Month: December 2023

Bam Adebayo is among the very best defenders in the NBA. He’s one of the most versatile given his ability to switch onto guards and has the strength and length to handle most opposing bigs. He is at the core of what the Miami Heat do defensively and is a very big reason for why they are perennially among the best defenses in the league — and have the ability to handle different matchups come playoff time.

There is one particular matchup that has troubled Adebayo, but he’s far from alone, as Nikola Jokic gave him fits in the NBA Finals en route to the Nuggets first title. There isn’t anyone in the league that has a good track record on Jokic, but the Denver center wields his size in a way few do today and in the Finals he was able to move Bam and get to his spots.

During an appearance on The OGs podcast, hosted by Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, Adebayo was asked who is the toughest guy to guard in the NBA and said “the big fella, the Serbian” without hesitation. Haslem jumped in to note that you can’t speed him up and you can’t get him off his spots, heaping praise on the two-time MVP. From there, Adebayo explained what he appreciates most about Jokic’s game, saying “he don’t flop…he tryin to get buckets.”

Adebayo notes he embellishes for calls as everyone does, but he’s more specifically talking about not actively trying to seek out contact outside of normal play. That is a complaint for many against Joel Embiid and plenty of other players, and it seems Jokic doesn’t hold that reputation with his fellow competitors.

It is a bit funny this comes out this week when Steve Kerr and the Warriors got extremely frustrated by Jokic parading to the free throw line in a Christmas win over Golden State, in which he absolutely delved into the dark arts. That said, games like that are spaced out enough that he doesn’t quite garner the same reputation as Embiid and others do, and at least with one of the top centers in the East, he’s gets the utmost respect for that.

What do you get a late-night host who has everything for his birthday? A new desk? Cue cards? A fancy mug that always sits on the desk but never gets used? It’s an impossible task. The team behind Late Night With Seth Meyers decided to go the old-fashioned route and throw their boss a surprise 50th birthday party by making him show up to work on a day when he doesn’t have to. They gave him the valuable gift of perseverance without overtime!

In order to surprise Meyers when he least expected it, his crew told him they were filming the “corrections” segment of his show. After receiving a hearty round of birthday applause outside of his dressing room, Meyers reads off a cue card, which says: “Happy 50th Birthday Seth! We hope you like this custom birthday card from ‘Cue Cards by Wally’ since he’s also charging us to hold it. We’ll keep this short. Thank You for everything, Boss, and cheers to 50 more years!” But that was just the beginning.

Meyers was then directed to the main set, where his entire crew was ready with pizza, hats, and little “50” glasses. That’s how you know this was a genuine birthday celebration: people were willing to wear those Party City originals proudly.

Meyers was even in shock, telling his crew, “I’m without words. I’m so — I genuinely can’t believe how surprised I am. Walking out here and seeing all of you guys, I also want to say, is very special to be with you all. Thank you so much. I’m genuinely touched.” It almost seemed like Meyers would cry, but he likely knew that he would never live that down, so he kept his speech nice and short.

Check out the video above.

(Via The Wrap)

What do you get a late-night host who has everything for his birthday? A new desk? Cue cards? A fancy mug that always sits on the desk but never gets used? It’s an impossible task. The team behind Late Night With Seth Meyers decided to go the old-fashioned route and throw their boss a surprise 50th birthday party by making him show up to work on a day when he doesn’t have to. They gave him the valuable gift of perseverance without overtime!

In order to surprise Meyers when he least expected it, his crew told him they were filming the “corrections” segment of his show. After receiving a hearty round of birthday applause outside of his dressing room, Meyers reads off a cue card, which says: “Happy 50th Birthday Seth! We hope you like this custom birthday card from ‘Cue Cards by Wally’ since he’s also charging us to hold it. We’ll keep this short. Thank You for everything, Boss, and cheers to 50 more years!” But that was just the beginning.

Meyers was then directed to the main set, where his entire crew was ready with pizza, hats, and little “50” glasses. That’s how you know this was a genuine birthday celebration: people were willing to wear those Party City originals proudly.

Meyers was even in shock, telling his crew, “I’m without words. I’m so — I genuinely can’t believe how surprised I am. Walking out here and seeing all of you guys, I also want to say, is very special to be with you all. Thank you so much. I’m genuinely touched.” It almost seemed like Meyers would cry, but he likely knew that he would never live that down, so he kept his speech nice and short.

Check out the video above.

(Via The Wrap)

With New Year’s Eve just a few days away, the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest event has added two new performers to the lineup. Cardi B will be airing her performance from Miami, as she is set to be playing at the Fontainebleau. Meanwhile, LL Cool J will appear live in New York, where the party is being held.

The lineup also has a ton of previously announced performers that are sure to keep the celebration going all night and keep viewers at home entertained. Right now, Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, Ludacris, Janelle Monáe, Ellie Goulding, Doechii, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Paul Russell, Loud Luxury, Two Friends and Bebe Rexha, Reneé Rapp and Coco Jones, Aqua, Post Malone, NewJeans, and Ivy Queen will all be making appearances — whether they are in NYC or broadcasting from another part of the globe.

Seacrest will be joined by two co-hosts: Rita Ora and Jeannie Mai. New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will air on Sunday, December 31 starting at 8 p.m. on ABC. More information about the event can be found here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

With New Year’s Eve just a few days away, the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest event has added two new performers to the lineup. Cardi B will be airing her performance from Miami, as she is set to be playing at the Fontainebleau. Meanwhile, LL Cool J will appear live in New York, where the party is being held.

The lineup also has a ton of previously announced performers that are sure to keep the celebration going all night and keep viewers at home entertained. Right now, Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, Ludacris, Janelle Monáe, Ellie Goulding, Doechii, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Paul Russell, Loud Luxury, Two Friends and Bebe Rexha, Reneé Rapp and Coco Jones, Aqua, Post Malone, NewJeans, and Ivy Queen will all be making appearances — whether they are in NYC or broadcasting from another part of the globe.

Seacrest will be joined by two co-hosts: Rita Ora and Jeannie Mai. New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will air on Sunday, December 31 starting at 8 p.m. on ABC. More information about the event can be found here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Zack Snyder may have just launched the new sci-fi film series, Rebel Moon, on Netflix, but the director is always thinking about the next big project. In a recent interview to promote the first installment of Rebel Moon, Snyder let it slip that he’s been mulling over the idea of tackling a James Bond movie.

“It’d be cool to see, like, 20-year-old James Bond,” Snyder told The Atlantic. “The humble roots that he comes from. Whatever trauma of youth that makes you be able to be James Bond. There has to be something there.”

Considering the James Bond franchise is in a rebuilding phase following the exit of Daniel Craig, there is a chance that Snyder could be in talks as the Bond producers the next spin on the iconic spy. However, as Variety notes, the Bond franchise has been notoriously resistant to the idea of a young 007.

Here’s what longtime James Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams had to say about 007’s age:

“When we started, it was a slightly different feel,” McWilliams said about the last search for a new 007 that ended with Craig’s selection. “We did look at a lot of younger actors, and I just don’t think they had the gravitas. They didn’t have the experience, they didn’t have the mental capacity to take it on, because it’s not just the part they’re taking on, it’s a massive responsibility.”

That decision-making process led to Henry Cavill getting passed over because he looked a little too young for the part. However, could Bond producers be swayed to reconsider their stance on 007’s age? Possibly, but there’s another potential obstacle to Snyder getting a crack at the British agent: Christopher Nolan.

Nolan has unabashedly open about his love for the Bond franchise and freely admits that you can see its influence in every one of his films. The acclaimed director would love a stab at a Bond film. That said, Nolan is also on the record as one of Zack Snyder’s closest friends and biggest fan, so there’s always a likelihood Nolan could put in a good word for his old pal.

(Via The Atlantic)

Zack Snyder may have just launched the new sci-fi film series, Rebel Moon, on Netflix, but the director is always thinking about the next big project. In a recent interview to promote the first installment of Rebel Moon, Snyder let it slip that he’s been mulling over the idea of tackling a James Bond movie.

“It’d be cool to see, like, 20-year-old James Bond,” Snyder told The Atlantic. “The humble roots that he comes from. Whatever trauma of youth that makes you be able to be James Bond. There has to be something there.”

Considering the James Bond franchise is in a rebuilding phase following the exit of Daniel Craig, there is a chance that Snyder could be in talks as the Bond producers the next spin on the iconic spy. However, as Variety notes, the Bond franchise has been notoriously resistant to the idea of a young 007.

Here’s what longtime James Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams had to say about 007’s age:

“When we started, it was a slightly different feel,” McWilliams said about the last search for a new 007 that ended with Craig’s selection. “We did look at a lot of younger actors, and I just don’t think they had the gravitas. They didn’t have the experience, they didn’t have the mental capacity to take it on, because it’s not just the part they’re taking on, it’s a massive responsibility.”

That decision-making process led to Henry Cavill getting passed over because he looked a little too young for the part. However, could Bond producers be swayed to reconsider their stance on 007’s age? Possibly, but there’s another potential obstacle to Snyder getting a crack at the British agent: Christopher Nolan.

Nolan has unabashedly open about his love for the Bond franchise and freely admits that you can see its influence in every one of his films. The acclaimed director would love a stab at a Bond film. That said, Nolan is also on the record as one of Zack Snyder’s closest friends and biggest fan, so there’s always a likelihood Nolan could put in a good word for his old pal.

(Via The Atlantic)

Rootin’ tootin’ Lauren Boebert is scrambling to see if she can still root and toot in Congress for another term. This situation is somehow worse than it was for her last time around when she only won by 546 votes against Democrat Adam Frisch in a red-leaning district. These days, of course, Boebert’s preexisting polarizing position has grown even more precarious due to her being caught groping and vaping at a Beetlejuice musical production.

Months later, Boebert cannot manage to stop accidentally reminding people of this hot mess, not even when she fires off bigoted comments on the House floor. Yep, the specter of the combative congresswoman and the Democrat Bar Guy will not go away, and Boebert must have seen the writing on Colorado’s 3rd District wall after Frisch promised to fully unseat her in 2024, and that seemed destined to happen. So, she has decided upon a new strategy and took to Twitter to announce that she will jump over to Colorado’s 4th District, where she believes that she stands a better chance of winning.

This decision has come after “[a] lot of prayer, a lot of tough conversations and a lot of perspective,” and Boebert insists, “I am going to do everything in my power to represent the 3rd District well for the remainder of this term as I work to earn the trust of grassroots conservative voters in the 4th District to represent them in 2025.”

Boebert also threw a dart at “dark money that is directed at destroying me,” meaning that she’s not thrilled with how her district’s fundraising has gone. As The Daily Beast reports, Frisch’s position as the anti-Boebert has paid off handsomely, and he has long since surpassed her efforts to raise cash:

Frisch, a former member of the Aspen City Council, has been raking in more campaign cash than almost any other 2024 House candidate, reporting to the Federal Election Commission that he had raised $7.7 million so far, as Time first reported this week. Boebert, in contrast, has raised just over $2.4 million.

Let’s just say that social media does not appear to be impressed by Boebert’s decision to “jump ship” for slightly better odds as “doing public service for the people.” And the groping jokes continue unabated.

And now the matter will rest in voters’ hands for Colorado’s 4th District.

Rootin’ tootin’ Lauren Boebert is scrambling to see if she can still root and toot in Congress for another term. This situation is somehow worse than it was for her last time around when she only won by 546 votes against Democrat Adam Frisch in a red-leaning district. These days, of course, Boebert’s preexisting polarizing position has grown even more precarious due to her being caught groping and vaping at a Beetlejuice musical production.

Months later, Boebert cannot manage to stop accidentally reminding people of this hot mess, not even when she fires off bigoted comments on the House floor. Yep, the specter of the combative congresswoman and the Democrat Bar Guy will not go away, and Boebert must have seen the writing on Colorado’s 3rd District wall after Frisch promised to fully unseat her in 2024, and that seemed destined to happen. So, she has decided upon a new strategy and took to Twitter to announce that she will jump over to Colorado’s 4th District, where she believes that she stands a better chance of winning.

This decision has come after “[a] lot of prayer, a lot of tough conversations and a lot of perspective,” and Boebert insists, “I am going to do everything in my power to represent the 3rd District well for the remainder of this term as I work to earn the trust of grassroots conservative voters in the 4th District to represent them in 2025.”

Boebert also threw a dart at “dark money that is directed at destroying me,” meaning that she’s not thrilled with how her district’s fundraising has gone. As The Daily Beast reports, Frisch’s position as the anti-Boebert has paid off handsomely, and he has long since surpassed her efforts to raise cash:

Frisch, a former member of the Aspen City Council, has been raking in more campaign cash than almost any other 2024 House candidate, reporting to the Federal Election Commission that he had raised $7.7 million so far, as Time first reported this week. Boebert, in contrast, has raised just over $2.4 million.

Let’s just say that social media does not appear to be impressed by Boebert’s decision to “jump ship” for slightly better odds as “doing public service for the people.” And the groping jokes continue unabated.

And now the matter will rest in voters’ hands for Colorado’s 4th District.

It may only be a few days after Christmas, but for some of hip-hop’s elite, there’s no such thing as a vacation. J. Cole, who spent the year on an absolute tear of surprise live appearances and scene-stealing feature verses, continued his campaign at Lil Baby’s hometown show in Atlanta on Wednesday night (December 27), popping out to surprise the concertgoers with a performance of his 2014 Forest Hills Drive fan favorite, “No Role Modelz” and his Revenge Of The Dreamers III standout, “Middle Child.”

Cole’s string of surprise performances included coming out in Montreal to surprise fans at Drake’s It’s All A Blur tour as 21 Savage’s replacement. Then, he did the same thing for fans at 50 Cent’s Final Lap tour in Brooklyn. He also joined Lil Durk during his iHeartRadio Festival performance in Las Vegas to perform their collaboration “All My Life” for the first time. The next surprise came with “Pretty Little Fears” collaborator 6lack in LA, after which Cole circled back around to reconnect with Drake for the announcement of their Big As The What? tour, extending the It’s All A Blur tour in 2024.

Along the way, he dropped verses with K-pop star J-Hope, Summer Walker, his own Dreamville artist Bas, the surprising collaborators Gucci Mane and Lil Yachty, multiple tracks with Drake (including his first-ever No. 1), and Nicki Minaj. He’s had a busy year, and he STILL has yet to release his long-awaited album, The Fall-Off.