Quantcast
Channel: Breaking News, Entertainment, Sports & College Life | COED
Viewing all 37839 articles
Browse latest View live

Kiana Lede: Hottest Photos On The Internet

0
0

Kiana Lede, who was born Kiana Brown, is a singer and actress who first rose to fame as Zoe Vaugh on season 2 of MTV’s horror series Scream. The 21-year-old rising star is now looking to take her music career to the next level and recently dropped a new video for her standout single “Fairplay.” The new take on the single is an acoustic, stripped down version that allows Lede’s talents to really shine.

“I wrote this song when I went through a messy breakup,” she said in an interview with Stupid Dope. “I got cheated on, and I was in that angry phase that you go through when you have a breakup… It was a blessing in disguise because that relationship was affecting my growth. I needed that relationship to end so I could grow. A lot of good things were happening to me after that, so I thought, ‘Man, that’s karma.’ I feel like I put my whole heart into that relationship and good things still [came from it], even though he gave up. So what goes around, comes around.”

You can listen to the acoustic version of “Fairplay” below:

“I think that, most of the time, in movies and even in real life, the woman [who hooks up] gets the blame,” she said about the original version of the video. “It’s almost like the women are pitted against each other. That’s portrayed in a lot of stories. I didn’t want that in this. In my story, I felt like the woman he cheated with was the victim, too, almost. All the blame was not put on her, it was put on the guy. I don’t want women to feel like there’s any competition, because there is not. It had to do with my relationship with my man, and nothing to do with the other woman.”

Lede is currently working on the release of her debut EP with Republic Records.


Gaming Company Forced To Delete “School Shooting” Video Game

0
0

via Reviveinteractive

Valve Corp., the parent company of Steam, a video-game marketplace, has removed a school shooting video game off of its online platform following widespread outrage. The game, called “Active Shooter”, allowed players to re-create school shootings by entering schools and killing students. The game was pulled days before it was set to be released on June 6.

“Active shooter” was developed by Revived Games, published by Acid and lead by developed named Ata Berdiyev, who had previously been kicked off of the Steam platform under a different business name. Acid Publishing Group was planning to sell the game for $5 to $10 on Steam. In a statement, Valve said it would not carry any games by Acid and that it had removed other games that Acid had published on the Steam platform.

Before being deleted, the official description of the game was as follows:  “Pick your role, gear up and fight or destroy! Be the good guy or the bad guy. The choice is yours! Only in ‘Active Shooter,’ you will be able to pick the role of an Elite S.W.A.T member or the actual shooter.” Furthermore, on the game’s Steam page, a warning read: “Please do not take any of this seriously. This is only meant to be the simulation and nothing else. If you feel like hurting someone or people around you, please seek help from local psychiatrists or dial 911 (or applicable).”

According to the New York Times, Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jamie was one of the 17 victims in the Parkland shooting, said of the game: “This is gross, this is profiteering, this is unacceptable.” Data from the Gun Violence Archive states that there have been over 100 “mass shootings” in 2018 alone, 23 of which were school shootings.

On Tuesday, May 29, an online petition to stop the release of the game had gathered more than 100,000 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon.

Jerry Colangelo Net Worth 2018: How Much Is Colangelo Worth?

0
0

Jerry Colangelo may often be confused with his son Bryan for the wrong reasons, but has had quite a career of his own without his son’s help. Since becoming a part of the Phoenix Suns as their first general manager, Colangelo has turned Arizona, specifically Phoenix, into a sports staple. Before the Suns were brought into the NBA during the expansion, Arizona didn’t have a single professional sports team. Since then, Jerry Colangelo had been a part of bringing five new professional sports teams to Phoenix.


Jerry Colangelo Net Worth 2018: $300 Million

The former owner of five professional Arizona sports teams, including the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, Colangelo’s net worth come in at a staggering $300 Million.


1968-1994

Instagram Photo

In 1968, the Phoenix Suns set out to be the first major professional sports team in Arizona. Already a scout for the Chicago Bulls, Colangelo was tapped to be the Suns first General Manager. Colangelo became the head coach for the 1970, and 1972-74 seasons, proving he was a much better GM, posting a 59-60 overall record as the coach.

In 1984, Colangelo put a group together and bought the controlling stake of the Phoenix Suns, becoming the team’s owner and GM. He remained with the team until 1995 when he was succeeded by his son Bryan.


1995-2018

Instagram Photo

After stepping away from the Suns’ front office, Colangelo set his sights on the MLB. In 1995, Colangelo and his group were selected to be one of the MLB’s next expansion teams, becoming the Arizona Diamondbacks. With securing some big names like Buck Showalter and Randy Johnson, the Diamondbacks had won their first world series just four years after their first game. That 2001 world championship was the first major title to be won by a Phoenix-area team.

Around the same time of the Diamondbacks formation, Colangelo brought Arizona its first NHL team. Formerly the Winnipeg Jets, the Phoenix Coyotes were formed in 1996.

In 2004, Colangelo decided to sell. That year he sold his ownership of the Phoenix Suns, Mercury, and Rattlers as well as his ownership of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This decision cleansed him ownership in professional sports.

In December 2015, Colangelo made his return to the NBA as a special advisor and chairman of basketball operations of the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2016 he would once again give his role to his son, giving up his position as chairman of basketball operations, but choosing to stay on as an advisor.


Who Is “The Source” That Discovered Bryan Colangelo’s (Alleged) Burner Accounts?

0
0

Shutterstock

Late Tuesday night, The Ringer published a frankly bizarre investigation of five burner accounts that are allegedly operated by none other than Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo. The article is extensive, delving into a months-long analysis of the account’s tweets, likes, follows, and general activity.

The accounts  — @phila1234567, @AlVic40117560, @Honesta34197118, @Enoughunkownso1, @s_bonhams — tweeted criticisms of NBA players, including Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, and Nerlens Noel, publicly debate the decisions of his own coaching staff, critique former Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie and Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, telegraph the 2017 Markelle Fultz trade, disclose nonpublic medical information about Okafor and gossip about Embiid and Fultz to members of the national and Philadelphia media.

While nothing has been confirmed, the evidence against Colangelo is rather damning. For the full in-depth report, head over to The Ringer.

But even more interesting than the Colangelo Twitter accounts themselves, is how — and why — they came to the light in the first place.

Brandon Detrick, the author of the original Ringer story, says he was contacted in February by an anonymous source on Twitter claiming to work in artificial intelligence. This source, after noticing a “bunch of weird tweets” directed at Sixers writers, used an “open-source data analysis tool to link five accounts through commonalities including similarities in who the accounts followed and linguistic quirks.” That sounds like some shit that Q would try to convince James Bond to use, which seems rather advanced for the average Twitter egg.

As soon as the story dropped, multiple theories exploded onto the internet, questioning A) how the source could have even noticed/found these rather anonymous and insignificant tweets, B) how they had the ability to conduct such tests, C) why they would even bother putting in the effort, and most importantly, D) who could it be?


Conspiracy Theory #1: Danny Ainge

Instagram Photo

Anyone who watched the NBA Playoffs this season knows that there are three teams that will be fighting for supremacy in the Eastern Conference for the next few years: the Celtics, the 76ers, and whichever team ends up landing LeBron. Coincidentally, the Philadelphia 76ers are currently the favorites to land LeBron James (according to Las Vegas), which may permanently tip the scales in Philadelphia’s favor over Boston.

Knowing this, Danny Ainge, the Celtics general manager and arguably the best executive in the league, hired a team of investigators to turn up dirt on Philadelphia with the hopes of deterring The King from calling the City of Brotherly Love home. In this scenario, the “dirt” ended up being these alleged Colangelo burner accounts, one of which even tweeted criticism of LeBron, calling him “whiny”:

Update: Vegas dropped Philly from +150 odds of landing LeBron to +175, which ties them with Cleveland.


Conspiracy Theory #2: The Philadelphia 76ers

Instagram Photo

This is where the conspiracies become more complicated. If Danny Ainge is the “flat earth” of basketball conspiracies, then the Philadelphia 76ers are the next step up: the “lizard people” of basketball conspiracies.

In this scenario, members of the Philadelphia 76ers organization dug up (or created) these alleged Bryan Colangelo burner accounts with the hope of getting Colangelo fired from within. The reason? Once again, LeBron James. As I mentioned earlier, Philadelphia is currently the Vegas favorite to land LeBron, however, that dream pairing of James-Simmons-Embiid may never come to fruition if Colangelo remains with the team.

Colangelo’s father Jerry, a longtime NBA executive who ran USA Basketball in the 2000’s, actually had a couple of dust-ups with King James in the past, as he used to question James’ loyalty and commitment to his country’s basketball team. With that in mind, members of the 76ers may have used these Twitter accounts as a way of getting Bryan fired with the hopes of appeasing LeBron.


Conspiracy Theory #3: Sam Hinkie

Instagram Photo

My favorite conspiracy theory is that the anonymous source is none other than Sam “Trust The Process” Hinkie himself, who, coincidentally, currently teaches an artificial intelligence class at Stanford University.

Given that these burner accounts were critical of Heinke directly, that would explain how he ever came across them in the first place, and because he’s an artificial intelligence professor at Stanford, that explains how he had access to the technology required to run such “open-source data analysis” tests.

While I’m no lawyer, I’ve seen enough crime dramas in my day to know that figuring out the motive of a crime is a key component of solving a case, and Heinke’s motive seems to be the strongest. Colangelo was using these accounts to directly attack Hinkie, so when Hinkie discovered the tweets while using artificial intelligence technology provided to him by Stanford, he then realized that the accounts could be owned by Colangelo, thus contacting The Ringer.

Capitals vs. Golden Knights Game 2 Live Stream: How to Watch Stanley Cup Online

0
0

At long last, the NHL Stanley Cup Finals are finally upon us. This series is between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights. Both teams were able to win clinch their spots in the Stanley Cup on the road in the previous series which should be a good indicator about how unpredictable this series might be. However, the Capitals failed to win game one on the road and will now have to win game two in order to even up the series. Expect this game to be extremely competitive as both teams will lay it all on the line.

Washington’s postseason success is due to its elite scoring depth which consists of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov. During the regular season, Ovechkin led the team in points with 87 and had an astonishing 49 goals in 82 games. During the playoffs, Ovechkin has continued to score regularly and has 12 goals in just 20 playoff games. Backstrom missed part of the playoffs due to injuries but has managed to average over one point per game in 16 playoff games. Kuznetsov has been phenomenal this postseason and leads the team in points with 24. If the Capitals plan on winning this game, all three of them will need to be at their best.

In game one, Ovechkin and Kuznetsov each had an assist on the team’s fourth goal. However, these two failed to make an impact throughout the rest of the contest. The fact that Washington was able to score three other goals without any contribution from Ovechkin and/or Kuznetsov is a good sign moving forward. With their goal scoring abilities, expect Ovechkin and Kuznetsov to be a lot more aggressive in game two.

Vegas’ success has been due to its star goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Since it is Vegas’ first official season in the NHL, the organization partook in an expansion draft during the offseason. In the draft, Vegas decided to take goalie Marc-Andre Fleury from the Pittsburgh Penguins as the team hoped that he would carry it to a potential playoff berth. Since joining Vegas, Fleury has been godly. This season, Fleury went 29-13-4 with a 2.24 goals against average. However, he has been even better in the playoffs. In 16 starts, Fleury is 13-3 with a 1.81 goals against average. Fleury also has had four shutouts already this postseason and will look for a bounce back performance after giving up four goals in game one. Expect Fleury to play a lot better on Wednesday night as a result.   

As for my prediction, I have to side with the Knights. Vegas has a tremendous home ice advantage and has used it throughout the whole season. Vegas went 29-10-2 at home this season and I expect the T-Mobile Arena to be rocking on Wednesday. I think that the game will be really close but I think that Fleury will play a lot better as he carries the Golden Knights to a commanding 2-0 series lead.


Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights: Game Time, TV Channel & Viewing Details

Event: Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Start Time: 8:00 P.M. EST
Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV
Broadcast: NBCSN


How to Watch Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights On Your Tablet Or Mobile Device

You can live stream the game on the NBC Sports app.

You can download the NBC Sports App on Google PlayAmazoniTunes, and the Windows Store. The NBC Sports app is also available on the following devices: Apple TVRokuGoogle ChromecastAndroid TVFire TV, and Xbox One.


How To Live Stream Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights Online Without Cable Subscription

You can also live stream the football game through Sling TV free trial.  Just click on the Sling website and click “Watch Now 7 Days Free” for the free trial. Choose the Sling Orange package, which costs $20 per month and comes with NBC along with many other sports channels.

WWE Fox Deal: Full Story & Must-See Details

0
0

The WWE, largest pro-wrestling company in the world, is currently looking at Fox as their new home. With their contract with the USA network nearing its end, WWE has been looking to other outlets for their weekly television shows “Monday Night Raw”, and “SmackDown Live”. While it seems that Raw will stay on the USA network with a reported $265 Million a year, SmackDown looks as though it will moving. Fox is reportedly in talks in finalizing a deal with the WWE to air SmackDown Live. Since the UFC will no longer be airing on Fox, they are looking to WWE to fill in that gap. While the deal is not finalized, WWE could be paid 1 Billion dollars for five years of programming.

Instagram Photo

This deal if it becomes finalized will be a massive financial gain for WWE. SmackDown is widely considered the “B” show compared to Raw, which came as a surprise when it was revealed that Fox was willing to pay that type of money. This can mean changes for the brand in the future for when they do make the jump over to Fox.

SmackDown will most definitely step their quality of programming up with this much money hanging in the balance as well as top WWE stars moving over to the brand as well. Within the last few years, SmackDown had a resurgence to prominence in the eyes of the WWE audience as more storylines have become SmackDown exclusive, and with the brand split in 2016, it has become a staple in WWE programming.

Instagram Photo

One of the biggest stories coming out of the WWE/Fox deal is the idea for a weekly studio show. The details of what the show will be have not been released, but there is speculation that WWE will revive its original studio show “Talking Smack.” This show took place immediately after SmackDown went off the air and was hosted by interviewer Renee Young and then manager of SmackDown itself Daniel Bryan.

Since the show already has a built-in audience, this seems to be the most likely scenario. The show can be used to promote storylines, and hopefully used to bring new fans into the product. The show helped showcase the superstars and their personalities in a more intimate setting, with really help resonate with fans, and in turn, help get their characters over in the long run.

The Miz was the biggest beneficiary of this show because he was able to push his “heel” persona even farther in which he solely built an entire feud with Daniel Bryan, without the help of the television show itself. It was only after the WWE bring this feud to the limelight. Because of the success of this angle, there is a future match that fans are anticipating between these two. There is still much more to come in the new few weeks to follow about this deal,  and more news will surely come out.


Honest Trailers Perfectly Summed Up Every Christopher Nolan Movie Ever Made

0
0

Christopher Nolan is one of the most talented directors of the generation and there is absolutely no question about it. From The Dark Knight trilogy to The Departed to Inception and Instellar — Christopher Nolan is playing chess while the rest of the planet’s directors are playing checkers. However, that doesn’t mean he’s above getting clowned on, which is exactly what ScreenJunkies did.

ScreenJunkies has been producing these “Honest Trailers” for years, and while they’re not as funny as they used to be, they still pack a relatively decent punch. Taking aim at Nolan’s classic WOMPPPP noises, the lack of depth his female characters, the constant blue tint his movies seem to have, the same suit he always seems to be wearing, and his over-complicated timelines, Honest Trailers perfectly skewered Nolan and all of his (minimal) faults.

From Memento to Dunkirk, the Honest Trailer covers every film of Nolan’s career, finding (hilarious) common themes between them.

While Nolan’s next project has yet to be announced, fans can count on a couple things: it’ll have a weak female lead, it’ll be shot with a blueish tint, and it will very likely include an ear-shattering WOMPPPP sound.

Women’s College World Series 2018: Bracket, Times & Schedule

0
0

The college softball season is coming to a close in Oklahoma City. On May 31st, the 2018 Women’s College World Series begins and is set to be a true clash of the Titans. The University of Oregon and the University of Florida lead the way as the number 1 and number 2 seeds, respectively.

The Pac-12 conference is the heavy favorite to take home the national championship, as they represent four of the eight schools in OKC. There were no upsets in any of the regional rounds, as all of the top seeds advanced. Watch out for the University of Washington this year, as they started the season 28-0 and were the number one team in the country for nine straight weeks. All game times shown are eastern standard time.

Instagram Photo

Full bracket can be found here.

Thursday, May 31

Game 1: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Arizona State/ 12:00 p.m./ ESPN

Game 2: No. 4 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Washington/ 2:30 p.m./ ESPN

Game 3: No. 2 Florida vs. No. 7 Georgia/ 7 p.m./ ESPN2

Game 4: No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 6 Florida State/ 9:30 p.m./ ESPN2

Friday, June 1

Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner/ 7 p.m./ ESPN

Game 6 : Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner/ 9:30 p.m./ ESPN

Saturday, June 2

Game 7 (elimination game): Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser /12:00 p.m./ ESPN

Game 8 (elimination game): Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser/ 2:30 p.m./ ESPN

Game 9 (elimination game): Game 5 loser vs. Game 7 loser /7 p.m./ ESPN

Game 10 (elimination game): Game 6 loser vs. Game 8 winner/ 9:30 p.m./ ESPN

Sunday, June 3

Game 11 (elimination game): Game 5 winner vs. Game 9 winner/ 1 p.m./ ESPN

Game 12 (elimination game): Game 6 winner  vs. Game 10 winner/ 3:30 p.m.

Game 13 (if necessary): 7 p.m./ ESPN2

Game 14 (if necessary): 9:30 p.m./ ESPN2

Women’s College World Series Finals (Best of 3) All Games on ESPN

Monday, June 4

Game 1: 7 p.m.

Tuesday, June 5

Game 2: 8 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6

Game 3 (if necessary): 8 p.m.



Cavaliers vs. Warriors Game 1 Live Stream: How to Watch NBA Finals Online

0
0

At long last, the NBA Finals are finally upon us. This series is between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. The Cavaliers entered the season with hopes of dethroning the Warriors as NBA champions and the team now has its opportunity to do so. This is the fourth straight NBA Finals between these two teams with the Warriors winning two of the previous three matchups. Can the Cavaliers even it up and win another championship or will the Warriors win back-to-back championships? The Warriors are favored by a ton to win this series. However, the Cavaliers always have a chance with LeBron James on the roster. Despite the clear talent discrepancy between these two teams, expect this game to be more competitive than people think.

Cleveland’s success is due to its best player LeBron James. In the regular season, James  averaged 27.5 points per game on an absurd shooting percentage of 54.2% from the floor. However, James has been even better in the postseason. In 18 playoff games, James has averaged 34.0 points per game along with 8.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game. Although he is in his 15th NBA season, James has showed no signs of slowing down and the Warriors will need to find a way to stop him

In game seven, James went into full beast mode as he single-handedly carried the Cavaliers to a victory. In 48 minutes, James had 35 points along with 13 rebounds and nine assists. However, James will most likely need to duplicate this type of performance now that star teammate Kevin Love is expected to also miss game one of this series due to a concussion. Expect James to have a huge game if the Cavaliers plan on winning game one of the NBA Finals.

Golden State’s success has been due to its star point guard Stephen Curry and its star forward Kevin Durant. Both players are former MVP award winners and have proven that they are still elite in today’s NBA. This season, Curry averaged 26.4 points per game along with 6.1 assists per game. Curry’s statistics are even more impressive once one factor in his efficiency from the floor. Curry was shooting an absurd 49.5% from the field and 42.3% from the three-point line.

In the playoffs, Curry has struggled a bit with his consistency and is only shooting 38.5% from three point range thus far. However, Curry did dominate game seven against the Rockets as he went 7-15 from three point range on his way to scoring 27 points. Curry took over the third quarter and regained some of his signature swagger that he was lacking earlier in the playoffs. Look for Curry to continue where he left off as it appears that he regained confidence in his jumpshot.

Leading the Warriors now is fellow superstar Kevin Durant. This season, Durant averaged 26.4 points per game along with 6.8 rebounds per game. Similarly to Curry, Durant was also extremely efficient from the floor. He was shooting 51.6% from the field and 41.9% from behind the arc. In the playoffs, Durant has been unguardable and will likely keep it going in game one. In 17 playoff games, Durant has averaged 29.0 points per game while shooting 47.9% from the floor. Expect Durant to put up points in bunches tonight against Cleveland’s inconsistent defense.

As for my prediction, I have to side with the Warriors. The Warriors are clearly the better team and should be able to overpower the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have struggled mightily on the road this postseason and traveling to Oakland will not change that. However, the Warriors have been awful in the first half of ballgames and I expect Cleveland to hang around before getting blown out in the second half.


Cavaliers vs. Warriors: Game Time, TV Channel & Viewing Details

Event: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2018
Start Time: 9:00 P.M. EST
Location: ORACLE Arena in Oakland, CA
Broadcast: ABC


How to Watch Cavaliers vs. Warriors: Game Time, TV Channel & Viewing Details On Your Tablet Or Mobile Device

You can live stream the game on the ABC app.

You can download the ABC app on Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, and the Windows Store. The ABC app is also available on the following devices: Apple TVRokuAndroid TV and Fire TV.

COED’s Quick Fix: Everything You Need To Know Today-5/31

0
0

Shutterstock

Welcome to COED’s Quick Fix, a rundown and recap off all the news, stories and headlines that you need to know today. Whether it be pop culture, sports, news, college or lifestyle, we’ve got you covered.

This is the Quick Fix for Thursday, May 31, 2018.


Pop Culture

– Arrested Development is back and it’s as cringe-worthy as ever:

– Drake responded to Pusha T’s ethering of him, particularly, the picture of him wearing blackface:

Instagram Photo

– Honest Trailers put Christopher Nolan in their crosshairs:

– Fallout announced their newest game, Fallout 76:


Sports

– The Capitals evened up the Stanley Cups finals at one-game-a-piece with their Game 2 victory in Las Vegas.

– Tonight’s the night: the NBA Finals tip-off. Does LeBron stand a chance? Absolutely not. But will it be fun to watch? Certainly. Look, if LeBron can keep these games close going into the 4th quarter, he can pull out some wins — he’s that good.

– Who is “The Source” that found Bryan Colangelo’s Twitter accounts? We dive in:


News & Politics

– Seriously, just kill me now. We’re living in The Matrix, so it really doesn’t matter:

– Steam pulls “Active Shooter” video game off of its marketplace:


College

– The Women’s College World Series kicks off today:


Hottest of the Day

– Alexis Ren, man … I’m at a loss for words:

Instagram Photo


Song of the Day


Quote of the Day

“Life is March weather, savage and serene in one hour.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You can follow Eric on Twitter @eric_italiano and on Instagram @ericitaliano .

Steve Martin Net Worth 2018: How Much Is Martin Worth Now?

0
0

Steve Martin is lauded as one of the most influential stand-up comedians in history. His comedic prowess is so widely recognized that modern stand-ups from all over the scene recognize his influence. From comedians like Bo Burnham who uses his personal demons and theatricality for his comedy to the creator of the internet juggernaut Nerdist, Chris Hardwick, it’s clear Martin’s reach is far and wide. He isn’t just a comedian though. He is a successful playwright and banjo player as well. He funds an endowment for the latter every year. With his vast influence, it has to amount to something substantial economically right?

Steve Martin Net Worth: $130 Million

Turns how a lot of influence can also turn into a lot of income. How did the man who was born standing up amass his fortune?


1945-1967

Instagram Photo

Steve Martin was born in Waco, Texas on August 14, 1945, but was raised in Inglewood, California with his brother Fred and sister Melinda. His father was a real estate agent and aspiring actor. He was a cheerleader for his high school and his first job was selling guidebooks at Disneyland. While working at Disneyland he would learn basic magic tricks, balloon animals, and juggling. After high school, he would begin attending Santa Anna College and begin performing in comedies on stage and with his first comedy troupe at Knot’s Berry Farms. He would later transfer to California State Universtiy, Long Beach before transferring one more time to UCLA. While in college he used his studies in logic and philosophy to form his comedic style while starting to perform at clubs. Martin would drop out of college in 1967.


1967-1981

Instagram Photo

Martin received his first writing job on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He would also help on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and The Sony and Cher Comedy Hour. Martin would go on to win his first ever Emmy for writing in 1969 at the age of 23. He would also make his first TV appearance with The Smothers Brothers in 1968. He would also garner another Emmy nomination for his writing on Van Dyke and Company in 1976.

His work in writing would not slow down his stand-up and performance career though. He would perform stand-up on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Gong Show, and  The Muppet Show. What arguably launched his career even further in the 1970’s was his multitude of appearances on the then new, Saturday Night Live. Martin appeared on the show an insane 27 times, guest hosting 15 times. That is second only to Alec Baldwin’s 17 hosting appearances as of February 2017. One of his more famous sketches was his song called “King Tut”. He originally recorded it with members of The Nitty Gritty Band and won a Grammy for the song. He would also write and star in the comedy classic The Jerk in 1979. He decided to step away from stand-up comedy in 1981 to focus on movies.


1981-Present

Instagram Photo

In the 1980’s Martin would star in a multitude of comedic classics like The Three Amigos, Little Shop of Horrors, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Planes Trains and Automobiles with the late John Candy. When the early 90’s rolled around it didn’t seem like Martin was ready to slow down. He would continue to release classics in the form of My Blue Heaven and the Rom-Com staple, Father of the Bride. He would continue that success into the early 2000’s with movies like Cheaper By The Dozen and Bringing Down The House. Martin would begin to slow down his output but still star in both Pink Panther movies and a sequel to Cheaper By The Dozen. Martin would also continue to find success with his writing as well.

Not forgetting his roots Martin would write in all kinds of media. He wrote and starred in the 1999 movie Bowfinger with Eddie Murphy while also starring in 2005’s Shopgirl, a movie based on a novella that Martin himself wrote. Martin would not be held to just the screen, writing his first full length play Picasso at the Lapin Agile in 1993. He would also write multiple pieces for The New Yorker, a pair of novellas, and a memoir entitled Born Standing Up. He appeared on a multitude of albums playing banjo and started The Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass to help bring better visibility to the instrument and art

To call Steve Martin a Jack of All Trades is an understatement. This list of accomplishments barely scratches the surface of what the comedian, writer, and musician has accomplished. Needless to say, this is someone who worked incredibly hard for the money he has earned and has affected millions with his art.

I Can’t Wait For Rick Grimes To Die

0
0

AMC

News broke yesterday that Andrew Lincoln — the star of AMC’s hit (?) series The Walking Dead — would be leaving the show during its upcoming 9th season. Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead, has been the main character and star of the show since it’s premiere way back in 2010. But a lot, I mean a lot, has changed since then, first and foremost, the quality of the show.

The Walking Dead STINKS now, and if you feel any other way, then you’re likely just a fanboy homer. And that’s okay, but deep down, even you know the show has been a steaming pile of garbage for about three years now. And the reason for the show’s drop in quality is that it became both predictable and repetitive.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the typical Walking Dead episode, this is how it goes (all of them, every single episode is like this):

Which is why I CANNOT wait for Rick Grimes to finally die (which he is definitely going to, since survival is not really an option on this show): A) the episode where he does finally kick the bucket will be EPIC and B) Grimes’ death will force the show in a new, hopefully better, direction.

Will The Walking Dead be able to survive Lincoln’s departure? Probably not, considering he’s the only one with any star power on the show. Uproxx suggests that Norman Reedus — who plays Rick’s trusty right-hand man Daryl — could be in line to take over the reigns as the lead character. Now, while Daryl may be a fan favorite, he’s certainly no star, and I think that a show already suffering will only suffer more without its hero: Rick Grimes.

Best Championship Rivalries In Sports History

0
0

As the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors get set to meet four the fourth consecutive NBA Finals, the rivalry between the two teams is now well documented. They are not the only teams to have met multiple times to be called the best in the world, and won’t be the last. But over the time since sports has come into the public eye, there have been matchups for championships that were legendary and will stand the test of time. Let’s take a look at some of the top rivalries in the championship histories of all time.


Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors

Instagram Photo

Times Met For The NBA Title: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Yes, the Cavs and Warriors will once again meet for the right to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

For the past four years, these two teams have been the gold standard in the NBA and just seemed to have been destined to meet each other. They have the two best players on the planet in LeBron James and Steph Curry, and each year the teams have clashed has been must-see television.

Golden State spoiled James and the Cavs first title for the city of Cleveland since 1964 in their first matchup, giving them their first NBA championship since the early 70’s. King James returned the favor a year later, leading his team from 3-1 down to win the series in seven. In the third installment of the trilogy, the Warriors and off-season pickup Kevin Durant overpowered LeBron and the Cavs in five. That series win gave the Warriors a 2-1 edge.

Now as the two teams are set to square off again. Cleveland looking to settle the score and possibly set up a fifth and deciding matchup in 2019, and Golden State looking to cement themselves as a dynasty with their third title in four years.


Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers

Instagram Photo

Times Met For The NBA Title: 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1984, 1985, 1987, 2008, 2010

Probably the best championship rivalry of all time of the four major sports, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics were put on this earth to meet in the NBA Finals.

Before the Cavs and Warriors took over this decade, the Lakers and Celtics were the storylines and the matchup the entire country wanted to see. These two teams have fought each other since the late 50’s and there’s been interviews, documentaries, and legendary games that show just how deep this rivalry is.

The amount of star power and bad blood made for some all-time moments. From Bill Russell to Jerry West, Kareem, and Magic, to Bird and Parrish, all ending with Kobe and Paul Pierce, this rivalry had everything a basketball fan would want in a championship series. This rivalry ruled the NBA in the late 60’s and middle to late 80’s and every time they met, it was a spectacle of epic proportions.

The hope is that these two teams meet again for the title in the near future to add to the great legacy that has captivated the sports world.


New York Yankees vs Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers

Instagram Photo

Times Met in the World Series: 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1963, 1977, 1978, 1981

Next to the Yankees and Red Sox, there has not been a matchup that comes close to when the Yankees and the Dodgers clash.

The 20th century was the golden era for these two teams find each other waiting in the World Series. The teams met three times in the 40’s where they ruled the roost of the not only the New York baseball landscape but all of baseball. Those three matchups were filled with some of the greatest players of all time (DiMaggio, Robinson, Berra, Reese, Mantle, Snider), and it was the Yankees who would own the Dodgers heading into the 50’s.

It wasn’t until 1955 that the Bums from Brooklyn finally got over the hump beating the Yanks in seven. A year later, the Bombers took the title right back, The two clubs would meet again in 63′ with the Dodgers coming out on top. The two teams threw it back to the 50’s in 1977 and 1978 when they faced off in back-to-back World Series. They met for the final time in 1981, with Tommy LaSorda’s squad getting the best of the Yankees in six.

The Dodgers and Yankees have yet to meet for a world series since 81, but the moments this rivalry has left — Jackie Robinson stealing home plate, Don Larsen’s perfect game, Sandy Koufax’s dominance, Reggie Jackson’s three-home-run game — only magnifies just how special it will be when they once again see each other in the World Series.


New York Yankees vs New York/San Francisco Giants

Wikimedia Commons

Times Met in the World Series: 1921, 1922, 1923, 1936, 1937, 1951, 1962

It comes as no surprise that the Yankees and another New York turned California franchise championship rivalry has stood on its own.

The Yankees and Giants (before they headed West in 1958), shared the same borough in the Bronx. Yep, the first Yankee Stadium and the legendary Polo Grounds were a stone’s throw away from each other. The two clubs met three straight times in the early 20’s headlined by the greatest player who ever lived, Babe Ruth. John McGraw’s Giants were victorious in the first two installments. But in 23′, Ruth and the Yankees finally broke through winning the franchise first World Series title.

After a 13-year hiatus, the Yanks and Giants faced-off once again in 1936 and in 1937. Both times, the Yankees smashed their way to the title, giving them three titles to the Polo Grounders two. Following another long wait and the “Shot Heard Around the World”, the teams saw each other in 1951 ending in another Yankee championship. A few years after moving to San Francisco, the Giants lost in a memorable seven-game saga to the Bombers.

Now 56 years since they last met, the Yankees-Giants championship rivalry still ranks as one that shaped baseball. You can roll of the Hall of Famers and legendary ballparks, but baseball historians should hope these two teams will one day again square off in the Fall Classic.


Dallas Cowboys vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Instagram Photo

Times Met in the Superbowl: 1976, 1979, 1996

Considered the two most prominent franchises in the National Football League, people forget that the legendary rivalry the Steelers and Cowboys had.

Both teams started their rise to glory in the early 70’s and they finally tangled for the first time in Superbowl X. Pittsburgh would win the first of the three overall matchups 21-17 after Cowboys Hall of Fame QB Roger Staubach was picked off in the end zone late in the game. Somehow they didn’t meet for another three years but in Superbowl XIII, the rematch was on.

The Steelers and Cowboys put on a show for the ages in Superbowl 13, with some believing it’s one of the greatest games of all time. A record 20 players, coaches, and front office executives who took part in the game ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Pittsburgh would win that memorable game 35-31. It wasn’t until 1996, that the Dallas would finally beat the Steelers in the big game 27-17.

Since that 1996 matchup, the teams have come close to encountering each other again in the Superbowl, but haven’t been able to get over the hump. But one thing is for sure, the Steelers and Cowboys were what made the NFL so great.


Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier

Instagram Photo

Without a doubt, you can’t have a sports rivalry list without mentioning Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Ali and Frazier was the biggest sports rivalry of the 1970’s and maybe of the 20th century. Every one of their fights is not only recognized by name — “The Fight of The Century, “Super Fight II” and “The Thrilla in Manila” — but by how they captivated the globe. “The Fight of The Century” was the most one of the most hyped events in the history of professional sport. On that memorable March evening in 1971, Madison Square Garden and the world bared witness to a 15-round battle won by Frazier via unanimous decision for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Frazier and Ali wouldn’t clash until three years later in 1974. In that second historic fight, the combatants went for 12 rounds in front of The Garden crowd with Ali being declared the winner. A year later, the conclusion to the trilogy took place in Manila. The final installment saw Ali come out on top in a 14-round TKO, keeping his Heavyweight title.

“Smokin Joe” and “The Greatest’s’ rivalry still sits as one of the most iconic of all time. Many have come close, but no one will ever come near the attraction that Ali-Frazier was.


Ellie Kemper Instagram: Best Photos & Must-See Pictures

0
0

Ellie Kemper is an American actress, comedian, and writer who is best known for her roles in The Office, Bridesmaids, 21 Jump Street, and the Netflix original series The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. For her lead role as Kimmy Schmidt on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Kemper has received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Kemper, who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, is the older sister of television writer Carrie Kemper. When she was five, her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she attended Conway Elementary School in Ladue before graduating from John Burroughs High School. In high school, one of her teachers was actor Jon Hamm, with whom she appeared in a school play. After high school, Kemper graduated from Princeton University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After Princeton, Kemper attended the University of Oxford, where she studied at Worcester College towards a graduate degree in English. So not only is she hilarious, gorgeous, and talented but she’s wildly intelligent as well.

Kemper got her big break after she auditioned for a role in NBC’s Parks and Recreation. While she was not cast in the role, she received a call back to audition for a supporting role in The Office as Erin Hannon, a secretary filling in for the regular secretary Pam Beesly when she briefly left the job at the end of the fifth season. Kemper did eventually nail down that role and became an instant star.

Following The Office, Kemper went on to star in mega-hits such as Bridesmaid and Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

John Goodman’s Response To The Cancellation Of ‘Roseanne’ Reminds Us Why He’s A National Treasure

0
0

Shutterstock

Chances are that John Goodman is one of your favorite actor’s favorite actors. With a career spanning over three decades and a litany of classic, beloved roles under his belt (The Big Lebowski, Monsters Inc, Roseanne, Raising Arizona, Argo, Flight, etc) John Goodman is to acting what apple pie is to America.

However, unfortunately for John (and his wallet_, one of his most recent (and also one of his oldest?) roles got undone by some racist tweets from its star, Roseanne Barr. In case you’ve been living under a rock these last couple of days, ole’ Roseanne got a little too frisky on Twitter, posting some wildly repugnant, racist tweets about Valerie Jarrett, an African-American woman who was a senior adviser to President Barack Obama. Barr wrote — on TWITTER remind you — if the “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”

Anyway, ABC was quick to cancel TF out of her show, stating that her Twitter statement is “abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values.” In an even bolder move, Barr tried to blame the fact that she was “on Ambien” when she sent those tweets, the makers of Ambien were quick to remind her that racism is not, in fact, a side-effect of the sleep aid drug.

While seeing Roseanne finally get what she deserves was admittedly enjoyable, it’s a bummer that our boy J Goody had to lose a paycheck. But, because he’s John Goodman, he’s taking the show’s cancellation in stride, saying he “wasn’t gonna get an Emmy anyway.”

John Goodman, what a savage. Also, f*ck Roseanne Barr. Byeeeee Felicia.


Emma Stone Instagram: Best Photos & Must-See Pictures

0
0

Emma Stone is an American actress who made her feature film debut in Superbad and hasn’t looked back since, becoming one of the most famous and in-demand actresses in the country.  Since her debut in Superbad, Stone has gone on to star in Easy AZombielandCrazy, Stupid, LoveThe Amazing Spider-Man, and Birdman. In 2017, for her role as an aspiring actress in Damien Chazelle’s  La La Land, Stone won an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Stone was born on November 6, 1988, in Scottsdale, Arizona, to Krista Jean Stone and Jeffrey Charles Stone. Stone began acting when she was four and made her acting debut at the age of 11 in the stage production of The Wind in the Willows.

She attended Xavier College Preparatory‍—, an all-girl Catholic high school, for her freshman year but dropped out after one semester to become an actress. In 2014, Stone was nominated for her first Academy Award as she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the role of a recovering drug addict in the black comedy-drama Birdman. In 2017, she won her first Academy Award, winning Best Lead Actress for her role in La La Land

In 2018, Stone will star in the Yorgos Lanthimos-helmed The Favourite opposite Rachel Weisz.

The Meaning Behind The Stars On World Cup Jerseys

0
0

When the World Cup kits are released, it’s kind of a big deal. An overwhelming amount of attention is paid to the details of the jersey such as the color, fabric, collar, badge, and typefaces. With 32 teams represented, there are a variety of jerseys, each one designed with specific reasons in regards to the team’s identity. However, there’s a one-minute characteristic that you may or may not have noticed. Some World Cup jerseys have stars and you’re probably wondering why.

Not every team will sport a star on their jersey. This symbol is instead reserved for those who have previously earned a  World Cup title. The first team to start the tradition of including stars was Brazil in 1970. After their third World Cup win, Brazil took it upon themselves to add three stars above their badge. In the following years, other World Cup victors hopped on the bandwagon. The placement of the star is up to the team’s discretion, but usually, the symbol is found in or beside the badge.

Instagram Photo

The latest team to add another star was Germany in 2014 after they won their fourth World Cup tournament. In this current World Cup, eight teams are donning the look, including Argentina, England, France, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and Uruguay. While Argentina has two, England, France, Spain and Australia all have one. Brazil, with no surprise, has accumulated the greatest number of stars after winning the tournament five times.

Uruguay has four stars which at first doesn’t seem to fall in line with FIFA guidelines. As it’s stated in FIFA’s equipment regulations: “Those Member Associations that have won the FIFA World Cup may put a symbol on the playing shirt representing this accomplishment and the number of times won.” If you look at Uruguay’s history, the team has only won two World Cup tournaments, one in 1930 and the other in 1950. So where do the two other stars come from?

Instagram Photo

The World Cup was created in 1930, so prior to that, the Olympic games were recognized as the FIFA world championship tournament. It just so happens that Urguary scored two Olympic wins in 1924 and 1928 so technically, the four stars hold up. The more you know.


Laura Harrier: Hottest Photos on the Internet

0
0

Laura Ruth Harrier is an American actress and model best known for her portrayal of Liz in Spider-Man: Homecoming. In 2018, she will star in the Spike Lee-directed film BlacKkKlansman.

Harrier was born on March 28, 1990 in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Evanston, Illinois, where she attended Evanston Township High School until her graduation in 2008. Harrier left for New York at age 18 to attend the New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study before attending the William Esper Studio acting school in New York City.

She made her acting debut in the reboot of American soap opera One Life to Live as Destiny Evans. She has also been in projects such as The Last Five Years in 2014, and 4th Man Out in 2016. She then made her feature film debut in the Marvel Studios film Spider-Man: Homecoming as Peter Parker’s love interest.

In 2018, Harrier starred in Fahrenheit 451 (although her footage was cut from the film) and BlacKkKlansman, a Spike Lee-directed movie about an African American police officer who infiltrates the KKK using his “white man” voice.

Instagram Photo

Top 10 Players to Watch In The 2018 World Cup

0
0

The 2018 World Cup is right around the corner, and as the opening ceremonies approach, this year’s cup is filled with talent, speculation, and always, just a little bit of drama. Here is a list of the top ten stars you will want to pay attention to in this year’s tournament:


Kylian Mbappé (France)

Instagram Photo

The nineteen-year-old Frenchman has captured the hearts of fans around the world as he took Ligue 1 by storm, becoming one of the premier players. At just the age of eighteen, he was able to lead AS Monaco to their first semi-finals match in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2004, scoring 6 goals along the way. A star with superior goal scoring and dribbling ability, paired alongside players such as Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé, this France team is shaping up to be a serious threat for this World Cup.


Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)

Instagram Photo

Keylor Navas became a star during the 2014 World Cup, as he was able to hold the likes of Italy, England, and the Netherlands all scoreless. After the ’14 Cup, Navas was signed by powerhouse Real Madrid and has continued to establish himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the game today. Navas will be the anchor on a hopeful Costa Rica team, looking to build off of their performance in which they fell to the Netherlands in shootouts in the Quarterfinals.

—-ADVERTISEMENT—-

Luis Suárez (Uruguay) 

Instagram Photo

One of the elite strikers in the tournament, Luis Suarez has been a focal point of Uruguay’s national team for years now, playing huge roles in both their semi-final run in the 2010 World Cup, as well as their Copa América title in 2011. The 31-year-old has continued to dominate throughout both the Premier League, and La Liga, and will be looking to put on another show in this upcoming World Cup.


Gabriel Jesus (Brazil)

Instagram Photo

One of the premier players on one of the top three favorites to win it all, 21-year-old Gabriel Jesus will be looking to continue his success for what is already a strong Brazil team. Jesus notched 3 goals in the 2016 Olympics, helping Brazil capture gold, and has already scored 7 goals in the World Cup qualifying matches. As one of the most promising rising stars in the game today, Jesus will be playing alongside fellow Brazilian star Neymar Jr. creating quite the threat to opposing defenses.

—-ADVERTISEMENT—-

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Instagram Photo

The hero of the Egypt team, who struck a 95th-minute penalty in the team’s final qualification game, has sent Egypt to its first World Cup in 28 years. Salah broke out as a star this past season with Liverpool, as they reached the Champions League final where they suffered a loss to Real Madrid. Salah who was anticipated to have a spectacular World Cup suffered a shoulder injury during the finals loss, which forced him to leave the match.

Speculation immediately began that he would have to miss the tournament altogether, but after meeting with team doctors, it has been determined that his absence for this World Cup “will not exceed” more than three weeks. As someone who was set to be a premier player in the tournament, Salah will definitely be a player to keep an eye on once he returns to see if he can continue to help this Egypt team reach new heights.


Isco (Spain)

Instagram Photo

The next in a long line of stars for Spain’s international team, Isco has grown into an elite player during his time with Real Madrid. After scoring 6 goals for the team in the qualifying matches, Isco is set to be the leader for a Spain team that is looking to bounce back from a disappointing run of recent tournament performances.


Toni Kroos (Germany)

Instagram Photo

Regarded by many as the best player in the 2014 World Cup, Kroos played a pivotal role in helping Germany capture their 4th World Cup. As the German team chases history in tying Brazil for the most cups by any team, as well as defending their current championship, not much needs to be said about one of the best players on arguably the best team in the tournament.

—-ADVERTISEMENT—-

Neymar Jr. (Brazil)

Instagram Photo

The highest paid man in soccer, Neymar Jr. shocked the world when he went to PSG, and while many have been skeptical about the move, it remains to be seen whether or not it will pay off as Neymar suffered a season-ending injury back in February, and underwent surgery in March. Many wondered if he would even be able to play in the upcoming tournament, but Neymar has since confirmed that he will, in fact, be ready for this year’s World Cup.

After suffering a fractured vertebra in the 2014 Cup’s quarter-final, and having to watch his team get decimated by the German team in the semi-finals, there is no doubt Neymar will be looking to make an even bigger impact in this year’s tournament. As one of the best players on the planet coming off of a serious injury, on one of the best teams on the planet, there is no doubt Neymar will be a player to watch this year.


Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Instagram Photo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a player to watch every time he steps on the pitch. As one of the best players of all time, and arguably the best ever, there is really only one achievement left for Ronaldo to obtain, and that is a World Cup.

After not even making it out of the group stage in the 2014 World Cup, there is no doubt that Ronaldo will be looking to lead his team to a much better run in this year’s tournament. If watching one of the most polarizing players the game has ever seen chase history isn’t enough, Ronaldo has also stated that he will begin answering questions about his upcoming free agency once he is settled with the national team, creating yet another headline to watch out for.

—-ADVERTISEMENT—-

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Instagram Photo

Not much needs to be said for Lionel Messi. The Barcelona and Argentina star has dominated for over a decade now no matter the stage. The only achievement that he lacks, is a major championship for the Argentina team, and considering many have speculated this could be his last World Cup, he is running out of time. Although his legacy has already been cemented as one of if not the greatest player of all time, there is nothing Leo wants more than to raise that cup for the blue and white.


NBA Finals 2018: 3 Key Things To Watch For In Game 1

0
0

The finale to an incredible 2017-18 NBA season tips off tonight from Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers will meet again in a lopsided clash of titans, but a latently exciting one nonetheless — if LeBron James has shown us anything this postseason, it’s that he will not get caught on the wrong end of a suspenseful series. Here are some series-defining elements to watch for in Game 1.


No Andre, No Problem?

Instagram Photo

Having four prime-era All-Stars on hand is hardly a hardship for the Golden State Warriors. But somehow, losing old head Andre Iguodala messed enough with the Dubs’ psychology for them to tiptoe the brink of elimination during the Western Conference Finals. In the 2018 postseason, Iguodala gradually shifted from sixth man to starting swingman, rounding out the mega-destroyer Death Lineup much like he did in the 2015 NBA Finals — when the Warriors beat the Cavs the first time.

Instagram Photo

But Iguodala hasn’t suited up since Game 3 of the Conference Finals after an unlucky collision with James Harden left him with a stubborn bone bruise to his left knee. The Warriors subsequently dropped Games 4 and 5, and were down by double digits at halftime in Games 6 and 7. According to Steve Kerr, losing Andre and losing games was less correlation than causation.

Iguodala will be sidelined at least for Game 1 of these Finals, which presents a noted weak spot the Cavs will look to exploit. The Warriors are simply, evidentially more vulnerable without him. Andre’s absence means a loss of box score-repellent little things that he brings to the Warriors: at Media Day Wednesday, LeBron made note of Iguodala’s “very, very quick hands”, “ability to read and react to the ball” in practically any situation, and the weaponized athleticism that allows him to defend the top perimeter players in the league. Also, of course, his ability to go toe-to-toe with the King.

Instagram Photo

Iguodala nabbed Finals MVP in 2015 as a reward for his suffocating defense on LeBron, lethally injecting an already depleted Cavs team that had already lost Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving to injury. While the success of the Death Lineup is largely predicated on its ability to defensively switch, Iguodala hardly ever switched off of LeBron that year. Andre focused on not allowing LeBron clean looks at the basket, contesting hard, and wearing Bron out by forcing him to play iso ball. Andre ultimately helped to keep LeBron under 40% shooting for the series.

Instagram Photo

Andre shadowed LeBron in the 2016 Finals too, but wasn’t nearly as effective with Irving and Love flanking the King at full strength. The Warriors had two other All-Stars to worry about, and ultimately they were overpowered.

In the 2017 Finals, Andre, recovering from left knee tendinitis, took a step back and let his new teammate Kevin Durant take a stab at stopping the King; last year, Iguodala ultimately played fewer minutes than he did in the two previous championship series, but with KD filling the holes, the Dubs managed just fine.

The Cavs look much different than they did a year ago, than they did even half a season ago when they last met the Warriors. And while they may appear weaker, the matchups will have to unfold and speak for themselves. For Golden State, the Kyrie burden has lifted. As if they needed more luck, Game 1 will be Love’s first outing since sustaining a head injury in the Eastern Conference Finals; in general this postseason, his play has been off the mark (to say the least). The Warriors have no choice but to throw everything they have at LeBron and LeBron only.

Instagram Photo

If Andre were healthy, it’d be in the Warriors’ best interest (based on history) to let him focus on shutting down a considerably helpless Bron to make the series as short and sweet as possible. Instead, according to Kerr, the Dubs will employ a “by committee” defensive strategy on the bionic man. Durant guarded LeBron more than any teammate in two meetings this season; if this trend were to keep up, KD would expend far too much energy chasing the unassailable 2018 version of LeBron around the court. The Dubs need their 2017 Finals MVP to optimize offensively.

Look for Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Shaun Livingston to take on the King equilaterally. No one defender — neither Iguodala nor Marcus Morris — is LeBron’s kryptonite. The Warriors will have to sacrifice anyway. They’ll dare J.R. Smith and George Hill to have their way. They’ll pray that LeBron’s 101st game of the season begins to manifest itself physically. Because Year 15 LeBron has made us believers: he will not go down easily. If Andre and his bag of tricks don’t return before long, the Dubs will have far more to worry about than just contesting Bron’s shot — their rings could be on the line.


Dodging the Third Quarter Death Star

Instagram Photo

Honestly, it would probably suit LeBron, Ty Lue, and the Cavs best to just orchestrate their game plan around the third quarter. The Warriors have proven time and again that 80% of the time, nothing that happens before halftime ultimately matters. Their notorious scheduled avalanche is a transcendent insurance policy.

Instagram Photo

In the two closing games of the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets managed 10- and 11-point halftime leads, respectively. They had help, though: in the first halves of those games, particularly Game 7, the Warriors often looked as if they were assaulted by Nerdlucks; Steve Kerr even peddled the idea of quitting his job. But in the third quarters of those games, the Dubs went on to outscore Houston by an average of 17.5 points; their resilience and subsequent demoralization of the Rockets ultimately put them in the better position to win the series. It’s unclear whether the Dubs drink an elixir at halftime or if they simply choose not to exert effort until after the 24th minute, but their league-leading third-quarter plus-minus margin is just one reason why they’re (arguably) the greatest team ever assembled.

Instagram Photo

LeBron knows all of this. He also happens to be a master at conserving energy for when his dominance matters most. Look for him to facilitate for his teammates in the first half. Look for him to read his opponents like a book. Look for him to use the third quarter not just to make his offensive presence felt, but also to rally his team of misfits into playing their best 12 minutes of defense. One huge Warriors weakness is their clutch-time execution; if the Cavs can keep the game close down the stretch, it becomes a game of chess. At the end of the day, they’ve got this postseason’s most clutch performer on their side.


It’s a Rivalry!!!

Instagram Photo

We may be trapped in the malaise of a fourth consecutive Finals matchup with an almost-certain winner, but even if the games themselves may be insufferable, the games within the games shan’t be slept on. These players — including three of the best in the world — have (circumstantial) beef! They live to beat each other! And the NBA universe lives equally for when these teams get under each other’s skin.

The pinnacle of the tension between these two teams can be found in Game 4 of the 2016 Finals. After a signature flop by Draymond, LeBron stepped over him as if he were a puddle on the sidewalk. Draymond’s response? The now-notorious swipe at LeBron’s groin. Oh, the masculinity! The ego-induced “altercation” culminated in Draymond’s series-swinging Game 5 suspension.

Klay even felt some type of way about the Dray/Bron extracurriculars, accusing LeBron of having gotten his feelings hurt. It’s a man’s league!

LeBron and Steph aren’t just rival All-Star team captains. They, for all intents and purposes, hated each other in the 2016 Finals. In the latter half of the legendary series, LeBron pushed Steph to the edge of sanity en route to erasing that fabled 3-1 deficit. In Game 6, when Bron put up 41 points and 11 assists, he tantalized the Warriors with his dominance; this block — cushioned with a classic disrespect only LeBron can dish out — was the cherry on top.

Seconds after LeBron’s condescending defensive sequence, Steph fouled out (for the first time in two and a half years) after Bron overpowered his attempt at a steal. Steph’s frustration boiled over. He threw his beloved mouthpiece, hit a spectator, and was ejected. The Cavs had, at that point, bought all the real estate in the Dubs’ heads faster than Oakland gentrifiers.

The whole sequence led to the infamous Ayesha Curry tweet.

During their 2017 MLK Day matchup, Dray and Bron had another go at it. LeBron’s dramatization may have done him more damage than Draymond’s hard(-ish) foul, but I digress. Richard Jefferson makes a cameo.

In Game 4 of the 2017 Finals, otherwise known as the Cavs’ insane, relentless offensive barrage that guaranteed them a modest gentlemen’s sweep, KD and Bron got into it. Kind of. After KD called for refs to review a potential flagrant foul committed by Kevin Love, Bron took exception with his mentee. You could hardly call it an argument, but the jawing between the two greatest players on earth became a lasting image of the evolution of the Dubs/Cavs rivalry.

With the Cavs down 15 in the third quarter of Game 5, tension bubbled between Tristan Thompson-Kardashian and… David West? The unlikely pair turned a scramble for a loose ball into an angry kiss.

Look forward to the rivalry, if nothing else. It’s history before our eyes.


Viewing all 37839 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images