 King Handles Interview
Joel "King Handles" Haywood, Vancouver Streetballer and
Notic Legend is one of the hottest streetballers
out right now. Considered by some as the fastest
dribbler on the planet, Joey's handles have not
only impressed his fans but the likes of YPA who
he now rolls with. Here's an exclusive interview
I did with Joey.
BT: First up I want to congratulate you on
the big win you had against the team And1 put together
the other week. It's good to see some of the Notic players getting together and busting ass.
KH: Thanks a lot. Yeah man it was real good
to see guys like Rory and Goose come back and do
their thing. More importantly we got the win so
these cats know Vancity can ball.
BT: So tell me what was the game like to
play in? And how did it feel to play against some
of the And1 players you're used to seeing on TV?
KH: It was cool. I wasn't nervous or nothing,
just ready to come out and do my thing. It's all
good, it don't mean nothing that I've seen them
on TV. When I play any opponents it's just ball.
BT: What does it feel like to be part of
YPA? And what has the experience been like so far?
KH: It's a huge step up from where The Notic got me. Now I'm traveling around with the hottest
streetball crew out there. I'm doing a lot more
things. I been learning a lot from Roberto and the
rest of the YPA staff and players. Everyone talks
to me about the business side of things, but also
I'm learning how 'Berto set his man up and does
his thing.
BT: Tell me about the Players Ball? And what
the game was like to play in?
KH: Players' Ball was cool. Seeing 'Berto
live was crazy as opposed to seeing him on TV. It
was real cool meeting everyone at YPA. The game
was fun. I was a lil' bit nervous but that went
away after a while.
BT: How old were you when you first picked
up a basketball and what made you start playing?
KH: I was 7. I used to be a sick soccer player
(laughs). I had to choose one sport. I choose ball
because in soccer you don't get your time to shine,
there's too many players out on the field! (laughs)
BT: What has been the most memorable highlight
of your streetball career so far?
KH: Definitely joining YPA.
BT: How do you feel about the new YPA War
DVD? Is it what you expected?
KH: Yeah, it's cool. Court did a crazy job
on the dvd.
BT: What are your plans for the future?
KH: Work on my game. Keep doing my thing
with YPA, help them grow in whatever ways I can.
Definitely try and play pro-ball overseas and try
to get me a shot to the League.
Here's a few questions that the guys on the message
boards want to know:
White Magic asks - What made you decide to
go roll with YPA?
KH: Jeremy and Kirk were really busy and
The Notic wasn't really going no where. I went to
Players' Ball and saw how tight everything was.
Roberto told me he wanted me to play on the squad
so I called up Court and it was done.
Scarface asks - What went down in the game
at NYC where you and Bone Collector played? Is it true that
he was scared to guard you?
KH: Bone (laughs out loud)...he got game
but that dude is hella cocky! He wasn't scared to
guard me *I THINK* He was just backing off a lot.
It was a good game though.
Mellow-dramatik asks - Who really won that
one on one game in the war between you and Exile?
KH: Nobody. It was a tie. We'll play again...
Power of the Dolla asks - Do you keep in
contact with the other Notic players and what are
they up to?
KH: For sure. We're family, just because
we might not tape as much anymore doesn't mean we
don't keep in touch. Everyone is busy working, doing
their thing and Rory'll be graduating this year.
princeofpersia asks - Do you feel that your
new style of play is an improvement from when you
played with the Notic? People have said it's different,
do you like it that way and what were the reasons
you change it?
KH: My style isn't so much new. When I was
younger I was always really quick, people would
always be commenting on my quickness. The stuff
you see on the Notic is from 2, 3 years back where
I was doing a few more tricks. Now I think that
the way I dribble is just uncanny. You won't see
too many people around dribbling the way I do. I
worked on my quickness and found ways to go by people
by just using that and good ball control.
Shoota asks - In what way or style do you
have to practice to dribble the ball super fast
like the way you do?
KH: I don't know (laughs out loud)....I've
always been quick and training with a heavy ball
just pushes that to a new level. The heavy balls
work, you just need to pound it when you dribble.
There'll be more about that on my website.
Menamix asks - Who did you look up to as
a young baller? And how did they influence your
game?
KH: Allen Iverson aka King Crossover. AI
is from the streets, he went to the L and was crossing
dudes up. Just fearless at what he does so that's
how I relate it to my game because when I step on
the court I'm not afraid of nobody, I'll try and
get you if I can.
Menamix asks - How do you think ball in VanCity
is developing?
KH: Well we beat the "And1" team
so it's a good start. But in general basketball
in Vancouver isn't all that great. Who knows if
the win will make more people play ball...
Menamix asks - Why is Yash such a goof? (you
dont have to answer that)
KH: Because he is my boy and he's just goofy
like that.
Any Last words? Big thanks to Brad from Streetballin.net
for recognizing. Much love to Court and everyone
at YPA. YPA on the rise, we're doing big things.
Keep practicing.
B.T - Big Thanks goes out to Yash for the hook ups and
Joey for taking the time out to answer some questions. |
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