Dome Pondering

It's hard to believe we're already at mid-season for the 2026 MLB season.  With a potential looming lockout next season, there's some added incentive to appreciate all things baseball right now. With that said, I soaked up all of what the MLB All-Star break was this week.  For what it was, it was a nice ode to the game. I enjoyed it, and lots to love about where baseball is going...except for the pending labor talks. Regardless, here is the latest Pondering 10 - my favorite things for the 2026 All-Star Break. --- 10. Uniforms It's a small thing. However, Nike's attempt to invoke what we've seen in the takeover in the NBA with the MLB backfired. The previous All-Star jerseys were a disaster. Getting back to the fellas representing their teams is a visual that should always remain. Welcome back.  PS - They tried to do something different with the hats...wasn't a fan.  9. Netflix Presentation I don't know what the overall viewership will be for Netflix. Net...

I'm still on a championship high (probably until Banner night in October to be honest), so I'm dropping more Pondering 10s as my brain (and heart) works through all of the emotions and reflection from my beloved New York Knicks - 2025-2026 NBA Champions!  Let's talk coaches.  We've been through so many. My fellow Knicks fans, we've seen so many coaches walk the sidelines of Madison Square Garden, and the recent championship is so amazing to think about - Mike Brown, one year, title.  With that said, here is a list of my favorite Knicks Coaches (in my lifetime, so no Red Holtzman). It's tougher than you think, but we're doing it.  To begin, here are those banned from this list. On the sheer qualifier that these coaches - by fault of their own, or maybe not - will always resonate with disdain and the lowest of the lows.  Derek Fisher Oh, the Phil Jackson era. When we were given a coach who had never done so before, implementing the triangle offense was more im...

I'm still in the mode of celebrating the 2025-2026 NBA Champions, the New York Knicks. It's still surreal to say that.  With that said, I find myself in deep reflection on the years, teams, and players that have gone by that have filled me with emotions. Part of that was the hope in specific Knicks players I thought would be THE guy.  Before there was Jalen Brunson - THE now confirmed guy - in looking back, I held out so much hope for the players on this list. Especially over the last few years.  For the sake of the list, this does not include Carmelo Anthony, Julius Randle, and Amar'e Stoudemire. In my opinion, these guys were clearly solid picks and reliable Knicks. All-Stars. All-NBA players.  With that disclaimer, here is my Pondering 10: Honorable Mention: Jeremy Lin Because yes, he didn't quite make the list because Linsanity was all but two weeks that lasted forever. I don't think I ever thought Lin would be the guy, but it was easy to fall into the idea of ...

With the World Cup coming up this summer, all of the big brands took their biggest creative kicks in making sure their clients....**ahem** countries were looking their best.  There were some really cool kits unveiled. While I thought about sharing some favorites in an updated (and revival) of Dope Sports Threads, I thought dropping a Pondering 10 was more appropriate.  The following are my favorite World Cup kits ahead of the 2026 World Cup.  --- 10. South Africa (Away) Adidas kits are going to be a trend on this list. Their designs followed a specific template, but they brought the fire with so many designs. South Africa is on the list. The three patch/logo across the chest is done nicely, with an awesome cultural pattern to the kit.  9. Belgium (Away) Another Adidas product, Belgium's "Away" kits carry a really cool design and some bright colors, making for an overall great kit. The black trim/sleeves/color is a tying touch.  8. Brazil (Home) Kudos to Nike for...

Let me just start this post by saying this: I still love watching college basketball. I love hoops in general. It gets me through the winter. However, I'll be telling non-truths if I said I watch it, and most importantly, feel towards it, the way I used to. The product connects and hits in a different way for me because of the lack of essence of what I believe the level should be about.  Again, repeating for the quick, can't wait to troll or react individuals out there - WHAT I BELIEVE the level should be about.  Nonetheless, as we gear up for tournament time, here is the latest Pondering 10 on my takes regarding College Hoops.  --- 10. Gambling and Credibility The basketball tournaments - men and women - are a great concept, and have always been. It makes a ton of money and also helps institution members within the NCAA. However, we've been down the road of shaving scandals in college athletics before. With the landscape about money, more so than ever, it's not easy to...