All this week, I will be using the input from some of my close friends and followers of the blog for the Celebrity-Athlete series. Some might be better than others; however, I have made sure that all the ones used will at least be, somewhat, believable.
Today’s Athlete: Josh Smith, power forward for the Atlanta Hawks.
Smith is best known for his high-flying, power dunks and freakish athletic ability. My good friend, and fellow Sports Journalism Institute 2010 alum, @dsmorais brought to my attention, the fact that he also resembles The Game.
Didier couldn’t have been more spot on with his observation; and it’s not just in the face either. Their whole demeanor is similar. If it wasn’t for a 5-inch height difference – Smith is listed at 6’9” and Game at 6’4” – I would say that they could pass for the same person.
Be that as it may, the two look just alike. I’m almost 100-percent positive that Game was an athlete before he started rapping, and, with his frame, basketball would be right up his alley. Smith, being from Georgia, is probably a huge rap fan and might have even tried it back in high school; wouldn’t surprise me one bit.
Smith plays the game with a swagger that can’t be taught. His dunks and blocks are so ferocious, they could make grown men wet their pants in excitement…or fear (depends on whether you’re the victim or the audience). If Game was an NBA baller, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’d be of the Josh Smith mold. I just couldn’t see him parading around a park in LA showing off a Mickey Mouse chain (like “rapper” Lil’ Bow Wow) or doing some corny And-1 wannabe tricks (again, like Bow Wow). He’d probably run right at the defense, rise up and dunk on his defender something fierce. It’d probably look something like this (see below).
Not convinced yet? How about the fact that they both wear red – albeit for very different reasons – and both men also represent their hometown at work? Not to mention that Game’s song, ‘Champion’, was featured on NBA 2K10. That looks like more than a coincidence to me, but that’s not all.
Bringing the attention back to Smith being from GA, it goes without saying that he’s probably a better rapper than half of the “talent” to make it big out of his home state. I mean, can you honestly sit there at your computer and think of any Georgia rappers – other than Outkast, T.I., Ludacris, B.o.B and Jeezy – that are more lyrically gifted than a 5-year-old? Besides, if he did suck at rapping, who’s going to accept the unfortunate task of telling him? I’m 6’7” 250-pounds and I’m not even dumb enough to perform that task.
Even if you don’t totally agree with me or Didier right now, just wait until you see ‘Hate It or Love It’ on MTV Jams. Eventually, it’ll click.
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401
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