Keil Moore

#PSBSportsChop: USA Women’s National Team Finalists – January 31, 2016

By: Keil Moore @KeilMoorePSB and Brandon Clay @psbpopculture

The 2016 Olympics are just around the corner. As we approach the homestretch of the college season and the beginning of WNBA play, we aim to answer the question of who the final 12 members of the USA Women’s senior national team will be.

We will divide the 25 finalists into one of three categories:

LOCKS = Finalists who we can’t see USA National Team coach Geno Auriemma leaving at home.

BUBBLE = Finalists who will have to play their way on the team. Factors such as positional needs and/or specialty’s will most likely impact their selection to the team.

PATIENTLY WAIT FOR 2020 = Finalists who will most likely have to wait for the 2020 Tokyo Games to be in the mix.

2016 USA Basketball Senior Women’s Team Finalists

Seimone Augustus
Sue Bird
Tamika Catchings
Tina Charles
Elena Delle Donne
Skylar Diggins
Stefanie Dolson
Candice Dupree
Sylvia Fowles
Brittney Griner
Briann January
Jantel Lavender
Jewell Loyd
Kayla McBride
Angel McCoughtry
Maya Moore
Chiney Ogwumike
Nnemkadi Ogwumike
Candace Parker
Danielle Robinson
Odyssey Sims
Breanna Stewart
Diana Taurasi
Courtney Vandersloot
Lindsay Whalen

KEIL MOORE’S TAKE

LOCKS:

Seimone Augustus
Sue Bird
Tamika Catchings
Elena Delle Donne
Brittany Griner
Angel McCoughtry
Maya Moore
Candace Parker
Diana Taurasi
Lindsay Whalen

BUBBLE:

Tina Charles
Skylar Diggins
Candice Dupree
Sylvia Fowles
Chiney Ogwumike
Nnemkadi Ogwumike
Odyssey Simms
Breanna Stewart
Courtney Vandersloot

PATIENTLY WAIT UNTIL 2020:

Stefanie Dolson
Jantel Lavender
Jewell Loyd
Kayla McBride
Danielle Robinson

KEIL’S BREAKDOWN: With 10 players in great shape to make the roster this summer, it will be hard for the people on the bubble to get one of those final two spots. I predict that an additional post player will be selected with Breanna Stewart getting the “Christian Laettner” (direct reference to the 1992 Dream Team) spot as the 12th person on the roster.

BRANDON CLAY’S TAKE:

LOCKS:

Seimone Augustus
Sue Bird
Tamika Catchings
Elena Delle Donne
Sylvia Fowles
Brittney Griner
Angel McCoughtry
Maya Moore
Candace Parker
Diana Taurasi
Lindsay Whalen

BUBBLE

Tina Charles
Skylar Diggins
Candice Dupree
Breanna Stewart
Courtney Vandersloot

WAIT PATIENTLY UNTIL 2020:

Stefanie Dolson
Briann January
Jantel Lavender
Jewell Loyd
Kayla McBride
Chiney Ogwumike
Nnemkadi Ogwumike
Danielle Robinson
Odyssey Sims

THE BREAKDOWN: I put 11 players as locks. I realize that doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room so people will have to impress at camp to carve out a spot. I could certainly see Charles on this roster as an additional post player. The same goes for Diggins providing depth at the guard position though the ACL injury is certainly something to keep an eye on. Keil’s assessment of Stewart potentially making the team is on point as well. It’ll be interesting to see what direction the team goes when it’s all said and done. This could be the final Olympics for Augustus, Bird, Catchings, Fowles, Taurasi, and Whalen. They are all over 30 and there are plenty of talented players in waiting.

Keil Moore is a Philadelphia sports fan who loves the Eagles, 76ers and Phillies. He’s the go-to NBA League Pass subscriber in the PSBPopCulture.com. Moore will contribute his expertise to multiple categories on the site. He is the owner of Keil Moore Basketball, Inc. You can follow him on Twitter @KeilMoorePSB.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#PSBSportsChop: NFL Fantasy Football – Season Recap – January 14, 2016

Our Fantasy Football League is an annual tradition now in its’ fifth season. With 10 teams, every week is a battle against a team full of name brand players. I caught you up with my team at the midseason point. At the time, we were sitting in playoff contention with a 4-3 overall record. We went 3-3 down the stretch gaining the final berth in the four-team playoff. We won the first round matchup over Chris Hansen‘s “Hateration Station,” the No. 1 team in the league at the time. That setup a matchup versus Stephen Peck‘s “EBGJS!!” with the league crown on the line. Here’s how the season finished up.

Listen to more about this topic on the PSBPopCulture.com Report at the 3:00 min mark:

#PSBPopCulture: After a subpar 2014, @BrandonClayPSB went after a 2015 Fantasy 🏆. ARTICLE: https://t.co/SxXuLwb4TS pic.twitter.com/gg8tKHukcb

— PSBPopCulture (@PSBPopCulture) January 14, 2016

NOTE: I want to thank all the guys who are a part for playing in the league. The competition with you makes Sundays after Labor Day much more interesting.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

TEAM NAME: 8 More Than 92 Equals 100 (a tribute to The Game and Drake track that topped the charts earlier this year)

ROSTER MOVES SINCE WEEK SEVEN:

With 32 acquisitions on the year, the road to the final week was filled with Wednesday morning roster moves and Sunday morning adjustments. The injury bug hit my top performers hard as I lost my top two running backs and second leading wide receiver for the season. Keeping a close eye on the league allowed me to plug those holes and still find value added options to replace them down the stretch.

NOTABLE PLAYER RELEASES:

Keenan Allen (broken collarbone / added Doug Baldwin)
Charles Clay (lack of production / added Jordan Reed)
Falcons Defense (lack of production / addded Kansas City’s defense)
Justin Forsett (broken arm / added Javorius Allen)
Dustin Hopkins (lack of production / added Graham Gano)
Rishard Matthews (lack of production / added DeSean Jackson)
Jonathan Stewart (foot injury / added Tim Hightower)
Matt Ryan (lack of production / added Zach Ertz)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORE / ROSTER BREAKDOWN:

FINAL BREAKDOWN: I’m already looking forward to the 2016-17 season. As Keil Moore says, “Clay’s always in his War Room prepared on Draft Day.” I get that honestly from my dad, John. Truthfully, I’m glad to bring another title home to the Clay household. Now it’s on to the second half of our Fantasy Basketball League. I’ll check in with a mid-year update next week.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

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#iTunesSounds: Four To Know – December 6, 2015

“Four To Know” is a glimpse inside what’s current in the iTunes Music Libraries of our team members. We’ll provide four songs to grab and a breakdown of what appeals to us in each track.

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

1) “Credit” by Ty Dolla $ign feat. Seyvn Streeter

BREAKDOWN: First of all, I owe an assist to our TheOrganizedGrind affiliate owner Donte Grant for his assist on this one. He told me that the new Dolla $ign album was a must listen. As usual, Grant was dead on. Placed in the middle of his “Free TC” CD, Ty delivered a crisp track as he teamed up with emering R&B artist Sevyn Streeter. It remains to be seen if this will make it to the airwaves as a single at some point during the life span of the release but it’s worth a listen ASAP.

2A/B) “Black Friday” by J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar

BREAKDOWN: As if the rumblings of these two teaming up for a collaboration album weren’t loud enough already, they each dropped separate tracks on the other’s beat. Lamar chose Cole’s “A Tale of 2 Citiez” while Cole jumped on Kendrick’s hit “Alright.” Neither spared the beat going all in with A Game verses to hold us over as we wait. Cole even alluded to a possible release date during the month of February. Stay Tuned. For now, enjoy both of these songs.

3) “For The Summer” by Fabolous

BREAKDOWN: Fab’s latest mixtape “Summertime Shootout” ironically dropped on Thanksgiving Day. This track was the opening track off of another quality output from the New York based rapper. In talking with PSBPopCulture.com Team Member, Keil Moore, the progression for Fab as a 38-year-old artist is impressive. Keep an eye out for the “Young OG Project II” album scheduled for a digital release on Christmas Day. If Fabolous keeps up his current pace of releases during the Fourth Quarter, his new nickname will be Mr. Winter Holiday.

FAVORITE LINE: “Girlfriend like really 2 Chainz for the summer? I’ve copped a few things that were dumber…With that said, I might cop two things for the summer. They both gonna be blacker than Lou’s thing for the summer.”

^^^ Fab with the witty reference to Los Angeles Laker Louis Williams (insert Drake – 6th Man reference) and his two girlfriends.

4) “Under the Stars” by John Legend

BREAKDOWN: This song takes me back to his “Once Again” album. “Under The Stars” is exactly the kind of ballad that Legend has perfected since my introduction to his music in 2003 on Slum Village’s “Selfish.” It was released in conjunction with Stella Artois’ “Give Beautifully” holiday campaign. Though Legend dropped the song for the holiday season, it has a year round feel to it.

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#ProSportsChop: USA Basketball Roundtable – Gregg Popovich – October 24, 2015

Earlier this week, current USA Basketball Senior National Team coach Mike Krzyzewski announced that he would step down after the 2016 Olympics. USA responded by striking gold as they landed five-time NBA Championship coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs as Coach K’s replacement.

Here’s what USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo had to say about the decision, per the team’s official press release:

“I’m absolutely delighted to announce Gregg Popovich as head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team for 2017-20. There is no doubt in my mind that we have the great fortune of bringing on board one of the NBA’s best and most successful coaches ever to lead the USA National Team for the 2017-20 quadrennium. By making this decision now, it will allow us to have a clean, efficient and immediate transition following the 2016 Olympic Games.”

Per the same release, here’s Popovich’s reaction:

“I’m extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent our country as the coach of the USA National Team…What the program has accomplished over the last decade under the leadership of Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski is truly impressive. I will do my utmost to maintain the high standards of success, class and character established by Jerry, Coach K and the many players who have sacrificed their time on behalf of USA Basketball.”

Here is reaction from our PSBPopCulture.com experts:

CLAY: This move is right in line with the type of decisions that Colangelo has executed since taking over as USAB director in 2005. He has been impressive with his forward thinking and has once again made USA Basketball a destination for both elite coaches and players. The youth levels have shown both consistency and production as well. My educated guess is that Popovich will guide the USA to the 2020 Gold Medal and probably step aside after that. It will be interesting to chart who the next coach will be. Will they go in the direction of a younger guy Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics coach) who will be 41 after the 2020 Olympics or choose another veteran leader like Coach K or Pop?

HEMINGWAY: The hiring of Spurs coach Popovich is a home run. There is no other coach that has worldwide respect like ‘Pop.’ His longevity and success in the NBA give him instant credibility among America’s top players. Plus his ability to get superstars to buy into roles makes this a union that will work. Add in the fact that Spurs have traditionally played an international style of basketball and Pop appears to be the perfect coach for the job.

MOORE: Looking at the changes USA Basketball has made over the last decade, it’s evident they are organization working hard to stay ahead of the curve as opposed to reacting and responding late in an ever changing industry. As represented by this summer’s USA mini-camp in Las Vegas, we now have a true national team pool. Unlike the late-90’s/early 2000’s when we were begging players to “give up” their summer and play with the national team, we now have players that are jumping at the opportunity to put on a USA jersey. This is a testament to the work done by Colangelo and Krzysewski. Right now, the U.S. National program is arguably in the best place it has been in it’s history. Popovich is the perfect choice as the standard bearer for continued future success into the next decade.

Jonathan Hemingway is a Chicago sports fan who reps the Bears, Bulls and Cubs. He’s also a diehard NFL Sunday Ticket subscriber. Like Clay, Hemingway’s music taste are wide-ranged and depend on the day. He is also a major part of PeachStateBasketball.com wearing multiple hats with the title of Director of Domestic Scouting and owning CoachHemi.com.

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#iTunesSounds: Janine and the Mixtape – “XXEP” – October 23, 2015

XXEP is the most recent EP by breakout R&B artist Janine and the Mixtape. It’s been heavy in my rotation since I stumbled upon it in August. XXEP dropped in May of 2015 but like everything in life I was late to the party. Fortunately, I discovered it while at the airport coming home from an international scouting tour in Europe.

By: Keil Moore @KeilMoorePSB

Here is my take on some of the best tracks on the EP:

1) “You Deserve It”

BREAKDOWN: One listen and you feel the pain and emotion in the song. This has to be a true story. I could quote the whole track but the highlight might be “I love her for loving you because you deserve it.”

