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.

Retired NBA player and father of Kobe Bryant, Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant and sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson at RISE Indoor Sports Expo in Rockwall, Texas. Photo Credit: The Scoop B Brand

NBA legend, Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about his son, Kobe Bryant on Scoop B Radio

Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant may be known as Kobe Bryant’s father, but he also had a career of his own.

From playing with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Houston Rockets from 1975-1983 to coaching the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA to playing overseas in France and Italy, Jellybean is basketball.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, right, has a laugh with his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, prior to participating in a pickup basketball game at the Kobe Bryant Basketball Academy at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester, Calif., on Thursday, July 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Branimir Kvartuc)

Being basketball means he knows talent when he sees it. So I’m curious: What is it really like to raise a child prodigy?

“It’s really the joy of the game,”  Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant told me on Scoop B Radio.

“I think as a parent, you figure he could play as long as he wants, as long as he enjoys the game. I think he made some comments about mentally…he’s fine. He likes the challenge. It’s your body. Your body takes you long to recuperate. That’s the challenge.”

The 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft out of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, PA, what made Kobe Bryant’s game unique is that it has many skill sets. Kobe grew up watching the greats like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan, but his footwork is so strong. Kobe’s father’s was too. Jellybean chatted about what it was like to see Kobe play for as long as he did and retire on his own terms.

? Happy 39th Birthday @kobebryant. This was one of my favorite #Kobe moments. #respect ????? #Lakers

A post shared by ? Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson (@scoop_b) on Aug 23, 2017 at 8:43am PDT

“As a fan, just watching him play and putting up all those points and playing at such a high level at such a great organization like the Lakers. I think that’s probably one of the important things,” he told me.

The fundamentals and doing things the right way is what Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant respects about his son.

“These kids come out of school and they worry about being a number one pick, number two pick, I think it’s more important that you get with the right organization and Kobe was able to do that and as you see, playing with one organization is really something special.”

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The post Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant, recounts what it was like watching Black Mamba’s Lakers Career appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Kobe Bryant turned 39 today. Photo Credit: Turner

Retired NBA player Kobe Bryant turned 39 today.

The retired 20-year NBA veteran with career averages of 25 points, 4.7 assists and 5.2 assists per game retired last season with arguably the best finish of his career against the Utah Jazz.

Yup, a 60 point game in a 101-96 win against Utah at Staples Center.

Bryant, the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft out of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, PA, is the only player in NBA history to spend 20 seasons with one team. Bryant  earned five championships during his career.

Kobe Bryant & Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Discuss Legacy.

? Happy 39th Birthday @kobebryant. This was one of my favorite #Kobe moments. #respect ????? #Lakers

A post shared by ? Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson (@scoop_b) on Aug 23, 2017 at 8:43am PDT

Many compare Bryant’s game to Michael Jordan. Jordan got the chance to close his career on his terms while with the Chicago Bulls; retiring twice and winning championships both times. Retired NFL player Peyton ended his similarly when he and the Denver Broncos captured Super Bowl 50.

Could imagine Bryant riding off in the sunset like that?

“It would have been amazing,” Bryant told me.

Added Bryant: 

“But you know, it just wasn’t meant to be. But at the same time, I couldn’t complain about it. I’ve enjoyed winning to the tune of five championships and been very fortunate to have those. Most players haven’t been able to get one. So, you gotta be able to take the good with the bad.”

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The post Scoop B: Happy 39th Birthday Kobe Bryant appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy of Eric Salvary

Lonzo Ball is the talk of the town in Las Vegas this week. The newly minted Los Angeles Lakers point guard began the Summer League posting five points on 2-of-15 shooting (1-of-11 from downtown) and five assists against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers would lose 96-93 while wearing his signature Big Baller Brand ZO2 shoes that are retailed at $495.

Ball would right the ship on Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ers by notching 36 points in a win against the Philadelphia 76ers. The face of the Big Baller Brand also turned heads when he donned a purple pair of Kobe Bryant’s Kobe AD sneakers.

“At BBB, you can play in what you want,” Lonzo Ball told ESPN’s SportsCenter after the win. “I already played in both of my shoes, might as well get the ‘Mamba Mentality’ going. Put ’em on, and it worked out tonight.”

Check Out RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson talking Lonzo Ball on NYC’s FloEmpire Radio with Brandon Nix.

Link courtesy of Scoop B Radio:

Last night,, Ball tried on another pair of shoes: James Harden’s Adidas Harden Vol. 1 LS kicks.

Ball, the Lakers’ rookie and number 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft messed around and got a triple double in the three stripe kicks. He posted 16 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in the Lakers’ 94-83 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA’s Summer League.

Lonzo’s dad, LaVar told ESPN.com’ Darren Rovell:

“Lonzo is not forced to wear any brand and can play in any shoe he wants as long as it’s OK with the NBA. This is what being independent is all about.”

Your own #brand is the wave! I respect people who pave their own lane. Respect to @zo @lavar and @bigballerbrand Respect The Shooter: ?? – @boomtownfm . . . #NBADraft x #bigballerbrand x #LonzoBall x #Lakers x #ScoopBRadio x #ScoopBRadioOvertime x #LavarBall x #speakitintoexistence

A post shared by ?B r a n d o n R o b i n s o n (@scoop_b) on Jun 22, 2017 at 3:10pm PDT

Video Courtesy of Eric Salvary and DJ Manny EL. 

