Destiny

"Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past..."

Dave Bickler - Eye of the Tiger

Last year UNC won the national title and all was well and good again in college basketball...tonight their ACC rival captured the crown, and the mood around the nation is bittersweet.

Everybody Hates Duke

I'm not going to write a recap of the NCAA tournament, or the championship game for that matter, however I will say that this has been one of the best March Madness brackets in years...and while the Cinderella Butler University didn't win...it still had a storybook ending.

Two summers ago I ventured to LaSalle University to watch Michael Beasley workout prior to the 2008 NBA Draft. Beasley wasn't there when I arrived, however there were a few familiar faces including Hakim Warrick, Mardy Collins, Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson Jr., Kyle Lowry, and Nolan Smith. Anyone that knows me personally will laugh at what I'm about to tell you...after watching several pickup games and drills I walked over to Smith and introduced myself. He was very down to Earth, and after accepting some friendly advice on how he could improve his game...I kindly asked him why he was wearing Pro Model adidas?

He gave me a puzzled look, as to say what does that have to do with anything...and I informed young Nolan that he attends an Elite Nike Basketball school and that he should wear his Nike tennis shoes with pride.

It was a typical me moment, but what I didn't tell him was that as a child I cheered for his dad when he played for my hometown 76ers. Tonight I thought about Derek Smith, as his son won college basketball's ultimate crown. 30-years ago Derek won it all with Louisville, and enjoyed a solid career in the NBA...in August 1996 he died from a massive heart attack leaving his family and young son with a huge void.

Basketball is an interesting sport that mirrors life...I continue to use it to this day as a catharsis, and if anyone has found solace on the court...it is Nolan Smith.

Everyone loves to hate Duke, however if they understood some of the stories within the bigger picture...I would hope they would be more caring. Butler was the quintessential underdog, however unbeknownst to the rest of the world...Duke was too.

Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Emergency

Distress

"Would you give up...or try again..."

Aaliyah - Try Again

When people have trouble in their lives it usually isn't a big deal unless it hits close to home. However when negative things happen to professional athletes and celebrities, everyone usually pays close attention, and more often than not...they cast some type of judgement.

Walk a mile in his shoes

Michael Beasley checked into a Houston rehab hospital this weekend for unspecified reasons. His twitter page had an ominous post on Friday...but before I try to make sense of this, I'd just like to say that money isn't everything. When I was a kid, I used to day dream about being rich and not having any problems in the world...nowadays I realize that finances are necessary, but they do not make me who I am, nor do they bring happiness.

I think Beasley, as talented as he is, and as financially stable he may be, it's his psyche and overall well being that matters most. When I interviewed him during the season last year, I walked away with a feeling that he may be overwhelmed with the rigors of playing in the NBA.

What have you learned thus far being a rookie in this league?

"The league ain't no joke! I can tell you that...I mean, in high school and college you have your star players, and then you have players that shouldn't necessarily be on the court. Not in the NBA...you have your star players, and players that you think shouldn't be on the court, until you guard them man...and they are just as good as the star player you know? The league ain't no joke, you have to bring it everyday! I'm learning a lot about myself...on the defensive side, on the offensive side, but it's more so off the court."

I want people to understand that athletes are people too, so instead of pointing a finger to Beasley, perhaps we should make sure we have everything in order, and not throw stones from our glass houses.

Master and Commander

adidas Commander for Dwight Howard

adidas Commander for KG

"Make you all jump along to the education...brother's gonna work it out, so stop chasing..."

Chuck D - Brothers Gonna Work It Out

adidas is the official sponsor of the NBA, so it only makes sense that they make shoes for some of the league's marquee players. It's no secret that I write about shoes regularly for various publications, as well as I have worked on a few sneaker commercials...so I've written all that to say, it's fitting for me to take the time to write about footwear here on GAME TIME.

Anything is Possible

adidas has long been a leader within the footwear and apparel industry, and the same has been true in basketball. From Oscar Robertson, Earl Monroe, and Pistol Pete, to Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard, and Kevin Garnett, the tradition has been established and passed down. 

At the beginning of the season the brand with the three stripes released the Team Signature Commander and Creator series with two footwear designs to meet the specific needs of players and their unique roles on the court. 

Starting today adidas continues the evolution of the line with the TS Bounce Commander, which will be worn by Dwight Howard, KG, Tim Duncan, Josh Smith, and Michael Beasley. 

I interviewed Dwight Howard for BET News in June prior to his training for the Olympics, and since then he and I have decided to work on a few things during the second half of the season, so stay tuned...in the meantime you can check out the adidas website to see exclusive videos featuring Howard as well as a few surprises.

Watch the latest videos below:

Homecoming King

Rookie Year

Freshman Year

Strength

Respect

"I got it sewn, I'm so authentic...and you're not official like a ref at a scrimmage..."

Wale - Daytona Squared

Yesterday I drove to DC to cover the Wizards versus Heat game. I picked up my good friend Michael and we were on our way. Once we got on I-95 near the Chester exit, we were greeted with some traffic and a host of snow flurries. It's been really cold lately, just how I like it, nevertheless it would take more than some precipitation to deter me from a trip home.

Freshman 15

My uncle graduated from Temple University about 20-years ago, and upon receiving his degree he moved to the nation's capital, and began working for the government. My family is from West Philadelphia, so when my uncle moved below the Mason-Dixon Line, it provided the rest of us with a new place to visit, and for my brother and I...it gave us somewhere to spend the summer months.

The DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia), is a great place, as it has been a hotbed for politics, sports, and other things both good and bad, however for my intents and purposes, its the athletes and fervor for sports that I love the most about the area...well that and the beautiful women, but that is another story.

I used to coach youth basketball, and one of my BEST players was an 8th-grader at Gwynn Park Middle School, named BreAnna. To make a long story short, Gwynn Park Middle is known for their basketball talent, so when Bre went to high school she went to another powerhouse, Riverdale Baptist. I attended a few practices and one of her games, and it was from those encounters, that I first heard and met a young man named Michael Beasley.

He was a highly touted sophomore at the time, having transfered there from National Christian Academy. I was impressed by his natural ability, and by the fact he was such an agile person for his size. He was simply a shooting guard in a power forward's body, and most importantly, he is left-handed, which is like having a platinum engagement ring verses white gold. Yes being left-handed in basketball has its advantages.

Watching Beasley play with the Miami Heat was surreal. The main reason why, is because it seems like yesterday when he was in high school...but he's in the League now, and he and I had time to catch up after the game.

I interviewed Dwyane Wade first, because I really needed to talk to him for an assignment from HOOP Magazine. When I walked over Flash already had a crowd of reporters around him, so I waited until they dissipated to ask my questions. Before I could say a word, Wade greeted me saying..."what's up A? How are your mother and sister?" To which I replied..."hey Flash, they're good. I just have a few questions...cool?" "Yeah sure man", he answered but I usually see you in Philly, what are you doing down here?"..."Well I had to interview you, so I asked my friend if he wanted a ride...and we got in the Batmobile." I retorted, and he looked at me surprisingly saying..."the Batmobile?"

I'll go more in depth about that in another post, but for now, below is the final score on my conversation with Beasley:

Can you define what it means for you to be a basketball player from DC?

"It's unbelievable...I can name 3-million people that doubted me growing up, talking about I wouldn't be this and I wouldn't be that. So just to be here and be in my hometown now, and know that everybody loves me and supports what I do...it's breath taking."

Now that the NCAA season has started, are you able to follow the college game?

"[Pauses] Not as much as I want to, but I catch a couple of games...my brother [Nolan Smith] plays for Duke, so I caught their last 2 games.

Speaking of Nolan Smith, he is the starting point guard...your thoughts?

"[Smiles] He's doing what he has to do!"

What have you learned thus far being a rookie in this league?

"The league ain't no joke! I can tell you that...I mean, in high school and college you have your star players, and then you have players that shouldn't necessarily be on the court. Not in the NBA...you have your star players, and players that you think shouldn't be on the court, until you guard them man...and they are just as good as the star player you know? The league ain't no joke, you have to bring it everyday! I'm learning a lot about myself...on the defensive side, on the offensive side, but it's more so off the court."

By Any Means Necessary...

RG and AG courtside in Philly

Sports and sports culture are often a metaphor for our daily lives. You win some, you lose some…basketball, as the game pertains to me, and how I view things, are one in the same, as the game has provided joy, pain, wisdom, and life experiences far beyond my childhood dreams.

Along my journey, I have encountered my fair share of ups and downs, making decisions, right and wrong. The saying of, “you live and learn”, rings so true, and with new ventures on the horizon, I know that I have a lot more learning to do. Sometimes you figure things out later than you would like, nevertheless it is better to learn at any moment, than not at all. The point I would like to make revolves around something that is both black and proud.

“I’m dark like the side of the moon you don’t see…” – Mos Def, Astronomy (8th Light)

The Bold and the Beautiful

A few years ago, I received a gift that I didn’t quite comprehend and or appreciate. Right in front of me was something that I needed, and always longed for, however I believe that I didn’t understand what I had because it was given to me, and I didn’t work hard enough for it. Now that I have your attention I’m talking about my first pair of Nike ACG boots. A good friend had sent them in the mail at the beginning of the winter months, and instead of putting them on right out of the box, I waited until I was ready to wear a boot that Nike had made. Having grown up in Philadelphia, a Nike boot was one of the last things I was going to wear, let alone purchase.

One day on my way to work on a snowy, frigid day, I decided to adorn my feet with the boots I had cast aside like Robinson Crusoe. The first thing I noticed was how comfortable they felt, as if I was wearing a product from Nike Basketball. Once I stood up, I immediately noticed that I was taller, from there nothing was ever the same again, as I have met my match.

There is a region on the eastern seaboard, affectionately called the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) by those who live there, and if style and swagger is what you are looking for, then you will not have to go far around these parts, because the DMV is home to everything from GO-GO music (Chuck Brown, UCB, Wale) to some of the best athletes in the world. (Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley, Shawne Merriman)

A few miles north in between this area and my hometown of Philly rests Baltimore, home of Carmelo Anthony, Rudy Gay, and no doubt the Nike ACG Boot. I recently sat down with Rudy one day after a game to catch up on things.
Here is the score on our courtside conversation:

Can you shed some light on the Nike ACG Boots?
“Man I was in middle-school when I had my first pair of Nike boots! I wear them the same as I did then. Nike boots go with anything. I used to wear them to church, you can wear them to the club, wear them to school…and we wore uniforms. Nike boots can go with your uniform! I think that people are just learning about Nike boots outside of Maryland, but we never receive the credit. I remember the first time I wore them in college (UCONN) and everybody was asking me what are they? They look like space boots, and now everyone is trying to get a pair. I had the Goadome, and I just got another pair.”

How did you get into sneakers?
“Well I started late because growing up I always had the hand-me-downs, and stuff like that, and I think that is what gave me a love for sneakers. Growing up I had 2 pair of shoes…I had my play shoes, and my old good shoes. My play shoes were sometimes too small and everything, but that’s how it was. Having grown up that way, I appreciate things much more now.”

What is your favorite sneaker of all-time?
“Favorite shoe of all-time…I would say the Jordan XI, they’re crazy, white/black! Oh and how could I forget about the Nike Foamposite shoe, the Duncan’s, I would say those too.”

Talk about your relationship with Nike?
“My relationship is good. I went to their camp when I was younger. Actually they accepted me…I didn’t expect to be in any camps. I wasn’t on the radar at all. They gave me a chance and I took advantage of it, that’s how I see it. When no other camps were looking at me…I really thought I was going to a JUCO, (Junior College) but Nike gave me a chance and there were a lot of coaches out there watching and I made the best of it!”



I sometimes marvel at how things happen…one minute, I figured boots by Nike were irrelevant and now, they have been a staple in my wardrobe for quite a few years now. They are so good, that I’m crazy without them.

I’m so thankful for second chances…luckily for me, it was a matter of comfort, style, and height…and not anything more serious like lost relationships and love.

Peace.


AG.