kyrie irving

Dream Out Loud: Here’s to Rolling Out the Red Carpet Under the Bright Lights of Success

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Doc Cunningham

Who thinks the NBA playoffs ‘bout to get poppin’? The post-season slate of games started off with the play-in tournament. Teams on the bubble got to earn the last few slots before the first round series matchups. This year the Lakers are out of the running and the Bucks seem like favorites to repeat.

Fans got watchful eyes on some teams while franchise execs looking at whether their squad’s got the right stuff. In-between quarters, we get to see LeBron talking with his younger self in a TV ad. It’s like a back-in-the-day preview of things to come, a kinda before and after. And as they say the rest is history.

Maybe Lebron’s hoping we’ll see another ad someday of him talking with his son about making it in the league. He stirred lots of buzz recently about wanting to one day play with his son before retiring. It’s as if he was trying to dream out loud, wishing that the ‘hoop gods’ were listening. Well, the media crew were.

Press Conference

As a kid, he had coaches who saw his potential. That got shaped over the years to the point where he went from high school straight to primetime. That’s not easy to do. Just think, only two percent of college athletes make it to the pros. It’s a much smaller number that jump directly from high school.

Folks who dream out loud do more than just say stuff and hope it happens like magic. Bron might tell his son you gotta believe it before you see it. Spend time building-up in the weight room and taking shots in the gym. But listen closely, there’s other heads-up points you’ll hear in convo or on sports shows about:

  • Planning:- The off season brings downtime as things happen behind the scenes. Soon he’ll be back at it during training camp. But he’s prob also thinking thru next-level moves in career & biz.    
  • Passion:- In that post-game interview he said he’d like to play a few more seasons. As long as he’s in good shape and still got love for the game, he feels his passion will stay strong.
  • Pizzazz:- Fans get excited for his high-flying dunks in a game. They like the no-look passes on a score assist. His eye for the game and his heart for winning is often the spark for a turnaround.   
  • Patience:- It took a while before he won his first NBA championship. Year-in year-out he kept working at it until things clicked. Sometimes success feels slow, but patience gets you to the win.      

Bron knows there’s more to it than just swag, right? You gotta have discipline to have game. You gotta see things thru from first shot before you’re named the MVP. There’s even the idea that you gotta do that thing thousands of times before it’s a breeze in doing it almost like second nature and with ease.

Big Stage

Being under the bright lights of success is a great place to be seen. Sometimes it takes a setback for that push to go from stop to star, from seeing red to seeing green in dollars and a dream. Lebron says retirement’s gotta wait if he can still produce at a high level and if in his spirit, he still got the fire to amaze.

Talkback: Lebron/Wade vs Durant/Irving, best tag-team combo? Plus, what’s Lebron doing these days in the off-season, spinning his wheels or cutting new deals?

Tip: Those who dream-out-loud set things in motion to go from first step to bright lights and red carpet.

A WordPress Community & Lifestyle Feature in #WordPrompt

Sterling K. Brown & Kyrie Irving Tell Their Stories of Test & Triumph in Ways That Give us More Oomph!

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Who knew Sterling K. Brown would win for Best Actor in a Drama series? It’s been 19 years since that last happened for an African-American actor. The winner then is someone who shares a similar journey as Brown. But of-course, Brown wouldn’t have had enough time to tell that story from the Emmy stage.

His acceptance speech was cut short by show producers. He and Kyrie Irving will get lots of opportunities to tell their stories of test & triumph in the coming months. Irving is set to play for a new team in the Boston Celtics after leaving the Cavaliers. Their stories make some wanna cheer Brown and jeer Irving.

For Brown it’s been a wild ride of playing parts that gave him more experience and exposure. For Irving it’s about trying to take on a new role of team leader without Lebron James in the picture. Their career moves and landing those dream spots remind us of having to “stay in fate and stay in flow.”

This made more sense to me from a recent trip. We departed on time, had a fairly calm flight and were moving right along to our destination. Then the pilot announced that we’d been circling for a while as the air traffic control wasn’t ready for our arrival. He said we’d be in a holding pattern for another 15 minutes.

That happens with airplanes as it does for dreams yet to unfold. As fate would have it, there’s a place for which our dreams will land. But sometimes the venue where we’re supposed to land isn’t quite ready for our arrival. There may even be some clouds in the area that’s causing reduced visibility.

There’s no reason for the destination to change. Similarly there’s often no reason for our destiny to change either. So we go through a holding pattern until the right circumstances to land that gig. That’s how Brown might describe his fate as a student from Stanford to NYU to Emmy winner as his acting idol.

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Irving sees his decision to move on from the Cavaliers as a fresh start. Yea he won an NBA championship but now he wants to make a ‘destiny turn’ and land his dreams somewhere else. Whether working on that career breakthrough or on landing that next dream spot, the key is staying in flow.

That’s been the latest chapter of my own story. Having done ten years as a Computer Engineer, 5 years doing community radio, two years as Community TV host and many years as an author, commentator and blogger, that next dream spot seems to be just a ‘holding pattern’ away from my career destination.

After going around in circles but staying in flow, the pilot announced that we were cleared to land. The usual reminder of returning seat-back to upright position and returning items to overhead bin was made. Within 10 to 15 minutes we landed at our destination and the passengers started clapping in unison.

That’s kinda what Brown experienced when he won for Best Actor. His peers shared their excitement. He landed his role on NBCs This is Us after having a breakout role in FXs People vs O.J. Simpson series. Let’s see if Irving can change jeers to cheers by deliver an NBA championship in Boston.

Tip: To talk and walk like a winner is to keep your passion on point by staying in fate and staying in flow towards your destiny.

Talkback: What’s it gonna take for Irving to bring a championship to Boston or for Brown to land his next dream role?

Tracks: Buju Banton – Champion – https://youtu.be/TsrKloxhfaw

Marques Houston – Circle – https://youtu.be/0sS4zJNp_10

Anthony Davis and Lebron James Were the Ones Shining at the NBA All-star Showcase #BigTimeUniversity

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#BigTimeUniversity – “Small Talk, Street Dreams, Next Level”

This production of “Wise-up Weekly” 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 ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (Old-School Flava)

It’s another birthday year for Michael Jordan who turned 54. In many eyes he’s the reigning all-time best in NBA play. Fans hoped to see some of that at the recent All-star game as things went jazzy in New Orleans. While the game had some folks sighing, Anthony Davis & Lebron James were the ones shining.

Post-game chatter is overall play was a joke. According to USA Today even Kyrie Irving chimed in saying “It’s all in good fun, but I definitely think that, if we want a competitive game, guys will probably have to talk about it before the game.” It’s things people talk about to bring ‘more game & less lame’ to the office.

The all-star showcase features athletes who know what ‘good-better-yes’ looks like and what winning feels like. It’s where fun is plenty, boos are rare and thrills are high. Plus in the days of Jordan & Magic we’d see how pros excel in stepping out of their heads and into the zone by having a picture of the goal.

Some sports analysts wonder if that mindset is getting lost in the fat-check world of the league. What many remember and point back to is how in the Jordan era athletes would work hard and play smart to get the best out of their effort. They’d give us lots of dunks but not slack-off on playing a complete game.

Cheers were heard when Durant and Westbrook connected on a tag-team score. Then we saw the high-fives. If for nothing else, the best plays in a game or at the office are those where players bring it as go-getters and team players. Maybe next time in L.A. Irving says ‘let’s groove’ they’ll picture it like pure gold.

Groove-Track: Earth Wind & Fire – Let’s Groove – https://youtu.be/Lrle0x_DHBM

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Hotstepping’ – Get Jiggy, Get Woke!”
A Cool Way for Flexing Style, Game & Soul in How We Roll (New-School Flava)

Another b-day for air Mike. Turned 84, no 54 psyche! For many he’s the real MVP. All-time best in scoring spree. True fans hoped they’d get. A game where players would sweat. Things were jazzy in Pelican town. Lots of celebs hung around. Some folks were kinda sighing. But Davis & James did their shining.

Past-game chatter on overall play. It was a joke is what some say. Even Kyrie Irving chimed-in a bit. On looking for good fun and no sh**. For all-star game to come alive. Players gotta show-up with no jive. Talk before tip-off makes it good. For ‘more game & and less lame’ like they should.

All-star showcase of athletic feats. Dudes from local and foreign streets. Those who know about ‘good-better-yes.’ With winning as a way to bless. Fun is plenty, boos are rare. Thrill are high like they don’t care. Plus in days of Jordan & Magic we’d see. Them be in the zone of goals running free.

Sports gurus wonder out loud. If mindset has become to proud. Getting lost in the fat-check digits. But reduced play and passion so midget. When Jordan and them did their thing. It was more than just about the ring. Work hard, play smart the same. Lots of dunks and a complete game.

Cheers heard for Durant & Westbrook score. With tag-team pass and shot on the floor. Then the high-fives made it feel. Like they were keeping it real. Why best plays in game from go-getters. Are like best work at office of team players. Maybe next time before Irving is old. He’ll say ‘lets’ groove’ for pure gold.

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Tip: The best game in town is where team players are set, goals are reached and new victories are won.

Talkback: What are people saying about the level of play at the recent NBA All-Star game?

Groove-Tracks: DJ Khaled ft Beyoncé & Jay-Z – Shining – https://youtu.be/nD92-vOEUG8

Kiiara – Gold – https://youtu.be/sO9cBXRcBvo

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

Simone Biles & LeBron James Turned the Breakfast of Champions into GOAT Ratings #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)

It was the block shot many will remember. LeBron James came soaring back to prevent a layup. Then Kyrie Irving hit a 3-point shot. These two plays sealed the win. There’s also Simone Biles and her high-flying gymnastic routines. James & Biles have turned the breakfast of champions into GOAT ratings.

Biles’ teammate Aly Raisman told USA Today “Even when the coaches talk to us, they’re like, ‘Don’t even count Simone. She’s just in her own league.’” Maybe James and Biles are the ‘greatest of all time’ in their sport? They give us 5 keys for bringing our A-game in ways that rub-off on teammates and co-workers.

It’s as if James and the starting-5 understood what it would take to be great. So they brought their skills to the court to match the stakes of the game. Some brought grit while James brought an overriding sense for the goal. After losing the first two games many sports commentators began to think it was over.

Then it seemed group chemistry kicked-in. James gathered himself and took a big gulp of belief. Almost anyone who’s had to step-up their game knows about responding to a defining moment. This shift had him playing at a higher level. He put his stamp on the series with stats that were other-worldly like Biles.

A recent tweet from Steve Harvey said “Discipline determines your destiny!” That message comes through in the performances of James and Biles. This helps to raise their stock like money in the bank. Plus, it’s another ‘Harvey nugget’ that makes you wanna stomp for next-level dreams.

Groove-Track: The Brothers Johnson – Stomp – https://youtu.be/tPBDMihPRJA

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

The block shot many will remember. Didn’t happen in September. LeBron James came soaring back. To prevent a layup on the rack. Then it was Kyrie’s 3-point shot. Sealed their win and history’s spot. There’s also gymnast Simone Biles flying high. James & Biles take breakfast of champions to the sky.

Biles’ teammate had her say. Telling USA Today Biles don’t play. Even when coaches pump them up. They say Biles is drinking from another cup. In her own league on the mat. Her and James might be GOAT fat. Giving us 5 keys for A-game readiness. For teammates and co-worker steadiness.

As if James and starting-5 knew what’s on their plate. In order to take it to being great. Skills to the court not just by name. But to match the stakes of the game. Some brought grit and guts to the floor. James saw the goal for raising his score. Losing first two games on the road. Some thought Warriors had it sold.

Then Cavs group chemistry kicked-in. Made them come away with a win. James took a big gulp of belief. While fans had a sigh of relief. Stepping-up their game with commitment. And responding to the defining moment. In making a higher level playing shift. James and Biles do things that give others a lift.

Tweet from Steve Harvey media deck. Says “Discipline determines destiny,” heck! Message comes through with James and Biles. In work ethic and radiant styles. Helps to raise their stock appeal. And how they keep it real. That’s another ‘Harvey nugget’ for sure. Makes you wanna stomp for more.

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Tip: Our A-game becomes a plus by how we make a performance shift and give others an emotional lift.

Talkback: Is Simone Biles or LeBron James the GOAT in their respective sport?”

Groove-Tracks: Kevin Ross ft Chaz French – Be Great – https://youtu.be/lQ7nv1GUPTA


Empire of the Sun – Walking on a Dream – https://youtu.be/UxBvWnrfXzo

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

Lebron James Looks to ‘Stir the Pot’ for More Game and Contract Dollars #WUWECAST

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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?

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (Old-School Flava)

Well Nicki Minaj won big at the 2015 BET Awards. She got her sixth consecutive best female hip-hop title. But Lebron James is about to win even bigger. The word from his camp is that he’s opting-out on the second year of his contract. James looks to stir the pot for more game and contract dollars.

He’s not planning to leave Cleveland. He’s just looking to raise his stake. James understands the money chain linking his strengths and his value. Some teammates might wonder “Will he let them break us apart?” TNTs Shaq might say it’s simply about striving for greatness as the NBAs ‘Royal Highness.’

James vows to fans he’ll get better by working on some things. During the off-season it’s also about raising his game. As a proven champion he knows striving for greatness means working on your next level of performing. That is often about what you produce in people and what people produce in you.

It’s no surprise then that James is willing to own the role of team leader. With playoff injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, it was asking a lot of him to win it all. The best he could do was to rally other players towards making an impact. So, are the Cavaliers poised to turn the letdown into the get-down?

James puts no limits on his game or market appeal. This is seen with the many products he endorses. His value at home or beyond the block grows leaps and bounds. His next level of performing, leading and branding is seen in an upcoming movie. Even in the downtime James stays on the run and ready to ride.

Groove-Track: Stephen Marley – ‘Break us Apart’ – https://youtu.be/8T7I7NMlwvk

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Uppertunity’ – Get Lifted!”
With Higher Hopes, Bolder Dreams and Greater Teams (New-School Flava)

At 2015 BET Awards Nicki Minaj won big. Sixth consecutive best female artist in her hip-hop gig. But Lebron James about to go bigger. Not just in paycheck but also with swagger. Opting-out of second year in contract dollar. Looks to stir the pot for game and gold around his collar.

Not planning to leave Cleveland you see. Just looking to raise his stock commodity. Understands the money link from strengths to market value. Whether on basketball court or other venue. Some locker-room chatter about breaking-up team. TNTs Shaq might say like Biggie “that’s all a dream.”

Vows to fans he’ll get better. Also working on some things as a jet-setter. During the off-season it’s about raising his game. A proven champion’s always mindful of his acclaim. Striving for greatness in how he’s performing. To produce in people as people produce in you adds to one’s rising.

No surprise then he’s willing to own the role. As team leader near and dear to his soul. With injuries to Irving and Kev Love. Had to rally others to rise above. James winning it all was asking a lot. But superstars know how to hit the spot. Poised to go from playoff letdown. Into next season stats getdown.

Puts no limits on his appeal. In being himself and keeping it real. As seen with the many products he plugs. Valued at home and beyond like tire lugs. Next level of performing starts with leading. Also add-in new movie trailer loading. Even in downtime James stays on the run. Ready for the ride and to have fun.

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Tip: You ‘stir the pot’ of your game by developing your strengths and marketing your performance value.
Talkback: Can the Cavs give James more money without breaking up the team?
Groove-Tracks: Mary J. Blige – ‘We Ride (I See the Future)’ – https://youtu.be/vQM2cIb_pUw

Shaquille O’Neal ft. Fu-Schnickens – ‘What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock)’ – https://youtu.be/1f9IgOjZjn4

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