Cam'ron, Barnes and Jackson have an honest discussion on why New York City hoops hasn't produced a true superstar since Kareem
New York City has long been known as the “Mecca” of basketball. Madison Square Garden, Rucker Park, among other things has led NYC to gain an incredible reputation in the basketball world. Yet, in the past 30 or so years, the level of talent produced by the boroughs has been less than promising.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is by far the best player to ever come out of the Big Apple. However, since Kareem, the level has dropped off drastically. Not to say that there haven’t been any good players from NYC, but it is certainly hard to keep up with the greatness of the NBA Hall-of-Famer.
On a recent episode of the ALL THE SMOKE podcast, rapper Cam’Ron discussed NYC hoops with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. Matt Barnes proposed the question if each borough had a different kind of play style.
“None of them n****s can shoot,” Jackson quickly chimed in.
That prompted a discussion in which Cam’ron explained some of the notable names that came out of New York City.
No superstars from The Big Apple
In the broader context of the NBA, there are only a handful of players who can genuinely be mentioned in the same breath as the greatness of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Bill Russell, and Kobe Bryant. Nevertheless, given the storied reputation of NY in basketball, fans and New Yorkers anticipate the emergence of a player of similar caliber to once again represent the city's basketball legacy.
“We got All-Stars, but we ain’t got no superstars,” Cam’ron said. “We supposed to be the Mecca.”
The cast brought up Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson, Stephon Marbury, and some others as recent players to come out of New York. Each player had a solid career. Walker averaged 19.3 points and 5.3 assists throughout his NBA career, Stephenson was a servicable defensive player but is most known for his scraps with other players, while Marbury averaged 19.3 points as well, along with 7.6 assists in his tenure.
Some players that weren’t mentioned include Ron Artest, Chris Mullin, and Lamar Odom, each of whom deserve to be in the discussion. Sure, Artest and Odom were known for their off the court struggles, but their play deserves to be mentioned.
Mullin wasn’t a flashy player, but his 18.2 points average throughout his career, along with his performance for Team USA was enough to earn him a Hall of Fame induction. Odom was a 2-time NBA Champion, who averaged 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists throughout his career. Artest hit a clutch shot with 1 minute left in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals and finished with 20 points in his 1 championship winning season, though he averaged 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds throughout his career.
The future of the NBA has some rising stars from NYC, including Donovan Mitchell, Cole Anthony, and Johnathan Isaac. The list goes on, and the names with potential include players drafted as recently as just a few seasons ago. However, for Jackson to say that NYC ballers can’t shoot is quite unfair, given the caliber of players.
Players that have left NYC
When Cam’ron started discussing players from NYC, both Jackson and Barnes shouted out players who were born in New York, but didn’t play long enough to be considered New Yorkers.
“Jordan,” Jackson suggested. “I ain’t count a n***a that left at three years old,” Cam’ron quickly responded.
“Melo,” Barnes said.
“Baltimore,” Cam’ron explained. “N****s was born and left and became superstars.”
Michael Jordan was born in New York City, but moved to Wilmington, North Carolina at the age of 5. Everyone knows of his accomplishments, but not many think of him as a New Yorker. As someone who went to UNC and went through the North Carolina high school system, his play was never considered to be from The Big Apple.
Similarly, Carmelo Anthony was born in NYC, but moved to Baltimore at the age of 8. He would go on to average 22.5 points in his career, and would become a legend during his time with the Knicks, but as someone who went through the Baltimore system, he too is not considered a New York born and raised superstar.
Donovan Mitchell was born just outside New York City, in Westchester, but played AAU basketball for two teams in the City. He attended high schools in Conncecticut and New Hampshire, but his AAU play is enough to consider him a NY baller.
Hopefully, his superb play continues, and he can rise to the level of a superstar. Similarly, maybe his play can inspire future New Yorkers, and bring the Mecca back to the level of talent it once had.
