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Dome Pondering - 2020 Year in Review

"Hey 2020, where are you?" I actually wrote those very words to start last year's Year in Review. I had no clue...none of us did of what 2020 really had in store for us.  2020 will go down as the worst year in my life - ever. And for many, including you reading this, that very statement may be true. It was filled with sorrow, despair, frustration, sadness, fatigue, rage, isolationism, fear, chaos, uncertainty, and death. And even after listing these adjectives, it doesn't accurately capture the 2020 experience - pun intended.  A once-in-a-generation global pandemic. Economic strife. Mental health challenges. Inequality exposure. Social awakening, uprising, and unrest. Political divide. Historical truth. Countless deaths. 2020 delivered body blow after body blow.  I am so very ready to leave 2020 behind. We all are.  As is tradition around these parts - the fifteenth Year in Review(!) - let's slam the door on this shitty year by giving out a few awards in reflectio

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/27/20

3 Up 1. Christmas Day - Merry Christmas to all - I hope you all found unexpected happiness in what has been a challenging year.  2. Nashville Police Officers - Timothy Miller, Breona Hosey, James Luellen, Michael Sipos, Amanda Topping, and James Wells - the six Nashville PD officers who raced into danger and alerted nearby citizens prior to the explosion that rocked the downtown areas of the city. Much respect.

The Pondering 10 - Most Fascinating Things of 2020

Well, 2020 was the shits. And that is putting it very lightly. It gave us plenty to think about, and A LOT of time to think about them. Before releasing the biggest post of the year - the 2020 DP Year in Review - let's jump into what has become a similar tradition - a Pondering 10 on the things I found most fascinating for the year. Here we go...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/22/20

  3 Up  1. Keyontae Johnson - In what could have been an utter tragedy, news of Keyontae Johnson's health improving brought a huge sigh of relief to so many. The horror that is a young 21-yeard old suddenly collapsing during a contest, even entering a coma for a brief time, is not welcoming, to say the least - especially in this horrific year that has been 2020. Here is to hoping Keyontae continues to improve and returns to the court and classroom soon.  2. Negro Leagues Identified - I touched on this news earlier in the week - I'm very excited about the acknowledgment of forgotten history as well as getting to know the names and accomplishments of so many amazing black ballplayers who were never given their chance due to sheer racism.

Correcting a Wrong Needs Truth: More Needed As MLB Adds Negro Leagues to History Books

The announcement by Major league Baseball of the addition, and overdue recognition of the Negro Leagues to their record books, shocked me. Throughout my entire life - a devoted fan and lover of the game of baseball - I've always had to learn about the Negro Leagues under my own accord. A deep dive that often requires research that involves reading old newspaper headlines, listening to podcasts of Negro League ballplayers, and lining up the true history of the game with that of what is readily available and pushed through the MLB lens.  The fact of the matter is, much of the experience mirrors heavily what black history is in this very country. Separated, and needed to be sought. Often, never talked about to hide or prevent the complete truth in fear of facing the biggest reckoning yet to be dealt with within our nation - racism.  Yes, that is heavy. But again, there is no way around talking about this latest development without laying down some thick and hard-to-hear rhetoric. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/13/20

  3 Up 1. Vaccines - Well, it's here. The FDA approved emergency use of multiple vaccines (with more to come) and it now feels like there is a significant light at the end of this dark, scary tunnel. We're not out of it yet as the virus continues to rage, shutdown are pending, and vaccines distribution is sure to be polarizing. But at the very least, there is an answer forthcoming. Continue to stay safe, ya'll.  2. Rashinda Jones at MSNBC - This is small, but it is super cool. Rashida Jones - no, not that Rashida Jones of Ann Perkins...or Karen Filepelli fame - became the first black President of a major news network, taking over at MSNBC. The country needs a new shift in cable news in the worst way, and hopefully Jones can be a part of it. At the very least, it's nice to see the industry having representation at all levels.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/6/20

 3 Up 1. MORE Act - The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the MORE Act this week which could decriminalize marijuana on the federal level. Of course, the Act can have sweeping effects, including the way we perceive the thousands of individuals currently incarcerated for marijuana possession.  2. Stimulus Discussion - It's overdue. Long overdue. With the Coronovirus back in full force throughout the nation, help is definitely needed if we're asking individuals to comply with stay-at-home lockdowns. You can't have it both ways.  3. Lavar Ball - Say what you want about the guy - loud, boasting, arrogant, annoying, whatever. He has essentially gotten all three of his boys to the NBA. You can't argue with that.  3 Down 1. Coronavirus - The numbers are rising, and in many areas grim. Even worse, we haven't fully seen the backlash from the Thanksgiving holiday, nor what is to come with the gatherings of the upcoming Holidays. Please continue to stay safe out ther

Dope Sports Threads: 20-21 NBA City Uniforms

The NBA released their newest "City Edition" uniforms for all 30 teams, and as always, I'm here to weigh in on the new threads. From examining the complete batch, this year's is the best collective design by far. Quite frankly, many of the designs have had much more thought placed into them than years prior. However, there are still plenty of duds in the group. Here is my take on the latest sports threads:

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/29/20

3 Up 1. Scotland Free Female Hygiene Products - I thought this was so cool. And yes, that's coming from a dude. Scotland became the first country to make period products FREE for those in need of them within the country. As a man, it's hard to wrap the mind around the additional expenses women go through for matters of the menstrual cycle. The new offering gives some hope regarding female health issues and universal health care - that yes, it is possible.  2. Sarah Fuller - The very first female athlete to play in a Power 5 football game. Fuller, the starting goalie for Vanderbilt's Women's soccer team, serves as the kicker on the Football team as well. Forget the first, can we also just give props for being an awesome athlete?! Nonetheless, a great accomplishment in its own right, and socially confirmed by the number of men bothered by its occurrence.  3. Beyonce Grammy Nominations - Bey kills it again. What else can be said about the Queen?  3 Down 1. Coronavirus - Ye

No Sleep In...Brooklyn! (Anymore)

I sat there easily maneuvering the car on Route 3 as we moved fresh out of the Holland Tunnell. The transition from New York to New Jersey out of the tunnel was lost as I listened to untold stories of my father via my mother who sat in the passenger seat. Recently my mom has been diving into her vault, releasing much about my father that I never knew. For so long, I always thought there was plenty that my parents never knew about me - what I've seen, heard, experienced - you know, for their benefit. Very rarely - if ever - did I think that there was another side of that two-way mirror.  "Dad always believed in this step [owning a home]. You don't know this, but he used to lend people money, many times, to help with their down payments."  Of course, now I was super engaged - I wanted it all on this one.  "What? Like, for real?" "Yeah! He believed you come to America, you work hard, and the most important thing to get was a home. Make something of yoursel

Would You Rather: Questions 141-150

141. Would you rather Have a dog with a cat’s personality or a cat with a dog’s personality? I think I would have to go with a Cat with a dog's personality. It surely would freak people out, but there is a reason people are specifically cat-people or dog-people. I think I'm closer to a dog person. Give me the Cat that is quick, nimble, and is friendly.  142. If you were reborn in a new life, would you rather be alive in the past or future? The future. That is super easy. For people of color, it only gets better. Why would I want to go back in time? 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/22/20

 3 Up 1. COVID Vaccines - For the second week in a row, the continued news of multiple vaccines as well as the effectiveness of those vaccines, gets the top spot. Th news does provide hope and light at the end of this dark, twisted, and awful tunnel that has been 2020. What's even more so uplifitng is the effectiveness of these vaccines .  2. The Undertaker - Sure, you can make the jokes about The Undertaker retiring and coming back - because the guy went through a phase of being unsure about the finish line. However, celebrating 30 years - THIRTY YEARS! - of excellence inside of the wrestling business is worth every bit adulation he gets. He developed a characte that will live on forever. To Mark Calaway - thank you for the memories.  3. NBA Draft - The NBA Draft was very good to this Knicks fan this year. But besides that, much like we saw with the NFL Draft, the in-home presentation really lends itself to just how special the moment is of having your dream come true. I never got

Thoughts from the 2020 Presidential Election

I took a few days to process the results of this year's Presidential election - yes, the actual, real, valid results. Not the disputed one as per the claims of the current President and his devoted followers.   As many around the nation erupted in celebration at the confirmation that Joseph R. Biden Jr. had attained the 270 electoral votes needed to become the President-elect of these United States...or this nation (more on the "united" part in a bit), I too found an inner victory within. I didn't celebrate as much as others did as Biden isn't the perfect candidate for America in my opinion, but he is the right candidate at the right time for this country. Translation: He isn't Donald J. Trump. And that's where I've been in this political space.  Now, I already know many of you who read this blog and completed that last paragraph may have just exited this page. And that's okay - for now. Quite frankly, I haven't hid my feelings on my voting int

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/15/20

  3 Up 1. Coronavirus Vaccine? - It's here...sort of. Regardless of the semantics, the announcement of a vaccine produced by Phizer that is 90% effective - Flu Shots are 40-60% effective!! - has some serious promise. As the virus hits a second wave here in the Fall, the news coming from big Pharma is starting to make this pandemic feel like it's in the 4th quarter. Regardless, don't be stupid - wear your mask.  2. Michelle Ng - THE first female General Manager in baseball! I just love it. Let's forget that Ng has tons of experience and success throughout her career and has only been given this opportunity at 52 when farrrrrrrrrr more white males with less have been given GM opportunities as early as in their late twenties. No, no, I won't remind you of the inequalities that are at play here. I'm just happy Ng is given her opportunity, and that baseball is progressing forward - something it always struggles with.  3. Chris Nikic - You want an inspiring story? Ho

Pondering Pictures #103

  I took this photo of a string of graffiti art on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. I found that it resonates greatly this month post 2020 election as the votes of black persons were significant to the result.  Our voice matters. Listen to Black Voices. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/9/20

3 Up 1. Election Participation/Celebration - Regardless of your candidate, and where your interest lies in this election, the number of voters who turned out for this election - on both sides - was great to see. I don't care who you voted for, having everyone invested in this election was great to see. It's not hyperbole to say that this election was the closest form of democracy EVER seen in this country. Also amazing was the celebrations around the country for those invested in Joe Biden.  2. Poll Workers - Can we give a hand to the poll workers throughout the country? From the early voting dedication to the long hours of counting crucial ballots, poll workers have served an important role in the biggest and most democratic election in this country's history.  3. John King & Steve Kornacki - First, no one operates an electoral map the way John King does. I'm pretty sure he knows every county in America. Second, Kornacki is just behind King. I found his explanation

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/1/20

3 Up 1. Early Voting Attitudes - I voted early today, and well, it was quite the experience. I stood in line for over an hour with various first-time voters excited about having their impact on this election. The attitudes and hardwork of the poll workers was greatly appreciated. All in all, it was really a special experience to be part of, despite said long wait to vote.  2. Los Angeles Dodgers - They FINALLY did it! The Dodgers won the World Series after a few years of disappointing pursuits. I'm so happy for a guy like Clayton Kershaw who no longer has to deal with ridiculous narratives defining a generational career.  3. Sean Connery - 2020 rolls on and we lost Sean Connery this week. I've never been a huge James Bond fan, but I do remember how "Finding Forrester" changed my life as a young black kid growing up in Brooklyn. Connery's performance in that was amazing.  3 Down 1. Walter Wallace Jr. - The names continue on... SMH.  2. Justin Turner - At first I fo

Pondering Picture #102

  Sometimes, you just have to chase the rain. 

Bound For Glory 2020 Review - If A Tree Falls And No One Hears It...

