U.S.A. Men's Basketball Team: International Basketball Changes

Lately people have been complaining about basketball. David Stern is no more the head of the world dominate NBA. Adam Silver has shifted over and now is responsible for the new generation of basketball that people aren't too happy about but look forward to the next wave. The legendary 2003 draft class are entering their so-called down years and people want to know what's next.

I believe international basketball in a large way can help this situation if they pay attention to the marketing power that it has. I'm not sure if the NBA takes this serious or not but they need to work hand and hand and get some things established in order to work on focusing on the next generation of leaders in the NBA.

FIBA World Cup Basketball for 2014 is coming up from Aug. 30th to Sept. 4. The final stage of this tournament will be Sept. 6th-14th. This year it will be held in Spain for the first time and seems to be a huge advantage for the hometown Spain team who features Pau and Marc Gasol. They have been known for years to huge pieces to the puzzle with them winning and when healthy, they are able to lift their team to a compete for a championship.

Now lately, there has been some different news that have broken to the public that is a little upsetting to USA Men's Basketball Team fans. People normally get ready for these things with the expectations that they will be on full tilt but this year besides Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, there will be no other superstars on the FIBA team. The question is... Is it time to move the USA Men's Team in a different direction.

I think so... The NBAP Union just made a huge announcement this week and I believe Silver has really been making some really good power moves to put things in position and ideas out, such as changing the age limit to enter the draft. I believe that if the NBA took the opportunity to change the USA Team in anyway, they should change the nature of how the select players. There should be stipulations and rules.

Here's my reasoning... First... We already dominate other countries by huge margins when he play them with our elite players. I don't think putting wear and tear on our superstars is the greatest idea anymore in this era. Their focus should be the NBA season and that alone. They can support in a different way, including if they would like to get a head start on coaching and join as a staff member. Second... International Basketball is getting stronger in so many countries, but even with saying that, it's not necessarily going to help the league leap to where would like to see it if we continue to focus our energy on those who have made their mark. This leads into my Third idea... Let's lower the age and pro year limit to focus out energy on globally marketing the athletes that are coming in. It's bad enough our draft is getting criticized for the players that are being brought in. We have some special talent but we can't continue to dominate the league talk with those names that are passing their mid-points of their careers.

So I suggest a under 25 years old and 5 years pro level. This would leave us with this...

PG: Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, John Wall
SG: Klay Thompson, Dion Waiters
SF: Paul George, Gordan Hayward
PF: Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried
C: Demarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, Mason Plumlee

Last Thought: I know people might be asking about Brad Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Harrison Barnes, Michael Carter-Williams. However you play with it is your prerogative. I'm just giving what I think the team could/would be. 

Michele Roberts takes on a new Case: NBAP Union

Michele Roberts

Picture Courtesy: www.newsday.com

Great things happen when you least expect it. This is one of those moments I can definitely say I am caught off guard. There's nothing like experiencing something new when you live during that time. I've heard about the first this and that for years and honestly this is bigger than people might think it is. This sets a new standard and passion for any young female that is looking to dive in the world of Men's Basketball. Men's Basketball has been around for over 100 years now. The game of Basketball has developed into something that the world can love and be passionate about it different aspects. 

Basketball has created different avenues for not just men but for women also. The idea that women can have their own league was not even a thought until 1996 when the WNBA first began. In 1997, nobody would ever think that women would start to become engaged and involved as largely as we see females in sport today. Women have now become a voice and a forefront for themselves, getting others to recognize that they are as qualified to do a job as others. 

Men's Basketball took a huge leap in faith when they have announced that the NBA Players Union will not be represented by Washington, D.C.'s own Michele Roberts. She became the first female (no matter what racial background) to become the Executive Director of the NBAP. 32 players, which represent the NBA, voted that she should be next lead for the Union to help bounce back a union that was lead by Billy Hunter. Roberts comes to us from the field as an Attorney and noted as one of the best in the D.C. area. 

It is also noted that Roberts doesn't have the background and experience that is needed for this position in some areas but is highly qualified because she knows her abilities. Even though Roberts doesn't have a huge attachment or contact to the NBA, her creative mind and ability to work under pressure is what drove the Player Reps towards her. She expressed in further comments that she is going to put together a team and will not take the load by herself. She talked about her focus on the collective bargaining agreement that can be opted out via the NBA players in 2015-16 season. 

