The Big3 Basketball League: A New Era of Sports Entertainment

The Big3 basketball league has emerged as an innovative and exciting addition to the sports entertainment landscape. Created by Ice Cube and his business partner Jeff, this three-on-three basketball league has captivated audiences with its unique rules and fast-paced gameplay. Sunny, a key figure in the DeGods NFT project, shares insights into the league's structure and appeal.

The Big3 distinguishes itself from traditional basketball with several key features. Most notably, games are played to 50 points, with halftime occurring when the first team reaches 25 points. One of the most thrilling aspects of the game is the challenge system. Sunny explains:

"Each half you get a challenge on a foul. And pretty much the challenge, instead of going and looking at tape, it's a one-on-one like sudden death type of thing."

This innovative rule adds an extra layer of excitement and strategy to the game, allowing for dramatic one-on-one showdowns that are rarely seen in professional basketball.

Another unique feature of the Big3 is the four-point shot. Located in three circles positioned five feet behind the three-point line, these shots add an extra element of risk and reward to the game. This rule change, along with others, has contributed to the league's growing popularity and distinctive style of play.

The Evolution of Big3: From Retired Players to Diverse Talent

While the Big3 initially gained attention as a league for retired NBA players, it has evolved into a showcase for a wide range of basketball talent. Sunny notes that the league now features:

• Overseas players
• Street ball and Ball is Life circuit players
• Retired NBA players who still have significant game

This diverse mix of talent has elevated the level of play and appeal of the Big3. The three-on-three format lends itself to a more physical and challenging style of basketball, requiring players to be versatile and adaptable.

DeGods and Big3: A Groundbreaking Partnership

The involvement of DeGods, a prominent NFT project, in the Big3 league marks a significant milestone in the intersection of cryptocurrency and traditional sports. Sunny reveals that DeGods became the first NFT project to announce ownership of a Big3 team, paving the way for other crypto projects and personalities to follow suit.

The ownership structure is unique, with DeGods holding rights to the team's naming, IP, and potential sale proceeds. However, the league maintains operational control, covering costs such as player salaries and venue rentals. This arrangement allows DeGods to benefit from team ownership without the burden of day-to-day operational expenses.

Sunny recalls the moment when the decision to purchase a Big3 team was made:

"Frank just like randomly popped up in that discord chat and he was like, should we buy a basketball team? And like everybody in the council is like, yes, do it, run it."

Despite initial skepticism from some quarters of the crypto community, the investment has proven to be prescient. With expansion teams now selling for around $10 million, the value of DeGods' initial investment has likely appreciated significantly.

The Power of Sports in Building Crypto Communities

The acquisition of a Big3 team by DeGods has had a profound impact on the project's community. Sunny emphasizes the unifying effect of sports ownership:

"I think what we've come to realize is like the aspect of how much sports can kind of bring people together. And especially when you have a community rallying behind it."

This sentiment highlights the potential for sports-related initiatives to strengthen and expand crypto communities. By giving members something tangible to root for and engage with beyond digital assets, projects like DeGods can foster deeper connections and loyalty among their followers.

NFTs and Digital Identity: A Shift in Perspective

The conversation turns to the evolving perception of NFTs and their role in digital identity. Sunny argues that the crypto community is returning to a more fundamental understanding of NFTs as tools for signaling status, community affiliation, and identity. He states:

"I think we're coming back to the realization like, oh, like it really is about the network effect. It really is about the community. It really is about the status."

This shift away from an overly utilitarian view of NFTs suggests a maturing market that recognizes the intrinsic social value of these digital assets. Sunny predicts a resurgence in the NFT market, driven by this renewed focus on community and identity.

Content Creation in the Crypto Space: Trends and Innovations

As the crypto industry continues to evolve, so does the landscape of content creation within the space. Sunny shares his insights on current trends and effective strategies for engaging audiences.

Podcasts and Interviews

High-profile interviews and podcasts have been particularly successful in capturing attention within the crypto community. Sunny notes:

"We've been seeing like some of the podcasts, especially that like the red guy's been doing with some like notable people. Those have really been doing well on the timeline and been used to just like, I don't know, like it like takes over the day."

These types of content pieces can dominate conversations within the crypto space, highlighting the continued appetite for in-depth discussions with industry leaders.

Informative and Entertaining Content

Content creators like Jakey have found success by blending informative content with entertaining formats. Sunny describes Jakey's approach:

"Everything that he does from like the skits to like these kind of like informational, like kind of like commercials, but they're not, you know what I'm saying? Like stuff like that. Then he puts out vlogs too."

This multi-faceted approach to content creation allows creators to cater to different audience preferences while maintaining a consistent brand and message.

Experimental and Unexpected Content

Sunny emphasizes the unpredictable nature of content success in the crypto space:

"There's sometimes that I see videos that I'm like, Oh damn, like this got like 200,000 views or 300,000 views or whatever. And sometimes it be the videos that you don't even expect that just like blow up and go crazy."

This unpredictability underscores the importance of experimentation and authenticity in content creation. Creators should be willing to try new formats and topics, as it's often difficult to predict which pieces will resonate most strongly with audiences.

The Rise of "Miked Up" Content in Crypto

One of the most intriguing trends in crypto content creation is the emergence of "miked up" videos. Sunny has been experimenting with this format, which involves capturing authentic, unscripted moments and conversations in various settings. He explains:

"I've been really kind of trying to lean into more of like miked up type of stuff too and like getting the emotion and all that behind it. I put out a few miked up pieces like I did a miked up piece from like the magic eating yacht party and just like interacting with people."

This approach offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the crypto world, showcasing personalities and interactions that are often hidden from public view. The raw, authentic nature of this content appeals to audiences seeking a more genuine connection with the industry and its players.

The Power of Authenticity in Crypto Content

As the crypto content space becomes increasingly saturated, the value of authenticity has never been higher. Sunny observes a shift away from polished, promotional content towards more raw and genuine presentations:

"I think that the things that I've been seeing like just go off on YouTube right now are just like raw like kind of miked up vlog style videos because I feel like people want to see authenticity."

This trend aligns with broader shifts in social media and content consumption, where audiences are increasingly drawn to content that feels real and unfiltered. For crypto projects and personalities, this presents an opportunity to connect with their communities on a deeper level by sharing more of their day-to-day experiences and thought processes.

Exploring New Frontiers: Crypto and International Sports

The conversation between Sunny and the host reveals exciting possibilities for combining crypto communities with international sports experiences. They discuss the potential of bringing the Killer Threes team to Taiwan for a game against a local pro team. This type of cross-cultural, crypto-meets-sports event could offer unique content opportunities and help bridge the gap between digital asset communities and traditional sports fans.

The hosts envision a content series that would capture the journey:

"So what we're talking about is like I mentioned earlier that I'm a friend who owns a pro team in Taiwan and I thought like we were talking about it would be cool to bring some of like the killer threes yeah over to Taiwan and do a like three on three game."

This concept exemplifies the innovative thinking emerging from the intersection of crypto and sports, potentially opening up new avenues for engagement and content creation.

The Future of Crypto Content: Lessons from YouTube Golf

An intriguing parallel is drawn between the crypto content world and the phenomenon of YouTube golf. The host describes a thriving subsection of YouTube dedicated to golf content, which has garnered massive followings:

"There's something called YouTube golf okay like this subsection of YouTube with like there's like probably 10 maybe main guys okay putting out a lot of content yeah they get so many views and I think and like some of these guys like over a million followers."

This comparison suggests potential strategies for crypto content creators to emulate. The success of YouTube golf content often lies in its ability to create suspense and encourage viewers to watch entire videos to see the outcome of games or challenges. This format could be adapted to crypto content, creating more engaging and binge-worthy series that keep audiences invested in the narrative.

Leveraging Sports Storytelling in Crypto Content

The discussion concludes with a reflection on how crypto content creators could benefit from adopting storytelling techniques common in sports content. The host suggests:

"My theory is that these like they do so well when it comes to content like the ball's life guys and the golf guys because it's like you have to finish watching it you can't just like click off because you have to know yeah how they how they even do they win do they lose what do they shit yeah you like you what happens what happens right."

This approach to content creation, which builds suspense and encourages complete viewing, could be particularly effective in the crypto space. By crafting narratives around project developments, market movements, or community challenges, creators could potentially increase engagement and viewer retention.

The Potential of Long-Form Content in Crypto

While much of social media favors short-form content, the success of lengthy YouTube videos in the golf and basketball communities suggests there's an appetite for more in-depth content in niche markets. Sunny and the host discuss the potential for similar long-form content in the crypto space:

"Some of his vlogs are like you know half hour 45 minutes long and he exploded like three million followers like everyone watches like the entire thing."

