How Gregg Popovich answered a reporter's now-famous "5 games, 5 blowouts" question. VIDEO:

A reporter asks Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich, "5 games, 5 blowouts...how do you explain that?" And Pop answers the question the only way Pop knows how. MH

The inspiring story of 9/11 hero Welles Crowther. ESPN VIDEO:

"What would you do in the last hour of your life?" 9/11 hero and former Boston College lacrosse player Welles Crowther knew what he wanted to do and the people he saved are forever grateful. Watch his story. MH

ESPN TV Commercial for the World Cup - The World Cup Comes Home. VIDEO:

Watch the visual spectacle that is ESPN's TV commercial for the 2014 World Cup. The theme: The World Cup Comes Home to Brazil. MH

Kobe 9 EM 'Philippines' release on Nike.com this weekend + insight on design inspiration. PHOTOS:

Heads up! The Kobe 9 EM 'Philippines' release on Nike.com happens this weekend. Follow @nikestore on Twitter or check out details here: http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/launch/c/2014-05/kobe-9-premium

Meanwhile, I talked to friends from around the world to ask about the the Kobe 9 EM 'Philippines' and the kind of design feedback and emotional stimulus it inspires:

Andy Butler (@andybutletnet) of designboom.com: I like that the shoe acts almost as a prologue to a much bigger story. At first it seems to be a simple reference to the national flag of the Philippines, but upon further investigation, details such as the woven graphics, the handwritten numbering and the tsinelas on the sole give you a glimpse into Filipino basketball culture.

Joe Amio (@JTNB) of joeisthenewblack.com: I'm not usually a "red shoe" guy but once I found out the heel counter referenced "jeepneys" and then the weaving pattern of the toe area referenced the "weaved mats" I immediately felt attached to the shoe. It's been over fifteen years since I have visited the Philippines but I immediately flooded with the unique memories of zipping around on different jeepneys.

Jay Tiangco (@justjayt): The upper design reminiscent of the banig was well translated, and also one that can be transformed into a multitude of colourways that would be attractive to not only the Filipino Community (in Canada), but also the mainstream consumer market as well. Coming to the realization that the chrome accents on various parts of the shoe were an ode to the Jeepney was a nice touch.

Jacques Slade (@kustoo) of kustoo.com: They are dope. Nike is really making use of the EM and creating great stories behind it.

Jay Tiangco (@justjayt): The tsinelas graphics on the bottom was the icing on the cake for me. It immediately brought back memories of my first time back in the Philippines, as an overconfident Canadian kid going back home for the first time, wearing Nike Air Bo Jackson Trainers to play ball in, only to get beaten on the court real bad by the local kids who wore tsinelas for full court 5-on-5's. And to house it within an icy gum outsole was the perfect way to execute it.

Joe Amio (@JTNB): My absolute favorite detail is the virtual "tsinelas" on the sole! I remember playing with kids in slippers and wondering how they were doing it. Me and my cousins would always say Nike needed to make an "Air Tsinelas"!!! It really is a tribute to the love that Filipinos have for the game.

Go deeper into the design story of the Kobe 9 EM 'Philippines' by perusing through this sublime visual breakdown by @LockerRoomLegend: http://www.lockerroomlegends.ph/2014/04/the-nike-kobe-9-em-philippines-visual.html MH

Translation Time with Rob Reyes and Ranidel De Ocampo - "Momma There Goes That Man"

The downside of TNT playing in the Commish Cup Finals was that we missed Translation Time on Twitter with Ranidel De Ocampo and Rob Reyes. Now that the Finals is over, I'm glad Translation Time is back. Today, Rob asked Ranidel to translate ESPN TV analyst Mark Jackson's superb line, "Momma, there goes that man."

So there it is. Inay, umalis ang tao. Thank you for joining today's Translation Time with Rob and Ranidel. See you next time...or...Kitakits. MH

Tony Parker highlights from WCF Game 1 vs OKC. VIDEO:

When the San Antonio Spurs beat the OKC Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Tony Parker was his usual self. 14 points and 12 assists. What's new? Check out his highlights from Game 1. MH

NBA Game of Thrones by Bleacher Report. Wow. VIDEO:

Saw this at 4:00am this morning and I was trying my best not to laugh out loud. Excellent work by Bleacher Report! The Game of Thrones NBA edition. It explains everything. Boozer is Hodor. Bosh is a Dragon. The Spurs are White Walkers. No wonder the Spurs are unbeatable! MH

The Charity Stripe - The Story behind Rick Barry's Underhand Free Throw. VIDEO:

If you're a fan of basketball history and love all things retro and classic, you need to watch this short film on NBA legend Rick Barry and the lost art of the underhand free throw. This is why I follow @SportsonEarth on Twitter - to find really good stuff like this. The film even features the science behind the underhand free throw and includes interviews with current NBA shooters Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kyle Korver. MH

For Gabe Norwood, The Light by Common is always on Repeat. VIDEO:

We all have songs we love listening to over and over. For ROS and Gilas defensive stopper Gabe Norwood, The Light by Common is always on Repeat. Gabe said, "It's a smooth song that's lyrical and never dated." And yes, that hat-tip to Bobby Caldwell...Sweet. MH

For TNT's Kelly Williams, Elevators by OutKast always on Repeat. VIDEO:

We all have songs we never get tired of listening to. For Talk 'N Text big man Kelly Williams (@KelWilliams21), he always has Elevators by OutKast on repeat. MH

LeBron James scores 49 vs Brooklyn. Highlights in slow-mo. VIDEO:

LeBron James erupts for 49 points against the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 of their second round series. Miami now leads the series, 3-1. Watch LeBron's highlights in NBA Phantom Cam slow-motion. MH

Best Bloopers of the NBA regular season. VIDEO:

Presenting LeBron, Pop, Swaggy P and the best bloopers of the NBA regular season. Whoops! MH

Euroleague basketball stars finish crazy commercial with alley-oop swimming pool dunk. VIDEO:

Stars of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague filmed this crazy commercial - kinda feels like watching a better-planned, properly choreographed Harlem Shake video - with a perfect crazy ending: an alley-oop swimming pool slam dunk. Nuts! MH

Nike celebrates KD's MVP with the KD MVP T-Shirt and surprise KD VI NIKEiD shoe. PHOTO:

To celebrate Kevin Durant's 2013-2014 NBA MVP award, Nike introduces the KD MVP T-Shirt. Nike will also unveil a surprise KD VI NIKEiD shoe soon. Make sure to follow @NikePH on Twitter for more details. Stay tuned. MH

Kevin Durant emotional MVP speech. KD says Mom is the real MVP. VIDEO:

In the first half of the speech, KD said he dreamt of being a youth coach because he loves basketball so much. He also thanked his OKC teammates especially Russell Westbrook:

The absolute highlight: when KD told his mom, Wanda Pratt, that she is the real MVP: 

Congrats KD! MH

Awesome Hair Portraits of Manny Pacquiao, The Spurs and Michael Jordan!!! VIDEO:

Check out these awesome hair portraits of Manny Pacquiao, the top 4 players of the Spurs and Michael Jordan. Here's the Manny Pacquiao masterpiece by "creamthebarber" which was part of a demonstration for students at the Urban Barber College in Concord, CA: 

And here's what master barber Joe Barajas calls Mt. Spursmore featuring San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard:

And finally Joe Barajas aka Joe Barber is back with his Hairness -- Michael Jordan:

Darth Vader tosses out the ceremonial first pitch. The force isn't strong in this one. VIDEO:

Since it's Star Wars Day, you really should watch Darth Vader toss out the ceremonial first pitch during the Milwaukee Brewers versus Cincinnati Reds game. As you'll see, Vader didn't use enough...Force. MH

Dunks! Dunks! Dunks! Gerald Green dunkathon from the regular season. VIDEO:

This is just fun to watch. Watching a collection of Gerald Green dunks from the NBA regular season is like listening to a favorite iTunes playlist over and over. 

"Once you come to Brooklyn, you're part of it." SB Nation essay on the Nets. VIDEO:

Here's a nice video essay by SB Nation on why the Nets belong in Brooklyn:

Damian Lillard Game 6 Game-Winner + Breakdown & Full Highlights. VIDEO:

Watch it again. Damian Lillard with the Game 6 buzzer-beater to send Portland into the second round! 

And here's a breakdown of that last play: 

Plus Damian Lillard's full Game 6 highlights: