Dome Pondering

There can be a lot of pointless discussion in sports today. I find the one spearheaded by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the league's "tanking" issue intriguing.  Every league somewhat deals with "rebuilding" strategies of its teams, often, which can be drastic enough that it is obvious winning isn't a priority within said strategy.  This discussion isn't new.  This problem isn't new.  It certainly has evolved over the years. And in a time where each league and its overall product are competing with other entertainment entities and devices for engagement, in addition to the constant discourse, criticism, and oversight that is social media, sports discussion, and fandom, we've reached this point.  In the old days, it was just sort of an understanding among partners in terms of behavior. I think what we're seeing is modern analytics where it's so clear that the incentives are misaligned. Are we seeing behavior that is worse this year than ...

Sunday Sundown Rundown returns! Going forward, I'll be sharing thoughts and ponderings in a format of three simple thoughts, opposed to the former "3 Up, 3 Down" of the past.   Mother of Savannah Guthrie I haven't been closely following the developments. I've checked in here and there, mostly hoping that this horrific story comes to an end. I simply continue to sympathize with concern, as not only are the emotions of having one's mother kidnapped for ransom more than enough to bear, but to have it played out publicly, before the nation, helplessly, is an unfathomable reality to understand. And of course, as all things in this culture, the story has been manipulated, pulled apart, and coerced into political representations that are not true, or at the very worst, worthy of discussion considering that someone's life - a person's mother - is at stake.  Winter Olympics It's not my favorite. Summer Olympics are my jam. Nonetheless, this Winter Olympics...

Contrary to the discourse that always surrounds the NBA All-Star Weekend, I genuinely enjoyed the weekend, and even more so, the All-Star Game. No, for real. All love here.  Although the Dunk Contest really is on its last legs. That was tough to watch.  Nonetheless, I'm keeping it all good vibes on this one as a fan. Just a quick Pondering 10 on my favorite things from the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend.  --- View this post on Instagram A post shared by New York Knicks 🏀 (@nyknicks) 10. JB vs. KAT Moment Big Knicks homer moment here. If you frequent these parts, you already know that. Watching the Captain go at KAT brought a moment of joy for all of us in Knicks fandom. Neither one came away with anything. I'm just glad they're in perfect health as we head toward the second half of the season with the Playoffs looming.  9. VJ Edgecomb Wins Rising Stars MVP It's a tough admit for me. Because, I already enjoy Tyrese Maxey's game so much. Now, another ...

how did you get through it? i stare at him, and i often see myself, looking back at you. what were you thinking? what was i thinking? what is he thinking? how did you handle  those challenges? the moments? the stages? where did you find... inspiration? the sourcing? the way through? to continue on... remaining rock solid never wavering i looked back with everything...trusting as I still do today forever with greater perspective on a deeper level without the tangible spoken word your insight is forever locked out of reach, yet within feels like a large, beautiful vessel off shore within the sunset  i feel deeply for your gold of which i will never receive yet, filled and driven by the mystery of the unknown what would you have done? said? responded? reacted? felt? what are the details? how did you get through it?

Rethink the boundaries you've had, or artifically created. You're missing out.  PS - Shoutout to the ladies on the independent wrestling scene. 

"You can give  everything to something, and no matter what, it is always gonna do what it's gonna do." I feel that these days. I get it. 

212. Would you rather forget your partner's birthday or your anniversary every year?  I would rather forget the birthday. The anniversary is number one, you can't forget that. Either way, you're pretty much in trouble.  213. Would you rather lose the ability to read or lose the ability to speak? The older I get, the more I realize that people talk too much. Losing the ability to read is a power lost. I choose to continue to read and will say less. I can write what I want to say... 214. Would you rather have seven fingers on each hand or seven toes on each foot? Seven fingers can be very beneficial. Who knows what other kinds of pitches can be created with additional fingers? At the same time, seven fingers on both hands...yeahhhhhh, that's a red flag for insecurity. I can hide (try to at least) my seven toes. Also, I'm not sure what extra ability that would give me.  So ummm, yeah. Seven toes. 215. Would you rather work the job you have now for a year at double your...

Wrestling retirements are en vogue these days, huh?  Nonetheless, I'm all for it. In the world of pro wrestling, where finality is fleeting, being able to watch some of your favorites have the ending they deserve is nice. It's well-deserved. And for fans, especially for the retiring wrestler, it gives closure.  My favorite wrestler of all time is Bret Hart. I unfortunately never got that closure. Sure, there was Wrestlemania 26, but it just wasn't the same. Bret's career was cut short. The story - his closure - was written for him. And for us fans.  Pro wrestling endings are typically cruel. Injury. Bad booking. Or sometimes, unfortunately, death. And yes, there is the wrestler who hangs on too long, ruining the essence of memories and the career built.  We just saw John Cena have his last run. An ending that will forever live with a meme, and a memory of him smiling within the grasp of Gunther's sleeper hold.  Enter the next announced retirement - AJ Styles....

Are we just active,  in-process, obituaries  for an eventual interest read and remembrance from the curious? Can we be more?

What is it about?  After an average screw-up is mistaken for an assassin, they must work together to accomplish the mission at hand to break free from other restraints as well.  Who is in it? Kevin Hart - Teddy Jackson Woody Harrelson - The Man from Toronto Favorite Scene:  Teddy is on his first assignment from The Man from Toronto and is in a conference room, and must find out key information. What happens next is Teddy's goofiness shining through awkwardly.  Favorite Quote:   Teddy: [About his minute photos] What's that, for your little serial killer wall? The Man From Toronto: You think you'd make the wall? Come on, man. You're barely fridge material. Review:  This one lasted on the "My Watch" list for a few years. After finally getting to it, I wasn't disappointed.  Woody Harrelson is one of those actors for me who typically isn't in bad stuff, so this one got the benefit of the doubt. While I love Kevin Hart, the trailer alone felt very similar to...

TNA is back.  And I know that because it is heavily under scrutiny by the internet. But that criticism comes with being back on a major platform like the AMC Network, and of course, taking the next step after a super successful 2025.  So, what did I think?  The show was...ummmm okay, at best. Some of the challenges the company faced heading into this weekend were well documented among the rumor mill, which didn't bode well for the company. In balancing reported visa issues with talent, pivoting after losing core talent to free agency, and attempting to build and manage talent workload with a premium live event on Saturday, TNA found themselves in the usual TNA stuff. The most peculiar - and strangest - of situations to be in going into a big network premiere. This company, man! All in all, again, the show was okay. It had its flaws. It had some cool moments. It didn't live up to the hype (or the expectations we each had for such a premiere). But it's one show. TNA has put...

It's difficult not to make it personal.  I stared at the words on the screen of my phone as I made my way to the section of S's... Saint Vincent and the Grenadines I knew it was coming. After all, before I got there, listed were Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia...islands of the beautiful Caribbean that make up my family. My culture. My roots.  Then, yes, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  Damn, son! What did we do?! Surely, we aren't considered a threat, right?  Interesting. --- The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people. — Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026 There is a lot changing in our country right now. There are also many people who have strong opinions on immigration policie...

What is it about?  Following the progression of two couples over the course of a summer.  Who is in it? Emma Roberts - Hallie Michael Ambrano - Owen Dree Hemingway - Willa Patrick Gibson - Matt Favorite Scene:  [Spoiler Alert] Matt and Villa sit on the stairs, and he admits to not wanting to introduce Willa to his parents.  Favorite Quote:  I don't... I don't think you ever find someone... you don't resent. And that's part of it. It's just... find the person you *want* to resent, you know. Review:  This was a weird film. The opener had much promise, but as the film continued, it felt like it was just getting longer.  My biggest gripe with the film is that I liked each of the characters less as I got to know them. I understand that the film attempted to highlight the modern relationship for a specific generation, and in certain ways, it succeeded in doing so. However, the characters never grew or became better people from their relationships...they just...

I watched the video on a Subway platform while waiting for the Q Train.  I found myself learning more about what happened in Minnesota after a late night in the office, completely shut off from my phone, the news, radio...just one of those days. "What have we become?" was all I could manage to think. As the night has gone on, and I've immersed myself in coverage and learning more... I'm angry.  I'm sad.  I'm heartbroken for her son.  I'm frustrated with the constant politics being pushed.  I'm exhausted. I'm amazed that - once again - we all can watch the same clip of a horrific incident and come away with two different conclusions.

What is it about?  Three estranged daughters work through their own relationships and past in the final days of caring for their ailing father. Who is in it? Carrie Coon - Katie Natasha Lyonne - Rachel Elizabeth Olsen - Christina Favorite Scene:  [spoiler alert] Rachel's boyfriend confronts Katie after what feels like a cold relationship, including a moment in the film that breaks through the idea that things and people aren't as as it seems.   Favorite Quote:   Christina: Just because I don't complain doesn't mean I don't have issues. Review:  His Three Daughters blew me away. It really did.  The film features a plot that can be cliché, a familiar narrative of a disheveled family reuniting for a common goal, and ultimately, everything comes to a head. This film was that, except that it had much more depth and realism. The burden of caring for parents does come with various perspectives, feelings, and, of course, insight.  We witnessed this in th...