Rick Barry; The Potrait of Awesome

I always wondered what the heck was up with Rick Barry. I knew he was an awesome baller and lead The Warriors to the NBA Championship in 1975, but I also had heard that he was a dick. I had a relatively blank slate on Mr. Barry when he was on KNBR 680 with Rod Brooks on the mid-day show a few years back and hadn't thought much about him since.

That is until I decided to listen to the Simmons Podcast last week where Billy Boy interviewed Tony Kornheiser of current PTI fame. Part of the discussion centered on the excellent article Kornheiser wrote in 1983 about Rick Barry. And the point of this post is to have you check out this splendid prose (thanks to SI Vault) that reveals so much about an incredible NBA player that it makes me hate the walls that these guys put up today....that is, until, Twitter hit the scene and sent Michael Beasley to rehab.

Was Rick Barry really a dick? Or was he just so competitive that he would do whatever it took to win (a-la Tiger Woods chucking his club into the bushes last week and making Steve Williams, his caddy, go get it)? Perhaps we will never know the truth.

The MTV VMA's: Video of the Year Nominee

As you know from watching MTV's Real World, Real World-Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet, Nitro Circus, Rob Drydek Fantasy Factory, Bully Beatdown, Busted, Pranked, Punked, Parental Control, True Life, MADE and a few actual music videos; the VMA's are right around the corner. In sticking with one of the 2009 NBA Off Season themes, I'd like to shout out and prop (at the same damn time!) the following video nominee for "MTV Music Video Of The Year"....in the ever important dance category.

NBA Hipsters

I feel obligated to pass along anything about the NBA that makes me laugh. Enjoy this post on BLOWTORCH

Stephen Jackson; He's Got Hurt Feelings

Maybe Stack Jack just has hurt feelings? Even rappers get hurt feelings. Hopefully Keith Smart can heal our Captain, as it's becoming clear that Don Nelson isn't running the team anymore.

Ricky Rubio; Minnesota Media Spin?

Chad Ford was on the most recent BS Report (CHECK IT) agreeing with Simmons on how David Khan (Minnesota's GM) totally botched the Rubio situation. He points to how well the Minnesota press has been painting the picture to favor Khan which, apparently, I fell prey too in a post last week. According to Simmons and Ford, Khan totally crapped the bed.

Also mentioned was how poorly our beloved Golden State Warriors are being run. Makes you understand why Stack Jack suddenly wants out of the situation. Please PLease PLEASE buy the Dubs, Larry Ellison!

Baba Booey's 1st Pitch with Stern Show Commentary

The visual with various Stern Show comments makes this youtubes great. I know the pitch took place back in May but it's always great to revist the horsetooth jackass who calls himself a real sports fan. You gotta be kidding me, Gary.

NBA Stories: Rubio & Artest

This week in "NBA Offseason Stories" leads us to a few doozies.

I have read many-a Sportsguy/Bethlehem Shoals/Mark Stein article about how Wolves GM David Khan totally botched the Ricky Rubio situation. Well, these guys should probably understand the facts before commenting. Assuming that Tim Powers of TwinCity.com is not lying, here's a great article talking about what happened to Ricky "The Human Mop" Rubio: CHECK IT . The only thing you can fault Khan for at this point was taking two PG's back to back.....which is actually still pretty dumb now that I think about it.


OK, I get it: Ron Artest is totally frigging nutjob wacko weird. But weirdness can be a good thing. CHECK IT

Props to True Hoop for posting these articles today. What, you think I actually read TwinCities.com and MLive.com with my 9 morning Five Hour Energy shots?

Kurtis Blow: Basketball

Remember the Lil' Penny Dream/Party Commercial where they played Kurtis Blow's "Basketball" song? That was one of my favorites as a young baller as I begged Mom and Pops for the Penny Hardaway shoes. Peep the Commercial:



Now that your memory has been updated, I highly advise you to watch and listen Kurtis Blow's "Basketball" video. At one point, Kurtis crowned himself "The King of Rap" with Russell Simmons' backing. And he was probably there for a minute until NWA came to the scene in '86. For some reason, Universal won't allow embedding of "Basketball" so you'll have to enjoy the vid on the link below in Youtubes.

CHECK IT

Hyperize: Behind the Scenes

Just in case you wanted a look behind the scenes of the Hyperize, Don't Criticize commercial. I'm sensing some great Halloween costumes coming from this commercial:

Kenny Mayne; Mayne Street

This is probably my favorite "Mayne Street" episode so far.



Why am I blogging this? Is it October yet?

Top 50 Hip Hop Albums of the Aughts

I've been having a splendid time reading a list on "The Passion of The Weiss" blog about the top 50 hip hop albums of the 2000's....aughts or whatever you want to call them.

