Well, I’ve “taken my talents” to another blog, just like LeBron did with cities in the NBA, except I’m not alienating an entire state, city or fanbase. At least, I don’t think I am. It took some time, and the whole change may still take awhile, but I’ve moved to www.eyemDOPE.com.

I explain the move in this blog post. Expect some great hoops stuff, as always, but I’m going to deliver much more.

For everyone that has been down with my blogging since day one, I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know. Thank you so much and don’t be afraid to look back on and read some of the 1,000-plus archived posts here.

p.s. The blog posts from here will be merged with eyemDOPE at some point in the near future, along with a redirection of the URL.

p.s.s. You also may notice that this current site looks different than it did before, and that’s because in order to keep the same layout, I’d have to pay a yearly fee for custom CSS features, and I’m not doing that anymore. So don’t judge the layout of the site, just appreciate and absorb the actual content.

Obviously on that mid-July night on ESPN, James’ announcement to join Bosh and Wade and “take his talents to South Beach,” did as well.

The video was put together really well and captures that nostalgic late 90′s big-time wrestling feel, but I do want to at least bring up the point that this blog was the first referencing the nWo gimmick with LeBron James. Regardless of who gets credit, the video is awesome. If you aren’t familiar with an nWo vignette, then check the original.

Luckily, the first exhibition game is less than a month away, only about three more weeks of complete boredom. Thankfully we at least have some World Basketball Championship action to watch in the meantime.

Back when I was in seventh grade, a kid in one of my classes told me of an album called B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret. Obviously, the best kept secret in the NBA is players’ ability to rap, considering we haven’t seen many that can actually do it, or at least do it well. When he told me of this CD, he knew that he was going to get eight bucks out of me, and that he did. I bought it off of him the next day when he brought it into school.

Since that moment in 1995, the album has been a part of my life. The songs have been a part of my iPod, but unfortunately most of my friends and most people in the world don’t know that this gem exists.

The album contains 16 tracks, 11 of which have NBA players rapping. This 1994 disc has songs by former NBAers like Dana Barros, Cedric Ceballos and even the late Malik Sealy, along with a cast of others. Even the league’s current old men, Jason Kidd and Shaquille O’Neal drop some rhymes. It’s only fitting that Shaq has a joint on this, he’s the best NBA rapper ever.

The most notable tracks on the album are Chris Mills’ ”Sumptin to Groove To,” Brian Shaw’s ”Anything Can Happen” and Ceballos’ “Flow On.” If I was going to tell you to avoid a track, it’d be JR Rider’s “Funk in the Trunk.” All in all, it’s not that bad of an album and more importantly if you’re a hoops fan, it’s a must listen. The songs have that mid-90′s hip-hop feel to them and most of these songs are better than the crap they play on the radio today.

Want the tracklisting along with YouTube links to each song? Check the jump.

B-Ball’s Best Kept Secret (1995)

(Tracklisting with YouTube links)

1. Hip Hop Basketball Genie (Intro)

2. Check It (by Dana Barros)

3. Lost in the Sauce (by Malik Sealy)

4. Mic Check 1-2 (by Shaquille O’Neal feat. Ill Al Skratch)

5. Earl the Goat (Bobbito Skit)

6. Flow On (by Cedric Ceballos feat. Warren G)

7. Anything Can Happen (by Brian Shaw)

8. Sumptin’ to Groove To (by Chris Mills)

9. From the Bay to L.A. (Interlude)

10. What the Kidd Didd (by Jason Kidd feat. Money-B)

11. Funk in the Trunk (by J.R. Rider)

12. Phat Swoosh (Bobbito Skit)

13. All Night Party (by Dennis Scott)

14. Livin’ Legal and Large (by Gary Payton)

15. DJ S and S Presents (Skit)

16. Ya Don’t Stop (by Dana Barros and Cedric Ceballos feat. Grand Puba, Sadat X, AG and Diamond D)

Most recently, O’Neal has developed a surprising close relationship with teen pop-star Justin Bieber. The two most recently linked up to have a dance-off on O’Neal’s ABC show Shaq Vs.

I didn’t know Bieber was that good of a dancer to be honest, but I guess it’s expected — it’s his job. That said, I have to give the prize to The Big Shamrock, Shaq’s finishing move did Bieber in.

Can’t get enough of Shaq and Bieber? Here’s footage of O’Neal joining Bieber on stage at his concert in Orlando and handling Ludacris’ verse to “Baby.”

There was also a ridiculous game by the name of Barkley: Shut Up and Jam! The game was released on Super NES, Sega Genesis and even…wait for it…the Atari Jaguar. I remember the first time I played the game, it had a bunch of ridiculous characters and of course, Sir Charles Barkley himself. Yes, I chose to play as Barkley and within moments of playing the game I heard his voice say, “Go get the damn ball!”

