SJ Magazine - Dec 2010

2 Magazine Layout by bbyao06 Designs

What is SportsJabber? __________________________________________________ 4 Spotlight On SportsJabber Radio __________________________________________ 5 World War I: Christmas Truce___________________________________________________________ 6 SJ College Football Power Rankings _____________________________________________________ 7 The Lion Curse ___________________________________________________________________________ 8 “Ant” Time with Author, Brandon Sneed _______________________________________________ 9 Top Pound-4-Pound MMA Fighters ____________________________________________________ 15 Tilly’s Christmas Treats _________________________________________________________________16 Could Duke actually be BETTER than last year? _______________________________________ 19 Gold Medal Miracle: Olympic Goalie Great, Jim Craig Does SJ _________________________ 20 MLB Free Agency: Shifting the Balance of Power _____________________________________ 23 NHL Power Rankings ___________________________________________________________________ 24 Chiefmom’s Says... _______________________________________________________________________ 29 SJ’s Official Week 14 NFL Power Rankings ____________________________________________ 31 Beyond the Wall with Aaron Yarbough ________________________________________________ 32 Phillips, Childress, and McDaniels Get the Boot. Who’s Next? ________________________ 34 SJ’s Mock Draft Database _______________________________________________________________ 35 SJ’s 2011 Official NFL Mock Draft ______________________________________________________ 36 2010 MLB Award Winners _____________________________________________________________ 37 Movies You May Have Missed __________________________________________________________ 38 SJ’s Official Week 6 NBA Power Rankings _____________________________________________ 42 Heat on the Lake Show __________________________________________________________________43 The Trail to Golden State _______________________________________________________________ 47 The OTHER Big 3 Working Magic ______________________________________________________ 49 Nuggets of Thunder _____________________________________________________________________ 51 Ghost of MJ-Past on Broadway _________________________________________________________ 52 SJ Holiday Greetings ____________________________________________________________________ 54 SJ’s Social Networks & Home of SJ Magazine 3 __________________________________________ 55 Prayer to Scott (NYSportsRule) ________________________________________________________ 57 Recognition ______________________________________________________________________________ 58

SportsJabber.net provides complete coverage of the sporting world. While best-known for its alwaysactive forums, it is much, much more. SJ is a multi-verse of inter-connected sports fan sites.

It's an assembly of contributing blogger-authors providing expert analysis of their chosen sports, leaving no event uncovered or lacking importance. SJ provides a platform and an extensive marketing channel to promote the authors' original works.

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The weekly fun, informative, & interactive Sports Jabber Radio Show, "Cheap Seats Community" (think Myspace for sports fans) with its included blogs (yours & others) and "Graphics Showcase"), along with SJ's aforementioned social network sites are directly accessible via the "Sports Community" link on the home page.

SJ operates one of the largest and most comprehensive NFL mock draft databases on the net. With our own mock draft, created & maintained by our cross-fan team of experts at its foundation, our database, unlike most, operates and is updated year-round.

Of course, Jabberheads also unite in our highly interactive member forums, 24-7, for discussion of breaking sports news & daily events, enjoyment of competitive fantasy sports, & participation in fun & competitive prize-awarded contests.

If you kick, throw, hit, or drive it...or enjoy watching it done, it's a jabber world made for you.

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Interested in Writing/Reading Articles?

Interested in Intelligent Sports Discussion?

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Written by: Mark

Sports Jabber Radio (or SJ Radio as we call it) was born at the same time as Sportsjabber.net.

Hosted by TV and radio veteran Mark Janda and Sportsjabber.net advisor Ben English, it is the voice for a vibrant cross-section of sports aficionados and addicts. From the field, ice, court, pitch or track, you can count on them to talk the sports you love.

Every Wednesday night at 10:00pm Eastern (9:00 Central), Mark and Ben cover the major sports stories and the happenings in the SJ community. Often they will have guests who share knowledge, insight and opinion. (Past guests have included best-selling author Jeff Pearlman, gaming expert Joe Samaurez Smith and US Olympic Gold-Medal winner Billy DeMong.) They also welcome you to join them on-air or in the SJ Radio chat room while the show is live.

This football season, they have been joined every week by fantasy guru and SportsJabber.net partner KZ from FansFantasyFootball.com. He makes the picks to help your fantasy football team keep on winning.

And then there are the prizes. Over the two years it's been in existence, SJ Radio has awarded T-shirts, autographed books, DVDs and a host of other swag to our listeners.

It's a great time to be a Jabberhead! Expand your Jabberworld with us as we go seriously multimedia!

Remember, SJ Radio is on every Wednesday at 10:00pm Eastern, 9:00 Central.

Check out SportsJabber Radio at its home:

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World War I: Christmas Truce

By Jon M. Tessler (ReveryRoadie) They say that war is hell, and that is especially true around the holidays. Being away from home during birthdays and anniversaries is bad enough, but once you get into the holiday season, the pull of home becomes even greater. Spending Thanksgiving or Christmas with a couple of hundred of your shipmates cannot replace the comfort and peaceful joy of an intimate family dinner.

Although wars don't stop for the holidays, during WW1, in 1914, all along the Western Front, hostilities ceased in an unofficial Christmas truce. This truce was repeated in 1915 and there was even an Easter Truce in 1916 on the Eastern Front.

Although there was no official truce, about 100,000 British and German troops were involved along the length of the Western Front. The first truce started on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914 when German Troops began to decorate their trenches in the area of Ypres, Belgium. The Germans placed candles on their trenches and Christmas Trees, and began to sing Christmas Carols. The British troops responded by singing carols of their own. This was soon followed by shouts of Christmas greetings. Soon after troops from both sides began to venture into "No Mans Land" and small gift exchanges were made. The gifts included food, tobacco, alcohol, and even buttons and hats from uniforms were traded. The truce also allowed each side to recover their fallen comrades, for proper burial. The truce lasted through Christmas Day, although in some places it lasted through the New Year.

When the British Commander heard of the truce, he was irate, and issued strict orders for the artillery bombardments be maintained. Troops were also frequently rotated so that they did not become "overly friendly" with the enemy. However troops worked around these restrictions by firing artillery at precise times and at precise locations so casualties were avoided on both sides.

On Christmas Eve in 1915, the peace overture came from the German side, and after a night of singing, on Christmas Day, a football (soccer) was produced and a free-for-all game of kicking the ball around ensued and lasted for approximately 30 minutes.

Where the Germans and French troops faced each other, when the bells sounded in the villages of the Vosges Mountains, French and German troops began visiting each other through unused tunnels and exchanged gifts.

In 2008, the British and Germans dedicated a Christmas Truce Memorial, at the place where their ancestors came out of their trenches. The British and Germans played a football match, in which the Germans won 2-1.

6

SJ College Football Rankings As of: December 6, 2010

1.Auburn 87 (3) 2. Oregon 87 (3) 3. TCU 75 4. Stanford 71 5. Wisconsin 70 6. Ohio State 57 7. MSU 48 8. Arkansas 46 9. Oklahoma 45 10. Nevada 29 7

The Lion Curse Written by: Lance Schoonover It seems like in every sport, a team has a curse and in the NFL, it seems like it is the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been the laughing stock of the NFL for the last decade or so. The ship seems to be turned around now though and dare I say, heading in the right direction with Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz leading the way. The Lions have been close in every game so far this season and have had chances to win any of them. Now as a fan, that’s nice to see but sooner or later, the W’s will have to come because as of now, its still the same ole’ Lions.

This season looked promising for the Lions but just like that, that promise was shattered in the first game when franchise QB, Matt Stafford, went down with a shoulder injury. He would later be able to come back after a bye week. Until that time came though, the Lions battled and were in every game but again, Detroit just couldn’t seem to get over the hump and win the majority of those close games. When Stafford returned, it gave a spark to the team and they were able to beat Washington. The next game would provide a real test for the Lions as they took on the New York Jets, one of the AFC’s elite. The Lions hung tough and really controlled the game for the most part besides a couple of plays but late in the 4th when it seemed like Detroit might be able to hang on, Stafford re-injured his shoulder and had to leave the game. The Lions then went on to lose and since then, have lost to the Bills and Cowboys on the road. Just when it seemed like all might be well in Detroit, Stafford went down and their playoff hopes went along with him.

This is also a team that had one of the most electrifying players of all time in Barry Sanders but were unable to ever win or even appear in a Super Bowl. After his early retirement at the age of just 30, Barry later cited that the losing took a toll on him and he just didn’t want to put up with it anymore. He also mentioned that it hurt him that the Lions traded away some key players to save money at that time. He considered some of these guys - - friends like Kevin Glover.

The Lions did make the playoffs 5 out of 10 seasons with Barry and did make one NFC championship game but were routed by the Washington Redskins. That is the furthest that the Lions have ever gotten in the modern day era. Detroit haven’t made the playoffs since 1999 and is only 1 of 4 teams to have never played in a Super Bowl.

They also have the second longest championship drought behind the Cardinals. The Lions last won a championship in 1957 and in the 50’s, Detroit proved to be a dominant team with 4 championships to show for it but after trading away Star QB, Bobby Layne, the Lions have had bad luck or a curse. Layne did say that the Lions wouldn’t win for 50 years after he got traded away so there may be some truth to that.

Detroit also owns a few records that they are not proud of. They are the only team to go winless in a 17 week schedule which occurred back in 2008. Ironically enough, the Lions went undefeated in the preseason, figure that one out... This year, the team also passed their previous record of consecutive losses on the road.

I’m not one to really believe in curses but it seems like there is something more going on here than just bad luck.

Detroit has had a plethora of Draft Picks not pan out in recent years as well but that could just be the doing of Matt Millen. The team has seemed to draft well under the new regime but we still don’t know if they will work out as the Lions still continue their losing ways. The future could be bright but a lot of that depends on Matt Stafford’s health.

8

"Ant" Time With "Ant" Time With Sneed Author, Brandon Author, Brandon Sneed "The Edge of Legend" Written Written by: Reg by: with Reg Brandon with Brandon "The Edge of Legend" Written by: Reg with Brandon "Brandon Sneed is an author and journalist living in Wilmington, NC. He has contributed to numerous local, regional, and national publications, them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Spectrum,toand Our State.

Heregional, writes "Brandon Sneed is an authoramong and journalist living in Wilmington, NC. He Sports has contributed numerous local, regularly for magazines and among newspapers the Sports Wilmington area. He recently finished a five-month column about and national publications, them in being Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State. series He writes training for and racing triathlons.

Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons.

But he regularly for magazines and newspapers in the Wilmington area. He recently finished a five-month column series about survived, andand in the meantime, wrote this book... The of Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ training for racing triathlons.

Unfortunately, thisEdge also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons. But he survived, and in the meantime, wrote this book... The Edge of Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ Brandon and SJ Magazine were introduced to each other via our mutual friend & associate, Best-Selling Author & Jeff Pearlman...who book and who&we thank immensely.

Brandon andColumnist, SJ Magazine were introduced to endorses each otherBrandon's via our mutual friend associate, Best-Selling Author & Columnist, Jeff Pearlman...who endorses Brandon's book and who we thank immensely.

Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating book about an incredible young athlete with an inspiring true story. We encourage you to check out. You will not be disappointed.

Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating bookitabout an incredible young athlete with an inspiring true story. We encourage you to check it out. You will not be disappointed.

And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed...

And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed...

"The Edge of Legend" is your first book. How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career?

"The Edge of Legend" is your first book. How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career?

I got into writingI because got into writing while growing becauseup, while I really growing got into up, reading.

I really got Never into watched reading. much NeverTV watched -- that much was kind TV of -- that a joke the was neighborhood, kind of a joke "Oh, around Brandon's theI neighborhood, only got "Oh, channels."

Brandon's Ha-ha. only(But gotmuch one threeofTV channels." those girlswas Ha-ha. who always (But I got around into writing because while growing up, really got three into reading.

Never watched -- that kind of a picked on me ended one up of those marrying girls me, who so....yeah, always picked I don't on know me ended what the up meaning marrying in me, all so....yeah, that is, but I don't it seems know like what there's the joke around the neighborhood, "Oh, Brandon's only got three channels." Ha-ha. (But one of those girls who always something to that.) meaning Seriously in all though, that is, I but just it devoured seems like books. there's I would something drive to my that.) parents Seriously nuts.

I though, remember I just them devoured buying picked on me ended up marrying me, so....yeah, I don't know what the meaning in all that is, but it seems like there's a set of books, books.

40 orI would so, and drive I read them parents in a nuts. week.

I They remember like, "Are buying a SERIOUS?" set of books, Which about is 40them funny, or so,buying because and I a something to about that.)

Seriously though, Imy just devoured books.

I were wouldthem drive myyou parents nuts.

I remember reading and writing read them are such....I in a week. don't They know, were "nerdy" like, "Are things, you and SERIOUS?" I was a huge Which nerd is growing funny, because up.

Big glasses reading and and all. set of books, about 40 or so, and I read them in a week. They were like, "Are you SERIOUS?" Which is funny, because But I also really writing got are intoare sports, such....I and don't got pretty know, good "nerdy" atthings, a things, couple, so there I was has a huge definitely nerd growing been up. thatup. nerd-versus-jock Big glasses reading and writing such....I don't know, "nerdy" andand I was a huge nerd growing Big glasses andand all. war going on with all. myself.

But I also Which really is incredibly got into sports, nerdy and to say, got anyway, pretty good so I at guess a couple, the nerd's so there winning has definitely out nowadays. been that I But I also really got into sports, and got pretty good at a couple, so there has definitely been that nerd-versus-jock don't author nerd-versus-jock as a career. war it, going but on it'snerdy with not my myself. job" Which yet,isso although incredibly nerdy hopefully to winning say, it will anyway, be one so day.

I guessIthe war going onbooks with myself.

WhichI love is incredibly to "day say, anyway, I guess the nerd's out nowadays. nerd's winning out nowadays.

I don't author books as a career.

I love it, but it's not my "day job" yet, although don't author books as a career. I love it, but it's not my "day job" yet, although hopefully it will be one day. hopefully it will be one day.

How did you meet Anthony "Ant" Atkinson?

How did you meet Anthony "Ant" Atkinson?

In college. We both went to Barton. I How was adid freshman when he was"Ant" a junior, so that made me a sophomore when he you meet Anthony Atkinson? was a senior. was the editorIfor student newspaper, The Collegiate, that year, and we really gothe to In college.

WeI both wentsports to Barton. wasBarton's a freshman when he was a junior, so that made me a sophomore when know In college. each We other both as I went covered to Barton. him throughout I was a freshman the season. when Especially he was a after junior, that so national that made championship me a sophomore game. when he was a senior. I was the sports editor for Barton's student newspaper, The Collegiate, that year, and we really got to was senior.

I was sports editor for Barton's thatchampionship year, and we really knowa each other as the I covered him throughout thestudent season.newspaper, Especially The afterCollegiate, that national game.got to know other as I covered himwas throughout the season.

Especially after behind that national championship Wheneach did you realize that there an incredible human interest story Anthony Atkinson'sgame. great basketball abilities human and accomplishments?

When did you realize that there was an incredible interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball When did you realize that there was an incredible human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball abilities and accomplishments?

Just from getting to know him, I knew he was an awesome guy, but I also knew there was something to it. There was a abilities and accomplishments? catalyst to that awesomeness.

There was something behind him--had to be, I felt--that him thetoway he was.

Just from getting to know him, I knew he was an awesome guy, but I also knew there wasmade something it. There wasIt a Just took from megetting two or to three know weeks him,after IThere knew thewas he 2007 was national an awesome championship guy, but Igame also knew to schedule there was mymade interview something with toway it.him There The was catalyst to that awesomeness. something behind him--had to be, I felt--that him the hefor was.

It a catalyst Collegiate, to that because awesomeness. everyone There and their was dog something wanted behind to talk him--had to him.

I knew to be, he I felt--that loved God, made and him that the side way of he him was. was took me two or three weeks after the 2007 national championship game to schedule my interview with him for TheIt strikingly took me two absent or three from aweeks lot ofafter theand stories. thetheir 2007 We national finally championship hisgame then-fiancée's to schedule my interview livingof him room, forwas The and I Collegiate, because everyone dog wantedsat todown, talk toinhim.

I knew he lovedapartment God, andsuite that with side him told Collegiate, him,absent "Look, because I know everyone you're and their God,dog andfinally wanted it seems tolike talkthat's toin him. getting Ithen-fiancée's knew lefthe outloved of all God, theseand stories. that side It's going ofroom, himinwas this I strikingly from a lot of theinto stories.

We sat down, his apartment suite living and strikingly one."

We absent talked for from three a lot hours. of the At stories. the time, We we finally talked sat about down, a in book, his then-fiancée's but nothing came apartment of it.

Then suite two living years room, later--in and told him, "Look, I know you're into God, and it seems like that's getting left out of all these stories. It's going in this I told March him, "Look, actually, I know almost you're into God, toand the seems that like he that's did what getting he left out was of watching all these the YouTube It'syears going clip in of this his one."

We2009, talked for three hours.two At years the time, weitdate talked about a book, butdid--I nothing came of it. stories.

Then two later--in one." comeback, We talked and I for got three to looking hours.

At through the time, old notes we talked and interviews about a book, and but stories nothing about came him, of and it.

Then I just two got years this sense later--in of, March 2009, actually, almost two years to the date that he did what he did--I was watching the YouTube clip of his "Hey, March there's 2009, really actually, something else two behind years to all the this." dateand So thatIinterviews emailed he9 did what him, and did--I we got wastowatching talking, the YouTube I met clip of his and comeback, and I got toalmost looking through old notes andhe stories about him, andand I just gothis thisparents sense of, comeback, and I got to looking talked through with old them, notes and and it interviews just snowballed and stories from about there. him, and I just got this sense of, "Hey, there's really something else behind all this." So I emailed him, and we got to talking, and I met his parents and "Hey, there's really something else behind this."and So Iitemailed him, andfrom we got to talking, and I met his parents and talked withallthem, just snowballed there. talked with them, and it just snowballed from there.

"Ant" Time With "Ant""Ant" Time Time With With Author,Sneed Brandon Sneed (cont.)

Author, Brandon "The Author, Edge Brandon ofEdge Legend" Sneed "The of Legend" Written Written by: Reg by: with Reg Brandon with Brandon This is a book about, among other things, tremendous faith, overcoming personal challenges, and highly-skilled "The Edge of Legend" Written by: Reg with Brandon This is a book about, among other things, tremendous faith, overcoming personal challenges, and highly-skilled

basketball. Which aspect intrigued or inspired you the most, and why?

"Brandon Sneed is an author and journalist livingintrigued in Wilmington, NC. you He has to numerous local, regional, basketball.

Which aspect or inspired thecontributed most, and why? and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, Our State.

Heregional, writes So many Sneed things.isIt's compelling story of a living boy forsaking his hometown of his dreams, only to have those "Brandon anaauthor and journalist in Wilmington, NC. He in haspursuit contributed toand numerous local, regularly for magazines and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

He recently finished a five-month column series about So many things.

It's a compelling story of a boy forsaking dreams fall to pieces.

Then he returns home and carries said hometown to greatness.

And what drove me the most at and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State. He writes training for and racing triathlons.

Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons.

But he hisbeginning hometown in pursuit ofnewspapers his dreams, only toWarner have the was Ant'sand faith, but not just because he's a Christian. are everywhere in sports.

Kurt regularly for magazines in the Wilmington area. He Christians recently finished a five-month column series about survived, and in the meantime, wrote this book...

The Edge of Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ those dreams fall to pieces.

Then he returns home and screamed to Jesus after winning Super Bowls.

Tim Tebow writes Bible verses in his eye black.

Josh Hamilton says training for and racing triathlons. Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons. But he said to wrote greatness.

AndI'm what Jesuscarries pulled him from hell itself.

I'm not anyEdge of those guys, buthttp://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ their faith defines them.

And yeah, sure survived, and in hometown the meantime, this knocking book... The of Legend."

Brandon and SJ Magazine introduced to each above other via mutual &Christians associate, who Best-Selling Author drovenice me the most thewereknown beginning Ant's they're guys, butatthey're as Christians all.our You'll findfriend a lot of believe was that's the& Jeff Pearlman...who endorses book and who immensely. faith, notColumnist, just because he's a aintroduced Christian.

Christians are utmostbut calling--to be known on grand stage a lover ofvia Christ.

That's great, and I thank frankly, I love Christ, too. But Brandon and SJ Magazine were to as each otherBrandon's our mutual friend &we associate, Best-Selling Author & everywhere inColumnist, sports.

KurtJeff Warner screamed to Jesus what drew me to Ant was how authentic of a person he was, and how much people closest to him loved him. after Dude Pearlman...who endorses Brandon's book andthe who we thank immensely.

Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating book about an incredible young athlete with an inspiring true story.

We winning Super Bowls.

Tim Tebow writes Bible verses went through some stuff, and he never tried to act perfect. He was known for being a hilarious, fun-loving, in his encourage you to check it out.

You will not be disappointed. eye black.

Josh Hamilton says charismatic pulledtrue himstory. fromWe entertaining, somethingyoung to be athlete said about Brandon has written a great, touching, motivatingdude. bookThere about was an incredible withthat. anJesus inspiring hell itself. I'm not knockingencourage any of those guys, but their you to check it out. You will not be disappointed.

And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... faith them.

And that yeah, I'm this incredible story underneath it all. What I found was seriously sure they're nice guys, I justdefines got lucky, really, I found the stuff good but they're known as Christians above all.

You'll find a novels are made of. And that's what kept me going when things became a grind.

Because in writing books, you always And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... lot that of Christians who believe that's utmost hit grind, I think.

(Not like I'd really know, since this is my first full book, but I've read a the lot of thingscalling--to written bybea known on a grand stage as a lover of Christ.

That's lot of authors who are way better writers than I am, and they all say that at some point, there is that grind, thatgreat, slog "The Edge of Legend" is your first book. How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career? andgotta I frankly, I love Christ, But what megot to Ant you push through.)

The too. story I discovered in exploring Ant as a person is what got me through it,drew is what this "The Edge of Legend" is your first book.

How did youwas getabout into writing and do than you author books as a career? was how authentic of a person he was, and how much the thing from idea to published book.

In the end, the story so much more basketball, or faith, or Jesus I got into writing because while growing up, I really got got into reading. reading. Never Never watched watched much TV --- that was kind of of aa people closest to him loved him.

Dude went through some Christ, or God, or even Ant. It was about how a young man recovers when his dreams fall apart.

I've had that happen. joke around the neighborhood, neighborhood, "Oh, "Oh, Brandon's Brandon's only only got got three three channels." channels."

Ha-ha.

Ha-ha.

(But (Butone oneof ofTV those those girls girlswas who who always always I got into writing because while growing up, I really got into reading.

Never watched much -that kind of a stuff,onand heended never tried to actjust perfect.

Helike wasthere's known We allup have.

Ant toIbounce backwhat in a way that grabbed attention. picked methe marrying me,happened so....yeah, don't know know what the the meaning meaning in in(But all allAmerica's that is, but it seems seems like there's joke around neighborhood, "Oh, Brandon's only got three channels."

Ha-ha. one of those girls who always for being a hilarious, fun-loving, entertaining, charismatic dude.drive There something be said about that. something to that.)

Seriously though, Iso....yeah, just devoured books. books.

IIwhat would would drive my mywas parents parents nuts. nuts.is,IIto remember remember them them buying buying aa picked on me ended up marrying me, I don't know the meaning in all that but it seems like there's It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from Barton College/Wilson, NC & 12 set of books, books, about about 40 or so, and I read read them them in in aa week. week.

TheyI were like, "Are "Are you you SERIOUS?" SERIOUS?" Which Whichisisthem funny, funny, because be- a something to that.)really, Seriously I just devoured books. would drive my parents nuts.

I remember buying I justreading got lucky, that Ithough, this incredible story underneath it all.

What I found was seriously the good miles from your home town offound Greenville, NC (may Ithings, call you, "home boy"?

LOL).

I know thatBig NCglasses is astuff hot bed of reading cause and writing and writing are such....I are such....I don't don't know, know, "nerdy" "nerdy" things, and I and was I a was huge a huge nerd growing nerd growing up. up.

Big glasses and all. and set of books, about 40 or so, and I read them in a week.

They were like, "Are you SERIOUS?" Which is funny, because novels are made of.

And that's what kept me going when things became a grind.

Because in writing books, you always college basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree?

But all.

But I also Iand also really really got got intointo sports, sports, andand got got pretty pretty good good atthings, aatcouple, a couple, so there so there hashas definitely definitely been been thatthat nerd-versus-jock nerd-versus-jock reading writing are such....I know, "nerdy" andfirst I was a book, huge nerd growing glasses and all. hit that grind, I think.

(Not like I'ddon't really know, sinceto this is anyway, my full but I've read aup. lot Big ofout things written war going on with myself. myself.

Which Which is is incredibly incredibly nerdy nerdy to say, say, anyway, so so I I guess guess the the nerd's nerd's winning winning out nowadays. nowadays.

IIby a But I also really got into sports, and got pretty good at a couple, so there has definitely been that nerd-versus-jock lot of authors whoas wayboy. better writers I am, and they alloff, sayso that at some point, is that grind, that slog Word!

Heck yeah, home Although Ithan really can't pull that yeah, you hopefully can callthere me that, butone people would don't author author books books asare aa career. career.

I Ilove love it,it,but but it's it'snerdy not not my my "day job" job" yet, yet, although although hopefully itit will will be be day. day. war going on with myself.

Which is Ito incredibly to"day say, I guess the winning I this you gotta push through.) story discovered in exploring Ant asoperson whatnerd's got me through it,nowadays. is what gotinto probably appreciate me The not trying act gangsta.

And yeah,anyway, it isas a hotbed ofisbasketball, and yeah,out the book gets don't author books as a career.

I love it, but it's not my "day job" yet, although hopefully it will be one day. thing idea to published In the end, themeet story was about so one much than basketball, Jesus that.

It'sfrom part of what made whatbook.

Ant did fordid Wilson so special.

In "Ant" fact, of more my working titles for or thefaith, bookorwas "Out How you Anthony Atkinson?

Christ, or God,which or even Ant. It wasa about how when his dreams fall apart.

I've hadschools that happen. of Shadows," was, in part, play on howa young Wilsonman wasrecovers in the shadow of those big-time basketball in the How about did to you meet Anthony Atkinson? have.

Ant justinIhappened bounce back aof"Ant" way that grabbed America's attention.

Triangle. aallwhole there how the people when comes to aBarton basketball, In college.There's WeWe both both went went to tochapter Barton.

Barton. was was aa freshman when when he hein was was aaWilson, junior, so thatit made me sophomore when in hethe words of one of my sources quoted in the book, "Don't give a damn."

And then there's another line about how, in what was a senior. senior.

II both was was the the sports sports editor editorIfor for Barton's Barton's student student newspaper, newspaper, The TheCollegiate, Collegiate, that thatyear, year, and andwe wereally really got gottohe to In college.

We went to Barton. was a freshman when he was a junior, so that made me a sophomore when It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from Barton College/Wilson, NC & 12 Ant did, theother city as started actinghim "like a Chapel the Hillseason. or Durham in basketball season."

I just horribly misquoted myself-know each each I covered throughout season.

Especially Especially after after that that national national championship championship game. game. was a senior.

I was the sports editor for Barton's student newspaper, The Collegiate, that year, and we really got to miles of Greenville, I call you,What "home LOL).it Iwas know that is a hot so Ifrom mightyour havehome to suetown myself--but I thinkNC you(may get the point. wasboy"? cool about how theNC people, andbed the of know eachatother as college Ilike covered him Duke, throughout the season.

Especially after that national championship game. basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree? players, schools Carolina, State, and Wake Forest, all knew about what Ant and Barton did that year, in When did you realize that there was an incredible human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball 2007. I think that, more than anything, abilities shows how of a hotbed North Carolina really is--those Division I andmuch accomplishments?

When didHeck you that there was an incredible human interest behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball Word! yeah, boy.

Although ICollege. really can't that so yeah, you can call elements me that, but people would superstars wererealize ravinghome about lil' ol' Barton Thatpull was oneoff, ofstory the most compelling to this whole thing, abilities and accomplishments? probably appreciate me not trying to act gangsta.

And yeah, a Ihotbed of basketball, yeah, the getswas intoaa for guy, me.it is Just Just from from getting getting to to know know him, I knew he he was an awesome awesome guy, but but I also also knew knew there there was wasand something something to tobook it. it. There There was that.

It's part of what made what Ant did for Wilson so special.

In fact, one of my working titles for the book was "Out catalyst catalyst to that that awesomeness. awesomeness.

There There was waswas something something behind him--had to be, I felt--that made him thetoway he was.

It a Just from to getting to know him, I knew he an awesome guy, but I also knew there was something it.

There was oftook Shadows," which was, in part, a play on how Wilson was in the shadow of those big-time basketball schools in the You once trained for a triathlon.

Do you still compete?

If so, how often? took me me to two two or awesomeness. three three weeks weeks after after the thewas 2007 2007something national national championship championship game game to to schedule schedule my mymade interview interview with him for The The catalyst that There behind him--had to be, I felt--that him the way hefor was.

It Triangle.

There's a whole chapter in their there about how the people of Wilson, when it comes to Barton basketball, in the Collegiate, because because everyone everyone and and their dog dog wanted wanted to to talk talk to to him. him.

I I knew knew he loved God, and that that side side of of him was took me two or three weeks after the 2007 national championship game to schedule my interview with him for The words one of my sources quoted in thenot book, "Don't give aretired damn."

And then there's anotherone. line in and whatI Yes,of I trained for a triathlon.

No,stories.

I do still compete--I thethen-fiancée's week after my second Iabout raced two sprint strikingly absent from aeveryone lot of the We finally finally sat satto down, down, in inhim. his his then-fiancée's apartment suite livingofhow, room, Collegiate, because and their dog wanted talk to I knew he loved God, and that side him was Ant did, the"Look, city started acting "like aGod, Chapel orswimming Durham infollowed basketball season."

Iall horribly misquoted myself-triathlons, which consist of 750 and yards byleft 13 miles ofjust biking followed a 5K told told him, him, I roughly know know you're you're into into God, andHill it of seems seems like like that's that's getting left out out of of all these these stories. stories.

It'sby going inrun. this I strikingly absent from aup lot ofan thehour stories.

We finally sat down, in his then-fiancée's apartment suite living room, and so I might have to sue myself--but I think you get the point.

What was cool about it was how the people, and the Which basically adds to to an hour and a half of thinking, "What the hell is WRONG with me for doing one."

We We talked for three hours.

At At the time, we we talked talked about about a book, but nothing came of of it. it.

Then Then two two years years later--in later--in told him, I the know you're into God, and and it seems like getting left outwhat of allAnt these It's going in this players, at "Look, schools like Carolina, Duke, State, Wake Forest, all knew about andstories.

Barton did that year, in THIS?" Especially swim.

You think football's rough?

Gothat's jump in fordid--I an open-water triathlon start.

Holy crap.

The March 2009, actually, actually, almost almost two two years years to to the the date date that that he he did did what what he he did--I was wascame watching watching the the YouTube YouTube clip of his one."

We talked for three hours.

At the time, we talked about a book, but nothing of it.

Then two years later--in 2007.

I think that, more than anything, shows how much of a hotbed North Carolina really is--those Division I run sucks, too, because by that point you can barely feel your legs, and what you can feel, you wish you didn't feel. comeback, comeback, and and I got toalmost lookingtwo through old notes interviews andhestories about him, and andthe II just just got got this thisclip sense sense of, of, March 2009, actually, years toCollege. the dateand that he did what did--I was watching YouTube ofthing, his superstars were raving about lil' ol' Barton That was one of the most compelling elements to this whole Some people are crazy passionate about triathlons.

I'm not one of them, and you really have to be.

It was a great "Hey, "Hey, there's there's really something else behindold allnotes this." and So Iinterviews emailed him, we we got got to talking, and I met his and and 10 comeback, I got looking through andand stories about him, and thisparents sense of, forjust me.snowballed experience,and it got metoback intotalked shape,with and them, was a and somewhat brilliant journalism project, and II just met got some awesome it from there.

"Hey, there's really something else behind all this."dude, So I emailed him, and got to talking, and I met his parents and people....but it was brutal.

Bru.we Tal. talked with them, and it just snowballed from there.

"Ant" Time With "Ant""Ant" Time Time With With Author,Sneed Brandon Sneed (cont.)

Author, Brandon "The Author, Edge Brandon ofEdge Legend" Sneed "The of Legend" Written Written by: Reg by: with Reg Brandon with Brandon This is a book about, You among onceother trained things, for atremendous triathlon. Do faith, you overcoming still compete? personal If so, how challenges, often? and highly-skilled "The Edge of Legend" Written by: Reg with Brandon This is a book about, among other things, tremendous faith, overcoming personal challenges, and highly-skilled

basketball. Which aspect intrigued or inspired you the most, and why?

"Brandon Sneed is an author and living in Wilmington, NC. He has contributed to numerous local, basketball.

Which aspect intrigued orretired inspired the most, why?

Yes, I trained for a triathlon.

No,journalist I do not still compete--I the you week after myand second one. I raced two regional, sprint and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State.

He writes So triathlons, many things. which It's roughly a compelling consist story of 750 of yards a boy of forsaking swimming his followed hometown by in 13 pursuit miles of his biking dreams, followed only by to a have 5K those run.

"Brandon Sneed is an author and journalist living in Wilmington, NC. He has contributed to numerous local, regional, regularly for magazines and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

He recently finished a five-month column series about So many things.

It's a compelling story of a boy forsaking his hometown in pursuit of his dreams, only to have those dreams Which fall basically to pieces. adds Then up to he an returns hour to home an hour and and carries a half said of hometown thinking, "What to greatness. the hell And is WRONG what drove with me me the for most doing at and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State. He writes training for and racing triathlons.

Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons.

But he dreams fallmagazines towas pieces.

Then he returns home and carries said hometown And what drove me the THIS?" the beginning Especially the Ant's swim. faith, You but think not just football's because rough? he's a Christian.

Go jump for antoopen-water aregreatness. everywhere triathlon in sports. start.

Holy Kurt crap.

Warner The regularly for and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

HeinChristians recently finished a five-month column series about survived, and in the meantime, wrote this book...

The Edge of Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ most at the beginning was Ant's faith, but not just because he's a Christian.

Christians are everywhere in sports. run screamed sucks, to too, Jesus because after by winning that point Super you Bowls. can barely Tim Tebow feel your writes legs, Bible and what verses you in his can eye feel, black. you wish Josh you Hamilton didn't says feel. training for and racing triathlons. Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons. But he Kurt Warner topassionate Jesus afterabout winning Super Bowls.

Tim Tebow writes verses in eye black.

Josh Jesus Some pulled people are from crazy hell itself.

I'm not knocking triathlons. anyEdge I'm of not those guys, of them, buthttp://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ their and faith youBible really defines have them. tohis be.

And It yeah, was a I'm great sure survived, andhim inscreamed the meantime, wrote this book...

The ofone Legend."

Brandon and Magazine were introduced to each other our mutual friend &project, associate, Best-Selling Author Hamilton saysitSJ Jesus him fromashell itself. not via knocking any of those guys, but faith defines them. experience, they're nice guys, got me butpulled back they're into known shape, and Christians was a I'm somewhat above all.brilliant You'll find journalism a lot of Christians andtheir who I met believe some that's awesome the& Jeff Pearlman...who endorses book and who And yeah,calling--to I'mColumnist, sure they're nice guys, but they're known asBrandon's Christians above all.

You'll find aimmensely. lot of Christians whoBut beutmost be known on aintroduced grand people....but stage adude, lover itofvia was Christ. brutal.

That's Bru. great, Tal. and I thank frankly, I love Christ,Author too.

Brandon and SJ Magazine were to as each other our mutual friend &we associate, Best-Selling & lieve that's be known onendorses a grand stage ashow a lover of That's great, frankly, I love what drew methe to utmost Ant wascalling--to howPearlman...who authentic of a person he was, and much the people closest toand himI loved him.

Dude Columnist, Jeff Brandon's book andChrist. who we thank immensely.

Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating book about an incredible young athlete with an inspiring true story.

Christ, too.

But what drew me to Ant was how authentic of a person he was, and how much the people closest to went some and he never tried to act perfect.

He would was known for being hilarious, fun-loving, Didthrough you ever playstuff, basketball?

If so, at what level and how you assess youra skills at the game? himWe encourage you to check it out.

You will not be disappointed. loved him.

Dude went through somecharismatic stuff, and he never triedwas act perfect. for being a hilarious, funentertaining, dude.

There something toHe be was said known about Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating book about antoincredible young athlete withthat. an inspiring true story.

We loving, entertaining, charismatic dude.

There was something to be said about that.

I played varsity from ninth grade on atyou my to small private and All-Conference as a sophomore and encourage check it out.high Youschool, will not bemade disappointed.

And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed...

I just got junior.

Didn't lucky, play really, my senior that I found year because this incredible I focused story solely underneath on baseball, it all.hoping What to I found one day wasgoseriously pro. (Yeah, the stuff that didn't good I justpan got out, lucky, really, I found this incredible story underneath it all.

What I found was seriously the stuff good novels quite are made either. of.

And Butthat that's I was what aAnd catcher, kept me and going my younger when things brother became is a 6-4 a grind. left-handed Because pitcher in writing who just books, got you drafted always by now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... novels are made of. that's what keptfor methat.) going when things became grind.

Because in awriting books, you always hit thethat Yankees, grind, Isothink.

I'mAnd taking (Not like some I'dcredit really know, since I still this play is amy tonfirst of pickup full abook, basketball but I've whenever read lot Iofcan. things I freaking written love by a hit that grind, I think.

(Not like I'd really know, since this is my first full book, but I've read a lot of things written it.lot How of authors would I who assess are my way skills? better Haha, writers I don't than I know, am, and man. they I just all say love that to play, at some I know point, the there game, is that and grind, I keep that myself slog "The Edge of Legend" is your first book. How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career?byina lotgotta ofshape, authors who are way and they allas say that at some point, there thatit, grind, that slog you good pushsothrough.)

I always The havebetter story fun at Iwriters discovered it, andthan my Iteams inam, exploring usually Ant win.

Sometimes a person is Iwhat have got lessme tothrough doiswith that is than what others, got this "The Edge of Legend" is your first book.

How did you get into writing and do than you author books as awhat career? you gotta push through.)

The story I discovered in exploring Ant as a person is what got me through it, is got thing from idea to published book.

In the end, but the it's story always was about a blast. so much more basketball, or faith, or Jesus I got into writing because while growing up, I really got got into reading. reading. Never Never watched watched much TV --- that was kind of of aathis thing from idea to published book.

In the end, the story was about so much more than basketball, or faith, or Jesus Christ, or God, or even Ant. It "Oh, was about how aonly young man recovers when his dreams fallof I've had that happen. joke around the neighborhood, neighborhood, "Oh, Brandon's Brandon's only got got three three channels." channels."

Ha-ha.

Ha-ha.

(But (Butone one ofapart. those those girls girls who who always always IChrist, got intoorwriting because while growing up, I you really got into reading.

Never watched much TV -- I've that was kind of you a God, or even Ant. It was about how a young man recovers when his dreams fall apart. had that happen.

We all have.

Ant just happened to bounce back in a way that grabbed America's attention.

Besides being a beautiful city, what keeps in Wilmington, N.C.?

Do you keeps think you your in Wilmington, career would N.C.? be better Do picked on methe ended up marrying"Oh, me,Brandon's so....yeah, only I don't know know what what the the meaning meaning in in(But all all that is, but it seems seemswho like likealways there's there's joke around neighborhood, got three channels."

Ha-ha. one of those girls We all have.beAnt justserved happened to bounce backII would in a way thatmy grabbed America's attention. think yourtocareer would better served in books. a larger (major) city? in a larger (major)them city?buying something that.)

Seriously though, Iso....yeah, just devoured books. would drive drive my parents parents nuts. nuts.

II remember remember buying aa picked on me ended up marrying me, I don't know what the meaning in all that is, but it seemsthem likeNC there's It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from Barton College/Wilson, & 12 set of books, books, about about 40 or so, and I read read them them in in aa week. week.

TheyI were like, "Are "Are you you SERIOUS?" SERIOUS?" Which Whichisisthem funny, funny, because be- a something to that.)

Seriously though, Iup just books. would drive mywife parents nuts.

ICollege/Wilson, remember buying It's areading small world, Brandon.

Imet. grew in devoured North Carolina miles from Barton NC &all.

12 Honestly, Honestly, it's it's the thehome people people I've I've met.

My My wife and I(may have found an amazing church, and Ithat's not found easy an toglasses amazing doathese church, days. miles from your town of Greenville, NC Ithings, call myself...22 you, "home boy"?

LOL).

Ihave know that NC is hot bed of reading cause and writing and writing are such....I are such....I don't don't know, know, "nerdy" "nerdy" things, and I and was I a was huge a huge nerd growing nerd growing up.

Big up.

Big glasses and and set of books, about 40 or so, and I read them in a week.

They were like, "Are you SERIOUS?" Which is funny, because miles from your home town of Greenville, NC (may I call you, "home boy"?

LOL).

I know that NC is a hot bed of We and know that's we not can't easy stay to do here these forever, days.

We but we'd like to return here one day whenever know we we can't can settle. stay here But forever, yeah, to but answer we'd college basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree?

But all.

But I also Iand also really really got got intointo sports, sports, and and got got pretty pretty good good atthings, aatcouple, a couple, so there so there hashas definitely definitely been been thatthat nerd-versus-jock nerd-versus-jock reading writing are such....I don't know, "nerdy" and Iinto was a huge nerd growing up.

Big glasses and all.in college basketball.

Does your book get much that?

If so, to what degree? like the to second return part here of one the day question, whenever I can we see how moving to a bigger city would can settle. help.

But Charlotte yeah, and to answer Raleigh the here second war on with myself.

Which Whichand isisincredibly incredibly nerdy nerdyat to toasay, say, anyway, anyway, so soIIguess guess the thenerd's nerd's winning winning out outnowadays. nowadays.II But Igoing also really gotmyself. into sports, got pretty good couple, so there has definitely been that nerd-versus-jock North Word! part Carolina of Heck the question, yeah, are great home I locations. can boy. see Although how I and Katie, I really my can't wife, pull who's that a off, brilliant so yeah, graphics you moving can artist, call to have me a bigger that, talked but city about people would trying would help.Atdon't author author books books as as aa career. career.

I Ilove love it,it,but butit's it'snerdy not notmy my "day job" job"yet, yet,so although although hopefully hopefully itit will will be be one day. day. war going on with myself.

Which is to incredibly to"day say, anyway, I guess the nerd's winning out nowadays.

II Word!

Heck home boy.

Although I really can't pull that so yeah, you call me that, but people would probably Charlotte lanta.

And appreciate and ofyeah, course, Raleigh methere's not here trying inalways North act New gangsta.

York City.

And Iyeah, love itNYC. isoff, a hotbed Would oflove Carolina basketball, tocan live are there and great yeah, at locations. some thepoint book I and ingets life.

Katie, into don't author books as a career.

I love it, but it's not my "day job" yet, although hopefully it will be one day. probably appreciate me give not trying todid actfor gangsta.

And yeah, is a"Ant" hotbed of have basketball, yeah, book gets into that. my would wife, It's love, part who's of to what one a brilliant day, made graphics what a major Antartist, city adid shot, Wilson socan special. see ititIn happening fact, one at some my working talked point.and about Just titles don't trying for the the know Atlanta. book when. was And That "Out of How youand meet Anthony Atkinson? that.

It'sI there's part of what didI city. forhow Wilson so fortunate special. one working titles forIand the Ibook was "Out course, ofsaid, Shadows," don't feel which always likemade was, New I “need” inwhat York part, a Ant bigger City. a play love on I've NYC. Wilson been Would waslove in In the tofact, live be shadow successful thereof ofatmy those some from big-time point where in Ibasketball life. am, would schools love love, myto inlife one the How did you meet ofcollege.

Shadows," which was, part, ainplay how Wilson was the of big-time in the day, Triangle. give aThere's major acity whole a shot, chapter and can seeon it happening how the right atAnthony some people now. point. of"Ant" JustAtkinson? don't when know it made comes when. toThat Barton said, basketball, I schools don't feel In We both both went went to toin Barton.

Barton.

I there was was aaabout freshman when when he heinwas was ashadow aWilson, junior, sothose that me abasketball sophomore when helike Triangle.

There's a the whole chapter inin there about"Don't how people of Wilson, when itand comes to Barton basketball, inwhat words Iof“need” one amy bigger sources city. quoted I've been the fortunate book, to be the successful give a damn." from And where then I am, there's another I year, love my line life about right how, now. into was a senior. senior.

Iof I both was was the sports sports editor editor for for Barton's Barton's student student newspaper, newspaper, The The Collegiate, Collegiate, that that year, and and we we really really got got tothe In college.

We went to Barton.

I was a freshman when he was a junior, so that made me a sophomore when he words of one of my sources quoted in the book, "Don't give a damn."

And then there's another line about how, in what Ant did, theother started "like a Chapel Hill or Durham in basketball season."

I just horribly misquoted myself-Ifcity youas were aacting recruiter for Bartonthe College, what would be thethat one or two big selling point(s)? know each each I covered him throughout season. season.

Especially Especially after after that national national championship championship game. game. was Iyou was the sports editor Barton's student newspaper, The we reallyand got to Antsoadid, theIfcity started "likefor afor Hill or Durham inWhat basketball season."

Iitthat just horribly misquoted myself-Isenior. might have to sue myself--but IChapel think you get thewhat point. was cool about wasyear, howand the people, the were aacting recruiter Barton College, would be theCollegiate, one or two big selling point(s)? know each other as I covered him throughout the season.

Especially after that national championship game. so Idid might have to sue myself--but I think you the point.

What wasbehind cool wasand how the people, and the in players, The student-teacher atyou schools like ratio Carolina, is phenomenal.

Duke, State, I think andget it's Wake like, Forest, 11:1 or allsomething. knew aboutabout Sowhat youitAnt have awesome Barton access did that toyear, your When realize that there was an incredible human interest story Anthony Atkinson's great basketball players, atI schools like Carolina, Duke, State, and Wake Forest, all knew about what and Barton didseriously thattoyear, The 2007. professors, student-teacher thinkand that, every more ratio professor is than phenomenal. anything, I had there shows I think was how it's truly like, much passionate 11:1 of aor hotbed something. about North theirSo Carolina subject you Ant have matter. really awesome is--those I mean, access Division your I in abilities and accomplishments?

When did Iyou realize that there was incredible human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball 2007. think that,every more than anything, shows how much of a hotbed North Carolina really is--those Division I superstars professors, were raving and about professor lil' ol' Barton passionate.

Ian had there College.

You was That truly don't was passionate find one that ofjust the about anywhere. most their compelling subject matter. elements I mean, to this seriously whole thing, abilities and accomplishments? superstars were raving about Barton College.

That was ofjust most compelling toto this thing, passionate. don't for find me.one that anywhere.

Just Just from from getting getting to to know know him,lil'I ol' knew he he was anYou awesome awesome guy, guy, but but IIthe also also knew knew there there was waselements something something to it. it.whole There There was wasaa for me. catalyst catalyst to to that that awesomeness. awesomeness.

There There was was something something behind him--had to be, I felt--that made him the way he was.

