my "real life" can wait

The Art Of Battling

2011-09-20T23:24:00.000+02:00

Did you know I could rap? Me either...but guess what...anyone who doesn't believe me needs to check out your boy in action

The first set of videos is from an Official ApolloKidz mixtape where fellow aK memeber (Fluff Daddy) and I had our epic battle. After a clean win (via fan voting on the internet) he was waiting for my arrival back to NY with open arms (pause) and bars for a rematch....peep the result after the jump

Battle #2

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Stuedabakerbrown -- "Couch Sitting Rattlesnake"

2011-08-08T04:02:00.000+02:00

FINALLY

Remember when people used to be excited for music videos?

Download Their Latest Album Strangers We'll Become Available on iTunes

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

March Madness

2011-03-18T01:29:00.001+01:00

March Madness is underway...so get your brackets out and prepare for what is sure to be an unpredictable 3 weeks

Read my latest article on Dime Magazine profiling my March Madness' from the past

http://dimemag.com/2011/03/the-ripples-of-march-madness-reach-europe-more-than-you-think/

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Thoughts and Prayers

2011-03-11T16:37:00.000+01:00

CNN.com is my homepage. And it will forever remain my homepage because it gives me constant updates of breaking news going on all around the world. In less than 2 minutes I can skim over every headline from all different parts of the world. When I hear about Gadhafi and Libya I'm concerned but it doesn't directly affect me. When I read about the 21 oil workers rescued in Columbia I'm happy but again it doesn't directly affect me. But then I'm following this Japanese Tsunami story and I realize that I know/have played basketball with two people in the last year, who are now there. One, a teammate of mine last season, and former Stanford standout Taj Finger, who I learned today was safe. And another Japanese player who came to our team last season to work out with us who we simply called Ishi. I learned today that his city was the one that got hit directly and our coach, who communicates directly with his team, has not been able to get in touch with him. Although he was only here for a few months and his English needed work, there was still that "I'm away from home playing basketball and you are away from home playing basketball" sort of connection. We'd eat together and attempt conversations after practice and even though that was the extent of it, he's still someone I feel concerned about. And that is why, in this case, a simple tweet saying "My thoughts and prayers are with #Japan"didn't seem like enough.

Life is not promised and I don't think we should forget that. When I was in Elementary school at PS 153 (The Helen Keller School) I remember learning this quote "although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it" -Helen Keller. So that's where my prayers are at. That Japan can overcome this disaster. And my thoughts today are with trying to build upon relationships I've made in the past and present so that I don't have this "what if" feeling in the future.

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

What's With All This Flopping?

2011-02-25T18:37:00.000+01:00

It's been awhile..yes I know...but all of my efforts now go into ApolloKidz.com. If that name doesn't ring a bell to you or you don't know what that is...go play in on-coming traffic...seriously...get a Santa Claus suit and go to the Running Of The Bulls. ApolloKidz is the movement of all movements...so get on-board.

I had to divulge back to my blog to post these two videos though because they both came to me today via John Little and Dime Magazine and anyone that knows me knows how I feel about flopping. These just take it to the extreme

First we have Chris Bosh, who is not known for his "masculinity" or "toughness" but rather his "finesse" and "touch"...not saying he's not a good player, or even that I'm not a fan...but big boys don't flop like this...smh

Secondly we have some soccer player (you can insert any name, probably doesn't matter)...and this just sums up why I could never participate is a sport like this...

Referees are human and may not always see everything...but seriously...you play at the highest level of your professional sport...stop flopping!! This has been a public service announcement brought to you by the good people at my "real life" can wait

"Do What You Do"

follow your boy on Twitter at @blackhercules21

EuroCup Final 16 Preview

2011-01-17T15:43:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow we begin the Top 16 of the EuroCup. The first round was a good one for the boys in Purple.
Besides getting a chance to play against Iverson...

read the lead up to our first matchup --

http://dimemag.com/2010/11/world-game-eurocup-vet-on-playing-against-allen-iverson/#more-61935

read the follow up to our first matchup --

http://dimemag.com/2010/11/letters-from-the-eurocup-the-allen-iverson-experience/#more-62490

...we had an opportunity to play against Tony Parker's team in France and one of the best young teams in Europe out in Serbia. The next round is no different, except for the fact I'll be going up against a good friend in Bryant Dunston (former ESPN NIT All Star Teammates) and Aris Baskets. This round will definitely be tougher than the last but we're patiently awaiting the challenge...

(from left to right: Stephen Danley, Donnie McGrath, Bryant Dunston, Matt Vitale, Jason Wingate, Lamont Hamilton, Leon Williams, Ben Jacobson, Steve Novak, Jason Boone)

EuroCupBasketball did a pretty good writeup about our group...check below for the full article

Last 16 Group J features a mix of new and old blood, all with equal chances to rise up and fight for Eurocup glory. Two teams - BG Goettingen and Budivelnik – are in the competition for the first time. The other two – Aris and Le Mans – are not far removed from playing in the Euroleague. Assuming Goettingen and Budivelnik are inexperienced would be a mistake. Goettingen won the FIBA EuroChallenge last season and has many of the same players back. Budivelnik has an experienced roster headed by coach Josep Maria Berrocal, an assistant on Regal FC Barcelona’s Euroleague-winning squad last year. Le Mans still carries four players from its last Euroleague season in 2008-09 and boasts eight players with experience at Europe’s elite level. And Aris tops that with a air of former Euroleague champs on its roster. On paper Group J appears to be even, with no clear favorites and lots of exciting basketball to be played out as all four teams come in with real hopes of making deep runs into the Eurocup.

Read The Full Preview Here -- http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/ulebcup/home/news/i/81241/3735

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Homegirl Is Doing It Big

2010-11-29T15:28:00.000+01:00

Redlight Greenlight 1-2-3!! It seemed like every night growing up I would ask my parents if I could go outside and play that game with the kids on down the street. Bronxwood Avenue between Adee and Arnow was where I spent the first 14 yrs of my life. Across from PS 76 and on the direct path of the BX8 bus. I remember it like it was yesterday, just like I remember my parents telling me "you aren't allowed to leave the block." When that happens you let your childhood imagination run wild with games to play in a confined space. And that's why my four neighbors Cherrye Davis, Jasmine and Charleen Jacobs and Dwayne Gilroy will forever have a spot in my heart.

But just as I was accomplishing one of the greatest feats of my basketball career, in beating a future NBA Hall of Famer, it seems that another kid from that little block in the BX is doing her thing as well. I just saw a trailer for a film coming out called For Flow and there she is...Cherrye Davis...doing it big. She was also an NYU alum (just throwing that out there) who let everyone know from Day 1 (of those Christmas Sing-A-Longs) that she was going to be a star. Check my girl out in the trailer for her short film debut...

I'm proud of you

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Allen Iverson & Jadakiss

2010-11-25T18:59:00.000+01:00

So I was trying to find out what sneakers this guy Iverson had on in the game so I could mention it in this Dime Magazine followup on I'm working on...but then I came across these two throwback commercials and HAD to post them...oh man...classic

"and he will blow by you fast, penetrate and dish it off or let it go high off the glass"

"tryna build a team? I'm the playa ya need, heart like Willis Reed, top thief and scorer in the league"

photo: Christian Reinhard

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

EuroCup Game 1 Recap: Rough Week For Tony Parker

2010-11-19T12:13:00.000+01:00

About every 30 seconds during our game in Lyon, France last week a digital banner would pop up saying "Tony Parker" with some French word in front of it. I later learned that the word was "owner", as he is part owner of the ASVEL basketball club. Back in February '09 it was reported that in the hard economic times, it's never too early to begin thinking about your retirement. As the then 26yr old proved by buying himself "a nice little retirement package: a French basketball team. In an interview aired on France's Infosport cable network, Parker announced his purchase of the second largest share of ASVEL, France's most titled professional basketball team, and he will, he says, begin serving immediately as the club's Director of Operation."

Now my only hope is that us beating ASVEL last week, them firing their coach, and Tony Parker getting divorced wasn't all contingent on each other. Because I heard that Tony was sending scandalous text messages to, former teammate, Brent Barry's wife and Eva found out. To pay for the lawsuit Parker took money from the team budget, in turn the players were upset...weren't winning games and then Coach gets fired. But here at my "real life" can wait we (meaning I, since I'm the only one writing here) don't like to slander the truth nor start rumors...so until reports come out confirming why they lost to us...why they fired the coach and why Tony Parker is divorcing that beautiful wife of his I will not delve any further into these topics.

Watch More Highlights (w/ a hot techno song)

http://www.asvelbasket.com/asvel_videos.asp?id=48

Asvel Baskets fires head coach Collete

Asvel Basket relived head coach Vincent Collet of his duties at the club, Asvel basket chairmen Gilles Moretton announced on Wednesday. The move comes one day after the team lost its Eurocup opener at home against BG Goettingen. Collet was in his third season with the team. He led Asvel to the French championship in 2009 and an appearance in the Euroleague last season. This season did not go as well as Asvel started the season 2-4 in the French League and now with a loss in the Eurocup. Collet is also the head coach of the French national team.

What I do know however is that the hair on Robert Kulawick is much better than the hair on Matt Walsh

#justsaying

Here are some sights and sounds from our trip to France's second largest city. Lyon is a city known for silk weaving and housing the headquarters for EuroNews, International Cancer Research and Interpol.

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

What Is The Deal With These Four Lokos?

2010-11-18T23:00:00.000+01:00

I go away to France for three days and get back to a ton of emails and stories about this drink. When I first heard of this stuff it was when my two favorite rappers mentioned it on Crooked I's Hip Hop Weekly over the Hard In The Paint Beat where he claims to be "kinda f*cked up on these Four Lokos in this b*tch" and then Joell Ortiz states that he "gotta keep it movin' like dope on the block, I post like Karl Malone in the spot, quiet with the Jazz and I already spazz, and I just gave Four Lokos a shot..." After those lines caught my attention I started to look out for the "blackout in a can" and suddenly found it popping up all over the place. The website fourlokostories.com has some pretty ridiculous content (from peeing on people's faces during sex to punching old ladies in the mall and running away) that users submit about their events with the drink. Although the majority of them seem made up, I find myself believing a few like this one here...(from_NoMoLokoFoMe): My buddy and me buy 3 lokos each...about an hour and a hlaf later we go to mcdonalds and he tries to buy 3 mcdoubles. He said he was gonna pay with debit and proceeds to swipe his cell phone through the card reader (unsucessfully) and goes to the bathroom. When he got back he started screaming in anger that he paid and wanted his money back. We got the cops called on us.

Now I've had my fair share of Red Bull and Vodka's and Jägerbombs but this stuff just seems a little bit over the top. The New York Daily News reported that it's the equivalent to having three beers and three cups of coffee (I've also heard 5beers/1coffee or 3beers/1energydrink/1coffee...but you get the point). And in that same article they claimed that the drink grew popular after a story about a Bronx gang that "forced a victim to guzzle 10 cans before beating him mercilessly in what was described as a gay bias attack." If beating someone mercilessly wasn't bad enough...forcing them to drink something comparable to 30 beers and 30 cups of coffee is as f*cked up as f*cked up gets.

Needless to say, New York, along with Michigan, Washington, Oklahoma and Utah have stopped allowing the drink to be bought and sold. And collegehumor has run a "Honest Four Loko Commercial" to help the claims of those states

And although Stephen Colbert argues the other side of it...in a very humorous way...these duracell battery tasting beverages are out of control...

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Thought for Food - C-Zurrrre, Medal of Hunger Winner & Cheesercize<a>

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

March to Keep Fear Alive

Now I consider myself an experienced drinker...four years of hanging out with Matt Basford, Mike DeCorso, Dan Falcon and Chael Clark at NYU will do that to anyone...and it was a great feeling knowing that I reached my alcohol limit on three Olde English 40's and that the $20 bill I took out the ATM had enough change to get me a late night slice of Ben's Pizza (or five). So at $3 a pop for these Four Lokos...I can definitely understand the appeal...especially when that caffiene doesn't make you an "oh my god I need to lay down" drunk...but rather a "YOOOO I'M READY TO GO, WHO WANT'S ANOTHER SHOT" drunk. Things can get ugly.

But just as recently as today on *Apollokidz.com I'm learning that "The company that produces the Four Loko beverage said it will remove the caffeine and two other ingredients from its products after facing a cascade of criticism and regulatory scrutiny for producing the energy drinks, which combine high levels of the stimulant with alcohol." And as my fellow KIDZ claimed...it's not going to stop them from selling it on the black market..."when kids hear the sh*t is banned they will want it more and the bodegas will double the price..." Now as tempted as I am to at least try one, that caffiene level of three coffees and the lack of taste I hear it has is a complete turnoff...but anyone in close proximity of a binge drinker...BEWARE

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Influencers

2010-11-14T15:22:00.000+01:00

Just watched this documentary on **apollokidz.com** and felt like you should too

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

INFLUENCERS is a short documentary that explores what it means to be an influencer and how trends and creativity become contagious today in music, fashion and entertainment. The film attempts to understand the essence of influence, what makes a person influential without taking a statistical or metric approach.

Written and Directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, the film is a Polaroid snapshot of New York influential creatives (advertising, design, fashion and entertainment) who are shaping today's pop culture. "Influencers" belongs to the new generation of short films, webdocs, which combine the documentary style and the online experience.

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Allen Iverson Can't Get A Run

2010-11-10T19:51:00.000+01:00

Although he received a warm welcome in Turkey, even after arriving late, this video was brought to my attention on ** apollokidz.com ** and I just felt like it needed to be shared.

(Allen Iverson) A.I. Can't Get A Run?
Hochgeladen von Warroomsports. - Sieh mehr Sport und Extremsport Videos.

Tyrone Hill is allowed to look the way he looks in public...and AI can't get a run?

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

The Truth About Social Media

2010-11-07T00:48:00.001+01:00

as told by Papoose and as seen on Apollokidz.com

"I like MySpace better than Twitter, they tryna swallow us

put the finger on us, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano us, let the jails borrow us

on MySpace you had friends but on Twitter you got followers

everybody following each other like the D's

if you ask me it's sick like a disease, retweeting what they read

where I come from if somebody follow you, you better turn around and squeeze

threatening each other on Facebook...it's fake look

if you ask me if they mean it I tell you "they shook"

when the judge throw the book at you it's not a great look

throw the book in your face, you really get your face booked"

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

My President Is Black

2010-10-29T03:00:00.000+02:00

**as seen on Apollo Kidz**

I just finished watching Obama on the Daily Show and figured it was worth sharing...when you take time and actually pay attention to what he's done/doing/and continuing to plan on doing...it's pretty remarkable

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Barack Obama Pt. 1

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Rally to Restore Sanity

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Barack Obama Pt. 2

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Rally to Restore Sanity

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Barack Obama Pt. 3

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Rally to Restore Sanity

and just because no blog is complete without an LOLer

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Only In Germany

2010-10-14T13:00:00.000+02:00

**as seen on ApolloKidz.com**

Who needs safety drivers? Not Germany's Freie University, that's for sure, which has just demonstrated a self-driving taxi to rival Google's efforts without a soul at the wheel. This laser, radar and sensor-equipped VW Passat, dubbed "Made in Germany," has a companion iPad app from Appirionto do all the hard work, too -- you just start the program, punch in coordinates and wait for the car to extract itself from a nearby parking lot and pick you up from school

The Future Is Now

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Apollo Kidz With a Z...

2010-10-12T00:58:00.001+02:00

So some of you know and some of you don't but it's about time you got familiar with http://apollokidz.com/

It's basically your "all you need" everyday site for urban topics. The best news source out there for anything you need to know about.

The quick history...basically a group of NYU alums started an email chain to stay in touch...that chain turned into a name...that name needed a logo...after designing a logo that name needed an idea and here we are over a year later with a full fledged plan to be your number one source for ANY and EVERY thing "present."

You should look at it like this...rather than go to Media Take Out or Worldstar Hip Hop or Rap Radar to find out what's going on in Hip-Hop...go to ApolloKidz.com. If you want to be the first for links to the New Movies or New Music...go to ApolloKidz.com Rather than go to ESPN or Sports Illustrated to find out what's going on in Sports...go to ApolloKidz.com. And rather than go to Wall Street Journal or Yahoo for Finance...go to ApolloKidz.com. And rather than go to The Huffington Post or The New Yorker for Culture...go to ApolloKidz.com And rather than go to CNN or the New York Times for Everything Else...just go to ApolloKidz.com.

You get the point?

We take what we feel are the most relative, popular and interesting stories and bring them to you, with some funny commentary to keep you engaged. If you are in the mood for a laugh check out our topics on "The Ten Most Ridiculous [something] from Oddee.com or the latest faux news story from theOnion.com. We've got that too...ApolloKidz.com is your one-stop-shop to get you through your workday...or your leisure day...or your everyday. With 8 representatives scattered on two different continents the news stories and LOL'ers (as we call them) are constantly being discussed and updated. And all you have to do is click Follow or Friend...so what are you waiting for? I know you have Facebook and I know you have Twitter...so go ahead and stay current...it only takes a second

Friend Us On Facebook

We've also just began our Podcast...Check Out The First One Down Here

http://blog.apollokidz.com/2010/10/11/circle-of-bosses-episode-1/

And Feel Free to Email Us at Holla@ApolloKidz.com

and tell us what you like, what you don't like and how we can improve...it's a process

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Meet The Team 2010

2010-10-02T21:19:00.000+02:00

With the first game less than 24 hours away I suddenly realized that you all haven't met the team. I didn't have enough time to get as descriptive as last year but I think it'll be okay because some of the faces should be familiar.

You guys have already met...

The Sharpshooter Robert Kulawick #5....
(click for Kula's 2009 description)

The Captain John Little #11...
(click for John's 2009 description)

Mr. Do It All Dwayne Anderson #22...
(click for DA's 2009 description)

And Yours Truly The Incredible Jason Boone #21...
(click for my 2009 description)

...But As Far As The New Guys Go...Allow Me To Make Introductions...

Mike Scott #4 Kent State University aka "Slim"

Besides having a freakishly long wingspan the dude is quick and has hops. Making him the favorite for putting opponents on a poster this season. When he takes off it's a good idea to go the other way because it's normally going to end up bad for the defense. Also as far as locker room guys go...he's top notch...so Meet Mike...

This is Mike Scott at Kent State

This is Slim against Bamberg

And here he is after his recent visit to India to study the Yoga Based Fighting Style (Dhalsim)

Trenton Meacham #7 Illinois University aka "Trent"

Your All-American Good Boy. If BG Gottingen was an American High School drama based in the suburbs he'd be the Pretty Boy Quarterback. And with Kulawick on the team that's not an easy thing to accomplish. But as "clean cut" and "on the straight as narrow" as Trent may come off as...my favorite thing about this dude is that he's not afraid to get down and dirty on that basketball court...as a teammate you cannot ask for more. So Meet Trent...

This is Meacham in college

This is Trent during the preseason

And here he is working on his post-basketball TV/Music career (Peter Andre)

Kyle Bailey #9 Santa Clara University aka "KB"

It's gotta be more than pure coincidence that those are his initials because he is a "Knowledge Base." One of the smartest players on and off the court coupled with being one of the biggest competitors and leaders I've ever played with is a great combination. When we spoke this summer it was about coming back to this team for one reason only...To Win. So Meet Kyle...

Here Is Kyle In His Villain Outfit

Here Is KB In His Superhero Outfit

And Here Is KB after Addi's Strength Program (Vin Diesel)

Adam Waleskowski #10 Florida State University aka "Awal"

Speaking of acronyms AWAL can stand for 1 of 2 things...Absent Without Authorized Leave which is what he makes opposing defenses. Honestly this guy can score on anyone...even those who pride themselves on defense. It can also stand for Around the World in A Lifetime which is what he will be able to say one day. It always helps having a guy who is a little older and who has played "here" "there" and "everywhere in between." So Meet Adam...

Here's Adam reppin' FSU

This is AWAL reppin' BGö

And here is a preview of post-bball Adam when he becomes American again (Hacksaw Jim Duggan)

Louis Dale #12 Cornell University aka "Lou"

Lou reminds me a lot of myself...minus the NFL Tight End body frame. Educated, witty and horrible with ladies, I've had the chance to room with him on every road trip so far and feel like I have lucked out. Except for that one time I walked in to him singing and dancing to Usher...that was a little awkward. So Meet Lou...

This is Lou ruining everyone's NCAA bracket

This is Dale doing whatever the hell it was he was doing

And here he is in his High School Yearbook Senior Picture (Steve Urkel)

Christoph Tetzner #13 Tip-In aka "Tetz"

Tetz is your typical Berlin Bad Ass...I had the chance to play with a few of them during my days in Bernau and although Jan and Kula think they are some...they aren't. It's good to have another one on the team. Plus the fact that he does Karate...shiiiiiiiit...that just adds to being a bad ass. So Meet Tetzner...

