Brand Jordan release list for 2009 January-September

Just for reference purposes...from Niketalk.com

January: 
01/01/2009 Jordan Melo M5 
332294-102 White/Metallic Silver-University Blue-Taxi 
$128.00 
 

01/01/2009 Jordan Melo M5 
332294-002 Black/Metallic Silver-White 
$128.00 
 

01/2009 Jordan Ol' School II Low 
343065-151 White/Varsity Purple-Black-Varsity Maize 
$105.00 
 

01/01/09 Air Jordan 1 Retro High 
344613-441 Blue Sapphire/Neon Turquoise-White 
$105.00 
 

01/03/09 Air Jordan 1 Retro High Premium GS 
322675-661 Brilliant Magenta/Brilliant Magenta-Light Rose 
$85.00 
 

01/03/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 
331987-041 Stealth/University Blue-Light Graphite-Black-White 
$130.00 
 

01/03/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 
331987-073 Stealth/Varsity Maize-Graphite-Black 
$130.00 
 

01/03/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 
331987-161 White/Varsity Red-Cement-Black 
$130.00 
 

01/03/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 5/8 
331987-041 Stealth/University Blue-Light Graphite-Black 
$130.00 

01/10/2009 AJF6 
343064-102 White/Black-Varsity Red 
$160.00 
 



01/10/2009 AJF6 
343064-061 Black/Varsity Red-White 
$160.00 
 

01/10/2009 AJF6 GS 
343058-001 Black/Vivid Pink 
$105.00 
 

01/10/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-061 Black/Varsity Red-Stealth 
$98.00 
 

01/10/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-101 White/Metallic Silver-Varsity Purple-Black 
$98.00 
 

01/17/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-101 White/Metallic Silver-Black-Varsity Purple 
$140.00 
 

01/17/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-141 White/Court Blue-University Blue 
$140 
 

01/17/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-061 Black/Varsity Red-Light Graphite-White 
$140.00 
 

01/24/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat 
350571-181 White/Ceramic-Court Purple-Stealth 
$95.00 

01/24/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat 
350571-052 Black/Court Purple-Ceramic-White 
$95.00 

01/24/2009 Jordan 6 Rings 
322992-061 Black/Varsity Red-Dark Concord-Classic Green 
$160.00 
 


01/24/2009 Jordan 6 Rings "Lakers" 
322992-152 White/Court Purple-Taxi-Silver 
$160.00 
 

xx/xx/2009 Jordan 6 Rings "Portland Trail Blazers" 
322992-162 White/Varsity Red-Black 
$160.00 
 

xx/xx/2009 Jordan 6 Rings "Phoenix Suns" 
322992-101 White/Varsity Purple-Orange 
$160.00 
 

xx/xx/2009 Jordan 6 Rings "Seattle Supersonics" 
322992-102 White/Dark Pine-Taxi 
$160.00 
 

xx/xx/2009 Jordan 6 Rings "Utah Jazz" 
322992-153 White/Silver-University Blue 
$160.00 
 


February: 
02/2009 Jordan Ol' School II Low 
343065-102 White/Black-Varsity Red 
$108.00 
 

02/2009 Jordan Ol' School II Low 
343065-062 Light Graphite/Varsity Red-Stealth-Black 
$108.00 
 

02/01/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 
331987-003 Black/Metallic Silver 
$130.00 
 



02/01/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 
331987-051 Stealth/Varsity Pruple-Graphite-Black 
$130.00 
 

02/01/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 
331987-063 Stealth/Varsity Red-Graphite-Black 
$130.00 
 

02/01/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 
331987-107 White/Metallic Silver 
$130.00 
 

02/01/2009 Jordan Pure Pressure 
343158-001 Black/Metallic Silver 
$120.00 
 

02/01/2009 Jordan Pure Pressure 
343158-101 White/Black-Cement Grey 
$120.00 
 

02/01/2009 Jordan Pure Pressure 
343158-102 White/Black-Varsity Red 
$120.00 
 

02/01/2009 Jordan Pure Pressure 
343158-103 White/Metallic Silver-University Blue 
$120.00 
 

01/10/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-103 White/Metallic Silver 
$98.00 
 

02/2009 Air Jordan 2009 
343084-161 White/Varsity Red-Stealth-Black 
$190.00 
 

02/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro High Strap 
xxxxxx-xxx Black/Varsity Red-Classic Green 
$110.00 
 

02/2009 Air Jordan 6 Retro "Gatorade" 
xxxxxx-xxx Colorway TBD 
$???.?? 

02/14 Air Jordan 1 Retro High 
344613-061 Infrared/Black-White 
$105.00 
 

02/14 Air Jordan 1 Retro High 
332164-001 Pewter/Black-Max Orange 
$115.00 
 

02/14/09 AJF6 LS 
351029-161 White/Black-Infared 
$165.00 
 

02/21/2009 AJF6 
343064-103 White/Black-Electro Lime 
$160.00 
 

02/2009 AJF6 
343064-104 White/Black-Varsity Purple 
$160.00 
 

02/2009 Jumpman Elite 1 
343151-001 Black/Metallic Silver-Varsity Red-Stealth 
$123.00 
 

02/28/2009 Jumpman Elite 1 
343151-161 White/Varsity Red-Black 
$123.00 
 

02/28/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low PHAT 
338145-163 White/Varsity Red-Cement Grey 
$95.00 
 

02/28/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low PHAT 
338145-063 Black/Varsity Red-Cement Grey 
$95.00 
 

02/2009 Jordan Ol' School II Low 
343065-X01 White/Metallic Silver-Midnight Navy 
$105.00 


March: 
03/01/2009 Jumpman Elite 1 
343151-103 White/Metallic Silver-Varsity Red 
$123.00 
 

03/01/2009 Jumpman Elite 1 
343151-102 White/Metallic Silver-University Blue 
$123.00 
 

03/01/2009 Jumpman Elite 1 
343151-104 White/Metallic Silver-Midnight Navy 
$123.00 
 

03/01/2009 Jumpman Elite 1 
343151-101 White/Metallic Silver-Black 
$123.00 
 

03/14/2009 Jordan CP3.II 
342944-071 Black/Sunstone-White 
$122.00 
 

03/14/2009 Jordan CP3.II 
342944-061 Black/Metallic Silver 
$118.00 
 

03/2009 Jordan CP3.II 
342944-171 White/Black-Energy 
$118.00 
 

03/2009 Jordan Ol' School II Low 
343065-101 White/Metallic Silver-Silver 
$105.00 
 

03/2009 Jordan Ol' School II Low 
343065-131 White/Electro Lime-Light Graphite-Black 
$105.00 


03/07/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-161 White/Varsity Red-Black 
$140.00 
 

03/07/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-031 Black/Electro Lime-Light Graphite-Metallic Silver 
$140.00 
 

03/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-141 White/Court Blue-University Blue 
$140.00 
 

03/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-162 White/Varsity Red-Black 
$98.00 
 

03/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-141 White/Court Blue-University Blue 
$98.00 
 

03/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-102 White/Stealth-Varsity Red 
$98.00 

03/21/2009 AJF6 
343064-064 Stealth/Varsity Red-Light Graphite-White 
$160.00 
 

03/21/2009 AJF6 
343064-142 White/Court Blue-University Blue 
$160.00 
 

03/21/09 AJF6 Low 
343095-001 Black/Stealth-Varsity Red 
$135.00 
 

03/21/2009 AJF6 Low 
343095-161 White/Varsity Red-Stealth 
$135.00 
 



03/14/09 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Velcro Premier 
344521-041 Jetstream/Blue Sapphire 
$105.00 


April: 
04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro 
136085-011 Black/White 
$100.00 
 

04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro "Hare/Easter Bunny" 
xxxxxx-xxx White/Light Silver-True Red 
$100.00 
 







04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro "Hare/Easter Bunny" 
xxxxxx-xxx Stealth/Black-Light Silver-Pink Clay 
$100.00 
 







04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro "Hare/Easter Bunny" 
xxxxxx-xxx 
$100.00 
 

04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro High Premier "Easter Basket Weave Pack" 
353899-101 White/Metallic Platinum 
$110.00 
 

04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Velcro Low Premier "Easter Basket Weave Pack" 
344521-101 White/Metallic Platinum 
$105.00 
 

04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro High Strap 
342132-041 Black/University Blue-White 
$110.00 
 

04/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat 
338145-102 White/Black 
$95.00 

04/2009 AJF9 "Dear Mama Pack" 
353327-161 White/Coral Chalk-Black (kid's sizes only) 
$100.00 - Gradeschool 
$60.00 - Pre-School 
$40.00 - Toddler's 
$38.00 - Crib 
 

04/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 5/8 "Dear Mama Pack" 
343139-161 White/Coral Chalk (kid's sizes only) 
$85.00 - Gradeschool 
$55.00 - Pre-School 
$43.00 - Toddler's 
 

04/2009 Jordan Q4 "Dear Mama Pack" 
343410-161 White/Light Rose-Coral Chalk (kid's sizes only) 
$68.00 - Gradeschool 
 

04/2009 Jordan Hydro IV "Dear Mama Girl's" 
xxxxxx-xxx White/Coral Chalk (kid's sizes only) 
$27.00 - Gradeschool 

04/2009 Jordan Jeter Captain 
352696-001 Black/White 
$110.00 
 

04/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 5/8 
343044-042 Black/University Blue-White 
$115.00 
 

04/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 5/8 
343044-104 White/Metallic Siver-Black-Cement Grey 
$115.00 
 

04/2009 Jordan PHLY 
342222-061 Black/Varsity Red-Cement Grey-White 
$85.00 

04/2009 Jordan PHLY 
342222-161 White/Varsity Red-Cement Grey-Black 
$85.00 

04/2009 Jordan PHLY Legends 
342222-471 University Blue/Taxi-White 
$85.00 
 

04/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-103 White/Metallic Silver 
$98.00 

04/2009 Jumpman Team Elite II 
310011-125 White/Metallic Silver 
$105.00 

04/2009 Jordan Hydro V Premier 
351006-061 Black/Varsity Red-Cement Grey-Black 
$??.?? 

