Lebron James Is AP's Male Athlete of Decade
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TPA TEXAS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION This paper can www.TheAustinVillager.com be recycled Vol. 47 No. 24 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: [email protected] January 3, 2020 LeBron James is Serena Williams is INSIDE AP’s Male AP’s Female Athlete of Decade Athlete of Decade By Tim Reynolds | AP Basketball Writer By Howard Fendrich | AP Tennis Writer Explore John’s RAPPIN’ Holiday wishlist. Tommy Wyatt See SPORTS Page 3 HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Here’s wishing each and every one of you a Happy New Year and best wishes for 20/20. As we enter into Recalling influential another year, we are iconcs, pioneers. often asked about the See GOODBYE future of Black Owned Page 4 Newspapers. That is a question that I cannot answer. Because from my prospective, our industry is as strong as ever. However, noth- ing is guaranteed. The Devin D. Delivers landscape is rapidly This Oct. 28, 2012, file photo shows Serena Williams of the U.S. holding her See DESTROY changing as we get Page 6 further into the elect- trophy after her tennis victory against ronic age,. Maria Sharapova of Russia on the final of ‘The Slaves I have to admit that I the WTA Championships in Istanbul, am a slow learner for Turkey. Williams has been voted the AP Dread New keeping up with the Female Athlete of the Decade for 2010 to Year’s Day the times and the changes in 2019. (AP Photo/File) our digital new world. (AP) - Serena Williams dominated the decade, Worst’: The I am among the group on the court and in conversation. Grim History that is still trying to get There were, to begin with, the dozen Grand st used to the internet and Slam single titles — no other woman had more than of January 1 the cell phone. It is not three over the past 10 seasons — and the three- that I do not want to keep Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and-a-half years in a row at No. 1 in the WTA up, it appears that the dunks against the Denver Nuggets during the rankings. harder I try, the further I first quarter an NBA basketball game Dec. 3, And then there was the celebrity status that get behind. But I am 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) transcended tennis, making everything she did and constantly trying to keep (AP) - He left Cleveland for Miami, finally be- said newsworthy, whether it was the triumphs and BY OLIVIA B. WAXMAN up as I get further came a champion, went back to his beloved north- trophies and fashion statements or the disputes Courtesy TIME behind. east Ohio, delivered on another title promise, then with tournament officials, the magazine covers or I was shocked the left for the Los Angeles Lakers and the next chal- the Super Bowl ad with a message about women’s (TIME) - Americans other day when I lenge. He played in eight straight finals. No NBA power, the birth of her daughter or the health scare are likely to think of New received the news that player won more games or more MVP awards over that followed. Year’s Eve and New one of the largest the last 10 years than he did. He started a school. Still winning matches and reaching Grand Slam Year’s Day as a time to newspapers on the West He married his high school sweetheart. finals into her late 30s, still mattering as much as celebrate the fresh start Coast is closing its doors “That’s all?” LeBron James asked, feigning dis- ever, Williams was selected by The Associated Press that a new year repre- for good. And we have belief. as the Female Athlete of the Decade on Dec. 28 af- sents, but there is also a watched the changes that No, that’s not all. Those were just some high- ter a vote by AP member sports editors and AP beat troubling side to the are taking place in the lights of the last 10 years. There were many more, writers. holiday’s history. In the news papers in Texas. as the man called “King” spent the last decade reign- The AP Male Athlete of the Decade will be an- years before the Civil But, our continued ing over all others — with no signs of slowing down. nounced Dec. 29. War, the first day of the survival depends on the James is The Associated Press male athlete of “When the history books are written, it could new year was often a support of our customers the decade, adding his name to a list that includes be that the great Serena Williams is the greatest heartbreaking one for and advertisers in our Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky and Arnold Palmer. He athlete of all time. … I like to call it the ‘Serena Su- enslaved people in the community. We pledge to was a runaway winner in a vote of AP member perpowers’ — that champion’s mindset. Irrespec- United States. continue working hard in sports editors and AP beat writers, easily outpac- tive of the adversity and the odds that are facing In the African- order to receive your ing runner-up Tom Brady of the New England Patri- her, she always believes in herself,” said Stacey American community, support. ots. Allaster, CEO of the WTA from 2009-15 and now New Year’s Day used to We will continue to “You add another 10 years of learning and ad- chief executive for professional tennis at the U.S. be widely known as “Hir- report the positive news of versity, pitfalls, good, great, bad, and any smart Tennis Association, which runs the U.S. Open. ing Day” — or “Heart- our comunity that you person who wants to grow will learn from all those “Whether it was health issues; coming back; break Day,” as the Afri- cannot get from any other experiences,” James, who turns 35 Monday, told the having a child; almost dying from that — she has can-American abolition- source. AP. “A decade ago, I just turned 25. I’m about to be endured it all and she is still in championship form,” ist journalist William We all must work 35 and I’m just in a better (place) in my life and have Allaster said. “Her records speak for themselves.” Cooper Nell described it together to insure that a better understanding of what I want to get out of Gymnast Simone Biles, the 2019 AP Female — because enslaved America will continue to life.” Athlete of the Year, finished second to Williams in people spent New Year’s be the most desired place Usain Bolt of Jamaica was third for dominat- voting for the decade honor, followed by swimmer Eve waiting, wondering on the planet to live and ing the sprints at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, soc- Katie Ledecky. Two ski racers were next, with if their owners were go- work. We can take the cer superstar Lionel Messi was fourth and Michael Lindsey Vonn finishing fourth and Mikaela Shiffrin ing to rent them out to first step by making sure Phelps — the U.S. swimmer who retired as history’s fifth. someone else, thus po- that we are registered to most decorated Olympian with 28 medals, 23 gold Three of Williams’ five AP Female Athlete of tentially splitting up vote. — was fifth. the Year awards came during the last decade, in their families. The rent- In order to maintain our James was revealed as the winner Dec. 29, one 2013, 2015 and 2018. She also won in 2002 and ing out of slave labor place in the world, we day after Serena Williams was announced as the 2009. was a relatively common must first make sure that AP’s female athlete of the decade. In his 17th sea- “She’s been my idol growing up,” Biles said. practice in the antebel- we have the right elected son, he’s on pace to lead the league in assists for “She’s remained humble. She’s stayed true to lum South, and a profit- officials leading the way able practice for white at all levels of our See THE DECISION, page 2 See ACCOMPLISHMENTS, page 2 See SAYIN’, page 5 government. Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/January 3, 2020 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com The 2010s for James started with “The Decision” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 killing of unarmed the first time while Florida teenager Trayvon remaining among the Martin and campaigning NBA’s scoring leaders. for Hillary Clinton. He “When LeBron supported Colin James is involved,” Den- Kaepernick’s methods of ver coach Michael protesting police brutal- Malone said, “I’m never ity and racial injustice. surprised.” Most recently, he was Including playoffs, criticized by many — in- no one in the NBA cluding top U.S. lawmak- scored more points than ers — for his remarks af- James in the last 10 ter Houston general years. He started the de- manager Daryl Morey cade 124th on the sparked a massive rift league’s all-time scoring between the NBA and list. He’s now about to China by sending out a pass Kobe Bryant for No. tweet supporting pro- 3. No. 2 Karl Malone and democracy protests in No. 1 Kareem Abdul- Hong Kong. Jabbar are within reach. “I don’t live in re- Is Abdul-Jabbar in gret,” James said. his sights? Is catching “There’s no moment in him the new decade’s this last decade that I goal? Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James answers questions as he holds his daughter Zhuri wish I could have back.