- HBO please stop trying to make the final season of Entourage seem so serious, it is not making me want to watch it. This show has been pretty bad for a few seasons now, but like so many I have spent so much time with the characters I can't stop watching. My first thoughts about the new season is that it would be similar to The Office where the destination at the end of the season would give it direction and allow it to re-find those qualities we loved it for. Maybe it will. But I remembered that outside of Jeremy Piven the talent level is so vastly inferior to The Office that it would be a stretch. Here's hoping the Adrian Grenier learns how to act/care, E stops being a whiny little man, Turtle finds something to do with his life beyond smoking weed 5 times a day, and Drama stops being mad at the world. They left last season with some potential interesting storylines (namely the return of Billy Walsh as a clean cartoonist trying to make Drama a cartoon star, the state of Ari's Marriage, and Vince's arrest), but recent history seems to point to the show dealing with these problems in a deus ex machina way (see Vince quitting the business only to be offered the role of Nick Carroway by Scorsese [which was an even more ridiculous plot line that one flop would turn an actor toxic to the point of quitting]).
-If you haven't gotten into Game of Thrones I give it my full backing. I have never nor plan to read the some 6000 pages written/to be written by George R. R. Martin which serve as the basis for the show. After 2 episodes I was skeptical I would keep with it due to the vast expanse of the universe and all the complex relationships the show was having trouble explaining while keeping the plot moving. However, I watched the third episode (I always give shows at least three episodes) and I was hooked. The acting is phenomenal, aided by the fact that we have had little experience with most of the actors and actresses in other projects. The no-names work because it doesn't really distract you from the characters and the world they live in. Think about the Harry Potter series, when you watch that then watch another movie, say Love Actually and half the cast is the same you keep expecting Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman to end their marriage, don their Hogwarts robes and settle their differences with their wands. It also helps that the actors do not define the show giving it much more freedom to dispose of characters; it would be tough to have Lost with out Dr. Jack Shepard (as the creators wanted to kill off the show's most notable star, Matthew Fox, episode 1), but Game of Thrones does not have that quality about it.
- The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team is in trouble. Don't expect the next World Cup to go as well as this past one. The team looked weak in this year's Gold Cup, despite making the finals. The defense was a huge question mark and outside of Clint Dempsey the attack lacked any real threat. The worst part is the best performers at the Gold Cup will be in their 30s in 2014, many of them leading the line for their 3rd cup. Ask Italy how that worked out for them. We also won't play much together outside of qualification. Missing out of the 2013 Confederations Cup really hurts. If you remember it was the Confederations Cup where we beat Spain and went 2 up on Brazil. This gave the team a lot of confidence and familiarity with each other, the atmosphere and the venues for the World Cup the following year. Next go round the team will need to have a lot of new blood that won't have that experience. It looks like a repeat of 2006 could be in the books.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thanks For Renting The Crown...
...Michael will have it back now. In the most highly anticipated season of his career since he broke into the league in 2003 Lebron James has shown us what he truly is: a guy who just wants to be liked by all and make good looking video clips. He betrayed his hometown to go play with his buddies in a city known more for its night clubs than it's sports clubs (sorry Dolphins, your years of mediocrity have doomed you). He put himself squarely in the hot seat the moment he bragged how he, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh were going to win 10 championships together at what I assume was a KISS concert hijacked by two superstars and their awkward bird-looking friend. It is going to be hard for Lebron to re-define his legacy after the events of the last 12 months, even if they win the title this year or make good on his 10 ring promise.
The first flag was The Decision/The Celebration. The fallout was immediate. Charles Barkley put it best when he said that he, nor Michael, nor Magic, nor Bird, nor any of the pantheon greats would have sold out to go play on another superstar's team. America responded how it almost always does when a team brings in a bunch of superstars: disgust. Before the first ball was even tipped the Heat became the team everyone wanted to beat. Often the reigning champ is the one who gets everyone's best shot, which is why repeating is such a hard thing, but Miami put that bullseye on its back and didn't even have a ring to show for it.
Lebron has been called King James since he enter the national consciousness as a high school phenom. One would expect a king to respond to the pressure and criticism with a performance that made the world notice. If he was truly a pantheon great NBA player this season was the one to show it. He did not.
The first few weeks of the season he was genuinely rattled and confused at why everyone hated him. This did not surprise me at all. Despite growing up just outside of Cleveland Lebron was and still is a Yankees and Cowboys fan, teams that are known for paying for a bunch of stars and consequently teams most Americans do not like. What was surprising is how someone so image conscious could not see what was wrong with making an hour long prime time spectacle, or a fan introduction complete with laser lights, fog machine, and video displays. One thing was clear: Lebron was hurt that people did not like him any more and it affected his play. This is not the response of a great.
Even after the shaky start, his in-season performance was not that of one that put the world on notice. He was constantly deferring to Wade. He was the one you wanted to have the ball in the crunch, if you rooted for the opponent and it was a close game; he was horrendous in the big moments.
Lebron and the Heat eventually put it together and finished the year as the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. They had an easy first round of a 76ers team that is about two years away from really competing. Second round brought Lebron's long-time nemesis: the Celtics. He played great. It helped that Danny Ainge forgot that his team hadn't been beaten when everyone was healthy, they had an unshakable swagger, and that Shaq was all but finished and consequently traded Kendrick Perkins, the most underrated glue guy it would seem in history. It also helped the officials allowed Dwayne Wade to maul Rajon Rondo, someone the Heat could not guard, right out of the series.
Then came the Eastern Conference finals. Lebron was deadly. He was hitting all the big shots. Clutch threes, impossible twos, getting to the foul line. He finally looked like killer we always wanted him to be.
Enter the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. This is where he would finally be anointed. If Lebron is truly a great he will show it on the biggest stage. Game 1 looked pretty good, not great: 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists. The telling thing was the minutes: 45. That is not a very efficient game.
Then came Game 2. The Heat had a 15 point lead with seven and a half minutes left. He celebrated a Dwayne Wade three pointer. The Heat blew the lead and lost. What was much more alarming was how little impact Lebron had on the game. He scored 20, pulled in 8 and helped out on 4. Wade was the man in the game: 36-3-6. Lebron deferred to him. Lebron did nothing to stem the Mavs ferocious comeback. Since then it has been all downhill for the so called King.
Games 3 and 5 were statistically good, both scored 17 points and in Game 5 he piled on 10 rebounds and assists. Again that was in 45 minutes. The average NBA player scores close to 19 points in 45 minutes. If Lebron is to be a great player he has to better than just below average. Game 4 was an unmitigated disaster: 8 points and at times I wasn't even sure he was on the floor.
The worst part about all of this is his attitude on the court. He can say in tweets and in front of the cameras about how it's now or never, and the team's back is against the wall, and it's the most important game of his career. His lips say that, his body says otherwise. He has no confidence. He doesn't want it to be his team. He has clearly given the reigns to Wade. Even in Game 5 when Wade went out hurt Lebron was passive. None of these are things a great will do. A great puts his body on the line for a championship. A great will bleed for the ring. A great does whatever it takes. There is only one great playing in Miami and that is Wade.
So, it is time for us to retire the nickname King James. These last 12 months we have learned that Lebron is not the great player we wanted him to be. He is not the second coming of His Airness. He is simply the most talented player ever who just wants to have fun, play with his friends, be loved by all, and be the subject of many highlight reel dunks and creative celebrations.
The first flag was The Decision/The Celebration. The fallout was immediate. Charles Barkley put it best when he said that he, nor Michael, nor Magic, nor Bird, nor any of the pantheon greats would have sold out to go play on another superstar's team. America responded how it almost always does when a team brings in a bunch of superstars: disgust. Before the first ball was even tipped the Heat became the team everyone wanted to beat. Often the reigning champ is the one who gets everyone's best shot, which is why repeating is such a hard thing, but Miami put that bullseye on its back and didn't even have a ring to show for it.
Lebron has been called King James since he enter the national consciousness as a high school phenom. One would expect a king to respond to the pressure and criticism with a performance that made the world notice. If he was truly a pantheon great NBA player this season was the one to show it. He did not.
The first few weeks of the season he was genuinely rattled and confused at why everyone hated him. This did not surprise me at all. Despite growing up just outside of Cleveland Lebron was and still is a Yankees and Cowboys fan, teams that are known for paying for a bunch of stars and consequently teams most Americans do not like. What was surprising is how someone so image conscious could not see what was wrong with making an hour long prime time spectacle, or a fan introduction complete with laser lights, fog machine, and video displays. One thing was clear: Lebron was hurt that people did not like him any more and it affected his play. This is not the response of a great.
Even after the shaky start, his in-season performance was not that of one that put the world on notice. He was constantly deferring to Wade. He was the one you wanted to have the ball in the crunch, if you rooted for the opponent and it was a close game; he was horrendous in the big moments.
Lebron and the Heat eventually put it together and finished the year as the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. They had an easy first round of a 76ers team that is about two years away from really competing. Second round brought Lebron's long-time nemesis: the Celtics. He played great. It helped that Danny Ainge forgot that his team hadn't been beaten when everyone was healthy, they had an unshakable swagger, and that Shaq was all but finished and consequently traded Kendrick Perkins, the most underrated glue guy it would seem in history. It also helped the officials allowed Dwayne Wade to maul Rajon Rondo, someone the Heat could not guard, right out of the series.
Then came the Eastern Conference finals. Lebron was deadly. He was hitting all the big shots. Clutch threes, impossible twos, getting to the foul line. He finally looked like killer we always wanted him to be.
Enter the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. This is where he would finally be anointed. If Lebron is truly a great he will show it on the biggest stage. Game 1 looked pretty good, not great: 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists. The telling thing was the minutes: 45. That is not a very efficient game.
Then came Game 2. The Heat had a 15 point lead with seven and a half minutes left. He celebrated a Dwayne Wade three pointer. The Heat blew the lead and lost. What was much more alarming was how little impact Lebron had on the game. He scored 20, pulled in 8 and helped out on 4. Wade was the man in the game: 36-3-6. Lebron deferred to him. Lebron did nothing to stem the Mavs ferocious comeback. Since then it has been all downhill for the so called King.
Games 3 and 5 were statistically good, both scored 17 points and in Game 5 he piled on 10 rebounds and assists. Again that was in 45 minutes. The average NBA player scores close to 19 points in 45 minutes. If Lebron is to be a great player he has to better than just below average. Game 4 was an unmitigated disaster: 8 points and at times I wasn't even sure he was on the floor.
The worst part about all of this is his attitude on the court. He can say in tweets and in front of the cameras about how it's now or never, and the team's back is against the wall, and it's the most important game of his career. His lips say that, his body says otherwise. He has no confidence. He doesn't want it to be his team. He has clearly given the reigns to Wade. Even in Game 5 when Wade went out hurt Lebron was passive. None of these are things a great will do. A great puts his body on the line for a championship. A great will bleed for the ring. A great does whatever it takes. There is only one great playing in Miami and that is Wade.
So, it is time for us to retire the nickname King James. These last 12 months we have learned that Lebron is not the great player we wanted him to be. He is not the second coming of His Airness. He is simply the most talented player ever who just wants to have fun, play with his friends, be loved by all, and be the subject of many highlight reel dunks and creative celebrations.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Amazing Turnaround
Many, many weeks ago I wrote about how bad The Office had gotten. It was disjointed, inconsistent, full of stories we didn't care about with characters in roles that didn't really interest or entertain. It got to the point where I doubted the show could survive without Steve Carell. That changed quickly.
The Michael Scott Farewell Tour ended with a bang. Almost as soon as Holly returned to Scranton (allowing the writers to drop the whole Andy/Gabe/Erin love triangle no one cared about) did the show not only dramatically increase in hilarity, but also it became more focused. The writers had to get from point A to point B which drove the main plot lines forward, often dragging all the secondary plots with them. As a result the comedy and overall feeling of satisfaction with each episode returned to levels we were used to.
What also helped was the use of secondary characters (i.e. the not Jim, Pam, Michael, Dwight). I already mentioned shoving the Andy/Erin/Gabe mess away. We got to see Andy in goofier bro-mode which, if you've seen the Hangover, Ed Helms shines in. We got to see much more of Daryl, Angela, Meredith, Creed, Ryan, and Kelly. We even got some great moments from Oscar, Erin, Stanley, and Phyllis. But I think it was Kevin and Creed who stole a lot of the great lines (it was as if the writers stumbled upon my post). Brian Baumgartner often had me laughing hysterically most notably in "PDA" where he delivered gems such as "Let me finish! I like it (Holly and Michael's PDA) because it makes me horny," and when Dwight has listed everyone who has had sex in the office and Kevin has added himself to the list someone asked him with whom his reply: "She goes to another school." Creed really shone the second half of the year, especially once he was made boss. It forced Pam back into her role of saboteur of the boss's ill-conceived plans, except this boss was even more clueless.
It was also really great to see Jim pull a long-con prank on Dwight that was in no way mean spirited, we haven't seen that in a while.
Finally, as sad as it was, Michael Scott's farewell to Scranton was really well done. The final episode especially highlighted just how deep and three dimensional the character really became. One minute he was totally aware of how stupid Oscar thinks he is, the next he was awkwardly telling Kevin to stop being fat. We got to see how the office really had become the family he never had, but now no longer needs. I can't praise the show enough for giving Michael the happy ending he deserved (even if it meant a horribly awkward, pointless, and distracting Will Ferrell extended cameo).
I hope the show can maintain the momentum it had leading up to the goodbye, or if the writers will fall back into a direction-less hit-or-miss style that took over the proceeding season and a half.
The Michael Scott Farewell Tour ended with a bang. Almost as soon as Holly returned to Scranton (allowing the writers to drop the whole Andy/Gabe/Erin love triangle no one cared about) did the show not only dramatically increase in hilarity, but also it became more focused. The writers had to get from point A to point B which drove the main plot lines forward, often dragging all the secondary plots with them. As a result the comedy and overall feeling of satisfaction with each episode returned to levels we were used to.
What also helped was the use of secondary characters (i.e. the not Jim, Pam, Michael, Dwight). I already mentioned shoving the Andy/Erin/Gabe mess away. We got to see Andy in goofier bro-mode which, if you've seen the Hangover, Ed Helms shines in. We got to see much more of Daryl, Angela, Meredith, Creed, Ryan, and Kelly. We even got some great moments from Oscar, Erin, Stanley, and Phyllis. But I think it was Kevin and Creed who stole a lot of the great lines (it was as if the writers stumbled upon my post). Brian Baumgartner often had me laughing hysterically most notably in "PDA" where he delivered gems such as "Let me finish! I like it (Holly and Michael's PDA) because it makes me horny," and when Dwight has listed everyone who has had sex in the office and Kevin has added himself to the list someone asked him with whom his reply: "She goes to another school." Creed really shone the second half of the year, especially once he was made boss. It forced Pam back into her role of saboteur of the boss's ill-conceived plans, except this boss was even more clueless.
It was also really great to see Jim pull a long-con prank on Dwight that was in no way mean spirited, we haven't seen that in a while.
Finally, as sad as it was, Michael Scott's farewell to Scranton was really well done. The final episode especially highlighted just how deep and three dimensional the character really became. One minute he was totally aware of how stupid Oscar thinks he is, the next he was awkwardly telling Kevin to stop being fat. We got to see how the office really had become the family he never had, but now no longer needs. I can't praise the show enough for giving Michael the happy ending he deserved (even if it meant a horribly awkward, pointless, and distracting Will Ferrell extended cameo).
I hope the show can maintain the momentum it had leading up to the goodbye, or if the writers will fall back into a direction-less hit-or-miss style that took over the proceeding season and a half.
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