Jason Williams really was before his time. Seven years ago, when the Sacramento Kings rookie point guard owned every sports highlight show during a fast and furious lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, we could have used future inventions like TiVo and YouTube to fully appreciate the “White Chocolate†experience. If you were paying attention back then, you know what we mean. For cats on the East Coast, carving out time to watch “SportsCenter†every morning after J-Will’s late-starting West Coast games became ritual. “Yo, did you see what he did?†became a common refrain heard in offices and classrooms and anywhere else we gathered to talk ball. Almost an unknown beforehand, White Chocolate was suddenly the hottest thing going in basketball.
It started early. In the season’s second game, J-Will brought the ball up on Vancouver Grizzlies rook Mike Bibby. Williams jumped in the air, did a scissors-kick, came down and – maintaining his dribble the entire time – blew past a stunned Bibby for a layup...
As the summer winds down, the 2006 installment of the AND1 Mix Tape Tour made its stop in Orlando, and much like previous stops in Central Florida, the tour had it share of interesting side stories.
SKY HIGH!
The AND1 Tour is known for it’s high flying dunks and jaw dropping ball handling, but for Coco’s Jarrel Kelly, it was a chance to show his ability to dunk in a big way, winning a chance to compete during the halftime Boost Mobile dunk contest.
“Speechless…†says Kelley on being picked to perform inside the building.
“I tried last year, and it just didn’t work out.†Admits Kelley, about the process of getting picked to play in the game. “I was trying to do it again this year...
The King of the Courts 3-on-3 basketball tournament is an all-day long FREE event held in 16 cities throughout the country, incorporating amateur basketball tournament, half-time events, video game tournament, celebrity DJ's, and a celebrity host - Big Tigger of BET.
Now in it's second year, this tournament is a reflection of Burger King's commitment to community developement through sports, music, and entertainment.
The event is open to the community and registration is FREE. Sign up now - your team could win $2,000 in cash including lots of prizes. Then, the winning team of each city will travel to Las Vegas to participate in the Burger King finals during All-Star weekend 2007 - where we will crown the "Kings of the Court" - your team could win $20,000 in cash and prizes.
AND1 racked up yet another win, defeating Orlando 96 to 88. The deisel himself, Shaquille O'Neal showed up, momentarily distracting the spectators from the game at hand. Although the big man was in the buildin', it was Baby Shack who did damage down low with 27 points on board, 20 of them from dunks. Springs, on team Orlando, made his second debut and had an incredible game matchings Baby Shack's 27 points. Looks like this new kid Springs could be sending some people off the bus. This was only his second game and he ended up with more than 25 points in both of them.
Watch out for AND1 as they head to Helicopter's home state of Raleigh, NC.
Marquee and I meet up at Bonnie’s Grill Sunday afternoon for hot wings and beer. The Yanks are getting beat up pretty bad so we take one of the TV-less tables in back. Marquee informs me — while smothering a stick of celery in blue cheese, hot sauce smeared all across the dude’s chin and right cheek — that today’s interview isn’t really going to be an interview. He’s been doing a lot of thinking about the game of basketball, and he needs to get some things off his chest. I’m on board with the idea as soon as he says it. Truth is, for the past couple weeks I feel like I’ve been taking myself WAY too seriously. Not only in these vacuous blogs but in life in general. I tell him I’m all ears. The floor’s all his. He devours another wing, gets all the way into the marrow, and washes down with a swig of beer. Then he clears his throat and commences his most amazing arm-chair declamation to date...
Marquee: First of all, D, I know y’all trying to make a movie with street ball in it. And I respect that. I know that Professor dude’s supposed to play Sticky and that AND1 might even pony up a little paper, but I gotta be real with you, homey...
And1 brought the heat as they raveled down to the sunshine state, beating Miami 106 to 104. Although Miami lost by a narrow two points, it was definitely a fight to the finish with new recruit Jamal "Springs" Nelson making an unforgettable debut. Dubbed by Duke Tango, he finished up the game with a team-high 33 points. But it's not his scoring capabilities that are amazing - it's his cat and kangaroo-like ability to pounce and "spring" from the floor and dunk on anything in his path. Definitely something a fan must see to truly believe and appreciate, let alone comprehend.
