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

Numero Uno

"I believe America's at stake..."

Marvin Gaye - You're The Man

Earlier today the Lakers visited the White House and President Obama.

Tradition

When a team wins the Super Bowl...the first place they visit after the dust settles is Disneyland, and while I'm sure a trip to see the world's most famous mouse is appealing...a moment in history has to be twice as nice, if not better.

The way I see it winning the NBA title is one thing, however to be applauded by the nation's first black President, with your family in attendance is another. It became a moment that everyone will share for the rest of their lives.

First place is reserved for an elite group, and membership has its privileges.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Flight School

Determination

AG and AI after practice

"I holla at AI peoples..."

50 Cent - Ski Mask Way

Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers have managed to turn things around...recently winning their last 5 games. Iguodala scored a season-high 29 points yesterday. Over the past 21 games, he is averaging 20.4 points and has scored 20+ points in nine of the past 12 games.

Home Improvement

In the midst of the Philadelphia Eagles playoff success, the team across 11th Street...the Sixers, have been playing well lately in their own right. Maurice Cheeks was fired as head coach, and Elton Brand has been sidelined with a shoulder injury...and while these two instances could derail most teams...it has been a test that the home team could handle, as they have improved their record, to 18-20, after winning on Wednesday night 100-79, over the visiting Trail Blazers.

AI had 14 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the 1st quarter, as the 76ers jumped out to a 31-15 lead, holding Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, and LaMarcus Aldridge to a combined 6 points. 

By the half, AI and company led 55-33, so I steered my focus on my questions for after the game. 

In the end, I attended head coach Tony DiLeo's press conference, and then I proceeded to the locker room to catch up with Iguodala.

Here is the final score on our conversations:

GAME TIME with AG: Coach can you talk about the ball movement...you had three guys with 6 assists...offensively things are looking really good as of late: 

Tony DiLeo: "Yeah the spacing is good...the half court execution looks good...the timing, we've worked on that...it's a credit to this team. They're out there passing the ball, they're looking for other people...very unselfish team."

GAME TIME with AG: Can you talk about Andre Iguodala, and his play tonight?

Tony DiLeo: "You know, I probably don't give Andre enough credit...in these press conferences I like to point out guys...you know sometimes I think we take Andre for granted, but he's been playing at a high, high level. And you know last week, I thought he had a chance for Player of the Week honors, but unfortunately he didn't get it...maybe he'll get it this week?"

GAME TIME with AG: What has been the key to the 5-straight wins?

Andre Iguodala: "Our defense has been a lot better! We've gotten stops when we needed to...getting the rebounds, and getting out on the break, the game's a lot easier when we get stops."

GAME TIME with AG: Coach talked about this team having a green light to shoot offensively...what does that do for your game personally?

Andre Iguodala: "Well it's the confidence factor, where you just feel like you can make any shot, so you know...you shoot it in rhythm, you shoot it with confidence, and more than likely...it's going to go in."

GAME TIME with AG: Coming out of Arizona, your game was steady, with a lot of double-doubles...when you first came into the League the focus was defense, now you've matured in this league, and you can score whenever you want...you're getting back to that college game, is defense still the focus for you?

Andre Iguodala: "Yeah...I think that it has to be...to try to be as a complete player as possible, and I think that's what separates me from other guys. LeBron's doing that now...he's blocking shots...it's like you have to be at a high level at all times to be a complete player, and that's what I'm trying to be. You know you have some guys who are shooters and that's it...if they're not making shots then they're on the bench. So I'm just trying to be a factor in every facet on the floor, and being out there and being effective."

GAME TIME with AG: Talk about playing defense:

Andre Iguodala: "Some nights I might match up with like, a Carmelo [Anthony], but also I have to make those guys work when I'm on the offense end...when they're on defense, you know...just making the game tough on them. It's harder than what people think, you know you have to go out here, and I only had a few points against Charlotte but, I had to guard [Gerald] Wallace, and that's a big match up...and I was able to get him out of the game, and we ended up winning, and people don't see that, but that's just a part of me being a complete player, and understanding doing whatever it takes for us to win."

GAME TIME with AG: Coach talked about you should have gotten NBA Player of the Week honors, do you think about those types of things?

Andre Iguodala: "Yeah...one thing is...if you get wins, you get noticed more, and we always seem to get it going too late, but I think the Player of the Week thing is something that you try to be complete every game, consistently...and that's what I'm trying to do. Just not for the week, but for the month, but more so for myself, and not being noticed, I know I've been playing better as of late, and I just have to keep it going."

GAME TIME with AG: Does this season remind you of last year?

Andre Iguodala: "I think it reminds me a little bit, because of the way we started off a little slow, and then we got it going. But before...last year it took us until after the All-Star break, and I think this year, if we keep playing the way we are, we can get it going earlier, and get a better start. I think now we understand how important our finish is late in the season to get a playoff spot...a good one."

GAME TIME with AG: Does the Eagles success have anything to do with your team, or are you just trying to play your game?

Andre Iguodala: "I think we are just trying to play our game, but I told the guys 3-weeks ago that the Eagles were going to the Super Bowl, and they thought I was crazy. I said if they beat the Cowboys...then they're going to the Super Bowl. I'm not an Eagles fan, but I said they was going to go...I said that on our west coast trip and they thought I was crazy! I said if the Raiders win, and the Bears lose...I said something has to be going on, and if they get the win against the Cowboys...then they gotta go, it's too crazy...that was crazy, and now they're on their way!

GAME TIME with AG: Talk about Donovan McNabb:

Andre Iguodala: "McNabb, that's my dude, so I'm hoping he gets one [ring]...the media needs to get off his back!"

The hard work and determination is paying off for the Philadelphia 76ers, and while Iguodala is a San Francisco 49ers fan, he at least can tell a winner when he sees one, as I look forward to continuing this conversation later at practice.

Week 17

Controlled anger

Carmichael and McNabb

High 5

Unity

Swoop

"It ain't hard to tell, I excel, then prevail..."

Nas - It Ain't Hard to Tell

The NFL is the best sport in these United States, as this season has turned out to be a memorable one. The Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins, are back in the playoffs, and the early Super Bowl favorite Dallas Cowboys were knocked out of contention by their rival Philadelphia Eagles, making the last week of the regular season a television ratings dream, just in time for the post season.

Birds of Prey

A few scenarios had to take place in order for the Philadelphia Eagles to make a return trip to the playoffs in an NFC Wild Card match against the Minnesota Vikings. First and foremost the 'birds needed losses from both Tampa Bay, and Chicago...and if that happened, the last task on the list, was to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in a winner takes all match in South Philly.

The game began at 4:15pm and at approximately 4:00pm the Bucs as well as the Bears were playing to a losing effort, setting the stage for the Eagles to play like there was no tomorrow. I arrived to the stadium by noon, and everything, from man to beast was electric in preparation for the game. And by no means was this just another match-up between division foes, it was another chapter in the historic clash of the titans, that has become Philadelphia versus Dallas.

Everything was on the line, from a playoff berth, to bragging rights, and the home team did everything right, after recovering from an early Brian Westbrook fumble in the 1st quarter. By the end of the 2nd quarter the press box noise level had risen from a quiet whisper to a full roar, turning us "unbiased" members of the media into full fledged fans.

At halftime I sat with my fellow writers and personalities, Hugh Douglas, Ike Reece, Michael Tillery, and Stephen A. Smith. We conversed on the game, and other topics, like why does the main stream media have such a love affair with Bret Farve? I like Farve, however...to quote Muddy Waters...Jet Farve is not "the greatest man alive", or quarterback either, nevertheless it was good to talk shop with the guys, and afterward I had opportunities to take in the press conferences with both teams.

The Eagles locker room was full of accomplishment, and focus, but when I ventured into the Cowboys side of the hallway, the first thing I heard was that Tony Romo collapsed in the shower and needed the attention of the trainers. I then headed over to Terrell Owens to catch up with him for a spell and to wish him a Happy New Year. I wasn't trying to be sarcastic, yet I was sincere because he and I developed a good friendship during his days as an Eagle. He seemed to take the Eagles 44-6 victory in stride, knowing that the media and fans couldn't blame this loss on him, even though they might try.

The following are questions and answers from both teams, and their press conferences:

QB Donovan McNabb

On reading his critics and the revival of his game this season:
“No. I’ve been kind of revived I guess. They’ve [critics] thrown me out, they ran over me, spit on me…but you know what…I just continue to prevail. I just continue to keep my chin high…stay positive, and just make sure that guys in this locker room understand that if given the opportunity…that we will take full advantage of it. Knowing that last week just wasn’t us, and if anything worked in our favor, with all these scenarios, that I would not let them down.”

On keeping his head up through all the adversity:
“You know what…I think it’s easier now, and I say that because I’ve been through those types of experiences for years. I think when you go through something for the first or second time; you don’t know how to handle it. But me being apart of something like that, and it happens, over, and over, and over again…the way that I continue to show that it never affects me, is by just going out and doing my job.”

On getting tired of hearing the negative talk:
“We’re human beings, you get tired of it, but you never let them see you sweat. And you never show that it bothers you because you kill them with kindness, and when you kill them with kindness and you go out and you do your job, people understand that it never really affects you.”

On the range of emotions prior to the game, with a chance at a playoff berth:
“You know what, I think of last week, and no matter what has happened we all have something to play for. And this week we play for pride and we play for each other. And we couldn’t control anything that happened in Tampa, we couldn’t control anything in Minnesota or the Houston/Chicago game…what we could control is what happened out there today, and you saw a team that was resilient, you saw a team that played with a lot of emotion…and once we got word that there was an opportunity, that the door was open, this team played with a lot of passion. Still knowing that we had our pride on the line, to come out here and defend what happened last week, and with this opportunity that was granted to us…to make sure we take full advantage of it.”

On his career and accolades:

“You know what…you never get enough credit until you’re gone, and I’m not looking for any credit right now, I’m just looking for this team…all 52 guys in this locker room to be ready to roll for next week, and if we continue to win, a positive outlook will be looked upon.”

On the 59-yard play by RB Correll Buckhalter:
“They did a good job of covering up the left running lanes, I was able to bide time. Buck did an excellent of job of just staying on the move, and I was able to get it over one of the defensive tackles arm, and Buck did an excellent job of just finishing the play. You just want to give guys an opportunity to make plays for you, and Buck did a wonderful job picking yards after the catch.”

On facing Minnesota Head Coach Brad Childress:
“Brad is a good friend of mine…we talk occasionally, you know I also have my offensive coordinator and quarterback coach from college over there as well [Kevin Rogers], so we talk. I’m really happy for Brad…everyone pretty much counted them out in the beginning when he pretty much benched Tavarus and went with Gus, and they were able to rally behind Gus…all of a sudden now Tavarus is back at the starter, and they’re rallying behind Tavarus, and you are seeing a team that has truly bought into Brad’s philosophy and they seem to be playing well, with a lot of intensity…knowing what was on the line they still played well, so I’m happy for him. Now with that said, come Saturday or Sunday when we play…we’re enemies.”

RB Brian Westbrook

On keeping the faith after last week’s loss:
“I think everybody, their goal was to go out and win this football game. Not worry about what would happen in Tampa Bay and not worry what would happen in Chicago, but to go out there and win this football game and we did that and strange things happen in the NFL.”

On how special the experience was today:
“It was very special. It’s special that all those other things happened, but for us to go out there and put a defensive show on like we did. Offensively, we did very well but our defense ran the show today and I don’t know how many points they scored, either 14 or 21, but they did a great job.”

On whether he can put his finger on the one thing that opened Pandora’s Box today:
“I just think that the defense was getting turnovers. Correll Buckhalter came in there and lit it up, in the running game as well as the passing game. You know, our guys wanted it more than they wanted it and that was the biggest difference.”

On when he knew the Eagles’ destiny was in their own hands:
“I think right before the game one of the assistants came up to me and let us know that both the teams had lost that we needed to lose and now it was up to us and we went out there and handled our business.”

CB Sheldon Brown

On whether the team feels renewed with the new life they have entering the playoffs:
“The postseason is a new and full season in itself. You have the preseason, regular season, and then the postseason. Anything goes once you get into the postseason. We have a great opportunity ahead of us. There are still things we need to work on, I know that. But this has been a magical season with everything that has happened.”

On FS Brian Dawkins’ leadership:
“There may be some ‘nay-sayers’ and people who don’t think he deserves this award but he’s been doing this his whole career. Not a better time, against a better team, in a better place.”

On the team’s thoughts towards the Minnesota Vikings:
“Brad Childress, we’re coming to town.”

On the defense’s ability to get turnovers tonight:
“I haven’t seen a season like this; turnovers or anything. This game is one of those rivalries where you think it’s going to be a close game at the end, but for it to go in the manner it did. Just the season alone. I guess a tie is better than a loss after all.”

DE Darren Howard

On the defense’s ability to get pressure on QB Tony Romo:
“It’s a lot easier when you stop the run and put up a lot of points like that, that’s our kind of defense. We stopped the run early, then you get a team into a third and long, or second and long situation, you just pin your ears back and go. And that was pretty much the game plan, was the second half so if we get anything like that, we have a good chance to everything we did today.”

On DE Chris Clemens’ fumble recovery for a touchdown:
“I wasn’t watching him, I was running in front of him and then I went straight to the oxygen tank after that.”

On FS Brian Dawkins’ emotional leadership:
“Dawkins is just a constant in this locker room. Whether it’s a preseason game, or a huge game like this, he’s always pumped up and he’s always trying to get everyone motivated. It was no different tonight. He goes out there and he says what’s on his mind and he expects everybody on this team to give what he has given.

Head Coach Andy Reid

On injuries sustained during the game:
“[DE Chris] Clemons and [FS Brian] Dawkins cramped and came in [the locker room] for an IV.”

On the victory:
“I thought the fans were awesome. What a great job they did of keeping the noise level up for [Dallas QB] Tony [Romo] and the Cowboys. I thought turnovers obviously were big. I’d also like to thank the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Texans. They both did a heck of a job today. I’m very proud of our guys. They very easily could have lost the faith and not prepared themselves right for today. Right from the get-go, it was all about the Cowboys. They weren’t worried about anything that would happen or any of the scenarios today. I’m proud of them, because that’s the only way you can to that. It’s very hard to do, and they did it. I’m not exactly sure what day we’re playing next week, but it looks like we’re playing Minnesota. We’ll worry about that after we enjoy this win here tonight.”

On whether this win offers him any personal vindication:
“This is the NFL. I’m proud of the guys, but we’re not done yet. We got to the doorstep, but now we have to climb up the steps and get in.”

On when he learned the Eagles controlled their own playoff destiny due to the losses by Tampa Bay and Chicago:
“When we went out onto the field.”

On whether he watched any of the other three games which impacted the Eagles playoff chances:
“I didn’t watch a single snap. Those things rip your heart out when you’re watching them. I let other people tell me, and I figured the fans would let us know once we got out there.”

On the play of quarterback Donovan McNabb:
“I thought he did a great job of managing the football game all the way around – preparing himself during the week and showing the rest of the players how to do the thing the right way. I thought the leadership of him and Dawk [S Brian Dawkins] was invaluable for this week.”

On his elation with the outcomes considering where the Eagles stood at the beginning of the day:
“I’m enjoying this moment right now. You couldn’t have drawn it up any better than it happened today. It came right down to December 28. It was awesome to see Lincoln Financial Field electric like that. It’s what this league is all about.”

Head Coach Wade Phillips

On his thoughts regarding the game:
“There’s not much I can say about this one. It was a disaster from the opening kickoff, from kicking the ball out of bounds, to two 80 or 90-yard plays to start off the second half when we had a chance to get it back to 21-17 or something like that. We had everything to play for. I think that the turnovers that haunted us all season ended up really hurting us in terms of not getting enough turnovers on defense and giving up too many offensively. We got by with it a lot of the year and won a lot of games, but we were minus 1 or 2 in the turnover ratio and that ended up getting us. It obviously wasn’t penalties, it was turnovers.”

On whether the Eagles got more of an emotional lift from knowing they could reach the playoffs with a win:
“Well obviously we didn’t play well enough. They played well and I expected them to play well, but I expected them to play like that no matter what. Obviously, I expected us to play better.”

On his perspective of the entire season:
“It’s hard right now. We had everything riding on this and we didn’t step up to the plate. It’s hard to look at the whole season right now.”

On not making the playoffs:
“Well, I mean that’s where we are right now. There wasn’t a player or coach in there that thought we weren’t going to win that game, but we didn’t.”

On why the team didn’t step it up when they were only one game away from making the playoffs:
“If I had an answer, we wouldn’t have done that. We started out kicking the ball out of bounds on the first kickoff and it hurt us position wise. The 10 points to start the half were big and those two turnovers really put us out of reach. And then of course the two touchdowns in the first two series of the second half where we got down inside the 20 yard line both times. I can’t explain those.”

On whether the turnovers were due to QB Tony Romo being careless:
“Well, they made the plays and we didn’t. We didn’t make their quarterback do those things, so I think it was both parties.”

On what he told the team after the game:
“There’s not much you can say after a game like this. The season’s over obviously. We will meet tomorrow, but it’s an utter disappointment. That’s all you can think about right now.”

Dallas Owner Jerry Jones

On what he will be looking for offensively next season:
“I am looking to have the same offensive coordinators and I will be looking for some continuity. I will be looking for the best ways for us to address what we want to do to win games. I think there are some things that we will need to do better and I have had to look at this many times in my life. I have been saying for weeks that I really think that we will not be changing our coaching.”

On what needs to change to have his coaches win big games:
“I think we will look at [QB Tony] Romo and have another year that I hope he can make us better. I think it will help in a big way. I would like to see some more continuity on offense and the quarterback position is such an important position.”

On whether he was embarrassed with such a loss:
“I am about every way you can to explain about feeling embarrassed. We did not play to what my expectations were this season. We did not score a touchdown and I really think that that is telling in itself. We ended up with five turnovers in the game and that is not a good thing. We were not effective at scoring in this game at all. I think that [QB Donovan] McNabb was McNabb in that he played really well. I think offensively the Eagles really made some big plays.”

On what he likes about Wade Phillips as a coach:
“I really like the experience that he brings to us. I like that he is willing to really develop players and the things that he sees. He is really flexible and he is great and having players to adjust to his schemes. A lot of coaches talk that they will do that but not do it and he does.”

TE Jason Witten

On his feelings about the game:
“The Eagles played a lot better than us obviously. It is just really hard to see your season go down the way that it has. All the expectations of this year and unfortunately things did not go our way. It is just disappointing.”

On where they go from here:
“That is going to be the hard part because we did not make the playoffs and it is going to be a long off season. The next season will not be able to get here quick enough for a lot of us. We have a lot to evaluate and we just need to get better.”

On what happened with the offense this month:
“I think over the last month we played some of the best defenses in the league. We just did not execute the way that we should of. The great thing though about this team is that we have a lot of play makers on this team still. We still have a great offensive line and on offense when things got tough we always seemed to make the big plays.”

On whether he thinks team chemistry will be given a lot of the blame:
“I think this team is fine. We had a couple of things come up this season but I do not think anything was bad enough to affect the team. I was the middle of things but it got blown way out of proportion. It all comes down to making plays and executing.”

And that's the way it was...Philadelphia 44, Dallas 6.

By Any Means Necessary...

West Coast offense

Brian and AG

"Handle my biz...I scramble like Randall with his...Cunningham, but the only thing runnin' is numbers fam...Jigga held you down six summers..."

Jay-Z - Heart of the City (Ain't no Love)

I'm in the midst of a very long, summer. The term hard work does not give justice…and for those of you that know me, you should remember how much I dislike the summer months. The good news is that we are getting further away from the sticky July days and nights, and closer to the cold wintry season were I can feel what seems like frigid air flowing in my veins.

Nevertheless, I am thankful for my hectic summers, because every year I try to work harder than the last, so that eventually my mother will not have to work as hard as she did when my siblings and I were younger and still does today. Hard work makes people appreciate the fruits of their labor, and in turn the labor is often times rewarded.

In October 2003 I landed a job with the Philadelphia Eagles as a volunteer for the Media Relations game staff. I had been out of work since July 2002, so I was very grateful to work for free. It was a start, and in most instances that's all you need.

My first game was mid-season on October 26; as the team would go on to win 7 more games in a row for a 9 game win streak. That win streak changed the season, as the team would win the NFC East Division for the third time in consecutive seasons. The wins began, on October 19th in the Meadowlands where the 2-3 team was fueled by the strong play of Brian Westbrook, to the note of a game winning 84-yard punt return, for a touchdown. The Eagles were down 3 (10-7) to their rival the New York Football Giants, and with 1:34 remaining on the clock and no timeouts, Westbrook did what he has been doing since he was a kid growing up in Fort Washington, Maryland. 

Westbrook was the first person on the team that I made friends with. We both loved sneakers...so everything clicked.

Any Given Sunday

Five years, Campbell’s Chunky Soup commercials, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl appearances later…Brian Westbrook hasn’t changed, or skipped a beat.

Here is the instant replay on our conversation:

What is your favorite sneaker of all-time and why?
“Jordan. You know it’s so many of them that I really like, but if I had to pick one...it would pick the Jordan XI, white/black.”

What shoes do you play in?
“When I play on grass I’ll wear a 7-stud [cleat], and when I’m on turf I’ll wear a molded cleat, but most of the time I play in the [Nike Zoom] Michael Vick.”

What are the major differences between the sneakers and styles in Philadelphia as opposed to PG County Maryland?
“In Philly the style is a lot more flamboyant. You will see wild, bright colors in Philly, but in PG [county] we have the ability to be wear those colors but we are a lot more relaxed with our style.”

What was it like playing in the Super Bowl?
“The thing about the Super Bowl is that it defines your professional career. The fact that we [Philadelphia Eagles] got there was very exciting, now we didn’t win it, but being there was something that I will appreciative forever.”


Ambition and determination are qualities that cannot be taught, purchased, or sold. Either you have it or you don’t. Brian Westbrook is ambition, and he embodies determination, every day on and off the field.

Peace.

AG.

Photos: Jamie Squire/Getty Images, AXG