Ballin magazine 2014 proof

The official players publication for

n b a | n b pa | n b r pa | w n b a

ALSO: Baller’s Garage: Old School vs. New School NBA’s New Commissioner Plus NBA TOP 20 NBRPA Update Powered by The Basketball Channel

The Finest Luxury Homes

Las Vegas: Enter through a guarded gate to access this five-bedroom, 8,416 sqare foot, custom home in the desirable Anthem Country Club community. With indoor and outdoor courtyards, chef-quality kitchen and formal dining room with fireplace and separate butler’s pantry. Enjoy the pool, spa, putting green and built-in barbecue. $2,875,000 Las Vegas/Henderson Nevada. Located in guard gated Anthem Country Club, this elegant 5 bedroom, 8,416

square foot custom home overlooks the 17th green water feature and 18th tee on the private golf course.

Impeccable detail throughout highlighted by indoor and outdoor courtyards, chef’s dream kitchen and lounge with full bar. Breathtaking backyard has natural landscaping, pool, spa, water feature, putting green, outdoor gazebo, dining cabana and built-in BBQ. Entertainer’s Dream.

Offered at $2,875,000

Branch Davis Las Vegas: Located Cheryl in the much sought after, gated community of Seven Hills inShéva Las Vegas, this 6,011 square feet Estate Advisor Real Estate Mediterranean-inspired, customAdvisor home overlook the Rio Secco Golf Course, with Real breathtaking mountain and city vistas.

759-2176 (702) 683-7785 The property has five spacious en suite bedrooms, imported model floors and high(702) ceiling throughout. $1,800,000 Sheva.Branch@evusa.com Cheryl.Davis@evusa.com Engel & Völkers Las Vegas · Cheryl Davis · Sheva Branch 2904 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway · Suite 201 · Henderson · NV 89052 · Phone +1-702-588-7500 lasvegas@evusa.com · lasvegas.evusa.com

©2014 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

Letter from CEO 5 NBPA & NBRPA Touching Lives 6 Letter from Adam Silver 8 NBA All-Star Weekend Events Calendar 9 Who’s MVP? 12 Ballin’ Future Stars 13 Baller’s Garage: New School Al Harrington

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Beginning to End 16 Chauncey Billups Mr. Big Shot meet Wendy WNBA: What’s New? 18 Maya Moore Receives Care Community Assist Award 21st Anniversary NPBA 20 Top 100 High School Basketball Camp Letter from Arnie D Fielkow 22 NBA Legends All Star Weekend Schedule 23

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Baller’s Garage: Old School Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams

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Coaches Corner Ime Udoka

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2014 All Stars Game: Top of the Key

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The Basketball Channel: Top 20

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The Basketball Channel

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Words of Wisdom

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The Basketball Channel: Coming Up!

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Letter from the CEO Greetings and welcome to the inaugural edition of Ballin’ Magazine.

Please allow me to introduce The Basketball Channel as a destination for basketball fans of all ages and from all over the world. We are proud to be a part of this first edition magazine and look forward to communicating with you in the days and months to come.

The Basketball Channel will be the first sports network dedicated to “Everything Basketball” available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year via Television, the Internet, and mobile devices. Coverage of live games including College, High School and Professional Player events using a variety of new and different technologies for broadband and digital streaming as well as live television broadcasts. Additionally, the company creates original basketball focused content including news and interview shows at our full service television studio in Culver City, CA. All of our applications are developed using the “TV Everywhere” model that is currently being used by all major sports networks.

We look forward to bringing basketball fans everywhere, the real stories of what’s happening in the world of basketball through Ballin’ Magazine and the many digital platforms and outlets that make up The Basketball Channel!

Magazine credits: William A. Shepherd Chief Executive Officer/ Publisher bill@thebasketballchannel.net

Van Coleman Vice President of Content van@thebasketballchannel.net

Jerome V. Williams Executive Producer/ Publisher Jerome@thebasketballchannel.net

Mark Englander Chief Financial Officer mark@thebasketballchannel.net

Fred Smith Jr. Chief Development Officer Fredsmith@thebasketballchannel.net

Photography Courtesy of NBA

Automotive Street Style, LLC. 2831 St. Rose Parkway Suite 203 Henderson, NV. 89052

We welcome and invite you to be part of The Basketball Channel family in the future, William A. Shepherd

CEO

The Basketball Channel Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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The NBA & WNBA players take great pride and give purpose to the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) & National Basketball Retired Association making community outreach a top priority. Through thier numerous initiatives aimed at positively impacting families throughout the globe.

The NBPA travels overseas to improve lives and impact communities. In addition to distributing millions of meals to the residents of Kenya, the NBPA also has visited China, Saudi Arabia and Puerto Rico, as well as other international locations, hosting basketball clinics for local children at each stop.

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The NBPA and NBRPA encourages all of its Members to take an active role in their communities and provides a host of resources to assist players and retired players in such efforts.

To learn more about what the NBPA and its players are doing in the community, visit the “News” section on NBPA.com.

Also to learn more about what the NBRPA and its retired players are doing in the community, visit the “NEWS” section on legendsofbasketball.com.

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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LETTER FROM ADAM SILVER Dear NBA Family Members, Welcome to NBA All-Star 2014 in New Orleans and thank you for participating in this special event.

One aspect of NBA All-Star that sets it apart is that it is a family reunion. Members from every corner of the NBA family come together once a year to celebrate our sport. From demonstrating our commitment to the community at the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service to honoring our history at the NBA Legends Brunch and greeting fans at Jam Session, all of you represent the best of the NBA and the game of basketball.

Please enjoy your time in New Orleans and make the most of your NBA All-Star experience.

ALL TIMES EASTERN (ET)

THURSDAY, FEB. 13

10 am - 5 pm All Day Dunk-A-Thon 5 pm The Starters 6 pm NBA GameTime 7 pm - 2 am All Day Dunk-A-Thon 8 pm Nets vs. Bulls 10:30 pm Thunder vs. Lakers 1 am Inside the NBA

FRIDAY, FEB. 14 10:30 am

Noon 12:30 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 9 pm 11 pm 11:30 pm

BBVA Compass Rising Stars NBA TV Challenge Practice Basketball Hall of Fame announcement NBA TV NBA All-Star 2014 Media Day NBA TV The Beat NBA TV The Starters NBA TV Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game ESPN BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge TNT Inside The NBA TNT NBA GameTime NBA TV

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Sincerely, Adam Silver NBA Commissioner

11:30 am NBA Inside Stuff TNT Noon East/West Practice & player interviews NBA TV 3 pm 2014 NBA D-League All Star Game NBA TV 6 pm Open Court: The Dunk TNT 7 pm Adam Silver news conference NBA TV 8 pm TNT NBA Tip-Off TNT 8:30 pm State Farm All-Star Saturday Night TNT

Sears Shooting Stars (1st Event)

Taco Bell Skills Challenge (2nd Event)

Foot Locker Three-Point Contest (3rd Event)

Sprite Slam Dunk (4th Event) 11 pm TNT NBA Special, TBD TNT 12 am NBA GameTime NBA TV

SUNDAY, FEB. 16

1 pm Legends Brunch 5 pm NBA GameTime 6 pm Sprint Pregame Concert 7 pm TNT NBA Tip-Off 8 pm 63rd NBA All-Star Game 11:30 pm Inside the NBA 8

NBA TV NBA TV NBA TV NBA TV TNT TNT TNT

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

NBA TV NBA TV NBA TV TNT TNT NBA TV 9

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WHO’S MVP?

BALLIN’ FUTURE STARS

Must see television starts with KD and King James, better known as Kevin and Lebron. This argument has gone up and down press reports all season long. The numbers don’t lie and KD clearly has an edge statistically but Lebron has the rings.

At NBA All Star weekend, these two will collide in an epic battle mono-e-mono for all the fans delight. With NBA Legends having seen these types of duals played out in the past, we were curious to see what they had to say if they were given one vote on this MVP race.

NBA Legends 2014 MVP Vote:

Lebron James is a freakish athlete who gives us flashes of Magic & Jordan in any given moment.

He is now pursuing his third championship and if D-Wade can fire up the bionic knee in another game 7, they could scream dynasty in Miami.

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Kevin Durant is a gifted scorer who commands double and triple teams who’s range begins in the parking lot. He has yet to lead his team to a championship ring but his teams nucleus is still improving.

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine and The Basketball Channel expert scout Van Coleman will continue to Bridge the Generations by bringing the retired and current players a look into the future with our columns and updates on the top young talent in College and High School Basketball. Check out this quick look at the Ballin’ FutureStars:

Top 25 Draftable College Players Rank Player 1.

Jabari Parker 2.

Julius Randle 3.

Marcus Smart 4.

Joel Embiid 5. Doug McDermott 6.

Andrew Wiggins 7.

Aaron Gordon 8.

Nik Stauskas 9.

Tyler Ennis 10. Noah Vonleh 11. Rodney Hood 12. Gary Harris 13. Montrezl Harrell 14. Zach LaVine 15. Willie Cauley-Stine 16. Adrien Payne 17. Chris Walker 18. Jerami Grant 19. C.J. Wilcox 20. James Young 21. Kyle Anderson 22. Semaj Christon 23. Sam Dekker 24. Jabari Bird 25. Jahii Carson

Hgt Pos 6-8 WF 6-9 PF 6-4 P/SG 7-0 C 6-8 W/PF 6-8 WF 6-8 PF 6-7 WF 6-3 PG 6-10 PF 6-8 WF 6-4 SG 6-8 PF 6-5 PG 7-0 C 6-10 PF 6-9 PF 6-8 W/PF 6-5 SG 6-6 SG 6-9 W/PF 6-3 PG 6-8 WF 6-6 SG 5-10 PG

Class College Frosh Duke Frosh Kentucky Soph Oklahoma State Frosh Kansas Senior Creighton Frosh Kansas Frosh Arizona Soph Michigan Frosh Syracuse Frosh Indiana Soph Duke Soph Michigan State Soph Louisville Frosh UCLA Soph Kentucky Senior Michigan State Frosh Florida Soph Syracuse Senior Washington Frosh Kentucky Soph UCLA Soph Xavier Soph Wisconsin Soph California Soph Arizona State

Overseas Trio to Watch: 1. Dante Exum 2. Dario Saric 3.

Mario Hezonja

6-6 PG 6-10 PF 6-7 WF

Age 18 Age 19 Age 18

Top 5 pick Top 10 pick Top 20 pick

To read more about these talented young players check out our coverage online at The Basketball Channel Network’s new online site TBCNets.com Available Soon or TheBasketballChannel.net.

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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Al Harrington plays for the NBA’s Washington Wizards. A 6’9” small forward/ Shooting guard who is also capable of playing power forward, Harrington was drafted out of St. Patricks High School in New Jersey in 1998.

After his senior year at St. Pats, Harrington entered the NBA draft, where he was selected twenty fifth overall by the Indiana Pacers. In 2007, Mr. Harrington launched the Al Harrington Foundation to provide educational and life enriching opportunities for youth affected by poverty, illness, abuse or neglect in Al’s native New Jersey.

the rides in his garage come with a unique flare and attitude. His 2011 Matte Black Porsche Pantera is no different. From first glance you are in double take mode as your eyes are drawn by the dulled out pearl paint matching rims that set the vehicle something straight out of “Return of the Dark Knight”.

One can only admire Al’s leap of faith with this design and shows just like he is not afraid to pull the three in game, He is willing to go gangsta in the car customizing world.

