The Kobe Bryant Suspension Watch

True Hoop by Henry Abbott

My first thought: Show the video to a panel of NBA bruisers (right this way Mr. Maxiell, Mr. Mutombo, and Mr. Mahorn) and they will laugh. No way a superstar would be suspended from a playoff game for using a little extra zeal in evacuating himself from a Ron Artest armpit clamp.

That's life in the paint! That kind of elbow gets thrown in the NBA. I don't know if it's right, or fair, but I do know I have seen it happen far more than I have seen suspensions.

For that reason alone, I can't fight the feeling that one way or another, Bryant will play.

But there are competing realities.

Now whether or not Bryant will be suspended is wholly in the hands of the league office, where things sometimes happen with their own magical logic. (Rajon Rondo's game-changing blow to Brad Miller's face was not flagrant, you see, because he did not "wind up.") Much of the NBA rulebook, when it comes to rough play, is written in such a way that it can be interpreted essentially however the NBA wants.

There are a few exceptions, however. Some rules are clear and ironclad.

Phoenix fans will tell you about that leaving the bench thing. And Dwight Howard will tell you that elbows that connect above the shoulders are met with suspensions.

And as hard-and-fast rules go, that last one strikes me as one of the easiest to appreciate. Anyone piping up for high elbows? In my pickup game, all kinds of contact are considered part of the game. But an elbow to the head, or close -- everyone knows that's crossing a line. It may be something that happens in some basketball games, but not part of basketball.

To me the question in this Bryant case is: Was this an elbow above the shoulders?

Distressing that, even though there must have been three dozen still and video cameras combined at the end of the floor where the play actually happened (Stop the video at the moment of impact -- a fan in the stands has a flash going off at that precise instant. I want to see that photo!) we are left to read the tea leaves from behind.

My best guess, from looking at the video and freeze frames of it, is that Bryant did not get Artest above the shoulders. But if I were Stu Jackson, I wouldn't rule until I found the good image of this play from the other side ... which simply must exist somewhere.

Either Kobe Bryant elbowed Ron Artest in the throat, or he elbowed him in the chest. If it was the chest, then of course he can and should suit up for Game 3 in Houston on Friday. If it was the throat, he must sit.

Is that how the League will act? You never can tell.

UPDATE: ESPN's Chris Sheridan has seen the reverse-angle footage that doesn't seem to be online, and writes:

On the Bryant-Artest play, the two were battling for rebounding position when Bryant struck Artest with his elbow. Artest immediately began gesturing and arguing that he had been elbowed in the neck, but replays appeared to show Bryant's elbow striking Artest on his upper chest, just above the "R" on Artest's Rockets jersey.

While he may be assigned a retroactive flagrant or somesuch -- he did throw an elbow -- I'm now thinking that there is zero chance Kobe Bryant will be suspended for Game 3.

What in the Good and the Hell Well Happened to Janelle Monae

Janelle Monáe is an artist I have a lot of affection for cause like me, she purports to be an alien from outer space. In fact, we may not share the same home planet as much as a solar system or maybe say galaxy. Anyhow, I have seen Ms. Monáe peform all aournd this city.....particularly the Temple Bar in Santa Monica and I think Little Temple on Santa Monica Blvd. Her music is a fusion of old school flair and new school gusto so imagine my excitement when Ms. Monáe hit the big time.

Take note of this passage from her bio

Monáe originally planned on releasing "Metropolis" in four separate parts, or "suites". The first "suite" of Metropolis, titled "The Chase" was released in August of 2007 via her label, the Wondaland Arts Society. The first single from Suite I of Metropolis, "Violet Stars Happy Hunting" has since become an internet sensation and is an underground hit.

The album was initially only available via her website and live performances, as well as iTunes and other mp3 download sites. In late 2007, Janelle Monáe signed with Sean "Diddy" Combs' label, Bad Boy Records, who have since re-releasaed "Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)" on August 12th, 2008. The "Many Moons" video premiered on BET's 106 and Park on September 25, 2008. The song was recently nominated for a Grammy Award in the urban/alternative category. Monáe planned on releasing a full length album in January 2009, though the record has not yet seen a release.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to get it....Bad Boy = Fail = her full length album will never see the light of day. I mean how clever of it on the part of Diddy to rerelease her pre-existing album and collect a huge chunk of the publishing (from all 10 people who even knew it was re-released). In fact, the minute I heard Ms. Monáe had signed with bad boy I just nodded my head and did a silent requiem for a career that could have been, but will never be under Diddy.

I posted the video below because I sincerely believe that this is Janelle Monáe's cry for help.



This video was taken from a performance of Ms. Monáe's at Skybar in Hollywood and after watching it....I keep wondering if Diddy pumped her head up with the "You've got to be hungry" speech and then gave here a bump cause she spazzes out from jump and then at around the 3:30 mark she starts to have an epileptic seizure and then jumps in the pool to cool off and then proceeds to climb a tree. Yeah, we get it....we know the signs. The Following artists exhibited the same symptoms

Danit Kane
Faith Evans
Lil Kim
112
Shyne
The Lox
Craig Mac
Total
Loon
Black Rob
G Dep
Elephant Man
Mase
Carl Thomas
Marc Curry
Ness
Cheri Dennis
Mario Winans

And I'm sure there are many more I haven't listed here. All walked into the Bad Boy offices with big dreams and out through the service entry in the back alley with a pink slips and a coke addiction. Many have tried to have a career post Bad Boy, but only few have prevailed. Diddy is pure artist poison. Hopefully in the case of Ms. Monáe talent will prevail, but not if Diddy has anything to do with it. Please check in with me as you dissappear into obscurity...please

Not Easily Broken

"Not Easily Broken" is going to be my new mantra.....its really the first thing I should shout to the universe when I wake up because I find that the phrase to be empowering when I feel most down, enlightening when I feel most lost. forgive me, I really struggled not to get so personal on Sanspiracy until I realized that I don't really feel like I have anyone to talk about such things (or anyone I perceive who would listen and understand from experience) so surprise surprise when an impromptu trip to Blockbuster with the Mrs. led to a half hearted rental in "Not Easily Broken" which ended up being a movie that both revived my love for cinema and deeply touch my spirit with its keen introspect on humanity and relationships.

Not Easily Broken is a story that centers around a married couple, Dave Johnson and Clarice Clark, and the societal pressures that threatened to tear their bond apart. However, it can also be viewed as a thesis in how not to abandon yourself in times of controversy and strife. Really, the movie touches on so many issues such as fatherhood, manhood, what it means to be a good father and a good man, fidelity, trust, patience, understanding, that it sort of plays like a visual marker to some of the thoughts and ideas presented on this blog. Needless to say that it was the first time that I actually saw myself presented on screen through film and it couldn't have come at a more apt time.

I guess my mind has been going through some things for a while now, because I feel that my world is always changing. That is not really in my control, that whenever i get my footing.....some other bullshit gets thrown my way that totally throws me for a loop. I get deathly tired of jumping through hoops and being the "understanding one" And like Dave Johnson's character....I usually resort to humbleness and my inner strength or search for some type of understanding to get me through and out. However, being human, this gets very difficult at times and I either shut down, completely closing myself off from the world, or I lash out. In the case of "Not Easily Broken" Dave escapes into a world of music (haha......I really should sue) when he feels like his hands are tied and he has becomes a spectator to his life. That I definitely understand.

But Dave, like myself is not easily broken so he pushes on and preservers. I was so touched by this film and how honestly it portrayed real life, that I went out and bought the DVD, then watched "the making of" which was even more fascinating in that T.D. Jakes describes how we as humans are not taught how to survive anymore. And really live. That we are so quick to give up and thrown in the towel, that we don't understand what message this is sending to future generations and most importantly the fears it reveals about ourselves. Bill Duke, the film director, made an excellent observation when he said that men carry the sword and slay the dragon (or are supposed to) but find difficulty in expressing our vulnerability (how tired we become of this ritual and our fears and doubts) to each other and especially our significant others. I remember years ago being told "Never let them see you sweat" - this is one of my mantras that has probably worked to my benefit and detriment in that because of this I always have my poker face on. Because of this, its impossible for me to show my vulnerability...and admittedly...sometimes this threatens to eat me alive and swallow me whole.

Cryptically, all this gets exposed in my blog entries, but what "Not Easly Broken" conveyed to me was the fact that I am not as alien as I would like to believe. That there are other men, maybe not in real life, but def on film (haha), that walk this walk and strive to be the best men they can be without having to gallivant or grandstand the point to death. We are who we are because we require it of ourselves, not because the world requires it of us. In fact, the world doesn't even require it from us, which makes this motivation to be all the more groundbreaking.

We get dumped on, we are used as punching bags, but we are still standing. We get lonely, and sometimes we feel that there is no one really who takes care of us. but the tide comes around and every feeling and mindset is only for a season. Sometimes its all a test...a test I get deathly sick of taking....but I know I will prevail the better man for doing so.

"So sometimes life turns you upside down so that you can live it right side up." This is, amongst many, one of the lines in the film that I walked away repeating in my head for I understood that a clear message was being sent my way. That sometimes you have to give up control in order to receive your blessing. That sometimes this relinquishing of control is all a part of cleansing. And that in order to get through it a new being, you must walk through the flames. Right now, I just feel like I'm tired of it all....or just tired in general of being rational. But God instilled in me the spirit of resilience and lets me know all the time that I need to just breath, take it easy, take it all in and trust in him. For he wouldn't have made me the way I am if he thought I would or could break so easily.

De La Soul and Nike Get their Colabo On!!!

"De La Soul - Are You In?" [Produced by De La Soul]
==> Download Links <==

Too lazy to make your own personal workout tape? No worries. Hip-hop legends De La Soul have got you covered with Are You In?: Nike + Original Run, a 45-minute musical medley designed specifically for avid runners (and regular Joes) looking for that perfect soundtrack for their daily jog. The latest volume in the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, the album dropped on April 28th. On the eve of the album's release, StreetLevel caught up with De La frontman Posdnuos to get a few choice moments where he's had to lace up his kicks and run for it. Video Below.

New Music Spotlight: Marsha Ambrosius Mixtape

"Marsha Ambrosius - Yours Truly Mixtape (No Don Cannon)" [Compiled by Don Cannon, Produced by FOCUS]
==> Download Link <==

One half of the legendary group "Floetry" which released the classic album "Floetic" in 2002. Marsha Ambrosius has since embarked on a solo career and been featured on several songs including Syles P's "I'm Black"; The Game's "Start from Scratch" and "Why You Hate The Game" (also featuring Nas) Busta Rhymes' "Get You Some" and "Cocaina"; Nas' "Hustlers" (also featuring The Game); and Hi-Tek's"Music for Life". Signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records, Ambrosius is due to release a solo record sometime in the near future. If you can't wait, like me, then here is her Mixtape released in February to hold you over.

"I have waited a long time for this, so the last thing I want to do after waiting all these years, is to rush the album and be disappointed. I am aiming to release the album this summer. I am focusing on making this a classic album, that will stay relevant across time. I have been doing some stuff with Scott Storch, Dre & Vidal, Cool and Dre... I'm a music maker, I love to create so I'm reaching for the best out of different situations. The creative relationship between Dre, the Aftermath in-house production team and myself has become so strong that it may not be necessary to use any other producers. But why not?! If I gotta call Just Blaze, Neptunes, Kanye, whoever, I just want the music to be right".

Marsha Ambrosius

Amazing New Slum Village!!!!

"Cloud 9 Featuring Marsha Ambrosius" [Produced by FOCUS, Exec Producer Young RJ off their upcoming album]
==> LISTEN/DL <==

Quincy Brown "A Letter To My Father"

So I felt it was necessary to post "A Letter to My Father" to point out that often times there are those that step up to take the place of those that haven't. For those that didn't know, Quincy Brown's stepfather is none other than Diddy. Although I may not like Diddy's egregious self promotion tactics, I have to respect the fact that he is there for his family and is a prime example of how blood is not what necessarily binds you. Quincy credits Diddy a lot for his involvement in his life and that just goes to show how ever kid needs a positive male role model in their lives.

A Letter To My Father

I’ve been inspired throughout my life by special circumstances and unique experiences. Foremost, I grew up with a family that injected me with unconditional love and enduring confidence. This is my foundation … the family holidays and celebrations with my maternal lineage … supportive smiles in audiences at school programs … guiding hands to complete homework and special projects in the wee hours of the morning.

However, I grew up without my father, an irreplaceable force and influence that was absent in my life. I watched other kids enjoy the embrace of theirs, and I searched for a way to reconcile the meaning of my circumstance.

Despite my pain, I’ve imagined a life as a good son with my father. Baseball … Playing in School Band … Church … All of the things that he would expect his son to do, I’ve done. I’ve stood in front of audiences to receive awards. I heard their applause and praise. But, the accolades have been absent the sound of his clapping hands and encouraging words … his voice that I could distinguish in my sleep. Where has he been?

Now, I reflect on the journey, the pain, the challenges, and the triumphs through this song. I’m reconciled as a man, no longer a boy, in verse. Now, I know that I’m not alone.

Albert Brown, also known as “Al B Sure!” is my biological father, but Sean Combs, also known as “Diddy” has been a father figure in my life for as long as I can remember. Sean Combs is the person whom I look up to and appreciate as a father. He is the one who help mold me into the person I am today and will always try to live up to his expectations. He has always been supportive of me and I will forever love and respect him. As far as my biological father goes, the “spitting image” is all I have taken from him. Throughout my life, I’ve always wondered about him; Where he was? What was he doing? and most importantly, Was he even thinking about me? The absence of my father has given me a better understanding of what type of man I am going to be. I am grateful for my mom’s love, support, guidance, and for her strength.

To those who share my plight, know that you have a great future … a DESTINY. Take the lemons that you are handed and make lemonade. Your journey is in “A Letter To My Father.”

- Quincy “iQ” Brown