#Scott Allen Jarrett

[perry-tannenbaum]

Charlotte Bach Festival Ends in Splendor, With Roaring Trumpets and a Double Dose of Oratorios

Charlotte Bach Festival Ends in Splendor, With Roaring Trumpets and a Double Dose of Oratorios

Review: Bach’s Easter and Ascension Oratorios By Perry Tannenbaum June 18, 2022, Charlotte, NC – Founded in 2017 with the North Carolina Baroque Festival, Bach Akademie Charlotte presented a precocious and ambitious first edition of the Charlotte Bach Festival in June 2018. Unmistakably modeled after the renowned Oregon Bach Festival, where Akademie artistic director Scott Allen Jarrett has…

View On WordPress

#Addy Sterrett #Aisslinn Nosky #Chris Talbot #Colin St. Martin #David Morales #Edmund Milly #Eliana Mei-Xing Barwinski #Gene Stenger #Geoffrey Burgess #Guy Fishman #Jason Steigerwalt #Jonathan Hess #Josh Cohen #Kim Leeds #Margaret Carpenter Haigh #Margaret Owens #Perry Sutton #Rodrigo Tarrazza #Scott Allen Jarrett #Steven Marquardt #Steven Soph #Sylvia Leith

[conanaltatis]

Why NBA is banning ninja-style headwear Jarrett Allen, Jimmy Butler, Montrezl Harrell, Jrue Holiday, Mike Scott, Karl-Anthony Towns previously wore

Why NBA is banning ninja-style headwear Jarrett Allen, Jimmy Butler, Montrezl Harrell, Jrue Holiday, Mike Scott, Karl-Anthony Towns previously wore

Mike Scott, Jimmy Butler

The National Basketball Association will no longer allow players to wear the ninja-style headwear starting the 2019-2010 season. During the 2018-2019 NBA season, there was no formal process to approve the headband but several players were allowed to wear it.

According to NBA spokesman Mike Bass, they did not want to intervene midseason because they did not want to cause a…

View On WordPress

#Jarrett Allen #Jimmy Butler #Jrue Holiday #Karl-Anthony Towns #Mike Scott #Montrezl Harrell

[crimsoncityhq]

hello tags

We have plenty of WC’s to check out & we would love for you to join us.

EVELYNE BROCHU, AVAN JOGIA, TOM HOLLAND, WILLIAM MOSELEY, OLIVER JACKSON-COHEN, CHARLIE HUNNAM, NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU, THOMAS DOHERTY, CAMERON MONAGHAN, ALBERTO ROSENDE, PATRICK SCHWARZENEGGER, DAVID CORENSWET, CHASE STOKES, ALEX PETTYFER, TARON EGERTON, NICHOLAS HOULT, ROBBIE AMELL, JOE COLE, ALEX ROE, TOMMY MARTINEZ, GRANT GUSTIN, BRENTON THWAITES, KEEGAN ALLEN, JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN, DANNY PUDI, RAZA JAFFREY , STEVEN YEUN,JAMIE CHUNG,ARDEN CHO, BAEK SUNG HYUN, HAN HYO-JOO, KIM SOOHYUN, KIM WOO BIN, YOON PARK, HEE-YEON, BAE SUZY, BANG MINAH, KRYSTAL JUNG, PARK SHIN-HYE, SYDNEY PARK, JANG SEUNGYEON, TIANA TOLSTOI, ADELINE RUDOLPH,LEE SUNMI, CHOI-RI, KIM HYE YOON, KIM SEULGI, FIVEL STEWART, OHN CHO,LAVERNE COX,IDRIS ELBA,LUCY LIU,JERI RYAN,REESE WITHERSPOON,JAVIER BARDEM, PAUL RUDD, WINONA RYDER, MING-NA WEN, JASON BATEMAN, ADAM SCOTT, MELORA HARDIN, JOSH DUHAMEL,JOHN LIGHT,RACHEL WEISZ,JULIAN MCMAHON, TARAJI P HENSON, WILL YUN LEE, MICHAEL EALY, DAVID LEE MCINNIS,LORNE CARDINAL, CHACE CRAWFORD, CHRIS WOOD, JACK FALAHEE, JULIAN MORRIS, MICHAEL TREVINO, TYLER HOECHLIN, JESSE WILLIAMS, LUKE EVANS, PEDRO PASCAL, MICHAEL TREVINO, MANNY MONTANA, OSCAR ISAAC, WILMER VALDERRAMA, COLIN MORGAN, BRADLEY JAMES, JOE DEMPSIE, JACK O’CONNELL, GRAHAM PHILLIPS, JACOB SCIPIO, DREW STARKEY, TOM MADEN, GREGG SULKIN, AUSTIN BUTLER, ALEX MERAZ,RICHARD MADDEN, CODY CHRISTIAN, NICK ROBINSON, DYLAN SPRAYBERRY, LIAM HEMSWORTH, LAKEITH STANFIELD, REGÉ JEAN PAGE, JEFF PIERRE, BJ BRITT, WUNMI MOSAKU, ALEX NEWELL, ALEXANDRA GREY, LUPITA NYONG'O, NATHAN STEWART-JARRETT, BRIAN MICHAEL SMITH, GUGU MBATHA-RAW, YAHYA ABDUL-MATEEN II, JAZZY JONES, ASHLEIGH MURRAY, DANIEL RADCLIFFE, BOO BOO STEWART, MADISON ISEMAN, LAURA HARRIER, JOHN BOYEGA, SEAN TEALE, BEN HARDY, JACOB ELORDI, TOM HOLLAND, NAT WOLFF, DYLAN MINNETTE, HERMAN TOMMERAAS, AARON TAYLOR JOHNSON, NOAH CENTINEO, HERO FIENNES-TIFFIN, ROSS LYNCH, CAITLIN STASEY, JAKE WEARY, BEN ROBSON, MING XI, YANG MI, SHAY MITCHELL

Come check us out if one of these FC’s are one you’d like to RP!

