WST'S TOP 10 JR HIGH DANCE SONGS!

When you’re in that 12 to 14 age group and grow up in Oak Park, Illinois, the options are rather limited when it comes to Friday night.  I mean that’s the way it should be; you don’t have a car or any shit like that.  You don’t need to be out boozing…yet

You either go hang on the main strip (Lake Street), you hit up the Ice Rink, you stay in and watch T.G.I.F or…

You hit up a Park District Junior High dance and get it.

 Here’s are my Top-10 favorite songs from those nights where dancing until 10 and heading across the street afterwards for a Wendy’s frosty were all that was needed for a good time.

10. NICOLE RAY-I GOT WHAT YOU WANT

That Timbaland beat! 

9. SISQO-THE THONG SONG

Sisqo is a punchline today, but you know you got hyped up back in 1999 when they played this song at the end of the night.  Home fried...

8. GENUWINE-PONY

They probably shouldn’t have been playing this song around a bunch of 13 year-olds grinding while still going through puberty...

7. AALIYAH-ARE YOU THAT SOMEBODY?

If you didn't have at least a tiny crush on Aaliyah, you were missing out brother.  Timbaland kicks a nice little verse here too.

6. MYA-BEST OF ME REMIX (FT. JAY-Z)

One of the best hip-hop/R&B collaborations ever.  Do you see MYA rocking the Jersey Dress?  THROWBACK!

5. MA$E-FEEL SO GOOD

Lot of imitators but no one has managed to re-create Murder Ma$e’s marble-mouthed drawl…

4.MARK MORRISON-RETURN OF THE MACK

Back then it was just a cool song but Morrison clearly had some shit on his mind man.

3. NOTORIOUS B.I.G.-HYPNOTIZE

I'll still start a party to some Biggie.

2. DMX-RUFF RYDERS ANTHEM

Can transform a bunch of candy-ass suburban kids into thugs in 1.5 seconds flat…

1.BRIAN MCKNIGHT-DO I EVER CROSS YOUR MIND?

Don't hate, I actually had my first “make out session” to this song.  Smooth, I know.

-WST

WEDNESDAY RANT-THE CHICAGO BULLS: AN NBA ODYSSEY

Such a damn rollercoaster ride being a Bulls fan man…

I can’t act like I remember the first three championships but the second three-peat run from 96 through 98 is still a replay in my mind.

I WATCHED every damn game.  The Bulls were an embarrassment of riches:

Jordan, Scottie and Rodman were the original big 3?   More like big 4!  People forget that Ron Harper was a boss before he showed up in Chicago following a knee injury.

 Zen Master Phil Jackson sat on the iron throne as the undisputed king of coaches.

The sixth man was Toni Kukoc, a guy who would have been a starter (and all-star) on any other team in the league, the bench also featured a number of other fringe or former starters.

Life was good…then just like that, it was all blown up thanks to a jealous, arrogant general manager by the name of Jerry Krause…

 A known-slob, legend goes MJ bestowed the nickname of “crumbs” upon him since that what was always left over on his shirt collar following a meal.

From 1999-2004, Chicago entered a dark period in basketball. Actually it was downright disgraceful.

If fans weren’t being forced to watch bums like Khaled El-Amin, Jerome Williams, Trenton Hassell, Eddy Curry, Jerome Williams and young (dumb) Tyson Chandler, the organization led the league in bad trades/personnel moves.

Signing Ron Mercer?  Trading future All-Stars Brad Miller and Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) for Jalen Rose and some change? Drafting Jay Williams to be the future of the team only for him to wrap a motorcycle around a light pole on the north side and end his career?

Giving Ben Wallace $60 million dollars?  Come on man.

Funny thing is, the fans never left.  That despite six season of just awful basketball, the Bulls still managed to stay in the league’s top five in game attendance. I know I spent quite a few Friday and Saturady nights in High School at the United Center watching bad basketball.

2004-2007 was respectable; the Bulls started making the playoffs again.  There were some solid, not spectacular players like Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, and Luol Deng but not without another dumbass front-office move or two…

LaMarcus Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas?!  Seriously?

Then in the summer of 2008 it all changed…

Call it luck, call it fate, call it conspiracy but the Bulls ended up with the number one pick in the draft and used it to select the franchise player the team had been lacking since no. 23 hung it up.

Which is where everything gets really interesting…everyone knows the story at this point…

Derrick Rose comes in, wins Rookie of the year, goes to the all-star game in year two, league MVP in year three, tears ACL in year four, and here we are in year five pining for him to return with the same level of anticipation as a dude waiting for a hot chick to text back.

Meanwhile something marvelous is happening…

This current Chicago Bulls team should probably be golfing right now. Everyone knew they’d make the playoffs.  They play in a top-heavy Eastern Conference and are too well coached…  

 At the beginning of the year, I expected nothing more than a one (series) and done postseason. 

No Rose and the “bench mob,” a collection of overachieving reserves that contributed greatly to the team's consecutive best record in the league were broken up.

Biggest personnel moves were bringing back Hinrich. Deemed expendable following Rose’s arrival, he was shipped off a couple years back in an attempt to create salary cap space and land some guy from the Cavaliers who ended up taking his talents to South Beach…

And Nate Robinson… a diminutive point guard with a shoot-first (and often) mentality known for being so annoying, he managed to get under comedian Dave Chappelle’s skin…

The Bulls literally limped into the post-season with enough injuries that you had to wonder if coach Tom Thibodeau would start pulling guys from the front row to suit up.

The first round series win against the Brooklyn Nets, a team filled with enough All-Stars and mid-level players, you couldn’t help but wonder if someone had turned off the salary cap option while playing NBA 2K13 was a dream. 

Exhibit A of what happens when teamwork and heart overcomes individual talent.

Then Monday happened…I figured the Bulls would get one game against LeBron James and the Miami Heat, not game ONE.

 In a season of low expectations, the Chicago Bulls have blown me away with their effort.

Derrick Rose may come back these playoffs or he may not, he’s not the story the moment nor should be.

For me, the story is witnessing the progression and development of several players.

Robinson was given a shot as Thibs had no one else and has more than exceeded expectations.  Dude won the Bulls 10 games alone this year during the regular season. 

He probably won’t be back next year as someone is going to give him a nice little payday, but in a game dominated by guys 6’8 big men, you can’t help but root for the 5’9 Robinson, a “regular” sized dude who also played football at the University of Washington.

Did you see Jimmy Butler Monday night? Kid barely got off the bench last year and there he was guarding LeBron and dropping 21 on the defending champs.  He looks like the heir apparent to Deng at the Small Forward spot and will be getting paid in 2014.

Joakim Noah has arrived. Since being drafted in 2007, this dude has fucking worked his ass off and gone from being a clown, a guy with a sense of entitlement due to his father’s pro tennis background, to a top five player at his position.  

And he’s doing it big these playoffs with plantar fasciitis.  You want to know how that feels? Stick a dozen thumbtacks into your foot, put on a pair of shoes and run around…

Finally there’s Coach Thibs; after spending 21 years as an assistant and being named coach of the year in 2011, he’s showing the country why he’s already the best in the league…the NBA’s MacGyver.

 Of all the teams remaining in the playoffs, no team has less and has done more with what he has

 Whether you are a Bulls fan, a Basketball fan or maybe not a fan at all, they are must-see TV right now

The way it should be.  Game two tonight seven eastern.  Don’t be late…

-WST

10 WINGMEN EVERY DUDE NEEDS AND THEIR SPORTS UNIVERSE COUNTERPARTS

10. MR. RESPONSIBLE

SITUATION: You’re faded at a pub-crawl or concert.

BIO: He’ll take one for the team while also making sure you didn’t lose your wallet, keys, or phone before inviting the girls back to HIS place.  He’ll even call a cab to get you and that pretty young thing home or let you sleep on his couch if you strike out.

SPORTS UNIVERSE COMPARISON: Derek Fisher (PG-Okalahoma City Thunder)

9. TOTAL DICK

SITUATION: You need a Neutralizer.

BIO:  Time to fight fire with fire. If girls are going to bring along that one attack-dog type friend to make things difficult for suitors, men should invite T.D.  He’s rude, arrogant, obnoxious and JUST the person to counter the buffer by meeting her on low ground.   Who knows? In a strange and frightening way, they’ll probably end up being really into each other.

SPORTS UNIVERSE COMPARISON: PATRICK KANE (Right Wing-Chicago Blackhawks)

8.  REAL TALK

SITUATION: A reality-check is necessary.

BIO:  Trying too hard? Making an ass of yourself?  Maybe she's just not into you? Real Talk will let you know and suggest you abort to save some kind of face.  Got to be 100% honest with your friend’s right?

SPORTS UNIVERSE COMPARISON: CHARLES BARKLEY (Analyst-Inside the NBA)

7. THE POINT GUARD

SITUATION: You’re on a Grouper Date.

BIO:   He could “win” all by himself but he gets his kicks from distributing and dishing out assists. Rest assured he's going to put you on and make you look GOOD!

SPORTS WORLD COMPARISON: Chris Paul (PG-L.A. Clippers)

6. SUPER-FAN

SITUATION: You go to a game.

BIO:  All-around fun guy to be around; he has the hook ups for the best seats. Capable of teaching any confused cuties the X’s and O’s of the game.  Likes to give random hi-fives and scream LETS GO!!!

SPORTS WORLD COMPARISON: “Fireman” Ed Anzalone (Die-Hard Fan-New York Jets)

5. TOUGH-ASS

SITUATION:  You’re at a frat party and not in the frat.  Anytime shit gets dicey.

BIO:  It is the opinion of this writer that two men should never get into a pissing-match over a woman but we’re humans, shit happens and sometimes those verbal arguments get physical…always good to have someone watching your back just in case.

SPORTS WORLD COMPARISON Arn “The Enforcer” Anderson (Hall of Fame Pro Wrestler)

4. BROETTE

SITUATION:  You need a female perspective.

BIO:  A luxury not every man can afford, they’re ladies with guy tendencies including the capability to converse on male-driven topics such as sports, video games, gambling, booze, sex, comics, even Steven Seagal movies.

 The Broette usually tends to be that one girl from your youth who always liked to run with the boys but there are exceptions.  Either way, if you need insight on the inner workings of the female mind,  look no further.

SPORTS WORLD COMPARISON: ERIN ANDREWS

3. SEND IN THE CLOWN

SITUATION:  You’re at a house party or BBQ.

BIO: An entertainer through and through; he’s going to come into the outing and take it over just because he can. It’s not that he’s not serious at times; he just believes laughter is an instant vacation from the norm.  He knows girls are into a guy who can make them giggle.

SPORTS WORLD COMPARISON: Chad Johnson (Former WR-Cincinnati Bengals)

2. WILD CARD

SITUATION:  Bachelor parties.  Vegas.

BIO:  Sometimes you just wanna get nuts. This is the man who’s willing to take that journey with you from the first drink to the next day when you wake up on the floor with a Chalupa in your back pocket. Whatever you’re trying to do, he’s down to do it.  Could be a long night…

SPORTS UNIVERSE COMPARISON: John McEnroe (Former World No.1 Tennis Pro)

1.  PROFESSOR SMOOTH

SITUATION:  ANY.

BIO:  Usually you're HIS wingman to since it’s no secret he’s a lady-killer. If he’s doing you a favor and playing Scottie to your Michael, he’ll be organized and in sync with you the whole way.   Just make sure the girl you’re talking to doesn’t switch up gears and fall for him instead.

SPORTS UNIVERSE COMPARISON: Derek Jeter (Shortstop-New York Yankees)

-WST

FULL CIRCLE FRIDAY: DO THE HUMPTY-HUMP!

All the stories you know and ones you don’t, but should. Welcome to FULL CIRCLE

MONDAY

            -Well I think we all know about this at this point…

            Also Monday,

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

TUESDAY

-The Nuggets really just mugged Steph Curry

Those refs are like the ex-jock sadistic Gym coaches who smirk when bigger kids pick on the ones half their size.  

            -Also, It’s NHL Playoff Hockey time and looks like Patrick Kane is already in championship celebration mode...

WEDNESDAY

            -Up 3-1 on Boston, the Knicks all decided to wear black supposedly as part of a “funeral” for the Celtics but Kevin Garnett and company apparently had other plans with an 92-86 victory.  A little exchange of words followed...

That was bench player Jordan Crawford reminding Carmelo Anthony that KG fucked Melo’s wife, Lala Rodriguez, who if you remember, supposedly tastes like…

I'm sorry but I can never pass up an opportunity to mention it.

-Also, damn it Shaq…

This is why I have a bro crush on TNT’s NBA coverage.

THURSDAY

            -Legendary Dodger Managers Tommy Lasorda (left of your screen sitting) is clearly not a big PSY fan…

 -Floyd “Money” Mayweather fights Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero Saturday.  Apparently Guerrero’s dad and trainer, Ruben Guerrero,  isn’t too fond of Mayweather…

 Dude came up looking like a straight vato OG.

FRIDAY

            -Comcast Sports Net fired reporter Susannah Collins two days after this little on-air slip went viral following the Blackhawks’ 2-1 OT victory over the Minnesota Wild in game one of the NHL playoffs.

If she’s looking for work, the WST does have openings, LOTS of openings.  I’ll pay her in spicy chicken nuggets and the dental plan is good.

WEEKEND WATCH!

What you should be doing this weekend if you know, you’re not drunk or doing something better…

WATCH IRON MAN 3!

            -SUMMER MOVIE SEASON IS HERE!  Saw it last night, good flick.  I’d even go as far to as it may be the best one.

WATCH THE KENTUCKY DERBY!

            -Going to my first derby party this weekend. As far as attire goes, I’m trying to decide if I can pull off the southern preacher/lawyer look…

WATCH MAYWEATHER VS. GUERRERO!

            -Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, get an early start by watching Floyd destroy Guerrero and maybe even smack around Guerrero’s pops afterwards

FRIDAY SHOUT-OUT!

Recognizing whomever the hell I want!

Shout-out to my little sister, Kyra!  She’s studying hard for her Law School finals at the University of San Francisco and working a part-time job as a clerk for a firm.  Keep grinding away kid!

UNTIL MONDAY! I’M OUT!

-WST

TEN SPORTS MOVIE SPEECHES THAT GET YOU HYPED!

This was a tough one but I managed to compile what was a long list of canidates to the ten best sports movie speeches.  There will be no re-evaluations!

10. Ducks Fly Together (D2: The Mighty Ducks)

 9. Being Perfect (Friday Night Lights)

8. Waiting My Whole Life (Major League 2)

7. Born For This (Miracle)

6. Our House (Rudy)

5. Destiny (Invictus)

4.  Leave No Doubt (Remember The Titans)

3. Pain Heals (The Replacements)

2.  Regional Finals (Hoosiers)

1. Peace With Inches (Any Given Sunday)

I don't care if I sound like a meathead on this one, you show me this speech, I get JACKED, and I'm ready to do ANYTHING.  Work, play a game, move furniture, paint a house, do your grocery shopping, run through a fucking brick wall...ANYTHING!

-WST

WEDNESDAY RANT: THE FIVE RULES FOR MY POTTY MOUTH!

So the Blackhawks win in sudden death overtime last night.  How do my roommate and I react?

“YESSSSSSSSS MOTHERFUCKER!”  ::: In unison:::

Took to Twitter and wrote “YEAH BITCH!!! #BLACKHAWKS”

Got in bed feeling real good but then I started thinking...

"Damn, I still need to stop swearing so much!"

Some people can’t remember their first swear word, but I remember mine perfectly…

It was “shit,” and it was after my buddy accidentally (at least I hope it was an accident) kicked me in the groin while we were playing “Ninja” on the playground during the after-school program in the third grade.

 It was quickly followed by “shit” again…

Hot Teen Counselor: Oh my gosh!   Jason are you all right?

Me: Ohhhhh shit! My nuts!

Hot Teen Counselor: Ummm, I’m going to have to tell your folks you swore…

Me: NO!!!!!!!! Please don’t! Shit!

Today, while crude, swearing is mainstream.  With the exception of a select few words, all your favorite TV shows and movies get away with swearing.

 Even PG-13 flicks let you get away with one “fuck” now.

If I just say, “Keebler Chips Deluxe cookies with the M&M’s are good,” you may not be convinced.

But if I say, “Keebler Chips Deluxe cookies with the M&M’s are FUCKING FLAME,” you know I mean business.  You can FEEL my passion for those cookies.

On a side note, I have been told I have a gift of adding a lot of emphasis on my F-bombs.  This guy in College by the name of Neil was especially a huge fan of this:

Neil: John Starks was pretty good…

Me: Man…. FUCK John Starks!

