INDIANAPOLIS — Since 1987 Ice Cube has been creating cultural content for the world and in 2019 he’s still going strong. Three years ago he created the Big 3 professional basketball league with retired NBA players playing 3-On-3 basketball and it actually works.
On Sunday the tour came to Indianapolis and my curiosity forced me to get credentials to cover the event. Like most NBA reporters and fans I was skeptical as to how much interest there would be in watching some retired cats hoop in the half court.
When I walked into the arena an hour before the event I was immediately hooked because of the mix between hip hop and hoop. They were playing all of Ice Cube’s hits, the edited versions of course. Well…not the NWA joints but you get my point. They were also playing other classic hip hop and the joint was bangin’.
Sports and hip hop has always been a match made in heaven. All rappers want to be hoopers and all hoopers want to be rappers. It’s the American way. So it automatically works. I was vibing to the music when the homie Ice Cube walks right up to me and says what’s up. An entertainment icon still out here grinding being hands on when he’s worth more than $100 million.
Not only was he in the building making sure that every aspect was right but he had his queen with him too. Talk about hustlin’! Ole boy was gettin’ it in when he’s well past the point of having to. However, that’s Ice Cube for you.
There were six teams with legendary hoop icons coaching them playing in Indy on Sunday with three games. There were another six teams in Detroit on Saturday night. Lisa Leslie held the “Triplets” down featuring cats like Joe Johnson and former Pacer Al Jefferson. New York Knick legend, Nate Archibald, coached the “Aliens” featuring Greg Oden who was ballin’ out of control. They also had cats like Brandon Rush and Shannon Brown.
Then there was Dr. J coaching the “Tri-State” squad with Amar’e Stoudemire and Jason Richardson. The Big homie Bonzi Wells was the buildin’ rocking the cleanest suit and funky all white sneakers but had to sit out because of a hamstring injury. Charles Oakley coached the “Killer 3’s” Frank Session, Josh Powell and Eddie Curry.
Even ole Rick Barry found time to get involved as he coached the “Ball Hogs” with Will McDonald, Jermaine Taylor and DeShawn Stevenson. George “The Iceman” Gervin coached the “Ghost Ballers” with Ricky Davis and Mario Moon.
Dude!!! It was really fun to watch because they were competing like they was playing in the NBA. I couldn’t believe how competitive they were. Joe Johnson was out there going off on the refs, cursing and going at it. It was 3-on-3 but it was intense. They were actually player basketball calling plays and everything. Keep in mind that this isn’t the YMCA over 40 league. These are high skill level individuals who are in unbelievable shape.
More than anything it was worth the Sunday afternoon. Ice Cube’s on to something because during this season of the summer there’s NOTHING going on unless you’re into baseball and that sport puts most folks sound to sleep. How many cats do to know that don’t even watch ESPN from mid-June to mid-July? Everybody I know. So make sure you check out the Big 3 when he comes to your town this summer. Take the kids and get it in. Next stop Charlotte and Philly next weekend. Stop me when I start lyin’!
Playas Thesaurus:
1) Dun: noun – the person in question, dude, guy, etc. It’s whoever I’m talkin’ about and its non-gender specific.
