The Sport Count

Australia's #1 Basketball Magazine.

Before we launched this website, The Sport Count team wrote an obscure ‘zine (as they were called in the mid-90s) entitled The Ball News. Edited and published in a dank basement, the publication was filled with stunning analysis, lengthy thinkpieces, and Shawn Kemp dunk photos we’d ripped out of Sports Illustrated back issues.

Now, more than 15 years after we started The Ball News, we’ve decided to stroll down memory lane, taking a look at some of the keen observations and on point predictions we made in the mid-90s:

Notes From 1994-1995:

Stick to baseball, buddy.

- With two simple words — ‘I’m back’ — Michael Jordan fulfilled the wishes of a desperate basketball public, returning to the Bulls. Many, however, can’t shake the feeling the 31-year old legend has lost it. He’s shooting 40% for the season so far, and it’s difficult to imagine he’ll ever average 30 points again, let alone lead Chicago back to the promised land. Perhaps he should have stayed in the outfield, after all.

- 23-year old sophomore Isaiah Rider looks to be the kind of dependable franchise player you build around. His precocious maturity and modest lifestyle — famously modelled on the financially astute MC Hammer — ensure he’ll act as a rock for this Minnesota team. Ten years down the track, Rider will be a true veteran presence, offering insight and wisdom to the younger guys.

Bradley: Can only get better.

- After a rough rookie season filled with injuries, the Shawn Bradley gamble looks to have paid off. Sure, he still has some strength issues, but his defensive footwork in the low-post is stunning. Let’s just say we don’t expect to see Bradley posterised any time soon!

Also, are we the only ones who think Shawn looks like forgotten 80s star Anthony Michael Hall? Incidentally, we hope the rumours of Hall being attached to the upcoming Batman Forever are true. That movie is going to rule.

- Rookie phenom Grant Hill looks healthy and robust, especially his groin area. Indeed, the nagging injuries concerns that followed him into the league have been quickly forgotten. If we were the general manager of, say, Orlando, we’d feel totally comfortable and confident offering Hill a 6-year contract for max money, knowing we’ll get a good 82 games from him each year. Hill is to basketball what Jeff Buckley is to music: a sensational newcomer, guaranteed long-term success.

- Jesus, our basketball cards just keep going up in value. Safe as gold, these Ultra Fleer.

Notes From 1995-1996:

Forget basketball: will these two ever kiss?

- Michael Jordan has surprised many by playing as hot as Gillian Anderson, but the real story remains the Magic Johnson comeback. Sure, Earvin has packed it on, adding 40 odd pounds to his original playing weight, but he figures to be an unstoppable force down low. And with Magic drawing double teams in the low post, we’re set for a big campaign from bald-headed sharpshooter Anthony Peeler, a man many believe has MVP-level upside.

- Health freak Kemp yet again looks the goods, averaging 20 points and 11 boards at the All-Star break. See? Pays to be in a monogamous relationship.

- These Vancouver Grizzlies look good. Looks like the NBA has finally found a stable franchise up north. As for their prize rookie Bryant Reeves? Well, we figure he’s young. He’ll grow into his face soon enough, and Vancouver will soon be treated to the ‘Nash Bridges of the north.’

Notes From 1996-1997:

We made this 'animated .jpeg' for our Geocities site.

- The Lakers have mortgaged their title chances by inexplicably trading proven veteran Vlade Divac to Charlotte in exchange for an unheralded high school prospect from Philadelphia.

- Dennis Rodman has been suspended for 11 games, after kicking a cameraman. This moment of brutal violence and crazed bloodlust represents a new low in professional basketball history; only an all-in brawl featuring players beating up fans, and fans retaliating by throwing chairs and screaming horrific obscenities, could be worse. Unlikely that’ll happen.

- Critics of electrifying rookie Allen Iverson say he’s a thug and a criminal,  a ghetto freak hellbent on bringing ‘hip-hop’ to the famously moral National Basketball Association. Frankly, we’re baffled by the attention he’s receiving; with the recent death of Tupac, hip-hop is totally dead, and the ‘tattoo craze’ Iverson has popularised seems unlikely to catch on.

Posted By: Anton, Alex & James