NBA Finals vs Scripps Spelling Bee

Okay, so i watched all of 15 minutes of the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee competition yesterday. After switching channels and suffering through the Warriors game 1 NBA Finals loss to the Raptors, I regret not staying tuned in to see the final outcome of the spelling bee. 

The spelling bee can be one of the most brutal competitions to watch. These kids have competed in local and regional contests before making it to this grand national stage. Though their families are proud of their accomplishments in getting to this big stage, the kids can’t help but carry the weight of trying to win for their families, town and school. Imagine the pressure of wanting to win a national competition for your supportive family and community, at 13 years old. Its the moment that dreams are so wonderfully conceived, and nightmares so fearfully faced. And of course the clock is ticking down to elation or elimination.

I didn’t remember past rules that allowed contestants to ask so many “hints” of the word given them to spell.  It seemed to make the contest a longer, drawn out event, which maybe gave ESPN better ratings, but was torture on me as a viewer. ESPN even had a virtual “play along” side screen option for television viewers to try their luck at choosing the correct spelling through multiple choice answers. To me the option took away from watching the courageous drama these adolescents displayed while facing the pressures of a nationally televised spelling bee.

I learned today that an unprecedented outcome to the spelling bee had occurred; 8 contestants were deemed winners after answering 30 consecutive spellings correctly. The competition committee had simply run out of challenging words to give the kids.  There have been multiple winners before, but never so many.

Congratulations Scripps National Spelling Bee Champions!

As for the NBA Finals, game 2 is Sunday. Can’t Wait.....

Can you spell Threepeat? Maybe the Golden State Warriors can. And in this competition there can only be one winner. That is Correct.

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Joe Panik Walk Off

San Francisco Giants' Joe Panik is congratulated by teammates after driving in the winning run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)


Yes, the San Francisco Giants (21-26) gave us something to smile about if not but for a night. Down 3-2 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth on a 3-2 pitch, Joe Panik hit a two-run single to bring in runners from second and third base; game over!

The ninth inning rally saw the Giants execute some nifty base and bat work with two stolen bases and three base hits, one by Kevin Pillar that scored Brandon Crawford. In all the Giants scored three runs in the inning to send the visiting Atlanta Braves (26-23) back to their hotel with a loss.

In a season that has Giants fans grasping for any signs of light at the end of the tunnel, tonight's win was like seeing a spark flicker in the darkness. We'll take it. So keep trekking along Giants, there's hope just up ahead. 

trekking (noun)

   - the art of making a long journey across difficult country on foot

Final Score
Braves 3
Giants 4

I GO TO WORK - Draymond Green

Draymond Green getting ready for another NBA Finals:



For those who were fooled, no it ain't NBA star Draymond Green.  It's former rap artist Kool Moe Dee performing his 1989 hit, "I go to work." Draymond was born in 1990.

Draymond Completes The Sweep!

Warriors enforcer Draymond Green had another triple-double and sank the dagger 3-pointer in game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The Golden State Warriors have won the West and are going to their fifth consecutive NBA Finals.

All due respect to the Portland Trail Blazers for showing that they are a worthy competitor. They led much of the game and pushed the Warriors into an overtime game.  But it was Draymond Green's MVP performance that was the hub of Golden State's offensive execution throughout this series.

Dray's performance almost matches that of Magic Johnson in the 1980 finals when he moved from guard to center and led the Lakers to a championship. Dray stepped up his offensive game when Kevin Durant went down with a strained calf in the semi-finals. 

The explosiveness and decision making of Draymond Green running the point is what won this series, hands down. Even with Steph Curry averaging 35+ points, the spotlight should be on Dray. Again, any sports analyst not talking about Draymond Green's leadership, as well as his composure, is biased against west coast basketball.

Four more wins and the Golden State Warriors are three-peat Champions.

So rest up, reload and let's bring this thing home to Oaktown where it belongs. Hello!

Final Score/ OT
Warriors 119
Trail Blazers 117 

Did you know? The "Magic Theory"

Iggy Seals Warriors Game 2 Win

Andre Iguodala Stripping Damon Lilliard; Ballgame!

Just a helluva a game between the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers. Gotta give the Blazers credit for going up by 15pts at the half. Against any other opponent that might have caused panic, but not these Warriors. 

