Vancouver Metro Basketball League

Congratulations to the Championship teams and MVP Awards winners of the first annual West Coast Classic at the Richmond Olympic Oval.  Enjoy the bragging rights until next year and show off that hardware!
 
2009 West Coast Classic Men’s Division 1
1st – BC Ballers
2nd – Swat
3rd – Team Serbia
4th – Mustangs
MVP – Ricardo Hernandez (BC Ballers)

2009 West Coast Classic Division II Mens
1st – Nevermore
2nd – North Shore Wolves
3rd – Yee Brah (high school)
4th – Team FNB
MVP – Chris Horwood (Nevermore)

2009 West Coast Classic Women’s Open Division
1st – Burke
2nd – Coutts
3rd – Bayside Tigers
4th – Swish-A-Licious
MVP – Lani Gibbons (Burke)

Sportsmanship Award: Team Nike

Steve Nash the star of the Showdown

By Andrew “Soda” Wadden

Saturday afternoons at David Lam Park are usually spent pounding the concrete at the basketball courts just next to the soccer field. Wait a second, soccer field? On Saturday September 19^th Phoenix Suns point guard and national hero Steve Nash turned the playing field at David Lam Park in downtown Vancouver into a soccer pitch, inviting some of his NBA friends and international soccer stars to play a friendly game of “footy” in support of charity.  Nash’s blue team which consisted of Memphis Grizzlies rookie center Hasheem Thabeet and French international soccer star midfielder Youri Djorkaeff, as well as some former Vancouver Whitecap’s including his brother Martin-though Martin didn’t play due to injury- took on a team made up from the Whitecaps residency program. Los Angeles Clippers All-Star point guard Baron Davis was the blue teams coach, citing his soccer skills weren’t at par with the rest of the players, including Thabeet.  The 7’3” giant grew up playing soccer in his native Tanzania, scored twice and set up Nash for another, helping the blue team cruise to a 10-5 win. Nash was the star of the game scoring a hat-trick and displaying his tremendous soccer skills. The event was a giant success, with Nash raising money for his Steve Nash Foundation and supplying the city of Vancouver an exciting event that was free and fun for the whole family.

Here’s some audio I gathered from the event.

Nash’s pre-game presser. It’s just less than ten minutes. Here’s some the subjects he covers.

-          On why he chose to do a charity soccer match rather than a basketball game

-          His Nash foundation

-          Steve’s views on the government

-          Thoughts on his team the Whitecaps going into the MLS and the Canucks

-          The state of the Canadian National Basketball program

-          Baron Davis & Hasheem Thabeet’s soccer skills

-          Breaking into gyms during High School

-          Why Steve chose basketball over soccer

-          Thoughts on the NBA returning to Vancouver

-          Steve’s film career

-          Thoughts on the soccer game

-          Hard-tackling his injured brother Martin

-          Shaquille O’Neal stealing his TV show idea

-          The Suns chances this season

-          Thoughts on Sun’s rookie Earl Clark being an All-Star

Steve-Nash-pre-game

I spoke with Grizzlie’s first-round pick Hasheem Thabeet pre-game. I asked Hasheem about the addition of Allen Iverson to the Grizzlies and how it will affect the production from Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo. Hasheem also went on to talk about new teammate Zack Randolph, the youth of the Grizzlies, and Memphis’ goals for this season.

Hasheem-Thabeet-NBA talk

Thabeet then went on to talk about his soccer background, how he got involved in the Showdown event, who’s better on the soccer pitch between Baron Davis and himself, his celebration dance and how soccer helped his basketball game.

Hasheem-Thabeet-Soccer talk

At the half I stuck my recorder in a Baron Davis scrum and got this questionable statement from B-Diddy.

Baron-Davis-i never talk trash

Before returning to the bench, I quickly asked Baron about this year’s Clippers team.

Baron-Davis-we gonna get it right

Once the game ended I went straight to a scrum that had formed around Nash. Steve had some kind words about Hasheem Thabeet’s performance.

Steve-Nash-on Thabeets game

Steve then gave his thoughts on the crowd.

