From Spy
What do you mean Easter is not a drinking holiday?
No, I would not pay 25 bucks for a Sister Jean bobblehead. Just no. Unless that money went to charity, in which case, why wouldn’t I just write that charity a check to start with?
Spy-
Easy on the liver big guy. And let’s remember the reasons for each season.
This was likely meant rhetorically, but Spy’s humor makes me smile and I wanted to share. (Hiccup.)
Great week friends and let’s get to the housekeeping.
Roughly 40 folks entered the contest. Not bad, and later today I will post the entries. Check back to make sure you are listed if you entered. Clarification: The last-in entry is worth 1.1 points because there are more options, so if no one gets both ends correct, the folks with the last double-digit seed dancing will be tied for the lead, 0.1 points ahead of those with the first 1-seed bounced. Side note: Only 1 or 2 Illinois entries and several folks had 11-seeded Michigan State, which got bounced last night.
This week’s Rushmores:
Rushmore of folks with a royal title in their name: Duke Ellington (The ‘Duke’ in Duke Snyder was a nickname, and nicknames bring a slew of Kings – Arnie, LeBron, George Strait – and Dukes – John Wayne says hello – into play.), Prince, Queen Latifah, Nike founder Phil Knight. Almost went Steve McQueen, but felt like a reach and was pleased with Baron Davis, but the others are more well-known.
Rushmore of Kurt Russell movies – Escape from New York, Miracle, Tombstone, Backdraft
Rushmore of famous brides of QBs – Gisele of course, Ciara (Russell Wilson), ESPN’s Sam Ponder and Kristin Cavallari maybe. Could use some help on this one.
From Chas
Maybe you could explain what you’re saying in the Friday bag.
Chas-
This was in relation to my response Thursday that “LeBron and the NBA did the fight for equality and respect to the Asian folks no favors either, in my opinion.”
That was following Chas commenting: “Hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans are steeply UP, and that should matter to all patriotic Americans. ALL our ancestors came here from some where else. POTUS 45 is partially to blame for calling the covid-19 the Chinese virus and the Kung-fu virus. But bigger than The Donald is the nasty white supremacy crowd. They were here before Trump, and will be here no matter his future fortunes. They are getting more virulent and all good citizens must take a clear stand against them.”
Discrimination and crimes against any group are bad, and the facts support his basis.
Anti-Asian hate crimes in America’s 16 largest cities increased 149% since the start of the pandemic, a UCSB study shows.
The former President’s crash verbiage of calling it the Chinese virus certainly has been blamed by a slew of folks, and the collection of blind followers who keep him in the news cycle certainly are capable of just about anything.
Side question: And this certainly not as a defense of Trump’s terminology on this or so many other things, but a lot of folks originally called it the Wuhan Virus, no? Not unlike calling it the Spanish Flu back then.
As we are looking around and wondering why there is such a spike in anti-Asian crimes, my statement about LeBron and the NBA is based on its collective shoulder shrug at the human rights violations in Hong Kong by the Chinese authorities.
Yes, it was motivated by money and yes the NBA is far from the only U.S. operation doing business in China while it holds its nose, looks away and counts its money.
But, the NBA has risen to the very forefront of the conversations about and demonstrations for equality. So if you are going to step into the spotlight of a fight worth fighting, then racism and discrimination against any group threatens that equality, no?
Not unlike the collective shoulder shrug that the Meyers Leonard generated when using a Jewish slur.
Because ask yourself this: If it had been a white dude shooting black women inside of Asian women or if Meyers had dropped an N-bomb rather than a religious slur, LeBron would have had three news conferences about either already.
Because if the fight is for equality, great, and that aim is of the greatest of interests.
But if the NBA’s pursuit of equality deals only with better treatment for Blacks – a worthy discussion for sure – then that’s more of a self-interest, no?
And, as the NBA rightly stands against the crimes and slurs against Blacks, if it does not on other acts of racism and discrimination – again, since the league has become a leader in this conversation and venue – then that inactivity could diminish the impact of such hatred and in some ways add to the victims pain.