04/2009 Jordan Hydro V Premier 
351006-161 White/Varsity Red-Cement Grey-Black 
$??.?? 

04/2009 Jordan Hydro V 
343164-061 Black/Metallic Silver 
$45.00 

04/2009 Jordan Hydro V 
343164-105 White/Metallic Silver 
$45.00 

04/04/2009 Air Jordan 2009 
343084-062 Black/Metallic Silver-Stealth-Varsity Red 
$190.00 

04/08/2009 Jordan True Flight "Neon Lights Pack" 
342964-172 White/Neon Yellow-Black-Infrared 
$140.00 
 

04/08/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 "Neon Lights Pack" 
343408-101 White/Neon Yellow-Black 
$98.00 
 

04/08/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 "Neon Lights Pack" 
343408-142 White/Laser Blue-Black 
$98.00 
 

04/08/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 "Neon Lights Pack" 
343408-163 White/Infared-Black 
$98.00 
 

04/11/2009 AJF9 
352753-101 White/Black-University Blue 
$145.00 

04/18/2009 Jordan Dub Zero 
311046-161 White/Varsity Red-Black-Cement Grey 
$160.00 
 

04/18/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-104 White/Metallic Silver-Black-Cement Grey 
$140.00 
 


May: 
05/2009 Jordan "Raging Bull" Defining Moments Package II 
360968-991 Multicolor/Multicolor 
xxxxxx-xxx Air Jordan 5 Retro Black/Varsity Red 
xxxxxx-xxx Air Jordan 5 Retro Varsity Red/White-Black 
xxxxxx-xxx 
$310.00 

05/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro 
136085-042 Black/Laser Blue 
$100.00 

05/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat 
338145-141 White/Laser Blue 
$95.00 

05/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro "Icy Pack" 
322678-661 Coral Chalk/Coral Chalk (kid's sizes only) 
$75.00 - Gradeschool 
 

05/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro "Icy Pack" 
322678-311 Liquid Lime/White (kid's sizes only) 
$75.00 - Gradeschool 
$55.00 - Pre-School 
$40.00 - Toddler's 
 

05/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat "Icy Pack" 
352718-711 Lemon/Lemon-White (kid's sizes only) 
$75.00 - Gradeschool 
$55.00 - Pre-School 
$40.00 - Toddler's 

05/2009 AJF9 "Icy Pack" 
353327-111 White/Liquid Lime (kid's sizes only) 
$100.00 - Gradeschool 
$60.00 - Pre-School 
$40.00 - Toddler's 
$38.00 - Crib 

05/2009 Jordan Hydro IV "Icy Pack" 
xxxxxx-xxx White/Liquid Lime (kid's sizes only) 
$27.00 - Gradeschool 

05/2009 Jordan CP3.II 
342944-171 White/Goldenrod-Stealth-Black 
$118.00 

05/2009 Jordan CP3.II 
342944-164 White/Varsity Red-Black 
$118.00 

05/2009 Jordan CP3.II 
342944-163 White/Varsity Red-Orange Blaze 
$118.00 

05/2009 Jordan PHLY Legends 
342222-041 Black/Laser Blue-White 
$85.00 

05/2009 Jordan PHLY Legends Low 
xxxxxx-011 Black/White 
$70.00 

05/2009 Jordan PHLY Legends Low 
xxxxxx-161 White/Varsity Red-Cement Grey 
$70.00 

05/2009 Jumpman Elite 2009 
343151-002 Black/Metallic Silver-White 
$123.00 
 

05/2009 Jumpman Elite 2009 
343151-003 Black/Metallic Silver-Varsity Red 
$123.00 
 

05/2009 Jumpman Elite 2009 
343151-143 White/Midnight Navy 
$123.00 
 

05/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-001 Black/Metallic Silver 
$98.00 

05/2009 Jordan Hydro V 
343164-041 Black/White-Laser Blue 
$45.00 

05/09/2009 AJF9 
352753-061 Black/Varsity Red-Charcoal 
$145.00 

05/23/2009 Jordan Dub Zero 
311046-001 Black/Laser Blue 
$160.00 

05/23/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-142 White/Laser Blue-Black 
$140.00 



June: 
06/2009 Air Jordan 5 Retro 
136027-121 White/Dark Cinder-Dark Army-Del Sol 
$135.00 

06/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro High Strap 
342132-461 Midnight Navy/Varsity Red-Sail 
$110.00 
 

06/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro 
136085-031 Black/Chlorophyll 
$100.00 

06/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat 
338145-131 White/Chlorophyll 
$100.00 

06/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat 
338145-071 Black/Taxi 
$95.00 

06/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Low Phat 
338145-012 Black/White 
$95.00 

06/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro "Urban Safari Pack" 
322678-281 Birch/Light Melon-Black (kid's sizes only) 
$75.00 - Gradeschool 
 

06/2009 Jordan True Flight "Urban Safari Pack" 
342774-181 White/Bright Coral-Black (kid's sizes only) 
$95.00 - Gradeschool 
$58.00 - Pre-School 
$43.00 - Toddler's 
 

06/2009 Jordan Phly "Urban Safari Girl's" 
353278-121 Sail/Birch-Bright Coral (kid's sizes only) 
$75.00 - Gradeschool 
$50.00 - Pre-School 
$38.00 - Toddler's 

06/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 5/8 
343044-103 White/-Varsity Red-Cement Grey 
$115.00 
 

06/2009 Jordan 2.5 Team 5/8 
343044-002 Black/Black-White 
$115.00 
 

06/2009 Jordan Jeter Captain 
352696-101 White/Metallic Silver 
$110.00 

06/2009 Jordan PHLY Legends 
342222-162 Sail/Varsity Red-Midnight Navy 
$85.00 
 

06/2009 Jordan PHLY Legends Low 
xxxxxx-xxx White/Metallic Silver 
$70.00 

06/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-071 Black/Taxi-University Blue 
$98.00 

06/2009 Jordan Trunner Q4 
343408-104 White/Black-Cement Grey 
$98.00 

06/06/2009 AJF9 
352753-102 White/Black-Varsity Red 
$145.00 

06/13/2009 Jordan Dub Zero 
311046-061 Black/Varsity Red-White 
$160.00 

06/20/2009 Jordan True Flight 
342964-011 Black/White-Stealth 
$140.00 

July 
07/2009 Jordan 60+ 
364342-061 Black/Varsity Red-White 
$xxx 

September 
09/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Alpha/Omega Pack 
xxxxxx-xxx Multicolor/Multicolor 
Air Jordan 1 Retro: Grand Purple/Varsity Maize-White 
Air Jordan 1 Retro: Black/Neutral Grey-White 
$xxx 
 


xx/2009 Air Jordan 1 Retro Do The Right Thing Pack 
xxxxxx-xxx Multicolor/Multicolor 
Air Jordan 1 Retro: White/Metallic Red 
Air Jordan 1 Retro: 
$xxx 
 

Interesting insights from a former NBA Ball Boy

If I haven't said it enough already, I am a proud member since 2004 of Niketalk.com (username: steven42lh) , the world's ultimate online sneaker community. This forum has thousands of members, among them professional athletes (who love sneakers), sneaker and apparel company employees, and some of the world's biggest collectors of memorabilia. One of the members of the forum is Nick Fairclough, currently a Financial Services Professional with The Cambridge Financial Center, and formerly a 10 year ballboy for the NBA's Utah Jazz. Nick was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to send me some stories and pictures of his great experiences during those years:

Nick:

"My father is a long time University of Utah Basketball season tickets holder. I remember going to the games with him often. On occasion he would even take me to a Utah Jazz game. I remember the excitement of the games and the noise of the crowd. I also noticed the kids down on the floor, dribbling the balls, handing out towels and water, wiping up sweat, taking a few shots at half time, and interacting with the players. I wanted to be that kid. At the next game my father and I arrived at the Huntsman Center early. Without hesitation I walked down on the floor and looked for someone who appeared to be in charge. I spotted an individual and I volunteered my time to be a University of Utah ballboy. That is where my ballboy / team attendant career started.

While volunteering my time as a University of Utah ballboy I met Alex Rodriquez. Alex was several years older than I, and a ballboy for the Utah Jazz. When Alex left the team he offered me his position. I gladly accepted (I had to go through an interview process and paperwork of course). I later learned the way I was hired is a common practice in professional sports. The position is handed down brother to brother or friend to friend. This eliminates some of the guessing game that comes with a blind application. Having a reference makes a great deal of difference in the end.

I began working for the Utah Jazz the summer of 1995 during the Rocky Mountain Review NBA summer league. This is not only where prospective players try out and “interview” for a position, but prospective ballboys as well. I rebounded like Dennis Rodman, wiped sweat off the floor like a janitor, and handed out water like the waterboy Adam Sandler. I was a ballboy for the Utah Jazz. I was being paid to interact with NBA players.

Growing up I enjoyed watching Karl Malone and John Stockton play. They were NBA All-Stars, Olympians, and local celebrity heroes. It was a great experience going to work day in and day out with these two guys. Because of their individual accomplishments, athletes and entertainers can be cautious of who they trust and who they allow in their inner circle. Karl and John would not take the time to acknowledge you by name until they thought they could trust you. I remember the first time each one of them called my name and asked me to do them a favor. John asked me to move his car. Karl asked me to pick up some items from his house. I was trusted!

Over the years I established trust among the players and graduated to the Utah Jazz Head Ballboy / Team Attendant / Assistant Equipment Manager. This enabled me to earn more trust from the players and the Utah Jazz organization. It also allowed me more interaction with the visiting teams and to travel with the Utah Jazz. During my years with the team I was able to go on several road trips, visit Head Coach Jerry Sloan’s home in Southern Illinois, and work the visitor’s locker-room.

Working the visiting team locker-room is a privilege where you are able to interact with other NBA players, coaches, trainers, and equipment managers. It is a privilege, great deal of responsibility, and a lot of fun (for the most part). Here you are able to witness the dynamics of the other teams and how they function. You are also able to develop trust outside of your own team with other players, coaches, trainers and equipment managers. I still have interaction with a select few of these individuals today.

Because of my daily interaction with the Utah Jazz players at practice, shoot-around(s), and on flights, I preferred to work the visitor’s locker room. In the visitors locker room asking for autographs is frowned upon. However, there are loop holes if you do it correctly. I always asked the head trainer or equipment manager for permission to ask for an autograph from a certain player. And I always made a good impression first. Because I was not sneaky or manipulative I was also able to collect game shorts from every team in the league. In addition to the game shorts I was able to collect several high caliber NBA player autographs/signatures as well as signed game used shoes.

Although I appreciate my daily interaction with Karl Malone and John Stockton and recognize that it was through the Utah Jazz organization I was able to meet these players and associate with them, my greatest encounters were with Michael Jordan. Over the years I was able to make enough of an impression to obtain several autographs, a posed picture, and two pairs of game used Air Jordan shoes.

In regards to value, the MJ’s are probably worth the most. Next in line are the Kobe Bryant game used shoes. What makes these shoes unique is these are the shoes Kobe Bryant wore, February 19, 2003, when he surpassed Michael Jordan for consecutive games with 35+ points. They are also the Air Jordan VIII Black / Chrome edition. This particular style/colorway was released to the public, but how fitting was it for Kobe to be wearing an Air Jordan while breaking an “Air” Jordan record?

Highlight moments:

Taking Shaq and Kobe to their Hotel.



Thats Nick under the basket on the left.


John Stockton game worn shoe.


Nick and Karl Malone


Nick and John Stockton

My collection consists of much more which will be made available to those interested in the near future. I, along with Roy Terry and Matt Wayment are in the process of creating a website, http://www.nbaballboy.com, which will showcase my collection of Air Jordan shoes (150 pairs), Game Shorts (Home, Road and Alternate), Athlete/Celebrity autographs/signatures, and game used items."

Some Follow up questions:

Were you rooting for the Bulls in the Finals, or were you hoping the Jazz would pull it out, even though you were a big Michael Jordan fan?

"I was torn. It was an amazing experience to be a part of the NBA Finals. As much fun as it was watching Michael Jordan, I was hoping for the Utah Jazz to win. I was fortunate enough to obtain the sweatbands Karl Malone wore in game #5 of the 1997 NBA Finals" (the Michael Jordan flu game).

Who was the funniest NBA player that you were around?

"Overall the funniest player I had the pleasure of associating with was Bryon Russell. “Beezy” generally always had a positive attitude and would crack jokes and poke fun at other players (Jazz and Visitors). Adam Klauke, Utah Jazz ballboy, was fortunate enough to pass comments back and forth between Bryon and Michael Jordan in 2001/2002 season when MJ returned to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. MJ initiated the taunting by sending Adam to the Utah Jazz locker room with a message for Bryon: “I’m back in the building. I’m going to make you my bitch again!”

Any NBA player that didn't treat you well?

Wesley Person

• http://www.nba.com/playerfile/wesley_person/index.html

Of all the players I interacted with Wesley Person was the most unpleasant. Due to defamation regulation(s) I won’t say anything more.

When you first started getting game worn stuff, did you view them as part of a collection you were trying to grow or simply really cool souvenirs of your work (or both)?

"When I began my collection I viewed the items as souvenirs. In the beginning I had no intention of “collecting”. After a few years in the league and the development of relationships of trust, in addition to the accessibility of obtaining items, I began to collect. The collection as a whole has been appraised for 150K."

Did Shaq and Kobe seem to get along ok on the ride to the hotel (how far before the laker breakup was this?) Did they miss the team bus? You happened to be around with a car and got asked to do it?

November 1, 2001 LA Lakers vs. Utah Jazz

"On game days at home, the Utah Jazz have shoot-around from 10am-11am. The visitors have shoot-around from 11am-12pm. On game days after shoot-around I would pick up lunch for myself, Gary Briggs (Utah Jazz Head Athletic Trainer), and T.C. Terry Clark (Utah Jazz Assistant Athletic Trainer / Equipment Manager). As I left the arena I noticed the LA Lakers team bus, (chartered), had not left the lot. While approaching my vehicle Kobe and Shaquille approached me and politely asked if they could get a ride to the hotel because the bus was not working. I would have been foolish to decline.

