We all know Chris Webber is one of our favorites here at The Starting Five, so I wanted to give you a brief explanation why. Webb gives back. We all go through things when we are in our twenties, but he still took the time out to establish the Chris Webber Foundation with solid support from his family. I’ve met his parents and I have to tell you they are amazing people. His Dad is like every father should be: strong, supportive, funny, experienced and hard working. His Mother is what society’s vision of a mother is not, but should be: very intelligent, reticent in public until respectfully addressed, while definitely being infallible to anything seeking to tear her family down.

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The sweetest swing ever heads back to the American League(?)

I didn’t want to post this yet until the trade was finalized (players to be named as well), but if Junior accepts the trade (he had questions, but has since agreed) he’ll get his wish and play for a contender.

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One of the most misunderstood athletes of all time gives some words to our friend, Dave Zirin.

Washington’s talent was very unappreciated because of “the punch“

Former National Basketball Association player Kermit Washington has never asked for redemption. He’s lived it. It’s a tragedy of history that Washington is best known for what will forever be known as “the
punch.” On December 9 1977, the LA Lakers played the Houston Rockets. Washington, engaged in an on-court fracas, heard footsteps, turned, and threw a roundhouse fist. It connected with Rudy Tomjanovich, fracturing his face about 1/3 of an inch away from his skull and leaving the Rocket All-Star passed out in a pool of blood by half court.

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Most thought Ron would land with the Lakers

Our boy Ron Artest is getting his wish and is on the move:

The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player that the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey declined to comment.

Rookie forward Donte Greene, whom the Rockets acquired in a series of draft-night trades, will be included in the trade and is considered a key to the deal for the Kings. But because Greene signed July 14, he cannot be traded until Aug. 14 and the deal cannot be finalized or discussed publicly by team officials until Aug. 14.

The Rockets are also expected to acquire rookies Patrick Ewing Jr. and Sean Singletary another player or players in the deal to make the money match, but both have partially guaranteed contracts and are likely to be released. The Rockets will also send the Kings roughly $1 million.

The Rockets had previously signed guard Brent Barry this month and are in talks to keep free agents Dikembe Mutombo and Carl Landry.

I think this trade should put to rest questions about Tracey McGrady being shipped elsewhere and is exactly what Houston needs.

There’s no question there’s been a soft as tissue paper element in Houston. They’ve had too much talent lately to get bounced so quickly in the playoffs. 20+ straight means nothing if you can’t do shit in the playoffs.

I still question the draft day trade a couple of years back that sent Shane Battier to Houston for Rudy Gay, but maybe this deal reconciles any questions of toughness.

Missed you at Webb’s this year Bobby Jax. Good luck to you brotha. You glad to go back home?

I might have a few minutes with Ron forthcoming…we’ll see.

All Day’s time to shine in Minny Nice

The Minnesota Vikings have alot to look forward to this year.

The NFC North (Norse, I love Chris Berman) Division is wide open and along with being the chic pick to shake up the league I really think we have a good team this year.

Let’s look at the division first:

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The biggest surprise of the Eagles training camp isn’t Lito Shephard and Brian Westbrook showing up despite their contract squabbles, but who isn’t there.

Offensive lineman Shawn Andrews has been a no-show at camp for “personal reasons” that have not been disclosed by Andrews or his agent. The Eagles can fine Andrews up to $15,000 for each day he misses. As of this moment, no fines have been issued.

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Welcome back to the position-by-position breakdown of the 2008 Philadelphia Eagles. Today we look at the Birds running game heading into the 2008 season.

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Whatcha gonna do Bron Bron?

Just got back from Vegas in a crazy way. Missed my flight to Philly, so I had to reroute to Baltimore and do the train bus thing back to the crizzy.

Great weekend. I’ll have my Bada Bling post tomorrow and also speak out on some other things…

Dig the piece on SLAM by clicking LeBron’s pic above.

Willie O’Ree integrated the National Hockey League, and 50 years later he is still making a difference.

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My football juices are flowing once again, which means NFL training camp is upon us. We’re a little more than 6 weeks away from Kickoff 2008, so I’m going to fast forward through training camp and give you my view of the Eagles 2008 position by position, presuming everyone makes it out healthy.

