Tuesday, May 17, 2011
More Speculation on Barney's Bride
I have come up with new clues as to whom the bride could be. First, what challenge was Barney accepting? It would make sense that Barney is accepting the challenge his father gave him. In this scene, Barney admits that he may have met the girl of his dreams already, but was very regretful while saying it. Barney seemed to have a mutual breakup with Robin, but he could have certainly regretted his decision. But it seems that he would regret his inaction with Nora more. The challenge for Barney was that Barney had to find the girl of his dreams, and when he sets up a date with Nora, he accepts this challenge. But, in that same scene, the HIMYM geniuses give us a little misdirection with Robin's longing stare towards Barney. Second, you have the mantra the new is always better, but is it? Barney and Robin (kinda) agree that new is better, and reaffirm it by Barney returning to his past. Something is off with that statement, and I think that Barney will realize that old is sometimes better. But which past girlfriend will he choose? Nora or Robin? Lastly, did it look like Lily was wearing a dress fit for the maid of honor? Though the series would say otherwise, I doubt that Robin would not have Lily as the maid of honor, though she promised Ted to make him the best man. Barney would undoubtedly have Ted as the best man, as shown by years and years of saying that Ted is his best friend. So Barney's best man is his best friend. Robin's maid of honor should hypothetically be Lily. Lily was wearing a bright pink dress, so I believe that she may have been one of the bridesmaid. I have never actually known the difference between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid by appearance, but it did not look like Lily was the maid of honor. But, that is just my opinion, and my fashion compass may be uncalibrated, so it could have very well been that Lily actually was the maid of honor. As reference, Robin was wearing a lilac dress of comparable length when Robin was the maid of honor at Lily's wedding. Also a nice side note, how awesome would it be if James's father Father Sam were to officiate the wedding. That would be the second wedding this show has had a officiator with a Stinson connection. Now I really can't wait for next season. I still hope that Nora is the bride, but I would not be disappointed if Robin was. Hopefully the show creators won't throw a random person as the bride because as of this point, everyone is expecting either a Barney-Nora or Barney-Robin marriage.
Monday, May 16, 2011
So How About How I Met Your Mother Season Finale?
I just watched the How I Met Your Mother season finale, and I could say that I am very content in how the season ended. The season began rather poorly, but after the hiatus, they just hit the episodes out of the park. This has been some of their best episodes yet, and they will continue improving from what it seems. Just to recap, Lily is pregnant, Ted is single, and Barney is getting married. More on that in a sec.
So Marshall was right about his year. He had a horrible year, that started with losing his father and it seemed like it would end with him without a job. But Lily, despite her supposed food poisoning, was hiding a secret. She was pregnant. How about a way to end a season? The entire season was supposed to be based on the fact that Lily and Marshall were having a baby, and though it was cliched (and expected, just ask the people watching with me) to have this breakthrough at the end of the season, it seems like the perfect thing for HIMYM to do. This show thrives because it shows growth. It tells a heartfelt story within a story. This pregnancy will do wonders for HIMYM. Which reminds me, what should they name their baby?
Ted is single, which is huge. That means that the next girlfriend that Ted has will likely be the mother. I am anticipating how they reveal the mother. They did almost reveal the mother as a random woman in a coffee shop, but just another psych-out moment for HIMYM. But I guarantee you that Ted's next major relationship will be his last. I hope that they reveal the end of the series. It does not seem right to reveal the mother mid-story and then continue to tell the story about how they got married and so on and so forth. But, just watch out for Ted's next date. If he tells a corny shellfish joke, we have our mother.
Barney is getting married, which is a major step for our favorite Lothario. In my opinion, this character change in Barney culminated from meeting his father, who told him that the best step to having a better life is finding the right person. Now, the question is who is this person? Barney and Robin definitely grew closer to each other at the end of this episode. Robin, especially, seemed to have rekindled a lost flame that she had for Barney. But Barney, though probably still filled with feelings for Robin, also wanted to rekindle an old flame by the name of Nora. Nora has returned and she has challenged Barney. Now I get to play a prediction game. Will Barney's wife be Robin or Nora? From this episode, it could go either way. You have Nora agreeing to meet Barney for coffee, but we never know if Nora goes through with it. You also have Robin's longing look towards Barney after he asks Nora on a date. Both have shown signs of interest in Barney, but only one of their dreams will come true. Even in the wedding, they made sure not to reveal any details. Barney is the groom, but we never meet the bride. We got to see Marshall, Ted, and Lily, but where is Robin? Robin would certainly be at Barney's wedding, so why is she not out there with Ted? So there is valid reason that she is the bride. But we know that Barney is pursuing a relationship with Nora. And Robin does not seem to be pursuing Barney. So we are led to believe that Nora is the bride. But HIMYM people are tricky and they will not shy for the surprise ending, so it could also very well be that Robin is the bride, through similar logic. Just judging throughout the series, it is interesting that Ted refers to his friends as Uncle Barney and Aunt Robin as well as Uncle Marshall and Aunt Lily. It implies that there could be a marital relationship between Barney and Robin simply because of the names given to the already married couple of Marshall and Lily. But what about Robin's crush? I think that show has caught itself in a bind if they want to prolong the will-they-won't-they of Barney and Robin by introducing this crush and stating that he will come back again in the future. Does that mean Barney and Robin won't get married? No. But it definitely will mess up with the storyline going forward. So I guess (and hope) that Barney marries Nora. I think that Robin likes Barney, but nowhere near the extent that Barney loves Nora. When they broke up, they made one very important observation. They could not maintain the relationship because they were better as friends than they were as boyfriend and girlfriend. You heard it here. Barney will marry Nora. And now I can't wait for the next season of HIMYM.
So Marshall was right about his year. He had a horrible year, that started with losing his father and it seemed like it would end with him without a job. But Lily, despite her supposed food poisoning, was hiding a secret. She was pregnant. How about a way to end a season? The entire season was supposed to be based on the fact that Lily and Marshall were having a baby, and though it was cliched (and expected, just ask the people watching with me) to have this breakthrough at the end of the season, it seems like the perfect thing for HIMYM to do. This show thrives because it shows growth. It tells a heartfelt story within a story. This pregnancy will do wonders for HIMYM. Which reminds me, what should they name their baby?
Ted is single, which is huge. That means that the next girlfriend that Ted has will likely be the mother. I am anticipating how they reveal the mother. They did almost reveal the mother as a random woman in a coffee shop, but just another psych-out moment for HIMYM. But I guarantee you that Ted's next major relationship will be his last. I hope that they reveal the end of the series. It does not seem right to reveal the mother mid-story and then continue to tell the story about how they got married and so on and so forth. But, just watch out for Ted's next date. If he tells a corny shellfish joke, we have our mother.
Barney is getting married, which is a major step for our favorite Lothario. In my opinion, this character change in Barney culminated from meeting his father, who told him that the best step to having a better life is finding the right person. Now, the question is who is this person? Barney and Robin definitely grew closer to each other at the end of this episode. Robin, especially, seemed to have rekindled a lost flame that she had for Barney. But Barney, though probably still filled with feelings for Robin, also wanted to rekindle an old flame by the name of Nora. Nora has returned and she has challenged Barney. Now I get to play a prediction game. Will Barney's wife be Robin or Nora? From this episode, it could go either way. You have Nora agreeing to meet Barney for coffee, but we never know if Nora goes through with it. You also have Robin's longing look towards Barney after he asks Nora on a date. Both have shown signs of interest in Barney, but only one of their dreams will come true. Even in the wedding, they made sure not to reveal any details. Barney is the groom, but we never meet the bride. We got to see Marshall, Ted, and Lily, but where is Robin? Robin would certainly be at Barney's wedding, so why is she not out there with Ted? So there is valid reason that she is the bride. But we know that Barney is pursuing a relationship with Nora. And Robin does not seem to be pursuing Barney. So we are led to believe that Nora is the bride. But HIMYM people are tricky and they will not shy for the surprise ending, so it could also very well be that Robin is the bride, through similar logic. Just judging throughout the series, it is interesting that Ted refers to his friends as Uncle Barney and Aunt Robin as well as Uncle Marshall and Aunt Lily. It implies that there could be a marital relationship between Barney and Robin simply because of the names given to the already married couple of Marshall and Lily. But what about Robin's crush? I think that show has caught itself in a bind if they want to prolong the will-they-won't-they of Barney and Robin by introducing this crush and stating that he will come back again in the future. Does that mean Barney and Robin won't get married? No. But it definitely will mess up with the storyline going forward. So I guess (and hope) that Barney marries Nora. I think that Robin likes Barney, but nowhere near the extent that Barney loves Nora. When they broke up, they made one very important observation. They could not maintain the relationship because they were better as friends than they were as boyfriend and girlfriend. You heard it here. Barney will marry Nora. And now I can't wait for the next season of HIMYM.
Western Conference Finals Preview
With the Eastern Conference Finals in full blow, we take our tour down to Dallas, where tomorrow will be the start of the Western Conference Finals between #3 Dallas Mavericks and #4 Oklahoma City Thunder.
Center: Tyson Chandler vs. Kendrick Perkins
Contrary to popular belief, the Perkins trade helped the Thunder not because of Perkins' presence, but because of Serge Ibaka's new role in the offense and defense. I am not taking anything away from Perkins because it was a great trade for the Thunder. It is a great trade for different reasons. Both Chandler and Perkins are defensive and rebounding specialists. Both are very good on the offensive and defensive glass, but they are also limited offensively. Chandler has the athletic edge, but Perkins has the strength. Advantage: Draw
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki vs. Serge Ibaka
Ibaka has been a revelation. He has good range on his jump shot, can rebound very well on both sides of the floor, and is a blocking machine. Unfortunately, he has to line up across from the best power forward in the game right now (arguably). Nowitzki has been a nightmare to guard, and though Ibaka will need help, Nowitzki can beat most players. He has a soft touch from the outside, is very difficult to guard in the high pick and roll, and commands too much attention to be left even the slightest bit open. Advantage: Dallas
Small Forward: Shawn Marion vs. Kevin Durant
Marion used to be a feared double-double threat. He is a good defender that can run in transition. But he has yet to cover as dynamic of a scorer as Durant. Durant has one of the sweetest touches from the outside, and he is strong enough and fast enough to burn you on the inside. He does have some holes defensively, but the Thunder run a fast game, which is something where a hot jump shooter like Durant excels. He is good on the glass, and knows when and how to make the extra pass. If only he took the most shots in each game, then the Thunder would be a menace. Advantage: Oklahoma City
Shooting Guard: DeShawn Stevenson vs. Thabo Sefolosha
Granted, the starters aren't nearly as interesting as their respective bench players (Jason Terry and James Harden), but it will be an interesting lineup nonetheless. Stevenson is a shooter with defense. Sefolosha is a hard-nosed defender with some comparable speed. This position will not determine who wins the series, and it really is the most boring and uninteresting position in the starting lineup. Advantage: Draw
Point Guard: Jason Kidd vs. Russell Westbrook
General knowledge says that Westbrook has the advantage here. But I'm going to go against the grain on my choice here. I believe that though Westbrook is faster and a better scorer than Kidd, I think that Kidd will overall have an advantage. Kidd is a good defender (if you doubt that, look at what he did against Kobe Bryant), and will force Westbrook to take shots that he will (but shouldn't) take. Westbrook is too trigger happy with his jumper, especially considering his options on offense. Will Kidd have a difficult time guarding Westbrook? Yes, he will. But Kidd is wily, and with options like Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Peja Stojakovic on his team, he will be even more deadly as a distributor. Advantage: Dallas
Bench:
The Dallas bench and Oklahoma City bench are both stacked. On the Mavs, you have great scorers like Stojakovic and 2009 Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry. But, you face a similar problem with the Thunder who have shooters like James Harden and Daequan Cook. On the Mavs, you have a good defender and speedy point guard with J.J. Barea. But on the Thunder, you have an able distributor with a nice touch from beyond the arc with Eric Maynor. The Mavs have a good back up center with Brendan Haywood, but the Thunder counter that with another veteran in Nazr Mohammed. The real wild card is Nick Collison, who will likely have the challenge of guarding Nowitzki. But, these teams have evenly matched benches that are very productive. Advantage: Draw
Coach: Rick Carlisle vs. Scott Brooks
Carlisle has the experience, having been in the conference finals twice. Neither team has truly exceptional offensive or defensive schemes. Experience wins over in this scenario. Advantage: Dallas
Intangibles:
No one is playing as good as Nowitzki (arguably). But Durant can turn it up on any given night. But the Thunder are going to be tired from their last bruising series against the Grizzlies. The Thunder are also under a lot more scrutiny (it seems) compared to the Mavs. Advantage: Dallas
Prediction:
The Thunder have looked unstoppable at times, but they also have horrendous lows. Dallas has been extremely consistent, especially in their spanking of the LA Lakers. Expect them to ride Nowitzki to the NBA Finals. I predict that the Mavericks win this series in 6 and advance to the NBA Finals.
Center: Tyson Chandler vs. Kendrick Perkins
Contrary to popular belief, the Perkins trade helped the Thunder not because of Perkins' presence, but because of Serge Ibaka's new role in the offense and defense. I am not taking anything away from Perkins because it was a great trade for the Thunder. It is a great trade for different reasons. Both Chandler and Perkins are defensive and rebounding specialists. Both are very good on the offensive and defensive glass, but they are also limited offensively. Chandler has the athletic edge, but Perkins has the strength. Advantage: Draw
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki vs. Serge Ibaka
Ibaka has been a revelation. He has good range on his jump shot, can rebound very well on both sides of the floor, and is a blocking machine. Unfortunately, he has to line up across from the best power forward in the game right now (arguably). Nowitzki has been a nightmare to guard, and though Ibaka will need help, Nowitzki can beat most players. He has a soft touch from the outside, is very difficult to guard in the high pick and roll, and commands too much attention to be left even the slightest bit open. Advantage: Dallas
Small Forward: Shawn Marion vs. Kevin Durant
Marion used to be a feared double-double threat. He is a good defender that can run in transition. But he has yet to cover as dynamic of a scorer as Durant. Durant has one of the sweetest touches from the outside, and he is strong enough and fast enough to burn you on the inside. He does have some holes defensively, but the Thunder run a fast game, which is something where a hot jump shooter like Durant excels. He is good on the glass, and knows when and how to make the extra pass. If only he took the most shots in each game, then the Thunder would be a menace. Advantage: Oklahoma City
Shooting Guard: DeShawn Stevenson vs. Thabo Sefolosha
Granted, the starters aren't nearly as interesting as their respective bench players (Jason Terry and James Harden), but it will be an interesting lineup nonetheless. Stevenson is a shooter with defense. Sefolosha is a hard-nosed defender with some comparable speed. This position will not determine who wins the series, and it really is the most boring and uninteresting position in the starting lineup. Advantage: Draw
Point Guard: Jason Kidd vs. Russell Westbrook
General knowledge says that Westbrook has the advantage here. But I'm going to go against the grain on my choice here. I believe that though Westbrook is faster and a better scorer than Kidd, I think that Kidd will overall have an advantage. Kidd is a good defender (if you doubt that, look at what he did against Kobe Bryant), and will force Westbrook to take shots that he will (but shouldn't) take. Westbrook is too trigger happy with his jumper, especially considering his options on offense. Will Kidd have a difficult time guarding Westbrook? Yes, he will. But Kidd is wily, and with options like Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and Peja Stojakovic on his team, he will be even more deadly as a distributor. Advantage: Dallas
Bench:
The Dallas bench and Oklahoma City bench are both stacked. On the Mavs, you have great scorers like Stojakovic and 2009 Sixth Man of the Year Jason Terry. But, you face a similar problem with the Thunder who have shooters like James Harden and Daequan Cook. On the Mavs, you have a good defender and speedy point guard with J.J. Barea. But on the Thunder, you have an able distributor with a nice touch from beyond the arc with Eric Maynor. The Mavs have a good back up center with Brendan Haywood, but the Thunder counter that with another veteran in Nazr Mohammed. The real wild card is Nick Collison, who will likely have the challenge of guarding Nowitzki. But, these teams have evenly matched benches that are very productive. Advantage: Draw
Coach: Rick Carlisle vs. Scott Brooks
Carlisle has the experience, having been in the conference finals twice. Neither team has truly exceptional offensive or defensive schemes. Experience wins over in this scenario. Advantage: Dallas
Intangibles:
No one is playing as good as Nowitzki (arguably). But Durant can turn it up on any given night. But the Thunder are going to be tired from their last bruising series against the Grizzlies. The Thunder are also under a lot more scrutiny (it seems) compared to the Mavs. Advantage: Dallas
Prediction:
The Thunder have looked unstoppable at times, but they also have horrendous lows. Dallas has been extremely consistent, especially in their spanking of the LA Lakers. Expect them to ride Nowitzki to the NBA Finals. I predict that the Mavericks win this series in 6 and advance to the NBA Finals.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Eastern Conference Finals Overview
The Eastern Conference has come down to the number 1 seeded Chicago Bulls and the number 2 seeded Miami Heat. On one side, you have a once glorious franchise returning to the top of the conference. On the other side, you have arguably the most polarizing team to play the game. Here's an overview of what could be the most interesting playoff series this year.
Center: Joakim Noah vs. Joel Anthony
Both Noah and Anthony are both hustle players who make plays using determination rather than skill or speed. Both are great defenders and superb rebounders on both the offensive and the defensive end. Where they differ is offensively. Noah is a better offensive player than Anthony. Noah possesses the ability to shoot the jump shot and take the ball off the dribble. He also is better at moving away from the ball. Noah will also run on the fast break more often than Anthony. Advantage: Chicago
Power Forward: Carlos Boozer vs. Chris Bosh
Both Boozer and Bosh are looking to prove something in this series. Boozer is trying to prove to his fans that he can be the number 2 option that Chicago is looking for. Bosh is trying to prove that he is more than a third wheel to the James-Wade party. Both are notorious for their criticism. Bosh has been called soft and inconsistent. Boozer has been called a defensive liability, who has not justified his weakness on one end with strength on the other. But both Boozer and Bosh are very good offensively at times. When their jump shots are falling, they are two of the more feared post players in the game. Boozer has a nice fade away jumper he relies on, and Bosh uses his left handedness to his advantage. Advantage: Draw
Small Forward: Luol Deng vs. LeBron James
This is not as lopsided as it seems. LeBron James is the best player in the NBA. He is too strong to cover and with his jump shot, he can create a shot out of any scenario. He also is one of the better defenders because of his size and speed. He has perfected the art of the chase-down block. But I don't think that James will have easy picking against the Bulls. Luol Deng is one of the best defenders in the game and can force James to take difficult, contested shots. Deng also plays long minutes, so he will have the job of wearing down James. Deng has a good outside jumper and can slash his way to the basket. But when LeBron James is the person you are facing down, it is impossible to have an advantage. Advantage: Miami
Shooting Guard: Keith Bogans vs. Dwyane Wade
This is as lopsided as it seems. Dwyane Wade is one of the most dynamic players in the game. He can make his way to the basket. He can change the game with his jump shot. He and James are feared on the fast break. Bogans takes 3 shots a game on average, all of them from downtown. Bogans, however, will give Wade fits on the defensive end. He did a great job stopping the larger Joe Johnson against the Hawks, so expect him to give Wade fits. But once again, when Dwyane Wade is the person you are facing down, it is impossible to have an advantage. Advantage: Miami
Point Guard: Derrick Rose vs. Mike Bibby
This is another extremely lopsided matchup. Unlike Jeff Teague, Mike Bibby has no speed when compared to Rose. Bibby takes too many shots and is typically the beneficiary of slashing by James or Wade. Derrick Rose, on the other hand, carries the Bulls. He is developing as a passer, and will allow his teammates to try to take over the game. But when he needs to carry the load, Derrick Rose is prepared. He can now stretch teams with a perimeter shot to keep his defenders honest. But when you play Rose too tight, he can beat you off the dribble like no other. If Wade and James are the best slashing shooting guard and small forward respectively, I'd argue that Derrick Rose is the best slashing point guard in the league. His speed allows him to attack the rim at will, and his ability to finish, as well as his pure athleticism, allows him to score on these drives. When Derrick Rose is the person you are facing down, it is very difficult to have an advantage. Advantage: Chicago
Bench:
The Chicago Bulls have filled the bench very well with role players. They have a superb young backup center in Omer Asik. Asik can add some energy with hustle rebounds and blocked shots. They have a starting caliber backup power forward in Taj Gibson. Gibson helps out defensively and can add some offensive help when Boozer is on the bench. Ronnie Brewer is a super defender, and Kyle Korver is one of the best sharpshooters in the game. C.J. Watson can run the plays to give Derrick Rose ample time to rest. Then they have Kurt "Big Sexy" Thomas, who adds some old school defense to the game. The Heat have Mario Chalmers, a defensive point guard, and James Jones, another good 3-point shooter. Everyone else is either a non-factor (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) or recovering from injury (Udonis Haslem). Advantage: Chicago
Coaching: Tom Thibodeau vs. Erik Spoelstra
No offense to Spoelstra, but he really is merely Pat Riley's pawn. When you have LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, drawing up plays is rather easy. He has established a good defense, but once again, that seems to fall under the influence of James and Wade. Spoelstra is very good in the video room at pinpointing where his team needs to improve. Thibodeau, on the other hand, is the defensive mind that was able to stop LeBron James the last two years when he played Boston. He has masterfully crafted a defense that has allowed low field goal percentages and points. Though he does not have an offensive mind near to where his defensive mind is, he is a disciple of the game and lives and breathes basketball. He is in the video room analyzing footage. But most importantly, he got his team to buy into his strategy, and it has worked. Both are relatively new head coaches, but based on where they are with what they have, Thibodeau has seemed to do more with less. Advantage: Chicago
Intangibles:
The Miami Heat have successfully embraced their role as the villain in the NBA. LeBron James (as well as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for that matter) has to prove that he made the right decision by spurning the Bulls and creating a Big Three in Miami. The Chicago Bulls have home court advantage. They have the serendipity of having a chance to win a championship 20 years after Jordan's first. They are entering as the underdogs. The Heat have a sense of entitlement, but the Bulls have a sense of urgency. The Bulls are scrappier and defying the odds. The Heat are riding the talent of their two stars. There are too many storylines in this series. Advantage: Draw
Interesting Notes:
-The Chicago Bulls are 3-0 versus the Heat in the regular season. Those three games were won by a total of 8 points.
-Which Kyle Korver will show up? The clutch Kyle Korver from the Indiana series or the struggling Kyle Korver from the Atlanta series?
-Don't expect any big games from James Jones. The Bulls are one of the best perimeter defending teams in the league.
-Mario Chalmers beat Derrick Rose in the 2007 NCAA championship. Can we expect a similar outcome?
-Derrick Rose broke LeBron James' attempt at a three-peat for MVP. Will LeBron James finally win a championship without the burden of being MVP?
-LeBron James beat the Celtics...after Thibodeau was hired as the head coach of the Bulls. Maybe James' biggest enemy is not the Celtics, but their former assistant coach Tom Thibodeau.
-Pat Riley and Gar Forman both won Executive of the Year. John Paxson also received three votes, meaning that the Bulls' executives combined could have won that award.
Prediction:
The Miami Heat are playing amazing basketball, and with two superstars, it is difficult to imagine the less star-studded Bulls to pull off the upset. But the Bulls are a hustle team who looks to outwork you, especially so in the playoffs. I see this as a 7-game-thriller. Bulls will have home court advantage, but Miami's star power will shine and (unfortunately) the Bulls go down in 7 games. Miami advances to the NBA Finals.
