Author: Brian
Kyrie Irving Out for the Year
source– In the aftermath of left knee surgery, All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics will miss the rest of the regular season and playoffs, the team announced.
Irving will undergo another procedure on Saturday to remove two screws from his patella that were inserted in 2015 to repair a fracture he suffered in that year’s NBA Finals. The team said a bacterial infection was discovered at the site of the screws when Irving had his most recent surgery, on March 24, to remove tension wire in the knee and that Saturday’s procedure will ensure no infection remains in the knee. The wire had been placed in his knee during the same surgery in which the screws were inserted in 2015.
R.I.P. 2017-18 Boston Celtics. Gone, but not forgotten.
In all honesty, I’m not upset about this at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. I don’t have any personal experience, but I’ve heard having screws in your knees is not ideal. As long as this doesn’t become a Derrick Rose saga (and there’s absolutely nothing to suggest it will), Kyrie should take all the time he needs to come back 100%.
Listen, Kyrie is the franchise. The Celtics can only go as far as he takes them. So, yes, him going down effectively kills any and all playoff hopes they had. I hate to break it to the more optimistic Celtics fans out there, but the C’s were never winning the title this year. Even if they miraculously win the East, they’re winning max one game in the Finals. Once Gordon Hayward went down a millisecond into the season, it was always about next season. Barring a shock LeBron-to-Philadelphia move, the Celtics should be the early favorite to win the East next year. I’m totally fine just focusing on that.
Use these playoffs to get Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum some high-pressure experience. Let Terry Rozier keep developing, rendering Marcus Smart redundant (depending on his price tag). Now that Kyrie’s gone, there’s really no non-injury related worst case scenario for the playoffs. It’ll stink if they lose first round, but they didn’t have their best player, what were they supposed to do? If they win a series, it’s just a nice bonus shot of confidence going into next season. Not that he could possibly improve his standing after everything he’s done this year, but if the Celtics have any success it’s time to ask whether Brad Stevens is legitimately the best coach in the league. Maybe the best coach of all time. If he can get Abdel Nader into the second round of the playoffs, it’s time to put him in the Hall of Fame.
So next year the Celtics have Kyrie, Hayward, Horford, another summer of development for Jaylen, Tatum, and Rozier, and the Kings’ first round pick. Yes, please.
Welcome to the Brian’s Den Newsroom
Introducing a new feature here at https://www.briansden69.com, the Newsroom. Since there’s going to (hopefully) be a lot going on in my life soon, I think this is a good way to kind of cover a lot of the stories I may not get the chance to talk about, particularly in the sports world. I’m thinking about doing these a few times a week. Let me know your thoughts- good, bad, never do it again? Either way, there’s some good stuff coming up in the near future.
If You Didn’t Watch Jesus Christ Superstar Live Last Night You’re an Uncultured Fool
Not many people know this about me, but I’m a big time Andrew Lloyd Webber guy. Huge, in fact. My mom had a bunch of ALW soundtracks we would put on for long car rides (remember when there was no satellite radio or Spotify or iTunes and you had to use CDs? Yuck) that I listened to roughly 10,000 times. Some of the songs are ingrained in my DNA at this point. I know all you Theatre Heads out there are calling me basic and plebeian and all sorts of nasty stuff because I like the Broadway equivalent of Top 40 pop music, but you can all go to hell. Yes, I enjoy Mr. Mistoffelees more than some highfalutin B.S. like My Fair Lady or something. So sue me.
Anyway, yeah, big ALW guy, so you knew I was tuning in to Jesus Christ Superstar Live on NBC last night. It was the first major event I watched via PlayStation Vue (no more cable for me!), which was exciting. It also kind of made me feel a little holier after I “forgot” to go to church for Easter (although I was wearing a Jon Snow t-shirt all day so I was supporting the cause). Folks, let me tell you: I was not disappointed. Usually these “live” (I still refuse to believe it’s really live) musicals they show on TV are absolutely trash, and, as such, I never watch them, but when I heard they were throwing up an ALW joint I was in. I’ve never actually seen JCSS (only heard the soundtrack a bunch) so I was kind of lost in the beginning, but once it got rolling it was flaming hot. Some rapid-fire thoughts since I’ve never even considered reviewing a play before so I don’t know what you’re supposed to talk about:
- My sources are confirming that John Legend can, in fact, sing. Quite well.
- I’ve never seen Hamilton because I’m not rich so I’d never seen the guy who played Judas before. His name is Brandon Victor Dixon and he’s an absolute MEGASTAR. Guy owned the stage every second he was on it. One of the most dominant performances these eyes have ever seen. Need him to be more famous so he’s in more stuff.
- The casting on the whole was A+.
- I go back and forth on John Legend all the time, mostly because it feels like he’s more famous than he should be. Like how many super-duper-mega-hits does he really have? Not many. I mean, he’s one of the most talented artists in the world and he hardly has any signature songs. Maybe I’m just not a big enough Legend stan so I haven’t heard the deep cuts, but I feel like for him to justify being an A-lister he needs to pump out a couple more heaters. I don’t know, I’m probably wrong. But when he really turns it up, not many people can touch him.
- Shoutout to the wardrobe department. That gray cardigan John Legend had on was what Mugatu envisioned when he created Derelicte.
- The villain duo was pure dynamite. The jackets they had on were straight out of Power Rangers in Space.
- Dammit, there weren’t any mohawks or tattoos in Jesus’ time. My column:
- If you’re Peter and you’re told you’re going to deny Jesus three times beforehand, wouldn’t you stop yourself after two just to prove him wrong? Maybe that’s just me.
- Top Five ALW Shows- 1. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 2. Phantom of the Opera 3. Cats 4. JCSS 5. Evita
- Top Five ALW Songs- 1. “Music of the Night” 2. “Mr. Mistoffelees” 3. “Any Dream Will Do” 4. “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” 5. “All I Ask of You”
- The Brian’s Den Official Review for Jesus Christ Superstar Live: 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
So, um, yeah, how about that thing that happened in the NBA, huh? Pretty crazy.
A New Era Has Begun
Moving Stinks
Folks, I am not having fun right now. Just thought you all should know
(This is technically being written in Brian’s Den 2.0 but don’t think for a second this is the blog that kicks off Brian’s Den 2.0)
I’m Craving Baseball So Badly Right Now
Folks, it’s officially been Spring for three days. Go outside for two seconds and you can tell the seasons are changing: it’s 42° instead of 41°. The trees are dead and bare. There’s only two more snowstorms on the horizon. Global warming has even eliminated the nasty slush season that used to exist since the snow just melts as soon as it falls now. Just a great time to be alive. More importantly than all that, though, is that baseball is almost here.
Opening Day is less than a week away and I could not possibly be more excited. I’m starting to get that Baseball Feeling, which is an impossible feeling to describe and I don’t know if anyone has any idea what I’m talking about, but it’s a rush of happiness and anticipation and a bunch of other stuff when I think about baseball at the end of the offseason. I did my fantasy draft already (got Kershaw, if you were wondering) (And Goldschmidt, too) (I know you care). I preordered MLB The Show 18 so I could play it early (already started my career, got picked in the 25th round by the Padres. A true rags to riches story if I’ve ever seen one) because I just needed some baseball in my life. I’m watching Spring Training games, but, just like the players, I’m a little rusty so I’m reacting like John Sterling on routine flyouts. My patented Home Run Feeling, a sixth sense that can accurately predict when home runs are imminent, is still warming up (just called Red Sox prospect Sam Travis hitting one, nbd). I’m using the word feeling way too much, but that’s because, more than any other sport, baseball fandom is all about feelings. The feeling of nostalgia you get when you enter a ballpark, thinking about the first time your dad (or mom, we don’t assume here) took you to a game. The feeling of comfort when you smell those familiar baseball smells: hot dogs, beer, peanuts, popcorn, leather, regional delicacies, and more beer. The feelings you get while watching baseball, a truly unique sports viewing experience. Games are simultaneously boring as hell and enthralling, and playoff baseball is a different animal entirely.
Not to get all sappy or anything. I’m just jonesing for some baseball. The Red Sox are just about all I’ve got at the moment. Literally every Celtics player is out for the season. UConn basketball hasn’t been playing this deep in a season since I was still in college (yes, yes, I know the women are still there. But getting pumped up about them is like getting hyped the Earth completed a rotation). I’m not a big enough hockey guy to commit to the Bruins. Something happened to the Pats last month, but I can’t seem to remember what. I need the Sox, man. I need J.D. Martinez to hit 10 billion homers. I need Mookie Betts to the best all-around player in the American League who doesn’t play in Los Angeles. I need Chris Sale and David Price to win 40 games between them and strike out a thousand batters. I need Alex Cora to actually understand basic baseball strategy and make people want to play for him. I need ownership to try and monetize every waking moment of the game. I need every game against the Yankees to take four and a half hours. I need to be reminded that the Sox ran Don Orsillo out of town for no reason every time I turn on NESN. I just need baseball back, and I can’t wait much longer.
I’d Rather Miss the Tournament than Lose like Cincinnati
Listen, I know I’m a few days late on this take. So sue me. I’m planning a pretty big move, if you hadn’t heard. but just because I’m tight on time at the moment doesn’t mean I can’t generate scalding takes, and I can’t just sit on this one even if everyone’s already forgotten this game happened: I’d rather miss the NCAA Tournament/playoffs than lose the way Cincinnati just did.
Before everyone gets up in arms, Sports Take Law requires me to establish my own rooting interests: people forget I went to UConn. We did, in fact, miss the tournament. We were the worst team in D-1. Worst offense of all time. Somehow played uglier games than Virginia and Syracuse, who’s entire gameplan is to make games ugly. They were so bad they got a guy who played at UConn and won a title four years ago run out of town (yes, he was very bad and I wanted him gone, but the fact remains). We stink at basketball. You know what we didn’t do, though? Blow a 22-point second half lead in like 30 seconds.
I should also probably state that I hate Cincinnati. They’re UConn’s “rival” in the fact that they’re in the same conference and were both in the old Big East, but they’ve kicked our ass for years, now. I hate that little gremlin Mick Cronin. Guy’s got the worst roid rage of all time despite being like 5’6″ 150 lbs. I have no idea how he gets anyone to play for him. So seeing them totally collapse against Nevada was quite satisfying. One of the worst losses of all time. Cincinnati might as well have been up 50 with five minutes left. They were completely dominating. Nevada had nothing going whatsoever. No game has ever been such a sure thing. But then they just…lost. I’ve never seen a collapse like that. Not the Lakers in the 08 Finals, not the Falcons, not even Virginia. Sure, Virginia panicked after going down 2-0 against a 16 seed, but they just got their butts whupped. Cincinnati had such a stranglehold on the game the announcers had started digging into the garbage time stories with 10 minutes left. It was over. But they lost. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to know you’re going to win but then just stop playing. Talk about embarrassing! Those Cincinnati players must feel absolutely terrible about themselves. Probably going to stick with them until they die. You hate to see it.
But, yeah, I’d much rather just stink than have these losses. These games scar you. I’ve never gotten over Super Bowl 42. I’m willing to bet that one game is the reason I’m such a miserable piece of shit. Then there was Super Bowl 46. And the 2003 ALCS. And the 2010 NBA Finals. And Super Bowl 52. If I was given the option of making it to the big game and losing or missing the playoffs I’d take missing the playoffs 1000000000% of the time. I don’t need that stress in my life. I don’t need one of my teams going down in infamy because they blew it so bad. I mean, one of Cincinnati’s best players fouled out with five minutes left because he was being an idiot. Completely let his teammates and everyone who believed in him down. He’ll never get over it. I’d say it was the worst moment of his life, but after a loss like that, I won’t sit here and say he won’t go into a downward spiral. Anyway, I wouldn’t want any of my guys to have to deal with that. Sure, you have to make a few playoff runs to keep everyone off your back, but no one remembers that the Nuggets missed the playoffs in 2016, only that the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead. It’s all about subverting your own expectations and keeping the pressure off, not trying to be a hero only to get dragged back to Earth in the worst way possible. Aim for mediocre, not heartbreak. Unless you can actually win, then do that.
Cincinnati’s loss was so bad no one even noticed Xavier collapsed just as bad. Rough week for Sam Wyche.
MLB Announced It’s Hosting a Food Festival and I’ve Never Been More Excited for Anything in My Life
source– We’ve built an all-star roster for the first MLB FoodFest, with a menu that boasts tastings from ALL 30 ballparks – from the Dodgers’ lauded Cheeto-Lote to the Mariners’ toasted grasshoppers.
On top of the eats, we’ll also be keeping your IG feed fed with a hot dog art gallery, massive popcorn pit, and more.
One weekend only, tickets are limited.
This came across my feed the other day. A food festival showcasing signature dishes from all 30 Major League stadiums. Purely out of instinct I purchased tickets immediately. I didn’t even think twice. Don’t think I thought once, to be honest. What better way to usher in the new era of the Brian’s Den then to attend a massive cultural event in my first month in New York City? I actually don’t think this is a coincidence. MLB saw I was moving and immediately put this event together to welcome me to the city. Can’t say I blame them. So, yes, I will be there, and yes, I will try all 30 foods, and yes, there will be a video. If you want to join me get a ticket for Saturday April 22nd at 1-3 pm. I’m sure they’ll go fast now that everyone knows I’m coming.
Let’s take a look at the menu:
Some rapid fire thoughts-
- Rockies sending a regular old cheeseburger when they have Rocky Mountain oysters is a head-scratcher.
- Chicago dogs are the worst way to eat hot dogs don’t @ me.
- A lot of crab here. Don’t hate it.
- I already know the Cheeto-lote is going to be the worst thing I ever put in my mouth.
- When I think Detroit, the first thing I think of is shawarma.
- Things I’m looking forward to for content purposes: toasted grasshoppers, Monte Khrush Davis Cristo, Cheeto-lote, churro dog, Pig Pickin’, chicken and donut slider.
- Things I actually want to eat: South Side Horseshoe, Brisket-acho, bacon wrapped plantain, Tri-tip nachos, Reuben Cuban sandwich, chicken waffle cone, lobster roll.
- Calories clearly don’t count here.
- Toasted grasshoppers is the most Seattle thing imaginable.
- Wonder if eating everything will get me a non-roster invite to a team’s spring training next year.
- This is going to be the greatest day of my life followed by perhaps the worst trip(s) to the bathroom in human history.
The Only Guide You’ll Need for March Madness 2018
Here we are at the end of another college basketball season. Or the start, depending on your level of commitment. I won’t judge. Not too hard, at least. Either way, the NCAA Tournament is starting tonight. Yes, the play-in games count. What better way to warm up? Diving in to the deep end of basketball heaven on Thursday without whetting your appetite first is dangerous to your health. Without prior exposure, getting hit with the same four commercials all day can bury you. You can get used to tuning in to TruTV, even though Tournament games have been on TruTV for at least six years now, so you’re really a giant idiot if you have to ask what TruTV is in 2018 (instances like this make me wonder if I’m the weirdo for retaining information and knowing every channel I’ve ever tuned into). You can slowly expose your body to the terrible food and drinks you’ll endlessly consume over the long weekend. The First Four are a necessary step in the March Madness process, regardless of how bad the games wind up being.
Last year, I gave you a rundown of all 68 teams in the field. Everything you needed to know in one sentence. Why change anything now? Unlike the selection show executives, I see no point in messing with a winning formula. I’m here to guide you in your bracket creation. Need a refresher on who’s in the field? Forget who’s good? Stuck on a pick and need some inspiration? Look no further. With UConn sitting at home for a second straight year, my thoughts on this year’s field are unclouded by bias. It’s time to attack the bracket with a zeal unknown to mankind in pursuit of perfection. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.
East Region
- Villanova– If Big East games weren’t stuck on FS1 I bet more people would respect Nova.
- Purdue– Imagine thinking Purdue was going to do anything in the tournament?
- Texas Tech– They’re my annual “All-In on a random team” team, which means they’re out in the first round.
- Wichita State– In 2018 PC culture, the fact that Wichita State is able to remain the Shockers is absolutely astounding.
- West Virginia– Huggins is making the Final Four this year, I can feel it in my bones.
- Florida– Honestly don’t think I watched one second of Florida hoops this season.
- Arkansas– Honestly don’t think I watched one second of Arkansas hoops this season.
- Virginia Tech– It’s divine March Madness law that Virginia Tech play in the 8-9 game every year.
- Alabama– This bracket is a little too SEC heavy for my taste.
- Butler– People forget Gordon Hayward almost hit that half-court shot that one time.
- St. Bonaventure/UCLA– Not enough colleges have brown jerseys.
- Murray State– I still remember being in a random Applebee’s in New York City that time they won on a buzzer beater in the first round.
- Marshall– If McConaughey’s there, look out.
- Stephen F. Austin– Hey, kind of like Stone Cold Steve Austin, right? Get it?
- Cal State Fullerton– How many state universities does California have, 10,000?
