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Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/2/20


3 Up

1. Mars Rover Perserverence - NASA headed off to Mars this week with a launch searching for life on the red planet. The mission will take seven - SEVEN!!! - months to reach mars with an expected arrival on February 18th, 2021. The mission is 300 million miles in travel! I just find it cool. Especially as it serves as a reminder of how big our universe really is, and how small we are in the grand scheme of everything. 

2. NBA Product - I've said it multiple times this week on Twitter, the NBA currently has the best COVID product in sports. From their production set up for games and the viewing experience to the awesome games we've gotten thus far, it's all been awesome. Kudos not just to the league, but to the many administrators and sport managers who made it happen.

3. Nike Video - Have you seen Nike's latest "You Can't Stop Us" campaign video? Speaking of cool things, this video is tremendous. 

3 Down

1.United States Economy - The economy continues to do poorly, with the job market looking bleaker and bleaker by the day. And oh yeah, our elected officials have yet to work something out - thanks Dems for blocking a rescue bill and posturing for political gain. The current stimulus bill expired this past week and with evictions no longer protected, things are looking to get much worst.

2. California Wildfires - If 2020 hasn't 2020'ed enough, California is on fire again. Ugh...

3. "Delay" 2020 Election? - And from the gift that continues to give, our President not only continues to play golf on weekends, but he openly mentioned that he would like to delay the election. I hate politics in 2020. All of it.  

1 Interesting 

1. PAC-12 Student-Athletes - Student-Athletes from the PAC-12 have banded together for demands on protection and safety, protection for other sports (non-football), support for racial injustice, and more. With the threat of opting out - as already seen in some D1 conference, this situation will get VERY interesting. We're starting to see a slow shift in the dynamics of college athletics...

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