Stoopidswag: SLAM 149 is On Sale Now!

SLAM 149 is On Sale Now!

We're In Good Hands
By Ben Osborne

As you crack open the mag this month, your main basketball focus is likely on the NBA Conference Semis or Finals, and if the 1st turn is any indication, they're surely keeping your attention. Ours too, at least on the web, where SLAMonline continues to be the better order to get NBA news and analysis on an hourly basis.

But how about print?

With our long run times and annual custom of crowning our very own high school All-Americans this month, now seemed like a full time to put the game's future in focus. Start with a deep 2011 class that recruitniks have been hyping since these kids started high school. Narrow it downwards to the 30 kids we honor by name on pgs. 48-50, all of whom are goinghigh-major and have legit NBA potential. Then cut that name to six-our SLAM All-Americans. As shown from left to right above, they are Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis, Brad Beal, Quincy Miller, Marquis Teague and Michael Gilchrist. As you obviously saw on the cover, we even whittled this group down to three-Gilchrist, Rivers and Davis-and made them the first high schoolers since John Wall and Lance Stephenson to look on our cover.

What makes these three cover worthy? Their games, for starters. Gilchrist has an all-around floor game that has people making Scottie Pippen comparisons, Rivers is a cold-blooded scorer and Davis is a face-up 4 who's practically unbeatable when he's guarding the rim. Just as important, as David Cassilo's great cover feature (pg. 42) documents, all 3 kids have unique and fascinating back stories that give them extra intriguing.

So yes, enjoy every moment of this NBA postseason. But as the teams alive dwindle in turn along with the number of games there are remaining to watch, take a second to reflect a future that is hella bright.

Peace,
Ben Osborne




THIS Week ON SLAM ONLINE

SLAM 149: ON Sale NOW!
Meet your 2014 NBA All-Stars.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/the-magazine/toc/2011/05/slam-149-on-sale-now/

MAKE Some NOISE
Cover story: Michael Gilchrist, Austin Rivers and Anthony Davis are set for primetime.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/the-magazine/features/2011/05/slam-149-cover-story/

RIP ROBERT 'TRACTOR' TRAYLOR
A personal remembrance.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2011/05/131207/

A Lasting LEGACY
Josh Powell recounts the shock of Phil Jackson.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2011/05/a-lasting-legacy/


THIS Week IN SLAM MEDIA

GALLERY: LAKERS KICKSOLOGY
The Lake Show limps into the sunset.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/kicks/2011/05/gallery-lakers-kicksology/

VIDEO: RAJON RONDO DUNKS, ENJOYS A RIDE
Even in high school, RR had his own steeze.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/media/slam-tv/2011/05/video-rajon-rondo-dunksenjoys-piggyback-ride/

KICKS: THE NIKE ZOOM KD IV
Kevin Durant's new sneaks.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/kicks/2011/05/kicks-the-nike-zoom-kd-iv/

VIDEO: DERRICK ROSE DUNKS HIS OWN MISS
The MVP shows off his athleticism.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/media/slam-tv/2011/05/video-derrick-rose-dunks-his-own-miss/


SLAM MAGAZINE ONLINE ARCHIVES

BLACK AND SILVER
Pittsburgh natives DeJuan Blair and Mac Miller talk beats and ball.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/the-magazine/2011/05/black-and-silver/

ON THE Follow UP
SLAM 147: Greivis Vasquez lives for the clutch.
http://www.slamonline.com/online/the-magazine/features/2011/05/on-the-come-up/






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