

He’s shown he can play with a former MVP, leading the Spurs to the 1999 NBA Championship6 by David Robinson’s side.

He put the team on his shoulders and won a 20037 title when Robinson was aged and retiring, while Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were young and learning.

And he showed he could work with All-Star guards in 2005 and 2007,8 once again leading the Spurs to the promised land.

“I came into a great situation here in San Antonio,” says Duncan. “It was the perfect situation for me when I came into this League as a rookie, and I still feel that way today even though so many years have gone by. Basketball is fun here and always has been. I think it’s one of the reasons we’re so successful and one of the reasons I’ve been able to grow as a player.”

Grow as a player ... Grow as a man ... Grown from that tall, skinny teen to become the best in the post-MJ era. ...And who would’ve thunk it? That the Next Jordan would actually grow to be a 6-11 power forward.

Bonus Points 1. Duncan has 12-year career averages of 21.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and a 25.1 Player Efficiency Rating that ranks seventh all-time.

2. Through 34 games in ’08-09, Duncan’s teams in the post-Jordan era have gone 582-240 (.708) in the regular season (no player has even come close to matching), won four NBA titles, and his teams have made the playoffs each of his 11 seasons.

3. That’s seven First Teams and two Second Teams. Oh, and nine All-Defensive Team selections for good measure.

4. Comparing Jordan and Duncan at 32: Jordan had won three NBA championships and three NBA Finals MVPs, while Duncan has won four and three; Jordan had three MVPs, Duncan two; Jordan had eight All-NBA awards, Duncan 11; Jordan had six All-Defensive teams, Duncan 11; Jordan had nine All-Star Games, Duncan 12.

5. Marketing Evaluations Inc. executive vice president Henry Schafer, who runs the Q Scores Company, says, “The Q rating is a measure of the personality’s likeability among consumers. And more specifically, it’s telling you what percent of those consumers familiar with the personality rate that personality as one of the favorite sports people. Judging from the scores, it definitely looks like Duncan’s following in David Robinson’s footsteps as an unassuming, highly likable leader. Duncan could probably do a lot more in terms of endorsements if he wanted to.”

6. In the 1999 Playoffs, Duncan averaged 23.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 43.1 minutes per game with a team-high 25.1 PER. 7. In the 2003 Playoffs, Duncan averaged 22.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks in 42.5 minutes per game with a team-high 24.1 PER. To illustrate how much Duncan carried this team, in the regular season, Duncan had a 26.9 PER in his back-to-back MVP year, while the retiring David Robinson was the next closest teammate at 17.8.

8. In the 2005 and 2007 NBA Playoffs, Duncan was again the high PER Spur with 24.9 and 27.3 scores. In the 2005 playoffs, he averaged 23.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 37.8 minutes per game; in the 2007 playoffs, he averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks in 36.8 minutes.

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DECADE OF DOMINANCE

Olympic Gold Medal

Defensive Player of the Year

NBA Champion

J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner

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Led the League in rebounds four consecutive seasons

MVP (24.3 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 5,0 apg)

All-Star appearances (’03 All-Star game MVP)

Four All-NBA First Team nods

KEVIN GARNETT Of all the accolades he’s received—something the man has an abundance of—only one matters to KG. It was his passion for 12 seasons before arriving in Boston, what drove him to become one of the elite players of the past decade. Sure, along the way he revolutionized the forward position, led the League in points (’03-04), an All-Star MVP (’03), and averaged 20 and 11 every season since the dawn of the 21st century, but those were all trivial without the ring. Finally, teamed with two other All-Stars in Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, complemented by a gang of role-players ready to commit to the same goal, Garnett sacrificed the personal in favor of the team and was rewarded last summer when the Commissioner handed him the Larry O’Brien Trophy. It was the icing on the cake for a player who had accomplished nearly everything imaginable in the past ten years and now, will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players of his era.—Seth Berkman #91

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Led the Sixers to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers

Averaged at least 26.2 ppg during five playoff appearances with Philadelphia this decade

NBA MVP (31.1 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.5 spg)

Traded to Denver for Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two draft picks

time All NBA First Team selection

Iverson returns to Philadelphia for the first time since being traded and is greeted by a standing ovation

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Twice led the League in minutes played

All-Star nods (two-time All-Star Game MVP ’01, ’05)

times led the League in points per game average

ALLEN IVERSON It’s hard to believe that AI has 12-plus NBA seasons under his belt. Not only because it seems like it was only yesterday when he was crossing up MJ and hitting game-winners over Tyronn Lue and the Lakers in the Finals, but also due to his size—it’s simply amazing that a 6-0, 180 pound guard who has spent most of his career driving to the hole and banging with bigs has withstood the pain of over 865 games. We’ll likely see a few Shaqs and Jordans in the future before we’re treated again to another Iverson. Even more mindboggling? He’s led the League in average minutes played per page six times since the ’01-02 season and five out of the past 10 seasons he averaged 30 points or more. Iverson is more than a scorer though; he’s matured into a leader and has put up seven dimes or more on a nightly basis the last five years. Twice he’s led the League in steals with the ’00-01 MVP to boot. We may finally be seeing the wearing down of the Georgetown product—he may finish below 20 ppg for the first time in his career this season—but that doesn’t mean he no longer has the capability to drop 40 on any given night. You may see Kobe and LeBron’s mugs more often in advertisements and Yao has the global recognition on lock, but there hasn’t been a more iconic figure the past decade than Iverson in the NBA. Years from now when younger generations ask who defined this era, we will think of the arm sleeve, the ’rows, the tats and the killer crossover and the answer will simply be...The Answer.—#91

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First overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft

Rookie of the Year (20.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.9 apg)

Led Cavaliers to ďŹ rst NBA Finals in 2007

Ranked #1 in the Forbes Top 20 Earners Under 25 Led the League in scoring

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Olympic Gold Medal

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All-Star appearances, two-time All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008)

All-NBA First Team selections

NBA Community Assist Award winner

LEBRON JAMES Like Shaq’s inclusion in the NBA’s 50 Greatest in ’97 (after just five seasons), the inclusion of LeBron on this team might stir some uproar. The young’n has only been on the scene since the ’03-04 season, but his six years of work has justified the pick in our book. Consider the following: As a high school junior, dude was probably as widely known as any All-Star. High-school hype aside, ’03s No. 1 pick delivered as a rook with a 20-5-5 campaign and has never looked back. LeBron has become the next step of basketball evolution, much like Wilt Chamberlain 50 years ago. A Frankenstein amalgamation of Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Magic Johnson, LeBron is unlike anything ever seen on the court. Able to get to the rim with speed, grace or crab dribble (sorry Bron, we had to) or bulldoze through a phalanx of defenders with power, LBJ is up to the task of finishing with gusto (ask Damon Jones) or finding an open teammate. What about the weak post game and three-point shooting? Kid is just 24...stay tuned. All that said, there was no way we were going leave this decade’s best #23 (sorry, MJ, we try to forget your Wizard years) off the team. Besides, the haters who’ll skewer this choice will be the same ones who’ll lambaste us for leaving him off.—#2

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DECADE OF DOMINANCE

After being traded from the Phoenix Suns in the offseason, Kidd leads the New Jersey Nets to a 52-30 record and the Eastern Conference Championship

All-Star nods

time All-Defensive First Team

time All-NBA First Team

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Kidd averages 18.7 ppg, 8.9 apg, 6.3 rpg, and 2.2 spg on his way to bringing the Nets back to the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year

League leader in steals

Kidd becomes only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double in the playoffs with 14.6 ppg, 10.9 apg and 10.9 rpg in twelve games

playoff appearances

Kidd is traded to the Dallas Mavericks

JASON KIDD He may now reside in the Lone Star State, but Jason Kidd will be remembered most this decade for leading the New Jersey Nets from League laughingstock to perennial contenders. The first day he arrived in East Rutherford, Kidd proclaimed that the Nets’ losing ways were over and backed up his braggadocio by leading them to the Finals that year. The bevy of alley-oops and no look passes to Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson, Kerry Kittles and a host of others would propel the Nets to another Eastern Conference title in ’02-03, and playoff appearances every full season he played in Jersey. As his career winds down, Kidd is a step slower on defense and doesn’t shoot as much, but he still shows the acute court vision and touch to keep his new teammates stats stuffed in the scoring column.

