Player Ratings to the Theme of Bands Reuniting
The Jayhawks absolutely exploded on offense in their 102-83 rout of in-state “rivals” Kansas State. So today, you don’t get any kind of game specific theme, you just get a music related theme, a popular favorite in these parts. Today, we rate the players against bands that have reunited, and there is a caveat: the band couldn’t just do one or two reunion shows and call that a reunion, Led Zeppelin style. Nope, it has to be a full fledged reunion or tour. On to the ratings.
5 Stars:
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
I know this won’t be popular amongst the commentariat, but the truth is that this reunion has lasted the longest and out of all the choices, Bruce is the most famous and has the largest catalog. Plus, the live shows are still great even though all those dudes are in their seventies.
The dynamic duo of Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun were dominant on Tuesday evening. They combined for 46 points on seven of ten from three (Ochai was four of six and Christian was three of four). Overall from the field, these local boys made 17 of 25 shots and grabbed 14 rebounds, seven each. They also each had five assists.
4.5 Stars:
Pavement
These guys come out from their solo projects (don’t sleep on solo Stephen Malkmus, he rules) and get together for a year or so and tour. They’re doing it again in 2022 and I am PUMPED.
Mitch Lightfoot came in and did some really good stuff on a night when the other big man didn’t have it. This elderly gentleman made six of seven from the field and totaled 13 points. You could see the joy oozing out of him when he scored that and one in the second half.
4 Stars:
The Pixies
This is a band that, in my opinion, should’ve retired again after a wildly successful reunion tour in 2004. Instead, they just keep going and they keep cranking out mediocre records. But that first tour when they only played the old stuff? Magic.
Jalen Wilson didn’t have what we would consider a typical Jalen Wilson game on Tuesday, but he was still a powerful force on his drives and finished the night with 17.
I thought that our other Jalen, Mr. Coleman-Lands, should’ve seen the court more. With his size advantage and ability to nail threes (he was a perfect three of three on the night), he probably warranted more PT, but with Ochai and Braun cooking, I could see why he only played 13 minutes.
Joseph Yesufu (Fran kept calling him Joe. Does he prefer Joe?) had a great night as well. This guy is going to be a key down the stretch and in the post season if Remy can’t come back at 100%.
3.5 Stars:
The Eagles
God, I hate this band, but apparently it was important when they got back together because they said they never would. Money is powerful stuff.
I’ll toss Dajuan Harris here. Six points, seven assists, and only turnovers is a nice night from your point guard, especially when everyone else is cooking.
3 Stars:
Guns N’ Roses
Did we really need this? They haven’t made a good song since 1991. I guess it’s cool to see Slash and Duff out there with Axl instead of a bunch of weirdos wearing chicken buckets on their heads, but this is only for money, nothing more.
David McCormack wasn’t bad, but I think that Bill Self saw this game as the perfect opportunity to teach Dave a few lessons about getting beaten defensively by totally inferior talent. I’m optimistic that he would’ve gotten more buckets if given the chance, and also that his defensive awareness will improve.
Zach Clemence is here simply because he didn’t play enough to get a higher rating.
2 Stars:
Weezer
Pinkerton was perfect. I remember seeing them at the Granada on that Pinkerton tour and it was amazing. I’m not going to talk about their music after the reunion (more specifically after the green album and Maladroit) because as a youngster I was taught if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
No one was as bad as the song Beverly Hills.
1 Star:
New Kids on the Block
You’re 50.
No one was as bad as a bunch of 50+ year olds calling themselves a boy band.
The Jon Crider Memorial No Star:
KJ Adams, Michael Jankovich, and the mulleted wonder, Chris Teahan played during the chant.
