Playoffs! Round 1 chat and predictions.
 

OK, let's be blunt here: The league has been shit since the site came back. The activity is way down, and no one knows how committed anyone is. Well, here's the thing: We've got a great field signed up for the Art of Writing League Season 4 playoffs, and I don't think we should waste it.

I'm committed. I hope you will be too.

All first-round battles include a mandatory check-in by Wednesday, which also will be when I have a magazine up that I promise will be worth your time. Verses will be due Sunday, with 24-hour extensions available upon request.

Here are the first-round battles, with topics pulled from Talking Heads song titles.

FIRST-ROUND BYES
1. Certain (10-2)
2. dead man (8-3)

FIRST-ROUND BATTLES
8. Zen (5-1) vs. 9. Witty (5-2) | This Must Be the Place
5. NYCSPITZ (7-5) vs. 12. Dominate (3-2) | Road to Nowhere
4. CopyPat (8-4) vs. 13. Defiant (3-4) | Stay Hungry
3. UnbornBuddha (8-3) vs. 14. Soulstice (3-5) | No Compassion
6. timeless (6-5) vs. 11. Adonis (3-1) | Once In a Lifetime
7. Mr. J (6-5) vs. 10. Dr Dog (3-1) | Cities

You should've pulled out, man. I'm glad you're alive though.

looking forward to that zen and witty battle.

I'm so down.

i came in here to be like yo where is my battle

and yeah, well, anyway

thanks!

8. Zen (5-1) vs. 9. Witty (5-2) | This Must Be the Place -- zen seems to be hitting a stride at the moment where i haven't seen witty performing as of late. yet if both show up this wlll be a phenomenal match-up.
5. NYCSPITZ (7-5) vs. 12. Dominate (3-2) | Road to Nowhere -- dom's heart does not seem to be in it. great match considering the history of these guys circa RW. i love battles like this. cant wait.
4. CopyPat (8-4) vs. 13. Defiant (3-4) | Stay Hungry -- i think copypat will win this handily. the dice will fall where they may..
3. UnbornBuddha (8-3) vs. 14. Soulstice (3-5) | No Compassion -- personally a fan of soul's style over buddha's and will predict this dude over pretty much anybody. it will be a long-winded, well-read match of wits. lots of abstraction and analysis. really looking forward to this one.
6. timeless (6-5) vs. 11. Adonis (3-1) | Once In a Lifetime -- if either one brings their fully capability, it will be a good match-up.
7. Mr. J (6-5) vs. 10. Dr Dog (3-1) | Cities -- excited to see split's return to the scene. i will predict him over mr. j rather easily, not to discredit J. however split could definitely be feeling that rust. i know i am..

word

8. Zen (5-1) vs. 9. Witty (5-2) | This Must Be the Place
- A lot of good battles, but this one will be the best, both have a grasp on all things that make a topical good. it will come down to concept, where witty can shine if he shows up.

5. NYCSPITZ(7-5) vs. 12. Dominate (3-2) | Road to Nowhere
- dominate had some good verses this season, but NYC is consistent and will use this topic to create an imaginative tale.

4. CopyPat (8-4) vs. 13. Defiant (3-4) | Stay Hungry
-CopyPat had some misses and some big hits this season. I'm going to give it to him because I can't remember reading much Defiant and Copy has less rust to shake off.

6. timeless (6-5) vs. 11. Adonis (3-1) | Once In a Lifetime
- If Adonis fleshes together a well thought out concept then I can see him taking it, but timeless is a little more consistent

7. Mr. J (6-5) vs. 10. Dr Dog (3-1) | Cities
- Excited to see Split return to form, but Mr J has been participating very recently and should be rust free. I think the topic lends itself to split a little more, he can create some interesting imagery att imes.

who else is super excited, tho?????

surprised to see @Dancake not in the bracket, tho

Certain's always had a grudge against me for some reason.

All you had to do was post a verse. :(

Me vs Zen = rhyme overdose.

dick move certain

Why did think verses were due tomorrow??? Is that how it's normally done?

Well I'm ready and will hate having free time to play with because i'll likely over think shit

Ah well.

I'll have that magazine up tomorrow. Sorry about the delay. Life is pretty hectic right now.

Question - Is Lionel Messi the greatest player to ever live?

Yes or no with an explanation either way plz <3

Good article on the subject: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...g-display.html

I know nothing of soccer. But can't an argument be made that Messi isn't even the best player playing right now. To my extremely untrained eye watching the World Cup I thought Ronaldo looked better. But again, I am ignorant to this foreign I must play without my hands sport

Portugal didn't even make it past the group stage lol

Ronaldo may have looked better at the world cup, I actually don't remember, and Ronaldo is definitely one of the all time greats, but he is not as naturally gifted as Messi, I don't think anybody has ever been. Maradona and George Best were amazingly gifted too but I think Messi overshadows even those two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=191ceh8MDuI

Also, the number of records he holds is amazing.

World records

- Only player to ever win all of the Balon d’Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi and Golden Shoe in the same season (2009/10).

- Youngest three-time winner of the Balon d’Or in January 2012 (24 years, 6 months and 17 days.

- Only person to win four consecutive Balon d’Or trophies (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012).

- Top scorer in one season of official matches: 73 goals in 2011/12 (50 in La Liga, 14 in Champions League, 3 in Cup, 3 in the Spanish Supercup, 1 in the European Supercup and 2 in the Clubs World Cup.

- Top goalscorer in a calendar year: 96 goals in 2012. 84 for Barça (59 in the Liga, 13 in the Champions League, 5 in the Spanish Cup, 2 in the Spanish Supercup and 5 in friendly matches) and 12 for Argentina.

- Longest scoring run in La Liga (33 goals in 21 consecutive games (2012/13)).

European records

- Leading goalscorer in League history with 253 goals in 289 matches, surpassing the record of 251 goals set by Telmo Zarra of Athletic club de Bilbao which had stood since 1955.

- All-time top goalscorer in the Champions League, tied with Raúl on 71 goals. The Argentinian did it in 90 games while Raúl did it in 142 games for Real Madrid and Schalke 04.

- Only player to be top goalscorer in the Champions League for four consecutive seasons (2008/09 to 2011/12).

- Top goalscorer in a European league in the Golden Shoe era, since 1966/67 (50 goals in 2011/12).

- Top goalscorer in a league (50 goals in 2011/12).

- Top goalscorer in home matches in a league season (35 goals at the Camp Nou in Liga 2011/12).

- Top goalscorer in away matches in a league season (24 goals in Liga 2012/13).

- Most games scoring away from home (15 games and 24 goals in Liga 2012/13).

- Top goalscorer in second half of La Liga (28 goals in the Liga 2011/12).

- Only top goalscorer and top supplier of assists in the same season (50 goals and 15 assists (tied with Özil of Real Madrid) in Liga 2011/12).

- Top overall goalscorer in a season: 75 goals in 2011/12 (50 in La Liga, 14 in the Champions League, 3 in the Cup, 3 in the Spanish Supercup, 1 in the European Supercup, 2 in the Clubs World Cup and 2 in friendlies).

- First player to score in every game for half of a Liga season (30 goals in 19 consecutive games in Liga 2012/13.

Don't lol me u fuck. Knowing things about soccer is un American. I expect more from u zen. I'm not mad. I'm disappointed