West Side

"Back in Philly, we be out in the park..."

The Fresh Prince - Summertime

The end of the year always brings people to reflect on their lives, and while I have been thinking about numerous things this week...there is one thing that I wanted to make clear before January 1, 2011.

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If someone would have told me that the tall, lanky younger brother of Sharia Bryant would one day grow up to become one of the best basketball players in the world...I wouldn't know how to interpret that information. 16-years ago, the only thing on my mind was getting a new pair of sneakers, and hanging out with my siblings and friends.

People are usually skeptical about my friendship with the Bryant and Cox families, however it's because of Kobe, that I cheer for and support the Los Angeles Lakers. I grew up watching the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, however when the Lakers drafted Eddie Jones from Temple in 1994, and then acquired Bryant two years later...I became a Lakers know it all. What would you do if your friend was drafted by a professional team...I'm guessing you would be a fan?

I'm all about my hometown team...I enjoy watching the Sixers, and I cheer for them always. In fact, as I write this they are playing in the Staples Center, and with 2:36 to go in the 2nd quarter they are trailing the Lake Show by 10-points, 46-36.

This is how I root for two teams...the first thing I do is assess them both realistically...meaning the Lakers are a championship caliber team, so I hope they win it all, and the 76ers are in the midst of bouncing back from a bad season last year, so I'd love for them to advance to the playoffs, and make a run.

I just wanted to set the record straight...Happy New Year!

Adversity

Champions

Blueprint

Signed, sealed, delivered

"Gold on my neck, was once a code of respect..."

Nas - U Gotta Love It

I used to work for the NBA, and during my brief time there I learned a lot about the business side of the game. I also had an opportunity to make some inroads with businesses, and league officials. One of my coworkers was from Los Angeles, and it was because of her that I first visited the City of Angeles and met a man named Mark Scoggins. 

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I graduated from Temple University with a degree in broadcast television and mass media. I knew at a young age how difficult it is to break into the TV industry so I made sure that I had both a back up plan, and connections in my field. I'm a big fan of the NBA and when it comes to down to picking sides, I choose to hold my applause on teams, as I like to cheer for individual players. If you want to get technical, I root for both the Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers. I know, I know, but I have my reasons. I'm from Philly, and so is Kobe Bryant, so it makes perfect sense to me. 

When I was a child I was a Magic Johnson fan. I can recall cheering for him against the Bulls in the '91 Finals, because Jordan and company would always beat the Sixers. What I liked about Magic so much was his passing and how he controlled the offense and got the team involved. So naturally I began wearing his number 32...I would later find my own identity and wear a different number, but as a young athlete looking up to him not only helped my game, but also my team.

During the winter of 2002 my friend and coworker Summer encouraged me to take a trip to LA. She knew I was a Lakers fan...so I checked the schedule and took a week off from work. That April, I boarded a flight to LAX, and while it was my first trip...it most certainly wasn't my last. 

I visited my friend Taneisha, and she showed me all the sights and sounds of the Left Coast, but when we set foot in the Staples Center, it was a dream come true. Not only did the Lake Show win, but it was at that game that I met who would become a good friend, as well as the Sr. Vice President of the Magic Johnson Enterprises...Mark Scoggins. 

To make this long story short...Mark got into the holiday spirit by getting 2 copies of Magic Johnson's new book, 32 Ways to be a Champion in Business, as he sent both my mother and I a copy...and to my surprise, he got Magic to sign them. 

The books arrived on Wednesday, and I'm already in chapter 3. It's a page turner, because Magic takes you on a personal trek through his business ventures in urban America. The writing style is very conversational, as it feels like he is your business coach, directing the reader through the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur and community leader. 

I'm using it to better my business and community practices within my sports marketing firm, AXG. The book are here just in time for the holidays, and the new year, as I trust 2009 will bring bigger and brighter things for me, my family, and AXG. 

Thank you Mark, and thank you Magic for being an example to us all. 

Photo: Malek Mansour