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Ballin' with an attitude - AND1 in Lousiville |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 31 July 2006 |
 The rim got bent -- literally.
In most of the basketball-playing world, a goal tilted at almost a 45-degree angle would quickly stop the action. On the AND 1 Mix Tape Tour, the show goes on as it did yesterday just outside of Freedom Hall. With the way the street-ballers attack the goal with regularity and ferocity, sometimes the rim has to absorb punishment.
In many ways the difference between regular basketball and the style executed during the AND 1 Mix Tape Tour is like the difference between traditional sports and the X-Games. Style and fun are always the biggest calling cards to flocking young fans.
At the Open Run yesterday, an opportunity for area basketball players to showcase their skills, several hundred youngsters eagerly watched the games...
When the game moved indoors, the AND 1 team defeated a squad from Louisville 101-94 in front of an energetic crowd of 7,656. As is the case at AND 1 games, hip-hop music filled the arena, the announcer kept the crowd and players hyped up and above-the-rim play was the norm.
In the midst of it all was Chris Brown. The R&B singer whose latest album went gold was hanging out with his heroes. Brown, 17, has been an avid fan of the AND 1 Mix Tape Tour for several years. His dream came true when he was invited to join the tour.
Last night Brown got to play basketball with the likes of "Half-Man, Half-Amazing" and "The Assassin." He entered with 14:49 left in the first half much to the delight of several screaming girls.
"I've been a big fan of AND 1 since I was 9," he said. "I've always played basketball, and I've learned different tricks. They called and they wanted to know if I was interested. I said I would play with you all. I really wanted to come out here and show my skills. It's just a great opportunity."
An atmosphere that pushes urban-style entertainment is what sells AND 1. Terry Lefton, editor-at-large of Street & Smith's Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal, has described it as edgy, in-your face brand. You could see examples of that with people wearing T-shirts that read "I Saw Your Game On a Milk Carton" and "Your Game Is As Ugly As Your Girl."
It's a different kind of basketball environment from the one Jerry Dupree experienced at the University of Southern California. He played in the NCAA Tournament. But as a member of the AND 1 Mix Tape Tour, he fully embraces his alter-ego: "The Assassin."
"The game is more fast-paced," the 24-year-old said. "It's about showing the crowd our gifts, jumping and shooting. We have a lot of high-flyers. We have a lot of guys with handles. That's our show. We score a lot of points. We kind of play like the Phoenix Suns. It's up and down."
But does Steve Nash get to wear a red hat like Kenny Brunner, aka "Bad Santa"?
"Bad Santa" was in a giving mood early last night when he connected with John Humphrey (aka "Helicopter") on the evening's first dunk.
In AND 1, participants from the Open Run have a chance to join the tour. At the end of the season, the finalists can win an endorsement contract and become regular members just like "The Professor," "Spyda" and "The Air Up There."
Bobby Smith of Chicago is one of this year's hopefuls. He has played against NBA players such as Antoine Walker and Quentin Richardson.
"I've been a street-baller all of my life," the former Villanova player said. "It wasn't too difficult of a transition to make. I'm an adapter. … Streetball in Chicago is tough, but I stand to be the king."
Michael Grant
Courier-Journal.com
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