Nostalgic

Flight

"I'll throw it down your throat like Barkley..."

Chuck D - Rebel Without a Pause

Three weeks ago I had an opportunity to interview a former NBA player that with one dunk carved out a place in history.

Attrition

When my editor at Sneaker Freaker emailed me and asked if I would be interested in interviewing Dee Brown about his famed Reebok Pump sneakers, and the 1991 NBA Dunk Contest, I not only replied yes...I emphatically reveled in the opportunity. I love basketball, and history was one of my best subjects as a child, so to combine the two is like having cake and eating it too!

I wouldn't be within my rights to post the story I wrote, however I thought it would be fitting to show the quotes that didn't make the final edit. I found it extremely interesting that Brown had a scholarship off from my beloved Temple University...had he gone to school in North Philadelphia, instead of Jacksonville University...I would have been a fan long before he set foot on the court, that one night in February, 1991.

Below is the final score on our court side conversation:

So Temple University and the legend John Chaney was looking at you?

“Yeah Temple was…I had like 10 schools looking at me after the Sunshine State Games, its like the Empire State Games in New York. Its like a junior Olympics type of event and I broke the scoring record, and I was playing against all the top players…Mr. Basketball, and other top players in the state, and I was grinding them up, and then all of a sudden I had like 10 scholarship offers the next day. But I said no because I wanted to stay home. Everything with me has been like the underdog, because it made me work hard, and made me more humble. My whole life, you can look at the whole story…its funny, I’ve always been the underdog, got overlooked, and had to wait to get it done.”

I was inspired back in the day by the play and flair of Dee Brown, and after interviewing him recently...I was sincerely inspired by his words, and story.

"There is no substitute for hard work..." - Coach John Wooden

Sunset

Genius

"A man dies, a baby is born..."

50 Cent - Ryder Music

The Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson succumbed to his battle with cancer today.

Defensive Minded

Earlier today I was hanging with one of my friends, Lorenzo Booker...I hadn't seen him since the NFC Championship, so after catching up and making plans to hang out before the season starts, I had no idea that a few hours later, I'd text with him about the death of Coach Jim Johnson.

I'm going to keep this post short, as it just really goes to show you how precious life really is. Please tell your family and close ones how important they are, and how much you love them in words and actions.

The Eagles will remember Coach this season, as he has been the mastermind behind the defense that has been ranked tops in the NFL during his tenure in South Philly.

Lord of the Ring

"I spit a story backwards...it starts at the ending..."

Nas - Rewind

I covered the NBA Finals this year, and with it being my first time and all, I not only interviewed the players from both teams, but I also filmed a lot of behind the scenes footage. I think the video turned out pretty well, and I'm already looking forward to the upcoming season. I'm thinking about flying out to LA for the ring ceremony in October...stay tuned.

Back to the Future

Proven

"I come up hard babe, but that's okay...trouble man, don't get in my way..."

Marvin Gaye - Trouble Man

After serving a 23-month debt to society, Michael Vick is now a free man.

Pursuit of Happiness

Here at GAME TIME, I do my best to convey thoughts without being too opinionated, or shall I say more than I usually am...so when the topic of Mike Vick is hot like an ember in the national news...I walk to the fork in the road and go straight.

As a writer, the last thing I want to do is judge an athlete or anyone else for that matter, so the moral of this short story is that life is what you make it, so a once prominent quarterback was arrested and charged for his actions, and now he has emerged from his sentence to pick up the pieces of a time not too long ago.

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." - John 8:7

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Bridging the Gap

Pinnacle

Business

"And with the 3rd pick, I made the Earth sick...MJ...him J, fade-away perfect..."

Jay-Z - Hola' Hovito

Last night Dwyane Wade made a mysterious post on his twitter page...something about a big announcement that was forth coming.

Standing in the Shadows of Love

In my youth there were several things that mattered outside of my family...basketball, soccer, good grades, Sega Genesis, and an occasional trip to McDonald's. There was another thing that I absolutely thought about day and night...and it was none other than owning a pair of Michael Jordan sneakers, so I could play basketball in them, as well as look REALLY good while I was wearing them.

In looking at my list above, I am 100% sure that people all across the board can relate in someway if not agree with me wholeheartedly. Well like Michael Jackson once sang, "You are not alone..." because Dwyane Wade, like a lot of other children played basketball, and wanted nothing more than to wear the Jordan shoe...it also helps that he is a Chicago native and grew up a Bulls fan.

When Wade, or Flash as I like to call him was drafted he signed with Converse because he wanted to take the road less traveled, and make a name for himself off his own merits. Fast forward to the present day, and he has accomplished that and more having won a championship in '06, and an Olympic gold in '08. He has made some serious strides since his rookie year and it was that line of thinking that pushed him to sign with the Jordan Brand, leaving his deal with Converse behind.

I don't want to speculate, but when an opportunity like this knocks, you not only have to answer it...you have to accept the responsibility with an open heart and mind.

American League

Pride

"We need a place to pitch...we need a mound..."

Jay-Z - American Dreamin'

Its mid-July, and while it may not cause you to do anything other than turn the air conditioner up...it also means that baseball season is at the halfway mark, as the MLB All-Stars played last night in St. Louis.

National Treasure

The National and American League big names squared off in the mid-summer night classic as the AL defended their stretch of wins dating back to 1997, by defeating the NL 4-3.

President Obama was on hand to throw out the first pitch and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford saved the game by stealing what would have been a homerun...Curtis Granderson scored the tie-breaking run in the 8th inning...which lead to the Yankees closing ace Mariano Rivera for his record, 4th All-Star save in the 9th.

Home field advantage stays with the AL for the World Series once again, which last season didn't matter as the Phillies captured the crown...and by the way Philadelphia signed Pedro Martinez last night too, so things could continue to repeat.

Photo: AP

Northside

Inspiration

Family

Respect

Strength

Legendary

"The Bulldogs, Roxbury, and Boston is what I represent..."

Ed O.G. and Da Bulldogs - I Got To Have It

Things have changed drastically this offseason as teams and players alike are making moves as if there is no tomorrow.

Detroit Red

The Boston Celtics sat patiently during the recent free agent circus...that is until last week when they made waves throughout the league by signing veteran forward Rasheed A. Wallace. The versatile, and oft times misunderstood big man is exactly what the C's need as they prepare to win title number 2 in the last 3 years. Wallace is the perfect counterattack to the Ron Artest move the Lakers made.

I see it like this, and please don't get me wrong...Anthony Gilbert does not make predictions, however it's like the 1980's all over again. The team of that decade was clearly the Lakers with championships in '80, '82, '85, '87, and '88, but they had some company as Boston won it all in '81, '84, and '86. The point I'm making here is that you can expect these two teams to win a few more rings in the next couple of years. The rivalry is back and will be in full bloom once the season begins.

With 'Sheed...say what you will, but the man is a winner. I recall watching him when he played here in Philly at Simon Gratz H.S. As an ambidextrous 6-foot, 11-inch power forward, there is nothing he cannot do on the basketball court.

Now I could be wrong, but I have a strong feeling about this one...

Photos: AXG, Philadelphia Daily News

Vote for Pedro

K

"It's what you all been waitin' for ain't it..."

Kanye West - Barry Bonds

In sports across the board, there are several athletes that are as respected as they are feared. In numerous cases they are known by their first name, which is the ultimate sign of respect. For example, Tiger, Venus, Kobe, and Pedro.

Dominant

The Philadelphia Phillies top brass were in the Dominican Republic today (and Tuesday) to watch right-handed hurler Pedro Martinez pitch in a simulated game. The reining champs are in the market to add a strong arm to the rotation...and even if they sign him...they are still in the hunt for Roy Halladay.

In a perfect world they acquire both players and they pitch well...at this point its a waiting game with high stakes. As a former 3-time Cy Young winner, and world champion with the Red Sox, Martinez has the mettle to make a come back...his fastball was clocked at 93-mph...so if he can keep that form, every 5th day, then I expect the Phillies to make another run for the pennant.

Photo: Sport Illustrated-John Nelson/REUTERS

Glory

Winner

"So if you gonna do it, do it just like this..."

Kanye West - Champion

The Williams sibling rivalry ended on Saturday with younger sister Serena defeating Venus in straight sets 7-6, (7-3), 6-2.

