Murphy's Multiverse

Author: anthonycanton905

  • Jonathan Majors is Here To Conquer The MCU

    Jonathan Majors is Here To Conquer The MCU


    The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been no stranger to great expectations. As we’ve gone through each phase the hype has grown to an impossible level to measure. From YouTube Easter eggs to fan theories and fan casts there’s been a bit of disappointment. Whether it’s warranted or not we have arrived at an interesting point as MCU fans. Phase 5 begins with Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and there’s a high level of anticipation. Sure, it’s great to see Scott, Hope, Cassie, and the rest of the crew. However, we know why we’re really here and his name is Kang.

    Kang The Conqueror is synonymous with greatness. He is one of the greatest villains of all time, and one of the more fascinating characters in comic book lore. He’s time-bending; he’s mind-bending; he’s a threat unlike any other in Marvel. When time travel was introduced in Avengers: Endgame, the thought for many fans who are studious to this is that Kang could not be far behind. Lo and behold, he is here. Now take this into consideration, when you are casting for this role you need a heavy hitter. You need the best, the absolute best. Enter Jonathan Majors.

    At the end of Loki Season 1, at the end of time, both Loki and Sylvie were introduced to He Who Remains, a variant of Kang, who had been pulling all the strings. Before his death at the hands of Sylvie, He Who Remains shared some weighty thoughts. “You may hate the dictator, but something… far worse is gonna fill that void if you dispose of him. I’ve lived a million lifetimes. I’ve gone through every scenario. This is the only way.” These are words we hung on and were captivated by. The delivery, the playfulness, and the all-knowing fatigue of that power was mystifying. We’ve seen great performances in the MCU, wrought with great emotion and full of surprises. This was the most electrifying performance we’ve seen to date in the franchise.

    There’s a level of expectation to deliver that Majors superseded. The bar has been raised. This wasn’t even the actual character that he was playing. Just a version. One, singular version. Kevin Feige and Co. have made a decision to build this saga around this gentleman and it will pay off in spades. We are not prepared for what we are about to see. You just have to sit back and enjoy it. If you want variants you’re getting them. If you want a compelling character you’re getting that tenfold. You’re probably saying to yourself that this is overhype, this is hyperbole. It’s not. In fact it’s underselling the point.

    To make a bit of a comparison, there’s a conversation when it comes to Denzel Washington as an all-time great that in his movies he’s always Denzel. It’s an endearing quality that we love to mention. Jonathan Majors disappears into his roles. Like a chameleon, you only know the character and the person is replaced. There’s a specific scene in The Last Black Man In San Francisco that explains what can’t be explained here. If you get a chance watch that movie, and if you have relive this scene.

    When you watch this scene you understand the talent and why he was chosen to anchor Phase 5 of the MCU. In an interview with Empire magazine, Majors discussed playing the villain and what that entails. “Kang adds tonal diversity, real conflict and real friction,” he promises. “You’re being introduced to a new vibration in the MCU. There’s conflict – not just mano-a-mano, not just hero and villain, but your way of life’ and ‘my way of life’. I’m coming for it. We’re in battle here.” That sounds like someone ready to wear the crown.

    Usually, with a villain, we have a foreboding sense of fear of what might happen. As fans, you can feel the level of excitement when Kang is mentioned, theorized about and discussed. We just know we’re getting something special, and this is why we go to the movies.

    It is extremely rare to feel ready to sit back and watch greatness. There won’t be a worry and there won’t be a thought about whether Quauntumania has a bad post-credit scene or was too long or too short. There will be a moment when the MCU once again raises expectations for us and then they are met because they chose the right man to lead the way. You’re out of your league, Ant-Man. It’s just another reminder that Jonathan Majors is here to conquer, for all time.

  • James Gunn, Peter Safran and The Road To Freedom For DC Studios

    James Gunn, Peter Safran and The Road To Freedom For DC Studios

    Earlier this week, The Hollywood Reporter published an extensive piece regarding the future of DC studios. James Gunn and Peter Safran have started to carve out their path, and it seems to be a fresh one. After hearing that Wonder Woman 3 and Man Of Steel 2 are being canceled or shelved, there is one thought that comes to mind: there’s nothing like a clean slate.

    Since Man Of Steel came out in 2013, DC has been trying to carve out its own lane in comic book film storytelling. Regardless of what anyone thought of the films, this business is about the bottom line and the bottom line is they didn’t hit the notes they needed to hit. The audience didn’t receive the content the way it needed to be received. There’s been so many stories of too many cooks in the kitchen, egos running amok, and an unclear vision. We can talk about Black Adam and the conversation around how Dwayne Johnson has handled that whole situation. Quite frankly, the film was entertaining but not something you’d say let’s start a franchise with. Financially that’s proven to be the case at this point. It is a hard sell globally when you bill your post-credit scene as the most memorable moment of the film. 

    In a lot of ways, Johnson has tried to book his foray into comic book film just like he’s booked his movie career. It’s been like professional wrestling where perception is more important than anything. That’s fine enough when it’s wrestling. This is not that. When you try to bogart your way into the franchise game when most fans want to see Black Adam vs Shazam, it’s just not gonna work how you want it to. 

    Earlier this year in Vanity Fair, Johnson talked about separating the stories between the two characters. “When the first draft of the movie came to us, it was a combination of Black Adam and Shazam: Two origin stories in one movie,” Johnson recalls. “Now that was the goal—so it wasn’t a complete surprise. But when I read that, I just knew in my gut, ‘We can’t make this movie like this. We would be doing Black Adam an incredible disservice.’ It would’ve been fine for Shazam to have two origin stories converge in one movie, but not good for Black Adam.” This refrain from Johnson is not surprising in the least. Let’s dive a bit further.

    All of what Johnson says sounds incredibly altruistic on its face, but let’s be honest. In stories with heroes and villains, Shazam would beat Black Adam eventually because the hero wins. Considering everything we know about the Fast & The Furious franchise and the ego clash with Vin Diesel, it’s easy to be skeptical.

    The moral of the story here is Johnson is emblematic of a culture that’s existed over at WB that hasn’t actually been in service of the fans. You can claim to want to treat the fans well and service them but you do that with good storytelling. The stories haven’t been quite good enough and the agendas are many. If you can tell good stories the people will come and they will stay. DC has a very passionate fanbase that deserves much better than it’s gotten over the past decade. 

    The reason that James Gunn and Peter Safran were hired is to change all that. The expectation is that they are minds and voices that we as fans can trust. With that trust comes patience, and a willingness to have an open mind. Yes there will be some tough changes and we may lose people we liked in their roles, but let’s get this right. That should always be the goal, getting it right. One thing is crystal clear, the hierarchy of power in the DC universe has changed, and it’s about damn time.

  • 5 Reasons Why Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk Would Make the Best MCU Team-Up

    5 Reasons Why Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk Would Make the Best MCU Team-Up

    There’s a term in baseball to describe an all-around great player. You can describe it as someone who can do a bit of everything. Hitting, defense, athleticism, intangibles, and a great locker room presence combined. That’s a five-tool player. In the MCU, Iman Vellani is a five-tool player. 

    With a report circulating that Ms. Marvel is getting a Season 2, the idea of expansion immediately came to mind: give Kamala Khan more to do. Embiggen her role! Yes, we’re getting The Marvels next July and that should be a grand team-up. However, let’s think beyond that; let’s think bigger. There are so many fun stories that can be told with Ms. Marvel by teaming her up with other characters, but one mean, green and straight poured into these jeans hero stands out.

    As we’re more than halfway through She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, it’s truly been a refresher for the MCU. In terms of storytelling, humor, and tv structure it’s hitting home on a lot of levels. So you’re probably asking yourself why Jennifer Walters and Kamala Khan would work together. Let’s break it down.

    1. A Vacation Visit!

             Early in Season 1, Bruno Carrelli got accepted to Cal Tech. That’s not far from Los Angeles so if Kamala wanted to visit her pal it’s incredibly convenient storyline-wise. Set season 2 during the summertime. The Khans can go on a family vacation. You can continue to explore the Bruno/Kamala dynamic and potential romance whilst Ms. Marvel fights crime in the city of angels.

    2. The defense will not rest 

             Let’s say the Wrecking Crew decides to stick around, or any other type of villain. One particular one that comes to mind is Graviton. Give him an introduction here as a villain that maybe a future West Coast Avengers team would have to contend with. In this instance, Ms. Marvel enters the fray and in the midst of fighting accidentally damages some property. Kamala gets sued by the owners of the building. She’s gonna need a really good lawyer. Enter She-Hulk.

    3. Banter and character development

             Just imagine if you dropped the Khans in She-Hulk’s world. It’d be such an incredible fit. As we presume Kamala and Jennifer would share some camaraderie we could get a great dual-family dinner. So many questions about superhumans, and maybe mutants? Yusuf and Morris as well as Muneeba and Elaine’s banter would be exquisite. Add a court case into the mix and you have the bones of a really fun season of TV. Jen can be a bit of a mentor to Kamala, and in-kind Kamala’s heroic nature might rub off on Jen. 

    4. Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel meet

     With the plot thread from Season 1 seeing the Ten Rings symbol, Shang-Chi’s inclusion would be quite the tease. With She-Hulk already referencing the events of Shang-Chi, there’s an immediate connection. Charles Murphy, in a past team-up, mentioned Ms. Marvel and Shang-Chi as characters he wanted to see together. If Marvel wanted to push their story forward, that would be a very fun way to begin that relationship.

    5. Kamala, go break that fourth wall!

     The fourth wall breaks in She-Hulk have been exceptional thus far. Granted, it’s not something that’s for everyone. However, if there’s anyone who can do it, Iman Vellani fits the bill. It’s hard not to laugh in advance as Jen and Kamala disagree on something and then it’s Kamala who breaks the fourth wall instead. That would be comedy gold.

    Ms. Marvel can tell many stories in its second season, but this version would be the talk of the MCU for a long time if it ever came to pass.

  • Marvel Studios Phase 4: It’s Not Them, It’s You

    Marvel Studios Phase 4: It’s Not Them, It’s You

    Marvel Studios concluded its thirteenth project of Phase 4 this past Wednesday as Ms. Marvel shocked us all with an impactful finale. Revealing Kamala Khan as a mutant was a game changer. More importantly, it was a reminder that the MCU is still evolving, growing, and-pun intended-embiggening. When the pandemic shut things down for 2020 we as a collective were starved for content. Any morsel of footage we were grateful for. We waited for Disney+ day and it came and we got trailers and previews and titles. It was exciting, and then WandaVision happened.

    When WandaVision first aired on a Friday in mid-January of 2021 we were satiated. Everything we missed about the MCU was back, except it was different. We were going week to week as opposed to the normal 3-4 month wait between movies. Simply put, watching WandaVision was a phenomenon. There was a level of captivation that brought the theory boards and connecting of Easter eggs. Remember when we thought that space engineer was Reed Richards? Or how about the calls for Mephisto? Yes, that was us. Now none of those things happened, and WandaVision ended with Wanda Maximoff becoming The Scarlet Witch. That should’ve been enough right? Monica Rambeau’s debut and her getting her powers on screen? Should’ve been enough you think?

    Instead what followed was a collective groan from a vocal part of fans annoyed that their theories didn’t come true. Also even with the explanation from show-runners and producers as to how the pandemic changed filming we didn’t take that into account. It became a demerit. Even if you enjoyed WandaVision-and many did-it didn’t quite hit the same as when it started. Two weeks later, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier debuted. We didn’t have the time to really digest what happened and why we became so hypercritical. It was odd to say the least.

    12 additional projects later, the fandom generally seems ornery. Between leaks coloring fans’ views before things come out and critics mocking the formula of the MCU, we as a collective are in an interesting place. As Thor: Love And Thunder came out last week to mixed reviews the whispers seem to be getting louder. VFX and CGI have become apart of everyone’s vocabulary in a way we’ve never heard before. Now social media should never be the end all be all in judging a product. The bottom line should be. Yet, you almost can’t deny a feeling of impatience amongst the masses.

    Where are we going? What’s the main story? These questions are in blogs, and on peoples’ minds. The answers seem to be there. It feels like Loki told us the answers. Ms. Marvel just gave us more. The truth is the real answer is the MCU is telling new stories. The Infinity Saga is over. It was fantastic. Akin to a dynasty in sports. Now it’s time to rebuild. Kevin Feige is leaning more on source material. We have new characters. These movies are more comic book like than ever dropping us in for a ride and taking us home at the end. Seems reasonable enough. Not to us though.

    We’ve heard the ridiculous and misogynistic phrases like “MidCU” and “MSheU”. Stories of representation are being told and it’s still not enough. So at some point the question needs to be asked, is it them or is it us? Now Marvel does have work to do. They’re still trying to figure out structure on this streaming platform. These finales often seem rushed, undercutting more than one thing even if the overall stories are rewarding. Movies are always subjective so you can always quibble with that. Let’s take a look at what happened to us.

    Endgame is now over three years old. Since then we have experienced a time period of going from no content for nearly two of those years to content all the time. It’s changed us. We view these things differently and it’s not because of fatigue. The truth of it all is that we aren’t the same people we were in 2019. We’ve grown, and we’ve seen a lot of terrible things in the world. All of that is bound to increase cynicism of everything. Plenty of people who consume this content make a living off of it. That trough has only grown. Of course this doesn’t reflect everyone, but with that becomes not only the responsibility to be honest but enough care to zoom out and ask yourself this question. Is it really them, or is it us?

    Essentially what’s happened is paralysis by over-analysis. The fun many of us grew up with reading comics and enjoying that escapism has been replaced by the blurred lines of our lives and the ones of characters on screen. The drug of nostalgia has been dosed with a chaser of “fatigue” and “CGI” and “director choices.” Truthfully, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. When it’s all said and done, we are on the fast train to Secret Wars, Kang The Conqueror, and Mutants. You can make the argument Phase 4 is doing just fine. How are you though?

  • Western Conference Finals Preview

    Western Conference Finals Preview

    The Golden State Warriors, not too long ago, were thought to be done as a contender. Over the last few seasons they’ve dealt with injuries, roster turnover, and age. Now they’re back with their championship core, some new additions, and an attitude to get back to the NBA Finals. It might be Steph Curry’s league once more.

    The Dallas Mavericks have a singular talent, the likes of which we may have never seen. A generational player in Luka Doncic, who’s combined his talents with smart coaching and a versatile roster. That combination led to one of the most shocking results in NBA history as they dismantled Phoenix.

    It’s the old guard in Curry, and the new one in Luka. This matchup is fascinating for so many reasons. Let’s take a look.

    Tale Of The Tape: In the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Mavericks have had to adjust on the fly. First, Doncic missed some time against Utah, which led to Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie stepping up. After they got through that series they were dominated by Phoenix in the first two games. Once Jason Kidd challenged Luka and co. to participate, the Mavs shocked the world and won a Game 7 on the road.

    The Warriors are coming off of a physical series against Memphis after dispatching Denver in the 1st round. In the 2nd round, it felt like the Warriors just had an experience advantage against the Grizzlies. Despite some uneven performances they now have home court in this round. 

    Key Matchup: Luka vs Everyone

    Luka Doncic has shown that, at least for now, there isn’t a coverage that he can’t figure out. He will hunt a matchup and pick on it. Whether it’s getting a switch to get a big on him or getting a smaller guy, he is on another level. The Warriors will probably start with Andrew Wiggins on Luka. Then the game of chess begins. Dallas will want to get Steph Curry or Jordan Poole in actions for Luka to get the one on one. After that, it’s pick your poison. You either send your help to Luka and allow him to find a three point shooter or he goes one on one. Right now there is no easy answer. Here’s an example of how he can burn you in different ways.

