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LA LAKERS 2013 CHAMPS

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

With the Lakers in 9th place and two games out of the Western Conference playoffs. The Black Mamba guaranteed his team would still qualify for the post-season. The world wasn’t too optimistic about the Lakers chances this season but I’m one of the few who was.

This summer when LA added Dwight Howard and Steve Nash it was assumed that they would instantly be the favorites to win the NBA title. But a tumultuous start to the season including a sub .500 record at the All-Star break, and one of the quickest head coach firings in history led many to believe the Lakers were done.

Alas you can never count a team out that has Kobe “Vino” Bryant on the roster. Since the all-star break, L.A. is 11-3, with Kobe averaging over 30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists a game while shooting close to 55 percent from the field. Howard has become much more effective offensively and seems to be transitioning into the defensive anchor Laker-Nation was hoping for when they acquired him in a trade for All-Star center Andrew Bynum.

The cohesiveness of the team has improved dramatically as of late. With the offseason additions of Howard, Nash, and Antwan Jamison, L.A. added 2 MVPs, 3 Defensive POY awards, 8 All-NBA 1st teams (11 total), 16 All-Star appearances, and 1 Sixth Man award to its already illustrious trophy case. The overabundance of experience currently has the Lakers in the 8th seed just a half game back of the Houston Rockets for 7th.

These are the signs of a team poised to make a run deep into the playoffs. Pau Gasol’s injury may have been a blessing in disguise, as it led to the emergence of Earl Clark who immediately became a significant contributor in Pau’s absence. Gasol’s return to the starting lineup will allow Clark to add depth to an already formidable Laker bench which includes Antwan Jamison and Steve Blake. Had Jordan Hill not been lost for the season with a hip injury, we could be talking one of the best second units in the league.

Kobe merely guaranteed a postseason appearance, but I’m willing to take it a step further. The Los Angeles Lakers are going to win the championship this season. Yea I said it… take a moment to let it all sink in. 2013 is the year the most envied player and franchise in sports once again reaches the mountaintop. So remember when it happens that you heard it here first!

The unparalleled leadership of Kobe “Bean” Bryant paired with the championship pedigree of Gasol and savvy of Steve Nash will guide LA through the Western Conference Playoffs. The Spurs play incredible ball during the regular season but like in years past will run out of gas before the finals. Oklahoma City trading James Harden killed any hopes of them winning this year. And teams like the Clippers, Grizzlies, and Nuggets simply lack the “it factor” needed to win an NBA title.

So where does that leave us? With the match up everyone’s been dying to see. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat for all the marbles! The way to beat the Heat is to eliminate their transition opportunities by making it a half court game. Who better equipped to do so than L.A. with two of the most talented seven-footers in the world on the same roster? If Metta World Peace can be the all-world defender he’s capable of being, and somewhat contain Lebron James the door would be wide open for some of Kobe’s last minute heroics. Lakers win in six games on Miami’s home court capping the biggest single season turnaround in history. See you at the parade!

PUBLISHED 3/22/13
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/la-lakers-2013-champs_b_2929686.html

huffpoCarnegie Kid, HHTHSKE, HUFFPOST, LAKERS, LEFTfield, NBA

LANCE STILL LIVES STRONG

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Before you crucify Lance Armstrong, take a moment to fully digest all the circumstances of his situation. His own unprecedented success has forced him to be the scapegoat for an entire culture. He is absolutely guilty of cheating, but so are so many others associated with the sport of cycling and its long history of performance-enhancing athletes. The man himself has actually never even failed a drug test, it’s been retroactive drug testing, and countless accusations from people close to professional cycling that ultimately led to his demise.

We live in a society where it’s commendable to divulge all incriminating information you may have against someone else when you yourself have been proven guilty of a crime. Where I come from that’s referred to as “snitching”. No, Lance Armstrong isn’t a rapper and the rules of “street credibility” do not apply to him, but in contrast to his accusers his current stance seems much more respectable.

The world wants Lance to not only take responsibility for what he’s done but to also expose all other parties who he may have information against. I for one respect the hell out of him for not discussing anyone but himself. If you get caught doing something wrong, man up and accept responsibility for it yourself. Giving up information about someone else isn’t commendable at all, its actually quite cowardly. Its merely an attempt to move the spotlight off one self and onto another. In the case of Lance Armstrong it gave everyone an opportunity to fry the “bigger fish” because he is the most prominent figure in the history of the sport.

Don’t be naïve and think that Mr. Armstrong is the only professional cyclist guilty of doping. Doping has been a large part of this sport’s culture for decades. I’m sure he could’ve incriminated dozens of former and current riders, but for what? To satisfy the same people who are trying to crucify him now? Many of the cyclists who are presently viewed as “clean” are merely ahead of the curve when it comes to the testing for illegal substances. The tests either aren’t advanced enough to detect them, or the substances themselves simply have yet to be deemed illegal.

What’s bigger than doping, performance enhancing, or any of the allegations against Lance is what his foundation has done for cancer research. “Livestrong” has raised an unparalleled amount of money and awareness toward finding a cure for cancer, and being a cancer-survivor himself Lance Armstrong still serves as an inspiration for millions of cancer patients and survivors alike.

Forgive me for not condemning a professional athlete who’s had one of his testicles removed for taking testosterone. Can that even honestly be considered performance enhancing? Should he be forced to compete with half the normal amount of such a vital hormone? Wouldn’t things like eyeglasses and knee-braces technically be considered performance enhancing by those standards?

If he weren’t such a prolific champion his test results would be insignificant. No one cares if Tyler Hamilton or Floyd Landis is guilty of doping because they simply aren’t superstars. The media takes pleasure in building celebrity to ridiculous heights only to bring it crashing down at the first hint of controversy. Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Britney Spears, and now Lance is the media’s latest victim.

A man’s life is ultimately judged by the impact his actions have on the world. In the case of Lance Armstrong the good far outweighs the bad. I personally think the cycling world should be applauding him for bringing the sport more money and notoriety than it’s ever seen rather than blackballing him. You can argue all day about who’s guilty of doping and who isn’t but the news of a cyclist even using PED’s would be insignificant without the success of Lance Armstrong. He’s the reason the sport is even relevant in the first place. That paired with the countless number of lives his foundation has impacted would allow me to sleep very well at night if I were Mr. Armstrong.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. He’s definitely done wrong, but at one time or another so have we all. Maybe his lows are lower, but how many life changing opportunities have you created through your career and charitable organization? I can’t look down my nose at Lance because I actually still look up to him. For his perseverance, determination, fearlessness, and for all the things his foundation has done and will continue to do in the future. Live Strong.

PUBLISHED 2/20/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/lance-still-lives-strong_b_2708793.html

huffpoCarnegie Kid, HHTHSKE, HUFFPOST

TRIBUTE TO CHIPPER JONES

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

After an incredible nineteen year career with the Atlanta Braves, future first ballot Hall Of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones will finally call it quits after this season. As a die hard Braves fan this has been especially hard for me to deal with. Rooting for Chipper and the Braves has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. A tradition that started by grandfather Harold Pace, who lived in Greenville, South Carolina. Greenville is a minor league affiliate for the Braves, and the place where our future superstars go to prepare themselves for the big leagues. In ’92 I can vividly remember Grandpa raving about the new shortstop (Chipper’s original position) from Florida who would “finally win us a championship!” I’d heard him get excited about minor leaguers before, and only being six at the time I couldn’t really identify individual players but something about this guy was special. The .346 BA .367 OBP and .594 SLG he posted in Greenville were more than enough to win over any fan but for me it all started with the name… Chipper! “Chipper Jones” sounded like the secret identity of a baseball super hero, like it was tailor made for ESPN and the cover of Sports Illustrated. I was hooked!
It was 1995 when Chipper made his major league debut, and as promised by my beloved grandfather he immediately lead us to the promise land. In his rookie season we beat the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series and I was absolutely beside myself. In my obnoxious nine year old glory I wholeheartedly believed that Chipper would then win a championship for us every year! I mean… he was a superhero! The Braves lost the World Series in seven games to the Minnesota Twins in 1991 and in six to the Blue Jays in 1992 before Chipper’s arrival. So clearly with him on third base we’d established an unstoppable dynasty, right? Gotta love that nine year old logic.
The Chipper-lead Braves won ten consecutive division titles from 1995 – 2004 and although Atlanta hasn’t won a championship since 95 they served as Major League Baseball’s model franchise for well over a decade. The sportsmanship, class, and dedication of Mr. Larry Jones Jr was unparalleled. He’s undoubtedly one of the best switch hitters and third basemen of all time and in my opinion the best player of his era.
Living in Brooklyn I wouldn’t get regional coverage of Braves games but thanks to Ted Turner’s TBS network (Thank GOD for TBS!!) I had the opportunity to watch them play everyday for years. I’ll always be a Braves fan but its going to be extremely hard knowing my main man will no longer be batting and playing third for us. Never again will I get to hear a stadium full of hopeless Mets fans chant “Laaaaaarryyy Laaaaaaarryyy” before he doubles in the game winning run. Or hear Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” as he leaves the on deck circle and approaches the plate. No more five-four-three double plays, no more walkoff home-runs, no more post game interviews. I’m very optimistic about the next generation of Braves players and the opportunity to pass the tradition on to my children and theirs, but there will always be a special place in my heart for the team I grew up with. Outside of family and friends how many things can maintain relevance in our lives for two decades? I’ve been alive for twenty-six years and Chipper Jones has been apart of nineteen of them, just as significant on my fifth birthday as my twenty fifth. Its been a pleasure tomahawk chopping for all these years and I’m looking forward to keeping it up in the future. On behalf of myself and more importantly my late grandfather Harold Pace I bid Farewell to the face of our franchise, the face of the NL East, and the face of Southern baseball. Goodbye, Chipper thanks for all the memories.

PUBLISHED 10/1/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/tribute-to-chipper-jones-_b_1921572.html

huffpoBRAVES, Carnegie Kid, HUFFPOST, LEFTfield, MLB

RED HOOK SUMMER

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

I had the privilege of being invited to a screening of the newest Spike Lee joint Red Hook Summer, and let me be the first to tell you its nothing less than exceptional. I immediately fell in love with the young lady in the film named “Chazz”. A representation of the innocence, beauty and sincerity in our children that is too often lost to the corruption of their environment. I grew
up with so many girls who remind me of Chazz, who certainly started with good intentions but eventually succumb to the tantalization of “the hood”. With hopelessness and dejection being the norm so many of them were forced to accept the unacceptable. To live up to some ridiculous standard of “realness” that promotes complacency amongst ignorance, promiscuity, and excessive violence.

The film also addresses our relationship with the church, and the way we blindly put our faith into religion like its going to save us. As if the human interpretation of God is the end all solution to our problems. The social and economic restraints that so heavily deprive our community are actually products of tactics introduced by the church in the first place. I feel the existence of God is indisputable, but so is the presence of corruption throughout religion. Reinforcing religious guidelines is merely a strategy used by governments to control population, and it has been for thousands of years. I feel religion should be used more as a reference point than a universal law and judging from this film it seems Spike would agree.

I also love the way the film highlights the juxtaposition between the different neighborhoods and people that inhabit Brooklyn. With some of the most drug infested crime ridden areas in the nation sixty seconds away from multi-million dollar real estate the living experience here is unique to say the least. As the rapid gentrification of the inner city continues the interaction
between these different cultural and economic demographics will increase. The question is, is this a gift or a curse? Will we take this opportunity to learn from one another or to further our prejudice?

Spike’s track record speaks for itself, he continuously pushes the envelope by tackling the social and political issues that are prevalent within the African American community. Forcing us to confront the sensitive issues we so often neglect. No A list actors or multi-million dollar budgets have been associated with this film so its important that we as consumers do as much as possible to promote it! If we don’t support our own projects we can’t expect anyone else to.
So do the right thing and go see Red Hook Summer. No pun intended.

PUBLISHED 9/14/2012
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/red-hook-summer_1_b_1879664.html

huffpoBrooklyn, Carnegie Kid, HHTHSKE, HUFFPOST

DREAMS VS REALITY USA BASKETBALL 2012

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Evolution is inevitable. It’s human nature to increase efficiency as time progresses. A computer or automobile from 1992 can’t compete with a 2012 model, and neither can an athlete. This is as it should be. Without steady improvement in all fields how else could society advance? People were outraged when Kobe Bryant said his 2012 roster could beat 1992′s Dream Team but quite frankly he’s right! With the theory of evolution and advances made in sports science and nutrition over the past twenty years why wouldn’t the current team be better?
People get too caught up in the mystique and historical significance of the players that were on the Dream Team. Magic, Jordan, Bird, Pippen, Barkley represent the start of the “pro sports renaissance” that created the hundred-million dollar contract, endorsement driven market of today. To most fans these athletes symbolize the “golden era” of the sport, and this feeling manifests itself into the unrealistic belief that they’re unbeatable. Of course they won every game by forty points, the opposition was sub par! Remember, we only used professional players in 1992 because we didn’t win gold in 1988 when America was represented by college athletes. Nine out of ten times prior to that American amateurs won the gold. Somewhere along the line the rest of the world gradually narrowed the gap to a point where they could actually compete with the American pros.
The current international influence on the NBA is undeniable. In the past decade we’ve seen foreign born players like Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki win the NBA finals MVP. Some of the best players in the league are now actually from over seas, which drastically raises the level of talent for their respective countries. Players like Marc, and Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Luis Scola, Jose Calderon, Loul Deng and the recently retired Yao Ming all played Olympic Basketball for a country other than the United States. While Team USA is still superior its obvious why some of the games in 2012 are more competitive then those of 1992.
No disrespect to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird but they were certainly past their prime by the time the Dream Team was assembled. I find it hard to believe they’d be able to keep up with Kevin Durant, Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony at this point in their career. John Stockton would look like a sacrificial lamb in front a point guard like Deron Williams or Russell Westbrook. The evolution of the sport has resulted in a league of “hybrid players”. A league where the guards are much larger and more athletic, and the big men faster and more multidimensional. Think of it as “Athletic Darwinism”; future generations naturally improve upon the talent level established by their predecessors. The same theory can be applied to the NFL with players like Cam Newton, Michael Vick, and Robert Griffin III who are athletically superior to the quarterbacks of the past. In order for them to be successful in today’s league they have to be! Freakishly gifted defensive players like DeMarcus Ware, and Julius Peppers make the immobile statuesque quarterbacks of yesteryear obsolete. (See Drew Bledsoe)
Even if you’re skeptical about the “Athletic Darwinism” theory and you still believe the 92 team was better you have to admit the Twenty Twelve-ers are more than capable of wining a hypothetical one game elimination scenario. If it were somehow possible for the two teams to meet in a gold medal game who’s to say Kobe doesn’t go off for eighty points? Or Lebron doesn’t have one of his forty point, seventeen rebound, thirteen assist performances? Truth is, they don’t need a legendary performance to win but anytime players of that caliber take the floor such a performance is a possibility. Kobe, Lebron, Durant are the evolved forms of Jordan, Magic, Bird. The talent level of the NBA will continue to increase as the game and its players continue to evolve, its human nature. And if the best players from the U.S. are chosen in 2032 they’ll most certainly be better than the 2012 team. Its okay to revere the players of the past but its ridiculous to think they set an unreachable precedent, that the last twenty years have been spent in regression rather than progression.

PUBLISHED 7/30/2012
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/dream-team-92-vs-2012_b_1704391.html

huffpoCarnegie Kid, HHTHSKE, HUFFPOST, LEFTfield, NBA

BRIAN MCNAUGHTY

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Brian Mcknight, sit yo ass down! This attempted come back and “Adult Mixtape” was an epic fail! There isn’t anything wrong with trying to re-invent your image or sound but this is just down right terrible. “Let me show you how your pussy works??” Seriously? These lyrics from one of the best singer/songwriters of our era? I’m ashamed of you, Brian. Although I’m extremely thankful for the lifetime of laughter your viral video has provided me, HA!

The desperation to sell records is at an all time high but you can try harder bro. This song couldn’t be worse if you added rap verses and auto tunes. It sounds like your 1992 hit “One Last Cry”… if Uncle Luke rewrote the lyrics. Your music was already certified baby making material there’s no need to be X-rated. Its tacky, classless, and coming from you, Mr. McKnight, just feels
wrong. You added insult to injury by claiming the song was merely a “parody,” and blaming it on the boredom of being immobilized by an achilles injury. Please spare us the lame excuses, this was undoubtedly a serious attempt at a comeback. The sad part is that with the current state of R&B you’d probably be rather successful if you just stayed in your lane.

In this age of techno-pop and Rap&B, some classic Brian McKnight would be quite refreshing. Unless you’re making an appearance on Saturday Night Live in the near future this should be the first and last release from your “Adult Mixtape.” I’m sorry but a “Brian McKnight Mixtape” sounds like an oxymoron in itself. You’re a legend dude, don’t tarnish your legacy with the likes of this.

PUBLISHED 5/4/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOT.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/brian-mcknight-adult-mixtape_b_1469777.html

huffpoCarnegie Kid, HHTHSKE, HUFFPOST, LEFTfield

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