Sister to Sister

Serena is the no. 2 ranked player in the world, however she stands head and shoulders above the competition upon winning three of the last four Grand Slam titles. In a consolation for the no. 3 ranked Venus, she teamed up with her sister to win the doubles match against Australian duo Sam Stosur, and Rennae Stubbs 7-6, (7-4), 6-4.

The Williams sisters are as synonymous with the WTA as Derek Jeter is with the New York Yankees, and that ladies and gentlemen is saying a lot. To watch these women compete against each other is not only commonplace...it's an expected yearly event. Women's tennis, or shall I say, tennis in general is better off for having this first family of champions.

Photo: Professional Sport / S Wake

True to the Game

Strength

"Rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6..."

Ice Cube - Steady Mobbin'

Earlier today I was stunned by the news that Steve "Air" McNair was found dead. I saw that I had a new message from Madeleine, but when I read that he had passed, I didn't know what to think? The first thing I thought of was a conversation we had a few days ago, as she reminded me that tomorrow is never promised to us.

Pride

Instead of listing all of his accomplishments, I'd like to remember McNair in my own way. I never met him, or interviewed him for that matter, but a few years ago I was invited to speak at Alcorn State University, in Mississippi. It was my first time in the "deep" south and the only thing I could think of is how things used to be...I'll admit it...as I had a twinge of trepidation, but once I arrived on campus the student body embraced me, and treated me like family.

I can recall walking around the university and embracing the fact that a top NFL quarterback played and excelled at this HBCU. Instead of being in awe, I was in fact inspired by his accomplishments both academically, and athletically.

McNair...gone now, but not forgotten.

Street's Disciple

Preparation

Desire

"Pure euphoria...a dose of death to all of ya...coroner choruses sung from the 'Bridge to Astoria..."

Nas - Money Over B******t

The NBA season ended with the Lakers winning it all, outlasting the Magic in five games, and while the landscape of sports has shifted to the World Cup qualifiers, baseball, and Wimbledon...the Lake Show is back making headlines.

Thirst

Ron Artest has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers...and while many teams around the league are making roster moves...the fact that Ron Ron has taken his talents to the City of Angeles for an NBA mid-level exception is bigger news than Shaq to Cleveland, or Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto.

The main factors in this deal are two-fold...let's start with the obvious...as the reigning champions, they are looking really good to repeat by adding the former league Defensive Player of the Year. This move complements Kobe Bryant, a defensive stopper in his own right, more than possibly we can understand. Artest is a basketball player with the heart of 10 men. The other interesting fact is that he's not playing for the money...this is about winning a title. He was on SportsCenter the other night, and he explained that, "I have money...I've made money...this is about winning..."

I'm never one to make predictions, however I'm already looking forward to October, so I can watch the World Series, and get ready for what is shaping up to be another great year in the NBA.

Reminisce

The Kid

Teammates

"I guess Michael Jackson was right...you are not alone..."

Mos Def - Mathematics

Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez starred for the Seattle Mariners in what seems like a lifetime ago...however last night they rekindled some of their magic as opponents in the new Yankee Stadium.

Hall of Fame

I began watching baseball because of Junior, so when he hit career home run number 621 in the 6th inning off Andy Pettitte...I cheered. The Yankees won 4-2, for their 7th consecutive win, as this game turned out to be one for the history books.

Griffey and A-Rod entered the game with at least 550 home runs each as they both extended their totals by connecting on home runs. The last time a feat like this happened, it was Hank Aaron and Willie Mays on May 8, 1971.

Baseball entails thinking in various situations, but at the end of the day it's a numbers game, and its because of moments like this, that I revel in it.

The Catalyst

Return

Lights, camera, action

"It's the same old song, but with a different meaning since you've been gone..."

The Four Tops - It's the Same Old Song

This Friday Manny Ramirez will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers after serving his 50-game suspension.

Batman Returns

The Dodgers have been playing well this season, and while many of the experts thought they would fall off the map when Ramirez got suspended, they actually kept their composure and remained as one of the top teams in the National League. Juan Pierre did a great job of filling in, and now that Manny is back, I believe he will take the team to the next level.

I know this sounds vaguely familiar as it was only just a year ago when Man Ram arrived in the City of Angels and things changed for the better almost immediately.

Manager Joe Torre has done a great job with this ball club, and it won't be too long before the Dodgers are right back in the pennant race.

Photos: Webster Riddick