Mister Faded Glory | www.misterfadedglory.com

Yes, I titled today’s post just so you would all know that yesterday’s title was a bad pun and not a typo. I don’t do typos.

Anyway, daft Draft fun isn’t just a one-day event – the comedy spills over into the following week. After reading the insanely detailed and phenomal True Hoop Draft Live Blog, head on over to Bill Simmons – as much as we deride him, or tout him, his draft comedy is the pinnacle of modern sportswriting-cum-blogging. Witness – I placed nearly this exact same phone call, echoing the following Simmons passage, to a close personal friend around pick No. 12 –

Note: We’re officially in “killing time until the Knicks pick” mode. If the Knicks take Marcus Williams, that’s it — I’m retiring the draft diary. That will never be topped. By the way, did you know he’s leading all NBA rookies in steals right now? Thank you. Thank you. I’ll be here all week

Bill Simmons, Draft Diary X, ESPN.com

Although my Sonics-fan friend won’t remember it — because he was likely still scarred from Seattle’s pick. Yep, they, in fact, took some raw dude from Senegal who averaged a whopping three points in some lower-tier Euro league. And they’re leaving their No. 10 pick in said crappy league next year. What’s the point in even keeping the pick? It’s still the lottery, even in a weak year, is it not? I remain adamant – with the GM reins to an NBA team, I could lead them to a No. 5 seed. It’s not rocket science.

Regardless, I’m trying to point out that somehow Simmons (Agreed, he was on fire) perfectly captured my state of mind during the draft. As if to confirm this, he adds the steal joke. Genius. (Him, not me.).

(Although, it’s worth pointing out that I was going to cleverly lead this entry today with the reason Marcus Williams slid so far in the draft. His tumble happened simply because all the NBA teams lining up to take a point guard wanted to confirm Williams’ stats on their laptops – only they couldn’t find their laptops. Yep, he stole everyone’s laptops. Granted, this is a joke in extremely rough form . . . And, speaking of which, what’s up with exhbiting no outrage over Williams’ slide – at least none that I heard? The guy’s a thief and he’s slow. Yet once the Nets took him, you’d have thought they drafted freaking Bob Cousy. AND even though Jay Bilas, SAS, and Greg Anthony lauded the pick — not one of the heads called it “The Steal of The Draft.” Come on! Throw us a bone here! Anyway, Marcus gets touted, but when John Wallace slid to No. 20 in 1996, TNT commentators pretty much made fun of him. Luckily Wallace turned out to be a phenomenal pro. Yes, I’m babbling.)

Okay, whew. Where were we? Ah, yes.

GRUNGEDOWN – NO. 8

(By the way, I was thrilled to find Veruca Salt‘s inimitable Volcano Girls in my stash of 1990s music. Yes, it immediately found its way to the reunion playlist. No, it’s not included here as part of grungedown…)

Soundgarden — Fell On Black Days.

Perhaps the best song of Soundgarden’s exceptionally polished Superunknown release in 1994, which stands as a legendary album among grunge’s history. The guttural moans of the guitar and bass in FOBD, coupled with a catchy tune and Chris Cornell‘s patented and sarcastically-infuriated wailing end up crafting perhaps the most plaintive and poignant Soundgarden song in their history. A classic tune from a classic album.

As a bonus Soundgarden cut, you might check out 4th of July on Superunknown. It’s a different, darker feel for them, and it illustrates our current season. With that, MFG bids adieu, and will be going on hiatus for the week – enjoy the holiday, enjoy the weekend. See you next Friday.

And I heard it in the wind
And I saw it in the sky
And I thought it was the end
Thought it was the 4th of July …