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The Week Sports Took A Stand

As a black man, I’m so proud of the statement that was made this week by the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL and WTA. Due to the great courage and leadership of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, sports stopped and athletes said that they will not continue to be marginalized and ignored. Black athletes said that they will no longer entertain the masses on television and be killed in cold blood in the streets. I’ve heard many people say well what did that accomplish. The answer is it accomplished a lot. It made the world stop and ask why. It caused the issues of police brutality and racial inequality take forefront once again. It brought some of the families of some of these black people who have been murdered by police back into the spot light.

We got another march on Washington today. We got more actionable items by sports franchises, including voter registration and calls to legislators in their states. More conversation on the demands to be made and those demands becoming more crystal clear. Demanding new legislation to tackle the police unions, legislation to address racial inequality in the justice system, rooting out prejudicial and racist police officers. All these things are necessary if we are going to advance the cause and movement for equality. These are the things that happened as a result of the athletes taking a stand and refusing to play games on television. So if you think their boycotts did nothing, well I guess your view is a little narrow.

The women of the WNBA have taken it even a higher level and it has to be applauded. It’s a shame that because their game isn’t as popular that their messages aren’t seen as much, but they are just as powerful. They have taken a stand and refuse to not be heard. This to me is exactly what should happen. Entertainment is not more important than lives. Black lives are just as important and critical as the black athletes that entertain you night after night. They give all they have so you can be distracted from the daily grind, but you won’t respect their views and lives when they’re off the court or if they’re not entertaining you. Enough is enough. This has been a watershed week and one that will never be forgotten.

This is the time to continue to put pressure and energy on this issue. Voting in two months on November 3 is so critical. No exceptions and no excuses. No need to try and say that there is nothing in it for you because that’s a lie. Your future is at risk. Your equality and freedoms are at risk. When will we say that it can no longer be about ignoring what’s difficult. For all you people who are tired of hearing about this subject, close your damn ears, shut your eyes or just go somewhere else. You’re probably the same people that give lip service about supporting the movement but don’t really want change. Or maybe you’re the people who are happy with how things are now, because it favors you and your family and people so this struggle isn’t relevant to you.

If you can’t understand why this shouldn’t and won’t go away anytime soon, maybe you need to sit down and listen more closely. Maybe you need to find some black people and talk to them about why we’re demanding equality and justice. I will not stop writing about the issue. No matter whether it gets may clicks and views or no clicks and views, I will continue to memorialize my thoughts and feelings. So when history is written, my children and grandchildren and generations of my family yet to be born can know that I was here and that I stood for something relevant and important to my people. That I have done my part voting and engaging in the process.

The message from the week that was is stand up and stand for something. Don’t let your actions be dictated for you or to you, dictate what you do. Change is something that never happens overnight. Grand scale change happens day by day. With little steps and big steps. It starts with a call to action and ends with tangible action. We are in the midst of change, don’t stop, won’t stop.

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LeBron’s Meat must be heavy

Damn right I said it and its time to get into it. I’m really sick and tired of every basketball related show on television making LeBron the focus of every topic. First off, the league is not just him, it’s not just the Lakers. The question is are the media so beholden to LeBron’s dick that they havenothing better to discuss. Yes I get it he’s in the L.A. market and he has been an elite level baller since he came into the league at 18. But my God to think that he is the odds on favorite to win the chip just because he’s LeBron and he has AD is crazy. Last I checked Giannis is the reigning MVP, who looked even better before the season stopped. The Rockets have a lineup that seems to cause matchup problems for the Lakers, the Clippers have the team that could prove too much for the Lakers and the Celtics have the firepower to knock off the Lakers.

Yet for all these different options to win the title, all I keep hearing about is how LeBron is recharged, how AD is so ready, how the Lakers are the best positioned, how only LeBron seems to have the championship mettle to lead his team to victory. If I’m not mistaken, isn’t Kawai Leonard still on the Clippers. Isn’t he the current Finals MVP. Isn’t he a multi time champion. Just asking. He’s also coached by Doc Rivers, a former NBA champion head coach. So again, I’m wondering why is every one only giving the Lakers the inside track to the chip. I get how talented their top two players are, but I also know they’re missing a key defensive cog and the a top off the bench performer currently as well.

