Mid to late 90′s hoop fans and sneakerheads should be thrilled that Nike,  is reaching back  to one it’s most sucessful partnerships.  Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and his party hardy sidekick Lil Penny had a huge campaign in the 90′s that was very successful, and Penny’s game was on deck as the Air apparent.  With his size 6’7 , and his ball-handling ability, to go along with excellent court vision.  We were witnessing a new age Magic Johnson. [..]

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

When you look at the skill set of Kyrie Irving, what jumps out at you the most?

Is it the fact that he got past virtually anyone who decided it was okay to stand in his way on his journey to the basket? Or does the fact that he was able to impress NBA general managers enough after only eleven games with the Duke Blue Devils to be named the overall number one pick in this year’s draft impress you a little bit more?

Either way you look at this kid, he has something in him that is general consensus “starpower”. All he needs is the right guy to take him to the top, no excuses, just great beginnings and spectacular endings. Byron Scott seems like the perfect man for the job. I mean, did you forget that he was standing alongside Chris Paul during his first moments in the league? [..]

Eastbay.com

Not to say that the newly crowned Detroit Pistons player was not a little bit joyous about having his name called amongst the drones of other athletes biting their fingernails. But, if he was, there was no way of telling.

When Knight’s name was called he stood up just as the other seven prospects before him did. However, the difference was that the smirk on his face paled in comparison to the Chesire Cat grin that Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams showcased across their faces as they walked up on stage and shook hands with David Stern. I understand the hypothesis brought forth that he may have not wanted to fall to the eighth spot when he worked out with numerous teams leading up to the draft and thought that he may have gone higher.

Still, you would think that having your name called after being invited to Draft ceremony would allow at least a spark of happiness to creep onto your face. The night is over and the last name was called. Afterwards, during his official introduction alongside second round picks Vernon Macklin and Kyle Singler he addressed the issue of his stern reaction to being drafted by Detroit.

“I’m definitely happy to be here in Detroit,” Knight said. “It’s great feeling to be picked by Detroit. It’s a great city with a great tradition.

“I think I reacted that way because I’m just a serious guy and that’s always been my nature to be calm and collected. Like I said, there’s a great tradition here. They have won three championships and I’m hoping we can add to that.”

So, what’s next for Brandon Knight? [..]

This draft class does not have the most talented players I have ever seen, but they sure do have some potential if they are willing to put in the work to get to the height that superstars of today’s game have reached. Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris and Tristan Thompson are only a few highlighted names when the NBA Draft this Thursday comes into mind.

These kids have gone through the gauntlet in the NCAA Tournament and are in for the trial of their lives and we are all bearing witness to their journey thus far. The rounds afterwards are extremely important but the first round is where some of the grandest stars are born. None of these predictions are solid so please do not treat them as such. There are so many tricks and turns draft day that your head will spin. It is just fun to pretend like you can tell a fortune or two. [..]

After watching how LeBron’s image was consistently mutilated in the media throughout last year’s summer, conjoined with this past NBA season, my mind began wandering to places that it never had before when considering the ups and downs of the perception of an athlete.

What were we truly accusing him of?

Did he commit some type of unforgivable heinous crime? Did he spit in the face of his opponent? Did he toss a homophobic slur at a game official on national television? Did he take some type of performance-enhancing drug and had us fooled all this time thinking he was working off of ‘natural ability’?

None of these things are brought to the light in the case of LeBron James v. The Public, so it leads me to believe that there is some type of well pronounced hypocrisy being displayed as some of the athletes who have committed some of the aforementioned grievances are dealt slaps on the back of their hand and a few words of encouragement.

James’ most recent press conference where his words seemed to echo the likes of “I am better than you, richer than you and even though I lost in the Finals, you will still be living your pathetic life,”  has the hammer is falling down directly on his head while others are walking around scot-free with public image and support still intact. [..]

Congratulations are in order for The Dallas Mavericks winners of The 2010-11 NBA Chip.  Dirk Nowitzki showed mega heart and tough metal in earning his first Larry O’ Brien Trophy.  Also gaining Finals M.V.P honors.  Time after time in seemingly close game after close game, The 7′ foot German made Nerf hoop clutch shot, after Nerf hoop clutch shot.  I used to be money like that in my room on a bent hanger on the top of my closet door, so i can envision what mister Nowitzki sees when he’s draining that J, anybody out there remember that. [..]

It still makes me go “Hmmmm” when people say that they do not believe LeBron is that great of an athlete but continue to make excuses for him when he plays terribly or even below his own usual standard. As a fan of his game, I refuse to sit back and feed into the drones and drones of rumors used to excuse why he has not been playing like a superstar in this year’s [..]

Here we go again HunTi’s with my SnIcK Of ThE WeEk: ThIs WeEk’S Eye PoPpErS ArE tHe: Nike Air Max CB34 in the White and Varsity Purple edition. These were the Home editions of Charles Barkley 1995-1996 Season with the Suns, so you know you’re getting a mix of both Varsity Purple and Orange accents throughout the White leather base.

The Varsity Purple is seen mainly in the Nike Swooshes around the base, with the Purple accents coming in the ankle areas, laces, tongue tag, and in the inner. [..]

Six Rings, Two 3-peats.
The greatest player ever.

The greatest sports brand ever.

[..]

Two games to none would have been too much for The Dirkster and his Mavericks to overcome.  With a furious rally after trailing by 15-pts to The Heat in the fourth quarter. [..]