Headbandgate

Another one of my favorite punching bags was in the news on 11/25. Ben Wallace decided to break a Chicago Bulls team rule by sporting headband while the club snapped a six game losing streak.

There’s no way this latest dust up had anything to do with Big Ben wanting to wear a headband, but rather more to do with the previous game.

You see, in Philly on 11/24 Wallace was benched for the entire fourth quarter and registered this dubious line: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 blocks, 2 fouls and 1 assist.

You know that didn’t sit well with the sixty million dollar man.

So the next night in New York he gets sent to the pine 2:02 into the game for wearing the headband. Then he’d remove it on the bench, go back on the court, put it back on, and get benched again. This ridiculous scenario happened several times throughout the game too.

Tantrum says what?

Exactly.

If you’ll recall, Ben pulled a similar stunt last season while in Detroit. He got upset at his then coach Flip Saunders for pulling him from a game on 4/7/06 with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter. He then refused to re-enter the game minutes later.

Think about that one for a second.

How many players in the NBA would get ripped to shreds for that? About 98% or more I think. Yet this clown received pretty much a free pass.

I never want to hear or read “team player” or “leader” about this dude ever again. When you purposely quit on two different sets of teammates twice within a year for no good reason, you cease to be “good in the locker room” in my book.

All this to me is really just icing on the cake though. I’ve been saying for years that Wallace is one of the most overrated players in the league, and after this latest “incident” more people are finally catching on.

Let’s look at the numbers, shall we.

I’ll throw him a bone here and say he had five good seasons. Starting with his arrival in the Motor City (’00-01) and continuing until he won a ring (’04-05). What makes those seasons “good”, I guess, is that he averaged 13.2 rebounds and 2.88 blocks over that span.

Now for the reality check. Ever since the Pistons won their title, Big Ben has been on the serious decline. While the steals, assists and shooting percentages have stayed the same more or less, his points, rebounds and blocks are all on the down slope since ’04-05.

Not to mention through 13 games this season he’s been putting up a robust 5.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 41.7% from the field and 45.7% from the line. YIKES!

Just as I did for Chris Webber, here are Wallace’s ranking in three universal categories.

John Hollinger’s PER – 33rd for C’s at 13.37
Roland Rating – 11th on team at -7.1
NBA.com’s Efficiency – 20th for C’s at 5.5

Also keep in mind that this is a guy who has sports career averages of 6.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals & assists while shooting 48.1% from the field and 41.9% from the line.

Hall of Famer?

Pah-lease!

The book is out on Big Ben, and has been for a while now. Put a body or two on him to keep him off the glass on defense and dare him to shoot on offense.

It’s hard enough for any squad to play four on five on O, but when Wallace plays without the superior energy on D that made him a “star”, he’s completely worthless.

This is exactly the reason why you don't pay a glorified role player franchise player type of money.

Now comes word that Ben has ligament damage and chipped bones in his right hand. I doubt that’s going to improve his attitude or play any.

Enjoy Chicago!

More Injuries, C-Web and Billy Hunter

- The big news in the NBA is that Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal will miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a flap tear in the articular cartilage of his left knee.

This is very bad news for the Heat, who have looked absolutely awful thus far. What’s strange is that they are getting basically the same production from all of their regulars, with the exception of Shaq and Jason Williams (who just made his debut on 11/17).

The team numbers tell a completely different story though. Miami is dead last in points per game (88.9) and 27th in shooting (42.9%), down from 99.9 and 47.8% last season respectively.

Their defense is no better either. They are 19th in points allowed (99.9, up from 96 a year ago) and are 20th in opponents field goal percentage (46%, up from 44%).

Rebounding is yet another area where the Heat have lost their mojo. They pull down 39.3 boards a game (down from 43.1) which is good for 23rd overall, and they are 22nd in rebounding differential at -3.6.

I’ve said it many times before, but when a team can’t defend or rebound, they are in trouble. Throw in that Miami is already 2-4 at home (lost 3 in a row too) with brutal losses to Chicago (by 42 points), Houston (22) and New York (24), and I think the problems go well beyond a championship hangover.

