Style

"I'm out here ballin', I know y'all hear my sneaks..."

Jay-Z - No Church in the Wild

Paul George is an up and coming NBA player from southern California. He has been getting a lot of attention and recognition not only for his game, but also for his penchant for wearing exclusive sneakers.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: AXG

Memories

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

Kanye West - Gotta Have It

The NBA in my opinion has the best all-star game out of all the major sports...as much as I love baseball, the MLB is close second when it comes to overall presentation.

Nostalgia

As a child I can recall watching the all-star game for two very specific reasons: the first was because I was such a fan of the professional game, and I wanted nothing more than to cheer for the likes of Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, and Reggie Miller. The other point about the game was that Jordan would always wear his new sneakers, so I kept a keen watch on what he was wearing.

Every February Nike would release the new Jordan sneaker. Everyone around the globe anticipated what the new shoe would look like. Once the shoe made it's debut, you would wait an entire calendar year for the next one. Between the man who wore them, and the exclusivity of the footwear...the Jordan sneakers took on a life of their own. 

Fast forward to the present day, and it's safe to say that one man, and one shoe changed the industry, and sports culture forever.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: AXG

Déjà vu

"I had to perilously face the danger..."

Lauryn Hill - Lose Myself

Watching Game 4 on Tuesday night left me with a familiar feeling...it was as if I've seen pieces of this contest before.

Redemption

Dirk Nowitziki once again carried his team to victory, as the Mavericks edged Miami 86-83 to tie the series at 2-2. Nowitziki scored, rebounded, and defended in the 4th quarter, pouring 10 of his 21-points, which included a driving lay-up with seconds left in the period. 

In Game 2, he was able to turn it on, as well as score a high percentage shot with a few ticks to go on the clock that lead to a Dallas win. Throughout the playoffs, the Mavs have made a habit of mounting great comebacks in a stunning fashion. 

What stood out more in my mind, was the duress that Dirk Nowitziki was able to play under. Flashback to June 11, 1997...as Michael Jordan was ravaged by the flu, however he was able to score 38-points (15 in the last quarter) , and grab 7-rebounds, while leading the Bulls to a Game 5 NBA Finals win over the Jazz.

I not making a comparison...I was just reminded of MJ, watching Nowitizki play through a sinus infection, amongst numerous other ailments.

The history books will be rewritten by the time this matchup is said and done. Miami didn't have much of an identity late in the game, and Dallas was able to capitalize on that.

It's now a best of 3 scenario...so instead of making a prediction, I'm just going to sit back, and enjoy the next game, which I'm sure will prove to be on par with the other four.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Mike Ehrmann

The Sixth Sense

"Well should I get the new J's or the Kobe's..."

Andre 3000 - 30 Something

It's the playoffs and the rule of thumb is to win, or simply go home. I understand that it's been roughly 4-months since I've written anything for this blog...which is a sign of the times. First things first, I've been super busy, and now I have a tumblr account.

Nevertheless while a few things have changed...it's good to see that a lot of teams in the NBA have a familiar look and feel.

Pursuance

Last week I was in Boston, and upon my return home, I had to decide on either taking a cab or the train from the airport...I decided on the latter and within a few minutes of taking a seat, I was in earshot of a conversation about the Lakers.

In the ensuing minutes between stops...a woman says, "Did you see Kobe crying like a little girl last night?" 

I turned to her direction with a Magic Johnson like smile, and then proceeded to look through my phone, and read via twitter.

I don't understand the animosity that people have for the Lakers guard...however I do appreciate the love and fervor that fans have for their teams.

I grew up a 76ers fan, and once Charles Barkley packed his bags for Phoenix, I pledged my allegiance to the New York Knicks. The interesting thing both these teams had in common was Michael Jordan.

Jordan is one of the greatest players in the modern era, and while I loved his sneakers, and watching him fly...he ruined any chance of a championship. I couldn't fully cheer for him, however I did respect his game, and whenever I could...I would do my best to emulate his moves.

The point I'd like to make is simple...I'm not asking anyone to root for Kobe Bryant, or the Lake Show for that matter...I just think it would be a good idea to pay attention to what he is doing now, because basketball players like him are one in a million.

Carpe Diem.

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Checkmate

"Jay's favorite line...dog in due time..."

Kanye West - Touch the Sky

LeBron James shook up the sports world last week when he announced that he was taking his talents to South Beach. Since then the media and and general public have been giving him the Kobe treatment.

Control

Heavy is the head that wears the crown...

-William Shakespeare

LeBron James is a professional athlete and he has done what was best for him and his family. My first job upon my graduation from Temple University was with the National Basketball Association...when I was laid off due to an economic downturn...my heart was in pain, and I felt betrayed, however at the end of the day it was a business move.

When I look at the circumstances of James' decision...the similarities are familiar. I can understand the way people felt when he choose not to return to Cleveland, because whenever emotions are involved...the vision can become cloudy...yet this wasn't about the fans, or loyalty to his adopted home, it was strictly business. If the Cavs would have traded him to another team last February, it would have been merely the way things are done in professional sports. So there shouldn't be any hoopla when the athlete takes the reigns for once.

The NBA rookies of 2003 are as heralded as the '84, and '96 classes, so with James, Wade, and Bosh on the same squad...it's Xbox come true. Imagine Bryant, Nash, and Ray Allen, or Jordan, Barkley, and Olajuwon together against the league...the possibilities would be endless.

I see nothing wrong with this move to Florida. When A-Rod won the AL MVP award with the Rangers...he was a great player with tons of individual awards, but what truly burned his competitive fire was the quest for a World Series ring, which he captured last October. He is currently about to reach the 600 home run milestone, and now as a champion he can revel in the accolades. It has nothing to do with the Yankees being Derek Jeter's team...it has everything to do with the reason why all athletes play.

Only time will tell if this new star alignment will earn multiple championships...right now as things are, the Celtics, Magic, Thunder, and Lakers can prove to be a thorn in Miami's side, but until next June arrives, we'll all just have to watch and wait.

Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Roots

"On fifty-deuce while I walk in the rain..."

Black Thought - Silent Treatment

The Lakers are in the midst of an 8-game road trip, which can only mean one thing...I'm going along for the ride.

Confidence

Friday night I found myself back in the familiar confines of Madison Square Garden...covering the Knicks/Lakers. Yesterday I was in Philadelphia to attend the Kobe Bryant Classic, high school tournament. I arrived fashionably late only to find Imhotep Charter down by a good margin against ANC, which boasts 6'9" Rakeem Christmas, 6'5" Savon Goodman, 6'11" Malcolm Gilbert, and number 24...point guard Jonathan Riles.

I decided to find a seat at halftime, and as the clock dwindled to zero, I walked across the court and found an empty spot next to Donald Hunt, of the Philadelphia Tribune. A mere minute and a few seconds elapsed before we began trading interesting facts about the legend that has become Kobe Bryant.

As a child I had aspirations to be on TV. I'm not sure I knew exactly what I wanted to do then, but as I got older it became evident that I desired to cover sports like Ahmad Rashad. I didn't seek fame...I just had a love for the game of basketball, and I knew that if I didn't make it to the NBA as a guard, then I needed to do something that would get me there in another capacity.

Throughout my childhood...while growing up on the basketball courts and barber shop...people would always talk about West Philly and how people like Wilt Chamberlain, Patti LaBelle, and the Fresh Prince had become successful. I figured since I was from the same part of town, I had a good chance to make a name for myself one day.

Kobe arrived at Lankenau Hospital in 1978...and while I didn't meet him until years later...it is the bond of Philadelphia that enables our friendship outside of athlete and scribe.

I couldn't imagine being Kobe, because I've never had an ounce of what he can do with a basketball, however what I admire more than anything else is his drive and will to win in all that he does. The first time I met him, he was a challenging me on the basketball court...now my biggest hurdle is figuring out what I'm going to get autographed for the office.

When Wilt, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Dr. J, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Zeke, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan were playing...I either wasn't born, or too young to have been a member of the media. The point I want to make is that Kobe is an extension of the great players of the past, namely his father...and instead of watching from a distance...I make an effort to cover his games and interview him the best way I know how.

Tonight the Lakers lost by 1 in Toronto...their next stop is the White House as guests of President Obama.

Photo: Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Bridging the Gap

Pinnacle

Business

"And with the 3rd pick, I made the Earth sick...MJ...him J, fade-away perfect..."

