Basketball Jones

"How come the things that make us happy, make us sad..."

Frankie Beverly - Joy and Pain

The WNBA franchise Tulsa Shock, have announced today the signing of Marion Jones, after she worked out for the team last Saturday.

2nd Childhood

Basketball is a sport that has opened many doors beyond anything I could ever envision...so when the Shock signed Jones, it made perfect sense, as I'm sure the game brings her the same satisfaction that I receive from it. Marion Jones was drafted in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury in 2003, but she never played.

She has been associated with controversy and negativity for taking performance enhancing substances, and while I understand to an extent the backlash...she admitted her wrong doing, served time in prison and has since moved forward with her life.

Basketball was her first love, as she helped led UNC to at 33-2 record, and the NCAA national championship as a freshman, so I find it refreshing that she's come full circle, getting back to her roots. She recently had her third child, however I believe Marion is up for this new challenge. I'm not sure how long she will play...but its really good to see her back on the court, and happy in her decision.

In a New York Times interview, she stated: I thought it would be an interesting journey if I decided to do this. It would give me an opportunity to share my message to young people on a bigger platform; it would give me an opportunity to get a second chance.

This is a win-win for both parties, as the WNBA can use her star power to promote the league, and Jones as we must remember is a human being and she deserves another opportunity at being the best she can be.

Superman

"You need a baller like I..."

Jay-Z - What They Gonna Do

I've been a fan of comics for a good number of years...and like sports there are triumphs and tragedy.

Heroic

About five years ago I was asked to be a guest on a college radio show at UNC Chapel Hill...and when the host introduced me...he said that I was the Clark Kent of the sneaker game. I was flattered by his words, as I grew up reading about and watching Superman.

I never asked him what he meant by that, nevertheless I understood...because Kent is the secret identity of Superman...which leads me to Dwight Howard. His nickname is Superman because of what he can do on the basketball court, so he and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet on the same page.

His new "This is Sportscenter" commercial is classic, as I look forward to seeing it on television.

The Magic are playing well, and with a former Orlando center now taking residence in Cleveland, the upcoming playoffs are certain to be nothing less than monumental.

Stay tuned!

Second Semester

Basketball IQ

"I wish for you 100-years of success, but it's my time..."

Jay-Z - Roc Boys

Whenever ACC oppents matchup, it's usually a great contest, so last night when #9 Clemson visited Tobacco Road, and the #6 Tar Heels, Wayne Ellington and company didn't disappoint crowd, or the national ESPN audience.

Student Athlete

This time last year I was living in Oregon, and while the PAC-10 is a great college basketball conference with the likes of UCLA, Arizona, and Arizona State...there is no place like home. I would catch the Big East, ACC, and Atlantic-10 sparringly, but one game stood out, and that was UNC vs. Clemson, as the 'Heels traveled to South Carolina for an important conference battle. That game went down to the wire, as sophomore Wayne Ellington made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to seal the victory.

Ellington's heroics against the Tigers remained in tact as he led his team on Wednesday to an impressive win 94-70. He played a team high 32 minutes, scoring 25 points, while handing out 7 assists, and grabbing 6 rebounds. His only mistake was leading both teams in turnovers with 4...but I'll take that at this stage in his career now, because it means two things. First and foremost, he was being aggressive, and next, this is how he will learn the valuable lessons for the next level.

The Philadelphia native is a big Kobe Bryant fan, so in KB24, he has one of the best to look up to. It's only a matter of time before he joins him on the big stage.

Tonight I'm headed to Temple University for some more college basketball action, as I'm sure Dionte Christmas will leave me with something to write about tomorrow.

Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

'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.

Native Son

People's Champ

Wisdom from Chamberlain and Sonny Hill

Desire

'Sheed and AG. in North Philadelphia

Iconic

"You ain't ballin', you pump fakin'..."

Beanie Sigel - One Shot Deal (Feat. Redman)

Last night while driving home from my workout, I turned on 610AM WIP...the Philadelphia all-sports talk radio station. Ike at Night was on and the topic was the players only meeting called by Donovan McNabb. After a good 20 minutes, Ike changed gears to the NBA, and how Rasheed Wallace although slightly off center, is one of the best basketball talents the league has seen. I thought it was sort of a backhanded comment, so I think I'll tune in tonight and call in.

The talk of 'Sheed, and the upcoming NBA season, made me think back to when I started taking journalism seriously, and my first interview with Wallace. I attended his free basketball camp back in '02, and not only was I accepted as a member of the family, I learned a lot about the oft misunderstood gentle giant.

