JALEN ROSE runs back the tape on last year’s most exciting play.

After he averaged 21.1 points and 11.6 assists for the New Orleans Hornets last season, one thing became clear. No one could stop point guard Chris Paul. But as plenty of NBA players also found out, sometimes stopping him wasn’t the problem. Paul and his Hornets teammate Tyson Chandler connected for more than 100-alley oops, including five in a single game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in April. So, what makes the play so effective? Former NBA guard and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose checks the playbook.

Jumpball: The Fab Five
A longtime pop culture aficionado, Jalen Rose pits his personal tastes against some notable personalities. Up this month: Bobbito Garcia.

FAVORITE SCHOOLYARD GAME:
Jalen: “21. Everyone can participate. If the previous shot was not an airball, when you get the rebound you must take the ball back to the free-throw line. Each basket is worth two points and “free throws” (a shot from the top of the key) are one point. If you make three in a row, it’s “three and out.” Big bragging rights if you beat everyone.”

Bobbito: “Hot peas and Butter, Come and Get Your Supper.” Somebody hid the belt – I mean, I lived in a building with like over a thousand residents, so there’d be like 30 to 40 kids playing – and whoever found the belt has to try and run back to the base and then whip people before they got past you to the base. Yeah, it was a pretty sadistic game. Pretty fun.”

November 18, 2008
By Jalen Rose - ESPN

Watch the Phoenix Suns for a game or two. You'll probably see a team that certainly could host a home-court series in the Western Conference playoffs, and go even further.

But then you might have to think about an 82-game schedule and having core players whose best days are behind them. Great players like Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal, Grant Hill and NBA all-defensive performer Raja Bell likely have seen their best days already.

That makes you think again. So then you consider the Suns' chances of getting that home court, and you know the younger core players must produce. In particular, Amare Stoudemire needs to play like an MVP and Leandro Barbosa must play like a Sixth Man of the Year.

WEEK 12: