HOOP January/February 2011

Greatest-Ever Slam Dunk Contest

What About Cleveland?

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Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook and Brandon Jennings are ushering in the era of the point guard, along with Aaron Brooks, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry and John Wall. flip over 

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WARMUPS

Andrew d. Bernstein/nBAe/Getty imAGes

Kobe Bryant has said many times how as he’s gotten more experienced, the game has “slowed down” for him on the court. If that’s the logic, does that mean after the final buzzer sounds, things speed back up? It certainly looks that way from this captured moment.

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WARMUPS

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For the third straight year, the Phoenix Suns hosted an outdoor exhibition game at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. In al fresco fashion, the Suns dispatched the Dallas Mavericks, 98-90.

WARMUPS

sam GreeNwood/Getty ImaGes sport

Sometimes you don’t realize how high Dwight Howard can jump until you see it captured in freeze frames. Just look at Howard’s leap as he soars to send a shot back. No, that’s not a little guard whose shot he is swatting; that is Darko Milicic—who at 7-0 is 2 inches taller than Howard.

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WARMUPS

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Dallas’ Jason Terry, entering his 13th NBA season, shows Chicago’s Keith Bogans that he’s still got plenty of fuel left in his “Jet.”

WARMUPS

layBe murdoch/nBae/Getty ImaGes

Much has been made of his long wingspan helping him on the offensive end, but Kevin Durant can also use his long reach on the defensive side of the ball. Just ask Emeka Okafor.

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The Gameplan

Jan/FeB 2011

FeaTures For decades, the League belonged to the big men. Where the dominant centers went, the championships followed. Times are quickly changing as waves of transcendent point guards are crashing onto every NBA shore. These playmakers are no longer just looked upon to walk the ball up and toss it into the post. They are now the focal points of teams and changing the way the game is played.

58 Point Break

52

40 The Other Guys

Yes, those two guys in Utah—Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson—are slowly becoming the best big man duo in the game. It’s just too bad no one has even noticed.

46 B.D. (Before Decision) /A.D. (After Decision) Time heals everything, but even after six months has passed since LeBron James left, how is the city that has had a long history of #23s breaking its hearts coping?

Black History Month Spotlight 72 Keeping Up with The Jones

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Facebrook

We’re still waiting to hear back from Brook regarding our friend request, but we imagine his profile includes Nets franchise center, co-captain of the team, likes DC comic books with a wall post that reads, “Working hard to become the best center in the game.” Just please don’t poke him.

40

Forgotten among the great shooting guards is a man who is second to the immortal Bill Russell in championship rings, known for his clutch ability and one of the first to perfect the bank shot. More importantly, Sam Jones has paved the way for future minorities with his stand for equal rights.

Poster Monta Ellis on one side; Earl “The Pearl” Monroe on the flipside.

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tHe GamepLan

Jan/FeB 2011

Departments

2 Warmups

85

15 The Point

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17 Jumpball Brack-It: The greatest Slam Dunk Contest of all time is...; straight shooter: Kevin Love on love, basketball movies and rebounding; First Five: Luis Scola, Darren Collison, Glen Davis, Wesley Matthews, Thabo Sefolosha; Head2Head: Marc Gasol vs.

Brook Lopez; Bread & Butter: Shane Battier on taking charges; In His shoes: Doug Christie relives the heartbreak of Robert Horryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals; peripheral Vision: Clipper Darrell; Good Looks: Style editor Caron Butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tips on looking hot during the cold of winter; transition Game: Chris Andersen; Best of Five: Andre Iguodala takes on Brandy; and more.

35 24 Seconds with Joakim Noah

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83 Check It spin moves: Omri Casspi has adapted to American pop culture; triple-Double: Music editors Carl Landry and Thaddeus Young compare notes on Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha; the Goods; teched: Tech editor Shane Battier gets close with the Norelco SensoTouch 3D; Gear: reviews of the Under Armour Micro G, Li-Ning BD Defend, Ektio Post Up, adidas Beast Commander and more; Wear: what to wear on and off the court.

35 102

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80 Call-Out

102 Stepback

104 Final Exam

NBA players giving back during the holidays.

Question: Who is the shortest NBA player sitting atop the all-time career scoring leaders? The answer: The Answer.

Does Carmelo Anthony make the grade?

HOOP

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WHERE YOU,

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NBA ACTION & ANALYSIS

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THE POiNT Volume 39, No. 2

Editor-in-Chief Ming Wong #2 Design Director Kengyong Shao #31 Editor-at-Large Jeramie McPeek #4 Copy Editor Trevor Kearney #8 Tech Editor Shane Battier #31 Style Editor Caron Butler #4 Straight Shooter Kevin Love #42 Videogame Editor Nate Robinson #4 Music Editors Thaddeus Young #21, Carl Landry #24 Movie Editor Danny Granger #33 WNBA Editor Lois Elfman #40 Senior Writer Michael Bradley #53 Contributing Writers Christopher Cason #24, Jon Cooper #10, Anthony Gilbert #1, Brian A. Giuffra #17, Melody Hoffman #34, Darryl Howerton #21, Andy Jasner #27, Trevor Kearney #8, Holly Mackenzie #32, Brett Mauser #25, McG #93, Jeff Min #12, Brett Olson #36, Rob Peterson #9, Earl K. Sneed #23, Kyle Spelling #35 Illustrator Matt Candela #52 Retired Numbers #6, #11, #13, #30, #99

Professional Sports Publications 519 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10018 Tel: (212) 697-1460 Fax: (646) 753-9480 Executive VP Operations Jeff Botwinick Executive VP, Business Development Martin Lewis Executive VP, Sales Steve Farkas Executive VP, Sales Mitch Gibbs Executive VP, Team Relations Dave Gerschwer Executive Administrative Director Julie Wong Manager, Marketing Services Aron Sawyer Production Manager Jaime Ziegler

NBA Publishing/NBA Photos Senior VP, and Executive Producer, Production, Programming, and Broadcasting Danny Meiseles Senior VP, Multimedia Production Paul Hirschheimer Senior VP, Entertainment & Player Marketing Charlie Rosenzweig Senior VP, Marketing Communications Mike Bass Senior Director, NBAE Production John Hareas Executive Vice President, Global Merchandising Group Sal LaRocca Vice President, Licensing Mary Pat Gillin

I’m often asked1 who’s my all-time favorite player at every position. When it comes to the center and shooting guard spot, I instinctively reply with the same two names.2 The 3 and 4 spots? Given some thought, I will choose Scottie Pippen3 and Tim Duncan.4 Who’s running the show for this holy grail of teams?5 If I had to pick just one name, I’d go with Magic. His combination of size, showmanship, infectious team play, passing and running the fastbreak would be too good to pass up. But being my favorite position in the game, it’s tough for me to choose. Which makes this the perfect segue for all the 1s whom I’ve admired6 for various qualities over the years (in no particular order):7 Mark Jackson: The lookaway bounce pass to Ewing had me sold on the Knicks forever.8 John Stockton: The ultimate Billy Hoyle—you think he can’t play, but he’ll rip your heart out.9 Kevin Johnson: Even if he did nothing else, that one yam over Hakeem puts him on this list.

Rod Strickland: Always amazed me at how he finished around the basket over/under/ around dudes.

Mark Price: Best overall shooter from the position until…

Steve Nash: Ups the Price ante and raises it with his knack of finding every conceivable angle to pass.

Gary Payton: The king of PG swag who intimidated10 guys a foot taller.

Jason Kidd: “Messed around and got a triple-double.”11 Spud Webb: An inch shorter than me and did dunks that taller guys could only dream of.

Muggsy Bogues: Seven-footers come and go but there’s still only been one 5-3 player who made a mark in the League.

Fat Lever: Outside of Big O, Magic and Kidd at the position, Lever was triple-doubles.

Isiah Thomas: Moxie and guts were unsurpassed.

Tim Hardaway: It wasn’t a pretty shot,12 but it always seemed to drop when it counted the most. Oh, and the killa crossover.

Penny Hardaway: Coolest shoes and commercials.

Allen Iverson: Forget practice, no one played harder or cared more.

Stephon Marbury: When I saw him as a high-school prodigy, I really thought he’d be the greatest 1 to ever play.

Sam Cassell: His one go-to move—the dribble, stepback J—was the skyhook13 of PGs. Terrell Brandon: Best midrange shooter.

Jason Williams: My generation’s version of the Pistol.14 And all the countless savvy PGs during pickup games who were able to coolly control the game and made it so much easier to play (and watch) and win for the other four guys on the team.

The game is as point-guard-friendly as it’s ever been, and with this new generation of playmakers who continue to remix the position controlling the rock, the League is certainly in good hands. And the above list is undoubtedly going to get longer.

Ming Wong #2

Manager, Global Media Programs Felecia Groomster Senior Directors & Senior Official NBAE Photographers Andrew D. Bernstein, Nathaniel S. Butler Senior Director, NBA Photos Joe Amati Director, Photos Imaging David Bonilla Official NBAE Photographer Jesse Garrabrant Senior Photo Editor Brian Choi Photo Coordinator Kevin Wright All NBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBA Entertainment. All WNBA photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of WNBA Enterprises. All NBDL photos appearing in this magazine, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of NBDL Enterprises. HOOP is published monthly, December through June, by PSP. © 2010 Professional Sports Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of publisher is prohibited. To subscribe to HOOP, call (800) 829-3347.

PRINTED IN THE USA

BONUS POINTS 1. I’m also often asked: “What are NBA players like?” My answer is: “Like you and I, except they wear shorts and sneakers on the job and when they’re not available to work, they wear a suit and tie.”

2. Hakeem and MJ. I will admit that I occasionally reach for Russ in the middle.

3. What’s with Cavs fans serenading LeBron with chants of “Scot-tie” during his return to the Q? I could think of plenty of worse things than being labeled a Top 50 Greatest HOFer with six rings.

4. It really shouldn’t require any thought: With a win percentage of .700, two MVPs, four titles and three Finals MVPs in his first 13 years, no other in his position even comes close.

5. I can run point and this squad would go 99-1 over a 100 games. I’m also 99.99 percent sure the one loss would be on account of me dribbling the ball off my foot at a crucial moment.

6. No disrespect to Nate Archibald, Bob Cousy, Clyde Frazier, Pete Maravich, Oscar Robertson, Lenny Wilkins and other point gods that I was too young to have watched play.

7. Consider this my personal tribute.

8. The teardrop and shimmy was just gravy.

9. I’ll bet that there are retired NBA PGs who still wonder to this day how Stockton beat them.

10. The classic moment of Glove would be him bobbing his head up and down while jawing at his opponents with that cocksure sneer on his face before ripping the ball away from them.

11. I’m sure Ice Cube wrote that line thinking of Magic.

12. Tim Bug’s shot floated through the net like a knuckleball.

13. I never saw Sam get that shot blocked. I bet he can still unfurl it now over cats half his age.

14. The one where he goes behind his back and off his elbow in the 2000 Rookie Challenge is unforgettable even though Raef LaFrentz didn’t convert.

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Numerology

The 123s of The NBA 82 The number of assists Rajon Rondo totaled in his first 5 games of the season to break John Stockton’s former record of 81 in ’8990. At this pace, Rondo will be only the 4th player to eclipse 1,000 assists in a season, joining Stockton (7 times), Isiah Thomas and Kevin Porter. It would also mean he would surpass Erick Dampier’s 15-year total of 791 dimes.

41-15

Andrew d. Bernstein; noAh GrAhAm; mike erhmAnn; jordAn johnson /nBAe/Getty imAGes

Blake Griffin’s points and rebounds on 11/20/10 against the New York Knicks.

It was only the 4th time since the ABANBA merger that a rookie topped 40 and 15. The other 3 guys: Shaquille O’Neal (4621 in ’92-93), David Robinson (41-17 in ’8990) and Michael Jordan (49-15 in ’84-85)

54 The number of points the Indiana Pacers scored in the 3rd quarter on 11/9/10.

It was the 4th-most points in a quarter in NBA history and 4 points shy of the record. The Pacers almost went perfect from the field, converting on their first 20 shots and going 13-of-14 from 3-point range; the only miss was a Josh McRoberts’ 3-pointer (don’t boo Josh; he did collect 10 boards and 5 assists in the game)

the number of points and rebounds that Kevin love scored and pulled down on 11/12/10. it was the first time any player has seen the 30/30 mark since Moses Malone pulled off a 38-32 in 1982.

31-31 14

The number of years since the Golden State Warriors have had a player represented at the All-Star Game, the longest current drought of any NBA team. The last Warrior All-Star was Latrell Sprewell in 1997.

$145,000,000 The sum the NBA has donated to charity through its NBA Cares program, exceeding the goal of $100 million that Commissioner David stern set when the charitable initiative was launched on october 2005.

In those 5 years, teams and players have completed more than 1.4 million hours of community service and created more than 525 recreation and learning centers.

9 First-quarter points by the MiaMi heat in the big three’s regular season debut.

All numbers as of press time HOOP

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KNOW YOuR NEWB

dominiquE JonES So now that you’ve experienced a little taste of the NBA, how does it compare to life in the Big East?

It’s kinda the same speed, [the players are] just bigger. The people are bigger but the same speed, so that makes a difference.

So, as a rookie, what do you have to do in order to get on the court for a veteran Mavericks squad?

I’ve got to make myself better in order to make us better because we’re already a good team. The better the players are, the better the players work off the court, the better the team will be on the court. I can’t be a rookie this year. I can’t play like a rookie, can’t look like one.

What’s it been like playing next to two future Hall of Famers like Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki?

Just being around Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Jet, all those guys, it’s like every day is my birthday.

IN HIS SHOES

Doug Christie

on robert horry’s Shot in game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals

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HOOP

And now, coming into the League, do you have a favorite player or a guy you’re looking forward to playing against most?

I mean, I’m looking forward to playing against everybody. I don’t have an idol. I feel like I’m my favorite player.

As a shooting guard, you’re not looking forward to going head-to-head with Kobe and D-Wade?

I just feel like if D-Wade or Kobe is my favorite player, how do I approach that when it’s time to play against them? So, I feel that I’m my favorite player. No idol. I’m just ready to play every time I step out here.

Are you cool with any of the other rookies in the League, or do you just view them as competition for the ROY? I think everything is business. The only friends I want to have are the players on the Mavs. I might have a couple of them that I knew through college or from high school. But, you know, I feel like I’m representing the Mavericks. So, when I see this person or this person, if we’re in a certain environment, we might clown around.

I don’t go taking their numbers like, “Hey, we should be cool.”

How has your rookie initiations been? [laughs] I’ll carry bags. I’ll do that to pay my dues. But I’m not for all that cutting hair stuff.

You cool with the bag-carrying?

Oh, yeah. It’s a vets’ league. So you come in, you pay your dues. And then when I’m 10 years in the League, there will be another set of rookies coming in to pay their dues. So, it’s only right. [laughs] Earl K. SnEEd #23

harry how; Glenn James/nBae/Getty ImaGes

That was a game that was actually really hard to regroup from, but it wasn’t because of our team. Normally, right after the games, the guys had a good time and we’d leave it on the floor and move on to the next game. That one was more difficult because we knew the prize was so big.

I remember Kobe going around and I was playing D on him and he missed the shot and all of a sudden it was tipped by Vlade Divac and I had the flashback of that game Magic Johnson had against Portland in the ’80s and I started running without looking. It’s like Vlade couldn’t have passed the ball better. [laughs] And then I was like, what is Robert Horry doing out there? He’s a power forward, he should be down low rebounding. [laughs] Chris [Webber] and I were running and jumping towards him and I had my back turned when he shot it. I kinda knew. It was like a bomb went off in the building, it got so loud. I looked at my wife in the crowd and it was like what just happened? I just thought, we gotta go, it’s just another game. That was such a great game though. That’s the game Mike Bibby hit all those the big shots. Guys just had to let it go and we had to pay the next game.

When we lost to the Lakers the in the 2001 playoffs, 4-0, we were in every game and we thought to ourselves we were right there.

They were a measuring stick after that. We won games against them and knew it didn’t matter what time of year it was. You had Shaq and Kobe in their primes, they were such a superstar team and we were a true team of individuals who came together and made something special. doug ChriStiE aS told to mCg #93

Well, you grew up in Lake Wales, FL, which is about 45 minutes outside of Orlando. So, were you a Magic fan?

I was a little bit, when D.A. [Darrell Armstrong] played there, just because everybody from where I was from liked the Magic and he was the point guard.

First Five

By Steve Hunt #29

Some players abstain from competitive basketball during the offseason, preferring to rest or work on their game. Rockets forward Luis Scola is glad he got to play for his native Argentina1 at the FIBA World Championship where they finished as a quarterfinalist.

“It keeps me in shape and makes me a better player,” he says.

“The high level [of competition] and intensity you can never find anywhere else in the world.”

So far this season, it’s hard to argue those extra minutes have had any ill effects. After 17 games, he was averaging 20.6 points and 9.1 boards, both career highs.2 Even growing up where soccer is king, Scola never was fond3 of the beautiful game.4 “I did for a year. It’s pretty much mandatory there but I never really liked it and I wasn’t very good at it,” he says.

Sticking with basketball allowed him to get noticed by NBA scouts during the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit5 in San Antonio. Scola was subsequently drafted by the Spurs in 2002 before getting traded 200 miles east to Houston. The Spurs probably wish they could get a do-over on that trade as the fourth-year forward has upped his scoring every year he’s been in the League.

Despite his newfound 20-ppg status in the early going this season, Scola doesn’t fancy himself as a scorer.

“There are many different ways to contribute,” he says. “Scoring is one of them and sometimes you have to do other stuff. You need to focus on being productive for the team.”

BONUS POINTS 1. Scola holds the record for most points by an Argentine in the FIBA World Championship with 331 and also the single-game scoring record with 37 points.

2. After 17 games, he was also averaging 33 minutes a game, another career-high.

3. Always the consummate team player, Scola laments that despite his better numbers the Rockets hadn’t won more games early in the season.

4. Scola is also a big fan of tennis but only likes to watch it. He admits after he first picked up a basketball at age 7, he never really thought about playing another sport again.

5. Among the other future NBA players in the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit: Al Harrington, Rashard Lewis and Dirk Nowitzki.

04 - Forward - Houston Rockets

bill baptist/NbaE/GEtty imaGEs

Luis

scoLa HOOP

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The world waited with bated breath to see Dominique-Jordan II in ’86, but because of a Jordan foot injury, it gave the world a chance to witness the wonder of a 5-7 Spud Webb defying all rules of physics and gravity. Still the shortest contest winner in history, the hometown kid won over the Dallas crowd with his seemingly impossible jams—including a double-pump number, a few 180s and an off-the-backboard dunk that look like he jumped up 20 feet to catch and bring home—that Dominique couldn’t overcome.

Three-years-in-the-making, the MJ-HHF II matchup was the rare occasion where the actual event exceeded the hype.

As far as finals matchups in the contest, ’88 is still the one by which all others will be judged. There was style, one-upsmanship, drama and tension—the earmarks of any good competition.

This was the toughest first-round matchup between two classic contests, but even the feel-goodness of Webb cannot beat out 1988.

The year before might’ve been the debut of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, but 1985 was when it really made its mark as a marquee event at All-Star. It was the perfect storm of two high-flyers who were also great players in Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins going against each other. Like any great heavyweight battle, it was two punchers trading big blows until only one was left standing—in this case, Dominique.

The 1987 contest was supposed to be an epic three-way battle between the ’85 champ (Nique), the ’86 champ (Spud Webb) and the ’85 runner-up, Jordan. Due to injuries, only MJ showed up. Some nice dunkers in the mix competing (Clyde Drexler, Ron Harper, Tom Chambers, Jerome Kersey, Gerald Wilkins, Terence Stansbury) but it was MJ’s showcase that introduced the world to the evolution of Dr. J’s free-throw line dunk (he takes off a few inches further, bends the knees, pulls the ball back and of course, throws in the tongue wag).

That said, the memorable battle against MJ and the Human Highlight Film in ’85 was legendary.

1986 vs.

1988

1985 vs.

1987

1995 vs.

2000

1976 vs.

2009

The 1995 contest was the first time the two previous dunk contest winners would meet each other in the finals. Isaiah Rider was defending his title against the ’93 champ, Harold Miner. Much like their NBA careers, there was a lot of hype going into it, but little sizzle as the two didn’t produce anything new and pretty much regressed from their previous contests. The rest of the field? Jamie Watson, Antonio Harvey, Tim Perry and Tony Dumas. Never heard of them? Exactly.

The 2000 Contest featured Vince Carter. That’s all that need be said.

Technically, the 1976 contest belonged to the ABA, but as dunk contest history goes, it all started in Denver with Dr. J going mile-high from the free-throw line to capture the first professional dunk contest. Dr. J had to beat out David “Skywalker” Thompson for the title, but also went up against the likes of Artis Gilmore, George Gervin and Larry Kenon. A funny sidenote to the event was that of the four judges, there was a longtime elderly Nuggets fan and a local high school star (it was the ABA).

Another matchup of former Dunk champs, 2009 was also the classic David vs. Goliath, or rather KryptoNate vs. Superman, with Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard in the finals. Slightly gimmicky, but nonetheless memorable, Robinson won the contest with his kryptonite green uniform, shoes and ball soaring over Howard in his Superman cape.

Comic-book props make for good times, but there is no way it bests the genesis of the Dunk Contest.

brack-it

Eight things. OnE undisputEd champ.

Best slam Dunk Contest

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The ’88 contest was special on so many levels: The dramatic rematch in the finals between Dominique’s raw power and vertical against Jordan’s grace, flair and artistry. It essentially ended the debate between who’s better between the two (remember, at the time, people were still talking about Jordan and Wilkins in the same breath). It essentially put the Air Jordan shoe on the map as MJ’s Jordan IIIs immediately became must-haves after he rocked them during the contest. I still remember scouring supermarkets for the series of posters from the contest given away on Wheaties boxes. After the win, everyone truly wanted to “Be Like Mike” and launched the Jordan era of the League.

In 2000, the League was just coming back from a lockout and the dunk contest was just returning from a two-year hiatus. The contest itself was getting a little stale and on life support. Carter served as defibrillator to the event with his eye-popping performance. It can be argued that the four aforementioned dunks he unfurled are in the top five all-time of competition dunks and the between-the-legs off the bounce is the best ever.

Once again, Carter’s 2000 contest beats out a Jordan/Wilkins-led contest. Like VC proclaims after his momentous dunk: “It’s Over.”

It’s hard to argue against the first of anything, but if you scrutinize it (go ahead, YouTube it) it was pretty tame. It was groundbreaking certainly, but as unfair as it may be to judge it against more modern contests, it was lacking. The format was slightly different, but other than Dr. J’s electrifying foul-line takeoff, it was dunkers inexperienced in the format and a crowd that was equally as new to the exhibition.

A dozen years later, the contest evolved and was regarded as THE event of All-Star. It was also the Frazier-Ali of the Slam Dunk Contest, the rematch between Jordan and Wilkins from their dunk-off in ’85. And it did not disappoint as the two met in the finals and traded 50s (Nique: a one-handed, off-the-rim catch-and-dunk from about four feet from the basket; MJ: a reverse two-handed double-clutch dunk) before Nique took the lead with a baseline two-handed windmill (50) while MJ got robbed (in my opinion) with a 47 for his bring-it-down-both-knees joint. The third and final dunk saw Wilkins playing it safe with another two-handed windmill and the judges seemed to dock him 5 points for essentially the same dunk previously. So this set the stage for the creation of the Air Jordan myth. While Jordan didn’t break ground with his Dr. J-inspired but remixed dunk from the charity stripe (he actually unveiled it in ’87 and went to it in the semifinal round), it earned him the trophy and exacted revenge against Wilkins for MJ’s ’85 loss.

As much as we dig ABA nostalgia, as a contest, 1976 has got nothing on 1988.

1988 vs.

2000

1976 vs.

1988

Best slaM Dunk Contest:

1985 vs.

2000

2000

It was only the second year of the NBA Dunk Contest and fans were treated to possibly the greatest amassed field of dunkers in any one competition: MJ, Nique, Terence Stansbury (a very underrated dunk contestant, but not much of an NBA career), Dr. J (a little grey and minus the fro, but still formidable), Larry Nance (a graceful 6-10 leaper), Darrell Griffith (aka Dr. Dunkenstein), Orlando Woolridge (a power dunking swingman) and Clyde Drexler (Glide did co-found Phi Slamma Jamma). The contest boiled down to Jordan and Wilkins going mano a mano, the League’s two premier athletic scorers facing off in a format based on athleticism and creativity. It was possibly everything you wanted in a dunk contest except…

It didn’t feature Vince Carter. Say what you will about Carter’s playing career, but there is little doubt about his dunking prowess.

We won’t even get to the rest of the field because Carter had them so far lapped. After his opening dunk—a reverse 360 windmill—he brought everyone in the arena, their living rooms, at the bar to their feet and for all intents and purposes won the contest (pity poor Jerry Stackhouse who followed him with a nifty 360 tomahawk that was met with what sounded like crickets compared to the applause Carter got). The next three of the four dunks? They were just mindaltering. A 180-windmill from behind the basket (a first of its kind), a between-the-legs off a bounce (more on this later) and the elbow dunk that left the crowd silent from sheer awe.

It really says something when Carter could beat out two dunkers from the dunk pantheon in Jordan and Wilkins.

By Ming Wong #2

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straight shooter

Kevin Love The Minnesota big man aims for honest answers to your questions What’s worse? Getting dunked on or getting your ankles broken?

I would say for a big man, definitely getting dunked on is worse than getting your ankles broken because you’re more likely to be on a poster and more likely to be on SportsCenter’s Top-10.

I’m 16 and trying to move up in the rotation on my basketball team, but my girlfriend says I spend too much time practicing.

Any advice for me, Mr. Love?

Yes...that’s easy. Dump your girlfriend.

Like you, I’m not a great jumper and I’m not the tallest, but I want to excel at rebounding the ball.

Rebounding is all about position and having a knack for the ball and assuming everything is a miss. You don’t have to be the most athletic or tallest guy in the world, but don’t count me out. I’m not the most unathletic guy in the world...I am in the NBA.

Are coaches like teacher?

Do they have favorites? If so, who’s Coach Rambis’ fave on the team?

Yes, coaches are definitely like teachers. You can learn a lot from every single one. They all have a different approach to the game, but all want to win. Some have favorites on certain teams, and there are a couple favorites on our team that stick out to us, but I’m not going to get into that too much.

“Normally, they’re worried about that first step. i’m so slow, it’s about my eighth step by the time i get there.

—Brad Miller

“You can put robin Williams and eddie Murphy next to Kevin and he’s going to be Kevin garnett.”

—Doc rivers on whether the addition of shaquille o’Neal has tempered garnett

“one of the philosophies is who is more important—who’s giving up more, the chicken or the pig? the pig is definitely that guy, because he’s giving up his whole body. Now i’m not calling glen a pig, but he does give up his body.”

—ray allen on glen Davis taking charges

Opponent or teammate—it doesn’t matter—they’re all Kevin’s rebounds.

“sometimes i don’t even want to go for a rebound. if i can get one more rebound and somebody else can get it, let them have it. What am i going to get, five rebounds? i’m still not going to be president with five rebounds.”

—ron artest

In an attempt to get into his good graces, Kevin attends Game 2 of the Finals with head coach Rambis.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve received from a fan?

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I’ve been asked to give elderly ladies a kiss before. I respectfully declined.

Who’s the funniest trash talker in the NBA?

He’s not really a trash talker, but a funny guy who I’m good friends with is David Lee. He’s a pretty witty guy and a very funny talker on the court.

What’s your favorite basketball movie?

Definitely not Hoosiers. I’d have to say He Got Game is my favorite. It’s also possibly right up there with my favorite movie of all time.

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Kevin doing his best to not be a poster on some kid’s bedroom wall.

When it comes to boards and wit, David Lee is a worthy adversary (and friend) to Kevin.

DaviD Sherman (2); anDrew D. BernStein; layne murDoch; FernanDo meDina/nBae/Getty imaGeS

Kevin is donning his Straight Shooter specs. Doesn’t he look sharp? Oh, he knows.

got a question for Kevin? email it to hoop@pspsports.com

12/14/10 2:16 PM

First Five

By Holly Mackenzie #32

11 - Forward - Boston Celtics

Glen

Davis

Celtics Forward Glen Davis spent his summer in Vegas. No, not on the strip; he was sweating it out in the gym. When Davis reported to training camp, the work he put in over the offseason1 was apparent. He was noticeably trimmer. The 24-year-old says he has shed more than 30 pounds since Boston’s Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals last June.

“It has a huge effect on how you perform,” Davis says, of his slimmed-down physique. “I feel so much like a better player. Losing weight gives you confidence. I feel really good.”

It’s easy to see that Davis is feeling lighter on his feet. At press time he is leading the League in charges taken. That focus on defense has Davis averaging a career-high in minutes per game. The summer of hard work proved to his coaches that he has matured2 and is ready for added responsibility.

On a team full of superstars, Davis not only knows his role, he relishes in it.

“My job on this team is not to score,” he explains.

“Who is the guy on the team that does the little things? Who is going to make sure he gets a charge every game, makes sure he’s going to get a loose ball? Players that teams need to win championships— that’s how I want to stand out3 on my team.”

From little-used reserve as a rookie out of LSU4 to integral part of the rotation, Davis describes his game as “blue-collar.”

“Just a hard worker,” he says. “I don’t jump that high, I don’t run fast, but in some ways I feel like I play at a high level of IQ so that’s the way I look at it. I’m a little bit of everything.”

Doing all of those little things, he desperately wants to get back to the Finals to take care of unfinished business.

“Champagne campaign,” Davis says of his goal this season. “That’s what it’s all about. Trying to get banner No. 18.”

BONUS POINTS 1. Davis recently paired with author John Goode for a children’s book titled “Basketball with Big Baby.”

The book has Davis spelling out the word basketball with different adjectives that he believes are important to keep in mind while playing the game.

2. While the “Big Baby” nickname worked to his advantage for the title of his book, Davis has said publicly that he would prefer to be known by his given name after having the nickname bestowed upon him by a youth league coach when he was 9 years old.

3. During the offseason, Davis posted a video to YouTube of himself dancing to the song “Teach Me How To Dougie.” The video went viral overnight and was an instant YouTube-sensation. The clip was viewed more than 300,000 times by December.

steve babineau/nbae/Getty imaGes

4. Davis first met teammate Shaquille O’Neal when at 15 he attended O’Neal’s basketball camp during the summer of ’01. When it was time to go to college, the Baton-Rouge Davis chose Louisiana State, O’Neal’s alma mater.

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heaD 2 heaD

Marc GasoL vs. Brook Lopez Big men in the NBA typically take some time to develop, but that wasn’t the case with Marc Gasol and Brook Lopez. Both young pivots were thrust into the middle as rookies and have shown to be quick studies in the center position. But which third-year center is better?

2

Round

1

Round

Scoring: Both Gasol and Lopez are relative throwbacks as centers who play primarily with their backs to the basket.

Both are effective around the rim: Last season, Gasol made good on 64 percent of his attempts in the paint while Lopez connected 59 percent of the time. Neither guy would be mistaken for Hakeem on the post, and both rely heavily on their right hands, but they get the ball through the rim on the regular. As for midrange jumpers off the pick and roll, Gasol has a better touch, but Lopez is much more effective at the line at 81 percent for his career. A quick look at their career points per game would suggest Lopez is the superior scorer, but dig deeper and it’s more a result of playing more minutes and getting more attempts. This is a tough call, but we’d have to give a slight edge to Lopez despite his poor shooting start this season since he’s only a jumper away from being the most polished offensive center in the game.

Floor Game: Like most European-bred players, Gasol entered the League with a varied skill set in place. Despite his obvious size tailored to play center, Gasol is not lacking in abilities found in guards. A fine passer out of the post, Gasol is adept at finding Rudy Gay or O.J. Mayo cutting to the basket and an overlooked outlet passer following a rebound. And although he’s slower and less athletic than Lopez, Gasol is more seasoned in the pick and roll, thus better at using his big body on screens and sliding over to pop the J or lumber to the basket. Lopez, on the other hand, is still working on passing out of double-teams. On the break, Lopez is one of the best in transition. His speed allows him to beat every center in the League (not named Dwight Howard) down the court. As a whole, Gasol gets the check for this category.

Winner: GasoL

Winner: Lopez

3

Round

Marc GasoL Center 7-1, 265 pounds MeMphis GrizzLies

Defense: As anchors to their teams’ interior defense, Gasol and Lopez do a phenomenal job of controlling the middle. Lopez relies on his speed and quickness over opposing centers and a good timing to erase baskets while Gasol is more about being an immovable object that forces guys outside of their comfort zones. The one thing that both guys do equally well is stay away from the silly fouls that take most young centers out of game. Neither guy is a stalwart at defending the most important play in the NBA, the pick and roll. Gasol and Lopez’s (especially Gasol) lack of lateral quickness means offenses can exploit them on situations when they are switched off onto a fleet guard. Gasol does make up for the shortcoming with quick and dexterous hands that he relies on for for some strips and steals. As legit 7-footers, both guys have yet to crack the 10-rpg mark, although Gasol is better between the two. And for what it’s worth, Marc, with his intimate knowledge of big brother Pau (perhaps the most skilled big in the NBA), might defend him the best.

024

nosh grahamnBaE/gEtty ImagEs

Winner: GasoL

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12/14/10 5:52 PM

4

Round

Clutch: Clutch is tough to determine with Gasol and Lopez, with their small body of work while coming up with teams that are going through growing pains. With budding shotmaker Rudy Gay on the Grizzlies, Gasol will likely not get his number called in the closing moments, but with his defense and ability to run offense through him, he’s certainly a big piece of head coach Lionel Hollins’ game plan when it counts. The same can’t be said of Lopez as he’s the Nets’ centerpiece. The ball might be in the hands of Devin Harris, but the team will look to feed it to Lopez to make something happen. In today’s NBA, game-winners don’t usually find their way into the hands of centers, but Lopez is a big that we can envision making one.

Brook Lopez Center 7-0, 265 pounds New Jersey NeTs

Winner: Lopez

5

Round

Leadership: Taking the lead is something difficult for any young player in the League, especially when you’re still learning the ins and outs of the position. Gasol and Lopez have excelled from day one at manning the middle, so bearing the mantle of leadership isn’t out of the unattainable even at their 25-and-under age. Gasol may have the experience of being a key player on the Spanish national team and a former Spanish League MVP on his résumé, but he isn’t looked upon to pave the way for the Grizzlies. Lopez is already seen as the team’s “man” as co-captain of the Nets, and he’s given every opportunity guide the team.

“I was going to spank him. He may not hurt. It may hurt me.”

—Doc Rivers on how he might punish Shaquille O’Neal for being late to a practice.

Winner: Lopez

Gasol

Lopez

PPG

11.4

19.2

APG

2.5

1.2

RPG

7.4

6.2

SPG

1.2

0.5

BPG

1.2

1.7

FG%

.587

.453

3PT%

.000

.000

FT%

.730

.843

EFF

+17.71

+17.17

Paul Bereswill/NBae/Getty imaGes

‘10-11 stats as of press time

The VerdicT The gap between the two young centers is so narrow that it comes down to some speculation on our part. While it could be argued that Gasol is better at this very moment, we think that Lopez will likely surpass the best that Gasol will ever offer. Even as it stands now, Lopez’s slow start withstanding, he might have a slight edge. Coupled with the better potential, we’re going with the New Jersey center.

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Bread and Butter

Shane Battier Taking a Charge I have made a nice career out of exploiting one of the most controversial plays in basketball: the charge. I get asked all the time about the secret to taking a charge. The answer is simple. You need three things: anticipation, quick feet and, for a lack of a better phrase, cojones.

Any great charge-taker must be able to anticipate where the ballhandler is going to dribble three or four steps before he actually gets there; some call this defensive awareness. Once you know the path of the ballhandler, you must have quick feet to beat the offensive player to the spot. The toughest part of taking a charge is the actual impact of the collision. This is the single greatest reason that guys don’t take charges—they don’t like the contact. Once you know that you have beaten the defender to the spot on the floor, the last thing you do is, ahem, protect yourself and take the impact of the collision. I have taken well over a hundred charges that have been called offensive fouls in the last 10 years and well over a few hundred that have not. Like a stuntman, you learn how to fall to minimize the impact on your body. Usually I land on my bum and slide across the floor.

I think I am the only living person to take a charge in the open court from both Yao Ming and Shaq (and lived to tell about it). That is the pinnacle of chargetaking, one that hopefully I will not have to repeat anytime too soon. I am brave but I’m not dumb. Shane Battier #31

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“Honestly, I just black out. I stop thinking about everything, cause when I think, it’s not really too good.”

—Michael Beasley describing what he went through after his gamewinning shot against the L.a.

Clippers on 11/ 17/10

terrence vaccaro/nBae/Getty ImaGes

04

Watch more highlights by following us at twitter.com/HOOPmag and joining us on Facebook!

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“Very embarrassing.

Very, very embarrassing.

Very embarrassing.

If I had to sum it up in one word: embarrassing.”

—Hawks head coach Larry drew following a loss

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12/13/10 9:01 PM

peRIpHeRAl VIsIoN

Clipper Darrell Clippers fans need no introduction to him, but for the uninitiated, Clipper Darrell is quite possibly the team’s biggest fan, one who wears his fandom on his sleeve—literally; his trademark suit is Clipper blue and red, right down the middle (same for his car, too).

The origin story of Clipper Darrell took place in 2001 when a former boss told Darrell Bailey he would never amount to anything. When Bailey came home that night, he heard a TV broadcaster say the same thing about the Los Angeles Clippers during a game.

So right then, two peas in a pod, Bailey decided to commit himself to Clipper Nation, for better or worse.

What’s it like to be the Clippers’ No. 1 fan?

I think it’s fun. It’s an experience similar to winning a race. At the end of a race, you got the crowd going crazy. That’s how I feel. I’m like an Energizer bunny for the team. It’s a fun thing for me also. I love doing it. I love being the life of the party.

Your half-red, half-blue suit is recognizable all the way across court at staples Center. Are you always in red and blue?

On game days, away or home, I have a ritual that I have to wear something Clippers. Clipper shirt, Clipper hat, Clipper jacket, it has to be something Clippers on game day. If it’s not a game day, I don’t have to wear it. Sometimes I’ll wear a suit if I’m going to a meeting or whatever. It used to be I could go incognito. I could get away with a pair of jeans, a shirt and just get in my truck and go. But now people know me even without the red-and-blue suit. especially when you’re driving your customized, tricked-out Clipper car?

If I drive that, it’s over with then.

Do you drive that car everyday?

Yes, that’s my everyday car. When I go on a business meeting, I jump in that. But when I don’t want to be Clipper Darrell for a second or two, I jump in my truck. But it still happens, I get recognized, so I don’t even fight it anymore.

You’ve got your “MVp” chant for Blake Griffin and “UsA” for eric Gordon, what are the fans’ favorite chants?

The one that people love the most is “U-G-L-Y.” That’s

“I will take getting dunked on for the rest of the year, every single game, if we get the win.” ” —Ronny Turiaf

the one. The most popular one is, “Let’s go Clippers!

Let’s go!” Everybody looks forward to that one.

I read where leBron James even chanted that U-G-l-Y one to you once.

I was at his hotel where they were staying at. He drove up in a van and he’s hanging out the window and he was saying, “U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi, you ugly!” He saw me because I was in my suit and everything. He was running up after the game. It was about 1 or 2 in the morning. He came out and started dancing, doing my little dance. It was so cool, man.

It was like a priceless moment. Being known by the superstars, man, it’s like the greatest thing for me.

From Tracy McGrady to Chris Paul to Kobe Bryant.

Guys that respect me and say, “I respect what you do.” It’s a good feeling.

Who’s your favorite Clipper of all time?

I don’t have one. As long as you wear that red, white and blue uniform, I got love for you. And when you leave and you move on, I still got love for you. But within that 48 minutes that you’re on the court, you ain’t got no love unless you wear that red, white and blue.

Darryl Howerton #21

For entire interview, log on to Hoopmag.Com

“He is the sweatiest guy in the NBA. He needs a sweat catcher every time he runs up and down the court.”

—Cole Aldrich on teammate Nick Collison

3 pTs

Has the new technical foul rule on on-court complaining this season affected your life off the court?

Randy Belice; BaRRy GossaGe; Juan ocamp0/nBae/Getty imaGes

Derrick Rose “Not at all. I’m a guy where I don’t let anything get under my skin. So those calls that they’re calling now haven’t affected my life at all. I’m sleeping easy. I’m sleeping good. It’s probably affecting some people.

All those fines might change the way guys act towards people. But I’m doing fine.”

Jason Richardson “No. I have had to release some of the energy that I have on the court off the court, so I don’t get fined.

So I’m going home and yelling at my wife, ‘That’s a bad meal!’ [laughs]. If I come home after a bad game and am arguing, she’s like, ‘You need to get a technical.’ But that’s how they’ve changed the game.

I guess they want it emotionless, so we’ll just go out there like zombies. [laughs]”

Baron Davis “It’s only enhanced my life. It’s made me more in touch with my chi. Since I can’t yell at the refs, I don’t yell at anybody else in life either.”

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12/14/10 5:53 PM

it from early on and it’s a part of your personal life that makes it bigger. When your grandma and your grandpa hear that you’re doing Sports Illustrated, they get excited because they know what that is. It’s not like doing a high fashion magazine they’ve never heard of.

Were you any good at basketball?

At first, I was a bit of a ball hog. Then I learned to give the ball to my teammates. Look around before I took a shot—that was my big lesson. As a teenager you learn healthy competition and you have your coach’s support. I look back at my childhood with really good memories of being able to have that support with my teammates and my coaches. It really toughened me up. I’m disciplined because of that. Obviously now with my job and being fit and healthy, it definitely made some good tools for me for the rest of my life.

celeB roW

marisa miLLEr Gorgeous California girl Marisa Miller—often referred to as America’s ultimate supermodel—may be known for her feminine attributes, but she’s a jock at heart. For her, being on the cover of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is an opportunity to share pages with the athletes she so greatly admires. Even her endorsements are ultra guy-friendly—from being official spokesperson for the NFL and Harley Davidson to her own Captain Morgan ads, her own line of sneakers for Vans and a paddleboard line for Surftech that she designed for female riders. Of course, you can catch her donning angel wings for Victoria’s Secret, but you’re just as likely to find her courtside at a Chicago Bulls game.

How does one go from being a tomboy to a supermodel?

My life took a crazy detour after I met Mario Testino, who is arguably one of the best photographers in the world. It just kind of rolled from there. It wasn’t something that I went after or thought would ever become my career. It’s cool now because it’s kind of circling back to the things I love. I get to choose what I want to do now and be a part of the NFL and be invited to NBA games. I’m also a big fan of the San Francisco Giants. I’ve seen them win the World Series.

What does being on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue mean to you?

Sports Illustrated is a big part of American culture. The women that have been in the swimsuit issue are icons. To be a part of that group is a huge honor. My dad has been a subscriber to Sports Illustrated since I was little. I always remember seeing the issues. They’re still in my house now. When you can do something in your career that is that big professionally it’s great when you have an awareness of 028

What was the first NBA game you saw live?

I went to a Sacramento Kings game in the seventh or eighth grade and saw how physical the game was. Before that, you think in basketball, you can’t touch anybody or you get a foul. We had floor seats.

I couldn’t believe how big the guys were. They were giants. And how much physical contact they had and how aggressive it was.

Does watching a game courtside give you a new perspective beyond what you see on TV? Especially when you’re on the floor because you have that eye level view. The endurance they have, all the running, the jumping. Basketball players are really amazing athletes.

What’s your favorite team these days?

Obviously, I love the Lakers. They’re such a great team to watch. But personally I really love the Chicago Bulls. They have such a great history with how many championships they have. They’ve invited me to games. One home game I went to happened to be Derrick Rose’s career high; he had 39 points. They were playing the Boston Celtics. To see Kevin Garnett and these guys in person was great. It was great to see Derrick have the game of his life. The fans were going crazy—the whole arena in red. At one point Garnett bumped into me and the person next to me.

You could feel the power. These guys are like warriors.

Favorite NBA player?

Derrick Rose without a doubt.

Chris andersen

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2008

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Lois ELfman #40

Check out hoopmag.com for extras from the interview.

2010

courtesy of marisa miller; william sallaz; garrett ellwood (3); chris graythen; layne murdoch; bart young/nbae/getty images

What sports were you into growing up?

I was the type of girl who played the sports. I wasn’t really a cheerleader or a girlie girl. I was more of a tomboy. I grew up surfing and playing basketball and volleyball.

Most of the products you’re associated with are guy-type things—why is that?

I don’t know how it worked out like that, but it sure makes my job a lot more fun. It’s fun breaking down the stereotypes.

TrANSITIoN GAMe

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12/13/10 8:44 PM

First Five

By Brett Mauser #25

02 - Guard - oklahoma City Thunder

Thabo

SefoloSha

While Kevin Durant has his face chiseled on the modern-day NBA’s Mount Rushmore,1 Thunder teammate Thabo Sefolosha is busy guarding the rest of them. LeBron, Kobe, Melo, D-Wade, CP3—name one of today’s megastars and Sefolosha’s drawn them on D.2 Without his lockdown defense, there’s no telling if Oklahoma City would have taken the Lakers to six games last year, or if the West’s eighth seed would have made the playoffs at all. The Swiss sensation3 is judged not by how many highlights he makes but by the ones he prevents from happening.

“It’s a challenge that I like,” Sefolosha says. “I try to bring the energy and slow down one of the main guys on the other team. It’s great to see that my job is appreciated4 and it helps our team win.”

That Sefolosha doesn’t fill up the scoring column doesn’t mean he couldn’t. In Oklahoma City, he just doesn’t look for his shot5 nor does he need to. He knows what his team needs. It’s the job of Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green and others to get buckets for the explosive OKC squad; it’s up to the Thunder’s defensive stopper to make sure the opposition’s wings have a heck of time getting theirs.

“The young guys we have, we’re all still growing, still learning,” Sefolosha says. “What made us good is everybody accepted their role. I try to do my part on the defensive end.”

It’s all happened fast for the Thunder, who went from a meager 23 wins in ’08-09 to 50 last year to this year’s optimistic expectations of possibly meeting the Lakers again for the right to represent the West in the Finals. Sefolosha defers to the likes of Durant and Westbrook when OKC’s on the attack; when it comes time to defend, the Thunder have one of the game’s best.

“Everybody’s staying humble and working hard,” Sefolosha said. “Experience is what’s going to take us to the next step. I think we’re definitely on the right path with the pieces that we have.”

BONUS POINTS 1. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln make up the real-life Rushmore. In the League, can anyone argue against a monument of LeBron, D-Wade, Kobe and KD? 2. When asked who the most difficult assignment was, Sefolosha says: “LeBron. If he starts hitting jump shots, it’s really tough to stop him.” Sefolosha also lauded Paul. “He can really dribble the ball, and he gets a lot of picks.”

3. Sefolosha became the first Swiss-born player ever drafted when he went 13th to the 76ers in 2006.

cameron browne/nbae/Getty ImaGes

He was immediately dealt to Chicago for Rodney Carney and cash. In ’09, Sefolosha was traded to OKC for a first-rounder, which ended up being Taj Gibson.

4. He made his debut on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last year, joining Wade, Tim Duncan, Josh Smith and Anderson Varejao.

5. In 88 games last year, Sefolosha hit double figures just 15 times, in large part because, while he played 29 minutes a night, he averaged just over five shot attempts. His career high is 22, accomplished twice during his second season in Chi-town.

HOOP

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12/13/10 8:47 PM

good looks

inTerview By earl k. sneed #23

Talking winTer fashion wiTh Caron BuTler HOOP: So, since the season started have any new fashion trends popped up around the League?

CB: Well, I’d have to say I’ve seen a lot of cargo— cargo pants with the sweaters look. I’ve seen that the diamond game— the diamond watches and the jewelry—has kind of died down, too. Guys have converted to more conservative watches.

I’ve seen a lot of V-neck sweaters, cashmere sweaters, jackets with the shirt and tie and still going with the Euro look. Guys are still wearing things much more fitted as of late. And I’m still seeing a lot of suits, because, you know, that’s the easy way out always—just a nice color scheme and a nice suit.

HOOP: Have you tried any new looks this season?

CB: I’m gonna get out there and start doing some different things and start putting different things together. I’m traditional with the suits early on, always. It’s standard going with my suits, and then when I go to colder cities I’ll switch it up some with sweaters and layer up a little more.

HOOP: Have you seen any players step their fashion game up a little more this season?

CB: I mean, I see a lot of dudes that usually are always dressing well and keeping it consistent—Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant— and even some of my teammates. You know, J-Kidd, Shawn Marion, guys that like dressing and take pride in it.

HOOP: So have you seen any rookies that have brought a good fashion sense to the League?

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HOOP: Have you given Dirk [Ed note: Nowitzki is a notoriously bad dresser] any fashion tips?

CB: [laughs] I mean I always do, but “Dirty” is gonna be “Dirty.”

And he’s not changing. He’ll have his dress shoes on and he may wear slacks every once in awhile with his collared shirt and he’ll call it a day.

HOOP: Are there any new designers catching your eye?

CB: I mean I’m still sticking with the same people that I’ve always stuck with. And as I read up in magazines, I’ll put you up on something new, but I’ve just been so focused on basketball.

HOOP: Any new trends in the casual game off the court?

CB: I mean Ferragamo, they stepped their game up heavy. A lot of people always have their Js or their Nikes or some Louis Vuitton loafers, stuff like that, with their casual game. But Ferragamo, and Cole Haan has got some nice, nice loafers and tennis shoes that you can go either way with on the casual side.

You can just go with the jeans and mix it up however you want to do it.

It was part of some playful rookie hazing, but ALWAYS avoid the red and baby blue tuxes that Clipper rooks Al-Farouq Aminu, Willie Warren and Eric Bledsoe were forced to wear.

HOOP: And on the court, what do you think about the new Revolution 30 uniforms?

CB: They’re hot! It’s a different look, a different feel and they look good on camera, too. So, you know, I like ‘em.

HOOP: You like the fitted look, too?

CB: Yeah, I like the fitted look. It really does look good and it’s light. And as far as the sweat standpoint, it don’t stick on you like the other jerseys did.

HOOP: More players are wearing sleeves on their arms, headbands, wristbands, extra padding, etc. Are these things becoming fashion accessories on the court?

CB: I think it has a lot to do with fashion. I don’t think that many players are injured like that, [laughs] or trying to protect themselves like that. I just think it’s a trend. If some of the bigger superstars in the league are wearing kneepads, then to each his own.

HOOP: So as we move into winter, any fashion trends we should know about?

CB: You’re gonna see a lot of layers. You’re gonna see the cashmere jackets. When you go into certain cities you’re gonna see cats pulling out the minks. It’s gonna be a combination of a lot of different things, but I think suits and layered-up is the way to go, especially in the colder cities.

One of the dapper players in the League, Derek Fisher does it right with a layered look of fitted sweater over a shirt and tie; Deron Williams keeps warm in chilly Utah with a finely detailed button-up sweater and understated watch.

NathaNiel S. Butler; Noah graham; Bill BaptiSt; meliSSa majchrzak/NBae/getty imageS

HOOP: Have you seen any fashion don’ts this season?

CB: [laughs] You can’t wear Sean John jeans with custom-made tops. You can’t just put any types of jeans on with it. You gotta match it up right. You just can’t throw anything with anything, especially when you’re a pro. You gotta look together at all times. Somebody is always watching, and every day is an interview.

HOOP: Rumor has it that your rook, Dominique Jones, had a fashion don’t of his own?

CB: [laughs] Oh, yeah, he blew our minds. He came in and he had Ralph Lauren pajama pants on, at least that’s what it looked like. But it was actually jeans that had horses all over them. And then he had the Polo top, and he thought that was OK because it was name brand. That’s a big fashion no-no.

CB: You know, honestly, we’ve only had the opportunity to play one rook that I took notice of, and that was John Wall. That was actually in preseason. And you know, he came and he was suited, so he was really professional and had a nice suit on. But I haven’t seen any of the guys behind the scenes with their outfits on. But I’ll definitely be looking and I’ll keep my eye out for them.

HOOP

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First Five

By Brett OlsOn #36

Most NBA players start their career with a handshake from David Stern in front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd, or at very least having their named called among the 60 players selected on draft night.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews took the road less traveled, in basketball standards.

After the 2009 draft, the former Mr. Basketball for Wisconsin didn’t have an NBA home.1 He eventually worked his way through Summer League invites from the Kings and Jazz onto Utah’s training camp roster.

“In training camp I knew I had to distinguish myself from the other players,” Matthews says.

And Matthews did that, filling a role no NBA team can have too much of: a hustling player, willing to work hard on defense and who can make a high percentage of shots behind the arc. Matthews made the roster, eventually becoming the starting shooting guard opposite Deron Williams.2 In the playoffs, the former Marquette Golden Eagle3 gained the attention of the League with his defense on Kobe Bryant. He didn’t shut him down—a feat yet to be accomplished on the hardwood by anyone—but he made the Black Mamba work for everything he got.

“Kobe is a player who I look up to,”4 Matthews says. “Especially his work ethic.”

02 - Guard - Portland trail Blazers

Wesley The Trail Blazers5 saw Matthews and liked his work ethic, so much that they made him a key piece of a team hoping to compete against the Lakers in the West.

“I’m excited to be here to make this team better,” Matthews says.

And with his play early this season, he’s done exactly that.

MattheWs

BONUS POINTS 1. Of the 60 players taken that draft, only seven scored more per game than Matthews’ 9.4 per game last season.

2. Matthews scored a then-career-high 29 points when starting against the OKC Thunder.

3. His 1,673 points in college are eighth all-time at Marquette.

Joe Murphy/NBAe/Getty IMAGes

4. Another person Matthews looks up to is his dad, Wes Matthews Sr., a nine-year NBA veteran who had stints with Washington, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Antonio and the L.A. Lakers.

5. Portland offered Matthews a frontloaded, five-year $35 million contract.

HOOP

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12/14/10 2:23 PM

DANCE LIFE

nICole LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS SPIRIT HOOP: You’ve been an NBA dancer for five years.

What’s the routine like for you now?

Nicole: The ins and outs of every day are pretty similar, but each year is a new experience. We have new girls that come into our squad each year, new players on every team. It really never gets old for me. There are always surprises and new things going on. I’m really looking forward to seeing Blake Griffin play throughout the season.

HOOP: You were part of the groundbreaking 2006-07 Celtics dance team, the first time Boston ever had NBA dancers. What was that like?

Nicole: It was my first year, the Celtics’ first year.

Everything was brand new.

We were trying to work

out the kinks as a group. Of course, dancing for the Celtics was completely amazing there.

HOOP: So with that experience under your belt, did that make things easier for you when you came back and tried out for Clippers Spirit?

Nicole: That was really nerve-wracking actually. It’s a grueling audition process. The first round you go across the floor and do your kicks, your turns and leaps and then they make a cut. On the spot. Then you have to learn a jazz routine, you learn it on the spot and they make another cut. Then you learn a hip-hop routine and it’s the same thing until you’re a finalist. But I was really nervous because I wanted it really bad. It ended up all working out. Even though it was tough, it was a good experience in the long run.

HOOP: I’m sure you were surrounded by more celebrities in L.A. than in Boston.

Nicole: Definitely. I remember Eva Longoria coming to a game. We were all awestruck. David Beckham has been here with his wife Victoria. It’s exciting because you want to look at them, but we’re also part of the entertainment, so we don’t get to be starstruck.

They’re there to watch and observe the game and we

want to let them have their time, but it is always fun when we get to see them in the crowd.

HOOP: Do you kind of have a teacher/mentor/ captain role with the Clippers Spirit?

Nicole: I think so, a little bit. We don’t actually have captains on this year’s squad, but I think the girls respect us. Brittany and I are the fourth-year members and we try to lead by example. We always dance all-out, we always come early, make sure that we’re on time, we keep them on track, keep them informed and be as helpful to them as we can because we were rookies once, too.

HOOP: I know you’ve been dancing since you were 3. In a sense, are you living out your littlegirl dreams?

Nicole: I think I’ve surpassed my childhood dreams.

There’s really no experience like dancing at the Staples Center. When you’re center court and you have all your teammates behind you, it’s a really, really fun experience. And I’m so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to do it and do it as long as I have. It’s definitely not something you should take for granted.

But, yes, I’ve had a wonderful experience.

Darryl Howerton #21 LOG ONTO HOOPMAG.COM FOR MORE OF NICOLE’S INTERVIEW

BEST OF FIVE

a match of wits between a famous person and an nBa baller where we decide who wins

BranDy vs. anDre IguoDala What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

Brandy: My daughter (Sy’rai) is the best gift I’ve ever received.

She’s amazing. If you could meet her, you’d fall in love with her.

Andre: My mom got me a desk; that was a great present. Just to be able to draw, write, do other things, I remember that.

ScOre: Brandy 1, Andre 0. You can’t compare a desk to a person.

ScOre: Brandy 2, Andre 0. It would’ve been a tie, but Brandy’s song put it over the top.

What’s one movie you can recite almost every line to and what’s the most memorable line?

Brandy: The Notebook. The most memorable line for me is, “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.”

Andre: I’m a movie buff so there’s a lot: Coming to America, Friday, He Got Game…but in Coming to America: “When I tell you the boy has got his own money, I mean the boy has got his 032

ScOre: Brandy 2, Andre 1. Andre gets on the board as Coming to America was one of Eddie Murphy’s finest roles.

What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?

Brandy: I was tutored most of the time during high school and it was actually pretty uneventful.

Andre: Chasing after a friend of mine in the cafeteria and I slipped and fell in front of everybody—aw man…that one was funny.

ScOre: Brandy 2, Andre 2. Brandy ceded this point to Andre’s hilarious cafeteria wipeout.

If you could be any person for a day, who would it be and why?

Brandy: I would be Michelle Obama for a day because I would love to see what her life is all about. You see it in the public, but you don’t know the behind the scenes. She seems like an amazing woman. Going around teaching and being a speaker. I would love to see what that’s like.

Andre: I’d be myself. I’ve learned so much through life the past couple of years, seeing the difference in being strong in my faith and weak in my faith, and I’m just really blessed and enjoying myself and seeing how life goes and what’s really important.

FiNAl ScOre: Brandy 3, Andre 2. As great as it may be to be yourself, Dre loses points for not properly answering the question. setH Berkman #91 anD loIs elfman #40

Courtesy of L.A. CLippers spirit; joe murphy; jesse d. gArrAbrAnt/nbAe/getty imAges

How old were you when you realized Santa Claus wasn’t real?

Brandy: My parents used to sing this song “It ain’t no Santa, it ain’t no Claus, it’s nobody but your mama and your pa.” So when I was 3, I knew Santa Claus wasn’t real. We still had the Christmas tree, but we told our parents what we wanted instead of writing a letter to Santa.

Andre: I don’t think I ever believed in Santa Claus.

own money!”

HOOP

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First Five

By Jeff Min #12

02 - Guard - indiana Pacers

Darren

Collison BONUS POINTS 1. Against the Nuggets, the Pacers set a franchise record by scoring 54 points in the third quarter.

Collison went 3-of-3 and had 4 assists in that stretch. ron hoskins/nBAE/GEtty imAGEs

2. Collison spent all four years at UCLA, where he finished his career 16th in points scored, tied for first for career games played, fifth in assists and second in steals.

3. Last season with the Hornets, Collison logged close to 40 mpg while Paul was out. In that stretch he averaged 18 ppg and 9 apg.

One of the early-season surprises, the Indiana Pacers have crept up as a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. By early December, the Pacers were sitting a game above .500 and sixth in the East, notching impressive victories over playoff contenders Denver,1 Miami and the L.A. Lakers. The Pacers haven’t looked this confident since Reggie Miller was still raining threes for the team, and a big part of that newfound swagger can be attributed to the development of second-year point guard Darren Collison.

As the 21st overall pick by New Orleans2 in the ’09 draft, Collison spent the first half of his rookie season as a backup to Chris Paul, which is an ideal situation for any young point guard to find himself in. After Paul went down with a season-ending knee injury midway through the ’09-10 season, Collison stepped up big time,3 showcasing not only his ridiculous skill set, but the levelheadedness he developed as CP3’s protégé.

Pacers team president Larry Bird immediately took notice of Collison’s midseason maturation and it didn’t take him long to get the wheels rolling on a deal for the budding star. During a press conference announcing the acquisition, Bird let it be known that Collison would be a key component in the Pacers’ return to prominence. Taking on such a responsibility is a lot to ask of a second-year player and so far the transition has been a work in progress.

“I think playing without the ball [was the biggest change],” explains Collison. “In New Orleans I had to dominate with the ball in my hands. I was there to make plays, be in more control. This year it’s more about equality where everyone has the opportunity to make plays.”

As a playmaker, Collison is adjusting to head coach Jim O Brien’s equal opportunity system, often times splitting minutes with veteran guard T.J. Ford. He’s had moments of brilliance, but inconsistency has plagued him thus far. The adjustments he’s had to make could easily stunt the growth of a lesser player, but so far Collison has shown patience and a willingness to learn.4 “I see everyone on the team as a real important part,” Collison says. “Larry [Bird] has always expressed the team being so young and the need to have a lot of veterans around us to help us grow. I definitely see myself as one of the young players who can improve.”

That positive attitude has helped Collison inject new life into Indiana, and now it’s just a matter of time before the Pacers get back to a winning tradition.

4. This past summer, Darren went back to UCLA to earn his degree in history.

HOOP

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12/13/10 8:47 PM

NBA ALL-STAR

JAM SESSION

presented by adidas LOS ANGELES

CONVENTION CENTER FEBRUARY 18-21, 2011

Tickets on Sale NOW!

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24 seconds

with

Joakim Noah

By Jeramie mcPeek #4

HOOP: Is it true Patrick Ewing introduced you to basketball?

NOAH: Kind of. My father and mother had a restaurant in New York, and he used to go there a lot when I was a baby. Apparently he put a little basketball in my crib one day. So symbolically, yes.

HOOP: You grew up a Knicks fan, right?

NOAH: Huge Knicks fan1 growing up. I was a fan of Patrick, Charles Oakley, John Starks and Derek Harper, all of those guys, and the later teams when they had guys like Larry Johnson and Marcus Camby.

HOOP: So that explains why you disliked Jordan so much.

NOAH: Exactly. I was an anti-Jordan2 fan. But you know what? Even though we used to hate Mike, we had a lot of respect for him.

gary dineen/nbae/getty images

HOOP: We saw you after your double-OT win at Phoenix and you were wincing in pain.

How sore are you after games?

NOAH: Really sore. During the game, everything is numb, because you’re so into it. But when you come down from all that adrenaline, that’s when the aches, bumps and bruises kick in.

That’s when you feel the elbows.

HOOP: We were just listening to “Vic the Brick” in L.A., who said he thought you were going to be a bust after your rookie year, but you’ve impressed him. What do you think when you hear things like that?

NOAH: It feels good, but at the end of the day, that’s not why I play the game. It’s not to get love from a commentator. Whether they like me or not, I just want people to say: “That guy gives it everything he has on the court.”

HOOP: It seems like fans either love you or hate you. Do you enjoy that dual relationship with NBA fans?

NOAH: Yeah. It’s been like that for me since I was a little kid. Some teachers loved me, some teachers hated me. To be honest, I don’t know why, but it’s something I’ve come to grips with.

HOOP: You’re a laid-back guy off the court. Where does the intensity and fire come from that you show on the court?

NOAH: I just know I have to play with a certain intensity to affect the game and I try to do that to the best of my ability.

HOOP: Have you ever hurt yourself pounding your chest?

NOAH: I do try to do it a little bit less now, because it does take some energy out of you.

HOOP: What’s the first thing you look at in the box score?

NOAH: I check if we outrebounded our opponent as a team. That’s important. Plus/minus is pretty good, too. I like that one. There is no lying in the stat sheet.

HOOP: Have you ever scared anyone when you scream?

NOAH: I don’t know. I’m in my own world.

HOOP: You’re having a great season.3 What’s been the biggest difference for you?

NOAH: Just being more in tune with my body. Now that I’m in my fourth year, I understand that everything matters. Drinking a lot of water, sleeping—little things. Your body is your temple.

HOOP: We hear you’re just as intense when you’re bowling?

NOAH: I’m real bad at bowling. I just suck at it. My form is terrible and I hate the bowling shoes.

I wish they’d just let me wear my sneakers. I need the grip.

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HOOP: How would you describe your fashion style?

NOAH: Comfortable. I think comfort is the most important thing. The second adjective I would say: funky.

HOOP: Tell us about your draft wardrobe.4 What was the fashion statement that night?

NOAH: It’s crazy, that was four years ago and people still talk about it. It was an exciting day for me and my suit symbolized that. The seersucker look is a great look. I really enjoy that style. And the bow tie went great with the suit.

HOOP: Have you worn a bow tie since?

NOAH: No. I never wear bow ties. I don’t wear regular ties either.

HOOP: Anyone ever pull your hair during a game?

NOAH: No, nobody ever pulled my hair. You better not write that or you might give people some ideas [laughs]. I wouldn’t be too happy about it if they did.

HOOP: Tell us about your shoes.

NOAH: I’m the only player in the League that wears the Le Coq Sportif. Arthur Ashe used to wear the shoe and he found my dad when he was 12 years old. My father became a tennis player because of him and ended up wearing Le Coq Sportif. So it’s kind of like a family heritage. It’s more than just a marketing deal.

HOOP: You’re the only player with a rooster on his shoe, as well.

NOAH: I always tell my teammates, there are a lot of ducks in the NBA, but I’m the only rooster.

HOOP: We’ve got to ask you about your dancing.

NOAH: [laughs] What about it? I don’t really have a dance style.

HOOP: What did you call that dance after your 2007 NCAA Championship?

NOAH: The dance of joy. I was really happy that our team had won a championship. The Gator song was on, our fight song, and I just started messing around. It was pretty funny; the people at school loved it.

HOOP: What’s your favorite dance music?

NOAH: I love a lot of different music, but I listen to mostly reggae. It’s conscious music. It has a good beat and a good rhythm, but it’s the kind of music that puts things into perspective. It’s music for the people.

HOOP: What’s your favorite Bob Marley lyric?

NOAH: “Until there’s no longer first class or second class citizens of any nation, there will be war.”

HOOP: Your father5 is now a singer and your cousin is a rapper. Do you sing at all?

NOAH: Only in the shower.

HOOP: Are you an artist?

NOAH: No, my mom6 is an artist. But I like going to art exhibitions and looking at art. Every time we go to L.A., I go and check out the street artists. What’s so cool about a piece of art is everybody has their own interpretation of it, and there’s no wrong answer.

Bonus Points 1. Noah attended the Knicks’ summer camp as a kid and won the camp championship.

2. Noah was at the infamous “Double-Nickel” game in 1995 when Jordan scored 55 in his first game back at Madison Square Garden after coming out of retirement. “I remember that like it was yesterday.”

3. At press time, Noah was averaging career-highs with 15.6 ppg and 13.2 rpg.

4. Don’t remember Noah’s draft night handshake with Commissioner Stern? Google it. It’s classic!

6. Joakim and his mother, Cécilia Rodhe, launched the Noah’s Arc Foundation, “empowering youth through the means of sports and arts.”

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andrew d. bernstein/nbae/Getty imaGes

5. Joakim’s father, Yannick, won the French Open in 1983 and is now a successful singer in Europe.

HOOP

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Visit NBA.COM Daily To Enter For More Chances To Win Also Vote From:

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SMS votes do not earn entry into the Sweepstakes.

Watch the 2011 NBA All-Star Game Live on February 20th at 8pm ET

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By Voting, you have a chance to WIN BIG in the SWEEPSTAKES! GRAND PRIZE: A trip for 2 to the 2011 NBA All-Star Game A pair of season tickets YOU as a player in the NBA 2K12 game!

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Eligible minors must obtain their parent’s or legal guardian’s consent prior to participation. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Void In Quebec and Where Prohibited. For Official Rules and complete details visit NBA.com or send a SASE to: 2011 NBA All-Star Balloting Sweepstakes Rules, P.O. Box 13106, Bridgeport, CT 06673-3106. Canadian residents may omit return postage. Sponsor: NBA Properties, Inc., 645 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

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The OTher

By Michael Bradley #53

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12/15/10 11:24 AM

(that’s them)

melissa majchrzak (2)/NBae/Getty imaGes

Guys

As frontcourt duos, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson would likely not be the first set of names—or second or even third, for that matter—that come to mind, but they could very well develop into the game’s best HOOP

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hop CD. Nice guy. Hard worker. Great story. All-Star forward? No way.

It was sort of the same thing with Al Jefferson. He’s had some nice stats but with losing teams. The Celtics got rid of him to become good. The moribund T-Wolves didn’t even want him. Let’s try to get this straight: Big Al and Millsap are going to team up and make people forget Carlos Boozer. Yeah, and Jersey Shore is headed to Masterpiece Theater.

Turns out, that isn’t such crazy talk, after all. In fact, the Millsap-Jefferson tandem has not only replaced Boozer, it has surpassed him. Through one-quarter of the season, Boozer was no more missed than Karl Malone, Truck Robinson,4 Mark Eaton or any other former Jazz frontcourt luminaries. Boozer’s name wasn’t being stricken from the record books, but his replacements were doing a great job helping Jazz fans—and some players—work through the five stages of grief. A couple more months of play like this, and the locals may have to consult the history books to remember exactly why they were so upset when Boozer signed with the Bulls. “[Millsap and Jefferson] obviously talked before the season and got pretty cool,” Jazz

one that few people could have figured would work. But it has, and the Jazz are flowing because of it. All of a sudden, the team that had been recast and remade and rejected looks like a real Western threat.

“We knew coming in with the pieces we had and the additions we were going to be pretty good,” Millsap says. “We can compete in this league. We’re getting the feeling right now.”

••••• If you ever see Paul Millsap staring at a boxscore with an angry look on his face, don’t assume he’s just another selfish player upset with the lack of points at the end of his line.

He wants to score, of course, and a 2-of-10 shooting night is definitely scowl-worthy. The lava will bubble up more quickly if the rebounds aren’t there. He’s a power forward, after all, and that’s the job description: Bang and board.

“Points are good, but rebounds are great,” he says. “That’s what got me into the League.”

That fact cannot be disputed. After becoming the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation in boards three consecutive years (Millsap left after his junior season, or he

melissa majchrzak/NBae/Getty imaGes

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Whether you are thousands of miles from Salt Lake City, or maybe even so close that your backyard is a Wasatch Mountain1 foothill, when you learned of Carlos Boozer’s summer departure, you might’ve concocted an immediate obituary for the Jazz.

Without Mr. 20-10, you reasoned, the team had no chance, even if Deron Williams is the best point guard in the game and it’s never a good idea to bet against Jerry Sloan.2 Face it, there were even rumors that Williams was angry about Boozer’s departure, and not because his former teammate went for the cash. Williams wants to win, and Boozer was somebody who could help him do that. Gloom. Doom. Boozer’s departure fit in well with the team’s decision to return to its original blue-gold-green color scheme, because, for some, the team was headed back to the futility of its New Orleans days.

Admit it, you thought the idea that Paul Millsap could handle the load in Boozer’s absence was as silly as the concept that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir3 would issue a hip-

forward C.J. Miles says. “It shows. They have clicked. They’re great together. They play together. They’ve started to pass to each other. They complement each other.”

As the calendar turned to December, Millsap was in the middle of a performance that had jaws dropping throughout the League. If Boozer was Mr. 20-10, Millsap was The 18-8 Kid. Despite the impressive start, few have taken notice of Boozer’s replacement. Perhaps even the League didn’t expect such output from Millsap, as his name was unfortunately left off the All-Star ballot of Western Conference forwards.

“I’ve been fine with that,” Millsap says about the snub. “It’s not a big deal.” Jefferson, meanwhile, was finding his way through the complicated Jazz system—new players have been known to spend years at sea in attempts to navigate a path to safe harbors—at first with mixed results but later with resounding success. Like that 21-point, 8-rebound outburst in the win over Orlando or those 23 points and 10 boards against the Hornets.

There have been comeback wins. Streaks. More team success than Jefferson has ever experienced and more time on the court than Millsap has ever had. It’s an odd pairing,

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might have made it four straight), he entered the NBA with something of a reputation, and it wasn’t for three-point shooting. It’s rather interesting things worked out that way for Millsap, because when he was a kid, his sport was football.

Born in Monroe, LA, Millsap moved to Denver at age 2. Sports for him started under center, and he honed his quarterbacking skills at the University of Colorado summer camps while entertaining dreams of playing college ball. “I felt like I would have been able to play at the [college] level,” he says. A couple things conspired to change his path. First, he grew to about 6-8 in eighth grade. There have been some tall signal-callers before, but there are limits. Also, Millsap and his family moved back to Louisiana when Paul started high school. After a year at Downsville, he ended up at Grambling High School. Believe it or not, the school named for the institution Eddie Robinson5 made famous for football was really all about hoops.

