This photo shoot and interview were fun and interesting. I was able to speak on tattoos …individualism, factors behind my choices to have tattoos.
Also, 4Season Style Management styled me for the photoshoot.
Check it out in my gallery Cap n Zines !! You can buy the issue from newsstands now..
by Adena Andrews / @adena_andrews
The blogosphere was set ablaze as a modern day Battle of the Sexes was born from video (above) of New York Liberty point guard Cappie Pondexter playing against NBA veteran Sebastian Telfair. Thousands of viewers saw Pondexter make it rain buckets in a head-to-head matchup with a bigger, stronger, taller NBA player. But what they didn’t see were the events that led up to the explosive matchup of two legendary point guards. SLAM recently caught up with the two ballers to discuss what happened in Vegas.
SLAM: How did you end up playing together at Impact basketball facilities in Las Vegas?
Cappie Pondexter: Al Harrington and Chauncey Billups actually dragged me into the game. I was visiting Las Vegas with my brother and cousin and I got a call from Chauncey and he said, “I’m picking you up in the morning you’re going to workout with me.” I got to the gym the next day and after two hours of working out with Billups I was resting up and about to ice my body. Then Al Harrington comes over to me and says, “Get a jersey. You’re in”. I’m like “Really? But, I’m tired”. I played anyway because those guys are like my brothers and we are all just trying to get better.
Sebastian Telfair: That day I was in there working out with about 15-20 NBA players and we started playing pickup games. Cappie got called in at point guard and I was the point guard. We played five games and Cappie’s team won the first two and we won the last three. The game you saw on YouTube was the fourth game.
SLAM: What were your thoughts when you saw you were going to be matched up against each other?
CP: I just remembered him being a playground legend in New York. He was the head of his class coming out. It was just cool to go up against him.
ST: I came into the gym and saw Chauncey and about 15-20 other NBA players and that’s normal. But when I saw Cappie was going to be in the game, knowing how successful she is, probably top 15 in the WNBA, I had to respect that right away.
SLAM: When did you decide to turn up the heat in the game and go shot for shot?
CP: The jumper was just what I was feeling. I was kind of nursing an injury at the time too so I thought hitting jumpers was the safer thing to do. Also, I just wanted to work on my shooting. He gave me some good buckets too.
ST: It seems in game four she got a little more aggressive. On the first shot in the video, she comes down the left side and puts up a jumper. She even called “off” but it went in and didn’t even touch the net. I was right in her face and standing on top of her. That’s when I knew she was trying to win this. Then I hit her with the jumper then she hits me with the hesitation. At that point I thought, “She got game, so if I don’t take her serious she is going to try and show me up in here”
SLAM: Were you holding back in the game?
CP:I don’t know if he was taking it easy on me. He’s a cool guy and he was in there just trying to get better.
ST: After she hit a few shots I was definitely guarding her hard. I was saying in my head “She’s not going to score anymore” but she proved me wrong on that. There were other things that she did that weren’t on the tape. She was on the court holding her own. She would come off pick and rolls, make a pass and do obvious stuff the fans wouldn’t be able to understand. It’s no secret she is one of the best point guards to play the game.
SLAM: How did the crowd reaction fuel the tempo of the game?
CP: I got excited. Probably like four or five days ago I had just finished my season in the WNBA. So it was cool to get that reaction and play with the guys after that loss. It was definitely a confidence booster.
ST: That made it fun. You know how she plays; she is one of those up-tempo point guards with handle. It brought it back to street ball in the middle of a game with 20 NBA players in the gym.
SLAM: What was your reaction to the video going viral?
CP: I figured it was going to happen. I have also heard a lot of negative things about it. People say, “It’s fake, it’s not real”. People have to understand that I grew up doing this. I have been playing basketball since I was 10. This is what I love to do. I mean who wants to fake a video. We were both trying to get better and we were having fun doing what we love and it happened to be a crowd there. There’s nothing fake about that.
ST: I didn’t think it was going to go viral. I don’t have Twitter and Facebook like everyone else. I just follow it. As long as the people recognize I was out there fighting with another boss, that’s all that matters.
