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Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/19/17


3 Up

1. Lt. Sayem Basad Pacha - No one will ever know what went through Pacha's head before he bear-hugged a suicide bomber the moment the vest was detonated. I can't even wrap my mind around the thought process. Whatever it is, this man is one thing - hero. And that's in the purest form. 

2. Kianoush Rostami - The earthquake that rocked the Iran/Iraq border was devastating. Yet, here is Rostami giving up his prized possession of an Olympic gold medal to raise money for the relief effort. Much respect. 

3. WWE War Games - In a more light-hearted "Up" this week (we need that from time-to-time, no?), the WWE's Survivor Series weekend was just fantastic. But man, so much props to everyone who put work into Saturday's NXT show, as well as the return of War Games. That match was so awesome. 

3 Down

1. Rob Moore - All I will say is this - it's bad when even something such as sexual assault is now becoming a topic and a driving force for identity politics. Regardless, this dude is awful.

2. Al Franken and Russell Simmons - Another week, and more men who apparently couldn't stop using their power for sexual gain. Seriously, fellas? SMH. Again, at least Louis CK owned it (though, doesn't excuse it). The deny, deny, deny route is tiresome and insulting to women, and our society. 

3. LaVar Ball - Look, I despise the fact we give this dude and his kids any time of day, and of course, here I am doing so. But after his son returns home for stealing sunglasses (seriously, sunglasses?), he takes a shot at the President? The same President who got his son out of Chinese custody and on a plane home? Trump is a lot of things (sever understatement), but in a rare situation, I don't blame him for being slightly upset. 

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

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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