J-Boogie previously gave you the 411 on top comp at local L.A. parks.  Talk about "Street Cred". . . The Oakwood Rec Center is so tough . . . it's the gangbangers who decides who plays!   The Oakwood Rec Center is where J-Boogie's HOOPTAINERS strut their stuff !

Oakwood recreation center 19 arrested in Venice gang sweep .  On some occasions, the basketball court saw more drug deals than free throws.

- Dan the Man

Check out ABA star William "Bird" Averitt against David "Skywalker" Thompson.  Bird is #14 in the photos. Click here to view website.

- Dan the Man

Here is an article I wrote on J-Boogie Brantley for a popular Mixed Martial Art magazine (Elite Fighter Magazine). 

With my compliments - I am as always, Dan the Man

Another player worth mentioning is William "Bird" Averitt, former Pepperdine University & Kentucky Colonel great.  He beat out Raymond Lewis for the nations leading scoring average circa 1972-73 season.  Scored 50 points against U.C.L.A. frosh team which included Bill Walton and Keith Wilkes.  He later was a key player on the ABA Kentucky Colonel champions with Artis Gilmore.

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One player worth mentioning is Nate Cebrun (former Nebraska, Los Angeles City College, and Harlem Clowns player in the middle 60's). He was a carbon copy of Dave Bing former Detroit Piston great.  Approx 6'2" and would hit nothing but net while falling out-of-bounds, just a flick of the wrist!  Averaged over 30 points a game in J.C. while being double-teamed.  Scored 50 twice against U.C.L.A. frosh team going against Mike Warren (Cash Warren's Dad as in Jessica Alba).  Got wounded in Nam but still was able to play some with Harlem Clowns.  But hip wound slowed him down.  Heard he became involved in the Sports Agent business.  Fantastic shooter and excellent jumper too !

- Dan the Man, Los Angeles CA

Just got the 411 from Jay "Real Game" Boogie on some of the  top courts for comp in L.A.

Oakwood Rec Center Gym in Venice Beach where such notables as Baron Davis, Jelly Bean Bryant.  Filming is also done there such as Ball Don't Lie featuring the Professor, Ludacris, Jay Boogie, and Nick Cannon.  Pan Pacific Rec Center, Baldwin Hill Rec Center, Westwood Rec Center, Washington Park-South L.A. gym.  And by the way, check out Jay talking on the changes in the game of bball.  http://www.wsbchoops.com/home.html

Regards, Dan the Man   

Jay "Boogie" Brantley and "Dan the Man" will be appearing in former East Coast high school basketball star Martin Guigui's basketball movie SWEETWATER (2008) about former Urban Legend N.Y. Knick Nat Sweetwater Clifton who helped break the NBA color line.  Smokey Robinson & Romeo are a few of the actors slated to appear.  Check it out at:  http://www.movieset.com/og/synopsis/1457    Streetballer Jay "Boogie" Brantley can be seen in videos and action photos on his HOOPTAINER team tour to Brazil at www.macleem.com - Compliments of "Dan the Man"

Go to http://myspace.com/actordantheladiesman and click on to pics and see updated photos of urban legends such as Tony "Red" Bruin former Mater Christi & Syracuse star, James "Fly" Williams, Raymond Lewis, WILT etc.  I would like to give a big shoutout to Dean Prator the creator of the great website.  www.raymondlewis.com - Dan the Man

More photos of West Coast Streetball Legend Raymond Lewis circa 1970's.  Enjoy!

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Jerry Tarkanian says about Lewis, "He was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal.  I followed him throughout high school.  He had more God-given talent than anybody.  "You can take the five best defensive players in the NBA and they couldn't stop this kid".

"Raymond would play all our players one-on-one and kill ‘em and half of them were All Americans." he said.  "He was as fast as Allen Iverson, only taller, bigger and stronger, I kid you not, he could handle the ball like you couldn't believe, just make the ball disappear." 

I never saw anyone guard him one-on-one.  I never saw anyone contain him.  I never saw anyone stop his dribble penetration.  In a college game once, he scored 73 points.  I was mesmorized by his ability and I just couldn't believe it."  In his novel 2005 novel Runnin' Rebel Tark proclaimed Raymond Lewis as "The Greatest Player I Ever Saw." 

- Dan the Man

Speaking of Urban Legends; what about Jay "Boogie" Brantley, former Los Angeles All-City Player, UNLV, East Coast and West Coast legend.  Marques Haynes (Harlem Globetrotter great) knows what Jay Boogie can do with the ball.  Plus, when he shoots the rock, he is money!  Take-it-to-the-bank!   At the moment he and his Hooptainer team are spreading goodwill on his Jay Boogie tour in Brazil.   Regards, Dan the Man

Wrote yesterday about Raymond Lewis-West Coast Streetball Legend.  Here is a video with Marques Johnson, Bill Walton etc. about Raymond.  Enjoy!  Regards, Dan the Man