Here is Christoph...as his parents call him...before he hit puberty

Here is Tetzner reeking havoc for opponents (even thru 3 of em with one holding his waist he got the ball)

And here is Tetz pursuing his goal to be the Ultimate Bad Ass (Chuck Norris)

Jermain Raffington #25 Ehingen aka "Maine"

Jermain is so Westernized I forget he's a "German." Sometimes it's the music he listens to, sometimes it's the way he dresses...or possibly the fact that he speaks better English than Rocky Trice (and Chris Oliver just because I know he's reading this) but he's one dude on or off the court I know always has my back and that's a great way to feel about a teammate. So Meet Jermain

Here is Jermain jumping for a rebound (you gotta box out)

Here is Maine stylin' off the court

And here he is doing the Mambo Number Five (Lou Bega)

Cornelius Adler #31 Ehingen aka "Corny"

Every team has a young German and he's ours. But for the guys who actually know him they'd say he's the funniest guy on the team. And sometimes I don't even think he knows it. German players can sometimes get the label of having no heart or not playing with enough heart all the time. Especially the younger ones new to the league...but I'll tell you what, Corny embodies our team philosophy that You Can't Teach Heart just as much as the most seasoned veteran...and it's because of that I know we'll be successful. So Meet Cornelius...

Here is Cornelius wearing socks with sandals (who does that?)

Here is Adler showing that White Men Can Jump

And here he is being a GIANT humanitarian (Eli Manning)

Season is officially kicking off tomorrow and it's good to know that the guys on this team are again good quality dudes. Stay tuned to find out how the team you just met does this season.

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Abstract City By Christoph Niemann

2010-08-21T07:24:00.003+02:00

I came across this article a while back in the New York Times and it's so fitting to the trip I'm preparing to take...back to the Deutschland. This will have to hold you over until I kick off the new season of Meet The Team because I'm going to spend the next few weeks getting ready to win games...until then, as always...do what you do...

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Are You Going To Miss Me?

2010-08-21T02:24:00.000+02:00

Dear America,

Could it work out any better that on the day where I spent 12 hours in my house doing last minute stuff (which meant frequent TV/Internet breaks) people on TV and online were talking about this new video? Some people love Drake and some people hate on Drake but for a 23 year old he's in a league all his own. I respect the work he puts out and want to know the same thing he does...

Drake Feat. Lil Wayne - Miss Me [NEW]
Uploaded by wonderful-life1989. - Explore more music videos.

...As I leave you...I just hope that you MISS ME a little when I'm gone...

I'm going to miss you

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

48 Hours

2010-08-20T02:41:00.001+02:00

As I count down my last 48 hours in America, I can only think about these three questions.

The first one being, did I do everything I wanted to do this summer? Looking back, it's been a great one. I rehabbed this bum ankle and finger. I went to Las Vegas, I attended my first bachelor party and my first wedding. I got to figure out which friendships were worth holding onto and which ones it was time to let go of. But most importantly, I finally made the effort to spend quality time with my family. In years past I was in such a rush to get back to America and see college friends, girlfriends, high school friends etc etc that I always returned to Europe thinking I should have spent more time with my FAMILY. As much as I never wanted to be, I was always that guy who went back to visit High School teachers and college coaches because, well sh*t Life Was Good and I needed to be reassured that what I was doing...they knew about. But I finally got over that. Although a European Challenge Championship is more than enough to brag about it wasn't something I really found myself doing. (Probably because my father had it done by the time I got home but whatever the case may be) I think I enjoyed this summer more than anyone thus far because I finally wasn't worried about rushing and doing a ton of things for other people but more about just doing whatever it was I wanted. I understand my situation is unique but I was telling my brother that if there is something out there you want to do, at the end of the day, you are the only one that stands between you and doing it. And I feel good knowing I took that advice to heart this summer. So I can honestly say, I did everything I wanted to do this summer...and some.

The next question I keep asking myself is Am I ready to go back? I've been very fortunate in my career to not have to deal with serious injuries, and maybe that's why I couldn't deal with being injured this past season. After all the work I put in, all the sprints I ran, all the laps I swam, part of me feels like I'm right back where I was last season. And for guys that have been injured, they know how it is to rehab...you're working harder than you ever worked just to get back where you WERE. The whole concept is crazy. But if it taught me anything it's that I need to keep up this work ethic all season long. I would NEVER, and let me repeat this...NEVER say any of the guys I played with last year took the easy route out by leaving...there are a ton of reasons why some players didn't come back...but for me, personally, there was no other choice. I'm the kind of player that needs to be pushed everyday and I know winning that title last year has now become a standard. I'm not going to go online and make any guarantees but the truth of the matter is that the people of Gottingen have now gotten used to winning. And when people come to expect something of you, it's the perfect "pressure" to perform. I obviously look forward to getting back out there, seeing my friends from the city, eating great food, but most importantly get to work with the new TEAM. So although this was my best summer, I'd have to say I am ready to get back.

The last question that's rattling around in this brain of mine is what am I going to do to escape from basketball this year. Because let's be honest...even if you are like me, and have the best job in the world, there is a negative outcome associted with making your job = your life. Everyone needs to get away from what they do fulltime for a little. My first year in Gottingen I really tried to travel every chance I got, last year I dedicated myself to blogging everyday but this year I was thinking about picking up another skill. Anyone that knows me knows that I'm on a few business ventures right now (which will be blogged about on a later date) but "other work" shouldn't be a release from "work." They also know that music is the only other thing I'm as passionate about as basketball. And that's why this year, I want to learn how to play the piano. So now my mission becomes finding someone in Gottingen to give piano lessons, probably no more than once a week, for a reasonable price. Escapes can often change but that's what it is right now.

So I just took myself (and you, the reader) on a journey of my past (summer) present (season) and future (new skill). Stay tuned to how it turns out. I'll be launching a new blog theme this year and although I won't be blogging as much, I'm hoping you'll still enjoy the content.

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

My New Toy

2010-08-11T22:27:00.000+02:00

I've been going back and forth the past couple of days trying to decide whether or not I wanted this new iPad but as is normally the case with Apple (and it's not a bad thing if you are a "mac-person") they keep everything proprietary. So being a PC guy I've decided to take my business to Archos and get that new Tablet # 9...it's a little more condusive to what I need it for. Lightweight, portable, wi-fi, touchscreen, windows already installed etc etc etc...I'm looking forward to when it gets here and I can play with it.

And I'm only blogging about this because for $500 it's going to be attached at the hip at all times

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Who Is Antoine Dodson?

2010-08-02T20:36:00.000+02:00

Quick Background: There was an attempted rape in Alabama and once the Internet got hold of the story...the Internet did what the Internet does...I love the Internet

Interview 1

Interview 2

Bed Intruder Song

Antoine Dodson Reaction

Only In America

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Stuedabakerbrown

2010-08-02T08:42:00.000+02:00

When you are out of the country as long as I am you need to make your time as memorable as possible...that's why when I come back I like to get roles in Movies (see Just Wright) and TV Commercials (see Rajon Rondo 2on2 Tournament). I'm currently in the process of learning how to play an instrument so I can take the musical world by storm and that's why my Talk Show appearance this summer was a great transition. It was half-serious half-joking but full-fun...and it was with some friends of mine from back in the day. The group is called Stuedabakerbrown and if you haven't heard of them...GET FAMILIAR...

If you like the Gin Blossoms and/or Kings of Leon you should have their CD Strangers We'll Become ...it's available on iTunes. Anyway, since the interview I've gotten the chance to catch up with my boys at a free show they put on at a NYC Best Buy.It was mainly for some exposure during their cross country tour that ends with the singing of the National Anthem at the LA Dodgers-San Diego Padres Game on August 5th...Keep Doing Your Thing Fellas...usually I'm the one getting recognized for something and so it feels nice being able to say I'm truly proud of how hard these guys worked to get where they are at...it's inspiring

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

My First Wedding

2010-07-25T04:53:00.001+02:00

So I just attended my first wedding ever this past weekend and it made me recall this webpage I saw that explained the 8 stages of dating...this will have to do because the stories from the wedding were neither appropriate or good publicity for any of my friends who attended...haha

Let's just say that "Hennessey On The Rocks" for five hours doesn't end well when you are 5'10 175lbs...

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

All That Carmen San Diego Paid Off

2010-06-22T19:08:00.005+02:00

So when I was younger I used to always play Carmen Sandiego...and not to brag but I was pretty good...the problem solving part of my brain always worked better than the creative side but that was probably the last time I had to do some detective work. Picking up on non-verbal cues has never been my forte (see all past relationships) but when a problem lies in plain sight I can usually get it figured out...

So first off let me back track a tad... when I'm out in Germany (6 hours ahead of NY) and I wake up to Crooked I's (LA rapper 3 hours behind NY) late night tweets like "glad we had such a good turnout at the impromptu show tonight" I started to learn that people will really give no word to where they're going to be except on Twitter...I never paid it any mind until the European Slaughterhouse Dates online conflicted to what these dudes had on their Twitter accounts...so after that, I started to base my knowledge of where they perform on their Twitter accounts.

So now all week they were being "Shady" Royce Da 59 was out in LA with Crooked I at the Lakers Game...Joell Ortiz was getting shows in Boston canceled...and Joe Buddens was just being Joe Buddens. But I started to hear the innanets buzzing about a show in NYC...so now I'm locked in to every tweet they make because the first time I saw them perform at Rock The Bells they killed it...but it was a small stage out back (because Wu-Tang was there...some of you may remember that). Anyway all I see is Slaughterhouse x Eminem NYC June 21st...so now I'm on Eminems Twitter, NYC shows' Twitter blah blah blah and no one is giving me a solid answer.

So I go online and find out about this Road to 8 Mile rap battle...but it's at the Bowery Ballroom (200 people maximum)...he can't be doing a show there...and then I see it...Eminem writes online that the first 50 people that email emonletterman@gmail.com get to see his performance live in NYC...album dropping the same day...the whole works...so I'm like that has to be it...but I can't get tickets for Letterman...I emailed anyway though. Ended up getting on the standby list for Letterman but also copped two tickets for this RedBull Road To 8 Mile show...just incase...

So now my best friend and I drive down to New York City and catch up...it's been awhile since we kicked it and he's working full time...finally got some time off and I told him about this Lupe styled Fiasco that was going on. He has not ventured off into the Twitter world and seemed lost when I tried explaining to him that I bought tickets because of rumors...but he's the kind of guy who respects real Hip-Hop and would've been fine with just seeing the Freestyle Battles.

So (yes I'm going to start every paragraph with "so") now we're down there at this quaint quiet little ballroom that can barely hold 300 people. Any more than that is a guaranteed fire hazard, but we're there early and we're standing right down by the stage and the DJ is on stage playing a ton of NY rappers keeping the crowd entertained (unlike the Drake concert a week back) and we're having a few drinks waiting for everything to get started. Then I see The Alchemist who is a judge later that night and I'm telling my boy that him and I used to go to the same barber back when I was in college so as he's walking by, I go "yo do you still get your haircut by Steve?" and he looked at me and said "I was just there" and from his crooked line up I figured he wasn't lying. But he was just on WorldStarHipHop with Eminem and Royce Da 59 drinking RedBulls wasn't he? We'll come back to that later..

So now the MC battle is about to begin...there are four white guys and four black guys and it just so happened, randomly of course, that in each of the first round battles a white guy was battling a black guy...now we all know black people can rap better (Vanilla Ice and Eminem cancel each other out) but of the four rappers that advanced...3 were black...and I'm just saying that to say that the judges were wrong...the one white guy that advanced shouldn't have and the two that didn't should have (the other guy got cooked pretty bad). Now I'm internalizing this like Eminem in 8 Mile...because rumors have it that he's showing up tonight...Bunny Rabbit...gotta beat the 3 black guys to advance...it's working out perfect...that was until round two where he choked and got booed off the stage.

So now we're waiting for the Final round and Bun-B rolls thru, Royce Da 59 is kicking it with the judges and I see Joell Ortiz walk in. I immediately shout YAOWA (ya'll actually one world away) which is his individual little ad-lib catchphrase and he immediately looked up and dapped me up...so now Royce and Joell are in the building...Joe BuddenEminem but I would have been FINE with just them...Finals are over...DNA wins over the crowd with a shoutout to the judges (something about my homies just blaze...) and then finished with a shoutout to the XM radio station (like Shade 45 I'm Dead Sirius...then something about being over for this Maxi Pad...Period) and with that...DNA took the title

So we're waiting for the DJ to make an announcement after the finals because now all four members of Slaughterhouse are present and accounted for. They finally come out one by one and kill their song Sound Off...they then pay a tribute to Hip Hop with their song Woodstock Hood Hop...have us all hold our one's up in the air and The One and finally finish with my favorite Slaughterhouse song... Microphone

So...I'm all set...my favorite Hip Hop group did 2 of my favorite songs and I got to see a very good rap battle all for $20 (4 Jim Beam & Cokes cost more than two tickets)...then Slaughterhouse exits stage left and no one moves...the "Shady" chant starts and the DJ walks off the stage...hmmmm??? Come to find out the Alchemist is going to be on the 1's and 2's for this "special performance." If it wasn't obvious before it just became clear to everyone there that Eminem was going to be performing. But we were nervous all night because we were hearing that he was on a rooftop performing Renegade with Jay-Z and I know he was supposed to be on Letterman tonight...but who the hell else could upstage Slaughterhouse at this concert???

So I'm getting the vibe all night...especially looking at the crowd that most people weren't there to see the rap battle...you could just get that sense...they were there because of the fact that Eminem was rumored to show...so all of a sudden the Over beat by Drake comes on and people are looking around like...wtf??? Is Drake here? No way, he was just in LA pulling Kobe on stage wasn't he? Well his concert did get shut down? Wait a minute...then this big ass black dude runs out on stage and I'm like no way is that Ving Rhames? Turned out it was Mr. Porter (from D12) and Eminem came out spitting his Despicable Freestyle

He then goes into On Fire and Won't Back Down...I didn't expect him to give us a 10-song set for $20 so I was cool with the 3 he decided to do...he then got a little emotional thanking the fans from Day One...telling us that he wouldn't be where he was today if he didn't start out battling...gave a tribute to his boy Proof and then walked off stage...people started cheering Encore and part of me thought that that he was going to bring Slaughterhouse out and perform Session One aka My New Favorite Song with a mystery verse from Joe Budden...but that would have just been asking too much. Night was over and I went home...but definitely the highlight of my summer to date

You probably won't hear from me again until AFTER Vegas...things are bound to get a little craaaaazy but whatever I can remember/am allowed to blog about I will...

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

My New Favorite Song

2010-06-21T06:55:00.000+02:00

Eminem Said

now homie who's your favorite pain in the ass? who claims to be spitting the same flames as me?
Im Kanye when he crashed, in other words, I got the hood on smash, like I stepped on the gas
destroyed the front and deployed the damn air bags on the dash, went thru em and laughed
came back an hour after the accident and bit a goddamn jawbreaker in half

Royce Said

I got a Posse of Insane Clowns blow your brains on your opposite ear then ask you how ya brains sound?
Bad? Evil? We go..Alfred E...Newman Mad Cerebral you on your last burrito. What that mean Nickel?
It's a wrap if you eating...get a beat then terrorize that bitch like I'm Middle Eastern.
Slaughterhouse on fire nobody touching that good day and good night Ortiz yo where the f*ck you at?...

Joell Said

and this joint...no exception, so just point...a direction, and record the pigs oink when I rip his intestines
this isnt' just an infection, this won't go away with penicillin injections, millions of questions arose after they did an inspection, what I exhibit seems to be non-contagious yet anybody can get it...awww shit I done did it again, when I li(f)t up this pen I emitted this phlegm and this time it's alongside Eminem so tell a friend to tell a friend...

Crooked I Said

I'll take ya life to the ninth inning, a knife in a gun fight I love it me and my knife winning
I laugh when you fall the shit'll be funny, I'll buy my bitch a new ass and watch her sit on my money man
all the bitches holla they wanna (drop my bridges)? then jaw my d*ck to swallow, leave drawers in this impala I ball like Iguodala...

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Chuckin' Up Them Deuces

2010-06-20T08:34:00.000+02:00

With the new look of the blog you are well aware that I've "chucked the deuces" to the old format...I've also chucked em to blogging everyday...but there are other things in my life that also need the deuces chucked in their direction...

Because I have no vehicle and am not set to move into NYC until July I've had some time up here in the suburbs to think about a lot of stuff (as well as greatly expand my music collection but that's a blog for another day) and I just realized that I'm a person that has trouble moving on...I never thought I was but I really am. Whether it's personal relationships, professional relationships or sitting at the computer playing Spider Solitare...I can't remove myself from a situation unless I'm satisfied in the way it concluded...

Saying all of that to say that if I can show that kind of resilience in a lot of the stuff I do then I shouldn't have a problem chucking deuces to these three things this summer...first off...fast food and restaurant chains...I had a craving for the Outback Bloomin' Onion and some Buffalo Wild Wings but there are so many good (healthier) restaurants in NYC that for me to pay more money to eat bad food would just be pointless...so at no point this summer will you see me back in one of those fast-food/chain restaurants...

Second off...I'm chuckin the deuces to these NYC public transportation (minus emergencies) because every year...right around April or May I'm wishing that I could be enjoying nice weather walking around New York City...then I get here for two weeks and I'm underground on the Subway all the time or in a cab...this city has so many places to see for me to be flying past...let's also not act like I don't have a ton of new music and a new iPod to help keep me company on my NYC walks

And last but certainly not least...DRAMA...I'm home not even a week and I get the unfortunate reminder that life is short and anything can happen at any time and it's just not worth it to be stressed out over anything...so I"m gonna try to get through the whole summer with the same smile that Ron Artest had on his face when he was thanking his phychiatrist because that's the joy I want to feel everyday I get up at 10am...workout...and have the luxury to do whatever the hell else I want to do for the rest of the day...in short...I got the life...

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

New Style For The Summer

2010-06-15T07:00:00.000+02:00

It's been a while since I touched up my blog and like most things in my life...I get bored of it after some time...so check the new template and let me know if you like it...the picture is of one of my heroes...Malcolm X and the quote is from Royce Da 5'9's The Bar Exam 3...

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

Just Wright Review

2010-06-10T15:44:00.001+02:00

So I finally saw the film Just Wright...and I wanted to let you all know what I thought about it. Finding out most of the plot on set I was never surprised at anything that happened in the movie but I have to say that Common's acting and basketball skills are on about the same level...in person he was as cool as can be...genuinely a nice guy and seemed to be extremely coachable...but that didn't come across on the screen did it? I didn't particularly think he acted well in this movie...but that didn't stop Paula Patton from looking absolutely phenomenal throughout the film. I mean from start to finish everytime she popped on screen I wished I could sing like Robin Thicke. Common's mother aka Mrs. Cosby aka Phylicia Rashad was my favorite actress in the movie and Common's agent aka Michael Landes aka that cop from Final Destination 2 was my favorite actor...my favorite scene...by far...was my dunk late in the game and the little "I Got Swag" (cuz I just scored the go ahead bucket in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals) trot back down court...just to be "faced up" moments later for the game...but anyway if you haven't seen the film yet it's probably time to queue it up in your NetFlix because it's out of the theaters...

But speaking of Cameos....has anyone seen this one?

It's me DC the Brain Supreme and my man Steve Roll'n...now I never knew what they were saying but the DC line made me think they were from Washington DC not Atlanta Georgia...and had they been from Chicago I'd believe this cameo a little more...but tell me that guy at 1:00 doesn't look like President Obama...here check the freeze frame

White House officials have come out and said it's not him...but...what do you guys think? I'm hoping to never be in a position where I'd have to hide cameos I've made in the past but don't you think if that's not him, whoever the hell it is would have said something by now? Anyway, look out for Jason Boone cameos throughout NYC for the next 8 weeks...I'll be all over the place

Do What You Do ...blackhercules21... Hallelujah Hollaback

I Thought Death Came In 3's?

2010-06-05T05:29:00.001+02:00

Go ahead and say it...Whatchutalmbout Willis? Actually, this blog begins with the death of Gary Coleman but between the Golden Girl and John Wooden it's getting crazy. Last year when I got home it was Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Steve McNair...back to back to back...and so this year I thought I was done with death after Arnold Jackson aka Gary Coleman, Blanche Devereaux aka Sex and the City's Samantha before Samantha aka Rue McClanahan and The Wizard of Westwood aka John Wooden had all passed away...but then I got some pretty devastating news.

Not devastating in terms of someone close to me died...actually I'd never met him but I knew his wife. Her name is Grace and she's one of the sweetest people I've ever met. She worked at the gym I've been going to since I was in highschool and she's one of the people that my father, who has a bit of problem bragging about his sons, keeps updated on how things are going. So when I get to the gym today and I ask her co-worker "where's Grace?" and she tells me "her husband died" it was tough to hear. Especially when I found out how tragically it happened.

Greg, her husband, who worked for the NJ Transit, a train line that I'm very used to taking into New York City, was struck and killed by a train. It happened in a maintenance yard outside of Kearny. To my knowledge it's still under investigation and I don't want assume anything until I get all the facts but I do know that the officials said that the "brakes weren't engaged at the time of the accident." I hope the authorities investigating the case can figure out whatever they need to figure out as fast as possible for Grace's sake.

"Kastner, whose job was to help shuttle engines in the Meadows Maintenance Facility yard, had just completed fueling his engine, and was walking back to another locomotive, when he was struck, officials said.
NJ Transit police and emergency personnel attempted to revive him after immediately responding to the scene around 3:30 a.m., officials said."

My condolences go out to Grace and the entire Kastner family...I feel for your loss...

On a more humorous note, I walked into the pool area today at the gym in just a towel and it took me almost 20 seconds to realize that I was not at the Badeparadies Eiswiese in Germany...where walking around naked is totally acceptable...luckily for all the small children out there the towel stayed on... #truestory

Do What You Do ...blackhercules21... Hallelujah Hollaback

NBA Finals 2010

2010-06-04T02:19:00.002+02:00

On the day where I had to watch Frankfurt punch their ticket to the Beko BBL Finals, I got a chance to reflect on one positive of being home at the moment...the NBA Finals. No more staying up until 2-3am trying to watch a bad stream of American TV...nope...I'll be comfortable on my couch (and by couch I mean the local bar) having some drinks with my best friends watching a part of history. Now I must admit...when these two teams squared off back in 2008 I was not as excited. The rivalry seemed outdated and played out. The league seemed like they cheated to get these two teams in...and I was getting ready to go on a cruise...but this year it was obvious that the league would have been happy with a Kobe/LeBron Final...with a rematch of Lakers/Magic or the ever-so-popular Boston/L.A. matchup.

But having a chance to sit and talk with my father, who knows everything there is to know about this rivalry, gave me a strong sense of NBA history. I didn't get the chance to watch such legends as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson play on a nightly basis, but as a student of the game I'm fascinated with the way they both excelled at it. I often think my superior athleticism would have resulted in the dominance of the game back then...but when you really sit and watch how skilled they guys were, it will blow your mind. My most prevalent memories of these guys come from the NBA Superstars Volume 2 VHS which I used to watch religiously as a child...and often still do. The last two music videos were for Larry Bird and Magic Johnson...

Magic says it best...we "play this game to win, to have fun, and to make people happy"

So if this series doesn't get you excited about basketball then you need to either check your history or check your pulse...for as long as the NBA exists there will not be a matchup more revered, renowned, illustrious, distinguished, adored, (okay I'm out of synonyms) or however else you want to describe it...so sit back and enjoy NBA history in the making...Let The Festivities Begin!!!

oh yeah...Lakers In 6...heard it here first

Do What You Do ...blackhercules21... Hallelujah Hollaback

Home (Sweet Home)

2010-06-03T19:42:00.001+02:00

For those of you that don't know how the season ended...I'll try my best to be descriptive but understand every word I type is a little more painful than the last...

So we do enough to secure home court advantage in the opening Best-Of-Five game series. We are a lock at the number 3 spot and are awaiting an opponent. Up until this point in the season we'd only lost two games at home (one in the Eurochallenge and one in the regular season) making us feel extremely confident that we could beat whoever we played. Turns out, due to a conflict of schedule, our home gym, the Lokhalle, was being used during the first day of the Leagues playoffs so we had to travel to a neutral site. Our nervousness was calmed by the fact that we'd bring our home court floor/baskets and 2000 fans. Game 1 was a blowout in our favor. Game 2 rolls around and we're sure that if we can get this W the series is just about over...to come back and beat us 3 in a row (with two of them at home) is a task that no team in the league could have possibly done but unfortunately we didn't come out ready to play and this time the blowout was in their favor. So game 3 rolls around, all knoted at one game apiece, it's back home, we're thinking about what happened last season (where we won the first game and then got beat 3x in a row) but we fought our way through a tough battle and ended up taking the 2-1 lead in the series. Closeout game...on the road, don't want to have to play a game 5 so we come out in game 4 ready to finish it up. Had a solid lead but they hit some big shots down the stretch (and also shot 50 fts as a team) so we're forced to come back home and play a fifth game. Although we blew a lead in game four, we were supremely confident going into game 5...I mean it was at home, the place was sold out, and we were watching the number 1 seed lose to the number 8 seed, the number 2 seed lose to the number 7 seed and the number 4 seed lose to the number 5 seed...meaning if we won game 5 we'd be the highest seed left and secure home court advantage throughout...but we weren't able to make that happen...and the worst part is that we were winning by 12 with 3 minutes to go...shortly after that I fouled out and was forced to watch our opponent come back more and more...it was a pretty helpless feeling and as I watched that last shot go up and fall in at the buzzer I was in complete shock that we had just been eliminated.

So being home is bittersweet because I'd give almost anything to still be in the hunt for a title...and I hadn't realized until I got back that nothing here is enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, the season wasn't all bad, we had a ton of success and even won the EuroChallenge championship but there's no feeling worse than feeling like you've left something undone...

Do What You Do ...blackhercules21... Hallelujah Hollaback

Home Sweet Home

2010-06-03T17:25:00.002+02:00

As I type the title of this blog, I question whether or not I really mean that. Follow me on this for a second. I love being around my family, I love spending time with my friends from America, and there's nothing I love more than my mother's cooking...but is this my home? I'll be moving into my beloved New York City in a few weeks (after a short west coast stint) but is NYC my home? In recent years, I always had a internal countdown until I got back to America. Partly the break from basketball, partly the taste of Angela Boone's Fried Chicken, partly the chance to ride around in my younger brother's Toyota Scion and hear stories about his adventures in college...but this year it wasn't the same. I used a "rehabbing excuse" to stay an extra week and a half but the truth of the matter is I didn't want to "go home" because I was "at home." And having a chance to see how good "Winning It All" felt...I did not want to leave Gottingen.

For those of you that don't know how the season ended...I'll try my best to be descriptive but understand every word I type is a little more painful than the last...

So we do enough to secure home court advantage in the opening Best-Of-Five game series. We are a lock at the number 3 spot and are awaiting an opponent. Up until this point in the season we'd only lost two games at home (one in the Eurochallenge and one in the regular season) making us feel extremely confident that we could beat whoever we played. Turns out, due to a conflict of schedule, our home gym, the Lokhalle, was being used during the first day of the Leagues playoffs so we had to travel to a neutral site. Our nervousness was calmed by the fact that we'd bring our home court floor/baskets and 2000 fans. Game 1 was a blowout in our favor. Game 2 rolls around and we're sure that if we can get this W the series is just about over...to come back and beat us 3 in a row (with two of them at home) is a task that no team in the league could have possibly done but unfortunately we didn't come out ready to play and this time the blowout was in their favor. So game 3 rolls around, all knotted at one game apiece, it's back home, we're thinking about what happened last season (where we won the first game and then got beat 3x in a row) but we fought our way through a tough battle and ended up taking the 2-1 lead in the series. Closeout game...on the road, don't want to have to play a game 5 so we come out in game 4 ready to finish it up. Had a solid lead but they hit some big shots down the stretch (and also shot 50 fts as a team) so we're forced to come back home and play a fifth game. Although we blew a lead in game four, we were supremely confident going into game 5...I mean it was at home, the place was sold out, and we were watching the number 1 seed lose to the number 8 seed, the number 2 seed lose to the number 7 seed and the number 4 seed lose to the number 5 seed...meaning if we won game 5 we'd be the highest seed left and secure home court advantage throughout...but we weren't able to make that happen...and the worst part is that we were winning by 12 with 3 minutes to go...shortly after that I fouled out and was forced to watch our opponent come back more and more...it was a pretty helpless feeling and as I watched that last shot go up and fall in at the buzzer I was in complete shock that we had just been eliminated.

So being home is bittersweet because I'd give almost anything to still be in the hunt for a title...and I hadn't realized until I got back that nothing here is enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, the season wasn't all bad, we had a ton of success and even won the EuroChallenge championship but there's no feeling worse than feeling like you've left something undone...

A Poem For Mommy

2010-05-09T12:21:00.000+02:00

Happy Mother's Day...since you have already been out to Germany to visit, you have a homework assignment...and it's going to be to figure out what the hell I'm talking about in half of your Mother's Day Poem...this is a Jason Boone original...so enjoy

this is your 24th Mother's Day so I figured I'd change it up a bit

half of this poem is in German...so good luck figuring out this sh*t

ich will, dass du weisst: DU BIST DIE BESTE

und dass du diesen Muttertag feierst wie keine anderen Feste

if I was home I'd pick you the biggest purple flower

because you've always loved and supported me with all your power

ich hoffe du hast einen schoenen Muttertag

und weisst wie sehr ich dich mag

when I need to translate some Deutsch, the site that works for me

goes by the simple name of w...w...w...dot...leo...dot...o...r...g

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Playoffs = Unity

2010-05-08T11:26:00.000+02:00

With the BBL Playoffs kicking off today I couldn't help but post this...the NBA sure knows how to market their league...I was waiting for the BBL to call me for our commercial...I could have even done it in German if they wanted...but in the meantime I'll let these guys relay the message...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Takin' Over The City

2010-05-06T01:40:00.000+02:00

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Der Regelt Das Schoen

2010-05-04T18:13:00.002+02:00

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

It's A Celebration B*tches

2010-05-04T12:35:00.000+02:00

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

The Greatest Joy

2010-05-03T16:37:00.000+02:00

As my eyes opened this morning, champagne on my breath, hangover creeping into my head, I couldn't help but think of how much excitement I felt last night. And no it wasn't just because the Russian Cheerleaders were dancing to my favorite song. This excitement was deeper than that.

As a basketball player, I've been a part of some good teams and some not so good teams but throughout it all I've had a chance to meet people who will remain my friends for life. And some of my biggest basketball joys have been playing in a highschool sectional final with my friend Jalil, or Tear(ing) It Up with my boy Jared...even winning the ECAC final with the likes of Basford and DeCorso. But as memorable as those teams were, I don't think I've ever been apart of a team as special as the one I'm currently on.

People say we're having a dream season, people say we're exceeding expectations, but it's like that Nike commercial I posted the other day "this isn't a math test...this is a completely different kind of test...one where PASSION has a funny way of trumping logic" ( <--if you haven't seen that commercial then click that link immediately). And because we play with so much passion, it's only fitting that we were able to win this EuroChallenge championship.

But it's more than just being crowned a champion that's getting to me right now. It's finally understanding those lessons that your parents teach you growing up. The whole "if you work hard enough you can do it" lesson...remember that one? I've been fortunate in a sense that some things in my life came easier than others...mathematics for instance was always my best subject...besides lunch and gym. I never studied a day in my life for a math test and practically aced right through it...but when it came to English or Social Studies I usually found myself in a bit of a struggle...so the 80's and 85's I got on those tests were usually a little more gratifying than the 95 100's I used to get in math. It's just the feeling of actually going out and earning something rather than just having it given to you.

In high school we used to schedule the weakest teams around for our Tip Off Tournament so we would show up, get a few wins..hoist a trophy or a plaque up and then begin to play the actual regular season. But it was always known that we were expected to win...but with this team I'm on now...no one outside the 15 guys in that locker room and the best fans in the world would have EVER given us a shot to win this title. And because of that, it is so much sweeter.

My only goal right now in my life is to feel that sense of accomplishment again...and luckily I don't have to wait until next season...because the German playoffs are right around the corner...time to get even more focused...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Heart And Soul Of New York City

2010-05-01T15:56:00.001+02:00

My team and I are in the midst of two title runs with the first one being as soon as tomorrow but when I stumbled across this video I couldn't help but thinkin about how much fun Summer Time Basketball in New York City is...this one here is for all my fellow streetballers...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Don't Celebrate Too Soon

2010-04-27T11:52:00.000+02:00

This morning on the way to my rehab appointment a bird took a huge sh*t on my car. That's never the way you want your day to start but I figured it could only go up from there...after finishing up and grabbing some breakfast I learned that there was a pretty ridiculous finish to a European game just the other day and I realized that when coach says "play until the end" he means you "better not celebrate until the clock has 0.0 on it" or else you could end up like this team.

I probably should send this into Dime Magazine

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Plain & Simple

2010-04-24T15:01:00.002+02:00

...if this commercial doesn't give you chills then you are not a competitor...

...plain and simple...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Earth Song

2010-04-22T17:13:00.000+02:00

Being that today is Earth Day and it's the first Earth Day that Michael Jackson is not around for...it's only fitting that this blog is dedicated to him...

This is the a summary of the Wikipedia description of the music video...the expensive mini-movie directed by Nick Brandt, was well-received; it gained a Le Film Fantastique: Best Video Award in 1996, the 1995 Doris Day Music Award at the Genesis Awards and a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video, Short Form in 1997. The production had an environmental theme, showing images of animal cruelty, pollution, war and deforestation. Jackson and the world's people unite in a spiritual chant—"Earth Song"—which summons a force that heals the world. Using special effects, time is reversed so that life returns, war ends and the forests regrow. The video closes with a request for donations to Jackson's Heal the World Foundation.

The video was filmed in four geographic regions. The first location was the Amazon Rainforest, where a large part was destroyed a week after the video's completion. Natives of the region appeared in the video and were not actors. The second scene was a war zone in Croatia, with residents of the area. The third location was Tanzania, which incorporated scenes of illegal poaching and hunting into the video. No animals were harmed in the making of the "Earth Song", as the footage came from documentary archives. However, a poacher killed an elephant within a mile of the shot. The final location was in Warwick, New York, where a safe forest fire was simulated in a corn field...(yeah that's where I went to High School)

We often look for help when all of these natural disasters take place (flood, hurricane, volcano) but what are we (myself included) doing to take care of this Earth??? Remember...it is our only one...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

I Want An Electronic Bull

2010-04-21T16:23:00.000+02:00

So I turned my car radio on today for the first time in months (there is normally a Slaughterhouse CD in rotation) and I heard this Taio Cruz song featuring Ludacris called Break Your Heart...the beat was catchy...the lyrics were real...and I found myself humming it for the rest of the morning...

Then I get home curious to see if there is a video and stumble across another video that features Ludacris...and I must say that I'm not mad at this one...at all

I know John Little will co-sign the ATL doing it big right about now

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

People Change

2010-04-14T15:59:00.002+02:00

I'm a huge Shaq fan...always have been. Charles Barkley has always been number 1 but Shaq has been a close number two. One of my favorite pairs of sneakers as a child were his

Shaqnosis'

One of the most confusing adolescent moments was when these two fools scrapped it out...

Shaq & barkley fighting
Hochgeladen von barkich. - Basketball, Baseball, Pro Wrestling und weitere Sport Videos.

then it seemed like they made up until last year when Chuck drunk dialed Shaq about the Playoffs...

but what i wanna know is how Shaq went from this...

to this...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Get Familiar

2010-04-12T13:52:00.002+02:00

So I know I've been MIA for awhile but I have a good excuse...ready?

Toward the end of one of my best statistical games of the season I fell from the rim and landed on my left side. I felt an immediate and sharp pain shoot from my shoulder blade down through my finger tips. I sat there for a second and made sure my shoulder was okay. Then checked my elbow and made sure it was just my funny bone. Then I looked at my wrist and was able to move it around with no pain...so I was thinking I was good but then I looked down at my middle finger and it was shaped like the number 7. So I made a fist and watched it pop half way back in. By this point my trainer was there and he walked me to the bench to pop it in all the way. He immediately told me that it was broken but asked if I could go back in and play. Adrenaline was pumping through the veins and the game was close so I replied with an immediate "yes" and worried about the finger after the game. Once the adrenaline wore off and the pain set in I could only think of one thing as I sat in the hospital. "Kobe Bryant"

This guy broke his right index finger and was quoted as saying "you just get used to it, it's a different technique to shoot the ball." So when the doctor walked in and told me 6-8 weeks I simply said "that's impossible, find a way to make sure I suit up [two days later]" Now the doctor told me there's a chance my finger could have ended up looking like this guys but it was just the top knuckle so I'll take my chances. Someone better tell these doctors to GET FAMILIAR

Now, since I've been out the blog game (it's extremely annoying to type without your left middle finger) I decided to get back on my "Brothers & Sisters" (pause). Every family has problems, mine included, but these Walkers...well they fit a ridiculous amount of problems and solutions into 41 minutes. Meaning between the cliffhangers and the blocks of free time, I watch at least four episodes a sitting. Without giving anything away, something major happens to two of my favorite TV characters in the most recent season. With the exception of Entourage and Dexter this is my favorite show on Television. Those three cover a wide array of spectrums and I feel like it completes my TV trifecta. If you are unfamiliar I'd recommend you to GET FAMILIAR very quickly because last month, ABC deemed Season 5 a "go."

Sticking with the TV theme I've also had a chance to check off a few "movies I've wanted to see since the Oscars." Most notably Brothers and Blindside which were neither as good as expected but enjoyable nonetheless. They were both held to pretty high standards so maybe if I could relate to my wife and brother hitting it off or being adopted and looked after by Sandra Bullock I would have enjoyed them more.

Besides the TV series' and the movies I've had a good amount of time to tidy up my music collection. Slaughterhouse (aka the Supergroup aka The Four-Headed Monster aka The Greatest Rap Group of All Time) just signed to Shady Records. So their next collective album is going to be another instant classic (remember where you heard it first)... Anyway, independently all of the members are dropping solo projects

Joell Ortiz- Free Agent
Crooked I- Million Dollar Story
Joe Buddens- Mood Musik 4
Royce Da 5'9"- Bar Exam 3

So as of late, to create that buzz, these dudes have been leaking tracks and freestyles and I'm willing to argue that there is no other "Hip Hop Artist" that can compete with any of these four right now. So if you aren't familiar with Slaughterhouse...GET FAMILIAR...Here is a little taste of how lyrical these guys can be.

"I do this for Sean Bell nobody's forgotten you

I do this for Diallo yeah this what Amadou (I'ma do)

I do this for both Kings, Martin Luther and Rodney

Life beat my ass til Hip Hop came and got me"

"I'm a big f*ckin deal ask Biden, the flow walkin' on water just like Posiedon

with a Trident, I get rich or die trying, just like the n*gga five times ten

so every event you'll see me there faithfully, I'm in the "house n*gga" like I was light skinned during slavery"

"It makes sense, I'm being framed I'm a work of art, But if you broke dawg
Don't blame the economy, Don't come with a handout, Don't try to E.Honda me

See, I never ask niggas to come and be fond of me
You met your match now, what up eHarmony?"

"You heard who better than me? B*tch bring em, uhhh, he stepped up like Rocky

he’ll probably be finished. He’ll go from looking like he Balboa to Rocky Dennis
you thought you was winning...til every tooth in your mouth is in a pouch in your pocket
the next time you talk to your dentist"

And just so you know I'm not a lazy, 9 strong finger having bum I've also made significant progress in my book. It's entitled Talent is Overrated and it suggests that an ability to achieve greatness is more related to life experiences, lucky breaks and harder work rather than God-given abilities or natural born talent. It's not fair to try and paraphrase 300 pages in two sentences but it's a well written book with a lot of evidence to make you think...so I'd also suggest that if you are looking for a way to pass the time. If you didn't remember that reading is fundamental then you should probably go ahead and GET FAMILIAR.

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. EnBW Ludwigsburg 81:76

2010-04-12T11:48:00.001+02:00

Gottingen clinched a playoff spot with their 81-76 win at home against Ludwigsburg. Taylor Rochestie was the top scorer with 23 points while Jason Boone led the team with 6 rebounds. Michael Haynes scored 18 in the losing effort.

View Hightlights Here (scroll down)

BG Göttingen
			Field goal				Free throw	Rebounds
#	Name	Pts	ND 2P	MD 2P	3P	Total	M/A	Off	Def	Tot	TO	AS	ST	BS	PF	EFF	+/-	Min.
5	KULAWICK, Robert *	6	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	2-4 50.0%	2-4 50.0%	0-0 0.0%	0	3	3	3	1	1	0	3	6	-3	24:10
7	MCNAUGHTON, Christopher	9	3-5 60.0%	1-1 100.0%	0-0 0.0%	4-6 66.7%	1-1 100.0%	2	3	5	0	0	1	0	3	13	3	23:14
8	Welzel, Tobias *	0	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	00:04
10	ROCHESTIE , Taylor	23	6-11 54.5%	1-4 25.0%	1-6 16.7%	8-21 38.1%	6-6 100.0%	3	3	6	2	2	1	0	1	17	7	34:32
11	LITTLE, John	14	6-9 66.7%	0-0 0.0%	0-6 0.0%	6-15 40.0%	2-2 100.0%	0	2	2	0	3	1	0	2	11	3	29:36
12	Jacobson, Ben	Nicht eingesetzt
15	Meeks, Michael	6	0-1 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	2-5 40.0%	2-6 33.3%	0-0 0.0%	2	1	3	0	0	2	0	0	7	9	17:25
21	Boone, Jason Gregory	0	0-3 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-3 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	1	5	6	0	1	0	1	2	5	2	15:09
23	OLIVER, Chris	15	4-7 57.1%	3-3 100.0%	0-3 0.0%	7-13 53.8%	1-1 100.0%	3	3	6	3	1	0	0	2	13	-4	24:12
25	Schiecke, Jan	Nicht eingesetzt
30	Jordan, Antoine	8	3-3 100.0%	1-1 100.0%	0-1 0.0%	4-5 80.0%	0-0 0.0%	0	5	5	1	4	1	0	1	16	4	27:53
33	Adamczak, Nico *	0	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	03:45
	TEAMAKTION							2	1	3	2	0	0	0	0

	TOTAL	81	22-39	6-9	5-25	33-73	10-10	13	26	39	11	12	7	1	15	88	25	200:00
	PCT		56.4%	66.7%	20.0%	45.2%	100.0%									7.3

EnBW Ludwigsburg
			Field goals				Free throw	Rebounds
#	Name	Pts	ND 2P	MD 2P	3P	Total	M/A	Off	Def	Tot	TO	AS	ST	BS	PF	EFF	+/-	Min.
5	KING, Michael	11	3-5 60.0%	0-0 0.0%	1-4 25.0%	4-9 44.4%	2-3 66.7%	0	4	4	2	2	0	0	4	9	-6	23:44
8	McCray, David *	7	2-3 66.7%	0-1 0.0%	1-2 50.0%	3-6 50.0%	0-0 0.0%	0	1	1	2	1	0	0	0	4	-7	22:20
9	THOMPSON, TJ	9	0-2 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	2-6 33.3%	2-8 25.0%	3-4 75.0%	0	4	4	1	6	0	0	1	11	-2	30:53
10	Jones, Domonic	6	2-3 66.7%	0-1 0.0%	0-1 0.0%	2-5 40.0%	2-2 100.0%	0	0	0	4	1	1	1	4	2	6	16:24
12	Hadzovic, Nedim *	Nicht eingesetzt
14	HEYDEN, Phillipp *	5	1-1 100.0%	0-1 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	1-2 50.0%	3-7 42.9%	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	2	1	-12	12:25
15	Haynes, Michael	18	2-4 50.0%	0-0 0.0%	4-8 50.0%	6-12 50.0%	2-2 100.0%	2	6	8	5	1	0	0	3	16	-8	27:12
22	CHANEY, Richard	7	2-3 66.7%	0-0 0.0%	1-2 50.0%	3-5 60.0%	0-0 0.0%	1	4	5	0	2	2	0	1	14	-6	26:39
23	Freeman, Rashaun	8	3-4 75.0%	0-0 0.0%	0-0 0.0%	3-4 75.0%	2-2 100.0%	2	3	5	0	0	0	0	2	12	8	11:23
34	Sanders, Marco	Nicht eingesetzt
44	LOLLIS, Quadre	5	1-1 100.0%	0-0 0.0%	1-3 33.3%	2-4 50.0%	0-0 0.0%	1	3	4	2	3	0	0	2	8	2	29:00
55	Visser, Kyle	Nicht eingesetzt
	TEAMAKTION							1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0

	TOTAL	76	16-26	0-3	10-26	26-55	14-20	7	25	32	17	16	4	2	19	77	-25	200:00
	PCT		61.5%	0.0%	38.5%	47.3%	70.0%									7.0

* Deutscher U24-Spieler

Teamvergleich
			Field goal				Free throw	Rebounds
		Pts	ND 2P	MD 2P	3P	Total	M/A	Off	Def	Tot	TO	AS	ST	BS	PF	EFF	+/-	Min.
	BG Göttingen	81	22-39	6-9	5-25	33-73	10-10	13	26	39	11	12	7	1	15	88	25	200:00
			56.4%	66.7%	20.0%	45.2%	100.0%									7.3

	EnBW Ludwigsburg	76	16-26	0-3	10-26	26-55	14-20	7	25	32	17	16	4	2	19	77	-25	200:00
			61.5%	0.0%	38.5%	47.3%	70.0%									7.0

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. Phoenix Hagen 76:69

2010-04-12T11:37:00.000+02:00

Goettingen improved to 20-8 record defeating Phoenix Hagen 76:69. Rochestie Taylor netted 20, Oliver Chris posted 18 and Boone Jason nailed 17. Griffin Chase delivered 20 points in the losing case.

View Highlights Here

MEG GOETTINGEN (Coach: Patrick, John)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
10	Rochestie, Taylor	35	5-13	2-5	4-4	1	5	6	5	1	1	0	20
11	Little, John	31	1-3	1-1	0-0	2	1	3	1	3	2	0	5
23	Oliver, Chris	30	5-13	0-3	8-10	6	2	8	0	2	0	0	18
21	Boone, Jason	30	7-11	0-0	3-11	4	3	7	1	2	1	3	17
30	Jordan, Antoine	18	0-6	1-1	2-2	3	1	4	0	2	2	0	5
5	Kulawick, Robert	27	0-0	2-4	0-0	0	2	2	0	2	0	0	6
15	Meeks, Michael	12	0-1	0-4	0-0	1	3	4	0	2	0	0	0
7	McNaughton, Christopher	9	1-7	0-0	1-2	0	1	1	0	3	0	0	3
33	Adamczak, Nico	3	0-0	0-0	2-2	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2
8	Welzel, Tobias	DNP - Coach's Decision
25	Schiecke, Jan	DNP - Coach's Decision

Total			19-54	6-18	20-31	17	18	35	8	18	6	3	76

PHOENIX HAGEN (Coach: Freyer, Ingo)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
5	Griffin, Chase	32	2-4	4-6	4-4	1	2	3	1	2	0	0	20
23	Jordan, Michael	28	1-2	1-3	1-2	1	5	6	4	1	1	0	6
34	Kale, Jonathan	27	4-7	0-0	3-4	2	4	6	1	4	0	2	11
4	Pryor, Quentin	16	0-4	0-1	0-0	0	4	4	0	1	1	0	0
14	Fleetwood, Aaron	12	3-5	0-0	0-0	0	2	2	1	4	0	3	6
44	Turek, John	21	3-5	0-1	1-1	0	4	4	2	5	0	0	7
15	Kruel, Bernd	17	2-2	0-0	4-7	0	3	3	1	4	0	1	8
7	Jonusas, Zygimantas	16	0-2	0-3	2-4	2	4	6	1	2	0	0	2
20	Alijevas, Rolandas	15	0-0	2-3	0-0	1	2	3	4	3	0	0	6
6	Schwarz, Malte	6	0-2	1-1	0-0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3
8	Schwarz, Kristof	5	0-0	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
9	Grothe, Matthias	DNP - Coach's Decision

Total			15-33	8-19	15-22	7	30	37	16	27	2	6	69

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Rated R(aw)

2010-04-08T17:25:00.000+02:00

My little brother is the biggest Fabolous fan I know...and after I heard this mixtape I knew why...

There Is No Competition...except for Slaughterhouse (as you can tell by the setting of this video)

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Daaaaaaaamn

2010-04-03T13:42:00.004+02:00

My boys over at the DogSlice blog posted this last night and being a basketball player who has dunked on a fair share of people I felt it was a must that I repost it....man oh man...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Let's Get Naked

2010-04-03T10:46:00.000+02:00

Preface: In her latest video, Erykah Badu strips in Dealey Plaza, the location of President Kennedy's 1963 assassination.

CNN's Alan Duke reported yesterday that Erykah Badu's naked stroll through downtown Dallas, Texas, for a music video has earned her a disorderly conduct citation.
The singer shed her clothes as she walked through Dealey Plaza until she was nude and then fell near where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Badu said the video was "shot guerrilla style," without a crew and in one take March 17.
A Dallas Police spokeswoman said earlier in the week that they wanted to press charges against Badu because children were present, but no one had called police or filed a complaint that day.
Police now have their witness.

"One witness did come forward yesterday, thus leading to the charges filed today," a statement from Dallas Police said Friday.
A citation of misdemeanor disorderly conduct has been mailed to Badu, who is a Dallas resident, police said.
"After much discussion, it has been determined that this charge best fits her conduct when she disrobed in a public place without disregard [sic] to other individuals and children who were in close proximity," the police statement said. If convicted, Badu could be fined $500, police said.
"It will be up to her as to how she wants to proceed further with this case," police said. "She can contest it in a court of law or simply pay the fine."
Badu and her representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
She did post a series of short messages on the social networking site Twitter last weekend, soon after the "Window Seat" video was released on her Web site.

She tweeted that "there were children there. i prayed they wouldnt b traumatized."

Now before you watch the video understand that I'm a big Erykah Badu fan, now more than ever. No it's not her amazingly rotund posterior but rather the fact that she was bold enough to make a statement with this video. Her blood at the end spells GroupThink, which is a topic I'm familiar with thanks to a sophomore year paper that was assigned to me at NYU. And the message she's portraying is one people tend to forget...

So everybody...listen to Erykah Badu...it's time to Evolve

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

The Sox Are Red

2010-04-02T18:04:00.000+02:00

This past summer I had a chance to catch a Yankees game in their new stadium...the old one was nostalgic and reminded me of my youth, little league, and the Yankees of the 90's. But I have to say I didn't mind the setup of the new stadium. But the Yankees' rivals, the Boston Red Sox are currently reverting back to their old stadium...this is pretty funny...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Final Four In The Lokhalle

2010-04-01T06:20:00.006+02:00

...in case you didn't see it on FibaEurope yesterday...

FIBA Europe announced on Wednesday that the 2010 EuroChallenge Final Four will be staged in Göttingen, Germany between April 30 and May 2.

Hosts BG Göttingen will take on Roanne Basket from France and Russian outfit Krasnye Krylia play against Scavolini Pesaro from Italy in the two semi-finals.

"We are happy to come to Germany for one of our events for the first time in many years," commented FIBA Europe President George Vassilakopoulos.

"I am sure that Göttingen will be a formidable host and their Lokhalle will provide a special atmosphere, suitable for a European Final Four."

"Göttingen have a strong tradition in Germany and have proven throughout the year that they are a very professional organisation that will put a lot of effort into their EuroChallenge campaign" added FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin.

"I am looking forward to seeing four determined teams meeting in the heart of Europe to become the EuroChallenge champion."

The city of Göttingen in the German state of Lower Saxony is famous for its Georg August University that has seen a total of 44 nobel price winners.

It is also a traditional basketball stronghold in Germany and Göttingen fans are said to be among the most enthusiastic in Europe.

The exact times and order of the games will be announced later as the television agreements are currently being finalized.

Find out more about the EuroChallenge Final Four on www.fibaeurope.com.

...and No this is not an April Fool's Day joke...at least I hope it's not...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. FMP Belgrad (Game 2) 76:71

2010-03-31T18:36:00.000+02:00

Goettingen became the second team to reach EuroChallenge Final Four. The German team held off FMP in Serbia to sweep the quarterfinal series. Taylor Rochestie once again shone for the visitors with 25 points. The first frame proved decisive in this one. FMP led 10:8 after five straight points from Jeremic. But Goettingen capped the period on a 17:2 run to take a 25:12 advantage. Taylor Rochestie and Jason Boone stretched the gap at 14-point mark midway through the second period. The visitors maintained the lead and entered the second half ahead by 14 points 42:28. Goettingen stayed confidently in front early in the third stanza but FMP managed to rebound late in the period. The hosts triggered a 12:0 run to get within one. Meeks and Jason Boone went perfect from the stripe to give some breathing space for Goettingen. However Nemanja Protic crowned the frame with a trey to drag FMP within two points 54:56 with ten minutes to go. Branko Lazic drew things level at 58 just over a minute into the fourth term but Chris Oliver and Taylor Rochestie exploded with 8 points in a row to restore a comfortable cushion for Goettingen. The seesaw action continued when Branko Lazic and Samardziski knotted things up at 68. Meeks followed with three free throws to put the German team back in the drivers seat. Nemanja Protic answered with a jumper but Jason Boone and Taylor Rochestie sealed the winning outcome in the dying moments. Chris Oliver produced 15 points for Goettingen. Jason Boone knocked down 12 points in the winning case. Nemanja Protic responded with 16 points, 6 assists and 4 boards for FMP. Branko Lazic had 14 points in defeat.

View Highlights Here

FMP ZELEZNIK BEOGRAD (Coach: Djurovic, Vlado)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
13	Raduljica, Miroslav	36	4-13	0-0	1-2	3	5	8	2	3	0	1	9
14	Protic, Nemanja	29	1-3	4-10	2-2	1	3	4	6	3	0	0	16
4	Covic, Filip	26	1-1	1-6	0-0	0	4	4	3	2	3	0	5
10	Lazic, Branko	25	3-3	2-4	2-3	0	1	1	1	4	0	0	14
11	Radetic, Bojan	17	0-0	1-4	2-2	1	2	3	1	5	0	0	5
20	Jeremic, Mladen	20	0-0	2-7	2-2	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	8
21	Samardziski, Predrag	20	1-1	0-0	6-6	0	0	0	1	3	2	0	8
12	Dimic, Milos	12	0-0	1-2	0-0	0	0	0	2	3	0	0	3
5	Stefanovic, Sasa	7	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
6	Milutinovic, Andreja	7	0-0	0-0	1-2	0	2	2	0	0	1	0	1
9	Stamenkovic, Svetozar	2	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Stamenkovic, Pedja	DNP - Coach's Decision

Total			11-24	11-33	16-19	5	17	22	16	24	7	1	71

MEG GOETTINGEN (Coach: Patrick, John)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
10	Rochestie, Taylor	38	5-11	4-8	3-4	1	4	5	2	2	2	0	25
23	Oliver, Chris	30	4-9	2-5	1-2	1	4	5	0	4	0	0	15
11	Little, John	28	0-2	0-1	0-0	1	3	4	0	4	1	0	0
21	Boone, Jason	27	5-9	0-0	2-2	4	5	9	1	4	1	0	12
5	Kulawick, Robert	17	0-0	0-4	0-0	0	2	2	2	1	0	0	0
30	Jordan, Antoine	26	2-2	0-0	2-2	1	2	3	3	2	2	0	6
7	McNaughton, Christopher	18	4-5	0-1	2-2	1	3	4	0	2	1	0	10
15	Meeks, Michael	16	0-1	1-2	5-6	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	8
8	Welzel, Tobias	DNP - Coach's Decision
25	Schiecke, Jan	DNP - Coach's Decision

Total			20-39	7-21	15-18	10	23	33	9	20	8	1	76

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

BG74 Gottingen vs. FMP Belgrad (Game 1) 75:69

2010-03-31T18:28:00.000+02:00

Goettingen made the first step towards EuroChallenge Final Four. They held off FMP in the opening game of the quarterfinal best-of-three series. Taylor Rochestie scored 24 points and pulled down 6 rebounds to lead the charge. The teams looked well matched in the starting frame. The lead changed hands for several times in the period before Antoine Jordan drew things level at 16 ten minutes into the encounter. Boone and Robert Kulawick helped the hosts gain a 7-point lead midway through the second stanza. Little drained a triple to ensure a 10-point advantage for Goettingen. But a pair of triples from Bojan Radetic triggered an 11:0 run from the visitors as they surged in front. Taylor Rochestie capped the half with a layup to give Goettingen a 41:40 advantage. The teams stayed close throughout the third quarter. Bojan Radetic and Jeremic allowed FMP to enter the fourth term ahead by one 56:55. Little and Chris Oliver quickly denied the deficit early in the fourth period and Goettingen jumped in front. Meeks and Taylor Rochestie ensured a 68:62 advantage for the home team with under four minutes to go. Protic and Raduljica cut the distance to minimal before Taylor Rochestie and Robert Kulawick exploded with 5 points and Goettingen ran away for good. Antoine Jordan delivered 11 points for the winners. Robert Kulawick and Chris Oliver were helpful with 9 points each. Predrag Samardziski notched 15 points and 11 rebounds for FMP. Bojan Radetic accounted for 13 points in the loss.

View Highlights Here (scroll down)

FMP ZELEZNIK BEOGRAD (Coach: Djurovic, Vlado)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
13	Raduljica, Miroslav	31	4-7	0-0	4-7	1	5	6	3	4	0	0	12
4	Covic, Filip	30	1-2	1-3	2-2	1	2	3	2	0	0	0	7
11	Radetic, Bojan	27	2-3	3-7	0-0	0	1	1	2	2	0	1	13
10	Lazic, Branko	23	2-3	0-0	1-4	1	0	1	0	4	0	0	5
5	Stefanovic, Sasa	12	0-0	1-3	0-0	0	1	1	3	2	0	0	3
14	Protic, Nemanja	23	1-1	1-2	2-2	1	1	2	2	5	0	0	7
21	Samardziski, Predrag	22	6-9	0-0	3-4	3	8	11	1	3	0	0	15
20	Jeremic, Mladen	20	3-5	0-5	1-2	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	7
12	Dimic, Milos	9	0-2	0-0	0-0	0	2	2	0	3	0	0	0
6	Milutinovic, Andreja	3	0-0	0-1	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0
9	Stamenkovic, Svetozar	DNP - Coach's Decision
15	Musli, Dejan	DNP - Coach's Decision

Total			19-32	6-21	13-21	7	21	28	13	26	0	1	69

MEG GOETTINGEN (Coach: Patrick, John)

			Field Goals			Rebounds
#	Name	min	2pm-a	3pm-a	ftm-a	off	def	tot	ast	pf	st	bs	pts
10	Rochestie, Taylor	39	5-13	1-7	11-14	5	1	6	3	1	0	0	24
11	Little, John	32	2-5	1-3	1-1	0	2	2	3	4	1	0	8
23	Oliver, Chris	31	3-8	0-3	3-4	0	5	5	0	2	0	0	9
21	Boone, Jason	28	3-6	0-0	1-5	5	5	10	2	4	0	1	7
5	Kulawick, Robert	21	0-0	3-4	0-0	0	1	1	0	3	1	0	9
30	Jordan, Antoine	25	2-3	2-2	1-2	0	2	2	1	4	2	1	11
15	Meeks, Michael	14	0-1	2-3	0-0	1	1	2	0	4	0	0	6
7	McNaughton, Christopher	9	0-2	0-0	1-2	1	1	2	0	1	0	0	1
8	Welzel, Tobias	DNP - Coach's Decision
25	Schiecke, Jan	DNP - Coach's Decision

Total			15-38	9-22	18-28	12	18	30	9	23	4	2	75

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

SLAUGHTERHOUSE

2010-03-31T11:58:00.000+02:00

First The Rumors Start...Then The Drama Starts...And Now We Are Here

So last year rumors of Slaughterhouse (the Hip Hop supergroup consisting of Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joel Ortiz, and Royce Da 5'9") signing to Eminem's Shady Records were running rampant all over the Internet. The rumors were mostly the result of their appearance with Eminem during his verse in Drake's video for "Forever" and the recent reconciliation between Eminem and Royce Da 5'9". It seemed that label politics stopped the deal from happening, and the prospect of Hip Hops best new group of lyricists signing to the label of one of Hip Hops greatest MCs would be lost for now. That is, until all the the Twitter rumors started acting up:

"RT @Floss_B: @RoyceDaFive9 what surprise does #Slaughterhouse have for the fans tomorrow? (I'm impatient)<- patience my good man.." - Royce Da 5'9" Twitter
The trending topic from then on was all about Slaughterhouse signing to Shady Records. The next announcement from Eminem's Twitter seemed to only reinforce everyones suspicions:

"And don't worry. Some big news is coming. Soon." - via Eminem's Twitter around 10pm Central (yesterday)

"And if you like the whiteboy, then yo ass might as well start liking me too, cuz from here on out anytime you see him...you gon' see me too" - via Royce Da 5'9" Nobody F*ckin Wit Us (Bar Exam 3 leak this morning).

I know this doesn't seem like much evidence but in this day and age Twitter has replaced most media outlets as the number one source for breaking news - 140 Characters has replaced 60 Minutes. SMH!! I guess we'll find out once Slaughterhouse makes their announcement, until then check out Slaughterhouse holdin' Em down in Drake's "Forever" Video:

Drake - Forever (Official Video)

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...

Tiger's Rehab

2010-03-30T12:35:00.000+02:00

With Tiger's return to Golf right around the corner I was curious as to how he was preparing himself for the comeback of the century. I mean I never watch Golf but I have my DVR set for April 8th and the Master's in it's entirety. The only thing that could make this better would be if he paired up with Lefty and it came down to the final shot...and Mickelson wouldn't mind that.

Although I never trust a person with two first names, Ben Curtis said that Tiger looked a little rusty in his return...but for Golf's sake I hope he got all the kinks out and totally dominates next week...I'll be looking forward to it...

Do What You Do Hallelujah Hollaback ...blackhercules21...