On November 19, 2004, Ben Wallace drove to the basket for an attempted layup and was fouled particularly hard by Ron Artest. This wasn’t a foul early in the game to establish defensive tone nor was it a foul to send Wallace to the free throw line to win the game. Both teams are heated on-court rivals and Ben Wallace returned the gesture with a shove to Artest sparking a brawl that would eventually spill over into the crowd. The fallout from the infamous brawl would mean 9 players would serve over 146 games of suspension, several arrests, and the effectual DEATH sentence for the National Basketball Association. Many media outlets had already cited the “thug element” of the NBA as a major reason why NBA ratings and ticket sales were on the decline and pointed towards the “The Brawl” as simply the materialization of what that element represents. You know…things like tattoos, cornrows, players wearing $80K+ diamond necklaces to postgame interviews and highly sought after throwback jerseys. In a league where no less than 73% of the players are African-American common perception was that the league had been forever lost to a subculture that the “average season ticket holder” can’t relate to. According to a longitudinal study by The Harris Poll, professional basketball has lost chunks of market share among those polled from 1985 - 2008 with the largest decrease occurring between the years of 2002 and 2004. All this amidst a global campaign that focuses on bringing a high number of foreign players to the NBA that further reinforces the disconnect between the majority US demographic and the league.

Then, there was 2008…

It all began during the summer of 2007 when Kevin Garnett left the Minnesota Timberwolves to join Ray Allen from Seattle in Boston with Paul Pierce. Then, as the NBA Western Conference began to heat up before the trade deadline, Pau Gasol left Memphis for Hollywood to play with Kobe. To counter, Shaq left D Wade in Miami to play with Steve Nash in Phoenix. Add to that Jason Kidd going back to Dallas from New Jersey, C-Web going back to Golden State from retirement, and Damon Stoudamire and Kurt Thomas adding to the perennial all-star team in the SA Spurs. And all that doesn’t even take into account the B-level trades. At any given point during the Playoff run, only 5 games seperated the #1 and #8 seeds in the Western Conference playoff bracket.

Additionally, 2008’s NBA frenzy has been fueled by the Western Conference playoff run. At one point only one game seperated the projected #1 and #5 seeds in the West. There were also 9 teams with 44 or more wins. To add to all that, the Houston Rockets achieved the 2nd longest winning streak in NBA history at 22 games.

By the time the dust settled, the NBA had it’s masturbatory dream matchup between the Boston Celtics nee The Boston Three Party vs. the LA Lakers featuring the league’s MVP in Kobe Bryant. The two rivals each sported their respective conferences’ best records, and more importantly, two of its best media markets in a contest to see who can put on the best show that will keep the Commish from having to respond to questions about Tim Donaghy. Then on June 17th the Boston Celtics were again crowned NBA Champions; a full 22 years since their previous title. That game drew the highest ratings for an NBA Finals game in 8 years.

Detractors will point to the league’s perpetual drama now manifest in the Donaghy scandal. Tim Donaghy is a former NBA referee currently being prosecuted by the FBI on illegal gambling charges. The shockwave sent throughout the sports world of a league official fixing games resounded much louder than a league image issue. This strikes right at the heart of the legitimacy of the game, and basically marks the line between major league sports and the WWE. Common consencus is that this could usurp any and all momentum gained by this season’s unusual resurgence sending the NBA back into its own recession. There’s no argument in that David Stern is a genius (crooked or otherwise) and is smart enough to manipulate any publicity into good publicity for a league dying to maintain or regain the #3 sports position. Stern also knows that most hardcore NBA fans will return next season at least in TV ratings. His goal MUST be to put and keep fannies in the seat and he hopes that will be influenced positively by this Summer’s Olympic Team USA performance.

All in all, for every free minute of advertisement the NBA can get during the Summer Olympics, the Donaghy trial, and the Disney Sports Network’s uncomfortable infatuation with all things related to Boston that could translate into more season tickets sold across all NBA cities. After a season like this it would be a crime not to.

...or at least one who doesn’t wear a jersey. Still, he may be the best competitor, jersey notwithstanding. On Monday, June 16, 2008, Tiger Woods won his 3rd US Open on one bad knee and only months after surgery. In order to achieve the win, Woods had to persevere through excruciating pain to sink two eagles and a birdie on the 3rd day along with a 4th day marathon playoff round of 18 holes PLUS one sudden death par to bring in the eventual win. It was the stuff that defines a champion and gives evidence to why we immortalize athletes like we do. The up-and-down drama of Tiger’s play throughout the tournament played out like a film with all the dramatics of Tiger using his clubs as a cane intermittently on the course.

Tiger’s dominance speaks for itself:

#2 all-time majors winner trailing Jack Nicklaus by only 4 wins in less than half years of Nicklaus’ career

#3 PGA Tour wins all-time

#2 PGA Tour win streak

Named PGA Player of the Year 9 times

#1PGA Tour record for most consecutive rounds at par or better (52 rounds)

First golfer to win four PGA Tour events five times or more.

He’s only been out of the Top 5 on the Golf Money List ranking once. His first year on tour.

I think you probably get the point. He’s the best golfer around. What makes Tiger legendary is his unyielding desire to truly dominate his competition without relent every single time he steps onto a course. Even when he went through his “slump” in 2004 he still managed to win one PGA Tour event and finished 4th on the Money List.

With Tiger’s re-injury of his knee at the US Open, he will need to go through ACL surgery which will force him to miss the remainder of th 2008 season. Here’s to hoping a speedy recovery for Tiger post-surgery as he moves onward towards tying Jack Nicklaus.

It’s finally over. Last night the Boston Celtics annihilated the Los Angeles Lakers by 39 points to become the 2008 NBA World Champions. When the playoffs started this is exactly how I wanted it to go. The Lakers and the Celtics are basketball dynasties and it was only fitting that they would battle it out in the end. I watched most of the post-game coverage on ESPN and was extremely happy for the “Big 3″. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Finals MVP Paul Pierce put it all on the line from the beginning of the season to the end. You could feel their excitement during the on-camera interviews.

But I was even more excited for Doc Rivers. During the photo shoot with the NBA trophy, he said he didn’t want to touch it until it was actually his. Well now he’s got it and I’m sure he’ll enjoy it. The hard work and sacrifice has paid off. He said in an interview that it was hard to not begin planning for next year. Now that’s a coach on a mission.

History was made last night and due to a team effort a deserving group of basketball players are living their dream as champions. Way to go guys.

According to a Proclamation by the President of the United States of America made last year, the month of June is Black Music Month (I wonder what G.W. has on his iPod). This is a time where we recognize the outstanding contributions that African-American singers, composers, and musicians have made to our country, and we express our appreciation for the extraordinary music that has enriched our Nation.

I was watching VH1 Soul this weekend and they have some special programming this month highlighting the accomplishments of musical greats like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles. Black people have made major contributions to the music industry and the VH1 programming was very informational. Music plays an important role in black history and the sacrifices made by those before us should be honored.

If you have any other Black Music Month activities, you’d like to share feel free to post them in the comments.

History of Black Music Trivia Quiz

I’m sure I’ll catch some hell for bashing a kids song, but it’s Friday and this kinda bothered me. I was watching Spongebob Squarepants on Nickelodeon with my son and heard them advertising the song “I Don’t Want to Go to School” by the Naked Brothers Band on a commercial.

I’ve defended hip hop music and I realize not all of it is good for young ears (or even adult ears). I also realize the affect it has on the black community and society as a whole. But what gets me is why this song was chosen to be played on a kids station (teens are kids too) and why weren’t the parental censorship groups out there protesting? Sure the Naked Brothers Band is one of those teensational groups, but need to be held responsible for their lyrics. Kids look up to them.

I’m going to write a song called “You Better Get Your Butt to School, Right Now!”. Because that’s exactly what my kid will hear when I hear him utter those words. A song doesn’t have to talkabout ho’s, poppin caps or gettin dollas to be censored in my opinion. Am I making too big a deal about this? Or do you feel this was a post to get away from the discussing something of real substance? You tell me.

Here’s the Youtube video

“I Don’t Want To Go To School”

Don’t wanna go to
School [X7]
I don’t want to go to school
Yes it’s true.
I don’t want to see a teachers
Face again.
I don’t want to go to school
Every morning.
I don’t want to go to school.

School [X4]
I don’t want to go to school. [X3]
Don’t want to go to school school
And thats for sure.
Don’t take me in the morning or
I’ll cry some more.
And I’m really tired of being treated
Like a fool.
I don’t want to go to school.

You can’t deny me of my [X3]
Of my freedom.

You can’t deny me of my [X3]
Of my summer.

I don’t want to go to school.

And you give us so much work
I go crazy.
Try to rest my head and you call me lazy.
I look aroud and all I see
Is depretion.

And i’ll tell you teachers
I’ve got a confetion.
All those those kids wan’t to do
Is have some fun.
But the work
The work
The work is never done.
You always tell me to stop
To stop comin’ around
I can’t even make
Make make no sound
I can’t make no sound

I don’t want to go to school
School [X4]
I don’t want to go to school
School [X3]
I don’t want to go to school
School [X4]

I don’t want
I don’t want
I don’t want to go to school

I don’t want
I don’t want
I don’t want to go to school

I don’t want
I don’t want
I don’t want to go to school

I don’t want to go to school

No I don’t

Lyrics found at AZ Lyrics

by darrell.holmes

Many people may remember the case of Marcus Dixon from several years back. If not, here goes…

In 2003, Marcus Dixon was an 18-year-old HS senior who had consensual sex with a 15 year old schoolmate. After conflicting testimonies between the alleged victim and Marcus Dixon, Dixon was found not guilty of rape, battery, assault, and false imprisonment. However, he was found guilty of aggravated child molestation and statutory rape. Due to a loopy law in the state of Georgia at the time, Marcus Dixon received a mandatory 10-year prison sentence even though he had no criminal history. Dixon was also a 3.96GPA football star with a scholarship offer to Vanderbilt University at the time of his arrest. After Dixon’s sentence was announced, public uproar commenced from groups like the Children’s Defense Fund to the jurors in his case. Some of them complained that they weren’t aware of the mandatory statutory sentence nor did they expect the judge would enforce such a sentence in this case.

Rap artist MURS and producer Danger Mouse(half of the group Gnarls Barkley) even recorded a track in honor of Dixon and his case. After roughly one year in prison, Dixon’s case was overturned in Georgia’s Supreme Court and I would like to think that reactions from the media, the public, Murs, and Danger Mouse along with blogs like this one all contributed to Marcus being set free short of his full term. With his Vanderbilt schollie being rescinded Marcus was able to attend Hampton University on another football scholarship.

On April 27th Marcus signed a rookie free-agent contract for 3 years with the Dallas Cowboys worth $1.1M dollars. The Cowboys have been in the spotlight along with a handful of other teams over the past few years for signing players with alleged discipline concerns. The Cowboys pride themselves on being separate from the pack for their Player Development Program. Former player Calvin Hill heads up that program and has been spotlighted for his work and dedication to helping all incoming rookies and free agents acclimate to playing in the NFL. Here’s to wishing Marcus the best as he pursues his dream.

First it was the Moutras, now it’s Miss USA. Crystle Stewart, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Texas, was named Miss USA on Friday. As Miss USA she said she would like to dedicate her life to international philanthropy. But the best thing is that she is a native of my hometown Mo. City, TX. I like to see people from the neighborhood represent and this is one of the many examples where I get to brag on my city. I’ll definitely have to keep an eye on her accomplishments as Miss USA and I wish the best for her.

I’m normally not a big reality TV person but ABC’s Here Come the Newlyweds sucked me in this year. It’s a show where seven just-married couples compete for a nest egg worth over $400,000 to kick-start their new lives together and help them realize their dreams. Each couple faces a variety of mental and physical challenges which will test the love and passion they have for one another as well as their competitive spirit. At the end of each episode, the field will be narrowed as the couples vote to send one couple home. The stakes get higher as the potential nest egg grows, until one couple ultimately wins the grand prize.

One of the final couples were Crystal and Johnnie Moutra, from my hometown Mo. City, TX. He proposed to her at a Houston Rockets game and they currently live with their parents. I got to say this was the couple that had me coming back to watch this show every week. Johnnie was comical and it was nice to see a young black couple do their thing on national television. In the finale, Johnnie made a class-act move by not taking advantage of a situation that could have given them an edge in the final decision. They truly played the game the way it should have been done, the whole way through.

I wish the best for this couple. They grew a lot during the duration of the show and it’s good to see some hometown heroes win it all. When it comes down to it, love can conquer all. As always you can watch the episodes on the internet. I think that’s all the reality TV I can handle for a while.

Update: I didn’t know the show was filmed last year. They are expecting their first child, a boy, due April 27. Read via the Houston Chronicle website.

I was watching the news this morning and the topic came up for debate. Is this photo of NBA superstar LeBron James and supermodel Gisele Bundchen racially insensitive? In an ESPN2 post by Jemele Hill, she stated “But this cover gave you the double-bonus of having LeBron and Gisele strike poses that others in the blogosphere have noted draw a striking resemblance to the racially charged image of King Kong enveloping his very fair-skinned lady love interest.”.

So what do you see when you look at the picture? Hill makes some good points in her article, but I have to disagree with her on this one. When I saw the cover, I saw LeBron James, an intense, take you to the hole and dunk on you basketball player. Holding a skinny, chick (who happened to be white) showcasing the secrets of the best bodies. I really didn’t think much of it until people started making a big deal about it. To me LeBron is just expressing how he feels on the court. Now, take the basketball out the picture and you have a legitimate argument. That would have been wrong on all levels.

There were other pictures that could have gone on the cover, but they chose this one. As much as it might resemble King Kong, I don’t feel that was the intent with this photo. Ya’ll know I’m always down for the cause when it comes to promoting positive black roles models in a good light. But in this situation are we reading too much into it?

You soon won’t be able to turn around without hearing about “digital television” and its potential impact on you. Even though there is still a limited (but growing) universe of true high definition programming available over the air, Channel 8 and every other TV station in North Texas is sending out a digital signal right alongside its traditional “analog” transmission.

But all those analog signals will be switched off permanently on Feb. 17, 2009 by government mandate. That means if you’re watching Channel 8 on an older TV set and you get your picture with an off-air antenna, you’ll see nothing but snow starting on that date.

You should know, however, that old TVs can be used for years into the future with the help of a friendly little box to convert the new digital channels into an analog-friendly signal. While these converter boxes are expected to cost about $60 each, every family in the U.S. is entitled to receive up to two coupons with a value of $40 each that can be used to buy the adapters. You can sign up for the coupons starting Jan. 1, 2008.

Check out the WFAA.com DTV 2009 Countdown section for answers to questions. Don’t go into debt trying to buy a television you can’t afford. For now just use the coupon and apply for it as soon as you can. It’s been in the making for a while, so I didn’t think they would pass it and get it going as soon as they did. But the time to convert is coming and I want you to be prepared. Here are some other documents that may help also.

Digital TV Fact Sheet Contract

Preparing For The Digital TV Transition