Back on the Blog

Since all of you Browns and Buckeye fans enjoy bickering about which team is superb, I will give you something to argue about. Actually, this question might bring a little bit of unity to the whole debate. Who is the greatest Cleveland Brown to play college football at Ohio State? I think there is a pretty clear answer. What’s up everyone? It is definitely time for something new. I am getting sick of looking at the LOST entry too. Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy writing papers for several different classes. I haven’t smoked a cigarette since Jan 2^nd , and feel like I have kicked the nicotine addiction. Unfortunately, I have picked up a new one. No, I am not blowing lines with Michael Irvin, smoking crack with Amy Winehouse, or stealing cars with Isaiah Rider. I’m only playing video games. Xbox Live to be specific. I purchased an Xbox 360 as a birthday present this past October. Not many other games have been played besides Madden and Fight Night. That all changed last Friday after I started playing Call of Duty 4. The game is amazing. I can’t really say much more about it. It has consumed a good amount of my waking hours this weekend. Thanks Ice for making me stick with it after I wanted to quit and go back to Halo. It’s excellent being able to play video games with my friends that are scattered across the country. For those of you that still play video games, do you think we will play them forever? I say yes. I can’t see myself not playing Madden anytime soon. Alright, back on topic. I am going to talk about a slew of different things today. From music to sports, I have plenty say in this entry. Have a good week and remember, I’m one of the good guys.

Sports Talk
I will start with the NBA. It must be nice for teams like the Hawks, Nets, and Pacers. They aren’t anywhere near the .500 mark and battling for the 8^th and final playoff spot. Then you look at the West and see teams like the Nuggets and the Warriors, who could very well win 50 games, and still not get into the playoffs.

I couldn’t help but laugh when I heard the story about Greg Oden playing in a pick up basketball game at a 24 hour fitness center. Oden played in the game while recovering from micro fracture knee surgery. No big deal Greg, just the future of Portland screwing around in a pick up game. I am a firm believer that Oden is going to be the next great center in the NBA. Just when people thought the Shaq type center was dead, Oden is going to make people second guess that thought. Well be seeing this guys jersey retired with the likes of Clyde Drexler and Bill Walton over in Portland.

I am starting to get a little bit worried about the Cavs. Being injured, and not playing consistent could cost this team a trip to the Easter Conference Finals. Losing 8 of 9 on the road is not a very good sign heading into the most crucial part of the season. Why do these types of things always happen in Cleveland? Fans of teams like the Pistons, Celtics, or Spurs are all so confident in their players, while Cleveland fans are just praying for wins all the time. Although I do have some doubts with the Cavs, I expect LBJ to take Cleveland for a ride next month. The Cavs are also the type of team built to play in a series. Veterans like Ben Wallace and Z need those extra nights off to get their legs back. Those extra nights also help James gain a little more power back too. I know he is young, but he has played plenty of minutes this season, and taking a beating while so. Don’t jump off the Cavs bandwagon just yet.

I guess we can toss LeBron James out of the mix for the MVP race. The Cavs aren’t going to win 50 games, and a player hasn’t won this award in 26 years without winning more than 50. Kobe Bryant is clearly the favorite to win the award. Even with injuries to Bynum and Gasol, Bryant has positioned his Lakers at the top of the Western Conference. Through these injuries, Bryant is also the main reason the Lakers haven’t missed a beat. Think about how many times you have said to your yourself, “Damn, the West is really good.” It’s just another reason that Kobe will be raising the MVP trophy. Kobe is playing in a conference full of studs, and there is no denying the fact that he is the best amongst them. Even if New Orleans finishes the season with a better record than the Lakers, I still don’t see Chris Paul winning it. Bryant has also never won the award before. This is going to be the biggest factor that voters aren’t going to overlook. How has someone so great never won this award in his twelve year career? Chris Paul and LeBron James have over a decade left in the league, that’s plenty of time to win one. Ship this trophy to the Black Mamba (deadly snake).

Top 5 Kicks
Since we are talking a lot about basketball, I thought doing a list on shoes would fit this entry pretty well. Growing up, I loved buying new shoes for the upcoming basketball season. Thanks to my parents, I was always fortunate enough to pick the pair of my choice. Of course, I would always buy the most expensive ones I could find. And sure enough, they were Jordan’s. I would make my mother wait for hours in line for the newest pair. Remember that sweet thing kids used to do with the laces? I was a fan of it myself. Kids would weave two different colors of laces. I can’t explain it, but if you played basketball as a kid, you have to remember it. Here are my top five favorite basketball shoes.

5. Nike Air Penny II
These make the list almost by default. I couldn’t find the pair of the Nike shoes that said AIR in patent leather on the side. Man those shoes were so tight. I had the black version of these, but had to take them back because they were falling apart. I am sure some of you flaunted these things through elementary school.

4. Reebok Question 1
These shoes were sick when they first came out. It stinks that Reebok needed money so bad, that they made the retro pair just a few years after these came out. These shoes also kind of helped put Reebok on the map as a powerful shoe company. These original shoes are definitely one of my favorite.

3. Nike Air Zoom Flight 95
These were Jason Kidd’s first shoes when he entered the league. I still remember thinking that these shoes looked sweet on anyone that wore them. When I was in 5^th or 6^th grade, the Hudson kids were all wearing these the weekend they were released. If anyone that reads this played in the tournament, remember how the games were played with lowered hoops? Are you kidding me? These shoes will also be rereleased this year.

2. Nike Air Penny Foamposites
$150 was where the line was drawn for basketball shoes. These shoes were the first to make the price jump to $170, and my parents weren’t having it. I remember wanting these shoes so bad right after I picked up the newest Jordan’s. These kicks are so sick.

1. Air Jordan 11
There wasn’t ever a better shoe made. Remember the media attention these things received when MJ came back wearing #45? This whole year of shoes are the best ever created. Once I make a solid income, I plan to buy the whole line of Air Jordan 11. From the Space Jam black and blue ones, to the white on white Carolina blue ones, I want them all.

Music Mayhem

I know that I always focus on single songs in my music section, so today I wanted to change things up. If you have ever ridden in the car with me, you know how annoying I am with an Ipod. I feel like I need to listen to all 4,000 songs on every car ride I go on, and can’t help but change a song after 45 seconds. Well, this is the first full album that I wanted to recommend to everyone. Please trust me, and fork over your $10 for a pretty solid hour of music . Panic at the Disco’s new album Pretty. Odd has a completely different sound than everyone is used too. Fall Out Boy Jr. is nowhere to be found on this 15 song journey of musical freshness. Panic has done a complete 180 and given listeners an interesting new sound. The best way I can describe it would be The Beatles sound modernized. No, I am not comparing this band to The Beatles, but there are obvious musical references that can’t be denied. Pretty. Odd is loaded with catchy choruses and an addicting unique sound. More artists need to take shots like this. It is great to hear a type of music that hasn’t been done time and time again. I’m going to break the album down into a few sections. Please give this album a chance, I am 80% sure that most of you will not be upset. If you don’t like the sound of a song, wait, it will change.

The Singles (Both Awesome)

Nine in the Afternoon (1^st Single)

That Green Gentleman (2^nd single. Might be big)

Top Tier Songs

Behind the Sea…(Best song on CD)

Northern Downpour

Folkin Around

She’s a Handsome Woman

Pas De Cheval (Sounds like Get Back)

Do you Know What I’m Seeing?

Average, Have to be in the Mood

When the Day Met the Night

She Had the World

From a Mountain in the Middle of the Cabins

Awful or Don’t Count

I Have Friends in Holy Spaces (dumb and pointless)

We’re So Starving (intro)

Could Have Done Without

The Pianos Know Something I Don’t Know

Mad as Rabbits

While I am on the subject, Lil Wayne released his new mixtape titled The Empire Presents: Lil Wayne The Drought is Over Part 5. I will post a link here shortly. I am pretty sure it is legal to download mixtapes because they aren’t official releases. I am not sure what I think about this mixtape yet. I promise that none of this is a virus, even if it is a little weird. I think that a lot of Lil Wayne’s older stuff blows this stuff away. Give it a shot if you are a Lil Wayne fan.

http://www.mediafire.com/?wdrgzjczj1q

Smashing Pumkpins – Tonight Tonight
This is a throw back band that I recently rediscovered. I know you remember this bands nice little run back in the 90’s. I thought that this was song was one of, if not the Pumpkins best. 1979 was also a pretty good tune, but this song is just amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsZYqaSc4cU

Rick Ross ft. Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Trick Daddy – Luxury Tax
This song is off of Trilla, Rick Ross’s new CD. This beat sounds like it should have been made for Jay-z, but these four stick it to this beat on this track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8kztbdgp-c

Bow Wow Ft. Lil Wayne & Tity Boy – Stunt When I See You
This song’s awesome. Bow Wow has grown up a lot since he first came out. It’s weird hearing him swear after hearing songs like “Bounce With Me” This song is also supposed to be the next single off of Bow Wow’s new album. It’s going to be hot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_M3q9criQg

Lupe Fiasco ft. Young Jeezy & TI – Superstar Remix
This is one of the better lyrical performances by Lupe. This dude can spit. Houser was right about this dude. He brings it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRBfpJncbig

Howie Day – Morning After
This isn’t new or anything, but definitely my favorite song by a guy that took Xanax and got hammered on a plane. He then tried to smoke a cigarette in the airplane’s bathroom. That will get you some probation there Mr. Day. He also attended rehab with a newly focused Britney Spears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-B6ppriLcI&feature=related

YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

This is my new little section I am doing. It is pretty pointless and something that I think most will think is dumb, but whatever. It is my blog and I’ll do what I want. I am going to just talk about random things, give people shout outs, and thank people for their help. Thanks Ice and BC (brebuf) for making me decent at Call of Duty. Congrats to Kice32 on a $37,000 score. The kid says he needs to see how the next three months go in Vegas, and hits a tournament two days later. The name is killaKJ24 on Xbox Live. If you play video games and read this, get at me. Have a good week gangsters. As always, music to play and plenty to say…KJ