There are a number of eateries that fit this description well, and doubtless those will be featured at a later date as further subjects of articles in this series, but ultimately only one could ever answer the question of what Iowa City food is to me.

George’s Buffet is an unassuming dive bar sat just off of the one-way, westbound, Market Street. The small structure is saddled between an alley leading back to another side street and a modern imposing building housing The Webster (a high-end feature in Iowa City’s restaurant scene) on the corner of North Linn Street. Further up the road is the Bluebird’s parking lot, and its corresponding classic diner.

On its own, George’s doesn’t seem particularly remarkable. It’s a bar with at best precarious street parking out front. The distinctive black-and-yellow striped awning, amidst a bright building, pairs curiously with the dark front window, a black-painted facade of the buffet itself. One could stand outside and barely see the dark interior through the glass, shrouded behind a myriad of verdant plants and signs of beer brands obscuring the heart of the building.

And even if one chooses to enter this place, there’s little immediately to write home about. It is, to the George’s-virgin’s eyes, exactly the kind of bar it’s exterior eludes it to be. Mostly black furnishing fills the murky space. At any given hour the bartender is serving a variously-sized crowd of locals, occasionally bolstered by a stray party of collegiate bar-crawlers or quieter, studious types, tapping away at laptops over choice beverages. Collages, maps, and beer-branded placards adorn the shady, antiquated walls. These ornaments catch one’s gazing eyes. Behind the counter, amidst the bric-a-brac of liqueur and oddities, hand two old and dimly lit machines. To a modern viewer, they seem nothing more than another bauble in the long line.

The keen reader will recall the full title of this establishment, George’s Buffet. An inquisitive sort might find themselves looking for food within. Without inquiry, this sort of fellow might find themselves deeply disappointed. Chips hang amongst the liquers behind the bar, but little more, and certainly nothing resembling the traditional sense of buffet. I’m certain many people have stopped here expecting that one named part of George’s Buffet, and unsatisfied by its absence sought elsewhere for more overt dining prospects.

But what is there if you pull away the curtain, and look behind the veil? What can we find in searching this place for eatery?

It’s a well-worn, time-honored process: step up to the bar, and order 2 burgers. In my experience, you ask for everything on them, which doesn’t really amount to much. You can add horseradish, but I’ve never been quite fond of it myself. After a few minutes (or longer, depending on how crowded it is), they’ll bring the burgers out to you. They’re wrapped in the classic paper style, not particularly imposing things. George’s burgers are neither big, nor heavy, nor tall. And yet, they are in my own opinion the greatest burgers Iowa City has to offer.

These burgers are rather hard to describe, because they are ultimately so simple. They have pickles and diced onions beneath the fairly austere bun. The cooks put ketchup and mustard on them. What is the secret then, dear reader? What puts these burgers above the average barbecue uncle’s handiwork?

I might be content to call it magic. The truth really isn’t that far from it. In the back of the bar stands an ancient boiler. Longtime George’s regulars speculate, that it was forged by the first peoples to walk the earth, in times long forgotten even in myth and legend, shaped by a thousand hands, each belonging to masters of their craft, suffused with all the awesome power known to the elders of man. It is a keepsake from a time of heroes.

I kid. However, the broiler is in all fairness pretty dang old. I’m not sure exactly when it appeared, but I believe it’s been there since Georges opened more than 8 decades ago, or otherwise shortly after. The burgers made in the thing have almost a century of built up flavor embedded in them. To my memory, the owner of Georges once even tried making a burger the exact same way but in a different broiler, and it wasn’t nearly as good.

That’s the magic, if you’d like to call it that. I certainly would, dear reader.

George’s works as a starting point because it stands for much of the culinary offerings here in Iowa City as a whole.

If you came here as somebody from outside Iowa, what does Iowa City mean to you? We have a football team. We host a number of great academic institutions. You’ve likely heard of our hospital. But isn’t that just the surface level? There are so many wonderful shards of this place hidden beneath the surface, if you only look a little bit closer. I suppose that’s a kind of mission statement for this column: Looking beneath the superficial, gathering fragments to reassemble the whole of this college town. Seeking out the great food in Iowa City, be it obvious to–or obscured from–the surface view.

I only hope I can shed light on new experiences for you, dear readers. To look closer. Dig deeper.

Until the next.

The post Under the Table: George’s Buffet appeared first on KRUI Radio.

All player stats and measurables are from Tankathon.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Pick- LaMelo Ball, , Point Guard, Australia

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’7″, 190 lbs., 19 yrs.

The Timberwolves have been actively shopping this pick and it is becoming increasingly likely that a trade happens. But, if the ‘Wolves stand pat, LaMelo Ball makes the most sense here. It is tough to pass up the scoring ability of Anthony Edwards, but LaMelo Ball’s natural playmaking ability better fits the team’s established stars in D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 19.6 pts, 8.7 reb, 7.9 ast, 0.1 blk, 1.2 stl.