Jay-Z - Hola' Hovito

Last night Dwyane Wade made a mysterious post on his twitter page...something about a big announcement that was forth coming.

Standing in the Shadows of Love

In my youth there were several things that mattered outside of my family...basketball, soccer, good grades, Sega Genesis, and an occasional trip to McDonald's. There was another thing that I absolutely thought about day and night...and it was none other than owning a pair of Michael Jordan sneakers, so I could play basketball in them, as well as look REALLY good while I was wearing them.

In looking at my list above, I am 100% sure that people all across the board can relate in someway if not agree with me wholeheartedly. Well like Michael Jackson once sang, "You are not alone..." because Dwyane Wade, like a lot of other children played basketball, and wanted nothing more than to wear the Jordan shoe...it also helps that he is a Chicago native and grew up a Bulls fan.

When Wade, or Flash as I like to call him was drafted he signed with Converse because he wanted to take the road less traveled, and make a name for himself off his own merits. Fast forward to the present day, and he has accomplished that and more having won a championship in '06, and an Olympic gold in '08. He has made some serious strides since his rookie year and it was that line of thinking that pushed him to sign with the Jordan Brand, leaving his deal with Converse behind.

I don't want to speculate, but when an opportunity like this knocks, you not only have to answer it...you have to accept the responsibility with an open heart and mind.

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.

KING

Family

2003 to infinity

Nike MVP VI

"KG of the game, LeBron James...you boys must don't know my name..."

Slim Thug - I Ain't Heard of That

Tonight LeBron R. James was awarded the league MVP, affectionately known as the Maurice Podoloff trophy...in front of his family, friends, and a capacity Cleveland crowd.

By Any Means Necessary

I first met the boy who would be King in December of 2002, and within that timeframe he has grown both on and off the court. What amazes me most is his persona, life away from basketball, and business acumen. LeBron is very intelligent in who he is, and what his brand means, so he is very calculated in what he does and says...like Kobe, and Jordan before him...he is ready to lead the association into the next decade of basketball greatness.

I interviewed him several times this season, and all I can say is that it has been a nice trip...from the infamous "crab dribble" game in DC, to the near triple-double in Madison Square Garden...James never ceases to entertain.

Below is the score on a conversation we held recently, which will give you a glimpse into how the MVP thinks:

Talk about the ’03 Draft Class: “Oh we’re known. That’s something that we talk about all the time. That’s something me, D Wade, Melo, Chris Bosh, I mean all of us, Kirk Hinrich, the list goes on…Mo Williams, Sasha [Pavlovic], the class of ’03 is really big in this league, and still getting better. It’s something that we really take pride in, having our draft class…we try to hold ourselves up to the draft class that Z [Ilgauskas] was in with AI, and Ray [Allen] and all those guys, you know Steph [Marbury], and all those guys which was arguably one of the best drafts too, so we try to hold our standards to those guys.”

What has this season been like, as a team? “I know our potential…I can see our potential getting better everyday…things we do on and off the court, it reminds me of the days when I was back in high school. Every time we went out on the court…we knew we were going to win. It was never a doubt. We’ve had guys nicked up, and out for long periods of time, I’m not talking about 1-week or 2-games…we’ve had key guys that have been out 4-6 weeks, you know 2-3 months and guys have been able to step in, and still have been able to hold serve, so this could probably be the hungriest I’ve been because I can see the potential of our team.”

What drives you? “I think what drives me is wanting to be the best player every night I go on the basketball court, and for me to continue to get better as an individual. I think I have a long way…of course I haven’t hit the peak of my career yet but every night I go out I want to be the best player on the court, so that’s the kind of drive.”

Talk about your friendship with Kobe and Dwyane Wade: “I think it’s great, I think it’s great…I think it’s great for the league that arguably the three best players in the league, are in an MVP race, and it hasn’t been like this in a long time. I mean, take nothing away from Steve Nash…great player, but when he was winning, Kobe, and myself, and D Wade were still the best players in the league, you know so…you have three guys that everyone says are the best players in the league…are in the MVP race…I think it’s great man. It’s tribute to the summer that we had…we all made each other work hard everyday. The games came easy to us but the things that we’ve been able to do with our teams are great, we love it, we take the challenge every night.”

Photos: Associated Press and Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Legacy

Past, Present, and the Future

"Destiny lays in my hands..."

Notorious B.I.G. - Victory

In the picture above you can see me whispering something to Kobe as he was preparing to leave, after an appearance at a Nike event in lower Manhattan. Two weeks prior to that encounter...Bryant had scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, making him second only to Wilt Chamberlain for most points scored in an NBA game. 

Candid Camera

I had something to tell KB24, and my friend and fraternity brother Stanley Lumax took a picture. I wanted to connect the Philadelphia dots with Kobe on his historic feat...as history repeated itself on February 2, 2009. 

I was in New York City to cover the Knicks vs. Lakers game, and Stanley was going to attend and take pictures, but at the last minute I couldn't get him a photo credential, so I was flying solo as usual. Bryant scored 61 points...good enough for the top spot in Madison Square Garden, surpassing both Michael Jordan and Bernard King...this time however instead of having a photo to remember the magic moment, I found a video on YouTube that summed it up a little better.

Last week in searching for footage of Spike Lee's upcoming documentary Kobe Doin' Work, I found the clip above that shows in its entirety, the press conference after the 61 point performance...and while I don't boast...I was happy to see and hear myself...as I understand that it's not only the athletes that have a legacy in their respective sports. As a journalist, I too will have something that speaks for me upon my retirement.

Twenty-10

Sky high

"I'll throw it down your throat like Barkley..."

Chuck-D - Rebel Without a Pause

The NBA Sprite Rising Stars Dunk Contest hasn't been the same since the best of the best dunkers, don't participate anymore...and while Dwight Howard is very deserving to vie for the trophy, things would be a lot more interesting if Vince Carter came out of retirement to challenge him.

Change

I always believe in the adage that the more things change the more they stay the same. First things first, Allen Iverson finally cut his braids off, and he now has a regular low-styled haircut like the rest of us over 25 crowd.

In other news out of Phoenix, last night during All-Star Saturday night TNT analyst Kenny "The Jet" Smith reported that LeBron James would enter the dunk contest next year, and if that wasn't good enough, fellow analyst Reggie Miller just about begged for Andre Iguodala to join him in what would be an epic battle of great high flyers.

Smith and Miller mentioned how the NBA greats have not only played a part in the dunk contest, but they have also won, so for King James to preliminarily put his name into the ring, he could very well walk the path that Dr. J, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant have done before him.

2010, is going to be one of the most watched and interesting NBA seasons since MJ retired.

Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

evolution

Poise

Maturity

“Caught a glimpse of myself in the Barney’s shop window…kinda see my father’s features creepin’ in a little…”

Nas – War

There is a debate within the NBA and various media outlets that asks the question of who is the better, or best NBA player, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James. Most recently with Bryant netting 61 points, and 3 assists last Monday in Madison Square Garden, and James following that up with 52 points, and a near triple-double in the same building…the discussion has escalated to a fever pitch. Last week LeBron was on the cover of GQ, and Sports Illustrated, and Gentlemen’s Quarterly outright claimed King James as the best while SI alluded to the fact that both he and Kobe are the best.

Boys II Men

The Eastern and Western NBA Conference players of January are KB and the King, as they have helped their respective teams to the best records in the league, as the questions of supremacy linger on. Nevertheless, I believe that there is no argument, because LeBron James, is essentially a younger Kobe Bryant, in terms of basketball…they are one in the same.

By 1998, Bryant had come into his own, no longer the rookie, as he was ready to carve out his niche and take what he felt was rightfully his. The only person in his way was Michael Jordan, so the talks of Kobe being the next Jordan, or better than MJ started, when Bryant was merely part of the youth movement, just as Michael was in 1984.

As Michael Jordan grew in statue and name…becoming Air Jordan, the “so-called” experts figured that he was the next Julius Erving, however all the great players evolved from the players before them. The good Dr. played a similar game to the high flying and scoring Elgin Baylor, so you see the torch is passed down from generation to generation. The mainstream media will mislead you to believe that some athletes are “better” than or possess more basketball prowess than the “other”, when in reality they are very similar, bringing their own idiosyncrasies and desire to their team, and ultimately their game.

A few years ago LeBron was at that same crossroads as Bryant before him, being compared instead of people appreciating him for being his own man. Do Kobe and LeBron want to be the best and win championships…yes…do they want to be compared to one another, Michael Jordan, or Magic Johnson, in the process…no. They are competitive so when James played in New York 2-days after Kobe, you need to understand that winning the game, and setting the new Madison Square Garden scoring record was a high priority. I knew that from the confident look on Jay-Z’s face, when I he gave me dap leaving the game on Monday, and that my friends is the beauty of basketball.

I do not believe in words like Jordanesque, therefore I choose not to use it in my lexicon. I don’t feel that there is one player better than all the others that have played the game, rather each era has it’s dominant player or players, and while LeBron James is the future of the League, the heir to the throne…the chosen one, we must remember that Kobe Bryant was also chosen, and until he retires, the great debate will unfortunately continue.

Photo: LeBron James - Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

By Any Means Necessary...

Proven

The future

"I thought Jordans, and a gold chain was living it up..."

Nas - Street Dreams

I can admit when I'm wrong...so when the Charlotte Bobcats drafted DJ Augustin out of Texas with the 9th overall pick last summer, I wasn't too sure about him. Then he signed an endorsement deal with the Jordan Brand soon after...at which I felt was another move in the wrong direction. To say I was perplexed is an understatement.

The Most Known Unknown

Augustin played collegiately at Texas, and outside of Kansas, I don't watch teams from the BIG 12 Conference, but after seeing him play recently in Philadelphia, I wish that I would have paid more attention to him before. His game is good, and by the time I caught up with him in the visiting locker room, we started what will become a good friendship, and respect for each other's profession.

Here is the final score on our conversation:

What are your feelings in playing for Michael Jordan, as well as representing him on the court, with the Jordan Brand?
“It’s a dream come true. Growing up, I always looked up to Michael Jordan, he’s my favorite player, and to play for his team and to wear his shoe, it’s a great feeling!”

Did you collect Jordan sneakers when you were younger?
“I tried, I tried to keep up with them, but I couldn’t keep up. My friends they used to do, but I never did, but now I have all the Jordan’s so…now my friends are calling and asking me for shoes now. [Laughs]”

How often do you switch up and wear a new pair?
“I don’t wear a new pair that often…it’s tough to do that…I have to break them in a little bit. I try to go about 10…about 10 games, and then I’ll switch them up. We get different shoes every quarter of the season, and after All-Star break, we get a new selection, so I just try to switch up every 10 games. They [Jordan Brand] offer a lot of different colors and different styles, it’s great!”

Which is your favorite Jordan?
“Favorite shoe…man? There’s so many man…I’ll probably have to say the XI’s, I like the Space Jams, and the Six Rings right now, they’re tight. I was playing in them, but they’re kind of heavy for me, so I don’t play in them anymore. Now I’m wearing the Jumpman Pro, and they’re really light.”

Growing up as a fan, and now you are representing the brand…can you put how that feels into words?
“It’s crazy…it’s unbelievable, it’s really a dream come true like I said…I’m just very blessed to be in this opportunity and take advantage of it.”

Genesis

Memories

NBA Analysis

1989 Playoffs

MJ vs. MJ

"Flashback who's that...dancing to the latest..."

Teena Marie - Square Biz

I originally wrote this story back in June, during the NBA Finals for The Starting Five. A lot has changed since then, however the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are once again atop the NBA food chain, as they will play in the marquee Christmas game at 5pm EST.

Rewind

The NBA Finals have a nostalgic flavor to it, with Los Angeles playing against Boston for all the marbles. If I didn't know better, I would think I fell into a time portal and landed somewhere in front of a floor model color TV, circa June '87. That last sentence alone is enough to perplex anyone younger than I, because I'm guessing, the thinking by the younger reader would be...since when did television broadcast in anything but color, and why would anyone place a TV on the floor? Nevertheless, let's stay on memory lane, but I'd like to talk about a time near and dear to my heart...1990.

I was in middle school once the calendar read January 1990, and as I reflect, it's funny what mattered most to me during that time. I was an intelligent child, and I had my unique view on the world around me, like Kevin Arnold in the hit drama The Wonder Years. If I wasn't my begging my mother to let me grow my hair proud and tall like Kid in House Party, then I was trying my best to dunk, or better yet get the new girl in my neighborhood, to notice me. In the midst of all that, naturally I had to keep up my grades, and when I wasn't playing outside until the street lights came on, my friends and I played video games. I had a SEGA Genesis, and the company Electronic Arts changed my life when they started making sports titles. I can recall John Madden Football and the long days and nights I spent using the 46 defense on opposing QB's, but it was Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs that changed EVERYTHING as I knew it.

Lakers versus Celtics was important because in my youth we had 2 televisions (one in the living room and the other in my parent's room) and no cable. I would watch the 76ers every once and a while when they played on Channel 17, and when the games weren't on, I would listen along on the radio. I begged for cable, however it wasn't a necessity and by the time the house in which I grew up in had cable...I was already grown and had been graduated from college a couple years. (If you figured it out, it was a few years ago.) Before COMCAST, the games were on PRISM in Philadelphia, and since neither company had roots at my residence, it was the video game that could provide me with the NBA at the flick of the power button on my SEGA. I learned all the rosters, and had hours of fun using the signature moves. My friends and I would play the video game, and then make the half-mile trek to the playground hoping to get picked to play with the teenagers. If that didn't work then we had to play in between games, or wait until the older guys were finished.

Magic had his #32 and Big Game had the goggles For my crew, we were all sports all the time. It was street football, you know 1-2-3 hold, basketball, king ball, wall ball, stick ball, or riding our bikes. I knew about the NBA, but it was more centralized on Barkley, Ron Anderson, Hawkins, Dawkins, G-Man, Reggie Miller (I had to cheer for the skinny guy) and of course Michael "Air" Jordan. Electronic Arts enabled me to appreciate the Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry as it delivered the NBA like never before. The Western Conference was a mystery to me before that game, so when I say it was life changing, it started the love affair with pro basketball that will never end.

This video game means more to me now because of the information that it provided way back when. I still have the game as it sits in my office as a reminder of when life was a lot easier.

Life is good, and with sports, it's THAT much better.

Merry Christmas!

Peace.

The Most Known Unknown.

By Any Means Necessary...

Black thoughts

Admiration

Scoop and AG. in Beaverton, OR

"Simple and plain, give me the lane...I'll throw it down your throat like Barkley..."

Chuck D - Rebel Without a Pause

I grew up off of 60th and Arch Streets in West Philadelphia, and I always wanted to be someone greater than my environment would ever allow. The Wild West as it is known, is a place where dreams do not necessarily come true. The problem is that everything is stacked against you from the dilapidated living conditions, crime, and violence, not too mention the poor school system. It is a problem that has plagued the city for decades. The more things change, the more they stay the same. However, I have been fortunate to have a role model of a mother that provided for my siblings and I, and because of her sacrifices, I am a success today.

SOUL to SOLE

In an African proverb, it is explained that it takes an entire village to raise a child. I believe this as it holds true to my very existence. As a youth, I always had people like my neighbors Mr. Keith, and Mr. Skip to take me to basketball practice and games, not too mention feed me and care for me like one of their own sons. In my professional career, I have Scoop Jackson the master to my apprentice, Ray Butts, and Isaac Perry, all of whom have walked along with me, and sometimes carried me in times of need. There are others such as Coach John Chaney, Coach Dawn Staley, Sonny Hill, Bobbito Garcia, Kris Aman, Dr. Angelia Nelson, Oronde Garrett, Eric Elston, and Ian Callender and his family, as no one person ever makes it in life alone.

I had to make my words in this column short, because to have Scoop as my guest, I wanted to give him space to write in his voice, on MJ, and his mark in American history. Scoop Jackson is a national columnist for ESPN.com and he contributes to ESPN The Magazine. He is best known in the sneaker community for writing a book on Nike Basketball entitled Sole Provider.

In his own words proudly present to you Robert “Scoop” Jackson:

What is it about the Jordan sneaker that has made it what it is today?

