Fresh Kicks...

NATE THE GREAT!!!

2009 All Star Game Slam Dunk Contest winner Nate Robinson is towering 80 feet high above 34th Street and 7th Avenue  in the heart of Manhattan in anticipation of St Patrick’s Day and the release of the Nike Foamposite Lite Kryptonate Edition tomorrow. A large crowd is already gathered outside House of Hoops Harlem and Niketown New York and with Nate Robinson and even Spike Lee making an appearance at House of Hoops Harlem.

A Detailed Look At The KryptoNate Foamposite Lite Releasing at House of Hoops Harlem...

Release Date: TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2009!!!!!!!

Only @ House of Hoops Harlem. Good luck with that.

SB Dunks...

"Gucci" Nike SB Dunk High Premium...

Fresh. 

Release Date: Holiday 2009

Melo B. Easy P.E.'s

Carmelo Anthony Air Jordan 2009 P.E....

Release Date: TBD

Via: sneakernews

Dunk(s) Of The Week...

In light of the NCAA tournament, look out for all of these guys this week:

Jeff Teague...

From earlier this season.

Stanley Robinson...

From the '07-'08 season.

Devin Ebanks...

From last week's Big East Semifinal.

Sports News

The 2009 NIT Schedule:

First Round

Tuesday, March 17
Davidson (26-7) at South Carolina (21-9), 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Rhode Island (22-10) at Niagara (26-8), 7 p.m.
George Mason (22-10) at Penn State (22-11), 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
UAB (22-11) at Notre Dame (18-14), 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
UNLV (21-10) at Kentucky (20-12), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Weber State (21-9) at San Diego State (23-9), 10 p.m.
Nebraska (18-12) at New Mexico (21-11), 10 p.m. (ESPNU)
Washington State (17-15) at St. Mary's, Calif. (25-6), 11 p.m. (ESPN2)

Wednesday, March 18
Duquesne (21-12) at Virginia Tech (18-14), 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Miami (18-12) at Providence (19-13), 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Illinois State (24-9) at Kansas State (21-11), 8 p.m.
Bowling Green (19-13) at Creighton (26-7), 8 p.m.
Tennessee-Martin (22-9) at Auburn (22-11), 8 p.m.
Jacksonville (18-13) at Florida (23-10), 8 p.m.
Northwestern (17-13) at Tulsa (24-10), 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
Georgetown (16-14) at Baylor (20-14), 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

Second Round

March 19-23
Weber State-San Diego State winner vs. Illinois State-Kansas State winner, TBA
Davidson-South Carolina winner vs. Washington State-St. Mary's, Calif. winner, TBA
Tennessee-Martin-Auburn winner vs. Northwestern-Tulsa winner, TBA
Georgetown-Baylor winner vs. Duquesne-Virginia Tech winner, TBA
Bowling Green-Creighton winner vs. UNLV-Kentucky winner, TBA
Nebraska-New Mexico winner vs. UAB-Notre Dame winner, TBA
Jacksonville-Florida winner vs. Miami-Providence winner, TBA
Rhode Island-Niagara winner vs. George Mason-Penn State winner, TBA

Quarterfinals

March 24-25
At host sites

Semifinals

March 30 (at Madison Square Garden)
Semifinal, 7 p.m. Semifinal, 9:30 p.m.

Championship

April 2 (at Madison Square Garden)
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

Tony Dungy Asked To Be Liaison For Players...

Newly elected NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has asked former Colts head coach Tony Dungy to serve as a liaison between the Association's players and the NFL office for player issues both on and off the field, a source told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

The 45-year-old Smith was elected Sunday on the first ballot by the 32 representatives -- one for each NFL team -- and was introduced to a standing ovation.

Dungy retired from coaching after the 2008 season.

Dungy talked constantly to his players about being targets, once describing to a visitor the specifics of how he counsels them to avoid the wrong people, the wrong places and the perils of driving in the early morning after a few beers. He also has firsthand knowledge of troubled young people -- three years ago, his son, James, committed suicide at age 18. That winter, he began to think about retirement, which finally came at 53, an age when many get their first job as a head coach.

"I think I've got a responsibility to be home a little bit more, be available to my family a little bit more and do some things to help make our country better," Dungy said when he announced this offseason that he was stepping down.

"I don't know what that is right now, but we'll see."

This would be a great look for the league, especially with all of the dumbass things some of these guys do. Everybody respects him, so his impact could be huge.

Pudge To The Astros...

Catcher Ivan Rodriguez has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Houston Astros, a source told ESPN's Steve Phillips on Monday.

Rodriguez can make an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses.

At the World Baseball Classic, Rodriguez, a 14-time major league All-Star, is hitting .600 (9-for-15) in four games for Puerto Rico.

Rodriguez hit .276 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 115 games with the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees last year. He is the only player in baseball history with at least 13 Gold Gloves and a career .300 average or better.

He has three more Gold Gloves, earning one as recently as 2007, than Hall of Famer Johnny Bench and almost double the total of Bob Boone, who is third on the list. Among position players, only Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson has more Gold Glove awards.

Rodriguez has caught 2,173 games, trailing only Carlton Fisk (2,226) and Boone (2,225) in terms of longevity behind the plate.

This is a nice move for both sides. Even though Pudge is getting old, and his offensive numbers were down last year, his defense is still impeccable.

Via: ESPN

KiD CuDi Calling It Quits After 1st Album???

From CuDi's blog:

AFTER THE RELEASE OF MY FIRST LP THIS SUMMER, IAM NOT MAKING ANY MORE SOLO ALBUMS. IAM FALLIN BACK ON BEING A ARTIST. THE DRAMA THAT COMES WITH IT IS MORE OVERWHELMING THAN THE SHIT I WAS DEALING WIT WHEN I WAS PISS POOR BROKE. MY FRIENDS GET MAD AT ME, SAY IVE CHANGED, ONE OF THE ONLY HOMIES I GOT IN THIS GAME, WALE, IS WORRIED ABOUT ME CUZ OF SHIT HE HEARS. LIKE WTF? WHO CAN SAY IM BEIN HOLLYWOOD? IM NOT AROUND ANYONE BUT PLAIN PAT AND EMILE. WHO CAN SAY THAT SHIT? MUTHAFUCKAS TALKIN SHIT HERE AND THERE, SPREADIN RUMORS, MAKIN JOKES, TRYNA JUDGE ME, AND FOR WHAT? DOES MY MUSIC POKE FUN AT OTHERS? DO I TALK SHIT ABOUT PEOPLE N MY MUSIC? I ALREADY WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL ONCE, AND GOT EXPELLED CUZ IT WASNT FOR ME. IMA DROP OUT THIS SHIT BEFORE NIGGAZ TRY AND CRUCIFY ME.

I DONT LOOK AT IT AS QUITTING, FOR I HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED MY GOAL. I HAVE A SOLID FANBASE WHO TRUELY APPRECIATES ME AND MY MESSAGES THRU SONG, I GOT MULTIPLE BIG RECORDS, I HAVE RECIEVED WORLDWIDE CRITICAL ACCLAIM FROM THE BIGGEST TASTEMAKERS IN THE GAME, 3 FAN MADE BEST OF MIXTAPES WITHOUT EVEN RELEASING MORE THAN ONE MIXTAPE AND NOT EVEN RELEASING A ALBUM, I CAN PAY MY MOMS MORTGAGE AND HELP MY SISTER WITH MY NIECE AND HOLD MY BROTHERS DOWN WITH WUTEVER THEY NEED. THATS WUT I GOT IN THIS GAME FOR, TO ACCOMPLISH ALL THESE GOALS AND I HAVE. NO REGRETS

IM SORRY TO THE FANS, IM SO SORRY YALL. I KNO U GUYS WILL ALL HATE ME, BUT REMEMBER, IM JUS A REGULAR DUDE WHO WAS GIVEN A AMAZING GIFT, AND NOW WITH THAT AMAZING GIFT CAME MORE UNCALLED FOR PROBLEMS THAN THE AVERAGE HUMAN BEING SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

I WILL STILL DO THE COLLAB ALBUM WITH CHIP, AND THAT WILL BE MY LAST STUDIO RECORDING.

IAM GOING TO FOCUS ALL MY ATTENTION ON THE HBO SHOW WHICH WE START SHOOTING IN AUGUST AND MY ACTING CAREER IN GENERAL…ILL CONTINUE TO DO SHOWS FOR THE REAL KID CUDI FANS, AND IM PLANNING A BIG CONCERT THIS SUMMER, JUS ME, AND I WILL PERFORM MY ENTIRE MIXTAPE FROM BEGINNING TO END AND NEW SONGS FROM MY ALBUM. ILL KEEP U GUYS UPDATED ON THAT

AGAIN, IAM SORRY, BUT ITS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP ME FROM GOING COMPLETELY INSANE. IM TOO REAL FOR THIS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL SHIT. BAK TO THE MOON I GO.

I gotta call bullshit on this one. He would be a cold-ass actor, though.

VIa: kidcudi.com

The Ebony Experiment

Maggie Anderson drives 14 miles to buy groceries, which might seem curious given that she lives in bustling Oak Park. She and her husband, John, patronize gas stations in Rockford and Phoenix, Ill. They travel 18 miles to a health food store in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood for vitamins, supplements and personal care products.

The reason? They want to solve what they call "the crisis in the black commu- nity." They want to, as they say, "buy black."

The Andersons, African-Americans who rose from humble means, are attempting to spend their money for one year exclusively with black-owned businesses and are encouraging other African-Americans to do the same. It is part experiment, part social activism campaign.

They call it the "Ebony Experiment."

"More than anything, this is a learning thing," said Maggie Anderson, who grew up in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami and holds a law degree and an MBA from the University of Chicago. "We know it's controversial, and we knew that coming in."

But the Andersons said they also have known that a thriving black economy is fundamental to restoring impoverished African-American and other "underserved" communities, and they have discussed for years trying to find a way to address the problem.

What they came up with is provocative. One anonymous letter mailed to their home accused the Andersons of "unabashed, virulent racism." "Because of you," the writer stated, "we will totally avoid black suppliers. Because of you, we will dodge every which way to avoid hiring black employees."

Apart from that letter, a solid majority of comments they have received have been encouraging, the Andersons said, adding that most people see the endeavor as beneficial to all.

"Supporting your own isn't necessarily exclusive," said John Anderson, a financial adviser who grew up in Detroit and has a Harvard University degree in economics and an MBA from Northwestern University, "and you're not going to convince everybody of that."

The undertaking "is an academic test about how to reinvest in an underserved community" and lessen society's burden, John Anderson said. Focusing the estimated $850 billion annual black buying power on black businesses strengthens those business and creates more businesses, more jobs and stronger families, schools and neighborhoods, the Andersons and other advocates said.

"When a thriving African-American or urban community is realized, certainly as a society as a whole, we all win," John Anderson said.

Full story here.

Originally posted in the 3/9/09 Chicago Trib.

New Videos...Killa & Kanye...

Cam'ron - Got It For Cheap...

"Here's a order black be a quarterback, take a hike, hut 1, hut 2, hut 3, your family torched, calico, 81 to your chest, Randy Moss"

"At 9 years old, yall was watchin Goof Troop, me the only 5th grader with the Troop suit"

Ughhhh. KILLA!!! Cam is goin' so hard right now. LMAO at Cam's dance.

88 Keys Feat. Kanye West - Stay Up! (Viagra)...

Lol. They some fools for that one.

Beans & Biggavell..

"I shoulda played BIG, but it's all Gravy"

"Broadstreet Bully hard like wood floors...bang hard like D. Howard on the boards"

Via: nahright & worldstarhiphop

NCAA Basketball...IT'S TOURNAMENT TIME BABY!!!!!

The College Gameday Crew Breaks Down Each Region...

Midwest...

West...

East...

South...

Dickie V gets a little upset...

Lol. 

VIa: ESPN

NBA Basketball...

Joe Johnson continued to get it in, going for 35, 7 assists, and 6 boards aas the Hawks pushed their win streak to 5, beating Portland 98-80...After going at it all week, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James both finally came back to reality. Wade had 18 on 8-21 shooting in a Miami loss, while the King led the Cavs to a W with 19, 10 dimes, 8 boards, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. The Cavs are now 29-1 at the crib...Dwight Howard had 28, 20, and 3 blocks in Orlando's victory over Utah. That's his 7th double double-double this season...After blowing a 17 point lead, the Lakers came back to beat Dallas 107-100, behind 28, 8 boards, and 5 assists from KB24....The Suns scored an NBA season high 154 points. 

Scores From Around The League...3/15/09

Pacers 87, Raptors 110

Blazers 80, Hawks 98

Grizzlies 89, Pistons 84

Celtics 77, Bucks 86

Heat 77, 76ers 85

Mavs 100, Lakers 107

Knicks 93, Cavs 98

Jazz 87, Magic 105

King 104, Wizards 106

Suns 154, Warriors 130

Nets 105, Clippers 107

Via: ESPN

Hip-Hop News...

Jay-Z, Best Life Mag Interview...

Hov's Principles For Living The "Best Life":

1. Be Your Own Biggest Fan
2. Take Control, Let It Go
3. Focus On The Process, Not The Result
4. Never Act On Your Fears
5. Use Money The Right Way
6. Don't Stop Growing

Check out the entire interview here.

Pimpin' Curly Episode 6...

Via: nahright & Best Life Magazine

NBA Basketball...D. Wade For 50!!!

Just 6 NBA games on Saturday, and nothing too serious happened other than Dwayne Wade scoring 50 POINTS!!! Like I said, him, Bron, and Kobe go out and try to one up each other every night out. A day after The King's 51 point outburst, Flash dropped 50 on the in the Heat's 140-129 Triple OT W over the Jazz. He also had 10 boards, and 9 assists to go along with that. The Heat have played 7 games so far this month, and Wade's out up 40+ in 4 of them. And in the other 3 games he's put in 30+. Insane. 

Scores From Around The League...3/14/09

Jazz 129, Heat 140 (3OT)

Bobcats 100, T'Wolves 108

Hornets 79, Bulls, 97

Spurs 88, Rocktes 85

Clippers 94, Nuggets 107

Thunder 95, Suns 106

Via: ESPN

NCAA Basketball...Championship Week!!!

More top seeds fell in their respective conference tourneys. In the Big Ten, Ohio St. took it to Michigan St., topping the Spartans 82-70. Big Ups to ET, who filled up the stat sheet as usual - 18 points, 10 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Not only did the Buckeyes shoot 53% from the field, and knock down 9 Three's, as well, but they held the Spartans to just 38% shooting. Michigan St. was just 3-21 from deep...

Behind Toney Douglas' 27, Florida St. beat North Carolina, who is still without Ty Lawson. It's the first time Florida St. has advanced all the way to the ACC Championship game. The Heels got 24 from Wayne Ellington, and Tyler Hansbrough had 22 and 12 en route to becoming the ACC's All-Time Leading Rebounder, and closing to within 2 of JJ Reddick's ACC scoring record...

Miss St. beat SEC Tourney 1-seed LSU 67-57. 

The Syracuse Miracle finally came to an end, after the Orangemen's 76-66 loss to Louisville. 'Cuse jsut couldn't keep it up. Up 8 at the half, the Cards outscored the 46-28 in the second half with the aid of a 20-3 run. The Cards, who cruised through the tournament, got yet a nice balanced effort, with 6 guys hitting the double digit mark. Samardo Samuels led the way with 15, while Earl clark had 13 and 10 boards. Terrence Williams' line: 11 points, 7 boards, 7 steals, and 6 assists. Nice. 

Johnny Flynn, who had 11 and 6 dimes, was named Big East Tournament MVP, and righfully so. Flynn play 67 of 70 minutes against UCONN, and all 45 the night after against West VA. Averaging 17 and 8 in the tournament, his 37 assists, breaks Mark Jackson's record for most assists in the Big East Tournament. Eric Devendorf also set the conference record for most points in a single tourney with 84 over the four games.

Other Conference Tournament Scores...

Maryland 61, Duke 67 (ACC)

Purdue 66, Illinois 56 (Big Ten)

Auburn 85, Tennessee 94 (SEC)

Conference Tournament Finals: 

America East - UMBC 51, Binghamton 61

Conference USA - Tulsa 39, Memphis 64

Pac-10 - USC 66, Arizona St. 63

Big 12 - Baylor 60, Mizzou 73

A-10 - Duquesne 64, Temple 69

Mountain West - San Diego St. 50, Utah 52

MEAC - Norfolk St. 69, Morgan St. 83

MAC - Akron 65, Buffalo 53

Big East - Syracuse 66, Louisville 76

SWAC - Jackson St. 58, Alabama St. 65

WAC - Nevada 52, Utah St. 62

Big West - Pacific 66, CS Northridge 71 (OT)

Who's Already In Conference:

Chattanooga (Southern)

Cornell (Ivy League)

East Tennessee St. (Atlantic Sun)

Gonzaga (West Coast)

Morehead St. (Ohio Valley)

Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley)

Radford (Big South)

Siena (Metro Atlantic)

Virgina Commonwealth (Colonial)

N. Dakota St. (Summit League)

Cleveland St. (Horizon League)

Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)

Robert Morris (Northeastern)

Portland St. (Big Sky)

American (Patriot League)

Binghamton (America East)

Memphis (C-USA)

USC (Pac-10)

Mizzou (Big 12)

Temple (Atlantic 10)

Utah (Mountain West)

Morgan St. (MEAC)

Buffalo (MAC)

Louisville (Big East)

Alabama St. (SWAC)

Utah St. (WAC)

CS Nothridge (Big West)

Via: ESPN