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"Quit acting like I'm the only one to blame..."

The Dream - Love vs. Money: Part 2

I have always taken a stance to shy away from serious issues, and with the recent changes in the Washington Wizards organization...I've decided to ignore the problem and move forward as always.

Back to the Future

I cover every NBA team and I'm usually on assignment in Philadelphia, and DC. In light of what the Wizards are going through, on any given day, I'm front and center of what's going in the nation's capital...in fact I'm sitting in section 104 of the Verizon Center as I pen this biased piece.

Two years ago I interviewed David Falk, and he told me that the best writers cover all things great and small, good or bad...which led me to think that I should give my thoughts on Gilbert Arenas.

First and foremost this started as a joke that went too far, and now the future of Arenas' basketball career is in jeopardy. The fact that it was Gilbert with his usual playful antics...enabled him to continue to push the envelope and "make light" of everything. I wish one of the powers that be would have stopped this before it was too late, however to no avail, things got out of hand.

I don't gamble, nevertheless I can understand the life and camaraderie on the road. Things happen and some things should never happen. I think that this "joke" made the NBA to come down on him with force...in essence an example had to be made, and like it or not, that's how the game of life is played.

I want things to work out, because I feel that everyone makes mistakes and should have a chance at redemption. The question becomes...if eligible will the Wizards organization bring Gilbert back? He hasn't played in over 2 seasons due to injury and the team became accustomed to playing without him. He's been playing well this year, however in their first official game without him, the Wiz played great defense with a consistent offensive attack, and was able to defeat the Magic 104-97.

It's all a numbers game...as the organization was looking to move a player or two for financial purposes before this happened, and if Arenas' $111 million dollar contract becomes void, then things will change in a major fashion for both Gilbert and the Wizards' bank accounts.

For now its wait and see.

Photo: Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Forever Begins

Freshman year

Nike was the most known - unknown

Flight 23 prepares for takeoff

Jordan takes to the skies

Mars and Money changed the world

“I was staying in Chicago...I had my own apartment, I’d be doing like...just beats for like local acts, just to try to keep the lights on, or be able to go out and buy a...get a Pelle Pelle off lay-a-way, or get some Jordans or something...”

Kanye West – Last Call


This morning after my morning workout at the pool, I began having a conversation about sneakers with two friends. Since we all wear the same size, a question was posed about selling some of my prized possessions...I informed them that I actually had a customer today and that if he doesn’t follow through that I would gladly contact them. From there we shifted gears a little as they inquired about what I have and was willing to part with. The majority of my stock is Nike, Nike SB, Jordan, and Converse, with a few pairs of some other brands like Saucony, and adidas.

When I mentioned adidas, I told them that we would all be in the brand with the three stripes had Michael Jordan followed his heart, instead of his agent David Falk.

As a collegian Jordan wore Converse at the University of North Carolina, and upon his decision to turn pro after his junior year, the Chicago Bulls selected him with the 3rd pick of the 1984 NBA Draft. Being that he enjoyed a stellar career at UNC, and the fact that he won Olympic gold at the summer games in Los Angeles, Michael Jordan’s stock was high, and he wanted nothing more than to ride that wave of success to the NBA, and into a contract with his footwear of choice adidas.

With that mandate, Falk took initiative and began calling sneaker companies to pitch his client. At the time, Converse and adidas were the giants in the game, and Nike was the small time new kid on the block. As the relative basketball unknown Nike already had their sights set on MJ, and they made an offer of $250,000, a signature shoe line, as well as a percentage of the revenues (a first and at the time unheard of part of the deal). Michael wasn’t too fond of Nike, a shoe that he was very unfamiliar with, however his agent stayed diligent as he convinced both his client and Nike to change their stance. As history will tell you, MJ gave in to the small-time track sneaker company, and in turn they matched the offer of $500,000 by adidas.

The concept of “Air” Jordan was Falk’s idea, and the powers that be at Nike projected within the first 3 to 4 years, that the signature Jordan line would make approximately $3 million dollars. As legend has it, in 1985 alone, Nike would make $130 million...quite a turn around on a $500,000 investment.

Here are important factors as to why the sneaker did so well and continues to do so today.

• Following in the footsteps of Dr. J, Jordan had an excitement and flair that was unprecedented. He revolutionized the high flying act of such NBA greats like Elgin Baylor, David Thompson, and Dr. J. His ability to fly through NBA skies, and live up to the nickname “Air” gave him credibility that you couldn’t put a price on.
  


• The NBA had never seen a sneaker with dominant 3 colors, as the first Jordan was red, with black and white accents. That being the case, every time MJ laced up his new sneakers, he was fined $500 by the League office, which created a buzz, as EVERYONE wanted the sneaker BANNED by the NBA. Nike officials caught on very quickly, and paid all the fines for Michael, so all he had to do was wear his shoes, and play basketball.
  


• Combine the two facts above and you have a one of a kind basketball player, excelling in a never seen before technologically advanced sneaker year after year, after year.
  The Jordan XXIV is so ahead of its time, and I’ve only seen and tested an early sample, and it is going to shake up the world like Muhammad Ali did in 1964.
  


