Double Nickel

Faith

"Allen Iverson...Hakeem Olajuwon...don't even bounce"

Asher Roth - I Love College

When Brandon Jennings was selected by Milwaukee this past summer, no one saw what was coming next...

Self Confidence

The 76ers played the Bucks in their home opener...I was busy covering the World Series...so I didn't attend the game, however my friend and colleague Michael Tillery was there and wrote a great piece for SLAM's website...entitled I Saw A Rookie of the Year Tonight. He texted me at during the 4th quarter telling me how amazing the rookie is, and while I hadn't seen him since the McDonald's game, I was intrigued, because now he's in the League, and apparently getting busier than a worker bee in July.

When Jennings went from high school to play professionally in Italy...I wasn't too sure how well he would do as a point guard. Needless to say its good to see that my opinion doesn't matter, and the work that this man had put into his game, and basketball IQ is now getting the last laugh.

Last night he scored 55 points in a 129-125 win over the visiting Warriors. Interestingly enough he didn't score in the 1st quarter, but he kept his composure en route to breaking Lew Alcindor's 39-year old Bucks rookie record by 4 points.

There is never a dull moment in NBA action...from this, to Dwyane Wade's dunk...things are heating up. This week I'll interview LeBron James, and Rudy Gay, so be sure to stay tuned...as the best is just ahead of us.

Photo: NBAE

Politics as Usual

Pride

Strength

"Down to Maryland...all the way over there at Morgan State..."

RZA - Ain't Nothin' Ta F--- Wit

I love sports, because like our lives...anything can happen without a moment's notice. On Wednesday, January 7th, the Morgan State University Bears, traveled south on the beltway to College Park, MD to play against the University of Maryland. What would eventually happen is something that brings joy, and pain.

unBEARable

During the days of racial tension and Jim Crow laws, black people in this country worked together to provide services, and opportunities for one another. For example, there were black business (hotels, laundry mats, newspapers, restaurants, mom & pop stores, etc.) that thrived in this country because of segregation...as this relates to institutions of higher learning and intercollegiate sports, they also enjoyed the success of high enrollment, and winning programs.

Once the integration doctrine was accepted, things changed within the black communities, as there was no longer a specific need to support one another...because a new integrated world had opened up. Traditionally Historically Black Colleges and Universities had the best of the best athletic programs...with Coach Gaines, and Earl Monroe at Winston-Salem State, Coach John McLendon at North Carolina College for Negroes, Coach Ben Jobe, Avery Johnson, and Bobby Phills at Southern University, and John Chaney at Bethune Cookman University, to name a few. Nowadays playing for an HBCU is second to the likes of the University of Florida, Duke University, and the University of Kentucky...so when the Morgan State Bears "upset" the Maryland Terps 66-65, it became BIG news. 

I was watching ESPN as always on Wednesday night, when I saw the highlights from the game. I didn't know what to think? Should I be happy because the Bears are getting some national recognition, or should I be upset because they don't get enough attention? As of this morning, I still haven't decided, so I wrote this rather spirited piece. Last season MSU, under coach Todd Bozeman, won 22 games, good for 2nd best in the school's history, if you didn't already know that fact. I say that to say...MSU has a good men's basketball program. 

Last but not least, I went to Temple University...passing on Howard University...which makes me stop and think...was I apart of the problem that I'm writing about now...or did I stay home in Philadelphia because it was best for my family? The answer is...I wanted to attend UCLA because of the prominent black athletes that received their education there in the past...from Jackie Robinson, and Arthur Ashe, to Lew Alcindor, Flo Jo, Reggie Miller, and Pooh Richardson, so between that, and I really didn't have a choice other than Temple and Howard.

As the University of Maryland can attest...things don't always go accordingly to plan, and that's why the games are played. 

Congrats to the Morgan State University Bears, all the best this season.

Photo: Carol Smith

Supremacy

Intellect

Determination

Desire

Power

Respect

"Too black, too strong..."

Malcolm X

The Games of the XXIX Olympiad began and ended in an extreme fashion, and with the men's national basketball team vying for gold against Espana at 2:30 this morning, I couldn't ask for more than the familiar tune from Francis Scott Key.

I love sports, as I have figured out a way to make a career from it without playing in the actual games. I do participate, as a working member of the media, however I use my talents on the MacBook, instead of the field, and court...that is of course when I’m not playing basketball.

I’ve enjoyed the holy game since 1988, as it not only provides clarity...it also saved my life numerous times, but before I count the ways, I have to give all the glory, and honor, to the savior Jesus, and my mother, who raised me in faith, and love. I’m a West Philadelphia born, not raised journalist that witnessed enough peril to last a few lifetimes, and the dream of playing professional basketball was enough to keep me from becoming a number within the system or county morgue. It paints a bleak and morbid picture, however I always try to look at the bright side and with true optimism my environment is something that I have endured, as I have learned to navigate through it, instead of abiding along with it.

Jemele Hill wrote earlier this week on ESPN Page 2, how important the gold for the Redeem Team is to the black community. She is correct in her assessment; however I cannot speak for everyone, so this is from me to you. The first sport I ever played was futbol, but once I stepped in between the lines of the basketball court, it was marriage. The game is intoxicating, forever altering my mind, body, and consciousness to the point of dependency. Survival without it is mind boggling.

“Rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6...”

Ice Cube – Steady Mobbin’

The 12-member team representing the United States of America, not only won the gold and title of the Olympic best, but they also gave the world a vision in black. They lived up to their nickname as the Redeem Team, however what they redeemed is more in the lives of black people in America past, present, and future, not necessarily USA Basketball.

The Souls of Black Folk has a new chapter due to the efforts Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince and Michael Redd.

I don’t go out much, as the nightlife doesn’t appeal to me too tough, unless it’s an industry event or party for a relative or close friend. However with the gold medal game beginning at 2:30am EST, I figured I would head out, paint Philadelphia red, drive home, and be wide awake to watch the game I’ve been waiting 8 years for.

My first mistake was leaving my car home, as my homeboy Carlos picked me up in a stark white 2009 Lexus ES 330. I’m not even into cars like that, but the allure of knowing that I was going to drive back as the designated driver was enough to convolute my thinking.

1:37am – I receive an email via my blackberry from my girl Daisha in Japan.
“The GAME is coming on I know your up!”

1:45am – The DJ begins to wind the party down (Its Philly, everything closes early), and I respond to her email: “Yes I’m up. If you can believe it, I’m up in the club at this Temple [University] black alumni event. I will be home in time to see that gold medal that Kobe is going to get.”

1:53am – “how is the event?”

2:08am – “It’s good, you know this is Philly so its over. I’m about to race home to watch the game.”

2:18am – “be careful driving! It didn’t start yet!”

About 2:34am, Carlos, and my alumni friends that I haven’t seen in a while decided to go to the 24-hour Diner on 39th and Walnut. I didn’t drive so I had to follow them to not only miss the game, but to also eat at that hour in the morning.

2:43am – “u home?”

2:48am –“No, my ride...Carlos, wanted to get something to eat. How am I supposed to eat at 3am? I’m not a happy camper. I’m in a diner and I’m missing the game of my sports career. Pray for me mama. There is nothing I can do.”

3:11am – “Japan isn’t showing the game!”

3:13am – “Dag, we’re both missing it.”

3:49am – “91-80 US up with 2 sec in 3rd”

That last email was received as I unlocked the car. From there I knew that I had just enough time to drive home at a decent pace without the state troopers taking a second look. So I could get in front of my television to watch Kobe’s 4-point play, as he silenced the raucous international crowd, en route to a 118-107 gold medal earning win.

“Black is back all in, we’re gonna win...”

Chuck D – Bring the Noise

Watching the team take their place on the podium as the best of the best reminded me that this was for Muhammad Ali in 1960, John Carlos, Tommie Smith, and Lew Alcindor in 1968, and the millions of black people in the Americas...this one was for all the marbles, win, lose, or draw. Nevertheless, this team had a mission and while the mainstream media had their doubts up until the final second, I had all the confidence in the team, which restored order, pride, and hope for today, and tomorrow.