The Los Angeles Lakers played the final game of a very disappointing season on Tuesday night. Even with LeBron James on the roster, L.A. missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for the storied franchise, Magic Johnson dropped a bombshell by stepping down as President of Basketball Operations.

Magic Johnson said all of the right things as he explained his resignation. “It’s a difficult decision. I cried before I came here,” shared the Hall of Famer. “I am about to cry now. It’s hard when you love an organization the way I love this organization. It’s hard when you love a person like I love Jeanie [Buss]. I don’t want to disappoint her.”

The charismatic legend, admitted that his position with the team has taken a toll on his personality. “I want to go back to having fun,’’ he said. “I want to go back to being who I was before taking on this job.”

These are the sentiments that are to be expected from an individual who has navigated the media during complex professional and personal moments. Still, there were statements made by Magic that can’t be overlooked.

The four-time NBA champion made it clear in his parting statements that he’s tired of all “the backstabbing” and “the whispering” going on. He refused to clarify those remarks for ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, leading us to believe that Magic isn’t happy with the way things are being handled in Los Angeles.

Publicly, team owner Jeanie Buss had given Magic the power to do whatever he felt was in the best interest of the team. That included the ability to fire beloved head coach, Luke Walton. Perhaps Magic felt like he was being set up as the fall guy, despite Buss realizing that it’s time to sever ties with Walton as well.

The notion of backstabbing could also refer to the blockbuster free agent signings and trades that were supposed to follow LeBron’s arrival in L.A. Paul George was supposed to come home to play for the purple and gold. The Lakers offered so much talent for Anthony Davis that it’s still bizarre that Magic wasn’t able to close that deal with the Pelicans. DeMar DeRozan made it crystal clear that he wanted no parts of joining the franchise.

The Lakers aren’t accustomed to being unwanted. This is the same franchise that talked Shaq into ditching a team he took to the Eastern Conference Finals. Kobe was so sure that he wanted to play in L.A. that he convinced the Hornets to trade him on draft night. Despite having LeBron James on the roster, those days no longer exist for the Lakers. It appears that Magic Johnson is tired of taking the blame.

The biggest question amid Magic Johnson’s decision is whether or not LeBron James is somehow responsible. Magic mentioned several people by name on Tuesday. He explained how he “worked well” with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. He explained that he didn’t inform Jeanie Buss of his departure because she would have talked him out of it.

But why not alert the player you brought to L.A. to resurrect the franchise? LeBron and Magic reportedly met on Saturday, along with Pelinka and agent Rich Paul. Assuming they spoke at great lengths about the direction of the team, it’s odd to invest time in the meeting to jump ship days later. Perhaps there was something revealed during that meeting that was a final straw for Magic.

It wouldn’t be the first time LeBron has shaken things up within an organization. Kyrie Irving wanted out of the little brother role in Cleveland. The pressure required Tyronn Lue to take a leave of absence from coaching the Cavs. LeBron has been known to play general manager in previous stops, assembling rosters to his liking. Magic Johnson simply doesn’t seem like the guy to let someone else “suggest” how he should do his job.

Magic’s decision puts the Lakers in a very tough spot. The franchise’s sole focus should be landing a superstar free agent this summer. That’s seemingly the only way to end the playoff drought and compete for an NBA championship. Now, there’s also a rush to name the next president. The problem is, none of the viable options for the position are as charismatic as Magic Johnson.

The untimely departure may have set the franchise back. Who is going to be responsible for recruiting the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the 2019 free agency class? LeBron can’t afford to miss out on a title run for a second consecutive season. But just in case it does happen, Magic Johnson has ensured that he will not be receiving the blame.

The murder of Nipsey Hussle was without question a senseless act of violence that is difficult to digest. The Grammy nominated rapper was in the midst of providing the blueprint to economic freedom for impoverished urban communities across the country. He was a role model for success despite what many would consider a troubling past. Even in his death, he’s bringing light to the ills of our society that must be addressed if we are to ever reach our full potential.

The outpouring of love for Nipsey Hussle via social media has been evident in the past few days. Fans, celebrities and those who knew the slain entrepreneur closely have been able to openly mourn and offer their condolences. As a society, we’ve mastered this form of expressing grief. Unfortunately, too many of us have taken social media too far when it comes to tragedy. There are certain things we simply do not need visuals for.

Footage of the exact moment that a man lost his life does not help anyone grieve. Watching a video of first responders administer CPR doesn’t provide any form of closure. The only thing that it does provide is attention for the person who has made the decision to post it on their page.

The idea that people’s first thought is to record instead of help or seek safety in the midst of unfortunate events is disturbing. Just this week alone, my Instagram feed has included cell phone videos of Nipsey Hussle fighting for his life, an elderly woman being kicked in the head on a subway, and a violent brawl that ended with a half-naked man lying unconscious on the sidewalk. At some point, humanity has to outweigh the ability to obtain likes on Instagram.

We are constantly getting too caught up in a world that doesn’t reflect our true value as human beings. In tragic times like this, we shouldn’t be concerned with who was listening to Nipsey’s music before his death. The killing of a positive role model can still have an impact on someone whether or not they were his biggest fan. Instead of making it our job to determine who has the right to be affected, we can make it our responsibility to tackle the issue of gun violence. After all, Nipsey was scheduled to do just that with the LAPD less than 24 hours after he was shot to death.

Conspiracy theories have been discussed as we try to wrap our heads around the murder of this heroic figure, as well. The notion that Nipsey was killed because he was in the process of making a film on Dr. Sebi has been surfacing more often than I’d like to recall. We should be careful about the desire to believe that everything is a conspiracy theory. When this occurs, we are removing the responsibility of all members of the community to be accountable for their actions. Phrases like, “they must have had something to do with it,” don’t begin to acknowledge what actually occurred. In that moment, we are also neglecting to identify ways to address the hatred for one another that exists in the hearts of people so close to us.

But for the sake of argument, let’s say the conspiracy theory has some merit. Hypothetically, an organization, fearful of a film shedding light on Dr. Sebi’s herbalist teachings, is responsible for the death of Nipsey Hussle. This same organization isn’t fearful of the teachings of Dr. Sebi being expressed in books or in countless YouTube videos? The same organization wasn’t concerned with Nipsey sharing this knowledge with urban communities on nationally syndicated radio interviews. Are we agreeing with the notion that, as a community, we are only a threat to systematic oppression when information is divulged on a movie screen? In order for advancement, that is a notion that we cannot afford to believe.

Nipsey was an extremely successful businessman who remained dedicated to making things better for the next generation. He made more than a monetary investment. He provided his time. Whether it was launching STEM programs in inner cities across America or refurbishing basketball courts in Crenshaw, he made his physical presence felt in impoverished communities.

Another man decided that his personal issues with the rapper outweighed all of the good being accomplished by Nipsey. The combination of selfishness and jealousy played a factor in this murder and too many acts of violence that affect our communities. We need to take a deep look at ourselves and those closest to us, addressing our expressions of resentment towards others.

There is nothing that we can do to reverse time, preventing the tragic death of Nipsey Hussle from occurring. What we can do is take heed to the message that he delivered. He was a passionate man whose actions reflected the words of wisdom that he so often spoke. In this time of confusion we cannot let that be forgotten. While the issue is of a large magnitude, there are small steps that we can each take in our own lives to prevent similar events from taking place.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook didn’t take remarks from fans in Utah too kindly on Monday night. The result was a video that has gone viral. “I’ll f — you up,” said the All-Star to a man and his wife sitting just a few rows away from the court. While the narrative is that Westbrook threatened this innocent family, the real problem is the sense of entitlement that fans have been exhibiting in arenas around the league.

Shane Keisel, the fan that Westbrook directed his anger toward, couldn’t understand why the former MVP was so upset. To hear him tell the story, he was just having a good time jarring with a future NBA legend. It seems odd that a professional athlete accustom to hearing boos in NBA cities across the country would get so agitated over a conversation about heating pads.

In fact, Westbrook’s side of the story is much different:

“A young man and his wife in the stands told me to get down on my knees like I’m used to. For me, that’s completely disrespectful. To me, I think it’s racial and inappropriate. . . . There are a lot of great fans around the world that like to come to the game to enjoy the game, [and] there are people who come to the game to say mean and disrespectful things about me and my family.”

This isn’t the first time that Westbrook has had a heated exchange with fans in Utah. Twice during last year’s playoff series against the Jazz, the 30-year-old guard confronted unruly fans. Both incidents required the assistance of stadium security. Unfortunately, there’s too much focus on Westbrook’s reaction, and not enough attention brought to the inciting actions of fans.

The all-too familiar response is that Westbrook is a professional and he should act like one. He’s also a human being and should be treated as such. Ironically, the fans in the seats are typically professionals as well, but aren’t held to the same standards when attending sporting events. San Keisel, for example, is the accessories manager for Brent Brown Toyota in Utah.

Sadly, he’s not the first professional too express inappropriate behavior toward Westbrook. Urologist Dr. Richard Harkaway flipped off the two-time scoring champ during a road game in Philly in 2016.

Then there’s the screaming fan in Denver who jumped in Westbrook’s face while he was on the court.

It’s almost as if some of the fans feel as though part of the entertainment experience that they are paying for includes the ability to humiliate professional athletes. The worst part is the behavior is being passed on to the next generation of NBA enthusiasts. Just last month a ten-year-old fan sitting courtside literally hit Westbrook while he was on the court.

The agitation of NBA athletes continues to occur, and the penalty for fans is nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Or in the case of Shane Keisel, a warning card requesting that he refrain from using inappropriate language.

Utah has become notorious for unruly fans. Golden State Warriors All-Star Draymond Green revealed that he has been called the N-word in several NBA cities. Although he refused to name which cities, it’s no coincidence that he shared this news in the midst of a playoff series in Utah.

But let’s assume that guys like Draymond Green and Russell Westbrook somehow deserve this harsh treatment due to their demeanor on the floor. What excuse do the fans in Utah have for the way they treated Derek Fisher in 2008.

Fisher played one year with the Utah Jazz. While his time on the court was successful, his daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer during the season. In heroic fashion, he returned from his daughter’s surgery in Los Angeles to a playoff game in Utah to help the Jazz defeat the Warriors in overtime. Sounds like Jazz fans would always have a spot in their hearts from the five-time NBA champion right?

Instead there was a level of disdain when he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, choosing to play in the city that offered his daughter the best care for her condition. According to Bleacher Report, fans chanted “cancer” upon Fisher’s return with the visiting team. One ticket holder went so far as to cover one eye while Fisher was at the free-throw line, mocking the serious medical issue of a child.

Again, I know these individuals are not a representation of all fans in attendance. They aren’t the majority either. But what we also don’t see is anyone chastising the unruly fans for their behavior. There’s no footage of people in nearby seats pointing out these aggressors to security, and requesting their immediate removal. It has become a tolerated behavior that is unacceptable.

This isn’t just a problem for the city of Utah and its fans. Remember the derogatory language that was used to describe LeBron James at Oracle Arena. There’s something wrong with an environment where people feel comfortable speaking to another human being that way.

This issue is bigger than the temperment of the players after hearing these remarks. The NBA arenas in which the hostility occurs isn’t the big picture either. What’s interesting are the common themes that exist between the people hurling the insults and the athletes that are expected to just deal with it. In every single one of the aforementioned occurrences, the fans have been Caucasian individuals, sitting in what are considered expensive seats, and the confrontation is always with African-American athletes.

It’s nothing new. The “Malice at the Palace” in 2004 was the same exact thing. The brawl was sparked by a Caucasian fan hurling a drink at Ron Artest, an African-American player. Was Charles Barkley wrong for accidentally spitting on a young fan in 1991? Absolutely. It was a terrible decision on his part. What sparked the incident? According to a fan that was sitting in the same section, Barkley’s intended target was a man whose verbal abuse towards the Hall of Famer was relentless throughout the game.

The NBA does a great job of promoting equality. Coaching positions and opportunities in the league offices are filled by people of all backgrounds. The players themselves represent 42 countries. Unfortunately those efforts have not completely transferred over to the behavior of the entirety of the fanbase that is closest to the action.

There are going to be a handful of people that read this and wonder what’s the big deal. We’ve all heard the remarks that athletes are paid the big bucks to deal with the hecklers and the inappropriate comments. That is far from the truth. They are paid large sums of money for their athletic skills and ability to entertain. Public humiliation is not part of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.

No professional sport allows fans to get as close to the action as the NBA. It’s unfortunate that a number of those people use the privilege of great seats to demean individuals who happen to represent a different ethnic group. Although it’s not the NBA’s fault that this occurs, something has to be done before a situation takes place that tarnishes the credible reputation the league has built.

According to reports, former Lakers center Andrew Bynum is considering an NBA comeback. After a four-year hiatus, footage has surfaced of the two-time NBA champion running the floor and executing offensive drills. At thirty years old, his skills have surely declined during his time away from the floor, and the current pace of the NBA game doesn’t suit his style of play. That doesn’t mean that he can’t contribute to the success of a team for the upcoming season. Here are three squads that could take a risk on Andrew Bynum’s comeback.

Philadelphia 76ers

Andrew Bynum isn’t the big free agent signing the 76ers had in mind this summer. Especially since he didn’t live up to expectations as the face of the franchise in 2012. The former lottery pick received a $16 million payday without playing a single game for the squad. If the Sixers are willing to put Bynum’s highway robbery in the past, along with his ridiculous hair styles, the big man could give Philly some solid backup minutes. All he would need to do is be healthy and show up to play. The passing abilities of Ben Simmons would take care of the rest.

Golden State Warriors

The reigning NBA champs added DeMarcus Cousins to an already stacked roster during the offseason. Unfortunately, Cousins will be sidelined to start the year as he recovers from an Achilles injury. With the loss of JaVale McGee to the Lakers and David West’s retirement, Kevon Looney will most likely start at the center position. He averaged just four points and three rebounds last season. There’s a chance that Bynum could match that production off the bench with a veteran’s minimum contract. The added depth will certainly come in handy during the postseason.

Houston Rockets

Houston wouldn’t need Bynum to do anything other than hustle. There are enough offensive weapons on the floor, that all he would need to do is set the occasional screen and crash the boards. If Bynum can do that for eight minutes a game, he’s worth the roster spot. As for the antics that derailed his career, the no nonsense demeanor of Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and MVP James Harden will certainly provide a guideline for what will be tolerated in the Rockets’ locker room.

What can’t be overlooked by any team interested in Andrew Bynum is the primary reason he disappeared from the league in the first place. Chronic knee issues held him to just 26 games played in his final two NBA seasons. It’s hard to believe that at thirty years old his body is in better shape. The goal may be to return to the league, but the half-court game of the Big3 may be more realistic.

Legendary hoops star Grant Hill is being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend. The committee couldn’t have made a better selection. The seven-time All-Star, two-time NCAA champion and 1995 Rookie of the Year had an incredible career. While he’s had countless memorable moments on the floor, there are a few lessons he’s taught me over the years.

Never Give Up

Grant Hill was on pace to be the next Michael Jordan as a member of the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately an ankle injury would alter his career path. After signing with the Orlando Magic as a free agent in 2000, Hill would play just 47 games in three years. He missed the entire 2003–2004 season.

“I had multiple doctors tell me that I was done,” shared Hill during a TNT broadcast. But his hardwork and determination would prove those doctors wrong. Grant Hill would go on to play another 10 seasons, resurrecting his career as a member of the Phoenix Suns. The same guy who could barely stay on the floor during his prime managed to play in all 82 games at the age of 36.

The moral of the story is to never quit working hard.

Let Your Other Talents Shine

Grant Hill isn’t just an NBA legend. He’s also a decent piano player. Just like on the basketball court, he never shied away from a big moment to show his talents. Whether it was on an episode of David Letterman, a guest spot on the hit sitcom “Living Single,” or an ESPN commercial, Hill constantly proved that he was serious about playing the keys.

Family Is Everything

Grant Hill and his singer, songwriter wife Tamia have two daughters. The five-time All-NBA player is the ultimate family man. “It is important as a parent to be engaged and involved,” shared Hill in an interview. “All that you experience and all that you know you want to try and share and pass onto your children.”

That sense of involvement extends beyond just his immediate family. Grant Hill takes a very similar approach when it comes to mentoring the NBA community and lending a hand with charity work.

It’s Alright to Wear the Off Brand

When I was ten years-old, my mom took me to buy sneakers for the new school year. Obviously I wanted a pair of Jordan’s, but the price tag was pretty hefty. Instead, she worked her magic and I got two pairs of Grant Hill Fila’s for the price of one pair of Jordan’s. I was hesitant of the decision. Sure it made logical sense, but I was questioning how the shoes would be received by my peers. After all, Fila wasn’t Nike.

But then I saw Tupac wearing a pair on his album cover. Not to mention Grant Hill wore the same shoes on the court with the Pistons brand new jerseys featuring a logo you couldn’t ignore. Fila’s weren’t the coolest brand before Grant Hill, but he turned them into a staple for years.

Be the Best You

Members of Michigan’s Fab Five weren’t quiet about their disdain for Duke’s basketball program in the early ’90s. That included All-American Grant Hill. Jalen Rose put it bluntly in an ESPN documentary:

“I was jealous of [Duke’s] Grant Hill. He came from a great black family. Congratulations. Your mom went to college and was roommates with Hillary Clinton. Your dad played in the NFL as a very well-spoken and successful man.”

This was a rhetoric that Grant Hill must have heard several times in a sport where trash talking can get very personal. Often times a person in Grant Hill’s position will rebel, attempting to portray an image far from reality. Instead, he continued to embrace his background, growing up in an affluent Michigan suburb. He didn’t feel compelled to invent a persona that would satisfy his peers. It’s perhaps the most admirable accomplishment of his illustrious career.

Carmelo Anthony should be following in the footsteps of another 10-time All-Star as he prepares for his stint with the Houston Rockets

Carmelo Anthony officially signed with the Houston Rockets earlier this week, a move that was anticipated for quite some time.

After spending eight years with the Denver Nuggets, seven tumultuous seasons with the New York Knicks and a brief stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston is the best fit for a future Hall of Famer who has only advanced to the Conference Finals once in his career.

Not just because of the current roster, but the experience the organization has had with aging superstars in the past.

Carmelo Anthony has never played for an organization that already had a blueprint in place. In Denver he teamed up with Allen Iverson, who never fully relinquished the role of the star, despite declining skills on the floor. The Knicks front office was a wreck. Last year in OKC was as much about keeping Paul George happy enough to re-sign with the squad, as it was winning right away.

Carmelo is joining a team where he may very well be the final piece of the puzzle. Ironically, it’s very similar to another 10-time All-Star who landed in Houston midway through the 1995 season.

Clyde Drexler was in his 12th year when he joined the Rockets and helped the franchise win its second-straight NBA title. Although he was still able to play at a high level, his role in Houston was much different than it was as a member of the Portland Trailblazers.

Drexler averaged just 15 shots a game for the first time since his third year in the league. Despite receiving less offensive opportunities, he still scored 21 points per game, while shooting a career high .506 field goal percentage.

Carmelo Anthony should expect similar results. With defenders focusing on MVP winner James Harden, there will be plenty of open shots for Melo to knock down. Not to mention, coach Mike D’Antoni allows his guys to play a lot of isolation basketball. The former scoring champion is one of the best in the game at playing one-on-one, and will continue to thrive in that category this season.

While Drexler was a blessing for the Rockets, the organization hasn’t always had great success with aging superstars. Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley joined forces the 1998–99 season, but unfortunately the aging Rockets were bounced from the first round of the playoffs by a youthful Lakers squad that featured Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

Houston’s current roster could easily fall victim to a similar path. Carmelo Anthony is 34 years old. Chris Paul’s 33-year-old body has failed him time and time again. The Rockets could have very well defeated the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals last year if CP3 was able to suit up for the last two games of the series.

The Rockets have to make a conscious effort to ensure that the role players don’t become accustom to just watching the action. Houston wouldn’t have back-to-back championships if it weren’t for guys like Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell, stepping up to compliment Hakeem Olajuwon. PJ Tucker needs to get his touches throughout the season. Clint Capela has to remain out of foul trouble. Michael Carter-Williams must show signs that he can carry the second unit.

Speaking of the second unit, there’s a notion that Carmelo Anthony has to come off the bench in order for his tenure with the Rockets to be successful. In addition to Michael Carter-Williams, Houston’s second unit features Eric Gordon and Gerald Green. All three of those guards play at an extremely rapid pace and it would be tough for Melo to keep up at this stage of his career.

Carmelo made it clear, during last year’s press conference with the Thunder, that the idea of him coming off the bench is a joke. If you’re the Houston Rockets, it makes no sense to bring Melo to the team knowing that he’s going to be frustrated with his role. They would have been better off keeping a content Trevor Ariza, who played an integral role in last season.

It’s not that Carmelo Anthony needs to accept a lesser role. He just needs to be conscious of his ability to play his game without interrupting the flow of the team. He is a rare talent offensively and can get a shot off whenever he chooses. That can be a gift and a curse. Teammates like James Harden and Chris Paul have heard the same criticism at varying stages in their careers.

There are high expectations for the Houston Rockets heading into this season. Because of last year’s success, the finger will be pointed at Carmelo Anthony if this team fails. After all, his teams have struggled in the postseason throughout his career.

But in this scenario, unlike any of those before, Carmelo has a blueprint for how to win. It’s up to him if he decides to follow it.

The NCAA has announced unprecedented rule changes that are raising eyebrows in the basketball world. Undrafted players will be allowed to return to school, and elite high school ballers can sign with an agent prior to entering college. While the NCAA may be giving itself a pat on the back for a job well done, these new rule changes aren’t much of a fix for an organization that is in serious trouble.

NCAA basketball is facing competition for teenage talent. The NBA’s G League could become a viable option thanks to trailblazer Darius Bazley. LaVar Ball’s Junior Basketball Association is shelling out $3,000 a month and 60% of jersey sales to players, as an alternative to college. Former NBA All-Star, Metta World Peace, revealed in an interview that the Big3 could someday be a place for players to earn money instead of playing for free in the college ranks. The NCAA had to do something to remain an attractive option. But if you break down the new rule changes, there are still severe problems that exists.

The first issue is the NCAA’s inclusion of USA Basketball to determine which high school basketball players will be allowed to hire an agent. According to ESPN reports, USA Basketball was blindsided by the news and has no interest in becoming a scouting agency for college hoops. Did the NCAA believe that they could force a major player in the basketball world to conform by making a public announcement?

Why doesn’t the NCAA create its own committee that has the right to determine the players that are considered elite? After all, it’s the college coaches and recruiters that are following every move of these young athletes, starting as early as the seventh grade. Instead, the NCAA has decided to take on the responsibility of selecting the agents who are allowed to represent college players. Keep in mind, the NCAA has punished its amateur athletes for associating with agents for decades.

We also don’t know how many of the thousands of college basketball players will be granted the “elite” status. Suppose it ends up being an average of two players per major and mid-major program. You’re looking at a rule that would address maybe 100 athletes.

The idea of having an agent as a college basketball player is confusing to begin with. The job of an agent is to bring a client lucrative opportunities. College athletes are forbidden from signing endorsement deals. Financial compensation from universities don’t exist either. The responsibilities of an agent are a direct violation of the NCAA’s most controversial rules. The question then becomes, if a player breaks NCAA rules with assistance of an approved NCAA agent, who’s really at fault?

John Calipari has been a proponent of providing college athletes with more leeway. He isn’t thrilled about the new rule changes either. The Hall of Fame coach is specifically concerned with what happens to players who decide to return to college after entering the NBA Draft. “A kid leaves and the scholarship’s given away. He wants to go back to school, and there’s no scholarship. What do we do? Does he transfer? Does he have to sit out? What?” He raises a ton of great questions that the NCAA should have accounted for prior to announcing these changes.

Instead of providing clear changes to a flawed system, the NCAA made a move to appease the masses. But the move fails to address the one thing that athletes and their families have been seeking for far too long. College basketball players want to be compensated for the fortune that they are generating for the NCAA.

The NCAA is on the verge of making $1 billion a year for just the TV rights to the March Madness tournament. It’s absurd that the new rules don’t allow for players to receive any of it.

College basketball has a serious problem. A college athlete’s ability to have an agent, who technically can’t earn that player a dime, won’t solve the issue. Neither will having the ability to return to the flawed NCAA system if a player isn’t drafted. Until there is a realistic attempt to offer athletes fair compensation, there will be a cloud hanging over college basketball.

We live in a world where very little information is considered private. People’s most vulnerable moments are displayed on social media, with or without consent. If you thought it was bad for people working a 9–5, imagine what pro athletes go through. While you’re worried about someone screenshotting your DM and posting it to their 1,200 followers, the entire internet knows that Blake Griffin is paying $258,000 a month in child support.

Less than 2% of the U.S. population can relate to paying roughly $3 million a year in child support. Yet it’s all anyone can talk about on social media. There are over a million people who know that Blake Griffin’s monthly payments to his ex-fiancée are more than they will make in a lifetime. It’s true. I did the math using the average GDP per U.S. household. The point is, why do we need to know that much about Blake’s hefty bill?

We wrap ourselves up in the statistics that have nothing to do with the talent of professional athletes. While everyone is commentating on the expenses of the five-time All-Star, the name Ken Griffin is rarely heard. No, Ken isn’t one of Blake’s relatives. He’s the investor whose ex-wife was seeking $1 million a month in child support. The difference is Ken doesn’t wear a jersey or have a Jordan Brand endorsement deal.

I get it. The Blake Griffin news is fascinating. It’s gossip that guys can feel comfortable participating in. It’s entertainment. But unlike your favorite movie or TV show, these are real people and not characters. The constant quest to poke fun at athletes’ most vulnerable moments is nothing new. Michael Jordan’s pro baseball run had its jokes. We forget that he made the move to baseball to cope with his dad’s murder during the prime of MJ’s NBA career. Allen Iverson’s practice rant still appears on ESPN from time to time, but everyone forgets the part where he mentions grieving the loss of his best friend.

The difference is that now fans have direct contact with athletes 24/7, via Twitter and Instagram. Everyone can chime in with their own meme or commentary about something that has nothing at all to do with them. I understand the logic that, “This is what millionaire athletes signed up for.” However, no matter what job you have, at some point you clock out. Ironically, we often don’t allow our superstar athletes to do the same.

It’s incredible how much we track every move of anyone associated with celebrity. It is so overbearing that Kevin Durant and Bryan Colangelo’s wife both felt the need to have fake Twitter accounts, and we called them insane. What’s insane is that so many of us tuned in for every single minute of it.

Is $258,000 a month a lot to pay for child support? Yes, very few of us understand what it’s like having any monthly expense of that magnitude. When your Twitter timeline is done making jokes at the expense of Blake Griffin, he’s still going to have to deal with real life. That’s something that everyone understands. Why so many people refuse to respect that remains perplexing.

In LeBron’s upcoming HBO series, “The Shop,” the future Hall of Famer reveals, “I still regret giving my 14-year-old my name.” The three-time NBA champion is clearly being hard on himself. Sure, the Jr. suffix comes with great responsibility for his first born. But is that pressure insurmountable?

LeBron James Jr. isn’t the first athlete named after his father to attempt to fill illustrious shoes. Cal Ripken Jr.’s dad spent 36 years as a part of the Orioles organization, Ken Griffey Jr. played in the outfield alongside his father. New York Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. dealt with the same adversity coming into the NBA.

Still, the expectations set for LeBron James Jr. are unheralded. After all, his dad is arguably the greatest basketball player to ever live. Thanks to the social media era, footage of Bronny’s games as an eighth grader have gone viral. His visits to potential high schools were used to guess where his dad would suit up. Even popular video games, a safe haven for teenagers to decompress, are speculating on what an NBA future looks like for this 14-year-old.

Shady00018 on Twitter

Bronny Jr. x LeBron James mixtape https://t.co/PvrYVdCw1C

LeBron laments over his decision to name his son after him, and he admits to sweaty palms when watching Bronny play. But what he fails to realize is that the genetic gifts that he’s passed on to his son go far beyond a physical frame built for success on the basketball court.

King James was calm, cool and collected when he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated at just 16 years old. He kept his composure when Allen Iverson showed up at his game at the Palestra in Philadelphia. The drama about the Escalade in his mother’s name was taken in stride. LeBron James Jr. is cut from the same cloth, refusing to let any of the praise or ridicule affect his approach. I don’t know of any other 14-year-old who plays basketball with people chanting, “Overrated’ in the background.

LeBron has done a great job of putting his son around the right people. I’m not just talking about the NBA stars like Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony who serve as uncles to the budding basketball player. But he’s also surrounded by kids his own age who understand what he’s going through. The James family recently flew to Los Vegas to watch 16-year-old Zaire Wade play in a tournament. Shaq’s 18-year-old son, Shareef O’Neal, a big brother of sorts to LeBron Jr. The future UCLA basketball star understands what Bronny is going through. His recent Instagram post provided so much perspective.

As hard as LeBron is being on himself, I’m sure that he understands that he’s done a great job, putting his son in a position to succeed. Perhaps his recent revelation of regret stems from nervousness. The James family is moving to the media capital of the world. There are countless tales of how Hollywood has mistreated and taken advantage of its child stars. Still, Kobe Bryant is a phone call away to discuss that fear. If anyone knows what it’s like to be a teenage basketball phenom in L.A., it’s Kobe.

