Magical

"I'mma need a day off, I think I'll call Ferris up..."


Kanye West - Gotta Have It

Things have been very interesting around the NBA the past 2-weeks, as the Heat, and Thunder continue to win...while Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin is getting on the job training.


Consistency


It's the All-Star break and while 90-percent of the league is enjoying the much needed time off...the other 10-percent have arrived in Orlando ready for the 61st midseason classic. I am currently watching the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge high above the court in section 202 of the Amway Center...however what's more important is what will happen from the moment this weekend ends, and the second half of the season begins?


Will the Lakers make a trade, where will Dwight Howard go, are the Clippers for real, and can the 76ers get their groove back?


The month of March is around the corner and the answers to these questions and many others will soon be revealed.


Words: @axgilbert


Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Next Movement

"We hit 'em like the EL at 60th and Market..."

Black Thought - Adrenaline

The Philadelphia 76ers have been playing well all season. In fact they are leading the Atlantic Division with a 18-8 record, however when it comes to national recognition, things seems to fall apart.

The Return

On Thursday night the NBA announced the All-Star reserve rosters for the east and western conference teams. February 9, 2012 is a date that should remain as a point of reference in the minds of the Sixers faithful...as Andre Iguodala was named to his first All-Star team, which will be played later this month in Orlando. 

I wanted to get his take on making the mid-season classic, so I sent out 2-text messages and a tweet to congratulate him on his recent accomplishment. He replied via text saying, "It hasn't even hit me yet..I'm thinking about the Clippers tomorrow!"

His response is a microcosm of what the Sixers are all about, with their all business, team first approach to every practice and game...and that's the difference between them and a lot of other teams around the league.

Things are changing for the better, as the 76ers continue to make believers out of people.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Michael Perez/Associated Press

Net Worth

"I keep that nine on me, ala Iguodala..."

Fabolous - The Way (Intro)

Tonight the Philadelphia 76ers enter their 21st game of the year as they host the Orlando Magic, and while that may not sound overly exciting, it's games like this that can make or break a season.

The test

If the NBA were a college or university, then this week could easily be the Sixers mid-term exams. They will play the likes of the Magic, Bulls, Heat, in Philadelphia...travel to Atlanta to face off against the Hawks, and then they will once again defend home court against the Lakers next Monday, San Antonio next Wednesday, and the Clippers to round out that week on Friday.

Philadelphia is a good team, however the knock on the young squad is that they have beaten the best of the worst from around the league, including the Washington Wizards twice by large margins. Okay so the schedule has been fairly kind, but if the 76ers are going to advance further than the first round of the playoffs, then this upcoming stretch will provide a glimpse of their future possibilities.

They play a fast-paced run and gun style with a decent half-court pressing defense. Things have continued to change for the better under the direction of Doug Collins, and while most teams have at least one All-Star, the 76ers have established a good team first philosophy with some emerging names and tough role players. Time will tell if this is a recipe for success in South Philly, but with a 14-6 record at the time of my writing this piece...that's not such a bad start.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Alchemist

"Taking out this time, to give you a piece of my mind..."

Mary J. Blige - Can't Knock the Hustle

There is nothing new under the sun...so when the hysteria of the NBA's free agency period reached a boiling point last Thursday, I didn't speculate on what would happen.

Internationally Known

For every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction, according to Sir Isaac Newton and his laws of motion...this being the case, the announcement or shall I say the decision tomorrow evening from Lebron James will not only get a worldwide reaction...it will undoubtedly change the state of professional basketball.

33-years ago Dr. J made the switch from the ABA to the NBA, earlier this decade MJ donned a Wizards uniform, and more recently Kobe flirted with the possibility of playing for the Clippers, and Bulls. In each scenario the Earth continued to turn...as it will most certainly be business as usual tomorrow...yet in still with each high profile case, it becomes big news throughout the industry and pop culture.

The question is will LBJ leave or will he seek greener pastures in another city? Personally I would love for him to finish his career in Cleveland, however James must do what's best for his family and career. As a sports fan, there is a lot to be said about a person that plays their entire career with one team (Derek Jeter)...yet in still this is life and as much as we try to control it...opportunities arise, and things change like the seasons.

LeBron James will play well in any uniform...the bottom line revolves around championships, and money. What I find most intriguing about this, is the fact that the press conference is being held in Connecticut, and James has been tweeting today with random facts...I don't get it, however by this time tomorrow, it should all make sense.

Photo: Webster Riddick

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

Top Shottas

3rd times a charm

H20

"You want all my love, and devotion..."

Beyonce - One Night Only

The 2009 NBA Draft Lottery was held tonight in Seacaucus, NJ...determining where Blake Griffin will play for the next 4-years.

