The Next Movement

"We hit 'em like the EL at 60th and Market..."

Black Thought - Adrenaline

The Philadelphia 76ers have been playing well all season. In fact they are leading the Atlantic Division with a 18-8 record, however when it comes to national recognition, things seems to fall apart.

The Return

On Thursday night the NBA announced the All-Star reserve rosters for the east and western conference teams. February 9, 2012 is a date that should remain as a point of reference in the minds of the Sixers faithful...as Andre Iguodala was named to his first All-Star team, which will be played later this month in Orlando. 

I wanted to get his take on making the mid-season classic, so I sent out 2-text messages and a tweet to congratulate him on his recent accomplishment. He replied via text saying, "It hasn't even hit me yet..I'm thinking about the Clippers tomorrow!"

His response is a microcosm of what the Sixers are all about, with their all business, team first approach to every practice and game...and that's the difference between them and a lot of other teams around the league.

Things are changing for the better, as the 76ers continue to make believers out of people.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Michael Perez/Associated Press

The Tipping Point

"I'm young, and I'm black..."

Jay-Z - 99 Problems

The Celtics have a possibility of 2-games to advance into the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Cavaliers are merely taking it one game at a time...

Win or go home

The Boston/Cleveland series is a unique mix of playoff basketball and Catch 22 politics. If the Cavs win, then that's exactly what they were melded together to do...however if Celtics emerge victorious, then it will be a total failure by LeBron and the James gang.

I usually watch the games while I surf on Twitter. By the intermission of Game 5...fans, and naysayers formed a united front in bashing LeBron James. I content on texting my friend Ariana the score after each quarter (she's a Celtics fan), nevertheless it was interesting to see...how fickle people are.

In my opinion the Cavs played poorly, yet the other side of that coin proves how well the C's competed, and just how good they are. The real story is, the maturation of Rajon Rondo, and a healthy all-star supporting cast. When Boston won their 17th championship in '08, Rondo was a decent guard playing with a veteran laden core, now he is a veteran point guard leading his peers.

Sometimes things fall apart, while other times everything works together accordingly...in the case of the very storied Boston Celtics, their plan has been working, and the secret ingredient of Rondo is no longer a mystery based on potential...he's an integral cog toward another title.

So will the Celtics win in 6, or do they try again? If this goes the distance, then it's anybody's game. If the Cavs fail, it's because they either struggled way too much, or they just didn't have enough to get it done...regardless of those facts the better team always wins.

Boston has everything to gain, and nothing to lose.

Photo: David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

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.