Love and Basketball

"The same streets that raised you, can age you..." - Common - U, Black Maybe

Sports are a metaphor of our everyday lives. It's the reason why some people will defend their teams tooth and nail, or an athlete will push themselves to become the best they can be. My first love was and always will be basketball. Even now long after my playing days, I still find joy in the game that taught me a wealth of life lessons.

Live and Learn

A picture is worth 1,000-words, and while I'm not going to write that many things about the photo above, allow me if you will to shed some light on the subject. When Kobe Bryant declared for the NBA, he unexpectedly received a ton of backlash and hatred. Everyone felt that a 17-year old wasn't able to make such a bold decision, and that he should attend a major college or university like most high school graduates.

Bryant remained determined and on June 26, 1996, he was selected with the 13th-overall pick. Five-years later the Lakers defeated the 76ers in Philadelphia, and not only was Kobe right in following his heart, he emerged an NBA champion, to silence his critics.

As I look at the image, it reminds me to be totally honest with myself and everyone around me, stay the course, and remember that sports have and will continue to take me far.

I'm thankful for the game, the experiences, and the people it has bought my way.

Life is good.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE

The Beginning

"Now once upon a time, not too long ago..." - Jay-Z - 99 Problems

I've always had a passion for basketball. My older brother introduced me to the game, as he would often bring me to the playground while he would hoop for hours. Since I was younger and didn't understand the game...I was drawn to it by default. 

You always want what you can't have.

Solace

Once I learned the basic fundamentals, I never looked back. The sport has taken me far, as it continues to challenge and teach me about hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

Recently I was on Twitter congratulating the Lakers on a victory...when none other than Andre Iguodala wrote me back saying that I should learn to cheer for my hometown Philadelphia 76ers. I was surprised to say the least, and I defended myself by saying that I'm a Kobe fan...who is also a native of west Philly. Nevertheless, in the days following that exchange, I felt bad for not being a big advocate of the Sixers. 

Iguodala had a valid point, and today as we texted one another a Merry Christmas I thanked him for speaking his mind.

I'm always going to cheer for Bryant, but it's about time I pay closer attention to the home team in the Wells Fargo Center.

Words: @axgilbert

Picture: Associated Press

Hometown

"First they love you, then they hate you, then they love you again."


Jay-Z - Meet the Parents


There are certain teams in sports that no matter what they do, or where they play,  people will find ways to dislike them. For example, the New York Yankees, New England Patriots, Duke Blue Devils, and the Los Angeles Lakers.


History


The Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Lakers tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. There are many story lines in this match up, as both teams were seeking to add another victory, however the most compelling fact of the contest was that Kobe Bryant needed 24-points to eclipse former teammate Shaquille O'Neal and move into 5th-place on the NBA's career scoring list.


Much has been made about where Kobe was born or where he is from, and as trivial as that sounds, in Philadelphia it's been a hot topic of discussion throughout his career. What's interesting is that he has had a few meaningful games as a Laker in South Philly...from his clinching a second NBA title, to his first All-Star MVP...these are benchmarks that have helped to define him.


Bryant always seems as if he is on a mission, and tonight was no different as he finished the 1st quarter with 14-points, 2-rebounds, and a steal. With little over 5-minutes left in the second period, he made good on an attempt moving him into 5th place. He finished with 28-points, giving him 28, 601-points overall.


Kobe was candid after the game in saying, "it feels good, it's a tremendous honor...it's a lot of work that we put in to get to this point...I think when players retire, you start kinda thinking about your career and your accomplishments and things of that sort, but when you're going through it and you're playing during the season, all you're thinking about is winning the next game and trying to make some noise in June."


Just to prove a point, I asked him about playing in Philly and how special it has been in his career, to which he answered, "it becomes more significant the older I get in terms of coming back here playing...I don't have many more of these games left."


Bryant took his place in history tonight and the Sixers handled the rest winning 95-90 with a strong effort from Lou Williams down the stretch.


When it is all said and done Kobe is only concerned with championships, as his hunt for number 6 continues.


Words: @axgilbert


Photo: Noah Zuares/AcesHoops.com

Acknowledgement

"Pound for pound, I'm the best to ever come around here..."

Jay-Z - What More Can I say

For the second time in his career, the City of Philadelphia honored the accomplishments of light heavyweight champion, Bernard Hopkins.

Native Son

Yesterday Philadelphia's mayor Michael Nutter hosted the Executioner, at the famed Rocky statue for his recent victory over Jean Pascal. With the win, he became the oldest person (age 46) in the sport to achieve a world title, surpassing George Forman who had previously held that distinction.

The champion addressed a crowd of boxing fans, and well wishers from his old neighborhood by saying, "I dealt myself a bad hand, or life dealt me a bad hand...however you want to put it, but I played my Jacks, like they were Aces..."

His career is that of which legends are told, nonetheless, it's not over until Hopkins says so, which isn't at least another 4-years away.

With his savvy and craftsmanship in the ring...the best is still yet to be seen.

Words and Pictures: @axgilbert

Presidential Suite

Larry Miller and AG. in Philadelphia

NYC

"America surprise us, and let a black man guide us..."

Nas - Black President

I, like most young people wanted to grow up and play sports professionally. At a very early age I was so intrigued with competition, and sport that I often dreamed of becoming an All-Star in either basketball, futbol, or baseball.

Role Model

It was Sir Charles Barkley who once echoed that he wasn't a role model...now at the time, I disagreed with him because I was a child that looked up to him as a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers. However Barkley was correct, as he backed up that statement by saying that he was just a basketball player and that parents, and working professionals were the people we should look up to.

It all makes perfect sense now, as I never attained my dream of playing in the NBA, but I did land a job with the League office upon my graduation from Temple University. The rationale was that my skill set didn't live up to my ambitions, so I had to channel that love for basketball into a job.

Since then, my zeal for the game continues to propel my career path, as I have switched gears from working in public relations to becoming a journalist.

One of the persons that I look up to and have looked up to for quite sometime is Philadelphia native and Temple University alum, Larry Miller. I first met him when he worked for the Jordan Brand in New York City during a Jumpman promotional tour. What amazed me the most was that he is from the same neighborhood that I'm from, and he now serves as the President of the Portland Trail Blazers organization. His love of sports helped him to excel and grow into becoming an executive of an NBA franchise.

His name was in the news recently as he sent an email to all the NBA teams, warning them not to sign Darius Miles to spite his organization. It's a long story, but at the end of the day, he is just doing his job, and for that I will continue look up to him.

Bill Cosby, Will Smith, and Larry Miller have proven to me, that my environment does not and should not decide my future. If they can achieve, then I too can follow in their footsteps.

Photo: Webster Riddick

Championship Trip