Image Credit: Google Images

Lonzo Ball wants to “lead his career” with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports

Just a few months ago, the Ball brother trio of Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball, all signed with Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports for management and representation. While it could be speculated whether the trio would eventually sign with PUMA Hoops due to Jay Z’s title as Creative Director for the sportswear brand, Lonzo, the eldest, has decided to choose a different path with the announcement he will ultimately sign with Rich Paul of Klutch Sports per ESPN’s Malika Andrews.

Lonzo Ball is signing with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, per @malika_andrews

"I wanted to lead my career… It was the right time to make that call." pic.twitter.com/eNdAaAoDgq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 14, 2020

“I wanted to lead my career,” Ball stated. “Picking my own representation — just solely as my decision — was step one in that process. For me, it was an easy call, and it was the right time to make that call.” Ball has had several different representatives since his professional career began in 2017. He previously was represented by family friend Harrison Gaines, before moving on to CAA, Creative Artists Agency, followed by Roc Nation Sports.

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Expectations for Ball were certainly high being the #2 overall pick for his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. They were prompted even higher thanks to his father, Lavar Ball, stating Lonzo was “better than Steph Curry” and deciding to not take any endorsement or sponsorship meetings and instead wearing his family’s ‘Big Baller Brand’ sneakers.

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Hopefully the 2020 – 2021 NBA season will be Ball’s best as he has recently begun to workout in preparation for it and has his eyes set on not just the playoffs, but, an award his teammate Brandon Ingram collected this year. “Once we get in the playoffs, we take it one game at a time,” Ball said. “For myself, I think Most Improved Player is definitely something I can get next year.”

Five-Star Hooper Makur Maker Commits to Howard University

The post Lonzo Ball Signs with Klutch Sports, leaving Jay Z’s Roc Nation appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Bianca Egalite/Scoop B Radio

Respect Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson chatted with Syracuse, NY’s 1260 AM The Score’s “Bud and The Manchild Show” about the Los Angeles Lakers and more.

Press Play Below To Listen.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers played a thriller last night at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Sixers big man Joel Embiid flashed a magnificent 46 point and 15 rebound outing for Philadelphia.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Lakers forward Brandon Ingram who drilled a game winner with 3 seconds left, courtesy of a crisp pass by his  Lakers teammate, Lonzo Ball.

It was a joy to see Brandon Ingram nail one of the biggest shots of his young career. He grew up liking Kobe Bryant. “My impression of Kobe is just his drive,” Ingram once told me.

Though Ingram was born in 1997, a year after The Mamba’s rookie year, he has fond memories of Bryant and the Lakers last championship run. “Everyone talks about how he works out, his work ethic, and that’s something that I eventually want to get to,” he said.

“Of course, and just want to talk with him and try to learn what he did to try to be what he is today.”

Prior to last night’s game I discussed both teams with “Bud and the Manchild” while also navigating through the rest of the NBA’s landscape. Click here to listen.  

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The post Scoop B: Lavar Ball, Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, 76ers, Warriors & Cavs talk on 1260 AM The Score’s “Bud and The Manchild Show” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary/Get Fit Radio

RESPECT Magazine columnist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson chatted about the NBA on the Bud and The Manchild Show on Syracuse, New York’s The Score 1260 AM. Press Play Below To Listen!

Happy early-Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for during the early parts of the NBA season.

Despite losing Gordon Heyward to a season ending injury, the Boston Celtics are living their best life under the scoring machine of the masked man, Kyrie Irving.

Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics ditched his protective mask in the second half and led his team to a win over the Golden State Warriors. Credit Maddie Meyer/Getty Imageshe Boston Celtics living their best life under the scoring machine that is Kyrie Irving and winning 15 straight games.

The Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs are playing inspired basketball in the NBA’s Western Conference.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are going through growing pains in their respective conferences.

They’re all just  trusting the process!

Check Out Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson disuss the Philadelphia 76ers on CNN.

Did you know that LeBron James is the King of New York?

You’re welcome.. ?of NY #myfavoriteplayground #striveforgreatness?

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 14, 2017 at 7:26am PST

For those tardy to the party, LeBron James and the Cavaliers’ train ride coupled with James’ declaration was inspired by a scene in the King of New York movie.

Hip hop artists have often used this movie as a muse in their music videos. Add Fat Joe’s “So Much More” and Fabolous “Lituation”to that list.

While on the show the crew and I also discussed Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder, as well as his former New York Knicks team.

Check out the recap of the chat from Inside The Loudhouse’s Paul A. Esden. 

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The post Scoop B: Kyrie’s Celtics & the Cavs’ LeBron James being the King of NY has given us a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Lonzo Ball and Jason Kidd. Photo Credit: Uproxx

Kenyon Martin checked in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson and discussed Lonzo Ball/Jason Kidd comparisons and more on Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below To Listen!

Tonight the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks play each other at BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee. It will be the first meeting between the two teams this season and the first time that Lakers rookie, Lonzo Ball faces a Bucks team that is coached by Jason Kidd, a player the rookie is often compared to.

Kidd told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk that he thought that it was a stretch to compare Ball and Kidd’s game after playing just 12 games.

“I am not saying it is not fair [to make the comparison], but it is too early,” the Milwaukee Bucks coach told  Youngmisuk about Ball. “People are talking about Rookie of the Year; we are already talking about awards [for Ball]. But it is really early and we are 12 games into this. We are jumping the gun a little bit. Let’s enjoy and watch this young kid play and then we will make the comparison at 40 games [or more].

“Let him get some games under his belt. I truly think he is talented. Today we want everything microwaved, we want it overnight or we want it Googled. We want to see the answer now.”

Jason Kidd with son TJ during The NBA Store hosts the ‘2nd Annual Back-To-School Style Preview’ at NBA Store in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)

Kidd’s son, T.J., now a sophomore at a Los Angeles-area college agrees: “I believe that Lonzo is a great basketball player,” T.J. Kidd told me by phone.

“High basketball I.Q,. great passer. He has without a doubt the potential to be great and do great things in the NBA. I think there are some similarities between the two. But I think at the same time, they’re playing in two different eras.”

During Jason Kidd’s playing career, he became an NBA champion, a 10-time All-Star, five-time first-team All-NBA performer, five-time assists leader, three-time All-Defensive selection and Co-Rookie of the Year in 1994-95.

During that time he played alongside Kenyon Martin on both the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks. 

Martin also weighed in: “I see the size comparison,” Martin said of Kidd and Ball while on Scoop B Radio.

Kenyon Martin puts Jason Kidd in the class of Magic and Stockton 76. Once a teammate, always a teammate? Photo Credit: Sports-Kings

“He is tall and athletic like J-Kidd was coming out. I haven’t seen that. He passes the ball well. The floor is wide open right now. Kidd has that vision though. I’m not going to deny him that. I need to see a little bit more. I am a big J-Kidd fan, even before when I saw him in Dallas. I saw J-Kidd when he first came in and seeing the things he did. I guess against tougher defense. We will see the kid can play and I’m not taking anything away from him, but he needs to show me more.”

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The post Kenyon Martin & Jason Kidd’s son, T.J. don’t buy Lonzo Ball, J-Kidd comparisons just yet appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

UNITED STATES – APRIL 22: Basketball: playoffs, Closeup of New Jersey Nets Kenyon Martin (6) and Jason Kidd (5) during game vs Indiana Pacers, East Rutherford, NJ 4/22/2002 (Photo by Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X65736 TK4 R1 F16)

Check out Part 1 of Kenyon Martin and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson‘s chat on Scoop B Radio. Part 2 will release via ScoopBRadio.com in mid-September.

One of the age old questions that any New Jersey Nets fan asks is: had Kenyon Martin not left, would the Jason Kidd-led team of the early 2000s that went to back to back championships have won a NBA ring or two?

Well, why not ask the man yourself?

“We would have had a couple of championships down, no doubt,” Kenyon Martin told me on yesterday’s episode of Scoop B Radio.

“I think we were a couple moves away. I think we needed at the time, we needed a true center to deal with a lot of the likes of Shaq and them. But I definitely think we would have had a couple of championships. Us and the Pistons would have battled it out. There is not a doubt in my mind what we could have done. Had management not made the decisions not to pay me.”

The Nets boasted talented led by all star point guard Jason Kidd. The team also heralded Kerry Kittles, Martin, Keith Van Horn and a young forward in Richard Jefferson.  In 2002 the Nets played the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals and were swept in 4 games. The Lakers were a behemoth of talent that included both Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal and well-rounded supporting cast of Rick Fox, Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Samaki Walker and Derek Fisher.

At 6’9, Martin covered everybody defensively. To quote gospel singer Shirley Cesar : You name it!  Martin revelled in the opportunity. “Oh it was a wake-up call just to see a well-played team played together,” said Martin.

“I have never been afraid when it comes to basketball, period. I’m not afraid to mix it up with guards or big men. But that experience there was a good team and we got to, but Shaq was dominant that series. We got to being out there and playing on that level, me holding my own, helping my team and putting them in a position to win. That meant a lot that I was there for my career and my confidence moving forward.”

The Nets would return to the NBA Finals in 2003 facing Tim Duncan, David Robinson and a Gregg Popovich-led San Antonio Spurs. They’d lose, but the Nets had a legitimate chance to win.

Martin thinks so too!

“Yes,” he said. “If we go home and win because we split in San Antonio. So we came home and they went up two games to one and we tied it up so it was 2-2. And we lost game five.

Added Martin:

“So that put us behind the eight ball having to go back to San Antonio to win a game. They had a good team, Tim Duncan played his ass off. He made plays, he blocked;  that is why he was the finals MVP. He played his ass off. I have to take my hat off to him, he played well. He put them on his back and they followed him. Guys made open shots when they had to and Stephen Jackson made threes in game six. It was a collective effort, but Tim [Duncan] definitely led them. But we definitely had an opportunity to win that.”

Kenyon Martin and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

After the 2003 NBA Finals, things would change for the Nets. Jason Kidd would sign a 6-year, $99 million deal to stay with the New Jersey. The Nets acquired Alonzo who’d missed the season before due to his worsening kidney condition and after a 22–20 start to the season, Byron Scott was fired as head coach and was replaced with lead assistant Lawrence Frank. “We had a target on our back,” said Martin.

“People wanted to beat us and teams weren’t going to let us keep running through the east. So teams got better. “I don’t think we made enough moves to better our team, but we were right there. We still proved we were one of the better teams in the east. So it was one of those things, Indiana came in first and they came in first in the east. It was just one of those things man. Teams got better and I think we stayed the same.”

New Jersey would salvage their season after going on a 14-game winning streak at the midpoint of that season and would finish with a  47–35 record record and a Division Championship and number 2 spot in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

The Nets would sweep Hudson River rivals New York Knicks in round one of the 2004 NBA playoffs. They’d lose in round two of the NBA Playoffs to the Detroit Pistons, the eventual NBA Champions in seven games. The only constant thing in life is change. The Nets didn’t and the east got better. “Yeah that is what it is,” Martin said. “You gotta make moves man. You can’t stay the same. You have to make moves to get what you need and what you are missing. You’ve  got to make moves.”

Following the season, Martin was traded to the Denver Nuggets. When asked if he could turn back the hands of time, K-Mart was honest. “Yeah it wasn’t up to me man,” he said.

“They didn’t offer me a contract and that is what people don’t know. Like those people didn’t offer me a contract, you know what I’m saying? So when they offered me the year before, I left to go to Denver.  The summer before, they offered me 6 years $66 million. I turned it down and told them I would play the year out and see how it goes.

Added Martin:

“I made the All-Star team that year. So they made the decision not to pay me and it’s because the new management. It wasn’t because of Rock Thorn or because of Lawrence Frank, it was because of management. It was Bruce Ratner. He was the owner of the group that bought the team and they made the decision not to pay me. They didn’t even call me to offer me a contract. So I waited around and I waited around and they never called. I had to do what was best for me and my family.”

That summer that Martin was banished, they’d also trade Kerry Kittles to the Los Angeles Clippers and Rodney Rogers signed with the New Orleans Hornets. The Nets would later try to attempt a facelift by acquiring Vince Carter, but the team was never the same.

Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin. Photo Credit: NBA

Just for kicks and giggles, here’s the million dollar question: If K-Mart, Vince Carter were on the Nets with J-Kidd, would they have won a title? “Yes, without a doubt, without a doubt,” said Martin. “That is a great piece. We were running, jumping, having fun, being athletic and he would fit right in with that.”

Aside from the Nets days, Martin delved into other topics. His style of play resonates with today’s NBA. Martin thinks that it would fare in today’s league. “I can hold my own,” said Martin.

“That is the way to play the game of basketball. With another element added to it. I am a defender. I feel I can score with the ball when given the opportunities. I feel like I can hold the ball because I am not going to do things that aren’t my strong suit. I’m going to do what I do and yeah the floor is wide open for athletes to make plays and I’m going to be a two way player without a doubt. So I think I would fare well in this NBA.”

K-Mart shared with Scoop B Radio the time he and Alonzo Mourning had a war of words during morning shoot around. “It was one incident that we got into but it turned around,” said Martin.

“I think Alonzo looked at me like I should have been working as hard as he was in shoot arounds and stuff. I was never a shoot around guy I was never like that. I have never understood the purpose of shoot arounds you know, just being honest. Why are we here? I’m just going to go home and go back to sleep. That was my thing. Alonzo used to go dumb hard all the time because he was old school and he wants to go all the time. I guess I wasn’t doing that and I had sprained my ankle against Minnesota and I came back so we are practicing and it was an offensive rebounding drill and it’s me and RJ on the same team and him and whoever was on the other team. So we’re doing the drill or what not, so whoever gets the most offensive rebounds on the team’s got to run. However many rebounds you missed you had to do a round down and back or what not. So we are on the sideline laughing and joking and what not. They can’t keep us off the glass, but we were having a good time and it ain’t nothing fierce at that point.”

Kenyon Martin and Alonzo Mourning. Photo Credit: The Score

Added Martin:

“So ‘Zo got mad and go at me and was like: ‘why don’t you go and get your ass off the training table.’ I was like: ‘who the hell you talking about brah?’ So me being who I am was like: ‘you gotta be worrying about your own, my exact words were ‘You gotta worry about your own mother fucking kids and stop worrying about me.’ He didn’t like that too much.”

So who won the fight? “We didn’t even fight, there was no punches thrown so it wasn’t like that,” said Martin.

Martin said former Net Aaron Williams was instrumental in diffusing the situation. “Aaron Williams said: ‘nah just let him go,’” said Martin.

“Like boy I have seen your fight with Larry Johnson and I’ll wear you out in here. I have seen your fight. So that’s all that was. So after the fact, what I [realized that what I] had said was hurtful and so I apologized to him. That never got noted that I apologized to the man. Like maybe I took it over the line, you know what I am saying? But at that time I wanted that action like you are coming at me for no reason.”

Martin also weighed in on the comparisons made between his former Nets and Knicks teammate Jason Kidd and newly minted Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball. “I see the size comparison,” said Martin.

“He is tall and athletic like J-Kidd was coming out. I haven’t seen that. He passes the ball well. The floor is wide open right now. Kidd has that vision though. I’m not going to deny him that. I need to see a little bit more. I am a big J-Kidd fan, even before when I saw him in Dallas. I saw J-Kidd when he first came in and seeing the things he did. I guess against tougher defense. We will see the kid can play and I’m not taking anything away from him, but he needs to show me more.”

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The post Scoop B: Kenyon Martin Talks Nets Years, Vince Carter, Arguments With Alonzo Mourning, Lonzo Ball & Jason Kidd Comparisons appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson discussing pop culture, sports and entertainment at New York’s Power 105.1 FM. Photo Credit: The Scoop B Brand

Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in July. As a result, the Cavs struck on a deal with the Boston Celtics that shipped Irving to the Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick.

I checked in with Ben Troupe and B.J. Bennett of ESPNCoastal’s “3 and Out” out in Brunswick, Georgia and broke down the trade.

NBA All Star point guard Kyrie Irving and sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: The Scoop B Brand

While on the show I informed the crew that while many are discussing a potential LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers exit, to greener pastures in Los Angeles with Lonzo Ball, Brook Lopez and Magic Johnson; don’t sleep on the possibility of a LeBron return to south Florida with the Miami Heat.

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The post Scoop B: Cavaliers, Celtics, Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas On ESPN Coastal’s “3 and Out” With Ben Troupe & B.J. Bennett appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

T.J. Kidd, Jason Kidd and Gary Payton conversing during NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League Game. Photo via Gary Payton/Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd is one of the NBA’s greatest point guards. 

Kidd impacted the game without being a big scorer and had a knack for making others around him better.

Remember Jason Kidd’s bowling ball pass to Lucious Harris?

That said, many have compared his style of play to  Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball.

“It’s a great compliment,” Kidd told the Los Angeles Times recently. “But everybody is different at the end of the day. There’s always comparisons of the great players in this league. Of Magic [Johnson], Michael [Jordan], Larry [Bird]. There’s always guys who come before for these young players to be compared to. It’s a great compliment. We’ll see.”  

Kidd was a human triple double machine during his career and he turned the then – New Jersey Nets into contenders.

Check Out Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Talking Lonzo Ball with Brandon Nix on New York’s FloEmpire Radio

T.J. Kidd caught up with RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, talked NBA and more. Photo Courtesy of New York Daily News

Jason Kidd’s son, T.J. Kidd was a fixture at Nets games during the team’s New Jersey days at Continental Airlines Arena and Izod Center.

T.J. was featured on RESPECT magazine earlier this week and reflected on those Nets days.

Now a sophomore at a Los Angeles-area college, he’s still connected to the game and is a fan and being in the LA area, he’ll see lots of Lonzo Ball, the Lakers’ number 2 pick in this years draft. “I believe that Lonzo is a great basketball player,” TJ Kidd told me by phone yesterday.

“High basketball I.Q,. great passer. He has without a doubt the potential to be great and do great things in the NBA. I think there are some similarities between the two. But I think at the same time, they’re playing in two different eras.”

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The post Scoop B: T.J. Kidd Says It’s ‘Hard To Compare’ His Dad, Jason Kidd & Lakers’ Lonzo Ball appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.