This Ride earns 4.5 Stars

When Al is not helping in the community, he is an avid car buff. All

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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Wendy’s Co. has sold 30 of its restaurants to BB St. Louis LLC, a partnership between National Basketball Association player Chauncey “Mr. Big Shot” Billups and former NBA player Junior Bridgeman.

The deal, disclosed Tuesday, is part of the Dublin-based burger chain’s announced intention to sell 425 restaurants it owns and operates to franchisees by second quarter 2014.

The eateries put up for sale include Wendy’s holdings west of the Mississippi River except for those in metropolitan Denver.

Terms of the deal with BB St. Louis weren’t disclosed, but industry sources have estimated Wendy’s could attract $150 million for the all of the restaurants

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on the selling block – about $350,000 apiece.

This is Billups’ first investment in the restaurant trade, Wendy’s said, but Bridgeman is well familiar with the chain.

He is its second-largest franchisee with full or partial ownership in 196 Wendy’s.

Billups, who this summer returned to the Detroit Pistons with whom he was the 2004 NBA Finals MVP, is entering his 17th season in the NBA. Bridgeman played 12 years in the NBA, mostly with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) counts more than 6,500 restaurants worldwide.Dan Eaton covers retailing and restaurants for Columbus Business First.

Copyright © 2014 Business First of Columbus Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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Presented by State Farm® | Official Release NBA.com NEW YORK, Sept. 26, education and teaching 2013 – Maya Moore youth how to read, in of the Minnesota Lynx hopes of providing them was awarded the WNBA with opportunities to Cares Community advance in the world.

Assist Award presented

by State Farm for her Additionally, through contributions to the Lynx initiatives, Moore community in September. appeared at the This marks the first time Minneapolis YWCA Moore has received the summer basketball camp honor. and MidCountry Bank camp, as well as led the Through her Maya Moore Lynx annual Faith and Academy, Moore, who Family night program, helped the Lynx to the guiding the group in 2011 WNBA title, hosted prayers and song. young girls (ages of 12 “I was given a lot growing to 17) to an exclusive up, people helped basketball experience, and guided me to get which included valuable life lessons of leadership and building character.

Moore also works with United Way to emphasize the importance of

opportunities to be the best that I could be,” Moore said. “Because of that I want to do my best to bless others, especially through basketball camps with my Academy. The pillars of my academy are basketball, leadership, character and service, and instilling those things into our next generation gives me a lot of joy because it makes a huge impact in their lives.”

In recognition of her efforts, the WNBA and State Farm are donating $5,000 to the United Way and Athletes in Action.

The WNBA Community Assist Award presented

by State Farm is awarded monthly during the season to the players that best reflects the WNBA’s passion to make a difference in the community.

Please visit wnba.com/statefarmcommunityassist for more information on the award and its recipients.

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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Top 25 High School Senior Players

America’s Top 100 High School Basketball Players Will Showcase Their Talent On the Court and Learn Life Lessons Off the Court From Top Professionals “We are proud to be celebrating the Top 100 Camp’s 21st anniversary this year,” said Purvis Short, NBPA Director of Player Programs and 12-year NBA veteran.

“We are serious about helping to develop our campers into outstanding basketball players and men, and we are thrilled that hundreds of our former

participants have gone on to flourishing NBA careers, including Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and countless others.”

Emphasizing character, education and skill development as the core principles necessary to maximize potential, the Camp offers a unique and valuable curriculum designed to prepare players for competition and life at the next level. The training

includes a sophisticated Skills Development Program, highlighted by its Mentoring, Personal Development and Education component.

In addition,every camper participates in a series of group discussions and classes on topics ranging from stress management to sex education, handling recruiting pressures, dressing for success, and other life-lesson subjects offered by expert trainers and counselors, as well as NBA players.

Rank Player Hgt Pos Home, State School College Choice 1. Cliff Alexander 6-9 C/PF Chicago, IL Curie Kansas 2. Emmanuel Mudiay 6-4 P/SG Dallas, TX Prime Prep SMU 3. Stanley Johnson 6-7 WF Santa Ana, CA Mater Dei Arizona 4. Jahlil Okafor 6-10 C Chicago, IL Whitney Young Duke 5. Tyus Jones 6-1 PG Apple Valley, MN High Duke 6. Myles Turner 6-11 C Euless, TX Trinity Undecided 7. Justin Jackson 6-7 SG/F Houston, TX HCYA UNC 8. Rashad Vaughn 6-6 SG/F Henderson, NV Findlay Prep Undecided 9. Justise Winslow 6-6 WF Houston, TX St. John’s Duke 10. Kelly Oubre 6-7 WF Henderson, NV Findlay Prep Kansas 11. Kevon Looney 6-8 WF Milwaukee, WI Hamilton UCLA 12. Karl Towns 6-10 C/PF Metuchen, NJ St. Joseph’s Kentucky 13. Joel Berry 6-1 PG Orlando, FL Lake Highland UNC 14. Chris McCullough 6-9 PF Wolfeboro, NH Brewster

Syracuse 15. Trey Lyles 6-8 205 Indianapolis, IN Arsenal Tech Kentucky 16. Isaiah Whitehead 6-4 SG Brooklyn, NY Lincoln Seton Hall 17. Daniel Hamilton 6-7 WF Bellflower, CA St. John Bosco Connecticut 18. Dwayne Morgan 6-8 W/PF Baltimore, MD St. Frances UNLV 19. James Blackmon 6-2 P/SG Marion, IN High Indiana 20. Theo Pinson 6-5 SG High Point, NC Wesleyan Christian UNC 21. Tyler Ullis 5-8 PG Matteson, IL Marion Catholic Kentucky 22. Grayson Allen 6-3 SG Jacksonville, FL Providence School Duke 23. D’Angelo Russell 6-3 SG Montverde, FL Academy Ohio State 24. Devin Booker 6-4 SG Moss Point, MS High Kentucky 25. Craig Victor 6-9 PF Henderson, NV Findlay Prep Arizona

Copyright © 2014 NBA.org. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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LETTER FROM ARNIE D. FIELKOW

NBA LEGENDS ALL STAR WEEKEND Schedule

NBRPA Members and Supporters: Welcome to the Big Easy!\ New Orleans is my adopted hometown, as I spent more than a decade in the Crescent City as Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints and President of the New Orleans City Council. It is my pleasure to welcome you and your families to All-Star Weekend on behalf of all my good friends down here in Louisiana.

Today’s NBRPA is sitting at an all-time high for dues-paying members at more than 650, with an unprecedented roster of member benefits, programs and community initiatives for our Legends of Basketball. Our Board of Directors are unified and driven, our Chapter Presidents are leaders that bring NBRPA programs to local communities, and our Members are the lifeblood of this 22-year old organization.

Our Legends enhance communities and promote the sport through free youth clinics, charitable outreach and other grassroots events in the United States and abroad. NBRPA Members have recently led international service tours in Haiti and the Middle East, as well as in American communities such as Sandy Hook, Conn., Moore, Okla. and the Lower Ninth Ward here in New Orleans.

We are excited to have you us this weekend for a full schedule of philanthropy, with a healthy mix of fraternization and fun. With your support we can continue to grow the NBRPA and reach new levels of success – in community service, for our members and beyond.

Yours in Basketball, Arnie D. Fielkow President & Chief Executive Officer National Basketball Retired Players Association

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13

12:00pm - 6:00pm Legends All-Star Lounge/NBRPA Registration 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Marriott New Orleans

Basketball Clinic - New Orleans Military Maritime Academy

Federal City - YMCA West Bank

5:30pm - 10:30pm NBA All-Star Jam Session & Opening Ceremony Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Private Reception

Freeport McMoRan - 1615 Poydras 23rd Floor

8:00pm - 10:00pm NBRPA Board of Directors, Chapter Presidents & Spouses Dinner

Federal City Military Base

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 8:00am - 11:00am

NBRPA Board of Directors Breakfast & Meeting Dooky Chase Restaurant

10:00am - 10:00pm Legends All-Star Lounge/NBRPA Registration

Marriott New Orleans

11:30am - 1:30pm

Behind the Bench Touching a Life Luncheon* Harrah’s New Orleans

11:30am - 1:30pm

NBRPA Board of Directors and Chapter Presidents Luncheon

12:00pm- 4:30pm

NBA Day of Service - NBRPA Members Encouraged to Attend Leave from Marriott New Orleans

Bob Pettit Residence

4:00pm - 10:00pm NBA All-Star Jam Session* Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Patron’s Reception (Invitation Only)

Ritz Carlton, New Orleans

6:00pm - 8:00pm Legends Welcome Reception

Ritz Carlton, New Orleans

8:00pm - 11:00pm

NBA Welcome Party (Invitation Only) Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

8:00pm

BBVA Rising Stars Challenge*

New Orleans Arena

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15

8:30am - 10:30am NBRPA Partners, Members and Legends Ladies Breakfast 8:30am - 11:00am

Marriott New Orleans

Newsmakers Breakfast (Invitation Only)

TBD

9:00am - 10:00pm NBA All-Star Jam Session* Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 10:00am - 7:00pm Legends All-Star Lounge / NBRPA Registration

Marriott New Orleans

10:30am - 11:30am Children’s Hospital New Orleans Visit

200 Henry Clay Avenue

12:00pm - 1:30pm NBRPA Board of Directors Meeting with Commissioner

TBD

12:00pm - 2:00pm Legends Ladies Garden District Tour 12:00pm - 5:00pm Community Lunch, Basketball Clinic and Youth Summit

Oliver Bush Playground, Lower 9th Ward

6:30pm

NBRPA Member Art Exhibit at Frenchy Gallery

7:00pm

State Farm All-Star Saturday Night*

610 Toulouse St.

7:00pm

New Orleans South African Connection, Inc. Lakefront Arena

& United Way Check Presentation to NBRPA

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Patron’s Reception (Invitation Only) Harrah’s New Orleans

New Orleans Arena

8:00pm - 12:00am NBRPA Legends Gala Harrah’s New Orleans

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 8:00am - 10:00am Legends All-Star Lounge TBD

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Services

Marriott New Orleans TBD

10:00am - 6:00pm NBA All-Star Jam Session* Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 10:00am - 1:00pm 15th Annual Legends Brunch (Invitation Only)* Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 1:00pm - 5:00pm Louisiana Coaches Clinic

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

2:30pm - 4:30pm

NBRPA Day at the Anthony Bean Community Theater

7:00pm

63rd NBA All-Star Game*

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Isidore Newman School Anthony Bean Community Theater New Orleans Arena

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Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams retired from the NBA in 2005. This year he became the head coach of perennial High School power house Findlay Prep Pilots. Since leaving the game this NBA Legend has worked for the NBA, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, NBATV, MSG, Automotive Street Style and founded a non-profit called the JYD Project, Inc. No stranger to hard work, Williams always brought his lunch pale to work as he stayed a top ten rebounder per min. the majority of his career while doubling as a fan favorite.

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Old schoolers always admired his gritty throwback style with his long socks & headband.

The Junk Yard Dog has always had a love for cars. His 1962 Lincoln Continental convertible can give granny’s to toddlers whip lash. Sporting Custom midnight blue paint, 383 Ford Motor, 22” Forgiato wheels on Pirelli Zero tires, Alpine stereo/ navigation and two 10” Subs.

We can see why he is still NBA ballers go to customizer for everything car.

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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COACHES CORNER

The Popovich coaching tree has extended in recent years to include such as Jacque Vaughn, Doc Rivers, Mike Brown, Vinny Del Negro, Avery Johnson, Monty Williams and now Mike Budenholzer, recently hired in Atlanta. That’s not counting general managers Kevin Pritchard (Indiana) and Sam Presti (Oklahoma City).

Udoka would love to be another arm of the tree. He would prefer

staying in the pros than moving to the college level, too.

“Coaching is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do other than playing,” he says.

“I want to pursue a career coaching in the NBA, because it’s all about basketball there.

I’ve enjoyed working with college kids and the AAU stuff I did in Portland, but there are so many extra things to worry about -- study hall, getting kids to class, recruiting, all that stuff. I want to keep it

kerryeggers@portlandtribune.com

just to basketball.”

Does Popovich see in Udoka the potential to be an NBA head coach some day?

“Absolutely,” Coach Pop says. “Ime has the toughness and the mind to where he understands how to maintain discipline.

A lot of coaches will give in and do what’s easy. He knows how to handle players. He has been able to stroke them and stay on them at the same time.

That’s a really good quality.

“The players know he cares about them, but he can make demands and they respond to him. That’s important for a head coach.

Players have great ‘BS antennae.’ If they think you don’t know what you’re doing, they’re going to call you out immediately.”

There’s absolutely no BS about Gregg Popovich, of course.

Ime Udoka? It’s safe to say that he doesn’t suck, either.

@kerryeggers

All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission.

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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2014 ALL STARS GAME: TOP OF THE KEY

(1,416,419), an All-Star for the 10th time in 11 seasons, is joined in East’s frontcourt by the Indiana Pacers’ Paul George (1,211,318) and the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony (935,702). The Heat’s Dwyane Wade (929,542) and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving (860,221) comprise the Eastern Conference’s starting backcourt. Wade is also making his 10th trip to the All-Star Game in 11 seasons.

(1,396,294), who earned his fifth All-Star nod, is joined in the frontcourt in the West by the L.A. Clippers’ Blake Griffin (688,466) and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love (661,246), who overtook the Houston Rockets’ Dwight Howard for the final starting frontcourt spot in the West. It’s the fourth straight All-Star nod for Griffin, while Love is set to play in his third All-Star Game.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors will start in his first NBA All-Star Game, having secured the top spot among Western Conference backcourt players after the final returns of NBA All-Star Balloting 2014 presented by Sprint. Curry (1,047,281) is joined in the West backcourt by the L.A. Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (988,884), who was selected to play in his 16th All-Star Game, second all-time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19).

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

1. Kevin Durant 2. Lebron James 3. Paul George 4. Stephen Curry 5. Chris Paul 6. James Harden 7. Carmelo Anthony 8. Lamarcus Aldridge 9. Kevin Love 10. Kobe Bryant 11. Kyrie Irving 12. Tim Duncan 13. Dwyane Wade 14. Anthony Davis 15. John Wall 16. Tony Parker 17. Dwight Howard 18. Blake Griffin 19. Roy Hibbert 20. Demar DeRozan Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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THE BASKETBALL CHANNEL: INFO

Building Your Future With The Basketball Channel The Basketball Channel will be the first sports network dedicated to “Everything Basketball” available 24-hours a day, 7 day a week, 365 days a year via Television, the Internet, and mobile devices. The Basketball Channel offers the players of the game a unique opportunity to establish their own “Brand” through our Bridging the Generations programs. All players, Retired , Current, and the Future will be able to link the History of the Game with what’s happening across the spectrum of Today’s game at the High School, College, International, or NBA level!

The Basketball Channel welcomes the participation of players, both current and retired, in accomplishing that goal by joining with us by taking advantage of one or more of The Basketball Channel’s Brand Building Opportunities as outlined here:

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

THE BASKETBALL CHANNEL: PLAYER BRANDS

The Basketball Channel will assist all players, retired, current, and future to find new avenues to expand on their current Brand by developing multiple platforms to help push their Brand to fans, while allowing players to explore the opportunity to build their skills as Play by Play, Color Analysts, In-Studio and Mobile Show Hosts, Expert Analysis, Skill Instructors, and Podcasts and Radio Commentary personalities. These Branding Opportunities will be pushed to the worldwide basketball fan through various social media and other marketing campaigns developed by The Basketball Channel for each individual player. The Basketball Channel’s use of TV-Everywhere technology will produce many opportunities to reach a worldwide audience for player brands that will deliver their Brand into many other media opportunities outside the realm of sports!

The Basketball Channel offers the players of the game something they don’t get from any other Media entity, the opportunity to become an owner of their Brand and its development as a profit center for today and their future through its Player Investment Program!

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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THE BASKETBALL CHANNEL: CONTENT PROVIDER

The Basketball Channel will assist all players, retired, current, and future with the opportunity to develop a vehicle to become a content provider.

Content can and will be developed for all five media platforms available to The Basketball Channel as an On Air TV personality, Web Column Blogger, Radio and Podcasts host, Social Media Blogger, and Hard Copy Columnist. The Basketball Channel will help players to build distribution networks for their content on the various outlet platforms available to The Basketball Channel content providers. The Basketball Channel will team with the content provider to leverage his content to outside media distribution entities and assist content provider with brand building through those distribution outlets.

The Basketball Channel will assist all players, retired, current, and future who has already produced shows or documentaries, as well as written, and recorded content to leverage that content for distribution thru a rights agreement that allows for that product to be branded to player on The Basketball Channel as well as the other various Media Outlets available for distribution thru The Basketball Channel.

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Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

THE BASKETBALL CHANNEL: PRODUCTION PROVIDER

The Basketball Channel will assist all players, retired, current, and future with the opportunity to develop and produce Shows, Documentaries and Original Content. If you have an idea for a future filmed project, then The Basketball Channel will assist you in developing the Production Plan, provide the Studio, Film Technology and Editing needed to bring your Production idea to The Basketball Channel and all other Media outlets available for distribution.

The Basketball Channel will be involved in assisting players in developing the skills to become a game, show, or documentary Producer. The Basketball Channel will have an educational intern program to develop players into skilled production personnel that will be capable of working on the many platforms and available programs that will populate the 24/7/365 network that is The Basketball Channel

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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Turn Your Frown Upside Down.

I am sure that we have all had that bad day that started off with us running late, a car accident, getting a ticket, business deal gone bad and many other scenarios, but they all have one thing in common….. they usually place us in a bad mood and/or cause us to worry! The greatest book ever written, The Bible, says we do not have to worry about these situations that occur in life because “All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) A great example of this law at work is the story of Joseph. The Book of Genesis tells how Joseph was the 11th of Jacob’s 12 sons and Rachel’s firstborn. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, then thrown in prison, yet rose to become the most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh. When famine struck the land, his brothers journey to see the Pharoah for help and to their dismay they saw their little brother as a very powerful individual. When Joseph noticed his brothers he at first was full of anger and had them thrown in prison.

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Then he realized he was being emotional and had them send for his younger brother and upon their return Joseph made sure they had more than enough to eat and doubled their money!

There are many lessons that can be obtained from the story of Jacob, but the ones to focus on is that even though a situation started off uncomfortable, the outcome will be good if one is patient and allows the greatness to manifest. Secondly, we cannot become emotional and focus on the bad situation. We have to know and believe that the current situation is necessary to obtain our goal in life. Lastly, we have to forgive those that bring pain to us, because the experiences that we go through is necessary to receive our blessing. So be encouraged next time a situation is not your liking because God says, “All things work together for the good…”

Improve the quality of your life as well as the lives of those around you by following these “Words of Wisdom”.

Ballin’ Magazine | February 2014

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