Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins. Photo Credit: NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins checked in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on an episode of Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below To Listen.

The Portland Trail Blazers’ Zach Collins got his first start in NBA preseason the other day. Starting at power forward, he finished the game with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 24 minutes.

Collins can stuff stats  the 19-year old has hauled in at least five rebounds in three preseason games.  A first round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Collins is finding his way on a Portland team that is not stingy on height.

While prepping for the season, Collins chatted with me in a Q&A on Scoop B Radio. He discussed his Gonzaga team losing to UNC in the 2017 National Championship game and why Travis Scott, Green Day and Metallica are in constant rotation on his headphones.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Writers are saying that you are a sleeper, do you agree with that theory?

Zach Collins: A little bit. There’s also a lot of people in this draft that say that I’ve been good for a long time so they expect me to be good so that goes both ways especially on social media so it’s a little bit up and down but to the people that think I’m a sleeper I appreciate it and I’m looking to prove them wrong.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Funny story, National Championship Game I fell asleep on the first half and I’m thinking y’all got that in the bag. I happened to turn over, look at my phone and the TV was on and it was like 35-30 at the half so I’m like “yea they got it.”  It was raining at my house, I fell asleep again and I woke up and said, “How the hell did y’all lose?!” Have you heard other stories like that?

Zach Collins: Yeah, I hear stories like that all the time but it’s such a long game and a lot of people were expecting us to win especially how we played in the first half and went into the locker room up five a lot of people were like man we thought you guys had it, you guys were right there so they picked us to win but I don’t know it was just a tough game where two juggernauts were going at it.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: How often do you replay those fouls and do you think you were wronged?

Zach Collins: I mean I rewatched the game a lot you know there were a lot of fouls that could have been questionable here and there but I think that happens in every game. I’m mad at myself because the fouls that were fouls put me in a position where I had to many and I fouled out and I feel like that there were a lot of things that happened in the game but I feel like me fouling out put us in a position where we couldn’t play our regular rotations and we got out of rhythm so I kind of put some of that on me fouling out, you can’t put wins and losses on the refs.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: I’m curious, the South Carolina game you were on fire you had like six blocks, 15 points, 9 rebounds?

Zach Collins: I think I had like 14 points, 15 rebounds

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: I know you had six blocks, what the hell were you listening to before the game? I want to know I need to know the secret.

Zach Collins: To be honest with you I can’t remember it probably was like some Travis Scott something deep and methodic.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: So, you had a lot of blocks, you had a lot of points was Travis Scott a big motivator for you going into that game?

Zach Collins sporting his suit on the red carpet of he 2017 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. Photo Credit: NBA.com

Zach Collins: I mean a little bit I love Travis Scott and with the rappers and musicians coming out now a lot of it sounds the same but his is different it’s real dark and methodic like I said and stuff like that puts me in the zone and kind of gets that edge to come out of me.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Who else’s music motivates you?

Zach Collins: As far as rock, I like Green Day and Metallica, I like Logic just a bunch of rappers anything loud and hard I listen to before games.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: You get compared to different people all the time. If you had to pick one guy that motivates you or that your think your game is similar to who would it be?

Zach Collins: I tell people all the time I try to be as much of a combination of Tim Duncan and Dirk as I can because of the way Dirk can score and shoot the ball and the way Timmy can get any shot he wants on the floor and block shots and rebound.

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The 2017 NBA Draft was red carpet spectacular at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

It was quite a show within a show, actually. Why? It’s all about the fashion!

Philadelphia 76ers’ Markelle Fultz wore basketball-themed shoes, Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell’s sock game was proper as he paid homage to his Cardinals origins. Hey, the lining of Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox was decorated with ribbons commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness.

The NBA is a well kept brand within a brand. It was only right that they had a red carpet last night. Seeing that red carpet took me back to a conversation I had with veteran broadcaster, Tina Cervasio on Scoop B Radio.

Check Out Tina Cervasio and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio

Cervasio and I discussed breaking into television news and other entertainment assignments besides sports. She also talks about the backlash that women face from executives as they get older in the sports reporting game. We specifically discussed entertainment assignments outside of sports interesting her. I told her:  I feel like working in the NBA is like working a red carpet.

Cervasio, a host at Sirius/XM radio, had quite an appropriate response that is still relevant.  “Oh yeah and just the NBA alone especially at Sirius XM and I’ve only been there’s since November,” Tina Cervasio told me on Scoop B Radio.

“So I’m kind of like the new person but people are like, the off season is almost here; it could be here in three days. So yeah I’m going to explore some ideas with them so ideas and creativity and I’ve met so many wonderful people I would not have been able to meet.”

 

 

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The post Scoop B: The NBA Draft Is A Red Carpet Literally… It Takes Me Back To A Convo With Tina Cervasio appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Matthias Lessort chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

Mathias Lessort is well put together. As amember of Nanterre, the French power forward/center won both the French Baskebtall Cup and FIBA Europe Cup in April. While competing in the Global Challenge in 2013, Lessort averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Lessort enters tonight’s NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York with comparisons to power forward, Ed Davis. However, Lessort thinks a better comparison is Golden State power forward Draymond Green.

Lessort checked in with me at Conversion Sports and Entertainment’s 8th Annual Official Pre-Draft Gifting & Style SuitePress Room. We talked about his musical influences which include the late Notorious B.I.G. 

He also told me that this week was his first visit to New York City. Check this out though: he told me that the way that he imagined NYC to be like the movie Spiderman.

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By the way, Conversion Sports’ Gifting Suite was laid impeccably. The room had everything, by the way. You name it: Wahl Clippers, FuelBox, Casper Sleep, Sean John, Triple 5 Soul, WJC Private Aviation, Reinge Clothing, Sutton Cosmetic Dentristry, So Hoodie, Cadillac, AGMG Services and more.

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Florida State forward Jonathan Isaac and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson talking hoops. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

At 6’11 Jonathan Isaac is beyond versatile; his talent is brilliant.

Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress said it best when he described Isaac as: ‘a small-ball heavy, defensive-oriented coach’s dream.’ Schmitz went on to say that despite Isaac’s slight frame, at 6′ 11 with the reach of many NBA centers (9′ 0.5), and the feet of a two guard, Isaac has the defensive versatility to check at least four positions, maybe even stealing some minutes at the 5 once he fills out.’

Some see Isaac’s style of play as a remix of Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram. There is even some comparison to the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis.

What do you all see?

Jonathan Isaac and I chatted at Conversion Sports and Entertainment’s 8th Annual Official Pre-Draft Gifting & Style SuitePress Room.

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The post Scoop B: Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac Talks NBA Draft, Comparisons To Brandon Ingram appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Ogugua “OG” Anunoby checks in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

Ahead of tonight’s NBA Draft, I spoke with Ogugua “OG” Anunoby. The Indiana Hoosier spoke to me on Scoop B Radio about living his dream, his admiration for Allen Iverson and following the game of Tracy McGrady.

OG checked in with me at Conversion Sports and Entertainment’s 8th Annual Official Pre-Draft Gifting & Style SuitePress Room. He also spoke about his time playing at the University of Indiana.

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The post Scoop B: Ogugua “OG” Anunoby Talks Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson & NBA Draft 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.