By Hursty.This is for the slamonline family and its extended brethren. AKA- EVERYONE.
The last two or three days have been interesting. Yes we've had New Years Eve and Day, the week before that we had Christmas. More importantly though, there's been some discussion of what a slam commenters basketball team would look like.
The following people have thrown their figurative 'hats' in the ring as best as I can tell:
Eboy, TAD, Moose, Justin, B.Long, yours truly.
I think that if they had been aware of the discussion that the following would also like to 'play': Cub, Tariq, Jukai, BET, DP, Shia, Bodie- Yeh Im definitely missing players/posters- but thats what the comment section is for damnit!
Anyways, If you think you should make the final cut, and you're interested in making a hypothetical team lemme know in the comment section by throwing out your credentials....
ps- Caron Butler is out indefinitely with an ankle sprain.
75 comments:
A team will be announced one week from today. Thanks for playing!
HURSTY! you forgot to mention that my jumper is supreme! haha
Justin, you really gotta read what I wrote haha. Leave your credentials in the comment box! So far Justin has a good jumper- thats it (as witnessed by facebook).
I would also ask for your honesty too-I doubt that all of you have 40 inch verticals or 35 footer range right now. A prior day maybe...
right now my vert is 29.5 inches, the best dunk I can muster is a 180 tomahawk, but it's not THAT pretty. My handles are smooth, I only have one flashy move, otherwise it'd just solid, fundamental handles/footwork. If need by I will film every part of my game for this competition!
I don't think I have to prove that my defense needs work haha, I'll just trust you guys to believe my defense is not amazing
So, anyways, here are my credentials:
1st 5 school starter at the 3.
Above average 3ball shooter, strong post game- McCants meets Al Jefferson in the post, little guy doing big man moves.
I like to attack the basket, not to score necessarily, but to create opportunities for my guys to get more dribble penetration or open 3pt looks. I can knock down free throws with consistency too. Good lateral quickness and I don't mind playing the 3 or 1 either and I can guard pretty much everyone except physical centres and PF's...
Im on youtube too, its 2005, but for some reason the guy uploading the clips says it is 2007... dumbass haha. Parramatta Wildcats vs. Norths Bears. Im 14 for the blue/gold team. Yeh, I gotta curly hair. I also played the 4 that game because I was 6'2 at 15.
I know i said I start at the 3 for school, but I play the majority ot my minutes at the 2. I just start at the 2]3. We have a guy who starts, but only plays around 15 minutes (out of 40) so I play around 10 at the 3 and 20-25 at the 2.
god damn I type even more retarded when I'm sleepy.
Of course I'm a little raw, with my age and all, and all I have under me is practice and the Y league. I play SF/PF/C, I can play any of those, so do you want my scouting report for myself at each of these?
SF: I can take it off the dribble pretty well, and I can drive to the hoop, that works out. I'm not an amazing shooter, but I can do it. I'm an all right passer. My defense is good though, I just get my butt low and don't let them get by. For what I'm playing now, I'm huge for a swingman, but that's a hindrance when handling the ball.
PF: I like to play the post and move around, kind of in the Barkley PF mode, just not with his body (I'm tall and all). I like to shoot the three from this position, but I'm probably shooting only about 33% in games (when I take them). I play the post from the PF, I shove people underneath (not dirty, though), dive for rebounds, all of that.
C: I love to swat balls. Just love them. Blocking shots . . . I get a high off of them. Of course I do them at every position, but I love to do it when I'm playing center, because I'm in a better position. I have an array of post moves, but there's a drawback: My left hand is not on par with my right. It's OKAY. Not quite up there with my right, though. I love grabbing boards.
I play with a passion, I really get pissed off at the other team when I play (while keeping my focus, of course). I play as hard as possible, I dive for loose balls, run into the walls to save out-of-bounds balls, I hustle my butt off. I try really hard, I want to play and I want to win. My biggest weakness? Free throw shooting. I shot about 6/10 from there, I really need to improve on that.
My vertical . . . isn't that great, although I plan on working on it, because I haven't done any work on it prior. It's at about 16 or 17, pretty unsatisfactory. I can't think of a player comparison at the moment, maybe you guys would know of one? Anyways, any questions and I'll answer.
I'm 5-9, 150 pounds, with good athleticism, which makes for versatility.
atta boy Moose with the honesty. Maybe your comparison at this point could be a raw AK-47
That would be a good call Justin, except for the fact that I am not skinny. I ain't fat . . . . my body is more in the David Lee-Al Horford mold with all of that, kinda thick, HUGE muscles (...shifty eyes around room...)
