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Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/7/16

3 Up

1. Zion Harvey - Zion unfortunately lost his hands to a bacterial infection at the age of two. Zion then became the first child in the world to receive a double hand transplant. He went on to throw out the first pitch at an Orioles games this week. Awesome story. 

2. Katie Ledecky - So not only did Ledecky make us all feel insecure when she brought home a gold medal at the age of fifteen four years ago in London, but she decided to smash a world record she set in convincing fashion this week. Oh yeah, and she picked up another gold medal in doing so. 

3. Ichiro - What can you say? This dude is 42 years old, and still hitting, and now, the 30th member of the 3,000 hit club. Ichiro really is one of the best players to ever play this game. It's so amazing to think he began his career here in the states at 27. What could have been? 

3 Down

1. Paul O'Neal - Another young black man killed due to police violence. There needs to be a change, in both communities, and for all. This has to stop. 

2. NFL Hall of Fame Game - I'm not really much of a football fan, however, as a professional sport manager, how the NFL dropped the ball on this event, is beyond me. Completely unacceptable for a league that practically prints money. But you know, who cares? 

3. NBC Olympic Coverage - I really enjoy the summer Olympics, especially hearing the stories of the athletes and seeing sports not typically in the mainstream conscience. However, I wasn't a fan of the opening ceremony as NBC cut to footage of the US athletes every chance they go. Come on. It just felt like such propoganda. 

1 Sad

1. Alex Rodriguez Retirement - I can't believe it is finally coming to an end. A-Rod was the most fascinating athlete I've ever seen in my lifetime. After all, just check the Page of Fame here on this little blog. To understand that this is it is saddening. Will take the week to wrap my mind around this. 

Recent Favorites

50 Wins and the #2 Seed

The New York Knicks are the #2 Seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  Unbelievable.  Oh yeah, they also put together an unbelievable fifty-win season to do so.  I've already expressed some thoughts on this season - from the trade of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Julius Randle's injury and obvious absence to the brilliance that was Jalen Brunson - there has been so much to take in, and appreciate.  I can't say it enough - I love this team. THIS team.  Just a few other quick thoughts as we reflect on 50 wins and the #2 seed before heading into a tough first-round series with either the Miami Heat or Philadelphia 76ers:  I know Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the hot narrative for MVP and there is a big-time Serbian in Denver who easily makes a claim for the award once again, but damn it, Jalen Brunson deserves recognition and some lower-place votes. That's all I'm asking for... Speaking of giving flowers to Jalen Brunson, it's about time a real basketball dis

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/14/24

3 Up 1. Gun Control? - Wow. We have somewhat new gun legislation - so it is possible?! Of course, I'm being a bit cheeky in regards to the recent new plan to offer background checks for gun purchases, which really is a big part of the gun control debate. No?  2. Solar Eclipse - I didn't get a chance to experience it, but the idea of it is rather cool. Our world - and universe - is a remarkable experience and thought.  3. Women's Basketball Ratings - The boost continues as women's hoops continue its surge in ratings, interest, and overall star power. It will likely continue next week with the WNBA Draft.  3 Down  1. Iran Missiles on Israel - The entire saga in Gaza continues to get more complex. Throwing Iran into the mix, and now the US intercepting drones and missiles, the entire thing is super sad as innocent people continue to be killed.  2. Tennessee Teachers Carry - Well, just when we thought the gun debate was moving toward a reasonable decision, we get the sta

Exorcising Demons with a Breen "Double Bang!"

These sorts of moments feel like they don't happen to us.  Well, they happen VERY rarely - I'm talking Larry Johnson's 4-point play-rare. Yeah, it's been THAT long.  But watching this New York Knicks team score eight points in less than thirty-five seconds, including a sequence that will forever live in my fandom, sits right with that LJ garden-rocking shot.  I sat on my couch in absolute shock at what I just saw.  "How the hell did they just win that game?!"  It's the kind of moment this fanbase deserves. It's the moment that releases and exorcises some demons that haunt us from the trauma of experiences.  Namely you, Reggie Miller.  I loved it. And the icing on the cake was Mike Breen - Oh, Mike Breen, the loveable man with the most epic voice that has narrated so much of my basketball-loving fandom - with not one, but two signature "Bang!" calls.  I'll never let this one down. Ever.  I'm not sure where this team will wrap up the se