Lack of work ethic, arrogance and feeling like he already made it is what prevented this guy from making it. Instead of listening to what he needed to hear, he chose to listen to those who told him what he wanted to hear..
@@Dretube523 Killing in the post? He barely had a post gm after the 2011 loss he had to work on it..Always said those were his best yrs but wanted to play the LeBron system went back to Cleveland. Could've won more rings in Miami it's a better ran franchise than Cleveland
Lebron at 19 was winning NBA Rookie of the Year, and Carmelo Anthony at 19 had won an NCAA title at Syracuse. Cooke at 19 was still at the ABCD camp and got thoroughly outplayed by a high school sophomore. Even if his maturity and work ethic was better, he was still hopelessly behind those guys development wise.
@Scottie Johnson 'hopeless' as you describe and 'hopelessly behind' as Dennis uses the phrase, are two entirely different things. Hopeless means you have no hope in developing, period. Hopelessly behind means you can still develop, but will always be behind LBJ and Carmelo. Do you see the difference? 🏀
@KrazyD I say the same thing. As far as Im concerned, this game should have taken place in the nba if cooke was not mentally deficient! Summer 2001 at 19 years old, he should had been enjoying his summer as a nba pro and getting ready for his second year in the nba.
Lenny was 2 yrs older than Lebron.When Carmelo went to ABCD camp he came to play ONE game against ONE player...LENNY COOKE even though LeBron was there.After Melo went head to head against Lenny, he left the camp and went to go see his relatives in Red Hook.Lenny had dominated the camp the year before and Melo wanted to measure up to him.For those that didn't see Lenny play dont comment because you dont know the real deal.Dude had the TALENT to be a perennial all star.But it takes MUCH MORE than talent....and Lenny proved that.
His documentary was depressing. Especially at the end where he was watching LeBron living the dream in the Playoffs talking about how his son's favorite player was LeBron. In the documentary he made it seem like it was like it was everyone else's fault for the choices he made. "Y'all made Lenny Cooke, my name Leonard". Literally in the documentary his own friends told him "school is the most important thing for you" but he wasn't trying to hear that.
This isnt accurate. He had many chances. Predraft camp. The Sonics camp, and boston summer league. He was also a full 2 years older then everybody else, explaining his dominance in a camp or aau setting
DAMM!!!!! Lebron hit the game winning leaning long range floater?!!!!! I remember seeing a documentary on this dude a few years ago & they acted like he killed Lebron in that camp
It was like a domino effect. Lebron schooled him at ABCD camp, they found out he was 19, he was ineligible to play high school, then All the offers disappeared. I also think he had a learning disability and never got help
I've been waiting for this one. His story is summed up best with this quote from a young Kevin Durant, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." He had the skills but he was arrogant and didn't have the drive, at least not the same drive LeBron James had. He may have been in it for the money and accolades but LeBron had a destiny and a legacy to fulfill and that's what gave Bron that narrow win over him in that game. You would think taking an L like that would drive someone to work harder but if anything it diminished that drive and it was sad because he let the loss get to him.
I don't give shi* how old or new this quote is. Man this is right on the money. Perfect quote. Old quotes seem to last forever. Probably because it's correct.
That ABCD game was not close individually Lebron killed him point wise 22 to 9 and had more assists and rebounds. Thats the same camp were Sebastian Telfair killed every guard from Raymond Felton to Anthony Roberson and had 29/7 in the underclassmen all star game. Thats how him and Lebron got so tight back then
Stephen May You're right. I said Lenny started off great! Had like 6 straight. Dunk and all but LeBron took over from then. Game was obviously close though
Also likely why Joakim Noah has such intense hatred for Lebron. He was much younger and looked up to Cooke. Probably blames him for destroying his idol.
4:21 was the shot that killed Lenny.What Lenny didn't realize was that shot was a blessing.That should've put the battery in his back to say: " LeBron or nobody else is gonna get the best of me again".One thing missing from this excellent mini-doc, is that Lenny didn't grow up wanting to be the next MJ at 8/ 9 yrs old.He started playing the game late 13/14 yrs old and caught on quick.The game came easily and he just used it to try to get quick money and fame.Melo, Lebron and others wanted to not only get out of rough environments, but also wanted to be basketball legends.Lenny never wanted that and it showed.Because with his natural talent and a work ethic/ goal he would've been an all time great.
Idk about an all time great but he would’ve made an nba team for sure a lot of guys balled out in high school & college got To the nba and averaged 3 points not every is going to make it to goat level find your lane work hard and compete at a high level and you’ll be around forever look at udonis haslem
@@pedrogates3189 Basically I mean he had the POTENTIAL to be an all time great.I saw MANY players at ABCD that had the potential to just make the NBA and I didnt even hear about in COLLEGE....Major Wingate and Robert Whaley come to mind.Those that actually made ONE NBA game is almost equivalent to hitting the lottery.
@@pedrogates3189 I more than saw him play.Ive spoken to him, told him to go to JUCO.Saw him win MVP at the Entertainers on 155th street while still in HS....( A 6'6" trophy).Lenny was that deal for real.But it just goes to show no matter how much talent you have, bad decisions and ego can throw it all away
Feezie F-Baby hey man it b like that their are a lot of guys who have NBA talent or NBA potential but end up not making it to the league mainly because of poor decisions an stuff like that
These are big facts. I don't know why this isn't a bigger part of the story. Lenny Cooke didn't play organized basketball for an entire season (his senior year). NBA scouts know you can get better or you can get worse during that year. If you deliberately avoid pre-draft workouts, the way Lenny did, it will make teams even more suspicious that something might be wrong with him. Like an injury he is not telling them about, for example. 🤷
It's almost like the tale of 2 lives. Both Lenny and Lebron had difficult home lives with Cooke having a kid while still in high school and not wanting to get up to play feeling everything was just handed to him on a platter without (as much) effort meanwhile Lebron lived in a car with his mom, the parents of kids on his highschool football team made him feel out of place for being tall and playing so well, then when he finally proved himself he kept it all about the team. Lebron didn't seem to take as much for granted and just seemed that he had a clearer understanding of how this could change his life from an early age. I'm sure some of it went to his head but how could it not? I think Cooke could have been great but didn't have the same parental figures in his life. The coach seemed to really care about him when he didn't want to show up to practice and saw the talent in him but he brushed it off. It's kind of tragic if you think about how many people just need a positive encouraging role model in their lives and how many have them but don't realize it until it's too late. For LeBron it really seems like it was his destiny to be the king after Michael Jordan and the greats of the past.
Hell yea!!! But FYI he does have a documentary out now .... D.S was the truth tho !! He jus fucd up by riding wit da wrong succa!!! Prime example to learn from in the lesson of being careful of the company that you keep 😩
Tell young kids that decide to go to college educational wise. "Work hard and focus on school. The clubs and parties aren't going anywhere don't have a FOMO because if you flunk out and you're in debt from all those college loans because you wanted to party. Those people you trying to party with won't be there in the end. Get through the 2-4yrs and then celebrate all you want."
I'm a HUGE UNC fan but Juan Dixon at Maryland was amazing! Jared Jeffries at Indiana was amazing also. I'd watch information videos on both those ballers!
I’ve watched the documentary, you could clearly see this kids wasn’t ready. Way too immature & he didn’t have any guidances. LeBron took all his powers in that ABCD camp. His face said everything. He had RAW talent...
aaronromance That's a fact. Super immature and people tried to tell him again and again. I honestly think that's where the "fatherless homes" comes into play. No man to show them how to be men instead of emotional bitches! Throwing tantrums like 5 year olds.
Sad ending for a promising player that had all the tools but not the sense to listen to some of his colleagues to stay focused now and the other things will follow. Glad he can coach and show other potential kids not to go down the same path.
Imma give credit where credit is due:Lenny Cook very talented and could play his butt off in basketball, but didn't practice or put in work....message to all the kids who want to play basketball:its about teamwork commitment practice and academics....u have to work hard and practice if u wanna go to the next level...if u dont practice or put in work, you're gonna hold yourself back and not to get to the next level...
Kobe had a 3.2 GPA in high school. Lebron had a 3.5 GPA in high school, the Jordan had a 4.5 GPA in high school. The difference between those guys and his dude was more than just raw "talent".
This was just awesome video content bro & it goes to always show that a person has to be mentally focused to achieve ones dreams or ultimate goal in life 👍.
Cook probably had more talent then all of his peer but he never put the real work and never had the mindset of a pro. He wanted the glory but never put the work into it to get that blessing.
cwm662 crazy cause people like to compare he and Bron when Melo was his real competition fighting for that #1 spot in his class that Melo eventually got over him.
Yoooooo... Finally ‼️‼️‼️‼️ This man was a problem for real. Saw him play in 01 I think for riverside church if I'm not mistaken. He was simply a BEAST
Watched his documentary several yrs ago. Crazy how he was ranked higher than Bron at one point then he watching Bron, Melo & Amare in nba on tv from his couch reminiscing...sad
This dude had a major ego, had everything given to him on a silver platter, and he blew it because he shitted on the people who tried to steer him in the right direction, sad smh i actually felt sorry for him.
Land of the Dread Heads All facts. Like that lady he moved away from right before the draft. She literally gave dude a nice life. Pool and perrier waters and all
@@clarkjonathan702 exactly fam thats why i refuse to be critical of the man cause i grew with cats like this....especially with the recent interview lenny was doomed from the jump
I think a reason too was that, growing up all his life, he was the best of the best. everyone knew it and told him all the time. so when a guy like lebron comes along and is better than him, and people gravitate towards lebron and the fame starts to dip from cooke, that really got to him and made him do things he wouldnt have normally done. and he almost gave up in a sense because he could see the writing on the wall already
I beg to Differ he was older and his body was developed. If you look at the Doc he was 19 when he met carmello and Lebron he was supposed to graduate in 2000
Thanks for another banger! Hey JC, didn't Cooke miss his original scheduled workout with the Celtics? Also, what about the gun charge he caught the week of the draft?
Buzzer Beater He did everything he could to blow his chances in those moments man... Would've been a great story had he make it along with Bron and Melo
@@stuntedgrowth Thanks for the reply. Could you do a profile on Lloyd "Sweet Pea" Daniels and Rashad McCants? I heard McCants was blackballed by the NBA.
The sad thing is kids will see this and still repeat the same story. They fail to realize you get one chance growing up and if you blow it, there are no do overs. You can't go back. Kids think they know it all and have the answers but yet have never experienced life and seen what older people have seen.
His story was the best, imo. It was a great learning point and he made no excuses and appears to want to use it as motivation to succeed in his next endeavors.
Just catching up on the last few vids. Continue to do great work my brother. Every young player should be shown this video and the Victor Page vid. If that isnt a scared straight moment I don't know what is lol.
I think it's a false statement saying that someone is not better because he didn't put it the work. Some people are just naturally gifted than others. But, in the case of Lenny others past him by BECAUSE of him not putting in the work!
@@sydneystroud4397 Not at all. He was good, but being good gets you so far. How many players whatever sport it is were just good but got passed by by others because they simply stopped working hard! Ex. : Kobe was a great talent in high school and early career but became KOBE by out working the competition
You get better BY PUTTING IN the work. He was good, a beast if you ask me by seeing him live with my own eyes. I presume you saw his doc. He was the reference point for other players at some point. Melo said it himself, he came to ABCD to challenge him. Like you said his last game at ABCD was the starting point of his dismise. AND JC, YOU WERE 100000000% RIGHT ON THE MONEY ON THAT. So my point I was making was he was Hella good, but after ABCD his inferiors wasn't fearing him anymore... He wasn't striking fear to the comp anymore and LACK DISCIPLINE, FOCUS AND THAT WORK ETHIC. He was a dog during his rise but once he reached a certain status simply stopped working and believed in his own fame. Sad story and story to alot of good-great players
@harold mccoy All I said was I disagreed with the opening statement of Lenny Cooke never being better than him or him or whoever ... If you see after my response to JC I agreed with all the other points. My views or VERY SIMILAR TO STUNTED GROWTH EXCEPT FOR THE OPENING STATEMENT. I think he was equal at some point to all those guys, and mind you I've seen him live a few times. Personally HE was their equal if you ask me. BUT I WILL REPEAT AGAIN WHAT I SAID HE LACKED DISCIPLINE, FOCUS WHICH TAKES A VERY GOOD PLAYER TO AN ALL TIME GREAT AND ALSO POINTED KOBE AS AN EXAMPLE...
It’s the fact that he had the the right circle of friends around him that bothers me. Watching his documentary, I could tell his brothers really wanted the best for him the same way Debby did. Lenny really did sell his soul for the agents smh. The ending of the documentary when they were all arguing was tough to watch as well.
He was never better than LeBron. He's six months older than me, and I graduated two years before him. He was underclassman MVP at the 2001 ABCD Camp and older than the senior MVP, Mo Williams. Being better than LeBron or 'Melo wasn't in the cards for him. Scouts aren't dumb. Frank Kaminksy outplayed Karl-Anthony in 2015 tournament. He was also a senior playing a freshman. Cooke could have carved out a decade long career as a solid role player though.
@@stuntedgrowth Lenny is from Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC. I grew up 10 minutes away in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and used to watch this dude ball all the time. He moved to New Jersey in High School to get his grades together. Stunted Growth, I appreciate what you are doing with these videos about ballers who failed to make it to the league because of their Stunted Growth, but sometimes you have your facts wrong LOL. Keep doing your thing though!
Book of Rhymes Schea coming soon! To not make the NBA... Hmm that's tough. There's so many. Ben Wilson, Ronnie Feilds, Hook Mitchell, Earl Manigault, Len Bias, Hank Gathers. Then there's younger guys.... List can go one forever. Wbu?
@@stuntedgrowth that's my list also. I would add Aaron owens, and black widow....main event... those old Rucker legends. Watching a lot of these videos. Do you have paypal, cashapp, patreon?
Attitude or lack thereof is what prevented him from competing at the highest level. Dude was decent, but at the NBA level, everybody is good and it is those who do the little things best that rise to the top. Being lazy, greedy, and unfocused is bad business for any organization. And it is not as if the league is lacking in great athletes years after years anyway. Put in the work and let your work put you in.
Kmasefitness Not in high school rankings for their class bro. As far as best high school players period. Yes he was a senior, Bron was a junior. Melo a senior too
Great video ! Lenny was a sad story, and you're right, he was never in a league with the elite players. He had no work ethic, and sad to say, just not very bright. Agents blew smoke up his a**
Sad story I saw the documentary recently it's crazy the skills were pretty good but work ethic and listening was true xfactor for the Demise I thought he should went to ST John or Syracuse since originally from NY that would get back in good imagine if lead either team to national championship Syacuse won before with Melo in 2002 but imagine Lenny won with St John or again with Syracuse that would got him at least in top 15 in 2002 draft he could even played on same team as Melo since they both went to same camp a year prior...SMH
You know, as a Filipino growing up watching the PBA, Lenny Cooke was one of my favorite foreign players to watch in the early 2000's. I mean, he's too good to be as an import as young as he is before. If only he's just down to earth and continue to work on his game along with academics and life overall before, he could've been in the NBA. But all those distractions eventually destroyed his career overall.
Gotta have the right circle around you , Kyle Anderson’s dad was my teacher and he coached aau balled he always spoke highly of Lenny cooke but he also told us how all Lenny wanted to do was score and if he was going to go pro he needed to work on other parts of his game
Ain’t nobody every told the story like this .....JC perspective can not be matched he needs a show on ESPN or real TV show this RUclips isn’t worry of this but it’s a blessing
Also another thing is this:not to knock down all basketball players and athletes in general, they gotta surround themselves with the right people and watch out for the sharks and snakes in the grass.....like the two wise old sayings:the lord giveth and the lord taketh away and the crabs in the barrel saying:when one person is on his way up, others try to knock him off from on top of his goal...
Lack of work ethic, arrogance and feeling like he already made it is what prevented this guy from making it. Instead of listening to what he needed to hear, he chose to listen to those who told him what he wanted to hear..
Indeed
When he met lebron he gave it up to him!
@@gastone2train320 yea he did. He knew he was special
Stunt no 1. LeBron James
Lol 😂😂😂
Lebron's a bust
@1-800-Wavy LMAO
@@oakinw8361 There is no HALL OF FAMER who can be considered a bust……..
@@oakinw8361Whatchu smoking? 🤨
He didn't practice on the fundamentals of his game. Raw talent can go but so far, along with his decision makings..
💯
NOT TRUE LOOK AT TODAYS NBA
EVEN LEBRON DONT HAVE fundaMENTALS
CANT EVEN POST UP DRIBBLING IS NOT BASKETBALL
@@jkdortch2308 Thank you LeBron has to have the ball in his hand to dominate
@@354allday lebrons best seasons were in miami where he played off ball and was killing in the post.
@@Dretube523 Killing in the post? He barely had a post gm after the 2011 loss he had to work on it..Always said those were his best yrs but wanted to play the LeBron system went back to Cleveland. Could've won more rings in Miami it's a better ran franchise than Cleveland
It takes a lot of balls to attend a draft party after NOT getting drafted.
He was in a denial stage
@@dmanigo77 that was the reason why his career never started,he liked the parties and women and small money that he was receiving!
Lol that white girl at 1:30 plotting on a come up lol
She got a rude awakening but boston tried to bring hi I'm onto the team but he couldn't hack it
she had a plan, Cashcow!!!!
Her name is Amber .. I slapped out back in the day
You can see it in her eyes
So true👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
Lebron at 19 was winning NBA Rookie of the Year, and Carmelo Anthony at 19 had won an NCAA title at Syracuse. Cooke at 19 was still at the ABCD camp and got thoroughly outplayed by a high school sophomore. Even if his maturity and work ethic was better, he was still hopelessly behind those guys development wise.
@Scottie Johnson 'hopeless' as you describe and 'hopelessly behind' as Dennis uses the phrase, are two entirely different things. Hopeless means you have no hope in developing, period.
Hopelessly behind means you can still develop, but will always be behind LBJ and Carmelo. Do you see the difference? 🏀
Perfectly summed up.
@KrazyD I say the same thing. As far as Im concerned, this game should have taken place in the nba if cooke was not mentally deficient! Summer 2001 at 19 years old, he should had been enjoying his summer as a nba pro and getting ready for his second year in the nba.
@Scottie Johnson are you romantically interested in Lenny
Lenny was 2 yrs older than Lebron.When Carmelo went to ABCD camp he came to play ONE game against ONE player...LENNY COOKE even though LeBron was there.After Melo went head to head against Lenny, he left the camp and went to go see his relatives in Red Hook.Lenny had dominated the camp the year before and Melo wanted to measure up to him.For those that didn't see Lenny play dont comment because you dont know the real deal.Dude had the TALENT to be a perennial all star.But it takes MUCH MORE than talent....and Lenny proved that.
This video sound mad PERSONAL bro 💯
His documentary was depressing. Especially at the end where he was watching LeBron living the dream in the Playoffs talking about how his son's favorite player was LeBron. In the documentary he made it seem like it was like it was everyone else's fault for the choices he made. "Y'all made Lenny Cooke, my name Leonard". Literally in the documentary his own friends told him "school is the most important thing for you" but he wasn't trying to hear that.
Yo that scene when he had tears rolling down his face at his birthday I felt that. Saddest documentary scene I ever seen
Man, that doc was depressing.
even till this day he still claims to have no one to keep him on track unlike lebron or melo which isnt true.
Lenny acknowledged Bron as the goat,stop reaching
@@frankmathews what you know about Frank Matthews
The documentary I seen on him was sad asf
More frustrating than sad...he was competing with the best in world not even tryin...imagine if he had half the drive of jordan or lebron...sheesh
This isnt accurate. He had many chances. Predraft camp. The Sonics camp, and boston summer league. He was also a full 2 years older then everybody else, explaining his dominance in a camp or aau setting
DAMM!!!!! Lebron hit the game winning leaning long range floater?!!!!! I remember seeing a documentary on this dude a few years ago & they acted like he killed Lebron in that camp
It was like a domino effect. Lebron schooled him at ABCD camp, they found out he was 19, he was ineligible to play high school, then All the offers disappeared. I also think he had a learning disability and never got help
Yup its true
Wow I didn’t know that
Lol learning disability short for he was slow
Yep
I've been waiting for this one. His story is summed up best with this quote from a young Kevin Durant, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." He had the skills but he was arrogant and didn't have the drive, at least not the same drive LeBron James had. He may have been in it for the money and accolades but LeBron had a destiny and a legacy to fulfill and that's what gave Bron that narrow win over him in that game. You would think taking an L like that would drive someone to work harder but if anything it diminished that drive and it was sad because he let the loss get to him.
