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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
NBA Season Preview: Orlando Magic
Last Season Record: (59-23)
Additions: Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, Linton Johnson, Morris Almond, Ryan Anderson
Subtractions: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
Last year's Eastern Conference Champions shocked and disappointed the world (and David Stern) when they eliminated Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Conference Finals. The Magic defeated the Cavs by frustrating their opponent with they're size and favorable mismatches that allowed Hedo Tukoglu and Rashard Lewis to exploit smaller players attempting to guard them. They ultimately came up short against a Lakers team that created several mismatches of their own, but the season was still considered a success.
Coming into the 2009-2010 season, Orlando has made some significant changes to their roster. They lost their best fourth quarter player in Hedo Turkoglu, up and coming rookie Courtney Lee, and Rafer Alston. Although those can bee seen as major losses, their replacements bring improved elements of the game to the roster and give them a better chance of returning to the finals where the road will be a lot more difficult than it was last year. The most important addition to the team in the offseason was Vince Carter. He is going to be there to fill the role left by Turkoglu of fourth quarter go to guy when a big shot is needed. Carter has gotten plenty of negative criticism in recent years stemming from his admission of "doggin it" during his final years in Toronto. The knock on Carter has always been his work ethic, but no one can deny the talent that he still possesses. Last season he averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. That's four ppg better than Turkoglu with around the same assists and rebounds average.
Keep in mind that Vince was playing with a supporting cast far more inferior in talent than Orlando's. Carter now has the opportunity to play with a dominant big man in Howard who will take the attention off of him in the half court set. This gives the Magic another player who is able to create his own shot, something they seriously lacked last year. Aside from adding Vince Carter, they also rounded out the roster with quality supporting talent. Brandon Bass in a strong and active big man around the basket and give the Magic another body to put alongside Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes gives them another deadly weapon from behind the arc, and retaining Marcin Gortat will give yet another big bodiy to have for a potential rematch with the Cavs and Shaq.
On paper the Magic look like a team who can be stronger than their squad last year. The main focus at the start of the season will be building chemistry and assimilating Vince Carter into their style of play; the other pieces they acquired should fit in seamlessly. With Dwight Howard improving every year, the return of Jameer Nelson, and newcomers Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes on board, the Magic have a their best chance to bring their first title to Disney World.
Prediction: 1st in Southeast Division/2nd in Eastern Conference
Additions: Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, Linton Johnson, Morris Almond, Ryan Anderson
Subtractions: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
Last year's Eastern Conference Champions shocked and disappointed the world (and David Stern) when they eliminated Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the Conference Finals. The Magic defeated the Cavs by frustrating their opponent with they're size and favorable mismatches that allowed Hedo Tukoglu and Rashard Lewis to exploit smaller players attempting to guard them. They ultimately came up short against a Lakers team that created several mismatches of their own, but the season was still considered a success.
Coming into the 2009-2010 season, Orlando has made some significant changes to their roster. They lost their best fourth quarter player in Hedo Turkoglu, up and coming rookie Courtney Lee, and Rafer Alston. Although those can bee seen as major losses, their replacements bring improved elements of the game to the roster and give them a better chance of returning to the finals where the road will be a lot more difficult than it was last year. The most important addition to the team in the offseason was Vince Carter. He is going to be there to fill the role left by Turkoglu of fourth quarter go to guy when a big shot is needed. Carter has gotten plenty of negative criticism in recent years stemming from his admission of "doggin it" during his final years in Toronto. The knock on Carter has always been his work ethic, but no one can deny the talent that he still possesses. Last season he averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds. That's four ppg better than Turkoglu with around the same assists and rebounds average.
Keep in mind that Vince was playing with a supporting cast far more inferior in talent than Orlando's. Carter now has the opportunity to play with a dominant big man in Howard who will take the attention off of him in the half court set. This gives the Magic another player who is able to create his own shot, something they seriously lacked last year. Aside from adding Vince Carter, they also rounded out the roster with quality supporting talent. Brandon Bass in a strong and active big man around the basket and give the Magic another body to put alongside Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes gives them another deadly weapon from behind the arc, and retaining Marcin Gortat will give yet another big bodiy to have for a potential rematch with the Cavs and Shaq.
