SIKE

Anybody that follows basketball is aware that 2010 is a big year. Especially here in NY, where we are anticipating the arrival of a marquee free agent the likes of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitski, Michael Redd and others. Really though, there is one player that everybody is focused on. LEBRON “KING” JAMES!!! Oh to imagine him putting it down in the big apple on a regular basis. For now it is a dream, but is the reality slipping further away? Possibly. ESPN has reported that Lebron James would consider playing in Europe if he is not satisfied with the contracts offered to him in the NBA. This has alot of red flags to it. First, the speculation of players going overseas to play has grown due to the age limit restriction employed by the NBA for high school athletes. Essentially, high school seniors must play one year of college basketball or turn 19 years of age until they are eligible to enter the NBA draft. This hurts the college game because coaches are recruiting players for one year. The colleges are not victims at all. Example, O.J. Mayo, a lottery draft pick this year was recruited in middle school and made a verbal commitment to play at USC in the 8th grade!! The trend for this year’s crop of incoming freshman, some of which are not academically qualified for admittance into a Division 1 school, are considering playing a year overseas until they are of age to enter the NBA draft. One example being, Brandon Jennings, the top point basketball recruit for 2009. He committed to Arizona, but did not qualify academically. Instead, he has signed a contract with the Italian Pro League. The same league, Danilo Gallinardi, the #1 draft pick of our NY Knicks, played in. It is also speculated that the top player in NYC, Lance Stephenson (Lincoln High), would follow Jennings to Europe (or enter the Army????), it is widely known that he may not qualify academically for college. These moves would have little impact on the NBA because ultimately these high school players want to make it back to the NBA.

Now, Lebron James going to play in Europe, that is serious business. Isn’t that what it’s about in the end. Lebron James is a business. The same way Michael Jordan was/is. Michael Jordan is the most recognizable athlete in the world!! The latest is that Lebron James wants in excess of $50 million a year from whatever NBA team makes an offer. A side note, Michael Jordan was paid $33 million for the 1997-98 season. Realistically, that is not possible, due to the salary cap that is imposed by the NBA. On the other hand, in Europe there is no salary cap. If some owner of a European Basketball League wants Lebron James, he can and will pay $50 million or more per year. The kicker in that, is that in the NBA, the Cavs, in this case, have the opportunity to match any offer given by another NBA team, but not to a European team.
One player that recently left the NBA to play overseas is Josh Childress, the former Atlanta Hawks player. He signed a contract of $30 million dollars (tax free) for 3 years with the Greek team Olympiacos. Josh Childress will not be a superstar player in the NBA. The NBA does have many foreign transports that could just as likely go back to Europe and make more money. Basketball is growing everywhere but in the USA. Count the amount of foreign starters compared to 10 years ago and you can say the game has changed. I say this now, but if, the USA does not win gold in the upcoming Olympics, expect to see the power of the NBA shift toward Europe.

My feeling is this. Lebron James wants to be a global icon and a successful businessman. It would put his face everywhere. Taking his game overseas will create such a draw to Europe and the world that other big time players will want to go where the money and the competition is. He could single handedly bring the NBA with him. Essentially, a good outcome could be a global league where the NBA creates a mega league spanning the globe bringing the best from all over the world to play together. A bad outcome is the NBA collapsing under the loss of talent. I will throw in one last thing, with the big betting/referee scandal still under investigation and the one referee given only 15 months in jail for what he did, I have to believe that he gave up alot of information to the feds which could impact the entire NBA. Fan confidence in the NBA is clearly down. What will happen if we find out that many games had been fixed. Will we still want to watch? Is this in the back of Lebron’s head, only he will know. He should consider this. One thing for sure, no matter how ugly those LBJ shoes are, keep them on ice, in a few years they could be gold.

My free time seems to have dwindled, so I am hitting the world with a few updates at once. Last week, I did something I never thought I would do!!
That’s right I jumped out of a completely good airplane for no reason at all. I went skydiving at Blue Sky Ranch in Gardiner, NY. This is definitely one for the Bucket List!!! There is no feeling in the world like being 13, 500 feet in the air, standing on the edge of a plane looking out into clouds, and just falling into thin air!! Unfortunately, I do not have any air photos because I paid for video guy, but when I landed they informed me they forgot to give me my video guy. I guess I was too nervous to question them before I went up. You know what that means….I gotta go do it again!!! Can’t wait!!!
WE DID NOT OVERSHOOT THE LANDING!!!

This has also led me to new hobbies. In no particular order I plan to knock these off.
1. Running with the Bulls in Pamplona

2. White Water Rafting Class 5
3. Snowboarding in Alaska
4. OffShore Deep Sea Fishing
5. Big Game Hunting Expedition
If you got any other suggestions send em my way!!!

While I am not exactly up on all the hotspots in town, I did read about an upcoming spot that is “going to change the face of nightclubs” and “be the first of it’s kind”. The venue I speak of is The Eldridge located on the upscale, uber-posh, yellow brick road known as Eldridge St between Stanton and Houston. The owner of this venture is Matt Levine, designer and owner of “Steelo Clothing”. I wish I was making this up, but I am not. Please read the attached interviews and hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. Whether you like it or not, he plans to be around for 20 years. You be the judge.
New York Mag-”Grub Street Interview Matt Levine”
Good Night Mr. Lewis-”Steve Lewis Interview with Matt Levine Part 1
Good Night Mr. Lewis-”Part 2″
Paper Mag “Inside the Eldridge”

I’m a little late on this. I just got some tickets for a Lynyrd Skynrd/ Kid Rock show coming up and it reminded me to post up the pics from the Maiden show. It’s been a pretty good year for me as far as concerts go. Bruce Springsteen at MSG. The Police at MSG. Iron Maiden in Camden, all first time seeing each. Never too late. Only problem is what bands do I have to look forward to in 20, 30 years? Oh well, here are the pics!

I got a lot of comments saying that my photos were too big. My post looked like a Dave post. I resized them for your viewing pleasure.
What can it be? Please be patient, these are high quality photographs. But, once they load, it’s a beautiful thing!! After the pics is the story behind the piece. Also, check my art direction, see if you notice the red, white, and blue background. Damn, I’m nice. Sike, it just happened that way.

The story behind what you see here goes a lil something like this. Dude came into the shop one day, said he had a bike for sale. It was a frame that I had as a kid, but in 24″ mode. It was dogged. Tires flat, one pedal, seat busted, and dirty as hell. Well, as you can see I cleaned it up a wee bit. I had the frame sitting forever. I was telling Kyle about how I wanted to make it a fixed cruiser. He said it couldn’t be done. He dismissed it, and laughed every time I brought it up. Sike, I’m just playing. I won’t put Kyle on blast. Dudes definitely scratched their heads when I brought about my idea. R.I.P. to Sheldon Brown, he helped me alot via email with all the questions I was afraid to ask the dudes out of fear of being stoopid. Igei was on my side, I ordered the parts, and he hooked it up building the wheels, cleaning the hubs and fixing the brake. It’s a little rigged, with the zip ties holding the cable in place, but I’m working on it. It was a long time coming, and still a work in progress. I’m gonna change the pedals and seat. I’ll keep you updated. I just wanted to finally get some pics for everybody asking about it. This bike is not for sale, no more offers please. Finally, if anybody else has hooked up a bike like this, I want to see it. Don’t bite my style. I DEED IT!!!
Recognition to all the DQM dudes and Trackstar for helping out making this project happen.

We all know the saying, “does a bear shit in the woods”. Wait, wrong one, “If a tree falls in the woods, does anybody hear it?” Well, I was watching some funny today and began thinking. It’s kind of gross out; wet, cold, dark. As I watched the funny, it was pretty funny, I began to ask my self, “Self, were it to be a great day, sun shining, warm, would this be more funny or less funny?” I continued to wonder, is something still funny under any circumstances? Was I looking to the funny to cheer me up from a dark, gloomy, day? It had me thinking some more. They say we use humor to lift us up or take us away from our problems, so, my final question, are there any limits to when something can not be funny? Can we use comedy under the wrong circumstance. Is their a wrong circumstance? I find this kind of funny….

My lady brought this site up in conversation. I finally checked it, and I must say it is right on. Usually, it’s just another rag about cool shit. This one is so right, it’s wrong. If loving it is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Check it out www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com

Another favorite of mine www.goodnightmrlewis.com
which is a good insight into the past and present of NYC nightlife. Maybe you are not into it, but it’s not about you, it’s about me.

And finally, Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds radio show “Juan Epstein Radio”. This is the kind of stuff that if you recorded every conversation you and your friends have just killing time, this is the material that would be included. If you got free time on your hands, Check that one at www.rosenbergradio.com
Maybe, I am on to something, I am gonna get me a radio show. Stay tuned to the dial.

A lil’ while back “The Village Voice” unleashed it’s newest billboard with the tag line “Where Have All The Junkies Gone?”, you can check a photo of it on Dave’s “In The Papers” blog. To build on that, I felt an alarm go off in my head as I made my daily route through the East Village en route to the shop to say hello to the crew. One of my favorite, staple bodega, though it is not on the corner, located between 4th St and 3rd St on Bowery has been seized for taxes. I just wanted some peanut M & M’s, my latest junk food crave. I was startled to see the gate down. Maybe it was because February 29 only comes every 4 years, they took the day off. Upon a closer look, a note posted on the dropped iron gate, revealed it all. The space had been seized by the department of taxation. Everything would be sold, from the meat slicer to all your favorite 99 cent Arizona Iced Tea flavors. I know the Bowery is changing, but the timing seems coincidental with the space located next door readying itself to reveal it’s high rise skeleton. I still wanted some candy, so I figured I would go to the opposite corner at 2nd Ave and 3rd St. only to find my other go-to bodega to be shut and gutted. A hand written note on the door “Closed for renovations…” was all that remained.
Coincidence, I don’t know. As I continued on my way I noticed a growing trend, many corner store groceries are closing for whatever reason. Something leads me to believe that Duane Reade, CVS, and Walgreens may play a role with their ability to afford the market rate rents that are rising by the minute. I have no problem with capitalization. The main difference I have with the chain stores is the connection on a personal level. Something about going to the bodega and being recognized by the person behind the counter, while they don’t know your name, they surely remember your face. You may not even have much to talk about, but knowing that they know you, just makes you feel like some things haven’t changed. From going in for “beer o’ clock” brews and the lady not carding you while you may or may not be old enough, she’s seen you enough to not worry. Also, for the good times to share when you get back to the shop with your story of how every time you go in there she either shorts you change or tries to. At first, you got annoyed by it, but after it happens a few times, you look for and expect it. Then when it happens, you just laugh because in the end we are all trying to get ours. Unfortunately, I have not gone into a before mentioned chain and felt the warm welcome or had the friendly recognition. What mostly seems to happen is there is only 1 cashier “open”, but 3 people behind the counter and they just happen to go on break at the exact moment it starts to get busy. This happens at the bank as well, but that’s a whole different animal. All I’m saying is while everybody wants change, some times it’s not getting the exact change you should, that you really want. The stories that come with the change.

Some may have thought that NY may have been slipping. At times, I feel it is. Stale and washed up, or sometimes it’s going through it’s rebuilding phase. While the NY FOOTBALL GIANTS were supposed to be rebuilding, they did what NY always does and took over. No city can compare. We are the greatest city in the world. The resurgence is beginning starting with the NFL, next will be MLB, I’ll take the Mets this year, NHL, the Rangers gonna make some noise, and the NBA….well, 3 out of 4 isn’t bad. NEW YORK, NEW YORK!!!!! (As sung by a guy from New Jersey).

Yeah, me neither. It’s a wonder that the debates are taking place on a Saturday late afternoon. Saturday in the TV industry is the least popular among TV viewers. At first, I thought, well the voting must take place on Sunday. Nope, wrong again. Then it occurred to me, if nobody knows they, the debates, are on, then nobody will know who to vote for, and therefore the same people that voted before, will be the only ones to vote again. This will then lead to another 8 years, kind of like groundhog day. I did happen to be home on a Saturday evening, with the choice of Cops, Access Hollywood, and some lousy football game between Pittsburgh and Jacksonville. I went for the debates, first Republicans, then Democrats. If not to catch up on the candidates’ stances on issues, it was just fun, pure entertainment. It’s fun to watch grown folks try to one up each other. Not to get political, but do a little research on who your next president will be, it may just cost or save you your life.

Saw it last night, and it should be the best movie of the year. In a time where it is all about the latest and greatest, this movie deserves the title!!! We so often say that when someone reappears on screen, all the sudden we are to believe, “so and so” is the best actor. Daniel Day Lewis is the greatest actor of our (my) time. Seeing him reminds me of watching skate videos, where your favorite pro skater takes a backseat and hides out for a little bit, but then emerges back better than before with an epic part to remind you of why he is your favorite skater. I think the new Lakai flick
“Fully Flared” has a number of my favorite pros who just keep reminding me and me rewinding their parts over and over.

Music can be the same way, as with Jay Z, arguably, (I hear you, Sweet P), came back to the fold with a legendary album. Personally, I think he is too forward thinking, too be appreciated right now, 10 years, we will be revisiting this album as we did with “Reasonable Doubt”. I say this because, of any legendary album, usually, not always, the artist’s first album is their best. That album took you all your life to make, you can’t make that in 6 months. This is why I regard the “American Gangster” album, as highly as I do. Jay’s words are so complex, that you really have to study the lyrics to understand the meaning behind each line. The beats fit the lyrics perfectly. There are not many artist’s out there, hip hop, especially, that can create a clear, vivid, picture story the way he does. I now understand why we love the “golden era”, early 90’s hip hop, because most artists were storytellers, they allowed us to live through their lyrics, even if we could not relate. That is what music, film, and books should do. it’s entertainment, allowing us to step out of the world we are in, into a free no holds barred fantasy land where nothing is off limits. Arguably, again, an artist I feel seemingly came back from the shadows, Bruce Springsteen and the E street Band, released their first album together in a long time. To not beat a dead horse, but Bruce’s new album “Magic” allows me to step outside of the big city, and feel the small town trials and tribulations, sometimes forgotten by us, blinded by the big lights. Finally, the musical score for “There Will Be Blood” is done by RadioHead guitarist. Johnny Greenwood, and it is eerily spot on for the film. Check it out!!!

Sorry to stray from topic, but Daniel Day Lewis’ performance in “There Will Be Blood” should win Best Actor. In the way that Marlon Brando would fully live out what he was feeling on stage and screen, Daniel Day Lewis wears his emotion on his sleeve. No actor I feel captures a character, and gives himself over to a role, than Daniel Day Lewis. For all the actors out there being recognized for their social life and not there lack of talent, it’s good to know that there actors that can still provide me a break from social life to immerse myself into a fantasy life.
All the best in 2008!!!!!!

Here some sound bits and pics:
THERE WILL BE BLOOD TRAILER

Sound Bits