The Los Angeles Lakers played inspired basketball on the night of Kobe Bryant’s jerseys (plural) retirement. Chris Carlson/AP

2003 NBA Draft Class member Jarvis Hayes checks in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio and talks NBA Draft classes, Kobe and more. Press Play Below To Listen! 

Last night, the Los Angeles Lakers retired Kobe Bryant’s #8 and #24 jersey during a halftime ceremony at Staples Center. Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bryant is a 5-time NBA champion, 18-time NBA All Star, holds a regular season MVP award, a NBA Slam Dunk Champion and became the youngest player in league history to reach 30,000 career points.

Slam Magazine’s ’96 Draft cover. Photo Credit: Ball Is Life

Bryant also holds the distinction of being drafted in the 1996 NBA Draft, an exclusive club.

Add Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Marcus Camby, Jermaine O’Neal, Antoine Walker, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Peja Stojakovic to that list.

“Kobe was the last one to finish, but you’re starting to see most of the guys finish with Hall of Fame careers,” Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a member of that class told me on Scoop B Radio

The 2003 NBA Draft class was also impressive. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh headlined it.

So who’s draft class is better?

“I think it’s really difficult sometimes to rank eras,” said Abdur-Rahim. “But I guess because I was in the 1996 draft, I rank it the best.”

Jarvis Hayes was drafted tenth by the Washington Wizards in the 2003 NBA Draft. He shares similar sentiments. “Well the book is still being written on my class,” Hayes said on Scoop B Radio.

“So you have to put it up there. But that 1996 draft class was loaded. I think my class is up there, but right now I would give a slight nod to the ’96 class until the rest of the guys from my class finish up their careers.”

The 1984 NBA Draft class was loaded with studs: Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon and John Stockton.

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Photo Credit: SI

While none of those guys are currently playing, they left impact on the NBA. Charles Barkley is running the TV world Thursday nights on TNT and MJ is majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets.

MJ also still has kids waiting out in the winter cold for Air Jordan sneaker releases.

No doubt ’84 impacted Kobe, Wade, ‘Melo and others.

But hey, Kobe does have a one up! Not even MJ who wore three numbers while a member of the Chicago Bulls ( 12, 23 and 45) has multiple numbers hanging in the rafters at the United Center.

But Bryant does at Staples Center!

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The post Scoop B: With Kobe’s jerseys now retired, can we debate ’96 NBA Draft class vs. 2003 NBA Draft class? appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons. Photo Courtesy of: Sporting News

Ben Simmons has played inspired basketball early in this year’s NBA season.

After sitting out the entire 16-17 season with a foot injury, Simmons, the NBA’s first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft has tallied 18.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists through the first seven games of the season.

The Aussie leads all rookies in scoring and has notched one triple double this season.

Simmons’ talent was on full display in the Sixers’ win against the Houston Rockets on Monday where he scored 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting and added seven rebounds and nine assists in the 76ers’ 115-107 win.

Currently at 3-4 and in 11th place in the NBA’s early Eastern Conference standing, Simmons is pleased with he and the team’s growth.

But he’s far from comfortable: “I thought I’d be playing better, honestly,” he told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson discusses Philadelphia 76ers on CNN Philippines  

“I need to pick it up. It’s awesome [being in the NBA]. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I love what I do. I’m just grateful to be here, just got to keep working.”

Building within the draft and free agency, the Sixers are young and growing. That’s been the case for a few years in the Trust The Process era.

Now the wins must follow.

But something seems different, for real!

The Sixers are Trusting Process? Will process create results? Photo Credit: Twitter

Not quite NBA Eastern Conference royalty just yet, the potential with the combination of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, J.J. Reddick, Jahlil Okafor, Amir Johnson, Markelle Fultz, Dario Saric and Robert Covington is quite intruiging.

The Philadelphia Eagles are 7-1 and living their best life currently with quarterback Carson Wentz. The birds are flying higher today after the acquisition of Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi via trade today.

Perhaps that good energy will fly it’s way from Lincoln Financial Field to the Wells Fargo Center.

The last time the Sixers were a huge threat, Allen Iverson was starting at the 2-guard against Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Phil Jackson coached, Los Angeles Lakers in the 2001 NBA Finals.

“I actually had a poster of AI in my room when I was younger and I just remember him as one of the smaller guards,” Ben Simmons told me after being drafted in 2016.

“With cornrows and the headband and I also had cornrows when I was younger. But I remember him as one of those players that just fought everyday.”

Speaking of Lakers, Lonzo Ball is the topic of every NBA conversation for good or bad reasons,  Simmons is a legitimate contender for the league’s Rookie of the Year Award along with Ball and Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox.

The Sixers are off today and will face the Atlanta Hawks at home at Wells Fargo Center.

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The post Scoop B: By Trusting The Process, Ben Simmons Is Making the Philadelphia 76ers Watchable appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson and RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy of Eric Salvary/Get Fit Radio TV

The Big 3 has enjoyed a surge of excitement every weekend since they began in June. The Big 3’s has takn their show to Brooklyn, New York’s Barclays Center, Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, Chicago’s UIC Pavilion and will makes stops at LA’s Staples Center, Seattle’s Key Arena and Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

One of the biggest draws to the Big 3 is nostalgia. Players like Kenyon Martin, Stephen Jackson, Jason Williams, Rashad McCants and Allen Iverson; guys who ruled the NBA world with their personality and their skills are giving 3-on-3 basketball a good name.

Allen Iverson, probably the most recognizable face in the league has become a fixture at games, serving the role as both coach and player on the 3s Company team.

Iverson will return to the Big 3 fold at Staples Center on Sunday after serving a one-game suspension because he missed the Big 3’s games in Dallas a couple of weeks back.

Iverson issued an apology: 

“First and foremost, I apologize to Ice Cube and my Big3 family, my fans and everyone disappointed by my absence in Dallas this past weekend,” Iverson said. “I have spoke with Ice Cube directly regarding the details of my absence. I will do my best to make up for this moving forward on the Big3 tour.”

Speaking of nostalgia, the Big 3’s jersey are all interesting. Honestly they remind me of jerseys from the 1996 film Space Jam, starring Michael Jordan. They’re colorful, a bit cartoonish, but solid. Those uniforms are making a retro comeback too! They’re a customizable option on NBA 2K 17.

Iverson’s not buying the Space Jam comparison. “Nah,” Iverson told Scoop B Radio with a grin. “I like ’em. Cube let me see them before he let everybody else see em. I gave him the thumbs up.”

Iverson, a culture expert, gave his take on all eight teams. “I like all the uniforms,” he said.

“All of ’em!”

Check out Andre Owens and Allen Iverson discuss Big 3 uniforms on Scoop B Radio 

3s Company’s Andre Owens chats with Fox Sports’ Michael Rapaport. Photo Courtesy of Eric Salvary Get Fit Radio TV

The Big 3’s website recently began selling replica’s of the uniforms for around $100 a pop.

“I like them, 3s Company guard Andre Owens told Scoop B Radio.

“All eight teams have their own unique style. It’s a pretty good look.”

Allen Iverson Greets Listeners and Viewers of Scoop B Radio

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The post Allen Iverson & Andre Owens Of 3s Company Discuss Big 3 Uniforms & Space Jam On Scoop B Radio appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ogugua “OG” Anunoby checks in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

Ahead of tonight’s NBA Draft, I spoke with Ogugua “OG” Anunoby. The Indiana Hoosier spoke to me on Scoop B Radio about living his dream, his admiration for Allen Iverson and following the game of Tracy McGrady.

OG checked in with me at Conversion Sports and Entertainment’s 8th Annual Official Pre-Draft Gifting & Style SuitePress Room. He also spoke about his time playing at the University of Indiana.

Check out OG Anunoby and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio 

Check Out OG Anunoby College Highlights

By the way, Conversion Sports’ Gifting Suite was laid impeccably. The room had everything, by the way. You name it: Wahl Clippers, FuelBox, Casper Sleep, Sean John, Triple 5 Soul, WJC Private Aviation, Reinge Clothing, Sutton Cosmetic Dentristry, So Hoodie, Cadillac, AGMG Services and more.

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The post Scoop B: Ogugua “OG” Anunoby Talks Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson & NBA Draft appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Montezz Allen and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson joined the D & Davis Show with Demonze Spruiel and Kenneth Davis. The D & Davis show broadcasts every Saturday on ChicagoLandSportsRadio.com Photo Credit: Regal Radio

When it comes to sports, guy talk and the NBA Playoffs, objectively speaking, there’s no better man cave to discuss all of the above with than the crew that’s on the rise in the Windy City, The D & Davis Show.

The show which features two Chicago centered hosts in Kenneth Davis and Demonze Spruiel and their all-knowing producer Kyle Means, their Regal Radio brand that broadcasts at the Illinois School of Broadcasting on ChicagolandSportsRadio.com have been fixtures at places like WGN.

I’ve been rocking with these guys since I called in as an expert during my days at BrooklynFans.com during the 2013 NBA Playoffs when the Chicago Bulls took on the Brooklyn Nets.

The Bulls would end up winning the series with the heroics of Nate Robinson.

