Hawk Interview
With the Street Handles "Phoenix's Finest" DVD now available we caught up with Michael Hawkins aka Hawk to find out whats good with him, his DVD and his experience on the Ball4real bus this year.

BT. Whats Up Hawk, thanks for dropping by to answer some questions.
Hawk. What's up man, thanks for having me.

BT. Even though we saw you on the And1 show in 2003 your fairly new to the streetball scene. What have some of your achievements been over the last few years?
Hawk. Since participating with And1 in 2003 I have joined with my niggas Juice and Caution in the Street Handles empire making a name for myself and have participated in a lot more streetball games all over the U.S. while also collaborating with big name players such as Hot Sauce, Escalade, Circus, Springs and High Octane, just to name a few. I have also been doing my thing in dunk contests in different cities and doing my thing as far as the organized ball scene goes playing with players such as Amare Stoudemire, Marcus Banks, Ike Diogu and also some of the best local and non-local talent.

BT. How does it feel to be considered one of the top dunkers in the game?
Hawk. It's a good feeling. Much respect to the people who consider me one of the top dunkers in the game. But for the record I'm not just a dunker. In my eyes a dunker is a person who can just dunk. I have a complete game, which some of the top dunkers in the game right now don't have.

BT. How old were you when you first picked up a ball and what made you start playing.?
Hawk. The first time I picked up a ball I was about 6 and watching MJ the Great do his thing made me want to play the game. I really didn't like basketball until I was in the seventh grade. That was really the first time I played and I ended up dunking on a teacher that I didn't like. After that, I grew to love the game.

BT. Who did you look up to as a young baller? And how did they influence your game?
Hawk. I looked up to Michael Jordan when I was young but when I got older I grew to like Kevin Garnett because he is a very emotional player that has a passion for winning. Michael Jordan influenced me with his leadership and his swagger about the game. Kevin Garnett's knowledge about the game being so young coming into the league and his desire to win had an influence on me as well.

BT. As a streetball player you are faced with a lot of competition. How do you keep on top of your game?
Hawk. I work hard and tell myself to be better than I was the day before. I never take a night off and I play every game like it's my last.

BT. What has been the most memorable highlight of your streetball career so far?
Hawk. I would have to say seeing myself on ESPN and being featured on the And1 dvd.

BT. What was your experience like being on the Ball4real bus this year.?
Hawk. It was an all around good experience. I got to know certain players a lot better and learn more about the game from a business perspective. I also was able to see things in cities that I never paid attention to when passing through before.

BT. What was your most memorable highlight on tour?
Hawk. I would have to say my most memorable experience was playing in "New Orleans" in front of very appreciative people and going out and putting on a show scoring 33 points, 15 rebounds and dropping 5 dimes in an elimination game between me and King Handles. But we both played well. So they say. He had 20 points and 10 assists but where I'm from elimination means somebody gotta go. No disrespect to Joey but it is what it is.

BT. What happened in your last game on tour?
Hawk. It was a triple elimination game between me, Joey and Bumpy. It was either I had a 40 point night or I was going home. I guess 28 just didn't cut it. I was told I was the lowest scorer but when it came down to it nobody wanted to show me the score book. So I was sent home but it's still love.

BT. Who do you have winning it from here on in?
Hawk. Joey is gonna win it because not only is he a good player but it also helps the growth of their tour.

qtkid21 - How do you feel about the new Street Handles DVD? Is it what you expected?
Hawk. That shit was hard work and I feel a lot more people will respect us after they see it and understand we do this shit for real. We not just some internet crew claiming to be the best, WE ARE THE BEST. We are an empire. Like I said no disrespect to anybody doing it but if anybody doubt what I speak we welcome all challenges. Bottom line I feel I have some of the best unsigned talent around me. Speaking of which, the Street Handles DVD is out now. Get your copy and you'll see what's really good. You will see Caution doing his thing, Juice killin and me bringing the Hawk show.

BT - What are your plans for the future?
Hawk. Continue to do my thing on the blacktop or the hardwood (no homo) and watching the growth of this Street Handles movement.

BT - Any Last words before we finish?
Hawk. First off, I'd like to thank you for this interview and I just want to send a shout out to everybody I have worked with since I have stepped on the streetball scene and to all of the people that appreciate all that I do. I can't forget about my Street Handles family. What up Caution, Juice, Ghost, BC, D-Mar, Exile and Kodak. Street Handles you know what it is. This our year. www.streethandles.net