Pembroke Pines, Florida

Sitting near the end of the wooden bleacher just off to the side of the court, he turned to me after our game with effort still apparent on his shirt and brow, and implored, “We’ve got to stop lying.  We’ve got the tell the truth.  It’s the only way that we can truly help people.”

The sincerity and urgency of the words that former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson shared, swept over me and the rest of the gymnasium.

He was teaching.  His words, carrying a lifetime of learning, now danced about like his legendary New York City handle.  His life now as dedicated to helping others, as it once was to the game of basketball.

His agreeing to help me and my journey after a brief exchange on Twitter, further proof of that.

The Player, The Legend, The All-Star

Kenny Anderson was born in Queens, New York.  Raised by his mother Joan, his first memories of basketball were around the age of six, where he would hangout at local parks and hoist up attempts at the goal in between the games that the older kids were playing.

But basketball loved Kenny and he loved it back.  By the time he was in the sixth grade, collegiate recruiters were already scouting the child prodigy.

He would go on to star at Archbishop Molloy High School and when he was done there he was considered the top high school basketball player in the entire country and a New York City Legend.  You name the award, he received it.  Parade All-American, All-City, Gatorade Player of the Year, New York State Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, USA Today Player of the Year and of course New York State Mr. Basketball.  Keep in mind this was well before social media and basketball mixtapes used to create a buzz.

From there he took his talents down south to Georgia Tech, where he played for two years and helped lead his team to the Final Four in 1990.

Kenny then went on to win a bronze medal while playing for the US National Team in the 1990 FIBA World Championship.

Then in 1991, his childhood dream came true when the New Jersey Nets selected him with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft.  Kenny would go on to play for nine different teams during his 14 year career in the National Basketball Association.  During the 1993-94 season he was named as an NBA All-Star, with averages of 18.8 points, 9.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.

How I Met Kenny

In the middle of January, Kenny Anderson, most likely half joking, sent out a tweet about giving the NBA Developmental League a try as a player/coach.

I replied, “How about playing me 1-on-1 as a tune up?”

Less than seven minutes later, I was on the phone talking about mevsMJ.com and what this journey is all about with one of the greatest point guards ever!

Kenny was all for playing and doing anything he could to help and with that we set a date to make the game happen!

Me vs. Kenny Anderson

httpvhd://youtu.be/olkb2foe968

(Video Link)

The final score 15-11.  I won!  I repeat…I WON!

While I do feel like that I am in the best shape of my life right now (down 20 lbs in the last 6 months – cut out sugars, etc.), I know when it comes to basketball, Kenny Anderson is in another galaxy.

Truthfully, I think I surprised Kenny a bit with my shooting ability and on this day, the shots fell for me.

Kenny smiled as he congratulated me after the win, and told me that I’m a great shooter.  How cool is that!?  The one and only Kenny Anderson…said that I am a great shooter!  Truly an amazing feeling.

He also set up the rematch!  More on this later.

The Humanitarian

Kenny, like all those that have helped me on my journey to play Michael Jordan, possesses a very selfless quality that is rather rare in society these days.

I better understood his willingness to help after spending some time with him after our game this past Friday.

His basketball dreams were never fueled by the NBA lifestyle and the access that it lends.  It was for his Mom, Joan.  He wanted so badly to take care of the woman that had always taken care of him.

Kenny now travels the World speaking and doing anything he can to help encourage and inspire others through the lessons in his own story.

He’s been at the top of the mountain and in the shadows of the valley and because of that he has great perspective on life.  No longer is he set on making millions of dollars because when he had millions he realized that money didn’t bring him happiness.  Instead he finds true joy in his family, friends and uplifting others.

Not Done Yet

Kenny has one last dream that he’d like to fulfill in the game of basketball, but I’ll let him share that with you when the time is right.

I know that when it happens, it will be a beautiful thing to see and I’ll be right there cheering him on!

The Rematch

Yes, there will be a rematch!  This time in Orlando, where I live.

Tentative date is for sometime in August.

Kenny has already warned me that he is determined to be in much better shape this go around.

He’s coming for redemption.  He’s coming for the win!  I can’t wait!

3-on-3 For A Difference

Last week I lived a dream by playing basketball with former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson.  In the process I gained an amazing friend.

Kenny has already invited me to be on his team next year, as part of his 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Atlanta, which raises money for RAINN – the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization and one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine.

Impact and Change

My prayer has been for God to use mevsMJ.com to impact others.  I’m humbled to see Him doing just that.

We all live a book, each with a story filled with its share of glory and heartache.  The theme of society has been to at all costs present the facade until our days are no more.

But Kenny was right.

Until we are truthful in our walks, we cannot truly help anyone.  Until we are no longer ashamed of our stumbles and falls, but understand that every bit of what we live is a story for the World to glean from – only then will true impact be made.

This isn’t a basketball story.  This is, as it always has been…a life story.

Believe in your dreams.  Anything Is Possible with Faith & Hard Work!

me vs. Michael Jordan…the journey continues!

Thank You!

I can’t thank Kenny Anderson enough for taking time to make a difference in this journey.  His outlook on life has impacted me and will continue to impact others.

I also must thank my brother Bob, who captured all of the great video.  You inspire me as well.

And the fine folks over at TNT Elite Hoops, Gerrod and Nick, for helping me get in the best shape of my life for this game!  Appreciate it!

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If you’re new here, I set out in August 2010 to get a game of 1-on-1 vs. my childhood hero Michael Jordan. This site is about that journey…through every valley, to every mountain top of triumph!

Anything Is Possible with Faith & Hard Work!

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Connect: Twitter (@KennyEller), Instagram (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Page.

Friday night found me sitting on one of many long pine benches that make up a set of bleachers, shoulder to shoulder, about as close as you’d ever want to sit with anyone.  To my left, a client and former Duke grad, his two sons and nephew.   On the other side me was a friend I hadn’t seen in 17 years.  To the front of me a couple of co-workers.   Behind me and throughout the rest of the gymnasium was ENTHUSIASM in all caps!  It was great!

We were there, ESPN was there, and everyone else was there to see the showdown.  It didn’t disappoint.

Did I mention that Friday night I was at a high school basketball game?

I just so happen to live about 40 minutes from Winter Park High School.   Winter Park High School just so happens to have on its roster the number one ranked high school basketball player in the entire country.   That player is Austin Rivers, who just so happens to be the son of former NBA player and current Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

I’ve seen Austin play twice in the past two weeks and while I could write on and on about how he dropped 38 points against the number two team in the country, often against either the #3 or #49 ranked players in the country, and how it was done so inspiringly smooth and rich, I won’t.  I could do that, but that post will come later when I play Austin 1-on-1.   [OK, so I don’t have that game lined up just yet, but if you’re reading this Austin, wanna play? ]

This post isn’t about how great Rivers is and let me tell you, the Duke signee is special (see video of Friday’s game below).

This post is about how a normal Friday evening in a high school gymnasium can bring people together, strengthen relationships new and old and be filled with all the excitement and fun one would ever venture after, for the low price of $10.

Every holiday and event, every birthday and anniversary, has for so many become about the amount spent rather than the value gained.  Hand raised, I admit, I’m part of the hoopla.

Two weeks ago when I went to see Rivers play (just $5) and then again this past Friday, I was reminded that you can still have a lot of fun with friends without having to release dozens of hard earned dead presidents.

If you’re a hoops fan, I encourage you to check out the ESPNU’s player rankings and see if you have a future NBAer playing in a dimly lit gym near you.  Even if you don’t, go see your local high school team play.   Sit close to people you may or may not know, on seats that dream of padding, in a place filled with passion.  It will be a great reminder that return on investment has little to do with the amount invested.

What are your favorite things to do that are light on the wallet, but high on return?

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Austin Rivers Going OFF for 9 in a row Friday Night against #2 St. Patricks! (Video)

Click play, sit back, watch and listen.  Outstanding performance (38 points)!  Amazing atmosphere!

[blip.tv ?posts_id=4660041&dest=-1]

[If you are reading this via email or RSS, the video may not show up, so click here to watch the video.]

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Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Fan Page.

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If you’re new to the site, I set out in August 2010 to get a game of 1-on-1 vs. my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  This site is about that journey…through every valley, to every mountain top of triumph! 

A couple of years ago a buddy of mine, Karol Gajda, brought the 80s phenomenon over to my house and I kept it.  I would sit around on the couch in the evenings and work on it.  When my wife and I would travel somewhere and she drove, I would work on it then too.  Then once I learned how to solve the rather famous cube, I would solve it daily.  Most of the time, solving the Rubik’s Cube was the last thing I did before I went to bed.  While I wasn’t as fast as the kids on YouTube, I did get fairly quick.  Certainly faster than anyone I knew who could solve it, which was no one.

I haven’t picked up a Ribik’s Cube in more than eight months.

Just because I CAN solve it, does that mean I should?

My brother and I, this past May, were at Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics.  As the teams were warming up, we were discussing the less than stellar play of Vince Carter.  Vince’s struggles in the series had been the choice for many water cooler diatribes in the Orlando area.

The reason people were frustrated with Vince was because of his capabilities.  Because of what he’s done in the past.  Because at one time not too long ago he was a baaaaaad man on the court.

If the 12^th guy on the team screws up, everyone yells at the coach for putting him in.  When a superstar doesn’t perform as expected everyone wants to know why!

In our seats as they were going through shoot around, I said to my brother Bobby, “Vince just shot one left handed!  He doesn’t even seem like he’s into it!  He needs to warm up GAME SPEED!”  I went on with something like, “Mike Jordan would never prepare like that!”

Bobby then responded with something that I thought was quite profound.  To paraphrase, he said that don’t you think it’s not about the money, because Vince has plenty.  It’s not about just basketball, because he’s done it his whole life.  He said he’s done it all.  The warmups over and over, the games over and over, the travel over and over.  Don’t you think after +25 years of hoops, he can just turn it on?

While my expectation is that Vince give basketball his everything the way Jordan did, that really is such an unfair thought process.

Vince Carter is a nice guy and there is a lot of great that comes with that.  While I was still at the television station some years ago, they sent me to Daytona to cover Mainland High School’s football team.  Vince had just won the Rookie of The Year award in the NBA and happened to be on the sidelines for the game.  He was encouraging to the players and very approachable.  He was a nice guy then and I’m sure he still is today.

The fire in me wants him to squeeze out and use every drip of his talent, but honestly have I done that with mine?

Have you?

Just because he CAN does that mean he wants to or should?

To all those whose faces are red and vocal chords burning from screaming, “HE MAKES 20 MILLION DOLLARS!!!”  I say it’s irrelevant.  He happens to do something that generates a lot of revenue and because of that he is compensated.  Sure he is paid highly to produce highly, but his past says he is more likely to produce than not.

Maybe, just maybe, he plays the game because he CAN, not because he has the same desire as others.

Vince Carter and I are basically the same age.  Both lay claim to the year 1977.  Both graduated high school in 1995.  Both possibly on a mission today to do something many feel is unlikely.

I know Vince can be dominate on the court again.  He’s got all the ability any player could ever dream to have…still.

Just because he CAN, does that mean he should?

It’s an interesting question to ask.

How many reading this post show up to work daily and do something more because you CAN, because you have the ability to do it, than due to your desire to excel in the given field?

It’s a question that makes me want to reach into the unknown to see what I might be able to grab if only I extend myself a bit further in what I’m truly passionate about.

I hope it does the same for you.

Just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you should.