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.

Peace among us...

The drug infestation of the 1970s...

The death of Len Bias hours after he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1986...

Magic Johnson announcing his retirement on November 7, 1991 due to being diagnosed with HIV...

The NBA has had some very dark moments, but none of those put as black an eye on the league as the evening of November 19, 2004 between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. What you see above was the end result of a few moments of tension mixed in with competitive nature. Throw in the overwhelming presence of alcohol, and what we saw on our television screens was utter chaos and unbelievable violence. We've seen athletes fight other athletes, and fans fight other fans in the stands, but never athletes verses fans. Not only did it result in a change of dress code and years of goodwill having to be re-established between the league and fans, it also changed the course of Pacer basketball history, as a team with championship aspirations were forced to continue on without Ron Artest (now known as Metta World Peace), who was one of the primary instigators of the fateful night.

Artest would eventually return to the league, change his name, and spend time playing overseas before returning to the LA Lakers in the twilight of his career. Now, one would think that it would create a permanent divide between World Peace and the people of Detroit, especially the fan who threw beer on him, which led to the melee. Well, he's not known as Metta World Peace for nothing, as his then-teammate Stephen Jackson explained on ESPN's The Jump recently.

Grudges aren't meant to the held forever, and to see that these two people have reconciled is further proof that no matter what happened in the past, we are responsible for being the one who seeks forgiveness. Remember, to forgive is so that we can be released from the burden. If the other person does not receive it, we are free to move forward with our lives. As Jackson said, he doesn't know how they remain close friends to this day, it's amazing.

In a world in which there is constant conflict and strife, be the person who seeks true peace.

Evolution has passed you by...

Believe it or not, there was a time in which the NBA did not have a 3 point shot. It's true, look it up. Prior to the 1979 season, there was no such thing as the 3 point shot. As of 2016, the league has gone completely 3 crazy, to the point where championships are being decided not so much by how talented a player may be (although it still pays to have a superstar) it's whether or not they can shoot the 3 pointer. We're seeing 6'11 guys like Anthony Davis learning how to shoot the trey, and GMs are building teams that are built around the perimeter. 

We've all marveled at the greatness of now 2-time MVP Stephen Curry and his video game like display of offensive wizardry and superhuman marksmanship from beyond the arc (and in some cases half court). As a matter of fact, he has been largely credited for how the league has morphed from the land of the giants to a jump shooting exhibition the likes of which have never been seen on the game's highest level. Teams that cannot shoot the 3 aren't long for success anymore. Centers are virtual dinosaurs, and the days of the Charles Oakley-like enforcers are passe. However, not everyone feels ready to embrace the new-age NBA, as evidenced by former player Tracy McGrady. For those who may not remember how great of a player "T-Mac" was, here's a hint:

Recently, upon being asked of his opinion of Curry winning the award, T-Mac felt the need to have his "Hey you kids, get off my lawn!" sermon on the Mount...

"For him to be the first player to get this unanimously, it just tells you how watered down our league is," he said. "Think about when [Michael Jordan] played, Shaq,  I mean, those guys really played against top-notch competition, more superstars, I think, on more teams than it is in our league today."

Now, he has been joined by the chorus of one Sir Charles Barkley, who has long championed the cause of opposing the league allowing teenagers to be drafted (never realizing that it wasn't until 10 years ago when the league instituted a rule that players had to be one year removed from high school before joining) and thinking that led to the "watering down" of the league. They believe that these players do not possess the all-around skills to become great players by coming out so early. This is ironic considering that McGrady, who never played in college, became a great scorer and we've seen LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant become first-ballot Hall of Famers without ever having to deal with March Madness. 

Even worse, the older generation seems to really have a problem with the evolving 3-point assault on the game. Yes, it has impacted the center position and makes it even more of a necessity to have great perimeter players, but think about this: change is inevitable in all walks of life. The advent of technology has changed our healthcare, education and private sector jobs. It has impacted how we communicate with loved ones and has created a bevy of careers not once thought of even 20 years ago (until 10 years ago, there was no need for a "social media director"). Sports is a microcosm of life, and when change occurs, we have to understand that it is not to destroy the traditions and values that we hold dear, but to show that there are different means to reach the end goal. 

