Hey, it’s Sunday, it’s still the offseason, so enjoy this photo of Paul Pierce still living the jet set lifestyle with the cool crowd.
basketball
Gabe Devoe Talks Clemson Commitment
Gabe Devoe, a standout at Shelby High School (NC), talks with us about his recent commitment to Clemson and what he’s looking forward to in the ACC.
“The Time I Dunked on Gilbert Arenas”
Former Drake U player Nick Grant offers a humorous look at one of the most memorable moments in his playing career, titled “The Time I Dunked on Gilbert Arenas” which really needs no explanation, other than the time Nick’s story takes place, Arenas had just signed a whopping $65 million dollar contract…AND it almost caused Grant to befoul his shorts in the process.
Elias Harris at the NBA Summer League
Elias Harris talks about playing with former Gonzaga teammates in the NBA Summer League, what he’s seen that’s different than the college game and what the craziest request from a fan has been.
Slam Dunk SuperTramp Style
Hey, what do you know, it’s Friday. Enjoy the ridiculous stylings of Dev Super Tramp and they kill it on the trampoline on the way to the hoop.
What’s that, you say? It’s been done by mascots all over the NBA?
Well, I ask you, when those mascots jump off of their little foot high trampolines, do they run the risk of getting a concussion on the rafters? Do they leap over mini vans in a way that makes Blake Griffin’s jaw drop?
No? Well, then sit back and enjoy, and have a nice weekend.
Travis Releford Loves Adidas, Talks Pro Prospects
Former KU guard Travis Releford isn’t shy about which types of shoes he loves, plus he has a ‘no music’ rule before games.
Friday Roundup – Baby Edition
July is crazy busy. So busy with live AAU events and Summer League that it’s not always easy to stop and put together a post. So here’s some stuff that matters (or is just dumb, or interesting) from the notebook for today.
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Kyle Wiltjer is headed to Gonzaga. After announcing last month that he was leaving the Kentucky Wildcats, there hasn’t been too much in the way of news, but now Wiltjer has found his next basketball home.
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The Fayetteville Flight ABA team, arguably one of the more successful ABA teams, is holding their annual mini-camp on August 17th.
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Best story of the day is that Nate Robinson is willing to autograph just about anything, even a baby.
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In perhaps a telling sign as to how worried the NCAA is about having to pay their employees, stemming from a current lawsuit against them brought by former players, they have stopped EA Sports from putting their logo on their collegiate basketball game. Of course, EA can still make a game with college programs because the licensing of the colleges is not owned by the NCAA.
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Keith Olbermann is coming back to ESPN, this time to host a late night program. On the conference call announcing the move, ESPN suits and Olbermann both talked about trying to create the ‘must watch’ television that ESPN was built on. They talked about the contentious breakup that led to Olbermann’s original departure and about how he doesn’t want that to be the end of his story with ESPN. These are good goals, and the type of goals that the network and it’s talent should be shooting for. But the ESPN that Olbermann returns to is very different than the one he left in 1997. See, even though Disney owned ABC, which owned ESPN, the influence of Disney on ESPN didn’t officially get under way until 1996, about a year before Olbermann left. Since he’s been gone, Disney has completely revamped ESPN – first by merging graphics, hosts and executives between ABC Sports and ESPN, then in 2006 closing down ABC Sports entirely. The ESPN of today is much different – a turnstile of mostly nameless talking heads with little soul or personality, nobody watches SportsCenter the way they used to. If Olbermann is going to succeed, he’s either going to have to bring back some of the old ESPN magic or find a new way to make the vanilla programming style of Disney’s ESPN work.
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The Charlotte Hornets held a name-change tribute party that people thought was lame but later turned out pretty okay. I’m glad the Hornets name is coming back to Charlotte, but the team isn’t losing because of the name.
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Finally, we all know by now that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are headed to play for the Brooklyn Nets. But the back story is that when Paul Piece knew he was going to be traded he talked Garnett into coming along.
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Have a nice weekend and follow us on Twitter @bball_elite
Spiderman Schools Errbody
He spins. He jukes. He breaks ankles. He hurts feelings. He pretty plays basketball exactly like you would expect Spider-Man to play basketball, and the coolest thing about this video is that none of the people he’s beating the pants off of know that the man in the Spidey suit is none other than The Professor, who rose to fame by earning a spot on the And 1 tour during the show’s run on ESPN. The Professor never lets on, either, and leaves the court without telling anyone his true identity, just like Spider-Man would do.
Word of God coach takes job at Christian Faith Center
Raleigh, NC –With the start of the new academic year rapidly approaching, there has been much talk within the sports community regarding which players will suit up where, and the leadership that will guide their talents. Among the talk has been speculation about where Coach Randy Pulley will be next year, and what that means for Word of God Christian Academy. A former Word of God graduate, Pulley returned to his alma mater as head (Varsity Boys) basketball coach last September, and led his newly assembled team to a 20-9 season. The success of his team carried into the summer, as top prospects, Josh Newkirk, Shane Whitfield, Donte Reynolds, Stavian Allen, Jaylen Robertson, and Youssoupha Kane all had impressive performances on the AAU circuit.
Rumors began circling, via social media sites, mid-July regarding Coach Pulley’s decision to leave Word of God, which had not been determined at the time. However, recently, Coach Pulley confirmed he is parting ways with Word of God as he takes his talents to Christian Faith Center Academy (Creedmoor, NC) this fall. When asked about his new home, Pulley responded, “My concern is, foremost, what is in the best interest of my players, and their futures, more than it is for myself. I have known about [Christian Faith Center] for years, and I am eager to build there, but it will not change the level of respect I have for Word of God and the Summerfield family.” He went on to say, “My departure [from Word of God] was an amicable one. I will forever be appreciative for the privilege and opportunity given to me [by Dr. Summerfield], and I wish them nothing but God’s best moving forward.”
And moving forward he is, as he prepares to take on a rather exciting and competitive national schedule at Christian Faith Center. Pulley will also serve as Christian Faith Center Academy’s newly elected Athletic Director.
To date, Word of God has not yet announced who will become Pulley’s replacement.
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If you would like more information regarding the aforementioned topic, or to schedule an interview with Coach Randy Pulley, please call (424) 571-2020 or email randy.pulley@yahoo.com