by Ramoncito Palu-ay

Richard “Rip” Hamilton, a 3-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion with the Detroit Pistons, is back in the country after 9 years. He’s here for an exciting NBA week featuring the NBA 3X, NBA Fan Month and a live viewing of the In-Season tournament.

In his media availability, he shared his excitement on the upcoming NBA 3X as he also started his basketball journey playing Hoop It Up 3×3 tournaments.

One of the premier shooting guards in the NBA for a decade, he was one of the best in moving without the ball and had an excellent mid-range shot, a skill which he encourages young players to focus more on.

“When you look up the great players in the game, especially the great scorers, they all have a mid-range shot,” he said.

Rip is also looking forward to the In-Season tournament as it makes the regular season more competitive and gives teams a chance to go to Las Vegas and win the NBA Cup plus the $500,000 per player prize money.

Hamilton, who spent 14 seasons in the league, was known to play wearing a mask after his nose was broken. He is also known for his unique free-throw routine, in which he would dribble the ball twice in front and dribble it again on the right side once. He explained the reason behind the routine that started as early as his 9th grade.

“… The one dribble to the right was to remind me to bend my legs… ” Rip explained.

A proud champion with the University of Connecticut in College and with the Detroit Pistons, he played with several All-Stars in his career, but considers Rasheed Wallace his favorite teamate:

“You see all the technical fouls out there, but beyond close doors, he’s probably the guy you want to hang out 24/7.”

The NBA is celebrating the Republika Ng NBA Month in the Phililppines this December. Exciting activities are lined up for the fans at the SM Mall Of Asia Music Hall including a 3×3 tournament on Dec 9 and 10 and a live viewing of the In-season tournament on Dec 10. The Detroit Legend is expected to attend the activities.

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