    Here you see the Warriors defense in scramble mode as Luka gets the ball movement going. This is where the Mavs are at their best.

    Kevon Looney is one of the smarter switch bigs in the league, and here Luka just picks on him and gets to the basket for an and one.

    Luka asks Looney for another dance, and this time backs him down, and gets to a mini fadeaway.

    The Warriors can counteract this on the other end by making Luka work on defense. Andrew Wiggins could be an important player this series if Dallas isn’t going to send help. Expect the Warriors to target Luka just like Phoenix did. The only difference is the Warriors have more shooting to expose them.

    The Mavericks should also expect Draymond Green helping on timed double teams, and where Green is deployed should be interesting. Green will have less of a 1 on 1 responsibility and should be able to roam in this series. He could definitely disrupt Dallas’ offense if they’re not on their game.

    The Prediction: Golden State will miss Gary Payton II in this series. His defense and intangibles are very valuable, especially in trying to disrupt this Mavericks offense. There will be games in this series that the Warriors will win just by outshooting the Mavs. Steph, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole will find success.

    The issue when the rubber meets the road is Luka Doncic. He is playing at a Hall Of Fame level. The decision making is sublime; the ability to dissect a defense is truly incredible. Add in Jason Kidd’s coaching and being adept at making adjustments. Also add in the Mavs role players figuring things out to a point where they dominated the best team in the sport. Going with the best player in the series here, Mavericks in 6.

  • Eastern Conference Finals Preview

    Eastern Conference Finals Preview

    The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics got to this point in two different ways. The Heat took Trae Young and the Hawks to school and then broke the Sixers over their knee. The Celtics took out KD, Kyrie, and the Nets then outlasted Giannis and the defending champs. While those paths were different, the teams operated the same. They defended on a level higher than any of the teams they’ve played could reach, and executed on offense more efficiently. Now, these teams play each other. Miami has home court, Boston has some hunger to get to the finals, and this series should be fantastic.

    Tale of the Tape: These teams have a lot of similar qualities. Head coaches who are tacticians that think quick on their feet. Ime Udoka and Erik Spolestra are very adept at figuring out weaknesses and attacking them. It’s a legitimately fascinating chess match. Spolestra has the experience, but Ime has been doing a tremendous job on the fly.

    The Heat and Celtics both rely on talented two way players on the wing. For Boston, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a more than formidable tandem. For Miami, Jimmy Butler leads a cast of very tough and intelligent guys on the wing. Both teams have hyper athletic defensive big men in Robert Williams and Bam Adebayo. Both teams have guards that are full of intangibles, and guys off the bench who contribute. These teams feel even don’t they? Let’s dive deeper.

    Key Matchup: Robert Williams & Al Horford vs Bam Adebayo

    Now you must be asking, why isn’t this Jimmy Butler vs Jayson Tatum? That’s a matchup that comes into play, but they’re both equally great. There’s a considerable chance that they cancel each other out. There’ll be plenty of time to discuss how each can affect the series as it goes.

    The reason why Timelord and Horford versus Bam is the matchup is because of two years ago. These same teams matched up in the conference finals, and when push came to shove Bam sent the Celtics packing. He would drive the ball from end to end attacking the rim and it felt like he took Boston’s will. It was an Adebayo we’ve never seen before. There was almost a Giannis like quality of him barreling his way to the rim but with the grace of a gymnast. Bam also made the key play of Game 1 of that series when he blocked Jayson Tatum. It was one of the memorable blocks of postseasons past.

    In this postseason though, the Celtics will need their best big men to contain Bam. Robert Williams has been working his way back from a meniscus injury but should be ready for Game 1. Al Horford continues to be a steady presence for Boston as these playoffs go but can he hold up? It’s been a lot of minutes against high level competition. He bears watching in this series. For Bam’s side it would be nice to see him getting aggressive down hill against the Celtics D. He can open up things for the perimeter guys on Miami. This matchup will be a bellwether for how this series goes.

