A recent interview

If you missed it, check out my interview about the NBA Finals before Game 7.  I also talk a bit about some of my own most memorable Game 7s.  http://www.hulu.com/watch/503111

And be sure to watch to the end to hear who my top Game 7 teammate was, and to see if my Game 7 prediction was right...

20 years since Magic's announcement

Today, Time looked back at November 7, 1991, when Magic Johnson told the world he had HIV. But first, he told his teammates. In the article, A.C. Green reflects on that moment.

Read the story here: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2098685-1,00.html

A.C.'s favorite Laker dunks

The season may be over for the Lakers, but NBA Iron Man A.C. Green took a moment to share his favorite dunks of the year while serving as a judge at the NBA/Sprite Los Angeles Amateur Dunk contests at the Universal City Walk on Saturday.

Check out his favorites here.

A.C. talks basketball

Right before the All-Star break, we sat down with A.C. and asked him which teams we might expect to see in the NBA Finals. Check out his answer in the video.

A.C. Green and Bieber-fever

Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

A.C. Green stepped on the court with Justin Bieber for the NBA All-Star celebrity game on Friday night in Los Angeles.

Bieber, who won the game MVP award, had eight points, four assists and two rebounds for the West team, which lost 54-49 to the East. A.C. Green was the recipient of one of those assists, scoring the game's first basket on a pass from the teen sensation.

So does A.C. Green have Bieber-fever?

"He knew to find me with the ball, so obviously Justin has good instincts on the court," joked A.C. "I don't know that I'm going to pull up iTunes and download his music, but I definitely appreciate his talent as a performer and I'm pretty sure my nieces are fans."

Read more about the game here.

A.C. in Tennessee

Watch this video message from A.C. Green.

Also, check back next week for A.C.'s thoughts on the NBA Season and who might go to the Finals.

Los Angeles Mayor, Magic Johnson, A.C. Green and Michael Cooper Support Boys & Girls Clubs

Mayor and Lakers Legends Encourage All Angelenos to "Support LA On and Off the Court" by Contributing to Boys & Girls Clubs Mobile Text and Online Giving Challenge
June 15,2010

Mayor Villaraigosa was joined today by NBA legend, businessman and philanthropist Earvin “Magic” Johnson at a pep rally in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs Los Angeles Alliance fundraising challenge. The Mayor and Mr. Johnson were also joined by iconic former Los Angeles “Showtime” Lakers, Michael Cooper and A.C. Green. All are Boys & Girls Club alumni, having participated as youths. The Boys & Girls Clubs Los Angeles Alliance is currently engaged in a friendly fundraising competition to see who can raise the most "smiles and support" for their local clubs. This competition coincides with the NBA Finals, as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics vie for the national championship this week.

Read the full story here: http://www.mayor.lacity.org/PressRoom/PressReleases/LACITYP_010527

A.C. Green's trip to India

A.C. Green just got back from a trip to India, where he was working with the NBA to bring a 6-week clinic to the country. Nearly 1,000 youth are participating in this unique program.

Read more here: Basketball great AC Green launches NBA Challenge in Mumbai

Last night's Laker game

Listen to A.C.'s thoughts on the game last night...he was in attendance and the Staples Center was going crazy!




Having trouble with the flash player? Then download A.C.'s message here.

A.C. talks about the NBA Playoffs

Listen to A.C.'s thoughts on the upcoming NBA Playoffs:




Having trouble with the flash player? Then download A.C.'s message here.

Tiger Woods, meet A.C. Green

Interesting article from the LA Times today:

Tiger Woods, meet A.C. Green
By Chris Erskine
December 10, 2009

More amazing than reports of the golfer's transgressions is how the Lakers' forward kept to his personal code during the 'Showtime' years.

Read the full article here: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-erskine10-2009dec10,0,3005308.column

A.C. Green at the ring ceremony

Kobe Bryant is greeted by former Lakers Michael Cooper, center, Magic Johnson and A.C. Green after receiving his championship ring at the Staples Center on Tuesday night. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / October 27, 2009) (Photo originally posted at http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke-lakers28-2009oct28,0,7152736.column.)

Ringing in the NBA season

A.C. Green helped the Los Angeles Lakers "ring" in the new season, as he attended the Lakers' Championship Ring Ceremony and first game of the season.

My trip to India

by A.C. Green

At the beginning of April, I took a trip to Mumbai (formerly “Bombay) and Bangalore, India for NBA Cares.

What a fantastic experience! My friend from childhood, Lee Johnson got to come, which made it all the more special. It’s amazing how fast a 19-hour plane ride can go when you are with a great friend.

The first thing you need to know about Mumbai is that the city is the second most populous city in the world - approximately 14 million people. I experienced that when I first got off the plane and hit a traffic jam at baggage claim – at 1 a.m. in the morning! That served to prepare me for the next 10 days. The traffic made L.A. freeways seem like a freeway in Pocatello, Idaho.

We did four clinics during the time we were there. Basically, the goal was to train youth coaches, and to arm them with coaching tips and tools to pass on to the youth they serve. Each clinic had anywhere from 25 to about 50 in attendance and lasts for a couple hours. I was very impressed by the coaches, they have great passion for the game and were eager to learn anything that might help them equip the youth. One of the clinics was for youth (in Bangalore) – that was great fun to work directly with the kids and see them embracing the game of basketball.

I was the only former NBA player on the trip, but believe me, you couldn't tell Lee Johnson that he wasn't an NBA player by the time our trip was finished! Lee was signing autographs; giving interviews for the paper, showing off his skills on the court. You know how Kobe got such a great reception during his trip to China for the Olympics? Well, let’s put it this way: what Kobe is to China, Lee Johnson thinks he is to India!

We also got to sightsee a bit and learn more about the culture. We visited a temple – Big Bull Temple – there are some truly beautiful temples there. Our guides, Hrishi and Rajesh, were excellent – they work with a company called Global Sports. I actually have a buddy, Jonathan who works with Global Sports in India. Hrishi and Rajesh took us to the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens - it was breathtaking. Wee saw trees that were hundreds of years old, big Redwood-type trees, big enough to make a 6’9” former NBA player feel small! They also took us to some popular shopping areas and served as our “price negotiators” – I think we got some good deals!

Ah yes, the food. Indian food is extremely tasty. When you go to a restaurant, they have every traditional spice you could imagine. I break them down into three categories: (1) mild; (2) hot; and (3) I NEED WATER NOW!! Lee and I ate at a place called Indi-Joes in Bangalore - it was a smorgasbord of cultures - really great food.

I also met some good friends that work with HP and Tata Consultants (HP and Tata were the local NBA Partners for the trip). I told my new friend at HP that my nine-year-old nephew Terrence, Jr., has an HP notebook that he loves. We actually saw their computers over the All-Star weekend in Phoenix when we visited a school that HP had donated computers to; Terrence loved the computer so much that now he has one.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip. I'm looking forward to going back and hopefully conducting some more sports camps or private clinics over there. I’m not sure if Lee will come, he is busy training to make his NBA “comeback”.

All-Star Weekend

by A.C. Green

In 2004, I got to attend the NBA All-Star Week in LA. It was fantastic, one of those events you just don’t think can be beat. Well, it was matched by this year’s game in Phoenix.

I spend a lot of time at my house in Phoenix, and the nice thing about having an event where you live is that you don’t have to ask everyone for directions all the time! Even better though, was the chance to bring five of my nephews to all the festivities: Kevyn, Nick, Austin, Terrence, and Lee. Funny story though – when we first got to Phoenix, the older ones wanted to go out and hit the town to do some dancing. Lee and I didn’t want to be stuck at home, so we attended the opening of Friday the 13^th. Let’s just say someone slept with all the lights on that night…and it wasn’t me.

I work with the NBA, so I also had meetings to attend with some of our sponsors, appearances to make, and I also got to participate in some great activities with NBA Cares. I visited a local elementary school with some great people from Hewitt Packard - they donated computers to the school. It was an honor to be a part of that, watching the kids learn how to use these state of the art computers, doing artwork on them, screens rotating 180 degrees… it was great. I also got to attend an event for Spalding (the official NBA ball) with a friend who works for them, Irisha.

What, you want to know about the game, the dunk contest, the 3-ball contest. Well, I can sum it up in a word: Awesome! My nephews got to meet some of their favorite players, and I got to catch up with some friends. Tell you what, my nephews were so excited that three of them had to go to the bathroom before it started, and I’m not sure that prevented “accidents” from happening during the slam dunk contest! Speaking of which, the dunk contest was crazy! We all know what it’s like watching these amazing athletes on tv, but when you are sitting just steps away…well, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “big screen.”

India

by A.C. Green

Today I’m heading to Mumbai, India (formerly “Bombay”). I’m taking a trip with “NBA Cares” and will be doing a teaching clinic with the youth there. I am really looking forward to it, as I’ve never had the opportunity to visit India before. Mumbai is the largest city in India, and actually the most populated city in the world – 14 million! I hear it’s pretty warm there…better pack my shorts!

Q&A with AC Green

Sporting News recently caught up with A.C. and asked him a few questions about today's NBA...here are his answers.

1. What current player do you wish you could have played with?
That would probably have to be Chris Paul. He's a fighter, I'm sure he's exciting to play with, and he shares the ball. That's a great combination of characteristics for a fun teammate.

2. How has the NBA changed since you were playing?
The NBA has become more global since I played. The league office has done an exceptional job of building the brand, and I love seeing the worldwide appeal that the league has generated for the game of basketball.

3. On a scale of 1-10, rate the quality of the play in the league today.
Probably a 7. There are a few exceptional, complete teams in the league right now. However, the majority fall in a middle category of being pretty good teams that need to learn the nuances of becoming a team-first unit as opposed to a team that revolves around the efforts of one or two individual players.

4. Who's your pick to win it all?
I think the team is going to be from the West this year, and the parade will likely happen in New Orleans or Los Angeles. If one of those teams don't produce, I think the Lisa Leslie / Candace Parker duo from the Sparks can probably get the job done.

5. Finish this sentence: The 19-year age minimum is...
A step in the right direction. Players have to be a little more mature to step into the world of the NBA, and professional sports in general. The older the better. With that said, I understand age does not automatically produce maturity. But a college experience, if a player takes advantage of it, can teach them a lot of the tools they will need in the NBA. If college isn't part of the path for some players, good old-fashioned life experiences can still greatly contribute to the maturation process.

6. What do you think of Josh Childress' decision to sign with a Euroleague team?
I think Josh Childress is a businessman. He is building the Childress brand as any smart, small business owner would do. I'm sure he carefully considered which route would be the best to achieve his strategic marketing goals.

7. Who's the best coach in the league today, and why?
Byron Scott. He has had a pattern of success in every journey he has taken; New Orleans is only the latest example. Obviously, the NBA took notice in crowing him Coach of the Year. Finally, he is the father of my god-daughter, London. (So I like the guy anyway!)

8. Give me five can't-miss future Hall of Famers from the league today.
Shaquille O'Neal. Kobe Bryant. Tim Duncan. Kevin Garnett. LeBron James.

9. Who's the league's best point guard?
Chris Paul, followed closely by Derek Fisher.

10. Finish this sentence: People say college basketball is more of a team game than the NBA. I'd like to tell them...
They're right. College basketball preaches a team-first system.

11. If you could have either of these two on your team right now, who would you choose: Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.
I coached LeBron at an NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge game and it was great having him on the team. Obviously, I won a Championship playing with Kobe. Even though both would be exceptionally exciting, I would say Kobe.

12. Same question: Chris Paul or Deron Williams?
Chris Paul. His style - and the Hornets style - is a great blend of basketball. It's fun to watch and to play. Deron is obviously an extremely talented player, and I guy I wouldn't mind going to battle with. But between the two, I have to pick Chris.

13. One more: Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan?
Today, I would probably say Kevin Garnett. He is determined to accomplish what Tim has already accomplished - multiple championships. Both are complete players and bring their game every night. but I have to go with Kevin.

A.C. Green remembers Magic and hopes for the future

It's been 10 years, but A.C. Green still remembers the day clearly. He remembers the words his coach said. "Earvin has the HIV virus that causes AIDS." Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Magic Johnson? Magic?

"This was the first time I had heard those words about anyone, anytime, anywhere," Green says. "If I hadn't been sitting, I would have fallen over."

What happened to Magic is still hard for Green to accept. Because he knows it didn't ever have to happen. He knows it shouldn't ever have to happen. To anyone.

"The consequences of the way he had lived seemed too harsh, too cruel, yet they were the consequences," Green says. "I couldn't change that." Yet he is committed to spreading the message to youth that they don't have to face the same consequences. They have a choice.

Green established the A.C. Green Youth Foundation (www.acgreen.com) in 1989. The Foundation is committed to helping youth reach their full potential. Green says that a key component is explaining the concept of impact. "The decisions you make today will directly impact your tomorrow," he says. "What happened to Magic is a harsh representation of this reality. But it is vital to realize that it doesn't have to be the reality for today's youth. They can choose abstinence."

Green's message is gaining popularity. Recent studies suggest that approximately half of American high school students have not had sex. And the number is growing. Green's Foundation recently created a new Web site, www.ClubAC.com, to provide support to youth who choose abstinence (AC stands for 'Abstinence Committed').

"What we are seeing from the youth we work with is a commitment to goals," Green says. "I talk to kids that want to be doctors, teachers, athletes…and they know it takes discipline to achieve these goals. They also know that the decisions they make today will either make it easier, or harder, to succeed. There is no freedom from consequences and there is no middle ground. They know it, and they are choosing success."

A.C.'s streak ends

A.C. Green's consecutive games streak draws to a close...but one streak remains
October 31, 2001

A.C. Green has played in 1,192 games...straight. That's 1,192 times he didn't call in sick. That's 1,192 times he wasn't too sore, too tired, too late, to play the game that day. There are 82 games in an NBA season. That means it's been almost 15 years since A.C. Green missed a basketball game. Clears up any questions or confusion regarding the title, "Iron Man," doesn't it.

A.C. will not play consecutive game 1,193. The season began yesterday and, as of today, he remains a free agent. Some people may unknowingly stop counting. Not A.C.

"The streak," A.C. says, "never ends. More important, the person behind the streak, what it means, you never lose that. That'll never end. The numbers will stop rolling up from year to year. At the same time, when you say, 'persistence,' when you say, 'commitment,' 'dedication,' 'loyalty,' my name might come up somewhere in there, just for the very fact of being there every single night."

The strong body, the strong mind, the strong character...all the preparation that made A.C. the NBA Iron Man on the court, is also what makes A.C. the man he is off the court.

"There's always an excuse to do less. Less reps. I want to get up late. I want to leave practice early. I don't want to go today. I have a hangnail. There's always a reason why we don't want to meet a certain standard. It takes a person who has an order to them, to not give in to the mediocrity. I take it as a challenge. I take it as a person more than as a player. I don't identify with being a player as the great important thing. It's being a person."

We thank A.C. for the memories we have. More importantly, we thank him for the memories that are yet to come.