NABJ Part IV – The Coolest Cats in the House

Check the name at the bottom. Luther D., baby. Baba’s out having lunch with Bill Simmons’ intern. I’m sure he’ll have a story to tell. The real question is if Baba’s ever going to leave Atlanta. I’ve been back in Cali comin’ up on a week, and he’s still in his parents’ basement typing and chillin’.
It’s a fuckin’ basement, man. It ain’t even finished. Paid thousands of dollars for Bomaniland, and he’s in a fuckin’ basement. Insulation on the walls and all that.
The A must be like that.
Either way, here were the three coolest people at NABJ 2005.

3. James R. Moore.
I doubt you know him, but Moore played in the Negro Leagues, one of the few stars of the leagues that ain’t passed away. Moore is all of 88, and he gave a speech with no notes, plenty of details, times, and dates, and a chilled out crunk that just made me feel glad I got to hear him speak. It wasn’t just that he was still in the game. He was ’bout glowing. If I get that far in life, I hope I’m pimpin’ like him.
2. Pete Smith
Pete Smith is Josh Smith’s daddy. He was a panelist at the age-limit forum, and he was by far the most intersting cat to listen to. Had one of those smooth deep voices that nevermoved up or down, but you could tell when he was saying something important. He also said things on the panel like, “that thang there.” That’s too gangsta, jack.
1. Stephen A. Smith
Buddy flew in just to party on Saturday night. He stood in the middle of the hall with a drink too pink for anyone with facial hair, no tie, tired as all get out, and folks just flocked over to him. He’s definitely a star, man. You could tell this shit’s wearing him down, though. He was hoarse as hell and looked like he wanted a nap.
And in spite of that, he was pimptastic.
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Bo’ll be back later. Pimp hard.