Carmelo Anthony and AG. in DC
Telling it like it is
Boys to men
"Thangs done changed on this side...remember they used to thump, but now they blast right..."
Dr. Dre - Lil' Ghetto Boy
Basketball is a game of passion, that when taken seriously it can have a positive, long lasting result. In the ‘hood it’s widely known as a way to not only deliver yourself, but your family to a new life and tax bracket. However basketball isn’t about the money, it’s about the love, and in the end that’s all that matters.
Captain America
As I talk about the greatest game that has ever happened to me, it’s only fitting that I write this as I watch the ‘06 NBA Draft…and speaking of the draft…in June, 2003 Carmelo Anthony was selected as the 3rd overall pick out of Syracuse. Four months later Sole Collector magazine would debut with issue 1, and the NBA and the magazine industry has not been the same since.
Now that I’ve given a little background, it’s imperative that I fill in the blanks a little and explain my theory. 2003 was a launch pad for Carmelo Anthony as he won the NCAA Championship, an ESPY Award, and he went on to sign with the Jordan Brand and Denver Nuggets. Coincidentally, it also marked the rise of a little known writer to the national scene, named Anthony Gilbert from Temple University.
Other than the fact that we are both named Anthony, and we are former student athletes, I have always found it interesting how much he really loves collecting sneakers. It is always good to see how much a like people are, no matter what race, color, or creed.
I first met Carmelo Anthony in Los Angeles during the 2004 NBA All Star Weekend, and we have been good friends since then.
I have had an opportunity to write a few stories on him…and to chronicle a player of his caliber is not only an honor, but as a journalist I would not have even thought this were possible, when I first saw him at Syracuse one Saturday afternoon on CBS versus Georgetown. Since then Anthony has emerged as a team leader and while he hasn’t gotten the recognition in years past, it’s his peers around the league that know his props are way overdue.
‘Melo and I had a chance to sit down and talk for a spell this past summer before the Olympic games, and after we caught up with one another, I interviewed him…here is the final score on our conversation:
How important is it to be active in the community?
“That’s my number 1 goal. Every time I get a chance to give back and serve the community that is what I’m going to do. The community is very important and whenever I can get involved in something positive, I’m going to give it my all and participate.”
What do you like so much about sneakers?
“We have to have…people like myself, you know…I love sneakers, so when I look at you, and magazines and I see all the old, or exclusive sneakers that nobody can get…it keeps me focused to where I want to be, and collecting is what I’m going to keep doing.”
What does the Jordan Brand have in store for the upcoming season?
“Man I can’t tell you...but knowing you, I’m sure you already have an idea [laughs]…”
Captain America
As I talk about the greatest game that has ever happened to me, it’s only fitting that I write this as I watch the ‘06 NBA Draft…and speaking of the draft…in June, 2003 Carmelo Anthony was selected as the 3rd overall pick out of Syracuse. Four months later Sole Collector magazine would debut with issue 1, and the NBA and the magazine industry has not been the same since.
Now that I’ve given a little background, it’s imperative that I fill in the blanks a little and explain my theory. 2003 was a launch pad for Carmelo Anthony as he won the NCAA Championship, an ESPY Award, and he went on to sign with the Jordan Brand and Denver Nuggets. Coincidentally, it also marked the rise of a little known writer to the national scene, named Anthony Gilbert from Temple University.
Other than the fact that we are both named Anthony, and we are former student athletes, I have always found it interesting how much he really loves collecting sneakers. It is always good to see how much a like people are, no matter what race, color, or creed.
I first met Carmelo Anthony in Los Angeles during the 2004 NBA All Star Weekend, and we have been good friends since then.
I have had an opportunity to write a few stories on him…and to chronicle a player of his caliber is not only an honor, but as a journalist I would not have even thought this were possible, when I first saw him at Syracuse one Saturday afternoon on CBS versus Georgetown. Since then Anthony has emerged as a team leader and while he hasn’t gotten the recognition in years past, it’s his peers around the league that know his props are way overdue.
‘Melo and I had a chance to sit down and talk for a spell this past summer before the Olympic games, and after we caught up with one another, I interviewed him…here is the final score on our conversation:
How important is it to be active in the community?
“That’s my number 1 goal. Every time I get a chance to give back and serve the community that is what I’m going to do. The community is very important and whenever I can get involved in something positive, I’m going to give it my all and participate.”
What do you like so much about sneakers?
“We have to have…people like myself, you know…I love sneakers, so when I look at you, and magazines and I see all the old, or exclusive sneakers that nobody can get…it keeps me focused to where I want to be, and collecting is what I’m going to keep doing.”
What does the Jordan Brand have in store for the upcoming season?
“Man I can’t tell you...but knowing you, I’m sure you already have an idea [laughs]…”
Most basketball players are really into sneaker collecting and the culture, because from the day we began playing, you always needed something on your feet not only for the obvious reasons but also to show some of your personality and style. When I began playing in 1989, my mother took me to Marshall’s department store and I got my first pair of Nike. They were hi-tops…white and royal blue Sky Force, and even though the team uniforms were green and gold, and my shoes didn’t match them, it was all about my shoes, my game, and the love.
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3 comments:
I always have loved Carmelo Anthony's game. I first noticed him during the McDonalds All-Star game in which Amare Stoudemire was in.
The Coaches vs. Cancer gave me my first glimpse of how talented he was. I remember that game against Georgetown, he faked a pass and got two defenders to turn around before sinking a mid-range shot. For some reason, I watched Syracuse everytime they were on TV that season because of him.
I'm happy that he has been more accepted for his play with Team USA and believe he is sometimes unfairly criticized but he still remains true to where he came from and who he is and that is what it's all about.
I saw Melo at Syracuse the year they won the National Title...besides the dude being a giant, I noticed something Ironic...He was wearing a Denver Broncos Throwback jersey along with the fitted and he was rocking the white and blue Air Jordan 18's...Come Draft time...the Nuggets take him 3rd overall and he signs to Jordan...talk about telling the future huh? Well written article A.
Wow, that's ironic alright, its as if he already knew what his next steps were going to be.
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