16 Crazy Gaming Projects I Would Love to See

This generation of gaming has been great not only because it has delivered a slew of memorable and incredible games, but has also given us a slew of wonderful gaming companies bringing out their very best material. But, what would happen if more gaming companies would work together and better yet, exchange some of their franchises just to see what the results would be? What would happen if Nintendo got their hands on some Microsoft products, and vice versa? What would happen if Bungie gave the Halo franchise to someone else? What would happen if Final Fantasy gets taken over by somebody else?

Since I am extremely bored on a Monday night, I have delivered a list of 16 interesting scenarios which would pit a certain gaming company making a game usually held by someone else. Now, pretty much all of these scenarios are impossible to pull off because of copyright infringement and competitive borders, but it doesn’t prevent me from dreaming, right?


Gaming Crossover #1:
Perfect Dark 3 by Retro Studios
Retro Studios’ Resume: Metroid Prime 1-3, DKC Returns
Usually Done by: Rareware

Retro Studios is one of the best second-party companies out there, with a flawless track record by delivering a heavily underrated trilogy known as Metroid Prime, and then reviving the seemingly-doomed franchise of Donkey Kong last December. So, why not attempt to save another franchise with so much potential it makes the jaw drop that there’s been only one good installment? Perfect Dark pits a beautifully deadly woman in a futuristic world full of conspiracies and aliens. The original N64 masterpiece mixed in excellent FPS gameplay with plenty of hip stealth action while topping it off with great multi-player. Retro Studios has already mastered the technique of mixing shooter action with exploration, and can definitely provide the necessary boost to save this ship.


Gaming Crossover #2:
F-Zero DXGP by Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Resume: Gran Turismo Franchise
Usually Done By: Nintendo

F-Zero’s absence from the Wii and from the Nintendo DS is nothing short of baffling and inexcusable. This series of games is not only fast and furious, but contains a good dosage of strategy as each character boasts different machines that contain different attributes and speeds; and when you select the character you can choose whether you want to accelerate throughout the race or depend on pure top speed from the getgo. Polyphony is already known for creating beautiful gems of racing games with heavy realism and strategy. Imagine transferring these abilities to a futuristic racer. Add the heavy sense of speed and next-gen graphics and you’ll have a frustratingly fun tough-as-nails installment of the most underrated racing franchise ever.


Gaming Crossover #3:
Final Fantasy XIV by Camelot
Camelot’s Resume: Golden Sun, RPG versions of Mario Golf and Tennis on the Game Boys
Usually Done by: Square Enix

Let’s be purely honest: the last good Final Fantasy game was part 10 which was way back in the PS2 days. Ever since it’s been pure downhill from there, as Square has lost all its magic touches from the 90s. So why not give another company a chance to do a variation of the Final Fantasy brand? Camelot is known for their excellent handheld role-playing games as well as their good sports titles, so why not give them a shot at crafting their first console RPG? Their ability to crank out spectacular graphics and music from a handheld remains underrated to this day, as we can only imagine what they can pull off with PS3 graphical capabilities.


Gaming Crossover #4:
Sonic the Hedgehog 5 by Nintendo
Nintendo’s Resume: Um......we all know that one
Usually Done By: Sega

Let’s face it: Sonic is doomed. He has not been in a good console game in over a decade, and the only increments of his Genesis magic can be found in re-releases and in the handheld. So give another company, one that is well-established as the best in platform gaming, a shot at Sonic. Nintendo has cranked out at least 7 of the best platformers ever, ranging from Mario 64 to Mario Galaxy to Mario World to Yoshi’s Island. I would love to see what Nintendo can do here, whether they would try to re-create Sega’s environment or create a totally new one similar to Mario Galaxy. Imagine orchestrated mixes of Sonic stages.


Gaming Crossover #5:
DJ Hero 3 by Harmonix
Harmonix’s Resume: Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero 2, Rock Band
Usually Done By: Activision

Harmonix started the musical gaming revolution with Guitar Hero, and then after a while switched sides with MTV Games purchasing the little company that could. And after the revolution died and Activision killing off anything Hero, it’s about time MTV Games put their touch on the franchise. The reason why I’d love to see them try is because unlike Activision, MTV Games kept the value of their games up by constantly releasing new downloadable material, giving Rock Band endless replay value. Imagine every week, new remixes by the top DJs in the planet. Just might save the music game industry.


Gaming Crossover #6:
Super Mario 128 by Media Molecule
Media Molecule’s Resume: Little Big Planet Franchise
Usually Done By: Nintendo

Unlike almost all of Nintendo’s main franchises, I’ve had no gripes with their treatment of Super Mario. From the smash-smash hit New Super Mario Bros. Wii to the spectacular Mario Galaxy games, the Wii has had a lot of wonderful moments of gaming involving the plumber. But....Little Big Planet has opened up a new era of competition with their clever platform games and their great level creator feature that despite its minimal flaws is a revolutionary step in gaming. So, what about incorporating the creative level design and extra goodies of Planet into the Mario series? That could send Mario in a vastly different, but very fun direction.


Gaming Crossover #7:
The Pokemon Fable by Lionhead Studios
Lionhead’s Resume: Fable series
Usually Done By: Nintendo

Unless you don’t read any of my material, you would know that I have had major plans with the darn franchise for the past couple of years. Potential is extremely high, and nobody has been even close so far. Lionhead Studios can turn it in the right direction with the entire good/evil/rule/be ruled style of gameplay, which you can dictate your life and your quest is altered depending on certain decisions. I could have put Zelda instead of Pokemon, but that’s gaming blasphemy. Either way, I think choosing your life in the Pokemon world would make the game more effective rather than a linear goal in a non-linear world.


Gaming Crossover #8:
Star Fox Reloaded by Bungie Studios
Bungie’s Resume: Halo Franchise
Usually Done By: Many Companies

Star Fox has been tweaked by Nintendo, and then Rareware (ugh) and then Namco (Double Ugh). It has been nearly 15 years since a good Star Fox game, but I can guarantee you if you give the series to Bungie they can weave out a gem. While my gripes with Bungie has been lack of focus on single-player, they have been more than excellent in terms of the overall presentation and multi-player, two things Star Fox has been lacking since the N64 days. Throw in the mild non-linear gameplay mechanics of the early Star Fox games and mix it in with stunning visuals, and we have ourselves the Star Fox game that gamers have been begging for. P.S. Star Fox 64 for the 3DS makes me mad, why not create an original title?


Gaming Crossover #9:
Metal Gear Cell by Ubisoft
Ubisoft’s Resume: Splinter Cell Franchise
Usually Done By: Kojima Studios

Gaming blasphemy here, why on earth would anyone not known as Kojima work on Metal Gear Solid? Simple, because its time to see a fresh take on the series. I for one would wonder just how the makers of Splinter Cell would treat Snake if they got their hands on the series. Would it still have the heavy use of storyline and cutscenes? Or would it become more direct, more stealth-based, and less focus on character development? Snake is a great character, but sometimes waiting 20-25 minutes for a scene to end to get back to playing becomes tedious. Ubisoft can fix that.


Gaming Crossover #10:
Super Smash Brothers feat. Capcom by Capcom
Capcom’s Resume: Marvel vs. Capcom 1-3, Capcom vs. SNK, X-Men vs. Street Fighter
Usually Done By: HAL and Nintendo

Just imagine this: the best of Street Fighter and Capcom taking on the best of Nintendo characters. Imagine the best elements of Smash Brothers and combine it with the best of the Camcom brawlers. What would the hybrid feel like? Would it even work? Not sure, but the opportunity of Ryu fighting Super Mario and Chun-Li fighting Samus would be undeniably awesome. Capcom can work on perfecting the fighting controls and perfecting the hyper-combo system (something not done very well in Brawl) while Nintendo can bust out their presentation skills with their musical scores and relentless attempts to make this game as heavy on replay value as possible.


Gaming Crossover #11:
NBA Jam Charged by Next Level Games
Next Level's Resume: Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out
Usually Done By: Multiple Companies

This recent NBA Jam had some of the magic from the arcade classic, but was missing that next-gen touch. We are in a gaming world in which you can nearly fully recreate the experience of playing/participating in a high-stakes sports match, brick for brick. Next Level on the other hand delivered a fantastic presentation with Strikers Charged, with its loud and chanting audience, its loud and rampant sound effects, and sinister pacing throughout the matches. This type of extreme sports magic is just what NBA Jam needs to truly rise up into the powerhouse it used to be. EA can't provide that spark, but already-proven Next Level Games certainly can.


Gaming Crossover #12:
Mario Kart Burnout by Criterion Games
Criterion's Resume: Burnout franchise, recent Need For Speed installments
Usually Done By: Nintendo

Picture Mario Kart with the intensity and explosiveness of Burnout. Now THAT would be pure mayhem worthy of day-one purchase. The Burnout franchise is known for stellar graphics, beautiful animation, intense gameplay, and of course, the crashes. Mario Kart is known for its multi-player fun, and also its simpler approach to racing games. Why not give Criterion an opportunity to intensify an already-fun franchise? Imagine the speed of Mario Kart now...might be too much for the average gamer.


Gaming Crossover #13:
Bond 23 by Rockstar
Rockstar's Resume: Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption
Usually Done By: Too many to count

Many companies have had their hand and opportunity to give their spin on the Bond franchise in consoles. Of course, the defining and best example came from Rareware, which delivered the excellent Goldeneye 007. But with Rareware no longer being the same, why not give one of the better-known mature companies a shot? You know, the one that revolutionized gaming with Grand Theft Auto? Giving James Bond the sandbox/extremely mature edge can definitely give the famed spy the game he's always wanted--complete with car chases, womanizing, intense action, spotless presentation, and the ability to choose your path to catching the bad guy.


Gaming Crossover #14:
Metroid Reach by Bungie
Bungie's Resume: Halo Franchise
Usually Done By: Many Companies

Metroid is the one franchise Nintendo has not been afraid of handing over to other companies. Intelligent Systems, Retro Studios, and Team Ninja have all worked with Samus, with different results. Systems created her best adventure, which is Super Metroid. Retro Studios took home a great trilogy with Prime, and Team Ninja.....well.......yea... Next up however should be Bungie. While my stance on Halo is a bit mixed, Bungie can definitely deliver an epic space quest full of action and exploration, while mixing in beautifully epic music and an intense presentation Samus hasn't seen since the original Prime. They kept Master Chief a mystery most of the time, so I am sure Bungie can do the same to Samus--let her guns do all the talking.


Gaming Crossover #15:
Metroid: Evil by Capcom
Capcom's Resume: Resident Evil franchise
Usually Done By: Many Companies

Giving Metroid another look, why not give the franchise to Capcom, specifically the division behind the Resident Evil series? Can you imagine Metrioud getting that extra hint of horror not experienced since Metroid Fusion? If there is a company that can pull off a pure-fire one-against-the-world subtle horror game, it would be Capcom. Mixing Samus in a Resident Evil 4 world (Minus the extreme violence) can result in something sinisterly beautiful.


Gaming Crossover #16:
Banjo-Kazzoie Returns by Nintendo
Nintendo's Resume: ()Insert Classic here()
Usually Done By; Rareware

Banjo-Kazzoie was one of the reasons why I thought the N64 was far superior to the Playstation. But, Rareware and the bear-bird duo has seen better days as the quality of the company and the franchise has dipped to rock bottom. I would love to see Nintendo have a shot at it though, as I am sure they can deliver some classic gameplay we have not seen in over a decade. Banjo was known for massive worlds full of obstacles and goodies to collect. Nintendo is now known for creating beautiful universes. Put two and two together---and we have potential success story.

Anybody have other recommendations? use your creativity and speak away.

Project Cafe: Our First Look into Nintendo's Future

Nintendo’s announcement of the new system coming out next year was quite a surprise. Even though the Nintendo Wii has run out of its mainstream appeal and has exhausted all its potential (Although one can argue otherwise), it’s a big surprise that Nintendo would wipe out any reason to purchase a Wii with a successor coming so unexpectedly, so soon, and right after the release of the 3DS. What is even more surprising is that after years of promoting a new type of gaming (Motion controls, simpler graphics, a more family friendly atmosphere), they seem to have returned back to the basics by delivering a regular controller again but with an HD-type screen attached. But confusing the scenario further is that its backwards-compatible, making it still sensitive to motion controls. So what the heck is going on?

Nintendo’s “Apple Strategy” that I mentioned in an earlier blog is running in full effect, as they plan on taking the first step into the next generation of gaming. So why is this a very risky move by Nintendo? Because no gaming system in history that came out first in its generation went on to become the winner. Check out the recent winners of recent gaming wars: Nintendo Wii (it has far too big a lead to lose, ever) came out last, the Playstation 2 came out second (Sega Dreamcast came out too EARLY), the original Playstation came out second (Sega SATURN came out too early), and the Super Nintendo came out after the Sega Genesis. So if Project Café wants to succeed, it better deliver the goods, and better be infinitely more advanced than the current gaming systems now. Otherwise, it can pull off a Dreamcast—a decent system whose launch didn’t provide enough momentum to compete with the eventual competitors.

One would think that Nintendo’s knowledge of the industry would prevent them from trying to launch a system first. Haven't they learned from Sega? My guess is that after years of playing catch-up, they decided to try to set the trends in gaming, and run them until the competition catches up, and then move to the next chapter. This happened with the Nintendo DS and its touch-screen technology, quickly moving to the 3DS when Apple started throwing endless games in its hardware lineup. And now it has happened with the Nintendo Wii, with the Kinect making a strong push. They realized that Microsoft has nearly toppled them at their own game, so now Nintendo is running with 3-D gaming and now a niche that will be revealed this summer. It sounds like the next Nintendo system will have the ability to download software into the controller, leading to more gameplay long after the television is turned off. Funny thing, Project Cafe's projected controller reminds me of the Sega Dreamcast's controller.

The announcement came quickly and abruptly, in the middle of April, nowhere close to any launches or any major events. This means one thing: this is a pure momentum attempt. The Wii is dying (we can blame that on Nintendo and its sudden betrayal of the machine), and the 3DS hasn’t launched as well as they hoped. We can probably trace the quick launch and weak opening success of the 3DS to the fact that it was rushed—once again to stay a step ahead of the market. Nintendo’s running of the torch is a way to get the mainstream to back them up, which helped lead to their victory in this current generation. There has been only one loser during all this: the hardcore crowd.

The hardcore crowd has been so disgusted by Nintendo, I can nearly guarantee you that it has crippled the sales of the once mighty franchises of Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong. Those three franchises did not sell as well as they did in previous generations, when there were less gamers. The culture of gaming has shunned Nintendo, treated them like sellouts. This might be why Project Café is resembling more like an XBox and less like a Wii. The mainstream allows your system to flourish, but the hardcore is what keeps your system lasting a nice long shelf life--long after the mainstream forgets about you.