In short, I don’t see how this team is going to turn things around without Shaq. Yes, the big fella being out is affecting their offense and rebounding, but the defense? Not so much.

Dwyane Wade, who has not looked like himself even though his numbers are solid, has his work cut out for him big time now. As does coach Pat Riley, who might just be regretting his decision to come back at the moment.

Is D Wade really in the class of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James? Is Riley still a master motivator and tactician without a dominant big man? We’ll see what both are made of over the next month.

File this one away too. Shaq’s return date right now is set between 12/23 and 1/7. Knowing how the Diesel loves attention, I have no doubt that he’ll be back on Christmas day to face his old buddy Kobe.

- Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva will miss the next four to six weeks with a torn ligament in his left elbow. This is a major blow to Milwaukee’s playoff chances, as they will now be without two thirds of their starting front court (Bobby Simmons has yet to suit up this year).

Ruben Patterson is an adequate fill in for Simmons, but the options at PF are less then stellar. Turkish youngster Ersan Ilyasova has moved into the starting lineup for Villanueva and journeyman Brian Skinner is backing Ilyasova up.

The Bucks flat out do not have the depth to remain competitive minus their #2 and #3 scoring options. By the time those two are healthy, I expect them to be too far behind for it to matter. I also see this as the beginning of the end of coach Terry Stotts’ tenure in Milwaukee.

- Phoenix Suns two time reigning MVP Steve Nash tweaked his back at practice on 11/13. He has missed two games since and is day to day for now.

Nash suffers from spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vertebra slips over another. This is an on-and-off type injury that flares up and settles down one or twice a year for Steve.

I’ll think he’ll be fine in the long run, but it’s only natural to be concerned that the soon to be 33 (on 2/7) year old PG might be breaking down. I don’t remember this problem ever surfacing this early in the season in the past.

While the Suns do need Nash to go deep into the playoffs, they are well equipped to deal without him for short periods of time. Leandro Babosa, Marcus Banks and Jalen Rose can all chip in to help handle the PG duties in Phoenix until Steve is 100% healthy.

- Cleveland Cavaliers guard Larry Hughes suffered a high right ankle sprain on 11/15. Hughes has already missed one game and is expected to be out for at least one more.

I’d be surprised if Larry is back on that schedule. High ankle sprains notoriously take a long time to heal, and Hughes is not exactly known as a quick healer anyway.

I’m sure the Cavs can make due without him, but any prolonged absence will prevent Cleveland from running away and hiding from the rest of the Eastern Conference.

- I never felt quite right ripping the Sixers in MMM. It’s not that I couldn’t, it was more that is was a Philadelphia based publication, and why provoke people? This is why I love the new blog.

So Chris Webber is unhappy with role? Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris. My boy, you’ve go it all backwards. YOU should be ecstatic with your role. It’s US that should be unhappy.

C-Web is shooting a robust 38.4% from the field, 57.1% from the stripe and averaging 10 points a game. And he’s wondering why he’s not playing more?

If it’s all together obvious to him already (which apparently it’s not), I’ll let him in on a little secret. YOU ARE A COMPLETE AND UTTER LIABILTY ON DEFENSE!

I’m not a fan of coach Maurice Cheeks, but he’s got this one right. Sitting Webber in the 4th quarter gives Philly their best chance to win games.

Period.

The fact that Chris is grousing about this when the team is winning (they were 4-3 when this broke) tells you all you need to know about him. Anyone with eyes can see that the combination of Samuel Dalembert and Steven Hunter improves the Sixers D in crunch time.

Below are all the different ratings I could think of on C-Web.

John Hollinger’s PER – 35th for PF’s at 11.94
Roland Rating – 7th on team at +1.5
NBA.com’s efficiency – 55th for F’s at 12.8

And he wants to be traded?

Wait, no he doesn’t.

C’mon already buddy. If GM Billy King could move you, he would. The reality is that nobody wants a broken down, soon to be 34 (on 3/1) year old malcontent with 43 million dollars over two years left on his contract.

Webber referred to the situation as, "Timeout times 50, basically", referring to his infamous gaffe at Michigan. Well my man, I’d use the same analogy to describe how I feel when I see the other team abusing you in high pick and rolls.....again, and again, and again.

If he wants out that badly, he should take a buyout like his buddy Jalen Rose did. And when/if this happens, BK should drive a seriously hard bargain. Like half of the 43 mil and he is free to sign wherever he wants.

Wouldn’t it be funny if he did become a free agent and none of the contenders wanted him?

I can only hope…

- On 11/17 the NBA Players Association entered into a one year deal with nutritional supplement company Abbott Nutrition. The deal provides free products and retail discounts to players.

This deal is really small potatoes, as most players already use some type of supplements, and all the products are guaranteed by the company to contain no substances banned under the NBA's drug policy.

Where it gets interesting are the quotes coming from Union President Billy Hunter.

"A lot of that has been precipitated by the league, the moves that the Commissioner has decided to make and implement - many we feel are beyond scope of the collective bargaining agreement."

Like the player dress code, replacing the leather game ball with a composite model and the crackdown on players complaining about calls during games.

"At a minimum, we should have been consulted. As a result, maybe I feel less compelled to consult them on things."

WOW!

If I know anything about Commissioner David Stern, he was not happy about those quotes at all. I expect to hear the usual smooth public retort from Dictator Dave on this, but rest assured, behind closed doors he is seething and plotting his revenge.

- Three second round picks that are all going to stick in the league:

Craig Smith - 6’7, Minnesota Timberwolves, 36th pick
Paul Millsap - 6’8, Utah Jazz, 47th pick
Leon Powe - 6’8, Boston Celtics, 49th pick

I assume they all slipped because they are the same type of player, undersized PF’s. Let me tell you something though, while none of them will be stars, they will all have decent careers as hustling role players that don’t mind banging and doing the dirty work down low. In other words, the type of player that every team needs at least one of.

- A bulletin for all fantasy owners:

Center Jerome James made his season debut for the New York Knicks on 11/17. Snap him up while you still can!

Injury Report

- Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin will be miss the rest of season after arthroscopic surgery on 11/15 to remove “loose bodies” from his right knee turned into his second microfracture procedure in two years.

It’s a shame really, because Martin was just starting to look like his old self after having microfracture surgery on his left knee in May of 2005.

Fortunately for the Nugs, they have plenty of big bodies to replace him. Eduardo Najera has been starting for K-Mart while Reggie Evans and Joe Smith have been splitting Najera’s old minutes. Linas Kleiza is another very capable replacement sitting at the end of Denver’s bench as well.

I think this is a blessing in disguise for coach George Karl. There’s no doubt that losing a player of Martin’s caliber hurts, but I have a feeling their chemistry is going to improve. Najera, Evans, Smith & Kleiza are all low maintenance, hard working guys that have no problem playing a role. This should allow Carmelo Anthony to further exert his leadership over the squad.

If the Nugs do play better minus Kenyon, it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to trade him in the off season. I know K-Mart's value is at an all time low now, and that it's going to be very tough to move the remaining four years and 59 million dollars on his contract, but that's what Vice President Mark Warkentien was hired to do. My suggestion? Take .10 cents on the dollar from anyone that wants him and call it addition by subtraction.

- Los Angeles Lakers center Chris Mihm will be out six to eight months after undergoing surgery on 11/14 to realign his heel bone as well as repair a ligament and tendon in his right ankle.

Some may view this as a blow to the Lakers, but I’m pretty damn happy about it. I had really been sweating how Mihm, Kwame Brown and 19 year old phenom Andrew Bynum would split minutes when they were all healthy

Problem solved now.

Sure I’d prefer Mihm over Kwame as Bynum’s back up, but the important thing is that Andrew is ensured playing time for the rest of the season. The kid has massive *upside* and the Lakers will be fine with Brown, Ronny Turiaf and Brian Cook in reserve.

As for Mihm’s future with the club, his contract is up after the year, and something tells me he has played his last game for the purple and gold.

- Portland Trail Blazers forward Darius Miles had microfracture surgery on his right knee in New York on 11/14 and will miss the rest of the season.

