David Stern: Is He a Hater?

Yesterday, while working out, I heard that the Los Angeles Lakers had pulled off yet another blockbuster deal.  According to reports, they had agreed in principle to acquire the rights of Chris Paul in a three team trade.  Supposedly, they traded Pau Gasol to the Houston Rockets and Lamar Odom to the New Orleans Hornets.  The trade included other players as well, but those three were the biggest names involved.  The trade seemed to be really fair to each respective team.  Some people were upset because they hate the Lakers.  I, on the other hand, am not a Laker fan, nor a Laker naysayer.  I am a fan of basketball and I recognize that Kobe Bryant is a top ten all time basketball player.  During his career, he has never played with a true, dominant point guard.  This was true partially because the triangle offense does not require a “true” point guard. Now, Kobe is at a different stage of his career and his athletic ability is not as jaw dropping as it once was.  As such, it would be very interesting to see how a player like Chris Paul could make his life a lot easier and bring even more excitement to the NBA. Just as quickly as I called my dad, and talked to a few of my closest friends about the trade, I received word that the trade had been retracted.

At first, I called David Stern a “hater” and a few other choice words.  Then I thought about my quick conclusion and decided to take a closer look at the issues.  As much as I disagree with his decision, he was within his right to veto the trade.  Every NBA trade is subject to the approval of the NBA or David Stern.  I have watched the NBA for a number of years, and I have never heard of a trade being vetoed by the Commissioner.  So, that begs the question: what made this trade so different?  For starters, the New Orleans Hornets are owned by the NBA.  This is atypical, as I believe the other NBA franchises are owned by private individuals or groups of investors.  With the NBA owning the Hornets, it allowed Stern to have even more control over the deal.  As Commissioner, and owner of the Hornets, he has an obligation to make decisions in the best interest of the Hornets, and ultimately the NBA.  David Stern wants the New Orleans Hornets franchise to have as much value as possible so that when it is sold, the NBA will reap the financial benefits. With a franchise player like Chris Paul on the team, the franchise has a higher value and more individuals would likely purchase the team. However, without a franchise player, the value of the team plummets.  No matter what David Stern wants, it is unfair to have what he wants at the expense of another individual’s right to freely change teams.

Some owners such as, Dan Gilbert, have contested the idea of allowing players to control their own destinies.  This is pretty funny considering he never had an issue with player movement so long as Lebron James played for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Now, his fortunes have changed and he is adamantly against player movement.  I cannot respect a man who loves the system when it benefits him, and then hates the very same system when it does not work in his favor.  Oscar Robertson fought hard during the 1970’s for players’ free agency rights and their general ability to switch teams.  Also, by way of contract law, citizens are allowed to freely contract so long as the contract does not violate public policy.  I seriously doubt the Lakers trade violated any public policy.  I understand the small market team owners are nervous that superstars will not come to their cities or that they will not sign long term contract extensions.  As they say, “that is part of the price of doing business.”  The United States prides itself on being a land ripe with opportunities and ability to participate in the free market.  To that end, small market owners must rely on the NBA draft, free agency and good luck to get superstar talent. 

There have been times when small market teams landed great players who stayed with their respective teams for long periods of time.  The San Antonio Spurs drafted Tim Duncan and the Minnesota Timberwolves landed Kevin Garnett. Both players signed at least one contract extension with their respective team. Most recently, people were upset about Lebron James and Chris Bosh signing contracts to join the Miami Heat as free agents.  Also, many people have likened that situation with the current Los Angeles Lakers failed trade attempt.  That situation is different than the move the Lakers attempted to make.  Chris Paul is not a free agent and he technically could not make his team trade him.  He still has contractual obligations, whereas Lebron James and Chris Bosh did not.  This situation is closer to the Carmelo Anthony trade that occurred last year.  Carmelo let it be known that he would not re sign with the Denver Nuggets once he became a free agent, so it was in their best interest to trade him and receive some value for his services.  During negotiations, I believe that is called leverage and it should be used to accomplish the goal at hand.  The small market owners need to get over the notion that they can stop players from going where they want to go.  That is not in the best interest of the NBA.  I guess they fear an NBA with four or five “super teams,’ such as the 1980s with the Lakers, Pistons and Celtics.  Sure, some of the parody may be missing, to a certain extent.  However, what is lost in terms of parody would be gained in showmanship and overall interest in the NBA.  Either way, players are free to make moves that are in their best interests, and owners should not be allowed to interfere.

Peace

NBA Lockout: Back to Business

I have followed the events surrounding the NBA lockout for quite some time.  At times, I was unsure when or if the two sides would reach an agreement.  I wanted to believe cooler heads would prevail and the two sides could agree.  However, based on the articles and interviews I reviewed, it seemed that egos’ were impeding the process.  It seemed Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter did not want to appear weakened by the idle threats issued by David Stern.  After all, their jobs were to broker and secure the best deal for the Players’ Association.  The manner in which they couched their argument for the public-at-large was not effective.  Had I not familiarized myself with the specifics of the arguments, I could have been fooled into believing the deal was strictly about money.  David Stern used his excellent lawyering and oratorical skills in a way Billy Hunter and Derek Fisher failed to do.  He spoke in specific terms and said specifically that the owners were making concessions and even described what some of the concessions were.  He masterfully discussed that they were prepared to offer the players 50% of basketball-related income.  Although this was only the tip of the iceberg, not too many things appear to be fairer than splitting profits equally.  Fisher and Hunter spoke in vague terms.  I think by proceeding in that manner, they allowed the public to form an opinion that the lockout was really about billionaires and millionaires bickering over money.  Not too many people can respect that position and particularly during the current tough economic climate. 

Selfishly, I and many other NBA fans viewed the lockout in terms of what we were being deprived of.  Fundamentally, I believe this is wrong for a number of reasons.   The lockout really symbolizes another portion of the population dealing with unemployment.  As we sometimes forget, behind every NBA franchise, there are marketing and advertising departments, lawyers, physical therapists, doctors, surgeons, business executives, vendors, sanitation workers and the list goes on and on.  The NBA players are an atypical portion of the population because they earn millions of dollars each year.  It makes sense to not sympathize with a rich athlete because he should not lose his home or be reduced to relying on public assistance in the absence of an NBA season.  Conversely, compare an NBA player with a sanitation worker, who may only make minimum wage or may barely be able to afford necessaries of life.  If the various NBA arenas are not open for business, these people do not have work.  If they do not have work, it naturally follows they do not get paid.  It is that simple and those are the people we tend to forget about because we want to see NBA basketball.  I am thankful NBA basketball will return on Christmas day for my own selfish reasons, and I am also happy the non-millionaires can resume their lives.

I reviewed the new proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) and it does not seem to propose many drastic changes.  One of the players’ biggest concerns was whether guaranteed contracts would be eliminated. If you watch SportsCenter, you have undoubtedly heard commentators discussing and dissecting terms of contracts.  For instance, in the National Football League (“NFL”), contract terms may read as follows:”John Player signed a five year contract worth fifty (50) million dollars with twenty (20) million dollars guaranteed.”  In the NBA, however, the majority of contracts are guaranteed deals.  A guaranteed contract provides a great deal of stability for the player.  On the flip side, it can serve as a liability to ownership because they have to honor the contract regardless of whether the player plays another game.  Grant Hill signed a major contract to play for the Orlando Magic and almost immediately suffered serious injuries, which prevented him from playing basketball for long periods of time.  The Orlando Magic, to my knowledge, still paid his salary, even though he was unable to perform his obligations pursuant to the contract because it was “guaranteed.”  Any person with a basic understanding of business knows this model can burden a team for years if the player is unable to perform.  It leaves the teams with little recourse.  The specific language in the proposed CBA is as follows: “Salary guarantees remain the same under the 2005 CBA; i.e., there will be no limitations on a player’s ability to receive 100% guaranteed salary in all seasons of a contract.”

Once the season begins, there are many interesting story lines that will unfold before our eyes. I am interested in seeing where Chris Paul will end up. He is easily the best point guard in the league and I hope he ends up on a team where he will have a legitimate chance to compete for a NBA championship.  Also, to all the Boston Celtics fans, this is most likely their last chance to compete and be considered an elite team.  Soon, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will be physically incapable of carrying the franchise and it will need to rebuild.  I am a big Lebron James and Dwyane Wade fan and I am interested in seeing how they regroup this year.  They both receive a great deal of hate, but like Jay-Z said “N***as hate ballers these days, ain’t that like Lebron James, ain’t that just like D-Wade.”  Whether you love or hate these guys, there collaboration on the court forced non-NBA fans and NBA fans alike to tune in and watch and for that, their presence is good for the NBA.  The Dallas Mavericks were somewhat of a surprise last year.  This year, they bring back basically the same team that won the NBA Championship last year and they will presumably have a healthy Caron Butler to add into the mix.  The Oklahoma City Thunder is an interesting group as well with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and they will be exciting to watch.  I would be remiss if I failed to mention Kobe Bryant and his L.A. Lakers. He had off-season knee surgery and there are reports that his knee is in the best condition it has been in years.  The reigning MVP, Derrick Rose, and the Chicago Bulls are a formidable team as well.  I am very interested in seeing how these story lines will unfold.

Lastly, I am not sure how the lockout has affected the public-at-large’s view of the NBA brand.  I categorize the public-at-large into three broad categories.  The die-hards fans will not be affected by the lockout and will be happy the NBA is back.  They will still buy tickets and watch games as if the lockout never happened. Next, you have the people who like to watch basketball and also understand the business side of the league.  I believe they will be largely unaffected as well.  Finally, the casual NBA watcher may be turned off by the months and months of bickering and may decide that their money and time could be spent doing something other than watching NBA basketball.  The last lockout occurred in 1999-2000 and the league played an abbreviated season.  This was a bad move for the NBA then and it was not a good move now.  However, the difference in the time periods is that the present NBA is wrought with NBA stars and it recently enjoyed one of the most exciting years it has ever produced. Regardless of the economic impact the lockout may have, I am excited and glad I will be able to enjoy NBA basketball on Christmas day.

Peace    

Should A Coach Be Bigger Than The Institution He Serves?

College campuses across the nation are dominated by individuals who have become larger than the institutions they belong to. How does this happen?  Why does this happen?  The answer to either of these questions is not simple.  The same basic premise applies in any setting when one individual becomes bigger than the institution itself.  Usually when it happens, tragedy follows.  I can think of only a few instances when the individual became bigger than the institution and tragedy did not strike.  Michael Jordan became larger than life during his time with the Chicago Bulls but he managed to help his franchise win six NBA championships.  Other than that one outlier situation, most situations end in tragedy.  This leads me to the current situation at Penn State University, but I will discuss that a little later. 

Let us start with the facts.  Most universities were founded in the 18^th or 19^th centuries. With an institution existing for so many years, why is it that one charismatic leader can enter an institution and become bigger than that which he belongs?  This is again not a simple question and the answer will not be a simple one either.  The idea of one man becoming larger than the institution and the outcry from the citizenry to prevent it from happening makes me think of ancient Rome.  Many people who lived and survived through the reign of emperors would do almost anything to avoid tyrannical, non-democratic rule.  There are stories of men being afraid to have the appearance of too much power because they feared they would be killed because people would think they wanted to crush the republic and establish a dictatorship.  Hundreds of years ago people realized that too much power vested in any one person would likely lead to a “god complex,” and ultimately lead to destruction.   

Should coaches be revered and applauded for their athletic exploits?  Yes.  But should they become bigger than the institution and be treated like deities?  No.  As the Romans knew and so many other cultures have discovered over the years, one man or woman should never become larger than the institution itself.  From a practical perspective, the fact that an institution is larger than one person provides great protection for the institution.  If an employee makes statements or acts in a manner inconsistent with the institution’s mission, that person’s employment can be terminated.  However, when one man becomes larger than the institution, his moments of glory and shame alike will equally be considered a part of the institution.    

Penn State University is currently suffering from a major moment of shame and embarrassment.  Joe Paterno was the head football coach at the university for well over forty years.  He has been idolized and in many respects, deified for his ability to coach football. He has guided his team to multiple national championships and up until now, has maintained a clean public image.  With that being said, Penn State is certainly experiencing the secondary effects of idolizing one man.  No matter what comes of the allegations, Paterno’s fall from glory is seen as a major misstep by Penn State University.  Because of his status, he is inextricably tied to the institution. I watched a news special that captured footage of Penn State’s campus and its students a few hours after Joe Paterno was fired.  They interviewed students and some of them said “Joe Paterno is a god,” while others said “Joe Paterno is Penn State.”  Needless to say, both statements are inaccurate and ridiculous.  Joe Paterno is part of an old guard that has dominated college sports for decades.  Bobby Bowden, Dean Smith and even Coach K are a part of this guard.  Again, this is not a knock on the men because they are blameless as to their wide following and great influence.  Likewise, it is safe to say these men made or make more money than the chancellors or presidents from each respective institution.  I would be willing to bet students who attend the schools, or the public-at-large, cannot name the chancellor or president at any of the schools but I am sure they could name the coaches.

If the allegations are true, the crimes Sandusky is charged with are egregious and deplorable.  I understand the public policy of our laws to be in place to protect those who cannot protect themselves.  It seems the relevant laws of Pennsylvania are not strict in terms of individual’s duties to report child abuse.  I have not conducted independent research on the laws governing the Penn State matter, but by all accounts, it appears Joe Paterno did not violate the law.  When he heard of the alleged abuse, he was only required to inform his supervisor.  Apparently, he informed his superior and fulfilled his legal obligation.  This raises yet another question.  At what point does an individual’s moral compass become the guiding force, even in the face of less stringent laws?  I believe Joe Paterno should have followed up with the proper authorities directly.  After all, the allegations, if true, are grotesque.  Because Joe Paterno had become such an “institution” and relevant laws were not strict it made the environment ripe for a “cover up.”  University administrators at schools across the country discover hazing during fraternity and sorority initiations all the time despite individuals’ best efforts to cover it up.  I am not buying that other members of Penn State were not aware of the allegations of child abuse. 

Again, minors are protected by the laws of this nation because they are unable to protect themselves. Think about it, states draft statutory rape laws because minors are deemed not to have the mental capacity to form the necessary intent to engage in a sexual act.  Convictions under these laws do not require intent from a defendant.  Conviction under these laws merely requires an act.  In the same vein as the statutory rape laws, it is sad and deplorable that Pennsylvania’s state laws failed to protect those children.  These laws also make it easy for individuals and institutions alike to wipe their hands and say, “I did what I was legally obligated to do.”  Yes, a person may satisfy the law but I believe we all have a moral compass that should guide us as well. My thoughts are certainly with the victims and their families of the alleged crimes.  I hope we have learned that we cannot deify men.  I also hope we stop creating environments where children can be abused and people can get off by saying: “legally, I did all what was required of me.” 

Peace

I'm Not An R & B Dude But . . .

If you know me, you know that I love hip hop.  However, I appreciate good R & B music as much as the next person.  People always tell me that all I listen to is hip hop.  I usually respond with a laugh and say, “yeah you are right.”  Of course, this is not totally true.  Of the 5,000 songs I have in my I tunes, probably 90% of the music is hip hop, but there are a few R & B classics included in the group.  Check out a few of my favorite R & B albums.

Brown Sugar

12 Play

  

Where I Wanna Be

All That I Am

The Best of Marvin Gaye

Urban Hang Suite

TP 2.COM

Peace

Best Debut Album: Biggie, Jay-Z or Nas?

I had a conversation about hip hop the other day and it prompted me to ask myself the question: who had the best debut album of all time?  The more I think about this question, the more I realize that there is no right or wrong answer.  Then, I started thinking about the components which are necessary for a great debut album.  I believe the overall impact an album has on the hip hop community is important but it is not the only or most important factor.  For instance, Reasonable Doubt did not sell major records at the time of its release.  However, it still had a major impact on hip hop’s underground music scene.  Jay-Z has alluded to this very fact when he rhymed that “people did not really appreciate it until the second one came out.”  This is very true and I suspect that this album now receives the admiration it truly deserves.  Nas’ Illmatic, on the other hand, was felt immediately by the mainstream and the underground because of his exploits before his actual debut.  By the time his album was released, he was already held in high regard because of his work on Main Source’s “Live at the BBQ.”  Nas was ahead of his time in terms of making music that could be appreciated by a wide range of people.  B.I.G’s Ready to Die was also a classic album that was highly anticipated.  Of the three debut albums, I believe B.I.G had the best marketing and promotional team and that helped get his message to the masses at a much higher clip.

Sometimes our expectations for an album can be too high.  I think that when fans have no idea that an album will be great; it is easier to appreciate that album.  There are also albums that are highly anticipated but fans do not expect perfection.  I think a good example of this is Raekwon’s Only Built for Cuban Linx album.  Obviously, Raekwon was a respected emcee and had rhymed on Wu Tang Clan’s Enter the 36 Chambers album.  However, many people, at that time, believed Method Man was the best artist from the Wu Tang Clan.  As such, the expectations for Raekwon to drop a classic debut album were not nearly as high.  When he finally released his debut album, it was deemed as an instant classic, and for good reason.  Now, I think Drake is an artist who had so much hype that he could never meet or exceed the expectations.  This guy grossed 7 million dollars in a year without having a record deal.  With that kind of financial production and his long list of mixtapes, the expectations for a great album were high.  Needless to say, I do not think his first album is a classic.  In fact, I think he underachieved on his first album and I believe he released better music on his mixtapes.  I have not had a chance to listen to J. Cole’s album as of yet, but I hope his album is not plagued by unrealistic expectations by the fans.

The final component I will discuss is the importance that making timeless music has on the impact of a debut album.  In my opinion, timeless music can be appreciated today, tomorrow or 40 years from now. The timeless feeling that a good song has is something  the greats of music such as Marvin Gaye or Franky Beverly and Maze  have mastered.  I was telling my mom just the other day that “Before I Let Go” is still the official song played at the end of the night at homecoming parties across the country.  I truly believe this song will always be appreciated and will make people want to dance and have a good time.  I also believe Deangelo’s “Brown Sugar” song has that timeless feel to it.    There is no way to forecast whether an artist will produce timeless music.    It is truly one of those things that you know when you hear.  In hip hop, Tribe Called Quest’s “Electric Relaxation” and “Award Tour” have the timeless feeling.  It is amazing to me that these songs were released in the early 90’s but are still very much relevant and appreciated to this day. 

My selection for best debut album came down to a choice between Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic and Ready to Die.  Ultimately, I chose Reasonable Doubt because I believe 1996 was the year I really began to love hip hop music.  I heard Reasonable Doubt, Atliens and It was Written while I participated in a basketball tournament in Florida.  Before that time, I had “heard” hip hop, but I had not really “listened” to hip hop.  After listening to those albums, I learned to appreciate lyrics and the artistry inherent in all good music.  What is your choice for best debut hip hop album? 

Peace    

One Of My Favorite Comedians: Martin Lawrence

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed laughing.  As a young child and still as an adult, I prefer to surround myself with people who enjoy the sound of laughter.  I prefer not being around people who take life too seriously and do not know how to unwind and have a good laugh.  We live in a world where natural disasters and man-made disasters happen far too often.  Laughing is a great way to forget about reality and enjoy the moment.  Some of my fondest childhood memories are times I can remember laughing until tears nearly came streaming down my face.  My closest groups of friends from college, whom I consider to be brothers, are some of the funniest people I know.  We disagree on certain issues, but we do not take ourselves too seriously and we always have a good time.

