Agreed. Although it is interesting that on this latest version of the Spurs, Duncan is just one very good player among several. He's an all-time great, but they no longer rely on him solely or even primarily.

The funny thing is, Duncan is the only #1 pick of the modern era to actually win titles for the team that drafted him. So it's not just the luck of drawing Duncan—they also had to put the right people around him to help him succeed and make him want to stay.

Yeah, but the '80s Celtics all aged much faster than these Spurs have. Bird came into the league in '80 and his back was shot by about '89. Duncan is 17 years in, still one of the best big men in the league, and has a chance to win titles in three decades. That's partly to his own credit, and partly because the Spurs…

Liked, seconded, and echoed. I've been a fan for the exact same period as you. Even back then, they were a perennial Western Conference contender, and they've been in the playoffs every year since—with the fortuitous exception of the injury-riddled lottery year when they got Duncan. It's amazing the continuity they've…

Overtime of Game 6 vs. OKC was pretty unforgettable. And let's not forget his near quadruple-double in the '03 finals.

Actually, that was Mills playing lead on Be Mine, or so I've read. It definitely lacks that characteristic Buck jangle. Some of my favorite Buck guitar parts are Country Feedback, 7 Chinese Bros., Cuyahoga, and Try Not to Breathe.

When I saw them on their last tour in nearby Columbia, Md. (Meriweather Post), Rockville got the biggest crowd response of the night.

I don't think they had any "slumps" or "troughs" till at least Monster—although I love that one too, so I dunno.

OOT probably isn't in my top five REM albums, but it's still excellent. They just have a lot of great albums.

"Fretless" is included on the old Unplugged set they just released, with Mills doing backup instead of Kate. Not quite the same, but still good.

Thanks E. Buzz. Between this and your advocacy for Italian Renaissance art, we all owe you a great debt.

Stipe himself has said the song is "incredibly violent" and it's about "using people over and over again." You don't have to believe him, of course. http://www.allmusic.com/son…

I had no idea they were finally releasing those R.E.M. sets. If nothing else, it's worth it just for their cover of "Love Is All Around."

I can understand people not liking Sea Change or the new album even while I disagree. But Mutations is (a) acoustic and (b) not boring.

Great stuff as always, Will in VA.

Eh, I thought she was good. I thought that whole cast was good.

I recall The Pat Stevens Show being very funny, esp. when she interviewed Phil Hartman as Barbara Bush.

Out to lunch!

Over Macho Grande.

Raft.