I'm going out on a limb here, but I believe Radiohead's latest studio release In Rainbows is their best album since 1997's opus, OK Computer. Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief are all admirable records, but In Rainbows is fresh and cutting.
Perhaps that's because Radiohead have freed themselves of the shackles of record label EMI. Maybe the weight of corporate sucess has been lifted to reveal the band at its true self---honest but not jaded. The machines are there, but the guitars do most of the talking.
Radiohead can now come out and play. They can make their music on their time. They can sell out shows when they feel like it. Radiohead sells their music for what you the consumer wants to pay. Radiohead is winning and if you don't believe me, listen to their new record.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
I Like the New Radiohead Album
Monday, December 10, 2007
Odom, Artest, Kidd and the Future
Who would you rather have? Lamar Odom or Ron Artest? Potential or baggage? Laker fans are waiting for Odom to fulfill his potential that he showed in flashes while on the Clippers, Heat and last year until he got injured.
That's another thing--injuries. It seems like every time Odom gets into a groove, he gets hurt. He's like that friend with good intentions that always screws up. Nobody disputes that he's a great character guy and a dynamic player. However, people will question his ability to play alongside Kobe Bryant and his mental fortitude.
How many times have Laker fans begged Odom to shoot more and be more aggressive? How many times has it seemed like he was on the cusp of becoming an All-Star? Odom is the 27th highest paid player in the NBA and the Lakers are on the hook for $28 million over the next two years. That wouldn't be so bad if he made a difference. Artest makes a difference and he is owed $16.5 over the same span.
No matter how long it's been since Artest's latest discretion teams are wary of what might happen. He is a top 5 defender and is averaging over 20 points. I'm sure he would love playing in Kobe's shadow instead of cowering under it. He is the best player on a fading Kings team and he holds a player option for next year.
Forget about trading for Jason Kidd , and focus on Artest. He's affordable and the Kings will want to dump him once they realize they are stuck in the mud.
Speaking of Kidd, under no circumstance should the Lakers trade Andrew Bynum or Jordan Farmar for Kidd. Actually, the Lakers would have to throw in Kwame Brown to make the salaries work. That would deplete the Lakers front court and virtually be impossible. Now, if the Lakers could trade Brown and Farmar, can you imagine the starting five of Bryant, Odom, Kidd, Bynum and Walton/Radmonovic?
Basically, you would be trading Kidd for Farmar, which is tough, but necessary. In his second season, Farmar has provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and 3 assists in 20 minutes. Promising numbers, but they're nothing like Kidd's 11 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists. Kidd can also run an offense and would be able to free Odom and Bryant from handling the ball.
Artest will be cheaper but there's no guarantee that the Kings will trade him to their conference rivals. All this being said, if the Lakers remain healthy, and that's a big if, they have a chance to finish fifth in the West and possibly some noise in the playoffs. If someone goes down for and extended period of time or the price is too good to pass up, odds are either Kidd or Artest could be wearing purple and gold by season's end.