he Wayans family’s use of satire was not just about laughs, it was about reclaiming Black identity from limiting stereotypes. Keenan and Damon challenged the idea of being the "safe" Black man, while Marlon and Shawn refused to fit into any mold at all. Together, they showed that true representation is not about conforming to someone else’s expectations but about being fully authentic.
Discrediting Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell because the league was only 20% Black is ignorant. These men were pioneers, enduring racism, death threats, and media attacks while dominating the NBA. Clyde Frazier has spoken about the racism Black players endured well into the 1980s. Today’s NBA, where players stay at luxury resorts, exists because Wilt, Russell, and others fought for dignity and equality. The NBA is 80% Black because of their efforts, on and off the court. Respect your elders. The game would not be what it is today without them.
Anthony Washington, Educator/Business Owner, founded Thoughts Cost in 2020. Since then, he has navigated the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship, learning the importance of not relying solely on grants and state contracts. With a focus on developing innovative EdTech products, Anthony is committed to revolutionizing education while balancing the challenges of growing his business and managing personal financial needs.
True power comes from what you own, not what you manage for someone else. Dame Dash didn’t just work for a paycheck, he built something that many are still profiting from today. He is a legend, and it’s time we start treating him like one. I know we joke about stuff, and I get that sometimes we make light of serious issues. But I’m talking about the people who genuinely enjoy seeing these guys fall, who take joy in it for all the wrong reasons. There’s a difference between cracking a joke and reveling in someone’s downfall. It’s corny to take pleasure in the struggles of a man who has done so much, especially when those struggles stem from the very system he fought to rise above.
I don’t prefer one style of basketball over the other. I love the game. But the argument that today’s NBA is better just because it looks flashier? I can’t stand that. Just because something looks better doesn’t mean it is better. It’s still hoop, no matter the era.
Culturally responsive practices are often integrated only at a surface level in special education. Brief professional development sessions leave educators with an incomplete understanding, which is insufficient to address the complex needs of students from marginalized communities. Without deeper systemic changes, these efforts risk being more performative than impactful.
The mid-90s Orlando Magic and early 2000s Los Angeles Lakers perfectly blended eras in basketball. Shaquille O'Neal's dominant post play represented the physicality of the 90s, while Anfernee Hardaway and Kobe Bryant showcased the future of versatile, perimeter-based guard play. The Magic, with this mix of power and finesse, reached the NBA Finals but couldn't fully realize their potential due to Shaq's departure. In Los Angeles, Shaq and Kobe perfected the formula, leading the Lakers to three consecutive championships and becoming one of the most unstoppable teams in NBA history.
The evolution of guard play in the NBA has shifted from versatile post-up skills to a perimeter-focused game. Guards like Mark Jackson, Gary Payton, and Chauncey Billups mastered the art of scoring and facilitating from the post, a skill set that is less common in today’s fast-paced, three-point-heavy game. While modern guards excel in shooting and quickness, the lost art of post-up play provided a unique versatility that defined previous generations. Jalen Brunson is one of the few modern players who still embodies this throwback style.
The idea that today's NBA players are far more athletic than those from the 90s is a common narrative, but the data doesn't fully support this claim. NBA Combine results from 2000 to 2019 show little improvement in key athletic metrics like speed, vertical leap, and agility. Instead, rule changes, such as banning hand-checking and legalizing zone defenses, have had a greater impact on the pace and style of the game. These changes created the perception of a faster, more athletic league, even though players' raw physical capabilities have not drastically changed.
Redirection and participation trophies, while well-intentioned, may inadvertently undermine critical lessons of resilience, accountability, and the value of true achievement. In a world that demands perseverance and adaptability, shielding children from boundaries and competition can leave them ill-prepared for the realities of adult life.
Thoughts Processed 