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Next Gen Ready to Ball? How Aliyah Boston and Diamond Miller Show Up Not Just for the Fame But to Raise Their Game

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It was ‘lights out’ excitement at the recent NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship. The build-up was epic and the boost in game cred carried over from semis to Finals. The numbers speak for themselves, on the court in player stats, in sports entertainment as well as market stats. Why is all this happening?

Well, seems like next gen is ready to ball! Just look at team play and individual records of Aliyah Boston and Diamond Miller. Boston is prob the most heralded South Carolina Gamecocks player in history. While Miller is the second Maryland Terrapins player to achieve high first-round pick in the WNBA draft.

Aliyah Boston on GMA
#1 Overall Pick

Boston’s stat sheet reads like a long form record book of accomplishments. The highlights include three straight Final Four appearances, Finals Most Outstanding Player, multiple Defensive Player of the Year Awards along with Player of the Year distinction. You could easily run out of breath trying to list them all.

Miller is no slouch either as a product of Somerset NJ (hometown of this blog’s editor) and a scoring machine for the Terps. At the end of her high school days she realized she had what it took to be among the best. So, she just put in the work and feels blessed for the chance to grow as a player and person.

It’s a very proud moment not just for Miller in NJ but also Boston who’s a native of the U.S Virgin Islands. Friends and fam know that they don’t just show up for the fame, but moreso to raise their game. Plus, since the WNBA isn’t just a game but also a business, they’ll up-level their value as players by turning:

  • Skill into silver:- When they sign that contract they’ll be trading their talent for cash, coins and maybe a few pieces of silver? Going from NIL to the pro space gets dollaz added to the bag.     
  • Product into gold:- Every team starts out the season hoping to go as far as possible and to maybe one day win it all. This requires stellar performance for players to take home the gold (silver) trophy. 
  • Hustle into rubies:- That’s when passion for the game makes a player/team red hot. We saw that with Boston and the Gamecocks. The Indiana Fever hope she’ll light the same fire there.      
  • Status into diamond:- To have diamond status in the music biz is to forge impact in industry and beyond the charts. Miller’s fandom thinks she’s got the goods in the game and beyond the arena.          

Here’s some more on the market stats. The TV ratings for the Finals game was almost double from the semis two days earlier. It was also almost double since the last record high in 2002 when UCONN won the title. The jump in market appeal reminds us of what U.S. Women’s Soccer has done over the years.

Diamond Miller
#2 Overall Pick

In the next few weeks, the dust will settle before the start of the WNBA season. The veteran players and rookies will take the court to showcase their skills, improve the product, fire-up their passion and elevate the status of the league. You can bet Boston and Miller will be among names making the highlight reel.

Talkback: Did the Finals game between LSU and Iowa meet or beat fan expectations?

Tip: You go from ‘diamond in the rough’ to top draft pick by turning skill into silver, passion into rubies as well as hustle & flow into what makes winners go.

Tracks: Rihanna – Diamond – https://youtu.be/lWA2pjMjpBs

Ace Hood – Hustle Hard – https://youtu.be/r_dh16HQkqQ

Lebron James & Dawn Staley Give us Motivating Lessons on Rising, Winning & Shining at Work, Play and Round-the-Way

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There’s more to basketball, than basketball! That’s how Tracee Ellie Ross begins as the narrator of that new TV ad. It gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges that NBA players had to overcome this season. When the first player tested positive for Covid-19, the league decided to shutdown all games.

Then, a few months later, a careful restart was underway with the playoffs. The players would live in a ‘bubble’ on the grounds of the ABC Sports complex. In the case of the WNBA they also went through a similar process, but they’d restart games at another venue with similar restrictions.

Well, they made it through without a virus outbreak and crowned the champions. The Seattle Storm won their 4th trophy while the Los Angeles Lakers won their 17th. Their records say a lot about the ABCs of bringing your A-game, having a B-side to life-balance and proving your value to the C-suite execs.

Lebron James still has some playing days left in him, while former WNBA player Dawn Staley has since left the game and is now a college coach. They give us lessons in rising, winning and shining at work, play and round-the-way. It’s also what the TV ad tries to do without selling their next breakout shoe.

The importance of sports to biz and culture is well known. Whether at a restaurant, bar or hometown playground, folks talk about, study and emulate their fav player. It’s more than just what they do on the court that matters. They know that with preparation, passion and practice you can go the distance with:    

  • Work Ethic

Both James and Staley have played on Olympic teams. They made it there because of talent and work ethic. It’s the things you do that no one has to tell you that you have to do. You might do it for the love of the game. But there’s a need to improve, invest or capitalize on skills because work ethic demands it. 

  • Team Dream       

When pro players started going to the Olympics, they first became known as the “Dream Team.” They were among the best of the best in the game at any level. But what James has been able to do wherever he goes in the league is to have others commit to the team dream. That’s how they step-up their game.

  • Game Changer

When league play was put on hold, James wasn’t gung-ho about playing without fans during the restart. That was a game changer for the rest of the way. Sometimes being a game changer means being comfortable with starting over. That’s what James has done in his career with every team he’s been with.  

  • Street Cred

Staley grew up on the hard side of town. She was often with her brother and his friends at the playground. She wanted to play but wasn’t sure they’d let her. She brought her own ball, which upped her chances of getting picked. In time, her street cred wasn’t just from having the ball, but from “ballin” on the court.     

These days when it comes to sports, it feels like something’s in the water on the West Coast. The Seattle Storm wins the WNBA, the Lakers win the NBA and the NFL Seattle Seahawks are on a hot streak. These players show us that even in tough times, we gotta get up and rise each day to secure the bag.    

Tip: Get your hustle on, or at least bring your A-game so that your street cred as a game changer is in using work ethic to inspire team dream.

Talkback: What’s the off-season gonna be like for the players with social issues on their minds?

Tracks: Steel Pulse – Rize – https://youtu.be/m-bVaqDm7Hs

Ace Hood – Hustle Hard – https://youtu.be/r_dh16HQkqQ

Jozy Altidore and Sloane Stephens Made their Picks and It’s More than Just a First-Round Choice, But Also Passion at Its Best

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Not many job opportunities get live-streamed or broadcast for hours. But such is life for those in professional sports. This year’s NFL Draft is history with some teams still scrambling to finalize their training camp roster. If your fav team picked the player you hoped, then all’s well with your fantasy draft.

That might also be what Jozy Altidore and Sloane Stephens are thinking after announcing their engagement. In their words, each was the other’s first round pick to spend their lives together. Altidore the soccer star met Stephens the tennis pro many years ago. Now they’re headed to the marriage altar.

A marriage between player and team made in NFL draft picks or one made in life’s travels comes with a similar excitement and joy. Altidore has been doing big things in Major League Soccer and recently re-signed with the Toronto club. He’s also played on the U.S Men’s team as a leading goal scorer.

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Stephens made a name for herself in winning the 2017 U.S. Tennis Open. She’s seen in chocolate milk commercials selling it as an alternative sport drink of choice. Now she’s part of the squad showing U.S. star-power with her performance at the 2019 Fed Cup, which is the World Championship of Tennis.

No matter what’s your passion, hustle or what started out as your first love career-wise, these two give us a sense for passion rollout and work-life balance. Whether it’s being picked in the Draft or getting hired after graduation, sometimes it’s not only about having big stats, it might also be about having:

  1. Game

The top picks in the draft certainly know how to play the game. Altidore and Stephens have been playing their game for a long time. The professional game no matter the career isn’t always about being a high pick. It might also be about bringing something special to the game that could make you a double-threat.

  1. Smarts

Sometimes you’ll hear players described as having a high game IQ. They know the game and things you can’t teach in the game. They’re good at some of the intangibles of the game. They’re good at making-up for any shortfalls by drawing on the strengths of teammates to create windfalls in scoring.

  1. Fun

Altidore and Stephens might approach their games differently. But at the end of the day they know it’s important to have fun doing what you love. When the thrill is gone, fun might follow. Stephens says when she was injured, they were still able to make fun of things or fun of each other to keep the passion strong.

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  1. Soul

After knowing each other and losing touch as kids, they re-connected and began dating. Their roads crossed again and it’s as if their souls were waiting to re-unite. Sometimes that’s how it is professionally. Things might go off-course or dreams might get delayed, but the universe will re-unite passion and soul.

Some fans still wondering about picks made by their fav team. Even before the ink dried, there were player trades and team upgrades. Altidore and Stephens aren’t wondering anymore about their picks. Their hustle-love on the field and forever-love in life bring together heart, drive and soul to hustle hard.

Tip: Whether it’s from hustle-love on the field or forever-love in life, passion gives you an edge by having game-smarts and being a fun-soul.

Talkback: Who were some of the winners and losers at the recent NFL Draft?

Tracks: Johnny Gill – Soul of a Woman – https://youtu.be/qyvZqsRS50s

Ace Hood – Hustle Hard – https://youtu.be/r_dh16HQkqQ

Dwyane Wade Joins Bulls, Tyler Perry Teams with TLC; Checkout How They Live Large! #BigTimeUniversity

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

Dwyane Wade just spent time in Chicago, his old stomping ground, as the newest addition to the NBA Bulls. Page Six says Tyler Perry had some downtime in Denmark at a Beyoncé concert after flying staff members on his jet. For Wade joining the Bulls and Perry traveling in style, checkout how they live large.

Wade said in an ESPN interview “I respect Pat Riley to the fullest for what he’s done in this game, you know, drafting me, when a lot of people didn’t believe I was going to be as great as I’ve become.” As ‘baller & banker’ they share four surprising benefits of turning passion into hustle and hustle into passion.

Perry’s story of going from ‘homeless to honcho’ is known among fans. He’s taken his hustle for Stage Plays and turned it into his own studio passions. Wade spent 13 years with the Miami Heat, turning hoop passion into on-the-court hustle that’s made him a winner. Plus, they keep making deposits into people.

The TLC channel has teamed-up with Perry for a new scripted drama. He’s spreading his wings and building his brand as writer, director and producer. With passion & hustle in the mix there’s a good chance for some bonus moments. That’s to be expected as Wade’s now with the house that Jordan built.

No need to feel sorry for him, he’s got a two-year deal. No need to hate on Perry because he reminds us of how living the dream becomes real. These guys ‘got game’ in bringing excellence to their work. This comes through as they hustle hard. That’s why watching them takes us to a place of excitement and bliss.

Groove-Track: Drake White – Living the Dream – https://youtu.be/CHmI8wEmi0Y

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

Wade did a pass-thru in Chi-town. Where his early days went down. As newest trade to NBA Bulls team. He’s ready to blow-off some steam. Perry takes downtime visit to Denmark. At Beyoncé concert partying after dark. Flying staff on his private jet. Rollin’ in style like the jet-set. Living large, Wade’s not done yet.

Tells ESPN he’s got mad respect. For Pat Riley seeing him as a draft prospect. And what he’s done in this game. In creating stars, fortune and fame. When peeps thought he’d miss-out. Great as he’s become without a doubt. As ‘baller & banker’ they hit it big. Passion into hustle and hustle into feel-right jig.

Perry once homeless for a while. As honcho now top of the pile. A hustle for Stage Plays is his lane. Turned into studio passion gain. Wade after 13 years with the Heat. Moves on to a new beat. Where hoop dreams make him a winner. On-the-court hustle or prime rib dinner. Giving back to those feeling thinner.

TLC channel and Perry in sync. With scripted TV drama their new link. Spreading his wings and reaching higher. Building his brand as producer, director and writer. With passion & hustle in the mix. Good chance for bonus moment tricks. To be expected without the guilt. Wade’s now with the house that Jordan built.

No feeling sorry for D-Wade. Two-year signing got him paid. No more hating on Perry’s new deal. He makes living the dream look real. They ‘got game’ with mojo on the run. Comes through as they hustle hard and have fun. Watching them takes us to place of bliss. A guy Heat fans are sure gonna miss.

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Tip: Passion is to hustle as skill is to mojo. They put you in the show and in the flow of greatness.

Talkback: What might D-Wade still have left in the tank or up his sleeves?

Groove-Tracks: Ace Hood – Hustle Hard – https://youtu.be/r_dh16HQkqQ


Mark Ronson ft Mystikal – Feel Right – https://youtu.be/ognnZ3r2qyQ

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST