Exit Wounds

Future

Hoop Dreams

"And if at first you don't succeed...you can dust it off and try again..."

Aaliyah - Try Again

Last Thursday the 76ers were unable to get a win against the visiting Magic in Game 6 of their first round playoff series...therefore they are home a little early after an interesting season.

Next Year

I attended the exit interviews at the practice facility, and I spoke to several players...however it was the words of team leaders Andre Iguodala, and Elton Brand that I wanted to hear the most. Below are the quotes from each player, as they addressed the media for the last time this season:

Why did the team struggle at the end, is it based on coaching? AI: "I think at times we have mental lapses...that comes from us as well. Myself, being leader of the team...guys have to be ready, especially this time of the season being in the playoffs, you should never have a mental lapse during the playoffs. This is a key moment...you shouldn't be thinking about anything else but the game."

What are the major differences between last year and this year, and what are you going to personally do in the offseason? AI: "Well last year was negotiating and dealing with that, and that clears up a lot of free time...clears up a lot of thinking in your mind, so it's a lot different. My mind is just clear...thinking about ball, and how to become a better player, and how to step it up in order for us to get to the next level."

What do you want to add to your game...anything? AI: "I don't think I've gotten where I want to be with my confidence yet. You know I think with the playoffs...it was getting close to there, but I will continue to shoot the ball, and become a more dominant post player, and just growing as a person and player."

How is your injury coming along? Brand: "The rehab is coming along well...the shoulder is stronger...I've been on the court, and it's much better."

What do you think happened in the last game? Brand: "I was hoping we'd come out with a lot of fire, and energy...and we certainly didn't do that, and we kind of played down without Dwight [Howard], I think we played down to the competition a little bit, but I'm disappointed...and I understand the fans disappointment...the team's disappointment, and I'm disappointed right along with everybody so I'm just going to make myself work a lot harder."

What did you see by sitting out for most of the season? Brand: "Now I really have a great idea of what Andre Iguodala can do...of what Andre Miller can do, what Thaddeus [Young] can do. You know being on the west coast, I haven't seen those guys play that much, but being there every game...I can really see where I can fit in now...definitely, so I learned a lot, but I wish I could have been out there to contribute, but I learned a lot."

Outside of your shoulder injury, what will you do as a veteran player this offseason? Brand: "I just want to talk to the guys and spend time with the guys. You know they kept me in the loop, and they didn't have to, because I remember when I played with Kerry Kittles...he was a vet...and he came to my team with the Clippers, and he was supposed to be the outside shooting threat, and he played 10 games the whole season...and we barely talked to the guy. We were so upset that he got hurt, and we felt like he let us down but now I'm older I understand...injuries do happen and these guys kept me in the loop and kept me on their side."

Photos: Webster Riddick

Reverse the Curse

Love/Hate

“The Blueprint 2 homie, follow the moves…you put on two tube socks you couldn’t walk in my shoes…”

Jay – Z – Diamond Is Forever

William Michael Krzyzewski took over a struggling Duke University Men’s Basketball program 29-years ago, and while he has had the success of 3 National Championships, and 10 Final Fours…there is a stigma that goes along with being a Duke Blue Devil.

True Blue

I’ve always been a fan of basketball, and teams that play the game the “right” way. In my youth I watch John Chaney, and Mark Macon of the Temple Owls play so well that they were ranked number 1 in the nation during the 1987-88 season. The other team that intrigued me was the Bruins of UCLA, as they had the prestige of the NCAA record books, and the allure of Southern California…so in 1992 when Christian Laettner hit the game winning shot off a Grant Hill pass in my hometown Philadelphia, something changed and I became a Duke fan.

There were two problems with my being a Blue Devil fan…first and foremost everyone where I lived was either a UNLV or Michigan supporter, or both…because in my community, it was easier to identify with Larry Johnson, and Chris Webber, than Brian and Grant Hill. The other obstacle is/was that no one from Duke ever did anything worth mentioning in the NBA…and this argument has been carried on in barbershops, on basketball courts, and living rooms across the country.