Take one look at our political theater, and you will notice the "Silent Majority" who support Donald Trump still holds on to what they consider traditional mores, not realizing that the rest of the world has advanced into new ideas and new levels of understanding. It's why more moms are pulling their kids out of football with the knowledge of terms like CTE, and why we are no longer allowed to smoke in a metal tube going 30,000 feet in the air. We may laugh at guys like Barkley and McGrady for their views, but ask yourself: are you still living in the past, unwilling to embrace the future?

Face the music...

"Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on..."

Power Station "Some Like it Hot"

That was one of my favorite songs growing up in the 1980s. Granted the song has a more provocative theme to it, but the title was relevant to what we saw a few days ago when the mercurial Dwight Howard was a guest on the Emmy-award winning "Inside the NBA." For those who don't follow basketball, this show is known for its witty banter with the excellence of eloquence in Ernie Johnson being the straight man to Charles Barkley's no-holds-barred approach. Though I don't always agree with Sir Charles (especially with his take on today's NBA) he is to be admired for taking on stances that aren't always popular with mainstream sports media.

Once the Oklahoma City-San Antonio game came to its conclusion, Howard was asked during the post-game program by Barkley about his laissez-faire approach to the game. For those who don't know, the self-proclaimed "Superman" has been criticized for how he left the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and for failing to live up to expectations with the Houston Rockets. Below is a synopsis of Howard's response:

“I think I was very likable in Orlando, and the way that situation ended [with him wanting to leave Orlando], I think people felt as though I’m just this bad guy,” Howard said.

He was also asked if he was disinterested in playing, given his penchant for appearing to quit on his team:

 “Disinterested? I’m always interested in winning,” Howard said. “But sometimes, as a big, you want to feel a part of what’s going on. … Now there’s been times where I’ve been upset and I’ve taken myself out of games and situations, and that’s on me, and I have to grow and be a better player at that.”

Now, many of the pundits took that as a shot at teammate James Harden, who has also shown a devil-may-care attitude as a supposed star player. However, the important takeaway from this is Howard's willingness to own up to some of his past mistakes. He showed a sense of self-awareness, which we don't often see from a lot of star athletes whose receptive to negative press is akin to the throes of a jealous media who doesn't understand the sports world. He demonstrated a level of humility, and that is what people are looking for in their favorite stars; a person who is not above holding themselves accountable. He had to have known when he came on the show that they were going to hold his feet to the fire, and to his credit, he responded well.

How often are we able to take it when someone calls our actions "onto the carpet?" Do we dismiss what is being asked and blame others for our shortcomings, or do we take responsibility and say "You know what? I have had past indiscretions that are of my own doing!" There comes a point in time when everyone has to have their come-to-Jesus moment and realize that if they are not on the path they should be, we can't blame our parents, teachers, coaches, spouses, or the government. When we are called into judgment, we will have to be the ones who give an account for our actions, no one else. Be willing to take the heat, and it will provide you with a better perspective of who you are as a person.

Now, about that mauve suit Howard was wearing...

Foul? No, you're foul!

For the 3-plus decades in which I have watched all levels of basketball, there is always the perpetual question being asked: "What is a foul?" We have seen referees blow whistles on the lightest of touches, to allowing blatant discretions like the one above. We argue, "Why don't they call it by the book?" Understand first and foremost that referees, just like anyone else, are human. They make mistakes, and unlike anyone else, their mistakes are shown before millions around the world on television and online. Sports-talk radio shows banter on for days about what they believed was a missed call.

Again, by the letter of the law, it is a foul. However, the NBA came out yesterday and stated that at least 5 missed calls took place during the end of the San Antonio-Oklahoma City game on Monday night. They are correct as fouls by both teams occurred. While the tune of "well it's too late to do anything about it now" has been the prevailing mantra in the days after, what is refreshing to see is the league doing something that fans have been asking for a long time: keeping referees accountable. Recently during the first round of the playoffs Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson took it a step further:

It will be interesting to see what will happen going forward, or if Commissioner Adam Silver will begin to enforce stiffer penalties. The NFL has a system in which referees who continue to blow missed assignments are not allowed to officiate playoff games, and if the same is done in the NBA, it could see an end to what many people feel is an unfair and selective enforcement of officiating at opportune times.

