“I never imagined what started with two opposing teams consisting of N.Y.C. rappers would develop into a global phenomena.”
By Stefan Malliet
Founded in Harlem New York by Greg Marius and members of his rap group The Disco Four - after a challenge on a major radio show in 1980 - (Entertainer Basketball Classic) EBC's unrivaled history began. "I never imagined what started with two opposing teams consisting of N.Y.C. rappers would develop into a global phenomena," said EBC's Marius. After holding EBC's first games in Harlem at Mt. Morris Park on 122nd street and Madison Avenue, and eventually being forced to move by the city due to overcrowding, the tournament could not be stopped. Since the move to Holcombe Rucker Park on 155th street, the EBC has transformed into an international sensation. Legends such as Kareem Abdul Jabbar, street ball legend Earl "The Goat" Manigualt, and Wilt Chamberlain have all played here. The league has included teams sponsored by the likes of Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z, Master P., Tommy Hillfiger, Eminem, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe and many other notables. Player rosters have included: NBA players Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest to diverse audience members such as former President Bill Clinton, and NBA commissioner David Stern. EBC has also provided a showcase for raw and untapped talent to be paired with established professional and college superstars, in a "Mecca of Basketball" that cannot be duplicated. Entertainer's like now R& B superstar Chris Brown made their debut performance on the sacred court. The media has jumped onboard since EBC's explosion, with coverage that has included: ESPN, ESPN2, NBA TV, MTV, and BET. Sponsors such as 2K Sports, Reebok, Hot 97 FM NY, Mountain Dew and Gatorade have solidified the importance of this event.
Left to right: Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia Sixers), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Gerald Wallace (North Carolina Bobcats) @ Rucker Park.
NBA Stars Make 2K8 History
On Wednesday, July 25, 2007 2K sports utilized famed Rucker Park in Harlem as the blacktop setting for its first ever nighttime, outdoor motion capture event for NBA 2K8, scheduled for an October 2 release. The event, co-hosted by the Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC) featured the game's cover player Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, as well as other NBA stars such as Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia Sixers, Gerald Wallace of the North Carolina Bobcats and Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzles. "Our talented motion capture team can adapt to almost any environment," said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts, at 2K Sports studio. "With our advanced motion capture technology, we're delivering the next generation level of realism to our sports titles and to have a motion capture shoot conducted at a real basketball venue adds even more authenticity to our game." Immediately after the sunset the invited NBA players showed off their best moves, dribbling, passing, shooting and dunking on the court. Former NBA Live and NBA Streets announcer Bobbito Garcia, who will act as a NBA 2K8 announcer, was present on the microphone entertaining the crowd of fans, cracking jokes and hyping up the players. Paul, a first timer on the Rucker Park court, appeared to be in awe with the opportunity presented to him. "I feel like I'm truly blessed to be at Rucker Park with all the fans, it doesn't get better than this," he said. "It's an honor, because a lot of guys go in and out of the league and don't get this opportunity." Igoudala was equally ecstatic about his involvement in 2K8. "Being a part of a video game is something that every kid growing up is thinking about. For me to come out to do the stunt moves for the game is a tight thing," he said. Former U Conn stand out Rudy Gay admitted that he was no newbie to the Rucker. "A lot of people don't know that I played here before in the ninth grade," he said. "It's crazy to see myself participating in this game. Even last year when I first saw myself in a uniform it was crazy!”
“My dream was to live in New York. Now I'm in New York and I'm satisfied.”
By Tito Ruiz
Last year, New York Knicks point guard, and 2006 NBA slam-dunk champion, 23-year-old Nate Robinson fulfilled his childhood dream of playing with EBC at the Rucker Park in Harlem. The 5' 9" former University of Washington football star revealed since seeing the movie Juice (starring Tupac and Omar Epps), filmed at Rucker Park in 1993, he had a burning desire to become a part of the big apple. "My dream was to live in New York," he said while sitting on a Rucker Park Bench. "Now I'm in New York and I'm satisfied." Robinson and NY Knick Point/Shooting Guard Jamal Crawford, who once played side-by-side for their hometown Seattle high school, formed Team Seattle for the third annual EBC America Tournament at the Rucker Park (2006). During the finals, Team Seattle faced Team New York (which included Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston of the Rockets). In the intense overtime match-up, Team New York defeated Team Seattle 106-104. Robinson looks forward to making a comeback during EBC America 2007 (August 20 through the 23) at Rucker Park. In 2006, Nike honored Robinson with his own Air Force One shoe bearing his image on the side. "It feels great when I go into Nike Town and different stores and people pick up my shoe, look at me and say, 'That's you on the sneaker!' he explains. "I thank God everyday for blessing me with talent, being in the NBA-having my own shoe, it's great.”
CHECK OUT NATE ROBINSON AND JAMAL CRAWFORD OF TEAM SEATTLE VS. TEAM NEW YORK
“I have three years left in my contract [with Houston]. I want to get a two-year extension and I plan on retiring by age 36.”
During the off-season, Houston Rockets Point Guard Rafer Alston, who played for multiple EBC teams throughout the years, always finds himself at the place where he was branded with the name "Skip to my Lou"--Rucker Park . As a member of Team New York, during the powerful 2006 EBC America championship match-up against Team Seattle (which included Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford of the Knicks), with just seconds left in the final quarter Alston scored the winning three pointer - ending the game at 106-104. When asked if he'd consider bringing Rockets teammates Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming to play for EBC at the Rucker he said, "I would like to try. It would definitely be something good for the people." Recognized as a street ball legend, the 31-year-old Queens, New York native (who's NBA resume includes playing for the Bucks, Heat, and Raptors) says, "I have three years left in my contract [with Houston]. I want to get a two-year extension and I plan on retiring by age 36.”
“The EBC has taught people from the hood how to politicize themselves. I mean, Bill Clinton was here sitting courtside next to Stephon Marbury a couple of years ago.”
By Tito Ruiz
Internationally renowned ball player, DJ, sports commentator, actor, photo journalist (amongst many other honorable titles), Robert "Bobbito" Garcia, who will be one of the animated announcers for the forthcoming NBA 2k8 video game, is no stranger to EBC at the Rucker. "I woke up today (amped as always), like, 'Today's EBC's opening day at the Rucker, I gotta go check out the games!'" he says. The 1994 EBC Team Walker Wear point guard, who just turned 40, admits, "We got blown out left and right back then. But, it's great just to say that I played for EBC at the Rucker." One of the several movies Bobbito played in is "Juice," starring Tupac. In the film he was hooping at Rucker Park. For the past two years Bobbito has also been a player at annual EBC Madison Square Garden All-Star game. His other resume credits include: sports caster for MSG networks, co-founder of the ground-breaking, 8-year-long N.Y.C. hip hop radio show "The DJ Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show," and he's a former Vibe Magazine Columnist. In 2003, the Harlem native penned the Sneaker book "Where'd You Get Those? NYC's Sneaker Culture 1960-1987." Last year, Nike celebrated its Air Force One 25th anniversary; Bobbito was chosen to design his own series of three signature Nike X Bobbito AF1 Colorway shoes. His latest venture is a quarterly print publication he co-founded, Bounce Magazine. As for thoughts on the future of EBC at the Rucker, he predicts a bright one. ""Ten years from now if all the sponsors drop out there's still going to be thousands of kids here," he says. " The EBC is always going to be relevant, whether or not corporate America is involved. The EBC has taught people from the hood how to politicize themselves. I mean, Bill Clinton was here sitting courtside next to Stephon Marbury a couple of years ago. So, it's a beautiful thing.”
“I felt like I had to redeem myself because of that one horrible performance I had with Terror Squad last season.”
Why do they call him Mr. 68, you ask? Well, on the day third day of the EBC at Rucker Park season (June 20th), it just so happened that 23 year-old Steve Burtt Jr.- who plays for Team Parish Nation - made EBC history. While The Late, Street Ball Legend, James "Pookie" Wilson made EBC history in 1986, scoring 63 game points, Burtt broke the record by scoring 68 points against the Dream Team-leading Parish Nation to their first season win (104-92). The 6' 2" guard admitted after playing one horrible game for Fat Joe's Terror Squad Team at the EBC last season, Joe gave him the cold shoulder (insinuating he shouldn't come back). "I felt I had to prove myself because of that performance with Terror Squad," he reflected. "I was taking what the defense gave me. My team was encouraging me. They had faith in my scoring ability, and my ability to carry the team." As members of the Dream Team began double teaming him during the last quarter Burtt said, "They should have done that from the beginning of the game. I look at one defender as an advantage for me. I just had to use my strength and speed with whoever they threw at me." Burtt earned the name "The Saga Continues" at EBC in retrospect of his father, Steve Burtt Sr. Throughout his six-year NBA career (1984-1990), Burtt Sr. played with the Golden State Warriors, L.A Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Washington Bullets (now known as the Wizards) and played four years in Italy. In 2003, Burtt Jr. and Sr. were part of EBC history as the first father-son street ball duo, playing with Team Ruff Ryders. Both attended Iona. There each led the Gaels to a MAAC title. Burtt Jr. is the school's second all-time leading scorer (2,034 points). Burtt Sr. (2,534 points) ranks first. Their 4,568 points combined make them the highest scoring father-son in NCAA history. Last year Burke Jr. played in Greece and has plans to play in France, Italy or Israel next season. After witnessing Burke Jr., who proudly bears the title "Mr. 68," leading on the EBC court this season, alongside NBA's Ron Artest who also plays for Parish Nation, the thought of him one day dominating the league's hardwood doesn't seem too far-fetched.
“If anybody wants to come see me, I'm always around.”
Corey "Homicide" Williams, winner of the 2006 Last Man Standing Competition- a N.Y.C. one-on-one MSG network televised blacktop battle - is on the move. For nearly the past year, Williams, who's balled in eight countries, has been the face of K1X apparel. In addition to playing for Team Gino Green with EBC at Rucker Park this summer (where he's been playing since 2000, won 2004 MVP and branded "The EBC's most dangerous player"), he also spent time in Las Vegas playing for with the Golden State Warriors for the NBA 2007 summer league. This fall the acclaimed guard, from the BX, New York, says he's releasing a DVD in the early fall called Lace Masters, featuring himself and fellow street ball players White Chocolate and Bone Collector, in which they expose NBA players and highly regarded street ballers. "There's a segment where White Chocolate and I talk about how we feel the game has been saturated with some bullshit players," says Williams. "And how certain individuals have a name and don't deserve it. That's something that's unseen and unheard of on any other street ball DVD ever made. It's going to be distributed everywhere. And if anybody wants to come see me, I'm always around.”
Champion NFC running back Thomas Jones - traded from the Chicago Bears to the Jets earlier this year - appears to be in high sprits about the transition. "Everyone on the New York Jets gets along really well, we have a nice chemistry and a nice nucleus," he said in confidence. "I'm just glad to be a part of it." The fashion conscious Virginia native also enthusiastically admitted that during his free time in New York, you'll often find him "in Harlem shopping and hanging out." The Jets now makes for Jones' fourth team since becoming the seventh NFL draft pick in 2000. Throughout the past two seasons, the 215 pound, 6' 1" work out fiend has averaged 1,272.5 rush yards. During Super bowl XLI, Jones racked up 112 yards on the ground along with four catches.
Is the Falcons season over? Michael Vick's lawyers are trying to negotiate a plea deal with federal prosecutors in hopes to limit his jail time and return to the NFL after his release. • Suspended Cincinnati Bengal’s linebacker Odell Thurman has been ordered to appear in court for allegedly violating probation on a drunken driving conviction. Thurman failed to show up for a scheduled meeting on July 24 and therefore must appear before a Municipal Court Judge on August 21 to explain his actions. Vick & Thurman cellmates? • A source close to Tim Donaghy says that the former NBA referee plans to plead guilty at the Brooklyn federal court to charges alleging he betted on games he officiated. The person said Donaghy was to surrender on condition of anonymity because charges had not been made public.• The family of late Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock dropped a wrongful-death suit against Mike Shannon's restaurant. The lawsuit alleged that others shared responsibility for Hancock's death, including the restaurant, where he drank earlier that night. The Hancock family must have come to their senses. • Olympic runner, Justin Gatlin will attempt to get his eight-year ban for taking performance-enhancing drugs overturned. Gatlin's lawyers are set to argue that he was administered the banned male sex hormone testosterone without his knowledge. Him and every other athlete. • Outfielder Elijah Dukes, of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays could face up to one year in jail. Dukes was charged with violating a protective court order his estranged wife obtained after she said the 23-year-old rookie threatened her and their children. Unless he touched his wife and kids, one year is a bit extreme • According to police reports, Sunday, August 5, 2007, Rafer Alston was charged with public intoxication and assault after shaking and spitting in the face of a parking attendant in downtown Houston. The Houston Rockets guard is denying all charges. He’s been watching too much reality T.V. • Defenseman Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings testified at the Wayne County Circuit Court on the 9th of August in a double-murder trial. What a way to prepare for his 23rd season in the NHL. • The Cleveland Cavaliers filed a federal lawsuit against Ticketmaster Inc. accusing the broker of acting as a monopoly. The Cavaliers allege that Ticketmaster is trying to prevent the team's Flash Seats secondary-ticketing Website from competing with the ticketing giant. Ticketmaster sued the Cavaliers and Flash Seats earlier this month in U.S. District Court of California asking that the court give them exclusive rights to handle all the team's ticket sales.
Number 756, Go Barry!!!
Barry Bonds’ historic homer drew praise from officials in and outside of the game. Baseball union head Donald Fehr called it "truly one of those moments that all fans will remember." Unfortunately, not everyone was pleased; the record-breaking homer was met with mixed boos and angry voices as the homer was announced. As of August 10, 2007, Barry Bonds have a total of 758 homeruns.
Did you Know that Bond:
-Set the single-season record for home runs in 2001 with 73, beating Mark McGwire's record by three.
-Holds baseball record with seven National League Most Valuable Player Awards, far ahead of legends in second place including Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Stan Musial who each hold three.
-Bonds holds the single-season record for both unintentional and intentional walks, and the lifetime record for career walks.
Lets Talk Sports
Michael Strahan of the Giants a no show to training camp. The rumor is that Strahan is considering retirement and is expected to respond publicly about his no show within the next couple of days. It sounds like a money issue.• After agreeing to a principal deal, The AtlantaBravesofficially acquired the slugging first baseman MarkTeixeira and lefthander Ron Mahay from the Texas Rangers for catcher-first baseman Jarrod Saltalamacchia. What an addition!!!• According to ESPN, hours after officially receiving superstar Kevin Garnett in a grand trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Boston Celtics rewarded him with a three-year contract extension. The report said Garnett inked a deal for $51 million and in the process, the star forward eliminated his right to terminate his current deal and become a free agent after next season. Boston fans don’t get too excited yet, no chemistry, no playoffs.•Indianapolis ColtsTony Dungy, first black coach to win a Super Bowl grabbed the No. 1 spot on The New York Times' bestseller list on August 5. for his memoir, "Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life.” Tyndale House Publishers said it is the first NFL-related book ever ranked No. 1. • Saturday, August 4, Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees made his mark in Major League history. A-Rod became the youngest player to reach 500 home runs. Only 258 to go. • Four men were taken into custody for the armed robberies of Eddy Curry of The New York Knicks and Antoine Walker of the Miami Heat. The four suspects are charged with home invasion, armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping. • Police found evidence of cocaine and drug paraphernalia at former major league pitcher Rod Beck's home on the day he died. A police report released indicated evidence was found in the bathroom and the master bedroom of the house. Beck, 38 was found dead at his northeast Phoenix home on June 23. What a shame! • Cornerback Coye Francies was dismissed from the Oregon State NCAAF team, according The Oregonian's web site. Francies, was arrested for illegal weapons possession. What ever happened to students bringing books to class? • What the…. ESPN is another four-letter word creating problems for Tony Stewart. Stewart feels analysts have unfairly criticized him; one even stated that Stewart was not a good role model. For those who missed it, when Stewart was celebrating his win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he cursed in his post-race interview. The interview was live on ESPN and NASCAR fined Stewart $25,000 and docked him 25 points. • The season is over for Detroit Tigers' Neifi Perez after testing positive for a banned stimulant. See you in 08 •Mike Ditka will skip Hall of Fame induction ceremonies until the NFL improves disability payments. Go Ditka!!! • Safety Mike Minter of the Carolina Panthers has retired due to severe knee pain. •Dara Torres clocked 24.53 seconds to break her own seven-year-old US Swimming Championship record. Torres eclipsed her own record when she won the women's 50m freestyle. While others try to out-do career records, Torres is breaking her own. Congratulations!!! • Former San Francisco Giants catcher Brian Johnson was asked about Barry Bond’s 755th career homerun tying him with Hank Aaron's all-time record on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" show. Johnson’s response: "You can make a fair argument that he may have been cheating." Do I smell a hater??? •Yao Ming, Houston Rockets' star center married his long-term girlfriend Monday, August 6 at a swanky hotel in his hometown, Shanghai, China. • The California State Athletic Commission revealed on July 19 that Boxer Sean Sherk tested positive for Nandrolone. Hermes Franca also tested positive and both fighters were fined $2,500 and suspended for one year. Sherk was granted a continuation until the next meeting in October. I hope it was worth a years pay. •Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal isn't demanding a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, but he's open to the idea. The discussion was stirred up when SI.com quoted O'Neal as saying he would "welcome a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers" and mentioned the NewJersey Nets as another possible destination. •Adam "Pacman" Jonesa professional wrestler? Sunday, August 12, Pacman took part in TNA's Hard Justice pay-per-view show. NFL CommissionerRoger Goodellsuspended Jones for repeated conduct violations in April for the 2007 season. • Who ever heard of using saliva as a substitution for contact solution? Well, WBA super middleweight champion Anthony Mundine thought it was a good idea when he used his saliva to moisten his dry lenses. Now, the 32-year-old boxer is believed to have contracted an infection that might leave his sight permanently impaired, thus ending his boxing career. All I can say is wow! •Former WBA flyweight championEric Morel has been released from prison Thursday after serving time for sexual assault. Morel, 31, was sentenced to two years in prison and two years of extended supervision in October 2005 after he pleaded no contest to second-degree sexual assault of a drunken 15-year-old girl. •Reggie Miller coming out of retirement? ESPN.com was the first to report the talks between both Miller and the Boston Celtics management. Pulling people out of retirement, is it that bad in the world of Basketball? • Hopefully 21-year-old Matt Murphy has a good accountant. The Mets fan that caught the record-setting home-run ball snagged a valuable piece of sports history and will have to pay taxes on it. The ball is estimated in the half-million dollar range, instantly putting Murphy in the highest tax bracket for individual income, where he would face a tax rate of about 35 percent. • “Players on the ATP Tour have been the targeted by anonymous gamblers and asked to influence match outcomes,” exclaims doubles star Bob Bryan in a Los Angeles Times article. Bryan's disclosure comes as the ATP investigates suspicious betting in a match last week involving Nikolay Davydenko and Martin Vassallo Arguello at the Orange Prokom Open in Sopot, Poland. •Beckham finally made his MLS debut Thursday, August 9. The English midfielder played the final 21 minutes in the Los Angeles Galaxy's 1-0 loss to D.C. United. No comment!
Sports Biz
Goldman Sachs Group would consider selling the YES Network if it receives the right offer. • The MLB and NFL are trying to catch up to the NBA’s success in China. The NBA has 92 employees working in four cities in China. The games are broadcast on 51 television networks, and the league's Chinese website is the most popular sports site, averaging 12 million hits a day. Yao's jersey sales rank sixth in China behind Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady and Dwyane Wade, confirming that the love for the sport goes beyond the Chinese star. The NBA makes about $300 million from overseas each year, and China is the biggest contributor toward that figure. • Mr. Entrepreneur, LeBron James, has broadened his portfolio by signing buddy, WR Ted Ginn of the Miami Dolphins, to a marketing contract. Ginn is the first athlete signed by LRMR Marketing, James' budding sports marketing company. •Nashville Predators owner Craig Leipold announced Wednesday August 1, that he has signed a letter of intent to sell his team. Asking price, $193 million. •Adidas expects to have a good fortcoming year, starting with the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing and during the European soccer championship in Switzerland and Austria. The German sporting goods giant should also benefit from British soccer star David Beckham's move to the U.S., if he does well with the Los Angeles Galaxy. • Changes in marketing strategies have caused General Motors Corp. not to renew its U.S. Olympic Committee sponsorship. The 10-year multimillion-dollar agreement included payments to the USOC, plus the entire cost of advertising and other items. GMC contract ends after 2008. •Edmonton Investors Group recently rejected the latest bid of $176 million from local tycoon Daryl Katz to buy the Oilers. They also passed a motion declaring the team is not for sale. Katz promised to help bankroll a new rink downtown estimated at $475 million, build a new training facility and spend the maximum amount on player salaries allowed under the league's salary cap. The Edmonton Investors Group had 38 members when it purchased the Oilers nine years ago for $95 million. Forbes now estimates the Canadian Hockey team’s value at $146 million.
Save Dates
Yankee Stadium will be hosting the 2008All-Star Game. Talk about a farewell party. • Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will defend his title against Ricky Hatton on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas. •Evander Holyfield will attempt to become a five-time world heavyweight champion when he fights Russia's undefeated Sultan Ibragimov on October 13 in Moscow.
Some of the information provided is courtesy of AP, Reuters, and, Ticker.
