#MNR: March Madness

MNR: March Madness

Research me, you can see I was never playing. I’m who babies are talking to when you don’t know what they’re saying. I’m who they communicate with. The code of a nigga who don’t tell or say shit...
Nas, “Echo”

With each passing day and game, the reality of the LeBron James “led” Los Angeles Lakers 2019 Playoffs push seems more and more unlikely. 4.5 games back as of the release of this blog, the LAL face a very unforgiving schedule. And while nothing is impossible until mathematics says so, I can’t call it. But after a late Saturday night loss to the NBA worst (record) Phoenix Suns in the desert in the first of a crucial series of “must win” games, the likelihood of a LeBron-less 2019 NBA Playoffs is seemingly on the horizon. In all honesty, this really isn’t a surprise. This team never recovered from a critical 18 game stretch in which Bron was sidelined by injury (his first major time missed due to injury since his football days at St. Vincent St. Mary’s). Losing the oft-maligned Lonzo Ball only added injury to injury. But the flash KO came in the aftermath of an unsuccessful attempt to gut most of the young talent on the roster via a trade for the great Anthony Davis down NOLA. It has seemingly stripped the youngsters of all morale. They look like I used to when my dad would promise to come scoop me on Friday nights but NEVER showed. I just sat by the window with my lil weekend bag packed, forced to face the reality of a no-show after hours of patiently wishing on a star. That’s a fucked up feeling. But it’s easy to see that most of the young Lakers roster has never recovered from the failed trade. I wasn’t raised in this era so I’m not the type to coddle a young’n when he’s down and out deep in his feelings. Pick your dick up. You don’t sulk when that direct deposit hits twice erry month. So miss us with the Ralph Tresvant sensitivity. But I’m seeing a bigger problem. A problem we’ve all seen and recognized in the past: Bron’s attitude. I watched that man walk off the floor and into the locker room with seconds left on the clock late in the 4th. Sure, the fate of the game was already in the bag. But you NEVER leave your men in the field of play/battle/whatever. Then his postgame press conference (like many others lately) threw concise subs at his young buoys. He’s yet to accept any type responsibility. Leaders usually get the lion’s share of praise in triumph. The system is set up that way. But on the flip side, they’re also liable for the majority of the criticism when the team falls short. I’ve yet to have seen even a smidge of contrition throughout this disgusting experience. Seems like the King is either too good to accept any of the blame or two busy. I’ll ponder the latter for the blog’s sake. Bron’s got the barber shop talk show on cable, he’s been very vocal on social issues the last few years, and he’s in the process of shooting the sequel to the classic Space Jam. He’s very busy. I just wonder if his side business is affecting his play on the floor...it isn’t. It’s none of the above. I know exactly what’s wrong with King James. It’s always been present. Most of us have conveniently chosen to ignore the obvious: Bron Bron is a diva. Matter fact, he’s the new millennium prototype diva. Let us not forget how he ran Coach Blatt out of Cleveland a half season after a tough Finals loss. He made sure Blatt got gone midway through the following season, the year the Cavs and city of Cleveland won it all. Sure, Coach Lue had the ideal temperament and pedigree to deal with Bron, not to mention X’s and O’s savvy. But Blatt didn’t do anything to warrant getting kicked out on his ass. Take notes Luke Walton. You’re next. But you actually deserve it. You’re ass. Also, Bron’s alienation of teammates is also extensive. He couldn’t stand Kevin Love. He alienated him. We all know he and Kyrie didn’t get along. I’m not putting the blame solely on Bron. But with him being the established vet, with him being the one and only King James, he coulda done more to forge that bond. They would still be winning ‘ships to this day. Why wouldn’t they? They dethroned the defending champion and record-breaking 73 win Warriors in dramatic come from behind fashion. They almost had it all. But noooooo (Uncle Elroy voice). They split like Eric B. and Rakim, dead in midst a prime run. Now there’s the Lakers babies: Kuzma, Ingram, Ball, etc. they all look like a defeated crew. That’s on Bron. Sorry. Once again, Bron can galvanize this squad. Not in the press, but behind closed doors. But he’s chosen to treat them like the help. Sure, they may be the help. But you need the help to win. Trust me, this 2019 season will live to be a definitive smear on the King James legacy. Unless you ask his mighty legion of fluffers...

And oh yeah...I’m sick and tired of all you Bron Stans. Y’all worse than the Hov Stans. He can do absolutely no wrong in y’all eyes. Even when he fails y’all find a way to justify and flip the narrative. It’s disgusting. Stop defending his bullshit. And I’m sorry, but a career 3-6 Finals record is not GOAT status. Let’s not forget the colossal breakdown when Dirk sniped Miami like the Heat were a South American president of a defiant dictatorship. Or Ray Allen bailing him out versus the Spurs in that classic Finals. Or Kyrie bailing him out in the Golden State Finals. Or his epic 8 point Finals effort. 8 fucking points? MJ would never. Kareem would never. Bird would never. Isiah would never. I can keep going. But you meat glazers get the picture. He’s an amazing player. Top 10, possibly Top 5. But he’s not the GOAT. Kill that noise. Word to MC Shan.

Big ups to Bucktown’s finest, the legendary Smif-N-Wessun and their latest release The All. It’s classic SNW material, time and age appropriate. I’m loving every track but Testify, Dreamland (featuring Raekwon), Ocean Drive (featuring my nigga Musiq Soulchild and the oft slept-on Rapsody), Let Me Tell Ya (with Rozay), and Stahfallah are my standouts. BCC for life. RIP to the Ruckus, the amazing Sean Price. It’s my time y’all. Stay warm and stay paid.

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