Center: Joakim Noah vs. Joel Anthony
Both Noah and Anthony are both hustle players who make plays using determination rather than skill or speed. Both are great defenders and superb rebounders on both the offensive and the defensive end. Where they differ is offensively. Noah is a better offensive player than Anthony. Noah possesses the ability to shoot the jump shot and take the ball off the dribble. He also is better at moving away from the ball. Noah will also run on the fast break more often than Anthony. Advantage: Chicago
Power Forward: Carlos Boozer vs. Chris Bosh
Both Boozer and Bosh are looking to prove something in this series. Boozer is trying to prove to his fans that he can be the number 2 option that Chicago is looking for. Bosh is trying to prove that he is more than a third wheel to the James-Wade party. Both are notorious for their criticism. Bosh has been called soft and inconsistent. Boozer has been called a defensive liability, who has not justified his weakness on one end with strength on the other. But both Boozer and Bosh are very good offensively at times. When their jump shots are falling, they are two of the more feared post players in the game. Boozer has a nice fade away jumper he relies on, and Bosh uses his left handedness to his advantage. Advantage: Draw
Small Forward: Luol Deng vs. LeBron James
This is not as lopsided as it seems. LeBron James is the best player in the NBA. He is too strong to cover and with his jump shot, he can create a shot out of any scenario. He also is one of the better defenders because of his size and speed. He has perfected the art of the chase-down block. But I don't think that James will have easy picking against the Bulls. Luol Deng is one of the best defenders in the game and can force James to take difficult, contested shots. Deng also plays long minutes, so he will have the job of wearing down James. Deng has a good outside jumper and can slash his way to the basket. But when LeBron James is the person you are facing down, it is impossible to have an advantage. Advantage: Miami
Shooting Guard: Keith Bogans vs. Dwyane Wade
This is as lopsided as it seems. Dwyane Wade is one of the most dynamic players in the game. He can make his way to the basket. He can change the game with his jump shot. He and James are feared on the fast break. Bogans takes 3 shots a game on average, all of them from downtown. Bogans, however, will give Wade fits on the defensive end. He did a great job stopping the larger Joe Johnson against the Hawks, so expect him to give Wade fits. But once again, when Dwyane Wade is the person you are facing down, it is impossible to have an advantage. Advantage: Miami
Point Guard: Derrick Rose vs. Mike Bibby
This is another extremely lopsided matchup. Unlike Jeff Teague, Mike Bibby has no speed when compared to Rose. Bibby takes too many shots and is typically the beneficiary of slashing by James or Wade. Derrick Rose, on the other hand, carries the Bulls. He is developing as a passer, and will allow his teammates to try to take over the game. But when he needs to carry the load, Derrick Rose is prepared. He can now stretch teams with a perimeter shot to keep his defenders honest. But when you play Rose too tight, he can beat you off the dribble like no other. If Wade and James are the best slashing shooting guard and small forward respectively, I'd argue that Derrick Rose is the best slashing point guard in the league. His speed allows him to attack the rim at will, and his ability to finish, as well as his pure athleticism, allows him to score on these drives. When Derrick Rose is the person you are facing down, it is very difficult to have an advantage. Advantage: Chicago
Bench:
The Chicago Bulls have filled the bench very well with role players. They have a superb young backup center in Omer Asik. Asik can add some energy with hustle rebounds and blocked shots. They have a starting caliber backup power forward in Taj Gibson. Gibson helps out defensively and can add some offensive help when Boozer is on the bench. Ronnie Brewer is a super defender, and Kyle Korver is one of the best sharpshooters in the game. C.J. Watson can run the plays to give Derrick Rose ample time to rest. Then they have Kurt "Big Sexy" Thomas, who adds some old school defense to the game. The Heat have Mario Chalmers, a defensive point guard, and James Jones, another good 3-point shooter. Everyone else is either a non-factor (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) or recovering from injury (Udonis Haslem). Advantage: Chicago
Coaching: Tom Thibodeau vs. Erik Spoelstra
No offense to Spoelstra, but he really is merely Pat Riley's pawn. When you have LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, drawing up plays is rather easy. He has established a good defense, but once again, that seems to fall under the influence of James and Wade. Spoelstra is very good in the video room at pinpointing where his team needs to improve. Thibodeau, on the other hand, is the defensive mind that was able to stop LeBron James the last two years when he played Boston. He has masterfully crafted a defense that has allowed low field goal percentages and points. Though he does not have an offensive mind near to where his defensive mind is, he is a disciple of the game and lives and breathes basketball. He is in the video room analyzing footage. But most importantly, he got his team to buy into his strategy, and it has worked. Both are relatively new head coaches, but based on where they are with what they have, Thibodeau has seemed to do more with less. Advantage: Chicago
Intangibles:
The Miami Heat have successfully embraced their role as the villain in the NBA. LeBron James (as well as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for that matter) has to prove that he made the right decision by spurning the Bulls and creating a Big Three in Miami. The Chicago Bulls have home court advantage. They have the serendipity of having a chance to win a championship 20 years after Jordan's first. They are entering as the underdogs. The Heat have a sense of entitlement, but the Bulls have a sense of urgency. The Bulls are scrappier and defying the odds. The Heat are riding the talent of their two stars. There are too many storylines in this series. Advantage: Draw
Interesting Notes:
-The Chicago Bulls are 3-0 versus the Heat in the regular season. Those three games were won by a total of 8 points.
-Which Kyle Korver will show up? The clutch Kyle Korver from the Indiana series or the struggling Kyle Korver from the Atlanta series?
-Don't expect any big games from James Jones. The Bulls are one of the best perimeter defending teams in the league.
-Mario Chalmers beat Derrick Rose in the 2007 NCAA championship. Can we expect a similar outcome?
-Derrick Rose broke LeBron James' attempt at a three-peat for MVP. Will LeBron James finally win a championship without the burden of being MVP?
-LeBron James beat the Celtics...after Thibodeau was hired as the head coach of the Bulls. Maybe James' biggest enemy is not the Celtics, but their former assistant coach Tom Thibodeau.
-Pat Riley and Gar Forman both won Executive of the Year. John Paxson also received three votes, meaning that the Bulls' executives combined could have won that award.
Prediction:
The Miami Heat are playing amazing basketball, and with two superstars, it is difficult to imagine the less star-studded Bulls to pull off the upset. But the Bulls are a hustle team who looks to outwork you, especially so in the playoffs. I see this as a 7-game-thriller. Bulls will have home court advantage, but Miami's star power will shine and (unfortunately) the Bulls go down in 7 games. Miami advances to the NBA Finals.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Breaking Apples Aren't So Hard To Do
So I go to UChicago and we are known for our extravagant scavenger hunt, colloquially known as Scav. For Scav, someone had to break an apple using their bicep, which we successfully did twice. But this video is just amazing on so many levels. At least, in my opinion. Have fun watching my friend break an apple with his biceps.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Lessons Learned from How I Met Your Mother
Many of you know (or at least now you do) that Mother's day is tomorrow. Which is fitting because today I will talk about lessons that I learned from the CBS show How I Met Your Mother. It is one of my favorite shows on television right now, and it has some of the funniest and most interesting characters on television. So here are some life lessons that you can pick up from How I Met Your Mother.
1. "I think I'm in love with you" is not appropriate to say on the first date.
2. Writing a paper in one night is not always a bad thing.
3. Don't be afraid to do something legendary.
4. You may find out that something you hated in the past is something you like in the present (as long as it/she doesn't know krav maga).
5. Don't always believe the hype.
6. Wear Halloween costumes more suitable for the present day.
7. You don't need a computer to tell you about compatibility.
8. The Lemon Law
9. You can be charitable anywhere...even a strip club.
10. If you are wasted, have someone write down their number on your arm in permanent marker.
11. Get psyched.
12. Always check "plus 1". It is a lot easier to find someone than to get rid of him.
13. A drumroll is never good enough.
14. There is always a "first" for everything.
15. True love can change a man. But so can a broken heart.
16. Long distance relationships never work.
17. A great life starts with great love.
18. Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.
19. When a woman says she's a paralegal, she is certainly not a prostitute.
20. Doubt is healthy, but hard.
21. "Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" actually is the greatest pick-up line of all time.
22. True love can make anything happen, even make it rain.
23. Moving on is difficult, but it only takes time.
24. Sad-sack cute is still cute.
25. Don't have huge secrets like a divorce or a death in the family.
26. Architects are sexy.
27. Marriage is the best antidote for a clingy one-night-stand.
28. Kindergarten punishment is for kids age 5 and up.
29. Watch out for crazy eyes.
30. You really can do anything on international waters.
31. 5 slaps in eternity are not actually better than 10 slaps in a row.
32. Single stamina is a real thing.
33. Watch what you say. It may come back to bite you.
34. Don't be an "I love you" slut or an "I love you" prude.
35. It is very difficult to fire someone.
36. You cannot escape the Super Bowl score.
37. Everything that happens is someone's fault. That someone is typically you.
38. Keeping stuff from exes may be troubling.
39. It's difficult to say goodbye, even if it is to a car.
40. So much stuff could happen in a 23 minute span.
41. Everyone wants true love to last.
42. There's no such thing as too strong of a relationship.
43. A hat is the best thing to cover a bad haircut.
44. Proposing to someone on a sitcom set will always work.
45. Never get a tramp stamp, no matter what level of intoxication.
46. Foreigners are sexy.
47. Everyone gets nervous, and that nervousness increases based on the awesomeness of the scenario.
48. There is nothing sweeter than being a part of a child's drawing.
49. Hotter girls are allowed to be crazier.
50. Lance Hardwood is a better porn name than Ted Mosby.
51. When you marry someone, you marry all of their problems too.
52. Ignorance is bliss. But if you really love someone, all the bad things about them turn out to be things you love about them.
53. Do not ruin Thanksgiving.
54. A trip to the past is not always a bad thing.
55. The Platinum Rule.
56. It's nice to live today without thinking about the consequences of tomorrow.
57. You can have a date in 2 minutes.
58. Nothing is better for decisions than a bracket.
59. There is always someone to scream at.
60. Revertigo.
61. There are no loopholes for the Bro Code.
62. Women find police officers sexy, no matter what causes their nosebleeds.
63. Everything you do has a purpose, though it may not be the one you intended.
64. Miracles really do happen.
65. You don't have to love something to pretend you love it.
66. Put your fullest effort into everything, even if it is as mundane as finding a burger joint.
67. Don't try too hard to get a fist bump.
68. $10 scotch is just as good as $2500 scotch.
69. A broken heart can make even a vegan eat meat. Also be willing to take opportunities when they come. And don't bring exes to weddings.
70. There are always people you'd want to avoid but confrontation is necessary.
71. The Cheerleader Effect.
72. Always stand up for your friends, no matter how alluring the Swedish are.
73. The Naked Man only works 2 out of 3 times.
74. Don't get into a fight. It is never worth it.
75. Have faith in your family.
76. Whenever there is a "friends-with-benefits" scenario, someone always gets hurt.
77. You never are too old to continue a ritual.
78. Everyone has something they don't need on their resume.
79. To create a family, all you need to find is the right person.
80. There are only four reasons why your ex wants to have lunch with you.
81. Everyone should have a front porch test.
82. There is no such thing as a good white lie.
83. You do get too old for this stuff. But you also are too young for some stuff too.
84. Everyone should have a 'thing'.
85. There is never a wait to call someone you're romantically interested in.
86. Sometimes, the world will fall into place perfectly. And creating charts are addictive.
87. The one is trying their hardest to get to you as fast as they can.
88. Life is unexpected, and sometimes the life of your dreams is not as great as the life of your reality.
89. Girlfriends are like Gremlins (don't get them wet, don't expose them to sunlight, and don't feed them after midnight).
90. Don't change yourself to find love.
91. Work hard to keep a girl around.
92. All couples need a couple couples.
93. Everybody needs to have close friends, even if you don't agree on everything.
94. Neighbors know all.
95. Two awesomes cancel each other out. And sometimes after a relationship ends, you are better off just being friends.
96. Anyone who gets too involved with work after a breakup will find someone when they least expect it.
97. It is never too late to be a part of someone's life.
98. There is always a window for opportunity, but you never know how long it will be open.
99. We all have moments in our lives which will define our last of something.
100. Girls are better than suits.
101. Drinking games at the expense of friends never end well.
102. Sports help us forget our own problems.
103. Your perception of someone will change from time to time.
104. Every has been the hooked and the hooker (stringing someone along until you find someone better).
105. Super dates are also possible.
106. That random girl could be the one.
107. A lie is a great story someone ruined with the truth.
108. Stupid decisions can work out in the end.
109. Sharing is caring.
110. Sophistication is great. But nothing is better than Robots vs. Wrestlers.
111. Everyone has baggage.
112. Know your priorities.
113. No one really knows how 'dibs' works.
114. Do not oversell somebody.
115. Eventually, everyone forgets a bad memory.
116. You're not a real New Yorker until you've taken a cab from somebody who needed it more, you've cried on the subway and not cared about it, and you've crushed a cockroach with your bare hands.
117. There are certain things that you aren't allowed to talk about in certain areas (i.e. the locker room).
118. Acting like a child somehow makes women cuter.
119. Being feared is more important to authority than being liked.
120. We all go through phases, and we all pass through them.
121. Friendship is enduring the worst of your friends, not the best.
122. There is always a blitz, someone who always leaves the room before something amazing happens.
123. There is a mermaid clock, where a manatee becomes a mermaid.
124. Sometimes, being tough is the right answer.
125. Embrace your past, regardless of how embarrassing it is.
126. Try to make your last words with someone has thoughtful and meaningful as they could be.
127. Gullibility trumps cuteness.
128. People are more desperate the day before Valentine's day.
129. A mutual hatred can lead to an eventual relationship.
130. Always follow your heart. It knows what's best for you.
131. Don't take for granted the normalcy of your life.
132. Complete and total support is not always healthy for a relationship.
133. A magician's best friend is a drunk audience.
134. We all act differently based on our choice of drink.
135. Sometimes in order to create something better, you have to knock it down.
136. Never get coffee with an ex unless you really want to get back together with them.
137. Life is all about chemistry...and timing.
138. Become a head-over-heels idiot for just that one person.
139. Never ever buy a ducky tie. #GoForBarney
140. Love is sometimes about taking a step back because sometimes you just want the other person to be happy.
141. Dating your therapist is weird. Macaroni salad is not a salad. It really is Edward James Olmos. And Germans love David Hasselhoff.
142. In the great debate of mystery versus history, choose mystery.
143. You can always turn it around.
144. Sometimes the thing you've waited your entire life for just isn't worth it.
145. Life isn't worth living unless there is a sign up because of something you did.
146. Hours can last like seconds, and seconds can last a lifetime.
147. Babies attract women.
148. You don't have to know what's wrong in order to make someone happy.
149. Sometimes private moments require a little bit of public. And you don't want to be in charge of a bar.
150. It doesn't matter where you are, as long as you have friends.
151. Bees totally hate kerosene.
152. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do when you can't get someone out of your head.
153. Sometimes, you need closure to look at the world anew.
154. We are all haunted by our past, and sometimes the only thing we can do is move on.
155. Everyone has a hypothetical situation for everything.
156. Something will change for you in the next 3 years. Hope it is for the best.
157. Try to make every night legendary...even if it doesn't sound legendary to begin with.
158. You need a palate cleanser. And nothing sounds more official than "executive".
159. Stories help the pain go away. And Wait-for-it is the greatest middle name ever.
160. Sometimes you know in your heart who is right for you, but only time will tell if they are the one.
And remember, life is always legendary.
1. "I think I'm in love with you" is not appropriate to say on the first date.
2. Writing a paper in one night is not always a bad thing.
3. Don't be afraid to do something legendary.
4. You may find out that something you hated in the past is something you like in the present (as long as it/she doesn't know krav maga).
5. Don't always believe the hype.
6. Wear Halloween costumes more suitable for the present day.
7. You don't need a computer to tell you about compatibility.
8. The Lemon Law
9. You can be charitable anywhere...even a strip club.
10. If you are wasted, have someone write down their number on your arm in permanent marker.
11. Get psyched.
12. Always check "plus 1". It is a lot easier to find someone than to get rid of him.
13. A drumroll is never good enough.
14. There is always a "first" for everything.
15. True love can change a man. But so can a broken heart.
16. Long distance relationships never work.
17. A great life starts with great love.
18. Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.
19. When a woman says she's a paralegal, she is certainly not a prostitute.
20. Doubt is healthy, but hard.
21. "Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" actually is the greatest pick-up line of all time.
22. True love can make anything happen, even make it rain.
23. Moving on is difficult, but it only takes time.
24. Sad-sack cute is still cute.
25. Don't have huge secrets like a divorce or a death in the family.
26. Architects are sexy.
27. Marriage is the best antidote for a clingy one-night-stand.
28. Kindergarten punishment is for kids age 5 and up.
29. Watch out for crazy eyes.
30. You really can do anything on international waters.
31. 5 slaps in eternity are not actually better than 10 slaps in a row.
32. Single stamina is a real thing.
33. Watch what you say. It may come back to bite you.
34. Don't be an "I love you" slut or an "I love you" prude.
35. It is very difficult to fire someone.
36. You cannot escape the Super Bowl score.
37. Everything that happens is someone's fault. That someone is typically you.
38. Keeping stuff from exes may be troubling.
39. It's difficult to say goodbye, even if it is to a car.
40. So much stuff could happen in a 23 minute span.
41. Everyone wants true love to last.
42. There's no such thing as too strong of a relationship.
43. A hat is the best thing to cover a bad haircut.
44. Proposing to someone on a sitcom set will always work.
45. Never get a tramp stamp, no matter what level of intoxication.
46. Foreigners are sexy.
47. Everyone gets nervous, and that nervousness increases based on the awesomeness of the scenario.
48. There is nothing sweeter than being a part of a child's drawing.
49. Hotter girls are allowed to be crazier.
50. Lance Hardwood is a better porn name than Ted Mosby.
51. When you marry someone, you marry all of their problems too.
52. Ignorance is bliss. But if you really love someone, all the bad things about them turn out to be things you love about them.
