Okay, so maybe the timing isn’t perfect, but in light of the holiday season, we’ll be putting together an online gift guide for all of you last minute shoppers. Think clothes, gear, sneakers, music, video games and basketball products… basically everything us at Dime are really feeling at the moment. Today is the first submission in Dime’s 12 Days Of Christmas… Read More »

The latest single off Nas‘ “Life Is Good” sounded like a smoky, backroom duet just by audio alone off his 2012 album. After the first time I’d heard the track, I listened three more times for good measure. The video for “Cherry Wine,” which debuted Tuesday on VEVO, alludes to that imagery with the flickering shots of the late Amy Winehouse on a bar’s wall. Read More »

I saw Nas perform at Rock the Bells two weeks ago in New Jersey. I was bemused by his legendary stage presence. I wondered how such a calm dude could just transform into such a live and energetic mic controller. That’s what he exhibited – an MC.

A thunderous applause was given after each song he performed. I looked at the stage and watched him. I thought to myself, “Damn. This man is good.” I knew Nas was special, but that night changed my entire perspective on Esco.

Today marks his 39th birthday, in which he spent over 20 years delivering momentous verses and visual masterpieces through his videos and music. To honor Nasir Jones, here’s 39 of his best songs to celebrate his 39th birthday.
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We brought you the official unveiling for “The Birthday Song” yesterday more because it was such a ridiculous video. “Bye Baby” was also released yesterday afternoon, and while it isn’t one of the best videos we’ve ever seen, at least it’s a good song. Nas is getting a lot of love for his latest album, and this is one of the better joints on there. Read More »

Nearly 30 years ago, Michael Jordan came back too soon from the only major injury of his career, and even today, Bulls’ chairman Jerry Reinsdorf counts his fortunes every night before he goes to sleep. Okay, he probably doesn’t do that. The man has buckets of money. He sleeps fine at night. But he still says the team listened too much to Michael about his body, and ended up taking a risk by bringing him back before the doctors said he was ready. Jordan had missed 64 games with a broken left foot before coming back to finish the season. The ruthless assassin in him told everyone he was indestructible, and could play even when a few doctors weren’t so sure. Read More »

I can see Lamar Odom right now: face down, his head in the pillows, with rain drops sliding down his window, slow jams playing from his iPod dock, and his old Dallas gear wrinkled up in the corner. When you’re as talented as Odom and you end up basically being banished from basketball, something is wrong. Over the lockout this summer, he struggled with the murder of his 24-year-old cousin, and just days later was also a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a motorcycle, killing a teen pedestrian. Death and tragedy have followed Odom wherever he’s gone, like a dark curse that’ll never stop blocking the sun. Read More »

Excuse Mobb Deep for being cliché with the release, but this Friday is about to get really black. The Queensbridge duo is turning Black Friday into Black Cocaine. They dropped their newest five-track EP yesterday, and this Friday they’re dropping a deluxe edition on the biggest shopping day of the year. Finally, after years of waiting, Prodigy and Havoc are back together again, bringing that gritty New York sound into a game worshiping Lex Luger beats and Drake harmonies. As long as this release isn’t Blood Money, their last release five years ago that was nearly complete garbage, I’ll be hyped and willing to go spend my $10 instead of hitting the net. Read More »

Without the NBA in our lives, we fans might have time for the things we’ve been putting off for too long. Maybe we’ll have time to finish that historical biography that sits next to the bed getting dusty. Maybe we’ll get more exercise. Maybe we’ll start following hockey? As we get closer to the end of year, we’ll take a look back at all things — inside basketball and out — that occupied our attention alongside the game we love. That means over the next few weeks, we’ll break down the best music, movies, styles, plays, players and more. Each debate will be put to a vote by you the readers, and by the close of the year, we’ll have compiled a list of the Top 11 of ‘11. Read More »

John Wall says David Stern is trying to take advantage of the players during this lockout. You think? Of course he is. That’s what David Stern does. That’s why he is in charge of this whole thing. It’s not as if the players are getting screwed. It’s just that Stern is who he is: he’s smart. He’s on top of things. You will not outsmart him. That’s a fact … Talks in New York broke down today, and no new meetings have been scheduled. And we were so close. Not really, but anytime we hear anything that is even remotely good, we get anxious. It’s like waiting on a new Nas album. You hear the talks about taking it back to the essence. Read More »

Kobe Bryant is having no trouble drawing attention, and putting himself into position to make money with this lockout looming overhead. He’s been in negotiations with the Italian club Virtus Bologna for a minute now. When we first heard the club had offered $1 million to Kobe for one game, we almost lost it. Now, reports are saying the offer was increased to $2 million for one game. You can’t say no to that. The club says they have lined up some sponsorships and networks to support the “Kobe Night.” Read More »