2) “This Moment”

BREAKDOWN: This is an easy song to listen to with a deep meaning. She starts with an Ekhart Tolle reference and the rest of the song takes us through a deep meditation at the end of what I can only imagine was a bad argument.

3) “Old Beside You”

BREAKDOWN: I love the double entendre with the title of this song. In relationships “Old Beside You” is thought of as a good thing, highlighting the concept of forever. Here she uses “Old Beside You” as a negative. She doesn’t want to get old next to the guy she’s referencing in the song.

4) “Lose My Mind”

BREAKDOWN: This track samples the melody from DMX’s “Up in Here”. Unlike DMX’s version, this is a thoughtful, carefully written, ballad about love that once was but no longer is.

PARTING THOUGHTS: This isn’t an album. However it is a preview of an artist with the potential to put a great album together. Hopefully Atlantic Records puts the resources behind Janine and the Mixtape so she can give us a great piece of art.

You can follow him on Twitter @KeilMoorePSB

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#ProSportsChop: Decade of the Point Guard – October 22, 2015

Every NBA generation gives us a wealth of depth at a certain position. In the 1990‘s, it was the Shooting Guard’s that ruled the league. Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Steve Smith and the list can go on and on. In the 2000’s, it was the Power Forward position that ruled the Association. Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Amare Stoudemire were just a few of the great Power Forwards of the generation.

By: Keil Moore @KeilMoorePSB with commentary from Brandon Clay @bballplusmusic

This decade is all about Point Guard play. Right now, the position is without a doubt he deepest in the NBA and here is a look at the top five playing the position to date.

Here is my list of the Fab Five right now with Brandon Clay’s commentary on each:

1) Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

MOORE: While one could make an argument for Chris Paul here. Curry is on top of the Basketball world right now. League MVP, NBA Championship and even his daughter has ridden the “Curry Wave” to stardom. With Curry’s recent success, it is hard to not give him the top spot.
More on Riley Curry

CLAY: What a run over the past two years for Steph. From a 5 year, $55 million extension guard to the future starting point guard for the US National Team and NBA MVP.
SIDENOTE: Riley Curry is the cutest kid in the game since Chris Paul’s son made “the Blake Face.”

2) Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

MOORE: Paul is the definition of the point guard position. Pass first, lead second, pressure the basketball, and score when needed. In my humble opinion, there isn’t a better point guard in basketball. There also might not be a better leader in basketball.

CLAY: He’s successfully made the Clippers the primary team inside Staples Center which also plays host to the Lakers. That said, if Paul plans on winning a title in LA he has to find a way to be more impactful than Curry and the guy below him again this season.

3) Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

MOORE: Westbrook was phenomenal last season. He put up video game numbers almost all season long. That said, Westbrook’s health issues keep him out of consideration for the top two spots here.

CLAY: What Westbrook did sans Kevin Durant last season was phenomenal and deserves praise. From the national Mountain Dew Kickstart campaign to the Jordan Brand signature lifestyle shoe, marketers and fans nationwide have taken notice.

4) Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

MOORE: Irving might be the most creative ball handler in the NBA right now. He is a dynamic athlete and brings flair to the point guard position. Like Westbrook, his health is also an issue. The best example of this is the 2015 NBA Finals.

CLAY: Irving could miss a chunk of time early in the season recovering from the season-ending knee injury Keil alluded to above. That said, Irving is the premier point guard in the Eastern Conference though I feel like John Wall is on his heels.

5) John Wall, Washington Wizards

MOORE: Clay’s favorite team, Atlanta Hawks, lucked out last season when Wall hurt his hand during the series against them. A healthy Wall might have propelled the Wizards into the Eastern Conference Finals. Wall is as explosive as any guard on this list and in my opinion Wall has been the victim of some tough USA Basketball National Team cuts.

CLAY: Wall is playing great basketball. He’s come a long way since his days of shooting less than 10 percent from beyond the arc during his rookie season.
SIDENOTE: Even though he’s on the verge of being an established veteran, I’d be remiss if I forgot to mention Jeff Teague. He’s easy to overlook in a league full of top shelf guards but Teague did lead the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

Who Is Next?

