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arpov-blog-blog · 4 months

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..."Lance Wallnau’s book, “God’s Chaos Candidate” played a significant role in solidifying evangelical support for Donald Trump in 2016, brushing aside concerns about his obvious lack of morality.

Paula White-Cain gave the invocation at Trump’s inauguration in 2017, at his re-election campaign kick-off in 2019 and his Jan. 6, 2021, pre-insurrection rally. On the second occasion, she gave what experts describe as a ‘spiritual warfare’ prayer: “Let every demonic network that is aligned itself against the purpose, against the calling of President Trump, let it be broken, let it be torn down in the name of Jesus.”

Dutch Sheets engaged in a swing-state “prayer and prophecy tour” after Joe Biden’s election in November 2020, playing a leading role in building religious support for the Jan. 6 insurrection, in coordination with Trump’s White House.

All three are prominent members of a rapidly-growing, anti-democratic religious movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, which few Americans have heard of, except in passing or by way of heated denials. But a new book from Canadian scholar André Gagné, “American Evangelicals for Trump: Dominion, Spiritual Warfare, and the End Times,” could change that, as the NAR seems poised to play an even bigger political role in 2024.

“Too many of the larger public, and too many who report news, know little about this movement,” said John Dorhauer, recently retired general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, via email. “The trap one must avoid in writing about this subject and reporting on the movement is to do so in a way that comes across as credible without sounding like a conspiracy theorist. The truth is you are in fact writing about a conspiracy. Because of that, large swaths of the American public are just predisposed to dismiss this as too far-fetched to take seriously.”

Gagné’s book is significant, Dorhauer said, because he clarifies and differentiates “various ideologies, theologies and end-game scenarios” in ways particularly helpful to “those of us looking to think strategically about how to offset the damage to our democracy.”

NAR, Clarkson explained, is hard to understand because it is “constantly changing, [and] has factions in tension with one another. … They are wily because they are worried that the rest of society will figure out who they are and what they are up to.”

The "most radical change" since the Protestant Reformation

Arguably the greatest strength of Gagné’s book is its “focus on how [NAR] adherents speak of their beliefs and practices,” as he describes it, providing a coherent, objective record that can that’s not an outsider’s interpretation — thus evading an objection that religious conservatives have invoked for decades when subject to unwanted scrutiny. This is reflected both in the book’s origin and in its crucial explanation of the NAR, which C. Peter Wagner, who coined the term, described as “the most radical change in how churches operate since the Protestant Reformation.”

Dominion theology, "victorious eschatology" and the Seven Mountain Mandate

When it comes to theology, Gagné focuses on the “idea of wanting to establish the kingdom of God on earth, the notion of dominion,” a thread long present in evangelical Christianity, but largely more as an aspiration than a master plan, as it is for the NAR. “Wagner was clear on what had influenced him in terms of dominion theology,” Gagné said, and specifically referenced Calvinist philosopher and theologian R.J. Rushdoony, the founder of what is known as “Christian Reconstruction.” (See Julie Ingersoll’s book "Building God's Kingdom: Inside the World of Christian Reconstructionism,” and a Salon interview.)

Another important influence was onetime evangelical bishop Earl Paulk, who “popularized a teaching that is called ‘kingdom now,’” Gagné said, which claimed that “Christ in us must take dominion over the earth.... The next move of God cannot occur until Christ in us takes dominion.”

It’s worth noting here that the dominionist belief in dramatically expanding Christians’ power over the secular world is inherently in conflict with previously more popular evangelical beliefs that the sinful world should be left behind, as reflected in the popular “Left Behind” novel series. In contrast, Gagné said, “Wagner had a view which is called ‘victorious eschatology,” where he links that idea to dominion theology.” He quotes Wagner saying, “We no longer accept the idea that society will get worse and worse, because we now believe God’s mandate is to transform society, so it gets better and better.”

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narrowtriangle33-blog · 2 years

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This has to stop.

Yet again there are books being pulled this time from Texas School Districts. In Texas books about race and sexuality are being pulled from multiple Texas School Districts. 75 formal requests by students' parents and community members have been sent to school districts in Texas to ban certain books from libraries.

According to NBC News here are 50 books certain Texas Parents want banned.

1. "Drama," by Raina Telgemeier

2. "When Wilma Rudolph Played Basketball," by Mark Weakland

3. "Lawn Boy," by Jonathan Evison

4. "Better Nate Than Ever," by Tim Federle

5. "Five, Six, Seven, Nate!" by Tim Federle

6. "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison

7. "Out of Darkness," by Ashley Hope Pérez

8. "Ghost Boys," by Jewell Parker Rhodes

9. "l8r, g8r," by Lauren Myracle

10. "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," by Jesse Andrews

11. "White Bird: A Wonder Story," by R.J. Palacio

12. "Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11," by Alan Gratz

13. "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic," by Alison Bechdel

14. "Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)" by L.C. Rosen

15. "City of Thieves," by David Benioff

16. "Gender Queer," by Maia Kobabe

17. "This One Summer," by Mariko Tamaki

18. "We Are the Ants," by Shaun David Hutchinson

19. "The Breakaways," by Cathy G. Johnson

20. "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. Johnson

21. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky

22. "Michelle Obama: Political Icon," by Heather E. Schwartz

23. "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You," by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

24. "New Kid," by Jerry Craft

25. "Class Act," by Jerry Craft

26. "Salvage the Bones," by Jesmyn Ward

27. "Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice," by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood

28. "Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness," by Anastasia Higginbotham

29. "How to be an Antiracist," by Ibram X. Kendi

30. "A Good Kind of Trouble," by Lisa Moore Ramée

31. "We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices," by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

32. "On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God," by Louise Rennison

33. "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini

34. "It's Perfectly Normal," by Robie H. Harris

35. "Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out," by Susan Kuklin

36. "Monday's Not Coming," by Tiffany D. Jackson

37. "More Happy Than Not," by Adam Silvera

38. "George," by Alex Gino

39. "What Girls Are Made Of," by Elana K. Arnold

40. "I Am Jazz," by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

41. "So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed," by Jon Ronson

42. "King and the Dragonflies," by Kacen Callender

43. "Go With the Flow," by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann

44. "Last Night at the Telegraph Club," by Malinda Lo

45. "Weird Girl and What's His Name," by Meagan Brothers

46. "Flamer," by Mike Curato

47. "Milk and Honey," by Rupi Kaur

48. "A Court of Mist and Fury," by Sarah J. Maas

49. "47," by Walter Mosley

50. "Girls Like Us," by Gail Giles

This has to stop these type of people could have an agenda if they do, it's a bad one of course.

#share #take action #book #banning #book banning #crt #texas #school #libraries

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brokehorrorfan · 5 years

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Blu-ray Review: Hell Comes to Frogtown

Despite lighting up the screen during his wrestling promos throughout the ‘80s, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper didn't fully transition to film until 1988's Hell Comes to Frogtown. While the low-budget B-movie didn't exactly advance Piper's career outside the ring, it opened the door for him to secure the lead role in John Carpenter's They Live, which opened at #1 at the box office in 1988. Hell Comes to Frogtown may not have the same notoriety, but, warts and all, it’s a fun one - wars and all.

The film is set a decade after a nuclear war has left most of the United States a desolate wasteland. Male survivors are rare, and rarer still are those who remain potent for re-population. Enter Sam Hell (Piper), a scavenger with a high sperm count. The provisional government offers to wipe his lengthy record clean if he rescues and impregnates fertile women held captive in a ghetto of the wasteland dubbed Frogtown, so named for its humanoid-amphibian mutant inhabitants. Piper's loyalty is ensured by an electric chastity belt of sorts that has a "flap" that allows him to perform when duty calls.

The outlandish concept was conceived by director Donald G. Jackson and writer Randall Frakes, who came up together under Roger Corman and previously collaborated on 1986’s Roller Blade. Jackson had a connection with the wrestling world, having made the documentary I Like to Hurt People, but when New World Pictures opted to give Frogtown a bigger budget, they paired him with the more experienced R.J. Kizer (who helmed the new footage for Godzilla 1985's American release) as co-director.

The creature effects sometimes look like low-rent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles knock-offs, particularly under the scrutiny of high definition, but Steve Wang's (Predator, The Monster Squad) admirable work on the frog people - particularly Commander Toty, the leader with an animatronic head - elevates the production beyond its low budget. The post-nuke setting also helps to bolster the production value.

As a wrestling personality, Piper was used to playing for the cheap seats, so his take on Sam Hell is big and broad. He improved as an actor tenfold in the short time between Frogtown and They Live, with the latter performance far more grounded, but Frogtown's absurd material allows him to chew the scenery like he would in his wrestling promos. There's nothing to rival his legendary fight scene in They Live, but Piper does duke it out with a few frog-men, including outsmarting one with a Three Stooges gag.

Sandahl Bergman (Conan the Barbarian) co-stars as Spangle, Sam Hell's handler who is "trained in seduction techniques." Although she occasionally gets the upper hand on Hell, as you might imagine, she is largely relegated to the damsel in distress at best and eye candy at worst. The cast also includes William Smith (Maniac Cop), Rory Calhoun (Motel Hell), Nicholas Worth (Darkman), and Lee Garlington (Cobra).

Hell Comes to Frogtown has been newly restored in 4K from its 35mm interpositive for Vinegar Syndrome's Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. It looks clearer than a movie called with such a ridiculous title has any right to, with a 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix to match. It features reversible cover art with two different archival posters. Vinegar Syndrome also offers an exclusive, V-shaped splitcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr., which is limited to 3,000 units.

The disc features a new, 55-minute interview with Frakes, who provides an exhaustive history of the film. It's filled with interesting anecdotes, like the fact that he and Jackson initially wanted Tim Thomerson for the role of Sam Hell, while New World originally pushed for Daniel Stern. If that's not enough, the audio commentary with Jackson and Frakes from Anchor Bay's 2001 DVD release features additional insight, and the filmmakers were not afraid to air their grievances.

Beyond that, the special features from Arrow Video's Region B release of the film in 2013 are ported over. They include interviews with Piper, who is open about his lack of acting experience and how his perspective on the movie has changed over the years; actor Brian Fran, who discusses the challenges of working in a heavy suit topped by an animatronic head; and Wang, who reveals how he created the frog-men on a budget, accompanied by behind-the-scenes photos.

Hell Comes to Frogtown is as ludicrous in tone as it is in title. It largely functions as a post-apocalyptic action flick, but it also dabbles in the creature feature, sex comedy, and exploitation realms. The result is an amalgam of Mad Max, Planet of the Apes, and Porky's, as if directed by Russ Meyer. It mostly works, thanks to a healthy helping of campy charm to hold it all together.

Hell Comes to Frogtown is available now on Blu-ray/DVD via Vinegar Syndrome.

#hell comes to frogtown #roddy piper #rowdy roddy piper #sandahl bergman #vinegar syndrome #article #review #dvd #gift #roger corman #rory calhoun #william smith #earl kessler jr.#80s horror #1980s horror

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newsfact · 3 years

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Chicago Bulls face schedule gauntlet as they look to maintain hot start

The Chicago Bulls tipped off a brutal stretch in the schedule by picking up their first loss of the season. DeMar DeRozan airballed a midrange jumper at the buzzer, with a wild fourth-quarter rally falling just short, 104-103.

Chicago have been one of the stories of the first week of the season, with a new-look roster surging to their best start in over two decades.

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)

The 4-0 record has widely been taken with a grain of salt in the basketball community, with the wins coming against expected non-playoff squads.

The light schedule is about to change in a big way, with the loss to the Knicks opening up a torrid stretch of 13-straight games against playoff teams from last season.

Upcoming 12-game schedule for the Chicago Bulls Date Opponent Oct. 30 vs. Utah Nov. 1 at Boston Nov. 3 at Philadelphia Nov. 6 vs. Philadelphia Nov. 8 vs. Brooklyn Nov. 10 vs. Dallas Nov. 12 at Golden State Nov. 14 at LA Clippers Nov. 15 at Los Angeles Lakers Nov. 17 at Portland Nov. 19 at Denver Nov. 21 vs. New York

The defense question

Entering the season, the biggest question mark around the Bulls was on the defensive end. Early returns suggest the backcourt duo of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso have unlocked frisky perimeter defense, with the issues still largely with their ability to compete on the interior.

Coming into the game against New York, the Bulls were giving up 49.5 points in the paint. Against the Knicks, they lost the battle 50-40.

They also rank in the bottom ten for opposition total rebounds (47.8 per game) and on the offensive glass (11.2).

Despite the concerns, head coach Billy Donovan believes the defense is well ahead of the offense in terms of building chemistry in the early part of the season.

“Tonight, I thought our defense was ok. We did get hurt on the boards but our defense kept us in it. Our guys worked, I just think we have to get more cohesive on offense,” Donovan said after the loss to New York.

The Bulls’ 97.0 defensive rating entering the Knicks game has been fuelled by playing the Detroit Pistons twice (30th ranked offense), New Orleans Pelicans (29th) and Toronto Raptors (19th). The next stretch against some of the highest-powered offenses in the league is likely to paint a clearer picture of where the Bulls stand.

Bulked up offense

On the offensive end, the Bulls are as advertised even if they are yet to fully hit their straps.

Zach LaVine should thrive playing alongside another dynamic shot-creator in DeRozan, while Nikola Vucevic provides a consistent option inside and out. Against the Knicks, the trio combined for 67 of Chicago’s 103 points, with Caruso the only other player to reach double digits with 10.

The biggest question on that end of the floor may be who takes the final shot.

