Ronnie "Air" Fields - Part 1

[nellek970]

Man my chicago cousins told me about Ron when I was 10 years old my first reaction when they showed me game footage was why is he not in the NBA then they told me how his grades were too low to go to college so he didn't get into Depaul since then I have been making strait A's there are alot of great ball players that didn't make it to the league for many different reasons don't be another playground legend because you didn't take your education serious at age 16 I truly understand

[ItsYaBoySS]

I grew up with him back in the day in Chicago.

[Trevniyatas]

He was a beast...He and Garnett and Wright

[whiteflash1323]

The cover's pretty ragged but I think it's Charles Obannon on the cover. Also, Fields vertical was nowhere near a 48". That would put the top of his head several inches over the rim. Just 'cause Carter said he was one of the highest jumpers he saw doesn't mean he deferred to him. Vince Carter is far and away the best dunker of all-time.

[whiteflash1323]

Every Fields highlight I've seen is a tomahawk or a windmill. That's it. Fields cleared Sergio McClains head who's 6'3", and Carter cleared Fredrick Weis' head, who's 7'2". Do the math man. Oh yeah, Corey Benjamin beat Fields in a couple of dunk contests as well. Fields could jump but his legend is way better than he ever was.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 Well since you can't produce the article you said was "right in front of me" your argument for Vince beating Ronnie is invalid. Like I said, I have heard from both men in person say what happened. Also, I can tell you the exact SLAM magazine where VINCE says "I did not compete in the dunk contest." Would that help?

I agree that Vince is the best dunker of all time.

[whiteflash1323]

@GSPfan10 : I told you the cover's pretty ripped but I'm pretty sure it's Charles Obannon on it. I've had a SLAM subscription since the 7th grade [I'm 28]. Tell me what issue Carter says he didn't compete.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 I am on my way to the airport, but when I get back Wednesday I will tell you the issue, page number and quote. Vince is on the cover.

I am also 28 and have every issue.

[whiteflash1323]

@GSPfan10 No worries man, take your time. The first issue I got was with Starks on the cover. Think it was the third issue.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 You are correct...Starks was #3. LJ and Kemp were #1 and #2.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 SLAM, issue 41, Vince on the cover, page 68.

Response to why he did not enter the dunk contest at Nike camp against Ronnie.

"I was just trying to stay away from all the hype. I just felt that everyone was putting too much emphasis on it. The idea of the camp was to impress college coaches to get into a school. And it was getting a little too intense. "

There is more but there you go. Check your issue. Vince did not enter.

[whiteflash1323]

@GSPfan10 Sorry man, been busy the last few days. I don't have the copy in front of me but I will check it out. Didn't the interviewer talk about him winning an unofficial contest during the camp? Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 Vince did his "dunks" in the warmups of the all-star game of the camp. But Vince never beat Ronnie and neither did Corey.

The legend of Ronnie Fields is very real.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 Where'd you go?

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 I can see you are not much of a Fields fan. You are spending a lot of effort trying to point out why he was not that great.

Yeah, jumping over a 7'2'' dude is more impressive than a 6'4'' guy. What's your point? Jordan, Nique, J-Roch never jumped over a 7'2'' guy either...so are they not good dunkers either?

Ronnie never lost to Corey. I will need you to prove that one too. Ronnie beat Corey in 1994 and 1995.

[whiteflash1323]

@GSPfan10 Fields was a great highschool player who got by on his physical gifts alone. Even without the accident his game wouldn't have transferred to the higher ranks. He was a 6'3" 2-guard with a shaky handle and suspect shot. His best asset was his jumping ability, and there's a lot of guys in the NBA that can jump.

[sdotdoecity]

It takes actually seeing this dude dunk to believe what you heard. This video doesn't even begin to explain some of the ridiculous,crazy, get out yo seat dunks that this kid used to do. It was so bad that in high school Jordan got wind of him and they dunked around at the Bulls practice facility.

[KingBoyMC]

His 48 inch vertical was so impressive that even Vince Carter would not dunk agains ronnie......what a lie...Ok now u want to make him overrated,.,,,i didnt see any talent or any good dunks...in his wet dreams he may compete with vc

[GSPfan10]

@KingBoyMC I'm sorry the facts upset you, but that is what the are. The Facts.

I agree Vince went on to have a much better career, but in 1994/1995, Vince Carter wanted nothing to do with Ronnie when it came to dunking? Would it help if I posted a video of Vince saying Ronnie was one of he highest jumping guys he ever saw?

