#players with so much potential who never actually breakout

[rolandkaros]

there is something so sad and fucked up imo about tennis in the way that any tournament win could be a player’s last and for most of them you’d have no idea

[supop]

Daily Thoughts: BTS’s Current Musical Direction (Permission to Dance, GRAMMYs, and more) !!

Haven’t done one of these in a while. Where do I even start? Shall I spilt this post into sections? Yes? Okay, let’s go..! Note: slightly(?) long post incoming.

Before we start, it’s important to note that BTS’s recent releases doesn’t negate any of their previous masterpieces. I won’t even bother beating the same dead horse of an argument especially when nothing stops new and old listeners alike from checking out the rest of their discography (which is available on all music streaming platforms). Ironically enough, when BTS made “darker” songs, they were told it’s too “angsty”. Now that they’re making lighter songs they’re being told it’s too “childish”. They really can’t please everyone, so why even bother.

Butter Era

PTD, Butter, and Dynmaite are all Bangtan’s Trojan Horse. For the longest they’ve been painted as a group of kpop boys that only teen girls listen to. Now that they’re making music in a language most people can understand (yes, because English is the closet thing we have to a global language), it’s changing the narrative. I’ve already met several people who gave listened to the previously mentioned tracks and decided to take a deeper dive into Bangtan’s discography. Something they never would have done otherwise due to the “language barrier.” Not everyone is as open-minded about something they can’t understand. Language being a prime example. BTS are now playing a game with rules set by an industry that rarely takes nicely to anyone who isn’t a white Caucasian male. They’re playing the game, and despite the criticisms, they’re winning at it.

If you didn’t already know BTS have been #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the past 6 weeks (as of today, July 9th) thanks to their song: Butter. And in a few days that could potentially be 7 weeks in a row. Which is phenomenal, to say the least. For those who still don’t know, the BB Hot 100 is the music industry standard chart for the United States. So, for a South Korean group to be topping it not once, but multiple times is one for the history books. My theory is Butter was meant to TEST the waters once again after Dynamite’s breakout success. And yes, I know many aren’t a fan of Dynamite, but you can’t deny the astronomical impact it’s had on their careers.

In their last vlive the member’s also mentioned how they recorded both Butter and Permission to Dance (PTD) at the same time. Which means they already had in mind how their next two releases would roll out. However, just like the unexpected success of Dynamite, I doubt they thought Butter would do THIS well. Actually I don’t doubt, I know because they said it themselves (see the video at the end of this post). Of course, the reason for their multiple #1s is thanks to mass buying by fans. But don’t get it twisted, none of that negates the fact that #1 is still #1. If there was an issue with fans mass buying music to chart their faves, then that’s for Billboard to solve. It’s not to the fault of BTS or ARMY (really, don’t hate the player, hate the game). Also, at least artists actually profit from their music being bought. Streams and radio play on the other hand...not so much (but that’s another topic for another day).

Initial Reaction to ‘PTD’

This section will be brief. PTD was co-written by 6x-Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, Ed Sheeran. I’m pretty sure this alone played a huge role in why they decided to release PTD after Butter. It makes a lot of noise as is, and the promotion speaks for itself.

Truthfully, I’m currently listening to PTD as I type this. Why? Because it’s a good song. Actually good. Not that I’m surprised. I like it. It’s a fun, light song that has a nice message behind it. And the sign language was a meaningful touch. Once again, the way the members hyped up its released during the vlive said as much. They themselves said they liked it better than Butter (and probably even Dynamite). I can’t help but agree with those sentiments.

‘PTD’ Concerns

Now then. While PTD is a good song, this definitely wasn’t what I was expecting from BTS. BTS which for a reason have a distinct rapline and vocal line. Speaking of BTS...do they even have a rapline anymore at this point? Hahaha kidding of course they do. As much as I loved rapline’s vocals in this song, could the writers not have written more sensible lines? After having my fill of the melody, I took a look at the lyrics and some of the lines make zero sense. Specifically sope’s part. Tbh the only solid lines are the pre-chorus, chorus, & verse 1. Side note: I wish songs specified who wrote which line so I could specifically drag them, but I digress.

Speaking of writers, I’m a little sad that none of the members contributed to the lyrics of this song in any way, shape or form. Think about it: if an artist has zero contribution to their music, does that still make it worthy of praise? (I’ll circle back to this question towards the end of this post). Because of this reason is why I’m glad this was a completely vocal song. I couldn’t imagine a dynamite 2.0 with rapline’s nonsense verses. And in terms of verses, let’s be honest and admit the line distribution is horrid. But again, PTD is a pop song written by 4 caucasians (no offense to Ed)...so we’re we really expecting them to whip up a pen game worthy of rapline? No, not at all.

GRAMMYs Play

BTS’ current era is clearly a play at the Grammys (if that wasn’t obvious). Thankfully though, their songs appear to be progressing in sound, rather than regressing (PTD > 🧈 > 🧨) in that order. So kudos to them. The main reason I say why it’s a Grammy play is thanks to our most vocal members on this topic (Yoongi and Namjoon) who have stated on several occasions, (and I paraphrase) that “BTS are working towards a Grammy”. Now, is it wrong for BTS to want a Grammy? No, quite the opposite I’d say. Ambition is sexy. What’s wrong with aiming high? What’s wrong with wanting to accomplish something great? Truthfully, I’ve always been inclined to stand by the philosophy, “by any means necessary; the end justifies the means.” So what if BTS are making English songs after they said they never would? People change. Circumstances change. Goals change. That’s what makes us human. I’m not going to sit hear and be bothered by it. Especially when the members themselves appear to be actively embracing this new era.

Again, do I blame them? No. Which passionate musician doesn’t want a Grammy? Name one. Exactly. Unfortunately, we live in an era where western validation still predominates globally. So until that changes, just like an Oscar is the most “prestigious” award in the field of film, a Grammy speaks for music. I don’t make the rules, sorry.

I just wish BTS would be a bit more, shall I say, “inconspicuous”? about things. Literally no other artist at their level is releasing music at the speed that they do. Not that that’s a bad thing! It’s not a crime for a musician to release songs, Okay? BUT when it comes to them it’s been very obvious and very telling what the purpose behind their English releases implies.

GRAMMYs Win

Do I want BTS to win a Grammy? Yes, yes, 10000x yes. Yes, so they can finally give some of their actions as of late a freaking rest. Yes, so they can finally feel more at ease when it comes to venturing into solo activities. Besides a Grammy, there’s literally nothing else BTS need to “check off” or “prove” when it comes to their music. They’ve topped the charts, they’ve sold out stadium tours, they’ve won every music award possible in their respective musical categories. A Grammy is practically the finish line at this point. And maybe they won’t give it a rest after winning a Grammy. There’s no saying that winning once won’t push them into wanting another. Accolades tend to to have that yearning effect on people: “We did it once, we can do it again.”

Am I saying BTS “deserve” a Grammy? No. There’s no such thing as “deserving” when it comes to events like these. Lots of talented musicians have been snubbed when it comes to the Grammys. Similarly to how lots of “mediocre” musicians have won. The whole process has always been entirely subjective. However, I will note how some people might say things like, “neither Butter nor PTD are Grammy-worthy.” Well, I beg to differ. If Rain on Me stood a chance, them so does Butter and PTD (which as I’ve previous stated are both much much better songs than Dynamite in every aspect).

Would it be more meaningful for them to receive a Grammy for one of their Korean songs? Maybe. But does it really matter? Not really. They obviously see it for what it is. A Grammy is a Grammy, no matter what. And I say this because no one actually cares what an artist received a Grammy for—the point is that they have one (and they can brag about it). ‘Grammy Award-Winning Artist, BTS’ does have an incredibly nice ring to it.

Musical Direction

What does BTS have up their sleeve next I wonder? Well for now I’m pretty sure their hoping PTD does just as good as Butter on the charts, if not better. Or at the very least, Yoongi does. Haha kidding we know he speaks for the whole group. That said, I’ve always appreciated his honesty. Candidness is one thing I admire about Yoongi. There’s no “shying away” from ambitious goals when it comes to him.

I like that BTS have always explored a diverse range of musical styles. They’re not boxed in by genre (yes, even if the last 3 English tracks makes you think otherwise). If you take a look at BTS’ entire discography (mixtapes included) you’ll come to realize that there really is something for everyone.

I don’t think BTS will be releasing any more singles after PTD. Well maybe a collab is up next??? But currently, I think they’re gearing up for a major album release. This year’s Grammy Awards deadline is September 30, 2021. That means we’re for sure getting the album before then. My best guess is they’ll let PTD ride out through July, then release the album in early August. That or we just might get the album towards the end of July. Who knows. You honestly never really know when it comes to them. In an ideal Bangtan world they’d be topping the charts until GRAMMYs voting is finalized. Will the upcoming album be in English?? I want to say NO (lol), but if it is, I would(n’t) be surprised. I highly doubt it would be, but again, when it comes to BTS you never know.

After Thoughts

I predict they’ll once again be submitting all their releases this year to as many Grammy categories as possible. The more the better truthfully. That includes Butter, PTD, the upcoming album, and maybeeee even BE. If BTS don’t win a Grammy this year, they’ll be devastated. That’s simply the truth of the matter. Like I said, I hope they do so we can see the group explore more of their art on an individual basis. OT7 is great, but sometimes it also feels like a cult like with how they force it down our throats, and how some ARMYs don’t like the members doing anything outside of the group. BTS aren’t a monolith. They’re 7 individuals who all have different personalities, dreams, goals, and aspirations. For now of course, I’m sure a Grammy is the first priority (for all of them). Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Once that’s been checked off, however, we just might see a different side of them.

Alsoooooo, wow this post is already long, but I wanted to talk about artist contribution (the point I said I’d circle back to). I don’t think it really matters that none of the members contributed to PTD because it’s not as if they’ve just been sitting on their asses their entire career. They’ve all contributed more than enough in one shape or form since their debut. A single song lacking that special Bangtan touch is nothing compared to their 230+ other tracks. They also have a few Koreans songs that none of the members are credited for, so why the uproar when it’s done in English?

I’ve already said this, and I’ll say it again: BTS are winning. At life. No one knows what goes on behind the scenes, but objectively, everyday they’re gaining in popularity, getting richer, and receiving more love/acknowledgement (hate too, but that comes with the job). They’re a force to be reckoned with, whether you like them or not. And yes, all these things are surface level/materialistic, but it’s important to keep in mind none of the members are being held against their will. They all willingly re-signed a 7-year contract, and appear to be in this Bangtan Sh*t For Life. I’m sure they view this point in their career as a new experience, and are taking full advantage of the many opportunities coming their way.

To close off, keep in mind these are just my thoughts. You’re more than welcome to have differentiating opinions on any of the topics I touched on, and I won’t hold it against you.

Not proofread, so if you see any typos, ignore it.

BTS’ thoughts on Butter’s Success (abridged)

“It’s pointless to argue or fight about it. Frankly, I can’t understand people who want to put down a certain type of music, whatever that might be. Classical music was pop music in its own age. It’s a matter of taste and understanding—there’s no good or bad, there’s no highbrow or lowbrow.” — SUGA, 2018.

[that-shamrock-vibe]

Nostalgia Review: High School Musical

Disclaimer: So because this is a nostalgia review and will focus on a movie that came out 14 years ago I cannot put forward a spoiler warning, but if you still for some reason haven’t seen the first High School Musical movie then don’t read on until you have.

Original Thoughts:

I can remember when High School Musical first aired on Disney Channel and the hype around it building up to that release. Disney’s PR team did a great job with the advertising and selling it for what it was which was a musical set in a high school and the theme of challenging stereotypes.

I had just turned 14 at the time this movie was released here in the U.K. and I can remember mine and my sister’s social group, which were basically the kids living on our street, were into the hype and were there for it. But like most of the world that hype seemed to die off between the first and second movies where it then became uncool to like the franchise.

I will never forget the premiere of the movie on Disney Channel though, I can remember it as me, my sister and our friends sat in my mum’s living room, singing along to the songs and just generally enjoying the vibe of the movie.

I didn’t know Kenny Ortega’s work prior to seeing High School Musical so for me this was my gateway movie into his work, which has definitely paid off over the years.

I’m a big musical fan anyway and prior to me coming out it was I guess an early indicator to my family that I am who I am. But there’s something about musicals for me that when they’re done right and know the audience they are attracting that do have that magic and power behind them that Ms. Darbys does so often talk about in the movie.

As a movie, it was very much a guilty pleasure for me both because of the stigma of it being “uncool” to like it but also because it was very cheesy and at the time I was very much about not being made fun of anymore than I already was for my weight or my personality.

How I Feel Now:

14 years later and what I have come to realise is not only was High School Musical a gateway movie into the works of Kenny Ortega, but also helped me figure out who I was both in terms of my sexuality and my personality.

This movie didn’t help me come out or anything because again I was 14 when I first watched it and I came out publicly when I was 19, but I do think it made my mum and sister potentially realise it and so softened the reveal five years later.

Not only was the musical side of things leaning towards that but also, because this was the first time seeing Zac Efron in anything, it also sparked that side of fondness for it.

It’s also been interesting to see what a landmark movie High School Musical has been not just culturally but also for Disney and Disney Channel simultaneously. Of course there is the message of this movie which is breaking the status quo but also I believe this is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to be a franchise outside of simply a movie trilogy. There’s the books, there’s the soundtracks, the spin-off series.

High School Musical also helped either launch careers or at least hone in-house talent. I mean Zac Efron is clearly the breakout star of the franchise given his career of late but there’s also Ashley Tisdale or had The Suite Life franchise simultaneously to this and Vanessa Hudgens who hasn’t quite had the mainstream career as the other two but is still known for the franchise.

I chose to do this review because I randomly decided to watch the movie on Disney+ after a month of continuously bad things happening and just needing to have some light harmless entertainment because that is what this movie is. It’s light-hearted, it’s cheesy and if you both accept and embrace that it’s a great feel good movie.

Story:

So as well as being cast as a musical, for some reason some sites class it as a rom-com which I get and I don’t because the romance between Troy and Gabriella is very much underplayed despite the fact you know from the first moment you see these two that they are going to end up together.

I did like how the movie really did challenge the sterotypical high school clique system and how for American high schools particularly in the noughties that the hierarchy of the student-body was determined by who was in these cliques. For example, the jocks are at the top of that tower because they’re the ones that  traditionally bring fame and acclaim to the school as sports is apparently the be all and end all, then there’s the drama geeks, the brainiacs etc.

So when a jock and a brainiac discover they have a passion for singing and decide to audition for the winter musical, they risk blowing apart the entire status quo of East High and risking the wrath of drama queen Sharpay Evans.

These days this type of movie and theme is very overdone, but back in 2006 when the movie first aired it was still fresh and the manner in which it was played out through the high school setting in musical form was rather entertaining.

Unlike most movies this wasn’t a straightforward hero/villain story and instead had two main protagonists in Troy and Gabriella and one main fantastic antagonist in Sharpay Evans who is every bit the realistic high school drama queen as she is supposed to be and I live for it.

The moral of being true to yourself as opposed to being what everyone expects you to be is again rather overdone but high school is for discovering who you are in those formative years so the moral and theme at least feels organic.

Characters:

Alright so when I first saw the movie 14 years ago my favourite character was Ryan, Sharpay’s brother because I identified him in terms of style. He has as many hats as I do bow ties and the fact it has recently been either hinted at or confirmed that he was always intended to be a gay character it feels right that despite the franchise never makes such a big deal out of it, he has all the stereotypical traits of what could be deemed a high school gay male who either has or hasn’t come out yet.

Because The Suite Life of Zack and Cody had already been out for a year by the time this movie aired, I already knew of Ashley Tisdale’s range from being Maddie in that, so to make her the drama queen antagonist was an interesting change of pace but at least showed diversity in her character and actually proved she could play both Maddie and London but be convincing as both.

As for Troy and Gabriella, their relationship was rather cute and the fact they both helped break down each other’s walls in terms of Troy realising he can be both a basketball star and a singer and Gabriella coming out of her timid awkward shell was just enjoyable to see. Relationships don’t always have to be about romance and I am glad that this movie took the time to explore how high school relationships can start without that because, as discovered by the viewing of the next movie, Troy and Gabriella do not kiss until the end of High School Musical 2.

Chad and Taylor make up the six core characters but honestly I see them more as supporting to the core four characters than I do main characters. Chad as Troy’s best friend and Taylor as Gabriella’s does service more as catalysts for the plot rather than fully fleshed characters does lean more towards the supporting than the main characters.

In terms of actual supporting players though I loved them, if I had Ms. Darbys teaching drama at my school I would have signed up a lot more, her dynamic rivalry with Coach Bolton/Troy’s dad served as the foundation of the jock/drama rivalry at East High and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Kelsey the composer was great with the dry humour in the movie particularly when dealing with Sharpay and Ryan’s divaisms.

Songs:

My favourite songs in this movie on rewatch were “When There Was Me and You” and “Start of Something New” just because they weren’t as overplayed as “Breaking Free” and “Get Your Head In The Game”, I’m also a fan of the slower ballads as well as the power ballads which these movies don’t have.

I do like a good uptempo show tune though, but “What I’ve Been Looking For” is the perfect example of too much. Also “Stick to the Status Quo” was a good example of uptempo but everyone sing-speaking confessions was a little bit too much for me.

As for the ending showstopper of “We’re All In This Together”, it’s cheesy, it’s somewhat over the top and as someone who has done a lip sync group dance routine to it, I do have a soft spot for it.

Final Thoughts:

Before recently watching it I cannot quite remember the last time I did give it a rewatch, I know I used to own the DVD but since getting Disney+ back in February/March it has been on my radar to revisit and I am glad I did.

It’s by no means one of the best musicals out there but it is one of the better Disney Channel Original Movies and it’s easy Sunday afternoon viewing when you want to block out the world.

So that’s my review of High School Musical, what did you guys think? Post your comments and check out other Nostalgia Reviews as well as other Movie Reviews and posts.

[junker-town]

9 Ben Simmons trade packages that might actually make sense for both sides

If the 76ers are really going to trade Ben Simmons soon, we have nine trade packages both sides should consider.

Ben Simmons’ days in Philadelphia have felt numbered ever since his woeful offensive performance contributed to the 76ers’ surprising second round loss to the Atlanta Hawks in 2021 NBA Playoffs. It was painful to watch Simmons at times during the series as he consistently bricked free throws and refused to attempt almost any fourth quarter shot — even a wide open dunk. As the Hawks finished off Philly in six games, head coach Doc Rivers and superstar teammate Joel Embiid essentially threw Simmons under the bus in the final postgame press conference.

The NBA waited for Simmons to be traded all summer, but it never happened. 76ers GM Daryl Morey reportedly asked for the moon for the 25-year-old All-Star, and no team was willing to meet his demands. It was easy to speculate that Morey wanted to hold on to Simmons as long as possible to see if a superstar guard like Damian Lillard would eventually hit the trade market.

Simmons has now taken matters into his own hands. He wants to be traded to a new team, and he’s threatening to hold out of training camp until it happens. With Simmons’ trade request hanging over the start of the season, we came up with nine possible deals and asked the corresponding SB Nation NBA communities how they felt about the proposed trade. These were the parameters for the deals:

I came up with each potential trade. They had to work on ESPN’s trade machine

The SB Nation communities gave their feedback on each deal. Sometimes that meant a thumbs up, sometimes it meant a thumbs down, sometimes it meant a counteroffer.

Every trade includes draft compensation of some kind. Since that’s where most of the negotiation on these deals will take place, we chose to keep it vague rather than come up with specific pick protections.

At the bottom of this story, Paul Hudrick from our 76ers community Liberty Ballers ranked his favorite proposed trade packages.

This was a fun exercise when we did it with James Harden a year ago, but the polarizing nature of Simmons’ game made this an even bigger challenge. As we learned, it isn’t easy to find a deal that satisfies the 76ers’ win-now desires while also making sense for the other side.

Here are nine deals we thought could make sense.

Pacers

Framework of the deal: Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren + a pick for Simmons.

Why it might work: The Pacers finished ninth in the Eastern Conference last year, and their big addition of the offseason was head coach Rick Carlisle. This team is positioned to “win-now” with most of the rotation in its prime, but their ceiling isn’t all that high. Simmons is the type of player a franchise like the Pacers would be unlikely to land in free agency. It could be worth it to cash in a few pieces for a 25-year-old All-Star who is under contract long term, and then figure out the rest of the roster around him later. While the Pacers get a new foundational star, the 76ers get a starting point guard who can shoot and a wing bucket-getter who can immediately help Embiid in the playoffs.

What Indy Cornrows says:

This is so tough because A.) I love what this does for Philadelphia B.) Ben Simmons is the most talented player in the deal, the youngest, and on a long term contract; all things that would behoove the Pacers’ braintrust to make this trade. While I normally am talent over everything, the fit is just so wonky with a frontcourt of Sabonis/Turner/Simmons. If there were a subsequent deal with one of the bigs to bring in more perimeter talent, I think it makes sense, but the team can already struggle in halfcourt or late clock scoring situations. On top of that, Brogdon and Warren are both sub All-Star talents who the Pacers have no real replacement for. Again, it’s wonky, but worth thinking about.

As dynamic and good of a player as Ben is, he isn’t an elite driver at the moment (11.4 drives per 75) and Malcolm Brogdon is (15.2 drives per 75). We don’t talk about the rim finishing. But, in all seriousness, the Pacers would really struggle without Malcolm’s consistent ability to get to the rim. Getting there causes the defense to tilt even if you’re not finishing at an elite rate, so you’re banking a great deal on Ben and Caris LeVert getting to the cup with more consistency.

Simmons and Sabonis operate from similar spaces as high or mid post playmakers using their height and court vision to pick apart a defense. What does that look like with two players who aren’t being respected past the free throw line? Playmaking is probably the most important offensive skill in the league, you can never have enough, but the fit is certainly odd.

I would ultimately be in on this for Indiana, but admit that the team would probably not feel similarly. They view themselves as a win now team, and I think it would require a one step back two steps forward approach trying to restructure a younger team around Simmons after trading two of the three best perimeter options in the organization, while knowing more moves are happening in conjunction here.

If I could, I would counter with something involving the same players, but adding in Tyrese Maxey and a conglomeration of Pacers picks to make that trade worthwhile for the Sixers. Maxey would provide another building block towards a younger team with a brighter future and the Sixers would acquire more draft capital for subsequent moves to tweak the roster. It’s not perfect and I wouldn’t want to part with Maxey if I’m Daryl Morey, but I would certainly try and make it happen. — Mark Schindler

Spurs

Framework of the deal: Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Devin Vassell + a pick for Simmons.

Why it might work: The Spurs finished No. 10 in the Western Conference last year, and lost their best player in free agency when DeMar DeRozan went to the Bulls. San Antonio has collected some solid young pieces in recent years, but no true star. Simmons would immediately become the face of the franchise, and his long-term deal would give the Spurs a few years to try to add talent around him. In return, Philly would get a dynamic offensive guard in White, an awesome defensive wing with shooting ability in Vassell, and a capable point guard in Murray.

What Pounding the Rock says:

Parting with their presumptive starting backcourt, in addition to the promising Vassell, is a hard pill to swallow for a team that’s invested so much in their development. But the Spurs have entered asset acquisition mode this summer for a reason: the roster as constructed probably doesn’t top out as a world-beater. Simmons doesn’t get them all the way there, but he should raise their ceiling and complement many of the remaining pieces’ strengths and weaknesses. — Bruno Passos

Cavaliers

Framework of the deal: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, and Ricky Rubio + a pick for Simmons.

Why it might work: The Cavs have been collecting top-five lottery picks ever since LeBron James bounced to LA, but the team is still far away from contention. Evan Mobley could be the face of the franchise moving forward, but it’s hard to tell exactly how good Cleveland’s other young players are. Like the Pacers, Simmons is the type of player the Cavs likely would never get in free agency. A team with Mobley and Simmons could have incredible defensive potential. The Cavs would have a log jam in the front court, but Simmons is under contract long enough for the team to reshape the rest of the roster around him in coming years. The 76ers would get an exciting young point guard in Garland who could be set for a breakout third year. Okoro is an awesome young wing defender who needs to improve offensively, and Rubio could help Philly at point guard right now.

What Fear the Sword says:

Maybe the Cavs do this as a talent play because Ben Simmons is no doubt better than anyone the Cavs currently have. But this is also a tricky deal because Garland is their best young creator and would fit well with Simmons. Okoro, meanwhile, is a standout defender just starting and they got Rubio. Simmons is also a tricky fit with a Evan Mobley-Jarrett Allen frontcourt. In reality, I think the Cavs probably do this because it’s a talent play and they have to take those. But I don’t really know why the 76ers would do this?

I also think the Cavs would want to try and move off of Kevin Love in any trade they make here, but that wouldn’t seem to fit with what the 76ers would want to do here. Simmons to Cleveland might just be too complicated to do unless a third team gets involved. — Chris Manning

Trail Blazers

Framework of the deal: C.J. McCollum and Robert Covington + a pick for Simmons and Thybulle.

Why it might work: The Sixers might dream of trading Simmons for Lillard, but it’s possible his backcourt mate is the best they can do right now. The 30-year-old McCollum would give the team a new lead guard in the backcourt who can score from all three levels and pairs well with Embiid. Covington is already a fan favorite for starting his career in Philly. Losing Thybulle in this might be a tough for the Sixers, but seems necessary for the contracts to match. From Portland’s perspective, an all-in move for Simmons could keep Lillard around long-term and give the Blazers the defensive stopper they’ve been missing.

What Blazer’s Edge says:

For the trade in question, the BE staff would accept that trade. Our only counter would be to make this trade less noisy. Let’s remove all the additional pieces and make this a straight CJ-for-Ben swap.

Simmons might not love the idea of Portland, but Klutch would unite one of their marquee players when one of their top coaching clients. With Larry Nance Jr. and Simmons in the fold, the Blazers’ defense would finally have the tools to compete with true contenders. — Steven Dewald

Grizzlies

Framework of the deal: Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, and DeAnthony Melton + Jazz and Lakers 2022 first round picks for Simmons.

Why it might work: The Grizzlies have a great young foundation led by Ja Morant, but the team still has a long way to go before they reach contender status even after sneaking into the playoffs last year. Acquiring a blue chip talent like Simmons while keeping Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and a solid young complementary shooter in Desmond Bane would be a major boon. For the Sixers, Brooks could be an immediate starter on the wing, Melton is one of the more underrated players in the league, and Adams would be an elite backup center. The picks could come in handy for a future trade, too.

What Grizzly Bear Blues says:

If the Grizzlies could acquire a player that’s 25 years old and has been a 3-time All-Star, without giving up Ja Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr., they should pull the trigger - even for the oft-criticized Ben Simmons. Grizzlies followers would be reluctant to give up Dillon Brooks, but Simmons would serve as a defensive and playmaking upgrade. Brooks, Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton sound like a good framework for the deal, and guys like Brandon Clarke or Desmond Bane could replace one of the guys in this deal. The rest will likely revolve around draft compensation, primarily the first-round picks from the Lakers and the Jazz in 2022 and maybe one of their own.

The allure of Ben Simmons is transforming him into a super-charged Draymond Green. What better duo for him to do that with than the electric Ja Morant and the sweet-shooting Jaren Jackson Jr.? — Parker Fleming

Timberwolves

Framework of the deal: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels + a pick for Simmons, Tybulle, and Isaiah Joe.

Why it might work: Minnesota reportedly has heavy interest in Simmons, and there are some pathways to a deal. This package would give the Sixers a starting guard in Russell, a high volume shooter in Beasley, and high-upside, young defensive forward in McDaniels. Russell may be a negative team value on his current deal, but Philly could also flip him down the line. For the Wolves, Simmons’ elite defense is a perfect match next to Karl-Anthony Towns in the front court. This trade might come down to what Philly thinks of McDaniels after a promising rookie year.

What Canis Hoopus says:

As a Wolves fan/writer, I wouldn’t do this trade. DLo and Beasly are the two best perimeter shooters on the team and Jaden McDaniels looks like the steal of the 2020 draft. I also don’t think the Sixers are interested in Russell. I think the Wolves big plan is to win with Simmons AND Russell together so I’ll propose this. The Timberwolves trade Malik Beasley, Jaden McDaniels, Taurean Prince, 2022 FRP, and 2024 FRP for Ben Simmons and Isaiah Joe.

The Wolves keep Russell, meanwhile the Sixers get extra pieces they can include in a trade once another star becomes available like Dame or Beal. Prince also cannot be traded until September 27th but teams could agree in principle. — Cooper Carlson

Raptors

Framework of the deal: Goran Dragic, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, and Malachi Flynn for Simmons, Thybulle, and Isaiah Joe.

Why it might work: The Raptors are embarking on a new era without Kyle Lowry, and it sure feels like they want a full team of big, athletic forwards with multi-dimensional skill sets. Simmons would fit. While a 1-for-1 swap with Pascal Siakam is possible, Raptors HQ chose to talk about this deal centered around OG Anunoby instead. Anunoby is a tremendous young wing who would be a plug-and-play starter for the 76ers. Boucher is a stretch big off the bench, Flynn is a promising young point guard, and Dragic could play a role right now in the last year of his deal. For the Raptors, a core of Simmons, Siakam, VanVleet, and Scottie Barnes could be the start of something big.

What Raptors HQ says:

This is definitely one of the more creative Raptors-76ers trade ideas that I’ve seen! Here, you’re moving two players who clearly want to be moved in Ben Simmons and Goran Dragic, and that’s a good starting point. The 76ers also need a point guard, and I think Dragic would quickly become a fan-favourite in Philly, assuming he hasn’t lost a step.

Beyond that? Well, OG Anunoby becomes the real sticky point here. Yes, I realize that Anunoby is more highly valued by Raptors fans, including me, than he is anywhere else. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t deserved. For an example of that, look no further than… Matisse Thybulle, who made all-defence last year over the more deserving Anunoby last season!

Still — if we remove the Klutch factor here (Anunoby is a Klutch client) — if you had to move OG to get Simmons, getting Thybulle in return to fill OG’s spot is not a bad thing. Imagine fielding a lineup of Simmons, Thybulle, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa? I bet Masai Ujiri, Bobby Webster and Nick Nurse would give that one some serious thought. — Josh Kern

Kings

Framework of the deal: Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield for Simmons.

Why it might work: The Kings are already reportedly out on this deal, and it makes sense. Haliburton was awesome as a rookie. He might be the most appealing piece in any of the packages we mention in this article. Still, there’s a case for why the Kings should consider this. Simmons is a young All-Star signed long-term. Trading for arguably the best defensive player in the game is a great way to address what was the league’s worst defense last year. The Kings also have a promising rookie guard in Davion Mitchell who could take Haliburton’s place in the lineup. It’s totally fair if the Kings and their fans don’t like this deal, but it’s at least worth considering.

What Sactown Royalty says:

This is a highly-risky move for the Kings that I would not want to see come to fruition.

Tyrese Haliburton is an essential piece of the young core Sacramento is trying to build around alongside De’Aaron Fox. The Kings would essentially be trading Haliburton, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season, and Buddy Hield, the best 3-point shooter in the league, in return for good defense.

The way this is set up, Kings undoubtedly lose the deal. Instead, I would offer Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III and a future pick in return for Ben Simmons. The relationship between Bagley and Kings brass isn’t quite as hostile as Simmons and the Sixers, but it’s no secret they both want out of their respective markets. Philly would acquire a young wing who wants a fresh start while Sacramento would do the same. — Marina Drab

Warriors

Framework of the deal: Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, Moses Moody + a pick for Simmons.

Why it might work: The Warriors are trying to augment their aging championship core with young, unproven talent taken at the top of the draft. It sounds like a good plan in theory, but Golden State also can’t afford to waste time while Stephen Curry is still playing at an MVP level. Trading young pieces for Simmons would be a major boost in the short-term for Golden State, and immediately improve their chances at coming out of the West this year. For the Sixers, Wiggins could contribute on the wing right away, while Moody and Wiseman are nice long-term pieces. This deal may not give the Sixers the immediate talent infusion they’re looking to add, but the young pieces could be flipped in another deal down the road.

What Golden State of Mind says:

The main concern with Simmons on the Warriors seems to be whether the team can make a non-shooter work next to Draymond Green. But the Warriors have built elite offenses in the past with frontcourts of Green and Kevon Looney, Green and JaVale McGee, Green and Zaza Pachulia, and so on and so forth. The Warriors would have to eschew having a traditional center for it to work, but Simmons is bigger than many traditional centers (including Looney). With Simmons and Green, the Warriors would have a frontcourt starring two of last year’s Defensive Player of the Year finalists, and two of the top 12 assists per game leaders, who would be passing the ball to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. You have to be mighty high on Wiggins to think this does anything but dramatically increase the team’s title odds in the next few years, and that’s before mentioning how perfect of a fit Thybulle is on the Warriors. Maximizing a title window around a 33-year old Curry is more important than hoping that two draft lottery tickets in Wiseman and Moody pan out. It’s an easy yes for me, though it’s worth noting that Golden State’s front office is reportedly split on Simmons, so it may not be an easy yes for them. — Brady Klopfer

Liberty Ballers ranks the Ben Simmons trade packages

Paul Hudrick from our 76ers community Liberty Ballers stopped by with his thoughts on his favorite potential deals.

1. San Antonio - Murray, White, Vassell + a pick

The reason I like this deal better than most is the addition of Murray. Say what you want about Simmons, but he was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year and is arguably the most versatile defender in the league. Getting a player like Murray that already has an All-Defensive Team nod would help mitigate the loss of Simmons on that end. At 25, you could talk yourself into Murray’s potential offensive upside — despite him not being a perfect fit playing next to Embiid — while also seeing a big role in helping the Sixers win now.

White would immediately become the Sixers’ sixth man and would be a damn good one. The Sixers’ bench has talent and potential but is awfully young. At 27, White adds maturity and experience. I love Vassell, but he is a tough fit here with wings like Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz and Isaiah Joe that fit a similar mold. You can never have enough good, young wings, but I might prefer another pick or someone like Keldon Johnson, who offers more perimeter shot-creation potential, something the Sixers desperately need. — Paul Hudrick

2. Indiana - Brogdon, Warren + a pick

You could argue this deal makes more sense with the Sixers looking to maximize Embiid’s prime. Brogdon gives the Sixers a traditional point guard that can help space the floor even more for Embiid while also providing solid defense. I love the idea of Warren — especially the bubble version that destroyed the Sixers — as either the team’s starting three or a flamethrower off the bench. Both players offer more perimeter creation than what’s on the current roster.

The reason I like the Spurs deal better is trepidation over the health of both Indiana players. Brogdon, who isn’t the most explosive player to begin with, has missed time with various injuries over the last three seasons. Warren missed all but four games last season after having foot surgery. Both players are 28 and have proven NBA track records — which aligns with what the Sixers want — but their injury histories would make me want more draft compensation. — Paul Hudrick

3. Sacramento - Hield, Haliburton

Adding more shooting in Hield makes a ton of sense. The more shooting around Embiid the better. My only concern is that I’d imagine Hield would come here with the expectation to start. That would mean one of Danny Green or Seth Curry — who were both excellent last season — would have to move to the bench, something I’m not sure Doc Rivers wants to do.

While Haliburton doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a win-now acquisition, that’d be a strong return. Haliburton replaces Simmons as a big playmaker but with the ability to shoot. Would he be ready for the moment in the postseason? I think it’s 100 percent worth finding out … if Sacramento is willing to move him. — Paul Hudrick

[axiomsofice]

Breakout Candidates: Pacific

Anaheim: a young team with many applicable potentialities, the most prominent of which are their last 3 first round picks. Zegras and Drysdale both played a handful of games in the NHL last season, and have clear paths to both prominent 5v5 roles and PP1 minutes. Personally, I would be tempted to exercise more caution with inserting the younger Drysdale in too soon, but Zegras is at a point where there is not really a reason to delay his arrival. Recent 3rd overall pick Mason McTavish plays a physical and pro style game, but as with every other pick in the 2021 entry draft, the pandemic year that it is, McTavish is best served with at least another year before having a serious shot at making the NHL. Beyond that the Ducks have a large amount of young players who should have more to give, as reflected by Anaheim’s recent results in draft lottery contention. Forwards such as Steel, Comtois, Lundestrom are complimentary pieces that will look much stronger as the team’s performance improves, so it would be hard for them to garner as much attention or credit if say, Comtois has a strong 20-goal season playing on Zegras’ wing. On defence there are similar complimentary options. I have been a fan of Mahura’s game but his time might be now or never to break into the league. Larsson is a bit younger but hopes of him being an impact defender lay farther into the future. In net the Ducks are set with the underappreciated Gibson, but prospect Dostal has been building his resume nicely. In general the Ducks, under GM Murray, have done a really good job at drafting and developing.

Calgary: a new coach represents a power vacuum, a chance for all players to drastically change their position on the depth chart. We saw the beginnings of that during their disappointing season in the North division, and this uncertainty is spilling into this offseason. Rumours surrounding Monahan, Gaudreau, and Tkachuk. Giordano gone already, but not much change has actually occurred. Perhaps the best chance of a breakout lies with defenders Kylington and Valimaki, who have both already played well for the Flames. Valimaki was probably a strong candidate for such a title 2 seasons ago, before tearing a knee ligament that sidelined him for quite some time. Especially with Giordano gone, and a decently strong defence group around them, these 2 might be the biggest x-factors for the Flames success this season. Up front there are some prospects looking to make the jump, first rounders Peltier and Zary both present skilled players who bring a certain tenacity that could endear them to coach Suter. Matthew Philips has some fans and provides some play making ability that could compliment this group nicely should he get the chance, personally I’d say this is less likely than some of the younger forwards I’ve highlighted here.

Edmonton: Holland did a lot this offseason, and I wasn’t a huge fan of a lot of his moves. That being said the Oilers are in a good spot, perhaps their best in several year heading into 21/22. A huge part of it is a potential youth movement dawning underneath the RNH-McDavid lottery crew. The first prospect to point to would be forward Dylan Holloway, who posted a really strong sophomore season at Wisconsin. Holloway is big and strong, plays centre or wing, gets to dirty areas, wins battles, is a great forechecker, and might even find his way into fitting very nicely alongside either McDavid or Drasaitl. He’s not exactly Zach Hyman, but adding those two to this forward group should work out really well. McLeod and Benson have done enough in the AHL to have every chance to make this roster as well. It’s not out of the question that we see Puljujarvi reach another level of play this year, whether it’s somewhere in this lineup, but honestly now that he’s bounced back and adjusted to the NHL (recouped value) it might not be with the Oilers. I do hope that he gets a shot at a big role, but as we’ve mentioned the forward group is getting crowded. On defence Bouchard is the point of intrigue, especially with the likes of Jones and Bear shipped out. I don’t think he’ll be as good as Dougie Hamilton, but it’s not unreasonable to hope he eclipses fellow offensive defenceman Tyson Barrie in the next 2-3 years. Holland’s track record of slow development from Detroit, as well as the acquisitions of Keith and Ceci tell us all we need to know about Broberg or Samorukov having a chance at cracking this years roster.

Los Angeles: poised to be one of the most exciting, or at least surprising, teams LA has a plethora of candidates for this breakout player discussion. Primarily is the eventuality of Quinton Byfield, who had a strong underage rookie AHL campaign. It’s not too much to think that he could lead this team in points this season, especially with fellow centres Kopitar and Danault taking on the heavy lifting defensively. Outside of that predicting what this lineup might look like is near impossible, and the reason the Kings are often atop any prospect ranking. Kupari, Thomas, Kaliyev, and Turcotte could each make a strong case for making the opening night roster, but based on how crowded the forward group is to start will most likely continue their work in the AHL. On defence there are at least 2 candidates for breakout player, depending on your definition. Mikey Anderson was one of the Kings’ best defenders last season, so the only breakout would be in recognition. Bjornfot played well for the 20-odd games he was in the lineup and will look to continue impressing. Clague is the oldest and has played the least NHL games of these 3 defenders, but with strong skating skill, a large frame, and some offensive abilities might catch a lot of people’s eyes. In a division where the 3 seed is anyone’s game, LA will be a young, fun team that many will be paying attention to and rooting for.

San Jose: The Sharks could really use some breakout players, as some new skill and energy would go a long way towards reinvigorating this franchise. It’s probably at least another year until some offensive options in Gushchin or Wiesblatt are pushing for a spot. There are some forwards like Chmelevski, Blichfeld, and Gregor who could be NHL regulars, but probably not enough to get national attention. The most critical spot will be in net, an area of great concern for the past few seasons. Aiden Hill and James Reimer isn’t exactly a world beating tandem, but could easily give the Sharks their best performance in years. They have Ben Gaudreau (many years away), but much closer are a pit of 23 year olds in Melnichuk and Sawchenko. Neither have played a large volume of games in a season to this point, but specifically Sawchenko has posted really promising results, leading the AHL Barracuda in save percentage the last 2 seasons, yet still splitting time in the ECHL.

Seattle: the Kraken don’t have years of development to fall back on here, but nonetheless found a way to acquire some options for breakouts thru the expansion draft. On defence the most likely is Cale Fleury, as Dunn probably shouldn’t qualify for such a distinction, even after a tough 2021. Up front lies perhaps the biggest x-factor for the team in Morgan Geekie. He’s scored at every level, including his limited amount of games in the NHL despite being used sparingly. That, and the Kraken’s scarcity of young players, centres, and goal scorers make a Geekie breakout a potentially franchise altering development. Alex True might also benefit from a change in scenery under similar criteria, although less likely.

Vancouver: outside of Demko, the biggest reason for a strong Canucks’ season is their top 9 forward group, among which depends on the strong play of a young trio. Dickinson is less of a breakout candidate and more so continuing his good play in a Canadian market, after a few years of playing a role with Dallas that saw him move throughout the lineup. Hoglander was quite good last season, but we should expect his growing influence on play and higher offensive numbers. Podkolzin is similarly well insulated and should have a chance to find a synergous role with good linemates. On defence we will see if Rafferty delivers on promising hype and if Chatfield can continue improving. Although he’s not as young or skilled as many in this conversation Tucker Poolman has an interesting possibility of fitting into this lineup partnered with Quinn Hughes. Personally I’ve liked his play, a good defender with smart enough support pass abilities, and it’s not out of the question he beats out Travis Hamonic for the high leverage opportunity.

Vegas: clearly in a different competitive level than the rest of their division, Vegas’ breakouts will mostly be concerning existing NHLers. Because of their centre group and his draft pedigree Nolan Patrick is a good place to start. He’s missed a lot of time due to injuries, so naturally staying healthy is a big part of it. He’s been effective so far, perhaps lacking in the dynamic qualities you’d expect from a potential 1st overall pick. The Knights have been famously effective at getting the most from their centres, and it’s not rare that a change in scenery can push a players play in a positive direction. Another highly drafted centre will have similar opportunities, as Peyton Krebs tries to make the roster. He has been practicing with Vegas as far back as the 2020 bubble, and posted really promising results in 24 WHL games and 5 AHL games before a 4 game preview in the NHL. Keegan Kolesar played really well last season, and with Tuch out to start the year he might have a good chance to run with an even greater role this season. On defence Hague and Whitecloud have already been performing at a high level, but the longer they stick around the more people will understand that. Brossoit will be in net more often than he was in Winnipeg, and I agree he has a good chance to deliver on those hopes as Vegas gave him a contract the going rate NHL backup, but there’s no reason to think he won’t continue improving and might be in line for a raise at the end of his current deal.

[money-flow-19-blog]

Bitcoins Future Price: bitcoin future value predictions ?

Will Bitcoins Future Price keep rising again?

Bitcoins Future Price: cryptocurrency and blockchain in the last several months, you could become quite pessimistic about the cryptocurrency future. It seems like, for a certain category of people it has become a trend to criticize blockchain technology. Luckily, these materials are rarely based on serious facts. But this type of “eye-opening” critical content always gives its author an immediate rise in popularity and some kind of an “expert” status. Today I want to dispel all the pessimistic forecasts and give you a realistic view of the current market situation. I’d like to mention that I’m not going to quote any of the dozens of pseudo analysts with their crazy declarations about Bitcoins Future Price to be $20000. I do think that predictions on the market future should be based on facts, in accordance with fundamental economic laws, and not on pure emotions or a desperate need for buzz. At the instant of writing Bitcoin worth is around $3600 mark. Yes, this is the bottom. But what comes next? Plain and simple: the bull market. And the reasons why i believe that Bitcoin can rise once more in 2019.

1) Bitcoins Future Price technical analysis

Let’s analyze what was happening with Bitcoin price in the last months.

Bitcoins Future Price Chart analysis The rise of trading volume and an increase in the number of trading positions in December 2018 indicated that the market had touched its bottom, which was $3200 on December 15. Bitcoin price had reached its lowest point, and the upward movement started again. Besides, the trading volume has noticeably increased, which has led to an increase in volatility. These factors will likely lead to a significant rise in buyers/investors entering the field. And this, in turn, will lead to an increase in Bitcoins Future Price, as I said in one of my previous articles. Moreover, on the daily chart, we can also see the typical False Breakout pattern, which is a classic sign that the market is going to move upwards. Surely, a rational investor shouldn’t make his assumptions based entirely on technical analysis. It should be used together with fundamental analysis which considers the overall economic situation, the potential of the technology staying behind the asset, and many other factors. So let’s move on to the next points.

2) The history examples

A new, breakthrough technology arises all of a sudden out of nowhere. Unfortunately, in the beginning, its full potential is obvious only for a small “technical nerd” community, and initially, it is supported solely by these people. Then, little by little, it becomes more and more popular. Companies and entrepreneurs start to pay attention to the opportunities the technology gives. More and more people start to invest in it. At some point interest for this technology gets to a critical level. Mass media start to cover it all day long, and everyone is interested. Any company which is somehow concerned with the technology starts to attract enormous sums of investors’ money. Even having a specific technical term in a company’s name is enough to get a buzz and increase a company’s value. It goes this way to a certain point, and after that, it looks like the story is over. The hype is gone. The bubble has burst. The prices of all the technology related assets fall to the minimum. Nothing like? Yes, I’m talking about the dot-com bubble. Its story is suspiciously similar to the situation which is happening with cryptocurrency now. But did the Internet end together with the end of the dot-com companies? Hell no. Moreover, as we can see now, the value of many top internet companies which were founded before the dot-com bubble did fall after the bubble had burst, but afterward, it has risen again with the vengeance. What’s worth only Amazon! Amazon was one of the leading companies in times of the dot-com bubble. Its value increased together with other similar companies in late 1990th, and it also significantly fell in price after the dot-com bubble had burst. Luckily, it didn’t ruin the company. The potential behind online retailers stayed very high, and since 2008 we’ve been watching a significant growth of the company’s value.

Bitcoin Price history examples

3) Development of the cryptocurrency field

It’s clear that at the moment the blockchain technology is still far from the point of its maximum development. The cryptocurrency infrastructure has been built over the last several years. Now we have a number of acting and reliable cryptocurrency exchanges, cryptocurrency wallets and mining pools. At the same time, the existing infrastructure does not cease to develop. A lot of great ideas which has been proposed before are being implemented now, like crypto loans or Bitcoin futures. The Bitcoin protocol itself is also being developed in a more perfect state with different Bitcoin forks and implementation of such protocols as SegWit. Needless to say, cryptocurrency is not the one and only possible application of blockchain technology. A number of ICO projects, offering different adaptations of blockchain technology, were under development in the last couple of years and only now many of them are starting to act. So the field is still highly prospective. Just look at the current crypto services and companies: exchanges, wallets, coins, ICOs. They continue to develop, investing more and more money in the field. Look at the banks and governments which are working on the development of blockchain-based law- and banking systems. Do you believe that these people could invest in something unpromising? Consider these guys with pockets full of money as a role model for your cryptocurrency investment career. Another good thing which happened in the last couple of years is purifying of the market from the scam projects together with the projects which didn’t survive the market competition. This natural selection is a necessary step for the further development for every new and competitive field, so the cryptocurrency market enters 2019 being much stronger than before. Isn’t it a good sign?

4) Market stabilization and the end of mass hysteria

The huge blockchain and cryptocurrency hype in the second half of 2017 and the first half of 2018 wasn’t actually an entirely positive phenomenon for the cryptocurrency field. Of course, it has drawn the attention of hundreds of millions of people to the Bitcoin phenomenon and made cryptocurrency a valuable asset as opposed to its previous small experimental role, which is definitely a good thing. But besides that, it has led in the cryptocurrency field millions of people following the hype and hoping to get rich doing absolutely nothing. This mass hysteria somehow devalued the cryptocurrency phenomenon, making it a target for serious criticism. Since that many skeptics criticized the blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, claiming it to be more of a “hype” thing than really a breakthrough technology. So the fact that the cryptocurrency field is gradually getting rid of the people hoping to get rich doing absolutely nothing and not having even basic economic or investment knowledge is a good thing. I’d really like to believe that now the cryptocurrency market will be evolving not because of hype, but owing to creating real value. Serious investors, who are necessary for the development of the field, are used to think with their own heads. They don’t follow the crowd but instead make decisions based on real facts and analytics.

5) Large investors are coming

Let’s say Bitcoins Future Price has declined once again and you are selling your assets. For you, it may look like the best and most obvious decision. Well, who do you think is on another side of your trades? Why are they accumulating thousands of BTC and ETH on their accounts? Believe me, it isn’t just because they are happy to help you to secure your investments. There is always an inner reason. An interesting fact is that when some asset’s price declines, small players usually sell it in fear to lose even more than they have already lost. On the contrary, the big players such as banks and hedge funds will often buy these assets for cheap while everyone else is getting rid of it. Needless to say, when the asset’s price rises again, the big players make really big profits. Being major companies and having strong risk management systems, they can afford risks concerned with holding big volumes of highly volatile assets. Even though we haven’t seen much official information about the large investors entering the field, the cryptocurrency market fluctuations of the last couple of years. The big players have already started to act anonymously, making large trading operations with different cryptocurrencies. These actions heavily influence the cryptocurrency prices, making it go up and down. what we are able to see on cryptocurrency charts. It’s a typical way of actions for large investors before they enter a new market: they test it first and only after that the official arrival is made and announced. This strategy is especially applicable to the cryptocurrency field. Unfortunately, cryptocurrency is still concerned with a big number of rumors and misconceptions. Any big investment firm entering the field may face misunderstanding in the financial community. So it’s still a common practice for big investment companies to act anonymously through the third parties until the cryptocurrency market gets more stable and widely recognized.

Which is the best Bitcoin investment site?

Buying bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies can be a fun way to explore an experimental new investment. But it’s also true that any investment in cryptocurrency should carry a warning label like cigarettes: “This product may be harmful to the health of your finances. Never buy more than you can afford to lose.” The value of bitcoin — the world’s first and most popular cryptocurrency — has risen from recent lows but is still trading far below 2017 highs. Like all cryptocurrencies, bitcoin is experimental and subject to much more volatility than many tried-and-true investments, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. NerdWallet advises investing no more than 10% of your portfolio in individual stocks or risky assets like bitcoin. If you’re new to investing, find out more about how to invest money. You can purchase bitcoin from several cryptocurrency exchanges. Many charge a percentage of the purchase price. Do your due diligence to find the right one for you. Some of the more popular exchanges include: Coinbase: This is a popular choice for U.S. bitcoin buyers, in part because you can easily link your bank account. Coinbase also offers access to etherium, litecoin and other cryptocurrencies. On each transaction, Coinbase charges a spread (an adjustment in the purchase or sale price of an investment) of about 0.5%, plus a fee. The fee is the greater of a variable percentage based on region and payment type — for example, 1.49% for a purchase funded by a U.S. bank account — or a flat fee that ranges from $0.99 to $2.99, depending on the amount transferred. Binance: The world’s largest exchange by volume for all cryptocurrencies, Binance charges a 0.1% fee for all crypto trades (some discounts are available), plus a withdrawal fee. Generally, you can only make purchases using cryptocurrency, though Binance did recently add the option to pay by credit card for an additional fee (this option is unavailable in some U.S. states). Bitcoin Future ATMs. These work like normal ATMs, only you can use them to buy and sell bitcoin. Coin ATM Radar shows more than 3,000 bitcoin ATMs around the U.S. Peer-to-peer bitcoin owners. You can buy bitcoins directly from other bitcoin owners, much like you would buy items on Craigslist, through peer-to-peer tools like Bisq, Bitquick and LocalBitcoins.com. Use extreme caution if buying bitcoin directly from individuals. Bitcoins Future, Trade Station offers a way for investors to trade on bitcoin futures, but this is pro-level stuff, not for amateurs. Here’s how to get started trading futures. Grayscale funds. Grayscale Investments is a digital currency asset manager. Two of its investment trusts — Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (its ticker symbol is GBTC) and Grayscale Ethereum Classic Trust (ETCG) — are publicly traded over the counter, which means you can buy them through many discount brokers. There are fees, and GBTC often trades at a premium, that is, GBTC shares often cost more than bitcoin, even though bitcoin is its only holding. The thinking is that some investors are willing to pay extra to buy bitcoin through a traditional exchange, without needing to worry about wallets and storage.

Will a bitcoin hit 1 million dollars?

Bitcoins Future Price are a dime a dozen. They can go anywhere from zero to over a million dollars. Some bettors like John McAfee are so confident that they are ready to go through absurd lengths (such as consuming their own member) to show their conviction. Do these crazy predictions hold ground? We scoured the web and discovered that John McAfee is not alone in his prediction that the king of cryptocurrencies will reach a million dollar valuation. Here are the most insane bitcoin predictions bravely shared by reputable financial figures. Jesse Lund, Former VP of Blockchain and Digital Currencies for IBM The former IBM executive is a bitcoin bull after stating during an interview that the price of BTC will eventually tap $1 million. In the interview, Lund says that at $1 million, a Satoshi would equal one U.S. penny.

He also noted that liquidity would skyrocket to over $20 trillion if one bitcoin is valued at Bitcoins Future Price $1 million. In his view, the $20 trillion liquidity would be a massive game-changer in the global financial services sector. Wences Casares, Member, PayPal Board of Directors Casares also hopped on the bitcoin $1 million valuation, but his prediction comes with a somewhat reasonable timeframe. According to the newest addition to PayPal’s board of directors: “One bitcoin may be worth more than $1 million in seven-to-10 years.” In his forecast, Casares emphasized stats that are often overlooked such as: Ten years of uninterrupted progress Over 60 million holders 1 million new holders each month Global transactions of over $1 billion per day Julian Hosp, Author and Crypto Analyst Like Casares, Hosp is also a big believer that Bitcoins Future Price will hit $1 million in the next decade. To make this prediction, he relied on the metric called the stock-to-flow ratio. The metric computes the current supply of the asset and divides it by the annual amount produced to estimate future valuation. Using this ratio to compute for bitcoin’s future value, the limited supply of 21 million coins will eventually play a huge factor.

Will Bitcoin halving increase price?

The bitcoin block halving is the moment that the miner reward per block is divided by two. This halving takes place every 210,000 blocks. Mining one block takes ten minutes on average, so it can be estimated that there is a bitcoin block halving approximately every four years. This continues until 21 million bitcoins are circulating. On top of this page you can see how long it will take until the next halving. What does the bitcoin block halving mean for miners? Creating bitcoin is expensive, but miners can make a profit when their income, the block reward, exceeds the costs. These costs include energy bills, equipment, and insurance for the equipment. The bitcoin block halving can be predicted, so miners know precisely to the day when the reward in bitcoin is halved. In that respect, the block halving provides some certainty for miners. But there is also uncertainty. The computing power on the network has been unstable for years, just like the delivery time of mining equipment. It may sound as if the miners receive less income after the halving, but halving the reward in bitcoin does not necessarily mean halving the reward in euros or dollars. Does the demand remain constant and is the supply growth slowing down? Then the price can rise in the future. But the role of transaction costs can also become greater. In this way, miners still receive sufficient compensation for their work. What happens to the bitcoin price after a block halving? After a block halving, the amount of bitcoin a miner receives when he finds a block gets halved. When the very first block was mined, the reward was a staggering 50 bitcoin, although the market value at that time was nearly zero. After the first halving, the reward was reduced to 25 bitcoin, and the current reward per block is 12.5 bitcoin. The corresponding value in a fiat currency such as the dollar or euro is different at any given time, depending on the bitcoin price. Some traders believe that a bitcoin block halving affects the price directly. The first halving took place in 2012. A year later, bitcoin reached a provisional all-time high. The same thing happened a year after the next halving, in 2017. Is the block halving responsible for such price activity or is it just speculation? Currently there are 1,800 bitcoins mined each day, and the vast majority of those coins are sold instantly to cover for the mining expenses. When there is a halving, the number of coins that will be brought into the market will consequently decrease, leading to more scarcity. This is the best logical explanation that reflects on the price increases following block halving. But will this happen during the next halving in 2020 as well? We really can’t say; the bitcoin price is volatile and since the halving dates are known, the increasing scarcity could already be taken into account leading up to the halving. What happens after the last block halving ever? After the last bitcoin block halving, miners will no longer receive a block reward. By this time they will only earn bitcoins through transaction costs. This means transaction costs will play a bigger role in the future. Does this mean transactions will become more expensive? That doesn’t have to be the case necessarily. There are many developments on the network that will make the expenses manageable. For example, with the implementation of the Lightning Network. This new technique makes it possible for transactions to take place on a second layer instead of on the actual blockchain itself. Perhaps smaller transactions will take place on this second layer in the future. The transaction costs for sending coins on the Lightning Network aren’t high, which ensures affordable transactions in the future. But this is all in the future; we won’t even experience the last block halving ourselves. It is estimated that the last (piece of) bitcoin is mined in the year 2140. https://www.bitcoinblockhalf.com/

Bitcoin Bull Rally Coming?

Bitcoins Future Price, Bitcoin (BTC) has a finite supply. There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin in existence. This is a key factor in the value of Bitcoin and is crucial to understanding why Bitcoin is rising in value today. I’m not a prophet, I don’t own any magical crystal balls, I don’t even own any magic 8 balls — I don’t claim to know every factor that contributed to the price of Bitcoins Future going up. I do know, however, that all the factors below are contributing to its’ next parabolic run. So, let’s talk about why Bitcoin is going up in 2019. A Shrinking Supply The chart above plots the price of Bitcoin (the black line) over time, compared against the colored bands, which represent the % of Bitcoins supply that has not been spent within a certain time frame. The blue bands at the top represent the % of Bitcoin in existence that hasn’t been spent in over 5 years. The red bands at the bottom represent the percentage of Bitcoin that hasn’t been spent in less than 1 day. What does this all mean? There are more HODL’ers You’ll notice that while the total supply of Bitcoin is rising, the liquid supply of Bitcoin is decreasing. This is represented by the growth of the blue bands in the top right corner of the chart. As mentioned, these bands represent the % of Bitcoin in circulation that hasn’t been moved or spent in over 5 years, it represents the HODL’ers.

Right now, around 20% of the total supply of Bitcoin hasn’t been spent in over 5 years, meaning 20% of the supply is currently being held for the long term, or maybe even lost due to forgotten keys and passphrases. For the past week news about Project Libra has been all over my Twitter feed, Medium, and even traditional media outlets. Forbes, Fast Money, Financial Times; everyone is covering Facebook's entrance into crypto markets. This is amazing for Bitcoins Future. The retail investor wave hasn’t begun even begun. I don’t have old friends from school calling me asking me about Bitcoin just yet, we haven’t hit critical mass. The search volume on Google for “Bitcoin” is still at relatively low levels compared to the last time the price saw this much growth. As the retail market catches on, we’ll see that search volume rise, and FOMO will kick in. Read the full article

[fantasyfootballfiction-blog]

Are you or a loved one living with a Fantasy Football Disorder?

If so, you may be entitled to my consolation.

Last Sunday, while switching back and forth between Fantasy Apps on my phone, scanning a sports bar’s wall of TVs for Red Zone action, and simultaneously receiving merciless trash talk from my opponents, I felt all the signs and symptoms of a condition that affects millions of fantasy football owners.

You, too, may have experienced these before:

Increased heart rate. Rapid breathing. Sweating. Irritability. Racing Thoughts. Loss of appetite. Confusion.

If you have felt any of all of the above symptoms, then you may be living with Fanxiety.

First off, do not be ashamed; Fanxiety is a condition found in 1 out of 3 owners who play fantasy football. If you suspect that you or an opponent are affected, there are certain telltale signs; have you or a loved one displayed these common behaviors recently?

- Slamming, throwing, or submerging a smartphone following a bad play - Yelling utter nonsense at the TV like “F**k you, Chris Collinsworth!!” - Making desperate trade offers and resorting to begging with your league to accept them - Realizing you forgot to set your lineup before the London game and smashing your alarm clock - Picking up O.J. Simpson off waivers because you can’t sustain another injury - Grabbing your friend, looking him in the eye, and shrieking “Why do we put ourselves through this????”

If these sound all too familiar, chances are that you could use some help, and I’m here to give it. I may not be a doctor, but having lived with Fanxiety for the past five years, I can offer my own advice for self-therapy.

The first thing to remember is that you’re not alone. Look at your league. I can guarantee that almost every team has dealt with season-long injuries. This past weekend fantasy owners everywhere sighed in frustration as Dalvin Cook and Chris Carson both went down to the IR. Our beloved Packers receiving back Ty Montgomery left in the first quarter of Thursday night’s game with broken ribs. These lineup setbacks can only add to fanxiety, but before you throw eggs at your opponent’s house for trading you Ty Montgomery last week, realize that first of all, it’s not his fault, it’s not your fault, and that most of us are part of the struggle. Plus, on the bright side, this makes it more likely that your competitors will be facing you with equally handicapped lineups.

The competition now becomes who is making better strategic moves to replace the injured. The next thing to consider when battling this disorder is that you can always turn things around. Have a look at the depth charts for the teams losing their 1st and 2nd tier RB and WRs. Chances are you’ve probably never heard of half the players that are being started at this point. Who the hell is J.D. McKissic? How should I know. What I do know is that he came out of nowhere and put on a show on Sunday night, so he’s worth stashing until the next Seattle RB starter joins the injury report. Latavius Murray is another waiver wire stud that many owners submitted claims for this past week. I’m still not sold on him replacing Dalvin Cook in a production sense. I’m looking to Jerrick McKinnon to share a good load of these carries. The free agent I’m most enthused about is Will Fuller V. He returned to the Texans receiving squad this past week and scored two touchdowns in his season debut. I fully expect him (no pun intended) to heat up along with the rest of the offense in Houston as we approach week 5.

Speaking of heating up, another positive thought to note is that the progression of the season is working very well in some of our favors. What I mean is that the some of the teams and subsequent players you may have sworn off are beginning to warm up, and your team may do the same. If you started the season on a bad note, then here’s my next affirmation, it’s always darkest before the dawn. Just ask the 2-2 Houston Texans, or the inspiring 3-1 Buffalo Bills, who no one expected to be leading the AFC East at this stage in the current season. While we’re talking long shots, how about them Eagles? As a former Philadelphian and an owner of Carson Wentz in multiple leagues, I have to say I love seeing the Birds soar to the top of the NFC East.

Here’s one more consolation for someone who suffers from unrelenting fantasy stress; it’s only week 5. I would say ‘it’s only fantasy football’, but if you’re actually reading this blog, chances are that you care about it way too much like I do. Being unreasonably obsessed with winning your leagues is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is coming in last place — well, as long as your league’s punishment for finishing last isn’t getting a Nickleback tattoo.

Ah, I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling more at ease already. More hopeful. Less Fanxious. As we enter the first week of BYEs (well, if we’re not including the whole Hurricane-forced-BYE situation in week 1), stay optimistic, make good starts and never let fanxiety negatively impact your fantasy decisions.

Week 4 Awards

Despite my lack of wins in week 4, I’m still singing the praises of a few key players. Check out my hot-fire mixtape for fantasy performances in Week 4

1. Everybody Hurts (Cause Everybody’s Hurt) by The NFL

2. Ready or Not, Here I Come by Mitchell Trubisky

3. It Was a Good Day by Andy Dalton

4. Can I Kick It? (Yes You Can) by Greg Zuerlin

5. U Remind Me of a Cam That I Once Knew by Cam Newton

6. Born To Run by Le’Veon Bell

7. Another One Bites the Dust by Chris Carson and Dalvin Cook

BONUS TRACK

We Are Never Ever Ever, Getting Back Together by Me featuring Amari Cooper

Five Terrible Recommendations for Week 5

1. Kick yourself for not picking up Jared Goff when I told you to. And if you’re not in a two-QB league like mine where the owners fight like the Hunger Games over a solid waiver QB, try to pick him up. He’s thrown for 547 and 5 touchdowns over the past two weeks, and I like those numbers. The Rams are one of those teams that keeps getting warmer.

2. Make a (fair) trade for Will Fuller V. If he stays healthy and DeShaun Watson continues to shine, look for him to take on a decent size workload and project consistent points week to week.

3. Stash J.D. McKissic and hope that the Seahawks will see the level of potential that radiated from his breakout performance on Sunday night. Even with Chris Carson sidelined, I’m hesitant to start him, and that’s for two reasons. One, C.J. Prosise is set to return, and he’s at the bottom of a depth chart that includes Thomas Rawls and veteran Eddie Lacy. Two, even if he is the best choice for a lead back or even an RB2, we’re talking about the same team that blew a Super Bowl lead by throwing the ball when it could have easily been rushed into the endzone. Wise running back decisions are not really a strongpoint in Seattle.

4. Bench Amari Cooper. The obvious reason is that Derek Carr is hurt, but even if that were not so, I’ve moved on from expecting anything more than a low-end flex performance from this disappointing receiver.

5. Don’t get your hopes up about Cam Newton. It was nice to see a flash of the old Cam, but my gut is telling me to expect less of it in the future. I’ve talked a lot about players and teams warming up; though he lit a few flames last week, I believe this one is going to cool down.

[iloveyoupittsburghpirates-blog]

Until We Meet Again, Pittsburgh Pirates

My Dearest Pittsburgh Pirates,

I’ll give you this: you finished strong. The 2017 baseball season ended for you yesterday and you finished with a record of 75-87 by going 4-2 in your final week. You were only a measly seventeen games out of first place but the good news you avoided finishing in last place by seven games. Way to go! This season will go down as even more disappointing than last season and you were coming off a 98 win year in 2015. This one hurt more because last year you expected, at least slightly, to take a step back. A.J. Burnett retired, Neil Walker has been traded, and you were still trying to fill the void left by Edinson Volquez’s departure the year before that. The “bridge year” had ended and it looked like the young staff could take steps forward. You can argue that it did but the offense took about thirty steps back. Losing Kang to the Visa, Marte to the suspension, Matt Joyce and SRod to free agency, and Polanco to multiple hamstring injuries cost you over sixty homers. That’s a lot especially when the league destroyed the record for most overall homers hit in one season. That immediately puts you at a huge disadvantage. Obviously some of those things were out of your control (i.e. Kang and Marte) but you had opportunities to do something about it and you didn’t. Maybe you knew this roster wasn’t where it needed to be without them. I don’t know. I do know that after back to back losing seasons you need to do something to improve this roster. You can’t stick with the status quo and expect things to change.

Could this be it? Everyone treated the final two home games of the year on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Orioles as if they could be Andrew McCutchen’s last in front of the Pittsburgh crowd. I still think the chances of that are very slim but it’s important to give one of the greatest players in franchise history his due just in case it comes to fruition. Cutch gave the home crowd a show on Tuesday night and they paid him back in full. Cutch hit his first career grand slam in a 10-1 smashing of the Orioles. The relief Cutch showed rounding the bases showed how much it meant to him. He took a curtain call after the fans wouldn’t relent and that would be his first of three that evening. He hit a three-run homer later which garnered another standing ovation and a tip of the cap. The final one came when Clint Hurdle made the classy move of sending Cutch out to play defense only to immediately pull him so the crowd could give him a much deserved round of applause. He went 4 for 4 in that game with two homers and eight RBI’s. I’m glad Pittsburgh acknowledged what Cutch has done for this franchise just in case it’s over. I believed for a long time we would never see a winning season again and never see a player of Cutch’s capabilities step onto the field in a Pirates’ uniform. Talk about the pitching all you want but we don’t make three straight playoffs if Cutch isn’t on your roster. Hell, we very well might still have the consecutive losing seasons streak going without him. He is a generational player. After an abysmal start to this year, he finished with splits of .279/.363/.486 for a .849 OPS, 28 homers, and 88 RBI’s. He even added eleven steals and played a far more respectable center field. Cherish the moments you watched him play. Cherish him handing his batting gloves to two elated kids in San Diego. Cherish an MVP winner. Cherish a man who loved to play for this city. Cherish a man who made you a winner again. This dedication might be pointless right now if he’s standing in center field on opening day next year but, in case he’s not, thank you Cutch for helping me believe in Pirates’ baseball again. You are easily my favorite Pirate that I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching in person.

In a down year, you look for silver linings in order to keep you optimistic moving forward. Obviously, Cutch’s bounce back was a big one. Josh Bell becoming a home run hitter and looking like he has the potential to be a corner stone piece was gigantic. Felipe Rivero becoming one of the best closers in baseball was a lovely surprise. I think the biggest surprise though might be the performance of Trevor Williams. When quality starting pitching is so hard to find, you can’t overstate how important Williams breakout season could be. Williams 4.07 ERA and 1.31 WHIP look decent especially for the number four or five guy in your rotation but when you see his second half numbers it’s becomes even more interesting. In the first half of the season, his ERA was 4.80. That included his first start in Los Angeles when he got tagged for ten runs. In the second half, his ERA was 3.35. His WHIP has actually remained fairly consistent in the two halves. First half it was 1.27 and second half it was 1.35. Those aren’t WHIP’s that blow you away but they are decent and, given it’s his first season starting in the majors, there’s reason to believe that could improve. His FIP’s were about the same as well with the first half at 4.06 and 3.99 in the second half. His strikeouts increased in the second half of the season but so did his walks which would explain his increase in WHIP. He stranded 64% of the runners he put on base in the first half and improved to strand 78% of runners after that. These are all very encouraging numbers. When you remember that you acquired Williams from the Marlins as compensation for pitching guru, Jim Benedict, taking a position there, it seems like a smart move. When you learn that Benedict was fired by new CEO Derek Jeter this weekend, the move looks brilliant. I don’t know if Williams can continue to perform at this level but there’s reason to believe that you have found your number four starter for now and for the future.

Jameson Taillon finally looked like an ace caliber pitcher again on Saturday night against the Washington Nationals. The Nationals didn’t have anything to play for but they still had their normal starting lineup in there and Taillon dominated. He pitched seven innings allowing four hits, one run, one walk, and striking out five. We haven’t seen this Taillon since his return from testicular cancer and if that’s not a good enough reason to give someone leeway than nothing is. Taillon has the ability to be a true ace and his ceiling could even be higher than Gerrit Cole’s. I don’t know what the state of the rotation will be next season but I’m optimistic. If they don’t trade Cole, which is possible, they have someone who pitched almost 200 innings and struck out almost 200 hitters. His home run numbers have to decrease significantly for him to be a force but given that he gave up more than two and a half times the amount of homers this year than he has in any other season, there’s hope that this was an anomaly. With Williams at the four and options like Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault, and Nick Kingham at the five, the only person you really need to get back on track is Ivan Nova which might be easier said than done after his poor second half (5.83 ERA, 1.61 WHIP). You would like to think that Tyler Glasnow could be a part of this conversation too but seeing as he can’t pitch three innings without walking five to six batters, he’s in the “worthless until proven otherwise” category. I’m not certain the rotation will be great or even good next year. I do have more confidence in this staff than I have had in the last two and I believe they are in better position for next year than the offense.  Let’s hope these pitchers play up to their potential and that you find a way to improve the offense.

I bitch and complain a lot. I harp on the mistakes you make over and over again. I have the luxury of sitting in the peanut gallery and analyzing everything you do with a microscope without knowing everything that goes on behind the scenes. It’s weekends like this past one that put things into perspective. Sports are fun. I take them as or more seriously than anyone else and sometimes you realize they only matter so much. When you see the devastation in Puerto Rico or the senseless massacre in Las Vegas, you remember that sports only have one responsibility: to entertain. Enjoy them. Enjoy them more than I sometimes do. That’s why they exist. I could complain more about a disappointing season but instead I’m going to thank you for being there. Thank you for giving me something to focus on, even once in a while, to take my mind off the insanity that’s out there. Many things need to drastically change to prevent tragedies like this but they don’t happen in a baseball blog. I tell you how much I love you all the time, and I do, but right now I want to say I love you to all the people who make my life worth living. You don’t know what could happen next and you never want to be in a situation wishing you would have said it more. To the people that read this, to my family, and to my friends, I’m grateful for you every day. These are difficult times and the one thing no one can stop you from doing is loving. I know this has devolved into schmaltz and cheesiness but there are few days when it’s felt more appropriate. Be more compassionate. Be more appreciative. I know I will be. We have a long fight ahead of us to stop horrific tragedies like today. All I currently have is the power of words so I will just want to say it once more: Thank you, all. I love you dearly.

                                   With Sincere and Desperate Hope For a Better Tomorrow,

                                                                                           Brad

P.S. stands for the Pittsburgh Steelers who got their season back on track with a huge win on the road against the division rival, Baltimore Ravens. You grinded out a 26-9 win on the back of great defense and Le’Veon Bell having his first real Le’Veon Bell type day (186 yds from scrimmage and 2 TD’s). You are now 3-1 and standalone at the top of the division ahead of the Ravens (2-2), Bengals (1-3), and Browns (0-4). You get only your second home game in five weeks on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. You are 3-1, you have had one home game, and your franchise QB has been above average at best. I’ll take it…

[junker-town]

Each MLS team in 2021, previewed by the experts who know them best

Previewing the new MLS season by the people who know their teams best.

MLS enters its 26th season still trying to figure out exactly what it is, but probably stronger than it ever has been before in terms of its standing on the world stage. No, it’s not yet a “league of choice” — something Commissioner Don Garber has long promised — but it is financially stable and competitive from top to bottom, something few other leagues anywhere can boast right now.

Once considered a bit of a retirement league, MLS continues to bring in more and more international-quality players either in the primes of their careers or on the upswing. They’ve also got three new stadiums opening this year, one of which will house a brand new team.

We reached out to our team blogs — and a few other subject experts — to explain why their teams are worth watching this year.

Eastern Conference

Atlanta United

For all the completely understandable reasons that Atlanta United fans may have checked out last season, this may be a season in which fans can’t look away. Everything about the team feels reinvigorated, from the coaching staff to the new and returning players. Atlanta United set a low bar after failing to reach the playoffs in a season in which 10 (!) teams from each conference qualified. The season may not be an instant success from day one in terms of results, but it should be a highly entertaining product on the field.

Josef Martinez is poised to make his return, George Bello could have a breakout season under new head coach Gabriel Heinze and Ezequiel Barco will be itching to show teams in Europe his quality. Why shouldn’t you be excited? Even if the team doesn’t win any trophies, Atlanta United’s tactical setup and philosophy should be exciting enough in itself to make this season so much more fun than 2020. Oh yeah, and there’s the whole thing about fans potentially returning to stadiums across the league. - Joe Patrick, Dirty South Soccer

Chicago Fire

Gaston Gimenez and Alvaro Medran gave the Fire one of the best midfield combos in MLS last season. They’re both back, and they both have a year of experience in MLS under their belts. Playing in front of them will likely be Luka Stojanovic, who played all of 60 minutes in 2020 before a season ending knee injury. Stojanovic should provide both a scoring punch, and more creativity in the attack, two things he was signed to add before his injury. Mauricio Pineda, who went from Homegrown signing, to the team’s leader in minutes played, to the Fire’s Defender of the Year, should continue to improve in 2021. Veteran Johan Kappelhof is back after an injury plagued 2020, looks as fit as ever, and may actually see time in defensive midfield. And Robert Beric, who was one of the hottest strikers in MLS at the end of last season, should pick up where he left off in 2021.

Last season was a mess at times, and the team didn’t put together many complete, 90 minute performances. This season will be different for the Fire. As defender Miguel Navarro said recently, “This year, there aren’t any excuses.” - Patrick McCraney, Hot Time in Old Town

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati has got just about everything you need for an entertaining season. They’ve got some of the biggest crowds in the league, passionate and loud fans willing their team on. They’ve got a brand new home with the team opening up their very own stadium in the historic West End neighborhood in the center of the city. The club’s got some of the flashiest and most expensive attacking talent in the league in the likes of Brenner and Lucho Acosta. And, finally FC Cincy has that bit of dysfunction that you need to keep everybody on their toes.

Look, the team’s got the talent potential to legitimately be a good team in MLS. But that’s only come with the team’s own self-inflicted hardships. That means that, while it’s hard to make predictions, it’s definitely safe to say that the club is going to have its ups and downs. Success will come down to whether the team can make that dance on that precarious line between success and catastrophe. Fans will certainly be hoping the team lands on the right side of that line. But however it ends, it’s going to be quite the trip. - Adnan Ilyas

Columbus Crew

The easy answer for why to watch the Crew is that the team is the defending MLS Cup champions. What makes the Black & Gold even more exciting is that they managed to improve over the offseason. The Crew’s offense was already fun to watch with MLS Cup MVP Lucas Zelarayan, U.S. international Gyasi Zardes and Portuguese winger Pedro Santos, but Columbus added one of the top scorers in MLS history in Bradley Wright-Phillips and winger Kevin Molino.

The team also became deeper with acquisitions of Perry Kitchen in the midfield to go along with Darlington Nagbe and Artur and Marlon Hairston to back up Harrison Afful at right back. It’s hard to win an MLS Cup and get better but it very much looks like the Crew did just that this offseason. - Patrick Murphy, Massive Report

Inter Miami

You should keep an eye out for Inter Miami this year because of settled expectations. After years of controversy around rushed stadium plans, an overhyped transfer mindset, and a rushed roster; Miami are ready to settle in.

Miami’s shine wore off quickly last season. The David Beckham owned and marketed squad never seemed comfortable under Diego Alonso. The Uruguayan coach was quickly sacked after the team’s tenth place finish.

In comes Phil Neville, to no one’s surprise, and now Beckham has his man and no excuses. The ex-Juventus duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi should be more motivated than ever after uncharacteristically poor seasons. A long offseason can only do two well-seasoned… - Josh Sutter

CF Montreal

Sporting Director, Olivier Renard has been successful previously in Belgium with player recruitment. With each of KV Mechelen and more especially Standard Liege, he generated significant profits from recruiting, shrewdly, players that each club was able to develop and sell-on at significant profit.

The Belgian is optimistic about the new season and feels confident CF Montreal will make progress. Although fans and media may still express doubt over the quality of the new workforce, one thing that everyone agrees on is that Renard’s prudence has ensured more than adequate cover for every position. He’s also recruited players for similar positions with differing attributes, providing greater flexibility of systems for the coach. - Paul Vance, Mount Royal Soccer

Nashville SC

After a successful inaugural season that saw the Boys in Gold reach the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Semifinals, Nashville SC is back looking to build on its success and establish themselves as a contender for the foreseeable future.

SC had a phenomenal year defensively allowing .96 goals a game, the best mark by an expansion team in MLS history. Nashville was also third in goals allowed with 22, and SC has one of the better backlines in MLS led by centerbacks Dave Romney, Walker Zimmerman, the reigning MLS Defender of the Year, and keeper Joe Willis who at age 33 had the best season of his career.

With a strong backline allowing for more chances on the offensive end, expect Nashville SC to challenge for a top-five regular season finish in the Eastern Conference. - Zachary Junda

New England Revolution

The New England Revolution are coming off a disappointing loss in the Eastern Conference Finals. The only way they can be pleased with their performance in 2021 is by making the MLS Cup.

New England actually improved their squad with the acquisitions of Arnor Traustason, Christian Mafla, and Wilfrid Kaptoum. The Revs also have key players like Matt Turner, Henry Kessler, and Tajon Buchanan along with DP’s Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou returning to the squad.

In 2020 Revs fans saw just how much Gil means to the club. Once he returned from injury the club looked completely different. They had their heart and soul back on the pitch.

This season New England should compete for an MLS Cup. With how deep the squad is there should be plenty of goals scored and some exciting soccer being played throughout the 2021 season. - Sam Minton, The Bent Musket

New York City FC

What NYCFC lack in star power, they more than make up for in fundamentally sound role players and younger guys who are beginning to show exactly how high their ceilings really are. Maxi Moralez is one of the more fun playmakers in the league to watch. James Sands is a stud Homegrown defensive midfielder and will probably be moving to Europe sooner rather than later. And Anton Tinnerholm is by far the best right back in the league.

Another fun tidbit is that as of right now, New York City has two free Designated Player slots. This means there is the potential of some eye-opening additions once the summer window opens. Even if they aren’t the best in the league — or even their conference — right out of the gate, there are few MLS clubs with higher upside than NYCFC. - Christian Smith, Hudson River Blue

New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls have never been more committed to the energy drink soccer philosophy than they will be this season. Former Salzburg academy and reserves manager Gerhard Struber was recruited from Barnsley by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz personally, and former Wolverhampton Wanderers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has brought in a diverse array of young signings for him to pursue an extreme high-press scheme with.

The Red Bulls will continue to disappoint fans seeking Hollywood signings, but the specific attributes and profiles sought out by the club’s new technical leadership promise to give the team a coherent and dynamic tactical approach. It’s an approach that could potentially run other MLS teams off the field, the way New York did in the Supporters Shield-winning campaigns of not too long ago. - Ben Cork, Once a Metro

Orlando City

Simply put, Orlando City are fun. They play an exciting brand of possession-based soccer, typically building out of the back but perfectly willing to have Robin Jansson or Oriol Rosell send a long ball out wide to catch the opposition napping and create a quick transition opportunity.

Up and down the roster, there are exciting players at almost every position. That starts with Nani, the one-time Portugal international. Daryl Dike was a revelation at forward last season. Chris Mueller is a hard-working and creative player with a motor that only runs at full power. Pereyra is a sorcerer with the ball because, as Falcon says, a sorcerer is a wizard without a hat. And let’s not forget Ruan’s (and Benji Michel’s) blazing speed, Junior Urso’s passion, Pedro Gallese’s highlight saves, or Moutinho’s magical crosses. - Michael Citro, The Mane Land

Toronto FC

On paper, Toronto FC are still projected to be one of the best teams in MLS, led of course by the reigning MVP: Alejandro Pozuelo. Michael Bradley is expected to contribute more offensively than in years past, while Jozy Altidore appears to have bought in to new head coach Chris Armas’ vision, as he’s apparently working hard and pushing others in training in hopes of bouncing back after a disappointing 2021 campaign.

The club is also extremely high on some of their young Canadian talent, like Ayo Akinola — the league-leader in goals per 90 last season — Jayden Nelson, Ralph Priso, and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, as TFC arguably boast the best prospect cupboard in all of MLS. The youngsters are expected to earn quite a few minutes under Armas, which should be intriguing to fans who have been waiting to see what some of their local talent could do. - Michael Singh, Waking the Red

Western Conference

Austin FC

If preseason is any indicator of how this team will approach the offensive side of the game, and goals on goals on goals is your kind of thing, then Austin FC may just be worth it. Austin has shown they’re willing to attack, throw numbers forward and certainly not lacking in any creative ideas at the moment.

Austin hasn’t lacked in finding goals during the first two pre-season games against Houston and Dallas (total of 5 goals scored) and are finding their offensive joy from everyone across the attacking line. Plus, you just never know when Matthew McConaughey is going to make some kind of cameo. - Jason Poon

Colorado Rapids

Last season, MLS adjusted the playoff qualifications more or less for the Rapids since they would be playing significantly fewer games due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the club. Despite playing just 18 games in 2020 (every other team in the conference played 21-23), Colorado still made the playoffs the old-fashioned way: overall points. Sure, they didn’t look great and got bounced in the first round by Minnesota United, but they finished the season on a three-game winning streak AND won the Rocky Mountain Cup for the first time since 2015.

The front office may not have signed a DP in the offseason like fans wanted, but without losing any key players and only bringing in more talent, spirits should be high in what will hopefully be Robin Fraser’s first full regular season as head coach. If things go how they’ve been trending over the past season and a half, the Rapids will do well and make it to post-season again. - Abbie Mood Lang, Burgundy Wave

FC Dallas

Normally it would be the Homegrown players and which ones will be next up. But after transfers for Reggie Cannon and Bryan Reynolds last season, it appears that while the pipeline of academy talent is still there for FC Dallas it may be their young South American talent that is more intriguing this season to keep an eye out on. Jadar Obrian was the leading scoring in the Colombian top flight last year, while Freddy Vargas appears to be a dead-ball specialist on the wing that the club has lacked since the departure of veteran defender Reto Ziegler.

If they can tie it all together with the Homegrowns like Jesus Ferreira, Tanner Tessmann, Ricardo Pepi and a returning Paxton Pomykal, this club could make some serious noise in MLS. - Drew Epperley, Big D Soccer

Houston Dynamo

You will want to tune in to Dynamo games because there really is no telling what is going to happen. Houston can look like an unbeatable juggernaut at times when they are playing at home and other times when on the road, they will look like a group of guys who just learned how to play the sport. You’ll also want to watch Dynamo games to see that maturation of Tab Ramos as a coach and how his tactics and system begin to become ingrained in this team.

They may not be the best team, heck, they might not even be that good, but Ramos is going to have them playing his way and playing hard. The Dynamo are on the path to becoming a relevant team again and at times it may not be pretty, but you’re going to see a team learning, growing, and becoming the embodiment of their manager out on the field. - Dustyn Richardson, Dynamo Theory

LAFC

This is the most exciting team to watch in MLS, period. If you’re a neutral, you’ll love the goalfests that LAFC frequently are involved in. They not only score a ton themselves, but two of the last three seasons have also conceded bucketloads. You know how every coach who has an introductory press conference says, “We want to play exciting, attacking, front-foot soccer”? That’s what this team does. It can be nervy for fans, but it’s also fun to root for a team that can seems capable of scoring four goals against any opponent.

Beyond the goals and the high-octane style, LAFC have a growing group of young and young-ish talent from around the world that is showing just how successful the club’s scouting network has been thus far. Yes, they’ve struggled to get the 3rd Designated Player right, and their current one, Brian Rodriguez, may or may not return from his current loan to the Spanish second flight, but when the first choice XI is available they are a ton of fun to watch and they are rightly considered title contenders in 2021. - Alicia Rodriguez, Angels on Parade

LA Galaxy

There’s been holes in the roster in the past, to be sure, but again, this squad has been better than their performances have shown. If they can be back to their best — if Chicharito can finally find traction in MLS and become a consistent scorer, if Sebastian Lletget can play as well for club as he does for country, if the defense can stop shipping goals, if Jonathan dos Santos can play at Best XI standard again, if Victor Vazquez can stay healthy, if newcomer Samuel Grandsir can have an immediate impact, if a Homegrown player or two emerge to be regular contributors — then they can be near the top of the standings in relatively short order.

It won’t all be fixed overnight, but the combination of Vanney’s arrival and the roster re-tooling, plus hopes of bounce back seasons for several players means there is considerable optimism that the Galaxy have finally turned a page and will be elite again soon. - Alicia Rodriguez, LAG Confidential

Minnesota United

Minnesota United comes into 2021 off what is by far the club’s best season since entering MLS in 2017 and best since overall their 2012 NASL runner-up season. A Western Conference final appearance, and ultimately late loss, capped off a weird year.

While MNUFC might be lacking a major striker and scoring threat up top, they definitely aren’t lacking in other areas. The Loons’ midfield from front to back is filled with great players and depth. Adrian Heath’s typical 4-2-3-1 and alternate 4-4-2 formations gives Minnesota plenty of options with midfielders Osvaldo Alonso, Jann Gregus, Emanuel Reynoso, Ethan Finlay, Robin Lod, and Hassani Dotson leading the way. Behind them is a stout set of defenders, albeit one that may once again be lacking Ike Opara. However this defense showed in 2020 how capable they can be even without the Ace of the back line on the pitch. And clearing out the look is the 1-2 combination of goalkeepers in Dayne St. Clair and Tyler Miller. That 1-2 punch is surely the deepest set of goalkeepers in the league.

Provided the defense holds its 2020 form and Heath’s squad can create some scoring the Loons could be a threat near the top of the Western Conference and an overall fantastic team to watch in 2021. - Ashle Norling, E Pluribus Loonum

Portland Timbers

There are plenty of reasons for this, but let’s start with arguably the most important: Sebastian Blanco is back, or at least will be back soon. The best player on the Timbers was absent for the majority of the 2020 regular season, and Portland were still good enough to finish in the top three of the Western Conference. They had one of the best offenses in MLS last regular season without Seba. With Seba, they earned a Concacaf Champions League Tournament appearance thanks to Portland’s victory in the MLS is Back Tournament last August. The prospect of a Timbers squad with Blanco back is exciting in and of itself.

And there are other storylines, too. What’s going on at the No. 9 spot? Jeremy Ebobisse is a talented young player, but are the Timbers going to wind up starting Felip Mora instead? Will Father Time catch up to Diego Valeri and Diego Chara or will they continue to be two of the best in MLS history at their respective positions? Will the defense continue to give up goals in the final 15 minutes? All these questions need answering, and the best way to do so is to watch the Timbers. - Kyle Garcia, Stumptown Footy

Real Salt Lake

There’s a huge amount of untapped potential here. Albert Rusnak could be a 10-goal, 10-assist player, even if he wasn’t last year; Pablo Ruiz has been a revelation in the midfield; Rubio Rubin might prove a hugely underrated signing; and Bobby Wood could find form again.

The narratives around so many players could prove a level of excitement we haven’t felt in years, and there’s a real chance the team feels untethered from ownership. This could be the year things start to look up again. - Matt Montgomery, RSL Soapbox

San Jose Earthquakes

In the Matias Almeyda era, games have largely been goal-fests. Beyond that, the Quakes have a self-belief that can sometimes look misguided, but a decade-long track record of coming back in games, plus Almeyda’s ace man management, have combined to make this team believe they are in pretty much any game. Beyond that, Almeyda’s playing style is unique in MLS. A disciple of Marcelo Bielsa, the Earthquakes use a man-marking system and utilizew an incredibly vertical style of play.

They are far more accustomed to chaos than most teams, and while it does fall apart, spectacularly, on occasion, their frantic approach usually unsettles opponents and leads to stretches of beautiful play among the blunt force. If you are a student of tactics then Quakes games are a treat, as you watch the chess match between Almeyda and his opposite number on the other bench. - Alicia Rodriguez, Center Line Soccer

Seattle Sounders

No MLS team has enjoyed the level of sustained success as the Sounders. They’ve qualified for the playoffs in all 12 of their season, have been to 4 of the past 5 MLS Cup finals and won two league titles since Schmetzer took over midway through 2016. While every season has seen at least some turnover among the starters, this year feels different.

There’s reason for concern, but also reason to be excited. The Sounders have a host of young players who could contend for significant minutes this year and a new primary formation for the first time during their current era. If the Sounders are to continue this run of excellence, it will need to be through evolution. That should make them worth watching. - Jeremiah Oshan, Sounder at Heart

Sporting KC

It would be easy to list Alan Pulido and Johnny Russell in the attack as one reason for excitement but it might be the number of homegrowns on the roster that is the most interesting. With 10 of 27 players coming from SKC’s Academy, there will be a lot of youth. Academy products Gianluca Busio and Jaylin Lindsay are looking like regular starters and Daniel Salloi, Felipe Hernandez and Cameron Duke seem slated to get regular time so the team will be young.

But it may be Wilson Harris who scored 4 goals in the first three preseason games and scored consistently for SKC II that could be the surprise and have a breakout year. Add in Tyler Freeman, Grayson Barber and Ozzie Cisneros and there could be a youthful revolution in Kansas City for the next couple seasons. And Puldio and Russell in the attack will still be a great reason to watch as well... - Thad Bell, The Blue Testament

Vancouver Whitecaps

In the absence of an Attacking Midfield talisman, the hope is that Vancouver gets creative with how they create (I know, stick with me). Adding Bruno Gaspar gives the Whitecaps balance at fullback, something they’ve desperately needed. Meanwhile, Deiber Caicedo will complete an all-Colombian winger pairing that Marc Dos Santos has been craving since he first took the job. With these moves, all signs point to a team that is going to spend a lot of time getting busy in wide areas, and that could make for some pretty exciting football. Lurking in the box will be Canadian stallworth Lucas Cavallini. Although last year was tough for the target man, he still scored six goals in a short season, and if the service is even slightly better than last year, there’s no reason he can’t flirt with the 15-goal mark.

Finally, if the defenders and goalkeepers stay healthy, the Whitecaps could have exciting position battles at both spots. Olympic Qualifying standout Derek Cornelius is battling Serbian International Ranko Veselinovic for a place at centerback, while two young Canadians in Max Crepeau and Thomas Hasal will vie for a spot between the sticks. - Sam Rowan, 86 Forever

[robertshugartca]

Personally, my skin veers oily—combination on a good day. I also...

Personally, my skin veers oily—combination on a good day. I also happen to have pores that make a habit of sucking in everything and anything I put on top of them and subsequently clogging. Lovely. Celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau once recommend this lightweight sebum-controlling face moisturizer to me (like two years ago), and it’s pretty much the only formula I’ve touched since. It keeps bumps and clogged pores on crowd control and my overall complexion bright and healthy-looking. I shout about it to anyone who will listen.  We love French drugstore staple brand La Roche-Posay because the quality of its products often feels about 10 times their actual dollar weight. For oily skin types, we recommend this daily face moisturizer, in particular. It keeps skin matte but still radiant thanks to salicylic acid, a rush of antioxidants, and vitamins C and E.  If fighting oiliness and blemishes is a daily war you no longer care to wage, we’re happy to introduce you to Murad’s top-notch grease-patrolling face moisturizer. You still get the essential hydration your skin craves (pro tip: never starve your skin of moisturizer no matter how oily you are!), but the brand’s unique formula helps absorb the excess stuff for up to eight hours post-application. Plus, you’ll also get a handy dose of SPF 15 sun protection.  Many of our favorite SkinCeuticals formulas pose potential threats to our bank accounts (we’re talking over $150 for one product), but this expert face moisturizer comes in at a pretty reasonable $61—especially once you realize how little you need to apply. Fortified with a 10% hydroxy acid complex to lift away dead skin, a botanical medley to treat blemishes and congestion, and lightweight oils that infuse the skin with moisture—not acne— this nighttime face cream keeps even the oiliest of skin happy and balanced.  This ultra-light face moisturizer from Bliss kind of feels like liquid velvet. No added fragrances, no oily aftermath, and no harsh ingredients. Instead, it features super-calming healers like rose flower and colloidal gold to help sensitive skin types feel calm, cool, and collected.  Avène is one of those lesser-known skincare brands that all the best skincare gurus in the business basically fawn over. This fragrance-free, face-healing moisturizer is a perfect example and offers even the most hypersensitive skin with irritation-free skin drench. The secret? The brand’s signature ingredient, spring water. Kiehl’s is known as one of the best names in the industry for a reason. Its skin-loving formulas really work. This calming number is a fan favorite and treats sensitive skin with utmost TLC thanks to squalane and glacial glycoprotein, which, according to the brand, hydrates, protects, and discourages unwanted water loss. Oh, and did we mention that this face moisturizer promises 24-hour long nourishment? Just some food for thought. Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, this clean pick from Ren is one of our newest fave formulas. It’s the brand’s top-selling moisturizer and keeps discomfort and discoloration at bay by utilizing strategic ingredients like omega fatty acids, Roman chamomile, green tea, and more. Tip: Never bring this cult-loved face moisturizer up in conversation during a social gathering, because it generally incites product-obsessing chaos. Great for all skin types, it’s a consistent top seller and boasts a nine signal peptide complex, pygmy waterlily stem cell extract, and soybean folic acid ferment extract for improved texture, tone, and firmness. Everyone’s craving vitamin C serums these days, but why start there? This is by far one of the best under-the-radar face moisturizers on the market, and it’s specifically formulated with mega-brightening agents like vitamin C, yes, but also other MVP power players like niacinamide, red algae extract, shea butter, probiotics, peptides, antioxidants, and beautifying herbal extracts. Yes, this gal is expensive, but if you’re into all things ultra luxurious and equally efficacious, it just might be worth busting your bank account. It’s made in Switzerland and infused with the brand’s holy-grail Cellular Complex, alpha hydroxy acids (for exfoliation), and other mega-watt hydrators enhanced with caviar premier for above-and-beyond suppleness and firmness. Newly designed with super-chic packaging, this investment piece is another holy-grail investment that both estheticians and makeup artists practically salivate over in order to give their celeb clientele an otherworldly glow. True to the brand, the concentrate features the cell-renewing Miracle Broth contained in all its potions. This treatment is just a little more restorative and a little more luxurious. The newest addition to the Tatcha family of skincare covetables, this dreamy face cream is all anybody and everybody is talking about within the skincare community. It’s specifically formulated to rehydrate parched skin and uses antioxidant-packed Japanese skincare secrets in the forms of purple rice, Okinawa algae, and botanicals like ginseng, sweet marjoram, and thyme to keep even the most desert-like of complexions on bright, brilliant behavior (no flakes allowed). Forget green juice, and meet pink juice—for your face. The people love Glow Recipe (as an editor, I receive so many glowing DMs—no pun intended), and this top seller from the brand is a home run for those who especially struggle with dryness. Watermelon, obviously, is the formula’s hero ingredient, but it’s anchored by other juicy sips like hyaluronic acid and botanicals. The effect is further amplified if paired with the Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist, the brand’s newest play. If extreme moisture relief is what you seek, look no further than this water hose of a moisturizer from Sunday Riley. Not only does it hydrate, but it also brightens and refines thanks to two forms of hyaluronic acid (the LeBron of moisture in the league of skincare), tamarind extract, papaya enzymes, and alpha-arbutin. Makeup artists love, love, love to prep and prime celebrities’ faces with this Swiss skin elixir, and even though it’s technically labeled as a baby cream, it’s magic for the face, too. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable in the bunch. Essential fatty acids, vitamin E, organic pansy, and organic calendula flower are there to help with all your dry-skin woes. Super nourishing in formulation, this soft and soothing German-made face moisturizer was specially developed with for women of color with normal to combination skin types. The lusty ingredient roster includes fares like magnolia and Enantia Chlorantha bark to refine the appearance of pores, control sebum, and nourish with hydration. Plus, it will also boost your natural luminosity thanks to the brand’s active ingredient, Lumicol. This best-of-the-best face moisturizer is actually well-suited for all skin types, but we especially recommend it for those with combination skin. Its concoction of antioxidant-rich honey, hyaluronic acid, and golden cupuaçu butter beads (try saying that five times fast!) keep it lightweight enough to stave off oil and breakouts but hydrating enough to never leave you feeling thirsty. Loaded with skin-boosting superfoods in true Youth to the People fashion, this hydration-rich face moisturizer is heaven-sent for those who can veer either dry or oily. Kale, spinach, green tea, and hyaluronic are our favorite ingredient highlights. If it’s a testament to how much an all-star moisturizer for combination skin this cute cream tube is, I use it regularly and also slather it on my 70-year-old mom and dad whenever I get the chance during visits home. It’s so lovely. It’s lightweight, it’s hydrating, and it’s never left me feeling clogged, parched, or with any other icky skin symptoms. Blame the pretty lineup of açai berry, borage oil, fatty acids, and sesame seed oil. Next up: 3 Budgets, 3 Smart Skincare Routines Broken Down by Cost Per Wear

source https://gothify1.tumblr.com/post/183643094005

[gothify1]

Personally, my skin veers oily—combination on a good day. I also happen to have pores that make a habit of sucking in everything and anything I put on top of them and subsequently clogging. Lovely. Celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau once recommend this lightweight sebum-controlling face moisturizer to me (like two years ago), and it's pretty much the only formula I've touched since. It keeps bumps and clogged pores on crowd control and my overall complexion bright and healthy-looking. I shout about it to anyone who will listen.  We love French drugstore staple brand La Roche-Posay because the quality of its products often feels about 10 times their actual dollar weight. For oily skin types, we recommend this daily face moisturizer, in particular. It keeps skin matte but still radiant thanks to salicylic acid, a rush of antioxidants, and vitamins C and E.  If fighting oiliness and blemishes is a daily war you no longer care to wage, we're happy to introduce you to Murad's top-notch grease-patrolling face moisturizer. You still get the essential hydration your skin craves (pro tip: never starve your skin of moisturizer no matter how oily you are!), but the brand's unique formula helps absorb the excess stuff for up to eight hours post-application. Plus, you'll also get a handy dose of SPF 15 sun protection.  Many of our favorite SkinCeuticals formulas pose potential threats to our bank accounts (we're talking over $150 for one product), but this expert face moisturizer comes in at a pretty reasonable $61—especially once you realize how little you need to apply. Fortified with a 10% hydroxy acid complex to lift away dead skin, a botanical medley to treat blemishes and congestion, and lightweight oils that infuse the skin with moisture—not acne— this nighttime face cream keeps even the oiliest of skin happy and balanced.  This ultra-light face moisturizer from Bliss kind of feels like liquid velvet. No added fragrances, no oily aftermath, and no harsh ingredients. Instead, it features super-calming healers like rose flower and colloidal gold to help sensitive skin types feel calm, cool, and collected.  Avène is one of those lesser-known skincare brands that all the best skincare gurus in the business basically fawn over. This fragrance-free, face-healing moisturizer is a perfect example and offers even the most hypersensitive skin with irritation-free skin drench. The secret? The brand's signature ingredient, spring water. Kiehl's is known as one of the best names in the industry for a reason. Its skin-loving formulas really work. This calming number is a fan favorite and treats sensitive skin with utmost TLC thanks to squalane and glacial glycoprotein, which, according to the brand, hydrates, protects, and discourages unwanted water loss. Oh, and did we mention that this face moisturizer promises 24-hour long nourishment? Just some food for thought. Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, this clean pick from Ren is one of our newest fave formulas. It's the brand's top-selling moisturizer and keeps discomfort and discoloration at bay by utilizing strategic ingredients like omega fatty acids, Roman chamomile, green tea, and more. Tip: Never bring this cult-loved face moisturizer up in conversation during a social gathering, because it generally incites product-obsessing chaos. Great for all skin types, it's a consistent top seller and boasts a nine signal peptide complex, pygmy waterlily stem cell extract, and soybean folic acid ferment extract for improved texture, tone, and firmness. Everyone's craving vitamin C serums these days, but why start there? This is by far one of the best under-the-radar face moisturizers on the market, and it's specifically formulated with mega-brightening agents like vitamin C, yes, but also other MVP power players like niacinamide, red algae extract, shea butter, probiotics, peptides, antioxidants, and beautifying herbal extracts. Yes, this gal is expensive, but if you're into all things ultra luxurious and equally efficacious, it just might be worth busting your bank account. It's made in Switzerland and infused with the brand's holy-grail Cellular Complex, alpha hydroxy acids (for exfoliation), and other mega-watt hydrators enhanced with caviar premier for above-and-beyond suppleness and firmness. Newly designed with super-chic packaging, this investment piece is another holy-grail investment that both estheticians and makeup artists practically salivate over in order to give their celeb clientele an otherworldly glow. True to the brand, the concentrate features the cell-renewing Miracle Broth contained in all its potions. This treatment is just a little more restorative and a little more luxurious. The newest addition to the Tatcha family of skincare covetables, this dreamy face cream is all anybody and everybody is talking about within the skincare community. It's specifically formulated to rehydrate parched skin and uses antioxidant-packed Japanese skincare secrets in the forms of purple rice, Okinawa algae, and botanicals like ginseng, sweet marjoram, and thyme to keep even the most desert-like of complexions on bright, brilliant behavior (no flakes allowed). Forget green juice, and meet pink juice—for your face. The people love Glow Recipe (as an editor, I receive so many glowing DMs—no pun intended), and this top seller from the brand is a home run for those who especially struggle with dryness. Watermelon, obviously, is the formula's hero ingredient, but it's anchored by other juicy sips like hyaluronic acid and botanicals. The effect is further amplified if paired with the Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist, the brand's newest play. If extreme moisture relief is what you seek, look no further than this water hose of a moisturizer from Sunday Riley. Not only does it hydrate, but it also brightens and refines thanks to two forms of hyaluronic acid (the LeBron of moisture in the league of skincare), tamarind extract, papaya enzymes, and alpha-arbutin. Makeup artists love, love, love to prep and prime celebrities' faces with this Swiss skin elixir, and even though it's technically labeled as a baby cream, it's magic for the face, too. Plus, it's one of the most affordable in the bunch. Essential fatty acids, vitamin E, organic pansy, and organic calendula flower are there to help with all your dry-skin woes. Super nourishing in formulation, this soft and soothing German-made face moisturizer was specially developed with for women of color with normal to combination skin types. The lusty ingredient roster includes fares like magnolia and Enantia Chlorantha bark to refine the appearance of pores, control sebum, and nourish with hydration. Plus, it will also boost your natural luminosity thanks to the brand's active ingredient, Lumicol. This best-of-the-best face moisturizer is actually well-suited for all skin types, but we especially recommend it for those with combination skin. Its concoction of antioxidant-rich honey, hyaluronic acid, and golden cupuaçu butter beads (try saying that five times fast!) keep it lightweight enough to stave off oil and breakouts but hydrating enough to never leave you feeling thirsty. Loaded with skin-boosting superfoods in true Youth to the People fashion, this hydration-rich face moisturizer is heaven-sent for those who can veer either dry or oily. Kale, spinach, green tea, and hyaluronic are our favorite ingredient highlights. If it's a testament to how much an all-star moisturizer for combination skin this cute cream tube is, I use it regularly and also slather it on my 70-year-old mom and dad whenever I get the chance during visits home. It's so lovely. It's lightweight, it's hydrating, and it's never left me feeling clogged, parched, or with any other icky skin symptoms. Blame the pretty lineup of açai berry, borage oil, fatty acids, and sesame seed oil. Next up: 3 Budgets, 3 Smart Skincare Routines Broken Down by Cost Per Wear

[aion-rsa]

Why Pirates of the Caribbean Didn’t Need Any Sequels

https://ift.tt/2ECLVGL

Pirates of the Caribbean was never meant to be a franchise. Not really. Of course one could also argue the concept was never meant to be a movie either. Originally a theme park ride which opened at Disneyland in 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean becoming a movie is the kind of high-concept thrown around by Disney execs huddled at a conference table. Indeed, it was creative executives Brigham Taylor, Michael Haynes, and Josh Harmon who brainstormed the basic plot for a Pirates movie during the same period the studio greenlit The Country Bears and The Haunted Mansion movies. However, what made the eventual Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl a classic came from the type of creative inspiration Disney couldn’t anticipate or control… yet.

Released in 2003 with modest expectations from the Mouse, and even more cynical predictions by the rest of the industry, the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie ended up standing tall among the last of a dying breed: a surprise box office hit not based on a property with a built-in audience. Coming out at the crossroads of summer blockbusters being driven by practical and digital effects, and analogue filmmaking versus digital cinematography, the movie was released as an old-fashioned adventure yarn in the spirit of Errol Flynn with a modern twist.

Curse of the Black Pearl was not seriously set-up for sequels, prequels, or a shared universe, yet it would spawn all of them in one way or another. Still, in its most undiluted form, Pirates’ success was predicated on a creative spark from the filmmakers involved, chief among them director Gore Verbinski and actor Johnny Depp, which Disney could not stifle or curb. Instead the pair made a throwback quite unlike anything else in the marketplace, and its singular quality is also why its eventual sequels would, to varying degrees, fail to recapture that 2003 lightning in a bottle.

After being thought up by Disney executives, the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie incubated during a very different era for the studio. Disney’s live-action movies then released under the Sleeping Beauty’s Castle banner had long been struggling. Worse still, their animated movies were also beginning to falter with duds like Dinosaur (2000) and Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) signaling the Disney Renaissance was over. Within this anxiety, Disney first hired Jay Wolpert and then Stuart Beattie to write screenplays between 2001 and 2002 for Pirates, even as the studio vacillated on what they wanted. For his part, Wolpert imagined his heroic Jack Sparrow to be played by Hugh Jackman (hence the name Jack), but the studio didn’t think he could carry a blockbuster solo. In fact, Disney wasn’t even sure Pirates was going to be a blockbuster.

On the one hand, the studio was approaching Matthew McConaughey to play Sparrow after the actor proved a solid team player on their Touchstone Pictures’ Reign of Fire—it also helped that executives believed McConaughey resembled Burt Lancaster, who just happened to star in the last successful Hollywood pirate movie… 1952’s The Crimson Pirate. But Disney was also considering shuttling the concept over to the direct-to-video market, with either Cary Elwes or Christopher Walken as Captain Jack. Aye, then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner had such cold feet on the project, and eventually about Depp, that he tried to stop production at the eleventh hour before cameras rolled in 2002, nervous because The Country Bears (starring Walken) flopped that summer.

But given the original setup for the picture in those early drafts, it is easy to see why there was a lack of confidence in the material. In its initial conception, Pirates of the Caribbean was intended to be a PG buddy comedy about a pirate named Jack Sparrow and his jailor Will Turner setting off to rescue the governor’s daughter; she’d been kidnapped for ransom by the dastardly Captain Blackheart, a generic baddie for a more generic plot. There were no twists or turns, Aztec treasure and curses, marooned islands, or the subversive streak cherished by the eventual filmmakers who discovered the heart of the movie was “sitting on a beach drinking rum.”

That inspiration luckily came in the quick turnaround of Dick Cook, the newly minted Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group chairman, convincing first Jerry Bruckheimer to produce the flailing Pirates of the Caribbean project and then, at Bruckheimer’s insistence, talking oddball actor Johnny Depp into starring in a Disney movie. Depp actually took the meeting with Cook to land an animated voice acting gig that would appeal to his children, but upon hearing the word “pirates” and the prospect of sword fighting, his ambitions for working at Disney quickly grew.

With a screenplay being hastily rewritten by new scribes Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, who’d just come off Shrek and another all-time classic swashbuckler in The Mask of Zorro, Pirates of the Caribbean became a movie produced too quickly by a struggling movie studio to fully control, especially as its moving parts were transported to the actual Caribbean, including Elliot and Rossio, who continued rewriting the movie on-set to director Gore Verbinski’s specifications. For context, Verbinski’s biggest hit at that time was the decidedly not-family friendly The Ring.

“To make this film in under a year from an outline, it was really essential to bring them in,” Verbinski said about Elliot and Ross during his Curse of the Black Pearl audio commentary. The director had the writers’ shrewd intuition, which added a supernatural curse that upped the movie’s CG-spectacle for modern blockbusters and made it more in line with the Disneyland ride, as well as the ability to add narrative and verbal complexity on the fly.

Said Verbinski, “In looking at the genre and saying, ‘Why hasn’t it worked?’ I found a lot of the sort of dialect [in recent pirates movies] didn’t feel like it was really from Robert Louis Stevenson. You know, the ‘Black Spot,’ any kind of that pirate flavor out of Treasure Island. It sort of went away.”

With Pirates of the Caribbean, it came back with a vengeance. Released eight years after Renny Harlin’s lackluster Cutthroat Island failed at modernizing pirate movies by way of ‘90s aesthetics, Verbinski and Depp brought the old-fashioned wonder of Stevenson and Golden Age Hollywood pirate movies of yore roaring back. While the film’s marketing revolved around the then-cutting edge CGI effects of cursed men who in the light of the full moon turn into skeletons like they’re right out of some Disney park attraction, the reason the movie is still extraordinarily satisfying nearly 20 years later is because of what occurs outside these relatively limited digital set-pieces.

Narratively and visually, Verbinski and his merry crew of filmmakers pulled from Michael Curtiz’s classic Captain Blood (1935), which is likewise set around the escape of an imprisoned pirate with a brand on his flesh at the British Port Royal colony in Jamaica. Several scenes, like the decidedly PG-13 levels of roustabout action on the island of Tortuga, are even lifted directly from that movie. Others, like when Jack Sparrow and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) sneak aboard an enemy ship while breathing underwater in a capsized rowboat, are taken shot-by-shot from the much goofier Crimson Pirate.

But more than just paying homage to classic pirate movie iconography, the original Pirates of the Caribbean recaptured those earlier movies’ mirthful sense of adventure. The “dialect” Verbinski refers to is not resurrected by Depp’s idiosyncratic Jack, but it oozes out of stage thespian Geoffrey Rush. A classically trained character actor, Rush leans hard into the hard-Rs of his speech, all but literally muttering “argh.” He leans into every pirate stereotype and makes a feast of the scenery while doing so. Verbinski even joked he only wanted Rush because Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers were dead: that old school charisma is what turned this potential “paycheck” role into one every bit as essential in recapturing swashbuckling fun as Depp’s.

The same could be said for so many of the other elements, from the use of actual on location shooting (and in the Caribbean for parts of the movies unlike the Californian coasts used by Captain Blood) to at least one actual replica of an 18th century merchant vessel—The Lady Washington, redressed to look like the Interceptor in the film. The other two major vessels in the movie, the Black Pearl and Dauntless, were at least built two-thirds to scale on sea barges while CG filled in the rest.

And despite it being her breakout role, Keira Knightley’s performance as Elizabeth Swann is often overlooked. At only the age of 17, Knightley holds her own against co-stars Depp and Rush, and creates a compelling protagonist who is visibly working the angles of her situation in every scene. In lesser hands, Elizabeth could’ve been blandly innocuous, the “love interest,” but in the finished film she drives the plot, convincingly outsmarting Barbossa and Sparrow at every turn. And while performing the functions of an old-fashioned Hollywood love story, Knightley’s screen presence turned her into a star just as readily as a teenage Olivia de Havilland became one after Captain Blood.

But then that first major Hollywood pirate movie was on Verbinski’s mind during the production of Pirates of the Caribbean, both in how that 1935 movie’s swashbuckling scope made its director and two leads A-listers, and also in how he could subvert its tropes now in the 21st century.

“I knew the film could support [Depp’s performance] because Orlando’s doing Errol Flynn,” Verbinski said. “I mean if you look at Jack Davenport [as Commodore Norrington] and even Orlando’s performances, on their own they’re really solid, but in context they’re fuel for [Depp] to consume.” And consume them he did.

Captain Jack was always meant to be the amorous hero of Pirates of the Caribbean, a mischievous Han Solo to Will Turner’s Luke Skywalker that gets to kill Darth Vader at the end. But as screenwriter Elliot surmised in 2003, “The characterization, the personality of Jack is what we wrote. The expression of that is purely Johnny Depp.” He’d swing from pulleys like Flynn, but do so while screaming in bloody terror. He was a familiar narrative archetype, but as singular an anti-hero as Hollywood has ever seen.

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A performer best known for eschewing his handsome good looks at this time in favor of prosthetics and off-center performances like in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood, Depp was not an obvious choice for the role. But at Bruckheimer’s insistence the character actor was in, and when he first met with his director Verbinski, the only thing the filmmaker was certain of is that Depp would play against his good looks.

Thinking back on their first meeting with affection, Verbinski recalled, “[He] said, ‘I don’t think Jack has a nose because he lost his nose in a sword fight, but it got sewed back on and it’s blue because the circulation is bad.’” It was a radical choice, one certain to die once Disney executives heard it, but it indicated the kind of subversive streak Verbinski thirsted for—one that could bounce off an old Hollywood aesthetic.

Said Verbinski, “This was in the infantile stages of the Bruckheimer and Dick Cook experience, and Synergy back home is talking about McDonald’s cups and happy meals. And on the third bottle of wine at a restaurant in London, we’re talking about a nose being sliced off.” It was the counterbalance the movie needed, and the type of creative-leaning these two eccentric talents gravitated toward. In Verbinski’s mind, Bloom must be D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers so Depp can play the rock star (Keith Richards to be exact). It also freed Depp up to improvise lines where he pondered if Will Turner, or the entire male population of France, were eunuchs. “You have to pervert the genre at almost every opportunity,” said Verbinski.

Yet perversion is not exactly a word that comes to mind with Disney. Not before 2003, and not soon afterward. But in the fast turnaround on a pirate movie in 2002, Verbinski and Depp could be quite perverse with the material, although not without pushback. For example, while the studio accepted Bruckheimer’s insistence that a pirate movie needed to be PG-13—a first for a Disney movie released under the studio’s official banner—there was immediate repulsion when Depp showed his personally selected wardrobe for Jack Sparrow, complete with five teeth capped to look like a golden grill in front. Depp was instantly summoned to a meeting with Bruckheimer and Cook.

“Three went away and then I secretly added one,” Depp said in 2003. “But the two that went away were the ones I used as bartering material.” In a 2010 interview, Depp later clarified how much concern there was over his performance as the dailies rolled in.

“They couldn’t stand [Jack],” Depp said. “I think it was Michael Eisner, the head of Disney at the time, who was quoted as saying, ‘He’s ruining the movie.’” Depp even referred to several executives as “Disney-ites” who feared he’d turned their heroic pirate into an openly gay character. “[They were] going, ‘What’s wrong with him? Is he, you know, like some kind of weird simpleton? Is he drunk? By the way, is he gay?’ And so I actually told this woman who was the Disney-ite; ‘But didn’t you know that all my characters are gay?’ which really made her nervous.”

According to Verbinski, Eisner even panicked when he saw a daily of the final shot of the movie, with Jack caressing the phallic-shaped handles of the Black Pearl’s steering wheel.

These were bold and bizarre choices made by both Depp and Verbinski at the peak of their creative talents. Today, it’s easy to forget how transgressive Depp’s Captain Jack appeared at the time, particularly after he turned Sparrow into a paycheck-generating caricature during the fourth and fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movies. But in 2003, the character was brazenly unlike anything any studio would put at the forefront of a summer tentpole, least of all Disney. For that matter, it’s impossible to imagine such creative mojo being left unchecked on a Disney tentpole today, not when the studio has turned superhero movies into a finely tuned assembly line, and still seeks to do the same with Star Wars.

Of course the changing tides were imminent in ’03 too. Ahead of release, Verbinski, Elliot and Rossio, and the armada of filmmakers attempted to make the ultimate pirate movie. The director even mused there were only five types of pirate stories to be told: buried treasure, building a crew, marooned anti-heroes, kidnapped damsels, and the good-man-turned-scoundrel. Pirates of the Caribbean did them all in a single movie, complete with Aztec curses.

But shortly after principal photography wrapped, and even as Disney executives privately stewed over what Depp was doing to the movie, the studio quietly added the subtitle “The Curse of the Black Pearl,” signaling they wanted sequels. Yet considering the kitchen sink approach to every classical trope being honored and subverted in the original movie… did there really need to be a sequel?

In retrospect, no. Admittedly there’s quite a bit in the second Pirates movie to enjoy: Verbinski and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski’s sun-drenched photography of Caribbean locations was back, as was Penny Rose’s historically authentic costuming, and of course Depp. But the script was looser; and though the CGI was impressive with the motion-capture performance of Bill Nighy as new heavy Davy Jones and the giant tentacles of a Kraken, which harkened back to another Disney favorite, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the more enmeshed the franchise became with CG-spectacle, the more it got away from what made the first a brilliant throwback.

The initial Pirates sequels also fell prey to the franchise fad of the early 2000s. Before gritty reboots or “shared cinematic universes,” the buzzword in studios offices was “trilogy.” While the original Pirates was a blast of creative energy put into one film with no setups or dangling plot threads, it was released in an era when Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and the Star Wars prequels dominated the box office; even superhero movies were haphazardly trying to jump on the fad via X-Men and Spider-Man rushing awkward threequel finales.

But no matter how grandiose composer Hans Zimmer’s score became, Pirates of the Caribbean was not Lord of the Rings, and trying to force that square peg into a round hole triggered diminishing returns. While the second movie had fun developments like Davenport’s Norrington becoming a major character who washed out of the British Navy and was now a disgraced pirate crossing swords with Depp and Bloom during a spectacular three-way sword fight, the third film had no clear vision of what to do with him after a cliffhanger ending. So he was unceremoniously killed off. I’d even argue the third movie didn’t know what to do with any character to match the franchise’s sudden pretensions. So Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner, designed to be classic happily-ever-after types in the vein of Captain Blood, are unconvincingly morphed into tragic star-crossed lovers with an ending that reaches for the majesty of J.R.R. Tolkien. By trilogy’s end, they’re doomed to see each other only one day per decade. It wants to be mythic, but it’s really bloated melodrama.

Still, it was better than what came afterward. Realizing there was yet more money in the Pirates brand after the trilogy concluded, Disney churned out two more movies where everyone but Depp and Rush were gone. Gorgeous 35mm cinematography was replaced by bland digital photography, on-location shooting in the Caribbean was kept to a minimum, and the performance that once got Depp an Oscar nomination became a phoned-in parody of itself. Even the characterization of Jack is off, with the resourceful pirate tactician everyone mistakes for a fool turning into a fool everyone inexplicably mistakes for being clever.

In this way, all the elements that made the original so refreshingly lovable were run aground, much the same way Disney’s modern attempts to repeat the narrative beats of George Lucas’ once revolutionary Star Wars movies from earlier decades had led to a recycled emptiness by the time we reached last year’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The creative transgressions of Verbinski and Depp in their prime were sandblasted and smoothed by a studio system that’s only become better at dulling the edges of any and every intellectual property. Just ask Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the original directors of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The fifth and final Depp-led Pirates of the Caribbean movie attempted to use prequel elements wherein audiences met a de-aged Jack Sparrow winning battles in his youth. But by then audiences had tired of the shtick. So Disney now seeks to reboot the brand with Margot Robbie in the lead. Undoubtedly her maiden voyage in the franchise will be loaded with easter eggs and dangling setups for sequels and spinoffs, and perhaps even a shared universe of Pirates movies. It’ll surely make for a smoother transition than the original movie had to indefinite expansion. And yet, I suspect the standalone quality of the first is what will always make it the most valuable treasure buried in this franchise’s sea.

The post Why Pirates of the Caribbean Didn’t Need Any Sequels appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[auburnfamilynews]

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

This projection will be very wrong

This is dumb.

Attempting to guess what a high school senior is thinking in a single moment is an effort in futility. Attempting to guess what they might be thinking six months from now after having been recruited by some of the top football programs in the country during a pandemic in which a football season may not even happen is sheer lunacy.

But I have never pretended to be a sane individual so why start now?

Today, I will take my first stab at projecting Auburn’s 2021 signing class. I will be wrong, likely very wrong but the exercise should at least provide some context on where this class sits right now and its potential upside. I was very conservative in this projection with only a few bold predictions thrown in because Auburn always lands 2-3 kids no one expects.

For now, I am going to assume Auburn signs a full 25 man class. That number always seems to fluctuate so it’s safe to just stick with the base number for now. Here’s my best guess in June on whom ends up in Auburn’s 2021 class come signing day.

4* QB Dematrius Davis | 5’11” | 190 lbs | Houston, TX | Auburn Commit

Davis was the first tangible proof that Auburn’s efforts in Texas were proving fruitful. The nation’s 6th ranked dual threat QB recently received an invitation to compete in the Elite 11. His stock has already been on the rise after an outstanding junior campaign. A strong performance in Nashville could push him into the top 50.

i aint lettin my foot off. im steppin harder s/o to @BallerTribe pic.twitter.com/nWTZCmYvs4

— Dee (@Dematrius09) June 23, 2020

4* RB Armoni Goodwin | 5’8” | 190 lbs | Trussville, AL | Auburn Commit

There was buzz earlier this week that Auburn’s longest committed member of the 2021 class might be on flip watch. LSU is reportedly hard after the explosive playmaker but confidence remains strong on the Plains he sticks with the better looking Tigers. When visits reopen this fall though Goodwin will be a prospect to monitor. Does he make it down to Baton Rouge? I still believe Auburn’s relationships win out here but Ed O’s Tigers cannot be ignored.

4* WR Deion Colzie | 6’4” | 193 lbs | Athens, GA

Georgia appears to be prioritizing speed this cycle specifically honing in on 4-star Malcolm Johnson Jr and 4-star Xavier Worthy. Alabama has only one more WR spot in their class and are putting the full court press on 4-star Brian Thomas Jr. Put those facts together with buzz that Colzie might be leaning towards leaving the state and it doesn’t seem too crazy that he ends up in Auburn’s class.

3* WR Adonai Mitchell | 6’3” | 190 lbs | Antioch, TN | Ole Miss Commit

Auburn has already flipped two prospects in this class and could be on the verge of a 3rd. Tennessee’s 11th ranked prospect told AuburnUndercover’s Keith Niebuhr earlier this week he speaks with Auburn’s staff daily. Georgia is also a threat but Auburn has long prioritized Mitchell and I think those relationships pay off in the end.

3* WR Brashard Smith | 5’8” | 190 lbs | Miami, FL

The Tigers are looking to sign at least one 2 man in this class. 4-star Christian Leary was the top target and Auburn felt good about him up until he committed to the Tide. Now the Tigers are likely to turn the heat up on former UF commit Smith. This pick is a reach at this point with Miami and Florida appearing to be the top 2 teams for Smith at the moment. But I had to put one speedster in this class and with Malcolm Johnson possibly leaning UGA, I decided to go with Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised to see home new names emerge in the coming months.

4* TE Michael Trigg | 6’4” | 230 lbs | Tampa, FL

Yes, Auburn might actually take two more tight ends this cycle. As I have written previously, it’s a position that should become much more involved in Auburn’s offense moving forward outside of just being an extra blocker. While the Tigers don’t necessarily need another tight end, you don’t say no to an elite athlete like Trigg. Auburn will have to fight off Florida State and LSU but I like the Tigers chances as of today. He’s another player that would like the opportunity to play both football and basketball at the next level.

Built Different ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/ppzsSIZcoe

— Trigg (@mtrigg_23) May 7, 2020

3* TE Landen King | 6’5” | 210 lbs | Humble, TX | Auburn Commit

Auburn’s most recent commit, King is a prospect with tremendous upside who fits the mold of athlete Chad Morris covets at the 3 spot in his offense. He continues Auburn’s recent success recruiting the state of Texas. I expect a big senior campaign out of King and wouldn’t be shocked to see him earn that 4th star before signing day.

4* OT Caleb Johnson | 6’7” | 295 lbs | Ocala, FL | Auburn Commit

Arguably Auburn’s most important commit to date, Johnson gives the Tigers a blue chip prep offensive tackle for the first time since Calvin Ashley and Austin Troxell in 2017. Johnson is likely to take official visits this fall so Auburn will have to fight off Notre Dame, Florida and Florida State to hang onto their coveted OT commit but I feel good about that happening right now. Give Johnson a year of development and I think he will be ready to make an impact as early as 2022.

3* OT Rod Orr | 6’7” | 296 lbs | Gadsden, AL

Orr doesn’t yet hold an offer from Auburn but that could soon change. His stock is on the rise, moving to blue chip status in 247’s most recent ranking update. The instate standout is considering Florida State, Mississippi State and Ole Miss at the moment but an Auburn offer would likely shake things up in a major way. The Tigers are swinging for the fences hoping to land one of Tommy Brockermeyer, Amarius Mims and Savion Byrd. If they strike out on all three don’t be surprised if Orr lands an offer and joins Auburn class soon after.

3* OT J’Marion Gooch | 6’7” | 340 lbs | Seymour, TN | Auburn Commit

Gooch recently told AuburnUndercover’s Keith Niebuhr he’s dropped 18 lbs putting him at a slim 340 lbs. His goal is to play at 330 which feels like a good number for a kid his size. Auburn is high on his upside but will likely have to fight to keep his pledge as instate Tennessee continues to pursue as now does UGA. Again, if you are bored and need a pick me up, I highly recommend checking out Gooch’s tape.

3* OL Garner Langlo | 6’7” | 270 lbs | Ocala, FL | Auburn Commit

Despite his height, Langlo’s future might in the interior of Auburn’s offensive line. He currently plays guard for his run heavy high school program which is loaded with D1 offensive line talent. There’s some Braden Smith to his game and if he can even come close to that type of production, Auburn will be VERY happy with this pickup.

4* OG Jaeden Roberts | 6’5” | 340 lbs | Houston, TX | Auburn Commit

It was believed that if Auburn could flip Dematrius Davis they would have a great chance at landing his teammate Jaeden Roberts. Turns out that belief had merit. Auburn beat out Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma State and plenty others to land the big man’s pledge. A physical freak, Roberts will bring a much needed edge to the interior of Auburn’s offensive line.

4* OG Dietrich Pennington | 6’5” | 326 lbs | Cordova, TN

I know very little about Pennington’s recruitment outside of the fact Auburn is in his top 5 and if Clemson has a spot for him he likely goes there. But Dabo’s Tigers seem to be prioritizing other OL at the moment which makes me think this will end up an Auburn v Florida State battle. The Tigers would like another interior OL if possible and Pennington feels as good a bet as any right now.

Shoutout to @Hayesfawcett3 @Recruit247 pic.twitter.com/meSIt6uCob

— Dietrick Pennington (@Dietrick80P) May 30, 2020

4* DT Lee Hunter | 6’5” | 292 lbs | Eight Mile, AL | Auburn Commit

Auburn will lose at least two interior players after the 2020 season in Tyrone Truesdell and Daquan Newkirk. If Coynis Miller has the breakout season some expect he will, that number could climb to three. The Tigers will need at least one immediate impact player in this 2021 class for next season. Hunter is that guy. Auburn will have to fend off Alabama, Georgia, Florida State and Tennessee to keep Hunter in the class but I see that happening for now. Hunter is one of the most dominating defensive tackle prospects in the country and has the skillset to thrive on the Plains under Coach G’s tutelage.

4* DT Marquis Robinson | 6’3” | 300 lbs | Milton, FL

A decision still looks far off for Robinson but Auburn is clearly the team to beat in his recruitment. The Milton standout is also strongly considering the instate Noles but the Tigers have been on Robinson for quite awhile. Pairing him with Hunter would give Auburn an excellent defensive tackle class in 2021.

3* DE Tobechi Okoli | 6’5” | 250 lbs | Kansas City, MO

File this name away. Auburn is chasing some higher ranked talent in the likes of Leonard Taylor, Shambre Jackson, Dylan Brooks and Keanu Koht but the Tigers also really like Okoli. Auburn only offered in May but immediately made his top group. Nebraska looks to be the team to beat at the moment but don’t sleep on Auburn’s chances in this race.

NR DE/Buck Jimmori Robinson | 6’6’ | 248 lbs | Alexanderia, VA

Robinson is likely to be a top 10 JUCO prospect in the 2021 class and someone Auburn’s defensive staff is extremely high on. After a solid redshirt freshman season at Dodge City, Robinson transferred to Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY which has a loaded defensive line heading into the 2020 season. I don’t think it’s a definite that Auburn takes a JUCO lineman in this class but if they do Robinson is likely the choice.

4* Buck Jeremiah Williams | 6’3” | 224 lbs | Birmingham, AL

Williams is unquestionably the top man on Auburn’s board at the Buck. The Ramsay standout is coming off a 14 sack junior season and is being pursued by pretty much every major football program in the country. However, this likely ends up being an instate battle with the Tigers possibly holding the edge at the moment. Williams wants to take some visits before making a decision. Oklahoma and Florida lurk as out of state threats.

5* LB Smael Mondon | 6’3” | 220 lbs | Dallas, GA

I have zero confidence in this prediction but I have no idea who to pick at linebacker if not one of the studs T-WILL is chasing. The nation’s #2 ranked OLB by 247 Composite hinted a commitment would come in June but that doesn’t look likely at the moment. Both Auburn and Tennessee have made this is a legitimate three team race with the Dawgs. I still think UGA is gonna be tough to beat but I also believe in T-WILL’s ability on the trail. If Auburn gets Mondon they likely would not take any other linebackers sans Xavian Sorey.

4* CB Nyland Green | 6’2” | 183 lbs | Covington, GA

Over the past few weeks, Auburn has started trending the right direction with Green. In fact, there are some who believe the Tigers are the team to beat. But Auburn has had moments of confidence in the past when facing off with Clemson for top Georgia talent only to be disappointed in the end. But Green has a strong relationship with Auburn’s staff and is very close with Dre Butler. Will it be enough for the Tigers to snag one of the best DBs in the country? Let’s hope so.

3* CB Kamari Lassiter | 6’0” | 185 lbs | Tuscaloosa, AL

Lassiter’s offer list and rating do not jive. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Florida and Florida State are all in hot pursuit of the nation’s 25th ranked cornerback. The Tigers appear to be sitting in a pretty good spot this summer but the Tide might be tough to beat if they push. For now, I am going to project him landing with the Tigers.

4* DB Markeivous Brown | 6’0” | 170 lbs | Bradenton, FL

There hasn’t been much buzz around Brown’s recruitment but this is a kid Wesley McGriff really likes. Auburn hasn’t had a ton of success recruiting IMG but that could change this cycle. The Tigers will have to beat out Florida and Ole Miss to land Brown’s pledge but I like where they sit right now in this race.

3* DB Tar’varish Dawson | 5’10” | 175 lbs | Lehigh Acres, FL | Auburn Commit

Dawson will get a shot on the offensive side of the ball but I think his future is on defense. A speedster from south Florida, Auburn has had a lot of success putting kids like Dawson in the league. He’s someone that could have an early impact on special teams.

4* S Kamren Kinchens | 5’11” | 201 lbs | Miami, FL

Kinchens is set to make his decision on July 11th. This is essentially a two team race between Auburn and Miami. A month ago I really liked where Auburn stood in his recruitment. My confidence though has steadily dropped over the past few weeks. The Canes already hold pledges from four of his teammates including beating out UGA for 4-star WR Romello Brinson. I think Auburn is still very much in this battle but Miami might currently hold the edge. Still, it wouldn’t shock me if he picked the Canes now but Auburn stayed after him and pulled off the flip come signing day.

3* S Phillip O’Brien Jr | 6’0” | 169 lbs | Deerfield Beach, FL | Auburn Commit

The most underrated commitment in Auburn’s 2021 class, O’Brien Jr remains solid to the Tigers despite the continued pursuit by Florida State and Michigan. His commitment came as a surprise back in March but he’s been a vocal recruiter for the Tigers on social media. I think he’s a top 200 player in this class and will be an early impact player on the back end of Auburn’s defense next fall.

War Eagle!

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2020/6/26/21302868/auburn-football-recruiting-2021-class-projection-deion-colzie-smael-mondon-nyland-green

[goldmerryi]

Dolphins stun Patriots 27-24, denying NE first-round bye

They declare that an elephant never  Patriots vs Dolphins Patriots vs Dolphins Live forgets apparently DeVante Parker doesnt either. The Miami Dolphins broad beneficiary took a few years to sufficiently breakout and alive occurring to his potential as a No. 1 broad beneficiary in the NFL, but the former height-20 selection in the 2015 NFL Draft arrived in a omnipotent reach into 2019 for Miami. Physical skill has never been the matter for Parker durability and confidence seem to have been the biggest barriers for him flesh and blood uphill to his potential.

In 2019, all clicked. And now Parker seems poised to parlay his outfit and construct a propos speaking the confidence he respected last season. Only a confident man would attraction a receipt from two years ago which is exactly what Parker did to Stephon Gilmore, the New England Patriots broad receiver who is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Of course, Parker got his pensions worth adjoining Gilmore in the 2019 season finale, exploding for a immense game as the Dolphins upended the Patriots in Foxborough to knock New England out of a first-round bye in the 2020 AFC Playoffs.

Ignore him and objection the football, seems to be as regards as reach and obvious a mention to Gilmores adding happening uphill in defense to Instagram from May of 2018 as you could possibly make. And behind 8 receptions for 137 yards (mostly coming grief-stricken Gilmore in coverage) against-gate to the Patriots in his most recent game, Parker has earned the right to chat the chat. Mainly because hes already walked the stroll.

With the departure of Tom Brady from the AFC East this offseason, this divisional rivalry seems poised to heat uphill even more excruciating take on and we are no examine much here for the ensuing fireworks that may mitigation for that defense. It is subsequently a game of chess in the AFC East.

But concerning the choice hand of two players, there are four.

Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott, New York Jets coach Adam Gase, and Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores are all going in one point, even though New England Patriots far afield away and broad ahead Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick is going out of the mysterious.

The Bills, Jets, and Dolphins are all relying heavily about quarterbacks that the respective franchises highly invested in. Sam Darnold was agreed third overall in 2018 by the Jets, Josh Allen was taken seventh overall in 2018 by the Bills, and Tua Tagovailoa was taken fifth in this years draft by the Dolphins.

Meanwhile, subsequent to the departure of Tom Brady, the Patriots have journeyman Brian Hoyer and 2019 fourth-circular selection Jarrett Stidham heading taking place their quarterback room.

So, at the in the by now all of the speak surrounding the questionable quarterback have an effect upon for the Patriots, that isnt what will actually win New England the AFC East its the reason, or more specifically, the add taking place unit that showed just how dominant it is last season.

Last year, the Patriots subsidiary ranked second in the league after allowing 180.4 passing yards per game. They plus gave occurring a league-best 13 touchdowns even even if besides leading the NFL in the midst of 25 interceptions.

Unlike many of the when than seasons though, those 12 wins were mainly a product of the stout defensive progression, rather than the offense.

These numbers flavor a gloss in court case to their own: The Patriots buildup is one that strikes dread in opposing quarterbacks. That trend will without protection taking place continue this coming season and could be even bigger scary as that might be help upon tidy for opposing teams and their fans.

[junker-town]

Sam Darnold finally has a chance to prove he isn’t a bust

Carolina was desperate for a QB, and this plan might work.

Amidst their desperation to find a new quarterback, the Panthers completed a trade Monday that brings former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold to Carolina in exchange for a 2021 sixth round pick, a 2022 second round pick, and a 2022 fourth round pick. At first glance it’s the kind of deal worthy of ridicule. But is there something more to the trade than meets the eye?

The Panthers did a terrible job of hiding their desires to find a new quarterback. Publicly the team was touting the idea that Teddy Bridgewater was “their guy,” but with every quarterback move this offseason came news the Panthers were talking to teams as well. They were close to a deal for Matthew Stafford, until the Rams offered more. They were interested in Carson Wentz, until a deal was finalized with Indianapolis. The looming possibility of making a mammoth trade for Deshaun Watson was still being touted as recently as a month ago, but quickly silenced during wide-ranging sexual assault and harassment allegations.

This left Carolina in a weird spot. This is a team in desperate need of a quarterback to start implementing the offensive rebuild coach Matt Rhule and co. started a year ago, but it was increasingly looking like there wasn’t an option. The Panthers were faced with the reality that they might either need to reach for a second-tier quarterback in the draft, or trade the farm in hopes of moving up to get someone they liked. In the end this third choice presented itself, and it may have just protected the Panthers ... from themselves.

Up to this point every possible QB scenario for Carolina was loathsome. Had they landed Stafford it would have been the peak of desperation, and an incongruous move for a team building around youth. Any scenario in the draft centered on moving up would have mortgaged the team’s future for years to come. Resigning themselves to start Bridgewater again in 2021 without competition was the equivalent of punting on the season.

The circuitous route Carolina took to trading for Sam Darnold is the kind of move that will either be worthy of the mockery it’s currently being met with, or wind up being genius — and there’s compelling reasons for both scenarios.

Darnold has shown flashes

The idea of Darnold being a “bust” is labored at best. The fact is, there have been plenty of games and moments where there have been flashes of the player people hoped he would be coming out of USC.

Look at Week 1 of the 2019 season, for example. Despite having few weapons, and facing a brutal Bills’ defense, Darnold pushed Buffalo to the wire, losing 17-16 in a game where he completed over 68 percent of his passes and finished with a 84.9 rating.

That same year, just a few weeks later, Darnold returned from his meme-worthy absence due to mononucleosis, and threw for over 300 yards against the Cowboys. Not only was this a breakout performance, but he completed over 70 percent of his passes and finished with a 113.8 rating.

pic.twitter.com/Z1GYeszI4b

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 5, 2021

There was inconsistency throughout the season to be sure, but Darnold still managed to throw for over 3,000 yards in 13 games. This was with an offensive line that allowed him to be sacked 33 times on the year.

There’s familiarity in Carolina

Trading for Darnold isn’t entirely out of left field for the Panthers, and there’s a common thread here: Wide receiver Robby Anderson. Anderson worked for two years with Darnold on the Jets before leaving for Carolina, and during his time in New York he was the young QB’s favorite target. Keep in mind that one of the biggest reasons Matt Rhule signed Anderson was familiarity, coaching the receiver at Temple.

So there’s a logical through line here where Rhule would have consulted with his 1,000 yard receiver about how it was to play with Darnold, and whether there’s potential there. It’s the kind of endorsement that could have been enough to push the Panthers to make a deal.

Always bank on Adam Gase’s ineptitude

Even if you’re not sold on Darnold the player, it’s impossible to deny that he entered the league in the worst situation of any rookie quarterback — because of Adam Gase. A man who will go down in NFL infamy for his inability as a coach, there’s already a clear litmus test of Gase being complete inept when it comes to evaluating and utilizing quarterbacks.

PFF grade with Adam Gase: (‘19-'20) Sam Darnold - 58.8 (‘16-'18) Ryan Tannehill - 59.7 PFF Grade without: (‘19-‘20) Tannehill - 92.4 (4th) (‘21-) Darnold - pic.twitter.com/PeIA7nzlIL

— PFF (@PFF) April 5, 2021

Normally I’d say it’s unfair to pin all of a quarterback’s failings on a head coach, but I’ll gladly make an exception for Adam Gase. As PFF mentions above, Ryan Tannehill looked like he was destined to be a journeyman backup before being bounced out of the league until he left Miami, got away from Gase, and quickly became one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

Now, that’s a pretty unique situation, but if there’s ever a time to bet on a turnaround, this might be the one. We have a clear, analogous case of a Gase quarterback leaving for another team, and immediately becoming the player hoped they could after being regarded as a bust.

It’s not just the schemes Gase implemented that failed, but his utter inability to put talent around young quarterbacks. During his tenure in Miami the best receiver Tannehill had was Jarvis Landry, who was allowed to walk and replaced with ... a 33-year-old Danny Amendola.

Similarly, Darnold’s best receiver during his time in New York was Robby Anderson, who was also allowed to walk in free agency and replaced with ... a 33-year-old Chris Hogan.

Darnold has never had a better chance to show he belongs

The 23-year-old is getting so much more than a change of scenery. Not only is he being reunited with the best receiver he had on the Jets, but also another 1,000 yard receiver in D.J. Moore, Christian McCaffery at running back who can catch outlet passes, as well as David Moore and Dan Arnold, two big-play pass catchers signed in free agency.

Most importantly he’ll get to work with Joe Brady, the offensive coordinator who took Joe Burrow and turned him into a Heisman winner, and stellar rookie before he was lost to injury. Now, for the first time in his career, Darnold has an actual support structure around him that will allow him to show what he’s got.

Does this mean the Jets made a mistake by trading Darnold?

Hell no. Absolutely not. Buying into the idea Darnold is a legend in the making is a fun possibility, but the reality if that there’s nothing he showed in New York that justifies passing on a quarterback with the No. 2 pick. especially if there’s someone new coach Robert Saleh believes in. By all accounts that seems to be Zach Wilson, and the team is prepared to build around him.

In the end New York had to move on, whether Darnold was a victim or circumstance or not — and they managed to get some picks to boot. This will help with their rebuilding efforts moving forward.

And what about the Panthers?

The best part of this trade is that Carolina pivoted from the possibility of taking a major risk in the draft, to a minor one via trade. Even if Darnold is terrible, they didn’t give up much to take the risk. Carolina will find itself back in the top 10 again next year, this time with a better chance of landing a top quarterback.

For now though, they’re going to give Darnold a shot, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how it pans out.

[entergamingxp]

Nemesis vs. Mr. X — Which Iconic Resident Evil Villain is Superior?

April 3, 2020 1:00 PM EST

Both Resident Evil 2 and 3 feature their own iconic villains in Mr. X and Nemesis, but when comparing the two, which reigns supreme?

Resident Evil 3 finally hits store shelves today (for those stores that are still opened) and it brings back one of the series’ most iconic fiends to the forefront: Nemesis. For many, other than being able to play as Jill Valentine once again, Nemesis will likely be a large reason why they decide to pick the game up, as the tank-like creature has long-been considered one of the best villains in the history of the Resident Evil saga.

However, in this new era of Resident Evil remakes that we’re living in, RE2 ended up having an equally iconic mutated monster of its own: Mr. X. The top-hat-wearing, right-hook-throwing behemoth that ended up chasing you through the Raccoon City police station in a large portion of Resident Evil 2 proved to be the breakout star of last year’s remake and both scared and entertained fans endlessly.

After playing through both games myself, it was hard not to immediately draw comparisons between Nemesis and Mr. X. Each character serves a similar purpose in each of their respective games, though the way they go about stalking the player is a little bit different. As such, the more I played through the newly released RE3, the more I started to question who actually was better in these remakes: Mr. X or Nemesis? Well, that’s what we’re going to break down right now to officially decide who reigns supreme when comparing these iconic Resident Evil titans.

Also, just to clarify, we’re only going to be comparing Mr. X and Nemesis here based on how they’re represented in each of their respective Resident Evil remakes versus the original games. Got it? Okay, good.

Strength and Abilities

Compared to every other enemy type that you come across in Resident Evil 2, Mr. X is a menace. Playing as either Leon or Claire, you can unload every shotgun shell and grenade launcher round that you have at him and he’ll still keep coming at you. Equipped with his raucous fists of fury, Mr. X can make mincemeat out of both Claire and Leon if he gets up close. Plus, that’s not even taking into account his final form, which sees him hacking and slashing with a gargantuan claw-like arm.

Nemesis, on the other hand, has way more tools at his disposal. At a baseline level, the main antagonist of RE3 can tie you up with his tentacles or beat you to a pulp with his fists. He’s also a weapons specialist and can utilize powerful tools such as flamethrowers and rocket launchers to make Jill Valentine’s life a living hell. Not to mention, he’s also nigh unkillable. Even if you think you have Nemesis beat, there’s a good chance that you don’t.

Mr. X is absolutely no slouch, but in a 1v1 fight, Nemesis dominates and it’s probably not even very close. Resident Evil 3‘s iconic villain is still one of the most powerful in the franchise’s history. Good luck with taking him down.

Edge: Nemesis

Scare Factor

Other than the zombie dogs, which all Resident Evil fans can agree are horrifying, Nemesis was likely considered to be the second-spookiest villain in the franchise’s history up to this point. While scripted in the original RE3, it felt like Nemesis always had the potential to burst in on Jill in any situation and immediately begin trying to kill her. Resident Evil 3 was an incredibly stressful game for a variety of reasons when it first launched in 1998, but Nemesis was what made you truly panicked while playing.

That said, in the RE3 remake, Nemesis doesn’t do much to really instill fear in the player. Sure, he explodes through brick walls a time or two just like the Kool-Aid Man, but he never feels as menacing as he did in the original. Part of this is likely because many of the moments that prominently feature Nemesis are much more scripted than they were even in 1998’s edition. In the moments where Nemesis is chasing you through Raccoon City, well, he’s really not that hard to get away from.

Mr. X, on the other hand, is perhaps the most terrifying villain that the Resident Evil series has ever had. The way in which he stalks you about the RCPD throughout a large portion of Resident Evil 2 makes you nervous about ever leaving a safe room. Even when you aren’t coming face to face with Mr. X, you can still feel his presence in the police station. Those large, size 22 boots that he’s wearing (I don’t actually know his real shoe size) can be heard stomping around and reverberating throughout the entire building. While Mr. X might not always know where you are, you always have a decent idea of where he’s at, adding a sense of constant dread to Resident Evil 2.

Nemesis might be the more iconic Resident Evil villain up to this point in time, but in these new remakes, it’s hard to consider him as someone that’s actually scary. Mr. X, on the other hand, is arguably one of the most iconic gaming characters in years purely because of how frightening he is.

Edge: Mr. X

Visual Aesthetic

Look, Mr. X might want to punch you to death, but at least he’s looking dapper while doing so. One of the main baddies of Resident Evil 2 has the decency to wear a nice leather jacket, a fedora, and comes equipped with some belts tightened around his neck. I don’t know why he has those belts around his neck, but hey, at least he’s trying to look fashionable. Not to mention, Mr. X clearly cares about his clothes. In RE2, you can shoot his hat off of his head as Leon or Claire, only for him to show up again later wearing it. Mr. X leaves no hat behind.

Nemesis, on the other hand, looks like he’s wearing a garbage bag throughout large portions of Resident Evil 3. While it’s technically a body bag (I think?), it’s still doing Nemesis no favors. I know I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing something like that. Plus, Nemesis has also got this weird device hooked to his chest that I truly have no idea what it does. Is it something that’s helping to keep him alive? Is it the equivalent of a fanny pack where he stores snacks in case he gets hungry? Why on Earth does he have this?

Also look, Nemesis: I’m also not trying to be mean, but you should probably go see a dentist. And a plastic surgeon. There’s a lot going on with that face, pal, and you could use some help.

Meanwhile, Mr. X? Extremely handsome. If I had a daughter, I’d let Mr. X take her to prom.

This is an easy decision. Mr. X takes the cake.

Edge: Mr. X

Mods

Look, this might be a weird thing to compare, I know, but it’s important to look at how the Resident Evil community views both Nemesis and Mr. X. And what better way to do that than to compare the mods that are currently available for each character?

Last year when Resident Evil 2 launched, Mr. X immediately became the most-modded character of the year. Some mods saw him taking the form of Pennywise, while others let him stomp around the police station while DMX’s “X Gon’ Give It To Ya” blares.

However, despite being so new, Nemesis already has a fair share of mods that fans have created for him as well. Likely the most notable is the one that you see above, where Nemesis is stripped down to nothing but a speedo. You can also clearly see that he’s also been working on his abs and is preparing to hit the beach later this summer. Nice job hitting the gym, Nemesis.

It’s also worth noting that both Mr. X and Nemesis each have Thomas the Tank Engine mods as of this very moment. What exactly does that say about society? Well, I’m not really sure, but I think it’s a positive.

At this time, it’s still too early to see what the community might whip up for Nemesis. Heck, Resident Evil 3 just came out today, after all. As such, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see who truly has the edge in this category.

Edge: Draw

Verdict

While Nemesis will likely always be more iconic purely from his standing in the original Resident Evil games, Mr. X is officially the better character in these remakes that Capcom has released. Not only is he more intimidating, but he’s more fun to try and avoid and deal with altogether. By comparison, Nemesis, as our own reviewer Ricky Frech put it, is kind of just a nuisance in RE3 remake.

Mr. X will be remembered for years to come based on how Capcom executed the character in Resident Evil 2. Even though Nemesis will still always be beloved in the hearts of every Resident Evil fan, it’s very likely that Mr. X now will looked upon more fondly by many, myself included.

All hail Mr. X.

Winner: Mr. X

Resident Evil 2 and 3 are both available for purchase right now on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

April 3, 2020 1:00 PM EST

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2020/04/nemesis-vs-mr-x-which-iconic-resident-evil-villain-is-superior/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nemesis-vs-mr-x-which-iconic-resident-evil-villain-is-superior