On this night it was DeRozan, who attempted to isolate on the right wing, before failing to hit rim as R.J. Barrett refused to bite on his pumpfake.

“I’m happy with the look. I didn’t expect to be that open. I tried to get my feet set, but kinda rushed it at the end,” DeRozan said.

He explained the play gave him the option to hand off to LaVine, who was well covered for any potential hand off.

“It’s all about the defender, I seen him switch. They switched it, Zach didn’t have an angle, I had an angle to get to my spot and pull up, it was just short.”

Despite some good individual point totals, DeRozan believes the offense has room to grow.

“We still building, still trying to get our rhythm and understanding where our shots are coming from. It’s going to come with time. There will be that game where we catch some rhythm.”

Nikola Vucevic echoed DeRozan’s thoughts

“We’re still trying to figure out how to play alongside each other. I feel like sometimes when we get stuck we tend to settle. It’s learning each other’s tendencies and what we like to do in certain situations.”

With the chemistry still a work in progress, the upcoming stretch may hit the Bulls a little earlier than they would have liked. If Chicago can escape the upcoming games with a .500 record it may be time to believe in the hype as the franchise looks to make its return to the postseason.

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#IFTTT #WordPress

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madlilsongbird · 6 years

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Sierra not knowing what to reply to THAT picture is a MOOD! Also I’m try to see R.J as Dan but all I can see is Earl!

#sierra burgess is a loser #sierra burgess #sbial #sbial netflix #netflix #netflix original #shannon purser #noah centineo #jamey #rj cyler #dan #earl #me earl and the dying girl #meatdg

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lookslikethatsallthetimewehave · 9 months

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Carts...

It's the same cart!

Same horse! Somebody stole R.J. Earl's horsey and cart-y!

For the record, I am aware that they reuse assets. But... just play along with me please XD

#for the sake of fun please just play along #fairy tale island #r.j. earl #wild west island #poptropica #poptropica screenshots #poptropica analysis

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violasbabygirl · 4 years

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TOMORROW!! Congratulations @eleanorearl!! 🎉I am so excited and happy to see you hold it down at this fantastic event tomorrow! 👍🏾 Reposted from @dentaa_show The Return Conversations, with the theme, "Black Stories Matter: Forging Collaborations for the Development of Ghana's Creative Industry" will be streaming live on September 30th at 4pm GMT (12pm Eastern Time) This engaging discussion is an opportunity to bridge the gap between Ghanaians and the diaspora community working in the creative industries of film, fashion, art, music, animation, and gaming. Join the live stream on 30th September, 2020 at 4pm GMT*** Panelists include Hollywood Actor, Writer, Producer & Director, Lamman Rucker, Project Manager for Digital Media & Entertainment for the State of Georgia, Former NBA Player, Investor and CEO of Baron Davis Enterprises, Celebrity Hair Stylist, Philonese West, Co-Founder and C.E.O. Prolific Media Holdings LLC, R.J. Bucaria, Entrepreneur and Celebrity Shoe, Clothing, Accessory and Interior Designer, Etu Evans, Founder & Chairman of The Benford Company, Music Mogul & Investor, Vassal Benford, Emmy Award-winning Producer & President of Production, Narrative Film Group, Shelby Stone and Netflix Movie Director, Producer and Writer, Chris Roland. @eleanorearl The panel will be moderated by Film & TV Producer, Director, Entrepreneur & Director of the Film Studies Program at Hampton University, Professor Eleanor Earl and Media Professional and Social Media for 'Beyond the Return', Ivy Prosper. There will be invited creatives in Ghana's industry who will also be engaged in the conversation at a location in Accra. We will be streaming live on our social media platforms @beyonthereturn @yearofreturn @ghanatourismauthority #BeyondtheReturn #yearofreturn #Ghana #creativearts #fashion #film #animation #music #gaming #diaspora #africanamerican #african (at Worldwide) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFul-ZcD8fx/?igshid=bodo84yekd7e

#beyondthereturn #yearofreturn #ghana #creativearts #fashion #film #animation #music #gaming #diaspora #africanamerican #african

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americana-ultra · 6 years

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Do you have a favorite book? (bc I need to satisfy my inner book nerd)

GOD Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews has always been a top tier level read for me. I was so glad when it got a movie adaption that was vv well shot.

For an easy read, I also adore Wonder by R.J. Palacio it is just👌🏼👌🏼

gives you wonderful perspectives and also had a gorgeous movie adaption!

#godzawa #ask #AND LITERALLY AN SHAKESPEARE PLAY BUT THAT’S PREDICTABLE

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oliveratlanta · 4 years

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Solved: The case of Midtown’s missing, historic magnolias marker

An Atlanta Crackers baseball crowd seen in July 1950, near today’s Ponce City Market, with magnolia trees in the outfield. | Lane Brothers Commercial Photographers/Georgia State University Library, Digital Collections

In the shadow of today’s Ponce City Market, the Ponce Springs area transformed into a pond, a ballpark, and then a shopping mall, as two grand trees witnessed it all

Editor’s note: The author, Adam C. Johnson, is the Midtown Neighbors’ Association’s History Committee Chairman. He previously chronicled how a civic sore spot decried as the “Pit of Peachtree” became a popular green space on a prominent Midtown corner.

Along the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail sit two grand magnolia trees that have witnessed the rise and transformation of the Midtown, Virginia-Highland, and Old Fourth Ward neighborhoods.

They’re among the oldest landmarks in the area, and a single marker once testified to the significance of the ground beneath them.

But as a Curbed Atlanta article noted six years ago, the marker went missing around 2014, and its whereabout have remained a mystery—until a recent rediscovery.

Ponce de Leon Springs

In the late 1860s, a work crew discovered springs while laying railroad track a few miles from what is now downtown Atlanta. The physician Henry L. Wilson later claimed the waters had medicinal purposes and named the area Ponce de Leon Springs after the Spanish explorer who searched for the fabled Fountain of Youth.

The name stuck, and today both Ponce de Leon Avenue and Ponce City Market share its moniker.

“To this day, the Spiller Magnolia Tree is the only tree in baseball that has been in play, and Babe Ruth and Eddie Matthews are the only confirmed players to have hit home runs into it.”

Around 1890, the land next to the springs was converted into a four-acre lake, where Atlanta socialites basked in the sun and drank the mineral water that filled it. And as Atlantans reconstructed and rebuilt from the aftermath of the Civil War, a love of baseball swept through the city.

Baseball fans enjoyed several teams in the early days to include the Atlantas, Firecrackers, Windjammers, and the beloved Crackers and Black Crackers.

Old Poncey’s rise

In 1907, Ponce de Leon Ballpark rose where the present-day Midtown Place Shopping Center stands. Dubbed “Old Poncey,” the stadium fielded the Crackers and Black Crackers until the Braves came to town, and Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, and Norman Lumpkin were among the greats who played there.

