Philadelphia, like any place, is synonymous with things both good and bad. From the cheesesteak and Liberty Bell to the passionate sports fans and tough environment, the “City of Brotherly Love” is home to over five million people, each with a different story to tell.

Nonetheless, as the saying goes, there is no place like home, and for the residents of Nicetown and Hunting Park section, this rings especially true when someone becomes a beacon of hope in your region and places around the world.

Rasheed Wallace was the No. 1 player in the class of ’93 as a center for basketball powerhouse Simon Gratz. His name alone struck fear in the opposition, as he helped lead the Bulldogs to three Philadelphia Public League titles and two National Championships. Decades later, what he accomplished in high school remains close to his heart, and he even has a bulldog tattooed on his left arm.

No matter where the game takes him though, North Philly will continue to be at the forefront as a place that fostered his growth and development. His former high school’s gym was even named Rasheed Wallace Gymnasium, with the court paying homage to his legendary coach Bill Ellerbee.

Now, the City of Philadelphia is continuing to honor his legacy by renaming the intersection of 18th and Hunting Park Avenue as Rasheed Wallace Road, which is located on the same block as his alma mater.

“It’s a special day in Philadelphia,” says Lynard Stewart, who serves as the head coach of the boy’s basketball team at Simon Gratz. Stewart played alongside Wallace back in the day—they were a sophomore when Wallace was a senior. Their squad finished with a perfect 31-0 record that season and won a national championship.

“When I came to Gratz, [Wallace] was the number [one] player in the country and he made me so much better as an athlete, person, how to carry myself. More importantly, how I could achieve within my own life.”

From his former teammates to people around the community, Wallace’s impact is felt all over Philly.

“I think it’s really nice that he has been recognized this way,” says Jazmin Miller, a local resident and business owner. “He has actually made a change to a place that is usually discussed negatively, and this [sign] will stand to inspire everyone, especially the youth.”

The Lakers newest assistant coach has always worked to improve the surroundings and conditions of others, and his philanthropic efforts have serviced communities throughout the country. He gives from his heart, too, so much so that on the day his name was honored as street in the city, he partnered with his family, former high school teammates and coach to facilitate a free youth basketball clinic. The event also provided breakfast for every attendee and their families, along with fresh fruit and apple sauce for the community, which was available directly outside the gym.

“Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of money or material things,” Wallace says. “It’s not about the material stuff, as long as you have your loved one right there…I’m rich.”

“It’s not just for me,” he added. “It’s my name out there, but it’s everybody—that’s how I look at it because I didn’t do it by myself, it takes a village…I didn’t [put] that sign up there by myself, it was Mr. Ellerbee, my mom, couple other people, mentors, it was them.”

Photos courtesy of Nasir Wallace, Anthony Gilbert, AXG.

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Jules Gutierrez has been cutting Jayson Tatum’s hair since he was a little boy. When asked about the importance of hair and the League, he explains, “A barber’s work can be so influential to someone’s confidence and style.”

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He elaborated: “Seeing Jayson’s influence with his basketball skills alone and how that transcends to his style is very humbling to me…[and] knowing that people around the world want that same haircut is surreal.” 

Another tenured stylist, Saadiyah, is the living legend behind Allen Iverson’s larger-than-life hairstyles. She has been on set for commercial and magazine shoots, as well as traveled the world to ensure his iconic hair is presentable and tightly manicured. Saadiyah shares how her client opened doors: “Before the cornrows, there was the afro, and Allen [Iverson] broke through the glass ceiling by representing our culture, being himself and doing things his way.” 

Terrence “Toot” Collins is an accomplished barber with NBA and NFL clientele. He cuts the Atlanta Hawks De’Andre Hunter’s hair and has been a mentor and friend. Collins shares, “I told him when he was 8 years old, that he would be an NBA player…he used to come to the shop with a basketball.”

“De’Andre’s dad died and his brother Aaron, mom and sister surrounded him with good positive people.”

“The barber is really important to a person’s development,” Collins says, “not just the physical appearance, more importantly their life.”

Anthony Gilbert is a Philadelphia native and graduate of Temple University. He currently writes for SLAM Magazine and is one of the founders of SOLE Collector Magazine. Follow @axgilbert on Twitter and Instagram for his thoughts, inspiration, and updates from within and around the NBA.

The post The Barbers and Stylists Behind the NBA’s Freshest Haircuts and Braids, from Allen Iverson to Jayson Tatum appeared first on SLAM.

“The SEC, the FBI or the IRS

I pass the alphabet boys like an eye test…”—Jay Z

When the Alphabet Comes: A Life Changed by Exposure is an emotional rollercoaster, reminiscent of a Hollywood script.

Jerome Allen, the former University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball head coach and current assistant coach for the Boston Celtics, writes a confessional tale that intertwines basketball, crime, poverty, self-awareness, family and forgiveness.

The foreword is penned by two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas, who also endured exceptional highs and lows throughout his career.

Jerome Allen is Philly basketball royalty. He bewildered Kevin Johnson during a Dream Team II exhibition with a crossover in ’94, and people continue to emulate the “Pooh Allen” move throughout the city.

The former two-time Ivy League Player of the Year and 49th overall selection of the Timberwolves in 1995 became the head coach of his alma mater in 2010. He resigned after five seasons, and was later indicted for accepting a six-figure bribe.

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Through Alphabet, Allen opens up his heart to help others understand and accept their mishaps through the telling of his own trials and tribulations. Giving a firsthand account of the Varsity Blues federal case, Allen reflects on how that time in his life has come and gone.

It was a true test of his moral compass, and his failure of character was motivation for him to become a better husband, father and son—and ultimately a better version of himself. The scandal is not who Allen is, but rather a fraction of his life story.

The alphabet boys came for him and now he’s become a definitive example of faith and perseverance.

—

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Anthony Gilbert is a contributor to SLAM, and he resides in Philadelphia.. Follow him on Twitter @axgilbert.

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Signature shoes are a sure-fire way for fans to connect with some of the best athletes in the world. But not all sneakers are created equal. A rare few sit a cut above the rest. In hoops, names like Michael Jordan, Penny Hardaway, Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant have stood the test of time—the impact of their games and their name-brand kicks transcended basketball culture and have since settled into the mainstream. Ken Griffey Jr has that cachet, too. But he’s existed in a class of his own as a baseball player with a signature shoe on the level of the aforementioned hoops gods.

“What’s really interesting is that my son always got my shoe before me,” Griffey says. “His baseball season would start off a month before mine, and I’d look at his shoes and say, ‘Man, they look nice, I can’t wait to get mine.’ And he’d give me a look like, Yeah! He would get the shoes, and even now he gets them before me. [Laughs] He’s my son and I can’t really argue.”

As a nod to his success on and off the diamond, Nike continues to celebrate “The Kid” with new releases. They also made him a dress shoe featuring wood and leather from one of his bats and pairs of gloves. During the summer and fall of ’16, Nike will re-release the Griffey Max 1 in three different colorways—Volt, Fresh Water and Emerald—as well as two special colors that celebrate Griffey’s July induction into baseball’s Hall of Fame. The only change in the new editions is the sock liner, with a 24EVER logo instead of the traditional Nike Air. The official Hall of Fame shoe is an all-white Griffey Max 1 with bronze lace aglets. This rendition has been dubbed the “InductKid,” with the actual HOF plaque serving as inspiration for the bronze accents.

Junior reflected on his allegiance to Nike by saying, “It started with my first pair of Air Jordans. I had Nike before then, but I remember getting them. My brother had the red and black and I had the red, black and white Air Jordan. We tried to talk my dad into Nike—he was into Converse, but we finally got him to go with Nike, and we have been a Nike family ever since.

“It’s not a company—it’s more of a family, and I think they have been through the ups and downs with me as far as my getting hurt, and all that I have been through,” Griffey continues. “When I broke my wrist, I had to get a plate and nine screws, and [Nike] had a little wall and everybody wrote get well soon. I detached a hamstring and one of the guys, Lynn Merritt, who I’ve known since I was 19, came and visited me for a few days. I went to a basketball game and I sat between LeBron [James] and Phil [Knight]. It’s really just more of a family than it is a business relationship and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

That family atmosphere created a bond along with iconic shoes, equipment and commercials that are rarely enjoyed by a Major League slugger. Junior dominated the diamond and retailers like no other baseball player has, past or present.

Griffey played 22 seasons and hit over 600 home runs. On top of all the accolades and All-Star appearances, the backward-hat swag and his impossibly perfect swing, the crossover appeal of his iconic signature sneaker line remains one of his most important contributions to the culture.

—

Photo by  Doug Collier/AFP/Getty Images

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President Barack Obama welcomed the Cleveland Cavaliers and their families to celebrate their improbable, come-from-behind NBA Finals victory several months ago…and First Lady Michelle Obama showed team spirit by playing a role in the Cavs’ mannequin challenge.

“These guys were a group of champions even before last year,” President Obama remarked, as he made several references to the philanthropic endeavors by some of the players, Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers organization as a whole.

“Seeing the first black President, and being alive for that, and how much it meant for my grandmother, and my mom, and my family…to be able to experience that, to see him in office, to meet him, it’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Cavs coach Tyronn Lue. “So to bring our players here to see that, to experience that, really means a lot to me. And it shows you how much it meant to them.”

Kevin Love presented the President with a personalized Cavs alternate jersey. Earlier in the week, Love expressed his excitement leading up to the festivities, by saying, “I’ve seen the Obama family at the White House. I campaigned against domestic violence two years back and that was a special time. But going for basketball purposes is totally different. Winning the championship, and standing there as the President talks and cracks his jokes. We’ll be suited, looking good, looking professional, and very presidential.”

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Photos courtesy of Getty Images

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Lowry is the first Olympic men’s basketball Gold medal winner from the City of Brotherly Love. (Dawn Staley, also of North Philadelphia, attained Gold three times.) The perennial All-Star doesn’t worry about the accolades—he’s grounded in his family, a tireless work ethic and a calling to serve his community.

“We all give. I do the AAU program, and I’m not doing it like a lot of guys. I do the AAU program not making a dime, not hustling anyone. I do it for the kids. Kyle knows that we have to do events like this, he knows it’s important,” explains older brother Lonnie Lowry. “It’s better because he wanted to make sure this happened even with him going to Rio. He said that this event has to happen, so we had to reorganize a few things and we got it done.”

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim praised Lowry for his basketball prowess, saying that “he’s the best team player,” but what’s most important to Kyle and his circle is the positive impact on the lives of others. His humanitarian efforts have gone a long way over the years, and will continue to do so in the future.

Photos courtesy of Jeff Zanik

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Everyone from Allen Iverson and Jahlil Beats to Brett Brown and Joel Embiid came out to watch special guest James Harden battle local legend Malik Alvin.

“For me, to come here and to feel the vibe of this gym, in a basketball city like Philadelphia…I mean it’s just a good night,” Brown said. “The thing that has surprised me, is that these guys get after it defensively. There’s more defense played in this game than there is in the (NBA) All-Star game, and it’s highly competitive, and the crowd appreciates it. It’s a good night.”

The Mallery Recreation Center, now the Daniel E. Rumph II Recreation Center, is at the focal point of the games. Rumph died of a heart condition while playing basketball there in 2005. Since then, his friends have created the league to raise awareness and revenue to get life saving equipment such as defibrillators installed in schools, gyms and rec centers.

Mike Morak has helped to curate the league and legacy for his late friend. He offered great insight and enthusiasm.

“It’s a big group effort to be able to do something like this, and to be able to build it to this magnitude on a yearly basis,” Morak said. “Danny’s mom is the biggest driver for me. To see her smile, and having fun, and to see people wearing things with his name on it, is something that at the end of the day.

“I can sit back and appreciate that because in this city there are so many lives lost every year,” Morak continued. “And after 11 years, people still remember who he is. They are asking how did he pass away and that supports what the foundation wants to do, which is to build awareness, and to make a difference to save lives in the future.”

Photos courtesy of Kenny St. George

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“I’ve always been artsy, but when I got pregnant with my first child (in 2009), I had a lot more free time on my hands and I started painting. I got most artistic in high school, but then I went to Temple (University) for psychology because I wanted to help people.”

The self-proclaimed tomboy, has an appreciation of family, love, balance and sports. Her art provides deep meanings, and vibrant colors.

“When I started painting to pass the time, I started to like it. I didn’t paint a whole lot over the years—a painting here, a painting there—because I was too busy making a family, and following the father of my children to different countries, and around the US. We lived in two different parts of Belgium. We lived in Dallas, TX, and Erie, PA, when he played in the NBA D-League.

“Virginia, Philly, another part of Dallas because he was there two separate times. And I wanted to paint my feelings, and sports had a lot to do with it because I was moving around for sports. My feelings about sports came out in my art…so I painted my feelings.”

One of her most outstanding pieces is titled JUMP MAN!, which reflects the business side of basketball on the professional level. Using her signature 3D style, she articulates the game like many others haven’t.

Typically a basketball depiction is one of glory and fame, but through her experiences, she has a different view. And while she still loves the game she once played, the not-so-friendly business side compelled Michel to take the road less traveled and speak out against common practices by some teams, and organizations.

“Overseas…there wasn’t a lot of time for family. The team had to practice four times a day for one game per week. I’m exaggerating a little bit, but I didn’t feel there was much focus on the family from the organization. I did the painting with the robot arms, reaching up for a basketball. They’re players but all you see is the hands and the ball, like they’re jumping for it.

“I painted it for symbolism. It looks really cool, when you look at it—the foils are flashy, like the gold, the glitz and the glam. The audience is cheering. But in some cases, they are just robots being controlled by the teams, owners and general managers. I don’t want athletes to be thought of as robots. I want the people in management to think about the player’s feelings, lives, families and their longevity. My paintings…a lot of times when I use robots, it’s to signify that something or someone might not be acting upon their own influence. Sometimes we are under the influence of money, a job, or a team owner. We get caught up thinking we have to act a certain way to impress someone.”

Billy Joe continues to pour her heart into her family and artwork, as she wants the best for the world. She is using her work to help put things in a better place, and to give people inspiration to do and live better toward themselves and each other.

“I want to continue to make smart art. I want to make people feel and make people conscious of what they’re doing, and doing to other people. I know people don’t think about the ripple effect. Not the first ripple or the second ripple—it’s the long term, down the road that I want them to think about.”

Sports have a way of uniting people, and drawing attention to things in a way that need some light cast upon it. Billy Joe Michel is doing her part to heal the world one painting at a time.

Follow Billy Joe Michel on Instagram @miss_billyjoe.

Photos courtesy of Billy Joe Michel.

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We had an immediate respect for one another, and I learned that day that the Cavs would not only win their series against the Raptors, but also that they finally had what it took to win a Championship. Coach Handy makes people feel good about themselves, and the confidence he exudes is contagious.

Now that the celebrations, fanfare, and parades have slowly come to an end, Coach Handy and I had an enriching 30-minute conversation where I learned what he brings to the table, and why his players love him so much.

SLAM: Tell me a little bit about your basketball journey.
Coach Handy: I’m from the Bay Area and went to James Logan High School in Union City. After high school I attended Ohlone Junior College for a year, and then I transferred to Skyline Junior College for a year. I had about a good 40-50 mid-major, high-major Division 1 schools offer me a scholarship. Now how I ended up at Hawaii, that was a total fluke.

I ended up going there because I had an opportunity to get my friend a scholarship so we could go to school together. It was a happenstance type of thing. It wasn’t planned. My original plan was to go to Cal or the University of Arizona. I ended up at Hawaii, and from there I went undrafted, but I had a chance to make the Warriors team through a free agent minicamp. I spent part of the season with the Warriors and then I went and played in the CBA for the rest of the year. Then the next year I signed on with the Trail Blazers and I spent part of the season with them before I went back to the CBA.

Then after that year, I just wanted to hoop. I felt that I had made it to the League, I saw what that was about and I just wanted to play, so I took my talents overseas. I went over to Europe and I never came back. I played in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Israel, England, and Australia. I had a chance to just travel the world and play basketball. It was a tremendous opportunity and blessing.

I had always been the type of guy to take the time to work on my game. I had a lot of different coaches that showed me a lot of different philosophies. I tried to be as complete a player as I could be. I wasn’t great at one thing, I was good at a lot of things. I played multiple positions and when I retired, I wanted to do something to give back to the kids. I knew I didn’t want to work a 9-5, and becoming a basketball trainer fell into my lap. [Former NBA guard] Tony Delk was a guy that pushed me into the business. He lit the fire under me. We used to train together and when I retired he asked me to come train him. I started working with him on a regular basis and I just fell in love with it. I liked where things were going and I felt like that was my calling. I fell in love with being able to help guys get better at their craft.

My wife played a big part in helping me develop the whole business concept. I figured out a way to have a blueprint of what I wanted to be known for. I laid down a foundation. I wanted to train players to be as complete as they can be, no matter what position, what age. If you are a guard, you work on post moves; if you are a post player you work on your ball handling. I wanted to help players become complete. Everything I do is built around footwork, balance, and that model mushroomed into a huge business over a 13-year span. I had an opportunity to work with a lot of NBA players, college players, European players. I became known for my work ethic.

Then I had an opportunity to get back in the League via connections. Mike Brown was someone I did not know personally, but he knew a coach that I worked with closely and that I trained a lot of his players. When Mike Brown got the job with the Lakers, Randy Bennett, the head coach of Saint Mary’s College, was a key part in helping Mike Brown discover me as a player development coach. Mike Brown gave me my first opportunity in the NBA. I stayed in LA for two years and when he was let go and went to Cleveland, he asked me come come with him and I’ve been there ever since.

That journey right there, the part that people don’t understand is the 13 years that I had my business. It was a grind. There were no cameras, no Internet, it was just all about the work. I would have 14-hour days. Sometimes I would drive 500 miles a day, traveling from gym to gym all over Northern California, I loved it. That’s how I came to be and what has led me to where I am now. I’ve had an opportunity to work with some of the best in the game and it is a tremendous blessing.

SLAM: You have learned so much from the game, what types of things are you teaching players now?
Coach Handy: At this level, when you get into the NBA, those guys are gifted. They are physical, they have natural talent and ability. I think with a lot of these guys, they have to master the mental part. How do you prepare day in and day out, not only your mind, but your body. They have to prepare themselves to get an edge. You look at guys like LeBron, and Kobe–two guys I have had a chance to work with–those two guys are at the pinnacle of what they do in terms of preparation. It’s unbelievable to see the stuff that they do to keep themselves at the top of their game. It’s not a fluke.

I use the term ‘hard work is undefeated’ a lot, and it’s true. Those guys have put in the time over the years to try and master their craft to the best of their abilities. At this level, we work on the physical part because you have to continue to work on their skills, continue to sharpen and continue to get better, but it’s more the mental aspect of how they look at their preparation as they continue to advance their careers.

SLAM: You work with Kyrie Irving a lot and he talked about having Mamba Mentality. What does that mean?
Coach Handy: One of the first things that I tried to do when I became part of the Cleveland coaching staff was to connect him with Kobe, and Kobe was really gracious and he really took a liking to Kyrie. I put them together because I felt like Kyrie was a phenomenal talent and he just liked to play basketball. Over the last three years, he has really learned how to work on his game, and appreciate working on his game. Kobe played a big part in that in terms of talking to him, and giving him some mental aspects of the game. Kyrie looks up to that man and he respects the body of work, and I think Kobe saw something in Kyrie that was untapped. Kyrie and Kobe created a nice relationship and Kyrie has tried to take pages from his book and apply it to his approach to the game. He’s come a long way.

SLAM: Looking at your basketball career and experiences, how special is it to become an NBA champion?
Coach Handy: All the hours in the gym, all the road trips, just everything that you go through as a player and as a coach–the Championship is the dream.  I can’t even put it into words. There was a lot wrapped up into what we just did as a team, as an organization. [GM] David Griffin, [Owner] Dan Gilbert, down to the players and coaches, that was an unbelievable accomplishment. I still find myself thinking, is this real? More than anything I’m blessed, because it could be someone else here. I’m grateful to the organization, I’m grateful to all the people who have helped me get to where I am, and I’m relishing in the moment. I’m still not comprehending that I’m an NBA Champion.

SLAM: After going down 0-2 in the Finals, you gave the team a post game speech.
Coach Handy: I don’t know if I can repeat it verbatim, I had a lot of curse words in there. It was after Game 2 and we knew we didn’t play hard, and we knew we weren’t giving our best and I was just frustrated. Coach Lue was gracious because I made a comment to him before the game was over about how soft we were playing and what I thought the Warriors thought of us and he leaned back in his seat and said you should tell them that.

It wasn’t anything meant for the media, it was for us as a team, I wanted us to win. I’m from Oakland, I have family members, friends, texting me, talking all kinds of mess and I got to a boiling point. I wanted us to take this series personal and leave our best on the floor. And they did that in the best way possible.

SLAM: You have some of the best sneakers in the league, let’s talk about your footwear.
Coach Handy: [Laughs] Hey man, I wear the same size shoe as Kyrie Irving, and he’s gracious with me. He really looks out for me and other guys. He will do whatever he can for everybody. I just so happen to wear his size shoe and he takes care of me really well. I appreciate the young fella for always keeping me laced up with some of his nice kicks.

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The former SLAM High School Diarist talked to us about giving up football for basketball, his memories of keeping a diary for us and much more. Peep the interview below and pick up #SLAM200 if you haven’t done so already!–Ed.

SLAM: Is it true you fell in love with football first?

Thaddeus Young: I always had a basketball, but I was a two-sport guy back then and I was actually better in football. I didn’t play organized basketball until I was 12 years old.

SLAM: What made you switch?

TY: I broke my collarbone playing football.

SLAM: Talk about your early basketball journey.

TY: My first AAU team was called the Memphis Golden Eagles, and I didn’t play that much because I wasn’t very good. I wasn’t always the guy that was picked first. As time went on, I worked on my game, and I got better. I would go out and play against my dad, and he wouldn’t let me beat him. I kept working, until one day it eventually happened later on when I was 14—and I dunked on him. That was one of my first dunks. I ran in the house and told my mom. He stopped playing against me after that.

SLAM: How’d you keep your focus in Memphis?

TY: It definitely was a sacrifice, especially when I figured out that I could have a chance to become an NBA player. My dream basically was to get into college, get my degree, and get a job. But I started figuring things out and things started to click. The biggest benefit for me was that I had people around me to push me and I got better everyday.

SLAM: You kept the SLAM high school diary for us. What does the mag mean to you?

TY: I was playing well in AAU and SLAM was really big in grassroots basketball. I was a potential All-American and growing up I would always go and buy SLAM. Before we had all these apps, and before you could download the magazine—which I still do—I would always tell my mom that we had to go to the store and buy SLAM. I always wanted to see who they were talking about and who was next. I also loved SLAM because of the sneakers. When they asked me to be the Diarist, that was a huge honor for me going into my senior year. I still have the first issue I appeared in [SLAM 91]. It’s at my house in Memphis.

SLAM: Why did you choose Georgia Tech?

TY: I had a crazy senior year. We lost in the state championship, but I had already committed to Georgia Tech in November. I knew things were going to be crazy because I committed to a school that wasn’t Memphis. I would play at Memphis, go to their practices, I knew all the players, and some of my AAU teammates were going there. They had a good group of guys. I just felt that I needed to get away from the city. I explored my options because I wanted to be able to grow as a player. If I stayed home, I don’t think I would have been able to focus like I needed to. My lifelong dream was to get to the NBA, so I felt it was time for me to go. No love lost, I still workout at the University of Memphis.

