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.

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.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson chats with CNN about the NBA season. Photo Credit: CNN

The NBA is in full swing. The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers are all the talk of the town.

Earlier this week I chatted with CNN Philippines’ Mico Halili about my thoughts on the 2017-18 NBA season.

We discussed the first week of the 2017-18 NBA season, as well as my thoughts on the Philadelphia 76ers, the potential winner of the NBA’s Rookie of the Year and the Cleveland Cavs, Golden State, Oklahoma City Thunder’s potential this season and so much more.

Check out my Scoop B Says Segment with Mico Halili.

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The post Scoop B Says: OKC Thunder, De’Aaron Fox, 76ers With CNN Philippines’ Mico Halili appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen. Photo Credit: CSN

Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen Chats With Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson On Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below To Listen

News out of the midwest this week was that Dwyane Wade reached a buyout agreement with the Chicago Bulls and as expected he signed a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Bulls are going young with Zach Lavine, Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis, Kris Dunn, Jerian Grant and Lauri Markkanen.

Speaking of Markkanen, the talented Finnish forward averaged  15.6 points, 7.2 rebounds last season as an Arizona Wildcat. The former Wildcast says that despite his 7-foot size, he grew up liking Wade and his game.

Unfortunately, the rookie forward won’t get a chance to play alongside him at the United Center with his move to Cleveland. 

Former Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade. Photo Credit: Rolling Stone

On a recent episode of Scoop B Radio, Markkanen says that his eyes were glued to his television set during the 2006 NBA Finals when Wade, then a member of the Miami Heat averaged a heroic 34.7 PPG 7.8 RBG and 3.8 AST in the Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

“He was super quick,” Markkanen told me on Scoop B Radio. “And impacted the game in a lot of ways so I really liked how he played.”

Markkanen has a chance to get ample playing time with a young nucleus under Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg. Tall guards like Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the pack of positionless players who rule the NBA. Markkanen likes the challenge. “I played guard my whole life and then developed my inside game a couple years back,” he said.

“So it’s really whatever coach wants me to play. I can play whatever you ask me to.”

Having played his whole career in Europe and coming to the U.S. playing at Arizona, Markkanen believes he’s become well-rounded. “It’s more physical here,” he said.

“And I think half court basketball is weaker back home because you have a shorter shot clock. But the transition basketball is something that really stood out to me because you really have to get back on defense because players are more athletic.”

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The post With Dwyane Wade Now A Cleveland Cavalier, Chicago Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen Can’t Play With Childhood Idol, But Can Shine On Young Hoiberg Team appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Colin Kaepernick and Craig Hodges. Photo Courtesy of: Houston Forward Times

It doesn’t matter if you’re walking into a grocery store, Jewish synagogue, local gym, Muslim mosque, Baptist church, or flipping your television from ESPN’s First Take to Fox Sports 1’s Undisputed to catch NBA free agency, the same question is repeated over and over again: Will Colin Kaepernick play in the NFL this season?

For those tardy to the party, Last NFL season, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback refused to stand during the playing of the U.S. national anthem to acknowledge wrongdoings of African Americans and minorities like Eric Garner, Philando Castile who have been brutally murdered by police officers.”I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL network’s Steve Wyche during the NFL’s preseason last year.

“To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Kaepernick would later kneel instead of not participating at all while the national anthem was played during NFL games.

Kaepernick’s refusal triggered other athletes like the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, Houston Rockets’ Chris Paul, New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and Chicago Bulls’ Dwyane Wade and WNBA players to become vocal about police brutality of minorities.

Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, was in a contract year when took that public stance last season. Now an NFL free agent, it seems that nobody is willing to take a chance on him as even a backup in the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins are said to have had interest, but they’ve since moved on.

Craig Hodges and Michael Jordan. Photo Courtesy of The Odyssey Online

So will Colin Kaepernick play this season? Craig Hodges, a 2-time NBA Champion with the Chicago Bulls says it’s iffy. “He might get an opportunity, but if he is not in somebody’s training camp I don’t think he will play again in the NFL because out of sight out of mind, Hodges told me on Scoop B Radio.  

“And in the sport, unlike basketball where you might be able to sit out twelve months and still be able to come back and play, but the question becomes in that twelve months: “Is anybody even going to mess with you anymore?” Because they already said you are obsolete because you have been twelve months away from the game.”

Hodges if you recall, was blackballed by the NBA after he handed a letter to former U.S. President George H.W. Bush during the Bulls’ championship visit to the White House. The contents of the letter, according to Hodges made President Bush aware of  the mistreatment of poor people and people of color in the United States. “I did whatever I could to uplift the cause of our people man,” he said.

“And one night, we had the chance to go the White House right after we won our first championship. I had been writing letters to our congress people and to our senators to the mayor when I was a little boy and all the way through high school and it was just a continuous of that and a continuous  knowing that I part of the fabric and the fiber of human rights and people standing up for human rights.”

 

 

Check Out Craig Hodges On Scoop B Radio with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson

 

While Hodges took a stance after winning a championship with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and coach Phil Jackson in the 90s, another NBA player was vocal in Denver.

FILE – In this March 15, 1996 file photo, Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf stands with his teammates and prays during the national anthem before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago. This was Abdul-Rauf’s first game back since he was suspended by the NBA on March 12, 1996, for refusing to participate in the national anthem pre-game ceremony. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision this week to refuse to stand during the playing of the national anthem as a way of protesting police killings of unarmed black men has drawn support and scorn far beyond sports. Through the years, “The Star-Spangled Banner” has become a symbol of both patriotism and politics. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

Former Denver Nuggets guard, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was nationally villafied after he refused to acknowledge the U.S. flag. Abdul-Rauf, who  converting to Islam, refused to acknowledge the flag in protest. He would not rise while the U.S. national anthem was played and as a result, ABC’s 20/20 and other television shows and networks drew national attention to Abdul Rauf’s public stance. As a result, Abdul-Rauf was suspended by the NBA and when he returned, he, the NBA and the Nuggets reached an agreement that he’d pray while the national anthem was played before games.

While Kaepernick is without a job in the NFL, Hodges believes that Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf had it worse off than he or Kaepernick. Hodges indicated on Scoop B Radio that he told Abdul-Rauf as such when the two he met in Chicago while Abdul-Rauf was playing in Ice Cube’s Big 3 Basketball tournament. “Colin Kaepernick has gotten to get a portion of what he is suppose to get salary wise,” said Hodges.

“Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was cut off from possibly being the greatest scorer in NBA history, that is the part that hurt me about him.”

Abdul-Rauf was ultra talented. The fiery guard out of LSU who went by the name Chris Jackson before his conversion to Islam was nasty! His scoring ability was unmatched and his jumper was deadly.

In his rookie season in the NBA he averaged 14 points per game and averaged a shade over three assists per game during the 1990-91 NBA season. Abdul-Rauf’s best year in the league was the 1992-93 NBA season. He’d average a smidge under 20 points and 4 assists per contest. He was lightning quick and his first step in his prime could genuinely compare with the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry.

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On Abdul-Rauf, Craig Hodges added:

“I’m saying he is Islam and he understands all of that, but that is power for why that all went on. But at the same time, his potential in the game was so much farther than myself and I say even Colin for where he is in his career right now. But as far as what he was able to do for the game, I feel like Mahmoud felt it more than anybody.”

Shifting back to the gridiron, the ongoing saga Kaepernick saga is reminiscent of Michael Vick’s return to football after his conviction of running a dogfighting business in his home. The only difference is that Kaepernick has not broken any laws.

So here’s the million and seven dollar question: If Colin Kaepernick were to be picked up by an NFL team, would he kneel during the national anthem again?

“See once again, I’m pretty sure Colin Kaepernick isn’t going to take a knee anymore,” said Hodges.

“There isn’t a need to take a knee anymore. I think now it’s just a  matter of him wanting to play football. If he gets a chance to play football he is going to play football and do what he is capable of doing. Hopefully he gets that opportunity.”

Speaking of Michael Vick. In the past month, both he and Ray Lewis were vocal about Kaepernick’s decision and how the free agent could re-enter the program. Essentially, they both felt that he should either cut his hair or keep his political views to himself. “Often times we can be pressured into making comments on behalf of the larger enforcer,” said Hodges.

“That’s where we have to ask ourselves: if there really is a God in these situations whose side is he on? You know what I am saying? Then when brother’s make the decisions to say like: ‘Michael Vick, how stupid is that?’ So you are telling me that his hair as something to do with throwing the football? This man’s words are throwing footballs, Ray Lewis? So tone down your civil rights. So you’re telling me allow people to be murdered and maimed and it’s cool as long as I play football? Hell no man! How much more of a 2017 slave mentality is that? Let’s cut to the chase we have some slave garbage.”

Speaking of hair, r&b singer India Arie did explain to you in her song that she was not her hair!

Taking a cursory look at the NFL, there are others who have defining hair: the Houston Texans’ Brian Cushing has sported an array of styles, as have former Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu. Hodges deducts that corporate America is afraid of athletes like Kaepernick being unapologetically black. “Absolutely,” he said.

“Because when that happens you have no fear. Fear then is the key to the power structure. Scare the hell out of people and they aren’t going to move. So many of our movements have been penalized just because of the inaction and fear.”

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The post Former NBA Champ Craig Hodges: “Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was cut off from possibly being the greatest scorer in NBA history” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

While on Scoop B Radio Overtime, boxer Bernard Hopkins chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about some of his favorite fashion influences. Photo Provided By: Eric Salvary/Scoop Vision Media

Bernard Hopkins made statements in the boxing ring and out of it. When he talks, goshdarnit please listen! Now a boxing analyst on ESPN’s family of networks, Hopkins dons a lot of suits and the now retired 55-8 Philadelphia bruiser known in the the ring as The Executioner traded in his boxing trunks and morphed into Mr. Suave in front of the teleprompter.

Not mad at you brotha! 

“I love fashion, I love to look good, I love to feel good and definitely love to perform good,” Bernard Hopkins told me on Scoop B Radio Overtime. “It’s a 3-punch combination that to me; that’s something that should be taught when you’re really young, but better late than never, but I love fashion.”

Check out Bernard Hopkins and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson’s Fashion Discussion

In today’s sports world, fans and writers alike like to put things into boxes and category. In basketball for example many like to compare Michael Jordan’s legacy to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James. In the late 90s in baseball, folks were wondering who the homerun king was Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa and in boxing folks want the ultimate heavyweight in Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Here’s a kicker for Bernard Hopkins: Who is on his Mount Rushmore of stylishly dressed athletes? Well I could look at– well like Magic Johnson,” Hopkins said after a brief pause.

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“There’s a lot of like, I could say basketball and football athletes that dress really good, but nobody really like stands out, you know? Deion Sanders is kinda like, loud and I don’t really like that style but a lot of people – he was like- he made statements whether you disagree or didn’t. He made statements.”

Sanders’ gear with MCHammer in the video of Straight To My Feet was legendary, by the way!

If you’re a tad young, that song was on the Street Fighter movie soundtrack

Many credit Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James as sports’ elite dressers. Honestly, the Brooklyn Nets’ Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and D’Angelo Russell are rising notables too. But back to a certain Cleveland Cavalier; Mr. Hopkins, do you dig LeBron James’ digs?

“I think LeBron has a style,” he said. “But it’s like you see somebody else wearing the same thing.

Hopkins also has advice for athletes looking to leave their mark in fashion: Be yourself! 

“I think when you look at fashion you gotta look at: does it go with your skin? Does it go with your physique? Does it go with your whole persona about you,” he said. “I think that when it comes to clothes and I’m getting a little deep, I think that when it comes to wearing a suit or clothes, women or man, it has to fit your personality. I don’t care how much it costs, I don’t care what name brand it is, if the clothes don’t fit your personality you don’t make it blossom.” 

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The post Scoop B: Bernard Hopkins Puts Magic Johnson & Deion Sanders On His Mount Rushmore of Fashionable Athletes appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Nov 23, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets power forward Trevor Booker (35) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Al Horford spent nine years with the Atlanta Hawks. While in the A-T-L, Horford became a four time NBA All Star, was an NBA Shooting Stars champion during NBA All Star All Star weekend in 2011 and made the NBA’s All Rookie First Team and All-NBA Third Team in 2011. Leaving Atlanta was bittersweet for the big man as he left the team that drafted him and went to the northeast.

As per Tim Cato of SB Nation:

“Horford’s departure from Atlanta was a bit rocky. An hour before he signed with the Celtics, it was reported that he was likely returning to the Hawks despite the fact that the team had already signed Dwight Howard. It was thought the Hawks might trade Paul Millsap while keeping Horford, but he decided against returning.”

Horford signed a four-year $113 million contract with the Boston Celtics. Many were upset with his decision, especially Hawks fans. When Horford made his return to Atlanta in January, the fans booed him! They booed him during Celtics pregame introductions, when Horford was at the free throw line and when the Hawks honored him during their video tribute. They were NOT having any parts of it!

TI chatting with RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson.
Photo Credit: Angie Vasuez

Horford also added four assists, a steal and a block during the Celtics’ 104-95  win over the Chicago Bulls, Sunday at the United Center.

One person who is missing Horford’s production in Atlanta is rapper, TI. On last week’s episode of Scoop B Radio Overtime, T.I. shared his thoughts about not just Horford but Jeff Teague:

The post TI on Al Horford Joining Boston Celtics: “I salute him and support him on his journey” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.