Steph Curry Says He Could Beat Michael Jordan If The Game Was On The Line Yes, the Golden State Warriors are the reigning NBA champs and 22-0 this season, but there will be many people who look at Steph Curry ‘s recent comments to ESPN’s Sam Alipour and scream “PUMP YOUR BRAKES, YOUNG MAN!” Via HuffingtonPost In terms of who would come out on top, Chicago or Golden State, Curry was quick to hedge — “It’s hard to compare the teams,” “it’s an impossible debate,” “we want to keep getting better” — but in terms of who would best the other, him or Jordan, in the contest’s final moments, Curry was just as quick to provide the play-by-play of how exactly he would beat No. 23. “Right to left, step back. I knock it down,” Curry said, referencing a move he executes and a jumper he hits virtually every night these days. That’s a striking prediction when you remember that Jordan has been considered untouchable for about two decades now. But Curry went even further, questioning even Jordan’s seemingly innate ownership of the title of Greatest Of All Time. “It’s a high mountain to climb, but I’m pretty motivated to take on the challenge,” he told Alipour. “Whatever that means, however you got on that mountain, why not try to climb it? … Why else would I be playing [if not to try to top Jordan]?” “You want to be the best you can be. And if the best you can be is better than him, then why not?” he added. What do you think? Is Steph feelin’ himself a lil’ too much, or does he have the goods to pay it off? Image via AP
Steph Curry Says He Could Beat Michael Jordan If The Game Was On The Line Yes, the Golden State Warriors are the reigning NBA champs and 22-0 this season, but there will be many people who look at Steph Curry ‘s recent comments to ESPN’s Sam Alipour and scream “PUMP YOUR BRAKES, YOUNG MAN!” Via HuffingtonPost In terms of who would come out on top, Chicago or Golden State, Curry was quick to hedge — “It’s hard to compare the teams,” “it’s an impossible debate,” “we want to keep getting better” — but in terms of who would best the other, him or Jordan, in the contest’s final moments, Curry was just as quick to provide the play-by-play of how exactly he would beat No. 23. “Right to left, step back. I knock it down,” Curry said, referencing a move he executes and a jumper he hits virtually every night these days. That’s a striking prediction when you remember that Jordan has been considered untouchable for about two decades now. But Curry went even further, questioning even Jordan’s seemingly innate ownership of the title of Greatest Of All Time. “It’s a high mountain to climb, but I’m pretty motivated to take on the challenge,” he told Alipour. “Whatever that means, however you got on that mountain, why not try to climb it? … Why else would I be playing [if not to try to top Jordan]?” “You want to be the best you can be. And if the best you can be is better than him, then why not?” he added. What do you think? Is Steph feelin’ himself a lil’ too much, or does he have the goods to pay it off? Image via AP
As strong winds and heavy rain tore through northwest England, a major incident was declared in Cumbria – the worst-affected county. In Kendal, police divers were searching the river Kent following reports of an elderly man falling in at about 10am on Sunday. In London, a 90-year-old man died after he was believed to have been blown into the side of a moving bus by a gust of wind, near Finchley Central tube station, north London, a Scotland Yard spokesman said. No trains were running between P
Spike Lee’s bizarro soul-burner Chi-Raq is the best film of 2015 that elevates Black cinema to bold new heights. OK, I’m lying. But it’s definitely not as unwatchable, exploitative and culturally aloof as the trollish trailer suggests. Splashed with stunning visuals, infectious energy and powerful performances, Chi-Raq actually works (sometimes) as one big shake of the post-racial table that punches viewers in the face with ugly inner-city realities. Based on the ancient Greek play Lysistrata (where a brave revolutionary convinces the women of Greece to withhold sex to end a war), the never boring Chi-Raq delves into Chicago’s bullet-torn streets with a fearless gusto rarely seen in widely released films. Held together by an incredible cast, the film centers around impossibly gorgeous stunner “Lysistrata” (Teyonah Parris) who looks like a million IG likes and reluctantly leads the “No Peace, No P*ssy” revolution after an innocent girl is shot dead in the streets. Jennifer Hudson plays the slain girl’s grieving mother (“Irene”) beautifully in a courageous role that gives the film depth and purpose. There’s also a lean-sippy, trap-rappy gang leader “Chi-Raq” (Nick Cannon), white megachurch pastor “Father Corridan” (John Cusack), one-eyed weirdo gang leader named “Cyclops” (Wesley Snipes), steely neighborhood matriarch “Miss Helen” (Angela Bassett) and a hilarious cameo by Dave Chappelle. A giddy Samuel L. Jackson (“Dolmedes”) narrates the film with strangely profound prose in a colorful array of stolen Steve Harvey suits. He’s hilarious. His suits deserve an Oscar nomination. None of this makes sense in the trailer but somehow comes together in the actual film where Chi-Raq leads the Spartan gang (when he’s not shirtless and rapping terribly) in an ongoing war with the Trojan gang lead by Cyclops (who giggles and wears bedazzled eyepatches). If this sounds corny, it absolutely is, along with everyone speaking in rhyme (which you’ll either hate or…hate). Why Spike chose this “edgy” dialogue style, we may never know, but it’s mostly aggravating and deflates key scenes. I blame Empire . Spike, why mayne? The warring Trojans and Spartans represent the gun violence plaguing the city that Lysistrata hopes to end with her global sex strike. Lysistrata is also Chi-Raq’s boo. Imagine a Trap Dr. Suess. That’s how Chi-Raq speaks to Lysistrata with fire in his eyes. Relationship goals. But, naturally, things get complicated. “Miss Helen” serves as Chi-Raq ’s loudest voice of reason who inspires “Lysistrata” to lead the revolution. White pastor “Father Corridan” adds to Spike’s looming message with a must-see sermon that completely breaks down inner-city gun violence. Both characters, along with “Lily” (Jennifer Hudson), drive Spike’s uncomfortably potent points home. Overall, Chi-Raq is a beautiful trainwreck oozing with Black excellence. Angela Bassett, Teyonah Parris and Jennifer Hudson are excellent. The cinematography and costume design are phenomenal. Nick Cannon is shockingly tolerable as “Chi-Raq” proving that anything is, indeed, possible. Many will HATE Spike’s “mid-life masterpiece” filled with one-dimensional caricatures, sloppy “satire” and throngs of objectified women while others will leave the theatre with a newfound urge to fight gun violence in their community (or at least discuss it). It’s classic Spike—heavy-handed, poignant and completely ridiculous with daring scenes that confront the purple elephants in the room. For the past several weeks, various thought leaders have expressed serious concerns based on a 2-minute trailer and vowed to boycott the movie. A “problematic” movie that no one in Hollywood would touch for obvious reasons. A “problematic” movie that’s also a must-see. At no point is Spike disrespectful to Chicagoans furious with the film’s controversial title that’s addressed in an unforgettable scene where Angela Bassett fiercely dismantles the upsetting nickname to its bitter core. Throughout Chi-Raq , Spike shows the gritty elegance of a city ravaged by violence and connects victims—some confined to wheelchairs and others the parents of slain children—to an audience that, honestly, needs to see this. There are mentions of everything from Black Lives Matter to Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof sprinkled in a film where cops ask why they should care about us if we’re killing each other and shut down in a way that’s worth the price of admission alone. Spike has been dragged to oblivion over his controversial comments about “Black-on-Black crime” and its devastating impact on our community. And yes, “Black-on-Black crime” is a handy-dandy deflection tactic that derails discussions. But Spike, like many before him, has a point (kinda) that boils over in Chi-Raq . When will we, as a people, be open to discussing gun violence in our community? Not mythical “Black-on-Black crime” but actual violence tearing families and communities apart. Every day, hundreds march to protest gun violence in gang-riddled cities but is that enough? Why boycott a film that at least pushes this conversation to the forefront? We can discuss institutional racism, the prison industrial complex and police brutality but never solutions to a growing epidemic? This past May, there were a record-breaking 43 homicides in Baltimore . 43. In one month. And, according to the film, 7,356 in Chicago from 2001 to date. Is it really wrong (and deflective) to question why there’s no outrage over this? The same level of (understandable) outrage that fuels the Black Lives Matter movement when racist cops murder innocent young men and women? Why is even asking these questions (especially on social media) so contentious? Spike may not have the answers (I counted 0) but he sparked an essential debate with an important film (if nothing else) that everyone should see for themselves in a truly incredible year for Black film.
A.M. Click: Republican candidates slam Obama’s prime-time speech calling for gun control, former Pres. Carter says he’s cancer free, Justice Dept. to investigate Chicago Police and U2 honor Paris during show.
A.M. Click: The officer charged in the Laquan McDonald case made bail on Monday, Ithaca College students voted ‘no confidence’ on their school president and a man was arrested in the Univ. of Chicago online threat.
Adele breaks the record for most albums sold in U.S history. The Grammy-winning artist sold over 3 million copies of her new album 25 after just 7 days of its release. This marks as the first album to ever surpass the 3 million mark in one week. [Rolling Stones] Chicago rapper Lil Bibby recruits Jeremih and R. Kelly for his new […]
Chicago Police Release Footage Of Laquan McDonald Shooting Well, the Chicago Police Department said that the video footage would be made public today , and they delivered right on schedule. The officer who shot Laquan McDonald 16 times, resulting in the 17-year-old’s death, is currently facing first degree murder charges . After looking at this heartbreaking video, we can certainly see why. We are honestly exhausted of seeing and sharing footage like this. SMH. Unsurprisingly, the video footage has caused renewed outrage, and protesters are currently taking to the streets of Chicago to protest and voice their outrage over this senseless police killing. Via CNN : Protesters took to the streets of Chicago late Tuesday after police released a graphic dash-cam video showing an officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. McDonald was killed in October 2014. The city’s mayor has called for peace. “I believe this is a moment that can build bridges of understanding rather than become a barrier of misunderstanding. I understand that the people will be upset and will want to protest when they see this video,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “We as a city must rise to this moment.” Chicago has been preparing for protests in advance of the video’s release, which was ordered by a judge to happen no later than Wednesday. Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy acknowledged that residents “have a right to be angry.” Soon after the video’s release, a group of protesters began marching, chanting “16 shots” and “We got to fight back!” McDonald died after being shot 16 times. “People have a right to be angry, people have a right to protest, people have a right to free speech,” McCarthy said. “But they do not have a right to commit criminal acts.” Of course not. Apparently, that’s a right exclusively reserved for officers of the law. SMH! DNAInfo Chicago