Although R.J. Spiller bought the team and attempted to rename the stadium “Spiller Field,” which didn’t catch on, he did rebuild the stadium in 1923. A magnolia tree that stood in the fence-less centerfield—a deep 462 feet from home plate—was the stadium’s most unique feature.

Tracy O’Neal/Georgia State University Library, Digital Collections

The area in the 1950s.

If a baseball hit the magnolia tree and bounced back into the field, then the ball was in play because, per the rules, it had to pass through or remain in the tree to be a home run. To this day, the Spiller Magnolia Tree is the only tree in baseball that has been in play, and Ruth and Eddie Matthews are the only confirmed players to have hit home runs into it.

The Coca-Cola Company owned the Crackers in the mid-1930s until Earl Mann bought the team in 1947. Two years later, Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers played in a three-game expo against the Crackers, which was the first integrated professional sporting event in Atlanta.

Adam C. Johnson

Today, Ponce City Market overlooks the Midtown Place Shopping Center.

A few years later, Bob Montag hit the longest home run in history, smacking the baseball out of Old Poncey and into a train tender that shipped the ball to Nashville. Poncey and the Crackers became the talk of the town in the 1950s, especially after the team won the 1954 Southern Association pennant.

From baseball field to shopping center

Mann sold what remained of the team and the stadium in 1965, and Old Poncey was demolished to make way for a shopping mecca.

Adam C. Johnson

Looking toward outfield from the approximate location of home plate at Ponce de Leon Ball Park.

The Great Mall of China (circa 1987) and the Midtown Shopping Place (c. 1999) are among the shopping centers that have filled the lot. With the arrival of the Atlanta Braves in 1966, and new shopping venues in the area, memories of the Crackers faded.

Estimated at 125 years old, the Spiller Magnolia Tree (actually a pair of trees) still overlooks the shopping center on a kudzu-covered bank that parallels the Beltline’s Eastside Trail. It’s a living reminder of the bygone teams and ballpark.

Adam C. Johnson

The Spiller Magnolia Tree (southernmost tree) below the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail, near CVS and Whole Foods.

When former owner Mann passed away in 1990, his son Orean and widow Myra scattered his ashes at the base of the southernmost tree to honor “Mr. Atlanta Baseball.” So the trees anchor into hallowed ground.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cracker’s 1954 Southern Association championship, the Native Atlantans Club Inc. and Whole Foods Market, a nearby tenant, further consecrated the ground by placing a marker at the base of the Spiller Tree to commemorate the Atlanta Crackers, Atlanta Black Crackers, and the ballpark in which both teams played.

That same year the Atlanta Braves also dedicated a magnolia tree in the Turner Field Monument Grove as a tribute to the team.

A decade later, Trees Atlanta harvested cuttings from both trees to use for future plantings along the Beltline, preserving their legacy.

Since then, Trees Atlanta now has hundreds of “Cracker Stadium-variety” seedlings and has planted some along the Beltline and is growing others at the Bold Springs Nursery.

Missing marker, found

After the 2013 tree harvest, a public-private partnership funded a retaining wall near the magnolias to prevent soil erosion.

During construction, a contractor knocked over the historic marker, and Trees Atlanta took possession of the metallic plaque for safekeeping—and they still retain it today, as Greg Levine, Trees Atlanta co-executive director and chief program officer, relayed in January.

Thus, the mystery of the missing magnolias marker is solved.

Courtesy of Trees Atlanta

The marker today, safeguarded by Trees Atlanta since its accidental removal.

Plans for protecting the trees during construction of the first leg of eventual Beltline transit are under discussion and may be the subject of community meetings.

Trees Atlanta, the Atlanta Beltline Inc., and the Midtown Neighbors’ Association have all expressed strong interest in preserving the Champion Trees that are now part of the Magnolia Collection in the Beltline Arboretum.

Adam C. Johnson

Passersby can view a temporary marker on the Eastside Trail located above the magnolias.

Beltline history-seekers, meanwhile, can find an interim marker near the magnolias that encourages them to look out from the trail and back into history, when gleeful fans gathered at the ballpark, cheered for their championship teams, and united for love of the game.

Adam C. Johnson is writing about various aspects of Midtown’s metamorphosis as a historical Atlanta neighborhood in a series of articles. You can find him strolling through Piedmont Park or on Twitter @adamcharlesj.

source https://atlanta.curbed.com/2020/3/31/21200083/midtown-atlanta-history-baseball-crackers-ponce-springs

#OliverAtlanta

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brokehorrorfan · 5 years

Photo

Hell Comes to Frogtown will be released on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack on August 27. Orders placed directly from Vinegar Syndrome ($26.99) will receive an embossed slipcover designed by Earl Kessler Jr., limited to 2,000.

The 1988 post-apocalyptic sci-fi/action/horror hybrid is directed by Donald G. Jackson (Roller Blade) and R.J. Kizer (Godzilla 1985). Roddy Piper, Sandahl Bergman, Cec Verrell, William Smith, and Rory Calhoun star.

Hell Comes to Frogtown has been newly restored in 4K from its 35mm interpositive. It features reversible artwork. Special features are listed below.

Special features:

Audio commentary with director/cinematographer Donald G. Jackson and writer/producer Randall Frakes

Interview with writer/producer Randall Frakes

Interview with actor Roddy Piper

Interview with actor Brian Frank

Interview with effects artist Steve Wang

Extended scene

Theatrical trailer

In a post-nuclear holocaust wasteland, Sam Hell (Roddy Piper) is like most other survivors; a nomadic scavenger roaming the bombed out remnants of the world for food and survival gear. But Sam is also harboring a major secret that even he isn't aware of: he's the last fertile man on Earth. As unexpected pregnancies are discovered, the remnants of the government decide to capture him and, with the aid of scientist Spangle, fit him with a secure chastity belt to ensure his virility is used only when needed. After learning of a group of supposed virgins who are being held captive by frog-mutant savages, Sam is sent on a rescue mission to free the women and then, of course, impregnate them. Is he up for the job? You bet...

#hell comes to frogtown #roddy piper #rowdy roddy piper #vinegar syndrome #sandahl bergman #80s horror #1980s horror #dvd #gift #cec verrell #william smith #rory calhoun #1980s movies #80s movies #earl kessler jr.

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winterbornmoviereviews · 7 years

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Power Rangers (2017) Review

This new Power Rangers film is a reboot of the classic series with the same name from the 90's. As with the TV Show, this film features a cast of teenagers who gain special powers and vehicles to fight giant monsters and other similar threats. To be honest, I was quite happy when I heard about this reboot, because I hardly remember anything from my childhood days and this was a great chance to start over.

I will say right from the beginning that I was really disappointed with this film, but there were also some redeeming qualities to it. First of all, the cast of this movie does a fine job for the most part, they do the best they can with the material they're given, but said material is not really good honestly. I was particularly impressed with R.J. Cyler who plays Billy Cranston (The Blue Ranger). He was really good in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and also steals this movie.

The other actors also do a decent job for the most part. The kid who plays Jason, Dacre Montgomery, is a very good lead with enough charisma to carry the movie. Same goes for the other actors, they are not bad, but the movie is. The biggest problem by far with this film is that it struggles to find a tone. At times they wanted this to be a gritty reboot, with a dark tone and teenage angst and other times it jumps right off to a goofy high-school comedy.

This was also evident with the villain of the movie, Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) whose acting is so far out there, that it seems to be ripped of straight from the old series. You never really feel threatened or scared by her, but more you wanna laugh out loud at every scene she's in.

Also, the action scenes were really well directed and the special effects look really good. But the problem is it takes a lot for the action to get started. Stuff really starts to happen very late into the movie. This is a Power Rangers movie that has no Power Rangers in it for the first two acts . I know they did this because it's supposed to be an origins movie, but they could've done a much better job with the execution to be hones. In the undying words of Immortan Joe: "MEDIOCRE". I give Power Rangers a 5 out of 10.

#power rangers #movie review

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steverogersnotebook · 7 years

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I’m Dying Up Here

The dark side of stand-up comedy is always lurking behind the jokes, and “I’m Dying Up Here,” Showtime’s drama series set in Los Angeles’ ’70s comedy scene, aims to bring it to light. Tracking a group of comedians who work at a club on the Sunset strip, the first episode slowly teases a tragedy meant to tie all these stories together, even if the premiere feels unwieldy before every member of the large ensemble is introduced. An hour-long drama about the lives of comedians feels a tad antithetical even before you start counting expendable plot lines, but “I’m Dying Up Here” shows brief flashes of focused merit in its counter-intuitive take.

What works best among the many ingredients at play is first how producer Jim Carrey and showrunner David Flebotte highlight the serious side of a world made to look lighthearted. Second, and more simply, is Ari Graynor’s Cassie, who I can only hope turns out to be the series’ lead. But we’ll come back to her once we start running through the characters. It’s the drama that’s of primary interest, given the subtext of self-effacing routines and braggadocian performances has often been related back to insecurity, with Louis C.K. perhaps best describing the fuel for (some) comedians’ fires in the sixth episode of “Louie”:

“These guys, comedians, me — they don’t have a life. Their days are shit. They don’t have many friends, they don’t have families, they have this. The only good part of their lives is the 15 minutes they get to be on stage, maybe once a week, sometimes once a month.”

“I’m Dying Up Here” highlights this idea to differing degrees. Andrew Santino plays Bill, a regular at the club who’s getting fed up waiting for his big break. When the group gathers to watch their friend and peer, Clay (Sebastian Stan), do a set on “The Tonight Show,” Bill blows up in jealousy. He can’t understand how everyone can claim to be happy for Clay when they all want to be up there instead of him.

Not that Clay is particularly happy himself. Introduced checking into a hotel with a six-pack of Budweiser and no luggage, we watch Clay watch himself on TV, all alone, sitting in his bed. The way he drops a bottle cap from his balcony and listlessly holds his cigarette may convey accomplishment, but there’s no excitement in him. He’s acting as though he’s depressed when he should be celebrating.

Tinges of obsession shade the rest of the characters as well, even if they’re a bit more amiable. Two Boston-born comedians (played by Michael Angarano and Clark Duke) make the trip to L.A. in search of fame and fortune, spending every last dollar they have just to be in the city where “The Tonight Show” is shooting. R.J. Cyler (“Me and Earl and The Dying Girl”) plays Adam, a comic constantly pushing his so-so manager (Alfred Molina) to get him a real gig and — in a bizarre, inexplicably loaded example of his desperation — agrees to a disgusting task just to make some money.

And then there’s Cassie, an experienced stand-up talent who’s butting against the “next level’s” glass ceiling. She wants to be on the main stage at Goldie’s, but Goldie (Melissa Leo, devouring scenes with savage chomps) doesn’t think she’s ready. The two go back-and-forth over the role of a female stand-up, debating what’s expected of them to succeed in the business and what Cassie wants to do for herself. She likes who she is onstage, knows she’s as good as her male peers, and actively rejects the idea of branding herself toward women. If men don’t have to brand toward men, why does she have to cater to gender?

It’s a progressive conversation, especially for the ’70s, and an admirably touchy subject for the series to tackle head-on, right away. What’s unclear is how satisfied they are with where the conversation ends in Episode 1. The premiere’s climax has all the trappings of a happy ending — uplifting music, smiling faces, a laughing crowd — but it doesn’t feel earned. There’s much more to be said here, and the series would be best to keep pushing this debate forward — especially since Graynor performs as well off-stage as on it.

The same can be said for most of the actors playing stand-up comics. I’m rather partial to Angarano, perhaps because he was another highlight from Steven Soderbergh’s “The Knick,” or because of an above-average affinity for anyone with a Boston accent. But Angarano has a perpetual sense of calm about him that helps make his character feel the most natural (even when his accent makes him stand out from the pack).

That being said, the jokes showcased from the stage aren’t evocative of the humor necessary for us to believe in these comics. Sure, the ‘70s setting helps quell expectations, or at least forgive familiar material, and that the show’s primary genre is dramatic means the quick wits depicted in day-to-day life don’t have to elicit guffaws so much as smirks. And yet you are expected to buy into the feeling in the room — that special moment when a comic connects with an audience; with his or her material; with the moment provided to them by a stage, spotlight and microphone.

The intended magic isn’t there yet, and — worse yet for Showtime — the camaraderie-fueled goodheartedness combined with at least one wackadoo sex scene evokes memories of the network’s recent disappointment, Cameron Crowe’s “Roadies.” There’s a lot of clutter here, and it distracts from whatever the show’s main focus will become. If it’s Graynor’s quest to keep breaking through, surrounded by comics trying to work through real issues in fresh comedy sets, then they need to trim the fat. When “I’m Dying Up Here” dials in, it finds something fresh in the comedy scene. When it shoots wide, it gets bogged down. And we’re only one hour in.

Grade: C+

“I’m Dying Up Here” premiered at SXSW. Showtime will release the series premiere June 4 at 10 p.m.

#iduh #i'm dying up here #sebastian stan #Clay Appuzzo #iduh spoilers #i'm dying up here spoilers #spoilers #spoilery #deleted from indie/wire #copied from cache #sxsw2017

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violasbabygirl · 4 years

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TOMORROW!! Reposted from @dentaa_show The Return Conversations, with the theme, "Black Stories Matter: Forging Collaborations for the Development of Ghana's Creative Industry" will be streaming live on September 30th at 4pm GMT (12pm Eastern Time) This engaging discussion is an opportunity to bridge the gap between Ghanaians and the diaspora community working in the creative industries of film, fashion, art, music, animation, and gaming. Join the live stream on 30th September, 2020 at 4pm GMT*** Panelists include Hollywood Actor, Writer, Producer & Director, Lamman Rucker, Project Manager for Digital Media & Entertainment for the State of Georgia, Former NBA Player, Investor and CEO of Baron Davis Enterprises, Celebrity Hair Stylist, Philonese West, Co-Founder and C.E.O. Prolific Media Holdings LLC, R.J. Bucaria, Entrepreneur and Celebrity Shoe, Clothing, Accessory and Interior Designer, Etu Evans, Founder & Chairman of The Benford Company, Music Mogul & Investor, Vassal Benford, Emmy Award-winning Producer & President of Production, Narrative Film Group, Shelby Stone and Netflix Movie Director, Producer and Writer, Chris Roland. The panel will be moderated by Film & TV Producer, Director, Entrepreneur & Director of the Film Studies Program at Hampton University, Professor Eleanor Earl and Media Professional and Social Media for 'Beyond the Return', Ivy Prosper. There will be invited creatives in Ghana's industry who will also be engaged in the conversation at a location in Accra. We will be streaming live on our social media platforms @beyonthereturn @yearofreturn @ghanatourismauthority #BeyondtheReturn #yearofreturn #Ghana #creativearts #fashion #film #animation #music #gaming #diaspora #africanamerican #african (at Worldwide) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFukGpyD3J_/?igshid=mfp8b77gl673

#beyondthereturn #yearofreturn #ghana #creativearts #fashion #film #animation #music #gaming #diaspora #africanamerican #african

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actutrends · 4 years

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The Step Back 2020 NBA Draft Big Board: Updates, now that we actually know things

Anthony Edwards and Cole Anthony have separated themselves as the top players in the 2020 NBA Draft, plus other thoughts after the first month of college basketball.

The 2020 NBA Draft picture is starting to take shape. Six weeks into the NBA season, we know who a few of the teams who will be picking at the top of the draft are. The Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, and somehow, the Golden State Warriors, are our likely top five in lottery odds. Meanwhile, we’re a month into the college basketball season, which has helped us sort out who the players are that will be headed to those destinations.

The first month of the season is typically an enlightening one. Despite our best efforts, projecting a preseason ranking is often a futile exercise, as high school situations and the outrageous athleticism gap between elite prospects and their peers make figuring out which freshmen will hit tough, and it’s hard to predict who among the returners will surprise us with an unexpected development.

With a month of college data (and two months for international players), things start to come together, although it’s still far too early to make any legitimate claims about the strength of the class. Every year around this time, proclamations of how bad the year’s draft crop looks start to come up, only to go away once April comes around and we can properly put the class in context. Nevermind that this is almost always because at this point we’ve started to discard the players we thought would be good but have disappointed, but hesitate to truly promote the players we didn’t see coming. That creates a gaping hole in the second and third tiers of the board, hence the hand-wringing about class depth. Remember that at this point last year Bol Bol and Cam Reddish were popular top-five pick candidates still, and Jarrett Culver and Coby White were ranked in the 20s on most boards.

This year, the pattern re-emerges. Things look like they take a pretty steep drop-off after Anthony Edwards, but that may just be because preseason favorites like Deni Avdija have disappointed. It’s also probably too early to be too bullish on guys like Onyeka Okongwu and Aaron Nesmith, who both look on their way to the top 10 early on despite not really being on the radar for those spots heading into the year. As with every year, things will make a lot more sense in January.

The one theme we can expect, however, is that last year’s dichotomy between evaluations of players with demonstrable NBA traits and players with perceived potential is a continued confounding factor. Jackson Frank and I continue to lean on the side of the former compared to the latter, given how many times the former has actually led to real NBA success. That’s why you will see names that might be outside the mainstream (like Kira Lewis and Oscar Tshiebwe) in the lottery on our board, while names like James Wiseman and Jaden McDaniels sit much lower than their likely eventual draft spots.

Tier 1

Anthony Edwards

SG, Georgia

Edwards’ scoring profile and athleticism match up very well to a player who can be a top option at the NBA level. He’s very advanced as a pull-up shooter and rim-driver for his age. For more on Edwards, click here.

Tier 2

Cole Anthony

PG, UNC

Anthony’s high school and AAU shooting indicators suggest he has the potential to be an elite pull-up shooter. While he struggled in nine games prior to being sidelined with a right knee injury (.368/.355/.679 split), he still flashed an array of live dribble shooting, with the step-backs and pull-ups, evidenced by the fact he ranks in the 82nd percentile in half-court, off-the-dribble shooting. He’ll need to improve his tunnel vision and burst as a driver but Anthony’s shooting and team defense have popped this season. For more on Anthony, click here.

LaMelo Ball

SG, Illiwarra Hawks

Ball will miss a month with a foot injury, and hasn’t shot or finished well. But his creativity with the ball and size are too promising to ignore if the shot comes around. For more on Ball’s injury, click here.

Tyrese Maxey

SG, Kentucky

Maxey is another heralded freshman guard whose shooting numbers have underwhelmed thus far (.400/.245/.833 split). But the on-ball defense, quickness and strength continue to be clear pluses. Maxey’s touch — emphasized on floaters and free throws — is far too good for him to struggle all year beyond the arc, though the issue seems to stem from inconsistent arc and lower body involvement, often leaving his attempts short . Most encouraging has been his .417 free-throw rate, as he’s displaying increased downhill aggression compared to his pre-collegiate sample. Maxey’s shooting should positively regress soon and he remains a top-five prospect on our board because of it.

Isaac Okoro

SF, Auburn

Perhaps the smartest defender in the draft class, Okoro has latent offensive upside to pair with incredible 1-through-5 versatility and strength on defense. For more on Okoro, click here.

Nico Mannion

PG, Arizona

After a red-hot start to the season, Mannion has cooled off in recent weeks. Nonetheless, he projects as a highly valuable pull-up shooter because of a quick gather phase and succinct mechanics while his passing repertoire and creativity are among the best in this class. Mannion’s lack of burst (seven half-court rim attempts this year) is an issue as it pertains to his viability as a lead guard and it also hurts his on-ball defense. Yet he’s displayed high-level off-ball awareness defensively (1.2 steals per game) and regularly cuts off drives with his anticipatory skills. There’s a clear avenue to Mannion being a very good NBA player, even if his athletic profile is concerning. For more on Mannion, click here.

Deni Avdija

SF, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Has struggled in Euroleague play so far, but his youth track record and defensive instincts mean he should be a fairly good NBA defensive wing. For more on Avdija, click here.

Killian Hayes

PG, ratiopharm Ulm

Hayes has a ton of things going for him as a prospect. He produces at every level, doesn’t turn 19 until next July and has made tangible athletic gains over the past year. He’s arguably the smartest and best passer in the class — using manipulation and IQ to torch defenders — has incredible touch, which is encouraging from an outside shooting perspective, and regularly is in the right spots as an off-ball defender. His poor burst and mediocre handle are troubling — the former on both ends, the latter offensively — but Hayes boasts some primary initiator equity. In this class, that’s hugely valuable. For more on Hayes, click here.

