J-Rich Blog

Pressing Toward the Mark

Hey, how is everybody doing in cyberland?  I know I missed a couple posts to my site, but things have been very busy for me over the past couple of weeks.  But I'm back in full swing mode now. 

I had a great opportunity to do an All Star Job Shadow with 23 kids from Percy L. Julian Elementary school in Phoenix, AZ during All Star Weekend.  It was a blast.  These are the types of opportunities I live for.  As an NBA player I understand that it's a reality that everyone that desires to play in the NBA will not make it.  I quickly learned that as I saw players that were more skilled than I was fall short of making it to the top level of sports for one reason or other.

So I wanted to give 23 youth an opportunity to see the NBA in a way rarely seen by most fans, "Behind the Scenes".  I wanted them to understand that even if they don't make it to the league as a player on the hardwood; there were tons of other ways they could be a part of the NBA, including production, media, marketing, advertising, and management.  These youth were able to meet most of the members of my personal management team (check 'em out at JRich23.com), talk with members of the Suns Organization and received a personal tour of the NBA 'on-site' offices, as I lead them through my "All Star Job Shadow Program". They also hung out with me at the Celebrity All Star Game and Jam Session.(Thanks Erin for the VIP access).  Be on the look out for the reports these students are writing about their experience.  They'll be posted on my website (JRich23.com).

Now it's back to business!  Our team has been showing a small glimmer of the team that I know we are.  We're running again, (which makes me smile from ear to ear) and we're exciting to watch.  The only thing that I wish at this point is that Amare was able to be out there with us.  He has been so integral to our teams' success, but his long-term health comes first.  This means that we simply have to find new ways to win games. Shaq has been amazing!!!  How did you like that 45 on last night?  He's one of the greatest guys I've ever met in the league.

Tommorrow we face off with the Lakers.  They really put it on us on Thursday in LA, so I'm hoping we turn the tables on 'em.  At this point it's all about winning.  We are Pressing toward our mark for this season, the playoffs.  I believe without a doubt that we're in.  All the guys are getting focused on playing our best basketball.  The hot hand gets the ball.  There's no "I" in team.  It all about winning at this point.  We've had an opportunity to see what some of our reserves are able to do.  They've been playing big minutes for us, but that's good because they'll be a major part of our success in the post-season.  LOL  I hope you caught that.  SMILE.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I'll be back on my regular blog schedule this coming Monday.  We'll be on the road and I'll definitely need my fans with me.  I just wanted to make sure that I connected with you guys ASAP. C-ya soon!

JRich23

There's No Place Like Home!!!

What's going on everybody? I'm just getting back with you while we’re on the road. Last night we had a tough loss against the 76ers. I made a few baskets, but I wasn’t in my element like I have been lately. We all have those off days, so hopefully we can turn that loss into positive energy while in Cleveland tomorrow night.  

I had a ball on Sunday night against the Pistons.  It was a great game.  It’s crazy how good familiar faces can make you feel.  Just a week ago I had a chance to visit my first NBA home with a trip to the Bay Area.  The fans were great!  I was glad we were able to keep them under wraps, but let’s face it.  I was so glad to see everybody; old friends, and teammates.  Matt Barnes and I felt like we were attending a high school reunion.

But the real excitement was going back home to Michigan.  It was mad cool.  There were 4, YES FOUR, chartered buses that came from my hometown (Saginaw, MI) to show their #1 NBA Player “Mad Love”.  I had a chance to see all of my family, friends, some MSU buddies and my High School Coach, Dave Slaggart.  Holla!  I even got a bit of a surprise.  Hmmm.  I was on the bench when I noticed that one of the Detroit Locomotion Dancers looked really familiar.  I turned to my cousin who was sitting behind me (I’m still trying to figure out how he pulled those tickets off???) and asked, “Is that Brittany out there on the Dance Team?”  (FYI- Brittany is another cousin who is currently in Med School.  She was a major athlete “Big Baller” as an undergrad, now she’s a cheer leader!  LOL.  Love you cuz. SMILES.

I was blessed to have some great VIP Fans attend the game from the Koman Leukemia Foundation.  I was glad they could make it.  A couple of my little buddies got sick and had to leave before the game ended and one of them is actually going in for surgery this week, so I love you guys and we’re all praying for you!  I became interested in working with kids with Leukemia after my best friend died in about the 8^th grade due to Leukemia-related illness.  So, naturally, my foundation works with youth living with the disease.  It’s amazing how me just taking a couple photos with them is so important to them.  I’m so blessed.

It was extra love for both G-Hill and me, as you know he played for the Pistons almost of 8 years ago. The fans of the Palace still treated him like he had on one of those “old school” aqua green jerseys with the horse head on the front lol. Though I was the high point man last night with 21pts, my boy Nash came up big with 21 assists too, just one shy of his career high! It was a good night for me and the gang. Tomorrow night we take on the King James and the Cavs. 

I’m excited about this upcoming ALL STAR weekend.  It’s in Phoenix! Though we lost the Super Bowl to the other guys (I still love you Woodley), we’ve got Shaq & Stat holding it down for us in the ASG. Take that Pittsburg! Lol.  Gotta go and get some rest. We’ve got a Kingdom to overthrow on tomorrow night!  See you all next week!!  From the Heart, I love you Saginaw!!!!

JR23

On the Road Again...

Hey what’s going on out there?  Just dropped in to let everyone know what’s going on in my world. If you didn’t catch the game last night against the Kings, you missed out! I can say that by the looks of it The Phoenix has begun to rise from the ashes.   I’m so glad I finally got that monkey off my back.  We needed that win!  I knew from our first 4 minutes of play our team was in for a great night!  I guess mine wasn’t so bad either.  Our victory was the biggest ever at home and the biggest in the league this season!  We just got into San Francisco this afternoon. (about 4 o’clock).  I’m excited.  It’s going to be fun. I miss the fans out here.  This is where it all began, so I’d really like to give them an exciting game. But you know I’m going to make them regret trading me. lol.

Me and Shaq “Diesel” went out to lunch yesterday.  We talked about how we could get our team back on track.  He’s cool.  He’s exactly the way most people think he is; a lot a fun!  He’s like a big bro.  I also spent some time going over game videos with Grant Hill.  He really helped me see some of the things I’ve been missing in my game. 

On Sunday I get to go home to play the Pistons. I know my entire hometown city of Saginaw will be in attendance including my family and friends.   Someone told me they have three chartered buses coming.  There’s no place like home!

Oh, before I go, Did you see the Super Bowl? Wow!  That had to be one of the best bowl games in NFL history!! It was sad to see the Cards lose, but they have a great team.  But one of my “boys” from Saginaw, Lamar Woodley, plays for the Steelers.  It was good to see him do his thing. It’s great to see the fans interact with me on the blogs, keep ‘em coming. Catch you next week. Until then, take it easy! 

JR23