Richard Hamilton & Lionel

Being the only native New Englander in the Lionel's Den crew, it's hard to figure out who to root for in the NBA. I grew up with the Celts but pretty much abandoned them once they tore down the Garden and ushered in the Antoine Walker era.


Mufasa always liked Rip while he was at UCONN - I'm a fan of passionate players and facemasks so Rip is two for two. Then there's this from MLive.com....

Being comfortable knocking down free throws in pressure situations, was something Hamilton learned how to do at an early age.

He recently told the story about how he went to a basketball camp that was being hosted by former NBA player Lionel Simmons.

Simmons wanted to see which of the kids could make free throws with all the other kids yelling and screaming at them. Whoever made three in a row would get a pair of Simmons' sneakers.

Hamilton said he was the only one to make all three free throws.

"I try to put myself in that zone as a kid, because I made those free throws," he said.

And the sneakers?

"He never gave me those sneakers and I'm still mad about it," Hamilton said jokingly.

Lionel, come through with the sneaks.