On paper, a team whose best player is Linas Kleiza shouldn’t get anywhere within 30 points of a squad that features five NBA All-Stars. But that’s why we love the uniqueness and unpredictability of international tournaments like the Olympics and World Championships. In yesterday’s pre-WC exhibition, Kleiza and Team Lithuania gave Team USA all they could handle, taking the lead after a terrible first quarter for the U.S. (3-for-21 shooting, six turnovers) and staying right with them until a costly flagrant/technical foul combo — was Nenad Krstic in the building? — sparked a 17-0 run in the second half that pushed the U.S. to a 16-point W … Read More »

If you thought the World Basketball Festival was the end of summer hoops here in New York City, you’re crazy. This Saturday, the 2010 Nike Tournament Of Champions is going down as the summer league champs from the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic (EBC), Hoops in the Sun (HITS), Dyckman and West 4th Street will battle it out at Dyckman Park in Washington Heights. Check out the teaser trailer below, and the full schedule after the jump.

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Saturday was a whole different story. While the Tournament of Champions was supposed to take place at Goat Park, it got rained out. Take two, and we’re back at the Gauchos Gym in the Bronx. The gym has a great feel to it, and it was interesting to see some of the playground’s biggest stars tearing it up on the hardwood instead of the asphalt. Read More »

Last week I wasn’t kidding when I said that this past weekend was the best basketball weekend of the summer. Featuring two of the best events of the year – Boost Mobile Elite 24 and Nike Tournament of Champions – NYC’s asphalt was full of hoops. And it all started Friday night up at Rucker Park. Read More »

Unfortunately when you’re playing ball outside in NYC (or anywhere for that matter), you can’t always control the weather. So while we were set to have the 2009 Nike Tournament of Champions yesterday at Goat Park, Mother Nature thought otherwise. Nonetheless, if you’re still looking to see the winners of the four premier Nike summer leagues compete for the City Championship, head up to Gauchos Gym today. Read More »

Before guys make it to the Tournament of Champions, they have to pay their dues. And this Saturday, August 22 at Goat Park (99th & Amsterdam), you’ll get to see the next group of Metro area legends in the making in the high school showcase game. Check out the roster: Read More »

As we mentioned earlier today, this weekend is the best basketball weekend of the summer, and we here at Dime wanted to extend an invitation to the 2009 Nike Tournament of Champions. This Saturday, August 22 at Goat Park (99th & Amsterdam), TOC brings together the winners of the four premier Nike summer leagues (West 4th, Dyckman, Tri-State & Pro-City) to compete for the City Championship. There is also going to be a high school showcase game featuring some of the best players in the metro area, so don’t sleep. Gates open at 10:00 AM and admission is limited, so get there early!