by Duane Watson

They asked yours truly to dust off his pen and write for the launch of @Slamcanada Magazine. Having contributed to @SLAM in the past and as someone who’s seen the hoops scene here evolve, I’m glad to see we have a platform of our own. You can check out my take on the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto (and no it wasn’t about Zach Lavine vs Aaron Gordon), you can grab it from slamgoods.ca this Friday. #slamfam https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdtc9OApF9M/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

When a sneakerhead in Machu Picchu, does sneakerhead things. #mjmondays #kickstagram #ballislife #travel #jordans #kicksonfire https://www.instagram.com/p/CG0NntHFZIO/?igshid=dt6htwtynp2e

I came to the unfortunate realization earlier today, that there likely won’t be an All-Star Game next year. Well if there is, I doubt I’ll be there, so here’s a #TBT to Chicago. 📸 @blackdragonroll #ballislife https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYMdznFC0S/?igshid=fs596hgnzowj

Important news!! ✊🏾🖤 https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5o_IklQvL/?igshid=1fdgoz20vykzb

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Image courtesy of @thatniquelife 🖤✊🏾 #ballislife #blacklivesmatter #nba https://www.instagram.com/p/CBRUBjwl-Ry/?igshid=1l0q8ns5kzctm

If this is my The Last Dance photo, who’s Rodman & who’s Jordan? 📸 @bougieblackguy #TBT #thelastdance #ballislife https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nMCWrFelj/?igshid=vnuszfu0p0q2

Getting my dancing shoes ready. #thelastdance #ballislife #jordan #sneakers #canadagotsole #thatniquelife #jumpman https://www.instagram.com/p/B_K3X5BlCAD/?igshid=znbhas39putu

Wish I was outside doing some of this right now but, #stayhome. 📸 @janicklaurent #ballislife https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7fQaUFYpV/?igshid=i359cgje7dvg

Reminder @thatniquelife and yours truly will be hosting a discussion on ‘The Scheme’ the documentary on the college hoops scandal. Doc airs at 9 pm EST on HBO, we’re live on #Zoom right after, at 11 pm EST. Join us. Link for the call in bio. #thatniquelife #hoopculture #ballislife #TheSchemeHBO #documentary #stayin https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ap4bDFRKi/?igshid=17xzbbw7ykrkx

Last year I started a newsletter called The Nail, sharing interesting stories tied to the game of basketball. Then I just stopped, didn’t even say bye (sorry for ghosting y’all, more on that later). But I didn’t stop reading, seeing or experiencing this content though. So with the help of a couple of good friends, we’ve come up with ‘nique - a playbook on hoop culture. It’s a sharing space for those that appreciate the game as much as what happens around it. I’d love if you gave us a follow @thatniquelife Peace. #ballislife #thatniquelife #hoopculture #kicks https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Qf1A4FmqE/?igshid=ldi1pc3u9cbb

Oh that’s right, we are STILL the reigning NBA Champs. 📸 @doncharleone #incaseyallforgot #ballislife #raptors #wethenorth #blackandwhite https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KdQ8-p3Sf/?igshid=r2i8fc1td6f4

I compiled something for the good people over at @thatniquelife, which I’m sure (if you’re following me) may be of interest. A list of the best basketball movies streaming on @Netflix @primevideo & @disney+ to get you through these isolating times. Link in bio. #thatniquelife #hoopculture #ballislife #movies #documentary #film #basketball https://www.instagram.com/p/B91tKKTlEJY/?igshid=s5y0nyacjsrq

This is my life-without-basketball face. #ballislife 📸 @blackdragonroll https://www.instagram.com/p/B9wm12jleBe/?igshid=1tz1fwg0e8yzz

SLAM 186, April 2015. My first feature in SLAM Magazine ...on my hometown squad no less. This was the beginning of the Raptors rise as an elite team and it felt good for them to get that validation. It was equally as important for myself as a writer. Shoutout @bosborne17 h/t @slamarchive #slamfam #TBT #ballislife #raptors #wethenorth https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pZiqblRo3/?igshid=12v4h1fgzra0c

Accidental Bad Boy video; is there a subreddit for that? Directed by @blackdragonroll #ballislife (at Somewhere in Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9aMFcklun0/?igshid=12k9wcp9tcg2r

I sat down with Toronto Raptors great Morris Peterson for the latest episode of Raps unPublished. We talked about how he would fare in today’s game, his toughest cover, the championship squad & his best Raptor memories. This pic is from a previous interview, but keeps that same energy. Link in bio. 📸 @jalanimorgan #rapsunpublished #wethenorth #podcast #ballislife https://www.instagram.com/p/B81zPtFlPBW/?igshid=1lp0zn7vibxyy