After coaching the New Jersey Nets for eight seasons Lawerence Frank was fired today. It was rumored for the past couple days that Frank would be fired due to his team’s dismal 0-16 start to the 2009-2010 NBA season.”I knew it was going to happen sooner or later because the Nets suck,” said Howard junior Shaq Mack, a Nets fan from New York. Not much was expected of the Nets before the season, ESPN.com had projected them one of the worst teams in the NBA this year. However nobody expected the team to start off this bad. The Nets are currently the only team in the NBA that hasn’t won a game. “I feel bad for the players I know they want to win,” said Desiree Simone, a sophomore Howard business major. The Nets currently own the second worst record in NBA history at the start of the season; the worst is 0-18.
As of today the Nets haven’t hired a replacement for Lawerence Frank yet, although fans hope that the changes will ignite a spark to the team that will eventually result in wins. “I just hope we can be a respectable team again, because right now we’re {the Nets} a joke,” added Mack.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Charlie Weis Fired
The New York Times and Espn have reported that Charlie Weis has been fired from Norte Dame today. Weis known as a player’s coach who spent the past six seasons with the Fighting Irish. Rumors have been spreading all season long that Weis job was in jeopardy, due to his team’s mediocre records throughout his six years. “Norte Dame is used to winning all the time, and not just winning but going to BCS games and winning national championships,” said Ahmad Smalls, a college football fan from Maryland. After yesterdays lose to Stanford Norte Dame finished its season with a 6-6 record leaving many fans disappointed. “I like Norte Dame because I’m from Indiana where the university is, and a lot of people thought they {Norte Dame} were going to be good this year including me,” said Shoneal Green, a Howard junior. Before the season Norte Dame was returning 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense. Such experience among its players left many analyst thinking that Norte Dame was a BCS contender before the season. However loses to several ranked teams shattered their BCS hopes. Norte Dame lost to ranked teams such as Michigan, Stanford, and USC. “I think if a program wants to be good and go to the BCS they need to go out and beat other ranked college football teams,” said Howard sophomore Aaron Fleming. “I believe that has a lot to do with Charlie Weis being fired; you can’t be an elite football program if you lose to all the elite and ranked football programs.
Charlie Weis firing came as a shock to nobody due to his team’s performance over the years. “I knew Charlie Weis would get fired because of all the reports I’ve been hearing of late,” said Green. Now the next job at hand for Notre Dame is to find a new coach. “Whoever they get I hope he can help Notre Dame win more games,” added Green.
Charlie Weis firing came as a shock to nobody due to his team’s performance over the years. “I knew Charlie Weis would get fired because of all the reports I’ve been hearing of late,” said Green. Now the next job at hand for Notre Dame is to find a new coach. “Whoever they get I hope he can help Notre Dame win more games,” added Green.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Say it aint So?!?!
Allen Iverson retiring? After 13 seasons in the NBA Allen Iverson has decided to retire from the NBA. “When I first heard the news I was shocked. I really hope he changes his mind” said Jade Cosby from Virginia. Iverson the 6ft 165 pound guard out of Georgetown was the number one pick in the prestigious 1996 NBA draft class; that included the likes of Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, and Stephon Marbury to name a few. Throughout his NBA career Iverson accomplished much success. He was a ten time NBA all-star, three time NBA scoring champion, and 2001 NBA MVP. He’s regarded by many as the best “lil man” in the history of the NBA. “If Iverson was taller like say 6’6 I think people would be talking about him like they talk about Michael Jordan” said Arthur Cochran of Washington DC. “I think he would be the best player in NBA history if he was taller”. Iverson had most of his success in Philadelphia where he played for the 76ers for 10 seasons leading them to the NBA finals in 2001. However he was much travelled the last three years of his career playing for the Denver Nuggets for almost two years, Detroit Pistons for a year, and the Memphis Grizzlies for three games. “I’m always going to remember when he played for the 76ers, he pretty much dominated then, those were some great times” said Howard senior and Philadelphia native Ade Osalu.
The news of Iverson’s retirement came as a shock to many NBA fans, and even NBA players. Most people around basketball hope that Iverson will decided to come back. Lebron James told reporters that he hoped that Iverson would come back, saying that “if he is retiring he’s left a lot of good things behind”. Iverson’s former coaches John Thompson (Georgetown) and Larry Brown (76ers) have both said they plan to talk to Iverson soon to talk him out of retirement. “I hope somebody talks him into coming back. Whether that is coaches, players, or family I just want him to comeback” said longtime Iverson fan Krystle Evans of California.
Whether it’s the end or not Allen Iverson has had a hall of fame career, with many highlights and many memories. However we all hope this truly isn’t the end for Allen Iverson.
The news of Iverson’s retirement came as a shock to many NBA fans, and even NBA players. Most people around basketball hope that Iverson will decided to come back. Lebron James told reporters that he hoped that Iverson would come back, saying that “if he is retiring he’s left a lot of good things behind”. Iverson’s former coaches John Thompson (Georgetown) and Larry Brown (76ers) have both said they plan to talk to Iverson soon to talk him out of retirement. “I hope somebody talks him into coming back. Whether that is coaches, players, or family I just want him to comeback” said longtime Iverson fan Krystle Evans of California.
Whether it’s the end or not Allen Iverson has had a hall of fame career, with many highlights and many memories. However we all hope this truly isn’t the end for Allen Iverson.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Rivalry Recap
Same rivalry with the same results. Today’s battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards proved to be the same old story for Wizards, and Cavaliers fans. “It seems like they (the Cavaliers) have our number” said Wizards fan Daymond Green of Howard. The Cavaliers beat the Wizards 102 to 90. However much of the game was closer than its final score indicates. At the end of the first quarter the Wizards actually led 31 to 17. However after that Cleveland won the rest of the remaining three quarters. “Cleveland kind of scared me a little bit, that first quarter was bad” said Cavaliers fan Arthur Curry of DC. He and other Cavaliers fans were worried about the start, but Lebron James and company would eventually regain the lead. “It was a good game I wish the Wizards could have won, but that’s ok” said Peete Simpson of DC.
Game Box Score: Cleveland Cavaliers 102 vs. Washington Wizards 90
Washington Wizards: C. Butler 22 points and 6 rebounds B. Haywood 8 points and 9 rebounds M. Miller 12 points and 8 rebounds G. Arenas 22 points 5 rebounds and 7 assist A. Blatche 7 points and 8 rebounds
Cleveland Cavaliers: L. James 27 points 8 rebounds and 6 assist S. O’neal 21 points and 8 rebounds A. Varejao 10 points and 10 rebounds A. Parker 5 points M. Williams 15 pointsand 6 assist D. Gipson 14 points
Game Box Score: Cleveland Cavaliers 102 vs. Washington Wizards 90
Washington Wizards: C. Butler 22 points and 6 rebounds B. Haywood 8 points and 9 rebounds M. Miller 12 points and 8 rebounds G. Arenas 22 points 5 rebounds and 7 assist A. Blatche 7 points and 8 rebounds
Cleveland Cavaliers: L. James 27 points 8 rebounds and 6 assist S. O’neal 21 points and 8 rebounds A. Varejao 10 points and 10 rebounds A. Parker 5 points M. Williams 15 pointsand 6 assist D. Gipson 14 points
Rivalry Renewed
The rivalry gets renewed today for the Washington Wizards. Since Lebron James entered the NBA in 2003 there has been a growing rivalry between his Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards. “I have a love hate relationship with the Lebron James. I love the way he plays basketball, but I hate when he plays the Wizards” said Daymond Green of Howard. The rivalry between the two Eastern Conference teams started with the repeated meetings in the playoffs between the two teams. However Cleveland has pretty much dominated the Wizards in all their playoff meetings, they have eliminated them every single time. Then the rivalry escaladed with the Lebron James and Wizards guard Deshawn Stevenson’s war of words. Stevenson told reporters that he felt as though Lebron James is overrated. Lebron unfazed by such words told reporters that, “Deshawn is like Souja Boy, and I’m like Jay Z what he says doesn’t mean anything to me”. Through the many physical playoff meetings, and the war of words between the two teams this rivalry is a fan favorite. “I always love when they play, plus my Cavaliers always win anyway” said Cavaliers fan Arthur Curry of DC. However Wizards fans feel very different about the rivalry, “I hate the Cavaliers, and Lebron James is overrated to me Deshawn was right” said Wizards fan Amber White of Maryland. She’s not the only one with such harsh feelings. “I hope the Cavaliers lose every game, I never want them to have any type of success” said Wizards fan Peete Simpson of DC.
