J-Rich Blog

Big "Shaq" Attack

Hey what’s going on everyone, just checking on you all? I’m Feeling good after getting a huge win against the Lakers, even though Kobe & Gasol combined for 79 points. That is ridiculous! We were able to edge them out even with Stat & Nash being out. Shaq has been playing incredible ball since I’ve been here, putting up 33 points last night. He’s really showing the critics that “The Big Cactus” is really the Big Man on Campus! lol. I just checked out nba.com and saw that I had a few highlights since Thursday. I’m not amazed by the circus shot I made, I used to practice those types of shots all the time lol.

I’m amped up to see JRich23.com has gone international.  Thanks to all of my fans especially those who are abroad.  It’s a good feeling to know people are keeping up with me from other nations around the world. I’ve received a number of questions posted to my blog.  I’d like to answer a few of them. My favorite color of all-time is RED! I don’t know what it is, I just love the color. No team I’ve ever played on, other than Middle School had the color in it.  Go Cougars!!!

Someone else asked “what I do in the off-season.”  Well, I love to be with my family, especially my kids. I try to hang out with all of my family; Grandparents all the way down to my Cousins. It gets a little tough since my family’s size is equal to that of a small city’s population. lol. But we’re a close knit family and very funny.  When we all get together they’re very few dull moments! I’m in Orlando now, preparing to face off against the Magic.  The last time we played them it was a pretty tough game but we came out with the win in the end. We’re focused right now, so I’m hoping the energy from the other night vs. the Lakers carries over. If it does, we got this. The Big Diesel is playing so well, we’ll have to see what “Magic” tricks he’ll pull out the bag. lol

It’s been real.  If you can, check the game out to tonight. It’s sure to be a good one. Until next week, Holla Back!

JRich23

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

Back From Battle

Hey what’s happening good people? Glad to see the responses from you guys. I’m just getting off a tiring road trip.  We went 3-3. We should’ve won all of those games, but the chemistry just wasn’t flowing. We made plenty of mistakes, but we’re learning each other better. So don’t give up on us.  Remember who we are, Phoenix.  We always rise from the ashes.  Teams go through tough times, but the darkest hour is just before dawn.  We’ll bounce back to the team you love to watch. Look out for us in these next few games. I’m just happy to get a good night’s rest right now.  Being on the road for nearly two weeks takes a toll on you.  But I can’t wait to face off with the Warriors.  It’s going to be exciting being back in the Bay Area.  They get “hyphy”  lol.

On The real…With all the excitement surrounding All-Star Weekend, I started thinking about all of the great people I’ve met throughout the years.  Many of whom are doing major things, but usually go unrecognized.  So let’s pay tribute to them over the next couple of weeks.  “Do you know any All-Stars?”   If so, tell me what makes you or someone you know an All Star!  I’d love to feature them in my online magazine, “Xtreme Elevation”.  I love to hear about my fans!  So get to writing! lol.  

On Thursday we have a tough game against San Antonio, then we get a chance to get some retribution against the Bulls.  We owe ‘em one.  Let’s go planet orange!! Ha ha.  I see that someone asked about my birthday. It was pretty cool, Stoudemire and the rest of the guys hosted something for me while we were in NYC. But there’s nothing better than spending that time with the “fam”.   Aunt Geri, you owe me one of your famous homemade chocolate cakes. 

Until next time…

JR

J-Rich blog

What’s going on world please tell me you all watched that Steelers game! Unfortunately I was on a plane but it’s all good, we got Saginaw in the Super bowl. I am extremely excited and happy for Lamar and the Woodley family. I don’t want to say too much they are playing against Arizona and I do live here LOL. Arizona also deserves a Congratulation on their division title. I know what its like to turn around a losing organization, so I think that it’s going to be a good game. We’re going to have to talk about the scheduling next year, it seems like were playing during every game. Last year was cool we played the Suns the same weekend as the Super bowl. Man!! That was one of the most hype crowds that I’ve ever seen. If I ever got another chance to I would definitely do it again. Hopefully Wood and I both will be bringing home rings.

I always wished I would have gone to the Yankee stadium before it closed down. There’s a lot of baseball history in that building and I would have liked to have visited. Someone asked the question, who do I like to really play against? I’ll play ANYONE, but up tempo teams I love, like a Dallas, Chicago, LA, and even Phoenix before I came. I love a good challenge!! You also asked, who do I like playing against personally? Honestly I like playing against players I came up with. I’ve been playing against talented players like Charlie Bell, Keith Bogans, Z-Bo, Morris Peterson and many others since AAU, High School and College. We all worked hard to get here, and to be on the big stage together truly is a blessing!! Also I love to bring it to the new rookies on the team and give them a clinic. There heads sometime gets a little big and I just like to show them how to work to maintain a job in this league.

As far as the Suns Show, I don’t want to speak too much for the Denver game because I might get fined LOL. For some reason teams have been just letting their defenders guard Shaq one on one HUH! I don’t get it because our big man still got it. On top of that he’s shooting free throws as well as Guards. That game had a playoff atmosphere; we played hard just not enough to sustain a lead at the end. Toronto was our fault; we should have lost the way we got relaxed at the end. We are going to have to maintain our energy for 48 minutes or we’ll be out in the first round. As far as All-Star weekend, I would love to be a judge of the dunk contest or I would love to be the first one to win the 3 point and the dunk contest. Someone also said that I don’t dunk anymore! What games have you been watching? I try to give you what you ask for; you know if I get open I like to excite the crowd. We’ll see what happens in the games to come talk to you later. Stay tuned to the Suns Show.                        

J-Rich 23

J-Rich Blog

Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening!! So who are you taken to win the Super bowl?? I try not to be but I am a little bias watching Saginaw Native Lamarr Woodley play for the Steelers. Their first game is today so I wish #56 all the best. I love football I played one year until I hurt my leg. My Uncle made me hang up my cleats right after that. I guess he made the right decision LOL!! I’m a fan of all sports. You might catch me watching anything from high school sports, college, to world championship poker. My brothers and I play fantasy football but with my schedule I sometimes forget to do my line up.

I don’t really feel like discussing it, but we’ve been taking so many heartbreaking losses. It was like we were fighting up hill all game against Indiana. I’d rather loose by twenty than to loose at the buzzer. We won against the Clippers last night, even though their record doesn’t say it; they’re still a dangerous team. Even with the injuries they had some good players.

My mom came to visit thank God!! Ramen noodles can only get you so far! When she’s here it’s like Thanksgiving in January. Not to mention I have a birthday in eight days so she’ll probably get my gift before she leaves (Hint Hint). My twin brother and sister's birthdays are two days after mine, we usually celebrate them together. I’m going to miss not being with them that weekend.

See you next Monday enjoy the Suns Show!!

J-Rich 23

Happy New Year

Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening!! Welcome to the world of back to back basketball, against the Thunder I felt good. Then we flew to Memphis and soon as the whistle blew I couldn’t get a golf ball to go into the hoop. I was deeply disappointed in my play but in this business bad games happen. Once I got back home my day consisted of returning gifts that my kids made defective. Their just like me and my brothers, cause my mother would be returning gifts by the 27^th because we would want them to do more than what was on the commercial. I really appreciate all the love that I am getting on the site, and I can’t wait to see who wins the Golden ball game. The guy on the song is my little cousin and that song is hot he has some more joints coming soon so look out!! Someone asked do I have a record label? No I don’t, but I love music! I’m more of an Old School fan as well as a fan of the Lil Wayne’s, Maroon 5, Beyonce, Nerd, the Bay and other underground artist.

These games were a learning experience because it taught us how to play without Steve and Stat. We had to lean on our bench Jared played big on both ends, Barbosa was on fire and Matt was being his energetic self bringing instant points. Give us a little more time to gel and great things will come. Just in case you missed it M.S.U. 77 Northwestern 66 Go Green Go White!! See you next Monday and stay tune to the Suns Show!

 

J-Rich 23

Happy Holidays

Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening! depending on what time zone your reading this from. This is the first of many blogs, in my blogs I will try to give you a more in depth look at me J-Rich as a person, father, NBA player and all around guy. I will personally review every comment that is posted, although I cannot respond to all I will do my best. First of all I would like to say Happy Holidays and to thank all of my fans who have followed me West-East-West. I know the journey was long but look where the road has taken us. I’m playing with future hall of fame players and even reunited with a former teammate which will only take my game higher. I still love all of my fans from Oakland and Charlotte and I also appreciate the love that you show when I come to your city. I’ll be blogging every Monday as long as my schedule allows me to. I have to make this short because I am getting ready to take a nap and prepare for our game against the Thunder, so I hope that you are tuned in and enjoy the Suns show .

J-Rich 23

My First Post

This is cool