VIDEO: 14-Year-Old Seventh Woods is 6'2", Good at Basketball

I was 14 once, for 300-some days. My biggest accomplishments at that age were catching Nerf footballs for one-handed touchdowns in gym class (small degree of difficulty) and holding complete conversations with girls (large degree of difficulty).

My guess is neither of those is an issue for Seventh Woods, a 6-foot2 freshman guard for the Hammond (SC) Skyhawks. Posted by Hoop Mixtape one week ago, the above video of Woods dunking over (mostly unassuming) opponents and dishing last-second passes after slashing to the rim, not to mention hanging in the air for a number of impressive blocks, has amassed nearly six million views in 7.5 days' time.

Woods is athletic, long-limbed and seems to already have a good mind for positioning himself to score or assist teammates. The HM guys dubbed him "The BEST 14 Year Old In The Country" and CBS Atlanta named him "Basketball's Next Prodigy" after the video went viral. This comes on the heels of Woods averaging 19.3 points, 4.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 55 percent (54 from two, 56 from three) on the season while only committing four turnovers in during the Skyhawks' 22-5 campaign, according to MaxPreps.

Let's pump the brakes, though. A highlight clip running just more than two minutes can be culled for any high school basketball player who logs consistent minutes throughout an entire season. True, most of them wouldn't be as impressive as Woods' video, but the young guard is currently ranked No. 53 among preps in South Carolina and several thousand rungs lower on the national scale.

The buzz around Woods has been majorly fostered by this short clip. He looks to be a fantastic high school competitor and, depending on how he performs during the three years he has remaining as a prep, Woods could very well translate into a dependable college player. Let him enjoy his moment in the spotlight, but let him soak up an high school experience that is sure to be fun. If not, he still has a cool name (Seventh!) and can probably already communicate successfully with his female classmates.

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Small Child has Early Leader for Trick Shot Video of the Year

Oh. My. Goodness. Parenting is not a lost art.

The little boy you see in that video is Titus. He was between 18-24 months old during filming and, according to the video's description, started shooting baskets shortly after he learned to walk -- meaning shortly before any of these shots were filmed.

His form is unorthodox, but it doesn't seem to affect Titus' high field goal percentage. I would wager that most adults can't make some of the shots in this video, particularly the one involving a second ball on a high ledge.

This is the kind of son I wish to will have one day.


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Video: San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin Pulls Off The Dunk Of The Week

Sometimes it's just easier to do things yourself. On a fast break during Wednesday's game against Fresno State, San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin took off in transition and instead of finding a teammate, Franklin threw a pass to himself off the backboard.

The dunk earned Franklin the No. 1 spot on ESPN SportsCenter's Top Plays and buzz from fans and analysts across the country. That's the kind of dunk you may see in practice gyms across the country, but it takes skill and a whole lot of confidence to pull off the self pass during a game.

And in case you were wondering, this wasn't a fluke. Franklin, who is only 6-foot-5, can throw it down with the best of them, as he showed at the Say No Classic during the summer of 2011.

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VIDEO: You Already Won, J.R. Smith, But That's a Great Alley-Oop

"J.R. Smith is good at basketball" is a true statement, one that often gets overlooked because of his erratic play but goes without saying because his primary source of revenue comes from playing in the NBA.

That statement has nothing to do with this video, though. What Smith did last night has nothing to do with being good or bad at basketball. Fundamentals, cerebral planning and even physics went out the window last night, as they so often do with Smith. Take a look and we'll discuss below:



Yep.

That's how Smith continued his season of a hit parade, which includes game winners against the Charlotte Bobcats and Phoenix Suns. With his team already up 90-72 and most of the San Antonio Spurs' starters already on the bench in a game the New York Knicks would go on to win 100-83, Smith made a backdoor cut that led to a one-handed reverse slam via the world's shortest alley-oop from Knicks point guard and 35-year-old rookie Pablo Prigioni.

Words don't really do justice to exactly how incredible an athletic feat this was, and the Knicks seem to know this. Exhibit 1: Amar'e Stoudemire to the press:

"I was like J.R., really? You're just going to catch it and dunk it backwards with one hand. Is it that easy? I wish I was 27 again."

And as Smith himself told Newsday's Al Iannozzone:

"Honestly, I thought he didn't see it. It was kind of late. I jumped so early. I went backdoor and he threw it, it was kind of low, so I didn't think I was going to dunk it to be honest with you as high as I jumped."

Aside from making Stoudemire sad, Smith also elicited a "Did you see us!?" quote from Carmelo Anthony (as aggregated by Iannozzone), whose excitement carried him from the bench onto the court during live play. The Knicks did not get penalized for having an extra man on the court because, seriously, how could the referees not respect that dunk and be just a little mesmerized, even if they do watch professional athletes play basketball for 82 games each year?

But if even Smith — an "irrational confidence guy" if there ever was one — can't believe he pulled off that dunk? It's something to behold.

Love him? Hate him? Think there was a better dunk (by Smith or anyone else) in the NBA this week? Enlighten us in the comments.

You're A Mean One, Mr. Stern

You're going to get fined for wearing that during a game, 'Melo. (nba2k4life.com)

 
The holidays are here and will soon be over. You're surely rifling through seasonal foods, wrapping paper and scotch tape in anticipation of the festivities. Before feasting on tomorrow's NBA treats, make sure you find a way to get all of these fake songs that I made up this afternoon very existent, oddly franchise-specific songs downloaded so your ears are not deprived of basket-hoop background music during your late December:


Atlanta Hawks: "O Christmas [Jeff] Teague"
Boston Celtics: "Santa Claus Is Bringing Rondo's Headband Back To Town"
Brooklyn Nets: "Hark! The Gerald Wallaces Sing"
Charlotte Bobcats: "We Three Kings (Kemba + Michael + The Blazers' 2013 First-Round Draft Pick)"
Chicago Bulls: "The First Noël Without Derrick Rose"
Cleveland Cavaliers: "Even Santa Claus Gets The Blues When Kyrie Doesn't Play"
Dallas Mavericks: "O Mark Cubino (One Cold and Skip Bayless-ed Winter)"
Denver Nuggets: "Go Tell JaVale About Consistency In The Mountains"
Detroit Pistons: "The Twelve Austin Dayes Of Christmas"
Golden State Warriors: "Feliz NaviDID YOU SEE THAT HARRISON BARNES DUNK?!??!?"



Houston Rockets: "His Beard Had Bells On Christmas Day"
Indiana Pacers: "(Gerald Green Jumped) Up On The House Top"
Los Angeles Clippers: "God Rest Ye Merry, Grant Hill"
Los Angeles Lakers: "All I Want For Christmas Is Synergy"
Memphis Grizzlies: "Rudolph Gay, Our Red-Hot Scorer"
Miami Heat: "Boogie Woogie Santa Juwan"



Milwaukee Bucks: "I Want An Efficient Back Court For Christmas"
Minnesota Timberwolves: "Baby, It's Cold Outside (The Three Point Line)"
New Orleans Hornets:"Grown-Up Christmas List (Doesn't Include Comics, Robin Lopez)"
New York Knicks: "(Half Our Team's As Old As) Auld Lang Syne"
Oklahoma City Thunder: [Redacted in case Kevin Durant really isn't nice, as marketing strategies now suggest]
Orlando Magic: "Santa Big Baby"
Philadelphia 76ers: "Christmas In Hollis" (as performed by Royal Ivey)
Phoenix Suns: "Do You Hear What I Hear When Michael Beasley Says He Wants To Be MVP?"
Portland Trail Blazers: "Children, Go Where I Send Thee (J.J. Hickson Might Shoot Another Three)"
Sacramento Kings: "Happy XMas (DeMarcus' Suspension Is Over)"
San Antonio Spurs: "Carol Of @DaTrillStak5"
Toronto Raptors: "Away In A Manger, Or Any Way, Andrea Bargnani"
Utah Jazz: "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth Another 5x5 (A Jamaal Tinsely Holiday Jam)"
Washington Wizards: "(At Least We Were 0-0) Last Christmas"

The Proper(?) Way to Honor 1 Billion Views

If you were busy working, watching actual basketball, playing actual basketball (my team won 75-41 in rec league competition, thanks) or doing anything, really, you may have missed this video celebrating a collective 1 billion views for the NBA's official YouTube channel. Tack on one more and click the play button below:



Not much fundamental basketball being played in that video. There's plenty of dancing and some dunking, if you're into that kind of thing. Me? I would prefer more chest passes and uncontested jumpers. Oh, and more Scal.

The league's team of editors should already be readying a video for the 2 billionth view seeing as there have already been more than 8 million clicks since this clip was posted, but if you have any nits to pick with the NBA's unique commemorative highlight reel right now, air your grievances in the comments.


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BYU Fans Make Viral Video To Bring Jabari Parker To Provo

No. 2-ranked high school recruit Jabari Parker cut his list of possible college choices to five in October. BYU did not make the cut. But that didn't stop some passionate fans to create a video playing off of Psy's "Gangnam Style" called "Parker Style" with the hopes of luring the highly touted recruit to Provo.

The video is pretty good (for a parody song video about a high school athlete) and isn't as cheesy as some we've seen in the past, so the guys deserve credit there.

The biggest question I had was why the main singer wore a BYU football jersey for a video that is recruiting a basketball player. Do they not sell BYU basketball jerseys in Provo?

Parker will probably not wind up in Provo, but at least these fans did their part in the recruiting process.


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Gonzaga Trick-Shot Video Going Viral

A few of the guards on Gonzaga's basketball team — including starter Kevin Pangos — put a highlight reel of trick shots on YouTube yesterday. Th video, which is at the beginning stages of going viral, also includes a guest appearance from PGA golfer and Zags fan Kyle Stanley.

As of 9 a.m. today, the video already had 3,446 views and is getting attention from some of the game's biggest media members. ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla tweeted a link out this morning that is sure to help boost the number of hits.

The video begins with introductions and some of the more traditional trick shots, but be patient. As you get further in, you'll see lots of deep-range shots from the upper deck of the McCarthy Athletic Center, as well as the use of props. One of the most impressive shots is about two minutes into the video, when a sling-shot-esque prop is employed.

 

 

If you enjoy impressive trick shots, this is worth your time. If you enjoy trick shots and lots of dancing basketball players, don't waste another second.


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A Look Back on Jim Calhoun's Candid Interview Response That Became an Internet Sensation

At 2 p.m. Thursday, Jim Calhoun will hold his final press conference, where he will announce his retirement.

It takes more than a few words to describe Calhoun's coaching career and his legacy. National basketball writers have been tackling the task of summing up Calhoun's retirement; about his success and NCAA troubles, his likeability and his outbursts.

I'll let them handle it. Instead, as Calhoun steps up to the podium for the final time as UCONN's head coach, let's have some fun and take a look back on the question regarding his salary in 2009 that became an Internet sensation.

As much as this showed us about Calhoun - his candidness, his willingness to give advice ("Shut up") and more specifically how much money he makes - this was a good lesson for reporters looking for the scoop on UCONN stories that happen outside of the court. If a reporter wanted that angle, Calhoun wasn't going to help him with it. What Calhoun shows us in the video is why many people loved him.

Don't expect this dialog in today's press conference. Instead, it'll be a good reminder of what the basketball world will miss with Calhoun's retirement.


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Video: Kobe Bryant is Michael Jordan, Kind Of

This video contains exactly what one might expect:  lots of off-the-dribble shooting and turnaround jumpers, and even a little tongue-wagging.

The basketball community's chosen viral video of the week is a reel of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant highlights. What differentiates it from other clips of this nature is that the editor has tracked down film of Bryant's paint-by-numbers imitation of moves that Jordan executed to perfection in his heyday. Voiceovers provide context to the endless "Will Kobe Ever Be as Good as Michael?" argument, and, to a much lesser extent, the question of "Who is the best shooting guard of all-time?"

The music is dramatic, but the court presence of two of the most dominant basketball players ever seen is not something opponents ever took lightly. Neither player has either.

Bryant admittedly modeled his game after Jordan's, so the similarities should be no surprise, even if they are to-the-step.

In the basketball world, being compared to Jordan is never a bad thing. Fortunately for Lakers fans, Kobe's legacy will forever be intertwined with Michael's.


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Video: Luke Walton Plays Ping-Pong, Because Of Course

With the NBA summer league wrapping up with the final games played in Las Vegas last week, basketball is officially in stasis. The first official game of The Association's regular season isn't until Oct. 30, when the Miami Heat will host the Boston Celtics, according to the Miami Sun-Sentinel's sources. College hoops tip-off even later, in mid-November, with the 2k Sports Classic.

Until then, we'll have to do with pick-up games at the local gym and videos like this one:

NBA players guessing which of their brethren would be most competitive at various, non-basketball Olympic sports? That's worth a few minutes of the day. The video comes courtesy of the official summer league media gurus and features a bevy of bros, like Chris Bosh and Luke Walton. Whereas Bosh thinks he would be good at numerous events — because of his lankiness, his practice or a combination of the two — Walton is confident in his ping-pong skills. After all, no one says they're "pretty good" at something unless it's true. Plus, he gets a co-sign in the video.

We'll probably never be lucky enough to see Bosh and Walton complete a best-of-seven series in table tennis, so we'll have to rely on basketball numbers to compare the two. Sorry, Chris, but Bill's son has two NBA championships. Keep trying, though.


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Video: Angelo Sharpless: Dunker and Soon-To-Be Internet Sensation

The week is not yet over, but the dunk-of-the-week (and month) contest was surely just captured by Angelo Sharpless. If you haven't seen this video yet, please take a minute to watch this (the highlight is only 10 seconds long, but you'll want to replay it several times). If you have already seen it, do yourself a favor and watch again.

This is a great highlight to watch for several reasons. First off, Sharpless is 6'4", which isn't tiny but smaller than the expected high-flyer, and will be a junior at NCAA D-II Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. We expect this from our NBA superstars and D-I prospects (aka future NBA superstars), but don't say just because a player isn't suiting up for Kentucky doesn't mean he isn't a tremendous athlete. Most of you had probably never heard of Elizabeth City State University before seeing this video, which makes it even greater to see someone like Sharpless grabs the country's attention.

Dunk contests and practice highlights of guys showing off trick dunks can be found all over YouTube, which raises the stakes and almost desensitizes us to what a jaw-dropping dunk actually looks like. If you see a guy throw the ball off the backboard, jump up and dunk it with one hand, then yes, it is impressive, but it's been done before. Many times. Great dunks are seen often, but jaw-dropping is a level few reach.

This dunk shows originality, creativity and spontaneity. Sure, guys bounce the ball hard off the floor, go up and slam it home, but how often does that happen during a game with a defender in the way? Sharpless had just crossed the defender over, slammed the ball down, then went around the back side of the defender before going for the ball. That takes a very skilled player to pull that off. The move happens so quickly and is so unexpected that it looks like a perfectly planned reaction; something that is difficult to accomplish.

Thank you, Angelo Sharpless, for brightening our summer with an incredible, creative dunk that is sure to make you an Internet sensation. 


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Video: Karl Malone Lacks Big Country Survival Skills

Greg Ostertag reached a Final Four as a Kansas Jayhawk and, after the Utah Jazz made him a first-round draft pick, made consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. He made his name as a defensive presence in both situations, although Ostertag ended up as a journeyman center and suffered an injury while trying to revive his career in the D-League.

Needless to say, Big Country has seen better days, like that time he blocked Karl Malone. From behind. During shooting around before a Jazz-Lakers game. It's a bit of lightheartedness from a guy who wears a dour look during table tennis matches against little kids and whose YouTube reel features other people dunking more often than him throwing down. Even in this 12-second clip, though, Ostertag is not the star. That honor goes to the Frenchman who may or may not have seen defense before this particular incident.


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James Dolan: Knicks Owner, Bandleader

"Are you there, [free agent]? It's me, Jim" (MusicRemedy.com)

Fans and media alike have lambasted James Dolan during his tenure as owner of the New York Knicks. And, for the most part, Dolan has deserved it. He has made less-than-ideal employment choices concerning the team’s front office and money.

They may not support his business decisions on behalf of Madison Square Garden’s darlings, but if Dolan were to embark on some other venture in which he played a central role, would Knicks fans support him?

The answer: a resounding no.

