Whats Up Bucks?

It is no secret that the Bucks are feeling the absence of Jrue Holiday, who has been sitting out for the past five consecutive games. There have been several speculations on why the 11 year vet has not made an appearance during the Bucks four game losing streak. According to ESPN’s Erick Woodyard, the back to back MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo said. “It’s not the end of the world.” Yeah true, but five losses! Something’s gata give.

The truth is The Bucks need to go back to the drawing board to get over this hump, without Jrue. We saw a similar case of the restlessness in the camp in January where the Bucks could not do much against Anthony Davis and the Lakers. Is it too early to talk about MVP candidacy and if we will see Giannis making a solid run for a trilogy, or should we just continue keeping an eye on the idle Thanasis and his four time All Star, two time MVP brother?

Any who! Here are some things  we are loving about Giannis.

1. Homeboy values family and we see that not just in how he has taken care of his family, from sending his entire paycheck home and running to the arena.

2. Making investments in Ready Nutrition (build that generational wealth fam).  Not only has he made investment in nutrition, but has also embraced environmental and social governance in Greece highlighting the importance environmental issues.

3. The new father has also low key been embracing his Nigerian heritage which we absolutely love to see.

We will be on the lookout to see what’s happening in the Antetokounmpo camp and celebrating him as the seasons progress, because we wanna see Africans win.

Alhaji Talks Fashion

Photos courtesy of Alhaji

As an African in the Western world, wearing your traditional up and down to formal meetings and events is something that was never really celebrated and to a certain extent is still not welcomed by many here in the west.

There are a few folks that are changing that narrative and look great while doing so. Over the years we have seen many African designers making waves in Europe and America dressing A list celebrities like Steve Harvey, Jamie Foxx and Lupita Nyongo. Last year Palesa Mokunung a South African designer became the first African to collaborate with Swedish fashion giant H&M joining high profile fashion designers Moschino, Alexander Wang and Karl Largerfeld.

Photos courtesy of Alhaji

In the latest episode of the BAL Podcast, Ghanaian American Alhaji Mohammed talked a little about his style, and how he was introduced to his countrymen Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako, a fashion designer who designed for some of the A list celebrities I mentioned earlier. 

Alhaji made a trip to Africa to get away from the United States for a stint and found himself in Ghana helping out with a basketball camp hosted by Capital City Go-Go General Manager Pops Mensah-Bonsu. “I’m a real simple dresser, I changed the way I dressed because of Del and Pops, they be so fly.” said Alhaji, who has started incorporating a touch of Ghana into his style.

I have seen so many men dressed in their up and down and when they walk into a room, they own the space and silently announce their arrival. From the walk to the attitude and confidence it is truly a joy to see.

Rudy Gay Drops Merch

Photos courtesy of Vaulti taken by @_richyrae

While you were sleeping Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs Forward launched his new merch at a local vintage thrift store called Vaulti in Texas. The Vaulti brothers (they’re not actual blood relatives) opened up the store a little over 2 years ago at a friends art store. 

What started as a by appoint only store soon cascaded into a spot where Rudy Gay launched his merch. 

Photos courtesy of Vaulti taken by @_richyrae

On Saturday December 7th Rudy Gay released his freestyle clothing merch at Vaulti in San Antonio Texas in a good ol blockparty style like manner. T.shirts, hats and hoodies with his jersey number 22 and the letters RG on then in the Spurs black and white were for sale, and fans not only got an opportunity to purchase a special peace from RG but they got a chance to mingle with the Baltimore native.

BET ON YOURSELF

We do not often hear about NBA champions let alone players in general who have a college degree, let's go a little deeper; we do not hear of NBA players who graduate from college, make a roster (undrafted) then go on to win a NBA championship.

Since college, Fred made his way not just into the NBA and playing a key role in Toronto Raptors first Championship in the team's 24 years of existence, but in the fashion arena. In September of this year, Roots Tuff Boots collaborated with Fredd with a limited edition Roots Tuff Boots and recently landed a sneaker endorsement deal with AND1. But how did this young fellow get into fashion as well as owning his own clothing store that houses his own designs?

Growing up in Illinois, it's almost a given to be a fan of the Chicago Bulls but that was not the case for young Fred who became a fan of Kobe during the Shaq and Kobe era. Fast forward to 11-year-old Fred, who knew he could play basketball at a higher level having played against his brothers’ friends and being just as good, if not better than them. Fred played for the Shockers (Wichita State University) all 4 years before entering the 2016 NBA draft.

Picks went on and his name was not called. The call that changed the trajectory of his career and mentality was with his then agent Christian Dawkins, who said 3 words that stuck with Fred till this day which inspired him to start fvvshop: “Bet on yourself.” Dawkins said these 3 words when he realized that Fred would not get drafted and the two believed that Fred belonged in the NBA.

“I remember seeing Kyle [Lowry] walk on a plane wearing something with his own logo on an Adidas jacket,” he says. “I'm, like, 'Damn, that looks cool. I want my own.'" said Fred to Magdalena Munao. Having this big idea he  linked up with some people from his hometown in Rockwood to create a logo and print out T-shirts that would soon sellout via Facebook posts and the car trunks of his family members. Soon after that, fvvshop came to life in an online store that carries drip with the signature FVV logo on it with some of the best selling like basic T’s, slides and some items carrying the mantra, “Bet on yourself.” In 2018 the 328 E State St, Rockford, Illinois flagship store opened to a community Fred knew and grew up around.

You must possess some confidence in yourself and your game to do the things Fred has done, from refusing D league offers after not being drafted by any NBA team to winning an NBA championship, and that's what a 6 1’ kid from Rockwood Illinois did. 

Fred is here to work on and off the court, with plans to come up with more original designs and premium quality fits.

Melo Is Back Thanks To Portland

Photo: GQ, “Melo Made” a collection with South African brand Maxhosa

We cannot end this week without talking about the 2013 NBA scoring champion and 10 time NBA ALL Star Carmelo Anthony, whom we last saw on the basketball court over 12 months ago. The New York native has had some let downs over the past few years after leaving the Denver Nuggets for the New York Knicks back in 2011.

For over 12 months teams were not checking for him while fans waited in anticipation to see him back in a jersey somewhere. All he needed was a chance to prove he still belongs in the league and after free agency this year the chances grew slimmer. Breakthrough came this Wednesday evening when Portland granted him that opportunity. Before signing Melo, the Trail Blazers were in desperate need to beef up their frontcourt after an atmosphere change on the court.

Woj dropped the bomb about Melo’s return to the league on Wednesday night when he tweeted.

Adrian Wojnarowski✔@wojespn

Portland is signing Carmelo Anthony, league source tells ESPN.

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  The non-guarantee deal takes effect as soon as Melo passes a physical, meaning we won't be seeing him this Saturday in San Antonio or what could’ve been an awkward appearance in Houston on Monday night. The Blazers have had a rough start to the season sitting 4-8, 3rd from the bottom in the west, this signing could be good for the Blazers who need a Power Forward after Zach Collins suffered a dislocated shoulder in their win against the Mavs this October, and with players like Nigerian-American Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless wearing different jerseys this season. This slow start is not what the Blazers anticipated when they were talking about winning the NBA championship a month ago.

Reactions around the league were what many would expect them to be. D-Wade tweeted: “It’s about damn time.”

“We added a good player, another scoring threat, experience, rebounder.”Lillard said in a text to Jason Quick of The Athletic.

Melo will relieve the scoring burden off Damian Lillard who has been great, shooting 38.6% from the arc. Melo will reportedly get $15 000 per day with the team while waiting for January 7th, 2020 to see if he will be fully guaranteed.