Memories

"Ain't that like LeBron James..."

Kanye West - Gotta Have It

The NBA in my opinion has the best all-star game out of all the major sports...as much as I love baseball, the MLB is close second when it comes to overall presentation.

Nostalgia

As a child I can recall watching the all-star game for two very specific reasons: the first was because I was such a fan of the professional game, and I wanted nothing more than to cheer for the likes of Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, and Reggie Miller. The other point about the game was that Jordan would always wear his new sneakers, so I kept a keen watch on what he was wearing.

Every February Nike would release the new Jordan sneaker. Everyone around the globe anticipated what the new shoe would look like. Once the shoe made it's debut, you would wait an entire calendar year for the next one. Between the man who wore them, and the exclusivity of the footwear...the Jordan sneakers took on a life of their own. 

Fast forward to the present day, and it's safe to say that one man, and one shoe changed the industry, and sports culture forever.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: AXG

The Sixth Sense

"Well should I get the new J's or the Kobe's..."

Andre 3000 - 30 Something

It's the playoffs and the rule of thumb is to win, or simply go home. I understand that it's been roughly 4-months since I've written anything for this blog...which is a sign of the times. First things first, I've been super busy, and now I have a tumblr account.

Nevertheless while a few things have changed...it's good to see that a lot of teams in the NBA have a familiar look and feel.

Pursuance

Last week I was in Boston, and upon my return home, I had to decide on either taking a cab or the train from the airport...I decided on the latter and within a few minutes of taking a seat, I was in earshot of a conversation about the Lakers.

In the ensuing minutes between stops...a woman says, "Did you see Kobe crying like a little girl last night?" 

I turned to her direction with a Magic Johnson like smile, and then proceeded to look through my phone, and read via twitter.

I don't understand the animosity that people have for the Lakers guard...however I do appreciate the love and fervor that fans have for their teams.

I grew up a 76ers fan, and once Charles Barkley packed his bags for Phoenix, I pledged my allegiance to the New York Knicks. The interesting thing both these teams had in common was Michael Jordan.

Jordan is one of the greatest players in the modern era, and while I loved his sneakers, and watching him fly...he ruined any chance of a championship. I couldn't fully cheer for him, however I did respect his game, and whenever I could...I would do my best to emulate his moves.

The point I'd like to make is simple...I'm not asking anyone to root for Kobe Bryant, or the Lake Show for that matter...I just think it would be a good idea to pay attention to what he is doing now, because basketball players like him are one in a million.

Carpe Diem.

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Checkmate

"Jay's favorite line...dog in due time..."

Kanye West - Touch the Sky

LeBron James shook up the sports world last week when he announced that he was taking his talents to South Beach. Since then the media and and general public have been giving him the Kobe treatment.

Control

Heavy is the head that wears the crown...

-William Shakespeare

LeBron James is a professional athlete and he has done what was best for him and his family. My first job upon my graduation from Temple University was with the National Basketball Association...when I was laid off due to an economic downturn...my heart was in pain, and I felt betrayed, however at the end of the day it was a business move.

When I look at the circumstances of James' decision...the similarities are familiar. I can understand the way people felt when he choose not to return to Cleveland, because whenever emotions are involved...the vision can become cloudy...yet this wasn't about the fans, or loyalty to his adopted home, it was strictly business. If the Cavs would have traded him to another team last February, it would have been merely the way things are done in professional sports. So there shouldn't be any hoopla when the athlete takes the reigns for once.

The NBA rookies of 2003 are as heralded as the '84, and '96 classes, so with James, Wade, and Bosh on the same squad...it's Xbox come true. Imagine Bryant, Nash, and Ray Allen, or Jordan, Barkley, and Olajuwon together against the league...the possibilities would be endless.

I see nothing wrong with this move to Florida. When A-Rod won the AL MVP award with the Rangers...he was a great player with tons of individual awards, but what truly burned his competitive fire was the quest for a World Series ring, which he captured last October. He is currently about to reach the 600 home run milestone, and now as a champion he can revel in the accolades. It has nothing to do with the Yankees being Derek Jeter's team...it has everything to do with the reason why all athletes play.

Only time will tell if this new star alignment will earn multiple championships...right now as things are, the Celtics, Magic, Thunder, and Lakers can prove to be a thorn in Miami's side, but until next June arrives, we'll all just have to watch and wait.

Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Roots

"On fifty-deuce while I walk in the rain..."

Black Thought - Silent Treatment

The Lakers are in the midst of an 8-game road trip, which can only mean one thing...I'm going along for the ride.

Confidence

Friday night I found myself back in the familiar confines of Madison Square Garden...covering the Knicks/Lakers. Yesterday I was in Philadelphia to attend the Kobe Bryant Classic, high school tournament. I arrived fashionably late only to find Imhotep Charter down by a good margin against ANC, which boasts 6'9" Rakeem Christmas, 6'5" Savon Goodman, 6'11" Malcolm Gilbert, and number 24...point guard Jonathan Riles.

I decided to find a seat at halftime, and as the clock dwindled to zero, I walked across the court and found an empty spot next to Donald Hunt, of the Philadelphia Tribune. A mere minute and a few seconds elapsed before we began trading interesting facts about the legend that has become Kobe Bryant.

As a child I had aspirations to be on TV. I'm not sure I knew exactly what I wanted to do then, but as I got older it became evident that I desired to cover sports like Ahmad Rashad. I didn't seek fame...I just had a love for the game of basketball, and I knew that if I didn't make it to the NBA as a guard, then I needed to do something that would get me there in another capacity.

Throughout my childhood...while growing up on the basketball courts and barber shop...people would always talk about West Philly and how people like Wilt Chamberlain, Patti LaBelle, and the Fresh Prince had become successful. I figured since I was from the same part of town, I had a good chance to make a name for myself one day.

Kobe arrived at Lankenau Hospital in 1978...and while I didn't meet him until years later...it is the bond of Philadelphia that enables our friendship outside of athlete and scribe.

I couldn't imagine being Kobe, because I've never had an ounce of what he can do with a basketball, however what I admire more than anything else is his drive and will to win in all that he does. The first time I met him, he was a challenging me on the basketball court...now my biggest hurdle is figuring out what I'm going to get autographed for the office.

When Wilt, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Dr. J, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Zeke, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan were playing...I either wasn't born, or too young to have been a member of the media. The point I want to make is that Kobe is an extension of the great players of the past, namely his father...and instead of watching from a distance...I make an effort to cover his games and interview him the best way I know how.

Tonight the Lakers lost by 1 in Toronto...their next stop is the White House as guests of President Obama.

Photo: Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

2nd Childhood

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

Chuck D - Rebel Without A Pause

Last Saturday I stayed in for a quiet night at home, and once the Eagles vs. Cowboys game was over...the real fun began...

Laugh out Loud

I grew up chasing after my older brother...as I would watching him react to the likes of the Philadelphia, New York, and DC sports teams. The first sport I learned to play was soccer, however once I was introduced to basketball, everything changed.

As I learned the game, I started listening to the Sixers on the radio because my family didn't have cable television...and when I got a little older I would catch them on the local network and cheer my heart out. One player stood out from the rest...as he would play, and speak with such conviction that it started a love for the game that I continue to quench now as a sportswriter.

Charles Wade Barkley will forever be one of my favorite sports figures and when I heard that he and Alicia Keys were going to be on SNL, not only did I tune in...I laughed like I was a 10-year old kid in elementary school...sans the trip to the principle's office.

Magic

"I got stripes...adi-das..."

Lil' Wayne - Swagga Like Us

I watched any and everything that dealt with basketball in my youth, as my favorite television program was NBA Inside Stuff. In fact the only reason why I went to college was so that I could learn and study TV and Film...so that one day I could host my own show.

Hoop Dreams

Halftime was always my favorite part of an NBA telecast because that is when they would show interviews with the star players. I'd watch them and envision myself as the host speaking with Charles Barkley, or Johnny Dawkins. The thing that I didn't like was how generic the segment was, so I knew that if ever given a chance to shine in front of a camera, that I would always do my best to deliver to the audience a superior product.

I made my first TV appearance on ESPN2's Cold Pizza in February 2004. The show aired live, and from that moment on, I've worked hard to keep my name relevant and image clean in an effort for more opportunities on camera.

In the meantime, I started my own web series on YouTube, and facebook, entitled GAME TIME, and in the episode above, I was able to speak to Dwight Howard in the fashion that not only makes people smile and enjoy the show, but it also brings a smile to my face, and heart...just like I had dreamed many years ago.

The OC - Original Celtic

Success

Class

Style

"I know it's late and I took all year, but you can stop complaining, 'cause I'm finally here..."

Kanye West - We Can Make It Better

I was born a Philadelphia 76ers fan, and throughout their history, they have had a few rivalries, but none of them rank higher than the Boston Celtics.

Dynasty

I was never supposed to like the Celtics, as they were once the most hated franchise in the NBA, because of their many championships, and hall of fame players...so as a child in the late 80's and early 90's I rooted for Dr. J, and Charles Barkley. However I did respect the C's because if not for anything else, they were winners, and in any game...that's all that matters.

Prior to June 2008, Boston's last successful title run was in 1986, and since then I've grown to cheer for both the Sixers and Lakers, as if that's possible, and a few players here and there. From Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Eddie Jones, to Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Stephon Marbury, I was a big fan of their game. Things change and while half of that list are no longer playing, the other 3 are members of the Boston Celtics.

So hopefully by now you can see the problem. I liked KG and Steph with the Timberwolves, and Ray Allen has been a favorite since the movie He Got Game, but as they continue their career in Beantown, I had to turn my back on them. It's not that I don't like them as people, I just don't like the Celtics. The only person I have respect for on that team is Paul Pierce. He was drafted by that squad, and it is his team. One of the things that bothers me about the C's and their "BIG 3" is when one of them talks about the fact that there are 3 future hall of fame players in the locker room, it bothers me.

Did I miss something? Or is the Hall a lock for all of them? I can see KG and I feel strongly about him making it, but hmmm...let's consider Pierce, and Allen...I'm just not sure they are going to get in.

Nevertheless, I still dislike the Celtics, and I see a new Eastern Conference rivalry on the horizon, as I am looking forward to watching them and the Cavilers in the playoffs. Tomorrow we will get a preview as LeBron and The OC (I made that nickname, so if you see it anywhere else, it started here), match up in a game that can decide first place in the east, come April.

The only thing I can comprehend about the C's is that they actively sought out players that could bring the Larry O'Brien trophy back to New England, and in that capacity, they are kind of like the New York Yankees, which isn't such a bad team to be compared to.

Photos: Boston Herald

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

Genesis

Memories

NBA Analysis

1989 Playoffs

MJ vs. MJ

"Flashback who's that...dancing to the latest..."

Teena Marie - Square Biz

I originally wrote this story back in June, during the NBA Finals for The Starting Five. A lot has changed since then, however the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are once again atop the NBA food chain, as they will play in the marquee Christmas game at 5pm EST.

Rewind

The NBA Finals have a nostalgic flavor to it, with Los Angeles playing against Boston for all the marbles. If I didn't know better, I would think I fell into a time portal and landed somewhere in front of a floor model color TV, circa June '87. That last sentence alone is enough to perplex anyone younger than I, because I'm guessing, the thinking by the younger reader would be...since when did television broadcast in anything but color, and why would anyone place a TV on the floor? Nevertheless, let's stay on memory lane, but I'd like to talk about a time near and dear to my heart...1990.

I was in middle school once the calendar read January 1990, and as I reflect, it's funny what mattered most to me during that time. I was an intelligent child, and I had my unique view on the world around me, like Kevin Arnold in the hit drama The Wonder Years. If I wasn't my begging my mother to let me grow my hair proud and tall like Kid in House Party, then I was trying my best to dunk, or better yet get the new girl in my neighborhood, to notice me. In the midst of all that, naturally I had to keep up my grades, and when I wasn't playing outside until the street lights came on, my friends and I played video games. I had a SEGA Genesis, and the company Electronic Arts changed my life when they started making sports titles. I can recall John Madden Football and the long days and nights I spent using the 46 defense on opposing QB's, but it was Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs that changed EVERYTHING as I knew it.