[KingBoyMC]

@GSPfan10 Man its ok..and u dont need to apologise for anything...But still man on 1995 vince was a great dunker...if u remember the dunk contest then...Anyway i dont know much about ronnie so i dont want to say some about it...But i ment that carter in 2000+....is the best dunker that the world met (if u except t-dub,air up who seems to me really fake and i dont think they can do these things on nba)..

[KingBoyMC]

@GSPfan10 And btw mate Dunking is not only about vertical leap...it is about technical and CREATIVITY...and i think VC is the most creative player That This world ever seen!!

[whiteflash1323]

@GSPfan10: Uh, actually at the 94 Nike camp Carter beat Fields in the dunk contest. Schea Cotton actually finished 2nd, Fields 3rd. Legend often jumbles reality.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 That is not true. Vince did not even participate in the contest. And Schea Cotton was not at Nike came in 1994.

[whiteflash1323]

@GSPfan10 : Uh, I have the Slam magazine where all this is mentioned RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. Carter was not scheduled to participate due to an injury, but with prodding from the crowd he came in and killed it. And yes, Cotton was the youngest player ever invited [at the time] to the NIKE camp. Get your facts straight man.

[GSPfan10]

@whiteflash1323 Well I have every SLAM magazine ever made, so tell me the issue. Also, I have talked to both men about it so I guess both Vince and Ronnie lied about it.

But I am eager to read the SLAM article you are referring to dude.

[rener1102]

I can't believe I played pick up basketball games with this guy at Hawthorne park in Cicero, back in 97

[jbpanther20]

the first song being played is "The Second Coming" by Juelz Santana. the song was produced by Just Blaze

[OJMayoTheNextOne]

Whats da song pls

[DECOFRANCE]

fucking!!!again asking for the song's name?why??guys tell me why u always ask??why??

[Favetop00]

cuz its a good song -.-

[roncarl9]

one bad decision changed everything.. out at 2am on school night , one of chicagos bigget basketball tragedies

[extremduke]

what song is the first?

[Christmas800]

he put his elbow in the rim at 0:36

[5OLO]

he was better than KG in high school.

[AC2888]

oooooh through 8 games my bad.

[AC2888]

39 fucking dunks!? in one game!!!!!!!

[geeksterz]

he played with KG in the skool u kud see the trophies and his old shoes along with pictures in SI magazine n trophies he was allen iversons height if iverson made it so kud ronnie fields

[geeksterz]

im from chicago and i know wat happened most people i know got to his old skool...wat really happened 2 him was that he got injured in a car accident and after that he wasnt the same and could play for a long while and now he just plays in europe.... he was short but he still could have made it to the NBA

[notbigenuf]

Ronnie can play in the NBA today... but sadly too many think he's past his prime or not worth a shot.

[24NerF]

it really brings me to tears to see him denied by the NBA.

[Christmas800]

he was too short, for someone who played like him. If he wanted to make pros hed need to work on his guard skills

[hotsizzleakadafizz]

how did he get a 48" vertical naturaly?? makes me realy jelous but also wants me to train more

[marley3734999]

how old is he

[GSPfan10]

Believe he is 30 now.

[extremduke]

the first song please, what is the name? the song played in the first seconds of the video.

[klenoir23]

1 year younger than KG

[chhart]

what was his vert, after the car wreck?

Ronnie was nasty, the vids prove it. His jumper was a little suspect though if I remember correctly.

[pham3480]

what are the names of the songs?

[GSPfan10]

The final video is done. Just click my profile to watch the 2 part series.

[GSPfan10]

The final video will be up in an hour or so.

[bodoyle]

Fields did have a 48" vertical, but he got in a serious car accident, almost died (broken neck) while in high school.

[GSPfan10]

You are correct.

So sorry on the delay. Waiting on one piece of footage for part 2 to be complete.

[anklebreaka03]

ok so whats the story....why didn't he make the nba? and did he play college or anything like that. and im still having a hard time trying to believe that he has a 48 inch vertical. But ya wats the story behind him not playing in the nba, and how tall was he.

[GSPfan10]

Ronnie was 6'2''...listed at 6'3''. I will get into his high school days in part 2 and will explain a lot of why he never made the NBA later.

PS - My computer is back at start work on part 2 this week, Thanks for your patience and stay tuned.

[mrhowardb]

I am from Chicago and actually played against both him and Kevin Garnett, he did have every bit the 48 inch vertical and height wise he was about 6'2". I think he didn't make it to the association because he did have the car accident which he never was the same after, and two he got involved in some trouble with a couple of girls that could have had him locked up and after that schools and organizations kinda stayed away from him.

[nystagmus]

i find this hard to believe. All these basketball players lie about their verticals. If he is 6'2", then a 48" vertical Standing (which is how it is measured) gets his head 2 inches above the rim. He can only do that on a running start

[mrhowardb]

Your vertical leap if measured right is something you really can't fake, I don't know if you have ever seen this leap measurement device that has horizontal rulers on the side at the top of it, you have to leap straight up in the air and strike them to the side and that's how your true "hops" are measured no faking or lying is involved.

[nystagmus]

I get what u are saying, but when u jump, your joints are more stretched out when just standing with an outstretched arm. Ur true vertical is the vertex of your head. If you are 6 feet and your top of your head hits 10 feet, then your vertical is 48 inches. All this other stuff can easily be skewed with confounding factors, like stretched joints and kicking out your legs. most accurate is the top of your head. Im not seeing ronnie fields prove a 48" unless it is a running start.

[stangboy7]

I watched a game in which he hit his head on the backboard, if that gives you any perspective.

[tgan3]

that is impressive, ive seen special fx hit his head on an reverse alley oop dunk b4 though.

[vintagestevefrancis]

Lester Earl had some mad bounce though. Ronnie fields is one of the greatest what if's besides Len Bias.

[vintagestevefrancis]

If he had the grades he would have went to the NBA

[GSPfan10]

Not really a grades issue so much...although that would have helped him to go Depaul. Really, the car wreck changed him even more.

[hkvince]

MAN WHEN PART 2 WILL BE OUT??

AND I HAVE A CRAZY PIC' OF HIM JUMP OVER SOME BIG DUDE AND DUNK IT DO YOU HAVE THAT footage ??

[GSPfan10]

My power supply actually blew up this week so the computer will be out for a week or two. You will see some new highlights in part two though.

[anklebreaka03]

well...he looks crazy but it doesn't look like a 48 inch vertical. or else his head would be by the rim on like every dunk

[GSPfan10]

Ronnie seems to jump the highest when he is motivated. In a lot of these games he is winning by so much he is hardly trying.

However, please look at the photo at the :54 second mark. He is 17-years-old and his head is actually resting on the rim!

[TeamFlightBrothers]

Quoting ESPN's Sportscentury

"Ronnie could jump up and touch the top of the square....with his elbow"

[anklebreaka03]

ok that is fucking impossible......the only person EVERR that i think could do that is a man named Leonel Marshall my favourite volleybal lplayerr.......he is absolutely increadible, 6,5...50 inch vertical, probably more tho. Search his name and u will shit urself

[GSPfan10]

I know it's hard to believe but that was word for word the quote by a writer on ESPN's Sportscentury. I will try to include that quote in part 2. The kid was just a freak of nature.

If you have time search youtube for the 1996 high scholl all american dunk contest. Lester Earls kills that contest, beating Kobe and Corey Benjamin, to name a few...and Ronnie in an interview flat out says "If I wan't hurt I'd had won that contest hands down."

[mixstealer300]

are we gonna see the dunk where his windmill shattered the backboard, or are there only pictures of that dunk.

[TeamFlightBrothers]

If you know your stuff, You know that this guy is the man when it comes to Ronnie, if he doesn't have it no one does....He's like the Luke Skywalker of Planet Ronnie...

[GSPfan10]

That was a photo shoot done for Ronnie his Sophomore year. I am still working on some footage for part 2, but if it does not come through I will keep going. As of now I have around 20 dunks never released on the internet.

[TeamFlightBrothers]

If anybody is wondering...YES....He said "Ronnie Fields in 8 games has 39 DUNKS!!!'" crazy

[Skip01]

Mann...i remember seeing that wall of him and it had all his avg. and it was like he avg. 5 dunks a game or somethin....bananas

[GSPfan10]

You are correct. I hope to cover "the mural" in part 2 or part 3.

[TeamFlightBrothers]

Ant, DNC is still alive!!!

good talkin to you man ... EVERYONE GET READY FOR PART 2!!!!

[BaskDunk]

thanks, i can't wait part 2

[GSPfan10]

Part 2 will have more highlights...including dunks never released on the internet.