A Rasin in the Sun

Optimistic

"Kill that he say, she say...still VA, but right now I'm on that Philadelph Freeway..."

Skillz - Don't Act Like You Don't Know

Allen Iverson returned to Philadelphia as a member of the 76ers...restoring what has been lost in the time since he was traded on December 19, 2006.

Homecoming King

I didn't know what to expect in the aftermath of Iverson's retirement...however I had a feeling that he would once again don the jersey that made him a household name...as the speedy combo guard for the Sixers.

"I always felt that it was strange having another uniform on..."

This morning after checking the Dow, I ventured over to philly.com to check the Philadelphia Daily News, and upon scrolling down a few notches, I saw a report that AI's press conference was at 4:30PM....and with that notice I knew that it was my duty to attend, ask good questions, and soak up this landmark moment in Philly sports lore like a wet mop to a cup of spilled juice.

Immediately Iverson began to express his zeal to return, and in an instant his tears took over...striking him with sincerity rarely seen from a professional athlete...nevertheless I waited patiently for my opportunity to participate, and when the moment arrived...I was prepared.

AXG: When you left Philadelphia...in essence you never left because it was in your heart, and the fans never let you go. Talk about your influence on this city, now that you have returned:

AI: You know people here watched me grow as a basketball player. They came in and cheered for me night in and night out, gave me everything that they had. That's why it was easy to give them everything I had. I think all of that was a blessing...they let me grow as a person, and they watched me go through my ups and downs. This is one of the realest places in the world. They're passionate about their sports and I gave them everything I had and that's why they responded to me they way they did.

I believe that this is an appropriate conclusion to the legend of Allen Iverson as Philadelphia is his legacy, and as the saying goes...there is no place like home.

Just click your heels.

Double Nickel

Faith

"Allen Iverson...Hakeem Olajuwon...don't even bounce"

Asher Roth - I Love College

When Brandon Jennings was selected by Milwaukee this past summer, no one saw what was coming next...

Self Confidence

The 76ers played the Bucks in their home opener...I was busy covering the World Series...so I didn't attend the game, however my friend and colleague Michael Tillery was there and wrote a great piece for SLAM's website...entitled I Saw A Rookie of the Year Tonight. He texted me at during the 4th quarter telling me how amazing the rookie is, and while I hadn't seen him since the McDonald's game, I was intrigued, because now he's in the League, and apparently getting busier than a worker bee in July.

When Jennings went from high school to play professionally in Italy...I wasn't too sure how well he would do as a point guard. Needless to say its good to see that my opinion doesn't matter, and the work that this man had put into his game, and basketball IQ is now getting the last laugh.

Last night he scored 55 points in a 129-125 win over the visiting Warriors. Interestingly enough he didn't score in the 1st quarter, but he kept his composure en route to breaking Lew Alcindor's 39-year old Bucks rookie record by 4 points.

There is never a dull moment in NBA action...from this, to Dwyane Wade's dunk...things are heating up. This week I'll interview LeBron James, and Rudy Gay, so be sure to stay tuned...as the best is just ahead of us.

Photo: NBAE

Twenty-10

Sky high

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

Chuck-D - Rebel Without a Pause

The NBA Sprite Rising Stars Dunk Contest hasn't been the same since the best of the best dunkers, don't participate anymore...and while Dwight Howard is very deserving to vie for the trophy, things would be a lot more interesting if Vince Carter came out of retirement to challenge him.

Change

I always believe in the adage that the more things change the more they stay the same. First things first, Allen Iverson finally cut his braids off, and he now has a regular low-styled haircut like the rest of us over 25 crowd.

In other news out of Phoenix, last night during All-Star Saturday night TNT analyst Kenny "The Jet" Smith reported that LeBron James would enter the dunk contest next year, and if that wasn't good enough, fellow analyst Reggie Miller just about begged for Andre Iguodala to join him in what would be an epic battle of great high flyers.

Smith and Miller mentioned how the NBA greats have not only played a part in the dunk contest, but they have also won, so for King James to preliminarily put his name into the ring, he could very well walk the path that Dr. J, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant have done before him.

2010, is going to be one of the most watched and interesting NBA seasons since MJ retired.

Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Training Day

"...I'm Dre, so listen to the play-by-play, day-by-day, rollin' in my 4 with 16 switches..."

Dr. Dre - Let Me Ride

Labor day is upon us and as the season comes to a close, I'd like to reflect on the summer of 1991. I'm not a big fan of the hazy, hot, and humid weather, so it is with great joy that look forward to the fall and winter months. Not to sound persnickety, its just that where I'm from...99 degrees in the shade isn't my idea of a good time. However one of the best moments of my life happened 17 years ago on a sweltering Philadelphia night. 

I started taking the game of basketball seriously in 1989, and with the notion of perfect practice, makes perfect, I exerted all of my energy to become the best I could be. There was a slight disadvantage...I was a lot shorter than my current six-foot frame, as I stood at a mere 5'7" or quite possibly a hair taller at 5'7" and a half. Nevertheless, what I lacked in height, I made up for it with my heart and will to play bigger and better than my skills would allow. 

In '91 I shot up to 5'9". Those two inches would come in handy as a point guard during the upcoming season. One evening after playing ball all day, and into the cool hours of the summer night, where the city lights, fire flies, and street lamps lit up the sky...I was on the courts playing against the older teen-aged boys. That in itself was an accomplishment! What would eventually transpire is one of those great moments in time. For some reason in Philadelphia, we play a zone defense in pick-up games. In NYC, and DC, they play man-to-man, but for some reason in Philly its zone. I have always been a guard so I was at the top, foul-line extended on the left side. One of the older and more respected guys Khari, dribbled to my side and as he crossed the ball over from his right to left...there I was waiting for him like how a spider awaits their prey. 

I'd been practicing dunking for over a year, and for those of us that lack height and the ability to palm the ball, so many elements have to work together in order to be successful. Without breaking it all down, everything clicked and I dribbled down the right side of the court with my left-hand. I had a clear path to the rim, and I rose up, and flushed my first dunk in a game, through the goal. Everyone was stunned, and I was so happy, however I couldn't celebrate because I was one of the two younger guys playing against the older kids...jubilance could have resulted into a fist-fight. 

After everyone had a moment to understand what I had accomplished, Khari rained on the parade, informing me and my team that he called foul, and the basket I just scored didn't count. 

I learned a lot about myself that day, and while the dunk didn't count, it meant the world to me. 

Speaking of dunks that didn't count, in looking at the pictures above, it shames me to comprehend that this acrobatic move of basketball prowess not only lost to Nate Robinson (who had 10,000 chances to make his last dunk) but it also goes unappreciated, instead of going down in NBA lore as one of the best dunks in history. 

What Allen Iverson, and Andre Iguodala did on the court at the Toyota Center should have won Iguodala the 2006 Sprite Rising Stars SLAM DUNK championship, which could have resulted in a windfall of endorsements, and commercials. He was however recently awarded a new contract with the Philadelphia 76ers for a very nice sum...so sometimes when you lose, you can still be a winner, as we learn something new everyday. 

Win, lose, or draw, experience is the teacher and we are merely the student.

The Dark Knight

All Star Saturday Night 1997

"Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Kobe Bean Bryant is the story of how a child from West Philadelphia, grew into a man of worldwide acclaim. It has been 12 years since the fabled NBA Draft of 1996. Within that class are the likes of Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Jermaine O'Neal, however none of them are as intriguing as the enigma that is Bryant.

Over the years, the experts spewed venom saying that he was everything from an elitist without street creditably to a bad teammate. The only thing he ever was as a 17-year old high school student, straight to the professional ranks of the NBA, is misunderstood. In his naivete he didn't even read all of the crazy things the Los Angeles and national media wrote about him. His main focus was making the transition from competing against boys, to men.


Basketball is, was, and always will be something that drives him.


The goal is just as it was during his youth in Italy to become the BEST basketball player he could be. If it were not for the guidance and support of his family, this story had the potential to go awry way before 2003.


We all make mistakes, especially as a teen or young adult, however not many of us, have had to grow up and make choices in a fish bowl for all the world to see.


I write this as a friend of the Bryant and Cox families, so my words are tainted with loyalty. Nevertheless, if you had a sneaker contract worth six-figures when you were 17, or if you wanted to make a decision that went against what your parents wanted, just remember that you didn't have to do it with complete strangers and the media looming. For some reason or another Kobe has been painted as everything that is wrong with professional sports.


Allow me if you will to venture back to the early 1980's. Joe "Jellybean" Bryant was playing for the San Diego Clippers, and made his native Philadelphia the off-season home. The family lived in the Overbrook section, directly around the corner from the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. By this time Kobe had started to emulate his father, playing basketball in the living room while watching Jellybean on TV.


These were the building blocks of the MVP you see today.

They who endure, conquer.