Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Is This the Most Intriguing NBA Season…Ever?
As I, along with many NBA fans and writers, wait with bated breath for the start of the season (17 days for those counting), something struck me.
Myles StedmanPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedNeo Yokio: Neo Riche & Neo Racist?
SPOILERS FOLLOW! Neo Yokio, Netflix's new anime by Ezra Koenig starring Jaden Smith, is an attempt at a satirical representation of the upper-class denizens of New York City, even if Koenig himself does not think so. The show primarily focuses on the melancholic, privileged lives that the characters, including the main character Kaz Kaan, live. In brief interludes, Neo Yokio frenetically glances upon the the lives of the suffering working class and the ostentatious wage gape/standard of living. While class discussions are prominent, Neo Yokio requires a pronounced examination of the representation of the magistocrats, demons, and terrorists.
Brandon DanielPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedPainting a Picture
Damian Lillard isn't one to shy away from the moment, from hitting the biggest shot in Portland Trail Blazers' history to proclaiming victory over the Golden State Warriors in six games as a underdog. Well that's what you get from a twenty-seven-year-old Oakland native who had a craving to make it out of the "O" as he would call it. Now as he prepares for the release of his second studio album Confirmed, and the upcoming NBA season, Lillard life spills out though his mediums.
Justin RichardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedLet the Twins Be a Warning to Other Front Offices
The 2017 Minnesota Twins are going to the playoffs. The same Twins team that started to give up at the deadline, moving Jaime Garcia to the Yankees just five days after he was acquired. But they pulled through and came out on top of the mediocrity that was the AL Wild Card.
Owen McGrattanPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Improbable NFL Blackout Game (Not the One You're Thinking Of)
Every head coach remembers their first career win. Whether it's a blow out or a nail bitter; there's something special about getting that first W. However, no one's first win was as remarkable as Jason Garrett's. In order to understand the magnitude of that first game, we must first examine the circumstances that lead up to that game. On November 8, 2010, Wade Phillips was fired after the Cowboys started 1–7 and Jason Garrett was named interim head coach. 2010 was a rough year for Dallas, they had high hopes entering that season. The year before, Romo got his first playoff win, and after drafting rookie Dez Bryant, some people had the Cowboys on their Super Bowl radar. Sadly the expectations came crashing down when Tony Romo broke his collarbone against the New York Giants in Week 7.
Jason SchwartzPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedNBA Rookies that Will Struggle in 2017-18
A week ago I outlined three rookies that are poised to have successful rookie seasons. Jayson Tatum (BOS), De'Aaron Fox (SAC), and Dennis Smith (DAL) were all players with translatable NBA skills and are in situations with their teams that will help their development throughout the 2017-18 season.
Michael DePriscoPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedPittsburgh Penguins, and NHL, Reveal Unsurprising Tone-Deafness, but Players of Color Are Thankfully Speaking Out
On August 14, 2016, Colin Kaepernick didn't get up for the national anthem before the San Francisco 49ers' first preseason game. Less than a week later, he again did not rise. He piqued the public's interest when it occurred a third time, before the 49ers' third preseason game, on August 26. He announced he was doing so to bring attention to and combat the oppression of people of color, as well as police brutality.
Steve SmithPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedWhat 'Tweetgate' Reveals about Kevin Durant, and Why He Is so Different to Other NBA Superstars
Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant was recently found hiding online behind multiple social media accounts on multiple platforms.
Myles StedmanPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedPredicting the NHL Western Conference Playoffs
Last week, I discussed who might be in line to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Admittedly, preseason playoff predictions don't usually go so well. But it's fun to think about who might have great years, comeback years, or fall out of their conferences top eight, even if your own moderators express concern over your potential existential crisis. I assure you, I'm fine. And here's who I think is going to the playoffs in the West.
Kyle VandenbergPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe Washington Nationals Pitching Staff Could Take Them Deep into Postseason
The Washington Nationals are flat out legit, and they have been for the last couple years. Regardless, they have struggled to make a deep run in the postseason. This year could be a different story. They already clinched the NL East a few weeks back, and trail only the LA Dodgers for the best record in the entire National League.
Quinn AllenPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedThe AL Cy Young Race Is Close as Can Be
In all honesty, I wish that we could give out two AL Cy Young awards. Why? Because to reward only one player this season would be to do a disservice to the other contender. If Kluber wins, Sale will have been robbed, but if Sale wins, Kluber will just as equally been robbed.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedTweets and Ink
A little over a week ago, Kevin Durant made a mistake. Which mistake he made is still debated. Did he A) Forget to log out of a burner Twitter account before commenting on a fan's question, or B) Answer said question in third person which made him sound like a ancient egomaniacal ruler? My guess is KD is in full "couldn't offer fewer shits" mode and doesn't care what the world thinks (though he apologized for suggesting he and Russell Westbrook were the only redeemable members of the Thunder during his tenure in Oklahoma City). In the maelstrom that has become the NBA offseason of late (CARMELO to OKC! DWADE to CLEVELAND!), it's important to remember just how interesting and odd the KD's Twittergate was. To remind us is an oral history of the event, through the prescient eyes of Durant's body art.
Jared WheelerPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced