I’ve debated writing this for a while now. I’ve sat down so
many times to write this but conveying this point I guess makes people
uncomfortable. If you go back through the archives of anything I've written you’ll notice a common
theme. I have always spoken out against police brutality. It’s something I am
passionate about seeing come to an end. And in each post I have ever written
I’ve always said this is not anti-police. So as I write about police over reach
again allow me to reiterate…I AM NOT ANTI POLICE. What I am is sick and tired
everyday of looking on the news and hearing of an unarmed person being shot
down. And frankly anyone who reads this should also be damn tired of seeing and hearing it as well.
I’m afraid of the police. There I said it. I know the vast
majority of police are brave individuals who are out to do their job and go
home to their family. However when I see the case of Laquan McDonald play out how
can I not be terrified? I watched the police shoot a guy who was only armed
with a 3 inch pocket knife 16 times. Many of those shots came after he was
already on the ground. And to make matters worse they actively tried to cover
up their crime by lying about the victim, then deleting incriminating footage.
How am I supposed to trust these guys?
Just a week ago I’m heading home from work and get pulled
over. I do so. Before even asking for my ID I get asked why I am wearing a suit
and “did I just come from court?” No sir I reply, just coming from work. He takes my license, leaves me to sit for
about 20 minutes and comes back. At this point I still have no idea why I’ve
been pulled over. He comes back, asks where I work and leaves me for another 10
minutes.The fear in my heart was at an
all-time high. He comes back, hands me my license and makes a joke. And that
was it.
That wasn’t my only time being terrified out
of my mind. You see every day when I go to work I put on a nice suit, strut
around with my Ric Flair walk and generally look and carry myself the
exact way these idiots who say I’m over reacting should act. Well, a few
months ago I had to take a ride out in a luxury automobile to grab marketing
supplies for an event. I put my dealer plates on and pull out of the
dealership. A cop immediately pulls up behind me. I signal and move over; he
changes lanes and gets right behind me. After following me for about 10 minutes
I took my phone out and turned the camera on and began recording my ride.
I thankfully got to my destination parked and got out the car. As I walked to
the front door of the destination I look back and notice the same car slowly
riding by and I caught eyes with him.
I thought this would be the end of my
terrifying ride but that was not the case. As I left and walked back to the car
I noticed the same car sitting on the street. I pulled out the parking
lot and the car began to follow me again. It was then I turned my camera back
on and began to loudly talk, proclaiming I didn’t have any weapons, I wasn’t
under the influence of anything and I was obeying the speed limit. He followed
me all the way back to work. I literally wanted to cry in that fancy car and suit that people keep telling you will keep you safe from this kind of thing. I was so angry, so sad, I felt in a word
helpless.
As I sat there, dressed impeccably,
respectful to the max, my thoughts weren't "oh he was just doing his
job." What justification did this guy have for following me for over 40
minutes? And what makes me feel even more helpless is that even though I have
given a detailed glimpse into the world as I see it, people will probably think
I am over reacting. It tells me you can read this, not believe me, and tell me
my fears aren’t as valid as someone else.
In a word it makes me feel helpless. I’m sure
someone will read this and hit me with an “All Lives Matter” or how hard and
dangerous a cop’s job is.
I don’t deny either of those truths. I just
want to know why you deny mine.
The University of Missouri football team is exactly what we
should hope a group of 18-22 year olds would be in a similar situation. What
they did took bravery and that cannot be overlooked. Yet as soon as the announcement came that they
would halt any football related activities came down I’ve heard so many people
spouting how ungrateful and entitled these young men were.
My beef with the NCAA has been shared here numerous times. I
think it’s a corrupt institution designed to keep these kids poor and dependent
upon them. The argument against paying the student athletes has always been the
same: “you’re being paid in an education!” Ok, well the same people who spout
that nonsense are the same people telling these guys that what they are doing
is wrong.
So let me try and understand the logic behind this. For
years minority students have complained of racial incidents happening on
campus, for years they were ignored. So what do the students decide to do after
years of being ignored and not having their very valid concerns at least
acknowledged? They begin nonviolent protests including a hunger strike calling
for the negligent president of the school to resign. After not gaining the
traction they hoped the football team in an act of solidarity joined in and
announced until the students’ needs were addressed they would halt any and all
football related activities including not playing their next game which would
lead to the school having to pay Brigham Young University one million dollars.
Within 3 days both the president and the chancellor had stepped down.
So now the story has become how the football players are
entitled brats who should not have threatened to take their precious football
away. I don’t understand how one can be entitled when all you’re asking for is
incidents of racial prejudice to be investigated, to be treated as a human, and
when that was ignored they used the only bit of leverage they had to make the
administration listen to them.
I have seen posts of how protests of today should be like
they were during the Civil Rights era, well here it is. You got what you asked
for. You have young people mobilizing together for a common goal using nonviolent
means and a work stoppage to have their voices and needs met. Hearing the talk
of how they should be “honored” to just play football there smacks of “shut up
and play football nigger, you’re lucky we let you on campus.”
So now the conversation has predictably shifted to everything
from “what about black on black crime” to “you didn’t say anything about
Chicago.” If that’s your line of defense then first off you’re racist because
it’s unimaginable to you that in the age of a black president there can be
racial prejudice, and secondly you don’t give a damn about black on black crime
or Chicago. Because if you did you would know that you can be upset about more
than one thing. I can be upset about a child being murdered in Chicago and also
be upset about swastikas being drawn on a college campus. I guess I’m complex.
Alright, I am getting too worked up on this. I guess all this
was to say is I have the utmost respect for the Mizzou Tigers football team and student body and haters can
have all the seats. I’ll leave you with
the greatest celebration that could have happened in the wake of the president’s
resignation…THE SWAG SURF!
Before I start writing this I just want to say that I like
Kirk Cousins. I think he’s a nice guy, and by all accounts seems to be a damn
decent human. However I’m really being turned away from the guy with the
constant coddling in the face of bad play especially by head coach of the Washington Racial Slurs Jay Gruden.
"I have no idea what's going on."
At this point we’re close to
reaching Tebow levels of excuse making for this guy. Seriously, below are some
of the quotes said by his own head coach:
"Yeah I don't know. I'll have to look at the film. Like
I said - also, it was little windy.”
“I know he could have played better, but we had no running game whatsoever,
and Kirk’s not in the stage in his career right now — nor is anyone on our
roster — to carry our team throwing the ball as much as we would have had to
today.”
Contrast that to what was said by Gruden about former face of the
franchise Robert Griffin III after he had the first 2 interception game of his
career:
"So, from his basic performance just critiquing Robert,
it's not even close to good enough to what we expect from the quarterback
position."
Seems a tad bit harsh for a guy who earlier in his career
may have had statistically the best season ever by a rookie quarterbackand led the team to the playoffs before Mike
Shanahan ran his leg into a nub to get there. Seriously, go back and look at
some of those plays he dialed up for Griffin and you’d be amazed. Think I am
just caping for another black quarterback? Ok well let’s let the stat’s do the
talking for me.
In his career Cousins has always been lauded for his ability
to read defenses, something Griffin gets no credit for.
He certainly read that defense well eh?
Yet in 17 less games he
has thrown 4 more interceptions on 428 fewer pass attempts. Of quarterbacks
with at least 25 interceptions in NFL history only Sage Rosenfels, Trent Dilfer
and Charlie Frye threw them at a higher rate. This is the maestro of reading
defenses?
Another aspect of Griffin’s game that seemingly gets
overlooked is his ability to run the ball. You want to talk about the lack of
weapons Cousins has?
Ran for over 800 yards as a rookie...what a bum.
They essentially have had the same weapons. How was it
good enough for Griffin but somehow they’re the lowliest bums on the face of
the planet when it comes to Cousins.
At this point I think it’s getting downright embarrassing for
all parties involved. I wish Gruden would just come out and say “I don’t like
Robert Griffin.” Then just let him go so he can continue his once promising career elsewhere.
The world is filled with some people who are so talented
that you stand back and stare at them in awe of their abilities and
accomplishments. But if you’re a hater like me there is a next level. People
who ascend to such heights that their talent makes you angry, and you’re made
even angrier by the fact that you enjoy what they do and will continue to do so. Today I am going to give
you 5 of those jerks who personify this emotion for me.(When I say jerks please note that this is
coming strictly from a place of jealousy and that I enjoy their work very much.)
5. LeBron James
LeBron and I have had a love hate relationship over the
course of his career. Meaning I have loved to hate him ever since he has come
into the league.But with his
performance this past season culminating in possibly the most dominant
individual performance over the course of a series that I have ever seen, it
must be said that I hate this guy but Lord knows the amount of respect I have for him is immeasurable. He’s so damn talented it fills my heart with
rage.
4. Dave Grohl
Look at this bastard here. Ok, so first you think it’s cool
to come to the forefront of American culture as a songwriter and drummer for
Nirvana (Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the way), and then
this jerk goes and founds the Foo Fighters. Are you freaking kidding me? And
the cherry on top of the hating sundae is that he appears to be by all accounts
a damn decent and funny human being. Ugh.
3. Kendrick Lamar
Oh King Kendrick. After your first album and seeing you
perform live I was all about you. Then you had to go and make “To Pimp a
Butterfly.” To say I loved that album is an understatement. I give that album
credit for helping me keep my sanity for a large part of the past year given
the depressing state of the news and other events that have led me to blog
passionately over that time span. The more I listen to how he puts his phrases
together and the message of each song it fills me with rage. He is a better
artist than I am at pretty much anything. Except hating. Now if he releases an
album of hating next year then I may have to shut this down.
*Early Contender for The Puma Song of the Year*
2. Bomani Jones
I began following Bomani on twitter a few years ago after
seeing him on "Around The Horn." After that I began to read his article, especially his music articles. Over the years he has launched "The Evening Jones," an amazing podcast, and recently got his radio show moved to a better time slot and is co hosting Highly Questionable with Dan Le Batard. What fills me with an envious rage most of all about Hater Galaga (an amazing hating alter ego) is how he interacts with trolls and has the courage to speak his mind even if it's a coworker at ESPN. Bo is so good at what he does that it just seems effortless. Damn him.
1. Ta-Nehisi Coates
This man here. I just shake my head whenever he drops a heavily researched, mad thorough long form article. I know that it's going to take me a while to read it but damn it he's so damn good the time just flies as you're reading it. He drops articles like Beyonce drops albums, unexpectedly and it's all people can talk about. His "Case for Reparations" article was so good that I had to stop reading a few times and play the beat from "Ether" over it. And then this week it's announced he is going to write some comics for my favorite super hero of all time "Black Panther." For real dude? If he keeps this up I may have to put a picture of him up in my home somewhere. Also for this sick burn on the dear brother Cornel West.
Denounced T'Challa as a Wall Street puppet and purveyor of crony capitalism. https://t.co/cQmQpIjJAf
All this being said these 5 people personify excellence in my eyes. I am sure you have your list similar to this, and if not YOU'RE A DIRTY LIAR! Kidding folks. Seriously take time and appreciate King James, marvel at Dave Grohl, be inspired by Kendrick Lamar, be pushed mentally by Bomani Jones and be prepared to have view points laid out so painstakingly that even if you disagree you will understand his view.
The world has been such an awful place recently I have not
had the motivation to complete my Western Conference team by team break down.
But don’t you worry folks, the Puma of Chocolate descent is back and he has
penned his latest epic analysis of something you didn’t even know you needed.
Western Conference:
Golden State Warriors:
Key Additions:
Kevon Looney: PF - Drafted
Key Losses:
David Lee : PF- Traded
It’s hard to argue with anything done by the reigning
champs.David Lee is gone and while he
certainly will be missed as a locker room guy they did draft the wildly
versatile Kevon Looney who should be able to slide into the role that Lee
occupied and provide better defense.
Overall Grade:A
Los Angeles Clippers:
Key Additions:
Paul Pierce: SF – Free Agent
Lance Stephenson: SG – Trade
Any excuse to post this video again.
Key Losses:
Matt Barnes: SF- Trade
The Clippers certainly had the most attention with the
Deandre Jordan fiasco but they really didn’t improve themselves too much unless
you think Paul Pierce still has the late game magic which after last season’s
playoffs I won’t be the one to tell him he doesn’t have it anymore. I still
don’t see this squad winning a title but a run to the conference finals is
certainly a possibility.
Overall Grade: B
Los Angeles Lakers:
Key Additions:
D’Angelo Russell: PG – Draft
Roy Hibbert: C – Trade
Lou Williams: SG- Free Agent
Key Losses:
Jordan Hill: PF – Free Agent
I know the initial reaction is to laugh but the Lakers did
have a very solid offseason. Russell has the potential to be the best player in
the draft and Roy Hibbert does solve a problem for them with his interior
defense. Lou Williams is a much underrated player and solid scorer while Julius
Randle will be making his return from injury as will one Kobe Bean Bryant. I
would not be surprised to see this team make the playoffs.
Overall Grade: B+
Phoenix Suns
Key Additions:
Tyson Chandler: C- Free Agent
Devin Booker: SG – Draft
Key Losses:
Marcus Morris: PF – Trade
The addition of Tyson Chandler should ease the pressure on
Alex Len who is perpetually injured and getting the best natural shooter in the
draft in Booker to team with Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight who are both great
penetrators was a stroke of genius. As for those pesky Morris twins problem
Markief may begin the season on this roster but I’d bet cash he won’t end the
season there.
Overall Grade: B-
Sacramento Kings
Key Additions:
Caron Butler: SF- Free Agent
Willie Cauley- Stein: C- Draft
Seth Curry: SG- Free Agent
Rajon Rondo: PG- Free Agent
Key Losses:
Nik Stauskas: SG- Trade
Your star shined too bright Sauce Castillo.
This team is…special. First you fire the coach who reached
your best player for the first time in his career. Then you essentially give up
on the very promising Nik Stauskas aka Sauce Castillo and now they have drafted
a player in the top ten who plays the same position of your best player. I love
George Karl but this team is a garbage fire and could challenge Philadelphia
for the worst record in the league.
Overall Grade: F
Dallas Mavericks
Key Additions:
Wesley Matthews: SG – Free Agent
Justin Anderson: SF- Draft
JaVale McGee: C- Free Agent
Deron Williams: PG- Free Agent
Key Losses:
Deandre Jordan: C- Hilarity
Tyson Chandler: C – Free Agent
Con: Missing out on Deandre Jordan. Pro: They got this guy!
Oh Dallas, poor poor Dallas. After thinking they had an
agreement with the top free agent on the market, seems they forgot to keep in
contact with him as the Clippers were able to make a last ditch effort to get
him to renege on his verbal agreement and go back to Dallas. They responded by
signing a guard with an Achilles injury, a point guard past his prime, and the
most entertaining knucklehead in the league with Javale McGee. I did like the
drafting of Justin Anderson but it looks like as we near the end of Dirk’s run
Dallas won’t be contending for anything but a lottery spot.
Overall Grade: D
Houston Rockets
Key Additions:
Sam Dekker: SF- Draft
Marcus Thornton: SG- Free Agent
Montrez Harrell: PF- Draft
Ty Lawson: PG- Trade
Key Losses:
None
The Rockets had a very solid draft getting Dekker, the most
athletic player on Wisconsin’s final four team and Montrez Harrell who could
develop into a Kenneth Faried esque high motor guy who rebounds and is a force
defensively. Their best move however was trading for Ty Lawson who if he is
able to conquer his demons could be a piece that could take them to the next
level. All in all it was a fantastic offseason so far for the Rockets.
Overall Grade: A-
Memphis Grizzlies
Key Additions:
Jarrell Martin: PF- Draft
Key Losses:
None
This team is best described in the words of Stringer Bell.
They are the epitome of a 40 degree day. Not too warm, not too cold, just blah.
While they have excellent pieces in Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley,
the surrounding pieces are just blah. They added the very talented Jarrell
Martin from LSU who could develop into a Zach Randolph type player albeit with
a vertical leap of more than 7 inches. All in all they will be a 4-5 seed in
the playoffs and quietly go home after pushing an elite team to 6 games.
Overall Grade: C
New Orleans Pelicans
Key Additions:
Alvin Gentry: Coach
Key Losses:
None
This team did the most important move of any team in the
league and that was wrap up long term the defensive and emerging offensive
dynamo in Anthony Davis. Also resigning Omer Asik gives them possibly the best defensive
front court in the league. As for the rest of the team, they’re not bad but
they do have a ton of question marks. Can Jrue Holiday stay healthy? Will
Tyreke Evans find his way? Did Kendrick Perkins pick up the post-game snacks?
Just so many questions.
Overall Grade: C
San Antonio Spurs
Key Additions:
Lamarcus Aldridge: PF- Free Agent
David West: PF- Free Agent
Key Losses:
None
They doubted me again didn't they?
Greg Popovich is the damn devil. There is no other way
around this. How do you get the top player on the market and then get a guy to
opt out of an 11 million per year deal to sign with you for 1.5 million per
year? The Spurs are reloading instead of rebuilding and the Western Conference
should remain on notice.
Overall Grade: A
Denver Nuggets
Key Additions:
Emmanual Mudiay: PG- Draft
Key Losses:
Ty Lawson: PG – Trade
I guess you could say the trade of Ty Lawson was addition by
subtraction as he is a wildly talented player but he was not a happy person in
Denver. Couple that with his apparent alcohol dependence and it was a recipe
for disaster. In Mudiay you get a bigger guard who is just as fast and has a
much higher ceiling. As for the outlook on this season it certainly isn’t
positive but they are in a much better place than they were at this time last
season.
Overall Grade: B-
Minnesota Timberwolves
Key Additions:
Karl Anthony Towns: PF- Draft
Tyus Jones: PG- Draft
Andre Miller: PG- Free Agent
Key Losses:
None
You know what; I actually like the Timberwolves have done
this off-season.Bringing Kevin Garnett
back for a farewell tour is a smart move, and the draft day acquisitions of Tyus
Jones and Karl Anthony Towns were great. Team them up with the young core of
Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad, and Gorgui Dieng and you have an exciting
group that in a few years could make noise in the playoffs.
Overall Grade: A
Oklahoma City Thunder
Key Additions:
None
Key Losses:
None
This is a team that really stayed pat outside of drafting
Dakari Johnson. Their season will be based on two things the health and
recovery of Kevin Durant and how quickly Billy Donovan can acclimate himself to
the NBA style of coaching. Any team that has Russell Westbrook, Durant and a
healthy Ibaka should make some noise.
Overall Grade: C
Portland Trail Blazers
Key Additions:
Ed Davis: PF- Free Agent
Noah Vonleh: PF- Trade
Gerald Henderson: SG- Trade
Key Losses:
Lamarcus Aldridge: PF – Free Agent
Wesley Matthews: SG- Free Agent
Nicolas Batum: SF- Trade
Boy what a difference a year makes. While they smartly gave
Damian Lillard everything he asked for the rest of this team should just be
called the what if all stars. Noah Vonleh if he develops could be a good player
in this league, same thing with Cliff Alexander. The rest of the guys are just
hoping to be solid contributors which is fine but you need more than one
superstar and hopes and dreams to make a run in the playoffs.
Overall Grade: D
Utah Jazz
Key Additions:
Trey Lyles: PF- Draft
Key Losses:
None
Another team that really is just going to fall into that
barely missing the playoffs range. Dante Exum possibly being out the entire
season definitely hurts but they do have Trey Burke and the low post tandem of
Rudy Goebert and Derrick Favors certainly will ease that loss. Working in
talented rookie Trey Lyles will be a challenge given the glut of players they
have at the PF/C position. All in all they are looking at another 35-40 win
season and a spot in the lottery.
Overall Grade: C
So there you have it folks, a full month after the Eastern
Conference I have bestowed upon thee a Western Conference preview. You’re welcome.