SLAM: You’re not only a successful player, but you’re branching into investments now, right?

TY: Yes. I have done a lot in real estate, and now I’m working with the Claim It! app, which is free app where you can receive a text message, watch a short ad and then go get free stuff. It’s the time in my career when I need to think about this sort of stuff.

—

Anthony Gilbert is a contributor to SLAM. Follow him @axgilbert.

Photo courtesy of Thaddeus Young.

The post Still Here appeared first on SLAM.

Basketball can often be described as a true art form. From the way Kyrie Irving dribbles against defenders with ease, to the poetry in motion of a Klay Thompson jump shot, the game can be viewed as a living, breathing masterpiece.

During the Eastern Conference finals, SLAM had an opportunity to interview Esmaa Mohamoud of Toronto, ON.

She has a unique perspective on how the game inspires, yet it also can deal a harsh reality to those who don’t or can’t fulfill their basketball destiny.

Mohamoud gave some insight to her most celebrated piece, which features 60 deflated basketballs…all sculpted from concrete. The visual is breathtaking, and with each piece weighing 30 pounds, it’s a pretty heavy subject matter—both literally and figuratively.

SLAM: How did you get into art and where did this journey begin?

Esmaa Mohamoud: I think starts with me being young and being creative. I would go around making drawings mainly, but I think it really, really started for me when my dad stared to encourage me. He got me art supplies, he saw that I was pretty good at drawing for a kid. He encouraged me, and I would always watch this show called Art Attack, which would come on every single day on a local channel called TVO Kids. It’s a Toronto channel—shout out to Art Attack. That show basically taught kids how to make art and I loved that show. I would watch it every single day and I would make art every day. I knew by the age of 5 that I was going to be an artist.

SLAM: When did you start watching basketball?

EM: I didn’t have a choice because I have four brothers, and I’m the only girl, so I was forced to watch basketball [laughs]. I really started getting into basketball when I would go hangout with my brothers and they would go play basketball, and I would sit there and watch. I’d be on the curb and I wanted to play. I’m not that good and I learned that, and now I just respectfully watch and admire players. A lot of my love came from Allen Iverson, he’s my favorite player, and Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady, in that order actually.

SLAM: What was it about Iverson that spoke to you?

EM: He has so much swag—so much swag! That guy…I felt like he was different, and I felt like he was being himself. Allen Iverson had personality, he had individuality. I love the way he played, spoke, dressed, everything. I really like the way he presented himself in the NBA, he really stood out and that stuck with me.

SLAM: When did you combine the two, and begin doing basketball art?

EM: This is a really difficult question because I would say for the last four years I was making art about humor and racial politics. I’ve always been interested in racial politics. When I started my master’s program, I found it difficult to do humor because it didn’t translate the way I wanted it to. I didn’t want to dance around the issues, I wanted to actually talk about them. The materials I started to use were concrete and metal, and I knew that it was basketball that I wanted to speak to because I was seeing a lot of things that were happening to black men and it really bothered me…but at the same time I felt that I couldn’t say anything, and I couldn’t do anything. But it was art that allows me to talk and to vocalize how I feel. So I looked at basketball courts, and I did my research by studying basketball courts in Toronto, and men playing basketball. For the most part it was through talking to people about their experiences and how bad they wanted to be an NBA player. That really made me want to talk about this subject.

SLAM: Talk about your concrete basketball sculptures.

EM: I was thinking about how these guys were telling me about how they felt about wanting to be in the NBA so bad and watching the documentary Hoop Dreams—which broke my heart—but that documentary is what really fueled the Heavy, Heavy (Hoop Dreams) piece. So I brought a bunch of basketballs into my studio and I was looking at them, thinking about them, and I thought, These things are really light, but this issue is so heavy. And that’s literally what it was, so I deflated the balls because that’s how a lot of black men feel…that their dreams are deflated. I used the concrete because it wasn’t enough for them to look heavy, I wanted them to be heavy. If someone lifted it up, it has to be 30 pounds, so in total the installation weighs 1,800 pounds. You can’t lift it up.

SLAM: What’s the symbolism of the chain net?

EM: The net piece is the one that I made first. I made that in 2015 at the end of the year for a grand opening of a gallery here in Toronto, but I was thinking about using the visual vernacular of basketball to actually talk about institutionalized racism and how a lot of black men feel captivated to only exist or be in the role of basketball or sports. As a way of making it or being successful. I was thinking about captivating the black male body, so at my show, I actually had a black actor perform within that piece, and he disassembles that net and chain and walks outside of it.That speaks to performance art and I wanted it to be a powerful gesture. I wanted to give the black male body agency to do what they want and it not be about just sports. You can be a basketball player, but you can also be other things.

SLAM: What’s next on the horizon?

EM: I definitely want to keep making works within the realm of athletics. I’m working on a few pieces right now under wraps in my studio. I’m not ready to let them out, because I’m still working on them, but I feel like I’m not done with basketball yet, and I want to keep using the visual of basketball to speak to these issues. I have a few ideas about other sports, and sport-related comments that I want to make. So hopefully within the next year, I’ll have another solo show and I’ll release those.

Follow Esmaa Mohamoud on Twitter @theQUEENthrone and Instagram @thequeenthrone.

The post Art & Basketball appeared first on SLAM.

Recently, Eyewitness News ABC 7 reporter AJ Ross, completely blurred the line, as she went viral in a dribbling exhibition on twitter.

Don't judge a book by its cover, you don't know my story Couldn't resist when I found this ball @jstngun pic.twitter.com/5XTJWxDKUI

— AJ Ross (@AJRoss_TV) May 28, 2016

She took a moment to talk about her love for the game, the origin of the video, and her NBA Finals prediction.

SLAM: Talk about your sports journey.

AJ Ross: I started playing basketball and a variety of other sports when I was 5 years old at the Boys & Girls Club. Pretty much anything the club offered from soccer, softball, swimming, track, even hockey—I asked my parents to sign me up. But it wasn’t until middle school ball became life for me. At the time, my parents transferred me from public school to Catholic school, and the only place I felt like I really fit in and made friends at first was on the basketball court. I had a great coach in middle school who drilled not only the fundamentals of the game into all of us but made us study plays. A lot of which he mimicked from Rick Pitino when he was coaching at Kentucky. In high school, I played for the best team in Pittsburgh, the Oakland Catholic Eagles, and we won three WPIAL titles in a row and won states my senior year. After high school I was burnt out from basketball and accepted a full academic scholarship to Howard University. Then I started to miss the game and walked onto the Howard women’s team my sophomore year. That same year my dad got diagnosed with cancer so I stopped playing so I could go home and support him. When my dad got better I played with the guys in the Howard intramural league. Since college I’ve just played pick up here and there.

SLAM: Explain the role basketball has played in your life.

AJR: From an early age, basketball taught me discipline, sacrifice and teamwork. But as my love for the game grew deeper over the years it also revealed things about myself I didn’t know I was capable of. How to deal with pressure and adversity, how to step up as a point guard and be a leader on the floor, and last but not least, how to persevere. Basketball has always been that one constant outlet where I could zone out and forget about stress in other areas of my life and just have fun.

SLAM: Where did the idea to do the video come from?

AJR: I talk a lot of trash… A LOT… but usually I can back it up. The other day at work I found a ball in the news truck and the photographer I was with (Justin Gunn) was skeptical about my skills. I told him when we pulled over I would prove him wrong and I hopped out and just started goofing around. He was impressed and recorded me playing around with Fat Joe and Remy Ma blasting from the truck speakers at Brooklyn Bridge Park. I’m sure anyone who walked by during all this was thinking news people don’t do any work. That’s definitely not the case, we work hard constantly usually covering some pretty depressing stories, so we have to cherish the moments in the day where we can find some joy and laughter.