• Last but not least, in 1987 the impossible happened, as MJ teamed up with Spike Lee launching a historic ad campaign that changed marketing forever. The commercials showed the strength of the dollar in the black and Latino communities, and the shift in the advertising paradigm would by no means be the same again. Prior to this feat, NEVER was an African-American the face of a product in a positive light. The logic was that a black person couldn’t sell products to white consumers, so if you had a high profile athlete, then you would pair them with a white counterpart. Mean Joe Greene did that Coke-a-Cola commercial with the little white kid, “Have a Coke and a smile”. Muhammad Ali, sold roach spray, and Magic Johnson was teamed with Larry Bird. Nike’s advertising firm Weiden+Kennedy took a gamble, as they capitalized on authentic mass appeal of Mars and Money. This was made possible with equal parts timing, trust, and two guys from Brooklyn.

Imagine how differently your life would be had Michael Jordan signed with adidas?

Photos: Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated - University of North Carolina

He Got Game

David Falk is strictly business
When he talks, people listen
Black Cat

“A lot of people don’t like David, but he’s the best at what he does. What he does is get underneath your skin, whoever he’s negotiating with, because he figures out what your objectives are, your angles. He understands the market; he understands the players. He’s a brash, arrogant, egotistical, aggressive negotiator, which is good, because when you have someone represent you, you want him to do that. Marketing-wise, he’s great. He’s the one who came up with the concept of Air Jordan.”

Michael Jordan – from an interview with the USA Today

When I first began playing basketball, it was something that I wanted to learn for two reasons: it enabled me to tag along with my older brother to the playground, and then I wanted to get better so that could contribute to a team...instead of hearing ‘when you get the ball, don’t shoot it...pass it to me! As a futbol player, there were numerous amounts of things I didn’t understand on the court, so I practiced and I did some research.

The encyclopedia and dictionary were always a favorite in the Gilbert home, and I began learning by reading about the history and regulations of basketball. From there I relied on the hit television series NBA Inside Stuff, NBA Live video games by Electronic Arts, and NBA Entertainment home videos. The movies were the best of my discoveries as I was able to study the game and players like never before. I was raised a Philadelphia 76ers fan, however in later years I would cheer for the New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. Nevertheless, I have always marveled at the play of Michael Jeffery Jordan, and his relentless attack on all teams that opposed the Chicago Bulls.

You couldn’t have been a fan of the NBA during the 1990’s and not cheered for Michael Jordan. No matter whom your team was, or your affiliation, MJ in some capacity had a place in your heart. Be it, the Slam Dunk contest, the annual All-Star game, his Jordan sneakers, Gatorade, Wheaties, McDonalds’s, Hanes, or Ball Park Franks, he is and was everywhere. As one that craved all that basketball had to offer, it wasn’t long before I learned the name, David Falk. I knew he was Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, and Juwan Howard’s agent, but it wasn’t until many years later that I understood what it meant to represent a professional athlete.

I graduated from Temple University, on May 17, 2001. I’ll never forget that date, because it meant so much to my family and I. Needless to say, the next step after college was the bight lights and big stage of New York City, and the NBA. I secured a job within the Corporate Communications department at the League Office, and working there was my dream of making it to the NBA come true. When I was younger, I thought I would be playing professionally, but I did get there, just in a different light than I had always pictured. My experiences at the League continue to provide me with wisdom and guidance, as I have shifted gears into journalism.

My best friend Damon Jones worked in the Community Relations department, and he tried his hardest to teach me the difference between my internships and the corporate world. I struggled after my first month. I had never experienced anything like that environment. I wasn’t prepared nor was I ready, however Damon showed me the ropes, and assisted me where he could. The biggest thing he taught me was about the business side of pro ball. Through him, I learned about agents and their companies. Prior to that, I didn’t know SFX Sports, from BDA Sports. I know now, which makes my job as a correspondent that much easier. It is just as important for me to build friendships and working relationships with the athletes as it is with their representation. Not in all cases, but in some instances it helps.

This past Tuesday, I covered an event in New York City, and during the brief question and answer session I asserted myself and asked several questions, while making a few statements. A short time later I was approached by a man, as he walked over to me on the blind side, like a defensive end would encounter a quarterback. He spoke first and as I turned, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was David Falk, the BEST sports agent ever, and one of the most if not the most POWERFUL man in the NBA.

He complimented me on my statements, and he also served me with some great business advice. It’s difficult to put into words his importance in the game of basketball. If you are a fan of Jordan sneakers you can thank Falk first and then MJ, if you idolized Air Jordan you can thank MJ and Falk, if you or your children enjoyed Space Jam...you can thank Falk first, as it was his idea to pair Jordan with Bugs Bunny for the film, and then MJ, and if you ever wanted to grow up and be an agent, you can thank Falk.

Jerry McGuire, Arliss Michaels, Ari Gold, that’s child’s play, Falk Associates Management Enterprises...now that’s the real deal.

Watch the video below for more on David Falk: