The Starting Five

Growing up, there was this beauty who caught my eye at an age where I was skipping and scribbling with fat crayons. She was exquisite. She was so jazzy. She was so fly. She was classy. She was simply amazing. Could you imagine someone so stunning singing right before your eyes in a moment so lovely it gave truth to every note you heard for the rest of your life? This happened in a 1982 appearance on the Johnny Carson Show. I saw glimpses of her obviously earlier in my life but that performance stuck with me for some reason. She wasn’t simply an actress or singer, she was an entertainer whose versatility allowed her to navigate in and out of show business seemingly as she pleased but….Horne would have been one of the most beloved movie stars to ever live if not for the era in which her talent reigned where the color of her skin prohibited her from securing the major Hollywood roles. She is the epitome of professional style…and now she’s gone. Lena Horne lived a full life of 92 years. A standard has passed and will never be replaced. She paved the way for so many others and very few know here career not. She was perfection if there is such a thing and transcended culture long before we as Blacks were allowed to be. The aforementioned performance gave me a sense of jazz I use to this very moment. There are certain riffs that will always remind me of Lena. My goodness she will be missed. It’s unfathomable how many men stop whatever they are doing when they simply hear her voice. Cherish the loveliness because she now lives forever in our hearts, minds and souls.

Some videos and pics after the jump.

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One of the greatest multi-sport athletes stopped by to talk with The Starting Five.

Charlie Ward is likely the only person in history that could have made in impact in every single major American sport (with the exception of the NHL) and also have a love for tennis. The Thomasville, Georgia native was drafted by teams in the NBA and Major League Baseball after a great college career at Florida State. His time there featured a Heisman Trophy and national title in football and trips to the NCAA tournament in 1991, 1992, and 1993, (including a trip to the second round in 1991, to the Sweet 16 in 1992 and to the Elite 8 in 1993) in basketball.

In his Heisman season of 1993, Ward completed 264-380 passes (69.5 %), threw for 3,032 yards, 27 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. For his career at FSU, he threw for 5, 679 yards and 49 touchdowns. He holds the second largest margin of victory margin in voting point for the trophy behind O.J. Simpson. When he left Florida State, he held basketball records for steals in a game (9), career steals with 236 and ranked sixth all-time in assists with 396.

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I took this with my blackberry heading into NYC by way of CLE on the Amtrak.

Sunset. Friday night. Vibe on smooth. Hat cocked. Sun roof popped. Smile that won’t stop. She’s with you. Sun dress. Sensuous. A light wind whispers to her thigh and the sweet smell of  her loveliness has you oh so high. Smile becomes brighter. Anticipation…but the drive is long. Two states over. Her hair dances with the breeze…eyes closed. You look at the camera and nod. Your lean is thick. Grip on the wheel becomes thicker. You wanna get there quicker but it’s a chill drive. Foot on the pedal is thickest but nothing is on the radio so your mind wanders to the sound of the engine. You sigh. Out of her beautiful dream stroll she asks “What did you say?” You reply, “Nothing baby” and your hand caresses her thigh. You wanna listen to that jazzy chill swerve. That slow head rock and take your time with this…

I could write this scene forever but what music do you believe in right now?

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It was good to see Suns owner Robert Sarver speak up and out regarding the ridiculous immigration law. Absurd pieces like this don’t help matters but at least elicit a discussion. Gotta give props to Steve Nash as well for doing the same. When White folk speak out against issues that ultimately affect us all the country collectively advances its thought because so many feel the need to be led. Still miffed why A list Hispanic superstars aren’t speaking out en masse. Where’s Ozzie Guillen of all people?

Blacks stand with Latinos here because of the blood of experience:

Was Sheffield right? I hope not.

Show ‘em whatcha got.

Obviously the protest is a start but it’s gonna take a lot more than a jersey change to get this law carried by six…

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Ferocious hitter and all out professional

I got the chance to chat with one of the most accomplished defensive backs in NFL history, Ronnie Lott. Lott, who switched from cornerback to strong safety to free safety during his career, played 14 seasons. 10 of those seasons were with the San Francisco 49ers where along with all-time greats  Joe Montana and Jerry Rice he won four Super Bowl titles in the 1980′s. During his Hall of Fame career, the 10 time Pro Bowler produced big hits and stats alike, totaling 1,133 tackles, 63 interceptions (5 TD’s) and 16 forced fumbles in 192 games (189 starts). In 20 postseason games he recorded 89 tackles, 9 interceptions and one forced fumble.

Additionally, he played his college football at USC under the guidance of legendary coach John Robinson and along side Marc Mitchell, my father. He also played in high school at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California…my former hometown.

Enough of how Ronnie relates to me, let’s hear what he had to say…

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Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. Please don’t use the excuse of the holiday to drink and drive. Be safe please. We need you healthy.

Uh…

Yeah it was that bad. A 43 point loss in Game 1. The good thing is, the Hawks have 6 games to redeem themselves. It’s uncertain it that will come to pass. Jameer Nelson is playing out of his mind. Ever consider where the Magic would be if he didn’t go down with that shoulder injury last season? Yeah, he’s playing like everything is an opponent of St. Joes…

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Wednesday, May 5 at 9 p.m. (ET) with exclusive coverage of the San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns (Game #2)

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The eyes of a scoring champion

I don’t now how you were introduced to the game of basketball, but my knowledge was sparked by the names. Great players with charismatic-not-in-their-prime-but-still-had-the-games-magnificent. John Havilicek was one, Spencer Haywood was another, Bob Lanier, Bobby Dandridge, Elvin Hayes…I could go on and on. This is why I would never campaign for a player like Brett Favre to retire. When players leave the games they love with the current 24 hour news cycle, their legacies unfortunately vanish as well. How will the kids know their names as a result? As a Sixers fan, when I saw Bob McAdoo stroll on the floor, I knew Philly was in trouble.

You could see his game was great!

He killed us. His length was a problem and he still had the ability to hang in the air and make his shot unstoppable. Every player has a signature move and Bob McAdoo’s was his ability to get his shot up no matter who was defending him at any time. He was the second player picked in the 1972 draft behind LaRue Martin. It was the same draft that saw Julius Erving go twelfth to to Milwaukee. We all know how that turned out. Anyway, The Doo was a clutch perimeter scorer who averaged 22.1 points (shot 50% for his career) and 9.4  rebounds during his 14 NBA seasons. He also spent 6 seasons in Europe and was named one of the 50 most influential personalities in European Club Basketball over the last half century. McAdoo was one of just 35 players to receive that honor. He is the last NBA player to average 30 points and 15 rebounds in a season and is one of 6 players to win three consecutive scoring titles. The five time All Star was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

How was he not picked as one of NBA’s Top 50 greatest players again?

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I was thinking about a lot of things, but not enough to make one column about them. So I pushed them together, added some cheese to bind, and BAM…. the TSF Random Thoughts. What was I thinking about. Answers after the jump.

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The LBJimmy is a shout out to Carolyn Hastings. I miss you Lakewood…

If any of you are gonna feed into the status updates of LeBron’s elbow, there’s something wrong with you. Dude is gonna get his no matter what the circumstances. There’s too much at stake. Watch the game and not sideshow.

TNT’s coverage of the 2010 NBA Playoffs continues on Monday, May 3 at 8 p.m. (ET) with a doubleheader featuring the Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers (Game #2) followed by the San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns (Game #1).

Oh…I see Brandon Jennings tossing in 30 plus and helping the Bucks take that next step in development. He gets 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals as well.

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This is the test…

This will be a fight. This will not be an easy series for the Cavs. The Celtics are too experienced, smart and savvy. They will not go down without a veteran fight and if the Cavs are to win a ring, this will be the series they look back on…not Orlando.

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It’s not the fight that either of them wanted. Manny Pacquiao was there first, like a big white whale. But now here they are. Mayweather vs. Mosley. The former great lightweights 12 pounds to the north battling over pride and who is the #2 pound-for-pound guy in the world (The White Whale still being #1.) What’s going to happen? I don’t know. But here is what I think is going to happen.

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