Look at the Nintendo Game Boy, which ran from 1989 to around 1998 with the same minimal colors because of its fanbase. You can’t depend on that same type of crowd to save you. Wii hardware and software has dropped significantly, and all the fans of the SNES and N64 have packed their bags and moved elsewhere. Yes the Wii has a lot of excellent hardcore games, but the slumping sales of the once-heavy-hitters (3-D Pokemon, Zelda, Kirby, Mario Sports, Punch-Out) proved that the diehard audience of the 90s had dwindled. Can Project Café end this trend?

The beauty of Nintendo is that unlike the competitors, they can thrive by themselves with minimal third-party games. They have the in-house production crew, which has been responsible for some of the better games released in the past 10 years. Then they have Retro Studios, Game Freak, Camelot, Intelligent Systems, and much more at the helm. Project Café can bring gamers what they’ve always wanted: HD versions of Zelda, Mario, Smash Brothers, Pokemon, Golden Sun, Kirby, Donkey Kong, and much much more. Unlike the Wii, the potential for bringing the hardcore crowd back into the spotlight is phenomenal, as Nintendo is already making great strides with online play, so push this along with HD –gaming (which should have been done a while back) and we have a system that will bring us to the subculture awesomeness of the N64 days.



Bottom Line: Project Café is the first announcement of a next-generation system coming out, and for the first time in 13 years we have a company detailing their next generation gaming machine leagues before anyone else even ponders their next ambitious project. Whether this will go the route of the memorable disaster Sega Dreamcast or the history-making XBox 360 is anyone’s guess. It all depends on how much more advanced the Café is when compared to what we are seeing nowadays with HD gaming, excellent technology, and some of the stiffest competition ever seen in any type of entertainment business. Seriously, the gaming wars have taken a turn for the worse, leading to better games, and stronger attempts to one-up each other.

As for me, I am definitely giving the system doubt until I can see some HD variations of Nintendo classics that have been utterly pushed aside and inexplicably shunned in recent years (F-Zero and Star Fox being the outstanding examples). What we gamers basically want is not a motion-control-mandatory game; we gamers want HD-next-gen-high-presentation versions of our beloved Nintendo classics.

It wasn’t about just the graphics, it was about the effort required to truly send our franchises to the next level of gaming. They failed to do this with Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, Pokemon (especially), the Mario Party franchise, Wario, and the Mario sports games. In this past generation, only the Super Mario franchise really got the high-value presentation touch with the incredible Super Mario Galaxy duo (And nobody dare bring up Metroid: Other M). Nintendo used to be the frontrunners in the way games are made and presented (Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time being them at their ahead-of-the-curve peak). Its time to take that crown back.

Okay, this article is running just a bit too long, but just do me a favor: Imagine Kirby, Mario, Zelda, Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Kid Icarus, Star Fox, F-Zero, Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, Golden Sun, Pokemon, Mario Tennis, Mario Golf, Earthbound, Pikmin, Pilotwings, Paper Mario, Punch-Out, Donkey Kong, and Wario all in an HD system with hardware specifications much stronger than the Playstation 3. Just might be the perfect system.


Maybe.

Until then, guess what, the eighth generation of gaming will begin in 2012.

The 15 Craziest Transitions in Music History (So Far)

As I was watching a particular artist release his latest album, all I could do was sit there and ponder what on earth happened in his career that caused him to shift so badly in style, image, and persona. The ____ of back then would totally beat the bejeeses (not a word, I know) of the _______ of today. And the most fascinating thing is that very few people nowadays point this out. He is an example of a musician that in the middle of his/her established career, made a total change in style and execution. Some transitions are good, some of them are bad, and some of them are downright awful. And here I am to rank the artists that made the biggest transitional changes in the music world---good or bad.

Before we start this list though, let’s point out that I will not include artists/bands that are very well-known for changing their style constantly: Blondie, the Beatles, Elton John, The Police, Led Zeppelin, Queen, the Ventures, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, and System of a Down being the top examples. Let’s move on.


Honorable Mention: Koji Kondo
Started As: 8-bit Video game composer of NES/SNES masterpieces
Transformed Into: A well-established whole-nine-yards composer
Result: Amazing

Koji Kondo evolved because he had to, not because he wanted to. As video games became much more advanced in the realm of technology and presentation, Nintendo turned to him to keep up with the pace. And with the incredible soundtracks of Super Mario Galaxy, its safe to say that Kondo is caught up and more than capable of tackling larger projects.


#15: Heart
Started As: Edgy rock band full of female angst
Became: Power ballad hungry group
Result: Bad. Successful, but bad.

Heart started out in the 1970s as a great band full of incredible guitar work, recognizable and catchy riffs, and some great vocals coming from the two female singers. And then came the 80s when power ballads became all the rage. Instead of fighting it, they went with the flow and created album after album of softer, gentler albums with minimal guitar and more focus on the vocals. So while the mainstream accepted them nicely, we rock fans were left in the dust, pondering if they would ever come back. Nope.

#14: No Doubt
Started As: Underground punk/ska band with plenty of female angst
Became: Calmer pop rock band with heavy island influence
Result: Different. They were better before, but not too bad now

Gwen Stefani was pissed. Just like Alanis Morissette back in the mid-90s, Gwen sounded like she wanted to tear your face off and then hug you for sympathy. This blend of quiet subtle loverage turned Tragic Kingdom into a masterpiece of an album that remains among the best of the 90s. And then she stopped being so mad and soon the rage dissipated, resulting in their next album being a bit of a flop. The emotion wasn’t there anymore, and she couldn’t pull a Pearl Jam and hold it in as long as humanely possible. So what do you do? Record your next album in an island, with the influence and the sound engulfing the eardrums. What we get is Rock Steady, and the rest is music history. No Doubt makes an incredible comeback with hit after hit. Rock was replaced with reggae, and rage was replaced with pop. Edginess was replaced with radio-friendly. And Gwen’s popularity came right back. For those of us that know them best, they will not just retire---but we know better than to expect them to ever come back to sounding as cool as they did in 1995.

#13: Will Smith
Started As: Part of a subtle underground fun hip-hop duo
Became: A solo rapper with surprise hit after surprise hit
Result: Better, sort of

Will Smith was part of the underground northern rap scene with Jazzy Jeff in the late 80s. They earned the first rap Grammy, but somewhere in this success was a lacking of mainstream knowledge. Insert a hit television show and a couple hit movies later, and Will Smith is suddenly a household name. So, do you keep the same style of storytelling, carefree rap? Or do you head in a different direction? After the unofficial breakup, Will Smith decided to helm his own name. The storytelling disappears, the DJ disappears, and instead he comes up with harder beats, more sophisticated lyrics, yet still retains the carefree, friendly rap style that made him a hit in the first place. And just when you think his next song couldn’t be big—there it is in the Billboard charts.

#12: MC Hammer
Started As: The leader of popular rap
Became: A Gangster rapper. Yes, a gangster rapper
Result: Dismal failure. No wonder he went bankrupt.

MC Hammer was not the best of lyricists, nor was he the grandfather of anything sophisticated hip-hop. But, like Will Smith in the 90s, he had his share of fun and catchy tunes that lit up the mainstream. Despite what you may think, its MC Hammer not Run DMC that truly shoved rap and hip-hop into the tops of the charts and into the mainstream. His sampling of earlier classics would also pave the way for a resurgence in old-old-old school R&B. And somewhere along the lines he thought it would be a good idea to enter the gangster rap game. It was a terrible mistake because for years, we already saw him as a fresh, friendly entertainer with great dance moves and a cheeky personality. Associating him with anything gangster was going to be a mistake. But, who listens, eh? MC Hammer becomes a disastrous disappointment, as he becomes a rapping contradiction by trying to gain a new crowd and keep his old one by bouncing between mildly vulgar lyrics with mildly vulgar videos with a minimal tinkering of edginess. It couldn’t work, and it never worked. His career never recovered.

#11: Eminem
Started As: The best rapper in the business, hands-down
Became: A disjointed mess.
Result: Thank goodness he made a comeback

Eminem was a reckoning force of rap we have never seen before. He had the flow of BIG, the street cred of Tupac, the lyrical range of Common, and the rage of the angriest of rockers. He was not only able to conquer hip-hop, but also rampaged through rock music with some of his heavier songs. He is arguably the first case of rap to influence the genre of rock since the Beastie Boys in the late 80s. And his peak was Lose Yourself, a subtle homage to Detroit while at the same time spewing some of the fiercest and incredible lyrics produced in hip-hop at that time. #1 in over a dozen countries (unheard of in rap) and even won an Oscar. So why on earth did he reduce himself to dedicating a song to insulting Michael Jackson, dropping his Slim Shady persona, and dedicating an entire album to melodrama? Eminem’s stylistic ways disappeared, as he suddenly became an average rapper with poor attempts at humor and poorer attempts to recreate the emotion from the first couple albums. Eminem’s drastic change was that he reduced himself into normality. When you had amazing stuff like “Stan,” “Guilty Conscience,” “Real Slim Shady,” songs with real originality, it nearly hurts to hear “Crack a Bottle,” and “We Made You.” Conclusion? Eminem got lazy, and when he becomes normal, his material dies with his originality.

P.S. Thank goodness for his comeback.

#10: Christina Aguilera
Started As: Pop princess and Spears’ biggest rival
Became: Slut. With a voice.
Result: She still sings?

It has been nearly 10 years since she’s had a hit. Could it be because she turned into a slut? Could it be because she pulled a Mariah Carey and started oversinging everything? Could it be because her identity became extremely inconsistent? Or could it be because she abandoned her Latin roots and failed to maintain an audience? Christina Aguilera had it all, she had a spectacular debut album in English AND Spanish while at the same time separating herself from the pack by having a superior voice and a few kicks of Latin—something sorely missing from the early 2000s American Pop Princess marathon (Spears, Moore, Macy Gray, Dream, 3LW, etc). Instead of maintaining that pace, she comes up with a different, easy-like-Sunday-morning sound while not using any Hispanic influence, and just turning into another pop-princess-that-eventually-disappears-into-the-night. By the way, her first album remains the best by far, and has yet to create a song that comes even close to the quality of “Come on Over.”

#9: Pearl Jam
Started As: Grunge Gods that took the Rock n’ Roll throne after Nirvana’s dissipation
Became: Just another band…
Result: Ugh.

Pearl Jam was a band for the fans. They didn’t release singles; they defied mainstream play, they hated TicketMaster, constantly performed live, and just altered the way bands interact with fans. We felt that Pearl Jam wasn’t a megaband, but a down-to-earth band that is just like us---except talented. They sang with skill, precision, and plenty of emotion. And then came this last album. There was minimal emotion, instead a lot of bubbly pop tunes. And now, they are releasing the album exclusively at Target? Is this the same band? Why exclusively at Target? What happened to the unfairness of big business striving to make a profit off of someone else’s property? This didn’t sound like Pearl Jam, which probably makes sense because their album gave me the same thought too. Its more the action than the music that pits Pearl Jam on this list so high, but...that last album wasn't good either....

#8: Green Day
Started As: The leaders of 90s punk
Became: A Political act that happens to play music.
Result: A mixed bag of oooooo and …………….

Green Day ran the 90s with a wrecking ball of punk rock, personality, and incredible fast-paced music that’s perfect for concerts, and perfect to jam out with friends. And then suddenly American Idiot arrived and our beloved punk band has become political, has started looking like the other emo bands, and their sound was mildly stripped. I am not anti-political groups (Rage Against the Machine anyone?) but after years of playing for the teenage/slacker masses, suddenly becoming political and trying to establish a voice came out of left field. And then releasing all the quieter songs as singles instead of the heavier material---just screams sell-out. Oh wait, you all don’t scream anymore, that part of your music career is over. And after “21 Guns,” my listening relationship with you guys will remain stuck in the 90s playlist.

#7: Nelly Furtado
Started As: Indie Princess
Became: Hip-Hop Sellout
Result: Ugh…

I was not the biggest Nelly Furtado fan, but I respected her calmer, independent, more unique approach to pop music. Instead of the clichéd lyrics, clichéd sound, and clichéd sex appeal, Furtado had a cleaner image, fully-clothed look, and slick vocal talent. After her second album quietly sold next to nothing however, she started looking for a way to make more success. Calling Timbaland was a start, and then removing all the things that made you unique was the next step. Now, we have a Furtado with fewer clothes, in the club, and talking about flirtation and sex, just like any other R&B artist. It was quite a punch to her followers at the time, as she found a new audience, but practically lost everyone from before. Now instead of living underground legendary (Like the Pixies and Velvet Underground) you are a forgotten footnote in urban music last decade. From “I’m Like a Bird” to “Promiscuous.” Sad.

#6: Metallica
Started As: THE band that invented and perfected modern metal
Became: A mainstream phenomenon that alienated the fanbase
Result: Never recovered from Black Album, did you?

Metallica in the 80s was unstoppable in the underground metal scene. With masterpiece albums like “Master of Puppets,” and “…And Justice For All,” Metallica was driving thrash/hardcore metal with its vicious sound, and impressive technique. And then came the Black Album, in which they lowered the volume, toned down the lyrics, removed all guitar solos, and started a blues sound that remained with them until 2009. While “Enter Sandman” is a Metallica staple and the album produced some good music, enough damage was done. The next several albums was doing the same procedure, becoming quieter, calmer, and friendlier to mainstream ears. Want to know the ultimate example of them making a heck of a transition? In 1984, they released “Master of Puppets,” an album about losing control in a variety of ways. Just last year, I saw them in “The View.”

#5: Linkin Park
Started As: Hardcore incredibleness that ruled all nu-metal
Became: A Dismal Disaster
Result: A Dismal Disaster

Hybrid Theory was one of those albums that just exploded out of nowhere. The intense vocals, the bleeding amount of emotion, and the heavy blend of rock, rap, and electronic hardcore made Linkin Park the new leaders of the nu-metal scene, quickly dispatching Korn and Limp Bizkit in a heartbeat. Unlike most nu-metal, Linkin Park had the vocals and raw talent to back up the rage and frustration of the lyrics, especially with Chester at the helm doing some ear-splicing screams. Meteora continues the same formula of talented rage, as this band seemed unstoppable. Unfortunately for all of us, they thought their sound needed to become more mature. What mature meant, we will never ever know. The second you heard their watery approach to the Transformers soundtrack you knew disaster was looming. Their rampaging sound dissipated into quiet nothingness, as their talent was suddenly being totally wasted. The DJ wasn’t ripping at the seams, the singer was singing his heart out, the rapper wasn’t spitting lyrics coherently, and the percussion wasn’t being challenged. All their music from here on out followed the same route, with few exceptions (none of which ever became singles). Their only so-called mature changes were that they used a bit more profanity, which was highly unnecessary most of the time. Linkin Park is high on this list because they are barely a fraction of what they used to be, and there is no hope in the horizon for change.

#4: Pantera
Started As: Glam Rock
Became: One of the best metal bands ever
Result: Incredibleness

Pantera’s stomping through the 90s made everyone forget they used to play glam rock against Journey and Van Halen back in the 80s. They definitely had the talent, but weren’t really utilizing it that well. But then they switched lead singers, and all of a sudden they had a lineup fit not for rock, but for metal. Dimebag was already a guitar whiz, and the backup instrumentals had already proven themselves as worthy. And now add Phil Anselmo and the heavier sound is born. Pantera was an instrumentally talented but vocally weak band before 1987. All of a sudden, they had a singer that can sing, scream, growl, and curse you to a point in which you are afraid of the music playing. The attitude changed, the music became more organized, more aggressive, and had none of the plastic emotion of glam rock. This was hardcore stuff, and you had to accept it or run away. In one of the few cases of music in which a major transition actually worked, Pantera was such a great band and such a great innovator, you forget that they started out sounding like a Van Halen wanna-be. Now, they are the band that everyone wants to become. And to this day, I have yet to find a modern band that can duplicate its mix of technical brilliance and fearsome emotion....and have yet to find a modern guitarist even close to duplicating the amazingness of Dimebag Darrell.

#3: Sugar Ray
Started As: Hardcore, nu-metal underground band
Became: Adult contemporary we all know about
Result: Better, and it hurts to say it too

In another example of “They used to sound like that!?!?!”, Sugar Ray was at first a very loud and hardcore band that screamed out lyrics, flung around intense guitar riffs, and had a I-don’t-care attitude that made them an underground sensation. It is almost unfathomable to believe that the band that cranked out the “Mean Machine” song found in the third-generation classic game Road Rash also created the underrated pop gem “Fly.” Fly was their calmest song in their album, and ironically became their last single, and ironically created that #1 hit that pushed them into unbelievable success. And if you look into their career, you notice that they every so often like to point out their hardcore roots and reminisce. Now, I can’t really hate them for toning their sound, because Mark’s vocals worked best whenever he wasn’t screaming, and the production sounded more cleaned up when their music matured. That being said, I wonder how they would sound today if “Fly” had never taken off.

#2: Justin Timberlake
Started As: Leader of pop band phenomenon N*SYNC
Became: Surprise-Surprise leader in the R&B world
Result: Quite good actually

If you had told me in 2000 that Timberlake would break off and become a hip-hop star that constantly gets offers from other rappers, I most likely would not believe you. Nonetheless, N*SYNC already started transitioning to hip-hop when songs like “Gone,” and “Girlfriend” got hip-hop/R&B/Urban airplay, while Timberlake started developing a love for the genre by beatboxing in the “Pop” video. There were small clues, but we truly didn’t catch the signs until his first solo album. And even then, it was him just getting his feet wet—similar to Michael Jackson in his first solo album. I note that similarity because: Jackson and Timberlake both came from ultra-popular groups, both had a mature sound from the getgo, and hit their peak by the second album. Justin’s second album certified that this man was making one of the most bizzare yet wholly successful transitions in the history of music. From singing pop ballads to being in a song with 3-6 Mafia, Justin Timberlake shows diversity, creativity, and the ability to overcome perceived public image to produce his next big hit…..or his next big collaboration.








#1: Kid Rock
Started As: One of the Rulers of 90s rock
Became: A country star was is a wussified version of his former self. And a sellout. And a hack. And nothing like what he used to be
Result: ……………………………(boom)




I shouldn’t have to explain myself or this atrocity that has occurred in musical history. Kid Rock was the baddest of the bad, the raddest of the rad. He was an excellent mix of southern rock, southern rap, and hardcore music. His sound was unique, and got the attention of everyone around, from rockers like Fred Durst and Bob Segar, right down to the rappers like Eminem and even Snoop Dogg. Kid Rock’s breakthrough album was impressive, as it meshed old-school hip hop with new-school southern rock that we haven’t experienced since the Lynyrd Skynrd days. And then came his realization that he can develop a wider audience if we went to country full-time. While he dabbed on country at times, just the thought of the man behind “Bawitdaba” going into the Kenny Chesney/Toby Keith genre was unthinkable. There was no way, he couldn’t.

After his duet with Sheryl Crow, that was it. Kid Rock stopped rapping, the instruments stopped blasting, and his videos no longer featured dirt bikes jumping over half-naked women. Yes none of this was morally fulfilling, but the hard rock/nu-metal scene of the late 90s was never aiming for that. Now we have Kid Rock totally sounding like a typical, watered-down country singer, totally forgetting that back then he used to rock with the best of them. Now he is just pathetic. The Kid Rock of 1999 would physically destroy the wimpy Kid Rock of today. Makes me sick. And the only reason he gets away with it is because Devil without a Cause was his FIRST breakthrough album, giving him time to alter his image before it was too late. But to us that have been yearning for a musical rock revolution that we have not seen since 1999, it hurts all too much. To this day it makes me sick.

Very sick.

The 20 Best Pieces of Music Played in Walt Disney World

For those that don’t know, I am a collector of Disney’s background music in the parks and resorts. I think the ambiance of the sounds and music as you walk the parks definitely enhances the experience. Think about it, do you honestly know what songs play while walking Universal Islands of Adventure? Probably not, but you know that in Frontierland you get that nice blend of old-old school western tunes mixed in with some of Disney’s classic songs. And everyone I know can recognize the tune when you are walking into the Haunted Mansion.

You know what this means. Another list. Yep, I’ve assembled a list of the best music that has been heard on the Disney parks, past and present. They range from classics, to nice versions of Disney movie music, to even some music you most likely have never heard of. I’ll even throw in some music not originally meant for Disney, but totally helps the experience listening to it while visiting the area. And here we go, the 20 best moments of Disney theme park music.

Honorable Mention: Japanese Pavilion’s Area Music
Of all the lands in the World Showcase, this pavilion has the best music as it contains the best variety, and the closest association to said country.



#20: Clouds Gather
Park: Animal Kingdom
Area: Oasis (Front of Park)

Since Animal Kingdom is indeed a park in Disney World, I am inclined to give it an entry on this list. Actually funny story, Hollywood Studios does not have a single entry on this list. Clouds Gather is a very simple, very relaxing tune that starts you off while walking through the quietest area in the park. It’s a nice tune to listen to while observing the abundance of birds and reptiles a few yards into the Animal Kingdom. It’s actually so calm you sometimes won’t even be able to hear the tune. But when you do, it sets the mood right.

#19: Splash Mountain Medley
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Frontierland

Part of what makes this ride a hit is the music, which was definitely the best part of the movie that nobody watched a.k.a Song of the South. The mix of Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, How Do You Do, and Laughing Place while engaging in the surprisingly-long ride definitely adds a nice charm to the attraction. And when the music becomes sinister, you know you are inches from the infamous drop.

#18: Haunted Mansion Theme
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Liberty Square



Grim Grinning Ghosts is a fun track, but it’s the creepy and subtle sinister tune of the Doom Buggy as you are loading into the ride is what sets the tone, theme, pacing, and mood of the entire attraction. Consisting of just a few notes and lasting no longer than two minutes, this is one of the few cases in Disney in which the ambiance is too much for little kids, resulting in many kids crying and some even leaving the attraction altogether before even beginning the fun ride.

#17: Behind the Waterfall
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Tomorrowland



(No idea why they used those images, just listen to the song)

From the 1980s leading up to almost 10 years ago, Tomorrowland had a totally different soundtrack full of futuristic, relaxing, and unique tunes that gave the area its retro-futuristic feel that is not accomplished today anymore. Behind the Waterfall is one of the best examples, as it blends simple instruments and created a very simple sound that never grows too loud, nor does it ever step out of pace. New age music is the perfect genre for Tomorrowland, and Behind the Waterfall is a case of good new age.

#16: Camp Minnie-Mickey Loop
Park: Animal Kingdom
Area: Camp Minnie-Mickey

Unless you have nothing better to do, odds are you won’t notice the music coming from the speakers in this area—because all we have here is picture taking with the characters and Festival of the Lion King, one of the best stage shows in the history of Disney. But if you stop for a little and pay attention, you’ll hear familiar Disney songs being played on a light acoustic guitar as if it was being performed around a campfire. Ranging from the Mickey Mouse theme to music from Winnie the Pooh, these acoustic remixes of the familiar Disney songs are by far the best music you’ll hear in Animal Kingdom. There is nothing overwhelming or outstanding about them, but it is one of the highlights in an otherwise dismal part of the park.

#15: Sleepwalk (The Ventures version)
Park: Typhoon Lagoon
Area: Lazy River



Now, Typhoon Lagoon overall is the best park in terms of background music. Its excellent mix of Beach Boys, unsung 60s classics, and surf rock (the most underrated genre in all of music) convinces me to visit there, and just lie on the lazy river for hours just to soak up the tunes. Throw in some Dick Dale, Lively Ones, Tornadoes, and especially the Ventures, and you have essentially a flawless soundtrack for the water park. It is just a total shame that most of you have no idea who these bands are. Next time you visit, give the place a good listen, and I can guarantee you’ll find at least 10 good songs—or at least 5 songs you’ve heard in Pulp Fiction.

#14: Star Tunnel
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Tomorrowland



This is an example of status replacing quality. The song is repetitive indeed, and doesn’t quite leave the loop it created after a mere 45 seconds, but it sets the tone perfectly for the classic attraction Space Mountain. And replacing this track with anything else would result in riots across the board. Oh and a good shout out to the music at the entrance, its also repetitive but still a classic nonetheless. Too bad the ride’s recent update hasn’t been that great,

#13: Celestial Soda Pop
Park: Hollywood Studios
Area: Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground



This fantastic tune got its start in the quirky Wonders of Life before the attraction ceased to exist, leading to the song moving over to another park where it lays quietly in a playground few kids know about. Celestial Soda Pop is a song that could have also fit perfectly in Tomorrowland because of its blend of new age with Disney bubbly innocence and very relaxing pace. It is a great song to listen to while relaxing and waiting for the next adventure.

#12: The Living Seas Theme
Park: Epcot
Area: The Living Seas

One of the great musical tragedies in the history of Disney World was the removal of the Living Seas and replacing it with Nemo. I love Nemo, the movie, and the music, don’t get me wrong—but it is nothing when compared to Living Seas. The background tunes of the Living Seas was so relaxing, I used to love working at the ice cream cart across from the pavilion just so I can get a whiff of its soothing sounds. The song blends sounds of the seagulls (not the annoying ones) and the oceans with a very melancholy blend of strings and synthesizers. I will never understand why this music just totally disappeared.

#11: Impressions
Park: Disneyland Paris
Area: Space Mountain Area



I can guarantee you most of you have not heard this track. But, the Space Mountain over in Paris has a very Victorian and Jules Verne feel to it, and this song represents both theming with its heavy use of strings and horns, giving the attraction and the overall area a much more epic feel. It could have come straight from a blockbuster movie, but instead this was written for a blockbuster ride. However, it longer exists in Paris, as now its just a mere memory.

#10: Soarin’ Queue and Exit
Park: Epcot
Area: The Land



Of all the rides made within the last 10 years, Soarin’ is perhaps the one that delivered the strongest surprise. A ride introduced in the awful California Adventure made its way over Epcot and became an instant smash hit and remains the most popular attraction in the park. But part of its mammoth success is its accessibility to children and also because of its legendary music. Even waiting in line, you can’t help but be mesmerized by its music. Mixing in movie themes of past films with Jerry Goldsmith’s incredible music; the ambiance while waiting for Soarin’ nearly makes up for the extremely wait time, as its such a delight to listen to from the first second to the last.

#9: A Pirate’s Life For Me
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Adventureland



No list about Disney music is complete without the catchy, hilarious, and simple “Pirates Life for Me.” Backed by fun vocals and good instrumentals, this one-minute song perfectly describes the vulgar and unpredictable life of a pirate, while at the same time turning murdering thieves into sympathetic rascals. Any song that reduces a deadly 1700s terrorist group of people into fun-loving drunkards deserves extra credit.

#8: Bayou Banjo
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Adventureland



But topping the song about Pirate antics is the very low-key banjo track that plays while waiting to board the attraction. As if it’s played by a pirate rotting in prison, this song consists of one banjo playing a familiar tune that you can actually hear in Frontierland sometimes. While passing by the prison cells and unused ammunition, this song calmly plays and sets the somber mood of the consequences of being a pirate---and getting caught.

#7: Someone’s Rockin’ my Dreamboat
Park: Disneyland
Area: Adventureland



The Ink Spots never meant for this recording to hit a Disney park back in the 1940s, but nonetheless it found its way into the queue of the Jungle Cruise ride—perfectly setting the mood of the quirky attraction. While the African Queen atmosphere sets the timeframe of the ride, this song represents the music that played in that time period. It’s a great song, and it’s the perfect song to compliment the Jungle Cruise. It’s a shame Magic Kingdom doesn’t have the same soundtrack.

#6: Spaceship Earth (1994 Version)
Park: Epcot
Area: Spaceship Earth

All the old-school Disney fans have their choices on which Spaceship Earth they think is best. Some claim the original 80s version was best, while I am sure nobody would pick the version playing now. For me, I think the Jeremy Irons version was the best and the music in this version worked best too. The music changed multiple times along with the ride, progressing and becoming more complex as communication improved and technology advanced. Spaceship Earth has always been a personal favorite of mine regardless of which version it is, from its technological feats to its beautiful message about uniting the world. But it’s the 1994 version that musically best represents the flagship Epcot attraction.

#5: Impressions of France
Park: Epcot
Area: France Pavilion

Of all the attractions that desperately needs a facelift and a change, France’s Impressions of France is the flagship and dominating ultimate example. Not because its bad, but actually because its such a great ride that has become extremely dated—and a new look would benefit greatly. What I do ask however is that they do not change the music at all. Mixing and blending samples from nearly a dozen pieces of European classical music, Impressions of France is a spellbindingly beautiful array of music that perfectly fits with the images presented in the massive screens throughout the 15 minutes. Beautifully composed and beautifully scored, and flawfully edited into the movie.

#4: Old Mill Stream
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Frontierland

Frontierland right now has the best music in all of Magic Kingdom, as soon as Tomorrowland changed their soundtrack. This area has a nice blend of relaxing western tunes that lasts a total of 59 minutes, which makes it one of the longest loops in all of Walt Disney World. Every track is a delight to listen, as it has the nice Disney touch without becoming too sugary-pop. To me the best song coming from that area is Old Mill Stream, which can be heard in Tom Sawyer’s Island. This is an instrumental version of a very old song, and to be honest it’s a case of a song I can call flawless. The mix of strings, banjos, and very (very) light percussion makes for 3 minutes of pure happiness.

#3: Elsewhere
Park: Magic Kingdom
Area: Tomorrowland



Tomorrowland’s new age music of the 80s and 90s is at its best with this track; 5 minutes of pure musical nirvana. You can almost picture the retro style of Tomorrowland as you hear the song swing from one rhythm to the next without skipping a beat. Composed by Vangelis (Chariots of Fire, Blade Runner, Missing), a master electronic composer, this is one of the first cases of Disney using a song made by a well-known professional composer. The song is among the most relaxing I’ve ever heard, as it calms without becoming boring. This song best represents the mood of Tomorrowland before Buzz, Stitch, and Monster’s Inc. took over.

#2: Soarin’ Over California
Park: Epcot
Area: The Land



The ride (in the middle of production, before the music) drove Jerry Goldsmith to tears, and this was without the soundtrack. He said he would compose the score for free, as the ride planned to combine two of his favorite things: flying and music. This is arguably his swan song as he died a few years after the attraction debuted. And what a swan song it is. The attraction goes through a variety of themes and volumes (depending on the scene) as an overarching theme blends it all together. The ride could not work at all without this song, as the song is outstanding by itself but is lifted to new heights of awe when blended with shots of California. Unlike most music that gets mildly repetitive after multiple listens, the song to Soarin’ never ages, never gets old, and temporarily transports you to one of the best attractions in any Disney park.















#1: Illuminations: Reflections of Earth
Park: Epcot


It starts with the pounding drums. Starts slowly then builds up. The velocity continues. Then, the strings burst with the horns and the rest is Disney history. What was supposed to be a one-year event turned into a staple of Epcot as Illuminations is arguably the most popular fireworks show in the planet right now. Fantasy in the Sky was replaced; Hollywood Studios lost their fireworks without issue, and Wishes got replaced last summer and not much happened. But if you get rid of this Illuminations, prepare for the riot of your lifetime. And most of the success of Illuminations can be traced back to the soundtrack, which is hands-down the best music ever played in Disney speakers.

Illuminations is 9 minutes of controlled instrumental mayhem. Consisting of a 71-piece orchestra accompanied by a 30-person choir, and composed by Gavin Greenaway (good friend of Hans Zimmer, hence some of the similarities), this is arguably the biggest musical project made by Disney. After a dramatic intro, the song slows down nearly to a halt as viewers see the progress of the planet. The song intensifies in rhythm and volume as we approach the climax. And then that climax, in which all the music and instruments are brought together for one epic finale. At the 8 minute mark, you will receive chills down your spine as we approach the final rousing number, and the plethora of fireworks that burst the night sky and delight all the visitors.

Nothing represents nighttime Disney quite like Illuminations, and there’s no piece of music that matches the magic, togetherness, and pure beauty of Walt Disney World. As a matter of fact, no piece of Disney music is used more often than Illuminations, as it’s been used in ABC, news stations across the board, the 250th anniversary of Pittsburgh, the inauguration of Obama, and even in the immigration welcoming videos in the Orlando airport. This isn’t just a great orchestral score, it’s the best Disney has released, and an overall work of art.

P.S. The worst song to occur on Disney property.

2011 NBA Playoffs Preview: Part 2

My continuation of my picks on whom is going to the NBA Finals. Part 1 can be found here.


Western Conference



#8: New Orleans Hornets
The difference between the Nuggets and the Hornets: the Nuggets traded their disgruntled star player and became a much better overall team and can pull off a surprising run. The Hornets on the other hand despite all the obvious signs that he does not want to be there, kept their star and now will sit in the ugly seventh seed against the Lakers. This Hornets squad has potential but drama has diminished this team and prevented them from growth. They could have picked some good underrated players and evened out their squad and pushed for a higher seed. Unfortunately for the Hornets, the Western Conference has too much talent for an incomplete bunch to make a push.

Prediction: Lose to Lakers



#7: Memphis Grizzlies
Four years ago, this team would have made a hell of a push in the playoffs. Four years ago, this team would have been a devastating threat deep in the Western Conference. Four years ago, I would have picked them to threaten a spot in the Conference Finals. So what happened? Semi-ripping this from Bill Simmons, but the talent pool in the NBA has become much deeper and much more expansive than in recent seasons—leading to really good teams going nowhere. The Grizzlies are a superb team that unfortunately has to take on another superb team with the Spurs. They are one superstar player away from becoming a credible threat and until that happens, they will remain a very good team that becomes nothing more than an annoying thorn in the sides of the opposition.

Prediction: Lose to Spurs



#6: Portland Trail Blazers
See my description of the Grizzlies, and to an extent the Hornets. The Blazers have been hampered with injuries and unfortunate luck and yet delivered a powerful push into the #6 seed. However, that being said, they have the unfortunate path of landing in the West, which has powerful teams left and right. I will root for this team, because he Blazers have dealt with a lot of injuries in the past couple years and I would love to see them make a run and revive the franchise, which has struggled to go back to the golden days of the early 2000s (before the Lakers crushed their spirits). But, beating the Mavericks? I don’t see it.

Prediction: Lose to Mavericks




#5: Denver Nuggets
This one hurts. Really does. George Karl did an incredible job dealing with the drama and tribulations of a whiny star wishing to pull a LeBron and join a Super Team and make life easier. And the second he leaves, the Nuggets virtually explode and become a surprise-surprise team towards the end of the season. And I can guarantee you if they had kept Melo, they would have gone this far—would have gone in the direction of the Utah Jazz---south south south. The Nuggets have a strong offensive presence which is usually reserved for your East Coast teams. And with the Suns not in the playoffs, they are the fastest team standing, and can cripple the older squads like the Spurs and the Lakers. Too bad they face a young squad in the first round. If they had gone any lower, they would have advanced farther.

Prediction: Lose to Oklahoma City Thunder



#4: San Antonio Spurs
Age is one of those awful things that destroy every great legacy, every great player, and every great team. The San Antonio Spurs instead of trying to rebuild after years of successful championship runs maintained the same team, added some new supporting players, and stuck with the same formula of slower-paced and smarter basketball. As you can see with the #1 seed, the strategy still works after all these years. But, as I predict, age will catch up as the NBA playoffs are much more grueling as they have been 10 years ago because of tougher teams, and a longer playoff format. An experienced team like this will get by on the first round, but age and a hungrier younger squad will eventually steal their thunder. And yes folks, that was a subtle pun.

Prediction: Beat Grizzlies. Lose to Thunder.




#3: Dallas Mavericks
After that horrendous result in the first round against the Warriors back in 2007, the Mavericks have yet to destroy its reputation as a great team that burns out in the playoffs. Despite constant higher-seedings, they just can’t brush past the semifinals. Despite coaching changes, improvements in the lineup, and more and more promise, Dallas can never rise up and take out the big guns San Antonio and L.A. And that’s because Dallas has always been good, but never that good. Jason Kidd has always been good, but not that good. Good ol’ Dirk has been grand, but never great. The offense has always excelled, but not enough. There is no other team quite like this one: always confident in GETTING to the playoffs, but never confident in SURVIVING it.

Prediction: Beat Portland. Lose to the Lakers.



#2: Los Angeles Lakers
You can hate Kobe Bryant and his selfish ways, cocky attitude, ability to complain about everything in sight, and rather aggressive ways with his teammates….but you can’t judge his willingness to win. This man is hungrier for championships than any player in the NBA not named Steve Nash. He is a path of fury that the other Lakers can’t help but follow. That being said, this type of effort is infectious, just look at the incredible run of the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers have only intensified their squad after last year’s win with Matt Barnes. This Lakers team has the top coach in the NBA, one of the top player/competitors in the NBA, and one of the deepest benches out there. The Lakers had a rough ending, but that also happened last year and look where it took them. This franchise has grown accustomed to slowing down before the playoffs, and this will be no different. Granted they have an easier path, this Lakers team has a legitimate shot at going all the way. Despite all their strengths, they still have to get past the-----

Prediction: Beat New Orleans. Beat Dallas. Lose to Oklahoma City.






#1: Oklahoma City Thunder
This team is hungry. This team is talented to the core. And, this team is prepared for a run and prepared to tear apart the Lakers. The Thunder have quietly assembled one heck of a season and have improved greatly in the second half thanks to improved basketball, improved teamwork, and the infamous Perkins trade that destroyed one squad and made another one quite scary. With Durant and Westbrook at the helm, the Thunder isn’t just a powerhouse scoring machine---they are a scary team on the other side of the floor with their new pitbull style of backcourt defense. This is the only team that can stop the Lakers from going into the Finals yet again, as they are man for man evenly matched. This is the series I would absolutely love to see, and I predict that this heavenly matchup will occur. I don’t see the Nuggets or the Spurs providing problems, as the only hurdle in the Thunder’s path to the NBA Finals is the rough-n-tough Lakers. I see a 7-game explosive slugfest with few survivors. But they win my pick as the top playoff team in the Western Conference.

Prediction: Beat Nuggets. Beat Spurs. Beat Lakers.





NBA Finals:
Thunder vs. Heat





My prediction. I think the Heat win in 6 close games.


Good luck to all teams in the NBA Playoffs.

2011 NBA Playoffs Preview

So a funny thing happened between me saying that I am not interested in the NBA and me suddenly doing this article: this NBA season got very interesting. As a matter of fact, it got quite crazy and quite intense. After years of just a couple teams rising up and overthrowing everyone else, we have one of the most even playing fields in the history of the NBA. In all honesty, of the 16 teams in the playoffs, only a dirty few have no shot at entering the Finals. Everyone else however has a decent shot given the right amount of effort, luck, and dedication. And because of this potentially incredible playoff season in the NBA, I have decided to build my bracket, discuss each team, and make my predictions as to whom will win it all. I will start with the Eastern Conference, work my way through the Western Conference, and then discuss the Finals.



The Eastern Conference



#8: Indiana Pacers
This scrappy little basketball team pushed through heavy mediocre competition to nab this final seed. And just like the #7 team on this list, they are a young team with plenty of room to grow. Nobody in the Pacers have been in the league more than five years, which makes them just like the Chicago Bulls of the previous two years—small, young, inexperienced, but hungry for growth and improvement. This will not be their year, but keep an eye on them in the future.

Playoff Run Prediction: Lose to Bulls in 5


#7: Philadelphia 76ers
Just like the Pacers, this is a young team that can grow into a heavy contender in the future. Just like the Pacers, they don’t really have a major star to rely on. And, just like the Pacers, they will face a quick exit as they take on a team that’s just too much better for words. Let’s give Doug Collins the Coach of the Year award though.

Playoff Run Prediction: Lose to Heat in 5


#6: Atlanta Hawks
Year in and year out they constantly give a good effort before hitting the playoffs. But, whether they like or not, the Magic have their number. Surely the Hawks won 3 of 4 in the season against the Magic, but they had been swept by Orlando quite viciously in the playoffs last year, and the Magic of now is much better than recent times. Let’s not forget the Magic have way too many weapons for Atlanta to contain. Even if they can sneak by Orlando, their chance of surviving Chicago is minimal to absolutely none. Just like the lower teams, I have no fear of the Hawks.

Playoff Run Prediction: Lose to Magic in 5.


#5: Boston Celtics
The Celtics were the toughest, nastiest, roughest team in the East. They had the experience, power, agility, defense, and abilities to overpower any major powerhouse competitor in the Eastern Conference. They were wiping away Miami and defeating Orlando with ease. Everyone was afraid of Boston, and wanted to avoid them like the dickens come playoff time. And then came the Perkins trade. The second the Perkins trade happened, the Celtics lost their willpower, identity, and fear factor. All of a sudden, the Heat and Bulls were overpowering this team on offense and defense, while looking like superior junkyard dog teams. The Celtics relied on hard knocks intensity to beat their opponents. That tough dog persona has been killed off. After the Perkins trade, they are suddenly much weaker against the Heat, the Magic, and now, the Knicks. If there is an upset waiting to happen, it’s their sudden round one departure. I might be crazy for saying this, but I have trouble seeing Boston getting out of the first round alive. And even if they do, they have Miami waiting for them. Boston’s seemingly good odds of going all the way have pretty much disappeared.

Playoff Run Prediction: Upset in first round—losing to Knicks in 6


#4: New York Knicks
While at first they seemed doomed after that nasty losing streak, the Knicks were able to mesh together and built an impressive streak towards the end of the season. They have the underrated leader with Carmelo Anthony, the powerful inside presence with Stoudemire, and a good head coach to weave it all together. While they are a Chris Paul away from being a pure threat (hint-hint), they have the momentum and the talent to pull off the upset against the lifeless Celtics. A couple years ago, they would have been nearly Finals-bound. But with the talent pool being quite deep, it will take more than just Melo and Amare to go the distance.

Playoff Run Prediction: Beat Celtics 4-2. Lose to Heat 4-2


#3: Chicago Bulls
Here is where things become interesting. Yes, the Bulls have the best record. Yes, they have the MVP in Derrick Rose. Yes, they have proven to play well against the Elite. But, I do not fear them. I do not care what their record says, I still don’t think they can go all the way. This is why: Rose has no backup plan. Remember this: Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all-time, needed 7 years and eventually a spectacular backup player (Scottie Pippen) to finally win a championship. Let’s say Derrick Rose has a bad day or is handled well by the opposing defense. What now? What do you do? Who will become the person to take over? The Heat’s backup is Wade and Bosh. Magic have Nelson and Turkoglu. The Celtics even have some extra support. Who do the Bulls have? They are an excellent team, but unlike other sports, if one player falls, it becomes a bad case of jenga and the chances of the pieces falling apart improve drastically. The Bulls have a legitimate shot of reaching the NBA Finals—but I still don’t fear this team if they come into my town.

Playoff Run Prediction: Beat Pacers 4-1. Upset by Magic 4-2.


#2: Orlando Magic
Now, the complaints are flying. How can this ho-hum team suddenly rise to the #2 slot? Why am I picking this team to nearly make the Finals? Because of all the teams that have the potential to enter the Finals and wreck some havoc, the Orlando Magic are the best built. Check this: the best defensive player in the NBA (Dwight Howard led his team in rebounds, points, blocks, AND steals----STEALS!!), two tall and tough forwards that can actually shoot the three (Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu), at least seven players that can shoot threes and also score 15-20+ right under your nose (J.J. Reddick being the best example—keep an eye on him), one of the best coaches in the NBA (Stan Van Gundy doesn’t get enough respect) and best of all a very deep bench that can really put up some numbers when necessary. The Magic have no true enemy except themselves (Why they don’t adapt the Suns-style of fast-paced basketball we shall never ever know)---especially now that the Celtics are not the thorn that they used to be. So keep an eye on this Magic team, the second they become consistent is the second that everyone else should be afraid.

Playoff Run Prediction: Beat Hawks 4-1. Beat Bulls 4-2. Lose to Heat 4-2


#1: Miami Heat
I hate to say it. I honestly do. I really don't like this team so I am gritting my teeth as I type this. But, one thing rings true: the Miami Heat are in for an easy ride. Look who they have to deal with: the 76ers, and then whether the lifeless Boston Celtics or the not-yet-ready New York Knicks. The Miami Heat have the experienced Dwayne Wade, the quite talented LeBron James, a deep bench matched only by Orlando, and then add the very hungry Chris Bosh and Ilgauskas. The only team that can possibly stop the evil and sinister Miami Heat is the Orlando Magic, and as long as they can overpower the frontcourt, they should have no trouble getting to the NBA Finals. Are they the top team in the Eastern Conference? It’s hard to say yes without cringing. But one thing is certain, with the way the chips are falling; I see little reason to give the Heat anything less than an NBA Finals appearance. The Miami Heat have finally molded into a complete team towards the end and despite our hatred towards them, its hard to see an eastern conference team that can actually put up a good fight.

Playoff Run Prediction: Beat 76ers 4-1. Beat Knicks 4-2. Beat Magic 4-3.

Next Up:
Western Conference and the NBA Finals