The Future

The Present

Determination

Prodigy

"What would you do, to get to me...what would you say, to have your way...would you give up...or try again..."

Aaliyah - Try Again

The NBA announced the reserves for the All-Star game yesterday during the game on TNT, and while I was surprised at some of the selections, I also know that there is nothing I can do about it, except write a story.

Winner's Circle

The pictures above tell two different stories...the first is the obvious with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as they have become mainstays in the annual game, while the other pictures depict two players that I feel should have made their respective teams, but the day is approaching when Andre Iguodala and Al Thornton will play in several of these mid seasonal matches.

Call me biased, but both of these players should no longer be labeled as up and coming, or players on the rise, as they have both become complete players within the NBA. Offensively, and defensively you have to account for them, as they are game changers, while playing and maintaining a high level on defense. Only the good players can do that, so don't be surprised when this comes to fruition.

Their numbers are very solid, with Thornton averaging 17.2 points per game, 5.30 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while Iguodala brings 17.7 points, 6.20 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per night. Granted, these are my thoughts, but I know a little something about basketball...and I'm very proud of Jameer Nelson, because he has proven his worth to the Orlando Magic, and he's from Chester, Pennsylvania...I can't stand the university he attended, but that's only because I went to Temple...and that's another story.

Is there anyone that you feel should have made the reserve team? Ray Allen, or Carmelo Anthony possibly...I'd like to hear your opinion. In the meantime, the list of reserves are as follows:

NBA All-Star Eastern Conference Reserves:

G - Devin Harris - New Jersey Nets

G - Joe Johnson - Atlanta Hawks

G - Jameer Nelson - Orlando Magic

F - Danny Granger - Indiana Pacers

F - Rashard Lewis - Orlando Magic

F - Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics

C - Chris Bosh - Toronto Raptors

NBA All-Star Western Conference Reserves:

G - Chauncey Billups - Denver Nuggets

G - Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs

G - Brandon Roy - Portland Trail Blazers

F - Pau Gasol - Los Angeles Lakers

F - Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas Mavericks

F - David West - New Orleans Hornets

C - Shaquille O’Neal - Phoenix Suns

Photos:  Webster Riddick - Iguodala and Thornton

Getty Images - Bryant and James

West Side Story

Age of innocence

"I'm from where they ball, and breed rhyme stars..."

Jay- Z - Where I'm From

Last week I covered the Los Angeles Lakers for HOOP Magazine as well as this blog GAME TIME with AG. I write a column for HOOP entitled KICKIN' IT, in which I interview various NBA players about their footwear, and shoe deals. Outside of that I also write a similar article, SNEAKER GAME, as I speak with 3 players from one team, and 3 players from another team about what they are wearing, and playing in. For the March/April '09 edition, I spoke with Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, and Al Thornton from the Clippers, and Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar, and Derek Fisher from the Lake Show. Once that was complete, I could utilize the rest of my time to catch up with Kobe Bryant.

Boys to Men

When I was growing up my father would say a lot of things that I'm sure he learned in his youth. One of his most famous sayings to my brother and I was "son, you're going to be a man, much longer than you're going to be a boy..." and then he would either smile or let out a hearty laugh. I didn't know what he was talking, and or laughing about until recently. Now, as an adult that statement makes perfect sense, as I have responsibilities far beyond my young mind would have ever allowed.

Nevertheless with age comes wisdom if you allow it, and I have embraced my years, as I try to learn something new everyday.

I was born in West Philadelphia, and I've lived in other places, such as Brooklyn, and Suitland, Maryland, which in looking back, they have all shaped who I am today making me well versed and rounded. Back in 1994, I met someone that was also from Philadelphia, and not only had he lived in other places in the United States, but he and his family, had also lived in Italy, and France. Interestingly enough I was introduced to Kobe Bryant in a gym, as his oldest sister Sharia introduced us after her volleyball match. I'd been running my mouth to her about how "great" I was as a basketball player, and instead of entertaining my banter she got her sibling, and that ended anything I could say in reference to basketball.

As I've grown in journalism, so too has Kobe as an international icon. I consider him as the "now" in the pantheon of past NBA legends. Disagree if you will, but I will stick to this claim, because like him or not, there is nothing that Bryant cannot do on the court, and for that fact alone, it makes him one of the best. After the game in Philadelphia, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, wanted nothing more than to shake Kobe's hand, and take a few pictures along side him. If that isn't a sign of respect, then I don't know what is.

I wanted to interview them both, as they represent what Philadelphia basketball is all about. However while I did speak with Monroe, he didn't have time for questions and answers, and I, because of our mutual respect, figured that Kobe would sit for a spell and talk, but I didn't take into account that his family and friends were at the game, so the stage was set, for an interview two days later in DC.

I drove to the nation's capital with fellow journalists Jeff Young, and Michael Tillery. Jeff is from DC, so after I taped a segment for BET News, we headed over to Howard University to catch up with friends (Chevonne, Mr. Hill), and then trekked over to the world famous Ben's Chili Bowl for some half smokes and fries...Jeff had the chili burger sub.

After filling our appetite with some good food, and nostalgic tunes, we headed over to the Verizon Center to cover what turned out to be a very entertaining game. During the 1st quarter I received a reassuring text message from Bryant's agent Rob Pelinka, saying "KB said he would try his best to give you 5 mins after the game..."

From there, I organized my questions, and analyzed the game. Afterward, true to his word, I spoke with Kobe about his latest sneaker from Nike, the Zoom Kobe IV, and the misnomer about the "suburban" tag that people so often bestow upon him.

Watch the video below for the interview with Kobe Bryant: