Tim Thomas (left) and actor Denzel Washington (right) in downtown Paterson, NJ. Photo Credit: Tim Thomas/Scoop B Radio

Tim Thomas drops by episode # 74 of Scoop B Radio and chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about the love of his hometown of Paterson New Jersey, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and the time actor Denzel Washington got him out of class. Press Play Below to Listen!

Tim Thomas is a pretty good story teller.

The retired NBA vet has given you his recount of his feud with Kenyon Martin during the 2004 NBA Playoffs, which subsequently found its way to the nightclub.

He and Martin have finally moved on from that, praise the Lord!

Thomas has  also given you the low-down on Charles Oakley’s GM abilities. While sitting with Scottie Pippen at Michael Jordan’s card game party  Oak informed Thomas that the Chicago Bulls would waive him. And yup, it happened!

Thomas’ stories don’t end there! Apparently, Thomas also has clout with Oscar award winning actor, Denzel Washington.

According to Thomas, Denzel once got him out of basketball practice early, while he was a high school junior at Paterson Catholic High School in Paterson, NJ.

Appearing on the Scoop B Radio Podcast, Thomas says that a police officer dressed in a suit interrupted practice and approached the team’s coach. “The first thing we’re thinking is that somebody got in trouble,” Thomas joked.

“I’m thinking it’s a detective or something like that, not knowing that it was Denzel Washington that was downtown shooting a movie called “The Preacher’s Wife,” at that time and he actually called for me.”

“The Preacher’s Wife” was a pretty big deal in 1996, by the way; particularly in church circles! Directed by Penny Marshall, the film starred the late, Whitney Houston and Courtney Vance. The movie had a decent soundtrack, too.

Washington’s request to meet Thomas would change Thomas’ life. 

“So we ride downtown and we’re actually behind City Hall and he was going through his scene. We talked for a bit in his trailer and he was a good dude and dropped a lot of jewels on me about managing money and the stuff that I was about to come into as far as fame.”

The advice would pay off. Thomas was drafted 7th in the 1997 NBA Draft by the then-New Jersey Nets. He’d later be shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers in a draft day deal for the ’97 Draft’s 2nd overall pick, Keith Van Horn.

Thomas said the most important thing that came from the meeting was Washington introducing Thomas to boxer, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter.

For those tardy to the party, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter was a middleweight boxer who was wrongfully convicted of murder and later released following a petition of habeas corpus after spending almost 20 years in prison.

Washington would later play the role of Carter in the 1999 film, “The Hurricane.”

In 1966, police arrested both Carter and friend John Artis for a triple-homicide committed in the Lafayette Bar and Grill in Paterson, New Jersey. Police stopped Carter’s car and brought him and Artis, also in the car, to the scene of the crime. Upon the search,  police found ammunition that fit the description of weapons used in the murder. Here’s the kicker: Paterson, NJ Police took no fingerprints at the crime scene and lacked the facilities to conduct a paraffin test for gunshot residue. Carter and Artis were tried and convicted twice (1967 and 1976) for the murders, and both served time in Rahway State Prison. After the second conviction was overturned in 1985, prosecutors choose not to try the case for a third time.

“I knew nothing about Hurricane Carter,” said Thomas.

“I wasn’t even born at the time that the stuff involving him was going on. So it was great for him to connect us and for me to have the opportunity to meet a man that couldn’t come back to our hometown and went through so much in his life as far as sitting in prison for 20 years and it was beneficial for me to get the information that he gave me about our hometown and the politicians and what people do there with so –called famous people and celebrities from that town.”

While on Scoop B Radio, Thomas detailed his conversations with Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. Thomas also detailed his documentary, I Am Tim Thomas while will release next year.

Check out our Q & A below:

Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (right) and Denzel Washington. Photo Credit: Tim Thomas/Scoop B Radio

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: What specifically did Hurricane tell you?

Tim Thomas: He told me to watch out pretty much for how our city moves. Our city is small so once you make it there’s a lot of people that’s going to come around mainly politicians and try to benefit off of your stature and financial situation and that was pretty much it because of things that he went through it just opened my eyes to a lot of the corrupt stuff that city officials actually were doing at that time and with him being a lot older he knew of what was going on and who was in position at that time and truth be told he was right because there were a lot of things going on with different mayors who ended up getting into trouble and he told me if I was ever going to do anything in the city for the youth to do it on my own and try to find loopholes where I didn’t have to give money to the city itself because the money would disappear. It was great advice because there were mayors who got in trouble back then and are still getting into trouble now. I had a cousin who was actually mayor when we had Hurricane Sandy, Jeffrey Jones but it was great advice that I got from the champ.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: What did you do with that advice as you progressed in the NBA and even now that you’ve retired?

Tim Thomas: I took it to heart even though I was in a position to give back and I definitely did that for numerous things I’m probably the only guy who has put a million dollars into my city for the youth, so I took the advice for what it was but I still made sure I did things for the community and youth in various ways, for 10 plus years I took care of full tuitions at my high school, started a Pop Warner football team with Marcel Shipp and flew the team out to LA to play against Snoop, started an AAU program we had 23 pros who came out of the program, I got two girls basketball programs that I started, donating money to Kennedy and Eastside High School just different things man there’s nothing in Paterson pertaining to youth that I haven’t touched and the people that are around me know what I have done. As far as the real information that he gave me pertaining to politicians I have helped a lot of people get into office with my celebrity but I haven’t really crossed the line with using my name to go towards the actually city itself. There was one building that I actually wanted but the city wouldn’t help me financially with taxes and different things. It was called the armory, an older building that could have been used for different sporting events it could actually could have been rebuilt into a new stadium for the high school teams that are there, concerts, basketball games but they had armory trucks and stuff in there. When I was younger my grammar school was right next to that actual building it was just sitting there for forever and that was the one building I actually wanted to get but the city wouldn’t  back me on that but other than that I’ve been doing numerous things for the community, especially the youth.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: When Denzel reached out to have that conversation and wanted to get to know you did he make a call to someone in Paterson how did you know about you?

Tim Thomas: I don’t know that’s a great question. But Denzel is a sports junkie so he probably knew that he was in my town so he sent for me like in American Gangster because literally I was in the middle of practice. I lived like two blocks from the high school so I had to asked the guys hey can you shoot me over to my house to crib so I can change because I wanted to look right but in the picture I don’t even think my jeans were ironed or anything I just threw them on and took off, but pretty much that’s what happened he sent for me and that was it and once I got there it was cool because on my 33rd birthday I got to meet Obama when I was with the Chicago Bulls and that was a great weekend for me  and that’s also going to be in the documentary in 2018 but it was similar to that with all the security and everything being blocked off, but Denzel is one of those type of people that he is a major figure anywhere and if you can get around him he’s a great guy with a lot of information and a lot of jewels he can drop on you.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Your mom must have been jealous that you got to meet Denzel.

Tim Thomas: Sort of. It was kind of weird because when people are in town shooting movies nobody announces it unless it’s in New York or LA nobody is going to say or put in the paper that Denzel is in town shooting a movie, you just won’t get that kind of information so when it happens it’s all a shock to everyone, especially me. When we actually met after we introduced ourselves I couldn’t even talk because I couldn’t believe I was sitting there with Denzel Washington, I was in high school and it’s awkward but he was so cool that he made me relax and be myself so it was a good thing and the other thing was that he was giving me so much information about my town that I didn’t even know, I had no clue about it. We were right behind City Hall and the old police station was right there the same police station that they held Mr. Carter in during his days so with his powers he took me in there to see that old prison and that’s something to this day even with me being who I am from my hometown couldn’t get the okay to go see that old jail cell so that just goes to show you the power that he has.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Tell me more about the I Am Tim Thomas documentary that you’re dropping next year.

Tim Thomas: The doc is pretty much about my life as far as what I have seen and been through good and bad from an early age up until now. I had so many different stories, playing in the 90’s which most people consider the golden era of the NBA so during that time there were a lot of things going on but we didn’t have social media or camera phones and people weren’t walking around with cameras in their pockets or anything like that. This documentary gave me an opportunity to tell my story and give you an inside look on my life the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m putting it out there especially for the younger generation because I have an AAU program based out of Jersey and 23 pros have come out of that program and a lot of kids know of me but they don’t know the story, they don’t know that I’m the player to the players and that I was such a bad dude that I had Kobe and Vince Carter playing with me which was a good thing because we went out there and we were like rock stars so I’m trying to change the way that the AAU manifest is being ran now and days as far as not having these super teams with the AAU programs.

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The post Scoop B: Ex NBA’er Tim Thomas says Denzel Washington once got him excused from school appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Sonny Vaccaro and LeBron James. Photo Credit: New York Post

Sneaker industry executive Sonny Vaccaro Discussed Lenny Cooke & LeBron James’ 2001 ABCD Camp Matchup with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio Press Play Below To Listen!

Over the last twenty years, AAU basketball has become just as important as the organized game itself. Sneaker companies, coaches and recruiters all get a glimpse into the future of the game.

One of the most elite programs to step foot in was the now-defunct ABCD camp.

From 1994-2006 ABCD Camp was THE show at Teaneck, New Jersey’s Fairleigh Dickinson College. You name ‘em they played in it: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Rashard Lewis, Kenyon Martin, Kevin Garnett, Sebastian Telfair, Charlie Villanueva.

That picture floating around with a younger Kevin Love and an even younger Isaiah Thomas, now team Cleveland Cavaliers teammates; yup, it happened at ABCD Camp.

Sonny Vaccaro, a former sneaker executive with all three of the major sneaker brands: Nike, Adidas was the braintrust behind that camp.

Vaccaro most notably got Michael Jordan to sign with Nike and signed Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant to Adidas deals. Vaccaro also challenged the NBA’s one-and-done rule by advising Brandon Jennings to play overseas in Italy for a year before declaring for the NBA Draft.

Vaccaro historically signed LeBron James to a $90 million deal with Nike before even playing his first NBA game.

Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s LeBron James heads up the court Thursday, March 13, 2003, against Tallmadge during a state high school regional tournament game in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/J.D. Pooley)

Speaking of James, the world became familiar of him at Vaccaro’s ABCD Camp in 2001. LeBron wasn’t even the headliner; it was Lenny Cooke, a Brooklyn native by way of Northern Valley High School in Old Tappan, New Jersey.” I think that Jay Z might have been in attendance,” Sonny Vaccaro told me on Scoop B Radio.

“What you had was a mystical appearance of this kid from Ohio who had not yet broken into the national scene. The only camp LeBron had gone to was ABCD camp and Lenny was the reigning number one high school player in America and sort of magnified himself by being this very mysterious kid also.”

Cooke averaged 25 points, hauled in 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks per game in his junior year at Northern Valley High School with high school scouts ranking him ahead of retired NBA forward Amar’e Stoudemire, James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Carmelo Anthony.

In the closing seconds of the game, Cooke’s team had the lead and possession of the basketball. James stole the ball from Cooke, scored on a fast break and won the game. That play introduced the world to the Akron, Ohio baller who was later featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the cover titled, ‘The Chosen One.’  “The funny this about it is that it wasn’t like Lenny did bad,” said Sonny Vaccaro. “But LeBron just won the game.”

James would enter the NBA Draft in 2003 and win three NBA championships.

While speaking at Philadelphia’s Mount Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church with Rev. Andre L. Price last year, Cooke says that not showing up for team workouts hindered his draft stock. “My kids like LeBron James now,” said Cooke.

“He’s earned everything he’s gotten and taken advantage of every opportunity he’s been given. How can I be mad at him? He built his brand the right way!”“That game didn’t single-handedly mean anything other than it was played in New York at a summertime camp and a lot of people saw it,” said Vaccaro.

Added Vaccaro:

“Lenny was over-confident and had the New York bravado and LeBron was LeBron and he probably didn’t care who he was playing against other than the name and that sort of carried over into his life. LeBron has taken everything that has come his way since that night and today and hopefully for a lot more of playing basketball. LeBron took everything more serious than Lenny Cooke and I think if you play the game, it didn’t begin that night but what it did was dramatize the reign of LeBron and the eventual downfall of Lenny Cooke.”

Lenny Cooke and Carmelo Anthony battling for a rebound at Sonny Vaccaro’s ABCD basketball camp in Teaneck, New Jersey. Phto Credit: New York Daily News

Cooke would declare for the 2002 NBA Draft and went undrafted. An NBA career would never materialize and he’d later play in the Rucker Park league, NBDL and USBL. He’d also play overseas in China and the Philippines.

Cooke has recently found his niche: coaching. Cooke coaches high school basketball in Atlantic City, New Jersey and travels across the country mentoring kids and speaking on panels at swanky locations like Microsoft.

Cooke recently weighed in on the NBA’s one and done rule stating that a player must be 19 years old or one year removed from their high school’s graduating class.

“I mean I disagree a little bit,” Cooke told me on Scoop B Radio.

“If you’re just going for one year, it ain’t really benefitting you. You’re still a child. I mean, at the end of the day, one year’s not going to [do anything]. If you get hurt, then you’re done.”

A subject of a 93-minute documentary, called “Lenny Cooke,” the film documents his high school career. The film was directed by brothers Josh and Bennie Safdie and executive produced by New York Knicks forward, Joakim Noah. “It is easy to tell stories about your success,” Joakim Noah told me.

“But extremely courageous to do the same with your failures,”

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The post Sonny Vaccaro On LeBron James & Lenny Cooke At ABCD Camp: “It wasn’t like Lenny did bad, but LeBron just won the game” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Rapper & Everyday Struggle Host Joe Budden & retired NBA forward Kenyon Martin. Photo Credit: VIBE

Kenyon Martin Chatted With RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about EVERYTHING on Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below To Listen In

Summer 2003 was big for both Kenyon Martin and Joe Budden.

For Budden, a former cast member of Love & Hip Hop New York and current host of COMPLEX’s Everyday Struggle, his self-titled debut album, Joe Budden released June 10, 2003 via Def Jam.

The Jersey City, NJ representer’s album had hits guest appearances from  Lil’ Mo, Busta Rhymes and 112 and had top singles Focus, Fire and the Just Blazed-produced crossover hit, Pump It Up.

June 10, 2003 for Martin was a tad bit different. He and his New Jersey Nets were preparing for Game 4 of the 2003 NBA Finals after dropping Game 3 84-79 to Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs two days before at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  

New Jersey’s Jason Kidd, left, and Kenyon Martin watch as San Antonio celebrates a 93-83 win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Spurs won the game Friday in East Rutherford, N.J. Photo Credit: Lawrence Journal

Martin would score 23 points and hauled in 11 rebounds in Game 3. and would would lead all Nets scorers in Game 4 with 20 points and 13 rebounds in New Jersey’s 77-76 win.

The Nets would lose the series 4-2, but K-Mart was the man around the Garden State.

So was Budden.

Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic gave his album four stars out of five, Chris Ryan of SPIN gave the album an eight out of ten and HipHopDX’s K.B. Tindal gave the album a four and a half out of five. Pump It Up was placed on the soundtracks for 2 Fast 2 Furious, You Got Served and EA Sports’ Madden NFL 2004.

Fire even found it’s way on the Mean Girls Soundtrack.

With all of the success going on that summer for said rapper and said NBA baller, can you believe that the two were mistaken for each other in public?

Everywhere,” Kenyon Martin told me on Scoop B Radio.“Everywhere! You name it!”

Martin says that their mistaken identities would mostly happen while he’d go shopping in downtown Newark, New Jersey. “I used to go onto Clinton Ave a lot and in the hood on Clinton Avenue shopping,” he said.

“It would be at a distance and then they would get up on me and see the height differential and say: ‘Oh hey! It’s K-Mart.’”

While you listened to part two of Martin’s interview above, make sure to also check out part one of our discussion. He talked about his Nets days and the 2002 NBA Finals against Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. “I have never been afraid when it comes to basketball, period,” said Martin.

Check Out Kenyon Martin’s Part 1 Interview Scoop B Radio

“I’m not afraid to mix it up with guards or big men. But that experience there was a good team and we got to, but Shaq was dominant that series. We got to being out there and playing on that level, me holding my own, helping my team and putting them in a position to win. That meant a lot that I was there for my career and my confidence moving forward.”

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The post Kenyon Martin Says He Would Get Mistaken For Joe Budden During His New Jersey Nets Playing Days appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Rutgers football legend Eric LeGrand & sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: The Scoop B Brand

Check Out Eric LeGrand & Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson chat on Scoop B Radio

Somebody send a memo to the gentleman in the Dos Equis commercial, he may have some competition. Rutgers University mainstay Eric LeGrand may in fact be the most interesting man in the world.

Honored with the Jimmy V Award at ESPN’s 2012 ESPY Awards and  a recipient of the WWE’s Warrior Award, LeGrand inspired many after the defensive tackle was paralyzed while making a tackle in an October 2010 game.

Since his accident, LeGrand regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body. Through is all, he’s been an inspiration and his dedication to rehabilitating his body is admirable.

How does he do it? How does he stay motivated through it all?

“Honestly it is just the people that support me and the random people that are looking up to me,” Eric LeGrand told me on Scoop B Radio last week.

“I feel that it is a responsibility, how can I let all those people down? My motivation is my mom who gave up everything for me to learn how to take care of a quadriplegic. I want to get better for her so she doesn’t have to take care of her son for her whole life, you know? So she can be able to relax and do what she wants to do.”

LeGrand says he draws on inspiration from others like former Penn State Nittany Lion Adam Taliaferro who had a similar injury.  “I feel like in this world we are living in today either through the grace of God or by sheer stubbornness,” said LeGrand.  “We will find a  cure for this. It’s just crazy  how fast technology is growing and what we are doing with it now. That is my motivation and to get everyone else out of these wheelchairs as well.”

As upbeat as LeGrand is, you’d have to wonder if others with similar injuries are as upbeat as him. “It all depends on their situation,” he said. “This injury doesn’t discriminate and people  come from all walks of life with this injury. You can have people that are happily married with kids or you could get somebody who is 15 years old and in high school with this injury.”

Added LeGrand:

“So everyone’s mental is different. You could get a gang member who just got shot or you could have somebody who got into a car accident. People’s mindset is different. Some people have a lot of support some people have no support. So everybody’s mental is different so you gotta have that one same thing if you want to be able to deal with this and you have to believe. You just have to [believe] that you will be alright and you will get better and if you do your part, that is the one thing I try to tell people. If you don’t believe that you are  going to get better than you are not.”

Eric LeGrand accepts ESPN’s Jimmy V award in 2012. Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

In addition to discussing his health, Eric LeGrand discussed Rutgers’ Big 10 Conference allegiance.He doesn’t think they are over their head in that conference: “I don’t think they are over their head at all,” he said.

“It is going to be a while until they are up there with the Ohio State’s and the Michigan’s, you know? They have been doing and performing well and that greatness has been there for so long, it is going to take a while before Rutgers can get there.”

LeGrand believes it will persistence and patience for Rutgers to see the benefit of switching to the Big 10 Conference:“Around here in the New York/New Jersey area where we are, it gives you so much going on between all the different teams,” he said.

“New York/New Jersey we are a pro-sports area. We aren’t like a college town you got the Knicks, you got the Brooklyn Nets, you’ve got the New Jersey Devils, the New York Rangers. You’ve got the New York Giants, The New York Jets, we are a pro sports city. So to get people on board with college you have to win. You have to win and with the players we have around here you can do it. They just got to get these players believing. But that is the biggest thing now with this new generation, people are actually growing up Rutgers fans. When  I was growing up no one was a Rutgers fan. People are now growing up Rutgers fans which is cool to see.”

Speaking of locality, LeGrand believes that New Jersey can retain local talent to stay and play at Rutgers. “It is not easy because you have these big schools coming at them and these big schools have a lot to offer,” said LeGrand.

“We have a great system when it comes to academic-wise. It is one of the top program colleges in the country when it comes to business schools and stuff like that. You can  do anything at Rutgers, but you gotta get those guys that want to have that Jersey pride, but I stay at home even if you are from New York or Eastern PA, Connecticut. Stay home, want to play in front of your family want to stay. If I held up my recruitment I probably could have played anywhere in the country, but I lived 20 minutes from Rutgers and I said: ‘you know what? I am going to stay here. Why go somewhere else and take my time? I have this University right here that I can represent.”

Eric LeGrand’s Ultimate Warrior-inspired Air Jordan’s. Photo Credit: Paint or Thread

Lastly, Michael Jordan is one of the most inspiring and transcendent athletes in the world. Today, retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant celebrated his 39th birthday and surely inspired by Jordan as was Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James. LeGrand counts Jordan as an inspiration as well. After all, when he was honored with the Ultimate Warrior Award by the WWE, he wore custom Air Jordan 3 sneakers to his induction ceremony.  “”They came out incredible,” said LeGrand. “And then he hooked them up with the shoe laces too to make the tassels look like the warrior so it was cool, it was real cool.”

As for why he holds Michael Jordan in such high regard, LeGrand broke it down:

“I would say Michael Jordan for his greatest sheer will and determination and never give up and the fight no matter what. The biggest moments [he] never gave up. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable. He showed that he was able to do that.”  

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The post Scoop B: Rutgers Legend Eric LeGrand Explains How He Stays Motivated After Injury, Respect For Michael Jordan & Rutgers Future appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

CTN Podcast host Reginald Calixte and RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on set of CalixTech News Podcast at Equal Space In Newark, NJ. Photo Provided By Citi Medina

When you want to talk about technology in abundance, the CalixTech Podcast is the show to listen to! Hosted by Reginald Calxite, the show is taped weekly at Equal Space, a share space for NJ’s creatives, entrepreneurs and techies located at 2 Gateway Center in the heart of Newark, New Jersey. The informative and entertaining show keys in on the latest in tech news and information.

Check out RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson chat with CalixTech Podcast

CalixTech Podcast also dialogues with movers and shakers in the industry such as Samara Lynn, Rochelle Turner, Alex Konrad, Brian Ragone, Aaron Price, Lori Cheek, Antwand Pearman, and Tony Woolford, Citi Medina and Jhamar Youngblood.

I am so fortunate to have my name mentioned in that number. While chatting with Reginald Calxite, I discussed the conclusion of 2017 NBA Finals, tech in sports, Nintendo, hip hop and so much more.

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The post Scoop B: I Talked NBA, Kendrick Lamar, NBA Finals & More On CaltixTech Podcast appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl safety Mike Adams discussing eduation on his panel. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

Paterson and Wayne, NJ were the places to be over the weekend as Carolina Panthers safety Mike Adams hosted a weekend of community events.

The festivities began on Friday, June 9th, at Paterson, NJ’s Passaic County Community College.  Knowledge is Power, a signature “parent-invite-only” panel moderated by former Super Bowl champion and current SNY and ESPN analyst Willie Colon. The panel featured Adams along with Tim Lewis, the NCAA’s Associate Director of Development, local coaches and former Paterson, NJ success stories.

The discussion educated parents of student athletes on the academic requirements for high school graduation, college admission and athletic participation. It also highlighted useful tools to ensure a successful transition from high school to college.

Check Out Mike Adams’ Highlights 

“I think it was very important because we have to make sure that we give back to the community,” said Tim Lewis. Lewis, an Associate Director of the NCAA’s Development and Eligibility Center took pride in knowing that folks in the community grasped what SAT, ACT and GPA scores were needed in order to be an eligible student athlete on the collegiate level.

“We have to make sure to give the knowledge that we know. We have a lot of stories and a lot of experiences that can be very helpful. Sometimes what we see in certain areas is that we don’t always have the knowledge and we want to make sure that we pass that along.”

Carolina Pathers safety, Mike Adams and ESPN/SNY analyst Willie Colon. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary

On Saturday, June 10th, Adams, along with a host of NFL friends, ran a Team Adams Foundation Youth football camp at Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne NJ. The camp promoted morning fun, exercise and friendly competition with a mission to develop positive well-rounded young athletes by providing an exciting and safe environment that encourages teamwork, gamesmanship, self- confidence, respect and dedication to the game.

Current New York Giants cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was one of the notables in attendance. The camp focused on basic football drills and focused on advanced techniques used in the offense, defense and passing phases of the game.“It was great,” Mike Adams told me afterward.

“We have to do it again. It was a great turnout. We want more people to come next year. It’s great if you have a kid that’s trying to go to college. This is the place to be!”

For more information on everything Mike Adams philanthropic, visit:  www.mikeadams29.com.

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The post Scoop B: Carolina Panthers’ Mike Adams Hosts Paterson, NJ Educational Panel & Camp Featuring Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Willie Colon & Others appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The Golden State Warriors hold a 3-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals. Photo Credit: The Huffington Post

The Cleveland Cavaliers avoided a sweep in the NBA Finals Friday night, beating the Golden State Warriors 137 -116. The Cavs handed the Golden State Warriors their first loss of the postseason and the Warriors still hold a 3-1 lead in the series.

With the NBA Finals prolongoing to a game 5 after the heroics of the Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving’s 40 points and LeBron James’ triple double in game 4, the scene shifts back to Oakland, where the Warriors won the first two games of the series.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, his dad, Drederick Irving & sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Will Robertson

Earlier this week, I checked in with DJ Tarzan and Cliff Po on the Henny & Redbull Podcast, to talk about the NBA Finals, LeBron James’ Michael Jordan comparisons and more.

Check Out The Conversation With RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson and The Henny & Redbull Podcast.

The NBA Finals resumes Monday with Game 5 in Oakland.

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The post Scoop B: NBA Finals, Kevin Durant & LeBron James On Cliff Po & DJ Tarzan’s Henny & Redbull Podcast appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.