Intelligent Streetball, The Blog:(14)
The Flight Brothers - Streetball's the Next Episode!
2010-02-05
I am feeling The Flight Brothers, the high flying dunk crew that over the past two years has evolved into a basketball brand. There are so many things TFB represents, but two things standout. First the TFB marks the evolution of another branch of the streetball industry. Industry suggest any business or commercial enterprise or hustle to exchange work for money. So when I speak of the streetball industry I am talking about all of the business activity that surrounds streetball, though AND1 dealt with basketball beyond streetball, they also offer the best example of a company exploiting streetball for hundreds of millions of dollars. Flight brothers in many ways reminds of when ICE T and NWA carved out the "gansta rap" genre in Hip-Hop.
What else stands out about the emergence of TFB is the entrepreneurialism, creativity and market sense so many successful hip-hop moguls have demonstrated over the past 20 years. Since joining YouTube on September 17, 2006 the TFB videos have generated over 23.3 million video views. This year they are embarking on an international Dunk Tour, they have published a DVD and will soon roll out their own Jumping Program. I predict within in the two years, just like streetball crews and tours came on the scene after the success of AND1 Mixtape Tour, other dunk crews will emerge.
Check out the show!
Kobe Bryant: Ruckers Park Revisited
2010-02-02
Black Mamba is on the next cover of SLAM Magazine. SLAM's hard, rough edges and consistency with giving print time to streetball keeps SLAM as one of my favorite mags. I'm no big fan of the L, so I don't cover NBA cats unless it relates to what we are about here at THE REMIX. However, Kobe has streetball cred ... that's right, Kobe went to the Mecca of Basketball and put it down. Check out the vid.
My Time with Stephon Marubury aka "Starbury"
2010-02-02
My Time with Stephon Marubury aka "Starbury"
I found this blog article on www.streetball.com. It's by Casey Jacabosen, former Standford standout who was a rookie when Starbury was a Phoenix Sun. Its a good read and still encourages me to hold my opinion until his time in China plays out.
Article
The Peach Basket Remixed
2010-02-02
All Press is Good Press: Stephon Marbury
2010-02-01
Starbury's entry into Chinese professional basketball apparently didn't have the feel of an NBA All-Star extending his career overseas. I have not followed Stephon's career but based upon his online activity in 2009 and this move to China, I ask, "Is he crazy or strategic?" Since Marbury began broadcasting himself online in 2009 traffic to his website only increase slightly but user engagement with his site tripled. Meaning people are staying on his site longer looking at more pages. The month news broke of Starbury going to China, people going to his site as a result of doing a search increased by 122%. Unfortunately, www.starbury.com could use a little work both on content and technology but he's "selling stuff" and if the increase in traffic to www.starybury.com, maybe Stephon is strategically crazy?
Streetball legend sues Nike, Foot Locker
2010-01-19
Joe Hammond, 61, known on Harlem blacktops in the 1970s as "The Destroyer" for his cocky, skillful basketball moves, filed suit in Manhattan federal court against Nike Inc. and Footlocker Inc. for the unauthorized use of his name on T-shirts, the New York Post reported Sunday. Read story here.
If you never heard of Joe Hammond, here's and excerpt from a story I found on www.bouncemag.com:
In the summer of ‘69, on a rainy Saturday at Fordham U’s gym, he scorched Tiny Archibald and Dean “The Dream” Meminger for 51 joints, taking MVP honors in the first game of a Rucker double header. In the second game, the coach of the New York Pros summoned Hammond to the lay up line for their game against the Philly Pros. As the City of Brotherly Love’s Earl “The Pearl” Monroe was lighting up NY’s Pablo Robertson, the coach sent Hammond into the game.
“Pick up Monroe,” he was told. On his first trip downcourt, he fed Connie Hawkins on the post. “The Hawk” gave the rock back and yelled, “Do what you do best young fella!”
The Destoyer proceeded to drop 50 and win yet another MVP trophy. Here’s how Mallozi describes one of the game’s more memorable sequences in Asphalt Gods - “With Hammond leaping high over Philly defenders and burying his patented jump shot, NY began to take control of the scoreboard. Frustrated, Monroe and (Archie) Clark began trying to trap The Destroyer in the backcourt. On one trap attempt late in the third quarter, as Monroe and Clark closed in on him from either side, Hammond spun as if he were heading out of bounds, spun back inbounds and whipped the ball around his back and through his legs in one fluid motion, splitting Monroe and Clark like bowling pins before dribbling out of traffic. By the time both defenders lunged for the ball, Hammond was past them, and Monroe and Clark bumped heads and fell to the hardwood, bringing the game to a halt for several embarrasing minutes.”
