NBA Inside Stuff Review - Top 25 players under 25! Who's No. 1?
Volume Seven, Issue One - Lots of Kobe, signature shoes, and an all-time Larry Bird steal.
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! Kobe, Kobe, Kobe! This is the unofficial Kobe issue of NBA Inside Stuff Magazine. And it’s a lot of fun! I have so many memories of the marketing machine that was Kobe Bean Bryant. He was absolutely everywhere in 1997-1998.
There were also a LOT of great ads in this issue, so be sure to click the link to get the full experience. To the inside stuff!
News & NotesÂ
This issue’s poll asks about the extended three-point line and how it would affect scoring league-wide. I took a look and found the following:
1996-97 team scoring average: 96.9
1997-98 team scoring average: 95.6
A psychotherapist examines the tattoos of some of your favorite NBA stars!
It’s the Top 25 players under 25! Considering this is the unofficial Kobe issue, it’s a bit surprising to see him at #17. Although it’s easy to look back at these rankings and pick them apart, for late 1997, I think most of these are relatively defensible. Here’s the full list:
Kevin Garnett
Allen Iverson
Chris Webber
Jason Kidd
Tim Duncan
Stephon Marbury
Juwan Howard
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Damon Stoudamire
Rasheed Wallace
Antonio McDyess
Joe Smith
Kerry Kittles
Marcus Camby
Michael Finley
Antoine Walker
Kobe Bryant
Ray Allen
Keith Van Horn
Bryant Reeves
Jerry Stackhouse
Chauncey Billups
Bob Sura
Shandon Anderson
Brevin Knight
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest trades in NBA history!
The Kobe Interview. Nothing earth-shattering was revealed by the Black Mamba.
Let’s relive the all-time Larry Bird steal from the ‘87 playoffs against Detroit.
Here’s the clip in its full glory:
Need to work on your outlet pass? Horace Grant is your man.
Test your knowledge!
Say whaaaaat?Â
The snark is back in this issue’s letters:
1. Chris McDonald of Lutherville, MD, has a solid point.
2. Matt from Shillington, PA eating a bit of crow here. The only thing that Inside Stuff writers did was give Philly too much credit, as they ended up seventh in the Atlantic Division. Matty will get his soon enough, though (ish).
Posterized!
Love both of these.
Best Ads
I used to love video games based on the Olympics, especially when they were tied to a specific Olympics.
Love this ad. What is the difference between a sporting goods retailer and a fine sporting goods retailer?
Dear readers, I’m going broke on NBA VHS.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Adidas Kobe > Nike Kobe
And another Kobe/Adidas ad for his signature shoe
Who didn’t love Starting Lineup figures?
What I wouldn’t give for the NBA on TNT shirt..
MORE VHS
Allen Iverson and Reebok present ‘The Answer’
GREAT Nike ad featuring Dawn Staley!
Do albums like this still exist?
This Spurs sweatshirt is choice. I found a Suns version of this on eBay a while back and regret not buying it.
Looooooove these.
I have absolutely no memory of this Rodman signature shoe from Converse.
The Point!
The FEED
Starbury with the dish!
The JAM
I can never get enough of these Pistons jerseys.
In the next newsletter
It’s the NBA’s next big thing! (not Kobe, though)