Ring King

"Ain't that like LeBron James..."


Kanye West - Gotta Have It






Words: @axgilbert


Photo: Associated Press

Life after Death

"There's far too many of you dying..."

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

45 years ago today, Malcolm X died, and while I would arrive many years later, I learned from his example.

Respect

Malcolm is often identified with hate, and for being a radical, however I believe that he was the opposite of those labels, as his fight was for the human rights of his people in the United States. I was very interested in his life at a young age, because every February I would always learn about the same people, places, and things for Black History Month. I could never understand why Malcolm X was never taught or mentioned, so I did my own research in the same school where his legacy was never explained.

Not only did he help to instill a sense of self pride, he also sparked an interest in Muhammad Ali. Prior to my reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X, I didn't realize that they were best friends, and Malcolm was the quiet leader in the then Cassius Clay's corner.

In my youth, these stories helped me understand that my heritage and history is very diverse...and the slave trade is only part of a bigger story.

Numero Uno

"I believe America's at stake..."

Marvin Gaye - You're The Man

Earlier today the Lakers visited the White House and President Obama.

Tradition

When a team wins the Super Bowl...the first place they visit after the dust settles is Disneyland, and while I'm sure a trip to see the world's most famous mouse is appealing...a moment in history has to be twice as nice, if not better.

The way I see it winning the NBA title is one thing, however to be applauded by the nation's first black President, with your family in attendance is another. It became a moment that everyone will share for the rest of their lives.

First place is reserved for an elite group, and membership has its privileges.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Back to the Future

Proven

"I come up hard babe, but that's okay...trouble man, don't get in my way..."

Marvin Gaye - Trouble Man

After serving a 23-month debt to society, Michael Vick is now a free man.

Pursuit of Happiness

Here at GAME TIME, I do my best to convey thoughts without being too opinionated, or shall I say more than I usually am...so when the topic of Mike Vick is hot like an ember in the national news...I walk to the fork in the road and go straight.

As a writer, the last thing I want to do is judge an athlete or anyone else for that matter, so the moral of this short story is that life is what you make it, so a once prominent quarterback was arrested and charged for his actions, and now he has emerged from his sentence to pick up the pieces of a time not too long ago.

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." - John 8:7

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Timeless

Love

Versus

"I perform like Mike...anyone, Tyson, Jordan, Jackson..."

Notorious B.I.G. - Victory

I was driving on the beltway in Montgomery County, Maryland, listening to WKYS FM...when my fellow Temple alum, Deja Perez announced that Michael Jackson had been rushed to the hospital due to cardiac arrest.

Human Nature

So here I am in the bat mobile...Madeleine is riding shotgun, and the news that Michael Jackson passed enters our air space. I'm not concentrating on it because my main objective is safety, but I begin to reflect to my childhood as the familiar tunes of his iconic music begin to soothe our shock.

Jackson was the most recognized man on planet Earth...everything he has done in the last 40 or so years has been on the world's stage. Success is tricky...in fact it's more like a double edge sword. That in my mind explains both his genius and erratic behavior...however I will judge no one...it's his legacy of music and dance that I appreciate. I don't have any children, but one day I will be sure to share the music of the Four Tops, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, the Jackson 5, and Michael Jackson with them.

My favorite song is Billie Jean...its the bass line in the beginning that makes me stop, look, and listen. On that favorite song list would also include Rock With You, Workin' Day And Night, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin, Beat It, Thriller, Human Nature, P.Y.T., Dirty Diana, and Remember the Time.

If I had to pick an all-time video it would be Thriller of course, and then Beat It. I really LOVE the Beat It video and I can do all the moves...been doing them for years, and yes...I just have to pay tribute to it one day at my wedding.

I also love to moonwalk...I find myself doing it for no reason sometimes. There are two moments that I will never forget...the first is when he did the moonwalk for the very first time...that will forever be timeless...the genesis of that move is so fascinating. The other thing that really helped me understand how important Jackson is, was when he teamed up with Michael Jordan for the video Jam. Jordan actually took time away from the 1992 NBA Playoffs to work with Jackson and shoot the video.

He is gone but not forgotten...his music will live forever.

Anger

"Rage...there's no room for rage in here...its a place to go to be mad..."

Marvin Gaye - Anger

I've been bothered by a few things lately, and the video above best described how I felt. It's been a long weekend, and I'm better now. At the end of the day, I choose to be upset, and now I'm making an effort to understand that the things I cannot control are simply out of my hands. It is what it is...

Rewind

NL Champions

Youth

Ambition

"Are they still getting down where we used to go and dance? Will our ball club win the pennant...do you think they have a chance..."

Marvin Gaye - What's Happening Brother

15 years ago, I was but a young teen just learning my way, as I often adhered to my parent's teachings, and the life lessons taught to me via the outside world. Last night the Philadelphia Phillies chased away doubt, and provided the championship starved City of Brotherly Love with a glimmer of hope that hasn't been seen since 1993.

'93 til Infinity

My first professional sports memory would be of my father taking my brother and I to Veterans Stadium to see the Phillies. It seemed like a lifetime ago, as I didn't understand baseball or sports for that matter back then. It's interesting how things twist and turn in our lifetime, as I went from being ignorant and apathetic about sports, to making a career being as knowledgeable about it as possible...writing about everyone from Tiger Woods, to Kobe Bryant. 

Last night in the crisp southern California night, the Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers to capture the 2008 National League Pennant, earning a trip to the World Series for the first time since I used school tokens, and carried a bag lunch. During those years, I wanted to be on television, covering the NBA. The fact that my home team was playing for the championship didn't mean much to me, as basketball was the only thing on my mind...well that, and a few girls. At that time it was Raquel Hernandez, Mimi Crespo, Selene Mendez, and several others, but when I say my mom had very strict rules, I'm not exaggerating. Rule number 1: NO GIRLS, so I focused on my dream of playing and one day working in sports. 

Fast forward to the present day, and I don't have to worry about my mother's rules anymore, however its funny how I can still hear her voice as I navigate through my adult life. Nevertheless, the Phillies are vying for supremacy of Major League Baseball and I'm now living my dream covering sports. One goal is fulfilled, and others remain a work in progress. 

Do I have a girlfriend...technically no...I also don't have my own half-hour sports show either.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. 

Go Phillies!

Photo credits: Gilbert family, www.nicekicks.com