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Retired NBA veteran J.R. Reid had a lengthy career in the NBA. With stints with the San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Buck. Drafted 5th overall by the Hornets in the 1989 NBA Draft, Reid, a product of Virginia Beach, VA came as advertised after a stellar high school career after being named Gatorade and USA TODAY’s player of the year out of Kempsville High School. He’d later be an All-American under Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina.

What’s always been cool about Reid is his journey and who he’s been around in locker rooms during his NBA career. He was teammates with 16 year NBA vet Dell Curry and would watch Dell’s son’s, Seth and Stephen grow as children. The boys are now all grown up, Seth is a guard playing for the Dallas Mavericks and Stephen is the Golden State Warriors star point guard.

Reid knew back then that Dell’s kids were special.“Steph was shooting that thing at nine,” Reid told me in an interview last year.

“He was putting the work in. You can tell. When a little kid has form, you can tell. The NBA now, you see so many former NBA players’ kids now playing. It’s a lifestyle. These kids are around this lifestyle. They see the dedication…these kids are already ahead of the game. We loved him…Steph was always tagging along. He was just a source of entertainment for us.”

Speaking of second generation ball players. Reid was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1999 season and was teammates with the now retired Kobe Bryant. Reid knew back then that Bryant was growing into a special player. “Kobe was a great teammate,” said Reid.

“We tried to get him to shoot some craps with us in the back. We started cracking jokes. Kobe was put together differently than a lot of other guys. I might be reading some stock stuff, computers, car stuff and Kobe is over there reading about the art of war. He’s trying to be a mental assassin.”

Reid served as a mentor to Kobe through parts of that season as per the advice of Jerry West, the guy who drafted Bryant. What’s significant about that is that Reid has always been a mentor of sorts and wise beyond his years. How do I know? Back in 1997 I chronicled Reid when he was a member of the Charlotte Hornets during my days hosting Nets Slammin’ Planet on the now defunct 620 AM One-On-One Sports here in New York City. He was recently a subject in the Scoop B Radio time capsule series. Give it a listen below.

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The post J.R. Reid On Young Kobe: “Trying To Be A Mental Assassin” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

One of basketballs all time greats has finally called it quits after 20 years in the NBA. Kobe Bryant, has officially retired from the NBA but it’s no surprise that Kobe is expected to still be position with the game of basketball. One of the rumors swirling around Bryant after his retirement, was the possibility of becoming the 5th member of the very popular, Inside The NBA show, featured on TNT.

If Bryant was to join the show, he would be joining NBA legends, Charles Barkely, Kenny Smith, and his former teammate, Shaquille O’neal. Also part of the cast is longtime cast member Ernie Johnson. Now when Shaq departed from the Lakers, he and Kobe were not on best of terms. Throughout the rest of Shaq’s career he and Kobe never ended their feud. Over the past few years Shaq and Kobe have seemed to not have any hard feelings toward each other, making the thought of the two teaming back up on the set of the show, seem even more realistic.

A few weeks into his retirement and it seems that TNT has reached out to Bryant about taking the position, according to TMZ Sports. With and offer on the table all Bryant would need to do is accept it, and we would get a Shaq and Kobe duo once again. BUT it looks like the duo is not making a return. It has been reported that Kobe will not go work on Inside The NBA with his former teammate.

In the above clip you can see Bryant, who when asked if he would go work for TNT, turns and simply answers no. It looks like he’s enjoying the retired life right now. It is unclear if Bryant will make an appearance on the show during this postseason, but it would be fun to get a preview to see the chemistry he would have with the guys. For now, continue to watch Charles and Shaq battle it out hilariously on set.

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The meeting between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday marked the end of a historic rivalry. Much has changed since these two superstars first met in early 2004. Today the Lakers and Kobe Bryant are out of playoff contention while LeBron James’ Cleveland team is one of the favorites to win the championship. The Black Mamba and King James have played 22 exhibition games against each other and LeBron holds the winning record of 16-6. I know I can’t be the only fan upset at the fact that we will never be able to watch these legends play against each other again. Fortunately the finale lived up to all the hype. Kobe plays the shooting guard position and LeBron is usually posted at the small forward position but somehow they defended each other for most of the night! Even though they play two totally different positions, everyone feels their game is close enough to compare. When doing their individual comparisons most people look directly at the most important stat; Championships. Black Mamba has 5 but LeBron only has only managed to grab 2 so far!  In their last meeting there was plenty of highlights, as expected. Kobe led his team in scoring with 26 points and staples center erupted every time he scored a bucket! King James only accounted for 24 of Cleveland’s 120 points but that’s all he needed to secure another win. This game was not important as far as the playoff picture but March 10^th, 2016 is a date that will be marked in NBA history. After 20 amazing years, Kobe finally realized the NBA game moves very fast so no matter who you are your age will eventually catch up to you. After admitting that his basketball career is over Kobe Bryant has decided to retire after the 2016 season and will be missed very dearly.

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The post Kobe Bryant Vs. Lebron James: The Finale appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.