Fans from both sides couldn’t disagree more, however a lot is always settled when the two teams meet on the court. “We always beat the Wizards so it’s not much of a rivalry” said Curry. He’s right the Cavaliers won three out of four against the Wizards last year, and have eliminated the Wizards three times in the playoffs since Lebron James entered the NBA. However fans know that’s all in the past, the new season has started and the rivalry is renewed today.
Game time is set for 7pm at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It’s the first of four meetings between the two teams this season.
Check back to my blog later to get a full game recap!!!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Black Role Models: Michael Jordan
The core values of the black culture range from the history of slavery, resistance, freedom, equality, social status, economic status, education, self- determination, the influence of role models, and so on. Webster’s defines self-determination as freedom to live as one chooses, or to act or decide without consulting another or others. It also defines a role model as a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others. There are many African Americans that exemplify these two core values. However there are few better, or with as many accolades as Michael Jeffery Jordan. Jordan’s many struggles and hurdles on the way to his legendary success define and exemplify self-determination.
Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 17, 1963. He was one of the five children of James and Deloris Jordan. Soon after Michael Jordan’s birth, his parents felt that Brooklyn was not the best location to raise a family, so they moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. As a child Michael immediately became interested in sports. His favorite sport was baseball, which was also the favorite of his father. Michael soon developed a love for basketball due to the influence of his older brother Larry who he says he idolized during his youth. During high school Michael played football, basketball, and baseball, but as a sophomore he tried out for the varsity basketball team, and got cut. The coach said Jordan was “he was raw and undersized” (imbd p.1 2009). For most high school boys such news would discourage them from playing organized basketball again. However Michael Jordan was different than others even at a young age. Such news made him even more determined to succeed. Michael spent the year on the junior varsity team practicing religiously on his basketball ability in preparation of the following year’s varsity team try outs. During the next school year after practicing tirelessly, and also growing four inches in height, Michael achieved his childhood goal of making the varsity basketball team. Michael not only became the star of the Laney High basketball team, but also became nationally known for his basketball skills, and eventually making the McDonald's All-American Team as a senior.
Following high school, Michael received a basketball scholarship to North Carolina University to play for legendary coach, Dean Smith. During his first year of college, he was the ACC Freshman of the Year, and lead North Carolina to a 1982 NCAA Championship title. As a junior, Michael won the Naismith College Player of the Year which is given to the best college basketball player, and at the season’s end, he decided to leave North Carolina in order to enter the NBA draft (he would later come back to school to complete his degree in geography).
Michael was selected third by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984, NBA draft. As a professional basketball athlete, Michael Jordan was the best ever in his field. His professional accolades include rookie of the year, five regular season M.V.P. awards, six NBA championships, six NBA finals M.V.P. awards, three All-Star game M.V.P. awards, and a defensive player of the year award.
However all this success didn’t come without tragedy for Michael. On July 23, 1993, his father James Jordan, was brutally murdered while sleeping in his car in North Carolina. Two criminals robbed James, shot him in the chest, and threw his body in a nearby swamp. Three months following his dad’s death Michael retired from basketball saying that, "he no longer had the desire to play” (impd p. 3 2009). Jordan’s next mission was to pursue his father’s love of baseball. He signed a one year minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, in 1994. However Jordan wasn’t nearly as successful or skilled in baseball as he was in basketball. After the season’s end Michael decided return to playing basketball.
On March 18, 1995, Michael returned to the NBA for three years. In 1998, following another NBA championship, Michael Jordan retired for the second time. However ironically he made yet another come back to the NBA, in 2001, played another season and retired permanently in 2003.
Today Michael Jordan is not only known for being the best basketball player of all time, but also as a role model and hero for others, especially for blacks. ESPN proclaimed Michael Jordan as the best athlete ever. Michael Jordan is a leader and a role model to us all. He is a successful athlete, a graduate of a noted university, and is one of the most successful and respected black business men in the world. His basketball success led to Nike offering him a shoe endorsement deal. Unlike any other in the history of endorsements, Michael Jordan has his own label under Nike called, “Jordan.” He is the CEO of this division. The Jordan label started with just shoes, but it has expanded to all kinds of clothing from shirts, sweaters, jeans, other apparel items, and athletic gear. The Jordan label is known to be the premier brand of Nike, and is a very popular brand worldwide. Michael has experienced great success as the CEO of Jordan and is also a part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. With all of his success Michael is not only known for being the best basketball player ever, but also a successful business tycoon. This leadership and success illustrates that individuals can branch out and be successful at multiple endeavors. Michael Jordan exemplifies three Black core values: 1) Community- with the Jordan clothing brand’s popularity across Black and other communities around the world, 2) Education- graduating from North Carolina with a degree in Geography, 3) Self-determination- making the varsity high school basketball team after being cut the year before, playing professional baseball when no one else was in favor of the idea, and coming back to play basketball after the murder of his beloved father. Michael Jordan defines greatness. He is a role model to Blacks because he has succeeded in core values that many members of the Black culture are still striving for. With every success story there is failures and bumps in the road to the success. Michael Jordan is living proof of this as well as of how an individual gracefully handles failure, disappointment, obstacles and bumps in the road. Michael Jordan illustrates that with determination, perseverance and hard work successes can be obtai
Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 17, 1963. He was one of the five children of James and Deloris Jordan. Soon after Michael Jordan’s birth, his parents felt that Brooklyn was not the best location to raise a family, so they moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. As a child Michael immediately became interested in sports. His favorite sport was baseball, which was also the favorite of his father. Michael soon developed a love for basketball due to the influence of his older brother Larry who he says he idolized during his youth. During high school Michael played football, basketball, and baseball, but as a sophomore he tried out for the varsity basketball team, and got cut. The coach said Jordan was “he was raw and undersized” (imbd p.1 2009). For most high school boys such news would discourage them from playing organized basketball again. However Michael Jordan was different than others even at a young age. Such news made him even more determined to succeed. Michael spent the year on the junior varsity team practicing religiously on his basketball ability in preparation of the following year’s varsity team try outs. During the next school year after practicing tirelessly, and also growing four inches in height, Michael achieved his childhood goal of making the varsity basketball team. Michael not only became the star of the Laney High basketball team, but also became nationally known for his basketball skills, and eventually making the McDonald's All-American Team as a senior.
Following high school, Michael received a basketball scholarship to North Carolina University to play for legendary coach, Dean Smith. During his first year of college, he was the ACC Freshman of the Year, and lead North Carolina to a 1982 NCAA Championship title. As a junior, Michael won the Naismith College Player of the Year which is given to the best college basketball player, and at the season’s end, he decided to leave North Carolina in order to enter the NBA draft (he would later come back to school to complete his degree in geography).
Michael was selected third by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984, NBA draft. As a professional basketball athlete, Michael Jordan was the best ever in his field. His professional accolades include rookie of the year, five regular season M.V.P. awards, six NBA championships, six NBA finals M.V.P. awards, three All-Star game M.V.P. awards, and a defensive player of the year award.
However all this success didn’t come without tragedy for Michael. On July 23, 1993, his father James Jordan, was brutally murdered while sleeping in his car in North Carolina. Two criminals robbed James, shot him in the chest, and threw his body in a nearby swamp. Three months following his dad’s death Michael retired from basketball saying that, "he no longer had the desire to play” (impd p. 3 2009). Jordan’s next mission was to pursue his father’s love of baseball. He signed a one year minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, in 1994. However Jordan wasn’t nearly as successful or skilled in baseball as he was in basketball. After the season’s end Michael decided return to playing basketball.
On March 18, 1995, Michael returned to the NBA for three years. In 1998, following another NBA championship, Michael Jordan retired for the second time. However ironically he made yet another come back to the NBA, in 2001, played another season and retired permanently in 2003.
Today Michael Jordan is not only known for being the best basketball player of all time, but also as a role model and hero for others, especially for blacks. ESPN proclaimed Michael Jordan as the best athlete ever. Michael Jordan is a leader and a role model to us all. He is a successful athlete, a graduate of a noted university, and is one of the most successful and respected black business men in the world. His basketball success led to Nike offering him a shoe endorsement deal. Unlike any other in the history of endorsements, Michael Jordan has his own label under Nike called, “Jordan.” He is the CEO of this division. The Jordan label started with just shoes, but it has expanded to all kinds of clothing from shirts, sweaters, jeans, other apparel items, and athletic gear. The Jordan label is known to be the premier brand of Nike, and is a very popular brand worldwide. Michael has experienced great success as the CEO of Jordan and is also a part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. With all of his success Michael is not only known for being the best basketball player ever, but also a successful business tycoon. This leadership and success illustrates that individuals can branch out and be successful at multiple endeavors. Michael Jordan exemplifies three Black core values: 1) Community- with the Jordan clothing brand’s popularity across Black and other communities around the world, 2) Education- graduating from North Carolina with a degree in Geography, 3) Self-determination- making the varsity high school basketball team after being cut the year before, playing professional baseball when no one else was in favor of the idea, and coming back to play basketball after the murder of his beloved father. Michael Jordan defines greatness. He is a role model to Blacks because he has succeeded in core values that many members of the Black culture are still striving for. With every success story there is failures and bumps in the road to the success. Michael Jordan is living proof of this as well as of how an individual gracefully handles failure, disappointment, obstacles and bumps in the road. Michael Jordan illustrates that with determination, perseverance and hard work successes can be obtai
Monday, October 5, 2009
NBA 2K10
Not only is NBA Live 10 coming out tomorrow but so is its rival NBA 2K10. NBA 2K10 the game that has out performed NBA Live the last couple of years with game play and sales.” I used to buy NBA Live but I think NBA 2K has surpassed NBA Live on the best video game series” said Ade Adams a student at Howard. The NBA 2K series by Visual Concepts was first released in 1999. The game has added plenty of new game features that werent in the game in past years. Some of the features include live rosters, blacktop street basketball, and an updated Association mode where gamers can manage their own NBA fanchise. “They havent made a lot of changes from the previous year, but that because they didn’t really need to, it was and still is a great game” said Chris Owens a student at Howard. Another new feature that has created a buzz around NBA 2k fans is the “My Player”, which lets gamers take an up and coming player and set him on the path to a professional basketball career. However before the player you helped create can go pro, gamers will need to prove to an NBA franchise that the player is ready to be an NBA player. This mode starts out with an NBA tryout, to making a team, to a role player, starter, superstar, and hall of famer. It takes you through a real life NBA career and it’s up to the gamers to make their player succeed. “This feature seems amazing. I like it because it takes you through the life of a successful or unsuccessful NBA superstar” said Kyle Bentley a student at Howard.
The anticipation is almost here NBA 2K10 is set to be released tomorrow, and all NBA gamers are excited. “NBA 2K and NBA Live both come out tomorrow, it’s a good day for NBA video gamers. I cant wait to see which of the two video game series does the best” said Kevin Curry of California.
The anticipation is almost here NBA 2K10 is set to be released tomorrow, and all NBA gamers are excited. “NBA 2K and NBA Live both come out tomorrow, it’s a good day for NBA video gamers. I cant wait to see which of the two video game series does the best” said Kevin Curry of California.
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