Mary, Mary, why you buggin?

Just saw Maria Full Of Grace. Definitely on the recommended list. Gotta love Netflix. The ending is a little ‘deus ex machine,’ but that doesn’t disqualify it.

Dallas with Steve Nash goes to the 2nd round.
Dallas w/o Nash goes to the 2nd round.
The Suns get to the playoffs w/o Nash
The Suns make the Conference Finals w/ Nash, but are down 2-0 and in deep trouble

The Lakers win 3 rings with Shaq and make it to the Finals last year
The Lakers are a lottery team w/o Shaq
The Heat are a surprise playoff team w/o Shaq
The Heat make it to the Conference Finals w/ Shaq and tie it up with the defending champs

Which player is more valuable?

Went to the Common show on Monday. And although I missed the 1st 30 minutes it was a great show. Every time I go to one of these shows I always say I need to be in the front with the real fans. Not in the back with the industry cool guys. It sucks back there.

And with Common being so ‘in’ and ‘hip’ there are more and more people there not for the music but to be seen. He did ‘Thelonius’ and more than half of the people had no clue what it was. Even ‘Used to Love HER’ got a luke response. ‘Corners’ was a big hit. Less people reacted to ‘Go’ than I had thought. Common’s band was a nice look. Streamlined and tight. I think he said Kareem Riggins was on the drums.

Word is the C to the O is gonna do 250k in his 1st week. Nice.

I gotta write an editorial for Elemental that is due in 8 hours, so I must bid you adieu and goodbye.

Sincerely,

The Shadout Mapes