Tier 3

R.J. Hampton

PG, New Zealand Breakers

Prior to injury, Hampton was having a great month for New Zealand, showcasing the body control and decision-making that could make him an NBA initiator. For more on Hampton’s injury, click here.

Onyeka Okongwu

C, USC

There have been few players as dominant as Okongwu this year. His quick leaping and length make him a forceful rim protector while his lower body strength and coordination are important traits as a roll man. His ambidextrous finishing touch allow him to be a go-to interior scorer as well. He’ll have to improve his tunnel vision and upper body strength but Okongwu has been nothing short of stellar this year and is a very good prospect.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

PF, Villanova

One of our favorite players in this class, Robinson-Earl is a cerebral player with rare fluidity for a big. He’s a heady playmaker in the front-court, has face-up scoring potential and shoots a smooth ball (84.8 percent from the free throw line), so it’s easy to expect him to develop from deep in time. He struggles against length inside and that curbs some of his interior scoring but he’s a smart team defender and overall basketball player. Given the right opportunity, he could be a major plus on both ends. That’s quite the find in this class.

Kira Lewis

PG, Alabama

Despite small stature, Lewis offers solid point of attack defense and decent driving ability. One of the class’s biggest risers so far.

Oscar Tshiebwe

C, West Virginia

While Okongwu is the classic rim protector build, Tshiebwe combines incredible strength and agility to be a more modern switch defender prospect.

Romeo Weems

PF, DePaul

Weems is a great off-ball defender with quick hands, strength and awareness. He flashes instinctive playmaking as well and has a projectable jumper. He’s not a flashy pick but there’s enough to like with his game that make him a top-20 guy.

Theo Maledon

PG, ASVEL

Maledon’s undersized, but his footwork and touch around the basket should still make him a strong creation prospect.

Aaron Henry

SF, Michigan State

Another one of the wings in this class whose cut from a near-identical cloth to Weems. Henry is a 3-and-D forward with some facilitating chops and needs the outside shot to truly deliver value in the NBA. But he’s light on his feet, can finish inside with either hand and is probably a bit more developed as a slasher than Weems. For more on Henry, click here..

Aaron Nesmith

PF, Vanderbilt

Few returning players developed more than Nesmith, whose off-movement shooting and footwork on face-ups should make him a solid offensive four.

Wendell Moore

SG, Duke

At 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Moore owns good size and strength for a wing, which enables his downhill driving. He’s improved his handle since high school and is a sharp off-ball defender. The outside jumper and passing consistency are question marks but there’s the makings of a valuable wing if those two pan out.

Tier 4

Xavier Tillman

C, Michigan State

Tillman’s agility at the five makes him both a solid space defender and pick-and-roll finisher. He’s not flashy, but he’s a pretty ideal third big man prospect.

Anton Watson

PF, Gonzaga

Shoulder and ankle injuries over the past five weeks have derailed the positive momentum Watson was building early in non-conference player. But he remains a sharp playmaker at the forward position with rare defensive versatility and fluidity, powered by quick hands (3.0 steals per 40 minutes). He’s also flashed some face-up scoring and has the athletic package to be a good slasher.

Paul Reed

PF, DePaul

A tangle of limbs with an outside jumper, Reed is one of the most interesting athletes in the class, as long as he harnesses that athleticism in a more functional way.

Tyrese Haliburton

PG, Iowa State

Haliburton is among the leaders for National Player of the Year to this point. He’s arguably the best pure passer in this class, capable of making passes from a variety of angles, has maintained elite scoring efficiency in a new on-ball role (62.9 percent true shooting) and is a great defensive playmaker (3.7 percent steal rate, 1.6 percent block rate). The issue is much of his offensive upside is shakily translatable to the NBA. Haliburton lacks much explosiveness or strength as a driver and his awkward shooting mechanics leave us doubtful he’s a much of a pull-up shooter at the next level. But despite these issues, he’s a darn good basketball player in a class that lacks them. Tough to drop him much lower than this spot.

Patrick Williams

PF, Florida State

An upside play thanks to defense that looks ready to contribute at an NBA level, and offensive upside as a shooter.

Josh Green

SG, Arizona

The third brother in the Weems and Henry family, Green has impressed with his strong frame, instincts and lateral mobility defensively. He struggles to score in the half-court but has hinted at some on-the-move passing when attacking from the wing. Pair that with his display of the requisite touch on floaters (69th percentile) and from the line (79.6 percent) to inspire hope as a shooter, and you’re left with a good, 3-and-D forward.

Xavier Johnson

PG, Pittsburgh

6-7 point guards who can shoot a little do well, but he needs to improve finishing to be truly a starter-level prospect.

Devin Vassell

PF, Florida State

A darling among certain crowds, Vassell is a fantastic team defender (3.5 percent steal rate, 5.5 percent block rate) whose debuted some off-the-dribble shot making. He lacks the handle and strength to be much of an NBA on-ball creator and the career 67.2 percent mark at the line are concerning for his jumper but there are clear outlines of a 3-and-D wing who constantly wreaks defensive chaos.

Matthew Hurt

PF, Duke

Hurt hasn’t met preseason expectations, but he still looks like a solid shooting prospect at the four. For more on Hurt, click here.

Killian Tillie

PF, Gonzaga

A string of injuries have mellowed Tillie’s NBA allure but he remains a great playmaking big man who’s a career 44.9 percent 3-point shooter with feathery touch. Tillie moves also moves well on the perimeter for his size and can function as a pick-and-pop or off-movement shooter. Underwhelming strength and length, along with the injuries, are all reasons for pause but he’s a very good player and worth the gamble at this stage.

Kaleb Wesson

C, Ohio State

In addition to being built like a mountain, Wesson can spot up from three and legitimately defend across the board in space.

Tre Jones

PG, Duke

A legitimately pestering point-of-attack defender with quick hands, ability to wiggle over screens and make punctual rotations. Some of his defensive value is mitigated entering a league where offensive initiators continue to be bigger guards or wings. Jones also has questions about his jumper and if he’s not much of a scorer, his passing acumen is muted as well. But his jumper isn’t broken and the playmaking still has value while the defense is special for a guard. For more on Jones, click here.

Precious Achiuwa

SF, Memphis

Achiuwa’s offensive impact is minimal, but he could legitimately play the five at a small forward size, giving him intriguing versatility.

Myles Powell

PG, Seton Hall

Powell is a dynamite pull-up shooter who can hit off-movement jumpers and has great balance and deceleration skills. His passing is inconsistent while the defense can often be brutal at times but he has the potential to be a legitimate off-ball dynamo and works well to create looks for himself off the ball.

Mamadi Diakite

C, Virginia

Diakite’s face-up game is enticing, even if he’s not a true fit as a defensive five.

Isaiah Livers

SF/PF, Michigan

A big wing who can shoot (42.9 percent from deep in his career), Livers also uses his frame well to create looks coming around curls and has improved to some degree as an on-ball creator this season. He is not a flashy pick but the shooting and size are a valuable combo at this stage of the draft.

Neemias Queta

C, Utah State

A raw big that can pass and has decent instincts, Queta is a long-term prospect that could be a starter-level center eventually.

Cassius Winston

PG, Michigan State

Winston is undersized, but strong enough and a good enough shooter to let his playmaking drive his way into the league.

Tier 5

James Wiseman

C, Memphis

The top-ranked recruit of 2019, Wiseman has great size (7-foot-1) and length (7-foot-6 wingspan), which makes him a valuable roll threat in ball-screen actions. Defensively, those same tools help him as a rim protector but poor discipline and a slow load-up time leave us skeptical of his upside on that end. Pair that with poor touch, passing feel and decision-making, and you’re left with a big man whose best attributes are physical rather than skill-based. For more on Wiseman, click here.

Jaden McDaniels

PF, Washington

It’s hard to see how McDaniels’ skinny frame lets him get to the rim in the NBA, and without that, can the rest of his impressive skill set work?

Isaiah Joe

SG, Arkansas

Joe has disappointed somewhat this season and his 3-point shooting has regressed from 41.4 percent last year to 34.8 percent now. His true mark likely falls somewhere in the middle but he’s only a 77.0 percent free throw shooter, so it’s tough to project him as elite from deep. He can’t score much inside the arc either (42.1 percent on 2s in 1.5 seasons). But he’s a smart team defender who occasionally flashes impressive passing reads, meaning there’s a chance he outperforms his draft slot with improvements as a 2-point scorer, largely reliant on bulking up his 170-pound frame.

Amar Sylla

SF, Oostende

Sylla is very much a hypothetical player but he flashes defensive mobility, passing talent and offensive fluidity to a degree most 6-foot-9 bigs with a 7-foot-2 wingspan cannot. But there’s not much in the realm of consistent skill or understanding of the game, leaving him as a bit of a dart throw rooted in his physical package.

Isaiah Stewart

C, Washington

Stewart has shown very good post touch and rebounding skill, but he might be too stiff to survive on defense at the next level.

Jahmi’us Ramsey

SG, Texas Tech

Ramsey is a bursty, bouncy athlete who is off to a roaring start beyond the arc (42.9 percent). He flashes some passing feel but doesn’t bring a whole lot else offensively and is a mess off the ball defensively. Furthermore, he’s only shooting 63.6 percent at the line and has a bit of a stiff, two-motion shot, which leaves us skeptical he’s going to be a dynamic live dribble shooter. Even so, the burst, bounce and potential jumper are enough for some worthwhile intrigue.

Jon Teske

C, Michigan

An underrated athlete, Teske won’t wow you, but he always makes the correct decision on defense and shows some interesting shooting upside.

Tyler Bey

SF, Colorado

An advanced stats darling, Bey has established himself as a quality shooter and has some weakside rim protection potential.

Trevelin Queen

PG, New Mexico State

Queen has NBA size as a 6-6 point guard, and he shows good scoring potential out of the pick-and-roll.

D.J. Carton

PG, Ohio State

Carton is one of the main reasons Ohio State has emerged as one of the best teams in the nation this year. He’s a shifty athlete with silky ball-handling and space creation skills. He can fling skip passes and ignite transition scoring opportunities. Carton’s athleticism fuels his dribble-drive game while his instincts and active hands make him a plus defender, both on and off the ball. A low release point on the jumper and middling free throw efficiency (72.2 percent) make it tough to be fully confident in his outside shot but there’s a lot to like for a freshman.

Saddiq Bey

SG, Villanova

A powerful shooting guard with good three-point stroke that wins with excellent footwork in the post. One of this year’s weirder skill sets.

Isaiah Mobley

C, USC

Mobley is a skilled passing big with rim protecting instincts who lacks the functional strength necessary for a big and isn’t quite fluid enough to play on the wing regularly. Athletic advancements are the key to him developing into a first-round prospect.

Obi Toppin

PF, Dayton

Toppin plays like a stronger Kyle Kuzma, and that is probably his NBA role, as well.

Scottie Lewis

SG, Florida

One of the best on-ball wing defenders in this class, Lewis is an electric lateral athlete capable of shutting down drives. His springy athleticism propel him into help defense situations at the rim, too. But he’s incredibly weak for a big and a maddeningly poor offensive decision-maker. Even so, the defense — along with potential slashing upside offensively — give him value.

Quentin Grimes

SG, Houston

Grimes looks reborn in Houston, mostly because he looks stronger and better equipped to use his court vision.

Keyontae Johnson

SG, Florida

Johnson is a very smart and aware team defender who moves his feet well on the perimeter. Offensively, his quick jumping ability, strong frame and straight-line driving project him as a valuable slasher and play finisher. If he can force defenders to close out on his jumper, the slashing potential expands, too.

Devon Dotson

PG, Kansas

Dotson’s quickness and decision-making defensively are good skills, but at 6-2, it’s somewhat challenging to see him finding a role in the NBA while not being a good shooter.

Joel Ayayi

SG, Gonzaga

Finally emerging in his third year with Gonzaga, Ayayi has flashed deep pull-up range, looks improved as a pick-and-roll passer with each game and is a silky finisher at the rim. He’ll have to make strides as a shooter in traffic, off-ball defender and add functional strength but the fact he doesn’t turn 20 until March is encouraging for his development, especially given how far he’s come since November.

Rayshaun Hammonds

PF, Georgia

Hammonds has good scoring skill, but needs to fill out the rest of his game to be a good NBA option.

Joe Weiskamp

SG, Iowa

Wieskamp’s allure rests in his shooting (42.1 percent from deep for his career) and is augmented by heady off-bal relocation instincts, team defense and a modicum of passing flair. But he lacks the functional handle and burst to do much of anything on the ball, which significantly limits his upside. Regardless, the shooting and general basketball IQ make him worthy of a top-60 slot.

Tyrell Terry

PG, Stanford

Terry is another small point guard, but shows some interesting pick-and-roll scoring ability and pull-up mechanics. He’s probably a long-term draft prospect.

Markell Johnson

PG, North Carolina State

A bouncy, lively shooter (37.1 percent from 3 for his career). Johnson adds some passing talent as well and has the verve to create for himself in a pinch. His poor decision-making and inconsistent defensive motor — along with a career 65.5 percent mark at the charity stripe — are problematic, though.

Yves Pons

C, Tennessee

The French strongman has turned into quite the pick-and-pop threat for the Vols, and is an interesting long-term prospect as a small-ball five.

Ayo Dosunmu

PG, Illinois

Dosunmu’s scoring ability is great, but does he do enough else to matter?

The post The Step Back 2020 NBA Draft Big Board: Updates, now that we actually know things appeared first on Actu Trends.

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