Halftime Hype

On Wednesday, ESPN Los Angeles' Land O'Lakers blog published an article answering the question: "Which Eastern Conference team is the Lakers' strongest challenger?" Halftime Hype will now give its' spin:

Some will say that the situation in South Beach is sunnier that Los Angeles. Their Florida counterparts in Orlando, would likely favor the Magic. Others will claim that the Boston Celtics, who should really be in the midst of their "Last Hoorah" if they weren't last season, will prevail. However, everyone agrees that those teams are the beasts of the East, the only ones who can challenge the Lakers.

To pick the Celtics as the Lakers' strongest challenger in the East would be the most conservative choice - and, at this point in time, perhaps the most realistic. As ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin said, "The C's were about half a quarter away from beating L.A. to win the championship last June and added the O'Neals in Shaquille and Jermaine."

Last time around, pundits were quick to cast off the Celtics prior to the playoffs after their dismal regular season performance. To make the same case for this season could prove to be poor judgment and turn out to be incorrect later. However, I am confident injuries will arise with this Boston squad. It will come down to how the Celtics can work around that adversity.

Despite any individual opinions of the Lebron James free-agent debacle, one must acknowledge the Miami Heat's legitimacy as a contender. Having three of the NBA's top ten players, all of whom won an Olympic gold medal together just a couple years ago, certainly puts you in the championship discussion.

Nevertheless, if the Celtics are a realistic pick on the basis that they have proven their talent, the Heat are an unrealistic choice for the same reason. Playing on an Olympic gold medal team is extremely different from an 82-game season, followed by intense playoff series. Chemistry issues may emerge. With expectations already so high, there is no margin for error. Plus, as with the Celtics, injuries are always looming. Wade is certainly familiar with the trainer's office. Bosh and James were both affected by injuries last season.

You can't bet against such a dynamic team, especially since the Lakers have had difficulty with explosive, offensive teams in the past (see: Oklahoma City Thunder and losing a 3-1 series lead to the Phoenix Suns, etc.) The big question marks for the Heat will be how the Big Three mesh as well as how much the supporting cast can contribute.

The Orlando Magic pose a threat, but, in my opinion, to a much lesser degree than either the Celtics or the Heat. They must be left in the discussion, though, in spite of Dwight Howard (enough said), an aging but still effective Vince Carter, an All-Star point guard in Jameer Nelson, sharpshooters in Rashard Lewis and J.J. Redick, not to mention the offensive-defensive threats of Mickael Pietrus and Quentin Richardson.

For the most part, the roster remains the same as in the past couple seasons. That's exactly why they are still in the discussion. The team is capable of making a deep run, but equally capable of disappointing in the playoffs.

The Verdict: Having improved from an already daunting roster last season, it will be hard for any team to challenge the Lakers. On paper, they can match up with Miami. Although the Celtics upgraded a roster that got them to within four points of a Game 7 on the road, last I checked the concept a time machine still remains a sci-fi fantasy. Orlando is dangerous, but history says to bet against them. That said, the wisest pre-season pick, with the primary criteria being experience and proven play, would have to be the Celtics.

As spectators everywhere marveled at Kobe Bryant's game-winner versus the Boston Celtics (in Boston) on Sunday, after the game, I couldn't help but look forward to the NBA Finals. Honestly, it doesn't seem like there's a team in the Western Conference that could defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series. Sure, they may encounter a speedbump here and there, but nobody else in the West is capable of truly challenging the defending champs. Which got me thinking about the Eastern Conference. Despite the fact that the Boston Celtics are currently 7 games behind the Cavs, the two teams seem like the frontrunners in the East. Of course, we can't forget about the Atlanta Hawks.

On paper, Boston is undoubtedly the most talented team in the East and right there with L.A. They just seem like the more disciplined team. They already had the vets among the Allen-Garnett-Pierce triumvate, but Rasheed Wallace adds championship & NBA Finals experience. Furthermore, the development of Rajon Rondo has been a huge factor toward the Celtics' success thus far. One of ABC's commentators, I believe it was Van Gundy, noted today that in the past the vets weren't quite comfortable with Rondo facilitating the offense.

But, of course, things have changed. Rondo has emerged as a rising prospect in the league, a walking double-double if you will. If only he could hit his free-throws. In addition to this already talented cast, at center may be one of the most underrated players in the league: Kendrick Perkins. With his big frame, he's able to give his opponents trouble en route to averaging 2 blocks per game. Offensively, when a guy is shooting over 63% he deserves his props.

However, as good as they may be, the Celtics' vets are just that - veterans, experienced but old players. They have become increasingly injury-prone, and this squad hasn't proven that they are able to consistently win without one of their key pieces. Plus, in the last two seasons it's taken the Celtics 7 games to advance out of the first round. That kind of fatigue can't be good.



Then, I remembered the Cleveland Cavaliers. When you have one of the best players in the game, you're bound to make a solid run for the cup. Although analysts claim he doesn't have much help, I'm not buying it. Anderson Varejao is a hustle player who can ultimately change the outcome of games. Shaq, though he no longer dominates, still has a physical presence that frustates the opposition. To make it a 1-2 punch in the frontcourt is Big Z, who has range and height. Oh, and let's not forget about Mo Williams, a good playmaker equally capable of scoring as he is passing. J.J. Hickson has been a great boost as well. Anthony Parker is able to come in and chip in a few points here and there. Jamario Moon has some of the best hops in the league. Lebron may not play alongside star-studded talent, but he does have some good pieces among him.

One of the things that stands out when contrasting the Cavs with the Celtics is how they've faired against the defending champs. Whether or not the Cavs managed to catch the Lakers off guard (twice!) or they were just pure victories, they were still able to defeat them handily on the road and come away with a victory at the Q. The Celtics, on the other hand, weren't able to hold a double-digit lead vs. the Lake Show...at home. As Lebron has said before, the Lakers serve as a "measuring stick", and in this sense, the Cavs have faired better than the fellows in Beantown.

Everything considered, though, Lebron is the heart and soul of the team. If you're able to negatively alter his game (easier said than done), the Cavs won't have a chance of winning a playoff series; throughout the course of multiple playoff games, if the opposition can at least wear Lebron down, chances aren't that great for the Cavs. Then again, the Cavs are looking extra hungry this year and with Lebron's free agency approaching, Cleveland is doing the best it can to go for the gold.

Now the Atlanta Hawks are one special team. Having gone all the way to seven games with the Celtics in the same year as their championship run just two seasons ago, this team always excities me. On the flip side, though, it took them seven games to defeat a mediocre Miami squad last season. Nonetheless, this is a different team, in small part because of Josh Smith's maturity as a player.



What's so great about the roster is the youth. This team is among the Eastern Conference elite and the average age of a member of the starting lineup is about 26 years old. Make sure not to sleep on these ballers. Running the point is the experience of Mike Bibby, the former Sacramento Kings player who is capable of nailing down a long-range jumper just as easily as throwing up a floater. Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are probably two of the most underrated players in the league, both of whom can create looks for themselves at will. Josh Smith, who has grasped an understanding of his capabilities, has no problem flying for a jam or, just as lovely, a monstrous block. Al Horford is a terrific rebounder and shotblocker, who has proven his abilities from Day 1.

All in all, you don't want to mess with this Hawks team. In the playoffs, leaving their court with a win is no small task, either. The names on the roster might not stand out at first, but the game of the Atlanta Hawks shouldn't be underestimated.

Despite a somewhat impressive record, my judgement has convinced me not to bring up the Orlando Magic. For some reason, they seem like they lack the heart and fluid-ness required to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Vince Carter is no longer what he used to be. Dwight Howard can't hit free-throws. Also, has he thought of adding some range to his game. Rebounding, shot-blocking, and dunking make up a great skillset, but it's ok to take a shot out of the paint every once in awhile.

Who knows, I could be totally wrong about these predictions. The Hawks may be upset in the first round and the Magic might face off against someone other than Lakers. Right now, though, Boston seems like the disciplined team, the Cavs have the most heart, and the Hawks are not to be forgotten. Can't wait until June already!

As I've voiced earlier, these playoff have belonged to the young'ns, to use a Civil War term. Whether it was Birdman flapping his wings or Derrick Rose hitting clutch shots, it has been a new generation of newcomers who have taken over professional basketball. However, until the Finals came around, we, fans of the game, weren't able to watch the talent of All-Star point guard, Jameer Nelson. Needless to say, Jameer Nelson won't ever go down in history books - at least, not yet - and certainly not as an "All-Star." Ok, he can score and pass. There are many point guards who are capable of doing that. Is his performance really that impactful on the outcome of games? We've seen former street baller, Rafer "Skip to My Lou" Alston outperform the opposing PG and guide the Magic past challenging opponents, namely the Cavs. We have yet to see him fully shine and show his skills to the nation.

Personally, I think he's still holding on to his college success. While he's a good shooter in this league, having shot better than 50% on his field goal attempts this year, he really hasn't distinguished himself from other players on the court. I'll admit, his college accolades are rather impressive; in 2004, he won: Oscar Robertson Trophy, John R. Wooden Award, and Naismith College Player of the Year. Those awards, though, are given to the best players, who later turn out to be great marketers in encouraging players to go to college when they perform brilliantly in the NBA. Just look at some of the All-Star players of have previously been presented with the John R. Wooden Award: Marcus Camby in '96, Tim Duncan in '97, Antawn Jamison in '98, and the list goes on and on. Do you honestly belive that we can compare Jameer Nelson to any of these players?

And the fact that he isn't truly All-Star caliber, is only one of the things that bewilders me about the man ; the problem is that he's getting a little too much playing time now. Despite the fact that his minutes have been decreasing with every game (23 in Game 1, 17 in Game 2, and 11 in Game 3), I believe that if he plays less and the Magic stick with the system they've been using for the last four months during Nelson's injury, they will have a much better shot at winning the title. Take a moment to reflect on how much Rafer Alston has provided for this young Magic squad: equal quickness and ball-handling in comparison to Jameer, clutch play, and a valuable amount of momentum. The last thing the Magic need is to change around their line-up and replace a stable guard with one that has been absent for a player whose last game prior to the NBA Finals was on February 2. The Magic really can't afford to believe in Magic right now.

Reminds you of Kobe and Gasol, doesn't it?

Ever since training camp begins in October, our minds are focused on this time of year. Besides graduation and the thought of summer vacation, we always look forward to the NBA Finals. This is the time of year when the pundits no longer define the predictions, but rather, the predictions define the pundits. This is when one NBA franchise seizes the opportunity to rise to the top, and one team has to settle for silver. This is when one winner will be the example for future generations and the loser only a distant memory in the mind of the average fan. This is when a band of athletes representing two cities look to build a lasting reputation. This is where amazing happens.

This year the quest for gold is between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. If you had asked most fans at the beginning of the year, they would have told you the Lakers would definitely make the NBA Finals. If you had asked most fans during the season, they would have told you the Lakers would be 1 of 2 lone survivors come June. If you asked most fans during the first round of the playoffs, they probably would have told you the Lakers would emerge as the alpha-dog of the Western Conference and move on to the main stage. But if you asked most fans during the semifinals or finals of the Western Conference playoffs, they may have expressed some doubt about the Lakers winning the NBA championship, let alone staying in the race until June.

On the other hand, not many people would have told you that the Magic had the ability to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, otherwise known as "The Lebron James Show", and contend for 1st place. They could've brought up a number of excuses: The Magic doesn't have the experience. Jameer Nelson is injured. Van Gundy isn't the right coach. LBJ and the Cleveland Crew will surely beat them. Well, the Orlando Magic have come a long way. Dwight Howard proved that in a defense vs. offense showdown, the Defensive Player of the Year has the edge against the offensive-minded MVP. I thought the Lakers were getting too much hate. Turns out, the Magic weren't getting any love. Even after going 6-3 this season against Boston, the Lakers, and Cleveland, the blue-and-white bunch weren't getting any credit.

Let's not forget about the league, though. This is not the best situation for the NBA, who was ready to settle the "who's best" debacle by letting LBJ and KB play it out - which would have meant historically high ratings. Just think of all the time that was spent making the Kobe-Lebron puppet commercials. It would have been the match-up of a lifetime: Cleveland vs. Los Angeles, Kobe vs. Lebron, 24 vs. 23, Past vs. Future, Experience vs. Hype (in this case, I'm not rooting for hype). Take a second to ponder how much could have been written about such a series. Thousands of columns, hours of TV, and plenty of books would have been devoted solely to the 2008-2009 NBA Finals.



However, let's not forget the storyline we're working with here. We still have the Lakers, who are desperately looking to redeem themselves after last year's embarrassment against the Celtics. A championship now would allow Phil Jackson to stand on a pedestal of his own - without the presence of Red Aurebach. A title would also prove that Kobe could win without Shaq, although big men have been influential in this pusuit (see: Pau Gasol). Statistically, if the Lakers won, they would have a 50% success rate in the Finals (15 championships in 30 appearances). Then, there's a young group based near Disneyworld, who wants to shine up their fingers with a ring. Dwight Howard could prove he's more than just a big dude who can block shots; he could prove to be a legit leader in this league. By winning, the Magic could add to recent upsets against the purple and gold and be remembered as the ones who stopped Kobe Bryant in his trek. Most of all, they could bring basketball pride to a city without much sports glory.

Picking a winner for this series isn't easy at all. The Lakers have been playing rather inconsistently, with their most recent game being an exception. But then again, the Lakers do have the game's greatest closer in Kobe Bryant. Nonetheless, the Magic do have the momentum, winning round after round as an underdog. The Magic did win both meetings against the Lakers this season. They also found a way to control a team with this year's MVP. Will it be Disneyland or Disneyworld who is the victor in the match-up?

This time, I don't think I'm being biased when I predict that the Los Angeles Lakers will be the 2009 NBA Champions. Regardless of how much the Magic say they have grown throughout these playoffs, it's the Lakers who have learned the(ir) lessons. Last year, after "cakewalking" through the playoffs, as Kobe Bryant put it, the Lakers simply didn't show up in the NBA Finals. From that point on, they have been dubbed "softies" and have been on a mission. They won't settle for second-best. They could care less about being the Western Conference champions. In the last two series, they have banged around with some of the more physical squads in this league and regardless of what the media says, they have gotten much smarter defensively.

At the same time, though, I wouldn't be surprised if the Magic won. Well, I would, but only slightly. The Magic have the game's greatest defender in Dwight and one of the best 2-3 punches (ex. Gasol-Odom) I've seen in Lewis and Turkoglu. Additionally, Rafer Alston had a sensational series against the Cavaliers. With Lebron James' hand in his face, he stayed cool, calm, and collected as he banked a three-pointer. And Skip to My Lou hasn't been the only factor for Orlando. Pietrus has also put on a display of his skills by showing he can drain a long-range deuce just as easily as he can drive to hoop and convert.

But at the end of the day, the Lakers are the wiser, more poised team. They're just so much more lethal. Whether it's Kobe Bryant's scowl or Odom yelling at the top of his lungs, L.A. is just so much more dangerous. With Shannon Brown in the lineup, they have the edge against Rafer Alston. At shooting guard, nobody can stop Kobe. Odom and Ariza should be able to handle Lewis. And I can't wait to watch Gasol and Bynum take on Dwight. This is the crucial match-up here. If Dwight dominates the post, Orlando jurastically increases its chances of winning. But if Gasol and Bynum continue to display a daunting defensive presence, things may turn out to be slightly more difficult.

One quick order of business: WHO SAW THE MAGIC GO UP 3-1? I can't wait until the Cavs are humbled, voters reconsider their MVP, and the holy members of the media go into hiding for their unjustly endless praise of LBJ and Co.

If you have been watching the Lakers-Nuggets and Cavs-Magic series, you know that there have been several x-factors who have come out of their shells, found cracks in the opponents' strategy, and flat out, saved the game. It seems as though each of the four teams in the championship race - none of whom have a huge edge over the other - have one role player who can really make or break a game, or as we may find out, an entire series. Sure, it always helps when your superstars show up. But your chances of victory get that much better when the other guys follow their niche. After all, Lebron seems to have no problem hoisting 40+ point performances. However, his team isn't getting the job done. Same goes for last year's MVP, Kobe. Without the support of the smaller guys, figuratively speaking, it's very difficult to expect to win.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's imperative that Mo Williams gets his head in the game - and keep his mouth shut afterwards. His victory "guarantee" didn't end up happening and simply added fuel to Orlando's fire. Cleveland appears to be the most desperate team when it comes to an X-factor. I like to call the Cavs "The Lebron Show" because the default game plan seems to be:
1) Bring the ball up
2) Give the ball to Lebron
3) Stand around and hope for the best

The Cavs won't win ball games with that strategy. They need that icing on the cake. Ironically, I suggest that we delegate the dude who can't keep promises (a.k.a. Mo Williams) as their secret weapon. At times, we see this young man flourish as he drains a series of mid-range jumpers, only to score on the next possession by beating his opponent to the bucket. And of course, there is a "bright side" to his "guarantee" comments. It's somewhat refreshing, at least for Cavs fans, to know that their players are confident of their ability. At the same time, though, he needs to keep his ego on the low and just play the game.

Without a doubt, Orlando's game-saver, after Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu, is Rafer Alston. Skip to My Lou has shown his entire arsenal in this series; the man can shoot, steal, spin, and make a lay-up with ease. With LBJ, runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, in his face, Alston continued to enforce his will by banking a 3. With Jameer Nelson injured, Alston has done a phenomenal job of handling the ball - and playoff pressure - by prevailing at home and on the road. His outbreak in Game 4 definitely earned him well-earned attention. If he can continue to score, outpace, and outsmart Mo Williams, he can easily guide the Magic past the Cavs.

Denver happens to have the most influential X-factor in the league in J.R. Smith. Sometimes, you could find him hitting consecutive three pointers or beating the opposition on continuous drives to the basket. On other nights, if he were on a boat, he couldn't even throw the ball into the ocean. Every one of his next moves are as irrational as his previous ones. For these reasons, he may never turn out to be an All-Star, but his presence on the game is still huge, nonetheless. Defensively, he's there to keep up with the quick guard on the other team - no matter how successful or unsuccessful he is. Offensively, if he's connecting, he's dangerous; but when he's shooting up bricks, it's almost a guarenteed Denver loss (I'm very reluctant about using the g-word).

Obviously, the player who has the biggest impact on the series (for the Lakers), is Trevor Ariza. Having given up on Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, Ariza's hustle has been the difference between winning and losing in 2 games. But then again, his Game 2 slip-up did cost the Lakers a victory. All in all, though, Ariza had provided that extra spark that the Lakers, and more importantly, Kobe, need. When the ball is in the other team's hands, it's as if Trevor is playing with more energy than an offense, and is always looking to add to his stats with a steal, rebound, or block. He can match up with the opposition's shooting guard or small forward rather well, and his well-timed drives and recent increase in shooting accuracy have kept him on the floor (late). If Ariza continues to grab these game-changing steals - and Kobe gets some more help - the Lakers should have no problem advancing to the final round.

A great adaptation of enthusiasm of the game's greatest

This isn't the first time we've been faced with a Game 7 this postseason. As we all remember, Beantown's Celtics and Obamaville's Bulls got into an exciting seven game series that didn't fare out well for the underdogs. Now, in the Conference semifinals, we have two seven games series. It's no longer a question of who is the more dominant team; both teams have proved that they are talented. The winner will only advance to the next round by overcoming nervousness and all other emotions in a forum of adversity. But at the end of the day, "there can only be one."

With Orlando and Boston, we've seen the intensity of East Coast warriors. With the ferocious former-T-Wolf in KG absent, the Boston Three Party has turned to their dynamic duo and the bench as their source of inspiration to strive forward. Orlando is still getting acclimated to the heat of the series against the defending champs. I wouldn't call the Magic deers in headlights, but they aren't what I would refer to as "experienced." Coming in as virgins to the fame and success of the playoffs, they have done a phenomenal job holding their own - with the exception of allowing a buzzer beater by Big Baby. They have elevated their skilled players, who got bits of attention here and there, to postseason competitors, who are the subject of praise. The C's will be looking to get a victory on their home floor, but ever since #21 sat out so have the fans. Boston is no longer the most-feared place to play. Not that the waving green towels and roaring fans aren't intimidating; they are no longer a threat to the performance of the opposition. However, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have the ability to pile up the points in the clutch - crunch time still an issue for the Magic who barely won Game 6 after missing plenty of easy free throws. I'm not going to make any predictions on who will be victorious, but Game 7 of this series should be much closer than the Bulls vs. Celtics Game 7.

Magic's keys to victory:

• Dwight Howard needs to continue what he's doing - except for publicly criticizing his coach and missing free throws.
• The X-factors, Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston, must be involved. Lee's jumpshot and Rafer Alston's teardrops and long-distance shooting must be in check.
• Hedo needs to shoot better and take agressive drives. Despite going 3-13 in Game 6, he scored when it mattered most. The goal will be to finish with a good shooting percentage, though.

The Cetlics keys to victory:

• Ray Allen and Paul Pierce should be ready for clutch performances, as they were Chicago. Allen's three point accuracy combined with Pierce's mid-range game will likely make-or-break this epic battle.
• Rondo needs to put defensive pressure on the opposing PG.
• Perkins and Big Baby need to stay out of foul trouble. As we saw in the 3OT thriller last series, the Celtics desperately need their big men under the six fouls.

Coined on an Urban Outfitters tee near you. Just Kidding.

The other seven game series will be the Lakers facing off against the Rockets. The Rockets came in as the underdogs and may actually get much farther than they thought. They stole the first game of the series in Los Angeles, and have reached the playoffs without their star, Tracy McGrady. As if that weren't enough, their center, Yao Ming, the tallest in the NBA, went down in the middle of the series. One would think that would drastically hurt their chances of advancing. Not at all. In fact, you could make a case they've played better without him, going 2-1. However, the Lakers, specifically Kobe, have been cool with shrugging off losses and criticism by winning the following game. Although the Lakers have come out too lackadaisical in this series, they still have a chance to prove naysayers wrong with a Game 7 victory. And some are forgetting the meager bit of adversity the Lakers are playing through. Coming into the series Luke Walton was injured, then we discovered that Fisher was too old to keep up with Brooks, and recently, Lamar Odom, one of the most versatile players the game has, hurt his back. Oh, and I forgot to mention that their superstar-in-training, Andrew Bynum, has only had one decent performance in the series. But at the end of the day, it's difficult to bet against Kobe and his playoff experience, and the Lakers should be able to grind out a victory at home against the Rockets. If this series seems more complicated, it's cause it is.

Rockets' Keys to Victory:

• Landry needs to duplicate his Game 6 efforts in order to make it close. His 15 points, many of them in the closing quarter, provided the Rockets' with a crucial lift.
• Scola must exploit Odom and Gasol. When defended by Odom, he has to make sure to take his shots in the paint and aggrivate his back injury. If he's matching up with Gasol, he needs to use the strength he showed in Game 6 to create space with the "softy."
• Aaron Brooks has to use his speed the entire game - especially when Fisher is on the floor. For the most part, he's run circles around the entire Lakers team.
• Artest needs to keep his emotions and body in check. An ejection would definitely hurt the outcome of the game for the Rockets. And don't forget, Ron Ron has earned some flagrant points from his ejection. He has one or two more chances before those points result in a suspension.

Lakers' Keys to Victory:

• Come out with a strong start. They can't afford to let Houston go on a huge run to open the game. As we saw in Game 6, if the deficit in the first quarter wasn't so large they may have had a better chance of winning the game.
• Farmar needs to play tight D on Brooks. He'll probably have an edge in minutes over Fisher and can't be fatigued.
• It's crucial that Bynum scores and rebounds. His starting position is in jeopardy and he's not showing any passion on the court.
• Turn the 6'6" Landry into a liability. His height makes it much easier to match up with him, but you can't let him draw fouls.
• Gasol can't be weak defensively. His "defense" on Scola was unacceptable. He should also look to lighten the load on Kobe, at least in the first half, so #24 has plenty of stamina in the second half.
• I'm not worried about Kobe at all. These are the moments he relishes. Another chance to prove himself and his clutch reputation. But he needs time on the floor to do so, and when Jackson rested him at the top of the fourth in Game 6, he really decreased any chances of a Lakers victory.

The hype for these games is immense. Lebron James is probably having goosebumps right now about his next opponent. But he gets one more game in a reclining chair before it's time to play. As for the Nuggets, who have recently been chosen as favorites to beat the Lakers or the Rockets, they'll be anxious for their next battle. But for now, we wait until the result of Game 7.

Dope Jam of the Day

Champagne Red Lights (Remix) - O'Neal McKnight feat. Ron Brownz and Busta Rhymes -In this song, Busta Rhymes, one of the pioneers of New Age rap, spits out our motto, "something like a phenomenon" several times. But that's not what makes the song unique. The chorus has O'Neal McKnight, in a voice resembling an announcer, descriptively reciting the club setting. To compliment the grandness of the chorus, Busta Rhymes literally busts some realistic rhymes. He mentions his amazing presence when he steps in and then its back to the baratone narration of McKnight. And to add a playful sound to the song is auto-tune professor, Ron Brownz. His outgoing personality meshes well with Busta Rhymes' serious nature. In terms of production, the beat is very consistent and has just enough variety to coincide well with the singers. Strongly suggest you listen to this new club anthem.