Golden State came out in the 3rd qtr. with aggressive defense and an urgency to get back into the game. That they did by tying the game 89-89 by the end of the quarter.  

The final quarter was a back and forth battle with Portland on the road giving it their all. Even Seth Curry, Steph's bro, had a great game for Portland, knocking down clutch shots. But you know that championship blood of the Warriors; it just won't let them cry uncle. They scored two huge pick and roll baskets and then with seconds left on the clock and up three points it was Iggy defense time.  

Andre Iguodala, the old, young man, applying pressure defense on hometown prodigal son Damon Lilliard, stripped the ball away. And that is how the Golden State Warriors took a two games to none Western Conference Finals lead over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Kevon Looney, Jordan Bell, Jonas Jerebko and the rest of the bench were again Outstanding...…

Strength In Numbers!!!!!


Final Score
Trailblazers 111
Warriors 114

Thanks For The Laughs Tim Conway

 Tim Conway (Actor) 1933 - 2019 

If you weren't around to see Tim Conway do his thing on The Carol Burnett Show, then you missed a good, side-splitting laugh triggered by one of the greats. Many of his comical characters seemed lacking in their ability to apply common sense to basic situations. Their actions might fall under the category of a simpleton doing senseless things. 

Tim himself was really not much to look at and could easily pass for a no-nonsense accountant or office clerk. But give that man a decent comedy skit and allow him his signature ad-lib style, and he'll have you bent over laughing your guts out, gasping for air, begging him to stop.

One of my favorite Tim Conway skits, besides anything featuring his slow-shuffling old man character (see above), is his portrayal of a bumbling young dentist with co-star Harvey Korman as his suffering patient. Seeing Harvey try to stifle his laugh was almost as hilarious as the young Tim Conway dentist. I remember my father, a hardworking blue-collar man who didn't laugh easily, watching the skit laughing and snickering until forced to pull out his workman's handkerchief, blow his nose and wipe at his eyes. 

Thanks Tim, for giving me one of those memorable moments of seeing my father joyfully at leisure. 

Tim Conway's "The Dentist" (FULL)

Curry & Klay Hit Splash Button in Houston

When Rockets Come Crashing Back Down To Earth, Again!

Warriors win series 4-2

It was an amazing Game 6 closeout of the Houston Rockets. The Golden State Warriors, on the road, without Kevin Durant, tied 57-57 at half-time, took it to another level in the fourth quarter. If you didn't see it and you are a Rockets fan, don't torture yourself. For Warriors fans, We will be watching it for years to come. Hopefully those critics who thought Chris Paul's absence in last years Warriors playoff series win was a factor will put that myth to bed. Paul had a good series, all six games, but in the end he exited the court like Harden. Dejected.

Klay Thompson kept the Warriors in the game while Curry went scoreless in the first half, partly due to sitting the bench in foul trouble. He hadn't gone scoreless in a first half since 2012. The bench, who played very little in the playoffs, contributed mightily to help Klay and company keep the Warriors in the game. Then came the fourth quarter and their went #30, the Human Torch, doing what he'd never done in a fourth quarter. Curry scored 23 points in the quarter to seal the deal and send Harden, Paul and the rest of Houston's finest to the golf course for the remainder of the playoffs. 

After the game, Rockets coach Mike D'antoni said it best; "this one's gonna leave a mark. This is not something you just get over with."

Curry made 33pts in the second half after going scoreless in the first. Bruised fingers and all, the man who has changed the way modern day NBA basketball is played showed exactly why he is that man. Host of the ESPN show First Take, Stephen A. Smith, gave Golden State their props after acknowledging their Championship character and tenacity to win in the clutch. Though he questioned the playoff heart of James Harden, he could not deny the heart of a champion like Golden State. That's what I couldn't wait to hear from the mouth of Stephen A.

The Warriors and Rockets gave us one helluva NBA western conference semifinals series. 

Final Score

Warriors 118

Rockets 113

Red Sox Minus One

2018 World Series Champion Red Sox will be visiting "you know who" at the White House this coming Thursday. Guess who won't be joining them and why? You got it, winning Manager Alex Cora. Now guess why...……….

He's Puerto Rican, and we all know how the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue feels about Puerto Rico. The Island is still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Maria and is in need of more relief. Unfortunately, instead of relief they're hearing statements like this from the resident:

"Hurricane-hit Puerto Rico has received too much aid"

Now I'm no fan of the Red Sox, but to see a leader of a team stand up for what he believes a rightful cause to protest, my hat goes off to the man. It might not be as radical as taking a knee, but Alex Cora has just earned a  place of the Mount Rushmore of protesting sports figures. 

Maybe Patriots Bill and Tom will take note and reconsider where their political loyalties lie. Then again, its Boston, maybe not...…...

Horse Pulls A "Harden"

The 145th Kentucky Derby ended with a first place disqualification for initial winner Maximum Security, giving the crown to runner-up Country House at 65-1 odds. The disqualification was no fault of Country House. It was a sore loser by the name of War of Will who protested he was fouled by Maxy. It's a first for the Kentucky Derby.

Video footage shows Maxy leading the race coming out of the final bend, then veering slightly into the lane of War of Will. I believe War of Will was already beaten and knew it. He simply pulled a Houston Rockets James Harden move (leg whip) to get the interference call, throwing his front legs into the hind quarters of Maxy. But as with Harden, rules are rules, and what's an official to do once a player/participant cries foul.

Congratulations Country House
 on your...*Kentucky Derby Championship

Note: The winner's interview was brutal to watch (much booing)

The Devil and Bill Barr

Do you swear to withhold the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you ……….

After watching United States Attorney General William Barr again make a mockery of our constitution, I am convinced that an entire political party has been infiltrated and compromised by something much bigger than one man or one country.

I’m beginning to believe there is an organized entity threatening our democracy in ways a criminal organization would go about extorting favors from targeted source(s). Those ways and methods could easily include coercion using threats of blackmail.

How else to explain why so many party representatives, many who have had longstanding, respectable careers, are complicit or show little concern for their colleagues' refusal to follow the law of the land. The party seems in need of an Exorcism?

You must ask yourself what could possibly instill a fear so numbing that it forces learned, intelligent men to partner with and protect a tyrannical leader who demonstrates ignorance about leadership and cares only about his own well-being. What makes any man turn away from the basic tenets and principals of moral right and decency he once believed in so strongly; values that prompted him to choose service to his country as an honorable way to uphold his principles on life.  

What kind of phantom can come along and possess a man so completely that he abandons all oaths and duty for society while condoning the unscrupulous actions of a tyrannical entity.

What is it, that makes someone lie and cheat not for his own personal gain, but for that of which has come out of the darkness and recruited his mind, body and soul to do its bidding as it sees fit. 

Reminds me of a little known song by the late, great R&B singer James Brown. The title of the song is "King Heroin," and its lyrics sing about a dream where JB walks into a place and sees this strange, weird object standing up talking to the people. It turns out the speaker is Heroin. 

Heroin is warning the people about his history, power, anonymity and total control over his subjects. In descriptions of himself and his power are ugly, sickly scenes of humility and suffering. But below the surface of his speech are teasing's to come and see for yourself, have a taste and discover what could make a young girl sell her body for a five dollar bag. 

His boasts of making individuals do things they thought never in a million years they could do, even commit murder, are enough to make some think about taking up the challenge. Why? Why, when the speech is meant to be a warning, would some individuals find themselves instead attracted to Heroin; human nature, curiosity, attraction to power, escape. Was it not a snake that spoke to Adam and Eve about the forbidden tree of knowledge, teasing to see for themselves with a taste from the dangling fruit? All it took was a cold-blooded, lowly, slithering and scaly creature, and a whisper. 

What I always wondered was why the Creator of Eden would place such a lowly creature with unscrupulous intentions in the Garden in the first place. Is it possible that the snake was meant to warn mankind of the power of knowledge? How can one choose the promise of an ugly snake over that of a loving creative being? And yet when it comes right down to it, man still finds power and knowledge to be the most attractive and coveted thing on earth. 

Attorney General William Barr, you are exonerated and forgiven your trespasses. It has been determined that you are the victim of an ancient, most powerful and very crafty serpent. The serpent of the mind that ignores love emanating from the heart, choosing instead to be led by a promise from a lowly, scheming serpent. 





The Devil and Daniel Webster

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