NBA All-Star Weekend 2019 Recap | / February 19, 2019 by Hussein Abdullahi

Live from the Queen City of Charlotte, NC was the 68th NBA All-Star weekend. This weekend injected a high source of entertainment for millions of fans worldwide. This weekend was very sentimental because of the last dance for NBA vets Dirk Nowitzki and Dwayne Wade. Several celebrities, athletes, and figures were all under one roof to celebrate the leagues’ profound weekend. Here is recap of the 2019 NBA All-Star weekend in Charlotte.

NBA Celebrity Game

The Celebrity game included some of the industries former athletes, celebrities, and icons. Famous Los surprised many with his stellar play, which lead the Home team to a victory. The Home team ended up pulling away late in the 4th quarter with the W. The final score was 82-80; Famous Los was awarded the game’s MVP trophy scoring 22 points on 10-16 shooting. Los had to redeem himself from last year’s game when Quavo won and hoisted the MVP award. Despite the loss, Quavo finished with a game high 27 points. Former NBA star Ray Allen also showcased his talents, adding 24 points, 9 rebs, and 5 assists.

“Quavo said that I played a good game and that I’m better than him, so I deserve it.”

— Famous Los

NBA Rising Stars Challenge

The Rising Stars Challenge featured a clash between the NBA’s elite. Team World led by 76er’s Forward Ben Simmons fell short to Team USA 161-144. Kyle Kuzma led USA to victory with a game-high 35 points. Boston’s Jayson Tatum was also a sole contributor, pouring in 30 points and 9 rebounds. Ultimately, Kyle Kuzma was the difference maker in this game, scoring 14 of his 35 in the opening quarter. Kuzma definitely showcased why he’s one of the league’s emerging talent to be recon with. His stellar performance landed him MVP honours becoming the 2nd Laker player to receive that award (Eddie Jones, 1996). Despite the loss, Ben Simmons had himself a solid performance adding 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Simmons gave us a taste for what’s to come in his first all-star appearance on Sunday. Simmons will compete against fellow teammate Joel Embiid at the 68th All-Star game.

“I remember last year when the world team kicked our butts, they came in here and beat us by 30 and a lot of us remembered that, so we just wanted to get a win. ”

— Kyle Kuzma

All-Star Saturday Night Live

After NBA stars and celebrities graced us with their presence on opening day, we shift our focus to All-Star Saturday Night Live. A unique display of talent will compete in the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and the Dunk-off. In the first round of the Skills Challenge 1st-time All-stars Nikola Jokic and Nikola Vucevic clashed in a tight match-up. Jokic ended up advancing to the second round alongside Jayson Tatum, Trae Young, and Luka Doncic. In the semi-final round Trae Young battled against Luka Doncic and knocked him out. Jayson Tatum then defeated Trae Young in the final round, hitting his final shot from half-court. Tatum stole a page out of Young’s book to secure that Championship trophy.

Celtics Forward Jayson Tatum hold the Skills Challenge Trophy in Charlotte,NC ( AP Photo/ SLAM MAG)

Now we turn our attention to the 3-point contest, this showdown included the leagues elite sharp shooters. Seth Curry joined his brother Stephen Curry in this year’s contest. In the first round Brooklyn’s Joe Harris came out scorching hot sinking in a score of 26. Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield both earned themselves a spot in the final round. Unfortunately, Buddy Hield and Stephen Curry fell short to Joe Harris in the final round. Joe Harris became the first Nets player to win a 3-point contest. Not to shabby for Brooklyn’s sharpshooter.

“I’m just fortunate to be here, we were talking about it coming in here. Obviously the field was stacked, you got some of the best shooters of all-time in Dirk and Steph. ”

— Joe Harris

The Dunk-off showdown featured a battle between Dennis Smith Jr. , Hamidou Diallo, John Collins, and Miles Bridges. All contestants performed ferocious, high-flying dunks. In the final Round Dennis Smith Jr. battled up against Hamidou Diallo. Diallo’s dunk of the night left the crowd in a tailspin as he cleared NBA Hall of Fame Center Shaquille O’Neal to compete an elbow in the rim dunk. The Queens native injected a source of entertainment for the crowd at the Spectrum Center and joins NBA legends such as Michael Jordan, Vince carter, and Kobe Bryant on the list of slam-dunk champions. Quite a great accomplishment for the rookie guard, as he became the first Thunder player to win a Dunk-off.

OKC Rookie Guard Hamidou Diallo soars through the air to compete a windmill dunk at the slam-dunk competition. (AP Photo/ Bleacher Report.

The Main event of All-Star weekend was a clash between Team Giannis & Team LeBron in the 68th All-star game. Team Giannis came out on fire led by the Greek Freak himself, putting up a total of 53 points up in the opening quarter. Team Giannis continued their high-octane play which led them to a 13-point lead at half. The Greek Freak led the way with 20 points, 5 rebs, and 4 assists. Gianinis would then finish with a game-high of 38 points. In the third quarter Team LeBron closed the gap, a large part of that was attributed to their defensive intensity. The scoring surge of Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson brought Team LeBron back within reach, cutting the lead back into single digits.

But it was LeBron James that provided Team LeBron with his late game heroics. In this match-up it was the tale of 2 halves, as LeBron rallied his troops to pull out a decisive win over Team Giannis. Team LeBron outscored Team Giannis 96-69 in the second half, it that wasn’t the stat of the night, then i don’t know what was. Team LeBron’s victory landed Warriors’ Kevin Durant with MVP honours; adding the second of his career. At first it seemed like Giannis was too much for Team LeBron to stop but in the end it was LeBron James who galvanized his troops to victory.

“ It was our second group that came in and changed the whole complexion of the game. We got stops and obviously Dame and Klay caught fire from behind the arch.”

— LeBron James

Team LeBron cheers fellow teammates on in their late 3rd quarter run live from Charlotte,NC ( Photo by SB Nation)

Thanks: NBA, Bleacher Report, ESPN

NBA All-Star Weekend 2019

Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)

Black History 19' | Long Live Holcombe Rucker / February 8, 2019 by Hussein Abdullahi

Throughout African-American history Harlem has become synonymous to the American culture. Over several generations some of the world’s leading activists, athletes, and historians were all a by-product of the Harlem movement. During the 1940’s Harlem became the cultural hub of America. The large representation of African-Americans became very imperative to Harlem’s culture because it fostered a strong sense of community. During Harlem’s culture-crazed phenomenon the emergence of basketball had a profound impact on America’s divine sports culture. For African-Americans sports played an imperative role in their lives because it carved a unique pathway that provided endless opportunities. During Black History Month we will commemorate influential African-American figures. This first figure that we’ll talk about was the prodigal son of Harlem, known for his big heart and selfless acts toward the community. I will like to introduce you to Holcombe Rucker.

Born in 1926, Holcombe Rucker grew up in Harlem’s 141st Street neighbourhood. After dropping out of Benjamin Franklin HS, Rucker joined the army and serve during World War II. Around the mid 40’s, Holcombe returned back home to Harlem, where he started his mission to uplift his community. This mission started inside the legendary St. Philips Community Centre; here Holcombe developed several basketball teams that competed across New York’s five boroughs. Holcombe became responsible for flourishing top-tier players and getting them collegiate scholarships, under his guidance over 400 kids ended up receiving scholarships to colleges. Holcombe wanted to create a platform that would keep the youth off the streets and get them to tap into their higher purpose.

NYC legends Ernie Morris, Robert McCullough, and Connie Hawkins also flourished as basketball stars under Rucker’s wing. Holcombe Rucker had a strong educational component within his philosophy that he shared with several of the youths he fostered. He strongly emphasized the importance of acquiring an education and pursing a higher learning. During his journey Rucker instilled the fundamental tools for the youth to utilize in their respective journeys. His famous motto “Each One, Teach One” has catapulted into a non-profit organization committed to make a profound impact within Harlem’s community. What once was a mere idea, went on to become one of the greatest contributions made towards Harlem’s affluent culture.

“Rucker was my surrogate father. He changed my life. I went to college and was drafted in the NBA because I was a product of his guidence”

— Bob McCullogh

In 1950 Holcombe Rucker started the world famous “Rucker Pro Basketball Tournament” that featured top teams throughout the Northeast region. (New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia). Harlem’s Rucker league was home to NYC legends Pee Wee Kirkland, Connie Hawkins, Tyrone “Alimoe” Evans, and Bob McCullough. The early years of the tournament was run out of the St. Nicholas Playgrounds on 128th Street and 7th Avenue. The Rucker Tournament created a unique buzz in the streetball scene because nobody had witnessed a league of that magnitude. The Rucker Tournament help reinvigorate New York City’s basketball culture by connecting the community as well. Through basketball African-Americans in Harlem felt a strong sense of security that unified the people.

The Rucker Tournament began to grow in popularity and attracted NBA stars such as Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, Earl Monroe, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Willis Reed. Unfortunately, in 1965 Holcombe Rucker passed away from lung career at the age of 38. The lost of Holcombe Rucker left a hole within the Harlem community, but with the help of Bob McCullough and Fred Crawford, they continued to keep Rucker’s legacy alive. In honorary of his communal efforts and historic contributions, the city renamed playground 156 as “Holcombe Rucker Playground”, located at 155th Street and Fredrick Douglas Blvd. So in 1965 we witnessed the beginning of a new era, 155th Street became the new home for the storied tournament. By 1970 Rucker’s Basketball Tournament catapulted into a global phenomenon.

This new-age basketball tournament injected a source of entertainment for African-Americans and also provided a place of socialization. Several young African-Americans would congregate at the Rucker. Rucker Park helped submerge the African-American culture during the midst of tragedy; Harlem also becomes a magical place for people of different ethnic decent. If you came to Rucker Park you were a fan of the unique African-American culture. Throughout the test of time Rucker’s tournament became very imperative to African-American culture because of what is represented: Community, Integrity, and Culture.

“Rucker is a place of special moments, a place of a lot of history. Rest in peace to Holcombe Rucker. The park was a place of refuge, a place of connection, it was a place where the community connected through the sport of basketball. ”

— Kyrie Irving

Under the tutelage of Holcombe Rucker, hundreds of African-American youths went on the college, graduated and become productive citizens. It was his platform that allowed a whole community to flourish. Harlem greatly influenced the America’s sport culture by providing a platform that allowed noble citizen to make a difference. Even until this day, Rucker Park is still labelled as one of the world’s famous basketball venue and the tournament has garnished the attention of several high profile celebrities. NYC will forever be the True Mecca Of Basketball.

Currently, Rucker Park has gained national notoriety for the development of the Entertainers Basketball Classic. Harlem native Greg Marius created the EBC in hopes to rejuvenate the NYC basketball culture. The tournament features a unique display of high-level basketball. Some of Hip-Hop’s biggest artists enter their teams that will compete for ultimate bragging rights. Fat Joe and Jay-z staged the greatest basketball game never to be played. In August 2003, Terror Squad and S. Carter was set to face off in Rucker’s EBC. Teams included Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Mike Bibby, and Jamal Crawford. Wow that game would of been epic!!

One of the greatest moments in Rucker history was when Warriors Kevin Durant erupted for 66 points. The energy in the park that day was unmatched; Kevin Durant caught fire during the 4th quarter hitting 4 straight threes. In a matter of minutes the game highlights went viral. On global scale, Rucker Park has been recognized as a world’s famous venue and with the high level of sustainability, one day we will see Rucker Park enshrined at the Basketball Hall Of Fame. “The True Mecca Of Basketball” will always reside in New York City.

“The trash talk is on a whole other level, so when you’re a pro you can’t just play well, You got to dominate. Out there you got to find an edge somehow. ”

— Kevin Durant

Thanks: ESPN,Bleacher Report, Complex

Figure: Holcombe Rucker (March 2 1926- March 20 1965)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBsLxqH-0bQ