Did I forget to mention that there are other teams in the West, given this short restart before playoffs and no home court advantage, that might make life hard for the Lakers. The Utah Jazz, the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets are three teams that come to mind that have the talent to be able to make like a little hectic for the King and crew. And I get it after 17 years in the league he still plays at a top 5 level in the league. There is still no greater penetrator to the basket with the ball in his hands. His court vision and basketball acumen is still right at the top, those are givens. But, I do believe that all the mileage on those legs will take it’s toll. Yes he got a fourth month hiatus to recharge so he should be ready to go. But those teams that needed to get healthy as well, have gotten that too.

These playoffs, if they occur, are going to be wild and unpredictable in my opinion. You have a different setup than at any other time in the league. You have teams that have rested and healed up. You have a healthy Philly team, a rested Milwaukee team, a healthy Clippers team, the Nuggets are full strength and others. Some players won’t be there and Corona will be the biggest determinant as to whether it remains that way and whether the season will finish. So all that said is to say, some of you people please get off LeBron meat. The league isn’t just him and everyone else. He isn’t head and shoulders above the rest of the league’s elite as some would like to try and get you to believe. Houston, Milwaukee, Clippers, Denver, Boston, Philly will all have something to say about this. And there will always be a sleeper team that will surprise you.

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A Distraction Needed

So, the time has come for the “normalcy” to return as many people keep calling for. We are about to have sports return, television networks filming shows for the fall and for some it couldn’t have come sooner, for others it’s returning at an opportune time. We are still in the middle of a burning hot pandemic, we have a civil rights movements underway and now we’re about to interject the world of sports back into the equation. Many have talked obsessively about the need for the sports professionals to come back and entertain us. Take our minds off the Coronavirus pandemic and the civil unrest that the Black community has undertaken to further our cause for equality. As we sit and wait for the leagues to determine if they will indeed be able to have a season, we are faced with answering the question of whether this will take our eyes off the health crisis and social crisis griping this country.

I have listened to both sides of the coin and I am honestly torn as to exactly how I feel. On the one hand as a fan, yes I want to see the sports world return. To have a reason to laugh loudly, trash talk playfully, watch attentively as my favorite players and teams vie for championships. But, on the other hand, I think about just how dangerous this virus is out here. How it’s hitting people regardless of stature. But how it is disproportionally hitting the Black community. Then too, it’s the protesting and unrest being displayed by black people trying to obtain equality. Trying to get the nation to change from the racist and bigoted ways of the past four hundred plus years. I wonder if this sports return will make some forget that we are still protesting in the streets. Still out pushing and lobbying for change in state legislatures and national legislatures.

I do think that the platform that many of the black athletes will have when they return to live national television, will possibly allow for us to have the conversation furthered to a degree that maybe it still isn’t being received currently. There is something powerful about the most influential athletes openly speaking and displaying the need for reforms. Primarily, because so many white people think that the more financially well off people speaking out makes a situation more important. Also, if these athletes take the position of the community organizers and emphasize more patronage of black business and boycotting those corporations who aren’t showing with actions that they support the cause, it will be more effective.

Yet, sometimes I also feel that it’s very sad and unfortunate that we can’t have regular people be the leaders of this movement. The catalyst can be regular people, but the ignitors have to be famous individuals. This is the unfortunate reality for the Black community but necessary for change to really take hold. Primarily because White America see money as the measure of power, and that’s why black people have to use our collective dollars to continue to hold accountable corporations and white people to ensure that we don’t allow this movement to end. The dichotomy is obvious and the movement taking place hopefully will work towards ending that making this a more fair, equal fight.

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Nike on the Front Line

So Nike has come with a new campaign in support of Colin Kapernick’s decision to kneel for the playing of the anthem and the other various forms of protest that NFL players have participated in over the past two plus seasons.

I’m sure by now you have either seen it or heard of it. I saw the ad and what it says. I also understand the head of Nike’s marketing campaign says the ad was designed to target 15 to 17 year old kids, to get them engaged.