#appless rp #town rp #crime rp #oc rp #mature rp

[goalhofer]

2007-08 NHL assistant captains.

Anaheim: Chris Kunitz and Rob Niedermayer; Jr.

Atlanta: Niclas Hävelid, Marián Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk, Vyacheslav Kozlov and Mark Recchi.

Boston: Glen Murray and Patrice Bergeron-Cleary.

Buffalo: Jaroslav Spacek and Derek Roy.

Calgary: Owen Nolan, Robyn Regehr, Rhett Warrener and Stéphane Yelle.

Carolina: Glen Wesley, Ray Whitney and Eric Staal.

Chicago: Martin Lapointe, Robert Lang, Patrick Sharp, Tuomo Ruutu, Brent Sopel, Brent Seabrook, Jonathan Toews, Adam Burish, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane; Jr.

Colorado: Andrew Brunette and Ian Laperrière.

Columbus: Rostislav Klesla, David Výborný, Jan Modin and Michael Peca.

Dallas: Stu Barnes, Mike Modano; Jr. and Sergei Zubov.

Detroit: Pavel Datsyuk, Kris Draper and Carl Zetterberg.

Edmonton: Aleš Hemský, Shawn Horcoff, Steve Staios and Jarrett Stoll.

Florida: Bryan Allen and Stephen Weiss.

Los Angeles: Michael Cammalleri, Scott Thornton and Ľubomír Višňovský.

Minnesota: Brian Rolston and Mikko-Sakari Koivu.

Montreal: Chris Higgins and Alexei Kovalev.

Nashville: Steve Sullivan and Jean-Pierre Dumont.

New Jersey: Patrik Eliáš and John Madden.

New York Islanders: Brendan Witt and Mike Sillinger.

New York Rangers: Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka.

Ottawa: Chris Phillips and Wade Redden.

Philadelphia: Simon Gagné, Derian Hatcher and Mike Richards.

Phoenix: Derek Morris, Ed Jovanovski and Steve Reinprecht.

Pittsburgh: Sergei Gonchar, Evgeni Malkin, Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts.

San Jose: Mike Grier, Anthony Rivet and Joe Thornton.

St. Louis: Barret Jackman, Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya.

Tampa Bay: Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier.

Toronto: Tomáš Kaberle and Bryan McCabe.

Vancouver: Trevor Linden and Brendan Morrison.

Washington: Alex Ovechkin and Donald Brashear.

#Music #Sports #Hockey #NHL #Pittsburgh Penguins #Boston Bruins #Buffalo Sabres #Atlanta Thrashers #Anaheim Ducks #Colorado Avalanche #St. Louis Blues #Los Angeles Kings #Awesome

[jonny-white]

Listen to 4 tracks from jazz singer Mark Murphy’s 1974 LP ‘Mark II’ (Muse Records, MR5041, Stereo, 1974, USA)

Poor old Mark Murphy never really took off, commercially at least. First signed in the 60s to major label Decca, he then moved to the enormous Capitol Records where he recorded three LPs before landing another contract with jazz label Riverside. However, immediately following that, he only managed one album each for a succession of smaller and smaller labels a sign, surely, of dwindling public interest and sales. By 1972 he found himself at the fledgling Muse Records where he recorded the LP ‘Bridging The Gap’ and then this oddity, ‘Mark II’.

You know you’re in for a slightly strange listen when a perusal of the track-list reveals songs written by The Band, Joni Mitchel and David Crosby, the sleeve notes describe a Murphy original as “probably the first romantic Latin-tinged ballad ever written about flying saucers”, and yet the session players have a solid background in jazz and all carry deeply impressive CVs, having played with Carla Bley, Laura Nyro, Louis Armstrong, Ron Carter, Keith Jarrett, John Lennon and Van Morrison, among others. One of the guitarists played on Deodato’s epic orchestral jazz-funk reworking of Richard Strauss’ ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra‘ (more widely known now as the music from Kubrick’s ‘2001, A Space Odyssey) which memorably found it’s way onto the screen in Peter Sellers’ final film, ‘Being There’. The other performed with Duke Pearson on his monster soul-jazz Blue Note album ‘The Phantom’. The band arrangements were undertaken by David Matthews who had been James Brown’s conductor for four years so, in short, a fine bunch of expensive studio noodlers were provided to back the vocals of Mr. Murphy. You can’t say that this record company gave up easily!

However, what we get doesn’t sound quite like what we’d imagine from reading the previous paragraph. At times, it plays out like a classic 1970s West Coast canyon singer- songwriter record, rooted in what I call the stoners, losers, dreamers and burn-outs tradition yet, as a result of Mark’s jazz phrasing and the slickness of the musicians, the record sometimes morphs into syrup-soul. At first I was underwhelmed, but it’s proving to be a slow-burn grower. I have other, earlier, records by Murphy, more ‘jazz’ by nature, but this one has the edge as he’s slowed it all down a bit and left the annoying ‘shiddly-op-bip-boodly-shap-ap-be-doo-dah’ shit out. As Chuck Berry sang in 1957, “I have no kick against modern jazz, Unless they try to play it too darn fast“- well that goes for singing it too, in my book.

My copy turns out to be a promo pressing complete with a brilliant fold-out press release. Inside is a discography, a grinning photo of MM sporting 1970s footballer hairdo and moustache, an exhaustive list of Mark’s US and European night club appearances, a list of his TV spots on both sides of the Atlantic and finally a selection of bland testimonials such as “Mark Murphy is definitely one of my favourite singers,” (Scott Walker), “Mark is one of the best,” (Steve Allen), and my personal favourite, from Peggy Lee, “Those of us who love music shout ‘Hooray!’ when a singer like Mark Murphy comes along.” Well, hooray...

#jazz #male vocal #mark murphy

[novelistra]

NoveList's Juvenile Brain Trust is a group of readers' advisory librarians and metadata librarians who focus on books for kids and teens. Once a week, the JBT gets together to catch up and share books. On 1/15/2020, we discussed:

The Line Tender, Kate Allen, read by Jenna Lamia

The Oldest Student, Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora

The Old Truck, Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey

They Called Us Enemy, George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Seven Scott, illustrated by Harmony Becker

Have you read any of these books? What do you think of them?

For more recommendations (plus printables and readers’ advisory tips), check out what's new on the NoveList blog!

#jbt book share #book discussion #librarians #children's books #picture books #graphic novels

[danbusler]

Classical Music at The Boston Public Library

Classical choral music at The Boston Public Library.

Back Bay Chorale presented “Living Gold” at Boston Public Library, Copley Square on March 5, 2022. The concert included performances by Back Bay Chorale Cantata Ensemble directed by Scott Allen Jarrett and Boston Public Library/Back Bay Chorale ESL Chorus directed by Katherine Chan with pianists Justin Thomas Blackwell and Herny Weisberger.

View On WordPress

#back bay chorale #boston publc library #photographer near me #professional photographer #walpole photographer #walpole photography studio

[junker-town]

The 76ers are asking for the world for Ben Simmons

Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images

Daryl Morey is asking for a king’s ransom for Ben Simmons. There’s a method to his madness.

The worst kept secret in the NBA is the Philadelphia 76ers’ desire to trade Ben Simmons. The All-Star forward has been involved in trade rumors since his underwhelming performance in the team’s second round defeat to the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

Simmons is the biggest name on trade market right now, but that doesn’t mean Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is just going to give him away. The opposite is true according to reports: teams that have engaged the Sixers on Simmons trades have reportedly found out that Morey is asking for an astronomical amount of assets in exchange for the 25-year-old.

The Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Toronto Raptors have each reportedly come to the 76ers with trade packages for Simmons. None of them were willing or able to meet Morey’s asking price. If Simmons does get traded this summer, it sure feels like it’s going to take a king’s ransom to get it done.

The 76ers wanted everything from the Warriors for Ben Simmons

The Warriors are seeking immediate help for another championship push next season. Golden State has Steph Curry coming off an MVP-caliber year, Draymond Green still producing at an All-Defense level, and Klay Thompson finally returning from injury after two years. Simmons would be a great fit next to that core.

When the Warriors called the 76ers about Simmons, Morey demanded James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, the No. 7 and No. 14 picks in the 2021 draft, and two future first round picks, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Warriors declined.

Wiseman was the No. 2 overall pick last year, but is coming off a disappointing rookie year. The talent in this year’s draft class falls off hard after the fourth pick. This is certainly a ton to give up for Simmons — one of the league’s best defenders who may be broken offensively — but it’s possible the Warriors will also regret not cashing in their chips for a young All-Star whose shortcomings would be masked by their system.

The 76ers asked for ‘every young player’ plus draft picks from the Cavaliers for Ben Simmons

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the draft holding the No. 3 overall pick and likely rights to USC center Evan Mobley. The Cavs reportedly engaged the 76ers on a potential package for Simmons, and were told they would need to surrender every talented young player on the roster in addition to multiple future draft picks. From Zach Harper of The Athletic:

“League sources said brief conversations between Cleveland and Philadelphia were explored, but an asking price of every young player the Cavs value plus multiple first-round picks in the future wasn’t something they’d consider.”

Cleveland declined. The Cavs are positioned to have a compelling young roster next year led by Isaac Okoro, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Mobley.

The Raptors were also rejected for their Ben Simmons trade package

Toronto reportedly made an offer for Simmons, but Morey turned them down. The package included Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Toronto’s No. 4 overall pick. Matt Moore of The Action Network had the report:

“Multiple sources confirmed Sunday that the Toronto Raptors have emerged as a team with ‘significant’ interest in Simmons. One source close to talks said discussions have not been substantial as of yet. Multiple sources including those close to talks said a proposed framework including Raptors guards Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the fourth overall pick in Thursday’s draft for Simmons was rejected by Toronto.”

The 76ers likely want Bradley Beal or Damian Lillard for Ben Simmons

While it’s widely presumed the Sixers have to trade Simmons as soon as possible, that’s not necessarily the case. Philadelphia reportedly wants an All-Star level player in return for Simmons, and there are big ones on the cusp of hitting the trade market: Wizards star Bradley Beal and Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard.

Beal can become a free agent in the summer of 2022. Would the Wizards really want to lose him for nothing? While a potential Beal trade has been framed on the guard’s desires to this point, Washington will also have to face the reality that it’s possible he leaves in free agency one year from now.

Lillard is under contract for four more seasons, but he has started to put pressure on the Blazers to win now. If Portland comes up short again this season, perhaps a deal centered around Simmons-for-Lillard could be a reality mid-season or after the upcoming year.

The 76ers have time on their side. Simmons is under contract for multiple years and remains one of the league’s top defenders. We can’t wait to see how this all plays out.

[perry-tannenbaum]

Bach Akademie’s “German Requiem” Concert Offers Heavenly Music at St. Alban’s

Bach Akademie’s “German Requiem” Concert Offers Heavenly Music at St. Alban’s

Review:  St. Matthew Passion performed brilliantly by Bach Akademie Charlotte By Perry Tannenbaum

  Once you’ve performed the St. Matthew Passion, as Bach Akademie Charlotte did so brilliantly in concluding its second annual Charlotte Bach Festival back on June 15, there is little left for this powerhouse company to prove as it begins its third season. In fact, their third season began in…

View On WordPress

#BA|CH Cantata Choir #Domenico Scarlatti #Guy Fishman #Heinrich Schütz #John Lenti #JS Bach #Nicolas Haigh #Patrick Muehleise #Scott Allen Jarrett #Steven Soph

[crimsoncityhq]

Hi Tags! Do some of these FC’s catch your eye? They’re actually in our wanted connections! Come check us out.

Ming Xi, Yang Mi, Shay Mitchell, Finn Cole, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Caitlin Stasey, Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, Nat Wolff, Dylan Minnette, Herman Tommeraas, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Noah Centineo, Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, Ross Lynch, Wilmer Valderrama, Alberto Rosende, Alexander Ludwig, John Boyega, Sean Teale, Ben Hardy, Daniel Radcliffe, Boo Boo Stewart, Madison Iseman, Laura Harrier, Lakeith Stanfield, Rege Jean Page, Jeff Pierre, BJ Britt, Wunmi Mosaku, Alex Newell, Alexandra Grey, Lupita Nyong'o, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Brian Michael Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jazzy Jones, Samara Weaving, Brant Daughtery, James McAvoy, Martin Henderson, Liam Hemsworth, William Mosely, Giacomo Gianiotti, Brenton Thwaites, Cody Christian, Nick Robinson, Dylan Sprayberry, Cameron Monaghan, Richard Madden, KJ Apa, Alex Meraz, Austin Butler, Gregg Sulkin, Tom Maden, Drew Starkey, Jacob Scipio, Graham Phillips, Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Joe Dempsie, Jack O'Connell, Pedro Pascal, Michael Trevino, Manny Montana, Oscar Isaac, Colson Baker, Dane Dehaan, Luke Evans,John Cho, Laverne Cox, Idris Elba, Lucy Liu, Jeri Ryan, Reese Witherspoon, Javier Bardem, Paul Rudd, Winona Ryder, Ming-Na Wen, Jason Bateman, Adam Scott, Melora Hardin, Josh Duhamel, John Light, Rachel Weis, Julie Mcmahon, Taraji P Henson, Will Yun Lee, Michael Ealy, David Lee Mcinnis, Lorne Cardinal, Ahn Hee- Yeon, Bae Suzy, Bang Minah, Krystal Jung, Park Shin-Hye, Sydney Park, Jang Seungyeon, Tiana Tolstoi, Adeline Rudolph, Lee Sunmi, Choi-ri, Kim Hye Yoon, Kim Seulgi, Fivel Stewart, Steven Yeun, Jamie Chung, Arden Cho, Baek Sung Hyun, Han Hyo-Joo, Kim Soohyun, Kim Woo Bin, Yoon Park, Danny Pudi, Raza Jaffrey, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Tommy Martinez, Grant Gustin, Keegan Allen, Alex Pettyfer, Taron Egerton, Nicholas Hoult, Robbie Amell, Joe Cole, Alex Roe, David Corenswet, Chase Stokes, Thomas Doherty, Max Thieriot, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Charlie Hunnam, Nikolah Coster-Waldau, Evelyn Brochu, & Avan Jogia

#appless rp #crime rp #oc rp #active rp #tumblr rp #gang rp

[junker-town]

TITLELESS: 16 overachieving NBA teams who fell short of a title

Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant never won a title on the Thunder.

Some great non-champion NBA teams weren’t supposed to be great teams until they showed off in the playoffs. Here are 16 near-miss playoff runs defined by outperforming their talent, seed, or both.

Some great non-champion NBA teams weren’t supposed to be great teams until they showed off in the playoffs. Here are 16 near-miss playoff runs defined by outperforming their talent, seed, or both. Meet the Overachiever Division.

We begin with the ultimate NBA Finals Cinderella and end with a more recent contender that broke up in the summer, though not by choice.

16. 1975-76 Phoenix Suns

ERA: John MacLeod’s Suns

RECORD: 42-40

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +0.6

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in Finals to Boston Celtics (4-2)

KEY STAR(S): Paul Westphal

COACH: John MacLeod

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Alvan Adams, Gar Heart, Dick Van Arsdale, Curtis Perry, Ricky Sobers, Keith Erickson, John Shumate

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1982-83

The most unlikely Finals participant in NBA history was this close to pulling off an improbable championship. After winning Game 7 on the home floor of the defending champion Warriors in the conference Finals, Phoenix split the first four games with a Celtics team that didn’t take them seriously.

That brings us to Game 5, often referred to as the greatest game in NBA history. Boston won in triple overtime and took the Finals in Game 6, but some truly wild shit happened in that game. Boston took a 20-point first-quarter lead, but the Suns chipped away. Led by Paul Westphal, who was traded by the Celtics for Charlie Scott in one of those now-for-future moves that benefitted both teams, the Suns came back from nine down in the final three minutes to force overtime.

With the score tied at 101 and three seconds left in the first overtime, Boston veteran Paul Silas grabbed a rebound and visibly signaled to call timeout despite Boston having none left. It should have resulted in a technical foul and a free throw. But referee Richie Powers ignored Silas’ request, allowing the game to go to double overtime.

Powers later admitted he “did not want Boston to lose like that,” according to Bob Ryan’s book Scribe: My Life in Sports. (Probably not coincidentally, then-Celtics coach Tommy Heinsohn called Powers “my favorite referee” in a 2016 Boston Globe interview). Years later, even Silas admitted he called timeout and Powers “didn’t see me or didn’t want to see me.”

The Suns then scored four straight points at the end of double overtime to take a one-point lead with four seconds left. Boston inbounded to ageless legend John Havlicek, who was playing through a torn plantar fascia. He banked what appeared to be the game-winner off the glass and in. As Celtics fans stormed the court and the players rushed to the locker room, Powers, perhaps in an attempt to atone for his previous mistake, ruled there was still one second left in the game. (An angry Celtics fan apparently tackled and pinned Powers to the floor during the ensuing melee. Imagine if that happened today.)

But wait, there’s more! Westphal knew of a loophole in the league’s technical foul rules and exploited it for Phoenix’s benefit. He called timeout, knowing Phoenix had none left and would receive a technical foul. (Funny how Powers saw this one, but not Silas’ unintentional gaffe).

Boston hit the free throw to lead by two, but Phoenix retained the ball and actually got to inbound it at half court. The Suns threw it to Gar Heard, who turned and nailed a 20-foot jumper to force triple overtime.

Relive all of that here. It’s WILD.

The Suns finally fell short in the third overtime when little-used Boston reserve Glenn McDonald ran circles around their dead legs. They stayed in the mix for the next half decade, but never came that close again.

15. 2013-14 Portland Trail Blazers

ERA: Dame Time

RECORD: 54-28

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +3.9

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in second round to San Antonio Spurs (4-1)

KEY STAR(S): Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge

COACH: Terry Stotts

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez, Mo Williams, Dorell Wright, C.J. McCollum

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 2014-15, 2018-19

Like the early-2010s Pacers, these Blazers hit their peak in the middle of the following season. Portland’s well-balanced starting lineup was in the thick of the West title race by the middle of the 2014-15 year, but lost all momentum when Wesley Matthews, the team’s heartbeat, tore his Achilles.

The Blazers fell apart thereafter and chose to break up the team the following summer after LaMarcus Aldridge signed with the Spurs.

14. 2001-02 Boston Celtics

ERA: Pierce and ‘Toine

RECORD: 49-33

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +2.3

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in East Finals to New Jersey Nets (4-2)

KEY STAR(S): Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker

COACH: Jim O’Brien

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Kenny Anderson, Tony Battie, Eric Williams, Tony Delk, Rodney Rodgers, Erick Strickland, Vitaly Potapenko, Walter McCarty

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: None

What a strange team. After taking over for Rick Pitino late in the previous season, coach Jim O’Brien fashioned a wacky style of play that encouraged players to shoot tons of threes even if they weren’t especially good at them. Antoine Walker took a whopping 645 attempts while making just 34 percent. Nowadays, that’s less weird. Back then, it was wild. But it all somehow worked because Paul Pierce was incredible and Walker’s versatility eased the burden on the rest of the team.

Nobody took these Celtics seriously, which nearly worked to their advantage after they staged a memorable 26-point comeback to take a 2-1 series lead over the Nets in the East Finals.

But the Nets won the next three games, including two in Boston, to earn the right to be the Lakers’ sacrificial lamb. Boston faltered the next few seasons and nearly traded Pierce, but got bailed out when Timberwolves general manager and Celtics legend Kevin McHale relented on trading Kevin Garnett to Boston.

(Celtics Blog did a wonderful tribute to the 2001-02 team that’s well worth your time).

13. 2012-13 Memphis Grizzlies

ERA: Grit ‘N Grind

RECORD: 56-26

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +4.1

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in West Finals to San Antonio Spurs (4-0)

KEY STAR(S): Zach Randolph

COACH: Lionel Hollins

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Tayshaun Prince, Jerryd Bayless, Quincy Pondexter, Wayne Ellington, Ed Davis, Darrell Arthur

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 2010-11, 2014-15

I won’t argue if you’d rather include Dave Joerger’s 2014-15 Grit ‘N Grind team that took a 2-1 lead on the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in the second round. That team briefly appeared to solve its longtime shooting problem before the Warriors unveiled their Andrew Bogut-on-Tony-Allen defense. (Grizzly Bear Blues, SB Nation’s Grizzlies community, would also take the 2014-15 club)

But I chose the 2012-13 team that reached the conference finals despite (or because of?) trading Rudy Gay in midseason in a money-saving move that angered coach Lionel Hollins. Marc Gasol was at the peak of his defensive powers, Zach Randolph was still a force, and Quincy Pondexter looked like the 3-and-D wing that could have completed the Grizzlies’ core.

12. 2012-13 Golden State Warriors

ERA: Pre-Kerr Steph

RECORD: 47-35

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +0.9

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in second round to San Antonio Spurs (4-2)

KEY STAR(S): Stephen Curry

COACH: Mark Jackson

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: David Lee, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Jarrett Jack, Carl Landry, Festus Ezeli, Draymond Green

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 13-14

No Overachievers Division is complete without a Stephen Curry Cinderella team. The 2012-13 team was decent, but didn’t take off until Curry went en fuego in the playoffs. (David Lee’s injury, which forced Mark Jackson to go small, also helped.)

The cagey Spurs ended the Warriors’ run, but Curry lit them up twice on the road in the first two games before re-injuring his ankle in Game 3. That limited him the rest of the series and made the Warriors’ Game 1 collapse that ended with horrible, botched coverage on a game-winning Manu Ginobili three loom larger.

The decision to pick the 12-13 team instead of the 51-win outfit the next year was an easy one considering the dysfunction surrounding Jackson’s final season in charge.

11. 1989-90 Phoenix Suns

ERA: Pre-Barkley Suns

RECORD: 54-28

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +7.1

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in West Finals to Portland Trail Blazers (4-2)

KEY STAR(S): Kevin Johnson

COACH: Cotton Fitzsimmons

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Tom Chambers, Jeff Hornacek, Dan Majerle, Mark West, Eddie Johnson, Kurt Rambis, Andrew Lang

OTHER SEASONS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 1988-89, 1990-91, 1991-92

The pre-Charles Barkley Suns were a wonderful story and might have been even better than their more well-known counterparts. After an embarrassing drug scandal rocked the team in 1987, new owner Jerry Colangelo held a fire sale. The most controversial move was trading Larry Nance, the team’s best player and a model citizen who wasn’t involved in the scandal, for a package that included little-used big man Mark West, a future first-round pick that turned into a Central Michigan guard named Dan Majerle, and a backup point guard named Kevin Johnson who was stuck behind young all-star Mark Price.

The turnaround was swift. Johnson turned out to be a superstar, teaming with the undrafted Jeff Hornacek to form the “KJ and Horny” backcourt. (Great name.) Along with marquee free agent signing Tom Chambers, the Suns stormed into the West’s elite. They ended the Lakers’ dynasty with a stunning 4-1 win in the West semifinals, with Johnson blowing by Byron Scott repeatedly and Hornacek making Magic Johnson pay for his defensive roaming. After winning the decisive fifth game in LA, Kevin Johnson declared his desire to make the Suns the “team of the 90s.”

But that didn’t happen. Phoenix blew it in a six-game conference finals loss to Portland, coughing up fourth-quarter leads in the first two games in Portland and blowing a six-point advantage in the final few minutes of a Game 6 defeat. Johnson missed the second half of that decisive loss with one of the many nagging injuries that defined the rest of his career.

By the time Barkley arrived in 1992, Johnson was a more muted version of himself and Chambers was nearing his last legs. Barkley and Johnson never fit seamlessly, and the Suns never quite got the most out of their on-paper talent. What might’ve happened if Barkley arrived in 1989 instead of 1992? We’ll never know.

10. 2007-08 New Orleans Hornets

ERA: Young CP3

RECORD: 56-26

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +5.3

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in West semifinals to San Antonio Spurs (4-3)

KEY STAR(S): Chris Paul

COACH: Byron Scott

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: David West, Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic, Morris Peterson, Bobby Jackson, Bonzi Well, Jannero Pargo, Rasual Butler

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: None

Another long-forgotten cult classic I loved during my college days. Chris Paul was robbed of the MVP because the collective media decided to give Kobe Bryant a lifetime achievement award. Yeah, I said it. Those Paul/Tyson Chandler lobs were things of beauty. I’m still mad at Jannero Pargo for shooting the Hornets out of that Game 7 against the Spurs. They would have put up a better fight against the Lakers in the next round.

That was the only real moment of glory for Paul in New Orleans.

9. 2002-03 New Jersey Nets

ERA: Kidd’s Nets

RECORD: 49-33

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +5.3

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in Finals to San Antonio Spurs (4-2)

KEY STAR(S): Jason Kidd

COACH: Byron Scott

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson, Kerry Kittles, Dikembe Mutombo, Jason Collins, Lucious Harris, Rodney Rodgers, Aaron Williams

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 2001-02, 2003-04

The 2001-02 Nets had the novelty factor and won more games, but the 2002-03 version was much stronger. The big offseason trade of Keith Van Horn for Dikembe Mutombo was a bit of a flop, but it did allow second-year forward Richard Jefferson to step into Van Horn’s spot and emerge as an all-star talent. New Jersey had the mighty Spurs on the ropes in the Finals, but they blew Game 5 at home and succumbed to Tim Duncan’s near-quadruple-double in Game 6.

It all fell apart from there.

8. 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks

ERA: Bud’s Hawks

RECORD: 60-22

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +5.4

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in East Finals to Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0)

KEY STAR(S): None

COACH: Mike Budenholzer

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague, DeMarre Carroll, Dennis Schroder, Thabo Sefolosha, Kent Bazemore, Pero Antic, Mike Scott

OTHER SEASONS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: None

I loved this team. They had five quality players whose talents blended perfectly, all working together to create one of the prettiest offenses of the modern era. Their regular-season win over the eventual champion Warriors in Atlanta is still one of the highest-skill basketball games I’ve ever seen.

But deep down, we all knew they didn’t have enough to win a title or maintain their flash of success. They were wobbling before LeBron James and the Cavaliers unceremoniously finished them off in the conference finals.

Still would’ve been nice if Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll were fully healthy and the NYPD didn’t break Thabo Sefolosha’s leg.

7. 1963-64 Cincinnati Royals

ERA: Prime Oscar Robertson

RECORD: 55-25

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +5

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in East Finals to Boston Celtics (4-1)

KEY STAR(S): Oscar Robertson

COACH: Jack McMahon

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Jerry Lucas, Wayne Embry, Jack Twyman, Tom Hawkins, Bucky Bockhorn, Adrian Smith, Bob Boozer

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 1962-63, 1964-65

This was Oscar Robertson’s best team during his heyday, though it wasn’t the team that got closest to the Finals or the one that featured Robertson’s famous triple-double season. It was the year Oscar won league MVP, earning the crown in a landslide over Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

But Oscar had nothing left by the time the East Finals with Boston began, and he was locked up by the combination of K.C. Jones on ball and Russell on the backside.

6. 2012-13 Indiana Pacers

ERA: Paul George and Frank Vogel

RECORD: 49-32

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +4

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in East Finals to Miami Heat (4-3)

KEY STAR(S): Paul George

COACH: Frank Vogel

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Roy Hibbert, David West, Lance Stephenson, George Hill, Gerald Green, Ian Mahinmi, Tyler Hansbrough, Sam Young, D.J. Augustin

OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 2013-14

These Pacers were an NBA powerhouse for a calendar year that took place over two NBA seasons. During the second half of 2012-13, Paul George emerged from the injured Danny Granger’s shadow to push the Heatles to the brink. (I’ll defend the decision to bench Roy Hibbert at the end of Game 1 until the end of time). Then, the Pacers built one of the game’s stingiest defenses and went 33-7 during the first half of the 2013-14 season. Let’s not speak of what happened thereafter.

So pay no attention to the Pacers’ mediocre 2012-13 full season record. They’re ranked this high because of their play from January 2013 to January 2014.

5. 2000-01 Philadelphia 76ers

ERA: Iverson

RECORD: 56-26

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +5.7

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in Finals to Los Angeles Lakers (4-1. Stepover game)

KEY STAR(S): Allen Iverson

COACH: Larry Brown

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Dikembe Mutombo, Eric Snow, George Lynch, Tyrone Hill, Aaron McKie, Matt Geiger, Kevin Ollie, Raja Bell

OTHER SEASONS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: None

These 76ers are iconic because of one small man and one memorable stepover after a made shot. They were — or rather, Allen Iverson was — David going up against a Goliath in the apex Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant Lakers. Every NBC promo highlighted that theme.

But the story of the 2000-01 76ers is more complex, as SB Nation’s Rewinder series beautifully illustrates.

To wit:

Iverson was nearly traded to the Pistons before the season in a massive four-team deal. The trade, which was agreed upon by all parties, would’ve sent Eddie Jones, Glen Rice, an ancient Dale Ellis, and Jerome Williams to Philly. Yuck. Iverson was told the trade was happening. But it fell apart because backup center Matt Geiger refused to waive his 15 percent trade kicker, which he needed to do to make the salaries make up.

Dikembe Mutombo wasn’t the midseason acquisition that pushed the 76ers over the top, as you might expect given his name recognition. It’s more accurate to say he was an emergency replacement acquired by necessity. Philly was 36-13 at the NBA All-Star Game break thanks to Iverson and shot-blocking dynamo Theo Ratliff, who rode a career season to an all-star nod. But Ratliff broke his wrist in the final game before the break, jeopardizing Philly’s run. Rather than wait things out, the 76ers made him the centerpiece of a trade with the Hawks for the disgruntled Mutombo, with Toni Kukoc also heading to Atlanta. After that 36-13 start, Philly went just 20-13 down the stretch and had to endure two Game 7s before reaching the Finals.

Ask a Bucks fan about the officiating in that 2001 conference finals. Just do it.

The 76ers’ victory was still an amazing feat considering their injury situation. Starting small forward George Lynch broke his foot in the second round and didn’t play again. Point guard Eric Snow fractured his foot in the next round and played through it. Sixth Man of the Year Aaron McKie broke his foot in Game 1 of the Finals and played through it, too. Also, Mutombo was playing through a broken finger. I’m surprised those dudes could even walk.

4. 2008-09 Orlando Magic

ERA: Dwight and Stan

RECORD: 59-23

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +6.6

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in Finals to Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)

KEY STAR(S): Dwight Howard

COACH: Stan Van Gundy

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Rafer Alston, Courney Lee, Keith Bogans, Mickael Pietrus, J.J. Redick, Marcin Gortat, Anthony Johnson

OTHER SEASONS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 2009-10

The story of the NBA’s three-point revolution isn’t complete without mentioning the Stan Van Gundy-Dwight Howard Magic. Desperate for answers after starting power forward Tony Battie got injured in the 2007 preseason, Van Gundy made the bold decision to slide marquee free agent acquisition Rashard Lewis up to power forward to make room for the enigmatic Hedo Turkoglu. With Lewis spacing the floor for Howard, Turkoglu, and Jameer Nelson, Orlando spent the next three seasons shattering three-point records while maintaining one of the league’s best defenses.

The 2009-10 version, with Vince Carter instead of Turkoglu, was stronger in the regular season and favored in the East Finals after LeBron James’ Cavaliers lost to the Celtics. But I prefer the 2008-09 version because it advanced further in the playoffs, scored the most impressive series victory of the era over a better LeBron team, and had two giant “what if” moments — Nelson’s midseason injury and Courtney Lee’s blown layup that would’ve won Game 2 of the Finals against the Lakers — that could have made them champions.

3. 1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers

ERA: Shaq, Pre-Phil

RECORD: 61-21

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +7.7

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in West Finals to Utah Jazz (4-0)

KEY STAR(S): Shaquille O’Neal

COACH: Del Harris

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel, Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant, Robert Horry, Elden Campbell, Derek Fisher

OTHER SEASONS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 96-97

I wasn’t sure where to put the pre-Phil Jackson Lakers in this tournament. Maybe it’s a stretch to call them “overachievers” considering they were one of the preseason favorites, won 61 games with a ton of talent, and got schooled by the veteran Jazz in four straight games in the conference Finals. By that logic, they belong in the flameout region. (Speaking of flameouts, hoo boy the Nick Van Exel-Del Harris relationship was ugly by this point.)

Here’s my case for them belonging as overachievers:

They went 61-21 despite Shaquille O’Neal missing 22 games early in the year. In fact, they were destroying everyone before that untimely injury and never got a chance to return to that level.

Van Exel’s ongoing feud with Harris, combined with a midseason injury, forced the Lakers to rely on a little-known second-year guard out of Arkansas Little-Rock named Derek Fisher to run the point.

Kobe Bryant wasn’t Kobe Bryant yet. He made the All-Star team due to his popularity, but was still a moderately efficient sixth man that played behind Eddie Jones.

The Lakers were not favored in their second-round series with a resurgent Sonics team that had swapped the disgruntled Shawn Kemp for the in-shape (at the time) Vin Baker. Yet after Seattle won the first game at home, the Lakers crushed them in the next four, winning each by double-digits. It was a stunning display at the time.

In hindsight, that 97-98 Jazz team was a couple plays away from winning the title. Was it really a huge shame to lose to them?

The worst of the pre-Jackson Lakers drama occurred the following season after the lockout. Van Exel got traded, Jones was moved for Glen Rice, Harris lost his job, and the bizarre Dennis Rodman experience threw everything off. That’s the season they really underachieved. I’m not sure the 97-98 edition qualifies.

Thus, they’re here.

2. 1981-82 Philadelphia 76ers

ERA: Dr. J, pre-Moses

RECORD: 58-24

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +5.7

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in NBA Finals to Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)

KEY STAR(S): Julius Erving

COACH: Billy Cunningham

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Caldwell Jones, Lionel Hollins, Bobby Jones, Darryl Dawkins, Steve Mix, Mike Bantom

OTHER SEASONS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 1976-77, 1977-78, 1979-80, 1980-81

Julius Erving did win one title with the 76ers, but that was only after getting MVP Moses Malone as a running mate in the summer of 1982. Based on the rules of this game, all of Dr. J’s Philly clubs prior to then are eligible for this tournament.

The 1976-77 club had the most star power and the 1980-81 version had the best regular season, but we’re going with the 1981-82 edition because they were the ones to slay the Boston Garden dragon. Andrew Toney really was a forgotten legend.

That was the game the legendary “BEAT LA” chant was born. Alas, the 76ers did not heed the call of their strange bedfellows in Boston. They got blown out at home in Game 1 and fell to the Lakers in six games.

1. 2015-16 Oklahoma City Thunder

ERA: Post-James Harden trade

RECORD: 55-27

POINT DIFFERENTIAL: +7.3

PLAYOFF RESULT: Lost in West Finals to No. 1 Golden State Warriors (4-3)

KEY STAR(S): Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

COACH: Billy Donovan

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, Andre Roberson, Dion Waiters, Enes Kanter, Randy Foye, Kyle Singler

OTHER SEASONS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 2012-13, 2013-14

This was the worst regular-season team of the post-James Harden, pre-My Next Chapter Thunder, but the most terrifying at full power. After sleepwalking through the regular season under new coach Billy Donovan, the Thunder beat a 67-win Spurs team in the second round and made the 73-win Warriors look like a junior varsity team during the first four games of the next round. They then lost Game 5, got blitzed by an unconscious Klay Thompson in a thrilling Game 6, and lost in Game 7 after Stephen Curry rediscovered his form.

That series was the start of a budding Western Conference rivalry featuring two of the greatest of this era and tons of other … ah, nevermind.