2. Golden State Warriors

The Pick- James Wiseman, Center, Memphis

Ht./Wt./Age- 7’1″, 240 lbs., 19 yrs.

Despite winning only 15 games last season, the Warriors’ dynasty is far from over. As they return 2-time MVP Steph Curry and all-time great shooter Klay Thompson from injury, the Warriors are looking like a real contender again. They stand to fix a problem that has plagued them for years with James Wiseman. A dominant interior force, he will fit very well in Golden State’s system as his 7’6″ wingspan makes him an elite shot blocking, rim running big man that the Warriors have been missing for years. He only played 3 games at Memphis due to an eligibility issue, but when he played he was the best player on the court.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 30.8 pts, 16.7 reb, 0.5 ast, 4.7 blk, 0.5 stl.

3. Charlotte Hornets

The Pick- Anthony Edwards, Shooting Guard, Georgia

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’5″, 225 lbs., 19 yrs.

The Charlotte Hornets are in a bad place. Their roster is in need of a serious overhaul, and Anthony Edwards is the piece that they need to begin their rebuild. An all-around offensive star, Edwards will thrive being the undoubted #1 scoring option in Charlotte. He can shoot the 3-ball, get to the rim, and finish through contact. His NFL-linebacker frame makes him a formidable defender. His playmaking ability is sub-par and he needs to improve his efficiency in order to become a true “star” in the NBA.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 20.8 pts., 5.7 reb., 3.1 ast., 0.6 blk., 1.5 stl.

4. Chicago Bulls

The Pick- Deni Avdija, Forward, Israel

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’9″. 215 lbs., 19 yrs.

The Bulls are on the verge of being a playoff team. They have an elite scorer in Zach Lavine, a rising star in Coby White, and a solid young front court tandem in Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Junior. Deni Avdija is the type of “glue-guy” that the Bulls could use. While he may never be a 25 point-per-game scorer and he may not be a great shooter, he makes up for it with his ability to do it all. Avdija can pass, handle the ball, rebound, defend both the perimeter and the rim, and his basketball IQ is extraordinary. He could very well be the final piece that the Bulls have been looking for.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 15.0 pts., 7.7 reb., 3.3 ast., 1.1 blk., 1.1 stl.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Pick- Obi Toppin, Power Forward, Dayton

Ht./Wt./Age-6’9″, 220 lbs., 22 yrs.

Shockingly enough, the Cavaliers do not take a point guard here and instead take the high-flying National Player of the Year forward from Dayton, Obi Toppin. Toppin has the potential to be a Blake Griffin-level player in this league, but there are questions still. His competition in the weaker Athletic 10 Conference raises concern if he is ready for the rigors of the NBA, and he is a shaky perimeter defender. Overall, Toppin is a very good all-around prospect and will make an immediate impact for the Cavs.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 22.8 pts., 8.6 reb., 2.5 ast., 1.4 blk., 1.1 stl.

6. Atlanta Hawks

The Pick- Onyeka Okungwu, Center, USC

Ht./Wt./Age-6’9″, 245 lbs., 19 yrs.

The Hawks have an elite young offensive core with sharpshooting point guard Trae Young and rising stars DeAndre Hunter & Cam Reddish. However, this team will never succeed if they do not improve on their league-worst 119.7 points allowed per game. Their abysmal 53.6 points in the paint allowed also ranked dead-last. Onyeka Okungwu fixes both of those problems. At about 6’9″, he can not only defend the perimeter well, but he is also a very good rim protector. Offensively, he makes an effective rim runner and not much else, but if utilized properly he could become a valuable player in Atlanta for a long time.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 19.0 pts., 10.2 red., 1.3 ast., 3.2 blk., 1.4 stl.

7. Detroit Pistons

The Pick- Killian Hayes, Point Guard, France

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’5″, 187 lbs., 19 yrs.

Detroit is in need of a savior. They lack a foundational piece to rebuild around, and Killian Hayes can be that player. He is a dynamic do-it-all guard, he has the basketball IQ of a veteran and can also score in bunches because of his crafty isolation game. His frame allows him to be a good perimeter defender, but he is not a true lockdown defender yet. If Detroit can put the right system around Hayes, he could be the player that they have been desperately searching for.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 16.1 pts., 4.1 reb., 7.8 ast., 0.4 blk., 2.1 stl.

8. New York Knicks

The Pick- Isaac Okoro, Small Forward, Auburn

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’6″, 225 lbs., 19 yrs.

The New York Knicks are the league’s most consistent dumpster fire and have been for the better part of a decade. Their roster needs everything, and Isaac Okoro does it all. He’s advertised as a forward who can score, rebound, make plays, defend. Although his jump-shot needs work the potential is still there. He may not be the prospect with the highest ceiling, he makes up for that by being one of the safest picks in the draft, and guaranteed talent of any kind is something that the Knicks need.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 14.7 pts., 5.1 reb., 2.3., 1.0 blk., 1.1 stl.