The message of the ad is a simple one. Stand for something, even if it means it costs you everything. Now that’s a very strong and powerful message to send out to young people. Hell it’s a strong message to send to all people. Adults could use that line ad a method of reflection and motivation.

Now, while I understand some of the bad taste it has put in the mouths of some, I want to take a minute to break this down so there is clear understanding. The purpose of the ad is to get people active and engaged in a cause they believe in. It is strongly worded and provocative and love it. We need these types of bold messages to get thru. The point is a damn good one. Stand for something. Find a passion you have and be willing to go the distance for it. Allow yourself to be challenged and pushed for the cause of your life.

There have been protests by players that have been respectful and appropriate, yet people are trying to vilify these humans, who are athletes, because they are exercising their rights granted to them. Nike and their brass decided to join in the cause. I applaud them for deciding to stand for something.

I heard a reporter, Jason Whitlock, of Fox Sports bash the ad and the company, questioning if parents would say the same thing to their children that Nike is saying. I find Jason to be much like the other hypocritical masses that will privately tell their children to be independent and love with a purpose and passion, yet now want to berate Nike because they made an ad basically saying as such.

They just chose to be more bold in their word choice, but the message is clear and damn right it needs to be said. To answer Mr. Whitlock, yes my folks would say the same because the context of the message is what we’ve been taught for years. Damn it, I’m tired of people being cowards and bitching up when a company decides to stand with a cause that is making people uncomfortable because it’s shining a light on issues that are real and exist.

Bravo! Nike, I say stand strong behi nd athletes who take their voice and influence seriously and call attention to issues that need to be addressed. Like Serena Williams, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and many others have said, the protests work when you make people uncomfortable about things you know are injust.

America find a cause important to you. Find a cause that you’re willing to stick your neck out for and burn that bitch down making that cause, and the solutions to your cause become reality.

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The LeBron Overkill

It is no secret that I’m not a LeBron apologist. I don’t worship him or his basketball game. I don’t think he’s the greatest to play the game nor do I believe he makes everyone around him better. I believe that he is a great talent. I think he has a drive to win that is as high as any in the game. I think he’s a generational player. And that’s all.

Part of the reason LeBron has this power nd influence over the three franchises he has played for in his NBA career is because the media has largely contributed to creating the monster that is LeBron. Yes I called him a monster and let’s dig into few reasons why I say this.

First in his first run in Cleveland, definitely his second nd now his stop in LA, LeBron is the de facto General Manager of these teams. I heard Ryan Hollins debating on ESPN’s First Take that LeBron couldn’t be the de facto GM because he didn’t sign the checks. Hey Ryan, of 3.7 points per game average in ur career that was a bust to say the least, where u been living man.

Every one knows that every move made during LeBron’ s Cleveland days were at his direction. He didn’t have to sign the damn checks to be the man telling his team what to do. Ryan also stated in his defense that Cleveland had to sign the players they did cuz of the cap. Here is point two, LeBron was always LeBron first. He took so much money that his team had to use the lower rung players to support MeBron.

Then he goes to LA nd they’re constructing a roster that looks very inept. And u have Laker Legend Magic saying he will consult LeBron on all moves. That’s stupid. Idgaf if he is LeBron. He won’t win the West in these four years if he doesn’t have at least one more superstar on that team.

By the way, in the wake of LeBron bolting again, how does Cleveland look? Kyrie gone, the good young core u had.. gone, Isaiah Thomas who would’ve been good to build around.. gone. They’re left with a good number of players the league doesn’t really want nd in salary cap purgatory.

Oh and for the record offensively they will be miles better than the LeBron days cuz now they gotta have an offensive identity besides LeBron plus four.

Good luck LA. U will be relevant, u will be a quasi contender nd ur franchise value will surely elevate. But I’m going to tell u the biggest benefactor of LeBron being in the West is the whole Eastern Conference. Now they can focus on constructing themselves to compete against the best in the West not a LeBron led squad that will get every advantage cuz he’s on their team.

