An awakening...

"Stop Snitchin'"

This was a DVD that appeared in the national conscience in 2004, relating to drug dealers in Baltimore threatening violence against those who reported about their activities to authorities in exchange for a lighter sentence. It led to the phrase "Snitches get stitches," and it featured New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony in a brief cameo. The video's creator, Rodney Thomas was sentenced to 15 years in prison for pleading guilty to first-degree assault. Despite claiming that it was a joke, Anthony's squeaky-clean reputation took a hit among fans across the league. (credit: Wikipedia)

"Republicans buy shoes too."

These words were uttered by Michael Jordan in 1990 when asked why he would not endorse Harvey Gantt in the North Carolina Senate race against his Republican opponent, well-known segregationist named Jesse Helms. Jordan, who was the face of Nike, Gatorade, and the NBA at the time, was criticized for not being a voice in the community as fellow athletes of his ilk such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Which is why it was so refreshing to see these two in particular become the headline players as we've seen violence between law enforcement and citizens like never before. We have seen in the news countless stories of brutality and retaliation, creating a cultural divide, with it seemingly being played out over our airwaves and on social media. We've seen LeBron James and others take a stand after the Trayvon Martin shooting, and countless others during the Black Lives Matter movement. It was a throwback to an era when being outspoken could leave an athlete ostracized from endorsements and receive the ire of fans who want their players to focus on their athletic prowess as opposed to being a voice. The late Muhammad Ali was not as beloved by folks (both black and white) in the 1960s when he loudly spoke out against the Vietnam War. When we watched how O.J. Simpson avoided getting involved in the same issues, it was disturbing to see how disconnected he really was.

However, it was great to see Anthony come out himself and mention that "it's not about endorsements," and that athletes should speak up about the devastation that's going on around them. Even more, to see Jordan speak not only with his voice but with his dollars, shows that today's athlete has separated himself from focusing on simply the "brand." The focus should not be on the results, but the decision of these athletes to realize that there comes a time to go beyond the clichés and media-friendly quotes. A revolution has begun among athletes, and the ones who fall behind it are the ones who sit back and do nothing.

A Golden Decision...

Life offers us only so many opportunities. There's that window from ages 31-50 to make your money so you can retire to the confines of the beach and see the world. Fellas, when you meet that special someone, that window is even shorter. Most businesses fail within the first 3 years because we never get into the black after spending so much on expenditures. Bottom line, is that when these doors open to do better for yourself, what becomes our rationale for either accepting them or rejecting them? Is it loyalty, fear of change, or the need for something greater that drives a person to take advantage of an opportunity.

That is what Kevin Durant did as he announced on the Players Tribune that he will sign with the Golden State Warriors after spending the first 9 years in Seattle then Oklahoma City when the franchise relocated. He won the 2014 NBA MVP and is one of the league's best shooters. He left an Oklahoma City team that came within a quarter of defeating the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. There is vitriol on the Twitter-verse, calling Durant a "ring chaser" and what he did being worse than LeBron's "The Decision" to join the Miami Heat in 2010. However, there's an analogy that best describes what KD did. Maybe not on the same scale, but it's all the same.

I think of my father back in 1991. He was very successful as a Logistics Director at the U.S. Postal Service in Macon, Georgia. He was also a well-beloved associate pastor. He was given an opportunity to move his family to Washington DC for three times as much the money. Didn't give it a second thought about terms like loyalty and sticking to familiar territory. He did what was best for himself and his family, and we all prospered as a result.

I hear people say it now, "Jordan, Magic or Bird never left!" To that I have three reasons why: Chicago, LA, and Boston. It's kind of hard to leave those cities when you know they are destinations. Oh by the way, you all know that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar left Milwaukee for the confines of LA, so this has precedent. Only difference was that there was no Twitter-verse or Stephen A. Smiths hating on his every move.

Durant had to do what was best for him, he owes Oklahoma City nothing. The window opened up to go to Silicon Valley and he did what 99% of us would do. They say that 48% of people never leave their hometown. I say that those people are the ones who miss out on the best life has to offer. The worst thing a person can have in life is regret.