New Week..

what up, what up..

first blog this week, but I'll be back tomorrow as well.. really, this blog is all about Temeka Johnson.. she's shutting down the Phoenix area right now.. As you may or may not know, the Phoenix Mercury are having their "Mercury Cares" Week, and Temeka joined them as a player representative.. It has been a busy week for her.. From dinners, to games (that's the "fun" stuff), to helping building houses to interacting w/ the youth (that's even more fun), to supporting the Phoenix community that has supported her, she's been on the move..

she's truly been going non-stop, and has more to go today.. she spent the morning reading her Meek Moments children's book to the youth, and she had a GREAT time.. if you aren't following her on twitter, please do.. she's @Quickdeuce - and worth the follow..

while most have been playing overseas, Meek has made the CHOICE not to head over yet.. she realizes that her life is much more than basketball, although basketball is what pays the bills.. slowly but surely we're working on developing more income revenue streams so that she can stay around doing more.. I have my work cut out for me, as I have less than a month to make a few things happen to keep her here in the States for the rest of the off-season.. i've been working quietly behind the scenes, and I'm hoping that things come together in January.. trust me when I say that i'm working hard to make that a reality.. we need her here.. shoot, i need her here.. the youth def' need her here.. so, if you want her in your community, and you have any opportunities, don't hesitate to hit me up.. we'll make something happen!!

y'all enjoy this holiday season, and stay safe w/ the ever-changing weather!!

i - Q..

The Weekend Ahead..

it's Friday.. yup, it's Friday..

so much going on.. from Holiday media requests for my FAM, to planning for 2011, to discussions about the upcoming Free Agent Camp in Indy, and even some Pro Development Camps with Adrienne Goodson for players that are looking for training and spending the off-season preparing for the upcoming season.. it's all coming together..

had a few VERY long and insightful conversations yesterday about the league.. It's ironic that the post on Slam came up discussing the transition period w/ Donna moving on to other things.. it was interesting, but it was also written like a piece of fiction.. no disrespect.. but that's what most have to do when trying to cover the WNBA.. there's definitely a cloud of secrecy w/ the league, and that has it's pros and cons.. i'm not here to debate it.. i've sat myself on the bench for a little bit, as I have more pressing concerns related to getting the RIGHT attention on the players.. but i do understand the points that were made.. for the record, i have nothing bad to say about Donna.. i've met her and had a few conversations w/ her, and she always had the energy that you would want from a leader.. the business side is what it is, and NONE of us know what the true backend business is like w/ the league.. yea, we know it's not that financially sound, with teams folding, sponsorships dwindling, and teams trying to be creative as possible to get and keep fans in the stands..

for me, though, i'd love for this season to be more about the players and the quality of the game.. a big part of me feels that if the TALENT is displayed on EVERY team, then some of the issues w/ fan support would go away.. i'd love for the players to just bond together and start making their OWN product better.. no, this isn't a shot at the players, cuz they work hard.. but i do know that players have to fight for themselves and their own respect too.. it's hard to focus on just getting better, when you're looking for opportunities overseas, worrying if the league will fold, handling personal affairs, and scratching your temple as to why things are the way they are.. i get it.. i'm on their side.. i see it daily.. but i'm hoping that the players can help themselves.. i'm hoping some will get more than a week or 2 off before the season starts.. i'm hoping that training camp is lessened a bit, and the current players are able to bypass it, while those trying to make it (or on the bubble to get cut) spend more time.. because, it's nothing worse than seeing a player on a team that just doesn't belong on a team.. or a player that doesn't have the same talent, make it over someone who is head and shoulders over someone that has made it.. the little things matter.. i'm hoping this year, the players just ball out, and we'll see what happens from there..

one thing is for sure, my FAM will ball out!! that i know!!

i - Q..

Day 2..

it's another day on the grind.. so much going through my head, but i'm going to write my way through this one..

let me start w/ Twitter.. i am thankful for it.. i've met people that i actually refer to as friends.. i've met people that have become FAM.. and i've also met the exact opposite.. it's tricky.. but let me get to the point..

i'm cautiously excited about the whole #WNBAMovement thing.. excited, because it's good to see so many fans showing support.. "so many" is relative, i know, but still.. you have fans that have started to put player news pages up, and that's a good look.. potentially.. i've watched it a lil bit, but have yet to start following most of the pages, as i do realize that it's not the players, or their representatives tweeting that news.. that's fine, though.. a lot of us have way too much on our plate as it is, so handling a news page is difficult, especially when there's not much news to share.. during the season, it can work.. during the off-season, it may not.. potentially.. i'm optimistic, though, as i'm seeing people do all that they can to spread the WNBA voice.. i'm just really hoping no player's reputations are damaged.. i hope people understand that it's like an unofficial/official fan page.. i do know that my FAM's news pages will be handled well.. i trust the person running them, plus i know we'll feed news to them to make it current and accurate.. i hope it catches on..

i'm finally going to start watching college bball.. it's about that time.. i need to know who the players to watch are, etc.. if y'all can point me in the right direction, please hit me on twitter (@fuzion) w/ some names and teams.. while i'm 95% positive that i won't be adding any new names to the FAM roster (i already have a few people i'm considering), i will still help as many players as i possibly can.. "help" may be in the form of a phone conversation, an email, g chat or BBM convo.. it could also be on a situational basis.. plus i have this camp to spend the next 4 months planning and pulling together.. add on that what i plan to start the year out w/ my current FAM, and you can see that my time is dwindling.. i say this out of respect for my current FAM.. their situations have to be right, before i can bring anyone else in.. but anyway, help me out by leaving comments or hitting me on twitter.. i appreciate you!

ok, ok, that's enough for today.. let me get to work..

i - Q..

Guess Who's Back!!

dang..

so it's been 2 months, huh? i was building up momentum, then just hit the proverbial "wall".. sometimes you need a break, and i definitely needed a sanity break.. way too much was going on inside and outside of WBB.. but i'll be completely honest and say that i got fed up w/ a few things.. the lack of support.. the lack of quality of things related to WBB.. and just too many things that left me scratching my head as to why.. so instead of fighting, i just took a break..

i have to run the fine line of supporting my players, making our collective voice heard, and then fighting for the inequalities that exist in WBB.. my fight for equality had me doing and saying things that i stand behind, but maybe the *cough* world wasn't ready to hear.. i started to feel that i may have been doing harm for the players that i represent, by being so vocal.. so, i looked in the mirror, took inventory of the past year, and felt the need to slow up for a second..

with that said, i'm back, and rejuvenated for the long run..

i've watched from the sidelines as Temeka started to rep hard for the HOPE Foundation.. that was probably the hardest thing to do.. it's like the training wheels were off, and she was on her own.. riding around the block while i wasn't home.. personally, i needed to see this happen.. mainly so i can get a better view of things.. see what she felt would garner attention and traction.. behind the scenes, i was concentrating on more long-term things.. bigger opps, etc.. and i've had some success w/ that, as you all will see over the coming month.. bigger than that, though, i believe Temeka saw and faced some of the things i hid from her, or made look easier than it was.. from understanding what the media felt was "important", to people saying they could do "this or that", etc.. i try to hide some harsh realities from players, as i want them focusing on the things that they can control.. that's just the type of person that i am.. let me shoulder the issues and disrespect.. these players are bigger than the game, and can do so much, so i want them worrying about ways to do more, not about why a paper won't show up to a charity event, etc.. but, i stand here proud of what Temeka has done.. but now it's time for me to be back, and doing what i need to do for the remainder of this off-season..

