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The Suicide Squad: Who Lives and Who Dies
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This article contains major The Suicide Squad spoilers. We have a spoiler free review here.
Five years ago, Will Smith uttered the instantly meme-able line, “So that’s it, huh, we’re the patsies, we’re some kind of Suicide Squad.” Yet by the end of that 2016 film, barely anyone in that squad was put six feet under. How times have changed.
For the entire rollout of his pseudo-sequel/reboot, writer-director James Gunn has insisted he had carte blanche to kill off any character in his The Suicide Squad roster. While we may remain skeptical if Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and a few others were really that expendable to Warner Bros., Gunn’s finished film speaks to just how much freedom he was allotted in slaughtering potentially valuable DC IP. Major characters from the first film, and a slew of new ones Gunn personally introduced, were pushing up daisies before the movie’s opening title card. And the bodycount only grew from there.
So if you had trouble keeping up with who died, and in what gnarly and grotesque fashion, we’re here to offer a handy dandy list of which members of the Suicide Squad walked away from Corto Maltese, and which were carried away in bags.
Blackguard
Dies
You can’t help but wonder if Gunn intentionally cast Pete Davidson as the first Squad member to get put down. With the exception of a fakeout (more on that in a bit), the mildly divisive SNL alumni goes out in gruesome fashion when he reveals on a Corto Maltese beachhead that he somehow communicated with the local military that a U.S. operation would be landing there. He thinks this will get him in good with the new government. Instead it gets him obliterated by a hail of bullets. All that time in prison and Blackguard never learned what happens to snitches…
Javelin
Dies
Flula Borg’s Javelin cut an amusing figure, as if he wandered in from some low-rent 1970s superhero television series. Even his accent was absurdly disarming, as Harley quickly noticed. Alas, it was not meant to be since Javelin was blasted fast on the beach, barely having a moment to entrust Dr. Quinzel with his trusty weapon.
Mongal
Dies
Let it not go unsaid that Mayling Ng’s Mongal made an epic introduction and exit when she took down several choppers all by herself. Unfortunately, she didn’t really think about a personal strategy as she rode one helicopter all the way down into its fiery ‘splosion.
Captain Boomerang
Dies
The first really major death of the film came when Captain Boomerang, Jai Courtney’s holdover from the 2016 movie, also bit the big one from the same fiery blast that took Mongal. At least he and Harley got to share a few laughs beforehand. We guess this puts an end to any chance of him showing up in The Flash movie!
T.D.K.
Dies
Okay, as soon as you realized the secret superpower of Nathan Fillion’s character was something as lame as “detachable” limbs, you also knew he was dead meat, right? This character is so lame that Gunn doesn’t even show the Corto Maltese military putting him out of his misery. They just snicker as he writhes in pain, feeling how his detached arms have been shot to ribbons. Bad day to be a Browncoat.
Savant
Dies
Michael Rooker is the actor James Gunn casts when he wants to give a character an epic death scene. It took two movies for that to prove true in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, but Rooker’s Savant doesn’t even make it to the end of the opening credits here… well not all of him. The blood and brain splatter created by the bomb Amanda Waller detonated in this coward’s skull spells a lovely “The Suicide Squad” lettering across the waves. And hey, at least Rooker got to rock those epic blonde locks!
The Thinker
Dies
Once you heard that Peter Capaldi was playing an evil supervillain who was also in league with the Suicide Squad’s enemies, you knew there was no way Thinker was walking away from this movie, right? Nonetheless, Gunn goes hard with the doc’s death scene when a liberated Starro the Conqueror gets revenge for 30 years of captivity by ripping his captor’s arms off and then turning him into a red smear across glass. Ouch.
Col. Rick Flag
Dies
This one hurt. Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag was one of the better and even underrated elements from 2016’s Suicide Squad, and he got a chance to shine a lot brighter here. From small things like his total war buddies vibe with Harley to showing a backbone when he realizes Waller’s nefarious cover-up game, Flag came out as a real leader this time up to bat. Sadly, he then got Cena’d to death.
Polka-Dot Man
Dies
You did it, Polka-Dot Man, you proved your simultaneously dippy and creepy superpowers could make you a real superhero! Even your Norma Bates-like mama would be proud. Too bad Starro then stepped on you immediately afterward. Yay?
Starro
Dies
The big guy had his giant eye poked out by Harley and then an army of rats swarm into the hole that made and chew up his insides. Honestly, you feel bad for the kaiju in the end. Like King Kong, he didn’t ask to be brought here. Who knew we could get the sniffles for a rampaging monster with mind-control powers?
Harley Quinn
Lives
Come on, did you think they’d kill off Harley? Pfft, Robbie’s performance is way too good for that.
Bloodsport
Lives
Given his world-weary stoicism, I thought going in that Idris Elba’s Bloodsport was too noble for Gunn’s twisted vision. How nice it is to be proven wrong. Elba’s supervillain marksman reveals there’s a heart of gold beneath that gruff exterior, and it’s still beating when the credits come around.
Ratcatcher II
Lives
James Gunn once told us that Daniela Melchior’s Ratcatcher was the heart of the movie with a presence “like somebody from the French New Wave.” And he wasn’t blowing smoke about the actor or the character. Despite being introduced as an easygoing millennial, Ratcatcher turns out to be the most sympathetic Squad member and proves her generation gets the job done by unleashing an armada of rats on Starro.
King Shark
Lives
Thank God. Nobody better hurt our precious man-eating Nanaue. Go ahead, King, have another nom-nom. You earned it!
Sol Soria
Lives
Sol Soria gets to be el presidente in Corto Maltese now. I guess that’s a fair enough trade with the knowledge that the people who put her there also fed her buddies head first to a land shark.
Amanda Waller
Lives
Some characters are too evil to die. Amanda Waller is still stewing back in D.C. by the end of The Suicide Squad, and she’s likely scheming of a way to murder all of her current underlings too.
Weasel
Lives
The first fakeout of the movie is the fate of Weasel. Despite seemingly being the first character to seemingly die off—in a really hilarious fashion when Waller and company realize they didn’t check to see if Weasel could swim—it turns out he didn’t drown. There’s another reason right there for why Savant deserved to have his head go boom. Pity the children of Corto Maltese.
Peacemaker
Lives
Even though Peacemaker got an epic death scene where Bloodsport won a quickdraw showdown, some actors are just too big of a deal to kill. Thus the end credits scene reveals that Peacemaker survived his bullet wound to the neck and is still breathing on a hospital ventilator. Nonetheless, Bloodsport taught him a valuable lesson: It’s not the size of your bullets but how you use them.
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NBA Power Rankings 2/22/19
The All Star Break is over, and as fans and players evacuate from Charlotte, North Carolina back to the comfort of civilization, trying to forget about the atrocity that was this year’s dunk contest and the disappointment that was Joe Harris winning the 3PT shooting contest, so too does the typical NBA fan return to his or her television set to watch this final sprint to the play-offs. Across America, eager basketball fans tuned in to TNT Thursday night to watch LeBron James and the Lakers take on James Harden and the Rockets. These fans were enthralled watching LeBron showcase his “play-off intensity” and Harden showcase his “throwing a fit when the refs are mean to him.” They probably also watched DeMar DeRozan’s return to Toronto tonight and the fanfare that came with it. These fans are ardent SportsCenter enthusiasts and savvy basketball gurus in their own right. This blog is not for them. Rather, this blog is for the readers who have never heard of Joe Harris, or the readers who just learned the NBA had a dunk contest while reading this post, or the readers who don’t know what Toronto is. These are all irrelevant bits of trivia knowledge, absolutely meaningless in the real world. The purpose of this blog is to distill the joy and excitement of current sports happenings and present them in a format that assumes no previous knowledge of rules, history, or players. I hope through this medium, I can introduce a new world to those totally unversed in it and possibly even spark a great enough interest in even one person to inspire the next sports fanatic.
Now, to the meat of this post. Power rankings are a tool sports analysts use to rank teams not by win/loss record or by any statistical measure, but rather their perceived “power” or strength. I like to think of power rankings as a question: What team would I least want to go up against if my team had to play them tonight? So, without further ado, here are my February 22nd, 2019, NBA Power Rankings.
Tier 1: Clear Title Favorite
1. Golden State Warriors (42-16)
The Warriors won three of the last four championships and everything points to them winning again this year. Not only do they have all four of last year’s all stars returning to the team in close to peak form this year, but they have added DeMarcus Cousins, another 2018 All Star and one of the best big men in the league. He fits perfectly into their offensive system and truly puts this year’s Warriors in the conversation for best team ever.
Tier 2: Could Make the Warriors Sweat
2. Toronto Raptors (44-16)
The Raptors are second in the East behind the Bucks, but they show a lot more depth than Milwaukee and seem a more viable threat given their recent addition of seasoned veteran Marc Gasol. He joins Kawhi Leonard, who is new to Toronto this year and has brought something the Raptors haven’t had maybe ever. Kawhi is one of the best two-way players in the league, meaning he exhibits prowess on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The fact that Kawhi has one championship under his belt (with the 2014 San Antonio Spurs) also adds to the potency of this team in my opinion. If there were a team that could defeat the Golden State Warriors, it would be this team.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (44-14)
The Milwaukee Bucks, led by breakout star and MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, have been somewhat of a surprise this season, playing well under new head coach Mike Budenholzer. The way Giannis, or the “Greek Freak” is playing is reminiscent of a young LeBron James in that he’s just getting baskets when he wants and how he wants. Giannis’s supporting cast is somewhat of an eclectic group, including a 3PT shooting first-time all star Khris Middleton, a volatile point guard Eric Bledsoe, and an aging Brook Lopez who’s just decided to start casting threes now.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-20)
You may have heard of Russell Westbrook and his endless pursuit of triple-doubles, which is a statline where three categories, usually points, rebounds, and assists, are in double digits by the end of the game. This year, he’s taken it to a new level, almost changing his identity entirely. He has become an incredible playmaker, leading the league in assists per game, but unfortunately his ability to score has diminished significantly. This has been more than made up for by co-star Paul George, who is having the best season of his career and should be seriously talked about as an MVP candidate. He, Westbrook, Adams, Ferguson, Grant, and Schroder make this team a threat to any other in the league, and they showed that tonight in their double overtime win against Utah.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (38-21)
If you love drama, bickering, and infighting, you’ll be a huge fan of this 76ers team. It seems every week, the combination of headstrong Jimmy Butler and “call-it-like-I-see-it”-type center Joel Embiid produces yet another headline about failing team chemistry and off-court troubles. However, as it turns out, the play on court has not suffered one bit. The 76ers are an incredibly strong team. The one concern I have about them is that Jimmy Butler tries to take the last shot in close games every time, when I think the ball should go to Embiid. Hopefully Butler gets it through his head that he is not as good as Embiid, or even Redick, in those situations come play-off time.
Tier 3: Good Job, You Guys!
6. Denver Nuggets (40-18)
The Nuggets have been the surprise team this season, getting off to a great start and maintaining that pace throughout. Led by one-of-a-kind playmaking center Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have been short-handed due to injury pretty much the entire season, but it almost seems to be playing into their favor. Players that would usually come off the bench are getting a feel for the game with more minutes, and typical role-players are showing they can make a meaningful impact on the game. The reason I don’t put the Nuggets up in Tier 2 is their inexperience and poor play on the road. I don’t see them being a real threat to those top five teams, but they are definitely a force to be reckoned with now and in the foreseeable future.
7. Houston Rockets (33-25)
James Harden. One of the most polarizing players in the league, but without a doubt the most lethal offensive threat this year, Harden has gone on an absolute tear midseason with nearly all his typical starting team mates out with injuries. He’s the MVP favorite in most people’s opinions, and although Chris Paul and Clint Capela’s recent return will limit Harden’s ability to score as much the rest of the season, this streak will be remembered for a long time as one of the best stretches of offensive performances in recent NBA history.
8. Boston Celtics (37-22)
The Celtics are vying for the “most dysfunctional” title that the 76ers currently boast, what with seemingly constant rumors about Kyrie Irving’s free agency plans and Kyrie’s off-beat comments to the press every other week. However, they have some of the best young talent in the league combined with gritty vets in Marcus Morris, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford, and a superstar in Kyrie. Although this season has been disappointing for the Celtics in many ways, they are still a dangerous team, and when Kyrie really wants to, he can take over a game and win it in the fourth quarter.
Tier 4: See You In The Play-Offs
9. Los Angeles Lakers (29-29)
The Los Angeles Lakers have been an enigma all season. Their young core takes turns being hurt and getting yelled at, their seasoned veterans seem to be sore more often than not, and rumors surrounding the iminent firing of head coach Luke Walton do nothing to help team morale. The Lakers are two spots out of the play-offs, and everything looks pretty dreary for them. Well, everything but one little detail. LeBron James is on this team. Thus, they are propelled to a top 10 team in these rankings. Yes, LeBron is that good.
10. Portland Trailblazers (35-23)
Damian Lillard is making his way through another incredible season during which he is absurdly underrated. Nobody speaks about Damian Lillard despite his consistent amazingness, and it’s due in part to their awfully disappointing play-off performance last year. It seems like not many take the Trailblazers seriously in terms of title contention, and I don’t either.
11. Utah Jazz
12. Indiana Pacers
Tier 5: Maybe Next Year You’ll Get Past the First Round
13. San Antonio Spurs
14. Sacramento Kings
15. Brooklyn Nets
16. Detroit Pistons
17. Los Angeles Clippers
18. Charlotte Hornets
Tier 6: You Could Have Been So Much Better
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
20. Dallas Mavericks
21. Miami Heat
22. New Orleans Pelicans
23. Orlando Magic
24. Washington Wizards
Tier 7: Teams Fantasizing About Zion Already
25. Atlanta Hawks
26. Memphis Grizzlies
27. Chicago Bulls
28. New York Knicks
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
30. Phoenix Suns
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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles… Joel Matip’s injury came at a bad time for Liverpool. The Cameroon international started seven of the first nine Premier League games of the season, with Liverpool winning all but one of those he featured in. However, he sustained an issue ahead of the match against Tottenham at Anfield, and he has not played a minute of football since. Jurgen Klopp will have been far from happy to have been forced into making a change to a winning team, especially considering that Dejan Lovren was the most senior alternative available to him. The 57-time Croatia international is not a popular figure amongst a portion of the club’s fanbase, whilst there have been questions asked as to whether the 30-year-old is good enough to appear for Liverpool on a regular basis. However, since he has come back into the side, he has proven his worth to the German manager. The Reds have won each of their last three Premier League games, with the latest coming against Manchester City. It may not have been the most swashbuckling of performances from the European champions, but their defensive display was almost flawless. The Citizens managed just three shots on target throughout the match – a big drop from their 7.2 per game average this term – and Lovren helped limit their attacking threat. Watch Liverpool Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below With former Schalke player Matip out of the side, the man who moved to Merseyside for £20m from Southampton in 2014 has grabbed his opportunity with two hands. And his return to the side completes an impressive comeback. In the summer, it looked as though he was on his way out of the door after talks were held between his representative and AC Milan. He has been ridiculed in the past, especially after he declared himself “one of the best defenders in the world“. Whilst he may not be at that level, the £18m-valued man – as per Transfermarkt – is arguably underrated. He has experience in three countries, and has appeared in both the Champions League and World Cup finals. That is something that must not be taken for granted. All in all, he deserves his chance at Anfield and, with Milan banging on the door once again (Tuttosport via The Daily Mail), he may just be convincing Klopp and co to do all they can to keep him. #JurgenKlopp #DejanLovren #JoelMatip
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Chuck's Daily Check In - 02.14.19
FINAL FROM THE UNITED CENTER: Bulls 122, Memphis 110.
LEADING SCORERS: Bulls: Porter 37 (career high). Memphis: Bradley: 15.
LEADING REBOUNDERS: Bulls: Markkanen and Porter each with 10. Memphis: Valanciunas: 7.
LEADING ASSISTS: Bulls: Arcidiacono: 11 (career high). Memphis: Bradley, Conley, Valanciunas and Wright each with 5.
CCI RECAP: The Bulls made their first nine shots in an offensive display that featured all five starters contributing in a robust manner. Otto Porter Jr. scored a career-high 37 points drilling 16 of 20 from the field. I’m so impressed with Porter who plays under control and has a high basketball IQ. He’s an underrated defensive player. Lauri Markkanen is headed in to the break playing at an extremely high level recording his fifth straight double-double and eighth in his last nine games. Ryan Arcidiacono filling in for the injured Kris Dunn dished out a career-high 11 assists and Robin Lopez notched a season-high 25 points going 10-15 from the field. Lopez is shooting a spectacular 68% from the floor the last five games, averaging nearly 17 per contest. Zach LaVine with a solid all around 15-6-7 game, shooting 54% the last 5 games, averaging 24 per game. The Bulls ball movement was terrific recording 28 assists. A great sendoff as players and management can get away or a few days and refresh before resuming play in eight days.
CCI IN THE LOCKER ROOM: "He obviously has been a big addition in a lot of different ways。" - Coach Boylen on Otto Porter Jr.
UP NEXT: All-Star break. At Orlando on February 22.
Portland 129, Golden State 107: Damian Lillard scored 29 points as the Blazers ended the Warriors five-game win streak. Golden State rested DeMarcus Cousins.
Los Angeles Clippers 134, Phoenix 107: Lou Williams became the first player in NBA history to score 30 points and collected 10 assists in fewer than 23 minutes.
Milwaukee 106, Indiana 97: Before Giannis heads to Charlotte for All-Star weekend, he destroyed the Pacers with a 33-19-11 game. The Bucks have won 20 road games, one more than they did all of last season.
Boston 118, Detroit 110: The Celtics ended the Pistons four-game win streak. Boston has won 7 out of its last 9 games. The Celtics are 9-2 this season without Kyrie Irving.
Philadelphia 129, New York Knicks 111: The Knicks suffered their 18th straight loss. Joel Embiid registered his 10th straight double-double.
Toronto 129, Washington 120: CCI’s leading candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, Pascal Siakam, did not disappoint Raptors fans. He scored a career-high 44 points and gobbled up 10 rebounds. The Raps are 13-3 without Kawhi Leonard in their lineup.
Minnesota 121, Houston 111: Ok, I got it... Rockets lose... but I love watching James Harden. Harden with 42 points - his 31st consecutive game of scoring 30 or more, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in league history.
Miami 112, Dallas 101: Dwyane Wade with 22; his last appearance in Dallas...the site of his first NBA title.
Denver 120, Sacramento 118: Isaiah Thomas is back! He drilled two three-point field goals. Nikola Jokic with a triple double. The Kings blew a 17 points first half lead.
Brooklyn 148 Cleveland 138 3OT: DeMarre Carroll scored 14 of his 36 points in the third extra period. Jordan Clarkson scored a career-high 42 in a losing cause for the 12-46 Cavaliers.
Enes Kanter has joined the Blazers as Portland looked to bolster their front court.
Thanks for reading CCI. Reach out at [email protected] or Twitter: @ctsbulls.
CCI will take its own All-Star break and will resume on February 22. Always a pleasure!
Source: https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/chucks-daily-check-021419
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Classic Hollywood: Hollywood at War
To mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, here’s my Top 10 list of Hollywood’s best films on the conflict:
The Pacific Theater
From Here to Eternity – This star-studded blockbuster about the run-up to Pearl Harbor boasts Oscar-winning performances by Frank (Comeback Kid) Sinatra and Donna Reed, and memorable turns by Montgomery Clift and Ernest Borgnine – not to mention the iconic, wave-splashed smooch between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.
They Were Expendable – John Ford directed this realistic look at a PT boat squadron’s exploits in the Philippines during the early years of the war. John Wayne heads the cast, opposite Robert Montgomery, a longtime MGM leading man, who served as an officer in the South Pacific and on a Navy destroyer during the D-Day invasion.
Homefront Heroes
Mrs. Miniver – Greer Garson won an Academy Award as the stiffest-upper-lippest mother ever. The scenes of her confronting a downed German pilot and shielding her family in a bomb shelter during an air raid are riveting. Many credit this movie with single-handedly rallying American support for our British allies.
The More The Merrier – Jean Arthur and Joel McCrea are hilarious as strangers sharing an overcrowded apartment during the wartime housing crunch in Washington, D.C. Charles Coburn copped an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor playing the pair’s matchmaking roomie.
Since You Went Away – Nine Academy Award nominations went to this box-office smash about a brave mother (Claudette Colbert) who keeps the home fires burning when her husband is called to war. Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple portray Colbert’s daughters.
Soldiering On
The Story of G.I. Joe – Director William Wellman captures the lives of ordinary infantrymen, as seen through the eyes of Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Ernie Pyle (Burgess Meredith). Robert Mitchum shot to stardom in the film Dwight Eisenhower called “the greatest war picture I’ve ever seen.”
Stalag 17 – William Holden scored a Best Actor Oscar as a prisoner of war who may – or may not – be a Nazi snitch in this acclaimed comedy-drama from writer-director Billy Wilder. Based on a hit Broadway play, the film masterfully blends big laughs with pulse-pounding suspense.
Post-War Drama
The Best Years of Our Lives – This moving account of soldiers returning home swept the Academy Awards, winning nine Oscars, including Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor, Director and Screenplay. Featuring a stellar cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright and disabled war veteran Harold Russell.
The Search – Director Fred Zinnemann (From Here to Eternity) lends a documentary feel to Montgomery Clift’s first starring role as an American G.I. trying to reunite displaced orphans with their families in post-war Berlin. An underrated film that earned a special Oscar for 10-year-old Czech actor Ivan Jandl.
The Men – Marlon Brando made his big-screen debut as a bitter, wheelchair-bound soldier struggling to regain his physical and emotional equilibrium in another heartfelt release from director Zinnemann. To ensure authenticity, Brando spent weeks living in a veterans’ hospital alongside real-life casualties of war.
Classic Hollywood posts appear bi-monthly on The Music Hall blog.
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Ridiculed Liverpool man is finally showing his true worth to Jurgen Klopp - opinion
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Joel Matip’s injury came at a bad time for Liverpool.
The Cameroon international started seven of the first nine Premier League games of the season, with Liverpool winning all but one of those he featured in. However, he sustained an issue ahead of the match against Tottenham at Anfield, and he has not played a minute of football since.
Jurgen Klopp will have been far from happy to have been forced into making a change to a winning team, especially considering that Dejan Lovren was the most senior alternative available to him.
The 57-time Croatia international is not a popular figure amongst a portion of the club’s fanbase, whilst there have been questions asked as to whether the 30-year-old is good enough to appear for Liverpool on a regular basis.
However, since he has come back into the side, he has proven his worth to the German manager. The Reds have won each of their last three Premier League games, with the latest coming against Manchester City.
It may not have been the most swashbuckling of performances from the European champions, but their defensive display was almost flawless. The Citizens managed just three shots on target throughout the match – a big drop from their 7.2 per game average this term – and Lovren helped limit their attacking threat.
Watch Liverpool Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
With former Schalke player Matip out of the side, the man who moved to Merseyside for £20m from Southampton in 2014 has grabbed his opportunity with two hands. And his return to the side completes an impressive comeback. In the summer, it looked as though he was on his way out of the door after talks were held between his representative and AC Milan.
He has been ridiculed in the past, especially after he declared himself “one of the best defenders in the world“. Whilst he may not be at that level, the £18m-valued man – as per Transfermarkt – is arguably underrated. He has experience in three countries, and has appeared in both the Champions League and World Cup finals. That is something that must not be taken for granted.
All in all, he deserves his chance at Anfield and, with Milan banging on the door once again (Tuttosport via The Daily Mail), he may just be convincing Klopp and co to do all they can to keep him.
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Ramblings: Dobber reviews, team-by-team, an eventful Free Agent Frenzy (July 2)
Ramblings: Dobber reviews, team-by-team, an eventful Free Agent Frenzy (July 2)
***
What a fantastic Free Agent Frenzy this year, highlighted by John Tavares taking a discount and the Sabres – Blues ending things with a blockbuster. Truly enjoyable, though I wish the latter trade was done three or four hours earlier, but that’s nitpicking.
We have the fantasy analysis of all the key deals with fantasy impact listed right here.
*
Here are my quick one-off thoughts on how each team did overall yesterday…
Anaheim – I had always liked Anton Rodin as a prospect, but his bad luck with injuries derailed his development and the Ducks are too deep for him to crack the lineup, barring a couple of key injuries to top sixers and disappointing camps from top prospects. They also signed a good depth defenseman in Luke Schenn, and a No.4 goalie in Jared Coreau (I think Kevin Boyle is a promising prospect goalie who is probably a better option than Ryan Miller if he ever gets a chance to show it).
Arizona – Michael Grabner brings nice speed into the lineup as long as it’s used on the third line. The Coyotes already did their tweaking, so the main thing they did was officially sign Oliver Ekman-Larsson to his eight-year deal – not to mention keep him happy by signing his brother Kevin to an AHL contract.
Boston – Jaroslav Halak is a great backup, and as good as Anton Khudobin was last yer I think Halak is even better. I think their depth signings were solid (Joakim Nordstrom, Chris Wagner) and adding John Moore gives them five enviable defensemen plus two more good bottom pairing guys. The Bruins didn’t have to do much because their rookies did so well last year and now they have added Ryan Donato.
Buffalo – Well what can I say? The Sabres are no longer going to employ a bunch of AHLers to fill out the roster. Casey Mittelstadt has allowed them to trade Ryan O’Reilly, which injects three players into the roster in place of one. If you add in the Conor Sheary acquisition and the Rasmus Dahlin draft pick and I’d say the Sabres get the Gold Medal for most improved team over the past month. I’m not sure Carter Hutton is an upgrade to Robin Lehner, but at least he stays healthy – and I really like Linus Ullmark so I think the team will be covered in net. And yes, I’ll be handing out Silver and Bronze today too, read on.
Carolina – Uh oh. Petr Mrazek? It’s a good thing this team did the Dougie Hamilton trade and already had a great group of young forwards, because their goaltending didn’t get any better.
Calgary – The Flames did a pretty good trade last week that re-jigged the roles of a few of their roster spots, and yesterday’s signing of Derek Ryan was supplemental to that. As you may have read in my “dark horse” breakdown, I thought that Austin Czarnik signing was a sneaky-good one and he could surprise. You know me – I’m always looking for the next Martin St. Louis or Cam Atkinson revelation.
Chicago – I feel like, in order for the Blackhawks to be serious contenders again, then they need to effectively replace the two rocks on defense in Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. So I’m not sure why Chris Kunitz was signed. I get bringing in veteran Cam Ward to help stabilize the net, which was a big issue last year. And Brandon Manning is just their usual low-minute defenseman signing that they do every year. But there’s no magic savior on defense in the free agent market. Their stuck trading for a solution. It’s a good thing Henri Jokiharju is coming soon – he’ll be a stud worthy of the top pairing. As I write this, Chicago has the least cap room in the NHL at about $2 million.
Colorado – I like what the Avs have been doing. Although it has been nothing earth-shattering, they didn’t really need that. Adding Philipp Grubauer to transition into being their future starter was a nice move last week. And signing the hustling winger Matt Calvert to play half the season on their third line was a good addition. I say “half a season” because he’s hurt for the other half, guaranteed. Ian Cole was a good depth defenseman add – and that’s what this team needed badly rather than using guys like Mark Barberio.
Columbus – Lots of tweaking, but nothing of substance. The Riley Nash deal was a good add, but if this team didn’t go deep in the playoffs in the spring, Nash isn’t going to change that.
Dallas – The Stars added a really good backup in Anton Khudobin, one who is capable of doing a better job than Kari Lehtonen did when Ben Bishop gets hurt (which happens often). Lehtonen had a nice bounce-back year, but I think Khudobin can do better and that should mean at least an extra couple of wins. And that’s how close they were to a playoff spot. Blake Comeau is an underrated two-way guy for the third line who can replace Antoine Roussel minus the penalty minutes. Valeri Nichushkin is a free addition.
Detroit – The Red Wings refuse to go into full rebuild mode, opting instead to tread water. Re-signing Mike Green and bringing back Thomas Vanek strikes me as pointless, though Vanek can be traded at the deadline for some assets. But Green? As for Jonathan Bernier, I think he makes a sneaky-good add because I think he can become Detroit’s starter by next year. In 2018-19, however, it’s hard to have a good starter when the team doesn’t win many games. But keeper leaguers take note – I feel that Bernier found his starting job, he’ll just have to outplay Jimmy Howard and prove it.
Edmonton – Anton Slepyshev reportedly signed to play in the KHL, but adding Tobias Rieder is a bit of an upgrade. Just don’t overrate him, he’s a checker often miscast as a scorer. Kyle Brodziak brings character and was a great add. The Oilers addressed the easy needs to address – but were unable to address the difficult needs. Defensemen. They don’t grow on trees, though.
Florida – Did absolutely nothing. Well, they signed a No.3 goaltender in Michael Hutchinson who now sits behind two Band-Aid Boys and in the end just might end up seeing the most starts! No, this Panthers team will basically be the same team you saw last year, except upgrade Radim Vrbata to Mike Hoffman. This team badly underachieved last year, so perhaps doing nothing yesterday wasn’t so bad.
Los Angeles – The Kings added Ilya Kovalchuk and extended their main guy – Drew Doughty. This team still strikes me as not deep enough, and a couple of pieces short…but then again the Washington Capitals just won a Stanley Cup that way so I can’t really count out the Kings. They just injected 30 goals into their lineup so their offseason is among the Top 10 just from that.
Minnesota – The Wild shed themselves of Tyler Ennis and shored up a lot of depth (Andrew Hammond, Eric Fehr, JT Brown, Matt Bartkowski, Matt Hendricks, Greg Pateryn). Nothing earth shattering.
Montreal – The Habs turned themselves into possible Cup contenders after I’m sorry I can’t keep going and keep a straight face. Habs fans: keep the faith. All big-league teams go through down times like this, just hang in there. Montreal brought back a fan favorite in Tomas Plekanec and added a decent depth winger in Joel Armia. I wouldn’t mind Kenny Agostino as a possible ‘next PA Parenteau’, except the Habs don’t have a John Tavares to turn Agostino into a Parenteau. So that AHL experiment doesn’t look promising. I do like Montreal’s draft selection of Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and their focus should be on prospects and picks. They should use the Ryan O’Reilly deal as a blueprint for what they should try to get back for Max Pacioretty.
Nashville – The Preds didn’t do anything beyond adding two wingers who could be called up when injuries strike – Rocco Grimaldi and Connor Brickley. This team didn’t need to do anything though, as they have a great roster and should already be adding Eeli Tolvanen.
New Jersey – This one’s a head-scratcher and I think I’ll give the Devils my Bizarro-Gold Medal for worst offseason. This team added nobody of substance, and let a fine prospect goaltender in Ken Appleby walk, while re-signing a proven-to-be-weak goaltender in Eddie Lack. Maybe team brass doesn’t feel as we do. Maybe they feel that this team didn’t just play over their heads. Taylor Hall is a superstar, but he’ll never be Hart-Trophy good again. And while getting Marcus Johansson back from injury will be nice, Will Butcher’s second half tells me a sophomore slump is on the way. If they make a few small trades going forward, they can be forgiven because then they’d be taking a page out of my playbook (i.e. skipping free-agent frenzy and address major needs via trade).
NY Islanders – I don’t blame the Islanders one bit for pushing until the last minute to sign John Tavares. He is a generational talent and they needed to throw everything they had at him. Ottawa should do the same with Erik Karlsson. After they lost him, there wasn’t much the Isles could do. Signing Valtteri Filppula and Leo Komarov addressed needs, and Barry Trotz is a great coach. But they’ll never be able to fill the Tavares hole.
NY Rangers – The Rangers added Fredrik Claesson as a depth defenseman but did nothing else. As a team in rebuild mode, I don’t really mind this. It gives youngsters like Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, Libor Hajek and Tony DeAngelo a shot at making an impression.
Ottawa – A great draft pick in Brady Tkachuk was mitigated by the panic trade of Mike Hoffman, which was exasperated by their not signing anyone of consequence on July 1st. They needed to throw fans a bit of a lifeline, and if they’re making a play on extending Erik Karlsson this certainly didn’t help matters.
Philadelphia – The Flyers added proven and reliable 30-goal man James van Riemsdyk and then they dropped the mic. Boom. The only other need they could address is goaltending, and they have two of them already in place as a stopgap until their prospect studs are ready. This team is my Honourable Mention – not quite in the Top 3.
Pittsburgh – The team shed salary in Matt Hunwick and Conor Sheary last week so they could sign…Matt Hunwick II? To me that’s all Jack Johnson is: a fringe defenseman who was getting scratched in Columbus late last season. Then again, the Penguins turned Justin Schultz into a great Top 4 guy and Jamie Oleksiak looked damn good once he came over. So perhaps Johnson has a revival of sorts. Bringing back Matt Cullen was nice, and the Pens did well with bringing in depth pieces Jimmy Hayes and Stefan Elliott.
San Jose – Addition by subtraction by shedding Paul Martin’s contract. And Doug Wilson is, of course, a genius for how he handled the Mike Hoffman flip. But other than extending Logan Couture for eight years (no small feat there, though), the Sharks did nothing Sunday. They’re keeping Evander Kane and I think you should keep an eye on the free agent European they signed a few weeks ago named Antti Suomela, who I think is a better Joonas Donskoi.
St. Louis – The Blues were weak up the middle and they could have used another scoring winger as well as a backup goaltender. Check, check, check and…check! Chad Johnson is a career backup who is a decent, but won’t have any illusions about stealing Jake Allen’s job. So the Blues are all-in with Allen and are hoping that helps. The Blues also signed David Perron and Tyler Bozak, suddenly adding incredible depth to their forward corps. So then they took that depth and turned it into Ryan O’Reilly, shedding Vladimir Sobotka and Patrik Berglund to do it, but losing promising prospect Tage Thompson as well. However, this team now boasts Brayden Schenn – Ryan O’Reilly – Tyler Bozak up the middle. That takes them from one of the weakest teams down the middle to one of the strongest. My Bronze Medal winners, folks!
Tamp Bay – GM Steve Yzerman did nothing more than extend Ryan McDonagh for seven more years. The Lightning could use some help on depth lines, but those players can be signed at Yzerman’s leisure. This is Dobber’s playbook!
Toronto – I’m sure you figured out that the Leafs were getting my Silver Medal, and you’re right. They get that just for landing John Tavares. They also added depth players Josh Jooris and Adam Cracknell, plus an interesting project in Jordan Subban, PK’s brother. Jordan is small at 5-9, and he’s very weak in his own end. His offense has shown signs of coming around at times in the AHL, but he has yet to get over the hump. Back to Tavares. There are a lot of articles coming out right now about how the Leafs do not have to trade William Nylander because they can afford his projected $6.5 million salary next year and still have $3 million next year to play with. But those articles are wrong. Mitch Marner could very well top 80 points this season – do you think he’ll sign for $6.5 million after that while Auston Matthews signs for $11 million? You’re dreaming. If Matthews gets $11 million and Marner outscores him, then Marner is getting $11 million. Now re-jig your article with that small adjustment, Mr. Hockey Journalist. It makes more sense to just trade William Nylander next summer for a great return.
Vancouver – The Canucks made some fantastic additions for their Stanley Cup run. What’s that you say? … They aren’t expected to go on a run for the Stanley Cup? Oh. Well then why did they sign character guys Antoine Roussel and Jay Beagle? By the time the Canucks are ready to truly need these types of players, their contracts will be up. They each signed for four years, so maybe during the fourth year they can help on a Cup run. Maybe Jim Benning was just thinking (way) ahead?
Vegas – The Golden Knights were deep on defense so it was easy to let Jason Garrison and Luca Sbisa go. Signing Nick Holden wasn’t even necessary, but it couldn’t hurt. Adding Paul Stastny was a big win but losing James Neal (who is reportedly still talking to them) and David Perron hurts. Solid depth minor-leaguers with NHL experience Daniel Carr and Curtis McKenzie were good adds.
Washington – The Cup Champs signed a bunch of depth guys (Nic Dowd, Jayson Megna, Michael Sgarbossa) and lost character guy Jay Beagle. They have just $8 million in cap space and still have so re-sign Tom Wilson and Madison Bowey, plus add another defenseman. And they can do that later.
Winnipeg – The Jets are being very careful about the salary cap and they also have, in my opinion, one of the three or four best rosters in the NHL. An amazing feat. This team has $27.5 million in cap space (leads the league) and just 29 contracts (an NHL-low). They’ll need to cough up $10 million I’m sure to re-sign Connor Hellebuyck, plus another $10-$12 to sign Jacob Trouba, Josh Morrissey and Adam Lowry. So their only move was to sign Laurent Brossoit to come over and be their backup goaltender. The Jets will be looking at small, short-term deals on the open market because after locking in the aforementioned key components, they have next summer to worry about (Blake Wheeler, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Tyler Myers).
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This year, for the Fantasy Guide, I am taking user input as to which players I will dig deep and give my thoughts on for each team. Remember the feature “Dobber’s Lowdown on…”? It will be based on YOUR votes. Voting is taking place in the forum (right here), check in every day for a couple of new teams. And on Facebook we will take the first to players voted for each team – and have a final poll to determine the player I dig deep on. So like our Facebook page here to vote the second time. You don’t have to sign up for the forum in order to vote. So far it looks like Ondrej Kase and Brandon Montour will go to the Facebook polls for Anaheim, and Christian Dvorak and Alex Galchenyuk for Arizona…
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See you Wednesday – I’ll be back for my old day this week as Ian is away on vacation.
from All About Sports https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-rambling/ramblings-dobber-reviews-team-by-team-an-eventful-free-agent-frenzy-july-2/
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23 Valentine's Day Movies People Never Get Bored Of
Valentine’s Day is a great day to cuddle up and watch a movie about love. In fact, they actually made a movie called Valentine’s Day, but it was just a rip-off of Love, Actually. With so many sappy movies out there, it’s hard to sift out the good from just more of the same.
So we’ve done the work for you! Here are twenty-three of the best romantic movies ever made to watch on Valentine’s Day.
23 – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
In this moving film, it is slowly revealed that a couple chose to have a procedure that erased memories of each other. Jim Carrey plays Joel, opposite Kate Winslet playing Clementine. As the movie slowly reveals loving and intimate moments in their relationship, you become more and more emotionally involved in the story.
Best Quote
Joel: “I could die right now, Clem. I’m just… happy. I’ve never felt that before. I’m just exactly where I want to be.”
22 – About Time (2013)
Tim Lake (played by Domhnall Gleeson) discovers a superpower when he turns 21: he can travel in time and change past events. While he could try doing any number of things to make the world a better place, he decides to use his power to…get a girlfriend. His romantic interest is Mary (played by Rachel McAdams), and their relationship endures its share of trials and tribulations.
This film is from the creators of Love Actually, and it’s worth a try for anyone looking for a well-done romantic comedy.
Best Quote
Tim: [voiceover] “We’re all traveling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride.”
21 – The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is beloved by women everywhere for good reason. Allie (Rachel McAdams) is such a warm and likable character, pursued by the equally charming Noah (Ryan Gosling). Their love story withstands many tests but we realize that it lasts into their old age.
Wonderful performances by McAdams and Gosling have made this a super-popular and award-winning film. It might be cheesy, but it’s heartwarming and genuine too.
Best Quote
Noah: “I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.”
20 – Love and Basketball (2000)
While many romance movies are difficult for men to watch, Love & Basketball helps draw male viewers into this “chick flick” genre becuase of its underlying sports theme. Quincy (Omar Epps) and Monica (Sanaa Lathan) meet on the basketball court as kids. Their love/hate relationship develops as their lives continually intersect – they’re both pursuing their individual dreams of playing pro ball.
If you’re young, enjoy sports, or crave passion, this movie’s for you.
Best Quote
Monica says, “It’s a trip, you know? When you’re a kid, you see the life you want, and it never crosses your mind that it’s not gonna turn out that way.”
19 – Cactus Flower (1969)
Kate Hudson’s mom, Goldie Hawn, won an Oscar for her portrayal of Toni Simmons, a confused 21-year old woman in a relationship with an older man (Walter Matthau). Although it sort of looks like an Austin Powers film, Hawn’s wit and charm allows you to still get into it.
The complicated love story is about the various lies a dentist tells to keep a relationship. Interestingly enough, the story was appropriated by by Adam Sandler in Just Go With It (2011).
Best Quote
Toni Simmons: “Now why don’t you go back and mind your own business like everyone else in New York City?”
Although it’s one of those bleak comedies, Lost in Translation has a great romance at its heart. Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) really capture what it feels like to be traveling somewhere completely unfamiliar and wanting a connection. The brief moments of Anna Farris spoofing Cameron Diaz add just the right amount of laughs to tide you over, until the moment when Bob whispers something in Charlotte’s ear and they say goodbye.
Best Quote
Charlotte: “Let’s never come here again because it would never be as much fun.”
17 – When in Rome (2010)
Although Forgetting Sarah Marshall is Kristen Bell’s most popular role, her performance in When in Rome (2010) is underrated. Bell plays Beth, an ambitious New Yorker who steals some coins from a famous love fountain in Italy during her sister’s wedding. Because of her theft, she’s chased down by Danny DeVito, Will Arnett, Jon Heder, and Dax Shepard, who are under a love spell.
The movie is lighthearted, funny, and a great way to create and celebrate a happy Valentine’s Day.
Best Quote
Beth: “Dad. When you married Mom, did you ever think that you wouldn’t make it?”
Beth’s Dad: “Elizabeth Ann. Honey, you cannot learn from my mistakes. You’re going to have to go out there and make your own. Now, you could get your heart broken or you could have the greatest love affair the world has ever known, but you’re not going to know unless you try.”
16 – 50 First Dates (2004)
You’d be hard pressed to come up with a more likeable couple of people than Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. In 50 First Dates, they’re in Hawaii, and after they meet, Henry Roth (Sandler) turns from a playboy to a devoted boyfriend—the only problem is the girl of his dreams has no short-term memory, so she relives the same day over and over. This movie brings laughs, but it’s also a sappy romance movie as only Sandler can do. It’s a chick flick anyone can enjoy.
Best Quote
Dr. Keats: “Tom was in a hunting accident and he lost part of his brain. His memory lasts only ten seconds.”
Ten Second Tom: “I was in an accident? That’s terrible.”
Dr. Keats: “Don’t worry, you’ll totally get over it in about three seconds.”
15 – Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
A testament to just how far a man will go to win over the woman he loves. Slumdog Millionaire portrays a poor man being tortured by the police for being suspiciously good at Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Dev Patel plays one of the most lovable characters on film.
This compelling film won no fewer than eight Oscars and garnered a lot of critical acclaim. The mixture of love, violence, and socioeconomic messages makes for a great date night screening. It’s a great pick to watch with someone who appreciates good films and with whom you want to share an intelligent conversation.
Best Quote
Jamal Malik: “I’ll wait for you at the train station every day at five.”
14 – The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) always has problems—the media hates him, the police hate him, other superheroes hate him, and he’s constantly struggling with his love life because of it. Regardless of how you feel about the new Spider-Man series, they made the right move dropping Mary Jane for Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Their romance is one of the most memorable in comic book history.
Best Quote
Peter Parker: “We all have secrets: the ones we keep… and the ones that are kept from us.”
13 – The Tourist (2010) (Runner Up: Original Sin)
It’s not just that Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are beautiful people; the location shots in Paris and Venice are simply stunning. This cat-and-mouse tale has enough thrills going for it to satisfy your intellectual needs, and it has some nail-biting action scenes to boot. You’re never quite sure who to believe, but you can’t deny there’s chemistry between the two—if there’s anyone who could steal Jolie from Pitt, Depp seems like the type.
Best Quote
Hotel Waiter Guido: “Bongiorno!”
Frank Taylor (Depp): “Bon Jovi!”
12 – This Means War (2012)
Reese Witherspoon is omnipresent in chick flicks – for good reason! All of her romantic comedies are enjoyable, but This Means War wins for mixing spy-versus-spy action into the mix. Chris Pine and Tom Hardy do a great job of keeping men distracted from Reese’s message that it’s OK to date multiple people. Adventurous couples will love this action-packed romp.
Best Quote
Trish (Chelsea Handler) “Don’t go with the better guy, go with the guy who makes you better.”
11 – (500) Days of Summer (2009)
Zooey Deschanel is that quirky and beautiful girl everyone wants to be or be with. In short, the boy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets the girl (Deschanel), and falls in love, but she’s just that into him. The movie highlights their relationship in a non-linear fashion, and is a great portrayal of modern love and relationships. (500) Days of Summer isn’t your traditional romantic comedy, and maybe that’s a good thing – unlike all the others, it’s a thought-provoking film about love.
Best Quote
Rachel Hansen: “Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn’t mean she’s your soul mate.”
10 – Walk the Line (2005)
This portrayal of Johnny and June Cash is an epic biopic. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon beautifully capture the essence of the romance. Johnny loved June Carter so much, he knew he had to marry her. Seeing their love blossom over the course of their lives is a great way to celebrate life and a relationship with someone you truly love beyond anything. These two real life people even died around the same time. It’s said Johnny died of a broken heart after June passed.
Best Quote
June Carter: “Well, then start loving yourself, so we can go back to work.”
9 – Ghost Town (2008)
The cynical among us love Ricky Gervais. In Ghost Town, he plays a man who can see dead people and is now doomed to help them with their love problems. It’s a wonderfully unique Valentine’s Day romance story. Everyone’s tired of people bragging about their relationships on Facebook, and Gervais portrays this feeling perfectly. Love isn’t always as much fun as it sounds; sometimes, you just end up involved in other people’s drama.
Best Quote
Bertram Pincus (Gervais): “All work and no play makes Jack- a vital member of society.”
8 – Shrek (2001)
It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since Shrek came out (!). This is a fun, backwards fairy tale where the ogre gets the girl. Featuring the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow, Shrek is a feel-good movie that’s perfect for the young – and mature – at heart.
Best Quote
Shrek: “For your information, there’s a lot more to ogres than people think.”
7 – Seems Like Old Times (1980)
Ahhh, the classics. One of the best movies from the 80s, Seems Like Old Times is a Neil Simon film that still maintains its charm. Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn are a divorced couple, and, after being forced to take part in a bank robbery, Chase hides out at Hawn’s house. The only problem is Hawn’s husband (Charles Groden) is the district attorney, so a lot of hijinx ensue. If you pine for an old flame, Seems Like Old Times is the Valentine’s Day romantic comedy for you.
Best Quote
Glenda (Hawn) “Chester. You just went through a stop sign.”
Chester (Chase) “I can’t help it. I don’t like to read when I drive.”
6 – About a Boy (2002)
You’d think watching a man hang out with an unrelated boy would be a little weird – and not great romantic-film fodder. But in About a Boy, it plays out beautifully. This is a buddy flick and a romance rolled into one, and it teaches men that parenting isn’t scary. If you’re a slacker who still hasn’t grown up, About a Boy is for you.
Best Quote
Marcus: “After a few visits, Will seemed to think he had to ask me serious questions, when I knew he really wanted to watch Xena Warrior princess.”
5 – True Romance (1993) (Runner Up: Natural Born Killers)
Quentin Tarantino isn’t exactly known for the romance in his films, but True Romance, which he wrote, is an epic romantic crime drama. There are drugs, hookers, and all sorts of guns. The love between Clarence (Christian Slater) and Alabama (Patricia Arquette) is something we all wish we had. By the time this movie reaches its bloody climax, not only will you be in love with Elvis, but you’ll know the origin of Sicilians.
Best Quote
Clarence Worley: “You just said you love me, now if I say I love you and just throw caution to the wind and let the chips fall where they may and you’re lying to me I’m gonna fuckin’ die.”
4 – Titanic (1997)
If you’ve never seen Titanic, you must! And if you have, consider watching it again for Valentine’s. This classic romantic-disaster film won eleven Oscars, because of its superb cast, plot, and music.
Spoiler Alert: The ship sinks, and it takes like half the movie. Before it happens though, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) steals Rose (Kate Winslett) from her rich husband-to-be. Titanic is a tear-jerker with an epic romance that is fated to failure.
Best Quote
Jack Dawson: “Where to, Miss?”
Rose DeWitt Bukater: “To the stars.”
3 – Bride and Prejudice (2004)
This Bollywood take on the classic “Pride and Prejudice” is a musical delight. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may not be well-known in majority-English-speaking countries, but she is beautiful and talented – her acting, singing, and dancing expertise is on full display. This movie is beautiful, tells an old story; and you’ll look sophisticated for suggesting it. The colorful costumes and set designs are like taking an exotic vacation from your couch.
Best Quote
Lalita Bakshi (Rai): “You should be stirring your husband’s dinner not trouble.”
2 – Love, Actually (2003)
Love Actually follows the intertwining stories of eight British couples dealing with love in very different ways. It’s a romantic comedy and a Christmas film, but its sappiness is matched by genuine and heartwarming moments. It’s impossible to watch this movie without laughing, crying, and falling in love with at least one character! Love Actually may be the best romantic comedy ever written.
Best Quote
Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) “Hiya kids. Here is an important message from your Uncle Bill. Don’t buy drugs. Become a pop star, and they give you them for free!”
1 – The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
This Oscar-nominated flick might not come to mind as a movie perfect for Valentine’s Day. But you and your Valentine’s Day date just might find that refreshing!
Martin Scorsese is known for his thrilling films, and Wolf of Wall Street does not disappoint. It’s a raw and emotional movie, with some violence, nudity, and drug use – all to show the underbelly of the high-octane world of finance. DiCaprio’s performance is compelling and exciting – this movie is worth your time!
Best Quote
Jordan Belfort: [to the waiter] “Oh, I’m good with water for now.”
Mark Hanna: “It’s his first day on Wall Street. Give him time.”
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Ranking the NBA’s 10 best big men right now
Big men are a dying breed … except when they aren’t. Hail to this era of seven-footers who dribble like guards, jump like pogo sticks, and shoot their shots from deep like drunk texts at 3 AM. And here are the ten bigs leading that charge right now, not counting those who missed the cut due to injury (Rudy Gobert, Blake Griffin, Paul Millsap, Hassan Whiteside, and Nikola Jokic).
*Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference and NBA.com*
10. Kevin Love, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Love being the Joe Biden to LeBron James’ Obama sure has a nice ring to it. A lot of dominoes did have to fall for our favorite Banana Republic model to even be in this position: Kyrie Irving moving to Boston to flatten dreams, Tristan Thompson getting injured, and Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose both being unavailable for one reason or another. But Love has barreled in headfirst through his new window of opportunity, slaughtering defenses with his smoldering three-point shooting from the 5 spot and proving just as effective at smoking smaller players who switch onto him down low. As Cleveland’s undisputed No. 2 option offensively, he is once again a nightly 20-10 threat just like those halcyon Minnesota days. Whether you need a 38-point half or a 94-foot touchdown pass, it’s obvious that my man is a Love supreme.
9. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves
Speaking of nightly 20-10 threats, here’s one who is seven years younger. Towns does look his age sometimes — his numbers have all tumbled fairly sizably from last season, and his contributions on defense are such an absolute zero that they may just break the Kelvin scale. But give Towns some more time to adjust to Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, and Max Contract Andrew Wiggins. He scores in the post like an old-timer but dribbles and shoots with the sauce of an AAU baller. That’s a winning combo for a modern big man, so save me the warm takes — if and when Towns’ D catches up to the rest of his game, the National Basketball Association will just be a fancy name for KAT’s Kingdom.
8. DeAndre Jordan, C, Los Angeles Clippers
As the last Clippers’ opening night starter still standing, Jordan has officially won the Hunger Games. He has done much more than just survive though, collecting a cool 10-14 line every night despite having virtually no boots left on the ground to support him. Beyond just being a top-shelf rebounder and an alley-oop toy, Jordan still remains an underrated pick-and-roll defender who plays with exceptional IQ on that end of the floor in addition to sending a shot attempt or two into the netherworld from time to time. The All-Star center is a popular inclusion in trade rumors these days, and he should fetch a luxury yacht or a 20,000 square foot mansion should the Clips decide to flip him.
7. Al Horford, PF/C, Boston Celtics
Horford might just be the pinnacle of positionless basketball as we know it. He is a point-stretch-center who defends every action and can score from almost anywhere in the halfcourt. Sure, Horford’s surface stats (13.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists a game) don’t quite pop off the page to the extent that others on this list do. But he seamlessly takes the shape of whatever role Boston needs him to fill, and it is that adaptability which is putting him in the running for some major hardware. Kyrie Irving may be the best player on the Celtics, but Horford is probably their most valuable one, thank you very much.
6. Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol recently won the bloody power struggle in Memphis over now-deposed head coach David Fizdale, and his production at least helps make the case that management chose the right guy. His 19-9-4 line so far this season is probably the best all-around mark of his career, as it seems the Spaniard is somehow putting up better numbers now in his 30s than he did in his 20s. What little foot speed he once had may have vanished, but he’s still defending at a fairly high level, ranking in the top seven among big men this year in defensive win shares. And with Gasol letting loose to the tune of 4.5 three-point attempts per game, he is doing just enough to salvage the watchability of a Grizzlies team that has otherwise been a complete and utter garbage pail inferno this season.
5. Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons
It makes my heart happy to see just how far Drummond has expanded his game this season. He used to be known exclusively as a close-range fiend and an industrial strength magnet on the boards with little else of value to offer otherwise. Now Drummond is strutting his stuff as a high-post passer (logging a career-high 4.0 assists per game) and showing massive improvement on the defensive end, not to mention that his Bob Beamon-esque leap in free throw percentage (from 38.6 last year to 64.8 this year) is the Christmas miracle that we have all been hoping for. At 14-8, the Pistons are the surprise team of the NBA, and Drummond eating the competition is what has made it all possible.
4. Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, New York Knicks
Here’s to the guy who has made unicorn emojis fashionable again. Porzingis is the pride of The Big Apple, and you would be too if you went 27 and 7 on the hallowed hardwood of Madison Square Garden all night, every night. The 22-year-old stretches the floor on one end with his three-point range and shrinks it for the opposition on the other end with his shot-blocking skills, putting him in some truly elite territory. Don’t let his towering 7-foot-3 frame fool you — Porzingis is the everyman hero that Gotham deserves. Indeed, Phil Jackson is gone, Carmelo Anthony has packed his bags, and the coronation of a new king of New York (not LeBron James, mind you) has begun, so don’t be late.
3. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Amazing Process, how sweet the sound. Embiid has rocketed past last season’s minutes restriction (going from 25.4 to 29.7 this year, including nine outings of 30 or more) while also producing the same Super Saiyan numbers that cherry-bombed the league in 2016-17. The Cameroonian is averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds a night on this go-around and is peppering it with enough threes, blocks, and assists to power a small village. Embiid’s play has been so obscene that you probably can’t even say his name on television any more. Best of all, the MVP performances continue when he is off the court as well. Loving Father, we thank you for this beloved fruit of Sam Hinkie’s sacrifice.
2. Anthony Davis, PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans
The man whose arms were the inspiration for The Neverending Story, Davis continues to outdo himself. He is turning in by far his most efficient season (57.3 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep), and he is still going 25-11 despite no longer having free rein on the interior (more to come on this). Furthermore, The Brow’s close-range finishing ability and his automatic off-the-dribble pull-up game is the epitome of “get you a man who can do both.” Yes, the trips to the locker room every other quarter are major vibe-killers, especially for a dynamic 24-year-old. But Davis’ two-way jet-airliner game is box office as heck, and when he’s on the court, none of us can look away.
1. DeMarcus Cousins, C, New Orleans Pelicans
I would much rather take the sweet kiss of death over having to stand between the basket and this guy coming in with a head steam. Boogie straight destroys lives. He is the only player in the top six in both scoring and rebounding this season, and his 3.0 combined steals and blocks per game are helping him generate some serious All-Defensive team buzz. Cousins can make basketballs explode with his mind, and when he’s not shoving his will down your throat through brute force, he’s can bust out some creativity to get his teammates involved too (averaging a career-high 5.1 assists a night this year). And if that’s not enough, he’ll net two treys per game and snarl at you while doing it. Cousins is the runaway train gone off the tracks … if the train was loaded with explosives and other assorted pyrotechnics. Yeah, you best stay out of the way.
from Larry Brown Sports http://ift.tt/2icyi2x
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Keeping the Horse in Front of the Cart: Realistic Expectations for the 2017 Sixers
I’m gonna go way out on a limb and predict that one of the four teams that played last night will win the NBA championship.
Alright!
Now that we’ve got that squared away, let’s talk about your team, your town, your playoff-bound Philadelphia 76ers. I went on the record Wednesday with this prediction:
41-41, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference
That’s assuming Joel Embiid can play somewhere between 50 and 60 games and isn’t hampered by his “fucking bullshit” minutes restriction.
Whether you agreed with The Process or not, I think everyone understands that this team still has a long way to go. Ben Simmons is a rookie. Markelle Fultz is a rookie. Embiid might as well be a rookie. But one facet of The Process that falls by the wayside is the idea that your core talent is being brought along at the same time. Sam Hinkie was patient enough to move on from guys like Michael Carter-Williams because he thought he could do better. He thought he could assemble a trio that would contend for a title and not just get the team into the postseason.
In that regard, The Process is over. Any half-hearted extension of the concept cheapens the philosophy and makes people forget why it was even executed in the first place. It’s like a band that releases a bunch of great albums then drops a disc like “St. Anger.”
This year, returning to the playoffs would be a big success for a team that has won 19, 18, 10, and 28 games in the last four years. Even cresting 30 wins is a step forward. You’ve been loyal enough to sit through four years of tanking, so suddenly putting the cart before the horse seems hypocritical for a fan base that has tolerated (and even invited) a half-decade of abeyance.
Here’s how I have it going down in the Eastern Conference:
Cleveland
Boston
Washington
Toronto
Milwaukee
Miami
Charlotte
Philadelphia
Detroit
Orlando
Indiana
Atlanta
New York
Brooklyn
Chicago
Playoffs: Cavaliers 4, Sixers 1
Hell of an opportunity to taste the postseason and steal a home win against the Cavs. 2018 expectations become sky high as the Eagles come off an NFC title game loss and the young Sixers sniff meaningful basketball for the first time in the post-Process era. The Flyers are skating like the ’85 Oilers and Mike Trout is finalizing details on his first Phillies contract.
There are a lot of good things to look forward to in Philly sports, so let’s temper immediate expectations and just enjoy the ride.
Embiid should refuse to abide by the minutes restriction, and just stay on the court when Brown tries to take him out.
— FakeWIPCaller (@FakeWIPCaller) October 17, 2017
What do we need to see from each player?
For me, team success is 35+ wins and/or a playoff berth.
Individually, here’s what I got:
Markelle Fultz – learn to play with Ben Simmons, let the shoulder heal, leave the shot alone
I think it’s key that Ben Simmons is going to be a spotlighted Rookie of the Year candidate. This is underrated, because it takes pressure off of Markelle Fultz to perform right off the bat and allows him to sort of fly under the radar as he gets back to fitness and form.
When’s the last time a number-one overall pick had this luxury? The fact that you have two first-overall picks debuting at the same time is incredibly unique and will be a boon for Fultz’s development. He shot the ball well enough in college that he didn’t require any mechanical tweaks, so I think this is just a case of fixing something that wasn’t broken.
Ben Simmons – learn to play with Markelle Fultz, build on ability to move without the ball, stay mentally focused on defense, finish at the rim
I think the thing with Fultz and Simmons right now is that there’s a bit of overlap, not necessarily in their skill sets, but in their strengths. Both look better with the ball in their hands. Both excel at driving to the rim and kicking it out to open shooters.
Neither looks entirely comfortable off the ball, nor are they knock-down shooters right now. That’ll improve with time. Even with Fultz beginning the season with the second unit, there will still be times where they share the court and become more comfortable with each other.
For Simmons, I think his finishing at the rim is going to be a “big fucking deal,” as Joe Biden once said. He can easily get there, and he’s going to draw fouls, but the and-1 potential, considering his size and skill, is going to astronomical this year.
Joel Embiid – stay healthy, stay focused, keep forcing the refs’ whistles, improve on defensive rebounding
There’s not much to say beyond the obvious. One thing I don’t think we talk enough about is the fact that Joel’s small sample size of games means that opposing teams haven’t seen much of him at all. We can say that he’s “unguardable,” but teams will learn how to play against him with more reps and more film. Part of the reason he hit the ground running last year is because opponents had no idea what to expect.
Defensively, he does so many things well, but obviously can’t slide to keep up with smaller guards. You saw D’Angelo Russell hit that floater over him in the preseason game. He can probably be a bit better in defensive rebounding, but sometimes shot blockers aren’t in the best position to grab boards, so that’s natural.
Another storyline is how he’s officiated and whether or not he can continue to get the calls we saw in the Miami game.
Robert Covington – more consistency as a shooter
RoCo is going to get open looks this season because of the gravity drawn by Simmons and Fultz as they attack the rim.
He shot 33% from three-point range last season, which was below the league average of 35.7%, but he improved to 36.5% when the calendar flipped to 2017 after pushing through a rough start. His shots aren’t going to be as contested this year and there’s no reason why he can’t reach 37 or 38% from deep, which would put him right at the edge of the NBA’s top 50. He’s not going to be sharing the court with non-shooters like Sergio Rodriguez this year.
Covington’s perimeter defense is going to be crucial in matchups against the likes of Washington, Boston, and Toronto.
When a ball-handler gets by Robert Covington but Joel Embiid is waiting there http://pic.twitter.com/TpTolg3r3i
— shamus (@shamus_clancy) October 18, 2017
JJ Redick – keep hitting from three, provide early body of work with next year in mind
It’s mostly just determining whether he’s a fit here and worthy of a long-term contract. He also has to think about whether he wants to stick around. I think if you weather the early storm, make it through the rough opening schedule, then pull it back to .500, that assuages any concerns he might have about Philly not being in his future.
Dario Saric – settle into a role?, move without the ball
First off the bench this season.
I’m interested to see how he does in year number two with a better understanding of the American game.
His utility is useful, but I don’t want that to come at the expense of finding his best role on the floor. Using him as a stretch-five, for example, is intriguing, but does that maximize his potential?
We’ll see what happens.
Jerryd Bayless – be the veteran
Talk, point, set assignments. Help these young guys figure it out and lead by example. They’re gonna need it.
Jahlil Okafor – ???
I think his fourth-year rookie option gets declined. With Amir Johnson working with the second team and Richaun Holmes coming back from injury, I just don’t see a role for Okafor, especially because he looks the same defensively as he did last year. The awareness and urgency just never seems to be there.
I love Jah’s offensive skill-set, but he’s operating in a different epoch than the rest of the NBA.
Justin Anderson, Nik Stauskas, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot – show us something
I think you just want one of these guys to step up and claim a second unit role. For me, TLC has the most upside.
T.J. McConnell – keep bringing the intensity, stay under control
Nice to see someone play with heart and hustle in 2017, he just has to keep himself grounded while doing it.
Amir Johnson, Richaun Holmes – hold down the fort
There’s a drop-off when Embiid leaves the court, obviously.
With Joel on a minutes restriction, Johnson is going have a big role in the early part of the schedule, and I wonder if Brett Brown goes to Saric at the five before bringing in Okafor. The Holmes injury had more of a domino effect than I originally thought.
Brett Brown: become a 4th quarter coach, find roles for interchangeable parts
One of the issues with the past four years is that Brown wasn’t in a lot of situations where his team was in close, 4th quarter games. What kind of plays can he draw up? Who takes the last shot? These are still relatively new concepts.
I don’t put too much stock into the “Bryan Colangelo didn’t hire Brett Brown” narrative (when considering his job security), but it’s obvious that the evolution of the coaching staff needs to be somewhat congruous with player development.
Another thing is that the unique skill-sets of guys like Simmons and Embiid mean that they can be utilized in a variety of ways. Remember that preseason play where Embiid fed Simmons down low for a dunk? That’s a 7’2″ center dishing it to a 6’11” “point guard” in the low post. That’s fun to watch, but it’s not conventional, and Brown is going to have figure out if we’re doing this with some sort of traditional structure or allowing these intriguing athletes to develop their own new-age and exclusive style.
Strengths – passing, defense, transition offense
With Ben Simmons slinging it all over the place and creating gravity that would make Isaac Newton blush, the Sixers are going to be nasty when playing with pace. They’ll move the ball and space the court much, much better in 2017.
Defensively, Covington, Bayless, and Redick will allow Simmons and Fultz to not have to deal with All-Star Eastern Conference point guards on a nightly basis. If Embiid stays healthy, you’ve probably got the league’s best rim protector, or one of them.
Weaknesses – turnovers, inexperience, finishing around the rim, free-throws?
Adventurous transition offense also opens the door to wayward passes and turnovers. You’re gonna see some balls fly into the stands.
And if Simmons and Fultz decide to take it to the rim themselves, can they finish there? If they get to the line, are they hitting their foul shots? I don’t know.
The inexperience is what it is. You get John Wall, Kyrie Irving, and Kyle Lowry in your first three NBA games.
Welcome!
John Wall Slam Dunk!! #NBAPreSeason #Wizards #NBA http://pic.twitter.com/NFXjb2KKbO
— All Sport News (@All_SportNews) October 7, 2017
Staff picks:
Write these down, then come back and rip us on Twitter in a few months:
Kyle Scott: The Sixers have the potential to be GOOD when Embiid is healthy and if Fultz is a solid contributor. But there are also a lot of new faces, some with no NBA experience, and there are going to be some rough spots. Overall, figuring a mostly healthy Embiid and Fultz not needing surgery on his shoulder, the Sixers are pretty good and get into the playoffs with 42 wins.
Phil Keidel: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. 40-42.
Russell Joy: At the end of the season, with the Sixers 5th in the East at 46-36, Joel stands over the broken bodies of those who stood in his way. He pours out two Shirley Temples, smashes them together, throws them back and states to the masses, “Embiid 3:16 says I just whooped your ass.” Or should that be Process 3:16… Or Hinkie 3:16?
Coggin: What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.” 76ers 42-40.
Bob Wankel: So what if Markelle Fultz looks broken? Embiid stays relatively healthy, Simmons is ROY, and the Sixers go 43-39. They get the 7th seed and then they get wiped away by the Celtics in the first round. Basketball in Philly is back, BABY!
Chris Jastrzembski: Joel’s minutes go up and he stays healthy. Markelle’s shot is still meh, but Ben wins Rookie of the Year. Sixers go 42-40 and get the 7th seed.
Tyler Trumbauer: Embiid is limited all year, no back-to-backs, but team has enough talent to make the playoffs. I say 7th seed, 44-38.
Investor Mike: Reverse psychology absolutely in play here, but the Sixers miss the 8th seed by way of a heartbreaking home loss to the Bucks on fan appreciation night. 40-42
Investor Jeff: Embiid plays 61 games, Sixers 36-25 when he plays. 7-14 when he sits. 43 wins, good for the 6th seed where they give Washington all they can handle in the first round before losing in 7.
That’s about it. Whatever happens this season, it won’t be boring. Let’s roll the damn ball out.
Take it away Lars Ulrich:
Keeping the Horse in Front of the Cart: Realistic Expectations for the 2017 Sixers published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv
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Predicting every NHL team’s most valuable player for the 2017-18 season
Who will be Team MVP for each of the league’s 31 franchises?
For all the talk about the importance of depth to winning championships, the NHL is still all about stars. The teams with the best players win the most games, and everything else is about trying to move the needle just a little bit.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will lead the Oilers to contention, just like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have with the Penguins. The Maple Leafs will go as far as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander can take them. For every team that has a reasonable shot at the 2018 Stanley Cup, there is a group of big name players you can point to as the source for that confidence.
Winning it all requires more than star power, from coaching to goaltending to luck, but it’s almost impossible to get into the party without it.
So with the start of the 2017-18 season just around the corner, here’s a look at who we think will be the most valuable player on each NHL team over the next nine months. Some of these choices were definitely more difficult than others.
Anaheim Ducks
Hampus Lindholm
For years, the Ducks were driven by their star forwards, but now it’s time for the defense to take over the lead. Lindholm may not be one of the biggest names among blue liners given he’s not a big point producer, but few players make a greater all-around impact when they’re on the ice. He’s a force in front of the net and consistently drives possession at even strength. Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler are among those who should give Lindholm a run for his money.
Arizona Coyotes
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
An easy choice given Ekman-Larsson has been the Coyotes’ best player for years. They added some good veterans this season in Derek Stepan, Niklas Hjalmarsson, and Antti Raanta, but OEL remains the cornerstone until rookies Clayton Keller and Dylan Strome are ready.
Boston Bruins
Patrice Bergeron
Over the past six seasons, Bergeron has won the Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s top defensive forward, four times. The other two years, he finished second in voting. Even at age 32, the center remains one of the league’s premier two-way players, a possession-driving force who also creates plays for his talented linemates.
Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images
Buffalo Sabres
Jack Eichel
The Sabres’ present and future are all about Eichel. The star center will be a restricted free agent next summer, so this season represents a huge opportunity for him to cement his argument for a monster extension. The good news for both him and the team is that Eichel looks positioned to blow up as one of the league’s next big stars. This was an easy choice.
Calgary Flames
Dougie Hamilton
The Flames are one of those teams with a ton of very good players, but no clear cornerstone. At forward, they got Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Mikael Backlund, Michael Frolik, and Sean Monahan. On defense, there’s Hamilton and Mark Girodano. It’s a ton of talent, and choosing one of them wasn’t easy. Hamilton was incredible last season, though, and could emerge as one of the league’s elite blue liners in a bigger role.
Carolina Hurricanes
Sebastian Aho
Much of the focus on the Hurricanes is directed at their impressive defense, and for good reason. But the main thing Carolina needs to get over the top is an elite forward, which Aho could be with the right luck. He was really good in the NHL at age 19, and could be gearing up for a breakout year. If that happens, Aho will be a game-changer for the Canes.
Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane
The 2016 NHL MVP is an obvious choice, as good as Duncan Keith, Corey Crawford, Jonathan Toews, and Brandon Saad are. Kane remains one of the elite scorers in all of hockey, and while he’s not much of a two-way player, his offensive contributions are hard to match.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon
If the Avalanche have another season like 2016-17, it’ll feel like nobody should be team MVP. But assuming Colorado doesn’t crash and burn again, MacKinnon should be much more productive in his fifth NHL season. The No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft still has huge potential, and even last season he was driving possession and generating shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Sergei Bobrovsky
The Blue Jackets’ turnaround was one of the league’s best stories last season. It’s not hard to see what the catalyst was. Bobrovsky went from a .908 save percentage in 37 starts in 2015-16 to a league-leading .931 save percentage in 63 starts in 2016-17. That totally transformed Columbus, and now Bobrovsky will try to keep it up.
Dallas Stars
Tyler Seguin
The Stars have a couple of standout forwards in Seguin and Jamie Benn, so picking the team MVP was more or less a choice between them. John Klingberg will need to rebound from a down year to get back into that conversation. We’ll go with Seguin, who generates shots like crazy, probably won’t shoot 8.6 percent again, and somehow doesn’t turn 26 until Jan. 31.
Detroit Red Wings
Tomas Tatar
The answer to this question is a good reflection of what’s wrong with the Red Wings. Henrik Zetterberg is coming off another great season, but he’ll be 37 soon. Mike Green’s peak ended years ago. Dylan Larkin needs to bounce back from a rough sophomore season. That leaves you with Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, and Anthony Mantha as your best options. Tatar has averaged 25 goals a season over the past three years, so at least he’s reliable.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid
Well, he’s the reigning NHL MVP. Probably fair to assume he’s going to be the Oilers’ MVP again, too.
Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov
Aaron Ekblad could bounce back from a disappointing second season to become one of the league’s elite defensemen soon, but that’s not a sure thing. Barkov, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the league’s top two-way centers over the past couple years.
Los Angeles Kings
Drew Doughty
The Kings changed their head coach and GM, but it’s mostly the same roster from last season. Unless top center Anze Kopitar can bounce back from a disappointing season, Doughty should have a pretty clear path to being the team’s best player. No skater in the NHL logged more minutes (2,226) last season.
Minnesota Wild
Devan Dubnyk
The Wild are built more on depth than sheer star power now that Ryan Suter and Zach Parise are no longer in their prime. Dubnyk is, however, with a .923 save percentage over the past three seasons. That puts him among the league’s best goaltenders, and if he repeats it, Minnesota will be tough to keep out of the playoffs despite a crowded conference.
Montreal Canadiens
Carey Price
Max Pacioretty is very good. Shea Weber is very good. Jonathan Drouin and Alex Galchenyuk could be very good. But Carey Price is Carey Price. He’s carried the Canadiens before, and he’ll do it again.
Nashville Predators
P.K. Subban
You could go five different ways here and it’d make sense. Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and Viktor Arvidsson are stellar forwards. Subban and Roman Josi are elite defensemen. Heck, Ryan Ellis would be in the mix if he was healthy to start the season. The choice is Subban, who does it all from the blue line, but this was a tough choice reflective of a team that just made the Stanley Cup Final.
New Jersey Devils
Taylor Hall
The Devils are a team largely devoid of good players. Hall is the main exception, and it stinks that he’s going to keep being underrated as a result of being on terrible teams. Hopefully Nico Hischier can blossom quickly and give him the linemate he deserves.
New York Islanders
John Tavares
Tavares has been the easy answer as the Islanders’ team MVP the past few years. That could end after this season with his looming free agency, although a good 2017-18 campaign would go a long way toward getting him locked up. Tavares put up 66 points last season, and now he’s got Jordan Eberle on his wing in a contract year. Bigger numbers could be on the way.
New York Rangers
Ryan McDonagh
For a long time, McDonagh had to carry around Dan Girardi as his partner. Now Girardi is in Tampa Bay, and McDonagh will have the chance to show what he can do with better support. Maybe he’ll disappoint, but partnering with Kevin Shattenkirk could lead to some major improvement in his numbers.
Ottawa Senators
Erik Karlsson
The only thing that would stop Karlsson from being the Senators’ team MVP is health. If that proves to be a real issue, it’d be a close call between Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Philadelphia Flyers
Claude Giroux
Giroux has fallen off from the conversation around the game’s best forwards, and Philadelphia is experimenting with moving him to the wing this season. A point production trend of 86, 73, 67, and 58 over the past four years is worrisome, so it makes sense to try to figure out what’s gone wrong. Still, Giroux remains the engine behind the Flyers for now.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby
It’s either Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, and, well, it’s Crosby. Malkin has missed at least 15 games in six of the past eight seasons, and he’s coming off a relative down year driving possession. Crosby remains a beast, and he’s missed just 16 games over the past four seasons combined.
San Jose Sharks
Brent Burns
The defending Norris Trophy winner has the inside path here. Patrick Marleau is gone, Joe Thornton is coming off a torn ACL, and as good as Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture are, Burns still outproduced them from the blue line last season.
St. Louis Blues
Vladimir Tarasenko
Tarasenko would be a bigger deal if he played in a bigger market. The winger has scored 116 goals over the past three seasons, which is second in the NHL behind Alex Ovechkin. He’s done it without an elite playmaking center, too, and now will get to see whether he can make a push to 50 goals with Brayden Schenn in the middle.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Victor Hedman
It’s incredible to think that Tampa Bay has Steven Stamkos, yet this felt like a call between Hedman and Nikita Kucherov. That’s how good those two have become, although we’ll go with Hedman given the Lightning’s lack of defensive depth. They could conceivably handle losing Kucherov for some time if Stamkos is healthy. Losing Hedman would throw the defense into total disarray.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews
Matthews scored 40 goals last season as a 19-year-old rookie. What’s next for the Leafs’ franchise player? Presumably another 40-goal season, and if things come together, a big playoff run. Considering he finished 11th in Hart Trophy voting last season, you know he’ll get a lot of love if Toronto keeps rising up the standings.
Vancouver Canucks
Daniel Sedin
It’s slim pickings for the Canucks, who have a mix of aging stars like the Sedin brothers and non-elite young players like Bo Horvat. Brock Boeser is the wild card for the season, and could end up emerging as a key contributor from Day 1. Daniel Sedin remains a solid player, though, and he didn’t get much puck luck last season. We’ll go with one last hurrah from Sedin, although the wheels could come off at age 37.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vadim Shipachyov
The Golden Knights’ first big addition, Shipachyov comes over from the KHL, where he was one of the league’s top players. The 30-year-old recorded 26 goals and 76 points in 50 games with SKA St. Petersburg last season, and looks to be Vegas’ top-line center to open the season.
Washington Capitals
Braden Holtby
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom still make the Capitals go, but it’s Holtby who has become the foundation under which this team’s success is built. He’s one of the most reliable, durable goalies in the league with a .923 save percentage in 201 starts over the past three seasons. That kind of performance gives Washington a high baseline, and makes Holtby its most important player.
Winnipeg Jets
Mark Scheifele
Patrik Laine will be the Jets player everyone talks about for the next decade, but Scheifele should not be underestimated in the meantime. His steady progression into a superstar over the past few seasons is remarkable, and there’s little to reason it’s simply the result of Laine’s presence. They’ll drive each other to greatness, and rack up a stupid amount of goals in the process.
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20 THOUGHTS: Tackling the Big Issues
“IT is a collision sport and it takes bravery to play, so players get hurt in all sorts of ways in our game.
“I know we’ve got to try and legislate to stop things we have control over. I think occasionally in our game people are going to get hurt.
“Maybe we should take tackling out if you want to reduce concussion.”
The words of Luke Darcy, an AFL MVP winner, club best and fairest, All-Australian, prominent football media identity and respected analyst of the game.
Those are fairly provocative words by the ex-Bulldog but it’s somewhat where we are.
As we’ll discuss to kick off this week’s column, it’s not so much about what you think of the Dangerfield and then Grundy suspensions, but what players are expected to do going forward in those situations, that’s the key.
1. So last week we had the Patrick Dangerfield tackle, and two week suspension (down to one with an early plea remember, so deemed worthy of two), this week we have Brodie Grundy done for three. Sure, Ben Brown is concussed, and the head needs protection, but in reality what would a player do differently if they have their time again in that situation, that’s the question none of the media heroes are answering when they have a go (you’re up soon Robbo).
2. What was he supposed to do differently? Let the player go? He wouldn’t then get the free kick. Could he have turned him backwards? The laws of physics says nooo. Let one arm go? Then Brown can handball. This is not about a Pies player been given a lesser suspension, the year is well shot and he could do with a rest probably anyway, this is about going ‘ok, what you did earned you three weeks, in order to have avoided a suspension you should have done ‘this’ instead”. What exactly would ‘this’ be? No idea.
3. Jack Ziebell’s tackle in isolation looked worse. But Adam Treloar rubbed his head, got up, got on with it, and Ziebell was not even assessed by the MRP. Brown met the Etihad carpark roof flush on his jaw and as a result, Grundy has a fortnight off. The rules are to suspend actions, but so much of this comes down to outcome. What about a knee into the back of the head in a screamer which leads to a concussion? Grundy didn’t intend to injure but his actions caused it. Where’s the difference. Oh, so much grey…
4. And finally, our man Mark Robinson, the Donald Trump to the football media this year. His criticism of Collingwood is one thing and I’m not interested in that enough, nor would all of you be, so that aside there was another great line from someone having a shocker of a year. He wrote “it was, said Buckley, the perfect tackle. The fact is it was a perfect tackle until Brown was knocked out.” So if Brown didn’t get concussed, from the same action, it was perfect Mark? But the outcome totally changed how you perceive the mechanics? C’mon Robbo…
5. Alrighty, how about our poor man Rocket? Delivered a sh#t sandwich apparently, which is everyone’s favourite selection off the lunch menu, he nursed the club through a period of little change, good or bad, and he departs with the Suns in essentially the same predicament as before. A waste of time sadly. This club needs fresh blood badly, and Mark Evans has to be entrusted to find the next Luke Beveridge, to fire a cracker up the collective backsides of everyone, the playing group, assistants, the whole club. The Giants are toying with their premiership chances, yet the Suns are so off the radar it’s not funny.
6. The Gold Coast have had a strange 2017. Still a lot of talent but it’s been a long time since they smashed the Hawks in Round 3. Since then, yes, they did defeat the Cats at home Round 7 but not much else. When do they make finals? Next year? Couldn’t be certain, in fact you’d bet against it. They need something bold, they need relevance.
7. And then there is Tom Lynch, the Suns co-captain. Let’s clear something up first about player movement at the top end, the big guns: the idea that a club starts to talk to a prospective target around this time of year is laughable. Sydney basically had Lance Franklin’s commitment within weeks of the previous year’s Grand Final, Patrick Dangerfield essentially told Geelong he would head home many months out as well. So, with Lynch, a restricted free agent in 14 months’ time, a Victorian who is one of the very best key forwards in the game, will attract many, many suitors down in Melbourne. And without a coach locked in for next year as of this week, I would expect many persuasive conversations to be had between clubs and his management, where a pseudo commitment made for a move in 2019 would be no complete surprise. He would be a megastar if he moved to Carlton or Collingwood.
8. Port Adelaide have problems. This column has rated them highly but lately they are turning their narrative into this year’s flat track bullies. They are not able to get a decent scalp against their name, and come finals it will difficult to overturn that. Their record against top eight sides gets worse. It was damning on the weekend – the Crows alone have their measure, that’s four Showdowns in a row now.
9. The one’s to get back on are the Giants. Sure, it’s one game against Melbourne in Canberra and this season has taught us to not react to small samples, the ups and downs are crazy, but getting Stephen Coniglio back, going a bit smaller to improve their forward pressure (Rory Lobb or Johno Patton to miss) and a fit Brett Deledio as an x-factor, they can still win this absolutely. If they get on a run now, you could argue they’ll be super difficult to stop going all the way.
10. Right, we’ve done this once before and it resulted in a 14 goals to one halftime result the following weekend. But these Tigers are in this up to their necks, we must concede. And it’s because whatever they are doing, it just works. The Dogs on paper didn’t work, as a serious flag threat, last year, especially with their injuries, but when it just goes right and you can keep it going, big things happen. The Tigers have got a formula that works and they have momentum. Two bad losses aside it’s been a perfect season really. Can Richmond do it, from a top four spot, an easier run than what the Dogs had? Viable.
11. The big tick for Damien Hardwick has been going small. No Ben Griffiths or tall support for Jack Riewoldt. On the weekend, it was super small with the latter’s absence. Small blokes up forward in 2017 does the trick. Hawthorn had no run out of defence on Sunday, and that’s where the Crows and Giants are great, so Richmond may possess the weapon to stop the two best teams. Are they ‘good’ good enough though? Interesting to see how the Crows and Tigers fare in September, one going small inside 50, one with three talls.
12. Toughness in the middle is what really wins a flag though. Adelaide has the Crouch brothers (if you don’t know Brad and Matt well enough, you will over the coming years, both are absolute ‘jets’) and Rory Sloane of course, Giants have Cal Ward, Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel plus a bunch of guys prepared to cross the line at times. Richmond? Do they have ‘trenches’ blokes? Not sure. We will see.
13. Geelong are shot. They are too easy to beat. The fact they only have six losses against their record this year is an achievement in itself. No Joel Selwood the rest of the year, no Tom Hawkins for two weeks, the Tigers ‘should’ nobble them down the highway, then they are mega vulnerable to the Pies who have beaten them earlier in the year and finally an improving Giants. Trouble.
14. West Coast need more than a list chop, some heat on Adam Simpson is necessary. This isn’t a bad list. The knee injury to Nic Naitanui hurts, sure, but the losses to Collingwood and St Kilda shouldn’t happen, plain and simple. Don’t blame it all on the list. This team should make finals, probably win one, but will miss altogether. If they have even the slightest poor start to next year, watch them spin it into ‘the rebuild we need to have’, which is such an indictment on the football department who could be doing so much better.
15. Some love for two retiring greats this week. One, Jobe Watson, a Brownlow Medallist, yes, he won, you can put that asterisk there all you like but in reality, amidst the murky, dark waters of that whole drugs saga, he was the best and fairest player in 2012. Ex-captain, three-time club best and fairest, a champion bloke too, a great career. But also to Matty Boyd, a premiership player with the Bulldogs who stuck thick and thin through all the hardship years. A 300-game player, three-time best and fairest, a highly-underrated player who we salute too. Well done to both Jobe and Matthew.
16. Over to Perth, firstly, Harley Bennell watch. Only five kicks two weeks ago and Peel Thunder had a bye last weekend, the progress back for him has been nothing short of unspectacular. His off-field behaviours are better from all reports, but getting to 100% looks a long shot. Ross Lyon seems invested, given their long path back to the premiership window allows the time Bennell may need, but gee, looks long odds.
17. And just lastly, watch the Jesse Hogan space. Been an incredibly tough year off the park for the Dees spearhead, and whilst all above board and in the right spirit, there’s a sense at the Dockers he may want to look at returning back to WA for personal reasons. Emphasise ‘may’. I would not be shocked at all at the end of the season if this comes to a head and Freo might be in talks to bring Hogan home.
18. Onto this weekend’s footy, Friday night is huge. The Dogs need to win, they have a lot to play for. Their form has been better but still not super. Anyone other than the Lions probably gets them last Saturday. They got away with it. The Giants, they’re pursuing good form to set up an attack on the Crows, to keep top two and try and get two finals at Spotless before an MCG appearance on the last Saturday in September. The Giants are the better team, they should be winning this, but there’s just enough fight in the reigning premier to make it an earnest contest.
19. Saturday afternoon down the Cattery, Geelong host Richmond. We’ve put a line through the hosts, and we’ve acknowledged the Tigers as being legitimate so place your bets accordingly. However, the last time we gave the Tigs a wrap the Saints dismantled them like you wouldn’t believe, and the Cats have a knack for winning when this column thinks they shouldn’t. So all we know for sure is that it will be interesting!
20. And lastly this week, Sunday lunchtime at the MCG, Melbourne host St Kilda. The Demons need to get one back, its been a while now since their good wins against the Bulldogs and West Coast in Perth. Three losses in their last four games, they still have a kind draw to get into that 5th or 6th spot, but gee, a loss here and they are really up against it. For the Saints, this is a team who have enough in their side good enough to warrant maybe that 8th position but every week is an elimination final for them going forward. Will be highly motivated and keen to make amends for Round One too. Could be a belter.
(originally published August 9)
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Making the best higher education basketball staff with Louisville's Rick Pitino and Kentucky's John Calipari on the coaching personnel
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Making the best higher education basketball staff with Louisville's Rick Pitino and Kentucky's John Calipari on the coaching personnel
In a number of months, different retailers will launch their preseason All-America squads and picks to acquire meeting and countrywide titles.
Those people accolades detect the prime gamers each and every period.
But what if we had each and every higher education player in a gym and could choose whomever we preferred? What gamers would we find for the 10-gentleman rotation?
Perfectly, we have a number of ideas.
(And don’t forget, we are below to assemble the best staff. We’re on the lookout for an elite group of gamers we believe that would jell alongside one another.)
Starting off 5
No. one choose
Joel Berry II, guard, North Carolina Tar Heels
We’ll start with the reigning Most Superb Player from last year’s NCAA title run. We rely on him to guidebook our staff as the setting up stage guard. Berry won postseason accolades and Roy Williams’ third countrywide title whilst nursing a pair of negative ankles and battling some of the prime guards in America. He also connected on 38 percent of his three-pointers. He also finished with 6 assists and only a person turnover in UNC’s acquire about Gonzaga in the NCAA title match.
No. 2 choose
Michael Porter, Jr., ahead, Missouri Tigers
Indeed, we’ll include the projected prime choose in the 2018 NBA draft to the setting up 5. Two months ago, Cuonzo Martin explained to the St. Louis Publish-Dispatch the six-foot-10 Porter played like a prep variation of a Kevin Garnett-Kevin Durant hybrid. By all accounts, Porter on any staff would drastically elevate the likely of the method. He’s a huge, polished athlete who can handle the ball, shoot three-pointers, block and alter shots, and produce a forty-moment offensive monsoon in changeover.
No. three choose
Grayson Allen, guard, Duke Blue Devils
Duke’s senior leader will enter this period with an edge amassed by last season’s tripping episodes. Allen started off the period as the beloved to acquire the Picket Award, but Allen’s drama-stuffed period ended without an all-ACC nod. He did not even nab an honorable point out slot immediately after averaging 14.five points and making 81 percent of his totally free throws. Berry’s management will enable Allen stay centered on the courtroom and avoid the emotional outbursts that value him and his teams in the past.
No. 4 choose
Mohamed Bamba, ahead, Texas Longhorns
Past week, the NCAA verified the Texas freshman’s eligibility immediately after his brother had alleged he’d violated different procedures. Which is very good information for the Longhorns. The 7-footer is not the most experienced offensive player in his course, but he is a gifted athlete who will run the floor, obstacle shots all-around the rim and disrupt opposing offenses with his size and athleticism.
No. five choose
Miles Bridges, ahead, Michigan Condition Spartans
The projected lottery choose who picked an additional 12 months in East Lansing about tens of millions in the NBA turns this setting up rotation into a juggernaut with his flexibility (39 percent on three-pointers, fifty five percent within the arc last period) and aggression. He’s an acrobat responsible for building matchup difficulties from any opponent. With Berry and Allen jogging the display, he’ll facial area an abundance of isolation predicaments, where by he is unstoppable.
The bench
No. six choose
DeAndre Ayton, ahead, Arizona Wildcats
The 7-foot savant is an intense danger in the post and a difficulty in place, much too. Yeah, we are bringing a projected preseason All-American off the bench. It truly is not fair. Deal with it.
No. 7 choose
Landry Shamet, guard, Wichita Condition Shockers
Never know considerably about Shamet? He’s the six-4 sophomore stage guard who led Wichita Condition to 31 wins last period, scored 20 points (five-for-7 within the arc) with zero turnovers in a next-round loss to Kentucky and manufactured 44 percent of his three-stage tries in 2016-seventeen. Indeed, he is with us. And now you know.
No. eight choose
Ethan Happ, ahead, Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin star secured initially staff All-Significant Ten honors and a place on the league’s all-defensive staff last 12 months. The six-10 ahead can guard huge 3s, 4s and 5s. He’s also a danger on the offensive finish (14. PPG, nine. RPG) with a varied post match. He manufactured sixty four percent of his shots at the rim last 12 months, for each hoop-math.com.
No. nine choose
Jevon Carter, guard, West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia’s bulldog is the best on-the-ball defender on the roster. He averaged three.five steals last period. He also manufactured 39 percent of his three-pointers for a West Virginia squad aiming to upset Kansas in the Significant twelve race subsequent period. He’ll convey a model a toughness this squad requirements.
No. 10 choose
Trevon Bluiett, guard, Xavier Musketeers
Buckets! Which is what we will need off the bench. Bluiett is capable to fill that role. The six-six veteran is a potent wing who carried the Musketeers to the Elite Eight last period. He averaged eighteen.five points and manufactured 37.one percent of his three-stage tries. He’s the best spark in a reserve role on our Desire Workforce for 2017-eighteen.
Coaching personnel
Now this would be some coaching personnel, with Rick Pitino guiding the lock-down protection and John Calipari commanding the are unable to-be-stopped offense. Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire
Head coach: Rick Pitino, Louisville Cardinals
Proved by his countrywide title operates at Kentucky (1996) and Louisville (2013), Pitino can regulate egos and create a range of personalities into a motivated and competitive vessel. Which is what this group requirements. Plus, you know he’ll get rid of his intellect if these fellas fail to defend. You will need grit and resilience. Which is what Pitino preaches.
Assistant coach: John Calipari, Kentucky Wildcats
Indeed, Calipari underneath Pitino. Could you visualize? We can. The two would comprise the best coaching blend. Pitino’s defensive system with Calipari’s fluid offensive tactic would make this group a monster from any opposing all-star cast.
Assistant coach: John Beilein, Michigan Wolverines
Beilein is the most underrated coach in the state. He is aware of the keys to acquiring uncooked talent, though. Just check with the 6 initially-round picks he has generated throughout his time at Michigan. He’ll enable this roster achieve its likely, much too.
Assistant coach: Jay Wright, Villanova Wildcats
He’s the calming pressure in just this crew. The dude who preserved his interesting on Kris Jenkins’ match-winner in the 2016 countrywide title match provides his encounter, management and calm persona to this group. Plus, he is a winner who has done much additional with much less.
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23 Valentine's Day Movies People Never Get Bored Of
Valentine’s Day is a great day to cuddle up and watch a movie about love. In fact, they actually made a movie called Valentine’s Day, but it was just a rip-off of Love, Actually. With so many sappy movies out there, it’s hard to sift out the good from just more of the same.
So we’ve done the work for you! Here are twenty-three of the best romantic movies ever made to watch on Valentine’s Day.
23 – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
In this moving film, it is slowly revealed that a couple chose to have a procedure that erased memories of each other. Jim Carrey plays Joel, opposite Kate Winslet playing Clementine. As the movie slowly reveals loving and intimate moments in their relationship, you become more and more emotionally involved in the story.
Best Quote
Joel: “I could die right now, Clem. I’m just… happy. I’ve never felt that before. I’m just exactly where I want to be.”
22 – About Time (2013)
Tim Lake (played by Domhnall Gleeson) discovers a superpower when he turns 21: he can travel in time and change past events. While he could try doing any number of things to make the world a better place, he decides to use his power to…get a girlfriend. His romantic interest is Mary (played by Rachel McAdams), and their relationship endures its share of trials and tribulations.
This film is from the creators of Love Actually, and it’s worth a try for anyone looking for a well-done romantic comedy.
Best Quote
Tim: [voiceover] “We’re all traveling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride.”
21 – The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is beloved by women everywhere for good reason. Allie (Rachel McAdams) is such a warm and likable character, pursued by the equally charming Noah (Ryan Gosling). Their love story withstands many tests but we realize that it lasts into their old age.
Wonderful performances by McAdams and Gosling have made this a super-popular and award-winning film. It might be cheesy, but it’s heartwarming and genuine too.
Best Quote
Noah: “I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.”
20 – Love and Basketball (2000)
While many romance movies are difficult for men to watch, Love & Basketball helps draw male viewers into this “chick flick” genre becuase of its underlying sports theme. Quincy (Omar Epps) and Monica (Sanaa Lathan) meet on the basketball court as kids. Their love/hate relationship develops as their lives continually intersect – they’re both pursuing their individual dreams of playing pro ball.
If you’re young, enjoy sports, or crave passion, this movie’s for you.
Best Quote
Monica says, “It’s a trip, you know? When you’re a kid, you see the life you want, and it never crosses your mind that it’s not gonna turn out that way.”
19 – Cactus Flower (1969)
Kate Hudson’s mom, Goldie Hawn, won an Oscar for her portrayal of Toni Simmons, a confused 21-year old woman in a relationship with an older man (Walter Matthau). Although it sort of looks like an Austin Powers film, Hawn’s wit and charm allows you to still get into it.
The complicated love story is about the various lies a dentist tells to keep a relationship. Interestingly enough, the story was appropriated by by Adam Sandler in Just Go With It (2011).
Best Quote
Toni Simmons: “Now why don’t you go back and mind your own business like everyone else in New York City?”
Although it’s one of those bleak comedies, Lost in Translation has a great romance at its heart. Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) really capture what it feels like to be traveling somewhere completely unfamiliar and wanting a connection. The brief moments of Anna Farris spoofing Cameron Diaz add just the right amount of laughs to tide you over, until the moment when Bob whispers something in Charlotte’s ear and they say goodbye.
Best Quote
Charlotte: “Let’s never come here again because it would never be as much fun.”
17 – When in Rome (2010)
Although Forgetting Sarah Marshall is Kristen Bell’s most popular role, her performance in When in Rome (2010) is underrated. Bell plays Beth, an ambitious New Yorker who steals some coins from a famous love fountain in Italy during her sister’s wedding. Because of her theft, she’s chased down by Danny DeVito, Will Arnett, Jon Heder, and Dax Shepard, who are under a love spell.
The movie is lighthearted, funny, and a great way to create and celebrate a happy Valentine’s Day.
Best Quote
Beth: “Dad. When you married Mom, did you ever think that you wouldn’t make it?”
Beth’s Dad: “Elizabeth Ann. Honey, you cannot learn from my mistakes. You’re going to have to go out there and make your own. Now, you could get your heart broken or you could have the greatest love affair the world has ever known, but you’re not going to know unless you try.”
16 – 50 First Dates (2004)
You’d be hard pressed to come up with a more likeable couple of people than Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. In 50 First Dates, they’re in Hawaii, and after they meet, Henry Roth (Sandler) turns from a playboy to a devoted boyfriend—the only problem is the girl of his dreams has no short-term memory, so she relives the same day over and over. This movie brings laughs, but it’s also a sappy romance movie as only Sandler can do. It’s a chick flick anyone can enjoy.
Best Quote
Dr. Keats: “Tom was in a hunting accident and he lost part of his brain. His memory lasts only ten seconds.”
Ten Second Tom: “I was in an accident? That’s terrible.”
Dr. Keats: “Don’t worry, you’ll totally get over it in about three seconds.”
15 – Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
A testament to just how far a man will go to win over the woman he loves. Slumdog Millionaire portrays a poor man being tortured by the police for being suspiciously good at Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Dev Patel plays one of the most lovable characters on film.
This compelling film won no fewer than eight Oscars and garnered a lot of critical acclaim. The mixture of love, violence, and socioeconomic messages makes for a great date night screening. It’s a great pick to watch with someone who appreciates good films and with whom you want to share an intelligent conversation.
Best Quote
Jamal Malik: “I’ll wait for you at the train station every day at five.”
14 – The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) always has problems—the media hates him, the police hate him, other superheroes hate him, and he’s constantly struggling with his love life because of it. Regardless of how you feel about the new Spider-Man series, they made the right move dropping Mary Jane for Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Their romance is one of the most memorable in comic book history.
Best Quote
Peter Parker: “We all have secrets: the ones we keep… and the ones that are kept from us.”
13 – The Tourist (2010) (Runner Up: Original Sin)
It’s not just that Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are beautiful people; the location shots in Paris and Venice are simply stunning. This cat-and-mouse tale has enough thrills going for it to satisfy your intellectual needs, and it has some nail-biting action scenes to boot. You’re never quite sure who to believe, but you can’t deny there’s chemistry between the two—if there’s anyone who could steal Jolie from Pitt, Depp seems like the type.
Best Quote
Hotel Waiter Guido: “Bongiorno!”
Frank Taylor (Depp): “Bon Jovi!”
12 – This Means War (2012)
Reese Witherspoon is omnipresent in chick flicks – for good reason! All of her romantic comedies are enjoyable, but This Means War wins for mixing spy-versus-spy action into the mix. Chris Pine and Tom Hardy do a great job of keeping men distracted from Reese’s message that it’s OK to date multiple people. Adventurous couples will love this action-packed romp.
Best Quote
Trish (Chelsea Handler) “Don’t go with the better guy, go with the guy who makes you better.”
11 – (500) Days of Summer (2009)
Zooey Deschanel is that quirky and beautiful girl everyone wants to be or be with. In short, the boy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) meets the girl (Deschanel), and falls in love, but she’s just that into him. The movie highlights their relationship in a non-linear fashion, and is a great portrayal of modern love and relationships. (500) Days of Summer isn’t your traditional romantic comedy, and maybe that’s a good thing – unlike all the others, it’s a thought-provoking film about love.
Best Quote
Rachel Hansen: “Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn’t mean she’s your soul mate.”
10 – Walk the Line (2005)
This portrayal of Johnny and June Cash is an epic biopic. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon beautifully capture the essence of the romance. Johnny loved June Carter so much, he knew he had to marry her. Seeing their love blossom over the course of their lives is a great way to celebrate life and a relationship with someone you truly love beyond anything. These two real life people even died around the same time. It’s said Johnny died of a broken heart after June passed.
Best Quote
June Carter: “Well, then start loving yourself, so we can go back to work.”
9 – Ghost Town (2008)
The cynical among us love Ricky Gervais. In Ghost Town, he plays a man who can see dead people and is now doomed to help them with their love problems. It’s a wonderfully unique Valentine’s Day romance story. Everyone’s tired of people bragging about their relationships on Facebook, and Gervais portrays this feeling perfectly. Love isn’t always as much fun as it sounds; sometimes, you just end up involved in other people’s drama.
Best Quote
Bertram Pincus (Gervais): “All work and no play makes Jack- a vital member of society.”
8 – Shrek (2001)
It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since Shrek came out (!). This is a fun, backwards fairy tale where the ogre gets the girl. Featuring the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow, Shrek is a feel-good movie that’s perfect for the young – and mature – at heart.
Best Quote
Shrek: “For your information, there’s a lot more to ogres than people think.”
7 – Seems Like Old Times (1980)
Ahhh, the classics. One of the best movies from the 80s, Seems Like Old Times is a Neil Simon film that still maintains its charm. Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn are a divorced couple, and, after being forced to take part in a bank robbery, Chase hides out at Hawn’s house. The only problem is Hawn’s husband (Charles Groden) is the district attorney, so a lot of hijinx ensue. If you pine for an old flame, Seems Like Old Times is the Valentine’s Day romantic comedy for you.
Best Quote
Glenda (Hawn) “Chester. You just went through a stop sign.”
Chester (Chase) “I can’t help it. I don’t like to read when I drive.”
6 – About a Boy (2002)
You’d think watching a man hang out with an unrelated boy would be a little weird – and not great romantic-film fodder. But in About a Boy, it plays out beautifully. This is a buddy flick and a romance rolled into one, and it teaches men that parenting isn’t scary. If you’re a slacker who still hasn’t grown up, About a Boy is for you.
Best Quote
Marcus: “After a few visits, Will seemed to think he had to ask me serious questions, when I knew he really wanted to watch Xena Warrior princess.”
5 – True Romance (1993) (Runner Up: Natural Born Killers)
Quentin Tarantino isn’t exactly known for the romance in his films, but True Romance, which he wrote, is an epic romantic crime drama. There are drugs, hookers, and all sorts of guns. The love between Clarence (Christian Slater) and Alabama (Patricia Arquette) is something we all wish we had. By the time this movie reaches its bloody climax, not only will you be in love with Elvis, but you’ll know the origin of Sicilians.
Best Quote
Clarence Worley: “You just said you love me, now if I say I love you and just throw caution to the wind and let the chips fall where they may and you’re lying to me I’m gonna fuckin’ die.”
4 – Titanic (1997)
If you’ve never seen Titanic, you must! And if you have, consider watching it again for Valentine’s. This classic romantic-disaster film won eleven Oscars, because of its superb cast, plot, and music.
Spoiler Alert: The ship sinks, and it takes like half the movie. Before it happens though, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) steals Rose (Kate Winslett) from her rich husband-to-be. Titanic is a tear-jerker with an epic romance that is fated to failure.
Best Quote
Jack Dawson: “Where to, Miss?”
Rose DeWitt Bukater: “To the stars.”
3 – Bride and Prejudice (2004)
This Bollywood take on the classic “Pride and Prejudice” is a musical delight. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may not be well-known in majority-English-speaking countries, but she is beautiful and talented – her acting, singing, and dancing expertise is on full display. This movie is beautiful, tells an old story; and you’ll look sophisticated for suggesting it. The colorful costumes and set designs are like taking an exotic vacation from your couch.
Best Quote
Lalita Bakshi (Rai): “You should be stirring your husband’s dinner not trouble.”
2 – Love, Actually (2003)
Love Actually follows the intertwining stories of eight British couples dealing with love in very different ways. It’s a romantic comedy and a Christmas film, but its sappiness is matched by genuine and heartwarming moments. It’s impossible to watch this movie without laughing, crying, and falling in love with at least one character! Love Actually may be the best romantic comedy ever written.
Best Quote
Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) “Hiya kids. Here is an important message from your Uncle Bill. Don’t buy drugs. Become a pop star, and they give you them for free!”
1 – The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
This Oscar-nominated flick might not come to mind as a movie perfect for Valentine’s Day. But you and your Valentine’s Day date just might find that refreshing!
Martin Scorsese is known for his thrilling films, and Wolf of Wall Street does not disappoint. It’s a raw and emotional movie, with some violence, nudity, and drug use – all to show the underbelly of the high-octane world of finance. DiCaprio’s performance is compelling and exciting – this movie is worth your time!
Best Quote
Jordan Belfort: [to the waiter] “Oh, I’m good with water for now.”
Mark Hanna: “It’s his first day on Wall Street. Give him time.”
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Keeping the Horse in Front of the Cart: Realistic Expectations for the 2017 Sixers
I’m gonna go way out on a limb and predict that one of the four teams that played last night will win the NBA championship.
Alright!
Now that we’ve got that squared away, let’s talk about your team, your town, your playoff-bound Philadelphia 76ers. I went on the record Wednesday with this prediction:
41-41, 8th seed in the Eastern Conference
That’s assuming Joel Embiid can play somewhere between 50 and 60 games and isn’t hampered by his “fucking bullshit” minutes restriction.
Whether you agreed with The Process or not, I think everyone understands that this team still has a long way to go. Ben Simmons is a rookie. Markelle Fultz is a rookie. Embiid might as well be a rookie. But one facet of The Process that falls by the wayside is the idea that your core talent is being brought along at the same time. Sam Hinkie was patient enough to move on from guys like Michael Carter-Williams because he thought he could do better. He thought he could assemble a trio that would contend for a title and not just get the team into the postseason.
In that regard, The Process is over. Any half-hearted extension of the concept cheapens the philosophy and makes people forget why it was even executed in the first place. It’s like a band that releases a bunch of great albums then drops a disc like “St. Anger.”
This year, returning to the playoffs would be a big success for a team that has won 19, 18, 10, and 28 games in the last four years. Even cresting 30 wins is a step forward. You’ve been loyal enough to sit through four years of tanking, so suddenly putting the cart before the horse seems hypocritical for a fan base that has tolerated (and even invited) a half-decade of abeyance.
Here’s how I have it going down in the Eastern Conference:
Cleveland
Boston
Washington
Toronto
Milwaukee
Miami
Charlotte
Philadelphia
Detroit
Orlando
Indiana
Atlanta
New York
Brooklyn
Chicago
Playoffs: Cavaliers 4, Sixers 1
Hell of an opportunity to taste the postseason and steal a home win against the Cavs. 2018 expectations become sky high as the Eagles come off an NFC title game loss and the young Sixers sniff meaningful basketball for the first time in the post-Process era. The Flyers are skating like the ’85 Oilers and Mike Trout is finalizing details on his first Phillies contract.
There are a lot of good things to look forward to in Philly sports, so let’s temper immediate expectations and just enjoy the ride.
Embiid should refuse to abide by the minutes restriction, and just stay on the court when Brown tries to take him out.
— FakeWIPCaller (@FakeWIPCaller) October 17, 2017
What do we need to see from each player?
For me, team success is 35+ wins and/or a playoff berth.
Individually, here’s what I got:
Markelle Fultz – learn to play with Ben Simmons, let the shoulder heal, leave the shot alone
I think it’s key that Ben Simmons is going to be a spotlighted Rookie of the Year candidate. This is underrated, because it takes pressure off of Markelle Fultz to perform right off the bat and allows him to sort of fly under the radar as he gets back to fitness and form.
When’s the last time a number-one overall pick had this luxury? The fact that you have two first-overall picks debuting at the same time is incredibly unique and will be a boon for Fultz’s development. He shot the ball well enough in college that he didn’t require any mechanical tweaks, so I think this is just a case of fixing something that wasn’t broken.
Ben Simmons – learn to play with Markelle Fultz, build on ability to move without the ball, stay mentally focused on defense, finish at the rim
I think the thing with Fultz and Simmons right now is that there’s a bit of overlap, not necessarily in their skill sets, but in their strengths. Both look better with the ball in their hands. Both excel at driving to the rim and kicking it out to open shooters.
Neither looks entirely comfortable off the ball, nor are they knock-down shooters right now. That’ll improve with time. Even with Fultz beginning the season with the second unit, there will still be times where they share the court and become more comfortable with each other.
For Simmons, I think his finishing at the rim is going to be a “big fucking deal,” as Joe Biden once said. He can easily get there, and he’s going to draw fouls, but the and-1 potential, considering his size and skill, is going to astronomical this year.
Joel Embiid – stay healthy, stay focused, keep forcing the refs’ whistles, improve on defensive rebounding
There’s not much to say beyond the obvious. One thing I don’t think we talk enough about is the fact that Joel’s small sample size of games means that opposing teams haven’t seen much of him at all. We can say that he’s “unguardable,” but teams will learn how to play against him with more reps and more film. Part of the reason he hit the ground running last year is because opponents had no idea what to expect.
Defensively, he does so many things well, but obviously can’t slide to keep up with smaller guards. You saw D’Angelo Russell hit that floater over him in the preseason game. He can probably be a bit better in defensive rebounding, but sometimes shot blockers aren’t in the best position to grab boards, so that’s natural.
Another storyline is how he’s officiated and whether or not he can continue to get the calls we saw in the Miami game.
Robert Covington – more consistency as a shooter
RoCo is going to get open looks this season because of the gravity drawn by Simmons and Fultz as they attack the rim.
He shot 33% from three-point range last season, which was below the league average of 35.7%, but he improved to 36.5% when the calendar flipped to 2017 after pushing through a rough start. His shots aren’t going to be as contested this year and there’s no reason why he can’t reach 37 or 38% from deep, which would put him right at the edge of the NBA’s top 50. He’s not going to be sharing the court with non-shooters like Sergio Rodriguez this year.
Covington’s perimeter defense is going to be crucial in matchups against the likes of Washington, Boston, and Toronto.
When a ball-handler gets by Robert Covington but Joel Embiid is waiting there http://pic.twitter.com/TpTolg3r3i
— shamus (@shamus_clancy) October 18, 2017
JJ Redick – keep hitting from three, provide early body of work with next year in mind
It’s mostly just determining whether he’s a fit here and worthy of a long-term contract. He also has to think about whether he wants to stick around. I think if you weather the early storm, make it through the rough opening schedule, then pull it back to .500, that assuages any concerns he might have about Philly not being in his future.
Dario Saric – settle into a role?, move without the ball
First off the bench this season.
I’m interested to see how he does in year number two with a better understanding of the American game.
His utility is useful, but I don’t want that to come at the expense of finding his best role on the floor. Using him as a stretch-five, for example, is intriguing, but does that maximize his potential?
We’ll see what happens.
Jerryd Bayless – be the veteran
Talk, point, set assignments. Help these young guys figure it out and lead by example. They’re gonna need it.
Jahlil Okafor – ???
I think his fourth-year rookie option gets declined. With Amir Johnson working with the second team and Richaun Holmes coming back from injury, I just don’t see a role for Okafor, especially because he looks the same defensively as he did last year. The awareness and urgency just never seems to be there.
I love Jah’s offensive skill-set, but he’s operating in a different epoch than the rest of the NBA.
Justin Anderson, Nik Stauskas, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot – show us something
I think you just want one of these guys to step up and claim a second unit role. For me, TLC has the most upside.
T.J. McConnell – keep bringing the intensity, stay under control
Nice to see someone play with heart and hustle in 2017, he just has to keep himself grounded while doing it.
Amir Johnson, Richaun Holmes – hold down the fort
There’s a drop-off when Embiid leaves the court, obviously.
With Joel on a minutes restriction, Johnson is going have a big role in the early part of the schedule, and I wonder if Brett Brown goes to Saric at the five before bringing in Okafor. The Holmes injury had more of a domino effect than I originally thought.
Brett Brown: become a 4th quarter coach, find roles for interchangeable parts
One of the issues with the past four years is that Brown wasn’t in a lot of situations where his team was in close, 4th quarter games. What kind of plays can he draw up? Who takes the last shot? These are still relatively new concepts.
I don’t put too much stock into the “Bryan Colangelo didn’t hire Brett Brown” narrative (when considering his job security), but it’s obvious that the evolution of the coaching staff needs to be somewhat congruous with player development.
Another thing is that the unique skill-sets of guys like Simmons and Embiid mean that they can be utilized in a variety of ways. Remember that preseason play where Embiid fed Simmons down low for a dunk? That’s a 7’2″ center dishing it to a 6’11” “point guard” in the low post. That’s fun to watch, but it’s not conventional, and Brown is going to have figure out if we’re doing this with some sort of traditional structure or allowing these intriguing athletes to develop their own new-age and exclusive style.
Strengths – passing, defense, transition offense
With Ben Simmons slinging it all over the place and creating gravity that would make Isaac Newton blush, the Sixers are going to be nasty when playing with pace. They’ll move the ball and space the court much, much better in 2017.
Defensively, Covington, Bayless, and Redick will allow Simmons and Fultz to not have to deal with All-Star Eastern Conference point guards on a nightly basis. If Embiid stays healthy, you’ve probably got the league’s best rim protector, or one of them.
Weaknesses – turnovers, inexperience, finishing around the rim, free-throws?
Adventurous transition offense also opens the door to wayward passes and turnovers. You’re gonna see some balls fly into the stands.
And if Simmons and Fultz decide to take it to the rim themselves, can they finish there? If they get to the line, are they hitting their foul shots? I don’t know.
The inexperience is what it is. You get John Wall, Kyrie Irving, and Kyle Lowry in your first three NBA games.
Welcome!
John Wall Slam Dunk!! #NBAPreSeason #Wizards #NBA http://pic.twitter.com/NFXjb2KKbO
— All Sport News (@All_SportNews) October 7, 2017
Staff picks:
Write these down, then come back and rip us on Twitter in a few months:
Kyle Scott: The Sixers have the potential to be GOOD when Embiid is healthy and if Fultz is a solid contributor. But there are also a lot of new faces, some with no NBA experience, and there are going to be some rough spots. Overall, figuring a mostly healthy Embiid and Fultz not needing surgery on his shoulder, the Sixers are pretty good and get into the playoffs with 42 wins.
Phil Keidel: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. 40-42.
Russell Joy: At the end of the season, with the Sixers 5th in the East at 46-36, Joel stands over the broken bodies of those who stood in his way. He pours out two Shirley Temples, smashes them together, throws them back and states to the masses, “Embiid 3:16 says I just whooped your ass.” Or should that be Process 3:16… Or Hinkie 3:16?
Coggin: What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.” 76ers 42-40.
Bob Wankel: So what if Markelle Fultz looks broken? Embiid stays relatively healthy, Simmons is ROY, and the Sixers go 43-39. They get the 7th seed and then they get wiped away by the Celtics in the first round. Basketball in Philly is back, BABY!
Chris Jastrzembski: Joel’s minutes go up and he stays healthy. Markelle’s shot is still meh, but Ben wins Rookie of the Year. Sixers go 42-40 and get the 7th seed.
Tyler Trumbauer: Embiid is limited all year, no back-to-backs, but team has enough talent to make the playoffs. I say 7th seed, 44-38.
Investor Mike: Reverse psychology absolutely in play here, but the Sixers miss the 8th seed by way of a heartbreaking home loss to the Bucks on fan appreciation night. 40-42
Investor Jeff: Embiid plays 61 games, Sixers 36-25 when he plays. 7-14 when he sits. 43 wins, good for the 6th seed where they give Washington all they can handle in the first round before losing in 7.
That’s about it. Whatever happens this season, it won’t be boring. Let’s roll the damn ball out.
Take it away Lars Ulrich:
Keeping the Horse in Front of the Cart: Realistic Expectations for the 2017 Sixers published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv
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