If you were at the Washington Wizards NBA Draft party last then you could probably feel it: that old teal tide starting to turn. The Wizards fan base has forever been embattled, and often embarrassed. But if you were standing among the hundreds at the Verizon Center on June 23 then you probably felt something […]
Author Archives: Stephen D. Riley
Special to the AFRO
Posted inSports
Wizards Make Forward Progress in NBA Draft
A disastrous 2009 season helped the Washington Wizards net a franchise point guard in John Wall. So, after finishing 23-59 in the 2010 season, the Wizards were looking for a few good men out of the 2011 NBA draft and, on June 23, and they scored big. With the sixth and 18th pick in the […]
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Fans Flock, Then Flip at Wizards’ Draft Party
The Washington Wizards opened the doors to local fans at the Verizon Center on June 23 for the annual draft party that featured food; fun and a live Jumbotron look at the 2011 NBA draft, televised on ESPN. A catered menu including pasta salad and mini hamburgers was seen sprinkled throughout the stands leading up […]
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Stars Come Out to Kick Off New Goodman Coalition League
Washington, D.C.’s George Goodman summer street basketball league opened a new chapter on June 18: the Goodman Coalition. A shakeup of sorts in the famed outdoor league, the Goodman Coalition offers an indoor venue for some of the best basketball in the Metropolitan area, featuring the catchy commentating of local announcer Miles Rawls. A revitalization […]
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AFRO Sports Faceoff: Should the Wizards Enter the Hunt for Howard?
With several NBA teams tossing their hats into the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, the AFRO Sports Desk wondered: should the Washington Wizards make a move on the current Orlando Magic center? Howard recently said he plans to enter free agency in the summer of 2012 should the Magic not win a title next year. The Los […]
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For the Miami Heat, Just Stay the Course
Self-aggrandizing bravado aside, did you really expect the Miami Heat to win it all this year? Sure, the summer concert/celebration was over the top. LeBron’s “seven-title” proclamation was outrageous, and the in-game showmanship was often agonizing, but honestly — and real sports fans know this — the Heat is right on schedule for where they want to be. When you […]
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Mavericks Storm Into Miami, Clinch NBA Title with 105-95 Win
Star player Dirk Nowitzki, team owner Mark Cuban and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks can finally celebrate. After a string of frustrating finishes to close previous seasons, the NBA title finally resides in Dallas. Nowitzki and the Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat 105-95 June 12 to win the NBA Finals four games to two […]
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Sole Sisters: Lifelong Friends Go Extra Inch with Sizzling New Shoe Store
Beautiful, bold and bonded together, Toni Hall and Natalie Prather never stray from their ambitious goals. The pair of 20-somethings have been playing off each other’s ideas since their days of strutting the halls together at Magruder High School in Gaithersburg, Md. Ironically, it was there that the design for their latest endeavor was drawn […]
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Defense Travels: Miami Uses ‘D’ to take 2-1 Lead Over Dallas
The Miami Heat could thank Dwyane Wade for his 29 points and 11 rebounds. Or they could give credit to Chris Bosh (18 points) for sinking a crucial shot in the waning moments. But perhaps the majority of the credit for the Heat’s 88-86 Game Three victory over the Dallas Mavericks should go to their […]
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Mavs Rally Late to Cool Heat, Tie Series 1-1
Whatever switch it was that got the Dallas Mavericks clicking in the waning minutes of their Game Two showdown with the Miami Heat, Dirk Nowitzki flipped it. The Mavericks star forward scored nine points in the fourth quarter to help erase a 15-point deficit and banked the deciding layup to give Dallas a 95-93 win […]
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Calling Off the Search for the Next Jordan
Somewhere, in some lavish living room, decked out with MVP trophies, a few title rings and a pair of $200 sneakers by his side, Michael Jordan is laughingly shaking his head. “What else do they want from me?” he’s probably thinking, slow roasting over the latest stone thrown at his throne. If it’s not Harold […]
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Miami Heat Rise to Finals After Turbulent Season
It didn’t take long for the Miami Heat to go from hunter to hunted. After a blockbuster summer of NBA free agency in 2010, Miami turned into a heavyweight juggernaut seemingly overnight, but drew the loathing of basketball fans nationwide. The team was able to retain free agent franchise guard Dwyane Wade, but its signing […]