same goes for Ketia.. she's been on her game as well.. plus she has one of the best Executive Director's out there w/ her father running the ship.. his military background comes into play, and works to all of our advantage.. i learn from him.. he introduced me to the term "flat dicking", and he doesn't play around w/ anyone that does that.. but Kesh is on the cusp of some great things, and if she doesn't win a Community Assist Award this year, then they need a new name for the award.. yea, i said it.. and i'll say it again!!

but, here i stand.. again.. ready for the future.. of my FAM.. of myself.. of WBB.. and i'm proud to announce that one of the biggest things i'll do this year is a free agent basketball camp for women.. some need more exposure.. some need an opportunity.. some need a second chance to prove that they can play the game.. so, in April, i've partnered to bring this thing together.. Indianapolis.. you'll hear more, soon..

i'm on it..

Q.

New FAM - Adrienne Goodson

told y'all i was working on a few things, didn't i?? well, we now have FAM Legends!! that is plural, but for now, we'll start w/ my FAM - "Goody"..

y'all know her.. former WNBA All-Star, multiple Community Assist Award winner, ABL All-Star, All-ABL, HS All-American, NCAA Champion, and more.. yea, that Goody or Goodie.. she has been great for me, and great for FAM.. providing insight from her playing days (also played an integral part in helping move the player/business interests forward w/ the league), she's a ridiculous trainer/coach (look at what she did at ODU), she's great for the community, and holds basketball clinics.. i was initially introduced to Goody through Ketia.. they went to Afghanistan w/ the NBA to support the troops.. so i was able to do my own research.. a year later, our paths cross and we built a synergy, then a relationship, then a partnership, and now FAM for LIFE!!

i know that i am only one man.. i get it.. i can't do it by myself.. i've had my own crash course over the last 3 years, and i swear that it changes every dang year.. something new.. something upsetting.. just something.. i needed more insight.. i needed a better understanding.. Goody came just when i felt like i had seen it all and been through it all.. she actually gave me more hope..

it's been a blessing to learn from her (and our other FAM Legends - names dropping sporadically).. i'm now on my job trying to get her back into the league to help players and teams.. she's already leading our team heading to Brasil for our 1st basketball clinic (part of a 6 year agreement).. shoutout to ESPN down in Brasil for continuing to publicize what we're doing down there (even if it was pushed back to Nov 5).. so, a special shoutout to Goody for allowing me to do what i do.. it's already been a great relationship, and i know it'll be more of that in the future..

now to watch Big Syl bully some poor team in the World Championships!!

i - Q..

My Team Is Better Than Yours!!

i don't know why i'm doing this, or what inspired me, but i wanted to put together the 12 player team (gotta make it more legit than 11 player teams) i would choose for the WNBA.. i chose the team based on style of play and my thoughts of a team that YOU couldn't beat.. i wanted to tie my hands behind my back, by not choosing players like Taurasi, etc.. i would love to debate my team vs anybody that thinks they can field a better team and beat my team.. i promise you that you won't beat my team.. and yes, I'd coach the team.. our offense would be ridiculous and the defensive schemes would put me in the Hall of Fame (only jokes, but i do feel good about my chances!).. i also made sure that my FAM was on the team.. plus i know their traits and skill set.. but let me get to it..

My Starting Lineup

PG: Temeka Johnson
SG: Cappie Pondexter
SF: Tamika Catchings
PF: DeLisha Milton-Jones
C: Sylvia Fowles

Reserves

PG: Epiphany Prince
G: Ketia Swanier
SF: Essence Carson
SF: DeWanna Bonner
SF: Tamera Young
F: Candace Parker
C: Erika De Souza

On paper, i know you're scratching your head.. No Sue Bird? No Lauren Jackson? And no Taurasi? yup, that's right.. there were a few players that i really wanted (like Crystal Langhorne), but i just couldn't fit them on the team.. i wanted a team that could play uptempo and a half-court game.. this team fits.. my biggest thing was making sure my bench would be able to run the other team off the court.. Epiphany is the game changer off the bench.. Essence and Tamera are my shutdown defenders.. They are my glue players.. They will defend whoever.. we saw Essence come into form during the playoffs.. she's not intimidated by anyone.. DeWanna is the ultimate glue player.. a player that can get me 15 and 8 in a blur.. Erika is a force.. just when you thought we were soft, she appears.. Candace i'd want inspired by being on the bench.. like how she was in Russia.. she murdered 2nd units.. Ketia will be able to flourish in a guard capacity.. i want her to be a blur.. i want her as a 1-person fast break.. point blank..

my starting lineup? come on now.. Meek is the general.. the team falls in line after her.. Cappie is my DWade.. she's going to give me buckets and get in the zone faster than any other player.. Catch is my LeBron.. does everything VERY well.. DeLisha? that's my bully.. she does the dirty work and can score w/o having plays designed for her.. Syl? what more can i say? on my team, she'd dunk EVERY game..

think you can put together a squad that beats us? let me know.. you won't win, but i love you thinking that you can!!

i - Q..

The Offseason..

Although Meek and Ketia are on their game w/ their foundations, I'm beginning to use this time for bigger endeavors.. For me, right now is about power moves and planning.. Less task management and more business development.. There are so many things that need to be developed if you're trying to stay ahead of the game.. My focus for this offseason is not as much about my players, but the future of the game.. Because, I feel that we've tried every "traditional" method to get noticed, but that isn't working.. That hasn't brought anyone any closer to the players.. At least not in a huge way.. The loyal supporters are seeing more, but the overall general public still have no idea..

I'm not going to point fingers or anything like that.. At the beginning of the night, we have to work with what we have.. I'm now focusing on working in a larger network.. A larger sphere of influence.. It's not much that I can speak on, but it is something that has given me a bit of hope.. I'm truly learning and leaning on people that have some sort of inside connection to the game.. And in a crazy way, they are leaning on me just as much as I am leaning on them.. If you could only see the BBMs and text messages that I receive from major players in the game.. That's not bragging, that's just speaking the reality.. I feel their excitement when we have conference calls.. I get excited after the calls and my ability to keep moving forward w/ my head held high.. I'm nowhere close to being there or done, though.. Nowhere..

i am motivated, though.. For me, I'm thinking global.. I'm not thinking nationally.. The women's basketball market is so much bigger than the US.. Most of you already know that.. But, the opportunities are there.. That's a big part of what I'm working on.. Some things will be for the US, but so much more will be for the global community.. I have to continue to make a way for these women to make real money and real opportunities.. And for those of you that feel that they shouldn't be chasing money, then I would look you in the eye and ask what Snoop cypher you just came out of.. Look, these women have proven their love for the game.. They shed their blood and tears.. Forget the sweat.. That's a given.. They've given their all just to get to the WNBA.. So, yes, I am focused on finding and creating more financial opportunities for them.. So, if they are done after 6 seasons, then maybe they can tour the world putting on clinics.. Maybe they can tour the world on a quest for women empowerment.. Maybe they can tour the world providing fashion to other women who are not 5'1".. Who knows? What I do know is that I'm not going to stop.. What I do know is that I'm committed.. Even when it may not appear to be that way.. Cool? Cool..

i - Q..

A New Day..

yesterday's love proved to be an inspiration for me to keep going w/ the blog.. i know that i have some loyal readers and supporters, but i also know that i haven't kept up w/ the blog the way that i should have.. yesterday made me realize that a voice is definitely needed to provide another view of things..

i'm still feeling a certain way about the Cappie situation.. i'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but just watching the comments people left, the various chatboards, etc, it just made me feel that many of you just don't get what the players go through.. a lot happens behind the scenes that fans are never privy to.. i think a lot of you know that, but tend to forget during the heat of the moment.. that's cool and all, but as good of a job most of these women do staying out of the news, tabloids, discussion boards, etc, they still see and hear what all is being said.. now w/ Twitter and Facebook, they definitely do.. there were people talking about greed (are you really serious?) related to playing for money.. injuries, etc..

actually, let me pause there.. aside from my NFL FAM, these WNBA players play through more injuries than a little bit.. i would say that on any given night 70% of the league is playing at less than 100%.. i know people have a problem w/ the way that i say things, and throw numbers out that aren't true facts.. for you, it is what it is.. that's my style to have fun w/ facts and figures.. i have 2 engineering degrees from Northwestern, i've earned the right to play with as many numbers as i want.. when you get through discrete mathematics and every other form of math, you're allowed to do that (only jokes, but you get what i'm saying).. but seriously, these women play through an amazing amount of injuries just to play for their families and support systems here in the US..

ok, un-pause..

i value the off-season like you wouldn't believe.. all of my players have been going non-stop since their season's ended.. no lie.. first, the season ends, and you deal w/ all of that.. the injuries, the disappointments, etc.. then, they figure out where they're going next.. and i'm not talking about overseas.. i'm talking about in the days following.. do they go home? go on a mini-vacation? do they go and handle other business opportunities? the list goes on.. then you have to weigh it all against how much time they have before heading overseas.. for some, that might only be a week or 2.. i know for a fact that one of my players hasn't had a break since the season ended.. she's been getting on her "brand" grind.. foundation stuff, personal stuff, business stuff.. she's motivated to establish her life after basketball..

i read something funny when someone talked about basketball needing to be all that the players concentrate on.. are you serious?? no, no, really.. are you serious?? and what happens when these athletes are no longer playing? you're looking at them then on some, "what happened to all of your money? why weren't you preparing for life after sports?".. that irony is hilarious.. we all go to work, but most people that work for The Man, have plans to leave The Man.. that's called inspiration.. that's called preparation.. so, are you now saying that because these women are entertaining you, they need to shuck and jive for the 5-8 years they can play the game at an elite level? after having shucked and jived all through high school and college playing for *cough* free?

ok, that's a different blog - which i WILL write about in the future - so i'll just make my final statement..

imagine working all year, and you saved up your vacation time for a big trip w/ your family and friends.. you've worked hard all year long, even putting in overtime to obtain more income for this trip.. you weren't mad at all.. you did your job, with that end goal (vacation) in mind.. now imagine on the day before your last day, your boss comes and says, that 2 week vacation? well, i need you back here in 4 days.. what would you do? how would you feel? what would you say? how would you react? that's a lot to think about in a short period of time.. well, that's how these ladies are EVERY season.. EVERY year.. they get to the end and realize that they still can't take or catch a break.. EVERY year..

now ask yourself again, is it so bad that Diana is considering taking time off? although i feel that most of you all wouldn't have a negative thing to say if she actually did.. ahh, i digress..

i - Q..

Cappie & Team USA..

well, if i'm going to do this blog, i might as well get my hands dirty, right?

i've stayed away from most things Cappie.. having met her, she's real cool.. and she's from Chicago.. on top of that, she can flat out ball.. i used to tease on some "how can she call herself the D.Wade of the WNBA?" or "who does she think she is?".. then i watched what she did in NY, and that changed my whole rationale of Cappie.. to me, Cappie is that ball player that just balls.. she laces them up and just goes at you.. she's not going to be your best friend.. she's not going to act fake to you on the court.. ask Phoenix.. she's a competitor.. this year, she grew into being 1 of my top 3 favorite WNBA players.. on the court.. y'all can guess who the 2 are that are above her.. but she's definitely a player that i would pay to see..

now that i got that out of the way, let's talk about her as a person.. i read the recent article about her not joining Team USA.. to put it bluntly - who cares? it's her time.. it's her game.. it's her legacy.. who are we to get into her head and tell her what we want her to do.. yea, she's into fashion.. and? yea, she left Phoenix to have a bigger "life" opportunity in NY.. and? as a Chicago native that left to go be in NY, i get it.. NY is the place to be.. NY is a rare place where you realize that you don't need to be anywhere else to get what you want or be set.. real talk.. i applauded her decision to leave Phoenix and go create her own WNBA legacy.. and look at what she did in that first year!! she took a team that not many people felt had a legitimate chance, and got them to the doorsteps on the WNBA Finals.. that says something.. and off the court? she's living her life.. Fashion Week, magazine features, NBA connects.. she's on top of the world.. let her breathe.. please..

these women have NO TIME! they go from job to job, country to country trying to earn a living.. and now we have a player that has a choice.. and she made it.. you don't like her choice? so what.. many NBA athletes passed up the opp to win a gold medal/World Championship as well.. i'd have to do my research, but I believe Cappie has both already.. what she doesn't have is the time to go conquer the other facets of her game of life.. she's not just a basketball player.. she's a brand.. she's smart enough to know that.. and i'm smart enough to see that and applaud it..

do you, Cappie.. if i was on her team, i probably would have sat her down and agreed to the decision she made.. but that's just me..

i - Q..

WNBA Finals - My Thoughts..

so yea, i'm the absent-minded blogger right now.. supposed to be daily, and i'm almost on a weekly schedule.. my bad..

today, i'm blogging as a fan/marketer of the WNBA.. that's it.. so i'm not talking about my FAM or anything like that.. i'm talking as a fan w/ a marketing background..

i didn't watch game 1.. it didn't interest me.. i barely knew when it was coming on.. it was lost in the cloud of the NFL season starting and the finals for the World Championships.. now, with that said, what would win out on my schedule of things to watch? "things that make you go hmm".. even w/ picture-in-picture, there were way too many games (some of which my NFL FAM were playing in) and again the World Championships (shoutout to Andre Iguodala who I saw last night at Three Peas Art Lounge - shameless plug, but it's my blog!!).. the WNBA lost out..

but it lost out, 1 because neither team interests me as a fan.. Seattle's style of play does nothing for me.. i'm sorry Seattle fans.. yes, they can play the game.. yes, they have some elite players.. but, no, i don't think they are exciting.. i've seen them on TV and courtside.. i just wasn't impressed.. the coach is doing his job.. he's exploiting the way the game is called and utilizing his players like no other coach out there.. my hat is tipped to him.. this is not a shot at him.. this is me talking about what I like to see as a fan.. sadly, his team does nothing for me..

now ATL, they are slightly interesting.. Angel makes it hard to not believe in her skills.. she gets buckets like Swoopes used to.. but then what happens? i tune in for a few minutes of game 2 and she's dropping a dud.. there goes my interest.. the game was sloppy.. no excitement.. nothing.. i tried, but couldn't get through 2 minutes straight.. i tried to turn back to it, but same result.. i heard ATL made a comeback, but not during the time i was watching.. from a Finals perspective, it just didn't do it for me..

when i think about last year's Finals, that was an exciting series.. close games.. an underdog like Phoenix (even if they were the better team, the media made it appear like EVERYONE wanted Indiana to win) played an uptempo game.. then you have Catch.. she is just a phenomenal player.. i'd watch her any day, because she does the little things and the big things.. and does them extremely well.. she has secret/cheating moves like many of the NBA players.. she gets it in!! the games were also close.. but look at Twitter.. last year, EVERYBODY was watching the games and tweeting about it.. not just the diehard fans, but also the casual fan.. more importantly, the big media names were watching and tweeting about it.. what happened from last year to this year? yea, some NBA dudes are tweeting about it, but even when LeBron tweeted about it, he then quickly changed the channel and tweeted something else.. then turned back and forth.. he was doing what i was doing.. maybe he watched it a minute longer than me, who knows, but he obviously wasn't glued to the TV..

it's wild, because to me, women's basketball is the purest form of basketball.. i love watching high school and college games - no not on some R.Kelly stuff.. they do things ALL players should, but don't, due to their rare athletic traits.. pass and pick away.. pick and roll.. backdoor cuts.. transition defense.. everything.. it's a beautiful thing to watch.. but not so much in the WNBA.. something is lost.. i've always said/felt that WNBA players graduate into the minor leagues.. that's my opinion.. there are many reasons for this.. salary cap, politics, bad refs, bad coaches, etc.. the talent on most teams fall off considerably from the 7th player to the 11th player (or however many players they have now).. yes, that's the case in NCAAs as well, but those players still get it in.. when they get in, they KNOW it's their only shot, but they play to their strengths and the fundamentals.. in the WNBA? not quite.. i've seen some BAD players this year.. i mean, really bad.. it's made me scratch my head.. all of that together makes it hard to watch at the end of the season.. VERY hard to watch.. especially when it's not that exciting..

trust me, even if i was a Seattle fan, i wouldn't be excited about this finals.. aside from wanting them to win.. that's why i used a lower case "f".. nothing upper about it..

i'm hoping game 3 shows me something (assuming i will watch it - for a few minutes at least, i will), otherwise it'll be a long offseason and the excitement for next season won't nearly be the same.. i'm praying that last season wasn't a fluke w/ the excitement the whole league brought.. i know this season needs a do-over..

i'm just sayin'..

i - Q..

Friday Moments..

ok, ok, i won't front.. it's been much harder to concentrate on WBB (women's bball) w/ my FAM not playing.. i've had to give myself a bit of a breather from what was THE most difficult season i've had w/ the WNBA.. some of it had to do w/ personal things, some had to do w/ players, some w/ the teams, some w/ the league.. but when you added it all up, it didn't go the way that i wanted, nor expected, it to go.. so, for me, i've needed a break..

i told Kesh the other day that i had to stay away so that i didn't bring negative energy around.. it was nothing against anyone, just me.. i don't hide things that well.. i mean i do, but not from my FAM.. Meek will look at me and be on some "whatever Q., i know something is up, but ok, i'll let you be".. and all i'll be able to do is smile.. the same way that i KNOW when things aren't well w/ her.. that's the management bond that i love.. that's something no one can take from me, and something that players can express to others..

i had to look in the mirror on a lot of things.. the high expectations.. the "not taking no for an answer".. the "man, i can make this happen".. but the fact is, i didn't.. i tried.. my FAM tried.. my Fuzion team tried.. even when we did everything in our power to ensure success, we were let down by others that we relied on and paid to fulfill the job.. it was another eye opener for me, because at the end of the day, it was all on me/Fuzion.. i got worn down.. being 1 man, it's not enough.. the business side of FAM WBB is really just 1 1/2 ppl.. the money isn't there to commit to a full team.. yes, i use all of Fuzion to make things happen, but the resources will bankrupt me, because there just is not much (if any) money in professional WBB.. it's the sad reality.. but it's not a reality that i'm going to bow down to.. it's one that i will take additional time to figure out.. it has to work.. the future is too bright for it not to.. we just have to find a way to work inside and outside of the "system".. trust me, you don't want to walk in these shoes..

so today was truly based on 2 immediate events, and a future event.. probably spent about 3 hours on them.. that's it.. which is a step in the right direction.. cuz during the season it was like a 12 hour job.. no lie.. but you think i'm scared? think again.. we'll figure this out and get it right.. WAY too many ppl counting on me making it happen.. i'm not one to disappoint.. i'm just sayin'..

i - Q..

Back in Action..

i'm missing days, i know, i know.. reality met my life, and they had an interesting week of conversation.. moving on..

yea, so my interest in the WNBA is VERY slim right now.. all of my players are ghost, and i have no desire to watch the Seattle Storm take on the ATL Dream.. while i am rooting for ATL to take it home, the matchup just doesn't move me.. it takes me back to the years right after MJ left.. the finals just weren't the same.. i give it to Angel, though, she's ballin.. i was never that sold on her game, but she gets buckets.. she's making a name as a scorer.. starting to remind me a bit of Sheryl Swoopes, but i know it's too early for those comparisons.. but yea, i doubt i'll watch more than a combined 15 minutes of that series, if that.. no disrespect, as i'd do that in other sports, too.. i'll be like Diana and watch Jersey Shore (that was a hilarious shot at the league, on the low from DT3!)..

so, i'm assuming that most of you think that my time is done w/ my players.. nope, far from it.. they stay active.. Syl is Syl.. she doesn't take a break.. for her, it's more about us figuring out what steps/strides to make in 2011.. her presence needs to be felt even more.. so, it's strategy time for the Big Syl brand.. i'll put that hat on and get to work..

Ketia - a lot of offseason Ketia4Kidz work to handle.. starting w/ this camp in Brasil.. then her own camp down in Columbus, GA.. and a few other things.. it's not a game, and this offseason, we're on a mission to get her recognized and get the foundation to the level that it needs to be.. it's going to be interesting, but you can plan on a lot of face time at the bases around the country.. she supports the military like no other, so it's time that everyone takes notice..

Meek - well, if you know Meek, you know nothing has changed.. we were talking after the game, and the days since her last game.. i'm going to be quiet on what's in store w/ her.. but y'all know that Meek doesn't stop.. the biggest thing is the 2nd Annual Temeka Johnson Weekend on September 24th & 25th.. details to come..

but yea, this will be an interesting offseason.. so much in store.. and trust that the FAM is expanding on the WNBA side of things.. i'll be doing some "consulting" w/ a few other players (with big names), and will be kicking some major moves into action at the end of 2010 as well.. it's what i'm supposed to do.. knaa'mean?

until tomorrow..

i - Q..

Hello - Good Mornin..

this is feeling like a beautiful rainy day..

not sure why i'm in such a good mood, but i haven't felt like this in a minute.. yesterday was so long and draining that i wasn't sure what i was going to feel like today.. it's not that yesterday was bad, because from a FAM standpoint, it was good.. it was just so much going on.. meetings, phone calls, even longer phone calls.. dinner meeting.. it was wild..

but the main focus from yesterday's agenda was Temeka's weekend.. i was on the phone w/ people from Baton Rouge and New Orleans all day, pulling out the stops.. i even talked to Momma Meek a few times.. shoot, and 1 of her sisters.. it wasn't a game.. we have one event that i'm truly putting my all into.. it HAS to be a success.. i know it will be.. my team put in work.. but BIG shoutout to @Esynaj - @MsVelvetFist & @ThreePeasArt - 3 amazing women that are truly bringing this together.. i've said it many times.. women get it.. i typically view my job as the heavy hitter stuff.. so, when they get it to where it needs to be, i come in and just make the calls or contacts to the people to get answers in minutes.. not that it always happens in minutes, but yesterday, i had the hot hand.. everyone i called gave me the answers and support that i needed.. it was a blessing.. and it was all for my FAM..

today is more of the same.. finalizing the details, but also some bigger things w/ some WNBA legends.. i think people thought i was playing.. they thought wrong.. with a clear head, i'm usually on point.. w/ these legends, and what they are allowing me to do? man, watch out.. talk about a game changer.. but for me, the biggest thing is the younger players learning from them.. the game doesn't last forever, and now is the time to truly set up next steps.. when the game ends, another opportunity begins.. that's what i want my FAM to understand and take advantage of.. the legends told me, "Q, if they want something, the only way they can get it is if they ball better than everyone else".. that hit me, and it resonated.. we can do all of this stuff w/ and for the league, but at the end of the day, the league is only going to support those that force their hand.. and in this case, forcing their hand means playing better than the rest of the players in the league.. for Syl, that's a given.. for Meek, she's close.. for Ketia, that's what she should strive for..

it's the FAM - let's go!

i - Q..

Early Mornings..

what up, what up..

been at it for nearly 2 hours now.. woke up earlier than expected with the feeling that i didn't have enough time.. yea, that might be an everyday feeling, but today i woke up w/ the pressure to do more.. i need to find a way to manage my time better and keep my focus.. spent some time yesterday streamlining operations and re-thinking our project management system.. when business gets busy, adhering to our project management SOPs go out of the window.. and that's on me.. not on anyone else.. i'm pulling people from different projects to work on other things.. projects overlap.. projects shrink.. projects become larger.. it's the reality.. but now i need to take some time to get that back in order..

but no complaints - just stating the facts..

my FAM travels to Seattle today to begin that 2nd round quest.. game is tomorrow, though.. taking a moment to be a fan, Seattle never scares me.. i'm not sure why.. yes, Lauren Jackson is a problem.. she's a great player, i won't take anything away from her.. but the surrounding pieces just don't scare me.. Swin Cash can ball, but she's not someone that strikes fear in my heart.. not hating, just being a fan.. Sue Bird NEVER scared me.. she's a system PG, in my opinion.. she can be a beast in systems, but again, she doesn't scare me.. i think it's her speed.. yea, she can shoot and control a game - qualities you want in your PG - but she doesn't strike me as a player i fear can take over a game.. i like my PGs to be able to take over when needed.. that's not Sue, in my opinion.. but i'm not taking anything away from her.. these are just my thoughts..

Phoenix, though, is interesting.. they are NOT playing like themselves.. at all.. they show flashes.. i still think that when they ball, no one can play w/ them.. but they have to do more.. Diana is a bit off this year, which is not a bad thing.. MJ had off years and games.. he rose to the occasion.. i think Diana will do the same.. but this hasn't been her year.. i would reduce the pressure on her.. i would utilize Meek more to RUN the point.. not just go through the motions of the offense.. i would get Dupree the ball ALL the time and let her run things like Tim Duncan.. she has great hands, awareness, offense, and can pass.. i'd use my bench to keep the pace.. Ketia needs to step up.. Tan will do what Tan does.. hit shots and disrupt plays w/ her length.. DB can't be stopped.. mainly because she's slippery as a player.. how can you put a body on her? let's be honest.. she'll slide right off you and use her length and speed to get where she wants to go..

i can go on and on, but i won't.. Phoenix should win this series.. in 4 games.. yea i said it.. do what you want w/ that information.. this is just me running my mouth, as a fan..

oh, but yeah, Meek, you need to stop playing and step it up.. that last game was rough.. forget that your shot wasn't falling.. forget all that.. go to the hole.. mix it up.. use that hesitation that you worked on.. the shot will come.. but the stress has to leave your game.. i see it in your movements and on your face.. i feel your pain.. but now it's time to become numb to it all.. just play ball.. point blank - period..

i - Q..

I'm Baaaaaack..

sup world!! how is everyone doing?

yes, I missed you all at the end of last week and yesterday, but i'm back.. it's been a lot going on.. my other "job" had me handling a lot of music-related things at the end of last week (The Graduated Experience was a HUGE success), and the start of this week focused on a few things related to my other job (Fuzion Marketing Group).. i never said i led a simple life.. shoot, this blog is called A FAM Life for a reason (aside from them not letting me change it to i - Q..)..

but back on my women's basketball grind..

i spent a lot of time at the end of last week and this week getting things together for Ketia's first basketball clinic.. this is a big deal, because she's returning home.. y'all might not know, but Ketia is THE big deal down in Columbus, GA.. she destroyed the competition in HS, and set all types of records, carrying her team on her back.. it's no surprise that Geno scooped her, and she started at the Point as a freshman.. her HS jersey is retired there.. her UConn jersey is in the rafters there.. Her CT Sun jersey is there.. Her Phx Mercury jersey is there.. it's the house that Ketia built, as it relates to basketball.. so, yea, I would like this to go as it should.. and thus far, it is.. we have a few more approvals to get, then we'll blast it out to the general public..

we're also working on the Pepsi Refresh grant for both Ketia and Meek, and shouts to the Phoenix Mercury for capturing them on video for this opportunity.. it's far from over, but it's a big deal..

speaking of Meek, i'm so focused on her 2nd Annual Weekend, down in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, it's ridiculous.. i've had to put other things on the back burner to concentrate on making this a success.. it's always hard when we're trying to find sponsors.. but somehow, some way, we have to.. that's what i've been focused on.. that, and making sure this year is better than last year's..

a lot of people think this stuff is easy.. but it's not.. it's an all day thing, and normally, at the end of the day, we're at the EXACT same place we were at the beginning of the day.. that is hard to explain to athletes who are so accustomed to things going their way.. not really for the WNBA players, because after years in the league, they are used to being second citizens.. but, it's still hard when these women give their all to do things for the community, and don't get the support.. but that's where i come in.. or at least i definitely try my best..

what people don't get about my position, is that i'm not about task management.. i'm about forward thinking.. so, for me, while i have to oversee and ensure that things go well, my main goal is to stay ahead of the game.. for instance, today i found out about Women's Sports Foundation (shout out to Cheryl aka HoopFeed on Twitter).. knew nothing about it.. but once i did, i used my influence to make a meeting happen to get my players involved.. they don't even have WNBA players assisting, but when i saw that, i knew it was opportunity to get my FAM involved.. in a matter of minutes, i inked the meeting for Thursday.. you best believe we'll have more announcements about it.. sometimes, it's just about awareness and people knowing about opportunities.. so we'll see what happens on Thursday, but i'm sure it'll be positive!

now i have to run.. just got some photos over to the Mercury for Meek and the video we're creating, and now i'm on the move..

talk to y'all tomorrow!!

i - Q..

Missed Me??

yesterday was non-stop, my bad for not getting at you.. it wasn't as much a crazy day for my WNBA FAM, but more a crazy day for me.. but i got through it, and i apologize for not being around for this daily talk..

i did get a number of things accomplished for my women, though.. 1st, Ketia is about to host her 1st basketball camp in October.. to me, that's a pretty big deal.. i know i talked about it in prior blogs, but i'm serious.. she did this w/ Smoke (her father), and i'm happy for her.. some may think that it's all about me, or that's what i'm motivated by.. well, i'm sorry to disappoint, but you're wrong.. i'm motivated by change.. with or without me.. Ketia should be proud of this.. now, my part begins.. and it's begun (peep the tweets later on)..

y'all know Syl is out.. at home w/ the family.. she needs that break, so this is that "leave Syl alone" stage.. she finished her season - a great one at that - so now she gets to be w/ family and friends, and rest for a split second.. then she'll be headed to participate in the World Championship festivities.. i wished i could have made it over there.. who knows, maybe i will sneak over there.. we'll see.. but i am proud of what Syl accomplished this season.. she shut up a lot of people w/ her play.. on that note, i'll shut up and let the numbers paint the picture for you.. do your research..

for Temeka, from my perspective, it's all about pausing for a second to catch our breath and figure out the right path.. we tried so much this season.. some things just to see if there was a market out there for things.. the resounding answer to that is "no".. but that's more from a financial standpoint.. we had some great things going for Temeka all season long, but we didn't hit on every one of them.. some of that is on us, some of that is on the market, some of that is just a learning experience.. while the WNBA has VERY loyal fans, the fact is that it all gets lost in translation.. not enough awareness.. not the right type of awareness.. some support, not enough support.. the league's brand, and the league's confused branding.. so many things we can point to, but the effort is there.. now we've just come to a point where we have to truly assess things.. for me, Temeka sets the bar.. it's almost like she's the first doing these things.. so we're learning on the fly w/ things that work or don't work.. from an experience standpoint, the things that we've done w/ Temeka for our NFL and NBA guys work like a charm..

BG just had a celebrity basketball game last weekend.. it was AMAZING!! the support was there, the stars turned out, the media was there.. it was his 6th annual weekend, and it amazes me how quickly you can make things happen.. i say all of this to say that i can take the shots from people questioning how well we can do things, because i lay on a foundation of work product that has been EXTREMELY successful.. let's not get that twisted.. but for the WNBA? man, it's an all day affair of headaches on most days.. and then the time is non-existent..

let's look at the season the Mercury had.. it wasn't what we expected, huh? well, think about how that affects my job.. every pitch is shot down.. "wait, they're not even playing .500 ball, Q? how are we supposed to highlight that?".. every opportunity is shot down.. "did you see how they played last night? how did they lose that one? a feature on who? she just played 16 minutes in that loss!".. everything is used as a slight or excuse.. but sadly, the excuses are valid (so then are they excuses?).. so yea, it's not easy at all when the perfect storm never appears.. because truth be told, w/ the WNBA, you need a perfect storm..

i thought the Meek Moments children's book would be a perfect storm.. and i think it will be, it will just take time.. we have the media now.. that's a HUGE plus for us.. that's usually the most difficult.. but, i think there's a misconception on all of this.. WE paid for this.. not a sponsor.. WE being FAM and Temeka.. WE tried to get sponsors and put feelers out for over 2 years.. WE made a decision to stop waiting and figure it out on our own.. so WE got to work.. WE found a self-publishing company that we felt was the best.. that meant not worrying or spending too much more time on things.. so, if AuthorHouse could do all the heavy lifting (outside of writing and putting the book together), we would be happy.. that's what we did.. but the reality is that it takes a couple months post debut to truly get things moving.. the publisher didn't really know what to expect, because we didn't know what to expect.. we hoped for the best, but never knew.. you can't force Barnes & Noble or Borders to place the book on the shelves, especially when you're self-publishing.. they place it online first to see how the books move.. if they don't move, it's an uphill battle for them to place it in their stores.. but that's business.. that's smart business.. that's not a FAM decision or a Temeka decision.. the people got Barack elected.. the people got Barack from no name to name brand in less than 2 years.. the people would also have to get Temeka's book in stores.. this is nothing new.. if the demand is there, things happen.. the demand isn't here.. yet..

so yesterday and today i spent time explaining things and planning things.. i wish i was Kanye and had all the Power.. but i'm just a man journeying through this world.. most of the time, alone.. you think you know?? nah, you really don't.. you think you want my life?? nah, you really don't.. Entourage has nothing on what we go through.. it's close, but it's worse than that.. remember how E pretty much had to shut his doors (luckily he had people in high places - i.e. an ex girl who's family is POWERFUL)? that's the reality.. Ari and his issues? that's all day, every day.. you see his relationship w/ his wife? that's all day, every day.. somehow, i'm still here, though.. i'm still standing.. and i will continue to stand.. strong.. but you won't catch me in that position, though, cuz i'm on the move.. when i stand, others are walking.. when i walk, others are running.. when i run, you ain't catching me.. point blank..

i'm out.. Usain Bolt..

i - Q..

The Weekend and The Week Ahead..

sometimes life happens.. for me, that's been pretty often lately.. that's how Friday ended.. when life supersedes (i swore that was spelled w/ a 'c') everything else.. it knocked me off my square for a bit.. actually, i'm still off of it, and maybe for a bit.. but that doesn't mean my focus is.. that's why we have tactical plans.. when things go wrong, the blueprint is there.. w/ time built into it.. now i gotta adjust a bit..

with that said, i was still on it.. Saturday was rough, but i did handle a few things for my FAM.. but realizing that my mind wasn't there, i stopped.. but Sunday morning, i woke up and got right to it.. sending something over to Ketia for a grant opportunity.. i loved that she loved the concept and what are next steps are.. she also hit me w/ her basketball camp info.. she put that together on her own.. i was proud, yet again.. now, it's my turn to put in some work on it.. the PR, the marketing, sponsors, etc.. everything is in my head right now, but by tomorrow, it'll be on paper, and by Wednesday, over to Ketia for her final review and approval..

what, you thought i didn't get things approved by my players? come on now.. i treat my athletes like the businesses/brands they are.. this is their livelihood.. i'm here as an advocate of what they do.. as a manager, i want a team of educated athletes.. not puppets.. i want them to know and understand everything we're doing w/ them.. sometimes it might take a year or more for them to fully understand, but it took me YEARS to understand the business that i'm in as well.. for me, though, this is advanced business development.. they've skipped a few courses, and now they are all in an advanced learning environment.. i have 4 months w/ them in the States.. 4.. not a year.. yes, we talk all year long.. shoot, for some i talk EVERY DAY!! but it's different when they are overseas.. they have so much more on their head.. you have no idea.. so the 4 months here is a crash course.. we get it in!! sometimes on game days.. and no, i'm not interfering w/ their jobs.. i'm advancing it!! when you played sports in high school or college, did you get to skip class on the day that you had your games? (ok, maybe you have a point).. but you get what i'm saying.. when i have a big pitch, i still have clients that i tend to.. it's the real world.. the gloves are off.. these athletes are geniuses in their own rights.. (that's another blog).. so, they get what i'm doing, and happily go along w/ the plan..

sorry for that rant.. but yea, shout out to ESPN for the blog on Meek.. Ms. Carter did her thing, and i'm happy we found a place on the site, and they felt it was a good enough story to capture.. means a lot to me.. it's 1 step, but for us, it's a big step.. you may disagree, but this is a highlight.. the small ones definitely appear to be bigger in some cases.. this is one of them..

today, i still have some personal things to handle, so aside from some follow-ups, i have to do me today.. until tomorrow..

i - Q..

Breakfast..

working off of not too many hours of sleep on a Friday is tougher than you think.. especially considering that's it's been about 3 of those nights already.. but here i am.. trying to play a bit of catch up on some back-end business stuff.. boring, i know.. even more boring when you're tired!! put yourself in my shoes! stop being selfish!! :)

yea, i just put a smiley face in my blog, and??

the day ahead consists of a couple meetings, a few calls, and a couple games.. Syl is playing in her last home game, and I'm hoping they end on a good note.. i'm a bit concerned that they will be losing a few season ticket holders and a few more fans this off-season.. i've had some people come up to me and mention that the Sky HAVE to be a winning team for them to invest their money into not only the tickets, but the expense related to how far from the city the games are.. maybe not in true miles, but most definitely in the amount of time it takes and the headaches of driving through Chicago rush hour to get to the games.. it's difficult, especially considering the talent on that team.. Syl will be Syl.. there's nothing the league or other players can do to stop her.. that's not bragging or anything.. there are just some players who stand apart from others.. Syl is one of those players.. Epiphany Prince (what up Piph) is one of those players too, and I will enjoy watching her continue to develop this off-season overseas.. I'm seriously considering visiting her at some point in time over there.. probably not to Russia, but you know!! she just can play ball.. the slowest explosive game you'll see.. seriously.. when i watch her play, i watch her eyes.. she sees beyond 3 moves.. like each dribble is deliberate and calculated, and then she's out.. i was convinced during 1 game, where i watched her get a steal, get bumped, the defender was running ahead but riding her right side.. Piph NEVER put the ball in her right hand.. she used her left hand the whole way down the court, while the defender was pretty much bumping her.. Piph didn't lose sight of the goal.. EVER.. she ended up exploding to the rim w/ her left hand (on the right side though), and got an And-1.. that's when it all added up to me.. most of the times, it's the simple things in basketball.. and she does the simple things efficiently.. Jia and Canty are good.. i like Jia's poise.. Canty has the experience.. but Piph has the talent.. would love to see Jia and Piph in the backcourt together more often..

ok, ok, i feel like i'm Piph's groupie right about now.. but that is my peoples.. getting to know her this year was a highlight for me.. i only want the best for her.. real talk..

but back to the point.. i'm hoping that the fans increase and more support is shown to the Sky, and I'm going to figure something out this off-season to make that happen.. i had some ideas this season, but none truly panned out the way i expected.. the commute killed it.. maybe getting a party bus from downtown to the game would work.. but that could mean some ROWDY fans.. then again, that might not be a bad idea.. then i won't feel alone w/ yelling at refs and coaches all game long.. y'all know the refs run up my blood pressure!! they need to institute referee school next season.. seriously.. if not, Syl is getting kicked out of half of the games.. y'all thought her getting kicked out of that one game was something? shoot, that was mild.. (glad they won, though, on A FAMily Affair night!!) it's a respect thing.. those refs truly try to control the game.. that's not your job.. call the game.. let these women play.. it's bad enough they have that "no touch" zone, which allows the slowest guards in the league to play 30 minutes, knowing they wouldn't see the court if they were truly getting D'd up.. wait, did i say that? oh well..

let me stop here.. it's been fun.. will update y'all later..

i - Q..

Slow Motion..

today is a pretty weird day.. but Momma said there would be days like this.. it's not good or bad.. just a bit "blah".. yea, that's a feeling.. google it.. i just turned off my phone, because i'm just not in the mood for much.. but again, it's not bad.. i still have a long night ahead of me..

it was pretty much Temeka Johnson Media Day.. She did a twitter interview w/ the WNBA, but the highlight for me was by far the interview we had w/ Kelley Carter for ESPN to discuss the Meek Moments children's book.. being featured on ESPN.com is a pretty big deal for a WNBA player.. especially considering that she will be in there for a reason other than playing basketball.. but she deserves it, and I can't wait for the piece to come out.. Ms. Carter did a good job on the interview, and allowed Meek to talk about the book, her foundation, her family and her future.. yea, i just kept going w/ the "f's" - sue me, it felt right!! but i also had a good brief business discussion w/ her, and look forward to after the season, where we'll be able to take the time to properly chart the rest of this course..

but, my day started w/ a business convo w/ Ketia Swanier, that made me proud.. she initiated it, and was focused.. she voiced concerns and solutions.. it's that moment where you can see the light bulb go on - and you just know that the corner is being turned for the better.. i can't wait for people to recognize the talent that Ms. Swanier has in her.. she has her share of doubters, but who doesn't.. it's up to her to just play the game that made her a HS star and a UConn player.. i know that's coming, because i've seen flashes of it.. but more than that, she just showed me by taking the initiative.. that's all i can ask for..

other than that, it's been business as usual.. worked on our Brasil camp down in Santos in October.. still have some things to iron out.. then something bigger that's being launched in April.. but that's still under wraps, but it's a pretty big deal w/in women's basketball..

oh, shoot, and an opportunity where both Meek and Kesh will be able to do something together to support our Armed Forces.. that's going to be a classic moment, and I hope that it builds into something larger.. that would be a true blessing.. so on that note, the day was pretty good in my role as a manager for WNBA players.. i didn't bother Syl, because she's relaxing w/ friends.. her season's coming to an end, and I'll catch her at the game tomorrow.. i thought about going to the DWade Charity Benefit Dinner later tonight, but i'm not feeling it.. have some non women's basketball stuff to do (studio session w/ Esynaj), and i know i'm not going to be feeling too "Hollywood" today..

Momma said there would be days like this.. things are good, but i feel blah.. google it..

i - Q..

A Brighter Day..

today is a better day.. my FAM basically had a travel day, which meant that they were heading home.. heading "home" always seems to be an easier day for all of us.. for me, it gives me the time to shoot them more information related to ongoing projects or opportunities available to them.. it also gives me a part of the day to really just sit and think..

today, i used that time to recap a few things w/ Temeka Johnson, about her children's book Meek Moments, as well as some updates for her website (some new enhancements coming by Monday).. from day to day, i do forget things.. i'm human.. and with the way my schedule is, i use these days to try to catch up.. it's smart to cushion the amount of time you tell your athletes you'll respond.. so, if you're thinking it's Wednesday, maybe you say Saturday.. if it's earlier, great.. but at least you set the right expectations.. for us, BBM is great!! i need to go ahead and get us a sponsorship, because we use it like it's our lifeline.. no lie.. that's why i don't typically give out my BBM.. for me, that's for business.. not another instant messenger.. you guys can't imagine how often my phone goes off.. seriously.. if you know me, you know that i ALWAYS have my phone on vibrate, never on a ring tone.. those tones get pretty annoying to me, when it goes off ever 23 seconds.. i'm just sayin'..

but, just as I typed this, ESPN.com Page 2 just hit me about an interview for a feature on Meek Moments!! NOW THIS IS WHY I DO WHAT I DO!! a true blessing.. Meek will LOVE this!!

i also shot some things to Ketia Swanier.. we need to gear up on some Armed Forces things, as her foundation supports military children.. Ketia4Kidz is an amazing organization, but go check it out for yourself.. it's been a great day.. seriously..

i also have something for Sylvia Fowles w/ DWade, but i wish the timing was better.. but i'm still trying to pull it off for tomorrow.. but i now have to rush this blog to an end..

this ESPN.com feature has consumed me.. you don't understand how difficult it is to have something like this for the WNBA players.. wow.. i should have started this blog before!!

i - Q..

i - Q..

i - Q..

i, Q, am many things to many people.. which, i guess, confuses a lot.. Owner, CEO, President, Board Member, Boss, Boss Man, Manager, Author (shoutout to Temeka Johnson) and everything else.. but to me, i - am - Q..

for the purpose of this blog, i, Q, am a man trying to navigate the world of professional women's basketball.. that's it.. i'm on a mission.. this journey has been filled w/ its' share of ups and downs.. accomplishments and failures.. but the great thing is that the journey isn't over.. last night, it almost ended though.. i was ready to throw in the towel.. not on Fuzion or Fuzion Athlete Management, but on me representing some elite women basketball players that play in the WNBA..

let me take a quick moment to swell my chest up.. or, as Kevin Hart's "Uncle Richie Jr." says, put my chest in it..

yesterday, i got so upset that i almost cried.. not the boo-hoo type, but the eyes watering type.. i was THAT upset.. i won't go into details as to why.. but, in doing my job, you run into people that have many other agendas.. i simply had a situation that went left field on me, and i was literally in a twilight zone.. but i knew i did nothing wrong.. so much so, that i had affirmation from someone on how i handled it during the heat of the moment.. the sad part is that it turned into something far worse, but that was taken care of as well.. the sad part is that it took literally from 2PM-7PM to go through the madness.. which meant that anything and everything else i had planned was done.. it meant that i once again didn't hold up to an agreement that i made (actually a few of them).. it meant that i once again felt like the respect shown to these women actually did NOT exist.. am i venting? to some, maybe you think that.. but to me? to my players? to the players that know me? nah, they know it's the truth.. they know i'm on my Beanie Sigel w/ this..

i'm closer to my WNBA players than my NBA or NFL players.. but they all know how hard i work for them.. shoot, i've stayed w/ my players.. they see me going to bed after them, w/ the laptop in front of me.. they wake up and see me w/ the laptop in front of me, and me putting in work.. it's not a game people.. i sleep a good 4-5 hours each day.. but that's the life i live.. i will PERSONALLY do things that no other manager, agent or owner will do on behalf of my players.. but to me, that's where it starts.. i match their work ethic w/ my own.. they might get upset when something doesn't go through, but they KNOW it's not due to me not putting in work.. yesterday, it dawned on me that i could be becoming World Wide Wes (google him) for the WNBA.. those are big shoes to fill.. but not many like him.. they wonder why and how he got so close to MJ, LeBron, etc.. my guess? he does what i do, but has the experience 20 times over.. he's gone through what i'm going through.. and he didn't give up.. so, neither am i.. i will become the World Wide Wes of the WNBA.. hate it or love it.

THIS is why i'm doing what i'm doing.. i tell everyone that THIS is a labor of love.. the glory? come on now.. i get blasted every year in fantasy football about the fact that i rep WNBA players.. they have jokes for days.. the money? you already know "that ain't it".. i have a genuine respect for the work that these women put into the game.. i've seen how hard they work.. i've seen the long bus rides after the long flights and layovers.. i've seen the fact that every meal is in the airport.. i've seen them play through injuries, just so that they can play in front of their families, who don't get to travel overseas with them.. i've seen how they are treated overseas.. i've seen how alone they are over there.. but just when i thought i've seen it all, i see something else.. that's what motivates me.. their stories are NOT told..

shoot, look at Sylvia Fowles.. i'm blessed to know her.. blessed to work WITH her.. how does LeBron mention her as part of a team he'd put together, and no true awareness of that FACT is provided by the "game" that she plays.. really? she's from the south, but "where they do that at?"

Ketia Swanier is one of the most unique and misunderstood players that i know.. she's a player that dudes would pick up in a 5-on-5, but for some reason the league doesn't see that.. i'm not a GM or Coach, but w/ her talent, you FIND a way to make it work.. you want more interest from men? put her on the court and watch the speed, no look passes, and sick reverse layups.. then let's see if men will feel the same..

and don't get me started on Temeka Johnson.. point blank, she's the most respected player in the game.. on and off the court.. more hops than a little bit.. more inner-strength than 99% of the people that i know.. on the court? she can only stop herself.. or maybe a - cough - system can..

yea, those are my players.. and? have you heard of Epiphany Prince? do your research.. Tamera Young reps the high school MJ came from.. and she has that MJ swag on the court.. Tangela Smith is a proven champion.. so yes, the league is much more than the players it touts.. MUCH MORE.. i can market the league w/ my eyes closed, if given the chance.. but i'm pretty sure that chance won't come.. especially after i keep blogging daily about my life in this arena.. but what else can i do? i've tried to shut up and just do work.. but yesterday changed all that..

they talk about more money, more problems.. yes, that's true.. i, Q, have felt that over the last 5 years of being "Fuzion".. shoot, yesterday i had a court case in NYC.. there will be many more, i'm sure.. i blew off a call w/ my step-dad, cuz i was handling this.. and he just had a stroke.. i should be stressed about stuff like that.. but nah, here i am stressed about a game.. lol.. a game.. i laugh, because that's how most view this.. a game.. nah, y'all, this is a livelihood.. and people are playing w/ them.. that's not cool.. it's more like less money, more problems.. can i get a rapper to rap about that? that might be the realest ish they never wrote..

so, yea, this was a long rant, but daily, i'm going to provide insight on my day reppin for WNBA players.. it will be good and bad.. it will be bad, then good.. at the end, it will be me.. i - Q.. watch me become legendary.. no threats, but watch what i do now.. thanks for the motivation and the inspiration.. thanks for the tears of anger.. i needed that.. but, lastly, i want to thank the players that ride w/ and for me.. you're the reason that i do this.. doesn't hurt that my lil' cousins and nieces are beasts w/ the ball in their hands, either, though!!