We aired a lot of grievances this morning, so for today’s Mailbag, we’re keeping things light minus WIZARDS AND EVIL VILLAINS! Also, a stupid hypothetical and how to date Meghan.
Remember: If your question wasn’t answered, or you’re just hearing about this and want to get in on the fun, you can submit your questions here or on Twitter (@ADimeBack).
Tyler asks: Had Andrew Bynum attended UConn, what so you think his legacy would have been there?
If Bynum had attended UConn, it probably would have been only for one season on the loaded 2005-06 roster. That team didn’t have any depth issues in the frontcourt with Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong (if he didn’t redshirt), and Jeff Adrien all carrying the load, and some help from Easy Ed Nelson. Assuming Bynum started over Armstrong (which might not be a given), he would have been a load to handle for other teams.
As you well know, the NCAA tournament was cancelled that season after the third round. If it hadn’t been (it was), and UConn had played George Mason in the next round (they didn’t), he would have been a key asset. George Mason, you may not know, since UConn never played them, featured a beefy frontcourt with Jai Lewis and Will Thomas. Boone and Armstrong were both pretty slight, and might have struggled to defend them. Hypothetically, Lewis and Thomas might have combined for something around 39 points if the game had been played, which it wasn’t. With Bynum on-hand, it would have been a different story. He would likely have been much more effective against bigger players, and would have led the team to a huge elite eight win.
So, Bynum’s legacy would have been as a one-and-done star who led UConn to the Final Four, which they probably would have won, if it had happened, which it didn’t.
John asks: Alan Rickman is better know as Hans Gruber or some dorky wizard in your opinion???
Rickman as Snape: Listen, I love Die Hard. It’s quite possibly the greatest action film of all time. I’ve seen it 147 times. Rickman is a stunningly great villain in it. Hans Grüber is an iconic action film character. He’s menacing, calculated, funny, and ruthless. However, the question being asked is this: What is Rickman best known for? The answer is quite simply his perfect portrayal of another iconic character, Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films.
One could compare the box office numbers of Die Hard ($138.4mm worldwide – about $400mm in inflation-adjusted dollars) to the worst performing Harry Potter film, Azkaban ($796.7mm worldwide) to get a clear picture. (Sidebar, it’s a crime that Azkaban is the worst performing one considering it’s the best quality in the series by a mile.)
There are other factors but don’t let that cloud the overriding point. There are eight Harry Potter films totaling $7.7 BILLION in worldwide box office sales. This doesn’t cover all the MOYCHENDISING that goes along with these films (theme park, action figures, underwear, caskets, etc.). Alan Rickman is Severus Snape in all of them.
He is perfect as the character. If you ask Peter, he is going to go on about how he is 11th on the call sheet or whatever, but being 11th on the call sheet for Harry Potter is not the same as being 11th on the call sheet in Die Hard (De’voreaux White as Argyle…I’ve seen the film 377 times and I can’t remember who that was).
Also, let me tell you a secret. Peter doesn’t like these books/movies all that much. He hasn’t even seen some of the movies or read some of the books. Can we really let this decision rest with him? Nay, I say, nay. This man has no credibility on the matter. I have watched the Harry Potter Series and read the books 394 times. Three…hundred…and ninety…four. Sorry folks. There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. This is potions.
Steve asks: Is Meghan single and ready to mingle?
Marital status of ADB: 3/5 is married/engaged, 1/5 is single , 1/5 is Russ. So yes, I am single, readiness to mingle is debatable, but if you’re asking if you can get a date with me, here’s your answer:
