rebound magazine fall 2012

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Spencer HaywoodA Man Still on a Mission

BASKETBALL 101:NBRPA Honored for Diversity

NBRPA Changes for the New YearNew NBRPA Board Members Elected for 2013Staff Changes: Slam-Dunk Hires and Promotion

WE MADE THIS GAME:Legends Preview the 2012-13 NBA Season

EVENTS• Chapter Events• 2013 All-Star Weekend in Houston

WEALTH• Building Your Dream Team (of Advisors)• Ronco Johnson• Peachtree Partners

Tip-OffEric Carlyle, Publisher

Fish TalkMatt Fish, Editor

Executive SummaryArnie Fielkow, NBRPA CEO

Center Court

Luxury Real Estate

Nuf’ Ced

Legends Forever

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FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 I FALL 2012

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From Rebound Magazine

BY ERIC CARLYLE I PUBLISHER/CEO BY MATTHEW FISH I EDITOR

When I first found out we would be interviewing SpencerHaywood, I was very excited. Not many men make it to fourAll-Star games. Speaking of “four,” this is our fourth quarterlyissue of Rebound. Yep, we have been out for a full year now. Like this year’s basketball season, we are fully underway,busy planning our All-Star issue (Winter 2013). What makesthe All-Star issue so much fun for us is that it is, of course, our anniversary issue. It was just a year ago that my friend andbusiness partner, Matt Fish, introduced Rebound to many ofyou in Orlando during All-Star Weekend. I hope you have enjoyed our first year together. We havegrown a little each issue and are expecting some really bigthings in 2013. First, the magazine will continue to grow. Ourplans for 2013 include continuing to increase the page count,the coverage and our distribution. But none of this is possible without the support of you, ourreaders. I got to meet many of you at this year’s LegendsWorld Conference in New Orleans. I know that each one ofyou has your own unique story to tell and your own uniqueway of telling it. And these are stories that all of us who lovesports want to hear — it’s what provides that “up close andpersonal” side of the game that allows us to feel like we’re rightthere on the court with you as you’re making the big play. We are looking forward to seeing you (and celebrating anew year of Rebound) in Houston, too. Not only is Houston agreat NBA city, it is also a fun and exciting backdrop for allthe activities surrounding the All-Star game. I’m not sure whathe has in store for us but I do know that Major Jones and histeam will be wonderful Houston hosts. So please, enjoy your fourth issue of Rebound, and getready for a great 2013 with us.

Ready for an Exciting New Year

Finally, professional basketball is back in full-swing for an entirenon- abbreviated season. Sweet! With renewed opportunitiesand optimistic outlooks being the norm rather than the exception, starting a new season is always exciting. Each team is busy assembling and examining the right puzzle pieces, putting them together to ensure optimized performance that produces the best chance to win. This is thetime for coaches to make a number of important decisions.They are carefully watching their players to figure out whoworks the best with whom, to see how many minutes eachplayer can successfully log, and during what part of the gamehe brings the most to finishing a game. And ultimately, thecoaches are looking to see who brings the most to finishing theentire season on top. I have always enjoyed the parallel of sports and life. My father, Jack, is the hardest working man I know. He taught methis at a young age — you get out of things what you put intothem. And that definitely applies to basketball. Hard work,teamwork, footwork, working the ball around, box out work,shooting work, pre- and post-game work — all of this takes tonsof what else … work. Without it, I can assure you that none ofus would have made it playing basketball at a professional level. We all live our lives with highlights and lowlights, ups anddowns, excitements and disappointments as well as victoriesand defeats. So we’ll doubtless have highlights and lowlights,ups and downs, excitements and disappointments as well as victories and defeats throughout the 2012-2013 season. As theseason grows older, we know there will be set-backs like injuriesand illnesses, losing streaks and turnovers. But we know thatthere will also be winning streaks and beautiful alley-oops thatproduce feelings of invincibility … just like life.

Getting Back WhatYou Give

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Tip-Off Fish Talk

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Executive Summary

Season’s Greetings from the National Basketball Retired PlayersAssociation! This is a wonderful time of year to celebrate family, friends and your fellow NBRPA Members.

For me, the holiday season is also a time to reflect. On apersonal level, it’s especially nice to look back on a wonderful

first year with the NBRPA. We are fully entrenched in new Chicago offices that are centrally located to all NBRPA members. We have an accomplished, energetic staff in place and we are at an all-time high fordues-paying members (a number that keeps growing!) with a blossominglist of beneficial member benefits and programs that continues to expandand evolve. Thank you for your support in this past year — the NBRPAcould not have enjoyed such success and growth without you. Recently we held our first public event in Chicago, a “Lunch withChampions” that featured new and current board members such as ThurlBailey, Rick Barry and Spencer Haywood. The event, held on November29 at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier, was a rousing success that was attendedby more than 20 NBRPA Members and included support from theChicago Bulls and Chicago Sports Commission. This event coincidedwith a retreat for the 2013 NBRPA board of directors at our national office and I am personally motivated and excited to bring all of the ideasthe board shared to life. Our board drives this organization and eachboard member’s dedication to the NBRPA is inspiring. The approaching holidays also mean a time to renew for annualNBRPA Members. I want to personally thank each of you for your membership in 2012. Because of your support, we were able to achievemore than 25 percent growth in the past year and — most importantly— we now provide unprecedented programming, services, benefits andevents to our former NBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters players. If you are an annual member and have not yet renewed, our staff will bereaching out to make sure you’re with us for what promises to be the mostexciting year we’ve ever had at the NBRPA. Our board of directors has severalbig announcements to make in the coming weeks and months, includingexciting developments in our strengthening relationships with both theNBA and NBPA. RIGHT NOW is the most exciting time in the 20-yearhistory of the NBRPA and we are excited to have you on board with us. We will kick off the New Year in Houston February 14-17 with ourannual All-Star Weekend celebration. I look forward to seeing all of ourNBRPA Members in Houston for more open dialogue and idea sharing as

we continue to grow for the betterment ofthe membership. Until then, happy holidaysto you and your families and here’s to allthat we will accomplish in 2013.

Yours in basketball,

Arnie D. FielkowChief Executive OfficerNBRPA

Official Publication of the NBRPAVOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 I FALL 2012

NBRPA REBOUND MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER/CEOEric Carlyle I [email protected]

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITORConnie Wardman I [email protected]

EDITORMatthew Fish I [email protected]

WRITERSEric Carlyle, Cedric Ceballos, Paul Corliss,Jonathan Miller, Andre Mirkine, CFP, BrianPatrick, Michael Uyemura, Christopher Warren

ART DIRECTORDara Fowler I [email protected]

WEBSITE/ITDavid Riach I [email protected]

SALESTom Lockhart I [email protected]

EXECUTIVE EDITORPaul Corliss I [email protected]

ADVISORSBernard Thompson and Major Jones

NBRPA

CEOArnie Fielkow

STAFFAdrian Colón, Paul Corliss, Excell Hardy Jr., Erin Miller,Scott Roskind, Mark Scoggins, Charece Williams,Sam Vincent

NBRPA BOARD MEMBERSRobert A. Elliott, President & ChairmanOtis Birdsong, Vice PresidentMarvin Roberts, TreasurerSteve Hayes, SecretaryDr. George Tinsley Sr., Past PresidentThurl Bailey, DirectorHarvey Catchings, DirectorJames Donaldson, DirectorLaRue Martin Jr., DirectorJohnny Newman, DirectorDanny Schayes, Director

© 2012 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC4703 S. Lakeshore Drive, Suite 3Tempe, Arizona 85282P 480.222.4223 I F 480.889.5513www.reboundmag.comREBOUND is a trademark of Rebound Sports Media

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A Spencer Haywood —

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As one who has been called arguably the most talented basketball player of all time, it’s not his basketballprowess alone that singles Haywood out from the storied careers of his contemporaries. It’s what he’sdone for basketball off the court. While he’s not given to over-exaggeration in his claims, Haywood isdefinitely not shy about what he’s done to move basketball forward and to claim credit for the results. A “peaceful but passionate guy, an outsider unafraid to speak the truth,” according to his own description, Haywood is still on a mission to make things better for professional basketball players.Austin Burton, in his piece, “National Treasure: The Spencer Haywood Story” in the March 20, 2012issue of Dime Magazine, called him “a revolutionary for social change” and “a forefather of the sportsentertainment business.” Born in 1949 in Silver City, Mississippi, a town with a population of only 200, Haywood moved toDetroit in his mid-teens and grew to adulthood during a time of true social upheaval in the U.S. Fromthe late 1950s through the 1960s and beyond, the U.S. was mired in the Vietnam War; the DemocraticNational Convention was taken over by protestors; it was the Nixon years with its ongoing fallout fromWatergate; and the assassinations of the Kennedys and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. forever changed ourworld and how we would experience it going forward, both as a nation and as individual citizens. How poignant to remember Dr. King giving his beautifully inspiring “I have a dream” speech aboutracial equality while in Haywood’s early years (ages 6-14) when he was picking cotton alongside hismother and playing basketball barefooted on dirt roads, his biggest life dream was simply to own a pairof Converse gym shoes. But then came the 1968 Olympic Games. Long before the original Dream Team played in the 1992 Olympic Games, there was another teamthat some argue was just as good, if not better than the ’92 team. That was the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team that played in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Haywood tried out for the teamand at age 19, he wound up leading the U.S. team to a gold medal and was named the Most Valuable Player. This Olympiad was plagued by racial conflict. U.S. runners Tommy Smith and John Carlos gavethe Black Power salute on the medal stand while others chose to boycott the Games, including KareemAbdul-Jabbar, Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld. Haywood recalls that the Mexican fans booed the teamwhen they arrived because they thought the U.S. couldn’t win. But after they won the gold and Haywoodset records doing it, the fans gave them a standing ovation which brought him to tears. This made Haywood the youngest basketball player in the U.S. to make the men’s team, he had the all-time field

there is one man who alone has changed the face of basketball, it isSPENCER HAYWOOD. In a game where talking “trash” or “smack,” is considered the norm, it wouldbe easy to dismiss a claim that just one person is responsible for massive change within the industry …except for one thing — it’s all true.

By Connie Wardman

A MAN ON A MISSION still

>

If ever



goal percentage record (71.9 percent) and he was the youngest basketball player to win the goldmedal. He also scored the most points and rebounds in Olympic history, a record that remainedunbroken until 2012. When you ask Haywood what makes him the most proud of his many accomplishments, hehas two. The first is his Olympic performance – winning the gold medal, keeping it from theRussians who expected to win it, and setting those four records. He says he saved America in1968 from losing to the world for the first time in the history of basketball. The second thing that makes Haywood proud is his fight that went all the way to theSupreme Court that, in his words, “finally won equal opportunity for the guys to make a living.”Many NBA players today don’t know that there was once a rule that a basketball player wasbarred from playing in the NBA until he had graduated from a four-year college or waited fouryears after high school graduation till his “assumed” college class graduated. It wasn’t just the NBA that wanted to keep the four-year graduation rule in place; the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) also supported it. If outstanding players wereallowed to leave college early, their schools and the NCAA would lose lots of revenue based onticket sales and other products. If Haywood won his case, they would be losing revenue not justfrom basketball but also from football. As a 6-foot-8 power forward, Haywood tried to go pro at the end of his sophomore year atthe University of Detroit but ran into the NBA’s four-year college graduation rule. But he didn’twant two more years of college play. As the Number One high school player in the U.S. (Pershinghigh school in Detroit), the Junior College Player of the Year (Trinidad State in Colorado), and thewinner of the four 1968 Olympic awards, in his sophomore year he was named the OutstandingCollege Player of the Year — he was ready for the NBA.. Here was an exceptionally talented guy

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determined to make life better for his mother whowas still on her knees picking cotton for $2 a day. Buthis way to earning the money that would enable himto accomplish that goal for his family was blocked fortwo more years.

Now older and more experienced than thatlittle boy whose only dream was to own a pair ofConverse gym shoes, Haywood was now inspired tohave a bigger dream of equality. And true to his action-oriented personality, he wasn’t afraid to speakup and do something to change the situation. He

filed an antitrust action against the NBA and became the plaintiff in Haywood v. National Basketball Association that eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971. The court’s verdict that same year forced the NBA to cancel its rule that kept a player from entering the league before his college class graduation. This verdict is of huge importance totoday’s players because Haywood says it enabled him to create wealth and opportunity in theNBA for the younger guys who got into the league as early entries. This includes players likeKarl Malone, Magic Johnson, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. However, all this change didn't magically happen without putting Haywood’s life and that ofhis family into total turmoil. During the time this law suit was underway, he called his experiencebrutal and life-threatening, even similar to baseball’s Jackie Robinson’s experience breaking thecolor barrier. Haywood left college at the end of his sophomore year and signed with the ABA’sDenver Rockets and led the league in scoring (30.0) and rebounds (19.5). He earned a regularseason MVP, the All-Star Game MVP and Rookie of the Year in that one season with the ABA.But he paid a penalty for leaving school early. Even though he had been in college for an education, his own school, the University of Detroit, sued him for millions of dollars at a timewhen he says he wasn’t even making any money. Following his 1969-1970 season with the Rockets, Haywood finally joined the NBA whenhe signed with the Seattle SuperSonics. But still one year short of his college graduation date,the NBA said he wasn’t eligible to play and filed an injunction against him. So in 1970, with SuperSonics owner Sam Schulman, Haywood filed his anti-trust suit against the NBA. Recalling that time, Haywood says he was booed by the fans and had bottles, ice, balled-upprograms as well as racial slurs thrown at him by fans at a number of NBA arenas. And thenthere were the public announcements that there was an illegal player on the court where he’dbe escorted off the court and the arena premises. Intimidated by the owners, all the players wereafraid to talk to him – some turned their backs on him and some of the seasoned players targetedhim on the court. The result? He was totally isolated. He’s not sure the guys playing today reallyappreciate what he had to go through, the sacrifices he had to make to change basketball for thebetter for every player. This unyielding pressure took its toll on Haywood and his family in several ways. After moving to the New York Knicks in the mid-70s, he met and married Somali high fashion modelof the 70s, Iman. He was also introduced to cocaine and got hooked. Although it took him threeyears to kick his addiction, he doesn’t regret it or any other of his life experiences because they’vemade him who he is today. He and Iman divorced after 10 years of marriage and he eventuallymarried Linda, his wife now for 23 years. Living in Las Vegas, he’s the owner of HaywoodGroup, LLC that specializes in high-end floor instillations. Through it all, Haywood says hissteadying influence has been God, as well as the women in his life — his mother and sisters aswell as his wife and four daughters. Recently elected to the NBRPA Board of Directors, Haywood is still a man of action, still on amission to recruit players, both current and former, to help their own — to join the NBRPA, to beactive and get involved, and to lend their names to the organization. His dream of equality still driveshim. In classic Haywood style, he says “you got to do the right thing and set a good example.”

His dream of equality still drives him. In classicHaywood style, he says

“you got to do theright thing and set a

good example.”



Presented with Compete’s 2012 Professional Sports Team,League or Organization Award, it was created to honor aprofessional sports team, league or organization that is aleader in the area of sports diversity and inclusion, making itthe norm in professional sports rather than the exception. Presenting the award was master of ceremonies for theCompete Sports Media event, Matt Fish. An NBRPA memberand co-president of the Phoenix chapter, he also serves as theeditor of Rebound Magazine. In his remarks Fish noted thatunder the visionary leadership of CEO Arnie Fielkow, theNBRPA has launched a number of programs to encouragethe retired icons of basketball to participate as global ambas-sadors in outreach programs, becoming positive and visiblerole models. Citing the seven-day trip to Israel this past summer as aprime example, there were 14 NBRPA members who wereable to play basketball with Israeli and Palestinian youth in awar-torn area of the world, helping to bring acceptance ofdiversity through sports on a global level. Included were Legends Stephen Bardo, Dr. Dick Barnett, Kenny Battle,Willie Burton, Joe Barry Carroll, Cedric Ceballos, Dale Ellis,Spencer Haywood, Stephen Howard, Marvin Roberts,Danny Schayes, Sedric Toney and Sam Vincent. This combined effort of the NBRPA and the AmericanIsrael Education Foundation (AIEF) is part of a new workingpartnership called Athlete Ambassadors for Israel. In additionto playing hoops with the kids, the attendees underwent anintensive education program about Israeli society and politicswhile visiting many important religious sites in the HolyLand. PeacePlayers International – Middle East (PPI – ME),an organization that uses basketball to bridge divides, alsoparticipated. They made the following comment on theirwebsite: “While the kids learned new bball techniques, thebasketball players saw firsthand how the sport they have beenplaying for years could actually help to solve centuries-oldconflicts. Needless to say, everyone walked away far moreknowledgeable. A great time was had by all!”

a nod to the NBA’s history of diversity that carries over into the NBRPA, the alumni associationwas honored at the Compete Sports Diversity Awards held recently in Atlanta.In

NBRPA Honored for DIVERSITY

BASKETBALL101

Accepting the award on behalf of Fielkow and NBRPAmembers was Paul Corliss, vice president of communicationsand marketing for the organization. He shared with attendeesa partial list of the following home countries of a number ofathletes who have gone on to play professional basketball inthe NBA. It shows a lengthy and well-established pattern ofacceptance of diversity and support of inclusion within professional basketball: Argentina, Germany, Great Britain,Jamaica, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Corliss also shared with attendees Fielkow’s remarks:“With players from all over the world and from many differentbackgrounds, the NBA and diversity go hand-in-hand. As theonly professional basketball alumni association directly supported by the NBA, it is our responsibility to carry on theculture of acceptance and diversity that the league establishesfor its players. To be recognized for diversity in sports is agreat honor and we are honored by the award we received inAtlanta on November 14.”

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George Tinsley Sr., chair of the NBRPA’s nominating and corporate governance committee announcedthe winners for the five open 2013 board of director seats: Thurl Bailey, Rick Barry, Bob Elliott, SpencerHaywood and Marvin Roberts. Re-elected board members Bailey, Elliott and Roberts, along with newboard members Haywood and Barry, will join Otis Birdsong, Harvey Catchings, James Donaldson, SteveHayes, Johnny Newman, LaRue Martin, George Tinsley and Danny Schayes to form a 13-member boardof directors for 2013. Results of the election were certified by the Weltman & Bernfield Certified PublicAccounting Firm. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) havealso been invited to serve on the Board of Directors beginning in 2013. In praising the new board’sstrengths, Arnie D. Fielkow, Chief Executive Officer for the NBRPA noted that “the first-ever inclusionof the NBA and NBPA — our two largest partners — will serve to even further strengthen the strong relationships we have developed over the years.” Below are biography capsules on each of the five recently-elected NBRPA board members:

THURL BAILEYAn extremely popular former Utah Jazz forward who is always willing to speak in the media on theNBRPA’s behalf, Bailey is a key member of the NBRPA’s current board of directors. In between spendingquality time with his family, Bailey remains a hoops sage, staying attached to the game as a member of theNBRPA board and working as a Jazz broadcaster.

RICK BARRYHall of Famer Rick Barry is the only player ever to lead the NCAA, NBA, and ABA in scoring. Today he’sa successful coach, businessman and entrepreneur. His sons — all of whom played or are playing collegiately and two of whom played in the NBA — carry on his name in the basketball world. Barrypreviously served on the Board of Directors for two terms.

BOB ELLIOTTAs the current president & chairman of the board for the NBRPA, Bob Elliott has overseen unprecedentedgrowth in the organization that includes an all-time membership high. With an accounting degree andan MBA, he owns his own accounting business and has been a sports broadcaster for the Phoenix Sunsand the University of Arizona.

SPENCER HAYWOODHaywood has had a lasting effect on the game of basketball due to his 1970 legal test case that opened theNBA to undergraduate college players and his ongoing efforts encouraging players, past and present, tosupport one another. Beyond basketball, Haywood has a successful high-end flooring business.

MARVIN ROBERTSAs current treasurer for board, Roberts has helped increase revenues within the association while reducingexpenses. With a BS in Business Administration and a Master’s in Higher Education, Roberts has had avery successful post-playing career in corporate America.

New NBRPA Board Members Elected for 2013

Changes for theNEW YEAR

NBRPA

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The NBRPA has added to its staff of seasoned sports executiveswith the hiring of former NBA player and Charlotte Bobcatshead coach Sam Vincent as Vice President of Membership,Chapter & Player Development. They have also hired ExcellHardy Jr. as Director of Membership Benefits & Programming.Both positions are evidence of the importance the organizationplaces on membership and chapter development in the coming year. “Sam Vincent’s resume speaks for itself – he won an NBAchampionship as a player and recently led an NBA team as headcoach,” said NBRPA CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. “The NBRPA is currently at an all-time high for dues-paying members and we plan to tap into Sam’s past experiences and unique under-standing of our members’ mindset as we continue to grow.” Inhis new role Vincent will focus on outreach to former NBA, ABAand Harlem Globetrotters players that make up the NBRPA’smembership. According to research, there are more than 2,000former players eligible to join the NBRPA and Vincent will workto bring all of these Legends of Basketball the benefits of membership. Vincent will also continue to lead the NBRPA’slocal chapter development program, an initiative he has spear-headed since 2011. Hardy, who is finishing his Master of Business Administrationdegree at Governors State University and played basketball asan undergraduate at Quincy University, has more than five yearsof professional marketing experience and also worked as a highschool basketball coach. Hardy started his own branding company in 2009, The Evolution of Advanced Minds — T.E.A.M.LLC, where he worked closely with sports notables such asJackie Joyner Kersee and the Streetball Legends (formerly ofAnd 1). In his new position, Hardy will lead the NBRPA’s effortsto strengthen existing programs and identify new programs tobenefit members – including the continued addition of affinitybenefits to increase the value of NBRPA membership. In addition to the full-time hires of Vincent and Hardy,Fielkow announced the promotion of Paul Corliss to Vice President of Communications & Marketing and ChareceWilliams to Vice President of External Relations & Strategic Planning. The NBRPA’s staff, which also includes Chief RevenueOfficer Mark Scoggins, Director of Administration & SpecialEvents Erin Miller and Marketing Consultant Scott Roskind, collectively has decades of top-level sports experience with theNBA, NFL, NCAA, NASCAR and baseball.

STAFF CHANGES Slam-Dunk Hires and Promotion

RICK BARRY

SPENCER HAYWOOD

SAM VINCENT

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We Made This Game

Legends Preview NBA 2012-13 Season ince NBRPA members are the ones who, literally, made this game what it is, it only seems fitting that we should ask these Legendsof Basketball how they view the upcoming season and how the current players are handling their time in the spotlight. NBRPA

staff member Brian Gaughan talked to several members connected with each NBA team and asked them to preview the upcomingseason. Here are their thoughts on what to expect in the NBA in 2012-13.

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ATLANTA HAWKS“Can you go back in time to the 1977-78 season? If so, that iswhere you will find the 2012-2013 Atlanta Hawks. Like backin time the Hawks were one of the teams that made some greatoff-season moves. It won’t show up in the standings early, butjust like in the 1977-78 season — picking up the likes of TreeRollins and Eddie Johnson — the Hawks will show some bite.A .500 season would be nice.”Tree Rollins – Player (1977-88)

BOSTON CELTICS“The Boston Celtics have once again assembled a competitiveroster for this upcoming season. Returning veterans will continue to provide the talent and leadership required to viefor another championship ring, but the road is never easy.They will need their young players to rise to the challenge andperhaps overachieve to seriously challenge the defendingchampion Miami Heat – but another playoff appearance is almost assured.”Dave Cowens – Player (1970-80)

BROOKLYN NETS“The Nets have moved again and the excitement is renewed.With Deron Williams joined by Joe Johnson, the BrooklynNets will be explosive offensively. The real question is willSpike Lee support a team in his native Brooklyn?”Bob Elliott – Player (1978-81)

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS“The Bobcats are poised to have an improved season with theadditions of Ben Gordon, Ramon Sessions, and rookie MichaelKidd-Gilchrist. They have added quality play in the backcourtwith the free agent additions. They will be a great complimentto the seasoned veteran play of Matt Carroll, Brendan Haywood, Tyrus Thomas, and DeSagana Diop. There is achance for them to have a strong improvement from last seasonlooking forward to the 2012-13 season. Look for new headcoach Mike Dunlap to bring energy and enthusiasm. His focuswill be defense to energize this team and give them chances towin. Expect a much improved team this year.”Sam Vincent – Head Coach (2007-08)

CHICAGO BULLS“The last two years, when the Bulls had the best regular seasonrecord, will be hard to repeat with Derrick Rose out of theline-up for at least the majority of the year. Hopefully Derrickwill return stronger than ever and as soon as possible, but untilthen the rest of the team gets a chance to show what they cando. It will be important for the Bulls to escape any further injuries to the remaining core of the team — Carlos Boozer,Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and the returning Kirk Hinrich —and for those players to be consistent. The Bench Mob has changed, but will need to be as effective as they have beenin the past. Tom Thibodeau and his staff have done a great job coaching and their emphasis on defense is going to be more significant than ever with Rose gone. Don’t count themout yet!”Dave Corzine – Player (1982-89)“The Bulls are facing a difficult task this year, trying to maintaintheir position as one of the league’s elite teams while playingwithout Derrick Rose for much of the season. They’ll have tocontinue to defend at a very high level to win games and havesuccess, but the loss of Omer Asik hurts their defense in a bigway. It’s up to the front line — Gibson, Deng, Noah andBoozer — to help this team maintain its defensive identitywhile awaiting Rose’s return.”Steve Kerr – Player (1993-98)

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS“The Cavaliers will surprise a lot of teams. They are youngand talented. If their young guns are able to stay healthy theyhave a great approach they can compete with an experiencedcoach in Byron Scott. Kyrie Irving has one year under his belt,and if he stays healthy, he can be a top point guard in theleague. The key to their success will be the continuance of theiryoung players developing and their key guys staying healthy.”Phil Hubbard – Player (1981-89)

DALLAS MAVERICKS“Dallas guarantees to be a veteran, experienced, gutsy, hard-working group for the 2012-13 season. The experience ofDirk, Elton Brand, Vince Carter, and Chris Kaman promisesthis team to be competitive and entertaining night in and night

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out. Added with the athleticism of Darren Collison, Jae Crowder,and OJ Mayo, this is a team that can get up and down with thebest. Expect to see this team finishing strong and competingfor a spot in the playoffs.”Sam Vincent – Asst. Coach (2006-07)

DENVER NUGGETS“The Denver Nuggets are about to enter a season of greatchange and promise. Led by All-Star and Olympian AndreIgoudala, they have a large front line and a veteran point guardin Andre Miller. While they are still making major changes inthe wake of the Carmelo Anthony trade, look for the high energy Nuggets under Coach George Karl to make a lot ofnoise in the West.”Danny Schayes – Player (1982-90)

DETROIT PISTONS“The Detroit Pistons are a team hoping to feed off their strongfinish to last season and have some promising young talent.This is still an unproven and young roster, but one with greatpotential — if they DEFEND! Backcourt strength with Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight is a positive. TayshaunPrince and Jonas Jerebko (returning from injury troubles lastyear) provide stability and veteran leadership up front. GregMonroe is probably their best player and had a solid first year– he will be man the middle. Charlie Villanueva is the 6th manand needs to find his confidence. Keep an eye on two youngguns; Kyle Singler and Andre Drummond. These two will berelied upon a lot for Coach Lawrence Frank, off the bench tosupply athleticism and scoring. If the Pistons can stay healthyand find some consistency, they could surprise some folks.”Kelly Tripucka – Player (1981-86)“With a new owner and a new coach, the Pistons will be rebuilding again with old uniforms. This will have no changeon their outcome. They will be lucky to win 30 games this year.Last year Detroit won 30 and they may need Mayor Dave Bingto be 25 again and put on uniform.”John Egan – Player (1961-64)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS“The Golden State Warriors and their fans need to pray a lotthis season for the good health of Stephen Curry and AndrewBogut. If either goes down with an injury, which has been theirhistory, any chance to make the playoffs are over.”Rick Barry – Player (1965-67 & 1972-78)

HOUSTON ROCKETS“The 2012 Houston Rockets are a very young team that mustrebound, play defense and have low turnovers. [If] the playerswho play will score enough points on offense and workon defense, in a few years the youth will shine.”John Egan – Player (1971-72)

INDIANA PACERS“Indianapolis is a great town with great support. Theteam is loaded at every position 1-5 with back upsthat come in and give them great production.One of their flaws is that they need more stand-still shooters to extend and open up the lane.Indiana has a great organization from theGM to Frank Vogel, Brian Shaw and theircoaching staff, and the players buyinginto the vision of the team and themanagement.”Vincent Askew – Player (1996-97)

I 19



We Made This Game I CONTINUED

20 I

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS“The Clips are great to watch. When they get healthy,WATCH OUT for they will contend and surprise many. CP3and Griffin together are amazing and Odom and Hill have gasin the tank – deep in the play-offs for sure.”Matt Fish – Player (1994-95)

LOS ANGELES LAKERS“In true Laker fashion, purple and gold are storming towardschampionship contention! Acquiring chemistry early in the season will be key for the LakeShow. Look for Blake to playwonderfully behind Nash, and for Kobe to be Kobe. And last,but not least, Dwight Howard. Do I smell a second DefensivePlayer of the Year Award for the Lakers?”Michael Cooper – Player (1978-90)

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES“I think coach Holland has done a great job with the team inMemphis. If Randolph is healthy and Gasol continues to improve, I think that Memphis is one of the top four teams inthe West.”George Lynch – Player (1996-98)

MIAMI HEAT“Feel the Heat in Miami for the repeat. Get ready… one,two, three … James, Bosh, Wade. Oh, and Ray Allen? Size

the rings and enjoy a fourth MVP ‘Beast Mode’ LeBron. It may rain in Miami, but it is welcome,

just like more championshipsand the sun as it heats upSouth Beach again.”Matt Fish – Player (1996-97)

MILWAUKEE BUCKS“On paper, this is still a team that has a lot of weaknesses. Theguard spots will be shored up if Brandon and Monta stayhealthy. The forwards are a combination of skill sets, but withweaknesses on defense. Will Dalembert find a home in Milwaukee or play consistent enough to make a statement ondefense? It will still be difficult for them to get to the playoffs,with a lot of the teams in the east getting stronger.”Harvey Catchings – Player (1979-84)

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES“I truly believe Rick Adelman is one of the best coaches in theNBA. With the addition of Brandon Roy and young talentlike Ricky Rubio and when Kevin Love comes back from injury, the Timberwolves are going to be a very competitiveteam for the 2012-2013 season.”Micheal Williams – Player (1992-98)

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS“The ‘buzz’ words you will hear this year for the New Orleans’Hornets will be ‘building for the future.’ With the selectionof Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers with the first pick and10th pick of the 2012 NBA draft, the Hornet’s sent a clearmessage that they are trying to change the ‘culture’ of theHornets with two players that will immediately make impactson both sides of the floor. Add to that mix Eric Gordon, aplayer that has already established himself as one of the eliteshooting guards in the NBA, and the Hornets look to makesome noise this season. The main question for the beginningof the season will be how quickly the two rookies will adjustto the quickness and the physicality of the NBA.”Stephen Howard – Broadcaster (2012-13 Season)

“The ‘buzz’ words you will hearthis year for the New Orleans’Hornets will be ‘building for thefuture.’... the Hornet’s sent aclear message that they are trying to change the ‘culture’... ”

— STEPHEN HOWARD – BROADCASTER



We Made This Game I CONTINUED

22 I

NEW YORK KNICKS“I like what they did during the off season with the addition of Jason Kidd who will add some much needed stability, and Rasheed Wallace who will add toughness, defense and rebounding to help out Tyson Chandler. But Amar’e Stoudemire’shealth will be the biggest factor in how far they advance intothe post season playoffs.”Emmette Bryant – Player (1964-68)

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER“Last year the OKC Thunder were the darlings of the NBA.Despite their youth, inexperience and a small market location,they were able to make it all the way to the NBA finals beforelosing to the eventual champs, the Miami Heat. The Thunder’sBig 3 of Durant, Westbrook and Harden gained valuable experience bringing home the gold during the Olympics whileSerge Ibaka played a pivotal role for runner-up Spain. It willbe interesting to see if the Thunder will be able to take thatnext logical step as champion with even more expectations tostart the season.”Stephen Howard – Broadcaster (2011-12)

ORLANDO MAGIC“It’s 1 A.D. (After Dwight) for the Orlando Magic. Head CoachJacque Vaughn and General Manager Rob Hennigan, bothrookies, look to follow the Spurs/Thunder small market modelof team building. Not a likely playoff team, the Magic will compete with heart and hustle this season. However, their futurelooks bright with a bevy of draft picks and salary cap room inthe next few years.”Greg Kite – Player (1990-94)

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS“As we take a look at the Philadelphia 76ers, we see that theymade a move to strengthen themselves in the post by pickingup Bynum. The ongoing issue that you have is durability. Hehas been hampered by injuries for the last several years so itwill be important that he grinds it out and plays at least 60-65games this season. If he is able to do that, it could make a bigimpact in the win column. Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner andThaddeus Young still provide solid play at three key positions,but wily veteran Jason Richardson will be called on to givethem some experience as well. I think they will finish strongwith Bynum and end up second or third in the Atlantic Division on their way to possibly a playoff berth.”Harvey Catchings – Player (1974-79)

PHOENIX SUNS“The Suns are in rebuilding mode. This will be a rough seasonfor them. They have a few pieces to the puzzle, but not enoughto be successful this year. I hope not, but it looks as thoughthey will be in the bottom of the division – fourth or fifth.”Bernard Thompson – Player (1985-88)

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS“The Trailblazers will surprise a lot of teams this year. I thinkthey have a chance to make some noise in the Northwest division. There is a mixture of players with experience —LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum – and first/second yearyoung guns, Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard. Theyshould finish second or third in that division.”Bernard Thompson – Player (1984-85)

SACRAMENTO KINGS“The Kings will be challenged based on the tough WesternPacific division. However, the talented young guns of theSacramento Kings will not be taken lightly. Yes, young gunsas in fire power. Scoring ability from every position on thefloor during the game and more fire power coming off thebench. Depth will be the focal point of the team outside of thesuper-talented DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans. Youngteam, yes, but there’s no longer that excuse NOT to wingames. Expectations are to win 35 games and make a playoffrun. Defense has been the focal point knowing the Kings canscore from all positions. However, TEAM DEFENSE andprotecting the house (lane area) and ball deflections are a mustfor the Kings. It should be an exciting 2012-13 season withups and downs of adjusting to 82 games opposed to 66 in thelockout-shortened 2011-12 season.”Fat Lever – Director of Player Development (2007-Present)

“The Suns are in rebuildingmode. This will be a rough seasonfor them. They have a few piecesto the puzzle, but not enough tobe successful this year. ”

— BERNARD THOMPSON – PLAYER



SAN ANTONIO SPURS“The San Antonio Spurs are a testament to the old saying,‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ They have won four NBAChampionships, three of the last 10 and have never lost achampionship series. Consistency is their trademark and itwill be more of the same this year. The big three are all back– as long as Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parkerare healthy the Spurs will be tough to beat. Gregg Popovich isone of the best coaches in the league and has the depth on thebench to throw players at you in waves, which helps save theveterans’ legs. They will definitely win a lot of games, but thequestion will be … can they keep the aging big three healthyand fresh enough to make it through the long tough play-offrun to the championship against younger teams?”Dave Corzine – Player (1980-82)

TORONTO RAPTORS“I’m truly excited about this year’s “new look” Raptors. Havingspoken with new floor general Kyle Lowry, Ed Davis and theincoming rookies at NBA Summer league Player Develop-ment, Raptor fans will be happy to see a high level of characterthat should translate on and off the court.”Jerome Williams – Player (2000-04)

UTAH JAZZ“The Jazz will put on a show for the fans this year. They lookto be running a lot more than previous years. They have theathletes to be an up-and-down type of team. The scoreboardwill be lighting up in Utah and wherever they travel. The keyto success will be to play tough on the defensive end and compliment their offensive fire power.”Rickey Green – Player (1980-88)

WASHINGTON WIZARDS“If the Wizards get Nene and John Wall back soon, they havea chance to significantly improve last season’s record. The addition of Okafor, Ariza and Martell Webster has made themmore mature and stronger up front.”Rich Rinaldi – Player (1971-73)

I 23

“Raptor fans will be happy to see ahigh level of character that shouldtranslate on and off the court.”

— JEROME WILLIAMS – PLAYER



CENTERCOURT

CONGRATULATIONS TO NBPRA BOARD MEMBERand past-presidentGeorge Tinsley for being selected for induction into the first class of theKentucky Wesleyan College’s (KWC) Hall of Fame. As a student there from 1966-1969, Tinsley was a two-time All-American, three-time NCAAChampion, two-time NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team honoree,and was voted to KWC’s All-Century team by fans. During that time hewas also their all-time leading rebounder with 1,115; fourth in career pointswith 2,014; fifth in starts with 113 and was also a 1968 U.S. Olympic Trialsparticipant. Induction is scheduled for February 22-23, 2013.

GEORGE TINSLEY Inducted to KWC Hall of Fame

AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, this time to Tamika Catchings, daughter of NBRPA board member Harvey Catchings. Leadingher WNBA team, the Indiana Fever, to the 2012 WNBA Championship last month, Tamika had 25 points and eight assists in Game Fourfor an 87-78 win over the Minnesota Lynx. Although Catchings has led the Fever to eight consecutive playoff appearances, this marksthe first championship for the Fever. She is the only player in WNBA history to rank as a top player in career points, rebounds, assistsand steals. Named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2002, Catchings is a four-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time All-Star and last year she won her first WNBA MVP award.

THE CATCHINGS — LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

24 I

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MAKING HISTORY as the first NBAplayer to ever visit to the DPRK(North Korea), James Donaldson discussed basketball developmentopportunities to open the way for former professional players to conductbasketball training camps and clinicsfor both the youth of the country andthe North Korean professional teams.He has also been doing similar programdevelopment work in China.

JAMES “DUKES” DONALDSON Visits North Korea

CONGRATULATIONS TO NBRPA MEMBERDavid Thompson who was recentlyinducted into the inaugural class of North Carolina State’s Athletics Hall ofFame. Representing men’s basketball, during the 1973-74 season Thompson,who they’ve called their “high-flying forward,” led the Wolfpack to the 1974NCAA Championship as well as the 1973 and 1974 ACC titles, helping NormSloan’s team break the UCLA Bruin’s streak of seven consecutive national titlesby beating them in double overtime. Just two days later the Wolfpack beatMarquette, bringing home the first team championship in NC State’s history.

NC STATE HALL OF FAME INDUCTS DAVID THOMPSON

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 12 members of the Class of 2012 whowere enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Spon-sored by Nike, the event was heldSeptember 6-8. The list of 12 in-ductees included players, coachesand officials that bridged thedecades. Included were the AllAmerican Redheads barnstormingteam; Russian Olympic coach LidiaAlexeeva; Don Barksdale, the firstblack to break numerous color barriers; seven-time ABA All-Star,Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, Mel Daniels; Nikechairman Phil Knight; Olympic andWorld Game medal-winner KatrinaMcClain; NCAA referee HankNichols; all-time winning coach DonNelson; five-time NBA All-Star Reggie Miller; three-time NBA All-Star Ralph Sampson; seven-timeNBA All-Star Chet Walker; andthree-time NBA All-Star and Rookieof the Year, Jamaal “Silk” Wilkes.

Also in attendance as presenterswere the following NBRPA members:Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rick Barry,Bob Cousy, Billy Cunningham, WayneEmbry, Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore,Earvin “Magic” Johnson, MichaelJordan, Bob Lanier, Earl Monroe,Chris Mullin, Isiah Thomas, and Bill Walton.

I 25

Class of 2012 NaismithMemorial Hall of FameInductees

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Leland Louie, R and Hawaii Golden Realty present a magnificent Honolulu estate for your consideration.Imagine the magnificent lifestyle you can live in this newly-renovated 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home thatencompasses 4,356 square feet. Attention to detail abounds in this ocean-view home that is surroundedby an automatic gate and has a video surveillance system for security and privacy. e swimming poolis newly equipped with a four-color fiber-optic lighting system. e pool and spa are serviced by an out-door wet bar that also accommodates the patio.

Offered at $3,980,000 FS, this luxury home sits on 8,912 square feet of land.e 4,356 square foot house includes 3,494 square feet of roofed floor area with a 420 square foot garageand a 442 square foot patio. Additionally, there is a 442 square foot open lanai.

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Information herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Square footage is approximate and should be verified by buyer.

LeLadLouie_FP_Layout 1 12/7/12 2:18 PM Page 1


EVENTS

DALLASFired up and energized from the excitement of their 20th Birthday the NBRPA Chapters went to work. Dallas Legends joinedAmerican Airlines/American Eagle to raise awareness for the Help Haiti Celebrity Golf Tournament supporting the Villageof Vision for Haiti Foundation (VVHF).

MIAMIMiami Legends held a meeting to buildNBRPA membership in their area. Sam Vincent, NBRPA vice president of member-ship, player/chapter development met withthe group to discuss the vision of the nationaloffice, support provided at the local and national level, existing partnerships and future plans. Also attending were WalterBond, William Thompson, Ron Perry,Oliver Darden, Mark Strickland and TimHardaway. Bond and Hardaway joined theboard to assist Miami chapter development. The Miami Chapter held a pre-launchevent prior to the National Conference tointroduce their Advisory Board Members.Hosted by Warren Henry Leasing in BalHarbour, Fla., the chapter held a Red Carpet event to welcome its board and advisory board members with appetizers, champagne and music. The Tim Hardaway Foundation is hosting The Family Adventure Challenge, a family-focused race incorporating theirLive a Park Life philosophy on December 14-15 at Tropical Park in Miami. Hardaway will host the pre-event reception onDecember 14th. For information visit www.timhardawayfoundation.org. South Florida (Miami) chapter is partnering with Head and Heart Philanthropy, Open Society and the George SorosFoundation to host a December 7 symposium in Miami. Interested in attending? Contact Johanne Cadet [email protected].

ORLANDOSouth Florida (Miami) president Irving Thomas and treasurer LaMar Green with national board member Dr. George Tinsleywent to Orlando to support chapter president Tree Rollins and his group as they hosted the chapter’s annual golf tournament,the two-day Mercedes-Benz Dealer Championships at Grand Cypress Golf Club. Funds raised went to Basketball 4 Life, anon-profit charitable organization operated by the NBRPA Orlando chapter. Celebrity golfers included Nick Anderson,LaMar Green, Pat Burke, Greg Kite, Sam Vincent, Adonal Foyle, Otis Birdsong, Bo Outlaw and Greg Minor. Anderson was given the chapter’s Humanitarian Award for his work in the Orlando Community. Rollins presented himwith the award and a watch. This follows his being honored by the NBA with their Humanitarian Award during All-Star 2012.

PHOENIXCo-president Matt Fish announced a partnership effort with the YMCA. Phoenix chapter members will be holding a golfevent as part of the Y’s Strong Kids campaign. Also supporting the event will be alumni players from the NFL, NHL, andMLB. Coming up is a fundraiser in 2013 that includes working with the Phoenix Suns.

28 I

Chapter Events I By Joyce Johnson of iownpr.com

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2013 All-Star Weekend in Houston

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ark your calendar for February 14-17, polish up your golf clubs and bowling ball, and get ready to head to Houston for the 62nd NBA All-Star Weekend. In a recent joint announcement by Arnie Fielkow, NBRPACEO, and Major Jones, NBRPA Houston Chapter President

and a number of local dignitaries, this year’s annual event is being held forthe third time in Houston.

This year is particularly special since it marksthe 20th anniversary of the NBRPA’s founding as analumni organization for former professional players— the Legends — from the NBA, ABA and HarlemGlobetrotters. There are 58 NBRPA members whoare Hall of Famers and over 100 NBA Championsand others who are arguably the most iconic playersin the history of basketball. And the All-Star Weekend is the one place that annually brings together the current and future Legends of thisgreat sport. Some of the latest additions to theNBRPA membership include Muggsy Bogues, SeanElliott, Robert Horry, Michael Jordan, AlonzoMourning and Jalen Rose.

The NBRPA events coincide with the NBAevents throughout the weekend. The Friday

Legends of Basketball All-Star Celebrity Golf Invitational is being held atthe Redstone Golf Club and is hosted by Houston Hall of Famers Moses Malone, Clyde Drexler, Elvin Hayes and Calvin Murphy. True to its mission of social responsibility as part of the NBRPA LegendsCare program, during this special weekend, the NBPRA and its HoustonChapter will partner with schools, government and local non-profit organizations in the Houston area. These events highlight the organization’sgrassroots and community initiatives that reach thousands of young peopleand their families and provide critical resources to various community-based programs. This is a time when the organization also commemorates Black HistoryMonth by looking at the impact of African Americans in basketball and theirpositive outreach within their individual and chapter communities. Part ofthe celebration of Black History Month in Houston will be Friday’s KidsGet Fit Community Basketball Clinic held at the Jack Yates High School andrepeated on Saturday at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston YETCenter at Finnigan Park.

This high-profile weekend is the crown jewel event of the NBRPA’sannual calendar of events. The Houston Chapter expects to playhost to approximate 400 members, spouses, sponsors and invitedguests, so get ready to greet old friends (teammates and opponentsalike) and meet some new ones.

M

NBRPA events over the All-Star Weekend include the following:THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH

• All-Star/Celebrity Golf Tournament• All-Star Legends of Basketball Bowling Challenge

• Basketball Clinic at NBA Jam Session• Night with the Legends Fundraiser Event

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH

• Legends Welcome Reception• Legends to appear at NBA Jam Session• “Kids Get Fit” Legends Basketball Community Clinic

• “Touching A Life Gala” – Behind the Bench,the National Basketball Wives Association

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH

• Membership Breakfast/Meeting• “Kids Get Fit” Legends Basketball Community Clinic

• NBRPA Houston Chapter Gala

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH

• Legends Brunch• Send-Off Party

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WEALTH

he Sports Financial Advisors Association (SFAA)recently held its annual conference in San Diego,and joining the group was Rebound Magazine’sown, Matt Fish. He spoke to a room of financial professionals and attorneys who are working to

further develop best practices for working successfully withcurrent, future and former professional athletes. Included in this group were financial advisors, financial planners, attorneys, accountants, insurance professionals and moneymanagers. As advisors to professional athletes, we are thereto provide guidance and advice with financial decisions thatare based on our education, experience and accreditations,including the following designations: CFP, CPA, RIA, JD,ChFC, etc. The question for you is this … how can you benefit fromthe combined years of advice available to you when you decide to work with experienced, licensed professionals? In aprior article we discussed how to find a good advisor. But thatis only the beginning. We believe that the best approach is to create your own personal Dream Team of advisors. Any professional, whether a physician, business owner or professional athlete, needs a good team of coaches toprovide guidance and direction with critical financial andbusiness decisions. The purpose of having a complete teamis that they help you address and integrate ALL the aspectsof managing the challenges of a professional athletic career.Coordinating all those decisions will give you the best chanceto reach your long-term financial goals.

Who is on your team?• Certified Public Accountants (CPA) – Licensed in eachstate, CPAs are there to help you with tax return preparationand tax return planning.

TBuilding Your Dream Team (of Advisors)

30 I

• Financial Advisors/Planners – Formerly called stock brokers, these licensed advisors provide investment strate-gies that fit within your goals; they are crucial to a solid long-term plan to save money and plan for the future. Theymay be listed as Certified Financial Planners (CFP) or asRegistered Investment Advisors (RIA).

• Insurance Professionals – Life Insurance is an importantpart of a financial plan. Decisions that are made for estateplanning are licensed by each state separately. This specialty also includes insuring your home, health, automobiles and collectibles (art and antiques).

• Attorneys – Lawyers play an important role on your team,helping to draft documents for estate planning, business organization, pre-nuptial agreements, divorce and child custody agreements.

There are other financial advisors, such as bankers, mortgage brokers, and real estate agents. However, no singleindividual can have the expertise to manage the complex financial issues faced by professional athletes, both during and after their active careers. By surrounding yourself with your own personal financialDream Team, you give yourself the best opportunity to takeadvantage of strategies that will help you to reach your long-term financial goals while still helping you manage someof the day-to-day challenges of your profession. Members of the SFAA will be at the NBA All-Star eventsto speak about financial literacy and the key financial knowledgeneeded to be successful both during and after a professionalathletic career. We hope to see you there.

SFAA - www.sportsfinancial.orgJonathan Miller, 602-820-2220

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I 31



WEALTH I By Tina Orem I Reprinted with permission from Advisor Today. All rights reserved.

After ‘flat lining’ at 38, Ronco Johnson’s goal is to lead a life of significance.

onco Johnson was once a dead man. Back in October, he was rushed to the hospital withtachycardia — an out-of-control heartbeat oftenbrought on by heart defects, an overactive thyroid, or in Johnson’s case, stress. “To make a

long story short, they had to reset my heart,” he says. “Basically, I flat lined on October 4 at 5:45 at 38 years old,”the father of one recalls. It was an experience that Johnson,the president of L.R. Johnson and Associates in Cartersville,Georgia, calls a “lights out moment,” and it’s what he’s spentthe last 15 years preparing others for. Born in Cartersville and raised in Marietta, Johnsoncomes from a working-class family — “humble beginnings,”he says. A promising athlete, he played NCAA basketball forGeorgia Southern University for a year before transferringto a college in Nebraska, where he earned a degree in radioand television broadcasting. He later transferred back toGeorgia to play basketball for Kennesaw State University andearn a mass communications degree. When he graduated, hewas recruited to play professional basketball overseas, but henever got the chance to collect his first check — during oneof his last college games, he ruptured his patella tendon whiledoing a lay-up. “That left me a few hours from amputationfrom my right knee down,” Johnson remembers. At 23 yearsold and with life quickly going in another direction, he hadto make a career choice. With his education to fall back on, Johnson took a job asa marketing coordinator at an Atlanta radio station. He describes the job as “carrying crates for radio personalities.”But people soon noticed his low, smooth-as-silk voice, andafter just two or three years he had become the voice of jazzradio in Atlanta.

RWhen the Lights Go Out

32 I

He mingled often with entertainers and athletes, but“those folks were making real money and I was making radiomoney,” he laughs. “Radio money means that you can get inany club you wanted to — you just didn’t get the check to support where you were going and who you were hanging outwith.” So when an insurance agency happened to try to recruitJohnson’s wife one day, the light bulb went on. “I thoughtabout the idea that my voice has always been a talent, but I dohave a brain,” he recounts. “I figured that I had a lot of friendswho were making not-so-wise choices with their money.” Ifthe insurance business didn’t work out, he reasoned, he couldalways go back to radio. Johnson became an agent with New York Life. He spentthe next nine years learning the business but he had a goal,carried from childhood, of “owning his own way.” So on April26, 2009, L.R. Johnson and Associates, a full-service insuranceand financial-services consulting firm that specializes in min-imizing taxes for athletes, entertainers, business owners, andaffluent individuals, was born. Thankfully, he had insurance.He borrowed $50,000 from a policy to get started. The road to success Johnson first used some of the moneyto hire a business coach, who helped him change his perspective.“I looked at myself differently; I looked at myself as a businessowner, not as an insurance salesman,” he says. Within his firstyear of business, Johnson had paid back the loan and madeMDRT. The next year, he made Top of the Table. It wasn’teasy, though. “One of the biggest sacrifices of being a Top ofthe Table agent or being in the top 4 under 40, at least for meand my story, my testimony, is the fact that I worked 20-hourdays. That means I’ve sacrificed time with my spouse, takenaway time from my child. Anything and everything I talkedabout was this industry,” he says.

“Being that I was a former athlete, I understand how theythink; a former entertainer,I understand how theythink; and now a businessowner, I understand howbusiness owners think.”

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Johnson’s time in radio and sports may seem irrelevantat first, but it proved extremely valuable. “I think I was veryblessed to identify what my niche market was very early,” heexplains. “Being that I was a former athlete, I understandhow they think; a former entertainer, I understand how theythink; and now a business owner, I understand how businessowners think.” “I think everyone knows that the upper 85 percent ofathletes who play at a professional level go broke within fiveto seven years of the end of their career,” he notes, addingthat youth and financial illiteracy are huge factors for thoseclients. “From a very young age, there are a lot of trust issuesthat you have. People want to get next to you for the obviousreasons. But when you’re 21, 22, 23 years old and you comeinto a large sum of money — we know retirees and successfulbusiness people who don’t understand taxes. Whether youmake $100 or $100 million, you show me a rich person, I’llshow you a rich person’s tax problem.” The importance of NAIFA, Johnson, who is president ofNAIFA-Cartersville, says NAIFA helped him succeed.“Being a member of NAIFA is important simply because asa young agent, we don’t always understand the behind-the-scenes of what makes our industry so important,” he notes.“But when you start dealing with rules and regulations at ahigher level as it pertains to Congress and legislative reportsand stuff like that, you know you want to be a part of it.” “Our group is an interesting group of professionals,” hesays about his chapter. “A lot of them have been in the business many more years than I’ve been alive. It makes forhaving some expertise and some legacy behind how they dotheir business practices. And that makes it interesting whenyou get a chance to talk to them and you try to implementsome of the things that have been successful for them anddiscard the things that don’t work so well.”

Johnson has undoubtedly built a thriving business over thepast 15 years, but his definition of success has changed since theday his heart stopped. “If we had had this conversation aboutseven, eight months ago,” he says, “I’d have given you a different answer. I would’ve said it was a matter of just beinghardworking, 20-hour days, so and so and so and so. It was thetrips and the monetary rewards, but today it’s not about that. It’s about understanding that when the lights go out, Iwas ready.” It’s one of the reasons Johnson wrote his forth-coming book with a similar title: “When the Lights Go Out,Are You Ready?” “That’s what I love about the industry,” he continues. “I don’t want to work with everyone. It doesn’t have to be anathlete or an entertainer, but we have to have something incommon. I understand that it’s OK not to take every phonecall. For those who don’t understand, I take a moment to explain to them: on October 4, I passed away. Anything that happened after that wasn’t going to be takencare of by me if it had happened. I realized that you can takethings a little more slowly. You can give people more of yourtime. You can enjoy life.” Now at the peak of his career, Johnson is looking ahead.“Eventually, you give it away,” he says, referring to the RoncoJohnson Foundation for Financial Literacy, which he foundedin 2009. “People who are starving for help are getting answers.And when they get answers, they act. And when they act, theyrespond. And once they come out of their situations, they become advocates, and that’s where the rubber hits the roadfor us.” “My goal at one time was much different; it was to be suc-cessful. I’ve been successful. Today, it’s a little different,” he says.“My goal is not to be successful; my goal is to be significant.”

“My goal at one time was muchdifferent; it was to be successful.I’ve been successful... My goal isnot to be successful; my goal isto be significant.”

I 33

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World Class French European Masterpiecein Guard Gated North Ranch Country Club Estates

www.PremierNorthRanchEstate.com $14,950,000

Westlake Village, California

~ Approximately 18,000 Square Feet~ Over 4 Private Acres~ Superb Golf Course and Mountain Views

~ Six Bedrooms~ 9 Baths plus 4 Powder Rooms~ Professional Home Theater ~ Wine Cellar~ Elevator~ Separate Office/Library ~ Tremendous Master Suite~ Master with His & Hers Separate Baths

~ Massage Room~ Wrap Around Balcony with Views~ Detached Guest House~ Ideal End of Cul-De-Sac Location~ Extremely Private and Secluded~ Lush Manicured Lawns~ Gorgeous Pool and Spa~ Bonus Room & Gift Wrapping Room~ Sports Court & Sunken Trampoline

~ Circular Driveway & Garages for 5 Cars

Jordan CohenEstates Director / Top Company Producer

RE/MAX Olson and Associates

30699 Russell Ranch Rd., Suite 100

Westlake Village, CA 91362

818-435-5220

[email protected]

DRE # 01103362

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WEALTH I Peachtree Partners

eachtree Partners is a secondary market that buyslimited partnerships at a discounted price. We arebased out of Phoenix, Arizona and have been inbusiness for over 20 years. We are well knownwithin the secondary market world. We give

investors an exit strategy for those hard-to-sell illiquid assets. In 2003, Mr. Ira Gaines entered into a consent agreementwith the SEC enjoining him from offering, making or engaging in mini-tenders for a public company’s equity securities. This consent specifies that it does not pertain tooffers to purchase limited partnership interests such as this.The full text of the consent and final judgment is available at(www.sec.gov). Reasons to Work with Peachtree · The sale of your limited partnership will simplify your

tax returns by eliminating future K-1s. · In the case of many IRA accounts, you must liquidate

any and all limited partnerships that exist within the account in order to receive your funds.

· The liquidation of partnership units inside of an IRAaccount eliminates future custodial fees.

· You will not be charged a commission for the sale ofyour units.

PLimited Partnership Liquidity

36 I

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If you don’t build for your friends, you shouldn’t be building for anyone else

303-601-9446 • [email protected] • www.haleycustomhomes.com

Attention To Detail ~ Practice makes Perfect, but Perfect Practice makes Perfection!You know you want to work with a boutique custom home builder who has the experience and expertiseto construct your vision, working with your architect and designer to their specifications, down to thefinest of details.

In Touch At All Times~ We build for many clients who are on the road for a good partof the year, and we create a website for each of our clients, which allows clients to track the progress oftheir home through this “Owner Website”, while “On the Road”. Every step of the way, you can loginto your site-website 24/7 and check out photos of construction, calendars of progress, and track anychange orders that are waiting your approval, before we start the work. is eliminates the dreaded “whatis this bill?” that oen happens with most Home Builders.

Eye On The Bottom Line ~ You want someone to keep an eye on the budget and bottom line of your home, Haley Custom Homes has negotiated the same deep discounts the NationalBuilders command for materials. You want an energy efficient home, one that meets or exceeds today’s“green” standards. We are a Full Disclosure Home Builder, which means we send every invoice we receivefrom our vendors to you, so you can see the “Real Costs” associated with your job, not just those coststhat the builder wants you to see.

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I AM THE DAUGHTER of World War II veterans who migrated to Chicago after the war and bought a huge 14-room brownstone on the West Side. It was a beautifulhome with all sorts of special features and I vividly remember playing in this homewith my brothers. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that it had inspired me, instillingin me a love of architecture and luxury real estate.

Now a luxury real estate specialist with an A+ rating with the Better BusinessBureau, I am also a member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. I now assistathletes, celebrities and CEOs to find memorable residences throughout the U.S.and abroad. I make sure we always live up to our tagline, “At Carol’s Luxury Listings,we specialize in service.” So please visit me, Carol Holland, at www.luxehomes.orgor contact me at: 773-494-9125 (cell), 773-285-7964 (direct).

CAROL’S LUXURY LISTINGS — WE SPECIALIZE IN SERVICE

AS ONE OF THE FIRST REALTORS in the U.S. to receive the QSC “Platinum Award”from Quality Service Certified for 100 percent Client Satisfaction, Rita Armstrong haswon numerous national marketing awards and is also known for her reliability. As a finehome specialist, she is a member of Prudential Fine Homes International and has aclient experience rating of 4.97/5.0.

Serving the entire Houston Bay area, Armstrong is a specialist in waterfront,luxury/fine homes and townhouse/condo properties. She also specializes in first-timebuyers, new homes and vacation homes and you can email her for free auto-notification ofhomes matching your criteria or for a free home valuation.

You may contact Rita at 713.397.0734 or email her at [email protected].

RITA ARMSTRONG OFFERS PLATINUM SERVICE

JOSHUA BARIS, award-winning market leader and real estate expert, is currently ranked in the top onepercent of licensed real estate agents for the entire state of New Jersey. Similar to the NBA All-Stars,Baris is creating a major name for himself as an All-Star player in the New Jersey real estate arena. Byconnecting “Real Estate in Real Time” with social media and online marketing, he’s tearing up the courtin New Jersey.

A member of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Lee, N.J., Baris is a member of ColdwellBanker’s prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Club and their International Sterling Society and has also earnedthe NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award. He has represented recording artist and actor Ice-T withhis wife Coco on the first season of E! Entertainment's "Ice Loves Coco," as well as professional athletes,such as NBA player Jason Collins of the Atlanta Hawks, formerly of the New Jersey Nets.

Recently highlighted in the internationally-recognized Top Agent Magazine® as a “Featured TopAgent,” Baris was also named by New Jersey Monthly magazine as one of its “2012 Five StarAgents®,” a prestigious award based on customer service, integrity, market knowledge, commercialand negotiation skills.

If you are looking for real estate in New Jersey, reach out to Joshua Baris and see for yourself whythe “Bar is Raised for Real Estate!”

Contact Joshua at 201-741-4999 or [email protected]

JOSHUA BARIS PROVING THE NEW JERSEY REALESTATE MARKET HAS DEFINITELY REBOUNDED!

IF YOU OR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDSare looking for a high-end realtor in California,you need look no further than JordanCohen, #4, specialist in Luxury Estates. Fourisn’t his player number, it’s his rank as thefourth highest ReMax sales agent for 2012 inthe world. And if you want #1, he’s also thenumber one in his marketplace.

Since over a third of his clients are professional athletes and celebrities, Cohenhas been featured on ESPN.com andhis listings have been profiled on “EXTRA”and “Access Hollywood.” He has also beenrecognized in many publications, includingUnique Homes, DuPont Registry and the LosAngeles Times.

Having worked with such well-knownathletes as Marcus Allen, Mark Jackson,Don McLean and Tyson Chandler as well as numerous entertainment professionals, Jordan Cohen is the right person to representyou. Contact him at 818-435-5220, [email protected] or www.jordancohen.com.

JORDAN COHEN IS #4

LUXURYREAL ESTATE

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JOYCE REY IS IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN– not baseball, not evenbasketball (which just happens to be her favorite sport). The leaguein which Rey operates is the rarified atmosphere of luxury real estate. In fact, she is one of only two U.S. Executive Directors of Previews International, the Estates Division of Coldwell Banker. Anda number of her clients are professional athletes.

While there are many people now selling homes and estatesin the millions of dollars, in 1979 Rey co-founded the first companyin the U.S. exclusively representing properties over $1 million. If youcan recall the cost of housing in 1979, you realize just how cuttingedge that was. Rey certainly hasn’t been resting on her laurels sincethen. In 2010 she made the biggest residential real estate sale inthe U.S.

Simply put, Joyce Rey is an excellent communicator, a good listener. From a teacher to a flight attendant to a political travel andappointment secretary, she has brought her considerable peopleskills to both her real estate career and her personal service to thecommunity. Over the years Rey has been named to a number ofMost Influential People lists from the Los Angeles area to the national level; frequently honored by Coldwell Banker with its highesthonor, the Society of Excellence; she’s also been named the Los Angeles Business Council’s Woman of the Year and has beenawarded the Anti-Defamation League’s prestigious Deborah Award.

But when you talk with Rey about her real estate success, the first thing she mentions is how fortunate she feels to have thebest, most loyal clients in the world. For her, the quality and caliber of the people she deals with regularly are what make her feel incredibly lucky. Her greatest joy, though, is her son Brandon who was a basketball star in high school. As a result of going to all hisgames, Rey is a huge basketball fan. Mother and son now attend the Clippers games together. Maybe you’ll see her there.

Joyce can be reached at 310.281.3693 or via email at [email protected] .

JOYCE REY — IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN

AS A 13-YEAR VETERAN of the residential mortgage lending industry, John Prom has spent seven of thoseyears with REMN, the Real Estate Mortgage Network, Inc. Founded in 1989, REMN is headquartered in NewJersey but is a national direct residential mortgage lender that offers an employee-centric, sales-focusedand entrepreneurial environment.

Now the branch manager for the company’s New York City office, Prom has seen the company growfrom 80 associates to over 1,000, all of whom are dedicated to just one thing – fulfilling the American Dreamof home ownership. Working with a variety of loan types, including FHA, VA, Jumbo, Conventional and SuperJumbo Loans as well as Reverse Mortgages, Prom is able to serve the financial needs of home buyers, homeowners, real estate professionals and builders across the U.S.

Prom works hard to ensure his customers, as well as his employees, receive the highest level of service and professionalism. Helpingfamilies achieve their dream of home ownership is special to him, particularly union members and first-time home buyers, educatingthem throughout the mortgage process and sharing their excitement at buying a new home. His customers respond with enthusiasm toProm’s innovative approach to business and his emphasis on working as an integrated team. But he also takes pride in training new loanofficers to meet the same high standards.

Prom is active in his community and works extensively with the New York Hotel Trades Council. As a big basketball fan, Prom hasan already-established relationship with the NBRPA and he looks forward to continuing to help members and their families and friends.He’s also looking forward to The NBA 2013 All-Star weekend coming up in Houston February 14-17.

Contact John at 917-309-4209 or at [email protected].

JOHN PROM AND REMN – FULFILLING THEAMERICAN DREAM

I 39



JULY 27, 2012“We have owned and built many custom homes, and we were in the processof looking at new construction homes. During the process we happened tovisit a home built by Dan Fuller. From the moment we stepped inside, we knewthat Dan is who we wanted to do business with. Even though we were notpresent during much of the construction, it is as if we were there. Haley Custom Homes provided our own private website, so that we could view ourconstruction calendar on a weekly basis, review and approvechanges before those changes were implemented, and theyeven provided photographs of the house during the differentstages of construction for us to view. We would recommendthem to any of our friends.”

— Chauncey and Piper Billups

HIGH PRAISE FOR HALEY CUSTOM HOMES

WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING OR SELLING real estate inCentral Texas, good things definitely come in a little package— Francie Little, that is. She specializes in residential real estate sales in the Westlake, Barton Creek and Central Austinareas. Consistently a top producer, her strength is her knackfor negotiating a contract while maintaining diplomacy andpaying close attention to details from the first meeting to post-closing.

Little is a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) anda member of their Million Dollar Guild (CLHMS), a member ofthe Platinum Top 50 and the Austin Luxury Network (ALN). Her specialties include luxury homes, waterfront properties,developer projects, second homes and condos. She also specializes in investment property and acreage, as well asworking with custom home builders. As a Broker, Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE), Certified Residential Specialist(CRS) and holding a GREEN designation, Little has an impres-sive set of tools to meet the varied needs of her clients. Andby offering clients a free consultation, she makes certain thatshe fully understands their needs as well as their dreams.

Filled with an enthusiasm and passion for life and drivenby a great work ethic, her positive attitude carries over into hercareer as a real estate professional. Little clearly understandsthat purchasing or selling a home is one of the biggest invest-ments a person can make in his or her lifetime. As a result, sheis thoroughly committed to handling every detail of her clients’varied real estate needs. And just as important is the emphasisshe places on the process being a fun, enjoyable experience foreveryone involved.

LITTLE NAME. BIG RESULTS.

LUXURYREAL ESTATE I CONTINUED

40 I

One benefit of working withher is her in-depth knowledge ofthe Austin area, the result of living there for over 25 years inthe Westlake area. Another veryimportant benefit to clients is herwell-rounded and balanced per-sonal background that enablesher to connect with a wide variety of clients and their cultures and customs. A graduate of the University of Texas with a double major in finance and international business, Little has studied Chinese, French, Spanish and Italian and enjoyed broadening her cultural horizonswith the study of each language. She also has a great appreci-ation for the arts, particularly music having played the piano andthe pipe organ.

With a belief in giving back, Little is very involved in serving her community. As a dedicated advocate for a numberof local charities and organizations, she serves on severalboards as part of her career as a volunteer. A member of thevarious REALTOR® associations, she also sits on the govern-ment affairs committee of her local board. She is a sustainingmember of both the Symphony League of Austin and the Junior League of Austin, and was a member of the LeadershipAustin Essential Class 2011. One of the local charities particu-larly close to her heart is Helping Hand Home for Children, aresidential treatment center for children who have been removed from their homes, where she has served as a boardmember and past Gala chair.



PRIVATE LAKE FRONT ESTATES IN PALM SPRINGS

TWO OF THE MOST UPSCALE AREAS in the Phoenix metropolitan area are Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.And if you’re looking for a high-end property in the Valley of the Sun, contact Jill Brenenstuhl, Realtor of LuxuryHomes. As a resident of Paradise Valley and former president of a Scottsdale-based educational travel program,she has extensive knowledge of the many neighborhoods comprising both communities. When combined withstrong negotiation skills and a genuine commitment to providing excellent service, that specialized knowledgeof these communities is what makes Brenenstuhl a top realtor. In addition to the niche Arizona luxury market,she also offers luxury real estate services in the Coronado area of San Diego.

After managing personal real estate ventures for over 20 years, in 2005 a well-known Paradise Valley realtor suggested Brenenstuhl become a professional realtor. Since that time she has represented both buyersand sellers, making sure that their personal real estate objectives are met. For sellers, she commits to helpingthem sell their exceptional homes or properties in a timely manner, ensuring that they get the highest possibleprice. And for buyers, whether they’re looking for spectacular luxury homes or other real estate opportunities,Brenenstuhl works with them to find their ideal home or investment.

You may contact Brenenstuhl at [email protected] or [email protected].

IF EVER YOU THOUGHT ABOUT OWNING a lakefront retreat in the beautiful Palm Springs area of Southern California, wait no more.Shadow Lake Estates, the area’s only private water sports lake community, just released 12 custom homes and only eight of them are left.

The 5,950 square foot custom estate homes have high ceilings and doors, stunning mountain views and large master suites, all designedfor gracious living. With 4-5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen and a great room, you’ll enjoy entertaining family, friends, evenyour corporate guests. The patio has an infinity-style pool, an outdoor barbeque and a fireplace with plenty of room to entertain and relax— all this just steps away from your private dock and boat launch.

The jewel of this exclusive gated community is the private record-capable water ski Shadow Lake where you can choose to water ski,kayak, wakeboard, paddle board or fish. If this is your second home or seasonal residence, one of the best parts of Shadow Lakes living is

your ability to store your boat at your private dock and your cars in your three-or four-car garage option. Another perk for home buyers is a one-year golfmembership to Terra Lago Golf Course. Located next door to the lake, it hasplayed host to the PGA tour skins games.

This private lakefront retreat is only minutes from the vibrant Palm Springsarea that offers over 130 golf courses, fine dining, world class entertainment,casinos and three airports in addition to the beautiful weather for which thearea is known – 330-350 days of sunshine and an annual rainfall of less thansix inches. Even in the winter, it’s one of the rare places where you can baskin the warm desert sunshine while enjoying the snow-topped mountains surrounding you.

For more information visit www.water33.com.

SERVING YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE, NEGOTIATION SKILLS AND COMMITMENT

I 41



15 Reasons Why I'm the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale Real Estate Agent for You!

1. I have a total commitment to providing excellent service throughout thereal estate transaction.

2. I have exceptional knowledge of the local Paradise Valley and Scottsdalereal estate markets.

3. As a real estate professional, I will be committed to negotiating on yourbehalf to help you meet your specific goals and objectives.

4. I will engage in a comprehensive networking strategy to assist in the purchase or sale of your home.

5. I will go the extra mile for you to make sure your next real estate transactionis a smooth one.

6. I take pride in providing personalized service which means that I will behighly involved in the actual purchase or sale or your home.

7. I will utilize technology to better meet your specific real estate needs,whether you are buying or selling.

8. I will take on the difficult tasks to make moving an easy process.9. I will assist you in finding the related services that are necessary to buy

or sell a home or other property.10. I will keep you apprised of current local real estate market conditions that

can impact the purchase or sale of your home.11. I engage in a corporate level of marketing to make sure that your home

gets as much exposure as possible if you are a seller and that you findthe perfect home if you are a buyer.

12. I work as a full time real estate professional which means you will havethe pinnacle of support throughout your real estate transaction.

13. I will utilize my experience both in and out of real estate to let you attendto your family while I do the work making sure your real estate transactionis processed in the most trouble free manner possible.

14. I will respect your time and work with you so your busy schedule is not interrupted.

15. I will uphold the highest moral and ethical standards throughout any realestate transaction I am involved in.

REALTY EXECUTIVESDirect: (602) 524-1677 • Office: (480) 998-0676

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Nuf' Ced BY CEDRIC CEBALLOS

The Systemackson, Brown, and D’Antoni. I know it may sound like alaw firm but it is actually the line-up of recent coaches for

the Los Angeles Lakers – the current coach as well as the pasttwo. Now some people say that because of Phil Jackson’s history of ten championships, his system, brought to him byTex Winter, is an automatic winner. But Mike Brown, who had some success in Cleveland, didnot have the same success in Los Angeles. And Mike D’Antoni’seffective system in Phoenix didn’t work out quite how hewanted it to in New York. Although now that he has takenover the reins of the Los Angeles Lakers, he has one of the key elements that he had in Phoenix — two-time MVP, Steve Nash. D’Antoni also has another element that he didn’thave in Phoenix; one, two, three, maybe four potential Hallof Famers. This raises some interesting questions. Does the systemmake the team or does the team make the system? Does the coach’s philosophy encourage the system? Does a coach’sphilosophy or a team’s coaching order discredit or confuse the system? I believe it’s all about the chemistry. The players have toback what the coach is preaching. But the coach also has to

J preach what the players want to hear. And whether you are play-ing in a local park and recreation program or as part of any NBAchampionship team, it’s this combination or equation that createsthe system. A good example looking at the East is with LeBronJames, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh under the coaching ofEric Spoelstra. They had built confidence in their coach andwere not looking to include multi-championship coach Pat Rileyinto their system. This turned the Heat into NBA Champions. So the system depends on two groups; first the players andsecond the coaches. Players have to accept the coaches’ leader-ship and guidance and then want to execute it on the court.Coaches must have self-confidence, believing that what they’reimplementing with the players is right – that their system ofcoaching provides the appropriate guidance for the team. In the end it doesn’t matter where you are, and it doesn’tmatter what team you play for or are coaching. The importantpoint is to encourage one another and to believe in the system.When you do, the system will work for you.

Cedric Ceballos is a former professional basketball player and NBA All-Star. He is the host of the weekly program, Rebound Radio FeaturingCedric Ceballos.

Legends Forever

e want to honor the legendary players of the NBRPA who have recently passed on. These men are our heroes — truly,they have “made this game” what it is today. W

PETE BRENNAN:A 1958 first-round draft pick of the New York Knicks (fourth overall), Brennan died after a battle withprostate cancer. He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

ART HEYMAN: With an eight-year career in the NBA and ABA, Heyman was selected first in the 1963 NBA Draft bythe New York Knicks. He also played for the Cincinnati Royals and Philadelphia 76ers as well as the Hartford Capitols,New Jersey Americans, Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers, and the Miami Floridians. His cause of death was unavailable.

SLATER “DUGIE” MARTIN, JR: The Hall of Famer and All-Star guard had an 11-year career in the NBA as a player withthe Minneapolis Lakers, NY Knicks and the St. Louis Hawks; he also spent time coaching several teams. Cause of hisdeath wasn’t released.

DAN ROUNDFIELD:Drafted in round two of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers (28th overall), Roundfieldwas drowned off the Caribbean island of Aruba while helping his wife who was struggling in rough water. He played inboth the NBA and ABA in Indiana, Atlanta, Detroit, and Washington as well as spending a year playing in Italy.

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