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Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/25/21

 3 Up

1. Derek Chauvin Verdict - I gave my thoughts and reactions to this verdict this week, and even as I now reflect on the week, it's still a bit remarkable what went down. This gets the top nod because justice was served - in a way that it usually isn't. And yes, accountability was present. What we saw last summer was a peak into life not widely understood in America. While there is so much negativity and unrest that has emerged from the case/scenario, often overlooked are the ways it's taking us closer to where we need to be as a nation. Regardless of the growing pains. 

2. Chloe Zhao - Zhao took home some serious hardware for Best Director and for Best Picture (Nomadland). She is the first woman of color and the second woman ever to win for Best Picture. That's pretty freaking awesome. 

3. Jacob deGrom - No one is performing on the level that is deGrom right now. The dude is easily the best in the world at the moment and is actually getting BETTER as he moves along in his career. Do NOT miss deGrom starts!

3 Down

1. Derek Chauvin Verdicy Reaction - I know, how can something be good and bad in the same week? Well, that's where we are in America. Some of the reactions to the Chauvin verdict have been disappointing. From comments of "relief" more so than for "justice", and even THIS gem of a poll stating 46% of Republicans believe the Chauvin verdict was wrong, it is apparent that there is just so much work to do.

2. Coronavirus in India - As we continue to look forward beyond pandemic life, especially as we await NEW guidelines for living under the vaccine, the virus is holding on in scary ways, India being the latest region it is wreaking havoc. The country reported well over 350,000 new cases just this week with medical resources at the brink. We're not out of it...

3. LeBron James - I call it like it is. I'm a fan of James, but he definitely reacted too quickly and too emotionally on Twitter this week. He also reacted too vaguely. James certainly has his detractors and he gave them what they wanted this week, ammunition to drag him.

1 Amazing 

1. Steph Curry - Curry is a treasure in sports that should always be revered. He's just a must-see for the insane shot-making ability he makes look hard, yet, easy, but at the same time, so difficult. It's part of the amazingness that is Curry. 

Oh yeah, he's made 83-threes this month - most ever. 

1 Interesting

1. 140 Police-Changing Policies - Good, Bad...and yes, now interesting. This case has reverberated everywhere in our society. It is HIGHLY interesting to see the over 140 Police-Changing policies being reviewed across the country. We'll see where it goes...

1 SMH

1. MLB 7-Inning "No-Hitter" - Madison Bumgarner threw a no-hitter, period. Look MLB, if you're going to have seven-inning games, then why punish players for excelling in that format? 

Baseball is all sorts of ridiculous right now. 

Recent Favorites

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

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/28/24

3 Up 1. DiVincenzo Shot - Yeah, I'm biased. And you know what, I don't care. This moment brought me so many jobs this week, and it still is. "Bang! Bang!"  2. Caitlin Clark Effect - Well, here we go. So many of the WNBA teams have begun moving their games against the Indiana Fever to larger arenas. The upcoming WNBA season is going to be so incredibly interesting. 3. Candace Parker - Rounding out a hoops-heavy "Up" this week is the retirement of Candace Parker. Yes, she drives the Knicks fanbase bonkers, but Parker is one of the greatest to ever lace them up. It's a shame she had to retire due to injury, but nonetheless, she should be proud. I personally will remember the 2021 WNBA Finals where she led her hometown Chicago Sky over the star-studded Phoenix Mercury.  3 Down 1. Campus Protests - I've witnessed them personally at NYU. And we are set to see these protests continue, and likely grow, on campuses over the next few weeks. We are likely to s

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