For those of us who follow the recruiting process, rankings aren’t always an accurate data point when measuring the likelihood of immediate success at the collegiate level. Sometimes, the biggest factor is player retention. Which freshman will be given an opportunity? Sometimes the biggest factor is “fit”. How does this new crop of talented freshman adapt to playing for a new coach in a new system? Read More »

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“The (Other) Streak” is dead. 13 New York Knicks wins in a row undone by predominantly by one Nate Robinson, who came off the bench to give ‘em 35 in 33 minutes in a come-from-behind overtime win for the Bulls in Chicago … [Check out Nate's new custom Jordans] … The wonder of Nate was on full display for pretty much the entire game with plenty of the good (buckets, energy, tenacity) and a heaping helping of the bad (horrrrrible shots at inopportune times, knucklehead passes, constantly straddling the line of about-to-get-a T and/or punched in the face by an opponent, etc.). Perfect example: Read More »

After Carmelo Anthony hung 50 points on the Miami Heat, we asked whether he was filming his own “Better Basketball: How To Score From Deep” DVD. And again, last night, we don’t think Spike Lee was putting together any “Carmelo Doin’ Work” videos, but someone really should’ve capitalized off this. Anthony was clipping the wings off the Hawks, and had an assembly line of defenders getting buckets in the face. Read More »

Last night in the McDonald’s All-American Games’ Powerade Jam Fest at the University of Chicago’s Ratner Center, future Gator Chris Walker won the dunk contest. But despite taking Ls, Aaron Gordon and Andrew Wiggins put down a number of disgusting slams: a behind-the-back 360, a couple of through-the-legs 360s, and Gordon’s incredible double-up. The popular thing to say would be, “These would’ve won the NBA Dunk Contest!” And while I don’t believe that, they were some of the most impressive dunks I’ve ever seen from a teenager. Read More »

The 2013 Jordan Brand Classic announced its field today, a 22-star collection that’s the center of the showcase April 13 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. How many of these players will be back in the New York metro area for the 2014 NBA Draft just over a year later? By the looks of the field, a number of them could be. Read More »

When I was in high school, we used to get warnings from the refs whenever anyone touched the rim. But here, Aaron Gordon was so nasty no one wanted to stop the show (it also looks like just a scrimmage). Everyone is calling the 6-7 senior combo forward the next Blake Griffin, but he reminds me more of Michael Beasley. Beasley was infamous in high school for shutting gyms down before the game even started. But I’m not sure the current Phoenix forward ever held it down like this. Read More »

While Aquille Carr is probably the most exciting ballhandler in high school basketball, there’s no question who the nicest in-game dunker is. It’s Aaron Gordon, and in this YayAreasFinest mixtape, the No. 6 recruit (according to ESPN) in the Class of 2013 goes off. Read More »

Once upon a time, I was playing at a camp called Hoop Mountain as a junior-to-be. For the week, my team ran away with the championship, and I met a close friend. At the time, he wasn’t even in high school yet, was only 13 years old but stood about 6-2, 210 pounds and was playing up with us (catching lobs and everything). That kid went on to become Aaron Hernandez, the tight end for the Patriots. I thought he was a monster on the hardwood, but the Class of 2013′s Aaron Gordon (he was 15 years old in this video) out of San Jose, California is just ridiculous.

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