Where There’s Heat, There’s Smoke…

September 21st, 2008

beasley chalmers

When two of my favorite friends leave comments on my drops that they don’t fux with sports unless I am writing about it I am tempted to only write about sports. So let’s stay on our basketball grizzly why don’t we?

The NBA was finally feeling itself again with the alleged victory of the Redeem Team at the Beijing Olympiad. I say alleged victory because I never saw any on the games on television. Were they even broadcast? At what time? For all we know that shit was some CGI hype by the Chinese, who have a vested interest in KOBE, LeBRON and everyone else who wears NIKE shoes since China produces them shits like children.

Finally the Association could put the sordid truth behind them that their games are ultimately rigged.

Then we get this story about Miami Heat rookies going in on the Mary Jane cigars. What?!? NBA players smoke marijuana?! Sorry mainstream media, but who the fuck cares?

Seriously, do you know how much money we are going to have to shoulder for this banking system meltdown bailout? And you want me to get upset because NBA kids are getting high? Sorry, but I am bereft emotionally right now from working two fucking full time jobs to keep my lights on.

The only thing I’m upset about is NOT having a pull or two of that PAT RILEY purple. [pause]

Here’s the big NBA story of the past week. Dallas Mav forward JOSH HOWARD is in a YouTube video where he exclaims that he doesn’t “celebrate the star-spangled banner because he is a Black.

What JOSH could have said is that everytime he hears the star spangled banner it makes him want to give away blankets laden with small pox to Native Americans. I’m sure some of his detractors can relate to that. I haven’t really considered this story as much as I should have because my mind is trying to wrap itself around the notion of a TEN TRILLION DOLLAR debt. FreeDarko.com nailed this tempest in a teacup like a BRYANT 15-footer…

A High-Tech Lynching, Or An Exercise in Verbal Disenfranchisement

For some historical perspective on America and the concerns of the mainstream media take a look at the Good Housekeeping article that has struck this traveling man’s attention.

jim crow

‘Nuff said.

FELIPE LOPEZ, Where Have You Gone?

September 21st, 2008

felipe

Talking about Rice High School reminds me of the days my kid brother went to Holy Cross and FELIPE LOPEZ was NYC’s next All World prodigy. My brother was five years younger than FELIPE, but he was very inspired by dude’s ascent to the top of the mountain after his arrival in the city. FELIPE barely spoke english well enough to conduct an interview yet everyone wanted a piece of his time. Sonn was the American dream on crack. His life was 100mph with no brakes. Is it any wonder there are no more Dominicanos trying to get into the Association?

FELIPE’s travails are spoken in the whispered lilts of his native language. Stick to beisbol young platanos. Don’t get all twisted up like FELIPE did. The real story is that FELIPE is still playing the game he loves and now he can do it without the pressure of expectations that follow a teenager on the front cover of Sports Illustrated. This is why I have the utmost respect for the LeBRON’s, KOBE’s and KEVIN GARNETT’s who were forecasted to be great and they have even exceeded the scouting reports.

felipe

FELIPE still has the lightning first step. Only now he is doing his thing in the Continental Basketball Association instead of the, well, the Association.

felipe

FELIPE’s coach is MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON who knows a thing or two about falling from the spotlight and having the courage to still stand upright.

felipe

FELIPE still has the hops and playing for the Albany Patroons keeps him close to his base of support here in NYC.

FELIPE’s story is like so many of the kids that the sports industrial complex overwhelms with hype and expectations. I’m glad that he is still living the life he loves with no regrets and no remorse. He is still a legend in the D.R. for sure.

SNEAKER FIENDS UNITE!

September 21st, 2008

rice hs

How many prep schools are good enough to have their own signature sneakers? NYC’s Rice high school is that good. Ever since FELIPE LOPEZ appeared on a cover of Sports Illustrated when he was still a prep school phenom Rice High School has been one of the nation’s top factories for young cagers.

This weekend NIKE unveiled the Rice H.S. HyperDunk. I can see NIKE going in for a limited edition shoe for a club team like the Riverside Hawks or even the Bronx Gauchos, but a limited edition shoe for a high school? Then again, the NYC Archdicese is so strapped for cash right now they would prA’li let NIKE post their homoerotic ads in the school rectory [ll].

hyperdunk ad

Biggup to C.S. for reminding me that the HyperDunk ads were at DP Dot Com waaay back when. You bitches at NIKE need to cut that check.

The jury is still out on the HyperDunk shoe since I haven’t bought a pair and everyone I know with the shoe hasn’t worn theirs as yet. I’m interested to see if the new NIKE construction technology is all that. It’s been hyped tremendously but I don’t see the products available on a retail level like that. It could be that the NIKE price point has finally saturated most buyers.

rice dunk

rice dunk

rice dunk

rice dunk

rice dunk

rice dunk

I can’t front and say that I am not feeling the shoes, but I can’t bring myself to shop for these at the House of Hoops store. HOH is owned and operated by Foot Locker, but HOH does not accept Foot Locker’s Friends and Families discount coupons. What kind of bullshit is that?!? If I wanted 30% off the wack ass shoes that Foot Locker carries I would just go to Delancey Street and but that shit at regulack price.

GTFOHOH!

Zo And Tigallo Be On They 80’s Ish…

September 20th, 2008

stoney

I am loving the Zo and Tigallo album as much as I rocked that Kirb and Chris joint ‘Niggaz & White Girlz‘. With all the 1980’s retro movements hitting their zenith it was time for brothers to admit their devotion to overly synthesized music.

2DopeBoyz has made sure that I get my Stoney Jackson right by providing the kid with the preview copy of Zo & Tigallo ‘Love The 80’s‘. At first I thought this was a heelarious side project from the rap group Lil’ Brother’s Phonte, but after listening to the album (several times) I realize how dead serious these dudes are. They are really singing, and really playing instruments. I fucks with this album a lot.


Take On Me


Something About You


Steppin’ Out 2008


Africa

Phonte is also killing the internets right now with his podcasts called the Gordon Gartrelle Radio Show.

We Are Respectable Negroes stand up!

Happy Belated Bornday Black Moses!

September 20th, 2008

black moses

I was so shocked by ISAAC HAYES passing that I forgot to acknowledge his bornday which was actually ten days later. I just wanted to leave another track with y’all to celebrate life.