The Wizard

Respect

"Keeping on trucking baby..."

Eddie Kendricks - Keep on Trucking Baby

Last week I traveled to my favorite NBA city to work on an assignment...today I was saddened by some disheartening news.

Legacy

Abe Pollin passed away after losing his battle with a rare neurological disease. After my initial shock wore off...I emailed my friends on the Wizards PR staff to give them my regards and condolences.

There are a few reasons why DC stands head and shoulders above the other 29 teams in the league.

1. The PR staff do their best to assist the smaller media outlets. In fact when I first started AXG, it was the Wizards who allowed my photographer and I access to the team and games.

2. Milt Newton, Vice President of Player Personnel and I used to work together at the League offices in New York, and he always offered me advice and a helping hand.

3. Brian Sereno, Director, Public Relations is the one that believed in my talent as a writer, granting me media passes to cover games under AXG.

4. Proximity to Philadelphia.

5. It is after all Chocolate City...

6. Free ice cream sundaes at halftime.

7. Daren Jenkins, Senior Coordinator, Public Relations...he and I have become good friends, as I respect how he has risen from an intern to a senior member of the PR staff...his story reminds me of mine.

8. Caron Butler is not only one of the best players on the team, but he allowed me to work as a counselor for his summer basketball camp at McNamara High School in 2007. He's a really great player and even better person.

9. Nick Young is the future of this league...he is truly a diamond in the rough, and his best is yet to be made evident.

10. The Wizards/Cavaliers "rivalry"

Photo: Ned Dishman/NBAE/Getty Images

Hard Work

Intensity

"And I'm the franchise..."

Jay-Z - La-La-La

Last week I came home to a package from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. I didn't think anything of it, because I couldn't remember ordering anything...

Appreciation

After about an hour of being home, I opened the mystery package. To my surprise it was an advance copy of Kobe Doin' Work, the Spike Lee documentary. It aired on ESPN last Spring, and what I remember most from that film was that I appeared within the first 2 minutes of the piece. Bryant and I have a good friendship, and I was so excited to see myself that I couldn't concentrate on the rest of the movie. I wasn't however in this edition, nevertheless I was proud and honored from the original broadcast.

As I sat back and watched it...the insight you gain from his commentary and Lee's vision is unprecedented. In one scene Bryant describes how he played against Tim Duncan in a game of one-on-one during the All-Star break, and how he learned Duncan's signature bank shot...which he now incorporates into his attack.

I heard that a lot of people and critics didn't like the documentary because they were expecting more of a behind the scenes, never seen before type of footage, however if you listen to what Kobe says...then all the hidden things you never see in an NBA game, are explained to you by the man himself. Its a different approach, and when you think about it...that's how Bryant is as a person and athlete. He even makes a mention of how playing in the league reminds him of being a kid at home in Philly...which showed me how much, and how highly he regards his hometown.

Kobe Doin' Work is available at retail on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. There is also a special MVP edition that comes with a Kobe Bryant trading card from Upper Deck, limited to the first 30,000 copies.

The Lakers make their first trek to the Northeast next month, and I'll be on hand to catch with Bryant, as I haven't seen him since the Finals...so we have a lot of catching up to do.

Double Nickel

Faith

"Allen Iverson...Hakeem Olajuwon...don't even bounce"

Asher Roth - I Love College

When Brandon Jennings was selected by Milwaukee this past summer, no one saw what was coming next...

Self Confidence

The 76ers played the Bucks in their home opener...I was busy covering the World Series...so I didn't attend the game, however my friend and colleague Michael Tillery was there and wrote a great piece for SLAM's website...entitled I Saw A Rookie of the Year Tonight. He texted me at during the 4th quarter telling me how amazing the rookie is, and while I hadn't seen him since the McDonald's game, I was intrigued, because now he's in the League, and apparently getting busier than a worker bee in July.

When Jennings went from high school to play professionally in Italy...I wasn't too sure how well he would do as a point guard. Needless to say its good to see that my opinion doesn't matter, and the work that this man had put into his game, and basketball IQ is now getting the last laugh.

Last night he scored 55 points in a 129-125 win over the visiting Warriors. Interestingly enough he didn't score in the 1st quarter, but he kept his composure en route to breaking Lew Alcindor's 39-year old Bucks rookie record by 4 points.

There is never a dull moment in NBA action...from this, to Dwyane Wade's dunk...things are heating up. This week I'll interview LeBron James, and Rudy Gay, so be sure to stay tuned...as the best is just ahead of us.

Photo: NBAE

Triumph over Tragedy

Respect

"Ignorant and mad young...wanted to be the one..."

Raekwon - Can It Be All So Simple

I covered the Sixers/Celtics game last week for an interview with Kevin Garnett, and two things dawned on me...KG is one of the best players in the league, and Rasheed Wallace is back wearing number 30 again.

Back to the Basics

Watching 'Sheed play for the C's was interesting. The main reason why is because I'm not a Boston fan, however I had a feeling of joy watching him play. Wallace has been one of my favorite players since his days at Simon Gratz H.S.

His passion, intelligence, and dexterity make him a tough opponent. He has worn #30 for years, and it wasn't until a trade from Portland to Atlanta that he switched up, and then again while a member of the Detroit Pistons. The more things change the more they stay the same, and seeing that number in a Celtics jersey made me think of Len Bias.

Bias was drafted by Boston in 1986, and a few days later he died from drug use. He was one of the best players in college basketball history and had he suited up and played, 30 would have been his jersey of choice.

After the game I caught up with Head Coach Doc Rivers, and Rasheed Wallace...here is the final score on our conversation:

AG: Len Bias would have worn the number 30 had he played with the Celtics, your thoughts coach?

Doc Rivers: I didn't know that...with Rasheed picking that same number...I don't think that was intended, but it is interesting, and its great, and we're all for that.

AG: Talk about 'Sheed and what he brings to the team:

Doc Rivers: He's great for our team...you can see that. He gives us fight, he gives us energy, he's been terrific!

AG: Talk about Len Bias:

Wallace: He would have worn 30, and I remember watching him play down in the ACC with Maryland...smashing Carolina, smashing [Georgia] Tech...you know its unfortunate what happened to him. I think he would have been, definitely a trend setter as far as power forwards go in this league, you know he would have set that bar, and its unfortunate what happened.

AG: Talk about the number:

Wallace: Definitely it's cool to share the number, but I don't think about it like that...I think about it more from my point of view, wearing it in high school, where it all started at.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

27

Champions

"My career's illustrious..."

Jay-Z - Success

Last season the Phillies won the championship...what a difference a year makes...

Empire State of Mind

The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night 7-3, in 6 games. This was my first World Series, and words cannot begin to describe the feelings of excitement I felt by sharing the field with the best baseball teams in the league.

I'll be sure to write a full version of this story, but right now I have to go so I can soak this in. Baseball is one of my favorite sports, and I feel blessed to have a career in journalism to cover these moments in history.

Photo: Getty Images

Tomorrow Never Dies

Heart

"Yes this is Philly, you're welcome to come check us..."

Peedi Crakk - Flip side

The New York Yankees jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st, however the Phillies had more to prove in Game 5.

3-2 Full Count

The fans in South Philly have seen their last home game of the season, and for the City of Brotherly Love, it was one to remember.

There will be a Game 6, as the Fightin' Phils fought off elimination on Monday night...defeating the Yankees 8-6. Cliff Lee took to the mound pitching well enough for the win along with an early 3-run home run by Chase Utley in the 1st, and another shot in the 7th for a total of 5HR's in the World Series.

The series gets a little more interesting as the questions have begun to swirl around who will pitch for both teams if this goes to a 7th and final game. Not too get ahead of myself or the World Series for that matter, but as the venue heads back up the interstate, all the pressure falls on the Yankees to win their 27th title in the new Yankee Stadium.

At this point of the season, the game is simple, as the team with the best pitchers on the mound, win ball games.

I spoke with Chase afterward...

AG: You have a very low-key disposition, but can you talk about how you've been able to lead by example throughout this World Series for your team?

Utley: I don't think we really need to be pointed in the right direction. We all have the same mindset, and we all play the game the right way in my belief. You know, you go out there and you play hard. You give it everything you can, and play that game like it's the last.

Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images

9th Wonder

Heroic

"Cause this is business, not personal..."

Little Brother - Lovin' It

Johnny Damon worked a 9-pitch AB, and the he stole 2-bases in the final inning, and Alex Rodriguez, hit an RBI double that led the Yankees to a 7-4 victory over the Phillies.

Patience

In baseball I absolutely love games like this...the Yankees held the lead late, but the Phillies made a comeback tying it at 4 in the 8th. Close games in the World Series are much better than a blowout...with the game on the line, ARod stepped into the batter's box, and he delivered, playing with a calm that speaks volumes.

After the game I spoke with CC Sabathia, and Rodriguez.

AG: Can you talk about Philadelphia...even going back to Game 1, and then tonight and the battle that you've had with them thus far?

CC: They're a good team. You know, they're the defending champs. They have a good lineup. Like I said earlier, they have an American League lineup, and you have to battle. I was just trying to get out there and battle, and do everything I could to keep our team in the game, and try to get a win.

AG: Can you describe your desire. You've been really patient in your AB's, especially Game 3 and tonight. But it's also like you're being aggressive, as well. Is this the way you envisioned it, when you talk about really wanting it on this stage?

ARod: Well, I think it is important to stay calm. For me making an adjustment after Game 1 and 2 was very easy because what I was doing was just being a little overanxious. You know, one think about the post-season, if you want to hit, you've got to swing at strikes, and if you don't swing at strikes, you're going to expose your weakness. That's all I've been trying to do.

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images