There are countless stories about athletes going broke after retirement. To prevent this from happening guys need to have a plan for the future. Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns is working on his post-basketball life with his wife Tamia.

At least now Grant knows he can scratch rapper and dancer from his list of possible jobs in the afterleague. I never thought Grant Hill would be the athlete on YouTube singing about somebody having a big ole butt. What’s next? David Eckstein rapping some Too Short?

Grant Hill, Tamia, youtube

This tribute to the Phoenix Suns’ Grant Hill was shot in 1994, and placed an impossible burden on his shoulders and ankles.

“If God ever wanted to start a production line for the creation of athletes and kings, he would locate it in Janet and Calvin Hill’s home.”

I guess God was gonna do this after Grant moved out because when he was born, his parents house was a production line for really good guys with great college careers that saw their NBA legend status cut down by injuries.. All that plus Tamia? Grant Hill might not be Jesus but he’s done all right.

Tags: Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns, NBA, video, youtube

This is the new pre-game introduction video for the Phoenix Suns. Grant Hill, Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, and Raja Bell were already residents of Planet Orange. The Big Aristotle Shaquille O’Neal is the new addition and he’s playing the role of Shaqzilla.

In two games with Phoenix, Shaq looks rejuvenated.. And a little out of place. That’s to be expected but the Suns coaching staff has to come up with a way to get Shaquille the ball where he’s comfortable. Having Shaq slip screens from the top of the key, catch the ball at the free throw line, and then make a move to the basket isn’t gonna work. Shaq can’t face the basket and shoot past 8 feet, and he can’t dribble. Mike D’Antoni has a beautiful mind for basketball offense, so they’ll get this problem solved.

It looks like the Suns have already been dipping into NFL playbooks when it comes to looking for an advantage over the competition. Phoenix isn’t secretly taping other teams, but they are doing what the Dallas Cowboys did to Jesse Palmer and the New York Giants.

Well done Phoenix. You earned that victory.

Photo courtesy of Andrew D. Bernstein NBAE/Getty Images

Tags: Phoenix Suns, Pregame Introductions, video, youtube, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal

I’m a big fan of HBO’s The Wire. If you’ve never seen it, don’t try picking it up now during the 5th and final season.. Rent seasons 1-4 on dvd, and be prepared for a show that’s 10 times better than The Sopranos. The stories and subplots are suprisingly deep, and the way the different facets of a failing city (government, schools, drugs, media) are covered is unlike anything ever done on television.

Whether you’re a fan of The Wire or not, tell me I’m not dead on with these NBA-Wire look-a-likes.

Toronto Raptors Head Coach Sam Mitchell and Detective Lester Freamon

NBA Official Joey Crawford and Deputy Commissioner for Admin. Stanislaus Valchek

Grant Hill and Sergeant Ellis Carver

Brevin Knight and Malik “Poot” Carr

Scot Pollard and Officer Anthony Colicchio

Darius Miles and Omar Little

Baron Davis and Dennis “Cutty” Wise

Shout out to my brother in G’hood, JG, for helping me put this together.

The Wire cast. Courtesy of HBO.com
Carmelo Anthony’s Fave Five Wire Characters
The NBA and their Hip Hop counterparts

Tags: NBA, The Wire, Photos, Pictures