Text
Cavalry Call
Commission piece for @poisonheadcrabsalesman of my Spartan and AI Roland driving a tank!
Gunny squints through the War Games UI. He's not in armor, so there's no HUD, necessarily, but his neural implant jumps to connect with the simulation pod and forces various shapes and lines to scrawl over his naked eyes. It makes his brain pulse in a deeply uncomfortable way. He jabs aimlessly at the air, snarling when he puts in the wrong option, tosses his head back when his implant abruptly goes icy and his world tinges yellow.
Bit small in here, isn't it? A familiar voice says.
Gunny leans on the edge of the pod, world swimming counter-clockwise.
"Roland," he says. "What are you doing up?"
The freezing sensation zips down his spine and melts slowly. His vision flares. Roland is-- showing off, he realizes, rifling through his brain and making the pod easier to work with.
"This is an oddly specific setup for you," Roland replies, ignoring him completely. "Ohhh. You were Army?"
The pod hums to life. Gunny climbs inside, settling into the straps, harness, and chair, and tries not to think about Roland partially riding inside. He didn't ask for a buddy, but maybe he's just doing that badly, to warrant pity from--
Hey, Roland says sharply.
Right.
He relaxes into the restraint. The hum rises in volume until his molars buzz, and then the world melts away. His limbs grow heavy and gravity tries to yank him to the ground.
But he catches his footing and rolls back to a standing position-- right next to an M808B MBT. Scorpion, for short. Gunny runs his hands over the angled hull of a tread pod, nodding to himself. It'd be a tight fit inside with his helmet.
I've never driven one of these before, Roland comments. Mind if I tag along?
"Do I have a choice?" Gunny grunts, swinging himself up and over the rear pod and on top of the cockpit.
He kicks open the hatch with one practiced strike with his boot, but hesitates on diving inside. Instead, he crouches under the long barrel, taking stock of his surroundings. That was the problem with War Games--
It could simulate enemies, but not friendlies. His ghosts didn't care what he was doing here.
"You always have a choice," Roland says, seeping into his armor speakers. "You haven't said no yet, either."
"You didn't ask," Gunny snaps. "You seriously haven't ridden a tank?"
His HUD shivers yellow at the edges. He wishes he knew what Roland is doing, knows he can ask, but doesn't. The horizon some two kliks south lights up in neon and ionizes the air. Shakes the ground.
Don't sound so surprised, Roland says, deep in his mind, I'm usually busy flying a starship!
He sucks in a deep breath and swings down into the cockpit of the tank. The tip of his helmet's horn grazes the ceiling before the single seat bolted to the floor grabs him and holds him close. His neck twinges as Roland jumps around, stretching himself out to fill the space of a brain and fake reality, while his neural implant does the same to sink deep into the tank.
Yeah, okay. He hasn't been in a Scorpion in a long time. It's kind of comforting, if you consider lying prone in a giant metal coffin a comfort.
Still, it takes a second for the controls to rise to his finger tips. The tank has to be started manually, but that's muscle memory. Gunny's sure the only reason he's aware of the process at all is due to Roland skimming through his brain, pleased. Then it's letting the exterior sensors and computer guiding systems pour into his brain.
"Kind of claustrophobic, don't you think?" Roland laughs.
Under the laughter, there's a current of genuine discomfort. Gunny lets the massive engine roar up through his throat and into his guts, lets Roland copy the synapses necessary to encourage the tank to move, and hauls off toward the flashing forest with dirt and stone dragging across his- their- backside.
The Scorpion has its name for a few reasons, really. The most obvious is its silhouette. That low, wide hull that hugs the ground, yet snaps up into a long-snouted cannon turret. Just like its namesake, it has a long reach and a nasty bite.
And it's agile as hell.
Gunny coaxes the big thing off the plateau and down a pile of previously-blasted rock. Data rushes in at an increased rate and he braces for the skull-splitting division of attention that comes with it, but between Roland and the Spartan implant, coordinating the four track pods down the slope feels more like breathing than it should. The engine whines in discomfort as its buffeted by the slide.
He floors it into the copse of trees.
Roland is a heavy presence the entire time, all curiosity and quiet disapproval, apparently aware of how familiar Gunny is with the scenario and able to suss out what that means, exactly. It's the quietude that's unnerving-- moreso than the Covenant Armoured lurking just beyond the border of the woods.
"Did Crimson send you after me?" Gunny demands.
He's not sure if he speaks aloud or thinks really hard or what. There's like, two Spartans total on Crimson that'd hunt after him, and that's Sadie and Rhodes. And Rhodes and Roland--
Gunny's head twitches as he gets a targeting lock on a Wraith turning away from his position. That is according to plan. Yet...
He cuts the speed incrementally. Breathes in.
Can't a guy hang out with his favorite Fireteam?
His vision blurs slightly. The barrel drops. Brakes grind. The entire assembly jerks as he hammers in the firing solution and lets loose on the errant Wraith. The 102mm round drills through the shields and sinks deep into the power core of the beast.
Roland makes a little squeaking sound as he, presumably, detects every alien start trying to get a lock on their position. Gunny slams into reverse just as the Wraith gives up and explodes.
And explodes again-- ammunition reserve, then. Nice.
You really don't like tanks, huh? Gunny projects. Watch this.
"Target lock," the tank says.
Oh. Well.
The Scorpion lurches as he abruptly tries to pivot left and swings into a tree, knocking it over with a crack. Overhead, a flaming ball of plasma rains down onto their position.
"Oops," Gunny says blandly.
Roland jumps from the tank to his brain in a panic.
The exterior of the Scorpion burns. Gunny just hastily resets the simulation with a groan.
----
Like what you see? Commission me or drop me a ko-fi.
#halo#fireteam crimson#spartan gordon arizona#gunny writes#this was a lot of fun thank u for the encouragement
36 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Day 77: Thursday March 18, 2021 - “Desert Vineyards”
Its amazing to me that there are people out here in the desert that can find a way to grow grapes and make wine and setup a beautiful shop for some winery tasting in Southern Arizona. But there is a place we love - we first came for a date way back in the day, and now we come when we have special people in town to show off - today we had three people we wanted to venture with! Took grandpa out to the vineyard to circle up around Table 18 and have some good times in front of good views in Sonoita.
We spent our time sipping wine pre-gaming for the Spartan’s play in game - all spangled in our green and white... but our pledge of allegiance did no good - later at home sitting together on the couch back at the Finca, we witnessed an overtime failure that made the rest of March a wash. Time to take that Spartan flag down until Fall football season. Hey good thing for that Merlot, lubricating the off-season!
Song: Gordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My Mind
Quote: “One should always be drunk. That's all that matters...But with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you chose. But get drunk.” ― Charles Baudelaire
1 note
·
View note
Text
NBA mock draft 2018: Luka Doncic is No. 1, but Mohamed Bamba and Trae Young are charging
The Texas center and Oklahoma sharpshooter are rising up draft boards as the college basketball season enters conference play.
The 2018 NBA Draft class keeps looking better and better. As Luka Doncic continues to put up historic numbers in Europe, top NCAA freshmen like Arizona center Deandre Ayton and Duke’s Marvin Bagley III have lived up to every bit of recruiting hype they entered college with.
The college season has also given us some new breakout stars. Oklahoma freshman point guard Trae Young has become the story of the season, leading the NCAA in points and assists with dazzling play that’s drawn comparisons to Stephen Curry. There have also been some breakout upperclassmen, led by Villanova’s long-armed defensive ace Mikal Bridges.
With conference play in full swing, it’s time for a new mock draft. Let the tank-off begin.
1. Atlanta Hawks - Luka Doncic, G, Real Madrid
Luka Doncic might be the best player in Europe right now. Not the best prospect — best player. The 18-year-old is an advanced stats monster, leading Euroleague in BPM, posting a sterling 65 percent true shooting percentage and saving some of his best games for the biggest competition.
youtube
Doncic is not an elite athlete like many of this draft’s other top prospects, but he checks every other box. At 6’8, he plays as an oversized point guard, showing off excellent passing ability, a capable three-point stroke and a great feel for the game. There has never been a more accomplished European teenager to enter the draft.
For as good as many of the NCAA freshmen look right now, Doncic deserves to be the clear favorite for the No. 1 pick.
2. Boston Celtics - Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
Bamba has the potential to be the type of player the NBA has never seen before. With a 7’9 wingspan, he’ll be the longest player in league history from the moment he’s drafted. He’s been an excellent rim protector for Texas as a freshman, posting a block rate of 16.8 percent (No. 4 in the country) and showing off the quickness and agility to stick with opposing guards.
youtube
Bamba’s offense is less polished, but it remains intriguing. He’s hit only two fewer three-pointers than Arizona’s Ayton on a similar number of attempts. He certainly doesn’t have Ayton’s post moves, but Ayton doesn’t have his defensive gifts. More than anything, he seems like a perfect fit for a Celtics team that can afford to wait for his potential to turn into production.
3. Orlando Magic - Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
The Magic just need the best pure talent available. Ayton might not be a perfect fit for a team that already has Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac in the front court, but that should be of no concern if he’s is on the board. He’s simply too talented to pass on.
Ayton has been the most physically dominant player in college basketball this year, a 7-foot, 260-pound center with remarkable athleticism, touch around the basket and a developing skill set. He’s averaging 20.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while posting a 66 percent true shooting percentage. He needs to improve his instincts and effort on the defensive end, but he has all the tools to be a legitimate star in the NBA.
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Duke
What do we make an 18-year-old big man who can score and rebound at will at the college level but doesn’t block shots or shoot threes the way NBA teams would like? That’s the rub with Bagley, who feels like he’ll need to land in a good situation to maximize his unique talent.
There’s no better place for him than Memphis. With a center like Marc Gasol who can space the floor and anchor the defense, Bagley can be free to score inside as his skill level develops. In the short term, he’ll succeed with elite athleticism, agility and a non-stop motor.
5. Dallas Mavericks - Michael Porter Jr., F, Missouri
Porter has been sidelined with a back injury the entire year at Mizzou, but NBA teams are very familiar with his game. Porter was arguably the top recruit in the country entering the season, a reputation he built by starring on big stages for USA Basketball and at the McDonald’s All-American Game and Nike Hoop Summit.
Porter is an explosive 6’10 combo forward who does his best work out on the perimeter. Not many players this size can create their own shot off the dribble this effortlessly. Scouts would have wanted to see just how good of a three-point shooter he could be at the college level. They also wanted to check in on his handle. But even if he doesn’t play this year, his natural talent alone makes him likely to be a top-five pick.
6. Sacramento Kings - Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
While Porter was always projected as a top-five pick, few would have expected his grassroots ball teammate on Mokan Elite to be in the same conversation. Young was a McDonald’s All-American in high school, but he wasn’t a consensus top-20 recruit or a projected one-and-done. That’s changed now that he’s the biggest story in college hoops.
Young has essentially broken college basketball. He’s leading the NCAA in points per game and assists per game, a feat that’s never been done. He’s undersized at 6’2 and is a below the rim athlete, but he can shoot from anywhere, he’s a brilliant passer and he has a surprising knack for getting to the foul line.
Forget Young as the Next Steph — he’s actually the first Post-Curry player. The confidence, the craftiness, the propensity to break the rhythms of the game ..... it could only come from a youth spent watching Steph. Trae Young is going to have a great NBA career in his own right.
Plus, you know Vivek Ranadive can’t pass on anyone who draws comparisons to Steph.
7. Chicago Bulls - Jaren Jackson Jr., C, Michigan State
The secret to the Bulls’ surprising recent success is front court spacing. When Nikola Mirotic returned and paired with rookie Lauri Markkanen up front, Chicago suddenly had a wide open floor for Kris Dunn to pick apart. Now that the Bulls are expected to trade Mirotic, they would be wise to find another big man who can shoot.
That’s where Jaren Jackson Jr. comes in. The Michigan State freshman is only averaging 10.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game — numbers that pale in comparison to what Ayton and Bagley are putting up. The difference is that Jackson’s skill set might fit the NBA better than both. He’s proved to be an effective shooter (43.5 percent on 2.7 threes per game) and shot blocker (3.2 blocks per game), something neither Bagley or Ayton can claim. He would be a great fit next to Markkanen and give Chicago a perimeter-oriented front court to build around in the future.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
Will the Cavs trade this pick for a veteran in hopes of winning the NBA title and keeping LeBron James as a free agent this summer? It’s possible, but if Cleveland hangs onto the pick Alabama point guard Collin Sexton would be an ideal selection.
Sexton is a certified bucket-getter, averaging 20.6 points per game on a 59.5 percent true shooting percentage. His three-point stroke (38.8 percent) has been solid, but Sexton’s bread-and-butter is driving to the basket. He’s top-10 in the country at drawing fouls, per KenPom, and he’s an 80 percent shooter at the line when he gets there. Sexton’s intensity would make him a great running mate for LeBron or a stellar first building block if he leaves.
9. Phoenix Suns - Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova
The Suns would ideally want a point guard with this pick, but in this scenario both Young and Sexton are off the board. They opt for Mikal Bridges, the redshirt junior who has grown into the type of 3-and-D wing NBA teams covet during his time at Villanova.
Bridges’ development has been slow, but he’s blossomed this year. He might be the best and most versatile perimeter defender in college basketball, combining a 7-foot wingspan with excellent quickness and anticipation. He’s also become a 45 percent three-point shooter this year. Combine both and he’s worthy of a top-10 pick even after four years in college.
10. Charlotte Hornets - Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan State
Miles Bridges shocked the NBA world by deciding to come back to Michigan State for his sophomore season. He’s remained a great player for the Spartans, but he hasn’t improved in any big areas. His three-point shooting has fallen from 39 percent to 34 percent and he hasn’t made major strides as a ball handler. Still: Bridges is a crazy athlete who can play above the rim at either forward spot at 6’6. He might be even more effective with NBA spacing.
11. Utah Jazz - Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky
There are games where Knox looks like a surefire lottery pick and others where it’s hard to notice him on the floor. Case in point: these are his last two games.
1/9 vs. Texas A&M: 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 shooting from three.
1/6 at Tennessee: six points on 1-of-9 shooting from the field and 0-of-5 shooting form three.
Knox may be raw, but at 6’9 with good athleticism and a developing shooting stroke, he has a lot of attributes NBA teams like. The guess here is that he ends up in the lottery unless his shooting really falls off.
12. Los Angeles Clippers - Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M
Williams is a center from Texas A&M with long arms, explosive leaping ability and the potential to turn into a great rim protector and lob target. Sound like someone else? That would be Clippers center DeAndre Jordan. Get a younger version like Williams in the mix, and LA suddenly has a valuable trade asset in Jordan.
13. New York Knicks - Troy Brown, G, Oregon
Brown was an oversized point guard early in his high school career before his coaches realized he was more valuable on the wing. Still, a lot of those point guard skills Brown honed over the years continue to come in handy: he’s a good passer and ball handler at 6’7 and is knocking down 35 percent of his threes. He’s also a quality defender. Troy Brown is the type of player who fills in the cracks. The Knicks could use him.
14. Philadelphia 76ers - Lonnie Walker, G, Miami
Walker missed the early part of the season as he recovered from a torn meniscus, and he’s still working his way back into shape for Miami. After a strong early season start, he hasn’t scored in double-figures the last six games. Still, at his best, Walker is an athletic 6’4 off-guard who can drive to the hoop and is developing as a shooter.
15. New Orleans Pelicans - Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia
Musa is a 6’9 shooter. There’s always a place in the league for someone like that:
youtube
16. Denver Nuggets - Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
Diallo is an A++ athlete. That’s the first thing everyone knows about him after he posted a record 44.5-inch vertical jump at the NBA draft combine last year. Kentucky fans had to enjoy this huge dunk against Louisville:
youtube
Diallo has also showed his skill level is rising, hitting 14-of-38 threes this season (36.8 percent). If he can learn to leverage his physical gifts on the defensive end, he should be a solid two-way player with better NBA spacing around him.
17. Indiana Pacers - Wendell Carter, PF/C, Duke
Carter should get drafted higher than this on talent alone. Two problems: there are a lot of big men in this draft, and Carter hasn’t been featured in Duke’s offense much with Bagley putting up gigantic numbers next to him. Still: Carter is big (260 pounds), long (7’3 wingspan), can score inside, has a developing jump shot and is a monster rebounder. It’s worth noting that he’s been at least partially liable for Duke’s weak defensive performance this season.
18. Detroit Pistons - Trevon Duval, PG, Duke
Duval is a great athlete with long arms who thrives on driving to the hoop and putting pressure on opposing ball handlers. That’s the point guard archetype Stan Van Gundy loves. Unfortunately, Duval is extremely raw as an outside shooter (7-for-42 on threes this season), otherwise he’d be drafted much higher.
19. Milwaukee Bucks - Keita Bates-Diop, G, Ohio State
Bates-Diop is a rising senior who has blossomed into someone who deserves to be on NBA radars amid a breakout season. At 6’7, 235 pounds, KBD looks like a legit 3-and-D wing. He’s more than doubled his scoring average from last season (20 points per game) while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from three.
20. Portland Trail Blazers - Anfernee Simons, SG, IMG Academy
Simons is a five-star recruit who could enter the draft as a fifth-year prep school player. He’s a late bloomer who still desperately needs to gain strength, but his natural talent for creating offense off the dribble is undeniable. That’s why ESPN initially had him projected as the No. 5 pick in their 2019 mock draft. It will be fascinating to see if he goes to college or chooses to enter the draft.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves - Shake Milton, PG, SMU
Milton isn’t the most explosive point guard, but he has great size (6’6) and has shot above 40 percent from three-point range every year of his college career.
22. Phoenix Suns - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky
Kentucky’s freshman guard was a relative unknown coming into the season, but he’s had some great games on big stages. Most notably: 24 points against Louisville on Dec. 29 and 21 points against Georgia on Dec. 31. With a 7-foot wingspan, he’s long and athletic. If his three-point shot is for real (9-of-20 on the season), he could be Kentucky’s best player and best prospect.
23. Washington Wizards - Lagerald Vick, SG, Kansas
The Kansas wing is quietly having a breakout junior year. Vick doesn’t have great size for a wing at 6’5, 175 pounds, but he’s becoming a knockdown shooter (46 percent from three) and has raised his assists from 0.9 to 3.3 per game since last season.
24. Atlanta Hawks - Mitchell Robinson, C
Robinson is an ultra bouncy 7-footer who should make his money blocking shots and catching lobs. It’s a damn shame college fans didn’t get to enjoy him at Western Kentucky this season.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers - Khyri Thomas, SG, Creigton
Thomas has a reputation as one of college basketball’s best perimeter defenders, and he’s hitting 39 percent of his threes for the second season in a row. Every NBA team needs 3-and-D guards. He can also do this:
DON'T HURT 'EM! http://pic.twitter.com/supB1qKyuG
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) January 10, 2018
26. San Antonio Spurs - Justin Jackson, F, Maryland
Jackson is out for the season with a shoulder injury, but don’t sleep on his NBA prospects. He’s a versatile defender with a 7’3 wingspan and hit 43.8 percent of his threes last year as a freshman.
