The stage was set for Sebastian Telfair to become something special. A kid from Coney Island, Telfair was the first cousin of Stephon Marbury and the hype followed him since he was in the 7th grade. The story is pretty well known as Sebastian dominated at Lincoln High School and then went on to become the shortest player taken in the NBA draft, straight out of high school. The kid with the million dollar smile and the skills to match was destined for stardom.
So what’s gone wrong?
Telfair has garnered more attention for the things he’s done in the courtroom, than on the basketball courts. Nobody would have thought that this clean cut, baby faced point guard who Adidas signed to a multi-million dollar contract would become such a distraction.
His run-ins with the law include:
- February, 2006: Telfair gets busted for bringing a loaded gun aboard the Portland Trailblazers team plane… How could a kid survive growing up in the Coney Island projects and need a gun in the suburbs of Portland?
- October, 2006: Telfair is questioned by the NYPD about the shooting of rapper Fabolous after a $50,000 necklace was stolen from Telfair at the same club the night Fabolous was shot.
- April, 2007: Telfair is arrested in Yonkers after cops discovered a loaded .45-caliber handgun in his car after stopping him for speeding. Throw in an aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle because he offered police a Florida drivers' license that was suspended.
Telfair, who has already spent 2 seasons in Portland and 1 with Boston, is still only 23. The 4th year point guard has the talent to make it in the NBA, but he has struggled trying to live up to such lofty expectations. Like all athletes, Telfair wants to be a mega celebrity when he should just be worried about becoming a solid NBA point guard. He needs to forget the movie cameras, the posse, and all the off-court baggage and get in the gym to work on his game.
It’s now or never for Telfair to steer this ship in the right direction and play like the point guard people were expecting to see when his name was called at the 2004 NBA Draft.
Sebastian is hoping his stop in Minnesota lasts quite a bit longer than his older cousin’s brief tenure. Most players don’t get this many chances and the Timberwolves are still deciding if they want to give Sebastian Telfair one more shot…
The Better Days
5 comments:
Couldnt agree more. It's put up time for Telfair. I havent heard a peep out of him at all this summer, WHICH IS A GREAT SIGN!
Lets hope for the best.
Rashan
Sebastian, of all players, should understand what a privelege it is to play in the NBA. If he blinked then he missed his big bro's tenure in the league (although playing overseas ain't that bad on the pocket anymore). That combined with his blood (Steph) showing no love should be enough motivation for Sebastian to get his sh*t straight.
-Ticket
Guess back...Screechhhh......sorry for my absence lately.....but back to the blog.....is it me or has every hyped up NYC high School prospect, over the last 10 years, went bust.....i mean starts with Felipe, the bust of all busts.....Starbury has been good, but just not a winner....and hears telfair....cover of SI as a senior.....i mean this kid has done shit....waiting for something from this kid, but i just don't see it......
Current NBA players from NY that haven't disappointed ON the court:
Elton Brand
Ron Ron
Ben Gordon
What happened to the greatest basketball State?
Maybe NY sports media mirrors the Hollywood celebrity/gossip scene in the sense that they just like to build people up to watch them crumble..
Maybe Sebastian peeked out in HS, just like B-Spears (with Baby One More Time), and now we are watching the tumble..
Maybe Sebastian wasn't that good to begin with and should be added into the "All Hype, No Hoop" aka Lenny Cooke Category...
-Tick Tick
Great work JB
I hate you Screech
Ur retarded
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