DREAMS VS REALITY USA BASKETBALL 2012

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Evolution is inevitable. It’s human nature to increase efficiency as time progresses. A computer or automobile from 1992 can’t compete with a 2012 model, and neither can an athlete. This is as it should be. Without steady improvement in all fields how else could society advance? People were outraged when Kobe Bryant said his 2012 roster could beat 1992′s Dream Team but quite frankly he’s right! With the theory of evolution and advances made in sports science and nutrition over the past twenty years why wouldn’t the current team be better?
People get too caught up in the mystique and historical significance of the players that were on the Dream Team. Magic, Jordan, Bird, Pippen, Barkley represent the start of the “pro sports renaissance” that created the hundred-million dollar contract, endorsement driven market of today. To most fans these athletes symbolize the “golden era” of the sport, and this feeling manifests itself into the unrealistic belief that they’re unbeatable. Of course they won every game by forty points, the opposition was sub par! Remember, we only used professional players in 1992 because we didn’t win gold in 1988 when America was represented by college athletes. Nine out of ten times prior to that American amateurs won the gold. Somewhere along the line the rest of the world gradually narrowed the gap to a point where they could actually compete with the American pros.
The current international influence on the NBA is undeniable. In the past decade we’ve seen foreign born players like Tony Parker and Dirk Nowitzki win the NBA finals MVP. Some of the best players in the league are now actually from over seas, which drastically raises the level of talent for their respective countries. Players like Marc, and Pau Gasol, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Luis Scola, Jose Calderon, Loul Deng and the recently retired Yao Ming all played Olympic Basketball for a country other than the United States. While Team USA is still superior its obvious why some of the games in 2012 are more competitive then those of 1992.
No disrespect to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird but they were certainly past their prime by the time the Dream Team was assembled. I find it hard to believe they’d be able to keep up with Kevin Durant, Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony at this point in their career. John Stockton would look like a sacrificial lamb in front a point guard like Deron Williams or Russell Westbrook. The evolution of the sport has resulted in a league of “hybrid players”. A league where the guards are much larger and more athletic, and the big men faster and more multidimensional. Think of it as “Athletic Darwinism”; future generations naturally improve upon the talent level established by their predecessors. The same theory can be applied to the NFL with players like Cam Newton, Michael Vick, and Robert Griffin III who are athletically superior to the quarterbacks of the past. In order for them to be successful in today’s league they have to be! Freakishly gifted defensive players like DeMarcus Ware, and Julius Peppers make the immobile statuesque quarterbacks of yesteryear obsolete. (See Drew Bledsoe)
Even if you’re skeptical about the “Athletic Darwinism” theory and you still believe the 92 team was better you have to admit the Twenty Twelve-ers are more than capable of wining a hypothetical one game elimination scenario. If it were somehow possible for the two teams to meet in a gold medal game who’s to say Kobe doesn’t go off for eighty points? Or Lebron doesn’t have one of his forty point, seventeen rebound, thirteen assist performances? Truth is, they don’t need a legendary performance to win but anytime players of that caliber take the floor such a performance is a possibility. Kobe, Lebron, Durant are the evolved forms of Jordan, Magic, Bird. The talent level of the NBA will continue to increase as the game and its players continue to evolve, its human nature. And if the best players from the U.S. are chosen in 2032 they’ll most certainly be better than the 2012 team. Its okay to revere the players of the past but its ridiculous to think they set an unreachable precedent, that the last twenty years have been spent in regression rather than progression.

PUBLISHED 7/30/2012
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/dream-team-92-vs-2012_b_1704391.html

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Lebron’s Not The MVP

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Most Valuable Player to me means the player most significant to their team’s success. LeBron James won the award for the 2011-2012 season, marking the third time he’s taken the trophy in four years. Although this was his best season statistically there are other players whose individual contributions were more vital to their respective team’s success. The two previous times he’s won the award were during seasons of 60+ wins, and more importantly number one seeding for his Cleveland Cavaliers. Undoubtedly the team leader James was the only elite level player on the roster, single handedly leading them to the top of the conference. There’s no better reflection of LeBron’s impact on the team than its record the season he took his talents to South Beach. In 2010-2011 the Cavs went 19-63 ironically losing a record tying 23 consecutive games. It’s astonishing to think that one player could have so much impact on a franchise, but the Most Valuable Player can.

Although this current MVP season was statistically his best, the circumstances in which they were achieved lead me to question its credibility. It isn’t an award for best player, or best statistical season. Its for the player most important to maximizing his team’s potential. The Miami Heat finished second in the East to a Chicago Bulls team that played virtually half the year without 2010-2011 MVP Derrick Rose, not very impressive. Especially with one of the most talented rosters in league history. A roster that includes three of the top fifteen players in the league, an NCAA Championship MOP Mario Chalmers, a former three-point contest champion James Jones, and a perennial member of the NBA’s All-Defensive team in Shane Battier. With that roster a far lesser, non-MVP-caliber player could be interchanged with Lebron and achieve the same regular season success. I could easily see a team of Wade, Bosh and say Danny Granger being the number two seed in the Eastern Conference. Players like Joe Johnson, Luol Deng, or Rudy Gay could all be eligible candidates as well.

There’s no way someone on such a heavily talented team should be voted MVP. This season’s scoring champion Kevin Durant was irreplaceable for Oklahoma City. No one other than an all world MVP-caliber player could’ve led them to the second seed in the highly competitive Western Conference. At 33 years of age Kobe Bryant put together one of the most remarkable seasons in NBA history. In his sixteenth year after losing the greatest coach of all time, and tearing ligaments in his shooting wrist during the preseason Bryant still managed to
finish second in PPG leading the Lakers to the third best record in the conference. All this after the “Chris Paul Fiasco” divided his locker room and led to the departure of former Sixth-Man of the Year Lamar Odom. Tony Parker even led his wildly over-achieving San Antonio Spurs to the best record in the league, and are now the favorites to win the title. Not saying they’re better players, or even that they had better seasons, but they all played more of an essential role in their respective team’s success than Mr. James.

Most Valuable Player is an individual award but one’s supporting cast must be taken into consideration when voting. Finishing second in an inferior conference when you have one of the most dynamic rosters in history isn’t an MVP season to me. Lebron was most certainly worthy of the award, I just think the other candidates were a bit more deserving.

PUBLISHED 6/01/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/lebron-james-mvp-award_b_1551501.html

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BRIAN MCNAUGHTY

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Brian Mcknight, sit yo ass down! This attempted come back and “Adult Mixtape” was an epic fail! There isn’t anything wrong with trying to re-invent your image or sound but this is just down right terrible. “Let me show you how your pussy works??” Seriously? These lyrics from one of the best singer/songwriters of our era? I’m ashamed of you, Brian. Although I’m extremely thankful for the lifetime of laughter your viral video has provided me, HA!

The desperation to sell records is at an all time high but you can try harder bro. This song couldn’t be worse if you added rap verses and auto tunes. It sounds like your 1992 hit “One Last Cry”… if Uncle Luke rewrote the lyrics. Your music was already certified baby making material there’s no need to be X-rated. Its tacky, classless, and coming from you, Mr. McKnight, just feels
wrong. You added insult to injury by claiming the song was merely a “parody,” and blaming it on the boredom of being immobilized by an achilles injury. Please spare us the lame excuses, this was undoubtedly a serious attempt at a comeback. The sad part is that with the current state of R&B you’d probably be rather successful if you just stayed in your lane.

In this age of techno-pop and Rap&B, some classic Brian McKnight would be quite refreshing. Unless you’re making an appearance on Saturday Night Live in the near future this should be the first and last release from your “Adult Mixtape.” I’m sorry but a “Brian McKnight Mixtape” sounds like an oxymoron in itself. You’re a legend dude, don’t tarnish your legacy with the likes of this.

PUBLISHED 5/4/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOT.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/brian-mcknight-adult-mixtape_b_1469777.html

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G.O.O.D. MUSIC’S DREAM TEAM

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

G.O.O.D. Music is on the verge of forming Voltron. With members Big Sean, Common, Pusha T, John Legend, Kid Cudi and captain Kanye West they’ve already solidified themselves as one of if not the best crew in hip hop. Recently rumors of 2Chainz joining the already star studded team have surfaced, sending waves of panic throughout the industry. The artist formerly known as Tity Boy is hands down the hottest rapper in the game. A partnership with he and a super producer like Kanye is a recipe for classic material. Rumors of their newly formed partnership surfaced when the two appeared together on 106&Park following the release of their new single “Mercy”. Chainz’ debut album is set to be released August 14 through Def Jam Records, but the world is desperately praying for a G.O.O.D. Music affiliation as well.

