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.

Former Chicago Scottie Pippen. Photo Credit: NBA Entertainment

Scottie Pippen joined ESPN’s “The Jump” to react to Robert Horry’s comments about the 90’s era NBA Champions Houston Rockets matching up and defeating the ‘Jordan-less” 1994-1995 Chicago Bulls.

See Here on ESPN’s “The Jump” with Rachel Nichols:

Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith originally stated this in an interview with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio Overtime.

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The post [Video] Scottie Pippen Disagrees With Robert Horry’s Belief Of Rockets Beating Bulls In ’94 NBA Finals appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Former Houston Rockets forward Robert Horry. Photo Credit: AL.com

Robert Horry, Paul Pierce, Stephen Jackson and Rachel Nichols discussed Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith’s notion that the 1994-1995 Houston Rockets would beat the Chicago Bulls had Michael Jordan not retired.

Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith originally stated this in an interview with RESPECT Magazine’s managing editor, Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio Overtime.

The post [VIDEO] Robert Horry Agrees With Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith’s Belief That Rockets Would Beat Bulls In ’94 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Inside The NBA’s Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith and Charles Barkley. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Kyrie Irving’s monstrous game in Tuesday’s win against the Boston Celtics, Charles Barkley’s maroon suit selection on Tuesday along with he and Shaq arguing caught my eye. It all somehow tied into my observation of the play of the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown.

Firstly, on Tuesday, Charles and Shaq did a ton of bickering on camera. Can’t lie, it was very funny, but made you wonder what was serious and what wasn’t

As per Yahoo Sports’ Dan Devine:

In discussing whether or not Game 5 was a “must-win” game for a Cavaliers team that heads back to Boston with a 3-1 lead, just one win away from a third straight trip to the Finals to take on the Western Conference champions (and their now-bitter rival) Golden State Warriors, O’Neal made the point that it would be in Cleveland’s best interests not to “mess around,” lay another egg and give the Celtics new life. A reasonable point!

And then, the bit:

“Chuck, you have no idea what we’re talking about, because you’ve only been to the Finals once,” said O’Neal, noting that Barkley only played for a championship once, when his Phoenix Suns fell to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals.

“I wasn’t riding on Dwyane Wade and Kobe’s coattails,” Barkley barked back, giving Shaq short shrift for his contributions on the Los Angeles Lakers teams that three-peated from 2000 through 2002, and the Miami Heat squad that won it all in 2006.

“Doesn’t matter, Chuck,” O’Neal said. “I got the same thing you got, and I passed you up 10 years ago.”

“I’m just letting you know,” Barkley said, as O’Neal repeated “Anyway” in an unsuccessful attempt to get the last word. “If I had been riding on Kobe’s coattails, and Dwyane Wade’s … and [Heat center] Alonzo Mourning’s, too, I forgot about him. And [Lakers forward] Rick Fox. Derek Fisher.”

“People question why you’re in the Hall of Fame anyway,” Shaq replied. “Bum.”

The two began smiling and laughing as Smith attempted to step in. Host Ernie Johnson, who had taken the opportunity to eat some macaroni and cheese while his two bookend big men squabbled, retook the reins and asked why the back-and-forth had gotten so personal so quickly.

“Because Chuck’s always interrupting,” Shaq said. “Don’t interrupt me, Chuck. I’m going to punch you right in your face one time, I’m telling you.”

Barkley responded by saying he’d “throw one of these chicken wings at [Shaq’s] fat ass.” Things then got back to normal — well, as normal as things get when you’re dealing with threats of hurled chicken wings, and jokes about barbecue-sauce-colored suits — before Shaq offered one more reminder that Barkley had only been to the Finals once.

The segment moved on.

Hope they worked out their differences before tonight’s Game 5.

Secondly, Charles Barkley‘s suit selection on Tuesday was maroon; it took me back to him being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft. The suit he wore Tuesday was more tailored; and even though someone teased Barkley by saying that if he spilled Merlot wine on his suit, no one would noticed, I was intrigued.

When Barkley appeared on Scoop B Radio last month, we chatted about that suit selection, with Chuck telling me: “Man, burgundy was my favorite color.”

Barkley added:

“Well when you’re poor, you get that one suit and that was it. You know, first of all I don’t mind growing up poor it just made me a better person, but man burgundy was my favorite color. I wanted to have a nice suit for the draft and we went out and got it. Listen let me tell you something, that bring back some good memories,” said Barkley. “You know the draft was a start of my amazing journey through life, and I’ve had an amazing life and it all started that night.”

While I was observing Charles’ attire in between he and Shaq’s bickering, I started reflecting on the undermanned Boston Celtics and the fact that Jaylen Brown is 20 years old!

In fact, Brown is literally one month younger than my baby sister, Kandace. I felt old!

I also thought about how fast Brown has grown in the past year. The third pick in last year’s NBA Draft, the guy is legitimately playing against the NBA World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals as a rookie and holding his own.

Kudos!

Brown averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game during the regular season. Through 16 postseason appearances, the 20-year-old is averaging 4.9 points and 2.3 boards on 47.1 percent shooting from the field, including 21.7 percent from three.

My mind was wandering towards Brown though because his draft attire last year reminded me so much of a cross between Charles Barkley’s suit with a splash of Hakeem Olajuwon’s when the Houston Rockets drafted him in 1984. Brown’s tie and blazer combo of Brown’s was reminiscent on point!

What made you pick that one out, J? “I had thousands of suits to choose from and I’m super meticulous and picky,” Brown told me. “So I had to make sure I did my due diligence on suits so it took me a while.”

He furthered:

“This is the one that kind of popped out a lot of young guys tend to go with flashy colors or fluorescent patterns or floral patterns I just wanted to keep it simple and classy, timeless but definitely classy I wanted to do it like that because it matches my personality so I expressed my personality through my suit.”

Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells reported yesterday that the Celtics may be without Brown for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday night. ESPN.com’s Chris Forsberg, reports that Brown is officially questionable for the elimination game due to a right hip pointer.

The Celtics have a bright future. They’ve got the first pick in this year’s NBA Draft, a good coach in Brad Stevens, a bench full of depth and the ever stylish Jaylen Brown.

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The post Scoop B: Charles Barkley’s Suit, Shaq Bickering & Celtics’ Jaylen Brown’s Attire appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Knicks’ 90s glory days are long-gone. The club has just three winning seasons in the past 16 years. At 27-42, the Knicks stand at 12th in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. After the loss to the Nets last night at MSG, they officially clinched their fourth consecutive losing season. Man oh man, the ’90s Knicks were a team that New York City still holds in high regard and misses. John Starks, Charles Oakley, the late Anthony Mason, Doc Rivers and of course, Patrick Ewing.

Ewing played 17 years in the NBA, 15 of those as a Knick before he was traded to the Seattle Supersonics for Vin Baker. Ewing finished his career averaging 21 points and a shade under 10 rebounds per game. Ewing and the Knicks had some memorable moment. Lets see, there was the time in 1990 when the Hoya Destroya scored 51 points on Kevin McHale, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird at The Garden.  ​

Hey, remember Game 5 of the ’94 Finals when he pummeled Olajuwon, scored 25 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks on the Olajuwon-led Rockets. There was also that 22 points, 22 rebounds and 7 assist outing in game 7 of the 1994 NBA Playoff Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. That game sealed the deal and propelled the Knicks to the ’94 Finals against the Houston Rockets.

Simply put, Ewing was the man in N-Y-C.

Rapper, Pusha T thinks so too, apparently. Appearing on today’s episode of Scoop B Radio Overtime, the rapper who reps both NYC and Virginia to the fullest chatted about some of his all-time favorite sports uniforms. He likes the old Washington Bullets uniforms from the days of Wes Unseld. The Bullets, of course are now the Washington Wizards. The Wizards even retro’ed thos unifors a time or two when Michael Jordan made a brief cameo on that team. The team has even incorporated a similar design to their current uni’s to make it whole. Someone get Mitchell & Ness on the line! We need that Jordan Throwback.

But I digress.

The meat and potatoes of the interview with King Push was his admiration for that Knicks squad that were both hustle and muscle and the nostalgia of even Spike Lee donning the orange and blue fabric. “Definetly the Knicks, of course,” Pusha T told me.

“You gotta remember. For example, like, the Knicks, if I was messing with the Knicks, it was like there was a Ewing component to it. Or a Spike Lee Component to it. They were so culturally relevant at the time. They were champions of the team and they were like to me, cool guys! So I was like oh man, this is fresh. Anyrhing they put on was fresh. They were definetly representing the Knicks organization at that time.”

Spike Lee, like Jack Nicholson is probably the original super fan; the orginiator. His engagement with players is what stands out. Who can forget his classic duels with Reggie Miller?

The new Knicks are nothing worth watching, but the nostalgia of the old Knicks, still lives on.

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