NBA's 10 Most Underrated

WBAI Sports takes a look at the 10 most under rated players in the National Basketball Association.

Rose wit' a lil' Mayo

With two months to go in the basketball season, Chicago's Derrick Rose and Memphis' O.J. Mayo are the top two contenders for rookie of the year honors. They both speak with Wbai Sports about their new beginnings.

Exciting Move

The Isiah Thomas era is over at Madison Square Garden, and new Knicks team President Donnie Walsh stunned many in the basketball world by spurning former Knick and New Yorker Mark Jackson and naming offensive minded Mike D'Antoni the new head coach of the New York Knicks.

Here is a show I did on the opening of training camp for the New York Knicks this week. This show begins with me giving a monologue that last for about twenty minutes and then the player sound starts flowing. We hear from Amar’e Stoudamire, Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, Mike D’antoni, Knicks interim general manager Glen Grunwald, and New York Post Knicks beat writer Marc Berman. I talk all things Knicks. Take a listen.

Samori Benjamin talks with Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki of the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks about the role of hip-hop in their locker room and around the NBA. Plus the JET goes in about his record label.

On Tuesday April 12th the Chicago Bulls who have the best record in the NBA came to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks who came into the contest on a seven game win streak. What also made the mathup fun is the fact that the Knicks were the only team in the NBA that Chicago had not beat this season.

On March 31st Knicks move one step closer to playoffs with win over Deron Williams and ross river rival New York Knicks. The matchup was Williams' first against the Knicks as a member if the Nets.

Last Night the in another Statement game for the Knicks The L.A. Lakers and there fans literally took over the garden as Kobe put on another one of his epic Broadway performances. After the game Kobe spoke with the New York media about Laker Nation in New York, Carmelo Anthony, and Phil Jackson’s final game on the sideline at the Garden. We then go inside the locker room and speak with Andrew Bynum and Amar’e Stoudamire. Landry Fields about distractions from the trade rumors and a spirted Raymond Felton who is sick of the Carmelo Rumors.

While the Knicks suffered their most disappointing home loss of the season their opponents on the night the Los Angeles Clippers had a ball on the big stage of Madison Square Garden. After the game while the Knicks were in their locker room in disbelief after losing to a team that came into the night with 7 straight losses on the road we hung out in the winners locker room and spoke with Superstar rookie Blake Griffin and Clippers point guard Baron Davis. Every baller loves playing at Madison Square Garden and the Blake Show was in full effect on February 9th 20011. Blake and Baron talk about the sudden buzz around the Clippers in Los Angeles and the entire NBA. Baron speaks on how Blake Griffin has rejuvenated his career. They both talk about the excitement of playing in the Garden, Blake talks Timofey Mosgov and of course we holla at him about the upcoming dunk contest and the NBA all-star weekend in Los Angeles, California. Plus much more.

My radio report on the morning of Thursday December 23rd after the Knicks snap a three game losing streak by beating Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-98. We speak with Knicks Wilson Chandler, Danillo Galinari, and Shawne Williams. But before we began we take a much deserved shot at Hot 97’s Chypha Sounds.

Samori Benjamin’s audio recap on the New York Knicks-Boston Celtics epic played at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday December 16th. We hear post game comments from Knicks superstar Amare Stoudamire and we speak with Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics along with his teammate Paul Pierce who hit the game winning shot.

Samori Benjamin gets post game comments from Carmelo Anthony after his Denver Nuggets fell to the New York Knicks 129-128 on December 12th at Madison Square Garden. It has been highly publicized that Anthony who is in the final year of his contract wants to play for the Knicks. We also speak with the man in charge of saying yay or nay on a trade, Denver general manager Masai Ujiri who was born in Nigeria and is the first African born general manager in NBA history. Former Knick and current Nugget Al Harrington also hollas at us along with Denver guard J.R. Smith as they talk Mel' and Madison Square Garden.

I had the opportunity to hang with the Boston Celtics on the eve of the 2010 NBA playoffs. The premise was the Best player on the team was now Rajon Rondo and despite public opinion the Celtics were not an old shot basketball team thanks to the young legs of Rondo and the other core young’N’s on the team.

On May 5th the Phoenix Suns wore Los Suns across their chest during game 2 of their second round series against the San Antonio Spurs. The fashion change was done all in part to support the Hispanic community of Arizona who have become subject to racial profiling due to a recent immigration Law passed in Arizona. The political statement by the Phoenix Suns is something we rarely see in Sports. Samori Benjamin goes around the NBA to find out why today’s athletes hardly ever speak out on the real game of life, political and social change.

On the Night Lebron James received the NBA Most Valuable Player trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern for the second consecutive year, the Boston Celtics went into Cleveland and beat the Cavaliers in blowout fashion. Boston head coach Doc Rivers speaks with Samori Benjamin about first year Celtic Rasheed Wallace who scored 17 points in 18 minutes, and Celtics swingman Tony Allen speaks with Samori about the science of guarding Lebron.

On April 6th longtime Madison square garden favorite Nate Robinson made his return to the garden with the Boston Celtics nearly six weeks after he was traded from the Knicks. Samori Benjamin speaks with Robinson and the Celtics about his new days in green and his impact on the Celtics.

Rudy speaks about how the historically bad Memphis Grizzles were able to have a winning season despite beginning the season 1-8.

O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzles speaks with Samori Benjamin the winning season his Memphis Grizzles are having, the leadership of Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, former high school teammate Bill Walker who is now a Knick, and much more.

Memphis Grizzles point guard Mike Conley speaks with Samori Benjamin about his team's February 27th win over the Knicks, competing with Allen Iverson early in the season, his early struggles in the NBA, the leadership of Zach Randolph, and his good friend Greg Oden.

Saturday Night two stars Tracy Mcgrady and Kevin Durant both made their season debuts at Madison Square Garden. I spoke with both guys before and after the game and the three of us discovered a nice connection. You have to listen to see what I mean. For this report I also speak with new Knick Eddie House, Al Harrington, Knicks fans inside the garden and New York Post Knicks beat writer Marc Berman. This is a good one, enjoy.

Listen as I spend a few minutes with an old friend. Caught up with him @ Madison Square Garden after the Knicks played Golden State earlier this season and the big homie came to see one of his former Knick coaches, Don Nelson...

On February 3rd Washington Wizards beat writer Michael Lee of the Washington Post spoke with Wbai Sports about the Gilbert Arenas situation.

Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon is from Spain and speaks with Samori Benjamin about his journey from Spain to the NBA.

Last Night Toronto Raptors rookie Demar Derozen was chosen to participate in a dunk-In against L.A. Clippers 2nd year guard Eric Gordon during halftime of the Rookie-Sophomore game during All-star weekend. The winner will be awarded the 4th and final spot in the NBA dunk contest later that night. Derozen spoke with Samori Benjamin the day he got the news as his Toronto Raptors came into Madison Square Garden. Derozen also speaks about his memories of the dunk contest, the possibility of Lebron James entering the contest, the troubles his former school USC is having now, his on court basketball relationship with Lil Romeo and much more.

Full report on the New York Knicks' 93-92 win over the Philadelphia 76'ers on January 13th. The game was played one day after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert is the only Haitian player in the NBA and he speaks with Samori Benjamin.

Knicks rookie Marcus Landry speaks with Samori Benjamin about his rookie season with the Knicks and his January 9th match-up against his older brother Carl Landry who is averaging 16.9 points per game

Samori Benjamin interviews Jared Jefferies after Knicks win another game at Madison Square Garden against the Charlotte Bobcats on January 7th.

I wanted to talk with Stephen Jackson about the Gilbert Arenas situation and the culture of the NBA. But one of Charlotte's P.R. guys wouldn't let me. So I was forced to simply ask him about his current team the Charlotte Bobcats and last night's game in which the Knicks beat Charlotte 97-93

Gilbert Arenas speaks with the media on January 5th after win over Philadelphia. Arenas speaks about the Gun mess he has gotten himself in.

Samori Benjamin examines the 2008- 2009 Knicks season with Spike Lee, Walt Clyde Frazier, beat writers Frank Isola and Marc Berman, and of course the Knicks players.

Samori Benjamin sits court side with Spike Lee at Madison Square Garden to discuss the state of the New York Knicks on April 15th.

On April 8th, before the New York Knicks took on the Detroit Pistons at Madison Sqaure Garden Knicks legend Walt Clyde Frazier Speaks with Samori Benjamin and gives us his thoughts on the Knicks season.

On March 25th as the New York Knicks tried to hang on to their fading playoff hopes they met up with former Knicks, Zach Randolph, Mardy Collins, and Marcus Camby at the world's most famous arena. All three men spoke with Wbai Sports

The New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets met at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday March 18th both fighting to reach the 8th and final playoff spot in the eastern conference. The Knicks were run off their home court in their ugliest loss of the season, due to one man. That man is Vince CARTER.

Listen to Samori Benjamin's report on Lebron James' historic night at Madison square garden on February 4th where he did something no NBA player had done since 1975.

Listen to Samori Benjamin's report on Kobe Bryant's record breaking night at Madison Square Garden. Aired February 3rd.

On March 11th the New York Knicks rallied from a 83-71 4th quarter deficit to knock off the Detroit Pistons in overtime. Nate "the great" Robinson and Wilson Chandler spoke exclusively with Samori Benjamin about the character of the Knicks and the captivating style of the "The Show".

Is the president building a basketball court in the white house? Players around the "Show" talk about whether or not they believe preisdent Obama has game on the court as they speak with WbaiSports.

The oldest player in "The Show" -- also known as the national basketball association---Dikembe Mutumbo speaks with Wbai Sports about his humanitarian efforts in his homeland of Africa, as well as his pride for his African brother Barack Obama.

The city of Philadelphia's homicide rate rose to it's highest level in 10 years in 2007. Philadelphia also had the highest homicide rate in the country in 2007, which led to a call of 10,000 black men to patrol city streets in an effort to win back their streets. Philadelphia 76'ers Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert speak with Wbai Sports about what's going on in their back yard.

With the popularity of players in professional sports, should they use their platform to speak out on social and political issues? Players around the Show/NBA rap with Wbai Sports on the subject.

NBA veterans Larry Hughes, Thabo Sefolosha, and Tim Thomas speak with WBAI Sports about the inauguration of Barack Obama.

A few players around the NBA speak with Wbai Sports about Barack Obama and the love of Hoops. Story features: Hakim Warrick, Nate Robinson, Stephen Jackson, and Larry Hughes.

WBAI Sports speaks with the New York Knicks about their thoughts of Barack Obama. They talk about why NBA players didn't come together in public support of Obama, and they tell us why professional athletes today fail to take stands on pressing political and social issues.

With just 8% of Major League Baseball filled with African-American ball players, can the two reigning National League MVP's from the same team, playing in this world series, get the black community excited about the sport? Philadelphia's Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins speak with us about the issue.