February. Although it's the shortest month of the year, it sure packs a punch on the event horizon. Not only playing host to the other over-hyped occasion I recently chronicled, but also Black History Month, the Grammys, the Oscars, and lately, even the Super Bowl has managed to slide down the calendar and land squarely on a Sunday during Solmonath. However, the most anticipated merge of the sports and entertainment worlds is an annual NBA ritual known as All-Star Weekend. Sigh. Originally a celebration of the league's best and brightest and their athletic prowess, it's now some of that and a whole lot of "party and bullsh*t..." highlighting some of the worst social behavior and negative stereotypes, especially regarding women.Don't get me wrong...i'm not a hater. In fact, back in the day, come February, you couldn't find me anywhere else, especially if the chosen locale was blessed with a decently warm climate: Phoenix, Dallas, L.A., et al. Nice late-winter temps signaled the early test-run of a mini that was reserved for Spring Break; a pair of sexy, open-toe sandals or stilettos; or a barely-there six-pack-revealing top (and yes, I said "six-pack;" I have photos for non-believers.). All in the name of, well you know, looking "hot." But for whom? For what? Parading around a club in front of pro ballers and fake-letes: those tall dudes who pose as players to get celeb-level access to girls, clubs, and VIP bottle service? Nah, I'm good now. (My, how my priorities have changed.)
Surprisingly, though, some of my favorite activities of All-Star Weekends past had little to do with the after-parties, hotel lobbies, or kicking it at The Mall. (You thought I was going there, didn't you? Different post, for a different day...) For many years, I volunteered with agencies that staffed the NBA's free- and fan-programs that kick off the All-Star agendas each February, like the Block Party, the Fan Jam and other special events like court and park dedications. I've retrieved wayward Nerf basketballs on small-scale courts for pint-sized point guards; kept the queue from becoming unruly at autograph sessions; and even planted spring blooms in a newly landscaped public playground. Now, truthfully, I initially signed up for these duties as a way to gain entry to some of the events and access to athletes, however, I quickly came to see the value of this service and how the league, its' athletes and employees give back to various communities and causes. Somehow, the service aspect resonated with my own personal basketball jones: I'd been a fan of the game since I was knee-high, thanks to the legion of men in my circle of family and friends who not only played but coached, mentored and trained young athletes. I'd seen countless contests in my life, but the off-court commitment to education, sports participation and community outreach touched me in a very different way than the sport itself. I realized the power of celebrity, the influence of fame, via the vehicle of athletics, and how it could be used for good, rather than evil (like collecting groupies for sport).
Utilizing resources and influence to "give back" is paramount, and while the charitable acts of multi-millionaires may not interest the entire fan base, kids and their families benefit nonetheless. And that can't be a bad thing.
This year, I attended the 60th NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles; it was thrilling to watch Kobe pick up MVP honors right in his backyard, and witness crowd-rocking performances by Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna and Kanye West. But while I didn't get an opportunity to participate in L.A.-area events such as the Two Kings Charity gymnasium dedication at a Boys & Girls Club or Paul Pierce's inaugural All-Star Health & Fitness Event, hosted by his former high school, I did get in some love & basketball in my own neighborhood before I headed West.
Sports and fitness company Nike declared February 13th as a "Day of Service" at Brooklyn's Taylor-Wythe Community Center. Volunteers from all over the city gathered to prep the aging facility to receive the basketball court used at last summer's World Basketball Festival at Radio City Music Hall. The gym was in need of fresh paint, so Nike put the call out for weekend artists, influencers and painter-types to lend a hand in order for neighborhood kids to realize their hardwood dreams on the same floor graced by USA Basketball team and NBA players Kevin Durant, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook and more. (See the gym's transformation here.) I spent a few hours perfecting my painting technique on a really cool mural drawn on one entire wall of the gym.
As the year moves on, it is my mission to inspire you to be an All-Star in your community. Seek out opportunities to get involved and do some good. Even with questionable intent such as mine -- a chance years ago to gain free access to events and meet some athletes -- something and someone ultimately benefitted from my time and participation. Not a bad by-product of a groupie move, eh?