9. Washington Wizards

The Pick- Devin Vassell, Forward, Florida State

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’7″, 194 lbs., 20 yrs.

The Washington Wizards view themselves as a competitive team with the return of the John Wall-Bradley Beal backcourt duo, and they are going to draft for fit over value. Because of this, they take a slight reach here in Devin Vassell. Vassell projects as a 3&D Forward initially and has a budding offensive game that could allow him to be more than a role player. His sharpshooting and lockdown defense fill the needs that the Wizards have in their quest to return to relevance.

Per 36 Minutes Stats– 15.9 pts., 6.3 reb., 2.0 ast., 1.2 blk., 1.8 stl.

10. Phoenix Suns

The Pick- Tyrese Haliburton, Point Guard, Iowa State

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’5″, 175 lbs., 20 yrs.

Phoenix has something special brewing. After Devin Booker led the Suns on an 8-0 run in the Orlando bubble, this team showed that they have the talent to compete with the best. Their biggest need is someone to star alongside Devin Booker in the backcourt and Tyrese Haliburton has the skills to do so. His exceptional basketball IQ and high-level passing ability make him a natural fit to run the point, but he can also thrive off the ball as he shot 42% from 3 last season. Haliburton also is a talented perimeter defender and can contribute right away for the Suns. Phoenix is on the cusp of something special, Tyrese Haliburton may just be the final piece they need.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 14.9 pts., 5.8 reb., 6.3 ast., 0.7 blk., 2.4 stl.

11. San Antonio Spurs

The Pick- Patrick Williams, Forward, Florida State

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’8″, 225 lbs., 19 yrs.

After the Spurs’ unbelievable 23 year playoff streak ended this season, it looks like the Spurs are entering a rebuild. Patrick Williams, the versatile forward, is the perfect prospect to build around. Willing to be the 6th man at FSU despite being a 5 star recruit, he fits San Antonio’s “team first” culture better than any prospect here. He has the raw talent to be a true star in the league, but he may take some time to fully develop.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 14.8 pts., 6.4 reb., 1.6 ast., 1.7 blk., 1.6 stl.

12. Sacramento Kings

The Pick- Aaron Nesmith, Small Forward, Vanderbilt

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’6″, 213 lbs., 21 yrs.

The Kings have a long offseason ahead of them. De’Aaron Fox is an exciting young player when healthy, and former 2nd overall pick Marvin Bagley Jr. has the potential to be a high-level big man, but has been hurt a lot and inconsistent when he does play. Sharpshooter Buddy Hield has expressed his frustrations with his role on the team and wants out, and the Kings could replace him with Aaron Nesmith. Possessing an absolute torch of a jumper, he can shoot the lights out of the gym from anywhere on the court. He is an average perimeter defender but has upside, and his playmaking ability, both passing and off the dribble, could use some work. Overall he could prove to be an effective plug-and-play option for the Kings as they try to end their 14 year playoff drought.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 23.2 pts., 4.9 reb., 0.9 ast., 0.9 blk., 1.4 stl.

13. New Orleans Pelicans

The Pick- Kira Lewis Jr., Point Guard, Alabama

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’3″, 180 lbs., 19 yrs.

While some argue that the Pelicans take a stretch-big here, the Pelicans have to be tempted by Kira Lewis Jr.’s ability to run the fast break. Franchise savior Zion Williamson is at his most useful in the fast break, where he can exploit mismatches and catch lobs all day long. This is contingent on Zion being in shape, but all signs are trending positively. Kira Lewis Jr. is more than a speedy point guard, however, he can also space the floor well (37% from 3) and knows how to hit the open man. His size limits his defensive versatility, but he can match up okay with players his size.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 17.7 pts., 4.6 reb., 5.0 ast., 0,6 blk., 1.7 stl.

14. Boston Celtics (From Memphis Grizzlies)

The Pick- Tyrese Maxey, Guard, Kentucky

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’3″, 198 lbs., 20 yrs.

The Celtics are fresh off of their heartbreaking Eastern Conference loss and are looking to re-tool with their 3 first-round picks this draft. They use their first pick to strengthen their bench with Tyrese Maxey. His stats don’t jump off the page, but that is more a product of the system he played in at Kentucky. Maxey is not a great shooter, but his compact form and high free- throw percentage suggest that there is potential. He is a very capable defender, and his intensity & hustle make him a perfect fit to come off the bench for a hungry Boston team who is looking to contend for a title.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 14.6 pts., 4.5 reb., 3.3 ast., 0.4 blk., 0.9 stl.

15. Orlando Magic

The Pick- R.J. Hampton, Point Guard, New Zealand

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’5″, 188 lbs., 19 yrs.

Orlando is not looking for anything particular in this draft, they just need a star. R.J. Hampton is a prospect with a very high ceiling, arguably one of the highest in the draft, but also a very low floor. His fit next to former #1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is questionable, as neither are great shooters. However, Hampton’s upside as an elite perimeter defender and playmaker make him a prospect that Orlando will find tough to pass on.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 15.4 pts., 6.8 reb., 4.2 ast., 0.6 blk., 1.9 stl.

16. Portland Trail Blazers

The Pick- Saddiq Bey, Forward, Villanova

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’8″, 216 lbs., 21 yrs.

The Blazers were one of the most fun teams to watch in the Orlando Bubble, with superstar point guard Damian Lillard taking home Bubble MVP. This team is not a true contender and was barely a playoff team, and part of that is because of their lackluster perimeter defense and (except for Lillard and McCollum) outside shooting. Saddiq Bey would solve both of these problems. His playstyle is emblematic of the modern NBA, a 6’8″ forward who can light it up from outside, play lock-down perimeter defense, and create for others. He struggles off the dribble and does not have much of an isolation game, but that is not what he is drafted to do. If the Blazers can utilize Bey properly, expect him to blossom into a very good 3&D player.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 17.1 pts., 5.0 reb., 2.5 ast., 0.4 blk., 0.8 stl.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (From Brooklyn Nets)

The Pick- Precious Achiuwa, Power Forward, Memphis

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’9″, 234 lbs., 21 yrs.

Back on the clock with their 2nd pick of the 1st round, and the Timberwolves address their defensive need here with Precious Achiuwa. He may be bit undersized and still raw, he is a high-energy athlete who can defend multiple positions with his 7’2″ wingspan, box-out and rebound well, and is an adept playmaker from the post. Achiuwa can be the defensive stalwart that the Timberwolves need to be competitive.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 18.7 pts., 12.8 reb., 1.1 ast., 2.2 blk., 1.3 stl.

18. Dallas Mavericks

The Pick- Desmond Bane, Shooting Guard, TCU

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’5″, 215 lbs., 22 yrs.

The Mavericks have been blessed by the basketball gods once again with generational talent and MVP favorite Luka Doncic and 7’3″ sharpshooter Kristaps Porzingis. They have a championship-caliber core, but they lack bench depth. Desmond Bane can come in immediately and make an impact off the bench. He is a fantastic shooter from deep (43% in 4 years) and possesses the defensive IQ and ability that the Mavericks desperately need. He struggles a bit when trying to create his own shot, but he has shown flashes of improvement. Expect Bane to make a big impact for the Mavs early.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 16.6 pts., 6.3 reb., 3.9 ast., 0.5 blk., 1.5 stl.

19. Brooklyn Nets (From Philadelphia 76ers)

The Pick- Jalen Smith, Power Forward, Maryland

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’10”, 225 lbs., 20 yrs.

With the return of superstar Kevin Durant from injury, the Nets are instantly a title contender. They have talent all throughout the team, and no real needs. Jalen Smith goes here because of his ability as a stretch big, rebounder, and rim protector. He can camp out in the corner for 3, being a safety net as Durant and Kyrie Irving will be doing the bulk of the ball-handling. Smith does lack a decent playmaking ability, and his perimeter defense is weak, but he will have plenty of opportunities to learn and grow under new head coach Steve Nash.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 17.8 pts., 12.1 reb., 0.9 ast., 2.7 blk., 0.8 stl.

20. Miami Heat

The Pick- Robert Woodard II, Small Forward, Mississippi State

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’7″, 235 lbs., 20 yrs.

Robert Woodard is not the flashiest player in the draft, as he barely averaged 11 points a game and not many have heard of him. However, there is no better fit for the Miami Heat culture than him. He dives for loose balls, plays with intensity and heart, defends anyone on the court, rebounds, passes, and shot 42% from 3 his sophomore year. Woodard is the ideal player for the Miami Heat to add to their rotation if they hope to return to the finals. His offensive game is limited, he struggles to create opportunities for himself, but he more than makes up for it with his plethora of other basketball abilities.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 12.4 pts., 7.1 reb., 1.4 ast., 1.1 blk., 1.2 stl.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (From Oklahoma City Thunder)

The Pick- Tyrell Terry, Point Guard, Stanford

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’3″, 170 lbs., 20 yrs.

The Sixers have one person on their roster who can both dribble effectively and shoot well in Shake Milton. They have a serious lack of perimeter shooting and playmakers, so Tyrell Terry instantly makes an impact on this team. His flamethrower jumper and seemingly limitless range, combined with his ball-handling and playmaking prowess, make him the perfect fit in Philadelphia next to stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Although he has the quickness to be a good defender, he is very undersized and opposing players can easily overpower him. The Sixers are a very good defensive team and will be able to hide Terry on defense. Ben Simmons leads the league in 3-point assists since he entered the league in 2017, making this pairing feel like a match made in heaven.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 16.2 pts., 5.0 reb., 3.5 ast., 0.1 blk., 1.5 stl.

22. Denver Nuggets (From Houston Rockets)

The Pick- Josh Green, Shooting Guard, Arizona

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’5″, 214 lbs., 19 yrs.

The Nuggets were another entertaining team to watch in the Bubble, with stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray showing that they can lead a team in the playoffs. But, while Denver is an offensive juggernaut, they are lackluster on the defensive end. They would also benefit from more 3-point shooting from their supporting cast. Josh Green is the perfect fit because while his statistics may not jump off the page, he was a 36% 3-point shooter at Arizona, and is a very good athlete and perimeter defender. He needs some time to develop before he can become a real contributor, but if he pans out then Denver may have gotten yet another late-round steal.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 14.0 pts., 5.3 reb., 3.0 ast., 0.5 blk., 1.8 stl.

23. Utah Jazz

The Pick- Cole Anthony, Point Guard, North Carolina

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’3″, 184 lbs., 20 yrs.

Once touted as a top-5 pick, Cole Anthony falls to 23 due to a combination of inconsistent play and injury last season. Despite this he is still one of the best prospects in the draft, with the ability to seemingly score at will. His jumper and playmaking ability needs improvement, but Utah has a great coaching staff and veteran point guard Mike Conley for him to learn from. If Utah can develop Anthony properly, he could be a very dynamic backcourt mate for franchise star Donovan Mitchell.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 19.1 pts., 5.9 reb., 4.1 ast., 0.3 blk., 1.4 stl.

24. Milwaukee Bucks (From Indiana Pacers)

The Pick- Tre Jones, Point Guard, Duke

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’2″, 185 lbs., 20 yrs.

The Bucks are in serious danger of losing back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. They need to surround Giannis with players who can hold their own defensively, pass the ball well, and shoot from outside. Tre Jones fits the bill. He may be undersized and his isolation skills are lacking but his strengths are what they need.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 16.5 pts., 4.3 reb., 6.5 ast., 0.4 blk., 1.8 stl.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (From Denver Nuggets)

The Pick- Jaden McDaniels, Power Forward, Washington

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’10”, 184 lbs., 20 yrs.

The Thunder are at a fork in the road in terms of franchise direction. They could either trade Chris Paul for picks and rebuild, or keep him and try to remain competitive. Going Jaden McDaniels at 25 actually works out well in both directions. If the Thunder begin a rebuild, he has lots of potential and can be a building block next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If they decide to remain competitive, he fills a positional need as an all-around small forward who can score at all 3 levels. Once he adds some weight in an NBA weight-program, he projects to be a very good defender because of his mobility.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 15.0 pts., 6.7 reb., 2.4 ast., 1.6 blk., 0.9 stl.

26. Boston Celtics

The Pick- Udoka Azubuike, Center, Kansas

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’11”, 260 lbs., 21 yrs.

The Celtics use their 2nd pick in the 1st round and add some much needed rim protection with big man Udoka Azubuike here. In the playoffs this past season, Joel Ebriid and Bam Adebayo dominated the Celtics. Azubuike fixes that problem and even provides a bit of offense as a roll man and lob threat.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 17.9 pts., 13.6 reb., 1.2 ast., 3.4 blk., 0.6 stl.

27. New York Knicks (From Los Angeles Clippers)

The Pick- Aleksej Pokusevski, Center, Serbia

Ht./Wt./Age- 7’0″, 201 lbs., 18 yrs.

After taking one of the safest picks with Isaac Okoro, the Knicks take a gamble here and take arguably the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the draft with Aleksej Pokusevski. At his highest, he is Kristaps Porzingis with the handles of a guard, and at his worst he is an unplayable defensive liability due to his weakness. If Pokusevski can reach his full potential, he may be the savior the Knicks have been looking for.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 16.7 pts., 12.2 reb., 4.8 ast., 2.8 blk., 2.0 stl.

28. Los Angeles Lakers

The Pick- Malachi Flynn, Point Guard, San Diego State

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’1″, 185 lbs., 22 yrs.

Fresh off of a championship run in the Bubble, the Lakers have a lot of questions this offseason. Key members of their title run are free agents, arguably the most important of these being guard Rajon Rondo. If Rondo does not return, Malachi Flynn can be the next man up. A pro-ready natural playmaker, he has a knack for finding the open man and has great court vision. Flynn is also a very capable outside shooter, unlike Rondo, but he is not a lock-down perimeter defender, also unlike Rondo. The Lakers are aiming to be back-to-back champions this coming season and Malachi Flynn can be a contributor right away.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 19.0 pts., 4.8 reb., 5.5 ast., 0.1 blk., 1.9 stl.

29. Toronto Raptors

The Pick- Zeke Nnaji, Center, Arizona

The Raptors are in immediate need of a big after starting center Marc Gasol announced that he would be playing in Spain for his final years. Zeke Nnaji is a natural replacement for the Raptors, as a potential rebuild looms. Nnaji is not the same player as Gasol, but he very well could be. He has a very versatile offensive skillset and projects favorably as a stretch 5 that can also be a lob threat. His defensive ability needs improvement, but he has all the tools to do so.

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’10”, 247 lbs., 19 yrs.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 18.9 pts., 10.1 reb., 1.0 ast., 1.0 blk., 0.8 stl.

30. Boston Celtics (From Milwaukee Bucks)

The Pick- Tyler Bey, Small Forward, Colorado

Ht./Wt./Age- 6’7″, 213 lbs., 22 yrs.

The Celtics use the last of their 1st rounders and take Tyler Bey, an intriguing player who, if developed correctly, could be yet another outside scoring 2-way wing. He is a good 3-point shooter and despite being used as a center in college, he is a capable defender on the perimeter as well as inside. Bey will need some time in the G-League to progress as a perimeter player, but once he gets some experience playing the wing he could be a valuable bench piece for Boston.

Per 36 Minutes Stats- 17.2 pts., 11.2 reb., 1.8 ast., 1.4 blk., 1.9 stl.

The post 2020 NBA Mock Draft appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Benee has been busy in the past year with her two EPs, FIRE ON MARZZ and STELLA & STEVE, as well as touring with other indie-pop darling Conan Gray and her own live shows across the UK and America. She first splashed on scene with her 2017 single Tough Guy, a lush track set with her signature silky vocals and synthetic funk wave refrains. However, it was Soaked off of FIRE ON MARZZ that garnered attention from a wider audience as it charted in New Zealand after its 2018 release.

In an interview with Complex, Benee gave insight into her music-making process and cited freestyling as a major component of her creative fuel, particularly in Want Me Back off of STELLA & STEVE. This somewhat unconventional process gives her discography a fresh feeling, as the narrative meanders and wanders into stories and asides that pull you in. The young artist has achieved her upbeat and polished sound with the help of Josh Fountain of the band LEISURE. The two have collaborated since her first release in 2017, and the maturation of her sound even in the few years between 2017 and now are promising of innovative growth from Benee in the years to come.  

Her subject matter ranges from serious to ridiculous, ruminating on subjects of love and heartbreak on one track and from the point of view of a spider in the next. This is best encapsulated in the silly but sad proclamation “I am a spider / Creep up behind ya / Promise not to bite / Unless you’re hurting me” in Evil Spider off of FIRE ON MARZ, displaying Benee’s talent for a kind of musical irony. One of the integral parts of the listening experience is how the lyrics can create a relatable, poignant, or entertaining narrative. In most of her songs, she wraps heavier emotions into a bright, indie-pop sound. In her own words, Benee hopes that people can “hear a lyric and be like, ‘I hate that. That was f–king weird.’ I don’t mind that. But [I do hope] that someone can be like, ‘Yeah, I feel that.’”

Benee has also collaborated with Gus Dapperton on Supalonely and Jack Berry on Drifting. She has previously expressed her delight in collaborating with other artists, opening up the possibility of exciting new collaborations on the horizon. On her notable wishlist of collaborators are Steve Lacy, King Krule, and Daniel Caesar. Benee has already made her mark on music, taking four awards in the 2019 New Zealand Music Awards. As a young artist at the beginning of her career with such success, Benee is one to watch in the years to come.  

The post New Artist Spotlight: Benee appeared first on KRUI Radio.

The gospel and soulful band that is The Blind Boys of Alabama took the whole crowd of The Englert Theater to church last Friday night. The way they artfully worked the crowd, used their voices to create peaks and valleys for the ears of the audience, and built off of each second of their performance to make a really inspiring aftertaste when the event was over.

The Blind Boys of Alabama sung with such levitative emotions that the whole crowd was already clicked into, even during minor technical difficulties at the start. I had little to no background knowledge of the band before walking into the Englert that night, but after the final bow of the 4 men who sung throughout the night I understood. I was left with an imprint and a greater understanding of why people attend events where people sing songs that have such soulful qualities, but also such musicality and tone that it causes anyone to feel the groove of the music that they are hearing.

An imprint happened during this concert in a solo that one of the men sang. He sung the lyric “We need peace.” He repeated this line a dozen or so times. Each repetition got a bigger and more unified response from the crowd. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of love and connection that I can’t say I have felt before in a crowd at other concerts I have been to.

The Blind Boys of Alabama is a band that has existed for 70 years now, and has had renowned success. They have collaborated with some of the most popular artists, won five Grammy awards, and been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. These artists are definitely in their later years, but when they took the stage and started singing, the energy that came off of the crowd heated them up into what I could see were men still loving what they do. Whether it was the interactions with the crowd, the standing up to dance through sections of a song that was grooving them, or the sound of an energetic and inspired crowd, I could see they still had the same love for performing they had decades ago.

This concert was a beautifully unique experience. Even though I am not someone who feels that connected to any religion, I definitely felt a sense of warmth and beauty I can guarantee anyone else seeing these artists would also feel.

Below are a few links to some of The Blind Boys of Alabama’s songs.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama People Get Ready

The Blind Boys Of Alabama “Amazing Grace”

Blind Boys of Alabama – Full Performance (Live on KEXP)

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In celebration of the release of their EP “Lynx Africa,” Strong Asian Mothers made a video on Brighton Beach with a sample of each song:

The band has two videos for the seemingly more popular songs of the EP, “The More That I” and “Out of Love,” as well but this video serves as their own representation of “Lynx Africa” as a whole.

Out of Love: As the first song of the EP, it begins with synthesized notes to progress into drum hits and simple lyrics. There is a ton of layering of beats and the synthesizer, with the additional layer of the lyrics that create their own rhythm. At times, the lyrics and surrounding aspects contradict each other. However, the main rhythm, from the drums, coincides with the lyrics to accentuate the combination.

Stay Down: This is the only track on the EP to begin with lyrics, which are very noticeably auto-tuned. While I’m never a fan of noticeably auto-tuned voices, this is probably my favorite song of the EP. There’s several lines of rapping about half way through the song that doesn’t coincide directly with any of the rhythms of the drums or synthesizer. However, I’m proven wrong towards the end of the song.

The More That I: The song begins with a smooth progression of synthesized beats and high-pitched humming but breaks the slow start with the entrance of drums. The lyrics of the song are full of rapped lines that either rhyme or partially rhyme. The lyrics are incredibly simple and line up with the drum hits. This clips the lines in a monotonous repetition. I’m not a huge fan of the lines, the rapping that lines up with the beat, or the synthesized notes in this song.

Megabucket: The layering continues with the drums and synthesizer. At times, the drum overpowers the synthesized rhythms but near the end of the song there is almost too much happening. The lyrics are nearly non-existent in this song. It is mostly just noises that might be words. While I could see this song playing at a club, it isn’t necessarily enjoyable. This track is hard to follow, like I’m being pulled in different directions while listening to it.

Initially, I heard “The More That I” and genuinely enjoyed the song. However, I was listening to snippets of each track on this EP. After listening to all four songs consecutively, I decided that they sound incredibly similar and are confusing as an album. As I stated in the description of “Megabucket,” the music is hard to follow. It seems decent for electronic dance music and that’s its’ only purpose. Though Strong Asian Mothers self-proclaims as a band with many influences, the most apparent influence I hear is the electronica, which overpowers all the rest. The EP itself is perfect for a summer party without analysis.

You can hear the EP “Lynx Africa” by Strong Asian Mothers below:

Feature Photo via: brandnewanthem.pl

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Reason #3:

When I have a class at 8 or 8:30, my peers are lucky if I even brush my hair before hopping on the bus to my class. I usually wake up 15 or 20 minutes before I have to get downstairs, giving me just enough time to put on my remy quality hair extensions and apply powder on my face, brush my teeth, change clothes and make myself a coffee. This is completely okay with me in the mornings. Changing clothes, brushing my teeth, and making a coffee are the things that no matter what I have to do before I go out in public. But putting makeup on and doing my hair is something that I definitely choose sleep over on a daily basis.

Not everyone thinks like this though. The thing that really grinds my gears is when I walk into class and see a girl with her hair curled, makeup done up and wearing a super dressy outfit… at 8 in the morning. It’s not even that I’m “intimidated” by the fact that she did all of this. I can do my hair and makeup like most of the girls, but I would never wake up earlier just to do so. Actually, I’m planning to buy unique short prom dresses for 2023 for they are sexy and fun dresses!

Yes, I do understand that people have to right to dress how they want and I’m sure other girls judge me for the small amount of effort that I put into my appearance in the mornings. But having your eyeliner winged and your hair curled is just a bit too much. Not to mention dressing up like that is not comfortable at all. You don’t get the luxury of rubbing your eyes. You don’t get to be worry-free about whether or not your makeup looks alright or if your eyeliner is smudging or if your foundation is blended well enough.

One thing I’ve also noticed that many girls who dress up every day for class stop doing so once they get a significant other. Interesting, huh? With this in mind, I feel like the girls who spend an extra hour or two getting ready for an 8:30 class have the feeling that they need to impress their classmates. This is a ridiculous assumption. The girls in the class understand if you don’t have time to look A1. And if the guys expect you to always be dolled up, they aren’t someone you want to be with.

I understand if maybe they need to go to a job or something after class but that’s rarely the case. The fact that many girls have this feeling that they always have to look good to go to a lecture with 300 people at 8:30 in the morning needs to be extinguished.

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Simply because it isn’t reasonable or realistic that people would be sitting out in the cold and wet, I have had to look to the indoors. On a particular adventure into the lobby of Burge Residence Hall, I found Molly.

When I first approached Molly, she was hesitant to answer my questions. She appeared busy on her laptop and wary of the stranger who suddenly asked to take her picture.

I could tell right away that Molly was someone who got stuff done. Molly didn’t seem like the type to sit down and let life take advantage of her. I later found this to be true, as she told me that in the last week she had turned in four papers and taken a test on top of that.

I also learned from our conversation that Molly is in the same boat as a lot of us– still trying to figure things out. As a sophomore at the University of Iowa, she has decided to drop a journalism major and venture into a differing field.

“I was a double major in journalism and communications, but journalism isn’t really my thing,” Molly told me, “I’m thinking of going into some sort of marketing instead.”

Molly is a prime example of a University of Iowa student– trying to decide what the hell she’s doing with her life, weighted down by homework, and probably sleep-deprived. In fact, when I asked Molly what she was excited for, she replied, “I’m pretty excited to sleep.”

We get it, Molly. Thanks for sharing, and go take a nap.

Iowa City Observations is a continuing column in which I venture out into the streets of Iowa City and ask people to inspire me, as well as make probably irrelevant observations about Iowa City itself.

This column was inspired by Humans of New York. Check out their Facebook page and Instagram account.

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When students get to school, I’m sure most of them thought they wouldn’t have to deal with the clouds of smoke coming from cigarettes. Oh how wrong they were.

In 2008, the University of Iowa banned smoking across campus after Iowa City adopted the Smoke-Free Air Act. Even with this ban in place, people still stand on campus and smoke. After seven years, you’d think people would start to respect the law. Not only is this disrespectful to the university officials and to the city officials, but it’s also very disrespectful to other students.

When I walk to class, I don’t want to walk past people and be forced to endure the smoke and smells from cigarette smoke. I understand that people have an addiction to tobacco, but the least they could do is to not do it on campus. But walking into class smelling like an ashtray when I’m not even the one smoking isn’t appealing to me.

What shocks me the most is that faculty members go on campus and smoke. If we can’t expect the faculty to follow the rules, why would we want to follow them? If my professor doesn’t follow the rules on campus, what is going to persuade me to follow them? People don’t like being the first to do something, but if they see someone else doing it, they are more likely to partake in that activity. If someone wants to smoke and they see faculty doing it, they are more likely to agree that even though there is a ban, it is acceptable.

Please, for all of us students and faculty out there who don’t smoke and who respect the ban, follow the campus policies on smoking.

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After one short album and a single, Caroline Rose finally released her sophomore album, I Will Not Be Afraid, in August.

The album is a well-balanced blend of americana, blues, folk, rock, and even gospel that seems to belong to another era. Boot-stompers like “Blood on Your Bootheels” and “I Will Not Be Afraid” are a soundtrack to the Wild West, to 2-minute shootouts over lost poker matches, boots with spurs, and bolo ties.

Most striking about the album is Caroline Rose’s versatile voice.  Not only is it capable of breathy, haunting riffs akin to Brandi Carlile or Laura Marling, but can belt out verses in a hard, Western manner similar to the Tallest Man on Earth. The artist also incorporates vocals that are more spoken poetry than singing, effectively creating the ambience of a storytelling session, guitar, and eager listeners around a fire.

Several tracks, such as “Tightrope Walker,” “Shepherd,” and “Back East” slow down to a nostalgic pace, with a few accordion riffs and soft drum beats.  Caroline’s lilting voice and gentle guitar chords make each track sound almost like a lullaby, or a prayer to return to another time.

Many of the tracks on I Will Not Be Afraid paint a picture of a countryside ruined by human settlement. “Red Bikini” mocks the inhabitants who turn fertile land into mansions and swimming pools, and pave the soil into driveways for their lamborghinis.

Caroline Rose ends the album with its title track, “I Will Not Be Afraid,” a proud anthem in the style of a gospel hymn. But the light and cheery melody does not ask a higher power for support, but vows to find confidence and willpower in one’s own heart, and to always, always carry on.

You can buy I Will Not Be Afraid here.

Like her on facebook here.

Listen to my favorite song on the album, “America Religious” below:

http://youtu.be/Y9AblSQqz1A

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Web of Sunsets began in 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With three members, Sara Bischoff (Heavy Deeds), Sarah Nienaber (Gospel Gossip, Is/Is), and Chris Rose (Robust Worlds), they put their focus on acid country leanings. They have released two studio albums, Their first album, Fool’s Melodies, was released on April, 2013. 

Compared to their last album which has a lighter tempo and faster beat, Room of Monsters has more mysterious and slow tempo songs. Most of the songs are presented to be softer and gentler. However, the very distinguished characteristic of their music is that it is characterized as acid country, which is quite unique.

The special effects and background harmony of their music brings a mysterious mist that covers their music. The unique voice and the lethargic way of their vocal performances also add on to their music makes it sound extremely psychedelic.

Their music has always been painted with the color of the acid country genre. With keyboard, classic guitar, their misty and lazy vocal, their music has always been a special presentation for music consumers. This is not only a excellent choice for fans of acid music, but also a brand-new experience for those who love country music. The clear, lazy and soft singing will definitely brings a comfortable atmosphere for listeners whenever being played.

Listen to the album below via Myspace:

Room of Monsters from Web of Sunsets on Myspace.

Interested in supporting their music online? Buy their music on iTunes.

Follow their Twitter or like them on Facebook to get the latest information.

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