Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/29/15

3 Up

1. Dehumanizing Athletes - I'm not one to play daily fantasy sports, or one who really cares to do so. If you do, that's great. More power to you. However, this piece in the New York Times was a great read on how many like myself feel about it. As a former athlete, I thoroughly agree. 

2. Thanksgiving - Despite the origin of the holiday, Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with loved ones and family to spend some much needed time to kick off the Holiday season. And of course, the food is always so good. 

3. Kobe Bryant Retirement - Announced tonight on the Players Tribune (which is a fantastic website by the way), The Black Mamba announced that this season will be his last. A great from-the-heart write-up, and a much needed announcement so we can acknowledge one of the best athletes of this generation on his way out of the game. 

3 Down

1. Boko Hiram - I'm not sure why the media is not discussing the threat of Boko Hiram in Africa. Not only are they responsible for the most fatalities through terrorism this year, but they continue to destroy regions in Northern Africa, specifically the country of Cameroon this week. Is it because they haven't threatened the West? Is it because we just don't value the lives of those in Africa? Whatever. These goons need to be stopped as well. Such a sad world...

2. Laquan McDonald's Death - I watched the released video of McDonald's death in the street by police officers and could not watch it again. How in the world can another human being shoot down a young man and then fire away on his lifeless body in the streets like that? The video is telling of many things wrong in our country right now. 

3. Colorado Planned Parenthood Shooting - What an ugly week in the world for "Downs", huh? Nonetheless, let's call this what no one is - terrorism. This is indeed terrorism, folks. Ugh. So sick of this week's news...

1 Crazy

1. Black Friday Shoppers - These people are crazy and ridiculous. Just me bloggin, but I find it fascinating how we are willing to make efforts to give up precious time to wait on line outside of a store with others for items we probably don't really need, but we can't even go out and vote when we have a chance to make a difference. Whatevs. Again, so over this week's news. 

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...