Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, and the strange present of past legends

I was amongst the crowd of approximately ten thousand Chinese fans who showed up to watch a team featuring former NBA-ers - headlined by Allen Iverson - take on the home team Beijing Ducks in an exhibition. Beijing's professional basketball team was led by the forever mercurial Stephon Marbury who inspired the squad to their first ever Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) championship this March. Here are my in-person observations on where these two greats of the past are headed in the future.

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1st ever Mahindra NBA Challenge National Championship concludes in Delhi

The best performing-basketball teams form the Mahindra NBA Challenge tournaments across the country were brought together to the capital for the first-ever Mahindra NBA Challenge National Championship from October 4-7, at the Thyagraj Stadium in New Delhi. With teams from Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, and Punjab invited, competitions were held in the Senior Men, Senior Women, under-18 boys, and under-18 girls sections. Kerala (Men), Delhi (Women), Punjab (U18 Boys), and Karnataka (U18 Girls) won the Finals in their respective competitions on Sunday.

The day begun with the under 18 Boys final between Punjab and Karnataka. After a close start, the Punjab side came into their own as they slowly began to build a strong lead against Karnataka. The match ended with a final score of 107–69 and Punjab taking the title.

The under-18 Girls finals between Karnataka and Kerala saw a fight till the end as Karnataka - playing some strong defense - came out victorious 59–43.

Kerala's Men came out on top with a convincing victory over Karnataka 75-53. In the Senior Women's division, Delhi beat Kerala after a close game 50-45.

Winners

Men: Kerala

Women: Delhi

U18 Boys: Punjab

U18 Girls: Karnataka

Tournament MVPs

Men: Manoj R (Kerala)

Women: Prashanti Singh (Delhi)

U18 Boys: Palpreet Singh Brar (Punjab)

U18 Girls: Roshini Rosa John (Karnataka)

Three-time NBA Champion Luc Longley was present throughout the event to interact with players and handed over the winning team their trophies. The Most Valuable Players (Men and Women) in both the Senior and Junior divisions will win special awards from the tournament's sponsors.

China win U18 Women’s ABC again; Undefeated India win promotion to Level I

In a rematch of the final from two years ago, China and Japan faced each other – in the foreground of hostile political relations – in the Final of the 21st FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Women in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on October 6th. Like last time, China once again proved to be the slightly stronger side and held the edge for a 66-60 victory. This was China’s second consecutive win at the championship and an unprecedented 13th overall!

Relegated to Level II of the tournament since 2008, India played a masterful tournament to all of their games, go 5-0 in the course of the tournament, and win their spot back up to Level I for the next chapter of this championship in 2014.

Click here to read my in-depth review of the tournament.

29th Youth National Basketball Championship tips off in Indore

24 boys' and 24 girls' teams from across India will be taking part in the 29th Youth National Basketball Championship for Boys & Girls, set to be held in the city of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from October 6-13, 2012. The tournament, organised by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), is for under-16 players, and will be held at the Emerald Heights International School in Indore.

The tournament is being organised by the BFI in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Basketball Association.

Last year’s championship was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra where the Delhi (Boys) and Kerala (Girls) won. 2012 hosts Madhya Pradesh will look to build on their boys’ 2nd place finish last year.

Matches will be played in one indoor court and two outdoor courts. The format of the Championship will be league cum knockout of Level 1 and 2.

At the onset, Roopam Sharma, CEO of the BFI, said “Basketball Federation of India is delighted to host the 29th Youth National Basketball Championship for Boys and Girls in Indore. The BFI is thankful to the Madhya Pradesh Basketball Association and Emerald Heights International School for rendering their support in organising and hosting the event. The Youth National Championship is aimed at providing the perfect platform for these young boys and girls to showcase their talent and keep them abreast with game strategies and skills required to improve the playing standards of basketball. I am certain that such competitive championships will sustain the interest of youngsters and will nurture, groom and further encourage them to take up basketball as a career option.”

During the event, 25 boys and girls will be scouted and selected to participate in the U-16 National Coaching Camp which will be held subsequently to further enhance their training skills. These 50 players will be receiving the monetary benefits as a part of the BFI’s ongoing program to encourage the talented players. The best amongst the U-16 probables will be further selected to participate in the next a future international competition.

To further develop the game, the BFI has organized NBA India’s Director of Basketball Operations, Troy Justice, and India’s National Strength & Conditioning Coach Zak Penwell, to conduct a coaching clinic for the participating and local coaches October 12th. This is an open event and all coaches are welcome to attend. This initiative is primarily undertaken by the BFI under the Train the Trainers Programme.

Old York Knicks

With the additions of Jason Kidd, Rasheed Wallace, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, and Pablo Prigioni, the 2012/13 New York Knicks have officially become the oldest team in NBA history. Some of the new old Knicks have made history, but at this point, they are history.

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SportsKeeda presents 2013 NBA Top 20

The 2012/13 NBA season is just around the corner, and we – the family of Basketball Writers at SportsKeeda – have been waiting for tip off with high anticipation. And so, a half dozen of the best basketball minds on this website got together to debate, discuss, and analyse the best in the NBA, the individuals who make this into the most exciting league in the world - the SportsKeeda Top 20.

Read full article here.

29th National Youth Basketball Championship to be held in Indore from Oct 6-13

The finest under-16 basketball players in India will be taking part in the 29th Youth National Basketball Championship for Boys and Girls in the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh from October 6-13, 2012. The tournament – organised by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) and the Madhya Pradesh Basketball Association – will be held at the Emerald Heights International School in Rau.

Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Basketball Association Kulvinder Singh Gill said that the tournament is returning to the city after a period of 11 years.

Over 50 boys and girls teams from dozens of different Indian states will be taking part in this week-long event. Matches will be played in indoor courts.

Last year’s championship was held in the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra. Delhi (Boys) and Kerala (Girls) were last year’s champions and will be looking to defend their titles in Indore.