Oh yeah, I have above average strength . . . good speed for someone my size . . . and a high basketball IQ. Watching games help you out with that, I set some smart picks and all. My ball handling skills are pretty good for someone my size (/age) . . . pretty much it. But yes, raw, and I'm being honest with everything (including the bad stuff especially).
This former Under 14 Irish national team Trial-ee is unimpressed by his exclusion.
Here's my thinking:
Cub-because he playerd D1 ball.
Eboy-Because he almost played D1 ball
Bodie-Because his dad played D1 ball
Tariq-because he is relatively tall
Hursty-because he is also relatively tall.
I almost played D1 ball, why can't I be on the list (cries like a baby). haha, well it's probably best that I quit ball for writing, I wouldn't have made much of a D1 player, I'm a bit of a one trick pony. I am a poor man's Trajan Langdon.
6'3 size 13 shoe and i will dunk on you. Do i need to say more?
but i dont play organized ball, parks only.
BETCATS Ballin: Where hard ass fouls and dirt defence happens.
BETCATS, what do shoe sizes matter? I'm 5-9 with a size 12 1/2 (they don't make those, but my foot's too big for a 12 and it's too small for a 13). I can't dunk, by the way.
i just wanted to post it so yall could visualize me.
And you problay look like your rockin clown shoes or something, my feet are barely proportonal to my body, i am not sure how your short ass would look with big feet.
And yes size 12.5 shoes exist.
http://clothing.shop.ebay.com/items/Mens-Shoes_?_catref=1&_dmpt=US_Men_s_Shoes&_fln=1&_sacat=63850&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&ShoesSize1f3c2e79=1251707a8
Moose,
If you want to dunk
1. Work on your leg muscles
2. Stretch before every time you play
3. First lower the goal to a level you can confortably dunk on (i am guessing like 9 feet for you?) and practise doing it until its second nature
3. Then raise the goal up 1 level and start doing the same thing on that. Repeat this until you can raise it to 10 feet.
But your not Nate Robinson, so you need to grow first too. Thats what i did when my neighborhood had 1 goal that we could raise up and down and now i can dunk 10 feet, but i still havent dunk on nobody to the extent it made them cry, i am workin on that part.
It's not that out of proportion . . . when people see me they see it all in proportion, but when they look at the shoes they see how big they are. It isn't that bad.
I can dunk on a nine footer, so I'll do that. Thanks, BET. I'll do a lotta jumping over the summer, I'll have time. Thanks again, I got an adjustable hoop down the street . . . I'll be sure to do that.
if yall whores want me to compare my self to somebody, it would be a Bruce Bowen/Ron Artest hybrid monster that plays power forward.
Also, moose you should play AAU.
Artest or Bowen? Damn, I ain't playing hoops with BETCATS any time soon . . .
Also Moose,if you want to be a good basketball player.Don't waste your time trying to dunk.Work on your skills.
I know so many fools who wasted so much time on stupid scam jump programs,constantly trying to prove they can dunk in practice and elsewhere and when they get put in games,they dribble the fucking ball off their foot.
Jumping high is no acheivement unless you can play.
You're right, AR. First thing's first. I don't do a lot in the summer, I got plenty of time for both. Sounds great. Thanks for that tip, AR. Dunking just seems so . . . incredible. I'll do both, definitely.
what AR said is true, but i dont want to be a NBA player, that wont be happening for me, i just want to have some fun.
BUT DO NOT BUY THOSE JUMPSOLES IN SLAM/ANY OTHER DUNKING PRODUCT IN SLAM/other sports magazines. Those do not work, they might add 1-2 inches to your vert, but thats it. I know one dude who got those shoes with the weird lookin thing on the front that is suppose to make you jump higher, it didnt do shit.
But yeah moose, you should do what you said and just do both.
I am hoping for an NBA career . . . but I know it's not realistic. Just dreaming, like any other kid my age. But, overseas could potentially be an option. 5-11 guys rule the British leagues . . . maybe I got a shot in Europe/Asia/Canada. I'll be working on the vertical and game. Thanks for the advice on the Jumpsoles, BET.
Hate to break it to you Moose.5'11'' don't rule any leagues.The life of the average US player balling over in Europe ain't great.To play in the Spanish and Greek leagues,you need to be pretty much an NBA talent.But the lower leagues are an option.Assuming you're good.And you aren't getting anywhere unless you get a scholarship.
AR, let me hope, and let me work. Maybe I'll get lucky. And when I said that 5-11 guys rule the leagues, I meant that there were a lot of small players there. I know that I most likely won't be playing serious hoops anywhere, that's why I want to be a sportswriter/basketball journalist.
What the hell, I'll throw my name in...
I"m 6'2", 150 lbs- so yeah, I'm pretty skinny. But it's more of a KG type skinny, like wiry. I play sf, pf, and c. I got a bit of a three-ball, enough to draw the d out, but not enough to be a consistent threat. My main thing is slashing to the hoop; I'm great at finding openings
Defense is my main game. I can guard anyone from point to center, and have done so before. I got one stat for y'all: 5.25 blocks per game last year, including two games of 9 blocks. I'd say I'm a mix between Lamar Odom and KG, to be modest, hahaha
Mix of Lamar Odom and Kevin Garnett . . . scary. By the way you're talking, I'm kinda feeling like you're Josh Smith trapped in Tayshaun Prince's body . . .
You know, not horrible from downtown, blocks a ton of shots, drives to the hoop. And plays great D. Complete player, really.
Another thing about me: I play hustle defense and I can keep up with a lot of players. I played center for a team about a month ago and i had to guard the opposing team's PG because that's what the coach told me to do.
Haha, thanks for that Moose. I think your description's a bit more accurate
Good work fellas, remember theres still 6 and a half days left.
Sorry Izzo, didn't know they have an Irish team in the u14's... hmmm, we have it for U18's at the earliest I think...
I can ball at 5'4 1/2" but not anymore due to injuries plus I'm already in my late 20's. I miss playing hoops though... :D
How was I the only one who caught this:
"I love to swat balls. Just love them"
Mosse should be kicked off the team for that alone.
U got a problem Mr. Hardaway? :)
I noticed, just thought better of it though. Guess your eyes aren't as bad as I thought....jks
Well, if that's a defensive tatic Moose employs, I'm staying on the other side of the court from him. :)
Aight, Eboy . . . this is a Dream Team in the basketball sense, right? You know what I'm sayin' . . . was funny though.
I'm sure that suits Moose juuust fine Eboy. That way you can't go after his balls either lolol.
Yeh, speaking of that . . . I forgot to mention that I hit open layups . . . so you might not wanna do that E :)
I caught it too after I wrote it . . . . how about this: I love to block shots. Better? No suggestions in there . . .
I deleted my last comment. Too rude. Word simliar to block, doesnt use b or l though... enough said.
okay, where to start.
I've been playing ball since 7th grade and I've been the sixth man every year. why? I told the coach that I just don't like to start and I like coming off the bench and being a firecracker to jump start the offense. I am super super short, 5'9-5'10 I'll say and I'm 17. moms says I still have a few more inches to grow but I highly doubt it. last year I averaged 14 and 6 and 3 for my high school team and this year I'm going in every night at 16, 6, and 4. decent numbers in my opinion and this is STILL COMING OFF THE BENCH. I don't want to be in the starting five, not my cup of tea. the sixth man is where I would most benefit on this team. did I say I was a hell of a team leader too? and yes, I can almost dunk thanks to the help of jumpsoles!! I'm like a slow ass barbosa with a lethal mid-range game. yeah, like a small barbosa-rip hamilton. put me in the game coach!
Allright, let me play along.
Since I'm old let me go to my two phases of basketball life.
When I first started playing and "got good" I was about 16 and started to really get the scoring game right, usually off the dribble and with quickness. I never grew past 6' 0", but due to my coaching, that never was an issue for me. I was always a good rebounder and usually was always in the mix with the much larger cats and would play my way through traffic and stuff. When I was playing point for my high school team, I was often compared to the style of Kenny Anderson (I think it had to do with the quickness and the fact we were both lefties).
I averaged 16, 6, 5 in my sophmore year, and junior year I pushed my scoring to 20 per game, with similar asst and rebound numbers.
By the time I hit senior year, I was playing the two exclusively (due to my scoring and better feel for pick reading than the previous 2 we had) and I averaged 27 points a game for the year. I could score inside or out, although, to be honest, I was never a volume three point shooter, I never chose to focus on it, and I figured "If I can score from 10 feet/in why bother"
I think I was recruited due to the fact that I played much larger than my size and had a natural ability to find holes in the lane and finish pretty easily. Although I was being recruited to be a pg, I knew my size, especially in the college game, would limit my chances at being a big time scorer, especially playing for a Div 1 school.
Once that storybook ended abruptly (its somewhere for all the world to read on my old blog)and I came to Florida, I got back in school and played JUCO ball, 'cause that's all the opportunities afforded me at that time. Playing two years in that system was pretty entertaining and also where I perfected my low post game and mid range jumper (which are my weapons of destruction still today). I only stopped playing because education took precendent and the money it was going to cost me didn't allow me the time to focus so much time on ball.
Once that happened, I kind of became legendary down my way in leagues, tournaments and on the playgrounds, because a)that's where I did all my work now and b)I would always become the focus of attention due to my ability to take over games when I needed to (or felt like it)and people rememebered me for it, immediatly.
An example? I played one game for a league run by a group in Fort Lauderdale that was run by (funny Hursty should bring him up today) Tim Hardaway, right around the time his CBA franchise was making waves, and after the game was over, I was told by one of his handlers that "you need to move on". When I asked what for, dude said, "you ain't stealing all the shine around here". The reason? I dropped 56 in a 40 minute, clocks running game. Without much of a problem. On all of his guys that were on the opposing team. Three of them were his CBA teammates.
That's how things go if you miss your one shot at "making" it. I missed mine early. You become a footnote or an unseen prodigy. I like to think I'm a bit of both.
Today, I play for the challenge of it, and the competition aspect of it. I don't need to prove myself anymore. Anyone that plays me knows that. It's all about finding a challenge to keep me interested. Honestly, I have more fun teaching my 4 year old how to dribble, then lining up, what I call, "potential victims" similar to all you cats, due to your ages, 'cause the game is secondary to me and the physical part of it is second nature. I beat people today by my knowledge, no longer on athleticism.
Can I still jump? Kind of, I'm not dunking on cats, never did, but no one is outdueling me for rebounds, to be sure. I'm solid at 6'0", 210, and my balance is untestable. You WON'T move me from a spot if I post, and I WILL back you to whatever spot I want to get to, regardless of your size. My j is water, from anywhere inside the 3(not 35 feet deep like my peers, idiots :)).
I still handle the ball well (not like CP3, more like Mike, efficient, no overdribbling), and really never turn it over. I don't force action, and you aren't good enough to make me force shots. I get to where I want to on the dribble drive, and the years of playing against guys like Derek Harper, Anthony Carter and even the original Eboy (yes, I've made a lot of good contacts over the years), have made the respect of not turning the ballover against guys like that, who are either so quick or so strong, priorty when playing against much less talented cats. Also getting ripped by a former pro or having your shit blocked by a current one is not so fun, so learning quick how to alter your game in those scenarios has made my everyday game prisitne.
I play defense in the post much more aggessive than I do on the perimiter (due to my age slowing me some, chasing young cats around, although I will shut someone down if the game is going to be decided by some dude with a hero complex and the rock, another area I stole from Mike at Flight Camp in '88)and will take on guys 6 to 8 inches bigger than me and not be muscled around and will swat your shit if your lazy with it in the post.
BTW, little guys or guys my size,stand no chance. It's like that.
Weaknesses? Well, I guess I'm probably a little slower than you young bucks, and I don't ever get tired, so there's that......you know 'cause it's year round here and Florida's weather keeps you young. Unlike the words Hursty uses in his fantasies about me, there are no kneebraces or former playing injuries that slow me down. That's not a factor. Boredom is probably my biggest detriment. Seriously.
You see kiddies, I've been around this game for a lonnnnnnnnnnngggg time. I know what you're going to do before you do it. Want to know why? I've seen it all, probably 100,000 times in 25 years. Every nice move you pull off? I've seen it. Or done it.
That's why I coach. To pass knowledge, and to try and get dude's to the spot I missed out on. I feel obligated. I don't want some dude with incredible skill to miss his shot due to a lack of trying or a lack of knowing. Call me Eboma, I'm trying to make a change for these kids.
Damn, that shit was long. Sorry Hibachi Boys, for taking up so much space.
