Well it seems that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as his daughter Sydney is a HS girls basketball sensation who plays for Boon County in Kentucky. The 6‘0 senior was recently named Miss Kentucky Basketball, given annually to the best female basketball player in the state.

Everyone in Northern Kentucky knew as early as Middle School that Sydney was going to be a star as she began playing on the high school level as early as the 8th grade. During her senior season, she helped lead her squad to the Sweet 16 of the Kentucky State Playoffs, averaging an impressive 22.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 4.2 steals per game. Even though her Boone County lost in the Round of 16, it surely wasn’t Sydney’s fault as she scored 41 points in her final HS game, albeit in a losing effort.

The 5-foot-10 senior guard has led the Rebels to a 30-3 record and a berth in the first round of the Sweet Sixteen State Tournament against Dunbar High, scheduled for March 7. Moss averaged 22.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 4.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game heading into the state tournament. A two-time Cincinnati Enquirer Player of the Year and a two-time Louisville Courier Journal First Team All-State selection, Moss is a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American. She had scored 2,935 points in her prep basketball career entering the 2012 postseason.

Sydney has a bright future ahead on the collegiate level as she has committed to play at the University of Florida in the Fall. Surely she intends to follow in her father’s footsteps of one day playing on the professional level, quite possibly in the WNBA. Hopefully she inherited more of the good than the bad from her famous father’s personality and never utters the words ‘Straight Cash Homey’ until receiving her first pro contract.

But after a spectacular rookie campaign (18.5 ppg, 5.4 ast, and nearly 40% from 3pt), helping the Cavs to a slightly improved 21-45 record, Irving beat out Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio of Minnesota to become the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year.

While the Cavs and Irving still have a ways to go before contending for an Eastern Conference crown, Kyrie’s nice-guy persona has been a public relations dream as the former Blue Devil’s face has begun to pop up on billboards and commercials, most noticeably as the product pitchman for Pepsi Max.

In their newest 5 minute spot, Kyrie gets dressed up as an elderly black man named Uncle Drew, with grey beard and hair to boot, and heads back to the playgrounds of his native Bloomfield, New Jersey, supposedly to be a part of a hoops documentary on his nephew Kevin.

But after a player gets hurt, “Uncle Drew” reluctantly gets picked as a replacement, and slowly starts to school the young ballers, before throwing down a few thunderous dunks and breaking ankles, wowing the crowds, all the while keeping his identity unknown.

Check out Kyrie Irving as Uncle Drew:

While we all know that Phil likes to take over the reigns of already stacked rosters like the Jordan/Pippen led Bulls and the Shaq/Kobe/Gasol led Lakers, there’s no denying that Jackson would bring a more cerebral and disciplined approach to the Knickerbockers, a much needed yet sorely lacking trait from the wild child antics of Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and JR Smith on the current Knicks roster.

But with the Knicks close to finalizing a 5 year deal to resign the defensive minded coach Mike Woodson, who is a quality NBA coach in his own right, where does that leave the Zen Master when it comes to getting back into the coaching ranks?

While it looks like the Mike Brown saga in Los Angeles may be short-lived if the Lakers lose out to the Thunder in the 2nd Round, I doubt we will see a Kobe/Phil reunion for the 2012-2013 season. One destination that has begun popping up on the radar recently is the Knicks rival NJ Nets, who are making their improbable move to Brooklyn to play at the brand spankin new Barclays Center for next season.

If you remember, the Knicks GM duped the Knicks fan base into thinking Lebron James was coming to play his home games at MSG before settling on Ama’re Stoudemire in the Summer of 2010. Then, he overturned the stagnant NY roster by trading half of the team for superstar Carmelo Anthony, despite persistent rumors that Melo was a horrific teammate, before losing out on elite level PG Deron Williams, who was eventually traded from Utah to the NJ Nets.

After another losing season in 2012, Williams will hit the free agent market this Summer without the Nets somehow securing the services of another top flight free agent to play alongside him when they move to Brooklyn. While Gerald Wallace is a nice compliment, he’s more of a 3rd option in the Andre Iguodala mold, rather that the one-two star power of Stat and Melo.   All along, Williams has stated that he wants big man Dwight Howard or he will likely go back home to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

Howard’s odd decision to re-up one more season in Orlando does complicate things, but according to some reliable sources in the NYC tri-state area, Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and minority owner Jay-Z are hard at work trying to secure the services of both Howard and Jackson to embark on the Nets initial season’s journey in NYC’s biggest borough, the basketball starved Brooklyn.

One of Jackson’s former star players Scottie Pippen recently commented that he thinks Phil is close to making a comeback and has no doubt that he will definitely coach again soon. The Dwight Howard saga is more complicated since he will have to be acquired by a trade until after the next season. But with Nets big man Brook Lopez. a key trade piece, expected to be 100% healthy by the start of the 2012-2013 season, a trade isn’t entirely out of the question. Would a roster of Howard, Williams, Wallace and/or and improving rookie MarShon Brooks be enough to lure Phil Jackson out of retirement?

Will Dwight and Phil take their talents to Brooklyn? Some experts seem to think it’s possible…….

Source: Knicks Blog

The 6’9 and 225 lb forward has already been compared to Carmelo Anthony, Grant Hill, and even Kobe, is the youngest player ever to be named USA Basketball’s male athlete of the year in 2011(succeeding Kevin Durant – 2010), is only the 4th junior to be awarded Gatorade National HS POY this past April, in addition to helping lead Chicago based hoops powerhouse Simeon HS to their 3rd straight Class 4A Illinois State Title. All amazing accomplishments considering the fact he just turned all of 17 years old.

His father Sonny Parker was once a stand-out at Texas A&M and was a 1st Round NBA Draft pick, meaning elite level hoops is in his blood. Parker also is a devout Muslim and may consider going on a mission once he turns 19, even if it means putting the NBA on hold. It’s a surprising proposition considering that Parker is the odds on early selection as the #1 overall pick in early 2014 NBA Mock Drafts.

Now he has yet another accolade to be proud of – as the coverboy for the May 21st issue of Sports Illustrated. Upon reading a sneak peak, Parker’s faith and background is almost as compelling as his immense basketball skills. Skills so amazing that he is touted as the “Best HS basketball player since Lebon James.”

Although he has only average athleticism, most scouts agree that the sky is the limit for Parker, since he can do virtually anything he wants on the court from scoring 40 points one night to blocking 12 shots on another. Possessing a 6’11 wingspan, Parker could be the next in line of dominant power forwards but chooses to instead use his elite ball-handling skills to take his man off the dribble or use his NBA ready pure shooting stroke to drain endless threes.

One NBA executive even told SI that if Jabari were eligible for the draft, he would be a lottery pick in June. He has a 3.7 GPA and judging by his junior season mixtape, Jabari obviously has one-and-done potential, but will he chose his faith over immediate NBA superstardom when the time comes?

Check out Jabari Parker Last Month On The AAU Circuit:

In reality, Wall was essentially the only superstar talent on the Wizards roster, as the team actually improved a few percentage points from Wall’s rookie season in 2010-2011. Considering the fact that the Wizards traded away his best supporting talent in big man Javale McGee and Nick Young, Wall shouldn’t really bear the brunt of another disappointing season in Washington D.C. basketball.

Well, apparently the 2nd consecutive dismal season doesn’t sit very well with the former NCAA Freshman of the Year at Kentucky as Wall has been spotted working hard on his game at the annual Garner Road Open Gym in his hometown Raleigh, North Carolina this past week.

Although the event is open for anyone who wants to participate, the event regularly includes a grouping of former and current NBA players and collegiate stars like incoming Kentucky transfer at point guard Ryan Harrow, who proved he’s ready to take over the reigns of Calipari’s dribble-drive offense.

While we already know Wall for being one of the most exciting highlight reel players in the league to watch, at the Garner Road Open Gym, Wall looks in great shape and was breaking ankles at every possession, finishing way above the rim on a number of dunks, including a facial on the first play of the game.

Most impressive was his behind the back jam after which he told the remaining players to “Go behind the back or go home.” Maybe we will be seeing Mr. Wall in the 2013 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?

Check out John Wall’s Behind The Back Jam:

Topping the list of undecided impact freshmen was Canadian native Anthony Bennett, the #7 ranked player in the 2012 Class. He is a 6‘8 and 230 lb power forward that recently chose the hometown UNLV Runnin Rebels over other top tier schools like Kentucky, Florida, and Oregon. Bennett starred alongside fellow impact incoming freshman Brandon Ashley(Arizona) on Las Vegas based high school powerhouse Findlay Prep, who won the National HS Invitational.

During the offseason, Bennett played with super sophomore Andrew Wiggins on Canada’s CIA Bounce on the AAU circuit, in addition to being named to this year’s McDonald’s All American team, and playing a starring role for the World in beating Team USA in the 2012 Nike Hoops Summit.

Bennett has a unique skill set in that despite possessing the physique of a power forward, Anthony is more comfortable from the perimeter, capable of either taking his man off the dribble or shooting over the defense with above average 3 point range. While he stands barely over 6‘7, Bennett does have a 7‘1 wingspan and has elite level jumping ability to more than make up for it, at least on the collegiate level. There’s no doubting that Bennett will remind many longtime Rebels fans of former NCAA great Larry Johnson.

Although some high profile recruits like Shabazz Muhammed spurned the Rebels, they did reel in a Top 20 rated recruiting class lead by Bennett and 4 star shooting guard Katin Reinhardt, in addition to Pitt transfer Khem Birch, a former Top 10 prospect in the 2011 Class, and Demetris Morant. In addition to the top notch incoming class, coach Dave Rice returns a number of experienced players like NBA hopeful Mike Moser, Quintrell Thomas, Carlos Lopez, and Anthony Marshall. UNLV should begin next season with high hopes as a preseason Top 25 team.

Check out Anthony Bennett in action this Spring:

But in similar fashion to the mostly 30 year old plus roster of the Celtics, who finished off the 76ers in Game 1 of their series, the Lakers leaned on experience and desire in imposing their will upon a the much smaller Denver frontline Saturday night, outlasting the upstart Nuggets for a hard fought 96-87 victory in Game 7.

Despite most of the pre-game hype being focused on Kobe Bryant and his stellar 4-1 mark in deciding Game 7′s throughout his career, it was his much maligned supporting cast that came through for the “Black Mamba”, who seemed almost to play a supporting role, putting up a quiet 17 points and 8 assists, amid constant double teams.

After a admittedly subpar Game 6 effort consisting of 3 points and 3 boards on 1-10 shooting, Pau Gasol put some extra work in at the Forum prior to Game 7 and it clearly paid off as the 7 foot Spaniard had one of his best postseason games of his career, fighting off Nuggets pesky rookie Kenneth Faried(6 points, 10 rebounds) to put up 23 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks in helping the Lakers advance to a 2nd Round rematch with the well rested OKC Thunder Monday evening.

Kobe’s harsh words directed at his lackluster teammates earlier in the series appeared to also ignite All Star center Andrew Bynum who added 16 points and a career playoff high 18 boards and 6 blocks and Metta Wold Peace, who added 15 points and played outstanding defense on Andre Miller and Danilo Gallinari. The Nuggets were paced by another outstanding performance by PG Ty Lawson who tallied 24 points and 6 assists, as well as Al Harrington’s 24 points off the bench.

We know Kobe will be up to the task against OKC but the question remains, can the Lakers bigs play consistent enough to outlast the talented Thunder frontcourt of Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, and Nazr Muhammed?

It will also be interesting to watch the interaction between Wold Peace and James Harden since Peace has stood by his argument that the elbow was an accident and refuses to shake the hand of newly crowned NBA 6th Man of the Year next series.

Check out some highlights of Game 7:

Even though Shaq has made a few rookie mistakes like swearing on the air and his getting a bit too creative in finding his personalized parking spot on TNT grounds, Shaq’s funny commentary always makes me laugh.

Recently the New York Knicks were eliminated in 5 games by the Miami Heat, meaning it was once again time for the TNT crew to dole out the old Gone Fishin segment, officially signifying the end of the Knickerbockers season.

