Full Circle

"Make me remember you, like you remember me..." - The Weeknd

The 1996 NBA Draft was one of the best ever, and last night the 13th-pick from that year continued to prove the doubters wrong.

I Told You So

Kobe Bryant was the first guard to successfully make the jump from high school to the pro ranks. People didn't believe he could survive with the Lakers, and the experts said that he did not have what it takes to have a long career. They were wrong.

The Bryant family hails from Philadelphia, and it was Joe Bryant who introduced Wilt Chamberlain to his 8-year old son Kobe. 26-years later, the saga continues as Kobe passed Wilt Chamberlain to become the 4th all-time leading scorer in league history.

Hollywood couldn't write a better script. The things Bryant has done, and is currently accomplishing on the basketball court is surreal.

The lesson in this is to never give up on your dreams, because they can and will come true.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press

Destiny's Child

"I know your hunger kid..."

Nas - You Can't Stop Us Now

"When you train for something your whole life...you're pretty much ready for it..."

- Serena Williams

Preparation

Here on the east coast our basketball world has a left coast bias...as in if the Lakers aren't involved...then we don't see or hear too much about. So the headlines today are about the Nets' 48th loss, and naturally, the Lake Show and their winning streak without Kobe...it's even gotten to the point that the experts are saying the team is better without Bryant. Nevertheless, the Warriors hosted the Clippers last night, and while that may or may not move you...it was a foreshadowing of Stephen Curry's future.

There are several things I enjoy about him...from his God fearing family of athletes, to his nonchalant calm in dire moments of a big game...he is going to become one of the great ones. In my own selfish way, I wish that he was drafted by the Knicks so the world could witness what I'm talking about.

In a conversation with LeBron last season he raved about Curry, saying how much time and effort he puts into his craft. In an interesting twist, James isn't the only basketball prodigy born in Akron. Stephen was welcomed to this Earth by way of the Ohio town, when his father Dell played for the neighboring Cavaliers...he was later selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the '88 expansion draft.

Dell enjoyed a good career in the league as he passed down the skills to his children...and his wife Sonya was a standout colligate volleyball player, so it's safe to say that the blessings come from both sides.

Against the Clips Stephen registered his first triple-double with 36-points (five 3-pointers in the 1st quarter), 13 assists, and 10 boards en route to a Warriors 132-102 win. The more things change...the more they stay the same, and for the Curry family that is a very good thing!

Photo: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images