SLAM: You definitely have game. the crossover and hesitation dribble. What did your hoop dreams consist of?

AJR: To be honest I never dreamed of playing professionally. I loved basketball, and still do, but always felt my calling or purpose was something bigger. I’m still trying to figure those dreams out but I think God has blessed me with a variety of talents.

SLAM: What position do you play?

AJR: Point guard, rocking No. 3 of course.

SLAM: Favorite team(s)?

AJR: I grew up watching Jordan so of course I was a Bulls fan in the ’90s. Later I became a huge Allen Iverson fan, so anywhere he went my loyalties followed. Now I don’t really have a team… but I can’t deny I love watching the Warriors.

SLAM: NBA Finals prediction?

AJR: Epic rematch of last year’s Finals, but with the Cavs healthier it’s going to go 7. I think the Warriors take it in 7.

You can't really defend perimeter assassins like Curry & Thompson. Both shots were challenged & both made them effortlessly #NBAFinals

— AJ Ross (@AJRoss_TV) June 3, 2016

SLAM: All-time favorite basketball film?

AJR: Love & Basketball. “Double or nothing.”

The post Instant Offense appeared first on SLAM.

Prior to the screening, Shaq made a grand entrance on the red carpet. I patiently waited at the end with my friend and videographer Jose. We didn’t have much time to interview him so I kept it brief with two questions. The first thing I asked him was how the characters in the movie Blue Chips led to what became a legendary 1-2-NBA punch. My second question was a little more personal for both he and I.

Shaq and Penny are members of black Greek-lettered organizations. Specifically Penny is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and Shaquille pledged his allegiance to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. The reason I brought this to Shaq’s attention is because once upon a time, black Greek-lettered organizations helped the black players network, organize and find common things like a good meal and a place to rest on the road during the times of segregation and shortly thereafter.

Some of the all-time greats are members of these fraternities, like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson being Kappa men, and Michael Jordan an Omega. During the film there is a subtle nod to both fraternities from Shaq and Penny.

Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Kerry Kittles, Erick Dampier, and Lorenzen Wright, made such an impression on me as a collegian, that I joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated to one day connect and build with them.

The history of the NBA is intricate and the more we understand the game, and how things came to be, the better things can be as the game and League continue to move forward.

The post Black Magic appeared first on SLAM.

Ali Abdullah is an engineer that wrote code for Google. One day he had the notion to develop an app and branch out on his own. From there, Claim it! was born. Several months passed and after careful deliberation Thaddeus Young joined the Claim it! family as a partner.

Last week, I had an opportunity to meet up with them downtown Brooklyn to see how the app works and why it has risen to the top of the charts so quickly.

I took the 2 train from Manhattan and got off at the Nevins station. The wind was blowing off the East River directly into my bones at a frigid rate. Nonetheless I trekked up Fulton Street. My mind started to drift as I reminisced about shopping along this strip for rare and exclusive sneakers. That’s when a moderate-sized neon pink truck appeared in my peripheral vision. This is New York, so nothing fazes anyone, but the large crowd and fanfare quickly proved to me that I was in the right place.

The Claim it! truck was in full operation and everyone was trying to get in on the act from high school teens, to grandmothers asking how to download the app.

A few minutes later an Uber arrived with Thaddeus Young and wife in tow. They got in the truck and happily began to give away hundreds of prizes. From what I observed, Claim it! is the people’s champion of apps. It provides free goods to the public-at-large, and the social aspect of it has a real ice cream truck feeling as would be patrons line up for their rewards.

Claim it! has the mass appeal to do big things. It’s only a matter of time and they will be a global leader that bridges the gap between businesses and consumers. Life after basketball will be good for Thaddeus Young and his family, and he is putting in the work now to best prepare for it.

Claim it! is available for download for Apple and Android.

Photo courtesy of Ali Abdullah/Claim It! | Video courtesy of @LoZerFiLms

The post No Limits appeared first on SLAM.

Meet Susan Torres the founder of Slam Dunk Bookings, a booking and casting agency that works with athletes for commercials, TV/film, and print ads. The single mother of two has a love for basketball, shared by her sons Norman, and Devin. What began as opportunities to get her family involved in acting turned into a business that not only helps the industry, but also broadens the horizon of her clients.

SLAM recently sat with Susan and some of her clients as they explained how the business works and how everything got started.

SLAM: I hear you’re an avid reader of SLAM. How has the magazine influenced you?

Susan Torres: SLAM has been a big influence on me for 15 years. My sons love basketball. Both of my boys played, and my oldest wanted to go to St. John’s to play. I owe everything to them, because they always wanted to watch the games and play. My oldest, Norman had the love, and my youngest Devin had the talent. When I made Easter baskets, I put SLAM in there, with Gatorade. My children had braids because of Allen Iverson…they really embraced the sport.

SLAM: What specifically is so appealing about the game?

ST: Basketball is a dream. It’s a game where you can do anything…and you don’t have to play. Basketball can take you anywhere…athletic training, acting, modeling, anything.

SLAM: Why did you start Slam Dunk Booking?

ST: It began as a way to help my sons get work. I was a mom manager. I remember this one big casting for Powerade and my son and his friends all got booked for a national campaign. I realized that I had a talent for booking and I always got my family and friends jobs. From there, it’s all word of mouth…everyone knows each other, from West 4th, to Dyckman, and the Rucker. I want the best for my clients. I provide training and instruction. This is more than basketball roles…I’m looking long term to cultivate athletes into actors.

SLAM: Who is your favorite athlete and what is your favorite basketball film of all-time?

ST: MJ, I have to say him because of how he played so unselfishly. I remember when he passed the ball to Steve Kerr, and that said so much about the trust he had in his teammate. As for my favorite film…I have to say Hoop Dreams because I can relate. It reminds me of my son Norman, how inner city kids feel about basketball being their ticket out…it’s their escape.

SLAM: You were on the AND1 Mixtape Tour, what is it like now to work in television with Susan Torres?

Anthony “½ Man ½” Amazing Heyward: Working with Susan has been a pleasure and a joy. I met her through a friend doing some security work in Brooklyn. I was still playing ball, but I was open to doing other things. Susan was looking for athletes…I already had my SAG card…and two days later she had a job for me. She is a good person and really cares about people. One thing that she told me was that she wants to bring authenticity to the screen by getting real athletes and ball players. That stuck with me. She’s about business, and artist development.”

SLAM: You’re playing professionally in Canada, why are you working with Susan, what do you like most about her?

Bilal Benn: She makes people feel comfortable, and she speaks with confidence. She’s a very positive person, and has great energy. She’s the type of person you want in your corner. I want to do commercials and TV shows, and just stay involved in basketball as much as possible.

Photo (left to right): Devin Torres, Andrew Galeano, Clifton Malone, Alonzo Robinson, Phillippe Gregorie

The post We Made It appeared first on SLAM.

It was a whirlwind, and then I reflected to myself how important the mental approach and toughness is needed not only to be an elite athlete, but also to compete as a Championship-caliber team.

Friday, January 29: The Warriors landed at 6:23 p.m., and the team bus headed directly to the arena for an evening practice. I arrived at 6:50 p.m. around the same time as the Warriors and I waited in the press room. Practice was over approximately 8:11 p.m., and the coaches and players were available to the small flock of media members.

The three All-Stars were on the court getting up some shots as if practice never ended. I interviewed Draymond Green, observed how Stephen Curry handled himself during interviews, and then I called it a night.

Prior to heading home, I stopped by Del Frisco’s Steakhouse to support Jason Thompson and his foundation benefit dinner. Thirty minutes later his teammates showed up, and everyone had a really good time in the name of promoting heart health awareness.

It was good to see the team in their down time, as I can say they are very unified and their superstars are so down-to-Earth, that you wouldn’t know their status unless someone pushed you out the way to get a picture.

Saturday, January 30: The Warriors won 108-105 with a Harrison Barnes three-pointer from the corner.

Afterward, I went into the visiting locker room. I got there too late to camp out in front of Curry’s locker, so I waited until he was done with the post game interviews, and I walked over to him. I extended my hand and introduced himself.

He gladly acknowledged me and we struck up a conversation. I mentioned that I people don’t allow him breathing room and that it must be difficult. He said, “God is using me as an example for others, so I don’t question it.”

Curry is at total peace with himself, his family and the sport of basketball, and I firmly believe that this is one of the main reasons why he is so good. He has blocked all the distractions out of his life, and he is focused on his faith, family and team.

The post Weekend Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

The conversation shifted to basketball. He expressed that he would be attending his first Knicks game soon, and that he was really looking forward to the experience. I asked what his connection to the sport was, and he answered, “my favorite player is Kobe Bryant.” That was music to my ears, and I told him I would follow up once we began filming the interview. Watch it in full up top.

Follow @Letter_Winners on Instagram and Twitter for photos, videos and to stay updated on which non-basketball athlete will appear in this series about hoops next. 

The post Letter Winners: Landon Collins (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

It didn’t take me long to rest on two options: Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard. They both wear the same number, and both want to win more than anything.

A few hours before the Blazers played in Philadelphia recently—and a few hours after the Flyers played their nemesis the New York Rangers—Lillard was warming-up, stretching, and putting up shots. I wasn’t too far away, as I got some photos, recorded video, and took mental notes on how he prepared for the Sixers. On my way to shootaround, I listened to some of his music (The Villains, Full Stomach, and Dead Presidents are some favorites) to mentally prepare for our conversation.

Dame sat courtside after he was finished (typically the stars will go back into the locker room), and after telling me I looked familiar (we’ve never spoken) we talked about a bevy of topics, including the difference and reasons for playing at at small school/program, versus a big time university.

“The grind and the whole mindset from growing up in Oakland is what allowed me to get here, but I think everybody has their own journey, everybody has their own story to write,” Lillard said. “For some guys they’re big time high school athletes and they go to the big schools because that’s the level that they should be playing at. For some other guys they go to a smaller school, but it’s all about developing, working hard and getting results. When I went to Weber State I wasn’t an NBA player. When I went to Weber, I didn’t belong at Kentucky. I wouldn’t have played, but I went to Weber State which is where I was good enough to play at the time, and I just continued to work and got better.”

He has a very calm, cool resolve about him, a testament to his wisdom and maturity. Right now his team is playing to find ways to consistently win, and because of that he doesn’t accept losing in the least bit. After losing by double digits in Philly, he gave no excuse: “It all comes down to respecting your opponent and doing the things to give yourself a chance to win the game, and we didn’t do that.”

When the team leader says things like that, people take notice. Lillard has the work ethic, humility, and desire to take Rip City to a higher level. Have patience, Portland.

—

Anthony Gilbert is a SLAM contributor. Follow him on Twitter.

The post Humble & Hungry appeared first on SLAM.

Being an underdog is a good thing when you know better than the critics and so-called experts. Kyrie Irving is the type of NBA All-Star that no matter what, people don’t quite understand how good he really is.

He is a game-changing, smart, determined and disciplined point guard, who just so happens to be one of the best in the business. As a member of the media, I have been guilty of not realizing just how good Irving would be.

When he transferred to St. Patrick High School, he was teamed with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who was highly-touted, hotly-recruited, and well-known around the country. Together they played well, won the state championship during their junior year, and became McDonald’s All-American’s and Jordan Brand Classic participants in their senior season.

By the time he committed to play for Coach K at Duke, he was ESPNU’s top-ranked PG in the class of 2010. Through his first eight games as a collegian, he averaged 17.4-points, 5.1-assists, 3.8-rebounds, and 1.5-steals. In the ninth game, he suffered a toe injury that caused him to miss the remainder of the regular season. He returned for the NCAA tournament, and a loss in the Sweet Sixteen wound up his final game at Duke.

After suiting up just 11 times, he had enough confidence in himself to declare for the 2011 NBA Draft, and was subsequently taken by the Cavaliers with the No. 1 overall pick. Irving didn’t hesitate to make a splash, as he took home Rookie of the Year honors and was an All-Star by his second season in the L.

The point I’m trying to make is that people have doubted Kyrie Irving, yet he has always believed in himself, and continued to work on his game. He makes smart decisions, finds the open man, knocks down shots, has one of the most elusive handles in the League, and can score in bunches.

He is a very special athlete, and when Nike made the announcement that he would be getting his own signature shoe last year, it made perfect sense. Irving can assess game situations well, and his style of play makes his teammates better. He’s a fan favorite, and he’s relatable (special shouts to Uncle Drew).

The moral of this story is don’t underestimate Kyrie Irving. He is a proven winner, and the best is directly ahead of him. When LeBron James takes a moment during a nationally televised post game interview to sing his praises, that’s not hot air, it’s truth, and together he and Irving have become a dominant force on the court and off.

—

Anthony Gilbert is a SLAM contributor. Follow him on Twitter.

The post Way Too Much Juice appeared first on SLAM.

Prior to his arrival, the 76ers had traded away superstar Charles Barkley a few years earlier, and with his basketball pedigree and ability to play above the rim, Stackhouse was the fresh new face that everyone was looking for. With a signature shoe deal from FILA and a 19.2 ppg scoring average during his first season, Philly had their fan favorite, and it quickly became Stack’s home.

Over the brief two-plus years Jerry spent in South Philly, there were memorable moments. For starters, there were widespread rumors that Kobe Bryant was working out with the team in West Philadelphia at St. Joseph’s University.

This was basically unheard of at the time, because even with a father that played in the League, the question remained: How could a high school athlete, compete and or be able to keep up NBA players? By ’95, only Shawn Kemp, and Kevin Garnett had recently made the jump from prep to pros, and they were big men. Bryant was a 16-year-old guard that not only proved he belonged, he was often times heard to be the best option in the gym. Legend in and around the city was that Bryant was taking all bets, and destroying any and all competition.

The other thing that happened during Stackhouse’s time with the 76ers was, simply, Allen Iverson. During their first year together, that backcourt combined for 44.2 points a night. But it wasn’t that easy to coexist with arguably the best under 6-foot guard in the history of the game—especially when he needs the basketball just as much (okay, more) than anyone else on the team.

Halfway into the 1997-98 season Stackhouse was traded to the Pistons for Eric Montross, Theo Ratliff, and Aaron McKie. They became the building blocks for the 2000-01 Eastern Conference Champion 76ers, and Stack emerged as an NBA All-Star that enjoyed a long NBA career.

Jerry Stackhouse is currently an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. Since Bryant is retiring after an illustrious career, it’s about time Stackhouse set the record straight on what has turned into Philly basketball folklore. Watch in the video above as he answers that, plus talks about what the city means to him, and his future aspirations in the game of basketball.

—

Anthony Gilbert is a SLAM contributor. Follow him on Twitter.

The post The Franchise appeared first on SLAM.

There is no such thing as an overnight success. That’s a dream. A fantasy. The Powerball and people’s hopes of winning was national news for the past two weeks because the public at-large has aspirations of quitting their jobs, and living life more abundantly.

The lottery is good in theory, but in reality the odds of actually winning are slim to none. If you want something, you have to be willing to work for it.

Over a decade ago I was an aspiring writer, trying to find my way in a career that I had no prior knowledge of, or formidable training in. I love sports, and becoming a journalist was the best way I could stay close to the games, and articulate what really goes on in and around the lives of athletes.

One of those athletes is Kyle Lowry, who I met in 2003. He was the starting point guard on a talent-laden Cardinal Dougherty high school team in Philadelphia. Jeremy Treatman of the Scholastic Play-by-Play tournament asked me if I could write a story on Cardinals for the tournament media guide. I happily accepted the job, and I set a date and time to meet, interview, and shoot the starting five.

I had heard stories about Lowry, from North Philly, who would run to the Art Museum, and up the “Rocky” steps with bricks in his book bag. I wasn’t sure how true it was, yet I was happy to be there and ready to work. Once I got to the gym, there everyone was, in full uniform, each with a basketball in hand. We had the place to ourselves and—me being a novice—I had to figure things out quickly. I introduced myself to everyone, Kyle Lowry, Bilal Benn, Shane Clark, DeSean White, and Tim Smith. Then I began setting up shots for the photos. My camera had a pop-up flash and every time I would prepare to click the shutter, the flash would pop-up, and Lowry would go from serious to silly with laughter. For some reason he found it funny, which actually helped everyone feel comfortable.

The players gave candid interviews, and I got my pictures developed a few days later. From that day forward, I’ve done my best to keep an eye on their basketball journey and lives. Kyle, Shane, and Bilal went to Villanova, and DeSean went to Providence. Clark initially went to Maryland and then transferred to Nova, Benn later transferred to Niagara, and White transferred twice before landing at Northwood, an NAIA school in Florida.

Early in 2006, I received a friendly call from Rob Pelinka. We spoke briefly about his clients Kobe Bryant and Andre Iguodala, but before we hung up he asked me my opinion on college basketball and who he should keep his eyes on. I mentioned Lowry without hesitation. I felt strongly that his style of play, and strong work ethic would make him a solid NBA player.

I had no idea that KLow would eventually become an NBA All-Star in 2015. If anyone deserves the accolades and success, though, it’s Kyle. He is a leader that carries a healthy chip on his shoulder. Currently he is averaging 20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, which should be enough to earn him another trip the All-Star game (in his team’s home city of Toronto this year).

Recently the Raptors played in Philadelphia, and I had a chance to catch up with him before and after the game. One very interesting thing I noticed was that when Kyle and DeMar DeRozan step on the court, they instinctively lean over and knock on the hardwood surface in some sort of pregame ritual. I didn’t ask them about it, because I want to catch a few more games to see if I can make sense of it. Outside of that mystery, I did my best to ask a few questions that would give everyone some insight on the super smart, insanely tough, point guard from the North side of Philly.

—

Anthony Gilbert is a SLAM contributor. Follow him on Twitter.

The post From the Ground Up appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakers are synonymous with Championships and once-in-a-lifetime athletes like West, Baylor, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, O’Neal and Bryant. The common denominator is the gold and purple (formerly known as “forum blue”) uniforms that are known worldwide as basketball royalty.

Kobe Bryant has emerged from the Laker greats as an icon who transcends sports and pop culture. He has an approach that combines his rigid technique, drive and intelligence into a relentless attack. He is both the teacher and the apprentice.

From the moment the Hornets traded him on Draft night, Kobe has cherished his roster spot as a Laker. Now in his final season, he reminisces about how it began. “That was a dream come true—that’s the same material that Magic used to wear, the original-original jersey,” Bryant says. “To put that on, with the mesh, and playing in The Forum, that’s what it was all about.”

The phrase “dream come true” sounds like something out of a Disney film. But as cliché as it is, Bryant had always wanted to become a member of the Lakers, and he will soon close the book on what was a storied career.

“It’s overwhelming, and it’s funny to say it, but I have seen him over the years in a Lakers jersey pretty much his whole life,” Kobe’s sister Sharia Washington says. “The only difference is that he was wearing a Lakers jersey with Johnson on the back, because that’s what he was always wearing. It was that jersey, a Lakers jacket and a Lakers warm-up. It’s kind of a mix of emotions like I can’t believe this is happening, and then, well, yes, I can, because I had seen it for so long.”

The road to greatness began with a detour just shy of training camp. An unquenchable basketball thirst led Bryant to play any and everywhere. During a pickup game on Venice Beach, he fell and broke a bone in his left wrist, which would sideline him for several weeks, causing him to miss his first camp and the exhibition schedule.

He eventually saw action in 71 games with six starts during that first season. His averages of 7.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 1.3 apg showed a preview of what would become a stellar career. Coach Byron Scott marvels at Bryant: “I saw one other person that I have had a chance to be around for a number of years, that had the same type of drive, and that was Earvin.”

Playing in the Great Western Forum was a right of passage for the young guard. His heroes had all cut their teeth there. Bryant recalls his memories in the Lakers’ old residence, describing it as “beautiful—I couldn’t ever imagine being on the Forum floor. You know that’s where I saw all the magic happen, literally, and the classic All-Star Game—Jerry West with the shot to tie the game—and all that stuff. To be on that floor was such a special time for me.”

When the curtain falls for the final time, the Lakers will have the decision of when, and which number of Kobe’s to officially retire. Considering all he’s accomplished, it’s safe to say both 8 and 24 could one day be hanging in the Staples Center rafters.

The post Live At The Forum appeared first on SLAM.

At first glance, the trip looked like it’d end up with a routine headline. Local high school star returns home for the holidays victorious. Then a couple of events added a new dimension to the visit: Ja’Quan Newton’s high school, St. John Nuemann-Goretti, came to show their support and former Hurricanes standout John Salmons, also a Philly native, was there sitting comfortably behind the visitors’ bench to take in the action.

In an instant this homecoming story took a turn for the better, as now not only was there a City of Brotherly Love guard on the hardwood suiting up for Miami, but now there was also a former PHI-to-MIA (and then the NBA) Goretti hooper in attendance to watch the next generation. And then there was the future. Quade Green, a 5-11, top-50 national prospect in the Class of 2017, who is currently starring at Nuemann-Goretti, was also there to watch his former Goretti teammate’s homecoming.

LaSalle University played host to Miami in a nationally televised game that day. And while the famed Palestra was the venue, it felt more like a home game for the Coral Gables school than an advantage for the Explorers. Newton, who had won 4-straight Philadelphia Catholic League titles there, has tremendous credibility in that building and thus the crowd came out to show their support for one of their own.

Green had an upper level seat, which he vacated before the half to do what he feels is necessary to play at an elite level for many years to come. In a text message exchange with Jaime Boyer of 8EYE Media (producer of the video above), Green stated, “I left, I’m about to go work on my game.”

After watching the video above, one can understand where the drive comes from, as he speaks on his mentality moving forward to get to the next level, which he calls his Plan A (and technically, B & C as well). Later on over the phone he explained that all he needed was to see the intensity on Newton’s face and the way he attacked the defense to realize that he had more work to do.

During the post game media conference, Newton shed a little more light on Green’s determination, saying: “He was a freshman when I was a senior. I haven’t seen him play in a long time because I’ve been at school, but the things I’ve heard about him have been great. He’s the next best thing out of Nuemann-Goretti. Everybody should have a goal to be better than the [last]. I wanted to be better than Scoop [Jardine], Tony Chenault… all of them, and he has to want to be better than me–that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

In the video below we speak with Newton and Salmons, with the former Hurricane speaking in detail about how he got to the University and his thoughts on the current team, while Newton shed light on his experience so far.

The U: Past and Present from Anthony Gilbert on Vimeo.

Salmons enjoyed a great career in the NBA, and with the right amount of dedication and perseverance, Newton and Green now look to follow his lead.

Newton had 10 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds in the 95-49 win over LaSalle. He and Green hail from Southwest Philadelphia, one of the toughest places on the American map. However, with the right attitude and chip on their shoulders they can defy the odds stacked against them, just as Earl Monroe, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Lynn Greer all did before them.

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Currently, the Stags are led by class of ’91 alum Coach Mike Jones. At a storied program like DeMatha, the sum of the hard work and dedication are championships and elite-level athletes. It was there that three current NBA players would push each other to eventually play at the highest level. Together.

Jerian Grant, his younger brother Jerami, and Victor Oladipo are in their first, second and third seasons of their budding pro careers. Each brings something different to their individual teams: Oladipo has a strong all-around game and high-flying acrobatics on display with the Orlando Magic, Jerian leads the New York Knicks with intelligence and resolve at PG, and Jerami brings high energy to the Philadelphia 76ers, with an recently extended shooting range, too.

