Dunk Of The Week...

From Feb. 2008.

Russy had a great game Sunday - 34 points, 8 assists, and 6 boards, including 20 from the free throw line - so had to show some love.

On The Hardwood...

Just a handful of games on the college and professional levels Sunday...

NCAA Basketball...

Top 25 Scores From Around The Nation..2/1/09

Virginia 54, #1 Duke 79

Penn St. 72, #9 Michigan St. 68...PSU's first ever win at MSU.

Iowa 54, #20 Illinois 62

Cincinnati 50, #21 Villanova 71

NBA Basketball...

Scores From Around The League...2/1/09

T'Wolves 101, Celtics 109

Magic 113, Raptors 90

Cavs 90, Pistons 80

Thunder 118, Kings 122 (OT)

Sunday was David Stern's 25th Anniversary as NBA Commissioner. He sat down with Michael Wilbon to discuss the state of THE GAME...

Via: ESPN

Music News...

Congrats to Chicago's own, Hollywood Holt, winner of MTVU's The Freshmen Contest. His video will now go into rotation on MTVU...Check the video and notice all the GO cameos...

50/Rick Ross Continued...

LMAO, I love it. 

Via: fakeshordrive & nahright

Freestyle Of The Week...

"They compare me to the nasal spray how I move that sniff"

R.I.P. Stacks

NBA Basketball...

It feels like every time you look up the Hornets have dropped another one. They fell to the Spurs Saturday, 106-93, just one night after losing to the 15-33 Warriors. The Spurs had 6 guys score in double figures, with Tony Parker's 25 leading the way. The Hornet's, on the other hand, got 38 , 6 rebounds, and 4 assists from Chris Paul, but just one other member of their starting 5 hit double figures. 

After making an impressive run, almost capturing the #1 seed in the Western Conference last year, the Hornets have failed to match that success thus far. While they are a good, solid team, nothing about them leaves one with the impression that they can contend with the Big Boys (i.e. the Lakers, Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, San Antonio) The reason the Hornets haven't been able to step into the upper echelon, is due to the fact that they haven't been able to string together more than four wins in a row. While each of the Big Boys have had at least two streaks of at least five consecutive wins, the same cannot be said of the Hornets. So while they've crawled to 28-16, they've not been able to get hot and put together a nice plate of momentum, a sign of inconsistency. Losses in games that they should win, such as Golden St., Charlotte, Sacramento, and Minnesota have hurt the Hornets, and kept them from having their names mentioned in title contention as they were last year. 

Scores From Around The League...1/31/09

Knicks 122, Pacers 113

Nets 85, 76ers 83

Mavs 111, Heat 96

Clippers 96, Wizards 106

Lakers 115, Grizzlies 98

Warriors 93, Rockets 110

Hawks 107, Bucks 110

Hornets 93, Spurs 106

Bulls 122, Suns 111

Jazz 108, Blazers 122

Via: ESPN

NCAA Basketball...

3'S UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yessir, my boy Iman Shumpert hit the game-winner with a second left from about 17 feet, as Georgia Tech upset #4 Wake Forest, 76-74, for their first win in ACC play. He hit a jumper from the same area to tie the game at 74, as well. It was the Demon Deacons' first game since beating #1 Duke on Wednesday. Interestingly, their first and only other loss this season came immediately after beating then-#1 North Carolina. 

The game was a matchup of brothers, as each team flaunted their own Aminu. Freshman Al-Farouq Aminu, of Wake Forest, had 17 points, 11 boards, and 5 steals, while his older brother, senior, Alade Aminu, had 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 blocks for G-Tech. The Yellow Jackets were led by Gani Lawal's 25 and 10 boards.

Keep An Eye On......

• Xavier - The Musketeers, of the Atlantic 10, have been strong NCAA Tournament contenders on a regular basis over the past few year with two Elite Eight trips since '04, including one last year. But every year, maybe because of their conference, they fall under the radar. The Musketeers beat topped UMASS Saturday, 82-80, to improve to 19-2 on the season. Derrick Brown and B.J. Raymond had 23 and 22, respectively, to lead the Musketeers to their 10th straight W. They're well coached by Sean Miller and led by experienced guards who've been in adverse, pressure situations before, particularly Brown, Raymond, and C.J. Anderson. Combine that with athleticism and talent, and you've got yourself a team capable of making a nice run in the tournament.

• Gonzaga - The #25 Bulldogs don't need an introduction. They've shown their ability to play with the big names for years now. Expectations were through the roof to start this season, but losing 4 of 5 in December, curbed all that enthusiasm. Saturday, they took care of San Diego, 64-47, behind Austin Daye's 17. After being written off by many, the Zags have come back to win 8 straight since their December skid, including games over #18 St. Mary's and Portland - their most dangerous conference foes. Some think this is the most talented Gonzaga ever, and supplied with the pieces to make a Final Four run. Without question, they're one of the most balanced teams in the country, with strong guards - Jeremy Pargo, Matt Bouldin, and Micah Downs - and solid bigs - Daye and Josh Heytvelt. A Final Four appearance may be a stretch, but certainly not out of reach if the Bulldogs are clicking on all cylinders entering the tournament.

• Memphis - Much like Gonzaga, we know what Memphis can do. Yet, bumps in the road earlier this season gave plenty of reason to be skeptical about the Tigers. Losing 3 of 5, all to ranked opponents, in December, and looking terrible in the process raised speculation that this Memphis team could be too young, too immature, or too unskilled and overly reliant on sheer athletic ability, to match the success they've had in recent years. However, since then, they've righted the ship, winning 12 straight, including victories against UAB, and at Tennessee and have worked their way back into the Top 25. The #19 Tigers stayed hot Saturday, beating Houston, 83-68. They're definitely not as good as Memphis teams in the past three or four years, and don't shoot it well from the outside, but the right draw in the Tournament could allow the Tigers to make some noise.

• Butler - A lot of the credit here has to go to Todd Lickliter, the former Butler head coach, who put the program on the map after a Sweet Sixteen run in the '07 Tournament. Since Lickliter's departure prior to the '07-'08 season, new coach, Brad Stevens has come in without missing a beat. The #13 Bulldogs are off to a 19-1 start, and amidst an 11 game winning streak. Teams with strong systems, such as the Bulldogs, always perform well in the tournament and have the confidence in the system, the coach, and themselves, to put them in positions to compete with, and beat ANYBODY. Most importantly, the Bulldogs are having great success despite being young; Butler's led by sophomore forward Matt Howard, and freshmen, Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack. Hell, even the coach Brad Stevens is just 32. The Butler program is definitely here to stay.
  

Needless to say, all of these teams are in first place in their respective conferences.

Top 25 Scores From Around The Nation...1/31/09

Providence 61, #2 UCONN 94

#22 Notre Dame 80, #3 Pitt 93

#4 Wake Forest 74, Georgia Tech 76

#5 Oklahoma 78, Iowa St. 68

#6 North Carolina 93, N.C. St. 76

West Va. 63, #7 Louisville 69

#23 Georgetown 82, #8 Marquette 94

UMASS 80, #10 Xavier 82

Kansas St. 85, #12 Texas 81

Washington 84, #14 Arizona St. 71

Stanford 63, #16 UCLA 97

Michigan 49, #17 Purdue 67

#18 St. Mary's 66, Portland 84

Houston 68, #19 Memphis 83

San Diego 47, #25 Gonzaga 64

Also, big ups to Evan Turner from Ohio St. who led the Buckeyes to a 93-81 win over Indiana in Bloomington by doing what he does best: filling up the stat sheet. ET finished with 29 points, 10 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block in 39 minutes of action.

Via: ESPN

Music News...

X Sentenced To 90 Days

Another chapter in the rocky road of rapper DMX’s life has come to a close. After a string of arrest, the Dark Man was sentenced Friday to 90 days in an Arizona jail.

The sentence was handed down as a result of a myriad of convictions including theft, drug-possession and cruelty to animals.

Despite the three month sentence, X, known to the government as Earl Simmons has been sitting in the Maricopa County jail since his early December arrest in Miami for failing to appear in a Phoenix court.

Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Phemonia Miller told the platinum selling emcee that she was sentencing Earl Simmons, not the star the Hip Hop community grew to love.

"I don't know DMX. Mr. Simmons, it's time you do something different," she told Simmons, who is also reportedly suffering from gout. "What you have been doing is not working."

That niggers crazy.

LUPE.N.D. POSTPONED!!!!!!!!

Straight from Lupe's blog:

Due to circumstances beyond my control...the album roll out has changed radically...LUPE.N.D. has been postponed indefinitely!!!

As a matter of fact consider it cancelled until further notice!!!

Sorry Guys & Gals!!!!...the rumor mill and bitch ass cowards are going to have a field day with this one!!!...I'll just keep quiet about the actual reasoning so everybody can put their very special two cents in...

OK..so what now???

Actually an album is still coming in June...Thats Right!!!...Drum Roll Please...

"THE GREAT AMERICAN RAP ALBUM"

Yeah thats the new title...

want the tracklist?

ok...

1. Song #1
2. Song #2
3. Song #3
4. Song #4
5. Song #5
6. Song #6
7. Song #7
8. Song #8
9. Song #9
10. Song #10
11. The Greatest Rap Song Ever Made

No B.S.

See ya'll in June and again in December and again next June...

LupE.N.D. right after that...when the liberation comes!!!...

also JAPANESE CARTOON "IN THE JAWS OF THE LORDS OF DEATH" drops the same day as "THE GREAT AMERICAN RAP ALBUM"...Matthew Santos this spring...oh yeah...FNF UP!!!

I hate the music business...but I love music...Grammy's Here We Come!!!

WOW. Here we go. You knew Lupe was gonna throw some kinda wrinkle in. Let's just see what happens, speculation is a waste of time.

Curtis/Rick Ross Beef Chapter 3...

I can't front, I'm looking forward to seeing this beef continue to develop for several reasons: 1. To see how Ricky Ross responds. 2. 50 is hilarious, and will no doubt expose some funny ass Rick Ross material (i.e. that damn Lakers jersey, lmao.) 3. It's been a while since two well-known rappers have actually gone at it, with diss tracks from each side 4. Hopefully, it'll make both rappers step their game up on their next albums 5. It's just great entertainment.

New Music....

Ciara Feat. Young Jeezy - Never Ever

Via: nahright & hiphopdx

NBA Basketball...Boston Wins 10th Straight

After having their 19-game winning streak interrupted by a dismal 2-7 stint, The Celtics have simply kept it movin and started another streak of 10 games and counting. Think about this: despite the bumps in the road in late December/early January, the Celtics still have the best record in The League, at 39-9. That's pretty damn good. Boston went to Detroit Friday night and got the W, winning 86-78. The Green Machine got 22 and 20 from Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, respectively. KG outscored the entire Piston's starting frontcourt - Tayshaun Price, Amir Johnson, and Rasheed Wallace - which finished with 18 points combined, on 7-31 from the field. Rajon Rondo had 12 dimes for the Celtics, who had 25 assists on 31 baskets.

The game nearly turned into "Melee at The Palace" Part 2. With just under 6 minutes to in the fourth quarter, a Kendrick Perkins flagrant foul on Jason Maxiell got both teams riled up. As Maxiell went up for a lineup, Perkins' wrapped his arm around Maxiell's neck, forcing him to the ground. Maxiell, who was T'd up, got up and shoved Perkins, who was ejected after being assessed a Flagrant 2.

Scores From Around The League...1/30/09

Celtics 86, Pistons 78

Heat 103, Pacers 114

Wizards 94, 76ers 104

Bucks 96, Raptors 85

Nets 88, Hawks 105

Clippers 95, Cavs 112

Lakers 132, T'Wolves 119

Bobcats 99, Nuggets 110

Thunder 90, Jazz 110

Warriors 91, Hornets 87

Bulls 109, Kings 88

New Music From The Chef & The Boss

Raekwon Feat. Ghostface & Cooked I - Yes Sir

How bout that. After being gone for a minute, Rae's dropped three tracks in as many days. Yessir.

Rick Ross Feat. John Legend - Magnificent

Ross' first single off Deeper Than Rap. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League with the production sick. Ignoring all the CO talk, Ross has been nice lately.

SKULL GANG - Don't Want You Back

50 Sick With The Diddy Syndrome...

“When my career blew up, I developed the Diddy syndrome. That’s where this velvet jacket came from. As soon as you develop the Diddy syndrome, you put a little more grease in your hair, and soon enough, you’re selling cologne.”

Curtis Is A Fool. LMAO...

Via: hiphopdx & worldstarhiphop

Fresh Kicks...

OUT TOMORROW!!!

The first installment of the Air Jordan 2009 hits stores tomorrow, January 31. They are a limited release, however, and are only available at House of Hoops locations and Flight Club. Only 2009 pairs worldwide. Retail price: $230. Cold, but that's WAY too steep. I'll wait for the white ones.

More Penny 2's...

You really can't go wrong with anything Penny. This is the third Penny 2 colorway we've seen the past few months, along with the black/royal and white/royal, which have already released.

No official release date on these yet.

Chi-Town Stand Up...

Rubyhornet sat down with the homie Brian, co-owner and founder of Chicago sneaker boutique, Solemates.

With the relatively recent surge of street-wear boutique's in the Chicagoland area, you would think it would be rather difficult for them to harnes their own uniqueness. A small, swank, clothing boutique and sneaker cosignment shop lies nestled in the heart of a culturally diverse community seems to have that concept nearly perfected. 

Solemates...Chicago possess this almost heavenly ambiance, with a pleathora of exclusive sneakers while high-end street-wear brands seem to rest over pieces of vintage furniture that set them footsteps ahead of their competition.

Read the entire story here.

I've interviewed Brian before too. Real cool dude. SUPPORT SOLEMATES!!!

Collecting Shoes Is An Art Form...

Via: nicekicks & rubyhornet

Republicans Elect First Black Leader...

Members of the Republican National Committee elected their first-ever African-American party chief on Friday, choosing former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele to chair the organization after six rounds of tumultuous balloting.

After five rounds of voting, the race for the chairmanship came down to a choice between Steele and Katon Dawson, the South Carolina GOP chairman who secured strong support from party insiders after former chairman Mike Duncan dropped out of the race earlier in the day.

Steele emerged as the winner on the sixth ballot, winning with 91 votes. A candidate needed a simple majority of 85 votes from the 168-member committee to secure victory.

For the duration of his campaign, Steele fought perceptions that he was too moderate to lead the party because of his blue state roots and his former membership in the Republican Leadership Council, a group that sought to curb the influence of social conservatives in the party.

“I’m proud to say I’m a conservative, have been, always will be,” Steele told CNN earlier this month. “So this notion that I’m a moderate is slightly overblown, and quite frankly a lie.”

Steele brings a national profile to the committee, having shot to fame in the political world during an underdog Senate bid in 2006 distinguished by a series of clever TV commercials. He has since become a fixture on cable talk shows, experience that boosted up his reputation as the best communicator among the field of RNC candidates.

Via: CNN