and as long as I've mentioned basketball today...

from Free Darko, a link to an interview with, and the blog of, professional basketball legend and cultural icon Spencer Haywood. (Haywood took the NBA to court in order to be able to play pro ball before his college class graduated; in his case, after his sophomore year. Haywood also led the 1968 US Olympic Basketball team to a gold medal.) Haven't read the blog yet, but in the interview, the man suggests that Carmelo needs to get rid of those braids. Oh yeah, and start playing tough in the paint.