They are enjoying success after paying their dues, and making good on their schoolboy dreams. “It’s crazy how we all used to be in the same house growing up in high school,” Oladipo says, “talking about playing in the NBA, and now we are actually living our dreams—it’s a blessing.”

A lot has been written on the Grant brothers, their father Harvey and uncle Horace, both longtime veterans of the League. But their narrative isn’t complete without including Oladipo, who starred alongside Jerian, Jerami and Quinn Cook during consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships in ’09 and ‘10.

Explains Jerami: “We just grew up together, we’ve always been like family…Victor was always over our house and things like that…we kind of made a bond early, and we always told each other that we were going to make it to the NBA.”

“We just worked extremely hard and it came true,” the youngest continues. “I’m proud of everybody.”

Oladipo echoes the sentiment. “First and foremost they’re my brothers,” Vic says. “They literally are like extended family. In high school I would just go over there and be at their house all week and weekends. I don’t think of them as friends, they are blood brothers to me. I call their mother, Mom.”

And while the Sixers are struggling, the Knicks and Magic are looking to shock the world and make their way back to the playoffs. The future of the Eastern Conference could see all three making an impact. Jerian assesses the experience in saying, “we’ve worked our entire lives for this, and we’re doing this together. We have our own personal goals that we want to reach in this League, and being able to do that together will be great.”

Time will put things together, and if they eventually meet in the postseason, the headlines will write themselves. To think, it all began back home a sibling rivalry.

—

Anthony Gilbert is a SLAM contributor. Follow him on Twitter. Photo via Anthony Gilbert/AXG.

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I say all that to illustrate how beautiful a plan is when it comes together. Allow me to introduce you to Darrun Hilliard, an ambidextrous, intelligent, wing position player for the Detroit Pistons. Hilliard took the road less traveled to the NBA; nonetheless, he is here and puts in the effort to get better every week. He is from the small steel town of Bethlehem, about an hour drive north of Philadelphia. I asked him about his hometown, and he stated, “Being from Bethlehem is everything to me. That’s the reason I wear the number 6, because of my area code 610. I have Bethlehem Steel tattooed on my back. I know where I came from, and I want to change the whole mindset of the people in Bethlehem.”

For starters, he played for his local high school Liberty, a lesser-known AAU program, and when Coach Jay Wright offered a scholarship, he accepted and attended Villanova. What he did next might seem uncommon, however, he stayed for four years, earned his degree, and was selected as a second round pick, 38th overall. When asked about his path to the League, he reflects saying, “It was different than most…I didn’t go to a big time prep school. I just stayed home at the local public school, and did it from there. I was in the gym before school, before practice, and after practice. Just because I knew I was automatically a step behind because I was never on the radar…and I got to ‘Nova through AAU. I didn’t play for a big time program, but it was a good program, and it fit for me. It was my only option. Coach Wright saw me play in Orlando, and it was history from there.”

The first time I saw Darrun play was during his junior year of college. What stood out most was his great scoring ability inside and out and how I had a hard time figuring out which hand he was because I saw him score and shoot with either one. Still, I didn’t think he was a pro until the summer before his senior season. I watched him play without fear or hesitation during the Kevin Durant Skills Academy.

I was there to see Derrick Jones, the high-flying high school junior, but I quickly noticed a few other people who were standing out that day. Darrun Hilliard surprised me a lot. He played like he belonged amongst his elite peers. Ronde Hollis-Jefferson, whom I expected to play well…lived up to the buzz around his name, and a high school player Jaylen Brown, played against KD effortlessly in the offense-to-defense drills.

I walked away feeling very confident they would play in the NBA, and that Brown was ready that day straight out of high school. Hilliard says of that experience, “I learned how to be professional. You see KD in the gym before camp even starts and he’s getting millions…and he’s there early, still putting the work in to stay on top.”

Fast forward to the present day. Hilliard is earning some valuable minutes in Van Gundy’s 10-man rotation, good enough for 3.0 ppg. Hollis-Jefferson is in the Nets’ starting five, but has unfortunately broken his ankle (get well soon), and Brown is a freshman for the Cal Bears, giving his team solid numbers with 14.3 ppg, and 5.3 rpg.

Hilliard sat the bench at first, and has recently begun to learn his way around and feel comfortable on both ends of the floor. The Pistons’ first round pick Stanley Johnson helped along the journey, and they seem to be more like brothers instead of NBA rookies. Johnson is very supportive of Hilliard and vice versa. Stanley Johnson was the first person on Twitter singing his teammates praises two weeks ago as Darrun was sent to the D-League for a day to get some extended playing time. When it was all said and done, Hilliard’s Grand Rapids Drive got the win, and he added a team high 31 points and 5 rebounds.

Everyone has his or her idea of what it takes to be great. As for Darrun, he stays grounded in his upbringing and hard work ethic. He knows what is required of him, and he has been learning as best he can to make adjustments and apply them where needed. He expressed after the win in Philadelphia, that “everyone is just like me…just because I’m from a small town doesn’t make anyone better than me. My whole life, I will have to work my way into stardom. It has never been handed to me, but if I put in the work, anything is possible.”

There was once a Detroit Piston from a small Pennsylvania steel town named Richard Hamilton. As a basketball fan, I would love to see history repeat itself, and with some hard work and patience, I think it most certainly will.

The post Meet Darrun Hilliard appeared first on SLAM.

Kobe has this weird thing about the city of Philadelphia. I can vividly remember it as far back as 1995, when people would say he’s from the suburbs and not really from Philly. Next, it was that he wasn’t playing in the “pub” (Philadelphia Public League) so he was only a great player because his competition was second class citizens. I’ve used my access as a writer to slowly set the record straight over the years.

His sister and I attended Temple University together and between the three of us, we have formed a unique bond. We are friends, and everyone respects one another, and the job we have to do as athlete, journalist and family member. She has given me great insight over the years and in turn, he and I have had really good conversations.

Friday, November 6, 2015, Brooklyn, NY

Whenever the Lakers play on the East Coast, I try my best to be there.

From the start, this one was different. I walked into the Barclays Center two hours before the game, and there was a sheet in the media room that said Kobe would do media availability at 6:15 p.m.

For anyone that has covered the Lakers, they know that this NEVER happens. And not only was he available, he walked over to the herd of writers, TV personalities, and analysts, alone, then he shakes my hand—we say What’s up, and then he begins answering questions.

When he was done, he started talking to Howard Beck, formerly of the LA Times, now with Bleacher Report, and we all walk a short distance to the visitor’s locker room.

Mind you, there is a film crew following us, and his wife and children have made the cross country trip to watch him play in New York. And to make my mind wander even further, he has been speaking with the media without a Lakers public relations manager around. And this very rarely happens, especially with someone of his stature.

When he and I were alone, I asked him a few questions about the Draft, and how his and Kerry Kittles’ paths have played out, from their pick-up games at Villanova, to their respective careers.

Then I asked him about Allen Iverson, because with AI being eligible for the Hall of Fame, I wanted to get his honest opinion of him. When he put him in the same sentence as Michael Jordan, I understood how special KB considers Iverson to be as an undersized guard. It’s easy for any of us to say AI is one of the best ever, but to hear someone like Kobe say that, it holds a lot more weight and validation.

A few weeks after that day in Brooklyn, Kobe wrote his “Dear Basketball” poem, expressing that this is indeed his swan song, and he is calling it a career after the 2015-16 season.

Tonight, Kobe will play his final regular season game in Philadelphia. Which brings his—and Allen’s—shared Draft Class history to an end. I’ll be there. Because after all, it’s the end of an era.

End of an NBA era @SLAMonline pic.twitter.com/gZzRIJpJ4K

— Hoopistani (@Hoopistani) November 30, 2015

Anthony Gilbert is a SLAM contributor. Follow him on Twitter. Image via Getty.

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