NBA Action Is Fantastic!!!

Finally! I can stop occupying my weeknights with endless games of Madden and re-runs of Fresh Prince. The 2009-2010 NBA season begins tonight. Anticipation is so high for this season that you would think that MJ was coming back.



AGAIN. (Anything is possible)

As I countdown the hours till the first game of the season, there are a few storylines that will be interesting to follow throughout the season.


Back-to-Back in Tinseltown?


The Lakers enter this season as the reigning NBA champs and many have them destined to return to the NBA Finals. The addition of Ron Artest gives them the defensive intensity that many felt the Lakers lacked in previous seasons. With Kobe and Artest taking turns locking down teams top scorers, the only thing stopping this team from a repeat is a lack of focus. We all know that Kobe is like a robot when it comes to focusing on basketball, but I don’t know if the same can be said about the rest of the team. Lamar Odom has been in the pages of more gossip magazines than sports columns with his recent marriage to reality TV star Khloe Kardashian. Artest isn’t necessarily on the straight and narrow path either. He’s already seeing a physiologist and has yet to experience the pressure of Jack Nicholson yelling in his ear for choking under the bright lights of the Staples Center. The Zen master Phil Jackson certainly has his hands full keeping this group focused.

Is Stephen Curry the Real Deal?

I was going to write about rookie phenom Blake Griffin, but he has succumb to the ‘Clippers Curse’ after breaking his kneecap. The next best rookie in my eyes is Stephen Curry. Curry lit up the college scene with his lights out shooting for Davidson for the past two seasons. Now he looks to bring his three-point range to the NBA as a member of the Golden State Warriors. Coach Don Nelson has already awarded him a spot in the starting five. So far he hasn’t shown that he deserves it. He shot just 36% from the field and a dismal 22% from three-point range. Is this just a cold streak or is Stephen Curry the next three-point bust? (Can you say J.J. Redick?)

A Ring for the King

Cavs’ recently acquired Shaquille O’Neal has stated that he is destined to help LeBron James win his first NBA championship. With the Big Diesel holding down the paint and LeBron continuing to be one of the NBA’s elite, perimeter players like Mo Williams, Delonte West and Jamario Moon will be wide open to knock down clutch shots. Sure the highly talented Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic could provide a bump in the road for the Cavs, but the team’s youth should propel them past their Eastern Conference foes. I’m agreeing with Shaq’s prediction on this one. Besides, the city of Cleveland is due for a championship.

Side Notes

•Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas are renewing a beef that initiated over 15 years ago when Thomas spread the rumor that Magic contracted HIV because he was gay. I hope this doesn’t turn into one of those East Coast-West Coast things. LOL

•Good News: Allen Iverson needs 1,1017 points to becomes only the 19th player in NBA history to amass 20,000 points.

Bad News: Seeing as though he is no longer on the Memphis Grizzlies, no one is going to see it happen.

•Not only does my hometown Sixers suck this year, but they have resorted to wearing a hideous jersey. Oh well, at least the Phillies are in the World Series!!!

•Keep checking NBA Spark Notes for the latest news and commentary about the NBA Season.

Puppet Paradoy

With the NBA season now in full swing, I am reminded how ticked off I was when Kobe vs. Lebron didn't materialize. I had my heart set on it. Each player had their own puppet for goodness sake. The only satisfaction that I gained from this debacle is that it has given people the opportunity to make fun of the whole situation. Sarcasm, smart asses, and comedy. Gotta Love it.

Tatts

When I was a sophomore in high school, I begged and pleaded with my mom for a tattoo. She finally caved in with one exception: I had to go and get it with her younger brother. Once he explained that one of his tatts (the cool term for tattoo used by those with tattoos) took close to 5 hours to complete, I decided that I'd buy myself a pack of stickers instead. This young lady should have followed my lead and purchased a pack of stars instead of getting them permanently placed on her face.

Tony Award Rap

I have no clue what this guy is doing. I have no clue who he is. I am feeling he has passion though, and I love his presentation. This is a good way to start your week.


Lin-Manuel Miranda Tony Acceptance Speech - In The Heights

3X5 Podcast #2

Listen by clicking the player below:

Download this episode (right click and save)

Subscribe to 31Percent's iTunes podcast station by clicking on the link below:

Playlist
1. Wale - Pretty Girls
2. SkyZoo - Popularity
3. Raekwon featuring Jadakiss and Styles P - Broken Safety
4. MF Doom - Hoe Cakes (Jake One Remix)
5. Rah Digga - Straight Spitten, Pt. II
6. Slick Rick - Lick the Balls
7. The Roots - Leonard I-V
8. Lootpack - On Point
9. Pharrell Williams - You can do it too
10. Fabolous featuring Keys - Never let it go
11. Ghostface Killa - Daytona 500
12. Meek Mills - I'm So Fly
13. DMX featuring Sean Paul - Top Shooter
14. 50 Cent - Baby by me

I am not a jerk

I'm not sure what the people in this video are doing. I do think that it is odd that this dance made its way to a national news station. I get the Humpty Hump, Doing the Butt, the moonwalk, and McHammer's countless dance steps, but the fools in this video are just jumping around like they don't have any damn sense.

Dating - IT's all worth it

Dating can admittedly be taxing. We all have counseled friends through tough relationships enough to know this to be a fact. With that said, there is a light at the end of the tunnel called marriage. Every once in a while, we come across a couple that lets us know how easy, rewarding, an fun dating can be.

To further this point, I present exhibit A: a couple that looks alike and even wears the same accessories. They did things so right, the newspaper wrote a story on their simple, yet fun, wedding ceremony. This event had such an impact on me, I wrote a sappy, long winded, romantic comedy-type, thank you letter to the couple.

Tear..Sigh..

3X5 Podcast Definition

Music frees the soul. Ours at least! All kinds of music at that.

We have come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of music: great and horrible.

Since music is being downloaded and shared at an alarming rate, keeping up with it has become a chore within itself.

Finding something to tap your foot to as you do laundry, mentally escape an annoying coworker or situation at work, wash your car, do chores around the house, or simply zone out with you favorite alcoholic beverage should not be difficult.

Free websites that create playlists for you are fun, iTunes genius technology is cool, but there is nothing available at the moment that can actually provide you with a wide array of new and old music from established and upcoming music acts without you ACTUALLY doing anything more than pressing download.

That is until you came across 31percent.blogspot.com PRESENTS 3x5.

Enjoy yourself, free your mind, and savor great music. If you're like us and when someone asks you what type of music you like, you reply "I like everything" and truly mean it then this is the mix for you.

3X5 Podcast #1

Listen using the player below:

Download this episode (right click and save)

Subscribe to 31Percent's iTunes podcast station by clicking on the link below:

Playlist:
1. J. Cole - Grown Zimba
2. Blu - City of lost Angels
3. Ludacris - MVP
4. Das Efx - Real Hip Hop (Pete Rock Mix)
5. Wale featuring Daniel Merriweather - Pot of Gold
6. Seven featuring Talib Kweli - Go Slow (DJ Premier Mix)
7. Black Star - Respiration (Remix)
8. Freeway featuring Jay Z and Beanie Sigel
9. Heltah Skeltah featuring Flood - Smack Muzik
10. Roots - Stay Cool
11. Oschino - Jail Letter
12. M.O.P featuring Freddie Foxx - I Luv
13. Mobb Deep featuring Lil Kim - Quite Storm (Remix)
14. Dogg Pound - Dogg Pound 4 Life
15. DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - Summertime