Hi Wes

Countdown: Greatest basketball players for each franchise

Vibe Article

How I Got Over - June 22nd

Countdown: 50 greatest samples in Hip-Hop history

via Deadspin

Although I am not sure it can capture the rebelliousness and individual expression so prevalent throughout On the Road, I am still glad Kerouc's generation-defining book has been given the green light. The Beat Generation is a time everyone should recognize as a genesis of artistic expression, considering that is where the BEATles got their name.

Trailer: Christopher Nolan's mega-hyped, Dark Knight follow up Inception

Fantastic interview with The Wire and Treme creator David Simon. Also a season 1 Treme review.

Via Slant

Minnesota's own legendary filmmakers The Coen Brothers are at it again, this time remaking the 1969 John Wayne Film True Grit

IMDB

The Future is Now...

...in the golf world anyway. With Tiger Woods shooting a 79 (I could do that) and missing the cut this week at Quail Hollow, the door was open for someone else to emerge. Many thought Masters champ Phil Michelson would win (he was close) while others thought Billy Mayfair would turn his overnight lead into a victory.

Not so fast.

20-year-old Northern Ireland native Rory McIlroy shot a course record 62 (10 under) to win by four shots. Although he is only 20, Rory is already one of better players in the game and will only continue to get better; in others words he is the future of golf. 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa also won today on the Japanese tour - he shot 58, the lowest round in competitive golf history. So we have McIlroy shooting a course record to win his first U.S. PGA tournament and Ishikawa shooting 58. Maybe golf can survive sans Tiger.

Great story about multi-sport Stanford Grad and the newest Viking running back Toby Gerhart (watch the videos)

Johnny Flynn

He isn't Tyreke Evans. He isn't Brandon Jennings. He isn't Steph Curry. He is Johnny Flynn and despite struggling adapting to Kurt Rambis' modified triangle offense and playing with glorified JV players beside him, he was still second team all-rookie. Watch out for Flynn next year folks - with Evan Turner, Damion James and Corey Brewer running the wings! For more information and a fantastically broken-down and proven rating system on incoming rookies, check out Canis Hoopus.

Funny Freeze Frames

Via This Site

The first single off J.Cole's debut album, title TBD: Who Dat

No longer Relapsing, Eminem apparently has instead opted for Recovery

Brandon Knight

The nations #3 recruit chooses John Calipari and the newly renovated Kentucky Wildcat roster.

If you comment on YouTube videos then...

A.) You probably need something more fulfilling to do with your time and

B.) You hopefully are smarter than the guy who wrote this (look close).

Livin' up to the Hype?

A couple days ago I was asked the question, "Will the Twins live up to the Hype?" I didn't really know to respond because I didn't know how to define "the hype." If "the hype" meant winning the division and possibly an appearance in the ALCS, I would have responded with a resounding YES! But the questioner didn't mean winning the division or getting to the ALCS, he meant the World Series; saying that living up to "the hype" meant being the second best team in baseball. The Twins very well could be the second best team in baseball but to pronounce them as that this early in the season is premature, not to mention pointless. I am just going to sit back, let Gardy and Bill Smith work some magic, and watch some good baseball. It is an exciting time to be a Twins fan, lets not spoil that excitement with predictions, questions of "hype" and unfair comparisons. Lets just take it day-by-day and if in the end the Twins are there, lets rejoice. If not, lets still rejoice because we have the best player in baseball, one of the most efficient and consistent franchises and a brand new beautiful stadium. And we are 5-1.

Drake calls J.Cole "the next Nas"

J.Cole VIBE interview

All I Want is You ft. Miguel Jontel

Fader Interview

J.Cole performs new song "Who Dat"

Download Jermaine is Here

Kanye West to work with Pete Rock and others on new album

T-Wolves win?

After losing 16 in a row, the Timberwolves ended their streak of despair Wednesday by beating the Sacramento Kings. If the season ended today, the Timberwolves would receive the 2nd, 16th and 26th picks in the draft - the extra draft picks owed to the Wolves by the Bobcats and Jazz, respectively. Three picks in the first round...Nice! I'll take Evan Turner, Damion James and Solomon Alabi, or whoever David Kahn deems worthy. And with Corey Brewer's ever-expanding improvement (most-improved player?), the T-Wolves, believe it or not, still have a bright future.

Tina Fey does an admirable Tracy Morgan impersonation

Hi Target Field

Article: Marijuana becoming an "epidemic" in NFL

Fan of MGMT? Stream their new album Congratulations for free!

Shut it Down: Drake feat. The Dream

Interview: Tiger sits down and discusses (openly) his "transgressions" with ESPN's T0m Rinaldi

More HBO Goodness...

It appears that HBO is back to reclaim its rightful spot atop the TV spectrum. Along with How to Make it in America, which is quite entertaining I might add, comes Treme and Boardwalk Empire. Treme follows the lives of several struggling musicians in post-Katrina New Orleans while Boardwalk Empire takes place in 1920's Atlantic City at the "dawn of Prohibition." Both shows have serious support behind them. David Simon aka creator of The Wire is the man behind Treme and Martin Scorcese, the living legend himself, is executive producing Boardwalk Empire. For me, it all started with The Sopranos. Then The Wire. Then Curb your Enthusiasm and Flight of the Concords. I am quite confident these two shows will carry on HBO's illustrious tradition.

To see trailers for both click here.

Props to /Film.

Interview: B.o.B. aka Bobby Ray

Gopher Goodbye or; In Tubby I Trust

At the beginning of the season, I bet my dad 10 dollars that the Minnesota Men's Basketball team would make the NCAA tournament. I ended up winning that bet (I'm rich!), but not without a good sweat. Today, the Gophers got eliminated from the tourney. And not surprisingly, the Tubby leaving rumors began. I sure hope he decides to stay. The Gophers have a good thing going after making back-to-back tourney's and they only lose Damien Johnson, Lawrence Westbrook and Devron Bostick to graduation. Granted, Johnson and Westbrook have been very important but the Gophers bring back Ralph Sampson, Colton Iverson, Devoe Joseph, Blake Hoffharber and Rodney Williams. They also have a pair of 3-star recruits coming next year in addition to the possibility of landing 5-star recruit Cory Joseph, who is the brother of current Gopher Devoe Joseph. I think Tubby has started something worth finishing in Minnesota. He took a 9-22 team and morphed them into 20 game winners three consecutive years. In a couple years, maybe we can win the Big Ten, who knows? I just hope Tubby is thinking the same way.

I took Kansas to cut down the nets. But if Kentucky wins, I told ya so.

Drake speaks on working with Jay-Z

Not gonna lie, Diggy Simmons can rap

Drake - Over

Highlights: Ricky Rubio playing for Regal Barcelona

Unbelievable story about a man fed up with the IRS

R&B fans rejoice! Terius Nash aka The Dream is back with the title track off his upcoming album Love King

How To Make it in America

HBO shows never seem to fail with its TV shows and this one appears no different. Kid Cudi is on the show and promoted a mixtape for it. Much like he did for Entourage, Mark Wahlberg is executive producing and to draw interest, HBO is streaming the first episode free.

Corey Brewer is now ranked 4th on ESPN's Most Improved Player list

Hi Seantrel

Oscar Nominations

Pictures: Brett Favre's injured ankle

Mauer and Twins belong together: By Ken Rosenthal

Interview: Joe Mauer

Insight: Interesting look at the economics of Basketball

Update: Keeping up with Ricky Rubio

Closing Thoughts

Well we sure had our chances. Not to take anything away from the Saints but the Vikes were the better team, as evidenced by our time of possession lead and total yards domination. It was just those damn turnovers. Hell, we could barely hang on to the ball even when we didn't fumble. Favre threw a couple picks but I can't hate on Brett, he was the reason we made it this far in the first place. Packer fans probably feel a bit vindicated but then again, they barely qualify as people. It was a good year, dually successful in winning games on the field but also restoring this team's image. The Vikes have come a long way since The Sex Boat and this season furthered the improvement of their public image. Hopefully Brett comes back but if not, the future is still bright.

To lose an NFC Championship game is tough, Viking fans can attest to that, but I'm sure glad we lost to the Saints. Not in the sense that I'm glad the Vikings lost but that we didn't lose to the Cowboys or say...the Packers. The Saints have been vital to the rebirth of New Orleans after Katrina and in a building (Superdome) that housed thousands of Katrina victims, it only makes sense that the people of N'awlins' were able to enjoy their first ever Super Bowl appearance in the same building they experienced such tragedy.

Strong will Continue - Nas Feat. Damien Marley

Video: Gerald Wilkins dunking on Nenad Krstic.

Article: Battle in the Bayou: Sydney Rice's Emergence

Sydney Rice's Blog

Vikes over the Saints? Yes Sir!

Hi Jerry & Wade & Jason

Hi Gil...Don't Shoot!

A History of Gilbert Arenas Practical Jokes

NBA Jam

NBA Jam is making a comeback. I am excited. Do you think ARK is still a code for Bill Clinton? Or how about this one, DUM for George Bush.

List: Top 25 hip hop albums of past decade

Top Mixtapes

Francisco Liriano

Remember in 06' when Francisco Liriano was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA? He was virtually unhittable and if these recent winter league reports hold any merit, he may be making a return to that form

Are you talkin' to me?

After making such classics as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, Mean Streets and Raging Bull, could Martin Scorcese and his alter ego Robert DeNiro be teaming up once again? It sure looks like it

The Hurt Locker

Outstanding movie and very deserving of these awards. Possibly a best director oscar? We'll see.

BoSox Baby

The Red Sox upgraded their defense today by signing Adrian Beltre to a one-year deal with a player option for a second. After signing Marco Scutaro to replace Alex Gonzalez at short and Mike Cameron to replace Jason Bay in left, the Red Sox improved what was statistically a bad defense last year. They also signed John Lackey to a 5-year deal worth 85 million which raised some eyebrows. I think it makes perfect sense. Spending the money they would have spent on Jason Bay by bringing in a consistent winner in Lackey now gives the Red Sox three number one starters. I never question what Theo Epstein does, his track record speaks for itself. He has brought two championships in the last decade to a team that hadn't won one since 1918. Expect the Red Sox to be in the playoffs once again this year and be near the top in run prevention. Now the Sox just need to find a suitor for current third baseman Mike Lowell.

Up In The Air

Went and saw Up In The Air last night and I highly recommend you do the same. I had high expectations after seeing the trailer countless times (Trailerama is the shit) and reading many a review on it. You know a movie is good when you expect it to be good and it ends up being good. I can't tell you how many times I have had high expectations for a movie and it fails to meet those expectations.

The movie itself is about a guy named Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who travels around the country firing people for a living. He spends something like 300 days a year on the road and rarely is home (he is from Wilwaukee, I would stay on the road too). After years on the road alone, Bingham finally is ready to settle down and thinks he has found the perfect woman in Alex (Vera Farmiga of The Departed fame). They have common interests, like a love for the road, but when Binghadm surprises Alex at her house he finds out she is married. The movie ends with Bingham looking at a giant outgoing flights board at an airport signifying that once again, his life is up in the air.

The story is somewhat irrelevant however. At its heart, the movie is about the current economic situation our country faces. The countless firings that take place in the movie are heart-wrenching, especially if you know someone who has lost their job recently. When people work at certain jobs for years and then get let go for reasons out of their control they feel helpless. They ask themselves what they could have done different or what they did wrong, when in reality it isn't their fault at all. They were just victims of this horrible economy. But when one door closes another door opens or as Ryan Bingham would tell you when he is firing you, "Kings and Queens have sat in that same chair and it is because they have sat there that they became what they did."

Up In The Air is based on a novel by Walter Kim and is directed by Jason Reitman.

Deadspin

If you don't read Deadspin, I highly encourage it. It is a sports blog/website but lets just say they have their own spin on things. Sometimes that spin includes video of Cowboy fans having sex in the Dallas Stadium public bathroom.

Team Chemistry?

Apparently Gilbert Arenas was not just storing those guns in the Wizards locker room, he was drawing them on teammates after losing 60K to Javaris Crittendon