Championship Diamonds Part 2 - Jason of Beverly Hills

The second part of my interview with NBA and celebrity jeweller Jason of BH. In this part, we discussed meeting Michael Jackson and making him custom pendants, Drake's basketball league and Steph Curry dropping his Championship ring. Fun fact: Both of Jason's children's names are Jason.

Jewellery is weighed by carat – it’s also weighted by memory. Take LaMelo’s new chain. Basketball’s most anticipated rookie celebrated draft day with a diamond “number one” necklace. For better or worse, Melo’s purchase is embedded with expectation. The item will represent failed potential or a showy pitstop on the path to glory. 

A lifelong hoops fan, Jason relishes these moments. He’s been commemorating player milestones for two decades. In 2016, the NBA asked him to surprise the late Kobe Bryant for his retirement. Jason crafted a set of rings lavish enough to impress someone worth $600 million. 

The dazzling gift, also given to Vanessa, is set with five large diamonds – one for each championship. It holds an additional 20 rocks for every year in the league. Both sides contain Kobe’s jersey numbers and key career dates. The ring also contains snakeskin in tribute to his Black Mamba alias.

“It was amazing for me to have the opportunity to do that,” Jason reflects. “And it’s funny because I saw for the first time the video of him getting the ring just two days ago. I guess there is a video that exists out there on YouTube or somewhere that shows him opening the box, getting the ring and seeing his reaction. That was really cool.”  

Yes, the footage exists. Kobe seems genuinely taken by the gift. He gasps, and barely sits down before standing to tear the box open. Bryant recites “wow” several times as Lakers owner Jeanie Buss looks on, close to tears.

Keep reading here.

Championship Diamonds- Jason Of Beverly Hills

I had a blast writing this and I love the way it’s laid out. I’m also glad I tracked down one of the key players behind NBA Championship jewellery. Jason, as you can tell by his “of Beverly Hills” alias, is such a character. Who else would have two children also named Jason? This guy.

“Jewellery is a form of communication. It says how we feel about ourselves, who we remember and what we believe. A necklace might convey wealth, religion, marital status or pure, unfettered, fresh to death, wipe me down, swag. 

No matter what the jewels proclaim, Jason of Beverly Hills loves the conversation. Drake and ASAP Rocky’s favourite iceman, he adorns A-listers, royalty and the mega-rich. Jason’s lockbox includes diamond-encrusted loafers, a $400k iPhone case and the priciest toy car ever made. Basketball, however, is the soul of the operation.

Around half of all active NBA players wear Jason’s product. His reputation for educating rather than fleecing stars means he’s often introduced right after they’re drafted. LeBron, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green all met the jeweller before their first games.  

Financial wisdom aside, players also depend on JBH’s discretion. He’ll produce a disco-ball chain for a draft pick, help surprise their childhood friend or privately commemorate their loved one. JBH will polish the wedding ring – he’ll also appease the side-chick who didn’t get invited.

Jason’s so ingrained in the NBA; he’s learned to interpret the signs of a long career as well an upcoming blowout. Jewellery purchases say more than you’d think.

When a player examines what they’re buying, to learn what separates the VVS from the cubic zirconia – that attention to detail often translates into their wider career. A rookie who’s savvy with diamonds will likely read a sponsorship deal closely or think twice about leasing that third Mercedes. 

Read the full piece here.

New Freelance Work - A Kung Fu/NBA crossover

Animated tiles by my man Steve Duck, I think they look sick.

Damn I have been writing a lot lately. My brain is actually kinda sore. Anyway, I wrote this piece for Homecourt about the time Kareem starred in a Bruce Lee flick. It was actually super interesting to research. Might have to buy Lee’s autobiography next. Read on…

Bruce Lee stepping to Kareem is an event which belongs in your imagination. A basketball martial-arts crossover featuring a seven-foot centre playing a light-sensitive demon is so ridiculous it has no right to exist. I’ve refreshed Wikipedia and taken a cold shower just to double-check I didn’t make it up. And yet, here we are. 

The world’s standalone Kung-Fu fighter duked it out with Jabbar in 1972’s Game of Death. Bruce Lee’s final outing has the storyline of a Nintendo side-scroller. A retired champion pummels his way through a five-story tower looking for his sister. After defeating a dozen black belts, masters of Korean and Filipino traditions, a kicking adept and a praying-mantis style warrior, Bruce’s final boss is… an NBA champion. Stupid, right? Maybe. But it’s also amazing.   

For those unaware, Bruce’s fusion of swag and fury cannot be replicated. His tenacious smirk pierces the soul. Lee’s shadowboxing is spiritual communion with God. Watch as he two-steps enemies into submission.  

Tomes have been written about Bruce’s influence. He was the archetype for Goku. Neo mimics his beckoning hand in The Matrix. Lee’s melding of martial art disciplines inspired the UFC. There’s a striking resemblance to *Michael Jackson’s choreography. Even his octave shattering pitch sounds like a Jacko ad-lib. 

Before Lee’s untimely 1973 death, he spent years training Kareem. They were introduced while the latter was still in college. Abdul-Jabbar was an aikido disciple. A friend suggested he meet Bruce and try his Jeet Kune Do mechanic. 

Read more here.

A Brave Saga: The First Iranian in the NBA Draft

I love this story. Arsalan Kazemi flew from Iran to America at age 17. He was scared, alone, could barely speak English and was interrogated at customs for six hours where security asked him outright if he was terrorist.

Arsalan spent every day wanting to come home, but he persevered.

For many Americans, he was their first encounter with an Iranian. The teenager shouldered the responsibility of being a national exemplar and grew into a college star. Kazemi was the first of his nation to receive a US sponsorship, play NCAA basketball and become an NBA draftee.

Inspirational, and a cool dude too. Read the piece below.

“Arsalan Kazemi didn’t set out to be a diplomat – he just wanted to ball. Unfortunately, his heritage fixed the rules. Being an Iranian on the global stage ain’t easy. Arsalan’s career is a perpetual mosaic of triumph and resilience. Luckily, he’s forged for the challenge. Maybe that’s why his name means ‘lion.’

Kazemi’s homeland is a nation of diverse culture, rich art heritage and palatial architecture. Iran has luxuriant forests, sweeping mountains and a tradition of warm-hearted hospitality. Sadly, these qualities are veiled by conflict. Political upheaval and decades of intercontinental head-butting have been the country’s 50-year headline. 

After an inspirational college run, Arsalan returned home from the States in 2015. He’s currently plotting his next venture as Iran is ravaged by Covid-19. The infections are endless, fatalities are soaring and the basketball season has been sidelined. U.S sanctions have also shackled the economy. Any opportunity to earn a livable player salary is on a cliff-edge. Times are truly uncertain. 

As a kid, Arsalan had no clue about domestic affairs, but he did know basketball. Day and night, night and day, it didn’t matter – he would spend every second putting up shots.” Read more at Homecourt.