Alonzo Mourning is one of the best ambassadors of the NBA, basketball and sports in general. His passion for life and for the game is second to none and his willingness to show his emotions on and off the court is endearing.
Here is his full Hall of Fame speech:
Today’s Prompt: Sherlock Holmes had his pipe. Dorothy had her red shoes. Batman had his Batmobile. If we asked your friends what object they most immediately associate with you, what would they answer?
This was a tough one. I struggled because I have no friends! Kidding (I hope)!
I guess it depends which of my friends will be asked this question. If you ask my high school friends, they would associate me with a basketball. All I did in my teens was play ball – all day and all night.
If you would ask my friends from university and most of my workmates, they would say that I am a bookworm, and hence associate me with books.
Lastly, if you would ask my relatively new friends, they would say that my Herbalife drinking bottle and shaker represents me the most. I have changed my lifestyle and have lost a lot of body fat mainly due to Herbalife’s superb programme.
Due to my inability to say ‘no’ to new things, I find myself difficult to pigeonhole. I do not want to be known just as a person who likes basketball, or just an academic, or just someone who has a healthy lifestyle. I try my best not to be uni-dimensional or a one-trick pony. Who knows, tomorrow I may have a new obsession!
Today’s Prompt: Go down the rabbit hole with Alice; play quidditch with Harry Potter; float down the river with Huck Finn… If you could choose three fictional events or adventures to experience yourself, what would they be?
This is how it’ll go down.
First, I’ll have a pizza or five with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles.
Then, I’ll play basketball with Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny and their friends (SpaceJam):
Finally, I’ll call my buddy Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother) and party all night. ‘Up top’!
Four-time MVP LeBron James has announced that he will be coming back to the team that drafted him- the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron will be playing alongside young talents such as Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins to chase Cleveland’s first ever championship in decades.
For the full story reported on Sports Illustrated, click HERE
Adam Silver and the NBA made an incredible gesture by drafting the former Baylor Bears standout center, Isaiah Austin. Austin has been rated quite highly by NBA scouts and was expected to be picked last night. However, a few weeks ago, he was given a career-ending diagnosis of Marfan Syndrome (what is Marfan Syndrome?).
The NBA draft could have carried on without Silver’s tribute to Austin, but he did it anyway. Silver and the NBA has at least fulfilled Isaiah’s dream of being drafted, even though he will not be able to play a single competitive basketball game again. It speaks volumes on how the NBA wants to be on the forefront of promoting positive attitudes towards everyone in society. We can all remember Adam Silver’s press conference during the heat of the Donald Sterling controversy, right? That and last night’s gesture is an amazing display of compassion, inclusion and a move away from the old, horrible attitudes.
I love it.
Thank you, Mr. Silver!
So the wait is over. Andrew Wiggins has been confirmed as the NBA’s Number 1 Draft Pick this year. He was picked by the Cavaliers but will he stay there? I don’t know…
Jabari Parker was picked no. 2 by Milwaukee. Parker is exciting. He’s my favourite player out of all the draftees this year. I hope he does well.
The Sixers then selected Joel Embiid, who I thought would be the number one pick. He is very highly rated but his recent foot injury puts a huge, huge question mark on his future. He’s out for at least 4 months. Goodness knows when he’d be healthy and productive. I wish him well, too.
The Orlando Magic selected 6’8″ forward Aaron Gordon. Gordon’s a world-class athlete who can run and defend any position. He’s a bit of an enigma for me.
The fifth pick by the Jazz was the 18 year-old, 6’6″ Autralian point gurad, Dante Exum.
The 6th pick, Marcus Smart , is going to Boston to play for the Celtics. Smart is a point guard that drives harder than anyone. He has a 6’9″ wing-span, he is a great defender, but a bad shooter. Would he be a good fit with Rondo? Hmmm…
Julius Randle joins the LA Lakers as the 7th ovrall pick. He’s a great rebounder who kind of reminds people of Zach Randolph in the way he works in the paint.
Nik Stauskas goes 8th with the Kings. Stauskas is a great, great shooter.
The New Orleans HORNETS (no longer the Pelicans, remember!), selected Noah Vonleh as the 9th pick. He has a 7’4″ wing-span!
The 10th pick (Philly) pick was Elfrid Payton.
GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL!!!
NBA 2014 Draft teaser:
If you push me towards something that you think is my weakness, I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength
-Michael Jordan
Donald Sterling, the idiot owner of the Los Angeles Clippers who has been banned from the NBA for life because of his recent racist remarrks tries to defend himself. Do any of you believe this guy?
“I’m not a racist”
“Those words just slipped out of my mouth”
“I can’t explain some of the stupid, foolish, uneducated things that I’ve said”
“What has he (Magic Johnson) done?” … “He has AIDS. What has he done?”
“The players don’t hate me. The owners don’t hate me. The media hate me.”
Wow! I can’t believe this guy. I don’t like him and his principles.
Understanding and Embracing Diversity 