After more than a year of anticipation, Ridley Scott’s American Gangster finally debuted in theaters over the weekend. The movie details the rise and fall of real-life Harlem crime boss Frank Lucas, who’s already been immortalized for anyone who keeps up with the street DVD/crime magazine culture, but hasn’t achieved mainstream fame until now.

Lucas began as a driver, bodyguard and a confidant to the infamous Bumpy Johnson (played memorably by Laurence Fishburne in 1997’s Hoodlum), eventually seizing control of Johnson’s empire after his death. Lucas rubbed elbows with celebrities and was despised by other bosses but it made no difference to Lucas, as long as he did it his way. He lived a low-key lifestyle, but was ruthless when his soldiers didn’t fall in line.

In American Gangster, Lucas is played brilliantly by Denzel Washington — smooth and unflappable on the surface, but deadly to those who cross him. Read More »

With the exception of a few mid-major names still on the market (Anderson Varejao, Brevin Knight, Matt Barnes, etc.) and a few teams still looking to make moves (Boston, Miami, Lakers, etc.), the NBA’s free agency period for 2007 is all but over. The big names are all off the board, almost every team’s roster is set or close to being set, and after last week’s Kevin Garnett trade, a bigger move can’t be made — save for an out-of-nowhere Kobe trade in the next couple months. That said, we graded some of the significant free agent signings of the summer, giving out two grades for each: one for the team, one for the player. Read More »

Remember when big men ran the NBA? In the ’90s, superstars like Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, Young Shaq and Young ‘Zo had a huge impact on the League’s balance of power (of course, not as much as No. 23), and even second-tier guys like Rik Smits, Brad Daugherty, Vlade and Elden Campbell put in work. Those days are ancient history. Now it’s the era of Jerome James and Adonal Foyle, where all 7-footers have to do is look like they can play and they’re almost guaranteed a fat contract. That’s why Greg Oden has been so hyped since early in his high school career; if he doesn’t usher in a new era of dominant centers, he’ll at least destroy most of the fives in the League on his way to multiple championships. Who will be Oden’s top comp? We ranked the League’s 10 best centers… Read More »

We were all so quick to anoint LeBron as the best player in the League following the Detroit series that it took a couple San Antonio piecings to bring it back to reality: For starters, is LeBron even the best player at his position in the NBA? The three spot is one of the most loaded in the League, stocked with scoring champs and All-Stars, Defensive Player of the Year winners and MVP candidates. So who’s No. 1? Read More »

Earlier today we hit you with some of this year’s playoff surprises. Now it’s time to look at the other side of the coin; the busts of the ‘07 postseason …

Stu Jackson and David Stern Admit it, guys: You blew it by suspending Amare and Diaw. I’m not saying there should be special treatment given to star players — everyone should be held to the same standards. And yes, a rule is a rule, blah blah yackety-smackety. But there has to be room for interpretation of a rule, especially when Stoudemire and Diaw came nowhere close to being involved in the Horry/Raja/Nash altercation. Read More »

As good as the Mavericks and Suns were all season, it’s not necessarily a big surprise to anyone that the Spurs appear to be cruising towards another championship. Nor is it surprising that the best player in the East (LeBron) carried his team to the Finals. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a host of unexpected occurrences that went on the NBA after the regular season wrapped up. Here are some of our top postseason surprises … Read More »

How many times have you heard a ballplayer promise to “add to my game” in the offseason? And how many times does that actually happen? Ninety percent of the players we talk to — NBA, college, high school, every level — speak of becoming more diverse from year-to-year, but those who actually get it done are more the exception than the rule. Michael Jordan, for example, developed a three-point shot over the course of his career, and among active players, Josh Howard seems to add a new weapon every year. Here are a few NBA ballers who could have a big impact on their team’s fortunes if they added a specific element to their game — from the reigning MVP to one of this year’s most promising rookies … Read More »

This summer is an important one for USA Basketball … and some of its biggest guns will be locked in the drawer. D-Wade, Arenas, Chris Paul and Paul Pierce are just some of the superstars who won’t be available for Team USA in the ‘07 FIBA Americas tournament, which is a qualifier for the ‘08 Olympics. Not to mention names like KG, Duncan, Shaq and T-Mac who just aren’t part of the USA Basketball program for one reason or another. Team USA doesn’t have to win the tournament this summer to stay alive for an Olympic big, but they do at least need a Top 3 finish to qualify for a last-ditch qualifier in ‘08 right before the Games. So that said, who gives the U.S. the best chance to win? We went through the players who have been invited to this year’s USA Basketball training camp and picked the ideal 12-man roster … Read More »

We’ve been telling you about it for weeks now, and finally the day is here - the Ball 4 Real World Tour kicks off tonight Seattle.

We got with one of B4R’s stars - Circus - to talk about his game and what he expects to bring to the tour. You might remember Circus from ESPN’s Streetball reality show last year. He earned a spot on the bus and then a fan vote made him the show’s champion, earning him a contract with the traveling squad.

And now he’s back, but this time starting fresh as one of the core members of the Ball 4 Real crew …

Dime: How did your life change after winning a spot on the bus on ESPN’s “Streetball” last year? Circus: The amount of people that knew me outside of Brooklyn and Atlanta grew but other than that, I’m the same dude.

Dime: Did it seem as if people wanted to be closer to you after seeing you on TV? Circus: People wanted to be around me in general because a lot of people view me differently since I’ve been on TV for three months. I keep a small circle though.

Dime: What was the hardest part about earning your spot? Circus: The competition. I played against guys like “Springs” and “Special FX.” If they would’ve won I wouldn’t have felt like I got robbed. The big stage, elimination night, etc. But I’m from Brooklyn so that stuff didn’t really do anything—it just got me more hyped. Read More »

Yesterday, right after we told you about the Ball 4 Real tour’s kickoff tomorrow in Seattle, we got word of their latest signee - High Rizer. We’ve known Rizer for a few years now, after meeting him during the taping of the first season of ESPN’s “City Slam,” when he damn near pulled a basket down in a regional dunk contest in his hometown of Atlanta.

We got up with Rizer yesterday to talk about the upcoming tour and how his life has changed with his newfound celeb status…

Dime: How did you learn that you would be playing on the Ball 4 Real tour? High Rizer: I got a call from my manager and I was all for it. I was good money. Word probably could’ve gotten around (after City Slam) but this has been my best summer so far.

Dime: What does High Rizer bring to the tour in terms of game and personality? High Riser: I’m one of the best dunkers in the world - I’ve earned that title. I’m exciting. I play on pure adrenaline. Read More »