Guy Berger

This Bill Simmons article is probably on the money with Shaq: Also this was pretty funny:

The Heat lost a prime opportunity to win a game with their record-breaking free-throw shooting. Dirk and Josh Howard aren't going to be jointly abysmal very often. I can't believe Jason Terry missed that layup. Guy

I know the NBA and ABC need to update people who are just tuning for the finals, but this pre-game show is painful to watch. Guy

Steve Kerr answers some letters:

The question is whether his body will cooperate. Guy

There's apparently a new book out about these guys: link

FWIW, a lot of this series comes down to Miami's role players. If Jason Williams, Udonis Haslem and Antoine Chucker play well consistently then they'll be in a great position to win. Guy

From tradesports.com: Heat in 4: 3.2-4.2% Heat in 5: 13.0-14.4% Heat in 6: 11.0-12.5% Heat in 7: 9.0-11.9% Mavs in 7: 21.1-22.9% Mavs in 6: 22.0-23.8% Mavs in 5: 11.0-12.4% Mavs in 4: 6.9-7.0% Mavs win: 61.5-61.7% Heat win: 38.1-39.4%

Dallas in 6 (maybe 7)

I think this is the EBBB -- it has a very similar lineup to the previous EBBB album (Holiday for Strings). I guess Motian changed the name since they aren't playing much bebop anymore. Guy

Mine are all sorted alphabetically in one tall stack, ascending order. (I don't look forward to the days when I feel like listening to Gene Ammons.) Guy

Anybody whether their population forecast for 50 years in the future is wildly inaccurate? I would bet in the affirmative. Guy update: Yup, way way off. But who cares about accuracy when you're only off by 1.5 billion people.

shrug I guess I'd be annoyed if I lived in CO or was a Rockies fan. Guy

Thanks a lot, Jim. What's up with the search function? It lost a lot of its functionality.

I found it: thread3

Happy b-day, Ray.

One more reason for me to root against the Heat. I can't stand that guy. Guy

Here are some threads I found on google: thread1 thread2 There's at least one other one in the archives but alas I can't find it on google. Guy

By the way, for those who missed this -- it is being seeded somewhere on the internet. Supposedly the sound quality is much, much better than the version on the LQ tree. Guy

The Inner Mounting Flame is still a pretty remarkable piece of work. I love McLaughlin's guitar tone here, Billy Cobham is incredible, and Jan Hammer's ring-modulated electric piano playing is great. "Meeting of the Spirits" is such a great way to kick things off and "The Dance of Maya" is still a mindfuck. And "Awakening", jeebus. Birds of Fire is slicker and not quite as good as the debut -- some lightweight filler compositions alongside some of their best (title track, "Miles Beyond", "Sanctuary"). Between Nothingness and Eternity is weaker compositionally than the first two albums but on the intensity scale, DAAAAAAAAMN. I've listened to other guitar-fusion outfits and they seem to lack the bullshit-free musical approach of these guys. (e.g. Return to Forever) I'm not crazy about the second incarnation of the group. Apocalypse just isn't very good. Visions of the Emerald Beyond is better if not on the level of the first three albums. Inner Worlds has some cringe-inducing music. I haven't heard the 80s version.

You seriously don't find that it gets in the way of enjoying the music? Not really. Like Greg I tune it out pretty easily. Guy

Doubts about Dallas's ability to play D should be put to rest after last night's 1st half. I'm picking the Mavs to win this series in 6.5 . Guy

Alas, Tower cancelled my Nuff Nuff order. On the other hand I picked up Makin' a Move on ebay for $4.41, incl. shipping. Guy

This is a very good album! The interplay between Cheek and Malaby is excellent, both of them do fine work here. The only other Electric Bebop Band album I've heard is Play Monk & Powell, which is totally different from this one. I'd describe it as an expanded-ensemble version of the Lovano/Frisell trio. Steve Cardenas's tune, "Balata", is great! Also... I like the trio's version(s) of "Mumbo Jumbo" better -- the one on here underplays the Latin rhythm for a more floating feel. Guy

What about the grandparents and the dog -- a package deal. Guy