Moses Malone is a Hall of Famer who played for nine different teams during his 21-year career in the ABA and NBA.  He played with and against many of the greatest players of all time, and was one himself, having won three MVP awards as well as being named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA History.

“21 years in the NBA were great for me. The opportunity to play against a lot of the great ballplayers. We won a championship back there in 1983. Went there in 1981 with the Houston Rockets, but the 76ers were my best team. I loved playing with that team,” he told Jared Ginsberg of Class Act Sports.

Malone, who won his only NBA title with the 76ers in 1983, ranks in the top ten in many offensive categories, but was never a fan of individual accolades.

“The main thing is just winning. My goal is to win, not about the individual stuff. Playing with a team like the 76ers, was a big thing for me,” he said.

Malone was on hand at Nat Moore’s Gold Outing in Florida in March, which is where Jared Ginsberg of Class Act Sports caught up with the legend.

“It’s a great opportunity to be here. Nat Moore he’s done great things. It is a great cause. I am happy to be here, and I am enjoying myself. I do a lot of these. Nat Moore is one I do every year. I’m happy to come here. I’ll be back next year. I just look forward to being back every year,” Malone said.

Former NBA All-Star Cliff Robinson is as competitive as they come.  Perhaps that is why he respects and gets along so well with Knicks legend John Starks.

“John has been very active in the philanthropy. Doing what he can to give back ever since he has been in the league. Any time you have an opportunity to come out and support another fellow athlete. When it comes to dealing with giving back, you should always do what you can to lend your support,” Robinson told Jared Ginsberg of Class Act Sports while at John Starks’ bowling event fundraiser in Manhattan which took place in February.

The event raised money for the John Starks Foundation which Starks started in 1994, granting scholarships to kids who otherwise could not afford to go to college.

The eighteen-year veteran scored almost 20,000 points in his career while suiting up for five teams. He made the playoffs in 17 of those 18 seasons, and although he was never teammates with Starks, he saw him enough to know how good he was.

“You knew when you played against John, you would have to come out and compete. That’s one thing that he is very known for. Going out and competing to the top of his ability. Whether he was having a good game offensively or not, you knew you had to go out there and compete,” Robinson said.

The competitor in Robinson didn’t leave once he retired.

“I don’t see a lot of bowlers out there so I think I have an opportunity to win,” he told Class Act Sports.

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Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard continues to support the communities that support him by putting on events like “The Josh Howard Celebrity Weekend” in Dallas, TX, which was held in June 2011. Class Act Sports’ Dessie Brown covered the event and talked with some of the celebrities at the event.

“It feels real good to be able to come back to the city where I played and continue to do the charity support that I do. It’s great. So, I’m glad to be out here to do that,” Howard tells Class Act Sports at the Celebrity Basketball Game.

“The Josh Howard Foundation is dedicated to helping improve the quality of life economically challenged communities by utilizing programs and services that focuses on academic improvement, community outreach and athletic and fitness training,” according to the foundation’s website at JoshHowardFoundation.com. The foundation also helps those of all ages, from children to senior citizens, by donating money to community programs in need of assistance.

Howard shares with Class Act Sports that he also reaches out to his hometown of Winston Salem, NC, as well as the Washington D.C. area, where he played.

“I do stuff (charity events) back at home, in my hometown of Winston Salem, NC. I also ventured out in the D.C. area once I got up there and played (2010-2011). I did a turkey drive. I did a single-parent dinner. Just a couple of things like that to show the community that there is an athlete out there that is hands on,” he tells Brown.

Many celebrities were in attendance at the basketball game. Among those in attendance was LaMarcus Aldridge, NBA forward and center. Aldridge was drafted second overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by Chicago Bulls and then traded to Portland Trail Blazers, where he has played since.

Aldridge, who is from the Dallas area, tells Brown how he feels about taking part in the charity event.

“Feels good to come back home. To be in this gym is definitely big for me. I played here, so it’s bringing back old memories for me,” Aldridge tells Class Act Sports.

Brown also caught up with future NFL Hall of Fame receiver, Terrell Owens. Recovering from a torn ACL and missing the previous football season, Owens still found time to support the cause.

“Great to be apart of something special. Josh Howard, obviously doing what he does to support the community. And obviously the community has come out to support him. So, it’s a great deal,” Owens said to Class Act Sports.

Owens joined the Allen Wranglers with the Indoor Football League in November 2011 and became a co-owner of the team in January 2012.

Oakland Raiders cornerback Bryan McCann also came out to support the Josh Howard Foundation and talked to Dessie Brown with Class Act Sports.

“It feels good to be able to come out to south Dallas and give something back to an area that doesn’t get a lot of celebrities coming through or a lot of good positive events going on. And, so, as soon as I heard that they were trying to do something to give back to the community, I was definitely down to be apart of it,” McCann mentioned.

McCann signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. In his first game with Dallas, he broke the team record (100 yards) for the longest interception return of 101 yards.

Howard’s former Dallas Maverick teammate Marquis Daniels, guard and forward for the Boston Celtics, talked to Brown about the energy at the event.

“[I’m] Just coming out to support the Josh Howard Foundation. It’s a good turnout. As you can see, the crowd is all hyped up. [Josh] Got a lot of good players in here, so it should be a good game,” Daniels tells Class Act Sports.

Daniels, who was discovered by Mavericks’ head coach Don Nelson while watching game tapes of Josh Howard, played with Howard during the 2003-2006 seasons.

Also in attendance was Howard’s former Wizards teammate (2010-2011), forward Rashard Lewis. Lewis shared his take on giving back to the community with Brown.

“It feels good. I’m always willing to give back to the community. The community supports us during the season. So, there is no reason why we shouldn’t give back to them during our off-time,” Lewis explains to Class Act Sports.

Lewis is a two-time NBA All-Star and has played in the NBA since 1998, drafted by the Seattle Supersonics. He also played for the Orlando Magic.

Also taking a moment to talk to Brown of Class Act Sports was Martellus Bennett, tight end for the New York Giants.

“It’s my first time playing (in the yearly event). I’ve known Josh [since] he was in Dallas. So, it’s just a pleasure being out here with these NBA players,” he tells Class Act Sports.

Bennett played with the Dallas Cowboys since being drafted by the team in the second round in the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed March 2012 with the Giants.

Charlotte Bobcats center and Howard’s former Mavericks teammate (2005-2008), DeSagana Diop, gave his reason for his support of Howard’s event.

“Josh has been a great teammate with the Mavericks for three and a half years. We kept a good relationship, a friendship. [He’s] one of my best friends in the league. Having something like this, just to give back to the community. I just want to show my support,” Diop said.

The 7 ft shot blocking specialist was the 8th overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2001 NBA Draft.

The Josh Howard Foundation’s 2011 Celebrity Basketball Game was a success with many celebrities in attendance all in support of a great community cause.

Naturally John Starks received most of the attention at his Bowling Fundraiser at Lucky Strike Lanes in Manhattan, which benefitted the John Starks Foundation. But Starks differed the praise to those helping him out, such as friend and former Knick Charles Oakley.

“When I throw an event, I can count on this man any time and that means a lot to me personally,” Starks said, interviewing his friend for Class Act Sports at the event in February.

The foundation, created in 1994, gives scholarships to children in need of financial aid in order to further their education by attending college.

“First of all I am glad to be here. You have been doing this for a long time and you always give back. We need more guys in the present life to try and pick up on the things, try to give back to people and bring people together. So I have to take my hat off to you for that,” Oakley told Starks.

Starks and Oakley were teammates on the Knicks from 1990-1998, leading the Knicks to the 1994 NBA Finals.

“Wish the Knicks luck on the upcoming year, they are having a great year and have a lot of things going on. Best of luck on the season,” Oakley told Class Act Sports.

Since retiring in 2004, Oakley remained in the game, becoming an assistant coach with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2010 before health issues forced him to resign in 2011.

“Myself, just try to wake up every day and stay healthy. Never forget where you came from. In life people go through ups and downs and hopefully you can help someone, no matter who it is in life. They say you help one person in life, you give them a chance to help somebody else so glad to be able to come back to New York and show my love to John and the New York Knicks fans and family,” Oakley said.

Oakley already confirmed that he will be attending Starks’ next gathering.

“I hope that next year will be bigger and better. I know that the golf tournament is coming up. Just call me and I will be there,” he said.

Starks returned the favor by promoting one of Oakley’s businesses.

 “If you haven’t been to this mans car wash, Charles Oakley Car washes. Throughout the Tri-State area I might add. Incredible,” Starks concluded the interview with.

Washington Wizards forward, Rashard Lewis was teammates Josh Howard in 2010, and assisted in many of his baskets on the court. But he also has assisted him off of it. Lewis took part in The Josh Howard Foundation’s 2011 Celebrity Basketball Game.

“It feels good. I’m always willing to give back to the community. I know Josh played here in Dallas and this is where he makes his home. The community supports us during the season. So, there is no reason why we shouldn’t give back to them during our off-time,” he told Dessie Brown of Class Act Sports during the Josh Howard Celebrity Weekend in Dallas, Texas in June 2011.

Howard’s Foundation helps those of all ages from children to senior citizens, by donating money to community programs in need of assistance. The Josh Howard Foundation is dedicated to helping improve the quality of life economically challenged communities by utilizing programs and services that focuses on academic improvement, community outreach and athletic and fitness training,” according to the foundation’s website at JoshHowardFoundation.com.

Lewis, who played on the ‘White Team’ in the charity game, goes on to tell Class Act Sports that it was a lot of fun, but laughs that it was swayed to the host.

“They cheated us, man. The referee took the game from us. You know the referees do at the end of the game. They cheated us. Josh was on the ‘Blue Team’,” he said.

Lewis was keeping busy during the NBA offseason.

“Just working out, mostly strength and conditioning. I do more basketball work during July and August. But, you know, I’m just getting prepared for the lockout (July 1, 2011-December 8, 2011). During the lockout, that’s when you really have to keep yourself in shape because you can’t communicate with the coaches or teams,” Lewis told Class Act Sports.

Rashard Lewis is a two-time NBA All-Star and has played in the NBA since 1998. He was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics, and also played for the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.

When Knicks rookie guard Iman Shumpert showed up to bowl in support of John Starks’ Foundation in February, he did it because he has developed something special with the fans of New York and wanted to give back in anyway that he can.

“It’s great. Coming out here and just seeing the smiles, so many Knick fans around the city. Ever since day one since I got here, it’s been nothing but love from New York. Just being able to come out and here and give back,” Shumpert told John Starks, who was conducting interviews for Class Act Sports.

Shumpert is just 21 himself, and understands the importance of the scholarships that Starks’ Foundation provides to the kids.

“Anything for kids, anything for charity. I am always down to do it. It brings smiles to anybody’s faces. I like to smile and have fun. Being able to bowl is fun for me. You know you are my dude, so I gotta come through for you!” Shumpert said, talking to Starks.

Shumpert has played in 46 games this season for the Knicks, making 22 starts. He is averaging 9.8 points, 2.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He was selected to be in the Dunk Contest at this years All-Star game, but was injured.

He has been the Knicks best defender this season, something that Starks took note of.

“When you have young players like Iman who understands what his role is, not only with the team but within the community, that means so much. Keep doing what you doing, because it brings a smile to my face when I see you out there playing. Playing with heart- that’s the kind of guy I was, and you exemplify that because you need that on a team. I tell people you are a shutdown defender,” Starks told Shumpert.

Starks, who led the Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1994, thinks Shumpert can do the same.

“Championship this year, believe it or not!” Starks said.

Shumpert’s response:

“We’re gonna go get it!”

Former New York Knicks legend John Starks knows how difficult it can be attending college and playing in the NBA. He hasn’t forgotten that, and his foundation rewards college scholarships to children in need, so they can advance their studies.

“It’s just something that is close to my heart. I was once a student out there looking for scholarship money. Didn’t know where to look. I was very fortunate and being blessed to be put in a position where I’d be able to start a foundation and give scholarships to needy students,” Starks said to Victor Green and Jared Ginsberg of Class Act Sports at his charity bowling event at Lucky Strike Lanes in New York.

The Foundation, founded in 1994, supports Tulsa, OK, where he grew up, and the Tri-State communities. The John Starks Foundation is dedicated to financially assisting disadvantaged high school seniors through scholarships. Recipients are chosen based on “financial need, exemplary academic achievements and a commitment to community service. In addition, the Foundation provides community programs focused on furthering the educational, recreational and career development of children and their parents,” according to the foundation website, JohnStarksFoundation.org.

After retiring in 2002 with 10,829 career points, he continues to gain points with the lives and communities he is affecting through his foundation.The 2012 John Starks Foundation bowling event was a great success. There were numerous celebrities and current, former and Hall of Fame athletes in attendance, all in support of the cause.
Starks told Class Act Sports that he feels that giving back is important.

“I do it because it’s in my heart to do it. [Starks is] a guy that understands how important it is to give back. And a man that truly believes in what he is doing,” he said.

Starks also talked about his thoughts on the 2012 Knicks’ February winning streak, the hype around Jeremy Lin, and the Knicks’ playoff chances.

“Linsanity has arrived. Credit to his stepping into the big shoes here in New York. As well as Landry Fields, who’s really stepped up his play, bringing in J.R. Smith is a key acquisition.  I’m excited about the possibility of this team really doing some damage. Lin along with a healthy Barron Davis do have an opportunity to take this team to the next level. I think [the Knicks] have enough talent to really make some headway and possibly win a NBA Championship,” he told Class Act Sports.

In eight illustrious seasons with the Knicks (1990-1998), John Starks became a New York fan and crowd favorite with his fierce intensity on the court, his heart to win, his record as the Knicks’  all-time leader in three point field goals, also the first in the NBA to score 200 three-pointers in one season, and plays like “The Dunk”.

Julius Erving, better known as “Dr. J”, had an accomplished professional basketball career, and is one of the greatest players of all time.

Erving told Class Act Sports in an exclusive interview in Springfield Massachusetts at his son J’s Six Sports Inaugural Golf Tournament,

“I think legacy is something that you have to have a body of work that you work to preserve. You got to do something special, something different. I played in the ABA for five years in the NBA for 11 years with one team, the 76ers, and there were my 16 years. So I think in the 16 years, statistically I played in six championship series, nine conference final series. We won three championships, two in the ABA one in the NBA. I was an all-star every year and I’m a Hall of Famer. So there’s a body of work there that really represents 16 years of my 61.”

The Hall of Famer ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list, with 30,026 points. He also had 10,252 career assists and 2,272 steals. And when he thinks about his name linked to the greats of all time in other sports, it becoming humbling to him, which is why Erving has decided to give back.

“I feel like I’m in a peer group that’s universally recognized. And if you have the opportunity and platform, I think you should bring something to the table. So I’m big in terms of philanthropy. I like doing charitable stuff. I like being an inspiration to others. I’m looking for the next thing that is going to be significant as far as social redeeming value and personal satisfaction.”

Perhaps he has found it with his most recent venture, raising money for cancer research.

“I’m involved with an umbilical blood retrieval and storage company to use for transfusions. The transfusion of umbilical cord blood deals with about 80 or more systemic diseases. Involvement in this company might be the most important thing I do with my life. I think the best is yet to come.”

While the best may be yet to come, Erving did some pretty memorable things during his playing career, most notably, dunking from the free-throw line.

“It doesn’t have the shock value that it probably had when I did it back in the Slam Dunk contest in 1976. I used to do that a lot when I had clinics for Converse. And I would always finish the clinics with a dunk show. You go through the passing, you go through the rebounding, you go through the shooting. Kids are there getting bored. And I’d give them a dunk show. I’d give them the cradle, and two hands backwards. I’d give them dunks from out of bounds. I’d always wrap the shows with the run in from half court. Get to the foul line, and soar, throw it down and head to the locker room. That was the show closer,” Erving told Class Act Sports.

And while everyone knows the high-flyer as “Dr. J,” he told Class Act Sports exclusively how he got that nickname.

“I have a buddy his name is Leon Saunders. I started calling him the professor and he started call me the doctor. It was just between us. We had our nicknames. Lo and behold we graduate high school and both go to UMass, we separated for many years because he went over to Africa and did some stuff and I went my way. Now he is my golf buddy in Atlanta. And is like a little brother to me But he is the ‘professor’ and I am the ‘doctor’,” said Erving.

His playing days may be over, but Erving still has it. The ability to dunk, that is.

“I went in the gym, slipped on my sneaks- I had Dr. J’s. on- and I did dunk a basketball recently. So at 61, I guess the answer should be yes.”