Oh, I forget to write in, my two years of college ball, I averaged 22, 7 and 4. Sucked having to life real life.
live
So with all that being said, I'll coach the squad!!!
i guess i'll put in my 2 cents....i
m 5'10 (not super super short, just short, actually, that IS average), about 160, but i've got more muscle mass than an Aaron Brooks or AI, not quite like Nate though...i've had multiple ankle injuries so any dunking hopes are out the window...so why in the hell would you pick me?? Because i'm not the superstar, i'm not the go to guy, and i'm not the all-star, and let's face it, a team needs standout role payers. I can hit shots from anywhere on the court. I've got range like Brooks, a banker like TD's. I'm only limited vertically and still have jets when going horizontally. I'm Scolandry at the guard position when it comes to hustle. I get steals deflections, yes, even some blocks. I may not be tall enough to battlein the paint for boards, but i don't need to, i read shots well so i can go around the trees and position myself perfectly for a rebound. Yeah i'm that guy that sneaks in from outta nowhere. the guy with the weakside block. I'm the guy who notices you're going to pass and positions himself in a way where you think you still have a passing lane, but in reality i'll be snatching your pass in a second. You know how they say "take what the defense gives you", well with me you won't know, i'll confuse the hell out of you. On a fast break, you're the man with the ball, am i coming over to cover you? Nah, i'm only acting like i am, but i'm really anticipating the pass. What if I'm staying put, does that mean you have a open lane to the hoop? Nah, i'm just waiting for you to take that step before you're actually ready to take off, so i can quickly jump at you and completely throw off your take off and therefore your shot, assuming you even get it off. i do the little things, getting in the PG's way to stop a potential fast break, setting a timely pick, covering the man who got loose, i'd take charges too, well if there was a ref. It takes 5, and i'm number 5.
If I had to describe my game it would be a mix of Bill Russell,AI and Conan O'Brien's hair.
@E:Who was coaching Seton Hall around the time you were recruited again?
PJ. And no, I never tried choking him.
I like PJ.
In high school I had a 38 inch. vert. and ran a 4.5 40 my junior year, my strength was taking people off the dribble, making pistol like passes,finishing strong and defense. Never had the prettiest jumper in the world but it got the job done. The summer before my senior year I got to play against T.J. Ford and Daniel Ewing's AAU team and put up 12pts and 7asst against T.J.(He burned me repeatedly had 30something pts. and was the quickest thing I've ever seen) Then fall of my Senior year my knee's fu(ked up and I lost about 10 inches on the vert and slowed down quite a bit. Doctor's told me I needed to stop playing and I told them to fu(k themselves. Most of the Div.II offers I was getting that I thought I could do better than disappeared, yes it was depressing. Still got offers from a couple of JUCO squads, and a few Div. III schools(Devean George, bitches!) I still have the handles and passing and my jumper is better from college three point land than it is from 17 to 13 feet so my game is pretty balanced.
Isn't it amazing that none of us are bad?
What are the odds?
Very nice story Eboy. And I like the way that RV desscribes his playing style.
Izzo, thats to be expected.
ps- Justin Walsh will be uploading some videos of himself balling on facebook soonish, so watch out for that haha.
I read the story on your blog from several years/months ago too. I was touched by it in a non-sexual way. Honestly.
Eboy I salute you. I didn't know you've had that many experiences in basketball. How I wish I had those skills like yours... :D
6 ft 3, 88 kg with fair bit of muscle mass. Play four nights a week and can hold my own i suppose.
Model the game on Lebron. ie: Same body type, drives to the basket, questionable jumper.
Much rather find the open man and strongest points are my passing and rebounding.
But as Hursty put it, when we played one day in Sydney my jumpshot was comparable to a prince/marion hybrid which both intrigues & disgusts me. (I don't shoot any more and my self confidence is low now Hursty lol)
Don't really have any weak points as I can defend, pass, rebound and score when needed yet I'm not what you would call a gifted ball player. Just above average with a well rounded game
Would rather play for passion like most of us all would.
I should be in the team coz I have the hunger to win and the biggest competitive streak out. I would do anything to win- whatever the role.
Plus I would most definitely be one of the fittest people on this site and would run circles round opposition!
Oh, and to copy everybody else on positions & if i can dunk.
I can dunk of one & two feet. Nothing exciting.
Play every position, prefer one guard
If the team needs a 6'8" point guard, I am in.....
Money BW, my bad on not getting back to you. My family enjoyed a stomach flu that reared its ugly head more than once over the break and kept me from enjoying that activity in your avatar.
That tourney you were at in Hawai'i, was brutal, as far as competition goes.
I can't dunk.
No worries Cub. Do you mean brutal in a good or bad way?
MBW, bad, extremely bad. Not many good teams or players to choose from in that group.
Did you catch any games?
I expect a write-up of some sort Money.
Sorry Hurst & Cub, but I never ended up at a game. I watched Colorado vs Buffalo on the TV and there was no crowd, the play was ordinary and Colorado pushed in front of me in the buffet line at breakfast that morning so I didn't go
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