- LIU Brooklyn/Radford– There are four play-in games. Two of them are in this bracket. This annoys me.
Midwest Bracket (I don’t care if you have it in the same podunk midwest arena, for the love of God call it the North region)
- Kansas– Think I could suit up for Kansas and they’d still win the Big 12.
- Duke– *sigh* Duke’s probably winning the title this year.
- Michigan State– Might have two future NBA All Stars and might lose first round.
- Auburn– Auburn stiiiiiiiinks.
- Clemson– Trying to figure out the reasoning behind Clemson and Kentucky being the same seed.
- TCU– Such a nondescript team.
- Rhode Island– Everyone saying Dan Hurley is the next UConn head coach so I’m rooting for whatever result will prevent that from happening.
- Seton Hall– Love me some pirate mascots and also Sam Dalembert.
- N.C. State– They won the title in ’83, so you know they’ve got the mental makeup to go deep.
- Oklahoma– Quite possibly the most fixed selection of all time.
- Arizona State/Syracuse– I already know Syracuse will somehow win a couple games purely because they have absolutely no business being in the field whatsoever.
- New Mexico State– A popular upset pick, which means they’ll lose by 25.
- Charleston– I’m just gonna come out and say it- there’s too much maroon in the bottom of this bracket.
- Bucknell– Bison are one of the great American animals, they need more mascot representation.
- Iona– I don’t know why, but I always picture Iona’s campus as a big cathedral but they worship Satan instead of God.
- Penn– I’m just glad Harvard didn’t make it.
South Region
- Virginia– So, so, so boring, but also good.
- Cincinnati– If you win the American Conference tournament but no one watches, did it really happen?
- Tennessee– I can’t be the only one surprised that they were randomly good this year.
- Arizona– Haven’t seen anything this under-seeded since the first time I tried playing Farming Simulator. Bada-bing!
- Kentucky– “I know I only recruit highly touted one-and-done guys so we’re young by design, but you can’t blame me, we’re a young team!”- John Calipari after they lose.
- Miami– If The Rock has eligibility left, they might make a run.
- Nevada– As Greg Gumbel would say, you gotta watch out for all the Wolfpacks out there.
- Creighton– Just assume they have a white senior with 2,000 career points.
- Kansas State– Starting to feel like I didn’t watch enough college basketball this year because I have literally no opinion on so many teams.
- Texas– If they make a run, is Texas Officially Back?
- Loyola-Chicago– My sources tell me they play stifling D, which is the first step towards a Cinderella run.
- Davidson– Wish college Steph was still around.
- Buffalo– Western New York needs something good to happen, just once.
- Wright State– Hey, uhh, more like Wrong State, amirite?
- Georgia State– Ludacris went to Georgia State.
- UMBC– I’m salty they beat UVM, but they also have a fellow Curran on the roster, so I think I’m on-board.
West Region
- Xavier– The least-confident one seed in recent memory, which means they’ll win the title.
- North Carolina– Kind of forgot they won last year.
- Michigan– B1G playing in NYC a week early is the worst thing to ever happen to college basketball.
- Gonzaga– The Official Brian’s Den 2018 Champion Pick.
- Ohio State– It’d be funny if they played Michigan in the Elite 8. Because they’re rivals, you see.
- Houston– Is Houston Street (the New York street, not the closer) being pronounced differently than the city of Houston the most needlessly New York thing of all time?
- Texas A&M– Ampersands need to make a comeback.
- Missouri– If Mike Porter, Jr. is really all that, Xavier’s getting screwed 2nd round.
- Florida State– Always underwhelming in the tournament.
- Providence– SMH, the FBI’s investigating the NCAA and aren’t indicting the headquarters of the- BRIAN’S LAWYER HAS ADVISED HIS CLIENT TO REFRAIN FROM MAKING ANY INFLAMMATORY REMARKS FOR HIS OWN SAFETY.
- San Diego State– Is San Diego State guilty of appropriating Aztec culture?
- South Dakota State– I, for one, am tired of the stranglehold the Dakotas have over American athletics.
- UNC-Greensboro– They’ve got a pretty cool logo.
- Montana– Have to imagine Montana is a fertile basketball recruiting ground.
- Lipscomb– Apparently Lipscomb is in Nashville? Who knew?
- NC Central/Texas Southern– Calling it right now- Texas Southern’s making the Final Four.
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