That’s what I was thinking? Would love to hear you guys and gals thoughts on it.
Wow, that got heavy. Let’s lighten the mood.
From J-Mac
Wow….think Deshaun Watson’s stock is falling? Will anyone still want to trade for him? How long before the NFL gets involved?
J-Mac-
OK, not exactly the mood-lightening avenue I was looking for, but hey, the order is the order.
Side question: The phrase “It is what it is,” friend or foe. I know I have used it – who hasn’t – but I lean foe here. Thoughts?
Any well, this question is part of the divide and an example of some of the craziness that can hatch on social media.
There are groups of Watson fans out there that believe the Texans have crafted and fostered these allegations so Watson will return and play quarterback for them. Man, if that’s true, that’s some next level, Winston Wolf-level fixing right there.
Precursor here. I am a DeShaun Watson fan. Have been since he was in high school and ‘Dro told me Watson was the next Cam Newton (he was pretty close at Clemson, and he’s better in the NFL) at his grandmother’s house back in the day.
As a Watson fan, I took great comfort with how vehemently he denied the original charge. Side note: Whether that was an act or not, the veracity of a denial helps in the court of public opinion, don’t you think?
That said, the number of charges – we’re up to three now – certainly does not look good.
Not unlike the Cuomo thing, when the quantity increases, well, it looks more like a pattern than any type of misunderstanding, you know?
As for the NFL, unless there is video of evidence, well, the NFL surely will stay out of it for as long as it possibly can. I mean is Robert Kraft going to weigh in on how to treat your massage professionals better?
That was not exactly light. Let’s try again.
From Josh
Jay, I thought you were going to give us a Braves update this week. I know I can’t be the only reader who missed it.
C’mon man.
Josh-
Fair point, and you’re right. I vowed on Thursdays to provide Braves info. The tournament washed over me, and in truth, I forgot.
So it goes.
But we’re here today, and here are three things that I believe are worth discussing.
First, the rave reviews of 20-year-old Michael Harris is supremely exciting. Thinking of that future star roaming the same outfield and swinging a very similarly explosive bat as Ronald Acuña for ht better part of the next decade makes me giddy.
Second, the Braves’ bench is going to be littered with familiar names and former All-Stars. Guys like Pablo Sandoval and Jason Kipnis are not even assured of spots. (Especially since the pox on the Braves’ house that has been Ender Inciarte will likely get another round because Cristian Pache continues to struggle at the plate.
Finally, the race between Kyle Wright and Bryce Wilson for the fifth starter role is notable. Wilson has had the better spring (2.00 ERA in 9 innings) but who knows because Wright has more experience. And speaking of poxes, that wiley vet Touki Toussiant is still in the mix too.
That said, Josh, I too am giddy about the start of the season and plan on at least one – if not more – trip to Truist this summer.
Jay GreesonFrom Mike
Jay, I laughed outloud at your Animal House break down. Great job man.
It got me talking with a friend and we wondered what movie you quote most?
Thanks and thanks for the 5-at-10.
Mike-
You bet my man. Thanks for reading.
Wow, that’s tough, because there are a lot of hidden parts of my every day conversation that are old-school quotes that have become almost Pavlovian in terms of responses in certain situations.
Heck, “That’ll do, Pig” is a regular in my chatter.
So are a couple of hidden gems from Urban Cowboy. (Hidden references from random characters that fit so many everyday situations like “She’s alright I guess” and “You think you are but you ain’t” that some have stuck in my memory like an Inciarte.)
And I am not trying to circumvent your question but place and timing play into a lot of things. As well as folks you are around.
For example, there’s no way I could stay under, say, 5 Caddyshack quotes when I play a round of golf. When I am around the guys I grew up with, Fletch will be tossed around a bunch. Major League is going to come out at the ballpark. “He tried for the corner and missed.”
As for the most quoted, wow, I don’t know. Truly.
There are a couple of Coen Brothers movies that are among the list in Raising Arizona and O Brother Where Art Thou.
The National Lampoon combo of Caddyshack and Animal House are right there.
And in the end, Bull Durham may be the last one standing.
So when you speak of me, speak well.