Bro thats an old quote. Durant did not come up with that
I don't give shi* how old or new this quote is. Man this is right on the money. Perfect quote. Old quotes seem to last forever. Probably because it's correct.
@@charismatic9904😂
That ABCD game was not close individually Lebron killed him point wise 22 to 9 and had more assists and rebounds. Thats the same camp were Sebastian Telfair killed every guard from Raymond Felton to Anthony Roberson and had 29/7 in the underclassmen all star game. Thats how him and Lebron got so tight back then
Stephen May You're right. I said Lenny started off great! Had like 6 straight. Dunk and all but LeBron took over from then. Game was obviously close though
Also likely why Joakim Noah has such intense hatred for Lebron. He was much younger and looked up to Cooke. Probably blames him for destroying his idol.
@@kw1rvp2b i thought about that tho but I’m not sure if thats it . I mean could he be really that dumb?
Bassy was crazy man, I always felt he could have developed more in college but he was right to go into the league for the money.
@@kw1rvp2b lol good point
Out of all the people that covered this story, you kept it the realest.
4:21 was the shot that killed Lenny.What Lenny didn't realize was that shot was a blessing.That should've put the battery in his back to say: " LeBron or nobody else is gonna get the best of me again".One thing missing from this excellent mini-doc, is that Lenny didn't grow up wanting to be the next MJ at 8/ 9 yrs old.He started playing the game late 13/14 yrs old and caught on quick.The game came easily and he just used it to try to get quick money and fame.Melo, Lebron and others wanted to not only get out of rough environments, but also wanted to be basketball legends.Lenny never wanted that and it showed.Because with his natural talent and a work ethic/ goal he would've been an all time great.
Idk about an all time great but he would’ve made an nba team for sure a lot of guys balled out in high school & college got
To the nba and averaged 3 points not every is going to make it to goat level find your lane work hard and compete at a high level and you’ll be around forever look at udonis haslem
@@pedrogates3189 Basically I mean he had the POTENTIAL to be an all time great.I saw MANY players at ABCD that had the potential to just make the NBA and I didnt even hear about in COLLEGE....Major Wingate and Robert Whaley come to mind.Those that actually made ONE NBA game is almost equivalent to hitting the lottery.
@@missayawk let me ask you a question did you ever see Lenny Cooke play then ?
@@pedrogates3189 I more than saw him play.Ive spoken to him, told him to go to JUCO.Saw him win MVP at the Entertainers on 155th street while still in HS....( A 6'6" trophy).Lenny was that deal for real.But it just goes to show no matter how much talent you have, bad decisions and ego can throw it all away
Lebron showing that killer instinct they say he didn’t have…
Lenny Cooke was a problem but wasn't focused at all. He just wanted the shine and fame but didn't want to put in the work
That's SUPER TRUE. I saw his documentary and he said it himself that he was just cruising
@@showbiz2k13 Exactly all he had to do was stay focus and and hungry
@@gunkmangeezy3741 True but gotta be surrounded by the right people and gotta have a strong work ethic
He had a bunch of yes men in his clique who were only around for the money that thought he would've made in the league.
@@eibb5136 Exactly
His worst move was not going to prep school his sr yr. He sat out a whole n decided to enter the draft. Thats what hurt him
He had zero discipline, he was doomed from the get go
Feezie F-Baby hey man it b like that their are a lot of guys who have NBA talent or NBA potential but end up not making it to the league mainly because of poor decisions an stuff like that
He didn’t even make it off the summer league team...he had an opportunity
@@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484 he was balling in SL for the Celtics
These are big facts. I don't know why this isn't a bigger part of the story. Lenny Cooke didn't play organized basketball for an entire season (his senior year).
NBA scouts know you can get better or you can get worse during that year. If you deliberately avoid pre-draft workouts, the way Lenny did, it will make teams even more suspicious that something might be wrong with him.
Like an injury he is not telling them about, for example. 🤷
It's almost like the tale of 2 lives. Both Lenny and Lebron had difficult home lives with Cooke having a kid while still in high school and not wanting to get up to play feeling everything was just handed to him on a platter without (as much) effort meanwhile Lebron lived in a car with his mom, the parents of kids on his highschool football team made him feel out of place for being tall and playing so well, then when he finally proved himself he kept it all about the team. Lebron didn't seem to take as much for granted and just seemed that he had a clearer understanding of how this could change his life from an early age. I'm sure some of it went to his head but how could it not? I think Cooke could have been great but didn't have the same parental figures in his life. The coach seemed to really care about him when he didn't want to show up to practice and saw the talent in him but he brushed it off. It's kind of tragic if you think about how many people just need a positive encouraging role model in their lives and how many have them but don't realize it until it's too late. For LeBron it really seems like it was his destiny to be the king after Michael Jordan and the greats of the past.
Boy had a sad thanksgiving struggle plate pic a few yrs ago..no joking I felt bad for em..
He was on my Five Star Basketball camp team in 2001. Had a whole camera crew with him the whole week.
That was likely his high school friend, who was doing a documentary. Most of the footage ended up being the bulk of the Noah produced joint.
@@kw1rvp2b it was filmmaker Adam Shopkorn
Can you do a video on Damon Stringer? Cleveland Heights High School, Ohio Mr. Basketball, Big Ten freshman/Player of the year, Prison.
Hell yea!!! But FYI he does have a documentary out now .... D.S was the truth tho !! He jus fucd up by riding wit da wrong succa!!! Prime example to learn from in the lesson of being careful of the company that you keep 😩
@@darealtripp2267 I know all about DS
Tell young kids that decide to go to college educational wise. "Work hard and focus on school. The clubs and parties aren't going anywhere don't have a FOMO because if you flunk out and you're in debt from all those college loans because you wanted to party. Those people you trying to party with won't be there in the end. Get through the 2-4yrs and then celebrate all you want."
Can you do Juan Dixon or Terrance Morris. I was playing juco in Maryland when them guys were at University of Maryland.
I'm a HUGE UNC fan but Juan Dixon at Maryland was amazing! Jared Jeffries at Indiana was amazing also. I'd watch information videos on both those ballers!
It’s criminal you don’t have more subs, you are one of the best story tellers on RUclips!
I’ve watched the documentary, you could clearly see this kids wasn’t ready. Way too immature & he didn’t have any guidances. LeBron took all his powers in that ABCD camp. His face said everything. He had RAW talent...
aaronromance That's a fact. Super immature and people tried to tell him again and again. I honestly think that's where the "fatherless homes" comes into play. No man to show them how to be men instead of emotional bitches! Throwing tantrums like 5 year olds.
Lenny never put in the work he wanted too party instead of hard word 💯
Sad ending for a promising player that had all the tools but not the sense to listen to some of his colleagues to stay focused now and the other things will follow. Glad he can coach and show other potential kids not to go down the same path.
He was a bum don’t let that documentary fool you
Imma give credit where credit is due:Lenny Cook very talented and could play his butt off in basketball, but didn't practice or put in work....message to all the kids who want to play basketball:its about teamwork commitment practice and academics....u have to work hard and practice if u wanna go to the next level...if u dont practice or put in work, you're gonna hold yourself back and not to get to the next level...
Bryan R. 💯
stuntedgrowth yes indeed thanks
Kobe had a 3.2 GPA in high school. Lebron had a 3.5 GPA in high school, the Jordan had a 4.5 GPA in high school. The difference between those guys and his dude was more than just raw "talent".
This was just awesome video content bro & it goes to always show that a person has to be mentally focused to achieve ones dreams or ultimate goal in life 👍.
hardwork beats talent, when talent fails to work hard -- kd
Cook probably had more talent then all of his peer but he never put the real work and never had the mindset of a pro. He wanted the glory but never put the work into it to get that blessing.
LOL, that soundtrack you play in every video really suits the stunted growth theme 😂
This was a savage piece!
good video...i remember the hype around Lenny Cooke in SLAM magazine in the early 00s
Treated Melo like a Lil Fella....🤣🤣🤣
cwm662 crazy cause people like to compare he and Bron when Melo was his real competition fighting for that #1 spot in his class that Melo eventually got over him.
Noticed that too. Melo like "get off me I just went for 30 son"
I been waiting on this one like soul food cooking at thanksgiving!
Aero Dynamic Eat up bro. Enjoy.
Great video bro! Keep going and you will have a nba scout or analyst job one day.
Romeo Tv love fam💯
I just saw him with the Camden NJ ABA team when they came to PA
He showed that your own ego can become your downfall...good video bro!!!
Yoooooo... Finally ‼️‼️‼️‼️ This man was a problem for real. Saw him play in 01 I think for riverside church if I'm not mistaken. He was simply a BEAST
Facts he was a monster i remember him killing and getting a chip and mvp at rucker the same year.
@@eibb5136 Exactly...that trophy was as tall as him.I WAS THERE!
Another banger bro. Keep grindin my dude congrats on 10k
Watched his documentary several yrs ago. Crazy how he was ranked higher than Bron at one point then he watching Bron, Melo & Amare in nba on tv from his couch reminiscing...sad
This dude had a major ego, had everything given to him on a silver platter, and he blew it because he shitted on the people who tried to steer him in the right direction, sad smh i actually felt sorry for him.
Land of the Dread Heads All facts. Like that lady he moved away from right before the draft. She literally gave dude a nice life. Pool and perrier waters and all
He didn’t have no guidance and nobody to check him
@@clarkjonathan702 exactly fam thats why i refuse to be critical of the man cause i grew with cats like this....especially with the recent interview lenny was doomed from the jump
@@clarkjonathan702
Bull he did don't let it confuse, he wanted to hang out with the one's who just wanted to get litttt
I think a reason too was that, growing up all his life, he was the best of the best. everyone knew it and told him all the time. so when a guy like lebron comes along and is better than him, and people gravitate towards lebron and the fame starts to dip from cooke, that really got to him and made him do things he wouldnt have normally done. and he almost gave up in a sense because he could see the writing on the wall already
I beg to Differ he was older and his body was developed. If you look at the Doc he was 19 when he met carmello and Lebron he was supposed to graduate in 2000
Yo stunted can you please do a cliff Alexander vid I wanna see bro it . I know you can do it bro
You think he was expected to do big things?
@@stuntedgrowth indeed I do sir. Kansas commit and McDonald's all American
Lenny was still in high school at 20
Salute to you reaching 10K subscribers bro
Thanks for another banger!
Hey JC, didn't Cooke miss his original scheduled workout with the Celtics?
Also, what about the gun charge he caught the week of the draft?
Buzzer Beater He did everything he could to blow his chances in those moments man... Would've been a great story had he make it along with Bron and Melo
@@stuntedgrowth Thanks for the reply. Could you do a profile on Lloyd "Sweet Pea" Daniels and Rashad McCants? I heard McCants was blackballed by the NBA.
The sad thing is kids will see this and still repeat the same story. They fail to realize you get one chance growing up and if you blow it, there are no do overs. You can't go back. Kids think they know it all and have the answers but yet have never experienced life and seen what older people have seen.
Hey I’m serious I want to hear your story bro do a stunted growth on yourself.
Word. Who the fuck is this guy?
😂😂😂
His story was the best, imo. It was a great learning point and he made no excuses and appears to want to use it as motivation to succeed in his next endeavors.
He spittin facts here though
Just catching up on the last few vids. Continue to do great work my brother.
Every young player should be shown this video and the Victor Page vid. If that isnt a scared straight moment I don't know what is lol.
I think it's a false statement saying that someone is not better because he didn't put it the work. Some people are just naturally gifted than others. But, in the case of Lenny others past him by BECAUSE of him not putting in the work!
Me Me You just contradicted your own statement.
@@sydneystroud4397 Not at all. He was good, but being good gets you so far. How many players whatever sport it is were just good but got passed by by others because they simply stopped working hard! Ex. : Kobe was a great talent in high school and early career but became KOBE by out working the competition
So how's it a false statement then... You said it yourself. You're not going to get better if you don't work.
You get better BY PUTTING IN the work. He was good, a beast if you ask me by seeing him live with my own eyes. I presume you saw his doc. He was the reference point for other players at some point. Melo said it himself, he came to ABCD to challenge him. Like you said his last game at ABCD was the starting point of his dismise. AND JC, YOU WERE 100000000% RIGHT ON THE MONEY ON THAT. So my point I was making was he was Hella good, but after ABCD his inferiors wasn't fearing him anymore... He wasn't striking fear to the comp anymore and LACK DISCIPLINE, FOCUS AND THAT WORK ETHIC. He was a dog during his rise but once he reached a certain status simply stopped working and believed in his own fame. Sad story and story to alot of good-great players
@harold mccoy All I said was I disagreed with the opening statement of Lenny Cooke never being better than him or him or whoever ... If you see after my response to JC I agreed with all the other points. My views or VERY SIMILAR TO STUNTED GROWTH EXCEPT FOR THE OPENING STATEMENT. I think he was equal at some point to all those guys, and mind you I've seen him live a few times. Personally HE was their equal if you ask me. BUT I WILL REPEAT AGAIN WHAT I SAID HE LACKED DISCIPLINE, FOCUS WHICH TAKES A VERY GOOD PLAYER TO AN ALL TIME GREAT AND ALSO POINTED KOBE AS AN EXAMPLE...
It’s the fact that he had the the right circle of friends around him that bothers me. Watching his documentary, I could tell his brothers really wanted the best for him the same way Debby did. Lenny really did sell his soul for the agents smh. The ending of the documentary when they were all arguing was tough to watch as well.
You should do a video on Korleone Young
🤷🏾♂️who .......We not hip 🤣🤣🤣
3 reasons 1 he never work out for real 2 he took that money and 3 LeBron James hit the last second shot to win the game end of story
You had to have made up 3, because Lebron is not clutch...
@@kw1rvp2b foh
@@kw1rvp2b He is.You don't see it cause you don't watch or follow the Lakers or even Lebrons career.
@@kw1rvp2b obviously u haven’t did your research and see how many game winning shits no clutch Lebron has made throughout his career .
You did a great job, including your personal commentaries. This is a sad story. I think I let my sons watch the documentary this coming weekend.
Not gone lie this one seems a little personal and mean spirited. Something about this story hit home with you.
Great video🔥
He’s from Brooklyn not jersey
Another overhyped NY/NJ prospect
He was never better than LeBron. He's six months older than me, and I graduated two years before him. He was underclassman MVP at the 2001 ABCD Camp and older than the senior MVP, Mo Williams. Being better than LeBron or 'Melo wasn't in the cards for him. Scouts aren't dumb. Frank Kaminksy outplayed Karl-Anthony in 2015 tournament. He was also a senior playing a freshman.
Cooke could have carved out a decade long career as a solid role player though.
Went from explaining how he was dribbling and hitting shots on Lebron to he couldn't dribble that fast🤔
In the beginning u said" rated higher" a lot just saying
Great content! Great channel! Sad ending.