Steve-Nash-packed all the way

I then caught up with Thabeet for his thoughts on his game.

Hasheem-Thabeet-24sec

Baron Davis wrapped up the day with his thoughts on why his team won.

Baron-Davis-helped us get that victory

Ball is in the Air

By Andrew “Soda” Wadden

The September sun still hangs on in despair as summer turns to fall across North America. For those who love basketball this means the NBA season is right round the corner. With training camps just about to open, it only seems fitting to take a quick glance at a few summer moves that have sparked my interest. Before we get to that, I must give credit to this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. The 2009 class featured a class like no other. John Stockton, NBA leader in assists and steals, arguably the best point guard in NBA history, the “Admiral” David Robinson, two time NBA champion and former MVP, Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach -and counting-, and lastly the G.O.A.T, his “Airness” Michael Jordan.

The greatest basketball player to ever play the game is now enshrined forever amongst his peers, obtaining his rightful place in basketball’s greatest shrine. Seeing Jordan now in the Hall of Fame seems all too surreal to me. I grew up watching Michael, from his early struggles with a terrible Bulls squad, to his dynasty runs with one of the best NBA teams of all time. Jordan was the ultimate clutch performer who possessed the precision of a deadly assassin. Yes he has fists full of rings, and more hardware then the Hall itself, but the real thing that made Jordan special was the way he changed the game. Michael is the reason the NBA game is played the way it is today. Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo, Durant, all the top-scorers in the league have a little Michael in them. The way Jordan played the game has spawned a nation of basketball players whose dream is one day to be like Mike. Some, like Kobe and Lebron are coming close, but to this day there will only be one true Michael Jordan.

Three thoughts.
This summer’s player movement was your basic NBA off-season. There were a few deals that surprised, some that made me scratch my head and others that actually made sense. Here are three thoughts that came to mind when I take a look back at this summer’s movements.

Surprised!
The Orlando Magic letting Hedo Turkoglu go to the Raptors at a price that would have cost them $10 million a season over the next five years, at first made a little sense. It’s risky to give $50 million dollars to a 30 year-old who is little un-proven. What amazes me is the fact that the Magic gave equally the same amount of money in deals to back-up center Marcin Gortat and forward Brandon Bass. Toss in the acquisition of Vince Carter and his massive contract and you’ll see the Magic are well over the luxury-tax and will be feeling the added pressure to win a championship now. Last season Turkoglu was one of the main reasons the Magic were able to get to the finals. The front-line of Hedo, Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis created match-up problems night in and night out for their opponents. Carter will create and score, but can he stretch the floor like Turkoglu did? The mismatches were the Magic’s strength, and with Carter in the mix it’s much easier for most of the elite teams in the NBA to match up with the Magic. It should be very interesting to see if the Magic can hang this season with Boston and the Cleveland without their ability to stretch defence’s the way they could when they had Turkoglu.

Scratch your head to this.
Allen Iverson signing in Memphis is a blatant cash grab by Memphis owner Michael Heisley. Don’t get me wrong, the price was right, especially for the amount of talent and allure Iverson can bring to your ball club, but where in the big picture of the Grizzlies future game plan does adding Iverson make sense? Memphis already has Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo who’ll be looking to take at least thirty shots a night between them. Third year point guard Mike Conley is steady improving his game where his minutes at this stage in his career are so valuable. Iverson will expect to be starting at the one or two guard, leaving Conley or Mayo on the bench. Does limiting your young talents growth for the sake of selling tickets make sense? Well as we’ve seen in the past when Mr. Heisley had the Grizzlies in Vancouver, he cares little for the product on the floor and more about the bottom-line when it comes to his organization.

Making sense of it all.
The San Antonio Spurs made sense of a busy off-season by bucking up and making some very bold moves. The Spurs are probably the NBA’s least sexy team to have ever won a championship-the city of San Antonio will never get confused for New York or L.A.-but they have always had some premier talent and this off-season they acquired more. Richard Jefferson joins the Spurs from the Milwaukee Bucks and you can bet he’s one happy amigo to be out of the black-hole that is Milwaukee. Jefferson and his close to 20 points-per-game should fit in with studs Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The Spurs also acquired former All-Star forward Antonio McDyess who should add some depth and experience to an all ready deep veteran team. The Spurs will be very tough come playoff time as this team is built for that time of the year. Don’t be surprised if this team ends up in this year’s finals. You heard it here first.

The Vancouver Basketball League kicked off the 2009-2010 season at Nike Vancouver, Robson Street – September 23, 2009. Thanks to all the athletes and supporters who came out…and a big shout out to Nike Vancouver, DJ Hustle, Sleeman, Soak Customs by Jordan SoakR, and photographer Jeff Bough.

Check out event photos and backdrop pics here!  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouverbasketball/?deleted=3966310835

2009 West Coast Classic Division II Mens

1st – Nevermore

2nd – North Shore Wolves

3rd – Yee Brah (high school)

4th – Team FNB

MVP – Chris Horwood (Nevermore)

2009 West Coast Classic Women’s Open Division

1st – Burke

2nd – Coutts

3rd – Bayside Tigers

4th – Swish-A-Licious (god, is that right?)

MVP – Lani Gibbons (Burke)

2009 West Coast Classic Men’s Division 1

1st – BC Ballers

2nd – Swat

3rd – Team Serbia

4th – Mustangs

MVP – Ricardo Hernandez (BC Ballers)

Most Sportsmanlike: Team Nike

Vancouver, BC (September 23, 2009) – New Age Sports/Nike Vancouver hosted a launch event for the Vancouver Metro Basketball League along with Sleeman’s. The event was put on to celebrate the launch of the 3rd season of the Vancouver Metro Baskteball League which kicks of action on Thursday October 1, 2009 and to highlight the myriad of well-engineered Nike Sportwear, Nike athletic apparel and Nike training gear available at Nike Store locations throughout the lower mainland.

Check out the photos at http://www.facebook.com/vancouverbasketball

 

The Nike Store (Vancouver, BC) – September 23, 2009 – The Vancouver Metro Basketball League Launch Party will hit the streets of Vancouver on September 23, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. for all Metro League Players, friends and VIP guests.

Not a player but know someone in the Metro League, love the swoosh and good music?  RSVP to nikeparty@vancouverbasketball.ca to get on the guest list and be sure to show up early.  The Nike Store on Robson will be featuring Exclusive Metro League Nike Essential Tees on Sale at the event.  Limited quantities available.

FREE Metro League Nike Exclusives will be handed out to those who rock the sickest kicks…

 

To celebrate Michael Jordan’s official induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, iconic graffiti artist and founder of the Obey brand, Shepard Fairey has created this poster of Jordan dunking. Fairey is to produce a series of similar posters, each of which will revisit the best moments of Jordan’s career, which should make for a memorable commemoration of the perhaps the greatest baller ever.

The Girl Effect – Click to see how one girl can effect the future of humanity.

We all know the important role that sport plays in our lives. Our time spent on the court or field has led to healthier bodies, better self-esteem and successful careers. Our coaches have helped us learn time management, discipline, healthy habits, team work and self-confidence. We all know this. We have benefited from our involvement in sports. But what if it could actually change the world?

The Girl Effect chronicles the way that supporting women’s initiatives can save the world. Check out this revolution and get involved: www.girleffect.org

How is the West Coast Classic getting involved? We aren’t just running a women’s division along with a men’s division, but we have actively recruited some of the best players in the province to compete. Profiling these players is a way to highlight the amazing calibre of play as well as share the stories of these players. We will show sport has led them to amazing careers as coaches, teachers, and sport administrators. These women are phenomenal athletes who continue to contribute back to their sport community and create more opportunity for kids to participate in sport. Year One – inspire. Year Two – involve. We have a plan and you are a part of it.

How can you get involved? Support these athletes and share the experience with other young women. Show them the opportunity and success that participating in sport can bring to their lives. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and help us create more opportunity for kids in sports!