SR – NBA Prime Time Preview: Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets

by Marcus Van Diver | Jan 30, 2020 | Featured, NBA

NBA basketball finds its way back to a Barclays Center that’s sorely missed it, with the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Pistons on a night not meant to show any dry eyes.

ESPN is back to covering Basketball to the best of its ability in what’s been a somber week in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s passing. Yet, as the NBA legend would’ve wanted, the work must be done and the comfortability must be sacrificed in order to find the greater good, so we as journalists have to get the ball rolling again in documenting this great game, fans still have to fill the seats of all 30 NBA stadiums, and grieve in the most helpful way – around like-minded fans of the game who only want to heal by watching four quarters of the game that Kobe Bean Bryant made them fall head over heels with.

So, for tonight’s game, Kyrie Irving is confirmed to suit up tonight against a 17-31 Pistons team, after his Nets lost to the Knicks on what felt like the most emotional day in the history of the entire Association. He made the decision just 20 minutes ago, to be precise, and though it will be hard, it’s difficult to think that the former All-Star and one-time champ tonight won’t play without having his mentor and good friend on his mind.

As it goes for basketball, the Nets are healthy and the Pistons are banged up since Derrick Rose and Matt Snell are questionable to play in Wednesday night’s matchup. But the Nets need this one, badly. They’re only three games ahead of the Bulls in holding on to the eighth spot in the East, so they have to string together some wins.

It’s the third game in a seven-game stretch against sub-.500 teams and the Nets barely beat the Pistons in an overtime win last time on Saturday, then lost to the Knicks Sunday. After Wednesday, it’s the Bulls, Wizards, Suns and Warriors.

Meanwhile, the Pistons aren’t all that good either. They’re a whole 14 games under .500, they’ve lost three straight and have dropped nine of the last 14 overall. Duane Casey’s team isn’t doing all that hot, but behind the play of the returning Reggie Jackson (12.4 ppg. off 42.3 percent shooting) there is some hope of an offensive spark being lit in the Pistons’ backcourt.

Tonight’s game, again, will be broadcasted on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Jan 30, 2020 No Comments

Netflix Original Series “Sex Education” Second Season Doesn’t Disappoint

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by Akeem Ivory | Jan 29, 2020 | Celebs, Featured

Honestly, high school can be tough, hell being a teenager can be even tougher. Add in the ever-changing spectrum of sexuality this could be enough pressure to have anyone being an anxiety attack. While Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) has got you cover, a socially awkward high school student who been surrounded by manuals, videos and tediously open conversations about sex, because of his mother’s profession as a sex therapist. Otis has become a reluctant expert on the subject.

In the first season of an Netflix original series “Sex Education” after inadvertently assisting the school bully with his sexual performance anxiety, Otis’s love interest/crush Maeve Wiley—a confident but troubled classmate—convinced him to sets up an underground sex therapy clinic to educate their fellow students on how to deal with their sexual problems. But through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realizes that he may need some therapy of his own.

If you were to ask me to describe “Sex Education” I’d use the words from Sophie Gilbert, staff writer at The Atlantic, “Sex Education debuted early in 2019, it felt like a delightfully earnest (and anglicized) patchwork of teen classics: the raunch comedy of American Pie, the small-town romanticism of Stranger Things, and the British oddball kids of Skins and The End of the F***ing World, with the sweet sex-positivity of Big Mouth thrown in for good measure.”

Otis and Ola sharing a moment in her room.

Now back for another season when we last left Otis, Ola (Patricia Allison) and he shared a moment in front of his home ending in him being aroused enough to finally able to masturbate. In the first episode, fans are made fully aware of this as we get a montage of Otis satisfying his sexual urge. This comes to a screeching halt when Ola tells Otis she ready to have sex and Otis can get an erection. He believes it due to the excessive masturbation and his broken his

Asa Butterfield and Ncuti Gatwa in Sex Education (2019)

Best Friends Otis and Eric realizing they’re lost on this “camping” trip with Otis’ father

Otis’s best friend Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa) in my honest opinion had the best subplot and character developments within the series. He was never a character questioning his sexual stating he came out to his parents when he was 13, but He was someone who had to learn to love himself. Secret rendezvous with ex-bully Adam Groff (Connor Swindells) had Eric had this farfetched idea that once Adam was ready they would become public but Adam hadn’t even come to terms with his sexuality yet.

Rahim (center) First appearance in Sex Education

Enter in new transfer student from France Rahim (Sami Outalbali), an instantly popular guy due to his looks, accent and mysterious aura. Eric wonders if Rahim is gay his questions ae answered when Rahim asks Eric out through text. Eric felling his now and a relationship triangle is brought to reality when an argument with Otis helps him realized that Adam will never come around and why to be with someone who bullied you because he’s scared of his sexually. Once realizing this Eric goes through a positive character arc that allows him to be okay with himself and beliefs. So Eric accepts Rahim’s offer and the two begin dating.

Characters left to right: Aimme, Maeve, and Otis

Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) went through a lot last season her secret relationship with Jackson Marchetti (Kedar Williams-Stirling) ended with pregnancy and abortion. The scene of her deciding to have an abortion and be alone during the medical procedure was heartbreaking. Maeve was also a candidate for expulsion following the acquisition from the Headmaster Mr. Groff of selling the drugs. Maeve went through a lot and season 2 was no different even though there were some highlights like Maeve realizing her potential, quits her job and tries to get back into school, the hits keep on coming as her mother arrives at her doorstep with the baby after her abusive boyfriend kicked her out. The relationship hit some ups and downs but subsequently ends on bad terms after she is forced to make the right decision for her younger sister’s safety.

In all the new season of “Sex Education,” didn’t disappoint the subplot around all support characters major or minor were refresh pauses from Otis story arc. We got to see Jackson find his passion in something other than swimming, Otis’ Mother Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson) became sort of chancellor for the students following a frenzy about a chlamydia outbreak were student believed the STD to be airborne. Jean’s expertise in the subject matter of sex made her the perfect person to bring on once the school realizes that better sex education is needed. This puts Mother and son in direct competition with one another unbeknownst to her. One episode that stood out was when the cast of girls introduced in this season and last, where accused of slut-shaming one of the faculty members. In a “Breakfast Club” style assignment the girls were forced to write about what bounds them together, the answer was shared experiences of unwanted sexual advances. This episode concluded the story arc of Aimee who was on the bus to school and traumatized when a man behind her masturbates and ejaculates on her. Throughout the season she preferred to walk everywhere because she couldn’t handle another encounter with that sick man. In an act of sisterhood Maeve, Olivia, Ola, Lily, and Vivgo meet Aimee at the bus stop to help her face her fears and ride the bus again.

“Sex Education,” is streaming now on Netflix catch up on one of the best teen comedy/dramas around. While season three has yet to greenlighted by Netflix show creator Laurie Nunn says she has already begun writing season three. “We won’t find out whether we get a series three until the end of January, so fingers crossed!” said Nunn, so if you are a fan of the series share with your friends who may be looking for something new on Netflix.

Jan 29, 2020 No Comments

SR – NBA Power Rankings: Week 15

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by Marcus Van Diver | Jan 28, 2020 | Featured, NBA

We start this week’s power rankings on a rather somber note, as the collective NBA family mourns the sudden and shocking loss of the legendary Kobe Bryant. A league impacted by his legacy, life and motivations will continue to move on in spite of the tragedy that has befallen its players and fans. Across the league on Sunday afternoon upon hearing of the former Laker great’s passing, voluminous 24-second shot clock violations, and 8-second inbound violations, kicked off every single game played yesterday afternoon, as a tribute to the 5-time champ and 18-time All-Star that graced the floor with both numbers 24 and 8.

We here at SneakerReporter are with the Bryant family, as the Black Mamba will never be forgotten.

Let’s just get into this week’s power rankings.

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1. Milwaukee Bucks (40-6, Last Week’s Ranking: 1)

One of Kobe’s most respected protege’s and confidants, Giannis Antetokounmpo took to the challenge that a certain Kobe Bryant gave to him back in the summer of 2017, summarized in three simple but larger than life letters in one tweet – win the MVP. It’s been pretty evident that Antetokounmpo took Bryant’s call to action to heart. As the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player, he has been the spark of hope for Bucks fans all season to get back into the NBA Finals picture for the first time since 1974. They have the best chance to do so, still with the league’s best record and having suffered only one loss since December 14th. And yes, they still lead the NBA in team average scoring margin and defensive rating.

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2. Los Angeles Clippers (33-14, Last Week’s Ranking: 3)

The Clippers bump up a spot in this week’s updated rankings, thanks to a really convincing week (or month, for that matter) that saw the Clips win nine of their last 11 games. It’s been a controversial, headline filling kind of year for the Clippers, awash with speculation over who is resting during their strategized load management plans in preparation for the playoffs come April. Their goal of getting to the conference finals is an arduous path, but this is why this roster is built the way it is, for those kind of series down the road.

It was a tough day for Doc Rivers and his Clippers team, evident in his inability to hold back the tears in his pre-game presser before facing off against the Magic. Rivers, a former 2-time NBA Finals opponent of the legendary former guard when he was the head coach of the Boston Celtics, had his words conveyed in such a relatable manner by his All-Star forward Leonard in a post-game interview.

“Knowing (Kobe) personally, I know he’d want me to come out here & ball & still just be great… Everybody’s sad. No words can explain the impact he had on the sport…It’s just sad.”

The tandem of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard haven’t played a lot of games together but though that has been the case all year, the Clippers still rank No. 6 in the whole league in defensive rating.

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3. Los Angeles Lakers (36-10, Last Week’s Ranking: 2)

Well, this section of the weekly rankings isn’t going to be easy to write. After the team plane landed back in Los Angeles, the news resounded through team infrastructure that their mentor and regular visitor to the team facility had passed. As it went for basketball specifically, the Lakers had a surprisingly average week, going 2-2 on the road as they suffered a 32-point shellacking by the Boston Celtics and a 17-point beatdown handed to them by Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers.

So, as recent events suggest, it’ll be really difficult for the Lakers to muster up the confidence amidst their grief going into their 3rd duel against the Clippers this week, as it is easily going to be the most emotional game of the season. It’ll be the first time the Lakers return to the court since the end of their road trip and the Blazers, Kings, and Spurs appear next up on this tough stretch of games for the Lakers.

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4. Utah Jazz (32-13, Last Week’s Ranking: 4)

The Jazz are streaking and are trending up in this week’s rankings, winning 19 of their past 21 games while Donovan Mitchell averaged 24.3 ppg. through his last three contests. While Mitchell’s numbers increased, Mike Conley’s health continues to get better and Quin Snyder is becoming a lot more comfortable weaving Conley back into his regular shift of minutes, averaging 7.8 points on 46.7% shooting in 17.8 minutes in the four games since he has returned.

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5. Toronto Raptors (32-14, Last Week’s Ranking: 8)

That’s now seven straight for the 100 percent healthy Toronto Raptors squad, but the more startling surprise has been the outstanding defense Pascal Siakam and his Raptors have played over the past two weeks, now second in the NBA in team defensive rating with only 104.5 points allowed per 100 possessions. Combining the wins earlier in the season prior to his injury and the wins after his return, the Raps are 26-9 and together have a win rate that’s only lower than the Lakers and Bucks for the best in the league.

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6. Denver Nuggets (32-14, Last Week’s Ranking: 5)

Denver has quietly strung together one of the most impressive stretches of the season, going three for four on the week with signature wins coming against the Pelicans and Rockets, who didn’t have James Harden Sunday afternoon. Nikola Jokic has been up to his usual 19.7 points per game but it’s really been the play of Michael Porter Jr. that is quickly gaining traction with head coach Mike Malone as he cycles pieces in lieu of the upcoming playoffs just three months from now. They have Memphis, Utah, Milwaukee, and Detroit up next, so the young rookie will have more chances to impress.

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7. Miami Heat (31-14, Last Week’s Ranking: 6)

The Heat got a jolt of energy shot into their arm in a resurgent return to the hardwood by Dion Waiters during Miami’s second home loss of the season against the Clippers, and though it has been a weird season for Waiters, whose been subjected to team suspensions, medical incidents, and other issues, he is still a talented player who can help a good team become even better, now at the third seed in the Eastern standings.

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8. Boston Celtics (30-15, Last Week’s Ranking: 9)

The Celtics ended their week on a sour note, officially being the first mantle on the wall of Zion Williamson’s career-wide hunting list in the Pelicans’ snapping of their losing streak. It was still a really successful week overall, highlighted by their best game of the season, a 32-point smackdown on the visiting Lakers. Additionally, they outscored all of their opponents (Lakers, Grizzlies, Magic) by a combined 67 points.

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9. Philadelphia 76ers (30-17, Last Week’s Ranking: 11)

Philly pops back up into this week’s top 10, thanks to a revealing win over the Lakers in the Wells Fargo Center. It is shown that Philly knows how to turn the switch on against the league’s top teams, and especially at home now that they possess the league’s 2nd best home record behind the Miami Heat, but what’s to be understood about those wins is that the Sixers didn’t just skate by in those wins; they won by a combined 29 points.

In their win over the Lakers, Ben Simmons was literally all over the court in what looked like an All-NBA performance on both ends of the court, while rookie Matisse Thybulle continues to earn more minutes, as his mere presence allows the sixers to possess an averaged 95.7 defensive rating when he’s on the floor. Also, keep in mind their most recent home victory against the Lakers this past Saturday night was accomplished without Joel Embiid.

Maybe last Saturday night was the spark this Philly team needs to become that team that many predicted to take over the East once they are solidified in the playoff picture.

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10. Indiana Pacers (30-17, Last Week’s Ranking: 12)

Don’t look now, but this Pacers team is quietly racking up wins behind the play of T.J. Warren and went 3-2 on their Western voyage, while also getting healthy in time to go on an even bigger return when Victor Oladipo comes back on Wednesday. They’ll have a relatively easy stretch of games to do so, with the Knicks and Bulls being the only teams on the weekly schedule.

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11. Houston Rockets (28-17, Last Week’s Ranking: 7)

James Harden was unable to perform in Sunday’s win over the Nuggets and prior to that game, Harden was in the worst slump of his career, still shooting an average of 22 percent from deep in the past eight games. Moreover, his overall field goal percentage was at 34.8 percent over that same stretch, and now fans understand how hard it was for Wilt Chamberlain to average 40 points in a season, now that Harden’s season average of 38.5 points has dipped to a 36.1 average since the Rockets blowout loss handed to them by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 9.

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12. Dallas Mavericks (28-17, Last Week’s Ranking: 10)

It feels like just moments ago Luka Doncic stood on the corner of the Staples Center court, just to hear some “fan” deliver some international trash talk in Doncic’s native Slovenian tongue. Well, that fan just so happened to be Kobe Bryant. The exchanged laughs between the Lakers legend and the future Mavericks legend who looks to follow in Bryant’s footsteps, now charioting the league’s most efficient offense. The Mavericks have the Thunder, Suns, Rockets and Hawks in an extended week, and look to stay into the Western top-5 picture, though banged up at the Center spot with the looming absence of Dwight Powell, who is to miss the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles.

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13. Oklahoma City Thunder (28-19, Last Week’s Ranking: 14)

So, let’s start out with some confirmations: this Thunder team is a well-put together basketball team that can win a good amount of games, and it’s looking like they’re going to end up in the playoffs after all. So much for a tanking season. The Thunder are 22-8 over the course of the past 30 games, and they’re getting the job done on the road too with their nine wins out of 10 games away from Chesapeake Energy Arena. Also, the need to ship Chris Paul or any of their pieces won’t do any justice for a team that’s guard trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dennis Schroder and CP3 has a net rating of plus-29.3 in 311 minutes.

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14. Memphis Grizzlies (22-24, Last Week’s Ranking: 13)

The Mamba Mentality is that old adage that’ll stick in the minds of players throughout the league, and throughout the minds of inquisitive young minds like that of Ja Morant’s who is upholding his legacy with some “coming through in the clutch” numbers that equal the likes of Kobe’s clutch gene. Out of nowhere, Morant has compiled 7.9 points per fourth quarter, only falling behind James Harden, Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo this year. He has scored in the double digits late in the fourth quarter for a total of 13 times, supplanting his already favored chances of winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

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15. San Antonio Spurs (20-25, Last Week’s Ranking: 16)

San Antonio got off to a hot start last week but finished on a rather mediocre note, losing their last two games and overall winning three of their last five games. Derrick White has been a cause of success for a team that’s only five games out of a .500 record, for he has averaged 15 points and 5.6 assists off the Spurs’ bench in the span of five straight games. In what was arguably his best game of the season, White scored 25 points off the bench in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

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16. Orlando Magic (21-26, Last Week’s Ranking: 15)

The Magic are quite literally maintaining a respectable 21-26 record, only being just a couple of games away from having an above .500 record, but their problem of not being able to beat good teams with .500 and above records is alarming, and quite possibly the reason they’re where they are right now. And this week, they have Miami back to back but the Heat have been one of the five good teams that this Magic squad has beaten so far.

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17. Brooklyn Nets (19-26, Last Week’s Ranking: 18)

Brooklyn is only four games ahead of ninth place Chicago in the Eastern standings, but will enter a rather easy week with dates with the Pistons, Bulls and Wizards. The challenge will be to just get some wins after going 3-13 since Dec. 26 and though this is a soft spot on the schedule, Brooklyn needs some momentum if they don’t want the Bulls on their back heading into the All-Star break.

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18. Phoenix Suns (19-27, Last Week’s Ranking: 17)

Devin Booker has been the source of offense for a team that’s fading fast, and it’s more of a reason that he’s earned a spot on this year’s Western All Star roster. His 31.6 points, 6.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 9.0 made free throws per game in January have been inspirational for a team that’s losing its grip on postseason aspirations made back in November.

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19. Portland Trail Blazers (20-27, Last Week’s Ranking: 20)

Damian Lillard does not want this season to end at all and is surely playing like it, literally putting up Kobe-like numbers in the past week with his 61 points against the Warriors, and then followed that up with a 47-point outing and a 50 piece just nights later. Dame’s motor always finds a way to ramp up at this point of the year, especially now that the Blazers are practically within arms reach of grabbing the eighth seed in the playoffs. Getting CJ McCollum back in time from his ankle sprain for this early playoff push is gonna help as well.

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20. New Orleans Pelicans (18-29, Last Week’s Ranking: 19)

Are the Pelicans 1-2 since the debut of Zion Williamson? Sure. Are the Pelicans playoff-ready? No. But what is known is that Zion is already living up to his sky-high expectations in his first three games while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. Guys are literally bouncing off of him when he goes up for a rebound, slashes in the paint or finishing those crazy lobs inside the restricted zone, and he’s put the ball in the rim 18 of 23 times with four dunks in the past three games.

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21. Chicago Bulls (18-30, Last Week’s Ranking: 21)

Zach LaVine has been on a pretty strong run, adding some final touches on the resume to secure his spot on the Eastern Conference All Star roster, averaging an out-of-this-world 30 points a game in the month of January while putting up (and knocking down) 3.1 three-pointers per game. His week was capped off by an epic 44-point performance against the Cavaliers, and that was the third time he scored 40 + points in a game this month.

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22. Detroit Pistons (17-30, Last Week’s Ranking: 22)

The Pistons have lost five of the past eight games and with an abysmal win percentage, Center Andre Drummond is salvaging whatever is left of this season, and quite possibly what is left in his final months as a Piston, by setting some historic marks on the glass, now grabbing more career rebounds at the age of 26 than the great Wilt Chamberlain with his 8,104th board. A major accomplishment like that cannot go unnoticed.

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23. Sacramento Kings (16-29, Last Week’s Ranking: 24)

After Buddy Hield was inexplicably benched in Luke Walton’s favor of having Bogdan Bogdanovic start over him, Hield would go on to drop 21 points and five threes off the bench in a losing streak-ending win over the Chicago Bulls this past Friday. In his replacement, Bogdanovic scored 12 points in 26 minutes.

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24. Washington Wizards (15-30, Last Week’s Ranking: 26)

In an emotional tribute to his mentor and friend Kobe, Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks just stomped all over the Wizards in a 152-133 road loss as Trae Young ended up dropping 45 points on the worst defensive team in the NBA. To this day, the Wizards have held only three opponents to under 100 points in a game this year and with two high-scoring teams in the Bucks and Nets popping up on the schedule, those numbers are probably going to get even worse.

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25. Charlotte Hornets (15-31, Last Week’s Ranking: 25)

The Hornets stand still on this weekly list, and for good reason. That’s eight straight losses for the Hornets, signified by a loss in Paris to the Milwaukee Bucks. On the plus side, Malik Monk led the team in scoring with 31 points against a superb defensive team, while also drawing enough fouls to go 8-of-9 from the free throw line.

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26. Minnesota Timberwolves (15-31, Last Week’s Ranking: 23)

Speaking of losing skids, that’s now nine-straight losses for the bad luck Timberwolves who can’t seem to get out of their way. You’d think that a dually-gifted All-NBA center like Karl Anthony Towns would be able to complete the effort on both sides of the floor, but the main cause for the T’Wolves’ collapse has been their defense, and Towns is the most to blame. Since Dec. 1, the Wolves have an atrocious defensive rating of 123.4 points allowed per 100 possessions (top-3 worst ratings in the league) with Towns on the floor, but that improves to 104.5 when he rests.

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27. New York Knicks (13-34, Last Week’s Ranking: 29)

So the Knicks pulled off a big feat this past week: they won two games in one week. They went 2-2 on the week, winning against the Cavaliers earlier, losing against the visiting Lakers and Raptors, and beating the Nets on Sunday. And in beating Brooklyn on Sunday, the two teams finish the year tied in wins as their seasonal series concluded.

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28. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-34, Last Week’s Ranking: 27)

The Cavaliers have now lost seven straight games, and that’s just the fourth time marking the fourth they have lost five or more games in a row. It’s expected with such a young roster that’s using this season to develop their talent, but their defense has been atrocious and is largely to blame for the skid. Their 114.1 defensive rating is the second-worst rating in the league, only in front of the Wizards.

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29. Golden State Warriors (10-37, Last Week’s Ranking: 28)

The Warriors were dealt a serious blow to their frontcourt in losing Willie Cauley-Stein to a trade with the Mavericks and in his place, Steve Kerr will start Marquese Chriss, who is now the new starter after recently being released to make cap room to sign Damion Lee off of a two-way contract. Chriss has averaged 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game for the Warriors this year.

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30. Atlanta Hawks (12-35, Last Week’s Ranking: 30)

Trae Young is the Hawks’ first Eastern Conference All-Star selection since Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver in 2015, and the first starter since center Dikembe Mutombo in 1998. Young’s been a fan favorite in his short time as an NBA starter, as he led all East guards (and really, almost everyone in the fan voting aspect) with over 2.8 million fan votes.

Jan 28, 2020 No Comments

The Weekly Drop Pt. 25

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by Akeem Ivory | Jan 28, 2020 | Featured

This week may have been the best in music for the new year, as you know the weekly drop is here to share to recap all the newest heat dropped this week. We receive music from newcomers and fan favorites alike, from Wiz teaming up with Lil Yachty on “Speed Me Up,” off the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie soundtracks of upcoming movies to Instagram model Tamera Kissen dropping a jewel in single “Fake Mad,” all wrapped up in cover art feature a photo from @kb1ack23 inspired by Kim Kardashians Paper magazine cover. ( where she broke the internet)

Last week Leyla Blue gave up a single entitle “Peppa Pig,” and the trend of using well-known Nicktoons shows for song titles continues as singer/producer duo Yes Please’ new track “Bikini Bottom,” pays homage to that yellow sponge under the sea. Yes Please consist of childhood friends, Matt Miggz and APOB, who began making music when they were just 10 years old, “Bikini Bottom” offers a taste of their upcoming first project as a duo.

As highly-anticipated DC Comics film “Birds of Prey,” the Harley Quinn extension of Suicide Squad, is weeks away from the theatrical release it looks like Warner Bros. tap Doja Cat who embodies the spirit of Harley Quinn to make an appearance on the movie’s soundtrack with “Boss Bitch.” Last week’s Megan Thee Stallion and Normani debuted their long-awaited collaboration, “Diamonds,” was released as also apart of the soundtrack its safe to say this soundtrack will feature enough star-studded tracks to keep pop and rap fans alike happy.

Friday Jhené Aiko dropped a new song “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW),” accompanied by a choreography video and merch collection. With some explicit lyrics, you may want to have your headphone/earbuds on for this one. Aiko hasn’t released an album since Trip in 2017, but with several singles, including “Triggered,” “Sativa,” and now “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW).” It’s been reported she may be gearing up to release her third studio album, Chilombo, later in the year.

With the sample of legendary Outkast on “So Fresh, So Clean,” Kiana Ledé’s new single “Mad At Me,” gives it the new generation sound. Of course, she keeps that classic melody. Named one of Billboard coveted “Emerging Artists” in 2019 for her EP Myself, which put up millions of streams. Kiana Ledé has been praised for “her buttery vocals.” Vibe touted her as “NEXT” and I agree.

Lousiville hottest new artist Jack Harlow is back with single “WHATS POPPIN,” after putting forth an impressive 2019 on the back of Confetti, Jack recently finished off his North American The Mission Tour and is plotting the release of his anticipated debut album in 2020.”WHAT’S POPPIN,” which also arrived with an accompanying visual directed by the talented Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade is a great reintroduction for the Louisville, Ky. native.

American singer, producer, YouTuber, and actor Alexander Aiono has teamed up with Destiny Rogers on single “Another Life,” this soulful ballad is about the inner thought of two people who instantly connect after eye connect but the thing is Aiono is in a relationship with someone else. Aiono says ” I love my girl on everything She’s spinnin’ my whole world But you got a grace so heavenly Got me in and out of doubts.” The hook than plays on those doubt tells listeners it just not the right time and maybe in another life, they crush on sight but then what if she got a guy. Destiny Rogers responses “Notice you’ve been trying to play it safe with me But I can tell you want me the same It’s obvious that y’all been serious for some time And I don’t want nothing if it ain’t all mine,” She can feel his attraction for her but if she’s not his first option then it’s not happening.

Zola Courtney plays the blame game On new soulful single “Blame,” as the third single on her latest EP “Nothing To Lose”, the London-based singer-songwriter told Complex “‘Blame’ is a blow by blow account of an argument I had with my boyfriend. In the end, we agreed we were both acting out, hence why in the chorus I talk about sharing the blame, writing about it so soon after felt cathartic.” In the accompanying visuals packaged with some fresh visuals from her old friend, film-maker and photographer Theo Batterham. “Blame” is the ideal calling card for a storyteller who’s coming into her own.

This playlist has over 70+ singles from the week of January 20th- 26th. Find your new favorite song check out the playlist below:

Jan 28, 2020 No Comments

OKC Thunder Lose Emotional Game Against The Dallas Mavericks (107-97)

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by Travis Singleton | Jan 28, 2020 | Featured, NBA

The NBA world was stunned yesterday after the passing of Kobe Bryant. All of the basketball world was affected by the loss of one of the greatest to ever play the game. Kobe Bryant meant a lot to so many players in the NBA and it showed with the outpouring of love all over social media. A lot of those players wear his sneakers, mimic his moves, and play with the Mamba Mentality he showed on a daily basis. Two of those players that really idolized Kobe Bryant in their work ethic and basketball attire on the court were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Luka Doncic. Both players wanted to play tonight and put on a show for Kobe Bryant who’s watching from heaven. The game started with a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant followed by the OKC fans chanting “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe”. Both teams paying homage to Kobe Bryant with the 8-second violation followed by the 24-second shot clock violation. Once that happened the game got underway and that’s when the Dallas Mavericks were able to push the tempo right away.

It was tough to see because the Thunder usually dominate the paint and tonight OKC/DAL both only had 36 points in the interior. The Mavericks were able to contain the Thunder bigs Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel as they combined for 18 points. The Mavericks made it an added effort to contain the paint and they wanted to force the Thunder to score outside the paint. Without Chris Paul, in the lineup, OKC needed Shai and Dennis to show up on the night. Both combined for 37 points as they played extended roles with the basketball in their hands. Shai was missing a lot of shots that he can usually hit and wasn’t getting the calls he normally gets on a nightly basis. The whole Thunder team didn’t play as motivated as they usually do and it’s tough to do so after a tribute to one of your favorite players. The Thunder would get closer and closer in the game but every time the Mavs would make a run. The Thunder had no answer for Luka Doncic who wanted to play well in homage to Kobe Bryant. Luka who’s a Jordan Brand ambassador played the game in the Nike Kobe 5 “Chaos” to show love to all the victims from the crash. Luka was able to finish the game with 29 points and he was able to hit some unbelievable stepback jumpers on the night. The Thunder put multiple defenders on Luka but there wasn’t much that they could do. Once Luka gets hot it’s going to be a long night as that usually opens up the passing game for him as well. When Luka started getting it going he had the Thunder players on their heals as they didn’t know if he was attacking or dishing to get others involved. OKC was short-handed but this was still a big win for the Mavs moving forward. The Thunder and Mavericks meet one more time and OKC will be looking for a different outcome.

Jan 28, 2020 No Comments

Top 15 Kicks Worn During Week 14 of NBA Season

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by Brendon Schunck | Jan 27, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

The NBA and sports world as a whole got hit with a bombshell on Sunday. One of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball, Kobe Bryant, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. To add even more grievance to this tragedy, Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was among the individuals that perished in the wreck. A total of nine people were killed in the helicopter crash, including Gianna’s AAU basketball teammate and the parents of that girl too. The entire NBA community mourned Kobe’s loss with a heavy heart on Sunday.

Kobe not only revolutionized the game of basketball but also impacted the way sneakers were worn on the court. His long-standing partnership with Nike was/is immensely successful. Many players currently in the league grew up watching Bryant don the Swoosh. Countless NBA athletes grabbed a sharpie and wrote messages on their sneakers for their Sunday night games paying tribute to the fallen superstar. “Mamba 4 life”…..”There will never be another”…..”Mamba mentality”…..”8 + 24 Forever”…..”Legacies live forever” are just some of the messages NBA players used to show their love for Kobe. Our Top 15 Kicks this week features more Kobe signatures than ever before, with over half of our list containing Nike Kobe models. Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant, you will surely be missed.