“I had to change my sport,” Millsap says.

Had to?

Sloan, whose ability to steer opponents around the court with his vise-like hand check earned him “The Clamp” moniker, was impressed with Millsap’s commitment to hard work.

That’s why the second-rounder stuck on the roster.

“When he first came here, we hoped he got better, but we didn’t know what he’d be able to do until we had him for a year,” Sloan says. “But he showed all the good work habits you could ask for. That’s why he made himself a better player.”

Making the team and getting reserve minutes were pretty good first steps for Millsap, who played about 20 minutes a game his first two seasons and was as good as advertised: a rugged inside player who could go get the basketball. Year three brought an opportunity.

In November, 2008, Boozer underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, and Millsap stepped into the starting lineup. He finished the season averaging 13.5 ppg and 8.6 rpg. He didn’t dominate, but he proved he could do the job, even though some doubted him.

“I was a little upset people weren’t trusting me to step in and play the position and fill the role,” he says. “I took it as a challenge. It was a fun time for me to get out there and

“My family wanted me to play basketball. I didn’t have a choice.”

Millsap’s uncle, Johnny Simmons, was an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech when it came time for Millsap to make a college decision. The young forward had offers from many schools, but he wanted to stay close to home—Grambling is 10 miles from Louisiana Tech’s Ruston home—and chose the Bulldogs. It was a wise move, since he not only dominated the backboards at Tech but he also averaged 18.6 ppg and was a two-time all-WAC performer. Still, it wasn’t as if he was topping anybody’s 2006 draft boards. When it came time for Utah to make the 47th pick, Millsap was still available, and the Jazz jumped at him.

It wasn’t a glamorous pick, but the Jazz have had some luck in the past when it came to drafting power forwards out of Louisiana Tech.6 Millsap didn’t care where he was chosen. Didn’t care that Boozer was entrenched at his position. All that mattered was that Sloan was a fan of hard-working, productive players.

“He was going to be fair,” Millsap says. “If you work hard and show you’re capable, he’s going to play you. That’s why I saw time.”

show what I can do.”

Millsap performed, but Boozer returned. Came back last year, too, even though he could have opted out of his contract’s final season. Millsap went back to the bench, satisfied he could handle full-time work at the four position but realistic enough to understand he wasn’t going to supplant an All-Star. He kept working and waiting. When Boozer moved on to Chicago, Millsap was ready. “I guess I didn’t exhale when I got into the League,” he says.

“I stayed hungry.”

Some in his position might fill their bellies and enjoy a little rest. Not Millsap. He’s becoming a better shooter, as evidenced by the three three-pointers he hit during a 46-point outburst against Miami. “That was all a blur,” he says. “It happened so fast. I got the ball, put it up there, and it fell.” He’s learning the nuances of defense (you had better do that if you play for Sloan), handling the ball better and fitting in with Jefferson. It helps to have Williams on your side, too. “He creates for a whole lot of people,” Millsap says. But this isn’t about the point guard or the new pivotman or Sloan or even Boozer. Millsap is starting HOOP

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the C’s dished Jefferson to Minnesota in the deal for Kevin Garnett,8 things got even worse.

So, you can imagine how happy Jefferson is to be playing on a team that is winning. And how much he would like to stick around.

“They do everything the right way here, from the GM to the coaching staff to the players to the ball boys,” Jefferson says. “They’re all on one page. I’ve been on young teams and— no disrespect—it hasn’t been that way. I would love to be part of this going forward. The fans are great here, and they support us.”

A big topic of conversation since Jefferson came to Utah was his ability to blend in with his new teammates. It has been described as a “process” and a “work in progress.”

Jefferson doesn’t dispute that. He has had to adjust his game before, first as a new player, fresh from Prentiss High School (MS), and then with the arrival of Kevin Love in Minnesota.

This is a completely different situation, because he has joined a fully developed operation.

think the fans liked me,” he says.

Come on, Big Al. They just didn’t know you. And after seeing him give Utah an improved post presence, big rebounding numbers and that irrepressible AJ25 personality, things are a lot different. Jazz fans love their new center, and Jefferson definitely is warming to his new home.

How couldn’t he? During his previous six years in the League, he was like a construction worker, always working for teams that were rebuilding. The Celtics played in one playoff series during Jefferson’s rookie year,7 and after that, it was Lotteryville for Boston. When

Sloan has coached the Jazz since the days when Brigham Young and the Mormon Pioneers9 arrived in the state. Or so it seems. Williams has ascended to the top of his position and has a specific way of doing business. Veterans like Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko and even C.J. Miles understand the team, its scheme and its coach.

“The offense is pretty difficult,” Millsap says. “There’s a lot of screens and cuts, and you’ve got to be able to pass the ball and move and keep your eyes open every play.”

Jefferson can play that way. The trouble is being comfortable with it every night. That’s why he’s had some great games and some, ahem, not-so great games. There was that two-

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because Millsap deserves to start. If Boozer had stayed in Salt Lake City, you can bet Millsap would have been somewhere else in a year or two pounding away inside.

“I tell people every time they bring up Paul’s name that when he got into the League he wasn’t known for anything but rebounding,” Jefferson says. “The scouting report said, ‘Box him out.’ But every year he got better and better. When I was in Minnesota, I always had the utmost respect for him. He came from the bottom and worked his way up. He proved that if you work hard, you can become one of the better players in the game.”

••••• When Jefferson was traded to the Jazz last summer, he was a little scared. It had nothing to do with learning Sloan’s complicated system or fitting in with his new teammates.

He was worried about the people in the seats.

“When I used to come and play against [the Jazz] when I was with Minnesota, I didn’t

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Big Deals Quality bigs have always been in short supply in the League. Most teams are just thankful to just have one big man on the floor; when a team can trot out two of them together, well, that’s just an embarrassment of riches. Here are the best center/power forward combos in NBA history.

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1. Robert Parish and Kevin McHale The Parish-McHale connection, although certainly not lacking in numbers, did not compare to the peak production of the other two duos on this list. But what they did have was longevity and being perfect complements to each other. McHale would torture dudes on the low-post and draw double-teams. The Chief would take advantage of said double-teams, clean up the boards and putbacks and protect the rim. During 13 seasons manning the 4 and 5 spot, Parish and McHale totaled an eye-popping 36,420 points, 18,915 boards and 3,503 blocks, and this doesn’t even include the deep playoff runs that the Celtics saw every year. As

individuals Parish and McHale might fall short of the some of the guys on this list, but as a whole, there is no better center-power forward tandem.

2. David Robinson and Tim Duncan The Spurs struck gold in ’87 when Lady Lottery smiled upon them with the right to select consensus top pick Robinson in the draft. Ten years later, another can’t-miss seven-footer in Duncan was the Lottery prize and as luck would have it, San Antonio experienced déjà vu. Although Robinson was coming off injuries and entering the twilight of his career at 32, the as-good-as-advertised Duncan revitalized him as together they averaged 42.7 ppg, 22.5 rpg and 5.1 bpg. Statistically, that was their

point performance against the Heat November 9, which he followed up with the aforementioned beauty against the Magic.

Later that month, he managed just 10 points and four boards against the Clippers, only to come back the next night and hit the Bucks for 22 and 11.

Throughout the period of acclimation, Jefferson has relied on Sloan’s steady hand. “He’s an amazing, right-down-themiddle guy,” Jefferson says. “He’ll tell you what he expects you to do. If you can’t do it, he’ll find someone who can.” He has also relied heavily on Williams, whose game is quietly efficient but who has matured into a more vocal leader during the past couple seasons. Because of that, he has been providing constant input to Jefferson, who doesn’t mind at all. In fact, there are times when he asks for more of it.

“He’s always in my ear,” Jefferson says. “I’ve watched a lot of film of [Williams] last year with Carlos Boozer and how they ran the pick-and-roll. I’m learning little things that help me. Sometimes, he says, ‘I feel like I’m talking to you too much.’ I say, ‘No, I need it.’”

He and Millsap have blended as well. Jefferson is a low-post force—“If people don’t double-team him, he scores,” says Miles says—who has benefited from Millsap’s emerging long-range shot. Millsap can work in the post, too, because Jefferson is comfortable stroking it to 18 feet or so.

Jefferson has also adapted well to the Jazz’s workaday mindset that stresses continuity and constant effort, rather than a season-long parade of highs and lows. A lot of that has to do with Sloan. “He’s seen everything,” Jefferson says. “Nothing impresses him.” And much of it has to do with the Jazz’s desire to play well in the postseason, not just from November until April. “When you win here, it’s what you’re supposed to do; now get ready for the next game,” Jefferson says. “Every win in Minnesota was like we won the championship.”10 The goal, of course, is to win the actual NBA title, not enjoy periodic success. Jefferson, who has matured considerably from his early days as one of the last prep stars to make a direct move to the NBA, understands that he is in a place that will allow him to chase big things, provided he continues to take care of the little ones.

“With a Jerry Sloan team, the sky is the limit,” he says. “The effect he has with his mindset makes you willing to do whatever it takes to bring a championship to Utah. We can hang with the best of them.”

At the rate Millsap and Jefferson are going, it won’t be long before they are among “the best of them.”

best season together as Robinson ceded the reins to a deserving Duncan and took a supporting role soon after.

Robinson and Duncan combined for championships in ’99 and ’03 and each individually won MVPs.

3. Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson For two years, from ’84-85 to ’85-86, the NBA’s original “Twin Towers” of 7-0 Olajuwon and 7-4 Sampson wreaked terror on opposing frontcourts on both ends as they combined to average 42.5 ppg, 22.4 rpg and 4.9 bpg.

They spurred a fad in the League where a bunch of bad imitators tried to replicate the Rockets’ pair. The duo hit their peak in ’86 when they beat a very good Lakers team in the Western Finals only to hit a brick wall of a Celtics team that had a better duo (see No. 1 on list). Had it not been for Sampson’s career petering out due to injuries, this duo might have changed NBA history in the ’80s as they were both young and hitting their peak.—#2

BONUS POINTS 1. The Wasatch Mountains begin at the Utah-Idaho border and constitute the western edge of the Rocky Mountains.

2. In his 23rd year of coaching the Jazz, Sloan has only had a losing record once, in ’04-05 when Utah finished 26-56.

3. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is based in Salt Lake City, has 360 volunteer members and was dubbed “America’s Choir” by then-president Ronald Reagan.

4. Leonard “Truck” Robinson played one-and-a-half seasons (1977-79) with the Jazz and led the league in rebounding in 1977-78 with 15.7 rpg. He averaged 15.5 ppg and 9.4 rpg for his career.

5. Eddie Robinson coached for 56 years at Grambling and amassed 408 wins. More than 200 of his players went on to play in the NFL and AFL. 6. Lousiana Tech forward Karl Malone was Utah’s first-round pick (13th overall) in the ’85 draft.

7. The Celtics lost that series to Indiana in seven games. They didn’t get back to the postseason until ’08.

8. On 7/31/07, Jefferson was traded to Boston along with Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and two first-round picks for Garnett.

9. The Mormon Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 7/24/1847.

10. Minnesota won 27, 24 and 15 games during Jefferson’s three years with the team.

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B.D.

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{ After Decision )

The decision radically changed the NBA landscape, LeBron Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; legacy and a city that had always seen itself come up on the losing end of things.

How is Cleveland coping now that every vestige of LeBron is all but gone?

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all of us, which isn’t all bad. We’re all expected to play up to our ability each and every night.

Would we all like to have LeBron back? Of course. That’s not realistic because he’s in Miami.

We are what we are and that’s a team. I think we are motivated to have a very good season.”

There have been a number of changes since last season—not just with King James leaving. His departure signified an end of an era and housekeeping was in order.

Highly successful coach Mike Brown was replaced by Byron Scott. General manager Danny Ferry’s contract was not renewed and assistant GM Lance Blanks accepted a position in the Phoenix Suns’ front office. New Cavaliers GM Chris Grant took over.

Also gone are center Shaquille O’Neal and Delonte West, who both signed with the Boston Celtics. Popular center and 12-year Cavs veteran Zydrunas Ilgauskas joined James in Miami.

“People may not realize, but it was a hard decision for LeBron,” Ilgauskas says. “He really wasn’t sure for a long time. He loved Cleveland. He had so many friends there. He knew once he decided to leave, there was going to be negative reaction. He did what was best3 for him and his family. That’s tough to be negative about. This is what he wanted and it’s an honor to play with him again. He made me a much better player in Cleveland. I owe so much to him and I will always support him.”

The 2010-11 version of the Cavaliers understands the daunting task that lies ahead.

They know it will never be easy. They don’t expect it to be.

Scott4 actually enjoys all the skepticism. It drives him.

“When I was first speaking to the Cleveland organization about this coaching job, I knew LeBron might leave,” Scott says. “I wanted this job. I wanted to be here. This franchise has a lot of history and I wanted to get it back going in the right direction. I have always viewed myself as an underdog. I really like that. Let people have no expectations for us. That’s great. That should give a lot of extra motivation to our players.

“We have to go forward with what we have. And what we have is pretty darn good. We are starting a new era in Cleveland with this group and the fans can expect our players to give it their all every night. I really believe we will win a lot of games. I expect us to be in the playoff hunt. I think our players will tell you that they expect it, too. No one here is negative.

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Enough time has passed since the “decision” was made. Fans still haven’t come to terms with what transpired.

Bar owners are instead excited about the direction of the NFL Browns. At some point in the distant future, LeBron James1 will probably come back to Cleveland and he might even be praised.

But not now. Not yet. Not for a long while.

There is simply too much venom still left from James’ choice to leave the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.

Take his return to Cleveland on December 2. Forget the buzz from six years ago about whether or not Kobe and Shaq would shake hands prior to their first appearance as opponents; everyone waited with bated breath on whether or not LeBron would do his trademark pregame chalk toss that he once blessed the hometown crowd with. The game itself was more an afterthought as the emotional rallying of a city was not enough to overcome the obvious talent that James provides an already stacked Miami deck.

The #6 jersey doesn’t look quite right along with the Heat logo. It never will to die-hard Cavaliers fans, who always believed a parade would be looming with James leading the way. Maybe even multiple championships. A Hall of Fame enshrinement in wine and gold. A #23 retirement ceremony. Any mistakes by the lake would be erased by the “Chosen One.” But in an instant on ESPN, James made the announcement that took pressure off the former most reviled man in Cleveland, Art Modell.2 The King was leaving his throne and preparing to join Chris Bosh as king’s men to Dwyane Wade in Miami.

How could James depart a team that won 66 and 61 games respectively the past two seasons and saw a Finals appearance as recently as 2007? How could he abandon his hometown team? How could he even think of making a change?

Lots of questions and not many answers.

“You know what, I had the same reaction,” Cavaliers guard Mo Williams says. “I was upset, frustrated and didn’t really understand. It didn’t make sense to me because we had a group here that was as good as anyone in the League. I thought we could win several titles. And it would have been awesome. As a close friend, ultimately, I just had to understand his decision. I’ll never truly get it, but what can you do?

“I love the Cavaliers and everything that this organization stands for. I was so excited for the season with our whole team coming back. But then, it’s like, ‘boom,’ and you don’t have the leader. I was really hurt for a while and just needed time alone. Even though I don’t think I’ll ever get it, I had to come back energized for my teammates because this group of Cavaliers is committed to winning.”

Even with some growing pains, the Cavaliers are determined to move forward.

“We have a lot of talent here,” guard Daniel Gibson says. “We have shooters, rebounders and guys who can do multiple things. It’s going to take complete efforts every night from HOOP

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We’re all positive.”

Still, this is Cleveland, where these feelings can linger. Just look at the history of the Browns and what took place with Modell.

James wasn’t just a basketball superstar. He was so much more than that. Try a marketing icon. Try a global sensation. Try the pride of the city who hailed from the backyard town of Akron.

In Cleveland, business owners, vendors and sports bars all capitalized on James. The team was winning and so were they. Those #23 jerseys were everywhere. You saw kids, adults, even grandmothers donning those jerseys. The giant downtown Nike billboard that hung across the street from the Quicken Loans Arena became a tourist destination.

When James went away, so did the jerseys. They’re hard to find now, though a small sampling of Heat #6 James jerseys do pop up around the city. It’s not common. And definitely ill-advised.

Those vendors don’t get the same cash now as they did before. It’s a fact of life, but that doesn’t take away the hurt feelings.

“I was crushed,” says Joe Middletown of Cleveland, who sold thousands of Cavaliers T-shirts across the street from the Q. “Now, I’ll be lucky to sell one or two hundred. We’re all

proud of these current Cavaliers. They embody Cleveland. It was a stab in the back when LeBron left. I really thought, in the end, he would never leave. Never say never.”

At Lancers restaurant in Cleveland, business used to boom during the LeBron era.

“Now, it’s busy for Browns football,” says restaurant manager George Dixon, Jr. “The Cavs game is always on, but it’s not the same buzz. The fans still resent what happened. I don’t know if they’ll ever forgive him. If the Cavaliers can somehow win a championship someday, it might even mean more because of the challenge that it took. I know the fans will love it. You can bet there will be words for LeBron on that very day, too.”

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s anger toward LeBron has been well-documented since the summer.

In a letter to Cleveland fans posted on the team website, Gilbert wrote, “You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal...I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE. You can take it to the bank.”

Season tickets barely declined in the aftermath of LeBron’s decision. Home games at the Q are certainly different than they have been, but the passion of the fan base is still evident. Instead of centering around a single figure to wow and win games, the vibe is more about rallying together to show the world that Cleveland can continue even with a void as large as the one left by James’ exit.

“I teared up when I saw the reaction from our fans,” Williams5 says. “It was pretty surreal.

They cheered for us and never stopped. They had our back. People think because we’re making millions of dollars that we don’t have feelings. Yes, this is a business. We’re all human. To see our fans be that much behind us was unbelievable. We so badly want to win for them. We want to give them a product to be proud of every night.

“It takes a team effort in this league and that’s what we have here. We are determined to do right by them. They deserve it. For us, I think we all agree this is going to be a special season because of the changes that went down. I’ve gotten the chance to talk to a lot of our season-ticket holders, and they have said, ‘Thank you for staying.’

“Can you imagine that? They made me feel so good. We all appreciate it. And we will do all we can to win as many games as possible for them. They’re supporting us and we definitely have their backs.”

Moral victories aside, do the Cavaliers have what it takes to win games and maintain the run they had during the LeBron era?

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Taking More Than His Talents to South Beach When LeBron made the move to Miami, he packed more than his Nikes. Upon his arrival, the city and NBA franchise of Miami was given a boost. Like his jersey number, here are six things by the numbers. $500 million - $1 billion—The estimate of the economic impact that James’ move to Miami will mean to the city and the Heat franchise.

250—According to FanSnap, a live event ticket search engine, the percentage of value increases in Heat season tickets upon James’ arrival. Heat season tickets were worth about an average of $3,238.61 before Decision and jumped to $8,249.99 following his announcement.

0—The number of Maimi Heat season tickets left for sale immediately following LeBron’s decision to join the Heat.

1—The number of spa treatments named after LeBron. The “LeBroyal Treatment” (offered at the Seven Seas Aveda Spa & Salon at the Newport Beachside Hotel) consists of six items (an homage to James’ jersey number): massage, manicure, personal training session, jet-ski rental, gift package and a six-pack of beer. $2,500—The cost of a the “Heat Suite” at The Gansevoort Hotel in Miami Beach, which includes a Ferrari F40 rental, private cabana access, a selection of LeBron’s fave snacks and an iPod loaded with his favorite music.

3—The ingredients in the LeBron Burger served up at OneBurger in Coral Cables: Kobe beef patty, an onion ring (to represent a championship ring) and jalapeños (to symbolize the Heat).

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Jersey Nets.

The Cavaliers will win games. Especially playing in the weaker Eastern Conference.

Truthfully, it doesn’t really matter how many victories they can accumulate this season.

As long as they’re competitive and the players improve, it’s a step in the right direction.

The hardest part is getting that top-notch draft pick. When you win 30-plus games, you may not get the can’t-miss franchise pick that you need: A Shaquille O’Neal. A Tim Duncan.

Or a LeBron James.

That’s OK. The Cavs are certainly not wallowing in a woe-is-me state.

“I expect us to play our rear ends off every single night,” Williams says. “We are all competitors here. We all have tasted winning and what that feels like. We don’t want to lose that feeling. We are coming into every game—and I mean every game—with incredible passion and desire to win. The intensity is there. We don’t need to be pumped up. We are already feeling that way.”

Is that because they believe that James quit on them?

“Not at all,” Williams says. “He did what he did. That’s over and done with. It’s not something we can ever change. I think all of us were surprised and maybe caught off guard. It is what it is. We have a new team and this is a brand new era for Cleveland Cavaliers basketball. We are darn proud of who we are and what we stand for. We’re moving forward.”

The rest of the league isn’t feeling sorry for the Cavaliers. Quite the contrary.

The Cavaliers don’t expect teams to relax their game with LeBron gone.

“In this league, guys get hurt, guys move on,” Varejao says. “You have to play through it all. It’s not every day you lose a franchise player like LeBron. But it happened. It won’t be reversed. We’re the new Cavs. We can’t rely on him to carry us.8 We have to carry ourselves.

This is who we are.”

And the fans are fully behind them.

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They’re certainly younger.

Twelve-year veteran Antawn Jamison is the elder statesman. Williams and Anthony Parker are next.

Anderson Varejao is still wreaking havoc in the middle. Forwards J.J. Hickson, Jamario Moon and center Ryan Hollins are clearly improving. Rookie6 forward Samardo Samuels has a chance to be terrific.

Another draft choice, maybe a free agent or two combined with the current group and the Cavaliers could be well on their way.

Right?

“In the NBA, you’re one mistake or one setback away from going backwards,” says TNT analyst and former NBA great Charles Barkley. “Losing LeBron won’t be easy. Personally, I didn’t agree with it because I always wanted to be the main guy to win. I can’t understand why he would leave. I had the competitive fire to try and win it by myself. I can’t speak for LeBron. It was his choice.

“There are a lot of good, young players left on the Cavs. Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson are very talented and they’ll have to step up their level of play every night. They can’t afford an off night and expect LeBron to carry them because LeBron won’t be there. Varejao is tough in the middle and you have Jamison and a terrific young player like Hickson. The fans need to be patient. There will be ups and downs. They may lose by 25 one night and win a tough game the next time out. It will be tough every night.”

One thing about these Cleveland fans, though: They’re nothing if not resilient.

They’ve been kicked around for so many years between the Browns, Indians and Cavaliers7 that a tough shell is inevitable. All three franchises have had chances to win a championship in the last 25 years, only to experience agony.

When things go sour—and they have so many times—they learn to deal with it.

“We have a saying around here—it’s Cleveland,” says John Sporadica, who owns a sports bar about 30 miles from the city limits. “We get over bad stuff pretty quickly. We have to.

I don’t know. Maybe we’re used to it. Sounds awful, I know. But it’s a fact. We have learned to cope. We’ll come back from this. Maybe not right away. We have a solid owner, a great arena. Cleveland isn’t the Cleveland it used to be where nobody wanted to play for the Cavs.

It’s different now. I’m going to stay positive like I always have and ride through the tough times. The good times will be so much better down the line.”

But before anyone pens their obituary this season, these Cavs aren’t the ’09-10 New HOOP

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Time may heal things, but for now, the wounds are still too fresh and too deeply etched in the back of their minds.

“I’m a die-hard Cavs fan,” says Jimmy Smithson, who has attended at least 20 Cavaliers games per season for the past 25 years. “I would go to every game except for the fact that my job has me traveling a good bit. When they’re on the road, I would go to the Fox and Hound in Mayfield Heights. The bar would be packed every night during the LeBron era.

We all braced ourselves for what could happen. I guess we all just hoped he would change his mind. He didn’t, obviously. I will still go to the games. These players give it all they have. They make me proud to be a ticket holder. I will never stop being a Cavs fan. I will root for the Heat to lose as much as possible. I know it’s a business. But we’re talking about LeBron. He is Cleveland. At least we thought he was. I guess not. We go forward. Go Cavs!”

A basic theme has emerged since July. James is not liked or respected for the most part in Cleveland as well as other cities. Those vendors and business owners won’t have James to push their sales. Sports bars aren’t buzzing like they once did. This isn’t earth-shattering news on any front. It’s just reality.

But it likely will always be a bitter reality because of what could have transpired.

