Real quick

Just peeped this really Dope article on Complex about the 30 greatest demo tapes in hip-hop history. Order may be messed up, but spirit of article is right on point. Kudos to them!

http://www.complex.com/music/2011/03/greatest-hip-hop-demos/#gallery

What I'm listening to right now Prequel

I know i was M.I.A. for a couple weeks, but im back from my hiatus like i left something............

You know the NBA and NFL lockouts have left a void in my heart and left me devoid of material, but I'm not gonna obsess over millionaires arguing with billionaires over how to split up our(the fans) hard-earned money. Instead ima shift to my other love: The Music. You all know i'm a straight up 80's baby, weaned on the Golden Era rap and YO!MTV Raps. I wet my appetite when i was a pre-teen, on that GangStarr and Tribe Called Quest. That Chronic and Doggystyle drove me crazy. Then I heard Nas............. Ask my Aunt Trisha how crazy i went when she gets out lol

HE SAID SON WE FOUND THAT NIGGA WE GOTTA KILL!


I could wax poetically about the QB kid all day, he just made it different. He deserves a post of his own lol. But this is isnt, about him, or the other luminaries of my era(BIG, Hov, Rae/Ghost, Meth/Red) or others(KRS bridged all eras). It's more of a background on my listening tastes. Though open to everything, aside from Death Row, i was decidedly Tri-State based. Whether it was Jersey boys, Redman and Canibus, or any NY crew from Duck down to Native Toungues, i was on it.

Although i still prefer the lyricism of a  Big Pun or Mos Def, its all good for me to listen to Waka Flocka's " No Hands", as i most assuredly wouldn't have back in the when we argued bout who's the best MC "Biggie, Jay-Z, or Nas"(or Del, in Dana Dane's case). I guess you could say i'm not as tough a critic as i used to be lol. Though i put a premium on my rappers' lyrical content, sometimes the marriage of stellar production and flow(presence?) win despite subpar lyrics.

With that said, im'a keep ya'll posted throughout the rest of the summer on what i'm listening to to pass some time and fill my column quota until something  resumes on the sports front. Oh yeah and that Watch the Throne is on the way too ........................


* Two Sports related tidbits: I got sidetracked during my live NBA draft Common Sense Draft. Will revisit it when i get time, as we know the NBA Lockout will drag on because David Stern is a (fill in the adjective/noun)



Once paired with Tracy McGrady to form the most fragile duo in NBA history
 

Yao Ming retired! That is actual a huge deal, and there is a case to be made that he is the most known person in the world, although  not the US. He also was an underappreciated big man, who although injury prone in recent seasons, started off his career quite durable, and at one point could be described as dominating. Very good, plus very influential but not quite a HOF, in my humble opinion.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 7

        The only time i ever saw this kid play was this game. Quite an impression!

7: Sacramento

Experts say: Jimmer Fredette
Roe Says: Bismack Biyombo

As much as I'd like to see Tyreke and Jimmer form an all-time shake and bake combo ala Young Hardaway and Richmond circa '92, I'm goin for the kid from Congo with the off the hook measurables and presence. And he fits a need. Also if Sactown took Jimmer, they'd need 2 basketballs to keep he and Evans happy.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 6

6: Washington

Experts say: Jan Vesely
Roe Says: Kawhi Leonard

Gives John Wall another running mate. Leonard is an athletic freak and rebounding virtuoso who is also a potential defensive stalwart. Basically, he's the Anti-Rashard Lewis

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 5

  ALL I DO IS WIN: Kemba's Mixtape


5: Toronto

Experts say: Brandon Knight
Roe Says: Kemba Walker

Toronto really has no position it can't improve on. So why not start with arguably the most important one? Kemba would instantly provide the Raptors with an energy and much-needed leadership. In addition to some hope for stability, Kemba brings a winning attitude for a franchise that desperately needs it.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 4

4: Cleveland

Experts say: Jonas Valincias
Roe Says: Brandon Knight

I'm not sold on the Euro prospect, as I've never even seen him. But I've known about Brandon Knight since his prodigious HS career here in Florida(only 3rd 2-time winner of Gatorade NPOY (Lebron/Oden), plus his summer exploits on Team Breakdown w/ Kenny Boynton and Team STAT w/ Austin Rivers. Having already gotten the crown jewel @ 1, the Cavs have the luxury of the best guard for them in either Knight,Kemba or Jimmer. I like Knight as he is the youngest, with most potential. His comparison is Chauncey Billups at this age, and advanced youngin, which bodes well for rebuilding Cleveland.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 3

                   Can't Tell if he is excited, mad or got kicked in the nuts

3: Utah

Experts say: Enes Kanter
Roe Says: Enes Kanter

Well, I guess i'm an expert. This one just makes sense. Utah has 2 lottery picks and they need a point guard soon, after the departure of franchise cornerstone Deron Williams. Devin Harris is good for the short term and Kanter was one of the top recruits in the country and went HAM in last years Nike Hoop Summit against many of the top players in addition to pro experience for years. True Centers are hard to come by these days and the Jazz will look at PG help later in draft.

Common Sense Draft Lottery - pick 2

2: Minnesota

Experts say: Derrick Williams
Roe says: Trade with Lakers- Kyrie Irving

Essentially punting on Kyrie Irving as decision maker for Wolves, because if the Timberwolves draft another point guard it'll be like the Detroit Lions drafting another wide receiver. Yea, the jokes are old but so is Minnesota's losing ways. The Wolves have finally imported Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio from the famed 2009 draft where they drafted 3 point guards(Johnny Flynn, Tywon Lawson and Rubio). So the pressure is on GM David Kahn to do right by this pick. Thus he will do what we all know and trade it. Irving isn't really a fit in Minny. They have been putting out trade feelers for a young vet in exchange for this pick all offseason, being rebuffed for Danny Granger, then Rudy Gay, then Roy Hibbert, and finally Javale Mcgee. Enter the LA Lakers and a pissed off front office after a less than dynastic exit from the playoffs. Dangling either Center Andrew Bynum(young vet) or Pau Gasol(to team with fellow Spainard Rubio and Complement Kevin Love's inside -out game). The Lakers can get the jitterbug PG they so covet. Also, Irving is often compared to Chris Paul(often linked to LA), could be a younger lower cost replacement for the Lakers

Common Sense Draft Lottery

I read every mock draft moving and decided that i too could guess where the future studs of America and beyond will land. Think of it as a mock of the actual draft. I will weigh the experts draft prognostications versus yours truly.
 
1: Cleveland

Experts say: Kyrie Irving
Roe Says: Derrick Williams

The consensus #1 player in the draft despite playing only 11 games this season, Irving was a hit in his 1/3 season in K-ville. However, his last loss came at the hands of Arizona and super power small forward Williams. Frankly, Cleveland is in this position due to the departure of a certain powerful small forward. Though no Lebron, Williams too has a pro-ready physique and is already a better shooter, maybe even the best in the draft. People say he's a tweener, but he's a baller. Also, the Cavs have a backlog at PG w/ Ramon Sessions, and Baron Davis' stomach.

Mouthing Off about Finals

Game 5 was really exciting. Both teams performed at or near their offensive peaks. It featured blistering three-point shooting, half court shots, injury scares/returns and the return of the Jet Takeoff.

    THIS YOUNG MAN WAS LAST SEEN IN CHICAGO DURING THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS, Please contact if you see him or his game!

Everybody is talking bout Lebron going missing in the 4th quarter and end of game situations. What i wanna know s what happened at the beginning of the game. You know, the Good ole "Powder Toss"? He actually said in an interview that he would bring it back at the beginning of next season, but for right now he set his ritual aside to express how big these games are.

I honestly feel the opposite way. If that is truly a facet of Lebron, how can he just set it aside. Not saying that the lack of powder in Miami(haha) has altered the Heat/Lebron Finals, But on some level if it works and feels good all season, abandoning it during the most important games of her life feels unnatural and counterintuitive. I mean he's been doing it for 8 years and now, it just disappears into the air(no pun). I mean just abandoning your routine is rare for athletes in general, as they are known creatures of habit. Also doing things out of your element often make people uncomfortable. Being out of one's comfort zone in moments of great significance never did any good. See John Starks,New York Knicks, 1990s for reference. As the saying goes  karmas a bitch stick with what got you here.

Since 1st watching him in the 1992 Mcdonald's All-American Game, Jason Kidd has morphed from the prep version of Magic Johnson to the person who helped finally end the Hurley/Hill/Laettner Era as a collegiate frosh at Cal. From his 1st go-round in Dallas as one of the 3J's (Jimmy,Jamal,Jason) that ended in the Toni Braxton Love Triangle to the Run and Gun Suns of the mid-90s(who amazingly boasted 3 of top 15 pgs of last 30 years in Kidd, Kevin Johnson and rookie Steve Nash). Next it was onto his new job as custodian of Stephon Marbury's mess franchise savior for the lowly New Jersey Nets, leading the their world class collection of misfits(Kenyon Martin),malcontents (Vince Carter) and miscasts(Richard Jefferson as a star lol) to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002-03.

Now in the twilight of his certain-to-be HOF career, he has morphed into a game-managing, sharp shooting marvel. Yes, I said it. Formerly known as Ason Kidd, cause he truly had no J, his timely 3-point shooting has the Dallas Mavericks one win from their first NBA Title. Currently the player with the most playoff games without a championship, he has taken his team to 14 str8 playoff appearances, so its only a matter of time before he hits one. So just like his shooting prowess, there is hope. Rajon Rondo, Ricky Rubio, and other jack of different trades than shooting should take note. There is always room for improvement...................

Speaking of legacies, Dirk's will change with a finals win. But it shouldn't. What i mean is, he had the wrong reputation to begin with. It is a fact that his game elevated his games in the postseason, whether his team has won or lost the series. Like this season, he led a flawed Mavericks team to the brink of a title in '06, lost to an energized and uber-hot Golden State squad that was the imperfect matchup for the Mavs, and so on. But Dirk didn't shrink. Now Lebron is a different story.

Regardless of how many valueless triple doubles he has. The last two he "produced" (2010 ECF Game 6, 2011 NBA Finals Game 5) were barely even noticeable and both came in losses. Is Lebron a Wilt, a Palmieiro, Warren Moon. A number wizard, stat-compiler whose numbers don't have a huge bearing/influence on the game. No, i wouldn't go that far. But this statement seems suffice: In the regular season, ompare Lebron to whoever you want. But in the postseason, if you want results, Don't Bother, just get Dwyane Wade :)