Check out the rest of the story and videos here.
Stephon Marbury Signs with Chinese Club Shanxi
2010-01-18
I don't know Stephon Marbury outside of what I've read or saw on the court or on YouTube. You can read the press release hear about signing to play in China. Here's a link on the Chinese Basketball Association (Wikipedia) and a few videos on the quality of ball. I heard another former NBA player went over recently and drop 50 game. However, I wonder if this venture to China will have a positive impact on Starbury's kicks.
Is Streetball more relevant then the NBA?
2010-01-18
Is Streetball more relevant then the National Basketball Association (NBA)?
If you were to speak to the average basketball fan under the age of 30, their perspective of basketball and basketball history will be limited to Dr. James Naismith, college basketball and professional basketball, primarily the NBA. Most people know who invented basketball but after that the story typically jumps the early 50's and the Boston Celtics and Bill Russell. However, up until the formation of the NBA and the inclusion of black athletes, the dominate basketball franchises to date where all black barnstorming teams like the Harlem Rens and the Harlem Globetrotter's. These teams are credited from evolving the game of basketball from a very rugby type game to the fluid athletic game we enjoy today.
So when I pose the question, is streetball more relevant then the NBA? Relevant means that "something" is bearing upon or connected to the matter at hand. Well what's at hand? Basketball of course, but what about basketball is at hand to judge if the NBA is relevant or not? Let's start and finish with the inventors "original intent" for basketball. Dr. Naismith was motivated to provide an athletic distraction for a rowdy class of young men. Which genre of basketball has provides athletic distraction for urban boys and girls around the world - yesterday, today and possible tomorrow? The NBA offers a goal of getting paid as do many professional leagues around the world. Streetball, well, take a look at these and let me know if the NBA inspired this:
(Hip Hop + Basketball) x Marketing = Profit (accept in the NBA)
2010-01-16
Has the league ever embraced you?
Allen Iverson & Jadakiss Rebook freestyle commercial.
What's the status of Streeball?
2010-01-15
I came across this post on streetball.com today and it made me think. Has streetball been resurrected? Was streetball actually ever dead? At the heart of Streetball is the soul of the hood, the same soul that created the movement of Hip-hop, that today is felt in every area of life on all social levels. Can a soul that powerful ever be dead? I don't think streetball was ever dead nor needed saving. What streetball needs is an avenue, a platform and road-map to create its own genre, its own voice and its own space. Like Hip-Hop. Think of all the artist that "did it their way!" Who made the labels come to them! Who created their own audience and following without conforming to the industry or system. That same soul, swag or bravado is at the heart of streetball. Once we truly add intelligence to the streetball game, thousands of ballers will have avenues to perform, earn a living and contribute back to their communities. Now that's what basketball-the-remix is all about. Changing the game and creating a movement!
Any way, check out this video from www.streetball. com, it pays respects to the ballers who even make this conversation worth while.
The Word of God Dunks!
2010-01-14
High School Phi Slamma Jamma in the Word of God!
The Word of God Christina Academy had a dunk-a-thon during their game against a high school team named Apex from North Carolina. When I look at the athleticism on display, I get goose bumps. Why? Because there is so much talent in the world that given the right platform and outlet (like basketball-the-remix) a significant audience and global fan base will evolve to support and celebrate Remix ballers just like college or NBA ballers. Hey, AND1 streetballers are in video games! By the way, Word of God Christian Academy produced John Wall who is currently on route to the NCCA Freshman of the year and a first round draft choice out of the University of Kentucky
Hey Young Streetballer - Make $137K in France!
2010-01-14
Came across a post on www.ballinEurope.com on the 2009 - 2010 salaries for top foreign talent. The current Going rate is EU$11,888.00 a month, that's $17,129.00 USD! Considering the French season is 8 months, that's a cool $137,000 of non-taxed dollars. Take your game international!
Billy "The Kid" Harris - Chicago Streetball Legend Dies
2010-01-13
Paying my respects to Billy "The Kid" Harris who died recently at the age of 55. Scoop Jackson's article on ESPN.com encourages me to continue to push the vision of basketball-the-remix out to cities around the globe. Talent like Billy Harris should have a platform not only to display their gifts and talents but also means to earn a good and honest living doing what they love. Check out Scoop's story, its a good read.
Where's the brain behind the ball?
2010-01-13
Intelligent Streetball! Can Streetball be intelligent? I mean can the ballers, fans of the genre and companies that seek to exploit this genre of basketball constructively apply their minds in a way to truly develop streetball into a mainstream spectator sport? I like this definition of intelligence: The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience. I think the founders of AND1 acted with intelligence when they saw the response of the SKIP TAPE on the streets across the country. The fact that they comprehended that there were hundreds of thousands if not millions of ball players who related to the play ground basketball world. However, I think even before AND1 was sold to American Sporting Goods Corporation, the company lost its intelligence. Over the past few years several groups have comprehended the market potential of streetball and a few might of profited from their comprehension, Nike's Battle Ground is a good example. Another example are the television programs City Slam and Who's Got Game, however, now has matched the longevity that AND1 sustained for almost 10 years.
Basketball-the-remix (THE REMIX) is my attempt to apply an intelligent approach to creating "something" that streetball players around the globe can gravitate to, own and promote. Basketball-the-remix is a sport, an actual game. A game that any basketball player can play but is faster and more challenging than traditional basketball. Playing with no backboard and total of 20 innovations from no time outs during playing periods to court design ( ... No we don't use trampolines ). So I'm out to create a whole new industry. An industry that understands and relates to the urban baller globally and remains true to them, to their swag and their need for expression.
2010 is our global come out year. There several big things be planned for the year. Bookmark this page or signup as a member to stay up to speed on the fastest basketball game in the world.
It's a movement.
I am feeling The Flight Brothers, the high flying dunk crew that over the past two years has evolved into a basketball brand. There are so many things TFB represents, but two things standout. First the TFB marks the evolution of another branch of the streetball industry. Industry suggest any business or commercial enterprise or hustle to exchange work for money. So when I speak of the streetball industry I am talking about all of the business activity that surrounds streetball, though AND1 dealt with basketball beyond streetball, they also offer the best example of a company exploiting streetball for hundreds of millions of dollars. Flight brothers in many ways reminds of when ICE T and NWA carved out the "gansta rap" genre in Hip-Hop. What else stands out about the emergence of TFB is the entrepreneurialism, creativity and market sense so many successful hip-hop moguls have demonstrated over the past 20 years. Since joining YouTube on September 17, 2006 the TFB videos have generated over 23.3 million video views. This year they are embarking on an international Dunk Tour, they have published a DVD and will soon roll out their own Jumping Program. I predict within in the two years, just like streetball crews and tours came on the scene after the success of AND1 Mixtape Tour, other dunk crews will emerge.
Check out the show!
Kobe Bryant: Ruckers Park Revisited
Kobe Bryant at Rucker Park
Uploaded by Pred21. - Check out more sports and extreme sports videos.
My Time with Stephon Marubury aka "Starbury"
My Time with Stephon Marubury aka "Starbury"
I found this blog article on www.streetball.com. It's by Casey Jacabosen, former Standford standout who was a rookie when Starbury was a Phoenix Sun. Its a good read and still encourages me to hold my opinion until his time in China plays out. Article
The Peach Basket Remixed
All Press is Good Press: Stephon Marbury
Streetball legend sues Nike, Foot Locker
If you never heard of Joe Hammond, here's and excerpt from a story I found on www.bouncemag.com:
In the summer of ‘69, on a rainy Saturday at Fordham U’s gym, he scorched Tiny Archibald and Dean “The Dream” Meminger for 51 joints, taking MVP honors in the first game of a Rucker double header. In the second game, the coach of the New York Pros summoned Hammond to the lay up line for their game against the Philly Pros. As the City of Brotherly Love’s Earl “The Pearl” Monroe was lighting up NY’s Pablo Robertson, the coach sent Hammond into the game.
“Pick up Monroe,” he was told. On his first trip downcourt, he fed Connie Hawkins on the post. “The Hawk” gave the rock back and yelled, “Do what you do best young fella!”
The Destoyer proceeded to drop 50 and win yet another MVP trophy. Here’s how Mallozi describes one of the game’s more memorable sequences in Asphalt Gods - “With Hammond leaping high over Philly defenders and burying his patented jump shot, NY began to take control of the scoreboard. Frustrated, Monroe and (Archie) Clark began trying to trap The Destroyer in the backcourt. On one trap attempt late in the third quarter, as Monroe and Clark closed in on him from either side, Hammond spun as if he were heading out of bounds, spun back inbounds and whipped the ball around his back and through his legs in one fluid motion, splitting Monroe and Clark like bowling pins before dribbling out of traffic. By the time both defenders lunged for the ball, Hammond was past them, and Monroe and Clark bumped heads and fell to the hardwood, bringing the game to a halt for several embarrasing minutes.”
Check out the rest of the story and videos here.
Stephon Marbury Signs with Chinese Club Shanxi
Is Streetball more relevant then the NBA?
Is Streetball more relevant then the National Basketball Association (NBA)?
If you were to speak to the average basketball fan under the age of 30, their perspective of basketball and basketball history will be limited to Dr. James Naismith, college basketball and professional basketball, primarily the NBA. Most people know who invented basketball but after that the story typically jumps the early 50's and the Boston Celtics and Bill Russell. However, up until the formation of the NBA and the inclusion of black athletes, the dominate basketball franchises to date where all black barnstorming teams like the Harlem Rens and the Harlem Globetrotter's. These teams are credited from evolving the game of basketball from a very rugby type game to the fluid athletic game we enjoy today.
So when I pose the question, is streetball more relevant then the NBA? Relevant means that "something" is bearing upon or connected to the matter at hand. Well what's at hand? Basketball of course, but what about basketball is at hand to judge if the NBA is relevant or not? Let's start and finish with the inventors "original intent" for basketball. Dr. Naismith was motivated to provide an athletic distraction for a rowdy class of young men. Which genre of basketball has provides athletic distraction for urban boys and girls around the world - yesterday, today and possible tomorrow? The NBA offers a goal of getting paid as do many professional leagues around the world. Streetball, well, take a look at these and let me know if the NBA inspired this:
(Hip Hop + Basketball) x Marketing = Profit (accept in the NBA)
Allen Iverson & Jadakiss Rebook freestyle commercial.
Common + AND1
What's the status of Streeball?
Any way, check out this video from www.streetball. com, it pays respects to the ballers who even make this conversation worth while.
The Word of God Dunks!
The Word of God Christina Academy had a dunk-a-thon during their game against a high school team named Apex from North Carolina. When I look at the athleticism on display, I get goose bumps. Why? Because there is so much talent in the world that given the right platform and outlet (like basketball-the-remix) a significant audience and global fan base will evolve to support and celebrate Remix ballers just like college or NBA ballers. Hey, AND1 streetballers are in video games! By the way, Word of God Christian Academy produced John Wall who is currently on route to the NCCA Freshman of the year and a first round draft choice out of the University of Kentucky
Hey Young Streetballer - Make $137K in France!
Billy "The Kid" Harris - Chicago Streetball Legend Dies
Where's the brain behind the ball?
The Flight Brothers are doing a job of building their brand but their bread and butter is a dunking exhibition. Two years ago a company name Ball 4 Life arose and quickly disappeared. In 2010, a basketball company called 94 inc. will give a go to become the next premier streetball company. They have the personnel which includes many streetball players who have made their rounds. I wish them luck! An basketball apparel company that has stayed under the mainstream radar called KX1 has the swag to make a move but they don't currently sponsor a streetball crew.
Basketball-the-remix (THE REMIX) is my attempt to apply an intelligent approach to creating "something" that streetball players around the globe can gravitate to, own and promote. Basketball-the-remix is a sport, an actual game. A game that any basketball player can play but is faster and more challenging than traditional basketball. Playing with no backboard and total of 20 innovations from no time outs during playing periods to court design ( ... No we don't use trampolines ). So I'm out to create a whole new industry. An industry that understands and relates to the urban baller globally and remains true to them, to their swag and their need for expression.
2010 is our global come out year. There several big things be planned for the year. Bookmark this page or signup as a member to stay up to speed on the fastest basketball game in the world.
It's a movement.