Today we start with the quarterbacks. Read more »

Dalembert leaves his heart and soul on the floor every single time out

SLAM Editor in chief, Ben Osborne hit me up during the season and asked if I would be interested in going over to Haiti with Samuel Dalembert during this summer in hopes of documenting his interaction with his people and more specifically children through Basketball Without Borders.

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Did the Hawks blow it?

Some background on Olympiacos below:

After back-to-back appearances in the Euroleague Quarterfinal Playoffs, Olympiacos Piraeus is back and ready to take the next step.

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Within two weeks, the NCAA and the NBA have been told what they can do to their age restrictions and free agency dollars.

On July 9th Brandon Jennings shunned the NCAA to play basketball professionally in Europe until he is eligible for the NBA Draft next season. Earlier today, Atlanta Hawks free agent forward Josh Childress signed with Olympiakos of the Euroleague for three seasons.

Where does this leave the future of free agency in the NBA?  Read more »

I’ll have some answers from Josh as to why he left the NBA shortly.

I’ll also have an exclusive interview with Sammy Dalembert posted on his thoughts why he was kicked off the Canadian Olympic team.

A change is gonna come, but don’t compare this to the Detroit/Indiana “brawl”. If you do, that’s irresponsible. This is the WNBA not the NBA

As I write this in my best attempt to stay clear of being judge and jury, a fight occurred during a basketball game in a familiar venue. If the Palace at Auburn Hills rings a bell, then you must understand that there has been one too many fights in this Detroit suburb.

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(Photo: Amanda Brown/ The Star-Ledger)

Complications from pneumonia

Jocko Maxwelll died this morning in West Chester, a town minutes from where I reside. Wish I could have met him and thanked him personally for what he’s done for all of us. Who knew of Maxwell? We have to write our history or it isn’t going to be written for us. It’s no one’s responsibility but our own.

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JT gets his wish

Does anyone play their entire career with one team anymore? Damn…

Jason Taylor could have kept his talent in Miami being that I’m an Eagles fan. A 6′6″ defensive end coming around the corner is not good news for the NFC East.

Phillip Daniels was hurt on the first play of drills Sunday and Dan Snyder moved quickly to acquire the 33 yr. old, 12 year vet with a 2nd round pick next year and a six round pick in 2010 (2010 sounds like some real futuristic ish huh?)

For some reason he and Bill Parcels never got along after Parcels took over. Maybe Dat Dude was right (See you in a couple of days bruh).

Watch out for the ‘Skins. They have addressed most of their needs the past couple of seasons. Snyder has the reputation of a hardline businessman but the man is really putting his team in a position to win now.

Listen people. I bought NYOIL’s cd this week and it’s the best thing I’ve heard in years.  Every track flows into the next. As I listened, I couldn’t help to smile. 

It actually made me happy.

Unreal actually brought me to tears (yeah I said it) the second time I played it because I strongly related. He speaks real rap on every track. If you want your soul enriched, go get it.

Thanks Chuck, Kris and everyone else who inspired this rap revolutionary.

Damn, it’s been a long time comin’…

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“Why is the American black man so complacent about being trampled upon? Why doesn’t the American black man fight to be a human being?”

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Fight the Power

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Check out Costas Now when you get a chance. Great show about the state of baseball is airing the next week or so. The best part of the show was the exchange between Hank, Willie and Bob Gibson. America needs to appreciate talent as it exists instead of giving Willie Mays and Hank Aaron standing ovations 430 years later. Yeah they’ve been afforded a modicum of praise, but it’s a long time coming.

Gibson stayed in his chair. He was not giving those cats a standing o. Both hit close to .200 for their careers against the fearless fireballer. Supreme competitor even though he’s long since retired. He’s a legend that deserves any praise he gets and is a true G.

Had to be difficult for two of the greatest of all time because Barry was the 762 pound gorilla in the room.

Hideo Nomo retired yesterday. I’ll never forget when he and Dave Stewart threw no hitters on the same day and ESPN was lucky enough to air both games in succession.

This would be a common occurrence in Yankee Stadium

Barry Bonds a Yankee? Could it be? Not according to Brian Cashman:

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