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2016 NBA Playoffs Predictions

April 6, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Staff Writer Micah Henry

The NBA playoffs are only days away. Through numerous injuries, heart breaks, thrilling victories, and total domination, 16 teams have almost entrenched their names into the 2016 NBA playoffs. With the most prominent story line of the season being if the Golden State Warriors can break the 95-96 Bulls record of 72 wins and 10 losses, doing so by reaching 73 wins and 9 losses. As of now they are 69-8, and can only afford one more loss, to break the record, two losses and the best they can do is tie the record. However, Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors, has made it clear the record is not their goal, it is to win the championship, as is every team’s goal who is entering the playoffs. As of now and most likely, here are the teams and matchups that will be competing in the 2016 NBA playoffs.

In the Eastern Conference, 1) Cleveland Cavaliers will versus the 8) Detroit Pistons and the Cavs will win to advance to the next round, winning 4-0. The Cavs are the most dominant teaM in the Eastern Conference, with Lebron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving leading the charge, they will breeze by the Pistons. The 2) Toronto Raptors will face off against the 7) Indiana Pacers and the Raptors will advance, beating them 4-0. The Raptors, with Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan having career years, the Pacers won’t be able to keep up. The 3) Atlanta Hawks will face off against the number 6) Charlotte Hornets and the Hawks will advance, winning 4-1. The Hawks have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons and the Hornets in that time span have made it only twice, experience will and talent will brush the Hawks past the Hornets. Lastly, the 4) Boston Celtics will face off against the 5) Miami Heat and the Heat will advance to the next round, winning 4-3. The Celtics are having a great season, however a number four seed versus a number five seed could go either way. An upset here is likely as these teams match up rather equally, with Miami ranked fourth in points allowed per game, and the Celtics ranked fifth with points scored per game.

Thus, the second round will have the games set up as 1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the 5) Heat, and with the Heat most likely just sneaking past the Celtics, the Cavaliers will have another relatively easy matchup, and head to the Eastern Conference Finals. The ever present 3) Atlanta Hawks will then face a tough matchup against the 2) Raptors and the Raptors, coming off a franchise high in wins for the regular season, will push past the Hawks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. There the 1) Cleveland Cavaliers will face a nail-bitter matchup vs. the 2) Raptors in which the Cavs will squeeze by through tactical defense and clutch playing by Lebron James, to reach the NBA Finals for just the second time in nine seasons.

For the Western Conference, a much more challenging conference in comparison to the East, the 1) Golden State Warriors will face off against the 8) Utah Jazz and will win this with ease, in a 4-0 series. The Warriors are a top two team in the NBA and are bound to reach the finals through the historic play of Steph Curry, breaking his own record for most threes scored in a season, Klay Thompson who is a huge scoring threat, and Draymond Green who is the only player in NBA history to score 1,00 points, record 500 assists and 500 rebounds, as well as 100 blocks and 100 steals, a mesmerizing feat. The 2) San Antonio Spurs will face off against the 7) Dallas Mavericks, both teams are very familiar with the playoffs, but with the Spurs having the second best record in the NBA and arguably the best defense in the NBA, along with star play Kawhi Leonard and the veteran presences of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, they will easily beat the Mavs in a 4-0 sweep. The 3) Oklahoma City Thunder will then face then 6) Portland Trail blazers and the Thunder will prevail 4-0. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will simply be too much for Damian Lillard and the blazers, and will advance to the next round. Finally, the 4) Los Angeles Clippers will face the 5) Memphis Grizzlies and the these teams being equal in skill, and the season series tied at 1-1, this will be a gritty matchup. Yet, the Clippers will be too much for the Grizzlies with the dominance of Chris Paul, Deandre Jordan and Blake Griffin and will advance to the next round in an entertaining 4-2 series.

The next round will then have the 1) Golden State Warriors face the 4) Los Angeles Clippers and the Warriors will just be too talented for the Warriors and they will win a 4-1 series. Next, the 2) San Antonio Spurs and the 3) Oklahoma City Thunder will play in an amazing series. With the the number two ranked offensive of the Thunder going against the number one ranked defense of the Spurs, defense will dominate and in a seven game series, the Spurs will advance to the Western Conference Finals to play the Golden State Warriors. In the Western Conference Finals, it has the potential to be one of the most exciting conference finals in NBA history, a number one defense vs. a number one offense. There will be times the Warriors are clearly better and times the Spurs are the team to beat, but in the end, the Spurs veteran talent will outlast the Warriors in a 4-3 nail-bitter of a series to advance to the NBA Finals to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Spurs and the Cavs will have a thrilling matchup, however the Spurs, will win this series with a little bit more ease than against the Warriors as the defense will be too much and the solid offense will add fuel to the fire, and the Spurs will be the 2016 NBA Champions. It won’t be easy, but it is only right for maybe Duncan, possibly others, to go out on the highest note.

After School Club: A Stress Free Zone for K-Pop Artists

April 5, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

I have always been a fan of K-Pop. At first my fandom was more casual but recently I have found myself in a bottomless pit of K-Pop, and I have the web series After School Club to thank for it.

