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cjbball · 7 years

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The One That Counts

by Cesar Jesus

We take a look at recent and current legends and make our claim to what we consider to be their signature title.

It’s the heart of transaction season right now as free agency is underway, summer league is grooving, and recently drafted players are getting settled in their new digs. But let’s take a step back from the madness of today to appreciate what some legends have carved out in the last few decades.

Today we decide which particular championship matters the most to a player’s legacy. The key here is distinguishing between the series they put up the best numbers in versus the series that defines them as a player. However, you’ll see those paths sometimes intersect. I’ve compiled a list of 5 stars who have claimed at least three rings since the turn of the century. Let the debate (with myself) begin…

Shaquille O’Neal

Rings – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006

Shaq was an absolute monster during the Lakers ’00 – ’02 three peat run, garnering Finals MVP in each series and dominating anyone the opposition could throw at him. The Lakers only lost a total of three games in those Finals series due to rather weak Eastern conference foes and a prime of his career Shaq.

Upon being traded to Miami in 2004, he and Dwyane Wade pushed the Heat to the conference Finals in 2005, and finally broke through in 2006 with a win over the Mavs to get him to 4 rings.

However, this one is pretty easy. There was nothing like Shaq in 2000. He had one of the most dominant seasons and postseasons I can ever remember. I’d argue that Duncan and Kobe had better careers than Shaq, but neither ever touched the season-long of debilitating shit Shaq served up in the 99-00 season. Nobody could guard him, and he was at his absolute physical peak. He was solid, super quick on his feet, and opened big spacing for a slew of shooters.

This was his 8th season in the league and 4th playoff run with the Lakers, so there was a lot of chatter going around that Shaq was never going to see the promised land. In the end, I think he should have won at least 5 or 6, but more on that later…

Tim Duncan

Rings – 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014

Oh Timmy! The stable force behind San Antonio playoff runs for nearly two decades first took the Spurs all the way behind a twin tower combination alongside David Robinson in 1999. Once Shaq got lazy and stopped training, they nabbed three more in the 2000’s as the core of Timmy, GINOBILI!, and Tony Parker led the way.

Then there was a lull. From 2007 to 2013 the Spurs were continually counted out every season. This is the season they’ll fall off, they’d say. The Spurs would respond by having a great regular season, but not being able to finish the job when the postseason came around. It was widely accepted that Duncan, Parker, Manu and Pop were all going to be Hall of Famers, and amongst players there was league wide respect for what they had done. It was a great run already.

But the Spurs, and especially Tim Fucking Duncan, were not done. After coming a few missed free throws and a Ray Allen dagger short of winning the title in 2013, they returned again to the Finals in 2014 for a rematch with the Heat.

I remember watching the press conferences before Game 1, and I saw something special in Timmy’s eyes. He’s a quiet laid back dude, but make no mistake, he has the killer gene. 4 titles is great, but when you can add another, 7 years after the previous one, spanning your range of titles to 15 years (99 to ’14), you put a hell of an exclamation point on your resume. I liken the Pats and Brady’s recent Superbowl to what Timmy and the Spurs did in 2014.

Kobe Bryant

Rings – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010

For Kobe, it all comes down to being petty. You don’t have to be a rocket scientologist to guess this one.

Kobe was the clear second banana for three straight Laker titles in his earlier days in the league. Cool.

Then after years of being a chucker for first round fodder, he took a fairly forgettable Lakers team to an even more forgettable Finals series in 2009 where they topped Dwight Howard’s Orlando Magic. It was good for Kobe’s 4th title. That’s the same as his former teammate had now. Cool.

In 2010, it all came together for the Mamba. He was back in the Finals against the same Celtics team that had shot down his 2008 Finals run, and there was a chance at ring number 5 on the line. That’s one more than that guy he used to play with. I wonder if that thought popped in his head at any point during that postseason run. Nah, probably not.

Well, the Lakers won in 7 games, Kobe got his second consecutive Finals MVP, and he unleashed the most petty phrase in NBA Finals history.

Dywane Wade

Rings – 2006, 2012, 2013

Just imagine if you asked this question to D-Wade, what do you think he’d say?

Sure, Wade teamed up with his superbros LeBron James and Chris Bosh on their way to 4 straight Finals appearances and two rings, but the son of South Beach will always be defined by 2006.

There was certainly some funny stuff going on with some calls he was getting in that series, but it was clear that Wade was the best player in his first NBA Finals appearance against the Mavs. Wade was a lane slashing machine and could get into the paint at will. Throw a wall of defenders at him, and he’d pivot and wet a 15 footer from the elbow or find an open teammate.

Miami went on to won in 6 games, and Wade set himself apart from his 2003 draft class compadres by striking first blood on a ring. Now sitting on three rings and a Finals MVP, there is nothing left for this guy to prove.

LeBron James

Rings – 2012, 2013, 2016

LeBron first tasted a championship while with the Heat in 2012 with a 4-1 win over the OKC Thunder, but it felt more like a sigh of relief than a victory. The monkey was finally off his back, and the haters could no longer talk, but that was about it.

2013 continued to build on his legacy, but hoops purists left the table still wanting more. For a lot of folks, it felt more like the Spurs shit the bed and the Heat had fallen bass ackwards into good fortune. Here he was two titles in, but there was still more to be desired from this guy. I guess it’s part of the gig that comes with being labeled the Chosen One.

He almost singlehandedly had the Cavs in position to beat the Warriors in the 2015 Finals, but there is only so much one man can do.

In 2016, LBJ finally got HIS title. There was no shitting of the Tempurpedic and hand delivered jewelry this time around. No injuries to major players on either team to play the “what if” game (BTW, Steph Curry scored 17 in overtime against Portland AFTER he tweaked his ankle, so I’m not buying that he was hobbled). With the help of a clutch Kyrie bucket, Lebron and the Cavs had ended a 52 year title drought in the city of Cleveland.

The King had come home and delivered on his promise. He finally had the title that without question elevated him to all-time great status and into legitimate GOAT conversations. Sure, there’s a chance he’ll add one or a few more onto his count when it’s all said and done, but this is by far THAT title.

Now if only team Banana Boat all signed for the vet minimum with the Lakers next summer…

Legends Bonus

Michael Jordan – 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998

Magic Johnson – 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988

Larry Bird – 1981, 1984, 1986

#tim duncan #kobe bryant #lebron james #shaquille oneal #dwyane wade #miami heat #san antonio spurs #lakers #los ángeles lakers #cleveland cavaliers #michael jordan #larry bird #magic johnson #boston celtics #stephen curry #team banana boat

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thewednesdayclubrecs · 7 years

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Episode 1: “Origins”

The Giant Sized Wednesday Club! This first episode ran extra long, and included a lot of comics mentioned.

These are the titles mentioned by Taleisin, Amy, or Matt over the course of the first episode of the Wednesday Club. If people are interested in another post with further reading on the topics, creators, and characters mentioned this episode, I can create that as well, if there is demand for it.

Physical comics: You may have a comic book store near you! Comic Shop Locator Hater Free Wednesdays Your local library may have a selection of physical comics as well. Ask your local librarian (many of us are nerds in disguise!)

Digital comics: Comixology and Comixology Unlimited Each publisher may have comics online for sale, including Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, and more. Again, your local library! Many are part of services such as Hoopla, where you can borrow and read digital comics.

On to the comics!

Matt's origins: Giant Size X-Men #1, 1975: Wikia; Comixology

Amy's origins: Asterix Archie Comics X-Men Volume 2 (1990s): Note, I believe Amy says 36 and 37 here, but I believe the comics she’s talking about are #46 and #47, with the X-Babies on the run from Mojo’s hunters. Generation X #5 Wikia; Comixology Webcomics: Kate Beaton’s Hark! A Vagrant, Ryan North’s Dinosaur Comics (he’s now writing Squirrel Girl, for one), (Note: There's a third whose name I didnt quite get here, David something? If someone caught that, let me know)

Taliesin's origins: (someone please, please illustrate Taliesin's weird mental images of the X-Men wow) V for Vendetta Wasteland (DC pre-Vertigo): Wikipedia; Comixology Vampirella Wikipedia; Comixology The Alice Cooper The Last Temptation, written by Neil Gaiman: based off this album; Comixology Sandman: Wikipedia; Comixology Jack Kirby’s Avengers

Fables: Wikipedia; Comixology

Rumiko Takahashi - Maison Ikkoku - Inuyasha - Ranma 1/2 - Urusei Yatsura - Rumic World horror shorts (hungry ghost) Tragically, outside of the big three (Maison Ikkoku, Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2), these are harder to find digitally (legally) than they should be by all rights. Your library may have them from the manga boom back in the day though.

Strangers in Paradise: Wikipedia; Comixology

America Chavez’s solo title

Cheung’s Young Avengers run: Comixology The Gillen/McKelvie Team Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie have done a ton of comics together, including Young Avengers and others mentioned below.

She-hulk: Alternate-dimensional tourism from Dimension A (the A-Holes): Wikia; Comixology

Patsy Walker: Hellcat: Wikia; Comixology

The Boys: Wikipedia; Comixology (BTW some SERIOUS content/trigger warnings here. For real. I’m including this because they did.)

What comics changed you? Taleisin: The Invisibles: Wikipedia; Comixology Jack Kirby’s New Gods; Jimmy Olsen Adventures Sandman’s Death: High cost of Living: Wikipedia; Comixology Promethea Whatever Happened to the man of Tomorrow?: Wikipedia; Comixology (V for Vendetta again)

Amy: Fun Home: Wikipedia; Comixology (also a musical)

Chat: Legion from X-Men (and mental health stuff--more on this next week) Marvel Zombies: Wikipedia; Comixology (.....if this changed your life...)

Alias - Marvel Max (origin of Jessica Jones): Wikipedia; Comixology

Generation X (mentioned above): Comixology - According to Amy: "pretty good for, like, 20 issues, and then... a book I still dearly love for 50 more issues" - "like the New Mutants of the 90s"

Claremont's X-Men run: Wikipedia - As per the three of them: this run’s not timeless, they’re not exactly “recommending” it yet. They're going to curate some issues for us later on, bless them. Stayed tuned for those links.

LGBT+ in comics - North Star reveal of the 90s: Aplha Flight #106: Wikia; Comixology (We’ll talk more about this when we get to the specific episode)

Rocket Raccoon's origin on the Mignola run: I believe this is the run they’re talking about.

Show and Share: Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #68 "The Helmet of Hate": Comics Vine (Wasn’t able to find a digital issue of this...)

Anti-drug issue of Spider-man: The Amazing Spider-Man #96 (Comics Vine). Printed without the CCA stamp on the front.

Kamandi the Last Boy on Earth: Wikipedia; Comixology

Warlock #11 "The Strange Death of Adam Warlock": Comic Vine; Comixology

Generation-X (signed by Lobdell) #2 with Penance on the cover: Wikia; Comixology

The New Mutants #1: Wikia; Comixology - "the Generation X of the 80s" - characters were introduced in a standalone story/graphic novel: Wikia; Comixology

Uncanny X-Men #201 "Who Will Lead them?": Wikia; Comixology - battle for leadership between Storm and Cyclops

X-Men Jim Lee alternate covers #1 "A Legend Reborn": Wikia; Comixology; All four variant covers in one image

X-Men Vol. 2 #4 First appearance of omega red: Wikia; (Having trouble finding this on Comixology...)

Excalibur #71 with Dark Phoenix, Fatal Attractions finale with Nightcrawler foil: Wikia; Comixology - this and Maximum Carnage were Matt's first big collected works as a kid

Uncanny X-Men #139 "Welcome to the X-Men Kitty Pryde... Hope you survive the experience!": Wikia; Comixology - Uncanny X-Men #129, Introduction of Kitty Pryde: Wikia; Comixology

The Wicked and the Divine: Wikipedia; Image Comics - "none more goth"

If you like Saga: Wikipedia; Image Comics - Y the Last Man: Wikipedia; Vertigo Comics

- Runaways: Wikipedia; Comixology -- and then Brian K Vaughn traded series with Joss Whedon

Avengers Arena: Wikipedia; Wikia; Comixology - according to Taleisin, this book has more impact if you know the characters more, so maybe this is part of the advanced class in recommendations

New Teen Titans - Not sure which series is meant here?

DC Bombshells: Wikipedia; DC Comics

Tom King's Vision: Wikia; Comixology

Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan): Wikia; Comixology (vol 3); continued in vol 4

Iron Heart - Riri Williams (current Iron Man): Wikia; Comixology

Image Comics: Website; Wikipedia - Early Image is noooot so much Amy's jam The Walking Dead: Wikipedia; Comixology Savage Dragon: Wikipedia; Comixology Sam and Twitch: Wikipedia; Comixology

Faith: Valiant’s site; Comixology Star Wars: Rogue One (run-up was announced, but never happened... perhaps what was meant was the run up to The Force Awakens?) - “Star Wars comics got good”--They moved from Dark Horse to Marvel recently - Note: there are quite a few Star Wars series being published by Marvel at the moment. (In this contributor’s opinion, some are better than others...)

Not strictly comics: X-Men (’90s animated series): Wikipedia; IMDB; Sailor Moon (the 90s dub, aw yeah); Wikipedia Superman (1978): Wikipedia; IMDB Batman the Animated Series: Wikipedia; IMDB Tom Stoppard's Arcadia: Wikipedia; Powell’s Comics In Focus: Chris Claremont’s X-Men: Wikipedia; it appears that this is no longer available on Vimeo... The LARPosal On Youtube "cardio and pie" - which we should all apparently try a slice of cheddar cheese on? Battle Royale: Wikipedia; IMDB The Supergirl Show on CW: Wikipedia; IMDB The Tick: The 1994 series, and the 2001 series The Image Revolution (documentary about the birth of Image comics): IMDB, trailer; Streaming on Youtube, Amazon, and elsewhere. Pogs. Just. Pogs. God I remember Pogs. Where Taleisin's handle comes from: Executive Transvetite

Stores mentioned: Hi De Ho Comics (store) LA Golden Apple (store) LA Torpedo Comic (store) Las Vegas Box Lunch House of Secrets (store) Burbank, CA (where Amy works)

Next week Mental Health and Comics Legion: Wikipedia; IMDB; airing on FX; streaming on Hulu, Amazon

X-Men Legacy (2012) volume 2: Wikia; Comixology; Marvel

Moon Knight - Current run, written by Lemire: Comixology; Marvel - Warren Ellis: Comixology; Marvel - Bendis' LA run: Comixology; Marvel

Doom Patrol - specifically Crazy Jane - Grant Morrison's run (which Taliesin says is psychotropic, take that as you will): Wikipedia; Comixology - Just pointing out that Taliesin gave a content warning for this, so.

Note: mentions may or may not be recommendations. My personal recommendations sometimes differ, but that’s not the point of this post. And remember: it’s ok to not have read everything--or anything!

If I missed anything, please let me know! Episode #2 will be up.... soon?

#the wednesday club #recommendations #comics #geek and sundry #dc comics #marvel comics #image comics #valiant comics

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13thfloornz · 6 years

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The 13th Floor sent Auckland-based singer, songwriter and vocal coach Caitlin Smith off to see Sia last night. Here is her review…

To say that I love Sia is an understatement. I am completely IN LOVE with Sia…. Always have been. Last night’s Mt Smart solo show was a redefinition of live musical performance. It was provocative, deeply moving, spectacularly curated and well sung. Funnily enough, there are haters galore on Facebook all complaining of her as being ‘farce’and her not speaking between songs as getting ‘tired pretty quick’. I disagree. They just don’t get the profound statements she makes as an artist.

No loss. Haters gonna hate.

Truth be told – it was beautiful. I felt as if I was in the presence of genius. I guess these same critics wouldn’t have liked Bowie’s mime either (There’s plenty ball-busting bluster out there if you want same-old, same-old…)

Sia is a spectacular vocalist, artist and songwriter. But, she doesn’t ‘show-off’ or rub our faces in this. There’s no posturing or bravado (in stark contrast to the last gig I’d seen at Mt Smart … Bruce Springsteen!) She very consciously shifted herself into the shadows in order to redirect our attention to the mesmerizing story-telling of her coterie of dancers on stage and actors on screen. Star of Chandelier’s video and regular collaborator Maddie Ziegler was explosive and dynamic, holding centre-stage and totally embodying the songs. (I’m delighted to age with her as a dancer…. Now that she’s 15)

Sia is entirely self-defined, interdisciplinary and genre-bending. The 16 song set combined pre-recorded cameo-studded large-screen video-art with live dancers onstage juxtaposed with an almost entirely motionless Sia. As a performer, even before hiding her face behind wigs and masks, she has always delivered songs from a stationary position. The songs were segued together with sound-art and spoken word.

I first heard Sia when a student of mine tipped me off around 2004 or so. I wound up using her album Some People Have Real Problems as a soundtrack to my life (covering Soon Will Be Found with my own band). I’d known her as the frontwoman for Zero 7 and was in awe of her distinctive powerful rasp. You’d be hard-pressed to find a professional vocalist who doesn’t fully respect Sia’s originality, quirky childlike charisma and voice.

She writes of her own struggles with addiction, co-dependency, disempowerment and ultimately: transformation and victory. It was wonderful to see so many young women at this gig: you couldn’t find a better role model: of humility, putting the ‘art form’ and lyrical intent first and dissolving herself into the background to allow the songs, dancers, costumes and choreography to shine.

It was important to note that it wasn’t until exactly halfway through her set that she moved: using sign language to interpret Soon Will Be Found. This gave the song so much more impact, given her prior (and later continued) restraint. Watch this version of Chandelier with a sign language interpreter on SNL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hg_rIqOZHc.

Everything about Sia is gorgeously mindful and deliberate (like our own Anthonie Tonnon)

Her legacy is long. Sia’s first solo album was in 1997. She wasn’t fully recognised by the mainstream until songs were placed in film and television and she made a very deliberate effort to write to a ‘pop’ audience pitching songs to ‘pop’ artists. (Breathe Me was placed in Six Feet Under and later Elastic Heart featured on the soundtrack of The Hunger Games). Her hits for other artists like Rihanna (Diamonds) and Beyonce (Pretty Hurts) have thankfully extended her listenership so that the impact of her highly experiential lyrics can reach as many hearts and ears as possible.

I feel my friend Catherine Hamilton sums up the concert brilliantly with these one-liners: “Complete redefinition of what it means to go to a pop concert” … “Pop’s anti-hero” … “An amazing feat to perform them bangers as a living statue”.

BTW, even though the onstage banter was limited to one “Thank you” and “I love you so much”, she did say something directly to us as Kiwis “You guys make the BEST coconut yogurt”… and being a vegan, she’d know.

What a beautiful mix of people. What an honour and a joy.

Oh …. As a bit of a giggle, I’m curious to hear her recently released Everyday is Christmas (her eighth studio album). Check it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElmsIGT85tI

Caitlin Smith

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk (open act photos coming later today):

Setlist

Alive (from This Is Acting)

Diamond

Reaper (from This Is Acting)

Big Girls Cry (from 1000 forms of Fear)

Bird set free (from This is Acting)

One Million Bullets (from This Is Acting)

Cheap Thrills (from This Is Acting)

Soon Will be Found (from Some people have Real Problems)

Don’t Bring Me Down (from Colour the Small One)?

Elastic Heart (The Hunger Games)

Unstoppable (from This Is Acting)

Breathe Me (used for Six Feet Under, from her 2nd solo album Colour the Small One)

Move your Body (from This Is Acting)

Titanium 2011 David Guetta

Chandelier (from 1000 forms of Fear)

The Greatest (from The Greatest)

Sia – Mt Smart Stadium December 5, 2017 The 13th Floor sent Auckland-based singer, songwriter and vocal coach Caitlin Smith off to see Sia last night.

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