Iron Sharpens Iron: A basketball flashback

Surrounding one-self with good people, great friends, strong mentors and inspiring peers amounts to one thing---Iron sharpening iron.

My childhood friend and I battle 1on1 at JL Crowe Secondary School-- our old high-school gym in Trail BC. It's something we probably did thousands of times 20 years ago. That was back when we were bringing the city and the school it's first and only provincial basketball championship. No man has ever pushed me to the limits both mentally and physically like he did. I owe him a lot. Fast forward several years later---Professional and collegiate athletic careers are over and both of our lives have evolved past the athletic focus. Now we just stay in shape just in case we're in the same place, at the same time and there's a ball and a hoop! Then it's on. The picture was taken by his wife, who must have been shocked at how intense and reckless two grown men were competing against each other. We didn't prepare her... On the way up to the school we might have lied to her and said, "We're just going to shoot some hoops." It was all lies. A stranger walking into the gym would have thought we were bitter enemies. And in truth, while we we're playing, we are. I don't like him and I know he doesn't like me. The level of dirty-ness was obscene. Perhaps that's the reason his wife didn't want my innocent Godson watching the madness. Didn't matter I'm sure he felt it in his DNA. A crowd of high-school students gathered around, no doubt wondering what all the shouting and swearing was about. We don't play above the rim like we used to. Neither of us can fly anymore, I lost my wings years ago... in front of everyone. But there's still enough in the tank in both men, that you could get dunked on if you get caught slipping. Two best friends, 30 years of no holds bard competition---Still pushing each other to the limit. Too much fun. When it was all over we hugged, and congratulated each other...Just like we used to. Perhaps more amicably now than we did 20 years ago. Back then, we used to limp off the court from battle bruises. Now, we limp off the court from bad backs, joint pain and arthritic knees. Either way... Some things never change. Iron Sharpens Iron It's competition like this that inspired me to write sport fiction, and specifically, my latest piece, entitled "HUSTLE" for Lorimer Publishing Kids Sports series---HUSTLE is scheduled to be published in the beginning of 2014. I'll keep you posted when it's out!

It's all about LeBron James

The 2010-2011 NBA season and NBA Playoffs can be summed up with one name, LeBron James.

LeBron James has become the most polarizing figure in professional sports and he didn't even need a mistress or an explicit sexting message to do it.

You either hate Lebron James, or you like him or you just can't figure him out, or you're a combination of all three.

Regardless, you have to feel one way or another about the man, he's forced us all into that. LeBron James forces you to think about him, to watch him, to dissect his every word and his every move so that you might perhaps gain some insight into why he is what he is, and why he does the things that he does.

For example, you may be able to rationalize why the one hour episode of The Decision on ESPN was necessary for him to announce he was taking his talents to South Beach. You may even be able to rationalize why he boasted that the Heat would win 7 championships before they had even played a game together.

But no one can come to a reasonable explanation as to what happened to his game in the NBA Finals, particularly in game 4.

It's too easy to say he shrunk in the moment, while that answer may be good enough for LeBron haters, it doesn't do justice.

The problem with trying to understand LeBron James is that there has never been a man that has worn his shoes, figuratively speaking.

Since he was in HS he was the King. The world was given to him on a platter and since he came into the NBA, the league has been his playground.

But this year the love turned to hate and LeBron became the villain in the NBA. The evil force that his detractors wanted stopped at all cost. The Mavericks played hero in the NBA Finals, and stripped the king of his crown.

But why do so many hate on LeBron James in the first place?

Here's some reason why it's fair and un-fair hate.

Why do people hate on LeBron James?

Miami Heat Ice Cold

It must be a tough situation in the Miami Heat locker-room right now. It's almost official at this point that the Big 3 is actually only the Big 2, with Bosh being the odd man out. But to me, the problem isn't that the Heat can't beat the best teams in the league, I don't expect them to be able to do that, they're still a work in progress.

The problem is that no one in the league is scared of the Heat right now. Even with their star power, teams don't appear the least bit intimidated, because of the way they play. Teams expect and can live with James and Wade getting theirs, because it's never a guarantee the Heat will pull it out even if James and Wade light it up.

Orlando proved that when came back after being down by 24 to upset the Heat in what used to be D Wade's house. When is Spoelstra going draw up a play for Wade at the end of the game? Not sure Bosh taking a 30 footer is the best option Coach!

After the Spurs took Miami to the Woodshed tonight in a game that was never close, you have to wonder...What's wrong with the Heat?

Trying to be like Mike

I was so thrilled to have the privileged to be in a commercial spot promoting the Jordan XX2 shoe. Like most kids born in the 80's, I grew up idolizing MJ, and wanted to be like him in every way. Minus the tongue wagging stuff, I was never about that.

By the time I got a chance to do this spot, I still had some hops, but they were slowly fading.

Jordan XX2 Evade Commercial Spot

Getting above the rim is easy. You just run and jump and it's simple...That is, until you get a little older. But you always think, you'll never get older, you'll always be able to do things like this...

Dream Hops

There was a time when the legs always felt fresh, there was always bounce in the stride and swagger in every step. There was a time when it didn't matter where that ball was, you just go get it, and bring it down...With Authority. Every-time. Let's take a walk down memory lane...

Feeling For Baron Davis

When a top tier player gets traded to one of the worst teams in the league, to a coach that he doesn't get along with, and to a city that he'll probably hate, you have to assume it's a personal jab at that player from the GM, and from the organization.

One day Baron was throwing lobs to the sky, the next he's staring up at the sky asking "why"...

That's exactly what the Clippers did to Baron Davis. Check out this piece on CalvinAyre.com, that talks about how the Clippers traded Baron Davis to Basket-Ball Hell.

NBA Trades Recap

In the span of one year the NBA has completely revamped itself. If I had a crystal ball, I think it would tell me that with Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Durant and OKC Thunder are the team of the future in the West. Still don't know what Boston was thinking.

But then again, would it surprise anyone if more superstars joined together elsewhere? Does it really look like Chris Paul is having fun? Maybe the Big Apple is calling his name too.

Here's a look at the 2011 NBA trade recap from an article on CalvinAyre.com.