“I think the ESPN special was wrong as well as his decision to leave for Miami,” Barkley reiterates. “I would not have done it. Michael Jordan wouldn’t have done it. Magic Johnson wouldn’t have done it. Larry Bird wouldn’t have done it. We were all just trying to lead our team. We wouldn’t have chosen to join with other free agents to team up. LeBron did it differently. It’s his life. He knew what he was doing and what the backlash would be in Cleveland. If LeBron doesn’t win multiple championships in Miami, he’ll be viewed as a failure. Imagine if the Cavs do win one first. Wow. I don’t think it will happen. Think about it.

That would be something, man.”

The Mistake by the Lake? Only time will tell whose mistake it was.

BONUS POINTS 1. In August, James took out a full-page ad in his hometown newspaper—the Akron Beacon Journal—but he didn’t mention the city of Cleveland, where he played for seven seasons with the Cavaliers in his thank-you sendoff.

2. Then-owner of the Cleveland Browns, Modell relocated the franchise to Baltimore in 1996, where they became the Ravens. Cleveland would subsequently see a return of its NFL team in ’99.

3. James averaged a career-best 31.4 points per game in ’05-06, his third season in the League.

4. Scott was the 2007-08 Coach of the Year after leading the New Orleans Hornets to 56 wins.

5. Williams was a unanimous selection for SEC Freshman of the Year in 2001-02 at the University of Alabama, and he was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team by the league’s coaches.

6. LeBron is now teammates with four other guys who made their rookie debuts in the ’03-04 season: Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, James Jones and Dwyane Wade.

7. The first game in Cavaliers history took place on 10/14/70.

8. In James’ rookie season, the Cavaliers missed the playoffs by just one game. The following season, despite a 42-40 record, they missed out on the playoffs on a tiebreaker. In James’ last five seasons with the Cavs, they made the playoffs every year and averaged 54 wins.

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facebrook The Nets’ social network is growing rapidly, thanks to brook Lopez

by Darryl Howerton #21

Brook Lopez is not your typical basketball star. He’s not your typical comic-book nerd either.

Shoot, he’s even not your typical Stanford brainiac.

Even though he is a twin, he is a one-of-a-kind prototype.

If you were to play the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game with Brook Lopez, you would be able to connect the eclectic center to NBA superstars, comic-book superheroes, real-life world leaders, international rap stars and Disney World characters. And you’d be able to do so in two moves or less.

His is a small world after all.

Best way to describe Brook Lopez: He has become Facebrook—a social network unto himself, connecting with all around him on their level.

It’s what he subconsciously aspires to be. Ask the New Jersey Net what he would be like if he were an actual superhero, and he says his alter ego would be a much more fun guy to hang out with than the reallife Brook Lopez.

“Superhero Brook would be more popular than me,” surmises the 7-0, 265-pounder. “Probably does more stuff than I do. The Brook Lopez in real life is very mild-mannered. Not out-and-about. You might confuse him with a stay-at-home mom.

“I don’t know if he would have any powers, other than being much more social than I am and vastly popular.”

That’s why we call him Facebrook. Not only is he a spin-off of the most popular social tool of this generation, but he also has connections that are just so damn interesting.

His team’s majority owner is a Russian billionaire. Another Nets shareholder is a global hip-hop impresario. His respected coach is also a caricature, spawning dozens and dozens of voice impressionists trying to duplicate his vocal stylings. His twin brother starts at center for the Phoenix Suns. And his new basketball teammates are rewriting history this season, transforming themselves from one of the worst teams in NBA history to one of its most improved squads.

What other 22-year-old has friends as diverse as this? What other NBA star pays weekly visits to Batman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow1 (at comic shops across the country) while also paying homage to Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney (at Disney World and Disneyland whenever he’s in town).

That is why The Facebrook had to be created for Brook Lopez—to show the world this self-described homebody has indeed created a unique network of friends that is reminiscent of Facebook itself.

The parallels are endless and obvious.

Heck, if the Winklevoss Twins—that other well-known world-class athlete crew of two—helped Facebook get started years ago at Harvard, why couldn’t Brook and his fellow world-class athlete twin Robin have done the same at Stanford?

“I’m 7-foot, 265 and there are two of me,” I could hear him saying. Of course they could’ve gotten it done.

After all, Palo Alto—Brook’s previous residence in California—is the hub of creativity this 21st century.

It’s where famous Harvard dropout and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg moved to after he left college his sophomore year, living near our protagonist, Brook, who moved there in summer 2006 to play basketball at Stanford.2 See where I’m going with this?

“Not really because I haven’t seen The Social Network movie yet,” says Lopez. “But I do have a Facebook, if that’s any consolation.”

Facebrook, Brook...remember, this is your social networking story.

Okay. So anyway, our journey begins—just like The Social Network guy—with Lopez dropping out of a prestigious university after his sophomore year to follow his heart and life calling, which would later make him millions along the way.

The fresh-eyed Lopez, no longer a teenager, makes the grown-up move to the Meadowlands in summer 2008 to play professional basketball in New Jersey. He joins Nets newbie Devin Harris, where they play alongside longtime NBA star Vince Carter.

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The team is in flux, however, loses more than it wins and starts burning assets following a 34-win season, later trading Carter to Orlando in summer 2009.3 It is here that our tale turns dark. In ’09-10, the Nets only win 12 games, teetering precariously close to a line that nearly makes them the NBA’s worst team ever. It is a unit so bad it makes Washington Generals look like Harlem Globetrotters.

But Lopez goes through that fire, hard as iron. Harris goes through that fire, unbending like steel. And when the flames finally smolder, the Nets center and point guard are the only survivors from a squad first assembled in Summer 2008. Last Nets standing, if you will.4 It is spring 2010. What to do now?

By design, the two remaining Nets become the cornerstones of the team. And this christening also serves as a reward, for they have earned co-captain status. The captains report to new ownership—a new management group that has since taken over.

Nets’ shareholder Shawn Carter, the hip-hop mogul and global icon Jay-Z who became a team part owner in 2004, welcomes Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov as the majority owner.

The flamboyant foreign visionary tells the world he plans on transforming the Nets into NBA champions within five years. And Prokhorov is serious about doing so.

The man who dines with world leaders charms the entire NBA and its massive following immediately. The Nets’ marketing department unveils a billboard on enemy turf, a block from Madison Square Garden with Jay-Z and Prokhorov’s giant faces adorning a bold message: “The Blueprint For Greatness.” The movement is coined The Prokhorov Effect by HOOP

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The Wonder Twins

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The Lopez twins’ desire to create their own comicbook series is well documented. Like in basketball, the two have spent years honing their craft and networking in their field so that this dream, too, could also become reality. If things go according to plan, their longtime dream could come to fruititon in a comic shop near you in the very near future.

Brother Robin, when not starting at center for the Phoenix Suns, lends his artistry talents to Brook’s writing creations, and the wonder twins, in turn, write some of the tallest tales two 7-footers could ever conceive.

What they are specifically, Brook won’t say.

“I mean, you saw The Social Network. You know how people steal ideas, right?”

So as the Lopi keep things under wraps, Brook does reveal that one (or more) of these side endeavors will be green-lit in the next year or two.

“I’ve been in the DC offices multiple times,” says Lopez, “talking about our projects, pitching our own ideas of stuff we’ve created, pitching ideas for original characters of theirs such as Batman and stuff like that. We’ve also talked to a few other outlets, TV outlets in general, about various television series, screenplay/feature films, books and stuff like that as well.

“I’m pretty confident something is going to happen. It takes awhile to get projects off the ground, but I think we’re right on the cusp of something happening.”—#21

leading Nets blog Nets Daily.

Prokhorov further details on pushing forward the team’s plans to move to Brooklyn, building a state-of-theart home in Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards for the 2012-13 season. And he confirms the team’s plan to play in Newark’s Prudential Center in the two-year interim.

Prokhorov then spends big bucks to hire Avery Johnson, the inspirational leader known as Little General who captained a Spurs team to the 1999 NBA championship on the floor and also won 2006 NBA Coach of the Year award while on the Mavs sideline.

Prokhorov. Jay-Z. Little General. In one fell swoop the Nets franchise is headed by a man who has made billions, a man who made classics and a man who made winners.

Lopez is entering his third NBA season and it is this type of mentorship that a developing mind like his needs in order to prosper.

It is something Harris, who is 27 now, knows all too well, remembering his time as a 23-year-old Dallas Mavericks point guard when he—thanks to Johnson’s coaching—helped lead his team to the 2006 Finals. It is because of this memory that he led a loud campaign for Little General to become new Nets boss.

Prokhorov’s front office then signs role players Travis Outlaw, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Farmar to $15 million annually over three seasons to surround Lopez. Management makes another $15-$20 million of cap room available to potentially land a star player for next season.

And most importantly, the Nets use their No. 3 spot in the 2010 NBA Draft to select another future stud, HOOP

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BONUS POINTS 1. Lopez told HOOP two years ago that Batman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow were his favorites.

2. Brook, along with his twin Robin, was a 2006 McDonald’s All-American at Fresno’s San Joaquin Memorial High School. He repeated the All-American act in college at Stanford, where he was a third-team All-American in 2008.

3. Lopez earned All-Rookie honors in 2008-09, while averaging 13.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks in 30.5 minutes per game. His Player Efficiency Rating was 17.94, which ranked ninth among centers in value added.

4. Brook finished his second season in 2009-10 averaging 18.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 36.9 mpg. His PER was 20.11, which ranked fourth among centers in value added.

5. Through 12/8/10, Favors was averaging 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.9 mpg. His PER was 13.49 while ranking sixth among all 2010-11 rookies in value added. At the same age (19) in ’04-05, Dwight Howard posted one of the best teenager seasons ever, averaging 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in 32.6 mpg, with a PER of 17.27.

6. Michael Jordan first coined the phrase The Breakfast Club with the ’90s Bulls championship teams, when he convinced Scottie Pippen and Ron Harper to join him at his house for an early-morning workout with his personal trainer Tim Grover. The three then would be fed breakfast by Jordan’s personal chef, before heading over to team practice at the nearby Berto Center.

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Derrick Favors. The supremely athletic 19-year-old impressively measures in at 6-10, 245 pounds, 6.4 percent body fat with a 7-4 wingspan—very similar framework to another Superman at that age, Dwight Howard.5 The fiscally-responsible Nets are now indeed renewed and improved, which is amazing given that the average age of their main 10 minutemen is 23.8 years old, with Harris being the oldest one of the bunch.

“I think we have more of a—it’s a very cliché and corny thing to say—but we now have a never-say-die attitude,” says Lopez. “There have already been a few games, both preseason and regular season, where we could have folded. Games that got a bit away from us toward the end, but we just didn’t give up. We fought back into it.”

In 2010-11, they’re on pace to double—or perhaps even triple—their win output from a year ago. Attendance is naturally up. And the young Nets truly believe greatness awaits them.

Johnson tells Lopez and Favors they remind him of Spurs greats Tim Duncan and David Robinson, two of his former teammates on that 1999 NBA championship team. Because of that, Coach puts his young bigs through additional earlymorning workouts, separate from the rest of the team. He calls the regular ritual The Breakfast Club, which creates yet another social network for Nets teammates to follow Lopez’s lead.6 If Nets practice is at 9:45 a.m., Lopez shows up at 9 for The Breakfast Club with Johnson. They’ll hit the weights with a trainer, while Coach hits the treadmill. It’s the perfect way for the team’s captain to set the example, especially when the team is full of impressionable youngsters. Other teammates also may come in for extra work. Then they’ll all hit the floor for some on-court action before everyone else arrives for practice.

“Brook helps me a lot in The Breakfast Club,” says Favors. “He’s been lifting weights early in the morning with me. We’re putting in a lot of hard work in the weight room. And with the extra practice, I’ve gotten stronger and more confident.

“It’s helped a lot—getting up shots, working on little things like post moves. It helps with the adjustment to the NBA.” Lopez adds, “Our coach Avery was very lucky enough to play with both Tim and David. He’s had us do similar workouts that they did, in helping us improve. You know, that’s a duo that we’d really like to emulate. Any comparison toward them is obviously a huge compliment.”

It’s the perfect imagery for Lopez—raising the level of his teammates’ play the Spurs’ way. He’s always admired Duncan’s game from afar, so to have the Little General as a conduit to the The Big Fundamental’s game is invaluable.

It’s a Facebrook connection Lopez feels privileged to have.

“Duncan has always been an idol of mine,” he says. “He’s someone whose game and demeanor I try to emulate. Some say he’s a boring player, boring to watch. But if you really have a true appreciation for the game like I’ve grown to have, playing the game all my life, you see how deadly a player he is, and how precise he is. He’s just tough to stop. His game’s very slow, but very precise as well. That’s what I want to be one day.”

“I’m a more traditional big man—playing back to the basket. I can play from both elbows to the top of the key. Him being a 4, myself being a 5, we have different skill sets that complement each other very well.”

Lopez is now a top 10 center, and at age 22, an emerging leader. He has good inside game, draws fouls, doesn’t turn it over, blocks shots, plays heavy minutes and has never missed an NBA game.

As he grows into his leadership role, becomes a better outside shooter and a more versatile team defender, the center’s status in this league will only rise.

It’s inevitable he’ll become one of the league’s smarter players, a la Duncan. He’s got too much going on upstairs for that not to happen.

That’s why the Little General likes to push Lopez harder than anyone else.

When the Nets center lost a key free throw rebound and missed an easy layup in the closing seconds of two close roadtrip losses at Sacramento and Denver in late November, the general chewed out his captain.

Lopez showed how he responds to such criticism the next game when he blasted the Atlanta Hawks for a season-high 32 points and 9 rebounds to lead a 107-101 overtime victory.

“They’ve been challenged behind the scenes,” Johnson told the assembled press of his co-captains after that win in Atlanta. “Two guys that we rely heavily upon came through. Now what I’m showing Brook and Devin is if they can consistently have that aggression and that attacking attitude, it makes us a better ball club. They don’t have many nights with this team where they can take off.”

That’s the mindset Lopez needs to have—be a leader at all times.

It fits the credo of his character. After all, he is a comic-book hero at heart, with his superhero fascination well documented in NBA circles.

He also is such a Disney fan that he has to go to Disney World practically every time New Jersey plays at Orlando during the season. Ask him anything about Disney—Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Captain EO —and be prepared to be astounded.

Let’s put it this way: Brook is such a fanatic, minutes after viewing Disney’s animated film Tangled, he wrote on his Facebook page: Yay Tangled! Gotta love Mandy ☺ He’s talking about Mandy Moore, the voice of the movie’s protagonist, but the same could be said of Lopez, his potential All-Star status and the rise of the Nets as a playoff team.

It’s all inter-related, just like a social network.

Indeed, indeed. These Brooklyn Brook-Led Nets surely are on the cusp of something happening.

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By Rob Peterson #9

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One might be the loneliest number but not anymore.

With the latest wave in the NBA being point guards the League is seeing an abundance of quality at the position.

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long enough after a regular-season game to give a player from the next generation heartfelt, if profane, words of encouragement.

“It was huge,” Rose says of the moment. “Kobe’s somebody I look up to. He has that killer mentality of going out there and playing hard every single game.”

If he wanted to, Bryant doesn’t need to look far to see other new-school point guards who match the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year’s level of skill and share that old-school desire to win. As a matter of fact, in last year’s first round playoffs series between the Lakers and Oklahoma City, Bryant paid a similar compliment—albeit with actions, not words—to Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook2 by requesting to guard him throughout the pivotal Game 6 of the series.

That night, the Lakers would notch a 96-95 win to advance to the second round, and they would eventually go on to win a second straight title. But Kobe found out firsthand what all point guards in the NBA have since learned.

“There’s not a night off,” Houston guard Aaron Brooks says. “Every team has a great point. You have to bring your A-game every night.”

At no other time in league history has the NBA been blessed with such

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hey had just fought fiercely for 48 minutes and it appeared the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t wait to get off their home floor and away from the Chicago Bulls, who had just given the defending NBA champs all they could handle.

After the final buzzer at Staples Center, the teams were rushing in opposite directions to their locker rooms when Kobe Bryant stopped, spun and sought out Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. The veteran approached the third-year phenom and embraced him with a bro hug—half-handshake, half hug—and draped his left hand across the shoulders and the back of the familiar Bulls red and black as an official would hang a medal.

In a way, Bryant was commending Rose for his impeccable performance on November 23. Bryant and the Lakers had won the war, 98-91, but Rose played as if he was a one-man wrecking crew and scored many personal victories throughout the battle.1 While the final score might have indicated he wasn’t ready to pass the torch, Bryant was ready to pass along advice and adulation.

“Keep it goin’, baby,” Bryant said. “You’re a bad ...”

The rest may be best left to lip readers, but it speaks volumes then that one of the game’s most cold-blooded competitors would pause HOOP

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an abundance of good young point guards. Once upon a time, skilled back-to-the-basket big men who roamed the paint at either end of the floor dominated the NBA. Those days are largely gone; you can count the number of franchise centers on one hand. Today, point guards are players who hold their franchises—and by association, the Association—in their very talented hands.

So how gifted is this elite eight of young PGs: Brooks, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings, Rajon Rondo, Rose, John Wall and Westbrook? Let us count the ways.

The last two Rookie of the Year award winners—Rose and Sacramento’s Evans3—play point guard; in fact the top three vote getters in last year’s ROY voting (Evans, Golden State’s Curry and Milwaukee’s Jennings) man the position. Two of the last three No. 1 overall picks—Rose in ’08 and John Wall in 2010—and five of the top 10 picks in 2009, including Milwaukee’s Jennings, are point guards. And Rose and Boston’s Rondo are legitimate Most Valuable Player candidates this season.

Boston coach Doc Rivers, who played point guard for four teams in 13 NBA seasons,4 welcomes the influx of talent at the position.

“Seven years ago, we were in a deficit, we had none,” Rivers says. “When

I played, it was the era of the center. We had Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and all those guys. We even had Shaquille O’Neal at the end. And the 2s and the 3s have always been solid in our league.

“But we’ve gone back to the point-guard era. We needed to go back there. It was a point of interest for a lot of coaches.”

It was easy to see why coaches were worried about the lack of qualified floor generals. In the late ’90s and early ’00s, the game had grown ugly, a nightly grind filled with one-on-one isolation plays, a lack of ball movement and poor shots launched with the shot clock ticking close to zero.

That aesthetically unpleasant game is largely gone from today’s NBA. Fans have not only the plethora of talented players to thank for this, but also two significant rules changes made in the last 31 years.

When the NBA introduced the three-point line in 1979, many basketball traditionalists saw it as a gimmick, a fad from the recently folded ABA. But it wasn’t. It was democracy in action. For decades, bigger had always been better. But the three-point line was an equalizer, giving the guards a fighting chance and rewarding success with an extra point.

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Like the great guards before them—Oscar Robertson, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, John Stockton, and the stilltrucking-along Kidd and Steve Nash—today’s young point guards can do everything well, especially putting the ball in the hole.

Scoring doesn’t seem to be a problem for this crop, and they won’t hesitate to go viral by going vertical. YouTube has seven clips with more than a combined quarter-million views of Rose’s vicious two-handed flush over the Suns’ Goran Dragic in January of 2010. Westbrook’s one-handed dunk over the Rockets’ Shane Battier in November of 2010 was an instant Twitter sensation.

Playing the position, however, requires more than just social media superficiality. This generation has substance that goes deeper than 140 characters. If you need a starting point for when this group announced that it had arrived, you look to the 2009 first round series between the then defending NBA champion Celtics and the upstart Chicago Bulls.

The teams battled throughout an epic seven game series that featured seven overtimes and numerous memorable moments. Yet, the standout performances belonged to Rose, then all of 20, and Rondo, 22.

In Game 1, Rose tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most points in a playoffs debut with 36,7 as the Bulls stole one from the Celtics in overtime.

The rest of the series, however, belonged to Rondo; who averaged 19.4 points, 11.5 assists and 9.3 rebounds. His brilliance throughout carried

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stretch defenses, open passing and driving lanes and how it could be a psychological lift for the offense and demoralizing for the defense.

Yet, the traditional floor general—the “pure” point guard who initiated the offense by passing the ball and moving away, scoring when needed and playing rugged on-the-ball defense—still keyed most NBA offenses.

And point guards pretty much continued to play that way until another seismic rule change in 2005 outlawed hand-checking. Gone were the days when one player could sink a hand into an opponent like a meat hook and drag him around the court or tenderize a dribbler’s kidneys with a forearm.

Now guards, armed with the ability to fire away from three-point range, could also move freely without being manipulated like a marionette. The floor—and the floodgates—had opened. Best of luck defending them, says Mavericks guard Jason Kidd,5 who has played in both the hand-checking and non-hand-checking eras.

“The offensive player definitely has the advantage because there is no hand-checking or no bumping once the player has the ball,” Kidd says. “The biggest thing is now you’ve got so many guys that are athletic, if you give them that advantage, nine out of 10 times they’re gonna score.”

It may be a coincidence that two of the best point guards in the game—New Orleans’ Chris Paul and Utah’s Deron Williams,6 both drafted in 2005—thrived in this environment, but it’s not hard to see why they have been successful.

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The Best Point Guard is Chris Paul…

Even at a time when quality point guards are in abundance, Chris Paul remains the best in the game. Deron Williams?

Don’t get me wrong, Williams is stellar and in a class of his own, just a rung below Paul. Some may gauge it based on Williams’ commanding edge in their one-one-one matchups in every way, most importantly in wins (15-4, entering ’10-11), but a few games a season a career doesn’t make.

Statistically, Paul is superior, but to judge the two based on numbers would be unfair as their teams play at different paces and systems. So forget that Paul sports a better career shooting percentage (including three-pointers and free throws), assists per game, points per game, turnovers per game, steals per game—all key numbers when evaluating PGs (OK, so I lied about ignoring numbers).

Paul can control an entire game when he is on the floor. His ability to get to any spot on the floor means a defense has to send extra help, freeing up teammates.

That formula has made David West an All-Star, gotten Tyson Chandler noticed

by Team USA and kept the Hornets competing in the West despite some very weak supporting casts. Single-cover or sag off him and Paul will be practicing layups and runners all night. On the defensive end, Paul can single-handedly disrupt an offense with his harassment of the point guard—he’s League’s preeminent ball thief. It’s this ability to impact nine players on the court (throw in the opposing team’s head coach) while wowing the fans that makes him the complete PG package.—Ming Wong #2

the Celtics to the next round and more than made up for the absence of Kevin Garnett, who would eventually miss the playoffs because of an injured right knee.

“Rajon Rondo makes great decisions from an offensive standpoint,” says Ernie Grunfeld, president of the Washington Wizards. “And he’s destructive from a defensive standpoint.

Rondo’s calling card has always been the ability to harass opposing points with his long arms and speed. His outside shooting has improved gradually since he entered the League, but he’s still no Ray Allen. Despite the lack of range, Rondo has still found a way to be effective on offense by locating teammates for buckets. In fact, he’s on pace to be the first player in 19 seasons (John Stockton, 17.7 in ’91-92) to top 13 assists per game and he’d also be the second player to average more dimes than points (the first is Johnny Moore who paced the League with 9.6 assists while averaging 9.4 points). Rondo’s familiarity with the Boston offense has helped, but he’s always possessed confidence and a competitive streak.

“That’s what you’re seeing from today’s point guards; they’re terrific competitors. The harder they compete, the harder their team competes.”

Grunfeld, meanwhile, thinks the Wizards have found a player

similar to Rondo in Wall, this season’s No. 1 overall pick.

“He’s very coachable, he’s very competitive,” Grunfeld says.

“He has great size at the position to go with his speed. I don’t know if there are too many players who are faster with the ball in their hands.

“So it’s the intangibles, such as his maturity and his knowledge of game, that are really impressive.”

That “knowledge of the game” adds another layer of depth to these physically gifted players, making each player in the group a triple-double waiting to happen. Jennings nearly notched one in his first NBA game. Wall recorded a triple-double in just his sixth. 8 While they make it look simple, success hasn’t come easily.

Every one of them gravitated to the position for different reasons and has earned his stripes in different ways.

Before working his way into the Rockets’ starting lineup, Brooks was one of five point guards on the Houston roster. Many wondered if Curry, who wasn’t recruited by many Division I schools before putting up big numbers at Davidson College, had the chops to run an NBA team. Still others wondered if Rose and Evans, who played in John Calipari’s dribble-drive offense at the University of Memphis, could handle the complex NBA sets. Rose has clearly proven to belong at the 1, while the jury is still out on Evans being a HOOP

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Ranking the League’s Starting 1s

2. Deron Williams You can certainly make a point for D-Will at No. 1 and still be right. His durability, patience and understanding of Jerry Sloan’s system makes him look almost perfect every night. For those who gripe at Williams’ lack of pizazz, it must be noted that he might perhaps own the League’s most lethal crossover that has left in its wake many defenders clutching their ankles.

3. rajon ronDo Five seasons ago, Rondo wouldn’t have cracked the top 20 and now his name is tossed around in best-PG discussions.

His defensive ability alone puts him in the top 10. But now that he’s mastered the orchestration of the Celtics’ offense, he’s passed the other contenders and is only a jumper away from possible No. 1 status.

4. russell Westbrook Putting Westbrook ahead of Derrick Rose was tough (Rose is going through a breakthrough year himself), but we went “Why Not?” Westbrook is a better defender, and if he develops a threeball, he would move up another level. Of anyone on this list, Westbrook is the best tripledouble threat. In a few seasons, Westbrook and Rose might be jostling for the top spot.

5. DerriCk rose His defense, while better this season, still needs some work. Unlike Westbrook, the Bulls need Rose to conserve himself on the offensive end (Westbrook has Kevin Durant to score) so it may or may not be fair. The rest of Rose’s game, save for a three-point shot, is aces. Outside of Paul and perhaps Williams, no one is better at getting penetration.

11. mike Conley After being the first PG taken in the ’07 draft (fourth overall pick), Conley has played the part of a draft disappointment.

In his first three seasons, Conley has had difficulty grasping the demands of the position. This season looks to be a revelation. Much like how he uses his blazing speed and ballhandling skills to turn the corner on a defender, Conley has showed signs of doing the same with his career.

12. anDre miller Virtually ignored for so long in his career, some folks have just “rediscovered” how good and Miller has been over his 12 years running an offensive game plan to perfection. Miller might not be particularly fast (but he’ll get by defenders), possess a textbook jumper (but he’ll consistently make them) or be a staunch defender (he’s amaster at stripping balls), but he’ll rarely make a mistake and always comes through with heady play.

12. stePhen Curry He entered the League known more for his shooting (Stephen’s dad is former NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry), but has proven to be an able PG. While he can still light it up from outside (44-percent from three-point in his first 100 NBA games), Curry has shown flashes of being able to run a team and get others involved.

The fact that defenses have to respect his range means defenses can’t go under on the pick and roll, a huge advantage.

14. jason kiDD If this was based on lifetime achievement, Kidd’s name would be No. 1. The days of being a defensive force and trip-dubs on the regular might be behind him, but Kidd remains an above-average point man thanks to his basketball smarts.

It’s Kidd’s development of a latecareer weapon, the three-point shot, that has helped. Had he discovered this shot earlier in his career, he might have a few MVPs and championship rings to his name.

15. branDon jennings He made headlines last year with his double-nickel game and surprised everyone by leading the Bucks to a stirring seven-game first-round playoff scare of the Hawks.

The natural skills—speed with the ball and first step—are there but he needs to tame his streaky shot and learn to make better decisions. If he can do those two things, we’ll be seeing Mr. Jennings in the top five very soon.

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1. Chris Paul After a year where he missed half a season, Paul is back to reclaim the top status. When he’s on the court, Paul is the rare player who makes those around him better. He’s got everything you want in a traditional point guard along with an often overlooked competitive mean streak that shows itself when the stakes are high.

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6. steve nash Even at 37 in February, Nash is still holding it down for the elder PGs in the L. Written off seven seasons ago by some, Nash has only copped two MVPs since and might go down as the best shooting point ever. No one might be better at the pick and roll as Nash—his triple-threat ability to thread a pass, finish with both hands and wet a J has flummoxed most defenses.

7. tony Parker It’s hard to believe that TP is “only” 28 despite starting as the Spurs’ PG since the start of last decade. Still more a scorer than a true point, Parker is on pace to cop a career high in assists this season. A clever finisher around the basket, his only Achilles heel is the lack of three-point range. Other than Derek Fisher, no other PG can boast of Parker’s three rings.

8. raymonD Felton It’s funny how running point for a Mike D’Antoni team can do wonders for your career. The improvement in numbers were expected (going from Larry Brown to D’Antoni is worth a 50 percent bump on offense) but the newfound confidence and shooting touch has been a nice surprise. Seeing Felton unleashed is reminding folks why he was drafted right after Williams and Paul in ’05.

9. jameer nelson Whether it’s due to his small size, lack of flash or absence of any eye-popping stat, Nelson always seems to be overlooked. What cannot be overlooked is Nelson’s invaluable ability to be another shooter in Orlando’s Dwight Howard-centric offense that makes the team so deadly.

Above all, the Magic just seem to play better when Nelson is on the floor.

10. john Wall Cracking the top 10 as a rook might be premature on our part, but the early returns on Wall—amazing numbers that even Paul or Williams never sniffed when they were bagcarriers—is scary to fathom because he’s doing it on sheer talent alone. Assuming he learns the nuances of the NBA better, he can be in the top five by his sophomore year.

16. Devin harris Harris will probably never be a high assists guy because his best skill is scoring. He has a decent jumper (he just needs to expand his range) and is adept at shedding defenders with his elusiveness. His lithe frame means his defense is predicated on quickness and playing passing lanes. Harris needs to improve on taking care of the rock before he cracks the top half of this list.

17. aaron brooks A 2 trapped in a 1’s body, Brooks is a bit like Allen Iverson—a small scorer who needs a high volume of shots to be effective. He’s plenty fast, but his small frame and lack of court vision means he gets stuck in the paint with no where to go sometimes.

Brooks does have a nice higharcing jumper that makes him a danger when he gets going.

18. jrue holiDay At just 20, Holiday is only a few years removed from getting his driver’s license. That hasn’t stopped the Sixers from handing Holiday the keys to the team. He’s still learning the ropes of the position, but has already shown good judgement with the ball. Like many young PGs, he still needs to work on his jumper to complete his game, but he certainly has time on his side.

19. tyreke evans In the early going this season, it looks as if the Rookie of the Year is afflicted with the sophomore jinx as a nagging foot injury has his numbers slipping a bit. Even though he started the season out as a PG, Evans will likely eventually slide over to the shooting guard spot which better suits his skills. He’ll be a stud, just not as a point guard.

20. jose CalDeron Two seasons ago, Calderon was viewed as an effective playcaller who had a knack for distributing the ball and burying a jumper, especially from three. He still is, albeit at a lesser rate. His defensive deficiencies are seen on a nightly basis as his lack of lateral speed puts him at the mercy of the opposition. If he asserted himself more, the comparisons to Nash might be valid.

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22. roDney stuCkey Like many of today’s points, Stuckey is one who looks to score first and pass second.

Detroit fans were hoping he’d develop beyond the 16-ppg and 5-apg player he’s stagnated at, but it looks like that’s what they’ll be stuck with. In order to unstick himself from the middle pack, Stuckey needs to get his teammates involved more and develop some range on his perimeter game.

23. ChaunCey billuPs Like Parker, Billups is equal parts scorer and distributor.

At 34, he remains effective because of his basketball smarts, a knack for hitting the clutch shot and his ability to use his body to get an advantage on younger and faster opponents. Billups, this year, has seen a noticeable drop in his production. That said, Billups is still an asset as a leader on any team.

24. Darren Collison This was supposed to be the year Collison breaks out as a top-10 PG. After subbing in for Paul admirably last season, Collison was subsequently traded to the Pacers and given the starting job where he was was expected to blossom Instead he has struggled in head coach Jim O’Brien’s offense and found himself watching TJ Ford finish games in the fourth quarter. The potential remains there.

25. mo Williams It might be a common assumption to think Williams’ game took a dip this season because of LeBron’s departure, but his numbers were actually better pre-LBJ. That said, he’s a scoring point who is a streaky player whose game is predicated on his jumper. When it’s not there, the rest of his game goes, too.

26. baron Davis At his best, Davis is a top flight PG who can get to the rim, raise him teammates’ game and excite the fans. At his worst, he will take bad three-point shots (32-percent for his career), play matador defense and commit turnovers. Davis’ older age, mounting injuries and poor conditioning have caught up to one of the former top point guards in the game and likely means his best days are behind him.

27. mike bibby Even at his peak in Sacramento during the start of the century, Bibby wasn’t the type of player that would dominate a game. His strengths lie in steadily guiding the offense and knocking down shots. Now that’s he’s older, Bibby has trouble staying in front of the mercurial PGs that he sees on a nightly basis, making him a liability on defense. But his experience and shot-making in the clutch is still valuable to a contending Hawks team.

28. Derek Fisher D-Fish is beloved in Lakerland for his many heroics— especially during the playoffs— for the purple-and-gold. But as far as being a starting PG, Fisher is a liability. He still possesses basketball smarts (especially in the triangle), heart, and an above-average three-point stroke, but his defense is lacking and he gets to the basket once a week. He’s really around for his clutch play come May and June.

29. jonny Flynn Flynn was in over his head as a starting PG as a rookie and it showed. He had difficulty adopting to head coach Kurt Rambis’ triangle; he struggled with knowing when to pass or shoot and with taking care of the ball. He has an excellent combination of speed and quickness but needs to learn how to harness it, especially on the defensive end. Flynn opened the season on the IR, so this low ranking is more a result of an incomplete grade.

30. Carlos arroyo Playing with LeBron, Wade and Bosh means not needing much from your point guard.

The Heat’s point guard job description just requires someone to take care of the ball and knock down an occasional jumper to keep defenses honest. Good thing, because that is what Arroyo is.

His defense is below par and is really better suited as a backup on a team.

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21. Dj augustin It’s never easy to play the 1 when Larry Brown is the coach, but on the flipside, there’s no better to learn the position under. Augustin took a step back in his sophomore year, but has bounced back this season. The one thing he already has is a solid jumper, but he needs to turn that threat into penetrations to the basket in order to free up his teammates.

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EVERY Y A D S R U TH

Follow us on facebook.com/nbaontnt & twitter.com/nbaontnt TM & Š 2010 Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Š 2010 NBA Properties, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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most important aspect of playing point guard: making the right decisions.

That’s one of the aspects of Curry’s game that impressed Warriors general manager Larry Riley.

“One of the first things that caught my eye was that he was a very good passer,” Riley says. “I could see he could make a short pass or a long pass and he’d try to get the ball to the right guy.

“I remember seeing him do that in a game against Purdue, a good defensive team. They stacked the whole defense against him. He didn’t have a particularly great game, but he made a lot of the right decisions and a lot of good passes.”

The evolution of Curry’s game was evident on November 11 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. It seemed as if the Warriors were getting to the rack at will, not only in transition, but in the flow of the halfcourt offense as well. When presented with options, Curry always seemed to pick the right one. He finished with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a 122-117 Warriors win.

The Golden State guard attributes his finely tuned decision making to being as quick with the remote control as he is with the release of his silky jumper.

“I watch film every day to see the games and what decisions opponents make,” Curry says. “I press pause on the video, see what options I had and learn that. The more I watch film, the more I see things.”

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PG who might eventually shift over to the other guard spot.

Then there’s Rondo. In 2008, critics sniped Boston won the title because of its three future Hall of Famers—and in spite of Rondo, who couldn’t knock down a jumper to save the Celtics’ life. After his brilliant performance in the 2009 postseason, the C’s dangled Rondo as trade bait. Now, Rivers says he doesn’t know where the Celtics would be without him.

“Rondo is clearly very important to our team and our offense,” Rivers says. “He may be more important in a lot of ways because we have so many weapons. He’s the guy who has to keep the pulse on the balance of our offense.”

If this group of point guards has maintained anything from the past, it’s the traditional of being an extension of the head coach on the floor.

“He calls the plays and the execution of our offense,” Rivers says of Rondo. “Like a quarterback, he makes passes to a guy before he’s there. It takes a lot of talent to get to that point. A lot of it is feel and a lot of is trust.”

Building this trust takes time. It helps that six of the point guards play for head coaches who played the position in the NBA and are able to impart their institutional knowledge. And students must be sponges, soaking up the tendencies of their teammates and opponents. They must study game plans and game film. They need to listen, observe and learn to process the complexities, and more important, the subtle nuances that will lead them to the

The best point guard in the NBA needs a new nickname. Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams—D-Will—had the unfortunate timing of coming into the League when first-initial-slash-firstsurname-syllable monikers—think “C-Webb,” “T-Mac” and “J-Rich”—were all the rage. Williams hasn’t been handed a handle as rhythmic as Chris Paul’s “CP3” or blessed with a sobriquet as unique and alliterative as Rajon Rondo’s.

What Williams does have, however, is the most complete point guard game, while proving to be durable, playing at least 76 games during four of his first five years. D-Will’s completeness deserves more than an abbreviated description, don’t you think?

How about “D-Train?” At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Williams possesses a rare combination of size, strength and speed for a PG. Or “Double Dare?” It would not only help educate folks who still mispronounce his name (DARE-on), it would also allude to his averages of 19 ppg and 10.6 apg—a double-double— over the last three seasons.

Then again, “D-Will” seems to fit his low-key persona. The Jazz have been dishing up a steady diet of pick-and-roll basketball for more than two decades.

It’s a testament to Williams that Utah’s offense—which looks simple, but requires a high basketball IQ and exquisite sense of timing—hasn’t missed a beat since he arrived two seasons after the great John Stockton retired.

On second thought, “D-Will” is fine. But if you find that too boring, you can just call him what he is: the best.—#9

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Sure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a tire.

Like the Golden Gate is just a bridge.

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Or is it Rajon Rondo?

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And don’t forget the bevy of scoring PGs who are equally deadly setting the table and clearing it: Guys like Devin Harris, Rodney Stuckey and Mo Williams might not be high dime droppers, but they supply their team’s offense.

If putting franchises on their shoulders has been a burden, this generation of point guards hasn’t shown it. On the contrary, they have borne it well, not only in the NBA, but on the international stage, too. Westbrook, Rose and Curry helped Team USA win gold at the 2010 World Championship in Turkey. For Westbrook, playing for the men’s national team was just another laboratory in which he could develop the chemistry necessary to build a winner.

“It was great to be with those guys,” Westbrook says of the World Championship experience. “It’s a more physical game, it was a different game, but it definitely helped me with confidence.”

Considering this class of talented and tenacious floor generals already brims with confidence, it appears that the position is in good hands for a long time to come.

BONUS POINTS 1. Rose had 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds in a 98-91 loss.

2. Westbrook had averaged 20.4 points, 5.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds in the first five games of the series.

3. Sacramento GM Geoff Petrie won Rookie of the Year as a guard with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1970.

4. Rivers averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 assists for his career.

5. Kidd shared the Rookie of the Year award in 1994 with Grant Hill.

6. Deron Williams finished ninth in MVP voting in 2010 while Paul finished second to Bryant in 2008.

7. Kareem made 10 field goals and was 10-of-13 from the free-throw line in a 125-118 win over the Sixers in 1970.

8. Wall had 19 points, 13 dimes and 10 boards against the Rockets on 11/10/10; Jennings had 17 points, nine assists and nine boards in his debut.

9. Tyreke Evans said his mom wouldn’t let him play ball in the house, so if he saw a new move he wanted to try, he’d have to go to the court near his house to try it out, even if it was raining.

10. Jennings scored 55 points after going scoreless in the first quarter. It was the most points by a rookie since Earl Monroe poured in 56 in 1968.

11. Like clockwork, Miller is almost guaranteed to be good for 80 games, 14 ppg and 7 apg per season.

12. During Parker’s rookie run in ’01-02, the NBA’s top assists leaders that year were: Andre Miller (10.9), Jason Kidd (9.9), Gary Payton (9.0), Baron Davis (8.5) and John Stockton (8.2).

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But just watching doesn’t reveal everything. Some point guards, like Curry, Brooks and Rose,9 gravitated to the point guard position because they were often the smallest guys on the court.

“I didn’t start growing until seventh and eighth grade,” says Rose, who grew up playing on Chicago’s South Side. “But I’ve always been able to dribble—anybody from Chicago is always able to dribble.”

Still, handing over the offense to players so young is not without its risks. No guard represented more of a risk than Jennings, who famously eschewed college to play professionally in Italy for Lottomatica Virtus Roma. Even Milwaukee general manager John Hammond didn’t know what the Bucks were going to get when they drafted Jennings 10th overall in 2009.

“What we said initially was that he has All-Star potential because of his speed and quickness with the ball,” Hammond says. “But how he would develop his other skills, we were uncertain of.”

It didn’t take long for the Bucks to find out what they had.

“Last year, we opened up the season in Philly and he almost had a triple-double the very first game of his NBA career,” Hammond says. “Only guys like Oscar Robertson had done it. And we all sat there thinking, ‘Wait a minute, is this for real?’

“Two weeks later, he scored 55 against the Warriors.10 He put the Milwaukee Bucks back on the basketball map.”

Before getting caught up on the youngsters, don’t forget the veterans that continue to teach lessons for the younger cats. Kidd and Nash continue to defy their birth certificates with starter’s minutes against guys 15 years their junior. Entering the League right before the turn of the millennium, Andre Miller is old-school enough to remember going up against John Stockton. A dozen years later, his career is shaping up to mimic Stockton’s longevity and no-frills effectiveness.11 Chauncey Billups and Baron Davis, while seeing some drop-offs in production, still get it done by relying on their vast experience to remain effective. Even at just 28, Tony Parker has been playing long enough to remember the last time the League had as many quality playmakers.12

When Rajon Rondo was just a secondyear player, Kevin Garnett said the slight 6-1, 170-pound PG in charge of leading Boston’s Big Three could become a Hall of Famer. Most people scoffed.

Now Rondo is in his fifth season and Hall of Famer and Celtics great John Havlicek chimed in, saying, “He is unlike any point that I’ve ever seen.”

He’s been to two Finals, winning a ring the first time with a sparkling 21-point, 8-assist, 7-rebound, 6-steal effort in the title-clinching Game 6 over the L.A. Lakers in 2008, and nearly put up a triple-double (14 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds) to try to win a second in the Game 7 loss to L.A. in 2010.

Through the first six weeks of the season, Rondo was leading the League in assists per game (13.7) and was second in steals per game (2.37). His excellence on both sides of the ball quietly boosted Boston out to the best record in the East.

Among PGs, Rondo often comes behind Chris Paul and Deron Williams, yet Williams has never beat the Lakers in the playoffs, and Paul has only been on the court for 267 out of 328 games in the last four seasons (Rondo’s only missed 12 games during that time frame). His name even gets lost in the shuffle with Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and John Wall, names considered to be the next wave of 1s vying to be No. 1.

But comparing all of those guards against one another is like comparing apples to apples. Havlicek knows that comparing Rondo to the rest of the group is like comparing apples to oranges.— Kyle Spelling #35

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Black History MontH spotligHt

Keeping

By AXG #1

Up With the

Jones Through his life and basketball career, Boston Celtics legend Sam Jones has paved a way for others to follow

Maybe it’s his common first and last name that keep Sam Jones from being more recognized in NBA lore. It’s not like his basketball accomplishments—Jones is second only to the mythical Bill Russell in championships with 10, he’s a Hall of Fame inductee, and a member of the NBA’s 25th Anniversary Team and 50 Greatest Players in NBA History—are lacking. Known for his perfect form on the jumpshot and putting it off the backboard, Jones had a reputation as a clutch scorer, especially during the playoffs.

More important than his on-court accolades were Jones’ achievements in life. From his humble beginnings in Wilmington, NC, Jones went on to star in North Carolina Central University, a historically black college and university in Durham, NC, where he graduated. Following a stint in the U.S. Army, Jones entered the NBA during an era of turbulent times.

As an advocate of civil rights, Jones was a part of the NBA’s first all-African-American starting five with the Celtics and he and his teammates stood together—not only on the court with a common goal of winning championships, but off the court as well for equality.

Now 77 years steeped in wisdom, few can match Jones’ insight on basketball, breaking down barriers and playing for the legendary Boston Celtics organization.

HOOP: When did you begin playing basketball?

Sam Jones: I started playing basketball in junior high school, in Laurinburg, NC. I played for an outstanding coach by the name of F.H. McDuffie, and I certainly wanted to play on his team. I found out that a few of the players that had played before me...had gone to college on a full-scholarship. The only way to go to college back in those days was on some type of scholarship, so I played four years for Mr. McDuffie and got a scholarship to North Carolina Central University, then known as Carolina College at Durham. There I played for Coach John McLendon, one of the first African-American coaches to go into the Hall of Fame. Getting that scholarship was one of the greatest things to ever happen in my life because through basketball I was able to get my college education; I thought that was an outstanding situation at that particular time.

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me so successful.

HOOP: Now you see fundamentally sound players today like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant shoot off the backboard.

Jones: That’s true, and even Dwyane Wade uses it a little bit, too.

HOOP: What was it like growing up during the times of Jim Crow laws?

Jones: I would like to say this: Growing up in North Carolina, we were not allowed to play white teams, because the schools were segregated. And because of segregation, the state did not allow us to play everybody, and so the black schools had to play all the black schools. When I was in high school the whites and the blacks got along pretty well.

Coaches from the white school would come and watch us practice because we were so good. They wanted to see what our coaches were doing to make us so good. We won four state championships [but] it wasn’t an outright state championship because it was just the black schools playing against each other. And that’s one of the tragedies of North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia. We were not honored—we were not in the paper, we didn’t get the perks like the other schools. In order to find out about us you had to come and see us play. It was a tough transition. It wasn’t hard for me because, like I said, in Laurinburg, we knew most of the white kids. We just could not participate in sports or go out with them. That’s just the way it was, and that was all throughout the South. Those were the type of things that I think made America bad. You had segregated bus and train stations, segregated movies, you had to ride on the back of the bus, you had to give up your seat if a white person came in and all the seats were taken—they had the right to take your seat. Those were the types of things that happened.

HOOP: Would you say you played a role in the change of America as a professional athlete?

Jones: I feel that I helped the change when I went into the Army. In 1948, President Truman said there would be no more segregation in the military. That really didn’t happen because in 1954 I was in service stationed in Columbia, SC. [Even though I was] in an

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HOOP: Talk about Coach McLendon.1 Jones: My mother was the reason for me going to North Carolina Central University.

Because the coach and my mother’s house were back to back from each other, she told the coach: “If you’re looking for a basketball player, you should recruit my son.” The coach started looking at me in junior high school, and he felt that I could play for him at North Carolina Central University, and he recruited me. Now I only played for him for one year because Hampton University offered him a lot more money than my college at the time could give him. He later went on to become the first African-American to coach in the pro league.

HOOP: Can you describe your game, and what were the types of things you worked on to get better?

Jones: First of all, I had an outstanding junior high school, and middle school junior varsity coach...his name was Coach McDaniels and he is what we call a no-non-sense coach.

In other words, he believed in the fundamentals, and he taught us that. So when we got into high school, we were fundamentally sound and we were ready for anything that the varsity coach could give us. It was a tough team to make, and I figured the best way to make the team was to be a team player. I could always shoot, I could always jump, I could always run, but I had to play within what the coach wanted, and that’s what we did. I perfected my shot, by what people call, shooting off the boards...it’s [now] called a bank shot, and I perfected it so well, that it was like making a layup. Fifteen feet and in was like me making a layup, because I had so much confidence in that shot. That shot got me into college. And when I got to college, I was the only one who shot that shot consistently off the backboard. People didn’t know what I was doing because they had never seen anyone consistently shoot off the backboard. It was something new that I also brought to the NBA. It became Sam Jones’ shot, because I shot it so well. I think the reason I got from high school, to college, to the pros, is because I played team basketball...that’s what made HOOP

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plane and came back home. We wanted to let the League know that we were not going to stand for any place that was going to keep us from being Americans.

HOOP: You are a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, as are Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain and others. Did being in a fraternity help you as a professional?

Jones: I’m glad you bought that up. It was good, especially in my day, because now you can go any place you want to but when you’re on the road and your Kappa brothers know you’re there, they would come and pick you up, and take you places where you could enjoy yourself and relax. My frat brothers would call me and pick me up, and this was in the early ’60s. That’s when you could really enjoy it back in those days. The brothers would pick me up, introduce me to the city, and we would have a good time.

HOOP: Talk about the championship teams and the winning that you helped accomplish with the Boston Celtics.

Jones: I can say that it was an accomplishment from us just having fun. My very first year I didn’t play that much but I got a chance to play in the championship and we lost, and I think we lost because Bill Russell got hurt. He hurt his ankle just before the sixth game and we lost [Game 6] in St. Louis, but we played well. And for the next eight years, from 1958 to 1966, we won eight straight NBA championships. We felt that that we were probably the best4 team ever assembled. In the 1966-67 season the Philadelphia 76ers, with Wilt Chamberlain, Lucious Jackson, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Chet Walker, and Wali Jones, beat us 4-1 [in the Eastern Division Finals] and they won the championship.

