There are two moments in history that stand out as those 'where were you when....' moments for me. One was when Princess Diana died, mainly because I was in England at the time and to call it a crazy few days would be a severe understatement. The other was 9/11, waking up to see the TV on and watching with disbelief.
For the past month it seems like the NBA has just been scripted to prove people wrong. Teams look dead and buried after a game or two only to come right back. How many times have OKC looked on the verge of being tumbled only for Westbrook and Durant to find another gear? It's beyond guessing what's gonna happen from here on in. Indiana somehow salvaged a season from the precipice, while Miami seemed set on glory once more.
What kind of witchcraft is this? Despite a 1.7% chance of it happening, the Cleveland Cavaliers drew the number one overall pick in the lottery. It’s the second time in a row that they’ve had the first pick, and the third time in four years. Surely they can’t mess this up?
So, the draft was held, and some stuff happened.
As you can see, the Pacers are doing well when their bench isn’t asked to contribute much – although they do have a couple of potentially nice pieces off the bench, they just aren’t getting it done.
If you can spare 25 or so minutes of your valuable time, definitely watch this speech from Kevin Durant. It’s his MVP acceptance speech, where he manages to thank each and every member of the OKC playing roster, along with coaches and family, saving the biggest appreciation for his mother, who he calls “the real MVP”. It’s moving stuff.
They’re calling him “Stone Cold Steve Adams”. Bill Simmons awarded him the Most Likely to be Punched award leading into the playoffs. Well, he was. By Zach Randolph, and it cost Z-Bo the chance to play in the crucial game 7 which his Memphis team ultimately lost in and were this eliminated.
How good was that first round? It was everything we could have hoped for and far more. 5 series that went to 7? Buzzer beating series winning 3s? Injuries, suspensions and strange cases of a 7’2 man disappearing?
Money should not buy you power or favour.
No amount of money will buy you immunity in the public sphere.
I wonder if the same applies to redemption.
The NBA is a private organisation. They can act as they please. Good on them for putting their foot down.
Adam Silver is a true leader. He made a brave decision and he stood by it.
The fans still hold sway, despite what the billionaires may think.
David Stern would never have taken these measures.
Too many rich, white, American men still think that authority and control are their birth rights.
Entitlement is a flaw of humanity. You are entitled to nothing but your birth and your death.
Equality should not be something we need strive for. It should be the natural state.
Kingdoms are destroyed by a single failure.
The internet holds no mercy.
Memes are more influential than petitions or referendums.
No matter how safe you think you may be, if you treat people like garbage, they will eventually reach breaking point.
That breaking point may just be a microphone in a bag and a recording leaked to TMZ.
The Clippers have been terrible for 30 years under Sterling. Sterling has always been a bigot and an overly entitled scumbag.
30 years of mediocrity is tolerated more than a single racially charged conversation.
I think I’m OK with that.
Suddenly the LA Clippers may become the most sought after investment in sports.
Snoop Dogg, Floyd Mayweather, Magic Johnson and Oprah are all rumoured to be interested.
I think I’m OK with that, too.
