Is Kickball Really Dangerous?

In this age of sky-rocketing childhood obesity numbers, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle for kids, and an out-of-control obsession with video games and television, it is good to see that lawmakers have finally done something: they have identified physical activities and deemed many “unsafe”.

In an attempt to regulate summer camp safety statewide, legislators have created a list of activities they feel need more oversight, which is set to include such childhood favorites as kickball, wiffleball, and tag.



As is the case with many pieces of legislation that pass into law, it is typically with good intentions, but will have many unintended consequences. It is clear that there is legitimate concern about the number of staff at a camp compared to the campers. Regardless of the activity taking place, there should be enough medical staff to accommodate the children. What is unintended in this legislation is the fact that small camps will be hit hard (and perhaps have to close) because they will need to pay a fee and maintain a medical staff if they take part in certain activities.

I played all of these games as a kid. They are hardly “risky”. The worst injury I have ever gotten from games like these is probably a jammed finger or scraped knee. I worked at a summer camp over the summer and it was amazing to see how little these kids knew of “getting up and moving”. They truly enjoy, as most kids do, running around and playing games. Unfortunately, many of their parents are too busy doing other things to foster and environment where physical activity is encouraged.

Legislation like this continues down the path toward the day when no one will get off of couches and be too fat to tie their own shoes. I’m just waiting to see the day.

Langston Morris-Walker Has Interesting Connection to St. John's

When head coach Steve Lavin brought his Southern California roots to Queens in spring 2010, the ties between the east and west coasts were made much tighter for this St. John’s program.

Dwayne Polee II, who had a solid freshman season in limited minutes, is a California player who Lavin was able to nab in his first few weeks on the job, and Amir Garrett and Norvel Pelle, both west coast products, will wear Johnnies’ red and white this fall.

For versatile 2012 Berkeley High (CA) forward Langston Morris-Walker, his connection to St. John’s is different.

“I call [St. John’s legend] Chris Mullin my ‘Godfather’,” said Morris-Walker. “He wants me to look into St. John’s.”

Mullin, the newly-inducted Hall of Famer, has a son (Chris Jr.) who used to play AAU basketball with Morris-Walker. Through that relationship, the two have grown to be good friends.

“He’s not actually my godfather, but I call him that because we’re so close,” says Morris-Walker.

The Berkley, California native, who did not start playing organized basketball until 8^th grade, is a crafty and smooth 6’5” swingman who has transcended the label of simply “athlete” and has transformed himself into a complete basketball player.

His athleticism adds something to his game on both the offensive and defensive ends, allowing him to play above the rim, but that is not all he has in his repertoire. He is continuing to develop a mid-range and outside game, and, if he could do that, would settle in nicely as a large shooting guard at the college level, at 6’5”.

Morris-Walker is drawing interest from across the country, including west coast schools like Oregon, Stanford, Nevada, and UC-Santa Barbara, and east coast schools like West Virginia, Marquette, and Boston College.

“The big thing for me is what kind of school it is, what it’s known for,” he said. “I really like Oregon and Stanford. Oregon is an up-and-coming team; they show a lot of promise.”

Morris-Walker compares his style of play to that of Memphis Grizzlies’ forward Rudy Gay, and the comparisons are not far off. “He’s an athlete that can really shoot it,” he says. “[Gay] gets the team involved and is a leader.”

This summer, he is working on his ballhandling to become the shooting guard he feels like he can be: “My whole life I’ve been a small forward. I want to become a complete player.”

The Oakland Soldiers, Morris-Walker’s AAU team, is currently ranked third in the country by Five Star Basketball in the 17U Division, and includes other high-major recruits, top prospects like Brandon Ashley, Jabari Bird, and Richard Longrus.

Though St. John’s has not come calling yet, Morris-Walker says much of his family lives in New York, in Brooklyn and upstate, so he is open to the idea of going to the school on the east coast.

“I haven’t gotten a phone call or anything from St. John’s, but [Lavin] is a good coach,” Morris-Walker said. “I like how he has his guys playing.”

Heading into the summer AAU circuit and his senior season at Berkley, Division 1 coaches will continue to take notice of this athletic wing and his recruitment should pick up, coast-to-coast.

Procrastination Is OK

There is too much made of procrastination. In my opinion, "procrastination" only happens when you don't know what you're doing.

Admittedly, I do work on a tight deadline, even when it was assigned a long while back. Some may call that "procrastination", but I do not. The quality of my work does not dip, nor does my overall stress level. In fact, I am relaxed for the majority of my time because I don't have to think about the assignment until the end. I have gained more confidence and learned how to write under a deadline by leaving my assignments until the end.

I think that kids who work on a project for 2-3 weeks will have more of a problem in the working world than kids like me, who work on a deadline. There are very few things that will be done on such a long timeline. It is much more realistic that workers will have to meet close deadlines. This is my way of practicing for that.



It is true that some people struggle with doing good work on such a tight deadline, but I have always been tired of people saying "it can't be done". People should be free to work as they please, and, if they can't do it under a tight deadline, they need to rethink their study habits. If I can do it, I should have full right to, without criticism.

Lincoln Star Talks About His Bright Future

Every time Lincoln High School (NY) freshman guard Isaiah Whitehead steps on the court, the New York City lens magnifies everything he does.

“Everybody in New York compares everybody with everybody else. People compare me with Lance [Stephenson], Sebastian [Telfair], Steph [Marbury],” said Whitehead. “But, at the end of the day, I’m still going to be Isaiah Whitehead.”

At the age of 15, the baby-faced Whitehead has been thrust into the spotlight after starring for the Lincoln Railsplitters this past season.

At Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest with his AAU team, Juice All-Stars, Whitehead showcased his explosive ability when attacking the basket, as well as his polished mid-range game. “Playing at a big university on a big floor, it’s great,” said Whitehead of the Hoop Group experience. “We have a huge opportunity to play at a Big East school and I’m just looking to get better.”

As only a freshman, his 6’4” frame is sturdy and he has learned how to use it to his advantage in the lane. His balanced, compact jumpshot release is difficult to block and is part of the reason he is effective, even when he is unable to get to the basket. Early in his Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest game against the Baltimore All-Stars, Whitehead was able to use his size to get to the basket, clear out defenders and use a keen eye to find a teammate for a nice assist. Even as a freshman, he sees the floor well when he drives and can find an opening.

Whitehead is drawing interest from Southern California, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, Providence, and North Carolina and is leaving the recruiting field open.

During the remainder of his high school career, Whitehead will most likely grow larger and transform into a true shooting guard or swingman, though his tight handle give him some point guard characteristics that add to his versatility.

Lincoln may have a blossoming star on their hands, one who could be the future of New York basketball.

Compare former New York Stars with Whitehead:

Isaiah Whitehead:





Lance Stephenson:



Sebastian Telfair:



Stephon Marbury:

Government Shutdown

Original Video:



Redubbed Version:

Kareem Canty wants to be the King of New York

The distinction of being “a New York City point guard” brings with it the weight of a few assumed traits.

Like the ones who came before, immortalized men like Archibald, Washington, and Jackson, the New York City Point Guard is tough, quick, and intelligent with the basketball. He is relentless, effective in the clutch, and, simply put, a winner.

Kareem Canty wants to be next.

The 6’1” guard from Bridgton Academy (ME), who attended Hoop Group Elite Session 1 last summer, is an underrated 2012 point guard who is finally and deservedly beginning to turn some heads at major D-1 programs.

Canty, a Harlem native, spent the first two years of his high school career at Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn, New York, transferring to Bridgton for this season to take his game to the next level.



In recent years, with the emergence of players like Connecticut’s Kemba Walker and Villanova’s Corey Fisher, New York City is back as the home of some of the best point guards in the country.

“I admire those guys and I’m going to be on the next big stage to represent New York City,” said Canty. “I would love to be considered up there with those guys.”

ESPN currently ranks Canty as the 13th-best point guard in the class, which puts him just outside the preliminary Super 60 in the Class of 2012.

He is drawing interest from Division 1 programs like Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Xavier, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Arizona, though he is not leaning toward anyone yet.

“Everyone on the same level right now,” he says. “I’m just looking to be comfortable and have a family environment at the school I pick.”

Canty is a return to the old-school, fundamental point guard, with polished skills getting to the basket, drawing defenders, and creating for his teammates. He has a tight handle that allows him to dribble into traffic and he has a keen eye for finding teammates around the rim. He also finishes at the rim well, with good body control in the air to avoid contact.

“I’m on a mission to [dominate] every point guard ranked ahead of me,” says Canty. “I feel like certain scouts don’t respect me yet.”

This summer, Canty will play AAU for the Long Island Lightning and attend the Chris Paul Basketball Camp in North Carolina. He will also be at Hoop Group’s Pittsburgh Jam, April 15-17th.

Expect Canty’s stock to continue to rise through the summer and his senior season at Bridgton as he continues his climb to become New York’s next big-name point guard.

Man on the Street: New York Mets

Fans say what they expect of the 2011 New York Mets:

Carmelo Anthony Makes Appearance on SNL

Last night, Carmelo Anthony made an appearance on Saturday Night Live as "Carmela St. Knix", a female shot putter with a distinct height advantage over the competition. It was a very funny skit, made better by Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte as terrible ESPN commentators:



Anthony's appearance was limited, but he adds his name to the list of athletes who have made the crossover into the comedy scene. Saturday Night Live seems to be the main stage for this transition, with athletes like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning (his video below) testing their gusto under the bright lights.

For an athlete, unless they bomb, it is a great PR move. It is the best for athletes who want to transcend their sport and become "global athletes". Take, for example, LeBron James. He is working with Nike to following in the footsteps of Jordan and become a basketball player that even everyday people know by name.

As a sports fan, it is comical to see guys like Carmelo in a different setting. But, the video below of Peyton Manning is one of my favorite SNL videos of all-time. The writers did a great job of breaking Manning's "good guy" persona and flipping it upside down.

Enjoy.