Remembering Dr. Jack Ramsay

With all the talk about The Clippers and Donald Sterling what has been lost is remembering the legacy of coach and broadcaster Dr. Jack Ramsay.

Meeting Dr. Jack was something I wanted to do for two very selfish reasons.

Number One-Out of all the basket ball commenters I have ever heard, there were precious few as good as Dr. Jack.

He could break down a play in a way that thrilled me as a hardcore hoops fan and educated me as a ball player.

As someone who sits in front of a mic. I just wanted to thank Dr. Jack, treat him to lunch and then ask him all the questions I have about becoming a better on air journalist.

Number Two-Dr. Jack's Basket Ball IQ was amongst the best I ever heard discuss the game.
Again he talked about basket ball, plays, players, defenses, offenses, policy and people...in a way that was warm and invited. I pictured being at the games with Dr. Jack and him talking directly to me about what was happening in time outs and why certain plays worked and why other plays broke down.
Listening to Dr. Jack call a game, I felt like we were both at the game and he would be bumping me and just showing me all the little things that only someone with his knowledge of the game and the broadcast booth could know. I was always excited to turn on ESPN radio and hear that he was doing the game.

I wish I had the words or the insight to do justice to his memory right now...
What I can say is that listening to a basket ball game will never be the same again.

From Dr. Jack's Wiki Page-
John Travilla "Jack" Ramsay (February 21, 1925 – April 28, 2014) was an American basketball coach, commonly known as "Dr. Jack" (as he held an earned doctorate, see below). He was best known for coaching the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA Title, and for his broadcasting work with the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat, and for ESPN TV and ESPN Radio. Ramsay was among the most respected coaches in NBA history^[2] and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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ESPN's Mike and Mike, Bomani Jones, Dan Le Batard and Jemele Hill Getting it right on The Donald Sterling Issue.

So many layers to this Donald Sterling/NBA story. Well I reemed Mike and Mike when I thought they were wrong.
I think the reporting of Mike and Mike the last two days forced Adam Silver to Ban, Donald Sterling as much as anything.
Props to Jemele Hill for hitting the nail on the head.
As long as Donald Sterling was hurting poor Black and Latino people. His actions were of no concern to The NBA. He merely insults Magic Johnson and the NBA is in danger of loosing money...now Donald Sterling is the devil.
No there are a lot of devils on this one.
Sterling is just the one being forced to wear the mustache and horns.

Shout out To Bomani Jones and Dan Le Batard

for getting the story right from the get go.

 

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The Clippers Blues: Words By Raymond Tyler

Less than 72 hours since recorded conversations of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling have been released and I have A Sterling Hangover and Clipper Blues.

Why?

Well I am ashamed to say, that most of the black people I know willing to speak about the situation feel that as long as your getting paid it's okay to be made fool of as long as your Black.

These same Black people will not tolerate gay slurs, but Black slurs are okay as long as they get some money out of the deal.

I am truly ashamed by this thought process but this is America.

I do not have to interact with these people and they do not have interact with me.

I have tired of the boycott discussion mainly because a number of white people have said that this moment in time is bigger than a game including former coach Jeff Van Gundy. So Black people have said I'm crazy for believing The Clippers players could have followed in the giants steps of Bill Russell, Jim Brown, and other Black Athletes that have set them up to be millionaires.

Still in the middle of my Sterling hangover and my Clippers Blues I would like to make a few points.

1. Like It Or Not Sterling Said What Was In His Heart.

White men have been able to sleep around with Black women when ever they wanted with out repercussion for more than a century. The unwritten law however, is the white guy does not want his Black woman to have a lot of contact with other Black men.

In fact white guys in general do not want any woman they care about to be too friendly with black men I have found in my own experience. So when Donald Sterling said it wasn't a good look for his girl friend to be on instagram with Magic Johnson...it's not that amazing. I have heard it from plenty of white guys that do not own NBA teams.

Now when he said he didn't want her to bring Black people to the game? That's the part that kind of set me off.

2. Like It or not The NBA is as close to a slave league as you can get.
In my opinion David Stern has backed several policies that targeted Black Players any way.
My respect for most NBA players has decreased steadily since the dress code and age requirements were in acted to directly address BLACK PLAYERS with out using the words "black players."

3.Like It Not Donald Sterling SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO SELL HIS TEAM.
Would I play for Donald Sterling...? NOPE
However, this is America and he has the right to say anything he wants about Blacks and Mexicans.
Sterling has the right to hate anyone he wants.
Raymond Tyler will defend his rights to do so.
Here's the problem.
If you run off Sterling for hating Blacks, can you run out another owner for not liking America, for being a Muslim, for any personal bias he/she may have?
Theoretically not in America.

In America , Donald Sterling has the right to hate and speak racially biased against any one he likes as long as he does not physically harm them.

Anytime we put a tax on free speech be it: public, private, pretty, or ugly....we are all coming close to a very steep ledge.

SOLUTIONS: A friend of mine named Harve Nichols, I believe came up with the best solution.
Let's use this as a reason to examine opportunities in The Clippers organization and The NBA for minorities that do not play ball. And where there should be more Blacks, Women, ECT. let's make sure they are given the chance. Likewise, lets look at opportunities for minority businesses to work with The Clippers/NBA and where that needs to be fixed, fix that.

In the mean time we will be discussing these issues and more live on Saturday May 3rd at 7pm.

The discussion can be heard via Ustream at

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-from-little-wac-saturday-night

 

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Remembering DJ E-Z Rock , Rodney "Skip" Bryce

It was reported earlier this evening (Sunday April 27th) that DJ EZ Rock pictured on the left with Robe Base passed away today.
EZ Rock was born Rodney "Skip" Bryce.

EZ Rock was the DJ featured on the hit 1980's hit records It Takes Two and Joy and Pain with Rob Base.

His death has been reported by Complex Magazine, Biz Markie and Robe Base.

No word yet on the details of Bryce's passing but The Light will update you as info becomes available.

 

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An Open Letter To Glenn Doc Rivers

Recently LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling was recorded making very bigoted and negative racial remarks.

This was not Sterling's first time making very classless remarks about people based on race and color.

Sterling is who he is.

I am penning this letter to express my feelings toward Glenn Doc Rivers The Clippers coach.
Rivers represents grown and season Black men, or at least he should.

It is my position that if he takes the floor as Coach of The Clippers moving forward?

Then Rivers for me will move himself from being a man I have long been proud of to one that I will be ashamed of. Likewise, he will become the latest example that I will use of what is killing Black Men in America.

Dear Doc Rivers,

I have followed your career since Atlanta. I have always been proud of you as man. As a black man.Over the years the examples of proud, respectable, Black men to the world have been few.
Infact, in basket ball there are few names I respect off the court other than Bill Russell, Mutumbo and a few others.

I am writing because of the owner of The Clippers. As frank as I can put this.


PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING!

PLEASE DO NOT COACH ANOTHER GAME UNTIL WE GET THIS RIGHT!

I am God awful tired of trying to explain to young people that we DO NOT have to do every damn thing for a dollar.

You and the members of the Clippers are millionaires already.

This is your CHANCE to show the world what GREAT BLACK MEN DO when confronted with hard choices.

If you guys take the court.

I cannot and will not be able to look at your team with RESPECT ANYMORE.

I will be very ashamed of you and the fact that at one time I held you in such esteem.

Is it fair that I am willing to be so hard lined and abandon the good will that I banked on your image over the years over this issue? Maybe...maybe not. However unfair, we know what kind of man Donald Sterling is. The question is what kind of men will you and the rest of The Clippers be remembered as?

Will you go down in history as a group of men that stood up, sacrificed for a better world for all of us?

I look to Glenn Doc Rivers to impress on the players he coaches the importance of this moment. I dare say some of your players may not understand, that this will be a moment in time that will cement how you are thought of one way or the other forever.

Or will you be counted as another bunch of athletes that were selfish and sacrificed your people in pursuit of ore fame, and more wealth.

Thank You.

Raymond Tyler

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Win Free Tickets To See The New Film The Legend Of Oz with Star Leonard Dozier

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS OF YOUTH OF ATLANTIC COUNTY! Submit your winning essay to join Leonard to watch the movie "Legends of Oz" on opening night May 9th. Winning essays get a ticket to see the movie along with popcorn/drink.

Two categories: 9 to 12 years old and 13 to 16 years old open to students of any Atlantic County city or town. Only accepting first 50 essays, 25 in each category (essays of students of Pleasantville, Leonard's hometown, will be accepted until the deadline regardless of whether cap has been met) Deadline is Tuesday, May 6th.

Essay should be 250 words or less. The topic is "If Oz Really Existed, What Would You Ask For and Why?" Essays should be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF file and sent to leonard@leonarddozier.com. Essays should contain cover page with student's name, age, town of residence and parent or guardian's phone number or e-mail address. Winners will be notified via phone or e-mail address on Wednesday, May 7th. If winner does not confirm their attendance at the movie theater designated (by noon on Thursday, May 8th) or is unable to attend, the runner up winner will be notified

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REPRESENT The ILL words By Raymond Tyler

Nas and The website Mass Appeal is joining the world in celebrating The 20th Anniversary of the class hip hop lp ILLMATIC.

20 years ago the hip hop world was not only buzzing but demanded that the streets , the radio, video outlets, and clubs make way for the artist formerly known as NASTY NAS.

With joints like the classic rough and ready HALF TIME, Nas had become a legend on the mic.

With the announcement of the release of ILLMATIC , Nas came to the mic to say he was here, he was going to be heard, and he would be to hip hop what a TSUNAMI is to the forces of Nature.

20 years later both Nas and Illmatic (the complete CD) has surpassed what we thought they would be 20 years ago before they took center stage.

Now Nas and Mass Appeal want to see the hottest film makers interpret ILLMATIC.

If you are a filmaker? This could be your chance to create a true classic that we will be blogging about 20 years from now.



Here's your the link for more info

http://massappeal.com/represent-illmatic-video-contest/

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The 2014 Arts and Authors Extravaganza with Kim Ross

http://massappeal.com/represent-illmatic-video-contest/