Sal Masekela. Photo Credit: Zimbio
Tracy McGrady was recently cemented into the Naismith Hall of Fame. Tracy McGrady was one of the most successful swingmen to play in the NBA. At a slim and lanky 6’8, McGrady had a quick first step, a smooth glide to the basket.
That explosiveness could easily be identified in an NBA Playoffs matchup between McGrady’s Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons. In the 3rd quarter of that first round series, McGrady dunks on Pistons 6’11 forward Mehmet Okur.
High school senior LeBron James and Maverick Carter courtside at Orlando Magic playoff game in 2003. Photo Credit: Uproxx
What’s lost in the translation is that LeBron James, a high school senior was in attendance courtside at that game donning an all- red Chicago Bulls Orlando Woolridge jersey with his now, business partner Maverick Carter next to him.
James was excited after McGrady’s dunk.
But what’s even cooler was the interview that LBJ did afterward with Sal Masekela. Who? You know who Sal Masekela is! The X Games guy!
“Man that dunk was ridiculous,” LeBron James told Masekela courtside during the live broadcast.
“His athletic ability is beyond wonders and right now he’s showing a lot. His first game of the playoffs and if they keep going, I hope he gets a victory out of this.”
The video with LeBron James and Sal Masekela begins at the 0:48 mark
Masekela had a natural rapport with James and probably got more courtside tv time with James back then versus what many get now but that synergistic moment was worthy of examination. Masekela is no longer at ESPN after a 13 year run covering the X Games. He’s now making magic happen at Vice Sports Sports. “ I am hosting and executive producing Vice World Of Sports,” Sal Masekela told me on Scoop B Radio.
Check Out Sal Masekela & Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson’s Chat On Scoop B Radio
“Which for me has become the show that I am most proud of so far in my career because I’m getting to get out and go around the world and tell real stories about places and cultures but the lens just happens to be sports.”
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