On paper the Magic look like a team who can be stronger than their squad last year. The main focus at the start of the season will be building chemistry and assimilating Vince Carter into their style of play; the other pieces they acquired should fit in seamlessly. With Dwight Howard improving every year, the return of Jameer Nelson, and newcomers Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes on board, the Magic have a their best chance to bring their first title to Disney World.
Prediction: 1st in Southeast Division/2nd in Eastern Conference
Friday, October 9, 2009
Still Bill: The Story of Bill Withers
Yesterday evening I was given the honor of seeing the screening of the film "Still Bill", the story of the man behind such classics such as "Ain't No Sunshine", "Lean on Me", and "Grandma's Hands." I walked into the dimly lit theater enthused at the prospect of learning about the man whose music I listened to so much as a child. My mother was and still is a huge Bill Withers fan, his worn out tape stayed in my mom's car like there was no ejection button, so from a young age to my adult life I'd gained a great deal of respect and admiration for the man and was eager to learn about who he really was.
The movie opens with a picture of a smiling seventy year old Bill Withers; his grin radiates with kindness, wisdom, and graciousness. The picture fades out to the musician preforming "Ain't no Sunshine" live in his youth, eyes closed while his unique voice carried the soulful sound over the strings of his guitar. I closed my eyes as as well, drifted back to the memory of being in my mom's passenger seat while the music played on my way school, remembered how I tried to connect the words to the song to my elementary crushes while purposely evoking a sense of sadness to capture the song's sentiment. When the music faded I was back in the theater smiling, thankful for the memory.
There isn't too much I want to say about the rest of the movie, I feel that it's a film that people should see who wish to learn about someone who pas provided the purest form of music. I walked away from the film thinking deeply about music today, about its delegates, its soul. I was able to witness a passion that I rarely get to see in artists today. Far too many musicians are compromised by financial aspirations to the point where their product is diluted and reshaped by the slave masters who call themselves record companies. I watched a man go 25 years without recording a word or play a guitar string due to his respect for the art form, unwilling to conform to the constraints "blacksperts"(Bill Withers quote on white "experts" on black music). In contrast I see artists pumping out albums lacking substance, drive and meaning. I witnessed a man who never compromised his integrity, yet today there are those whose principles are attached to a price tag.
Times are different today; the industry was always ugly, but it has taken on a form much more appalling than anyone could have ever predicted. There are a number of good artists and musicians out in the world; they work outside the "matrix" patiently waiting to be sought out by listeners craving for something in contrast to the status quo. Bill Withers' story reminded me of a forgotten past. We cannot continue to make excuses for those who persist in massacring the very music that our hearts beat to, that our minds create to, and that our souls move to.
The movie opens with a picture of a smiling seventy year old Bill Withers; his grin radiates with kindness, wisdom, and graciousness. The picture fades out to the musician preforming "Ain't no Sunshine" live in his youth, eyes closed while his unique voice carried the soulful sound over the strings of his guitar. I closed my eyes as as well, drifted back to the memory of being in my mom's passenger seat while the music played on my way school, remembered how I tried to connect the words to the song to my elementary crushes while purposely evoking a sense of sadness to capture the song's sentiment. When the music faded I was back in the theater smiling, thankful for the memory.
There isn't too much I want to say about the rest of the movie, I feel that it's a film that people should see who wish to learn about someone who pas provided the purest form of music. I walked away from the film thinking deeply about music today, about its delegates, its soul. I was able to witness a passion that I rarely get to see in artists today. Far too many musicians are compromised by financial aspirations to the point where their product is diluted and reshaped by the slave masters who call themselves record companies. I watched a man go 25 years without recording a word or play a guitar string due to his respect for the art form, unwilling to conform to the constraints "blacksperts"(Bill Withers quote on white "experts" on black music). In contrast I see artists pumping out albums lacking substance, drive and meaning. I witnessed a man who never compromised his integrity, yet today there are those whose principles are attached to a price tag.
Times are different today; the industry was always ugly, but it has taken on a form much more appalling than anyone could have ever predicted. There are a number of good artists and musicians out in the world; they work outside the "matrix" patiently waiting to be sought out by listeners craving for something in contrast to the status quo. Bill Withers' story reminded me of a forgotten past. We cannot continue to make excuses for those who persist in massacring the very music that our hearts beat to, that our minds create to, and that our souls move to.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Hip Hop Hoop News
Shannon Brown Bangs on Mikki Moore:
MTV explains why they left Eminem out of their 'Hottest MC's in the Game' list:
From the start of the week, Hip-Hop fans have been left baffled by MTV’s “Hottest MC's in the Game” list. The List named Jay-Z the hottest MC with Kanye West, Drake, and Lil Wayne, following up close behind. Since the banter has failed to subside, MTV has taken the time out to address their decision.
Some have said that MTV lost points for their effort in determining who is hot and who is not. Though many have agreed with MTV’s decision to dub Jay-Z the hottest MC, people just cannot seem to understand why Eminem did not at least make the top 10.
Eminem is known as one of the most influential lyrical figures in Hip-Hop. If it wasn’t made clear by his verse in “Forever” that most would agree shined the most compared to the other artist on the single, his track record for shelling out memorable albums might just do the trick. Continue Reading
NJ judge to decide Williams' manslaughter case:
SOMERVILLE, N.J., — The outcome of a 7-year-old manslaughter case against Jayson Williams now rests in the hands of a judge who will decide whether alleged racial bias and prosecutorial misconduct played a part in the retired NBA star's 2004 trial.
At the end of a hearing, state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman told lawyers Thursday he would rule on the case but he did not specify when.
In closing arguments, Williams' attorney blasted the prosecution as "out of control" and governed by a "win-at-all-costs" mentality that crossed ethical boundaries. The state said the defense did not present any evidence that a racial slur made by a prosecutor's investigator influenced the trial or was part of an overall pattern of racial bias. Continue Reading....
Juvenile Says Hot Boys Reunion “Will Happen”:
The man who still holds the title of having the best-selling album ever released by Cash Money Records with his quadruple-platinum 1998 solo effort, 400 Degreez, Juvenile, wants the world to know that despite a now nearly two-year delay plans for the reunion release with his onetime partners-in-rhyme in the CMR super-group the Hot Boys (Juvenile, Lil Wayne, B.G. and Turk) are finally moving forward. “Me and Baby [click to read] been talking the past week about taking time out our schedules and sitting down and doing this Hot Boys thing, ‘cause it’s time,” Juve revealed to HipHopDX late last Thursday (October 1st) of his recent discussions with Cash Money co-founder Bryan “Baby” Williams regarding the recording of a new Hot Boys full-length.
“People been waiting for it. I don’t see us not going platinum real quick. I think if we do drop a album everything is gon’ be at a standstill in the industry. So, we need to really think about jumping into that. But I think that’s gon’ happen.” Continue Reading....
MTV explains why they left Eminem out of their 'Hottest MC's in the Game' list:
From the start of the week, Hip-Hop fans have been left baffled by MTV’s “Hottest MC's in the Game” list. The List named Jay-Z the hottest MC with Kanye West, Drake, and Lil Wayne, following up close behind. Since the banter has failed to subside, MTV has taken the time out to address their decision.
Some have said that MTV lost points for their effort in determining who is hot and who is not. Though many have agreed with MTV’s decision to dub Jay-Z the hottest MC, people just cannot seem to understand why Eminem did not at least make the top 10.
Eminem is known as one of the most influential lyrical figures in Hip-Hop. If it wasn’t made clear by his verse in “Forever” that most would agree shined the most compared to the other artist on the single, his track record for shelling out memorable albums might just do the trick. Continue Reading
NJ judge to decide Williams' manslaughter case:
SOMERVILLE, N.J., — The outcome of a 7-year-old manslaughter case against Jayson Williams now rests in the hands of a judge who will decide whether alleged racial bias and prosecutorial misconduct played a part in the retired NBA star's 2004 trial.
At the end of a hearing, state Superior Court Judge Edward M. Coleman told lawyers Thursday he would rule on the case but he did not specify when.
In closing arguments, Williams' attorney blasted the prosecution as "out of control" and governed by a "win-at-all-costs" mentality that crossed ethical boundaries. The state said the defense did not present any evidence that a racial slur made by a prosecutor's investigator influenced the trial or was part of an overall pattern of racial bias. Continue Reading....
Juvenile Says Hot Boys Reunion “Will Happen”:
The man who still holds the title of having the best-selling album ever released by Cash Money Records with his quadruple-platinum 1998 solo effort, 400 Degreez, Juvenile, wants the world to know that despite a now nearly two-year delay plans for the reunion release with his onetime partners-in-rhyme in the CMR super-group the Hot Boys (Juvenile, Lil Wayne, B.G. and Turk) are finally moving forward. “Me and Baby [click to read] been talking the past week about taking time out our schedules and sitting down and doing this Hot Boys thing, ‘cause it’s time,” Juve revealed to HipHopDX late last Thursday (October 1st) of his recent discussions with Cash Money co-founder Bryan “Baby” Williams regarding the recording of a new Hot Boys full-length.
“People been waiting for it. I don’t see us not going platinum real quick. I think if we do drop a album everything is gon’ be at a standstill in the industry. So, we need to really think about jumping into that. But I think that’s gon’ happen.” Continue Reading....
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Ranking Rappers
In honor of the recent releases of NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 2010, I thought it would be interesting to apply the games' ranking systems to rappers today. For those of you unfamiliar with how these titles rate NBA players, I'll give you a short run down. Basically they take several attributes that make up the game of basketball such as shooting, dribbling and passing just to name a few, then apply a number between 50 and 99 based on the player's skill level. All of these aspects are then combined to form an overall rating for the player represented in the game. For example, Kobe Bryant overall ranking is 97; that rating is based on outstanding characteristics in all aspects of the game.
Basketball has a wide range of skill sets to rate, much more than can be applied to a MC's talent level. I decided to pick five attributes to rate and came up with a pretty well rounded average based on the following:
Lyrics: What an MC says to compose his overall message to his fans. A rapper must be able to expand his/her vocab beyond basic rhyming and cliches.
Content: The topic levels of Hip Hop have not changed much over the years. Most MCs talk about the basic three subject matters to get their music heard--money, dope and bitches. A MC that is able to expand his range of content past these typical motifs usually have more longevity in the game.
Delivery: This is how the MC delivers himself to the public. This aspect is difficult for many to master. A lot of people will not listen to someone whose unable to change it up over different types of production. Some listeners prefer how you say it over what you say.
Charisma: Just basic presence on the microphone. The ability to command an audience as well as willing to take risk. Some rappers have enough charisma to get away with saying or doing things that others can't
Beat Selection: This is very important in the creative process of making an album. Some rappers choose to rhyme over anything and as a result the music suffers. Fans might cut the track off before the first word is spoken. Some have an extraordinary ear for music; they know what producer or track can best compliment their styles.
So now they we've broken down the different skill sets, let's get to some ratings. I'm starting with four of the most popular MCs out right now. Remember these are my ratings; feel free to post your own on some of your favorite MCs or the same ones if you disagree with my opinion on those below.
Jay-Z
Lyrics - 88
Content - 72
Delivery - 95
Charisma - 97
Beat Selection - 98
Overall - 90 (Damn it!)
Nas
Lyrics - 95
Content - 98
Delivery - 85
Charisma - 82
Beat Selection - 77
Overall - 87
Lil Wayne
Lyrics - 88
Content - 60
Delivery - 98
Charisma - 98
Beat Selection - 82
Overall 85.2
Kanye West:
Lyrics - 79
Content - 88
Delivery - 8o
Charisma - 91
Beat Selection - 99 (This was a little unfair since he makes his on beats, but what can you do?)
Overall - 87.4
Well, this rating system didn't turn out quite like I wanted it considering Nas is my favorite MC and Kanye is not even in my top 5. But I had to be honest with the rankings from my perspective, I knew I shouldn't have chosen "beat selection!" Anyway, rate your favorite MCs and see where they rank! Post them in the comments.
Basketball has a wide range of skill sets to rate, much more than can be applied to a MC's talent level. I decided to pick five attributes to rate and came up with a pretty well rounded average based on the following:
Lyrics: What an MC says to compose his overall message to his fans. A rapper must be able to expand his/her vocab beyond basic rhyming and cliches.
Content: The topic levels of Hip Hop have not changed much over the years. Most MCs talk about the basic three subject matters to get their music heard--money, dope and bitches. A MC that is able to expand his range of content past these typical motifs usually have more longevity in the game.
Delivery: This is how the MC delivers himself to the public. This aspect is difficult for many to master. A lot of people will not listen to someone whose unable to change it up over different types of production. Some listeners prefer how you say it over what you say.
Charisma: Just basic presence on the microphone. The ability to command an audience as well as willing to take risk. Some rappers have enough charisma to get away with saying or doing things that others can't
Beat Selection: This is very important in the creative process of making an album. Some rappers choose to rhyme over anything and as a result the music suffers. Fans might cut the track off before the first word is spoken. Some have an extraordinary ear for music; they know what producer or track can best compliment their styles.
So now they we've broken down the different skill sets, let's get to some ratings. I'm starting with four of the most popular MCs out right now. Remember these are my ratings; feel free to post your own on some of your favorite MCs or the same ones if you disagree with my opinion on those below.
Jay-Z
Lyrics - 88
Content - 72
Delivery - 95
Charisma - 97
Beat Selection - 98
Overall - 90 (Damn it!)
Nas
Lyrics - 95
Content - 98
Delivery - 85
Charisma - 82
Beat Selection - 77
Overall - 87
Lil Wayne
Lyrics - 88
Content - 60
Delivery - 98
Charisma - 98
Beat Selection - 82
Overall 85.2
Kanye West:
Lyrics - 79
Content - 88
Delivery - 8o
Charisma - 91
Beat Selection - 99 (This was a little unfair since he makes his on beats, but what can you do?)
Overall - 87.4
Well, this rating system didn't turn out quite like I wanted it considering Nas is my favorite MC and Kanye is not even in my top 5. But I had to be honest with the rankings from my perspective, I knew I shouldn't have chosen "beat selection!" Anyway, rate your favorite MCs and see where they rank! Post them in the comments.
Monday, October 5, 2009
NBA Season Preview: Lakers
The NBA season is just a few weeks away and I can hardly contain my excitement. The best teams in the league all improved and made significant changes to their rosters. Shaq was traded to Cleveland, Vince Carter to the Magic, Richard Jefferson to the Spurs, Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics, and Ron Artest to the Lakers. These are all additions that dramatically changed the landscape of the league. Over the next couple of weeks I will be giving a short preview of these top five teams along with my analysis on the additions and subtractions of the players. What better way to start the season off with a preview of the World Champion Lakers?
Last Season Record: (65-17)
Additions: Ron Artest
Subtractions: Sun Yue(Thank God)
Fresh off a NBA championship against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic, the main concern entering the off-season for the Lakers was the resigning of key free agents Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom. At the start of free agency, rumors of the two key players signing with other teams were all over the media. The Lakers shocked the NBA world by doing the unthinkable and signed Ron Artest while letting Trevor Ariza walk and join the Houston Rockets. Many Laker fans have been skeptical of how Artest will fit into the Laker system; questions of his character, off court issues, and questionable shot selection have all left fans scratching their heads. Analysts of the game need to look at this move from a basketball perspective and understand the positive effect Artest can and will have on the Lakers.
The biggest impact Artest is going to have on the Lakers will be on Kobe Bryant. Even with Pau Gasol, there were plenty of times when Kobe had to take over the game on both defense and offense. Most people seem to take for granted how much energy Kobe has to expend throughout the season by leading the team on offense as well as guarding his opponent's best player. The addition of Artest allows Kobe to play more of a roamer on defense while still having the capability to be a lock down defender. Phil Jackson has already discussed playing a line up featuring Kobe, Artest, Odom, Gasol and Bynum. That will be an intimidating defensive line up that only Boston could match up with.
Artest will also add toughness that the Lakers have lacked for the last couple of years. He can change the defensive culture of the team alone with his intensity and commitment to the defensive end of the floor. The Lakers will miss Trevor Ariza, but Artest gives them a lot more versatility on both ends of the floor, something that was a necessity after all the other top teams improved.
With the core of the team returning with a championship under their belts and roles clearly defined, the Lakers have an outstanding chance of repeating. Their largest issue currently is figuring out the point guard rotation and which of the young players out of Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar will emerge to spell Derek Fisher. Overall the Lakers are a deep team who can cause match up problems for anyone. Kobe Bryant will be on a mission to add to his legacy and keep his name in the conversation with Michael Jordan. With a ring for each finger on his hand, Kobe will have to be an unquestioned member of the top 10 players ever to play the game.
Projection: 1st in Pacific Division/1st in Western Confernce
Friday, October 2, 2009
They Don't Give a Fuck About Us!
I fought back tears watching the brutal murder of Chicago high school student Derrion Albert. The image of death visiting young members of our society is always tough to witness, yet it's something that I have seen far to often. Across America the faces of black youth eerily haunt the the television on a nightlybasis. While channel surfing you might come across the picture of a child smiling in a school photo and pause. It doesn't take long to realize what's behind that portrait; the pain of loss and suffering for another family tragically torn from one of its members. You might listen to the news reporter's commentary, remark about how sad it is, but in reality the loss of black life in this country has become so conventional that minutes later it is forgotten.
The loss of any life is grievous, but it is painfully clear that the lives of African Americans aren't important enough for the nation to care. I couldn't walk ten feet without hearing about the death of Yale grad student Annie Le. There was a national uproar over this murder that only calmed slightly when Kanye West rushed the stage at the VMAs.(You would've thought he killed the woman.) The fact of the matter is that social status, class, and race play a large role in what is important in our society. If you're rich, white, blond like Natalee Holloway, then your life is of more value to a nation that boasts it was built on equality.
Watching kids brutally murder another kid speaks a whole lot about what is going on in our communities. This story received more national attention not for the gruesome act that was caught on camera, but because Obama was pushing for an Olympic bid in his hometown. Just imagine if this kid had been a white student, or the homicide rates that are reaching two to three hundred in poor neighborhoods reached those heights in rich suburban areas. That world doesn't exist, and unfortunatley Derrion Albert, like Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, and Jasmine Lynn will be nothing more than a statistic.
The loss of any life is grievous, but it is painfully clear that the lives of African Americans aren't important enough for the nation to care. I couldn't walk ten feet without hearing about the death of Yale grad student Annie Le. There was a national uproar over this murder that only calmed slightly when Kanye West rushed the stage at the VMAs.(You would've thought he killed the woman.) The fact of the matter is that social status, class, and race play a large role in what is important in our society. If you're rich, white, blond like Natalee Holloway, then your life is of more value to a nation that boasts it was built on equality.
Watching kids brutally murder another kid speaks a whole lot about what is going on in our communities. This story received more national attention not for the gruesome act that was caught on camera, but because Obama was pushing for an Olympic bid in his hometown. Just imagine if this kid had been a white student, or the homicide rates that are reaching two to three hundred in poor neighborhoods reached those heights in rich suburban areas. That world doesn't exist, and unfortunatley Derrion Albert, like Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, and Jasmine Lynn will be nothing more than a statistic.
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