Thoughts on NBA All-Star weekend, Diana Taurasi and the NBA trade deadline.
By Swin Cash / @swincash
Over the last week or so I have been a part of the excitement for NBA All-Star Weekend, watching half the NBA get traded, and watching my girl Diana Taurasi’s name be cleared.
What a week!
Last week, I left China heading to Los Angeles (no, not to shoot a movie) but for All-Star weekend. Although, now that I think about it…I am available in about a month to shoot a movie…(shameless plug). Going into the trip, I knew I would be playing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night. You’re talking a game where the entertainment world collides with professional sports; where the athletes play Robin to the actor’s Batman. Well, until the 4th quarter when the competitive juices come out.
I must say, I was surprised at how serious the celebrities took this game! After spending time around Michael Rapaport, the Godfather of the Celebrity game (yes, I had to nickname him), I realized hooping isn’t easy but some celebs can make it pretty fun. Much love to all the NBA guys on my team: Romeo, Rob Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Zach Levi, Trey Songz and our hilarious coaching staff. I heart Magic Johnson! The other team was cool but did y’all see Scottie Pippen? Scottie was not playing Robin this night. He took over, dare I say it, like he’s MJ (laughing). I know I was on the other team but it was just beautiful to watch how smooth Pippen was out there. It was like I was in a dream and watching him play when I was a kid. Here I am a grown woman with a little bit of hardware myself, sitting on the sidelines trying to pick up tips. He is a Hall of Famer so you’re dang right I’m taking notes. You’re never too good to learn. I learned from Bieber not to try and shoot over Pippen!
Seriously though, the weekend was packed with fun, business, and most importantly giving back to the fans and community. I’m always so excited to see the commitment to social awareness the NBA, WNBA and its partners have. Y’all know I didn’t mind walking a few red carpets either! After wearing sweats non-stop for two and half months I was eager to play dress up.
It always amazes me when people are surprised that I play professional basketball. I’m like, “Yes, I do. Did I surprise you with this dress and heels?” I wonder if they realize I’m a woman first. Probably not.
On another note, what’s the deal with all the NBA trades? Of course we had some winners and some losers like usual but there were some that made you just say “poor baby.” I mean, after Baron messed up that back board pass to Blake Griffin for the 100th time in the Slam Dunk challenge, he should have known they were putting him on the trading block. No one, and I mean no one, was messing with Blake taking the trophy that everyone gave to him two months beforehand. Just saying…JaVale could have dunked his whole body in the rim, changed shoes 20 more times, and Blake was still going to win. Just joking (kind of); all the guys kept us entertained. Anyways, shout-out to all the teams trying to make a trade for their playoff run, to create cap space for next year or to get a new player for no other reason but to say your getting younger. Do you! Just know I gave some of y’all hash tags from twitter: #Wheretheydothatat and #Foolishness.
On another note, for months now, I have stayed in prayer for Diana Taurasi. I’ve been trusting that what God wanted to be would be. People asked me all the time why I didn’t write a blog to defend Diana. Like I told y’all from day one, once Diana spoke, I would speak. See, what bigger defense do you need than a woman who is passionate about defending her name and reputation, friends like me that trust and believe in a higher power, and an attorney who is cold as ice?
“If it doesn’t fit you must acquit!”
I work on both sides of the aisle, in the media and as a player; no need for words of warfare or declarations. I’ve known Diana since her freshman year in college. She is fiercely competitive but loves this game of basketball more than anything. So, when she told me she didn’t do it, I trusted her word. I felt her pain and the nightmare she was living. I’m elated she can now put this behind her, get focused back on ball and prepare to train with our USA National Team.
So, here’s a toast to you baby girl, for standing up, walking through the nightmare and waking up to sunshine.
Oh what a week it was, now it’s back to business in China!
Chasing another ring…JiaYou,
Swin
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