Muhammad Ali: Great Man, Even Greater Cause

Where ever you are right now, sit back and close your eyes. I want you to think of a hobby or talent you are very good at. You are professional at doing whatever that hobby/talent is and you’re the best at what you do. As a human you evolve and find a religion that prohibits you from fighting in a controversial foreign war. Your government strips away all your accolades and imprisons you. Now imagine overcoming all odds and returning to being the GOAT of your industry. Wouldn’t you be a cocky/confident person when interviewed by the media about your life’s trials and tribulations?  Now think of a sports hero, who resembles this scenario. You guessed it, Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest athletes to grace this earth with his self-awareness, charisma, hard work and dedication. Growing up in the era when boxing was on the decline, I only knew of Ali as being a great boxer. After searching YouTube for videos about Ali, I was enlightened to know he was much more impactful after his fall from the top. He became more self-conscious and transformed into a figure that his people can aspire to emulate. He was quoted saying "A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” Everyone should grow and gain new perspectives throughout life; this will keep you from becoming stagnated. During his interviews he spoke about life, religion and racism.

Ali never was the type of person to hold his tongue on topics he may have the unpopular opinion about.  As we all know he followed the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. In those times it was referred to as the black mans religion.  He became a minister of the Nation that turned him into a more polished man. Ali believed his journey of life was bigger than him; he went through situations to better his life and the lives of black Americans.

I have gained a great amount of appreciation for Muhammad Ali. His death caused me to learn more about him besides the athletic accomplishments he achieved. He showed me that you could be confident in your greatness especially if you prepare enough to have great results. Most people felt he was a cocky asshole that hated all whites. In my eyes, the Nation taught him the truth behind racism using the reality for black Americans as the examples to justify it.

Ali speaks: "Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."

Muhammad Ali has laid the foundation for athletes of all racists throughout the world. You can be a great professional athlete while following your ambitions.  He was able to hold intelligent conversations with the media, while voicing his beliefs whether he offended people or not. He stood behind his beliefs and the will to better the lives of generations to come.

Steph Curry Edition

          Had to dedicate this post to Stephen Curry. That’s how he good he was last night when he had the NBA community and all of twitter talking about him. After missing a part of the game with a tweaked ankle & Golden State down 12 points in the fourth quarter against OKC, Steph pulled his team back into the game & won it in overtime with a 3-pointer from 32 feet out. He ended up finishing with 46 points, including 12-16 from 3-point range, 3 rebounds, 6 assists & 2 steals.

At this point, what Curry is doing right now, nobody else in the history of this game has done. When we think about the greatest 3-point shooters, we think about Ray Allen & Reggie Miller. But I don’t think either of them can touch Stephen Curry. I’ve been debating it in my head but this season has showed me Curry is the best shooter we’ve ever seen & the best player in the game today. I just finished watching him bury the Heat on Wednesday with 42 points. He then comes back the next day and puts up 51 points in Orlando, with 30 of those coming from 3-point range. And Saturday night, with his team down for most of the game, he goes hammertime with 46 points and 12 3’s. Since coming back from the All-Star break, he’s averaging 38 points a game. The numbers are amazing in their own right, but watching this man pull up from anywhere inside half court and drain a 3 with ease is amazing. Even beyond half court, his range is lethal. That’s the thing that separates him from other 3-point shooters. Others can only shoot 3’s consistently at center court, in the wing or corner, off the pass, off the dribble, or walk into their 3 with a pullup. Steph, on the other hand, can create his own shot & score from an assist, after pulling a crossover between 2 opponents, pullup after dribbling the ball in from back court, step back or fadeaway, while at the same time, shooting at high percentage from anywhere on the court.

Curry Game Winner

Going back to the game last night, Curry hit many accomplishments. Not only did he break his own record for most 3’s in a season with 24 games still left to play, he also tied the record for most 3’s in a single game with 12. He’s the first player in NBA history to score 10 3-point field goals in back-to-back games and is in the midst of a 3 game streak of scoring 40 or more points. Last but not least, he scored the game winning shot from just inside half court to give Golden State the game over OKC, 121-118. Crazy. The Warriors are now 53-5 and must (will?) go 20-4 in the next 24 games to beat the 72-10 record held by the 95-96 Bulls.