Sweepstakes

It was really good to see Allan Houston representing the New York Knicks organization during the lottery selection, however he was unable to land his team the number one pick. Andy Roeser, President of the Los Angeles Clippers walked away with the win, and hopefully a corner stone that will restore their franchise to the recent success they had a few years ago. The Clippers have now won the top spot 3 times...the other 2 in '88 with Danny Manning, and again in '98 with Michael Olowokandi.

The 2009 Lottery will go in the following order:

1.  Los Angeles Clippers

2.  Memphis Grizzlies

3.  Oklahoma City Thunder

4.  Sacramento Kings

5.  Washington Wizards

6.  Minnesota Timberwolves

7.  Golden State Warriors

8.  New York Knicks

9.  Toronto Raptors

10.  Milwaukee Bucks

11.  New Jersey Nets

12.  Charlotte Bobcats

13. Indiana Pacers

14.  Phoenix Suns

The 2009 NBA Draft is June 25.

Photos: Jennifer Pottheiser/Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

New York State of Mind

Anomaly

Defense first

"Young, early 80's throwing rocks at the crazy lady..."

Nas - Street Dreams

When I first heard of Lamar Odom, I was very impressed at what I had read. So when I saw the left handed, 6'10" point guard, from South Side Jamaica, Queens...my greatest fear had come to fruition. The stage was set, as my Temple University Owls played against the Rams of Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 Championship game. Much to Coach Chaney's dismay the game's balance was the hands of Odom with a few seconds left on the game clock. To make my story of agony brief, he put up a shot from the arc that not only ended Temple's championship run...it also beat the buzzer, and the rest is history. 

When it was a game

The aftermath of that 3-point shot, resulted in Lamar entering the NBA draft that summer, and becoming the 4th overall pick for the Los Angeles Clippers. It no secret that as a native of Philadelphia I was raised a fan of the 76ers. However, because of where I grew up, I met Sharia Bryant older sister of Kobe, and because of that fact, I cheer for the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Having explained that...as a journalist, I attend as many Laker games as I can when they travel east. Last Wednesday, they were in Philly, and I spoke with Odom, and Stephen A. Smith about New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress. After our conversation, I decided that I would interview Lamar before the next game against the Washington Wizards.

I drove to DC with my fellow writers Jeff Young, and Michael Tillery. Jeff and I, after walking over to the visitor's locker room, spoke with Derek Fisher first, and then Lamar Odom.

Here is the score on my chat with the man they call LO:

Talk to me about your role on this team:

"I just bring my energy off the bench. My role is to fill any position that we need...ball handling, rebounding, I come off the bench...score a couple of buckets, and try to get people involved. Basically it's my job to play basketball the right way every night."

On the possibility of a starting role:

"That's not really my focus. My focus is to...my job is to basically do what I'm asked, you know what I'm saying...and I just leave it at that, and put my head in the right place mentally, so whatever they ask of me, I can fulfill that. Whether it's coming off the bench or starting...at the end of the day it's basketball. You know what I'm saying, when you come off the bench of course you don't get to play as much, but you never know. Injuries, streaks...as far as people playing good or bad, you know it's a long season...minutes, whatever may be, I just try to stay prepared. You know keep my mind, and my body prepared so when the time does come, I can play my role, do what I do."

Talk about the college game when you were in school and what it is now:

"There was a transition in the college game in the early 90's until now. The transition was that guys started to leave a lot earlier. You know when I was coming up, watching the [NBA] draft... '92 draft, '93...even the guys like Big Dog, Grant Hill, stayed like 3-years. Now guys...the guys that are really good, are going like basically 1 [year] and done. So you see a lot of teams dominating, like all the way through the season, like you can pick who is going to be in the Final Four, and Sweet 16 a lot easier, because the teams that are able to keep players there, and keep really good players there of course, are going to be good. When I say keep them there I just mean, you're a veteran right now if you're a junior in college. I think when [Kevin] Garnett went to the league, and the whole AAU situation, and the high school age limit, all that kind of changed college in general. But I think the college game is a necessity for a lot of the kids to come to the NBA, not for basketball, but for the off the court prep that it gives you. I spent two years in college, and played 1, and I miss it to this day. It's nothing like it...there are people that I know...I bump into journalist, to lawyers...it was probably the most incredible time I've had in my life. You got to do what you love on a national stage, but yet the off court scene still had an innocence to it. This is business, you know what I'm saying...even though we love to do it, but a lot of what we do is based upon economics and politics...like any other job."

You were highly touted as a high school student, what are your thoughts in looking back?

"I've been playing basketball against Ron Artest...I'm only 28, 29-years old...I've been playing basketball against Ron Artest and Elton Brand for like 15-years. You know what I'm saying...more than that really, since like 12, or 13-years old. So to grow up with dudes like that and to get to this level and still play against them...and still be with them...for the whole borough of Queens that's special. I went to Christ the King with Chamique [Holdsclaw] and Sue Bird, and that New York City basketball tradition...I'm trying to hold it down."

Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images - NBA

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