Best dunker in the NBA?

Tracy McGrady. Vince Carter. Jason Richardson. Michael Jordan. Shawn Kemp. Penny Hardaway. These guys helped define late 90's and early 21st century basketball with their high-flying, gravity-defying, popularity-buying, make-you-crying dunks. 360 jams, tomahawk throw downs, these were things that you could see in an everyday game of basketball. Nowadays, the art has transformed.

Less and less do we see swingmen flying through the air, absolutely posterizing all in their way. Although dunking is still prevalent, it's more popular in the form of big forwards or centers grazing rims. Now, that being said, guys like Blake Griffin, Javale McGee, and Josh Smith definitely have my respect, it's just a little sad to see change.

Really, what guards or small forwards are there that can really throw it down? There's Andre Iguodala, JR Smith, and maybe Demar Derozan. But beyond that, you don't see the big names jam. LeBron puts on a show every once in a while, but you can tell it doesn't interest him. "I'd rather pull back from that open lane and shoot a three!" Okay, I made that quote up, but still. Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony do their thing every once in a while, and Kobe Bryant has had his moments, but what happened to people getting nicknames like "Air Canada"? It's a crying shame.

Well, change is inevitable, I guess. Although I blame the players for not being able to throw it down as well anymore, a big part of it is actually the defense. Players on the other team don't exactly "clear the runway". They would rather be charged with a flagrant foul than allow the other team to dunk on them. Too prideful, if you ask me.

Dunking is the true beauty of basketball. We must protect it, preserve it, and most of all, respect it.

So in terms of great dunkers, is there anybody I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Picture Credit: http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/1205/shawn.kemp.rare.photos/images/kemp-dunk-fix2.jpg

Pelicans are cool... Right?

So, if you haven't already heard, the New Orleans Hornets officially changed their team mascot to the Pelicans at the end of the 2012-13 season. Keep in mind that this is a team that moved from Charlotte just over a decade ago; change isn't too unfamiliar. The navy, crimson, and gold color scheme presents a cleaner, younger, and fresher image than the teal and yellow.

Now don't get me wrong, the Hornets have had some sweet jerseys over the years (do I hear Mardi Gras uni's, anybody?). But the teal and yellow seems to have been pushed to it's limits in terms of the direction professional basketball is going. Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, and Austin Rivers have been joined by Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans in the Big Easy, the foundation for a very formidable young team. In fact, they only have two players with more than 5 years of NBA experience.

Believe it or not, I actually like the looks of a Pelican playoff run this season. With Davis' presence on defense, Holiday's ability to move the ball, Rivers' and Gordon's offensive skill, and Evans' slashing talents, they are a piece or two away from being a power. Now, obviously no team is instantly a success. They will need a veteran to anchor the team, and they will need some time to develop their playing style, but I see promise.

Now onto the jersey. For such a youthful, exciting team, the uniforms are quite dull. I don't know about you, but donning one of these wouldn't make me feel like throwing it down in the paint or dropping 35 on a division opponent. The jerseys are disproportionate, trite, and just a bad decision. This feels like the Cavaliers and Nets combined their two jerseys and added a fleur de lis.

It's clear that the Pelicans have a lot to work with. We can only hope that they learn to not only show it, but back it up as well.

What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!

Picture Credit: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/orleans-pelicans-unveil-positively-plain-uniforms-photos-200927039.html

Wait... Basketball

A lot can go down between thursday and saturday... So imagine what can happen between February and July! After my return post went up (you can find it directly below this one), I realized that I didn't say one word about basketball. On this BASKETBALL blog.

WHAT!?

So, like I said, it's been a while. Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. The Heat won another championship, after the Spurs choked it up. LeBron James was handed another MVP award (Most Valuable Player to the league's budget, not necessarily to a team), free agency made quite a splash, Kobe may be lost forever, some trades were made, the Celtics look worse than Shawn Marion's jumpshot, the Nets are the new Spurs, the Lakers are staring a losing record in the eye, the Rockets and Thunder look ready to battle for the West for the next 4 years, Derek Fisher's term as representative for the players' union expired (these are all equally important events), apparently Detroit has a basketball team, and Kevin Hart is ready to win a record third consecutive MVP in the Celebrity All-Star game.

Wow.

That right there is the NBA. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Dwight Howard, former MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and 15-time All-Star Kevin Garnett, Ten-time All-Star and former Finals MVP Paul Pierce, former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, All-Star Andre Iguodala, Slam-Dunk Contest Champion Josh Smith, and former Defensive Player of the Year Metta World Peace are all notable players that found new homes this off-season. This was a HUGE year for free agency. Not only because of the names above, but also because of the fact that the moves teams made this summer set up for next year's free agents, including Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James.

Also, did anybody know that Chauncey Billups and Elton Brand were still in the league? I thought they were living in senior homes.

Needless to say, the events of the 2012-2013 NBA season are more than enough to set a MAJOR stage for this upcoming year, and we are all lucky to have a front row seat.

Picture Credit: http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8214455/20130215_jla_ad1_179.0_standard_352.0.jpg

He's alive! Alive!

So yes, I realize that Buckets has not been updated for a good 5 months. My bad. Really dropped the ball on that one. Between journalism, AP Testing, playing basketball, and maintaining a social life, Buckets has been pushed to the back of my mind. I apologize for that. For all 297 that have ever visited this blog, I owe you an apology.

So no more of the past! This year, we start anew. The ultimate basketball coverage is on it's way. In the words of Tim Tebow following the loss to Ole Miss in 2008: "But I promise you one thing: A lot of good will come out of this. You have never seen any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of this season, and you'll never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of this season, and you'll never see a team play harder than we will the rest of this season. God bless."

Now, I am no Tim Tebow, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Also, please substitute the word "writer" for "player, "work" for "play", and "myself" for "rest of the team". But, you get the point.

So how did I get from basketball to football in 4.2 seconds? Not quite sure. I tend to do that sometimes. And I have my shortcomings; there is no way I will be able to update this blog every day. I am human, and a busy human at that. Preparing for my toughest year academically, playing two sports, and attempting to start a podcasting network (more on that later) will take quite a bit of my time. But I will try my best.

So until next time, loyal readers. I will count the seconds until I post once again.

And how sick is this picture? T-Mac just never gets old.

Picture Credit: http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/189/9/c/tracy_mcgrady_orlando_magic_wallpaper_by_lisong24kobe-d56gp56.jpg

Is Kentucky producing the best NBA products?

Alright. We've all seen how dominant the University of Kentucky has been in recent years, but they just don't keep people around. Most of their players jump ship after a year or two. And they're still as good as they are year after year. In the picture below, the number to the right of the year is the round drafted and the number to the right of that is the overall selection number. This past year, they had four players drafted in the first round, including the first and second overall. Wow. That doesn't just happen.

In fact, they've had two players drafted in the first ten for the past three years. Wait, what? John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins went first and fifth in 2010, Enes Kanter and Brandon Knight went third and eighth in 2011, and just this past year, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist went in the first two spots.

Now, none of these players have made a huge impact in the league, but who really does within their first few years? Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and maybe Allen Iverson. But that's about it.

Either way, in my opinion, Kentucky puts out a higher number of top prospects than any other college. But I could be missing somebody. Duke? North Carolina? Marquette? What do you think?

Picture credit: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/careernba.html

God told Derrick to rise. So Derrick Rose.

Seriously, when is D-Rose coming back? We're at the point now where we can expect Adidas to release a new Rose shoe on a more consistent basis than Rose actually playing basketball. Not to say I don't like his new sneaks. I'm not a big Adidas guy, but they're not bad.

The Chicago Bulls are in need of a 2nd wind. Thankfully, the Eastern Conference is weaker than Tyrann Mathieu at the Scouting Combine this year. Really, the Heat and the Knicks are the only legitimate threats. And maybe the Pacers. But they're the Pacers. Although they're in fourth, just losing a game could throw them back to sixth. That's not too great. And that means they'd go up against New York in the first round (provided the standings stay the same). Not exactly who you wanna start off against.

