That's an interesting list. No Duncan? Drexler? In all fairness, I'm pretty terrible making lists like that, especially if I'm asked off the cuff. Note that no one says to the Rockets, "MJ was on the board and you didn't draft him." Because they got an all-timer, too.
I would give him a pass on forgetting Duncan. Mainly mentions wing players which makes sense for him.
No Shaq?
I'm giving him a pass because lists like that are hard. The point of posting this for me was that Hakeem made the list. Maybe the most underrated super-duper-star ever.
Whenever I see clips of his low post moves, I'm always amazed. Incredible grace and athleticism.
A few of those over Ewing or The Admiral ... mind-blowing at game speed.
These comments on Hakeem are hilarious to me on two levels. Level one is that Hakeem is a certified top-50 all-timer. Hard to be underrated when you are on that rarified list.
Level two is completely opposite. If you remember Hakeem from the Phi Slamma Jamma days, he was not a great offensive player. He was a great rebounder and defensive presence, but was only a second or third option behind Clyde and Michael Young.
I am hardly alone in my opinion that, among the super-duper stars, Hakeem is the most underrated. Saying that he's a top-50 player and therefore not underrated kind of plays into the argument.
Also, NBA: this season feels like one of the most closed seasons in recent history. I think there are only four teams that can win the title: GSW, SAS, CLE, and OKC, probably in that order. GSW seems to be miles ahead of everyone except the Spurs. Cleveland has no real competition in the East. OKC could win if someone falters, but I really can't see them beating both SAS and GSW to get to the Finals. On the one hand, I'm always excited to see great teams, but on the other hand, the balance that was in the West is gone now pretty much. Many more bad teams floating around.
At the same time, I am incredibly excited for the spurs -warriors WCF with kawhi and curry both playing completely out of their minds.
I hope that series happens. It will be epic, no doubt. I think we know that LBJ on the other side makes the Finals compelling, but these are the best two teams in the Association, for sure.
The West really did fall apart in a hurry.
And in the East, there are more competent teams but none of them are all that great.
Cheaptoy, I had a lot of fun with Gloryhammer this weekend. I put them on Spotify and dominated my way through errands and shopping.
Between the glorious sound and ridiculous lyrics, I couldn't help walking around with a smirk on my face. Thanks.
Sounds like Planet X's "King of the Universe" would fall in that category.
You're welcome. They're definitely a lot of fun. I felt the need to listen to them on the way to get the new tv and almost certainly would have on the easy to see star wars this morning of the kids weren't in the car.
Christmas gifts: I hate them. My parents are in their 70s, they don't want any junk in their house, my dad is a picky eater and my mom doesn't like to eat at restaurants (so that's out). Candy and gift certificates. I guess that's it.
I hate them too. I always feel so unthoughtful when I compare what I get someone and what they get me. That and I don't need a lot of things, so I feel bad having people spend money on things for me.
I'd say half of what we give and get at Christmas is homemade stuff. That's still super stressful, and there's still the internalized pressure to not be outdone with your personal gift, but yeah. Otherwise it's just us getting each other stuff the other person feels guilty spending their own money on but will gladly accept from someone else. This year, my brother and I decided to each get each other a gift certificate to a place we've never been.
This year, my brother and I decided to each get each other a gift certificate to a place we've never been.
That's a very cool idea.
Agree.
So Chipotle is out?
Time to award a +1 WGOM buck and a -1 WGOM buck
That was literally his birthday present this year!
Yup. Christmas time is my annual gift giving complaint season. My wife just cannot understand this either. I tel her every year not to get me anything and every year she thinks I'm going to feel left out and disappointed no matter how much I say otherwise.
In other words, can't every holiday just be like thanksgiving or independence day?
So, tell her you want a gift certificate to your brewing supply store!
Coffee.
I have the opposite problem; my parents typically will send a CD that they've picked up a some highway stop kiosk, and it invariably is something that I would never listen to. Now, if there was a good way to send lefse...
Christmas gifts: I love them. I love giving them, and I love receiving them. Like Beau says, it's a chance to give someone something that they might not buy for themselves, but also, an opportunity to share something with someone that they might not have otherwise sought out.
Agree.
Hey! Save the airing of grievances until tomorrow pal!
But I'm totally with you. I hate gifts as well. I hate coming up with good ideas of what to give people.
I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas gifts. This year I'm giving everybody myrrh.
Next year you are sending me gold, right? Thanks, pal.
Sort of.
My parents are in their 90s. As you say, they don't need anything to sit around the house. We've been getting them gift cards at the grocery store, which is pretty much the only place they shop any more.
Anyone else not getting all of the frames for WGOM posts? Row 3, column 4 is just empty now?
It's empty for me, too. Plus, the music video moved to right end of row 1.
Yeah, also that. Good call.
You're very agreeable today
Nobody mention Courtney Barnett!
(I very nearly played Depreston for my video today, not as a troll, but because I'm obsessed with the song lately)
As discussed previously, I could agree with Depreston. Probably not for the best song of the year (how has anyone played anything but "S.O.B."?!?!?), but I liked that one just fine.
Gorgui Dieng is gonna be the answer to a trivia question: What career backup got the lion's share of minutes over a Hall-of-Famer in his rookie season?
This reminds me of Love's early career where the fans all saw he was great but somehow the coach didn't.
I think this is more obvious. Love's game was unconventional in that as a rookie, he wasn't an explosive scorer, especially at the basket. Towns' ceiling is higher, way higher. I think he can be the best player in the league some day.
Me too. I'm apprehensive about getting too excited about the new ownership that seems to be on their way. But I hope they hire a real, live coach.
KAT has more than 100 mins played more than Dieng, so did you mean lion's share of fourth quarter mins? Also, it's not like Dieng is any slouch. He's second on the team in win shares and his TS% is .606. He also has more steals and assists than KAT. And Dieng is 26, so it's not like he's too old to be considered part of the future going forward. Probably what the Wolves really need is a way to keep KAT and Dieng on the court at the same time as much as possible. I'm not advocating playing Dieng over KAT. I just don't see it as that big of a dropoff when Dieng replaces him and Dieng should be appreciated as a quality player on his own.
Since December 1:
KAT 28.7 MPG
Dieng 29.1 MPG
The idea that you play Dieng more than KAT and more than KAT in the 4th Q is ridiculous. Lion's share might be a slight exaggeration, but the point stands.
My dream lineup:
Rubio
Lavine (would love a 3 point sniper here but we all know how the franchise feels about 3 pointers)
Wiggins
Gorgui (I'd prefer a super healthy Pek! here but that ship has sailed)
KAT
I have no idea if advanced statistics say that is a great lineup, but my eyes tell me this would win more than lose.
That group has played 24.1 minutes so far this year (10 most popular lineup). They've scored +6 points per 48. Substitute Bjelica for Dieng and that goes up to +84.4 points per 48.
Bjelica is so completely wasted playing with the second into ball hogs. From watching eurobasket and the first free games of this season, it was obvious he's a talented guy with an AK47 or Rubio-esque basketball IQ, all of which is nullified when the backup pg brings it up and dumps it off to a black hole. I hope next year's coach understands this
And he's also clearly lost a lot of confidence. I guess I would too if the 75 year old Payne was getting more minutes than me.
There was talk of some sort of beer event featuring folks from here in the Nordeast. Any further thoughts? I'll be in the motherland from Wednesday through the 31st. .
I was tossing around the idea of a brew pub caucus at a North Loop/Nordeast location as I'm taking off the last week of the year and have time for an all-day bender. Any other takers?
huh, I may be able to swing a 29th before 6pm beer(s)...
I might be able to join that caravan.
I'll be at work Dec. 29 and 30 and could meet up with you crazies for lunch, if it's a daytime thing.
i'll be around xmas-ish, but taking off not too long after.
I can do some post-work beers on the 28th, 29th, or 30th.
Available for daytime carousing the 28th & 29th.
It's looking like a nooner on the 29th (Tuesday) would accommodate the most (sorry, Mags) at this point. Let's see if anyone else weighs in.
I'll keep you updated as to my schedule, but don't be too surprised when I disappoint.
A few suggestions for where to start (since a lot of the breweries don't have food): Red Cow (North Loop location) Black Sheep (North Loop location) Brasa (East Hennepin Ave. location) Punch (East Hennepin Ave. location) Gorkha Palace
Jesus, what is this beer mecca that you describe? Be still my beating heart.
Crazy. Visited the St Paul locations of the 2nd and 3rd options (for the first time no less) within the past 6 days! I whole-heartedly endorse them both.
I'm with the north loop options.
wOw! (The stunt is pretty amazing, too.)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxyft6-hZrI
This was cool.
I bet I've watched it five times today.
just worked out at the Y over lunch, and while doing a mile on the track, for the first time over ½ of the laps could actually be considered jogging and not "half-loping while favoring a hip that doesn't care for the pounding yet". After almost seven months, I have some hope that I'll be back to running (or "running") with the new hip. That said, I had been doing strength work since the surgery, and I can tell that I now need to work on endurance again...
So, you didn't go for the bionic hip option?
Are YOU fronting the $6M??
Plus, I hear the " bu- bu- bu- buh" sound effect gets old after the 20th time you're just getting off the couch.
geez, no doubt
Ever get the feeling where all you want to do is eat carbs?
All I want is to eat pasta and cookies and maybe cookies in my pasta.
Yes.
Been there, although eventually I hit a wall and have to cleanse my palate with some string cheese or something.
I went to a party-type-thing last night and had three beers and about 24 clementines.
Clementines are basically candy from trees.
That's an interesting list. No Duncan? Drexler? In all fairness, I'm pretty terrible making lists like that, especially if I'm asked off the cuff. Note that no one says to the Rockets, "MJ was on the board and you didn't draft him." Because they got an all-timer, too.
I would give him a pass on forgetting Duncan. Mainly mentions wing players which makes sense for him.
No Shaq?
I'm giving him a pass because lists like that are hard. The point of posting this for me was that Hakeem made the list. Maybe the most underrated super-duper-star ever.
Whenever I see clips of his low post moves, I'm always amazed. Incredible grace and athleticism.
#9 and #2 gives me the vapors.
That #2 was over Ewing, even better.
A few of those over Ewing or The Admiral ... mind-blowing at game speed.
These comments on Hakeem are hilarious to me on two levels. Level one is that Hakeem is a certified top-50 all-timer. Hard to be underrated when you are on that rarified list.
Level two is completely opposite. If you remember Hakeem from the Phi Slamma Jamma days, he was not a great offensive player. He was a great rebounder and defensive presence, but was only a second or third option behind Clyde and Michael Young.
I am hardly alone in my opinion that, among the super-duper stars, Hakeem is the most underrated. Saying that he's a top-50 player and therefore not underrated kind of plays into the argument.
Also, NBA: this season feels like one of the most closed seasons in recent history. I think there are only four teams that can win the title: GSW, SAS, CLE, and OKC, probably in that order. GSW seems to be miles ahead of everyone except the Spurs. Cleveland has no real competition in the East. OKC could win if someone falters, but I really can't see them beating both SAS and GSW to get to the Finals. On the one hand, I'm always excited to see great teams, but on the other hand, the balance that was in the West is gone now pretty much. Many more bad teams floating around.
At the same time, I am incredibly excited for the spurs -warriors WCF with kawhi and curry both playing completely out of their minds.
I hope that series happens. It will be epic, no doubt. I think we know that LBJ on the other side makes the Finals compelling, but these are the best two teams in the Association, for sure.
The West really did fall apart in a hurry.
And in the East, there are more competent teams but none of them are all that great.
Cheaptoy, I had a lot of fun with Gloryhammer this weekend. I put them on Spotify and dominated my way through errands and shopping.
Between the glorious sound and ridiculous lyrics, I couldn't help walking around with a smirk on my face. Thanks.
Sounds like Planet X's "King of the Universe" would fall in that category.
You're welcome. They're definitely a lot of fun. I felt the need to listen to them on the way to get the new tv and almost certainly would have on the easy to see star wars this morning of the kids weren't in the car.
Christmas gifts: I hate them. My parents are in their 70s, they don't want any junk in their house, my dad is a picky eater and my mom doesn't like to eat at restaurants (so that's out). Candy and gift certificates. I guess that's it.
I hate them too. I always feel so unthoughtful when I compare what I get someone and what they get me. That and I don't need a lot of things, so I feel bad having people spend money on things for me.
I'd say half of what we give and get at Christmas is homemade stuff. That's still super stressful, and there's still the internalized pressure to not be outdone with your personal gift, but yeah. Otherwise it's just us getting each other stuff the other person feels guilty spending their own money on but will gladly accept from someone else. This year, my brother and I decided to each get each other a gift certificate to a place we've never been.
That's a very cool idea.
Agree.
So Chipotle is out?
Time to award a +1 WGOM buck and a -1 WGOM buck
That was literally his birthday present this year!
Yup. Christmas time is my annual gift giving complaint season. My wife just cannot understand this either. I tel her every year not to get me anything and every year she thinks I'm going to feel left out and disappointed no matter how much I say otherwise.
In other words, can't every holiday just be like thanksgiving or independence day?
So, tell her you want a gift certificate to your brewing supply store!
Coffee.
I have the opposite problem; my parents typically will send a CD that they've picked up a some highway stop kiosk, and it invariably is something that I would never listen to. Now, if there was a good way to send lefse...
Christmas gifts: I love them. I love giving them, and I love receiving them. Like Beau says, it's a chance to give someone something that they might not buy for themselves, but also, an opportunity to share something with someone that they might not have otherwise sought out.
Agree.
Hey! Save the airing of grievances until tomorrow pal!
But I'm totally with you. I hate gifts as well. I hate coming up with good ideas of what to give people.
I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas gifts. This year I'm giving everybody myrrh.
Next year you are sending me gold, right? Thanks, pal.
Sort of.
My parents are in their 90s. As you say, they don't need anything to sit around the house. We've been getting them gift cards at the grocery store, which is pretty much the only place they shop any more.
Anyone else not getting all of the frames for WGOM posts? Row 3, column 4 is just empty now?
It's empty for me, too. Plus, the music video moved to right end of row 1.
Yeah, also that. Good call.
You're very agreeable today
Nobody mention Courtney Barnett!
(I very nearly played Depreston for my video today, not as a troll, but because I'm obsessed with the song lately)
As discussed previously, I could agree with Depreston. Probably not for the best song of the year (how has anyone played anything but "S.O.B."?!?!?), but I liked that one just fine.
I second S.O.B.
Oops. I blame the baby. It's fixed.
Yes, back to normal now. Thanks!
Man, I wish I had tech support this good at work.
Gorgui Dieng is gonna be the answer to a trivia question: What career backup got the lion's share of minutes over a Hall-of-Famer in his rookie season?
This reminds me of Love's early career where the fans all saw he was great but somehow the coach didn't.
I think this is more obvious. Love's game was unconventional in that as a rookie, he wasn't an explosive scorer, especially at the basket. Towns' ceiling is higher, way higher. I think he can be the best player in the league some day.
Me too. I'm apprehensive about getting too excited about the new ownership that seems to be on their way. But I hope they hire a real, live coach.
KAT has more than 100 mins played more than Dieng, so did you mean lion's share of fourth quarter mins? Also, it's not like Dieng is any slouch. He's second on the team in win shares and his TS% is .606. He also has more steals and assists than KAT. And Dieng is 26, so it's not like he's too old to be considered part of the future going forward. Probably what the Wolves really need is a way to keep KAT and Dieng on the court at the same time as much as possible. I'm not advocating playing Dieng over KAT. I just don't see it as that big of a dropoff when Dieng replaces him and Dieng should be appreciated as a quality player on his own.
Since December 1:
KAT 28.7 MPG
Dieng 29.1 MPG
The idea that you play Dieng more than KAT and more than KAT in the 4th Q is ridiculous. Lion's share might be a slight exaggeration, but the point stands.
My dream lineup:
Rubio
Lavine (would love a 3 point sniper here but we all know how the franchise feels about 3 pointers)
Wiggins
Gorgui (I'd prefer a super healthy Pek! here but that ship has sailed)
KAT
I have no idea if advanced statistics say that is a great lineup, but my eyes tell me this would win more than lose.
That group has played 24.1 minutes so far this year (10 most popular lineup). They've scored +6 points per 48. Substitute Bjelica for Dieng and that goes up to +84.4 points per 48.
Bjelica is so completely wasted playing with the second into ball hogs. From watching eurobasket and the first free games of this season, it was obvious he's a talented guy with an AK47 or Rubio-esque basketball IQ, all of which is nullified when the backup pg brings it up and dumps it off to a black hole. I hope next year's coach understands this
And he's also clearly lost a lot of confidence. I guess I would too if the 75 year old Payne was getting more minutes than me.
There was talk of some sort of beer event featuring folks from here in the Nordeast. Any further thoughts? I'll be in the motherland from Wednesday through the 31st. .
I was tossing around the idea of a brew pub caucus at a North Loop/Nordeast location as I'm taking off the last week of the year and have time for an all-day bender. Any other takers?
huh, I may be able to swing a 29th before 6pm beer(s)...
I might be able to join that caravan.
I'll be at work Dec. 29 and 30 and could meet up with you crazies for lunch, if it's a daytime thing.
i'll be around xmas-ish, but taking off not too long after.
I can do some post-work beers on the 28th, 29th, or 30th.
Available for daytime carousing the 28th & 29th.
It's looking like a nooner on the 29th (Tuesday) would accommodate the most (sorry, Mags) at this point. Let's see if anyone else weighs in.
I'll keep you updated as to my schedule, but don't be too surprised when I disappoint.
A few suggestions for where to start (since a lot of the breweries don't have food):
Red Cow (North Loop location)
Black Sheep (North Loop location)
Brasa (East Hennepin Ave. location)
Punch (East Hennepin Ave. location)
Gorkha Palace
Jesus, what is this beer mecca that you describe? Be still my beating heart.
Crazy. Visited the St Paul locations of the 2nd and 3rd options (for the first time no less) within the past 6 days! I whole-heartedly endorse them both.
I'm with the north loop options.
wOw! (The stunt is pretty amazing, too.)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxyft6-hZrI
This was cool.
I bet I've watched it five times today.
just worked out at the Y over lunch, and while doing a mile on the track, for the first time over ½ of the laps could actually be considered jogging and not "half-loping while favoring a hip that doesn't care for the pounding yet". After almost seven months, I have some hope that I'll be back to running (or "running") with the new hip. That said, I had been doing strength work since the surgery, and I can tell that I now need to work on endurance again...
So, you didn't go for the bionic hip option?
Are YOU fronting the $6M??
Plus, I hear the " bu- bu- bu- buh" sound effect gets old after the 20th time you're just getting off the couch.
geez, no doubt
Ever get the feeling where all you want to do is eat carbs?
All I want is to eat pasta and cookies and maybe cookies in my pasta.
Yes.
Been there, although eventually I hit a wall and have to cleanse my palate with some string cheese or something.
I went to a party-type-thing last night and had three beers and about 24 clementines.
Clementines are basically candy from trees.