 As we’ve told you before, the mainstream streetball summer scene — previously dominated by AND 1 in recent years — has a new player in the Ball 4 Real tour. Made up of some of AND 1’s original (Main Event, AO) and newer (Spyda, Circus) members, the upstart B4R tour is a natural rival for the established AND 1 squad. Of course, the question we’ve been getting a lot is, which team is better? In a five-on-five game of real ball, we broke down the matchups:
POINT GUARD: Circus (B4R) vs. Bad Santa (AND 1)
If you didn’t already know, Bad Santa is Kenny Brunner, the former high school All-American and Georgetown point guard. Santa gets the scoring edge here, but Circus is a better passer. And with the weapons Circus has around him, he can rack up 20 assists … in the first half. Still, Santa is a problem trying to keep out of the lane and has a lot more experience from playing everywhere from the Big East to NBA summer leagues to pro leagues in a variety of countries...
Edge: AND 1
SHOOTING GUARD: AO (B4R) vs. Springs (AND 1)
Not taking anything away from Springs — who can definitely ball — but AO is that deal; he’s been doing it since Springs was a snot-nose. The only thing Springs has over him is athleticism.
Edge: Ball 4 Real
WING: Mr. 720 (B4R) vs. Baby Shack (AND 1)
Mr. 720 (formerly “Air Up There”) may be the better dunker, but Baby Shack does just about everything else better. And he can throw it down himself.
Edge: AND 1
FORWARD: Main Event (B4R) vs. The Assassin (AND 1)
After watching Assassin destroy 7-foot soon-to-be NBA Draft pick Spencer Hawes at Rucker Park last summer, he should be able to take the aging, 6-4 Main Event on the block and work him out.
Edge: AND 1
BIG MAN: Special FX (B4R) vs. Go Get It (AND 1)
This one’s easy. Go Get It dunks. Special FX dunks better. Go Get It rebounds. Special FX rebounds better. The St. John’s product has the upper hand here.
Edge: Ball 4 Real
BENCH
Ball 4 Real has a plethora of guards — Shane the Dribbling Machine, Spyda, I’ll Be Right Back, Killa Kirb and Pharmacist. AND 1’s backup backcourt consists of The Professor, Hot Sauce and Silk. If this were a showmanship contest, AND 1 would have the big edge, but in a real game, B4R’s guards come out on top. In the frontcourt, B4R has Half-Man Half-Amazing, High Octane and 50. For AND 1, it’s Helicopter, 8th Wonder and Escalade. In other words, B4R’s guys run up and down the court while Escalade slows it down tremendously.
Edge: Ball 4 Real
INTANGIBLES
Both teams have a good mix of youth and experience, but one thing that tilts this category in B4R’s favor is that their core group (Main, AO, Shane, Half-Man) has played together for so long. It’s the same reason why teams like the Spurs and Pistons are continually at the top of the League.
Edge: Ball 4 Real
THE WINNER: 4-3, Ball 4 Real
DimeMag.com Readers have left 9 comments. 9. its me again
jerry, Unregistered the total of hops for the and1 will be higher than b4r.the total handle for and1 will definetely be greater than b4r with sauce and silk. but the only thing i say b4r got over and1 is experience 8. and1 will win
jerry, Unregistered i don't b4r have more talent,no disrespect they have old talent.with sauce, silk, porfessor, springs and shaq,oh it's a wrap 7. and1
beedub, Unregistered With guys like santa, baby shack, the assassin, 8th wonder, and helicopter. I don't think b4r could match up with the strength. Those guys are all legit players. Any one of those guys could play in the league. 6. the truth
Visitor, Unregistered and 1 has more nba ready guys they would blow b4r out santa's shots down the gaurds on d and silk would murder ao just like he did in japan and assasin played with the lakers oh did i mentoin they have shaq as in pound for pound this game would not be close 5. Re: suck
Visitor, Unregistered i like and 1 but b4r have ao and ao is my favourite player 4. suck
Visitor, Unregistered i like and 1 one but i think its silly that ao and the other guys have left and 1 3. Untitled
Finest, Unregistered Silk is RIDICULOUS! and1 is luck they still have him... he's the best player on their team right now 2. Untitled
Mad Skills, Unregistered I think that Ball 4 Real will win but i personally more like the And1 Squad cause they have Sauce & Sylk 1. Ball4Real has my vote
Greg, Unregistered They have more talented players and they are focusing more on staying true to the game. Not only that, but they have the original AND1 OG's. J! Reactions • General Site LicenseCopyright © 2006 S. A. DeCaro |
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And1 vs. ATL All-Stars
