3 TO TANGO
New league co-founded by Ice Cube gives fans, former NBA stars new hoops option
Ice Cube loved the idea. Then again, it was his idea.
The sports fan-turned-rapper-turnedactor believed a new basketball league — the BIG3 — could thrive; one where former NBA stars, like Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups, could fill the summer sports void in a new 3-on-3 format.
Of course, new sports leagues are created all the time, and their corpses are scattered across the country.
Audiences are unpredictable. Poor execution transforms any vision into a punchline.
No amount of previous success can prevent failure.
“I watched the XFL ‘30 for 30’ four times, and I’m like, ‘ What were the mistakes in the past that we could avoid?’” Ice Cube, a BIG3 co-founder, told The Post. “I think what stands our league apart over most startup leagues is the fact that our players are already superstars. You don’t have to build these guys into household names. I think that gives us an advantage over all the other leagues that try to start with players you don’t know, and trying to make them a household name.”
The eight-team BIG3 makes its debut Sunday at Barclays Center — the first of 10 events, which features four half-court games played consecutively, and travels to a different city each week.
In addition to the ever-intriguing Iverson, the league marks the returns of Jason Williams, Jermaine O’Neal, Rashard Lewis, Mike Bibby, Stephen Jackson and Charles Oakley, among others, who will be coached by legends such as Julius Erving, George Gervin, Rick Barry, Clyde Drexler and Gary Payton.
Ice Cube said he was confident the idea could work after watching Kobe Bryant score 60 points in his final game last year, dismayed that he never would see one of his favorite players on the court again.
“I thought: There’s got to be a place for players that can still play, still got skills, but can’t probably handle the NBA schedule, and the wear and tear from all of the running,” Ice Cube said. “When Kenyon Martin signed, I knew we had something that would be attractive to pros who still wanted to play. “There were some skeptical players, but I think that when they looked at how innovative it is and how player-friendly it is — no owners — it just felt right, and it felt like something they could do.” Players will receive a $100,000 base salary, and 52 percent of the league’s profits, with incentive for teams that finish higher in the standings receiving larger cuts. The games, which will be broadcast the following night on FOX Sports 1, are untimed, and the first team to 60 points wins. The league will allow hand- checking, and introduces a 4-point shot, which is 30 feet from the hoop. “It ’ s Steph Curry range,” said Al Harrington, who spent 16 seasons in the NBA. “There are a lot of guys that still feel like they can play, and were kind of forced into retirement. They love the game still, play every day, and are still looking for an outlet to compete at a high level.”
Name value wasn’t enough to earn a roster spot — former All-Star Steve Francis went undrafted after the league’s combine — but even the players are eager to see what former stars look like today.
“There are a lot of guys you haven’t seen in a while that are still very entertaining,” Rashad McCants said. “I’m curious to see Bonzi Wells and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.”
The draw for players is clear, and Ice Cube said he believes it will appeal to fans because he “came up with it as a fan.”
“It’s not like I came up with this big moneymaking idea,” Ice Cube said. “This was something I would pay to see. This was something I would go check out. I feel like there’s a lot of people out there like me.”
As much as there is to prove to fans, it may be even more important for the league to succeed in selling itself to players.
“We’ve got guys who are on the sidelines this year watching, that we hope look at us next year as a place they want to be, like Paul Pierce, [Kevin Garnett], Ray Allen, Gilbert Arenas,” Ice Cube said. “We hope in time we can get Steph Curry and LeBron [James], and players that are in the league that are gonna retire and are still looking to play. We have 10 games in the summer. It’s a no-brainer if you’ve still got the itch to play ball.”