Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 8/4/24


3 Up

1. Luol Deng - I have nothing but admiration for Luol Deng. The guy gets a lot of criticism within the NBA fandom circles because of that mega-deal from the Lakers (that never worked out), but to learn that he's funded the entire South Sudan basketball program is beautiful. It's so hard not to root for that program and look forward to the African nation growing as a force in the international basketball landscape. 

2. United States Olympic Teams - There have been soooooooooo many good stories coming out of the Olympics. I'm usually all for the emotional stories, but the United States has so many narratives of dominance and stardom this time around in Paris. 

2a. Simone Biles - The GOAT. No other way to put it. 

2b. Katie Ledecky - Likely one of the greatest athletes we've ever seen in a sport that hasn't received as much notoriety as deserved. Ledecky gets the world stage every four years, but I just don't think our national landscape has truly captured what she's done. 

2c. Ilona Maher - Rugby is on the map for the United States, and Maher via social media, has become the newest sensation. And it's well deserved. 

3. Social Media Legislation - Much like so many other things within our culture, Big Tech are well aware of the harms of social media on the youth. They could fix it if they wanted, ethically of course. But here is where the government has to extend, and now will. Very interesting to see how this plays out. 

3 Down

1. Venezuela - A country in complete chaos due to political strife. Democracy is so, so, so fragile. 

2. Kamala Harris Identity - Just when election season dips under 100 days, we now see the former President raising the identity of Vice President Kamala Harris. And of course, there are now some within political circles who are shocked an individual can be mixed, of dual heritage, or have multiple cultures. America is beautiful, but often wonder about the experiences of those who claim this "absurdity". 

3. Gender Controversy in the Olympics - Everything about this story made me sad. The way the entire world quickly jumped on this occurrence and made this a hotly political topic (what else is new?!) Yet, there was also a refusal to change course as facts came out, and the vilifying of an athlete without due cause. 

And yes, men have no business in women's sports. I've always believed that. And need to state that before some of you come at me. 

My point is this - so many people became the villain in a story in which they thought they were speaking out as the hero. 

Cover Photo

Women's 800m Freestyle Final - Katie Ledecky of United States in action.

REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
Labels:

Recently Read

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...
Read more

Yankees Postseason 2026, ALDS vs. Rays

This is easily the most anticipated series (and most expected?) for the New York Yankees. The two best teams during the regular season were expected to clash to determine American League prominence.  And yes, I agree that this upcoming series says a lot about the broken playoff structure in MLB. Allow me to step onto my soapbox for a mere moment... Up we go... I've never been a fan of the expansion to six teams per league. I understand that it keeps more markets in the playoff picture come September, and it is more revenue for all (likely, the biggest reason for the expansion). Still, all it did was create a scenario where division winners were at a disadvantage, and what we're getting here is the two best teams in the league facing off in a five-game series.  Ultimately, the Tampa Bay Rays, the top seed in the American League, are given the second-best record in their first-round, in a best-of-five?  None of this makes sense.  Stepping off now... Nonetheless, fellow...
Read more

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/13/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. 25th Anniversary of 9/11 It is sort of hard to imagine that it has been twenty-five years since that awful day. It's been fifteen years since I've shared my experience as a High Schooler in Brooklyn, NY , and everything that came with that day (and the many to follow afterwards).  The world changed, and to this day, it still feels hard to grasp what happened (and what transpired with the health of so many afterwards). The lives lost, and the damage done. My son learned about 9/11, and his questions around it ignite some of that struggle with thought around it.  Daddy, how did they get the planes?  Did the building just, like, fall over?  On this 25th anniversary, it is even more concerning to see how the day is also politicized and sometimes weaponized in culture wars. I remember Americ...
Read more