Remember the outcry in the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings in Game 6? The Lakers had an absurdly amount of free throws awarded to them in the fourth quarter, and appeared to many as if they were allowed to do more than what the Kings were in that instance. Although we forget that Sacramento still had a Game 7 (at home, btw) they could've won, to this day everyone and their mother outside of Staples Center still believes this game was rigged so that the NBA could have the LA market in the Finals.

 

Sure, there are times in which superstars are allowed to travel (Michael Jordan was notorious for getting away with three steps) and maybe can use their elbows more often than the 12th man off the bench, but to think that the league is telling their referees (who are well compensated) to throw a nationally televised game for the sake of ratings borders on the brinks of absurdity. However, after decades of people asking for the referees to be held accountable, the league has listened and are doing so. In life, we all know that mistakes will be made (Romans 3:23) but it's as they always say "The cover-up is worse than the crime." We all want to know that what we are watching and supporting is on the up-and-up, and that the standards of fairness and competency is extended to those officiating the games as much as those who are playing them.

However, I'm still convinced that the "frozen envelope" conspiracy was contrived by the Illuminati...

So you're saying there's a chance...?

They say that luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity. For years former New York Knicks great Patrick Ewing has bided his time, preparing himself as an assistant coach, most recently with the Charlotte Hornets. Despite receiving adulation for his dedication to this craft, he never could receive the opportunity to prove himself at the next level and coach his own team. News came out over the weekend that he will finally get his chance by interviewing for the Sacramento Kings position. Although we don't know whether or not the "Madison Square Guardian" will get the job, this could open the door for other owners around the league to finally take another look at Ewing.

He is a testament to perseverance, never one to make his lack of opportunities a public issue. Even when he did not even receive consideration for the vacant job with his beloved Knicks (probably because deep down Phil "Big Chief Triangle" wants the job for himself) he didn't make it about himself, he just went back to work. While the NBA coaching carousel usually becomes nothing more than retreads getting hired over and over (looking at you, Sam Mitchell!) it takes an owner or GM with the foresight to think outside the box and give guys like Ewing their opportunity to show what they are made of.

There's a prevailing thought that big guys don't make great coaches; Kevin McHale would like to have a word about that. However, in recent years we have seen coaches like former Detroit Piston great Bill Laimbeer win multiple WNBA titles, and Ewing would be a great mentor to the enigmatic DeMarcus Cousins. This isn't about an endorsement, but about providing people opportunities who are hungry to prove themselves.

Sometimes it takes a fresh vision to provide stability, and if Ewing gets the position, he could be the stability that this woebegone franchise desperately needs.

When culture matters...

It lasted all of 18 minutes...but it may have infinite value...

That's how long last year's and the probable favorite MVP for this year Stephen Curry appeared on the court for yesterday's playoff game against the Rockets. He had arguably his worst game of the season, and left with a sprained left knee, and as of this time he is scheduled to have an MRI, which is never good news.

Of course, the instant Twitter reaction became the land of second guessers:

"They never should've played him"
"The Rockets had no chance to win anyway, why risk it?"
"This is going to end their chances of a repeat!"

We love to live life in the rear view mirror, and hindsight is always 20/20. However, in this case, having him out there was about more than just trying to defeat a slightly lesser team in Houston. As the second half proved, this may have been a window into displaying the character of this team. The Golden State Warriors made an NBA-playoff record 21 3-pointers en route to victory, and the way they rallied around their fallen leader is more about the culture and community that this team has more than anything else.

Life is often defined by how a person deals in crisis, not when everything is clicking well. Golden State has developed a culture of unity that is able to withstand keeping on without Curry. Now although we don't know what will be the extend of his injury, or even if it will end their title run this year, I believe that they will continue to be successful because they focus on the bigger goal and work together to do so? Can you imagine the Cleveland Cavaliers holding on without LeBron James? Just look at what happened to the Oklahoma City Thunder without Kevin Durant last year. They came apart.