If Rose comes back, I see good things in the Bulls' future. If they were to win a championship, now would be the year. The Thunder are looking as if they really miss James Harden, despite their win over the Lakers the other night. The Heat can't seem to destroy teams anymore, and the Spurs don't have much postseason experience. If they step it up, we might have MJ smiling for the first time since he bought the Bobcats. You think he has any idea what he's doing?

Now, Rose has made a miraculous recovery from his injury (Maybe almost too miraculous *cough* PED's *cough*). We love you, Rose. Ignite a team, a city, a league, and a nation. Be Superman.

Picture credit: http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2012/01/20/Bulls-Rose-sits-out-third-in-a-row-O7S7A6E-x-large.jpg

The comebacks!

The Lake Show does it again! After being down 25 points to the New Orleans Hornets, the Los Angeles Lakers made a miraculous comeback, most of which was a result of a 20-0 run in the fourth quarter. That takes them back up to .500 at 31-31. But can they make a comeback?

I'll admit, the Lakers look pretty bad this year. But Kobe's been destroying his opponents. Against New Orleans he dropped a double-double off of 42 points and 12 assists. Crazy good. D-12, Nash, and Gasol have all been underperforming, but thankfully, the Black Mamba has been coming through.

The Jazz and the Rockets are in the 7 and 8 spots in the West, and the Lakers are only a game and a half behind. In fact, the Lakers are sixth in the league this year for points scored, and fourth for rebounds. Not to mention they have a pretty easy schedule to end the season. They play the Spurs and the Clippers once each and the Warriors a couple times. Other than those games, they really should win a good percentage of the games they still have.

But what's better for LA? When Kobe scores a lot or when he gives the ball up? The Lake Show is 2-4 this year in games that Kobe scores more than 40 and 15-22 in games in which he shoots the ball 20 times or more. When he has 10 or more assists? 5-1. That really makes one think. Same thing with Carmelo Anthony in New York or Lebron in Miami. The teams play better when they play selfless.

So how will things shape out? Is Kobe at his best when he puts up a lot of shots? And above all else, will the Lakers make the playoffs?

Picture credit: http://blog.lakers.com/lakers/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/160354940_10.jpg

Serge Ibaka fined $25,000 for violation. Hmmm.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka was just $25,000 by the league for a low blow to Blake Griffin during their game against the Los Angeles Clippers, sunday. During the game, Ibaka was given a Flagrant Foul 1, which essentially means that he wasn't trying to make a move for the ball, but rather intended to harm another player. This violation sits somewhere between an intentional foul and a Flagrant Foul 2. However, the league bumped it up to a Flagrant Foul 2, which means Ibaka should have been immediately ejected from the game.

Now, I wouldn't usually make a big fuss about this, but the Thunder won 108-104. Ibaka plays a big role on OKC's squad. Did he make the difference in the game? The problem with flagrant fouls is that whether it was a 1 or a 2 is essentially up to the officials. Now, if they had called a 2, he would've missed the last 1:52 of the game, more than enough time for the Clips to stage a comeback.

I'm not gonna get too far into the fine, and if it was appropriate or not, because NBA players make too much money and can afford paying that back to the league for being out of line in any context. But this was clearly out of line. He straight up hit Griffin where it hurts. Now, being a teenager that does not play in the NBA, obviously I don't know how things work there. But as a basketball player, I do know that there are unwritten rules about these things to honor the game and the art of fair competition. And this? Definitely a violation of "the code".

As big and threatening as he is, look for him to catch an elbow with his jaw pretty soon. Maybe that's how they do it in Spain...?

Picture credit: http://nowthatsthunderbasketball.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/serge-ibaka-spain1.jpg

If you wanna see a GIF, here is the play.

Steph Curry - the Rainman

Anybody see the Warriors-Knicks game? In case you missed it, Steph Curry went berserk. He collected more points then showed up on the NASDAQ board last week. 54 stinking points. The most from any single player in the NBA so far this year, and the first to score 52 at Madison Square Garden since Lebron in 2009. That was a glimpse. Only but a preview of what Curry is capable of, besides providing flavor to many Indian dishes.

Going 18-28 from the field, including 11-13 from three point range. Filthy. Disgustible. I wish I could shoot like Steph Curry. I would like nothing more in life than to have his shooting stroke. But he didn't stop at 54 points, he also dropped 7 dimes, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Like the boss he is. Golden State needs to give that man something to work with, because he can take them somewhere That is, if he stays away from picking fights with centers (*cough* Roy *cough* Hibbert *cough* *cough*).

I think the most impressive ability in Curry's armada of basketball expertise is his transition shooting. If you did catch any of the game Thursday, you'd know that quite a few of Curry's points came off of 20+ footers during fast breaks. The best part is when he starts backpedaling as soon as he comes down from the jumpshot. He just knows. When he's on, and he's feeling it, it's a good time. Life is nice. The world is at peace.

The NBA needs more players like Steph Curry, but unfortunately, the sharpshooter is too often forgotten about in professional basketball. Jimmer Fredette, Jason Terry, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, Jason Kapono, all of these players have struggled to find their roles in recent years. But there is hope. You too can save not only the careers and importance of these players, but the well-being of their franchises as well. Start today. Write a letter. Buy a jersey. Hit those forums. And hope that soon, Curry will make those 54 points look small.

Picture credit: http://bostonherald.com/sites/default/files/styles/default/public/media/2013/02/28/Curry.jpg?c=bec77f7046fb72f46984303694ee9001

Top 10 2012-13 NBA jerseys

The NBA is full of awesome gear: socks, shoes, wristbands, towels, patches, warmups, etc. But perhaps the coolest of all is the uniform. Each team makes sure their players look their very best, sporting the organization's true colors. Gotta love 'em. Needless to say, it's better when teams have attractive jerseys than the alternative.

So today I decided I should count down MY top 10 2012-13 jerseys. Only new ones, because it would be WAY too hard to do all of them. So without further delay, and no more ado, here they are.

10. New York Knicks

This year, the New York Knicks revamped their unifoms. When talking about a team with so much tradition, the Knicks essentially had no way of surviving a complete makeover. So, they just cleaned up their look. No more black trim, updated collars, unique details (messages printed on the inside), and a new logo by the back of the neck. Also, the big stripe on the belt of the shorts gives the uniforms some flair, but I think it would've been nice to have it match the trim on top, with a two-stripe pattern.

If there was ever a year for the Knicks to make a postseason run, this is it. The door is wide open for them. Is it the uni's..?

Photo credit: http://cdn1.elitedaily.com/elite/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/elite-daily-2013-knicks-jerseys.jpg 

9. San Antonio Spurs' Gray Alternate

 The combination of young and old has been working lately for the Spurs. Having Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and the recently injured Tim Duncan lead the team allows for young studs to gain experience and grow at their own rate. These new threads mesh the new and old perfectly. The big logo on the front is reminiscent of the early 90's, but the new SA on the shorts is new and fresh. The retro gray brings it all together while staying true to the color scheme.

Anybody feeling a playoff run for the Spurs? I'm not. They picked up quite a few W's last season, but I don't see them as a postseason threat.

 Picture credit: http://www.48minutesofhell.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/spurs-third-jerseys.jpg


8. Brooklyn Nets

The move to Brooklyn was big for the Nets. Under the near reckless leadership of Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay-Z, the Nets took on a new, clean look this year. These jerseys would've been higher on the list, because I like the clean, smooth style. But no color is just a little too blah for me. Throw some of that old Nets red in there, and it'll be Top 3. I do feel that with the new move, this is going to be some sort of a baseplate for future versions.

Deron Williams and Joe Johnson need to take charge of the team in order to have any hopes of success in the future.

Picture credit: http://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/brooklyn-nets-home-and-road-jerseys-590x508.jpg

7. Houston Rockets' Red Alternate

I love these alternates. Although I'm not usually a fan of alternates that are the same color of an existing jersey, these work. They're almost like a throwback to the future (I like to call it a "throwfront"). The yellow just pops off of these crimson rags, the font and trim pull the look together. Not sure why these ended up in seventh, I really wish the Rockets wore them more. I would love to see the Steve Francis era navy uni's get retroed for the Hardwood Classic.

With the acquisition of James Harden and Jeremy Lin this offseason, it's only a matter of time until the Rockets start destroying teams. With Dwight Howard turning into a free agent this year, he could be looking at moving to Houston. I would if I were him.

When are they going to make James Harden's beard a part of the mandatory dress code? Still waiting, Houston.

Picture credit: http://www.cheapjerseys88.com/pic/Houston-Rockets-James-Harden-New-Revolution-30-Alternate-swingman-Jersey-51304.jpg

6. Warriors SLEEVES

Hey sleeves! GO BACK TO THE NCAA! Nobody wants you here! You made me throw up as a part of Evansville's wardrobe and then over and over again under jerseys for the University of Texas. I get the whole "new-wave" thing, I just don't like it. If not for the sleeves, these jerseys would be numero uno. And those horrific shorts. Don't pinstripe the shorts unless the tops are too. It just looks tacky.

On a positive, the white logo and the font are PERFECT. The recently updated color scheme is still fresh and lively, the collars and trim are great. With a bit of fine tuning, these could be the best in the league.

Would still love to see some old Jason Richardson-era white-orange-navy threads for their throwbacks.

Picture credit: http://jerseychaser.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Warriors-New-Jerseys.jpeg

5. Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats. They've changed their uniforms over and over again since the organization started. Gotta have some sort of appeal, right? If their team can't be good, at least their uniforms can. They look just like Michael Jordan copy and pasted the Mavericks uniforms, but they're still pretty sweet. They have such a crisp color scheme, it's bound to look good. The orange trim is so nice next to the shades of blue. The white jerseys are sharp, but those dark ones are so clean and just... mesmerizing. I don't say this often at all, but well done, Charlotte.

I do expect a few more wins from Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson though. Come on.

Picture credit: http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/bobcats/images/120620_jersey_main2.jpg

4. 76ers Blue Alternate

I've missed these. Ever since Allen Iverson was rocking the blue alternates back in the day, I've wanted more. Those were my favorite jerseys of all time. They were just so perfect. They tried to recreate it, and did an okay job. Their plain look doesn't show off the blue that well but, it's still nice. Not much to go over here, it's a very clean-cut, classic uniform.

Picture credit: http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/836173/6521901633_8157850a0d_o.png

3. Trail Blazers Red Alternate

As a Lakers fan, I hate Portland. But these jerseys are just sick. Absolutely filthy. Imagine these with matching Adidas Crazy 8's on every Blazer. That alone makes me want to buy one. The updated diagonal stripes actually have the look of a trail now, and they followed the Knicks lead on the collar/trim. Nice to see they finally found a way to make their fonts and numbers look crisp, and the black on the red is just intimidating. I hope they get a full makeover that follows the lead of these bad boys.

Picture credit: http://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blazers-new-featured.jpg

2. Denver Nuggets Alternates

So close to being number one. So close! But, not every jersey can be number one. So, here we are. The Denver Nuggets alternate throwbacks. They look like the old rainbow skyline uniforms mixed with Marquette (Especially with the sides on those shorts). Very fun, retro look that is sure to have mixed opinions in the public. I heard they're only wearing these from 16 or so home games, unfortunately. They need to break them out more often.

By the way, props to the designer for finally making Javale McGee look like he's at home.

Picture credit: http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/files/2012/10/uniforms.jpg

1. Clippers Blue Alternate

This one looks alot like the 76ers alternate above, but the Clippers definitely did a better job. So much more... "flair" if you will. Not that alot going on at once is always a good thing, these just look so good. The fonts the Clippers use now are so fantastic, I just can't get over these numbers. Doesn't the red number just explode off of the powder blue? I'd prefer these in powder blue to royal, because it reminds me of the San Diego Clippers. This uniform is so awesome. I love it. So much. I can't get over it.

Picture credit: http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/6/236/full/2531_los_angeles_clippers-alternate-2013.gif

Well, those were my top 10. Did I miss any? Who's your number one? I'll be sure to add more jersey articles in the future, but this was a good start. As always, spread this blog around and thanks for stopping by!

The perfect basketball shoe: In-season

The perfect basketball shoe. That title opens a world of possibilities, so I started with a competition shoe. Day in, day out, the sneaks worn by committed basketball players for practices and games. At the time of this post, I'm rocking low cut 2011 Nike Hyperdunks as my go-to's. I'd really like something similar as my dream shoe.

Something like a cross between a low cut Nike Hyperdunk and a Nike Kobe VII, but with the great feel of the Adidas Crazy 8's. It would have to be Nike, because there is just something special about that swoosh. I like the positioning of the swoosh on the Kobes rather than the new 'Dunks, so I'd keep that. But I like the heel of the new Hyperdunks, so maybe the inside swoosh can wrap partly around the back. No flywire, it takes away from the simplicity and stealth of true Nikes. Suddenly, a huge question hits me. Leather, mesh, or the plastic hybrid? Geez. So many choices. Probably a mix of leather and mesh. But not the plastic mesh. The classic mesh like on the Hyperfuses.

It would have to be a low cut, but have a sleeve on the inside that reaches up the ankle a little, like on the Kobe Supremes or the old Zoom Soldiers. Almost like a built-in ankle brace. I like the idea of sticking to a very simple, smooth design on the shoe. No backwards swoosh like on the new LeBrons or bizarre color schemes and straps.

That's a good start as to what I would put in my dream shoe. Because there are so many intangibles, I will definitely revisit this idea in the future. What are your opinons? Mainly, high top or low cut? Nike or Adidas? Locker room or street? Feel free to hit me up in the comments!

Picture Credit: http://www.kobebryantviishoes.com/images/Nike%20Zoom%20Hyperdunk%202011%20Low%20366.jpg

The Black Mamba still has it

Kobe Bryant. The man. He dropped 38 points against the Mavericks last night, in case you missed it. After Mark Cuban advised the Lakers to use the amnesty provision in the collective bargaining agreement to release him over Twitter, Bryant had one of his best games of the season. In addition to his 38 points, he had 12 rebounds and seven assists. Did I mention that was on 13-21 shooting?

This year has been an interesting one for Bryant, the 34 year-old has struggled with finding his role within the team roster changes. Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard both joined the team this season, sending Kobe's rule over the team reeling. Once Shaq left back in 2006, it was clear that the Lakers were Kobe's team. For a good part of the season, Kobe was leading the league in points per game. Now he's dropped back to third, averaging 27.1 a game. Still, that's a solid season for a 17-year veteran of the NBA.

Kobe Bryant proved Cuban wrong last night as he led the Lake Show to a 103-99 win in Dallas, putting LA within 2.5 games of the Rockets, and a potential playoff spot. How will things shape out? Jeremy Lin and James Harden seem to have a good thing going on in Houston, but the record doesn't show it. The Lakers are headed to the Pepsi Center to play Denver next, and the Nuggets have quietly had a stellar year, boasting a 23-3 record at home.

Who are your playoff picks in the Western Conference? What will become of the Lakers? Let me know!

Picture Credit: http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/AP_NBA/201302241454536613551-p2.jpg

Welcome to Buckets!

Hello, and welcome to Buckets!

My name is Christopher Grossman, and I'm not your average teenager. Most all my free time is spent on basketball - one way or another. Here in Fresno, CA, I play varsity basketball, and I follow basketball, both pro and college. My favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers, so you could probably guess that Kobe Bryant is my favorite player. I just love guys that can really shoot the ball, like Jimmer Fredette, Steph Curry, and Ray Allen. Dunking is nice, but there is just something about the swish of the net from 20 feet away that's like nothing else. I absolutely love all things Nike. I've rocked all kinds of Nikes: Kobes, Lebrons, Hyperdunks (Highs and Lows), Hyperfuses, and loved 'em all.

In addition to basketball, I write for The Feather Online - Fresno Christian High School's award winning newspaper. We have been in the top 1% of all high school newspapers for probably 6 years now, and the skills I've acquired from writing for them are what will push this blog. My dream is to work for either ESPN or DIME Magazine.

Things to expect: Top tens, reviews, pro team and player breakdowns, rants, opinions, random videos, etc. I hope to keep you all interested and coming back!

-Chris Grossman

Picture Credit: http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/commercials/2011/11/nike_basketball_never_stops.jpg