I definitely look forward to her work and I know that she will do whatever it takes to make things go as smooth as possible. Women are strong and to note that this a Black Female that is willing to take on the challenge says a lot about the future of the NBA and what back it stands on. Congratulations and I am proud to be a huge support of Michele Roberts and the NBAP. 

Will the KD Brand make it's move closer to home?: Under Armour?

In a 2013 article via NBCSports, the conversation was brought up in an interview with 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant about his future and where stands in the NBA, in reference to LeBron James. Before this past MVP, LeBron had received the MVP 4 out of the past 5 years, besides that incredible year that Derrick Rose had.

Many people don't look at that situation as something big but with Derrick Rose becoming MVP, he was given the opportunity to do something with Adidas that helped their basketball market. During that year Adidas increased their market by showing Nike that they can produce a high profile athlete in basketball like they have done in previous years such as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, LeBron James and now Kevin Durant.

The only other time that I can remember even a close impact of a brand in basketball besides Nike, was Allen Iverson with Reebok. The year Iverson won MVP, he was able to do something with sports that most people could not even understand how he was doing it without the presentable image like others. Well, Iverson went on to get one of the greatest deals with Reebok and help keep the brand above waters. Things have slightly changed lately where other brands have tried to take their leap into the "pool of sports apparel scare".

This pool was created by Nike, when took their brand from one level to separating themselves in a large distance in income in the America. Nike controls over 90% of the market for basketball apparel in the world and it doesn't seem as though, they are willing to slow down. This brings upon a thought that might be running through KD's head, referring back to that article written in 2013.

Maybe it's time for KD to spread his wings and become that guy for his own brand. Even though KD was given a brand, they didn't really give him his leadership. LeBron is known as the leader of Nike following Michael Jordan. There has always been other guys but the question is, will LeBron ever stop? Since it doesn't seem like LeBron will, the next question is, now that KD has a MVP and a larger buzz, can he market himself somewhere else and remain strong?

Nike has does a lot for KD, but KD has changed his image. People are starting to look at him as the guy that is seriously going to challenge LeBron in every aspect and that's what the fans want to see. It's helpful for LeBron's brand and also KD's. So is Under Armour, Baltimore based football noted brand, the image he could go to and create that same image that Iverson did with Reebok and Rose is doing with Adidas. Durant's contract is up at the end of the week. There is no telling what he will do, but he does have a large thought ahead of him and I know it's not helping when endorsements are following you around while trying to get ready for the FIBA games in Spain.

This could definitely be a great fit for him, especially knowing that last year he signed with Jay-Z founded, Roc Nation Sports, who has a genius for coming up with ways to help expand athletes such as Skylar Diggins, CC Sabathia, Robinson Cano, Victor Cruz and others. With the right support, this move could definitely be powerful for them and himself with him being from the DMV area.

Stephen A. Smith...Suspension...No Need!

Picture Courtesy: Stephen A. Smith's Twitter

Ok... I'm very disturbed to hear that Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Analyst and highly recognized for his work for the Philadelphia Daily News will be suspended for his comments on the case of Ray Rice and his now wife Janay Palmer. Ray Rice recently was in a situation with his wife in Atlantic City. It was said that he violently struck Palmer in the face, where she became unconscious on February 15, 2014. Even though the footage from TMZ only presented evidence that he carried her out the elevator of the hotel. There would be someone else that approached the situation and talked to him about what had happened.

It seems as though there happens to be 3 different situations that are taking place around this. The first situation is the actual situation itself. It has become bigger than just the normal situation because people are outraged about what has taken place. It has become criminal as he was indicted for aggravated assault. It seems in reports that Palmer's charges have been dropped but not Rice's. Rice and Palmer have since talked in public about the situation, have gone to counseling and also gotten married.

The second situation around this is the fine and suspension that was given down from the NFL. Roger Goodell was criticized by many because the suspension was only a 2 game suspension. Many people such as Brandon Spikes, Mike Golic, Michelle Beadle (who I all admire in their work) and others have taken a huge stand on how they feel about the situation against Ray Rice and Goodell's decision.

The third thing that people take heed towards is Stephen A. Smith, who made his comments on First Take ESPN show at 10am both on Feb. 25th. He expressed first that "We don't know what happen inside the elevator". He secondly stated "I don't know how many times I have to repeat this to men... DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS ON A WOMAN...Under any circumstances".  Also he expressed that there is a way to provoke the situation on the female's side.

I want to state the same thing that others have state, it might not have been what he was saying that was the problem, it's the way that he went about saying it. He has since apologized for his remarks on Monday's show but has been suspended by ESPN.

I feel that Stephen A. Smith is a lift in our community and to the nation that watches him. He is apart of a show with two intellects that share and understand that the power of the stage he sits upon is greater than something they could ever imagine. Not every viewer will take an understanding about the situation of his comments but in my deepest heart... THERE IS NO REASON HE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED OR CRITICIZED. Stephen A. Smith's comment were looked over because of certain choices of words that were used including provoke but like in his apology, he does not have any disrespect against females and he made it clear that he was raised by women and it is not appropriate to use any physical actions against any.

In my understanding about what he said, Smith had some particular comments that people did not like and did not agree with. On the other side, there are many of people in this world who loved him for saying what he said, but might have felt that he didn't quite say it in the right way. I understand how prompt ESPN is, but this is a situation that left Smith voiceless. I definitely commend Smith for apologizing and stand strong on his belief but I don't think suspending Smith was the answer. I stand behind Smith and I pray that ESPN, the women affected by this situation and Stephen A. Smith can look past this and look forward to continuing a great show.

If I have any advice to give Brother Smith... "Be You...God created you for that...People love you for that...I did my work in college because of people like you. Thank You"

Where are the Philadelphia NBA Draft Picks Lately?

Dion Waiters... Last Philadelphian that was drafted in the NBA in 2012. The only thing about Dion is, he didn't play in a local area school. Lately there has been some questions about the city of Philadelphia and what it can produce. For the first time in history, The City of Philadelphia has not provided a draft pick that has attended a local area Philadelphia High School League (The league must have at least 1 school in the city) 4 leagues- Pub, Catholic, Inter-Ac, Friends School) in 3 years straight.

The questions is posed to others to answer. Is there something that Philadelphia is doing wrong or the talent is just down? I'm not completely sure if I can answer this question completely. I do see a problem in basketball with talking to legends from Philadelphia such as Mo Howard, John Hardnett, Sonny Hill, Lynard Stewart, Claude Gross and others and with my knowledge watching Philadelphia basketball for some time now... I think we definitely have a concern to be addressed.

I love Philadelphia Basketball and I think we have a large tradition. There isn't many cities that can say that they have had a NBA Draft Pick every year from 48 to 99. The dip came in 2000 where we didn't get a draft pick and it seemed as though, we were getting ready to start a down slide. Some of the best talents would not be drafted in later years and I'm not sure the affects that would be later on. In 2003 and 2004, there would be no draft picks from our power leagues and that that would be the first time ever it would be more than a year.

Then 2007 and 2010... The trend would continue. The legends that I have talked to have all explained to me their concerns and it seems as though, they explain the same thing. It seems as though the investment into the game of basketball around Philadelphia isn't the same anymore. People are more worried about glorifying guys instead of helping them learn. Too much talent lands in the wrong hands and never get developed to their fullest potential. It seems as though, players know too much. Coaches are no longer really teaching the game and AAU has picked up tremendously. Also, the idea that our best talent will not stay home and play together.

Since 2010, the (Markieff and Marcus) Morris twins are the only draft picks from Philadelphia High School Power leagues to get drafted. This is not to forget that there hasn't been a draft pick in the last 3 years. I know everybody is trying to find out, who will be the next guy to reign supreme but it seems as though, we have a serious issue and it should be addressed.

The better question I would like to know is, who will be next in line to get drafted from the Philadelphia Power High School Leagues, Jerrell Wright (LaSalle), DJ Newbill (Penn State), Savon Goodman (Arizona State), Stephen Vasturia (Notre Dame), and Amile Jefferson (Duke). I definitely think that one of these guys or more could be drafted but it's definitely something these guys are going to have to work for or will our players have to leave Philadelphia to really have an opportunity?

Who do you think is next? or What should happen in Philadelphia to change this current trend?