D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers – I am buying his stock. He showed himself as an excellent passer and a confident young player. Plus having Kobe Bryant as a mentor is always a nice way to start off a career.

Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic – In Orlando, Payton has a chance to grow alongside of the best young players in the league. He has to improve as a shooter but everything else is there.

Dante Exum, Utah Jazz – Exum is out this year due to an ACL tear. My extensive NBA League Pass research showed that while Exum struggled shooting the ball last year. He became a reliable starting point guard for Utah towards the end of the season. I’m “ALL IN” on Exum.

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#ProSportsChop: Top 5 NFL’s QB Right Now – October 20, 2015

I am on record as saying that the position of Quarterback is the most difficult position to master of all of sports. It is often impossible to predict the success of quarterbacks from college to the NFL. There is so much more involved than athleticism or arm strength. I often engage in lively debates in our PSBPopCulture.com group chat about the better QB’s in the league (which never included Tim Tebow).

By: Jonathan Hemingway @JLHemingwayPSB with commentary from Brandon Clay @bballplusmusic

Even quarterbacks who we believed to be sure-fire ELITE QBs this year are struggling. Look at Peyton Manning – his defense has carried the Broncos this year. Drew Brees has struggled to find his rhythm without Jimmy Graham. Even Andrew Luck has struggled with both injury and production!

Here is my list of the five best right now with Brandon Clay’s commentary on each:

CLAY: Before we start, do you have to keep reminding Keil Moore that his beloved Florida Gator Tim Tebow isn’t currently in the NFL? Come on Hemingway.

1) Tom Brady, New England Patriots

HEMINGWAY: Say what you want about the Patriots, but Brady is still the gold-standard. No one out-smarts these guys. Brady has laser focus that we have not seen in professional sports in years.

CLAY: Facts. Only. ACL Tear – No problem. Deflategate – No problem. Winner.

2) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

HEMINGWAY: This guy is terrific. Laser arm. Great athlete. His best attribute this year is to make plays even when the pocket collapses. His wideouts have been great even with Jordy Nelson being injured this year.

CLAY: Rodgers confidence is the steam that powers the Green (and Yellow). He plays with a chip on his shoulder despite all the success. No Nelson, insert James Jones and roll on to victory. At times, it seems that Rodgers still visualizes that 2005 NFL Draft night when he was selected 25th nightly.

3) Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

HEMINGWAY: I became a Newton fan this year when I drafted him in my dynasty-league (I said dynasty, not keeper. That is another blog post for another time). You have to give Cam a lot of credit. His best WR, Kelvin Benjamin, went down in the preseason. No problem though, 5-0 for Newton and the Panthers.

CLAY: Despite Newton being a NFC South rival to my Falcons, I respect his play so far. He’s using Greg Olsen, his tight end, as a primary target. In addition to Olsen, Newton is leading the team with three rushing TD’s as well.

4) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

HEMINGWAY: Atlanta people never seem to be happy with this guy. He is not flashy and has not won the big game (yet). But the fact is that he puts up big numbers and the Falcons are 5-1. He is as talented as they come in the NFL. This year is big for him to crack the conversation of the ELITE.

CLAY: Hold on now Jon. Atlanta people (myself included) respect Ryan. We also know his salary eats up a considerable amount of the financial cap. So far this season, Ryan is earning his pay with Julio Jones cashing in on Ryan’s accuracy. “Matty Ice” should have a chance to earn postseason stripes this winter.

5) Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

HEMINGWAY: Casual NFL observers may be surprised to see Palmer’s name on this list. Fact is that if Palmer had not been injured last year, the Cardinals may have challenged the Seahawks as the best team in the NFC. The veteran puts up big numbers week in and week out and he has some of the best wide receivers in the game.

CLAY: Agree 100%. Palmer picked up right where he left off. After two ACL surgeries, he’s throwing the ball as well as I can remember. In the process, Larry Fitzgerald looks like an All-Pro receiver once again.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. With a degree from Georgia Southern in Sport Marketing, he keeps an eye of marketing trends in the entertainment field. Clay’s full-time position is serving as the Owner of PeachStateBasketball.com.

You can follow him on Twitter @bballplusmusic.

You can follow him on Twitter @JLHemingwayPSB

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