Black History Month 2010 - Day 3

For those of you bogged down in snow and cold, I hope this countdown brightens up your day a bit. So far, Luke has picked two moments that not only are amazing Black Sports moments, but great sports moments, a testament to the hard work I know Luke is putting into this list. Of course, there is still a long way to go and a lot more moments to be revealed. If you missed the previous 2, just check the archives to catch up. And of course, make sure you check out Luke's blog as well for his entire take on the moment as well as videos that help you understand and appreciate his selection that much more. On to number 26...

#26 - Magic Johnson's Sky Hook Wins Game 4 of the NBA Finals

Read Luke's full post here

Luke's Take - With each team having one championship against the other, 1987 was the deciding series. The Lakers were up two games to one heading into Game Four, making it a must-win for Bird and the Celtics. Knowing that, the importance of what Magic did in the closing seconds was even more impressive.

Looking back on Magic's career, you could argue it's his signature play. Either way, it is enough to get a spot on this list. It would have been much higher had I remembered it, but just like Keith Smart, I was still crapping my diapers when it actually went down.

Matt's Take - I gotta agree with Luke here. When I think of Magic's career, I think about this shot. It is just one of the many examples of how he came up big for the Lakers. It's no wonder why in a recent ESPN poll of who is the best Lakers player in history, Magic won 49 of the 50 states (Jerry West won WV - his hometown state). That's right, Kobe wasn't even close.

Simply put, there are big shots and then there are BIG shots. Magic's sky hook was the latter. And unlike a conventional jumper or even a 3-point shot, the sky hook just has this poetic look to it. Every time I just see the image, I get chills of how clutch that shot was. I mean, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale were right there! That moment definitely deserved inclusion on this list and I'm glad it made it despite it coming while Luke and I were infants.

BHM Quote of the Day: "Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates." ~Magic Johnson

Black History Month 2010 - Day 2

We're off and running our countdown of the top 28 Black Sports Moments since July 1986. It's all part of the celebration of Black History Month, the best month of the year. Luke began the countdown with a bang and it'll be tough to keep that pace up. But I've got faith in him. He hasn't let me down yet when it comes to this month. Don't forget to check out his post first before fully reading mine. It really adds to this whole experience. Plus, he provides a hint for the next person in the countdown. So what's #27?

#27 - Keith Smart in the 1987 NCAA Basketball Championship
Read Luke's full post here

Luke's Take: Don't think Matt Barnes remembers watching this one live, seeing as he was less than one year old when it took place. But, it was a shot ... and a moment, that Bobby Knight and Keith Smart both will never forget.

Keith Smart found the ball, and from almost the same exact spot as Michael Jordan was when he hit the game-winner five years prior, Smart showed no hesitation in burying the jumper and giving the Indiana Hoosiers a 74-73 victory.

My Take: Luke is right that I don't remember seeing this live. But I can assure I've seen it replayed over and over again, and what a moment it was. Smart was not the star of the Hoosiers team. That was Steve Alford. But Smart took over down the stretch and then, made that great shot (video on Luke's blog if you need a refresher).

Unless you are a Syracuse fan, you have to be a fan of this moment. Buzzer-beaters are always a lot of fun but in the NCAA tournament, they're that much better. Then, add in the fact that this was for the title, and yeah, no doubt this had to make the list. Great selection and a great shot.


BHM Quote of the Day: "I always say that the history of the shot is always chasing me to do things the right way. It's an honor, but it always makes me feel that people are looking up to that moment, and I have to make sure that I do all the right things." ~Keith Smart

Black History Month 2010 - Day 1

I know I promised this list would be coming on February 1st. Well, things happen. In this case, life happened, as my good friend Luke who compiles amazing list lost his grandmother. Since then, we've both been playing catchup. We're slowly getting there so bear with both of us as we get this ball rolling.

In case you missed my introduction post, Luke and I have a tradition of making a lost to commemorate Black History Month. This year's list is "Top 28 Black Sports Moments". With every post he puts up on his blog, I will have a response on my blog. I really encourage you to check out Luke's post first before mine It is very in-depth and interactive, with videos as well. So without further adieu, let the countdown begin!

#28 - Shani Davis in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games

Read Luke's full post here

Luke's Take: Anyone who follows this blog knows about my love and passion for Cool Runnings. The rumors are true, I can quote any line of that movie verbatim. At one point, John Candy (their coach) is talking about how fast his guys are. A friend then asks Candy, "but can lightning run on ice?"

Shani Davis answers that question with a resounding YES.

My Take: What's to argue here? When people think speed skating, they normally think of Apolo Anton Ohno. But they should be thinking of Shani Davis too. The guy really turned some heads in the Torino games but as Luke pointed out in his post, when he won the gold medal, he made history.

It's a known fact Black people don't like the cold. Well, at least 98% of them don't. That's why it didn't surprise me to know not one Black person had won an individual gold medal until Davis did. But when he did, it was a great moment. A kid coming from Chicago of all places, succeeding on the biggest athletic stage in the world. I'll say this...if this is #28, this is gonna be one heck of a list.

BHM Quote of the Day: “It showed that all the hard work and all the sacrifice paid off. Kids in general, if you put your mind to it and you believe it, you can achieve it.” ~Shani Davis

Black History Month 2010 - Intro

Every year, the world becomes a better place for yours truly. Why you ask? For one simple reason: the start of Black History Month. 28 days of celebrating all the great achievements of Black people in the past and present. 28 days to recognize them for all their blood, sweat and tears in their fight for equality. 28 days to remember we still have a long way to go in that fight. And also, 28 days to check out this blog as we celebrate that and much more.

Now while I could supply you with a different Black History fact every day, I don't want to do that. Not because I don't think you would be educated by it or be fascinated by it, but I think that is something you should do already. Instead, I have something a bit more fun planned on this blog. Something that is becoming a tradition.

It began for real in 2007 with my good friend Luke Florence. We are both big fans of lists of just about anything. So when B.H.M. came around, it just made sense to make some kind of list to celebrate the 28 days. Well, in 2007, it was songs with the word Black in them. After a shaky 2008, last year Luke counted down his 28 favorite Black TV Characters/Personalities. This year though, really has the potential to be great.

This year, we decided on the topic of 28 favorite sports moments involving Black athletes in my lifetime. So that means any great moment since July 26, 1986, when yours truly left the womb. Luke and I are both big sports fans so I already expect a great dialogue every day with each selection. Now, there may be days when we fall behind a pick or two, but don't worry, all 28 will be put on this blog and his in order with careful analysis.

Now you may think this list is a mockery of the month. I disagree completely. Instead, see it as just further proof of how far this nation has come. The fact that a White guy (Luke) and a Black guy (me) can work together on something like this. The fact that we can honor great achievements by Black athletes is wonderful too. So I hope you'll check in right here to the blog as we count down the great moments.

For now, I leave you with last year's list. See ya soon as we begin with #28.

Luke's Favorite Black TV Characters/Personalities
28. Rev Run (Jeremy Simmons) - "Run's House"
27. Kel Mitchell - "Kenan and Kel", "All That", "Goodburger"
26. Cleveland - "Family Guy"
25. Randy Jackson - "American Idol"
24. Phil Moore - "Nick Arcade"
23. Redd Foxx as "Fred Sanford" - "Sanford and Son"
22. Alton Williams - "Real World: Las Vegas", "Gauntlet"
21. Black Smoke Monster - "LOST"
20. Malcolm-Jamal Warner as "Theo Huxtable" - "The Cosby Show"
19. Charles Barkley - "Inside The NBA"
18. Tracy Morgan - "30 Rock" and "SNL"
17. Alfonso Ribiero as "Carlton Banks" - "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
16. "Chef" - "South Park"
15. Christopher "Big Black" Boykin - "Rob and Big"
14. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - "WWE"
13. Adewele Akinnouye-Agbaje as "Mr. Eko" - "LOST"
12. Victor Williams as "Deacon Palmer" - "The King of Queens"
11. Bernie Mac - "The Bernie Mac Show"
10. Leslie David Baker as "Stanley Hudson" - "The Office"
9. Michael Wilbon - "PTI"
8. Larry Wilmore - "The Daily Show"
7. Dave Chappelle/Wayne Brady - "Chappelle's Show"
6. Alex Adeyanju/Matt Barnes - "Gridiron Glory"
5. LeVar Burton - "Reading Rainbow"
4. Gervase Peterson - "Survivor: Borneo"
3. Bill Cosby as "Cliff Huxtable" - "The Cosby Show"
2. Donald Faison as "Christopher Turk" - "Scrubs"
1. Will Smith as "Will Smith" - "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"

New Year's Resolutions 2010

I've always hated New Year's Resolutions. Just like giving up something for 40 days during Lent, I never stick to them. Instead, I disappoint myself within a month. So after about 10-15 of making resolutions, I decided to give it up. That is, until last year, when I decided to give it one more try.

The list was short but all were very important to me. And while I knew that I had about a one percent chance of carrying out the resolution, the fact that I ever wrote them down made me feel good about myself and my priorities.

For that reason, I am going to try to make resolutions again. This year, I give myself a two percent chance of actually keeping with them. Hey, that's improvement.

Before I write this year's resolutions, here's a quick recap of 2009.

2009 RESOLUTIONS
1. Pray every night - I'd say I did a decent job with this. Considering I don't go to church in Augusta, I found this one important. But there were some nights I fall asleep before I let God know how much I appreciate him.

2. Lose 20 lbs by April - What a dumb reoslution. I didn't need to lose weight. I just needed to get in shape. Glad I didn't carry through with this one.

3. Call member of family every day - This was a bit ambitious. There were a lot of days where calling anyone would have been impossible or just flat out worthless since the day was as exciting as watching paint dry.

4. Put $150 in savings every month - Eh, didn't do it every month. When I fell behind, I tried to catch up. But in the end, I fell short.

5. Write on this blog once a week - Well, as seen by the 6-month hiatus from this post to the last, I'd say that was a big fail.

6. Watch a new movie every week - I surely thought I could do this one. But alas, I just forgot too many weeks. In the end, I think I saw just 20 movies in 2009.

7. Become a better golfer by May - This was strictly aimed at playing Augusta National. By May, I was a better golfer and shot 115 on the course. It could've been better so I'll just give myself half-credit for this.

8. Run a half-marathon - SUCCESS!

Alright, now that I depressed myself with my lack of motivation, here are the 2010 New Year's Resolutions

2010 RESOLUTIONS
1. Eat out no more than twice a week
2. Write on both blogs at least once a week
3. Shoot better than 115 at Augusta National
4. Get to the gym 3-4 days a week OR complete P90X
5. Put $200 into savings each month
6. Run a second half-marathon
7. Call and catch up with a different friend each week
8. Start thinking about the next career step

There are more but they'll still hidden to your eye. For now though, that's the short list. Happy New Year everyone and of course, Hakuna Matata!