Lakers versus Celtics was important because in my youth we had 2 televisions (one in the living room and the other in my parent's room) and no cable. I would watch the 76ers every once and a while when they played on Channel 17, and when the games weren't on, I would listen along on the radio. I begged for cable, however it wasn't a necessity and by the time the house in which I grew up in had cable...I was already grown and had been graduated from college a couple years. (If you figured it out, it was a few years ago.) Before COMCAST, the games were on PRISM in Philadelphia, and since neither company had roots at my residence, it was the video game that could provide me with the NBA at the flick of the power button on my SEGA. I learned all the rosters, and had hours of fun using the signature moves. My friends and I would play the video game, and then make the half-mile trek to the playground hoping to get picked to play with the teenagers. If that didn't work then we had to play in between games, or wait until the older guys were finished.

Magic had his #32 and Big Game had the goggles For my crew, we were all sports all the time. It was street football, you know 1-2-3 hold, basketball, king ball, wall ball, stick ball, or riding our bikes. I knew about the NBA, but it was more centralized on Barkley, Ron Anderson, Hawkins, Dawkins, G-Man, Reggie Miller (I had to cheer for the skinny guy) and of course Michael "Air" Jordan. Electronic Arts enabled me to appreciate the Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry as it delivered the NBA like never before. The Western Conference was a mystery to me before that game, so when I say it was life changing, it started the love affair with pro basketball that will never end.

This video game means more to me now because of the information that it provided way back when. I still have the game as it sits in my office as a reminder of when life was a lot easier.

Life is good, and with sports, it's THAT much better.

Merry Christmas!

Peace.

The Most Known Unknown.

By Any Means Necessary...

Black thoughts

Admiration

Scoop and AG. in Beaverton, OR

"Simple and plain, give me the lane...I'll throw it down your throat like Barkley..."

Chuck D - Rebel Without a Pause

I grew up off of 60th and Arch Streets in West Philadelphia, and I always wanted to be someone greater than my environment would ever allow. The Wild West as it is known, is a place where dreams do not necessarily come true. The problem is that everything is stacked against you from the dilapidated living conditions, crime, and violence, not too mention the poor school system. It is a problem that has plagued the city for decades. The more things change, the more they stay the same. However, I have been fortunate to have a role model of a mother that provided for my siblings and I, and because of her sacrifices, I am a success today.

SOUL to SOLE

In an African proverb, it is explained that it takes an entire village to raise a child. I believe this as it holds true to my very existence. As a youth, I always had people like my neighbors Mr. Keith, and Mr. Skip to take me to basketball practice and games, not too mention feed me and care for me like one of their own sons. In my professional career, I have Scoop Jackson the master to my apprentice, Ray Butts, and Isaac Perry, all of whom have walked along with me, and sometimes carried me in times of need. There are others such as Coach John Chaney, Coach Dawn Staley, Sonny Hill, Bobbito Garcia, Kris Aman, Dr. Angelia Nelson, Oronde Garrett, Eric Elston, and Ian Callender and his family, as no one person ever makes it in life alone.

I had to make my words in this column short, because to have Scoop as my guest, I wanted to give him space to write in his voice, on MJ, and his mark in American history. Scoop Jackson is a national columnist for ESPN.com and he contributes to ESPN The Magazine. He is best known in the sneaker community for writing a book on Nike Basketball entitled Sole Provider.

In his own words proudly present to you Robert “Scoop” Jackson:

What is it about the Jordan sneaker that has made it what it is today?

"I think it’s been a combination of several things, all coming together at the same time. The analogy I love to use is one about Michael Jackson because of how similar the situations played themselves out. With Jackson you had (beginning with Off the Wall album) the best singer/entertainer working with maybe the greatest producer ever in Quincy Jones who had the combination of greatness in Rod Temperton and Greg Philligines in studio while at the same time you had an outlet that was just beginning to find itself called MTV and a choreographer that was the greatest even in Michael Peters, all working together at the same time. It’s like all of the planets came into alignment at once for this one period of time and look what we got in return: arguably the most successful music run in history. Something that will never happen again.
The same thing I believe happened with Jordan. Here you had the best player in the game, who happened to connect with the greatest (although unknown at that time) designer in the history of the game, Tinker Hatfield. Combine that with the fact that Nike was in a relationship with and ad agency, Weiden + Kennedy, that (just like MTV at the time of Michael Jackson’s era) was trying to find itself and a filmmaker that was one of the greatest ever in Spike Lee (Just like Michael Peters, Spike was relatively unknown at the time) all working together at the same time. It’s the same story all over again. It’s like lightening happening twice. So the reason the Jordan sneaker is what it is today is because it had a foundation that was far greater than any other shoe has ever had. The same way 20 years later we can listen to anything from Off the Wall or THRILLER and say, that was brilliant and still listen to it with the same reverence that we did when it dropped. We are able to do and have those same feelings about the kicks that come from Jordan."

What is your favorite Jordan sneaker and why?

"The III. To me, that’s the Air Force 1 of the Jordan legacy. Why? It’s just everything about the shoe is flawless to me. I mean, historically it’s the first ¾ sneak and it’s the first shoe tinker did for Jordan and it’s the shoe that stopped MJ from going to adidas. But outside of that, I just “feel” that shoe. Unlike any other design, execution, longevity, style, all that, and I ain’t even going to speak on the performance of the shoe. Check MJ’s stats fro the year he wore that shoe. 1988. Check. Then there’s the whole Best on Earth, Best on Mars moment (poster). C’mon. It’s just, to me, I love that sneak. All time and here’s the funny thing: I refuse to own a pair. The II is so god-like to me that there’s a part of me that feels I haven’t earned the right to have a pair yet. That sneak is on some Holy Grail level with me. Maybe n about 10 more years, when I put in 10 more years of serious work, when I reach my Spike Lee stage and do Inside Man and When the Levees Broke in the same year, if I ever reach that kind of greatness, then maybe I’ll get a pair of III’s."

Is there a legit comparison to Kobe and MJ?

"Yeah, easy…like tracing paper. Xerox machine. KINKOS. As much as the replication looks, seems and feels like the original, its not. There’s always some resolution that gets lost in the process. But that’s just in basketball. As much as Jack Bauer (Kobe) and $ (MJ) are alike, they are totally different as people. And that affects the outcome of their games. Kobe is not as personable and charming as Mike. It’s not in his nature, that’s just not who he is. Part of MJ’s greatness was his ability to be cool with everyone, teammates, and victims. Dudes that played with $ would kill for him, he was able to draw that much love from others. Kobe’s never been able to do that and because of that I think he hasn’t been able to reach MJ’s level of brilliance. He has too many people around him that will never love him, which translates to how open the game is to him. It’s like, imagine how differently Barry Sanders career would have been if his offensive line hated him? Or better yet LaDainian Tomlinson? Those holes year after year would not open up. They would not block or fight as hard as they could for them to get those yards, which in the long run effects Barry’s and LT’s greatness."

How was the Jordan sneaker game back in the late 80's/early 90's in Chicago?

"Crazy. Every time a sneak dropped it was bananas! Stores would get broken into, schools would close (seriously), and kids would get jacked on bus stops and at malls. Straight madness, but it was all passion. That’s what drove it. I’ve been around a lot of cities and I’ve never seen the passion for Jordan kicks the way I’ve seen it in the Chi. It’s a different level. The history is different. No disrespect to Nike, but they lost a lot of money, not paying attention to what was really going on in Chicago, as far as footwear was concerned in Chicago during that time. They could have easily doubled their market share. From a financial standpoint, they missed an era. But to this day there’s nothing like it. There’s a special, and I mean very special, almost unconditional love that this city has with Jordan and every sneaker the brand decides to release I wish I could write a book about it, but that wouldn’t do it justice."

I am blessed to have mentors like Scoop, Ray, and Isaac, as they continue to show me the ropes, lifting me higher than I ever thought I could go. Each one, teach one!

For more on Scoop Jackson watch the video below: