NBA Playoffs, Rally Squirrel returns, and a little bit of music

NBA Playoffs
Now that college basketball is over, it is time to start focusing on the NBA playoffs and the start to the MLB season. Within the next week, the NBA seasson will finish up and the playoffs will be underway. The Grizzlies clinched a spot in the playoffs last night with a win over the Hornets. Now it is just a waiting game over the next week to see who they will play. It is starting to look like they will be playing the Clippers one way or another. Right now the Grizzlies are in the 5th spot. They would be playing the 4th seeded Clippers in the 1st round,  with the Clippers having home court advantage. It would be awesome if the Grizz could find a way to jump the Clips for the 4th seed. Therefore getting home court advantage. Home court advantage would be huge for the Grizzlies. The Grindhouse is a tough place to play and opposing teams want nothing to do with that place. The Grizz have been solid at home all year, and many opposing teams have said that the Forum is one of the loudest venues that have ever been to or played in. Memphis is a great basketball town and it would be fantastic if teams were forced to play an extra game at a tough venue such as ours.

MLB is finally here

Well after a long offseason of celebrating, the St. Louis Cardinals have started off where they finished up last year. Winning games. They no longer have Tony LaRussa (retired) or Albert Pujols (bolted to the Angels). You would think without those two the Cards would be struggling. They are actually doing the total opposite. They are currently sitting atop the National League central division with a 9-3 record. They also received their World Series Championship rings this past weekend in thier opening home series of the year versus the Cubs. The rings look fantastic. There is one small thing about the ring that may go unnoticed by your casual basball fan. The Rally Squirrel makes an appearence on the ring. Rally Squirrel is the name given to the American gray squirrel  which appeared on the field and ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during a 2011 National League Division Series  game between the Phillies and  Cardinals on October 5 of last year. The squirrel captured American media attention,and was adopted as an unofficial mascot by the Cardinals and the populace of St. Louis. The Cardinals would go on to win the 2011 World Series. Hopefully the Cards can keep winning and will be able to bring home another ring this year.

Music Tidbits

I have been pleased with some of the new music and music news that has surfaced here in the past few weeks. First off, I want to reccomend the new Hoddie Allen album, "All American". This is the follow up album to last years "Leap Year". "All American" is available for download on itunes. You can get the whole cd for $4.99.  Hoodie is so orginal. He writes and produces all of his own music. He is very interactive with his fans on twitter and facebook. If you tweet at him (@HoodieAllen), we will tweet back at you. He has also pledged to call everyone who buys his album on itunes. There is a sign up list on his facebook page to put your information. Things like this in addition to his music is what makes Hoodie one of a kind. My favorite track on the new cd is "No Faith in Brooklyn". Give it a listen: 

A Name to Keep an Eye on

Phillip Phillips. Remember this name. He is so talented his parents named him twice. He is currently in the top 7 on season 11 of American Idol. He is taking the country by storm. He is a 21 year old, pawn shop worker from Georgia. He sings with this laid back, lackluster, I dont care what anyone thinks attitude. He is the closest thing to an artist on the show right now. He sounds errily similar to Dave Matthews. He adds such a unique twist to every song he sings. He does so in such a way that you know its him when he sings, and yet every time he is fantastic. He could release a CD tomorrow and I would buy it. His most memorable moment this year was when he put his own swagger to the Usher hit 'You Got it Bad. I am not saying you have to watch American Idol, but at least remember the name Phillip Phillips. I don't see how this guy won't turn out to be a star.

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Why would anyone pull for Kentucky over Kansas in the National Championship?

Why would anyone want Kentucky and Calipari to win the National Championship over Kansas? Much less win the National Championship period. I still can't find a legit reason to root for the Wildcats. Although I do have Kentucky beating Kansas in the title game in one of my brackets, I still can't root for them. The only people that should be rooting for Kentucky are: Kentucky fans/alums, Kansas State fans/alums, or Mizzou fans/alums. The only reason for the ladder two is because of their hatred and dislike for Kansas. Here are a few reasons why you don't need to be rooting for Kentucky.

1. If Kentucky wins, it probably won't count anyway

Cal has already had 2 Final Four banners stripped from him.What makes you think this one wouldn't get stripped away too. While at UMass, Cal coached 1996 National Player of the Year, Marcus Camby. However, a subsequent NCAA investigation found that Camby illegally accepted a total of $28,000 from sports agents that were attempting to lure him into the NBA Draft after his Sophomore season, and the school was forced to vacate its Final Four appearance as well as return their 1996 NCAA Final Four trophy. Camby eventually repaid the school the $151,000 in lost Final Four revenue that came as a result of the NCAA's ruling. Not to mention Cal's only Final Four appearance at Memphis was stripped. Memphis’s trip to the 2008 Final Four was wiped from the record, and the team had  its 38-2 record expunged, after the N.C.A.A. ruled  that Derrick Rose had played the season while academically ineligible because his SAT score was ruled invalid. I am still not convinced that this Kentucky team, that just happens to be full of studs, is clean. They have at least a few true-freshman who will get drafted in the 1st round of the NBA draft. Who is to say these players haven't been paid anything to come to Kentucky for one year.

2. As a Tennessee Fan, I never want our rivals to win

I know conference pride is a big deal now-a-days, but if it is one of your rivals, conference pride goes out the window. As a Tennessee fan, I do not want Kentucky to win a national championship. It would only improve their recruiting. They do not need help in recruiting. They are already a Blue Blood of college basketball. For other teams in the conference to have a chance, we need Kentucky to lose. John Calipari already gets whatever top recruits he wants anyway. Just as I did not want Alabama to win the National Championship in football, I do not want Kentucky to win in basketball. Rivals should always root for their rivals to lose. Do you think Duke fans would be rooting for North Carolina to win tonight if UNC was the team playing Kentucky?

3. Bill Self and this Kansas team is very likable

This Kansas team is a fun team to watch. They have had their backs against the wall all year and continue to fight. Kansas fought back against a very good Ohio State team to win in the National Semi-Finals. Kansas is a team that plays hard and is very resilient. Bill Self is a great X's and O's coach. Self does things the right way and you never hear about his program getting in trouble with the NCAA.

4. Self beating Calipari again in the National Championship Game

For folks here in Memphis, the last time Cal lost in the National Championship Game was devastating. Calipari then went on a few years later to bolt for Kentucky. How ironic would it be for the same coach at the same university to hand Calipari his second loss in only his second National Championship Game appearance. I would love to see Cal squirm on the sidelines again. I don't know what excuse he would have because this Kentucky team is loaded with talent. Here is what happened the last time the two coaches met in the National Championship.

 I have talked to quite a few Memphis fans around the city today. To my surprise there have been quite a few who are pulling for Cal and the Wildcats tonight. They still like Cal and are appreciative for what he did for Memphis basketball. If I remember correctly, Memphis was already a nationally relevant basketball program. They did not need Calipari. There would be nothing more satisfying to see Kansas pull out a win tonight. I am going against my bracket predictions and will yelling at the top of my lungs ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

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New Music of 2012: Spring Break Edition

Well it's getting that time of year again. The weather is starting to warm up, the grass is starting to get a little green, major league baseball spring training is underway, and spring break is almost here. I know this is usually Rez's forte, but I wanted to give some recommendations for new music in this early 2012. Rez is the one responsible for introducing me to most of the new music. There has been a ton of good new music out so far in 2012. We don't discriminate here at ROWYJO, so there will be plenty of different genres that we are fans of. So put your sunscreen on, open your itunes, and start a new playlist because this is the new music of 2012:Spring Break Edition.

Cris Cab - #Echo Boom
Cris Cab (@CrisCab) is a 19 -year-old singer songwriter from Miami. His new EP Echo Boom is blowing up right now. Cris brings a nice mellow, reggae influenced sound mixed with a little dub step. His new album features songs with Pharrell, Shaggy, Daytona, and Marc Roberge of OAR, just to name a few. The full album, #Echo Boom, is free and available for download at http://www.facebook.com/CrisCabMusic. His relaxed tone and approach to music sets this album up to be perfect for spring break. There is no way this dude is no going to be a star. Here is his song "Going Home" featuring Marc Roberge.

Under The Flood - A Different Light

Under The Flood (@UndertheFlood) is a rock band from Virginia. Their new album "A Different Light" has taken rocks fans, like myself, by storm. "A Different Light" was produced by The Cat Room Recording Studio. Cat Room Recording is owned by Brian Craddock, who happens to be a guitarist for Daughtry, so you know it has to be good. The whole CD is filled with a crisp, clean, and powerful rock sound which is very hard to find in today's rock music scene. There is not a bad song on the CD, and each song is unique in its own way. For all of you rock fans out there, this is a must get. Take a listen to their song "When It's Over".

Luke Bryan - Spring Break 4 ...Suntan City

Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) has put out yet another spring break EP. Spring Break 4...Suntan City is the latest installment of his Spring Break EPs. This EP does not disappoint. Well none of Luke's music ever disappoints in my opinion. Suntan City paints a picture of what college kids experience when they hit the beach for Spring Break. The EP is only 4 songs. It is fun, rocking county about beer, sand, girls, and all things Spring Break. This is the absolute perfect time for this EP to come out. Listen to the title track off the EP "Suntan City" .

Other New Music of 2012

Here are some more "Must Listen To" Artist,Albums, and songs so far in this 2012

*Sent by Ravens - Mean What You Say(Album)

*Nine Lashes - World We View (see Rez's review of this album here: http://rockoutwithyourjockout.blogspot.com/2012/02/band-of-day-nine-lashes.html )

* Rebelution - Peace of Mind (Album)

*Elliot Yamin - 3 Words (Song)

*John Mayer - Shadow Days (Song)

We love finding out about new music and sharing it with you guys. If you find something good out there, pass it along to us. We would love to give it a listen. Send us recommendations on twitter: @CRezFTW and @JuniorGriffy3.

PS: Rez thanks for letting me write a music bit.

Are the Knicks in a Lin-Lin Situation?

How could you miss it? Every time you turn on ESPN they are talking about it. Who ever would have thought that a 23 year old undrafted Harvard grad would be causing a city like New York to go Lin-sane. Jeremy Lin has not only taken over New York City, but he has taken over the whole United States and is the most talked about player in the NBA at this very moment. It it very hard to be more popular than the likes of Kobe, LeBron, Kevin Durrant, and even his own teammate Carmello Anthony, but he has found a way to do it.
    Lin got his first start vs the Jazz and had 28 points. This came after scoring 25 off the bench vs the Nets a game before. You may say "Ok 25 points in 1 game, whats the big deal?" Well it didn't stop there. He has gone on to put up 28, 23, 38, and 20 in his first 4 career starts. Lin scored 89 and 109 points in his first 3 and 4 career starts, respectively, the most by any player since the merger between the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the NBA in 1976–77. He is also the first player in the NBA with at least 20 points and 7 assists in his first 4 starts. Not to mention, in the game he scored 38, it was against the Lakers and Kobe only had 34. Then last night for Valentines Day he warmed everyone's hearts by hitting a game winning 3 pointer as time expired to beat the Raptors. The biggest impact he has had is in the win - loss column. Since he has been inserted into the starting line-up, the Knicks haven't lost.
    The Knicks might be in a little conundrum. See Carmello has been out with a groin injury. He has only played 6 minutes total over the span of this most recent winning streak by the Knicks. Carmello is the Knicks best player and leading scorer. It is always great to get your best player back. It is going to be very interesting to see how Carmello and Lin play together when he returns. They both score the ball very well. With that being the case, it should give opposing defenses plenty to worry about. Teams wont be able to focus on just 1 player or the other will hurt them. It is going to be fun to watch the both of them on the court at the same time, now that we know what Lin is capable of doing. The main question I have is, will there be enough shots to go around. We all know that Mello likes to shoot. We have also found out as of late that Lin likes to get his shots too.
    This stretch Lin has been going through, reminds me eerily of what we experienced this past year in the NFL with Tebow-mania. Lin has taken the NBA by storm. He has returned excitement and hope to a Knicks team that has had a down year so far. Not to mention their best player, in Carmello Anthony, had just got hurt. Lin has come on to lead the Knicks out of whatever funk they were in. In my opinion, when Carmello comes back, the Knicks will be in a Lin - Lin situation.

Band of the Day: Nine Lashes

There are few times in my life when I come across an album and am left speechless (trust me). Well...this is absolutely one of those times. Nine Lashes out of Birmingham, AL have produced what in my opinion is a masterful piece of musical art. Every single song on "World We View" took me on a different emotional journey culminating into one seriously pleasing experience. From pure adrenaline, as expressed in the said titled track featuring Thousand Foot Krutch's Trevor McNevan, to the soothing ending track "My Friend", showing a little more sensitive side of the group, this album, in my opinion, was nothing less than fantastic. "World We View" is definitely on my radar for Album of the Year, and should ABSOLUTELY be heard by all. Check them out. Nine Lashes F...T...W!

http://ninelashes.com/

Check out their video for their debut single "Anthem of the Lonely"