"I just play my game, I ain't out here to win a contract," and regardless of his intentions, if he keeps playing games like this he might just send Circus back to the tent with the rest of the clowns.
Grayson Boucher aka "The Professor" made his mark in basketball when he became the first baller ever to be signed to AND1 on contract from the world-famous AND1 Mixtape Tour in 2003. He's been in commercials, magazines, and soon will be in his own movie. Now he's playing in the IBL - the International Basketball League - for a team that hones in his own area of Salem, Oregon. Here's a quick highight reel that was uploaded to YouTube that showcases his organized ability.
Pro basketball is played indoors, with strict rules and on hardwood courts. Streetball has reinvented this traditional form, allowing players to bend the rules and perform trick shots, ankle-breaking cross-overs and innovative dunks. It might not have the feel of the NBA, but its free-form structure creates highlights fans love.
Last weekend, the And 1 Mix Tape Tour stopped at the United Center. The event pitted street legends Team And 1 against Team Chicago, a squad of young hopefuls. On the day of the game, And 1 held a tryout to see who would play on Team Chicago. The tryout included two rounds of pickup games, a dunk contest and the Goarmy.com challenge. The top four ballers who survived this gauntlet were chosen to move on to the United Center.
For four Chicago natives, playing against Team And 1 was not just a game; it was an opportunity for financial support, exposure and experience. If one of the four impressed the And 1 players enough, he would be selected to travel with the team and continue to play on the opposing side. If he continues to prove himself as the tour crosses America, he will receive an And 1 contract, making him a part of the streetball crew. Here is a chronicle of their saga July 15...
The Notic: Uncut & Unreleased
And1 vs. ATL All-Stars
Jason Williams really was before his time. Seven years ago, when the Sacramento Kings rookie point guard owned every sports highlight show during a fast and furious lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, we could have used future inventions like TiVo and YouTube to fully appreciate the “White Chocolate†experience. If you were paying attention back then, you know what we mean. For cats on the East Coast, carving out time to watch “SportsCenter†every morning after J-Will’s late-starting West Coast games became ritual. “Yo, did you see what he did?†became a common refrain heard in offices and classrooms and anywhere else we gathered to talk ball. Almost an unknown beforehand, White Chocolate was suddenly the hottest thing going in basketball.
As the summer winds down, the 2006 installment of the AND1 Mix Tape Tour made its stop in Orlando, and much like previous stops in Central Florida, the tour had it share of interesting side stories.
The King of the Courts 3-on-3 basketball tournament is an all-day long FREE event held in 16 cities throughout the country, incorporating amateur basketball tournament, half-time events, video game tournament, celebrity DJ's, and a celebrity host - Big Tigger of BET.
Marquee and I meet up at Bonnie’s Grill Sunday afternoon for hot wings and beer. The Yanks are getting beat up pretty bad so we take one of the TV-less tables in back. Marquee informs me — while smothering a stick of celery in blue cheese, hot sauce smeared all across the dude’s chin and right cheek — that today’s interview isn’t really going to be an interview. He’s been doing a lot of thinking about the game of basketball, and he needs to get some things off his chest. I’m on board with the idea as soon as he says it. Truth is, for the past couple weeks I feel like I’ve been taking myself WAY too seriously. Not only in these vacuous blogs but in life in general. I tell him I’m all ears. The floor’s all his. He devours another wing, gets all the way into the marrow, and washes down with a swig of beer. Then he clears his throat and commences his most amazing arm-chair declamation to date...
Grayson Boucher aka "The Professor" made his mark in basketball when he became the first baller ever to be signed to AND1 on contract from the world-famous AND1 Mixtape Tour in 2003. He's been in commercials, magazines, and soon will be in his own movie. Now he's playing in the IBL - the International Basketball League - for a team that hones in his own area of Salem, Oregon. Here's a quick highight reel that was uploaded to YouTube that showcases his organized ability.