Bottom line: A great team is enhanced by their culture, which the San Antonio Spurs have mastered to a T. While "fans" all over are mourning the potential loss of Curry for several weeks, what we must be reminded of is that they have the structure in place to handle such a setback.

To pause and reflect

 

 

On most days I would use this platform as an opportunity to express my personal viewpoints on the impact that the decision makers have on the world of not only sports but in society.

 

Today is not that day. I was prepared to write about the recent comments on former ESPN analyst Curt Schilling, but that will have to wait for another time. Two recent tragedies have occurred within the past 12 hours that necessitated a change in plans.

 

The first one came from Southern California, where news of one Joanie Laurer, aka Chyna to wrestling fans of the late 1990s, passed away from an apparent overdose. Whether or not that is true is not the story at this time, neither are the events in the latter years of her life. I take you back to my college years which coincided with the famed "Attitude Era" of 1998 when she first made waves as the proclaimed "Ninth Wonder of the World" in the WWF. Normally my friends and I would pack the community room at Virginia Commonwealth University to see the antics of Shawn Michaels and HHH as they formed Degeneration X and took over the WWF by storm. However, our eyes would quickly be averted to the woman standing behind them, with a chiseled physique and stone-cold look.

 

Over the months and weeks of late 1997 and beyond we would marvel at how physical she would be with the other male wrestlers, even beating them on several occasions. She was nothing like the Barbie-doll types that usually would be featured on Monday Night Raw broadcasts. Chyna even won the Intercontinental title while battling Chris Jericho. As a matter of fact, we'd be surprised when she competed against the women, as if it was somehow unfair for her to even lower herself to that level.

Later she would go on to be known as "Mamacita" with Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero, and find a new level of stardom before leaving the wrestling business.

 

What made her so special and unique was that she was unlike anyone we had ever seen, or have seen since then. I don't know if she ever made peace with those in the business, but she left a lasting impression at a time when we were looking for something different. Male or female, wrestling fan or not, Chyna was truly a wonder to see.

 

The next story, while not directly sports related, hit me and I'm sure millions of others like a ton of bricks as Prince Rogers Nelson, affectionately known as simply "Prince," passed away today at the age of 57. Iconic, legendary, gifted, there aren't enough words to describe what this man did as an entertainer, actor and producer. If you grew up in the early 1980s, you watched or knew someone who had seen "Purple Rain," sang "1999" and knew what he meant "When Doves Cry."

 

Prince was known by many as an avid basketball fan in the state of Minnesota. He played for Bryant Junior High in the early 1970s as an undersized 2-guard along with his half-brother Duane before making beautiful music with his guitar on near Hendrix-levels. Even as he went on to become the second greatest musician along with Michael Jackson in the 1980s he was still a figure with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, frequently attending their games and making his usually quiet presence known.

 

 

 

Younger generations may only remember him from the Dave Chappelle skits of 2003 with him playing basketball and offering pancakes to his defeated opponents. I will always remember him for his affectionate love of purple, the mysticism in which he performed on the keys, to the vivid imagination in which he expressed himself through his music.

 

If there is a lesson to be learned from these respective lives, it's that to enjoy the days of your life as much as possible. Live, love, and learn.



A second chance...

I was always a fan...

I used to marvel at the talent of one Stephon Marbury, and even though he spent only one season at Georgia Tech, I was one of the few who thought he was better than Allen Iverson. He had a rare combination of ball handling proficiency with scoring gifts that made him the pride of Coney Island. When he went to Minnesota I was excited at the possibility of him and Kevin Garnett being the northwest version of Shaq-Kobe. They had a phenomenal duo before they traded him to New York and he became the epicenter of the disaster that was the Isiah Thomas regime with lawsuits and poor results on the court.

However, all of that changed when "Starbury" went to China to play in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2010. Gone were the Vasoline eating videos and emerged was a man who found not only unprecedented success, but overwhelming peace, both on the court and off of it. He was recently bestowed the honor of receiving a permanent residence card, in addition to a statue and a postage stamp in his honor. Truly a remarkable turnaround!

What's so special about this is that he realized that what many of us have to in life; that sometimes it takes a great risk for a great reward. We have to step away from situations that while familiar to us and sometimes comfortable, don't provide us the peace that we need. It's stepping away from bad influences and toxic situations that only deteriorate our character in the long run. It's Abram leaving behind his family to become a father of many nations. It's that songwriter moving to California in the 70s on nothing but a tank of gas and a lot of dreams. It's the person reading this blog thinking "I need a change in my life." Marbury realized this while on the path of self-destruction, and now has a whole new outlook on life.

I was a fan of his as a teenager for what he did on the court; I am now a bigger fan for the excellence he displayed in making the right choice.

The definition of defiance

Relentless...

Driven...

Stubborn...

Powerful...

Beautiful...

Low emotional intelligence...

 

(Shout out to my brother Tony for sharing some of these thoughts...check out his blog at AFreshWord.org)

These are just a few terms that are used to describe Kobe Bean Bryant, both the player and the man. For 20 years he donned the purple and gold of Tinseltown and has graced our television screens and arenas since coming to the NBA in 1996 out of Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. He has experienced the highest of heights (5 championships) to the lowest of lows (the 2004 Finals, Colorado, playing with Smush Parker). He is an enigma wrapped up in a mystery; defined as the final bridge to a woebegone era when the player's brand was how many rings he won, and not based on his Twitter followers or mentions on SportsCenter. He was defined by his incessant desire for greatness, to the point where friendships were considered trite and a nuisance in his eyes. However, if there was one term that could best describe the life and career of #24, it would be defiance.

The final days of the Michael Jordan era concurred with His Airness flailing around the Verizon Center trying to carry a young and immature Washington Wizards franchise to greatness (it never happened). What it also did was spawn a litany of copycats like Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis who all fell for the Gatorade ad gimmick but lacked the heart or leadership to do what was needed to bring their team to carry the Larry 'O Brien Trophy. Jordan's ultimate pupil also tried to imitate Jordan, right down to the mannerisms and cold-hearted demeanor that alienated teammates.

If Jordan was Emperor Palpatine, Kobe was his Anakin: wooden, confused and ultimate misled into thinking the Dark Side was the way. Kobe believed that there was only one way to win...his. He didn't care that he was called "uncoachable" by Phil Jackson in his book, or care that he was ultimately responsible for killing a potential dynasty with Shaq. Sure, you'll hear the Los Angeles Lakers brass claim that Shaq was getting old and they chose Kobe over him. Ask Dwayne Wade if Shaq was too old when they won it all in Miami in 2006 (with help from the refs but I digress).

Kobe's defiance was never more evident than in 2013 when he tore his ACL towards the end of yet another losing season. He refused to take help from anyone on the bench, sank two free throws, and refused help walking back to the trainer's room, when he knew it was all over. His defiance submarined the Lakers franchise for several years by refusing to help the team financially by draining their salary cap. He wanted to be so much like Lord MJ, that he forgot one simple thing: Jordan's career ended with him busting his chin on the MSG floor trying to teach Rip Hamilton and Kwame Brown how to be winners. Kobe's ended with him taking 50 shots in some self-promoting display and taking advantage of referee manipulation to score 60 points. While the recaps and tweets showered praise upon him as if he was riding on a donkey through Jerusalem, I turned the television to watch the new era of team ball accomplish NBA history in the Golden State Warriors. Jason Whitlock of FS1 said it best (and I'm paraphrasing since this is a family blog): "Last night at the Staples Center Kobe had a public display of self-intimacy and we're calling it the greatest love scene of all time."

Defiance can be a good thing, it can keep an individual focused in the toughest of times; refusing to bend to the will of those who they deem are in the way. When combined with wisdom it can change the course of history, as the end goal is more outward than myopic. Kobe's defiance, while it has been praised by old school heads, should also serve as a reminder that when we take that final lap, we should be able to look back at not just the accomplishments, but the individuals we have impacted along the way.

Now I ask: what was Kobe's impact on the players who adored him, and was his defiance worth the cost?

