The IronDog Chronicles

For all of the shots at the integrity of basketball over the past couple of years, here’s to someone and a sports program that is making a difference…

One of my all-time favorite people in basketball, JD Walsh, who has been running basketball schools out of New York City for the past decade, partnered with Chinar.org and won a Nike Ashoka Changemaker grant for his work in Kashmir.
Walsh has been working over the past decade to utilize basketball as a way to stop violence in war-torn regions around the world such as Palestine, Israel, Ireland, and India.  His latest project teamed up his international traveling basketball school with Chinar.org to focus upon creative ways to heal youth from the trauma caused by violence.

The Chinar/Walsh Project steers toward bringing youth from orphanages and local schools to Kashmir for basketball skills development programs.  The purpose is to create community integration and to get Indian and Kashmiran youth involved in youth basketball.  The cool thing about Walsh’s project is that he is partnered with Chinar, which is an incredible organization working with orphaned children in Kashmir.

To give you a little more awareness around the Nike-Ashoka Changemaker Program, the program is designed global search for innovations that are using sport to create social change. The grant program has created a panel that includes judges such as Chicago Bulls Forward, Luol Deng, Nike President and CEO, Mark Parker, Joan Laporta, President of F.C. Barcelona, Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF.

So far, the Changemaker program has been providing $5,000 grants to numerous  programs ranging from promote AIDS awareness in grassroots soccer programs in Africa, to programs that create conflict resolution for low-income youth in the U.S., to developing sports promotion promotional programs for youth by utilizing SMS technology in Brazil.

This blogga is looking forward to the work in Kashmir.  The JD Walsh Basketball School has been a hit over the past decade in New York City.  Check out more about his work here.  It’s good to see that he’s developing change worldwide.

Keep shining big man…Keep shining!

Pushing Upcourt,

BD

This is a tough one to accept…I adored this magazine.

When I first started writing and blogging, I wanted to pen an article for this magazine, and I was able to interview Cey Adams for the 42nd issue of Mass Appeal. With that said, I can’t think of a magazine that was as hip on urban cultural trends as Mass Appeal. Music, Sneaks, vinyl toys, Peanut-Butter and Banana Sandwich Recipes, quirky pin-ups, funny interviews…Name it, they had it.

Although the Brooklyn-based magazine has been circulating for 12 years and had amassed 100,000 titles in circulation, the title appears to be closing down. There are talks that the magazine will publish a print edition in the future. Yet, with the same talk of funds being poured into faster growing properties, Missbehave Magazine and Colossal Media, you may want to get an extra tank in place for breath holding.

Mass Appeal was a great magazine. I’m truly going to miss Ricky Powell’s ‘The Doloist’ columns, which by the way, I can not believe that a major magazine has not hired him to work a column. I also have to say that R.A. ‘The Rugged Man’’s column may be one of the more humorous beats that I’ve read in hip-hop mags.

Special thanks to the Brooklyn crew and to Patrick Elasik, who tragically died in 2005, Adam Moeller, and Sacha Jenkins, who hooked my piece up.

This is a tough loss, and I’m going to have to find a new upstart on the shelves of independent bookstores.

Dime Piece,

BD

This is a great find for your listening enjoyment…

I way overslept on this blog, “Stepfather of Soul”.  A friend of mine put me up on this one, and I think you should take a leap as well.  If you do, check out this great show from “Big Bill Hill” off of Oak Park’s WOPA in 1967.

This show is primo R&B, Stax, and blues from the late ‘60, which is the last of the golden era of the blues.  Check out the show from this post here.

WOPA had a wide range of time-brokered programming.  What’s cool is to not only listen to Hill’s “Shopping Bag Show” show, which throws me back to the images of copping brown bags from the Jewel on North Ave., but also to hear Hill’s self-created ads that promote Cattletown Meats on West Roosevelt and a future local battle of the blues featuring Little Milton, Bobby Rush, Otis Rush (incorrectly touted as Bobby’s little brother), Howlin’ Wolf, and Shakey Jake.

This blog’s info is hot and greased as a spiced pork-chop.  Get a bite, and do the “Sock-It-To-Me Boogaloo”

BD 

Everyone wants to ball when they come to the Hill…

Which is why no one should be surprised that presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, wanted to ball this AM with the Heels, and who can blame him? After all, how often do you get a chance to ball in a pick-up game with a Final Four team on their practice floor?

From these Flickr pics, Obama seems to understand what UNC Basketball is all about in terms of excellence, family, and values, which places the program in a elite position among college sports.

What is even more cool is that he appreciates the role of team ball aspects of the game. Check out this article here. Another cool note is that Obama agrees with this blogga that you can tell a lot from a man’s game. Remember that one. Anyone can play ball, but team ball…Guys who play team-ball are a different breed.

After watching Bryant Gumbel’s HBO Real Sports segment, Obama has a deft left-hand and uses the glass very well. (His Hawaii high-school basketball film clips remind me of a blend between Bennie Bolton and Brandon Costner.) He also admits that he’s a one-armed bandit. Now, how many people guarding him go soft and don’t push him to his right?…;)

His North Carolina campaign headquarters moved into the storefront of the old Original Sports Bar on West Franklin Street. Perhaps, we can get a longshot hope that he will reinstall the makeshift hoop that was located there…;) Curses to the S.O.B. who took that hoop out of there.P.S. That Smith Center practice floor was the goods and all. Yet, a run at Woollen would have really topped what Chapel Hill pick-up game is all about.

For the Love of the Game,

BD

Perhaps, we can call it the Mel Kiper Jr. effect, but no punches were pulled on WXYC on Sunday night….

Over the past five years, we had some great post-draft commentary. However, I have to say that the newly debuted WXYC Sports Rap line-up brought serious wood to the show. In fact, I think that this past week’s show was one of the best for evaluating drafts…Just my call.

With that said, click here for Sunday night’s show.

The topics addressed were the announcements concerning the future of UNC superstars, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Tywon Lawson, and…Danny Green, (Yes, we’re all praying that DG makes it back to campus next fall.) the 49ers’ draft selection of Kentawn Balmer, and the best and worst of the 2008 NFL Draft.

On my end, the good thing is to see that the young bucks appreciate the excellence of Mel Kiper Jr. Now, a note to ESPN, please leave Todd McShay at home…It’s not even close. Bring back Mel.

See you next week…And get up on those blue books.

Cohiba,

BD

Gunnin’ for that #1 Stunna…

Here’s a forthcoming flick that you’re not going want to miss.

My main man, Adam Yauch, has directed a new documentary called “Gunnin’ For that #1 Spot.” The film will be showcased at the Tribeca Film Festival on Monday night, April 28th. (Check out the scheduled date and program note here.)

Each and every year, the summer activities of elite high-school All-American create buzz and fervor for college basketball junkies. Sure-fire followings from the basketball gods are bestowed upon these stars that last for about a decade ’s worth of time regardless if the elites become NBA All-Stars, long-time NBA veterans, NBDL Busts, or living legends of what could have been.

Yet, the gods will pass along an immortal following of hype and buzz whether or not you are Lew Alcindor, Tom McMillen, Alonzo Mourning, Marcus Liberty, Felipe Lopez, Kevin Garnett, Tim Thomas, LeBron James, or Kevin Love. With that “Number One Spot,” which labels the best player in the country, you’ll be remembered and followed forever in basketball lore.

For most basketball junkies, you have to catch a major AAU tournament, televised high-school All-Star game, or be in the thick of the camp circuit and recruiting web sites and newsletters to grab scoop. Yet, despite what you observe, the best player in the country is purely an objective call, and after a summer’s worth of play, you can pretty much tell who that player is.

However, with this group of talent in the Summer of ‘06, there were a lot of subjective calls upon who was the best. What makes this film unique is that the best were not only assembled to showcase their skills in the form of a playground all-star game, but also the simple fact that the ‘Elite 24 have been assembled for one game at Harlem, New York’s famed and legendary Rucker Park Playground.

Yauch and his crew followed the elite high-school stars of the Summer of 2006; Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Kyle Singler, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Donte Green, Lance Stephenson, and Jerryd Bayless, through their path to this innaugral ‘Elite 24′ game.

(As a side note, after watching Jennings and Love on the SoCal All-Stars of the AAU circuit, I would have adore the chance to have this duo to reassemble on a NBA team someday…Cruise and bruise, baby…Cruise and bruise.)

The cool thing is that the film should display Yauch’s directorial skills, which has been on display in Beastie Boys videos for quite some time. (Since the fruit shots from the of the ‘Shake Your Rump’, I’ve been hoping that a film would come down the route.) To add more cache to the film, combining the musical tastes of Yauch, who is better known as “MCA” of the Beastie Boys, the film will have a classic banger of a soundtrack to set the tone.

Here’s a preview shot with an intro on Kevin Love. Check out the shout-outs by “Bobbito” Garcia…”Kev Love”, “KevLar”, “Bulletproof”…Too dope. Get that grip-head a megaphone!)

(Note: I’m telling you. Watch that dish from Jennings to Love, as basketball fans, we missed out with Love heading to UCLA and leaving early to the league and Jennings headed to ‘Zona next fall. They would have would have been the best 1-2 punch since Walter Berry and Mark Jackson…Seriously. In terms of basketball play, the speedster and the enforcer…Oh so nice.)

Get Yours,
BD

I knew the grip-heads were in the Carolinas…

Well, the heads seemed to be emerging from the cracks in the red clay, and they’ll be out at the North Carolina Fairgrounds for the 1st Annual North Carolina Sneaker Summit this Saturday, April 26th.

The show should be a good one.  The cool thing is that they have intertwined music acts with the summit.  Be sure to check out long-time Chapel Hill hip-hop icon, Kaze at 4:30PM.  He has a lot of new work released through Rawkus…Yo, Kaze!  See you on the uptown!

Check out the details at DrumBoy23’s MySpace page here.  Bring out your wares and your designs.  More importantly, keep it classy.  No thugs…

WHEN:  Saturday April 26th, 2008  from 10am~5pm

WHERE:  North Carolina Raleigh State Fairgrounds (Raleigh, NC) - Martin Building

How Strong Is Your Better,

BD

Break out the carbon sheets…

I released my grade report for UNC Basketball on Tar Heel Daily.com last week.   As always, I call ‘em like I see ‘em…Call me the Richie Powers of Chapel Hill.

Check out the 2007-08 Grade Report here.  Also, feel free to send thoughts and insights.   I will be penning a response to replies, and you should see more of my insights on Tar Heel Daily in the near future.

What’s wild is how people get in a tiffy about releasing grades to college basketball players.  Well, I could have released 5-star ratings.  Yet, with the spirit of collegiate life, I released grades.  (I often wonder if people who are disturbed about giving letter grades to college athletes are harking back to some past memory of receiving a low grade…It’s OK, you’ll get over it.)  Also, most of these guys have had their play rated since the age of 12.  Get over that one too…Ball-in.

Alright, enjoy the calls.  Drop some knowledge and exchange thoughts.   The season is finally complete.

Motor City or Bust in ‘09,

BD 

Tough one for the Heels this weekend…

On my end, I’m giving three days burial before I interject my rants and raves.  Yet, on Sunday night’s Sports Rap, Phil Mitchell  and myself dug deep into the reasons behind North Carolina’s devastating 84-66 loss to Kansas on Saturday night.   Check out the stream here. 

Very strong callers added their opinions to the show, and we have an in-depth report from DTH Senior Writer, Gregg Found, who always cuts us in on the real deal…No gloss.

In fact, I would have to say that the calls were some of the best calls that Sports Rap has received over the past couple of months.

Grab a listen…If you need a therapeutic session to calm the anger from the loss, feel free to drop us a line.  And yes, we’re wondering where Tywon Lawson was and when will Wayne Ellington let go of his infamous “Kobe Fade-Away Jump Kick”…Soft, soft, very soft.

Next Year is Here…Damn.

BD 

Call me an unforgiving soul, but I’ve been waiting for this match-up against Kansas for eight years…

Maybe it’s the competitive nature of fanaticism over who’s elite program is the best. And yes…I’m still bitter over the ‘91 Final Four loss. Yet, I feel the reason is due to program comparisons. If I hear howKansas basketball and Allen Field House has the most pure and has the most fervent fans in college basketball, I’m turning Celtic Green.

Although Kansas had two Final Four berths in ’71 & ’41, the program was moribund in the ’60s, and deflated until Larry Brown arrived in ‘83. Here’s a comparison for you in that time. North Carolina produces Larry Brown, Billy Cunningham, Larry Miller, George Karl, Charlie Scott, Mitch Kupchak, Bob McAdoo, Phil Ford, Walter Davis, Tom LeGarde Al Wood, James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and MJ. Kansas produces Jo-Jo White, Darnell Valentine, and Paul Mokeski.

And the pontificating of what a pristine program they had in the ‘50s…please. Wilt Chamberlain goes all the way out to Lawerence because of the serenity and the legacy of Phog Allen…Yyyye-ah.

In 2000, the antics of KU fans surrounding Coach Williams staying in Lawrence were appalling for Heel fans. At least, Coach Doherty got ‘em in ‘02 in the Garden…That was nice, but the sting wasn’t enough. From this point of view, I wish that we could have played them more in the ’90s.

The arguments need to be settled. Here are some match-ups that I enjoy:

Match-UP 1 - I agree that Darrell Arthur and Sasha Kaun will be tough match-ups for Tyler Hansbrough. Yet, how much firepower actually comes from them and not Darnell Jackson, who should be matched up with Deon Thompson. And can Kaun keep up with Hansbrough running up and down the court?

Also, who on KU has really dominated from the outside this year? Although he has great percentages from the outside, Mario Chalmers is more of a slasher. Brandon Rush is nice, but from the outside…?

When Coach Bill Self won on Sunday, he appeared to have just given birth to a small monkey. Someone sent me an email that mentioned how Brandon Rush stated “Their goal was to get to the Final Four.” Getting to the Final Four and stating they want a National Championship. Big difference.

Match-UP 2 - Danny Green vs. Brandon Rush - Another match-up that I would love to see is Danny Green on Brandon Rush. Bring this for the Long Island roughneck…A lot of the attention upon Danny Green has been the story of his relationship with his father. This could be the game for Danny Green to step out and garner national attention with his play. If Green shuts Rush down, wonders will occur for his story and deserved attention will be brought to his athleticism.

Green did a great job on Earl Clark last week and North Carolina should look for a shut-down on Rush…Just my call.

Match-UP3 - Sherron Collins vs. Tywon Lawson - Help me out with this one…Does anyone remember the war that these two had during the All-American circuit two years ago? They couldn’t stand each other, and supposedly the battle between Collins and Lawson was more than just words on the court. . The two of them had a major rivalry over who was the best point guard in high school in 2005-06, and this rivalry seems to have been destined to come into the Final Four. For Tar Heel fans, they should hope that Lawson maintains his cool.

Collins is West Side Chicago tough. From one of the roughest areas in the country, he’s the pride of Crane High, and he likes to get gritty and he’s a former football player who could have played at a big-time level. His strength presents a challenge to any point guard.

For Heel fans, the good thing is that Collins can get caught up in trying to out-do his opponent. Collins is a great benchmark for Tywon to have a great game. I don’t know if Collins will start the game, but he’ll have ample time to match-up with him.

From this point of view, what I adore about Lawson’s game is that he’s not into woofing and he keeps an even keel. My only hope Tywon is that he doesn’t get caught up into their past bump-ins by trying to take someone one-on-one, which I don’t anticipate happening.

The Heels should be strong on this one…

** KU ‘Get Over It’ – A lot of attention has been placed upon Coach Williams departure from Kansas, and the animosities stirred from both Kansas and North Carolina fans at that time. The attention and peppering of questions about Kansas may be deserved…He has avoided a lot of talk around that time in ‘03 because of his soft fondness for KU.

From the UNC standpoint, many Tar Heel followers never understood and accepted his move of holding a press conference at the KU football stadium in ‘00. That move was way more than grandstanding, and he should come clear with a lot his “I’m staying” and “they’ll bury me here”, “I’ll be here for twenty more years” and other statements from that day. Coach Williams never has addressed those antics during that day. In a lot of ways, he really stuck the face of his alma mater in the mud with that move. Hopefully, this weekend he can put the whole thing to bed.

Regardless, if Heels do get to the final, I don’t want to miss the national press conference on Sunday. Those conferences have great stories and tidbits, and they are always super strong.

** Final Four Memories - ”Stop Jinxin’”- I don’t know if memories are brought up more with anniversaries or what. Yet, more people around town and email discussion lists seem to consistently bring up the ’98 Final Four. Dude, stop the memories of losses at this time…Seriously, stop them.

I don’t care what anyone says that loss is one of the Top 5 losses in UNC history, and I don’t want to harp on Carolina tragedies right now with the vibe going into this game. So, let’s save those rankings for
the off-season.

That team was the best mix of talent that was assembled, and on a personal note, is probably my second favorite UNC team ever.

We were rolling, and Rick Majerus just not only knew too much about our offenses, but also exposed the huge weaknesses of Antawn Jamison’s inability to go left. If there was an underrated upset for the Final Four, that game should be the one. We had all the pieces at every position, experience, talent, and savvy coaching. We were a far stronger team, and the shooting slump throughout the game slipped through everyone like mad cow disease.

That game is also the first game that I contemplated whether or not Vince Carter had the killer will to truly carry a team or become a second lieutenant.

To top it off, that loss let the one of the finest, coolest, and wildest girls that I have ever known in Chapel Hill slip through my hands that night at He’s Not Here. The whole night went from the best 1-2 combo of Chapel Hill revelry into a mad disaster in a matter of minutes.

I’m still crushed…We let a Swede and Mike Doleac work out on us. Let’s drop it.

** The Mob Lives On - Donnie Walsh as the Knicks GM…The North Carolina Mob lives on.

Walsh is one of the last icons from the Frank McGuire’s times in Chapel Hill. He’s true a Frank McGuire and Buck Freeman product from the Bronx. He is a UNC Law Grad, and he dresses like John Gotti. The dude is the mack. I love this article.

Now, will Larry Brown be back with the Knicks? Life is never that good. My call is that he’s making plans for the Bobcats sidelines by mid-May. I’m telling you..Just say that I called it.

We’re back.

Beat Kansas,
BD