Home of the Puma

If you change history, it becomes a fictional story.

2012-01-26T13:49:00.000-08:00

It’s taken a few days for me to properly formulate my feelings on a current controversial topic going on right now in the state of Tennessee. For those of you unaware of what is happening I am going to give you the brief rundown of this controversy. A group of Tea Party activists are currently pushing for textbooks to portray slavery in a much more positive light. According to the spokesperson for this group, they feel “an awful lot of made-up criticism about, for instance, the founders intruding on the Indians or having slaves or being hypocrites in one way or another…The thing we need to focus on about the founders is that, given the social structure of their time, they were revolutionaries who brought liberty into a world where it hadn't existed, to everybody -- not all equally instantly -- and it was their progress that we need to look at.”

First of all let’s get something out of the way, some of the founding fathers owned slaves. This is a fact. Not all but to just ignore the fact that some of the most romanticized figures owned slaves is just sickening. It’s sickening because you are distorting history to fit this image that has been created. How about the father of this great nation George Washington? Yeah he owned over 200 slaves. Well what about Thomas Jefferson? Yep he owned over 100 slaves, and even had children with one of his slaves Sally Hemmings.

They owned people. Period. There is no white washing this fact. They did great things but they also did fucked up things. It happened it has to be acknowledged. History isn’t always good; you have to recognize the bad because these things affect this nation still.

How does this affect the nation to this day you be asking? Well for starters how about the guilt it still causes a vast amount of White Americans to this day. How about as a Black American it is almost impossible to trace my family history to a country of origin. And I won’t even get into more complex ideas of how slavery has affect family structure not to mention societal disadvantages.

"Neglect and outright ill will have distorted the teaching of the history and character of the United States. We seek to compel the teaching of students in Tennessee the truth regarding the history of our nation and the nature of its government," is what this group claims to have as its intentions. If you want students in Tennessee to know the truth you can’t minimalize slavery. It happened. It was a terrible crime against humanity. And to boil that down to “well it was cool at the time” is insulting to the memory of all of those who were brutalized and treated like less of a human being. We owe it to them and those both black and white who fought and some of whom died for their freedom.

The founding fathers were men. They were brave, but a lot of times they were wrong. Acknowledging this isn’t disrespectful, when you elevate them to a status of a deity and don’t acknowledge what’s uncomfortable that’s when you disrespect them.

Hahahahahaha!

2012-01-25T07:00:00.001-08:00

It's Not Your Fault Tim...It's Not Your Fault...

2012-01-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

Boy I never thought I would be doing this but I owe Tim Tebow an apology. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t for the jokes I have lobbed his way or my assertion that he is a mediocre quarterback. I owe him an apology because he is not the one making these assertions. He is an unwitting pawn in ESPN and the media’s attempt at garnering more ratings by appealing to people that just like athletes for their personalities or what they stand for off the field more than what they do on the field.

You see this change of heart has come from ESPN airing an hour of strictly Tim Tebow related material. Even got twitter in on it by creating the hastag #SCTebow. Don’t believe me? Check this out.

In one hour of programming these fools made 160 references to him. Because in a week with the National Title game, Heat-Clippers, Floyd Mayweather calling out Pacquaio and of course all of the other NFL playoff games what we really need is a full hour dedicated to a quarterback who in 2 seasons plus the playoffs has an overall record of 9-6. And again this is not Tim Tebow’s fault.

My problem with this type of journalism is that this has happened before. Let me remind you, remember OJ Simpson? He was as cuddly as a teddy bear . 25 years ago there was no way you would have seen him as a murderer. How about Tiger Woods? Ten years ago no way we would have thought he was slaying every skank in five mile radius. And how about Joe Paterno? Last year we KNEW he was the beacon of morality in the world of college athletics. Now he sits in exile from the sports community after the biggest sex abuse scandal in college sports happened under his watch.

So while I hope Timmy is a good kid, do we know him? No. We are not in his head or even in his household. So how about we acknowledge that he appears to be a good person and don’t wish ill on him. But all of this canonizing of St. Tebow? Yet it has to stop both on and off the field.

He has had a good run, but let’s be real. He has played 15 games total in his career. Let’s not induct him into Canton just yet.

Ugh...

2012-01-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

The following rant has nothing to do with politics. You see what this rant about pure and simple is about bigotry and racist attitudes. Now I don’t know what exactly some members of the Republican Party are trying to pull with this character assault on urban blacks in this country but it has to stop. I fully acknowledge that the ideas I am about to rail against are held by few in the party but those who do hold them have the loudest speaking voice right now.

You see last week while speaking in Iowa GOP candidate Rick Santorum said that he doesn’t want to “make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money.” Well how kind of you Ricky. Thanks for first of all portraying all black people as jobless mooches who would rather wait for you to kindly give us a pittance and secondly acknowledging that of those in dire straits they are only black. So good job White America, glad you guys made. As you can see this was quite the absurd statement to make as I am sure there were white people in that audience that need and accept government assistance.

After hearing that I decided to dismiss it as he has bigger problems in regards to his “Google problem.” I won’t tell you want it is, just note it is disgusting. Then right on cue good ol’ Newt Gingrich steps up his assault. Earlier this year this beacon of morality suggested that children in low income areas in order to give them a sense of hard work as no one apparently works hard in these communities the children should be janitors and clean their way through school. Well now Newt is saying that we don’t want to work, that the unemployed black people of this nation want food stamps and not paychecks.

I could sit here and wax on and on about how these two are idiots, and believe me I really want to. But I will let the facts speak for me. When it comes to welfare in this country Whites receive 34 percent of federal food assistance benefits, African-Americans 22 percent, and Hispanics 17 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Try another race baiting topic to keep yourselves in the news gentlemen. Time for this one to die.

2011...We Had A Good Run

2011-12-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

Oh boy I guess it’s come to this, the obligatory end of the year rundown and farewell to the departing year. I had to say top to bottom 2011 was a pretty good year. I got make new friends, see the Bulls return the NBA elite; hell even picked me up a lady friend. Looking back on the year I can say it was a pretty good year.

With the good also comes the bad however. The year got off to a really rough start for the Puma. A good friend of mine whom I had known since I was 14 passed away due to pneumonia. If this wasn’t bad enough my beloved aunt PJ passed away after a battle with cancer that lasted well over a decade. Through all this sadness I looked back over their lives and just remembered their zest for life and how much fun both of these important people were. As cliché as it sounds, remembering the good times got me through one of the worst stretches that I have ever gone through.
But enough of the sadness, time to get what all of you came here for, another best of 2011 list!

Best Movie: The Muppet Movie
Rizzo didn't get enough air time damn it!
Will it be on critic’s top ten lists? Probably not. But this movie took me back to my childhood and my borderline obsessive love of these creations of Jim Henson.

Best Album: Undun by The Roots

I was tempted to give this to Kanye West and Jay-Z for Watch the Throne but then ?uestlove and the legendary roots crew did it again. You have to listen to this album.

Athlete of the Year: Kevin Durant
First he leads the NBA in scoring, second he led the most exciting team of last season on a deep playoff run and to top it all off he is responsible for my favorite basketball commercial in years. Well done Durantula.

Crush of the year: Chrissy Teigen

Be still my beating heart
Now she is engaged to John Legend but it was her hilarious twitter feed and obvious stunning looks that drew me to her. You did good Johnny boy, you did good.

Well gang this has been some of my favorite people and things of the year 2011. What will 2012 bring? Who knows. I can only guarantee that somewhere an obscure third string running back is gearing up for his run at a Kardashian Wedding Special. Happy new year everybody!

Birthday Memories...

2011-12-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

Photo from my 28th birthday party

With my hectic work schedule blog posts has been few and far between for the Puma. Since I last graced you all with my written presence a few good things have happened. The Chicago Bulls returned, the Bears season has all but ended, and most importantly to you all I turned 28. As I sat back and celebrated my 28 years on this earth with my friends this weekend I couldn’t help but think of past birthdays celebrated and how classy they were. Today my friends I tell you the legendary tale of my 27th birthday.

Now because my job has so much business during the holiday season if my birthday falls during the week I celebrate on the weekend. Last year was no different. After working for a few hours that Saturday I went home, napped, ate a quick meal and it was off to a low key evening at some of the classier establishments in all of Wrigleyville. After grabbing a few beers the evening shifted to Mad River, a spot where to be fair 95% percent of all my evenings on the town end up. This visit however would not be like any other visit I had ever experienced.

It all started as many nights do, a few drinks, a few boisterous claims of my own dominance in the realm of whatever topic I was ranting on and even cutting a little rug out there to some of the time’s most popular music. Upon chatting with a friend the decision to imbibe some of the devil’s nectar politely known as Jameson was made. As we navigated through the beer soaked dance floor we were graced with the presence of a demure and shy flower who sashayed saucily towards us. She slurred those words every guy wants to hear. “Wanna buy me a drank?!?!?!” Struck by her brazenness I offered to grab the aforementioned whiskey for my pal and I but get her free water. As I passed her a young gentleman yelled something at me.

I looked back incredulously. Who would have a problem with getting a drunk girl water? Well that would be a young man in a wheelchair. He rolls up to me and yells “oh you’re a rapist!” Thinking I had heard something wrong as we were in a loud setting I lower my eye level and lean in to hear what he said. He yells the same thing. Accusing me of trying to take advantage of the drunken girl who accosted me and my friend for booze? I could have taken the high road. I could have.

Because I am a class act I politely told him a few things he could do outside of getting in my business and proceeded to walk away. This guy rolls after the Puma! I attempted to avoid him but this mobile fucker had to have the final say. Finally it happens, the Puma snapped! I get down on one knee and am face to face with this bastard. We proceed to go back and forth until I am pulled away by one of my more level headed friend and he said the phrase that now that I look back and can see it was the brightest thing said that night. “If a black guy kicks a white guy in a wheelchair in the chest, you will go to jail.” I immediately calmed down enough to not continue the disagreement with the combative handicapable douche. We left the bar, we bought pizza and the incident has since never been repeated.

So just to recap, got into a skirmish with a kid in a wheelchair, threatened to kick him in the chest and had to be physically restrained. I think getting sick off whiskey on my 28th birthday was actually the mature thing. See ma! I’m growing up.

KD + Sam Cooke = Awesome.

2011-12-17T06:32:00.001-08:00

The dopeness of this video can't be understated.

2011 Chocolate Puma Awards (College Football Edition)

2011-12-14T10:25:00.001-08:00

Ladies and gentleman the college football season has ended and it is now time for the first annual Chocolate Puma awards for outstanding achievement in the field of excellence.

Play of the year:

Nelson Rosario with the one handed grab that probably was the only good thing this whole season at UCLA.

Game of the year:

Was there a chance it was gonna be any other game? Sweet mercy.

Best RB:
Montee Ball: Wisconsin

38 touchdowns? That’ll do pig.

Best WR:
Justin Blackmon: Oklahoma St.

He played like a young Chocolate Puma this season. 113 receptions, over 1,300 receiving yards and 15 tds. Just an amazing season.

Defensive Player:

Come on dawg, you knew I was gonna say the Honey Badger. Don’t even trip.

Best QB and Player of the year:

I am combining the award because it’s the same damn person. All season I have been touting the awesomeness of RG3 and damn it if my faith hasn’t been rewarded with him winning the Heisman trophy although I think he’ll find the Chocolate Puma award for Player of the Year to be much more prestigious than the Heisman. Enjoy that $15 gift card to Home Depot that comes with my award. You’ve earned it!

Oh NBA, How I Missed You.

2011-12-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

The tide is turning for the Puma over here. Why you may be asking, well my friend, the NBA season is fast approaching after months of being locked out by owners and I couldn’t be happier. So if you are one of those who reveled in the fact that there was no professional basketball you may want to stop reading now because the best basketball one can see is a mere 20 days from returning and I am at long last going to do my basketball super post.

Top 5 Teams heading into the season:
1.Dallas Mavericks: The defending champs always come in ranked number one so sayeth the Puma.

2.Chicago Bulls: Is this biased? You bet your sweet ass. But we don’t have all the ‘what ifs’ the Miami Heat do at this moment so I’ll put us at two. Don’t like it? Make your own list; I’m doing this for free.

3. Miami Heat: As much as I disliked these jackasses with Wade, James and Bosh they are automatically a top 5 team. Now if they can get some role players? The East may be theirs for the taking.

4.Oklahoma City Thunder: I feel this team after last year’s playoff loss will bounce back and could be the best team in the West. Durant, Westbrook, and Harden may be the best trio of young players together in the NBA.

This is a better shot than that of the team, I think the Durantula will forgive

5.Boston Celtics: The Celtics came a Rondo hyperextended elbow from pushing the Heat to 7 games in last year’s playoffs as he was doing what can politely be called reckless murdering to the defense of Mike Bibby. A healthy Rondo plus one last run of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce means we could see them late in the season.

Top 5 Contenders for the MVP:
1.LeBron James: Do I find him to be a whiner? Yup. Douche? You know it. But he is also the most talented player in the league and that is something that can’t be ignored.

2.Dwayne Wade: Flash is probably the best all around guard in the NBA. He and James may split votes so they could cancel each other out.

3.Derrick Rose: Can he get some help this season is the rallying cry this off season. No player did more for his team last year offensively than Rose and as of right now he may have to do more than he did last season as the Bulls don’t have a solid second option.

4.Kevin Durant: There is no purer scorer in the NBA than the Durantula. There I said it.

5.Carmelo Anthony: This is gonna surprise some people but I have always been a big fan of Melo. If he can play well any defense this season and the Knicks can get some steady guard play the Knicks can surprise some people.

Top 5 Rookies:
1.Kyrie Irving: Let me say I think this kid is very good but a can’t miss? Hardly. I think he can be a very good guard for the Cavs but the idea that he comes in and changes the losing ways of the Cavs is laughable.

2.Kawahi Leonard: Long athletic forward who is a monster defensively? Yeah I think Popovich and the Spurs will do just fine with this pick.

3.Kenneth Faried: Rebounding translates well to the NBA. There was no better rebounder than Faried in the NCAA the past few seasons. Simple as that.

4.Jan Vesely: Outside of a few clips on youtube I haven’t seen much of the kid. This is mostly for calling Blake Griffin the “American Jan Vesely” moments after being drafted.

5.Iman Shumpert: Big point guard with loads of unrealized potential. Speed, 42 inch vertical and the D’antoni offense could be just what the doctor ordered to become the player many thought he would be when he arrived at Georgia Tech.

Well gang that about does it for now. Free agency begins next week so expect a grading of where players sign next weekend. Which is coincidentally my birthday weekend; hey Chicago Bulls a shooting guard would be a great present. Just throwing it out there.

Herman Cain we hardly knew ye

2011-12-05T09:02:00.001-08:00

This weekend was a particularly tough for me. The Bears lost in an embarrassing fashion, one of my many fantasy football teams didn’t perform very well and most damaging to my soul was the loss of my personal hero Herman “Herm-dawg” Cain from the GOP race to the White House. So if you’ll indulge me I will wax a little poetic on this magnificent marvel of a man.

You see what made Black Walnut so awesome was he didn’t let things like facts and having well any social tact whatsoever get in his way. He was a man on a mission. And if one of the objectives on his mission happened to be palm a few asses on the way well he wasn’t gonna let something as benign as her saying no get in the way. Crazy ladies, it would be an honor to be fondled by Black Walnut. As he said it’s not just the flavor of the week.

Little mundane details like who’s the leader of Ubecky-becky-beckystan mean nothing to a true leader like the Herm Dawg. Did it matter to him that he didn’t seem to know China already had nuclear capabilities? No, mostly because he was focused on other things…mainly helping out single moms with cash. And no he did not have sex with her, come on! He just didn’t tell his wife about her because, well you know women be tripping sometimes.

So Herman, I feel I can call you that, I will miss you on my TV everyday. Your penchant for breaking out into song like a bad Keenan Thompson character on SNL always brought a smile to my face. You being the all encompassing authority figure on who is blacker was refreshing. And what you did to pizza? Forget about it.

So Cornbread, I hope you take this time to stay awesome; we could have used you over that Harvard egghead Jihadist.

Oh well, we still have Newt I guess.

My Favorite Wrestlers ever.

2011-11-23T11:52:00.000-08:00

Growing up I had a few dreams. To play basketball for Georgetown University, to marry Hillary from the Fresh Prince and most prominent was to become a professional wrestler. So in honor of this I have decided that I will share with you my loyal fans my five favorite wrestlers of all time, note I said favorite not greatest so please don’t beat me up internet community.

5. Mr. Perfect
Most kids my age loved the Ultimate Warrior and don’t get me wrong I am a fan of the man from Parts Unknown but through those battles the arrogant heel who was as technically sound as they come always made my day when I could catch one of his matches.

4. The Legion Of Doom
If you are a wrestling fan I guarantee the hair stands up on the back of your neck when you hear the classic yell at the beginning of their theme song. Whaaaaaaaaaaat a ruuuuuuuuuuuuuush!

3. Randy Orton
The Viper, The Apex Predator, Arrogant ass. Sorry I added the last one. As much as I wanted to hate this kid I just found myself as a massive fan of his legend killing arrogance which has led to a sort of psychotic focused monster.

2. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Back in the day when he was Stunning Steve Austin and teamed with Brian Pillman I liked the guy. But after his classic rant against Jake the Snake at the 1996 King of the Ring where he proclaimed for everyone “Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass,” I became a huge fan of his. In my eyes Austin from that point on could do no wrong.

1. Bret Hart
The Hitman is by his own admission the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. His technical style was so much more appealing to me than the high flying theatrics of others, something about seeing a sharpshooter applied made me happier than you run of the mill top rope finisher.

Weekly Heisman Rankings

2011-11-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

Like sand through an hour glass these are the insane ramblings of the Chocolate Puma.

3. Andrew Luck: QB- Stanford

Season Stats: 241-of-343 passing for 2,937 yards, 31 TDs and eight INTs; 39 rushes for 133 yards and two TDs; one reception for 13 yards

My how the mighty have fallen, the presumptive winner has struggled in a thorough beat down by Oregon and a win against Cal. Hasn’t been awful by any means but has not been as dominant as you would expect from a Heisman winner.

2. Trent Richardson: RB- Alabama

Season Stats: 236 rushes for 1,380 yards and 20 TDs; 26 receptions for 322 yards and two TDs; three kick returns for 66 yards

Had a really good game but wasn’t exactly going against the Steel Curtain in Georgia Southern. He did what he had to do to stay in the second position, but we will see how he does this week in the Iron Bowl.

Drum roll please...

1.Robert Griffin III: QB- Baylor
Season Stats: 245-of-336 passing for 3,572 yards, 33 TDs and five INTs; 135 rushes for 550 yards and five TDs; one reception for 15 yards

Boy does it make me happy to put RG III back up top. With a Heisman worthy performance against Oklahoma the electric Griffin threw for 479 yards, rushed for 72 and had 4 touchdown passes including an amazing final drive to give Baylor the 45-38 victory. Amazing game from the most electric player in all of college football.

Tebowmania: Dissected

2011-11-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

Last night I heard one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard in my entire life. After the Denver Broncos pulled off a stunning upset against the New York Jets in which Tim Tebow capped off an impressive 95 yard drive with a 20 yard touchdown I heard from more than one person that this was “the Drive 2.0.” In case you don’t know, the Drive refers to the 1987 playoff game in which John Elway led the Broncos on a 98 yard drive to tie the game which they eventually won in overtime to advance to the Super Bowl. An impressive drive last night it was, but remember not the playoffs and it occurred mid season. Slow down.

The real point of this is to shed a little light on the perception that Tebow alone is responsible for the team’s turnaround. Nothing could be further from the truth. While he has contributed, the real reason for this turnaround has been the improved play of the defense. So let us do a game by game analysis shall we so this can be objective as possible.

Game 1: Versus the Miami Dolphins:
Stats by Tebow: 13-27, 161 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Actually this is the game he had the most impact on. It should be noted however that this came against a winless team starting their backup quarterback.

Game 2: Versus the Detroit Lions
Stats by Tebow: 18-39, 172 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 3 fumbles.
By far the worst game of his season completely overmatched when his draw play was taken away by Suh, Avril, Vanden Bosch and that ferocious d-line of Detroit. The offense left the defense in awful spots all game as they couldn’t advance the ball and gave great field position all day.

Game 3: Versus the Oakland Raiders
Stats by Tebow: 10-21, 124 yards, two touchdowns
Played ok, missed numerous receivers all game. The defense was the star of this though as they caused turnover after turnover against backup quarterback and Carson Palmer who the week before was having tea parties with his daughter. Overthrew Eddie Royal and Eric Decker by miles all game and the running by McGahee was the offensive star.

Game 4: Versus Kansas City
Stats by Tebow: 2-8, 69 yards, 1 touchdown
That’s not a misprint. He threw only 8 passes. The running game bailed them out as did the special teams with Eddie Royal consistently giving great returns and a short field for the offense.

Game 5: Versus the New York Jets
Stats by Tebow: 9-20, 104 yards
Tebow was awful for 55 minutes and made a great drive at the end of the game. Rushing game was held in check I have no idea how the Jets blew this game as they only gave up 10 points. The defense also scored on a pick 6 of Mark Sanchez.

Now some of you may be saying, “Well Brian you can’t measure intangibles!” This is true but allow me to give you the real reason behind the turnaround. That would be the defense. In games before the bye week the defense gave up 28 points per game. In games after the bye the defense has given up 15.5 points per game. Champ Bailey has locked down one side of the field and Von Miller is the young player who should be getting the majority of the hype. He has settled the linebacking corp and the return of Elvis Dumervil from injury have helped improve the pass rush.

As I have said on numerous occasions, this is not an indictment of him as a person, but sometimes you grow tired of hearing someone who has done so little garner all the praise. I even heard someone refer to him as "the spiritual defensive coordinator." Are you f'in serious? While this experiment has worked now it’s nothing more than a modified version of the wildcat and we all saw how well that ended. Make him a rushing fullback in the mold of Mike Alstott. That way you get his between the tackle running, but you also need a quarterback who can actually complete a pass.

Weekly Heisman Rankings

2011-11-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

The time has arrived for the Puma to give his weekly Heisman rankings. Those of you who follow this will know that I have been quite supportive of a certain player, but unfortunately I had to drop him from my top 3. RG III, I know you can rebound and make your way back on this list.

3. Case Keenum: QB- Houston

Season Stats: 279-of-376 passing for 3,951 yards, 37 TDs and three INTS; 37 rushes for 104 yards and two TDs.
Fine, I have to give props where it’s due. Even though his level of competition isn’t exactly the highest you gotta give this kid his props. A 37-3 td to interception ratio? Sick.

2. Trent Richardson: RB- Alabama

Season Stats: 204 rushes for 1,205 yards and 18 TDs; 25 receptions for 318 yards and one TD; three kick returns for 66 yards.
Wasn’t amazing against LSU but then again who is? He bounced back with a good game against Mississippi State and looks to continue that against Georgia Southern.

1. Andrew Luck: QB- Stanford

Season Stats: 221-of-313 passing for 2,680 yards, 29 TDs and seven INTs; 34 rushes for 134 yards and two TDs; one reception for 13 yards.
Threw two picks in an ugly loss against Oregon, but no one played well in that game. He has to have a bounce back game against Cal or he could lose ground to Richardson or the fast rising Brandon Weeden could make his inaugural appearance on the Puma’s list.

Black Walnut, Racial Identity and Me

2011-11-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

I wonder if I’m black? This might seem like a weird question to ask given my obvious abundance of melanin in my skin. But I guess that this may not enough to make one black according to one “conservative” commentator. Now when I say conservative, I don’t mean my Republican friends who differ with my political beliefs, I mean those who believe our president is a Kenyan national with hopes of planting anchor babies, I don’t really listen to them. Victor Davis Hanson wrote a piece for the National review which states why Herman Cain is a real black guy and Obama is not.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have known what constitutes authentic blackness. But thanks to people like Mr. Hanson and of course my favorite buddy in the world black walnut himself Herman Cain, the debate that seemed to be everywhere during the ’08 election is revving back up. Unfortunately people of Mr. Hanson’s ilk confuse me. You see way back in 2008 and shortly after the election of BHO the same people who are claiming that the current heat Cain is feeling is because he is black and the Democratic Party and their liberal agenda are racist wanted us to believe that because a black man was in office racism was no longer a problem. So if I understand their logic our President was black enough to end racism except for when our candidate has gotten himself into trouble?

The problem with this is as I have said on numerous occasions is it portrays being Black as one set list of things. If you don’t fit in somehow your blackness isn’t as authentic as someone else’s. Mr. Cain is a republican businessman who made his wealth peddling bad pizza, I am a democrat who like hip-hop. Am I blacker than Herman Cain? No, because it’s not something that can be measured. In his book, “Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness” writer Toure states: "If there are forty million Black Americans then there are forty million ways to be black. There are billions of cultural artifacts of blackness... Not one of these things is more authentic than the other." And this is true. I listen to all forms of music (minus country) , love documentaries, and have no interest in becoming a rapper. Do these things mean I am not as black as Herman Cain?

I think what angers me most about these people is that while they argue over who’s blacker, they are missing the beauty and complexities of Black culture. It has infinite possibilities and a chance to learn from them all. When you box yourself into one narrow preconception of what Black is you’re still Black, but you become something else as well.

An idiot.

A Letter to the NBA

2011-11-15T11:40:00.001-08:00

Dear NBA,
Hi, you may not know me so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brian Thompson and whether you know it or not I love you. Yes it’s true. I love you as much as it is possible for a young man to love a sports association. That’s why it is with much pain that I write this letter to you. You see my first love is basketball, and when you love something you have to let them know when they are making mistakes just like you applaud them when they do so something amazing. This time you’re wrong.

You see I remember the moment I fell in love with this game. I was a wee child probably no older than 3 or 4 years old sitting on the floor of my grandmother’s living room watching these amazing athletes glide like gazelles up and down the court with the ability to soar through the air as if blessed with the gift of flight all the while displaying the toughness of a gladiator. From NERF battles against my sister who was a stand in for the Detroit Pistons to annoying older cousins and kids from church to let me join in their games, some of the happiest moments of my life came from the joy the NBA inspired. And now because of poor planning, disregard for the fans and a lack of perspective you’ve thrown away the opportunity to affect another generation as you have affected me.

I am not going to choose sides, I think both the owners and the players are wrong and we the NBA fans are left to suffer. I could bring up that the owners never intended to have a season with their unreasonable negotiating tactics. Refusing to budge and wanting to be saved from themselves for handing out years of ridiculous contracts. I could bring up the players who should realize that they will never win the battle of public opinion as people are hungry and jobless and don’t want to hear how many concessions you have given during these negotiations. In times such as this, just play. I understand it’s a business, but at the same time you are already the highest paid athletes. Perhaps within your own union teach rookies to be responsible with money instead of buying your entourage tattoos and a fleet of hummers.

You’re both wrong for not finding a way to give people what they want. And while I openly realize that in a world with so much injustice a game is not the most important thing in the world, seeing my favorite sport played by the greatest players in the world does give my mind the break from heavy issues of the day that it so sorely needs. So NBA I will watch you when you return, but until you get your act together I will have to get by with watching your little brother College Basketball. He’s not as good but hopefully he’ll always be there as a backup.
Signed,
The Chocolate Puma

Weekly Heisman Rankings

2011-11-11T12:11:00.001-08:00

In the wake of the Penn St. awful scandal I will just keep my list short and sweet without the normal banter you are used to. Maybe next week I will muster the energy to give an iota of interest to college football but I am too disgusted right now.

3. Robert Griffin III: QB- Baylor

Season Stats: 202-of-273 passing for 2,781 yards, 26 TDs and four INTs; 106 rushes for 386 yards and four TDs; one reception for 15 yards

2. Trent Richardson: RB- Alabama

Season Stats: 172 rushes for 1,078 yards and 17 TDs; 23 receptions for 292 yards and one TD; three kick returns for 66 yards.

1.Andrew Luck
Season Stats: 194-of-272 passing for 2,424 yards, 26 TDs and five INTs; 29 rushes for 147 yards and two TDs; one reception for 13 yards.

Weekly Heisman Rankings

2011-11-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Well folks it’s that time again, the Chocolate Puma’s weekly prognostication of this year’s Heisman race. Enjoy.

3. Robert Griffin III: QB- Baylor

Season Stats: 175-of-232 passing for 2,375 yards, 23 TDs and four INTs; 88 rushes for 322 yards and three TDs; one reception for 15 yards.
RG3 had a chance to impress a lot of voters against Oklahoma State and while he can’t be blamed for the loss as the defense gave up 59 points, there were stretches where he had no impact on the game whatsoever.

2. Trent Richardson: RB- Alabama

Season Stats: 149 rushes for 1,016 yards and 17 TDs; 18 receptions for 212 yards and one TD; two kick returns for 43 yards.
Richardson didn’t play, therefore didn’t hurt his chances. A game against LSU could make or break his Heisman hopes.

1. Andrew Luck: QB- Stanford

Season Stats: 174-of-242 passing for 2,218 yards, 23 TDs and four INTs; 25 rushes for 144 yards and two TDs; one reception for 13 yards
His pick 6 almost sent him spiraling in the rankings but the consensus future number one pick composed himself and eventually led his team to an overtime victory over rival USC.

Here we go again...

2011-11-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

Before I begin this rant which will inevitably end with incoherence, anger, and allusions to rubber novelty poop I would like to say that this is not meant as an assault on Republicans or those with conservative values. We’re cool. No, this is an assault on the so called experts who call themselves conservatives and spout nonsensical, idiotic, and downright offensive rhetoric.

The first person I will wax poetic on is the human skeletor woman who calls herself Anne Coulter. Recently during her “I haven’t gotten any attention lately, let me say something incendiary” tour she made this remarkably offensive statement, even for her. “"Our blacks are so much better than their blacks. To become a black Republican, you don't just roll into it. You're not going with the flow. You have fought against probably your family members, probably your neighbors, you have thought everything out and that's why we have very impressive blacks in our party."

First and foremost, this statement implies that blacks are property. Secondly, this statement shows that she thinks it’s absolutely impossible for a black person to process information and then logically chooses an opinion that differs from hers. Then this beacon of hope for the black community declared “The only racism you hear in America is against conservative blacks." Well glad that’s over for me as a somewhat liberal black man. How can someone who is not black, who does not have to deal with day to day instances of institutional racism, declare who it affects? It would be like me declaring sexism is no longer a problem for anyone except black women. I don’t know the struggle of being a woman and am not qualified to speak on what affects them.

The second person I am going to look at is one of our leading candidates, black walnut himself Herman Cain.

A few weeks ago he proclaimed that racism doesn’t hold anyone back anymore. Well seems like as soon as people began bringing up a few claim of sexual harassment what does the man who would like his Secret Service codename to be “Cornbread” do? Why he cried racism. So let me get this straight, it’s not racist, just complaining when people talk about legit discrimination due to one’s race but when people bring up things you may or may not have done its racism? I don’t get it. And the idea of sex scandals isn't race or party specific. America loves a sex scandal. Bill Clinton, Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, Anthony Weiner, and the list goes on.

I fully recognize that my side of thinking doesn’t have all the answers. I know that you need the working ideas of all involved to come to a logical solution to problems. If this means I’m not one of “their” blacks I think I’ll be alright.

Tebow and Cam: A Matter of Perception

2011-10-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

“Off the field, Tebow is as solid as they come; a team leader, humanitarian, and just about everything else.”

“Reminds me of: A beefed up, less polished version of Steve Young”

“He’s just a winner.”

The above are some of the things said about Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow upon his entry in the NFL draft. Now turn your attention to some of the things said about a quarterback often compared to Tim Tebow, Cam Newton.
"You mad? HAHAHA"
“Does not spin a tight spiral. Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.”

“Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example.”

“Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.”

Notice something strange there? When referring to Tebow nothing of his mechanical shortcomings were brought to the light, just how great a person he is, and I don’t doubt that he is a great person. But great people aren’t always the greatest quarterbacks. Hell going off personality traits Joey Harrington should be the greatest quarterback of all time. Now when Newton came out not only was his unorthodox style for a quarterback dissected, but also his personal life. Due to some shady characters, including his own father; Newton was painted as a guy who was going to fail at quarterback simply because he had “character risks.” Now what’s the reason for this? I don’t want to say it’s only race, but this does has a racial aspect.

For years black quarterbacks have been said to be “not smart enough” to be a quarterback, which was one of the knocks against Newton. Tebow played in a similar spread offense in Florida and while it was suggested he change positions it wasn’t due to his intelligence. Tebow has been lauded for his ability to just win, meanwhile glossing over the fact that Newton went undefeated in every game he started from his senior year in high school until a season opening loss to the Cardinals. Seems like a winner to me.

Tebow is often shown as being a hard worker, which is true; Tebow busts his ass every week as he should. But that implies every other player in the NFL doesn’t. To make it that far you have to be a hard worker. It takes blood, sweat, and tears and years of dedication and Tebow is not special in that regard as all players in the NFL have worked hard to get there.

Legendary?!?!?! It was against a winless team starting their backup!

I think though what angers me most about Tebow is not even anything he has done in particular. His supporters take any criticism toward the guy as an assault on Christianity. First of all Tebow is not the first openly religious football player, see Deion Sanders, Randall Cunningham, Kurt Warner, Emmitt Smith and Reggie White. So the idea that athletes have never before openly shared their faith is a complete and utter lie.

I have no problem with Tim Tebow, but the idea that I have to love him as a quarterback because he is a good person is ridiculous. There has been no evidence to suggest that his skill set will ever revolutionize the position and he can at best be a poor man’s (a very poor man’s) Kordell Stewart. As Tebow’s ascension to the Hall of Fame is being covered ad nauseam, we’re missing a real revolution in Carolina and that’s a damn shame.

Weekly Heisman Rankings

2011-10-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

After a two week hiatus everyone’s favorite angry puma is back with his predictions on the grandest individual prize in all of college sports, the Heisman trophy.

3. Trent Richardson: RB- Alabama
Season: 132 rushes for 912 yards and 15 TDs; 15 receptions for 179 yards and one TD; two kick returns for 43 yards.

Not many schools are afforded the luxury of losing a Heisman winning running back to the NFL and have him replaced with a dynamic talent who is capable of winning the Heisman trophy himself. While not the between the tackle back Mark Ingram was he is just as dangerous and possibly has the most deadly cutback in all of college football.

2.Robert Griffin III: QB- Baylor
Season: 142-of-182 passing for 22 TDs and two INTs; 72 rushes for 295 yards and two TDs; one reception for 15 yards; one punt for 39 yards.

Seriously this kid is having an amazing season and my fear is that due to the fact Baylor will at the end of the day lose 2-3 more games his amazing campaign will be for naught.

1.Andrew Luck: QB-Stanford
Season: 129-of-181 passing for 1,719 yards, 18 TDs and three INTs; 13 rushes for 60 yards and one TD; one reception for 13 yards.

Well consider me on the Andrew Luck bandwagon. Got off to a rough start last week throwing a pick in first throw but after the half he came back and well he did what Andrew Luck does. Some team is going to be very “Lucky” come the 2012 draft.

P.S. Please forgive me for that pun. My God that was just awful.

Holy Fuck Balls!

2011-10-11T10:28:00.001-07:00

A Struggle For Justice

2011-10-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

Today I delve deep into myself and share an ongoing struggle in which I am unselfishly sharing with you. This is a story of unfair prosecution and hopefully the tyrant responsible will one day realize the error of their ways. I like one of hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans take the train to work. On my daily pilgrimage to my place of employment I see some of the same faces and we have become acquaintances. A ‘hello’ here and there, a wave, a head nod. But there is a dark force trying to cloud the happy little family that is the Asian hipster, slutty dressed teen, and old black man who usually sit near me. This force is an older Romanian woman.

I should begin this story from the beginning. I usually arrive to the train everyday at 6:30 and I sit in the second seat on the second car as it puts me near the stairs when I reach the loop. For the past few months there has been an elderly Romanian woman who sits in front of me and as I do with my other amigos in traveling I say hello or flash one of my patented grins at the lady. And for the past few months whenever I sit down she promptly gathers her things and relocates to another seat.

For a while I brushed this off until one morning I finally had to ask. So I looked at her as she scowled at me as she moved and simply asked “why do you move whenever I sit down?” She looked at me shocked that I would speak to her. Asian hipster, old black man and slutty dressed teen held their breaths in anticipation of her answer. She said nothing. This time though instead of relocating to another seat, this lady relocates to another car completely!

So now the gauntlet has been thrown. I pledge to you my internet friends, enemies and stalkers, that one day I will have this woman acknowledge my presence. My current method of attack is every time I see her I immediately hit her with a 2 handed wave and smiling widely (which may be terrifying given the caffeine infused state I am in at 6:30 am).
Waving method performed by adorable child

So from time to time I will update you on journey. The road is long, and the task is arduous. But I know that I will be successful. And one day my ragtag comrades of commuting can add an elderly Romanian woman to our midst and be complete as a group of strangers can be.

Ventura Named Manager of the White Sox.

2011-10-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome back old friend. Chicago has missed you.

Really?

2011-10-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick little rant about a photo I saw online and no it’s not Jay Cutler seen holding hands with Kristin Can-I-Get a talent. No this refers to a photo taken from an event called Slutwalk. Now I am not well versed in the modus operandi of the event but according to the website its sole function is “to enforce the truth that those who experience sexual assault are never at fault-- no exceptions. We seek to combat a culture that teaches ‘don't get raped,’ as opposed to ‘don't rape.’” I have no problem with this so allow me to state for those who like to fight for no reason, the following rant has nothing to do with the event. It does however have a lot to do with this:

Yes upon seeing the photo I did a double take and assumed I was being punked. Surely this person who brazenly held the sign up didn’t believe that “woman” is equal to “nigger.” I could go into the etymology of the words but instead I will use the common sense retort, woman = gender; “nigger”=racial slur. One is not like the other. It also does a disservice to a very worthy cause. People are focusing on a sign rather than the intended message of the event. So to the young lady holding up the sign so brazenly let me tell you this, keep up the work you are doing, but please gain perspective when writing signs. Otherwise some handsome mofo with a blog might write a rambling blog post about you.

Weekly Heisman Rankings

2011-10-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Like sand through an hour glass I present to you the week 3 of the Chocolate Puma’s Heisman rankings. Enjoy.

3. Russell Wilson: QB- Wisconsin
Season: 83-of-111 passing for 1,391 yards, 13 TDs and one INT; 22 rushes for 140 yards and two TDs

Mr. Wilson was huge in his team’s complete and utter humiliation of Nebraska over the weekend. All season he has been a steady hand and morphing from a poor man’s Cam Newton to future lottery pick that compares to no one.

2. Andrew Luck: QB- Stanford
Season: 80-of-112 passing for 1,013 yards, 11 TDs and one INT; 11 rushes for 58 yards and one TD; one reception for 13 yards.

Welcome to the top three Mr. Luck, you’ll probably be here the rest of the season. He was somehow both efficient and dynamic in the Cardinal decimation of UCLA over the weekend. This young man is no joke ladies and gentlemen.

1. Robert Griffin III: QB- Baylor

Season: 93-of-113 passing for 1,308 yards, 18 TDs and one INT; 36 rushes for 173 yards and one TD; one catch for 15 yards; one punt for 39 yards

If you have been following this then you know I am bordering on a man crush on RG3. This kid had his third 5 touchdown game of the young season although he did throw his first pick which led to his team’s loss. That matters not to the Puma as the Heisman is an individual award and there has been no more dynamic individual that the signal caller from Waco.

Weekly Heisman Rankings

2011-09-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well folks here we are again, week 2 of my Heisman rankings. The college football season has already shown us many legitimate contenders for the highest individual prize in all of collegiate athletics. The top three remains the same although there may be some flip flopping amongst the top 3.

3.Kellen Moore: QB- Boise State
Season Stats: 83-of-105 passing for 995 yards, 12 TDs and two INTs.
The consistent signal caller didn’t wow the Chocolate Puma this week, but he didn’t have to. With a 279 yard and 4 touchdown game last week he certainly is positioning himself to be in the thick of things come Heisman time.

2.Robert Griffin III: QB- Baylor
Season Stats: 70-of-82 passing for 962 yards and 13 TDs; 24 rushes for 167 yards and one TD; one reception for 15 yards.
This guy has more touchdown passes than incomplete passes. Think about that. Add in his ability to run the ball as well and you have just the kind of exciting player the Puma loves to see.

1.Marcus Lattimore: HB-South Carolina
Season Stats: 107 rushes for 611 yards and eight TDs; 12 receptions for 139 yards and one TD.
Got off to a rough start on the ground so what does Mr. Lattimore do? Add the receiving game to his repertoire finishing with 73 yards on 3 receptions to go with the 77 yards he picked up on the ground. Mr. Lattimore is a bad, bad man ladies and gentlemen.

Jack Donaghy is my Hero

2011-09-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

My Take on Tyler Perry Movies

2011-09-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Many of the people who know me know that I am not what one would call a big fan of the work of Tyler Perry. Notice what I said there, I am not a fan of the WORK of Tyler Perry. Lately there has been a discussion amongst African Americans who love the works of Perry and those like myself who hate the works of Perry. That discussion always boils down to “well he gives black people jobs in Hollywood.” This is true, he does hire African American actors and he should be applauded for doing so. But that doesn’t mean I have to actually like the movies. The bigger question should be why others aren’t doing the same thing, but that’s another rant for another day.

Now while I am not a fan of the works, I do respect the man. It’s a story that’s hard not to respect. A man who had gotten as low as homelessness stuck to his dream to become one of the highest paid men in all of entertainment. But all that said the same recycled story lines and him dressing up as a woman does not a good movie make in my opinion. Here are his movies in a nutshell; successful African American woman is in a relationship with a dark skinned African American man who on the surface appears to be the perfect gentleman. Behind closed doors however he is either abusive or just a flat out asshole, enter the light skinned African American handyman/pool cleaner who just got out of prison. Madea shows up, slaps someone, insert church scene, woman comes to senses and leaves the asshole for the handyman. Boom. I just saved you hours of watching 8-10 of his movies.
You don't like my movies huh?

Then we he attempts to make a movie not based around the premise of a gun toting grandmother in “For Colored Girls” he made, in once again my opinion, an egregious error when he decided to direct the film himself. A movie that is about the experiences of African American women should be directed by an actual woman and not someone who just dresses as a woman. That would add much depth to the movie as someone like Kasi Lemmons, Neema Barnette, or Debbi Allen could use personal experience to make it a richer film. Now I didn’t see the movie so I can’t say it wasn’t a rewarding success but it would have been nice to see a woman at the helm of this film.

I guess the point of all this is can we agree that yes he should be respected for his work, but if your argument for why I should like this guy’s work is “well he hires black people,” my opinion shall remain unchanged as I am sure the above rant will not change your opinion. I only ask one question, when “Madea's Big Happy Trip to the Podiatrist” comes out make sure you don’t invite me.

Heisman Rankings

2011-09-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

The college football season is still very young but it’s never too early to come up with a list for the most prestigious award in all the land, the Heisman trophy. There has been no shortage of players putting up gaudy stats so far but these three are setting the pace in this race.

3. Robert Griffin III: QB – Baylor
Season Stats: 41-of-49 passing for 624 yards and eight TDs; 18 rushes for 116 yards; one reception for 15 yards.
Uh, only 8 incomplete passes over two games? Are you f’in serious?

2. Kellen Moore: QB- Boise State
Season Stats: 60-of-76 passing for 716 yards, eight TDs and two INTs; two rushes for two yards.
The epitome of consistency, the senior signal caller has complete control of the Boise machine and has them primed for a run at the national title.

1.Marcus Lattimore: HB- South Carolina
Season Stats: 87 rushes for 534 yards and seven TDs; nine receptions for 66 yards
Lattimore has been running beast mode so far especially in his last game in which he rushed for 246 yards and three TDs in his last game. If he stays healthy he should be the winner come Heisman time barring an Andrew Luck love fest with voters. No disrespect to Luck.

J. Cole

2011-09-19T12:20:00.001-07:00

Uh this J. Cole is nice. I am anxious to hear his debut album "Cole World." His mixtapes have been amazing, and I have no reason to believe this won't continue.

RIP Uncle Frank

2011-09-07T13:26:00.001-07:00

Dope Things

2011-09-07T10:53:00.001-07:00

NFL Super Post

2011-09-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

Well the new NFL season is upon us and I believe I shall do a power ranking. But first I have just a few bullet points I want to rant about.

•Tim Tebow… ugh. His supporters make it seem as though he is being bashed because he is a Christian. Allow me to put it on record, I think he’s an awful quarterback due to his mediocre arm strength, horrible pocket presence, and lack of accuracy.

•Lance Briggs, really bro? This isn’t like Matt Forte wanting a better deal, this is flat out greed and making yourself a distraction to the team.

•I don’t know what Roy Williams has on Mike Martz but there has to be a reason this drop machine was handed the top receiver label without earning it.

•If reports out of Indianapolis are true it saddens me that Peyton Manning aka the league’s best pitchman won’t be starting the season opener. Doesn’t seem like football season without the frantic pre-snap movements from # 18.

•Cam Newton will be alright. Will he break rookie passing records? No. But I predict he’ll be a poor man’s Vince Young and the Panthers will be in the 5-6 win range.
Alright now what you all begrudgingly came for, the rankings as brought to you by the Chocolate Puma.

32. Cincinnati: A rookie quarterback, a rookie number one receiver, and arguably the worst owner in all of football leads to a very long season in the Queen City.
31. Cleveland: Not a horrible team, just young and inexperienced. A lack of depth hurts this team but some building blocks for the future in Joe Thomas, Joe Haden and Colt McCoy.
30. Carolina: Rookie quarterbacks on a team in transition never fare too well. Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen will provide a good security blanket for Newton but his struggles will be plenty this season.
29. Washington: No running game, a choice of Grossman/Beck as your starter leads to a season where Mike Shanahan better be as smart as he thinks he is or it will be a disaster of epic proportions in DC.
28. San Francisco: Pro: John Harbaugh is your head coach and could be the innovative mind the west coast has been craving for years. Con: Alex Smith is your starting quarterback.
27. Denver: Team should be improved defensively with the additions of Von Miller and Broderick Bunkley and the return of Elvis Dumervil.
26. Seattle: Tavarris Jackson as the starting quarterback here almost singlehandedly negates the signing of Sidney Rice and Zach Miller.
25. Buffalo: Losing Lee Evans hurts, but Stevie Johnson will thrive this season with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Losing Paul Posluszny hurts that defense immensely.
24. Miami: Whoa boy, Chad Henne is your starter. Breathe it in. The only reason that they are ranked this high is because of my irrational belief that they can recreate a 7-9 mark since they have such a good offensive line.
23. Arizona: Not sold on Kevin Kolb but this guy is streets ahead of the guys they had play quarterback last year. Also throwing to Larry Fitzgerald is not a bad thing. Also Patrick Peterson is going to possibly be the most dynamic player in his draft class.

22. Tennessee: Kenny Britt is healthy, Chris Johnson is happy. However they either have uber vet Matt Hasselbeck starting or a player in his NFL infancy in Jake Locker. Also a new coach leads to a season in transition.
21. Oakland: Darren McFadden, Louis Murphy and Jacoby Ford are all solid players. Jason Campbell is a solid quarterback and he finally is running the same offense two years in a row.
20. Jacksonville: David Garrard is a boring but efficient quarterback although this year I expect to see major regression and Blaine Gabbert will eventually start a game this season. Maurice Jones Drew for all his chirping regarding the toughness of other players is an effective player when he himself stays on the field.
19. Vikings: I will probably be cursed by the NFC North gods for this one but Donovan McNabb is all but done. He will not be terrible but clearly his best days are behind him. All Day is going to be all-world again but the receivers not named Percy Harvin leave much to be desired.

18. Kansas City: Matt Cassel will likely miss the season opener and big play tight end Tony Moeaki is done for the season. The defense led by Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali however are young, aggressive and will definitely be a bright spot.
17. St. Louis: Sam Bradford had an amazing rookie season and will excel with Josh McDaniels calling the plays; the real question is whether or not Steven Jackson stays healthy.
16. Dallas: Tony Romo is healthy, but in my opinion the real question is whether or not Felix Jones can stay healthy. Dynamic when on the field but in the past few years that has been a rare sight.
15. Chicago: It pains me to put my Bears this low but let’s be real. The offensive line has a ceiling of average this season; the receiving corp wasn’t upgraded unless you are on the Roy Williams kool-aid. The defense will definitely hold up its end of the bargain but the returners of the Bears will feel the pain of the new kickoff rule.

14. New York Giants: The secondary was hit hard with injuries but the line will provide pressure and that could force teams into bad throws and turnovers. Eli Manning is not elite, but he’s not bad. A motivated Brandon Jacobs is scary and this could be the year Mario Manningham breaks through.
13. Detroit: That’s right I am on the bandwagon that this is the year the Lions make the jump. Matt Stafford (if healthy, seriously this should be this guy’s middle name) can easily have 20-25 td passes this season. Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Jahvid Best are all going to be very effective or in Johnson’s case be downright disgusting.
12. Buccaneers: Josh Freeman is one of the best young quarterbacks out there, in group right below Joe Flacco etc, Lagarette Blount will continue to run hard and my high school classmate Quincy Black will make a big jump from 61 tackles with Barrett Ruud no longer on the team.
11. Indianapolis: This position is based on Peyton Manning missing a few games but coming back later. That said this is clearly the year for the inevitable downfall of this consistent franchise.
10. Houston: With that said, why not put the Texans in front of the Colts? Matt Schaub is healthy and Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme will keep the running game afloat until the return of Arian Foster.
9. New York Jets: The defense is amazing; Revis and Cromartie might be the second best db duo in the league behind those fellas in Philly. The offense is the real question. I don’t buy Plax coming in and being as good as Braylon Edwards was last year.
8. San Diego: Phillip Rivers is an elite quarterback and with his number one target back for a full season expect 4,500 yards passing from this kid. If Ryan Matthews can give them a running game the AFC West is theirs for the taking.

7. Falcons: This team is so consistently highly ranked I am sure they will be overrated given that their biggest acquisition is arguably a rookie receiver in Julio Jones. Ray Edwards however will certainly help that defense and cause more turnovers.
6. New Orleans: The defense is average at best but this team hangs its hat on its offense. The running game is what worries me about this team.
5. Baltimore: Defense? Check. Run game? Check. If they get more consistent play from Joe Flacco it is not out the realm of possibility of Ray Lewis and the boys could be holding the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season.
4. New England: The additions of Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth while controversial doesn’t hurt this team and I expect these two to have bounce back seasons under the Svengali of the NFL Bill Belichek. Tom Brady will do what Tom Brady does and drive me crazy as I am forced to begrudgingly respect his game.
3. Philadelphia: The defense has become the thing to see in Philly. With the signing of Nnamdi Asoughma and Asante Samuel already locking down half the field, if teams can’t run on them it’s game over.
2. Pittsburgh: Troy Polamalu is probably the only defensive player in the league who could legit win the MVP. Harrison, Farrior and the rest of the defense also do the damn thing. With Roethlisberger, Mendenhall and the gang the offense is nothing to play around with.
1. Green Bay: This one saddens me the most. As a diehard Bears fan nothing would make me happier than putting them at 32 and claiming they would go 0-16. That would be a lie. Aaron Rodgers has ascended to the elite of quarterbacks in the NFL. Their defense led by Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson will definitely give teams fits this year. Also I have to put them at 1 as they are the defending champions. Ugh, I think I need to go shower.

Spike Jonze is a beast

2011-08-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

2011-08-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Stephon Urkel got those moves!

Favorite Lyricists and their Flow

2011-08-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to a lot of hip-hop lately, I mean more than usual, and it got me thinking who my favorite rappers are. Or better yet which rappers have my favorite flow. I present to you, my five favorite, note I said favorite, not the greatest flows ever.

5. Kanye West:
Call him arrogant. Call him cocky. You can still call me a fan. His egotistical flow is among my favorites and peppered with bits of his life and social commentary engrained his music always keeps my attention.
Favorite line: “But I ain't even gon act holier than thou/Cause fuck it, I went to Jacob with 25 thou/Before I had a house and I'd do it again/Cause I wanna be on 106 and Park pushing a Benz
I wanna act ballerific like it's all terrific/I got a couple past due bills, I won't get specific/I got a problem with spending before I get it/We all self conscious I'm just the first to admit it”
All Falls Down- The College Dropout

4. Papoose:
The kid was supposed to be the next great NY rapper instead has seen his career stalled. Hopefully it gets back on track because he has more talent in his pinky than half these rappers out today.
Favorite line: “Five boroughs of death, you don't understand/I got New York City in the palm of my hand/Now I could make a tight fist and let it crumble ridiculous/Or I could smack the world with a New York Nemesis”
Touch It Remix- Busta Rhymes feat. Papoose & Llloyd Banks

3. Jay-Z:
What can be said about the Jigga man that hasn’t already been said? At 40 he is showing what happens when hip-hop grows up.
Favorite line:
“Momma raised me, pop I miss you/God help me forgive him I got some issues”
Momma Loves Me- The Blueprint

2. Andre 3000:
The man, the myth, the 3 stacks. A man with verbal dexterity and is currently hip-hop’s greatest enigma. I was just lucky to come into hip-hop right as 3 stacks was just beginning to drop major albums with Outkast. My favorite line from Andre would have to be his freestyle over the Walk It Out track by DJ Unk.

And now number one rapper with my favorite flow would be:

1. Black Thought:
The second in command behind Questlove on the legendary Roots crew who is vastly underrated and underappreciated. I think the fact that there is a portion of the population who only know him as the guy in the Jimmy Fallon show band may make me vomit in rage.

Go to the 2:55 mark for Thought’s verse

Stevie Williams... Come on dawg.

2011-08-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

I am usually one to say “hey you can say whatever you want to say.” But I am going to break my own rule and issue this statement: Stevie Williams, please have a nice tall glass of shut the hell up. If you are not caught up on the exciting world of caddie interviews allow me to alert you to the downright moronic statement he received after ADAM SCOTT won a tourney.

“I've been caddying for 33 years and I've never had a bigger win.”
Really Stevie? You have never had a bigger win? Allow me to drop a little truth bomb for you sir. You are not the golfer, you didn’t hit one shot, sink one putt. You carried the bags. Adam Scott was the person who won. And then this, as Bomani Jones would say, sucker goes on to make slight jabs at Tiger Woods, the man who made him famous. Let’s get this straight Stevie, the only person who Tiger Woods owes an apology to is named Elin. That’s it. You were fired, caddies get fired all the time. Thanks to Tiger you were able to live a very comfortable lifestyle for over a decade. Have a little class and move on. In case you hadn’t noticed Tiger has had to make some changes in his life, unfortunately you are still close to his now ex-wife. How is he supposed to make a fresh start when a big part of his past is right there?

But enough being logical, this is about Stevie Williams making himself to be a victim when he as benefited professionally and financially, stealing attention from the man who deserved it, Mr. Adam Scott. So do us all a favor Stevie, just carry the damn bags.

Herman Cain... really dude?

2011-07-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

The following post is probably going to be seen as a political post since it is about GOP hopeful Herman Cain. I would have to disagree with you; this is at the heart of it a common sense post. Sure I have disagreements with Mr. Cain, from his stance on abortion and belief that Planned Parenthood is just your one stop shop for abortions to his belief that homosexuality is a choice this is not about that. This is about two of the most asinine statements I have ever heard spouted by someone who is running for president.

When asked about the controversy in Murfreesboro, Tennessee regarding the building of a proposed mosque the esteemed and fair Mr. Cain stated: "I don't agree with what's happening because this isn't an innocent mosque." Think about that. Here we are almost a full decade after this anti-Muslim sentiment began sprouting up and it still angers me. Not only does it imply that all Muslims are responsible for every act of terrorism, it overlooks one of the fundamental reasons for the founding of our nation, the right to be free from religious persecution. What someone needs to tell Mr. Cain is that guess what, we were not attacked by Islam, we were attacked by Al-Qaeda. Oh and Sharia law that he keeps talking about as if he was an expert? Sharia Law is defined as a code of conduct or religious law of Islam. Hmmm, a code of conduct as deemed by religion? That sounds a lot like the Ten Commandments.

What really bugs me though about Cain was this statement regarding how liberals will be “doubly scared that a real black man might run against Barack Obama." Ugh. Really? And what makes a real black man? When pressed on the topic he ran away saying “If he wants to call himself black, fine. If he wants to call himself African American, fine. I'm not going down this color road." No Mr. Cain, not only are going down the color road you put us on this path. If you disagree with the President that is more than fine, this is not an attack on your policies, but to just say I am really black, he is not, makes you out to be a clown.

This line of thinking is also dangerous. This thinking of someone being blacker than another implies that there is a template for blackness. That unlike other people we are confined to a list and not allowed to be anything but that. Using his logic I could say I am blacker than he is. For instance, I am a black democrat, he is a black conservative. Not too many of those. Now I obviously am not saying I am blacker than Mr. Cain, but you see my point. I suggest that if Mr. Cain wants to be taken seriously he stops playing the race card himself. It won’t matter how black he says he is come election time. If all you have is this, I doubt the American people will be buying.

Michelle Beadle...Marry Me

2011-07-15T08:48:00.001-07:00

ESPY Awards - BAGME - watch more funny videos

USA!

2011-07-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

While I am absolutely ecstatic that the US Women's team has advanced in the World Cup I think I am more excited about this...

Be still my beating heart...

2011 NBA Draft Preview

2011-06-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

Anybody who knows me will let you know that if there is one thing that makes me happier than bacon is possibly the NBA draft. Given this I have decided to do what the rest of you with lives would not do as you have more important things to do, watch hours of video and grainy youtube clips on numerous prospects and will now give you the entire draft lottery as well as some of the more interesting prospects in the draft will go.

1.Cleveland Cavaliers- Kyrie Irving: PG
I think he’s a talented player, but to be number one pick with a little more than a handful of games under his belt is a tad bit ridiculous.

2.Minnesota Timberwolves- Derrick Williams: SF
While he may be the most talented player in the draft I don’t think he fits in Minnesota. That said no player has a higher ceiling in this entire draft and you just can’t pass him up.

3.Utah Jazz- Brandon Knight: PG
This is the best point guard in this draft to me. He had his ups and downs but showed a mental capacity that no other player in the draft exhibited. Dealing with the high expectations, the slow start and helping push the wildcats to the brink of a final four showed me more than Irving’s 8 or so games.

4.Cleveland Cavaliers- Enes Kanter: C
I’ve seen his highlight from the Nike Summit last year. He had a good tourney, I get it. But this guy just reeks of Darko 2.0. I am not very impressed by his game.

5.Toronto Raptors- Jonas Valanciunas: C
This guy will be the Raptors next European mistake. Bryan Colangelo…come on buddy!

6.Washington Wizards- Jan Vesely: SF
The Wizards find the best Euro wing prospect since Andrei Kirilenko. He’s a slasher with a long wingspan and a perfect complement to speed demon John Wall.

7.Sacramento Kings- Kemba Walker: PG
Listed as a point guard but be real, in the Kings offense Tyreke Evans would do the bulk of the ball handling allowing Walker to run off screens and show off that shot. The Spurs in the mix to trade Tony Parker for Omri Casspi and this pick as well.

8.Detroit Pistons- Kawhi Leonard: SF
Possibly the rookie not named Derrick Williams that can come in and play and contribute immediately. Has great ball handling skills, rebounds very well, and plays with a lot of energy. Only downside he doesn’t do one thing particularly well.

9.Charlotte Bobcats- Tristan Thompson: PF
This lefty with good speed and deceptive athleticism should be able to come in and play a role similar to that of Tyrus Thomas last season. While he doesn’t have the upside Thomas had coming out the raw potential and basketball IQ certainly insure he will at least be a contributer on this team.

10.Milwaukee Bucks- Alec Burks: SG
Arguably the top 2-guard in the draft Burks can step right in where Michael Redd will not be next season and team with Brandon Jennings and form a nice backcourt for years to come.

11.Golden State- Klay Thompson: SG
If the top 2-guard in the draft isn’t Burks then it is definitely the third year player from Washington State whose game and maturity remind me of another guard from the Pacific Northwest in Brandon Roy. Good size, able to create off the dribble and one of the top shooters in the draft certainly will help Coach Mark Jackson in his first season.

12.Utah Jazz- Marcus Morris: SF/PF
Passing on the consensus best big man with their first pick they grab the power forward from Kansas with their second pick of the round. He’s a versatile forward who can face the basket and play in the post.

13.Phoenix Suns- Chris Singelton: SF
One of the elite defenders in this draft, and the Suns have to seriously wonder who will guard the other team’s best perimeter player once Grant Hill decides to retire and Singelton may be the guy who is able to do so. Limited offensively but something tells me the Suns won’t be struggling for points.

14.Houston Rockets- Bismack Biyombo: PF/C
Some scouts see Serge Ibaka when they look at this kid, I however see a kid who will block some shots but will ultimately team with Hasheem Thabeet to form the most useless frontcourt in NBA history.

Now will I be right? Only time will tell but if past years are any indication…no I will not be right and Biyombo will be the most dominant rookie in league history.

2011-06-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

I saw this on another blog I follow and felt the need to keep it going. If anyone on the interwebs have any info, you know what to do.

imshuuhnay:

Not sure who this will reach…but my 13 year old COUSIN Fajr Abdul-Akbar is missing. It has been 26 hours since she was last seen.

If anyone has ANY sort of information on her whereabouts please call the number above. She resides, goes to school, and was last seen in Brooklyn, NY with some classmates. If you live in the Brooklyn area, please keep your eyes peeled. She was wearing a white scarf, but may have since taken it off.

PLEASE REBLOG AND GET THIS CIRCULATING. GODBLESS.

Sweet Sweet Sexy Times

2011-06-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

Very few things in the world can blend class and elegance or a bastard hybrid known as "clsssegant" as coined by my homie Jason I believe this gentleman has done so. Enjoy the sexy times that are to follow.

So Long Wilt Chamberneezy

2011-06-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

When the topic of athletes comes up nowadays many themes are bandied about. Some talk of the criminal activities of some, others talk of the narcissistic attitudes that are shown by others. When it comes to Shaquille O’Neal I think in all fairness the only word that you can use to describe him is fun. Yes the childlike center was prone to bouts of immaturity during his storied 18 year career, but his love for the game was never and nor should it be questioned.

In an era where the back to the basket centers appeared to be dying as the only true dominant centers at the time were David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwan and Patrick Ewing. It appeared that once these giants reached that juncture in the road when their skills would erode after years of banging in the post there would be no one left to take their place. Then a man who used his large size on the court to dominate opponents and his large personality off the court to dominate the fan’s affections entered the NBA. His name was Shaquille O’Neal.

He came into the league as a young boy of 20 but believe me anyone who saw this big man play knew he was a grown man. As powerful as he was quick, he was the most dominant center of the 1990s and arguably the most dominant save for a certain Jumpman logo inspiring guard from Chicago. As a rookie he came in and dominated averaging a cool 24 points and 14 rebounds. He did not stop there however. After four of the most dominating seasons by a big man people wondered where O’Neal could take his game. The answer was Hollywood.

I could sit here and go on and on about the amazing mobility, surprising speed and deceptive athleticism that the big man exhibited but then this would go on and on forever. I will say that I will miss his hilarious quotes, joyful exuberance he exhibited on the court and the countless nicknames. While he wasn’t a member of my beloved Bulls, and usually destroyed them in fact I will miss the big guy. So happy trails to Shaq aka The Big Aristotle aka Hobo Master aka The Diesel aka Shaq Fu aka The Big Daddy aka Superman aka The Big Agave aka The Big Cactus aka The Big Shaqtus and of course The Big Galactus aka Wilt Chamberneezy. You were a character that breathed new life into the game and I can’t wait to see what he does next.

RIP Gill Scott Heron

2011-06-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

The revolution will indeed not be televised.

Ya'll Must Have Forgot...

2011-05-31T12:51:00.001-07:00

A Basketball Rant...In Three Acts

2011-05-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Act I: Miami Heat Fans
This is why people hated the Miami Heat

Allow me to clarify this section of my rant to those not versed in subtlety. This is not directed at true Miami Heat fans. To them I say congrats on all of your team’s success. I know a few legit Heat fans, some who were sincerely ecstatic when not only they signed Lebron James and Chris Bosh but also when they signed Carlos Arroyo. Yes visions of an Arroyo to James connection actually danced in their heads. This section is dedicated to those bandwagon chumps who last year cheered for the Lakers, the Celtics before them and so on and so forth. People who can’t even name the coach or the starting center on their supposed “favorite” team. You get no congratulations. You get no accolades and to me you are everything wrong with fans today. Cheer for whomever you want, but when you change who you cheer for more than you change your underwear I can not take you seriously.

Act II: The Chicago Bulls

Yes I am disappointed that the Bulls lost in 5 games in the Eastern conference finals. I expected them to win but the Heat were just a better team this year. But as my friend the wee man Pete Campana stated young teams only learn through losing. I had hoped my young Bulls would be different but alas the same fate that befell young Laker squads in the early 80s, young Bulls teams in the late 80s, and young Spurs teams in the mid 90s befell the D-Rose led Bulls.

With the young core Rose, Joakim Noah, and Luol Deng all learning from this experience not to mention bench players Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer showing that for stretches they can hang, the bench mob and it’s starters will be fine if they can get a starting shooting guard. Keith Bogans played admirably defensively this series against Dwayne Wade but be honest the Bulls will not win if they can’t get a viable second option.

Act III: Derrick Rose

I can’t express how proud of this young man I am after this season. When being interviewed in the preseason and he boldly asked the question: “why can’t I be MVP?” and from that point on he went out and did whatever was needed for the team to win. You can point to his marked improvement in his 3 point shooting and the fact that he was the only player in the NBA in the top ten in both scoring and assists any notion that he should lose his MVP status is ridiculous. Using that logic Lebron should have lost his MVP last year when he quit against the Celtics. The MVP is a regular season award and no player despite what you will hear from talking heads like John Hollinger or Dan LeBatard was more important to his team’s success than Derrick Rose. The third year guard has ascended quicker than the would be MVP in James. You see young Derrick has led his team to the playoffs every season of his career, so if you want to compare Rose to James compare them in context.

Well that’s all I have to say for now. I am picking the Mavs to win in 7 possibly as a bitter Bulls fan but also because I’d much rather see Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry win a title than well anyone on the Miami Heat.

Pray for Joplin, Missouri

2011-05-24T06:35:00.001-07:00

Check out this song

2011-05-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

I can't stop listening to this, straight fire.

Somehow this is hip-hop's fault too...

2011-05-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Say Hey!

2011-05-06T10:36:00.001-07:00

Happy 80th birthday Willie Mays, the best all around player in MLB history.

Birthers are out of touch with reality.

2011-05-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

I have always been outspoken when it comes to politics and I have always prided myself on being able to back my beliefs with statistics and facts. I think that is the reason that I have such a problem with the birther movement that should be on minute 14:59 of their fifteen minutes of fame. Just a glossing over on these morons, they are the small contingent of people who continually get coverage on news outlets with a ridiculous conspiracy theory that the President of the United States was not really born in the U.S. and he has some nefarious socialistic plot for us all. Despite the fact that the state of Hawaii has on numerous occasion verified the authenticity of Obama’s birth certificate they spout everything from photoshopped to government conspiracy without an ounce of truth. Two characters have angered me more than the others.

Luke Scott is an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles. A fiery player who plays the game balls to the wall and I frankly am a big fan of his on the field. Off the field the man is a moron. Recently he told the Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger "President Obama's birth certificate has yet to be validated.” Really Luke? Even if this hadn’t been dispelled years ago and the birthers have chosen to ignore all of the information presented and the press conference last week in which the long form birth certificate was presented to press has not been enough. I think Seth Myers summed it up perfectly for me, “when did we become so distrustful? If we didn’t see it, did it really happen?” Stick to trying to hit Mariano Rivera’s cutter and leave the politics to someone with a grip on reality.

President Obama's Long Form Birth Certificate

View more documents from White House

The person who wins the award for most infuriating is the so called “birther queen” Orly Taitz.

I have a question for Mrs. Taitz, where is your birth certificate. Here is a woman who has among other things claimed:
• A number of homosexuals from Obama's former church have died mysteriously.
• Obama has dozens of Social Security numbers, and his passport is inaccurate. Taitz claims that a person who was cooperating with the FBI in connection with Obama's passport died mysteriously, "shot in the head".
• A Kenyan birth certificate with the name "Barack Obama" is authentic.
• Obama is having the Federal Emergency Management Agency build internment camps for "Anti-Obama dissidents
Now if there was one shred of truth to any of this do you think he would be president? What makes him so special that the entire government would be complicit in a cover up? You can’t get a job at a fast food place without valid identification! I guess the whole point of this is disagree with the president if you want to, but please use common sense and a thing called facts and not made up bull crap to back up your opinions.

I’ll end by saying this, Seal Team Six is the most bad ass team of heroes in my lifetime. I thank you and appreciate you.

Given that we don’t know their identites I’ll use the team assembled by Stephen Colbert of John McClain, Rambo, Batman, Laura Croft, Master Chief, Vin Diesel and Kung Fu Panda.

Draft Bust Extravaganza!

2011-04-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

So I was having a conversation with the roommate the other regarding quarterbacks who ended up as draft busts which got me thinking about who the biggest busts were of the past five years. But going through those drafts, checking stats and taking into account health and coaching changes proved to be more work than I cared to do at that current moment. So I have decided to take the glamor positions and name the top three busts from those positions.

Quarterback:
3. Matt Leinhart (# 10 overall, 2006 draft)
The consummate winner in college, once he got to the pros however…not so much. You can argue with the fact he didn’t get a real shot there, that he had injury problems. You can’t argue with the fact he was released and there had to be a reason more teammates didn’t fight for him.

2. Brady Quinn (# 21 overall, 2007 draft)
Maybe not the biggest winner in college but his senior year he flourished under Charlie Weiss and rocketed up draft charts. While he slipped on draft day the expectations to be what Aaron Rodgers has become today were all over the place. Too bad his inaccurate throws to mediocre receivers didn’t look as good in Cleveland as they did against teams like Bowling Green.

1. Jamarcus Russell (#1 overall, 2007 draft)
Do I need to even explain this one? Lazy, bloated and unmovable. And that just describes his contract.

Running Back:
3. Felix Jones ( #22 Overall, 2008 draft)
Darren Mcfadden’s backfield mate at the university of Arkansas was supposed to revitalize a stagnant Cowboys running game. He currently sits at number 3 on the depth chart behind Tashard Choice and Marion Barber and is rarely healthy enough to make an impact.

2. Donald Brown (#27 overall, 2009 draft)
This pick was going to extend the career of Peyton Manning as it would bring more balance to the Colt’s offense. Peyton slings the ball more now than at any point in his career. Just sayin’

1. Cadillac Williams (#5 overall, 2005 draft)
It pains me to call him a bust as he has been one of my favorite players since his days of ripping up my beloved Mississippi State as a member of the Auburn Tigers. Great speed but tough enough to go between the tackles the Cadillac has been stalled by injuries that have left him a shell of himself.

Wide Receiver:
3. Troy Williamson (# 7 overall, 2005 draft)
Next Randy Moss? More like next David Terrell.

2. Ted Ginn, Jr (#9 overall, 2007 draft)
A dynamic kick returner whose dazzling speed overshadowed his mediocre ability to get off the line against the press and tendency to drop passes. Still though if he was say a 4th round pick he would have been a steal.

1. Matt Jones (#21 overall, 2005 draft)
A freakish athlete with no focus. The talent was there but the drive was not. He appeared to be more worried about scoring coke than he was about touchdowns.

Defensive Backs:
3. Tye Hill (#15 overall, 2006 draft)
Injuries. That’s why he is on the list. Back to back seasons ending on the injured reserve essentially robbed him of the speed and athleticism needed to play corner.

2. Carlos Rogers (#9 overall, 2005 draft)
A flash in the pan season at Auburn and a great workout at the combine actually had people thinking he was the next great shut down corner in the vein of Rod Woodson or Darrell Green. He was not.

1. Adam “Pac-Man” Jones (#6 overall, 2005 draft)
Outside of Antrelle Rolle and Dominique Foxworth this draft was awful for corners. No one epitomized this more than Pac-Man, here is a guy who is the top bust not due to talent or injuries but off the field troubles. If he had an ounce of common sense the kid could have been Deion Sanders 2.0.

Well there you have it, some of the most heart breaking and disappointing players out there. Now allow me to present some steals of the past five drafts. Feel free to leave more if you care.
QB- Matt Cassell (2005 draft, #230 overall)
RB- Lagarette Blount (2010 draft, undrafted)
WR- Miles Austin (2006 draft undrafted)
WR- Marques Colston (2006 draft, #252)
DB- Jim Leonhard (2005 draft, undrafted)
DB- DJ Moore (2009 draft, #119)

Happy Good Friday!

2011-04-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Good Friday to you and your families and a Happy Easter too from the Chocolate Puma and some random children from my family!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

2011-04-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Snoop Dogg vs LL Cool J: The Ultimate Halo Smack Down from LL Cool J

This will never not be funny to me.

You know you my favorite right?

2011-04-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

Not too many ballers can operate two phones at the same time!

This may be what some would describe as a bittersweet post. I have written numerous times about my beloved aunt whom anyone who knew her called PJ. Well two weeks ago my aunt who had fought so hard for so long lost her battle with cancer. For over 15 years it was a back and forth battle but finally she could take no more. In a situation like this the first emotion one automatically goes to is sadness, but not me.

Don’t get me wrong, losing PJ may be the single saddest moment of my life. She was a person who was always there for me with a sarcastic quip and reassuring phrases. More than anything the strength and dignity that she showed throughout her life, how she fought her battle, ultimately how she handled her impending mortality makes me so proud to have had someone as heroic as her in my life. She endured much pain and much mental anguish every trip to the doctor and she was always more concerned with how you were doing. No matter what trivial thing I was complaining about she had more on her shoulders than anyone in my life and yet she was still more concerned with how I could solve my measly issues. That is who she was. She was selfless. She was kind.

I find myself many times thinking back to the last time we spoke. It was Monday after she was admitted into the hospital. She looked frail, her eyes yellow, but her smile still lit up the room. She joked that her getting sick was all a part of her plan to get me to visit more. We laughed, and told each other a few more jokes and when the time for me to go had come I told her I loved her and she said the same. As I reached the door she called my name and as she said to me what she said to all of us as a running joke. “You know you my favorite right? Just don’t tell the others.” And she gave a wink and a smile.

I think of her every day, her jokes her smile and always expect a call from her every Tuesday which is when we used to talk. So this post is dedicated to you PJ, you were many things to many people. A mother, a grandmother, usher at church, and friend to many. But to me you were so much more, you were my PJ.

Here we go again...

2011-04-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

I like Ashley Judd, really I do. I respect her work as an actress, her love of college basketball and all of her humanitarian works. I truly believe she is a good person. I also believe her statements on hip-hop are completely wrong and off-base. If you haven’t heard by now in her new book she claims “most rap and hip-hop music – with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as 'ho’s' – is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny.” I can’t sit here and pretend that some of the rap lyrics out there are in fact misogynistic and in some cases just downright disgusting. To paint all of hip hop as that however is just downright foolish.

Ms. Judd has starred as a woman who lies to police to hide her husband’s illegal activities (Heat), a promiscuous police detective (Twisted), and as a drug and alcohol addicted criminal (Normal Life). Now just from these selected roles she has chosen I could say that all actresses are all slutty, devoid of morals and have no respect for the law. Is that true? Maybe in a few isolated cases but surely not most actresses, that’s recognizing that in any group there are some that make the entire group look bad. See what I did there?

This reminds me of a statement by Jay-Z in his book Decoded:
“It’s all white noise to them till they hear a ‘bitch’ or a ‘nigga’ and then they run off yelling ‘See!’ and feel vindicated in their narrow conception of what the music is all about. But that would be like listening to Maya Angelou and ignoring everything until you heard her drop a line about drinking or sleeping with someone’s husband and then dismissing her as an alcoholic adulterer.”

Some of the people I have talked with on this give Ms. Judd a pass due to the fact she was a victim of sexual abuse. The news of that truly saddens me, no one deserves to go through that, but her cowardly attackers probably weren’t listening to Whodini, they weren’t inspired by the works of DJ Kool Herc, they were sick and twisted individuals.

I would ask Ms. Judd to take the time to actually learn about hip-hop before she makes broad statements. I have listened to hip-hop music all my life and have been deeply affected by its culture. It’s rich, diverse, and highly rewarding to those that give it a chance. If you don’t like the music, the style of dress or any other part of hip-hop that’s fine, respect the culture though. It’s just common decency.
P. Diddy and Snoop Dogg didn’t start misogynism in music. Have they capitalized on it? You bet. But how come artists like the Rolling Stones and Johnny Cash among others get respect yet when talks of disrespect in music begin it’s always “rap this, rap that.” There is a cause of misogynism, but it’s not hip-hop. I’ll end with a few artists Ms. Judd may want to listen to, they may change her tune.

My Twin Sister

2011-04-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations are in order for my little baby twin sister. You see the yin to my yang got a promotion at her job and I felt this was the time to do what any loving brother would do...post an embarrassing photo!

I love you Toy!

Bulls Win Again

2011-04-04T13:25:00.001-07:00

Congrats are in order to two integral members of the Chicago Bulls past success.

Tex Winter the creator of the Triangle Offense which the Bulls used to wreak havoc on the NBA in the 90s and the Worm himself, Dennis Rodman, arguably the greatest rebounder of all time were both inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

READ THIS RIGHT NOW!

2011-03-22T07:22:00.001-07:00

Do it.

EPIC DOUBLE POST

2011-03-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

This past weekend an awesome movie about the Michigan basketball team from the early 90’s popularly known as the Fab Five premiered on ESPN and the response to be honest has confused me. The most polarizing point of the entire film has been when Jalen Rose referred to Grant Hill and other black players on Duke as “Uncle Toms.” Talking heads and editorial writers have filled the blogosphere and the airwaves with condemnation of Rose’s comments.

Allow me to shed some light on his comments, which I am not saying were correct but were most definitely taken out of context.

Well actually I feel I don’t now, here is a guy looking back on how he thought as an immature 19 year old kid and giving what he thought at the time. Does he still believe Grant Hill or black people at Duke are Uncle Toms? No, he has matured. Let me ask this of those criticizing Rose, look back when you were young. Did you ever say something that in hindsight was wrong or misguided? If you can show me one that claims this I will show you a liar. I understand where Rose was coming from, the black face of Duke was someone who was a lot like him in many ways but differed where it mattered most. Having that famous father but one was there and the other was not, it’s simple he was bitter. I understand that. I had friends growing up who I deeply resented for having that father figure where I did not; I look back and realize it was not the fault of friends.
Equally Important

My other problem with the criticism has been that they were not the most important black team, that title many feel belongs to the Georgetown Hoyas of the 80’s. Even the star of those teams Patrick Ewing has come out and asks where their movie is? Well first, they were more important but that doesn’t mean the Fab Five weren’t important. They are important because they changed the culture of basketball, for better or worse. Baggy shorts, black shoes, black socks? Something that simple blew America’s mind. Their brash attitude and cockiness shocked the world, but let’s be real that has always been a part of the game. Also it was unheard of for five freshmen to not only start but they made it to the championship game. Twice.

Alright, I’ve ranted enough on that subject. I guess I’ll end there ...or will I?
Boom! Double dose!

So my Chicago Bulls recently topped the Washington Wizards, no big deal. The big deal is that they took over first place in the Eastern Conference with that win. But that’s not what this is about; I just wanted to brag for a second.

My beef today is with ESPN’s resident asshat Colin Cowherd who I recently railed against for his assessment that John Wall is a future terrible leader because he did the dougie once at the behest of an assistant coach who just happens to be Sam Cassell and knows a little about winning. Yesterday the esteemed talent evaluator that he is declared via twitter no less among other things “When D rose wins a big playoff series, it will be his first. Lebron gets crushed by media yet w less talent, has already been to finals.” And he is right, it will be his first playoff series win, never mind it’s just his third season in the league and the Bulls drew the Boston Celtics both times, never mind that he did this with a coach who had no idea what he was doing, the man he is comparing Rose to DIDN’T EVEN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS HIS FIRST TWO YEARS.

“thats it. Rose wants his OWN fame. the ‘GET IT’ guys like lebron, wade. kobe, K.G. want rings. Iverson wanted own fame 2” All of these players that he is listing are established stars who took many years to get their first ring and in the case of Lebron have yet to get a ring. You see Rose doesn’t hold elaborate pre season dance parties at the United Center, he doesn’t have a lot of commercials and tv appearances like King James, and when the NBA world was salivating at the altar of Lebron where was D-Rose? That’s right; he was in the gym working on his jumper, strengthening a weakness in his game. But hey this the guy who proclaimed flashy guys don’t become all time greats, you know except for Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, Pete Maravich, Dominique Wilkins, Dr. J, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson…you know there are too many to list.
Too bad you'll never win because you have playing the game...oh wait

I’ll end by saying this is extremely biased as I am a Bulls fan, but please if you are going to make statement as asinine as the above by Mr. Cowherd then please make sure you can’t drive a Mack truck right through your theories.

Awesome Video

2011-03-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

I promise this blog is not becoming a shrine to Donald Glover but I love this video and song. That said keep your eye open later today for an exclusive Puma double post. It'll be awesome I promise.

Freaks and Geeks from Donald Glover on Vimeo.

Hilarious!

2011-03-14T14:40:00.001-07:00

2011 mtvU Woodie Awards Site

The Fab Five

2011-03-10T06:57:00.000-08:00

No team in my opinion, college or pro has had the effect on the game like the Fab Five. Ushering in an era of hip hop into the game when it had become come stilted and stale. This Sunday a documentary about these young men will be aired on ESPN. I would definitely suggest watching it, it could be better than the 30 for 30 documentary on the University of Miami.

NCAA...Still A Bunch of Hypocrites

2011-03-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

I have said it numerous times to anyone who will listen to me. The NCAA is filled with hypocrites and it is almost equal to unfair working conditions of a sweatshop to be honest with you. The latest example of how the NCAA is just a massive joke is the “suspension” of Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.

Allow me to give a little background into this situation. A few months ago it was revealed that several starters from the Ohio State football team sold some of their jersey, championship rings and trophies in exchange for tattoos. Now allow me to say that according to the rules the players were wrong, they deserved to be punished but the university’s methods seemed odd. You see if Ohio State had a financial reason to let these guys play because if they won they would receive a payout from the Sugar Bowl. So Tressel decides to make them promise to come back for another year forgoing millions of dollars if they wanted to play that game and would be suspended the first 5 games of the 2011 season.

Flash forward to yesterday when it was revealed that before the season even began the good old vest wearing coach knew of everything that happened and didn’t do a thing about it until 9 months later, AFTER the season was over. How is Tressel being punished? He’ll miss two games against the world beaters Toledo and Akron which went a combined 9-16 last season. So let me get this straight, a coach is complicit in the cover up of NCAA infractions and gets a slap on the wrist? If you can explain to me how a coach who covers up something that directly affects his 3 plus million dollar salary is worse than some dudes selling things the spoils of their victory I’ll give you control of this blog for a month.

This is just the latest in line of downright idiotic decisions by the NCAA, from suspending A.J. Green for selling his jersey to effectively ending Dez Bryant’s career over lunch with Deion Sanders. While these young men see their jerseys and likenesses used to sell video games and posters, greedy athletic directors and coaches are reaping the benefits. Not every member of the coaching or AD fraternity is evil, but enough are that makes the need for a rehaul of the system more necessary.

I’ll end by saying what I always say when this topic comes up, if you believe that a full academic scholarship is payment enough you are insane. You can’t compensate these kids with something worth $30,000 when they are bringing in BILLIONS of dollars. That my dear reader is damn near slave wages.

RIP B.I.G.

2011-03-09T11:22:00.001-08:00

Get These Albums Now!

2011-03-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

Stop reading this and go get Lupe Fiasco's Lasers and download the new Childish Gambino EP like right now if you have any kind of sense of hearing.

My Thoughts on the Brandon Davies/BYU Situation

2011-03-04T11:51:00.001-08:00

This is Brandon Davies. He is a player that any team with a shot at winning the national title needs.

This is BYU. A private university owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Anyone who attends this institution must agree to adhere to a strict honor code which among other things states that its students abstain from premarital sex.

Where the two collide is Davies is a member of BYU’s nationally ranked and he admitted to having premarital sex of a consensual nature. What did the university do? They kicked him off the basketball team. And I for one applaud the move. It shows that in an environment that stresses wins over all else that standing up for what you believe in can be truly inspiring. Now allow me to state that I don’t think the kid did anything wrong, but he signed an agreement with the university to adhere to their rules. He did not; he now faces the consequences of said actions.

I think both this young man and the university deserve to be applauded for how they have handled the situation. This kid could have lied and continued to play when confronted but he owned up to it and faced his punishment. That to me is the definition of a real man, flawed but honest enough to take responsibility for his actions. The university suspended a player that has been key to their success which ensures they will most likely not advance very far in the NCAA tournament but it is refreshing to see a college put its standards before that of wins.

Do I believe he should be permanently banned for doing something 9 out of 10 of us were doing at that age? No, the difference between us and this young man is we didn't agree to abstain to attend that institution. So hopefully this young man gets another shot, BYU remains highly ranked, and other schools take note that while winning is great it shouldn't come at the expense of our principles.

My Two Worlds Colliding

2011-03-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

If there is a more epic photo on this earth I have yet to see it. As it relates to this picture Kanye said it best "swagger on a hundred thousand, trillion."

Iggy Got Robbed

2011-02-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

Whenever some tries to mention Nate Robinson as a great dunker I show this. For it was Nate Robinson and his 30 attempts that have taken away from Iggy's shine as one of the best dunkers in the game.

The NBA Trade Deadline= Awesome (To me at least)

2011-02-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

There are few moments in the sports calendar I love more than the NBA trade deadline. So without further ado I, the Chocolate Puma will grade and give my assessment of each trade that was made.

1. New York Knicks ACQUIRE:
Carmelo Anthony, Forward
Chauncey Billups, Guard
Shelden Williams, Forward
Renaldo Balkman, Forward
Anthony Carter, Guard
Corey Brewer, Forward

Denver Nuggets ACQUIRE:
Danilo Gallinari, Forward
Wilson Chandler, Forward
Raymond Felton, Guard
Timofey Mozgov, Center
Kosta Koufos, Center
Knicks first-round pick (2014 or later)
Warriors' second-round picks in 2012 and 2013
$3 million

Minnesota
TIMBERWOLVES ACQUIRE
Eddy Curry, Center
Anthony Randolph, Forward

This was the trade everyone knew was coming, that took forever to happen and when it finally did there wasn't so much a sense of excitement as a sense of relief that it was finally over. That said, does this make the Knicks that much better? No, more entertaining but really not that better overall. The bench is shot, and Anthony takes a lot of shots. Denver picks up young talent such as Gallinari who some believe could be a Dirk lite and Wilson Chandler is a future player. The Knicks were able to shed Eddy Curry which is probably the best part, and Anthony Randolph appears to just be a Summer league legend who won't perform in the regular season.
Grade: B-

2.Toronto Raptors ACQUIRE
James Johnson, Forward

Chicago Bulls ACQUIRE
Miami's 2011 first-round pick

Not a bad deal for either team, the Bulls will be able to add another young piece in the draft and Toronto gets an athletic wing player in Johnson who just didn't fit into Chicago's scheme.
Grade: A

3. New Jersey Nets ACQUIRE
Brandan Wright, Forward
Dan Gadzuric, Center

Golden State Warriors ACQUIRE
Troy Murphy, Forward
2012 Nets second-round pick
A very meh deal, Brandan Wright appears to be another Anthony Randolph type which pains me since he is a UNC guy. While Gadzuric is good for at least 6 fouls a game. Troy Murphy is a solid player who will be bought out and contribute to a playoff team.
Grade: C

4. New Orleans Hornets ACQUIRE
Carl Landry, Forward

Sacramento Kings ACQUIRE
Marcus Thornton, Guard
Cash considerations
Good deal for both, Landry is a solid forward while Marcus Thornton is a good young guard still on his rookie contract. Helps both sides.
Grade: B

5.New Jersey Nets ACQUIRE
Deron Williams, Guard

"I'm sorry, you traded me where?"
Utah Jazz ACQUIRE
Devin Harris, Guard
Derrick Favors, Forward
Two 2011 first-round picks
$3 Million
This deal is amazing for the Nets, while the Jazz also make out pretty well. Harris is a very good guard just below all-star level and a few years playing behind Al Jefferson for Derrick Favors will do wonders for him. The 2 first rounds picks that they got however should get them arrested for larceny.
Grade A+

6. Atlanta Hawks ACQUIRE
Kirk Hinrich, Guard
Hilton Armstrong, Center

Washington Wizards ACQUIRE
Mike Bibby, Guard
Maurice Evans, Forward
Jordan Crawford, Guard
2011 first-round pick
The Wizards will likely buy out Bibby, but Evans and Crawford are two good pieces to add to any bench as they are young, talented and in the case of Crawford on a rookie contract. The Hawks get a solid point guard, experienced and a good defender in Hinrich and a young post defender in Hilton Armstrong.
Grade: B

7. Los Angeles Clippers ACQUIRE
Mo Williams, Guard
Jamario Moon, Forward

Cleveland Cavaliers ACQUIRE
Baron Davis, Guard
2011 first-round pick
For the Cavs at least they get a first rounder. They are about to get a very unhappy BD and his untradeable contract. As for the Clips, Mo Williams wants to start, leaving Eric Bledsoe right where he is, and Jamrio Moon may hinder the growth of Al Farouq Aminu. Just a confusing deal all around.
Grade: D+

8. Boston Celtics ACQUIRE
Jeff Green, Forward
Nenad Krstic, Center

Oklahoma City Thunder ACQUIRE
Kendrick Perkins, Center
Nate Robinson, Guard
This I think is an awesome deal for the Thunder. They get size and toughness from Perkins and a spark plug from Robinson. While I like Green as a player, I don't see how this deal helps the Celtics. Kristic is a better offensive center but with Pierce, Allen, and Garnett you don't really need that much offense from the center position.
Grade: B

9. Charlotte Bobcats ACQUIRE
Joel Przybilla, Center
Dante Cunningham, Forward
Sean Marks, Center
Two first-round draft picks and cash

Portland Blazers ACQUIRE
Gerald Wallace, Forward
Helps Portland, while does nothing really for the Bobcats given their draft record as the two first round picks are the highlight of the deal for them. A very meh deal overall.
Grade: C

10. Charlotte Bobcats ACQUIRE
Morris Peterson, Guard
D.J. White, Forward

Oklahoma City Thunder ACQUIRE
Nazr Mohammed, Center
Another good move from the Thunder. Acquiring more toughness to combat the Lakers and Spurs post advantage. The deal once again doesn't hurt the Bobcats but doesn't help that much unless Peterson hops in a hot tub time machine to his days in Toronto.
Grade: B-

11. Boston Celtics ACQUIRE
Second-round pick

Cleveland Cavaliers ACQUIRE
Semih Erden, Center
Luke Harangody, Forward
Meh.
Grade: C

12. Houston Rockets ACQUIRE
Goran Dragic, Guard
Suns first-round pick

Phoenix Suns ACQUIRE
Aaron Brooks, Guard
Houston gets rid of a disgruntled player who was good for a player who's career highlight was getting jammed on by Derrick Rose.

Grade: D

13. Houston Rockets ACQUIRE
Hasheem Thabeet, Center
DeMarre Carroll, Forward
First-round pick

Memphis Grizzlies ACQUIRE
Shane Battier, Forward
Ishmael Smith, Guard
So you trade away your leader on the floor for a historic level bust and you give them a first rounder as well? Are you serious?!?!?!
Frade: F-

Happy Birthday MJ!

2011-02-17T13:36:00.001-08:00

Ali Aerial View

2011-02-15T10:14:00.001-08:00

Maybe one of the best pieces of sports photojournalism I have ever seen.

Pusha T You Sir Are A Beast

2011-02-14T12:47:00.001-08:00

And He's A Guard Kids...

2011-02-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

Requiem For My Friend

2011-02-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

Nobody ever likes to write what I’m about to write. Memorial posts just seem like it’s not enough to honor the memory of a friend who has passed away. You feel like there is more that you should be doing, but there is nothing you can do to make the pain go away. So here is my attempt to somehow deal with all the emotions that come with losing someone close to you.

I could sit here and write about how good of a person my friend Larry was because he was a good person. I could sit here and tell you about how he came from a great family that loved him immensely, because he did. I could even tell you that for all his flaws he was still a genuinely good person and an amazing friend, because he was. I’m going to tell you why he was my friend in high school and someone who I was proud and honored to consider a brother from Kenwood Academy.

You see me and Larry had a lot in common when we both arrived at Kenwood. He was one of the big fish in a small pond types much like myself when we arrived as freshmen. I think the difference with my homie was that he had unflappable confidence from day one. Nothing you said shook him where as I was a bit timid coming into this situation. He always was telling me I could have any girl I want and was smarter than any of the idiotic guys considered cool at the time. He was a kid who came from a single parent household and lived in a house filled with women. He knew the struggle I had because he had been through it as well.

It was also Larry who introduced me to two of the teachers that I feel changed my life. It was Larry who convinced me to take English 1st period so I could take a class with Mr. Townes. A man whose old school style and humor mixed with great intelligence really spoke to me. He also introduced me to Mr. Green, a man who taught me the ropes of journalism and how to write objectively before he let me write any editorials. As my editor on the high school paper it was Larry who never let me choose what section to write for because he knew I would always choose sports. It forced me out of my comfort zone and I never stopped thanking him for that.
Larry was along for that fateful trip to Grambling which ended with us both leaving a mere week after arriving. From dealing with a roach infested dorms to gold tooth sucking and disinterested admission counselors he was there. Definitely the calmer of the two of us, he could be forceful with his voice and not come off as a raving lunatic like I did. We laughed at how he became my de-facto spokesman.

I could sit here all day and tell stories of how awesome my friend was. How he, my sister and a few more friends of mine would sit around a table and just clown around. I can’t remember a time where I laughed so much. I’ll miss my friend dearly, I’ll ask why, but deep down I know he is no longer in pain.

I’ll end by saying I hope anyone whose eyes my read this are lucky enough to have a friend like Larry was to me.

Black History Month

2011-02-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

The term swagger may have been hijacked by those lacking the quality and thus overusing the term, but if anyone can use the phrase "no one has swagger like us" it is these gentlemen.

The Greatest Film Made Ever...Ever

2011-01-28T06:39:00.001-08:00

Greatness Personified

2011-01-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

New Banner

2011-01-25T13:28:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed my new banner. It was made by my friend Darcie. She's awesome, her dog is awesome too. You can follow her here: http://www.darcieyoung.blogspot.com/

That is all.

I May Need To Add To My 2011 Hot List

2011-01-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

I know I said more patterned ties would be on the docket for this year, but this my friends is a hot tie.

Sports Is My Father

2011-01-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

People ask me all the time why I take sports so seriously. I never really thought about it before really, I usually just responded with a sarcastic remark and moved on. In my old age I guess I have been thinking a little more about why I am the way I am, that being awesome and loving sports. The reason I love sports so much, and have a deep passion for all things athletic I guess would have to be my dad. If you think this is one of those sentimental posts where a writer waxes poetic about days gone by of tossing a baseball in the backyard with his dad or shooting hoops in the driveway you’re about to be mistaken. You see I am one of the 38% of children who grew up without a father.

Now allow me to be the first to say that this following statement is not an indictment on my mother or any other single mother in the world. The simple statement is that it is almost impossible for a woman to raise a man. It doesn’t mean the mother is not competent, it just means that she doesn’t understand what it’s like to be a young man growing up. The same is true for my mom. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have without her, but without sports I may not have made it this far either.

I grew up in a house with three sisters and for the first eight and a half years of my life my grandmother lived with us as well. That’s five strong willed women and one awkward little boy. They did all they could to make me feel included and for the most part I was, but at times I felt alone. Until one day when I was a little younger than five years old and saw my first basketball game, like actually WATCHED a game. I saw these strong guys impose their will and I wanted to be them.

I spent my childhood emulating guys like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Larry Bird, and athletes from other sports like Don Mattingly, Muhammad Ali and of course Sweetness himself Walter Payton. As I got older I learned to break down tapes of these athletes and what I began to do as a very insecure child was to use their confidence and bravado to help me through those awkward years. Jordan’s ability to have unflappable confidence, the bravado of Muhammad Ali, the swagger and the walk of these athletes helped me get through a fatherless childhood. Instead of learning to fix cars from dad I shot jumpers to win games in the NBA Finals, a day of having a father teach me how to talk to girls turned into teaching myself how to field ground balls with pizzazz like Ozzie Smith, suddenly the lack of a dad didn’t hurt anymore. It made me who I was, who I am, and who I will continue to be.

I’ll end this by saying something I never thought I would say. Thank you dad, your absence shaped me for the better. It taught me everything I need to know if I ever have children, it gave me an excuse to sit down that day and watch basketball and change my life and gave me a passion and love that many people can’t say they have, not many people can say they are that lucky.

Happy Birthday!

2011-01-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST AUNT AND SECOND MOTHER A PUMA COULD ASK FOR.

Black History Month Sneakers

2011-01-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

Um...yes please.

A Day Late But The Sentiment Remains The Same

2011-01-18T14:15:00.001-08:00

Thank you Rev. King. Your impact is still being felt.

A Statement to America

2011-01-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday January 8th was a day like any other Saturday. I woke up; I drug myself up and down a basketball court in an attempt to relive past attempts at athletic glory; I came home, and took a nap. When I woke up I had a text message that I am still struggling to come to terms with. It was from twitter and it was a link to a breaking news story. I opened it up and learned of the tragic events in Tucson and hoped it was a bad dream. It wasn’t.

Immediately and quite expected the question began to be asked, why? And here is where I am sickened beyond belief in some of my fellow Americans. Rush Limbaugh has come out and stated the shooter has the full support of the Democratic Party, Sarah Palin has yelled blood libel at the journalists who claim her past incendiary remarks may have led to this and I call them both fools. This is not a moment to discuss the political affiliations of the victims, the shooter, or the talking heads on tv fanning the flames of unnecessary rhetoric.

This is first and foremost a moment to remember those who were lost. Six people attending a public event to either support someone they voted for or to give their opinion on how things can better be done. We need to remember those who were wounded, among those congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. To those who claim it was the fault of this party or that party I want you to look at the victims. Republican, democrat, it didn’t matter. The person who is at fault is a deeply troubled man who made a cowardly decision. It’s disrespectful to all who were lost, all who were injured, and to America as a whole. We are better than this. We are better than a group of people who in the midst of a tragedy take the attention off the victims and place it on themselves.

It seems through this whole tragedy that we may have lost our way a bit, but in the words of President Obama when referencing the youngest victim of this tragedy, Christina Taylor Green: "I want America to be as good as she imagined it."
Here’s our first chance America, let’s step up.

Happy 2011 and What to Expect

2011-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Well readers it is 2011 which means another year of ridiculousness and outrageous statements from your favorite chocolate bastard. I now present you with things I find to be dope and will sport throughout this year.
2011 is the official year of the bow tie as deemed by the Chocolate Puma.

In an attempt to become the black Don Draper I will rock more fedoras.
Damn right Daniel, the casual jacket is a good look.

More patterned ties instead of the solid look you have all grown accustomed to. Dapper!

Hip-Hop Don't Stop

2010-12-28T11:31:00.001-08:00

I recently just finished reading a book by Jay-Z called Decoded. In it he breaks down the lyrics of many of his hit songs and his motivations for writing the rhymes he does. I absolutely flew through this book and it made me realize something. For as much as hip-hop music and culture is infused throughout American culture, it generally is ignored as an art form. The artists who perform are looked at as thugs who just throw words together that rhyme and typically are disrespectful to women. While there are some artists who use it irresponsibly, there are artists who are socially conscious and take great pride and painstaking detail to their craft.

I think what bothers me most with those who bash the entire culture is that other artistic expressions are given the benefit of doubt to use their art to maybe exaggerate to get a point across. In Robert Rodriguez films the protagonist usually lays a swath of destruction from here to Tijuana yet if one rapper makes an exaggerated claim it’s taken as one hundred percent truth. If Eminem says he’s going to kill someone he must be telling the truth, he can’t possibly be trying to convey a sense of anger that we all have had at one point in our lives right?

Classic literary figures have used profanity to get points across for years, yet once again rappers are held to such a high standard for some reason that they aren’t given the same luxury. It seems to me that people are so busy listening FOR words that they miss the point the overall piece is trying to make. For instance, I once played a song called ‘This can’t be life’ by Jay-Z and there is the use of violent imagery in the song. They used that to mean there can be no depth to the song at all. What they missed was it was the story of a young hustler looking at his options if he failed to make it in the music industry. As Jay-Z said: “It’s all white noise to them till they hear a ‘bitch’ or a ‘nigga’ and then they run off yelling ‘See!’ and feel vindicated in their narrow conception of what the music is all about. But that would be like listening to Maya Angelou and ignoring everything until you heard her drop a line about drinking or sleeping with someone’s husband and then dismissing her as an alcoholic adulterer.”

I’m not saying you have to love hip-hop, you have the right to dislike it as just not your taste. But to paint such a rich and ever changing culture as just pimping, thugging, and profanity is downright criminal. Do your homework, respect the culture. That’s all this hip-hop head is asking.

I miss Clone High

2010-12-09T12:56:00.001-08:00

Randy Shannon...A real winner

2010-12-02T14:51:00.000-08:00

I hear people say all the time that sports is devoid of heroes. And with the news being filled with spoiled basketball players spurning hometown, football players accused of domestic assault and countless examples of steroid use in both baseball and track I can see where people are coming from when they draw these conclusions. But maybe the problem is we’re looking in the wrong places. Humor me for a moment, instead of looking on the playing fields perhaps we should be looking at the sidelines for someone who we consider a hero.

Up until Saturday evening Miami or “The U” as it has been called had a man of integrity, honor, and most importantly a man who taught boys how to become men. This man was Randy Shannon. To understand how remarkable the turnaround was at Miami you need to know what the U was like before his arrival. There were numerous reports of a pay for play scheme with the esteemed lyricist Luther Campbell of the 2 Live Crew, (seriously look up some of his lyrics, it may not be safe for work though,) rampant drug use, and countless arrests. This team based its image on having a team full of young thugs who were brash and tougher than anyone you could throw on the field.
But being tough has nothing to do with being a thug or a criminal.

Shannon is as tough as they come and has never been arrested. You see here’s a guy who’s father was murdered when he was three. Here’s a guy who saw his older twin brothers become addicted to crack cocaine when he was ten. Here’s a guy who saw AIDS ravage and take away his sister but also his brothers. Yet he forged on. He steered clear of the negative effects of his environment and graduated from high school and went on to the University of Miami where he not only excelled on the field, he excelled in the classroom. After all of the roadblocks that would cause a normal person to break down and give up not only did he not relent he used it as fuel to become a National Champion and a college graduate.

But Randy Shannon didn’t stop there; he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant. Literally the lowest level outside of volunteering to coach pee-wee athletics a coach can get and a mere 7 years later he worked himself to be an assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins. But his heart remained at the University of Miami. After returning there as defensive coordinator he began the great turnaround.
You see Shannon broke rule number one of college athletics that they don’t want you to know about. You see he valued his kids education and character more than he valued wins. In his time as head coach his team finished third in graduation rate behind the Army and Naval academies. Not too shabby. Arrests under Shannon were virtually non existent with only one player getting arrested. He taught his players the value of getting an education and acting like men. Unfortunately for Shannon the NCAA doesn’t care about creating a culture of scholars and gentlemen, it prefers its culture of ex-cons with multiple championships.

Damn shame.

2010-11-24T12:38:00.000-08:00

As if I needed another reason to root for the Lakers on Christmas day. Kobe will be rocking these Grinch inspired kicks against the Heat.

Also Timofey Mozgov are you the new Frederic Weis?

Nike 6.0 ‘DeLorean’ Dunk

2010-11-23T08:50:00.000-08:00

Dunks inspired by the Delorean? If we ever cross paths you will be mine.

2010-11-22T09:20:00.001-08:00

Stop reading this and go get this album. That is all.

Just Sayin'

2010-11-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Eva Longoria,
I won't cheat on you with a teammate's wife. Just throwing it out there.
Signed,
The Chocolate Puma

Birthday gift to myself?

2010-11-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

Canvas dunks? Me likes.

I need this watch in my life

2010-11-16T14:52:00.000-08:00

Is the IWC Pilot Double Chrono a dope watch? Yes. Do I deserve it? Probably not but I want it anyway.

I love music.

2010-11-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

If you are not listening to any of these your music collection is severely lacking. This should hold me over until the new 'Ye next week.

R.I.P. Sparky Anderson

2010-11-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

Baseball has lost a true original, thanks for all the memories Sparky. I'll never forgive you for beating on the White Sox all those years.

B.O.B. fills me with hope

2010-11-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

As I sit at my desk listening to music I find I can't stop listening to the debut album The Adventures of Bobby Ray by B.O.B. I can't help be but be filled with hope for hip-hop's younger generation. A young guy who is the anti-Soulja Boy or Wacka Flocka. I thoroughly suggest you pick this album up if you haven't already. That's all I got right now. More later I am sure.