Neil: You always put twice the energy of a normal person into saying fuck. I love it.

So while I do enjoy swearing some, I certainly don’t want to look like a Neanderthal lacking in word knowledge and thought-articulation either.

So what was I to do?  Swear Jar?  Call up my mom and have her accompany me everywhere?  No way in hell I swear around her!

Nope, I had to establish some guidelines for my sailor mouth:

1. Never swear around elders:  Basically anyone who is 40 years old and up.  Especially the folks who have known me since I was a kid. It's just a respect thing.
2. Avoid swearing on dates:  Dates are tough enough for a dude without a woman thinking she’s agreed to dinner and drinks with a walking Tarantino movie…
3. Never swear around kids:  This one is so hard.  I’m used to being unfiltered as I want when I’m with my boys, but with the pitter-patter of little feet in some of their homes these days, I try to watch it when I stop by.
4. Limit F-bombs on Facebook:  Mom, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins all have friended me.  I’m not really into embarrassing myself in front of family.
5. I get the green light during a game: Don’t try to stop me; it’s going to happen…a lot!  This is why I rarely watch the  Bears or Bulls in public places.  Well...one of the reasons.  The other is because I don't want to strangle some loud random sitting nearby who has no clue what they're talking about.

I’m not saying it’s changed my life, but it does keep me honest.  I still get to keep it pretty raw on Twitter as well as this blog.  Should those be next?

Nah, to hell with that shit.

-WST

THE FACE OF COURAGE.

Several weeks following Major League Baseball’s celebration of 66 years since Jackie Robinson broke the game’s color barrier, on Monday, America witnessed another individual step forward to open the doors for those like him in Sports.

Washington Wizards Center Jason Collins made history and came out as the first active openly gay male athlete in any of America’s four major team sports.

No, Collins won’t go down as a legend of the court the same way Robinson, a first-ballot Baseball Hall-of -Famer did on the diamond.

A free agent in June, there is the strong possibility Collins will not even BE with a team next year. 

NBA General Managers may not have an interest in the 34 year-old backup big man, whose best statistical season came in 2004 (6.1 rebounds, .9 blocks, 6.4 points) for the then-New Jersey Nets.

Regardless, Collins raised his hand and came forward to show others that they should no longer attempt to hide who they are due to fear of not being accepted by their peers on the field as well as the locker rooms:

“Aww, hell no! I don't want any faggots on my team. I know this might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want any faggots in this locker room.”

-Former 49ers Running Back Garrison Hearst (2002)

"First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team.  And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, uh, I don't think that's right. And you know I don't think he should be in the locker room while we're in the locker room. I wouldn't even be a part of that.”

 - Former NBA Point Guard Tim Hardaway (2007)

“I don't do the gay guys, man. I don't do that. Ain't got no gay people on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff.”

- 49ers Cornerback Chris Culliver (2013)

“Football is supposed to be this violent sport — this aggressive sport that grown men are supposed to play. Ain’t no little boys out here between them lines. So if you gay, we look at you as a sissy. You know? Like, how you going to say you can do what we do and you want a man?”

-   LSU Running Back Alfred Blue (2013)

“All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH…”

-Dolphins Wide Receiver Mike Wallace (Yesterday, via Twitter).

Each of these men would later go on to recant their statements, but you KNOW that is how they really feel, and those comments echo others who have similar feelings towards the idea of having a gay teammate. 

However, this isn’t the 1940’s, this is 2013, and we should be past this point as human beings as well as Americans.

There are those who say what Collins did is not a big deal; that they don’t understand why he had to “come out,” that it’s only about if you can play, that this is just an attempt to gain publicity by a 12-year veteran journeyman (six NBA teams) on his last legs in the league.

I agree:  It SHOULD only be about if you can play the game or not…

But all you have to do is look at the quotes above, or have turned on the radio or TV yesterday and you can see exactly why it matters…

In time, more WILL choose to follow the path Jason Collins has paved.  In time a big-time gay superstar-athlete WILL come along, and in time being gay and playing pro Basketball, Football, Baseball, or Hockey won't be a big deal and really won't matter.

However, yesterday it did.  Funny thing about courage is that it can be contagious.

-WST