Reformation
It's been a while since I've had a blog post but then again it's been a while since I've mixed and mingled with the basketball scene at all. And that isn't by mistake. I've actually done a lot of soul searching and I've come to a lot of conclusions. And the first conclusion I arrived at was that I owe everyone an apology who I have butted heads with sine I've been in the business. And I am going to explain exactly why.
I APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING A HEART AND NOT ALWAYS KEEPING IT JUST BUSINESS
Like I said before I did a lot of soul search and realized "I'm one of the few in the business who have one." I did so many things in the past that got me no where. Things I did without being compensated and more so than often was used against me later on. It's crazy because I developed a "bad reputation" because I was loyal to the former powers that be at the artist formerly known as Hoop Magic. I did all these things with the hopes that I would forever be straight. Likewise with the artist formerly known as Triple Threat. These same people who I watched from a distance in hs and college, who I watched tell other kids my age to be anything they wanted or say things like "whatever I can do to help." Who would have thought that it was all bullshit and it really meant "If I can't eat off you imma throw salt" or "if there's an opportunity for me to exploit you or cut you out of a deal to get more money for myself I'll take it." But after deep thought I realized that it's actually my fault. I should have know that at 17 when adults warn kids about how hard the real world it meant that the people who are actually schooling you are some of the biggest opportunists and scumbags.... BAR NONE... So I apologize. I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THINKING THE RACE/AGE CARDS WOULDN'T BE PLAYED
Now I really owe you guys an apology for this oversight. Because I knew the reasons behind things like affirmative action or the NCAA ruling that requires at least one minority on every college bench. Or even teams and school that have to interview a mandatory number of candidates before making a hire. And why is that? Because the general perception (though ignorant) is that young African Americans belong on the court and older African Americans can go no further that the front office at best but at least a coach. So with me being young, educated and experienced I should have expected backlash from trying to go beyond all that and become an owner and create jobs as opposed to searching for them. I mean lets be real, that same rule of thumb applies in grassroots basketball. How many minorities have started organizations that run various events year round full time? Lets take the young thing out of it even though majority of these guys use that as the sole reason to not do business. But really how many? Cause I can name guys like Big Shots, Hoop Group, Vision Sports, Pump Brothers, DC Metro Showcase to name a few. Boo Williams, Jimmy Salmons... true but didn't really get the events popping until they had major funding behind them. And by no means is it a black white thing itsa a perception thing. THE BLACK FOLKS BELONG ON THE COURT OR SIDELINE. And I set out a long time ago to break that habit by running legit well run talent filled events. But was I received with open arms? Did guys extend opportunities? A few. Majority hated, overly criticized and threw salt. I know I know that's a casualty of success. So I apologize, I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR BELIEVING PEOPLE WOULD ACTUAL MEAN WHAT THEY SAY
I slipped on this one too because one of my favorite games growing up was poker. And that's all business is people who bluff their hand and some who play it and win or lose. I never was that good at poker. I guess I should have practiced. I apologize, I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THINKING EDUCATION AND CLASS WERE FACTORS IN THE BUSINESS
Well that was just stupid of me too. The genre of business celebrates guys who get pepper sprayed at major events, or chase after refs all without any formal means of specialized or certified training. But I say in a post how I THOUGHT about sending my goons on someone and the message board geeks run with it. My bad I apologize, I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT APOLOGIZING SOONER
I've since done like Jay-z and smartened up opened the market up. Which is why we recently released our first documentary entitled "THE VACA" which depicts our company vacation to NC. We also purchased a company car and are set to release our short film... "Dribble With Your Head Up and Eyes Open"coming soon. We have 4 high school showcases coming up and right back down Cesar Chavez for fall league. So I guess I should also be saying thanks to alot of you guys for showing me so much and forcing me to soul search. Did I mention our online shop will be launching in 2 weeks? Man I feel reformed.
I APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING A HEART AND NOT ALWAYS KEEPING IT JUST BUSINESS
Like I said before I did a lot of soul search and realized "I'm one of the few in the business who have one." I did so many things in the past that got me no where. Things I did without being compensated and more so than often was used against me later on. It's crazy because I developed a "bad reputation" because I was loyal to the former powers that be at the artist formerly known as Hoop Magic. I did all these things with the hopes that I would forever be straight. Likewise with the artist formerly known as Triple Threat. These same people who I watched from a distance in hs and college, who I watched tell other kids my age to be anything they wanted or say things like "whatever I can do to help." Who would have thought that it was all bullshit and it really meant "If I can't eat off you imma throw salt" or "if there's an opportunity for me to exploit you or cut you out of a deal to get more money for myself I'll take it." But after deep thought I realized that it's actually my fault. I should have know that at 17 when adults warn kids about how hard the real world it meant that the people who are actually schooling you are some of the biggest opportunists and scumbags.... BAR NONE... So I apologize. I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THINKING THE RACE/AGE CARDS WOULDN'T BE PLAYED
Now I really owe you guys an apology for this oversight. Because I knew the reasons behind things like affirmative action or the NCAA ruling that requires at least one minority on every college bench. Or even teams and school that have to interview a mandatory number of candidates before making a hire. And why is that? Because the general perception (though ignorant) is that young African Americans belong on the court and older African Americans can go no further that the front office at best but at least a coach. So with me being young, educated and experienced I should have expected backlash from trying to go beyond all that and become an owner and create jobs as opposed to searching for them. I mean lets be real, that same rule of thumb applies in grassroots basketball. How many minorities have started organizations that run various events year round full time? Lets take the young thing out of it even though majority of these guys use that as the sole reason to not do business. But really how many? Cause I can name guys like Big Shots, Hoop Group, Vision Sports, Pump Brothers, DC Metro Showcase to name a few. Boo Williams, Jimmy Salmons... true but didn't really get the events popping until they had major funding behind them. And by no means is it a black white thing itsa a perception thing. THE BLACK FOLKS BELONG ON THE COURT OR SIDELINE. And I set out a long time ago to break that habit by running legit well run talent filled events. But was I received with open arms? Did guys extend opportunities? A few. Majority hated, overly criticized and threw salt. I know I know that's a casualty of success. So I apologize, I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR BELIEVING PEOPLE WOULD ACTUAL MEAN WHAT THEY SAY
I slipped on this one too because one of my favorite games growing up was poker. And that's all business is people who bluff their hand and some who play it and win or lose. I never was that good at poker. I guess I should have practiced. I apologize, I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THINKING EDUCATION AND CLASS WERE FACTORS IN THE BUSINESS
Well that was just stupid of me too. The genre of business celebrates guys who get pepper sprayed at major events, or chase after refs all without any formal means of specialized or certified training. But I say in a post how I THOUGHT about sending my goons on someone and the message board geeks run with it. My bad I apologize, I should have known better.
I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT APOLOGIZING SOONER
I've since done like Jay-z and smartened up opened the market up. Which is why we recently released our first documentary entitled "THE VACA" which depicts our company vacation to NC. We also purchased a company car and are set to release our short film... "Dribble With Your Head Up and Eyes Open"coming soon. We have 4 high school showcases coming up and right back down Cesar Chavez for fall league. So I guess I should also be saying thanks to alot of you guys for showing me so much and forcing me to soul search. Did I mention our online shop will be launching in 2 weeks? Man I feel reformed.
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