They were both quiet on the trip. I drove. Cory Packer, Utah Jazz bellboy, sat in the passenger seat. Kobe sat in the second row. Shaq stretched out in the back of the SUV (I had taken the third row bench/seating out for equipment transportation).

When we arrived at the Marriot I asked if I could get a picture with the two of them. They were very accommodating. I also asked if I could get their game shoes that night. I obtained Kobe’s shoes/autographed-signed/dated/game high points indicated (very rare). I did not get Shaq’s. He told me I could have them, but I never got them. Shaquille O’Neal’s shoes are the one item I never obtained that I think would make my collection complete. Oh Well, I have nothing to complain about."

My personal Opinion: Kanye West's 808's and Heartbreak is gourmet BASURA.

I like Kanye West. I think he ushered in a period of heavy soul sampling production and homage to past legends in hip hop. For the most part, I have liked his music. I enjoyed College Dropout. I felt it was a groundbreaking album that gave balance to the Universe, especially with 50 Cent at that point carrying the flag for the Gangsta side of Rap. Kanye "kept it real." Didn't claim to be a tough guy, didn't rhyme every other song about gun talk or his latest Sexual conquest. Instead, he had songs about family (Family business)  overcoming adversity (I'll fly away and Through the Wire) and even found some time to put a little religion into it (Jesus Walks). Those songs were just on his first Album!! I have a hard time recalling another debut album since 2000 which has had the type of impact and buzz that the College Dropout did. Following up with Late Registration (sense a theme here?) he broke the Sophomore jinx with monster hits like Touch the Sky, Gold Digger, Hey Mama (especially poingnant now) celebration, and Bring me down. My personal favorite (and the song I feel is him baring his soul) from this album would definitely have to be Diamonds from Sierra Leone. Before this song I had minimal knowledge of the blood diamond trade and the evil being done to African People in Diamond Mining regions. To keep this blog from becoming a book, I'll skip his next album, Graduation, which I also love and also went platinum, just like his previous 2, and get to my major issue with Mr. Kanye to the (West's) Musical catalogue. 808's and Heartbreak. While I understand the general premise behind the album, (messy and painful break up from his fiance) his method of production and delivery has left me scratching my head. First of all, the worst decision Kanye West could have ever made was to blatantly copy someone else's style or grab onto a current (and fast expiring, hopefully) trend. Yet he somehow managed to do BOTH! He basically became K-Payne and did the entire frickin album using Auto-Tune. The entire album. And if that wasn't bad enough, he doesn't rap on the album. At all. Instead? HE SINGS. Kanye West should not sing. Kanye West should produce and rap. For this reason, whenever someone asks me if I heard Kanye's new Rap CD,I have to quickly correct them and let them know that Kanye West's new album is pop. Not even R&B, but pop. The ONLY person who has gotten away with doing an album of this nature was most notably, Andre 3000 with The Love Below (Fantastic!!) and Lauryn Hill with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Top 15 all time album). And even with these notable exceptions, both artists rhymed on these albums. I firmly believe that Kanye West was taken aback and felt personally threatened by this tidal wave movement of Auto Tune in Rap. Almost everyone of note has used it, from Lil'Wayne to Snoop Dogg (Keep fighting the urge, Jay-z!!). The fact that this artist who has prided himself on being original would fall into this trap is depressing and irritating for me, the faithful listener. It's not like his old ways weren't being awarded commercially or artistically (He's one ten Grammy Awards®!!). This musical blunder  now forces me to place this album in the same file folder as Rocky V, which never happened. I can only hope that Kanye gets back on track and produces good Hip Hop.

I beg to differ! Sort of...

In reading the blog post of my contemporary, Mr. LaiHing, I was presented with many valid points, and agreed with much of what I read.

1. Stephon Marbury, statistically, IS one of the greatest point guards of all time. Yup, it's true...but statistically, ok? Don't think I'm crazy.

2. I fall somewhere between the media and Steven on this one. While he isn't the villain he has been portrayed to be... well, he still said this:

"'From what I've seen, he allowed Steve Nash to dribble the ball for 22 seconds,' Marbury said. ‘He allows guys to shoot coming down on the break, one-on-three. For me, I like that style of basketball.'"

 Again, I agree that the media has blown him up to be this big-time cancer, when in reality he is one semi-drunk talk show appearance and one playoff run from being a healthier version of...Baron Davis.

3. NO WAY should he give the Knicks money back. Even if Steph isn't the smartest, classiest guy, the Knicks organization definitely hasn't taken the high road in this matter either. If you are throwing a guy away after your disgust eventually became mutual, that still is not grounds for him to take a pay cut, especially considering he has cleaned up his act and behaved as you would have wanted.

4. Ok, I'm talking too long. I totally agree--D'antoni gave Marbury NO opportunity to play, even though he was poised to have a great season because of his preparation and physical condition. Oh well...

5. Aaaaaaaand let the disagreeing begin! LOL

Marbury has done a good thing with his Starbury line, and he did do well to maintain a low profile off the court for many years...but come on. COME ON! He's a known headcase, and his behavior has in 2 particular instances been in conjunction with the worst opinions thought of the NBA.

In Minnesota, even at a young age, he let his envy of Kevin Garnett's big paycheck push him out of town. He wounded a franchise, not for aspiration of championships, or even substantially bigger paychecks--but just for pride. Sometimes NBA players are seen as overpaid and self-absorbed, and for the most part wholly unfairly. But Steph was one of the players (along with Latrell "I gotta feed my kids" Sprewell, lol) who helped perpetuate that myth.

And of course, in the Anucha Brown-Sanders case... let's just not discuss any details. Again, off-the-court Steph was NOT leaving the public with the best image of the NBA.

I didn't really google around and see if any other situations had arisen, and that's really not my goal. I'm not trying to bury the man. And I don't think he deserves being punished in this riduculous way this season either. I just know that he has definitely had and caused issues on a number of his teams...which explains why he made it to team #4, the Knicks, anyway.

6. I believe that Marbury will NOT have an instant impact...UNLESS...he signs with the New Orleans Hornets. Seriously. No other team either needs the skills he can offer, or afford the let-down in chemistry. Spurs? He'd be in the way of solid rookie George Hill. Mavs? Two words: Jason-Terry. Suns? Barbosa. Out east? The Nets, Cavs, Celtics, Magic, and Pistons all have scoring off the bench. The Raptors should just avoid messing up chemistry...they have enough problems to deal with already (We'll miss you, Sam!).

The Hornets need scoring off of their bench in the worst way, and Marbury is, at worst, better than Jannero Pargo (their 6th man last year). So he should go there, or...be square.

So I do agree with the better part of what Steven was saying. I think we mainly disagree on who Stephon is as a person and how valuable he is as a player right now. I don't think he's a model citizen, but that's why I actually do applaud him for handling this situation as best he can. I understand his desire to keep his entire paycheck, and I don't see any reason for him to fight for anything less. Heck, if I went through the last few seasons he has experienced as a New York Knickerbocker, I might've tried to sue for double.

But honestly, I had a different view of this entire situation until yesterday, when I heard an ESPN analyst discussing Plaxico Burress. Plaxico is potentially headed to serve 3 1/2 - 15 years in prison for a felony gun charge. The media has done everything but place a dunce cap on his head and label him with politically incorrect characterizations. They've at least stayed politically correct with their insults.

Apparently, from ESPN analyst's belief, Plaxico has not been the same since the loss of his mother in 2002. His loss doesn't excuse his behavior, but it does help remind us that the guy IS human, and that no person should be treated like scum for their decisions.

In a way, Steph should be grateful for where he is--in a league with guaranteed money. And the Knicks should be equally grateful--at least the player they're eventually gonna lost isn't one they had hoped to keep.

Enough with this foolishness...Let's try looking at Stephon Marbury without clouded vision.

Ok, after reading as much coverage as I could about Marbury's debacle with the Knicks, I would like to put in my viewpoint. Many things have been said about Stephon Marbury, and, I am sure the assertions I am about to make will be directly confronted and disagreed with by a sizable amount of basketball fans. I don't really care. I truly believe that:

1)Stephon Marbury is a good basketball player with historic statistics over his career.

2)He is not the selfish me-first player the press keep pushing. (8 assists over your career does not point to a gunslinger shoot happy player. See Bryant, Kobe, and Iverson, Allen.)

3)He should get every penny of his contract whether he plays or not.

4)Coach D'antoni never gave him a real chance at contributing in the offense and being a part of the team.

5)He has, after 12 years in the NBA, kept himself completely free of law enforcement and giving the league a bad name through his off court behavior. On the contrary, I think he has done more through his business decisions for his community then any modern NBA player except Manute Bol and Dikembe Mutumbo, and Shaquille O'Neal.

6) He will sign with a new team and will make an instant impact, as well as getting his first playoff series win, further leaving Tracy McGrady by himself as an elite player who has not gotten out of the first round of the Playoffs.

Now are these views popular right now? Absolutely not. He is, according to most, an idiot who happens to play basketball (and not very well) who doesn't realize what he has and should be banished somewhere. Foolishness. I applaud Stephon Marbury playing hardball with the Knicks. This is a lucrative business, and I have seen to many good hearted, loyal players get stabbed and shot in the back from their teams. I say it's a two way street. The Knicks signed the contract, making Stephon a franchise player. It's a business. Nobody said the Knicks and Marbury had to be bosom buddies. He has played and contributed greatly, as a team leader in several categories. He took them to the playoffs. He made All-Star teams. Now that the new coach comes in, who has previous history with him, he doesn't play? Now I do not condone his attitude or comments, but at some point I believe these never-ending attacks become less about his actions and more about tearing him down. How do you bench the best player on your team? Makes no sense to me. Anyways, here are his regular season stats, do with them what you wish. I would love to read your comments about this...

Happy Thanksgiving! And the NBA should do away with Hack- a Shaq!

Random thought today...

I have come to the conclusion that the NBA should make Hack-A-Shaq rule illegal. It takes away from the game and causes undue stoppages...more importantly, a team should not should be able to foul (in essence, commit an illegal act with a penalty) and gain an advantage. It goes against the spirit of the game, in my opinion. I think that fouling off the ball in these situations should be viewed as an intentional foul (which it is!) and should be cause the offensive team to get a freethrow and the ball. Check out the video below. Happy Turkey Day! And God please don't let Texas A&M get embarrassed by Texas.

Religion and Science = Oil and Water? or Cookies and Cream? Part 1

If you were not aware, I am a graduate student at Texas A&M University in the Biochemistry department. I am also a Christian. As far as I can tell, in Science Academia the overwhelming tendency for faculty is to be Atheist. According to this study, performed by Penn state, close to 52% of science faculty at a sampling of 21 elite Universities identified themself as non-religious. Other studies have pegged those numbers as high as 75-80%.
In my personal opinion, a key reason why Science and Religion have not enjoyed a perfect relationship stems from both fields viewing each other warily and as opponents. The average Christian (or even Minister) sometimes takes a condescending view of Scientist or those in Physical Sciences (Math, Physics, Chemistry) stemming from an erroneous view that as a Scientist you have to give up being a Christian or some Christian views ("I don't know about the elements or rocks, but I know I have a Savior who made these things and that's all I care to know!"). The average Scientist, I would conjecture, feels that if you are a Christian you are ignorant and have no realistic or logical view of the world around you if you believe in the Bible's "fairy tales" and a Creationist origin. Both these views leave very little room for movement and progress. Going as far back as the Galileo's affair, Scientist and their views were persecuted by the church for trying to explain phenomena and natural events through a scope of observation/experiment based logical thinking. They were viewed as having no faith and being a Godless bunch looking to destroy people's faith and prove there is no God. While without a doubt some Scientist have taken this extremist view, there exists a certain small population of very well regarded scientist currently working who have been able to keep their religious beliefs/faith strong and not allow it to interfere with what they do in the lab.
But why is this? And how can these two worlds coexist? It will take work from both sides of the fence, but should not be an impossibility, because, for those who believe in God and work in Science, in many instances their work only affirms and strengthens their beliefs of a creator. I stumbled upon a quote by a Dr. Michael Dini, who has in the past been a part of controversy with his treatment/very public views of Creationism:

"“Scientists do not base their acceptance or rejection of theories on religion, and someone who does should not be able to become a scientist.”

In my follow up I will share some comments I have received in response to this quote and would also love to hear from any of you (Scientist or not) who has personal feelings on this topic. Hit my email at slaihing@gmail.com or leave a comment.

It also raises a great question, one which originally appeared in the NY Times February 12, 2007:
"May a secular university deny otherwise qualified students a degree because of their religion? Can a student produce intellectually honest work that contradicts deeply held beliefs? Should it be obligatory (or forbidden) for universities to consider how students will use the degrees they earn?"

12 hours without my cell phone....

As I write this, I am sitting at my desk after hours in my lab. I am about to complete 12 hours without my cellphone, free of the matrix. And it feels TERRIBLE. What if someone called me? Texted me? I hate this! It all started as an accident, really. I ran out of my apartment this morning for work and left it sitting there on the table. By the time I realized it, I was getting out of my car in my department parking lot. Let me tell you, after having that phone attached as an umbilical cord, not having it struck me with feelings of panic for the first 2 or 3 hours. I felt so out of touch with the world, even with my laptop sitting here in front of me. As the day went on however, I started to acclimate myself to this normal, strange, unattached existence. No ESPN alerts. No facebook messages. No notifications of a new email/text. Nothing. Silence when I walk. And I kind of liked it...until I remembered I didn't have my phone. My pockets felt lighter, and I honestly think I was/am suffering from feelings of withdrawal. I can't be the only one who feels like this. Please comment if it has happened to you, and how on earth you think our parents and grandparents made it without a constant electronic connection in our pocket and on our hip.

10 questions before Election Day....

I normally don't like posting on the same topic back to back blog entries, but considering the history we are looking at, I have a couple of questions that we probably won't know the answer to for a few years (not all of them at least).

1) Will this election be known as the election where America stood up and made a choice against fear and dirty politics or a choice for them?

2) If Obama loses, how long will it be before another minority candidate makes it this far?

3) How will our economy change over the next 6 months with a new president?

4) Will Oil continue to drop? ($2.07 this morning in College Station, TX!)

5) Will Christmas sales deals be outrageously good because of the retail sector's fear of weak sales due to the recession?

6) Will anything happen to Barack Obama? (Do your job Secret Service!)

7) How close a race is this going to be? (Incredibly close I think)

8) Can we trust these voting machines? (Its 2008 and we can't write software and build machines that can accurately keep count?!)

9) Will this vote count be controversy free? (Probably not)

and lastly,

10) ARE WE READY TO TAKE THIS HISTORIC STEP?

24 hours from now we will know. Please vote, regardless of who you support.