Just from getting to to know him, Iand knew heAtkinson wasa triathlon. an awesome guy, but I compete? also knewIfthere was often? something toprofessional it. There wasItora How close are you You Anthony once trained the for family?

Do Is you your still relationship with so, him/them how strictly took took me me to two two or awesomeness. three three weeks weeks after after the thewas 2007 2007something national national championship championship game game to to schedule schedule my mymade interview interview with him for The The catalyst that There behind him--had to be, I felt--that him the way hefor was.

It is it something deeper?

Collegiate, because because everyone everyone and and their their dog dog wanted wanted to to talk talk to to him. him.

I I knew knew he loved God, and that that side side of of him was took me two or three weeks after the 2007 national championship game to schedule my interview with him for The Yes, I trained for a triathlon.

No,stories.

I do not still compete--I retired thethen-fiancée's week after my second one.

I raced sprint strikingly absent from aeveryone lot of the We finally finally sat sattodown, down, in inhim. his his apartment suite livingoftwo room, and I Collegiate, because andoftheir dog wanted talkwhenever tofollowed Ithen-fiancée's knew he loved God, and thatand side him was It's triathlons, a mostly which professional roughly relationship consist 750 right yards now. of That swimming said, we by do 13 get miles around of biking each other followed have by a 5K a chance run. told told him, him,absent "Look,from I know know you're you're into into God, God,We and andfinally it seems seems like like that's that's getting left left out out of of all all these these stories. stories.

It's going in and this I strikingly aup lot thehour stories. down, in his then-fiancée's apartment living room, to Which talk,We we basically talk nonstop. adds If we toofan didn't have to time, anlives, hour we'd and asat talk half for ofdays thinking, on end.

"What I'm always the hell looking is of WRONG tosuite learn with from me for others, doing and one."

We talked for three hours.

At At the we we talked talked about about a book, but nothing came of it. it.

Then Then two two years years later--in later--in told him, "Look, I know you're into God, and it seems like that's getting left out of all these stories.

It's going in this THIS?" so I loveEspecially talking tothe people, swim. anyway.

You think With football's there's rough? always Godid jump something in he fordid--I an to talk open-water about, something triathlon start. to learn Holy or crap. discuss.

The March 2009, actually, actually, almost almost two two years to toAnt, the the date date that that he he did what what he was was watching watching the the YouTube YouTube clip of his one."

We talked for three hours.

Atyears theyou time, we talked about a legs, book, butdid--I nothing came of it.you Then twoyou years later--in There run sucks, were too, so many because of our by that conversations point that can barely didn't make feel your it into the and book what that you I wish can I feel, could publish wish somewhere. didn't feel.

So comeback, comeback, and and I got toalmost lookingtwo through old notes and interviews andhestories about him, and andthe II just just got got this thisclip sense sense of, of, March 2009, actually, years to the date that he did what did--I was watching YouTube of his there Some isthere's a people deeper are connection crazy passionate there.

With about hisall triathlons. family, too.

Iemailed have not one learned of them, a lotwe and from you them about have how toI be. to live Ithis was myaown greatlife.

"Hey, "Hey, there's really something else behind this." and SoI'm Iinterviews him, we got got toreally talking, and met and and 11 comeback, I got looking through old was notes andand stories about him, and II just got thisparents sense of, experience,and it got metoback intotalked shape,with and a somewhat brilliant journalism project, and met some awesome them, and it just snowballed from there.

"Hey, there's really something else behind all this."dude, So I emailed him, and got to talking, and I met his parents and people....but it was brutal.

Bru.we Tal. talked with them, and it just snowballed from there.

"Ant" Time With "Ant""Ant" Time Time With With Author,Sneed Brandon Sneed (cont.)

Author, Brandon "The Author, Edge Brandon ofEdge Legend" Sneed "The of Legend" Written Written by: Reg by: with Reg Brandon with Brandon Division This is aIIbook basketball about, You doesn't among onceget other trained thethings, attention for atremendous triathlon. that it deserves.

Do faith, you overcoming still Do you compete? think personal If that so,your how challenges, book often? mayand help highly-skilled change that?

"The Edge of Legend" Written by: Reg with Brandon This is a book about, among other things, tremendous faith, overcoming personal challenges, and highly-skilled

basketball.

If so, to what Which degree? aspect If intrigued not, why not? or inspired you the most, and why?

"Brandon Sneed is an author and journalist living in Wilmington, NC. He has contributed to numerous local, basketball.

Which aspect intrigued inspired the most, why?

Yes, I trained for a triathlon. No, I do not still compete--Iorretired the you week after myand second one. I raced two regional, sprint and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State.

He writes So You're triathlons, many right, things. which there It's roughly is a some compelling consist great basketball story of 750 of yards a boy played of forsaking swimming in Division his followed hometown II. Problem by in 13 is, pursuit miles it's the of his biking dreams, followed only by to a have 5K those run.

"Brandon Sneed is an author and journalist living in Wilmington, NC. He has contributed to numerous local, regional, regularly for magazines and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

He recently finished a five-month column series about So many things.

It's a compelling story of a boy forsaking his hometown in pursuit of his dreams, only to have those dreams Which basketball fall basically to of pieces. yesteryear, adds Then up to and he an the returns hour basketball to home an hour and of and yesteryear carries a half said of doesn't hometown thinking, exactly "What to sell greatness. the shoes. hell And is WRONG what drove with me me the for most doing at and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State. He writes training for and racing triathlons.

Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons.

But he dreams fallmagazines towas pieces.

Then he returns home and carries said hometown greatness.

And what drove me the THIS?" the And beginning that's Especially because the Ant's it swim. bores faith, us You but more think noteasily just football's because now.

It's rough? he's more a Christian.

Go jump inChristians for antoopen-water are with everywhere triathlon in sports. start.

Holy Kurt crap.

Warner The regularly for and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

Hefundamental, recently finished a five-month column series about survived, and in the meantime, wrote this book...

The Edge of Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ most at the beginning was Ant's faith, but not just because he's a Christian.

Christians are everywhere in sports. fewer run screamed sucks, dunks to too, and Jesus because fewer after show-stopping by winning that point Super you plays, Bowls. can but barely Tim the Tebow feel good your teams writes legs, play Bible and seriously what verses you in good his can eye feel, black. you wish Josh you Hamilton didn't says feel. training for and racing triathlons. Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons. But he Kurt Warner topassionate Jesus afterabout winning Bowls.

Tim Tebow writes Bible verses in eye black.

Josh Jesus basketball.

Some pulled people Personally, him are from crazy hell I love itself. watching I'm not it.knocking I triathlons. thinkSuper the any book I'm of not those definitely guys, of them, sheds buthttp://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ their and some faith you good really defines have them. tohis be.

And It yeah, was a I'm great sure survived, and inscreamed the meantime, wrote this book...

The Edge ofone Legend."

Brandon and Magazine were introduced tolike each other our mutual friend &project, associate, Best-Selling Author Hamilton says Jesus him from itself. not knocking any of those guys, but faith defines them. experience, light they're onnice it.

ItitSJ guys, has got some me butpulled back they're great into stuff known shape, in it. ashell and Stuff Christians was a I'm somewhat how above thevia all. guys brilliant You'll eat sack find journalism lunches a lot of in Christians andtheir who I met believe some that's awesome the& Jeff Pearlman...who endorses book and who And yeah,calling--to I'mColumnist, sure they're nice guys, but they're known Christians all.

You'll find aimmensely. lot of Christians whoBut be15-passenger utmost vans be while known riding on 12 aintroduced grand hours people....but stage round-trip adude, lover in aasBrandon's it single ofvia was Christ. brutal. daymutual That's toabove play Bru. great, one Tal. game. and I thank frankly, I love Christ,Author too.

Brandon and SJ Magazine were to as each other our friend &we associate, Best-Selling & lieve that's be known onendorses a grand stage ashow a lover of That's great, frankly, I love what drew methe to utmost Ant wascalling--to howPearlman...who authentic of a person he was, and much the people closest toand himI loved him.

Dude Columnist, Jeff Brandon's book andChrist. who we thank immensely.

Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating book about an incredible young athlete with an inspiring true story.

Christ, too.

But what drew me to Ant was how authentic of a person he was, and how much the people closest to Division went II through basketball some is astuff, brutal and world, he never tried guys to act who perfect. play itHe arewould was madly, known insanely for being in hilarious, fun-loving, Did you ever play basketball?

Ifand so, the at what level and how you assess youra skills at the game? himWe encourage you to check it out.

You will not be disappointed. lovedwith him.

Dude went through somecharismatic stuff, and he never act perfect. known for being a hilarious, funlove game. entertaining, beautiful and heartbreaking dude.

There alltried at once, was something because most toHe beofwas said them about Brandon hasthis written a It's great, touching, motivating book about antoincredible young athlete withthat. an inspiring true story.

We loving, entertaining, charismatic dude.

There was something to be said about that. know I played thatvarsity they don't fromhave ninth a shot grade aton a pro atyou my career, small and private that they high could school, and inbejust made as All-Conference much as a sophomore and encourage to check it out.

You willget not disappointed.

And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... ball, I justplaying junior. got Didn't lucky, intramurals play really, my senior that or whatever, I found year because this butincredible they I focused want story the solely coaching, underneath on baseball, and it all. thehoping What fire, and to I found one the day wasgoseriously pro. (Yeah, the stuff that didn't good I passion justpan got out, lucky, really, that I found this incredible story underneath it all.

What I found was seriously the stuff good novels quite are that made either. comes of.

And But with that's Iintercollegiate was what aAnd catcher, kept me athletics, and going my younger when so they things brother play became on is a collegiate a 6-4 a grind. left-handed team.

Because pitcher in writing who just books, got you drafted always by now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... novels are made of. what methat.) going when things became abook, grind.

Because in awriting books, you always hit thethat They Yankees, bear grind, 12 Iso hours think.

I'mAnd ataking (Not daythat's in like some vans, I'dcredit really tokept spend for know, 40 minutes since I still this play playing is amy tonafirst game. of pickup full It's basketball almost but I've likewhenever read lot Iofcan. things I freaking written love by a hit that grind, I think.

(Not like I'd really know, since this is my first full book, but I've read a lot of things written ait.Shakespearean lot How of authors would I who assess tragedy. are my way I would skills? better love Haha, writers for I don't more than I know, people am, and man. to they see I just that. all say love That that to was play, at some part I know of point, my the there game, is that and grind, I keep that myself slog "The Edge of Legend" is your first book. How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career?byina lotgotta ofshape, authors who are way than and they allas say thatsuperstar at some point, there that grind, that slog you vision good forpush thesobook--showing through.)

I always The havebetter story people fun at Iwriters discovered it,this andhidden my Iteams inam, world, exploring usually and Ant this win. hidden Sometimes a person is Iwhat have within got lessme it, tosort through doiswith of like it, that is what than what Michael others, got this "The Edge of Legend" is your first book.

How did you get into writing and do than you author books as awhat career? you gotta push through.)

The story I discovered in exploring Ant as a person is what got me through it, is got thing from idea to published book.

In the Lewis end, but the did it's story with always was "The about a Blind blast. so Side". much more basketball, or faith, or Jesus I got into writing because while growing up, I really got got into reading. reading. Never Never watched watched much TV --- that was kind of of aathis thing from idea to published book.

In the end, the story was about so much more than basketball, or faith, or Jesus Christ, or God, or even Ant. It "Oh, was about how aonly young man recovers when his dreams fallof I've had that happen. joke around the neighborhood, neighborhood, "Oh, Brandon's Brandon's only got got three three channels." channels."

Ha-ha.

Ha-ha.

(But (Butone one ofapart. those those girls girls who who always always IChrist, got into writing because while growing up, I you really got into reading.

Never watched much TV -that was kind a or God, or even Ant. It was about how a young man recovers when his dreams fall apart.

I've had that happen.

We all have.

Ant just happened to bounce back in a way that grabbed America's attention.

What Besides is your being assessment a beautiful of city, Anthony's what keeps potential as in Wilmington, either a mega-star N.C.? with Do you the think Globetrotters your career and/or would at least be better aofshot picked on methe ended up marrying"Oh, me,Brandon's so....yeah, only I don't know know what what the the meaning meaning in in(But all all that is, but it seems seemswho like likealways there's there's joke around neighborhood, got three channels."

Ha-ha. one of those girls We all have. Ant just happened to bounce back in a way thatmy grabbed America's attention.them served inwith a larger the IINBA? (major) city? something to that.)

Seriously though, Iso....yeah, just devoured books. books. would would drive drive my parents parents nuts. nuts.is,II remember remember buying buying aa picked on me ended up marrying me, I don't know what the meaning in all that but it seemsthem likeNC there's It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from Barton College/Wilson, & 12 set of books, books, about about 40 or so, and I read read them them in in aa week. week.

TheyI were like, "Are "Are you SERIOUS?" SERIOUS?" Which Whichisisthem funny, funny, because be- a something to that.)

Seriously though, Iup just books. would drive myyou parents nuts.

ICollege/Wilson, remember buying It's areading small world, Brandon.

Isuch....I grew in devoured North Carolina from Barton NC &all.

12 He Honestly, will, without it's theahome people doubt, become I've met. adon't My mega-star wife and with I(may have the Globetrotters. found an amazing Hemiles already church, pretty and that's not is. easy He's to their doathese number days. two miles from your town of Greenville, NC Ithings, call myself...22 you, "home boy"?

LOL).

Imuch know that NC is hot bed of reading cause and writing and writing are such....I are don't know, know, "nerdy" "nerdy" things, and I and was I a was huge a huge nerd growing nerd growing up.

Big up. glasses Big glasses and and set of books, about 40 or so, and I read them in a week.

They were like, "Are you SERIOUS?" Which is funny, because miles from your home town of Greenville, NC (may I call you, "home boy"?

LOL).

I know that NC is a hot bed of We or three know guy we right can't stay now, here and forever, they're training but we'd him like to to eventually return here take one over day for whenever Special we K, can who settle. is kind But of yeah, the face to answer of the college basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree?

But all.

But I also Iand also really really got got intointo sports, sports, and and got got pretty pretty good good atthings, aatcouple, a couple, so there so there hashas definitely definitely been been thatthat nerd-versus-jock nerd-versus-jock reading writing are such....I don't know, "nerdy" and Iinto was a huge nerd growing up.

Big glasses and all.in college basketball.

Does your book get much that?

If so, to what degree?

Globetrotters the second part right of the now. question, They LOVE I can him, see how and he moving loves playing to a bigger for them. city would It's a great help. fit.

Charlotte Obviously, and it's Raleigh a completely here war on with myself.

Which Whichand isisincredibly incredibly nerdy nerdyat to toasay, say, anyway, anyway, so soIIguess guess the thenerd's nerd's winning winning out outnowadays. nowadays.II But Igoing also really gotmyself. into sports, got pretty good couple, so there has definitely been that nerd-versus-jock North different Word!

Carolina Heck game yeah, than are great the home NBA. locations. boy.

Him Although I making and Katie, I really the switch my can't wife, from pull who's that the a Globetrotters off, brilliant so yeah, graphics you to the can artist, NBA call have would me that, talked be but like about people Brock trying would Lesnar Atdon't author author books books as as aa career. career.

I Ilove love it,it,but butit's it'snerdy not notmy my "day "day job" job"yet, yet,so although although hopefully hopefully itit will will be be one day. day. war going on with myself.

Which isMMA. incredibly toout say, anyway, I guess the nerd's winning out nowadays.

III Word!

Heck home boy.

I really can't pull that so yeah, you call me he that, but people would probably lanta. jumping And appreciate from ofyeah, course, pro me wrestling there's not trying always toAlthough to act New gangsta.

It's York worked City.

And Iyeah, love great itNYC. for isoff, aBrock. hotbed Would Until oflove basketball, his tocan last live fight, there and yeah, at some was the unstoppable. point bookingets life.into don't author books asday, awould career. love it, it's not my "day yet, although hopefully will be one probably appreciate me not trying todid actbut gangsta.

And yeah, itthe is a"Ant" hotbed of some basketball, and yeah, the book gets into that. would honestly It's love, part believe of to what oneAnt made give what be a Imajor Ant successful city for adid ifshot, Wilson he got and so a can shot special. see injob" itIn happening NBA. fact, one Would at my it take working point. himit Just titles some don't for time the know today. book adjust when. was toThat the "Out How you meet Anthony Atkinson? that.

It'sI don't part of what Ant did for Wilson soit fortunate special. fact, one of working titles for thesmall. was "Out ofsaid, Shadows," feel which likemade was, I “need” inwhat part, agame? bigger a play Oh city. on yeah. how I'veAnd Wilson been would was inbeIn the to tough, be shadow successful because of my those he's from big-time small. where Man, Ibasketball am, he's and Ibook schools loveBut myin he life the is How did you meet Anthony "Ant" Atkinson? of Shadows," which was, in part, a play on how Wilson was in the shadow of those big-time basketball schools in the Triangle. a whole oneinof the best players how the right I'vepeople ever now. seen of aaWilson, play, atwhen anythat level. it made comes Heme would to aBarton fit inbasketball, the NBA, and I In college.There's We both both went went to tochapter Barton.

Barton.

I there was was aaabout freshman when when he he was was junior, so sophomore when he Triangle.

There's a whole chapter in there about how the people of Wilson, when it comes to Barton basketball, in words of one of my sources quoted think in he'd the book, become "Don't a fan give favorite, a damn." because And he's then so there's small, another but so talented, line about so how, relentless, in what was a senior. senior.

II both was was the the sports sports editor editorIfor for Barton's Barton's student student newspaper, newspaper, The TheCollegiate, Collegiate, that thatyear, year, and andwe wereally really got gottohe tothe In college.

We went to Barton. was a freshman when he was a junior, so that made me a sophomore when words of one of my sources quoted in the book, "Don't give a damn."

And then there's another line about how, in what Ant did, theother started "like a Chapel Hill or Durham in basketball and so fearless. season."

I just horribly misquoted myself-Ifcity youas were aacting recruiter for Bartonthe College, what would be thethat one or two big selling point(s)? know each each I covered him throughout season. season.

Especially Especially after after that national national championship championship game. game. was Ihave was the sports editor Barton's newspaper, The we reallyand got to Antsoadid, the city started acting "like afor Hillstudent or Durham inWhat basketball season." just horribly myself-Isenior. might to sue myself--but IChapel think you get the point. was Collegiate, cool aboutIitthat wasyear, howand themisquoted people, the know each other as I covered him throughout the season.

Especially after that national championship game. so Idid might have to sue myself--but I think you get the point.

What wasrole cool about wasand how the people, and the in players, The student-teacher atyou schools like ratio Carolina, is phenomenal.

Duke, State, I think and it's Wake like, Forest, 11:1 or allsomething. knew about Sowhat you have awesome Barton access did that toyear, your What was/is Anthony's with theitAnt Globetrotters?

When realize that there was an incredible human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball players, atI schools like Carolina, Duke, State, and Wake Forest, knew about what Antmatter. and Barton didseriously that year, 2007. professors, thinkand that, every more professor than anything, I had there shows was how truly much passionate of a all hotbed about North theirCarolina subject really is--those I mean, Division I in abilities and accomplishments?

When did Iyou realize there was an human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball 2007. think that, that more than anything, shows how much of a hotbed North Carolina really is--those Division Ion superstars were raving about lil' ol' He's Barton passionate. oneincredible of College. theirYou main That don't guys, was find like one that of I said just the anywhere. above. most compelling He was one elements of their to five this that whole wentthing, abilities and accomplishments? superstars were raving about ol' Barton College.

Thatfor ofIIthe most compelling toto this thing, You Smarter Than awas 5th me.one Grader?" and "Good Morning America" recently.

Just Just from from getting getting to to know know him,lil'I "Are knew he he was an awesome awesome guy, guy, but but also also knew knew there there was waselements something something to it. it.whole There There He's was wasaa for me. such a charismatic guy.

He does Michael Jackson dance routines out there.

He's How close are you to Anthony and the Atkinson family?

Is your relationship with him/them strictly professional catalyst catalyst to to that that awesomeness. awesomeness.

There There was was something something behind him--had to be, I felt--that made him the way he was.

Itora Just from getting to know him, I knew he was an awesome guy, but I also knew there was something to it.

There was awesome at engaging the crowd.

He's a phenomenal He's gothim thisfor routine once trained for anational triathlon. is it something Do youdeeper? still compete?

If so, ball-handler. how often? took took me me to two two or awesomeness. three threeYou weeks weeks after after the thewas 2007 2007 national championship championship game game to to schedule schedule my mymade interview interview with for The The catalyst that There something behind him--had to be, I itfelt--that him the way hedefinitely was.

It where he slides all over the floor.

You can find on YouTube.

It's nuts.

He's Collegiate, because because everyone everyone and and their their dog dog wanted wanted to to talk talk to to him. him.

I I knew knew he loved God, and that that side side of of him was took me two or three weeks after the 2007 national championship game to schedule my interview with him for The It's Yes, a mostly I trained professional for a triathlon. one No,stories. of I do their right not stars. now. still compete--I Like Thatsat Isaid, said, whenever retired they love thethen-fiancée's we him, week doand after get he around my fitssecond ineach withone. other them I and raced andhave their twoamission sprint chance strikingly absent from aeveryone lotrelationship of the We finally finally sat down, in inhim. his his suite living and I Collegiate, because andofhave their dog wanted todown, talk tofollowed Ithen-fiancée's knew healways lovedapartment God, andto that side ofroom, him was totold triathlons, talk, we talk which nonstop. roughly If we consist didn't 750 lives, yards we'd of swimming talk for days on end. perfectly. by I'm 13 miles of looking biking followed learn from by a others, 5K run. and told him, him,absent "Look,from I know know you're you're into into God, God,We and andfinally it seems seems like like that's that's getting left left out out of of all all these these stories. stories.

It's going in and this strikingly aup lot of thehour stories. sat down, in his then-fiancée's apartment suiteto living room, I so Which I love basically talking to adds people, to anyway. an With to an Ant, hour there's and a half always of thinking, something "What to talk the about, hell is something WRONG with learn me or for discuss. doing one."

We We talked for three hours.

At At the time, we we talked talked about about a book, but nothing came of of it. it.

Then Then two two years years later--in later--in told him, "Look, I the know you're into God, and Anthony's itdidn't seems like getting left out all Ithese stories.

It's going in this THIS?" There were Especially soactually, many ofswim. our conversations You think football's rough? make Go itthat's into jump the in he book fordid--I anthat I of wish could triathlon publish start. somewhere.

Holy crap.

The So Describe best attribute(s), inopen-water your opinion, as aYouTube human being.

March 2009, actually, almost almost two two years years to tothat the the date date that that he he did did what what he did--I was was watching watching the the YouTube clip of his one."

We talked for three hours.

At the time, we talked about a book, but nothing came of it.

Then two years later--in there run sucks, is a deeper too, because connection by that there. point With you his can family, barely too. feel I have your learned legs, and a lot what from you them can feel, about you how wish to live you my didn't own feel. life. comeback, comeback, and and I got toalmost lookingtwo through old notes and interviews andhestories about him, and andthe II just just got got this thisclip sense sense of, of, March 2009, actually, years totriathlons. the date that he did what did--I was watching YouTube of his I'll Some name three: people his are ability crazy to passionate make you about believe in yourself, I'm not his one absolute of them, fearlessness, and you really and his have humility. to be.

It Whether was a great it's life "Hey, "Hey, there's there's really something else behindold allnotes this." and So Iinterviews emailed him, and we we got got to talking, and I met his and and 12 I got looking through andacts stories about him, and II just got thisparents sense of, orcomeback, experience, basketball,and nothing it got meto scares back into thistalked guy, shape, but and at the was same a somewhat time, he brilliant never journalism like he's project, on some and higher met pedestal. some awesome He hasn't with and just snowballed fromgot there.

"Hey, there's really something allthem, this."

Sohis Iitemailed him,made and to talking, and Ifill met his parents and always been that way,else butbehind then, people....but that side of dude, life it was is what brutal.

Bru.we this Tal.a story that could a book. talked with them, and it just snowballed from there.

"Ant" Time With "Ant""Ant" Time Time With With Author,Sneed Brandon Sneed (cont.)

Author, Brandon "The Author, Edge Brandon ofEdge Legend" Sneed "The of Legend" Written Written by: Reg by: with Reg Brandon with Brandon Division This is aIIbook basketball about, You doesn't among onceget other trained thethings, attention for atremendous triathlon. that it deserves.

Do faith, you overcoming still Do you compete? think personal If that so,your how challenges, book often? mayand help highly-skilled change that?

"The Edge of Legend" Written by: Reg with Brandon This is a book about, among other things, tremendous faith, overcoming personal challenges, and highly-skilled

basketball. Which If so, aspect to what intrigued degree? or inspired If not, why younot? the most, and why?

"Brandon Sneed is an author and journalist living in Wilmington, NC. He has contributed to numerous Describe Anthony's best basketball skill(s)....Ball handler, distributor, 1-on-1 player, self-creator of local, shots, "trey" basketball.

Which aspect intrigued or inspired you most, why?

Yes, I trained for a triathlon. No, I do not still compete--I retired the weekthe after myand second one. I raced two regional, sprint and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State.

He writes marksman, defensive maven, outside shooter, spot-up shooter, "sky-walker", etc...

You're So triathlons, many right, things. which there roughly is asome compelling great consist story of 750 ofyards aplayed boyof forsaking swimming inWilmington, Division his followed hometown II. Problem byin 13 is,pursuit it's miles theofbasketball his biking dreams, followed of yesteryear, only by to ahave 5K and those run. the "Brandon Sneed isIt's an author andbasketball journalist living in NC. He has contributed to numerous local, regional, regularly for magazines and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

He recently finished a five-month column series about So many things.

It's a compelling story of a boy forsaking his hometown in pursuit of his dreams, only to have those dreams Which basketball fall basically to pieces. of adds yesteryear Then up to he an doesn't returns hour exactly to home an hour sell and and shoes. carries a half And said of that's hometown thinking, because "What to greatness. it bores the hell us And is more WRONG what easily drove now. with me me It's the for more most doing at and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State. He writes training for and racing triathlons.

Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons.

But he I'd actually say something you didn't list: team guy.

By that I mean that he is the best player you'll ever find at making dreams fallmagazines towas pieces.

Then he returns home and carries said hometown greatness.

And what drove me the THIS?" the fundamental, beginning Especially with the Ant's fewer swim. faith, dunks You but and think notfewer just football's because show-stopping rough? he's a Christian.

Go plays, jump but inChristians the for good antoopen-water are teams everywhere play triathlon seriously in sports. start. good Holy Kurt basketball. crap.

Warner The regularly for and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

He recently finished a five-month column series about survived, and in the meantime, wrote this book...

The Edge of Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ his team the absolute best team it can be.

Above everything else, he is a born leader.

And the greatest leaders are like most at the beginning was Ant's faith, but not just because he's a Christian.

Christians are everywhere in sports. run screamed Personally, sucks, to too, I Jesus love because after watching by winning that it. point I Super think you the Bowls. can book barely Tim definitely Tebow feel your sheds writes legs, some Bible and good what verses light you in on his can it. eye feel, It black. has you some wish Josh great you Hamilton didn't stuff in says feel. it. training for and racing triathlons. Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons. But he the greatest basketball players--they make they do look Leadership, to Ant, seems effortless.

Now, when Kurt Warner topassionate Jesus after winning Super Bowls.

Tim Tebow writes verses in black.

Josh Jesus Stuff Some pulled like people how him the are from guys crazy hell eat itself. sack I'm lunches about not knocking inwhat triathlons.

15-passenger any I'm of not those vans one guys, of while them, butriding their and faith you 12Bible hours really defines round-trip have them. tohis be.

And ineye Ita yeah, was single a I'm great day sure toit survived, and inscreamed the meantime, wrote this book...

The Edge ofeasy.

Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ Brandon and Magazine were introduced toyou're each other via our mutual friend &project, associate, Best-Selling Author comes basketball--when he decides to go,itself. not stopping him.

I don't care who you are.

In college, he them. went Hamilton saysitSJ Jesus him fromas hell not knocking any of those guys, but faith defines experience, they'retonice guys, got me butpulled back they're into known shape, and Christians was a I'm somewhat play above one all. game. brilliant You'll find journalism a lot of Christians andtheir who I met believe some that's awesome the& Columnist, Jeff Pearlman...who endorses Brandon's book and who we thank immensely. head-to-head with Rajon Rondo while Rondo was at Kentucky, and took it to him.

With Barton, his senior season, And yeah, I'm sure they're nice guys, but they're known as Christians above all.

You'll find a lot of Christians who beutmost calling--to be known on aintroduced grand people....but stage adude, lover was Christ. brutal.

That's Bru. great, Tal. and I frankly,Best-Selling I love Christ,Author too. But Brandon and SJ Magazine were to as each otheritofvia our mutual friend & associate, & they lost a few key players to injuries.

They went from ranked No. lieve that's utmost be known onthe a grand stage ashow aitlover of That's and frankly, I love what Division drew me IIthe to basketball Ant wascalling--to is how a brutal authentic world, of and a person guys he was, who and play are much madly, the insanely people closest ingreat, love towith himIthis loved game. him.

It's Dude2 Columnist, Jeff Pearlman...who endorses Brandon's book andChrist. who we thank immensely.

Brandon has written asome great, touching, book about incredible young athlete anatinspiring true coach, story.

We the nation to out the Top 25.

Ron Lievense, Barton's Christ, too.

But what drew me to Ant was authentic of aanknow person heofwas, and how much the people closest to him beautiful went and through heartbreaking stuff, all at and once, hemotivating never tried most toinact of perfect. them He was that they known for have being awith ashot hilarious, a pro fun-loving, career, and that Did you ever play basketball?

Ifbecause so,how at what level and how would youdon't assess your skills at the game? encourage you to check it out.

You will not be disappointed. finally told Ant he'd be happy with him if he took every shot, ever loved him.

Dude through somecharismatic stuff, and he never tried act perfect. known for being a hilarious, they could get inwent just entertaining, as much ball, playing intramurals dude.

There or whatever, was something but they toHe want be was said the about coaching, and the fire, and funtheWe Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating book about antoincredible young athlete withthat. an inspiring true story. trip down the floor.

Instead, Ant poured his energy into building his loving, entertaining, charismatic dude.

There was something to be said about that. passion I playedthat varsity comes from with ninth intercollegiate grade on atyou athletics, my to small so private they play high on school, a collegiate and team.

All-Conference They bear 12 as hours a sophomore a day in vans, and encourage check it out.

You will not bemade disappointed.

And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... remaining teammates' confidence.

It was a rough go for awhile.

But Ito junior. just spend got Didn't lucky, 40 minutes play really, myplaying senior that I found year a game. because thisIt'sincredible almost I focused like story solely a Shakespearean underneath on baseball, it all. tragedy. hoping What Ito I would found one day was love goseriously for pro. more (Yeah, the people stuff thattodidn't good see ultimately it paid off, and, well, you saw what eventually happened.

I justThat got out, lucky, really, that I found this incredible story underneath it all.

What I found was seriously the stuff good novels quite that. pan are made waseither. part of.

And ofBut my that's Ivision was what aAnd for catcher, kept the book--showing me and going my younger when people things brother this became is hidden a 6-4 a grind. left-handed world, Because and this pitcher in hidden writing who superstar just books, got you drafted within always it, by now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed...

You just have to understand how impossible it was for Barton Colnovels are made of. that's what kept methat.) going when things became abook, grind.

Because in awriting books, you always hit thethat Yankees, grind, Isothink.

I'mAnd taking (Not like some sort I'dcredit of really likefor know, what Michael since I still this play Lewis is amy ton did first of with pickup full"The basketball Blind but Side".

I've whenever read lot Iofcan. things I freaking written love by a lege to do what it did.

When Ant showed up his junior year, they hit that grind, I think.

(Not like I'd really know, since this is my first full book, but I've read a lot of things written it.lot How of authors would I who assess are my way skills? better Haha, writers I don't than I know, am, and man. they I just all say love that to play, at some I know point, the there game, is that and grind, I keep that myself slog "The Edge of Legend" is your first book. How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career?byina were picked finish fifth in their CONFERENCE. heothers, lotgotta ofshape, who are way than and they allto say thatwith at some point, there thatit, grind, that slog you good pushsoassessment through.)

I always The have story fun at Iwriters discovered it, and my Iteams inam, exploring usually win. as Sometimes a person isthe Iwhat have got less me tothrough doisand/or with that isAnd than what got this What isauthors your of better Anthony's potential as either aAnt mega-star Globetrotters at least awon shot "The Edge of Legend" is your first book.

How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career? them a national championship.

I don't care what level of play you're you gotta push through.)

The story I discovered in exploring Ant as a person is what got me through it, is what got thing from idea to published book.

In the end, but the it's story always was about a blast. so much more than basketball, or faith, or Jesus with the NBA? I got into writing because while growing up, I really got got into reading. reading. Never Never watched watched much TV --- that was kind of of aathis at, that takes a special ballplayer, in all aspects of the game. thing from idea to published book.

In the end, the story was about so much more than basketball, or faith, or Jesus Christ, or God, or even Ant. It "Oh, was about how aonly young man recovers when his dreams fallof I've had that happen. joke around the neighborhood, neighborhood, "Oh, Brandon's Brandon's only got got three three channels." channels."

Ha-ha.

Ha-ha.

(But (Butone one ofapart. those those girls girls who who always always IHe got intoor writing because while growing up, I with really got into reading.

Never watched much TV --He's that was kind of atwo Christ, God, or even Ant. It was about how a young man recovers when his dreams fall apart.

I've had that happen. will, without We a all doubt, have. become Ant just a mega-star happened to bounce the Globetrotters. back in a way He that already grabbed pretty America's much is. attention. their number Besides being a beautiful city, what keeps you in Wilmington, N.C.?

Do you think your career would be better picked on methe ended up marrying"Oh, me,Brandon's so....yeah, only I don't know know what what the the meaning meaning in in(But all all that is, but it seems seemswho like likealways there's there's joke around neighborhood, got three channels."

Ha-ha. one of those girls is the origin of the nickname, "Ant"?

Or of is the itthem simply We all have.

Ant just happened to bounce back intake a way that grabbed America's attention. or three guy right now, and they're training him toinWhat eventually over for Special K, who kind face offrom theaa served a larger (major) city? something to that.)

Seriously though, Iso....yeah, just devoured books. books.

IIwhat would would drive drive my my parents parents nuts. nuts.

II is remember remember them buying buying picked on me ended up marrying me, I don't know the meaning in all that is, but it seems like there's the first 3 letters of his name?

Globetrotters right now.

They LOVE him, and he loves playing for them.

It's a great fit.

Obviously, it's a completely It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from Barton College/Wilson, NC & set of books, books, about about 40 or so, and I read read them them in in aa week. week.

TheyI were like, "Are "Are you you SERIOUS?" SERIOUS?" Which Whichisisthem funny, funny, because be- 12a something to that.)

Seriously though, I just devoured books. would drive my parents nuts.

I remember buying It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from Barton College/Wilson, NC &all.

12 different Honestly, game it's the than people the NBA. I've met.

Him My making wife the and switch I have from found the an Globetrotters amazing church, to the and NBA that's would not easy be like to do Brock these Lesnar days. milesreading from town ofsuch....I Greenville, NC (may Ithings, call you, LOL).

I know thatBig NCglasses is a glasses hotand bed of reading cause and your writing and home writing are such....I are don't don't know, know, "nerdy" "nerdy" things, and"home Ilike, and was"Are Iaboy"? was huge a huge nerd growing nerd growing up. up.

Big and set of books, about 40 or so, and I read them in a week.

They were you SERIOUS?" Which is funny, because Just something everyone's called him ever since he was born.

"Lil' Ant." The Globetrotters just ran with it, playing off miles from your home town of Greenville, NC (may I call you, "home boy"?

LOL).

I know that NC is a hot bed of We jumping know we from can't pro stay wrestling here forever, to MMA. but we'd It's worked like to out return great here for one Brock. day whenever Until his last we fight, can settle. he was But unstoppable. yeah, to answer I college basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree?

But all.

But I also Iand also really really got got intointo sports, sports, and and got got pretty pretty good good atthings, aatcouple, a couple, so there so there hashas definitely definitely been been thatthat nerd-versus-jock nerd-versus-jock reading writing are such....I don't know, "nerdy" and INBA. was aWould huge nerd growing up.

Big glasses and all. it and his size.

It fits well. college basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree? the honestly second believe part of Ant the would question, be successful I can see how if he got moving a shot to in a the bigger city would it help. take him Charlotte some time and Raleigh to adjust here to the in war on with myself. myself.

Which Whichand isisincredibly incredibly nerdy nerdyat to toasay, say, anyway, anyway, so soIIguess guess the thenerd's nerd's winning winning out outnowadays. nowadays.II But Igoing also really got into sports, got pretty good couple, so there has definitely been that nerd-versus-jock game?

North Word!

Carolina Oh Heck yeah. yeah, are And great home it would locations. boy. be Although tough, I and because Katie, I really my he's can't wife, small. pull who's that Man, a off, brilliant he's so small. yeah, graphics But you he can artist, is call one have me of the that, talked best but about players people trying I've would ever Atdon't author author books books as as aa career. career.

I Ilove love it,it,but butit's it'snerdy not notmy my "day job" job"yet, yet,so although although hopefully hopefully itit will will be be one day. day. war going on with myself.

Which isfitto incredibly toI"day say, anyway, I guess the nerd's winning out nowadays.

I Iso How did you meet best-selling author, columnist and SJ friend, Jeff Pearlman?

Word!

Heck yeah, home boy.

Although I NBA, really can't pull that so yeah, you call me yeah, that, but people would seen probably lanta. play, And appreciate at any of course, level. me He there's not would trying always inact New the gangsta.

York and City.

And Iyeah, think love he'd itNYC. isoff, abecome hotbed Would aoflove fan basketball, favorite, tocan live there and because at some he's thepoint so book small, ingets life. but into don't author books a career. love it, but it's notand my "day yet, although hopefully will be day. probably appreciate me not trying todid acttalented, gangsta.

And yeah, ititand is a"Ant" hotbed of some basketball, and yeah, the book gets into that. would It's love, part of to what oneasday, made give what a Imajor Ant city for adid shot, Wilson so relentless, can special. seejob" In happening fact, so fearless. one at my working point.it Just titles don't forone the know book when. wasThat "Out How youso meet Anthony Atkinson?

The magic the Internet. mother-in-law gave me his book on Roger when I titles started that.

It's partofof what made what did city. forhow Wilson so fortunate special. oneClemens of working forand the Ibook "Out ofsaid, Shadows," I don't feel which like was, I “need” inMy part, a Ant bigger a play on I've Wilson been was in In the tofact, be shadow successful of my those from big-time where Ibasketball am, schools love was myinlife the How did you meet Anthony "Ant" Atkinson? working on my book about Ant. I read it, loved it, looked up his website.

I knew of him but didn't of Shadows," which was, in part, a play on how Wilson was in the shadow of those big-time basketball schools in Triangle. a whole inI there how the right people now. of the when comesme to aBarton basketball, What was/is Anthony's role Globetrotters?

In college.There's We both both went went to tochapter Barton.

Barton. was was aaabout freshman when when he hewith was was aaWilson, junior, so thatit made sophomore when hethe really know him.

He had his email address on his site, promised on there that he'd respond, so Triangle.

There's a the whole chapter inin there about"Don't how the people of Wilson, when it comes to Barton basketball, inwhat words of one my sources quoted the book, give a damn."

And then there's another line about how, into was a senior. senior.

Iof I both was was the sports sports editor editor for for Barton's Barton's student student newspaper, newspaper, The The Collegiate, Collegiate, that that year, year, and andwe we really really got got tothe In college.

We went to Barton.

I was a freshman when he was a junior, so that made me a sophomore when he I emailed him.

He was kind enough to answer the 1.3 million questions I sent him in the words of one of my sources quoted in the book, "Don't give a damn."

And then there's another line about how, in what Ant He's did, one theother ofcity their started main guys, "like likethroughout I asaid Chapel above.

Hill He orwas Durham one of intheir basketball five season." went on I just "Are horribly You Smarter misquoted Thanmyself-a 5th If you were aacting recruiter for Barton College, what would be thethat one or two big selling point(s)? know each each as I covered him the season. season.

Especially Especially after after that that national national championship championship game. game. was adid, Ihave was the sports Barton's newspaper, we reallyand got to following year, and, well, noweditor we're best friends.

OK, maybe not, butThe I Collegiate, definitely owe him dinner sometime.

He's Antso the city started acting "like afor Hillstudent or Durham in season."

Iitthat just horribly myself-Grader?"

Isenior. might and "Good to sue Morning myself--but America" IChapel think recently. you get the He's point. such What abasketball charismatic was cool guy. about He does wasyear, Michael howand themisquoted people, Jackson dance the know each other as I covered him throughout the season.

Especially after that national championship game. earned my respect and admiration whole different level than other author. not often you get a chance so Idid might have to sue myself--but Iathink you get the point. was cool about itAnt was how the people, and theto players, routines The student-teacher at out schools there.

He's like ratio Carolina, awesome is phenomenal.

Duke, atonengaging State, I think the and crowd. it's Wake like, Forest, He's 11:1 aWhat or phenomenal allany something. knew about ball-handler.

Sowhat youIt's have and He's awesome Barton got this access did routine that toyear, your where in When you realize that there was an incredible human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball have such access to such a successful writer, and he was unbelievably gracious with his time. players, atIall schools like Carolina, Duke, State, Wake Forest, knew about what and Barton didseriously that year, he 2007. slides professors, think over and that, the every more floor. professor than Youanything, can Ifind had itthere shows onand YouTube. was how truly much passionate It'sof nuts. a all hotbed He's about definitely North theirCarolina subject oneAnt ofmatter. really their stars. is--those I mean, Like Division I said, they I in abilities and accomplishments?

When did Iyou realize there was an incredible human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball 2007. think that, that more than anything, shows how much of a hotbed North Carolina really is--those Division I superstars were raving about love lil' ol' him, Barton passionate. and he College. fitsYou in That with don't them was find one and that oftheir just the anywhere. mission most compelling perfectly. elements to this whole thing, abilities and accomplishments?

Where/how can your book be purchased? superstars were raving about Barton College.

Thatfor was ofIIthe compelling toto this thing, me.one Just Just from from getting getting to to know know him,lil'I ol' knew he he was an awesome awesome guy, guy, but but also alsomost knew knew there there was waselements something something to it. it.whole There There was wasaa for me.

How close are you to Describe Anthony Anthony's and the Atkinson best attribute(s), family?

Is in your your relationship opinion, as with a human him/them being. strictly professional catalyst catalyst to to that that awesomeness. awesomeness.

There There was was something something behind him--had to be, I felt--that made him the way he was.

Itora Just from getting to know him, I knew he was an awesome guy, but I also knew there was something to it.

There was It's a regional independent release, so right now, if you're not in the eastern once trained for anational triathlon. is it something Do youdeeper? stillgame compete?

If so, how often? took took me me to two two or awesomeness. three threeYou weeks weeks after after the thewas 2007 2007 national championship championship game to to schedule schedule my mymade interview interview with him for for The The that There something behind him--had to be, I felt--that him the way was.

It North Carolina region, right now your best bet will be finding itof onhe Amazon I'llcatalyst name three: his ability to make you believe in yourself, his absolute fearlessness, and his humility.

Whether it's life Collegiate, because because everyone everyone and and their their dog dog wanted wanted to to talk talk to to him. him.

I I knew knew he loved God, and that that side side of him was took me two or three weeks after the 2007 national championship game to schedule my interview with him for The and at the book website, EdgeOfLegend.com.

Being with smaller, It's or Yes, basketball, a mostly I trained professional nothing for a triathlon.

No,guy, I doright but not atnow. still the compete--I same That time, said, whenever retired he in never thethen-fiancée's acts we week do likeafter get he's around my on second some eachhigher one. other Iapedestal. and raced have two He aregional sprint chance hasn't strikingly absent from ascares lotrelationship ofthis the stories.

We finally finally sat sat down, down, inhim. his his then-fiancée's apartment suite living room, and I Collegiate, because everyone and their dog wanted to talk to I knew he loved God, and that side of him was independent publisher, it'll take awhile to get into the major outlets and outside totold triathlons, talk, we always talk which nonstop. been roughly that If we way, consist didn't but of have then, 750 lives, that yards side we'd of of swimming talk his life for days is followed what on made end. by I'm this 13 always miles a story of looking that biking could to followed learn fill a from book. by a others, 5K run. and told him, him,absent "Look,from I know know you're you're into into God, God,We and andfinally it seems seems like like that's that's getting left left out out of of all all these these stories. stories.

It's going in and this strikingly aup lot of thehour stories. sat down, in his then-fiancée's apartment suite living room, I of this region.

If you request it in your local independent bookstores, they can so Which I love basically talking to adds people, to anyway. an With to an Ant, hour there's and a half always of thinking, something "What to talk the about, hell is something WRONG to with learn me or for discuss. doing one."

We We talked for three hours.

At At the time, we we talked talked about about a book, but nothing came of of it. it.

Then Then two two years years later--in later--in told him, "Look, I the know you're into God, and itdidn't seems like getting left out all It's going in this track it down and get some copies. be inwatching Barnes &stories.

Nobles and Borders and THIS?" There were Especially soactually, many ofswim. our conversations You think football's rough? make Go itthat's into jump the in he book fordid--I anIt'll that open-water I of wish Ithese could triathlon publish start. somewhere.

Holy crap.

The So March 2009, actually, almost almost two two years years to tothat the the date date that that he he did did what what he did--I was was watching the the YouTube YouTube clip of his one."

We talked for three hours.

At the time, we talked about a book, but nothing came of it.

Then two years later--in Books-A-Millions eventually, but that some time there run sucks, is a deeper too, because connection by that there. point With you his can family, barely too. feel I have youreverywhere, learned legs, andastories lot what from youthem can feel, about you how wish totake live you my didn't own feel. life. comeback, comeback, and and I got toalmost looking through old notes and interviews and about him, and and IIwill just just got got this this sense sense of, of, March 2009, actually, two years to the date that he did what he did--I was watching the YouTube clip of his Some people are something crazy passionate aboutall triathlons. not onehim, of them, andgot you have toI be.

Ithis was a greatand "Hey, "Hey, there's there's really else behind this." and SoI'm Iinterviews emailed we we got toreally talking, and met and 13 comeback, I got looking through old was notes andand stories about him, and II just got thisparents sense of, experience,and it got metoback intotalked shape,with and a somewhat brilliant journalism project, and met some awesome them, and it just snowballed from there.

"Hey, there's really something else behind all this."dude, So I emailed him, and got to talking, and I met his parents and people....but it was brutal.

Bru.we Tal. talked with them, and it just snowballed from there.

"Ant" Time With "Ant""Ant" Time Time With With Author,Sneed Brandon Sneed (cont.)

Author, Brandon "The Author, Edge Brandon ofEdge Legend" Sneed "The of Legend" Written Written by: Reg by: with Reg Brandon with Brandon Division This is aIIbook basketball about, You doesn't among onceget other trained thethings, attention for atremendous triathlon. that it deserves.

Do faith, you overcoming still Do you compete? think personal If that so,your how challenges, book often? mayand help highly-skilled change that?

"The Edge of Legend" Written by: Reg with Brandon This is a book about, among other things, tremendous faith, overcoming personal challenges, and highly-skilled

basketball. Which If so, aspect to what intrigued degree? or inspired If not, why younot? the most, and why?

"Brandon Sneed is an author and journalist living in Wilmington, NC. He has contributed totonumerous regional, Describe Do you Anthony's have subsequent best basketball books on skill(s)....Ball the drawing handler, board?

If distributor, so, can you 1-on-1 give usplayer, a hint self-creator as the Isubject of local, shots, matter? "trey" basketball.

Which aspect intrigued or inspired you most, and why?

Yes, I trained for a triathlon. No, I do not still compete--I retired the weekthe after my second one. raced two sprint and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State.

He writes marksman, defensive maven, outside shooter, spot-up shooter, "sky-walker", etc...

You're So triathlons, many right, things. which there roughly is asome compelling great consist story of 750 ofyards aplayed boyof forsaking swimming inWilmington, Division his followed hometown II. Problem byin 13 is,pursuit it's miles theofbasketball his biking dreams, followed of yesteryear, only by to ahave 5K and those run. the "Brandon Sneed isIt's an author andbasketball journalist living in NC. He has contributed to numerous local, regional, regularly for magazines and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

He recently finished a five-month column series about Have several ideas.

My first love is fiction, actually, so of course I have a few outlines for novels laying around.

Have So many things.

It's a compelling story of a boy forsaking his hometown in pursuit of his dreams, only to have those dreams Which basketball fall basically to pieces. of adds yesteryear Then up to he an doesn't returns hour exactly to home an hour sell and and shoes. carries a half And said of that's hometown thinking, because "What to greatness. it bores the hell us And is more WRONG what easily drove now. with me me It's the for more most doing at and national publications, among them being Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Sports Spectrum, and Our State. He writes training for and racing triathlons.

Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons.

But he I'd a actually draft of one say finished, something but you I've didn't had to list: leave team it guy. on the By backburner that I mean while that he I focus is the on best my player freelance you'll work--my ever find "day at making job" dreams fallmagazines towas pieces.

Then he returns home and carries said hometown greatness.

And what drove me the THIS?" the fundamental, beginning Especially with the Ant's fewer swim. faith, dunks You but and think notfewer just football's because show-stopping rough? he's a Christian.

Go plays, jump but inChristians the for good antoopen-water are teams everywhere play triathlon seriously in sports. start. good Holy Kurt basketball. crap.

Warner The regularly for and newspapers in the Wilmington area.

He recently finished a five-month column series about survived, and in the meantime, wrote this book...

The Edge of Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ his right team now--and the absolute getting best "The team Edge it can of Legend" be.

Above out everything there.

Journalism-wise, else, he is a born a book leader.

I would And the love greatest to write leaders is the story are like of most at the beginning was Ant's faith, but not just because he's a Christian.

Christians are everywhere in sports. run screamed Personally, sucks, to too, I Jesus love because after watching by winning that it. point I Super think you the Bowls. can book barely Tim definitely Tebow feel your sheds writes legs, some Bible and good what verses light you in on his can it. eye feel, It black. has you some wish Josh great you Hamilton didn't stuff in says feel. it. training for and racing triathlons. Unfortunately, this also required he, himself, train for and race triathlons. But he the Capt. greatest Ivan Castro. basketball I wrote players--they a story about make him what for they SI.com, do look and he's easy. lived Leadership, an incredible, to Ant, tragic seems life. effortless.

Started out Now, as when a grunt Kurt Warner topassionate Jesus afterabout winning Super Bowls.

Tim Tebow writes verses in black.

Josh Jesus Stuff Some pulled like people how him the are from guys crazy hell eat itself. sack I'm lunches not knocking intriathlons.

15-passenger anyEdge I'm of not those one guys, of while them, butriding their and faith you 12Bible hours really defines round-trip have them. tohis be.

And ineye Ita yeah, was single a I'm great day sure toit survived, and inscreamed the meantime, wrote this book...

The ofvans Legend." http://www.edgeoflegend.com/the-author/ Brandon and Magazine were introduced toyou're each other our mutual friend &project, associate, Best-Selling Author inHamilton comes the UStomilitary, basketball--when worked his he way decides up toas to Officer, go,itself. became not stopping avia widely him. decorated I don't Special care who Forces you Officer. are.

In college, Got married, he them. went that saysitSJ Jesus him from hell not knocking any of those guys, but faith defines experience, they're nice guys, got me butpulled back they're into known shape, and Christians was a I'm somewhat play above one all. game. brilliant You'll find journalism a lot of Christians andtheir who I met believe some that's awesome the& Columnist, Jeff Pearlman...who endorses Brandon's book and who we thank immensely. whole head-to-head nine yards. with In Rajon 2006, Rondo he deployed while Rondo to Iraq was for at his Kentucky, last tour of and duty took ever. it to He him. and With his wife Barton, were his planning senior season, to start And yeah, I'm sure they're nice guys, but they're known as Christians above all.

You'll find a lot of Christians who beutmost calling--to be known on aintroduced grand people....but stage adude, lover was Christ. brutal.

That's Bru. great, Tal. and I frankly,Best-Selling I love Christ,Author too. But Brandon and SJ Magazine were to as each otheritofvia our mutual friend & associate, & they their lost family a few when key players he returned. to injuries.

A mortar They round went landed from ranked five feet No. from 2 in him, the nation blew him to out to bits. of the He Top was 25. in Ron a coma Lievense, for a lieve that's utmost be known onthe a grand stage ashow aitlover of That's and frankly, I love what Division drew me IIthe to basketball Ant wascalling--to is how a brutal authentic world, of and a person guys he was, who and play are much madly, the insanely people closest ingreat, love towith himIthis loved game. him.

It's Dude Columnist, Jeff Pearlman...who endorses Brandon's book andChrist. who we thank immensely.

Brandon has written asome great, touching, book about incredible young athlete an trueand story.

We month, Barton's miraculously coach, finally survived, told lost he'd his be eyesight. happy with A him later, ifand he he took ran would every ahe marathon, shot, ever and trip now, down he runs the marathons Instead, ultra Christ, too.

But what drew me to Ant was how authentic of aan person was, and how much the people closest toAnt him beautiful went and through heartbreaking stuff, allAnt at and once, hemotivating never tried most toyear act of perfect. them know He was that they known for have being awith ashot hilarious, atinspiring afloor. pro fun-loving, career, and that Did you ever play basketball?

Ifbecause so, at what level how youdon't assess your skills at the game? encourage you to check it out.

You will not be disappointed.

-marathons poured his and energy triathlons into building and climbs his remaining mountains teammates' and hikes and confidence. goes white-water It was a rough kayaking. go for Dude's awhile. an But animal, ultimately and he's it loved him.

Dude through somecharismatic stuff, and he never tried act perfect. known for being a hilarious, they could get inwent just entertaining, as much ball, playing intramurals dude.

There or whatever, was something but they toHe want be was said the about coaching, and the fire, and funtheWe Brandon has written a great, touching, motivating book about antoincredible young athlete withthat. an inspiring true story. totally paid off, blind. and, One well, of you the saw most what inspirational, eventually compelling happened. stories You just I've have ever to heard, understand and the how kicker impossible for it all it is was his for struggle Barton loving, entertaining, charismatic dude.

There was something to be said about that. passion I playedthat varsity comes from with ninth intercollegiate grade on atyou athletics, my to small so private they play high on school, a collegiate and team.

All-Conference They bear 12 as hours a sophomore a day in vans, andto encourage check it out.

You will not bemade disappointed.

And now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... believe College in God to do through what it all did. of When this.

He Ant lost showed everything. up his He junior knows year, he's they bitter, were but picked he says, to finish "I don't fifth want in their to live CONFERlike that."

Ito junior. just spend got Didn't lucky, 40 minutes play really, myplaying senior that I found year a game. because thisIt'sincredible almost I focused like story solely a Shakespearean underneath on baseball, it all. tragedy. hoping What Ito I would found one day was love goseriously for pro. more (Yeah, the people stuff thattodidn't good see ENCE. And heeither. won awas And so he championship. tries not to, and I don't how care he goes what about level that of play is amazing. you're at, that takes a special ballI justThat got lucky, really, that Inational found this incredible story underneath it all.

What I found was seriously the stuff good novels quite that. pan are out, made was part of.

And ofthem But my that's Ivision what aAnd for catcher, kept the book--showing me and going my younger when people things brother this became is hidden a 6-4 a grind. left-handed world, Because and this pitcher in hidden writing who superstar just books, got you drafted within always it, by now, please meet and enjoy...Brandon Sneed... player, in all aspects of the game. novels are made of. that's what kept methat.) going when things became abook, grind.

Because in awriting books, you always hit thethat Yankees, grind, Isothink.

I'mAnd taking (Not like some sort I'dcredit of really likefor know, what Michael since I still this play Lewis is amy ton did first of with pickup full"The basketball Blind but Side".

I've whenever read lot Iofcan. things I freaking written love by a hit that grind, I think.

(Not like I'd really know, since this is my first full book, but I've read a lot of things written it.lot How of authors would I who assess are my way skills? better Haha, writers I don't than I know, am, and man. they I just all say love that to play, at some I know point, the there game, is that and grind, I keep that myself slog "The Edge of Legend" is your first book. How did you get into writing and do you author books as a career?byina Thanks for"Ant"? your time, ItSometimes a atblast.

What the offun theat nickname, Orthey is itwin. simply from the first 3less letters his name? lotgotta ofshape, who areorigin way than Iteams and all say that some point, there isand/or that grind, that you good push soassessment through.)

Iisalways The have story Iwriters discovered it, and my inam, exploring usually Ant as awas person isthe Iwhat have got me tothrough doof with it, that is than what others, got this What isauthors your of better Anthony's potential as either aguys. mega-star with Globetrotters at least aslog shot "The Edge of Legend" is your first book.

How did you get into writing and do you author books as awhat career? you gotta push through.)

The story I discovered in exploring Ant as a person is what got me through it, is got thing from idea to published book.

In the end, but the it's story always was about a blast. so much more than basketball, or faith, or Jesus with the NBA? I got into writing because while growing up, I really got got into reading. reading. Never Never watched watched much TV --- that was kind of of aathis Just something everyone's called him ever since he was born.

"Lil' Ant." The Globetrotters just ran with it, playing off thing from idea to published book.

In the end, the story was about so much more than basketball, or faith, or Jesus Christ, or God, or even Ant. It "Oh, was about how aonly young man recovers when his dreams fallof I've had that happen. joke around the neighborhood, neighborhood, "Oh, Brandon's Brandon's only got got three three channels." channels."

Ha-ha.

Ha-ha.

(But (Butone one ofapart. those those girls girls who who always always IHe got into writing because while growing up, I really got into reading.

Never watched much TV -that was kind of a it and his size.

It fits well.

Christ, or God, or even Ant. It was about howwith a Iyoung man when his dreams fall apart. had like that happen. will,on without We aaall doubt, have. become Ant just awhat mega-star happened to bounce theWilmington, Globetrotters. backrecovers in a way that already much is.attention.

He's their number two Besides being beautiful city, keeps you in N.C.?

Dograbbed you think your career would be there's better picked me ended up marrying me, so....yeah, don't know know what what the theHe meaning meaning in inpretty all allAmerica's that is, but itI've seems seems like there's joke around the neighborhood, "Oh, Brandon's only got three channels."

Ha-ha.

(But one of those girls who always If you liked reading this interview about Brandon Sneed….

We all have.

Ant just happened to bounce back in a way that grabbed America's attention. or three guy right Seriously now, and though, they're training him toineventually take over for K, whoII is kind of the face of theaa served a largerII would (major) city? something to that.) just devoured books. books. would drive drive my mySpecial parents parents nuts. nuts. remember remember them them buying buying picked on me ended up marrying me, Iso....yeah, Ihedon't know what the meaning ingreat allBarton that is,College/Wilson, but it seems like there's How did you meet best-selling author, columnist and SJ friend, Jeff Pearlman?

Globetrotters right now.

They LOVE him, and loves playing for them.

It's a fit.

Obviously, it's a completely It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from NC & 12 set of books, books, about about 40 or so, and I read read them them in in aa week. week.

TheyI were like, "Are "Are you you SERIOUS?" SERIOUS?" Which Whichisisthem funny, funny, because besomething to that.)

Seriously though, I just devoured books. would drive my parents nuts.

I remember buying a It's a small world, Brandon.

I grew up in North Carolina myself...22 miles from Barton College/Wilson, NC &all.

12 different Honestly, game it's the than people the NBA. I've met.

Him My making wife the and switch I have from found the an Globetrotters amazing church, to the and NBA that's would not easy be like to do Brock these Lesnar days. miles from your home town ofsuch....I Greenville, NC (may Ithings, call you, "home boy"?

LOL).

I know thatBig NC isBasketball a glasses hotand bed of Check out Brandon's debut book, The Edge of Legend: An Incredible Story of Faith and reading cause reading and writing and writing are such....I are don't don't know, know, "nerdy" "nerdy" things, and I and was I a was huge a huge nerd growing nerd growing up. up. glasses Big and Check out Brandon's Check out debut Brandon's book, debut book, set of books, about 40 ortown so, and I MMA. read them in a(may week.

They were like, "Are you SERIOUS?" Which isyeah, funny, because The ofyour the Internet.

My gave me book onso Roger Clemens when I started working book miles from home ofmother-in-law Greenville, NC Ihis you, "home boy"?

LOL).

Ifight, know that NC is aon hot bed We jumping know we from can't pro stay wrestling here forever, to but we'd It'spretty worked like to(Port, out return great here for one Brock. whenever Until his last we can settle. he was But unstoppable. tomy answer I of college basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree?

But all.

But Imagic also Iand also really really got got into into sports, sports, and and got got pretty good good atthings, acall at couple, a2010). couple, there soday there has has definitely definitely been been that that nerd-versus-jock nerd-versus-jock reading writing are such....I don't know, "nerdy" and I was a huge nerd growing up.

Big glasses and all. about Ant. I The read it, Edge loved of it, looked Legend: up his An website.

Incredible I knew of The Story him Edge but of didn't Faith of Legend: really and know Basketball him.

He had his email college basketball.

Does your book get much into that?

If so, to what degree? the honestly second believe part of Ant the would question, be successful I can see how if he got moving a shot to in a the bigger NBA. city Would would it help. take him Charlotte some time and Raleigh to adjust here to the war going on with myself. myself.

Which Whichand isisincredibly incredibly nerdy nerdyat to toasay, say, anyway, anyway, so soIIguess guess the thenerd's nerd's winning winning out outnowadays. nowadays.IIin But I also really got into sports, got pretty good couple, so there has definitely been that nerd-versus-jock address on his site, promised on there that he'd respond, so I emailed him.

He was kind enough to answer the 1.3 game?

North Word!

Carolina OhHeck yeah. yeah, are And great home would locations. boy.be Although tough, I it, and because Katie, I it's really my he's can't wife, small. pull who's that Man, brilliant he's so small. yeah, graphics But you he can artist, iscall onehave me of the that, talked best butone about players people trying I've would ever AtAn (Port, Incredible 2010).

Story of Faith and Basketball don't author author books books as as aita career. career.

I Ilove love it,but but it'snerdy not not my my "day "day job" job"aoff, yet, yet, although although hopefully hopefully itit will will be be day. day. war going on with myself.

Which is incredibly to say, anyway, so I guess the nerd's winning out nowadays.

II Iso "The NBA doesn't own all the best stories..." million I sent him infit the year, and, well, now we're best friends. maybe not, but Word!

Heck home Although Ifollowing really can't that off, so yeah, you call meOK, that, but people would seen probably lanta. play, And appreciate atquestions any ofyeah, course, level. me He there's notboy. would trying always toinact New thegangsta.

NBA, York and City.

And I pull Iyeah, think love he'd itNYC. is abecome hotbed Would aoflove fan basketball, favorite, tocan live there and because yeah, at some he's thepoint so book small, ingets life. but into (Port, 2010). don't author books a career. love it, but it's not my "day yet, although hopefully it will be one day. definitely owe dinner sometime.

He's my respect and admiration a working whole than any other SLAM magazine probably appreciate me not trying todid acttalented, gangsta.

And yeah, it is a"Ant" hotbed of on basketball, and yeah, the book gets into that. would It's love, part of tohim what oneas day, made give what a Imajor Ant city for aearned shot, Wilson and so relentless, can special. seejob" itand In happening fact, so fearless. one at some my point.different Just titles don't forlevel the know book when. wasThat "Out How did youso meet Anthony Atkinson? author.

It's not often you get a achance have such access such a successful writer, andtitles heIbasketball was unbelievably "The doesn't own all best that.

It'sI don't part of what what Ant didtocity. for Wilson so special.

In fact, one of my working forand the Ibook "Out of said, Shadows," feel which likemade was, I “need” in part, bigger a NBA play on how I've Wilson been fortunate wastoin the tothe be shadow successful ofstories..." those from big-time where am, schools love was myinlife the How did you meet Anthony "Ant" Atkinson? gracious with his time. of Shadows," which was, in part, a play on how Wilson was in the shadow of those big-time basketball schools in Triangle. a whole inI there how the right people now. of the when comes to aBarton basketball, What was/is Anthony's role with Globetrotters?

SLAM magazine "The own best stories..."

"A NBA must-read."

In college.There's We both both went went to tochapter Barton.

Barton. was was aaabout freshman when when he hedoesn't was was aaWilson, junior, so all thatit the made me sophomore when hethe Triangle.

There's a the whole chapter inin there about"Don't how the people of Wilson, when it comes to Barton basketball, inwhat words of one my sources quoted the book, give a damn."

And then there's another line about how, into was a senior. senior.

Iof I both was was the sports sports editor editor for for Barton's Barton's student student newspaper, newspaper, The The Collegiate, Collegiate, that that year, year, and andwe we really really got got tothe Jeff Pearlman (NY Times bestselling author) SLAM magazine In college.

We went to Barton.

I was a freshman when he was a junior, so that made me a sophomore when he Where/how can your book be purchased? words of one of my sources quoted in the book, "Don't give a damn."

And then there's another line about how, in what Ant He's did, one theother ofcity their started main guys, "like likethroughout I asaid Chapel above.

Hill He orwas Durham one of intheir basketball five season." went on I just "Are horribly You Smarter misquoted Thanmyself-a 5th If you were aacting recruiter for Barton College, what would be thethat one or two big selling point(s)? know each each as I covered him the season. season.

Especially Especially after after that that national national championship championship game. game. was adid, Ihave was the sports editor Barton's student newspaper, The we reallyand got to "A Antso the city started acting "like afor Hill or must-read."

Durham inWhat season."

Iitthat just horribly myself-Grader?"

Isenior. might and "Good to sue Morning myself--but America" IChapel think recently. you get the He'spoint. such abasketball charismatic was Collegiate, cool guy. about He does wasyear, Michael howand themisquoted people, Jackson dance the know each other as I covered him throughout the season.

Especially after that national championship game.

"Like so many great American stories..."

It's a regional independent release, right now, ifget you're not inaWhat the eastern North Carolina region, now your so Idid might have to sue myself--but I think you the point. was cool about wasand how theright people, and thebest players, routines The student-teacher at out schools there.

He's like ratio Carolina, awesome isJeff phenomenal.

Duke, atso engaging State, I think the and crowd. it's Wake like, Forest, He's 11:1 or phenomenal all something. knew about ball-handler.

So what youitAnt have He's awesome Barton got this access did routine that to year, your where in Pearlman (NY Times bestselling author) "A must-read."

When you realize that there was an incredible human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball bet will be finding it on Amazon and at the book website, EdgeOfLegend.com.

Being with a smaller, regional Will Leitch (The Sporting News) players, atIall schools like Carolina, Duke, State, Wake Forest, knew about what and Barton didseriously that year, he 2007. slides professors, think over and that, the every more floor. professor than Youanything, can Ifind had itthere shows onand YouTube. was how truly much passionate It'sof nuts. a all hotbed He's about definitely North theirCarolina subject oneAnt ofmatter. really their stars. is--those I mean, Like Division I said, they I in abilities and accomplishments?

Jeff Pearlman (NY Times bestselling author) When did Iyou realize was an human interest story behind Anthony Atkinson's great basketball independent publisher, it'll there take toincredible get into the major outlets and outside of this region.

Ifis--those you it inthing, your 2007. think that, that more than anything, shows how much of a hotbed North Carolina really Division I superstars were raving about love lil' awhile ol' him, Barton passionate. and he College. fits You in That with don't them was find one and that oftheir just the anywhere. mission most compelling perfectly. elements torequest this whole abilities and accomplishments? local independent bookstores, they can track it down and get some copies.

It'll be in Barnes & Nobles and Borders and "Like so many great American stories..." superstars were raving about Barton College.

Thatfor was ofIIthe compelling toto this thing, me.one Just Just from from getting getting to to know know him,lil'I ol' knew he he was an awesome awesome guy, guy, but but also alsomost knew knew there there was waselements something something to it. it.whole There There was was aa Books-A-Millions everywhere, eventually, but that will take some time for me.

How close are you to Describe Anthony Anthony's and the Atkinson best attribute(s), family?

Is in your your relationship opinion, as with a human him/them being. strictly professional or Will Leitch (The Sporting News) "Like so many great American stories..." catalyst catalyst to to that that awesomeness. awesomeness.

There There was was something something behind him--had to be, I felt--that made him the way he was.

It Learn more about Brandon and view his event schedule by visiting brandonsneed.com.

Just from Brandon getting to know him, I trained knew hefor wasa triathlon. anisawesome but also knewIfthere was often? something to it. There was a Sneed, You once it something Doguy, youdeeper? stillIgame compete? so, how took took me me two two or three three weeks weeks after after the the 2007 2007 national national championship championship game to to schedule schedule my my interview interview with him for The The Will Leitch (The Sporting News) to thathis There was something behind him--had to be, I felt--that made him the way hefor was.

It I'llcatalyst name three: ability to make you believe in yourself, histo absolute fearlessness, and hisand humility.

Whether it's life Author &awesomeness.

Columnist Collegiate, because because everyone everyone and and their their dog dog wanted wanted to to talk talk to him. him.

I I knew knew he loved God, that that side side of of him was took me two or three weeks after the 2007 national championship game to schedule my interview with him for The Email author, Brandon Sneed, at bmsneed@gmail.com It's or Yes, basketball, a mostly I trained professional nothing for a triathlon.

No,guy, I doright but not atnow. still the compete--I same Thatsat time, said, whenever retired he in never thethen-fiancée's acts we week do likeafter get he's around my on second some eachhigher one. other Ipedestal. and raced have two He a sprint chance hasn't strikingly absent from ascares lotrelationship ofthis the stories.

We finally finally sat down, inhim. his his apartment suite living and I Collegiate, because everyone and their dog wanted todown, talk tofollowed Ithen-fiancée's knew healways loved God, andto that side ofroom, him was toLearn triathlons, talk, we always talk which nonstop. been roughly that If we way, consist didn't but of have then, 750 lives, that yards side we'd of of swimming talk his life for days is what on made end. by I'm this 13 miles a story of looking that biking could followed learn fill a from book. by a others, 5K run. and more about Brandon and view his event schedule by visiting brandonsneed.com. told told him, him,absent "Look,from I know know you're you're into into God, God,We and andfinally it seems seems like like that's that's getting left left out out of of all all these these stories. stories.

It's going in and this strikingly aup lot of thehour stories. sat down, in his then-fiancée's apartment suiteto living room, I so Which I love basically talking to adds people, to anyway. an With to an Ant, hour there's and a half always of thinking, something "What to talk the about, hell is something WRONG with learn me or for discuss. doing one."

We We talked for three hours.

At At the time, we we talked talked about about a book, but nothing came of of it. it.

Then Then two two years years later--in later--in Learn more about Brandon and view his event schedule by visiting brandonsneed.com. told him, "Look, I the know you're into God, and itdidn't seems like getting left outI of all Ithese stories.

It's going in this THIS?" There were Especially soactually, many ofswim. our conversations You think football's rough? make Go itthat's into jump the in he book fordid--I anthat open-water wish could triathlon publish start. somewhere.

