Noj

I have twice complained about prices, only to have non-US posters inform me about spending $20+ for every cd. Spoiled Americans...

Happy Birthday Rainy!

Now is this really true? I mean, did they have to draw a picture of a penis and a steaming pile of turd to convince the family that it would be best for the girl to change her name? Though I am not sure of the details of the discussion, evidently she liked her name--and the pronunciation was not exactly the same save the "-shit" IIRC.

Hey JSngry--I can't explain the name "Semen," but here's a funny anecdote along similar lines: My Mom works at a Junior High, and a girl came to her school from Pakistan whose name (though the spelling was not the same as English) was pronounced "Prick Shit." The parents and girl took quite a bit of convincing before she would choose a new American moniker...

If Kobe goes, why wouldn't Phil stay? In an interview Jeannie Buss (Phil's girlfriend and daughter of Laker owner Jerry) said she was "95% sure" Phil was staying. I think Kobe and Phil could both stay, personally. The internal conflicts seem blown out of proportion by the media and wild speculation. I agree, it is still Shaq's team. I hear Shaq and TMac are friends...

Old: Fox is done. The Glove played so bad in the Lakers' system he should leave or retire. Will the Mailman try to heal up and play again or will he hang them up too? Gone?: Fisher, Medvedenko, Rush....KOBE....PHIL? I think the Lakers will resign Kobe and Phil to big new contracts, but a lot of others don't. I know I would if I were Dr. Buss. What's the consensus?

LA had a weird one--overcast and gloomy, but warm.

Disc 4 of the Mosaic, the disc I've listened to the least. Damn.

No matter what, the shirt is cooler with Cat Shatner on it. Make mine gray. B)

I thought the Lakers would win, but I'm optimistic. I never expect a sweep, but I do expect them to win every game. Funny how that works. Hats off to the Pistons, NBA Champs. I'll stop making an ass of myself now, if I can help it.

So, if the Lakers had been the number 8 seed and had suited up Noj at power forward, they still would have been the favorite because of what happened a few seasons ago with different personnel. I guess.

Some underdogs. The Lakers won only two more regular season games than the Pistons, and were without their starting power forward for virtually the whole series. In addition, Horace Grant was not healthy to play in Malone's place. We were left with Slava and Walton to guard Rasheed.

Even I don't feel sorry for Malone. I hope no one takes these sports arguments personally. Don't hate me for my loyalties! I may think the Lakers were screwed, but obviously it is not the consensus and I am well aware of my bias. I am also aware that without a healthy Mailman, the Lakers were not even close to the same threat. Win some, lose some.

Congratulations Pistons. Best defense I ever saw, 8 against 5. Yeah, the arm has to be moving forward for it to be an incomplete pass. I know the fucking rule book.

Sometimes in baseball you get things like that ol' "Atlanta strike zone" that favored the Braves' 90s team... Or in football you have THE FUCKING FUMBLE THAT THE REFS BLATANTLY LIED AND CALLED AN INCOMPLETE PASS WHEN THE RAIDERS WERE ABOUT TO WIN ON THE ROAD IN NEW ENGLAND AND GO TO THE SUPERBOWL... Sometimes refs cheat.

I like the Beasties' brand of cornyness.

I stand by this statement. Perfect example of how the refs' bias has worked: Kobe got a technical foul after that call bailed out Billups on his stumble--what did three time champion Kobe say? Four words, under his breath, aside to the official? Immediate technical, no hesitation. A short while later Rasheed was whistled for a foul call and screamed "that's bullshit" at the top of his lungs numerous times at the ref, looking like he was going to cry, yet not so much as a warning was given to the known hothead for his tantrum. How many times have the Pistons been in the bonus with 7+ minutes left in the quarter? They shoot free throws for more than half their possessions because of all the cheap touch fouls. How often do questionable out of bounds calls go the Pistons' way? I've been watching and playing basketball too many years to have anyone tell me different. I know when my team is getting hosed.

Laker problems: Shaq is killing the Pistons, yet they do not continually try to get him the ball, opting to force up outside shots. Kobe is forcing, and not waiting for the game to come to him, because everyone else is missing. Kobe is hounded by the long arms of Prince, and should drive to the rim instead of shooting outside where he has been missing. The biggest problem is a failure to get the ball to Shaq consistently and early in the clock to have him draw the double teams to set the rest of the offense. The other problem is not having a quick enough point guard to break the constant press, so the Lakers end up running their offense with 17 seconds on the clock. Billups stumbles into Kobe and it's a foul on Kobe plus a technical--series officiating in a nutshell. What's that free throw disparity at? Pistons +50? No bias there. I'll never say die. Fuck history. Go Lakers!

fwiw, I like couw's better than my own...

Continuing on the O theme...

Whoops! Got my Sangrey crossed with my Alfredson...

I'll second JSngry's Black Coffee suggestion, and add that both Legends Of Acid Jazz volumes are excellent.

I'll have to take your word for it.

Um, Simi Valley cops beat Rodney King. OJs case was in Brentwood.

No one puts it in the fridge but Chick. Sunderland, who took over for Chick, has only referred to it--he has never actually quoted Chick's patented phrase. I'm not cool with listening to Al and Doc talk all game about the Pistons and Larry Brown then try to end it with a Laker tradition that died with Chick after they realize the outcome.