Issue Date: January 18, 2004
Past the ball
Keep up with NBA stars' antics.
The NBA is much more than basketball these days; it's a lifestyle, complete with oversized throwback jerseys and diamond earrings that scream louder than Spike Lee after a bad call. The overall message is clear: Be a "baller," not necessarily a ballplayer. In the upcoming video game "NBA Ballers" (previews at midwaysports.net), you put the moves on the league's top stars, but instead of a championship ring, you win Shaq's L.A. mansion or Kevin Garnett's Escalade with 24-inch chrome rims.
If that's your bag, jump to Slamonline.com. This online version of the basketball insider magazine details the private lives of today's hoop heavyweights. Learn about LeBron James and his posse, who like to roll high school-style in Ohio. It appears James, 20, hasn't changed, even though he's already worth the gross national product of a small nation; big man still likes his root beer floats. Or hear A.I. waxing on ghetto superstardom: "People might love you in the 'hood, but that doesn't mean one of them won't put a .45 in your face and tell you to get out of your ride."
Dimemag.com matches up nicely with Slamonline. There are regular trash-talking rants and insider info in its "Smack" section, where it recently was reported that Jay-Z had hired an investment banker to look into buying the New Jersey Nets. It also details the off-the-court antics of the players, such as where they like to party or get their grub on.
Roll through sites like hoopshype.com and hoopsworld.com for more reports on the baller lifestyle. That way, when you win Shaq's crib, you'll know what to fill it with.
-- David Lipschultz
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