Perfection

Defense wrote:I’ve read and watched as much as I can about him online and seen interviews (the few he’s done). He comes off as highly intelligent but also standoffish. I’ve always wondered if his conversion to Islam was why “America” diminished him but what’s ironic about Ali did the same thing and was beloved.

 "I read Malcolm X's book and that made me convert," he says. "Ali was first involved with Elijah Muhammad and his group's brand of racism was no better than the racism in the south. They were anti-white and, I guess, at times anti-Semitic. And racism stinks no matter who's the intended victim.”
 - Kareem


 To be fair Ali became an American icon when he lost the ability to speak, but it highlights how fair minded Kareem was/is. I don’t know what to make of his legendary appearance in “Airplane!”, more so his interaction with the kid. Maybe it humanized him to a degree? The kid (Joey) was interviewed many years later and had this to say.

 And also, you really are roughed up by Kareem Abdul Jabbar, you know? As an untrained actor, was he a little too rough at first, or did he do all right?
"Well, he's huge. And at 10 years old he was gigantic to me, he just seemed like this giant. I mean, he was really intimidating, because he's a painfully shy guy, and I don't think he even really totally wanted to be in the film. [Laughs.] So he was really just saying what he had to say and then getting out of there. Peter and everybody else made me feel very at home and welcome there, but there was no chit-chat with Kareem, and so when we went directly into him just collaring me, that was real. He was really shaking me around.”

 For some reason I was never comfortable with it, it felt like appeasement on Kareem’s part. Reducing the man to a stooge. He’s the best basketball player who ever lived, it’s a shame his principled nature has dismissed that to the casual fan. Oscar Robertson, Isiah Thomas, hell even Rick Barry are overlooked due to that. Maybe it’s just me though, I much prefer Larry Bird to Magic Johnson so I could be applying my own sensibilities. 

Lebron was asked what his “Mount Rushmore” is, that is to say the top 4 NBA players of all time. He put Jordan/Magic/Bird/Robertson over Kareem. The guy that got Lebron to the Heat, Pat Riley coached Kareem and had this to say many years prior.

"Why judge anymore? When a man has broken records, won championships, endured tremendous criticism and responsibility, why judge? Let's toast him as the greatest player ever."
-- Pat Riley 

Not enough for King James apparently, all that Heat in Miami has fried his memory perhaps. He gets a modicum of credit for knowing who Oscar is though. Someone must have told him. At an HGH clinic. In the end it comes down to who controls the narrative. There is a debate surrounding how much Magic/Oscar helped Kareem get over the hump and the social impact Jordan which is reasonable. Curious what you guys think.

Defense wrote:I hear Heidelberg is amazing as well, but Toronto is my home and Rob Ford aside it's a pretty cool place. Probably the most affordable "big market" in the world and it's growing fast. Good transit and it's very multicultural which I value. Ellen Paige and Drake went to my highschool for a few years, how cool is that? Brandon Pirri was in my class and used to brag a lot so I bet him 10 bucks I could kick his ass in basketball. He beat me 11-7 and I vowed from that day on I'd bulk up and beat him next time. He ended up getting drafted to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2nd round of the NHL draft like 5 years ago.   

Anyway, I was born in Milano so I have a soft spot for it (and Northern Italy in general). Their GDP has taken a huge hit due to a number of reasons and the government is corrupt but the natural beauty of the country, the language, the people are great. We associate music, scents and places with memories so I'm sure if I was born in Kansas or something I'd think it was the best. Objectively Toronto is a top 5 city by most metrics.

Defense: wrote:

Turning Blackice to Whitewater since '02    

CLOSE close 2nd....



Meghan Markle.

BizGilwalker (IND) wrote:No Emma Watson in this thread?

You people disappoint me.