    Here you can see how effective Bam is on a grab and go situation in transition.

    The Prediction: Both of these teams are the cream of the crop on the defensive end. It has potential to be a classic. The Celtics have been the best team in the league since February. The Heat have been the best team in the East all year. Can the Heat create offense in a close game down the stretch? Will the Celtics rotation be able to survive the Heat’s depth? It’ll be interesting to see those questions be answered, and I’ll go Heat in 7. Home court, and the Heat’s defense will be just enough against a very capable Boston Celtics team.

  • Suns vs Mavericks Game 7 Preview 

    Suns vs Mavericks Game 7 Preview 

    The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks have played an unorthodox 6 games to get to Game 7. The home team has won every game and won them decisively. The series has featured the young, coming-of-age superstar in Luka Doncic trying to knock off Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and the league-leading Suns. There is a ton at stake in this game 7, but to be quite honest it’s surprising we’re here.

    After the first two games of the series which Phoenix controlled easily, Dallas has adjusted and changed strategy. Their role players have stepped up defensively, answering the call of head coach Jason Kidd. More importantly, the Mavs at home have gotten the three-point shot going including 16 3s in the Game 6 victory. Chris Paul has played poorly over the last four games, but got an extra day off going into this one. Simply put, this would be an incredibly disappointing result for the Suns if they were to lose this game.

    What’s at stake for the Suns: This could be Chris Paul’s last best opportunity to win a championship. The Suns last season blew a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. They fought all season to be the best team in the regular season, and now have to cash that in. We always think great teams will get back to this level, but CP3 is getting older. As great as he’s been, you never know what can happen once you get to this stage of your career. The Suns don’t want to have another version of “what if…?” on their minds if they lose this game.

    What’s at stake for the Mavericks: A trip to the Conference Finals, validation for the Kristaps Porzingis trade, and a message to the league. That message? As long as Luka Doncic is on your team, you have a chance to contend for a title. It’s really remarkable that this team has transformed into this. Their defense has outperformed what we’ve expected all season. Their roster has been full of guys who’ve performed well under pressure, and there’s no fear. Winning this game would give them a legitimate chance to win a championship.

    The Suns will win if… Chris Paul plays like Chris Paul. It’s important to recognize how bad CP3 has been in the last four games of this series. Averaging under double digits in points and almost as many turnovers as assists is not going to get it done. The maestro needs to get back to his efficient ways. Also, Deandre Ayton has to play better. In the earlier portions of the series it looked like he would dominate the matchup. Now, it feels like he hasn’t been up to snuff. They need his aggression and inside presence. There’s still an advantage to be had and Ayton has to take that advantage.

    The Mavericks will win if… they get an outlier performance from a third guy. Luka is going to score, Jaylen Brunson is going to score, they need another guy going. Whether it’s Dorian Finney Smith(8 3s in game 4) or Spencer Dinwiddie, on the road you need more contributors. Maxi Kleber will also be a guy to watch in this one. Foul trouble for him will be huge. There’ll be spaces during the game  where it will require a bit from everyone. Another guy to watch out for? Reggie Bullock. He’s had a great series on both ends of the floor.

    The Prediction: It’s the best team in the NBA going up against perhaps the most dynamic offensive player remaining in the playoffs. The Suns are at home and the Mavericks haven’t beaten them yet there. In a one game sample though with everything at stake? You can certainly make the case for Luka having a virtuoso performance. It’s just hard to see the Suns season end right here, so the Suns will be the pick to find a way to win at home.

  • Bucks vs Celtics Game 7 Preview

    Bucks vs Celtics Game 7 Preview

    After the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Boston Celtics 110-107 in Game 5 of the semifinal series, the thought was Boston gave that game away. The Bucks once again had proven their championship mettle and the Celtics had blown a golden opportunity. What lay ahead was a Game 6 in Milwaukee, and Jayson Tatum proved that he was ready for his ascension. 

    Tatum flummoxed the Bucks with his ability to get to the rim and hit from the perimeter, scoring 46 points on 17/32 shooting. Time and time again, when Giannis Antetokounmpo kept coming with 44 points of his own, Tatum responded. The Celtics again got contributions from multiple guys which now has us at a Game 7. This series is turning into a classic, and now we have reached the endgame.

    What’s At Stake for Boston: A chance to take down the defending champs and to addvance to the conference finals. Also, the journey in molding a superstar in Jayson Tatum would feel near complete. 

    What’s At Stake for Milwaukee: A trip to the conference finals, and surviving in hopes of getting injured star Khris Middleton back. Also, Giannis cementing his status as the best player in the league. Considering how the Bucks are heavy underdogs in the series this would be a massive achievement for Milwaukee.

    Boston will win if…. they get a similar 3 point variance they got in Game 6 as they hit 17 3s. Game 7’s are normally ugly, so any type of transition baskets they can generate would help. Feed off the home crowd, and get good performances from Marcus Smart and Al Horford. The stars will be stars, but usually there’s an unsung hero somewhere.

    Milwaukee will win if….. they get any type of help from a third scorer. Giannis and Jrue Holiday have been the only reliable offense in the series. The Bucks are going to need someone to step up and fill those gaps. Expect Giannis to be dominant once again, but if Tatum matches him like he did in Game 6, they’ll need more from others.

    The Prediction: On the last day of the regular season, the Bucks had a chance to be the 2nd seed. They decided to sit their stars and punt on home court in the 2nd round. That decision allowed Boston to host this game. Is home court advantage overrated? To a degree, but it usually matters in a Game 7. The numbers don’t lie. It will take a Herculean effort against a hungry, resilient Boston team to win this. If there’s anyone who can beat back this challenge, it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. The champs have been staggered, but they won’t fall. Bucks win Game 7.

  • NBA Playoffs Notebook 

    NBA Playoffs Notebook 

    Celtics vs Bucks

    The defending champs had a chance to put the Celtics on the brink of elimination in Game 4. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the undermanned Bucks have continued to show their mental toughness but they were throttled by a veteran. Al Horford, at 35 years old, scored 16 of his 30 points in the 4th quarter leading Boston to a 116-108 victory. It was a truly incredible performance. Now we head to a pivotal Game 5 back in Boston to see who takes control of the series. It isn’t an exaggeration to say the winner of this series will be a big time title favorite.  

    Grizzlies vs Warriors

    In a series filled with flagrant fouls, suspensions, and trash talk, the veteran Golden State team finds itself on the brink of another conference finals trip. Steph Curry scored 32 points in Game 4 leading the Warriors back from a lackadaisical performance to win 101-98. All of this is marred by the injury that was sustained in Game 3 by Grizzlies star Ja Morant. Ja is going to miss the rest of the playoffs with a bone bruise in his knee. With a 3-1 series lead and Memphis injured and inexperienced, the Warriors are poised to close the series out. The Grizzlies have fought all season, and expect a fight from them in Game 5 at home.

    Heat vs Sixers 

    Miami took a 3-2 series lead with a dominant 120-85 victory Tuesday night in Miami. After two disappointing games on the road, the Heat was on as they shot 53 percent from the floor and hit 13 threes. Their defense was suffocating and more like the Heat team we’ve seen the whole season. Philadelphia struggled mightily, and star center Joel Embiid was not on his game. Considering what he’s been through-an orbital bone fracture and a concussion and torn ligaments in his thumb-you have to feel for him. Can the Sixers summon one more performance at home to force a game 7? Absolutely. However with the way the Heat have defended all postseason plus Embiid and James Harden’s lack of help around them? Winning this series seems like it would be a shock at this point.

    Suns vs Mavericks

    Dallas shot their way back into the series with 2 big wins at home with a barrage of 3 pointers. The Phoenix Suns got back to their defensive ways in Game 5, only allowing 80 points as the Mavs committed 18 turnovers. Dallas couldn’t get anyone besides Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson to hit a shot. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 28 points and the Suns can end the series Thursday in Dallas. The Mavericks showed a lot of heart tying the series, but now their feet are to the fire. Can they force a game 7? The odds are against them, and the Suns are the better team. Sometimes it just comes down to if you can make shots. 

    The Most Valuable Player

    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic will be announced as the MVP for a second consecutive year. Jokic would be the 13th player to do so, and it’s well deserved. Jokic (27.1 ppg 13.8 rpg 7.9 apg) carried a team that was missing its second and third best players all season. He improved on his first MVP season, showing growth in all facets of his game, including his much maligned defense. Truth be told, we haven’t seen a talent like him; an offensive hub at that size with passing skills like a guard is incredible. You can’t guard him as he has so many moves in his bag. Get that man some help. 

    Joel Embiid would be a great choice, too, and most wouldn’t have quibbled with it. He was deserving as well, and hopefully he’ll get his opportunity to win eventually. However this was Nikola Jokic’s year again and we can look forward to seeing this battle continue into next season.

  • 5 Open Questions Ahead of the Moon Knight Finale

    5 Open Questions Ahead of the Moon Knight Finale

    Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight is heading into its finale after a powerful and emotional fifth episode last week. We saw Marc Spector and Steven Grant attempt to tip the scales, but not without some heartbreaking revelations. Now we have plenty to wrap up in one episode, but what are the most important plot threads? Let’s take a deeper look at what we might expect going into the final episode of this Disney+ series.

    Will we see Jake Lockley?

    There have been hints and nods to a third personality throughout every part of the series. In “Asylum,” there’s a 20-second stretch where it seems that during his conversation with Dr. Harrow, Marc seemingly seems off. His accent changes and he seems way more unhinged than usual. As fellow Murphy’s Multiverse scribe Mary Maerz detailed last week, we have enough pieces for the puzzle. It’s time to see Jake and how he fits into the larger narrative of the story.

    Will there be a concrete MCU reference in the show?

    One of the most common refrains in praise of Moon Knight is that there are no outward MCU references. It’s in its own part of the world telling a self-contained story. With all that being said, you have to wonder if Marvel decides to drop in something that pushes the story forward. With the Werewolf by Night-focused Halloween special coming later this year and Moon Knight’s comic book connection, it does open up a possible connection. Odds would say no but you can’t help but wonder if they find a way to fit it into the overall story.

    When Khonshu gets freed and this is all over, what are his plans?

    Earlier in the series, it felt that Marc was always trying to protect Layla from Khonshu’s plans to use her as an avatar. That didn’t feel like it was dropped in the show for giggles. It’s clear that Khonshu will be freed again and Marc will have to deal with that once the fight with Ammit and Harrow concludes. This show has always felt like control was one of its main themes since the outset. The expectation is we’ll come full circle in some type of way. Though, who knows if there’s more to Khonshu than we might expect at first.

    How will Arthur Harrow’s story end?

    Arthur Harrow has been one step ahead of everyone since the very beginning of the series. His plan looks like it’s reaching its apex of success. We have a decent idea that Moon Knight will overcome the adversity he’s facing and defeat Harrow and the one he serves, Ammit. It’s all about how we get there, and how Arthur closes out his run. Most MCU villains usually don’t survive, so the hope is there’ll be a creative and satisfying close to Harrow’s character. 

    Will we see Steven Grant again?

    Seemingly lost to the Duat at the conclusion of “Asylum”, Steven Grant sacrificed his life to save Marc. It puts the remaining Alter in an unenviable position of having to fight without his companion. Steven has been very popular and it was a tough ending for the character. It does beg the thought of whether he’s actually gone through. Marc could use that intelligence and quick wit in the final fight. Here’s to hoping we get one more visit with Mr. Grant and maybe even his Mr. Knight.

    The Moon Knight finale is sure to leave us with more questions than answers. The hope is those questions tantalize and fascinate us, and the answers feel gratifying as a viewer.