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Although Dwight Howard was inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame this spring, and he’ll enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September, his playing days aren’t entirely behind him.
Howard is hoping to end his career on a high note this summer when he competes in the Big3, a 3-on-3 basketball league co-founded by rapper and actor Ice Cube in 2017 that features former NBA players.
And Orlando fans will get the chance to watch Howard one last time when he suits up for the Los Angeles Riot under coach Nick Young, who spent 12 years in the NBA.
That’s because the Big3’s championship weekend — which will include the title game and All-Star game — will be held on the campus of UCF at Addition Financial Arena on August 24, the Sentinel learned Friday.
“It’s only right for us to have our championship in Orlando,” Cube told the Sentinel on the phone. “Maybe he’ll make to the championship game but we’re pretty sure he’ll be an All-Star in this league. So, possibly Dwight Howard’s last game could be played in Orlando.
“I just think that’s pretty poetic,” added Cube, who pointed to Howard’s star power as a big draw.
But Howard won’t the only big name on the court.
Former NBA players such as Kemba Walker, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, Lance Stephenson, Mario Chalmers, Montrezl Harrell, Michael Beasley and Gerald Green will participate in the league’s eighth season.
This year will be the first the Big3 is transitioning to a city-based model, with eight all-new franchises debuting this summer: Boston Ball Hogs, Chicago Triplets, Dallas Power, Detroit Amplifiers, DMV Trilogy, Houston Rig Hands, Miami 305, and the LA Riot.
While Orlando won’t have a home club, it gets the next best thing in hosting the championship weekend.
“We looked at it as a great reward for teams making the championship game and players making the All-Star game, too,” Cube said. “We’ve been to other places from the Bahamas to London, and what we’ve noticed is that teams that make it always want to bring their families to see them play in the championship game. We felt like Orlando is a great place for players to be able to do that.”
The regular season tips off June 14 at Allstate Arena in Chicago on CBS and VICE TV.
The teams will not only be competing for the title, but also a $1 million bonus, which will be awarded to the clubs that make it to the championship game.
For Cube, it’s a dream come true the league is entering its eighth season.
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in big time sports,” he said. “Not just a minority owner of a team, but really involved with what the fans see, the structure of the game … Being involved in that level as a basketball fan, I’ve been in heaven when it comes to getting my hands dirty with the nuts and bolts of this league.”
Not only does the league feature 3-on-3 basketball but the style of play is fast-paced and physical in a half-court setting that allows hand checking on defense.
There’s also the 4-point shot, in addition to the traditional 2s and 3-pointers.
According to Cube, the Big3 is a breath of fresh air for basketball fans.
“Once you see it in person, you’re hooked,” he said. “What you’re going to love about the Big 3 is that it’s basketball played the right way … 3-on-3 is different kind of basketball because it’s mano a mano. There’s not a lot of help coming. You’ve got to D up or you’re going to get embarrassed.
“So, it’s a different style but it’s a fun style.”
Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
Howard is hoping to end his career on a high note this summer when he competes in the Big3, a 3-on-3 basketball league co-founded by rapper and actor Ice Cube in 2017 that features former NBA players.
And Orlando fans will get the chance to watch Howard one last time when he suits up for the Los Angeles Riot under coach Nick Young, who spent 12 years in the NBA.
That’s because the Big3’s championship weekend — which will include the title game and All-Star game — will be held on the campus of UCF at Addition Financial Arena on August 24, the Sentinel learned Friday.
“It’s only right for us to have our championship in Orlando,” Cube told the Sentinel on the phone. “Maybe he’ll make to the championship game but we’re pretty sure he’ll be an All-Star in this league. So, possibly Dwight Howard’s last game could be played in Orlando.
“I just think that’s pretty poetic,” added Cube, who pointed to Howard’s star power as a big draw.
But Howard won’t the only big name on the court.
Former NBA players such as Kemba Walker, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, Lance Stephenson, Mario Chalmers, Montrezl Harrell, Michael Beasley and Gerald Green will participate in the league’s eighth season.
This year will be the first the Big3 is transitioning to a city-based model, with eight all-new franchises debuting this summer: Boston Ball Hogs, Chicago Triplets, Dallas Power, Detroit Amplifiers, DMV Trilogy, Houston Rig Hands, Miami 305, and the LA Riot.
While Orlando won’t have a home club, it gets the next best thing in hosting the championship weekend.
“We looked at it as a great reward for teams making the championship game and players making the All-Star game, too,” Cube said. “We’ve been to other places from the Bahamas to London, and what we’ve noticed is that teams that make it always want to bring their families to see them play in the championship game. We felt like Orlando is a great place for players to be able to do that.”
The regular season tips off June 14 at Allstate Arena in Chicago on CBS and VICE TV.
The teams will not only be competing for the title, but also a $1 million bonus, which will be awarded to the clubs that make it to the championship game.
For Cube, it’s a dream come true the league is entering its eighth season.
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in big time sports,” he said. “Not just a minority owner of a team, but really involved with what the fans see, the structure of the game … Being involved in that level as a basketball fan, I’ve been in heaven when it comes to getting my hands dirty with the nuts and bolts of this league.”
Not only does the league feature 3-on-3 basketball but the style of play is fast-paced and physical in a half-court setting that allows hand checking on defense.
There’s also the 4-point shot, in addition to the traditional 2s and 3-pointers.
According to Cube, the Big3 is a breath of fresh air for basketball fans.
“Once you see it in person, you’re hooked,” he said. “What you’re going to love about the Big 3 is that it’s basketball played the right way … 3-on-3 is different kind of basketball because it’s mano a mano. There’s not a lot of help coming. You’ve got to D up or you’re going to get embarrassed.
“So, it’s a different style but it’s a fun style.”
Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
