Karin Abcarians

The Playgrounder • 18th March 2021

Let’s Talk About NBA Champion Kyle Kuzma —

Last season, Los Angeles Lakers power forward Kyle Kuzma, was supposed to be the third star of the team. There was instant pressure put on him after the young core was traded away to be that option behind superstar duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

ScreenInvasion • 12th February 2021

REAL GEEK GIRLS: Writer and Blogger Ashley Smalls

A few years ago, I started this feature, Real Geek Girls, with the goal of showing the world that girls can be geeky. I noticed that there was always some sort of critique of women being geeky and if it was real or just for show. I’m excited to bring...

The Playgrounder • 12th February 2021

Wesley Matthews is Always Ready —

Los Angeles Lakers Shooting Guard Wesley Matthews has shown us that no matter what, you have to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.

ScreenInvasion • 28th January 2021

REAL GEEK GIRLS: Comic Book Writer Erica Schultz

Meet Erica Schultz. She’s a Ringo Award-nominated comic book writer, illustrator, and letterer. She’s also an instructor at The Kubert School.

The Playgrounder • 22nd December 2020

NBA Champion Talen Horton-Tucker Is Rising —

The Los Angeles Lakers are ready to defend their recent, literally-two-months-ago championship. Seriously, it was 2 months ago. 2 MONTHS! They went 4–0 in their preseason games, so they’ll be riding on an even more victorious high into the new...

off-the-glass • 19th December 2020

Free Agency Grades: Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are once again the reigning champions of the NBA, firmly taking care of business in the Orlando Bubble.

off-the-glass • 16th December 2020

Free Agency Grades: Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers had themselves a great run to the playoffs in the Orlando bubble, but they ended up getting eliminated in the first round to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

off-the-glass • 15th December 2020

Free Agency Grades: Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have a nice group of young talent, but haven’t been able to make a lot of noise. In fact, they haven’t had any great success in quite some time and are in need of some new pieces to get the ball rolling.

off-the-glass • 14th December 2020

Free Agency Grades: Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons had themselves an interesting free agency that left many wondering what they’re trying to do with the team. They’ve been hoarding forwards and not really adding pieces that’ll take them back to the playoffs. They revamped their...

off-the-glass • 14th December 2020

Free Agency Grades: Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have been in dire need of a revamp. The team has missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons, which is the longest active playoffs drought in the NBA.

off-the-glass • 11th December 2020

Free Agency Grades: Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors were looking forward to getting back to their dominating ways in the upcoming season with the Splash Bros. Unfortunately, Klay Thompson suffered a torn Achilles and his season ended before it began. They were able to snatch...

off-the-glass • 1st December 2020

Anthony Davis is the Lakers Future

When Anthony Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers fans rejoiced. The team was finally heading back on the right track. Trading the young core for AD was a strategic move that would help LeBron James not have to carry the work-load. After...

ScreenInvasion • 27th November 2020

Holidate Movie Review - A Holiday Date Experiment Turned Lovestory

Romantic Comedies are usually incredibly predictable. They involve two people falling in love with a recycled storyline that sometimes has a holiday setting. Occasionally, you’ll see something new added, but it’s almost always the same. Holidate tries...

The Playgrounder • 13th November 2020

Checking in on the Clippers' Emergency Reload —

The Los Angeles Clippers had themselves a successful regular season. They won 49 games and finished second in the West, and looked primed for a postseason battle with the Lakers. Instead, they ended up (embarrassingly) blowing a 3–1 lead, to the...

The Playgrounder • 9th November 2020

Checking In on the Heat's Burning Offseason —

On July 6, 2019, Jimmy Butler was traded to the Miami Heat. A little more than a year later, he brought them within two wins of an NBA championship. Butler’s arrival gave the Heat a swagger they were missing and changed the entire dynamic of the franchise.

off-the-glass • 25th October 2020

LeBron James’ Year 17 Was Special

For 17 seasons, we’ve witnessed LeBron James continuously playing at an elite level. Now, at an age when most players show signs of slowing down, he seems to be getting better and better.

ScreenInvasion • 18th October 2020

Screamfest 2020: Short Film ZWART Movie Review

The short film, ZWART, from ScreamFest 2020, reminds you not to give up too much information when you’re doing something online. Oftentimes we get caught up in the lure of the internet and we don’t realize what bad things can happen.

The Playgrounder • 14th October 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers Are Champions —

As the only Lakers fan of the Playgrounder family, it’s only right that I express my emotions… It is a wonderful feeling being back at the top… I’d like to also shoutout the Miami Heat, a fantastic team full of ballers. Coach Spoelstra is a damn...

off-the-glass • 24th September 2020

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Has Been Impressive

There’s been a consistent theme for the Lakers all season long - who outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis is going to step up? Kyle Kuzma has long been the presumptive third option, but his offense hasn’t been reliable enough to firmly own the...

The Playgrounder • 23rd September 2020

Playoff Rondo is Rising —

Lakers fans have had a stressful time with Rajon Rondo. During any given Rondo minutes this past season, there was a 100% chance you could find a tweet from a fan wanting Rondo out of the game. In fact, fans often wanted Alex Caruso to get more...