Make Use of the Gifts...

I want to follow up my cohort's analysis of Lebron James through an on-court lens, and then finally put this guy to rest until he causes more drama and trauma next season. Lebron is not mature and not aggressive, but more importantly he is not smart enough. He is anything but a student of the game. Lebron James has been gifted with the greatest body and purest athleticism that the sport of basketball has ever seen, but he is just not a winner. He's not a winner because he isn't smart enough to be a winner. When a player's smarts is judged you look at 3 things: how he works, how he reacts on court, and how he learns from failure.

Lebron James entered the NBA as a stud simply because of his physical gifts. Look around at your classmates.... none of them look like Lebron James did as a high school senior. Lebron is massive, and he does not work effectively because if he did he would have a go-to move or at least something that he can score with over the likes of the 6'0" (very generous) J.J. Barea. After his 8 point performance in the NBA finals when a reporter asked him if he was going to put in extra work in the gym after games like Kobe does to get his shot right, Lebron answered with one word - no.

Secondly, Lebron does not react well on court. As noted in the previous post, he found himself in the middle of a scuffle that resulted in technical fouls and could have resulted in suspension from an NBA final's game. Yes Lebron James risked being suspended from a FINALS game. You can't win if you don't play kid (but I guess Miami can't win if he does play either). Lebron argues calls that don't go his way no matter how blatant they are, and he hides on court if his man takes him out of the game (Shawn Marion still haunts his dreams). Lebron isn't smart enough to make changes mid game.

He's not a smart enough player to make changes over night either. The guy has never recognized a failure or mistake in his life. And if he did, who knows if he would learn from them. Rather than recognizing what he did wrong and why his star-studded team lost, Lebron basically said they did just fine and that the media can f*** off.

Why did Dirk win his second time around? He works on his game like a madman in the off-season, he reacts and changes his game when defenders stop him, and he learned from his mistakes and the overall failure of losing the '06 finals. The same can be seen with Peyton Manning, and especially the man that Lebron James will never be: Michael Jordan. MJ worked harder than anyone else, and was the smartest man on the court at all times. He worked effectively, reacted perfectly, and learned something every play.

Lebron should take notes because that's how you get to be the greatest player ever. You don't take what God gives you, wait around, tattoo "Gifted Child" on your chest, and get handed a championship. In his ridiculously pampered life one thing will not be gifted to him and that is a ring.

An Intriguing Parallel

First I want to shout out some congratulations to both the Mavericks and the Bruins for winning their respective championships. Secondly, before I touch on the substance of this post, I am going to venture onto the topic of Lebron James. While the man is immensely talented, I don't think he is able to win a championship as the primary facet of his team (see how during the Finals Dwayne Wade took over as the Heat's go to guy). We want to see him reach new heights when the games matter most, and when he fails to live up to our expectations we make excuses for him (see West, Delonte and Lewis, Rashard). From my point of view, the factor that at the present contributes most to his inability to win is his level of maturity. Three examples stood out to me: Pregame coughing and poking fun at Dirk Nowitzki's playing through a fever, being one of the first into the fray during a do or die game 6, and his combative tone during the postgame press conference. I think the first and last examples are self explanatory (especially if you saw what he said). In terms of his behavior during the argument between Mario Chalmers and DeShawn Stevenson, it was incredibly reckless of him to rush headlong into a situation that was going to be broken up in a matter of moments anyways. At that point, he could have only gotten himself into trouble. I recognize the need to stick up for a teammate, but in that situation Chalmers is dispensible while Lebron, even the version that sleepwalked through the Finals and refused to go to the rim, is a valuable asset to the Heat. To jeopardize his role in the continuation of the season demonstrated that he was overwhelmed by the occasion and got carried away. You may have noticed that both Dirk Nowitzki and Dwayne Wade acted like hardened vet's and remained out of the fray. Now to business.

As I am still hungover from the Bruin's victory last night and as of yet unable to fully analyze it, we will save that post for another day. After a week of brooding the Mavericks' underdog NBA Finals victory, one angle has struck me as particularly intriguing. Dirk Nowitzki, long regarded as the best international player ever, has, in many people's eyes, upped his status as one of the best players ever, period. Why, you ask? Because he has a ring. A ring, though? Surely the former league MVP's stats speak for themselves? Stats aren't everything, particularly when they come during the regular season. If there is anything that we learned from last season's Celtics it is that the regular season is a glorified warm up for the playoffs. This is the time of year when the games really count and your legacy is largely determined by your successes and failures when the seasons change. Save the disappointing 2006 finals in which the Mav's lost to Wade's Heat, Dirk's teams have seen a large number of premature exits from the postseason. Does this ring salvage everything? Possibly. Let's consider Peyton Manning. The Colts star was knocked for much of his career for his inability to win on the biggest stage. Sure he had the stats and individual accolades befitting a legendary quarterback, but he was considered way behind the eight ball career wise because he had never hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Sure enough, once he took his name off the "shit list" (Charles Barkley's term for the list of great players who have never won rings) his spot on the lists of the greats was assured. Dirk finds himself in a similar situation. And don't expect it to end here. Just as Peyton made his way back to the Super Bowl last year (even though the Saints dashed the opportunity) I would not be surprised to see Dirk make a return visit to the finals in the coming years. One last comparison: many praise Manning for his ability to win no matter who he is surrounded with. Look at Dirk's supporting cast. Tyson Chandler was practically given to the Mav's by Michael Jordan last summer. Jason Kidd is 40 years old and well past his prime. Jason Terry is as streaky as any player in the league. No super friends here, Dirk Nowitzki is much further down the path to multiple championships than Lebron James.

Crooks & Castles

Crooks & Castles is a name that I have heard bandied about quite a bit but, to be completely honest, I had never felt compelled to investigate what this company is all about. Last Wednesday marked the release of the company's Summer 2011 sunglass line (endorsed by Drake) so I decided to knock out two birds with one stone. I learned that this company makes some sweet shades (if you are in the market for a higher end pair but don't want to splurge on Raybahns or Oakleys, definitely think about these. After all, if Drake wears them they must be good (Dreams Money Can Buy). And yes I did just put parentheses within parentheses. You will live) but is much more than that. With such a wide selection, it is highly possible that one could build an entire wardrobe from this company alone. They do tanks, tees, pants, jackets, sweatshirts, and sweaters. If it is accessories you are into they have watches, belts, wallets, and, of course, sunglasses. The company is based in Los Angeles, and while it carries the distinct flavor of the left coast, their products induce swag across the globe. Unless you happen to be in Hollywood and the neighborhood of their retail outlet, hit them up online at www.crooksncastles.com. I'll leave you with one of their Medusa tank, an item that showcases their creative breadth.

Headless Happenings

When the Headless Threadsmen came into existence last August, the aim was to deliver a post (or multiple posts) once a day, everyday, forever. Alas, history tells a slightly different tale. If you were to go back to February and log onto the site, you had about as much a chance of finding a new post as Lebron has of sinking a clutch fourth quarter shot. Blogging had been put on hold. With summer came a decreasing of responsibilities. Over the past few days, you have been treated to a relative deluge of content. This prompts the question, is the Threadsmen returning to its roots? Will the posting rate stay up? Have our prayers been answered? These are all true, in a sense. The blog has evolved greatly in the past year, just as Academy Cotton has. While I cannot guarantee a new post everyday (a goal is to maintain the post, our main aim is to prevent a meteoric drop such as the one that we saw this winter) when you visit, the site you see will be slightly different. We will continue to provide insight into the world of fashion, footwear, and accessories, but alongside the long-time staples you will be introduced to an array of original content. In a push to make the blog unique, a destination different from any other web address, in the coming months we will provide you with music, video, and products seen exclusively through the eyes of the Threadsmen. Keep your eyes peeled for hot tracks from affiliated artists such as Split Second and Dammy Adeoti (among others to be named in the near future) and new products and videos from Academy Cotton. These features will only be available here so be sure not to miss them. Additionally, The Headless Threadsmen and Academy Cotton are geared primarily for you, the consumer. We strive to provide you with what you want. To better get a sense of this, we will be adding a space for feedback so that we can better serve our audience. This is all about you. And because this is all about you, we are bringing back a classic feature: Five For Friday. Granted, today is not Friday (yesterday was not Thursday, and tomorrow is not Saturday. Thank you Rebecca Black.) but we have decided to spare no haste in jumpstarting your summer musically. Without further ado, I present to you the new Headless Threadsmen (and five hot songs to commemorate the occasion).

Luke Christopher ft. Asher Roth - Rooftops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrctQ5gcbuo
By now everyone knows Asher Roth, he of I Hate College fame. And sure, Asher does not disappoint on his verse. The name you should get familiar with is Luke Christopher. From the unorthodox opening to the thought provoking hook, the kid shows that he isn't afraid to try new things. A must download, this song is very relaxing and has definite repeat potential (although at only 2:30 it leaves you hungry for more).

Kid Cudi - Falling Star (R3K Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3XuRsGtiew
This song is trippy. When you play this, be sure to crank the bass. Cudi's deep voice adds to the effect and shakes you down to your bones. It is quite the auditory experience. Musically it is a solid track with some dope sampling that sets the tone for the Cudi experience. If you want to feel it for you self, hook into some headphones or a stereo system and get prepared for a ride.

Swedish House Mafia - Save the World (Style of Eye and Carli Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mINIoBYGgI
When SHM graced us with the gift of Save the World, it was a foregone conclusion that we would shortly be pelted by a torrent of remixes. Some were sure to be decent, a few good, and maybe one or two truly extraordinary. While I am not claiming that this is the one, suffice it to say that it is far and away my favorite. The slow build up sets a high energy tone while the synth explodes out from behind the original verse. This is the track to get you pumped up for those summer tournaments or athletic camps.

Mike Stud - Ante Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-MjtjBnc94
Mike Stud is quick becoming a viable challenger to Sammy Adams as the king of the frat rap scene. He has the perfect voice and great lyrics to compliment it. Having just graduated from college (check out his other song "Never Grow Up" with Loggy and Timeflies), Stud will have more time to work his craft and hopefully we will see a mixtape in the near future. For now, though, we have the singles that he drops like clockwork. If you like what you find here, follow him on twitter, where he gives the first word as to what he is up to artistically.

Mac Miller - Love Lost
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYSHwjkmWhM
If you haven't heard this song yet, then you are probably not a Mac Miller fan. After Best Day Ever and K.I.D.S, I had heard some complaints that he only raps about smoking and.... smoking some more. If you were turned off by that, that Love Lost may redeem the artist. He has flow as always, even singing at times (which isn't half bad), and raps about something with substance: love. Mac's intros always make me smile (and laugh out loud on the first listen through) and this one is no exception. Check the song out. Alas there is no video (I'm dying to see the happy dance).

There you have it folks. Now go out and start a crazy summer. Check back periodically for more posts, especially for the next Five for Friday. You stay classy.

Give The Mavs Some Credit!

Every once in a while, The Headless Threadsmen talks sports, and it usually goes well (take a look at the flawless advice you got with Academy Cotton's Fantasy Football Academy). This time, the topic of discussion is LeBron James, his 4th quarter shooting woes in the NBA finals, and the Miami Heat.

Everyone is asking, "what's wrong with LeBron?" People are wondering about his shot selection and his aggressiveness. And, on three different occasions when the Dallas Mavericks have beaten the Heat in these finals, the report has been that the Heat have lost the game, not that the Mavs have won it.

The Threadsmen has a different take on the finals. Plain and simple, LeBron and his team is losing games because the Dallas Mavericks are beating them. The report should be, Mavs are Too Tough not What's Wrong with the Heat? 

"Why can't Lebron shoot?" Because the Mavericks guard him too well - he has no space. "Why are the Heat blowing their leads?" Because they can't hold off the Mavs for 48 minutes. The Mavericks have owned the fourth quarter for 4 straight games (even in their loss) because their offense is too potent.

The general attitude of this series is that the Miami Heat are letting it slip away, and that it is theirs to lose. But in reality, take a look at the Mavs, take a look at Dirk, and see that LeBron James isn't scoring because the Mavericks guard him too well. See that the Miami Heat are down 3-2 because the Dallas Mavericks out play them when it matters. The Mavs have won these games because they played better for 48 minutes. The Heat have not handed them over. 

Something Cool

Do you like sports? Do you like popular culture? Do you like to laugh? If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, than here is something that you might be interested in: grantland.com. As a frequent browser of ESPN.com and a fan of columnist Bill Simmons, I was perturbed over the past week and a half or so to find he had written no new material (I became so desperate that I turned to his podcasts for relief). I chalked this disparity up to Simmons' self proclaimed laziness but was pleasantly surprised to hear that he had been diverting his attention to a new endeavor, Grantland. A fusion of sports writing and pop culture, the site has the potential to be a more substantial and sophisticated alternative to BroBible or Facebook as an online entertainment destination. The layout (save for Subway's obnoxiously colored ads) is uncluttered and refreshingly simple, and the content is everything a long time follower would expect. Be sure to check it out, but come right back to the old 'Threadsman for the latest in fashion and all things steezy.

Que Bueno

Picasso and Dalí rocked them, the Pope owns a pair, and so should you. Espadrilles, my friend, are out there just waiting to be gobbled up. Who doesn't love snagging a new pair of kicks? While Nike SB and Adidas (not to mention Ice Cream or Bathing Apes) charge an arm and a leg for their products, espadrilles can be found on line for as low as £15. Granted, these are not shoes you want to wear everyday or year round, but they are an inexpensive addition to your collection. These shoes have been around for centuries, so there are countless variations to suit any customer. Also, as they are classic, you can come off as highly cultured with hardly any effort. To get started, take a peek here.

Prep Boy TV - Senior Spring

Check out episode 1 of Split Second's "Senior Spring" right here. The web series gives viewers a chance to see into the world of Split Second and the prep boy lifestyle. Enjoy this first one, and check back with the Threadsmen to find new episodes after their release.

Lax Flow

I just found this in my inbox and I'm really glad that I didn't delete it. This is a new company called Krass and Funnel that looks to be doing big things in the future. Here are their words:
Traditional style with unquestionable flash and comfort. They are perfect for going to practice, class, or just hanging out.  Sport them with a button down, polo, or T-shirt and look good wherever you go.

As of now they have a pretty limited selection, but the colors and designs are undeniably classy. **Also, if you type in "Exeter" at checkout, you will receive a 10% discount** Check them out at www.krassandfunnel.com.