NBA Mid Season Awards and Trade Deadline Subplots

          Welcome back to the blog, I can't tell you how happy I am to be writing again and while it was a busy week of marking exams at school, I'm excited to get another entry published. I really do appreciate the support so far! I should have one about movies coming out real soon. I've been trying to get the Oscar nominees watched, and I'll be weighing in on some of my selections in that regard!

         However, today is going to be back to my first love, the roundball. It's the midway point of the NBA regular season which means, All Star game chatter and a chance to reflect on the season so far. I've actually been asked to join a friend of mine, David Tingley, on his basketball podcast, On Guard For Three next week to discuss our all star selections for this year. (Which I'm greatly looking forward to!) So instead of writing about that, I decided to give out some mid season awards as a way of doing some research on the year so far, as a way of getting my thoughts in order for that upcoming podcast. The All Star game itself has become a bit of no defense snooze fest. So much so that the acclaim and intrigue of being selected or snubbed for the game has become in many ways more of an exciting follow than the game itself!

With over half the games in the books for the 2019-2020 season, here are my mid season awards.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert - Rudy has been the heart and soul of the Jazz for years now, he is among the league leaders in defensive rating, defensive win shares, and defense rebounding percentage. Currently 2nd in the league in rebounds, Gobert anchors one of the leagues best defenses and deserves a ton of credit for the Jazz's ability to keep opponents from scoring in the paint. 

Honourable (I'm Canadian, this we like out U's) Mentions: Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid

NBA Rookie of the Year: Ja Morant - The Memphis guard has been a revelation for the Grizz so far this year. While most of the league penciled in Zion Williamson, the odds on favourite for rookie of the year before the season started. Zion's preseason injury was a loss for the Pelicans, and league as a whole, but it's been Morant's gain. Morant leads all rookies in scoring and assists, as well as efficiency and usage. So the metrics check out, but even more important, Ja has proven himself a winner! The Grizz have been the surprise of the season, sitting a half game out of the playoffs! He doesn't make them all, but he has the athleticism and confidence to try, as Kevin Love found out in the clip below!

Honourable Mentions: No One Else Close

NBA Sixth Man of the Year: Derrick Rose - Derrick Rose has been experiencing a career resurgence in Detroit. He's settled into the role of sixth man perfectly for the Pistons. Accepting that he can no longer log the same volume of minutes at his ultra aggressive pace, Rose has dialed back the minutes but his game hasn't changed. He looks like the Rose of old, blowing past defenders with routine. His pull up is one of the best in the league, where the pull up has become a bit of a lost art. He's also added a nifty push floater that he can unleash without taking the pounding at the rim like he used to. (See clip below!) With a surprisingly low contract given his stature, and a Pistons team that isn't going anywhere, Detroit would be doing themselves, and Rose a favour by moving him to a contender. I hope this happens and we get to see Rose playing some meaningful playoff basketball for the first time in nearly a decade!

Honourable Mentions: Lou Williams, Montrezz Harrell 

Most Improved Player: Bam Adebayo - This award is a bit tricky in my opinion, do you give it to a player who is great but has elevated to superstar status (Luka, Siakam), or do you look for a middling player who has become an essential part of his team's success? I've decided the latter as those superstars will get there recognition regardless. Bam Adebayo's growth in his third season has been nothing short of spectacular. He is a terrific defensive big, who can step out in the pick and roll and stay with smaller guards. He can also protect the rim and clear the glass. In addition, his offensive game has really developed and he's shown a great ability to pass the ball out of the high post as well. Throw in the fact that the Miami Heat are one of the better teams in the East and he along with Jimmy Butler have been their best players and he gets my vote in a very competitive field of candidates.

Honourable Mentions: Pascal Siakam, Luka Doncic, Devonte Graham, Brandon Ingram

NBA Most Valuable Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo - It's been a pretty incredible rise to the top for Giannis Antetokoumpo, despite winning last season's MVP, he still has a perceived hole in his game (lack of shooting) While that may have appeared to be a good thing for rest of the league in the short term, that has to be scary as hell long term. Especially when you consider how hard the guy is willing to work on his craft! Already a monster on both ends of the court, despite a below average ability to do one of the most important things in the game! An while this weakness may still rear it's ugly head now and again, Giannis has continued to show improvement on this aspect of his game. He's a one man fast break, a match up nightmare, constantly putting pressure on the defense as an evolving play-maker. His ability to get down hill is reminiscent of LeBron's ascension to best player in the game a few years into his career. Not to mention that Giannis currently has the highest rated defensive rating among players who have played at least 20 games and average over 25 minutes.  He's a two way player in ways the other candidates simply are not. He gives the Milwaukee Bucks nearly unlimited versatility with his ability to handle the ball offensively, while simultaneously guarding the oppositions big at times and providing rim protection. Consider that his team is on pace to win 70 games and they likely won't have a second all star?! How can he not be the MVP?!

Honourable Mentions: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, James Harden

NBA First Team All NBA:

G Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks - He wasn't supposed to be this good, this fast, yet here is!

G James Harden - Houston Rockets - Harden is leading the league in scoring by nearly 7 points a game. Walking bucket doesn't even begin to describe his ability to points up in bunches.
F Lebron James - Los Angeles Lakers - The fact he leads the league in assists is just another feather in his cap. He can be the best at pretty much whatever he puts his mind to.

F Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks - Giannis as been superlative all season long, a menace on both ends of the floor and still getting better!

C Nicola Jokic - Denver Nuggets - After a slow start, Jokic has come on of late! He's a triple double threat nightly and is one of the niftiest passers in the game, no "for a center assertion" necessary.

NBA Second Team All NBA

G Damian Lillard - Portland Trailblazers - In a season that's had plenty to go wrong, Dame continues to be as steady as ever, remaining one of the best guards in the league

G Kemba Walker - Boston Celtics - I need a Boston representative! Kemba's play and demeanor has been the breathe of fresh air the Celtics needed after Kyrie failed to 'lead' this young group of talented C's! Kemba has shown up nightly!

F Kawhi Leonard - San Antonio - Kawhi still plays the regular season as if he's in 4th gear. You just know he has that next level talent. His mid range game is still unstoppable.

F Anthony Davis - Los Angeles - Davis has proven to be a perfect complement to LeBron and if he played center, I'd have him first team, but a shot at the title will have to do!

C Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz - Gobert has been a stalwart defensively and is a contributor offensively, I'd expect Embiid to overtake him for this spot. But avail'ability' is an important ability.

NBA Third Team All NBA

G Donovan Mitchell - Utah Jazz - Mitchell took over when Conley Jr. went down and the Jazz haven't looked back. 

G Ben Simmons - Philadelphia Sixers - Simmons is an impact player on the defensive end and makes a lot of plays out of nothing for the Sixers offensively. This last guard spot was the toughest.

F Pascal Siakam -Toronto Raptors - Siakam has propelled himself into conversations that were unheard of this time last year. His improved shooting and willingness to be 'the guy' has impressed!

F Jimmy Butler - Miami Heat - Felt I needed a Heat representative and Jimmy Butler has provided enough play making and set the tone for the Heat's rugged tough play style. He epitomizes the way Miami goes about there business.

C Joel Embiid - Philadelphia Sixers - Embiid is capable of being on the first team, he's a strong defensive player when he's motivated and can be an unstoppable force offensively.

Honourable Mentions: Paul George, Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, Jason Tatum, Brandon Ingram, Trae Young, Bam Adebayo, Karl Anthony Towns

NBA First Team All Defense

G Eric Bledsoe

G Jaylen Brown

F Anthony Davis

F Giannis Antetokounmpo

C Rudy Gobert

NBA Second Team All Defense

G Patrick Beverley

G Ben Simmons/

F Jason Tatum

F Kawhi Leonard

C Joel Embiid

Honourable Mentions:

4 Trade Deadline Subplots/Questions

1. Buyers or Sellers? So many teams (Grizzlies, Raptors, Oklahoma City, Pelicans, Suns, Spurs)  have either out performed their expectations, or are in the thick of a playoff race. Will this change their expectations from being teams that were looking to move aging vets (Lowry, Gasol, Crowder, Paul, Gallinari, Holiday, Favors, DeRozen, Aldridge) to teams that are looking to add an extra piece? Time will tell!

2. Does anyone value the NBA big man anymore? Much has been made about Kevin Love and where he will end up, though no one seems willing to make the Cavs the asset laden offer they're looking for. Tristan Thompson seems like a guy that could be useful to a team like the Clippers at far less a price but what are they willing to give up? A young shooter like Shamet? Hassan Whiteside leads the league blocks )and most likely being out of position while his player and getting a rebound put back)  is likely available but it would seem no one is interested? Is Derrick Favors moveable with Zion back? Andre Drummond seems to have become the basketball equivalent of a high msg Chinese dinner, while it appears tasty on the surface, you'll soon realize it wasn't as substantial as you'd hoped.

3. Where does Andre Igoudala end up? It would seem everyone needs a wing defender who can also hit the open 3, selflessly move the ball and quickly understand team defensive rotations and concepts. Abilities that are not as common as you might think, at least not all in the same player! Igoudala has been sitting out all year, but I think the intention is to come back with less wear on his body and a chance to play meaningful minutes in the playoffs. This could be interesting!

4. Will the Denver Nuggets shed some of their depth? The Nuggets are undeniably a great TEAM. If the NBA title was played in a series of 1 on 1 matchups at 12 different hoops, they may very well win the whole thing. They only recently have been getting Michael Porter Jr. and Jeremi Grant increased minutes, the result of a slew of injuries, and they've been killing it. All of this is to say the Nuggets have a number of assets and while their depth is certainly a strength in the regular season, it would be wise to add another impact player in time for the shorter rotations of May and June. Harris, Beasley, Morris, Plumlee, Barton I'd even be willing to move Millsap with Grant already outplaying him some nights.

Oh, Check out this block! Bye for now!

20/20 Vision: A New Year Resolution For Every NBA Team! Part II: The West!

         I started this blog last week and covered my new year's resolution for the Eastern Conference, I'm going to pick up where I left off and cover the West in this edition. If you enjoyed the last blog, it should be plenty more of the same!

Dallas Mavericks - Dallas has been one of the bigger surprises of the league this season as they sit 6th in the Western conference currently. The rise of Dallas into one of the competitors in the West is no coincidence, it clearly coincides with the rise of Luka Doncic as one of the leagues top handful of players. Luka more than has the stats to back up my claim (29ppg, 9.7rpg, 9.0 apg!). Doncic is on the shortlist for MVP candidates and his chances increase with every move up the Western Conference table the Mavs may take. The Mavericks are one of the top offensive teams in league with a top efficiency rating, much of that is a testament to Doncic's otherworldly play-making skills. Porzingas continues to shake off his two year hiatus,rattling off the rust and learning to trust his body again. That said, the Mavericks are still a player, or two away from becoming a legit title threat. With Dwight Powell starting at center and Dorian Finney Smith logging heavy minutes on the wing, the Mavericks should resolve to upgrade one of those players for something above average, possibly improving their depth at the position at the same time. Unfortunately, the Mavs don't have a lot of assets to make a move of significance. Are Kleber, Brunson or Curry of interest to anyone? I'd consider trading a future first round draft pick as it appears they'll be late in the round picks as long as Luka Doncic is leading the Mavs, they just have to decide, how soon is now?

Denver Nuggets - The Nuggets continue to be one of the more consistent teams in the West over the past few years. Led by the pick and roll action of their star center Nikola Jokic, and the still improving young guard Jamal Murray, the Nuggets have rolled to a 3rd place standing in a very competitive top half of the Western conference. The Nuggets have a deep roster and play their best at home in the mile high altitude of the Pepsi Center. After a slow start to the season it seems Jokic, an MVP candidate last season, has played his way into shape and has Denver looking as formidable as ever. Thankfully, after a bit of a letdown last season, Will Barton has returned to the form he showed in 2018. This allows Barton to take on the scoring load at times when Jokic's team first style of play has him being differential to nearly a fault. With Barton, Murray and Millsap all capable of taking on the scoring load at different times, the Nuggets can be a hard team to game plan for. That said, depth is terrific for the long grind of the regular season, but it's less of an advantage in the shorter rotations of the playoffs. The Nuggets could upgrade at the shooting guard where Gary Harris seems to have plateaued and hasn't shot the ball nearly as well this season. Players like Beasley, Morris, Grant, Plumlee and Michael Porter Jr. would likely all be considered assets the Nuggets could move along with Harris. I would resolve to get a defensive type of wing shooter like Robert Covington if I were the Nuggets brass. Though I have a feeling Michael Porter Jr. might already be emerging as that player from within! Get that guy more minutes!

Golden State Warriors - My how the mighty have fallen, after closing out the previous decade as the most dominant team in professional sports, the Golden State Warriors were expected to face some adversity this season. However, no one could have anticipated this precipitous of a drop off.  That said, it's all easy to rationalize. They lost KD to his restless wandering in free agency, and Klay was always going to be sidelined with his ACL tear. However, it's been a significant injury to heart and soul of the team, Steph Curry that has left the Warriors as a bottom dweller heading into the meaningful months of the season. Key free agent signing D'Angelo Russell and veteran Draymond Green have also missed time with injuries making it a lost season for the once mighty Warriors. Lineups that once looked like an all star team, have looked more like a G-League lineup at times this season. With all this turmoil the Warriors have yet to set what a Curry and Russell backcourt might look like. I would resolve to get Steph back to health to at least get a sense of whether Steph and Russell can work into the coming seasons or if Russell is merely a trade chip when the splash brothers return to form in 2021.

Houston Rockets - Sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Houston Harden's continue to be one of the stronger teams in the West. Of course, James Harden continues to be the number one reason for their success. That said, the off season shake up of sending Chris Paul to Oklahoma City in return for Chris Paul hasn't had the effect the Rockets were likely hoping for. (Unless it's a playoff health thing, in which case it's too early to say.) Sure Westbrook can still put up the occasional jaw dropping stat line, but if you watch the team play, it's noticeable how much teams feel they can leave Westbrook to double Harden. A tactic opponents could never do with Paul on the court. Westbrook is often left with ego challenging space from the perimeter where he can't help but hoist, regardless of how inefficient the analytics suggest he may be. That is one thing about Westbrook I don't fully understand, he has to be hearing about how inefficient he is from there, and yet he launches 5 threes per game (23%). I'd sooner just have him attack the rim in every one of those instances. Surely he would draw a crowd at the rim and if he can't finish, he's an adept enough passer to get a shot for his teammates. Yet, he settles. All of me wants to take the irrational stance that the Rockets should resolve to get Westbrook to stop shooting 3's. Maybe stop altogether is a bridge too far, but certainly they should have a better way (systematically) of using his strengths when his man is sent to double Harden, which is going to undoubtedly happen throughout the playoffs!

Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers continue to round into form following Paul George's late start to the season. With one of the best closing lineups in basketball the Clippers can play a number of different line ups depending on the match-up and situation. With nearly 4 players averaging over 20ppg the Clippers ceiling is definitely among the league's best. Kawhi can still turn it up an extra gear, as we saw during last season's NBA playoffs, and again in the Christmas day marquee game with the cross town rival Lakers. Paul George is the ultimate wing man, an over qualified second banana. Lou Williams is still an x factor, who can prey on 2nd units better than nearly anyone. We can already assume he'll pull a victory from the jaws of defeat in winning time come May and June. Montrezl Harrell continues to develop his offense, proving himself to be more than just a hustle and effort guy. While that's all well an good, the Clippers could still stand to improve their depth and even upgrade at the center position. If I asked which Clipper leads the team in starts this season, you wouldn't likely think of Ivica Zubac first, but that is the case. Only he and and wing Maurice Harkless have appeared in every game this season for the Clips. Both players have been important to the Clippers but they could and should be looking to upgrade those spots in my opinion. Landry Shamet hasn't quite provided the shooting punch they expected heading into the season, but after an injury plagued first half, perhaps he'll find his way in the second half. The Clippers should resolve to add another big wing or center to increase their ability to match up with the Lakers in the playoffs. Can they find someone with the size to make things a little more difficult for Anthony Davis? If they can, they should!

Los Angeles Lakers - In Anthony Davis and Lebron James the Lakers have two of the top handful of players in the league, and the pairing has already looked like one of the most dominant duos in league history. Aside from a brief four game skid in mid December, the Lakers have looked like the class of the league this year, ranking in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency rating. As long as their two studs remain healthy, there is no doubt they will be a problem in the playoffs. That said, there is still questions surrounding the supporting cast for the Lakers. Can players like Javale McGee, Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Avery Bradley be relied upon in game's biggest moments. Center's McGee and Howard have both experienced a career resurgence, flushing lobs on the back end of LeBron James' pick and rolls. Having to do a little less heavy lifting on offense has LeBron exerting himself on defense with more vigor than we've seen in recent years, and he's the front runner for MVP at this point in the season. Kuzma seems to be the expendable piece here, while Rondo is still a passable guard versus back up units. I would resolve to move Kuzma in exchange for a guard who can help the Lakers space the floor and knock down open 3's with consistency in the playoffs. The Kuzma for Sacramento's Bogdanovic seems like a great fit for the Lakers shooter needs, all this talk that the Lakers lose that trade is hogwash and suggests Kuzma is overrated based on his big market profile.

Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzles are going about their rebuilding project the right way. The team is young and exciting but still very much inexperienced. After an improbable six game win streak, coupled with the stumbles of a few perennial playoff contenders, the Grizzlies sit in the 8th seed in the west currently. They still have a losing record, so this is as much an indictment of the West playoff race, as it is a glowing report of the Grizz. That said, Grizz making the playoffs would be one of the biggest surprises in the sport. I still don't know who Taylor Jenkins is, but he's doing a hell of a job!  Ja Morant has looked like the franchise cornerstone they were hoping he'd be when they drafted him 2nd overall. His combination of competitiveness, athleticism and play making is the biggest reason the future looks bright in Memphis. He is the runaway choice for ROY this season, and you can already take that to the bank. Morant plays with an unbridled joy and competitiveness that makes the Grizzlies a compelling watch on a nightly basis (it's true!) Young bigs, Jaron Jackson and Brandon Clarke are still a work in progress but the potential upside has to have Memphis fans trusting the process in 2020 and on! Jonas Valanciunas continues to be a force on the low block, allowing for a great big man rotation and allowing the young bigs to develop at at a steady but, 'no rush' pace. The team must decide if Dillon Brooks is a guy they want to keep around as they continue to build into the contender they hope to become. He has played a ton of minutes for them this year and averaged nearly 15 points a game. But he'll be looking to get paid much more handsomely next time around and I'm not so sure he's the efficient scorer they are looking to pair up with Ja throughout the next decade. He still has one more cheap year left on his deal, but if there is a team looking for wing depth and shooting, the Grizz might be selling high at the right time.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Unlike Memphis, where time is still on their side, the Minnesota Timberwolves have to have begun wondering, "is it ever going to happen?" Both for their team, and for the once first overall pick, Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins continues to be the keystone for the direction of the Timberwolves. Both he and the Wolves started the season strong, it was clear he was avoiding settling for the mid range jumper and sticking to 3's and rim attacks. Wiggins was getting to the line and even creating opportunities for teammates. This led to a move to the bench for Jeff Teague as they tried Wiggins out as the primary play maker. This move proved a failure and Wiggins quickly wore down, and hasn't been the same explosive player he was to start the season. Karl Anthony Towns is still the face of the franchise, but he needs help to support his limitations on the defensive end. Wiggins hasn't developed into the elite defensive wing, his athleticism portended. With Towns out of late, Dieng's defensive ability has really stood out, shining a spotlight on the difference between the Wolves with a defensive big, and an offensive one. The stats have been pretty revealing, Town's defensive limitations have become a narrative and people have questioned his outright superstar status. He's not the only dominant offensive player with defensive deficiencies, just the latest. So with Covington being thrown around as the T'Wolves best trade chip, I'd be looking to hold onto him as he will be essential to building around Towns. I'd resolve to move on from Wiggins, and get whatever I can before his value decreases anymore than it already has.

New Orleans Pelicans - It's been a mixed bag for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, on one hand it was supremely disappointing for the team to have been without number one overall pick, Zion Williamson to this point in the season. That said, the silver lining has to have been the emergence of Brandon Ingram as an elite future talent. With Zion out, Ingram has had the chance to be the number one option on offense, and he's proven himself able to carry that load. That has to encouraging after it seemed that Ingram took a step back playing alongside Lebron in Los Angeles last season. Zion appears ready to return soon, so we'll soon see how that pairing plays out. The Pels still have a talented roster with Holiday, Lonzo and Favors in the mix. Will Favors come off the bench or will he remain a starter when Zion returns. A front line of Ingram, Zion and Favors may appear imposing but it raises questions about the spacing on the offensive end, and about the ability to keep up with small line ups  in transition. I'd resolve to pair Lonzo and Favors off the bench to give the bench a strong pick and roll duo to carry the 2nd and early 4th quarters. Seeing what I have in a Zion, Ingram and Jrue core that can be built around for year's to come!

Oklahoma City Thunder - The Oklahoma City Thunder have managed to pull off one on the more difficult feats in the modern NBA. Set themselves up for a great future with draft picks (Paul George trade) and future based assets (SGA), while at the same time remaining relevant and competitive in the now. Following the departure of Paul George and the franchise's first son, Russell Westbrook, it seemed the Thunder were destined for a rebuild season in 2019-20. Not so fast, Chris Paul has actually been an upgrade over Russell Westbrook, getting more out of his teammates than Russ ever did. With quality pros like Steven Adams, Danilo Gallinari and Shae Gilgeous Alexander alongside point wizard Chris Paul, we probably shouldn't we all that surprised. This has put the Thunder in a bit of dilemma. Do they stay the course and see if they can hold onto a playoff seed in the West, or do they cash in on players like Paul and Gallinari in the trade deadline market.  Under the assumption that SGA and draft picks timeline doesn't match up with the timeline of their aging vets, some would say to make a move. But I think the Thunder should resolve to stay the course, unless something presents itself that is a no-brainer. It was thought they'd be a low leverage seller, but I think this actually strengthens their leverage, as it's not a necessary move given their play and the prospect of adding a few pieces to an already established group of vets and the chance of making a run in the near future.

Phoenix Suns - Welcome to the NBA, Phoenix Suns! The Suns finally look like a team with a semblance of a plan and a roster full of competent professional players! For most teams this wouldn't even be worth noting, but this isn't most teams, it's the Suns. A perennial bottom dweller since the days of Steve Nash's departure back at the end of the previous decade. Ricky Rubio has teamed up with franchise cornerstone Devin Booker to provide the Suns with leadership, organization and direction on the offensive end of the floor. Booker has been an elite finisher, he's high volume but his FG% (nearly 50% on 2's) is worth noting! Kelly Oubre has been an exciting acquisition on the wing, continuing to develop into an above average player. Ayton has been a bit disappointing compared to the studs of his draft class, but he's still got star potential in him. Baynes and Saric have provided meaningful minutes up front throughout the season. The Suns are a competitive team on a nightly basis as a result, that has to be a win when it comes to culture change! The Suns should resolve to get their bench some more minutes down the stretch to see what they've got in players like Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges and Elie Okobo. Baynes is a nice insurance policy for Ayton, but he is a lot older than I would have guessed, 33. He might also be a piece for a contender like the Clippers. Speaking of age, somehow Rubio is still under 30, which I also found shocking!


Portland Trailblazers - The Blazers have been one of the disappointments of the 19-20 season thus far. After a 3rd place finish in the West last season, coupled with a 1st round series win in the playoffs, hopes were high heading into this season. Those hopes were dashed pretty early on as the Blazers got off to a 5-12 start, and haven't really been able to right the ship since. Some is the result of other West teams being on the rise, other factors include injuries to Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins . With the Blazers in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Is it time to think about breaking up the elite guard tandem of Damian Lillard and CJ McCallum? Whiteside has been better than they could have hoped for, especially given setbacks to Nurkic and Zach Collins missing almost the whole season to an early season injury. Whiteside has shouldered a load, but he  is on an expiring contract and is unlikely to be back next season regardless. Has he maybe played his way into mercenary status for a contender? It'll be hard to match his contract in a trade, but maybe there's a market out there for him. I've never liked the two small-ish guard pairing of Dame and CJ as a high ceiling duo, I think their strengths are too redundant. I would resolve to move on from CJ and look to find an elite wing forward in return.

Sacramento Kings - All has returned to normal in the world of the Sacramento Kings in 2019-20. Perhaps the Kings were content and complacent with the best version of themselves from last season. This season has served as a reminder that it is very difficult to be a good team in this league, particularly when other teams are expecting you to be good. While the upstart Kings may have been able to sneak up on some people last season, that hasn't been the case so far in the current season. Injuries have certainly played a significant role, lottery picks De'Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley have both missed significant time. Bagley has only appeared in a dozen or so games for the Kings this year and has never looked like the stud they thought they drafted a year ago. Fox has been a microcosm of the King's themselves, his speed isn't catching anyone off guard in the same way it did last season. There's more tape on him and the league continues to adjust and scout out the edges players previously seemed to thrive on. The Dwayne Dedmon pick up (which I was high on) never seemed to work out. Though I felt they pulled the plug on that a tad early. If I was a contender I might consider a low ball offer to add some front court depth from the once promising San Antonio big. Instead it's been Richaun Holmes up front who has been one of the lone bright spots for a team that looked to be on the upswing heading into the season. With Holmes going down to a shoulder injury earlier this week, the focus for the Kings has to be getting Marvin Bagley all the touches up front that he can handle in the hopes that they can get him back on the star track that he appeared to be destined for at various points last season.

San Antonio Spurs - Is this it for the San Antonio Spurs? It's been another difficult year for the Spurs as the once institutional franchise seems to have lost it's year in year out defensive pedigree of the Popovich team's of yesteryear. The Spurs have been one of the leagues worst defensive teams and have sunk to the bottom third of the league in many defensive statistics. DeRozen and Aldridge are both nice players, but they are certainly more cut out to be a competitive team's second or third best option. Neither is a bonafide walking bucket at this point in their careers. DeRozen can still give you the points but his play making skills seem to have tailed off since his peak years in Toronto. Aldridge appears to be extending his career nicely by adding three point range to his vast array of shot-making skills. The challenge for San Antonio will be to figure out what to do about their guard play. Dejounte Murray looked primed for a breakout year last season and then went down with an early injury.  He still hasn't yet looked like his old athletic self this season unfortunately. Derrick White has also shown flashes of potential, but neither has stepped up and taken the role over. Can the Spurs afford to play both at the same time? It would improve their defense for sure, but neither has shown a consistent ability to make shots from distance and open of the floor for teammates. Potential is a tricky term, at what point should the Spurs look to move one of there athletic guards before their value is gone? (i.e. Dante Exum) That has to be the focus for 2020.

Utah Jazz - After a tough schedule to start the season, the Jazz seem to have found their groove, winning 10 straight before falling to the Pelicans in overtime last night. This hot streak vaulted them into 2nd place in the top heavy Western conference. Interestingly, the Jazz have perhaps been at their best without their big free agent acquisition, veteran guard Mike Conley. How will they do when he returns and needs to be re-acclimated into the offence. Speaking of free agent acquisitions, Bojan Bogdanovic has been stellar this season for the Jazz giving them a true floor stretcher with his ability to knock down the 3. In addition to being an offensive threat from most anywhere on the court, his defense has been better than lot of people may have expected. Bojan's stellar play with the first unit,  has also freed up Joe Ingles to move to the bench mob. Ingles gives their second unit a play maker to to take over pick and roll duties when Mitchell needs a rest. Rudy Gobert continues to be the heart and soul of one of the better defensive units in the league. Gobert anchors the defense and prevents rim looks from even being attempted on many possessions. The Jazz should resolve to figure out the Conley conundrum sooner, rather than later. Conley is a great player and surely they'll be better with him in the mix, but just how that will look is still very much a question that needs to be answered!

20/20 Vision: A New Year Resolution For Every NBA Team!

           It's 2020 and I don't know about you, but I'm more than happy to cast off the previous year (ahem, decade) and like multitudes of others, I've set my sights on becoming the best version of myself in 2020. I more than understand how cliche and redundant it sounds, you don't need a "new year" to make positive change in your life, I get it. To be honest my resolutions actually began at the beginning of December, but I felt I needed that runway to take off into the new year and so far, it's worked! I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far, and have a renewed spirit that I can't wait to share! Sometimes you're just ready, and boy was I ready. I've decided to take this spirit of resolution making and channel it into some analysis of the NBA, and what NBA teams should be challenging to change in 2020. After all, whatever you're not changing, you're choosing, I'm looking at you Cleveland Cavaliers! Without further ado  Here are your team by team resolutions for 2020 in the Association.



I'll give you the Eastern Conference teams in my first installment, and follow up with the Western Conference to close out the week! Enjoy!

Atlanta Hawks - "Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change" - Brene Brown. We've all felt it and man, the Atlanta Hawks must feel that way! It's been a shameful performance thus far! "Where do we even start?", they have to be saying to each other. They are currently last in the league in offensive rating, and 3rd last in defensive rating. Last place in the East by record, and have a points margin of roughly -10 points per game! Their 3 highest paid players, (Parsons, Turner and Crabbe, owed 50+ million this season combined!) are averaging less than 12 combined points per game! Vince Carter is the perhaps the biggest reason to tune into this team, in 2000 that was fine, but it's 2020. (Shout out to old man VC!) The good news is those salaries come off the books, the bad news is, who's going to want to play here? The Atlanta Hawks need to resolve to play their young core of Trae Young, John Collins, and De'Andre Hunter as many minutes as possible in the hopes that they can create some kind of asset energy (perhaps the 1st overall pick) to lure a free agent to Atlanta in the off season. They should have financial freedom this off season, but they'll need to exercise discipline in a market that seems a little down this summer. Would a guy like Andre Drummond be the answer? I think they'd be wise to shore up their depth instead, avoid over spending this summer, and hit the 2021 market with a stronger case to land a big fish!

Boston Celtics - The Celtics have been one of the most overlooked and underrated teams thus far into the 19-20 campaign. Despite being 25-9 and 2nd in the East, it seems they are often mentioned as "the other team", outside of the Bucks and the Sixers in the East. With the hype that surrounded the team in 2018-19, and the high profile disappointment that led to the farewell of Kyrie Irving, I think the under the radar status is just what this team of youngsters (Kemba aside) and Brad Stevens would like. Theis and Kanter haven't been bad up front, and I think the Celts can compete for the title as is, but they'd be wise to resolve to shore up the center position if they'd like to vault themselves into the conversation with the best the league has to offer. Is that Tristan Thompson? It's not Kevin Love (contract reasons). What about Derrick Favors? The Cavs and Pelicans have to be sellers! Is Wanamaker enough depth at the guard position? Would Igoudala make sense in Boston? These are just a few questions Boston might look to answer in the new year!

Brooklyn Nets - Speaking about how much a year can change things, the Brooklyn Nets quickly went from the feel good story of last season, into one of the more confusing teams of this season. While their peak always seemed a year off .(KD's return) There has to be some reservations about going 'all in' on the KD and Kyrie twosome. Not because of KD, but because of the enigma that is Kyrie Irving. Kyrie started off strong, but hasn't played in two months. Interestingly, Spencer Dinwiddie, one of the heroes of last season, has played amazing in Kyrie's absence. Dinwiddie looked totally lost to start the season, struggling mightily while playing off the ball with Kyrie's heavy isolation style of basketball. While Kyrie thrived early on, the tables have since turned. Now Kyrie is suggesting he will put off surgery in an attempt to return before the end of the season. My guess is that doesn't happen, and if it does, it will only be briefly. This season is a sunk cost for the Nets, they can't complete with the juggernauts of the East or West. With that in mind, the Nets should resolve to let Dinwiddie continue to assert himself, with the motive to trade him at his peak in the summer. That way they can add a more appropriate 3rd/4th option to play with Kyrie, KD and Levert in 2020-21. I just don't see how Irving and Dinwiddie can play together and maximize the talents of both. Neither is a particularly good defender, and both need the ball to be effective offensively. Dinwiddie has a good contract, and would be easy to move for a solid big wing option that will be needed if they hope to build a title contender heading into next season.

Charlotte Hornets - The Hornets have had a predictably bad season, but that's where the predictability ends in my opinion. Devonte Graham has exploded into a viable future cornerstone for this team. Team mainstays like Marvin Williams and Nicholas Batum have been rendered expendable and are perpetually fading into obscurity. Unfortunately, Batum's 25M/season contract isn't going anywhere just yet. Williams 15M comes off the books this summer. Rozier has been passable at the point, and the youth movement of PJ Williams and Miles Bridges should be the focus for the remainder of the season. I'd resolve to figure out what I have in Malik Monk before the end of this year. If he's not worth keeping around, then that's another wasted lottery pick on a team that has more than it's fair share. I'd encourage them to to try and sell some of their pieces (Zeller, Biyombo,etc) but I'm pretty sure no one is buying. Check out Devonte Graham if he's still an unknown to you!

Chicago Bulls - "Be aware of your weaknesses, but play to your strengths", should be the mantra of the Chicago Bulls in 2020. Unlike the Hornets, the Bulls have been wholly unpredictable in 2019-20, I mean I didn't expect them to be good, and they're not - but it's the 'why' that I find so surprising. Currently 7th in defensive rating in the league, something I never thought possible with players like Zach Lavine and Laurie Markannen leading the way. After an acrimonious start, the Bulls seem to have bought into Coach Jim Boylen's hard-nosed defensive focused system and there appears to be real growth on that end of the court. The Bulls should resolve to double down on this positive development in 2020, knowing that they're likely still an impact player or two away from being truly competitive. The fact that Bulls have begun to establish an identity, however unlikely, has to be cause for excitement in the windy city. Wendell Carter Jr. continues to prove he's the real deal and Kris Dunn may not have been a bust after all.

Cleveland Cavs - The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the most confounding teams in recent seasons. When Lebron and Kyrie left it seemed the Cavs were destined to burn it to the ground and start over (they should have!). Vowing to make a quick rebuild, the Cavs quickly inked aging 'star' Kevin Love to a long term deal, citing they'd be adding to Love in subsequent seasons. Except that hasn't happened, instead they've tortured him with point guards who loathe to pass, and a team that flat out refuses to defend. Now, we all (Cavs included) want to see Love move on to a contender and the Cavs finally accept their fate, and start over! The Cavs should resolve to move Kevin Love to the highest bidder for far into the future assets. In addition, they should attempt to impose a more ball movement friendly style upon guards Colin Sexton, and Darius Garland. Otherwise they're building castles in the sand in my opinion.

Detroit Pistons - "If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading", the wise and perhaps obvious words of Lao Tzu can provide a vision statement for the Detroit Pistons in 2020. The Piston's decided to roll the dice and partner up an unlikely tandem of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. In a league that seemingly only gets smaller and faster year to year, the Pistons chose to zig while others zagged. I  don't fault the philosophy so much, but it's time to pull the plug. Blake has had another lost season, injuries continue to be one of his biggest issues and are one of the reasons people were critical of the trade to acquire Griffin (and his whopping contract) in the first place. A classically mediocre team, the Pistons have limited options for development; an aging roster, immovable contracts, slightly too much talent to tank. It might be time to see what future assets they could acquire for Andre Drummond. The Pistons should resolve to move on from 2 of the following 3 players, Drummond, Jackson, and Griffin. I'd say all 3, but I'm not sure how you can move either Jackson or Griffin without giving up another asset in the process. 

Indiana Pacers - The Pacers and coach Nate McMillan continue to be one of the more underrated stories of the NBA, seemingly year in, year out. When you consider that they've played most of the season without their best player, their 6th place standing in the East is all the more laudable. With the continued ascension of Domontas Sabonis into a force inside the Pacers appear primed to make a run in the playoffs. Oladipo has begun a G league rehabilitation process which seems promising in getting him back on the court by the time the all star break comes around. If Oladipo can even get close to the player he was before his knee injury, the Pacers now have a much stronger roster to support their star of seasons passed. Malcolm Brogdon has proven himself to be more than worth the money the Pacers spent on him in the off season and I've already mentioned Sabonis. (one of the best contracts in basketball) Throw in quality depth in players like Turner, Lamb and Warren, and this Pacers team is going to make for a very difficult out for one of the favourites in the  playoffs. The Pacers should resolve to ease Oladipo back into action and take the load off of the Hoosier until winning time in April and May.

Miami Heat - How great is Erik Spoelstra? Once a young coach that seemed destined to be pushed out of Miami because he tried to coach LeBron James, Spoelstra has become one of the absolute best coaches in the NBA! Second to only Poppovich for the longest tenured coach with the same team, Spoelstra has turned this Miami Heat team into unlikely contender with his team's relentlessly aggressive pace attacking on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Free agent signing Jimmy Butler seems to have finally found a culture that matches his work ethic and abrasively challenging mentality. What's more is 3rd year center Bam Adebayo has emerged as the Heat's most valuable player this season and is making a case for an all star game invite. In a league that seems preoccupied with super teams and building around 'studs', the Heat represent an alternative approach. A team, that appears to be greater than the sum of their parts. The Heat should resolve to acquire one more big wing to play alongside Bam, allowing him to log more minutes at the 5. Currently Duncan Robinson and Meyers Leonard are playing nearly 48 minutes per game between them, some of those minutes could go to Winslow when he returns, but would this be a good landing spot for Tristan Thompson or Derrick Favors? I think a Chris Paul acquisition is possible, but represents an unnecessary shake up at too great an expense.

