NBC is using Matisyahu’s “One Day” as part of their promotion for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. Very cool. Check the commercial above for a taste. I hope they give him a chance to perform this at the opening ceremony or something. And yo, Matis just told me the other day that he recorded a “One Day” remix with Akon. Wow. Keep your ears open for that.
My Dudes
Measuring Up To Her Dad
My Dudes
I’d like to think I have a good relationship with my father in law. We’re not BFF’s, but we get along very well, and I can make him laugh (with me not at me) which is a good thing. And we’ve had our male bonding moments too, you know, moving furniture together and stuff like that. But being a son in law can be tricky, so I try to stay on my toes and prove to him how manly I am when I have the opportunities to. I admit, it’s an intimidating relationship at times. But most importantly, I always make it very clear that I love his daughter.
My buddy Jonathan Lesser recently wrote a story in this month’s Men’s Health magazine describing his own relationship with his father in law, and how they became close through working together on remodeling his new home (a fixer upper). It’s a great story. And yeah dude, I can relate. Give it a read…
The Rumble
My Dudes, Sports
No Mas NYC aka “The Mas” recently gave their website a facelift, and added a bunch of new products to their store, including some great new Ali vs. Foreman “Rumble in the Jungle” inspired paintings by David Rathman (example below). They also have a new blog on the Sporting News website dedicated strictly to boxing called The Rumble. Check the links. Shout out to my cousin CI (pictured above in The Fader Magazine 2002)….
I need that painting for my new crib…
*UPDATE*
No Mas just released their latest video, which is an animated tale of when Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis threw a no hitter on June 12th, 1970 while he was on LSD. The video is narrated by Ellis himself (the audio was taken from an interview with NPR), who passed away last year. Awesome story, great visuals. Classic Mas…
Talkin’ Hoops
Interviews, My Dudes, Sports
The Yankees are in the World Series, but the NBA season starts this week, and as much as we love baseball, it’s hoops that we’re most passionate about here at Westcheddar. I rounded up my top basketball analysts to give us a breakdown of what’s going on in the NBA, NCAA, and even with the local High Schools too. Tommy Dee writes and does commentary for The Knicks Blog, has appeared all over the TV dial from SNY to CNN, and coaches with Stepinac High School in White Plains. Johnny Halas writes for The Jockosphere, and this season is transitioning from playing pro ball with the Rochester Razorsharks to coaching at Amherst College. And Brian Duignan co-hosts The Yellow Brick Road, a New York Knicks online radio talk show, and also coaches the modified boys team in Mamaroneck.
These are local guys who live and breathe basketball. I roomed with Tommy and Brian down at University of Maryland, where Brian managed the Terps for four years, and it was like living with Digger Phelps and Al Trautwig. And Johnny, well I remember when I used to rock his world in One on One back in the day living next door to him on Ogden Avenue, and now I probably wouldn’t be able to get a shot off. He’s gearing up to be the next Bill Walton. Let’s hear what these guys have to say…
IP: Ok boys, let’s start with The Knicks. Will they make the playoffs this year? Who’s our “go to” guy?
TD: I think, based on what I’ve seen in the pre-season from a defensive standpoint, that the team is going to be improved. They won 32 games last year and with a little better effort defensively, I can see them getting a few more W’s against the average NBA teams. That should translate to 36-40 wins and a year-long battle for a playoff spot. I think they sneak in.
JH: The Knicks may sneak in at 8, but I don’t see it happening. I’m hoping that Wilson Chandler steps up as the “go to”, but I think they’re still gonna defer to Al Harrington, who’s an amazing talent, but can’t seem to put it all together.
BD: No. “Go to” is tough, the Knicks don’t really have one. I plan to enjoy Nate Robinson for one last season & wait for LeBron.
IP: How about the rest of league? Is it the Cavs? Can the Lakers win it again? Celtics?
TD: I’m not sold at all with what some of the teams at the top of the Eastern Conference did. Shaquille O’Neal will not mesh well in Cleveland, but Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon will. I’m not sold on Vince Carter in Orlando either. I think Rasheed Wallace helps the Celtics as much as any addition and with a healthy KG the Celtics will represent the East. And yes, Ron Artest makes the Lakers better, which is hard to imagine, if he keeps taking his meds.
BD: Have to root for Shaq. I used to like Garnett until he went to Boston and started losing his mind. How annoying was he when the Celts won the championship a year ago? The worst was when MJ made the Hall Of Fame, and the NBA interviewed some prominent NBA players to hear their thoughts. A’mare Stoudamire said “he’s the best player I’ve ever seen”, which I agree with. Then Garnett inhales through his nose, takes a dramatic pause, and says “he’s the gatekeeper”. What is this, Dungeons & Dragons?
JH: Adding Shaq is an interesting move, I didn’t agree with it. I think getting a guy who can really coach would’ve been a better decision for the Cavs, but it’s tough to fire the reigning coach of the year. The Lakers can definitely win it again, if Andrew Bynum stays healthy. They also need Jordan Farmar to elevate his game and give them better minutes. I don’t see the Celtics doing much this year. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are all a year older, that doesn’t help them. Rondo is too much of a wildcard at the point to be taken seriously in a 7 game series.
IP: What’s your sleeper team for us to watch out for this year?
BD: Oklahoma City. There’s a 2nd year player from UCLA Russell Westbrook (pic below) that I was hoping the Knicks would get. He can jump out of the gym. Reminds me of Rashaad James.
JH: They probably can’t be called a sleeper, but I think the Spurs are a tougher team this year than last. I think they can handle the Lake Show. I think Toronto may surprise some people. Adding Turkoglu to Bosh and Bargnani gives them 7′ front court who can all hit from deep and handle the ball. Their PG is money from the FT line (98.1%). If Demar DeRozan pans out, they’ll turn some heads.
TD: Besides the Knicks? Watch out for the Grizzlies. Everything about them makes no sense, and by reverse logic that means they will play well.
IP: How about rookies? Any young boys ready to make a real impact in the NBA?
JH: I have yet to hear a bad thing about Blake Griffin. Roy Hibbert will be a solid big man. I’m nervous about Steph Curry, the guys he’s been playing against the last few years aren’t nearly as good as NBA players. DeRozan, James Harden, Jonny Flynn. I’d loved to have seen Ricky Rubio this year. I learned about him when I was vacationing in Barcelona, his game was on TV and I loved the guy right away, then found out he was 16 and lost it. Huge man crush.
TD: Actually, Blake Griffin is hurt, but he’s a freight train going to the basket on pick and rolls. Keep an eye on Ty Lawson of Denver, Austin Daye of Detroit, Terence Williams of the Nets, but I’d be shocked if Tyreke Evans didn’t win the Rookie of the Year.
BD: Tyler Hansborough. Knicks should have taken him. He’ll work hard and rebound. He’ll be a double double guy by his 2nd season.
IP: What are the odds of Lebron coming to the Knicks next year?
BD: 100%.
JH: 0%.
TD: I love the Knicks chances here because of the fact that the free agency signing comes right after the playoffs. It’s a few weeks later. Last year when Lebron lost to Orlando he was fuming. If the Cavs fail to win a ring I can see him definitely leaving, especially if there is a chance that he can be teamed with another star. The Knicks have some work to do to ensure they have the money to make that happen, but as of now they have $26 million dollars to go shopping. If he does win a ring, it will be hard for me to believe that he’d leave Cleveland just a few days after a parade.
IP: I need help with my fantasy team. Give me your starting five so I can copy it.
JH: LeBron fills up every category. Carmelo Anthony has great numbers. Dwight Howard will lead the league in blocks and rebounds until he turns 30. Kevin Durant is on the verge of being an All NBA guy. And Chris Paul just to throw a little guy in the mix.
BD: Run, Run, Run…
1 Tony Parker
2 Ben Gordon
3 Kevin Durant
4 LBJ
5 Dwight Howard
TD: We start 3 guards, 3 forwards, 1 center and 3 utility players…
Steve Nash
Caron Butler
Aaron Brooks
Lebron
Shawn Marion
Marcus Camby
Andris Biedrins
Thaddeus Young
Rudy Fernandez
Danilo Gallinari
IP: Who’s the wildest coach in the NBA right now? I’m talking about the guy who’s racking up a bunch of T’s or maybe even the guy trying to bang some cheerleaders after the game.
TD: Don Nelson is still stuck in the 70s (pic below).
JH: I love Stan Van Gundy. He’ll say whatever is on his mind. I’m excited to see how Kurt Rambis does. But if there’s a guy I wanted to hang out with after a game to wingman for it’d probably be Paul Westphal.
BD: I’ve been around some crazy coaches, and I admire them. Crazy NBA coach doesn’t work. Season’s too long. Think about it, the most successful coach is a “Zen Master” who just lays back while his stars win it. I do have to give Jacks credit though, he drew up that sweet play for Tony Kukoc back in ’94. Maybe Jacks has drawn up a few plays with the Laker Girls as well. Ohhhh! Bingo Bango.
IP: What’s happening in the NCAA? Got an early favorite for the big dance?
TD: The Big East will be down a bit, as will the Tar Heels, but Ed Davis is the truth. John Wall is a lightning quick guard who may have eligibility issues at Kentucky, but if he’s right he’s the best NBA guard prospect since Derrick Rose. Watch out for Villanova.
BD: Mighty Maryland. The old swash buckling street fighter Coach Williams will have the boys back in the dance again.
JH: Haven’t been paying too much attention to the D1 guys yet this year. But I’d say the Amherst College Lord Jeffs could be in the mix this year and next year. Got a couple players who are pretty good.
IP: What about high school hoops? Anyone we should be watching for locally in Westchester?
JH: I’m most interested in seeing how WP’s Sean Kilpatrick does this year in college. He used to kill it at Ferris when he was like 14, see if that transfers to the college game. I don’t know too much about the local guys, but there was a kid from Stepinac who lives on Ogden Avenue that was at an Academic All America camp that I was working and he was ok. I didn’t know Ogden produced that kind of talent! Not close to a scholarship, but may end up being a walk on somewhere.
TD: Stepinac has the hardest schedule in the area. Get ready for the Crusaders against White Plains High School in the Slam Dunk tourney come holiday time. First round’s on me.
BD: Mamaroneck Boys. I gave you fair warning. Beware.
IP: For this last question I’m going to get extremely local. Now, we all have been a part of the Roundball Classic for many years. We just celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the fundraising tournament last year, which started when we were all in our early college years (Johnny was still in high school playing Varsity ball at Hackley and then at Trinity and then playing pro ball in Rochester and was better than all of us which is why he refs), and now are looking ahead to the 11th Annual RBC. Most of us are married in our 30’s, some of us even have seeds. My question is, should we bow out gracefully and let some younger teams step in, or should we just keep playing until we’re all old and gray?
TD: I think sustainability is the most important thing for any good business or good cause, so if there is the chance to ensure that plenty of dollars continue to go where they should for years to come, then expansion should be considered. I can still play, sort of.
JH: Very tough question, seeing as though I can now legally play in the RBC now. Maybe getting an early read on new guys that want to play, there should be some type of combination to evaluate the younger talent and draft them onto teams. Fat chance of happening, but it would be hysterical. It’d be great if 20 years from now there were guys playing for Pu Click who had no idea what the name means. Matter of fact, this year should have name changes to the teams. Either more to do with sponsors, or some type of major event from WP. Maybe a St. Paddy’s Day team sponsored by Dunne’s and they wear green. Something to change it up a little bit. But don’t let any young guys step in just because all you guys are married and have kids. I need to play at least one time with the original crew (pic below of Pu Click @ 2nd Annual RBC).
BD: I’m in for the 11th Annual. Death before dishonor.
Thanks fellas for taking the time out to do this interview. And to the rest of you reading this, hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave comments below with your feelings about the upcoming hoops season. NBA, NCAA, High School, RBC, or anything else….
A Milli
Events, My Dudes
Damn, my boy Matisyahu has over one million followers on Twitter! That’s crazy. Check out this article Pollstar published online about his use of the ever so popular social networking site…
Also, if you’re in the New York City area for the holidays, def try to make it out to this year’s Festival of Light (see poster above)….
Run This Town
My Dudes, Youth
My young dude Malley from White Plains just came out with a new mixtape, Call Of Duty. I want to give him some shine on here, because he’s been getting a lot of respect around the way, and been putting in work with the recordings. Plus, he threw me on his last mixtape (he used my appearance on Hot 97’s morning show as an interlude) and love is love. I’ve always liked Malley’s rhyme style. It’s laidback and lyrical. And I can tell from the video below that Malley and his Goonies crew are following in the great WP tradition of heavy Dutches and Hennessy. I’m not mad at them. Check the clip of his “Run This Town” remix (peep the White Plains scenery), and then download/stream the whole mixtape at Datpiff.com by clicking the link under it…
DOWNLOAD/STREAM MALLEY CALL OF DUTY MIXTAPE
*Bonus*
I’ve posted a couple of these guys videos in the past. Matty B put me on to these dudes (they’re his students down in the BX), and they’ve got a new video for their song “Thru My Eyes”. Rell and Flip…
Shout out to all my young dudes in the 914 and all over NYC doing their thing with the mic, the beats, the dancing, and anything else artistic. I support you 100%. Holler at your boy.
*Super Bonus*
P.S. 22’s chorus performs “Run This Town”. The kids look like they’re having a great time!
Man’s Best Friend
My Dudes
Are you a dog person? Or do you like cats better? Well my dude Nick Kroll prefers dogs, so much so that he wants to create a machine that will turn cats into dogs. Here’s more from GOOD Magazine…
For our Inventions series, Nick Kroll wants to create the KtD 3000, a modified Toyota Tercel that can turn cats into dogs. Why? Put it this way: When was the last time you saw a cat help a blind person? He’d even do it for free.
Cats for Clunkers
If you missed it, read the Westcheddar interview with Nick Kroll HERE. And check his Tumblr website out HERE. Keep it up Nick!!!!
*Update*
Master of the Field
My Dudes
It’s hard to keep up with my boy Matisyahu. One day he’s in California, the next he’s in Israel. The guy travels constantly. It’s good to see that people are enjoying his new album Light, and that he’s doing his thing out on the road. Here’s his latest behind the scenes tour videos, courtesy of MatisyahuTV…
Happy New Year Matis! See you soon brother…oh yeah, download the Matisyahu and DJ Roz No Sleep Till Brooklyn mixtape exclusively at Westcheddar HERE.
*Bonus*
Matisyahu vs. Matisyahu Interview on Spinner (AWESOME)
Matisyahu in Jerusalem ^
Knock Out
My Dudes, Sports
My cuz just added a new shirt to his No Mas “The Greatest” Collection (the officially licensed Muhammad Ali line). Here’s the description from the No Mas NYC online store, where it is now available for purchase…
Ali Track Meet
One thing that never has been disputed about Muhammad Ali – the man was a seriously soft touch. In 1976, the sports promoter Harold Smith was sponsoring a young sprinter, Houston McTear, who could count world-class speed amongst his possessions, but very little else. McTear’s family lived in abject poverty in the Florida panhandle. When Smith managed to get an audience with Ali and showed him a picture of the McTear house, Ali wrote him a $30,000 check on the spot. “Go buy that family a house,” the Champ said.
That gesture of magnanimous philanthropy, one of many such moments in Ali’s life, lead to the organization of the Muhammad Ali Invitational Track Meet. Smith arranged for McTear to meet Ali, and after the two talked for a while Ali wanted to know if it was true, as he’d heard, that McTear was the fastest man in the world. McTear said that there were other sprinters nearly as fast, and that every time they raced a different one of them won. Well, Ali reasoned, why not get all of these guys together and find out who’s the best once and for all?
Smith said he would, and probably to Ali’s considerable surprise, he actually did it! The event he organized in Ali’s name became a staple of the indoor track circuit in the late 70’s and early 80’s and featured many world class athletes and record-breaking performances during its run. At the 1979 Ali (as it was called amongst track-heads back then) in Long Beach, CA, there was even a celebrity 800-meter race that featured high-jumper Dwight Stones, former WBA heavyweight champ (and former Ali sparring partner) Jimmy Ellis, jockey Angel Cordero, and U.S. Senator Alan Cranston. Ali was present in the arena that day, but for some reason elected not to run the celeb race himself. Maybe he just didn’t want to embarrass the field. After all, The Greatest™ liked to say about his speed – “I’m so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and I was in bed before the room was dark.”
If you missed the story in the NY Times Magazine about the No Mas and Muhammad Ali partnership, check it out HERE. And for all things No Mas related, including the online store (where they have other Muhammad Ali shirts for sale and of course lots of other dope threads), click the link below. Their site is mad thorough.
Ghost Gab
Interviews, My Dudes
My homegirl Leah Rose sent me over these pics from Monday night’s Shade 45 Lip Service radio show (that she co-hosts) with special guest Ghostface Killah. Other guests included the hip hop vixen of the moment Rosa Acosta (below in the yellow), best known for her appearance in Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” video. Here’s the audio from the show. I’m about to download this myself right now…
Lip Service with Ghostface Killah Part One and Part Two
Yeah I know, lots of Wu Tang on Westcheddar lately right? Sorry, but that’s what’s popping. If it’s not Jay-Z, it’s Ghost and Rae. They’re doing it right now!!!!!! Thanks Leah for the pics, and shout out to DJ Wonder!!!!
Westcheddar 