The Wire: -30-

Well, I don't really know what to say.  The Wire is done, at least for now, and rather than telling you how great it is and rattling off superlatives let me just offer my thoughts on the finale.

Following last week's climactic and emotional episode, -30- was more about closure, about the players we've followed for five seasons exiting the game only to have their vacancies plugged by newcomers.  As the show has preached/documented, the inability of institutions to reform leads to this revolving door:. cycles of violence, social reproduction, and on down the line.  Michael is the new Omar, Dookie the new Bubbles.

I also liked the Marlo and McNulty parallels, both left in a situation where circumstances have forced them outside of their comfort zone.  We knew this was inevitable with McNulty at least, as there was no way the homeless murder thing wouldn't catch up with him.  I'm just glad he didn't end up taking himself out ala Brooks in Shawshank Redemption.  I also liked the irony in Marlo, the once-upon-a-time new Avon Barksdale, finding himself in the situation Stringer Bell coveted so much.  Only difference being he's of the Barksdale mentality and has no use for it.

Following last week's tear-worthy Michael-Dookie fair well scene in the car, this week had its share of great scenes I'll just rapid fire for you.  Bubbles making that walk up the steps.  Marlo standing solo on the corner taking it in for possibly the last time.  Michael and the shotgun- "that's just a knee."  And of course, McNulty, Lester, and Kima's moment following the fake wake at the bar.

Jump Off Remix

So Joe Budden is holding some contest for aspiring producers.  Not sure on the details really but I do know that he released an a cappella version of one of his tracks.  I, being an aspiring producer, a maker of beats if you will, thought I'd try my hand at this.  The track, "Dear Diary", is off of Budden's near-classic mixtape/album, Mood Muzik 3.  Being a huge Budden fan myself, I decided to take an hour out of my Thursday and grace his vocals with a music-bed of mediocrity.  Thank you.  Anyway, for the zero people reading this, visit www.myspace.com/kirbypucketproductions and treat yourselves to a 5 minute auditory utopia. See what I did there- first, I self-deprecate, then I praise myself.  At the very least, this should create some curiosity-induced link peepage.  Fantastic. 

Somewhere, Emeka Okafor Is Smiling

Before I elaborate on my newfound man-love for Dwight Howard, let us take a moment to admire the reaction of Jason Kidd's young son (see above) to the now famous superman dunk.  I know I should try to avoid obscure references but Kidd's son reminds me of what I imagine a young Karl Pilkington was like, inducing involuntary smirks by his mere physical appearance.  (If you don't know Karl Pilkington, look his podcast stuff with Ricky Gervais up on YouTube).

Anyway, back to Saturday Night in New Orleans.  First of all, props to Gerald Green.  I had heard of a possible "kiss the rim" dunk from Howard but Green's cupcake candle blowout dunk was something else.  With that said, Dwight still deserved the title, but having a competitor like Green there making it a close race really earned this contest a spot in history.  He was Desmond Mason to Dwight Howard's Jason Richardson.

As for the Game itself, Sunday night gave the rest of the country a chance to see this next decade's best point guard, NO's Chris Paul, in action.  LeBron put on his usual performance, Dwayne Wade got one of his last wins of the season, and Damon Jones further cemented his position as the NBA's version of Freddie Mitchell.

The League is in good shape though, maybe even great shape.  The west has 9 teams with likely 50+ win seasons, blockbuster trades are making that competitive west even more competitive, and the current generation of stars are all likable guys.  LeBron, Wade, Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Dwight Howard, Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Deron Williams: all good guys.  David Stern has reason to smile.  And for me, usually April can't get here fast enough, but with this playoff chase looking crowded and inevitable, I think I can take a couple months of meaningful games.