They were the ones that dethroned the Boston Celtics. Then in my last two years we won the championships. So when I left, I had played 12 years5 and I had been to 11 NBA Finals, and we won 10. When people talk about Michael Jordan and his six rings, I don’t even think about it. For some reason, if you take 10 people...and you ask them how many championships did Sam Jones win...they couldn’t tell you, but ask about Michael Jordan,

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Army uniform and serving my country, there were places that I could not go in the town of Columbia—that’s how bad it was and it made me wonder the possibility that I could be killed fighting a war to keep Americans here safe and come back home and not be able to eat in a restaurant or go to a movie and sit where I want to sit. So I began to speak up about that—and in the Army, when you speak up about things—they ship you someplace else and that’s what happened to me. There were things that happened to me as a black man that made me feel really small. Then when you bring prisoners of war into the United States and they can sit where you couldn’t sit, [meanwhile] they were fighting against you, that tells you something about how America was at that time.

HOOP: Talk about playing with the Celtics, and players like Bill Russell, and K.C. Jones.

Jones: I will tell you this about Boston, we played under one of the greatest coaches to ever coach basketball, a fellow by the name of Red Auerbach. Boston was one of the first teams to bring in a black player.2 Boston was the first to have a black coach, Bill Russell.

Boston was also the first to start five black players3—Russell, Willie Naulls, Satch Sanders, K.C. Jones, and me—and we were very, very successful. And when I say successful, we went to the NBA Finals and we won it. We gave something back to the blacks, but when you look up in the stands, there were white people, so we were not only playing for black people, we were playing for everybody.

HOOP: Were there times when you had to take a stand or speak up as a professional?

Jones: There were times even in the NBA when we had to say we’re not playing. This happened in Lexington, KY. We played an exhibition game at the University of Kentucky... we got in that day, and we stayed at a hotel downtown, but the black players could not eat in the restaurant. And because we did not eat, we boycotted the game. And when I say we boycotted the game, not only did we not eat, we left Lexington and returned to Boston.

We didn’t want to be in a place that allowed us to show our talents but they wouldn’t let us eat. They didn’t need to see us. So Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders and I got on a HOOP

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last-second shot, I didn’t even think about it because this is what I do.

HOOP: Is there any significance to you wearing #24?

Jones: I was born on June 24, and when I went in the service and came back to school I was 24. I had one more year of school, and when I got married I was 24 years old, and I didn’t have a chance to choose my jersey when I was with the Celtics like players do now.

I was given #24.8 What’s strange is the last game I ever played in, I scored 24 points. My last game that I ever played in was the championship game and for some reason I scored 24 points.

HOOP: How would you sum up your accomplishments?

Jones: We made it better for a lot of players.

BONUS POINTS 1. John McLendon is a legendary coach who attended Kansas University in the 1930s and learned the nuances of basketball from Dr. James Naismith.

2. Chuck Cooper was the first black player drafted by an NBA team. The Celtics took him in the second round of the 1950 draft.

3. In the 1963-64 season, the Celtics became the first NBA team to start five black players.

4. In 1962-63 season, Jones paced the Celtics in scoring with 19.7 pgg.

5. Jones totaled 15,411 points and averaged 17.7 ppg over his career.

6. Jones played in five All-Star games and was a three-time All-NBA Second Team selection.

7. The 10 were: Paul Arizin, Bob Cousy, Bob Davies, Joe Fulks, Sam Jones, George Mikan, Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Dolph Schayes, Bill Sharman and coached by Red Auerbach.

8. The other HOF guys who have worn #24 in their careers: Rick Barry, Bill Bradley, Dennis Johnson and Moses Malone. Kobe Bryant has a good chance to one day join the hallowed list of #24.

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everyone knows he won six. People don’t know what we did, and what we accomplished under so much adversity. We had a team, and I will tell you this: Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, Jack Nichols and Frank Ramsey, they are some of the greatest guys I’ve ever played with. We were a team, and the reason why I knew this is because: One time we were in St. Louis—back then, we could eat in the hotel we stayed in, however we got in late, and the hotel dining room was closed, so we had to go across the street. We went across the street and they guy said “I cannot serve you guys.” He was talking about me, Russell, and Satch [Sanders]...and when the rest of the team heard that we couldn’t eat there, they walked out with us, and that’s when I knew we had a team. I knew they were hungry but they walked out with us and that made a huge statement of what we were about.

HOOP: What does being a member of the 50 Greatest NBA Players mean to you?

Jones: It’s a great honor6 to me because it was voted on by my peers. In 50 years of basketball, I was one of the greatest players to play. When you get that kind of honor, it’s a huge recognition. I was also voted one of the greatest players in [the first] 25 years of NBA basketball. It’s the 25th anniversary team, and nobody knows about that. The 25th Anniversary Team doesn’t even have 25 guys, it has only 10 guys.7 I was on that team with Bill Russell and nobody knows about that. I’m also in the Hall of Fame. I didn’t play basketball to go into the Hall of Fame, I played basketball to make a living. Basketball to me was a job, and it probably was the best job of them all. It was something that I had been doing all my life so there was no pressure. I never looked at basketball as pressure.

I never looked at games as pressure. I think the fans had more pressure because they wanted you to win, but when you come up through junior high school, through college, through the Army, and you have been playing basketball all of your life, why would that have any pressure? It is something that you do. You have to deliver, and if I had to take a HOOP

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HOOP Promotional Section

HBCUs

Directory of Historically Black Colleges and Universities 4-Year PUBliC inStitUtiOnS

Elizabeth City State University www.ecsu.edu

Stillman College www.stillman.edu

Shaw University www.shawuniversity.edu

2-Year PUBliC inStitUtiOnS

Alabama A&M University www.aamu.edu

Fayetteville State University www.uncfsu.edu

Talladega College www.talladega.edu

St. Augustine’s College www.st-aug.edu

Bishop State Community College www.bscc.cc.al.us

Alabama State University www.alasu.edu

North Carolina A&T State University www.ncat.edu

Tuskegee University www.tuskegee.edu

Wilberforce University www.wilberforce.edu

Shelton State Community College www.sheltonstate.edu

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff www.uapb.edu

North Carolina Central University www.nccu.edu

Arkansas Baptist College www.arkansasbaptist.edu

Allen University www.allenuniversity.edu

Gadsden State Comm. College www.gadsdenstate.edu

University of the District of Columbia www.udc.edu

Winston-Salem State University www.wssu.edu

Philander Smith College www.philander.edu

Benedict College www.benedict.edu

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

Delaware State University www.desu.edu

Central State University www.centralstate.edu

Howard University www.howard.edu

Claflin College www.claflin.edu

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

Florida A&M University www.famu.edu

Langston University www.lunet.edu

Bethune-Cookman University www.bethune.cookman.edu

Morris College www.morris.edu

Trenholm State Technical College www.trenholmtech.cc.al.us

Albany State University asuweb.asurams.edu

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania www.cheyney.edu

Edward Waters College www.ewc.edu

Voorhees College www.voorhees.edu

Southern University at Shreveport www.susla.edu

Fort Valley State University www.fvsu.edu

Lincoln University www.lincoln.edu

Florida Memorial University www.fmuniv.edu

Fisk University www.fisk.edu

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

Savannah State University www.savstate.edu

South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu

Clark Atlanta University www.cau.edu

Knoxville College www.knoxvillecollege.edu

Hinds Community College, Utica www.hindscc.edu

Kentucky State University www.kysu.edu

Tennessee State University www.tnstate.edu

Interdenominational Theological Center www.itc.edu

Lane College www.lanecollege.edu

Denmark Technical College www.denmarktech.edu

Grambling State University www.gram.edu

Prairie View A&M University www.pvamu.edu

Morehouse College www.morehouse.edu

Lemoyne-Owen College www.loc.edu

St. Philip’s College www.accd.edu/spc

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

Texas Southern University www.tsu.edu

Morehouse School of Medicine www.msm.edu

Meharry Medical College www.mmc.edu

Southern University at New Orleans www.suno.edu

Norfolk State University www.nsu.edu

Morris Brown College www.morrisbrown.edu

Huston-Tillotson College www.htu.edu

Bowie State University www.bowiestate.edu

Virginia State University www.vsu.edu

Paine College www.paine.edu

Jarvis Christian College www.jarvis.edu

Coppin State College www.coppin.edu

Bluefield State College www.bluefieldstate.edu

Spelman College www.spelman.edu

Paul Quinn College www.pqc.edu

Morgan State University www.morgan.edu

West Virginia State University www.wvstateu.edu

Dillard University www.dillard.edu

Southwestern Christian College www.swcc.edu

University of Maryland Eastern Shore www.umes.edu

University of the Virgin Islands www.uvi.edu

Xavier University of Louisiana www.xula.edu

Texas College www.texascollege.edu

Rust College www.rustcollege.edu

Wiley College www.wileyc.edu

Tougaloo College www.tougaloo.edu

Hampton University www.hamptonu.edu

Bennett College for Women www.bennett.edu

Saint Paul’s College www.saintpauls.edu

Johnson C. Smith University www.jcsu.edu

Virginia Union University www.vuu.edu

Livingstone College www.livingstone.edu

Virginia University of Lynchburg www.vul.edu

Alcorn State University www.alcorn.edu Jackson State University www.jsums.edu Mississippi Valley State University www.mvsu.edu Harris-Stowe State University www.hssu.edu Lincoln University of Missouri www.lincolnu.edu

4-Year Private inStitUtiOnS

Miles College www.miles.edu Oakwood College www.oakwood.edu Selma University Web address not available

2-Year Private inStitUtiOnS

Concordia College www.concordiaselma.edu Lewis College of Business www.lewiscollege.edu Clinton Junior College www.clintonjuniorcollege.edu

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Nene, George Karl, Gary Forbes and several Denver Nuggets Dancers posed for a picture with a patient during a visit to the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center on December 2, 2010.

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Through the Ray of Hope Foundation, Ray Allen assists youth with realizing their potential through sports-related programs. During the foundation’s Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway, Allen addresses a group of children at the Boston Center for Youth and Families Center in Mattapan, MA. BrIaN BaBINeau/NBae/Getty ImaGes

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The usually sleepy-eyed James Harden widened his eyes for a picture with some fans when the Thunder served up Thanksgiving meals on November 23, 2010 at the City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City. layNe murdoch/NBae/Getty ImaGes

In this case, one-size-fits-all means one shirt can actually fit all of them at once; Grizzlies big man Zach Randolph poses with Memphians who received some clothing from the All-Star power forward during the 26th annual Memphis Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless and Hungry on November 26, 2010.

No, the Los Angeles Lakers did not decide to trade their trademark gold for Clippers’ red. The donning of red warmups was just a part of a Leaguewide recognition of World AIDS Day. BIll BaptIst/NBae/Getty ImaGes

Joe murphy/NBae/Getty ImaGes

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Own all of your favorite moments from all your favorite seasons.

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AVAILABLE AT © 2010 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO® and related service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

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* According to 2000-2011 erankings.com and NPD data. © 2005-2010 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. 2K Sports, the 2K Sports logo, and Take-Two Interactive Software are all trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. The NBA and individual NBA member team identifications used on or in this product are trademarks, copyrights designs and other forms of intellectual property of NBA Properties, Inc. and the respective NBA member teams and may not be used, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of NBA Properties, Inc. © 2010 NBA Properties, Inc. All rights reserved.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family l ogo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The PlayStation Network Logo is a service mark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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Feet on Fire Depending on where you reside, the winter months can be brutal on your feet. We’re big on sneakers here, but when it’s bitterly cold outside with several inches of snow on the ground, it doesn’t matter how many pairs of socks you’re wearing, those Air Force 1s ain’t going to cut it. You need something rugged to stave off the elements and keep the feet toasty. the Bugathermo techlite boot by Columbia is equal parts new and old school to get the job done right.

A tried-and-true waterproof thermal rubber shell keeps the water out, a rechargeable battery in each boot powers an adjustable heating system to keep things warm and 200g thinsulate insulation keeps the heat in. For more cold weather gear, turn to page 96.

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SPIN MOVES

BY DARRYL HOWERTON #21

Omri Casspi Sacramento Kings As the NBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst Israeliborn basketball player, Omri Casspi became a rockstar his all-rookie year, always repping Israel well. With aplomb and grace by day, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d sign pictures, jerseys and even Israeli ďŹ&#x201A;ags for his many national and international fans, and then by night, the small forward would stake his claim as a future star on the court as well. Off the court, Casspiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tastes are just what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d expect from a 22-year-old in his position: one part Israel, one part Americana.

CHECK IT Omriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Movies â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really liked the movies Seven Pounds and The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great actor. Another one of my favorites is the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. And I also liked the new movie about the bank robberies in Boston, The Town, starring Ben AfďŹ&#x201A;eck. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action-packed and based on a real story that happened in Boston.â&#x20AC;?

Omriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TV â&#x20AC;&#x153;I watched LOST. I got lost in LOSTâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;somewhere in the ďŹ fth season. I watched Prison Break and Wipeout, too. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been about it.â&#x20AC;?

Omriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Videogames â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like PlayStation 3. I have one. And I like playing NBA gamesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;NBA 2K10, NBA 2K11. I like action games. I like a lot of sports games, tooâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; football games, NFL games.â&#x20AC;?

Omriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like all kinds of music. I like hip-hop. I like everything from Black Eyed Peas to country music to Israel music. I like to listen to everything thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the radio. I have a lot of good friends in Israel who are great artists: Eyal Golan, Muki, Idan Amedi.â&#x20AC;?

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ILLUSTRATION: MATT CANDELA

Omriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Books â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the books that I read are Israel stuff, but I read a book recently in English, The Accidental Billionaires. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about Facebook and got made into the movie, The Social Network. It was really good.â&#x20AC;?

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Three albums. Two players. One dynamic pair of music critics CHECK IT Nicki Minaj Pink Friday

Ke$ha Cannibal

Thaddeus yOuNg

Kanye’s back with his fifth studio album.

The sound Kanye introduces in this album combines aspects from his first four albums, showing that he continues to grow as a rapper. After the first listen, I understood why My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy reached No. 1 on the charts. The album starts with a very soulful “Dark Fantasy,” which features Nicki Minaj. I gotta love “Power,” an instant hit, with a very cool and artistic music video; I listen to it to get me pumped for games.

There is a beautiful sadness to “Runaway” with the piano playing throughout, and the string instrumentals at the end. “Blame Game” featuring John Legend has a similar sound. I love all of the collaborations—Jay-Z, Rick Ross and Kid Kudi to name a few. “All of the Lights” is a great song I can really get into. Overall, I really enjoyed the album, and will continue to listen to it.

Nicki Minaj is the hottest female rapper right now. She’s sexy, talented and has an attitude. I really enjoy “Right Thru Me.” She sings the chorus, demonstrating her range of vocal skills. “Fly” featuring Rihanna is an inspirational song, with a very catchy beat, and the lyrics are relevant to my career, especially the line: “I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive…”

I am very happy for Nicki for her debut album Pink Friday reaching No. 2 on the charts.

“Blazin’” featuring Kanye West is another track I really like. It has a different feel than the other songs on the album, where they rap about their success. The hit single “Your Love” has been all over the radio for months, and also shows her lyrical range. Nicki Minaj has a hit in her debut album Pink Friday.

After a bunch of single releases and Cannibal is Ke$ha’s first extended play album. Ke$ha’s poppy style is not exactly my favorite genre of music. I do respect Ke$ha for reaching #15 on the charts for this album. There are a number of catchy beats, but overall not too much substance.

The single “We R Who We R” debuted at No. 1, a song I listen to more than I would like to admit. The song promotes individualism, and taking pride in who we are. It’s not an album I would listen to again, but I certainly won’t change the station when Ke$ha hits come on the radio (and that’s often).

Carl laNdry

Kanye seems to push the envelope each time he drops a new album. I think it is safe to say that everyone has a favorite album or a Kanye verse they like; this one will only add to it. Leading up to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’s release, there were several tracks in heavy rotation on the radio already, giving the album a lot of buzz and anticipation. Like always, the album did not disappoint. I think the most special part about Kanye’s music tends to be the “what’s next?” factor. He’s always on something new, always something thought-provoking and there’s always something humorous. “All of the Lights,” “Power” and “Runaway” are outstanding tracks. I found myself getting caught up in the beats and had to keep replaying the tracks to catch the lyrics. I decided to purchase the deluxe version of the album on iTunes because I heard a lot of talk about the “Runaway” short film and wanted to see it. After listening to the album a few times, I really appreciate the “Runaway” film more.

It is a great summary of the entire album. I am really feeling the new Kanye project and suggest that anyone who appreciates good music give it a strong listen.

Nicki Minaj has had a ton of hits on guest appearances with some of the heaviest hitters in hip-hop this year. She is not only the hottest female hip-hop artist in the game right now, but has created a name for herself outside of hip-hop with her crossover appeal.

Lyrically, Nicki is a beast. Her rhymes are quick and witty. I immediately checked the track list to see who the guest appearances were and attempted to predict which tracks will be big radio successes. “Your Love” and “Right Thru Me” are already getting a lot of spins and I anticipate she will have at least two more big singles left on here, maybe three. Nicki collaborated with some well-known players—Kanye, Drake, Eminem, Will.i.am and Rihanna. There are several songs on this album that feature a very “poppy” sound, such as the “Check It Out” track with Will.i.am and the “Last Chance” track with Natasha Bedingfield. Kanye did a number on the “Blazin’” track and Drake and Nicki did not disappoint on “Moment 4 Life.” I was not a big fan of the “Fly” track with Rihanna, however, I can see the song getting a lot of attention because of the Rihanna hook. All in all, I feel the album was very pop heavy and not exactly what I expected, but well put together. I am sure the true Nicki fans will love it.

This album caught me by surprise. I had no idea who Ke$ha was and never listened to her music in the past. Although Ke$ha is classified in the pop music category, she shows some versatility by rapping and singing on several of the tracks. Ke$ha drops shocking language and very catchy hooks.

The entire album has an upbeat party sound.

I found myself humming the “Cannibal” track after one listen. If I had to pick a song I enjoyed the most I would say “We R Who We R” was pretty solid. Other than that, not much here I could enjoy. I do think that Ke$ha has some talent, but I am just not a fan. I would not suggest purchasing this album for your kids due to some racy content, but it may be the right listen for some of you party animals—or cannibals.

Jesse D. Garrabrant; rocky WiDner/nbae/Getty imaGes

Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

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the goods

Rover Puck Perfect for the traveler who craves untethered connectivity, the Rover Puck is a 4G hotspot that requires no contracts and uses pay-as-you-go options for daily, weekly and monthly offerings for unlimited 4G access (provided you’re in its coverage area). Up to eight devices can be connected to the puck-sized (hence the name) hotspot. We experienced good speeds (in New York City) but we recommend you check your coverage area before committing.

Jawbone Jambox Known for its high-end Bluetooth headsets, Jawbone’s Jambox is equally luxe with Jambox, its first Bluetooth speaker. The size of about six Hershey’s chocolate bars stacked together, the Jambox is compact enough to travel with, but not quite portable for say, your pocket. The rubberized body looks light, but pick it up and you’ll notice the hefty steel construction that lies beneath. We just couldn’t find fault with the audio quality (keep in mind we’re judging it relative to similar portable speakers) or its cool design (it’s available in black, silver, blue and red) and although it doesn’t add to the performance, we dug the way it emits a stirring rumble when you turn it on and a chirping sound when you power it down. The unit’s premium price tag means it’s just as costly as the portable device the Jambox will provide audio for, but its fetching features and looks make it worth the price of entry.

$199

$150

HTC Surround Windows is forcing its way back into the crowded mobile OS field currently dominated by iPhone OS, BlackBerry and Android with its updated Windows Phone 7 creeping onto a slew of smartphones. The Surround, geared towards a user who consumes multimedia, features a slide-out speaker strip (sorry, no keyboard), a button for virtual surround sound and a pull-out kickstand in the rear for personal hands-free tabletop movie-watching. The 3.8-inch 480 x 800 resolution touchscreen is bright but the key element to the Surround is its speakers. It beats the pants off typical tinny audio from a mobile device, but that’s not saying too much. The 5-megapixel camera is very usable and responsive and it captures decent HD (720p) video. Another plus is the updated Windows Phone 7 interface. It’s very intuitive and cuts down the number of clicks to do things that plague other OSes, but there is a bit of a learning curve.

$199.99 (with 2-year AT&T phone contract)

Dremel Trio The Trio is a triple-double of small power tools. One tool allows you to cut, sand and rout for small projects. The interchangeable bits swap out for different tasks and the 90-degree pivoting head provides control and flexibility.

The telescoping foot offers exact depth during cutting or routing and a variable speed (10,000-20,000 RPM) dial means you can go from precision to power. The kit comes with bits and a hard storage case.

$99 086

Where to Buy: Rover Puck, rover.com; HTC Surround, att.com; Jawbone Jambox, jawbone.com; Dremel Trio, dremel.com; Black & Decker Pilot Vac 18V, blackanddecker.com; HP Envy 14 Beats Edition, hp.com; Grace Innovator III, gracedigitalaudio.com; Journey to the Ring, amazon.com

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HP Envy 14 Beats Edition CHECK IT

Geared towards the audiophile, the Envy 14 Beats edition pairs a stocked laptop (Intel Core i5 2.53 GHz dual core processor, 4GB of RAM, 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon graphics, 500GB hard drive, 14.5-inch screen) with a dedicated Beats by Dre button that provides, discerning ears will confirm, deeper bass and fuller sound. The red backlit keyboard and Beats-branded logo round out the premium Beats package. Users looking for an even deeper experience can opt for the Beats by Dre Solo on-ear headphones.

Envy 14 Beats: $1,149.99 Headphones: $199.95

Journey to the Ring The Lakers championship DVD is great for a frenetic look back at the Purpleand-Gold’s 17th title run, but a coffee table-style book is a much more introspective journey of their season. With intimate black-and-white, on- and offcourt photography (many never published before) by NBA senior photographer Andrew D. Bernstein paired with insightful anecdotal captions by Phil Jackson, you almost feel like you’re a 16th man on the Lakers’ 2010 chip. Our favorites?

A rare glimpse of the team in the locker room before Game 7 of the Finals, Jackson preparing Thanksgiving dinner at home and Ron Artest playing touch football on the beach with some of his Twitter followers.

$35

Black &Decker Pilot Vac 18V The venerable DustBuster that mom used to pull out to clean up your cereal crumbs gets a total body makeover and returns with some new head-turning features (literally—the head of the vac swivels like a G.I. Joe figure to reach almost any angle and tight spot and to store compactly) and added power. The cordless Pilot Vac sports 18V of muscle and all the necessary tools (brush and extendable crevice tool) are built into the unit.

The washable filter and removeable dirt bowl means that cleaning up the device that cleans up your life will be just as easy.

$108

Grace Innovator III We all grew up listening to FM radio but no amount of nostalgia can replace the frustrations of staticky reception and limited programming. Paired with a WiFi connection, the Innovator III delivers an always crystal-clear broadcast with an almost-endless variety of genres and programming. And it does so in a glossy and smooth white (black also available) compact package that would look great on any tabletop. The unit can also stream your digital music collection from your computer (PC and Macs) or music device (via a 3.5mm audio input) and an app turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into a remote (it also comes with a remote control).

$169.99 HOOP

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the goods

Conservetec Envi

FreeDarko Presents The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History The follow-up to 2008’s The Macrophenomenal Pro Basketball Almanac by the popular NBA blog FreeDarko, TUGTPBH is a broader look to the game from their oneof-a-kind point of view. It begins with the birth of the game and takes it to almost current 2009. Great writing and perspective aside, the FreeDarko folks are also known for their uniquely distinguishable illustrations that complement and pontificate their points (one of the dopest ones in the book is the one of Michael Jordan “overshadowing” a cadre of Hall of Fame players).

Forget those oil-filled radiator heaters (eyesore) and those red-coiled space heaters (fire hazard). Besides the aforementioned drawbacks, they are typically energy hogs. Step up to the Envi, the equivalent of a flat-panel TV for space heaters. At just 2 inches deep, the Envi can easily be mounted on the wall, is completely silent and uses convection heating for consistent warmth (no cycling on and off causing temperature swings). The adjustabletemperature heater uses just 450 watts and can heat rooms up to 130 square feet.

