I'm starting to get a ton of e-mail about blowing up the team, trading Kidd, etc...
I'm not ready to deal with all that yet. Let's see how we feel Thursday morning after the Nuggets and Suns have squared off twice and the Mavs host GS the night after Nellie's boys travel to SA.
And when you start considering shipping off all-stars (Kidd, Dirk), you very rarely get equal value in return. We ready to completely rebuild without our own draft picks? Not me.
Attention: Please be sure to have extremely sad, violin-based music playing softly in the background while reading the following heartfelt poem:
Rangers opening day is here again.
Set your Tivo and tell your friends.
Cut eyeball holes out of your favorite sack.
If you think they won't suck, you might try to smoke less crack.
Small market budget for a big market team.
Losing games and big stars, has become the routine.
Gone Soriano, Cordero, Teixeira, A. Gonzalez and C. Young.
To show for them on tonight's roster? Ahhh, that'd be no one.
We're now told it's a 3-year plan, to rebuild and reload.
This plan is in syndication, I've seen this episode.
I guess it wouldn't be this bad, and I wouldn't have this frown...
If at least they would've put the stupid park in Dallas, downtown.
So load up the family truckster, and enjoy those gas prices.
And the un-domed sun-torture of an authentic heat crisis.
Thank heavens for the Gold Club, and that magical jet stream.
That scares free agent pitchers, from coming to this team.
My pathetic expectation level, couldn't possibly be any lower.
Should I watch the Rangers game or clean my lawn mower?
I never thought a rotation would make me miss Bobby Witt.
Why do I still hang on, when the rest of my loved ones have quit?
Somehow I've survived, a miserable, beaten-down fan.
Maybe I should've followed Bobby Valentine to Japan.
But regardless, I'm here, and I'm ready once again.
To watch losses pile up, the irreversible trend.
So let's raise our glasses, and toast to all of these fine reasons...
For Rangers fans to be depressed about another baseball season.
I'd gone into this stretch run thinking that it would be difficult for the Nuggets to catch the Mavs based on their spotty play this season and tough schedule. In fact, my first thought after finding out about that impressive victory against the Warriors last night was that it didn't bode well for the Mavs as I anticipated Denver going 1-2 at best in the three games that started last night.
But the other part of that equation was just assuming that Golden State would take care of bidness. So what happens if the Mavs pull off the head-scratching win tonight and win the season series with the Warriors (Denver won has it against both Dallas and GS)? It is the second night of a back-to-back for GS after an emotional loss and travel.
I know a lot of people have written off the Mavs, but with Dirk lurking out there and a very resilient Avery Johnson getting roasted by fans and media alike, something tells me one unexpected win would be the catalyst for a nice run to end this thing.
I'm in the middle of some pretty serious stuff (see right), but I figured we'd weigh in on a few Mavs notes right quick.
This blogging/locker room thing seems to have reached some sort of resolution until Cuban does something wacky to prove that he was serious about not having enough room for the We Shot J.R. folks. It's all such an absurd circus (see above).
In other news, Dirk is #2 according to John Hollinger. And the great Yi ain't even in the Top 30 and some people aren't taking it well (see above right).
And there are now only two left who think the Mavs will still make the playoffs. They are me and John Hollinger's Playoff Predictor (pictured above right).
While bouncin' around YouTube today, I stumbled across post after post of funk gem goodness. It occurred to me that perhaps I should spread some of the good word over this way.
Here's an early 80's DC classic from Trouble Funk. There really is minimal separation between early hip-hop and go-go/funk from that time period - they just kept smashin' into each other.
I've had to sit on this for a minute, but the cat is now out of the bag for Quick's Big Thing. It's a big ole party/concert/awards presentation/orgy with a great performing lineup at a cool venue.
It's free and the Great Gordo is hosting. Get a load of the bands throwin' down.
Anytime the Spree do their thing it's a big to-do, but I'm just as excited to see big dumb country Danny's King Bucks perform.
Plus my peoples The Party got the decks, PPT are always ready, Krack and Playdough are going to put on a freestyle exhibition, and they let your boy be a panelist. So choice.
So the good dudes in PPT have agreed to let us bring you our favorite tracks from their new CD Denglish over the next few weeks. It hits the stores on April 15 (but you can get it at iTunes right now).
Today's choice cut is "Daydream."
For starters, it's got those classically knockin' Wansel drums diced up with care for your consumption. They blend perfectly with the spacious guitars that pulse or slide for optimal daydream soundscaping. Makes sense to me.
Lyrically the track is a nice twist on the "get on your grind" preaching that takes up so much vocal space in current rap. Without beating you over the head with how hard they work, PPT flips it into the type of cautionary tale that older heads like Tahiti and Pik have certainly encountered in their years on the Dub's rap scene. Makes sense to me.
Tahiti's verse is inspired by Slick Rick's "Children's Story," which ties in nicely for obvious thematic reasons. Not to mention the British accents these boys are utilizing throughout the whole CD. Make sense to me.
But the element that puts the track over the top is the usage of the melody from "This Charming Man" on the chorus. As an old Smiths head, it made me downright giddy. When I asked Picnic about the influence, he mentioned he'd always dug the way that song bounced. Makes sense to me.
In my hoops column for this week's edition of The Sports Page, I go over several different potential scenarios for how the Mavs remaining 11 games will play out. I wrote that the most likley ending will involve the Mavericks holding on to the last playoff spot with or without Dirk.
Everyone seems to be burying Dallas, but the problem with that notion is that you're banking on Denver to take advantage of the situation and play at a high level down the stretch. I wouldn't bet on that.
If the Mavs do make it happen and win tonight (which I don't think they will), it'll seal the deal because they'll be 3 up with 10 to play and they'll own the tie-breaker.
We've been jockin' PPT pretty hard lately. Expect that to continue.
Over the next three weeks we'll be posting tracks from their new CD Denglish, which hits the stores April 15th, but it's at Itunes right about now.
Anyway, before we get to the new stuff, check out this video for "When We Was Kool" off the last joint.
I wish I was Picnic. That dude could show up at a party with a keytar and totally pull it off.
Here's a little blurb about the video from Erv at Idol:
This video features the futuristic photo stylings of Dallas photographer Hal Samples blended with the superb filming techniques of Walter J Archey, Picnictyme, Monika Watkins and Erv Karwelis. It's a blend of hundreds of still photos and film. And edited @ VERB Studios.
I liked the player back at the front part of this decade. But when the Mavs heated up the rivalry with the Kings, I could no longer enjoy his fine work. But for some reason I've always liked Tim Duncan. Go figure.
That probably has to do with Webber being such a herb off the floor. All the unrealized potential in the early part of his career. Smokin' out on game day. The stupid scowl when things didn't go his way. The Michigan scandal. Being teammates with Valde.
And all of that somehow relating back to the timeout.
He was an amazing player. Always displayed a high skill level. But after the knee injury it was kinda sad to watch him lumber around for the past few seasons.
Oh well - later CWebb. Don't let the door hit you in the ass. I know it's tough to get around these days
It's bad PR so I doubt they'd come out and say it, but I can't imagine anyone in that organization is liking Easter these days.
Here's a word-for-word jacking of the Mav's press release on Dirk's injury:
In today's game against the San Antonio Spurs, Dirk Nowitzki suffered an injury to his lower left leg at the 3:19 mark in the third period. The injury occurred when Nowitzki got tangled up with the Spurs' Ime Udoka after blocking his shot. He did not return to the game. Nowitzki will be reevaluated on Monday, March 24.
"I fell awkwardly and my left leg got caught underneath of me," Nowitzki said. "I am going to get reevaluated in the morning and I hope to have more information then."
Large Ben and Skin-me spent several segments on our show this afternoon talking about the fan/media perception of Avery Johnson.
Because of the less than pleasing returns in the J Kidd trade exit polls, Co-ach Johnson is being heavily scrutinized after every single timeout, substitution or play call from the bench.
But it's not just the L's that are stacking up against the good teams that are making this thing such a fascinating study in high stakes poker.
So I flipped on the tube in time for tip of the UTA/Memphis game and I'll be damned if UTA's coach didn't grow up in my neighborhood.
I think.
The name Scott Cross rings a bell and the face is really familiar. I think I might have even been a coach at a basketball camp he went to as a kiddo. He's six years younger than me so everything that seems vaguely familar from a timeline standpoint is in check.
He may have even been the little kid that grew up one block over that was always in his driveway ballin'. I think I'm right on this, but I also had a post about stoner rock about seven hours ago so everything is dubious at this point.
Whatever the case they're only down 14 at half, which isn't bad for a #16 plaing a #1 that's only lost once all season.
One other note - peep this great Sefko piece that'll run in tomorrow's paper about the Cuban/Avery flare-up. I like the part where Cuban basically warns his employees through the paper that he's pissed that this thing got out the way it did:
"I'm not worried about what goes back and forth between A.J. and I," Cuban said Friday. "If I have to worry about who might be listening, that's a problem. I'm not the type to hide what I'm saying or care who is listening, because we all work for the same company and should have the same goals. If I can't trust the people who work around me to recognize this is just another day at the office, that's the issue I have to deal with. That is something I fire people for."
A nice slab of new musaks to check out over the weekend. The main treat is the new single "Royal Flush" by Big Boi feat Andre 3000 & Raekwon (*explicit language warning*). Other goods include a live set from SxSW, jazz covers of Radiohead, and a classic hip hop history mixtape hookup.
Video Bonus: Lupe Fiasco live performance at a recent Hot 97 show.
The retro stoner rock thing is not a particularly new recycling.
Wolfmother has already been jocked rather vigorously for jacking riffs from the Tony Iommi catalog. And they do it well. I almost bought a bong last year to go with my Wolfmother download. But since it was a digital puchase and I wouldn't have an album cover to break the weed up on, I just drank a red bull and rode a stationary bike instead. Getting old is awesome - you just feel so free.
Where was I?
Oh yes - I caught two revivalists at Ausin last weekend at SXSW. One was great success and the other one struck me as a bit.
Skincy Carter, I just followed the link to your PPT CD review over at the magical Sure Shot, and while I am indeed excited about that new PPT album, I found myself unable to focus on their new release because I was trapped in the headlights of your official Quick PR photo (left). Can you please explain to Amercia exactly what was going through your melon at the time of this photo? Why so angry/concerned? People deserve to know.
One of the favorite past times of B&S groupie and hoops junkie Mario Sands is to e-mail me scenarios in which the Mavericks could get perpetually disgruntled wing Corey Magette. In terms of skill set, Magette would be the ideal solution to the Mavs 2 guard issues.
Back in Januray when Clippers owner Donnie Sterling and head coach Mikey Dunleavy were airing out a very public feud, Dunleavy revealed that he thought he had a deal done to ship Maggette to the Mavs for JET, only to have Sterling nix it because he didn't want to part with one of his personal favorites.
I personally couldn't fathom that you'd be able to acquire Maggette for JET, but to each his own I suppose. It's not like JET ain't good. He can absolutely fill it up. And he's a super positive dude willing to make sacrifices for the better of the team. But as we've all been made aware over the last two seasons, he's a man without a position. That's a tough thing for the dude with the longest contract on the squad and a healthy 40 mil remaining on that bad boy.
Get your gear, click here, and follow the instructions.
It's kinda weird that even though he's my favorite player and his team has been oustanding all year long, I still don't really give them much of a chance in the playoffs.
I'd actually favor the Mavs over them. That doesn't seem to compute.
Especially considering the same Boston team that just swept the Lone Star state will lose in The Big Easy tomorrow night.
We tell folks all the time that we don't do CD reviews in The Sure Shot. So I'm not really sure why we did a CD review for today's Sure Shot, other than to say that I was really pumped when I first heard the new PPT CD and felt inspired to write it.
It'll be in the stores April 15th, but you can pick it up on iTunes right now.
And seeing as we felt the need to write a review even though we don't write reviews, it's safe to assume that we do indeed endorse that download.
Look for other PPT leaks in the coming weeks on this blog right hurr....
As news of Avery and Cuban's behind closed doors squabble leaked out in the wee hours Thursday morning, it reminded me of the infamous Nellie/Cuban clash over Dirk's availability after a knee injury in the WCF against the Spurs during the brilliant NVE crusade.
Nellie and Cuban (by all accounts, two very headstrong dudes) never recovered from that and their relationship deteriorated rapidly from there. Not to say that's what's gonna happen here, but it is interesting when two hardcore micromanagers square off in a battle of micromanaging.
On Tuesday night, the Mavs saw a Lakers squad that many (including myself) feel are the favorites to represent the WC in The Finals so long as Andrew Bynum can come back and play at a level close to he did before his injury.
Tonight they'll face a Boston Celtics team that has been the best defensive team in The Association and for many (including myself) are the pick to represent the EC in The Finals this year. In fact, if the Celtics win tonight they'll be the first team to get the road sweep in the Lone Star state in 7 years.
I think these HPS joints are becoming more and more lucid. The day will come when they teach logic courses using these precious exchanges as reference texts.
Now that I'm certain that the Mavs will be unable to avoid another post season iceberg, I can finally give up on that dream and turn my precious attention to an even bigger heartbreak producer...
I'm a career Rangers homer, but even I can't seem to get excited about this upcoming summer bloodbath. What am I supposed to do, make a sign that says "3 Year Plan" and hold it up high with pride at the Ballpark as Vladimir Guerrero trots around the bases? My family wisely bailed out on the Rangers long ago, yet I was never wise enough to jump ship. I love the great game. I love Chuck Morgan. I love Geno Petralli's mustache.
Once I get back into a groove reading the fine work of my favorite baseball scribe, Jamey Newberg of the world famous Newberg Report, I'm sure I'll find a few other things to get excited about. Until then, there's always another Mavs playoff collapse to keep me entertained.
Being at the Mavs game last night, I have to agree with the other Boogie bloggers and ticket heads when they say that it was a very weird aroma inside of the AAC. Aside from all of the other on-going scenarios with the team, the playoffs and with bloggers - this felt like a road game! The section I sat in was a spitting image of the scene that Skin described with tons of Lakers fans and Kobe lovers having a Championship party in the stands. Every time Kobe Bryant touched the ball, there were screams, cat-calls and high fives unlike any other time I can remember at a Mavericks game. The lady behind me screeched at full volume anytime Kobe was in eyesight, and I'm positive that someone hurled a cup of ice at the Lakers jersey dancing in front of me. Very wild scene indeed. It was very similar to the David Beckham madness that I witnessed this past weekend in Frisco with teen screams and flash bulbs going off anytime Becks was near the ball. Clearly there is no denying that Kobe is the best player in the league (LeBron James is right there) and the hype is well deserved but hearing M-V-P chants for an opposing player in your team's arena is still creepy.
Another of the bands generating crazy buzz in Austin was Chi-Town's the Cool Kids. They got a love for wild styles, vintage flavors and drum machine-heavy, raw-dog analog goodness. It's all flavor.
It's a pretty big deal just to be invited (they selected 10 out of 270 submissions) and obviously very impressive to place. Of course he's used to the shine seeing as last year he placed third.
It's a big networking deal (judges include Swizz Beats, Premiere & Hi-Tek) and no doubt the rep grew bigger. Congrats to our homie!
Anyone catch the first two hours of Black Magic last night on ESPN? Great (dare I say Golden) stuff on hoops at historical black colleges and the civil rights movement, featuring a treasure trove of unsung heroes who get their well-deserved moment in the sun. Part 2 airs tonight at 8 WITHOUT COMMERCIALS, and if it's as good as the first chapter you had best tune in. Added incentive: Avery Johnson, whose coach at Southern University, Ben Jobe, in a mainstay of the film, will appear tonight in all of his Averyness.
Last night, once the kids were all tucked in and all of the weekend sidework had been completed (fill the ketchup bottles, etc), my wife and I finally settled in to watch No Country for Old Men on DVD. Like everyone else, we found it to be nothing short of spectacular! If you haven't seen it, one of the main characters is a cold-blooded killer that is sure to take up immediate residence in your nightmare melon. It's kind of a chilling goose bump-inducing murder buffet that keeps you on your toes throughout.
In fact, it kept us on our toes long after it had ended and it probably played a significant role in our believing that someone was in our house at around 1 am last night.
Full Disclosure: I've been really half-assin' the Mavs the last week. I missed the Charlotte and Indy games because I was at SXSW and even though wifey had the Pacers game on my DVR, I couldn't muster the energy to watch the Mavs annihilate lifeless garbage having already known the outcome.
Now I have no excuse for only watching about 20% of today's Heat smashing. I was about 45 minutes behind live action and after 11-2 I figured I'd pretty much seen everything I wanted to see. So I fast-forwarded to confirm the blowout and then turned my attention to rolling around on the floor with my kids.
Had these last three games been the Lakers, Celtics, and Spurs (the three upcoming home games that start this Tuesday night), then I would've watched every second of every game even if I'd known that they were all blowouts before I settled in. But I wasn't going to be able to tell anything about this team that I felt like I didn't already know about them by watching them sweep
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