Five years later, we’re still going strong. Call ins talking LeBron James’ next destination and even having the honor of penning articles for their WeAreRegalRadio.com‘s platform with interviews with Naomi Campbell and Nelson Mandela’s daughter Zindzi Mandela about the Mandela biopic  as well as my chat with D.L. Hughley about what else? Race!

The group has been gracious allowing me to sit on their platform in studio while in town doing panels with Charismatic Solutions & Google and Swank PR.

It’s about family! 

It was no different over the weekend when I stopped by the D & Davis Show along with Detroit’s finest;  journalist, Montezz Allen, sports anchor and assistant producer at WBBM who was in studio promoting his book, Watch Your Words: How we should use our words to speak faith, victory and prosperity instead of evil, lack and discouragement. 

Click here to purchase the book convenietly on Amazon.  

Also scroll down and press play below to check our chat on Saturday’s show. On the D & Davis Show. We discuss possible destinations for New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose, a Chicago native.

Speaking of Rose, he was was in attendance and sitting courtside at the United Center for game 4 of the Chicago Bulls’ round one series against the Boston Celtics. When shown on the jumbotron, Bulls fans gave Rose a standing ovation.

‪Crowd at the United Center cheering on Derrick Rose!‬ ‪ #SeeRed x #DerrickRose‬ x #Bulls x #Celtics x #KNICKSTAPE x #Knicks x #IsaiahThomas ‪SCOOPBRADIO.com ‬#Chicago #Newyork #SCOOPBRADIO

A post shared by ?B r a n d o n R o b i n s o n (@scoop_b) on Apr 23, 2017 at 5:29pm PDT

But I digress! Montezz, myself and the D & Davis Show and debate Allen Iverson’s place in NBA history and predictions for the rest of the 2017 NBA Playoffs.

Check It Out

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Allen Iverson caught up with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio Overtime. Photo Credit: NBA Entertainment/Mitchell & Ness

Allen Iverson reminisced over The Notorious BIG and the 1997 release, song “Young G’s” from Puff Daddy and the Family’s “No Way Out.”

“He was the best ever! Simple as that, I don’t care what nobody say,” AI told me in a recent interview on Scoop B Radio Overtime.  In recalling Big’s assortment of hypnotizing verses, on the 20th anniversary of his death [on Thursday, March 9], the NBA Hall of Famer pin pointed the one that stands out most to him being on “Young G’s”; a song on Puff Daddy and the Family’s No Way Out album.

“One of his greatest verses is on the joint with Puff and Jay-Z,” he said. “He was crazy on that.”

Check out Allen Iverson and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson chopping it up on Scoop B Radio Overtime

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One of the best to ever play the game of basketball, NBA Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson is not shy about his love for hip music. He especially has love for Brooklyn’s own, the Notorious B.I.G.

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the death of the Notorious B.I.G., Christopher Wallace who was shot and killed at the age of 24 in Los Angeles, California on March 9, 1997. His murder still remains unsolved.

At Mitchell & Ness’ unveiling of their section at the NBA Store in midtown Manhattan on Thursday, The Answer gave his ruling on who the greatest was: He was the best,” Allen Iverson told me.

“He was the best ever! Simple as that, I don’t care what nobody say.”

You’ll never guess Bubba Chuck’s favorite Notorious B.I.G. song!

“One of his greatest verses is on the joint with Puff and Jay-Z,” he told me. “What is it? Ghetto Boys?”

While we were both scratching our heads to figure it out, I realize he’s talking about the song, Young G’s. The song, in fact did feature both Hov, Puff and Big and appeared on Puff Daddy’s No Way Out Album.

I yell to A.I.:  ‘Damn it feel good to see people up on it!’

Bubba Chuck took it from there:

“Flipped two ki’s in two weeks and didn’t flaunt it.

My brain is haunted, with mean dreams.

GS’s with BB’s on it, supreme schemes

To get richer than Richie, quickly.”

“He was crazy on that,” Iverson said with a sly grin.

Next to meeting Michael Jordan in the Bulls locker room, rapping a bar with The Answer was probably the coolest experience, ever.

But I digress.

Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last year, Allen Iverson is the gap between Michael Jordan who was business savvy and LeBron James; the balance between Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue and the neighborhood corner store.

A pioneer of the arm sleeve and perfecting the crossover dribble, who better to weigh in on the late Biggie Smalls than The Answer? But he’s not just hip hop! “Just like I’m the number one fan of Michael Jackson, I’m the number one fan of Biggie Smalls,” he said.

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The post Allen Iverson On The Notorious B.I.G. “He was the best, he was the best ever!” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.