Television in 2020 has been weird. Check that. It's super weird.  In a year marred by pandemics, death, catastrophe, and overwhelming heartbreak, the viewing habits of everything in entertainment has changed - wrestling included. Ratings are down. No one respects appointment television - and heck, there is even less need for the idea of watching content through said television. Where am I going with this on a Wrestling pay-per-view review? Come on, get to the point, bro!  I haven't been shy in communicating my severe disappointment in professional wrestling (namely WWE) during this pandemic ( Pro Wrestling in COVID Times ). When many entertainment options were off the table, most notably that of sports, pro wrestling had an extreme opportunity to give fans something different, and even capture casual fans.  Unfortunately, they didn't. And a large part of my growing disinterest with pro wrestling has been because of the WWE, and to a much lesser extent, AEW. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 10/26/20

3 Up 1. Early Voting Attitude - Why hasn't early voting been an option in the past? Or, simply the norm? The number of hours people are waiting in lines here in New York City - our first-ever opportunity at voting early - has been impressive and encouraging. Many are excited and motivated to have their voices heard. Going forward, can we make election opportunities a two-week process, ending on election day? It just makes too much sense.  2. Anika Chebrulo - We need less of the election coverage that makes you question everything about this country on the news and more stories like the one about Cherbulo, a 14-year-old girl from Texas who made a discovery that possible can help treat COVID-19. Yes, you read that correctly.  3. Lewis Hamilton - Formula 1 racing is a huge deal in Europe. This weekend, one of their most prominent records - all-time wins - fell to Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, a black driver who has endured racism and marginalization in the sport, has now passed Michael

Thoughts on Final 2020 Presidential Debate

Well, that was certainly different. And it was very much welcomed. It's amazing how much can be taken from a debate when it has order, structure, respect, and dialogue.  Unfortunately, we had to resort to the cage match rules of debate - muting mics. Although, there were many moments where that should have happened as well and it didn't. Nonetheless, as stated, we'll take what we got.  In the final 2020 Presidential Debate, America got the best debate of this election season between President Donald Trump and former Vice President, Joe Biden. But let's not get crazy, this was nowhere near an encounter that anyone will talk about - and for that reason, I think it hurt the President in regards to election ramifications. Just my opinion.  Coming into this debate, President Trump was behind on the early polls - and of course, that's if you resign yourself to the legitimacy of said polls. 2016 would like to have a word with you if you do. However, I felt Trump needed a h

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 10/18/20

3 Up 1. Voting Motivation - I easily could have put this in the "down" section, after all, videos and stories of Americans waiting in line for 11 hours to vote is simply ridiculous. However, I'm going to be Mr. Brightside and say give major props to those people who are doing that. They are overcoming an intended effort to squash their participation, and are doing so with courage, resilience, and passion. It's just a glimpse of what could be in an America allowing ALL the right to vote.  2. New Political Outlooks - So yeah, Diddy is planning on creating a new political party. And yes, Ice Cube has been working on his famed project, A Contract with Black America. I'm not endorsing either one, but I am excited to see a renewed focus in looking at the two-party system we currently have in this country which has grown tired. We're doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. It's time for new voices in the political process, and even, ne

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 10/11/20

  3 Up 1. Nobel Prize Winners - While 2020 has dished some sobering thoughts - or altering feelings - on Americana, it is nice to get the news that two Americans were awarded the Nobel Prize in economics to Paul Milgrom and Robert B. Wilson from Standford University. Their work has re-thought and re-imagined how auctions work.  2. Los Angeles Lakers & Seattle Storm - Congrats to the Lakers and Storm who wrapped up the year-long basketball season with championships. Even more so to LeBron James and Sue Bird who each earned their fourth championship at the age of 35 years old - remarkable. 2a. No COVID Cases - I've mentioned it several times, but the work of the NBA and NHL should very well be commended for created "bubbles" and environments where they finished their seasons with NO positive COVID cases. They pulled off the impossible, and yes, produced the best on-tv product in sports since the pandemic began.  3. VP Presidential Debate - Well, it wasn't a disaster

Thoughts on the 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate

Well that sure felt much more civilized, didn't it?  The Vice-Presidential Debate carried so many storylines and drama going into it (i.e. The mess that was the first Presidential Debate and Coronavirus now running wild in the White House) that after this VP debate ended, it almost felt dare I say, normal! Of course, the usual dodging of questions occurred as well as the over-running on time allotted for responses which have become the usual for election debates, however, despite the contrasting feeling to last week's debate, this one was just okay. It had its moments of great debate and retorts (more on that in a bit), missed opportunities, and a few stingers, but still carried way too much of the fluff talking points and non-committal (or ignoring) of responses that have become too common in this climate. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 10/4/20

3 Up 1. Bob Gibson - The life of Bob Gibson ought to be celebrated after his passing this week. Gibson has been influential throughout the game, especially so for black baseball pitchers - a now rarity in the game. Also, if you, like me, learned of Gibson from mere historical intrigue, take a look at his baseball reference page which is absolutely sick.  2. Tampa Bay Lightning - Well, I didn't get to indulge in my annual "become-a-hockey-fan-during-playoffs" phase, but the Lightning now holds the Cup. Major congrats!  3. Lual Mayen - It is stories like Lual Mayen that truly gives me hope in mankind, and reinvigorate my by belief in the human spirit. Take a read, as I'm sure that you too would agree.  3 Down 1. First Presidential Election - Nothing but a disaster. I said my piece on the kickoff of these debate season. In a weird way, though, it all feels like so long ago.  2. Unemployment - The rise of unemployment is troubling in this market, especially as other domi

Thoughts on First 2020 Presidential Debate

An absolute train wreck.  That is my walking away thought of what SHOULD have been a Presidential debate.  This was no debate. It was a battle of demonstrative gestures, interruptions, name-calling, attempted slander, and ego-checking chest-pounding, all adding up to a sum that rendered a unanimous decision: America lost.  I found myself embarrassed not only for what we were watching but for us - all of us - Americans. Because quite frankly, this is the kind of fight you keep inside of your house, instead, we were on global television for all to see. Every single second revealed just about where we are in our politics, our grace, our poise, our empathy, and overall, our global reputation. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/27/20

  3 Up 1. COVID Vaccine Hope - We've been hearing about "vaccines" for months. Now, it seems like there are many that are legit - like, for reals-for reals. I'm not ready to jump into the pool of imagining life without COVID - or a vaccine for the virus, but it is a bit welcoming to hear that some type of relief or hope is possible and not simply political garbage.  2. RBG Memorial - Unfortunately, 2020 gave us another memorial, but yet, another beautiful one. Silver linings, I suppose. Of course, Ginsburg was the first woman to lie inside of the U.S. Capitol - of course, so fitting. For me, it was her trainer doing the pushups by her casket. That was awesome.  3. NBA Overlooked Praise - I say it all the time - we appoint "superstars" in the NBA too often and too premature without them actually accomplishing something - sometimes anything. Thanks day time sports TV! Other times, we miss it. That's where Jimmy Butler and his leadership have the Miami Heat

Dear Son: Foreshadowed School Daze

--- 2 Years and 90 Days --- Dear Son, Your dad is a nerd. I'm sure you've come to realize that by now (assuming at the writing of this that I haven't suddenly changed), but yes, this is the case. I like books. I like debates. I like knowledge. I like writing (obviously). And, I like thinking through many of life's challenging topics through various lenses - especially pertaining to people, sociology, and everything that makes us, us.  As a young boy, I was instantly met with this reputation as I was the kid who always did well in school. And truthfully, early in my grade years, I was very competitive with my grades. It was one of the reasons I skipped an entire grade. So yeah, total nerd.  But don't be fooled, I wasn't immediately wired this way. It was more so a construction, coaching, and building of this understanding that knowledge and education should be sought and pursued. It's a never-ending chase. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/20/20

3 Up 1. Ruth Bader Ginsburg - There aren't words that I could place here to capture, justify, or represent RBG's life and influence. Or really, what hasn't been said already. She was pretty awesome. It's so, so, so imperative that we pick up her work and continue to push forward.  2. Bam Adebayo - That block! Man, that block! It had me out of my couch when it happened. The courage, the guts - loved everything about it. Major kudos to Adebayo! 

Would You Rather: Questions 131-140

131. Would you rather watch a movie at home or go to the movies? Well, this is already an interesting question. I haven't been to the movies for nearly thirteen years. Yes, it's true. I'm sure I'll enjoy the movies experience one again one day, but for now, enjoying movies from the comfort of my couch, cheaper food, and being able to pause if needed - I'll take that.  132. Would you rather fight alongside the Starks from Game of Thrones or the Avengers? I know nothing about Game of Thrones . I like The Avengers , so I'm rolling with that squad. They also just feel cooler. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/13/20

  3 Up 1. Firefighters - The wildfires out West have been an intriguing thing to watch unfold. The pictures of orange skies and famous scenery under ominous layovers spark so many questions about our planet, and really, just what the heck we are doing to it. Nonetheless, those who are fighting these out of control fires deserve all the praise. God bless our firefighters.  1A. Imprisoned Firefighters - And oh yeah, the ridiculous rule of using imprisoned men and women as firefighters finally received some kind of benefit - allowing them the ability to work as firefighters upon release - a measure they would have been prohibited from. Hopefully, it's a real bridge - I guess we'll see.  2. Sgt. Thomas Patrick Payne - President Trump honored Sgt. Payne with the Presidential Medal of Freedom this week, and it was definitely worth the honor - it was a great selection by the President. Payne helped save over 70 captives from execution by the evil Islamic State - just amazing. Well des

Corona Times III

It's been several months since I've last punched the keys solely on this experience that is and has been a global pandemic - and truthfully, we now say pandemic as if we've become used to and seasoned experts to these scenarios. Ah, you know, we'll do that when we're not in a pandemic! But since my last post in this thread ( Corona Times II ), our outlook as a nation and society has changed vastly on how we're approaching everything that is the Coronavirus. For starters, it's all become politicized. Opening protocols. Masks. Preventative measures. Schools. Work. Sports. Heck, just the mere validity of the virus' existence is still debated in some circles. Nonetheless, we've gained a bit more knowledge on the virus and how to live with it, but it still remains a thorn in the side of our everyday existence - or in getting back to some sort of acceptable, normalized, standard. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/6/20

  3 Up 1. Bloomberg's $100M Gift for Black Doctors - While we can still poke fun of Bloomberg's Presidential attempt - all five minutes of it (sorry, I tried) - his attempt to solve the issue of the shortage of black doctors (as well as the disproportionate rate of lacking healthcare for black America) is commendable. The initiative is interesting, and really, is a window into how so many billionaires can truly solve many of the world's problems if they tried - or cared.  2. Mike Trout - Trout is starting to go down as probably the best athlete to not have any type of buzz. Trout smashed his 300th career home run, moving him past Tim Salmon (Trout passes Salmon, hey yo!) on the Angels All-Time Homerun list. Trout is at 300 Homeruns at the age of 29. Baseball needs to get Trout into the playoffs...badly. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/30/20

3 Up 1. Sex Trafficking - This didn't get much play in the national news - you know, Coronavirus, economy, social unrest, take your pick - but, it definitely deserves plenty of attention. early 50 children were recovered in what is to be believed a child trafficking ring in Georgia. Tremendous news for those children, and a clear reminder of how many young lives we lose to the cracks in the system - and life.  2. Milwaukee Bucks - All of the boycotts throughout sports this week were interesting to see. But let's give props to the Milwaukee Bucks who started it all. IT's always easy to follow, but taking the first step takes courage, and the Bucks surely reminded the sports world of the power that lies with the athletes.  3. Chadwick Boseman - The story is amazing to hear - how Boseman continued to carry on with terminal cancer. It's an understatement to mention how much Boseman will be missed because of his roll in Black Panther - a symbolic movie for black people every

Voting in 2020 & Thoughts on 2020 Political National Conventions

In 2016, I voted for Hillary Clinton. I left the voting site, your typical New York City elementary school, hopped on my bike and rode back home. For the entire trip back to my apartment, an uneasiness parked itself in my stomach. I knew I didn't feel comfortable with my vote. I voted out of fear of what could happen.  And that possibility did. Donal Trump became the 45th President of the United States.  I didn't HATE the eventual President Trump or have an overwhelming resentment for him going into the election. I simply believed that Donald Trump, unable to handle matters of social issues and justice, in a moment in history when equality and social justice awareness was indeed on the rise, would set this country back. But then again, maybe that was the plan? MAGA, right? 

Thoughts on George Floyd and Everything Else (Part IV)

I've decided to keep this thread of posts going, because, after all, here we are again.  Thoughts on George Floyd and Everything Else Thoughts on George Floyd and Everything Else (Part II) Thoughts on George Floyd and Everything Else (Part III) This time, it's the situation of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Seven shots in the back - from within two feet.  Yes, seven shots. Count em':

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/23/20

  3 Up 1. California Firefighters - Let's give it up to the awesome firefighters who are battling the raging wildfires in California right now. 2020 has been a year of recognizing the real heroes in our society, these individuals deserve that same recognition.  BTW - This includes the many imprisoned men and women forced to fight fires for ridiculous wages by law in California. I'll leave this as is...but you know where I would've gone with it. 2. Luka Doncic - My man is phenomenal to watch. Also, can we stop comparing all awesome white basketbal players to Larry Bird? Nonetheless, Luka is amazing to watch. Mavs fans went from watching Dirk for twenty years right into Luka - I'm so incredibly jealous.  3. WWE "Thunderdome" - Say what you want about the product right now, but there is one thing that WWE does better than any other entertainment and sports organization in the world - production. The introduction of the "WWE Thunderdome" - agreed, it'

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/16/20

3 Up 1. Awesome Mexican Teacher - This was easily the best thing I came across all week. Only identified as "Nay", this teacher travels to the houses of Autistic children and uses the flatbed of her pickup truck for instruction during thess pandemic times. In the midst of everything going on...this is the kind of humanity than needs to shine through. Because it's awesome.  2. Kamala Harris VP Selection - All of the politics out the of the equation for a second - it's pretty cool to see a woman of color selected on the VP ticket of a Presidential candidate. It's also even more awesome that she doesn't have ties to the typical institutions and Universities we've come to expect. Kamala is sure to ignite a voting base that hasn't been motivated in a long time. With that said...regardless of who you care about - please vote! More on that in a bit...

Dope Sports Threads - Random New Kicks (DURING COVID)

It's been a while since I've done one of these (actually, it's been two years, but who is counting), but as you can tell, the last two years of my life haven't allowed such enjoyable, free-and-easy columns such as these ones.  As sports ultimately find themselves once again engrained in our society, trying its best to shake the "new normal" or whatever it is we shall call this COVID era of sports, it seems the creativity and the expression of athletes have been on point. And of course, I've noticed.  With that said, I'm dropping a few lines here on some of my (random) favorite kicks being worn on the surface of play during this time.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/9/20

3 Up 1. NASCAR First Autistic Driver - I never would have imagined that NASCAR would provide the most inclusionary moments in sports for 2020 - but hey, that is 2020. Armani Williams became the first driver in NASCAR (and is now the second black driver?) to make the circuit as someone with autism. The story - of course! - is an inspirational one. Folks, don't let anything stop you.  2. New Zealand 100 Days - So get this! New Zealand has now gone 100 full days without a new case of the Coronavirus being transmitted by a citizen. That just seems and feels unattainable here in America. We have to be more disciplined as a nation when it comes to COVID. It just doesn't feel like we're taking this seriously anymore. 

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.

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d

The Next Element of the X-Division?

The X-Division has always been a thing of uniqueness and well, ambiguousness, in pro wrestling. Ahead of its time in many ways in acknowledging and giving a platform to a style of wrestling that would soon become the norm in pro wrestling in the United States, the division served as a non-stop car-crash presentation that offered something different from the other "offerings" on Impact, then TNA, television. But that was then...2005. Today, the X-Division title still lives on and now has built up enough equity over time and history to be considered a cornerstone of the company and special enough to invoke thought and nostalgia. Again, very different from the abundance of Television Championships and other now generic "mid-card" championships that have been copied and pasted, or positioned as being mid-tier of that companies World Championship, the X-Division still feels different and on-brand with Impact. I could argue, the X-Division still remains Impact'

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 7/26/20

3 Up 1. John Lews Across Pettus Bridge - This was cool. Lewis helped change American history on this very bridge many years ago. The act of carrying his body across the bridge one last time was just so cool. By the way, it's time to rename the bridge in the man's honor. 2. Regis Philbin - My mom lovvvvvvvvved Regis. Live! was one of her favorite shows in the morning, and because of that, I understand the genuine loss here. There are a few people who come into your homes daily and become a part of your life. For many, Regis was one of those characters/personalities. 3. Alyssa Nakken - Another cool thing this week. Alyssa Nakken becoming the first female coach in Major League Baseball. Very, very cool. 3 Down 1. Judge's Family Attacked - This was so sad, and really, just so 2020. A crazed lawyer calling himself a "feminazi" who hated "feminism (???) killed the son of Judge Esther Salas and injured her husband. Ugh. So stupid. And so incredibly s

Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2020 MLB Season

Credit: Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals Is there anything "wild" that I can produce in this post that will shock the ever-existence that is this 2020 calendar year? I doubt it. However, let's not forget my amazing pick of Nationals over Astros in the World Series last year . Yup, I nailed it. I'll forever hold onto that one. But, as always, in the spirit of fun, I'm going to try. Because despite the raging fire that is in the backdrop of 2020 (COVID, social unrest, economy, unemployment, violence - take your pick), we're at least going to get some baseball. Do we deserve it? Not at all. I wholeheartedly agree with Sean Doolittle when he said that "Sports are like a reward for a functional society", and quite frankly, in my heart of hearts, we just don't deserve sports. Just my honest opinion. Not the way we've "come together" as a nation to combat this virus. Not at all.  Regardless, we NEED the distraction. We NEED

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 7/19/20

3 Up 1. First Responders/Medical Professionals - It's been a while since we've given some love to the truest heroes of 2020. With the virus surging in 40 states, and certain regions beginning to show signs and Deja Vu visions of what happened here in New York, I continue to think about all of those individuals on the front lines. A recent piece on NBC News is a great reminder of this sacrifice. 2. Life of John Lewis/CT Vivian - The legendary civil rights activists passed away this week. It seems easy to place this in the "down" section, but both men's lives were so full of impact and influence, we ought to celebrate them.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 7/12/20

3 Up 1. Patrick Mahomes - Mahomes just became that dude in North American sports. A 10 year, $503M extension with the Kansas City Chiefs would do that - the biggest contract in team sports history. If there is a player to get that type of deal in today's sports landscape, it would be a 24-year-old who is the best in the game at what he does coming off of a championship. Get that money, man. 2. Lewis Hamilton - Formula 1's only black driver not only won this past weekend in Austria, but he took the podium and made his stance for black lives with a powerful fist supporting by his colleagues and circuit personnel. Motorsports have done so much for the cause - more so than some leagues with predominantly black athletes involved. Go figure.