My favorite aunt hosted family gatherings at her house when I was a child.  I could always count on there being food, laughs and music.  I remember the adults telling all the kids to go to a back room to play so they could watch Russell Simmons’ show entitled Def Comedy Jam.  At the time, I had no concept of what the show was about, but I certainly knew that everyone in the house was laughing for some reason.  Not knowing what was funny and not being a part of the fun puzzled me for a number of years.  Then, when I became old enough to watch certain movies and television shows, I watched many episodes of Def Comedy Jam.  At this time, comedians such as Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, DL Hughley, Steve Harvey and Chris Tucker had not yet become household names.  These comedians came from different places and had totally different styles of comedy.  However, the one common thread shared by each of them was ambition.

My favorite comedian of that era is without a doubt Martin Lawrence.  When he hosted Def Comedy Jam, he said some of the funniest things I had ever heard.  He used the fame he earned on that show to enable him to have his own one-hour comedy special entitled You So Crazy.  The first time I watched You So Crazy, I could not stop laughing.  He discussed many controversial issues, but he found a way to make us laugh along the way.  One thing that makes comedians standout and Martin Lawrence to a greater extent, is their uncanny ability to laugh at their own pain.  During You So Crazy, Martin discussed an unhealthy relationship he had with an ex girlfriend.  The subject matter was somewhat serious, but his delivery was very funny.  He also had a sketch about the things people do when they are dating a person and how many of those behaviors are discarded once each person is “comfortable” in the relationship.  The way he describes the stories are hilarious; however, each joke has a great deal of truth in it as well. 

The best work Martin has performed was his self entitled show Martin.  I remember coming home from school, doing my homework and being very anxious for his show to come on.  He had some of the biggest stars in the entertainment business make guest appearances on his show.  Some of the celebrities I remember appearing on his show include The Notorious BIG, Jodeci, Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns, Halle Berry, Tyrese, Method Man, Outcast, Charlie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Shaq and many more.  My favorite character Martin played was Dragon Fly Jones but Ole Otis was probably my second favorite character I know his show was a classic because I can still watch it today and laugh like I have never seen the show before.  

Check out clips from some of my favorite episodes.

Peace

9/11 10 Years Later: Where Were You When The Towers Fell?

Yesterday, I spent a good portion of my day watching football and reflecting on the 9/11 tragedy.  I still remember vividly where I was and what I was doing on 9/11/01.  I was a sophomore at UNC-Greensboro and the school year had just begun.  As such, I was still very much in summer vacation mode and had not begun to buckle down in the classroom.  I remember waking up that morning and being excited because Jay-Z’s Blueprint album was set to be released that day.  At that time, which was before mass bootlegging, people actually bought albums in the store, so the thought of an album selling out was always a possibility.  I knew I had class until around 2pm and that I would not be able to make my way to Best Buy to purchase the album until that time.  I arrived on campus around 8:30 am, so I would be able to find a parking space.  I think the lack of available parking, despite owning a parking pass, is a problem experienced by every college student on every college campus in America.  Either way, I arrived early and I found a good parking spot.  Other than my excitement about purchasing new music, my day was typical.  However, I was in for an unfortunate surprise which turned my day upside down.

Because I arrived at school so early, I went to the Atrium, which was an area of the University which housed the school’s convenience store (C-Store), Chick-Fil-A and a coffee shop.  There were a number of tables and chairs in the lobby area of the Atrium.  I walked to the C-store to purchase a snack and as I walked out of the store, I noticed a crowd of people gathered around a television.  Normally, I never noticed the televisions because they were always set to CNN and at the time, I was not interested in watching the news.  I looked at the television and noticed a clip being played of air planes crashing into tall buildings.  At first, I thought CNN was showing a clip from a movie or something.  However, as I continued to watch and listen to the commentary, I realized that our Country was under attack.  Immediately, my instincts urged me to call my parents to see if they were aware of the attack.  Then, I called one of my good friends who haled from New York.  I wanted to know if his family was okay and he said he was not sure because he could not get through to speak with them.  I cannot imagine how he and so many other people must have felt at that moment. 

9/11 is the worst terrorist event in the history of our Country.  Many innocent people lost their lives on that faithful day.  The thing that stands out in my mind are the heroes that lost their lives and those people who did not make it to the Twin Towers that day for whatever reason.  I was talking to one of my friends yesterday and I expressed my appreciation and respect for the firefighters who ventured into burning buildings to rescue complete strangers.  I think being willing to give your life for another, and especially a person you do not know is one of the most selfless acts imaginable.  It is easy to say that you would run into a burning building to rescue a loved one, but to do so for a complete stranger would be a different story.  I am a firm believer in the fight or flight theory that provides that under certain circumstances, people will either fight or flee.  Who knows how you might react under these circumstances.  As I watched some of the specials on CNN yesterday, they showed pictures of firefighters climbing up the stairs of burning buildings, while employees were fleeing the building and heading to safety.  I just cannot imagine how I would have handled myself in that situation.  Nonetheless, I am thankful for the many heroes of the day who saved lives.