I was shocked. One reason being, the video game was talking to me — almost non-existent back then. Another being, the game just swore at me. That was a big deal back in 1994.

The game was absurd and not that great, especially if you consider the fact that NBA Jam existed. Through some YouTubing, I found this excellent, outrageous, but actually pretty damn funny review of the game’s 1995 sequel — Shut Up and Jam 2. It starts out with a blank image for a minute and the reviewer coughing, but trust me, it gets better and he covers the game in all it’s glory.

Thankfully when I bought NBA Jam on Super NES, I got it the first day it came out, which meant that Barkley was in my game. He was taken out of later copies because of his exclusivity rights for Shut Up and Jam and it’s sequel.

WARNING: The review contains rated “R” language

Patrick Ewing is to knee pads, what former child actor Emmanuel Lewis is to cuteness.

Notice I say is, because even though you may think it sounds creepy, Lewis still looks like a cute kid at 39 years old.

Lewis played Webster on one of the greatest shows of the 80′s, Webster — at the time of this picture, and I’m totally guessing, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lewis was about 13 years old.

Ewing played center on the second greatest team of 1994, the New York Knicks — this was before the knee pads thing though.

Props, The Hightop Fadeaway

Two weeks back Dennis Rodman was interviewed at the Hall of Fame Ceremony by CBS 3 in Springfield. I will watch anything with Rodman, he’s an icon and the greatest defender of all-time. Rodman is always entertaining, and most importantly, the guy was a great teammate. This year Rodman showed up to support his former teammate Scottie Pippen and last year he came through for both Michael Jordan and David Robinson.

This interview went from great to legendary when Robinson crashes and the two begin to reminisce on their relationship and time together in San Antonio. I honestly almost began to breathe heavy, that’s how excited I was. My two favorite players ever (along with Ben Wallace) in one interview, unexpectedly.

Seriously, the only way this interview could be better is if Wallace, Bill Cosby, Will Smith, Hulk Hogan and Kanye West showed up — seriously.

All in all, it was a solid 13-year career for the big man from the Carribean. He leaves the game as the Golden State Warriors’ all-time leading shot-blocker, along with finishing as one of their top rebounders. Foyle spent 10 of his 13 seasons with the Warriors, also making a very brief stop with the Memphis Grizzlies and a few seasons with the Orlando Magic.

Foyle was more than just a 6-foot-10 shot-blocking machine — he is a gentleman — straight up. There is no other way to put it. He has to be one of the most likable and interesting players in the game — that is if you know about him. Foyle is an intellect, far beyond the stereotype of NBA players. He reviews books for HOOP Magazine, writes poetry and is one of the league’s biggest humanitarians.

Foyle is responsible creating both the Democracy Matters and the Kerosene Lamp Foundation, both to empower, educate and help the youth.

In addition to all of that, Foyle was also a Vice President of the league’s players’ association and is finishing up his masters degree in sports psychology, he even wrote a poem about his NBA journey. This most definitely isn’t the last we’ll be hearing of Foyle — I have a feeling he’ll be involved with the league for years to come — it’s definitely safe to say that there’s only one Adonal Foyle.

Here’s a great interview that he recently did with the Golden State Warriors, it’s a must watch — you need to know more about Foyle, his story was slept on by mass media.

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a lot of moves this summer. Their General Manager David Kahn has been questioned time and time again. Kahn has been ridiculed by many for his statements, draft selections and overall management of the franchise.

Kahn has to do one more move before training camp begins in September.

Yep, you guessed it — it’s time to re-sign Brian Cardinal.

The Timberwolves are young — with an average age of 23 years old. Their oldest player is 29 year-old Luke Ridnour, but he looks like he’s barely 17. This team needs a veteran, a great locker-room presence and a guy who looks his age — Cardinal is all of that and more.

Affectionately called “The Custodian,” Cardinal can do more than just clean up a mess with his scrappy play. Cardinal is the type of 10-year veteran that you want in your locker-room and at your practices — hard nosed and if called upon, can still shoot the rock. Most importantly he always hustles and will give you some solid D. These are just a few reasons why Cardinal — even after injuries robbed him of his best years — has managed to stay in the league for a decade.

I don’t even think I need to bring up the fact that Cardinal co-starred in the Timberwolves best viral video campaign.

Cardinal says he hopes to play one more season, and if I was David Kahn, the paperwork would already be faxed over. Why wouldn’t you want to bring in the type of guy that can make an airport of women go Beatlemania — yes, that man is Brian Cardinal.

Minnesota, along with the world deserves one more year of Cardinal, so go to the website (that some die-hard T-Wolves fans put together) and SIGN THE PETITION and tell everyone you know to do the same.

www.BRINGBACKCARDINAL.com

With that said, check the video — 1,000 posts — pretty big deal. Back on top of things over here and the NBA season starts in just a little over two months.