I know what you’re thinking: “What can WNBA players teach me about business?”
Thoughts are running through your head about the league suffering from low attendance, TV viewership and sponsorships. Not to mention you’ve heard countless rumors about the WNBA being a drain on the NBA’s resources.
Let me stop you right there. Those thoughts are far from reality.
The truth is that during the WNBA’s 15th season it experienced an increase in attendance and TV viewership, and the league landed a marquee sponsorship with Boost Mobile. As for resources, several WNBA owners have said that despite the economic downturn their teams are on pace to turn a profit within the next several seasons.
So, what can WNBA players teach you about business? A lot.
It’s a little-known fact that more than 90% of WNBA players are college graduates. For many reasons the concept of “one and done” doesn’t exist in the WNBA. As a result the league is full of players who are not only skilled on the court, but also in the classroom.
WNBA players are not going to college to bide their time until they are eligible for the pros. They’re going to college because they know that life on the basketball court won’t last forever.
Recently, I caught up with four WNBA players (Cappie Pondexter, Tammy Sutton-Brown, Essence Carson, and Asjha Jones) who are all “business” on and off the court. (Read more).
http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/12/19/five-lessons-wnba-players-can-teach-you-about-business/
PIC# 1 alexander wang one of my fav jackets from his colllection. felt inspired after i saw it
PIC#2 IVE SEEN ALL TYPES OF LV STORES NEXT TO PARIS THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE PRETTIEST IVE SEEN
pic#3 TITLED CHURCH ON THE BLOOD…VERY HISTORIC CHURCH IN EKATERINBURG’S HISTORY…VERY PRETTY AT NIGHT
PIC#4 BEAUTIFUL BUILDING IN PRAGUE
PIC#5 OUTSIDE VENDOR EATING IN PRAGUE.. CUP WAS FULL OF HOT WINE WHICH WAS PRETTY TASTY AND THE CHOCOLATE THING IM NOT TO SURE OF BUT WAS TASTY!!
PIC#7 SAB(TRAINER, ANETE, Y, AND TWEETY ARRIVING TO PRAHA AND ME TAKING THE PIC
PIC#8 OUR TEAM PLANE
PIC#9 OUR CAPTAIN FOR THIS ROAD TRIP; TEAMMATES
PIC#10 TEAM DINNER RT AFTER OUR LAST RUSSIAN LEAGUE VICTORY
PIC #11 HAHA THOUGHT THIS WAS PRETTY FUNNY DEFINITELY INTERESTING WAY OF TAPING AN ANKLE AT THE ARENA…
PIC#12 LOVED THE SWEATER HAD TO SHOW U THIS…INSPIRATION
AS YOU KNOW, THE NY LIBERTY SEASON ENDED UNEXPECTEDLY WITH THE UPSET IN THE 1ST ROUND OF THE EASTEN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS. I DON’T TAKE LOSING VERY WELL SO IT WAS A LITTLE HARD FOR ME TO RECOVER. I WENT TO MY HOME IN CHICAGO AND BEGAN PACKING BECAUSE I KNEW SOON I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE FOR THE USA BASKETBALL EURO TOUR. I HAD A FEW DOWN DAYS SO I BOOKED A NICE TRIP TO VEGAS TO GET AWAY AND TAKE MY COUSIN AND BROTHER BECAUSE THEY HAD NEVER BEEN THERE. IT WAS A LOAD OF FUN AND GREAT EXPERIENCE. THE VIRAL VIDEO OF ME HOOPING WITH THE NBA GUYS IN VEGAS WASN’T PLANNED AT ALL. CHAUNCEY BILLIPS INVITED ME TO COME WORK OUT WITH HIM. WE WORKED OUT FOR TWO HRS ON DIFFERENT MOVES AND GOT TONS OF SHOOTING IN. AS WERE FINISHING UP AND IM GETTING READY TO ICE, MYBIG BRO, AL HARRINGTON TELLS ME TO PICK UP A JERSEY AND THAT’S WHERE IT BEGAN. IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT, U CAN DEFINITELY CATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.
I FLEW FROM NY TO ITALY WHERE THE TOUR BEGAN WITH ONE FULL PRACTICE AND TOUR OF FOUR TEAMS. (NAPLES) ITALY THE TEAM THAT HOSTED, VALENICIA (ROS CASARES), (SKIO), ITALY AND OF COURSE, THE USA. IT WAS A TOUGH TASK WITH JUST SEVEN PLAYERS BUT WE WERE ABLE TO WIN THAT TOURNEY. UP NEXT, OUR TRIP TO VALENICIA..ALTHOUGH, WE LOST TO THIS TEAM, IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. A FEW DAYS LATER WE FLEW TO PRAGUE AND FACED YET ANOTHER CHALLENGING TEAM THAT GOT THE EDGE OVER US AS WELL.
LATER THAT NIGHT WE DROVE TO HUNGARY WHERE WE WOULD FACE SHOPRON AND WOULD END THE USA EURO TOUR. I WAS VERY HAPPY TO LEAVE ON THE NOTE WITH A WIN BECAUSE WINNING ALWAYS MAKE THE SOUL FEEL GOOD. WE FINISHED THE TOUR OUT 3-2!!! 7 STRONG A BOND THAT WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND NEVER BROKEN!
NEXT, I MET MY TEAM (UMMC) IN GYDNIA POLAND WHERE WE WOULD HAVE OUR 1ST EURO LEAGUE MATCH OF THE SEASON. I DIDNT PLAY BUT MY TEAM FINISHED WITH A WIN ON THE ROAD AND A NICE TRIP BACK TO EKATERINGBURG. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD ACTUALLY MISS THIS PLACE BUT I TRULY DID. I MISSED THE CITY,PEOPLE, FOOD AND MY LOVELY APARTMENT FOR 4 YEARS. SO MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE I’VE BEEN GONE TO AMERICA. I WILL SEND UPDATES AND TAKE PICS SO U GUYS CAN HELP LIVE OUT MY EXPERIENCE THIS SEASON.
BLESSING
CAPPA23
The 2011 WNBA All-Star Game will be nationally broadcast on ABC, Saturday, July 23, at 3:30 p.m. ET. It is the first time the San Antonio Silver Stars are hosting the midseason showcase.
In addition to Catchings (19,943), leading vote-getters by position in the Eastern Conference include guards Cappie Pondexter of the New York Liberty (11,859) and Katie Douglas of the Indiana Fever (11,217), forward Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream (8,912) and center Tina Charles of the Connecticut Sun (9,837).
The 60 players included on the ballot represent all 12 WNBA teams. Voters are asked to select two guards, two forwards, and one center from each conference. A write-in option is also available, allowing fans to choose players not listed on the ballot.
Cappie Pondexter scored 22 points to lead the New York Liberty to a 77-67 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.
Essence Carson had 18 points, Plenette Pierson added 16 and the Liberty (4-4) got their first win at Prudential Center, their new home for the next three seasons while Madison Square Garden undergoes renovations during the summers. New York had lost its first two at home earlier this month.
Lower Rims, Revealing Uniforms?
NBA players need to voice concern for the women’s game.
by Ben York / @bjyork
The only problem with women’s basketball is that people think there is something wrong with it. And, in an ironic twist of fate, the way FIBA wants to advance women’s basketball could actually contribute to its decline.
First, let’s get something straight. Women play sports for the same reasons men do — to compete, to succeed and to win. These innate feelings aren’t limited just to men; they are present in all human beings. Yet, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that as a global society there is a conscious yet unnecessary effort to “fix” what’s “wrong” with women’s sports.
Recently, over 50 countries came together at the first ever women’s basketball summit. There were a multitude of topics discussed but the ones grabbing headlines included suggestions of lowering the rims and modifying uniforms. While these topics have been a hot-button issue of late, it’s certainly nothing new to fans of women’s basketball. Lowering the rims and modifying (a.k.a. “sexifying”) women’s basketball uniforms have long been debated about on an informal basis and typically dismissed with hilarity. After all, those usually leading the discussion are people who think these “radical” ideas would lead to better play, more viewers, and increased appeal to the general public.
FIBA, and its representatives, tries to come across as nonchalant as possible in regards to these topics. They defended the inevitable backlash by saying the ideas are just potential ways of improving the game; that it would be more “attractive” if it were played above the rim.
Please.
This insinuates that women are having difficulties making shots on a 10-foot hoop. Ridiculous. And “improving” the uniforms? What’s wrong with them now?
If there is any good news regarding these statements, it’s that we won’t ever see this implemented in the WNBA. Still, with so many WNBA players having to head overseas to compensate financially, these proposed “advancements” affect the vast majority of professional women’s basketball players.
Let’s translate the true meaning behind these suggestions, shall we?
Asinine Idea #1: Lowering the rims
What it Really Means: By lowering the rims, it becomes easier for these “lesser” players (as FIBA apparently thinks of them) to dunk. Thus, it makes the game more masculine and flashy. By making the game more mainstream and masculine the sub-par play of women’s basketball could be “fixed.”
Fixing the game…ugh.
What’s wrong with it now? I realize it’s not as popular as the NBA. I know that the vast majority of the game is played below the rim. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong; it’s just different.
I’m growing increasingly tired of the assertion that it needs help. Maybe what’s worse is that people look at the game and pity it to a certain extent. Even the mere notion of trying to “help” it evokes an attitude of superiority and narcissism.
Let’s say the rim is indeed lowered. Would that be good enough for the game’s detractors? Sure, maybe there would be more dunking but after a while, wouldn’t people knock the WNBA players for not throwing down 360s or windmills consistently?
Asinine Idea #2: Modifying Uniforms.
What it Really Means: Sex sells. They’ll tell you there isn’t anything wrong with making women players more feminine. They’ll tell you that’s how it should be. But the real reason that uniform changes are being discussed is because of a desire to sexify the game and, supposedly, make it more enjoyable for men to watch – who, theoretically, are a key demographic.
I’m not a perfect person, but as a man, this absolutely infuriates me and is the suggestion to which I take far more offense. How degrading have we become as a society to make it mandatory for women to wear sexier basketball uniforms?
Luckily, I’m not alone.
Jeff Pearlman of SI.com came under fire recently for an article that questioned the lasting popularity of the WNBA. While we don’t agree on a lot of things that are related to women’s basketball, this is one issue we see eye to eye on. “I think it’s disgusting and disturbing,” Pearlman said. “If FIBA’s members want to baby women who play basketball at this high of a level, and cheapen the game with sex-appeal bullshit in the process, they should quit their posts and apply for jobs with Hugh Heffner.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
It sounds tired, but these supposed improvements only aim to please a small amount of potential fans and the continual seeking-to-please attitude is growing old. Women’s basketball doesn’t need men to survive or advance, it needs time. We’re essentially still in the first generation of professional women’s players and we’ve already seen dramatic improvements in the quality and appeal of the game.
As a man, you’re either you’re going to accept the women’s game or not. Skimpier uniforms won’t lead to men accepting the game. All it does is continue the objectification of women in sports. Don’t get me wrong, dunking is great and can be exciting. Having said that, Shawn Bradley could dunk, but the dude obviously wasn’t a basketball player. The WNBA has bona-fide basketball players who know how to play the game.
Lowering the rim and encouraging skimpy uniforms doesn’t make me want to watch women’s basketball; the quality of play does. Diana Taurasi does. Cappie Pondexter does. Tamika Catchings does. Candace Parker does.
Before making these abrasive decisions, FIBA needs to ask itself if it’s worth losing the die-hards to gain a false sense of security. Rather than lowering the rims and modifying uniforms, why don’t we talk about ways to increase funding for the globalization of women’s basketball? Why don’t we look at proven methods to increase salaries for WNBA players so they don’t have to live out of the country for half the year? The only way to advance the league starts with creating a more permanent presence in their local communities. If they’re forced to leave the country immediately after the WNBA season ends, any momentum they’ve created in the summer fizzles out when they head to Russia, Australia, Turkey, etc.
Keep in mind, this was the first ever women’s basketball summit — why not talk about better ways to market players to increase face-time and popularity through television, radio, and virtually every other form of media? Instead, we’re left with the same old ideas that have plagued the women’s game for dozens of years.
This is where NBA players need to step up and defend the women’s game.
Not in a fake, pre-written press release but in a random interview. On Twitter. On Facebook. On their websites. Someone needs to take the initiative and settle this once and for all that the women’s game is no joke. Judging by this recent turn of events, there has never been a better time than now to show their support for the league. We already know how many players go to the games; it happens every year with the Suns, Hawks, Pacers, etc. This time, we need a player to voluntarily come out and say how demeaning and ridiculous it is for lowering the rims to even be considered by FIBA. Although this won’t necessarily affect the WNBA, it’s the principal of the situation that necessitates a passionate and honest response.
We already know NBA players are watching the women’s game. I counted over 10 NBA player twitter accounts that, during the WNBA Playoffs and Finals, analyzed the games and expressed their excitement to watch. Players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant and Jonny Flynn all have expressed their interest and admiration of the women’s game to a certain extent in recent months. In fact, in April 2010, Dwyane Wade said on his Twitter account that it’s an honor that Cappie Pondexter is known as the DWade of the WNBA.
Let me reiterate. I’m not asking for men to rush in and validate the league. Women’s basketball doesn’t need justification and certainly doesn’t need approval. It’s no secret that NBA players watch and respect the women’s game. They know it’s different than the game they play, but it doesn’t matter – they love the sport. Basketball is basketball. I can write about the value and worth of the WNBA until I’m blue in the face but it won’t make nearly the dent that a passionate response from a NBA player would.
So, here’s your chance, NBA. Step up. Take a stand. We don’t need you to “save” the WNBA, but some brazen support would be nice and mean more than you know.
If you don’t, who else will?
By Cheryl Coward at 21 September, 2010, 10:26 am
Basketball star Cappie Pondexter is not on the squad competing for a title at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in the Czech Republic that begin September 23. According to her Twitter account feed, she decided to rest after years of non-stop competition. However, before she shed light via the online service about her decision to sit out of this year’s competition, she came under fire from fans and sports writers. Some questioned her dedication to the sport and her commitment to USA Basketball in light of the fact that she attended events at Fashion Week in New York City last week.
USA head coach Geno Auriemma said a little over a week ago that he did not expect her to be on the team.
“Cappie’s got some issues, physical. Wasn’t here either day, obviously,” he said. “She’s not making the trip to Spain with us when the team leaves tomorrow morning. Right now, if you asked me whether or not she’s going to join us at all, I would say, based on my conversations with her, probably not.”
Pondexter, a long-time member of Team USA, had a stellar season with the New York Liberty, her first with the Eastern Conference team after being traded from the Phoenix Mercury during a blockbuster trade in the offseason. She demanded the trade for professional reasons. She wanted to be closer to the epicenter of the fashion industry as it dovetails with the growth of her image consulting firm, 4 Season Style & Management.
She helped the Liberty set a franchise-record 10-game winning streak and garner a second playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. She led them to the Eastern Conference Finals and was a candidate for league MVP with just two votes shy of winner Seattle Storm forward-center Lauren Jackson.
In Cappie’s words:
Ok bout to state my peace:Liberty is where my heart is! If we were in finals does it seem like I woulda been a fashion week? The obvious no
All along I stated what my goal was n that’s to win a [championship]! MVP: I could care less if I won or not! LJ won it and I give her
All the respect bc she deserved it! For me I will continue to work harder! But in order for that to happen I had to rest my body after yrs
Of having no break! WBB players go through it n this year was the 1st year where I really pushed myself n team to a whole nother level!
Them for fashion week! Just so happen by the grace of God it all fell at the same time! I bleed usa bball and anyone who. Thinks otherwise
Need to go back in those history books n look at the truth! Since I was 16 n bc I’m 27 that will never change! My body broke down n for me
Have an even better year I had to give up something! Oh did I forget to mention I have to go to russia for 7 months! I just didn’t have the
Strength to do both! Regardless of my decision people, critcs,fans will have their own opinion what matters most is what I do next: The Quest
Fans began tweeting their support of Pondexter’s decision after she began posting her viewpoint:
— this quote was brought to you by quoteurl