This observation challenges the notion that crypto content must be brief and highlights the potential for creators to develop more comprehensive, narrative-driven content that keeps viewers engaged for extended periods.

Experimentation and Community Building in the DeGods Project

Throughout the conversation, Sunny provides insights into the experimental nature of the DeGods project and how this approach has contributed to building a strong community. He explains:

"I think obviously there's different ways to like, have communities form. I think what I've seen within Degas is there's always been kind of like, bonding moments that are that are almost like caught in the trenches, if you would, right?"

This willingness to try new ideas and pivot based on community response has been a key factor in DeGods' success. From failed experiments like the Reddit-style forum to successful initiatives like the Big3 team ownership, the project's journey illustrates the importance of adaptability and community engagement in the NFT space.

The Role of Shared Experiences in Crypto Communities

Sunny emphasizes the importance of shared experiences in fostering a sense of community within crypto projects. He describes how events and challenges can create lasting bonds among community members:

"I think there's kind of like, inflection points, if you would, that like, bonds communities, it's either like, you've seen a dip in price, you're not like, seeing the 10X's overnight, or then you have like, moments like a paper hands, bitch tacks, or like, for other projects, it could be like, when Pudgy first got into Walmart."

These shared experiences, whether they're market-related or tied to project milestones, create a sense of camaraderie and shared history that strengthens community ties.

The Evolution of NFT Utility and Perception

The conversation touches on the changing perceptions of NFT utility within the crypto community. Sunny argues that there's been a shift back towards valuing NFTs for their community and identity aspects, rather than focusing solely on practical utilities:

"I think mid curve for NFTs was more when we started getting into like, ah, what's the utility? What's your revenue model and what's this? And we lost royalties and like all this sort of stuff. And it's just like, bro, why are you trying to turn NFTs into like mom and pop shops or like independent e-commerce stores or whatever?"

This perspective suggests a maturing understanding of NFTs, recognizing their value as digital social signals and community membership tokens, rather than trying to force traditional business models onto them.

The Intersection of Crypto and Traditional Finance

While much of the conversation focuses on NFTs and content creation, Sunny also touches on more traditional crypto investments. He mentions Solana and Jito as promising long-term investments, highlighting the continued relevance of blockchain technologies and their native tokens in the broader crypto ecosystem.

This balanced view, encompassing both innovative NFT projects and foundational blockchain investments, reflects the diverse nature of the crypto space and the multiple avenues for engagement and potential returns.

The Global Reach of Crypto Communities

The discussion about potentially bringing the Killer Threes to Taiwan for a game underscores the global nature of crypto communities. This international perspective is a unique aspect of the crypto world, where digital communities can easily transcend geographical boundaries.

The potential for crypto projects to engage with international sports and cultural events opens up exciting possibilities for community building and content creation on a global scale.

The Future of Crypto Content and Community Engagement

As the conversation wraps up, both Sunny and the host express excitement about the future of crypto content and community engagement. The potential for blending elements of sports storytelling, authentic behind-the-scenes content, and global experiences presents a rich landscape for creators and projects to explore.

The discussion highlights the ongoing evolution of the crypto space, where innovation in community building and content creation is just as important as technological advancements. As projects like DeGods continue to push boundaries and experiment with new forms of engagement, the crypto ecosystem is likely to see increasingly creative and immersive ways for communities to connect and grow.

In conclusion, the conversation between Sunny and the host provides a comprehensive look at the current state and future potential of crypto communities, content creation, and project development. From the innovative ownership model of Big3 teams to the nuanced understanding of NFT value and the exciting possibilities in content creation, the discussion paints a picture of a dynamic and evolving industry. As the crypto space continues to mature, the lessons and insights shared in this conversation will undoubtedly inform the strategies of projects and creators looking to build engaged and passionate communities in the digital asset world.

Facts + Figures

• Big3 is a three-on-three basketball league created by Ice Cube and his business partner Jeff.
• Games in Big3 are played to 50 points, with halftime occurring at 25 points.
• The Big3 features a unique challenge system where fouls can result in one-on-one sudden death situations.
• The league includes a four-point shot from circles located 5 feet behind the three-point line.
• DeGods was the first NFT project to announce ownership of a Big3 team.
• The initial investment for a Big3 team was around $500,000-$600,000.
• Current expansion teams in the Big3 are selling for $10 million.
• The Big3 league features a mix of overseas players, street ball players, and retired NBA players.
• Jeremy Lin and his brother Joe Lin play for a pro team in Taiwan.
• Some YouTube golf content creators have over a million followers.
• Long-form content on YouTube, including 30-45 minute vlogs, can be highly successful, with some creators reaching 3 million followers.
• DeGods experimented with various initiatives, including a Reddit-style forum and the "Paper Hands Bitch Tax."
• Sunny has been creating "miked up" content pieces, capturing authentic moments at events and on the golf course.
• The crypto content landscape is evolving, with a trend towards more authentic, behind-the-scenes style content.
• Solana and Jito are mentioned as promising long-term investments in the crypto space.

Questions Answered

What is the Big3 basketball league?

The Big3 is a three-on-three basketball league created by Ice Cube and his business partner Jeff. It features unique rules like playing to 50 points, a challenge system for fouls resulting in one-on-one sudden death situations, and a four-point shot. The league includes a mix of overseas players, street ball players, and retired NBA players, offering a fast-paced and entertaining version of basketball.

How did DeGods become involved with the Big3?

DeGods became the first NFT project to announce ownership of a Big3 team. The decision was made quickly after Frank, a key figure in DeGods, proposed the idea in a Discord chat. Despite initial skepticism from some in the crypto community, the investment has likely appreciated significantly, with expansion teams now selling for around $10 million compared to the initial investment of $500,000-$600,000.

What trends are emerging in crypto content creation?

Current trends in crypto content creation include high-profile podcast interviews, informative and entertaining skits, and "miked up" behind-the-scenes content. There's a shift towards more authentic, raw content that gives viewers a genuine look into the crypto world. Long-form content, similar to successful YouTube golf channels, is also showing potential in the crypto space.

How are NFTs evolving in terms of utility and perception?

The perception of NFTs is shifting back towards valuing them for their community and identity aspects, rather than focusing solely on practical utilities. There's a growing recognition of NFTs as digital social signals and community membership tokens, moving away from trying to force traditional business models onto them. This shift suggests a maturing understanding of NFTs in the crypto ecosystem.

What role does sports play in building crypto communities?

Sports, particularly through initiatives like DeGods' ownership of a Big3 team, play a significant role in building and strengthening crypto communities. Sports provide a common interest for community members to rally around, create shared experiences, and offer tangible connections beyond digital assets. This combination of digital communities and real-world sports engagement helps foster deeper connections and loyalty among project followers.

How can crypto content creators learn from sports content?

Crypto content creators can learn from sports content by adopting storytelling techniques that build suspense and encourage complete viewing. Successful sports content, like YouTube golf channels, often creates narratives that keep viewers engaged throughout entire videos. By crafting similar narratives around project developments, market movements, or community challenges, crypto creators could potentially increase engagement and viewer retention.

What is the importance of experimentation in crypto projects?

Experimentation is crucial for crypto projects to find successful strategies and build strong communities. DeGods' approach of trying various initiatives, pivoting based on community response, and learning from both successes and failures has been key to their growth. This willingness to experiment allows projects to adapt to the rapidly changing crypto landscape and discover unique ways to engage their communities.

How are global connections influencing crypto communities?

The global nature of crypto communities is exemplified by discussions about bringing teams like the Killer Threes to international locations for games. This global perspective allows crypto projects to transcend geographical boundaries, creating unique opportunities for community building and content creation on a worldwide scale. It also opens up possibilities for cross-cultural exchanges and experiences within the crypto ecosystem.

What is the "miked up" content trend in crypto?

"Miked up" content involves capturing authentic, unscripted moments and conversations in various settings within the crypto world. This trend offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at events, personalities, and interactions that are often hidden from public view. The raw, authentic nature of this content appeals to audiences seeking a more genuine connection with the industry and its players, providing a fresh perspective on the crypto ecosystem.

How is the perception of long-form content changing in the crypto space?

While much of social media favors short-form content, there's growing recognition of the potential for long-form content in the crypto space. Successful examples from other niches, like YouTube golf channels with 30-45 minute vlogs, suggest that there's an appetite for more in-depth, narrative-driven content in niche markets. This challenges the notion that crypto content must be brief and highlights opportunities for creators to develop more comprehensive, engaging content.