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The Surfer/Hooper Index Craig Anderson is Steph Curry and other ridiculous comparisons to kick off the NBA playoffs

the surfer/hooper index

The NBA is probably the most commercialized athletic event in the world. This makes it the most unlike surfing (kinda). But at its core, basketball is like surfing. I’ve been around both types enough to see the personalities, egos, artistry, techniques and grandiosity of both sports. They are completely unrelated — maybe like distant second cousins.

Here is a guide for surfers and surf rats to identify with a player or team as the 2017 playoffs begin and Bells is playing  — not that anyone cares but fuck it I’m drunk on some Chardonnay I found. –Jeff Alper

Craig Anderson = Steph Curry

Craig Anderson was introduced to me as the Yoga Man. No clue if he does yoga and not sure about Steph either. However, I’m sure that both of these men are made of rubber bands and bananas because they are invincible and everyone likes them. Also, perhaps the best part is there is no ego with these two, just love for the art. They are likable beyond belief. And really, really good.

Noa Deane = Russell Westbrook

Noa Deane doesn’t give a fuck what you think and Russell Westbrook doesn’t give a fuck period. Both of these dues are badass. Russ is from Mars and doesn’t know how to do anything but dominate. Watching Noa surf gives you the same feeling — no choice but to be crazy and stomp. Also, watching Noa stick an air is the same as watching Russ posterize a human.

Dion Agius = John Wall

You ever watch someone do something and think, “I would never do that because if I did, I would hurt myself?” That’s what you get when watching these dudes. John Wall goes so fast that everytime he breaks someones ankle, the lord forgives them. Dion Agius cuts through the air so fast that every time he lands, Poseidon awakes. Both of these dudes seem so soulful that all of their powers are awoken by sunlight and motherly love and that is what relates them the most.

Dane Reynolds = LeBron James

I know this is a bit controversial because Dane is loved and LeBron is loathed, but I had to do it. LeBron is always the best, no matter what. It’s hard for me to say, but LeBron is the best there is today. He is constantly overlooked and undeniably great, the same way that Dane is. It’s so easy to just say, “Oh, Dane is the best surfer” because he is. Same goes for Bron Bron.

John John Florence = Kawhi Leonard

It’s hard to not like John John. He’s in so many posters and so many ads. He is described by non surfers as “whats his name… johnny john something?” He is stunning to watch as an athlete and as a person. You want to know what he is thinking! Kawhi is the single most insane athlete on the planet. They both come across as humble and are multi faceted. Kawhi is arguably as good at offense as he is defense, similar to John John in the air and in the barrel.

Creed McTaggart = Paul George

Creed is just cool, man. I’ve never met him (or anyone on this list) but I doubt that there’s anyone in the world that, when asked, would be like, “Nah, don’t want to surf with Creed.” The same goes for Paul George. He does everything well and he’s smooth as fuck. Also side note, Creed’s part in Cluster is set to NWA and I fucking love it and PG probably does too.

Dillon Perillo = Isaiah Thomas

My friend Jordy Corden said to me today, “Dillon Perillo rips. Malibu has never been the same since he showed up.” Pretty sure that’s how Boston feels since IT came in and decided to be one of the best scorers in the association at 5′ 9.”

Chippa Wilson = James Harden

Glaring difference: Chippa’s tattoos vs James’ lack thereof. Glaring similarity, Chippa knifing through the air doing one of his patented 360s vs James Harden bulldozing through the lane while his beard learns Portuguese.

Brendon Gibbens = Jimmy Butler

When I watch BG surf, I often find myself confused. Like, How is he doing that on this wave? He shouldn’t be able to do that. But he does. Jimmy does that too. Fadeaway 3’s with a hand in his face. Someone hangingon to him as he drops in a mid-range floater. Incredible.

Mitch Coleborn = Kyle Lowry

I was there when Mitch facetimed Cukr the other day and found his energy to be palpable and positive. Same feeling I get watching Lowry have fun as he just absolutely gets what he wants on the court. Both seem to posses style with out becoming obnoxious about it, letting their energy bring out their technique as opposed to basing it solely in aesthetic.

Kolohe Andino = DeMar DeRozan

Kolohe gets buckets. DeMar DeRozan gets buckets. Both when they want and how they want. Decidedly awesome and clearly both hard works on fundamentals. Love watching them both.

Yago Dora = Kyrie Irving

Young studs. These dudes just absolutely rip. Kyrie constantly seems like a video game character being possessed when he crosses someone over and Yago packs a whole lot into each wave he takes off on. Nothing is ever the same as the last with these two.

Anyways, the NBA playoffs start tomorrow. You can watch and relate a little bit more now hopefully.

Indonesia Boat Trip Cluster Filming Yoyo Island Creed McTaggart Brendon Gibbens Craig Anderson Thom Pringle Surfing Dear Youth What Youth

Dear Youth Field notes from the outer islands

A five-day trip to get the fuck outta Bali and film for ClusterTM with Craig Anderson, Brendon Gibbens, Creed McTaggart & Thom Pringle. We slept in dungeon style cell rooms with a shitty fan, all of us. Tucked tight together with mattresses on the floor. This was Indo at it’s best. A real surf trip….

Indonesia, mitch coleborn chippa wilson what youth

Dear Youth Noa Deane and Mitch Coleborn getting it done

This is just one of those photos that makes you want to drop everything and max out your credit card and book a boat trip with your buddies. Mitch Coleborn is paddling out and Noa Deane is about to get really barreled. What more needs to be said? It’s all happening. —Nate Lawrence

Karate Zen Dear Youth What Youth Filming Kai Neville

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Time’s spinning by at a wild pace. I need to reflect on what went down over the last…the last month. West oz road tripping, a boat trip, Maccas camp post up, back to back. I think we may need to just chill. I love the hustle, but… Don’t get me wrong, this shit is sick. I…

Quinn Matthews Dillon Perillo Salina Cruz Surfing What Youth Dear Youth

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Editor’s Note: Quinn Matthews is a talented young photographer. And we like him a lot. He brought creative angles to the North Shore. And hung with the boys in West OZ. That’s step one and two of success in this game. But there are more steps which are a bit trickier to explain. Last week, Quinn…

dion Agius dane reynolds craig anderson what youth

Dear Youth Craig Anderson, Dion Agius, Dane Reynolds in New Zealand, filming for Dear Suburbia, 2012

Editor’s Note: Blake Myers is Kai Neville and What Youth’s mascot/employee/filmmaker/creative Kiwi. He’s been making Lego videos and films for years now, and he’s also pretty good at snapping interesting photos along the way. The moments that usually go unoticed — which we thrive on. He’ll be contributing to Photo Credit and unearthing his archive…

Kai Neville Creed McTaggart Noa Deane Dear Youth What Youth Music

Dear Youth Click happy

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Chippa Wilson getting barreled for cluster what youth

Dear Youth Chippa Wilson, Indonesia, Last week

Nate Lawrence: “Chippa Wilson is more known for his airs than his barrel riding skills, but damn can he ride the barrel well. We just finished a good ol’ fashioned Mentawai boat trip and it did not disappoint. There’s something about bobbing on a boat for 12 days with your friends that will never get…

Noa Deane Surfing Cluster What Youth Dear Youth

Dear Youth Noa Deane’s washed up traveler kit

A lot of people like to snap photos of their ultra-curated travel kits: vintage camera, neat bag, perfectly-folded shirt, passport, funny hat, postcards, Moleskin, etc. You know the shot. Well, over the past few years the travel kits we’ve seen don’t exactly look like that. They’re more like this. So here’s the first in a…

Noa Deana Indonesia Cluster Kai Neville Surfing Dear Youth What Youth

Dear Youth Noa Deane’s Indo stitch up

The ramps were good and the crowd was super mellow with the stiff breeze. 30 minutes into the surf Noa boned a pretty big Stalefish. Off target, his fin caught his arm and left him with a nice open gash. He bellied in and I started wondering why the hell he was coming in —…

mitch coleborn jack freestone noa deane what youth cluster

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Craig anderson surfing what youth

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Jordy smith what youth

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Jordy Smith and Rob Bain, Indonesia 2013 “This here is a photo of Jordy just starting to dive into a fresh haircut for his boss, Rob Bain. It was the last night of the trip and Jordy had a line of people ready to get haircuts. What Youth photographer Hamish Humphreys had just got his…

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