Explore every episode of the podcast The Open Run With Will Strickland

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 224 – BBall Bong Bong

On the last episode before our #PartsWellKnown Tour across Canada for The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, Wall $t. summons the wonder twin powers of Los Hermanos Del Baloncesto by calling upon El Jefe Supremo of FC21 All World, Friend Of The Program and cultural renaissance man, Bobbito Garcia.

The guys do a deep dive on Bob’s latest project, a memoir called “Bobbito’s Book Of BBall Bong Bong”, and share why the growth of the only application of 1v5 basketball on the planet means so much to them and so many more.

Super Producer and #1 Dallas Mavericks fan Ryan Antonio Henry assists in talking the brave new world ahead for The Association in the post-draft aftermath of free agency, announce All Star starters and other exciting developments in The WNBA and exonerate Ace Bailey for what many feel was a failed attempt to have control over a career barely started.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:
Bone Collector, Pittsburgh Pirates, Forrest Gump, The Maine Event, W.A.R.P.ed, Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, slave auctions, Meghan McPeak, Entertainers Basketball Classic, Azzi Fudd, 3d Bass, @demi_sosa, Seattle, John Carlos, k1x sneakers, Adrian Bartos, Steele Hyundai, Thor, well-seasoned, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 223 – Engagement Farming

We all join things to fit in… belong.

It could be the band, chess team, the military or a book club, but we join to be a part of something greater than ourselves.

This week, a new champion will be crowned in The Association, a basketball team rooted in teamwork making the dream work.

There will also be 59 young men, looking to be chosen to fulfill their dreams of belonging to a brotherhood that lasts for life.

It won’t be a drive-by, empty calorie, foul merchant activation for those who find their validation in The Attention Economy.

It will be so much more…

It will mean much more as well.

Soul Food.

Never Fast Food.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:
Seattle Supersonics, 90s nostalgia, Sophie Cunningham, The Wire, parlays, Mark William Calaway, integer, coach emeritus, Michelob Light, Cornbread Maxwell, Cigar Aficionado, RIP Ananda Lewis, Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game, H-Town, Moet Nebuchadnezzar, Sal’s Pizzeria, rapper retirement, journalism, Mebounds, RIP David Greenwood, The Attention Economy, kerfuffles, hoops nepotism, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 222 – Faded Pictures

Living in the past can be tough.

Nothing ever changes.

Not accepting the natural evolution of things can be even tougher.

We’re here to ease the transition toward acceptance, revolution… or both.

Wall $t. calls on former St. Bonaventure forward, 2x Nike Battlegrounds Toronto winner and head honcho of King Nation youth basketball club Vidal Massiah to run the wings with him on everything from the NBA Finals, Canadians battling forthe crown and what it means to his program and the country to The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, family, love, life, loss and the ever-changing landscape of the NCAA and NIL.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:
Jeux De La Rue, Nike Battlegrounds, Zach Edey, Detroit Shock, K-Mac, treaties, Luol Deng, TMZ, Candace Parker, well-seasoned, Baby Campbell, regret, New Balance, RIP Big Apple, Independence Day, Cooper Flagg, All My Relations, Artesticulation, NBA TV Canada, Leon Rose, The Wizard Of Oz,Justin Beiber, BARS!, Pascal Siakam, and more, all on thepodcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 221 – Proof Of Concept

1,307 total games played in the 2024-2025 campaign, but… will we see seven more?

The roads the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Eastern Conference-conquering Indiana Pacers took to get here matter little at this point.

The time is now and both teams are ready to face the challenge ahead in their quest for ultimate glory, capturing the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Wall St. calls on OKC beat writer Brandon Rahbar from The Daily Thunder to talk the past, present and future on the prairie.

From SGA, MVP and Sam Presti to matchups, x-factors and the fickle mistress that is chemistry, the guys get you prepped for the NBA Finals like few others can!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:
The Commissioner’s Cup, Hollow Da Don, sadism, The Haliban, LBI, Spencer Haywood, game plan discipline, Young Abe Lincoln, Gatewood Archer Pine Band, Allie Quigley, The Death Lineup, Honourary Canadianism, Ted Lasso, Dallas Mavericks, retirement, Delly, Montreal Nord, Satou Sabally, The Disease Of More, Robert Griffin III, The Celly, University of Kentucky, black church socks, #PartsUnknownTour2025, Tim Horton’s, Teamwork Makes The Dream Work, Ellison High School, Young BOAT, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

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The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 220 – Belts In Motion
The end of May brings reminiscence for several things past, be it a long lost loved one, the real origin story of MemorialDay, and why one NBA conference finals series is more compelling than the other, despite an alleged lack of star power.

Wall $t. does the knowledge on this curiosity as well as dueling superagents supporting their clients and coming up Klutch, FC21CA’s 6 weeks away from touching earth in the T-Dot, Week 2 of the WNBA season, Caitlin Clark’s injury’s economic impact, Angel Reese and The Danger Of The Single Story.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:
The Dorture Chamber, ultra-processed foods, Pat McAfee, tithing heavily, Liz Kittley, Rolex, Dallas Wings, Robert Lee Pettit, DMV, Nickeil Alexander Walker, racism, Phee’nds, Unrivaled, Chennedy Carter, freedom, Grenada, The United Mexican States, Tom Hagen, weight loss, The Haliban, lemonbootiness, Hamilton Ontario, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 219 - Hardwood

Even though we’re about a month away from Father’s Day, the relationship between Black fathers and sons can be simple and direct… complex and complicated or a number of other variables in between.

That unique dynamic is explored, as Wall St. goes on the road to discovering Black male redemption with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Hubert Davis.

The two break down the matchups and ex-factors for each of the NBA’s final four teams as the conference finals begin, run the court on WNBA opening weekend overreactions, include our first Rookie Watch and Power 5 of season 29 and plot a 25th anniversary screening of his first cinematic offering during FC21CA’s film fest, #HoopersHoop.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:
Black Ice, Rob Lowe, Big3, Diana Taurasi, Hot Docs, Magic & Bird, ‘ism, RGIII, Giants Of Africa, Jay-Z, Notre Dame, Meghan McPeak, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, Harlem Globetrotters, Ashton James, gentrification, Mirin Fader, Delta Airlines, Kevin Hart, masculinity, Arike Ogunbowale, The Middle Third, JJ Barea, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Avon RandolphBarksdale, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball andLife are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 218 - Uptempo
What is The World’s Most Expensive Commodity?

In the NBA, it’s spent in 48 minute blocks…

Occasionally, when the game gets restless, it generally requires at least 5 more.

Of the eight teams left to battle for professional basketball’s greatest prize, some are on the verge of exhausting their supply... others replenish theirs after every win.

And while The Association’s best battle for the crown, the WNBA kicks off its 29th campaign with a momentum the league has not seen since it began, all in in the face of one of the most important labour decisions in women’s professionalsports history.

Somewhere in the midst of all of this goodness happening in This Thing Of Ours is a celebration, beginning with the launch of The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, FC21CA.

It's Time!
Don’t Delay.
Move Accordingly.
Do So With Minimal Caution… because that commodity mentioned earlier in the tale…

It’s finite.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:
Ms. Brandy, Birmingham Brother Rice, usage rate, Juicy Marbles, “Pierre”, gaming vs gambling, Christopher George Latore Wallace, United Nations, Sabrina Ionescu, First Take, “LaShaniquia”, OutKast, Timberlands, Sonia Cintron, intersectionality, El Jefe, Malia Obama, Athletes Unlimited, banoodles, #tackleBoxSZN, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

 Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 217 – Engine Light

The Elite Eight.

30 started the journey where only one with reign supreme.

Wall $t. calls on frequent collaborator and super podcast producer Ryan Antonio Henry to get on the road to riches and NBA diamond rings, where real hoopers do real things to wrap up all first round exits, offer report cards, preview the conference semis, doing some early destination station projections for a couple of all-timers, anticipate an exciting WNBA season and show love to the winningest coach in league history!

There is no substitution for greatness… word to Tom Thibodeaux.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Frank Sinatra, The Help Center, Skylar Diggins, nickel slots, Tommy Carcetti, WrassleMania, Chevano, WebMD, Larry Joe Bird, Gentlemen’s Sweep, Jey Uso, Intuit Dome, “Robins”, Montreal, Lil’ General shade, John Halliburton, The Gulag, Jalen Suggs, Randy Orton, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 215 – The 2d SZN

Never Forget.

The Regular Season is where All-Stars are made.

The Postseason is where Superstars emerge.

The feeling is in the air as we’re close to rounding our who the NBA’s conference semi-finalists will be, but in the meantime in between time, Wall $t, goes in this week!

Black Privilege, second generation stars and double standards, #tackleBoxSZN, Top 10 lists issues, WNBA training camp, curious case of Chennedy Carter, Nico Harrison is a soldier, Ja’s lawsuit dropped but The MVP has bars for 12, the NIL portal activities, the future in Miami, Milwaukee and Memphis, overt messages sent by the top seeds, foul calls missed, but why does it matter after the fact, hard truths about Luka, most overrated player in The Association and the person you’d least like to fight, drama vs knowing how to win, the most entertaining series so far, and real questions about the reigning and defending champs!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Stan Love, Ye Olde “Hol’ Me Back!”, Sade, Tesla, El Patrone, South Sudan, “Sweetwater”, Texas Christian University, @LayWitDaButta, #TheChainxTheStar, Patrick Dumont, The Last Two Minute Report, Sambor Shuffle, Air Swoopes, alliteration, Wat Misaka, The Balkans, Tee Martin, Baltimore Colts, Nikola Mirotic, Poetical Prophets, stretch provision, Lynette Woodard, weight room, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 215 – In The Margins

The Immortal Post-Modern Contemporary Literary Giant Melvin Glover once allowed his quill to scribe the following words:

“Don’t Push Me ‘Cuz I’m Close To The Edge, I’m Try-in Not To Lose My Head…”

Giving voice to the voiceless… the unheard… those in the shadows, close to the edge… on the outside lookin’ in…

The Sporting News’ NBA content producer Gil McGregor brings his insights and intellect to the proceedings with Wall $t. to talk the WNBA draft aftermath, the most decorated player in NBA history, the best worst kept secret in college basketball, why the league may have missed the mark on clutchness, the opening weekend of The Second Season: the start of the most grueling run to 16 wins and the yet-to-be reveal heros without capes who will make a difference on the road to a title!

The Thrill Of Victory.

The Agony Of Defeat.

Catch It All!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

North Cakalaki, Sterling Henderson, #SheWhoShantBeNamed, Coming To America, Arike Ogunbowale, Ryan Ruocco, FanDuel, “Off-Night”, championship DNA, Young Abe Lincoln, #Cardio, Iso Joe, University of Michigan, Hailey Van Lith, Ms. Brandy, Ja’Net DuBois, “He Wit’ Us!”, Robert Joseph Cousy, Oakland, Massa Jenkins, N.C. State, Gil Scott-Heron, Great Barrier Thief, #TorontoMans, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 214 – The Same 24

86,400 Seconds.

1440 Minutes.

You get them… Daily. We all do.

With what do you do with yours?

Wall $t. spends some of Life’s most expensive commodity with sports anchor for the New York Post and host of New York’s Got Game, Dexter Henry, talking the WNBA Draft, the New York Liberty’s chances to repeat, the NBA play-in and playoffs matchups, who walks away with regular season player’s hardware, FC21CA aka #RunNYC and milestones for the ages.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Inside The NBA, Mamba Out, John Stockton, The Great Barrier Thief, LIV Golf, Shawshank Redemption, contractual obligations, Vucci Mayne, grenades, “first team All-Deeee-fense”, J-Hova, Scrubstitution Time, Earl Simmons, green tea macha lattes, Tennessee Volunteers, Sarah Strong, labor, Athletes Unlimited, competitive rest, Bodega KAT, NBA 2K Trade Machine culture, #mapleGxNG, action figures, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 213 – Wins x Lessons

Life is a competitive sport.

Sometimes, you are victorious… other times, not so much.

On the occasions when the terms are not in your favour, how do you deal?

“You’re not a loser in anything until you quit”, as was once uttered by University of Houston Men’s Head Basketball Coach, Kelvin Sampson.

Truer words have rarely if ever been writ or spit!

And we offer more than words as we wrap up an amazing college basketball season for both the men and women, button up wild playoff races in the NBA, tip our collective hats to an all-time great who is saying goodbye to the game, saluting the latest inductees into the Naismith Memorial Hall Of Fame and show everyone how to count victory in every loss!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Christopher Tracy, Alpha Dogs, Saran Wrap, Mike Brkovich, The Syntactician, layup line numbers, Boogie, point differential, Cori Close, #MindTheSundayTruce, Pascal Siakam, New Jersey, Charles Dickens, Louisiana Tech, Dave Zirin, swindled, “Fudd Around & Find Out!”, shalom, #iAmKyam, Dem Gator Boys Stay Hot, selective immigration design, Jimmy V, lemonbooty, The Artist Formerly Known As Chris Wayne Jackson, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 212 – The Law Of Three

Set Up.

Execution.

Follow Thru.

Many fail at the third one, but not our very special guest!

We are graced by the presence of the Northeast Conference’s steals leader as a freshman, the Point Goddess herself, Wagner College’s Keana Foz!

Wall $t. and Keana talk her first season hooping in Staten Island, New York, her wins and lessons as a result, some of her favourite things, being a lock down defender, the transformative initiative called #TheCollective and, of course, #MarchMadness’ Final Four and what it will take for her to lead her squad there next season!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

#PointGoddessCertified, Rogers & Hammerstein, Puma Clydes, adulting, Willis Reed game, narcotics, Aunt Pearl, spin cycle narratives, White Vonnell, first ballot, “Beef Stew”, Kiwi Shoe Polish, “P!”, naysayers, The Pat McAfee Show, #QueenWaves, Southeastern Conference, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Kiyomi McMiller, Gatorade, Booker T., Air Swoopes, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 211 – Competitive Reset

Sometimes when you are working your plan, the plan doesn’t work.

How do you pivot toward prosperity?

On this week’s ep, we call on Jason Hooten, Head Men’s Basketball Coach for the New Mexico State University Aggies, who will share his philosophy around recognizing when to shift gears in the ever-changing landscape of major collegiate athletics.

From name, image and Likeness funding, the transfer portal and the slow death of the mid-major Cinderella at #MarchMadness to the conference respect, strength of schedule and the men’s Sweet Sixteen, the coach and Wall $t. make first-team All Common Sense of it all!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Toronto Mans, gang-adjacent, Matthew Dellavedova, New Balance, The Hamburglar, Minnesota Timberwolves, Nancy Lieberman, Duke, chocolate chip cookies, Obi Toppin, rock fights, LA Sparks, Moses Malone, Kinsasha, adidas Superstars, Power, Martin Luther King, traveling, Pig Sooey, Ta’Niya Latson, prostate exams, Ore-Ida, Karris Bilal, ByMyself meetings, Cancel Culture, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 210 – Epistemicide

Epistemicide is a term used to describe the destruction or devaluation of knowledge systems, particularly those that are not in alignment with dominant paradigms or Western tradition.

TRANSLATED FOR OUR PURPOSES HERE:

“Murica Gon’ Murica!”

The Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions, as it was once said...

They also say there are hundreds of thousands of student-ath-O-letes playing NCAA Division 1 sports most all of them will go pro in something else altogether.

Yep.

But what if someone in power, who unilaterally decided to eliminate the deeds, work and history of particular groups of these current and | or former scholarship athletes because that work allegedly didn’t align with the power structure conditioning model?

We have questions.

We might have answers.

We also have March Madness picks, Selection Sunday snubs, a potential Finals preview, The Chef in 4K Chef, and Unrivaled surprises!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, headbands, Bennett Stirtz, amendments, Rice Owls, Al Attles, The Grindfather, Forrest Gump, Point Gawdess, status quo, George The Messiah, name checking, #mapleGxNG, Joe Budden, lunchtime hoops MVP, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 209 – Cultural Stock Exchange

Intellectual Property is a valuable commodity outchere in these rough interweb streets.

And as run headlong into the madness of this month, we are looking to make wise investments with your time, energy and Selection Sunday NCAA tournament brackets.

How do we do that?

Wall $t. calls on Friend of The Program and Montreal’s finest, Three-Time All-America and 1988 Olympian Dwight Walton help navigate conference titles won, Champions Week, incredible milestones moving into the final month of the regular season, and some devastating injuries ending the 24-25 campaign for a couple key cogs for potential playoff teams.

We’ll also discuss the heavyweight doughnut throwdown between Disney Sports and its most recent acquisitions, Screamin’ A habitually overstepping and why no one wants to be uneasy wearing the crown.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Richie Adubato, Overtime Elite, gambling, Quebec Nordiques, The Sequence, It Never Rains In Southern California, mononyms, Houston Comets, Roy Edward Ayers, Jr., #MarchMadness, Hiawatha Smalls, Sanaa Lathan, GEICO, Lindsay Whelan, salary cap fee structure, Davidson College, Skip To My Lou, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 208 – Destiny Manifested

Raptors Manager Of Social Impact and 2023 FC21CA #LadiesFirst panelist Katherine Allen pulls up on Wall $t. to talk being a lifelong Raptors fan, the team’s outlook for the immediate future, normalizing representation, and how heavy her feet heat quiver is!

Also on this ep, Juju Watkins shows and proves again, the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t care about your feelings, The Toronto Tempo are building their front office structure, NCAA conference tournaments and The Big Dance are just around the corner and Luka LaMarr (that’s with 2 r’s) Doncic’s whirlwind Black History Month in Los Angeles, including his first game against his former squad, all get the Wall $t. Treatment.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Selection Sunday, futureproofing, Calvin Lockhart, trickle down effect, Angel Reese, Time Magazine, Quintin Grimes, Reebok, “Thank You, Nico!”, #LadiesFirst, death stares, 70-71 Milwaukee Bucks, Nakissa Koomalsingh, corporal punishment, James Khristian Middleton, veteranism, St. Vincent, The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, Niele Ivey, Christopher George Latore Wallace, #InternationalWomensEryday, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 207 – Certitude

Very few things in this Life can be guaranteed.

Death… Taxes… max | supermax NBA contracts… and getting the best insights and discussion covering the goings on from The Association, WNBA and Unrivaled to men’s and women’s NCAA action and The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, FC21CA.

Bank on it.

Set your clock to it.

We are Inevitable as shocking revelations out of San Antonio, Milwaukee, New York City, Raleigh and Philadelphia lead the way in this week’s episode.

Make sure you don’t miss out!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

ClarksVegas, PsyOp, Roberta Flack, ChatGPT, Andre Iguodala, Torodol, speakerphone, #BlackHistoryEryday, National Hockey League, John Austin Stockton, toxicity, Water Pistol Pete, Jr., yore, opporcoonist, Converse, Percy Miracles, Albuquerque, President Musk, Zamboni, polygamy, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 206 – Terms x Conditions

As Valentine’s Day has come and gone, with people professing “unconditional” love for one another without actually understanding that “unconditional” is still a condition, you may wonder what is not subject to equivocation.

Wall St. welcomes the multidisciplinary artist Cynda Williams, most famously known for her role as Clark Betancourt in the Spike Lee’s 1990 classic film, Mo’ Better Blues, to talk her big break, navigating the business, what drives her today, being down bad as a Chicago sports fan and the 62d birthday of St. Michael Jeffrey Of Wilmington.

Major shake-ups in our NCAA Powers 5 as we approach marching into the madness of conference tournaments and The Big Dance, major milestones in the careers of all-time greats, the value propositions of women’s professional hoops may have just changed forever and the real purpose of NBA All Star Weekend are discussed as well!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Harlem Blues, Blake Austin Griffin, cultural currency, The Redeem Team, Harold’s Fried Chicken, turteen job, Crimson Tide, Scottie Barnes, World Wrestling Entertainment, The Mighty Quinn, faux outrage, Mikayla Blakes, Fighting Illini, “Black Enough”, strength of schedule, Valkyries, Corey Brewer, whip whop, Rocky IV, spring chicken, Quill Game Heavy, Sabrina Ionescu, corporate junkets, “Wild Hundreds”, Nike, Clarke Betancourt, dunk residencies, The Wire, Shelton Jackson Lee, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 205 – The Purity Test

If sunlight is the best disinfectant, what reveals itself when cold hard cash is your primary motivation… or at least keeping as much of it as you can, tried and true institutions be damned?

This requires investigation then authentication and Wall $t. calls upon none other than Canadian Super Producer Ryan Antonio Henry, still heartbroken over the loss of Luka LaMarr (That’s With 2 R’s) and, at least temporarily already, Anthony Marshon Davis, Jr, but enthused by the possibility of Brandon Ingram in the T-Dot, to run the league’s best hoops podcast pick and roll!

The Compadres run the break on everything from the most shocking transaction during the most exciting trade deadline in NBA history, the BBall Billionaires Club Conspiracy Theory and double standards to Unrivaled’s inaugural 1v1 battle, big upsets in the NCAA and of course, the annual #DoWork Awards – Midseason Edition!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Birdies Come Lately, portmanteau, LeBronto, Shohei Otani, Grant Henry Hill, kidneys, voter fatigue, Gillie The Kid, #BlackHistoryEryday, 1v1, addition by subtraction, Patrick Dumont, #SuckaSauce, Levon, Napheesa Collier, The Greyhound, trade demands, Brian Windhorst, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 204 – Sunlight

As the calendar turns the page on January into Black History Month, outside of honouring the the past, present and future greatness of a marginalized people, we don’t wait for a groundhog in Pennsylvania or Ontario to let us know when Spring will spring.

This week, we call on Coty M. Davis, Pistons beat writer for the Detroit News, to talk his journey from H-Town to Motown, the new look San Antonio Spurs, and give our glow to the wildest trade in NBA history!

Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson are immortalized, NCAA Power 5 teams get upset, WNBA free agency frenzy is just that, Beyonce, Doechii and Kendrick Lamar own the Grammys and we raise our glasses to basketball lifers in the twilight of their careers.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

What Up Doe?, Bill Murray, Southeast Asia, Hubert Jude Brown, O.P.M., Wyc Grosbeck, “Knoxvul”, Chennedy Carter, malfeasance, Patrick Aloysius Ewing, chuchau money, Stone Cold Steven Grizzly Adams, Tampa, The Renaissance Center, Pat Summitt, Cartier frames, Wiarton Willie, Reebok, National Coney Island, Tobacco Road, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 202 – The Illusion Of Inclusion

In the consolidating text of the United States called The Constitution, there is a phrase: “We, The People…” that clearly wasn’t intended for all of the humans inhabiting the land.

The so-called founders of a place already occupied by folks indigenous to the soil weren’t too keen on accurate personal pronoun use, but “We” are as Wall $t. invites his former high school classmate, Mike “Hardball” Hardge, co-host of Austin, Texas’ 1300 The Zone’s Morning Kickoff, to form a more perfect union and speak on some unalienable sports rights that won’t go left!

We will virtually make self-evident all things relevant to Wemby In Paris, University of Texas hoops, The LeBrons in The Bay… or not, All-Star Game selection, reserves and snubs and look at the last five years without the late, great Kobe Bean Bryant.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Half Man-Half Amazing, fence riding, Jackie Young, Lunar Owls, FC21CA, McClung shade, blitzing, Kim Mulkey, Anti-Defamation League, The Detroit Drive, losing strikes, Calvin Candie, Washington Nationals, Amen Thompson, DEI, The World’s Strongest Man, ‘Murica, Paw-Paw, Quadzilla, Keyano College, Mark Sears, How ‘Bouit Dem Cowboys, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 202 – The Law Of Unintended Consequences

It is said that “The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions”, but have you ever wondered why that is?

Well, please know that Wall $t. won’t just talk about what will happen, but will act upon said intention.

This week, we’ll separate the truth from the lie with Friend Of The Program and host of The Chase Down Podcast, Winnipeg’s very own Justin Rowan, covering the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Everything from generational franchise fumbles, Paige Bueckers’ race to 2K and the absolute opening weekend success of Unrivaled to the inauguration of the 47th President Of The United States, Dave Chappelle's storytelling master class, the impact of the NBA’s MLK Day games and how serious the team from Northeast Ohio is will be discussed.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Chase Down Pod, Joe Valachi, The Wizard, honey dill sauce, Peg Gritty, alliteration, Unrivaled, Palestine, Chrisette Michelle, tape delay, Saab, Kel’el Ware, Saturday Night Live, James Earl Carter, inauguration, Skylar Diggins-Smith (Skylar Diggins), accoutrements, MLK Day, rap snitches, Dave Chappelle, Title IX, GoodFellas, PTPers, Tobias Harris, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 201 – Buckle Up

Tough to have hoops on the mind when Los Angeles is burning, but we’ll salute the first responders and think good thoughts for those who lost a lifetime of memories, homes and lives.

One week away from the United States Presidential inauguration and three weeks from the NBA Trade Deadline, Wall $t. weighs in on which is more important transfer of power with Matt Young, Trending Sports Reporter from the Houston Chronicle, where we’ll talk a tough week in Texas sports, how we “met”, the Houston Rockets and why he sits in four-cornered rooms, staring at candles.

Love is also given to our Powers Five for both the men’s and women’s NCAA Division 1 hoopers, as well as the greatest comeback in college basketball history!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Lil’ Keke, Pitt Panthers, Tomball, wildfires, Marcus Freeman, filth, Baton Rouge, “misstapes”, The Big Bodega, banana boats, Liatu King, The Simpsons, A Bronx Tale, losing strikes, Derrick Chievous, KTRU, Universal Black Man’s Hello, The Bass 9-1-7 Zone, Galena Park, Brad Terence Jordan, rock fights, Carrington’s, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 200 – Honour The Gift

Welcome to 2025, where everything is supposed to be so fresh and new.

But in recognizing things we tell ourselves to push another revolution around the Sun, we should realize The Blessings Within… learn to count victory in every loss!

And did we ever learn some things over the holiday season!

Whether it be about the now-21-year-old Victor Wembanyama or the now-40-year-old #HWSBN, the emerging greatness of Hanna Hildalgo, the overwhelming presence of Caitlin Clark, continuing to underrate the Cleveland Cavaliers and being shown time and again that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is pretty good at basketball, we learned.

Hop aboard… it’s a good ride!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Horace Silver, The Chicago Way Of Play, existentialism, Norman Powell, Detroit Pistons, Fridays, lame duck, the police, Mac McClung, fake hustle, Oatmeal Man, Chase Center, conditioning, Cain & Abel, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Gladiator, unionization, President Jimmy Carter, Volunteers, Nate Bargatze, Toronto Tempo, Oktibbeha County, Tammy Sutton-Brown, bus be movin’, Pacific Palisades, malaprops, Syla Swords, GrandPappy, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 198 – Motion

It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday, word to Boyz II Men, we must.

2024 will have been remarkable for women in sport, in particular, basketball, and infamous for its collective decision making in the clutch, whether we are talking geopolitics or NBA analytics.

One thing is for sure and the rest for certain is that we will finish this year strong because the gift is in the giving.

Here to help Wall $t. close out properly and not get beat off the dribble is The Compadre, Super Producer Ryan Antonio Henry!

The guys will run the lanes on the Emirates NBA Cup, preview the Xmas games, recognize new powers in the college hoops landscape and give flowers were they are most definitely due to women in basketball, from Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson and Angel Reece to Paige Bueckers, Juju Watkins and Hannah Hildalgo.

It's the gift that keeps on giving!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

“Ree-Sash-Shay”, lasers, Dice Trae’d, retirement, Mat Ishbia, wood-wicked candles, @TheKingHandles, Time Magazine, Dawn Staley, Notre Dame, Ritchie Acheampong, Point Goddess Certified, Calvin Broadus, PTPers, Stuart Scott, Mormon Money, burnt orange, Warren Buffet, mid, The Fun Guy, Mathematics, The Bloodline, Basketball Africa League, Fenway Sports Group, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 198 – Floor Raiser

For the penultimate show of 2024, grace is shown to the glow up over 4 amazing seasons of podcast.

In a glutted marketplace, where “The Monetizable Mid” is generally the resume for the day, when dope hoops insight is a must, you gotta go with a name you can quickly trust!

We’re not saying we’re #1…. Oh! We’re sorry!

We lied!

We’re #1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5!

This week, Wall St. talks the European flavour of the Golden State Valkyries, the real best player in women’s college basketball, huge NBA milestones, major shifts in the Power 5 and Power 10 rankings, MVP math from Nikola J’Mayne, Association departures and returns, and the Emirates Cup semis surprises.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

The Hick From French Lick, investments, Marcus Garvey, Toronto Tempo, Indiana Jones, #HappyMerryChristmaHanaKwanzaaFestivusDiwaliEid, Jake From State Farm, city edition, Spanish Idaho, pre-criming, Johni, Seattle Storm, Bryce Maximus, GQ Magazine, Syla Swords, “Loosiana Universitah Sudderhan”, Agent Zero, The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, Percival, Brooklyn’s The Boro, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 197 – The Purpose Of Lies

“Everything you see ain’t really how it be…”

To continue quoting The Artist Formerly Known As Dante Terrell Smith:

“Alot of jokers out, running in place, chasin’ a style…

Be alot going on beneath the empty smile.”

In the midst of ever-changing times and post-United States Presidential election, truer words have rarely, if ever, been uttered.

Alas, we are here to separate The Truth from The Lie, so let us learn you about the WNBA Expansion Draft and how it might affect team with championship aspirations, holiday season college basketball tournament upsets, from the Cayman Island and the Bahamas to Las Vegas and Hawaii, questions about the quality of the NBA’s product, amazing milestones being reached and understanding the relationship of art and commerce within The Association’s current business plan.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Cheat Code, Azzi Fudd, Montreal, Top 25 Under 25, #binHWSBN, Kelsey Plum, Wessssiiiiidddddde, triple single, Will Hardy, Maui Classic, Frank Selvy, moving goalposts, James Todd Smith, fiscal responsibility, Alissa Pili, St. John’s University, Pearl Harbor Day, analytics, Christian Laettner, “tool up”, Black Friday, State Farm vs Allstate, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 196 – Beat The Level

Someone had to set the bar first before there were any attempts at raising it.

On this week’s episode, Wall $t. calls upon Taylor Rodriguez, Community | Brand Leader at streetwear retailer SNIPESUSA, to succeed at exceeding during their chat on women of colour in the industry, the explosion of women’s sports on the landscape and how this surge can grow and be sustained.

Along the way, we talk kicks, FC21 All World Final and FC21CA’s dominance in it, the WNBA expansion plans, free agency, collective bargaining agreements, Clara Tsai, Whoopi Goldberg, Unrivaled and vegan food on the Lower East Side of Manhattan!

We also see who measured up in the NCAA as we approach Feast Week, laud incredible milestones in Storrs and Denver, review a possible Eastern Conference Finals matchup, check ever-changing power rankings on both the collegiate and professional sides and get a surprise leader atop the NBA’s Rookie Ladder!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

#GNX, Cousin Harold, Boriqua, The Vapors, Duck Down Records, Chick Hearn, transnationalism, Butterbean, NBPA, player empowerment, SOLEcial Studies Academy, #RaiseTheFlagg, losing strikes, Earl Manigault, Maui Classic, Jontay Porter, Storrs, Snoop Dogg, FC21 In ’21, Brian Keefe, affirmations, @KoolBobLove, Alphabet City, #TheSoleSister, Rock Steady Crew, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 195 – The Me Nobody Knows

Self-critiques can be harsh.

Vulnerability may not always be your friend, but there is healing in letting go of certain predispositions and conditioning.

Think of it a Chicken Noodle Soup For The Soul!

And this week, Wall $t. looks to soothe you with his thoughts on the week that was, be it the self awareness of one artist not professionally known as Malik Abdul Aziz, the aura of the greatest mixed martial artist who ever lived, living on WNBA’s Wing and a prayer in Dallas, a huge milestone in college basketball for an immortal, a legendary losing strike in the NBA and what we learned about language and the Emirates NBA Cup.

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Chevano, spate, Carlton, unassailable NBA records, Gronk, Jesus Shuttlesworth, mild stroke, Whoopi Goldberg, “Knoxvul”, Ime Udoka, bullying, #Ricky3Stax, combat sports, Arike Ogunbowale, The University Of California At Los Angeles, V.J. Edgecombe, proclivities, Mason “The Line” Dixon, shoehorned, Khabib Kurmagomendov, House Of Cards, Robert James Richie, WuTang Clan, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 194 – Main Character Syndrome

Basketball is a team sport.

Though we generally walk alone along paths we follow or those we blaze, we collect a squad during the journey.

They all play a role, be it for a reason, season or a lifetime x back to be a star in his role is Walker Mehl, co-host of the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Locked On Hornets podcast and WFNZ-FM radio stalwart.

Walker and Wall $t. separate the real from the lie on everything from the greatness of Dawn Staley, family road trips, The Black Guy Who Tips podcast and Michelle Beadle’s liberal lyrics, to NBA All Star Weekend showdowns, perennial Eastern Conference powerhouses down bad and of course, we bumble with the bees as we chat on the new look Charlotte Hornets!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

#mapleGxNG, Greg Oden, Veteran’s Day, The Big O, LeBronto, whiteness, The Big Dipper, A Tribe Called Quest, The Charlotte Sting, Phonte Lyshod Coleman, tertiary, Elevator Ernie, Gatorade, Jerry Springer, NBA League Pass, Joe Cronin, intellectual property, Eddie Bird, Viagra, @LayWitDaButta, “pig soooey”, Dahntay Jones, Maples Pavillion, Guiding Light, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 193 – Old Justice

Two weeks down in this 79th NBA season and we’ve had a couple of surprise learnings about some teams with championship aspirations who may have to realign their alignment to flip their dreams into reality.

But Wall $t. lets you know there is more than that to be had in a week where we were hit with a serious injury bug, held hope for the promise of several rookies, welcomed the return of college basketball, reviewed the excitement around superlative second year players in both the NBA and NCAA as well as saying fare thee well to a giant of mankind in the glow of a potentially transformative presidential election in the United States!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Hammurabi’s Code, Angel Reese, 15 Forever, Relitigation, Josh Giddey, home invasion, GG Jackson, Detroit Pistons, Election Day, RIP Q!, Oklahoma shade, “chuchau”, Menace 2 Society, Brittney Mahomes, Dallas Cowboys, couch money, Sam Lacey, DHOs, Radford, New York Marathon, Olivia Miles, tofu, Universal Music Group, Gary, Indiana, Yale, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1

The Open Run With Will Strickland Episode 192 – Peace In The Puzzle

The Immortal Kneegrow Poet, GOAT-tier wordsmith and current full time flautist Andre Lauren Benjamin once uttered a homophone that resonated heavily with the person typing right now when he said:

“… Peace, My Brother!  Peace this and peace that… But every time I’m trying to have some peace of mind, N***as wanna take a piece of mine… So I had to grab my piece!”

It is a sad reality for many in the place we call Earth.
And this week, Wall $t. calls on former NBA legend Mahmoud Abdul Rauf as we look to figure some things out together and separate the lie from the truth.
We chat everything from the celebrity charity game he played in with a not-so-famous coach, dealing with a disorder while being a public figure, finding out what you truly value when things you love are taken away from you, to al-Islam, making a stand for that which you believe and finding your most authentic self.
Also discussed: Week One of the 24-25 NBA season, A’ja Wilson’s continued greatness, and maybe the greatest 2 minutes and 41 seconds of a couple men living out their wildest hoop dreams.

News. Views. Truths.

References Made:

The Griffeys, Halloween, Sanford and Son, A-1 Since Day 1, scripted reality, Paris 2024, Interior Siberia, progeny, RIP Greg Francis, “swing, swing…”, Agent Provocateur Orange, weight loss, Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, history, Jeannie Buss, Nike AF1s, Pistol Pete, The Golden Gate Bridge, PPP no stimi, Alex Haley, The Big 3, LaFraaaaaaaahnce, The Houston Summit, Tourette’s Syndrome, Sunday School, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!
Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland Episode 191 – Earn The Sunset

Why would we things we take for granted when the blessing is generally in having the opportunity to be and do better than we did the day prior, no?
And yet, we do.
Has that ever dawned on you?
In a special episode prepping for the 79th campaign of The Association, Wall $t runs the court on a historic happening in LA, a banner raising in Beantown, future stars plying their trades on college hardwoods with dreams of professional glory and an all-time WNBA Finals classic gets its propers and dues!

News. Views. Truths.

References Made: 

DominAyton, Inuit Dome, Teflon Bill, chip to dip ratios, Ken Griffey, Jr., two-way players, Nyara Sabally, St. Michael Jeffrey Of Wilmington… Delaware, Loud Records, Cheryl Reeve, goals, Birkin bags, bin Olu Dara, first world problems, Yuki Kawamura, Blazay Blazay, Cooper Flagg, ensconced, Karl Anthony Uptowns, MiLaysia Fulwiley, payday loans, Allyson Felix, Point Goddess, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland Episode 190 – Rock Bottom

Are we talkin’ Dwayne Johnson, the depth of an addition… or like the foliage of Fall, where every team starts at the beginning of a new NBA season?
You already know the deal!
This week, Wall $t. enlists the co-hosts of Hip Hop Hoops, Iggy and Woods, to run their resumes and swap bars on This Thing Of Ours called Basketball.
In a special episode prepping for the 78th campaign of The Association, the guys dole out the goods and bads in an awards show unlike any other, look back on 30 seasons of NBA hoops north of the border, fete the GROAT: Greatest Raptor Of All Time, and salute the latest class to be canonized in hoop’s most hallowed of halls!

• Part I: Iggy and Woods playing FC21CA 2025, VC In HOF, Raptors Season Preview, and 4th Annual #DoWork Awards – Preseason Edition, Part I

• Part II: Salute HOFers Seimone Augustus, Michael Cooper and Chauncey Billups, and 4th Annual #DoWork Awards – Preseason Edition, Part II
  

A time so epic was had!

News. Views. Truths.

References Made: 

Cornbread, Earl and Me, Strange’, hawk tuah, Jane and Finch, Mayo Mamba, Nike Battlegrounds, Trix cereal, Tammy Sutton-Brown, cowboy boots, Sherman Hamilton, BOLO, Naismith Memorial Hall Of Fame, Pandemic P, “that thing”, BBQ, J-J-Jenga, Loaded Lux, The Benn Watch, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!
Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1  

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 189 – Blackronyms

“IBYAYABM!”
Meaning?
“I’ve Been Your Age… You Ain’t Never Been Mine!”
One could lose count of exactly how many times this phrase, and other variations, have been uttered to a someone who’d violated the sanctity of an child-to-adult family interaction.

SOGFB.
Coded language as a means of survival was a necessity for a group of people forcibly brought to North America for the function of serving as unpaid labour for 500-plus years.
Going from their own languages and dialects to learning to speak The King En-A-Lish was a thing… until it wasn’t.
Words have Meanings… and these Meaning for Mentalities.
In a world full of binary extremes, terms like “classic” and “love” are worn out unnecessarily.
On this episode, we find a classic love story, wrapped up in This Thing Of Ours called Basketball as Wall $t. talks hoop life, family, fight, faith and fun with Canada Basketball veterans and happily married couple Alex “Superman” Johnson and his wife, Brey.
WNBA playoffs, navigating live with cancer and a young child, potential resentment, Olympic bids and a mother’s love for a new Naismith Memorial Basketball Of Fame entrant get covered as well!
YOLO!

News. Views. Truths.

References Made:  

Red Mamba, “The Peculiar Institution”, Raven Symone, FiF, German National, stability, James Wiseman, The Victory Shake, North Carolina Pro-Am, underwriting, Harry Potter, “Phee’nds”, universal health care, Pig Latin, Candace Parker, progeny, Nav Bhatia, “rizz”, The Cheesecake Factory, Sabrina Ionescu, OTG, Genesis, Manny “Move The Crowd” Campbell, Sesame Street, joy, The Big 3, bible study, Bill Laimbeer, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!
Do What’s Popular With The Population!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1   

The Open Run With Will Strickland Episode 188 – Late Model Sedan

Is 50 the new 40?
Is everything old new again?
The soon-to-be 40 year old all-time great of the Los Angeles Lakers embarks on another record-setting and history making campaign during The Association’s 78th season, the man whose longevity record is being tied by #HWSBN is once again at the centre of controversy in Toronto, and tired racial and sexual tropes get appropriated all over again in Indiana as well as all over social media, so who's to blame?

We’ve seen this movie before, so how do we change and control the narrative?
WNBA conference semifinals match the four best teams in the league, so will we seeing new champs emerge or will the queens with rings reign again?
And last, but certainly not least, we say goodbye a giant of humanity and hoops.

News. Views. Truths.

References Made:

The Closer, bridesmaids, game plan discipline, Landover, Mighty Mouse, stan culture, Mt. Mutumbo, family reunions, TSpoon, territorial picks, Gabby Williams, Columbusing, Cornbread Maxwell, Jenga, Tony Allen, Sufficient Daddying, Bo Schembechler, 2012 Olympics, Truth & Reconciliation, Ben Wilson, FC21CA, Orange Shirt Society, 1v1, Lake Trout sandwiches, Air Canada, Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!
Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1   

The Open Run With Will Strickland Episode 187 – Deep Cover

There is an argument in these rough interweb streets as to who the most famous rapper alive today…
Many names may come to mind, and when you weigh the pros and cons of your decision, perhaps there will be consensus on who just may fit that bill.
What is also fitting as Fall is officially here and with that, so too are the WNBA playoffs, the 33d Anniversary of an album that got Wall $t. through university and the opening of the 78th season of the National Basketball Association.
We’re going to give away some well-earned WNBA #DoWork Awards, talk league expansion, more record breaking, a controversial number retirement and wishing the happiest of birthdays to a hip hop and hoops icon.

News. Views. Truths.

References Made:

Pokey Chapman, #NoDiddy, 1-2-3-Cancun!, Houston Comets, point gawd, John Wick, sell high, Red Autry, second apron, Mat Ishbia, Fenway Sports Group, Woj Bombs, Nike Battlegrounds, SupaCat, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, Amir Johnson, They | Them, flowers for Tina Charles, Belize, Half Man | Half Amazing, PDX, Kendrick Jeru Davis, Sports Illustrated, dildos, ‘Murica, DJ Cucumber Slice, pugilism, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!
Do What’s Popular With The Population!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1   

The Open Run With Will Strickland
Episode 186 – Winds Of Change

In the words of that Immortal Poet, the late, great Marcel Theo Hall:

“Can You Feel It?

Nothin’ Can Save You, ‘Cuz This Is The Season Of Catching The Vapors!”

And vapors indeed you will catch as we blow into fall and that means a couple of things:

·      Playoffs for the most exciting and the most important WNBA season are on the horizon

·      The 78th season of the National Basketball Association begins

·      College basketball’s Midnight Madness is not far behind

Wall $t. will be dropping bars on everything from the passing of music icons, anniversaries of legendary albums, birthdays of GOAT emcees and the man who changed language forever to failed “almost alleged” assassination attempts, fanatic tomfoolery, hoops milestones and recognizing the value and spirit of trees.

News. Views.
Truths.

References Made: Bonafide Backyard BBQ Bangers, leaves, @thekinghandles, Le Belle Province, Timothy Elpadaro Thedford, listening vs. hearing, Springfield, bin Olu Dara, pumpkins, Eddie Murphy, domestic terrorism, Seimone Augustus, The Tasty Animal Theory, misogyny, “Republicans Wear Sneakers, Too!”, Shark Biters, “shut up and dribble”, The Hammer, empirical data, Cathy Engelbert, hip hop culture, #GoBlue, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!
Don’t Get Beat Of The Dribble!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will Strickland Episode 185 - #FiF

In Toronto, the end of the Canadian National Exhibition on Labour Day Monday generally marks the end of Summer.
Similar scenes play themselves out across the country and maybe even the continent as the younglings head back to school and the rest of us wrap our minds around the dawn of Fall: football and foliage.

Back to help Wall $t. bring the games of Autumn into the fore is long-time collaborator, amigo, comrade, homie, friend and Super Producer Ryan Antonio Henry, who builds on everything from the WWE and NFL to the NBA, WNBA and the ever-triumphant FC21CA, The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament!
News. Views. Truths.

References Made:

Dave Chappelle, terrorist lairs, Air Swoopes, Bash In Berlin, hahnchen, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, jingoism, The Duke Brotherhood, Maya Moore, repurposing, Temetrius Jamel Morant, The Pork Chop Squad, Emirates NBA Cup, FC21 All World, Tracy LaMar McGrady, Jr. shade, The Local Gallery, Manny #MoveTheCrowd Campbell, SOLEcial Studies, BBL Drizzy, Brown Ballers, #DoWork Awards, Isaiah Wong, Lufthansa Airlines, No Xmas Giannis LaTerrence, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 184 – Failed Hate Watch
You could hear it in their voices, and tightly clinched Arthur fists, whether on screen or off of it, watching the games with baited breath.
Rabbit’s feet, rosary beads, voodoo dolls, Infinity Stones and various boxes of Lucky Charms cereal were initiated in full for the fall of American hoops exceptionalism in France.
Alas, it was not to be…
But for how long will it not?
Here to help Wall $t. break it all down is Canadian former D-1, professional hooper and CEO of Zer0 Doubt basketball skill training, Chadrack Lufile, who has alot to say about Canada Basketball men’s and women’s performances at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, be it about 5v5 or 3x3.
The big man also drops bars on the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League championship, why one of his brothers should get a shot in 2028 on the national squad, Zach Edey, Team USA’s Avengers, the plight of Jayson Christopher Tatum, Sr., Steve Kerr’s one job and being a part of The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, Full Court 21 Canada!

News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

The AmeriCanadian, Roy Bobby Rana, mixtape era, French Pastry, Khalil Ahmad, Duke Guys, The Goat, Nerf Hoop, athletics, Rowan Barrett, grape drank, HBD Hip Hop, “Bodega”, Paul Wight, taco meat, Killers Only, Cleanthony Early, entertainment vs IQ, The Avengers, RIP Greg Francis, The CEBL, Phil Wizard, parity, South Sudan, Jimmer Fredette, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!
Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 183 – Haliwood, Halifornia

“Home Away From Home” seems pretty self-explanatory, but have you ever truly found and enjoyed one?

The last stop on the 2024 FC21CA Canadian National Tournament Tour feels like a home away from home for Wall $t. as the community comes together like an Olympic Village to ensure the absolute best presentation possible.

And, maybe with the prominence of legendary rap figures at the Paris Games, like Snoop Dogg, Flavor Flav and even Ice Cube, who is not there, but is engaged in a way that could change the way certain business is done, has theculture found a “home away from home”?

Team USA’s 5v5 reps are cruising in relative comfort toward the medal podium whilst their 3x3 counterparts struggle. Opposite of that, Team Canada’s 5v5 men’s squad and their women’s 3x3 unit have great opportunities to medal as well, though the women’s 5v5 was eliminated in historic fashion.

So relax… unwind and go for a hoop ride with us to get the stories behind the numbers!

News.

Views.

Truths.

References Made:

Arthur Fist meme, The Supreme Team, Noah Lyles, Natal Day, women in sports, Reese Zorogole, The Big 3, Gigi Bryant, ELAM Rules, man caves, pate’ de biscuit, Trader Danny, Colorado, Ivan Drago, legendary Sixers, girl dad, The Terminators, high school player rankings, Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, habits > goals, The New York Post, emcees from New Jerusalem, The Quiet Finger, Shakespeare… kinda…, The Geto Boys, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets:

Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 182 – Viva Las YEGas

When you have to reinvent yourself, do you look to the Olympic opening ceremonies for fashion forwardness… or do you sponsor an entire Olympic sport?

If your name becomes a verb like Jeffrey Atkins’ did, can you reinvent yourself in something that is so fleeting like celebrity?
The answers to pressing questions like these can be found in this week’s episode of the podcast, where we’re talking all things Olympic basketball, from how a first-team All-NBA player, newly minted with the biggest contract in league history right after helping his own team to the 2023-2024 title and 2020 Olympic gold medalist, doesn’t see the court, USA’s 3x3 woes and ponder the Olympic future of The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament, FC21CA while welcoming the youngest champ ever into #mapleGxNG!

News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

Sonya Massey, Paris 2024, vlogging, Santi Aldama, kerfuffle, Issa Rae, Murder Was The Case, Captain America, The Culture, nicknomenclature, 21 Questions, 70s and 80s cop shows, Thanos Olympiocos, Dad I Did My Homework, The Artist Formerly Known As Dante Terrell Smith, The Pork Chop Squad, octogenarians, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 181 – Basking In The Light
It is said that what is done in the dark must soon come to… well… You see the title of the episode!
Could that glow of America’s promise come in the form of its first woman president, who just so happens to be Black?

We may be a bit away from that, if it is ever to occur, but we’ll burn a candle for those who value the idea of democracy, diversity, equality and The Strickland Way as we invite 2-time Full Court 21 Canada-Montreal champ Mukiya Post into the centre while he and Wall $t. talk less politics and a whole lot of hoops origin story and hopes.
The guys salute #HWSBN on his historic appointment for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games while marveling at the fact that he’s still one of the best players on the planet, even at his advanced basketball age, discuss the angst around the #55 pick in this year’s draft, bid fare thee well to some important figures in This Thing Of Ours and show the utmost love and respect for the sparkling performances at the WNBA All Star Weekend!

News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

Iron Solomon, My Philosophy, Tron’s big day in court, Penny, ageism, Shawn Corey Carter, Arabic, King Handles, Drumpf, Jellybean, The Hague, Chi-Town Barbie, presidential libraries, Screamin’ A, Move The Crowd, Water Pistol Pete, Jr., #1On1 With Will x Duane, broughtupsy, Hussein, Juris Doctor and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 180 - Time

In this Life, you may find that Love is the most elusive commodity… and that Time is the most expensive.
The continuum offers conundrum in that it eventually ends.
And while that feels like a contradiction, and perhaps it is, it waits for no man, woman or child.

The End shows up at your door and tells you without ever actually uttering a word: I Am Inevitable!
What is also a part of The Natural Order Of Things is The World’s Most Unique Tournament, two Canadian National Tournament Tour stops down, three to go before the All World Final in New York City, our champs getting older, having to make way for new blood, Team USA turmoil of sorts with Kawhi and KD, the alleged threat of Jaylen Brown, #HWSBN, auspicious and inauspicious NBA summer League debuts, the week that was in The WNBA, A’ja Gon’ A’ja, an epically historic streak is snapped and the prize is… a doll?

News.Views.Truths.

References Made: ChiTown Barbie, patsies, smooze booze cruise, Brazilian Senior National Women’s Basketball Team, Ryan Antonio Henry, friends vs friendly, the ancient Japanese art of origami, Rest In Paradise, Alex Jones, smoothies, The Gipper, wrasslin’, Irma Thomas, Ball Her Way, Sauce Bawselino, SAMO, wire fraud, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will StricklandEpisode 179 – Nobody’s A Nobody

Not sure if being a star in your role in Life is so much about effort as it is understanding.
The clarity, effort and focus it takes to live your dream can’t be understated.
But we ain’t gotta dream no’ mo’… because we got MOMO!
This week, Wall $t. calls on Toronto Raptors Registered Massage Therapist and owner of the world’s best laugh, Melissa “MOMO” Doldron, to talk NBA Summer League whilst the two get their Mary J. Blige on, reminiscing about when they first met, boxing and her amazing sense of spirit that guides her career arc.
In addition, the friends chat the impact of the WNBA coming to Toronto, which Canada Basketball squad heading to Paris has the best chance at earning a medal, Full Court 21 Canada’s #LadiesFirst initiative and how where she works reflects the city in which we inhabit being a great thing for the progression of women in sport, on and off the playing surface.
News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

Pinball Clemons, All Balls Don’t Bounce, boxing, Freshman 15, LinkedIn addictions, Lenn-ox Lewis, meritocracy, Alex McKechnie, Fiserv Forum, Dedmonton, sip and paint, Masai Ujiri, Porter Airlines, Roundball BC, The Count Of Monte Fisto, Asa Rehman, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will StricklandEpisode 178 – The Stuff In The Basement
You gotta do something you never did to get something you never had…
Read it again.
What does it truly mean to you?
Plenty have the talent to go get it… Few have the habits and discipline to not only get it, but keep it.
Sustained Greatness.
That is the subject matter for the day as Wall $t. tests your chest, doing a deep dive on a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup surprise, free agency on Day One in The Association, The World’s Most Unique Basketball Tournament being back outside again, bombshells in The French Revolution and last, but most certainly not least, the most anticipated and scrutinized second round of the NBA Draft in the history of mankind.
Yeah. It’s that level of hyperbole and absurdity.
Can you stomach it?

News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

Brongevity, #binHWSBN, All Balls Don’t Bounce, Udonis Haslem, jettisoned, Terms Undisclosed, Stephon Marbury, The Silent Assassin, dap, Oatmeal Women, party joints, The Gift and The Curse, Cheryl Reeve, for unlawful carnal knowledge, Maple Jordan, Lifetime Achievement Award, Quill Game Heavy, European wanderlust, The Stylistics, Below The Hardwood, Travis Kelce and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will StricklandEpisode 177 – Price Of The Ticket

When the late great James Brown said he’s paid the cost to be the boss, it was understood that he’d chosen to do something he never did to get something he’d never had.
Are you willing to do the same for whatever your passion is?
Wall $t. calls on The Man They Call Twin aka Hussein Abdullahi, Commissioner of the Toronto Pro-Am Summer League, to talk about investment levels of time andeffort to find ultimate success, why doing things for “The Culture” matters and a FC21CA collab!
The guys also review The 2024 league champion Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum’s hunt for a personality and viral moment, Jaylen Brown’s permanent leap intosomething beyond superstardom, the significance of 617, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark III, Canada Basketball’s good problems, the Raptors, Zach Edey and the NBA Draft, and home scorekeepers juicing the numbers for the Defensive Player Of The Year of St. Michael Jeffrey Of Wilmington in 1987-1988 season?
Oh no… Say it ain’t so!

News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

Forrest Gump, “Sloot”, collective bargaining agreement, Sports Illustrated, The Answer, Gangteenth, Dawn Staley, fire sale, Nipsey Hussle, Toronto Pro-Am, sorority, In Control Dillon, cooking the books, Mohandas Dewese, Yahoo Sports, Michael Cooper, Black Music Month, white Ford Bronco, The Wire, York University, Scott Wayne Barnes, “the culture”, LeBronto, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will StricklandEpisode 176 – The Uncertainty Scale

Self doubt can be an evil temptress.
One could possess all of the necessary tools to find success and ultimate glory, only to be hamstrung by any number of obstacles, real and imagined.
We traverse the sum of all fears with Friend Of The Program and host of Touring The AFC South, Mike Patton, vacationing above the 49th Parallel in The 6ix, to help Wall $t navigate the world of hoops this week!
The real meaning of Father’s Day is explored, which playershave fathered sons and sonned fathers in The Association, the dangerous precedent that even Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese can’t stop, and after the first four games of the NBA Finals, what did we really learn about these teams and their star players?

News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

Tariq St. Patrick, El Heneral”, Indiana Clarks, glizzies, John Cena, Indigenous Peoples Day, Kobayashi, independence, Bomani Jones, highlights, Bernard McCullough, muthafucka, DMX, “Send It In, Jerome!”, gymnastics scoring, LinkedIn, Jimmy Walker not Jimmie Walker, QWERTY Courage, Lonzo Ball, Chubby’s, matador defense, Marlon Starling, YMCA, Touring The AFC South, DeLorean, The Wardells, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Do What’s Popular With The Population!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1 IG: @WillStrickland1 

The Open Run With Will Strickland

Episode 175 - The Standard
How many of us measure our success and happiness on the accolades and accumulations… of others?
Having examples to review as an indication of bar setting is great; using those examples as your bar?
Not so much.
Well, level up as Wall $t. assesses the first two game of the NBA Finals, primes Vancouver for the start of Full Court 21 Canada’s 2024 National Tournament Tour, salutes those who plants seeds that grow strong roots on and off the court,gives us a WNBA Power 5 and Rookie Watch for the week, launches the Caitlin Clark Protectionism Investigation Agency and ponders why Life gives you The Test first, then The Lesson after…

News.Views.Truths.

References Made:

Robert Keith Horry, listening vs. hearing, Paige Bueckers, Verizon Center, protectionism, Children Of The Corn, 1981 NBA Finals MVP, humility, Margo Dydek, iPromise School, the first ever kiss, Dearica Hamby, hoop goons, Drederick, Monday Night Football, Connor McDavid, air quotes, St. Michael Jeffrey Of Wilmington, Sucka Sauce, Nigeria, prostate cancer, Wilton Norman Chamberlain, and more, all on the podcast where Basketball and Life are One: The Open Run With Will Strickland!

Don’t Get Beat Off The Dribble!

Find Will On These Rough Interweb Streets: Twitter: @W_Strickland1

IG: @WillStrickland1