Holy crap.

The So March 2009, actually, almost almost two two years years to tothat the the date date that that he he did did what what he did--I was was watching watching the the YouTube YouTube clip of his one."

We talked for three hours.

At the time, we talked about a book, but nothing came of it.

Then two years later--in Email author, Brandon Sneed, at bmsneed@gmail.com there run sucks, is a deeper too, because connection by that there. point With you his can family, barely too. feel I have your learned legs, and a lot what from you them can feel, about you how wish to live you my didn't own feel. life. comeback, comeback, and and I got toalmost lookingtwo through old notes interviews andhestories about him, and andthe II just just got got this thisclip sense sense of, March 2009, actually, years totriathlons. the dateand that he did what did--I was watching YouTube of of, his Some people are crazy passionate about I'm not one of them, and you really have to be.

It was a great Email author, Brandon Sneed, at bmsneed@gmail.com "Hey, "Hey, there's there's really something else behindold allnotes this." and So Iinterviews emailed him, we we got got to talking, and I met his and and 14 comeback, I got looking through andand stories about him, and thisparents sense of, experience,and it got metoback intotalked shape,with and them, was a and somewhat brilliant journalism project, and II just met got some awesome it just snowballed from there.

"Hey, there's really something else behind all this."dude, So I emailed him, and got to talking, and I met his parents and people....but it was brutal.

Bru.we Tal. talked with them, and it just snowballed from there.

Top Pound-4-Pound Fighters in all of MMA Rankings by: Dalton

1. George St. Pierre 20 - 2 - 0 5'10" (178cm) 170lbs (78kg) 2. Anderson Silva 27 - 4 - 0 6'2" (188cm) 185lbs (84kg) 3. Jose Aldo 18 - 1 - 0 5'7" (171cm) 145lbs (66kg)

#1 - George St. Pierre

#6 - Jake Shields

4. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua 19 - 4 - 0 6' 1" ( 185 cm ) 201lbs (92kg) 5. Lyoto Machida 16 - 1 - 0 6'1" (186cm) 205lbs (93kg) 6. Jake Shields 26 - 4 - 1 6'0" (183cm) 170lbs (78kg) 7. Frank Edgar 13 - 1 - 0 5'6" (168cm) 154lbs (70kg)

#9 - Fedor Emelianenko

10a. Rashad Evans 15 - 1 - 1 5'11" (181cm) 206lbs (94kg)

10b. Cain Velasquez 9-0-0 6'2" (188cm) 244lbs (111kg)

8. Dominick Cruz 16 - 1 - 0 5'8" (173cm) 134lbs (61kg) 9. Fedor Emelianenko 31 - 2 - 0 15 6'0" (183cm) 229lbs (104kg)

Honorable Mention: BJ Penn, Shinya Aoki

December for me means the holidays and lots and lots of baking. Really, LOTS of baking. I could probably fill my own cookbook with all the recipes I make.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas recipes. I hope you all enjoy them.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, and Happy Winter to all!

Eggnog Logs 2 1/2 cups butter, softened 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar 3 eggs 7 1/2 cups all purpose flour 3 1/8 tsp nutmeg 5 tsp rum extract (can use real rum if desired-I prefer it!)

5 tsp vanilla Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix well. Stir in flavorings. Combine flour and nutmeg, add to creamed mixture, mixing until well blended. Shape dough into 6 logs 3/4-inch diameter. Cut into mini logs 1-inch long and place on baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool completely before serving.

Vanilla Rum Frosting 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 cups powdered sugar, divided 4 TBS milk 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp rum extract (or rum if desired) 1/2 tsp nutmeg Stir together butter and powdered sugar added 1 cup at a time. Beat well. Add milk, nutmeg, and flavorings. Blend well. Pour into a squeeze bottle or pastry bag. When logs have cooled, drizzle frosting over logs.16Drag a fork over frosting to resemble bark on a log. Grate nutmeg over logs for color if desired.

(cont.)

Oreo Balls 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 18 ounce package Oreo cookies, crushed 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips 1 TBS shortening Mix cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add the crushed Oreos and beat on high until well mixed.

Chill for at least 2 hours in the freezer. Remove and roll Oreo cookie mix into one inch Oreo balls. Melt chocolate chips and shortening with a double boiler or in the microwave. Dip the Oreo balls completely into the melted chocolate using tongs or a toothpick. Put on wax paper. After they harden, keep in refrigerator. Makes about 3-4 dozen balls depending on size.

Bourbon Balls 9 1/2 cups vanilla wafer cookie crumbs 1 cup bourbon 3 3/4 cups ground walnuts 2 1/2cups powdered sugar 5 TBS cocoa 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup powdered sugar for rolling cookies in In a food processor, grind vanilla wafers very fine. In large mixing bowl, combine wafers, walnuts, powdered sugar, and cocoa. Mix well. Add bourbon and drip in corn syrup. Mix thoroughly. Roll into 1 inch balls. If mixture is too dry to hold together, add additional corn syrup one TBS at a time. In a separate bowl, put 1-2 cups powdered sugar. Roll each ball in the sugar. Place on parchment paper. Store in an air tight container.

17

(cont.)

Since we have 2 recipes this issue with alcohol in them...let's go for something classic.

Basic Sugar Cookies 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 5 cups all purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt Cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and chill dough at LEAST one hour (or overnight).

Preheat oven to 400. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough directly onto cookie sheets (sprinkle with flour or sugar if needed) to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

Cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Peel excess dough away leaving just the cookies.

Bake 6 to 8 minutes until lightly browned. Cool completely. Decorate as desired with icing, colored sugar, frosting, sprinkles etc or leave plain.

18

Could Duke Actually be BETTER than Last Year?

Written by: Golden_State_of_Mind Back-to-back?

With a 9-0 record and a CBE Classic title, the Blue Devils seem to be unstoppable. They have already beaten the #5 Kansas State Wildcats and #7 Michigan State Spartans while replacing their graduates with ease.

Freshman Kyrie Irving has seemed like the Freshman of the Year Favorite so far. Kyrie is now averaging 17.4 points with a 5:3 assist:turnover ratio. The point guard had 31 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds against Michigan State and has been one of the most electrifying players in the nation. Irving has been, if anything, an upgrade from Jon Scheyer. In fact, Kyrie has shown he can shoot like Scheyer with a 89.4 % free throw percentage and has shot 45% from behind the arc.

Another key to a Duke repeat is replacing big men Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas.

Zoubek and Thomas were monsters on the boards during Duke's title run, but the trio of sophomore forwards have gotten the job done.

Mason Plumlee has done most of the work, grabbing over eight boards a game, while twin Miles, alongside Bryan Kelly, have averaged a rebound every 3.5 and 5.5 minutes respectively. Zoubek and Thomas will be missed greatly, but the trio of sophomores have helped relieve the pain.

A new found addition to Duke's success this season has been their improved bench play. Guards Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry have averaged a combined 17.5 points per game and are two of the most deadly shooters in the country.

They both shoot over 45% from 3-point land and provide tremendous depth in the backcourt.

Up front, Miles Plumlee and Bryan Kelly have traded spots in the starting five, but have played very well in their limited minutes. They have played proficiently whether they start or come off the bench, and will be key factors during the course of the year.

Oh, and let's not forget about Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler. There is no denying that these seniors are both Top 10 players in the country. Their leadership, experience, and simply, their games will be needed in 2011.

I hate to look ahead, but it seems as if we should start filling our brackets out now. There is no denying Duke is the best team in the country and another championship banner should be in the making.

19

Gold Medal Miracle: Olympic Goalie Great Jim Craig Does SJ Foreword/Compilation by Deb There have been a lot of great teams in history. They were expected to do well. The Steelers, the Cowboys of the 90's, the Lakers in the last decade.

No surprises.

What made the Olympic Hockey Team of 1980 so incredible, is they weren't the best team there. Playing the Russian hockey team during the Cold War would have been like putting a kindergartner in a fist fight with Ali. They weren't the best, but they beat the best.

People call it the Greatest Moment in Sports History for that reason. I can't think of any other time, a group of underdogs worked so hard in so short of a time to accomplish so much. It's the epitome of teamwork and something Goalie, Jim Craig, still tours and talks about much today.

He is professional, motivational speaker. People pay a lot of money to hear what he has to say, but Mr. Craig recently took some time to answer questions sent to him by our own SJ members and the following is a compilation of those answers and questions.

NYSportsRule: How realistic was the movie compared to what really went on behind the scenes?

Jim Craig: The movie was very realistic. As a Consultant, it really helped to keep it as close as you can for a 2 hour movie.

NYSportsRule: How difficult was it to stay focused and beat Finland after such a huge win in the semi-finals? Is the team still close today?

JC: It was just the makeup of the team that made it easier than most because we knew we hadn’t reached the final goal and the characters of the players on the team made it easier because they were focused on a team goal versus individual goals.

Yes and probably more than you could imagine based on only being together for 6 months.

Reg: What was the mood of the team going into that final game?

JC: We were apprehensive, so close to our goal that we couldn’t get excited and everyone was encouraging and expected each player to do their job.

G-Men: Do you still get chills when hearing Al Michaels call at the end of the game?

JC: Of course, it reminds me of all the personal sacrifices...

20 parents, team members, coaches, and everyone made for our country.

Gold Medal Miracle: Olympic Goalie Great Jim Craig Does SJ (cont.)

Tilly: That match and its outcome inspired a lot of kids to take up hockey and created a new crop of future NHL players. What was your inspiration to start playing?

JC: First, the love of the game, and that I had my own superstars and players that I looked up to – like Bobby Orr. Mark: What are your memories of Herb Brooks?

JC: A great mentor, a father-like figure, a person that could help us reach a goal that no one else believed possible.

Becky: My question: What made YOU agree to accept the challenge that so many others thought was "too hard" and did you ever regret doing so?

JC: I think when you’re young, it is more of an opportunity to represent my country – never thought about the challenge.

Deb: With all the memories, with the achievement, and hard work… what are your thoughts about the Olympic dream teams of today?

Of professional athletes meeting up to play. Has it hurt the Olympics?

Are the miracles not as bright?

JC: First, the best players are now playing from a fan standpoint. Right now, the Olympics are seeing the best athletes in the world. The problem is that they are maybe not as committed as amateurs were because they are already professional athletes making a living. I don’t think there are miracles anymore when you have the best athletes competing against each other – no longer pros playing amateurs.

SoonerChuck: What did you enjoy most about your Olympic experience besides the hockey games?

Did you get much opportunity to visit with athletes from other nations & cultures?

JC: Representing my country, the Olympic spirit, opening ceremonies.

We had a chance to visit in the Olympic village during the meals and watch them perform.

GSOM: Who was your biggest idol growing up?

Coming into the Olympics, what were your expectations for team USA? JC: In sports, it was Bobby Orr (Hockey), Bill Russell, Bart Star (Football) and Tony Conigliaro (Baseball).

To have everyone play up to their capabilities and to be proud to have everyone 21 represent our country.

Gold Medal Miracle: Olympic Goalie Great Jim Craig Does SJ (cont.)

Todd: (NovaSteelers): Was Mikhailov (Boris) the toughest goal scorer you ever faced? If not, who?

Was the Russian team, in your opinion, overconfident and cocky going into the 1980 Olympics?

What Goalie growing up was your role model?

JC: There are a lot of great goal scorers. He was one of many...Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bosse, Marcel Dionne, Guy Lafleur.

They were the greatest hockey team ever put together and we were amateurs – so they were overconfident and they had just beaten us 10 to 3.

Gerry Cheevers and Gump Worsley.

Dalton: What's it like now looking back on the game? Does it seem like it was all a dream, or can you still feel every emotion you felt then?

What's it like being such a huge story here in the USA? Did your everyday life change after that, or did everyone still treat you like normal?

JC: It just seems like it was a long time ago and I remember it vividly, but a different part of my life.

Everything changed after that and I had to get used to that and figure out how to become normal.

Jon: You played the Russians at the Garden right before the Olympics and lost 10-3. What if anything did you learn about their style of play in that game that helped you when you played them in the semi-finals?

JC: I think we were such big fans that we learned that you have to learn to compete, and the loss and embarrassment helped us prepare.

RoatanCharlie: What do you feel when someone brings up the conspiracy theory about the game being fixed?

JC: I laugh!

(Lisa Note - When I asked Jim this question, his response was – a laugh and then he said “Don’t think I’ve ever been asked that before - good question”.)

Thanks again to Mr. Craig, Lisa, and goldmedalstrategies.com. Please check out his site at www.jimcraig.net. There are some wonderful features.

22

MLB Free Agency: Shifting the Balance of Power?

Written by: Stephen “G-Men� Chott During the past season, the King of Free Agency, George Steinbrenner, passed away at the age of 80. Free Agency goes on though, and there could be many big changes.

The biggest free agent this offseason would have to be Cliff Lee. Lee put together a 12-9 record with a 3.18 ERA in 2010. Those numbers may not seem too eye-popping, but Lee really turns it on in the postseason. In two years, with the Phillies and Rangers respectively, he has put together a 7-2 record with a 2.13 ERA and helped lead both of them to World Series berths.

The apparent leader in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes is the New York Yankees, naturally. Lee was almost a Yankee this season until the Texas Rangers swooped in and stole him from the Empire. Texas is another player for Lee as well as the Nats and many others. Lee is a former Cy Young winner and has the ability to win another and get his team to a World Series.

The next biggest free agent is Carl Crawford. The speedy Crawford had 90 RBI's, 47 stolen bases, a .307 BA and won the Silver Slugger and Golden Glove awards for AL left fielders.

Crawford's former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, aren't going after Crawford but their division rival, the Boston Red Sox, have Crawford on the top of their priority list. Also, in the hunt are the Detroit Tigers, LA Angels and New York Yankees.

Two final people to touch on are Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Two players who both have spent their whole careers with the Yankees; both haven't come to an agreement with the Yankees and are reportedly far away, in Jeter's case. Hopefully, they can come to agreement with the Captain and Rivera, because it would definitely be weird to see them play elsewhere.

Other big free agents this offseason include Jayson Werth, Zack Greinke and Victor Martinez. You can also find a full list of 2011 free agents at Sportsjabber.net.

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NHL Power Rankings, as of November 22, 2010 Written by: Kyle Whitely (Gabs) 1. Philadelphia Flyers – After winning the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the Flyers are looking for redemption, and are on the right path, as they have the best goal differential in the league, and are doing it with sub-par goalies. This is after having a mediocre free agent signing season.

2. Washington Capitals – Having a star studded front line, of Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom, and all three putting up a point per game, while rookie sensation Neuvirth is posting a 12-3-1 record, I don’t see this team falling past Top Three for the rest of the year.

3. Detroit Red Wings – Over the past two years, Jimmy Howard has found his place as the starting goalie for the Wings and has been tremendous, posting an 11-1-2 record this season. With the Red Wings, there is really no way you can hate this team. As they keep getting older, they just continue being the best.

4. Los Angeles Kings – After a somewhat surprising entry to the playoffs last season, the Kings are hungry to make another run. With the likes of Brown, Williams, Kopitar, Doughty, and Quick in net, this team will likely do just that, and win the Pacific Division.

5. Montreal Canadiens – Many hockey critics (including myself) thought the Canadiens were making a dumb move by giving up Halak. But, with Price having an outstanding season thus far, it seems that they may have made the right move.

6. Colorado Avalanche – The Avalanche just keep surprising people. I mean, last season they were sought to finish within the Bottom Three, and made the playoffs. And with the likes of Stewart putting up more than a point per game and Budaj having a stellar year, I guess they will keep on surprising us.

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NHL Power Rankings, as of November 22, 2010 (cont.)

7. St. Louis Blues – Probably the most surprising team within the Top Ten. With the offseason signing of Halak, people knew they were going to be a better team, but competing for top spot, was unheard of. Another surprising feature, regarding this team, would be that no player has really stepped up to be an "elite," they just seem to find ways to win games.

8. Phoenix Coyotes - Oh, the Yotes, and all the drama facing them, and the attendance crisis.

Wake up Phoenix, you have a tremendous hockey team, and will for a long, long time.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets – Steve Mason is out of his sophomore slump, which is good news for the Jackets.

Playing in what I believe is the hardest division in the NHL this year, they are on pace to have a great year after a downfall last season.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning – With the most prolific goal scorer, Stamkos has taken the NHL by storm. With being selected First in the 2008 NHL Draft, it came to no one’s surprise. I am excited to see him emerge into one of the best ever. But, why are they not closer to the top? Easy...

Being in the easiest division in hockey, and just because Stamkos is leading the league in goals and points, doesn't always necessarily equal wins for the team.

11. Boston Bruins – With Horton being traded to the Bruins, he finally has a good set of teammates that he plays with, and it shows. To start the season, he had a six game point streak and thus far, is having the best start of his career. As well, having the best goalie in the league doesn’t help matters either, with Thomas back to his Vezina form, they will move up these Power Rankings soon enough.

12. Pittsburgh Penguins – What can I really say about the Penguins? I mean Crosby and Malkin. The best two punch in the NHL. They maybe should be higher, but the Penguins have had a horrible start, but are now 25 finally on the right path.

NHL Power Rankings, as of November 22, 2010 (cont.)

13. New York Rangers – After a horrible 2009-2010 campaign, the Rangers are looking for redemption. They have a good level of players and one of the best goalies in the Eastern Conference, they should make it to the post season….right?

14. Nashville Predators – This team is always a stunning team. I mean, they make it to the playoffs regularly, and yet nobody really gives them a chance.

And with the departure of Ellis, goalie Rinne has finally earned his starting job.

15. Dallas Stars – After the 2010 Winter Olympics, Morrow has gained a lot of needed respect around the NHL. And with Richards being, well the player he is, this team always has a chance of winning. As well, with the departure of Turco, I thought this team would be lost in net, but a fresh start for Lehtonen seems to be working for this team.

16. Vancouver Canucks – With arguably, the best goalie and the best set of twins in the NHL, the Canucks are a force to be reckoned with. But yet….somehow we find them in the middle of the pack...

17. Minnesota Wild – With Havlat finally finding his place with the Wild, this team is surprising a lot of people with their play. And with a Top Five goalie, who has found his form again, (Look at Boston) they seem to find crazy ways to win games. Also, having a Top Five Power Play and penalty kill may help a bit.

18. Chicago Blackhawks – The defending Stanley Cup champions may have that curse upon them. But, playing in the hardest division in the NHL doesn’t help them either. And, having been victims of the salary cap put a hit on the team that won it all last year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them not make the playoffs this year.26

NHL Power Rankings, as of November 22, 2010 (cont.)

19. San Jose Sharks – With the departure of Nabokov, this team almost looks lost on defense. But, having one of the top lines in all of hockey, Thornton, Marleau, and Heatley have given this team hope for another playoff appearance.

20. Atlanta Thrashers - After trading Kovalchuk, this team looked like a bottom tier team, but with better than normal drafting, this team seems to be doing okay without him. With the additions of Byfuglien and Ladd from the Blackhawks, these two are trying their best to pick up the goal scoring gap left by Kovalchuk.

21. Anaheim Ducks – The Ducks got off to a horrendous start. Just horrendous. But with Selanne, Perry, and Getzlaf putting up the numbers, maybe the Ducks have a chance of saving their season….

22. Florida Panthers – Oh, the Panthers. The team, that is just not good. The only way this team may have a chance of sliding into the post season is if, Vokoun, whom is already playing stellar, somehow picks up his play and steals them like thirty wins in the next 40 games.

23. Carolina Hurricanes – With Skinner already being the front runner for Rookie of the Year, this team has a bright future and young star captain in Eric Stall, whom is a great mentor for the younger Skinner, will have plenty of great seasons ahead.

24. Ottawa Senators – Again, having drama between the pipes, the Senators seem to never find a fix for the goalie position. But one thing is for sure, the addition of 27Gonchar on the blue line will help the defensive core for the Senators.

NHL Power Rankings, as of November 22, 2010 (cont.)

25. Toronto Maple Leafs – Oh, the Leafs. How many, many, many, many people wish you could be better? But, what is the bottom half of the NHL without the Leafs?

Alright, seriously though, the rise of Gustavsson, with Giguere out, is one of the few bright highlights for the Leafs, and with the loss of captain, Phaneuf, the jokes just keep piling up.

26. Buffalo Sabres – What happened to Ryan Miller?

Vezina goaltender? Oh, that’s right. Maybe he could get some help defensively, or even get some goals scored?

Critics thought the Sabres would have at least cracked the top half of the league by now…..

27. Calgary Flames – Iginla has finally figured out a way to hit the score sheet in the 2010/2011 NHL season.

That is really the only highlight for the Flames this year, with Kiprusoff off to a poor start; don’t expect the Flames to climb the Power Rankings any time soon.

28. Edmonton Oilers – The only thing I can say about the Oilers. The future does look bright for the Oilers, and fans of this team, or just the NHL in general, just give them time. I can see Hall becoming an elite goal scorer soon enough, and with the help of Eberle that may come true.

29. New Jersey Devils – Every year, critics say this is the year Brodeur will have a poor season, and that the Devils should part ways. Well, it looks like this may be that year. Hats off to Brodeur, the best goalie to ever play the game.

30. New York Islanders - After having a 0-8-2 record after their latest ten game stand, the Islanders better get their scouting out, to determine whom to pick First overall in the upcoming NHL Draft….

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Referees A subject that we all love to disagree on.

I figured that since I have been given free reign to "speak my piece" once a month, that this was the ideal topic to get people to either love me, hate me, or at least wonder what the heck I was gonna do next...

So, a little background. I'm using the title "referee," as I am, MOSTLY discussing our NFL refs. However, officials in various sports are known by a variety of titles, including referee, umpire, judge, linesman, commissaire, timekeeper or touch judge. There are an enormous number of sports that USE these officials, including (and I may have forgotten some), Australian Rules Football, Baseball and Softball, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Cue Sports, Cycling, Fencing, Field Hockey, Floorball, Football (American and Canadian), Football (Association), Handball, Ice Hockey, Korfball, Lacrosse, Lady's Arm Wrestling, Lawn Bowls, Mixed Martial Arts, Roller Derby, Rowing, Rugby League, Touch Football, Rugby Union, Sailing, Sumo, Tennis, Underwater hockey, Volleyball, Amateur Wrestling, and Professional Wrestling.

The term "referee" originated in association with football. Once upon a time, the teams' captains would consult with each other if there was a question about a call. Eventually, each team appointed an "umpire" to speak on their behalf...or to keep watch for them, so that they could deal with the team itself.

Later, a third "neutral official" was added...someone who could be turned to if the dispute could not be settled between the two team refs....The term "referee" is a fairly new one, as far as officiating goes.

As John Lindell says, “The term referee, when used to describe National Football League officials, is a bit of a misnomer since technically there is only one referee on the field. The other officials are the umpire, head linesman, side judge, back judge, side judge and the field judge. Each of these “referees” has a specific job to perform during the course of an NFL game. By doing so, they make sure that the participants are observing football's rules.”

The Referee is the Crew Chief. Overall...his responsibilities are many and varied, including announcing every penalty and explaining them to the captain and the coach of each team. The referee stands approximately 10 yards behind the quarterback and looks for illegal hits and blocks against the quarterback and in the region of the quarterback. The referee also calls for the chains in the case of a first down.

Calls such as whether a forward pass was actually a fumble are the referee's job and if a call is disputed, he has the final say on if the call is upheld or overruled.

But, enough about background and on to my thoughts, opinions, etc.... (c'mon...stick with me.)

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(cont.)

Referees, officials, if you like, are athletes in their own right. Like many great quarterbacks, they are men who have a skill that they are BORN with, not learned.

I can hear the screams already....

"Have you SEEN some of the calls this year?"

"The refs are crazy!"

"Insane!"

"Idiots..."

To that I say, have you guys been watching Brett Favre play this year? Eli Manning? Tony Romo? And yes, even Peyton Manning? All good or even great quarterbacks, who, this year have not played to their potential.

Let's forget about the fact that the NFL makes constant changes to the rules of the game that the refs are bound to uphold, whether WE like them or not, and go straight to the fact that: All refs have bad days.

And have any of you stopped to think about the skill it takes to BE a ref? It is, LIKE the skill it takes to be a truly great QB, again, a skill that you are BORN with, not one that is learned. Just like a QB, they have to be able to stand there amongst the players and SEE the field of play, AS it is moving, shifting, unfolding before their eyes, AND not miss a THING, never lose track of the ball, miss a foul, a hold, AND know exactly where that play ends.

Folks.....these are men that we should respect, not only because they stand out in the field of play WITHOUT pads, hoping that men 2-3 times their size will have the goodness not to run over them... (actually, that is another of their skills, to be able to move and shift out of harms way as the field of play comes close to them), but because they have a skill that not many have.

AND because they do, every Sunday, KEEP this great game of ours going, perhaps not AS much as the athletes do, but darned close.

Their skills are like a quarterback who found along the way that he wasn't such a great passer....and looked into a new profession.

Start thinking about the referees in a new light.

They are warriors.

TRUE weekend Warriors.....lol

chiefsmom

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Once again, brought to you by Titans4Vols, Dalton, Leon, Golden_State_Of_Mind, and SoonerChuck.

The way it works: Each member that participates submits their own ranking to Titans4Vols which are then aggregated and combined into one Official SJ NFL Power Ranking.

However, if for any reason, there are any ties, they are broken by the point system (how they are ranked on everyone’s polls).

Do you agree or disagree with this week’s rankings? Want to make some predictions of your own?

SJ’s NFL Week 14 Rankings

Want to see past weeks’ rankings?

SJ’s 2010 NFL Rankings Archive Edition

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Beyond The Wall With Aaron Yarbough Written by: Tim Lumber He is one of the most talented WR’s in arena football. He was a starter on perhaps the greatest arena football team to ever play. His team went unbeaten, and won the AIFA Championship this past season.

He scored 2 crucial TD’s in the second half of that game. His name is Aaron Yarbough, and in 2010 he was a star WR for that legendary Baltimore Mariners Championship team. Aaron Yarbough, in my opinion, has the skills to play at the NFL level. Upon first covering the Mariners, I could tell he was clearly a fan favorite. In Baltimore, the Mariners had a diehard fan group called the Mariner Maniacs. This past week on Facebook, there were pictures of Aaron, still making time for the fans of the Mariners Maniacs, posing in pictures with them. After the Baltimore Mariners 2010 Championship victory, their team owners, Dwayne Wells and Kevin Fash, were forced to resign as league owners, jeopardizing Baltimore’s arena football future. Currently no team exists in Baltimore.

But that hasn't stopped the diehard Mariner Maniacs. They still love Aaron Yarbough, and the rest of that fabled 2010 Championship team. Mariner Maniac member Bruce Lawrence Ginevan Jr. said ” Aaron is a super nice person. He always made time for us before and after the games.

Aaron is a true Professional on and off the field. We wish him all the best of luck wherever his career may take him.” I also talked to 2010 Mariners QB and Offensive Player of the Year, E.J. Nemeth, about Aaron recently. “Aaron was the seasoned vet of my WR’s. Aaron and I had great chemistry with the fact he could adjust his routes when needed and I knew where he would be. He’s an intense competitor who is a team-first guy. As Aaron always did, he came up big in the championship game for us which helped us complete the first undefeated season in AIFA history. It was a pleasure being able to throw his passes the past two years,” said QB E.J. Nemeth.

I recently had the chance to interview Aaron Yarbough, and here is what the legendary WR had to say…

Tim Lumber: First off, congratulations on winning the AIFA Championship this season, to you, and the entire Baltimore Mariners arena football team. You had a big game in the Championship. You scored 2 touchdown passes in the second half of that game. You are clearly one of the premier WR’s in arena football today. Can you tell us a little about this past season, and what it felt like going unbeaten all season, winning a championship, and helping bring Baltimore its 8th pro football title?

Aaron Yarbough: Thanks Tim. I’d first like to thank God for the blessings and the ability to play this game. I’d also like to thank SportsJabber for this opportunity.

As you can imagine, this past year was an incredible ride, capped off with the perfect ending. It was sort of like a movie (comedy, action, drama…all rolled into one). But it also was a very difficult journey. One that saw each opponent’s “A” game, week in and week out. There were no easy games. There were no weeks off. Each week, we knew that we had a bulls-eye on our chest. And every team was coming to be the first team to knock us off course.

Tim Lumber: When you first heard the news that Baltimore Mariners team owners, Dwayne Wells and Kevin Fash, were being kicked out of the AIFA as the Mariners owners, what was your reaction and would you be willing to tell us anything about them?

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Aaron Yarbough: I was caught off guard, just like everyone else, when the news came out. From what I knew of Dwayne and Kevin, they were very supportive. It was one of those unfortunate events, but we use it as a stepping stone to the next chapter of our lives.

Beyond The Wall With Aaron Yarbough (cont.)

Tim Lumber: A lot of people, including myself, have gone on record that the 2010 Baltimore Mariners were the “Greatest Arena Football Team to Ever Play.” How good do you think this team was?

Aaron Yarbough: You might have a strong argument, Tim. This team was special. Talented, classy, and had character on and off the field. Not to mention the support of the Mariner fans. Simply incredible! In 2009, we preached about being a family and needing to play as “one team”. In 2010, all of the broken records, the excitement, the AIFA championship, and the perfect 16-0 record was a direct result of the Mariners playing as a family. As I mentioned before, there were many challenges throughout this season. Every game did not go smooth and there were some close calls. But to see the Offense score a TD after the Defense forced a turnover... Then Special Teams kicks an UNO and pins the opponent on their own 5-yard line. Next thing you know, the opponent is facing 3rd down and 10, with the Mariner fans erupting as the 9th man, and Defense gets another turnover. That’s playing as ONE TEAM. Who can ask for better scenarios than that?

Tim Lumber: Now that the Mariner owners have been booted from the league, Baltimore appears to be without a team, at least for the time being. Several of the Mariners have already signed elsewhere. Have you signed with another arena football team yet, and if not, what teams most intrigue you?

Aaron Yarbough: Right now I am undecided. My off-season training is progressing as usual and I’m hopeful to make a decision in the near future.

Tim Lumber: You had perhaps the most dedicated arena football fan group, following you in the history of arena football in the Mariner Maniacs. I know you were one of their favorite players through the years here. Is there anything you would like to say to them, and the rest of the Baltimore football fans who supported you and the rest of the Mariners these past few seasons?

Aaron Yarbough: Tim, you said it correct. The most dedicated fans in arena football. Our fans are there with us at training camp, they come to our film sessions and provide food, they greet us early in the morning for away trips, and they even travel with us to away games. The love and support they voluntarily show is unmatched. I greatly appreciate them and all they do.

Tim Lumber: This Mariners team was loaded with what I believe to be legit NFL talent. You clearly could be a NFL WR. I wonder at times why some of you guys are not in the NFL after dominating the AIFA. Do you feel you belong in the NFL, and do you feel the AIFA gets the proper NFL scout treatment that it should, or do you feel the NFL has overlooked this league?

Aaron Yarbough: I definitely believe that there are NFL quality players in this league. The NFL is a hard market to get into and the AIFA provides means for athletes to showcase their talents to make that next step. Some current AIFA players have played in the NFL. And some current NFL players have played in the AIFA. I do not know of any relationship between the NFL and the AIFA, but certain things, you just cannot concern yourself with. As a player, I am confident that I can compete at the NFL level. But I’m focused on preparing myself to be the best that I can be and letting my performance speak for itself. I’m a firm believer that good talent will be seen.

Tim Lumber: This is your chance to say anything you want. It can be on any subject or topic.

Aaron Yarbough: I’d like to thank my parents and my sister for all of their support. They made it to just about every game (home and away) this year. They have truly been the backbone of my football career.

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I also want to thank my extended family and my church family for all of their love, support, and prayers.

Thanks again to Tim and Sports Jabber for providing this opportunity.

Philips, Childress, and McDaniels Get the Boot. Who's Next?

Written by: Golden_State_of_Mind The 2010 NFL coaching carousel has begun.

It started with Dallas firing Wade Phillips and replacing him with now 3-1 Jason Garrett. Garrett has already beaten Phillips' 2010 win total and has become the leading candidate for the 2011 head coaching job. This move was only a matter of time, and I don't think anyone can question this decision.

Next was the long-awaited firing of Brad Childress. It was obvious the Vikings would dump Childress after his controversy with Brett Favre and Randy Moss, as the Minnesota organization chose their players over Childress. Leslie Frazier has started his internship with a 2-0 record and, like Garrett, has become the likely candidate for the 2011 job. Interim head coaches have had a combined 5-1 record so far, which is a stat we'll rarely see in the NFL. And just recently the Broncos dumped coach Josh McDaniels. After only two seasons, Denver let the 33-year-old go after obtaining a 11-17 record. We'll have to wait and see how interim (Insert Name of whoever they pick) does, but he'll have four games to make his case as the permanent head coach.

It's evident that there will be more coaches on their way out. A few seem obvious and a few are still fighting for their job.

Panthers' John Fox seems the most likely candidate to join the unemployed coaches club. Seven years ago, Fox lead Carolina to Super Bowl 38, but has not won a playoff game since suffering a loss in the 2005 NFC Championship.

Fox has been 36-40 since 2006 and a 1-9 record with the NFL's lowest scoring offense will definitely hurt your cause.

It seems the only thing Fox will leave the Panthers with in 2010 is a #1 pick and a hopeless team. The one team who Fox did beat was the disappointing 49ers, who also have a decision to make.

In 2008, the 49ers season was hopeless, but had hope for the future. Interim head coach Mike Singletary ended the season with a 5-4 record, becoming the first interim coach to ever have a winning record. He was officially given the head coaching spot in 2009, but that feeling of hope has been lost for the San Francisco organization.

Although Singletary led his team to a 8-8 record in 2009, 2010 was the year the Niners would return to contention.

That statement could not be more incorrect.

The Niners lost their first 5 games and now stand 3-7, including a loss to Fox's Panthers. Luckily for Singletary, he coaches in the NFC West where the Niners are actually only two games back behind the 5-5 Seahawks. Can Singletary use the final six games to keep his job and be the comeback team of the year, somehow managing to make the playoffs?

The final candidate that I have on the hot-seat is Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis. We were all told by "Batman and Robin" to get our popcorn ready, but it's still cooking.

The Bengals are 2-8 and sit last place in the AFC North. Despite all the preseason hype and high expectations, Lewis' team has been very disappointing. Instead of competing for the division, they're playing for third place. Cin34 cinnati has lost seven straight games and Lewis may be gone soon.

So, the question is: Who's next?

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We are already focusing on the 2011 NFL Draft.

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http://sportsjabber.net/mock-draft-database/

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SportsJabber.net 2011 Official NFL Mock Draft Buffalo Bills (0-8) - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 2. Dallas Cowboys (1-7) - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU 3. Carolina Panthers (1-7) - Marcell Dareus, DE/DT, Alabama 4. San Francisco 49ers (2-6) - Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas 5. Detroit Lions (2-6) - Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska 6. Denver Broncos (2-6) - Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa 7. Cincinnati Bengals (2-6) - Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson 8. Minnesota Vikings (3-5) - Jake Locker, QB, Washington 9. Arizona Cardinals (3-5) - DeAndre McDaniel, DB, Clemson 10. Cleveland Browns (3-5) - AJ Green, WR, Georgia 11. Houston Texans (4-4) - Brandon Harris, DB, Miami 12. St Louis Rams (4-4) - Julio Jones, WR, Alabama 13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4) - Allen Bailey, DE, Miami 14. San Diego Chargers (4-4) - Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina 15. Seattle Seahawks (4-4) - Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State 16. Washington Redskins (4-4) - Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College 17. Miami Dolphins (4-4) - Aaron Williams, CB, Texas 18. Chicago Bears (5-3) - Nate Soldier, OT, Colorado 19. New England Patriots (6-2) (from Oakland) - Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama 20. Tennessee Titans (5-3) - Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn 21. Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) - Drake Nevis, DT, LSU 22. New Orleans Saints (6-3) - Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA 23. Green Bay Packers (6-3) - LaMichael James, RB, Oregon 24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3) - Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue 25. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3) - Demarcus Love, OT, Arkansas 26. Indianapolis Colts (5-3 - Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State 27. New York Giants (6-2) - Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma 28. New York Jets (6-2) - Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M 29. Baltimore Ravens (6-2) - Brandon Burton, CB, Utah 30. New England Patriots (6-2) - TBA 31. Atlanta Falcons (6-2) - TBA 36 32. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) - TBA 1.

*Go to Sportsjabber.net to find out who our Mock Draft team predicts for the Patriots, Falcons, and Steelers.

Disagree with these picks? Want to give your own predictions? Go to the Mock Draft Database.

2010 MLB Award Winners Written by: Golden_State_of_Mind

AMERICAN LEAGUE

NATIONAL LEAGUE

MVP Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers

MVP Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

Cy Young Felix Hernandez, SP, Seattle Mariners

Cy Young Roy Halladay, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz, SP, Texas Rangers

Rookie of the Year Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants

Manager of the Year Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota Twins

AL MVP Josh Hamilton

Manager of the Year Bud Black, San Diego Padres

Comeback Player of the Year Francisco Liriano, SP, Minnesota Twins

Comeback Player of the Year Tim Hudson, SP, Atlanta Braves

Hank Aaron Award Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Hank Aaron Award Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

Rawlings Gold Glove Award P- Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox C- Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins 1B- Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees 2B- Robinson Cano, New York Yankees 3B- Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays SS- Derek Jeter, New York Yankees OF- Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays OF- Franklin Gutierrez, Seattle Mariners OF- Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners

Rawlings Gold Glove Award P- Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati C- Yadier Molina, St. Louis 1B- Albert Pujols, St. Louis 2B- Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati 3B- Scott Rolen, Cincinnati SS- Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado OF- Michael Bourn, Houston OF- Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado OF- Shane Victorino, Philadelphia

Silver Slugger C- Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins 1B- Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers 2B- Robinson Cano, New York Yankees 3B- Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox SS- Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox OF- Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays OF- Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays OF- Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers DH- Vladimir Guerrero, Texas Rangers

NL Cy Young Roy Halladay

Silver Slugger P- Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers C- Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves 1B- Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals 2B- Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins 3B- Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals SS- Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies OF- Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers AL Comeback Player OF- Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies Francisco 37 Liriano OF- Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals

Movies You May Have Missed Written by: GeraldGreen5 With the holiday season quickly approaching, Hollywood has its share of big budget movies set for release as well as those films by well-known directors and production/distribution studios. The holiday season also marks the tail-end of another year. 2010 had its share of big hits, sleepers and busts, but it was also a year in which the low budget, independent movies were plentiful. Here’s a couple of films that you probably missed, but are worth checking out.

Leaves of Grass Plot: An Ivy League professor is lured back to his Oklahoma hometown, where his twin brother, a small-time pot grower, has concocted a scheme to take down a local drug lord.

Directed by Tim Blake Nelson. Starring Edward Norton, Keri Russell, and Tim Blake Nelson.

What’s better than a movie with one performance by Ed Norton? A movie with TWO performances from Ed Norton. In “Leaves of Grass,” Ed Norton played twin brothers, both at different junctures in their life. They’re brought together and chaos ensues. When you tear back the layers, it’s simply a story about a drug deal gone bad, but it offers mature themes such as reconnecting with your family, going back home, sticking your neck out for those you love and finding new love in the process. From crime to romance, “Leaves of Grass” has it all, including Ed Norton, which shouldn’t be forgotten.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story Plot: A clinically depressed teenager gets a new start after he checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward.

Directed by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck. Starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, and Emma Roberts.

A fair warning, to those who don’t like independent movies that insist about the artsy-ness of themselves should probably take some scenes with a grain of salt; however, “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” offers a look at a wide range of depression and how people under that current circumstance can come together and fill a void in their life. It switches tones exceptionally well; one minute it’ll be firing off its oddball jokes and the next, it’ll be discussing suicide. Highly tasteful and intelligent without trying to be overly informative, “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” isn’t really so much a funny story, as is, a story of finding oneself and starting new.

it

Jack Goes Boating Plot: A limo driver's blind date sparks a tale of love, betrayal, friendship, and grace centered around two working-class New York City couples.

Directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Ortiz, Richard Petrocelli, and Amy Ryan.

In terms of being a character study, “Jack Goes Boating” offers an intelligent and rather realistic look at dating and relationships while also tackling the desperation to keep a 38 marriage intact and the drive to make a perfect first impression. It’s eloquently shot and is at its strongest when it goes into the mind of its characters and portrays their concentration, but it also suffers from forced dialogue in order to produce laughs that, at times, will strip the realism away.

Movies You May Have Missed (cont.)

Never Let Me Go Plot: As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy, spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school.

As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them.

Directed by Mark Romanek. Starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley.

As the chips fall into place, “Never Let Me Go” becomes one of the most tragic and difficult to accent stories in film this year, which, in large part, makes it more understandable why the film was subject to limited release. “Never Let Me Go” is a rare breed that mixes sciencefiction and drama and emphasizes the latter more so than the former. It tugs at the heart strings, especially when one factors in the build of the story. The viewer comes to relate to the characters and cares for them, thanks in large part to its cast, which is as strong as any in 2010.

The Kids Are All Right Plot: Two children conceived by artificial insemination bring their birth father into their family life.

Directed by Lisa Cholodenko. Starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo.

It’s hard to believe that this movie, which features two Oscar-worthy performances and could get nominated for Best Picture itself, was a limited release around the United States.

Offering a modern twist of family life, “The Kids Are All Right” is brutally honest, touching, and the perfect balance of humor and sentimentality. An all-around winner, the film offers some of this year’s best writing and an impeccable cast driven by its two female leads. If it has a flaw, it’s that it chooses sides and may be a little too feministic.

The Killer Inside Me Plot: A West Texas deputy sheriff is slowly unmasked as a psychotic killer.

Directed by Michael Winterbottom.

Starring Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, and Jessica Alba.

Not intended for the weak-hearted nor the feminist, “The Killer Inside Me” made headlines for its controversial images, which led to a poor reception, limited theatrical run, and early DVD release. Sadly, those who see meaningless violence miss out on one of the year’s most brilliantly shot and acted films. It’s tale is seen from the eyes of its killer, the viewer gets to see just what drives Ford towards his actions and, frighteningly enough, starts to empathize with him. It’s daring, bold, and an interesting spin on the character study. And hey, it’s got Kate Hudson’s bare ass. Getting spanked.

Sounds like a winner to me.

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Movies You May Have Missed (cont.)

Cyrus Plot: A recently divorced guy meets the woman of his dreams. Then he meets her son.

Directed by Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass. Starring John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, and Marisa Tomei.

It’s not the arena that many are used to seeing Reilly and Hill play in, but “Cyrus” touched on surprisingly, honest ground using simple, yet compelling and entirely believable formulas. More thought-provoking than funny, the film focuses on the aspect of letting go and the extremes that one will go to avoid it and another will go to attempt it. Reilly and Hill play off each other perfectly, but it is Hill who will raise some eyebrows as his performance is not quite like anything else he’s ever done. It’s limited release was, again, understandable as the pace, tempo and multitude of dialogue is a certain turnoff to those fans of Reilly and Hill’s raunchier work.

Paper Man Plot: A washed-up writer forms an unlikely friendship with a teenager from Long Island.

Directed by Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney. Starring Jeff Daniels, Emma Stone, and Ryan Reynolds.

While it’s not quite on the level of quality as others listed, “Paper Man” combines quirky comedy with some deep issues of its own. It’s uneven and slightly underdeveloped, but with the theme of loneliness at its heart, the film is easy to relate to. “Paper Man” offers an interesting twist with the inclusion of imaginary friends and though, they, too, are underdeveloped, the idea of them, is intriguing enough to warrant a watch. Likewise, the film dishes out strong performances from its cast, though it doesn’t offer nearly enough screen time to the ever-improving Ryan Reynolds.

The Runaways Plot: A coming-of-age biopic about '70s teenage band, The Runaways.

Directed by Floria Sigismondi. Starring Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, and Michael Shannon.

Though it probably short-changes the real story, “The Runaways” gives an interesting and, at times, breathtaking look at the creation, uprising and downfall of the band, The Runaways. The vehicle is entirely powered by its two female leads, Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, the latter of whom heavily impacts the story. Fanning, a proclaimed nice, little girl, plummets to the lowest as Cherie Currie and it’s a shock to see the innocent Fanning having a hand in such sleazy material. In retrospect, the casting IS the movie.

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Movies You May Have Missed (cont.)

Greenberg Plot: A New Yorker moves to Los Angeles in order to figure out his life while he housesits for his brother, and he soon sparks with his brother's assistant.

Directed by Noah Baumbach. Starring Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Koby Rouviere, and Sydney Rouviere.

You’ve never seen Ben Stiller like this…or maybe you have depending on how you feel about him. Greenberg, the title character, is without a doubt the least likeable character in film in 2010. He’s rude, self-centered, and obnoxious. Yet, "Greenberg” gives a glimpse at the socially awkward, both from an insider and outsider perspective. It’s a difficult watch from start to finish; its lead being so unlikeable that not only are his scenes awkward, but they’re tormenting. One of the best edited films of the year, scenes are cut away from middialogue, almost hinting at the lack of interest in the characters' conversation. It is the best film about the social outcast in a while.

Defendor Plot: A comedy centered around three characters: an everyday guy who comes to believe he's a superhero, his psychiatrist, and the teenager he befriends.

Directed by Peter Stebbings. Starring Woody Harrelson, Elias Koteas, Kat Dennings, and Sandra Oh. The capper to Woody Harrelson’s incredible 2009, “Defendor,” technically released in 2010, is a dark, yet heart-warming spin on the typical superhero movie. Harrelson, as the self-proclaimed Defendor, believes he is a superhero, no matter what anyone else tells him. What stems from this, is a mix of emotions: Defendor is beaten down several times and the reflection of the grime of the world is undeniably sinister and relentless.

At the same time, “Defendor” is the simple story of a good guy looking to do good and to live his life exactly as he wants to live it.

Frozen Plot: Three skiers are stranded on a chairlift and forced to make life-or-death choices that prove more perilous than staying put and freezing to death.

Directed by Adam Green. Starring Emma Bell, Shawn Ashmore, and Kevin Zegers.

Its story is exactly as it says, but “Frozen” is highly entertaining. While it gets off to a slow start, the tension and panic quickly builds and gives honest insight to not only how its characters would act, but also how they’d react to their circumstance. The film offers several brutal scenes that will please those looking for a more outright horror film, but “Frozen” benefits MOST off its characters and their dialogue. In the end, it all feels too realistic and entirely possible.

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Once again, brought to you by Golden_State_of_Mind, Dalton, Janna “Tilly” Florie, and mrtxstar.

The way it works: Each member that participates submits their own ranking to Janna “Tilly” Florie which are then aggregated and combined into one Official SJ NFL Power Ranking. However, if for any reason, there are any ties, they are broken by the point system (how they are ranked on everyone’s polls).

Do you agree or disagree with this week’s rankings? Want to make some predictions of your own?

SJ’s NBA Week 6 Rankings

Want to see past weeks’ rankings?

SJ’s 2010 NBA Rankings Archive Edition

42

Heat On The Lake Show Written by: Reg Dateline: Christmas Day, 2010, City of Angels (& of Ron Artest) Despite a tip-off of 2:00 PM L.A. time, the stars will be out and shining brightly. Mel Gibson will be out (temporarily) of anger management classes. Charlie "Wife Smacker" Sheen will be there with his "Ho of the Day". Lindsay Lohan will have the limit on her dope-sensor ankle bracelet extended to include The Staples Center. And of course "Jack" will be there scowling, screaming & grinning at the Heat & the refs because...well...that's what "Jack" does and that's where "Jack" lives. Of course, there also will be "a zillion" other Hollywood stars there, including some who actually know basketball and/or give a flying frog about the Lakers or the Heat.

Oh...There will also be some pretty good basketball individuals there for this NBA Yuletide extrava-slam-za. You know the names...The King, The Black Mamba, D-Wade, Ka-Pau (I just made that one up), Chris B, Ron-Ron, Bynumite (maybe), a coupla "Houses", a hubby of a Kardashian, The Zen Master, Spo, et al.

Since this preview is being written over a month before Christmas (mean ole Editor-In-Chief and her early deadlines. LOL), it makes no sense to compare/contrast team records. However, I will say that as of right now, both teams are playing great basketball. The Heat struggled early as they sought/still seek team chemistry. Meanwhile, The Lakers have played steadily at a high level. Neither teams are undefeated, but for great teams, records in November and December do not portend much. Frankly, for great NBA teams, the regular season doesn't mean much, except as practice and high-seed playoff positioning....the caveat being big high-profile "everyone-will-bewatching" games like this one.

The potential for much spectacular play and competitiveness certainly meets or exceeds the hype. The Heat roll into L.A. with their justifiably-heralded "Big Three". Meanwhile the Lakers bring their brand of "heat" with a "Big Three...or Four" of their own...not to mention back-to-back NBA titles. Of course, just having LeBron and Kobe on opposite sides of the ball would be more than enough to justify splitting up eating your X-Mas dinner entrees & trappings from eating your dessert and drinking your post-dinner black market "Four Loko" to watch this game.

To say that both teams enter this game and the understatement of this as well as the last the Heat as 2010-11 champions the second teammates. The pressure that this (in my brings to the Heat is surely formidable. improved their roster during the off-season incredibly difficult-to-attain Three-Peat, are much attention on the Heat. This perceived the Lakers. You have to know that Kobe and NBA at their respective positions, have to feel Florida...and intend to make someone pay for Three" must grate on the Lakers as if people and "And Some Guys"...as if Gasol, Bynum, something. Likewise, LeBron is surely highly for his now infamous "The Decision".

43

season with high expectations would be century. Many pundits and fans declared that the "Big Three" were announced as opinion, premature) pronouncement Meanwhile, the Lakers, who quietly and are shooting for a coveted but sort of "flying under the radar" due to so disrespect has to be extra motivation for Pau, two of, if not, the best players in the slighted amongst all of the focus on South it. Also, all the talk about Miami's "Big believe that the Lakers comprise Kobe Artest, Odom & Fisher are towel boys or motivated by all the "heat" he has taken

Heat On The Lake Show (cont.)

Point Guard Derek Fisher is old & wise for the Lakers. Carlos Arroyo...who sorta plays the point is younger and less crafty for the Heat. The Heat don't really have a true PG, but they have D-Wade & Bron-Bron running the offense much of the time...which is more than adequate. Neither Fish or Arroyo are big scorers, but youth (and D-Wade & Bron-Bron) is usually served in such match-ups.

Advantage: Heat Shooting Guard It's pretty hard to suggest that the Heat are at a disadvantage here when the guy playing the spot is the great D-Wade.

However, the guy in purple & gold is Kobe Bryant aka The Black Mamba. So...Nuff said!

Advantage: Lakers

Small Forward Ron Artest aka Ron-Ron, aside from being the ferocious defender and can pop the Andrew Bynum's health, the versatile, Odom may be starting at this position for the versa. However, the Heat have some guy spot.

most loveable looney in the NBA, is a occasional open trey. Depending on athletic, erratic point-forward Lamar Lakers...with Ron-Ron at PF...or vice named LeBron aka The King in their SF

So...again...Nuff said!

Advantage: Heat Power Forward It gets dicey again here as a function of whether Andrew Bynum is healthy enough to effectively play center for the Lakers. If he is, then Pau Gasol will be the starting PF. Gasol is agile, mobile, basketball-smart, unselfish, a strong rebounder & scorer and ambi-dextrous. He's also arguably playing as well as any "Big" in the league right now...although he's been playing Center, to start the season, in Bynumite's absence.

Meanwhile, Chris Bosh has similar attributes (except the rebounding and ambi-dextrous parts), but is still looking for his game and fit in Miami. Bosh is more of a wing PF than a traditional PF, and that brings advantages and disadvantages.

Regardless, Bosh is a true superstar and should be a force to be reckoned with offensively in this game.

Advantage: Lakers 44

Heat On The Lake Show (cont.)

Center Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol for the Lakers will mean big trouble for the Heat.

Both are talented, long and agile, with Bynum also being strong and Ka-pau being super-versatile.

On the other side, Ilgauskas aka "Big Z" is 35 years old and is most famous for following LeBron around. Big Z can have some flashes of excellence, but that hasn't happened much so far this season.

Advantage: Lakers Bench The Achilles heel of the Lakers last season was their bench. They significantly addressed that problem with the chasing off of "place-holders" Mbenga, Powell and Morrison (also lost Farmar to free agency), while adding Steve Blake (PG), Matt Barnes (PF), Theo Ratliff (C), and 6'9", 275 lb rookie Derrick Carracter (F). Ratliff is almost "400" years old and is currently injured, but when he can walk & chew gum simultaneously, he's a massive upgrade over Mbenga. Blake is a former starter (Okay...So it was with Clippers) and Barnes is a tenacious defender, a 3-point threat and is almost as looney as is Ron-Ron. Luke Walton, when healthy (which is seldom), provides hustle, energy, some defense, but little offense.

The Heat's bench is lined with former stars and current almoststars...Juwan Howard, Mike Miller (injured), Udonis Haslem (injured), Eddie House, and the recently-signed Erick Dampier, et al. As a group, they are still looking for their groove. However, any one of them can go off individually at any random point. Haslem, as of this writing, has a torn foot ligament and is likely out of this game...if not longer.

Advantage: Lakers Overall Offense Both of these teams can roll-up serious points, however the Heat have more pure scorers. Phil Jackson's (actually Tex Winter's) Triangle Offense is so complex that it takes...well...a Phil Jackson to explain it. Basically, they throw the ball into a "Big" (usually Ka-Pau or Bynumite) and then the other 4 players run around like Globetrotters, making sharp cuts & scrapes while looking for the pass out of the point (The "Bigs") for the open look or to make the 2nd or 3rd pass for the shot (Got it? Oh well...I told you it takes a Phil Jackson to explain it. I'm more of a Ron-Ron. LOL). When that thing is clicking, with the way the Lakers "Bigs" can pass, catch and move inside/shoot, their half-court offense is one of the best in the NBA. Even when it breaks down, opponents have the daunting task of dealing with The Black Mamba, Ka-Pau, and even Fish, Artest, & sometimes Mr. Kardashian one on one.

The Heat offense is rooted in the pick & roll with “The Big 3� with the supporting cast floating for secondary open looks. When that breaks down, The King & D-Wade go freelance. They have some of the quickest players in the NBA. They rely on speed to compensate for their lack of size among their "Bigs". The King, of course, is a freight train with wings & warp drive who can do it all offensively. There's no one player in the NBA that can stop LeBron. D-Wade isn't as big & powerful as LeBron, but is an incredible athlete who handle the ball, jump, run, drive, pass & shoot with the best of them. Again, Bosh is still finding his groove with the Heat, but when he does, he's 45 deadly from the short wing and also inside when he catches the ball down low. The smallish-playing-front line Heat ranks last in the league in points in the paint per game.

Heat On The Lake Show (cont.)

LeBron is defensively famous for chasing spectacularly blocking the shots. Beyond that, great offensive players down. The Heat have although the addition of the 6'11", 265 lb Without Haslem though, they have no player season. Weak rebounding = weak defense.

On the other side....Kobe, like MJ, takes as offense. Ron-Ron refers to himself as the to score as long as he's stopping his oppoD but check the box scores for his "man" and him. Having stated the aforementioned, the give up a pile of points as a team.

Overall Defense

down breakaways from behind and cleanly & no one on the Heat is famous for shutting any been relatively small and soft in the middle, Dampier will add some much needed size. who ranks in the top 37 in rebounds this much pride in his defense as he does in his Lakers' defensive captain, and is content not nent. Gasol never looks like he's playing good you'll note that seldom does anyone go off on Lakers still manage to, on many occasions,

Advantage: Lakers

Key Injuries As of this writing, the Heat will be without key wing man, Mike Miller...who would normally provide a very reliable shooting option when the Lakers (and Charlie, Mel, Li-Lo and "Jack"...and the rest of the Staples Center stars) converge on the Big Three. Also, as noted above, Udonis Haslem...Miami's acknowledged toughest player and co-captain, (as of this writing), has a torn foot ligament and is likely out of this game.

The Lakers will be missing "Methusalah" Ratliff (and who knows about Bynumite), which means the Lakers will not be as tall & deep as they could be, and Gasol, Barnes &/or Odom will play more minutes, but that doesn't exactly suck.

Advantage: Lakers Coaching Coaching in a single game is nowhere near as critical as coaching over a season or in a playoff series. However, Phil Jackson has more rings than Jenny Buss (Phil's girlfriend & boss) has "Va-J-J bedazzlements" (You have to just trust me on this). Yet another...Nuff said!

Advantage: Lakers

PREDICTION This should be a high-scoring, highlight reel-filled, close game. It won't surprise me if either team wins. Teams that have beaten the Heat this season (i.e. Celtics, Hornets...uhhh...Grizzlies) have over-powered them inside. The Heat play small up front. This plays to a Laker strength in that, especially if Bynum plays, the Lakers are, even without Ratliff, better rebounders, taller, longer, stronger, and more athletic (excluding LeBron on the last two attributes) 46 on the front line. The more-experienced-as-a-team Lakers are also (obviously) at home.

Lakers 110, Heat 103

The Trail to Golden State Written by: Golden_State_of_Mind Although this may not be the game everyone will wake up early on Christmas morning to watch, it has the potential to be the game of the day.

The Warriors, who have been the surprise of the season so far with a 8-13 record (as of 12/8/10), have drastically improved from 2009.

Backcourt: Monta Ellis, is the 6th leading scorer (as of 12/8/10) in the NBA, has played exceptional. Despite what the stats say, Ellis has become a far less selfish player than last year who has learned to pass when triple-teamed.

Ellis and teammate Stephen Curry have become one of the most dominant backcourts in the NBA. The combo is averaging a combined 46 points and 10.7 assists per game. It is clear that Curry hasn't fallen into the "sophomore slump" and, like Monta Eliis, has become a much improved player.

Grade: A+ Frontcourt: Front Court: Up front, the offseason additions of Dorrell Wright and David Lee have played better than expected. Lee has been averaging a double-double despite an elbow infection earlier this year. Wright is averaging 15 points per game and has become a big factor for the offense. At center, Andris Biedrins will not beat you with his scoring, but with his rebounding. He is averaging 7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Biedrins' defense has been sub-par, but his rebounding has helped the Warriors in the beginning of the year.

Grade: B+ Bench: Bench: Golden State is not very deep besides sixth man, Reggie Williams.

Williams has shot very well from behind the arch with a 37%, 3-point percentage but the rest of the bench has averaged a mere 22.7 points per game. Louis Amundson has recently made his Warriors debut, which is good for Golden State considering the injury problems with Brandan Wright. Hopefully, Amundson can help the Warriors weak and thin bench. Also, first round pick, Ekpe Udoh has been out for the beginning of the year due to wrist surgery, but could possibly be back by Christmas Day. It will be interesting to see Udoh when he finally gets into action. The Warriors may not be very deep, but their starters usually play about 37 minutes a game.

Grade: D+ Coaching: New head coach Keith Smart has done great a great job so far. He has preached rebounding and the Warriors have substantially improved in that department.

The defense still needs some work, but he has been very good for his first year.

47 B Grade:

The Trail to Golden State (cont.)

The injury-plagued Trailblazers have managed to obtain a 10-11 record (as of 12/8/10) despite the recent injuries of stars Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, and rookie Elliot Williams.

Backcourt: It doesn't seem that Roy will be out until December, which is good for Portland. Roy is the team's leading scorer, averaging 22.3 points a game, and is one of the most deadly players in the NBA. Alongside Roy will be point guard Andre Miller. Miller is averaging almost 14 points and over 7 assists per game. He's been a quiet but efficient contributor who has been very consistent.

Grade: AFrontcourt: Surprisingly, the loss of Greg Oden will not be a major loss. Marcus Camby has been, like always, one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Alongside Camby will be forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum. Aldridge and Batum have been the second and third leading scorers on Portland respectively. Aldridge, averaging almost18 points and 8 rebounds per game, can be very difficult to stop. There are nights where he scores 33 and nights where he scores 8. Which Aldridge will show up Christmas morning? Batum has been more than a role player this year. He's been a great scorer who has helped relieve the loss of Roy. Besides his scoring though, he has not been a major contributor anywhere else.

Grade: B+ Bench: Portland is really deep at the two guard. Wesley Matthews and Rudy Fernandez are averaging a combined 21.5 points per game off the bench. Up front, however, the Trailblazers aren't nearly as deep as they are in the backcourt. First round pick, Luke Babbit, has played very little and veterans Sean Marks and Fabricio Oberto will have to help heal the loss of Greg Oden. Forward Dante Cunningham and rookie point guard Armon Johnson have played pretty well but again, Portland's front court isn't as deep as their backcourt.

Grade: B Coaching: Nate McMillian has his team playing like they always do. They always seem to be just above middle of the West, but that is definitely not a bad thing. He has been very good dealing with his team's injuries and has a slight advantage over Keith Smart.

Grade: B+ Prediction: Golden State- 118, Portland-112 This should be a great game, with the Warriors explosive offense matching up against the Blazers' strong defense.

In the end I don't see Portland stopping the Warriors' guards, especially Monta Ellis. If Lee is out, I see Portland 48 winning, but with Lee, the Warriors are very hard to beat. It is also in Oakland, where the Warriors have been 5-1.

These teams play in Portland a week before Christmas, which can be an early preview for this game, but in the end, I see the Warriors winning a close one.

The OTHER Big 3 Working Magic Written by: Janna “Tilly” Florie *All statistics are as of 12/8/10* Backcourt: Boston’s backcourt consists of Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. Rondo, despite missing games in November due to injury is averaging 11.4 ppg, 14.1 assists per game, and 2.25 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Allen is averaging 15.8 ppg, 3.4 assists per game, and his shooting 41.7% from 3 point range.

Orlando’s backcourt consists of Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter. Nelson, at small guard, is averaging 14.9 ppg, 7.1 assists per game, and 1 steal per game. Vince Carter, in his 12th season, is still averaging 15.5 ppg and 3 assists per game. He is also shooting 34.9% from the 3-point range.

Advantage: Boston Frontcourt: Boston’s forwards consist of Paul Pierce at small forward and Kevin Garnett at power forward. Pierce, in his 12th season, is averaging 19 ppg, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game. Kevin Garnett, while arguably the league’s biggest jerk and *****, is still averaging a respectable 15.6 ppg, and 9.9 rebounds per game.

He is also averaging 5 glares, 10 foot-in-mouth trash talk episodes, and 20 instances of picking on the small guy and backing down when the big guy steps in.

Orlando’s frontcourt, on the other hand, consists of small forward Quentin Richardson and power forward Rashard Lewis. Richardson is averaging 7.9 ppg, 1 assist per game, and is shooting 34.5%from behind the arc. Lewis likes to take three point attempts and as a result is averaging only 12.3 ppg, and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Advantage: Boston Center: In his 18th season, Shaquille O’Neal for Boston is still averaging 11.3 ppg and 6.5 rebounds per game. While well under his averages in his prime, he is still a force down low and remains a threat.

Orlando, however, has one of the better centers in the league right now in Dwight Howard. Howard is averaging 20.9 ppg, 12.1 rebounds per game, and 2.4 blocks per game.

Advantage: Orlando 49

The OTHER Big 3 Working Magic (cont.)

Bench: Equally important as the starting 5 for any team is the bench players. Good benches with lots of depth helps the starters rest and stay fresh in the long NBA season. Boston’s bench consists of Nate Robinson, Avery Bradley and Glen Davis. Of these, Robinson an Davis provide the biggest spark and threat.

Orlando has a pretty decent bench with JJ Redick and Chris Duhon coming in to relieve Nelson and Carter. Duhon is averaging 3.5 ppg and 3 assists per game in only 20.5 minutes of play. Redick provides a spark from the bench with 7.4 ppg and 1.9 assists per game and shooting 28.6% from 3 point range. The Magic also have Mickael Pietrus and Brandon Bass coming in to provide some rest for the starters.

Advantage: Orlando

Prediction: Both of these teams should be in the playoff race come spring. In all actuality, either team can win. However, I am taking the Magic at home on Christmas Day. The Magic will have one extra day of rest and preparation for the game. IN front of the home crowd, I don’t see them losing. This should be a good, close back and forth game.

Prediction: Magic 110 Celtics 105

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Nuggets of Thunder Written by: Reg Whenever the Nuggets and Thunder get together, the first topic on the preview agenda must be the capabilities of Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant.

'Melo is the Nuggets' unhappy, unfulfilled superstar. He wants to win an elusive championship, as well as, be mentioned among the best players in the NBA. Neither of those objectives are likely to be met in Denver. 'Melo is in the last year of his contract and trade rumors abound. The betting line suggests that "Melo will not be a Nugget after the trade deadline as otherwise the Nuggets will likely lose him next summer and get nothing for him.

"KD" is the prime reason that many pundits predict that the Thunder will challenge the Lakers for the Western Conference title this season. Durant is simply frightening in his abilities, production, and upside. At only 22 years-old, "KD" is already one of the best players in the NBA and many pundits & fans believe that he is THE best player.

Team Strengths For Denver...'Melo at 6'8, 230 lbs is a big, strong, versatile forward who can play four positions if needed. He is strong inside, yet can handle the ball and shoot with great accuracy from outside. The "Robin" to 'Melo's "Batman" is veteran guard, Chauncey Billups. "Mr Big Shot" Billups provides veteran, championship leadership, consistency, and will take the "Big Shot" when needed. Forward-Center, Chris "Birdman" Anderson, provides unrelenting energy and tenacity on defense and the boards. Center-Forward Nene', Forward Kenyon Martin, and Guards J.R. Smith and Ty Lawson are all solid, if not spectacular, players.

For OKC...Durant, in addition to his high-level skills, brings amazing leadership at such a young age. He's a renown superstar yet he's the consummate team player. His main sidekicks include budding stars Forward Jeff Green and Guard Russell Westbrook. As a team, the Thunder are so young that all except Morris Peterson (age 33) probably get carded whenever they go to clubs. This youth portends unbridled energy and potential for growth as individuals and as a team.

Advantage: Thunder...a young, talented, focused team on the rise while the Nuggets still struggle with their identity and consistency.

Coaching The Nuggets are coached by the venerable & respected George Karl. His battle with cancer is well documented.

This could very well be his last season in the NBA. The Thunder's Head Coach is Scott Brooks, a young, up and coming leader.

Advantage: Nuggets In Summary & Conclusion I expect a high scoring game as both teams have strong & diverse offensive 51 in the 30's. The key, I capabilities. I predict that both 'Melo and "KD" will score believe, will be how the respective supporting casts perform. That factor plus the game being played in OKC lead me to predict...Thunder 115, Denver 103.

Ghost of MJ-Past On Broadway Written by: Janna “Tilly” Florie Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks: This should be an interesting matchup. A team ,that as of this writing, is playing pretty good basketball and another that is falling short of the public’s expectations. Many Knicks fans thought with the signing of Amare Stoudemire, that the Knicks would improve and be a playoff contender. Landry Fields is one of only 5 rookies this season, averaging double figures so there is also that to look forward to. Derrick Rose, on the last trip, as of this writing, was averaging 30.5 ppg, 6.5 assists per game, and 5.7 rebounds per game. The Bulls haven’t seen numbers like that since MJ left town.

Backcourt: Chicago has a backcourt consisting of Derrick Rose and Keith Bogans. Rose is averaging 26.6 ppg on the season, 8.2 assists per game, and 1 steal per game.

The last road trip in November had him averaging MJ spectacular numbers.

Keith Bogans at small guard is not the best SG in the league but he’s playing hard.

For the Knicks, playing point guard is Raymond Felton, who is averaging 18.1 ppg and 7.9 assists per game. As the Knicks continue to run a fast-paced offense, his stats should improve. As mentioned before, rookie SG Landry Fields is one of 5 rookies averaging double figures with 11.1 ppg, and shooting 32.6% from 3 point range. As of this writing, he is also first among all guards with a 12.6% rebounding rate which is about twice the league average for a guard.

Advantage: Bulls Frontcourt: Luol Deng at small forward for the Bulls is averaging 19.3 ppg and 6.9 rebounds per game. The Bulls are looking forward to having power forward Carlos Boozer back and very well may have him back in the lineup for this game. As of now he is on the road to recovery. In the meantime, Taj Gibson has filled in averaging 11.3 ppg and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Knicks: Danilo Gallinari is starting to get more comfortable in the fast-paced Knicks offense. He is currently averaging 15.7 ppg and 4.8 rebounds per game. Look for that to improve as the season progresses.

The Knicks made one of the biggest signing of the off season by acquiring Amare Stoudemire from the Phoenix Suns and reuniting with Coach D’Antoni. While never much of a defensive threat (did he really say he was NEVER taught defense?? DOH), Amare gets the job done on the offensive side of the ball averaging 23.4 ppg, 8.6 rebounds per game, and 2.1 blocked shots per game so far this season.

52 Advantage: Knicks

Ghost of MJ-Past On Broadway (cont.)

Center: Joakim Noah is not the most prolific scorer in the NBA but he always provides a certain spark when on the court. He plays with fire and passion that is rarely seen.

As a basketball fan, I enjoy watching him play even if he’s not putting up monster numbers that some of the other centers in the league are putting up. Noah is still averaging 15.6 ppg and 13.2 rebounds per game.

Knicks: Ronnie Turiaf has never been much of an offensive power house but he provides that big presence in the paint that teams want and the opponents fear.

He is averaging a meek 4.9 ppg, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 1.6 blocked shots per game.

Advantage: Bulls Bench: Most of the Chicago bench is insignificant as far as the impact they have. Kurt Thomas has been a ghost. The only real players of importance are James Johnson averaging 4 ppg in just about 12 minutes of play and Kyle Korver provides a legitimate threat from 3 point range shooting 44%.

Coming off the bench for New York, Toney Douglas is playing a respectable 20+ minutes and is averaging 10.9 ppg and shooting 33.3% from 3 point range. Wilson Chandler is also seeing high minutes averaging 31.3 minutes this season and 16.2 ppg and 5.7 rebounds per game. Mozgov and Randolph fill out the bench but have not done much of significance.

Advantage: Knicks PREDICTION On paper the teams seems fairly well matched and this should be a good game. The Bulls at this point are playing better ball but with almost a month to go before this game anything can happen. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the home teams takes it.

Prediction: Bulls 92 Knicks 98

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PRAYER FOR SCOTT (NYSPORTSRULE) Dear God~ Please keep Scott and his family in your prayers right now. Scott is as strong as steel but even he is tired. So please keep an eye on your favorite Jets/TCU Fan and give him the strength to continue fighting his battle.

Please wrap your arms around his parents and his family. I can't even imagine. but then again Scott's strength and perseverance came from somewhere.

I know St. Peregrine is the Patron Saint of Cancer Patients. I have read prayers from Rabbi's online that were similar. Nothing really said what I wanted it to. But how would you find one that sums up what Scott means to us all.

Maybe those words don't exist.

SO maybe just a simple God, Please Keep Scott pain free and in your care.

I believe in the power of prayer at SJ. Amen.

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