All the bunnies was dressed for success, no birth control on deck😏
@WhatInTheWorld? pick up a book, you’ll get further.
6:20 is that Carmelo Anthony❓
Yep
Ay yo bro wen yu gone do KERMIT WASHINGTON?😈😈😈
Facts brother! Like work ethic has to be the biggest factor in any endeavor one pursues. Especially in the science that is Basketball!!
Demetrius Hook Mitchell...east oakland legend that played against gary payton jason kidd brian shaw antonio davis etc...
Facts
This will keep me focused
Very good video.. Lenny doc is definitely a cautionary tale.
1 He is From Brooklyn
Trey Dimez Jersey bro.
Yeah, I thought he was from Bushwick
@@stuntedgrowth Lenny is from Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC. I grew up 10 minutes away in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and used to watch this dude ball all the time. He moved to New Jersey in High School to get his grades together. Stunted Growth, I appreciate what you are doing with these videos about ballers who failed to make it to the league because of their Stunted Growth, but sometimes you have your facts wrong LOL. Keep doing your thing though!
He"s from A.C. they moved to BK later
Can we get your rendition of the Damon Stringer Story 🙏🏾
Will you do a video on Schea Cotton and what is you list or roster for best players not to make the league?
Book of Rhymes Schea coming soon! To not make the NBA... Hmm that's tough. There's so many. Ben Wilson, Ronnie Feilds, Hook Mitchell, Earl Manigault, Len Bias, Hank Gathers. Then there's younger guys.... List can go one forever. Wbu?
@@stuntedgrowth that's my list also. I would add Aaron owens, and black widow....main event... those old Rucker legends.
Watching a lot of these videos. Do you have paypal, cashapp, patreon?
@@stuntedgrowth I forgot about Ed Booger Smith. My uncle got this tape for me when I was a kid called soul in the hole.
@@stuntedgrowth you should do it , ya sound like ya on da right tracc!!
Attitude or lack thereof is what prevented him from competing at the highest level. Dude was decent, but at the NBA level, everybody is good and it is those who do the little things best that rise to the top. Being lazy, greedy, and unfocused is bad business for any organization. And it is not as if the league is lacking in great athletes years after years anyway. Put in the work and let your work put you in.
I miss the early 00's dressing era Durags fitted caps big ear rings
MOTIVATION 🙌🏿 n I wish boy da best🤝🏿🙏🏿
Damn good story, I didnt know about until now. Wow, I'd like to see more about his story.
Do One On Wesley Johnson If You Can ,Dude Was A Top Five Draft Pick Now He Playing Overseas
Haven't heard that name in while he was supposed to be good
He was never ranked 2 spots down for Lenny they were in different classes people never mention that lol
Kmasefitness Not in high school rankings for their class bro. As far as best high school players period. Yes he was a senior, Bron was a junior. Melo a senior too
He went to the draft/ draft party and wasn't even drafted, classic.
Good looking my boi been waiting for this 1 played him at fdu in 01
Never heard of this guy but I’m glad I watched. Attitude determines Altitude, Facts!!
Great video ! Lenny was a sad story, and you're right, he was never in a league with the elite players. He had no work ethic, and sad to say, just not very bright. Agents blew smoke up his a**
Sad story I saw the documentary recently it's crazy the skills were pretty good but work ethic and listening was true xfactor for the Demise I thought he should went to ST John or Syracuse since originally from NY that would get back in good imagine if lead either team to national championship Syacuse won before with Melo in 2002 but imagine Lenny won with St John or again with Syracuse that would got him at least in top 15 in 2002 draft he could even played on same team as Melo since they both went to same camp a year prior...SMH
i watch him play here in the philippines and he is unstoppable here, he plays like an nba superstar
You know, as a Filipino growing up watching the PBA, Lenny Cooke was one of my favorite foreign players to watch in the early 2000's. I mean, he's too good to be as an import as young as he is before. If only he's just down to earth and continue to work on his game along with academics and life overall before, he could've been in the NBA.
But all those distractions eventually destroyed his career overall.
Gotta have the right circle around you , Kyle Anderson’s dad was my teacher and he coached aau balled he always spoke highly of Lenny cooke but he also told us how all Lenny wanted to do was score and if he was going to go pro he needed to work on other parts of his game
Good video. Lenny's still living in the past. I just saw Cam and Mase interview him.
Ain’t nobody every told the story like this .....JC perspective can not be matched he needs a show on ESPN or real TV show this RUclips isn’t worry of this but it’s a blessing
Dayum those were so deep words on kid lacking waiting for the future
easy to say when u never step in his shoes
Yo you went in...
But you were spot on
Damn! I got to get back in the gym!
I hope that you did that lil cuz......don’t jus dream cause dat means ya jus been sleeping 😴
"What if Lenny had better defense?" Lol I don't know why that was so funny
That whole scene… if if was a 5th lmao
ABCD CAMP in my own Teaneck NJ legendary story. went to the same high school as lenny
Also another thing is this:not to knock down all basketball players and athletes in general, they gotta surround themselves with the right people and watch out for the sharks and snakes in the grass.....like the two wise old sayings:the lord giveth and the lord taketh away and the crabs in the barrel saying:when one person is on his way up, others try to knock him off from on top of his goal...