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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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.

Brook Lopez and DeMarcus Cousins. Photo Credit: Sideline Today

Reggie Evans checked in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on the Scoop B Radio Podcast and talked about EVERYTHING! Press Play below to Listen! 

Reggie Evans has the duality of being both likable and honest. A thirteen year NBA veteran, Evans spent 13 seasons in the league with seven different teams and homeboy was a rebounding behemoth.

He’s also one of the most quotable. Earlier in his career when Evans was a member of the Seattle Sonics and missed taking a urine test, he laughed off the suspicion of any foul play by telling reporters, “I’m just cleaner than clean. I’m Cleaner than Pine’-Sol.”

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Reggie Evans #30 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on January 5, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Nets defeated the Kings 113-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Where they do that at Reggie? Where on Earth did you get such a phrase?

“In the neighborhood,” Reggie Evans told me last week on the Scoop B Radio podcast.

“Man we got all kind of little phrases we be saying. You know, you got my mom who jokes a lot and clowns a lot. One thing about us we are some down south people, we’re some country people. So when you really get down into the roots of how deep the country goes and growing up on the dirt roads.”

Added Evans:

“You’ll be having so many uncles and cousins that’ll be talking. They say the most slickest things that you’ll be crying and laughing. You’re hearing your grand daddy saying so much stuff that it comes natural. You just have to be around us and we say some off the wall stuff and it gets to be so funny but it is also catchy.”

A 6’8 power forward forward, Evans went undrafted in 2002. The Pensacola, Florida native attended Coffeyville Community College in Kansas before transferring to the University of Iowa where he led the nation in free throws attempted, free throws made and double-doubles. Evans also led the Big Ten Conference in rebounding in 2001 and 2002 and was named Big Ten Tournament MVP in 2001, second-team All-Big Ten in 2002, and Honorable Mention All-American in 2001.

I first covered Reggie Evans during the 2012-13 season, while I was a staff writer for BrooklynFans.com.

That season was special because it was the Brooklyn Nets’ inaugural season in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Evans stood out to me because he was passionate about defense and grabbing rebound and he was quick too! He also seemed to influence Brook Lopez.  “To be honest with you when I got to Brooklyn; you can even ask Brook this, but I told him: ‘you are going to make the All Star [team]this year,’” he said.

Lopez would be named an NBA All Star during the 2012-13 season. He also participated in the Shooting Stars Challenge. “I told him: ‘your toughest opponent is going to be me in practice,’” said Evans. “Everything worked out in his favor,” said Evans. “Brook is solid. Brook to me he isn’t soft.”

Brook Lopez lacing up his sneakers. Photo Credit: NBA.com

Lopez was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason. He joins a young roster that includes 2017 top draft pick Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr.

Evans was traded to the Sacramento Kings during the 2014-15 NBA season. While there, he backed up all star forward, DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins’ game is special.

A 6’10 forward, Cousins can create his own shot, push the ball on the fast break, out-rebound centers and dish the no-look pass better than your favorite point guard.  

Cousins, now a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, has played well the first two games of the 2017-18 season.

While on Scoop B Radio, Evans weighed in on the difference between Lopez and Cousins in practice. “Brook was tougher,” said Evans. “You know what is so crazy? Brook was tougher, but you’re talking about practice.”

Not a game, not a game! Somebody get Allen Iverson on line one.

MIAMI, FL – MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Miami Heat on March 15, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

“DeMarcus, when those lights came on, that popcorn came on,” said Evans. “You know you would have gotten this 30 something and 15 rebounds guaranteed with DeMarcus. You can stop Demarcus in practices and stuff, but in game time [situations] you aren’t stopping him. I have to pick Brook as the tougher guard in practice than in game time. You aren’t going to stop Demarcus period.”

Aside from giving expert analysis of the game, Evans is still attached to the game. He played in Ice Cube’s Big 3 league over the summer and he says he’s going to play in it next year, also. Community is also important to him. He still resides in his hometown, Pensacola, Florida and he says he’s interested in real estate and mentoring youth. A father himself, his kids are playing sports, so he decided to leave his imprint through sports. “I had to start a whole program,” he said.  

“To put a lot of structure and discipline in the game and bring  a lot of love in for the game. You know it is a football state so I got all that rolling.”

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The post Reggie Evans Says Brook Lopez Was ‘Tougher’ Than DeMarcus Cousins In Practice appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Becky Hammon and Nancy Lieberman. Photo Courtesy of NBC Sports

Nancy Lieberman is a trendsetter in basketball. Lieberman has worked hard amongst both men and women in basketball on the court and in coaching for over 20 years.

Check out Sacramento Kings assistant coach Nancy Lieberman’s discussion with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below to listen!

Currently an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings, she’s always defied odds. While in high school as a junior, Lieberman represented the U.S. at the Pan American Games in 1975.

She’d make history afterward when she made the Olympic team and earned a silver medal. History was made then when she became the youngest basketball medal winner in the history of the Olympics.

In between then and now, Coach Lieberman played on the U.S. Women’s National Team, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and was the president of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Like Lieberman, San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, Becky Hammon is also a trendsetter in sports.  A sixteen year WNBA vet, Hammon signed with the New York Liberty as an undrafted free agent in 1999 and played for New York until 2006.

“My journey as a basketball player and how the fans have always embraced me even when I was the last person on the bench; I have had to work my way up each year with the Liberty,” Becky Hammon told me.

“Nothing came easy to me.”

Check Out Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Discuss Becky Hammon on Arise TV

During her stint with the Liberty, the 5’6 guard helped lead the franchise to three WNBA Finals appearances. She retired from basketball in 2014 as a member of the San Antonio Stars. In the summer of 2015, Hammon coached the San Antonio Spurs’ summer league team to a championship in Las Vegas.

“I think that her story herself is very inspiring for not only women but it’s that underdog story,” retired WNBA player Swin Cash told me.

“She came into a situation where she had to fight her way to get everything she has.”

Lieberman is elated that both she and Lieberman bore over the years as it relates to equality. “It’s what we do,” Nancy Lieberman told me on Scoop B Radio,

“I mean I’ve been coaching for 22 years now and everything I’ve done in my life I’ve been around guys whether it was playing for Pat Riley and the Lakers in their summer league or playing for the Jazz in ’86. I was head coach of the Dallas Mavericks D-League team five years ago, the Texas Legends. So this is just normal for me. However, the more people see Becky and myself the more it becomes normal to everybody else this is just what we do and we’re comfortable doing it.”

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The post Nancy Lieberman Says The More People See Herself & Becky Hammon As Assistant Coaches In The NBA, ‘the more it becomes normal to everybody else’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Sacramento Kings assistant coach Nancy Lieberman. Photo Credit: Sacramento Bee

Basketball Hall of Famer and Sacramento Kings assistant coach Nancy Liebrman knows a thing or two about being a trendsetter.

As a high school junior she represented the United States at the Pan American Games in 1975. The following year she made the Olympic team, earning a silver medal, the youngest basketball medal winner in the history of the Olympics.

Lieberman played on the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1989 and with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercuryfor one season. A Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, Lieberman served as president of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 1998–2000.

On a recent episode of Scoop B Radio, Lady Magic talks about working hard among men in basketball as well as coaching over 20 years.

Check Out Nancy Lieberman & Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson On Scoop B Radio By Pressing Play Below: 

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The post Scoop B: Sacramento Kings Assistant Coach Nancy Lieberman Discusses Being A Trendsetter In Basketball appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

The Drive-By-Dunk Challenge is a thing. For those tardy to the party, the drive-by-dunk challenge involves a baller driving around a neighborhood and pulling into a stranger’s driveway. From there, creativity takes hold via instagram, twitter and snapchat apps! Why? Because said baller lives up to the drive by dunk challenge and dunks on a rim near you!

Imagine the horror!

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Over the weekend, creativity was the word. The New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis took part, along with Crew Ainge, son of Boston Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations

After seeing other NBA players complete the Drive-by dunk challenge, Sacramento Kings rookie De’Aaron Fox joined in on the fun. Fox posted it Instagram for the world to see.

#DriveByDUNKChallenge ???

A post shared by De’Aaron Fox (@swipathefox) on Jul 23, 2017 at 1:27pm PDT

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox. Photo Credit: Sactown Royalty

Although Crew Ainge’s dunk was showy enough for Showtime At The Apollo, Fox put in work too! Fox showed up at three different houses and his offerings and arrays of reverse-360 between-the-legs slam, and two windmills were worth the price of admission.

Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox checks in with Scoop B Radio

S/o @swipathefox ?? ☝️☝️ Click the #linkinbio ☝️☝️ #ScoopBradio . . . #deaaronfox #sacramentokings #nbasummerleague #vegas #kentucky #Kentuckywildcats #sacramento #kings #houston #gocats #calipari

A post shared by ?B r a n d o n R o b i n s o n (@scoop_b) on Jul 14, 2017 at 2:10pm PDT

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The post Scoop B: Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox Participates in Instagram’s Drive-by Dunk Challenge appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Courtesy Of: Eric Salvary

It’s a busy summer in the hoops world! On Sunday I appeared on NYC’s FloEmpireRadio.com show “Baseline Perspective” with host Brandon Nix. I talked about the NBA Summer League with the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers Lonzo Ball, Sacramento Kings’ De’aaron Fox and Philadelphia 76ers Markelle Fultz  are making headlines.

Check out Brandon Nix and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson

I also chat with Brandon Nix about Ice Cube’s BIG 3 tournament. We also discuss the soap opera that is James L. Dolan, Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristap Porzingis. We also discuss the probability of ‘Melo joinging forces with James Harden, Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets. Give it a listen!

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The post Scoop B: NBA Summer League, BIG 3, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden and More On FloEmpireRadio appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.