And 1 mixtape tour

[Ripper 0]

I HATE each and everyone of these overated assholes that have ruined the game of basketball. I truely, truely do.

 

Yesterday, I make a rare appearance on the court to play. So do I get a good, exciting well contested game. NO. I get some little fucktard in front of me swinging the basketball in his shirt or something, carrying the ball about a million times all while standing in one fucking place and DOING NOTHING!! And this shit didn't bother anyone else on the court because this is what pick up games have evolved to since big business got a hold of the street ball phenoms.

 

You know those overrrated guys that will tell you that if you can't win here [insert one of the major courts around the nation] then you ain't shit. The ones that will tell you they are too street for the NBA and that the league is too afraid to give them a chance.

 

Let me say something. You can take the 13th man off the NBA benchs and they will procede to BITCH the players that are out on that court. Bottom fucking line. The REAL greats on those courts DO make it to the league because they have the talent to do so. The reason they are out there breaking every rule in the basketball rule book to get by and "embarass" defenders is because they weren't anything special in the organized REAL game.

 

I get sick of listening to people saying "Those street ball players are better than most of those guys in the NBA." NO THEY AREN'T.

 

Take a blah NBA player and he is a god on a street court. Take guys like Dirk Nowinski, Kevin Garnnet, Duncan or Shaq and I honestly believe that they would win a game of 5 on 1.

 

Now I have too feel like the old man on the court longing for the day when a pick up game was a actual game instead of a dribbling show. Fuck And 1, fuck Nike and fuck ESPN for showing that damn tour and ruining the game of basketball that I have left. Now I can only watch the NBA for a good game instead of being able to go play one.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

This is a very truthful rant. Half the time you'll see some kid do like 6 moves between the legs or some other fancy shit and then they try to lay it in and miss. They don't realize it's all about fundamentals and not about being fancy.

[Guest Shawn 5]

Those "ballers" are complete fucking jokes. They were either too stupid or lazy to get into college or make it out of high school or they were too busy getting into trouble to make anything of themselves. The guys can't shoot or play defense, and the only thing that they do remotely well (ball handling) results in 5 or 6 uncalled travelling or carrying violations per play. Give me an NBA or NCAA game anyday over those overrated fucks.

[the pinjockey 0]

I couldn't agree with you more. I can accept it for what it is, a mildly entertaining version of poorly played basketball. But when these people complain how they should be in the league and the NBA can't handle what their all about I want someone to chop off their hands so they can't play anymore.

 

I did catch on one of the shows though some typical athletic looking businessman looked at one of the guys who was dribbling down the street funny. The player said something to the effect of you can't stop me. So they play and the businessman schools the player by playing solid D. He played the guy instead of the ball and the player had absolutely nothing for him.

 

There is one player I am surprised hasn't gotten picked up. Escalade, is a big fucking dude who seems to have solid footwork and actual ball handling ability. He can dribble as well as do the fancy shit. Any big man who can move usually at least gets a tryout.

[Ripper 0]

I couldn't agree with you more.  I can accept it for what it is, a mildly entertaining version of poorly played basketball.  But when these people complain how they should be in the league and the NBA can't handle what their all about I want someone to chop off their hands so they can't play anymore.

 

I did catch on one of the shows though some typical athletic looking businessman looked at one of the guys who was dribbling down the street funny.  The player said something to the effect of you can't stop me.  So they play and the businessman schools the player by playing solid D.  He played the guy instead of the ball and the player had absolutely nothing for him.

 

There is one player I am surprised hasn't gotten picked up.  Escalade, is a big fucking dude who seems to have solid footwork and actual ball handling ability.  He can dribble as well as do the fancy shit.  Any big man who can move usually at least gets a tryout.

He is about 6'7-6'8 and plays as a physical forward. Nuff' said.

 

He would be bitched by NBA players. He is Stephen Jackson with more weight, less handles, and less range.

[Sandman9000 0]

Escalade's got the Oliver Miller-type body, which wouldn't bode well for a 48 minute game 82+ times a year.

[the pinjockey 0]

He is only 6'8"? Then that answers my question. I figured the way he towered over people he was at least 6'10" an change. I guess And1 is an ECW equivalent where Rhyno can look like a monster there.

[Ripper 0]

Escalade's got the Oliver Miller-type body, which wouldn't bode well for a 48 minute game 82+ times a year.

And Oliver Miller was a AMAZING shot blocker for a guy so huge. Escalade could do nothing of the kind.

 

It was cute watching him trying to bang with Elton Brand on that MTV special and Elton just kept stuffing everything he went up with. Cute indeed.

[Guest Choken One]

I agree 100% Ripper.

 

I can't even go to the courts anymore...I have to find pick up games at the Y with the 30 year olds...at leas they know the proper fundamentals...

[Guest Redhawk]

I agree...to a point. You're right, a lot of cats who just play on the playground think way too highly of themselves, which is made worse when their boys keep telling them, "Aw man, you could hella school Kobe!" But as we all know, confidence (albeit, sometimes too much of it) is part of what makes a good basketball player. And the streetball guys -- especially the ones on the And 1 mixtape tour -- are not BAD players. It's not "poorly played basketball." Part of what makes the And 1 tour different is that they entertain as well as play seriously -- to me they lie somewhere in between the Harlem Globetrotters and actual competitive basketball. Some of them are good enough to play in the pros, some of them could play college, and some of them are just circus performers. But I wouldn't down the whole group just because some kid in your city looks up to them too much. I like watching the "Streetball" show on ESPN, much in the same way I enjoyed watching "Hoop Dreams" and "Who's Got Game" on MTV. These might not be the best players out there, but they're certainly all talented players who are just trying to reach the next level. Some of the And 1 guys could play pro (maybe not NBA, but pro), and in fact one of them does (Rafer Alston). Tyron Evans, aka "Alimoe" or "Black Widow" is one guy who stands out to me and seems like he has enough legit game to make it somewhere.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Did anyone see the 3 point contest the streetballers had? I think they made something like 3 out of 50 shots. These guys can't make a simple jump shot.

[Ripper 0]

I agree...to a point. You're right, a lot of cats who just play on the playground think way too highly of themselves, which is made worse when their boys keep telling them, "Aw man, you could hella school Kobe!" But as we all know, confidence (albeit, sometimes too much of it) is part of what makes a good basketball player. And the streetball guys -- especially the ones on the And 1 mixtape tour -- are not BAD players. It's not "poorly played basketball." Part of what makes the And 1 tour different is that they entertain as well as play seriously -- to me they lie somewhere in between the Harlem Globetrotters and actual competitive basketball. Some of them are good enough to play in the pros, some of them could play college, and some of them are just circus performers. But I wouldn't down the whole group just because some kid in your city looks up to them too much. I like watching the "Streetball" show on ESPN, much in the same way I enjoyed watching "Hoop Dreams" and "Who's Got Game" on MTV. These might not be the best players out there, but they're certainly all talented players who are just trying to reach the next level. Some of the And 1 guys could play pro (maybe not NBA, but pro), and in fact one of them does (Rafer Alston). Tyron Evans, aka "Alimoe" or "Black Widow" is one guy who stands out to me and seems like he has enough legit game to make it somewhere.

Yeah, they are good players, but like I said, I don't think ANY of them have the skills to be in the league.

 

I love when I would see these guys, on a team that plays together all the time, get beat by a team of NBA players that have NEVER played together once.

 

Do not be confused, most guys in the NBA from Barron Davis to Elton Brand can pull just as many tricks with the ball as these guys, but are actually fundamentally sound.

 

I have seen plenty of the ANd 1 tour(this girl that was staying with me worked on the tour) and after they get done dancing around, they DO play a real game that looks like a highschool game with less defense honestly.

 

Confidence is one thing, delusional is another and a guy that can't hit a consistant 14 foot shot, has no post game and thinks he's a big man at 6'4 IS NOT on these guys level. You constantly hear about how they DUNKED on some NBA player...who happened to have 55 points in the game.

 

The REAL harlem Globetrotters were real players, and unless one of these guys starting hitting hookshots from half court, don't put them in the same catagory.

[ant_7000 0]

I kind of agree and disagree with you Ripper, I mean I play streetball (im good too) but I don't do real flashy moves maybe a crossover thats very effective but there's some cat sitting on the side talking about how my "Crossover" is too basic and slow, im like won't come out and guard me.

 

Most of those And 1 guys wouldn't make it in the NBA because most of their moves are illegal, and most of them lack basic fundementals. Hell, Rafer Alston (Skip to my Lou) is consider the best streetballer and he has a hard time sticking with a NBA team. Some NBA players can't hang with streetball players, like Vince Carter who got torched by Future, or NBA players who have back to the basket post game (Except Shaq) wouldn't be all that good in streetball.