Arguably the best point guard of the past 10 years, we couldn’t think of anyone else we’d want as our floor general this decade. —#91 HOOP

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DECADE OF DOMINANCE

All-Star appearances

Helped Team Canada earn a berth in the 2000 Summer Olympics

NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner

Named one of the 100 most inďŹ&#x201A;uential people in the world

by Time Magazine

Led the League in assists for three consecutive seasons

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Created the Steve Nash Foundation to help children affected by poverty, illness, abuse and lack of education

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time All-NBA First Team selection

Never shot less than 88 percent from the free throw line this decade

time NBA MVP (’04-05, ’05-06)

Led Phoenix to a 62-20 record and 33 game turnaround

STEVE NASH Four years into the decade, it was unfathomable that a long-locked, trigger-shy, soccer-crazed point guard who was rarely mentioned in the best-PG-in-the-game discussions would even be considered for a spot among the decade’s finest—yet here stands Steve Nash. His 2K through 2K4 years in Dallas were more than respectable (15 ppg and 7 apg) and when he left Big D for Sunny P, no one thought twice, including us. Instead of heading to Arizona to retire as many do, Nash rejuvenated uptempo basketball in the NBA by being the pacesetter for the Suns “go-go and then go some more” brand of high-scoring ball, earning him MVP honors in ’04-05. It seemed as if then-Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni (who deserves some credit) just handed the ball to #13 with the simple directions to score as much as Nash’s weight—believe us, at 175, Nash tried and got close a few times. Nash followed that season up with a repeat performance.

Aside from joining the back-to-back MVP club (other members: Bird, Duncan, Jordan, Kareem, Magic, Moses, Russell, Wilt), Nash earned his place on this team for reintroducing fans, GMs and coaches to the fact that crowd-pleasing 120-point games aren’t just fun, but can be successful as well.—#2

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Second player in NBA history to record over 100 threes and 100 blocks in one season

FIBA World Championship MVP

Three-Point Shootout Champion

FIBA Europe Basketball Player of the Year

Led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals

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All- NBA First Team selections

seasons of averaging at least 21 ppg and 9 rpg

Created the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, a charity that raises money to aid poverty in Africa

All-Star appearances

DIRK NOWITZKI Glätten. In English it translates to smooth. No matter what language you speak, you understand that the word perfectly describes Nowitzki on the court as he pulls up from 22 feet and launches a perfectly-arced trey or catches a Jason Kidd pass and fades away for a game-winner that hits nothing but net. Since becoming a full-time starter in the League in only his second season, Nowitzki has been among the best scorers in the game. He has eight straight seasons (going on nine) of averaging 20 points per game or more, while shooting nearly 40 percent from downtown. Despite being knocked for not playing enough in the paint, Dirk has also established himself as an accomplished rebounder (considering he makes his living shooting 20-foot jumpers) averaging close to nine boards per game every season since ’00-01. He may not display his emotions like Kevin Garnett or be a verbal leader like Rasheed Wallace, but there isn’t one NBA team that wouldn’t jump at the chance to add the Deutsche Marksman to its lineup. One trip to the Finals may not be enough for the critics who measure success in championships, but don’t tell that to his countrymen who watched his MVP performance carry Germany to a bronze medal in the 2002 FIBA World Championship. There isn’t a more loyal competitor in the game today, and that coupled with a unique touch and overall game that changed the way seven-footers play, earns Nowitzki a spot among the best of the decade.—#91 HOOP

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DECADE OF DOMINANCE

3 consecutive Finals MVPs

Shaq received an Honorary Deputy U.S. Marshal badge Shaq received his masters degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix

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Shaq is traded to Miami in a five-player deal

4 NBA titles

All-Star Game MVPs, 8 All-Star appearances

THE EPICENTER

BY MICHAEL BRADLEY #53

NO MATTER HOW YOU JUDGE HIM-BY RINGS, SIZE, DOMINANCE, SHOWMANSHIP OR PERSONALITY-THERE’S NO DENYING THE MAGNITUDE OF SHAQUILLE O’NEAL It wasn’t quite the Dream Team, but it was darn close. Don Nelson’s squad that competed in the 1994 FIBA World Championship1 was loaded with future Hall of Famers. No wonder they rampaged to an 8-0 mark, stomping their opposition by an average of 37.7 ppg.

Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas and Reggie Miller led the backcourt. The forwards included Dominique Wilkins and Larry Johnson. And Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal2 held down the middle.

Trouble was, there was only room for one center in the starting lineup. Nellie had a problem— until he talked to Shaq. Or, make that, Shaq talked to him.

“It was his idea to come off the bench,” Nelson says. “He didn’t want to start. It made my job easier. Shaq was a team guy all the way.”

Shaq wasn’t in the starting five, but he was no scrub. He wound up leading the team in scoring (18.0 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg), field goal percentage (71.3 percent) and blocks (1.9 bpg). Against China, he scored 22 in just 18 minutes of action. He pillaged Brazil for 27 in just 22 minutes. Afterward, he accepted his gold medal with a big smile, not caring one bit who started, finished or played in between. “It was a pleasure to have him,” Nelson says.

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stats: 28.7 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 2.8 bpg

I don’t think there’s been a player like that.”

Riley agrees. “He’s one of the most unique athletes to ever come down the pike—in all sports,” he says. “He could have been a defensive end, a tight end, a tackle and a linebacker. He’s nimble, and he has great footwork.”

Shaq’s numbers may have been more impressive during the ’90s, when he was overwhelming teams with his rare package of size and skill. But the rings came after the new century dawned. He grabbed three (’00-02) with the Lakers and one more with Miami. In L.A., he was the “Big Brother,” teaming with Kobe Bryant (“Little Brother”) and a strong supporting cast. He had been great during the regular season but even better during the playoffs and dynamite in the Finals. He was the MVP in each Laker Finals victory and was virtually unstoppable in all three series, averaging 38 ppg in 2000, 33 in ’01 and 36.3 in ’02, tearing through other big men as if they were point guards given the futile assignment of controlling him. When L.A. tore up the Sixers in five games in 2001, Shaq overpowered Dikembe Mutombo, one of the finest shotblockers in NBA history and then accused him of “flopping.” But what was Mutombo to do. He weighed 80 pounds (at least) less than Shaq.

What could anybody do, really? If Shaq were just a behemoth and wasn’t quick to the basket, perhaps defenders would have a chance. But once he sets up shop close to the bucket and drops that shoulder...look out below.

“Because of me, there was a new form of defense created, called ‘flopping,’” he says. “A lot of big men like to step out these days or pick and pop. There are no power players anymore.”

Except for him, of course. Watching Shaq play against New York on a December evening was hilarious. The Knicks were woefully undermanned inside, so their only recourse was to jump onto the Big Man’s back. Or grab his arms. It looked like a group

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For all the hysteria surrounding the 7-1 phenomenon since his NBA arrival, the overriding theme of O’Neal’s career has been a desire to win. It hasn’t always gone according to plan, and there has certainly been enough background noise to give the impression that the Shaq Show has a star with some high-maintenance tendencies.

In the final analysis, the pursuit of a championship has been the main focus, whether that’s at the World Championship in Toronto or the NBA Finals in Miami. For someone so attuned to NBA history, Shaq understands that rings define players, particularly big men.

Russ had 11. Kareem had five.

Shaq has four. At a time when NBA dynasties are rare, that total is impressive. “My challenge is always to win another ring,” he says. No one knows for sure whether he’ll get a fifth, but by grabbing a quartet in this decade—and narrowly missing out on another—he has established himself as a dominant winner. At a time when the concept of a true pivot leviathan is becoming less and less prevalent, O’Neal remains a link to the past without seeming like a bygone performer.

“I played with Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] and coached Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning,” says Miami Heat president Pat Riley, who coached the Heat to the ’06 title with Shaq in the middle. “For me, there’s no other philosophy. How do you run an offense without a great post man?”

As he piles up personal accolades and climbs the list in several categories, Shaq provides the most elusive concept in sports: Hope.

Why else would Phoenix have traded for him last year? The Suns were rolling along, scoring points like a hyperactive pinball machine and winning enough playoff games to keep fans believing the Big Prize was within reach. But instead of trying to keep the high-speed fun going, GM Steve Kerr adhered to the proven mandate that championship teams need a substantial interior presence. That’s what Riley did when he traded for Shaq back in 2004.3 “At the championship level, you have to get the ball inside,” says Jerry Sloan, who has coached Utah throughout Shaq’s entire career.

Enter Shaq. The results of the experiment remain incomplete, but Kerr and the Suns got what they wanted, an uncompromising force in the paint.

“I don’t adapt,” Shaq says. “I always just stay with my game.”

There you have it. Forget about staying ahead of the curve. Shaq is like the newspaper.

Or the rotary phone. He provides guaranteed production at a time when many are willing to give up something certain for something “better,” no matter how risky that might be. That can be a big winner, or certain death. In NBA basketball, there is still a value on holding down the paint, especially when the man doing the holding is capable of doing so many things.

