Takin' It To The Streets: As Lockout Talks Stall, NBA Players Go Grassroots

Fans rushing Durant to make sure he's made of flesh and bone.

In case you missed it, Kevin Durant went medieval in Harlem's Rucker Park last Monday, dropping a near-record 66 points as his DC Power team beat the Sean Bell All-Stars. If you can name a single player (besides Durant) on either squad, congratulations; you're the most hardcore basketball fan ever (Your prize? You get to dunk on Greg Ostertag. Don't feel special though, everyone has done it).

After the game, he tweeted:

"No lie, jus had one of the best times of my life at Rucker park..wow! I love NY...Harlem waddup."

Then, on Tuesday, he dropped 41 more in a winning effort in the Pro City summer tournament at Baruch College in Manhattan, playing alongside Pacers' center Roy Hibbert and against Bulls guard John Lucas III (who, it should be noted, racked up 60 points himself).

Two games in, and KD has already wrestled NYC from Amar'e and 'Melo's weak grasp.

But let's be honest: as the lockout threatens the entire NBA season, some of the best young players will be relegated to exhibition games and touring (if they don't choose to "rough it" in Europe or China). Kevin Durant is only getting better. It would be a tragedy for such a talent to be robbed of an entire year of basketball in his prime.

"GRIFF SMASH!" - Blake meets Marvel

In that same category is Blake Griffin, reigning Rookie of the Year and athletic freak (Have we come up with a good nickname? I'm all for the moniker "Griff," like an homage to the hoverboard-riding villain from Back to the Future Part II). Griffin spent Tuesday kicking off his first annual basketball camp for kids in Oklahoma City, OK. Having already missed all of the 2009-2010 season with a knee injury, Griffin would be sitting at home, tearing his hair out with impatience if the lockout runs into the season.

As the NBA players remain locked-out from work, they've taken their talents directly to the people. Fans have to cherish Durant's performance, for gems like Monday night are few and far between and may be a distant memory three months from now, as we may all be watching Turkish League highlights on Al-Jazeera.

The NBPA and the owners have resumed talks as of Monday, but the situation took another exhausting turn, as the owners slapped two lawsuits against the players' union. This move is largely tactical; the owners hope to confirm the legality of the lockout and to void all existing player contracts, as they were reliant on the old CBA.

This whole situation is playing out like a nasty divorce between the wealthy, shrewd businessman Stern and his "estranged" partner, NBA players.

Players: While we're separated, we're going to see other people. 

Stern: Hey, fine, go to Europe, see how much I care. Just don't expect to be pampered the way I pampered you. 

What he actually said:

"We take very good care of our players because we think they deserve it and we appreciate them. Not sure they're going to get the same level of treatment just as another player on a team fighting for a victory in, you name it, wherever it may happen to be."

Here's to hoping they come to a settlement soon.

But in the meantime, we can look forward to our favorite stars finding ways to make headlines.


Hate the column? Love the column? Send us an email at jabronifreesports@gmail.com. 


Dean Karoliszyn is the Editor-in-Chief and cofounder of Jabroni Free Sports.