I wrote this article in 2005 at the request of a friend. Travis Bledsoe was a point guard at De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, MN. I gave him a call and did an interview for this article. I guess the real purpose of it was to shine a light on someone who more than deserved the attention and accolades. I'm not really sure where life led Travis, but for that moment in time he was Greatness.
In addition, I think that certain elements of this piece resonate with every person that feels unappreciated, unrecognized or just plain irrelevant. Regardless of the blood, sweat, and tears you may give in pursuit of your dreams, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent.
Don't ever stop. Don't ever give up. Don't ever quit. Part of the journey is struggle and the view from the top is much better than the one from the bottom.
In due time we shall reap, if we faint not.
How do you define greatness? Is it by the points scored or minutes played?Is it by rebounds collected or assists handed out? How do you characterize a person’s legacy? Is it by his leadership qualities, his heart, or his phenomenal talents? To truly know the greatness of a player you have to examine him. You have to take a look at his strengths and weaknesses. To really see greatness you have to focus because sometimes it hides under the blinding brightness that pomp and circumstance radiate. Oftentimes greatness does not come from the most obvious places. Sometimes you have to investigate; you have to look behind buildings and under bridges until your search brings you to De LaSalle Senior High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
You have to explore until your search brings you to Travis Bledsoe.
Greatness is an exceptional quality. Oftentimes, it takes unique circumstances for greatness to unravel itself completely. Travis Bledsoe has been a varsity level talent since the 9th grade. Sadly, it took the combination of an injury and ineptitude for Bledsoe’s formidable talents to shine through. The masses now have exposure to the phenomenon DeLaSalle coaches and players have been privy to for years. He is a player of singular focus. One who plays to win but knows that it is harder to defend five players than one. Somewhere along the line, this young man learned the necessity of family, of togetherness. Therefore, he shares the ball and the spotlight. For the humble where does praise come? He will not praise himself but rest assured praise is due.
A few years ago a meeting took place that formed the scenario that we have today. Bledsoe met his coach when he was in the 8th grade. Call it fate. Call it a helping hand. Call it yet another young man saved by the game. The focus of a youth completely consumed by the game of basketball is rare for someone like Travis. His life and neighborhood aren't really breeding grounds for exceptional athletes. For all the Hard Knock Life stories that have been uttered, know that they are real, they are genuine, and they are tangible. Know that hearing another should make you appreciate what it is that you see before you.
The north side of Minneapolis serves as a proving ground for young men every year. Some survive and make lives filled with the attaining of goals and reaching beyond the city limits to greater heights. Others fall victim to the allure of the familiar and walk down the boulevard of broken dreams. One road, two paths and Travis Bledsoe made a choice when he was 13 years old that would take him somewhere he could only imagine then. Travis left his place of familiarity for a location where he could display his refined talents for an audience with a little more to offer. Minneapolis North or Henry would have been a great place for the homegrown youth to take ahold of and carry the torch of the next great Minneapolis guard. Instead, he went where his heart led him.
The time it takes a choice to be made and for the brilliance of that choice to be uncovered can sometimes be trying. Four full years later Travis Bledsoe is not known as the high school phenom he should be. Opponents and opposing coaches know him. High school beat writers know of his exploits. Some might say he gets respect in the “hood” but not a foot outside of it. Moreover, this is where we arrive at the true travesty. Writers will soon bestow the title of Mr. Basketball for the state of Minnesota upon some deserving prep player. The recipient should, without a doubt, have been a distinguished guard out of DeLaSalle Senior High School. For him, Mr. Basketball was not a player of the year award; it was a lifetime achievement award.
Greatness is a characteristic that displays itself in the most trying of situations.When a team from Compton, California descended upon the Twin Cities to add a victory to their overall season record and add miles to their frequent flyer total, they met resistance from greatness.They left with the miles and not the victory. A recent city All-Star Game provided the best competition that the Twin Cities could provide and again greatness stole the show. The state of Minnesota has decided that Travis Bledsoe is only fit to be a finalist for Mr. Basketball. Let us now resolve that he is the “real” Mr. Basketball.
He is the personification of hard work, determination and persistence.
Congrats, Mr. Travis Bledsoe.
We see you.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Black Man Lost
I wrote this article 2 years ago when the Celtics were suffering through a terrible season. Celtic pride has been rekindled. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are now all apart of Celtic lore and are probably the odds on favorite to win it all next year too. Funny what a couple of years can do.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way for him, drifting aimlessly in a sea of confusion, mad at the world for the situation thrust upon him. It was supposed to be different. It was supposed to be better. Paul Pierce was supposed to be more than the next Celtic great, he was supposed to be the next Celtic champion.
Red started the dynasty and has lived to see the death of it. Cousy, Russell and Havliceck, Jones and Cowens, Bird, McHale and Parrish, Bias, Walker and Pierce. The line of Celtic greats was supposed to continue. The tradition of drafting players to sit and learn the Celtic way under the watchful eye of the great Red Auerback wasn’t supposed to be cut off in a hotel room with too much cocaine and not enough self-control.
Boston Celtic history is filled with superstars. Every decade from 1960 to the present has been defined by one, two, or even three players that were among the best in the league during their prime. Exceptional selections in the draft kept that tradition alive until the selection of the Maryland All-American Len Bias in 1986. The selection of Bias would have given the Celtics the complementary perimeter player Larry Bird needed to win another title or two and would have guaranteed a continuance of Celtic supremacy well into the 90’s. Len Bias was that special.
If you listen to coaches, commentators or analysts speak about ACC greats past, the name Bias always comes up. Sure they’ll mention Dawkins, Worthy or Sampson but they will take care to point out the fact that Len Bias was one of the greatest forwards in ACC history. Bias’ creative post play, explosive leaping ability, quickness, and power combined with a legit 6-9 frame and sweet shooting touch proved to be a lethal combination. He was Darius Miles with muscle and a jump shot, Shawn Marion with back to the basket game, Marvin Williams with 4 years of ACC seasoning.
Sadly, Len Bias’ life and career ended prematurely due cocaine overdose. A nationwide epidemic struck the infallible Celtics dynasty. Because of his death the Celtics was forced to satisfy their hunger for a superstar worthy of the mantle Bird left with glorified role players such as Dino Radja, Rick Fox, Dee Brown, Antoine Walker. Meanwhile a certain special player was looking to make the final eastward move into his destiny.
Inglewood, California. Lawrence, Kansas. Boston Massachusetts. The road to destiny was a long one for Paul Pierce. Thing is the team destiny granted him was not very good. Truthfully it should have been a lot better. It ought to have been a piece or two away from revisiting the glory days. You see with Len Bias winding down what surely would have been a Hall of Fame career and still available to usher in a talent such as Pierce, the Celtics would have provided a potential foil to Jordan’s Chicago reign of terror in mid to late 90’s. Instead Paul Pierce was forced to lead a team reeling from Rick Pitino’s frenetic college style NBA experiment. Talk about more than one man can bear.
Luckily “The Truth” refused to let circumstance thwart providence. The Celtics were his team to lead and lead did he ever. He led them to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002 before falling to New Jersey in 6 games. So often when the names premier swingman are thrown around in debate as to who is the best pound for pound in the game today Pierce is omitted. Wade, Bryant, Allen, McGrady, James, Carter, Hamilton and Ginobilli are all great in their own right but Paul Pierce is most definitely their equal.
As an exceptional shooter, passer, rebounder and defender Pierce can do everything you want a wing player to do. He feasts on smaller defender due to his size and strength and frustrates larger ones with his quickness and willingness to move without the ball. Pierce is perennially among league leaders in minutes played and free throws attempted as well. In a nutshell the man is the real deal. And therein lies the struggle. Paul Pierce’s exceptional ability to play the game, natural aptitude for leadership, and top-flight representation of the Celtics organization are on par with Celtics legends past.
Thing is a championship is not in his immediate future. This years version of the Celtics are a promising bunch, but with young players at PG, in the pivot, and in key back up positions inconsistency has been their calling card. Inconsistent teams don’t win titles in any league.
Since a championship is the only thing that can put Pierce in the company of Celtics legends past in the minds and hearts of Boston faithful his jersey may never hang in the rafters of the Fleet Center along side those of greats he toils under during every home game. Sadly, it’s not entirely Pierce’s fault that he’s still ring less.
The Celtic way is for the elder to lead the younger from inexperience to greatness. Paul Pierce’s mentor never arrived and ever since he’s been in the league, he’s had to find his own way. The result has been a great career and he’s also in the middle of a career year. Perhaps it was supposed to be this way. That Paul Pierce, mentorless for so long, would rekindle the Celtic tradition. That Delonte West, Tony Allen, Gerald Green, Kendrick Perkins, and Al Jefferson would have a bona fide superstar to look up to, learn from, and emulate.
Perhaps the Black Man Lost has found his calling, realized his destiny, and found victory in the midst of defeat.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way for him, drifting aimlessly in a sea of confusion, mad at the world for the situation thrust upon him. It was supposed to be different. It was supposed to be better. Paul Pierce was supposed to be more than the next Celtic great, he was supposed to be the next Celtic champion.
Red started the dynasty and has lived to see the death of it. Cousy, Russell and Havliceck, Jones and Cowens, Bird, McHale and Parrish, Bias, Walker and Pierce. The line of Celtic greats was supposed to continue. The tradition of drafting players to sit and learn the Celtic way under the watchful eye of the great Red Auerback wasn’t supposed to be cut off in a hotel room with too much cocaine and not enough self-control.
Boston Celtic history is filled with superstars. Every decade from 1960 to the present has been defined by one, two, or even three players that were among the best in the league during their prime. Exceptional selections in the draft kept that tradition alive until the selection of the Maryland All-American Len Bias in 1986. The selection of Bias would have given the Celtics the complementary perimeter player Larry Bird needed to win another title or two and would have guaranteed a continuance of Celtic supremacy well into the 90’s. Len Bias was that special.
If you listen to coaches, commentators or analysts speak about ACC greats past, the name Bias always comes up. Sure they’ll mention Dawkins, Worthy or Sampson but they will take care to point out the fact that Len Bias was one of the greatest forwards in ACC history. Bias’ creative post play, explosive leaping ability, quickness, and power combined with a legit 6-9 frame and sweet shooting touch proved to be a lethal combination. He was Darius Miles with muscle and a jump shot, Shawn Marion with back to the basket game, Marvin Williams with 4 years of ACC seasoning.
Sadly, Len Bias’ life and career ended prematurely due cocaine overdose. A nationwide epidemic struck the infallible Celtics dynasty. Because of his death the Celtics was forced to satisfy their hunger for a superstar worthy of the mantle Bird left with glorified role players such as Dino Radja, Rick Fox, Dee Brown, Antoine Walker. Meanwhile a certain special player was looking to make the final eastward move into his destiny.
Inglewood, California. Lawrence, Kansas. Boston Massachusetts. The road to destiny was a long one for Paul Pierce. Thing is the team destiny granted him was not very good. Truthfully it should have been a lot better. It ought to have been a piece or two away from revisiting the glory days. You see with Len Bias winding down what surely would have been a Hall of Fame career and still available to usher in a talent such as Pierce, the Celtics would have provided a potential foil to Jordan’s Chicago reign of terror in mid to late 90’s. Instead Paul Pierce was forced to lead a team reeling from Rick Pitino’s frenetic college style NBA experiment. Talk about more than one man can bear.
Luckily “The Truth” refused to let circumstance thwart providence. The Celtics were his team to lead and lead did he ever. He led them to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002 before falling to New Jersey in 6 games. So often when the names premier swingman are thrown around in debate as to who is the best pound for pound in the game today Pierce is omitted. Wade, Bryant, Allen, McGrady, James, Carter, Hamilton and Ginobilli are all great in their own right but Paul Pierce is most definitely their equal.
As an exceptional shooter, passer, rebounder and defender Pierce can do everything you want a wing player to do. He feasts on smaller defender due to his size and strength and frustrates larger ones with his quickness and willingness to move without the ball. Pierce is perennially among league leaders in minutes played and free throws attempted as well. In a nutshell the man is the real deal. And therein lies the struggle. Paul Pierce’s exceptional ability to play the game, natural aptitude for leadership, and top-flight representation of the Celtics organization are on par with Celtics legends past.
Thing is a championship is not in his immediate future. This years version of the Celtics are a promising bunch, but with young players at PG, in the pivot, and in key back up positions inconsistency has been their calling card. Inconsistent teams don’t win titles in any league.
Since a championship is the only thing that can put Pierce in the company of Celtics legends past in the minds and hearts of Boston faithful his jersey may never hang in the rafters of the Fleet Center along side those of greats he toils under during every home game. Sadly, it’s not entirely Pierce’s fault that he’s still ring less.
The Celtic way is for the elder to lead the younger from inexperience to greatness. Paul Pierce’s mentor never arrived and ever since he’s been in the league, he’s had to find his own way. The result has been a great career and he’s also in the middle of a career year. Perhaps it was supposed to be this way. That Paul Pierce, mentorless for so long, would rekindle the Celtic tradition. That Delonte West, Tony Allen, Gerald Green, Kendrick Perkins, and Al Jefferson would have a bona fide superstar to look up to, learn from, and emulate.
Perhaps the Black Man Lost has found his calling, realized his destiny, and found victory in the midst of defeat.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thoughts
I like to think of myself as a sports writer who has occasional opinions about life. I guess today is one of those days where I'll step into my social commentary role. Can you dig it?
Life is full of choices. There are times when we as people come to a fork in the road and must choose which way we'll travel. For better or for worse we choose our own path. The ability to choose is, in and of itself, a virtue. Some lack the ability to reason between the better of multiple options. It takes a man or a woman of character to look at situation as it is and decide what suites them best.
So what happens when we don't choose wisely? What happens when the path we travel is the wrong one? What happens when we realize we can't escape our actions?
We suffer.
We suffer as a result of our proceedings. Sometimes we feel hurt or disappointed. At other times we do those very things to other people. I learned some time ago that energy is never lost. It's simply transferred. When I give out pain that person in turn gives out distrust and cynicism, either to me or to another person. Either way that Energy is being exchanged. I've started a cycle of dysfunction that is indefinite. Sadder still that negative vitality I passed out will be repaid to me. It's karma baby, what you reap you will sow. Know that what you give out, you'll most surely recieve.
Matters of the heart and soul cannot be taken lightly. As men and women we often find ourselves in a position where doing what's best for me may come at the expense of someone else. We must tread lightly.
We must tread lightly because when I use you for my gain you will inevitably come to feel the loss. When I take for an indefinate time the source of my taking will eventuallybecome depleted. Eventually I'll have to give. In time I'll have to become the source of something instead of the taker of it. That realization is one that is not always met with enthusiasm. With giving comes a level of openess, dare I say vulnerability. If I open up to you then you can take from me what you will. You may not be grateful, you may not be thankful, hell you may be downright abusive. The harsh reality is that nothing in life is guarenteed, least of all a persons intentions or actions. At times we may at times be disapointed. There is a way to avoid these uncertainties, trust me I know.
Run.
Run as fast as possible from the situations, circumstances, and people that pose the most ardent of problems. Instead of being vulnerable, be stealth. Running does ease your mind. It does address your problems. It does make you feel better..... for a moment.
As hard as you try you cannot escape the situations you create for yourself. Every man and woman is accountable.
Again, life is full of choices.
Just as easily as you chose a path, suffered in its wake and ran from its results you can do better. We live in a world where change is possible. None of us are slave to uniformity. The mature person examines his shortcomings and makes himself the better as a result. In the solitude of suffering he finds strength. He endures. Instead of running he stays and commits himself to providing answers to each and every question that may arise.
Making this life one worth living is a series of quality decisons. Hopefully this helps your process.
Life is full of choices. There are times when we as people come to a fork in the road and must choose which way we'll travel. For better or for worse we choose our own path. The ability to choose is, in and of itself, a virtue. Some lack the ability to reason between the better of multiple options. It takes a man or a woman of character to look at situation as it is and decide what suites them best.
So what happens when we don't choose wisely? What happens when the path we travel is the wrong one? What happens when we realize we can't escape our actions?
We suffer.
We suffer as a result of our proceedings. Sometimes we feel hurt or disappointed. At other times we do those very things to other people. I learned some time ago that energy is never lost. It's simply transferred. When I give out pain that person in turn gives out distrust and cynicism, either to me or to another person. Either way that Energy is being exchanged. I've started a cycle of dysfunction that is indefinite. Sadder still that negative vitality I passed out will be repaid to me. It's karma baby, what you reap you will sow. Know that what you give out, you'll most surely recieve.
Matters of the heart and soul cannot be taken lightly. As men and women we often find ourselves in a position where doing what's best for me may come at the expense of someone else. We must tread lightly.
We must tread lightly because when I use you for my gain you will inevitably come to feel the loss. When I take for an indefinate time the source of my taking will eventuallybecome depleted. Eventually I'll have to give. In time I'll have to become the source of something instead of the taker of it. That realization is one that is not always met with enthusiasm. With giving comes a level of openess, dare I say vulnerability. If I open up to you then you can take from me what you will. You may not be grateful, you may not be thankful, hell you may be downright abusive. The harsh reality is that nothing in life is guarenteed, least of all a persons intentions or actions. At times we may at times be disapointed. There is a way to avoid these uncertainties, trust me I know.
Run.
Run as fast as possible from the situations, circumstances, and people that pose the most ardent of problems. Instead of being vulnerable, be stealth. Running does ease your mind. It does address your problems. It does make you feel better..... for a moment.
As hard as you try you cannot escape the situations you create for yourself. Every man and woman is accountable.
Again, life is full of choices.
Just as easily as you chose a path, suffered in its wake and ran from its results you can do better. We live in a world where change is possible. None of us are slave to uniformity. The mature person examines his shortcomings and makes himself the better as a result. In the solitude of suffering he finds strength. He endures. Instead of running he stays and commits himself to providing answers to each and every question that may arise.
Making this life one worth living is a series of quality decisons. Hopefully this helps your process.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
C.R.E.A.M
I think being a star is where it's at. The money, the attention, the love, the hate.
To have people completely involved in what you are, what you do and what you think is amazing to me. I want that. I want to be Hollywood. The paparazzi, the gossips columns, the tabloids, bring it. I swear I'm ready.
In spite of such wanting, I also know that there's more to being famous than the glamour. Along with such a blessing comes responsibility.
One you have to be accountable. There is a reason you got to where you are. Be true to the talent that elevated you. If you write then refine that talent. It you ball then continue to develop your skill. If you act then hone your craft.
Two you must always remember the circumstances surrounding your rise. There was a reason you made it. Someone or something helped facilitate the ascent to super stardom. Show your appreciation.
Lastly, you must make every performance one to remember. Play with heart. Play with passion. Perform with the grace of the greats that came before you. I'm fully aware that all of the above rhetoric probably makes me a dreamer. I may not see this world as it is. Perhaps I wear the rose colored specs. Whatever the case may be, it's how I feel and I tend to carry that when I observe those who are already in the limelight.
Maybe that's why I don't understand contract squabbles, holdouts, and the like. I hear people talking about fair market value and maximizing your window of opportunity. With me wanting to be famous and all I can't fathom doing something once I get famous (and paid) that may jeopardize it. Then again maybe being broke doesn't give me the best perspective.
In addition, my parents are conservative folks and they taught me to respect the things you put your name on. They kinda felt like Tony Montana, "All I got in this world are my word and my balls and I don't break them for no one." If you say you'll play for "x" amount of years at "y" amount of dollars then do that. Make your word mean something. Make that signature valuable.
What's really funny to me is that I've never heard of a ballplayer offering to give money back when they have a particularly bad season. When production goes down, when injuries flare up, when others are outplaying you the sense of fair play isn't brought up. I'd wager that there are more guys making $10 mil and playing like $2 mil than there are guys make $500 K and playing like $3 mil.
With that being said, there's always more to a story than what you think. Much is made of the business side of sports and entertainment. It's often uttered that there is no loyalty in sports. The owner is all about the bottom line, the player is all about getting paid and very often that leads to somebody getting screwed.
I'm far from a professional at anything but I've got some experience with contracts and it ain't good. The only three contracts I've ever signed, I broke prematurely. The end results of those being debt, repossession, and eviction for my troubles and a below average credit rating to boot.
Say I had a chance to break free of those contracts. When I signed them I was extremely happy with the situation I found myself in. I had money for school, I had a car to drive and I had a nice place to stay.
Because life happens, situations will always evolve. They (the situations) may even have the audacity to change without notice. So I lose a job, or have unexpected expenses arise, quite naturally I'd want out of those contracts. The value of my pocket book (income) decreased so I have to make a move before my value (credit rating) drops too far. The thing is I'm not a pro athlete so once I sign my name I'm bound. I can't jump in and jump out because my situation or the thought that I'm being treated unfairly.
What's the point here?
I guess it's that everyone is looking out for someone and more times than not, that person is THEM. Mr. or Ms. number 1.
Joe Ball Player and Jessica Athlete do your thing and get paid. If this is really strictly business and nothing personal then Pro Team Owner won't mind you working him over for a few extra million.
To have people completely involved in what you are, what you do and what you think is amazing to me. I want that. I want to be Hollywood. The paparazzi, the gossips columns, the tabloids, bring it. I swear I'm ready.
In spite of such wanting, I also know that there's more to being famous than the glamour. Along with such a blessing comes responsibility.
One you have to be accountable. There is a reason you got to where you are. Be true to the talent that elevated you. If you write then refine that talent. It you ball then continue to develop your skill. If you act then hone your craft.
Two you must always remember the circumstances surrounding your rise. There was a reason you made it. Someone or something helped facilitate the ascent to super stardom. Show your appreciation.
Lastly, you must make every performance one to remember. Play with heart. Play with passion. Perform with the grace of the greats that came before you. I'm fully aware that all of the above rhetoric probably makes me a dreamer. I may not see this world as it is. Perhaps I wear the rose colored specs. Whatever the case may be, it's how I feel and I tend to carry that when I observe those who are already in the limelight.
Maybe that's why I don't understand contract squabbles, holdouts, and the like. I hear people talking about fair market value and maximizing your window of opportunity. With me wanting to be famous and all I can't fathom doing something once I get famous (and paid) that may jeopardize it. Then again maybe being broke doesn't give me the best perspective.
In addition, my parents are conservative folks and they taught me to respect the things you put your name on. They kinda felt like Tony Montana, "All I got in this world are my word and my balls and I don't break them for no one." If you say you'll play for "x" amount of years at "y" amount of dollars then do that. Make your word mean something. Make that signature valuable.
What's really funny to me is that I've never heard of a ballplayer offering to give money back when they have a particularly bad season. When production goes down, when injuries flare up, when others are outplaying you the sense of fair play isn't brought up. I'd wager that there are more guys making $10 mil and playing like $2 mil than there are guys make $500 K and playing like $3 mil.
With that being said, there's always more to a story than what you think. Much is made of the business side of sports and entertainment. It's often uttered that there is no loyalty in sports. The owner is all about the bottom line, the player is all about getting paid and very often that leads to somebody getting screwed.
I'm far from a professional at anything but I've got some experience with contracts and it ain't good. The only three contracts I've ever signed, I broke prematurely. The end results of those being debt, repossession, and eviction for my troubles and a below average credit rating to boot.
Say I had a chance to break free of those contracts. When I signed them I was extremely happy with the situation I found myself in. I had money for school, I had a car to drive and I had a nice place to stay.
Because life happens, situations will always evolve. They (the situations) may even have the audacity to change without notice. So I lose a job, or have unexpected expenses arise, quite naturally I'd want out of those contracts. The value of my pocket book (income) decreased so I have to make a move before my value (credit rating) drops too far. The thing is I'm not a pro athlete so once I sign my name I'm bound. I can't jump in and jump out because my situation or the thought that I'm being treated unfairly.
What's the point here?
I guess it's that everyone is looking out for someone and more times than not, that person is THEM. Mr. or Ms. number 1.
Joe Ball Player and Jessica Athlete do your thing and get paid. If this is really strictly business and nothing personal then Pro Team Owner won't mind you working him over for a few extra million.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
