11.30.2007 | 12:08 am | FTB On the Road
Key West likes pirates. And given that there’s a famous historical stronghold of piracy off the western tip of the island, it should come as no surprise that pirates are pretty big here. But who knew the extent?
As it turns out, onetime motivational speaker and former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Pat Croce, really likes pirates too. He likes them a lot. Seriously. A lot lot. I had no idea how much until earlier today. I knew that Allen Iverson was sort of pirate-like, but that was just the tip of the, er, sabre. How much does he like pirates, you ask? Well, he has a pirate themed restaurant and bar, The Rum Barrel, in Key West for starters. And as it turns out, the restaurant is a co-sponsoring a giant city-wide, pirate-themed festivus that begins today—the Pirates in Paradise Festival, as it were—with everything from historical reenactments to heavy rum consumption to authenticate the proceedings. But perhaps more impressive is Croce’s Pirate Museum. In addition to a diverse arsenal of weapons used by actual pirates, his stash includes one of only two original (read: real) Jolly Roger flags still extant and the only validated pirate treasure chest.
Make the jump and vote for the best pirate in sports. Read More »
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11.29.2007 | 6:54 pm | FTB On the Road, Game-Time Decisions, Mad Russian's Poetry Corner, The Warriors
Courage is grace under pressure—Ernest Hemingway
There was no rain yet, but you could smell it coming. It was a warm night and Duval Street was choked. Chasing the ghost, we went to Captain Tony’s first. I ordered a Papa Doble in honor of Hem. The place had brassieres hanging from the ceiling and smelled of stale beer and old smoke. We didn’t stay.
Shaking Tony’s joint in favor of the new Sloppy Joe’s, we stumbled into a two-man comedy cabaret. The first number we heard was a song about scrotums. It was a sing along. The basement allegedly housed a wealth of untold riches in the form of televised sports. But with the scrotum song threatening to put us off our feed, I powered down my Cuba Libre and we bolted for dinner.
After dinner, the hunt was on. Maybe it wasn’t the most likely circumstance to catch a game being played 3,000 miles away, but what the hell. Matt Barnes was going to play through the death of his mother in the city where he grew up. She had died the day before. As fans we owed it to him to try and watch. We figured that it was probably getting close to halftime. The first bar had 40 televisions but no NBA League Pass.
“The owner’s a cheapskate,” said the barman. “And he’s never here.”
The second option was a bar called Big Uns. Apparently it had been named after a fictitious porno magazine from an old TV show. It reeked of that brand of desperation particular to certain sports bars.
“Do you have the NBA League Pass,” Lil’ B. asked. “We’d like to watch the Golden State Warriors game.”
The barman snorted. “The who? Are they an NBA team?” He had the build of a linebacker and curly hair frosted blond along the top. He looked to a man seated at the end of the bar for his cheap laugh. Finally, he smiled. “I’m joking folks. We’ve got the league pass.” He picked a nearby set and started flicking through channels. He found the game and we ordered beers.
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11.28.2007 | 7:48 pm | Game-Time Decisions, The Warriors, Town Business
I usually only get to Sacramento when the traffic up to Tahoe is unbearable. Can’t say I’m the biggest Kings fan, but I do have some fondness for those in our extended NorCal family.
Tonight we see the first of 4 meetings that will decide what team gets 07-08 braggin’ rights for NorCal supremacy. Last year, Smokeland owned Sactown. Regardless, tonight should be very interesting. Each team is coming off huge games, perhaps the best of the young season.
We here at FTB are not particularly known for live blogging, so if you need the play-by-play, you might want to check GSoM’s open thread or the Kings blog. Depending on your NorCal perspective and/or affinity.
But feel free to check back, as I will offer some game-time musings, with a beard-eye view of course.
Gd.
Gd at the half. Well close game. Golden State 53, Sacramento 55. The Beard seemed disappointed with the last 3-point heave. I understand. The Dubs should have been up 1 going into the locker room. The real news is that #22 is in the game. I hope they get the W and the game is therapeutic.
2:57 remaining. Foul calls, are foul.
1:36 remaining. Biedrins stuffs it. And then Jax with 3!
Gd at the final. The red wrist bands and guts take us to a .500 record! That’s 7 of the last 8! From 15th to 9th in the West in 8 games. Remarkable. Shout out to Ellis with 22 points. Biedins with 13-13. Jax with the all-round game and “phenomenal defense”!
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11.28.2007 | 10:46 am | The Warriors
Briefly: Barnes’ mother, Ann, succumbed to her fight with cancer early Tuesday morning. The Sacramento native, who returned home following his stirring performance against the Suns, also sprained his left ankle late in the game to further cloud his status for tonight.
A moment of silence for the Barnes family. The team will be close by tonight.
Respectfully,
FTB
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11.26.2007 | 5:09 pm | FTB On the Road, The Warriors, The X Factor
I once worked with a guy who’s family owned most of the trailer parks in Marin County. I didn’t even know that there were any trailer parks in Marin County, but this dude quit a high-paying job to help run the family business because that’s where the loochie was.
Now, I wouldn’t have figured that Captain Jax would have Key Largo’s trailer rental scene on lock, but I admit that I’ve underestimated him before. Just the fact that he called it out as a “Trailer Resort and Marina” makes me rethink my whole setup back in The Bay. It’s all about marketing. The new and improved Captain Jax seems to have figured out the curb-appeal thing in a number of ways.
Now, if he can play with all the efficiency of one of these fine apartments—while neutralizing Shawn Marion on the defensive end at the same time—the Dubs just might be able to run with them thurr Suns tonight. And if one of our esteemed left-coast representatives can just fill me in as to Captain Jax’s results tonight in the comments, I would be most gratified.
Turman
PS. See! Working harder already!
Gd. Update: Halftime.
Phoenix 63, Golden State 72. At the HALF.
Cap’n Jax? Well, he’s leading all scores with 20 points.
Gd, here at the final.
Ah, that’s the NBA I’m talkin’ ’bout. A game with 240+ pts scored. I like it. Mac Dre (sorry Jax Dre) with 32! Monta with with 31. And I see you back Matt Barnes, rebounds and assists. Then the Beard, with 28 and 10. A season high 129 points. Can you say 6-7?
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11.25.2007 | 4:11 pm | FTB On the Road, Town Business
Searching for a suitably flavorful breakfast this morning on the way to the beach I wandered into a local latin grocery. Along with some Chiquita bananas labelled “brain fuel” and a mysterious, flat bagel, I picked up some yogurt. Looking to embrace the “where I’m at” of it all, I grabbed not any yogurt but “The Yogurt” as the Spanish announced; moreover, the translation also called this out as emblematic of Latin Flavor, which in this case tastes a lot like pears.
It proved quite refreshing,
Turman
PS. No, this had nothing to do with beards, basketball or The Bay. I promise to work harder next time.
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11.25.2007 | 3:27 pm | Great Beards in History, The Warriors, Town Business
Heracles and Baron.
BD has proven that he can carry struggling teammates on his shoulders and through his individual heroics will a victory for the Dubs. Now, it seems his heroics are not confined to the hardwood.
In October, Davis was witness to an hit-and-run accident at the Oakland Airport that left a small boy severely injured. According to this article, after the SUV hit the 7-year old, BD stayed by his side, comforting him while they waited on the ambulance to arrive. Then he promised to take the boy to a Warriors game when he got well.
What I find great about “Boom the hero” is that on the surface it challenges modern western preconceptions. You know. Clean shaven. Square chin. Puritanical attitude. White. But, when you look back to stories of heroism in Greek mythology or ancient folklore, you’ll find many bearded men. And not just known for great strength, but for personal sacrifice, intelligence and even their prowess in the bedroom. Ha. Can you imagine Superman being exalted for cleaver ideas, or his “game” with Lois?
It strikes me that this is a more humanistic and likable hero.
Thanks to DeLinda for the heads-up.
Gd.
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11.24.2007 | 4:34 pm | The Warriors, Town Business
Imagine my surprise. I’m on a plane to Miami for a little baller-style R&R. And I’m missing the Beard’s triple dub against the Wizards and Junior Beard DeShawn Stephenson in the process, but no complaints. Then I crack open the new Sports Illustrated. And I’m knee-deep into SI’s second in-depth look into the Michael Vick case, when guess who shows up? Yup, Dizzle. The article, which is a well-crafted take on the pitfalls of ‘hood loyalty among elite athletes, considers the Vick case through this particular lens in an effort to shed light on one of the more compelling subplots of the case. By comparing and contrasting the Vick story to several others and pulling quotes and evidence from sources as diverse as USC professor Todd Boyd, former UN ambassador Andrew Young and former gang member and Snoop entourage guy Spoon Chaney (in addition to The Beard), the authors give a pretty fair assessment of the conflicting pressures that exist for athletes and others who make it out of the ‘hood only to find that making it out is way more complicated than the traditional “sell out” versus “keep it real” dialectic.
After isolating four causatives for what they term “ghetto loyalty” authors George Dohrmann and Farrell Evans offer up Baron as a success model with regard to constructing an adult identity that celebrates “where I come from” without being smothered by it. The article quotes The Beard extensively, and he cites his unique educational and interpersonal experiences at Crossroads High in Santa Monica and the steadying moral influence of his grandmother as key differentiators in his resolution to this identity struggle.
Make the jump to hear the quote. Read More »
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11.23.2007 | 9:39 pm | The Warriors, Zee Blog Juice
The beard left his mark in Washington tonight with a flamboyant game and a stat line to match. 33-15-11. A triple double on the road. I like that style.
Speaking of style. At every commercial break, sometimes twice, the Clothing Broker has been advertising during the Warriors games on FSN. Spokes person and one-time Raider great, George Atkinson, urges views to “come on down”.
Well, when I lived in Frisco, I was not far from the C.B. on Cesar Chavez and I did adventure down one day. Let me say, they have some very particular taste in clothing. Just not mine.
Velvet paisley jackets. Yep. Purple, red and blue stripe chenille. Fo’ sho’. Crazy Cosby sweaters. Many.
However, if you are so inclined and live near one of the locations (Smokeland, Richtown, Sacto, Frisco) their “Wardrobe Consultants” can get your fitted in some extremely colorful and liberally patterned attire.
Perhaps tell #43 sent you?
Gd.
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11.20.2007 | 10:04 pm | The Warriors, The X Factor
No doubt, Jack is back. Thank you for that. Defense with a capital D. Court vision. That unmistakable high dribble and his slow motion, behind his shoulder release, that’s just, well, money.
But I could help but notice that Sharpie penned #22 on the back of that deep orange head band. For Barnes, whose moms is battling cancer. I thought of my aunt C, Turman’s Uncle Jim and MM’s pops, who are also fighting the good fight.
Well, with win 3, the Dubs are headed in the right direction. And to our family and loved ones, live strong. Love and much respect.
Gd.
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