Hometown

"First they love you, then they hate you, then they love you again."


Jay-Z - Meet the Parents


There are certain teams in sports that no matter what they do, or where they play,  people will find ways to dislike them. For example, the New York Yankees, New England Patriots, Duke Blue Devils, and the Los Angeles Lakers.


History


The Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Lakers tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. There are many story lines in this match up, as both teams were seeking to add another victory, however the most compelling fact of the contest was that Kobe Bryant needed 24-points to eclipse former teammate Shaquille O'Neal and move into 5th-place on the NBA's career scoring list.


Much has been made about where Kobe was born or where he is from, and as trivial as that sounds, in Philadelphia it's been a hot topic of discussion throughout his career. What's interesting is that he has had a few meaningful games as a Laker in South Philly...from his clinching a second NBA title, to his first All-Star MVP...these are benchmarks that have helped to define him.


Bryant always seems as if he is on a mission, and tonight was no different as he finished the 1st quarter with 14-points, 2-rebounds, and a steal. With little over 5-minutes left in the second period, he made good on an attempt moving him into 5th place. He finished with 28-points, giving him 28, 601-points overall.


Kobe was candid after the game in saying, "it feels good, it's a tremendous honor...it's a lot of work that we put in to get to this point...I think when players retire, you start kinda thinking about your career and your accomplishments and things of that sort, but when you're going through it and you're playing during the season, all you're thinking about is winning the next game and trying to make some noise in June."


Just to prove a point, I asked him about playing in Philly and how special it has been in his career, to which he answered, "it becomes more significant the older I get in terms of coming back here playing...I don't have many more of these games left."


Bryant took his place in history tonight and the Sixers handled the rest winning 95-90 with a strong effort from Lou Williams down the stretch.


When it is all said and done Kobe is only concerned with championships, as his hunt for number 6 continues.


Words: @axgilbert


Photo: Noah Zuares/AcesHoops.com

1 Game at a Time

Poise

Attrition

"Brothers front, they say the Tribe can't flow, but we've been know to do the impossible like Broadway Joe..."

Phife Dog - Scenario

Yesterday I was having a conversation with one of the Philadelphia Eagles. It was off the record so I'll keep his jersey number to myself. However after visiting with him and his family, I drove home thinking to myself that the Birds could be on the cusp of something special.

Winning is an attitude

Philadelphia could very well become a major sports city, much like Boston, as the great New England city of the north, has become the modern day Title Town...with the Celtics, Red Sox, and Patriots, as they have been the toast of the sports world winning championships in recent years. 

The now defunct Philadelphia Soul won the Arena Bowl in July, the Phillies captured hearts, minds, and the World Series in October, and now the Eagles have shocked the so-called "experts" by not only making the playoffs, but also through winning and moving on to the Divisional round.

It's one game at a time, and in football anything can happen...on any given Sunday.

Photos: Webster Riddick

'08 Year in Review

25-years in the making

Gold Standard

Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Olympic Gold

Superman

Pursuit of happiness

"Shine your light for the world to see..."

Mos Def - Umi Says

Today as I look back at the past year in sports...I eagerly anticipate what 2009 will bring. Penn State has returned to the Rose Bowl as they will battle against USC, the Lakers and Celtics are once again 2 of the better teams in the NBA, and the NFL doesn't have a clear cut favorite, making the playoffs more interesting than it's been in recent years. No matter the outcome from the various teams around the leagues this upcoming year, 2008 was one of the best 365 days of sport in a longtime.

Great in '08

The things that made last season one of the best ever was a combination of the underdog, and the allure and delivery of memorable moments from the summer games in China. I'll keep this post short, because everyone has their own opinion, however I feel that when a team like the New York Football Giants won the Super Bowl against the juggernaut favorite, New England Patriots, it shifted the paradigm in all of sports. To further the shift, the Philadelphia Phillies did the impossible by not only making it to the World Series, but to win it all and restore order in the City of Philadelphia...that may have been something only the Phillies saw coming. Last but not least...'08 was an impressive Olympic year...between Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and the USA basketball teams, it made for some of the most magical summer memories, reminding me of the '88 and '92 games, with Flo Jo, and the Dream Team.

2009 could very well be the year of the championship teams everyone loves to hate. The University of North Carolina could win the NCAA basketball title, the New York Yankees may return to their winning ways, and the Los Angeles Lakers could win that elusive 4th ring for Kobe Bryant, making last season a distant memory.

The game isn't won on paper, or my computer screen for that matter, so we will all watch and wait, for what will be another interesting sports cycle.