“I hadn’t ever seen a game like he has,” says Nelson, who played with Russell and against Wilt and Kareem. “There’s size, strength, quickness and the willingness to pass.

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time All-NBA First Team

of angry citizens’ trying to topple a large statue. Eventually, they brought it down, but it wasn’t pretty. And Shaq responded by making 11-of-17 free throws. It wasn’t a Rick Barry performance, but it wasn’t bad, either.

The foul shot, of course, is the only bit of kryptonite that could stop Superman, and some coaches regard it as the only way to slow him down. During Game 2 of the 2000 NBA Finals, Larry Bird instructed his Pacers to foul Shaq so often that he went to the line 39 times. L.A. still won the game by seven points, and Shaq finished with 40 points. The tactic has succeeded in other situations, but for the most part, it is impossible to contain Shaq once he gets the ball close to the basket.

“There’s no way you’re going to stop him,” Sloan says. “You have to try to do the best you can playing people as low as you can so you don’t give him easy shots. He’s just one of those guys you can’t stop.”

And that goes for off the court, too. The Shaq package comes with dunks and power moves and sheer size but also includes a healthy dose of humor, salesmanship and opinion. Shaq has never apologized for being a big man. You don’t see him slump his shoulders. He may speak softly, but he is never reticent.

He is savvy, however. When he came to Miami, he knew the media would be wondering whether it was “his” team or young guard Dwyane Wade’s. Shaq took a step back, a move Riley still admires because of its tactical approach. It was the same thing that happened when Magic Johnson joined the Lakers in 1979. It was Kareem’s team, and it remained that way, but the big man was smart enough to observe Magic’s effusive personality and “defer,” when in reality, the veteran center remained the primary leader. “[Shaq] defused immediately what would have been an issue with the media,” Riley says. “He doesn’t give up anything to anybody, but he was diplomatic.”

There’s also always something new with him, whether it’s a nickname, catchphrase or business venture. He has acted4, rapped5, entered the field of law enforcement, embarked on several business ventures and begins 2009 in pursuit of his PhD (in human resource development), which would make him the NBA’s first doctor since, well, Dr. J. And his title was ceremonial.

It all goes back to his childhood, when Shaq’s stepfather would ask him what would happen if he hurt his knee some day. The answer to that is different than it was when Shaq was a teenager, but the message sunk in.

“I created the slogan, ‘Image is reality,’” Shaq says. “All the stuff you see me doing, I’ve been doing all my life.

“I used to get in trouble for being a class clown. That’s who I am. This wasn’t an agent or a lawyer coming into an office and saying, ‘This is what you have to do.’ Image is reality.”

And that reality has been overwhelming. Shaquille O’Neal may be heading into the twilight of his career, but he remains a rarity in the NBA and a force that often cannot be stopped.

Unless he does it himself. Even then, he’s never too far from the action.

Bonus Points 1. The ’94 World Championship was the last time the USA men’s team won the tournament.

2. Tim Hardaway, Mark Price, Shawn Kemp, Dan Majerle, Derrick Coleman, Steve Smith and Kevin Johnson rounded out the roster.

3. The Lakers send Shaq to Miami for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and a draft pick.

4. Shaq starred alongside then-teammate Penny Hardaway in the 1994 film Blue Chips. He is also known for roles in Steel, Kazaam, and Scary Movie 4.

5. He has released five studio albums, including his platinum debut, Shaq Diesel.

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DECADE OF DOMINANCE

THE NEXT DECADE TEAM It’s only natural that while looking back at the last decade we turned an eye toward the next 10 years. It’s purely speculative and a lot can happen between now and 2019—wow, just writing 2019 is weird—but here’s our ten for the next 10.

Carmelo Anthony Any player who can still average 21 ppg during a rough patch in their career must have the tools to do something right. Melo has battled injuries, trade rumors and the criticism seemingly more often than his ’03 Draft classmates, but in him we see the toughness to break past those negatives and he should continue to be a top 10 scorer for many years to come.

Kevin Durant Apparently Durant has yet to get the memo that kids his age aren’t supposed to be this good. One of the top threats in the game on offense, Durant has been able to prove the naysayers wrong and show a player with his length can still be a devastating scorer at the guard-forward slot.

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Chris Bosh CB4 has continued to set career-highs in points and rebounds every year (except for ’07-08 when he still put up 22.3 ppg and 8.7 rpg in an injury-shortened campaign) and as the last generation of dominant power forwards begin to climb in age (KG, EB42, Dirk, TD) Bosh is the clear cut leader of the new school at the four.

LeBron James It’s no easy task to make two All-Decade Teams, but if there’s anyone up to the momentous achievement, it’s LeBron. While some may scoff at our pick of Bron for this decade, there should be little resistance in including LBJ for 2010-19. Anyone who disagrees probably hates cuddly puppies, apple pie and freedom.

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Al Jefferson Jefferson is a double-double machine and one of the more ferocious players in the game today. A young Minnesota team may prevent him from grabbing the headlines he deserves for the next few years, but he will be the rock they build around for a return to prominence.

Chris Paul In all likelihood, Paul will have racked up an MVP or two by 2019, maybe even distance himself from the other often-compared-with PG on this team—bythismuch—that is, if neither guy gets outpaced by the Chicago upstart to the right. He’ll likely be winding down his career Jason Kidd-style and have scribes like us debating who was the better pint-sized PG—Paul or Isiah Thomas?

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Brandon Roy Looking at our crystal ball (we have one in the office that sits right between the dusty fax machine and the printer that’s always not working), we envision Roy having a steady 10-year run where he rarely wows, but continues to quietly win games and make teammates better.

Dwight Howard Do you see how Shaq is still occasionally dominating dudes now at 36? Howard will still be manhandling the competition come 2019 after spending the last decade entrenched as the best pivot in the game. We even predict a season where Dwight flirts with a Wilt and Russell-like 2,000 total rebounds.

Derrick Rose You can’t judge a man on only half a season, but if Rose’s first-half rookie numbers are any indicator, he’s on his way to a glorious 10-years-andbeyond. Playing what may be the toughest position to master as a 20-year-old, Rose has shown the knack to have exactly what it takes to be a top flight point in the League.

Deron Williams The ability to control an offense and make a big shot when needed makes Deron a rare breed of point guard who can do a little bit of everything. He has been a perfect fit in Jerry Sloan’s schemes and has all the talent to be able to match the success of his predecessor in Salt Lake City.

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call out

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Always the personable owner, Mark Cuban greeted U.S. military personnel at the Dallas Mavericks annual “Seats for Soldiers” event on December 13 at American Airlines Center.

GLENN JAMES/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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The Portland Trail Blazers thanked Terry Porter for a decade of service by retiring his jersey during halftime of a game on December 16 against the Sacramento Kings.

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Ron Artest showed off his culinary skills as he decorated cookies with local children at The Ronald McDonald House during the Houston Rockets Season of Giving last December.

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Rashad McCants and Mike Miller got cozy with some second graders from City View Elementary School at a Reading Time Out at the Build-A-Bear shop in the Ridgedale Mall in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

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TM & © 2008 Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. ©Copyright 2008 NBAE. Photos: Nathaniel S. Butler, Garrett Ellwood/NBAE Getty Images

CHECK IT AIR JORDAN 2009 In the shoe game, 24 editions for one pair of kicks is unheard of—until now.

Unofficially, the Air Jordan 2009 is the Jack Bauer of the Js, but because Jordan decided to retire the naming scheme of the longest-running signature line, 24 will simply be known as AJ 2009. Be sure to peep page 106 for the lowdown and page 117 for our one-on-one interview with the shoe’s designer, Jason Mayden.

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Drew’s music “I like Lil Wayne, T.I., Young Jeezy, David Banner. My favorite CD is Tha Carter III Mixtape. I was onstage with Lil Wayne at the House of Blues in L.A. this summer, that’s my guy.”

Drew’s television “Martin is my favorite TV show of all time. You can always watch an episode of Martin.

I could just watch them over and over; those are classics. I’m into Nip/Tuck. My favorite reality show is Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is.”

Drew’s videogames “Xbox 360, NBA 2K9. Even though they got me a little garbage in there—I don’t know if I need to make a phone call or something to get me right or to get me adjusted—2K9 is still my favorite game.”

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ILLUSTRATION: LINA CHEN PHOTO: GREGORY SHAMUS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Drew’s movies “As a kid it was The Goonies. I remember I had the chicken pox and I had to be in the house for like a week and I watched that movie probably like five times a day for six, seven days straight. I knew every word by heart. Now, my favorite movie is Apocalypto.

