Some Words For Mike Krzyzewski

So Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has a problem with President Obama not picking his team to advance to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. For those who missed it, The President shared his bracket picks with ESPN college basketball writer Andy Katz. President Obama's bracket has the Dukies losing to Pitt in the Regional finals. An Associated Press reporter asked "Coach K" a question about the Pres picking against Duke, to which he responded:

"Somebody said that we're not in President Obama's Final Four, and as much as I respect what he's doing, really, the economy is something that he should focus on, probably more than the brackets."

A cheap shot at the President Mike? Really? Just for taking a moment to make picks like millions of other working Americans? Well you know what, Coach K?...Allow me to apply that same logic to you. You see, as much as I respect you as a coach and what you have done over the past 28 years at Duke, I think that actually getting your perpetually overhyped team to the Sweet 16 for the first time in three years is something that you should focus on, probably more than responding to picks made by the President, who, like most of us, had the good common sense to pick against your completely overrated team.

15 Most Influential Albums of My Life

This is very difficult to do, given my love of music...But after watching High Fidelity for the hundredth time I figured I would give it a shot....

1. Sign O' The Times - Prince.

Best album by the best ever. Socially conscious (Title Track), great ballads (Adore) and the song that formed my perspective on relationships (If I Was Your Girlfriend). Pure Greatness.

2. Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest
3. Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde - The Pharcyde

Albums that truly took me from liking hip-hop to truly loving it.

4. A Love Supreme - John Coltrane

Greatest Jazz album ever in my opinion. When I need to reflect and clear my head, it always does the trick.

5. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest
6. Best of Sade

I know a "Best of" is cheating a little bit, but this is the perfect compilation. All her top songs. When pulling yourself together from heartbreak, there is none better.

7. It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back - Public Enemy

One of the major reasons why I became a Black studies major. The best voice in the history of hip-hop inspiring critical and politically radical thinking.

8. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star - Mos and Kweli

The two of them have never been better

9. Urban Hang Suite - Maxwell

An album that traces a relationship from "Welcome" to "The Proposal"...Pure soul...

10. Illmatic - Nas
11. Resurrection - Common

Two of the most lyrically tight albums ever recorded. The number of times I hit the rewind button while listening to their flow? Too many to count.

12. Purple Rain - Prince
13. Labcabincalifornia - The Pharcyde

Great lyrics plus the greatness of Jay Dee's production = classic.

14. Midnight Marauders - A Tribe Called Quest
15. The Minstrel Show - Little Brother

Great satire which showcased just how far hip-hop has fallen.