53. Do not ruin Thanksgiving.
54. A trip to the past is not always a bad thing.
55. The Platinum Rule.
56. It's nice to live today without thinking about the consequences of tomorrow.
57. You can have a date in 2 minutes.
58. Nothing is better for decisions than a bracket.
59. There is always someone to scream at.
60. Revertigo.
61. There are no loopholes for the Bro Code.
62. Women find police officers sexy, no matter what causes their nosebleeds.
63. Everything you do has a purpose, though it may not be the one you intended.
64. Miracles really do happen.
65. You don't have to love something to pretend you love it.
66. Put your fullest effort into everything, even if it is as mundane as finding a burger joint.
67. Don't try too hard to get a fist bump.
68. $10 scotch is just as good as $2500 scotch.
69. A broken heart can make even a vegan eat meat. Also be willing to take opportunities when they come. And don't bring exes to weddings.
70. There are always people you'd want to avoid but confrontation is necessary.
71. The Cheerleader Effect.
72. Always stand up for your friends, no matter how alluring the Swedish are.
73. The Naked Man only works 2 out of 3 times.
74. Don't get into a fight. It is never worth it.
75. Have faith in your family.
76. Whenever there is a "friends-with-benefits" scenario, someone always gets hurt.
77. You never are too old to continue a ritual.
78. Everyone has something they don't need on their resume.
79. To create a family, all you need to find is the right person.
80. There are only four reasons why your ex wants to have lunch with you.
81. Everyone should have a front porch test.
82. There is no such thing as a good white lie.
83. You do get too old for this stuff. But you also are too young for some stuff too.
84. Everyone should have a 'thing'.
85. There is never a wait to call someone you're romantically interested in.
86. Sometimes, the world will fall into place perfectly. And creating charts are addictive.
87. The one is trying their hardest to get to you as fast as they can.
88. Life is unexpected, and sometimes the life of your dreams is not as great as the life of your reality.
89. Girlfriends are like Gremlins (don't get them wet, don't expose them to sunlight, and don't feed them after midnight).
90. Don't change yourself to find love.
91. Work hard to keep a girl around.
92. All couples need a couple couples.
93. Everybody needs to have close friends, even if you don't agree on everything.
94. Neighbors know all.
95. Two awesomes cancel each other out. And sometimes after a relationship ends, you are better off just being friends.
96. Anyone who gets too involved with work after a breakup will find someone when they least expect it.
97. It is never too late to be a part of someone's life.
98. There is always a window for opportunity, but you never know how long it will be open.
99. We all have moments in our lives which will define our last of something.
100. Girls are better than suits.
101. Drinking games at the expense of friends never end well.
102. Sports help us forget our own problems.
103. Your perception of someone will change from time to time.
104. Every has been the hooked and the hooker (stringing someone along until you find someone better).
105. Super dates are also possible.
106. That random girl could be the one.
107. A lie is a great story someone ruined with the truth.
108. Stupid decisions can work out in the end.
109. Sharing is caring.
110. Sophistication is great. But nothing is better than Robots vs. Wrestlers.
111. Everyone has baggage.
112. Know your priorities.
113. No one really knows how 'dibs' works.
114. Do not oversell somebody.
115. Eventually, everyone forgets a bad memory.
116. You're not a real New Yorker until you've taken a cab from somebody who needed it more, you've cried on the subway and not cared about it, and you've crushed a cockroach with your bare hands.
117. There are certain things that you aren't allowed to talk about in certain areas (i.e. the locker room).
118. Acting like a child somehow makes women cuter.
119. Being feared is more important to authority than being liked.
120. We all go through phases, and we all pass through them.
121. Friendship is enduring the worst of your friends, not the best.
122. There is always a blitz, someone who always leaves the room before something amazing happens.
123. There is a mermaid clock, where a manatee becomes a mermaid.
124. Sometimes, being tough is the right answer.
125. Embrace your past, regardless of how embarrassing it is.
126. Try to make your last words with someone has thoughtful and meaningful as they could be.
127. Gullibility trumps cuteness.
128. People are more desperate the day before Valentine's day.
129. A mutual hatred can lead to an eventual relationship.
130. Always follow your heart. It knows what's best for you.
131. Don't take for granted the normalcy of your life.
132. Complete and total support is not always healthy for a relationship.
133. A magician's best friend is a drunk audience.
134. We all act differently based on our choice of drink.
135. Sometimes in order to create something better, you have to knock it down.
136. Never get coffee with an ex unless you really want to get back together with them.
137. Life is all about chemistry...and timing.
138. Become a head-over-heels idiot for just that one person.
139. Never ever buy a ducky tie. #GoForBarney
140. Love is sometimes about taking a step back because sometimes you just want the other person to be happy.
141. Dating your therapist is weird. Macaroni salad is not a salad. It really is Edward James Olmos. And Germans love David Hasselhoff.
142. In the great debate of mystery versus history, choose mystery.
143. You can always turn it around.
144. Sometimes the thing you've waited your entire life for just isn't worth it.
145. Life isn't worth living unless there is a sign up because of something you did.
146. Hours can last like seconds, and seconds can last a lifetime.
147. Babies attract women.
148. You don't have to know what's wrong in order to make someone happy.
149. Sometimes private moments require a little bit of public. And you don't want to be in charge of a bar.
150. It doesn't matter where you are, as long as you have friends.
151. Bees totally hate kerosene.
152. Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do when you can't get someone out of your head.
153. Sometimes, you need closure to look at the world anew.
154. We are all haunted by our past, and sometimes the only thing we can do is move on.
155. Everyone has a hypothetical situation for everything.
156. Something will change for you in the next 3 years. Hope it is for the best.
157. Try to make every night legendary...even if it doesn't sound legendary to begin with.
158. You need a palate cleanser. And nothing sounds more official than "executive".
159. Stories help the pain go away. And Wait-for-it is the greatest middle name ever.
160. Sometimes you know in your heart who is right for you, but only time will tell if they are the one.
And remember, life is always legendary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)