"I think it’s been a combination of several things, all coming together at the same time. The analogy I love to use is one about Michael Jackson because of how similar the situations played themselves out. With Jackson you had (beginning with Off the Wall album) the best singer/entertainer working with maybe the greatest producer ever in Quincy Jones who had the combination of greatness in Rod Temperton and Greg Philligines in studio while at the same time you had an outlet that was just beginning to find itself called MTV and a choreographer that was the greatest even in Michael Peters, all working together at the same time. It’s like all of the planets came into alignment at once for this one period of time and look what we got in return: arguably the most successful music run in history. Something that will never happen again.
The same thing I believe happened with Jordan. Here you had the best player in the game, who happened to connect with the greatest (although unknown at that time) designer in the history of the game, Tinker Hatfield. Combine that with the fact that Nike was in a relationship with and ad agency, Weiden + Kennedy, that (just like MTV at the time of Michael Jackson’s era) was trying to find itself and a filmmaker that was one of the greatest ever in Spike Lee (Just like Michael Peters, Spike was relatively unknown at the time) all working together at the same time. It’s the same story all over again. It’s like lightening happening twice. So the reason the Jordan sneaker is what it is today is because it had a foundation that was far greater than any other shoe has ever had. The same way 20 years later we can listen to anything from Off the Wall or THRILLER and say, that was brilliant and still listen to it with the same reverence that we did when it dropped. We are able to do and have those same feelings about the kicks that come from Jordan."

What is your favorite Jordan sneaker and why?

"The III. To me, that’s the Air Force 1 of the Jordan legacy. Why? It’s just everything about the shoe is flawless to me. I mean, historically it’s the first ¾ sneak and it’s the first shoe tinker did for Jordan and it’s the shoe that stopped MJ from going to adidas. But outside of that, I just “feel” that shoe. Unlike any other design, execution, longevity, style, all that, and I ain’t even going to speak on the performance of the shoe. Check MJ’s stats fro the year he wore that shoe. 1988. Check. Then there’s the whole Best on Earth, Best on Mars moment (poster). C’mon. It’s just, to me, I love that sneak. All time and here’s the funny thing: I refuse to own a pair. The II is so god-like to me that there’s a part of me that feels I haven’t earned the right to have a pair yet. That sneak is on some Holy Grail level with me. Maybe n about 10 more years, when I put in 10 more years of serious work, when I reach my Spike Lee stage and do Inside Man and When the Levees Broke in the same year, if I ever reach that kind of greatness, then maybe I’ll get a pair of III’s."

Is there a legit comparison to Kobe and MJ?

"Yeah, easy…like tracing paper. Xerox machine. KINKOS. As much as the replication looks, seems and feels like the original, its not. There’s always some resolution that gets lost in the process. But that’s just in basketball. As much as Jack Bauer (Kobe) and $ (MJ) are alike, they are totally different as people. And that affects the outcome of their games. Kobe is not as personable and charming as Mike. It’s not in his nature, that’s just not who he is. Part of MJ’s greatness was his ability to be cool with everyone, teammates, and victims. Dudes that played with $ would kill for him, he was able to draw that much love from others. Kobe’s never been able to do that and because of that I think he hasn’t been able to reach MJ’s level of brilliance. He has too many people around him that will never love him, which translates to how open the game is to him. It’s like, imagine how differently Barry Sanders career would have been if his offensive line hated him? Or better yet LaDainian Tomlinson? Those holes year after year would not open up. They would not block or fight as hard as they could for them to get those yards, which in the long run effects Barry’s and LT’s greatness."

How was the Jordan sneaker game back in the late 80's/early 90's in Chicago?

"Crazy. Every time a sneak dropped it was bananas! Stores would get broken into, schools would close (seriously), and kids would get jacked on bus stops and at malls. Straight madness, but it was all passion. That’s what drove it. I’ve been around a lot of cities and I’ve never seen the passion for Jordan kicks the way I’ve seen it in the Chi. It’s a different level. The history is different. No disrespect to Nike, but they lost a lot of money, not paying attention to what was really going on in Chicago, as far as footwear was concerned in Chicago during that time. They could have easily doubled their market share. From a financial standpoint, they missed an era. But to this day there’s nothing like it. There’s a special, and I mean very special, almost unconditional love that this city has with Jordan and every sneaker the brand decides to release I wish I could write a book about it, but that wouldn’t do it justice."

I am blessed to have mentors like Scoop, Ray, and Isaac, as they continue to show me the ropes, lifting me higher than I ever thought I could go. Each one, teach one!

For more on Scoop Jackson watch the video below: