Dexter's Vantage Point!

Oh the irony. The Duke Blue Devils are set to square off against the Michigan Wolverines today for a trip to the Sweet 16. No matter the outcome of the game a storyline that will not be avoided is the Fab Five’s (Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, Chris Webber, Ray Jackson, and Juwan Howard) recent documentary which aired on ESPN recently. Controversy swirls around both teams resulting from controversial statements made by former Fab Five standout and current ESPN Analyst Jalen Rose. While the entire piece was rather telling it was Rose’s statement suggesting Duke largely recruited African-American players who were “Uncle Toms” that raised many eyebrows. Does Rose’s statement have credence? Being called an Uncle Tom is arguably the most damaging slur one can hurl at another African-American. Whether or not you agree with Rose’s statement at least he had the stones to say exactly what he felt. To put Rose’s assessment into perspective it’s important to define what an Uncle T...

The ESPN 30 for 30 special on the Fab Five is a must see.   It was an excellent depiction of how five freshman basketball players at the University of Michigan changed the landscape of college basketball with their confidence and style. The piece was a job well done. Even more telling I was extremely surprised at some of the brute honesty that came from the likes of Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson, and Jimmy King. Chris Webber declined to participate in the documentary.   I have more on Webber a bit later. Rose suggested the type of African-American players Duke recruited were “Uncle Toms.” He suggested Duke rarely recruited so players from the hood from poverty stricken circumstances. Jimmy King referred to Christian Laettner as an overrated “bitch” that over-hyped by the media. Ray Jackson said he simply “hated Duke” and all they stood for. The latter statements were very powerful points of view: As those of you who follow my commentary such points of view ...

Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel just got smacked with a two-game suspension and a $250,000 fine for not notifying the NCAA that he knew two of his players were under investigation by the FBI. The players in question were also receiving improper benefits for selling property they owned. In an email sent to Tressel by a lawyer dated April 2, 2010, Tressel was made fully aware of the infractions. Oddly, he opted to plead the fifth and not notify Ohio State officials or the NCAA. That means Tressel kept the information to himself for nine months. Tressel did his best to live up to the code of keeping your mouth shut and not ratting anyone out, but the cat is out of the bag now. All of this over five guys who sold items they owned for a few extra bucks. Tressel issued the following at his weak press conference yesterday regarding the "E-Gate" scandal, saying, "I take responsibility for what we do at Ohio State tremendously seriously. Obvious...

March 8, 1971 was arguably the most magical evening in sports history.   On this date 40-years ago two undefeated heavyweight champions squared off at the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden, in what was billed the “Fight of the Century.” Muhammad Ali entered the fight with a 31-0 record with 25 KO’s while “Smokin” Joe Frazier was 26-0 with 23 KO’s. Frazier held the belts but Ali was still the peoples’ champion.   Ali was seeking to reclaim that which was stripped by the United States government and the boxing authorities.   His championship belts. In 1967 Ali refused to military induction.   His controversial stance led to his forced 42 month exile from boxing. Despite being rusty from the long layoff Ali won two tune-up fights before climbing into the ring with Frazier: He cut Jerry Quarry to shreds in winning by a TKO in the third round and he knocked out Italian brawler Oscar Bonavena in the final round of their fight. Ali looked surprisingly sharp ag...

President Barack Obama being elected the first African-American President of the United States was viewed as significant forward along racial lines.   President Obama’s rapid ascent towards oval office glory was supposed to signify we’ve officially embarked upon a post-racial society.      While there may be an element of truth regarding advancements along racial lines we still have a ways to go.   I was recently forwarded a rather disturbing story written in the Final Call from Coppin State professor Byron Franklin.   The story was about a young African-American man who lost his life in Mississippi.   The authorities ruled the death a suicide but some believe the victim was lynched.   That’s right, a possible lynching. I humbly ask, where’s the media coverage? Dec. 3 the limp body of 26 year-old Frederick Jermaine Carter was found hanging from an oak tree with a noose securely tied around his neck in a predominately white neighborhood in...

After winning Comeback Player of the Year and being issued an honorary key to the city of Dallas, Michael Vick is being publicly bashed for his past and not what he’s doing in the present. For instance, Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle doesn’t believe Vick has been punished enough for his role in a gambling ring he funded where he tortured dogs.  Buehrle issued the following in a recent interview with MLB.com: "He had a great year and a great comeback, but there were times where we watched the game and I know it's bad to say, but there were times where we hope he gets hurt." Buehrle continued, "Everything you've done to these dogs, something bad needs to happen to these guys." I was viewing the Joy Behar Show on HLN two nights ago. She expressed extreme dislike for Vick by stating, “I’ll never forgive him.” Then there’s ESPN’s Skip Bayless. On ESPN’s First Take, Bayless suggested Vick doesn’t deserve a key to the city of Dallas because ...

ESPN Radio personality John Ireland asserted on ESPN’s First Take Brigham Young University sharp-shooting guard Jimmer Fredette is a lock to be selected in the first round of next years’ NBA Draft. Ireland went on to state Fredette “can start” immediately for an NBA team based on his skill set. Start at the next level? We’ll see. In my opinion this is another attempt by so-called authorities to create an embellished atmosphere around a white basketball player who plays well at the collegiate.  Anytime a white basketball player has an inkling of talent he’s got to be the next Larry Bird. While Fredette is putting up some monster numbers, I don’t see him being drafted in the first round and starting for an NBA team, as Ireland suggests. At 6’2” Fredette has good size and he handles the ball very well.  He’s demonstrated he can create his own shot off the dribble and he’s crafty in traffic. I came away impressed with what I saw shooting-wise.  There is n...