The Original Wicked Witch of the West, also known as Elphaba Thropp, is a fictional character from the well-known musical "Wicked" based on Gregory Maguire's novel. Elphaba is the main antagonist of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and Margaret Hamilton's iconic portrayal in the 1939 film adaptation. Elphaba is portrayed as a green-skinned woman with a strong aversion to water due to her early childhood experiences. She is born to Melena Thropp and the Wizard of Oz, making her the sister of Nessarose Thropp. Throughout her journey, Elphaba is shown to possess extraordinary magical powers, including the ability to control animals, which eventually leads her to the position of leading a resistance against the oppressive rule of the Wizard.
Throughout her journey, Elphaba is shown to possess extraordinary magical powers, including the ability to control animals, which eventually leads her to the position of leading a resistance against the oppressive rule of the Wizard. One of the most notable aspects of Elphaba's character is her complex personality, which challenges the stereotypical view of witches being purely evil. Despite her misunderstood nature, Elphaba is depicted as a sympathetic character, driven by her strong sense of justice and desire for social equality.
Zavier Simpson Is Probably Due A Return To The NBA
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 06: Zavier Simpson #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives past Jared . [+] Butler #13 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 06, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Contrary to popular perception, there exists no such thing as a mid-season sign-by date in the NBA. Players can be signed at any point up to and including the last day of the regular season.
The confusion around there potentially being such a date stems from a misunderstanding of the relevance of 1st March in the NBA's calendar. That date represents a waive-by date, rather than a sign-by date; put simply, if a player is on an NBA roster by the close of business on 1st March, that team is the only one they can play for in the postseason. But there is no date by which players must be signed to be eligible for the NBA playoffs, other than the final day of the regular season (i.e. before they start). And if a team is lottery-bound, that point is moot anyway.
Players can therefore be signed in March and April, then, and they often are. These past two weeks alone, Kobi Simmons, Moses Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Jay Scrubb, Gabe York, a much-improved Luka Samanic, Xavier Sneed, D.J. Augustin, Jarrell Brantley, Eugene Omoruyi, Shaq Harrison and Skylar Mays have all signed back into the NBA, and in all but two of those cases (Augustin and Brantley), the players concerned were coming from the G-League.
Perhaps, though, there is room for one more.
Michigan Wolverines graduate Zavier Simpson has long had NBA interest, and also has some NBA experience. Down the stretch of the 2021-22 season, the ragtag and thoroughly uncompetitive Oklahoma City Thunder called him up from their affiliate, the Blue, with whom he had spent the majority of the previous two seasons, and not just played him in the final four games of the year, but started him. Across those four contests, Simpson averaged 11.0 points and 7.3 assists per game, and did a fairly commendable job of making a unit that looked like they had never played together - because they hadn't - into a passable NBA team.
Making others better is the core of Simpson's game. He is a pass-first point guard, and one who really throws a mean hook pass - in the pick-and-roll, he is always probing, hitting spotters and cutters, and looking for a better shooting option than himself at all times.
More impressive than his hook passes, though, are his hook shots. This is not something you would normally say about a 6'0 point guard - not perhaps since the days of Mark Jackson's sort-of-floater-sort-of-hook attempts has such a shot been a staple of one so small at these high levels. Yet Simpson has, bizarrely, made something of a name and career for himself for dropping hooks from the edge of the lane, like a man a foot taller than him 25 years ago might have done.
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Amy Danise EditorOf course, Simpson's NBA candidacy today, just as it was this time last year when the Thunder called him up, is not based on a novelty. With averages on the G-League season of 16.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game for the Orlando Magic's affiliate team, Lakeland, on a much-improved true shooting percentage of .611%, he has put himself towards the top of the ball-handlers call-up list.
Simpson's size, though, is also what is keeping him out of the league. One so small will only ever be a one-position defender, and while he has good hands and applies a lot of pressure on opposing point guards, he offers little to no discouragement when switched onto someone bigger.
Similarly, although his three-point shooting has improved to 47.4% this season, it comes on a limited number of shot attempts, and it is hard to find a shot profile for Simpson against NBA defences that will made him a replacement-level offensive player. Just as this was a problem for players such as Phil Pressey before him, the fact that Simpson is not an elite shooter or athlete is going to only compound the size disadvantage; as fun and occasionally useful as the hook shots are, they will still represent a win for the defence were he to take them in an NBA game. And if he does not take them in NBA games, then his limited package becomes even more so.
Nevertheless, this is the final week of the NBA regular season. This is the time for the teams that know they will not win the title this season - which is most of them - to try out potential young pieces. With his game management, excellent passing ability, patience and vision, Simpson has a pure point guard's game, and he has put in the production at the level directly below the NBA that few others can rival. And if during his audition he also adds some novelty value, that can only be an added bonus.
Paolo Banchero - First round, first pick overall in 2022
Elphaba's journey is intertwined with her unlikely friendship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Together, they navigate the political landscape of Oz, but ultimately find themselves on opposing sides due to conflicting beliefs and aspirations. This friendship dynamic adds depth to Elphaba's character, showcasing her vulnerability and internal struggle. The character of Elphaba delves into various themes such as discrimination, power, and the complexity of morality. Her green skin serves as a metaphor for her "otherness" in society, reflecting how individuals who are different are often marginalized and judged. Elphaba's transformation from an idealistic young woman to a feared witch explores the consequences of actions taken for noble causes. Overall, the Original Wicked Witch of the West is a multi-faceted character who challenges preconceived notions of good and evil. Her complexity and moral dilemmas make her a compelling character that continues to captivate audiences in various adaptations of "Wicked" around the world..
Reviews for "The Original Wickes Witch of the West Coast: A Story of Magic and Mystery"
1. Chloe - 2/5
I was really looking forward to reading "Original Wickes Witch of the West" because I love fantasy books. Unfortunately, I found it to be very dull and lacking in substance. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. I was hoping for a more engaging storyline and complex characters, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
2. Ethan - 1/5
I found "Original Wickes Witch of the West" to be extremely disappointing. The writing style was bland and lacked any depth. The dialogue between the characters was forced and uninteresting. Furthermore, the pacing of the book was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.
3. Sophia - 2/5
"Original Wickes Witch of the West" had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was minimal and I found it difficult to connect with the characters. The plot was muddled and lacked clear direction, leaving me feeling confused and uninterested. I was hoping for a more immersive and captivating read but unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.
4. Liam - 2/5
I struggled to get through "Original Wickes Witch of the West". The writing style was disjointed and the plot felt disjointed as well. The characters lacked depth and I found it difficult to care about their journey. The pacing was also off, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to others.