27. Atlanta Hawks - Jevon Carter, PG, West Virginia
Carter is an absolutely ferocious perimeter defender who is bound to draw comparisons to Patrick Beverly. Just ask Trae Young. He’s also shooting 39.5 percent from three and is averaging 6.9 assists per game. Suddenly, Carter finds himself as the senior star of the No. 2 team in the country. He could end up a first rounder by June.
28. Brooklyn Nets - Chandler Hutchison, SF, Boise State
Hutchison has developed into an NBA sleeper during his senior year at Boise State. The versatile 6’7 wing is averaging 18.1 points per game as well as a career-high 3.5 assists per game. His three-point shot will likely make or break a pro career. At 37.5 percent on 3.2 attempts per game this season, so far, so good.
29. Boston Celtics - Jalen Hudson, SF, Florida
Hudson is a 6’6 redshirt junior wing who broke out during the PK80 tournament, dropping 25 points on Gonzaga and 24 points on Duke. He’s become an ace shooter this year, knocking down 44.4 percent of the six threes per game he’s attempting.
30. Golden State Warriors - Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA
A tough point guard with good scoring instincts and a reliable three-point shooting stroke. There’s already two Holiday brothers in the NBA. Why not three?
0 notes
Text
ARLINGTON, Texas | The Latest: Mich. St extends streak of having player picked
New Post has been published on https://is.gd/uE7Q6J
ARLINGTON, Texas | The Latest: Mich. St extends streak of having player picked
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the NFL draft Saturday (all times local): 12:15 p.m.
Michigan State extended its streak of having at least one player selected in the NFL draft to 78 years when Brian Allen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams early in the fourth round.
Only Michigan and USC have longer streaks, both extended to 80 years during the first two days of the draft.
Allen could end up being the only Michigan State player to go, but that’s not necessarily terrible news. The Spartans had one of the most inexperienced teams in the country last season and still went 10-3. ___ 12 p.m.
The New York Giants selected the first quarterback of the third day of the NFL draft, selecting Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta early in the fourth round with pick No. 109.
The Giants passed on trying to get their quarterback of the future to replace Eli Manning in the first round, taking running back Saquon Barkley at No. 2 overall. Lauletta doesn’t have a big arm, but he showed good athleticism and accuracy playing at the FCS school. ___ 11:50 p.m.
The Cleveland Browns used a fourth-round pick, No. 105 overall, to take one of the draft’s most talented but troubled wide receivers.
Florida’s Antonio Callaway had multiple suspensions while playing with the Gators, missing all of last season because of his part in a credit card fraud scheme.
When Callaway plays he is a deep threat receiver and dangerous return man, but he could be the next Josh Gordon. ___ 11:15 a.m.
The Carolina Panthers began the third and final day of the NFL draft by taking Indiana tight end Ian Thomas in the fourth round.
Thomas was raised by his siblings after both of his parents passed away when he was young. He is a former junior college standout before attending Indiana.
He goes 6-4, 258 and had five touchdown catches while averaging 15 yards per reception last season. ___ 11 a.m.
NFL teams are announcing their third-day draft picks from a variety of locales. Perhaps the most unusual is what the Arizona Cardinals are doing Saturday.
The Cardinals will do so from Route 66 in Winslow, Arizona. Rejoice Eagles fans — no, not of the Super Bowl champions but of the Hall of Fame rock band — Standin’ on the Corner Park in historic downtown Winslow will be the site. The public park opened in 1999 to commemorate the song “Take It Easy,” which was written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey and made into a megahit by the Eagles.
Former Cardinals wide receiver Frank Sanders and kicker Neil Rackers will join team mascot Big Red and Cardinals cheerleaders to announce the fourth-round selection (134th overall) from the corner. Cardinals picks in the fifth (152nd overall) and sixth round (182nd overall) will be announced by Winslow Mayor Robin Boyd and the Winslow High School football team.
By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC(R.A)
0 notes