Black History Month

SPORT SECTIONS
Saturday, February 1
Updated: February 28, 1:45 PM ET
 
The search for Street Cred

Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson
Kobe has all the rings, but Iverson has the street cred.


Keeping it real
What is street cred? It's the game. The life. The walk. The talk. The clothes. Hard to explain but easy to see, it's that thing you can't exactly put your finger on. It's that thing that makes it real, as the kids say. Street cred is not about running around with ice chains and bad tattoos and it's definitely can't be bought or created by a shoe company, writes ESPN the Magazine's Chris Palmer. It's also something that the NBA has embraced as a marketing tool after an initial reluctance, writes Darren Rovell.

Entering a new frontier
As the owner of Charlotte's new franchise, Robert Johnson has become a true pioneer, writes Marc Spears. He will more than likely have to deal with another African-American pioneer as he attempts to sign top notch players. Agent Bill Duffy is one of the hottest agents in the NBA with three of the top four picks in last year's draft including center Yao Ming, writes Chad Ford.


Related Features
Wojnarowski: Colorblind at BYU
It isn't easy being a black basketball player at BYU, but it's getting easier as the years pass.
Wojnarowski: Cleveland connects with BYU
Steve Cleveland didn't think it was possible, but he's become part of BYU community straight out of community college.
Kreidler: In a league of their own
Fifty-five years ago, Globetrotters vs. Lakers got the ball rolling on the NBA's integration.
Rovell: A throwback original
Back from the brink of bankruptcy, the Globetrotters are popular again.
Wiley: The truth of Tyson
Mike Tyson still fascinates us, without us actually realizing we are being fascinated.
Lapchick: A legacy of change and hope
Ten years after his death, Arthur Ashe still stands as an example of the difference athletes can make away from the arena of sports.
$elling $erena and Venu$
As long as fans don't tire of the sister act, the Williams' will remain among sports' most coveted endorsers.
Kreidler: The slam on Serena
A sibling rivalry is not enough to secure the legacy Serena Williams seems destined to leave behind.
Aldridge: Reading between black and white
The myth that black NBA head coaches don't work hard is just that -- a myth.
Wiley: White noise
HBO's documentary on O.J. Simpson tells only half the story, writes Page 2's Ralph Wiley.
Kreidler: How quickly we'll forget ...
Like fine whine, Barry will be remembered better over time.
Page 2's Wiley: Payback is a bitch
Page 2's Ralph Wiley ponders whether there is a greater onus on black athletes to give back to their hometown communities.
Wojnarowski: The dunking Dinka with a cause
Sadly, former NBA center Manute Bol's oddity has become his only commodity.
Rovell: Looks can be deceiving
What would you be doing if you pretended to be Tiger Woods? One man is spending the rest of his life in jail.
Garber: Will Tiger ever show his stripes?
Woods has mastered being all things to most people, but makes no attempt to be all things to any one people.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS
HURRICANE CARTER
Hurricane Forever immortalized in the Denzel Washington movie "Hurricane," Ruben Carter's story of determination in the face of impossible odds remains inspiration.

JIM BROWN
Jim Brown Football great, movie star, civil rights leader. Jim Brown's legacy includes more than being the most dominating running back in NFL history.

JESSE OWENS
Jesse OwensJesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Berlin amidst racial intolerance

HANK AARON
Hank Aaron The venom-spewing letters Hank Aaron received didn't stop him from breaking Babe Ruth's home run record, but he says they did change him.

TYRONE WILLINGHAM
Tyrone WillinghamTyrone Willingham is the first African-American head coach at Notre Dame and one of only four black head coaches in Division I-A college football.

ALTHEA GIBSON
Althea GibsonThe Jackie Robinson of tennis, Althea Gibson was the first African-American to win a Grand Slam title.

ARTHUR ASHE
Arthur Ashe Arthur Ashe said he could never forgive himself if he elected to live without human purpose. He lived everyday of his life extolling that ideal.

WILT CHAMBERLAIN
Wilt Chamberlain The only man to score 100 points in an NBA game, Wilt Chamberlain successfully combined grace and power to become one of the greatest NBA centers ever.

BARRY BONDS
Barry Bonds The son of former major leaguer Bobby Bonds and the godson of Willie Mays. During his major league career, Barry Bonds has equaled and in some cases surpassed his incredible lineage.

JERRY RICE
Jerry Rice Quite possibly the greatest player in NFL history, Jerry Rice holds 14 NFL records, has won three Super Bowls and a Super Bowl MVP. Rice recently started in his fourth Super Bowl at the age of 40.





 More from ESPN...

AUDIO/VIDEO
Video
 Sister Act
The Williams sisters discuss their place in tennis history following the 2003 Australian Open.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Back in Charlotte
Robert Johnson lists his goals for the new Charlotte franchise.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Sunday Conversation
O.J. Simpson joins Dan Patrick for SportsCenter's Sunday Conversation.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Canton Bound
Marcus Allen and James Lofton react to their election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Dunk Nation
LeBron James breaks out the highlight reel against Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Coach of the Year
Tyrone Willingham takes home the Home Depot 2002 Coach of the Year Award.
Standard | Cable Modem

 ESPN Tools
Email story
 
Most sent
 
Print story
 
Daily email