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.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony and RESPECT Magazine managing editor Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Chris Montgomery

RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson navigates through the NBA on Syracuse, NY’s Bud & The Manchild Show. Press Play Below To Listen

The Knicks played a 6 ½ minute tribute video to Oklahoma City forward Carmelo Anthony in his return to Madison Square Garden.

As ceremonious as it was for the former Knick to be back at Madison Square Garden, his play didn’t measure equally. Anthony was held to 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting and went scoreless in the second half.

The Knicks, who were without an injured Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway, Jr. beat the visiting Thunder 111-96.

As for the video tribute to Anthony, it was unveiled after the first four players in the Thunders’ starting lineup were introduced.

Anthony who was introduced last got a chance to watch while sitting on the bench in his hooded Thunder warm up jacket. After the montage, the Knicks’ public address announcer said his name as if he was still a member of the Knicks. Many cheered for Anthony with some booing him.

Check it out for yourself

Standing ovation at @TheGarden for Carmelo Anthony. pic.twitter.com/bpDp2fwEWh

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 17, 2017

While you check out the tribute video, make sure to check out my conversation with Inside The Loud House. We discussed Carmelo Anthony and his alma mater, Syracuse who beat an undefeated Georgetown, 86-79.

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The post Scoop B: Carmelo Anthony’s MSG/Knicks Return, plus Syracuse & Georgetown’s thriller appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Most Intriguing Point Guard In NBA History. Photo Credit: SI

Giannis Antetokounmpo is ballin’ out this year!  

With career averages of 15.3 points and 7 rebounds per game, The Greek Freak is having a fourth year coming out party with an uptick.

Through Wednesday, he’s averaged 33.7 points  and 10 rebounds per game for the Milwaukee Bucks.

I chatted with the crew at The Score 1260’s Bud and The Manchild Show in Syracuse, NY about Antetkoumpo’s rise as well as the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks’ recent surge, the potential of the Philadelphia 76ers and LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

We also discuss the intrigue of former Knick and curent Oklahoma City Thunder forward, Carmelo Anthony and his time in New York City.

Press Play Below to Listen!

Carmelo Anthony and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy of: Calligrafist Photography

Additionally, Insidetheloudhouse.com’s Paul A. Esden Jr. detailed my column last month where I shared my thoughts of why Anthony deserves to have his jersey retired by the Knicks.

Make sure to check Esden’s assessment by clicking here. 

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The post Scoop B: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sixers, Carmelo Anthony & More On The Score 1260’s Bud and The Manchild Show appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim dropped by Scoop B Radio. Photo Credit: Image: The Big Lead

Shareef Abdur-Rahim discusses the 1996 NBA Draft class with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson while on Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below to Listen!

Retired NBA All Star Shareef Abdur Rahim had a decent career averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds in 12 NBA seasons. Drafted with the third pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the then-Vancouver Grizzlies, Abdur Rahim was an All NBA Rookie First Teamer.  

There was a glut of talent in that 1996 draft class that includes Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.

Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Marcus Camby, Jermaine O’Neal, Antoine Walker, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Peja Stojakovic round out that list

Many remember SLAM Magazin’e’s iconic cover with those names.

“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 told me on Scoop B Radio.

While the ‘96 draft class was electrifying, so was the 1984 draft class that included mainstays like: Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon and John Stockton.

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

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

Abdur-Rahim acknowledges that there’s a lot of talent in ’84 and ’03.

But does he have a favorite?

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

Abdur Rahim would suit up for the Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings during his 12 year NBA career.

His best statistical season came during the lockout shortened 1998-99 season where he’d post 23 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1 block per game.

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The post Shareef Abdur-Rahim says he ranks his ‘96 NBA Draft class over 1984 & 2003 NBA Draft classes appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Carmelo Anthony and Danilo Gallinari. Photo Credit: Nugg Love

Danilo Gallinari spoke with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about the posibility of the young Knicks. Press Play Below To Listen.

The 2017-18 NBA season began with rivalry week. On Tuesday, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers took on the new-look Boston Celtics and James’ old teammate, Kyrie Irving.

On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Carmelo Anthony got the win against his former New York Knicks.

Anthony was shipped to the Knicks in a blockbuster trade in 2011. In that trade, the Knicks sent Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and three draft picks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter.

After that trade, the Knicks went 207-269, won only one of four playoff series and missed the postseason each of the past four years.

Years later, the trade makes you wonder: what if?

What if the Knicks hadn’t traded for Anthony and kept a Mike D’Antoni team that had a young core in Amare Stoudemire, J.R. Smith, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Nate Robinson and others?

“Well sometimes we talk about it or we meet about it with Amare, Raymond and other players who were there at that time and say if we would have stayed together we could have built something special,”  Danilo Gallinari told me on Scoop B Radio.

 “So that’s what we say.”

Gallinari, now a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, was drafted 6th overall in the 2008 draft by the Knicks. He had some good games while a member of the orange of blue, like the time he scored 17 points against the Atlanta Hawks on 4-5 shooting from downtown.

Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton were part of a young Knicks core. Photo Credit: New York Daily News

There was also that Halloween game in 2009 where he it rained three pointers; eight to be exact. Galo poured in a season high 30 points in the overtime loss and was one triple away from tying a Knicks franchise record held by both Latrell Sprewell and John Starks. The dude was official like a ref with a whistle, he just dealt with substantial injuries.

Nonetheless, his jumper was and still is lethal!

As for the what could have been the Knicks, all we can wonder is what if?

“Yeah, we had a very good chemistry going on,” said Gallinari.

“Especially a few weeks before the trade, we were doing really well. But you know, that’s in the past now.”

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The post Danilo Gallinari believes Knicks could have ‘built something special’ if he wasn’t traded for Carmelo Anthony appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Paul George and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary/Get Fit Radio TV

RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson chatted with Ben Troupe and B.J. Bennett on Southern Georgia’s ESPN Coastal “Three and Out.” Press Play Below To Listen!

The NBA season is here and we’ve seen a ton of injuries. The Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward and Brooklyn Nets’ Jeremy Lin are done for the season and the Houston Rockets’ Chris Paul is sidelined for two to four weeks.

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James embrace after Tuesday’s opening night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo Credit: USA Today

Lonzo Ball did not come out hot in his debut at Staples Center against the Los Angeles Clippers and LeBron James and the new look Cleveland Cavaliers had something to prove in their home opener against former Cavalier, Kyrie Irving. Carmelo Anthony got revenge with his new team the Oklahoma City Thunder. He and his new teammates, Paul George and Russell Westbrook aided the former Knick in his victory over his old team.  Also click here to find out why I believe the Knicks should still retire Carmelo Anthony’s jersey.

My picks for this season:

6th Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Houston Rockets

Most Improved Player of the Year: Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Blazers

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gorbert, Utah Jazz

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics

Rookie of the Year: De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Finals: Cavs vs. Warriors (Cavs win in 6)

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The post Scoop B: OKC Thunder’s Paul George & Russell Westbrook, The Cavs & More With ESPN’s Ben Troupe & B.J. Bennett appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Carmelo Anthony waves to crowd at Madison Square Garden. Photo Credit: New York Daily News

Power 105 The Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy dropped by Scoop B Radio & Discussed Carmelo Anthony, Odell Beckham and more with RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Press Play Below To Listen!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, Carmelo Anthony is a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Last month the Knicks and Thunder engaged in a blockbuster deal that shipped Anthony to the Thunder in exchange for Enes Kanter.

The move merged Anthony with the NBA’s reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook and three-time All NBA forward Paul George.

Anthony will get his first crack at his former team when the Knicks and Thunder tip off at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK on Thursday.

Here’s the ultimate Regis Philbin Who Wants to be a Millionaire question: How will Carmelo Anthony be remembered during his time as a New York Knick?

It’s a very complicated dialogues to have. Individually Melo had it made in the Big Apple. A ten-time NBA All Star, Anthony played seven seasons as a Knick where he averaged 24.7 points, posted 7 rebounds and dished 3.2 assists per game.

Anthony was traded to NYC in 2011 for everything but the kitchen sink!  

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is guarded by Houston Rockets guard James. Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

The Knicks sent Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and three draft picks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter.

That deal bore fruit to a disaster that lasted longer than a New York Minute. Six years later, the Knicks have only had one 50-win season in the last decade.

For those keeping score at home: the Knicks were 207-269 while Anthony was a member of the team.

During that time, the orange and blue have won only one of four playoff series and missed the postseason each of the past four years.

“His jersey would never get retired,” Power 105’s The Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy told me on a recent episode of Scoop B Radio. “I think that Melo deserves to get his jersey retired.”

Anthony is one of the greatest scorers and purest small forwards to play the game. As a Knick, Anthony broke Bernard King’s longstanding Knicks 61-point single game scoring record and Kobe Bryant’s 60-point mark for the most points ever scored at Madison Square Garden.

DJ Envy doesn’t blame Anthony’s departure from the Knicks. “If I am Melo I would leave,” he said.

“I love Melo. I think Melo being in New York, coming to the Knicks is bad. I think the management is bad and I think they really don’t know what they are doing. I don’t like how they pick players, I don’t like how they respect their players, but I am a Knicks fan and I always have been a Knicks fan.”

With Anthony now in the Knicks’ rearview, the team has built around center, Kristaps Porzingis. In the offseason, they signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and added Michael Beasley.

Knicks fans love the past and are certainly in love with the 90s era of basketball. Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck detailed it in his: With Little to Cheer in the Present, Knicks and Their Fans Trapped in the Past column earlier this year.

What if the Knicks got it together with Melo there?  “Melo is 36 years old still knocking out 25 points a game,” said DJ Envy. 

Power 105’s The Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy and Angela Yee with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony. Photo Credit: dmfashionbook

Added DJ Envy of Anthony who turned 33 in May: “It’s not Melo. It’s the team.”

Born in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, NY, Anthony lived in the borough for part of his formative years. He relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where he starred at nearby Towson Catholic before transferring to national basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA.

Anthony’s move to NYC after winning a National Championship at Syracuse and playing seven years with the Denver Nuggets had the makings of a grand coming home party.

No such luck!  Always gracious in interviews, public appearances and even when he was off the clock, Anthony played it cool until the very end.

In a recap I wrote on Anthony’s Pro Camps basketball camp a few years ago, Anthony said: “My window is closing, so I’m trying to get this championship to New York ASAP.”

You wanted to believe it. But it was hard to believe that from 2013-2017 when a guy named LeBron James, one of Anthony’s closest friends, was running the NBA’s Eastern Conference and led both the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals.

Keep in mind: During Anthony’s tenure with the Knicks, he had 72 different teammates. Of that lucky number 72, only Tyson Chandler made an All-Star team during the same season as Melo.

Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson. Photo Courtesy of Gospel Today

Coaching changes, trades and a very public feud with former team president Phil Jackson created a recipe for disaster that the team never really recovered from.

Ah yes, then there was the notion that the Knicks would re-live the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles, Tex Winter designed triangle offense. “You can’t put Melo in and run a triangle offense,” said DJ Envy.

“It isn’t going to work. You have to work with everybody. I’ve got two sons and three daughters. What I do with my fifteen year old is not going to work with my four year old. I can’t treat them the same way. I have to take each individual situation and break it down that way.”

Both Melo and the Knicks have moved on. Melo’s parting gift to New York is Hoodie Melo!

If you don’t know what Hoodie Melo is, it is in your best professional interest to google it, you’re missing out. I promise you!

All parties in the Knicks/Anthony melo-drama are turning the page from their seven year marriage and amicable divorce.

All involved are in a new relationship and have new relationship goals. The plot thickens, however when all parties involved will run into each other for the first time while on their date at 8 in Oklahoma City.

Popcorn and slushees please! 

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The post Scoop B: Carmelo Anthony Deserves To Have His Jersey Retired By The New York Knicks appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.