 

Ripper, you can't act like all Streetballers can't make it in the NBA, because NBA legends like Dr. J, Tiny Archbaild (sp), and etc were streetballers too. Just read Slam's Streetballer editon.

 

I do hate when I play with guys who think they can do AND 1 moves and do them in slow motion and fucking up. But I look at AND 1 tapes as just for entertainment purpose and some simple crossover moves. Streetball does have more excitement than what the NBA is given out right now, thats why AND 1 has gotten so popular.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

Streetballers that are considered to be “good,” mostly have too much mustard on their game. They might have the height, weight and athleticism to be considered to make a living playing ball, but the palming, lack of fundamentals and shooting sets them apart from the worst American players that have to play overseas.

 

Quite frankly, I find more enjoyment watching Slamball than any of the MTV, ESPN streetball shows. At least with Slamball, they got rid of dribbling, traveling and shooting. They actually took out the 3 point line this year because it was hindering teams without a shooter, when someone who can SHOOT actually gets the same 3 points for a jump shot.

[Ripper 0]

I kind of agree and disagree with you Ripper, I mean I play streetball (im good too) but I don't do real flashy moves maybe a crossover thats very effective but there's some cat sitting on the side talking about how my "Crossover" is too basic and slow, im like won't come out and guard me.

 

Most of those And 1 guys wouldn't make it in the NBA because most of their moves are illegal, and most of them lack basic fundementals. Hell, Rafer Alston (Skip to my Lou) is consider the best streetballer and he has a hard time sticking with a NBA team. Some NBA players can't hang with streetball players, like Vince Carter who got torched by Future, or NBA players who have back to the basket post game (Except Shaq) wouldn't be all that good in streetball.

 

Ripper, you can't act like all Streetballers can't make it in the NBA, because NBA legends like Dr. J, Tiny Archbaild (sp), and etc were streetballers too. Just read Slam's Streetballer editon.

 

I do hate when I play with guys who think they can do AND 1 moves and do them in slow motion and fucking up. But I look at AND 1 tapes as just for entertainment purpose and some simple crossover moves. Streetball does have more excitement than what the NBA is given out right now, thats why AND 1 has gotten so popular.

You are confusing my hate for the "street ballas" for players that played on on the hard top. I am completely against pointless ANYTHING in ANYSPORT. Dr. J and the likes of them weren't on the court standing in one spot dribbling just to wow someone. They played BASKETBALL out on the court. There were innovative moves out there, like Karrems Sky Hook or ANYTHING COnnie Hawkins did, but it was all with in the confines of the RULES and the GAME.

 

I am saying that if you are a 27 year old street baller, say you are a street baller. When you start telling everyone that comes near you that you are better than the NBA players, it is bullshit and I am sick of people nodding their heads like it is true. The Street ballers with the complete game to make it in the pros DO make it in the pros. Mark Jackson, Stephon Marbury, Elton Brand, Jamal Tinsley, Kenny Anderson...those guys were/are street legends yet they have complete games and that is why they turn heads.

 

True talent truely turns heads. Noone is going to let anyone that could be a real force in the league just sit there. I am not saying that all of them are not talented...I am saying that they all are overrated.

[ant_7000 0]

I understand want your saying thou, thats the reason I don't play streetball that much any more. Its usually its guys who think they're good because they can do a dribble move or two, and then there's guys that are lazy as fuck, they don't nothing but stay behind the 3 point line or cherry pick. Then you got guys that cheat the either on the score giving their team extra points, and calling bad calls, which turns into a 5-10 minute arguement then you have stop the game. Then guys who get mad when your torching they ass then they want to fight you sometimes. This summer I decided not to play because of the bullshit when you go to the court.

[mw679 0]

Hey Ripper, are there any summer leagues or anything going on around your city? I know it kinda sucks to have to pay to play ball, but I stopped playing the street game for the same reasons. Every kid out there now thinks he's the next Hot Sauce or something, so I've joined and played in some summer(also winter) leagues and it's nice to have the refs and all, because the "street ballers", and I use that term loosely, have to adhere to the actual rules of the game. You find out REAL quick who the decent players are and who have no fundamentals what so ever. I agree with your points about the AND 1 tour, tho I do enjoy the ESPN show when I get a chance to watch, but I think a lot of kids don't realize that it's basically a highlight reel, I can only imagine the sheer amount of fuck ups out there, that get edited out.