Technically, I spent my entire weekend working. But when you’re going to Team USA practice to catch the best players in the world in their element, attending Converse block parties to see The-Dream and Stalley perform and checking out 20 years worth of Nike and Jordan footwear design and technology, you can take it. This really wasn’t work. And the people at USA Basketball, Nike, Jordan and Converse didn’t want it to be. It was a celebration of the game, the Olympics and our men and women who will be going across the sea to represent us on the hardwood. Read More »

Sitting in section 106, gray suede Converse Pro Leathers on my feet, a roast beef panini on a plate in my hand, peering down at the Verizon Center court to check out Team USA nearly blow an anticipated exhibition against Brazil, it hit me. This is weird…this doesn’t make any sense. I really shouldn’t be here. I had a media credential hanging from my neck, and yet… I wasn’t all that interested in covering the game, a Team USA game. Much of that had to do with no locker room access, and very limited postgame interview opportunities (international rules). But it also had to do with the fridge stocked with drinks, the hot plates holding hot dogs, the elaborate vegtable and sandwich platters, the shrimp, the flatscreens and the view of the court. Read More »

This weekend, the best of USA basketball has converged in Washington, D.C. for a four-day celebration of the sport. So far at the World Basketball Festival, we’ve seen Team USA practice, Washington, D.C., L.A., New York and Chicago all take each other on for bragging rights in the City Tournament Of Champions and today, the Nike Global Challenge pits some of the best high school players in the U.S. against foreigners from the same age group. But before all of that, we took it to the streets, to what’s probably the best playground atmosphere in America: the Goodman League at Barry Farms. Read More »

For those of y’all that made it up to Dyckman last night, you know what’s good. But for those of you that didn’t, just know that it went down. With that said, Nike Sportswear takes a look at two of the stars of Team Nike, Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” DeLeon and Quinton “T2″ Hosley, and shows how they hold it down in the streets of New York City. Set to the tune of Vado‘s summer anthem “Always On,” you can see the squad practicing what the lyrics preach.

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While his NBA team has been busy pulling off trades and free-agency signings, Brandon Jennings has been pretty busy himself. Last week he was in New York City for the NBA Draft, the NBA Elite 11 launch party, and to play in Steve Nash‘s celebrity soccer game. Jennings also took some time to play in the Entertainers Basketball Classic at hallowed Rucker Park. Here’s a video of “Young Money” doing work on 155th:

It’s been a busy week for Brandon Jennings in NYC. In addition to hitting up the cover unveiling party for NBA Elite 11, and showing off his soccer skills at the Showdown in Chinatown, Jennings headed up to Rucker Park to play in the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic. And killed. Read More »

When I first got to Rucker on Monday night the park wasn’t quite as packed as it has traditionally been on past opening nights. But by the time the opening night of the 2010 EBC at Rucker Park was finished, the crowd was tremendous and we were all treated to a display of insane athleticism. Read More »

If you’re in New York City tonight, it’s well worth your time you head up to Harlem to check out the opening night of EBC at Rucker Park. Playing in NYC for the first time in four years, Larry “Bone Collector” Williams will be joined by Rafer “Skip 2 My Lou” Alston and Darryl “Showtime” Hill as they take on the Angie Martinez All-Stars featuring Adris “2 Hard 2 Guard” DeLeon (2010 Nike NYC Player of the Year), “Jiggy” Josh Watkins and Jersey’s Finest. Read More »