In my opinion the players from Duke should be discussed in categories, instead of labeling them all as a disappointment. The way I see things, they can be organized as follows: bust (Alaa Abdelnaby, Trajan Langdon, Shelden Williams), all-star (Grant Hill, Elton Brand, Carlos Boozer), solid (Johnny Dawkins, Christian Laettner, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Corey Maggette, JJ Redick, Dahntay Jones, Luol Deng) tragedy (Bobby Hurley, Jay Williams)

I have my stance, but I never played in the ACC, nor did I attend the university on tobacco road, so instead of going any further with my theory…I asked a few former Dukies why their program consists of equal parts hearsay, judgment, love and hate?

Elton Brand
Philadelphia 76ers

Can Duke players make it within the NBA game?
“In college you know we have so much of a team concept, and everything is really about the team. In the NBA its more about individuals…so when we play our defense, that’s team defense, when we play on offense you get an open shot, you set a pick, you’re focused on a team. When you get to the league, it’s more individual…can I iso this guy…and a lot of our players aren’t those players. It’s a system, and also you know besides North Carolina…it’s not a ton of players from Arizona, Kentucky, or from any other premier powerhouse every year that has ten players doing it, you know what I mean? You know with the high school exodus, guys were coming out of high school…so you know North Carolina with MJ, and those guys, Sam Perkins…getting to the championships all those years, other than that…there isn’t too many other powerhouse colligate programs that have ring after ring, and players. In the league it’s not like those players are translating into top-notch pros also. And you know UCONN…they have some players in the league too…”

What do you think about Gerald Henderson Jr.?
“I saw the Georgia Tech game. That was the game he played really well…he had like 25 points. He’s comfortable in the system, you know finding his way, and learning, and growing as a player. I think he’ll do well [in the league] too. You have Dahntay Jones out in Denver…he’s playing well, and I think he’ll be in the same type of mold or better, he has that same athleticism.”

Is it easy to pick on Duke because it’s an elite program?
“Oh yeah! Other schools have some of the same traits, same stories, but it’s easy to pick on Duke. For one a lot of people don’t like Duke, you know what I mean? Our mantra was hated by few, loved by many, but respected by all. That was our manta…let’s go get it! So Coach K will get the best out of his players in a team concept.”

What ever happened to William Avery?
“Was he cold or what? That was my roommate…that was my dog. You’re right…you got another one for your list.”

JJ Redick
Orlando Magic

What do you say to the fact that people believe Duke players never develop as great NBA players?
“I think the average fan doesn’t realize that 80% of the league, it’s all about being in the right situation. I think Elton [Brand] is exactly right…if you made the league then you panned out, you panned out as a basketball player. So the fact that we have whatever…13, 14, guys in the league is a testament not only to the talent level we’ve had, but the development program that Duke has had in place…I mean I don’t buy it. We’ve had too many good players, especially within the last 7 or 8 years, starting with Elton, that have been a major role…have had major roles on great teams…Grant Hill, Elton, Corey Maggette…there’s a long list of guys, and I don’t know what the numbers are, but I know as of last year I think our salaries…we’re all signed for whatever [laughs]…you know Boozer is an All-Star…Olympic guy, we’ve had a lot of guys that have had a lot of success in the league. I think in the 90’s there…unfortunate things happened with Bobby and his accident. You know people pick on Christian [Laettner]; he was so good in college, that unless he was the next Larry Bird…I mean people forget…Christian average double figures many years. He averaged 18 a game his rookie year, he was an All-Star in Atlanta, I mean the guy played for 13 or 14 years, I don’t buy any of that stuff, and I think Elton is right on…when you’ve had success, I don’t want to say people get sick of you, but you become a target of scrutiny, and I think that’s what happened with Duke a little bit.”

How is Coach K?
“I think Coach K gives us a lot of freedom. I know when I was there, I got to do what I wanted on the court in terms of playing offense…taking shots, I think the locker room atmosphere, how people talked to each other is definitely different from the NBA. I think that was probably the biggest adjustment, because…everything…Coach K is so hands on, whether if it’s meeting with a player an hour after practice, or have a 3-hour team meeting, I mean everything is just very detailed…you don’t have the time in the NBA to do that with 82 games, so I don’t think it’s because Duke plays as a team that guys get to the NBA and are like oh my gosh what do I do? It’s just a different system and it takes some adjusting to do.”

Why do you get so much of that Duke hate?
“I think that the only explanation is that I went to Duke. Maybe early on in my career…my freshman and sophomore year I acted like a bit of a jerk on the court…but let’s say I went to Texas or Florida, 2 elite programs, 2 great programs…their programs have had a lot of success within the last 10 years, I don’t think that I would be a name. So I think that it was a gift and curse, because I made a name for myself…I became a household name in college basketball, but also there was a lot of negative attention and scrutiny, so it went both ways.”

Dahntay Jones
Denver Nuggets

What are your thoughts on Duke players in the league?
“The focus is on us because we are so successful. Guys have had different stories, different routes, people have had career ending injuries, and sometimes it’s not the right situation, but we’ve had a lot of guys stick around and play key roles on teams. We have guys that have had success in this league…Elton, Corey Maggette, Mike Dunleavy plays well in Indiana, Christian had a cool career…he didn’t have a stellar career, but few people have a stellar career. Before Grant [Hill] got hurt he was having an awesome career. It’s just the right situation, at the right time.”

Flight School

Determination

AG and AI after practice

"I holla at AI peoples..."

50 Cent - Ski Mask Way

Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers have managed to turn things around...recently winning their last 5 games. Iguodala scored a season-high 29 points yesterday. Over the past 21 games, he is averaging 20.4 points and has scored 20+ points in nine of the past 12 games.

Home Improvement

In the midst of the Philadelphia Eagles playoff success, the team across 11th Street...the Sixers, have been playing well lately in their own right. Maurice Cheeks was fired as head coach, and Elton Brand has been sidelined with a shoulder injury...and while these two instances could derail most teams...it has been a test that the home team could handle, as they have improved their record, to 18-20, after winning on Wednesday night 100-79, over the visiting Trail Blazers.

AI had 14 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the 1st quarter, as the 76ers jumped out to a 31-15 lead, holding Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, and LaMarcus Aldridge to a combined 6 points. 

By the half, AI and company led 55-33, so I steered my focus on my questions for after the game. 

In the end, I attended head coach Tony DiLeo's press conference, and then I proceeded to the locker room to catch up with Iguodala.

Here is the final score on our conversations:

GAME TIME with AG: Coach can you talk about the ball movement...you had three guys with 6 assists...offensively things are looking really good as of late: 

Tony DiLeo: "Yeah the spacing is good...the half court execution looks good...the timing, we've worked on that...it's a credit to this team. They're out there passing the ball, they're looking for other people...very unselfish team."

GAME TIME with AG: Can you talk about Andre Iguodala, and his play tonight?

Tony DiLeo: "You know, I probably don't give Andre enough credit...in these press conferences I like to point out guys...you know sometimes I think we take Andre for granted, but he's been playing at a high, high level. And you know last week, I thought he had a chance for Player of the Week honors, but unfortunately he didn't get it...maybe he'll get it this week?"

GAME TIME with AG: What has been the key to the 5-straight wins?

Andre Iguodala: "Our defense has been a lot better! We've gotten stops when we needed to...getting the rebounds, and getting out on the break, the game's a lot easier when we get stops."

GAME TIME with AG: Coach talked about this team having a green light to shoot offensively...what does that do for your game personally?

Andre Iguodala: "Well it's the confidence factor, where you just feel like you can make any shot, so you know...you shoot it in rhythm, you shoot it with confidence, and more than likely...it's going to go in."

GAME TIME with AG: Coming out of Arizona, your game was steady, with a lot of double-doubles...when you first came into the League the focus was defense, now you've matured in this league, and you can score whenever you want...you're getting back to that college game, is defense still the focus for you?

Andre Iguodala: "Yeah...I think that it has to be...to try to be as a complete player as possible, and I think that's what separates me from other guys. LeBron's doing that now...he's blocking shots...it's like you have to be at a high level at all times to be a complete player, and that's what I'm trying to be. You know you have some guys who are shooters and that's it...if they're not making shots then they're on the bench. So I'm just trying to be a factor in every facet on the floor, and being out there and being effective."

GAME TIME with AG: Talk about playing defense:

Andre Iguodala: "Some nights I might match up with like, a Carmelo [Anthony], but also I have to make those guys work when I'm on the offense end...when they're on defense, you know...just making the game tough on them. It's harder than what people think, you know you have to go out here, and I only had a few points against Charlotte but, I had to guard [Gerald] Wallace, and that's a big match up...and I was able to get him out of the game, and we ended up winning, and people don't see that, but that's just a part of me being a complete player, and understanding doing whatever it takes for us to win."

GAME TIME with AG: Coach talked about you should have gotten NBA Player of the Week honors, do you think about those types of things?

Andre Iguodala: "Yeah...one thing is...if you get wins, you get noticed more, and we always seem to get it going too late, but I think the Player of the Week thing is something that you try to be complete every game, consistently...and that's what I'm trying to do. Just not for the week, but for the month, but more so for myself, and not being noticed, I know I've been playing better as of late, and I just have to keep it going."

GAME TIME with AG: Does this season remind you of last year?

Andre Iguodala: "I think it reminds me a little bit, because of the way we started off a little slow, and then we got it going. But before...last year it took us until after the All-Star break, and I think this year, if we keep playing the way we are, we can get it going earlier, and get a better start. I think now we understand how important our finish is late in the season to get a playoff spot...a good one."

GAME TIME with AG: Does the Eagles success have anything to do with your team, or are you just trying to play your game?

Andre Iguodala: "I think we are just trying to play our game, but I told the guys 3-weeks ago that the Eagles were going to the Super Bowl, and they thought I was crazy. I said if they beat the Cowboys...then they're going to the Super Bowl. I'm not an Eagles fan, but I said they was going to go...I said that on our west coast trip and they thought I was crazy! I said if the Raiders win, and the Bears lose...I said something has to be going on, and if they get the win against the Cowboys...then they gotta go, it's too crazy...that was crazy, and now they're on their way!

GAME TIME with AG: Talk about Donovan McNabb:

Andre Iguodala: "McNabb, that's my dude, so I'm hoping he gets one [ring]...the media needs to get off his back!"

The hard work and determination is paying off for the Philadelphia 76ers, and while Iguodala is a San Francisco 49ers fan, he at least can tell a winner when he sees one, as I look forward to continuing this conversation later at practice.

Brand Recognition

Cameron Crazies
Defense first

"You wanna dance? We got what you want...Jazzy Jeff, and Fresh Prince busing out with the brand new funk..."

Fresh Prince - Brand New Funk

I was formally introduced to Elton Brand this past summer...about an hour before I was to interview him for BET News. One of my best friends and fraternity brothers Stanley went to high school with Brand's wife...Stan also works as an ad executive for Converse. It's interesting how people and things from my past help me so much as I navigate through my immediate future.

Star Power

Now that the NBA season has begun I'm a lot busier than normal and because of that fact, I couldn't be happier. I love my job, as everyday presents something new. From the games and match-ups to the coaches, players, and owners. When I graduated from college I went to work for the NBA league office, in NYC...I quickly learned that the game I love is a business, nevertheless, over the years I've adapted to that and now I'm doing more in pro basketball, than I've ever dreamed.

Now that Brand is in Philadelphia, I interview him often, before and after games, at practice, and sometimes I call or text just to see how things are going for him and his family in this crazy city. For me, I don't write stories, I build friendships and relationships. It makes my life and job that much easier. In fact the first time I met him, he already knew who I was saying, "Hey Ant what's up, I've heard that you are the man to know in Philly...make sure you get my information before we leave." Upon hearing that I was both honored, and puzzled at how far I've been blessed to travel. He also said I can call him "Elt", to which I do from time to time. For the most part, it's funny because I hardly use anyone's name, unless it's to headline an email or text.

On Tuesday night I walked with Elt after the game to the family room...after the 76ers loss to the Utah Jazz. Below are his thoughts from the early moments of the season to his Converse signature sneakers:

Talk about leadership, and how you have defined your role as a veteran newcomer:

"I have no ego, it's all about team. There are some tough teams in the east, but I know we can play with all of them."

You played with Andre Miller before, what was that like?

"I played with Andre [Miller] when I played in my first NBA All-Star game. He was the one getting me all those easy shots, and playing with him now...it's more of the same."

You hosted the Converse Philly Open run last Saturday, what are your thoughts on the event?

"Well, where else can the kids come out, play basketball, get free sneakers, and a free lunch? I thought it was a huge success, as I'm all about helping others, and if I can do it through Converse, then it's good for everyone."

The team has struggled a little out of the box, is there any pressure on you?

"It's pressure, but it's fun, and it's exciting. I haven't had that type of feeling since my playoff run with the [Los Angeles] Clippers, and I'm looking forward to playing and getting back to the playoffs."

For more on Elton Brand watch the video below:

Photos: Manny Millan - Sports Illustrated

Getty Images