Lessons in Leadership: The Wire - Avon Barksdale

Avon Barksdale is one of the most fascinating characters in a show full of power players and all-stars. What separates him from the rest of the pack? What can we learn from his leadership style? Tune in to find out just why the king stay the king
#thewire #hbo #avonbarksdale #theking
Outro Song: Huma: Not Too Cray

[@jamaalmoses8821]

Avon's isolation hurt him ,too. Identifying Bodie as a loyal Crew Leader,and elevating Bodie would have helped the Barksdales.

[@wealthautomations]

Yup it wasn’t a wise business decision.

[@parkermudsen1063]

Yeah. Had Bodie been family shit would’ve been straight. Marlo would’ve been much less likely to come to power the way he did.

[@PiffFighting]

Bodie did elevate if you watch properly he just got isolated after season 3 when everyone went jail

[@jamaalmoses8821]

@@PiffFighting well he had the ability to be more in the role of a Shamrock or Monk. Given his dedication,he should have had more interaction w Avon.

[@PiffFighting]

@@jamaalmoses8821 Avon went jail Shamrock and Monk were yes men if he had out lasted Marlo Slim Charles would have promoted him

[@GoGetYourShinebox]

The show started with Barksdale at its peak. Avon was relatively unknown, they owned the west side and had no real opposition. It was Stringer who was being smug to McNulty in court, maybe if not for that McNulty might not have become obsessed with taking he & Avon down. Stringer started the downfall of the Barksdale crew by bruising McNulty’s ego lol

[@marquetparsons8410]

Dee was the downfall and checking Dee made things worst.

[@mr.beatspt.2969]

Stringer should’ve never showed his face in court and the “Natural police” detective dude who found Avon’s boxing poster was the start of his downfall. Once they have a face to the name it’s a wrap pretty much, just a matter of time after that.

[@josephtaylor-kennedy1420]

That's a way to look at it

[@zay6324]

Dee was their downfall. if Dee wouldnt beat that murder, mcnulty would have never went to the judge and told him who they were.

[@josephtaylor-kennedy1420]

@@zay6324 they're a drug organization police would have found them sooner or later...all McNulty's move did was put attention on them sooner...unauthorized at that...naw the downfall of Barksdale organization was every choice Stringer made in Avon's absence...the police would have never prosecuted Avon again if it wasn't for the information String gave to Major Colvin

[@jamaalmoses8821]

Cutty would be an interesting topic.He is like a middle aged employee forced into retirement..then struggles to find a new career at first.

[@ScotisticDad]

Yes!

[@thebettingpublicsportsshow]

Im not knocking ya comment. But he wasnt forced.

[@fascinatinglist9654]

We need cutty for sure. I also think the sopranos has some interesting characters as well if you're looking for future topics.

[@calsums914]

Not the same game some play into they 70s.Depends on you

[@grunglethebungle]

He makes me think of the wallace that could've been. They both tried to redefine their lives and get out of the game. Stringer bean(that was bad lmao) and avon were both cold ruthless bastards no doubt but at least avon respected cuttys decision.

[@EarsTotheStreetsMedia]

Okay this series is amazing, Avon was one of my favorite characters strictly on his leadership traits, and morals. He’s not perfect, but he’s one of the more “pure” characters in the series, and this is put on display multiple times. The basketball game, letting Cutty go without being spiteful(Marlo would’ve had him killed), lending Cutty more than he needed, conceding to Marlo so as long as he made sure Avon’s people’s was good. I mean he could’ve just kept the connect, and gave it to someone else, but to him even though Marlo was a foe he was still “Westside”, and Avon respected that. He was a great character Imo.

[@willnotez6976]

Avon respected The eff out of Cutty, so did the rest of the soliders

[@drewinsur7321]

I think avon gave the connect to marlo because otherwise it would be a bigger bloodshed, marlo wouldn't accept nothing less so avon threw a bone while saving time to his people

[@Stocksinho]

nah that westside thing was for clowning and fooling marlo. avon made the ultimate chess move with giving that shit to marlo and it worked.

[@Tadaia]

I don’t think Eastside vs Westside mattered so much to Avon or Marlo. Avon was toying with him. He likely wanted to exploit the situation because he felt Marlo taking over was inevitable and wanted revenge on Prop Joe for his constant manipulation of Stringer… this ultimately caused their downfall. Marlo was obsessed with wearing the crown Avon once wore. Avon did that to let Marlo know that even from prison he had a hand in controlling his destiny and to get funds to Brianna. Unlike Stringer Avon understood who Marlo and Prop Joe were and what motivated them.

[@saeedboynes7129]

Facts!

[@jmakavelee]

Avon gave Sting a pass on Dee's murder. Avon and String never fell off. Avon had to give up Stringer to Brother Mouzone because String tried to double cross him. Avon tried to save String in that situation, but Mouzone made it clear that was not possible. Give up Stringer or lose NY ties.

[@lougehrig1786]

they fell off. that plus him playing ‘away games’ it caused a rift between them. as well as crossing a decorated brother like Brother Mouzone, calling out hits without consulting Avon & a number of other shit, Stringer was burning that bridge very fast. they definitely fell off after, I mean Avon is all about loyalty, family, if he and String never fell off he woulda just bit the bullet on that NY connect 🤷🏾‍♂️ but he knew it wasn’t salvageable, can’t trust no businessman and that’s what Stringer was turning into.

[@keithwright9456]

Avon wasn't gonna kill String or ex communicate him. But distance him. Yet the Mouzone situation was unavoidable and his organization needed support. NY was a major supporter. If String didn't care more about himself and actually moved for the betterment of the organization none of the other situations would've been a hindrance and Avon would not have had to give him up. The family is most important to Avon and String wasn't moving for the family.

[@rodneymartin3428]

He should Ave lose NYC N DONT EVEN BLINK TWICE BOUT THAT .

[@MarcillaSmith]

Some of y'all talking like he can go to a NY hitter whose rep reaches to Baltimore and just be like, "nah, you good." As if that kind of muscle is just going to go, "oh shucks! I guess i drove down here for nothing. If i don't have permission, i guess there's just nothing i can do." I'm not even from that region, but come on - wake up and think on this.

[@Wideout4]

if D wasn’t Avon’s Nephew he’d be dead episode 1

[@nategz9875]

If he wasn’t Avon’s nephew he wouldn’t have been involved in the game. Probably be working a city job or would have made something of himself.

[@redmanjohnson4616]

Yeah because D wasn't built for the game

[@dantemariscal8679]

@@redmanjohnson4616 D was made for the game. He proved that when he killed Avon’s girlfriend but he never agreed with it. He was like Michael who also didn’t agree with the game but did it anyways

[@AfroPick82]

@@dantemariscal8679 It's called not being a mindless YES man or person. Not to diss her character yet Snoop was a perfect example of the above statement. Look where it got her 1 to the Dome piece. Wasn't using ones own mind anyway

[@Roffawarrior]

@@dantemariscal8679 He didn't kill her, Wee-Bay did. D was trying to impress Bodie and them

[@ThinkPIONEERing]

GREAT TAKEAWAYS: 1. As a leader, have a purpose bigger than yourself 2. Your purpose may not be the same as other peoples and that’s okay 3. meet people where they’re at, then try to elevate them. 4. people change and with that their motivations change, learn to recognize that. 5. keep a low profile, if you’re off the radar you have more time to focus on your purpose 6. take ownership of all your actions, it instills confidence 7. do the things you expect of others, and don’t accept anything less 8. avoid multifront wars at all costs 9. maintaining is a lot harder than the comeuppance 10. try to never be slow, try to never be late

[@mehpfft]

This is an excellent summary, thank you.

[@MrKevin1144]

Beautiful synopsis

[@JerzRapScene]

Excellent analysis

[@jasonwolfe3252]

I never get tired of hearing Wire analysis and breakdowns. I have probably listened to a couple dozens over the years and this is one of the best I have heard .

[@VividManify]

Perfect. Avon was that dude on so many quiet levels.

[@AvonBD]

💯

[@jasonwolfe3252]

Yeah I find most people are team Barksdale. He was ruthless but put family first (sometimes to a fault) set rules in place and showed a bit of compassion.

[@ttt7337jjj]

Fr, he is so underrated. I feel like the writers wanted you to not like him in first two seasons , but becomes one of the best characters after u realize his intentions. he became part of my top favorite by the end of season 3

[@kdizzle901]

Best street character in my opinion

[@kck08bro30]

Facts

[@EJKBoxingandFitness]

Reminds me of a time I worked about 22 hours straight on a project everyone new I was the only guy whom could handle it. I figured I made a few mistakes because I was tired, so I went home to get a 1 or 2 hours of sleep & then go back & doublecheck my work. When I arrived back at work, my supervisor assigned someone to doublecheck my work. I went to the supervisor & chewed him out for giving someone my work to doublecheck before I had a chance to double check it. He bowed his head & said he was sorry. I then had to take my work back from the person he assigned to doublecheck it. I was pissed, because I worked all damn night & they came in fresh looking at my work before I could. I told the person whom was assigned & my supervisor to never do that again, they didn't.

[@alecaquino4306]

Although ruthless, Avon was ultimately beloved by his people. Marlo only brought them fear.

[@Connect200]

Avon had charisma. Marlo doesn't.

[@alecaquino4306]

@@Connect200 Agreed.

[@fortyforfree]

Imagine they did another season and showed him running the jail? Yo. Be dope

[@dropdarealest]

Hell yea!!!!

[@vegan4life64]

He only got five years..!?

[@teresagordon1854]

@@vegan4life64 nah 30

[@anthonyskata]

I'd like to see Chris and weebay after the met in jail

[@gtamenace9743]

they kinda did that already in season 2

[@ncnyc4418]

Avon my favorite character of all time

[@almadeunrebel]

me too, he so thorough

[@ncnyc4418]

@@almadeunrebel facts

[@almadeunrebel]

@@ncnyc4418 “yeah up in here, im what you would call an authority figure! people depend on me for all types of shit...”

[@ikelenafly]

for real

[@JMO_8111]

@@almadeunrebel that's one of my favorite parts he really played that role good

[@user-ly1ze1pl2r]

one thing Avon did as well was size Marlo up immediately, selling the connect knowing that marlo would mess it up and that the commitee would take over with slim charles as the go too

[@jstorm416]

They put the pieces together on Marlo at the end of season 3. Slim charles was watching him all day.

[@be4unvme]

@@jstorm416 lol Avon sold it for 100k marlo flipped it to 10 mill. Marlo came back on top because he was ruthless. He just didn't get the love, recognition and respect Avon had

[@jstorm416]

@@be4unvme the hundred large is what prop Joe hustled out of him in season 1. Avon could've really charged more. He knew marlo would take Joe out.

[@be4unvme]

@@jstorm416 but he didn't. That why marlo said 100 large huh. He looked down on him

[@jstorm416]

@@be4unvme Looked Down? Your reaching. Bottom line is he paid what Avon told him to pay and Marlo followed instructions.

[@keithsmith8975]

Avon Barksdale =King stays King Slim Charles = the smart pawn

[@mynameismyname6830]

Slim is more like the castle or bishop

[@threex1]

@@mynameismyname6830 naw hes the pawn that made it to the otherside and became the queen we just met him when he was in position to be more valuable than a rook or bishop

[@mynameismyname6830]

@@threex1 you’re right

[@matthewmoltisante3221]

@@threex1 I think he was a pawn to bishop to queen at the end

[@shameekgrimes1921]

I see slim as bishop turned queen

[@OnkelAdiSuperstar]

I want to say that it was Wee-Bey who misjudged Cutty's mental status at the time of release, and Avon had the right hunch regarding Cutty's inability to stay in the game. It was still a good video overall, and Avon did screw up by not acting on his hunch with Cutty. But he was desperate and probably felt that testing Cutty was the right move.

[@LionsandLegions]

Good catch!

[@SantomPh]

Yet he let Cutty leave the game and even gave him $15,000 for the gym.

[@brized]

Cutty did 14 years and didn't snitch, as well as a ton of work before he got caught. Avon was willing to give him much more than $15,000 as a reward.

[@williamneuzil7403]

@@brized Didnt they say Cutty called 911 on himself after a hit?

[@brandonbates9587]

@@williamneuzil7403 yes

[@dariusbunce3156]

Avon grew to be one of my favorite characters. I think it means something about the show when you regard the character more than the actor and how much you can learn from a mostly fictional character at that. As always love your videos man!

[@NiniEJ]

I love the way you broke this down, especially the part where you mentioned the humanistic side of Avon! He’s definitely one of my favorite characters on the series!

[@watchemakbad2570]

Wow, I'm highly impressed. As a believer that 'The Wire" was the best tv show ever created, this breakdown was true and on point. He even gave me something to think about n I thought I covered every angle of The Wire. Looking forward to seeing more great content.

[@ItsSlidey_]

Avon was the one that who said joint might’ve broke cuddy. Wee Bay says “nah man he ain’t breakin’” after he gave us a little background story on why cutty was locked up to begin with

[@rickwilliams739]

I love the way you broke Avon down, like it was science class!!

[@tomeko0762]

I don’t know if you have done one on DeAngelo but he was a very complex character. Growing up in “the game” he knew how to handle business which was evident in how he showed Bodie and Poot and Wallace how to hustle for real! He just realized he wanted another life.

[@tjsosa604]

Chess in the courtyard

[@Saveyourbs]

Deangelo was not built for that life. He obviously liked the money and the fruits of that life but he was not and would never be accustomed to the ugly side of that life. Started using dope in prison. When he died I was more relieved than anything.

[@KtotheG]

Dee was ungrateful and self-righteous. I don't see why he has so many fans. I guess because many people see themselves in him.

[@aavalos7760]

@@KtotheG Ungrateful and self-righteous because he's empathetic and sees the cycle for what it is?

[@Mr_DPZ]

@@KtotheG D'Angelo is popular because he had the conscience of everyday folk. He was a reluctant gangster. That made him terrible for the game, but relatable for people weary of the world around them.

[@therighteousking3996]

Bruh I just started watching these videos today & could not stop, You have been on point with a few things in your videos. about the wire I’m from Baltimore born & raised, I didn’t start the street life till my early 20s..ranned out of options & got tired of working for ppl & made my own way.. just untill I get where I needed to be. your videos had shed some light on a few things I’m lacking in. Im learning more from you then I’m from the Ogs around my hood.. some with no hope because the game was all they knew, but thank you keep up with the videos.. 💯💯💯

[@pgfinna]

Thank you SOOO much for these man. It so helpful to learn leadership in the context of a show in familiar with.

[@knowsmebyname]

11:40 "when upyou have nothing left all that remains is family". A point Francis Coppolla was tring to make in Godfather 3. Michael had spent his life in service to his family but lost them all and didnt even realize it.

[@RipsharkTV]

Been studying leadership styles a lil bit.....feel like they fit Avon is authoritative - The authoritative leadership style is the mark of confident leaders who map the way and set expectations while engaging and energizing followers along the way.//////// *ex: he lays out his expectations clear and expects them to be followed to a T but he can adjust to his people's needs when needed (letting Cutty walk from the gang.). He also easily recognizes his team strengths/weaknesses. He easily has the most well-rounded leadership style and he is the best kingpin for sure.* String is pacesetting - describes a very driven leader who sets the pace as in racing. Pacesetters set the bar high and push their team members to run hard and fast to the finish line.//////// *ex: his expectations set for producing fewer bodies and using trafficking solely as a business means. Like he lays out his plan and expects every run to run with his vision. Also his ludicrous requests, like killing Clay Davis. Tell people anything to get to his goal n meet that criteria he want lol* Marlo is autocractic - an autocratic leader believes that he or she is the smartest person at the table and knows more than others. They make all the decisions with little input from team members.///////// *ex: "what the fuck you know about what I need on my mind mf? (to Chris in Jail)", his killing of anyone that disrespects him* Prop Joe is affilative - A leader practicing this style pays attention to and supports the emotional needs of team members. The leader strives to open up a pipeline that connects him or her to the team.//////// *ex: his whole formation of the Co-Op. "you do for me, I do for you".*

[@blakboy087]

24:25 actually it was the other way around. WeeBay even gave a back story to why he don’t think he’s broken

[@LionsandLegions]

Good catch!

[@illiteratethug3305]

​@@LionsandLegions Owning your action? Practicing what you preach my man

[@youngc1mission]

“Live the life, leave the life, ain’t no big thing”……”What’s up baby talk that shit now”

[@LionsandLegions]

Powerful scene

[@jamaalmoses8821]

Thank you.All these other channels want to blame Stringer for the way Brandon was killed.

[@AvonBD]

But String was playing too many away games

[@SantomPh]

Well, he ordered it too.

[@galenmerrick]

The Wire has truly stood the test of time so far. Nearly 15 years off the air and we have all these amazing case studies about the characters. Great video. New sub.

[@NoHandlzz]

“We ain’t gotta (got a) dream no more”- Stringer Bell. one of the best quotes in the series.

[@blksheep176]

Deep

[@79gregg]

(got to)

[@keithsmith8975]

Double entendre we ain't gotta dream no more/ we ain't got a dream no more/

[@haywoodj]

Avon: "Shiiit, you won't be able to dream no more at all after you get swiss-cheesed tomorrow."

[@michaelshelton7196]

The night before he got wut wus coming to him Lol

[@icewater091]

I love the breakdown of these characters, I’m hoping you will do a breakdown of Bro. Mouzone?

[@KyleSmith-px4gi]

Yes brother Mouzone was the truth .. “the most dangerous man in a america is a nigga with library card “ lol 😂

[@jdpbuilder1787]

Kyle Smith i never understood that saying. Maybe I’m whacked but why would anyone think an educated black person is dangerous? I know lots of educated black people. Most of the uneducated people I know are the people you need to watch

[@Cammerz808]

I AGREE!!!

[@johnallenbailey1103]

@@jdpbuilder1787 you should ask yourself, "why did they prevent slaves from reading?" Or why do black schools have squalid conditions and outdated books... then there's yoir answer.

[@jdpbuilder1787]

​@@johnallenbailey1103 People realized how Fd up slavery was and stopped that nonsense a long time ago. I am not sure what you mean by "black schools" but the squalid conditions you are referencing in places like areas of Detroit or Chicago are in part the result of poor political leadership. We've got morons like Mike Duggan and Lori Lightfoot keeping these type places down for their own benefit. That's how I feel anyway. I grew up and went to school in a place that was 50% / 50% white & black and there was little difference in our families or how well we all did in general. Everyone hustled and lived pretty well and most everyone got along. The only significant difference I saw was most of my black friends were picked first for hoops and my white buddies were picked first for street hockey lol

[@mistert.e.3928]

*Great observation!* Most viewers wouldn't have put to much thought behind the scene where *Avon* hands off the child stating, *"be careful with my little soldier"* From what we've learned, the drug trade is in deed a family endeavor in which members of the Barksdale family are almost expected to enter into. *Again, great observation.*

[@Shenmoki]

Great video! Love the complexity of all the characters in The Wire. Analyzing just one character's beliefs/motivations can lead to hour long conversations. And just a quick correction - Avon was the one to speak up and say Cutty may have been broken by the joint and Wee Bey was the one to try and set him straight by recalling a story from Cutty's past.

[@matjr331]

I just caught that this year during my rewatch .... Avon knows how it goes man, he was right all along

[@TheArchitect9593]

They should do a wire prequel

[@thebettingpublicsportsshow]

My gosh. This might be the best one because it incorporates the most important external factor in working - family. Great breakdown kid.

[@seanward8974]

I agree with most of this except for you saying that Avon thought the maintaining his position was the same as his come up, I disagree. Avon was on point the whole time and most of the beginning seasons they downplayed his intellect and his insight while making stringer look like the actual mastermind but over time we began to see that Stringer was the number 2 for a reason, he wasn’t fit for the top spot. He was making all kinds of mistakes and breaking the rules of the game that allowed Avon to rise to the top and he king. Avon followed the rules of the game to a T, that’s why he lasted as long as he did and survived to see another day. Also the idea that Avon didn’t understand the emotions and motives of those around him I think is false. That was much more Stringer’s problem. Stringer was terrible at reading others around him, he was so disconnected from the streets and his soldiers that they were losing their rep on the streets. Stringer got played by Clay Davis, he couldn’t read Marlo at all while Avon instinctively knew what Marlo was about as soon as he got word of him and the two didn’t meet at all until Avon’s court sentencing, then Stringer got played by Prop Joe who finessed him out of two of the towers, towers that the Barksdales went to war for and won, Prop Joe played on Stringers love of money to get into prime west side drug territory and he was an East Side boss. Meanwhile Avon was the best person in this regard of reading the motives and emotions of others around him, you even said it in the beginning of the video how Avon had to change tact a lot to get his message across, he understood people’s emotions and thought processes very well and got through to them on their level, he read everyone around him exactly correct and predicted many of the situations that would take place in the future, from Clay Davis robbing Stringer blind to the police tapping his phone and the payphones which is why hey stopped using phones in their territory, to Marlo taking over the co-op, he even foresaw problems for Stringer when Stringer told him he asked Brother Mouzone about who shot him. Avon was ahead of the curve on almost everything and he stayed true to the game. He read people very well, all he had to do was listen to you talk or watch your moves and he instantly knew your motives. Look how he predicted the jail “broke” Cutty just by those brief convos they had in jail together. Avon was purely the game, his ability to read people and situations was uncanny, he had the loyalty of everyone around him, nobody ever snitched on him but Stringer and that was more for Avon’s benefit in Stringers mind rather than actually trying to harm him, Stringer tried to keep Avon locked up for parole violation and nothing more, and he knows that the game is the game and was prepared to die for it. Overall I think this was good review but you were way off on the things I mentioned. Avon was the most nuanced character in the show, a gangster but honorable, ruthless but not without humanity and always kept the game to the game, never exiting out of his circle, he knew where he was powerful and where he was weak and he moved and acted accordingly.

[@remylucai]

This was the best way to spend an hour on a Monday.

[@Anderson_Se7en]

I started on this show late, but it’s the perfect metaphorical story of the drug trade over eras and the school to prison pipeline. From Cutty to Avon to Marlo. Countless corner boys to their death. It told the story of a dirty game.

[@ejkboxing]

I wondered, at the time I watched, if that ref was still scared or if he thought to himself, "he's right, I can't just let some dude disrespect me like that".

[@asherjohnson6678]

Same!

[@EddyTheMartian]

Thank you so much for these Character analysis for The Wire, seriously great content, subbed. I hope to see more videos like this, they’re so good.

[@nathylsnipesakayipes7252]

Salute from your Winston-Salem NC FAMILY 💯💯

[@MrPimptastic1]

Tre-4

[@stephensimon2419]

Very thoughtful and detailed--excellent job at flushing out the different aspects of what makes a great leader and how to make those who serve with you as strong as possible 😀

[@demouptown4957]

When he said maintaining is much harder than the come up, I felt that

[@jaysilver9925]

I love the wire and I love professional growth. You have combined them and I am sooooo happy. Couldn’t hit the subscription button fast enough.

[@jerzboylou6634]

Honestly this channel is Golden. Great way of breaking down leadership qualities, not one bit dull.

[@user-otzlixr]

I got nothing but love for The Wire KZbin videos….

[@757_Al]

Avon was a sharp individual.Stringer Bell was a snake. He had Avon's nephew killed and ended up piping his baby moma lol. All the snake moves cost stinger his life.

[@martino5742]

I'm realizing they used headwear to convey status in the game very well in this show

[@KayDee215]

🗣14:22 say it again for the folks in the back

[@LionsandLegions]

one of the biggest mistakes people make when they get on charge is thinking it's all about them

[@dmurphy915]

I always love that last conversation with stringer, what you gonna do with a badminton net in the hood? Then the boys in season 4 are using a badminton net to catch pigeons

[@thebettingpublicsportsshow]

Does every open space have to be a hoop court?

[@jasonwolfe3252]

That's why I love The Wire and love hearing/ reading the breakdowns. I missed that one but I remember both scenes.

[@Irma_Vep]

Hell yeah! Stoked for another one of these. Keep up the great work! You rock

[@LionsandLegions]

Thank you!

[@diverseconscious5262]

True indeed

[@Trespassion7]

Excellent post-So much of this is happening to me right now in business.

[@stryfelyfe01]

But Avon was right, D was family and he was standing tall and would have continued standing tall if Stringer didn't have him killed.

[@R_W_Goodson]

Stringer had plans to take over the entire business because he thought he was smarter than everyone else. D’Angleo’s mother was positioning D’Angelo to be future King. I think that’s why Stringer went straight for D’Angelo’s woman immediately after meeting her. He could use her and keep the “lil soldier” under his control too by influencing him as he grew up.

[@malcolmhodnett8874]

@@R_W_Goodson nah String did not think that far ahead. He was planning ways to leave or regulate the game not conquer it. If he had his way nobody would need soldiers anymore

[@dogecoinbrothermouzone2500]

YOU WERE WRONG , AVON TOLD WEE BEY THE JOINT MIGHT HAVE BROKE CUTTY THEN WEE BEY TRIED TO CONVINCE AVON THAT CUTTY IS STILL FORD TOUGH & BUILT FOR THE GAME 💯🤞🏿

[@Krwler]

This channel is fantastic. I often have to pause videos to meditate on what is said

[@al2931]

During the baseball game Avon actually is the one that suggested prison broke Cutty. Webay insisted it had not. Avon was correct this time but didn’t follow his instinct.

[@bencera6067]

I'm 99% sure this is the guy from Wisecrack that I always liked, cool that he has this channel about character and characters

[@MarkWhippy]

Would be cool if they did a Wire prequel

[@h3was547]

It's way overdue. They can't tell us it's a prequel to The Wire nor A new city's story, they just gotta tell A complex story like the new Concrete Cowboy show seems will be.

[@RAHEEMMILLNER34]

You have to do Brother Muzone next ➡️ #LionsAndLegions

[@illiteratethug3305]

YES!!!

[@dontcopymystyle4469]

Chicago legend. Wood Harris.💯💯💪🏾

[@andreblake3563]

Awesome Video! Love the way you break this down. Brilliant

[@oneshotpony7217]

Caught two videos and I’m hooked. Very good analysis.

[@MrCrabs678]

Great video!!! Just a minor detail, it was Avon who thought the joint might have broken Cutty and Wee-Bay dismissed it.

[@troyblakely6443]

This was a great assessment of Avon. One thing I have to add is that it was actually Wee Bey who said that Cutty wasn't broken. Avon made the statement that Cutty was actually broken from prison

[@quinettsmanigault2567]

It would be cool to see Avon and Stringer growing up and how they came up in the game

[@kevincarrucan5328]

These descriptions of the reality of Leadership are insightful and to the point Many thanks for producing this

[@rouskeycarpel1436]

I agree with Avon going to war with Marlo over the corners.If they just agreed to give up the corners in exchange for providing the heroin Marlo would’ve done to them what he did to Prop Joe.Marlo was on his own with no outside backing going against an established kingpin who was backed by NY;someone like that is black iron;you must break them because they don’t bend.When Stringer first talked to Marlo about how stringer would give them the corners in exchange for Marlo hopping on the connect and the co-op right afterwards he told Chris “tell our people to tool up” because he saw stringer and thus the Barksdale organization as weak for agreeing to give up their corners that easily. Plus you have to remember that selling drugs is unfortunately illegal and the only way that Stringer’s plan would work is if drugs were legal

[@kb3663]

Liked before even listening

[@avonmutah9777]

AVON BARKSDALE ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE CHARACTERS . I'M HOPING YOU WILL START DOING THESE BREAKDOWNS OF GAME OF THRONES CHARACTERS ✅💯✅💯✅💯✅💯

[@josephtaylor-kennedy1420]

And the scarface comparison was on point I forgot that he told Tony that!!! Good work bossman

[@jamalholmes793]

Umm. Avon told wee-bey that prison may have broken curry, and wee-bey dismissed it

[@dogecoinbrothermouzone2500]

AVON BARKSDALE THE ONE TRUE KING 👑 💯🤞🏿

[@PappPolo773]

Excellent breakdown. Bravo!

[@JJRichardson_]

Been waiting a long time for this!

[@malachisimmons8215]

Yo the way yu break shit down is 🔥💯

[@haelisrael4945]

This is a shinning example of you never try to out shine the master. 48 laws of power.

[@reginaldshort8486]

Avon was a gangster and so was his sister but he never thought of keeping nephew out the life. With the legitimate businesses D’angelo would’ve inherited if his family got locked up he would’ve been one of the wealthier black men in Baltimore. Seeing how life ended up with his brother he resolved that that could be him some day but that should’ve made him want to make sure the life of crime ends with his generation.

[@mariogalesakariog3875]

I Say Some of The Characters from The Wire had similar Characteristics like some of the characters from The Godfather Movies...Avon & Omar Were Like Vito Corleone Loved, Well Respected In The Streets & True Leaders to their Gangs...Stringer, Prop Joe, Marlo, Chris, Weebey, Slim & Micheal Were Like Michael Corleone Cold, Quite, Smart, Ruthless, Calculated & Had Some People Do Their Dirty Work For Them...Snoop, Bird & Cheese Were Like Sonny Corleone Loud, Hot Headed, Always Talking Mess & Always Wanted To Fight & Kill Somebody...D'Angelo & Namond Were Like Fredo Soft, Weak, Always About Style when it came to Clothes & Not Fit For The Game.

[@almadeunrebel]

I was just thinking Scarface. String was Alex Sosa Prop Joe was Lopez Tony was Marlo Unfortunately I don't see an Avon parallel.

[@PiffFighting]

Avon was always right the game is the game Always

[@ProperChop]

When Freamon went to the boxing gym to get Avon's picture, there was a guy that asked told Lester- "I got blue tops. Looking for blues??" I think that is the same guy that ended up beating and rubbing Bubbles/Sherrod.

[@Soufpaww]

This doesn't relate to this particular character assessment but I just realized like pawns having "bald heads", Deangelo, Stinkum, and Bird all had bald-heads by choice. I know that was popular during post 90s time period but still interesting.

[@yannick245]

African Americans shaving their head or clipping/trimming it to 1-3mm, was very common from the 80s to the 00s. Then the "Chicago style" took over...

[@RighteousGemz]

D’Angelo was the castle though…

[@Soufpaww]

@@RighteousGemz Ima have to rewatch that scene but I could've swore the stash was the castle.

[@dropdarealest]

Another awesome video! 💯👍

[@teebee7769]

This channel is very very underrated!

[@BENNY_MAC]

I like your story about the outreach program. Very good learning experience

[@soothinglycool9806]

Great management crash course👌 well done✔️

[@pauljazzman1918]

it weird this channel actually makes me look forward to work.

[@TheRealfrost-qf9tm]

I still can’t get over the fact the Avon was wearing a stocking cap and he’s bald 😂😂

[@geckobrah4201]

Great analysis, it helped me understand why I intuitively admired Avon.

[@manofpsg]

Great job bro !!! Long life to the king Avon B

[@OsamaBinBombin]

one of the best actor played one of the best character.

[@Sesamestreet9080]

Been waiting for this for to long

[@rickyclover9393]

Avon Barksdale was best character on the show next to Cutty, Slim Charles and Chris Partlow. All 4 of these characters are killers yet looked out for the youngsters. Avon Barksdale gave Cutty $15,000 to start a boxing gym for kids. Slim Charles warned Bodie the drug game has changed and he must adapted( Bodie was 17 or 18 at the time) Chris Partlow beat Micheal Lee rapist father to death as a huge favor to Micheal.

[@davidcarty7584]

Avon was the one who said that the joint might have broken cutty not weebay,other then that it was a good video.

[@tonym9227]

Great piece.

[@malachisimmons8215]

Ive been waiting on this one 💯

[@briantwarren10]

This the one I’ve been waiting on!

[@Tyler_Solomon]

Never thought I'd see this analysis and I'm impressed.

[@gayfucker123]

Finally damn been waitin 2 see the Avon episode for a MIN

[@LionsandLegions]

I hope you enjoyed it!

[@anthonyskata]

24:40 one big correction. Avon is the one who thinks the joint broke cutty. Wee bay then retells one of cuttys many stories and says "the joint ain't break him"

[@floydmir9709]

Hope you doing well, content is amazing 💯