When you hear our interview with former NBA player, Maurice Taylor on The NBA Breakdown this Sunday at 9pm Eastern, he'll reveal what it's like to check out the one, the only, Ron Artest in concert. When Mo described the spectacle. you could tell Ron's musical showcase was definitely an "interesting" experience. I'm sure it was the equivalent of us seeing Audley wear Jheri Curls in a red sparkly dress while singing the Supremes tune, "Stop! In the Name Of Love". Yeah, not pretty. There's no question Mo's former teammate is a terrific all-around basketball player. Artest is still one of the NBA's best lock-down defenders, but when Ron-Ron decided to test out his vocal chops in his debut CD, "My World" which was released October 31st 2006, I think most basketball fans cringed. Anyway, let's hope Ron sticks to hoops instead of giving the world songs like "Hood Luhv" and "La La Ladies". We don't need him being in the center of any more riots.
We hear all the time about Nike, Reebok and Adidas, but let's give some respect to a revolutionary shoe that was endorsed by the likes of Derrick Coleman....
and the X-man, Xavier McDaniel.
Yes, I'm talking about the best black and white shoes ever made on planet Earth!
BRITISH KNIGHTS!!
Come on, you know you have a retro pair tucked away in your closet. I say, bring them out and show them off to your buddies! You can't go wrong with the fine quality plastic craftsmanship. When you roll up on any basketball court with those classic high tops, after your opponents stop laughing, they will realize you have arrived to do some damage. But, when I asked former LA Clipper/Houston Rocket, Maurice Taylor recently if his Houston sneaker boutique, Sneaker Lab, had any British Knights, he said NO. Man, I was devastated (insert sarcasm here). How can you NOT have British Knights? It's like not having bread in a grocery store. It just doesn't make sense. Anyway, I got over it. However, if you want to discover more information about Mo's sneaker boutique and find out if he will return to the NBA, check out our interview with him this Sunday at 9pm Eastern on The NBA Breakdown. In the meantime, I'll be wearing my retro British Knights while thinking of DC when I watch reruns of America's Most Wanted.
Let's flashback to the early 1990s. Grant Hill was part of a special Duke Blue Devils squad which captured back-to-back NCAA titles from 1991-1992. But, what gets lost in importance is, during that time, Hill joined a sacred fraternity. Yes, he became a part of the FLATTOP Brotherhood. It was a select group of legendary men including the likes of:
Chris Mullin
Kendall Gill
AND OF COURSE!!!!!!
KID N' PLAY!!! You remember those talented guys. Man, I hear Audley still has House Party movie marathons at his place! Anyway, my point is, Grant Hill was once on the same level as these incredible human beings. However, that came to an end when he decided to change his hairdo. It was unfortunate for humankind to stomach because Hill's flattop was truly special. His former Duke teammate, Antonio Lang will explain why on The NBA Breakdown this Sunday at 9pm Eastern. In the meantime, we encourage all of you to send Grant Hill and the Phoenix Suns e-mails, letters, Facebook/MySpace messages and phone calls, requesting he wear a flattop again. We have been deprived for too long. Let's bring this innovative hairstyle back to the masses! With your help, we can make this happen. Operators are standing by.
A Morton's Fork is when an individual is forced to make a decision between two equally unfavorable options - similar to the expression caught between a rock and a hard place.
It's roots go back to England in 1487, under the rule of Henry VII.
The Morton's Fork principle was based on a tax collection policy devised by John Morton, King Henry's financial minister and adviser.
Morton surmised that if a subject under the rule of King Henry appeared to live economically and within his means, was a good saver and could afford to give generously to the King.
If, however, the subject lived an extravagant lifestyle he, too, could afford to give largely because of his over abundance of wealth.
If you were a subject in England at the time, you clearly had no right way to go.
Fast forward to modern day and you'll see that the Orlando Magic are offering their own version of Morton's Fork to the other 29 teams in the league.
Here's how.
When it comes to inside post play, everything the Magic does begins and ends with Dwight Howard. He's a certifiable monster on the low block and his size and strength make him impossible to keep off of the offensive boards.
So NBA squads must decide whether to play Howard straight up and not send the extra defender or offer the double on the inside and have their potent shooters burn you from 3 point land.
In most instances, the situations, match-ups and the flow of the game will determine the best course of action however, the Magic have shown the ability to exploit opposing squads either way.
Just ask the Sacramento Kings.
The Magic are a top team in the eastern conference and force opposing coaches on a nightly basis to stock up on their headache pills.
That's right. The world's most popular basketball magazine and Earth's most entertaining internet radio basketball talk show have come together to promote the SLAM/NBA Breakdown Trivia Challenge!
Here's the deal. All you have to do is check out our monthly trivia question on slamonline.com then call in your answer to Audley and I on The NBA Breakdown for your chance to win a great SLAM Prize Pack! During our Sunday February 8th show at 9pm Eastern, we will reward the first caller who has the correct answer. So, go ahead and check out slamonline.com right now because I want someone to figure out the trivia question, so Audley doesn't end up taking home all this awesome SLAM stuff. He gets enough freebies as it is!
Anyway, be sure to pick up a copy of the latest SLAM issue with Mr. "We Talkin' Bout Practice. Not A Game. Not A Game. Not A Game. We Talkin' Bout Practice", Allen Iverson on the cover. It's quality work as usual from the SLAM staff.
Ask any sports psychologist and they'll tell you confidence is a key factor to success in sports. If you don't believe you'll hit the next free throw, make the game winning shot or shut down your opponent defensively then you've lost before you even stepped on the court.
Ask Nick Anderson what the lack of confidence did to his career after he missed four consecutive free throws in the 1995 Finals. Had he hit them, Orlando would have sealed a victory and taken Game 1.
To simply put it, basketball is 10% skill/ability and 90% mental.
Regular listeners of The NBA Breakdown would know Dave Mendonca, my overly confident co-host who often refers to himself as "5-7 of Pure Basketball Fury". This proves that even the most lowly skilled individual can gain confidence through a shot of positive encouragers.
The Minnesota T-Wolves are playing with a lot of grit and determination and possess more than enough young talent to divert Kevin McHale's attention away from us bloggers.
With five wins in a row, they're on their longest winning streak since 2005 which is making T-Wolves management optimistic about the future.
Most of what they do starts with Al Jefferson but the reality is others have to help tow the line. Since the team dismissed Randy Wittman as head coach in December, role players like Randy Foye, Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Kevin Love, Craig Smith, Carney and even Cardinal are contributing much more.
They've all stepped in at different points and displayed the poise and confidence needed for the team to be successful.
Whether you're a determined little engine trying to get over the mountain, the young upstart Minnesota T-Wolves or an undersized radio host that nicknames himself - you stand zero chance of success if you don't believe in yourself.
You guys are in for a treat this Sunday. Audley and I recently interviewed Troy "Escalade" Jackson. If you don't know who he is then you've been missing out. He is a 6 foot 10, 375 pound center on the AND1 Mix Tape Tour. Also, he's the little brother of former Knicks guard, Mark Jackson. Escalade is a freak of nature. This New York native has insane ball handling and passing abilities for a man his size.
Just check out this link for yourself:
Besides playing the game, he can talk the talk. He totally exposed Audley and I. It was hilarious! You'll find out what I mean when you tune into this Sunday at 9pm eastern. See you then.
Shaun Livingston, you remember the 2004 NBA Draft. It was the best day of your professional basketball career. Things were great back then. You were fresh out of Peoria Central High School. You were going to be a multi-millionaire playing a game you love. When NBA commissioner, David Stern called your name on draft night, it was official -- your dream came true. The LA Clippers loved your potential so much they selected you fourth overall ahead of players such as Devin Harris, Al Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith, J.R. Smith, Jameer Nelson, Kevin Martin, Luol Deng and Andris Biedrins.
Oh man, what were the Clippers thinking!????
Anyway, you would go on to show flashes of brilliance here and there but your career would be devastated by injuries. Infact, over your first three seasons, you would miss 101 games due to a variety of ailments. But, the most horrific injury of them all occurred on February 26th 2007 when you missed a layup then awkwardly landed and gruesomely destroyed your knee against the Bobcats.
Just like that, your career was mashed up like your left knee. The gamble former Clippers GM, Elgin Baylor and his staff took blew up in their face. But, it was the Clips, so you wouldn't expect anything else, right?
After missing the entire 2007-08 season, Livingston was fit enough to make a comeback. Give him credit, he didn't quit. The young guard made his way onto the Miami Heat. It was a feel good story. So, maybe this kid wouldn't end up like Jay Williams after suffering a rough injury. Alas, Shaun would only play 4 games before the Heat released then traded him to Memphis on Wednesday. Apparently, he was let go not because of his health, but it was actually a salary cap/luxury tax issue. Regardless, if that wasn't bad enough, the Grizzlies waived him.
So, is it Livingston's fault Baylor and the Clippers front office overvalued his talent in the first place? Is it Livingston's fault physically he was too fragile to play in the NBA? I say no. The Clippers had a chance to pick some great talent in 2004, but for some reason Shaun's 6 foot 7 string bean frame really attracted them.
You can't blame Livingston for entering the draft after high school to hopefully strike it rich because if NBA teams were saying you had great potential and they were willing to pay you millions for it, you'd take that opportunity in a heartbeat.
Personally, the Clippers put him in a tough situation because they not only poorly evaluated his skill level and ability to withstand the rigors and physical punishment of an NBA season, but they also overhyped him to a point where the expectations were just too high. Come on, this kid was never going to be a Magic Johnson or a Jason Kidd. But, the Clippers hoped he would.
Regardless, Shaun seems like a good guy. I wish him the best. Remember, he's only 23 years old. So, he still has time to get another shot with an NBA squad.
As for Baylor, I hope he stays out of the GM business forever. I just want to remember him as the all-star talent he was during his outstanding playing career. Is that too much to ask?
Spud's impact on the game was tremendous and his legendary battle with Nique in the 1986 Slam Dunk Finals is generally the first thought that comes to mind when his name is heard.
He also has the dubious distinction of being the guy who single handedly forced the league to make room for smaller, faster players that had the ability to control the tempo of the game by constantly pushing the ball up the court.
For many years, the NBA was dominated by big, tall oak tree type players like George Mikan, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
When the Dallas native entered the league, he was the only player under six feet to step foot on the hard court in the 1984 season.
(The same year that 6-1 Isaiah Thomas won the All Star game MVP)
The league hadn't seen a player of his stature before and Spud had to prove on a nightly basis that he belonged in the NBA and wasn't a side show gimmick used as a way to sell more tickets.
Coach Fratello took advantage of Spud's quickness and passing ability and the Atlanta Hawks instantly became a run and gun team when Spud was on the floor.
He went on to for play 12 respectable seasons however, he'll forever be linked to his classic dunk off against one of the greatest of all time in front of his hometown fans.
Spud may not have the disticntion of being the shortest to ever play the game. He towered over guys like Mugsy Bogues and Earl Boykins however,
Spud Webb can boast that he was the first player that forced people to look down.
Oh yeah, he also gave short guys like Dave wings and made them think they could fly.
So, when you think of Texas, do any of these guys come to mind?
If the answer is "yes" then we suggest you finally get out of your mom's basement and get some professional help because it's obvious you're Koo-Koo for Cocoa Puffs since you forgot to add one very important guy.
Yes, it's Mr. Spud Webb! Come on, he won the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest in his hometown of Dallas! He's the shortest Slam Dunk Champion EVER! Doesn't he deserve some respect? The guy lives in Dallas now. He pays his state taxes. He probably owns a cowboy hat and eats ribs. Also, I'm sure he's been to a rodeo or two. He's a Texan. And you know what? We won't hold it against him. In fact, Spud will actually join Audley and I on The NBA Breakdown.
The little man with big-time skills will tell us about his NBA accomplishments and what he's up to today. It'll be a fun trip back to the past. You'll be glad to get a sprinkle of Spud in your life again.
I trust 2009 will be both a safe and prosperous year.
I don't know about you but I'm a big fan of friendly competition - it has all sorts of amazing benefits which I absolutely love.
Competition helps keep the mind sharp, creates those feel good chemicals in our brains called endorphins and can make your co-host look bad (my personal favourite).
When Ben Osborne, Editor-In-Chief of Slam Magazine rolled through on "Slam It" Epsiode #9, I couldn't resist.
Check out The NBA Breakdown's Slam Cover Challenge video.
When you hear our interview with former NBA player, Maurice Taylor on The NBA Breakdown this Sunday at 9pm Eastern, he'll reveal what it's like to check out the one, the only, Ron Artest in concert. When Mo described the spectacle. you could tell Ron's musical showcase was definitely an "interesting" experience. I'm sure it was the equivalent of us seeing Audley wear Jheri Curls in a red sparkly dress while singing the Supremes tune, "Stop! In the Name Of Love". Yeah, not pretty. There's no question Mo's former teammate is a terrific all-around basketball player. Artest is still one of the NBA's best lock-down defenders, but when Ron-Ron decided to test out his vocal chops in his debut CD, "My World" which was released October 31st 2006, I think most basketball fans cringed. Anyway, let's hope Ron sticks to hoops instead of giving the world songs like "Hood Luhv" and "La La Ladies". We don't need him being in the center of any more riots.
and the X-man, Xavier McDaniel.
KID N' PLAY!!! You remember those talented guys. Man, I hear 
After missing the entire 2007-08 season, Livingston was fit enough to make a comeback. Give him credit, he didn't quit. The young guard made his way onto the Miami Heat. It was a feel good story. So, maybe this kid wouldn't end up like Jay Williams after suffering a rough injury. Alas, Shaun would only play 4 games before the Heat released then traded him to Memphis on Wednesday. Apparently, he was let go not because of his health, but it was actually a salary cap/luxury tax issue. Regardless, if that wasn't bad enough, the Grizzlies waived him. 
If the answer is "yes" then we suggest you finally get out of your mom's basement and get some professional help because it's obvious you're Koo-Koo for Cocoa Puffs since you forgot to add one very important guy. 