$119.95

DECODED by Jay-Z Like the Andy-Warhol Rorschach that graces the cover of his debut book, Jay-Z is many things to onlookers—multiplatinum recording artist, the best MC in hip-hop, an entrepreneur, an icon.

DECODED takes the reader on his journey from Shawn Carter to Jay-Z through his life and lyrics. Even the most hardcore Hova fans will discover something they never knew about the man, and for the uninitiated, DECODED will give you an understanding of one of the most influential artists of this generation.

$35

$25 Where to Buy: FreeDarko Presents the Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History, freedarko.com/history/buy HTC G2, tmobile.com Conservetec Envi, eheat.com DECODED, amazon.com Merkur Safety Razor + The Art of Shaving Kit, theartofshaving.com

CheCK It

HTC G2 The follow-up to the G1, the first mobile phone to run the Android OS, the G2 is, in our opinion, the best Android device with a physical keyboard. For those who still prefer thumbing on actual keys, the G2’s slide-out keyboard is amply laid out. The numerical and alpha keys can be tough to distinguish, but the keyboard was a joy to type with. The G2 gets a peppier engine from its predecessor at 800MHz—slower than the 1GHz benchmark of top of the line smartphones—but we didn’t notice a difference. The 5-megapixel camera (also capable of HD video capture), like most camera phones, fared better when taken in bright outdoor settings. The 3.7-inch touchscreen doesn’t compare to the vividness of a super AMOLED screen, but it’s plenty bright and sharp. The big selling point, especially for those who loved the G1 but hated its aesthetics, is the G2’s improved design. The awkward “chocolate bar” look is gone, replaced by a curvier silhouette with hints of brushed metal.

$199.99 (with T-Mobile contract)

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Merkur Safety Razor + The Art of Shaving Kit Take a step back in time before the era of multi-bladed (and expensive) cartridge razors and shave the way grandpa used to with a double-sided single blade razor. Merkur has been handmaking these razors in Solingen, Germany, for over 100 years. Although called a safety razor by name, the heavier razor requires a more precise hand to operate. The best way to shave is to let the weight of the razor and the blade do the work and take your time. Of course, the best way to complement this old-school shave is to pregame the face with pre-shave oil, lather up cream with a fine badger hair brush and finish with some aftershave balm.

Safety Razor: $50 Shave Kit: $100

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tech ed

Tech ediTor and gadgeT junkie Shane BaTTier TeST-driveS The laTeST in Tech goodS. in ThiS iSSue, he TakeS on The norelco SenSoTouch 3d.

I don’t know one little boy who didn’t watch their dad shaving and wish they could be like their father and have his daily shave. We didn’t know it at the time, but how wrong were we? Shaving, for most, is a necessary evil—time-consuming, monotonous and sometimes treacherous. Men, however, do not have the luxury of roaming the earth like cavemen—hairy, swarthy, and free—not in cultured civilization anyways.

There have been many entrants into the world of electric shaving. Over the years, we have been sold the premise that the next electric shaver would revolutionize the way men shave. We’ve all been waiting for the Michael Jordan of electric shavers since cavemen used sharpened stones on their five o’clock shadows.

This month we review the Norelco SensoTouch 3D. Norelco promises that the SensoTouch 3D provides its closest shave yet. Combining Gyroflex 3D (flexible shaving system that contours to face), Ultratrack heads (specialized shaving channels, slots for the long hairs, channels for the longer hairs and holes for the shortest, making sure no hair gets missed) and SkinGlide (low-friction surface), the 3D promises a closer shave in less strokes. Where have I heard this before?

The SensoTouch 3D is a wet/dry shaver. You can use it with or without shaving cream and gels; in and out of showers. It also contains a trimmer for “skin-friendly precision for your moustache, goatee or sideburns.”

The 3D takes about an hour to fully charge and provides up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving and retails for about $200. After a full charge, I decided to shave half of my face using shaving cream and opted for a dry shave on the other side. Obviously, it is easier to see where the 3D has cut on the dry side, whereas the shaving creamed side took longer because I had to continually re-lather to hit the missed areas.

Results were a mixed bag. The 3D actually did a surprisingly good job shaving my beard above the neck.

It took about 10 trips of the razor around an area to fully remove the hair, but when the hair was finally gone, it was surprisingly smooth. There was very little irritation on my beard above the neck. So far, so good.

The problems started when I tried to shave my mustache around my nose. The SensoTouch 3D is somewhat bulky and had trouble navigating the moustache area. I found I had to touch up the area with a straight edge razor when I was finished.

I found the SensoTouch 3D too bulky for a close shave on my neck. As a result, I pressed a tad too hard trying to get good results. Poor choice. After I had finished, not only were some of the areas shoddily touched by the razor, but I had terrible razor burn. It looked like someone raked her nails all over my neck. No bueno! In fact, the razor burn was so widespread, my teammates asked me who scratched my neck up and down in that night’s game.

If I had to handle light shaving, I might be able to get away with the SensoTouch 3D. But I am a man.

A testosterone-filled man’s man with a man’s beard. I need a man’s electric razor and this one just does not cut it. Until then, I will continue to wait for the Jordan of electric shavers.

After seeing Shane’s ill-advised ’stache look, a razor review was in order.

ProS: + Quick charging + Smooth finish on face + Wet/dry shaving

conS: – Terrible razor burn – Does poor job on the rough spots Issac BaldIzon/nBaE/GEtty ImaGEs

– Can’t reach certain moustache areas – Bulky, not ideal for travel where to buy: philips-store.com

Norelco SensoTouch 3D For video reviews of Shane’s TECHed page, check out hoopmag.com

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gear

CHeCK IT

Converse

Sicks Price: $75.00 Weight (size 9): 14.25 oz.

As any seasoned basketball player knows, the ankle sprain is as common as a layup in the sport and it has left many a player sidelined. Start-up brand, Ektio, makes big claims that its shoes will prevent ankles sprains.

Invented by a podiatrist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Barry Katz, the Post Up’s two key features lies in the strap and the side bumpers on the lateral side. Unlike most midstraps that are cosmetic and superficial, the one found on Ektio shoes is more elaborate, going into the shoe and cinching the foot down, essentially making it a built-in ankle brace.

The pronounced side bumpers jut out about half an inch from the shoe, serving as an anti-roll guard for the foot.

In our testing, the shoe’s ability to prevent ankle sprains was admittedly tough to prove or disprove. We couldn’t try to purposely turn our ankles during testing. And while we’ve occasionally experienced an ankle turning during testing, we’ll rarely ever note that, preferring to chalk up the unfortunate mishap to to the law of averages.

The Post Up’s ankle brace does give a nice lockdown feel. We initially imagined the side bumpers would limit our lateral movement, but were proven wrong. The traction left a lot to be desired as the outsole’s wide herringbone, one-piece design gave little court feel. The heavy upper left the foot feeling like two pairs of shoes were being worn. Aesthetically, the shoe isn’t too bad, save for the garish branding on the strap’s face.

It’s difficult to judge any product that touts a preventive device as its main selling point. At this price point, it’s tough for us to recommend it, especially since we don’t know for sure how well it works, but for someone who suffers from chronic ankle ailments, the Post Up might very well be a cure to your woes, which to us, makes this a specialty product. For now, we’ll stick to advocating low-cut shoes for ankles since it doesn’t restrict the foot’s natural movement.

Now that Dwyane Wade has left the Converse roster, the brand can go back to what it does best: making quality basketball shoes that won’t cost a benjamin (Wade’s signature models were the only shoes in their basketball lineup to be priced at $100). At $75, the Sicks gives great bang for the buck.

Converse’s two big heritage pillars lies in the Chuck Taylor All Star and the Weapon. The previously reviewed Star Player Evo (Nov/Dec ’10) takes inspiration from the Chucks while the Sicks is based off of the Weapon. Fans of the Weapon will dig the Sicks’ similar DNA. Of course, the updated amenities include a lighter weight without the stiff upper and a slick visible Balls technology cushioning system (more on that later).

Fans of retro shoes (or those old enough to get nostalgic about it) will dig the Sicks’ upper construction. Devoid of any mesh, patent or newfangled tech, it’s almost a breath of fresh, but familiar, air in shoes. While it didn’t knock our socks off in performance, the Sicks didn’t raise any red flags. In every key performance area—lateral movement, stop-and-go, cushioning— the Sicks met all minimum requirements. The cushioning, a full-length Balls midsole (visible from a translucent outsole) gave a nice feel on landings, although some testers lightly complained that it felt a little “mushy.” Overall it felt a little like a softer version of Zoom Air. The one thing Sicks lacked was a good traction; the combination of the translucent material and wide pattern on the outsole made for some slipping.

Rarely is any shoe perfect, and the Sicks has its minor flaws, but at such a budget-friendly price with some features of a shoe priced $15-20 higher, we highly recommend getting Sicks for your winter basketball league or pickup gym.

Construction: Comfort: Playability: Value: Style: Innovation:

Ektio

Post Up Price: $199 Weight (size 9): 16 oz.

Construction: Comfort: Playability: Value: Style: Innovation: 090

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It took almost two years since Brandon Jennings signed with Under Armour before his signature joints hit the market. The Micro G coincides with the launch of the brand’s basketball initiatives and Under Armour has put their money on Young Buck. On the court, Jennings did not disappoint, putting up a debut that was good for third in ROY voting. His shoes did even better; the fact that they weren’t available of them just stirred greater interest.

No strangers to footwear, UA has been a player in the football, baseball, soccer and training categories. Aesthetically, the Micro G hits all the right notes for the fan of the understated. The upper medial and lateral is a simple perforated pattern, topped off with a irridescent top cap and a rubberized forefoot strap (more decorative than functional).

UA branding is found on the heel counter, the side of the toecap and the tongue. Jennings markings? Nothing, save for his signature embroidered on the inner ankle collar.

With the swift guard in mind, the Micro G is not a big man shoe. The first thing you’ll notice when you slip them on is the low ride. This is achieved by the Micro G, the low compression foam that provides bounce back in a low profile package. The insoles are also pretty high quality, something nice to see, especially reassuring at the shoe’s relatively high price point. Micro G is very responsive and gives you the feeling of energy on the toes.

Lateral movement is excellent but the outsole felt a little stiff in the onset, but after some ample break in, it went away. Traction could’ve been better. The translucent ice outsole has a “shattered ice” pattern. Cool as it may look, it could be improved on with a tighter pattern.

Cushioning is good for a guard shoe, but as we said earlier, a big man should look elsewhere.

Overall, the Micro G is a worthy debut and competitors should take notice. The product commands a high price tag but it’s also a premium product with high production values. The tested colorway is based off the Bucks’ colors, but coincidentally it’s very similar to Gucci’s signature colorway, for what it’s worth.

Construction: Comfort: Playability: Value: Style: Innovation:

adidas

Inflitrate Price: $90 Weight (size 10): 16 oz.

Where to Buy: Converse Sicks: converse.com Ektio Post Up: ektio.com Under Armour Micro G: underarmour.com adidas Infiltrate: adidasbasketball.com

Under Armour

Micro G Black Ice Price: $109.99 Weight (size 10.5): 14.75 oz.

Based on the AdiZero line that stresses speed through weight reduction, the Infiltrate is team-based shoe that continues the philosophy. Ounces are shaved off with breathable mesh replacing a large portion of the upper.

The heel counter and the ankle collar is patent with GeoFit (foam inserts inside the foot collar that molds to your individual foot) on the inside. More weight is jettisoned on the tongue that is comprised of more mesh.

We can’t say we loved the shoe’s design, but on the court, the Infiltrate gave us a solid shoe to ball in. We were wary of the heel counter in the beginning, but we didn’t encounter any negative feedback. The foot stayed locked against the shoe the whole time. The outsole is similar to the ones we’ve been seeing in adidas’ lineup this season: Three PureMotion pods provide traction and responsiveness at key points of foot and the wavy adiPrene outsole pattern gives good traction. We would have preferred a lower ride, but our guess is that adidas had designed the Infiltrate to be an all-around shoe for as many types of players, so they tried to aim for a sweet spot down the middle. The other small gripe is the stiffness of the forefoot where your foot bends the most. It required some time to properly break it in before it stopped pinching down on the foot.

Otherwise, it’s a solid in every other performance area that hit average to above average grades in mobility, cushioning and traction.

Adidas has had a solid lineup of performance shoes this season but loses points again for playing it safe on design. Other than the AdiZero Rose, every shoe from adidas has been a bit unimaginative. But as we keep stressing, the style grade we dole out is the most subjective of all and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Construction: Comfort: Playability: Value: Style: Innovation:

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gear

Nike

Zoom Kobe VI Price: $130

As of presstime, we were unable to review the Zoom Kobe VI. Please log on to hoopmag.com for the full review.

Li-Ning continues their push into the American market with the followup to their US debut, the BD Doom, Baron Davis’ signature model. For the sequel, Li-Ning doesn’t deviate too much from the original. Gone are the holes that make up the BD Doom I’s upper; it’s replaced with faux crocskin overlays and a unique accordian-like synthetic that makes up the vamp (a boon for those who can’t stand their toe caps getting creased up from wear). The crowd-pleasing Beardman logo makes a return on the tongue, this time it’s encased in a bubble and serves as a sleeve to tuck your shoe laces in. The DNA of the shoe stays the same— it’s a rugged shoe that follows the lead of Davis, a beefy guard who relies on power and size.

We had high hopes for the BD Defend initially since the shoe felt very comfortable once our feet entered it. The good vibes ended when we took it for a test ride. Our feet felt wobbly in the shoe, moving every which way during cuts, so we made sure to strap on the shoe tighter.

It improved a little, but we still didn’t feel the shoe provided enough stability. We couldn’t really isolate the problem, but narrowed it down to three things: the lacing system that didn’t properly lock the feet down, the inner foot bootie that could’ve been tighter on the foot and the midsole (compressed foam) that left a rocking feeling between the upper and the outsole.

The BD Defend is tough to recommend despite being pretty comfortable. In fact, we regret to say we wouldn’t recommend it as a basketball shoe. There was just too much movement in the foot to our liking.

Li-Ning

BD Defend Price: $100 Weight (size 9): 16.75 oz.

Construction: Comfort: Playability: Value: Style: Innovation:

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Nike

CHeCK IT

KD III Price: $88

As of presstime, we were unable to review the KD III. Please log on to hoopmag.com for the full review.

Where to Buy: Nike Zoom Kobe VI: nikebasketball.com Nike KD III: nikebasketball.com Li-Ning BD Defend: li-ningusa.com

KICKIN’ It

with Evan turner presented me with the best opportunity for things I wanted to do. They’re going to headline me as one of the main athletes and give me an opportunity to start my own line. The better I play and the more successful I get on the court will lead to better things off the court and I feel that Li-Ning is coming up and they’re going to make a big splash here if the right steps are taken. They showed confidence in me, and it’s a great opportunity. Li-Ning has a rich tradition in China and they are looking at me to help them grow, as I personally look to grow my brand.

How does it feel to enter the NBA with a shoe deal?

It’s pretty cool…it’s a dream come true! Not many people have an opportunity to be a front man guy, and as a kid you dream of being in the League, and having your own shoe.

The Philadelphia 76ers’ top pick (second overall) Evan Turner made headlines this summer after signing a footwear deal with the Chinese based sports footwear and apparel brand Li-Ning. Turner recently expressed his thoughts on everything from why he chose Li-Ning to his future aspirations with the brand.

Talk about your decision to go with a Chinese-based company rather than starting your career with an established domestic brand.

I think with anything you have to look at what’s best for you in regards to this business. I thought Li-Ning

Was Li-Ning giving you your own brand something that Nike or adidas didn’t offer you?

Yeah...I think they really didn’t need it, you know.

Nike definitely really didn’t need it—they’ve got like 50 players. Jordan didn’t really need it...sometimes you have to go to other spots. You see John [Wall] went to Reebok—I had to go across the waters, so it’s all about being realistic of doing what’s best for you once again and just start off right. I want to help carry the brand from China to get people to wear the brand here in the United States.

Were you able to speak to some of the other Li-Ning athletes…did you speak to Baron Davis

By AXG #1 about Li-Ning before you signed…and now you join him as an ambassador...what have you learned from him?

No, I haven’t spoken to him or Shaq about them yet…but, I know Baron Davis has a great deal...they really market him well overseas, and he has his own line. I’m pretty sure he’s happy about that.

You flew to China this summer…what was that experience like?

I had never been to China before, and they are basketball crazy over there! I flew first class 13.5 hours from DC with my mom and agent…and I got the full experience, including a trip to see the Great Wall.

One of the good things is that besides basketball, I feel that I’m in a good situation with [Li-Ning]… off the court and on the court. I took a tour of their campus and saw the future direction of the brand.

Were you able to try on and play in the footwear before signing the deal?

I tried them on and saw a couple of pairs. I just figured shoes are shoes…I’ve never been the type of guy to say I need these shoes or this and that. [Most shoes] are made in China, so it’s all good.

Now it’s your turn to follow in that same path, or create your own.

Yeah, definitely…like I said, I want to build the Li-Ning brand here in the United States, as well as establish myself as a brand.

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gear Dwight Howard, the Three Stripes brand’s other premier athlete (along with Derrick Rose) also gets his signature model, the Beast Commander.

Like Slim Chin proclaims from his lady pyramid: “Fast Don’t Lie” so like Rose’s adiZero Rose, the Beast Commander is all about speed.

Staring with its light weight, the BC features the same SprintSkin insets that drops ounces off the shoe’s weight, while maintaining integrity, and offering breathability. Although tailored for Howard, his unique athleticism at his size makes him anything but the traditional big man; the shoe reflects that as it’s not the typical chunky, heel-oriented cushioning, heavy shoe. The chassis is actually very similar to the adiZero Rose, the biggest difference being the addition of PureMotion pods in the heel and midfoot (adiZero Rose only has them in forefoot). The pods are based on the natural contact points of a foot and is essentially an evolution from the Feet You Wear tech from adidas’ archives. The pods do an excellent job providing some cushioning and traction. The midfoot pods feature an east-west direction for lateral movement while the forefoot and heel pods are north-south for stop-and-gos. The outsole’s circular grid pattern gives great traction as the little circles grip the foot like suction cups, while the midfoot Torsion System gives stability. The low-profile mid and outsole (one of the lowest we’ve experienced in a shoe made for a big man) makes us think even a guard can wear the BC. The BC’s design was a bit unimaginative, surprising given the fact that Howard has such a gregarious personality. Other than a few call-outs to Howard—signature on ankle collar, “Man Child” on tongue and a “Hey Wooooooooooooooooooorld!” (@DwightHoward Twitter followers should be all too familiar) on the heel lateral—it’s pretty bland. We want to stress that we didn’t hate the BC’s looks, we just wish it could’ve been more. Performance-wise, it’s one of the best and most versatile shoes we’ve come across this season.

adidas

Beast Commander Price: $100 Weight (size 9): 15 oz.

CHeCK IT

Construction: Comfort: Playability: Value: Style: Innovation:

Where to Buy: adidas Beast Commander: adidasbasketball.com

For more:

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Facebook (HOOP Magazine) and Twitter (@hoopmag) 094

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we are youth basketball

www.ihoops.com

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Untitled-3 1

1 10/21/10 A 11:22 1:22 AM M

wear (Clockwise from top left) Columbia Heat Elite Jacket, $170; Reebok x Pickyourshoes.com Iverson 2000 AllStar Pack, $109.99; Reebok Rebound Vulc Low, $54.99;

Their line of battery-powered boots might be a little extreme in the name of staying warm, but Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology doesn’t require any recharging between wears. The lining is actually comprised of little silver dots that reflect the body’s heat back; Columbia claims this will keep you 20 percent warmer than typical linings. The space between the dots allows the jacket to vent excess heat and moisture out, making sure you don’t get too hot and sweaty.

It was All-Star 2000 in Oakland and Allen Iverson was supposed to lace up these Question Mid make-ups during the game. But he didn’t. The Answer would’ve copped MVP had the East not lost as he scored 26 points and dropped 9 dimes in the losing effort. A decade later, these golden Questions are now seeing the light of day as a pickyourshoes.com exclusive. Based off of the Golden State Warriors’ gold and navy, the Question Mid comes with a matching Deuce Brand watch, Good Wood NYC beaded bracelet and a mouse pad (not pictured).

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(Clockwise from right) Rumba Mercer Collection Watch, $175 (each); The North Face Decker Jacket, $149; Reebok Dash Runner, $64.99

CHeCK IT

Where to Buy: Columbia Heat Elite Jacket: columbia.com; Reebok x Pickyourshoes.com Iverson 2000 All-Star Pack: pickyourshoes.com; Reebok Rebound Vulc Low: reebok.com; Rumba Mercer Collection Watch: rumbatime.com; The North Face Decker Jacket: thenorthface.com; Reebok Dash Runner: reebok.com

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(Clockwise from right) LRG On to the Next One Beanie, $18; New Balance Sonic 1574, $85; Columbia Bugathermo Techlite, $350; adidas Originals Fortitude Mid, $90;

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CHeCK IT

wear (Clockwise from top) Timberland Earthkeepers Cupsole 2.0 Canvas Deck Chukka, $80; adidas Originals, Superstar 2 (Hemp Pack), $60; LRG Dart Academy M65 Jacket, $110

Where to Buy: LRG On to the Next One Beanie, Dart Academy M65 Jacket: l-r-g.com; New Balance Sonic 1574: newbalance. com; Columbia Bugathermo Techlite: columbia.com; adidas Originals Fortitude Mid: David Z and Dr. Jayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in New York City; Superstar 2 Hemp: journeys.com; Timberland Earthkeepers Cupsole 2.0 Canvas Deck Chukka: timberland.com

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CHECK IT

Multiplatinum-selling hip-hop artist. Actor. Reality TV star.

Now you can add shoe designer to the long list of things that Snoop Dogg has accomplished in his career.

Collaborating with adidas, Snoop has designed his own basketball lifestyle shoe, the Freemont Mid Snoop, that drew inspiration from his team, the L.A. Lakers. Laker purple and gold accent a premium leather upper sits atop a vulcanized sole for the laid-back California vibe. The shoes will also hook with a coordinating adidas track suit and be available exclusively at Shiekhâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Los Angeles beginning February 18.

wEar (Clockwise from top left) LRG Core Collection Overshirt, $84; adidas Originals Freemont Mid Snoop, $95; P.F. Flyers Center Hi, $55

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(Clockwise from right) Columbia Vector Parka, $224; adidas Originals Ace Driver (Driving), $70; Abington 7-Eyelet Moc Boot, $180

Where to Buy: LRG Core Collection Overshirt: l-r-g.com; adidas Originals Freemont Mid Snoop: Shiekhâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Los Angeles (available February 18) adidas Originals Ace Driver (Driving): journeys.com; P.F. Flyers Center Hi: pfďŹ&#x201A;yers.com; Columbia Vector Parka: columbia.com; Abington 7-Eyelet Moc Boot: abington.timberland.com

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STEP BACK

Febrary 28, 1998 san antonIo spurs vs. phIlaDelphIa 76ers alamodome, san antonio

A.I. averaged 26.7 points and 6.2 assists a game over 14 NBA seasons, won four NBA scoring titles and led the Sixers to the 2001 Finals.

In their lone meeting in the Lone Star State in 1997-98, the Spurs defeated the Sixers, 100-88.

Iverson was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001. Duncan won the following two MVP trophies.

An 11-time NBA All-Star, Iverson started for the Eastern Conference in his final All-Star appearance, last season at Cowboys Stadium.

Tim Duncan led the way on this night, recording 27 points and 17 boards in the win. Derrick Coleman scored 35 for Philly.

The popular playmaker scored a career-high 60 points on 2/12/05 vs.

Orlando.

After going unsigned by an NBA team this past offseason, Iverson signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club Besiktas in October. His debut was broadcast on NBA TV.

Duncan would go on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors in ’97-98, a year after Iverson earned the award.

The flight from Philadelphia to San Antonio is 1,507 miles according to TravelMath.com.

Coleman (1990), Iverson (1996) and Duncan (1997) were all No. 1 picks in the NBA Draft.

Theo Ratliff has played for nine teams over his 16 NBA seasons, including two stints with Philadelphia.

The Spurs played at the Alamodome from 1993-2002, including Games 1 and 2 of the 1999 Finals, in which they won their first championship.

D. Clarke Evans has been the Spurs’ team photographer since 1989.

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Coleman was traded from New Jersey to Philadelphia in November 1995 in a multi-player deal for Shawn Bradley.

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Gunning past Granny SR 92 east before Skyline April 22nd, 8:21:07 am

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