MUSIC VIDEO

This is Eminem's newest music video. This song - "Beautiful" - is the only song he kept (on Relapse) that was written during his days as user. He threw the rest away... but it's good thing he kept this song and the video does not disappoint. This is definitely a more serious side of Mr. Mathers. 

*KING OF POP*

R.I.P. Michael Jackson (1958-2009). Not much really needs to be said about the legendary MICHAEL JACKSON. He is now and will be forever the King of Pop. We all know he went through some controversies, but who doesn't? For years Mr. Jackson blazed the stages to his (what seems like millions) number one hits with his high waters and high white socks. There has never been anyone like him, and there most certainly won't be another King of Pop. Jackson is a one of a kind music king. Here are some classic Michael Jackson videos. Let's be serious - dude will always be cool... over 37-million youtube views for the Thriller video along! Enjoy the memories Michael Jackson has left us with.

VINTAGE. How many times have you tried to do the Moon Walk? At least 71 for me...

COOLER TALK - NBA FINALS

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. I know many out there are still ticked off that King James and the Cavaliers are out. I know that the dream match-up of Lebron and Kobe reminds long time NBA fans of the Bird-Magic clashes. But you are going to have to let it go. The dream match-up of King James versus Kobe is out the window. 

I can't blame anyone who thinks the Lakers are far and away the better team - they may be. But, isn't that what we going into the Cavaliers-Magic series? I mean the masses were swayed to believed King James was going to coast through to the championship game. NOT the case. In fact, Dwight Howard and the Magic showed the world that they are a team that deserves some attention and respect.

NBA FINALS BREAKDOWN. 

- Phil Jackson has never lost a NBA Finals series if his team wins Game 1. 

- Can Mickael Pietrus handle the duty of covering Kobe Bryant? It is hard to stop or slow down King James, but Pietrus seemed to disrupt James just enough , helping the Magic beat the Cavs in six games. 

- Jameer Nelson has been cleared by team doctors to play in the NBA Finals. Whether not he will play a huge role, coming off a supposedly season ending shoulder injury, the idea of having their number one point guard available is a big time bonus. 

- Kobe Bryant has a chip on his shoulder. It has been there since the departure of Shaq. Together they one three NBA championships and since that time, Kobe has tried to win one on his own. Following last season's meltdown by the way of the Celtics, Kobe will be the player to watch. Don't be surprised if he drops 60 in a game. He won't let anything stop him from this chance at a ring.

- Who can stop Dwight Howard underneath? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Luke Walton? Haha, just funny reading the last name again. The Cavaliers struggled inside to stop, slow down, and contain the Magic big man. They didn't really get it down and were only helped my his foul trouble. Ga-SOFT doesn't play defense, but has looked better than bad in this year's playoffs. Bynum has been a no show. And I don't think I even have to address Walton. Actually I know I don't. If Dwight can stay out of foul trouble, the Magic are a dangerous inside-out team. 

Prediction. Unlike most "experts" I believe the Magic has a legit shot at stealing a ring from the Lakers. The way that Orlando has played this season, especially in the playoffs, really comes as a surprise. They have been a very good team, but our thoughts were clouded, with the hopes of a Kobe-LeBron final. After venting, I am going to take the Lakers in seven games. This will shape up to be a surprisingly entertaining series, but in Game 7, Kobe will be Kobe leading the Lakers to their 15th NBA Championship. Oh, and of course Kobe wins the MVP honors. 

Taco Bell raps. This commercial is hilarious. Watched it not to long ago and needed to share. "The Taco Bell girl just owned you!" = Fantastic

COOLER TALK - TAMPA BAY RAYS

ARE THE RAYS FOR REAL? Last season the Rays completed one of Major League Baseball’s most improbable runs to the postseason. They were able to makeover their image. Going from perennial AL East doormat to World Series contender, in one season. It became one of the greatest single season turn around's in Major League Baseball’s history. 

Unfortunately for the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays their cinder-fella, fairy tale story was cut short. An now with 41 games complete, the new darling Rays find themselves hovering around .500, with a record of 20-21.

It is way too early to panic, right? The biggest concern for Tampa, so far, has been its pitching staff. The two aces of the staff have not been able to be their dazzling 2008 selves. James Shields is just 3-4 on the season and has been far too inconsistent. Scott Kazmir has struggled too, allowing 10 ER’s in his last two starts (6.97 ERA).

The spark is there, fans are just looking for the fire from last season.

RAY of hope. Last season revealed just how good the Rays were. Led by big name stars as B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, James Shields, and Scott Kazmir. So Evan Longoria’s explosive start comes as no surprise – 11HR’s and a major league leading 46 RBI’s. People will tell you they expected Longoria to lead the way.

But it is an unusual suspect making things happen for the Rays early on. Jason Bartlett’s hot bat has been a pleasant and welcomed surprise to the Rays dynamic offense early this season. So far, Bartlett boasts the third best batting average in the majors (.380), and in just 138 at-bats this season he has five homeruns (4 more than last seasons one homerun – in 454 at-bats).

Worth the PRICE. David Price. The Tampa Bay Rays made him the first overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. Last season Price was named the BEST prospect in baseball. So what are the Rays waiting for?

The buzz still looms. With continues speculation as to - When will the Rays prized minor league jewel – DAVID PRICE – get a bona fide chance to prove himself on the big league level?

Patience. That is the name of the Rays organizations philosophy. Trust in that philosophy. After years of 60-win seasons, patience prevailed. Price will get his chance. Just be patience. He is definitely worth the price.

** B.J. Upton’s bat has slowly become more and more alive over the last week of baseball. Not to say he is 100-percent healthy, but the fact that Upton has two homeruns and five steals in the last seven days, shows he is getting better following the off-season shoulder surgery. 

COOLER TALK - THE STATE OF BOXING

HATTON v. PACQUIAO. This past weekend, I found myself out at a bar getting ready to watch the highly anticipated fight between Hatton vs. Pacquiao. The brawl was expected to be the fight of the year, as two of the sports finest were set to go toe-to-toe, for an epic throwdown. But that wasn't the case. Following two first round knockdowns, Pacquiao dropped Hatton in the second round with a pulverizing, two fisted beat down. Methodical and destructive is the best way to describe Pacquiao's beat down of the Hitma, who never seemed to have a chance. The fight was over so fast that I, most likely among others, was left wishing for another opponent for Pacquiao to take on. Both of these fighters are champions. And Both have battled and beaten some of the sports best. But it was Pacquiao who stood above the rest on Saturday night, becoming the new junior welterweight world champion. Furthermore the win cements his status as the worlds best pound-for-pound fighter. Pacquiao has now won championships in six weight classes (112, 120, 126, 130, 135, 140) - tied with Oscar De La Hoya for the most. For now, or until Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao meet, PacMan will remain king of the world. 

STATE OF BOXING. IS THERE HELP ON THE WAY? Not sure. At this point I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. They biggest fights always have been between the heavy fisted, heavyweight sluggers. Too many of the so-called big fights are between the lower weight classes. People have lost interest. The big characters of the past are gone, and as much as Floyd Mayweather Jr. tries to attract attention to the sport he isn't big enough. Boxing needs another Ali, Foreman, or Tyson. Another problem boxing is facing is that their are far too many weigh classes. It is too hard to follow boxing. Through the years, the amount of weight classes has inflated from three or four to a number that is closer to 20. My advice for the world of boxing... use the KISS rule - Keep It Simple Stupid! Lets just hope Mayweather in his return (in August) can win so that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight won't be just a dream fight. Pretty Boy Floyd taking on the Pacman just sounds right, and has fight of the decade written all over it. 

*NEW CD REVIEW*

ASHER ROTH - ASLEEP IN THE BREAD AISLE

He is NOT Eminem. And he is NOT trying to be Eminem. That is usually the first mistake people make when they listen to Asher Roth's music (I know I almost went down that road). Besides the wacky, witty lyrics and similar sounding voices, the only other comparisons that can be made are their skin color and love of hip-hop. Eminem is Eminem. Asher Roth is Asher Roth. Two different rappers. When I first began hearing about Asher Roth, I wasn't sure what to think of Asher Roth's debut album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle. I was never completely sold on him. The "I Love College" jam was cool, but I wasn't sure. Well that was until I decided to buy the album. I shared the same thought that people probably had... that Asher Roth was a wanna-be Eminem, but man was I wrong. Asher Roth's debut is for the laid-back, chill seeking listener. The album has the feel of a frat party gone wild, with its many party anthem tracks. Asher Roth may not alter the face of hip-hop world, but he is sure to add some of his boyish, party animal, college loving, charm into the music. For Roth it all works, and he has made some room for himself in a crowded hip-hop world. 

**4.5 (out of 5)**

My favorite songs - "La Di Da"   -   "Be By Myself"   -   "As I Em"   -   "Bad Day"   -   "Sour Patch Kids"