Letters from Readers

Here’s yet another new section for you when I answer questions that my numerous readers have. This here is my first letter to the editor section. Yes it’s a rip off of the sports guy’s mailbag, which is a rip off of Lettermen’s CBS Mailbag, which is probably a rip off of something else. So with out further ado, here’s a little Q + A time for ya.

Q: Hey Calvin long time reader, first time writer, Who’s been a better player for the Lakers so far in the playoffs: Kobe or Odom? Also what’s up with the reefing in this series?
Adam. Spokane, WA.
A: Great question Adam, but I wouldn’t limit it just to those two Lakers. While they’ve both been great I think Shawn Marion has far and away been the Lakers best player. As for the reefing, it’s been horrendous for both teams the entire series. It’s as if the refs are petrified that a basketball game might break out. It’s even more upsetting when you see final 3 minutes of game 4 and overtime showing us just how good this series would be if the refs just stepped back and stopped calling a foul every possession.

Q: You have great musical taste! Any suggestions? Guilty pleasures? Or Song of the Summer we should know about? Music Lover in Mundeline, IL.
A: I sure do music lover. Josh Ritter’s newest album “The Animal Years” is absolutely amazing. It’s the only record I’ve heard so far this year that rivals Destroyer’s Rubies. Check this ish out, the highlight songs are Girl in the War, Thin Blue Flame and Lily, Egypt to name a few. As for guilty pleasures, I’m pretty fond of Angles and the Airwaves, Tom Delong’s new band. Please just don’t tell anyone. As for Song of the Summer, I’m not quite sure yet. I don’t think there’s a sure firer pick like there was last summer with Feel Good INC. Gun to my head I’m going with Gnarles Barkley – Crazy. Hopefully other contenders will step up to the plate, but who knows. It’s been a lack luster year for music so far.

Q: Any thoughts on the NFL Draft? Why didn’t Reggie Bush go #1?
Trevor in Tucson.
A: I don’t know Trevor. All I can say is thinks don’t look to good for Houston, especially after an ecstatic Sam Bowie called thanking Mario Williams and the Texans GM over and over again. But what might be even more upsetting then this horrendous pick is that now the extremely over hyped NFL Draft might not go away. Mel Kiper and ESPN could potentially keep running stories on this from now until next April. So not only did the Texans hurt themselves, but they also hurt all of us as well.

Q: You personally said that Dirk would flop in the playoffs. How do you feel about that prediction now? Don Denver. Dallas, TX
A: Not to good. Dirk and the Mavs got the perfect draw in round one, the Grizzlies might be the worst playoff team in the west, just behind Denver. There’s not a single player on their team who has a prayer of guarding Dirk. So now he can get his confidence up in round 1 and hope it carries over to round 2. That said it won’t matter because they’re not getting by the Spurs.

Q: How is Steve Nash goin’ win the MVP? Kobe’s team is beating him in the playoffs, # 8’s the real MVP!!!!!?!?!!?!?
Back on the Bandwagon in LA, CA.
A: Great point bandwagoner, ‘cause the MVP is decided in the playoffs. Listen, everyone who’s making the argument that Nash doesn’t deserve the MVP award and then trying to use the Lakers-Suns series their main reason, please stop before you make us all dumber. The MVP is a regular season award, not a first round of the playoffs award. During the regular season seven Suns players had career years, thanks mainly to Steve Nash. During the regular season several Lakers players contemplated suicide thanks in large part to Kobe’s efforts to put up the first ever single-digit passing season. I’m not about to make the argument that Nash is better then Kobe, and he’s far from the best player in the league. But during the regular season no player played better, or had a more important role for their team then Steve Nash. Combine that with that fact that most people assumed the Suns would miss the playoffs this year and it’s pretty easy to see why Nash won his second MVP.

Q: What are your thoughts on Lost, is it really the best show on TV?
Duncan K. Neptune, CA.
A: While Lost is great, several HBO shows are better then it. I personally think it’s the 2nd best non-HBO show on TV. Veronica Mars is first. In fact Veronica Mars just might be the best show ever, and honestly I’m not joking. But anyway, back to Lost. I really like the show, but it’s over hyped, especially for all the wrong reasons. The best part of the show is the over arching story line of why they’re on the island and what the hell is up with the island. Yet everyone I know raves about the characters and how moving the show is. I really wonder what show these people are watching because the only good character on the show is John Locke. Other then that the only characters I care about are the attractive ones. Just about every other character is boring and one-dimensional. And I’ll be the first to admit that there was about 3-4 episodes in the first season that I found very moving. But the second season, with every episode ending with the slow-mo camera shots and swelling strings and piano, has been like a girl who doesn’t wear underwear, it’s trying way to hard.*

Q: Are there any other blogs that we should know about?
Craig. Omaha, NE.
A: Yes there is. While most people don’t update their blogs anymore, there’s still one exception to the rule: greatvision.blogspot.com Check him out.

Q: hey cal i read u’re blog once and it was sweet. anyway I have a question for u: i played sports in hs and now i can’t seem to move on. i can’t decide what I want to do as a career, it just doesn’t seem like i’m right for anything. u got some advice bro?
p.s. i scored 13 touchdowns my senior year at halfback.
brad taylor. yuma, az.
A: Have you considered becoming a personal trainer?

Well that it’s for today. Enjoy the NBA playoffs, if the refs will allow you to.

Until We Meet Again.

* Oh f*ck. Did I just reference Blink 182