That’s a cold movie. Just how Mel Gibson directed it…the whole setting of the movie, where it took place, they really painted a good picture of that.”

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FROM THE TEAM REAL MOVIE FANS COUNT ON! F ©2008 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ©2008 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX, FOX, and associated logos are trademarks of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and its related entities.

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Kanye took a leap of faith by reinventing himself with 808s and Heartbreak. With all that he has gone through this past year or soâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;losing his mother and breaking up with his ďŹ ancĂŠeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;this album (featuring slow tempo songs), is his way to express his pain.

You can feel his emotion in songs like â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad News.â&#x20AC;? He was very creative lyrically without rapping muchâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;most of that was left up to guests like Young Jeezy on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amazingâ&#x20AC;? and Lil Wayne on â&#x20AC;&#x153;See You in My Nightmares.â&#x20AC;? The latter is about breaking up and letting everyone know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really going on. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to relate to.

My favorite track of the album would have to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;RoboCop.â&#x20AC;? The violin really brings the mood out in this song. Another great tracks is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coldest Winter,â&#x20AC;? a song that depicts the pain of losing someone that you could love so deeply.

You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but like it because everyone has been in this position before.

Kanye is getting better with each album by trying new and different things. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been playing it nonstop since I got it. I highly recommend this album! Overall, I think this is his best album yet!

I have nothing against Britney personally, but I am not a fan of her music. I just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think this album is any good. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like her beats, vocals or lyrics. Other than that, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OK. While the ďŹ rst few tracks on this album are decent pop songs, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ďŹ nd anything about a single song that is memorable. The album is so overproducedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;probably to hide her voice.

If I had to choose a â&#x20AC;&#x153;best song,â&#x20AC;? as much as it pains me to try and ďŹ nd one, I guess I would say that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Womanizerâ&#x20AC;? is a good dance/ club song, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t count on me dancing to it. It is kind of catchy, but more importantly it has a hot video.

Let me just say right off the bat that The Killers are not my type of music (rock), so I really have no basis of comparison. But while listening to the album for this review, I could hear some interesting vocals/lyrics and great sounding, uptempo instrumentals. Again, rock is not really my type of music but this Killers CD turned out to be a decent listen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Humanâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spacemanâ&#x20AC;? are two songs that have similar instrumentals and good lyrics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spacemanâ&#x20AC;? is a funny track about being abducted by aliens.

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First, let me say that Kanye is a musical genius! His one-liners are classics. I was excited to hear what the new album would sound like. This album is nothing like the Kanye I am used to hearing. I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t very impressed the ďŹ rst time I listened to it. He is somewhere completely in outer space on this one! The more and more I listened to it I started to like it.

The ďŹ rst song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Say You Willâ&#x20AC;? has such a contagious beat. I think you can probably say that about most of the album. I like the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paranoidâ&#x20AC;? track a lot and the tracks featuring Jeezy and Weezy were hot. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;Robocopâ&#x20AC;? he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re kidding me. You must be joking, that was a good oneâ&#x20AC;Śyour ďŹ rst good one in a while.â&#x20AC;? Dude is silly! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not feeling the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pinocchio Storyâ&#x20AC;? song at all, he could have left that one off! All in all, this was not Kanyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best album, but Graduation was pretty tough to follow. If you take your time and really listen to it, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good album. I will deďŹ nitely add it to my iPod!

You guys are killing me with this one! [Ed note: We choose the music for Carl and Thad to review, keeping our selections as diverse as possible.] However, being the journalist I am, I had to give you my fair and balanced review. It was tough thoughâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop thinking about her beating the SUV with the umbrella and the baldhead!

She was trippinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!

To tell the truth, the album wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that bad. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have anything to compare it to because I never listened to any of her albums before. I only gave it one listen, but the production was pretty good and she seems to have her voice back. That â&#x20AC;&#x153;If You Seek Amyâ&#x20AC;? sounded like it may be a good uptempo song. That â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blurâ&#x20AC;? track wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too bad either. She sings: â&#x20AC;&#x153;canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember what I did last night,â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;I bet she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t! Sorry, but in the end Britney will not get added to my iPod!

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up with the name of this group? I had never heard of them before. This is not my type of music! I agree with the title on the ďŹ rst song. They are deďŹ nitely losing touch.

The second song, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Human,â&#x20AC;? they must be kidding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;are we human or are we dancers?â&#x20AC;?

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stupid! I mean, really dumb! Boo this band! Sorry, I forgot that I need to keep my fair and balanced views in check.

This album was harder to listen to then the Britney one. If I had to choose, the ďŹ fth and sixth tracks, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Dustland Fairytaleâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is Your Lifeâ&#x20AC;? are probably their best songs.

They remind me of some of the music that I hear while watching Californication. Actually the second half of the album seemed to be a lot better than the ďŹ rst half. I can appreciate the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sound from my days playing the drums, as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always good to hear the actual instruments. But I think Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll hold off on adding this one to my iPod as well.

THADDEUS: JESSE D. GARRABRANT; CARL: BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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Game the goods Rec Game

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I was always a big Mortal Kombat fan growing up, everybody was. Whoever wasn’t was lame. My favorite character was always Sub-Zero. I loved Sub-Zero and my brother, he always loved Scorpion.

For this game, I just wished they had every character. They only had maybe 8-10 for each and then they didn’t even have like the panther guy [Ed note: Wildcat]. I was kind of bummed about that.

I mean they had Batman and all, but Catwoman? C’mon! The best character in that game, believe it or not, is The Joker because he has the best

gadgets. He had the bomb, the handshake…it was an updated Joker, but he had the purple jacket and everything. He was the funniest and best. I also never knew about Captain Marvel—I thought he was Flash at first. He’s awesome, but I never knew him as a kid. Playing with him was a first for me.

The game was fun, it was cool, but they need to make it a little easier to do the finishing moves. Like some of the good finishing moves are hard with the button combos. All the basic moves are the same—like down, back, forth, B is like a snowball move—I got those down.

I think it looks more realistic, but ain’t nothing like the old school game when you first got it. Now, as life goes on, technology is getting better and better.

This one is cool though—now they show scratches in your uniform when you really get beat up. They need to come out with a new game and add in Wolverine and the X-Men, Spiderman, have all the Marvel guys in one. They have the Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter—if you can get all four of them involved [Marvel, DC, Street Fighter, and Mortal Kombat] that would be the best game EVER! Somebody needs them to get together, join and unite forces and that would be crazy! I could play that all night.

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Left 4 Dead

Prince of Persia

Street Fighter IV

Hordes of zombies + unlimited ammo =

Not a sequel to the long-running series, but

Ha-dou-ken! Celebrate two decades (and

hours of fun. Add to the tried-and-true

a complete reboot, Prince of Persia reloads

200-odd throwaway “sequels”) of one-

formula an intelligent AI Director that

the jumping, climbing, wall-running game

on-one brawls with a sweeping upgrade

amps up or scales down the difficulty

with a gorgeous animated look that gives

that kicks it old-school. Featuring faces

level depending on the skill of the player

the feeling of watching a cartoon more than

familiar (Ken, Ryu, Blanka, etc.) and new

and great multiplayer co-op mode and you

videogame. More weapons and learned

(El Fuerte and Crimson Viper), both

have a great game that guarantees plenty

skills would’ve made it better.

vets and neophytes will dig pummeling

of replays.

foes using special moves, combos and “Focus” counterattacks.

NATE: NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO CREDIT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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DVDs

spin moves

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Quantum of Solace Columbia In the 22nd installment of the James Bond series, Agent 007 (Daniel Craig) takes off right where he left off at the end of Casino Royale. Being pursued by henchmen, Bond continues to dig deeper into the secret organization ‘Quantum.’ This time, he is joined by Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a woman with ties to Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a ruthless businessman with major links to Quantum. Bond sets out to seek the truth in a mission that tests his trust more than ever, leaving him to question the CIA, British government, and even his oldest confidant, M (Dame Judi Dench).

Australia 20th Century Fox In Baz Luhrmann’s latest film, Nicole Kidman plays Lady Sarah Ashley, a wealthy English woman who inherits a cattle station from her deceased husband on the foreign continent, during World War II. In her attempt to gain control of the station, called Faraway Downs, Ashley is assisted by a rugged cattle drover, known simple as Drover (Hugh Jackman). Together, they must lead the herd across Australia to avoid the clutches of English cattle barons attempting to take over Faraway Downs.

Seven Pounds Columbia Will Smith stars as Ben Thomas, a man who after losing everything, tries to figure out a way to give it all back.