ENJOY

The best part about this list is that you can click on a MP3 from each album and then the player automatically counts down from there. So if you're all like "Damn, what's this 'Cannibal Ox -- The Cold Vein' album at #14 all about?" you can hear a hot beat and when that song is done the player will drop the hit "9 Milli Bros" from the #13 album "Fishscales" by the infamous Ghostface Killa....and then on from there. This will be a great way to totally confuse an apartment party full of hotties. They hots will say "This song is tight. But I'm not dancing because I've never heard it before on my Sirius/XM Hip Hop Nation station." Actually, no they wouldn't. Chicks have no taste in good rap whatsoever. NONE. Play the latest Rhianna song and call it a day.

Hit up a comment (because I know that we get SO many in the NBA Offseason) on which albums you currently own. I'm looking to fill in some holes. Also, let me know if you'd me to make a copy of any of the albums. I think I have about 15 or so on here, including Deltron 3030 at #50 and Lupe Fiasco at #49. Yes, I am a total dork for nerd rap.

David Stern in a Barbershop

Check out the NYT webisode of Commish Stern visiting a Babershop to answer questions about the NBA. Something tells me that FreeDarko will have some ideas about this meeting in the next few days. Looking forward to see what Shoals will say.



Thanks to Ball Don't Lie's 10 Man Rotation for the lead.

They Dominate Pools: SportsNation

As seen on the new ESPN Show SportsNation, here's a remix of the guys that have been dominating their pool all summer. Based on the layout of their parent's house, it looks like these guys didn't have to get jobs this summer. And the webiverse is thankful for that:

Gil Zero IS BACK!!!

Here is iphone video from last night (Friday, 8/14) at some streetball league game. Although the dunk at 5:48 cannot be missed, I highly advise watching and listening to this entire vid. From the And-1 on court commentator making fun of a dude's shorts to the sideline spectators talking about what they expect of Gilbert this next season, this thing is high entertainment. F*ck reality TV.



So what do you think? Is new Gilbert NEXT? 2nd Round Fantasy pick?

Hyperize Special Edition

Nike has got all creative on our asses and dropped a few special edition Hyperize Kicks with a "White Men Can't Jump" theme. I just checked http://www.eastbay.com/ and these suckers are selling out quickly. So feel free to cop some with your hard earned skrill before it's too late.

These right here are the "Sidney Dean" themed kicks named after Wesley's character in WMCJ. The colorway supposedly matches what Sidney wore on the court, but I don't remember any zebra stripe. I should probably order up this DVD up on NetFlix to do some blog research.

This footbed text will probably wear away after one ballin' assed C-League game. But the "You can listen to Jimi, but you can't hear him" is one of the better lines from WMCJ. Well, it's maybe a close second to "Beee-leeee! Why you spend all your money on bass-keeet-baalll!?"



You remember Sidney Dean's flip up visor? Well, the tounge of these limited edition's flip up as well. Pretty damn funny.



Woody's character, Billy Hoyle, got pretty pissed when he didn't get the ball while being in the fucking zone. I find it ballsy that Nike would put the "EFF" word on their sneaks. But I like it.

If I had to choose, I'd get the Billy Hoyle's. But limited edition kicks aren't really the types that you play ball in. And since I couldn't imagine walking around town in Hyperize shoes with my jeans on, I'll probably be waiting a few months until the normal colors go on sale and drop below a C-Note. But I better wear out my Hyperdunks first.

Hyperize Update

A few new pieces of information on the Hyperize front. First, the Hyperize Shoe is out now for $124 at Foot Locker. It's the second generation of Hyperdunk. The Hyperize site is HERE where you can download the track, check out the 4 versions of the upcoming TV commercials, get ringtones and see the Hyperizers Bios.

Also, check out the lyrics meant for memorization:

DON'T CRITICIZE (HYPERIZE)

Chief Blocka (Andre) Chorus

We just be hyperizin'
While ya'll be crticizin'
We just gon do our thing like every day
You can't control the style
You think that we're too wild
But we're just having fun everytime we play
Heyeeeeh

Fog Raw (Williams) Verse

Playa hatin on a playa
Girl I'll see ya lata
You see me in the lane, now you don't, I'm the mayor.
I'm headed for the rim
Fog Raw get it in
We just wanna ball and laugh
What's your problem?
When my hands touch the rock, HOT!
Look at the poor little rim, ROCKED!
Baller girls love to smile when I deliver
I make they're little pom poms quiver
FOG RAW.

Chief Blocka Chorus

Velvet Hoop (Durant) Verse

Oooooooo Weeeeeee. IT's Velvet Hoop.
Wristband full of loot right next to my Shoot. Ing. Hand.
What's the temperature Sam?
80 degrees. I make a D freeze. Bring them punks to they knees,
don't talk about boring dunks
Velvet, I'm the youngest in charge
Get the hell out my garage unless you fixin' my car.
Scoop up Ice, Chief Blocka, and Fog Raw.
Let's Ball. To the hoop y'all. Come on Come one. To the hoop ya'll.
Come on!

