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actuallyrandomperson · 5 years ago

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My thoughts on the Sanders Sides Spotify playlists- Janus Edition!

Note: this is Purely me saying whether or not I like the songs, not theorising about any deeper meanings. I’ve done them all, so just click on the names to see my reactions to the others: Virgil, Patton, Roman, Logan

Impressions from looking through the playlist: Ok. So I am pumped by some of the songs on this playlist. Seriously. Prepare for my excitement over certain songs.

1: ‘Black Hole Sun’, by Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Haley Reinhart. So, this made me realise the original version of black hole sun isn’t in my 32 hour playlist, even though it’s an iconic song, so that’s been remedied! This cover was really cool, and also somehow more Janus-ey. Also I was gonna call bs on Janus’ intro just based on hearing this one song, but then I remembered lyings kinda His Thing so it was probably very purposeful. This is now on the 32 hour playlist.

2: ‘It Seemed the Better Way’, by Leonard Cohen. I mean, it’s Leonard Cohen, so obviously I liked this. It’s Leonard Cohen. It only made it to the 32 hour playlist though.

3: ‘Anywhere’, by The Scarring Party. This was jaunty, and another one I could easily imagine doing tap to! It ended up in the 32 hour playlist, but I don’t think I’ll specifically seek it out at any point in the future.

4: ‘Talking At The Same Time’, Tom Waits. This one I was a bit iffy on. It was interesting, it just wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea. I wouldn’t skip it in the future, but it’s not on my 32 hour playlist.

5: ‘all the good girls go to hell’, by Billie Eilish. This one was already on the 32 hour playlist, because Billie Eilish is iconic. Relistening to it on here prompted me to put it on the 10 hour playlist. Honestly, most of Billie Eilish’s songs belong on the ten hour playlist. I might go ahead and add them all. They are where they belong now.

6: ‘Denial’, by The Vaccines. This song was a bop!! It’s on the 32 hour playlist now, and I snorted at the combo of title and band. (get vaccinated, kids!)

7: ‘Trust In Me’, Scarlett Johanson. I haven’t seen the live action jungle book, but this song was good! It’s been ages since I saw the original as well, so I couldn’t tell you if i liked it more or less than the og version, but I liked it enough to add to the 32 hour playlist.

8: ‘Razzle Dazzle’, by Richard Gere. Over ten years of doing dance means that I’ve heard most of Chicago’s soundtrack through my jazz classes. This was no exception, and is on my 32 hour playlist now although it also made me feel sad again about the fact that I had to quit for medical reasons (but didn’t make me as sad as all that jazz, cell block tango, or we both reached for the gun would have). God I miss dance.

9: ‘When the Chips Are Down’, by Anais Mitchell, The Haden Triplets. One day, I’ll be able to watch hadestown. I mean. It’s a Greek mythology inspired musical. It‘s gotta be iconic. And also, this song was cool! It’s now on my 32 hour playlist.

10: ‘Mandy Goes To Med School’, by The Dresden Dolls. This one was interesting! It took me a while to work out how I felt about it, but I eventually decided I liked it enough for it to at least go onto the 32 hour playlist.

11: ‘I Put A Spell On You’, Nina Simone. Does anyone not like at least one version of this song? Because if so I’d like to meet them. This got added to the 32 hour playlist.

12: ‘Evil Night Together’, by Jill Tracy. This was cool as hell, very dark Disney-villain esque. It’s now in in my 32 hour playlist!!

13: ‘Cabaret: Don’t Tell Mama’ by John Kander, Joel Grey, Jill Haworth. Y’all can probably guess my thoughts on this song if you’ve read my other reactions, given it’s a showtune. It’s on the 32 hour playlist now.

14: ‘You’re a Cad’, the bird and the bee. The title of this song made me smile, and I ended up really liking it so I was glad! The only reason it’s not on my 10 hour playlist is I can’t decide if it feels like ‘normal people’ music enough. I might just add it, I think my mum would get a chuckle out of it if it played while we were baking together at least, and it feels like it would garner more amused looks than confused ones.

15: ‘As Far As I Can See’, by Phantogram. This song was a Bop! An unusual bop, but a bop nonetheless. ‘Tis now on the 32 hour playlist.

16: ‘Criminal’, by Fiona Apple. This song was a vibe. I really liked it!! It was only added to the 32 hour playlist, but it was cool.

17: ‘Change’, by Lana Del Ray. I really liked this one! I mean, I’m not shocked as I don’t think I’ve heard a Lana Del Ray song and Disliked it, but I liked the vibe of this one. It’s one the 32 hour playlist now!!

18: ‘Devil In The Details’, by Bright Eyes. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this, given I really didn’t like the Bright Eyes song on Virgils playlist, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I didn’t love it, but I liked it enough to add to the 32 hour playlist.

19: ‘Come Little Children’, by Erutan. Y’all know how at the start I got Really Excited about a song being on this playlist? Yeah. That was this one. An online friend sent me two of Erutan’s songs late last year (this one and the willow maid) and I Loved Them. I should probably add the rest of her songs to my 32 hour playlist. I just,,, hhh they’re So Good.

20: ‘Into The Unknown’, by The Blasting Company. This song was really good! It made me sway lightly in my chair, and got added to the 32 hour playlist.

Final thoughts: Before I actually looked at the songs in this one, I was not expecting to end up liking it this much. At the start, I figured I’d like Roman’s or maybe Patton’s the best. This one, however fit more into the corner of music with one off songs I love, rather than the music that I just like. My favourite New song would be you’re a cad. 19/20 were added to the 32 hour playlist, and 2 to the 10 hour one. I’ll reblog all of these posts later (when more people are likely to see it) with the updated times of said ‘32’ and ‘10’ hour playlists, as well as a link to said playlists in case the couple of people that see these are interested.

@thatsthat24

#sanders sides #sanders sides playlist #sanders sides spotify #janus #janus sanders #deceit #deceit sanders #thomas sanders #janus playlist #janus’ playlist #janus’s playlist #deceit’s playlist #deceits playlist #sanders sides deceit #sanders sides janus #janus’ playlist reaction #deceit’s spotify #janus’ spotify #spotify

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deadcactuswalking · 4 years ago

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REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 17/04/2021 (Polo G, Dave, Doja Cat & SZA, Taylor Swift)

Okay, so, UK Singles Chart time – all hell broke loose. I knew Taylor Swift and Dave would make an impact but I was also not expecting all of the chaos to come with it. With that said, Lil Nas X is still at #1 for a third week with “MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)” and let’s just get through with this. This is REVIEWING THE CHARTS.

Rundown

In this starting rundown segment, I’ve got a lot to cover so I’ll make it quick, no nonsense. First of all, I cover the UK Top 75. Why the top 75? I’m difficult – even though it’s actually more convenient. Secondly, the notable drop-outs – songs that peaked in the top 40 or spent more than five weeks on the chart that are gone from the top 75 this week thanks to this avalanche of 14 or so new arrivals. This week, we say goodbye to a bunch of our debuts from last week as well as “telepatía” by Kali Uchis, “Bringing it Back” by Digga D and AJ Tracey, “You’re Mines Still” by Yung Bleu and remixed by Drake, “Midnight Sky” by Miley Cyrus, “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles, “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers and several #1 hits, including “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “Sweet Melody” by Little Mix, “Mood” by 24kGoldn featuring iann dior, “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I and finally, “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, after spending a whopping 113 weeks in this region... despite being terrible. I mean, it’ll be back next week but celebrate the little victories, like our returns, for example. “X Gon’ Give it to Ya” by the late DMX is back at #72 after the passing of the hip-hop icon last week. This legendary song was actually one of his later hits – not even a hit in the States – and originally peaked at #6 in the UK back in 2003. We sadly don’t see anything else from DMX returning but we do also see Taylor Swift’s re-recorded version of “Love Story” revisiting the charts at #45 off the album boost.

Now for the songs that fell or rose this week, starting with the notable losses, being songs that dropped five spots or more. First, we have “Your Love (9PM)” by ATB, Topic and A7S at #13, followed by “Don’t Play” by Anne-Marie, KSI and Digital Farm Animals at #17, “Hold On” by Justin Bieber at #20, “Save Your Tears” by the Weeknd at #22, “Up” by Cardi B at #23, “Commitment Issues” by Central Cee at #25, “Latest Trends” by AI x JI plummeting at #28, “Patience” by KSI featuring YUNGBLUD and Polo G at #29, “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo at #34, “We’re Good” by Dua Lipa at #35, “Anyone” by Justin Bieber at #40, “Black Hole” by Griff at #41, “All You Ever Wanted” by Rag’n’Bone Man at #43, “WITHOUT YOU” by the Kid LAROI at #44, “Binding Lights” by the Weeknd at #46, “Goosebumps” by HVME and Travis Scott at #47, “6 for 6” by Central Cee at #48, “Medicine” by James Arthur at #49, “Head & Heart” by Joel Corry and MNEK at #50, “Met Him Last Night” by Demi Lovato featuring Ariana Grande at #54 off of the debut, “Paradise” by MEDUZA and Dermot Kennedy at #58, Doja Cat’s “Streets” at #60 and “Best Friend” with Saweetie at #61, “Tonight” by Ghost Killer Track featuring D-Block Europe at #62, “Get Out My Head” by Shane Codd at #63, “Beautiful Mistakes” by Maroon 5 featuring Megan Thee Stallion at #66, “Track Star” by Mooski at #67, “Headshot” by Lil Tjay, Fivio Foreign and Polo G at #73, “What Other People Say” by Sam Fischer and Demi Lovato at #74 and finally, whatever’s left of Drake as “What’s Next” is at #68 and “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” with Rick Ross is at #70.

Our gains are arguably more interesting, as it’s impressive to climb five spots or higher or reach the top 40 for the first time in the midst of all this nonsense. Therefore, we do have just a few gains, those being “Runaway” by AURORA at #51 off of the debut, “Nice to Meet Ya” by Wes Nelson featuring Yxng Bane making a surprise attack at the top 40 going to #39 off of the debut, “Good Without” by Mimi Webb at #18 and “Ferrari Horses” by D-Block Europe and RAYE continuing its gains up to #16. That’s pretty much it – still took a while – so let’s get through those 14 new arrivals, huh? God help me.

NEW ARRIVALS

#75 – “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)” – Fred again.. and The Blessed Madonna

Produced by Boston Bun and Fred again..

This is one of the songs that really padded out our new arrivals list – to explain, a lot of the time, these songs were released weeks ago and only now gain enough traction to debut within the top 75 and hence be discussed by me. This one just happens to have popped up in a week where everything is going on already so it kind of gets lost in incoherency but regardless, this is a song from Ed Sheeran’s producer Fred Gibson, who I refuse to call by his stage name, from his most recent project featuring vocals from The Blessed Madonna, most commonly known right now as the producer and DJ behind the club mix edition of Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia and hence the “Levitating” remix with Missy Elliott and, well, actual Madonna. The song itself is one I’m surprised is about anything but has these mostly spoken word vocals about how we as a world have “lost dancing” to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as hugs, and, well, that’s all she decides to elaborate about. She also guarantees that once everything is over, “what comes next will be marvellous”. Whilst I appreciate the sentiment, I think it’s almost a dangerous promise, given that we’ll be in this pandemic for longer than anyone expected and it’s pretty evident that we’ll still be keeping to social distancing as the vaccine roll-out continues all throughout this year. At this point, we’re still in lockdown and international travel will still be stunted for years after the fact. This song feels like The Blessed Madonna getting on her pedestal about the arts and their impact on people without going into any detail that warrants the soapbox, bizarrely over some synth-heavy deep house beat that decides to do little more than flutter through the entirety of the five-minute runtime. Yeah, this is pretty insufferable. Next.

#71 – “Slumber Party” – Ashnikko featuring Princess Nokia

Produced by CallMeTheKidd

Okay, so TikTok picks this one up and the label then decides to push this over “Deal with It”, a brilliant pop song that was right there and already had the high-budget video to boot? Regardless, this is taken from Ashnikko’s debut mixtape of sorts, Demidevil, and whilst as a whole the project does little more than act as harmless fun guising as anything more, a couple of the singles are genuinely pretty great, including this one, which seems to be a break-out hit for rapper Princess Nokia. This song relies on the jerkiness of its almost DJ Mustard-esque club beat and that warped might-be-a-flute loop to support Ashnikko’s similarly sloppy delivery, which decides to be as in character in possible – of which I mean that it is obnoxious and frankly ridiculously stupid. This isn’t a “slumber party” at all, and whilst the childish implications are if anything kind of unnerving, there is a lot of fun to be had here if you get past the “kawaii hentai boobies” in the chorus. Nokia’s verse continues the album’s general early 2000s aesthetic with her referencing many hits and singers from that time period in a pretty slick albeit one-and-done verse that should really be extended further than it is. I mean, I would have preferred that to Ashnikko’s second verse comparing her girlfriend to the little girl from The Addams Family, before mentioning how her eyes go black when she orgasms and that her spit tastes like Juicy Fruit gum. Okay, so when it comes to filthy lesbian rap I think I prefer acts like BASSIDE but for what it’s worth, this is surreal and fun enough for me to like. I hope it does well, but know she has better songs even on that same tape.

#69 – “Versus” – SL and M1llionz

Produced by Lucas Dante and Yng Cld

Oh, hey, another drill track by two guys produced by two guys for two guys to rap about how cool it is to be the two guys they are. I guess the gimmick here is that the single actually has an instrumental version as well for whatever reason; I guess they want people to remix the track. That would make sense, as this beat is immediately recognisable from that chipmunk squeak of a glitched vocal sample they use. In fact, I think I prefer the instrumental version because when those booming 808s come in, it hits really hard especially with the scattering drill percussion. SL and M1llionz are trading bars here in what is basically one verse and it’s not like they’re saying nothing of interest here as there is a viable enough amount of detail here in these bars about exactly what you’d expect. But that’s exactly what it is: exactly what you’d expect. By the first verse, you’ve already heard SL talk about watching The Boondocks and that’s about as interesting as it gets. Sure, the interplay between the two guys in this case is pretty smooth, but it goes on for about a minute too long and M1llionz has a lot more charisma than SL so it does feel like half the song is wasted away. The producers know that too, as they decide to fade the song out very quickly after M1llionz stops rapping his final bars. This is fine – on some days, I’d probably call it really good – but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.

#64 – “Starstruck” – Years & Years

Produced by Mark Ralph and Nathaniel Ledwidge

We’re not even out of that bottom third of the chart and we’ve still got a lot ahead of us before we get above that point. Here, we have “Starstruck”, sadly not the Lady Gaga or 3OH!3 song but instead the first officially solo song by Years & Years, which is now just frontman Olly Alexander after his bandmates’ departure, similar to Panic! at the Disco except the members seem to be on good terms, or Ritt Momney, except no one here is a Mormon missionary... yet. Whilst you could see this from a mile away if you had listened to that last album, it would be deceiving to say it’s only Olly this time around as he’s enlisted several outside producers and writers to craft a pretty straightforward love song. Well, is it any good? I’m not entirely sold on it, mostly because it seems to reject all of the lyrical intrigue there was in those past two albums – at least intermittently – for a pretty generic if not pure and lovely content, with the most interesting of lyrics being about sipping his partner up like cosmic juice, which I’ll admit got a laugh out of me. It is fitting for how this janky dance-pop song sounds as sonically it’s kind of a quirky mess with a lot of bassy grooves in the verses only to be replaced by a shiny synth blend that completely shrouds the chorus in video game sound effects and French house-esque filter effects. This sound is very much a late-2000s early-2010s throwback in some ways and throwing it back even further in others, which creates an interesting sound but not enough to not let this become easily stale after just the second chorus, especially if it’s going to purposefully fumble its climax for an awkward build-up that involves basically revealing the drop measures before it should have. Yeah, I want to like this but it just seems kind of confused as it is. I’m still going to listen to that third album whenever it comes, but I’m somewhat disappointed with this lead single thus far.

#57 – “Lingo” – Deno featuring J.I. the Prince of NY and Chunkz

Produced by Da Beatfreakz

Alright, so British rapper Deno has enlisted New York rapper J.I. – who I refuse to call by his full stage name – and Chunkz, who I’m pretty sure is some YouTuber, to hop on a beat from DaBeatfreakz, specifically this watery R&B beat with vocal loops drowned out by bass and some awkward mixing. Deno isn’t much of a presence in the verse or chorus, J.I. talks about some girl not chewing him right and Chunkz, who sounds awful on any beat with the whiny Auto-Tuned mumble, somehow doesn’t say anything of interest despite being the semi-professional comedian of these three guys, or at least not before Deno takes over his verse and they all give up for the last couple measures. Yes, that was one sentence – this song doesn’t deserve much more.

#56 – “Shy Away” – twenty one pilots

Produced by Tyler Joseph

I’ve never been that big a fan of twenty one pilots, but I was actually pretty fond of her most recent album, Trench. What fascinates me about them is how they seemed to have done really well for themselves that one time in the Blurryface era and have coasted off the success of that to fund some of their more out-there and experimental musical aspirations. I don’t think they’re looking for big hits anymore – which is good because this won’t be one – but people will always be looking out for what they do next, and they’ve just announced a new album coming soon with this as the lead single. Thankfully, it’s not that COVID-19 pandemic pandering from last year which got on my nerves a lot more than it should. “Shy Away”, instead, goes for... 1980s dance-punk, because, of course. I do love that jerky synth lead and how well it’s backed by that chugging bass and percussion, which we’ll always know is organic coming from Josh Dun. The song itself is a somewhat vague motivational track but not for no reason, as these lyrics actually originated from when Tyler Joseph was giving advice to his brother, a budding musician, trying to get him to see himself in a new light and find his unique purpose in music and not to “shy away” from continuing with his dreams. I can get behind that, especially if it’s going to have squealing guitar segues, an infectious power-pop chorus that will probably not leave my head for a long time and the excellent swell of guitars in that third verse before the brief breakdown in the post-chorus with all those squibbling synth effects. It’s just a wonderfully constructed song on all accounts, even if it sacrifices some of that unique personality we usually get from Tyler for the sake of making a tighter pop-rock song.

#52 – “You Belong with Me” (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift

Produced by Taylor Swift and Christopher Rowe

I guess the best place to start with these re-recordings is the original song, which I’ve never liked. I’ve never seen a reason to enjoy Taylor’s entitled adolescent whining over some pretty garbage production making what may as well be organic country instrumentation sound like MIDI tracks. She doesn’t deliver a particularly good vocal performance, or at least one good enough to excuse “She wear short skirts, I wear T-shirts, she’s cheer captain and I’m on the bleachers”. There isn’t enough detail to make this seem like a toxic relationship so she ends up just sounding bratty. This new version, from a matured Taylor Swift a decade later, has decided not to change any of these lyrics and it just sounds worse coming from a Taylor who clearly knows a lot better and is in a happy relationship. Okay, the instrumentation sounds a lot more organic and has more of a groove than it used to, with some more intricate production moments that are cool, but that’s really the only change that improves on an already mediocre song. Taylor’s voice has improved a lot since that original recording but so has she, and her selling these lyrics with as much conviction while in her 30s just ends up sounding sad. It only makes sense to “reclaim” these songs if you’re going to try and make them your own again, and not representative of someone I don’t think Taylor is anymore. Alas, it’s listenable, but this could have been one of the more interesting re-recordings and nothing was done with it past the better mixing and a pretty epic guitar solo, even if it does feel unwarranted by the content.

#42 – “Way Too Long” – Nathan Dawe, Anne-Marie and MoStack

Produced by Scribz Riley, Tré Jean-Marie, Nathan Dawe and GRADES

For someone who is solely a producer and DJ, I say that’s two or three too many credited producers, but regardless, before we get to more Taylor Swift, which we will eventually, we’ve got some leftover house track with B-list stars that starts with the words, “Hey, yo, yo, it’s Stack Rack”. With that said, I actually kind of like this song with its strings swelling more than the usual track and its bass-heavy club groove in the verses being more complex in its percussion, especially when the sound design is that interesting in the second half of the verse as all of these effects and different synth patterns occur in the back of the mix, which kind of lets me forgive how anti-climactic the drop is. It’s not really an EDM song as much as it’s a light-hearted pop track and Anne-Marie isn’t taking it as seriously as she could, especially on that vocoder-drop chorus, which makes the song a lot more fun that it should be. MoStack is who really shines on this track though, as his verse is – probably unintentionally – very funny, as he twists the meaning of the song to a phallic joke, happily engages in monogamy, particularly with every British pop-star he can think of and says “forget quality, I want quantity”. He just lists famous singers by the end of this verse that he finds attractive and is completely gone off the deep-end by the time he’s ignored by Anne-Marie’s swell of a chorus. It’s not a great song and definitely falls into the traps that most EDM does but as it is, it’s a fun track with a surprisingly hilarious and sloppy guest verse from MoStack that I was not expecting, as well as just being inoffensive across the board.

#33 – “Mercury” – Dave featuring Kamal.

Produced by Manny Manhattan and Kyle Evans

Dave released a double A-side single – or at least whatever the equivalent for that is in the streaming age – and this was the less popular track, “Mercury”, with singer Kamal. If you don’t know Dave is, he’s one of the biggest and most celebrated rappers in the UK and this is his first solo release since 2019. I’ve usually been pretty happy with Dave’s releases – hell, Psychodrama was one of my favourite albums of 2019 – but I’m not entirely sure I can endorse this lazy trap beat relying on some gentle but overbearing pianos and groovier bass knocks. Really, the beat is pretty minimal so we can focus on what Dave’s saying, right? Well, we could, but why would we want to? Sure, there’s some good wordplay weaved into here and I don’t dislike his stories about gang violence and paranoia, even if they’re delivered in the most checked-out almost condescending way possible, but I can’t get behind the misogyny that seems to run a lot deeper than it does in typical rap. Sure, he makes the same googly-eyed observations about attractive women, describes some parts of the sex but interestingly not any part he plays, and also describes her as a “work of art”, but this is all after he dismisses women in general for not “forgiving him for his sins”, in some thinly-veiled Ariana Grande reference that leaves me more pissed off than he is, especially since Dave’s not as self-aware as he thinks he is, particularly because he himself can barely forgive himself for his wrongs in that second verse. Instead, he shrouds it in hedonism like any other rapper – what have the women got to do other than make good decisions for themselves about who they sleep with? He doesn’t go into disgusting detail like Digga D on “Toxic” but it rubs me the wrong way, especially if he’s going to then complain about the myth that is cancel culture. If this comes from a genuine place where he was genuinely attacked for something he didn’t deserve the abuse for, I’d understand, but why even complain about the supposed mob of Twitter users when the only tie you have to it is something reported on your brother by the right-wing press that everyone ignored? Other than missing the point terribly, it’s not like this song is catchy or notable. Even he acknowledges that this five-minute bore wouldn’t make the album, and it’s for good reason.

#32 – “Anywhere Away from Here” – Rag’n’Bone Man and P!nk

Produced by Rag’n’Bone Man, Mike Elizondo and Ben Jackson-Cook

So this is Rag’n’Bone Man’s second single from that upcoming album, or at least the second to chart, and after the surprisingly great post-punk rocker that was “All You Ever Wanted”, I’m excited to hear what a duet with P!nk could sound like. After all, they’re both rougher voices in the pop sphere, even if P!nk’s been doing it for much longer. Sadly, it’s a ballad... not to say they can’t do ballads well but this is a pretty minimal piano-lead track with some really badly mixed vocals from Rag’n’Bone Man as he channels an unintelligible Dave Grohl that’s way too loud in the mix, especially when the strings come in and cloud the mix. I do like the content once again with Rag’n’Bone Man as he continues to discuss the careless days of his youth, but this is more about growing older and eventually growing discontent with that lifestyle and each other, just wanting to be somewhere else. P!nk delivers this in a way that’s a lot more flattering to her voice and the instrumental, but when the borderline choir vocals come in with those terribly-mixed harmonies between the two and that pointless bridge, I give up on this song. It just refuses to go anywhere, I’m sorry, and it had a lot of potential but these voices don’t particularly mesh together especially over some basic piano and strings. This could have been great and as is, is less than mediocre.

#30 – “Mr. Perfectly Fine” (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault) – Taylor Swift

Produced by Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff

I didn’t listen to the re-recorded version of Fearless; instead I just listened to the six or so bonus “from the vault” tracks because that’s the only new content and I’m not big on any of it. It sounds exactly as you’d expect a 31-year-old woman reciting lyrics she wrote and shelved when she was a teenager, not even thinking they were good enough to release then, decades after the fact, and most of the songs just aren’t interesting at all. I think “Bye Bye Baby” is a great pop song but besides that there’s nothing much to enjoy in these tracks, at least from me. I know that Taylor’s biggest fans will love how she re-recorded leaked and rumoured songs that had been circulating but as someone detached from that, it does nothing for me. This song in particular is about Joe Jonas, because, of course, it was, and it’s a petty, sarcastic break-up song Taylor should be able to deliver confidently but ends up falling flat based on almost that awful verse melody alone, which is just janky, unpleasant and stretched out to the point of annoyance, especially if it’s going to be produced this well. She dug up this track seemingly only to get Antonoff on the record, and, sure, the chorus is catchy and has that one great moment with those crashing guitars, but it enjoys killing its momentum as soon as it gets going... for five minutes. Yeah, I’m sorry but I’m not interested in what was left on the cutting room floor a decade separated from the release of this re-recording, especially if this fully-fleshed instrumentation does little more than distract from how dreadfully boring this song is. Wake me up when she re-records Speak Now or especially reputation, because that will truly be fascinating.

#10 – “Kiss Me More” – Doja Cat featuring SZA

Produced by tizhimself, Carter Lang, Rogét Chahayed and Yeti Beats

I’ve forgotten to mention that three of those 14 new arrivals actually debuted in the top 10 this week, meaning, yes, whilst we’re nearly done, we’ve still got a lot to cover and we start with what seems to be the lead single from Doja Cat’s upcoming album, as she enlists SZA to assist her on this classily unclassy disco-pop song. Those main guitars do sound great, especially with Doja’s signature cooing over them, and that’s before we get to that slick pink disco groove not dissimilar to “Say So” but with a tighter, fun bassline and how quickly Doja strips off the subtlety. I could do without that mess of a post-chorus that is just a blend of too many, not very great vocal takes, but I do love how it leads into Doja’s unsubtle sex bars that actually go into some interesting detail, but not as much SZA being kind of filthy but also delivering a pretty great vocal performance, even if she starts with asking her partner for that “gushy stuff”. I do find it odd that it decides to censor “dick” of all words, but this production is great and I actually particularly like that final chorus and post-chorus once SZA starts harmonising on it. As is, it’s a pretty tight and likeable disco jam from two charismatic performers... co-written by Dr. Luke. Goddamn it, Doja, I don’t know what contract he’s got you in but Jesus, someone do something about that.

#9 – “Titanium” – Dave

Produced by Kyle Evans and P2J

This is our second Dave song and obviously the more successful of the two, at about three minutes shorter – thankfully – debuting in the top 10. It’s much better than “Mercury”, even if the song literally starts with him bragging about not needing vibrators to make his girlfriend orgasm. That said, the lyrics here are actually a lot slicker, flowing much like he did on “Streatham” as he lists so many precious metals you’d think he’s Bender. I do like the intricacies in these lyrics, even if he doesn’t really adapt it into any wordplay. He mentions how awkward that it is that his neighbours are going to vote Conservative as he brags in an almost freestyle-like structure in the single verse he spits, which has a couple flow switches and a lot more empty space than it should for a beat this awkwardly mixed, as whilst I like the trap percussion here, it really does not sound that great over borderline MIDI pianos. The little string inflections and drum fills here are cool though, and those intricacies are what makes Dave’s verse so interesting, as he foreshadows his bar about Tyson Fury with an ad-lib that Fury used himself as a build-up for his boxing matches. His JAY-Z references are also on point and pretty clever, it’s just that there’s still not much to this past that and I’m left pretty underwhelmed with these releases from Dave, even if they’re not from that next album, whenever that’s coming.

#3 – “RAPSTAR” – Polo G

Produced by Einer Bankz and Synco

Well, Lil Tjay debuted at #2 a couple weeks ago so I guess it’s only fair for his fellow “Pop Out” rapper, and the one I personally immensely prefer, Polo G to have his surprise, kind-of-out-of-nowhere top 5 debut. Much like “MONTERO”, this track was being teased for nearly a year, having first been shown as an acoustic collaboration with professional ukulele player – yes, seriously – Einer Bankz, who’s also credited with production here, in May of 2020. Just shy of a year afterwards, we get “RAPSTAR”, in the same vein of other all-caps trap songs about musical success like “ROCKSTAR” or “POPSTAR”. Maybe next we’ll get “NEOCLASSICAL DARK WAVESTAR”. Regardless, this song is basically just about being epic and Polo G can effectively sell that even in his more basic flexing because of that intermittent detail like when he says the only woman he talks to is Siri, which isn’t even a brag or a flex, more a sad admission of his crippling loneliness which I don’t think was intended. He also does more than empty flexing, discussing his past drug addictions and how he coped with that alongside all of the struggles he had to overcome at the same time. That second verse may start with him saying he’s 2Pac reborn but it goes a lot deeper into his anxieties than I expected. All of this is over a melancholy guitar-based beat with some great bass and better mixing than is expected of these pop-trap singles, even if it’s still far from perfect. Those eerie vocal loops in the background add a lot to this song and I think that chorus has a pretty great build-up, even if the percussion may seem a bit too basic and uncomplicated as an effective drop. I can’t really complain about this at all, though, as it is really good for what it is and I’m glad it’s this high.

Conclusion

And with that, I’m finally, FINALLY finished with scouring through these new arrivals and I’ll admit that it was less of a mixed bag and more of a generally positive week, at least for me, as I found more I liked than anything I disliked, particularly with Best of the Week as that goes to twenty one pilots for “Shy Away”, with the Honourable Mention going to Ashnikko’s “Slumber Party” featuring Princess Nokia, although there’s a lot to praise on the charts this week. In terms of Worst of the Week, it’s probably going to go to Fred again.. and The Blessed Madonna for “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)”, with a Dishonourable Mention for, sadly, Dave’s “Mercury” featuring Kamal. I would like to note that Taylor Swift was awfully closer than she should be to getting that this week. Here’s this week’s top 10:

What to expect from this week? Gosh, I don’t know. AJ Tracey? Young Thug? Either way, we’ll see whatever happens to all this – whether it gets flooded out or they all end up sticking around – next week, so I’ll see you then. Thanks for reading.

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getseriouser · 7 years ago

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20 THOUGHTS: You can't bite the boys of the Bulldog breed

FUNNY that.

The Bulldogs were wooden spoon certainties and in a world of trouble, now we jump off Essendon as quickly, pardoning their victors as we do.

Collingwood wins by four goals against a lowly Carlton and now Buckley is showing something we’ve never seen before?

West Coast kick six unanswered goals in the final term when their travelling opponents had a smaller bench than an inner-city apartment’s kitchenette and they are now on the path to greatness?

Steady on.

1. Cricket first - in a sport that desperately could use some PR right about now - why haven't we had a female umpire a men's test match? Has it happened and no-one noticed? Or is it a glaring oversite with other men’s competitions around the world catching up? Cricket Australia needs me. James Sutherland, you have my number, give me a call.

2. So the Doggies. Had a significant portion of their best line-up out on Sunday and showed a bit, showed us what we think the 2016 premiers should be playing like. Round One was what it was, and yes they had a stinker to follow up, but these Dogs will be just fine, probably not a top four fancy but certainly a long way from the bottom of the ladder come the end of August.

3. As for their opponents, well yes, little excuse. Unlike the winners, Essendon were pretty close to rolling out their best team (Gleeson perhaps the only exception?) and yet were pummelled and lucky to have gotten so close. In that case, on Sunday, that just comes down to a bit of want and desire. Not good. But there’s always a next week so not all is lost at Tullamarine.

4. Hasn’t the man love come for Nic Naitanui since Sunday night. He is back, there’s no-one better in full flight, best on ground and probably a Logie, Nobel Prize and a chance to play for the showcase on Price is Right too. However, and this goes somewhat for Stef Martin who also played a ‘blinder’ on the weekend, who were they rucking against? Both Geelong and Port Adelaide did not possess a first-choice ruckman, so for Naitanui and Martin to go bananas is bare minimum. That’s what separates Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy above the others. Gawn defeated an All-Australian ruckman in Todd Goldstein, Grundy took down a pretty handy colleague in Matty Kreuzer too. So, as mentioned above, when it comes to ruckmen dominating games with no equal – steady on.

5. Geez the Power run it dicey with opponents they should just be taking care of. Credit to the Lions I guess but Port are so lucky. Yet, a win is a win, they didn’t stuff it up like last year when this would have gone against them, if they ride their luck and make amends, this is still a very positive platform for Ken Hinkley’s men.

6. This column continues to be enamoured with the Freo back six. A solid, in-form and gelling backline is the foundation of good, great sides. The combination of Joel Hamling, premiership player, the assured veteran presence of Michael Johnson and Stephen Hill, the rapidly developing Alex Pearce and Luke Ryan plus one of the recruits of the year in Nathan Wilson, that’s a very good core group. Let alone the fact their mids look great especially their captain and their forward line is functioning and dangerous alike, again, it’s all set up for success.

7. Friday night, gee the heat came for Jacob Weitering. Liam Jones had a few brain fades but I’m not sure why the sole focus of the attention for Carlton letting a winless team roll through for nine unanswered goals went on the former no.1 pick? How about some attention for the midfield who looked completely absent leaving the Blues’ defence with little prospects to do anything to stop the wave? Starts with the captain whose getting away with doing the best part of bugger all so far in 2018.

8. Their opponents, first win for the Pies, they looked alright. Throw Elliott, Fasolo and Moore with what worked Friday inside 50, the back six is improving and confidence with ball movement can grow into the season – they present ‘some’ chance to be 4-4 after eight rounds where their draw does get easier than the start. Need luck, some they need to create themselves, some the way of good fortune.

9. Different role for Scott Pendlebury, essentially ran with Cripps all night, now Cripps did end up with 26 but wasn’t anywhere near as influential as Round One. A big stat: no-one in the competition has tackled more so far this season than the Pies' skipper, not known for the real physical side of the game but leading by example in that way.

10. Gold Coast leads the tackle count after three rounds with 250, they did have 98 in Round One though in the monsoonal conditions against North who had 86 themselves and are second for that team stat as you’d expect. Third though, Collingwood, 212.

11. Interesting, the teams that have had been tackled the most, North and Gold Coast are high because of Round One, but number one? Carlton, averaging 77 a game where the average is 62. They are really struggling to find space. The best, no surprise, Richmond, averaging 50 a game. Dogs just behind in second best, they actually are playing ok.

12. Essendon are the by far the worst team for conceding uncontested possessions so far, a decent margin ahead of second worst Brisbane. That’s down to workrate and team discipline as we said before.

13. Last team stat, inside 50s conceded, the worst, Geelong, ahead of North, Gold Coast and Carlton. Averaging over 60 a game conceded the Cats, so once opposition get the ball, it’s too easy to transition, or turn the Cats over and get re-entry. The best, Melbourne, Port and Freo, just over 40 a game, big difference.

14. As for Geelong, Ablett goes down and so did their chances coincidentally. He wasn’t the sole factor but once he came off at the start of the fourth the Eagles flicked a switch and ran rampant. Almost immediately he has become their best player and just edges Dangerfield perhaps for their most important. And he ain’t no spring chicken, with an increasingly concerning knack for picking up niggles.

15. Sunday saw Clarko almost orchestrate another upset; they will overachieve far too often this year. The Tigers were by far the better outfit but I credit the Hawthorn coaching box and not lady luck for the fact the Hawks were in it almost all the way. Such a genius.

16. So the Saints are looking into Dylan Shiel. Josh Kelly stayed, so there’s nothing to suggest that Shiel might do any differently. But given the Saints ‘perception’ right now, other than monster cash – good luck.

17. Buddy watch, might not get a vote, only got two goals although one was just mega, but was in the best half dozen on the field easily and is on big time in 2018. Please make sure you get on.

18. Want to touch on big Melbourne crowds - six crowds at the ‘G so far of approximately 55k and above with some over 80k. Three including Hawthorn, two with Collingwood, two with Richmond. A couple 40k+ at Etihad too, both Essendon games. Hawks-Dees will be good this week, two huge games next week Dees-Tigers and Pies-Dons, with those four clubs reverse the Sunday after too. People are turning up to the footy in droves, the game’s going well.

19. Let’s have a look at Sydney, their NRL crowds, 19 of the 37 ‘fixtures’ (they've had double headers) so far in the NRL have been in Sydney, a mix of old suburban and big stadium venues. Only two crowds over 30k, averaging 16k, other than Origin or finals not likely to get anything over 40k all year. Yes the money is in TV, but crowds are still a very important revenue source and talks to fan engagement. Yes, the Giants are still too new in a tough environment, the Swans though, two home games, both 34k, the two highest attended football games in town so far in 2018.

20. Conor McGregor throws a hand trolley at a bus. Connor McKenna bites Tory Dickson. If you meet an Irishman, named Connor, with a Scottish surname, back away slowly…

(originally published 10 April)

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cloverbasket4-blog · 5 years ago

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Bulls Enjoy Exhilarating Victory Over Playoff-Bound 76ers

It was prime time Wednesday for the Bulls in the United Center, a rare national TV game for one of the league’s teams assigned the fewest national exposures. Move along, nothing to see here, the NBA and the national networks appeared to be saying about the rebuilding Bulls. But perhaps those Bulls are starting to get ready for prime time.

“We’re going to switch that (TV time) around,” predicted Zach LaVine.

The Bulls high flying leading scorer continued to come into focus with 39 points, including the game winning driving score with 1.6 seconds left for a 108-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. It was the Bulls sixth win in the last nine games that includes victories over hard charging Finals contenders Philadelphia and Boston.

Robin Lopez continued his scoring mastery with 19 points and nine rebounds and Otto Porter Jr. added 15 points and a team best matching nine rebounds. Former Bull Jimmy Butler led the 76ers with 22 points, including two free throws with 4.8 seconds left that appeared like it would save the 76ers from losing after leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter. But LaVine took a dribble handoff from Lopez, the 76ers blew the defensive switch and LaVine flew down the lane for the deciding layup, pumping his fist in exhilaration as he also was fouled. Though he missed the free throw. But in Butler’s two appearances in the United Center since his trade, LaVine has outplayed Butler down the stretch leading to a pair of Bulls victories.

Zach LaVine's Game Winning Layup

“We can beat any of these teams,” insisted LaVine. “We’ve always played with them. We just have to show we can win. We’re in a good little rhythm now. When you are rebuilding you have to take your bumps and understand you have to build your way up. We’re a young, exciting team. We have elite firepower. We have some of the best players in the NBA on this team, I feel like. And we’re going to change it around really fast.”

Delusional, you might say as the Bulls are 19-47. Philadelphia is 41-24.

But since the acquisition of Porter it’s been a sustained stretch of competitive basketball highlighted by scoring and shooting from LaVine, Porter and Lauri Markkanen, an offensive rebirth from Lopez in what has become an effective pick and roll with LaVine, and apparently the beginning of a belief.

“The chemistry is clicking,” said Porter. “We are getting better every game. Each game we are taking something away to prepare us for the future, no matter what it is: Five minutes to go down 10, how we are going to respond at home? Protect home court, cut turnovers the last four minutes, simple things like that. It shows the growth, what we are trying to accomplish here leading to next year. We are trying to build on the right habits, build that winning mentality here, be a very detailed, defensive minded team.

“I felt that this sent a message to the league that we are getting ready for the future.”

Otto porter

It also was a wildly entertaining game that passed for, at least this season, as close as the Bulls will get to playoff intensity with a team battling to enhance its position. Currently, the 76ers are fourth in the Eastern Conference and facing a dreaded first round playoff matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Bulls coach Jim Boylen said prior to the game the Bulls are trying to use these kinds of matchups on ESPN, which spent most of the pregame interviewing 76ers, to simulate a playoff situation.

“I showed them the teams that play on national TV,” said Boylen. “This is our third game on national TV. I think that’s the minimum that the league gives you with the TV agreement. That should bother our guys. There’s a reason for that. So what are you going to do about it?”

But there was oh-so-much-more in a game with 19 lead changes and 20 ties and some very unusual moments. Especially the last moments when the 76ers inbounded with five tenths of a second left for the potential winner. And then about 15 minutes later did so again.

Without Porter, by the way, who already was taking the routine league-mandated, post-game drug test. Hey, could Otto come out and play? You know, finish the game.

“Actually I was already in mid stride, so I couldn’t stop,” Porter sort of explained.

Everyone understood.

Game within the game 1: The clock isn’t supposed to start until someone on the floor touches the ball. But as the 76ers attempted a lob play toward the basket for the potential winner, the game ending buzzer went off before the ball on a high arc reached anyone. “When I touched it the buzzer already went off,” LaVine acknowledged. But everyone was leaving. So he left, too. Apparently, 76ers players felt Lopez guarding the inbound touched the ball, which would have ended the game. So they walked off the court, most of the fans left and local TV and ESPN began post game interviews on the floor. But wait, Lopez didn’t touch the ball. The officials reviewed film, confirmed the mistake and then began calling the teams back on the floor.

“Our (scorers’) table started the clock and I kind of like that,” laughed Boylen. “Our table (home teams supply the officials scorers, statisticians and time clock operators) started the clock early. That’s like Utah in the old days. They did that all the time and got away with that. I’m taking our clock guys to dinner; that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Well, not actually.

“Zach came sprinting into the locker room saying we need five guys out there,” said Ryan Arcidiacono.

“People were looking for me; couldn’t find me, but by that time it was too late,” explained Porter. "Just turned right back around and finished the process.”

“Toughest part was probably losing twice,” said the 76ers Tobias Harris. “Because we lost first and then we went back out there to do it again.”

Game within the game 2: That would be the talented 76ers, who were without star center Joel Embiid. Hey, the Bulls were without Chandler Hutchison. With the acquisitions of Butler and Harris to go along with Embiid and Ben Simmons, the latter who had 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, the 76ers despite their standings appear to have the talent to win the Eastern Conference. But there appear to be elements of a troubled team. It may be the team to watch post season.

With the delay to return to the court — the big surprise was how little the 76ers coaches complained about what seemed an obvious violation of the rules to end the game prematurely — Butler was overheard in the hallway outside the locker room yelling that if they went back out they needed to draw up a better expletive play than before. Previously late in the game, as coach Brett Brown was drawing up a play and showing Butler, Simmons pushed the clipboard away and walked onto the court. It could all be the intensity of the game and a motivated team anxious to do great things, the spirit of the 76ers. Or not.

Game within the game 3: That would be the latest installment of “Arch is Bonkers.”

That was late in the third quarter with the Bulls trailing 77-74 when the backup point guard who leads the team in charges and bruises made the hustle, are-you-kidding-me play of the game. Mike Scott’s shot rolled off the rim and was tipped out toward Arcidiacono on the left wing by James Ennis. Porter went for the ball and collided with Simmons, and both seemed to deflect the ball. Arcidiacono in front of the Bulls bench went into a full parallel dive into the stands too get the ball. But with the wherewithal to tip the ball forward to Porter as Arcidiacono propelled himself into the fans. Porter got the ball, took two dribbles into the front court and lobbed to LaVine running ahead for a dunk.

Video Proof That Arch is Bonkers

Boylen jumped out on the court to praise Arcidiacono with a hard slap. “Unbelievable play,” said Boylen. “Arci’s a tough nut. That’s what we have to do, that’s what the city wants to see, and that’s what winning basketball is. Big, big play for us.”

Though just fundamental for Arcidiacono, who actually was matched up for the first time against one of his idols, T.J. McConnell, the 76ers’ veteran Arcidiacono. Noe everyone wants to be like Mike.

“I just search out plays like that,” said Arcidiacono. “They kind of find me as well; any winning play I can make for our team. I felt that was a good momentum swing in our direction.”

But how does that kind of thing occur?

“It wasn’t graceful,” Arcidiacono agreed. “I thought I could get it and thought worse case scenario if my foot was on the line or I didn’t save it it, it would be their ball side out of bounds. So it was just about sacrificing the body, making a play and I got my hand on the ball. Actually I had a good grip on the ball and was able to get a good pass up to Otto and he made a great pass to Zach for a spectacular dunk. You feel the energy in the stands. I know our team and coaches were pumped, I was pumped.”

It was another tough game for Kris Dunn with four points on two of six shooting, and Markkanen after his run of 20/10 games was somewhat passive for the second consecutive game with 11 points and just nine shots. But it wasn’t so much the Bulls not searching for him as Markkanen being run off plays by the physical 76ers. Though Markkanen is highly skilled, he has difficulty creating his own shot, vital for an elite player, especially against tougher play.

“They were physical with him,” Boylen said. “They were locked into him in transition, they were picking him up high. Teams have been doing that. When you start playing well in the league and start kicking butt, people take notice, they adjust. They’re bringing a lot of heat to Lauri right now.”

For the Bulls, this time they didn’t get burned. It was a slow start, trailing 12-4 as one of three teams with a poorer home record than road record (now 8-25 at home). The Bulls had a late 9-0 stretch in the first behind Lopez’ 13 first quarter points to tie the game at 30 after one quarter. Markkanen started on Simmons and got quick foul trouble. It was tied at 57 at halftime, and then LaVine took charge for the Bulls as he would score 26 points in the second half.

“I got it going,” said LaVine, who was nine of 13 on free throws as Boylen has pushed him to attack the basket. “It’s some of my job to get points on the board and try be that guy to take over the game. I’ve done that before and will continue to try to do that.”

Highlights from Zach's Big Night

Porter and Lopez were excelling on the boards with tough rebounds snatched away from aggressive 76ers players, Porter especially with an impressive offensive rebound between a pair of 76ers and with the same hand passing out to LaVine for a score. Though a late 76ers run gave them an 86-82 lead after three quarters. Philadelphia then seemed about to be cheese steaks for all with a 98-88 lead midway through the fourth quarter. It looked like the Bulls wrapped up like a pretzel for another late defeat like against Indiana Tuesday.

But it then started with Porter with a hard drive and score. The scoring baton then went to LaVine for a Cali-step drive for a score, a quick pullup three against tight defense and a drive on a pass from Lopez to make it 98-98 with 3:41 left. Game on.

Porter matched Simmons layup and free throw with a three. But the 76ers went ahead 105-101 with 1:52 left when Butler began operating. The former Bull has been quieter and less obvious with the 76ers, seemingly satisfied to move the ball until being the finisher late in games. But LaVine scoring his 13 points in the last 5:30 of the game drove into the lane for a short jumper and tied it with another over a bruising Lopez screen with 46.6 seconds left.

Harris missed and Lopez was fouled, making one of two for a 106-105 Bulls lead with 17.1 seconds left. Butler held the ball until about seven seconds left, isolated and then drove past LaVine. The help was late and Butler was fouled, making both for the 76ers lead.

Butler then was defending LaVine making the inbounds to Lopez. But when LaVine got the ball back and went over the Lopez screen, Butler went with Lopez as did Scott defending Lopez. Ooops. A Bulls red sea of a driving lane suddenly opened up and LaVine led his people through Simmons and a retreating Scott for the layup.

Simmons then attempted that inbounds lob to Butler that LaVine knocked away. After a long delay and before by now a mostly empty arena, Butler fumbled the inbounds redux to finally end the game.

The Bulls passed a big test; apparently Porter as well.

Source: https://www.nba.com/bulls/gameday/bulls-enjoy-exhilarating-victory-over-playoff-bound-76ers

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nickdelo · 7 years ago

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Top 25 Films of the 21st Century

Nick’s List

1. Boyhood (Linklater, 2014) 2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Gondry, 2004) 3. Before Sunset (Linklater, 2004) 4. In Bruges (McDonagh, 2008) 5. Children of Men (Cuaron, 2006) 6. There Will Be Blood (P.T. Anderson, 2007) 7. Inside Llewyn Davis (Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, 2013) 8. Before Midnight (Linklater, 2013) 9. The Master (P.T. Anderson, 2012) 10. The Social Network (Fincher, 2010) 11. In the Mood for Love (Kar-wai, 2000) 12. Nightcrawler (Gilroy, 2014) 13. Ex Machina (Garland, 2015) 14. Hell or High Water (Mackenzie, 2016) 15. Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, 2016) 16. Beasts of the Southern Wild (Zeitlin, 2012) 17. Catch Me If You Can (Spielberg, 2002) 18. The Hurt Locker (Bigelow, 2009) 19. The Departed (Scorses, 2006) 20. Short Term 12 (Cretton, 2013) 21. The Prestige (Nolan, 2006) 22. Mud (Nichols, 2013) 23. Y Tu Mama También (Cuaron, 2001) 24. Creed (Coogler, 2015) 25. Frances Ha (Baumbach, 2012)

John’s List 1. Gladiator (Scott, 2000) 2. Hot Fuzz (Wright, 2007) 3. Inside Llewyn Davis (Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, 2013) 4. Anchorman (McKay, 2004) 5. No Country for Old Men (Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, 2007) 6. Training Day (Fuqua, 2001) 7. Django Unchained (Tarantino, 2012) 8. There Will Be Blood (P.T. Anderson, 2007) 9. John Wick 2 (Stahelski, 2017) 10. Inside man (Lee, 2006) 11. Burn After Reading (Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, 2008) 12. American Psycho (Harron, 2000) 13. Gone Girl (Fincher, 2014) 14. Zoolander (Stiller, 2001) 15. Best in Show (Guest, 2000) 16. Nice Guys (Black, 2016) 17. Adaptation (Jonze, 2002) 18. Birdman (Inarritu, 2014) 19. Bernie (Linklater, 2011) 20. Sicario (Villeneuve, 2015) 21. The Master (P.T. Anderson, 2012) 22. The LEGO Movie (Lord and Miller, 2014) 23. Doubt (Shanley, 2008) 24. The Savages (Tamara Jenkins, 2008) 25. Silence (Scorsese, 2016)

ND: We've had this discussion a few times before: is there a difference between "best" and "favorite?" My initial reaction is no. We like what we like, for whatever reason you come to or criteria you choose, that's the grading scale, pure and simple.

The one glaring instance where the "best" and "favorite" line begins to blur is with the work of Richard Linklater, whose films are so emotionally vulnerable that they have effectively changed the way I see the world. In another filmmaker's hands, Boyhood would have been a showy gimmick, but Linklater understood what this project needed to be before shooting the first scene, allowing the deeply human nature of the film to unfold beautifully and organically. It deserves a spot on this list for innovation alone. Explain yourself, John!

JI: With a fear of being blocked from continuing this project, I must admit, I haven't seen Boyhood yet. That's is the plain and simple reason why it is not included on my list. Wish I had some lame, pretentious reason for its exclusion.

ND: I am happy to see you've somewhat made up for this oversight with the selection of other outstanding Linklater film, Bernie. It's a rare feat to so perfectly utilize two very specific actors (Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey). Walk me through your process a bit before we get into detail. JI: My process was pretty simple and I think you outlined it pretty well, I picked what I like. I could tell you why I picked each and every one of these movies individually but on the whole, you have to go with your gut and pick the movies you feel are the best to you. Also, as we have discussed previously, going into being best is staying power. There are a few movies I've only seen maybe once or twice but I still think of them to this day. Movies like Doubt and Silence are like that for me. I feel if a movie has that kind of power it is impossible to not include it on a "best" list. Please feel free to eviscerate me for not seeing Boyhood, I deserve it. ND: You have shamed me, son. Boyhood is on Netflix so you're running out of excuses. Though I am not without sin, having not seen Doubt.

JI: Huge misstep on my part, for many reasons but especially since I really enjoy Ethan Hawke. ND: My girlfriend will be relieved to know I am not the only one.

Anyway, film-going experiences that resonate with me long after I leave the theater always score the highest on my lists, as the director's ability to utilize all aspects of the medium plays a huge part in landing an emotional impact or gathering more information upon repeat viewings. So it's no surprise the Coen Bros., Paul Thomas Anderson, Alfonso Cauron, and David Fincher are prominently featured throughout our lists as masters of blending the cerebral with a cinematic spectacle. I should address the lack of comedies on my list (though In Bruges, Eternal Sunshine, Llewyn Davis, and Frances Ha are all loosely comedic). Don't get me wrong, there are few things better than laughing your ass off in a theater, but when applying the "re-watch" test to some of my all-time favorite comedies (Walk Hard, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 21 Jump Street), the jokes, once tread, aren't good enough to lift the film to the highest class, considering the low bar for cinematography, acting and, most importantly, narrative. I may be in the minority here, but these movies are largely fleeting experiences as I grow older. What are your insights into your comedic selections? I wouldn't classify Hot Fuzz as a strict comedy considering the high-wire act Edgar Wright always pulls off, nor Best in Show, a borderline Shakespearean experience with levels of complexity to the jokes. Anchorman is clearly a classic, and you obviously believe it has aged well. Zoolander, though, I'll need some convincing. JI: I think I largely agree with your take on comedies in regards to putting them on a best list but in terms of rewatchability I'm not sure I agree as much. Of course there are comedies that don't stand the test of time, Borat chief among them, but for the most part I feel great comedies stay funny no matter how many times you've heard the jokes. Addressing your second point about the two straight up comedies, Anchorman and Zoolander, there is a level of comfort and familiarity with those two. I'm not confident they actually do still hold up but since I saw them at the time I did I think they still hold that spot for me, if that makes any sense. A perfect example of being weary of their relevance now is the fact I haven't and never plan on seeing either sequel. On Zoolander specifically, I saw it in theaters and hated it but every subsequent viewing I've enjoyed it more and more and no matter how many times I've seen it there are still lines that crack me up. Not sure if that does anything to convince you but it just strikes a cord for me and I can't really explain it but seeing it when it came out in 2001 rather than today is a big part of that.

About the other two, I just think they're great movies that happen to be really funny. Hot Fuzz is the perfect send up of the types of movies Nick Frost's character loves. The performances are great, I particularly love Timothy Dalton's character, there are impressive action sequences and I really relish all the cameos in the beginning between Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan and Cate Blanchett. Not sure if this is a hot take, but it is the best movie from the Frost, Pegg, Wright trio. Best in Show gives such a realistic feeling to such absurd characters in an equally absurd premise. It is funny throughout without seeming cartoonish despite the cartoonish nature of the characters, like Eugene Levy's character and his two left feet. I haven't seen all of your films but one that I'm curious about and especially its place on the list is The Social Network. I liked it but my thoughts don't really seem to align with many people's on the quality of the movie. What standout so much for you with that movie that it is in your top 10?

ND: The Social Network opens with one of the most captivating scenes in recent memory. There's nothing to it -- two college kids are in a bar chatting across from one another, and eventually the girl breaks up with the guy. It's been done a thousand times before, but the way it's staged and written and performed is nothing short of memorizing. In five minutes of shot/reserve-shot dialogue we learn everything we need to know about Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg -- how he's wired and what his motivations are. The scene is jammed with more character development that most movies can manage in their entire run-times, and when the fervently escalating discussion culminates in Rooney Mara's Becca telling Mark, "you're going to go through life thinking that girls don't like you because you're a nerd, and I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won't be true. It'll be because you're an asshole," it hits you like a freight train.

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That scene sets the stage for the whole movie, a rudimentary premise turned thrilling through the artful design of David Fincher. There's a perfect cross-section of seedy Ivy League ritual and lure, the dangerous hubris of a brilliant, spiteful teenager, and the lustful excitement of an unknown frontier. Fincher made a movie about Facebook -- FACEBOOK! -- a pulse-pounding high-wire act, which is miraculous.

I'd like to hear more about your no. 1 selection, Gladiator. It's unlike any other movie on your list, both in terms of genre and style. What about it has made such a lasting impression?

JI: Gladiator is definitely one that even I didn't expect to be number one when I started out doing this. The first thing that made such an impression is that my dad took my to see it in the theater, I was about two months away from turning eight, so seeing such a violent movie in the theater was a big deal. (Questionable parenting? The world may never know). Beyond that though it is insanely re-watchable for me. I watched it twice over memorial day weekend! In terms of the movie itself, the action scenes are incredible, the performances from Crowe and Phoenix are really solid. Crowe is a little one-note throughout but I think he fluctuates that one note just enough to create a sympathetic hero and somewhat rounded character and Phoenix is always great as the weirdo bad guy. Has he ever not been really good in anything? There are definitely flaws with the movie, so it isn't number one because it is a flawless piece of art, but I find it to be highly entertaining (yes, I was entertained Maximus) and something you can always watch. I feel like this hasn't be a very articulate breakdown as to why, but it is just kind of a gut call.

ND: Shame on you for spoiling my "Are you not entertained?" joke.

JI: Not including the comedies, is this the pick you have the biggest issue (if that's even the right word) with? Also, were there any movies for you that surprised you where you ended up slotting them, similar to my experience here with Gladiator?

ND: I don't want to be misunderstood. I don't have a problem with any of your picks; art is a very personal thing and who am I to judge how you or anyone else creates a criteria for greatness? I'm just trying to pick your brain a little bit. I will admit to having never seen Training Day. And I thought No Country for Old Men was underwhelming -- though I know I am in the vast minority and it might have been a case of the film being so hyped that I was predisposed to be disappointed.

JI: I wasn't trying to imply that you had a problem with any pick, that's why I hedged and said I don't think issue was the right word to use. No Country's ending falls a little flat but up until that point I find Javier Bardem too magnetic to be disappointed on the whole.

ND: In regards to the ordering, there were no surprises in the top 10. I'm sure on a different day Eternal Sunshine or Before Sunset or even In Bruges could have been no. 1, but I didn't overthink it with Boyhood (watched it again this weekend) and it's not worth splitting hairs over my best of the best.

I guess the biggest surprise is In the Mood for Love at no. 11, as I hadn't seen it until about a year ago. It's right up my ally in terms of a deeply melancholy romance story, chock full of utter beauty and heartbreak weaved together so seamlessly. It's a quiet film that speaks volumes in its slow, calculated moments. Recalling my The Social Network, Boyhood, et al picks, I am always impressed when filmmakers take a simple premise and do something inventive with it, and Wong Kar-wai brutally precise decisions are marvelous.

Quick side bar: I learned about In the Mood for Love on CineFix, a YouTube channel that creates incredibly detailed and researched lists. It's a must-subscribe for any film buff.

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The next biggest surprise is Catch Me If You Can. It's decidedly unlike all my other selections, and very Spielbergian (not always a good thing), but god damn, that movie is just so much fun. It's a perfect caper, plain and simple.

JI: I was curious about your inclusion of Catch Me if You Can, because as you said it is so unlike any other movie on your list. Spielberg has been a little hit or miss since the turn of the century, good thing he's producing Gremlins 3. ND: I didn't want us to devote any space for honorable mention selections in order to make the 25 mean something, but I'm changing my tune a little bit. Give me ONE movie that hurt the most to leave off. I really wanted to find a spot for Wall-E. That movie blows my mind. JI: My original number 25 was going to be the documentary Let the Fire Burn. Probably a way out there choice considering the rest of my list. It is about MOVE in Philadelphia and what ultimately transpired when Mayor Goode effectively bombed the house that MOVE was in. Not sure if you've seen it but I loved how they used all archival footage to tell the story. There is no narration and from I remember very little on-screen text. The documentary plays out telling the cohesive story of MOVE and then the aftermath and fallout following all the destruction. It also features councilman Ed Rendell, which might be a nice easter egg for some. It also does a great job of bringing to light a story that even in Philadelphia isn't really talked about or told anymore and gives full context to both the MOVE members and the city.

ND: I actually just watched Let the Fire Burn not too long ago. I took a deep dive into the MOVE bombing earlier this year, absorbing as much about it as I could, because you're right, it goes largely un-talked about considering what a bonkers story it was (though just this week the city commemorated the event and the lives lost with a monument). And I definitely appreciate a documentary that is driven by facts and not an agenda. I'm surprised to see we only have three overlapping selections -- The Master, Inside Llewyn Davis, and There Will Be Blood. The former two we talked about in depth during our last collaboration, but let's discuss TWBB for a second, especially now that Daniel Day-Lewis is "retired." Even for a career as illustrious as DDL's, his turn as Daniel Plainview by far his crowning achievement, and I'd put it toe-to-toe with any performance ever put on screen. He carries every frame with such menace, vigor, and even surprising vulnerability that makes the viewer sympathize with a terrible man. It's unlike anything I've ever seen.

JI: I haven't watched it all the way through in a while but I find myself often YouTubing scenes just to inject more DDL straight into my veins. The only other character that has been so outright horrible, vindictive while retaining vulnerability and a likability to me was Gandolfini as Tony Soprano. However, that is comparing apples and oranges, with an 86 episode series compared to a single feature.

Back to DDL in TWBB. His Plainview is such a transformation that anytime I see the movie or see clips my brain doesn't even compute that DDL is Plainview. He truly takes on his characters and becomes them and it is incredible in the way he has been able to transform himself through his various roles. I can see why the say it takes him about three or so years to mentally prepare for a role. It is hard to imagine anyone ever topping his absolute mastery of the art.

Two questions about DDL I'd like to pose for you. 1) Do you think the retirement will stick? He has done this before where he took time off to be a cobble. Now he is supposedly retiring to become a dressmaker. I think he'll eventually make his way back to the screen. 2) This is more of a thought exercise than a black or white question but should we be grateful for the few performances he did produce and how outstanding those are or should we be disappointed we only got so little of him during his career? It is a little disappointing to me but the other side of the argument is that maybe his performances would have suffered if he took on more projects and didn't throw himself in fully as he did. ND: The answer to your first question is simple: no. Maybe at this very moment, DDL thinks that he's done all there is to do on screen, and considering he already-selective process, I bet this sabbatical lasts less than 7-8 years. But he will come back. DDL knows he's the best, and he will get that itch again once he reaches senior citizenry. And he's spent his entire adult life getting lost in other people that I'm not even sure he knows how to be himself. The more interesting question would be: what do you want his big comeback role to be? This is a hard question that I wasn't exactly prepared for, but we are so used to seeing him in these larger-than-life roles that I wouldn't his coming back in a simple, humanistic family drama. Mike Mills (Beginners, 20th Century Women) has the goods to write him a juicy role, but even more perfect would be Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester By the Sea). Holy shit, I want to see nothing more now. The second question is a bit more complex, because it was undoubtedly frustrating for DDL to take his good old time selecting only to leave us with Nine or The Ballad of Jake and Rose, but even in subpar movies (I didn't enjoy Lincoln, either), DDL always makes it worth watching, so his batting average, so to speak, is still remarkably high. If he were to have taken more roles along the way, could he have given us a few more classics? Probably, but more likely is he would have given us more disappointments. Look at De Niro and Pacino. The two have combined for dozens of duds in the past 20 years to only a handful of good roles. If the alternative to DDL's selectivity is Dirty Grandpa, Stand Up Guys, The Intern, Jack and Jill, etc., I'll take the former every time. JI: I think I'd like to see him comeback and do something totally unexpected. How fun would it be if he was in a comedy or a Tarantino movie? I'd love to see what he could do in something that is so very much outside his realm, without stepping into Jack and Jill territory like you mentioned previously.

This is slightly (very) off topic, but since you mention De Niro and Pacino, you think they can turn their cold streaks around with Marty in The Irishman?

ND: I mean, if anyone's going to bring those two back from the dead, it's Scorsese. He has more than earned our trust at this point. I'd be lying if if wasn't a tiny bit worried about Marty going back to the gangster well -- and god forbid he ever cast a woman or a PoC -- but if it ain't broke, I guess.

Let’s leave it here since we’ve covered a lot. Though if you want to return with a deep dive on the John Wick 2 > John Wick decision, I’ll be here waiting.

#my writing #movies #film #top 25

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luxus4me · 6 years ago

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GolfWRX http://j.mp/2VE4IW2

By Ben Alberstadt ([email protected])

December 17, 2018

Good Monday morning, golf fans.

1. Feel-good stories of the year

The whole of 2018 may have been a Tiger Woods feel-good story (on the heels of the 2017 Woods feel-bad story as a foil). However, TW was but a dish in a multi-course meal of homestyle favorites.

Golf Digest’s Joel Beall rounded up his top-15 feel-good stories of 2018. Included in his list…JoAnne Carner at the Senior Women’s Open

“JoAnne Carner’s legacy was well intact when she arrived at Chicago Golf Club for the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open, but the player known as “Big Mama” left the Windy City by augmenting her legend status. Carner, who won the U.S. Open in 1971 and 1976, birdied the 18th hole to shoot 79, her age, in her opening round. Not bad for someone who hadn’t walked a golf course in 15 years.”

...and Cody Blick

“Cody Blick needed to jump 34 spots in the final round of Q-School to earn Web.com Tour status. A challenge daunting in itself, especially so after Blick’s equipment was stolen following the third round. All Blick did is turn in a Sunday 63, highlighted by a back-nine 31, a score that vaulted him into the 25 to grab guaranteed starts next season. Not bad, given the borrowed set in tow. “Hitting bad shots was OK, almost, like, ‘Dude, I have a mismatched set. It’s not expected of me to hit good shots,'” Blick said. “In a weird way, that was comforting.” Sorry Johnny Miller, but there’s a new best all-time 63 in town.”

Matt Parziale, Sang Moon Bae, Lexi Thompson, and more in the full list.

Full piece.

2. Lipsky victorious

Golfweek’s Alistair Tait…”David Lipsky will enter 2019 as European No. 1 after winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, the last event of 2018. He joins Kurt Kitayama as the two American winners, after Kitayama’s victory in the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open.”

“Lipsky earned his second victory following the 2014 Omega European Masters with a two-shot win over Scotland’s David Drysdale. The 30-year-old Northwestern graduate entered the final round one shot behind ex-Augusta State player Scott Jamieson. A closing 4-under 68 gave him a 14-under 274 total and a check for just under $270,000.”

Full piece.

3. A victory for Love(s)

AP Report…”Davis Love III and his son Dru played so well Sunday that they set two scoring records, rallied from a three-shot deficit to win the PNC Father-Son Challenge and then wondered if they would get to play again.”

“Team Love shot 27 on the front nine at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club to get in the mix, took the lead with a birdie at No. 11 and finished off their record round with four more birdies an eagle for a 16-under 56, breaking by one the 18-hole record in a scramble format.”

“They won by three shots at 26-under 118, another record in the scramble format….”Who knows? This might be our last time playing, so it was fun to finish it off,” Davis Love III said.”

“The 36-hole event is for players who have won a major or The Players Championship, and their partner cannot hold a PGA Tour-sanctioned card. Dru Love has played 17 times in the last two years on the PGA Tour, European Tour and Web.com Tour, but he has yet to earn a card and missed out in the qualifying tournament this year.”

Full piece.

4. LPGA Tour: Top 10 moments in 2018

Beth Ann Nichols rounded up the 10 most significant moments on the LPGA Tour in 2018.

Here are two…”Michelle Wie drained a birdie bomb from off the green on the 72nd hole in steamy Singapore to win for the first time since 2014. Wie took the HSBC Women’s World Championship, also known as “Asia’s Major,” in stirring fashion with a 35-foot putt that broke her out of a four-way tie for the lead. The LPGA’s resident needle-mover credited her family’s relentless belief for propelling her through a four-year drought.”

“Lexi Thompson’s sparkling performance at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship – her first of 2018 – was among the most significant of her young career. Burdened from 18-months of hardship and disappointment, Thompson took a break mid-season to work on herself. It became obvious in Naples that her puppy, Leo, played a key role in helping Thompson feel like her old self. Her golf game looked vintage too, with the stock draw and old putter helping her back to the winner’s circle.”

Full piece.

5. Quotes of the year

The Golf Channel crew did some textual mining and assembled the best quotes of 2018.

“I never counted him out. When somebody said, ‘How is your [major] record, Jack?’ I said, ‘If Tiger comes back and plays I still think he’s got a shot at breaking my record.” – Jack Nicklaus on whether or not he believes Tiger Woods can still reach 19 major wins

“I would argue [Tiger Woods] got the least out of his talent of any player, maybe in history.” – Brandel Chamblee

”I think I’m going to do exactly the same thing I did (Friday) night. I’m going to have a margarita as an aperitif, and then I’m going to have a nice bottle of Rioja (wine) and smoke a big fat cigar.” – Miguel Angel Jimenez on refusing to change his routine the night before the final round even with a three-shot lead (p.s. It worked.)

“Nope … He has my number.” – Patrick Reed, on whether or not he’s spoken to Jordan Spieth after the Ryder Cup.

Full piece.

6. Farewell, Charlie

Charlie Rymer is leaving Morning Drive for the greener pastures of retirement, golf, and charitable involvement.

Golfweek’s Forecaddie…”the Tennessee-born, South Carolina-raised Rymer confirmed he is departing the morning talk show for a scaled-back Golf Channel role in 2019.”

“Rymer said he’ll next be seen on April’s Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. He plans to relocate to Myrtle Beach, S.C., with wife Carol to play some golf, fish and focus on charity work for his favorite causes: junior golf and military veterans.”

“It’s been a wonderful run here, you guys are going to make me cry,” Rymer said at the conclusion of Sunday’s “Morning Drive” as he thanked the “hard-working men and women on the crew” along with his colleagues.”

Full piece.

7. Sports Personality of the Year!

BBC Report…”Italian golfer Francesco Molinari has been named World Sport Star of the Year at the BBC’s Sports Personality show.”

“The 36-year-old enjoyed a memorable 2018, most notably winning the Open Championship at Carnoustie in July to secure his first major and become the first Italian to win the title.”

“In September, he helped Europe to Ryder Cup victory over the United States. In doing so, Molinari became the first European player to win all five of his matches.”

Full piece.

8. Back on the bag

Brentley Romine writes…”Damon Green wasted no time finding a new boss…The 58-year-old Green and Zach Johnson parted ways last week after nearly 15 years, two majors and 11 total PGA Tour victories. Five days later, Green has agreed to caddie for Schniederjans beginning next year.”

“The news was first reported by The Caddie Network and confirmed to Golf Channel by Schniederjans’ agent.”

“According to a report by Golfweek, Johnson’s agent helped facilitate a meeting between Green and Schniederjans, who played golf together last week at the Golf Club of Georgia before Green headed back home to caddie for Jim Furyk’s dad, Mike, in the PNC Father/Son Challenge in Orlando, Fla. On Thursday night, Green and Schniederjans reached an agreement over the phone.”

Full piece.

9. Tiger’s best swing ever?

Quothe the Golden Bear…

“I think his swing is much better now than it ever was. The reason for that is Tiger was very much up and down with his head and I think that put a lot of pressure on his back.

“The fusion that he had, obviously was something he didn’t want but it was something he needed. … I didn’t think he would ever play golf as well as he’s playing.

“I never dreamed that he would play quite as well as he has and that the operation actually leveled out his head and leveled out his swing.”

http://j.mp/2Qscpeh via GolfWRX URL : http://j.mp/2xIqpYD

#News

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flauntpage · 6 years ago

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The Brooklyn Nets and the Pick and Roll

Nets/Sixers tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN or NBC Sports Philadelphia, if you prefer the local broadcast crew to the national option.

I think the Sixers win this series 4-2 on the strength of their top-end talent, postseason experience, and home court advantage. If they crash out of the playoffs in round one, it will be because Brooklyn’s guards shoot consistently well from deep while Philly struggles to defend the perimeter and the pick and roll.

So let’s talk a bit about the latter, with help from Synergy, via NBA stats.

The Nets logged 23.7 pick and roll/ball handler possessions (5th most in the NBA) and 7.5 pick and roll/roll man possessions per game (8th most).

Brooklyn ball handlers logged the following pick and roll stats:

points per possession: 0.89 (10th best)

points per game: 21.9 (4th best)

field goal percentage: 42.3 (18th)

free throw frequency: 10.5% (8th)

percentile: 69th (10th)

When you parse those numbers, you see a team that runs the 5th most ball handler pick and rolls per game, but only scores the 10th most points per possession. Portland, for comparison, runs 21.5 of these looks per game but scores 0.98 points per possession, which is second best in the league. Brooklyn will give you more pick and roll volume but they aren’t as efficient as some of the elite teams in the NBA.

Here’s how roll men fared on those 7.5 possessions per game, after the jump:

points per possession: 1.05 (23rd)

points per game: 7.9 (11th)

field goal percentage: 54.3 (10th)

free throw percentage: 15.9% (4th)

percentile: 24.1 (23rd)

Those numbers are lower than I thought they would be. Individually, starting center Jarrett Allen is in the 66th percentile of NBA roll men, scoring 1.17 points per possession and hitting at 62.5%. He gets to the foul line on about 18% of these plays.

D’Angelo Russell finds himself in 11.4 pick and rolls per game, scoring 0.89 points per possession on 44% shooting. He only gets to the line about 5% of the time, which is very low. He lands in the 67th percentile.

Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert are actually more efficient pick and roll players, logging these stats:

Dinwiddie: 6.2 possessions per game, 0.99 points per possession, 47% from the floor, 20.4% free throw frequency, 85th percentile

LeVert: 5.7 possessions per game, 0.93 points per possession, 43% from the floor, 10.9% free throw frequency, 76th percentile

Shabazz Napier is the only other guy who gets a few pick and rolls per game, and his PPP number of 0.84 isn’t great.

So yeah, I think Dinwiddie and LeVert are the more dangerous players here, especially Dinwiddie, since he comes off the bench and gets favorable defensive matchups against the opposing team’s backups. That’s gonna be an issue in this series, depending on how Brett Brown sets his rotation. D’Angelo Russell will see a lot of Ben Simmons, while Dinwiddie gets a smattering of different guys defending him. That’s how it’s played out in past Philly/Brooklyn matchups.

Defensively, we’re all familiar with the Sixers’ macro-level philosophy. Elton Brand is on record saying this as recently as Wednesday night:

It’s a different way to define success. We were focused on protecting the rim and when Joel (Embiid) and Boban (Marjanovic) and actually Mike Scott, when they’re at the five, we’re the top defensive team overall. And limiting three point shots – that’s our goal. We feel that’s playoff basketball, that’s how you win in the playoffs – (defending) shots at the rim and limiting three pointers. We’ve done that. We’ve given up contested twos and some other things, but we’re willing to give those up.

They’ve been willing to give up mid-range shots all season long, and that’s just an analytically-driven approach in the modern day NBA.

What does that look like for the purposes of this article?

Well this is pretty typical Sixers pick and roll defense, starting with the perimeter switch while Embiid sits at the elbow to “zone” the play:

In that case, you’ve got Shake Milton going over the top of the screen, where the Sixers will try to push the ball handler off the three-point line into mid-range territory, which funnels towards Embiid. The ball-handler can shoot that 16-22 footer, hit the roll man instead, drive on Embiid, kick the ball out, or try a contested three, which Russell did in that play above. In that case, Shake did a nice job of pushing Ed Davis back into Russell, which is why Russell felt like he was fouled on the play.

Here’s the setup:

If it feels like there’s stress on those two defenders whenever the Sixers see a pick and roll, there is. Collapsing one of those other three players down leaves open the kick out for a three-pointer, which is what the Sixers don’t want. They’re willing to live with those mid-range jump shots, and if the opponent is hitting, so be it, but at least you aren’t giving up wide-open threes or easy stuff at the rim.

Here’s how the Sixers do in PNR ball handler defense according to the Synergy stats:

0.88 points per possession (12th most)

19.4 points per game (7th most)

41.1 field goal percentage (6th best)

8.5% free throw rate (8th best)

40.6 scoring percentage (13th)

37.9 percentile (19th)

And PNR roll man defense:

1.05 points per possession (23rd most)

7 points per game (22nd most)

49.8 field goal percentage (9th best)

11.9% free throw rate (17th)

50 scoring percentage (9th best)

75.9percentile (8th)

That’s Joel Embiid’s rim protector influence, that second batch of numbers. The Sixers do a much better job defending the roll man, but even those ball handler numbers are not horrible. 0.88 points per possession from pick and roll ball handlers is outside of the top ten, so you can live with that if those points are coming from long twos and 8-foot floaters and whatnot.

The Sixers actually do a slightly worse job defending isolation (0.91 PPP) vs. the pick and roll (0.88 PPP), so I’d be more concerned with Russell and Dinwiddie getting mismatches, then firing up three-pointers or driving the lane. Brooklyn has shot creators, and they are the fourth best points-per-possession isolation team in the NBA, behind Houston, Golden State, and Milwaukee. To me, defending the pick and roll is important, but equally important is solid 1v1 defense and whether the Sixers’ switching scheme can hold up.

If Philly shows well in both departments, beginning tomorrow, they’ll really help themselves navigate one of the trickier wrinkles in this matchup.

The post The Brooklyn Nets and the Pick and Roll appeared first on Crossing Broad.

The Brooklyn Nets and the Pick and Roll published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

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marcusssanderson · 6 years ago

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50 Quotes About New Beginnings and Starting Fresh

Our latest collection of quotes about new beginnings that will help you adjust to a new chapter in your life. These new beginnings quotes will motivate you to let go of your past so you can move forward.

Looking to get out of your comfort zone and start your life over? Each one of us reaches a point where we get fed up with our current situation. During such times, letting go and starting over can be the best thing for you.

When you let go of what didn’t work, what held you back previously, or wipe out those fears that don’t deserve to rule you anymore, you create room to become a more passionate, engaged and inspiring individual.

So how can you start over? When creating the life you want, start by clearing out the things you won’t have use for and get your surrounding in order.

If there are habits, relationships, or activities that don’t work for you anymore, it’s best to leave them out of your life altogether. After you’ve made some room, develop some new customs in your life and follow through with them.

Since none of us knows what the future holds, the idea of new beginnings can feel terrifying at times. However, if you focus on that which is optimistic and encouraging, starting afresh can be an exciting time.

Here are some inspirational quotes about new beginnings to give you the strength and courage to adjust to a new chapter in your life.

Quotes about new beginnings and starting fresh

1.) “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” —Seneca

2.) “No one can ever take your memories from you – each day is a new beginning, make good memories every day.” –Catherine Pulsifer

3.) “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

4.) “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” ~ Carl Bard

5.) “It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

6.) “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth… not going all the way, and not starting.” –Buddha

7.) “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” – Lao Tzu

8.) “No, this is not the beginning of a new chapter in my life; this is the beginning of a new book! That first book is already closed, ended, and tossed into the seas; this new book is newly opened, has just begun! Look, it is the first page! And it is a beautiful one!” — C. JoyBell C.

9.) “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford

10.) “No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning.” – Proverb

Quotes about new beginnings and change.

11.) “Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.” —Guy Finley

12.) “I discovered that a fresh start is a process. A fresh start is a journey – a journey that requires a plan.” – Vivian Jokotade

13.) “Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” – Herman Hesse

14.) “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” –Plato

15.) “Nourish beginnings, let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest. The blessing is in the seed.” ~ Muriel Rukeyser

16.) “Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” – Meister Eckhart

17.) “You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you.” — Barbara Shur

18.) “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished; that will be the beginning.” – Louis L’Amour

19.) “Change can be scary, but you know what’s scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing.” — Mandy Hale

20.) “Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.” — Jim Rohn

Quotes about new beginnings to inspire and teach

21.) “Each day is a new beginning, the chance to do with it what should be done and not to be seen as simply another day to put in time.” – Catherine Pulsifer

22.) “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” —T.S. Eliot

23.) “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” — Oprah Winfrey

24.) “I realize there’s something incredibly honest about trees in winter, how they’re experts at letting things go.” —Jeffrey McDaniel

25.) “The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.” –Steve Jobs

26.) “Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose – not the one you began with perhaps, but one you’ll be glad to remember.” –Anne Sullivan

27.) “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

28.) “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” – C. S. Lewis

29.) “Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” – Dale Turner

30.) “Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.” –Ralph Blum

New beginnings quotes to help you erase the past

31.) “Let’s forget the baggages of the past and make a new beginning.” – Shahbaz Sharif

32.) “Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.” – Desmond Tutu

33.) “Every day is a chance to begin again. Don’t focus on the failures of yesterday, start today with positive thoughts and expectations.” – Catherine Pulsifer

34.) “Let go of yesterday. Let today be a new beginning and be the best that you can, and you’ll get to where God wants you to be.” – Joel Osteen

35.) “No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.” – Buddha

36.) “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King

37.) “Celebrate endings – for they precede new beginnings.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie

38.) “Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy.” –Sarah Ban Breathnach

39.) “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” — Robin Sharma

40.) “Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be.” – Marsha Petrie Sue

Other inspirational quotes about new beginnings

41.) “Every day I feel is a blessing from God. And I consider it a new beginning. Yeah, everything is beautiful.” – Prince

42.) “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” – J.P. Morgan

43.) “Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” – Alan Cohen

44.) “Let us make each day our birthday – every morning life is new, with the splendors of the sunrise, and the baptism of the dew.” – S.A.R

45.) “Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future.” – Daphne Rose Kingma

46.) “One can begin so many things with a new person – even begin to be a better man.” – George Eliot

47.) “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein

48.) “Starting over is an acceptance of a past we can’t change, an unrelenting conviction that the future can be different, and the stubborn wisdom to use the past to make the future what the past was not.” – Craig D. Lounsbrough

49.) “Life is about change, sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s beautiful, but most of the time it’s both.” — Kristin Kreuk

50.) “Every day is a fresh beginning, Every morn is the world made new.” – Sarah Chauncey Woolsey

How did you find these new beginnings quotes?

Sometimes life requires us to start over and rebuild from scratch. In order, to create the life you want, you have to be willing to let go of what isn’t working or what’s holding you back.

But because you do not know what’s written in your next chapter of life, the idea of starting afresh can be intimidating. Hopefully, these new beginnings quotes have given you the courage to start over and reboot your life for the better.

Did you enjoy these quotes about new beginnings? Which of the quotes was your favorite? Tell us in the comment section below. We would love to hear all about it.

The post 50 Quotes About New Beginnings and Starting Fresh appeared first on Everyday Power.

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junker-town · 7 years ago

Text

Will 2017 be Middle Tennessee football’s best FBS season ever?

With one of the country’s best QB-WR combos and veteran coaches, this offense should be set. This defense, though?

This preview was originally published on March 9 and his since been updated.

Middle Tennessee State University has the reputation of a commuter school. It is a reputation the school fights as hard as it can, but with medium-sized enrollment and a big, easy-to-access city (Nashville) nearby, it is convenient for the lifestyle either way.

One thing is certain: MTSU is a hell of an effective commuter school for coaches.

Coaching is a transient lifestyle. For every 10- or 20-year loyalty story, there is the story of a coach who has worked his way up from graduate assistant or analyst to position coach by changing schools and jobs every couple of seasons.

It takes a while to find an opportunity where you can truly differentiate yourself. Until you find it, you're just proving you can grind. A lot of coaches have used Murfreesboro as a place for doing just that.

When Andy McCollum was attempting to build an FBS foothold for Middle Tennessee in the early-2000s, he employed the likes of current Arkansas State HC Blake Anderson, Kentucky co-OC Darin Hinshaw, West Virginia OL coach Joe Wickline, Missouri OL coach Glen Elarbee, Ole Miss LB coach Bradley Peveto, Central Arkansas HC Steve Campbell, former Idaho DC Mark Criner, and former Auburn ST coach Scott Fountain.

Meanwhile, since Rick Stockstill took over at MTSU, the list of impressive passers-by has grown: current Miami DC Manny Diaz, former Cal DC Art Kaufman, former Cal OC Tony Franklin (who has since returned to the Boro), Prairie View A&M HC Willie Simmons, current Arkansas State coordinators Buster Faulkner and Joe Cauthen, Troy co-OC Matt Moore, Appalachian State WR coach Justin Watts, former Steve Spurrier assistant G.A. Mangus, etc.

Among these commuters, however, have stood stalwart head coaches. MTSU has employed only three since 1979. Boots Donnelly reached the Division I-AA playoffs seven times during his two-decade run, and McCollum was given seven seasons to get the Blue Raiders acquainted with FBS before he was let go after four straight losing seasons. Stockstill has been given quite a bit of rope in his 11 seasons, and it has paid off.

As I wrote in last year's MTSU preview (and basically every annual MTSU preview), Stockstill's is a long-term story in a short-term sport. He could have left a couple of times for bigger jobs. MTSU could have dumped him after a 2-10 collapse in 2011. And together, Stockstill and Blue Raiders have upgraded conferences and established steady success.

Now comes another challenge: taking the next step. It has been elusive. MTSU went 8-5 in 2013 but sank to 6-6 in 2014. The Blue Raiders started 6-2 last fall but lost their QB to injury and finished losing three of five. Only once in their FBS existence have they topped eight wins, and that was back in the Sun Belt days.

Is this the year? MTSU returns an outstanding, accurate quarterback in Brent Stockstill and one of the best receivers in the country in Richie James. Continuity is strong in the speed positions (though minimal in the trenches), the Blue Raiders have a couple of early upset opportunities, and defensive improvement could make for about a 7-1 record in conference play.

S&P+ projections are conservative because of the defense, but if you're an MTSU fan, you're thinking now is the time for a statement.

2016 in review

2016 MTSU statistical profile.

For a while, it seemed the sentiment could be applied to 2016. MTSU was a top-50-caliber team toward the end of October; the Blue Raiders beat Missouri and Louisiana Tech and suffered losses only to Vanderbilt (a strange loss by 23 points, despite a 151-yard advantage) and an awesome WKU by one point in double overtime. Because of the circumstances, 6-2 almost felt disappointing.

Everything changed, however, when Brent Stockstill went down.

First 8 games (6-2) — Avg. percentile performance: 48% | Avg. performance vs. S&P+ projection: +4.2 PPG | Avg. turnovers per game: MTSU 1.3, Opp 1.7 (+0.4)

Last 5 games (2-3) — Avg. percentile performance: 27% | Avg. performance vs. S&P+ projection: -19.6 PPG | Avg. turnovers per game: MTSU 2.3, Opp 1.0 (-1.3)

The 51-45 upset of Mizzou made the Blue Raiders 5-2, and the Raiders suffered a letdown in needing a late-game pick six to beat FIU the next week. And with MTSU down 14-7 to UTSA in the second quarter on November 5, he took a hard hit, landed awkwardly, and broke his collar bone.

John Urzua came in and almost immediately threw a pick. He threw two more in the second half, and MTSU lost 45-25. The next week was a blowout at the hands of an otherwise listless Marshall.

The Blue Raiders rebounded to beat Charlotte by seven, and in the regular season finale, MTSU simply put the ball in James' hands. The receiver rushed 22 times for 207 yards and completed five passes for 76 yards as a wildcat formation QB, and he caught four balls for 120 yards in a 77-56 win.

The less said about the Hawaii Bowl, the better. Stockstill returned and threw for 432 yards, but he threw two costly picks, and MTSU lost by 17.

8-5 is never going to be a total disappointment, but this was a what-could-have-been season. That puts a little bit of pressure on the Blue Raiders this fall. You always want to follow what could have been with what actually was.

Offense

Full advanced stats glossary.

Beginning in 2006, when he took over Larry Blakeney's offense at Troy, Tony Franklin has had a habit of making offenses better than what he inherited. In his first year at Troy, the Trojans' attack improved from 118th to 98th in Off. S&P+. In his second year, they improved to 54th.

In 2009, Franklin inherited an MTSU offense that had ranked 107th and improved it to 81st. In 2010, he inherited a Louisiana Tech offense that had ranked 75th and improved it to 68th, then 62nd, then fourth. He followed Sonny Dykes to Cal in 2013, held steady for a year (67th from 61st), then improved the Bears to 20th in 2014 and 10th in 2015.

(This ignores Franklin's disastrous stint at Auburn in 2008, in which the Tigers fell from 62nd to 111th. I'm ignoring it because everybody should get a mulligan, and because the politics and old-hands at Auburn that year created obstacles.)

In 2016, Franklin began his second stint in Murfreesboro. He took an offense that had ranked 54th with Stockstill as a freshman and again pulled the right strings.

The Blue Raiders improved to 46th in Off. S&P+ and reached as high as 27th before Stockstill's injury. Franklin's quick-passing principles meshed perfectly with Stockstill's lightning-fast delivery and accuracy. (Franklin's "Screw it, just give the ball to Richie" improvisation against FAU was pretty wonderful, too.)

Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Brent Stockstill

On the rare occasion that Franklin stays in the same place for more than one year, significant improvement usually follows. His second-year offenses at Troy, Louisiana Tech, and Cal surged by an average of 32 spots. That would make MTSU a top-15 offense this year, and while that might not be the safest bet, don't act like it isn't a possibility if everyone stays healthy.

Franklin gets Stockstill for another year — two more, if everyone sticks around. The junior had hit an incredible stride at the time of his injury; against WKU, Missouri, FIU, and UTSA, he completed 95 of 141 passes (67 percent) for 1,144 yards, 12 touchdowns, one interception, just four sacks, and a passer rating of 162.2.

Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Ty Lee

He was doing this with a receiving corps led by a sophomore (James) and freshman (Ty Lee). Injuries had created an August reset for the MTSU receiving corps, but youth served MTSU well. James was a revelation, and Lee's catch rate was 69 percent. Throw in Ole Miss transfer I'Tavius Mathers and occasional big plays from Dennis Andrews, and you had a terrifying attack.

Mathers and Andrews are gone, but James and Lee could get support from any number of decent backups: seniors Patrick Smith or Shane Tucker, juniors Desmond Anderson or Max Linder, or a large sophomore class that includes mid-three-star Tyshawn Brown, former Tennessee signee Jocquez Bruce, and quite a few others.

If MTSU is dragged down by a reason other than injury, it will be because the run game couldn't quite ignite. Despite extremely pass-heavy tendencies, Mathers still got about 18 carries per game and finished with 1,561 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry, and his backup, Terelle West, averaged only 4.2. And he was running behind four linemen who garnered at least honorable mention all-conference status.

Mathers and three-fourths of the honored linemen graduated, leaving behind the bones of a green running game. That only matters so much when you're throwing a lot, but if opponents don't fear the run, they can pin their ears back a bit more.

Still, it's hard not to give Stockstill, James, and Franklin the benefit of the doubt, isn't it?

Defense

Serving as a coaching way station doesn't always mean catching interesting coaches on the way up. Stockstill nabbed the veteran Franklin to lead his offense, and after the MTSU defense sank from 82nd to 118th in Def. S&P+ in 2016, he elected to replace coordinator Tyrone Nix with another veteran: former Syracuse head coach Shafer.

Shafer couldn't quite pull things together as head man, winning just seven games in 2014-15 after beginning his three-year stint 7-6. But he found defensive success, with the Orange peaking at 23rd in Def. S&P+ in 2014. After a year off, he will begin his rebuild as many others have, in the Boro.

Shafer's best Cuse defenses were super aggressive up front, sacrificing a bit of size for speed. One could see that serving MTSU well, and Shafer should find quite a bit to like about a linebacking corps that includes six players who recorded havoc plays in 2016 (most notably juniors Darius Harris and Chris Melton) and adds JUCO transfer Tavares Thomas, three-star redshirt freshman Caleb Felton, and two incoming three-star true freshmen (the wonderfully named Cain McWilliams and DQ Thomas).

Unfortunately, you can only be as aggressive as your line allows you to be, and MTSU's line is a fixer upper. Six linemen recorded more than 15 tackles last year, and five are gone.

Granted, this wasn't an incredibly effective line, but any semblance of play-making is gone. Senior ends Justin Akins and Jahmal Jones combined for 34.5 tackles last year, but none were behind the line of scrimmage [update: Akins and linebacker Shalom Alvarez were dismissed in April for a video depicting animal cruelty], and Shafer has to hope that former reserves like junior Darrius Liggins (2.5 tackles for loss in a bit role) and sophomore Tyshun Render can break through.

Meanwhile, he has to also hope that someone steps up at tackle. Last year's top three are gone, leaving 268-pound sophomore Malik Manciel as the only returning contributor. If three-star JUCO Rosheen Collins (a more robust 296 pounds) and three-star redshirt freshman Rakavian Poydras (298) are ready to roll, then maybe MTSU will get by. But depth could be an issue either way.

There are fewer worries in the back. Despite an iffy pass rush, MTSU's pass defense was reasonably efficient (73rd in passing success rate) and quite adept at preventing big plays (23rd in passing IsoPPP). The pass defense had a decent bend-don’t-break thing going, but the run defense meant MTSU bent a little too much.

While the Blue Raiders' best ball defender (Jeremy Cutrer, with his 13 passes defensed) is gone, the top three safeties and corners Michael Minter and Charvarius Ward (combined: four picks, 14 breakups) are back.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties Alex Dale & Jovante Moffatt

Stockstill added three JUCO transfers to the back line as well. Pass defense is the least of MTSU's worries and could be a bona fide strength if the run defense isn’t dreadful.

(The run defense might be dreadful.)

Special Teams

Desmond Anderson will be asked to play a larger role in the passing game this year after catching 10 of 18 passes for 126 yards a year ago. But if his kick returns are any indication, he could turn into a decent weapon. Anderson didn't break many huge gainers, but he was the reason MTSU ranked a decent 45th in kick return efficiency. And with place-kicker Canon Rooker (who was a little too accurate, and not quite big-legged enough, to live up to his name), MTSU has a couple of solid efficiency weapons here.

Still, the Blue Raiders ranked only 69th in Special Teams S&P+ despite Anderson and Rooker; the punting game was a bit of a disaster, and Rooker didn't land many kickoffs in the end zone. That will have to improve if MTSU's ranking is to also move up.

2017 outlook

2017 Schedule & Projection Factors

Date Opponent Proj. S&P+ Rk Proj. Margin Win Probability 2-Sep Vanderbilt 63 -6.8 35% 9-Sep at Syracuse 60 -12.4 24% 16-Sep at Minnesota 47 -13.7 21% 23-Sep Bowling Green 95 4.1 59% 30-Sep at Florida Atlantic 99 -0.3 49% 7-Oct Florida International 104 6.1 64% 14-Oct at UAB 130 18.8 86% 21-Oct Marshall 101 5.0 61% 4-Nov UTEP 126 12.5 76% 11-Nov at Charlotte 127 10.6 73% 18-Nov at Western Kentucky 51 -13.5 22% 25-Nov Old Dominion 93 3.3 58%

Projected S&P+ Rk 89 Proj. Off. / Def. Rk 40 / 128 Projected wins 6.3 Five-Year S&P+ Rk -6.2 (94) 2- and 5-Year Recruiting Rk 84 / 87 2016 TO Margin / Adj. TO Margin* -2 / 7.8 2016 TO Luck/Game -3.8 Returning Production (Off. / Def.) 70% (81%, 59%) 2016 Second-order wins (difference) 7.9 (0.1)

Turnover on the lines is an obvious concern. Shaky protection could wreck the Blue Raiders' offensive plans, and while the run defense can't get a lot worse, there's still room to fall if a green line can't find either depth or play-makers.

That said, Franklin's quick-passing attack is almost designed to account for issues up front, and the MTSU run defense really can't get much worse. And the upside and experience everywhere else on the two-deep is all sorts of tantalizing.

The schedule is set up in three acts.

Act I: Upset opportunities. The Blue Raiders begin with Vanderbilt and trips to Syracuse and Minnesota. S&P+ says there's a 61 percent chance they win at least one of these games.

Act II: The possible winning streak. From September 23 to November 11, MTSU has at least a 49 percent chance of winning in each game, and that's with the iffy defensive projections. There are plenty of landmines here, but an MTSU that exceeds its defensive projections could go 6-1 or 7-0 here.

Act III: Title time. If things are going as well as I think they could, the final two against Western Kentucky (away) and ODU (home) could decide the C-USA East.

If Shafer is able to find some traction on defense, which wouldn't be the most surprising thing, this could be the nine- or 10-win season that has eluded Stockstill for nearly a decade. There are just enough red flags, but I really like this team's potential.

Team preview stats

All preview data to date.

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myauralove-blog · 7 years ago

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1. Who was the last person you held hands with? Baby Liam

2. Are you outgoing or shy? Outgoing if I know you, shy if i feel intimidated or you’re new to me

3. Who are you looking forward to seeing? mjum, sister, brothers

4. Are you easy to get along with?

I’d say so, unless I feel super threatened by you I’m the nicest person everrrrrr

5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you? ummm no

6. What kind of people are you attracted to? Legit assholes and that pretty much sums it up. nah intelligent, witty, funny, confident but not cocky, articulate, class clowns

7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now? I’d rather not

8. Who from the opposite gender is on your mind? JD, JW.

9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? Nah. Ask me anything.

10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with? Megan

11. What does the most recent text that you sent say? Cant wait to see you.

12. What are your 6 favorite songs right now? Unforgettable - French Montana

Thunder - Imagine Dragons

XO Tour Lif3 - Lil Uzi Vert

I like me better - Lauv

There for you - Martin Garrix

Know no better - Major Lazer, Travis Scott, Camilla Cabello

13. Do you like it when people play with your? You better be reaaaal gentle bro

14. Do you believe in luck and miracles? Yes, just not for myself

15. What good thing happened this month? Rekindled a friendship with Hayley, Lots of fun with Griff & Vato, Lots of drunk fun with Megan, had sex watching the july 1st fireworks hahahahhaahahah

16. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Yes.

17. Do you think there is life on other planets? Ya.

18. Do you still talk to your first crush? hahah ew

19. Do you like bubble baths? So much

20. Do you like your neighbors? The ones across me, yes. Other people around - no. Fuck them.

21. What are you bad habits? Trusting too easily, revealing too much, spending money, eating junk

22. Where would you like to travel? Italy, France, Southeast Asia, Scotland, England, Ireland

23. Do you have trust issues? Yessssss, but I trust too easily too.

24. Favorite part of your daily routine? eating, laying in bed at the end of the day

25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with? boobs that arent there, stomach that is fat, nose, googly eyes, teeth

26. What do you do when you wake up? Go back to sleep lollll, get anxiety, want to smash my alarm, stretch

27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? Tanner

28. Who are you most comfortable around? Megan, sister, mum, zane

29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up? Joel lolll why’d ya cheat then

30. Do you ever want to get married? Maybe.

31. Is your hair long enough for a pony tail? hardly. can never decide if I want it long or short so i just keep cutting it ? 32. Which celebrities would you have sex with? Ashton Kutcher and Ansel Elgort omg

33. Spell your name without vowels - scrltt jwl vn

34. Do you play sports? What sports? ew no

35. Would you rather live without TV or music? Thats hard neither

36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them? All the time

37. What do you say during awkward silences? The wrong thing 99% of the time

38. Describe your dream girl/guy? Finds my quirks endearing, intelligent, witty, funny, sexy, loves my body, loves my humour, is interested in what I have to say, is interested in my life, basically they have to be obsessed with me

39. What are your favorite stores to shop in? Online - PLT, Peppermayo, Boohoo

40. What do you want to do after high school? im 24 lol take me back to when i was actually facing this question

41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance? im so sensitive and emotional so yes. but if theyve had 2 second chances then no

42. If you’re being extremely quiet what does it mean? I’m hurt, trying to read your mind or off my head

43. Do you smile at strangers? If they look like a kind stranger

44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean? fuck that ill stay on dry land thanks

45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning? Alarms, anxiety

46. What are you paranoid about? Being played, laughed at or talked about behind my back

47. Have you ever been high? Ya

48. Have you ever been drunk? is that even a question

49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about? um yes

50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore? Blue

51. Ever wished you were someone else? KYLIE JENNER UH YEA

52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself? eyes, pasty skin, boobs, my stupid anxious mind, my stupid big heart

53. Favourite makeup brand? BYS, Maybelline

54. Favourite store? Kmart for sure

55. Favourite vlogs? Shani Grimmond, Michael Finch, Skye Wheatley, Tammy Hembrow

56. Favourite colour? Green, tan and pink

57. Favourite food? Pizza, Pasta

58. Last thing you ate? Mars Bar Icecream

59. First thing you ate this morning? Banana and honey toast

60. Ever won a competition? For what? Haha like never. Raffles, Jellybean in a jar guessing,

61. Been suspended/expelled? For what? In school suspension. Cant even remember what for. Plenty of detentions

62. Been arrested? For what? Yeeea. Punching a cop. Didnt go on my record though so all good lol

63. Ever been in love? Twice.

64. Tell us the story of your first proper kiss? hahahaha year 6. Was 11. Being forced at a park by his sister, me standing on a skateboard because he was so freakishly tall for an 11 year old and legit missed his mouth the first time

65. Are you hungry right now? I’m full af but always

66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends? No. wtf i have 1 follower on this account

67. Facebook or Twitter? FB.

68. Twitter or Tumblr? Tumblr.

69. Are you watching tv right now? No. Listening to music

70. Names of your friends? Megan, Ebony, Vato (Tony), Griffo (Tyrone), Yoshi

71. Craving something? What? I dont know... Him

72. What colour are your towels? All Sorts

72. How many pillows do you sleep with? 3

73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? lol no

74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have? 2 that ive had since i was a baby that sit on my top cupboard shelf

75. Favourite animal? Dogs, Seals, Elephants

76. What colour is your underwear? Pink.

77. Chocolate or Vanilla? Choc

78. Favourite ice cream flavour? Mint Choco

79. What colour shirt are you wearing? White

80. What colour pants? Pj Pants

81. Favourite tv show? Of all time - Riverdale, Friends, catfish, crazy ex gf

At the moment - The middle, modern fam, ex on the beach, yummy mummies ahahah

82. Favourite movie? Best of me, The choice, life as a house

83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2? Mean Girls!

84. Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street? Mean Girls.

85. Favourite character from Mean Girls? Gretchen

86. Favourite character from Finding Nemo? Nemo duh

87. First person you talked to today? Dad

88. Last person you talked to today? Dad

89. Name a person you hate? The bitch whoever my ex is sleeping with

90. Name a person you love? My ex, my family, my dog, all 50 of my babies at work

91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now? Nah?

92. In a fight with someone? No.

93. How many sweatpants do you have? A WHOLE LOT.

94. How many sweaters/hoodies do you have? too many

95. Last movie you watched? Shark Tale

96. Favourite actress? Rachel Mcadams, Cameron Diaz, Isla Fischer, Katherine Hiegel, Amy Smart

97. Favourite actor? Leo, Ashton Kutcher, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell

98. Do you tan a lot? Noooo

99. Have any pets? Oaks

100. How are you feeling? Tired, Blank, Distracted, On edge

101. Do you type fast? yes

102. Do you regret anything from your past? hahahhha yuh.

103. Can you spell well? Very well.

104. Do you miss anyone from your past? LJ (LM)

105. Ever been to a bonfire party? Yes

106. Ever broken someone’s heart? maybe?

107. Have you ever been on a horse? Yes

108. What should you be doing? Nothing.

109. Is something irritating you right now? That its almost tomorrow, my hairs faded, he doesnt give a fuck about me

110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt? Yesyesyesyes

111. Do you have trust issues? I answered this already.

112. Who was the last person you cried in front of? On the phone to my mum

113. What was your childhood nickname? Scar, Bubble

114. Have you ever been out of your province/state? Yes.

115. Do you play the Wii? When I go to Eb’s

116. Are you listening to music right now? Yes. Currently Playing not going home - DVBBS

117. Do you like chicken noodle soup? Yes.Homemade

118. Do you like Chinese food? OMG. YES.

119. Favourite book? You - Caroline Kepnes

120. Are you afraid of the dark? Yes and no

121. Are you mean? No.

122. Is cheating ever okay? No. No No NOOOOOOOOO

123. Can you keep white shoes clean? NO lol

124. Do you believe in love at first sight? hmmm starting not to

125. Do you believe in true love? Yes.

126. Are you currently bored? Kinda.

127. What makes you happy?

Kenji, My fam, Alcohol, Food, Music, Tv, Holidays, Money, New clothes

128. Would you change your name? Nah.

129. What your zodiac sign?

Aries, what yours?

130. Do you like subway? yum yes

131. Your bestfriend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do? He did and now he doesnt and treats me like im nothing

132. Who’s the last person you had a laugh with? Griffo, Hayley, Powelly and Ziggy

133. Favourite lyrics? So I will run Until my feet don't touch the ground And as the waves carry me out Keep listening She'll never make a sound

134. Can you count to one million? No wtf ive got time but not that much time

135. Dumbest lie you ever told? sickies for work?

136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? closed,open when im home alone

137. How tall are you? 5 something

138. Curly or Straight hair? Straight.

139. Brunette or Blonde? Brunette.

140. Summer or Winter? Both, can never decide

141. Night or Day? Night.

142. Favourite month? March or December

143. Are you a vegetarian? No.

144. Dark, milk or white chocolate? Milk.

145. Tea or Coffee? Both

146. Was today a good day? It was okay.....

147. Mars or Snickers? Mars atm

148. What’s your favourite quote? Anything by Beau Taplin

149. Do you believe in ghosts? YES.

150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page? No that’s too far, but I’m reading gone girl atm

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deadcactuswalking · 5 years ago

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REVIEWING THE CHARTS: 28th July 2019

This is going to be pretty short and rushed I imagine, but we’ll see.

Top 10

Now, we have a funny top four, similarly to last week, full of Ed Sheeran, but not at our top spot, as “Senorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello is back at #1 for a second week after our number-two took it last week.

Our number-two, by the way, down one spot from last week, is “Beautiful People” by Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid. Now, the rest of the top four is Ed Sheeran.

First of all, at number-three, we have “I Don’t Care” featuring Justin Bieber returning at number-three, which, due to nonsensical chart rules, must be some kind of record for highest re-entry ever on the chart. We’ll talk about this more in the dropouts section.

Oh, yeah, and to my surprise, “Cross Me”, also by Ed Sheeran, featuring Chance the Rapper and PNB Rock is not moving at number-four. I figured this one would be in freefall.

Thanks to a Justin Bieber remix, and well, not much else, Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” is up eleven spaces to number-five? I’m puzzled about this one, honestly, if anyone could tell me what happened here I’d appreciate it; this should be floundering in the top 30 right now.

Thanks to the rise of “bad guy”, however, Lewis Capaldi’s “Hold Me While You Wait” is down a spot to number-six. Please drop off quicker, I’m begging you.

Also down a single spot on the chart is AJ Tracey’s “Ladbroke Grove” at number-seven.

Eilish claims another victim as MIST and Fredo’s “So High” is also down one spot to number-eight. Don’t worry, all of these songs will rebound.

Oh, and “Wish You Well” by Sigala and Becky Hill is also down a space to number-nine, but I’m still disputing the fact that song exists.

The #10 spot is, once again, held by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, Young Thug, Mason Ramsey and now that guy from BTS. Congratulations on a record-breaking 17th week at #1 in the US, but here in Britain, it seems oddly stable at #10, I expect streaming cuts to kill it any time now.

Climbers

Freya Ridings’ “Castles” is up eight more spaces off the debut two or so weeks ago, entering the top 20 at #18 and becoming her second ever single to chart there. I’m not complaining, it’s a pretty good song. Outside of the top 20, we have only one other gain here, and that’s “Ritual” by Tiesto, Jonas Blue and Rita Ora gaining more traction than I expected 12 spaces up to #28. I hope this doesn’t reach the top 20, it’s pretty trite and honestly would make an awful fit for Ora’s next album whenever in the next decade that comes out.

Fallers

We have plenty of these, however. First of all, “Goodbyes” by Post Malone and Young Thug continues its unfortunate slow-burning dive down five spots to #17, with “Someone You Loved” close in front by Lewis Capaldi at #19, thankfully down five spaces from last week. It’s not fast enough, but I’m just glad this is on its way out. D-Block Europe’s “Home” is down five to #25 after surprisingly staying pretty stable on its second week. The biggest surprise here, yet at the same time not a surprise to me at all, is Krept & Konan’s “I Spy” with Headie One and K-Trap collapsing down 14 positions to #32. While most British trap has a pretty short chart run, I at least expected this to last longer than any given D-Block Europe song. Oh, and “One Touch” by Jess Glynne and Jax Jones is on its way out down seven spots to #35 after pretty much flopping, especially considering it’s a Glynne lead single.

Dropouts & Returning Entries

Thanks to a nonsensical UK chart rule that to be fair made sense for situations like an Ed Sheeran album bomb, “Take Me Back to London” featuring Stormzy disappears entirely from its number-three debuts last week, and was replaced by “I Don’t Care”, which dropped out from #2 last week. It must be really confusing for those who don’t know all the chart rules to see stuff like this. Elsewhere, we have a couple dropouts so the new arrivals can move in, with “Bounce Back” by Little Mix proving that the damage control single doesn’t work, after dropping out of the top 40 in its sixth week from #34. Miley Cyrus’ “Mother’s Daughter” is out from #36, which isn’t a surprise, and neither is “Love of My Life” by Remedee, Not3s and Young Adz dropping out off the debut at #37. Young Thug’s “The London” with J. Cole and Travis Scott is also out from #38 and since we have no returning entries, let’s get straight to the new arrivals.

NEW ARRIVALS

#40 – “RAN$OM” – Lil Tecca

Produced by Nick Mira and Taz Taylor – Peaked at #11 in Canada and #19 in the US

I really did not want to talk about this song. This is... “Lil Tecca”’s first UK Top 40 hit (Yes, that is his name, it’s dreadful) and the 16-year-old’s first major-label single. He has like eight songs out and he’s essentially a younger, less interesting or even convincing A Boogie wit da Hoodie clone. A Boogie even has a song called “Ransom” that sparked a lot of buzz in him back when he started out. Some may say it’s the melodic New York trap scene repeating itself, I say it’s a clear “Homage” (Read: trend-hopping and copying another rapper for the sake of this complete nobody getting a lot bigger, especially now he has a label behind him). Nobody is talking about how he’s probably some kind of industry plant because nobody cares about the person, Lil Tecca, they care about the song, “Ransom”. This guy has no star power at all or even any potential as a legitimately interesting artist. Okay, let’s stop stalling and get to the meat and potatoes of this song, which are that hook and that video. The video, while uninteresting, was directed by Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade and hence propelled the song to, you know, any sense of popularity, which it wouldn’t have gathered before at all, at least not to the heights of a worldwide smash and top 20 hit in the US. God, this guy infuriates me. I’m definitely going to talk about this song a bit more in January, if you catch my drift, but essentially, this song is melodic trap boiled down to its essence, with a Lil Tjay type beat carrying a Juice WRLD type rapper. There’s one barely-a-verse which lasts about 24 seconds, but the issue is the song is two minutes and 11 seconds long, and, yes, that chorus is infectious but not nearly as powerful as he thinks it is to carry the song for this long, especially since he has no charisma. It sounds like a Python programme wrote and performed a rap song, it really is some of the most monotonous, non-descript garbage to come out of SoundCloud rap. I hate this, it’s definitely on my worst list for 2019, and next!

#38 – “Sorry” – Joel Corry

Produced by Joel Corry

Is it bad that my first observation about this song is that some rapper is going to mention this in a sappy out-of-character love ballad? I mean, think about it, “Sorry” and Joel Corry rhyme. It’s going to happen. Anyway, who’s Joel Corry, you ask? Good question. His Wikipedia page or lack thereof redirects me to a record label called Ostereo which seems pretty successful, and they have a tiny paragraph on Corry. Apparently, he started establishing himself as a DJ on the MTV reality show Jersey Shore. This isn’t looking great, I know, but bear with me, he’s also a body-builder and now presents a radio show on KISS FM. Okay, so, really, much like Lil Tecca, he’s a complete nobody who got picked up by some big label who couldn’t care less about artistic intent, except this is a little more intriguing, considering Ostereo is an independent label and Joel Corry is a DJ, so I’m assuming it’s EDM and I’m right, but it seems snipped from a DJ set. You can tell in the intro, it sounds like the end of a song and an abrupt bleep transition, maybe that’s just for artistic effect but it doesn’t sound great. This is pretty standard deep pop-house, with an unnamed female vocalist singing over a lot of snare and keys, with plenty orchestral stabs to remind you a song is playing. Albeit oddly-mixed at times, the build-up is pretty affective, the drums sound cheap as hell though, as does that drop, it’s really anti-climactic and doesn’t really work at all. The final build-up and drop is admittedly pretty epic though, it gets rid of the anti-climactic minimalism and leaves just a club-ready synth melody over a lot of strings, it sounds really cool is what I’m saying. The build-up itself is manic as well, very interesting, and the singer seems to be a sample from Monsta Boy’s “Sorry! (I Didn’t Know)” featuring Denzie, and, yes, I know samples aren’t typically considered guest spots but the female vocalist is instrumental to this song and its success so surely a featured credit wouldn’t hurt. It’s not Denzie, and by the way, this is so much better than that Monsta Boy song thanks to how Denzie is one of the most incompetent singers known to man, and this female vocalist is actually pretty talented despite singing the exact same lyrics, and referencing Brandy, as in “The Boy is Mine” Brandy, which was unexpected. I’ve searched it up and I can’t find her anywhere, not even on the Genius page, so to me this is just a bit of a douche move.

Edit: I’ve done some extra research and the vocalist is Hayley May. It’s also from the Love Island soundtrack apparently, which makes me like the song a lot less on principle. I’d love to see more from May though, she doesn’t even have a writing credit on this song.

#36 – “Hate Me” – Ellie Goulding and Juice WRLD

Produced by Jason Evigan and The Monsterz & the Strangerz – Peaked at #18 in Hungary and #82 in the US

Oh, Ellie Goulding exists. Yeah, I forgot about that. Listen, I don’t hate Ellie Goulding, far from it, I think she’s fine, but at least lately after about 2015 or so, she has not been nearly as interesting as I want her to be, especially because the songwriting chops are definitely there. When I saw her collaborate with emo-rapper Juice WRLD of all people, I knew this would be far from interesting or good so I’m honestly starting to lose hope in that upcoming album, especially since her other singles “Sixteen” and “Close to Me” were far from special. This is Goulding’s 22nd(!) UK Top 40 hit and Juice WRLD’s third, and, yeah, this isn’t great. That hook is really desperate and this would work if her delivery wasn’t bratty and the lyrics really don’t fit and it feels very cluttered and rushed, like they’re just trying to get it over with... which makes sense, I mean that’s the topic of the song but it’s not convincing, because she wants an answer and she wants it quick, so she’d stop at nothing, surely, but the song’s really short and doesn’t really have any lasting impact. Juice WRLD doesn’t freaking exist, gladly, he doesn’t even join in with the chorus really, which by the third repetition gets really aggravating. The production is an airy mess with trap percussion and cloudy synths that cover Juice WRLD’s vocoder-fuelled performance to the point of not being able to recognise him. It’s not good at all, but I feel it’s just tolerable and bland enough for me to not dislike it. I never thought I’d say this, but Lil Peep did it better.

#12 – “How Do You Sleep?” – Sam Smith

Produced by Ilya – Peaked at #4 in Singapore and #29 in the US

Sam Smith’s second single from this upcoming new album and era, after the success of “Dancing with a Stranger” with Normani, seems to be a lot more energetic especially in comparison with his other two albums he’s released. He seems to have ditched the shoddy pop-soul and has gone straight into more danceable territory, which I’m not complaining about. I loved him on “Latch” and “La La La”, and thought “Dancing with a Stranger” was pretty cool, but other than that there’s not a single song by Smith that I like. Anyway, this is his 14th UK Top 40 hit, and you know what, it’s not bad at all. I love the twinkling synths that carry the song’s main melody, they’re cute but paired with trap percussion and intense sub bass can come off as both oddly sinister as well as infatuated, fitting with the content and subject matter of this song, in which Smith questions how his partner sleeps when he has Smith tangled in a toxic relationship which he can’t get out of, and that “love will keep them up tonight”. I love the second verse, where Smith admits he’s lost himself in his relationship through his subtly Auto-Tuned vocals that are still pretty impressive. The chorus is incredibly catchy while still being powerful and despite all this, that drop kind of sucks. After a great vocoder vocal bridge, the drop is really weak and squeaky, especially with that screechy synth tone, which doesn’t sound as melodramatic or pained as the rest of the song, and instead sounds incredibly lazy. It might grow on me, as the weeping of the drop is kind of humorous right now but could easily fit in with the song’s overall tone and mood, but we’ll see. Overall, this song surprised me, it’s actually really good bar from the trap and EDM elements possibly bogging it down a bit, I think Smith’s songwriting is definitely what shines here instead of Ilya’s production, which is disappointing since I usually love his production.

Conclusion

Yeah, I’m shocked too, but Best of the Week goes to Sam Smith for “How Do You Sleep?”, and Honourable Mention is reluctantly going to “Love Island anthem”, “Sorry” by Joel Corry featuring Hayley May, even if it’s not all that good, only decent. Dishonourable Mention is going to Ellie Goulding and Juice WRLD for “Hate Me” because of course it is, and Worst of the Week should be pretty damn obvious, it’s Lil Tecca’s for “RAN$OM”. Follow me on Twitter @cactusinthebank for more musical ramblings and I’ll see you next week.

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flauntpage · 6 years ago

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Playing Well Enough to Win, then Blowing It – Observations from Bucks 128, Sixers 122

Let’s make it happen.

Let’s find a way to get seven games of Sixers/Bucks in the playoffs, because that was some of the most compelling basketball I’ve seen in a long time.

In fact, I’m all about a Giannis vs. Embiid pay-per-view event in the near future. It’ll be like Tiger vs. Phil, but actually entertaining, and the winner gets $1 million donated to a charity of their choosing while automatically becoming a captain for the 2020 All-Star Game.

Unfortunately the Sixers lost last night, their first three-game losing streak of the season. They didn’t play poorly, but the 4th quarter defense really let them down, as did the final three possessions of a tight contest. With the game tied at 119 with 1:07 on the clock, JJ Redick missed a 23-footer, Embiid got blocked by Giannis and turned the ball over, then Tobias Harris clanked an elbow jumper.

That was pretty much it, right there.

Beyond the late-game execution, you just can’t give up 46 fourth quarter points on your home floor and expect to shoot your way out of it. That’s the real shame, the fact that the Sixers shot 18-36 (50%) from three last night, scored 122 points, and still lost. They only turned the ball over 13 times (below season average) and won the total shots battle 95 to 93, so they did well enough in their auxiliary categories to win this game. The late-stage defense and shot making just wasn’t there.

I’m kind of exhausted talking about macro-level “do the Sixers have what it takes” concepts, since we’ve discussed that ad nauseam. I really just care about the playoffs this point, and I’ve been on the record saying that I think this team loses to Toronto in round two. Write that down somewhere, then we’ll revisit in May when you accuse me of being a homer, because I don’t think I’m a homer. I think they bow out in the second round.

But last night we got some good X’s and O’s basketball quotes, so let’s focus on that on a Friday morning.

Giving up the three and playing the second side

Milwaukee is a team that will sit back and allow three-pointers from less-than-efficient shooters.

If you recall the last Bucks game, Joel Embiid shot 4-13 from three, good for just 30.7%. Milwaukee is going to take that all game long, so they did the same thing last night, crashing down on Ben Simmons to deny him the paint, which left Embiid wide open for that trailing three that he really likes to shoot. He tried nine threes last night and hit three, finishing at 33%, but you could see at times where he was really fighting himself, really debating whether to take that shot or bring the ball down, run the offense, and get his teammates involved.

I asked Brett about that after the game, what he said to Joel and how he coached him through it:

Brown: We talked about it a lot on the bench and we anticipated that. It’s what (the Bucks) do. I said two things, I said, ‘if you feel it’ – because ultimately a coach can say it but the player has to feel it – ‘shoot it every time.’ If we come in and say ‘Joel shot 15 threes,’ I’m saying hes gonna shoot 36 to 38 percent and that’s a decent (mark), you’d live with that if I’m right on that percentage. Or, if you don’t feel comfortable, which he didn’t oftentimes there, you saw it, then play the second side. Your man is so far back. You can play the dribble-handoff game with JJ, as an example. JJ is coming into daylight, which I thought we did a pretty good job of.

Crossing Broad: And a lot of that was taking place in early shot clock situations, wen Ben was pushing the pace, driving, and then kicking out.

Brown: Yeah. When you ask ‘what do you do?‘, those two things to me are most prominent. Shoot it, you three (teammates) are offensive rebounding guys. He’s gonna make it or not, you guys crash, you guys are back, ‘go’ guys and ‘get back’ guys, that type of stuff. And otherwise just play that second side of the floor and whoever your DHO is or whoever is playing get ball or screening, they’re coming off into nothing. I thought we did okay executing that environment early, but those were the two things on my mind when you get that sagging five-man guarding Joel like that.

I went looking for examples, and I think this is a perfect video clip to show one of those instances where Milwaukee invited the three, but Joel instead held the play up and got Redick involved by playing the second side of the floor, which is what Brown is talking about:

Embiid on the perimeter, invited to shoot, but instead Brook Lopez is sagging so far off of him that Redick can simply DHO his way into empty space by running Pat Connaughton off Ben and Joel’s staggered screens, as you see right here:

There were at least two other instances last night where the Sixers worked this stagger in early shot clock situations.

This was the first one I saw, where they ran George Hill into the same gauntlet that Connaughton was subjected to above:

Again, if Lopez (and Giannis) sag to the foul line there to block off Simmons and invite Embiid to shoot, just put the stress on Redick’s man to fight through a pair of tough screens. That’s what the Sixers did nicely right there.

There was another instance where Embiid actually waved off Simmons and brought the ball up himself, running the exact same early shot clock stagger with a different wrinkle:

See George Hill’s body language there?

No guard wants to run through those staggered screens from Embiid and Simmons. If Milwaukee is gonna sit there, just play the other side of the floor and spring Redick into empty space over and over again until they adjust. Think about sending Simmons or a wing to the boards and drop 3-4 in transitional defense.

Here’s what Embiid said about his threes:

Everybody just kept telling me to shoot it. If I shot every time I was open I would have put up at least 25 threes. But I know how to pick and choose my moments. Sometimes I shot it and sometimes I went to find JJ, so you just gotta mix it up and leave them guessing.

Correct, and if these teams meet in the playoffs, it’s something to really focus on.

“12” pick and roll

I’ve written a lot about ’12’ this season. I did an entire sidebar on it a while back.

It’s a Ben Simmons/JJ Redick high/low pick and roll, and with Jimmy Butler unavailable last night, Brown went to this play call on the third-last possession, a possession that normally would go to closer Butler. JJ got off a 23-footer, front-rimmed it, and Milwaukee ran out the rebound and got an easy bucket.

After the game, Redick said this about the sequence:

That’s a play we’ve had some really good success with lately, when the big, when (Ben’s) man just kind of sags, and me coming up the gut and getting a hand off from him. It was a little short. If we could have done it differently I probably would have played that rifle action with Jo and just did a little continuation. Just knowing that his guy was going to be so far back, it probably would have been a bit of a cleaner look. But going over my left shoulder, going to my right, that’s a look for me. That’s how I’ve made a career, so I’ll live with it.

Here’s the clip of that play:

It’s a shot he’s hit plenty of times before. And he’s right, if Giannis is going to sit even deeper than the elbow and prevent the Simmons drive, then the onus is on Hill to climb around that screen and contest the shot.

Redick does have the continuation option here with Embiid, but you’ve seen JJ hit this shot plenty of times before:

Really good film game. I could sit here and watch that tape over and over again.

Other notes:

I saw a fan at the game take a selfie with Howard Eskin.

Zhaire Smith did not look afraid out there, not at all. It’s a shame he missed that dunk, but the guy hasn’t played a lot of basketball this year. He’ll be a good player in the future. I liked how he stepped into that first three-pointer with a lot of confidence.

Giannis is a a beast. I don’t know what to say. He made Ben Simmons look small last night, and there really aren’t any other guys who can do that to him. If Ben is your second-best defensive option on Giannis, and he’s getting bullied at the rim, you’re just gonna have to try to trap Giannis or double him or something else, because schematically that’s going to be unsustainable in a seven-game playoff series. You can’t have Joel out there for all 48 minutes.

When Ben’s ability to push in transition and get to the rim is denied, he becomes an offensive liability against good teams. He didn’t score his first basket until deep into the 2nd quarter last night. He finished with 6 points on 5 shots and did not go to the free throw line.

Mike Scott was excellent last night, 6-8 from three, but I feel like every time he shoots well, the team loses. He needs to be big in the playoffs with James Ennis’ absence crushing an already thin bench.

Boban played three minutes. Just can’t play him against the Bucks.

Jonah Bolden I thought looked pretty good out there. No fouls, a couple of big threes, and some energy off the pine.

This team still can’t guard guards.

Tobias Harris is beginning to worry me as a guy who isn’t present enough during the fourth quarter. He has so much potential to have a breakout, All-Star type of season in 2019-2020, but someone needs to yank it out of him. Maxing him is a risk.

The Sixers got a couple of foul calls last night on plays where Milwaukee tried to top-lock Redick while he was setting back screens. I like every set they run where Redick is the screener. Milwaukee tried to top lock that ’12’ pick and roll right at the end of the 3rd quarter and Simmons simply passed the ball to Scott for an easy catch and shoot three.

Enjoy your weekend.

The post Playing Well Enough to Win, then Blowing It – Observations from Bucks 128, Sixers 122 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

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flauntpage · 6 years ago

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Bobi, Tobi, and T.J. McConnell – Observations from Sixers 106, Heat 102

It wasn’t the best performance of all time, but you’ll take that win.

You’ll take that win any day of the week, considering that your best player was on the shelf while the rest of the squad hadn’t been on the floor together since last Tuesday. We know from last year’s playoff series that Miami is just one of those pain in the ass teams that isn’t gonna roll over and give you anything easy, and while they’re certainly not as talented as the Sixers, they did a nice job keeping it close, deep into the “guts of the game,” as Marc Zumoff would say.

The difference was a couple of 4th quarter runs, one an 8-0 stretch that pulled the Sixers in front at the five minute mark, then a 6-0 run comprising 90 of the game’s final 120 seconds. A trio of Boban Marjanovic free throws and a JJ Redick dagger three were good enough to secure the win.

JJ didn’t have a great shooting night, but it was a balanced output across the board from the other four starters. Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 23 points, Boban added 19, Jimmy Butler contributed 18, and Ben Simmons put up 21 while carrying his team through a sluggish third quarter.

Throw in a couple of positive bursts from T.J. McConnell off the bench, and it was good enough for a four-point home win coming out of the All-Star break.

Boban

I found it slightly amusing that, on Australian Heritage Night in South Philadelphia, it was the 7’3″ Serbian player who stole the show.

Obviously the big topic going into this one was determining how many minutes Boban can feasibly give you, considering that he’s been a 10-14 type of player for most of his career. They got 27 out of him last night and he finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds, 11 and 7 of which came in the first quarter alone.

Here’s Brett Brown on Boban’s game:

Well, initially, I was always curious about his conditioning. Is he going to be able to sustain whatever period of minutes that I was giving him? I think I said pregame, I hope I’m going more like five-minute clumps, six-minute clumps, I’m not worried about if it ends up thirty minutes, but I am the duration. He kept telling me he was fine and the game spun out in that first period and he was really good. Then, the game left, I think a little bit where it went probably a minute and a half longer than I had hoped, but in general, I thought that he was really good. There were times that you knew the matchup was unfavorable and so we got him out. Then, at the end we tried to use a foul, because we had one, to get him back in and have some level of rim protection. I thought, in general, he was very good and he was our bell-ringer tonight.

Yeah, the “clumps” thing is interesting, because in theory you’re wondering how many consecutive possessions a 7’3″ guy can really handle. You don’t want him running up and down the floor at length.

I went through the play-by-play log to pick out those clumps:

first shift: start of the game to 3:34 in the first quarter

second shift: 8:08 in the second quarter to to 2:13 in the second quarter

third shift: start of the third quarter to 5:05 in the third quarter

fourth shift: start of the fourth quarter to 9:18

fifth shift: 3:39 in the fourth to 0:32 in the fourth

So a couple of longer shifts to start, 8.5 minutes and 6 minutes respectively, then Brett used him in smaller bursts in the second half as Miami adjusted their lineups a bit. Jonah Bolden played 14:44 off the bench and looked… not great, but to be fair, dude has been glued to the pine and hasn’t seen the floor in two weeks anyway. This was more of a Boban matchup anyway, with noted slug Hassan Whiteside in the starting lineup and Bam Adebayo coming off the bench. I thought stretchy Kelly Olynyk might be a problem, but he didn’t too much damage.

Boban was not on the floor, however, when the Sixers went small during the 8-0 run with a lineup of McConnell, Redick, Butler, Harris, and B. Simmons. When he did return, he hit some clutch free throws, finishing 7-10 from the foul line and 5-6 from the floor.

One of the things I mentioned about Boban when doing that brief evaluation of his game after the trade, is that he’s sort of an underrated passer. Yes, he did have five turnovers last night, but when you get him out on the elbow or the perimeter, he’s so damn tall that he can throw these really nifty backdoor and half-lobs by simply looping the ball over an opponent’s head.

Case in point:

Blown layup, but wonderful pass.

Whiteside is 7’0″ and Boban is just dropping the ball over his head to a cutting Jimmy Butler. It’s interesting from a system standpoint as well, because Boban is able to throw those passes off a DHO, which is a staple of Brett’s offense. If he continues to grow that part of the game, I could see him running very similar elbow and stagger sets, the same stuff that Embiid and Redick run with a high level of success. This time you add a cutting wrinkle to it, and now you’ve got another action to think about if you’re a defender.

Another pass I loved:

Bobi bouncin' to Butler.

Boban finds Jimmy for the dish and bucket. Sixers up, 61-56. pic.twitter.com/9gYjngh9Bw

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 22, 2019

Great cut from Butler, super clever screen from Harris, and Boban has the wherewithal to just bounce that pass right into the lane for the easy bucket.

After the game, I polled Sixers fans.

Is Boban a Philly guy? There’s still time to vote:

Is Boban a "Philly guy?"

— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) February 22, 2019

I also thought this was a great stat from ESPN, via Elias:

Boban Marjanovic reached 1,000 career points in 1,574 minutes of playing time. From @EliasSports, that’s the 2nd-fewest minutes needed to reach 1,000 career points among active players. Only Joel Embiid reached the mark in fewer minutes (1,271).

Pretty efficient.

T.J. McConnell

I go back and forth with T.J. Sometimes I love him as an energy guy off the bench who just picks up the team and helps string together a couple of spirit plays – steals, lobs, defensive hustle, etc. Other times he’s a matchup liability who makes you question his value on a playoff-bound team. How many effective postseason minutes can he really give you?

Last night was the former. He just provided this team with so much “pop,” an incredibly efficient 6 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in just 11 minutes of play. T.J. was the catalyst for the late run, a +8 off the bench in that small lineup I mentioned above.

This was a precursor to the 8-0 run, just two possessions prior:

A savvy steal, on a 16-year veteran no less.

Strange case, T.J. McConnell. I’m in the camp of people who thinks he can be effective in limited playoff minutes, but in a game like last night, he probably should have played more than the 11 he received.

Said Brown:

“I think it’s another reminder for all of us, how he can come in, and without significant minutes, just change a game’s tempo. He did that. I thought he was excellent as far as putting his own thumb print (on the game) with not a lot of time, especially in the fourth.”

Yep.

Tobias Harris

That left side high was his sweet spot last night.

Look at the chart:

He was 8-15 overall, and 3-7 from deep, with every make coming just 3-4 feet apart.

Interestingly enough, he actually shoots fewer three pointers from the left side, but hits at a higher percentage over there. Here’s his seasonal shot chart:

Left side three: 34-73, 46.6% vs. a league average of 35.1%.

Middle three: 20-53, 37.7% vs. a league average of 34%.

Right side: 44-108, 40.7% vs. a league average of 35.1%.

Something to keep an eye on going forward. Embiid I think is more effective when trailing and starting from the left side slot/elbow, and if that’s the case, Harris begins on the weakside in the opposite corner. I need to look more at that when Joel returns.

Other notes:

I loved the wink from D Wade to Harris after he got him off the ground and earned the foul on his very first offensive possession

This team still can’t defend Wade, for whatever reason. Luckily he’s headed out the door and into retirement.

25-35 from the line isn’t great. That’s 71.4%. There was a point where the Sixers missed three in a row at one point in the 2nd quarter and were shooting 60%. They got better down the stretch in this area.

The rotation felt out of whack a bit in the second quarter or third quarter, I can’t remember off the top of my head, but Butler and Harris were sitting for what felt like an eternity. Brown had a lineup on the floor of Ben Simmons, Jonathon Simmons, James Ennis, Mike Scott and Jonah Bolden. He’s tinkering, he’s experimenting, I get it, but sooner rather than later I’d like to see him starting gearing this thing towards a playoff-style rotation.

Hassan Whiteside – I don’t get it. Guy always looks utterly pedestrian whenever he plays against the Sixers.

Hell of a defensive close-out by Justise Winslow on the Redick dagger 3, even better side step and release from JJ.

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