After a car accident—which he caused—leads to the death of seven people, including his wife, Thomas falls into a deep depression. In an effort to repent, he decides to dedicate himself to those deeply in need with the help of an IRS database he accesses through his brother (Michael Ealy). Thomas soon realizes that finding the right people isn’t as easy as he thought, especially after he begins to develop feelings for one of them, a woman named Emily (Rosario Dawson) with an ailing heart.

Bolt Walt Disney In Disney’s latest animated release, John Travolta voices a dog that has lived his whole life in front of the camera, as the star of his own super hero television show. Due to his difficulty with separating fiction from reality, Bolt believes that his on-screen and real life owner Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus) is kidnapped by the show’s diabolical villain Dr. Calico. In his effort to save her, Bolt is accidentally shipped off to New York, where he befriends an alleycat named Mittens (voiced

by Susie Essman). While Mittens teaches Bolt what the real world is like for animals on the street, the two form a bond, and set out on a westward journey back to California where the TV star can be reunited with his owner/co-star.

Yes Man Warner Bros.

After a phase of negative thinking follows his divorce, Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) attends a self-help seminar that changes his outlook on life. Working as a junior loan approval officer at a bank, Allen constantly avoids social interaction due to his bitter state-of-mind. When his friend Nick (John Michael Higgins) persuades him to start thinking positively again with the help of a motivational seminar called “Yes!,” Allen begins to notice the effect it has on life, leading to a promotion at work and a new love interest, Allison (Zooey Deschanel). But soon enough, Allen gets in over his head, and hilarity ensues.

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the goods HcVe"Dc Iddah The best tools in the world should feel like an extension of your hand. As you wield them to fix things around the house or work on the car, you should almost forget about them and they should never break on you.

Snap-On’s screwdrivers and wrenches are legendary for their comfortable soft grips and sturdy American craftsmanship. We agree.

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LdlLZZ Gdk^d If your Roomba and webcam got together their spawn would be the Rovio, an all-terrain three-wheeled roving robot—that you can control anywhere in the world via a web browser—that can patrol your home when you’re not there and send you real-time video of what Junior, the nanny, Fido or Whiskers is up to when you’re away from the house. The Rovio integrates with your wireless network and can even make its way around the home once you program waypoints. It comes with a builtin headlight, but we found that the light wasn’t enough for video in dimly lit conditions.

However, the Rovio can park itself into its charging dock with a touch of a button when its one-hour battery life goes low.

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9"A^c` C GdjiZg No good home network is without a quality router to help push data along and play traffic cop.

D-Link’s Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router sports Draft N speeds with dual band, allowing mundane data (e-mail and Internet) on the 2.4 Ghz channel, while large transfers like HD streaming can be handled on the 5 Ghz band. The Xtreme N also boasts a USB port for a print server or to hook an external hard drive for network sharing. Still using 802.11b or g? It’s backwards compatible for the older wireless protocols.

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8j^h^cVgi :megZhhd BV`Zg That humble drip coffee maker that loyally dishes out your caffeine ďŹ x every morning may serve you well from Monday through Friday morning, but on the weekends, you deserve a better java solution. The EM-100 Expresso Maker is your very own barista on your countertop. Featuring 15 bars of pressure, the unit can brew a cup of expresso with the touch of a button and even steam up some frothy milk on the side for cappuccinos and lattes, saving you the trip to Starbucks.

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Ad\^iZX] <&( <VbZeVY PC gamers depend on their keyboard for WASD. While it works, the typical keyboard is designed for typing ďŹ rst. The G13 is a separate gameboard that extracts the versatility of the humble keyboard and tricks it out with features for PC gamers: 25 programmable keys with three memory modes, an ergonomic design, a mini analog joystick, backlit keys and a LCD screen to display game stats or info.

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7aVX` 9ZX`Zg =dbZ Bdc^idg Most of us mindlessly pay our monthly electric bill without much thought. The Home Monitor by Black & Decker unravels the mystery behind the kilowatts by measuring your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electric use and providing it to you in simpler terms: dollars and cents. Just hook the sensor (not pictured) to your electrical meter and the monitor will display how much electricity you useâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and how much itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s costing youâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;by the minute.

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BdchiZg 7ZVih 7n 9gZ :VgWjYh For the discerning audiophile who favors a more discreet look, Monster has the Beats By Dre earbuds to give you a reason to ditch the crappy and ubiquitous stock white earbuds. Like the HOOP- and NBA player (weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve encountered numerous NBA ballers who swear by them)-approved original Beats by Dre headphones we reviewed a few issues back, the handsome ear buds serve as a viable lilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; brother option. These donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do as good a job compared to its big brother in dampening outside noise, but does a ďŹ ne job pumping out rich and deep sounds without the earmuff look.

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the goods I:8=ZY I:8= :9>IDG 6C9 <69<:I ?JC@>: H=6C: 76II>:G I:HI"9G>K:H I=: A6I:HI >C I:8= <DD9H# >C I=>H >HHJ:! =: I6@:H DC I=: 8=6G"7GD>A 7>< :6HN# It is the holiday season (at least when I was reviewing this) and nothing says “holiday” better than a good old turkey. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, we are a turkey nation. It has become a Battier household tradition to serve the ever popular fried turkey. I am proud to say that I have manned the turkey fryer every year for the last eight winters and produced a wonderfully moist and succulent bird that my family has come to know and love. I am not a huge chef or a kitchen guy, but I will admit my fried turkeys are pretty good. More importantly, I have yet to burn my house down in a peanut oil fire. Safety first. I am very loyal to my turkey fryer and my methods because they work and are proven.

You can imagine my intrigue at the advertisement in the paper when I saw that the fine people at Char-Broil had developed an oil-free turkey fryer. They claimed to have revolutionized the turkey frying industry with patented infrared turkey frying technology. I had to review it.

The “Big Easy” as Char-Broil calls it, promises three things: Delicious food, safe food, and easy preparation. We will get to the deliciousness of the food later. It was obvious that the Big Easy becomes an easier way to fry a turkey after it was assembled. It arrived in a huge box and it took well over an hour and a half to assemble. It was not fun and I think I invented a few new cuss words along the way. It was a pain in my behind to assemble. Not to mention that is was somewhat nervewracking trying to assemble the gas lines. When you are dealing with a propane tank or natural gas, you want to be sure that you get it right or the bird will not be the only thing fried.

The best feature is the oil-free cooking. Peanut oil is expensive, messy, and it gets everywhere.

Boiling peanut oil is the No. 1 cause for the grease fires that produce so much damage every turkey fry season. The Big Easy hooks up a propane tank and uses infrared light to actually cook the bird.

At first, I was impressed by this ‘new’ technology, however, after some research, I came to find that most ovens used infrared light to cook the food. One of the main problems that I had was that there was no instruction on how long I should actually cook the turkey. The only instructions told me to cook the turkey internally to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. After 1 hour and 15 minutes, I took out the turkey, I was convinced that it was done. The outside was crispy and dark, but when I stuck my digital thermometer into the bird. It told me that the internal temp of the bird was still 40 degrees undercooked. Again, I would love a minute per pound idea of how long to cook this sucker.

In the end, it took over two hours to ‘fry’ the 12-pound bird. We probably saved an hour vs. a conventional oven.

Was the turkey delicious? Yeah, it was pretty good. Did it taste like a fried turkey? Nope. It is hard for me to qualify this as a fried turkey. If you have ever had a fried turkey, you know how succulent one is. A turkey cooked in the Big Easy was just missing a certain element of pizzazz. There was nothing special about it. With a traditional turkey fryer, you have the smells of peanut oil mixing with the sound of southern-fried awesomeness. Needless to say I was not swayed over to the dark side on this product.

I am going to pass on the Big Easy infrared turkey fryer. It did a decent enough job cooking my turkey, but between the pain of assembly, the lack of instruction on actual cooking times and temperatures, and lack of pizzazz, I will stick to my traditional real deep fried turkey fryer. Some things just can’t be improved on by technology.

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the goods :nZXadeh C^\]i K^h^dc <d\\aZh Channel your inner stalker with the Eyeclops Night Vision Goggles. We were pleasantly surprised by how good the goggles fared in completely dark environments. Even in its lowest setting, you can see everything in pitch-black conditions. Perfect for re-enacting that final scene in Silence of the Lambs.

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7Za`^c 8dchZgkZ In today’s world of power-hungry electronic devices and high energy costs, it’ll behoove you to save wherever you can. If you didn’t know it already, many TVs, DVD players, and other electronic gizmos sip juice even when turned off. The only way to ensure no wasted wattage is to cut off the power on your surge protector or power strips. The Conserve makes it easy to do by having a handy mountable remote control switch, saving you money and the hassle of reaching into dusty crevices in order to do so.

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CZlZgIZX] KdnV\Zg Clone, check or duplicate hard drives without prying open your computer case or dealing with meddlesome external hard drive kits with the Voyager. The unit allows you to insert a 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA hard drive (up to 2 TB drives supported) and access the drive via its quad interface—Firewire 400/800, USB 2.0 or eSATA. Disks are hot-swappable (no reboots necessary) via the quick eject button and plays well with PCs and Macs..

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AVhdc^X GVe" Je <]Ziid 7aVhiZg Blast your music and head back into time with the retro-fabulous limited edition i931 portable boombox. While Lasonic brings it back to the days of Magic and Dr. J—analog dials, chrome accents, pop-up buttons, fold-out handle, telescoping antenna, FM radio and 10 C-battery requirement (AC cord included, thankfully)—inside the box resides the soul of today’s game as they’ve swapped out the cassette deck with an iPod dock.

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hoop gear ?dgYVc

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Weight (size 9): 17 oz.

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A new chapter in the Air Jordan saga, the Air Jordan 2009 is a clean looking shoe in the mold of the XXI. The upper is a sea of white leather save for the pleated satin on both sides and rear. But if the devil is in the details, then the AJ ’09 is one hell of a shoe: The no-two-are-alike TPU chassis is inspired by blown glass. The miniscule circle on the rear heel with “The Greatest There Ever Was” inscribed on the left foot and “The Greatest There Ever Will Be” on the right. The subtle checkered pattern on the laces with the chrome-played Jumpman lace caps on the end. We definitely agree this shoe scores big points for offcourt wear. Peep page 117 for more pics and an interview with the shoe’s designer, Jason Mayden.

The usual holdovers that have almost become staples of recent Air Jordans are back: carbon fiber plate in the midfoot, Zoom Air bags, midsole phylon cushioning. The new technology in the ’09 is the Articulated Propulsion Technology (APT) that is patterned after the carbon fiber prosthetics used by Paralympians like new Team Jordan athlete April Holmes. In our testing we found our first step enhanced (although we’re sure it didn’t turn us into Kobe) and during running, we noticed a catapult-like feeling when we pushed off.

As with most AJs, the shoe is predicated on speed and agility and not built to take a pounding. We also liked the molded inserts inside the shoe that conform to your ankles for a more secure fit.

For the Jordan aficionados, nothing will stop you from filling that shelf space next to the XX3 (for the sneakerheads, that space has already been filled for months now and they’re trying to cop the ’10s now). For those affected by Ponzi schemes, deflated 401(k)s and general belt-tightening, we couldn’t recommend a $190 shoe—even one as gorgeous as the Air Jordan 2009—for playing basketball. APT, blown-glass chassis, fancy laces and a fresh box don’t come cheap, we suppose.

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Weight (size 10.5): 19 oz

ALL PHOTOS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

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With the struggling economy, it’s tough to justify spending a buck and change on a pair of basketball kicks, Flywire or Bounce technology be damned. But if you feast your eyes on the exquisite craftsmanship of most Jordan shoes, you’d be tempted. The Jumpman Elite I is no different.

Whether or not you like the patent leather running alongside the shoe and vamp, the diamond-shaped lace holes, the big red Jumpman logo on the medial side (shameless plug: do peep hoopmag.com for full 360 degree views of the shoe) or the tri-layered elements of the outsole, you cannot question the care that went into producing it. There is no loose stitch to be found, no poor paint jobs on the sole, no extraneous pieces of rubber or foam from poor trimming. Quality control at its finest.

The fit is snug because of the inner bootie—wide feet need not apply (at least not without sizing up)—and the lace holes resemble teeth that cinch the upper around the internal bootie (which thankfully has a pull tab to help get you in). We wanted to like the Jumpman Elite I, but we found the style overwhelmed the substance. The shoe started out stiff and even after several plays, didn’t relinquish any give. On the flipside, the outsole had plenty of flexibility with its sectioned quadrants, mimicking the foot’s natural points of articulation. The herringboned pattern also lent ample traction.

The Jumpman Elite I might not be our first choice for a court shoe, but it does score some big style points as an offcourt option. It’s certainly not a cheap fashion choice at $123, but nor are a pair of Gucci or Prada joints.

For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

1/26/09 5:59:26 PM

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When Nike introduced the world to Flywire last year, they said it was going to change the performance shoe game (it’s even been remixed into some of their classics). On the basketball end, we’ve seen the much-loved Hyperdunk, the Zoom Kobe IV (peep page 109) and now the Hypermax outfitted with Flywire.

At their core, the Hyperdunk and Kobe IV cater to the fleet, quick and nimble perimeter player. The Hypermax is Flywire love for the masses, or should we say those with more mass. For all intents and purposes, the Hypermax is a Hyperdunk upper strapped with a full 360 Air unit in the midsole. Big men will rejoice as now their feet will be met with a pillowy landing after cramming dunks and ripping boards. The other main difference between Hyperdunk and Hypermax is the strap on the collar and the lack of Lunar Foam.

We have to disclose that we weren’t able to get a big to test the shoe since the pair we were afforded was too small for any big dude to lace up.

That said, we did find a stocky Charles Barkley (Chuck is featured on the footbed of the shoe) type with size 9 feet to give the Hypermax a run. Like Mikey, he liked it.

No surprise, cushioning was the Hypermax’s strongest suit. The 360 Air handled everything that was thrown on it. The lack of bulk on the upper was welcome. One tester compared it with the Air Force 25 (another shoe we loved from our May/June ’07 issue). We can see why—both shoes featured the same rear swath of leather that goes up to meet the collar strap.

The Hypermax definitely has the big man in mind, but like the paint, little dudes have a right to venture in as well. No, it doesn’t have a low feel nor is it light on its feet, but the Hypermax is undoubtedly the best big man shoe for all sizes we’ve ever come across.

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For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

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If you liked the TS Creator Low, then you’d likely appreciate the Mad Clima Low, as it’s a doppelganger to Gilbert Arenas’ on-courtshoe this season (if he were playing, that is).

The Creator Low was well received when we reviewed them back in our Nov/Dec ’08 issue. On the feet, both shoes felt identical. We even played one game with Creator on left foot and MCL on right foot to test the theory. The results? Dead ringer. Our guess is that adidas took the Creator Low and gave it a little nip/tuck here and there. The midsole and outsole bears a resemblance. The midfoot Torsion support and cutout were identical. The MCL does lack the ForMotion (gel-like material in the midsole that helps with balance of foot to ground) found on the Creator, but we couldn’t make the distinction. The MCL does save on some weight with the mesh on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The mesh does enhance the cooling of the foot as does the cut-outs on the outsole (avoid those puddles). The overall performance of the MCL—a laterally responsive shoe that low top fans would gravitate towards.

As for the shoe’s aesthetics, it’s actually very plain. The upper leather has a faux reptile pattern, some square perforations on the toebox and the three stripes run along the rear midsole.

Overall, the Mad Clima Low pleased. It just seemed—how should we say?—just a tad bit familiar.

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Welcome to the world of privileged ballers, Kid Durant. Here’s your first signature shoe.

With his improved sophomore season, Kevin deserves kicks bearing his name.

The KD1 is a clean looking shoe devoid of the usual cut-outs, patent leather, plastic doohickeys and other frills. Unadulterated leather makes up the upper with nothing more than the ubiquitous swoosh mark, Durant’s logo on the ankle collar (his #35 on the medial side) and a rear pull tab bearing his name. The pictured colorway we tested looked a bit dull, but there’s plenty of other vibrant colorways (Durant’s PE with the OKC orange and blue piqued our interest). The outsole sports some personal flair of KD’s, namely some numbers (we only deduced 20746 to be Kevin’s hometown zip code of Suitland, MD).

During play, the KD1 reminded us a bit of the Converse 0100 (come to think of it, so does the understated design). With Zoom Air in the midsole serving as cushioning, there’s a low feel to the shoe. The outsole feels a bit stiff despite the series of perpendicular grooves. One thing we really loved and wished more shoemakers would adopt is the thin tongue. Puffy tongues just get in the way of a nice cinch on the shoe and only add to the overall bulkiness around the collar.

Like Durant’s rookie season, his debut shoe has some mixed reviews. In some regards, the KD1 shines, but some aspects left us clamoring for more.

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Right now, Chris Paul is arguably the third best player in the game behind shoe kings LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, so it’s high time the good folks behind the Jumpman step up Paul’s shoe game. Last year’s rookie offering was on the weak side. We liked the way it handled, but the styling was sparse for someone with such a creative game. The II brings the flair, maybe even too much for some out there. The Mardi Gras-like colorway (there are a two other more subdued colorways available for the flashphobic) we got resembles a king cake for your feet. All that was missing were some beads and floats. There are too many design cues to detail in this space, but the key elements are the graphics in the rear that are filled with little Easter eggs of Paul’s game and life, and along the medial and lateral sides are some stitch patterns (reminds us a bit of the adidas TS Commanders earlier this season) and the diamond-woven nylon on the ankle. The outsole features a rugged pattern reminiscent of the Melo M4.

The CP3 II doesn’t look very comfortable upon inspection but fit the feet like a familiar glove. The patent leather upper made for some resistance on the onset, but that gave way to more foot movement as time went on. For a shoe tailored for one of the top two PGs in the game (we still can’t decide between Paul and D-Will), we were surprised it didn’t have a lower ride. The somewhat cumbersome outsole could’ve seen a few millimeters shaved off, in our opinion. The other crowd-pleasing functional touches were the looped lace holes (so much easier than traditional holes), the thin tongue and the rear pull tab.

Some may find the II over-designed—compared to its predecessor, it’s certainly a 180—but we weren’t put off by its looks and it scored high in our tests. It’s pricey at $118, but of all the top three MVP candidates (LBJ And Kobe being the others), Paul’s joints are the cheapest.

For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

1/26/09 5:59:47 PM

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“Since when did Crocs make basketball shoes?” was the sentiment uttered by a staffer when they laid eyes on the ATR Make It Rain.

Undoubtedly it’s the swiss cheese-like holes that drew the comparisons to the plastic perforated footwear that hit the scene a few years ago. On a pair of basketball kicks, the holes supposedly accomplish two things: provide breathability and cut down on weight. It does the first with aplomb; MIR kept the dogs from heat stroke. It even has a cut-out on the bottom for footbed ventilation. The weight part, not so much. At an ounce over a pound (on a size 11), the shoe is on the high side of the spectrum.

On the plus side, MIR held its own when it comes to traction. Despite its rather shallow treads on the outsole, we saw a few instances where the shoe kept us stable while the defender slipped on the relatively dusty gym floor. We do wonder if the treads would have a long lifespan, especially in less forgiving outdoor courts.

Cushioning is ample and minimized in the forefoot but it’s not a very low-riding shoe. It seems more tailored for a big man, but as we’ve noted, lateral movement is solid.

Coincidentally and for what it’s worth, on the first game these shoes were tested with, our tester did indeed make it rain jumpers with a torrid game (on the next game, no umbrellas were necessary).

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For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

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The whole buzz about the Kobe IV is that it’s a low-cut model.

Unconventional for a basketball shoe? Perhaps. Revolutionary? Nah. We’ve been fans of low-cuts for a while now. Does that make us trailblazers? Hardly. We just subscribe to the fact that wrapping your ankle in a high top won’t prevent you from turning an ankle if you were to, let’s say, land on it. We also like the freedom that low cuts give your ankle.

Climbing off the soapbox, that said, we applaud Kobe and Nike for giving more options to low-top fanboys out there.

The first thing anyone will notice with the Kobe IV is the weight, or lack of it. At 11.5 ounces, it slashes almost an ounce off the lightest (and highly rated) basketball shoe we’ve ever tested, Nike’s Hyperdunk. Much of the weight loss can be traced to the Flywire (lightweight tensile threads; imagine bridge cables) construction and Lunar Foam (NASA-developed foam) in the midsole. Lopping off the high top obviously saved some additional ounces as well. It’s apparent that weight savings was the mantra for the IV as inside the Flywire upper is essentially nothing but a mesh sock.

On the court, the Kobe IV gave us some flashbacks to the II, at least a low version of it. As the name states, there’s a Zoom Air unit for lowprofile shock absorption. We did find that the shoe responds very well; no surprise, given Kobe’s penchant for direction changes and explosiveness on the court. The ice bottoms are a nice touch and the reptile pattern on the toe box lends some additional flair. The “Carpe Diem” on the tongue gives wearers some purpose, but the puffy tongue it resides on was a bit of a turnoff; a sleek tongue would’ve been preferred. The only other negative was the padded collar. In light of the thin Flywire upper, the chunky collar gave it the feel of wearing a t-shirt and then wrapping a cumbersome scarf around one’s neck.

All in all, we liked the Zoom Kobe IV a great deal. Minus the two caveats and it would’ve given the Hyperdunk a real run for its money. Speaking of money, at $120, it ain’t going to be cheap to seize the day.

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hoop gear It may be unfair to compare Dwyane Wade’s sneaker portfolio to that of the struggling Wall Street banks; however, there is cause for concern. A few years ago, we were definitely feeling the Wades, but the recent entries have not been up to par. Luckily, the Wade Slash Mid appears to be a jump in the right direction. Priced at $10 less than the Wade 4, the Slash Mid is a similarly built shoe and a better value. A lightweight leather and nubuck combo provide increased support and stability on the inside, while the Wade triangle-theme is prevalent on the outsole.

The Wade Slash could have used some more room in the toe—whereas another recent Converse entry, the Assist, had ample room up front—and there’s not much in terms of bells and whistles except for an upper strap that slips through the converse logo on the outside of the shoe. These also weigh about an ounce more than the Wade 4s, but are still considerably light for a basketball shoe. On the court, we were able to get around just fine as the Slash provided good traction as we were driving—err, slashing—to the hole.

D-Wade has rebounded well from two injury-plagued seasons, and while not his best effort, the Wade Slash is a good start towards rebuilding the brand.

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Adversity and perseverance are words that describe what embodies the essence of Dwyane Wade and his competitive spirit. He is a fighter, leader, and champion. However, he has always had to prove himself, from basketball to the game of life, and because of those factors, he has an inner resolve that is as durable as it is strong.

Wade accepts the good and the bad using both to keep his focus and sights set on a higher level. He has been injured and doubted, praised and idolized, and all of his emotions and beliefs have been reflected in his signature shoes from Converse. As the leader of the pack for the brand he continues to show and prove. We had an opportunity to talk shop with the man named Flash, as he spoke on his commercial appeal and the Converse WADE 4.

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their own different styles, their own different flavors and we all want to be different, so we try to put our own little specialties to it.”

someone citizens me, it drives you, and it’s going to drive anybody that’s like that, that wants to be the best and that wants to have greatness.”

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“The commercial was an idea that we came up with because of all the things that were said about me and we didn’t want to recreate and reinvent the wheel. We wanted to use what everybody was saying and bring it to light and let everybody know that I do hear it, and I’m going to do my job to shut everybody up. That’s just been my whole life…it just drives me, as an athlete, as a competitor, it just drives me. It’s not going to make or break who Dwyane Wade is at the end of the day.

But as a competitor, as an athlete, this is my job, and when

“The WADE 4 is about the fourth quarter…it’s about the will at the end of games, when it matters.

So that was the design for the shoe, to get stronger and stronger as the game goes on. I’ve always taken an aggressive approach with my game in the fourth quarter and when I step on the court I believe my drive can help myself and my teammates overcome any deficit. The WADE 4 is the lightest of my signatures shoes yet, which helps keep me agile and explosive as the clock winds down.”

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ALL PHOTOS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

“It just happens. Shawn [Marion] had it [Mohawk] for a while, I have a Mohawk now…well mine is like a mini-hawk. You see how Caron [Butler] has the regular faded back, with the Mohawk in the back?

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For 360° views, visit HOOPMAG.COM

1/26/09 6:00:03 PM

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After 23 incarnations, the Michael Jordan of basketball shoes gets a reboot in its naming scheme. Last year’s XX3 closed a chapter in the legendary line and hence forward, Jays will now be simply attached to its release year, starting with the Air Jordan 2009.

The shoe, which used the sport of fencing and defense as its muse, boasts some expected premium touches like a blown-glass-inspired TPU chassis that makes no two shoes alike, satin pleats and APT (Articulated Propulsion Technology) and a heel system born from carbon fiber prosthetics used by paralympians like April Holmes, Jordan Brand’s first female endorser.

The architect of the AJ 09, Chi-town native Jason Mayden started out as an intern at Nike and worked his way up to senior footwear designer. We caught up with Mayden to talk about the dream gig of designing them.

HOOP: What would be the soundtrack associated with the design of this shoe?

Mayden: What’s funny is every time I sit down to design a shoe, I listen to Nas and specifically Illmatic for two reasons: one, it’s a rarity that you’re able to capture someone’s pain in audible form. I equate Illmatic to one of the greatest jazz albums of all-time, which is [John Coltrane’s] Giant Steps. When you listen to a great jazz album, you hear the rhythm, you hear the pain, you hear the emotions, and when you listen to hip-hop it’s the same way. So for me, if I can have the same impact through a shoe’s design that I felt when I first heard Illmatic, my job is successful.

HOOP: Were you also involved in designing the shoe’s packaging?

Mayden: Yeah, actually I did initial sketches, but I have to give all the credit to Sean Butterly. He’s a phenomenal designer and what we wanted to do was match the packaging to the actual logo. So the Jordan script is an ambigram, so regardless of how you look at it, it still reads Jordan. And that’s like MJ’s career, regardless of what highlight you look at, you could see why he dominated. So with the packaging we wanted that same type of aesthetic, so regardless of how you flip the packaging it’s still the same shape.

HOOP: When was the first time you met Michael and what were some of the things he said to you when he knew you were on board to design the shoe?

Mayden: The first time was at his house when I showed him the initial innovations and technology [for the shoe]. One of the things he said to me was: “Don’t worry about messing up. Don’t worry about failure. Just get caught up in the details and try your hardest. Because if you’ve tried your hardest, you’ve succeeded.”

I appreciated that because it makes me feel like regardless of my own fears and my own insecurities, I still have the confidence and support of one of the greatest businessmen and athletes on the planet and that gave me the courage to push the limits and try something different.

HOOP: Has your mindset changed at all from working on your first Nike shoe, to now, where you are working on the pinnacle of all basketball shoes?

Mayden: I know so much of who I am today is because of the people that helped me and I’m a firm believer that, if I don’t turn around and help someone else reach their goals, then all of this is in vain. It’s not about me, it’s about all those other kids who wish that they could be in my position and it’s about people out there who may not have reached their goals, but along the way they tried. I’m a huge supporter of anybody who tries. That’s all I ask of any kid that I mentor or anybody that I support. It doesn’t matter how far you go, just try.

Even in my career and now designing the Air Jordan, I still do the dirty work. I still take projects that nobody else might want to take. I still do the little things, I still run errands for people, I still draw shoelaces and all that, because I never want to get to the point where I feel like I’m a big deal. Then you don’t appreciate it as much. I know that anything that’s given to you can be taken away.

HOOP: How do you balance trying to please the basketball players with the shoe in terms of comfort and productivity, but also the people who are fans of the shoe fashion-wise?

Mayden: The beauty of doing the Air Jordan is that most buyers are fans of basketball as well as the shoes. Our consumers are unique in that they know as much about the game as they know about the shoes. They’re critics in two worlds. So it provides us a great opportunity to push the limits innovation-wise for basketball, but at the same time bring them style elements that they normally wouldn’t expect, like the satin pleating, the leather which is polishable like a dress shoe, because they appreciate those fashion elements but they know that this shoe is going to outperform anything that they play in.—Seth Berkman #91

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official Ide Igjbeh NBA Top Trumps brings a 21st century twist to the classic card game “War.” This exclusive title of The Ultimate “War” Card Game features 30 giants of the game from the greatest League in the world! Players from each of the NBA’s 30 teams face off on points, assists, rebounds, height and playoff experience. From LeBron to Garnett to Shaq, simply choose your best stat, beat your opponent’s card, then win the entire deck! .#..

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When your favorite team takes the court, show your support and your personal sense of style with custom attire decorated to your exact specifications. Go to NBAStore.com and create apparel as individual as you are. &.#.."))#..

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You’ll love this Sport Authentics by adidas super-soft Hardwood Classic Player T-shirt. The high-quality cotton shirt is decorated in the team colors and designed with the distressed uniform name and number screen-printed on the chest for a vintage look. (.#..

O^elVn EVcih Have fun, look good and play hard wearing the Zipaway New York Knicks warm-up pants created by NBA legend John Starks. These lightweight polyester mesh pants are decorated in the team colors and designed with embroidered team graphics. Patented zippers and zipper pull tabs make them easy to put on and take off. +)#..

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BARON DAVIS Li-Ning

You’re wearing the Li-Ning brand; can you discuss your partnership with them?

“It’s a different design…a different company, trying to expand. It’s a new shoe company…a different brand, and I’m trying to bring something new to this country. I just want to invite this into the US culture.”

You’re a global ambassador for Li-Ning; your thoughts on that?

“It’s a great opportunity to do something different, and being a part of the NBA, with the NBA going global…it definitely allows me to expand my brand.”

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ERIC GORDON adidas TS Creator

You wore adidas in college, how important is it to continue with that brand as a professional?

“It really wasn’t about the shoe, it was about the connections with the guys that work with adidas. I’ve been with them for a long time, all the way through high school.

I was on an adidas team towards the end of my high school career and I’ve been with them since.”

What is the most important thing for you in a sneaker?

“Well it’s all about the feel first, and at adidas they’re all about the Creator and the Commander, and my type of shoe is the Creator for guards. It’s a good shoe and it fits well on my foot and it’s been really good!”

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AL THORNTON Nike Hyperdunk

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TREVOR ARIZA Nike Huarache ’08 Talk about your relationship with Nike: “It’s been really good. I went to UCLA and they weren’t [with] Nike, but I went to a Nike high school, and Kobe [Bryant] actually sponsored my high school. The relationship has been really good.”

What do you actually look for in your footwear?

“I always go for comfort…definitely comfort, because I have narrow feet, so I need shoes that are light, and real comfortable. Right now I’m wearing the Huarache ’08 and they are extremely comfortable and they provide my feet with a lot of room.”

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DAVIS: NOAH GRAHAM; GORDON: LAYNE MURDOCH; THORNTON: D. CLARKE EVANS; ARIZA: JESSE D. GARRABRANT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

The Nike Hyperdunk is considered the shoe of the future, would you agree?

“It is man, it is…it’s very supportive, it’s really light, that’s what’s you want as a basketball player, you want to feel light out there on the court. It’s not heavy at all. It’s a good shoe! I had to go with Nike, because I’ve always been a Nike guy.”

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step back December 9, 1996, SEATTLE SONICS vs. PHILADELPHIA 76ers, CoreStates Center, Philadelphia, PA

Opening on August 31, 1996, the CoreStates Center replaced the Spectrum as Philadelphia’s premier sporting arena.

Renamed the First Union Center when the two banks—CoreStates and First Union—merged in 1998, the arena has been called the Wachovia Center since a 2003 merger between First Union and Wachovia.

The arena also hosts the NHL’s Flyers, professional lacrosse and arena football teams. The offices of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia are also located within the arena.

A former state champion high school quarterback, Allen Iverson was a multi-sport all-star before choosing to play basketball at Georgetown University in 1994.

He won Big East Rookie of the Year and two Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards as a Hoya.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Iverson with the first pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. During his first pro season, he would become a cultural phenomenon on his way to copping Rookie of the Year honors.

Iverson took home the MVP award for the ’00-01 season as Philly went 56-26 and made the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers in five games. AI is often remembered for his 48-point performance in Game 1 (a Sixers victory) where he hit a shot over Tyronn Lue in the corner to seal the win.

Iverson was traded from Philadelphia to Denver in 2006 and was recently shipped to Detroit in November of 2008.

The Answer’s favorite actor is Samuel L. Jackson. According to his website, Alleniversonpro.com, a documentary on AI’s life is in production and scheduled for release in early 2009.

Samuel L. Jackson will not be starring in it.

Jim McIlvaine starred at Marquette and went on to play seven years in the NBA. Since his retirement he’s worked as a radio announcer for Marquette basketball and ran a youth camp in Wisconsin.

McIlvaine also blogs and has submitted photography for auto magazines. He appeared in the movie Shallow Hal with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black, and lists his favorite movies as This is Spinal Tap and Caddyshack.

Born in Leverkusen, Germany, Detlef Schrempf came to the NBA in 1985, when he was drafted eighth overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

Schrempf played for West Germany in the 1984 Olympics and for a unified Germany in the 1992 Olympics. His wife, Mary, was an Olympic hurdler for then-West Germany.

During his playing days, Schrempf was a fan of the sitcom Cheers. He has appeared in commercials for IBM, and has a song named after him by Seattle indie rockers Band of Horses.

Since retiring, much of his energy has been directed towards the Detlef Schrempf Foundation, which helps children and families throughout the Northwest.

Hersey Hawkins starred at Westinghouse High School in Chicago, which also produced former pro ballers Mark Aguirre, Eddie Johnson and Kiwane Garris.

Hawkins was named the AP College Player of the Year in 1988 and that summer he won a bronze medal playing for the U.S. in the Olympics. He also won the 1999 NBA Sportsmanship Award.

After hanging up his sneakers, Hawkins has coached on the high school level and worked in radio covering the NBA. His son, Corey, will play basketball at Arizona State beginning in 2010.

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