Follow @JohnReidIV with comments or suggestions.

The unbeaten opponent...

Time has a way of letting us know when the end is near. We fight it because we hold on so much to the victories of yesteryear, hoping to get that one last time in the spotlight, or to drink one last time from the cup of victory. I remember watching such legends as Hakeem Olajuwon flailing as a Toronto Raptor, or Karl Malone when he became a Los Angeles Laker, and even more on a local level when I got to see Michael Jordan busting his chin on the court while leading a very young and immature Washington Wizards team. It is always painful to see our favorite legends limp into the sunset in their quest for glory, but I have to say I was pleased to hear that Kobe Bean Bryant announced in the Players Tribune that he's given his all to the sport of basketball and can't give any more.

As he prepares for his retirement this season, I always viewed Bryant as the closest model to MJ, from mannerisms to his cutthroat approach to how he played with teammates, and not always to the Lakers' benefit. Bryant has fought injuries and a team that is in clear rebuilding, but credit to him for coming to the realization that many analysts have seen: there will be no more great moments for him in purple and gold. It is a display of humility for him to admit that he has no more to spend on the court.

The old saying goes, "Father Time is undefeated," and it's for reason. There comes a time in our lives in which we have to realize that we must change. What may have worked yesterday doesn't work today, and if we don't come to that understanding through prayer and wisdom, time and opportunity will pass us by. The late Myles Munroe once said that "the graveyard is littered with books not written". I believe that to be true because we are so desperate to hold on to the past and unwilling to let go and step out in faith.

There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to laugh and a time to cry. I'm sure you've heard that before, whether it was in Ecclesiastes or in the famous song, and the question is: when do you realize that it's your time? Because once it's gone, you can never get it back.

So you're not good enough...?

Above is the following analysis for then Davidson combo guard Stephen Curry prior to him being drafted in the NBA. As a matter of fact, it was the first point that scared the then-GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves David Kahn from drafting him when he instead chose two point guards ahead of Curry. While Ricky Rubio has emerged as a starting guard on a potential playoff team, the other, Johnny Flynn, is out of the league. And what happened to Mr. Curry, you may ask?

Well, that last point of him relying too much on his outside jump shot is one of the reasons he is the league's reigning MVP of the World Champion Golden State Warriors. Despite the doubts cast upon him by many that last year's title was a "fluke" (I'm looking at you Doc Rivers!) Curry has continued to defy the odds and has supplanted even LeBron James in the minds of many as the best player in the NBA. That said, if you just read the scouting report on Curry coming out of college you would think that he had no chance of being successful. He wasn't even offered a scholarship at his father's alma mater Virginia Tech, but did not allow that to deter him from reaching his goals. To this day he continues to demonstrate what one can do when they don't allow the views of others to get his way.

If you thought that report was harsh, take a look at this one...

"Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.  Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them.  Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example.  Immature and has had issues with authority.  Not dependable.” 

Now I don't know what a "fake smile" has to do with being able to read a Cover-2 defense, but what I do know is that this was the scouting report about a quarterback facing his own questions about his ability to be a championship athlete at the highest level. Unlike Curry, he came in with a history of poor decisions (throwing a stolen laptop out of a window) and people wondered if he had the mental makeup that other great players of his ilk had...

It was Cam Newton, and the report was written by Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki. While many derided the report as racially motivated, Newton has taking his tremendous talent to the next level, and is largely considered the MVP of the league up until this point. Despite the naysayers, Newton continues to defy critics and in spite of some of his end zone antics (to which I respond, if you don't want to see him dance, don't let him score!) he has emerged as the unquestionable leader of the Carolina Panthers.

Curry and Newton are just two examples of what happens when people don't allow the views of others to impact their destiny. Whether it was Walt Disney (fired from his newspaper for having "no imagination) to Meryl Streep (called "too ugly" for the role in King Kong) you can't let what others think of you to get in your way. The only limit is in your mind, and the second you decide to remove those limits, watch how our life will change. Don't let the views and reports of others to limit your purpose in life. Besides, you never know when your paths will cross with someone who also hurdled over first impressions, no matter how wrong they were. Defy the odds!

We're all going to go through it one day...

A few years ago, while Lamar Odom was being interviewed by CBS' Ken Berger, he was asked about how he was able to overcome dealing with such adversity. Here was Odom's response to Berger:

"Jesus went through a lot," he said. "This is easy for me, you know what I'm saying? Basketball?"

"He didn't have your handle," I said.

Odom appreciated the joke, and didn't miss a beat.

"No, he didn't," he said with a smile. "No, he had his hands around the world. But we all go through a lot. We're all going to go through it one day."

Right now he's going through another difficult obstacle, and while no one knows what will happen, one thing is for sure, it's tough to see this happen to someone who has a well-known reputation for being one of the NBA's nicer guys. I've read his background of how he lost his mother at 12 and his son to sudden infant death syndrome, two years to the day after losing his grandmother, who had raised him during his early years. He persevered to become one of the league's best jack-of-all-trades players who was always in demand for his skills. 

This isn't about what took place in Nevada, or to bring condemnation on any of his previous decisions. It's about what he said in the interview. Like it or not, we are all going to have to go through it one day. The question is, what will you do when "it" happens?  The money, the skills, the accolades, none of that will help sustain you as a Christ-centered foundation rooted in God's Word. I don't know if Odom has a personal relationship with Jesus, but my prayer is that in whatever condition he's in, he will come to know Him. 

If there is one lesson to take from Lamar Odom's life, it's that being knocked down is only one part of the equation. The other part is how quickly we get back up. We are all rooting for him to get back up.

#PrayForLamar

The price of pride...

This is former Houston Rockets shooting guard Vernon Maxwell, better known in NBA circles as "Mad Max." His career was highlighted by his ability to hit 3 pointers as much as it was for his ability to create sudden and sometimes uncontrollable outbursts, on and off the court. Being transparent for a moment, he was must see TV in the 1990s, because I knew that every time he was on the tube, there was a chance he was going to do something either really exciting or really crazy. It was that unpredictability that kept me glued. My wife and I were watching "Clutch City" on NBA TV, which chronicled the success of the Houston Rockets' championship teams, and it showed yet another characteristic of Maxwell, one that he would eventually live to regret...pride.

Midway through the 1994-1995 season the Rockets were mired in a slump and traded for Hall of Famer Clyde "The Glide" Drexler. As he and star center Hakeem Olajuwon were celebrating their reunion from their Phi Slamma Jamma days, Maxwell was being sent to the bench in favor of Drexler. He began to sulk and pout and it all came to a head in the first round of the 1995 playoffs. After only playing 5 minutes he decided that he had enough, and left the team's locker room saying that he had enough and was going home. The Rockets had no other recourse than to deactivate him for the remainder of the playoffs. While Maxwell was home, the Rockets celebrated their second title in June of that year.

While watching the documentary, he stated that "leaving the team was the dumbest thing I've ever done in my life." He was right. Often in sports we have seen players who were at their wits end and they make the decision to leave the team. What they don't realize is that they are not just leaving their teammates, they're quitting on everyone who believed in them. There's a saying that goes "the lazy disrespects everyone who believes in them." As a basketball coach I often have to encourage the players that they are not just playing for themselves, but for everyone who goes on that court with them.

We have seen the spirit of pride create such a false sense of security in a person that they make choices not in spirit but in flesh, and it tears them away from the fabric of community. It happened to the church at Corinth, it has happened to great men and women leaders of the faith, and it's happened in families. If we allow pride to seep into our abodes, it can quickly establish domain and divide the home. Maxwell allowed his pride to get the best of him, and ended up watching his team obtain the ultimate accomplishment without him.

Every year I tell the team Proverbs 11:2 "Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."
Pride is something we have to be aware of quickly, for it's as the old saying goes, "Praise is like perfume...okay to smell, deadly to swallow." If we find that we are taking in too much praise of our works, it's time to take a step back, and do what is best for everyone. Although Maxwell eventually made peace with his teammates, his walking out on the team is a reminder of what happens when we put self before others.

Jesus teaches us to be givers, as He was. When you are a giver, you don't have time to take in the spirit of Pride.