SLAM presents Streetball
Why Nate Robinson is streetball…
It’s hard to believe, even for me, but next week will drop the fifth edition of SLAM presents Streetball. We started it five years ago as a way to finally do some extensive streetball coverage; previously we’d been limited to doing just one story in here or there in SLAM. But as the And 1 Mixtape Tour grew in prominence, it became obvious that we needed more space for Streetball.
But after a few years, we realized we’d opened a can of worms. Basically, writing about streetball means writing a lot about the past, about the playground legends who played back in the day, from Joe Hammond to Hook Mitchell to Pee Wee Kirkland. And once we told all of their stories, what was left?
Well, we soon realized that streetball didn’t exactly mean playing basketball on an outdoor court: Streetball is a state of mind, an attitude. Streetball means breaking down your opponent in the most obvious and embarrassing way possible. Streetball means never being afraid.
And when it came time to figure out who should go on this year’s Streetball cover, we didn’t have to look very far. Ben, Khalid and I were sitting together at a Knicks game a few months ago when Nate Robinson checked in and immediately tried an ill-advised pass or shot, and suddenly it just clicked: Nate, welcome to your SLAM cover.
I’d spoken to Nate a few times in the locker room, but didn’t really have any relationship with him. Actually, I wasn’t much of a fan of his as a player — he shoots too much, he doesn’t pass enough, he shouldn’t have won the dunk contest. I wasn’t the only one critical of Nate, and yet Nate continued to play as though he was always the most important player on the court.
As we worked to set up the cover shoot, I got to know Nate pretty well, and once you spend time with him you’ll see he’s pretty hard not to like. The way he plays is the way he talks, the way he carries himself, always bubbling and shining. he’s made some strange plays, like when he tried to bounce an alley-oop to himself on a fastbreak with a defender right on his tail. I heard a story that during Nate’s rookie season, after a disappointing loss in Atlanta, Larry Brown kicked Nate off the team bus for shooting spitballs. I don’t know if that’s a true tale, but Nate’s still a kid and he’s still learning how the game (and life) works. Remember at the end of his rookie campaign when we spotted Nate playing pick-up ball at West 4th Street during the Knicks season? I grew up in Atlanta during the Spud Webb era, and even though Spud could famously dunk, he never played with the flair that Nate can’t seem to control. Which made Nate the perfect guy to fron SLAM presents Streetball.
A few weeks ago I took a car service up to Tarrytown, New York, which is where the Knicks have their practice facility. I arrived at 9:15 a.m., and there were only two cars out front of the place. One was a Range Rover, so I was thinking that might be Nate’s car, but then Isiah Thomas came jogging out of the building, ran up to the car and grabbed some papers out, then headed back in.
Nate showed up at 9:30 on the dot, and he piled in the car with me. Nate was going to leave from the shoot, so his buddy followed us in Nate’s car. As the car headed for Red Hook, Brooklyn, to the outdoor court we’d reserved for the day, Nate and I started talking.
Well, Nate started talking and I started listening. I’ve interviewed probably hundreds of athletes, and Nate’s probably the best talker I’ve ever heard. Much like his game, he just goes and goes and goes. I basically just hit record on the tape recorder and got out of Nate’s way. He had a lot to say. We let him say it. More on that in a second.
The other thing that’s impossible to miss about Nate is his size, or lack thereof. I dwarfed him. He’s built like a football player, nearly as wide as he is tall, and since he was a football star in high school and college (his freshman year) I guess his fearlessness makes sense.
After our photographer Atiba Jefferson shot a bunch of Nate dribbling and posing, we asked him to do some high flying for us, with the caveat that he didn’t really have to dunk as long as he could just jump a few times and get near the rim. Nate kind of hemmed and hawed and said he wasn’t really warmed up, and we were willing to let him go without doing any dunks, but within about five minutes he was launching himself at the rim over and over, making about as many dunk as he missed.
Anyway, there’s plenty from Nate in SLAM presents Streetball. But to give you a teaser for the weekend, here’s five of my favorite quotes from the Nate story:
5) “Basketball is my life, man. That’s what I bleed—if I cut myself basketballs would probably come out.”
4) “I just focus on trying to win the game and trying to make history, to do something spectacular so people will be talking about it forever.”
3) “That’s why Isiah’s so hard on me, and I tell him, Don’t change, keep being hard on me, because you’re going to bring the best out of me.”
2) “My Dad was a running back at the University or Washington. He was the first person to win the Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl MVP, and nobody’s broke that record yet. My Dad’s the only Dad in the world to have that record.”
1) “When I’m playing basketball, it’s like I got a little devil on one shoulder and a little angel on one shoulder, and the Devil’s like, ‘Go ahead and bounce it and throw it off the glass!’ And the angel’s like, ‘Now Nate, you know if you do this…’ That’s how it is sometimes. Like Kobe said, It’s like Babe Ruth: You swing big. You might miss, but if you hit it it’s going to be a home run. So you can’t hold back, man. Anything can happen.”
96 Responses to “SLAM presents Streetball”
May.25 at 12:43 pm
Nadav Mor says:
so who gets fired for making Nate use the new ball?
May.25 at 12:45 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Actually, we all agreed on that one since the ball is allegedly a composite ball meant to be used outdoors. No way I was going to see a beautiful leather ball get scratched up out there.
May.25 at 12:52 pm
dpak says:
here’s to hoping nate grows a fro out for the season!
May.25 at 12:56 pm
Ron says:
Those kicks Nate is rockin are crazy.
May.25 at 12:58 pm
Steve O says:
From watching Nate Robinson play basketball in both college (remember that putback against NC State? Sick) and in the NBA it seems like he is the epitome of what an NBA player should be, hardworking, fun-loving entertainer. Good choice.
May.25 at 1:14 pm
Allenp says:
nah, nate is crazy steve-o and he makes it hard for his team sometimes. but, he’s also fun to watch kind of like stephen jackson but without the fear that someone might die.
May.25 at 1:21 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Two of the past 3 Streetball covers have been a Knicks PG. The way it should be.
Nate Robinson IS Streetball in the NBA.
May.25 at 1:28 pm
Dblizzy! says:
So what was Nate pushin Lang???
May.25 at 1:43 pm
Steve O says:
well said Allenp, he may not make the best decisions but fun to watch none the less.
May.25 at 1:46 pm
MALONE_FT_CLOCK says:
steve burtt? kickin and1 babies asses! ziani is crazy, he cant do between the legs or all kinds of other dunks, but DAMN he jumps high. nate??? i guess
May.25 at 1:50 pm
dj says:
dont forget the ill way he punked yao ming.
May.25 at 1:52 pm
Reggie Evans says:
White men ages 40 and up hate Nate Robinson.
May.25 at 2:06 pm
Tariq says:
It’s nice to see that Nate uses a double-framing device when he unleashes that quote about homeruns. Nate’s always reminded me of Joseph Conrad.
May.25 at 2:44 pm
Remy says:
I’ll have to check out the latest issue to see for sure but im guessing you guys didnt get a picture of the new court upgrades at Kits beach in Vancouver BC. I loved that you guys had the old ones for the full page spread in the last issue (or was it the one before?) i’ll have to send you guys a picture of them now its crazy
May.25 at 2:58 pm
Justin Adler says:
Damn Lang, you may have converted one of the biggest Nate Robinson haters in myself, an Arizona fan, who hates Washington and people who steal dunk contests from UA alum.
May.25 at 2:58 pm
Dylan says:
Those are some sick kicks. Some exclusive J’s I’m thinking. Nate’s a Nike Force guy, right?
May.25 at 3:02 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Sam, iam thinking Alston is streetball in the NBA, and Nate Robinson is slightly retarded in the NBA.
May.25 at 3:04 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Dylan, i think those are custom AF1 25ths
May.25 at 3:25 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Yeah, the custom AF1s. Here’s a look at them…
http://www.nicekicks.com/images/player-edition-air-force-25-6.jpg
After the shoot he signed them and gave them to some kid on the street.
May.25 at 3:25 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Actually, that link may not be the exact ones Nate was wearing. Close though.
May.25 at 3:30 pm
joe says:
Those sneakers look fake, but Id have to see the actual cover to be able to tell. Those ARE not J’s, for sure.
May.25 at 3:42 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Catch up joe.
May.25 at 3:44 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
We talking about practice?
http://www.zshare.net/audio/2020373c028947/
May.25 at 3:58 pm
JerBoi says:
yo u gotta buy this mag or is it wit the magazine subscription? im new
May.25 at 4:03 pm
Deuntae says:
Why yall hatin on Nate…
May.25 at 4:05 pm
white hot eboy says:
Lang, in the cover photo, with Nate all crouched down to pull the ball over his head, he was below your belt level?
May.25 at 4:13 pm
robertp says:
All I can think of when I read the article was a previous piece when you apoligized for your faith in Telfair… Deja Vu? We’ll find out…
May.25 at 4:41 pm
Reggie Evans says:
http://aol.nba.com/hotzones/
May.25 at 4:51 pm
Alex says:
naw those are af25….
n they look better on the cover lol
May.25 at 5:17 pm
Rod Strickland says:
Carlos Arroyo brings the flavor..to his 12th team.
May.25 at 5:38 pm
B-54 says:
(Possibly a silly question but..) Does this issue still get sent to subscribers?
May.25 at 5:39 pm
James says:
This is the SICKEST cover of all time. nate shows all the short people that they can get far 2in life 2.
May.25 at 5:55 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
True James, for all the little people out there if you are an athletic freak with a 50 inch vertical, you to can become a third string point guard in the NBA.
May.25 at 6:27 pm
Doc says:
Kadour Ziani, nice going fellas bout time he got his shine !
May.25 at 7:16 pm
Orlando says:
Nate is nothing more than a little bitch!
May.25 at 7:20 pm
slate says:
Nate is definitely streetball.Caught him at the Entertainers last year,Seattle vs Boston.Off the jump ball Nate took it to the hoop and slammed it.The first play of the game !!Right away everyone knew it was on! That was also the game I knew that Brandon ROY(he should officially change his last name-all capital letters) was gonna be ROY.His game was straight butter,smooth, seems like he didn’t miss any shots.Even though it was streetball he carried himself like a pro.Also Spencer”You Rang” Hawes got officially ‘LURCHED’ by Hannibal.But Nate was free as a bird out on the court (especially after being freed by the LB system).Good choice for your cover.Nate come back to ‘55th this summer,and bring the Seattle Crew with you.Oh yeah Jamal did his thing too.
May.25 at 8:44 pm
Brian says:
Kirk Hinrich for next year’s Streetball cover!
May.25 at 9:04 pm
Sesa says:
I do remember each and everytime a sportswriter does an interview with an athlete, they (sportswriter) always claim that this athlete whom currently interviewed is “The Best”. Do you do that too Mr. Lang Whitaker?
May.25 at 11:31 pm
Drolfe says:
A couple of good quotes don’t make up for f*cking the last two dunk contests up. Doesn’t hurt though..
May.26 at 1:23 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Larry Brown is spinning in his grave.
May.26 at 12:13 pm
matty p says:
they are actually Air Force 25’s. and they can be bought on nikebasketball.com
was good.
May.26 at 3:23 pm
john says:
lil’nate is like spudd but spudd is better.
May.26 at 10:07 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Subscribers do not get this issue (don’t worry, you don’t pay for it either), but every newsstand that carries SLAM should have it, so please go buy one. And as for his hair, Nate is planning to get cornrows…
May.26 at 10:39 pm
niQ says:
WOW U FINALLY HAVE SOMETHING ON KADOUR… man’s been dunking heavy on cats
May.26 at 11:42 pm
SBMM says:
Do your thing nate !
May.27 at 12:45 am
Young C says:
Nate seems cool and all, but he better enjoy his time in The League as much as possible. Cause when his rookie contract is up…he’s done.
May.27 at 12:58 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Cornrows…now? Nate’s a few years late, I think. He should grow a huge afro, like Fletch.
May.27 at 1:38 am
diababy says:
wow
May.27 at 1:00 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Wasn’t Baron on the cover of streetball #3? Does this mean that in 2 years Nate will lead an improbable 8-seed to a lopsided upset of the consensus #1 team (and seed)? Or is it more likely that in 2 years Nate will be out of the league and staring on some And 1 team?
May.27 at 2:51 pm
Orlando says:
Street ball issue is staying on the newstand Ben. When is the next Kicks coming out? And, can we get another special issue with like the top hundred players of all time…id like to see an updted version on the previous one.
May.28 at 12:41 am
B.a. says:
I wanna get on that magazine with my brother, when we met kadour for the filming of flying101 he taught us how to jump………dude is crazy to watch in real life, i think he is the best ever personally. Check out our video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxOiJxhb0VY
May.28 at 1:41 am
def jam says:
was stephon marbury ever on it if not hook him up
May.28 at 2:36 pm
Dan says:
I’m torn, to say the least. It’s not that I am a Nate-Rob hater, but I am not a fan either. So now for my dilemma. Do I defend him, or attack him? Listening to everyone talking about how sh!tty he is makes me laugh, because when it all boils down to it, he could easily school each and everyone of you. 5′9″ or not. But then there is the side I don’t like. Nate is a showboater without an adequate repetoir to be such a player. As far as players of his stature, he stands out the most, but that is because of his demeanor. Earl Boykins and Nate Robinson are practically the same player (minus the dunking), but nobody gives Boykins a hard time because he doesn’t have a blatant ego about him. He goes out, works hard, scores, makes the odd pass, and goes home quietly. When it comes to Nate, ne is like a mini Rasheed; he whines, thinks he is much better than he really is, and isn’t as efficient as he should be. So what should I think?
May.28 at 10:33 pm
DP says:
nate will do but next cover do my boy A.O. play wit it.
May.29 at 6:13 am
RasheanMathis says:
Seems like all the ballers are comin from the pacific northwest these days: Nate,Nash,Roy,JET, J Crawford,Ridnour, Aaron Brooks, Webster, Marv Williams,Morrison n even Stock was pacnw. AI is still everything that is real about basketball, an AI Slam cover is the musical equivlant of AZ on a premo beat.
May.29 at 7:21 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Nate has a lot of work to do if he expects to stick in the NBA as more than just a slam-dunk curiosity.
May.29 at 11:07 am
Cub Buenning says:
Russ
Nate, 5′8″ with the afro 6-feet…. pretty good dribbler, he comes in, his team’s down late…..
Grace under pressure.
May.29 at 11:55 am
Ben Osborne says:
Steph was on the cover of Streetball #2 (Baron #3, Smush #4, and for all you old heads, Rafer was #1).
May.29 at 8:27 pm
j-bell says:
nice cover and a good person over the past 5 year everybody that has been on the streetball cover has played in the rucker its almost as if thats the criteria, no rucker on resume = no cover. couple ideas for next years cover ,have a pullout cover of and1 vs ball for reel like at the start of the old x-man cartoon when there allfacing off or just put skip on the cover its been awile and u can neverget to much skip. peace
May.29 at 11:23 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Nice. Nate on the cover of Streetball the same time as he’s the subject of The Highlight Reel on our homepage: http://slamonline.com/online/2007/05/the-highlight-reel-14/
Guess we’re smart every once in awhile…
May.30 at 2:02 pm
Chasin says:
Man I’ve been waiting for YEARS for the opportunity to unveil my nickname for him to the public at large: Nate “”Numb Nut”" Robinson Thank me later.