Milwaukee Bucks - There isn't much I can say to improve the Bucks, at 32-6 they sit atop the entire league in win percentage. They are first in defensive rating and 3rd in offensive rating. Winning by an average margin of nearly 12 points! Perhaps they already are the best version of themselves? They've got the reigning MVP leading the way and he seems to be continually improving. That said, the loss to the Sixers on Christmas Day highlighted what seems to be a lack of 3 point shooting around Giannis at times. Middleton has been much maligned for his underwhelming status as the second option on an obvious title contender, but he isn't the problem. It will depend on Bledsoe, Divencenzo, and Connaughton to knock down open 3's when teams load up to take away the drive in hopes of containing Giannis. The Bucks should resolve to add another knock down shooter or two in the hopes that they make an important shot or two when it matters most in the playoffs. In addition, I'd be considering the next move at center as Brook Lopez seems to be nearing the end of his productivity. (3pt% hovering around 30% this season) Nitpicking sure, but it could be the difference between a trip to the finals or another tough out when the pace slows down and the half court execution amps up in the playoffs.

New York Knicks - "Proper prior planning prevents pitiful poor performance." Don Meyer. Tthe Knicks must not have considered this last off season. As such, I'm sick of my squad. When I set about cutting all of the negative places that I expend my energy back in December, I somehow overlooked the black hole that is the NewYork Knickerbockers. The Knicks poor planning has led to an entirely predictable pitifully poor performance. The free agent signings (Randle, Portis, Morris, Gibson) pretty much all play the same position and rarely defend. Morris has been acceptable at the 3, but is better served as a small ball 4. The Porzingas trade continues to look worse every time Dennis Smith Jr. takes the court. The team management doesn't appear to be buying into a youth movement as everyone can agree that guys like Elf Payton, Morris and Randle give them the best chance to win, but the ceiling is still 25 wins, so who cares! This team should resolve to come to grips with how poor of a drafting team they've been of late, let's truly find out if Frank Ntilikina, Ignas Brazdeikiz, and Kevin Knox are players, busts or bench players. Let's get players like RJ Barret and Mitchell Robinson as many competitive minutes as possible. I understand that the results may be ugly, but what's the alternative?

Orlando Magic - Similar to what I've said above about Chicago, certainly applies to Orlando, perhaps more so. The Magic have established themselves for some time now as one of the leagues best defensive units. 2nd in the league in points allowed per game and 6th in defensive efficiency. Players like Johnathan Issac, Markelle Fultz! and Aaron Gordon highlight their individual match ups and the scheme seems to have elevated the defense of average defenders like Fournier, Vucevic and Augustine. The Magic were willing to take a chance on Fultz and the while the early returns are perhaps still not quite what you'd like to see for a first overall pick, that's not what Orlando gave up to get him. The Magic should resolve to implore Aaron Gordon to change his game, or move on from the athletic wing. Gordon has seen his points per game dip from 16 and 17 points per game in successive seasons, all the way down to 13 points per game this year. He's also shooting a career low 40% from the field and 27% from 3 point range. For a player in his 6th season in the league, it's safe to say that the 'potential' label has reached an expiry date. Gordon needs to slide into a more efficient role within the offense as a defender/finisher, and no longer consider himself a 'play-maker'. The Magic should resolve to have that hard discussion, or move on from the once promising wing.

Philadelphia Sixers - The Sixers continue to be one of the most interesting teams in the NBA. After some moves in the off season the Sixers are still dabbling with different roster compositions and lineups to close out the game. In a league that has gone small and is playing at breakneck pace, the Sixers represent a throwback with their size and slow down style of play. Interestingly, that always seems to be the lean of the league come playoff time, and the Sixers look like a team built for the half court playoff grind. That said, you still need shooting and I'm not so sure they have it. But with a line up like Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford and Embiid it's going to be awfully hard for the opposition to find space to shoot either. The Sixers should resolve to add some depth at the trade deadline in the form of defensive wing shooters, easier said than done. The other resolution that comes to mind is a "best version of himself" Joel Embiid. For a player that calls out the opposition so gleefully and frequently on social media, I'm floored that very few have called Embiid out for his lack of conditioning. Granted, he's still one of the leagues best, I can't help but wonder how overwhelming Embiid could be if he improved his conditioning. Throw in a conscious effort to avoid settling for 3 pointers and attack the low block game in, game out. We saw what he's capable of on Christmas Day when he went head to head with Giannis and won the match up, and the game. The Sixers should look to add some shooting and Embiid should look to improve his self discipline if he and the Sixers want to get over the top in 2020!

Toronto Raptors - The defending champs have been a story of resilience all season long, once again showing they have the heart of a champion! It seems every time a key player returns from injury, (Lowry) another one goes down. (Siakam) Given they lost Leonard in free agency, and have lost the most games to injury among projected playoff competitors - you have to tip your hat to the Raps and coach Nick Nurse. One has to ask how much longer can the Raptors keep this up? The tandem of Lowry and Van Vleet seem to be willing the team to victory in recent weeks, but how sustainable is this with Gasol, Powell and Siakam still out? The Raptors continue to find great efforts from their bench in the form of Ronde Hollis Jefferson and Chris Boucher. The Raptors have been one of the best defensive teams in the league (2nd in defensive efficiency), nearly holding opponents to under 105ppg. (4th in the league) The Raptors should resolve to do whatever is within their power to get their team healthy so they can truly see what they are capable of. The talk that they should move on from Lowry or Gasol is nonsense. At 4th place in the East, the Raptors are still very much a competitor, and we still haven't seen a prolonged run of the best version of the 2020 Raptors. Being cautious with Gasol and Siakam until the all star break, and reducing the overwhelming minute workload for their starters down the stretch might be the answer to getting this team back to health.

Washington Wizards - The Washington Wizards are the bizarro Orlando Magic. Undeniably the league's worst defensive team, the Wizards have been among the best at the offensive end! Scott Brooks has the Wiz playing at one of the fastest paces in the league. Bradley Beal continues to prove himself as more than just a scorer, becoming a complete play-maker in the continued absence of John Wall and his exorbitantly large contract! Davis Bertans has been a flamethrower from behind the arc all season long! The Wiz seem to have developed some of their young talent in the form of Thomas Bryant, Jordan McRae and Mo Wagner. Is the lack of defense a systematic thing, or just a reluctance to dig in on that end of the floor? That said, the Wiz need to resolve to make a conscious effort on the defensive end in 2020 if they want to see a cultural shift within the organization for the better. The offense is strong and should remain so despite the lack of big name talent on this roster, but the major improvements will come with an effort to collect stops and stay in front on the defensive end. Until that happens, the Wiz will continue to be a fun team to watch, but nothing more.

That's it for now! Stay tuned later this week for my look at the team's in the Western Conference!

10 for 10's! 10 Albums That Defined The Sound of the 2010's For Me...

         Hear we go, it feels very good to be back! The sound of the click and the clack of the keys under my suddenly useful finger tips. (It's been a quiet holiday when it comes to work) The simple manipulation of these 40 some odd keys, completely connecting my physical body with the inner-workings of my brain; the essence of me, the story teller. In short, this is therapeutic. Thanks for tuning in and validating the purpose I put into this effort. As far as the blog from the past, I'd gotten busy with work, life and other less noble distractions, but I'm resolved to create and share in 2020. That said, please reach out if you have any ideas that you, myself or others would be interested in reading about, I'm very much open to topics or challenges!

        Enough preamble, the decade has just drawn to a close and as such we are conditioned to look back, reflect and attempt to make sense of what was. I'm going to focus this blog on the music of the 2010's, what moved me, stayed with me, and served to time stamp a soundtrack to the experience and memories of the 10's. This is one of my favourite things about music, the trail of bread crumbs it allows us to recollect as we meander through memory lane.
         
        This is by no means an objective retelling of the music industry, who collected Grammy's, and/or soared to the top of the charts. While some of those things may validate my selections, they served no importance in my selections. However, what did hold weight was a personal attempt at the following critical reflective thoughts:
1.What was my first impression of what I was listening too? Did I immediately know this album
would stick in my head? (we'll call this the sticky score)
2.How many repeated listens did I give the album? (we'll call this an album's replay score)
3.How much has the album struck a lasting impression on my soul over time? (soul score)
4.Do I find myself returning to the album time after time - what is the timeless nature of the album? (timeless score)

What can I say, I'm a teacher, I like rubrics, marks/scores and quantifying things!

10. Vince Staples - Summertime '06 (2015) - I'm a child of the 80's but I grew up in the 90's and one of the music genres that has had the largest impact on me was hip hop. Growing up playing basketball, hip hop was an integral part of that culture and the two fed into one another. You will see how that influence has had a lasting impact throughout this list. That said, most of the hip hop I still listen to comes from what I would call that 90's "golden era" of hip hop. Tribe, Wu, early Jay Z, Nas, Snoop, etc. I've increasingly distanced myself from the generation in recent years, perhaps a commentary on the quality of the music, but more likely, a commentary on how I've changed as well. There have been some notable exceptions to this however. When I first listened to Vince Staples brash lyricism on Summertime '06 I was immediately blown away.  Vince wasn't a new age rapper, you know the type - cultivated in a studio where the success was as much determined by the production and media portrayal as it was about anything the rapper was saying. Staples took me back to the era of hip hop I fell in love with. The themes of making something from nothing, of overcoming tremendous adversity and short comings with a confidence that wasn't a front, but was a necessity. It had the raw portrayals of the streets that used to transport me as a teenager, while my perspective has expanded since that time. I appreciate the raw, gritty visuals that Staples has taken the time to cultivate on this record. It might not find it's way onto many critics top tens, but it's on mine!
Highlights: Lift Me Up, Norf Norf, Summertime, Surf
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 8.5   Soul Score 8.5   Timeless Score 8.5   Total Score: 34.5

9. Frank Ocean - Blonde (2016) - Frank Ocean was one of the decades most mysterious and intriguing artists, with the success of his mixtape, Nostalgia Ultra, Ocean served notice that we would be one of the voices of the decade with his identity exploring and cryptic soul searching lyrics. He followed it up with another terrific offering, Channel Orange, another album I considered for this short list. A tremendous songwriter, Ocean is at his best on Blonde, exploring sexuality, independence and other abstract concepts over a number of layered soundscapes. Released in 2016, this albums scores high in replay value as I am still enjoying new plays on words and the multitude of different layers both the lyrics, themes and sonics have to offer.
Highlights: Nikes, Solo, Nights, White Ferrari, Pink + White
Sticky Score 8.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9   Timeless Score 8.5   Total Score: 35

8. Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More (2010) - I can remember the first time I heard about Mumford and Sons. I was supply teaching at Riverview High School and a band of students played, The Cave in front of the school at an assembly. I was moved by the song and I could tell from the audience I wasn't the only one. I inquired about who they were covering, and soon I was listening to the album on repeat. When I made the switch to vinyl records in about 2015, Sigh No More was one of the first records that I bought. Despite loving hip hop through my childhood, I always had a varied taste in music and have always looked to take my love for music in many different directions, this represented a new direction for me, and I think a new direction for the music industry as a whole. The mainstream 'rock music' has faded away, it's now a myriad of different sub genres, where the focus is on authenticity and connecting the listener and the artist within this sense of "emotional realness". Mumford and Sons was one of the first modern folk rock bands to do this for me. I'm often inspired by the lyrics and the emotions the songs invoke in me. They've produced a number of records since this, but the others don't have that same emotional appeal to me as this one!
Highlights: Awake My Soul, Little Lion Man, The Cave, Sigh No More 
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 8.5    Soul Score 9    Timeless Score 8.5    Total Score: 35

7. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (2012) - This is one of those unexpected albums that crept up on me, in an era with Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, etc I wanted to dismiss Lana Del Rey as another pop puff piece of music artistry. I quickly realized she was quite different than many of her contemporaries, not just in her lyrical content but also in the mood and tone of her work. The work was too genuine to carry the air of pop polish I was expecting to be put off by. I just kept listening to song after song in which she seemed to be searching for love, belonging, and affirmation. This album encapsulated what it felt like to be in your late 20's and not feeling like you had it figured out. It was a collection of ideas about how the world worked that still seemed to be a work in progress. Yet at the same time there is a young passion and romantic longing to have it all or a willingness to risk it all. It vacillates between the highs of ambition in Off to the Races, and National Anthem, to the self doubt and longing in Video Games and Summertime Sadness. While the themes and lyrical content is unpolished the sweeping soundscapes are anything but, the production on this record is really well done and allows Lana to explore a wide range of emotion. The album and LDR herself are definitely cool, but you get the sense that she's not so sure just yet. 
Highlights: Born To Die, Radio, Video Games, Blue Jeans
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 8.5    Timeless Score 8.5   Total Score: 35.5

6. Leonard Cohen -You Want It Darker (2016) - Another example of an album that I wasn't expecting to be blown away by. Growing up I had a friend Sean Buchanan who perhaps mentioned some Leonard Cohen poetry, I knew of Hallelujah, but when I unwrapped this present at Christmas of 2016 I probably wore a weak look of "thanks?". My sister sensing my undeserved suggestion of disappointment, quickly began to justify her purchase with the critical reviews and accolades the album had received, as well as how it's tone fit with the melancholy sounds she had grown accustom to hearing me enjoy (Ryan Adams, Elliot Smith) I lightened up and said  thanks I'll give it a listen. It wasn't long before I was calling her up and saying, "you know what, that Cohen album is amazing!" The album is essentially about heartbreak and the stories we tell ourselves while we grieve. It plays like a thoughtful soul unraveling, showing that while we may have more strategies for dealing with the heartache as we get older, it doesn't really ever get any easier. And while all of this sounds pretty depressing their is a triumphant quality to the sense of self awareness and accountability in the lyrics. Rest in peace to this truly talented artist. Thanks again to my sister for having the courage to get me an album that would challenge my prevailing sense of what I knew to be "good".
Highlights: Treaty, You Want It Darker, It Seemed The Better Way, Traveling Light
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 8.5    Soul Score 9.5   Timeless Score 8.5    Total Score: 35.5

5. The Lumineers - Cleopatra (2016) - Building on my increasing enjoyment of folk rock music that started at the turn of the decade with Mumford and Sons, I eventually found my way to The Lumineers and Cleopatra has been a staple vinyl for me ever since. The music has a sing song quality that makes it enjoyable with friends and family, but there's also a quiet sincerity in the lyrics that make them great for a quiet evening of contemplation, or welcomed company on a lengthy drive. The lyrics are soul evoking, which is critical to making my playlists, "does it speak to ME?", you bet. The Lumineers have been one of the most versatile listens and while some of the upcoming records I've selected have their appropriate audiences, I've yet to encounter more than a handful of folks who don't enjoy this record on some level. The initial highlights of the record may diminish with repeated listens but I find as the singles may hold true to the law of diminishing returns, the album itself defies it as other songs, once overlooked, press their way into your conscious. 
Highlights: Ophelia, Cleopatra, Sleep On The Floor, In The Light, Long Way From Home, Sick In the Head
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 9   Soul Score 9.5    Timeless Score 8.5    Total Score: 36

4. Kendrick Lamar (2017) - Damn - As I've mentioned earlier, I am admittedly a long time hip hop head. I'm quick to reject the new jacks with an arrogance that I know better. I know the good hip hop and it isn't being made today. The biggest challenge to this fixed mindset of mine has been Kendrick Lamar. I get as excited for new Kendrick Lamar releases as I did for a trip to Future Shop to pick up an Outkast record (Stankonia) as a youngster. Kendrick has long been the best rapper alive, in my opinion, holding the title for the duration of the decade. One of my favourite things about Lamar, aside from his uncanny wit, razor sharp lyrics and visual depictions are his attempts to create coherent themes throughout his record releases. In the download era where most artists (rappers especially) are concerned with making a collection of top 10 singles and compiling them together with some filler for  a record, the singles have often come first and the notion of the album is secondary. This has never been the case with Kendrick, while he has the singles and standout tracks, the secondary tracks are just as important to completing the concept of what the album is attempting to say. I really respect that. Damn really hits the sweet spot, between accessible tracks with commercial success and multi layered complex nuanced songs that challenge your intellect and prevailing perspectives of the world. The beat for Humble is still one of the best of the decade!
Highlights: DNA, Humble, Element, Loyalty
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9   Timeless Score 9     Total Score: 36.5

3. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) - While Kanye West has certainly become a controversial figure both in and out of music scene over the course of the decade, one thing that is far less controversial is the merit of his first offering of the decade. While his music has moved towards more raw emotion, without the attention to how it will be received or whether he will stand behind those emotions in the near future. On MBDTF, everything is polished, calculated, intentional and the result is likely the best music offering of West's career. I can remember hanging out with my roommate Struan when this album first came out, we played this on repeat and debated whether Nicki Minaj had the best verse on Monster (she did!) The songs were so self assured and the beats backed up everything that West was saying in his lyrics. Songs like Gorgeous and Power give the album a confidence and grab the attention of the listener, All of the Lights, and Monster quickly pay off the listener's attention and allow the listener to settle for a couple of the slower burns like Runaway and Blame Game. As we see there is a lot more emotion between the grandiose bravado that sets the stage at the beginning of the album. Perhaps a glimpse into the emotional instability behind West's personal posturing at the time himself. Whatever the case, this album catapulted West into superstar status beyond anything we could have expected when listening to an offering like College Drop Out or even Late Registration. 
Highlights: Power, Monster, Blame Game, All of the Lights, Runaway
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9    Timeless Score 9.5     Total Score: 37

2. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (2010) - I've long enjoyed Arcade Fire, I enjoyed both Neon Bible and Funeral immensely in the early aughts. When the Suburbs came out I purchased the album and it became my commuter soundtrack for nearly half a year of travel to my internship at Riverview High in 2010. I love how the album starts out, the early songs are very easy to sing along to, culminating in the full throat renditions of Rococo at stop lights alone in my vehicle. Finished my schooling, I entered into a phase of "professionalism" and the songs like Ready To Start and Modern Man were ones I quickly identified with. With such a short commute, early on, I often just listened to the first 5 or 6 songs on the album, over and over. However, over time I soon became familiar with the songs throughout the rest of the album. We Used to Wait, Wasted Hours also carried themes of restlessness and unfulfilled ambitions that I had just started to grapple with, many years later I'm still grappling with some of the larger themes I've unpacked from this album. This album gives me a sense of growing up and our longing to meet expectations, whilst remaining true to the essence of ourselves. The soundscapes are often deceptive in relation to the heavier existential questions that the lyrics convey, I enjoy this juxtaposition and the philosophical nature of the work itself.
Highlights: Rococo, Modern Man, Deep Blue, We Used To Wait
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9    Timeless Score 10     Total Score: 37.5


1. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, Madd City (2012) - This album blew me away, I had heard Lamar's mixtape Section.80 and had high hopes for this young and up and coming rapper. I was down on rap at the time and didn't see much worth getting excited about. It was a world of Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean type rappers who sounded the same on nearly every song. Even worse was the "trap music" I was being forced to mine through in the hopes of finding something worth putting on a playlist it seemed.Then "Bam!" Good Kid, Madd City came out and it was like hip hop was saved! As I said above, I had hopes for Kendrick but he smashed and surpassed all of my expectations with his studio debut. I couldn't get enough of songs like Backseat Freestyle,The Art of Peer Pressure,Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe. Those songs were immediately accessible and shone a light into a world that I knew little of and wanted to know more. Is was like his lyrics painted a picture of his childhood and he took us hand in hand through the nature versus nurture dilemma. How could anyone withstand the pressures on Compton, California? But it wasn't enough to just spell it out for us, Kendrick resists that simplicity, he always gives us songs that spark our intellect and make us think. I found this to be the case throughout what on the surface seems like a simple gangster narrative, songs like Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, and Money Trees took me repeated listens to unpack. Kendrick Lamar's skill is that he can affect the listener on so many levels, if you're just looking for a listen, he'll give you that but if you're looking for a little deeper experience, it's all there too!
Highlights: The Art of Peer Pressure, Backseat Freestyle, Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, Money Trees
Sticky Score 10  Replay Score 9.5   Soul Score 9.5   Timeless Score 9.5    Total Score: 38.5

Honourable Mentions: How To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar, Acid Rap - Chance the Rapper, Take Care - Drake, Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels

You can see the rest of the albums I evaluated and scored them below.

Thanks again for reading!

I've got an NBA blog coming up soon, and I'm excited to share what I'll be watching for in the new year!

Scoring System

Album	Sticky Score	Replay Score	Soul Score	Timeless Score	Total (40)
17. 1989 – Ryan Adams (Taylor Swift)	8	8.5	8.5	8	33
5. Cleopatra – The Lumineers	9	9	9.5	8.5	36
1. Good Kid Madd City – Kendrick Lamar	10	9.5	9.5	9.5	38.5
4. Damn – Kendrick Lamar	9.5	9	9	9	36.5
11. How To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar	8.5	8.5	9	8.5	34.5
9. Frank Ocean - Blond	8.5	9	9	8.5	35
21. Frank Ocean – Channel Orange	8.5	7.5	8	8	32
8. Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons	9	8.5	9	8.5	35
15. Nothing Was the Same – Drake	9	8.5	8	8	33.5
13. Take Care - Drake	8.5	9	8.5	8.5	34
18. Daytona – Pusha T	9	8	8	8	33
12. Acid Rap – Chance the Rapper	9	8.5	8.5	8.5	34.5
7. Born To Die – Lana Del Rey	9.5	9	8	8.5	35
3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West	9.5	9	9	9.5	37
2. The Suburbs – Arcade Fire	9.5	9	9	10	37.5
16. Random Access Memories – Daft Punk	8.5	8.5	8.5	8	33.5
6. You Want It Darker –Leonard Cohen	9	8.5	9.5	8.5	35.5
10. Summertime ’06 - Vince Stapes	9	9	8.5	8	35
14. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels	9	9	8	8	34
20. Watch the Throne – Jay Z and Kanye West	8	8.5	8	8	32.5
19. Big Boi – Sir Luscious Left foot Son of Chico Dusty	8.5	8.5	8	8	33