Chop Shop is a weekly summertime feature with commentary of hot-button local and national sports topics from barbershops. This week’s debates were from the barbers at Livin in the Cut.
The barbershop is more than a place to get a haircut, line-up or beard trim. It’s a social lounge with open and unfiltered conversations on everything from politics to personal affairs.
In this mix, sports debates are always a frequent topic of discussion.
The banter spans all areas with passionate opinions, predictions of a season and trash talk favoring or dismissing teams.
Livin in the Cut Fade Barbershop – located on 111 Ocala Road – is within a stone’s throw of Doak Campbell Stadium. The venue draws a wide base of fans cheering for Florida State, Florida A&M, local high schools and pro teams.
Saturday’s back-and-forth chatter in the chair also covered who’ll win the NBA Finals, Major League Baseball and the Summer Olympics.
Dan Richardson – barber from Tallahassee
Big Bend Preps: “Rickards had a great year in 2020. There’s a Rickards alum coaching, so that’s always a plus. The blue turf is something I’ll have to get used to. I’ll enjoy watching the games there.”
NFL: “I’m an Atlanta Falcons fan. We traded Julio Jones. It’s all good. Calvin Ridley was the go-to target. Julio couldn’t stay healthy because of the turf. He’s at a place with some grass, so he should be fine. If we can get to 8-8, I’ll be happy.”
FAMU Football: “Going to the SWAC is great. I’m picking a 36-24 win over Jackson State. I was played the baritone in the Marching 100. It will be interesting with the halftime shows in the SWAC. Their sound is different. We got it on lock. We like to sound like musicians. The tone is where we’re at.”
NBA Finals: “The Suns will win in five. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) put up 42 in Game 2 and the Bucks still lost. Chris Paul needs a ring. He doesn’t want to retire and be like Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson or John Stockton. Devin Booker is the truth. He’s the next big thing.”
Ryndrick Gaines – client from Tallahassee
Summer Olympics: “Sha’Carri Richardson made a decision. She knew the rules. I also feel like her circle should’ve stopped her. I know she was going through a hard time. I get it, but this is a big opportunity. I’m not saying she can’t go back, but you have to make the most of things like this.”
FAMU Football: “I think it’s good what Willie Simmons is doing with the Rattlers. I want to see more NFL-type recruits come here.
Big Bend Preps: “I went to Rickards. I love seeing what they’re doing with the facilities. I like the blue turf, I wish they would’ve done something like that when I was there. I think we’ll have a good year. I hope we can go back to the championship again.”
Chris Lee – barber from Key West
Pro Sports: “I’m for all the New England teams. Good for Tom Brady winning last year. He got six for us. Cam Newton is going to be the starter this year over Mac Jones. With the Celtics, good riddance Kemba (Walker). I want to see us get someone who’s a solid option to get Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown the ball. The Boston Red Sox, Alex Verdugo is doing his thing.”
MLB All-Star Game: “I haven’t watched the All-Star game in like forever. I’ll definitely watch the home run derby. (Shohei) Ohtani is my guy. If you’re a pitcher and that good at hitting, I have to respect you. He’s been doing big things.
FSU Football: “If we can break .500, that’s a good year. We’ll see how the recruits (Mike) Norvell signed will play. I think we’re on the way back. It’s not a championship-caliber team. If we can get a bowl game, I’ll be happy.”
Summer Olympics: “I’m looking forward to seeing skateboarding in the Olympics. In gymnastics, I want to see Simone get five. I’m upset with what happened in track with Sha’Carri Richardson.”
Mel Davis – barber from Lake Wales
NFL: “I’m a Bucs fan. I think we’ll clinch our division and see what happens from there. We may get another championship. On Aaron Rodgers, he needs to leave. There’s so much of an underlying problem. You have to sever the ties with chaos. Go ahead and find success somewhere else. If the problem is money or they don’t want to bring in personnel, you have to get out of there.
NBA Finals: “The series is going five games. Phoenix wins on Sunday. The Bucks get the next one and then Phoenix gets the championship. This year’s Finals don’t have the same attraction as the playoffs. It would’ve been better if Brooklyn was in it.”
FSU Football: “We’ll just have to wait and see. We’re living in reality. It’s a process. I want some consistency to get some momentum. It starts with the administration. The change in administration with the president is big. It starts at the top and everything trickles down.”
Jonathan Lubin – client from Tallahassee
NFL: “I’m a Houston Texans fan. Bill O’Brien is gone and at Alabama. I don’t think he’s welcome back in Houston. I don’t know if Deshaun Watson will play this season. He didn’t want to be there, then the scandal came out. They drafted a quarterback which seems to be more like a replacement than anything else.”
MLB: “I’m a Marlins fan. They’re not doing too hot. They have a great pitching staff. The hitting is disastrous. It hurts because we have a good farm. (Derek) Jeter is saying this is our year to do it. But it’s going to take a couple of years just to break into third place.”
NBA Finals: “I didn’t expect to see these two markets in the Finals. Everyone was expecting Brooklyn and the Lakers. I don’t think will be a sweep. At the most, it’s going six games.
Follow FAMU beat writer Rory Sharrock on Twitter @rattlernews and @married2game1.
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