With the game presently being dominated by the “crew” every label is frantically competing to acquire the most talent in order to assemble the most formidable roster. Lil Waynes YMCMB and Maybach Music Group lead by Rick Ross have been at the forefront of the trend. Between Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga, Rozay, Meek Mill, Wale, and Stalley the charts and air waves have been
completely monopolized in 2012. G.O.O.D. Is now joining the arms race and attempting to drop a nuke on the competition by acquiring the biggest free agent in the industry! Kanye is the greatest hip hop producer of all time, Big Sean and Pusha T are two of the best lyricists in the game, and Common is a living legend, adding 2Chainz would make this something reminiscent of 90′s Death Row. Its like Lebron James going to the Lakers, or Peyton Manning going to the Cowboys! Its just unfair! How can other labels compete with that level of quality?

For hip-hop’s sake I’m hoping the rumors are truuuuuuuu! Quality rap music is few and far between these days but a union of this magnitude has endless possibilities. After getting a sample of the greatness on “Mercy” the whole word is patiently waiting for more of the classic material. From the looks of it Its gonna be a G.O.O.D. summer!

PUBLISHED 5/1/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/good-music-kanye_b_1451087.html

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NO JUSTICE FOR METTA WORLD PEACE

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

Rodman, Oakley, Laimbeer, Artest, NBA players you do not mess with. This is common knowledge to NBA fans and especially to the players. The elbow from Metta World Peace to the head of James Harden was brutal to say the least but blame can not be fully placed on Artest. Although he has a history of on and off court altercations he’s been a model citizen since joining the Lakers three years ago. No longer resulting in controversy on the court he still approaches every game with the fierceness and intensity that makes him one of the best defenders of all time. Unfortunately in this case his dark past is coming back to haunt him.

“Chippy” is a good word to describe the Oklahoma City Thunder. Players like Kendrick Perkins, James Harden, and Russel Westbrook continuously use subtly abrasive tactics to gain a psychological competitive edge on their opponents. Rightfully so, the game is eighty percent mental so any advantage gained in that regard is priceless. Trash talking, holding, fouling, even something as minuscule as momentarily impeding someone’s progress can be used to agitate an opponent. A late season game against a conference rival like the Los Angeles
Lakers is like adding fuel to this inferno.

After twenty two minutes of incident free basketball, following a thunderous tomahawk dunk and trademark “chest-beating” celebration Metta World Peace hit James Harden with an unintentional elbow to the head. The replay clearly shows his progress down court is purposely being impeded by Harden in an attempt to interrupt his celebration. If you watch closely you can also see Artest never makes eye contact with Harden and is blindly swinging his arm to free himself and continue down court. I’m not condoning throwing elbows, but when you purposely antagonize someone especially someone with a no nonsense personality like Ron Artest you must be prepared for the consequences. The adrenaline rush following the dunk and enthusiastic celebration are the reason for the force in which he swung. The elbow wasn’t given with intent to injure, he was merely attempting to create space.

Had the elbow connected six inches lower to the shoulder rather than the head it wouldn’t have even been called a personal foul. However, it did connect to the head resulting in a concussion, so the flagrant-two and seven game suspensions are warranted. What isn’t warranted is the ridiculous backlash against Artest on social networks and in the media. Suggesting that he should be suspended for an entire season or kicked out of the league is utterly ridiculous. This was a mistake. Basketball is an extremely physical and emotional sport. Altercations will happen and people will get hurt, its inevitable! The attempts to ostracize the man who’s been such an ambassador for mental health awareness are just ignorant and mean spirited. He was removed from the game, he’s been suspended, now leave him be. Stop allowing your Laker-hate to cloud your better judgment.

PUBLISHED 4/30/12
CHECK IT OUT OF HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/ron-artest-metta-world-peace_b_1451052.html

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THANK BASED GOD

October 21, 2013 by carnegiekid No Comment

The Based God is legendary. Revolutionary, iconic, and prolific to say the least, he’s quickly become one of the most polarizing figures in hip hop. His “Based” movement that started in Berkeley, California has now reached the east coast, and even over seas. Controversial lyrics like “bitches on my dick cause I look like Jesus Christ” consistently make him a topic of discussion on the hip hop gossip sites. With over 400,000 twitter followers and millions of youtube views it doesn’t seem like we’ll be getting rid of Lil Boss anytime soon.

Brandon McCartney, more commonly known as Lil B, has created an innovative new style of rap more similar to that of spoken word. Following a “stream of consciousness” type of flow he freestyles over instrumentals conveying his most honest and sincerest emotions. This avant-garde approach to rap has resulted in a large cult like following for the California MC. To appease the Based God and show their undying devotion daily “girlfriend offerings” are made by fans via twitter and even during live performances (this actually happens). Stemming from
an alib in his hit “Wonton Soup” this, like many other Based God lyrics, has taken on a life of its own.

Its remarkable that an unsigned artist could generate so much interest with the current state of the industry. With no famous guest appearances, radio spins, or backing from a major label, Lil B has still managed to develop an internet following large enough to keep him touring everywhere from L.A. to the U.K. Since 2011 his tireless work ethic has produced an unprecedented ten mixtapes. In an era where it seems quantity is more valuable than quality that stat alone is grounds enough for major respect. But make no mistake Lil B’s music is most certainly quality, actually it is of the highest. Its just hard for some to accept that he doesn’t fit into the traditional parameters of what a rapper should be. He raps about being broke, calls himself a bitch, and even had the audacity to entitle an album I’m Gay. Way too outlandish for many hip-hop purists to co-sign, but isn’t that the essence of the culture itself; new innovative methods of self expression without any rules to stifle your creativity?

Based God represents the future. Whether its his music or the lane the music is creating his impact will be revolutionary. He’s continuously pushed the boundaries of subject matter with songs about domestic violence, Aids, cancer, gang violence and many other topics rap artists are too afraid to address. Along with his radical delivery and style of dress he’s become a pioneer of the “new age” of hip hop. Although multi-platinum mainstream success may never be a reality for this McCartney, for future generations his influence will be undeniable.

The Based God is legendary. Revolutionary, iconic, and prolific to say the least, he’s quickly become one of the most polarizing figures in hip hop. His “Based” movement that started in Berkeley, California has now reached the east coast, and even over seas. Controversial lyrics like “bitches on my dick cause I look like Jesus Christ” consistently make him a topic of discussion on the hip hop gossip sites. With over 400,000 twitter followers and millions of youtube views it doesn’t seem like we’ll be getting rid of Lil Boss anytime soon.

Brandon McCartney, more commonly known as Lil B, has created an innovative new style of rap more similar to that of spoken word. Following a “stream of consciousness” type of flow he freestyles over instrumentals conveying his most honest and sincerest emotions. This avant-garde approach to rap has resulted in a large cult like following for the California MC. To appease the Based God and show their undying devotion daily “girlfriend offerings” are made by fans via twitter and even during live performances (this actually happens). Stemming from
an alib in his hit “Wonton Soup” this, like many other Based God lyrics, has taken on a life of its own.

Its remarkable that an unsigned artist could generate so much interest with the current state of the industry. With no famous guest appearances, radio spins, or backing from a major label, Lil B has still managed to develop an internet following large enough to keep him touring everywhere from L.A. to the U.K. Since 2011 his tireless work ethic has produced an unprecedented ten mixtapes. In an era where it seems quantity is more valuable than quality that stat alone is grounds enough for major respect. But make no mistake Lil B’s music is most certainly quality, actually it is of the highest. Its just hard for some to accept that he doesn’t fit into the traditional parameters of what a rapper should be. He raps about being broke, calls himself a bitch, and even had the audacity to entitle an album I’m Gay. Way too outlandish for many hip-hop purists to co-sign, but isn’t that the essence of the culture itself; new innovative methods of self expression without any rules to stifle your creativity?

Based God represents the future. Whether its his music or the lane the music is creating his impact will be revolutionary. He’s continuously pushed the boundaries of subject matter with songs about domestic violence, Aids, cancer, gang violence and many other topics rap artists are too afraid to address. Along with his radical delivery and style of dress he’s become a pioneer of the “new age” of hip hop. Although multi-platinum mainstream success may never be a reality for this McCartney, for future generations his influence will be undeniable.

PUBLISHED 3/29/12
CHECK IT OUT ON HUFFINGTONPOST.COM – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sharief-easterling/based-god-music_b_1381566.html

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