I wish I could say that I care, but I don’t. The Blazers are playing well, and not having Darius around is a big part of that as I see it. No more bad influence on Zach Randolph. No more pissing coach Nate McMillan off. And most importantly, no more getting in trouble with the law. Well, maybe not. But if he does, at least he’s not around the team on a day to day basis anymore.

Portland has been starting local product Ime Udoka in Miles’ stead. Udoka is nothing special, but he plays hard and is a great chemistry guy. In other words, the exact opposite of Darius.

The biggest bonus to Miles not being around is that fourth year forward Travis Outlaw is finally getting his chance, and he’s making the most it. Travis is averaging 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 50.8% in 24 minutes per game. Did I mention that Outlaw is just 22 years old too? Nice!

D Miles' whole game was based on athletic ability, and nothing more. After this latest procedure, there isn't a shot in hell that he comes back anywhere close to the same mediocre player he was. Darius has four years (including this one) and 34 million dollars left on his deal. If President Steve Patterson is smart he’ll work out a buyout ASAP and just keep the dead weight of his contract on the books until after the ’09-10 season. Trust me, Portland will be better off because of it.

- Boston Celtics forward Al Jefferson underwent an emergency appendectomy on 11/8 and should be back in two to three weeks.

Big Al was the Celts 6th man and was averaging career highs in points (11.3), rebounds (7), blocks (1.3), field goal shooting (53.6%) and minutes (26.7).

Boston will miss Al Jef’s low post scoring while he is out, but more importantly, this is yet another set back for Jefferson. The timing could not be worse either because it looked like he was finally ready to build on the potential he showed as a rookie two seasons ago.

I’ve been touting him for a while now, so I hope he gets back soon and continues to improve for no other reason then I hate to be wrong.

- Little known Houston Rockets forward Chuck Hayes will miss up to two weeks because of a bruised and hyperextended left knee that he injured in a collision with Shaquille O'Neal on 11/12. (Shaq, coincidentally, is also out from that same impact.)

Hayes is nothing special, but he's second on the team in rebounding (6.6 rpg) and is a great glue guy. He hustles all over the place, guards the opposition's best big man and doesn't need the ball on offense.

His replacements just do not bring any of those same qualities to the table. Rookie Steve Novak is not ready. Journeyman Scott Padgett is what he is. Which leaves only veteran Juwan Howard (who has been starting for Chuck). Not only are Howard's best days long gone, but he's not the defender or rebounder that Hayes is, AND Juwan needs the ball on offense to effective and remain interested.

I'm sure Houston will survive without Chuck in the short term, but Hayes is a guy they need to reach their potential as a team.

- Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko sprained his right ankle on 11/11 in Milwaukee and will miss at least the next two games. This is the same ankle that AK-47 hurt last year, but it doesn't seem to be as severe as originally thought.

Andrei has been struggling on offense this year (I'm being kind) averaging only 8.4 points on 43.5% shooting. His numbers are also down from last season's in every other statistical category that the league keep. That's the bad news. The good news is that the Jazz were winning anyway, and now that he is out I don't see Utah struggling to score in his absence.

Where the Jazz are eventually going to miss him is on defense. Other then Ron Artest, there's not another player in the NBA that single handedly causes as much havoc on the defensive end as Kirilenko does.

As with all AK-47's injuries though, this one has the chance to linger. So stay tuned...

Sixers.....huh?

Comcast-Spectacor announced on Friday 11/10 that the Philadelphia 76ers are no longer for sale. Umm, ok.

Is it crazy for me to ask why they were even put up for sale in the first place?

The quotes coming from Sixers Chairman Ed Snider are confusing to say the least, and downright idiotic at worst.

"Over the last summer, we were presented a variety of proposals involving the purchase of some or all of our interests in the team. When these parties came to us, it confirmed what we already knew, that the Sixers are a very valuable and popular franchise."

Why were they for sale then?

"Now, after completing our review and in consultation with GSP (sports investment firm Galatioto Sports Partners), we have decided that the team is not for sale. Our review made it clear that all of the different companies operating under the Comcast-Spectacor umbrella are doing very well, and reinforced our long-standing belief that holding all of these synergistic opportunities under one roof, including the Sixers, continues to be the best way to move forward for the future."

Ok, so let me get this straight. One of the most storied franchises in NBA history was put on the market for shiests and giggles? I mean, it just makes no sense at all. None.

What has become very clear to me now is how GM Billy King still has his job. I’ve documented countless times how BK is an absolute master at chasing his own tail. Sign somebody to a long term deal, and then trade them in under a year. His bosses are the exact same way.

A quick timeline for you:

1) Put the team up for sale.
2) Handcuff your GM during the off season so as not to diminish the value of the franchise.
3) Do completely nothing to improve a club that is going nowhere fast.
4) Say “sike” and call off the whole thing after the season starts and it’s too late to make the drastic changes that are needed.

Again, WOW!

From everything I’ve read, Allen Iverson was being shopped around the league this summer like never before and was almost certainly on his way out of town. Then the big wigs put the kibosh on it, and any other significant move for that matter, leaving Philly with the exact same mess of a squad. The icing on the cake to me would be if the higher ups decided to pull the plug on the sale because of the fool’s gold 3-0 start.

I abandoned the Sixers about mid-way through last season, so I could really care less about this debacle one way or the other. But with the Hawks off to a good start, the Eastern Conference may be in need a of new laughing stock/punch line franchise. You know who I’m nominating.

Is anyone even there?

I am pleased to announce the debut of NBA Jam political correspondent spoday. Mr. spoday is well versed in all aspects of the American political process and possesses an impartial global view that I'm sure you will all appreciate. He is the first addition to what I hope will become a venerable all-star cast of journalists here at NBA Jam. Here is his first installment, which very well may land a conspicuous white van outside his house.

1 spoday rambling

The democrats had a good day this week. Just listen to them. They'll tell you themselves, over again, and over again, and over again until you realize why people vote republican. If anyone else saw the satan's halloween party South Park episode, it's scenario is extremely comparable. Of course I'm talking specifically about the scene w/ Hitler dressed as the verizon guy.

Now, even if you did see the episode you more than likely didn't find that scene as humorous as I did. As far as I'm concerned the verizon guy needs an NYP haitian colonoscopy pronto. My cable drops all the time. A pause here, a pause there, usually when the soft in softcore is dropping, but somehow I can always hear that fuck: I can hear you now.

My apologies for that but follow, somehow, somewhere, I do believe this is going somewhere. Fuck, where were we? Oh yeah the verizon guy and Hitler. Ok, so the Dems had a big day, you know the Dems. Those loveable, cuddleable, furry creatures we had once called the majority when times were simpler.

They may have finally shed that skin they were wearing, the unelectable sheen so transparent in recent elections. The one that was so easily cast as a coat of terrorism, an affection for atrocities while at same the time being too pussy to understand killings gravity. Man, those pussies. It was funny. Even one's who had killed were still Nancies. If they were my younger sister I'd have put them on steroids. Get some balls.

They're all about terrorists and mass murder much like the verizon guy but unlike him you can't hear them now. STILL!!!!

*1st series bonus material equivalent to morning gas after a night of cheap beer*

If you do happen to hear them I know a Dr. who'll get anyone a prescription, you'll be good. This all signifies a shift from one ass cheek to the other, like that time you sat through Bounce or.......



....shit I was hoping you didn't notice I stopped. (I couldn't come up w/an ass cheek shifter for the ladies). Maybe anything w/Owen Wilson. Guy should be delivering babies w/that beak. Back to point. It's basically a money shift, now the Democrat constituents might be able to get themselves some govt cheese.

Ok, the prescription.
Hey, if anyone knows where I can find some bovine ovaries let me know, if they have to be extracted I have a guy for that as well. A simple test along w/the prescription and you won't be disillusioned by the winning team into thinking they're gonna go all the way.

1) If you start thinking for the first time in your life your vote
means something.

Take the pill.

2) If the same pieces rearranged entail a new game...let alone a new day.

Take the pill.

3) If the turmoil in Iraq is now resolved.

Take the pill.

4) If global harmony is now restored.

Take the pill.

5) If people will still be w/out employment or housing tomorrow.

Take the pill.
-Wait fuck that!! Don't you have your own pills for that last one?

-Don't mind if I do.

There'll be no mass exodus of American troops from Iraq, there'll be no impeachment, folks, pretty much, there won't be any stamp on this administration; in "it's last throes"; which will be other than their own.

But, I'm torn up on pills now.

Terms will be finished! We will be in Iraq!

Gotta love the pills.

Get on the pills!! Me, I prefer the pipe..........mmm...that's good.
Goes nicely w/the pills.

-presents for all-

NBA Quick Hitters

- Smush Parker has officially replaced Sasha Vujacic as my most hated Laker.

The Lakers are going to be very tough this year, and next for that matter.

I love the starting lineup of Jordan Farmar, Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton, Lamar Odom & Andrew Bynum.

The 2nd five isn't too shabby either with Smush, Maurice Evans, Vladimir Radmanovic, Ronny "my undershirt is too big" Turiaf and Chris Mihm (when healthy).

That makes Sasha, Kwame Brown & Brian Cook trade bait.

- From what I've seen so far, the Sixers would have been better off keeping Thabo Sefolosha, rather then trading him for Rodney Carney. Thabo may not be the shooter Carney is, but Sefolosha does everything else better. (Including defend, which is what Philly was supposedly drafting for, right?)

Is it just me, or does Chris Webber look bad, real bad? It's like he aged 10 years in the off season or something.

- Zach Randolph getting off to a great start is the best thing that could've happened to the Blazers, and not because it gives them a legit 20-10 guy. Zach playing like this will make it soooo much easier for Portland to find a taker for him by the February 22nd trade deadline.

Brandon Roy pulling himself out of Monday's game because of a what's being called a "bruised left heel" is not good. Not at all. Roy has definitely looked ready for the league thus far, and that injury worries me.

- The early leaders for my annual "two teams that always play hard" award are Memphis in the West and Atlanta in the East.

Some NBA tidbits

- The new synthetic ball has been in the news a lot lately, and I've noticed a few things through the first four days of the season.

1. The much talked about (by the players) "slippery when wet" issue has not materialized as of yet. I haven't seen people dropping the ball late in games any more then before. Not at all.

2. Free throws have been affected the most as I see it. The new ball just seems to have so much grip that it sticks on player's finger tips a fraction too long. Guys are just not getting a smooth release, and it shows in the amount of FT's being left short, which is way up in my mind.

3. The banks are open! Any player that could use the glass before must be ecstatic now. This new ball just hits the glass and gives a true bounce off the board every time. Those old leather balls were much more unpredictable on bank shots.

4. One bad thing I see is that the "shooter's role" has been nearly eliminated. Those new balls get up on the rim and bounce around, as opposed to how the old ball used to kind of slide a bit.

Overall I'd say that this will be a non-issue by December.

- Jalen Rose agreed to sign with the Phoenix Suns on 11/3. Many people are lauding this as a great move and/or a steal. I don't see it that way.

Jalen has been on a serious decline for three seasons now, and is on his fifth team in six years. He plays zero defense, doesn't rebound and is also divisive in the locker room. He wasn't very athletic to begin with, and at 33 (34 on 1/30) time has sapped whatever he once had.

What Rose can still do is score the ball. He's more of a volume shooter now, but he has a post up game, can make an outside shot and even gets to the rim on occasion.

Sounds like a nice role player you say? Maybe, but only if his ego is in check. I'm sure he'll be on his best behavior at first, when he is getting minutes, but what happens when he loses playing time because he's not productive? That's when the fun will really begin for coach/GM Mike D'Antoni and PG Steve Nash.

Perhaps those two can keep Jalen from becoming a team cancer, but I'm dubious to say the least. At this point in his career Rose is more suited to being a scoring option on a bad team, where taking tons of bad shots wouldn't matter. He says he wants to win a Championship, but so does everybody else. Time to put your play where your (sizable) mouth is buddy.

Lotus: a fruit eaten and considered to cause indolence and dreamy contentment.

That's how Merriam-Webster defines the word Lotus. Now the indolence part (inclination to laziness) isn't the case, but dreamy contentment is 100% right on.

First, some back story. Lotus is a band from Philadelphia that I had been listening to for 2+ years before seeing these two shows. They play live-tronica or jam-tronica (whichever term you prefer). They incorporate the same melodic hooks that a band like STS9 does, but Lotus takes their jams way out there. Not quite on the level of the Disco Biscuits, but comparable to a band like Particle, just much better. Where Particle's jams tend to be annoyingly repetitive, Lotus manages to successfully walk the fine line between repetition and experimentation.

10-17-06 W.O.W. Hall, Eugene, OR (TUE)
I: Nematode, Kesey Seed, Comptroller, Point/Electric Counterpoint > Umbilical Moonrise, Tip of the Tongue
II: Suitcases and Sandwiches, Kalea, Wax, Hammerstrike, Flower Sermon > Greet the Mind > Flower Sermon
E: When H Binds to O

I was super-psyched for the Eugene show being that it was my first time seeing them and all. Man, was I ever blown away. They took the first song ('Nematode') to a level I didn't think they were capable of quite frankly. I mean the peak of the jam was pure bliss. (I already knew I'd be going to Hood River after one song.)

'Kesey Seed' was to be expected (if you don't know why, I can't help you), and I was glad they got it out of the way early. The other highlight of my first set of Lotus was 'Umbilical Moonrise'. WOW is all I can say about that one. It's an older song that I'd heard many times on CD, but as with all live music, there was something much more powerful about seeing it in person.

The second set was not quite as energetic as the first, but still packed a major wallop. The highlights being 'Suitcases and Sandwiches', 'Wax' and 'Flower Sermon > Greet the Mind'. 'Flower Sermon' was #1 on my list of 3 songs I really wanted to hear, so that was very nice.

I left during 'Greet the Mind' and unfortunately missed the encore (which is a song I totally dig). It was 12:40 AM on a Tuesday after all. The crowd of around 160 was treated to one of "those" experiences. I compare it to seeing moe. at the same venue on 9/13/98, but I digress...

10-20-06 The River City Saloon, Hood River, OR (FRI)
I: Juggernaut, Expired Slang, Did Fatt > Sunrain, Epidemic, Travel
II: Livingston Storm, Wooly Mammoth, Slow Cookin' > Greet the Mind, Marisol, Tip of the Tongue, Space in Between, Intro to a Cell*
*with Cross-Eyed and Painless tease

The 3 hour drive to Hood River after working all week wasn't much fun, but I figured my boys would deliver. I didn't get to the venue until after 9 PM, so I had about an hour until show time to "pre-game". I mulled about the small but quality bar and met a few locals as well as lead guitarist Mike Rempel. He was a totally nice and down to earth guy (especially when you take into account his considerable talent). We talked about how the crowds had been on their West Coast tour, how to pronounce the song 'L'immueble', and other such small talk.

By the time the show started I was more then ready. Unfortunately the first set was a little down tempo for my taste, although 'Sunrain', 'Epidemic' and 'Travel' was a nice way to close it out. This set sounded exactly like the shows from the tour I had been listening to on llama. So it really wasn't disappointing or surprising.

Set #2 got off to a much better start with 'Livingston Storm'. Love this tune, and it's a great opener taboot. The rest of the set was only so-so, with the exception of 'Slow Cookin' > Greet the Mind'. What made the trip completely worth while though was the closing 'Intro to a Cell'. (That only left 'It's All Clear to Me Now' out of the 3 songs I wanted to hear.) I'm glad that whoever their setlist person is noted the 'Cross-Eyed and Painless' tease. It was more then a mere tease, they played a good chunk of the song, to the point that I though they were going to actually sing it.

Even though it wasn't the non-stop-dance-party-Lotus of two years ago, I was still happy with what I saw. They are a young band that is still very much in their creative stage. You can tell by the sheer amount of new tunes I heard over the two nights. 'Comptroller', 'Hammerstrike', 'Expired Slang', 'Wooly Mammoth' and 'Marisol' were all debuted on this tour (along with 5 others). It's hard to complain about what you saw when the band is taking chances every single night. Really, you can't ask for more then that.

If you enjoyed this, I plan on having a full report on my Vegoose up in the near future.