Season 1 Episode 10: "You Gon' Get This Work"

In which I lambaste both the college football establishment, ya'lls little president and anybody providing cover for his foolishness. A real treat for all my peoples.

Season 1 Episode 8: "If Truth Be Told Donald Is A Terrorist"

In which I quickly give my thoughts on who wins the NBA individual awards before going into a rage filled rant on the state of American politics.

NBA Takes That I feel Are Not Of The Spicy Variety

Hot damn folks we are on the brink of the NBA season and I for one could not be more excited. I am a downright fiend for basketball and despite what Mr."I think the game is more pure in college" says the best basketball in the world is played in the NBA. Period. Having said that it is time for me, a man who once thought Dame Lillard would be a bust to give you, my loyal tens of readers my thoughts on the upcoming NBA season.

"You thought what?!"

Enjoy!

Best Offseason Move:

There were a few here that are some layups such as the Clippers getting Paul George and Kawahi Leonard or the Lakers getting Anthony Davis. I think the best offseason in terms of completely avoiding disaster was the Pelicans getting a complete HAUL for Anthony Davis. 

Not a bad consolation prize.

We've seen numerous times a franchise player asks to be traded and the team is left getting scraps back in return. In this case the Pelicans got Lonzo Ball, an extremely talented and now motivated guard, Josh Hart, a solid guard off the bench, and Brandon Ingram, who could become a multiple timer all star. Add in the fact they got the number one pick and this team is put into position to be a contender sooner rather than later. 

Player That Will Have Me Michael Scott Crying All Season:

Me anytime the Hawks are on tv.

Vince Carter. My favorite player (non Chicago Bulls of course) during my teenage years was Vince Carter. I am a diehard UNC fan and seeing him get drafted did my heart so much good. I was not prepared however for the ways in which he would change the league. Seriously, this guy is the greatest in game dunker of all time.

He obliterated people's career before they even began and shamed entire nations, and in arguably the best Slam Dunk Contest ever it was a race for second place. So seeing that this is his final season has a brother all in his feelings. So Vinsanity, to you I tip my cap I hope you dominate the broadcasting game which I am sure you're headed for.

Rookie to Look Out For:

As a Bulls and a UNC fan, I believe I am contractually obligated to say Coby White. And in this case I actually mean it! White is a deceptively big point guard, who plays at a break neck speed and teaming him up with a freak athlete like Zach LaVine and a big man who can run the floor in Wendell Carter the opportunities for assists will be there.And unlike Kris Dunn he is able to score with great consistency. 

The Team I Am Already Sick Of:

Without a doubt it's the Houston Rockets. My god has a team who has flamed out so spectacularly in recent playoff runs that it's amazing they don't catch more heat. This is a team that has found new ways to lose to the Golden State Warriors, and then complain about it.

"The NBA hates me that's why we missed 27 straight 3's."

They complained about refs missing calls and from an analytical standpoint costing them games ignoring in a close out game they missed 27 straight threes. And then last year they lost to a Warriors team missing Kevin Durant. And on top of that the constant bitching about whether or not James Harden gets MVPs is just enough to make me root against them. Even though they traded away notorious dick puncher Chris Paul for one of my favorites in Russell Westbrook I still can't wish any good luck on this team. Sorry. 

So that's all I have for right now, in terms of predictions I could see a Clippers-Bucks final with Kawahi leading the Clips to a title. Now that I've said that it will be some random ass Finals but damn it that's one of the many reasons I love this league. Alright I'm out here, ya'll be easy. 

"Went From Most Hated To The Champion God Flow, I Guess That's A Feeling Only Me And Lebron Know"

In which I am all over the place celebrating the birth of a future contributor, lamenting another life lost and flat out confused by the backlash LeBron is getting right now. This is fun stuff friends.

Season 1 Episode 7: "And Still I See No Changes..."

In which I recount a harrowing terrifying test drive and then give some unfiltered thoughts on the Joker and the Amber Guyger trial. Real cheery stuff here folks.

Forgiveness and Grace...For Some

This one is not going to be funny (or in most of my posts, an attempt at being funny) this is just gonna be a brother working through some complex thoughts on a divisive situation. This week Amber Guyger was found guilty of the murder of Botham Jean, and subsequently was sentenced to 10 years. And while some rightfully expressed anger and outrage over the 10 year sentence she received there were a couple of things that perturbed a brother.

First off, as soon as the guilty verdict came down there was elation. For once it seemed that when a truly innocent person was killed by a police officer, there would be accountability. I was shocked when she was charged and even more so when she was convicted. A very happy shocked I must say. But then the verdict came and it was for ten years. People were upset, and rightfully so, then the wave of people who seemingly took joy in the shock and hurt that such a relatively light sentence could be given when the circumstances surrounding the case were just so damning. 

"I'm so sorry...that I am being punished for my actions."

She didn't administer aid, seemed in texts during the aftermath to be more concerned with her lost career not to mention rather racist texts that came to light later. An almost joyful refrain proclaiming how smart they were for having no hope of justice or mocking derision of those upset. As I said on twitter, I never want to see the day when I mock another person for being upset when a miscarriage of justice has occurred.

The other thing that bothered me was a moment. Botham Jean's brother gave the killer his forgiveness and it's being hailed as this great moment. And for me, it's just not. Now this doesn't apply to family, as they are allowed to do whatever helps them in their healing. However, the media pumping this up as this beautiful moment frankly disgusts me. So much grace and forgiveness shown to people who for one have not asked for it and second don't deserve it from the bulk of us. This smacks of the Charleston Church shooter trial. When apprehended he was hungry so police stopped and got him a goddamn sandwich, meanwhile little black girls are getting suplexed at pool parties. I've seen judges react with zero emotion as they hand down family altering sentences yet Amber gets a goddamn hug from the judge. She even had security guards brushing the hair out of her face.

Black and brown bodies are brutalized and yet instead of focusing on that, the focus is seemingly always put on the humanity of the brutalizer. We have to make sure Dylan Roof is not hungry, we have to make sure Amber Guyger isn't made to feel like less than a human when the focus should be on Botham Jean. The guy who was sitting in his home, chilling until a horny cop who at best was wildly incompetent to ever carry a badge killed him. This isn't a beautiful moment. So while the family is free to grieve how they grieve, and are free to forgive who they want to forgive, this doesn't mean you can use their forgiveness as a means to shame people who are rightfully angry. If all you can focus on is his forgiveness and not Botham Jean's humanity then it is nothing more than a means to silence the conversation which may lead you to some uncomfortable truths about yourself.

A writer who I am fond of, David Dennis Jr. said it best in a piece he wrote: “And I’m angry that the examples of the courts getting sentencing right or using compassion for criminals often come when its a white person on the wrong side of the judge’s stand. I don’t want Amber Guyger to be treated like a Black person. I want Black people to be treated like Amber Guyger.”