If you don’t know who Purity Ring is, stop sleeping. I’m not quite sure what is going on in the band’s visuals for “Lofticries”, but it’s awesome. Off of the album Shrines.
Category Archives: blake pon
Video: Kid Cudi “What I Am” f/ King Chip
Cudder gets trippy on us in his latest video for his single “What I Am”. King Chip, formerly Chip Tha Ripper, teams up for a Cleveland banger. Gotta love that golden frame.
NBA: Ten Surprises To Look Out For This Season
The NBA season couldn’t return quick enough, and with official tip off already underway, it’s time for ChiSide’s annual NBA season outlook. This year I’ll be posting my thoughts on the unexpected. Last season brought us the unforgettable “Linsanity”, the emergence of the Denver Nuggets and the various trades that put the league on its head the league. With a full 82-game season slated, expect more of the same; expect the unexpected.
1. Kyrie Irving vaults himself into a top 15 player in the league
The 2011 number one overall selection had a rookie season better than superstar point guards Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook had. The next step for him is to become the players both are. While Irving does not have another Kevin Durant-type on his team, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a solid foundation that could make huge strides if Irving steps his game up significantly, which transitions into my next surprise…
2. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be a lot better than you think
Head coach Byron Scott has ironed out the kinks in his first two seasons managing the club. After a 19-win first year, Scott got the Cavs to 21 wins in 66 games (equivalent to 26 wins in 82 games), a seven game improvement. If all goes according to plan (barring key injuries), Cleveland can crack 40 wins. If Irving becomes transcendent, power forward Anderson Varejao stays healthy and second-year center Tristan Thompson makes a jump, the Cavs can win a lot of close contests in a weakened Eastern Conference that has lost superstars Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard.
The X-factor for Cleveland will be none other than Varejao. The crafty Brazilian, in my opinion, is as good as Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah. Varejao is one of the league’s best floppers (yes, this is a good thing) and draws offensive fouls at an astounding rate. He averaged 11 points and 11.5 rebounds in 31 minutes of play through 25 games last year. Noah averaged 10 and 10 last year in 30 minutes throughout a whole season. There’s no doubt that Varejao’s presence is vital to this team’s success.
3. The Los Angeles Lakers will not lead the league in wins
The Western Conference is tough and the Lakers have the oldest starting five in the league with an average age of 32. In addition to a full 82-game schedule, head coach Mike Brown will be preserving the legs of his older starters for a late playoff run. It would not be far-fetched if the Denver Nuggets were able to finish the regular season off with two-to-five more wins than the Lakers. Continue reading
Filed under basketball, blake pon, chicago bulls, sports, video
Download: Kendrick Lamar “The Jig is Up” (produced by J. Cole and Canei Finch)
Remember that rumored Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole joint album called Out The Sky? Yeah, that might still be happening with the release of “The Jig is Up”, which features Kendrick spitting over a Cole-produced banger. Keep your fingers crossed for the potential album. *Eargasm*
Album: Kids These Days “Traphouse Rock”
Chicago collective Kids These Days has finally dropped the anticipated Traphouse Rock, a 15-song album showcasing the various qualities of the band. Did I mention that this album is available for the low price of free.99? Guest verse includes Chance the Rapper. Download below.
Click here to download Traphouse Rock.
Download: The Weeknd “Enemy”
Looks like The Weeknd has dropped a previously unannounced track called “Enemy”. This is not slated to appear on the upcoming album, Trilogy, which releases Nov. 13.
Click here to download “Enemy”.
Mixtape: Angel Haze’s “Classick”
Promising MC Angel Haze just dropped a six song mixtape titled, “Classick”. Haze is one of many up-and-coming spitters to hail from the Big Apple. Don’t sleep on this. Listen/download below.
Click here to download “Classick”.
Download: Kendrick Lamar “The Heart Pt. 3 (Will You Let It Die?)” f/ Ab-Soul & Jay Rock
Kendrick Lamar and fellow TDE members Ab-Soul and Jay Rock decided to record and drop the third installment in “The Heart” series of songs. Will you let hip-hop die October 22nd? Listen/download below.
MVP Race: Mike Trout or Miguel Cabrera?
One of the more interesting debates on the diamond this season is the AL MVP. This season, Angels’ rookie Mike Trout and the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera compiled two of the best seasons in baseball history, leaving baseball writers perplexed when it comes to voting for the title. My Daily Illini colleague Stephen Bourbon and I break down the race below, beginning with my argument for Trout after the jump. Continue reading
Chi Side of Chambana 