The following story never ran as I wrote it to sharpen my journalistic knives:

Like him or dislike him, Rasheed Wallace is a man on a mission. The two-time NBA All-Star (2000, 2001), whom enjoyed a stellar career at the University of North Carolina, and was a High School All-America (National Player of the Year 1993) he often stands misunderstood. However Rasheed Wallace is all about his family, basketball, and the community, which he best serves through the Rasheed A. Wallace Foundation. With the foundation he is able to provide the community with a positive outlet, basketball, knowledge, and an example of a hard worker, and devoted family man.

Philadelphia, PA, Simon Gratz H.S., 17th & Hunting Park Avenue – Summer time in North Philadelphia means a lot of things, but to Rasheed Wallace it means giving back to the community. During the week of July 2 – July 6 (excluding July 4th) Rasheed Wallace presented his annual free basketball camp to the masses that was North Philly. “Giving back to the community is very important. I see it as a reaction, a necessity if you will to give back to the community. Everybody isn’t going to make it to the NBA, so I try to provide various speakers at my camp. For instance my cousin is a police officer, and he came to speak to the campers. I also bring in lawyers, coaches, players, and people from all professions.” Says Wallace as people of ages cling to him like the sweat drenched camp T-shirt on the backs of everyone present. Jacqueline Wallace thinks the world of her son, as she takes a break from camp director/camp mother to reflect upon him. “I think that it’s fantastic that he is community oriented. The camp was his idea and it is funded for and sponsored by various outlets including him. He is a good guy, I love him and being an NBA player with the funds that he has, he has not changed. He is the same person that he has always been. I like the camaraderie that he has with his brothers (Muhammed Wallace, Malcolm Wallace, Ryan Tabb, and Michael Tabb) and he is a genuine family man.” You can take the man out of the ‘hood but you can’t take the ‘hood out of the man. Not to say that is a bad thing but Rasheed Wallace is as real as any NBA superstar can get. People drive by and beep the horn as he waves back while sitting on the steps of his former high school, signing autographs as he once did as an adolescent. Surrounded by family, former coaches (Bill Ellerbee, and Roland Wharton), friends and the neighborhood that he dearly loves, he stands tall at 6’11” 225 lbs, he stands taller as one of Philadelphia’s favorite sons. The Rasheed A. Wallace Foundation was established in 1997 to promote programs that enhance the quality of life for everyone, and helps to assist in the recreational and educational development of youth in Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, Durham, NC, and other selected communities where he has resided.

When asked about the benefits of the basketball camp Rasheed replied, “I try to give the campers the knowledge that they can be successful in other things than basketball. If I can reach out to one person then I can reach out to others. Besides that I want to teach basketball and give people the opportunity to become better players.” Former high school teammate and Temple University standout, Lynard Stewart came by for a fun filled week of basketball and life skills as he exclaimed, “We played high school basketball together. I figured that I should get involved it’s like a family thing. Besides I live up the street so I wanted to get involved and work with the kids.”

Friday, July 5, 2002 - last day of the camp, and the campers were delighted to be entertained by a camp counselor game versus various wanabees. The campers, parents, and fans alike were privy not only to the game in which Rasheed Wallace’s team won, but a post-game slam-dunk contest. Rasheed Wallace was forced to bring out the best dunks as he was challenged ferociously by 20 year-old Mike Keys, 1999 graduate of De La Salle H.S., also in Philadelphia, PA. “It was just for fun. Basketball is everything. It is my life, and it comes before mostly everything”, says Keys as the crowd cheered him on as if it was the slam-dunk contest sponsored by the NBA.

Saturday, July 6, 2002 - brought an end to the festivities for the week as the campers and their family members were invited to a barbeque in near by Hunting Park with Rasheed Wallace and his family. Everything was free of charge of course, as Rasheed would not have it any other way. “I try to give an uplifting spirit to the community. I have a few business ventures and I want to provide for the people of North Philadelphia”, Wallace expressed and when asked about his future and the community he spoke very candidly and said, “Preferably good things are in store for the future. I’m the type of person to live day by day. I may want to put up a few buildings or create jobs in North Philly. When people think of North Philly they think of burned down buildings and drugs, but if we build it up then we can make things better for living.” This is Rasheed’s mission and he is ready and set like North Philadelphia is depending on him. Rasheed Wallace has not let Philadelphia down in anything that he has done and at this rate he never will.

Watch these videos for more on Rasheed Wallace: