If you're an OG (which I guess is another term for 'old') NBA fan like me, then you'll remember the struggle to stay 'plugged in' here in Europe, particularly in the 1990s. NBA games were on late - if they were on at all - and we relied on the likes of Pontel and friends with cable to stay up to date with the action across the Atlantic.
These days, smartphones mean that we can get updates on what our favourite player had for breakfast, lunch and dinner - but there was a time when the internet was sparse and was accessed via desktop computers that were built like houses. Rich kids had one at home, the rest of us had to go to the school library.
Basketball magazines, therefore, were a lifeline to any European enthusiast wanting to dip their toe into NBA happenings on a budget. Here in the UK, we had a weekly God-send called 'Slam Dunk'. It was a newspaper-style publication for the committed fan. For the hype beasts like me, though, SLAM was where it was at. SLAM was first published in New York City back in 1994 and was unique in that it combined Hip Hop culture with basketball. It was edgy and authentic. It was for guys from 'the streets'. It was anti-establishment and it used naughty words. For young white kids like me, it was exactly what I needed to feel like a certified bad boy.
These days, smartphones mean that we can get updates on what our favourite player had for breakfast, lunch and dinner - but there was a time when the internet was sparse and was accessed via desktop computers that were built like houses.
Jokes aside, SLAM gave an insight into the players and culture that other mags didn't. The combination of hoops and Hip Hop was niche at the time and a welcome change from the polished glossy covers being pushed out by big corporations. SLAM presented players as humans - something that we could connect with from all these miles away - and had us invested in their world.
This year, SLAM celebrates 30 years of their esteemed magazine. More recently, as the necessity for print has declined, they've stayed relevant. Connecting with their audience in innovative ways. Maintaining their connection with grass-roots level basketball, while also holding the respect of elite-level pros.
While we now have a wealth of platforms from which we can get our NBA fill here in Europe in 2024, those of us who are old enough to remember a less accessible experience tip our hats to the 'In Your Face Basketball Magazine'. Thanks for keeping the culture alive, SLAM.
