Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 7/30/17

3 Up

1. USA Soccer - From the men's win of the Gold Cup, to the women pulling out a gutsy (and entertaining) performance tonight against Brazil, it was a tremendous week for US Soccer and the game within these borders. Oh, and MLS had quite the week, too! 

2. Los Angeles Dodgers - These dudes keep rolling. It's time we start saying it, this is feeling like a special year for the Dodgers. A bunch of come-from-behind wins, forty games above .500. It's been a fun year for the Dodgers. 

3. Adrian Beltre 3,000 Hits - Well, he didn't need to move any on-deck circles this week. Regardless, 3,000 hits in this game is still special, and Beltre joined the club this week. The Hall of Fame is definitely awaiting him when his career is said and done. He has my support in that. 

3 Down

1. President Trump - Look, I dislike this, but such is society. The transgender ban was ridiculous, and his irresponsible and idiotic speech endorsing police officers to "not be so kind" to those they arrest pushed it to another level. Just as I feared, and as I care about, Trump is so lost on social issues. 

2. AAU Culture/Lavar Ball - OK, can we stop giving the Ball family press coverage? They are now worst than the Kardashians in various ways. By the way, AAU basketball is the worst thing in sports...the murderer of youth sports. 

3. Confederate - HBO can go kick rocks with this "alternative universe" garbage they are passing as fantasy entertainment. Please. People of color have been exploited enough, and in many ways, still are. I very much hope no one watches this nonsense. 

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...