Salutations World,
2008, was a great year for the sport of basketball. But the one thing that was evident throughout the year is that HISTORY WILL REPEAT ITSELF! Whether it be The Redeem Team capturing gold in Beijing or the dream matchup of the Celtics and Lakers in the final. 2008 was a year marked by players defecting to Europe for enticing mid level contracts, as well as the frenzy that will be the summer of 2010 rearing its head..
2008 was not only good for the NBA, but for the NCAA as well. The future of basketball was seen through the play of Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley, and a clutch 3 brought the Trophy back to the program that James Naismith started in 1898..
With all that being said, here are some of the great moments in basketball this season, and 2009 will be sure not to disappoint!
Until 2009,
Peace.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Black Athlete
*As seen on my other site, REAL TALK DC*
Salutations World,
I write this about a week or so after the events that lead to Plaxico Burress shooting himself in the leg at a club in NYC. When originally hearing this, I automatically knew that there would be an uprising from sports commentators alike about how this is another Black man with millions, acting stupid. True to form, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN fame lends his take on the situation..
And after listing to this, I was somewhat upset that such a major figure in sports entertainment would not take an easier approach to addressing this situation. Ultimately, all athletes are adults and should be held responsible for their transgressions, but does it make us any better to automatically assume that if a young black man is given millions, that somewhere along in his career he will mess it up?
There are a few things that really made me mad about this rant. First of all, black athletes are very rarely ever examined for the good that they do. All we ever hear is whether they have been arrested or how hard and tough their upbringing was. We never hear stories about guys like Allan Houston, who runs a father/son basketball camp, as a tribute to his close relationship with his father. We never hear stories about Grant Hill or even college stars like Gerald Henderson of Duke, and Stephen Curry of Davidson, who both came from NBA household and who are both excelling at top notch universities..
Allan Houston and Jeff Young. In Philly
No, we only hear about Pac Man..Or Plax..Or Allen Iverson.
And who is usually ready at the front lines ready to pounce on our black athletes..Black People. I find it disappointing that instead of taking an angle where he illustrates the number of black athletes that do not engage in extreme acts of coonery and buffoonery, Stephen A. Smith ranted and raved that the black athlete is somewhat of a plague to today's sport. Citing examples of the NBA instituting a dress code as an example of the negative black influence..
My plea to black sports writers as well as blacks in general..PLEASE uplift and educate. Uplift the black athletes that are doing good in their respective sports as well as in the community. And educate those who are unaware or who are ignorant enough to believe that every young black man with millions is merely in training to 'make it rain'..
Like always, until next time..
Peace.
-Yeezy
Salutations World,
I write this about a week or so after the events that lead to Plaxico Burress shooting himself in the leg at a club in NYC. When originally hearing this, I automatically knew that there would be an uprising from sports commentators alike about how this is another Black man with millions, acting stupid. True to form, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN fame lends his take on the situation..
And after listing to this, I was somewhat upset that such a major figure in sports entertainment would not take an easier approach to addressing this situation. Ultimately, all athletes are adults and should be held responsible for their transgressions, but does it make us any better to automatically assume that if a young black man is given millions, that somewhere along in his career he will mess it up?
There are a few things that really made me mad about this rant. First of all, black athletes are very rarely ever examined for the good that they do. All we ever hear is whether they have been arrested or how hard and tough their upbringing was. We never hear stories about guys like Allan Houston, who runs a father/son basketball camp, as a tribute to his close relationship with his father. We never hear stories about Grant Hill or even college stars like Gerald Henderson of Duke, and Stephen Curry of Davidson, who both came from NBA household and who are both excelling at top notch universities..
No, we only hear about Pac Man..Or Plax..Or Allen Iverson.
And who is usually ready at the front lines ready to pounce on our black athletes..Black People. I find it disappointing that instead of taking an angle where he illustrates the number of black athletes that do not engage in extreme acts of coonery and buffoonery, Stephen A. Smith ranted and raved that the black athlete is somewhat of a plague to today's sport. Citing examples of the NBA instituting a dress code as an example of the negative black influence..
My plea to black sports writers as well as blacks in general..PLEASE uplift and educate. Uplift the black athletes that are doing good in their respective sports as well as in the community. And educate those who are unaware or who are ignorant enough to believe that every young black man with millions is merely in training to 'make it rain'..
Like always, until next time..
Peace.
-Yeezy
Next In Line
"A great shooter has no conscience.."
-Jay Bilas
Picture Madison Square Garden, the mecca of basketball. Bright lights, big city and the stage is all yours. How would you want to end the game? Scoring 13 straight to cap a comeback? Hit 2 big three point shots in the face of a 6'9 defender? Or how about live up to all the hype that has been pumped since your incredible performance in last years NCAA Tournament?..
Well Stephen Curry chose all the above. Last night in the Garden, Curry lived up to the hype, pouring in 27 points and 10 assists. As well as a major steal in crunch time that led to a dagger three..
But what I noticed most about Curry last night, is his ability to close in the big games. That, and that fact alone is what separates the good players from the great players. Every great player had the ability to shake off a bad start to a game, or foul trouble, to close the game whenever his team depends on him. He showcased his closing ability last night in the garden, and one other moment in the garden came to mind..
Next in line for greatness? Only time will tell..
Until Later,
Peace.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Snakes On A Court
"I been real all my life, they confuse it with conceit.."
Jay-Z, "Blueprint 2"
On the ride down to DC, AG and I had a conversation on how you could compare the beauty of Kobe Bryant's game, to a flawless verse by Jay-Z. How only a true fan, and student, of both men's craft could understand the complex yet simple beauty of the work they do..
None of this was more evident then in the fourth quarter of the Lakers game against the Washington Wizards, and with the Wizards surging back, the ball was in the hands of The Black Mamba. And he calmly sank a...Bank Shot! Immediately Mike Tillery and I go crazy. Not only because Kobe sank another game closing shot, but the fact that he had the presence of mind to shoot the bank shot!
And with that bank shot, the greatest closer in the game today added another chapter to his "How To" Manual. Like "Encore" by Jay-z, fans in the Verizon Center chanted "M-V-P" as if it were the same as "HOVA". After the game is over, AG and I caught up with Kobe and talked about everything from his new shoe, to his "Suburban" reputation. Check out the video, as AG ask the questions, Mike plays security in the background, and I get my Spike Lee on behind the camera. Enjoy.
Until Later,
Peace.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
L-O..They Know
Salutations World,
After a brief hiatus, I am back. With a tale of a road trip that ended in a Lakers win versus the Washington Wizards. Alongside of AG, and Mike Tillery, we ventured around the city until it was game time. Of course, I had to take them to the world famous Ben's Chili Bowl, on U st. in NW, DC.
Fast forward to the "Phone Booth" (The Verizon Center, Washington DC). Before the game AG and myself ventured into the visitors locker room to catch up with some of the Lakers. After speaking with Derek Fisher and his love for Nike Basketball, we got a few moments with Lamar Odom..
Now LO is a perfect case of not judging a book by its cover. During last years run to the finals, Lamar was an important member of the starting five. While some feel that he did not show up in the finals, that still takes nothing away from his game. A 6'10 point guard is extremely rare. So entering this season, he was faced with a challenge presented by Coach Jackson. Coming off the bench.
Now to some players, ego would undoubtedly interfere with their ability to contribute, but not LO. "I just bring my energy off the bench. My role is to fill any position that we need...ball handling, rebounding, I come off the bench...score a couple of buckets, and try to get people involved. Basically it's my job to play basketball the right way every night." Spoken like a true veteran..
Odom continues, "That's not really my focus. My focus is to...my job is to basically do what I'm asked, you know what I'm saying...and I just leave it at that, and put my head in the right place mentally, so whatever they ask of me, I can fulfill that. Whether it's coming off the bench or starting...at the end of the day it's basketball."
After speaking with Odom, I developed a new found respect for not only his game and him as a man, but with his ability to put his best effort forward no matter his playing situation to help the team. And with Odom coming off of the bench, the Lakers have surged to a 16-2 start, and on the fast track to finishing another season in June. Now whether or not it will include a NBA title rests on the players, including LO..They Know!
Peace.
After a brief hiatus, I am back. With a tale of a road trip that ended in a Lakers win versus the Washington Wizards. Alongside of AG, and Mike Tillery, we ventured around the city until it was game time. Of course, I had to take them to the world famous Ben's Chili Bowl, on U st. in NW, DC.
Fast forward to the "Phone Booth" (The Verizon Center, Washington DC). Before the game AG and myself ventured into the visitors locker room to catch up with some of the Lakers. After speaking with Derek Fisher and his love for Nike Basketball, we got a few moments with Lamar Odom..
Now LO is a perfect case of not judging a book by its cover. During last years run to the finals, Lamar was an important member of the starting five. While some feel that he did not show up in the finals, that still takes nothing away from his game. A 6'10 point guard is extremely rare. So entering this season, he was faced with a challenge presented by Coach Jackson. Coming off the bench.
Now to some players, ego would undoubtedly interfere with their ability to contribute, but not LO. "I just bring my energy off the bench. My role is to fill any position that we need...ball handling, rebounding, I come off the bench...score a couple of buckets, and try to get people involved. Basically it's my job to play basketball the right way every night." Spoken like a true veteran..
Odom continues, "That's not really my focus. My focus is to...my job is to basically do what I'm asked, you know what I'm saying...and I just leave it at that, and put my head in the right place mentally, so whatever they ask of me, I can fulfill that. Whether it's coming off the bench or starting...at the end of the day it's basketball."
After speaking with Odom, I developed a new found respect for not only his game and him as a man, but with his ability to put his best effort forward no matter his playing situation to help the team. And with Odom coming off of the bench, the Lakers have surged to a 16-2 start, and on the fast track to finishing another season in June. Now whether or not it will include a NBA title rests on the players, including LO..They Know!
Peace.
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