2011 NBA FINALS



(left) LeBron James (right) Dirk Nowitzki



The Dallas Mavericks upset the Miami Heat in game 2 of the 2011 NBA Finals by rallying from a 15-point deficit with less than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Heat led 88-73 before the Mavericks, led by Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry, engineered a 22-5 run with six minutes remaining to defeat the Heat.

The Mavericks were in a bit of a shooting slump throughout the first three quarters, but their defense remained honest even though the Heat were able to pull ahead by 15. Nowitzki turned on his “clutch” gene and was able to nail the final nine points for the Mavs. The comeback was sealed when Nowitzki tied the game at 90-90 after converting a left-hand layup with 57 seconds to go after an Udonis Haslem turnover.

Nowitzki game winning layup

Nowitzki hit the go ahead three with 26 seconds remaining, but Mario Chalmers responded with a corner three to tie the game 93-93. With eight seconds to go, Nowitzki ran an isolation at the top of the key and converted another left-handed layup to give the Mavs a 95-93 lead with three seconds left. Dwayne Wade missed a last second three that would have won the game for the Heat.

Though the Mavs ended well, scoring didn’t come easy.

“Their defense is suffocating, we really couldn’t get any good looks until the end” Nowitzki said.

The series now heads back to Dallas tied 1-1 with three straight home games for the Mavs since the NBA Finals format is 2-3-2. Throughout the playoffs the Mavs have been shocking their opponents with late game comebacks; they stunned the Los Angeles Lakers in game 1 by overcoming a 16-point deficit, and rallied from 15 down against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

In his reaction to the disappointing loss, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra conveyed:

“We have a lot of guys with character and toughness that will be able to respond in moments like this… we have a resilient group and by the time we get on the plane they will get their minds, bodies and spirits ready for game 3.”

Wade led the Heat with 36 points and six assists, LeBron James added 20 points and eight rebounds, and Chris Bosh chipped in with 12 points and eight boards. The “Big 3” had a little help from Mike Bibby who scored 14 points, but it wasn’t enough.

Mavs celebrating win

“They played very well, we pride ourselves on defense, but they were able to break us down at the end and we made some mental mistakes…. they deserved the win and we didn’t” Wade said.

Nowitzki led the Mavs with 24 points and 11 rebounds, Shawn Marion scored 20 points and grabbed eight boards, and Terry added 16 points and five assists.

Many analysts are looking forward to game 3 to see if the Heat can rebound from their fourth quarter downfall. Game 3 is in Dallas on Sunday June 5^th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Heat Advance: Eastern Conference Finals



Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James

LeBron James and Dwayne Wade have finally gotten the Boston Celtics monkey off their backs. Wade and the Miami Heat were defeated by the Celtics 4-1 in the first round of the 2010 playoffs, and the Celtics defeated James’s Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 in the Conference Semifinals. This postseason, things turned out differently.

The Heat dismissed the Celtics from the 2011 playoffs in game five with an epic performance by James. Tied at 87-87 with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter, James scored the Heat’s final 10 points by sinking two three’s and converting two dunks to put the Heat up 97-87.



James with the dunk

With 4:29 remaining the Celtics had a six point lead 87-81, but they couldn’t hold on to force a game six back in Boston. Ray Allen had the hot hand for the Celtics as he shot 5-10 from behind the arc, Kevin Garnett chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but Paul Pierce struggled with foul trouble and only contributed 12 points.

Many analysts believe that this dismissal is the end of the Celtics era as an elite team because of their age and injuries. After their all-star point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a dislocated left elbow in game three, the Celtics could not run their offense smoothly and effectively in games four and five. Though Rondo played in the final two games, he was not able to participate in the fourth quarters. 

By defeating the Celtics, and with the sweep of the Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks, the Heat are now the favorite to win the NBA Finals. Their “big three” has been playing very well and their offense has been phenomenal in this playoffs. James is averaging 26 points, nine rebounds, and four assists per game, Wade is pouring in 26 ppg, seven boards, and five assists per game, while Chris Bosh is putting up 16 ppg and nine rebounds per game.

Wade celebrating Heat's win

James admitted before game five that their trio was inspired by the Celtics to form a “super team,” as the Celtics did in the summer of 2007 when they added Garnett and Allen. Some critics also believe that the rumor of relations between James’s former teammate, Delonte West, now a member of the Celtics, and James’s mother, Gloria James, played a role in his decision to “take his talents to South Beach.”

Thus, with the Heat’s trio playing this well, it will be hard for their opponents to defeat them.

The next challenger for the Heat will either be the Chicago Bulls, who are led by the league’s MVP Derrick Rose, or the Atlanta Hawks. The Bulls and Hawks will face off in game six tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Oklahoma City Thunder Advance



Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant has led his Oklahoma City Thunder team to the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs for the first time in his four-year NBA career. The 22 year-old continues to evolve as one of the best players in the league and he is carrying this squad to great heights. After winning their series against the Denver Nuggets 4-1, Durant and the Thunder await the winner of the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies series.

The Thunder will be the favorite in their second round matchup. If they face the Spurs, the Thunder will look to use their speed and athleticism to outrun the aging veterans. If the Grizzlies are their opponent, then the Thunder will rely on Durant and Russell Westbrook to outshine the “starless” Grizzlies.

Durant fading away

Over the past two seasons, Durant and Westbrook have emerged into some of the NBA's brightest stars and their team has made great progress. Last season the Thunder made the playoffs for the first time since the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City and changed their name from the Sonics. They made one of the greatest improvements in NBA history by winning 50 games after only accomplishing 23 wins in the 2008-09 season; this season the Thunder finished fourth in the West with 55 wins.

Durant led the NBA in scoring for the second straight year with 27 ppg, and Westbrook, 22, has entered the category as one of the best point guards in the association. A dynamic duo built on youth, skills, talent, and athleticism, the two are hard to defend because of Durant’s length and shooting range, and Westbrook’s blazing speed and leaping ability. This tandem also makes their teammates better by sharing the ball and allowing them to contribute in many ways.

James Harden, 21, and forward Serge Ibaka, 21, made valuable impacts during the first round as both averaged 10 ppg, and Ibaka grabbed 11 rebounds per game. With the addition of Kendrick Perkins at the center position, it provides some strength and “attitude” that this team was missing. The Thunder acquired Perkins for “hybrid” forward Jeff Green at the February trading deadline because they needed someone who could contend with the big men in the Western Conference.  

Westbrook with the slam

With the makeup of this team, no one will  be surprised if the Thunder advance to the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder have a defensive minded big man in the middle, the best scorer in the league in Durant, an All-Star point guard in Westbrook, and a consistent bench. The Thunder can play at a fast pace, and they can also function in half-court sets.

The Thunder will await the winner of tonight’s contest between the Spurs and the Grizzlies to find out who they will play in the second round. The Grizzlies lead the series 3-2, but if the Spurs win, then the Thunder will have to wait another game to find out who will be their next opponent.

New York Knicks: Swept



Carmelo Anthony

 The New York Knicks have been dismissed from the 2011 NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics in four games. Many analysts did not expect for this series to be one-sided, but after Chauncey Billups suffered a knee injury in game one the Knicks could not stay afloat. Though the Knicks showed great efforts in the first two games, the last two outings were dreadful.

Without their vocal leader on the floor the Knicks could not run their offense smoothly and they appeared out of order. Some of their disorder can be credited to the Celtics defense, but

team chemistry has been an issue for the Knicks since their midseason trade for Carmelo Anthony. The lack of unity was an element that hurt the Knicks in their series against a veteran Celtics team.

Anthony on the drive

Games one and two were matchups that the Knicks lost within the last few seconds. After Ray Allen nailed a three pointer to put the Celtics up 87-85 with 13 seconds remaining in game one, Anthony had an opportunity to win the game, but he missed a pull-up three as time expired.  In game two Anthony had another chance to give the Knicks a win, but Jared Jeffries dropped Anthony’s pass under the basket with four seconds left on the clock.

Anthony carried his team in game two by scoring 42 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, but he shot 4-16 from the field in the Knicks 113-96 game three loss. Amar’e Stoudemire did not contribute much either as he scored only seven points while struggling with back spasms.

The Knicks got off to another slow start in game four and fell behind by 23 points. Midway through the fourth quarter the Knicks cut the Celtics lead down to four at 84-80, but the Celtics held on to win 101-89. This was the Celtics first sweep since eliminating the Indiana Pacers in the 1992 NBA playoffs.

The Celtics defense was their biggest asset in this series. They forced the Knicks to shoot 38 percent from the field, 34 percent from three-point range, and out rebounded the Knicks 44-40.

Kevin Garnett defending Stoudemire

The Celtics offense was also spectacular. Allen shot 75 percent from behind the arc, Paul Pierce averaged 25 ppg, and Rajon Rondo dropped 12 assists per game. Rondo also set a Celtics playoff record with 20 assists in game three. Rondo broke the record of 19 assists he previously held with Bob Cousy.

While the Celtics head back to Boston to prepare for their next opponent, who will most likely be the Miami Heat, the Knicks will look to make a few more changes to their roster during the offseason. This was the Knicks first playoff berth since 2004, so with star players like Anthony and Stoudemire the city of New York shall have Eastern Conference contenders to root for in the future.

Lamar Odom: NBA Sixth Man of the Year




Lamar Odom receiving award

Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Lakers received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2010-11 season. This is not only a great accomplishment for Odom, but also for the Lakers franchise because Odom is the first in the organization’s prestigious history to achieve this feat. There have been some well-known sixth men for the Lakers over the past two decades, such as Michael Cooper and Kurt Rambus, but Odom stands alone in Lakers history.

This year was not Odom’s best campaign as a pro statistically, but it was his best “all-around” season as a well-rounded player. The point-forward averaged 14.4 points, eight rebounds, and three assist per game, but his experience with Team USA at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey helped Odom mature as a vocal leader. Serving as a co-captain along the side of Chauncey Billups of the New York Knicks, Odom returned to LA with a gold medal and a will to “lead.”

Standing at 6-foot-10 and weighing 230 pounds, Odom has the size of a power forward, shoots like a small forward, has the handle of a two-guard, and exhibits the court vision of a point guard. Odom’s skillset is very unique and it allows for him to cause matchup problems for his opponents. Odom can play inside the paint, on the perimeter, and take bigger defenders off of the dribble when  isolating.

With these assets and the newly found leadership traits within Odom’s persona, the Lakers benefited from his presence throughout their “perplexing” season. Odom provided great energy when the Lakers were in slumps and looked a little lethargic during their short losing streaks. Though the Lakers season seemed puzzling at times, they managed to finish second in the Western Conference to the San Antonio Spurs at 57-25 and are on verge of conquering their third consecutive NBA championship.

Life in the NBA has not been easy for the former No. 4 pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. In the early part of his career as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, Odom endured consecutive losing seasons and received multiple suspensions for violating the league’s substance abuse policy in 2001.

From 2002-03 he dealt with a severe ankle injury that hampered his career; in the 2003 offseason Odom signed with the Miami Heat. After one season in Miami, Odom was traded to the Lakers for center Shaquille O’Neal. In 2006, Odom’s 6½-month-old son, Jayden Odom, died in his sleep.

As one can see, the Queens, NY native has overcome some of the darkest moments of his 11 years in the NBA. Now a two-time NBA champion and a newly married man to reality star Khloe Kardashian, Odom’s career has turned out to be a success.

Odom and the Lakers will take on the New Orleans Hornets Sunday night in New Orleans for game four of their first round matchup at 9:30 pm ET on TNT.  

Morehouse Football: Spring Training

Morehouse Maroon Tigers

Spring training is underway and the Morehouse Maroon Tigers are currently gearing up for another successful season. The 2010 season was filled with great triumph as the Maroon Tigers finished the regular season with their highest ranking ever at No.5 with an 8-3 record, and made the Division II playoffs for the first time in school history.

A few players such as running back David Carter and offensive lineman Stacy Louis were superb. Carter led the SIAC in rushing with 122 ypg, 1347 on the year, and scored 10 touchdowns while Louis received multiple SIAC player of the week honors.

Head coach Rich Freeman looks forward to getting his players into the best shape physically and psychologically in order to duplicate the success. Though the Tigers will lose its leading defensive lineman, senior Derrin Nettles, the Tigers remain confident about their upside in 2011.

Sophomore quarterback Donnay Ragland is confident in his team, as he expounds on the Tigers work ethic during spring training:



NFL Draft prospect Derrin Nettles

“Yes, everyone is working hard and our goal is to get better on the small things. We already have a great team, now we have to be discipline and continue to play fast hard and smart, which is our team philosophy. We want to get better each day and build from last year’s success.”

The Compton, Ca native is excited to get back onto the field, and conveys that the coaching staff is doing a great job at developing the team psychologically. Players such as Elijah Anderson, Derek Hector, and Jarvis Canty are also contributing their leadership in order to keep the Tigers on the right track. They are giving it their all every time that they step onto the field.

At 6-foot-2 and weighing 180 pounds, Ragland is exhibiting his leadership by running the offense with confidence and putting his teammates on his shoulders in order to gain their trust. Ragland and junior quarterback Byran Ingram will compete for the starting quarterback position, but despite who gets the starting job, the two look forward to making quality contributions.

  

“Our goal is to win a championship, Ragland said. “We want to continue to build on the small things such as being discipline, getting stronger in the weight room, and listening to what the coaches are teaching us. If we work on the small things, we’ll be able to beat the big teams in our conference such as Tuskegee and Albany State.”

The Morehouse football team will hold its annual Maroon and White Spring Game, Saturday, April 9, at 3 p.m.

2011 NBA PLAYOFFS

The 2011 NBA Playoffs begins on Saturday April 16 and this year may be the most anticipated postseason since 2008. In 2008 the Boston Celtics formed a dominant trio when they added All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in order to compliment Paul Pierce. The Celtics went on to win the championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

This postseason all eyes are on the Miami Heat. The Heat emulated the Celtics tactics by forming their “big three” with the likes of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade. After the backlash that the Heat received last summer because of James' hour long “Decision” special on ESPN, and the celebration held at American Airlines Arena, the Heat managed to finish second in the East to the Chicago Bulls at 58-24.

Bosh, Wade, and James celebrating their alliance

Many wonder if the Heat can finally defeat the third seeded “aging” Celtics if the two meet in the second round. Since the Celtics traded center Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder, they have been inconsistent with a 14-12 record.  Though slacking, some analysts believe that the Celtics can reach the Finals because of their experience as a veteran team; the Celtics did win the season series against the Heat 3-1.

The Bulls, who are the No. 1 seed in the East, look to continue their spectacular season. At 62-20, the Bulls are led by their two-time All-Star Derrick Rose. Rose is the leading candidate for the 2011 NBA MVP award because of his phenomenal season. Rose has established himself as arguably the best point guard in the NBA with averages of 25 points, seven assists, and four rebounds per game.

The last two “serious” contenders in the East are the fourth seeded Orlando Magic, led by perennial All-Star center Dwight Howard, and the sixth seeded New York Knicks. Howard had an MVP-type season by averaging 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, and two blocks per game, but the Magic’s success will rely on the play of the supporting cast. For the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and Amar’e Stoudemire look to carry their team past the Celtics in the first round. The Knicks ended their season strong by winning seven out of their last 10 games.

In the West, the San Antonio Spurs finished with the No. 1 seed at 61-21. A few analysts did not expect for the Spurs to have such a great season because of the aging Tim Duncan. Since the all-star break, the Spurs have remained consistent besides their six-game losing streak toward the end of the season. Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili plan on leading their team deep into postseason, but they will be on the lookout for the defending NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.  

Kobe celebrating 2010 Finals victory

In the second half of the season the Lakers were perceived as the best team in the league before their five-game skid. The Lakers, led by 2010 Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, had won 17 out of 18 games before their losing streak so the Lakers are still favored to win their third consecutive NBA title. At the No. 2 spot, the Lakers ultimate success will depend on the health of center Andrew Bynum who suffered a bone bruise in his surgically repaired right knee against the Spurs last Tuesday.

The Dallas Mavericks are the third seed in the West followed by the Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. The Mavericks are led by All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and they look to gain some respect amongst their Western Conference foes by reaching their first NBA Finals since their 2006 appearance.

The Thunder is the team that others fear the most because of their upside. Led by Kevin Durant, who won his second consecutive scoring title with 27.7 ppg, and point guard Russell Westbrook, the Thunder have the potential to reach the Western Conference Finals. With the edition of Perkins in the middle, and a consistent bench, the Thunder can push any team to its limit.

2011 Playoffs matchups

           EAST                                        WEST

#1 Bulls vs #8 Pacers                 #1 Spurs vs #8 Grizzlies

#2 Heat vs #7, 76ers                 #2 Lakers vs #7  Hornets

#3 Celtics vs #6 Knicks            #3 Mavericks vs #6 Trail Blazers

#4 Magic vs #5 Hawks             #4 Thunder vs #5  Nuggets

Derrick Williams: From Unknown to Lottery Pick



Derrick Williams

University of Arizona sophomore forward Derrick Williams’ NBA draft stock has gone from undrafted to a top five lottery pick. Even though Williams was having a great season before the NCAA tournament, the majority of it had gone unnoticed. The elevation in his performance during March Madness increased his draft stock.

This year Williams averaged 19.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, but the Wildcats were not expected to make a Sweet 16 appearance. Notoriety began to build when the Wildcats made a run in the Pac-10 tournament with Williams leading the way averaging 22 ppg in three games, not to mention making posters out of opposing defenders with thunderous dunks.

Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 240, Williams’ game is composed of strength and athleticism that allows for him to dominate in the post area. Not only can he rise over defenders down low, but Williams’ range extends to the perimeter as he shot 60 percent from 3-point range. With such remarkable numbers it is a bit perplexing for a player with his skill-set to be away from the spotlight.



Williams going up for a slam



The La Mirada, Ca, native has been an efficient player in each of his two seasons. In his freshman campaign Williams averaged 15.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and was named the 2010 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. The only issue is that the Wildcats finished the season at 16-15 overall and 10-8 in the Pac-10. This year Williams led his team to a 30-8 record and a Sweet 16 appearance against the Connecticut Huskies in which he averaged 22 points and 9 rebounds throughout the NCAA tournament.

Ryan Rudnansky of bleacherreport.com says “although Williams was limited in the Wildcats' 65-63 loss to the Huskies, Williams could still be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft if he declares.”

In Sporting News' Sean Deveney's NBA Mock Draft nearly three months ago, Williams was not even on the list. Now, he is pretty much accepted as a top five pick. His rise has been said best by Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo! Sports:

"Williams has gone from sixth man for an undistinguished Los Angeles-area high school program as a sophomore, to under-the-radar Division I prospect as a senior, to a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick two years later."

Rising to the occasion on colleges basketball’s biggest stage places Williams in a tough position. He has to make a decision on whether to enter the draft or return to school. Many believe that his stock is too high to return especially after dropping 32 points and grabbing 13 boards in a tournament win against Duke before the Wildcats Sweet 16 loss.

ESPN's Chad Ford has him ranked fifth on his big board, noting him as one of the most efficient players in the league this year. He says of him:

"While no one thinks he'll be a superstar, they think he's going to be a terrific pro in an otherwise so-so draft."

The Early Entry Eligibility Deadline is April 24th, 2011 and the NBA Draft Early Entry Entrant Withdrawal Deadline June 13th at 5:00 p.m. EST. The 2011 NBA Draft will be held on June 23, 2011.

Kemba Walker: A True Leader



Kemba Walker celebrating with teammates

In the twenty-first century, great college players rarely stick around for more than two years. But in the case of Kemba Walker, matriculating through the University of Connecticut is a priority. Walker is arguably the best point guard in college basketball and he has elevated his “game” each of his three years on the court and in the classroom.

Walker has been lighting up the college circuit all season, specifically this March, by putting up multiple 30-point games and leading the Huskies to a 29-9 record while also winning the EA Sports Maui Invitational and the Big East Tournament. Walker exhibits the will to win and plays hard every minute he is on the court. As a junior, Walker is the third leading scorer in the nation with 29 points per game and he is also accumulating four assists and five rebounds per game.

The impact that this Bronx, NY native has on his team is significant to say the least as he displays veteran leadership that many programs are missing at the point guard position. Not only is he leading the Huskies on the court, but he is excelling in the classroom since he is scheduled to graduate this spring with a degree in sociology. The majority of “star” athletes are not the best students, some may even take advantage of their status and not attend class at all, so what Walker is accomplishing is impressive in today’s standards.

In an interview with Gavin Keefe of theday.com, head coach Jim Calhoun elaborated on Walker’s recent success by saying "Unbelievable. Kemba is not one who's going to really brag about an awful lot of things that he does. Clearly, when he makes up his mind and has a goal, whether it be a difficult or less difficult one, he's going to chase it pretty good. … He's made great strides every place."  

Since 2008, Walker has made vast improvements each season at UCONN.  As a freshman, he was named to the Big East All-Rookie team by averaging 8.9 ppg. The following season Walker was selected to the 2009 All-Big East third team when he averaged 14.6 ppg. This season, Walker earned two tournament MVP awards, the EA Sports Maui Invitational and the Big East Tournament, a spot on the All-Big East first team, and is a National Player of The Year candidate.

The Huskies are having a phenomenal season, but there have been some internal issues within the program due to recruitment violations. The NCAA case includes more than $6,000 in improper recruiting inducements and impermissible phone calls and text messages to prospective student-athletes. Additional allegations include the failure to monitor and promote an atmosphere for compliance by coach Calhoun, failure to monitor by the university, and unethical conduct by the former operations director. Penalties include a suspension for Calhoun for three conference games during the 2011-12 season and scholarship reductions for three academic years.

With all of the scrutiny that the program is encountering this season, Walker continues to show great leadership and is on the verge of leading the Huskies to another Final Four appearance.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 172 pounds, he is projected as a mid-first-round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Though some question how Walker will measure up against NBA guards, one thing coaches and general managers should know is that with his intestinal fortitude and dogged determination to succeed, Walker will compete.

Brains and Brawn: Athletic Academics



Former Florida St. safety Myron Rolle

In this era of collegiate athletics, many spectators wonder if those students who have accepted athletic scholarships actually aspire to attain an undergraduate degree. This idea has become widespread due to Division I athletes, specifically football and basketball, at major universities who leave prematurely for their respective professional sport.

Beginning in their youth, many athletes have dreams to reach the ranks of their beloved sport. However, outside of working on their craft, the majority do not focus on the academic road that comes before the pros. Scouts and head coaches strongly recommend competing at the collegiate level because it prepares individuals psychologically, physically and emotionally to handle to pressure that comes with the job of a professional athlete. Unfortunately, intellectual preparation is regularly left by the wayside.

At the end of each season, athletes are recognized for both their proven ability to compete at a high level athletically and academically. Rarely is an individual awarded jointly for his academics and athletics hailed as a “star” player. Their peers, sometimes having questionable academic backgrounds, who win the more coveted athletic awards, typically overshadow those who are awarded for their work in the classroom.



Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy


In that regard, there is one well-known football player, former University of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, who shined on the field and, more importantly, academically this season. Not only did McElroy lead the Crimson Tide to a 10-3 record and a 40-7 Capital One Bowl victory over Michigan State back in January, but he was also one of 12 finalists for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship. 

For those who are unaware, the Rhodes scholarship is an international postgraduate scholarship that allows recipients to study at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. A student must be in the upper tier amongst other competing students across the world in order to apply for the scholarship. Before McElroy’s appliance, former Florida State safety, Myron Rolle, received the award in 2009 and studied at Oxford for 2009-10 academic school year.

Rolle is the epitome of a student-athlete because not only did he attain the goal of becoming a professional football player, but he also earned an MS in medical anthropology. During his studies at Oxford, Rolle successfully balanced a strenuous academic workload and prepared for the 2010 NFL Draft. Rolle knew that his athletic ability would one day be awarded with a professional scholarship, but studying and Florida State and Oxford is an uncommon feat to achieve. After earning his degree, Rolle was also drafted by former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.



Ronnie Lott and Myron Rolle

When student-athletes put forth the effort to become great athletes and intellectuals of their generation, it shows that not all student-athletes are just attending college for the moment like the “one-and-done” freshmen in basketball. Because the NBA has made it a rule that all high school players must attend college for at least one year, it teases universities because they may have a spectacular player for just one season.

Even though some of the freshmen deserve high-praise for their athletics, a great deal of that attention should be shifted to student-athletes who perform extremely well both academically and athletically for four years at the wonderful institutions across America.

The Decision vs. Melo Drama

Carmelo Anthony

After NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony was finally traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks on Monday Feb. 21, it ended a long saga that had perpetuated from the offseason following the 2009-10 NBA season. Though Anthony’s circumstances were overshadowed by LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Miami Heat this past offseason, one could tell that Anthony had an internal feeling of fleeing the city of Denver.

Anthony, the former third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, repeatedly refused to sign a $65 million dollar extension over the summer which created speculation that Anthony would wait until free agency to sign with another team. When the 2010-2011 season began and the Nuggets displayed an effort that was lethargic, the organization’s frustration peaked and a deal had to be made.

In retrospect, when analyzing how Anthony and James handled their situations, the two are very similar. Both players went an entire season leaving fans, teammates, coaches and owners perplexed about their dilemmas. Many are left to debate on whose “decision” was more irritating or rather annoying.

It seems like the organizations did their best to satisfy their superstars by placing well-rounded role players around them, but neither team could attain the goals that they were aiming for. James and the Cavaliers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference playoffs by the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics in the last two seasons and Anthony’s Nuggets were continuously bounced from the playoffs by the upper echelon of the Western Conference teams. .

When James, who was the first overall pick in Anthony’s draft class, decided to “take his talents to South Beach,” he received criticism from Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert which sparked conversations about racism being in the works. Now that Anthony is a Knick, Nuggets Head Coach George Karl has also criticized Anthony, to a lesser extent, about his attitude and defensive efforts.

This may be a typical trend for any superstar who decides to leave their small-market team for a franchise in a big city.

Some would agree that Anthony handled his assessment a little better than James. There was no hour long special on ESPN, Anthony said all of the right things in his interviews, and he did not have a homecoming concert when he joined his new squad. Surely the fans in Denver are upset because of the long awaited departure, but the team is still in playoff contention at 34-26, something Cleveland would trade for.

With the second half of the season remaining, everyone will be surveying closely to see if James and Anthony’s decisions will lead to multiple NBA Finals appearances.



LeBron James











Blake Griffin is an All-Star



Blake Griffin Dunking on Lamar Odom

Blake Griffin, the Los Angeles Clippers rookie sensation, has become the first rookie to be selected for the NBA All-Star game since Yao Ming’s nomination in 2003.

Griffin has been the most electrifying rookie that the NBA has seen since all eyes were on LeBron James back in 2003-04. His ferocious dunks, dogged mentality, and knowledge of the game have left fans, coaches, players and analyst in awe. At 21, Griffin, who stands 6-foot-10 and weighs 250 pounds, has a game that gives spectators a glimpse of an emerging star who is becoming a man amongst boys on the court.

The former No. 1 pick in the 2009 NBA draft illustrates the basketball intellect that he gained during his original “rookie” campaign when he was sidelined for the 2009-10 season due to a broken knee cap. This year the phenom is averaging 23 points and 12 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field. The only entity lacking in Griffin’s season is the Clippers 21-35 record.

Griffin’s All-Star bid is well deserved, but some tend to believe that LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trailblazers was snubbed by the lack of votes from the head coaches. Without Brandon Roy, Aldridge is carrying the eighth seeded Blazers with 23 points and 9 rebounds per game. Though Aldridge is worthy, one cannot deny what Griffin has offered to the entire league.

Besides John Wall’s opening night showcase of his dancing skills when he premiered the “dougie,” no rookie has come close to adding any excitement to the NBA this season. Griffin has the second highest single game point total with 47, ranks second to Kevin Love in double doubles with 41 and held a 27-game streak in which he accomplished those feats. Griffin has truly been where amazing happens.

Spectators are watching the Clippers’ games because they’re appreciating the effort that Griffin brings into each contest. They are eager to see who will be his next victim for a poster that will hang up in the homes of many youngsters across the country.

Along with the All-Star game, Griffin is also competing in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Feb. 18 and the Sprite Slam Dunk contest on Saturday, Feb. 19. The NBA All-Star Game will air live on TNT on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

A Small Dose of Jim Brown



Jim Brown


There are two lives that athletes live; one is the double life of being a professional athlete while being a citizen in the community, and the other is life after their professional career. Jim Brown, arguably the greatest NFL running back of all-time, is a prime example of this truth.

Brown began the first phase of duality by competing in multiple sports at Syracuse University and evolving into a phenomenal NFL running back. As a stellar athlete Brown also has a conscious for African American rights and issues within the Black community to help improve the lifestyles of youths.



 Even though Brown dominates on the field and in the community, the control factor in his relationships with women leads to his irresponsible encounters with the law. Many professional athletes deal with the pressures of performing on the field/court and managing their personal lives, so it is imperative to analyze the cycle of their paths from many angles because athletes also make mistakes in life.



 Jim Brown comes to national fame as a great athlete at Syracuse University as he letters in football, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. Integrating a White university is a tough task to deal with during the 1950’s, so by being an athlete it allows for Brown to make an easier transition during this epoch. Named as a second-team and first-team all-American during his junior and senior years at Syracuse, Brown’s success leads him to the NFL in 1957 where he becomes one of the greatest running backs ever.



At 6-foot-2 and weighing 230 pounds, Brown punishes defenders on the field. In his nine-year career he becomes the all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yards, the career rushing leader in touchdowns with 106, and he is the only rusher in NFL history to average 100 rushing yards per game. Being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 as the greatest player in the Cleveland Browns history places a seal on Brown’s accomplishments during his “first” life.

The closing to Brown’s professional career comes in 1965 as his decision causes controversy amongst the NFL. Brown decides to retire at the age of 29 to embrace his acting career in Hollywood. Many speculate that Brown is senseless for this choice in deciding to walk away from the game in the prime of his career.



Brown’s aware that football takes a toll on one’s body, but that is half of Brown’s consciousness that he lives with. The other aspect is his mindfulness for the youths in the urban communities across America. In the cities of Los Angeles, CA and Cleveland, OH, Brown has established the Amer-I-Can program in order to help inner city youths escape gang activities and criminal lifestyles. Amer-I-Can is a life skills program that operates in Black communities and in prisons.

Although Brown makes a huge impact on the field and in the community, he still has to deal with personal circumstances that are not appropriate.