Chief Blocka Bridge

Ice-O (Lewis) Verse

It ain't my fault ya can't hang
Maybe this ain't ya game
Hoops is about heart and hustle
If you like stayin' on the ground maybe you should wrestle
Breakin' windows when yo shot gets tossed
Make you run after the ball my crew yell GET LOST!
Wit a cross make you ankles hit the pavement
But yo coach look at me in amazement
You'll wonder where your Aid went
My crew never run
Yes we in Hyperize's havin' hella fun
(how much fun?)
I said hella fun listen hun, wanna know the secret to my rize
Check the kicks under my thighs
Surprise, i just banged all over your center.
It's flick time you stand I will deliver

Chief Blocka Chorus

Now that 'ish is HOT!

The Hyperizers -- Durant, Lewis, Williams, Iguodala

These guys have been around for 4 days so you may have already heard this jam in the blogiverse. But honestly, this vid doesn't get old. DJ Quik in the house? Check. Awesome stuff.

Chief Block = Iggy (early word was that he was going to use AutoTune. Must have been cut)
Fog Raw = Mo Williams "See me in the lane, now you don't, I'm the Mayor"
Velvet Hoop = Durantula (was he 3 years old when the African themed style was last hot? Hilarious)
Ice-O = Rashard Lewis (providing a Tattoo of a hyperize shoe on the back of some old white chick? Double hilarious)

Great, great video. More than rewatchable indeed. Truthfully, it gets better the more times you watch it as you pick up more and more stuff. Enjoy:



Let's admit it. The big exploitative Super Corporation Nike is on a roll. This "Today Was a Good Day" Nike SB video featuring Paul Rodriguez as Ice Cube is excellent. See if you can catch the NBA cameo:



The question remains: what shoe are you more likely to cop? The Hyperizers by Nike or the new P-Rod's by Nike SB? I've got a pair of hyperdunks and a few pairs of Nike SB P-Rods. But they are both getting kinda old. Hummm.....

Chris Kaman Rules

Clipper Center Chris "Caveman" Kaman likes firearms. Watch him tear the crap out of an '88 Taurus with his huge gun:

"Captain Marvel" Michael Jordan's 9th NBA Game

The NBA Offseason is nearly as much fun as the regular season. There are so many narratives on The Draft, Vegas Summer League (Orlando's is boring), Free Agents, luxury taxes and coaching changes that NBA writers use more brain cells writing over the Summer months than they do after a mid-January Friday Night lineup. And even with 2010 implications, this off season has not disappointed/pulled a Josh Hamilton.

THE Draft (yes, the NBA draft.........the NFL draft is a damn exercise contest) is the ultimate examination of Next. Those organizations who seccumb to the tempt of Euro in search of TheNextDirk or TheNextParker-Ginobili and actually draft someone who will contribute are those who are rewarded. All GM's have made/are making millions, but there are only a select few who get to stay around and continue to cash the checks of future contracts. At least half of a GM's measure of success comes down to the two guys they draft every year. It is in THE Draft that organizations don't have to worry about spending too much of the owner's money and it is simply up to them to make the best pick possible. You flop and take Nikoloz Tskitishvili with the 5th pick and you may (eventually) be fired.

As a Golden State Warriors fan, I am currently holding the no-brainer Steph Curry pick in positive light. His Twitter account is really boring but I don't expect much from guys who play ball at the liberal arts institution of Davidson and can shoot lights out. I expect Curry to be milk-toast. Golden State GM's "Don" Riley will probably get a passing report card on the Draft this season.

But let's move higher up the draft board and ask which picks can make an immediate impact in '09/'10 by gettin' all NEXT wit it. Blake Griffin will get plenty of run with the Clips and should be a valued fantasy player until he re-injures his shoulder in February. Rickey Rubio may dazzle us on ESPN & YouTube highlights (no nationally televised games for Minny) but we're all pretty sure that the scruffy little Spaniard will make just as many mistakes as converted no-look dimes on Kurt Rambis' squad. Tyreke Evans could be the real deal for Sactown as he overpowers other PG's in The Association but I'm pretty sure he's going to have plenty of growing pains managing his posse of hangers on. "Dude, let me be your Manager of Late Night Par-Tay!"

Do you want to see a clip of someone who had no problems at all as a rookie in 1984?



Makes you kind of sick, doesn't it. Someone who's THAT GOOD in their 9th game as an NBA pro. It just make you realize that statements such as "Anthony Randolph is totally awesome and the Savior of our Franchise!" are drowning in message board homer shortsightedness without any connection to what a "can't miss" rookie really is.

Side thought: I love how Enberg keeps trying to brand MJ wtih the "Captain Marvel" moniker. Fcuking Hilarious.

Stephon Marbury; Live on UStream ALL DAY

Enjoy yourselves watching Stephon Marbury not make any sense for 24 straight hours. I've been playing this in the background all morning long and it has not disappointed:

CHECK IT