West Side

"Back in Philly, we be out in the park..."

The Fresh Prince - Summertime

The end of the year always brings people to reflect on their lives, and while I have been thinking about numerous things this week...there is one thing that I wanted to make clear before January 1, 2011.

Showtime

If someone would have told me that the tall, lanky younger brother of Sharia Bryant would one day grow up to become one of the best basketball players in the world...I wouldn't know how to interpret that information. 16-years ago, the only thing on my mind was getting a new pair of sneakers, and hanging out with my siblings and friends.

People are usually skeptical about my friendship with the Bryant and Cox families, however it's because of Kobe, that I cheer for and support the Los Angeles Lakers. I grew up watching the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, however when the Lakers drafted Eddie Jones from Temple in 1994, and then acquired Bryant two years later...I became a Lakers know it all. What would you do if your friend was drafted by a professional team...I'm guessing you would be a fan?

I'm all about my hometown team...I enjoy watching the Sixers, and I cheer for them always. In fact, as I write this they are playing in the Staples Center, and with 2:36 to go in the 2nd quarter they are trailing the Lake Show by 10-points, 46-36.

This is how I root for two teams...the first thing I do is assess them both realistically...meaning the Lakers are a championship caliber team, so I hope they win it all, and the 76ers are in the midst of bouncing back from a bad season last year, so I'd love for them to advance to the playoffs, and make a run.

I just wanted to set the record straight...Happy New Year!