I am also amazed at the stories I have heard about those individuals who would have been at the Twin Towers but for some unforeseen event.  I received an email a few months after 9/11/01 that told stories of survivors of the horrible day.  I remember hearing a story of one guy who worked at the Twin Towers.  For whatever reason, he was running a little behind schedule on that faithful morning.  As any working adult knows, some days, you just cannot quite seem to get it together.  On that morning, as he was walking to the subway, he spilled some coffee on his shirt.  As a result, he had to turn around, go back home and change his shirt.  Because he missed the subway, he had to catch the rail at a later time.  Consequently, he was spared from being at work in the towers when they were attacked.  As much as we believe we can protect ourselves, we are really not in control.  He was saved by an otherwise annoying happening and he had no idea that his minor annoyance would be his saving grace. 

I could honestly go on and on about the stories I have heard, but I won’t.  Instead, I wanted to share my 9/11 story and remind us to never forget the tragedy and to take the time to be thankful for each day we have on this earth.  Do you remember what you were doing on that day?

Peace  

My Top 3 Jay-Z Albums

Jay-Z has released many classic albums and my friends and I always debate which albums we believe to encompass his best work.  Often, people rattle off the first Jay-Z album that comes to mind, and that often is simply the latest album he has released.  I do not answer any question about music with such reckless abandon and I always try to think through my response.  Sometimes, it is easy to forget the sheer number of albums Jay-Z has released over the course of his career.  Many people believe his first album, Reasonable Doubt, is the best album he has ever released.  I think many artists release their best work on their first project because they have essentially worked on the first album for as long as they have been rapping.  Think about the list of solo debut classic albums: Raekwon’s Only Built For Cuban Linx; Nas’ Illmatic, Biggie’s Ready to Die and of course Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt.  Unfortunately, because of the way the music industry is driven by records sold, the emphasis on having a catchy single is at an all time high.  The passion for producing great music does not exist to the same extent today as it did during the golden era of hip hop. Between the years of 1993-2004, there was no shortage of quality music, whether the music was mainstream or underground. Some of my favorite emcees and groups from this era include: Nas, Tupac, Biggie, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, Capone and Noreaga, Mobb Deep, The Lost Boyz, Wu-Tang Clan, Outkast, Da Lox, Big L, Big Pun, AZ, Cormega and the list goes on and on.  Many of the above mentioned artists are great, but not many of them can boast that they have released classic albums.

What is a classic album?  Some people contend that a classic album is one that has great production, great lyrics, and one that is released at the right time.  The last component cannot be overstated in my opinion because the critical acclaim or scathing criticism an album receives can be tied directly to the timing in which the album is released. For instance, 50 Cent’s album, Get Rich or Die Trying, is widely considered a classic album.  However, let us put the album and its relative worth under another level of scrutiny.  If this album had been released in 1996, would it have been as accepted and revered?  Maybe not.  This album was released at the perfect time and as a result, it was immediately considered a classic album. 

I cannot lie, I am a hard critic of music and sports.  With that being said, I believe some people forget that everyone is entitled to an opinion.  Nowadays, if you do not like something, you are labeled as a “hater.”  My opinion of what a “classic” album encompasses is different than most peoples’ views on the subject.  I believe we all use the term “classic” too loosely.  In my opinion, a classic album is the art equivalent of a masterpiece.  A work of art that is considered a masterpiece does not have flaws, and in this same vein, a classic album should not have any bad songs, beats, or lyrics.  I believe albums that should be considered good projects or even great albums are mislabeled as classics.   Inside my world, if I skip any song on any given album, it simply is not a classic. Classic is synonymous with perfect and this feat is rarely accomplished.  However, I believe Jay-Z has accomplished the feat on at least three occasions.

My favorite Jay-Z album is Reasonable Doubt.  When I first heard the album, I was in Florida at an AAU basketball tournament.  The year was 1996 and it was a great year for hip hop.  I remember listening to Reasonable Doubt, Nas’ It was Written and Outkast’s Atliens album.  Every song on Reasonable Doubt is dope.  The picture he paints on the track, “Dead Presidents” and the hook he used with Nas’ voice combined to produce one of the best songs on the album.  My favorite track on this album changes just as much as the wind blows.   One day my favorite song may be “Feelin it,” or “Can I Live,” or “Politics As Usual.” 

Blueprint is my second favorite Jay-Z album.  To provide some context for my admiration of the album, I was a college sophomore and Jay-Z was engulfed in a historic battle with Nas at the time the album was released. In short, Jay-Z was focused and the result was a classic album.  My favorite track on the album is “Song Cry.”  Sonically, this album sounds different than a lot of other Jay-Z projects.  I believe Blueprint is Jay-Z’s most soulful album to date. 

The Black Album ranks third on my list of Jay-Z albums.  The significance of this album is that it was purportedly Jay-Z’s last album.  The release of the album generated a lot of buzz and I remember Jay-Z releasing the Fade to Black DVD, which chronicled his historic Madison Square Garden performance.  During this time, I did not believe Hov would retire because he seems to be made from the same cloth as Michael Jordan.  Like Jordan, Jay-Z loves the game and the competitive nature of it.  As could be expected, Jay-Z approached the album with a goal of dropping yet another classic album. My favorite song on the album is “Allure.”  The Neptunes dropped the perfect beat and Jay-Z supplied the perfect lyrics for this song.  Sometimes, you have days that seem surreal and perfect and sometimes artists combine with producers to craft the perfect song.  I believe this song is as close to perfect as I have ever heard.

What are your favorite Jay-Z albums?

Peace    

Wristwear

Fashion is an important part of my life.  While some people prefer to spend money on shoes or rings, I prefer investing my money on nice watches.  Check out some of my favorite watches.     

Gold Rolex

Black Hublot

Movado

Rolex

See through Hublot

Rolex

Black on Black Hublot 

This is my favorite watch

Peace

Do Not Wear That

This post is devoted to things men should never wear under any circumstances.  Some of the items listed below may have been stylish at some point in time; however, that time has passed so please do not wear it now.  

Stacey Adams—I have seen some of the worst shoes, and suits and color combinations known to man designed by Stacey Adams.

 

Fubu—Just don’t do it!!!

Tube socks and dress shoes—Come on son!!!

Short sleeve dress shirts with a tie—If you are over the age of 7, you need not do this to yourself.

Jean Shorts (Jorts)—Terrible

Lugz—As Big L said “you will never catch me in Lugz."

Durango’s—These were acceptable in the early 2000’s but if you are still wearing them, drive to a cliff and dive into the ocean wearing a vest filled with rocks.

If you are buying an outfit that can be bought on one hanger, you should try again.

Poppin the collar on a polo

Double Breasted Suits

Woven Belts

Peace

Mayweather v. Pacquiao: If You Are Scared Say You Are Scared

I began watching boxing as a young child and have always enjoyed the sport.  I remember watching Mike Tyson fight when I was a young child and when he was in his prime.  People hosted “fight parties” and everyone would be excited to attend.  However, if you arrived at these parties “fashionably late” you were bound to miss the fight because Mike Tyson knocked his opponents out in two to three rounds.  During his prime, Mike Tyson combined the strength of a heavyweight, the speed of a middleweight and the tenacity of an enraged lion.  I also enjoyed watching Roy Jones Jr. fight because of his skill, showmanship and hand speed.

My latest post is inspired by a conversation I had with a family friend.  He and I were talking about boxing and more specifically, who our favorite fighters are.  My favorite fighter currently is Floyd Mayweather but my favorite all time fighter is Muhammad Ali.  My father talked to me about Ali’s skills and some of the strong political stances he made during the volatile era of the 1960’s.  Mike Tyson is also one of my favorite boxers but his problems with the law are well chronicled and ultimately led to the end of his career.  The family friend I spoke with told me he used to be a boxer and that at one point in his career; he was the number one ranked amateur in the nation.  This was really interesting to me because I have talked to him many times and never knew how much he loved the sport of boxing. 

As we continued to talk about boxing, I asked him if Mayweather was afraid to fight Pacquiao.  He responded by saying he does not believe Mayweather is afraid to fight Pacquiao.  He believes the reason they have not fought is because the two sides cannot come to terms regarding the payday for the fight.  He also believes Pacquiao ingests some type of performance enhancing substance.  He said that he has been around the sport of boxing for 20-25 years both as a boxer and as a trainer, and he has watched Pacquiao’s career very closely.  He said the way Pacquiao seems to gets stronger and become faster and more energetic as the fight progresses is not normal.  In fact, the notion that a boxer can become more energetic over the course of a fight is contrary to the way the human body functions. Although I am not a boxer, I have played basketball and football my entire life and I know your body experiences fatigue as the contest progresses.  According to reports, Mayweather is requesting that Pacquiao submit to Olympic style drug testing before he agrees to a fight with him.  I am of the belief that Mayweather is a shrewd businessman and he realizes the importance of promoting a fight and creating controversy.  My family friend and I both believe the fight will happen before the two fighters retire.  I also believe the purse for the fight will be the largest in the history of professional boxing.

There is no doubt in my mind Mayweather is the best fighter in the sport of boxing today.  He has a professional record of 41 wins and 0 losses.  He has been fighting as a professional since 1996.  Although he has an undefeated record, he has certainly had his share of controversial moments, including his first bout with Zab Judah.  During this contest, which he ultimately won, his trainer/uncle Roger Mayweather took offense to a low blow thrown by Zab Judah and engaged in an altercation with members of Judah’s camp.  He continued winning fights and even took 21 months off from boxing.  Upon his return, he fought Juan Marquez and beat him like a drum for a seemingly easy win.  Shortly thereafter, he fought and dominated Sugar Shane Mosely.  Although these fights were impressive, everyone wants to see the Mayweather v. Pacquiao fight.  Some believe Pacquiao will win the battle, while others believe Mayweather will win the fight.  I believe Mayweather will beat Pacquiao because of his impeccable defensive techniques.  I watched Pacquiao fight a few times and he seems to have one style and that is aggressive and in-your-face.  I think this will bode well for Mayweather because he rarely, if ever, takes direct power shots.  Mayweather’s defensive abilities and hand speed are two of his best qualities and I believe these qualities would propel him to a victory over Pacquiao.  Who do you think will win the eventual fight?

 

Peace

Takeover v. Ether: Who Really Won The Battle?

The Nas versus Jay-Z battle was epic on so many different levels. I remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard about Nas’ “Ether” track.  Me and a few of my friends were standing outside of a dorm on the campus of UNCG and one of my boys drove up asking us if we had heard Nas’ track.  He said he had just left North Carolina A&T State University and that he heard the track over there.  Before the battle began, I wondered why Nas and Jay-Z had never collaborated on a track.  After Biggie and Tupac’s untimely deaths, Jay-Z and Nas were widely considered to be the best emcees in the game.  Both emcees are from New York City, yet they never worked together.  I always thought there was something more than met the eye. Sure, Jay-Z sampled Nas’ voice on his song “Dead Presidents” but that is not a true collaboration.  Many people never want to see top players or emcees align because they feel that it will remove the competitive nature naturally felt amongst top players/artists.  This theory is the same one that plagues Lebron James and Dwayne Wade’s relationship.  I think people feel it is unfair and just do not want to see the top talents on the same team, so to speak.  I am a huge fan of both Jay-Z and Nas and I believe their battle was one of the best in hip hop history. Most importantly, the battle remained “friendly” and to my knowledge, there we no violent episodes as a result of the battle.

There are many theories as to why the fued began between Nas and Jay-Z.  I do not know the truth, but I do know Jay-Z went public with the feud at Summer Jam 2001.  I am not from New York, but I know Summer Jam is a major event where thousands of people come out to hear good music.  Jay-Z performed “Takeover” on stage and he attacked both Nas and Mobb Deep on the song.  To me, this song symbolized Jay-Z’s proclamation to the world that him and his crew ran hip hop and that he would destroy anyone who attempted to get in his path. In the last line of the song, Jay-Z rapped “ask Nas he don’t want it with Hov.”  He rapped about Nas having one hot album every ten years.  He jabbed at Nas stating that Nas created his persona on wax and that he never lived the life he rhymed about.  He talked about Nas having the worst flow on “Oochie Wally.”  He bragged that he sampled Nas’ voice and that Nas did not get a dime from the deal.  He said that Nas made it a hot line and he made it a hot song.  He went below the belt and alluded to sleeping with Nas’ baby mother while they were still together.  The song was classic because Jay-Z made statements that were factually accurate or easily verifiable.  I love the beat and I’m a fan of “Takeover” being one of the greatest battle songs ever recorded.  Check it out. 

In 2001, Nas released “Ether” off his critically acclaimed album, Stillmatic.  Before he released this song, he released a freestyle over Eric B and Rakim’s Paid in Full record dissing Jay-Z.  I think the freestyle was a warning shot but he really went for Jay-Z’s juggler vein on “Ether.”  On “Ether,” Nas rapped about Jay-Z being his son and he accused Jay-Z of being a misogynist.  He claimed that Jay-Z stole his style from him.  The beat moved me and exuded “this is war.” He jabbed at Jay-Z and stated that Jay-Z gets noticed by women because of his money and status and not because of his looks.  He blatantly stated that Eminem outrhymed him on “Renegade.”  His all out attack on Jay-Z’s credibility did not stop and he even rapped that Jay-Z stole rhymes from the late, great Notorious B.I.G.  “Ether” attacked Jay-Z on many levels and was a dope song and one of the best battle records ever released.    Check it out.

I like the fact that throughout the battle, the two sides remained peaceful which was great for hip hop. Before their battle, the last time two rap giants who battled were killed.  The death of the Notorious B.I.G and Tupac is still being felt today and it was good to see two artists battle and live to survive it.  Jay-Z also released “Got Yourself a Gun” freestyle that was aimed at Nas and he also addressed Nas on a track on Blueprint 2: The Gift and The Curse. On Stillmatic, Nas recorded a track entitled “Last Real Ni**a Alive” where he dissed Jay-Z.  In my opinion, the battle between the two rap giants inspired some of the best music the two emcess have produced to date. Jay-Z’s Blueprint album is a classic and is one of the best albums of all time.  Nas’ Stillmatic is also a classic album and one of his top three albums ever released.  In the end, Jay-Z and Nas displayed to the world that healthy battles are still good for hip hop.  Eventually, after the battle was over, Nas and Jay-Z worked together at Def Jam and even appeared on stage together on tour.  This battle was a win for the fans and a win for the hip hop culture.

Jay-Z's "Super Ugly" Diss

Nas' "Stillmatic" Diss

Who do you think won the battle?

Peace