After the crew poked fun at a photoshopped pic of Knicks players on a boat called the “End of the Lin” where Melo and injured Yankees closer Mariano Rivera were casting their lures, Ama’re Stoudemire was busy punching a fish, and John Calipari and Phil Jackson were lurking nearby, the crew put up tweet from a fan comparing Nuggets’ Al Harrington, sporting a facemask over his recently broken nose, to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

As one could imagine, Shaquille O’Neal drew great pleasure in poking fun at his fellow NJ native Harrington, and nearly busted a gut in belting out a deep seeded belly laugh that lasted a good 30 seconds going into a commercial. In Shaq’s defense, Harrington and Donatello to bear a striking resemblance……..

Check out Shaq getting hysterical over a fan’s tweet:

[H/T to NBA Doppelgangers for the AH/TMNT Pic]

Amid rumors that the future 1st ballot Hall of Famer is bankrupt, has had a restraining order placed on him by ex-wife Tawanna, and is continually planning another comeback to the NBA, Allen has resurfaced in China.

If you remember, Allen lasted only half of a season overseas, playing for Beskitas in Turkey before heading back to the states to nurse a painful calf injury. After turning down offers to play seemingly anywhere like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Iran, and even a lucrative $20,000 a game contract to play indoor soccer, Iverson has been spotted halfway across the globe playing on the NBA Legends Tour in China.

It’s good to see A.I. once again playing the game he loves alongside longtime former NBA contemporaries like Shawn Kemp, Dennis Rodman, Stephon Marbury, and Clyde Drexler on a promotional tour where a team of former NBA stars plays against Chinese squads like Beijing Shougang, Shanxi Zhongyu and the Chinese Olympic National Team.

Although Iverson recently made a cameo appearance in a new Swizz Beatz video to help re-launch his Reebok clothing line, hoops will always be his money-maker, as Marbury is reportedly trying to recruit A.I. to play in the Chinese Basketball League next season.

Check out Iverson Droppin 27 on Marbury in China:

Jefferson, a highly touted 6’7 and 195 lb small forward, is a consensus Top 30 rated prospect that many feel can make an immediate impact as a freshman on the collegiate level next season. He along with fellow McDonald’s All American PF Anthony Bennett are the top still uncommitted players remaining in the graduating senior class.

Although still wiry thin, Jefferson is already a force as a monster rebounder and shot-blocker because of an immense 7 foot plus wingspan. He also along possesses a diverse and versatile offensive skill set that allowed him to notch multiple double-doubles during his senior campaign.

Amile is the next in line of prototypical hybrid forwards, more comfortable facing up than backing down a defender. He is most comfortable operating in the mid to high post, taking advantage of an advanced quickness to finish of an array of drop steps and hook shots. His perimeter skills are still a work in progress but has the fundamentals to be a dynamic offensive player in time. Many compare Jefferson to a slightly thinner Terrence Jones of Kentucky.

Duke and NC State are his supposed favorites with Kentucky and hometown Villanova also in Amile’s Top 4 destinations.  Surely Wolfpack and Blue Devil fans will be monitoring Jefferson’s Twitter account to be one of the first to find out his decision….

Check out Amile Jefferson in Action:

While this year’s top prospects Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Muhammed drew their fair share of praise for un-ending highlight reel plays over their senior seasons, and Jabari Parker has already turned some heads as the top ranked junior, the universally top ranked recruit regardless of class has to be rising sophomore Andrew Wiggins, hailing from Canada.

If you remember back in 2009, The HoopDoctors.com was one of the first sites to inform the blogosphere about Wiggins, then an amazing 13 year old baller from Toronto,Canada, who was dominating middle school competition.  Back then, Wiggins was a 6’6 and 195 lb 7th grader that was just beginning to scratch the surface of him immense potential.

Fast forward 3 years, and Wiggins has developed into the best sophomore in the nation, playing for West Virginia’s famed Huntington Prep and Canada’s CIA Bounce on the AAU circuit.  During this year’s Nike Hoops Summit, Wiggins even outshined his American counterparts Muhammed, Noel, Rodney Purvis, and Kyle Anderson to take home the event’s MVP honors in addition to leading the World to a victory over Team USA.

Although Wiggins hasn’t grown much since his middle school days, his wiry 6’7 frame and through the roof offensive game has made him the must get recruit heading towards the 2014-2015 NCAA season.  As one would expect, top tier coaches like Kentucky’s John Calipari can usually be seen sitting courtside at each and every on of Andrew’s games this Spring.

He recently tore up the competition on the first two stops of the 2012 Nike EYBL Tour in Minnesota and Hampton, VA alongside fellow highly touted teammates PG Tyler Ennis(2013) and 7‘3 Tanveer Bhullar(2013), leading CIA Bounce to an impressive 9-0 record.  Right now, the #1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft is Wiggins’ to lose……

Check out Andrew Wiggins’ Sophomore Season Mixtape:

Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.

Even with last season’s NBA MVP Derrick Rose going down with a nasty ACL tear, Team USA’s backcourt should be as potent as ever with Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Russell Westbrook all taking turns running the point.

When adding in high volume scorers like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade to the perimeter, the World surely won’t see what’s coming. Wing players like Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, and Eric Gordon as well as Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler, as well as Chris Bosh are also in the running to make the final 12 man squad bound for London.

But with Dwight Howard officially out because of shoulder surgery and LA Lakers big man Andrew Bynum already declining, the US Coaching staff(Jim Boeheim, Mike Kryzewski, Mike D’Antoni, and Nate McMillan) has come up with a list of 3 young frontcourt players to potentially take 2 spots vacated by injuries to Rose, Howard, and Chauncey Billups.

The three big men reportedly on the short list to compete in the Team USA trials in Las Vegas in early July are Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins, Detroit Pistons big man Greg Monroe, and reigning NCAA Player of the Year Anthony Davis.

Fresh off leading Kentucky to the National Championship, Davis is regarded as the odds-on favorite to be #1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and would be an intruiging option at center considering his elite level shot-blocking ability. Interestingly Davis would become the first player since Christian Laettner in 1992 to play on a USA Basketball squad made up purely of pro players without having a minute of NBA experience.

Team USA begins training in Las Vegas on July 6th and plays an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic National Team, coincidentally coached by Kentucky’s John Calipari, on July 12th before departing for London.

Check out Anthony Davis’ NCAA POY Mixtape:

That’s precisely why so much fuss was made of UCLA and Kentucky reeling in the top 2 recruiting classes in the nation behind the prolific scoring #2 rated Shabazz Muhammed(UCLA) and shot-blocking, top rated Nerlens Noel(Kentucky), who are immediate impact players capable of helping lead their squads deep into next season’s NCAA Tournament in their freshman seasons.

With most of the HS seniors in the 2012 Class locked into college commitments for next season, most high major head coaches and their staffs are now focusing on the next crop of superstar underclassmen like juniors Jabari Parker, Julius Randle, and the Harrison twins, along with scintillating sophomores Andrew Wiggins and Jahlil Okafor.

Since the key to elite level recruiting is to find a big man to anchor your defense and get in as early as possible, seemingly every coach in America is focusing on the #2 ranked player in the 2014 Class Jahlil Okafor. Okafor played center for Chicago powerhouse Whitney Young and is hooping it up currently for the Mac Irvin Fire on the AAU circuit. Jahlil is the distant cousin of 8 year NBA veteran Emeka Okafor.

He is a monsterous 6’9 and 270 lbs, with super soft hands and cat-like reflexes in the low post, which he uses to execute a plethora of lightning quick spin moves to score at will. He reminds many of an even bigger and more talented Jared Sullinger because of his already advanced offensive skill set at such a young age. He has already been offered a full ride by virtually every high major school like Arizona, UConn, Duke, Georgetown, and UNC, among others.

Okafor and his Mac Irvin Fire teammates are one of the few elite AAU squads competing in the 2nd tour of the EYBL this week in Hampton, VA and in a show of force, reminded many of a young Shaquille O’Neal by destroying the rim in a recent contest……

Check out Jahlil Okafor Breaking the Rim: