I had the pleasure of being present for this interview as it was something of a work-related production. I work for the public media organization that produces the PBS Series “Independent Lens,” and Terrence Howard is the host for the series which will be presenting the Baron Davis-produced documentary “Crips and Bloods” on May 12th. So, that’s how the dots connect.
The interview was great and both Baron and Terrence were good sports. The whole production was smooth sailing. I guess for dudes like Baron and Terrence, doing taped interviews is the equivalent of me going to a staff meeting. Really, the only thing that stood out was everyone seemed to be intrigued by Terrence Howard’s cane-sword. Probably because it gave him that English Gentlemen meets Gentlemen of Liesure vibe, if you catch my drift, and well, there’s not too many people walking around The Hollywood Hills with cane-swords I imagine. Anyway, both Baron and Terrence had similar upbringings in Los Angeles, so this was a nice opportunity for them to reflect on their experiences growing up in a world of Crips and Bloods. Enjoy.
During my round of weekend errands, I stopped at Chipotle Grill in North Berkeley for a bite and a (very) brief chat with the Warriors own Ronny Turiaf. After ordering my Tex-Mex meal, I took a seat at the bar by the window and I stared thoughtlessly at the passers by. A few moments later the Martinique-born Power Forward took a seat beside me.
FTB: Yo’ Ronny?! Welcome back.
Ronny:(Staring at his food) Yeah.
FTB: Man, that was a tough, and long, road trip for you guys.
Ronny:(Staring at his food) Yeah.
At this point, I decided to let the man eat his lunch. It was clear that he was not interested in conversing with a stranger about the 0-6 road trip. I resumed looking out the window and began eating my grilled chicken salad. Every now and then I looked at my iPhone, clicking buttons aimlessly. Meanwhile Ronny ate, intermittently checking his Blackberry. None of the patrons or passers by seemed to notice the 2005 WCC Player of the Year. But then again, this is Berkeley. And 90% of the self righteous liberals wouldn’t know Jerry Rice if he spiked a football in their backside. A few minutes later I finished my lunch and piled up my dirties for disposal. I stood and began to turn away. Then, I turned back, feeling uncomfortable with the silence.
FTB: Hey Ronny, I’m a big Warriors fan and we really love the energy and attitude you bring to the team. Thank you.
Ronny: Thanks man (with eye contact).
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That’s all I got. But, that was one rough road trip, and he had probably been on the red-eye back from NYC, so, that’s what it was. For the record, I feel bad for the man. With Pau Gasol’s arrival to the Lakers, the once starting Power Forward became an odd man out. Now Mr. T is stuck on a going nowhere fast team. Coming off the bench.
Ronny does boast both a fearsome beard (and hair) along with some notable defensive prowess. I hope the crew at Fear the Beard have the opportunity for further, more protracted, discussions.
Last night, the maximum-strength FTB posse was in attendance at the Bay Area screening of the Baron Davis-produced documentary about the history of LA gangs, “Made in America.” What we didn’t realize was that we were going to be present as one of the most unexpected stories in recent Bay Area sports history broke.
With the news at maximum boil, and the mainstream media assembled and waiting, Baron came over, gave me a pound and we had a quick private conversation. The subject of same is virtually immaterial, but that he sought us out under the circumstances, and did so knowing that we are all lifetime Warrior fans, spoke volumes. It wasn’t until later, when I was driving home, that I had a moment of clarity about it all: perhaps our “Contract Karma” video worked too well, to perfection even. Just not for the benefit of the Warriors. Perhaps some “front-office” karma would have helped too. I suppose that two things go without saying for anyone not reading this blog for the first time. First, obviously, we are sad for our Warriors. They have likely regressed and if the rumors of today are to be believed, they are scrambling for position. Not good. But second, we can’t help but be happy for Baron. He has been nothing but class around us and good for the Dubs. And we have to accept that this world is governed by commerce. That he proved to be good at the game of commerce is not something to trifle with. He got the contract he wanted and he gets to cash the checks in the city he’s always truly called home.
As for us, we’ve got a couple of staff meetings on the horizon. We’re not terribly stoked about the departure of our avatar from the home turf, but let’s be realistic too. We’re Warriors fans. We rebuild for 15 years to succeed for two or three. And frankly, it’s getting tiresome. Just the same, il capo di tutti capi (at least on the hardwood) has just left the building. Pour some red wine out on the curb and try not to hate. He earned his. On the floor and off.
And the hits keep on coming. As most of you know, a couple of weeks ago we had a chance to sit down with Baron Davis for an interview. We also somewhat famously challenged him to take his love for Tha Bay out onto the street with us in the name of Contract Karma. While we rushed that segment through the editing room, during the course of our time he also graciously answered a fairly wide range of questions.
This installment pertains to his upcoming Oakland-based youth basketball camp, Rising Stars of America, as well as his personal history and ambitions with regard to organized ball. I even managed to shoehorn in a question about the 70s sitcom “The White Shadow,” but you’ll have to make it to the end for that chestnut. With the camp slated to begin in only a couple of short weeks, visit the RSOA site for additional details and registration information if you’ve got a teenager longing to wear “dribble goggles” and run agility drills.
A couple weeks ago, the FTB crew was musing aloud about the status of Baron Davis’ contract negotiations. And by musing aloud, I mean arguing. As with most of our staff meetings, adult beverages were involved and opinions were flowing like wine.
An unnamed New York tabloid had reported on the possibility—however, improbable—of Baron Davis becoming a New York Knick. In turn, this was parroted onward and upward in the local media. As we considered some of the possibilities out there for our avatar and namesake, one additional possibility dawned on me.
Why not just ask him for an interview? Baron’s pretty public facing as athlebrities go. What could it hurt to ask? Of course, if he said “yes” some diplomacy would have to be exercised. Nothing too specific numerically, of course. But, Boom willing, we could at least confirm that he’s digging the Bay Area and wants to stick around.
And so it was. We asked. And we got our interview. And then we made a bigger ask. A challenge, actually. We figured that the whole deal-making process needed an infusion of karma. Contract talks are a natural pain point for GM, athlete and agent alike, so why not go out and try to tip the great karmic scales in the sky a bit. Be the change, as it were.
Boom was with it.
The results are above, in convenient, linkable YouTube format. Hopefully, this is our little karmic gift to the process as well. Good luck to all at the table. Breathe deeply and work together in good faith. And as for us, we’ll be releasing segments from the sit-down interview over the coming weeks.
In victory,
Daniel Turman, on behalf of all of us at www.fearthebeard.org
PS. The long list of shout outs and credits to follow. Read More »
Yes, it is true. We are trying to make every conceivable angle on the NBA finals all about the Warriors. So with that in mind, here is Baron’s ESPN interview with Kobe for focused on what it takes to win a championship. I think Sunday will be telling.
Enjoy, Gd.
Now, see another bearded interviewer talk with another baller on going to the “next level”. Read More »
Editor’s note. As I write, the Bucks are getting whomped on by the Dubs. With victory imminent, we’ll suspend basketball operations for something different. “Interview with a Beard” is a new category here at FTB. While the frequency of said interviews is still to be determined, FTB friend-at-large Zoë Ellis has agreed to roam the earth for subjects, and in the process add some much needed estrogen to our patented blend of cultural observation and semi-reputable hoops analysis. So, without further delay, here is the first installment of Interview with a Beard, featuring Zoë’s own father, the esteemed Vice Chancellor Emeritus of UC Berkeley, William Russell Ellis, Jr. And yes, it has been noted on several occasions that he bears some considerable resemblance to actor Whitman Mayo—who played Grady on TV’s Sanford and Son. I have not, however, heard Mr. Ellis ever utter Grady’s catchphrase, “Good goobly goop.”
***
Two nights ago. I spent the greater part of my evening last night with “the fellas.” All women should have a version of “the fellas” in their life. Most of mine all happen to participate in fearthebeard.org, and I think I pretty much walked into a semi-official board meeting. Upon my arrival DT requested my female thoughts on fearthebeard.org. Well, one thing led to another and I came up with an idea for a Sunday feature: “Interview with a Beard.” If things get hectic, it might be a monthly feature, but hey, we’ll set the bar high for now.
It did not take long to decide on the first beard. William Russell Ellis, Jr., Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the University of California at Berkeley—and more importantly my father—who’s cheeks I have never seen with my own eyes, only in pictures. So, this morning via telephone conference, I sat down with my father and my father’s beard for a short interview.
FTB: So, how long have you had your beard?
WRE: 1967. I had a little bit before that, off an on, you could say. Well, ask your mother (laughter). Steadily without removal since 1967.
FTB: What made you grow the beard?
WRE: There are 2 reasons. The first reason was trivial—ingrown hairs, nasty and persistent—and I said ‘screw this.’ I had even tried electrolysis in my neck, but I said ‘screw that’ too. Why am I doing this? Society says you should shave and I don’t need to shave. I was freer in my life choices as an academic where no one cares if you shave or not.