For those unaware, Dolan is the singing, guitar-playing frontman of the bluesy, occasionally alt-country band JD and the Straight Shot. The group’s biggest accomplishment to date is soundtracking the opening sequence to AMC’s original show Hell On Wheels. As noted by a New York Magazine articlefrom last fall, Dolan’s family controls Cablevision, which owned AMC until recently.

Even with their music scoring the credits to a cable television program and having three full albums and an EP to their name, the item that shines brightest (depending on your opinion of Dolan) in JD and the Straight Shot’s catalogue is a gem titled “Fix the Knicks.”

That’s right. The Knicks’ owner penned a pre-emptive ode to himself about his determination to correct all the things wrong – shooting bricks, a missing defensive prowess, etc. – with New York preeminent basketball team.

One YouTube video of the band performing “Fix the Knicks” is closing in on 22,000 views. Of 111 ratings, 103 are negative – though one commenter did note that their Thumb’s Up was accidental, and that’s one of the nicer remarks.

The highlight of the song is a shout out to Dolan’s relationship with, and employment of, Isiah Thomas. Each person can pinpoint their own least favorite aspect.

JD and the Straight Shot have shared stages with The Eagles, The Allman Brothers and The Dixie Chicks. Anyone who wants to draw a comparison between Dolan’s band touring with musicians past their prime and the Knicks’ affinity for acquiring players on the downside of their careers – mostly recently Jason Kidd – would have reasonable deduction skills. Anyone wanting to criticize Dolan for spending too little time on bringing the Knicks back to prominence, well, you’ve probably been beaten to the punch.


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NBA Social Media Awards: Winners & Watermarks

 The New Jersey Nets' Gerald Green throws down -- and snags The Social Slam Award.

The digital carpet rolled out this week for nominees of the NBA’s inaugural social media awards. Honors were doled out for 13 categories by hosts Rick Fox and Shaquille O’Neal, with additional entertainment coming from SLAM magazine’s Lang Whitaker and stalwart Canadian bloggers J.E. Skeets and Tas Melas of The Basketball Jones.

Marked by a one-hour telecast on NBATV, the official NBASMA press release states that nominations were dependant upon “which [moments] resonated with fans and sparked the most social engagement this season” – meaning which plays received the most attention on Twitter and numerous other social networking avenues.

The Los Angeles Lakers were the night’s biggest winners, claiming “The Social MVT (Most Valuable Team)” award as Kobe Bryant received individual recognition by winning the “#Trendsetter” and “Thumbs-Up” awards, which both tallied mentions and likes on their respective social networks.

The Lakers did have to revisit their Feb. 12 meeting versus Jeremy Lin, though, as the sophomore’s 38-point performance was named “Epic” by fans voting for their favorite regular season game.

A full list of winners can be seen at the official NBA website, and while the awards are a fun addition to The Association’s programming, they’re also something more. They’re a watermark for social media and how pervasive it has become to society. As athletes become increasingly willing to share personal thoughts, daily routines and behind the scenes peeks with fans – and as the NBA continues to be the savviest sports league in social media – how far behind can other organizations be?

Whether it’s brilliant or merely the beginning of equalization between national sports leagues and, say, the local Lion’s Club, the NBA Social Media Awards are definitely one thing right now – unique.

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Nike Ad Chronciles LeBron's Path to a Title

By: Alex Skov

Well, that didn't take long. One of Nike's premier clients won his first NBA championship last night, and the shoe-company-cum-basketball-overlord capitalized by airing the above advertisement shortly after the Miami Heat clinched a five-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nike's connection with LeBron James extends back years, and to say that the company's admen have been waiting for King James to have some bling to compliment his crown would be an understatement. With the addition of a couple seconds' footage of a newly ordained champion, Nike rolled out an ad that follows James' path from Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School through some perfunctory highlights from his early Cleveland Cavaliers days, before picking up steam by capturing moments from his coming out party as a major player against the Detroit Pistons in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals then giving time to LBJ's first two ill-fated Finals appearances.

For one viewer in particular, it pays off. Needless to say, it works out alright for LeBron, too. The heft of the Larry O'Brien trophy, the tug of gravity on his championship ring -- it's the weight of the world coming off James' shoulders. New criticisms will surely replace old ones, and more titles will be expected with an initial championship secured. But for now, the young man will celebrate. So will Nike.


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