Thin Line

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


Jay-Z - Meet the Parents


Last week the Miami Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 to win their second championship in franchise history.


Destiny's Child


When the topic is LeBron James, people either hate or love him. This wasn't always the case...when he first entered the league in '03, he was praised as the boy who would be king, and now he has become a polarizing figure that has everyone choosing sides including members of the media.


Journalists are supposed to be biased...leaving their personal opinions at the press room door. James isn't the first athlete to have everyone turn against him, take Muhammad Ali for instance, he wasn't appreciated for who he was until he had been retired and away from the sport he helped to make great.


The facts are that LeBron R. James is the League and Finals MVP, and accolades aside, he has removed the albatross from around his neck. He has been on a path to acquire a championship, and now that he has tasted success at that level, he will only want more. 


It's a cycle that goes unquenched, and for basketball fans the time is now to buckle up and enjoy the next few years.


He should only be measured on what he does in between the lines of a basketball court. He's a professional athlete, so fans and the media alike should stick to the script and not worry about his personal life. We all make mistakes, he just makes his in front of the world, while most people do things anonymously.


Unfortunately perception is reality, but it's not always the truth.


Words: @axgilbert


Photo: Webster Riddick

Humility

"My city on the map, there is no other option like a slow quarterback..."


Wale - Work


The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best teams in the league...and they get the job done night in and night out flying seemingly under the radar.


Go Mode


There is no time like the present for the Thunder. They are quite arguably one of the more entertaining clubs to watch, and their 30-8 record makes them statistically the 2nd best next to the Chicago Bulls. 
Last week during their stay in Philadelphia, I took time to get a better understanding of their humble superstar Kevin Durant.


First I spoke with Royal Ivey, and then KD:


AXG: You're wearing the Nike Zoom KD IV...you're with Nike now?


Ivey:  Yeah, KD got me a deal...and I wear his shoes.


AXG:  The Thunder losing last year to Dallas is in my opinion the best thing to happen to y'all.


Ivey:  You're right! We can't wait for the playoffs to start, we're so hungry right now!


AXG:  You mentioned how the lockout games helped you win the All Star MVP.


Durant:  It gave me confidence playing in those games. I was trying a lot of different stuff, and once you try stuff in a game setting, it's easier to try it in a real game, so moves I was trying then...became muscle memory in my mind with the moves I'm doing now. 


AXG:  Did you really take Mega Bus during the summer from NYC to DC?


Durant:  Yeah I did, and it was a long trip too!


AXG:  How is it that you can stay so humble?


Durant:  That's the type of person that I am. No matter what, whatever happens...I always gotta be humble, and know that at any point this can be taken away.


AXG:  You always have your mother and family around supporting you.


Durant:  Like I told you, when I was growing up, I didn't think none of this would happen. My goal was to make it to the NBA, and I had my sights set on making it to the NBA, and once I did I was like cool...whatever happens after this is a bonus. The stuff that's going on for me right now...I'm just so blessed to be in this position. First of all to have people believe in me, every single night, and to showcase my skills, and have teammates that believe in me, they trust in me. But to become an All Star, and to win an All Star MVP...that's just like on a whole other level for me man. It's a blessing, so having my mom there is like we're going through this together. It was just me, mother, my brother, and my dad living in an apartment, 2-bedroom apartment, and to go from that so quickly to this...I was 18 living in a 2-bedroom apartment, with my mom, my dad, and my brother, and months later I was in the NBA, and 5-years later I'm an All Star MVP so stuff is coming quickly, and I never expected it.


This is just the beginning for Oklahoma City, and their budding star Kevin Durant.


Words: @axgilbert


Picture: Anthony Gilbert/AXG

October

"I got a decent set of manners, and a job that fills up any empty schedule or planner..."

Drake - Unstoppable

This is my favorite time of the year because it usually means that the Yankees are in the World Series.

Brand New

April and October are the best months for baseball because they signify both the beginning and the end. The Yanks will not play to defend their '09 crown, and part of me can appreciate that nothing is guaranteed in life, and the Bronx Bombers can begin preparing now for next year.

As for the Philadelphia Phillies...they lost too, so as far as I'm concerned...it's officially basketball season. I expect the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and Boston Celtics to play and battle on a higher than average level...while the Miami Heat have endless potential that will make this first season watching them one to remember.

I want to wish the San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers all the best in the fall classic, however when Game 1 begins on Wednesday...I plan to watch the 76ers play against the Heat.

Baseball season ended a little early for me, however the spring will be here before you know it, and all will be well with the world again.

The NBA saga however...continues on October 26th.

The Phoenix

"United we can get over..."

Willie Hutch - Brother's Gonna Work It Out

Basketball is an unfair game. It's the type of contest that even when you give your best effort...you still lose. Nothing in this league happens overnight, so as the Lakers continue to play on, their first round opponent will be back next season in full force.

Degree of difficulty

Kobe Bryant has endured through an extremely rough season, and while he presses on through all the injuries, I find it interesting to hear that people believe his career is over. I don't feed into who is better, or the best...basketball on this level is a business and the bottom line is about winning. Nevertheless he finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The Lake Show are the reigning champions and if their fearless leader has anything to do with it, they will capture this year's crown. Bryant is sure to show and prove, and when Russell Westbrook needed a hand in his face, Kobe Bean expressed interest in applying the necessary pressure.

There are two things I learned from the Lakers/Thunder series:

• The OKC Thunder have no fear, what they lacked in this round was depth in the front court, and playoff experience. They will add to their roster this summer, and next year every team needs to be on alert.
• The Lakers have all the tools to repeat, however they do not always play to their strength. As they move forward, I believe they will make the necessary tweaks to return to their superior form.

As for everything going on back east...two words: Orlando Magic

Photo: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Home Sweet Home

"Now that I've got your undivided attention..."

Andre 3000 - Hollywood Divorce

The Oklahoma City Thunder have evened the series against the Lake Show at 2 games apiece. Everyone loves an underdog, however Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and company are far from overachievers.

Change

The NBA Playoffs are in full swing, with intensity, suspense, and enough highlights to last a lifetime, however there is one team that everyone counted out before they started playing...the OKC Thunder. The main reasons why I believe they have been ignored is because of their small market and they don't have a lot of fanfare or recognition...the other thing that hindered the Thunder was that they are matched up against the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Last night from the start Oklahoma City took the Lakers out of their comfort zone. Defensively they have been able to disrupt shot selection around the basket with blocks are good rotation, and offensively they have attacked the Laker guards with a combination of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Durant is a 7'0" guard causing match up problems across the board and Westbrook, and Harden have found their stride and jump shots.

The series is even and now returns to the city of angels, so the pressure is on both teams to show and prove. The home teams have won all the games, so the first visiting team to win on the road will naturally win and move on to the next round.

A lot has been made about the Lakers' so-called fall from grace, and the tremendous heart and effort of the upstart Thunder.

There is nothing I can write to determine the outcome, so stay tuned for Game 5...it's one game at a time.

Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Focused

"The Lakers beat the SuperSonics..."

Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day

As a child, whenever I had a bad day, I'd go to the park and shoot hoops until I felt better. Now as an adult...I still play make those lonely trips to the playground, however...sometimes I'll run a few miles, or even write.

Habitual

The NBA playoffs officially kicked off last weekend...with the Cavs, and Magic playing exactly as expected, while the Trailblazers continued to amaze and win despite their injuries. Nonetheless, it was the Los Angeles Lakers that had all eyes on them. The Lake Show are the rock stars of the league, and reigning champs or not, the light always shines brightest in the city of angels.

After defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 87-79, everyone questioned the Lakers play and poor shooting from Kobe. For some reason a lot of people felt compelled to call and text me...my response is simply this...it's the playoffs and all wins are good wins.

I expect Los Angeles to win the series, and move on to the second round. The Thunder will benefit greatly from their playoff experience, and next year they will be better, stronger, and faster...until then...keep your eyes on Orlando, Cleveland, and the Lake Show, because things are about to get exciting.

It's a marathon, not a sprint...first team to 16 wins, captures the crown.

Photo: Evan Gole/NBAE via Getty Images

A-Team

"You ain't met no dudes spit it cold as me..."

Eight Ball - Stay Fly

Sunday was a great day for all things sports, however nothing shined brighter than three NBA superstars.

Three Times Dope

The Super Bowl is a week away, and the NFL prepared for the world's greatest sporting event by having the best of the best play yesterday in the Pro Bowl. The AFC defeated the NFC 41-34, but it was the heroics of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant that stole the show, as they played in their respective games, leading the Lakers, Cavs, and Thunder to victory with highlights and flair that only they could provide.

I'll keep this short and sweet. It is in my opinion that Bryant is the standard to which basketball players should be measured, followed by King James, and in a few more years the debate will evolve from Kobe and LeBron to LeBron and KD. If the powers that be used some forward thinking...the Kevin Durant MVP puppet commercial would debut during the upcoming All-Star Weekend.

Kobe sealed the Lake Show's win with seconds to go in the 4th quarter on a jump shot over Ray Allen. Meanwhile LeBron outscored the visiting Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter, with his 23, and their collective 20-points. He had four three-pointers in that first stanza, which led to a 114-89 win. Last but most certainly not least the Thunder earned their 26th W, with Durant scoring at will, finishing the game with a season high 45-points against Golden State.

These are good times for the NBA...well for most teams...the Nets lost once again, this time to the visiting 76ers. Andre Iguodala paced Philadelphia with 14-points, 9 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals. The Nets record is now a lowly 4-42. As for the Sixers there is a lot of trade talk and rumors swirling around the team, and the latest involves Iguodala going to Cleveland to join the James Gang...

Stay tuned sports fans.

Photos: Kobe Bryant - Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE, Kevin Durant - Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE, LeBron James - David Liam Kyle/NBAE

The Future

Rising Star

"You don't see how wild the crowd is..."

Kanye West - Champion

I hadn't seen the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise in person, and since I'm probably the only one of my peers that hasn't...I took a trip to the nation's capital to see what all the fuss was about...

Top Billing

Traffic was a little hectic, or shall I say business as usual on 295 yesterday...so naturally, I arrived a little late to the game...nonetheless fashionable. I watched Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden during their college years, and the talent is there...however things have changed slightly for the better...even for the rookie Harden, as Kevin Durant has extended his calm and maturity to the team.

All of them are going to have nice careers, yet Durant is light years ahead of the league new comers...from his natural ability, height, quickness, poise, and star quality. His game is difficult to explain, and seeing is truly believing.

The argument for the current best is on going...all the while, Durant is on pace to be the best of his era, regardless of position, and or individual awards.

Photo: Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images