The Old Fashioned 3-Point Play

TOF3PP features two current takes from the world of sports, and one pop culture storyline. “Let’s Go” on “3”…

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The Bucket

A Google search for the definition of “ruler” resulted in: a person exercising government or dominion. The list of synonyms included leader, sovereign, king, and prince. The lone antonym: subject.

A similar Google search for the definition of “king” resulted in: the male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth.

Interesting contrast between the two titles. The rub for LeBron James – currently facing a 2-0 deficit – over the balance of the 2016 NBA Finals is that the King must switch to ruler and exercise dominion starting at the tip-off of Game 3.

James has maintained a steady hand regarding his leadership of his East-leading Cavaliers unit this year. Observers had mixed reviews concerning James’ reliance on social media where he often posted tweets and vines to both encourage and admonish his teammates. This tactic was on par with the likes of Coming To America’s stern King Jaffe Joffer. Arranged marriages for the Prince of Zamunda. A beautiful looking kingdom with plush ceremonies and celebrations. Sparing no expenses with his traveling convoy. The rose petals.

For the king LeBron needs to emulate we could stick with another fictitious African king in Wakanda’s multi-skilled and highly intelligent T’Challa/Black Panther. Not quite the right fit to overcome this charged up Golden State Warriors squad.

Nah. For this deep Dubs unit I suggest LeBron adopts the practices of the ruthless, amoral Longshanks – King Edward I and the infamy of his rule seen throughout Braveheart. Instituting Prima Nocta. Using his archers to rain arrows down on both the gritty Scots and his own troops and/or ally forces during battle. Using his future daughter-in-law, a French Princess, as an emissary to negotiate peace with William Wallace. And my favorite, throwing his son’s right hand man out of a tower window and to his death just for speaking to him following another defeat by Wallace and his ragtag army.

We need to see a lot of Longshanks in King James the next few games if we are to have an enjoyable Finals.

Seriously, LeBron has to get his troops going in Game 3, but his on-court aggression and first quarter production will have a much greater impact on Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith and Kevin Love than any pre-game huddle speech or choreographed handshake. The home crowd at the Q should motivate the starters to play to at least play to their season averages, but the Cavs still need somebody from players #4-#15 to be a game-changing X-factor.

The last king-related thought I hope James and his business team considers, in the event this becomes an embarrassing 4- or 5-game series, is more of a question: Would any move out of Cleveland be unbecoming for a king (hey, I never crowned the brother), or a player that is likely to end his career as a Top 3 or Top 5 all-time player? Or, several years beyond The Decision, could this type of movement become James’ innovation for the game – redefining how to have a NBA career?

I know the Warriors have at least four 6’6″ or taller players at their disposal to basically rotate in shifts akin to 3:00 minute sparring rounds against LeBron, and this luxury of Steve Kerr‘s roster presents an arduous task for the hope of NE Ohio to solve. However, since it appears the Cavs cannot outpace the Warriors à la OKC, maybe it is time to run the Warriors slender swingmen off a series of physical picks by Cavs bigs to wear down their energy and resolve. We know LeBron can get around them with his handle but he is driving into multiple sets of arms, initiate contact out on the wing and then a second time in the lane. Tyronne Lue needs to make some adjustment to take Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Shaun Livingston, and even Draymond Green out of full-time hunt mode.

Lastly, we will see if Livingston, Barnes and Iggy continue with production, or stay out of foul trouble, that warrants 25 minutes each; or, if Kerr has to allot more minutes to his bigs Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli and Marreese Speights paving the way for Lue to mix it up with his lineups should Smith continue to struggle offensively.

At this point, regardless of how James picks it up over the next two Cavaliers home games, I’m already running with “Naiveland” for next week’s narrative. At least until 2017… providing that James doesn’t seek out a new land like a subject.

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No disrespect to the late Kevin Ferguson, professionally known to fight fans as Kimbo Slice, but I had to cringe after seeing some comparison of Slice and Muhammad Ali on ESPN captioned “great fighters…”

The YouTube backyard brawling phenom turned UFC hopeful, Slice, passed away June 6 at 42 years old in South Florida. Now, we can’t sweep aside Slice’s accomplishments the way WWE  pioneer Chyna’s were – somewhat unceremoniously – after passing away within a week after all-world performer Prince. As a lifelong fight fan, I just would have honored Kimbo separately because by ascending to the ranks of the UFC, Bellator and boxing by going viral with cell phone recorded brawls was an astonishing feat.

Kimbo’s arrival in the professional mixed martial arts world failed to live up to the hype generated by his destruction of all his opponents on the bare knuckle scene. Quickly it appeared as if the more level playing field in terms of experience and training nullified Slice’s sheer aggression and renowned punching power, but that is when us fans were treated to the real fight in the man. And that is when I had to respect him for the problem he was in the ring. Slice’s rise embodied Ali’s adage, “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

Rest easy champ, you fought well.

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The And 1 

Besides being an exceptional current hip hop artist, what is Chitown’s Chance the Rapper? Trap? RnB/Soul? Gospel? Feature go-to? Uh, Rapper (sorry)? Dance music?

I try to avoid putting artists in a box and/or category. However, some kind of distinction helps with working an artist into my playlist. I mean, the album era of hip hop has long been deceased, so I need some means to decide when/where/who I’m going to listen to when it comes to artists – especially new ones. Divvying up the space in my ever shrinking window of time for music listening as a working adult is a struggle.

I guess in some ways versatile artists such as Anderson .Paak and Chance make it easier for listeners, by spanning multiple genres there’s rarely ever a “square peg round hole” moment with their tracks.

In addition to CTR’s pen game or his mic skills, I’m equally impressed by what this kid is doing in the stewardship of his of own career. At the moment iTunes does not include a CTR album, but the CHI native’s collaboration partners includes big time names such as BJ the Chicago Kid, Lil Wayne, Action Bronson, 2 Chainz, and more. I don’t go back with CTR to his debut project Acid Rap, but it’s hard to not be impressed by an indie hip-hop artist who by 23-years old has already played both The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the iconic Saturday Night Live.

Chance’s movement may be best suited for the indie route, but don’t let “indie” deter you from listening to his well fleshed out LP The Coloring Book, as well as his quality visual treatments for “No Problem” and “Angels.” Perhaps maintaining full control over one’s next move in the music game allows one of today’s young artists to freely smile, laugh and dance (again) while grindin’ in such a trying industry.

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