This season will be interesting

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The LeBrons Are Done

Lemme be very clear. This is my opinion nd all the LeBron dick suckers can keep the comments. Lets face facts this series was alwaya going to be the corination for the champs of the West. It was never really a question once the Warriors won the West.

That team is the absolute best in the league and the LeBrons wont good enough. I understand people will say they always had a chance. I will tell u thats bull shit. LeBron aint good enough to beat an entire team that plays as a team. He needs help nd they didnt have it.

Lets stop the MJ comparisons there please. Mike made all his teammates better. He didnt have to dominate all the time because he trusted his guys nd they fed off his leadership nd confidence. Cleveland clearly not the case. Also LBJ bitches like he a 6 ft PG not 6’8 nd a monster as he’s billed as his whole career.

Im sorry Im sick of the LeBron talk. I’ve watched enough to kno he’s a great player but man Im sorry I watch nd don’t see the shit some people do. He’s a bigger Allen Iverson quite honestly. They’re going to suck his dick on tv nd say he was all this nd that. Like are u serious man. Back in MJ nd Kobe nd the players before day, playing a full 82 was standard. Playing big minutes was standard. Im not gone reward him for that.

The bottom line is the LeBrons are gone, they never had a chance nd quite honestly LeBron shrank as the inevitable became clear. He wont good enough

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An Ignorant Nation

Im watching the latest form of censorship applied by the NFL in regards to the players protesting the social injustices in the country. Apparently the dumb ass general public who cant see that the kneeling the players did during the anthem didn’t have a damn thing to do with disrespecting the flag or the anthem itself. It’s to show outrage over the social inequities among people of color nd the white class in this country.

Damn it people when will you bleeding heart Americans realize everything aint about the fucking flag and anthem. Though I will add if we did protest that, we wouldn’t be wrong. Under this flag we were enslaved nd called ubequal. Un this anthem we were not free until the abolishment of slavery. But the protest is nd still focuses on police brutality, racial inequality, gender inequality, income inequality nd all those issues that sre split along lines of race.

The owners all decided that they needed a uniform method of honoring the flag. I can imagine some players will stay in the locker room but how long will they do it. How will teammates look at those who chose to stay behind to make a point. If you want my answer to all this: it means the NFL is mirroring the NBA. Take away the players right to protest on their biggest platform.

Maybe one day we will stop with the ignorant assertion that every protest opposite the playing of the anthem is a protest to the anthem. One day we will wake up as a nation nd realize the cause being championed is well damn with. Wake up people.

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The Truth shows itself…

You know I’ve been reading and listening to the things being said by athletes, coaches and former athletes in regards to Kapernick’s stance on kneeling for the flag and the subsequent protests by other players and team across the NFL. I heard Trent Dilfer called Kap’s move disgraceful and Tony LaRussa questions his sincerity, you’ve had Dabo Sweeney say that the protests are over played and that the Black community has equality to Whites.

The truth is the more this topic gets discussed, the more we realized that we are still right where we’ve always been. Elite White people have no fucking clue about what’s going on. I’m watching the faces who speak and what they say and it’s clear that we need more conversation about the issues and we need to realize what the purpose of the protests are really for. Kap isn’t protesting the Military vets who’ve served to defend the nation and protect the flag, he’s protesting the injustices that continue to proliferate American society.

The other players across the League that have joined him are standing up for their communities to protest the injustices happening to people of color. And it’s interesting that there are those White people who seem to understand and agree with the movement and others who just look ignant as fuck and that’s a shame. I saw what Skip Bayless of FS1 had to say about Trent Dilfer of ESPN and I’m so glad that Skip gets it. All these players who played with hundreds of Black athletes are giving these Jim Crow opinions are pretty sad to see.

Are we in the same place that we use to be.. Not technically, but are we at a equal place in this country…Hell Nah. Hopefully this debate will continue to center on the issues.. racial inequality and injustice, and not on professional athletes, who are actual human beings, protesting the Anthem of the United States of America. See that distraction is critical to the discussion as a whole. We can’t get caught up in the Act, because you miss the message. The message is we need to get justice for all.

Lastly, let me take this last paragraph to rail again the Owner of my favorite football team, and maybe even chastise them a little. Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, man you can tell that you’re out of touch from your players. To have the nerve to say you’re disappointed because human beings chose to protest their outrage in this country with the social injustices is disgusting. You’re the disappointment Jerry. You give women abusers second chances, but you don’t like players standing up for what they believe in? How dare you act like you don’t see it. or maybe you don’t. Maybe because you’re that elite White man who knows nothing but privilege, you ain’t even qualified to open your fucking mouth. A sad commentary on owner who prides himself on giving guys a chance. Maybe you need to spend more time with your Black players to understand why the protests happen as they do.

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Carolina on my Mind

We are here at another major sports weekend and I’m excited and nervous at the same time. In the Final Four this weekend, my boys out of Chapel Hill are going to try and get the W to earn the right to take center stage Monday night in Houston, Texas and win their third National Championship for Ol’ Roy and the sixth for the Tar Heel basketball program.

North Carolina has shown for the past month and a half that they are indeed the best team in College Basketball this season. While they didn’t turn on the jets until very late in the season, the work they’ve down the stretch in the ACC and through the first four games in the NCAA tourney, Carolina has shown why they were picked as the team to beat in College Hoops this season.

While nobody thought that Brice Johnson would be the consensus All-American on this basketball team, it was not a shock that the Heels would have regularly five or six guys in double figures. Not to mention, they finally found the defense that has been missing the past three seasons and it’s been a welcomed site. They’ve shown the world that they are truly a team that seems to be ready for the brightest lights and the biggest stage. Roy has shown he has the ability to let loose and enjoy the season and his players.

This team has the character of a title team and definitely playing with the swag of a group ready to demolish any team trying to stand in their way of Championship glory. If this Tar Heels team win the title, they will have done something that the 2009 team didn’t do. That’s win the ACC Regular Season, Conference Tournament and National Championship in the same season. While this team may not have been as consistently dominant as the ’09 team, they would have that feather to brag about.

Saturday night will be exciting and I can’t wait to see the updates of the game. I will be out celebrating my b-day so I can’t watch but I’ll be there in spirit as the Heels look the give the Orange a trifecta of losses this season.

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Wake Up Tar Heels

As an avid North Carolina Tarheels college basketball fan, I’ve watched just about every game this year and I really don’t know which version of my Heels is legit. One minute they play like they’re the best team in America, the next they act like they don’t know how to defend or feed the paint. This Carolina team by far is the deepest Front Court in basketball, yet they seem to refuse to always embrace that identity in big time basketball games.

They seem to get leads feeding the post and then they abandon that attack and shoot bricks to allow opponents back into the game. Tonight is the rematch with hated rival Duke. I remember the first time they played in Chapel Hill and I was certain that down the stretch UNC would keep feeding the paint and bludgeon the Blue Devils to death. The result was that they didn’t and wound up losing the game. As I’m watching this game, they took a double figures lead against Duke only to allow them back into the game with bullshit defense.

Everyone knows that when you play at Cameron Indoor the refs are going to cheat for the Dukies because Coach K knows how to bitch his way into every single call in the book. Watching the game it seems it’s similar to the first matchup where Carolina failed to put the game away and Duke snuck out with a victory. Well, sad to say here we go again. Carolina playing like pussies down the stretch and are on the verge of letting another game get away. Just like the Texas and Northern Iowa games earlier this year.

How many times do you have to see the same thing play over and over before you make the adjustment? Then I just watched the ref call a foul on a UNC player when he got elbowed in the nose. What the fuck is that? I mean I know they don’t want Carolina to win in Durham but what the fuck truly is that?

Only time will tell if these Heels can deliver ol’ Roy his third national title in Chapel Hill but with what I’m seeing tonight, they’re not gonna make it. All I see is tight bull  shit play from Carolina. How many damn times are you gone miss from point blank range? How many times are you gone miss put backs and not close out on defense? If only this team had the chops of the 2009 Champs this would be a blow out. But that’s the beauty of the season, each team is different.