After School Club is a continuous web series where K-Pop stars come to have fun not only with the hosts and their members, but their fans as well. In this series, fans are given a chance to directly speak and have fun with their favorite artists. The hosts of the show are idols themselves, so they understand the struggle of wanting to have fun and are there with the guests to do so. The host consist of Eric Nam (Solo Artist), Park Jimin (Member of 15&), and Kevin Woo (Member of U-Kiss).

There are many shows out there in the world of K-Pop where they get to have fun and just relax, but After School Club has something special. Other shows have certain restrictions to what you can expose to the audience. For example, many shows limit how a person can act. If a person wants to act crazy, they should be allowed to, but shows other than ASC do not allow that. Not only that, but they do not have much communication between fans and artists.

(In Order from left to right: Eric Nam, Park Jimin, & Kevin Woo) Credits to Arirang

If you are into K-Pop or curious to check it out, the show gives you a chance to look at artists and their personalities. You get a chance to see them being themselves rather than them acting through a music video. Of course, K-Pop stars have communicated a lot with their fans, but through ASC, fans get to ask them questions and tell them much they appreciate the artists. You get to have a personal connection with someone you look up to and you could not get anywhere else. In an episode with BTS (Bangtan Boys), a girl named Kayla Quiambao went on hangout with BTS and asked “I love all the songs of the Cypher tracks and I was wondering why there wasn’t a fourth Cypher on this mini album” (their new album”The Most Beautiful Moment In Life Part 2). They answered with “We are going to push you in and pull you back” (basically teasing the fans). From there she requested that they sing a part of “Dope”, which is a track on the mini album. Filled with energy, they excitingly did as requested. Throughout the hangout Kayla, along with BTS had the biggest smiles on their faces.

This is such a fun and upbeat show that you get a chance to enjoy and laugh along to. I enjoy watching this show because of the vibrant feeling it gives off. Artists such as BTS & GOT7 get to show off their goofy and loud side without any worries. I personally have never enjoyed watching artists get interviewed on shows because, of how the environment and attitude that is being displayed, but not with this show. I actually enjoy it so much. Another show, Weekly Idol, is a funny show, and the artists that go on the show have fun, but sometimes the MC’s of the show tend to take their jokes too far to the point where the artists get hurt and/or offended.
I definitely recommend this to the many who are into K-Pop or want to give it a chance. You get a chance to hear the music these artists produce and you also get to know each member as they grow with their career. There are many other reasons for why you should check it out, but you would have to see for yourself.

SLA Baseball 2016 Preview

April 5, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Staff Writer Micah Henry

It is that time of year again, indian running with four layers of clothing, gloves, hats, and thermals to the art museum steps. The one teammate who didn’t bring enough layers and is asking for someone’s other glove. The one who didn’t bring water and is asking for everyone else’s. The soreness of everyone after doing squats, pushups, sprint, crunches, and eventually jogging back to school. The amazing feeling of warmth engulfing you as you enter back in the school to head home from a practice. The overall dedication that made you decide to participate in this practice in the first place, the grind, this is SLA baseball.

A year later after making a completely unprecedented run to the final four of the Philadelphia Public League, a win away from the championship game at the Camden Waterfront Stadium, the Rockets fell short vs. opponent Franklin Towne High School. Prior to their unfortunate defeat, they had one a mesmerizing 16-0 C division season, beating teams by 10+ runs with ease and winning the title. However, it is C division. It would take a statement playoff run for teams to take SLA baseball seriously, and that was just what happened. First beating B division team Bodine by holding them to one hit and letting the offense rip. Then, SLA baseball made a statement by beating A division powerhouse Esperanza. Then finally, SLA baseball played most likely its toughest game in the history of the team, number one ranked Frankford, who were also the former Philadelphia Public League Champions. Down 5-1 at one point, SLA baseball made a magical comeback, eventually taking the lead on a two run single to hold on to a 6-5 win. Then in the Elite Eight, beating Lincoln to reach the Final Four were they, as aforementioned, went down to Franklin Towne.

Regardless of what happened last year, SLA baseball is now back and ready to take on another challenging run to the city title. However, SLA baseball lost a few key players, we also received three to four players who are the future of SLA baseball. The future is bright, and that was shown as SLA is 3-0 to start the 2016 season. Winning against Mastbaum by a score of 13-0, beating MLK 12-2 and today crushing Bodine, the team SLA baseball played first in last years playoff run, by a commanding 15-1 score. In three games, SLA baseball is outscoring opponents 40-3, primed for another run for the city title. There is nothing stopping SLA baseball this year. Rockets on three, family on six!

House of Cards Season 4: Bigger, Badder (in a good way) and Better than Ever

March 31, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Sean Morris

Staff Writer

*Warning there will be some minor spoilers

If you read my last review on Netflix’s giant “House of Cards” third season, you will know I was not overtly fond of where it was going.this season, however, I am happy to say exceeded my expectations and brought back the quality the show needed.

Picking up within a few weeks of where the show last left off, the new season begins with Frank Underwood up against his most formidable opponent- his own wife, Claire, who shockingly announced to frank that she was leaving him at the end of the last season. Despite this rivalry, they start to mend their relationship in order for Frank to win the presidency in the 2016 election against a media savvy republican candidate (played with a surprisingly thoroughly likeable charm from Joel Kinnaman) as well as a number of other challenges to their power.

The show takes place during the present day, with acknowledgement to an actual 2016 election in America. The difference is, however, is that on the surface the candidates presidented to their voters are much more electable than our actual candidates- and that is saying something. The Republican candidate in the show is young, a loving family man, humorous, likeable, and we even find he has some liberal views- which is in vast comparison to the likes of Trump and Cruz, who alienate members of their own party and even more so the Democrats. And Underwood seems as solid a candidate as others (ignoring his murderous tendencies for now). In the real world election, he could be even potentially been seen as the best choice for the Democrats when compared to Clinton and Sanders. Which begs the question as to just how far American Politics may have fallen if a show about the fictional backstabbing and murderous politicians seem better than our actual ones?

Acting wise, the Underwoods continue to hit their stride This season gives them both wonderful moments that show why Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are some of the best actors and actresses out there. The show’s recurring characters remain strong like Michael Kelly as Doug Stamper, Nathan Darrow as Edward Meechum, Lars Mikkelsen as President Petrov, Paul Sparks as Thomas Yates,, Molly Parker as Jackie Sharp and more (as well as surprising returns) all hit their mark and do their job excellently. Some new faces include Neve Campbell as Claire’s aide, and a particularly memorable performance Ellen Burstyn as Claire’s mother.

While the season has a few plot points that make you question the “reality” of the show–like Claire’s path to power seems a little far fetched and illogical at times it’s still able to sell it convincingly enough to allow an audience to have its “suspension of disbelief” for the season. In my review of the last season I had mentioned that I expected it to be able to run for another 2 seasons, and after this season it definitely seems like they have one more, and possibly only one more. While I won’t give spoilers, the season ended on a note that seemed to be preluding to a finale for the next season- while this is not definite it would seem likely.

The season I found improved vastly from the slow burn of the previous season with its ability to take different twists and turns that were both surprising and editing. Additionally, the cinematography and direction was top notch. Like during a dream sequence Underwood was chasing a woman in a low lighted hallway and imagined blood dripping from a faucet were very well captured and that’s only a little bit of the whole season. Some of the best episodes of the season (including the one that had the shots I described) were directed by Claire Underwood herself- Robin Wright- who further goes to show that she is one of the most talented people in the business.

If you were not a fan of the last season as I was, this season remains a treat nevertheless and well worth a watch for any House of Cards fan. I look forward to what might be the final season when it comes back next year.

Editorial: First Time Voters Guide

March 31, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Majority of SLA’s seniors are turning eighteen–which means they’ll be focused on the real world, i.e bills, college tuition, jobs, and voting. There is a false impression that if you don’t vote, it doesn’t affect the election anyway–wrong! Every single vote matters. We play an important role in who our next president will be–every last one of us. So, you’re on board with voting, but what are the first steps? Along with taxes, how loans work–it isn’t taught in high school. But, we will teach you about voting.

Research, Research, Research!

Don’t jump on the bandwagon when it comes to picking who you want to be president. You could possibly be rooting for someone who doesn’t hold the same (or most) values as you. So, do your own research. Check their political policies, neutral fact websites which give breakdowns of how the candidates approach certain issues. Ignore their gender, race, and political party stance because you could possibly subconsciously not want someone in office because of their identity. This link is a great resource to start with when trying to find the right candidate to vote for: https://www.isidewith.com/elections/2016-presidential-quiz.

Voting for the Specific Candidate for the Right Reasons?

It’s a groundbreaking moment when the archetype of a president is broken. Most of us would like to see a woman in office. But, maybe Hillary isn’t our first pick. Bernie Sanders would be the first Jewish president. Donald Trump would be the first non-politician to be president. Ted Cruz would be the first Cuban president. No matter which way this election goes, they would all be the “first” in the lines of presidents before. But, we shouldn’t let that get the best of us. Choosing a president just because of certain aspect of their identity (besides their political stance) could be dangerous. For instance, James Buchanan was America’s first (alleged) gay president, yet he led America into the civil war. You also shouldn’t ignore smaller elections such as senators and congress. Having a president with good intentions and ideas is counter productive if the senate and congress blocks their policies.

Can They Accomplish Their Promises?

When running for presidency, every candidate has something they want to change about America. Whether it’s free college for everyone or a wall bordering Mexico, voters expect the candidates to keep their word. You have to ask yourself if the candidate’s promises are practical. For instance, Bernie Sanders wants to take down Wall Street and make sure every college kid is tuition-free. He has good intentions and it would be great if all of his endeavors were to happen, but we have to seriously ask what we think he could accomplish. For example, President Obama promised he would end war in Afghanistan in 2014, but it still hasn’t happened.

Now It’s Time to Vote!
Spread the word! Tell your friends and family to vote. Check when your state’s primaries happen. Find a location where you can vote. Make sure you have fully registered and have your card. And check out Anna Sugure’s Facebook group- Students Vote Philly – which further goes into this.