Spmusic Mondays (On Tuesday): Can You Dig It?
(1 Cent): Reviewing My Team USA Predictions …
So, on Friday, August 4th’s Grab Bag I gave my little assessment of USA’s basketball team and who I thought should be on (and off) the team. Since then, the U.S. has played 4 exhibition games, going 4-0 (including 2 HUGE blowouts of Puerto Rico and China, a nail biter against Brazil, and then another big win against Lithuania). I then listed the 3 players of the remaining 15 that should/needed to be cut: Amare Stoudemire because of his injury (which was already happening), Bruce Bowen because, well, he’s Bruce Bowen, and Shane Battier because there were already players ahead of him for the same position and it’d basically be quadrupling up. Well, as of yesterday (?) PG Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards pulled his groin (ouch) and will not be able to participate in the World Championships. So, basically, that leaves only 13 healthy players left and only one “cut” to make.
Do I even have to say anything more? You’re right; I will anyway. Please, OH PLEASE, leave Bruce Bowen off the roster. I think the only highlight I saw of Bowen was waving a towel in celebration after one of LeBron’s dunks. If that’s what he’s going to do, then let him travel with the team, but not be an available player. It’s so simple.
Now about the team … I kind of like the way that Coach K is changing up the starting line-up every game. Someone from ESPN.com (Chris Sheridan from the “Insider”) said in one of his recent articles that he thinks it’s a mistake not having a consistent starting line-up every game, because it will deny the U.S. from chemistry, cohesion, and continuity (yes, a lot of “C” words). Although I somewhat agree with those points, I find that switching the starting five can have some strong benefits:
1): With this USA team, all the players are superstars, all-stars, or starters for their NBA teams. They all are capable of starting (don’t make me type “except Bowen” again) and are even used of starting. If you keep switching it up, it means the coaching staff isn’t playing favorites which could/can/will keep the “team” concept in the forefront.
2): In this tournament, if you always have a different starting five, how will the other teams be able to fully prepare for us defensively? If the opposition doesn’t know who will be starting, I don’t think they’ll be able to match up against us as well as they would like to. Is the U.S. going small? Going big? Starting with shooters? Starting with a low post game? Who knows, sucka?!
3): I feel that always having a different starting five builds a different type of chemistry – it means that all players are used to playing with all teammates in various aspects of the game. What if you always had a starting 5, then in the championship game you had D. Wade foul out and Joe Johnson had to come in … and since Joe’s always been on the second unit, he hasn’t played in certain game situations (let alone pressure situations) with the rest of the “starters.” There might be some timing of plays that could mean the game. If you have practiced, started, and played with every other teammate equally, then I think that could build better continuity.
So, there. That’s what I think. Time will tell and prove who’s right (fingers crossed it’s me).
(2 Cent): Busta’s Big Bang
As Danny G mentioned last Friday in the Grab Bag session, Busta Rhymes had come out with a CD titled “The Big Bang.” He said it hasn’t left his CD player since he’s purchased it and rightfully so … it is by far his best collection of songs on any of his CD’s.
There’s never been a doubt of Busta’s rap skills – he’s always one of the first rappers wanted for any sort of remix, not to mention the many hit singles he’s had over the years. To me, his past CD’s have been a compilation of hit singles and below average songs (beats). This time around in “The Big Bang” he has none other than Dr. Dre overseeing the executive production and I feel it made the difference. Busta’s skills along with Dr. Dre’s vision made for one of the strongest CD’s of the year. There’s no filler songs, most likely because of the great producers for individual songs (i.e. said artist Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Will.I.Am, Erick Sermon, DJ Scratch, Jellyroll, etcetera).
Overall, this CD is Busta Rhymes’ best work – all the songs sound different; there are party songs, ghetto ballads, and everything in between. The only thing missing would be the “Touch It Remix” which you can buy on iTunes or something. Even without that song, you can play it all the way through (except maybe the last song, which is some sort of Outro song without the label “Outro”). This is a can’t miss.
**My Top 5 Songs** (in no particular order)
1): “How We Do It Over Here” (Featuring Missy Elliott) … Even before this cut made it to the radio, I was loving this beat … a really raw beat (thanks to Dr. Dre) and it has a nice touch with Missy on the hook … even better if you have subs in your car.
2): “Don’t Get Carried Away” (Featuring NaS) … Another Dr. Dre produced track, this one hits hard and there’s no disputing two of the living legends of Rap on one song … just makes you feel like something BIG is coming … the orchestra in the background is an awesome touch.
3): “Cocaina” (Featuring Marsha of Floetry) … It’s pretty much coincidence that the third song is another Dr. Dre produced song (isn’t it?) but this is just a nice little beat that makes you just bob your head … I really like the piano melody in the background … my favorite part of the song is at the end with Marsha’s little cameo singing … I rewind it just for that part.
4): “In The Ghetto” (Featuring Rick James) … I mean, how can it not be a hit with the late, great Rick James on it? A very different sounding song (especially the hook), but it has a catchiness to it that is undeniable … the point that solidifies this as a hit is at the end of the song, R.J. says, “Never mind who you thought I was … I’m Rick James!” R.I.P.
5): “Been Through The Storm” (Featuring Stevie Wonder) … Again, another different sounding song (from the hard hitting tracks), but flows so well … a very strong message by Busta … Stevie on the hook is priceless.
Again, I’m trying not to review the songs on the radio ... doesn’t mean I didn’t like “Touch It”, “I Love My Chick”, or “New York Ish” … “The Big Bang” is just that – a big banger!
**My Rating: 9 out of 10 … it could be because I have every single Busta Rhymes CD and am a big fan … it could also be because every song is above average (except the last song I mentioned previously) … or it could have something to do with me listening to it for about 2 straight weeks in my car without getting tired of it … any way you slice it, a superb Hip Hop CD.
(1/2 Cent): Ask Away
No topic will be turned away! Whether it’s sports, music, your dog, your life … ask away! Write to HCP2007@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to respond!
For the next music review, I’ll give a couple hints … he was found by Eminem, is on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records (Shady Records), is releasing his 2nd CD, and has the line, “Real name, no gimmicks!”
Check back this Thursday for another round of my pet peeves!
Oh, for those wondering at home ... last Thursday my (our) softball team won 11-1. We thrashed them with 7 runs in the first and they never recovered. I had another 3 for 3 game (with a 2 RBI double) but I batted 7th! 7th!?! If we did not win, I would've had something to say to the "captain." Since we did, I just joked it off (i.e. I asked him, "What do I have to do to bat 3rd again? Go 4 for 3?!?). So, now we're 1-1, which is better than 0-2. Really, it is. Do the math.
HCP
Team Stats: (1-1) ... Last Game = 11-1
HCP Game Stats: AB = 3, R = 0, H = 3, 2B = 1, 3B = 0, HR = 0, RBI = 2, BA = 1.000
HCP Season Stats: AB = 6, R = 0, H = 6, 2B = 1, 3B = 0, HR = 0, RBI = 4, BA = 1.000
So, on Friday, August 4th’s Grab Bag I gave my little assessment of USA’s basketball team and who I thought should be on (and off) the team. Since then, the U.S. has played 4 exhibition games, going 4-0 (including 2 HUGE blowouts of Puerto Rico and China, a nail biter against Brazil, and then another big win against Lithuania). I then listed the 3 players of the remaining 15 that should/needed to be cut: Amare Stoudemire because of his injury (which was already happening), Bruce Bowen because, well, he’s Bruce Bowen, and Shane Battier because there were already players ahead of him for the same position and it’d basically be quadrupling up. Well, as of yesterday (?) PG Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards pulled his groin (ouch) and will not be able to participate in the World Championships. So, basically, that leaves only 13 healthy players left and only one “cut” to make.
Do I even have to say anything more? You’re right; I will anyway. Please, OH PLEASE, leave Bruce Bowen off the roster. I think the only highlight I saw of Bowen was waving a towel in celebration after one of LeBron’s dunks. If that’s what he’s going to do, then let him travel with the team, but not be an available player. It’s so simple.
Now about the team … I kind of like the way that Coach K is changing up the starting line-up every game. Someone from ESPN.com (Chris Sheridan from the “Insider”) said in one of his recent articles that he thinks it’s a mistake not having a consistent starting line-up every game, because it will deny the U.S. from chemistry, cohesion, and continuity (yes, a lot of “C” words). Although I somewhat agree with those points, I find that switching the starting five can have some strong benefits:
1): With this USA team, all the players are superstars, all-stars, or starters for their NBA teams. They all are capable of starting (don’t make me type “except Bowen” again) and are even used of starting. If you keep switching it up, it means the coaching staff isn’t playing favorites which could/can/will keep the “team” concept in the forefront.
2): In this tournament, if you always have a different starting five, how will the other teams be able to fully prepare for us defensively? If the opposition doesn’t know who will be starting, I don’t think they’ll be able to match up against us as well as they would like to. Is the U.S. going small? Going big? Starting with shooters? Starting with a low post game? Who knows, sucka?!
3): I feel that always having a different starting five builds a different type of chemistry – it means that all players are used to playing with all teammates in various aspects of the game. What if you always had a starting 5, then in the championship game you had D. Wade foul out and Joe Johnson had to come in … and since Joe’s always been on the second unit, he hasn’t played in certain game situations (let alone pressure situations) with the rest of the “starters.” There might be some timing of plays that could mean the game. If you have practiced, started, and played with every other teammate equally, then I think that could build better continuity.
So, there. That’s what I think. Time will tell and prove who’s right (fingers crossed it’s me).
(2 Cent): Busta’s Big Bang
As Danny G mentioned last Friday in the Grab Bag session, Busta Rhymes had come out with a CD titled “The Big Bang.” He said it hasn’t left his CD player since he’s purchased it and rightfully so … it is by far his best collection of songs on any of his CD’s.
There’s never been a doubt of Busta’s rap skills – he’s always one of the first rappers wanted for any sort of remix, not to mention the many hit singles he’s had over the years. To me, his past CD’s have been a compilation of hit singles and below average songs (beats). This time around in “The Big Bang” he has none other than Dr. Dre overseeing the executive production and I feel it made the difference. Busta’s skills along with Dr. Dre’s vision made for one of the strongest CD’s of the year. There’s no filler songs, most likely because of the great producers for individual songs (i.e. said artist Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Will.I.Am, Erick Sermon, DJ Scratch, Jellyroll, etcetera).
Overall, this CD is Busta Rhymes’ best work – all the songs sound different; there are party songs, ghetto ballads, and everything in between. The only thing missing would be the “Touch It Remix” which you can buy on iTunes or something. Even without that song, you can play it all the way through (except maybe the last song, which is some sort of Outro song without the label “Outro”). This is a can’t miss.
**My Top 5 Songs** (in no particular order)
1): “How We Do It Over Here” (Featuring Missy Elliott) … Even before this cut made it to the radio, I was loving this beat … a really raw beat (thanks to Dr. Dre) and it has a nice touch with Missy on the hook … even better if you have subs in your car.
2): “Don’t Get Carried Away” (Featuring NaS) … Another Dr. Dre produced track, this one hits hard and there’s no disputing two of the living legends of Rap on one song … just makes you feel like something BIG is coming … the orchestra in the background is an awesome touch.
3): “Cocaina” (Featuring Marsha of Floetry) … It’s pretty much coincidence that the third song is another Dr. Dre produced song (isn’t it?) but this is just a nice little beat that makes you just bob your head … I really like the piano melody in the background … my favorite part of the song is at the end with Marsha’s little cameo singing … I rewind it just for that part.
4): “In The Ghetto” (Featuring Rick James) … I mean, how can it not be a hit with the late, great Rick James on it? A very different sounding song (especially the hook), but it has a catchiness to it that is undeniable … the point that solidifies this as a hit is at the end of the song, R.J. says, “Never mind who you thought I was … I’m Rick James!” R.I.P.
5): “Been Through The Storm” (Featuring Stevie Wonder) … Again, another different sounding song (from the hard hitting tracks), but flows so well … a very strong message by Busta … Stevie on the hook is priceless.
Again, I’m trying not to review the songs on the radio ... doesn’t mean I didn’t like “Touch It”, “I Love My Chick”, or “New York Ish” … “The Big Bang” is just that – a big banger!
**My Rating: 9 out of 10 … it could be because I have every single Busta Rhymes CD and am a big fan … it could also be because every song is above average (except the last song I mentioned previously) … or it could have something to do with me listening to it for about 2 straight weeks in my car without getting tired of it … any way you slice it, a superb Hip Hop CD.
(1/2 Cent): Ask Away
No topic will be turned away! Whether it’s sports, music, your dog, your life … ask away! Write to HCP2007@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to respond!
For the next music review, I’ll give a couple hints … he was found by Eminem, is on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records (Shady Records), is releasing his 2nd CD, and has the line, “Real name, no gimmicks!”
Check back this Thursday for another round of my pet peeves!
Oh, for those wondering at home ... last Thursday my (our) softball team won 11-1. We thrashed them with 7 runs in the first and they never recovered. I had another 3 for 3 game (with a 2 RBI double) but I batted 7th! 7th!?! If we did not win, I would've had something to say to the "captain." Since we did, I just joked it off (i.e. I asked him, "What do I have to do to bat 3rd again? Go 4 for 3?!?). So, now we're 1-1, which is better than 0-2. Really, it is. Do the math.
HCP
Team Stats: (1-1) ... Last Game = 11-1
HCP Game Stats: AB = 3, R = 0, H = 3, 2B = 1, 3B = 0, HR = 0, RBI = 2, BA = 1.000
HCP Season Stats: AB = 6, R = 0, H = 6, 2B = 1, 3B = 0, HR = 0, RBI = 4, BA = 1.000
posted by HCP @ 1:12 PM
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