LeBron is simply doing what all great parents do. It’s his job to worry about his son and what his future will look like. His stature doesn’t rid him of the concerns of wanting his children to be both successful and happy. The obsession that the basketball world has with LeBron Jr. doesn’t make it any easier. But as we’ve seen with King James since he exploded on the seen as a teenager himself, his son is handling the pressure better than anyone could ever expect.

Jay-Z once shared how it is impossible to dissect an entire album in just a few listens. In the early days of hip-hop, music editors would digest an album months in advance of its release to formulate an opinion. The thoughts and opinions that I have formulated about his music in this article have been culminating since the day that I really listened to Jay-Z for the first time.

It was the summer of 2004, and I had just graduated from high school. A group of us were riding around in my friend’s truck listening to a playlist that we affectionately called “№3” because of its permanent position in the CD changer of his Honda Ridgeline. This playlist would become the theme music to my early adult years.

Of course I was very familiar with Shawn Carter before this day. I could recite whole albums word for word, and my list of favorite tracks continued to grow with every release. But this one particular ride, I was introduced to the second layer of being a fan. “Feelin It” from his first album, Reasonable Doubt, blared through the Bose speakers. That was the moment that I went from loving the lyrics to analyzing how they apply to my own life. Here are three valuable lessons I’ve learned from Jay-Z over the years.

You Have to Say Things More Than Once for People to Get It

Sometimes Hov drops jewels and we don’t even recognized it. On the recent track titled “713”, featuring Beyonce, Jay admits that he brought a friend along on their first date. “Nobu on the plate / I brought my dude to play it cool, my first foolish mistake.”

As appreciative as everyone was at the quick glimpse into their early dating stage, Jay-Z had spilled those beans in 2002 on the smash hit, “Excuse Me Miss.”

“She sees more than the Benz wagon, the friends taggin’ along
With a flashy ni**a bragging on the song.”

We were too caught up in Pharrell’s melodic hook to catch Hov divulging personal info.

Everything Doesn’t Require an Immediate Response

It’s impossible to forget the heated battle between Nas and Jay-Z. The two rap legends went head-to-head with clever lyrics filled with disparaging remarks. On the dis track “Ether,” Nas posed the question, “What you think you getting girls now ’cause of your looks?” Jay-Z’s subtle, humble response to the question would come 16 years later on the song “Family Feud.”

“Aint no such thing as an ugly billionaire I’m cute.” Seeing as though Jay wasn’t at billionaire status at the time of Nas’ diss, a response in the moment may have fallen on deaf ears. Instead, Jay managed to make sure that his message was heard loud and clear with a net worth to back it up.

When People Aren’t Upfront, You Have the Right to Voice Your Disapproval

Remember the infamous rant from Shawn Carter’s former business partner, Dame Dash? I know what you’re thinking. Which rant?

Everyone thought Dame was using his boisterous personality to hold on to his piece of the Roc-a-Fella empire. But the real message that often gets lost in the noise is to be honest about your intentions. During his outburst, Dame is advised that he was sent an email about the meeting. He emphatically responds, “What do I look like checking e-mails at this stage of my life.” Keep in mind, this was a different time that included two-way pagers and internet access via cell phone moved at a snail’s pace, if it all.

Ironically, Jay-Z is having the same argument with the Mayor of Philadelphia almost two decades later. While Jigga is surprised by the city’s decision to remove the annual Made in American Festival from the Ben Franklin Parkway, Mayor Kenney insists that the information was relayed via the city’s RFP for the 2018 festival. With Blu Ivy, a set of twins, a new album with his wife and a multitude of high-level business ventures, what does Jay-Z look like reading this RFP in its entirety? Clear communication, no matter how uncomfortable it may be, is necessary. Jay-Z has every right to voice his disproval with how the Mayor has decided to conduct business.

Maybe I should be giving Dame credit for this lesson, but let’s be honest. The entire argument stemmed over him losing control of the Jay-Z brand. Advantage Jigga.

I’m not saying that Jay-Z is the Dalai Lama. Our unofficial life coach still contradicts his own teachings from time to time. For example, on one hand he’s saying “New ni**as is the reason I stopped drinking Dos Equis.” But then he is the face of Budweiser’s appeal to African-Americans as if Lou Rawls didn’t hold the spot before him.

But as he’s done throughout his career, Jay-Z will let us know his reasoning when he feels the time is right. In the meantime, the pontificating that we all do allows us to reflect and grow at our own pace.

Thanks Hov,

John W. Butler III