May.30 at 5:00 pm
The Real Bronx Bomber says:
To all those who hate on Nate, I think he has the most heart on the Knicks, and we need that. He’s got that street swagger thats been missing from the NYK. If he can improve on his defense and decision making, he’s gonna be a problem, cause he can shoot, and get in the lane at will. Nate NYK 4 Life.
May.30 at 7:30 pm
gabriel says:
man dis is gay why narob? ,what do those reasons have to do with streetball?
May.30 at 8:45 pm
Nabeel says:
so is this going to take place for the new issue…
May.31 at 12:34 pm
willie t says:
nasty nate your bad ass but i dont think you can hang with street ball better stick with the nba
May.31 at 2:53 pm
Ben Osborne says:
not replacing a new issue at all. check back monday for the unveiling of the new issue
May.31 at 9:09 pm
gabriel says:
yo ben make a beter streetball ish next time i read this on and it is lame . you can do beter
Jun.1 at 2:12 pm
B0$$ says:
My vote is on Larry Hughes or for light skinned ballers you could throw Jason Williams for the next Streetball cover.
Jun.3 at 12:31 am
OB says:
well BO$$, jason williams has a crazy handle, but does he have the defence?
Jun.4 at 3:54 am
airf Bosnia says:
you are the best i never see the best player i play basketball 2 years and i one of the best i are city becouse i work hard
Jun.4 at 4:40 pm
JayC says:
i like that you guys have used NBA players with street credibility, but when will you get a guy like Mr.720 on the cover? If anybody has not seen this guy play they are missing out on the Michael Jordin of streetball.
Or even someone from rucker like special fx? I seen these guys at the Ball4Real game at Key Arena on Friday and it was one of the most exciting games we have watched in a long time.
Jun.4 at 4:42 pm
JayC says:
and yes i will apologize for spelling “Jordan” wrong in my last comment
Jun.5 at 7:06 pm
gabriel says:
yo jc you have a point . has air up there ever even had a streetball cover?
Jun.6 at 1:59 pm
Jswagga says:
I don’t get why everyone hates on Nate Robinson just because he is what the NBA calls “undersized”. I think alot of you haters are just jealous because he made it and you won’t. If you ask me I think for an “undersized” player like Nate Rob,
Allan Iverson and Earl Boykins to be ballin in the NBA and Averaging over 10+ points and pushing 20 over the “giants” of the NBA tells you something, and that thing is that these dudes got true skills and talent. Its easy for someone like Tim Duncan who is 6′11 to put the ball in the hoop because he towers over other players. But for someone like Nate and Earl out ball everyone else Screams somethin. -Nuff said.
Jun.10 at 10:16 pm
Muazam says:
this is a tight cover. go nate!
Jun.15 at 1:29 am
kevin salatti says:
You know what i have to give it to the guy.Hes a complete athlete.you know hes like SPUD WEBB. So dont be hatin on my man NATE.
Jun.15 at 1:31 am
kevin salatti says:
Did you know that Nate packed the hell out of Yao Ming? Now that is crazy
Jun.17 at 1:16 pm
Bryce says:
This magazine was so awesome
Jun.17 at 1:17 pm
Bryce says:
Nate The Great
Jun.22 at 10:53 am
alvin says:
thoses AF25’s nate’s rocking are crazy!
Jun.24 at 9:59 pm
SEAN DECLAN says:
I was wondering if this magazine had a poster in it, because i bought a copy an di got no poster, and well i don’t know if there should be one!
Jul.4 at 10:37 pm
Corey Jackson says:
Lil Nate is streetball simply because he is from the streets and I have seen tape of him handeling bidness on the streets with the best of them. Give him his props. Just becasue he is in the NBA doesn’t mean he can’t ball on the outside of the hardwood. 5′9 speaks for itself and you know the boy can get up. Nate is a streetballer in my book.
Jul.21 at 4:24 am
alex bond says:
hi im alex
i adore those kicks they’re awesome.
We’re can i get some?
Jul.21 at 4:51 pm
dude says:
nate rocks
Jul.23 at 11:48 am
KyLe says:
sounds like Nate can really handle the rock. he has hops too. like Corey said, give the dude his props. he’s definitly one a the best streetballers around.
Jul.31 at 1:30 pm
AJ$ says:
Im da nxt Nate Robinson!
Aug.6 at 1:19 pm
SLAM ONLINE | » You had questions about SLAM… says:
[…] Ed.: Maybe never again. Unlike KICKS (issue 10 on sale Aug. 21) and Streetball (out since June and possibly still on newsstands), SlamUps has never been a consistent part of our annual production schedule. I’m veering a bit into a business side of things I don’t always grasp, but I think we need a sole sponsor to make SlamUps, as Nike has done in the past. So, if such a sponsor steps up and wants us to do a special issue like SlamUps, we do it, but if no one does, I’m guessing the powers that be don’t consider it worthwhile to put out. […]
Aug.23 at 8:30 am
Too Late says:
next cover should go to grayson boucher or my man david simpson from england hes only 13 but hes got crazy handles and sik shots
Sep.11 at 11:35 am
scooter stevens says:
nate robinson is no streetballer, but he isnt nba caliber pg either, dont believe the hype
also where do i find the column on jack ryan/black jack/ water?
Sep.22 at 2:37 pm
mamoon baller says:
wht kiks is he wearing
Sep.25 at 11:28 pm
Chelsie says:
nate is awesome he is a hard working player he is like the best 2nd dunker ever like freestyle like him and a.i. r alike small but dangerous
Oct.9 at 6:09 pm
"Dan the Man" says:
What about Jay “Boogie” Brantley for the next cover. Simply known as “King of Cali” streetball. Following in the footsteps of the WORLDS GREATEST DRIBBLER…Marques Haynes (famed Globetrotter)! Check him out….
http://www.macleem.com/index.php
Oct.29 at 8:07 pm
"Dan the Man" says:
I’m 99 years young and I don’t hate nate or as jboogie would say; “WHAT THEY DO”
Dec.7 at 3:41 pm
JUDE HOLLYWOOD THOMAS says:
Jude “Hollywood” Thomas is a well-known streetball player based in Los Angeles, California. You can catch Hollywood in most of all the streetball and celebrity games put down in Los Angeles. Hollywood was able to link up with many celebrities, and all of the known streetball players in the area. Hollywood is now currently participating in numerous basketball events for the kids and fans with the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Kids City program with the Los Angeles Times, Ballin for Peace in the Streets Tour, Ball4Real Tour, Stop the Violence “Sik Wit It Streetball Tour” and fundraising events with local Recreation Centers, High Schools and Universities through out the United States. Hollywood is known for entertaining large crowds with his streetball skills and unique style of play. In 2006 Jude Hollywood Thomas had his break out year when he was Captain and Event Coordinator of the Slammin Trickz Freestyle Tour featuring his Hollywood Hoops streetball Team formerly known as the Hollywood All-Stars sponsored by “Pony” and was invited to participate in a Los Angeles reality streetball T.V show called “Ballin” on Los Angeles television Network “LTN” which he was a Co-Star and led the Valley Division team to the championship game against the Venice Beach Team and won. Hollywood’s Valley division team was crowned Southern California Los Angeles Streetball Kings of 2006.
BALLIN is a reality-style streetball show.
Players who advance will win money; those who don’t will get gifts. The winning regional team from each Semifinal game will advance to the Finals. These final two regional teams will play for the BALLIN Streetball Championship of Los Angeles, earning bragging rights for the claim of being the best in L.A. streetball.
Mar.28 at 4:35 pm
the biggest shaq fan eva says:
hes the best player on there team i dont no y they never play him
Mar.28 at 4:44 pm
little man says:
hes the best dunker in the histery of the world