That’s a good point Wave, and well stated.
Yes, I do personally care about what happens in China where there are concentration camps and people are not allowed to express opinions that oppose the communist regime. I have voiced my opposition many times over the years to the way they rule their people. I have also provided a small amount of financial support at times over the years to promote freedom of thought there. I think the NBA is culpable to an extent because of how much they are tied financially to China. I believe its a bit hypocritical for them to suggest they only care about social matters that concern them.
This whole debate is very nuanced on many levels, and unfortunately many draw a line in the sand and refuse to participate in open and honest debate. I genuinely appreciate the way you communicated here.
That's awesome that you contribute to that. I don't disagree that the NBA could do more to stand up to China given how much business they do with them, I just don't think that means that any other sort of social protest done by players is invalid. Would it be great if someone like LeBron called China out? Absolutely. But I don't think that should take away from the social causes he does champion. I think the vast majority of people who throw "but China" in the NBA's face have probably never spent one penny or one second of their time doing anything about it themselves. That's awesome that you put your money where your mouth is on that.
"Tuning ... into each other ... lift all higher”
“I’m just different!”
“ . . . Picture a cup in the middle of the sea”
Draft
1st round— Cooper Dejean CB
2nd round— Jack Sawyer OLB
3rd round— Will Shipley RB
4th round— Ricky Pearsall WR
5th round— Ladd McKonkey WR
6th round— Cash Jones RB
7th round— Carson Steele RB
"Tuning ... into each other ... lift all higher”
“I’m just different!”
“ . . . Picture a cup in the middle of the sea”
Draft
1st round— Cooper Dejean CB
2nd round— Jack Sawyer OLB
3rd round— Will Shipley RB
4th round— Ricky Pearsall WR
5th round— Ladd McKonkey WR
6th round— Cash Jones RB
7th round— Carson Steele RB
We we beat the Jazz - Utah has a squad of killers and they should be respected. However, there is no good answer to Anthony Davis - and Gobert struggles with what is essentially a more athletic and gifted version of himself. Davis has terrorized Gobert in the paint, in the perimeter, in space, and just about across the board. This includes causing Gobert to be visibly upset and put into foul trouble.
Moreover, LeBron James is a different beast altogether. He gets his shooters open looks. He drops 30 points, easily. The tandem of he and Anthony Davis belongs, in a talent aspect, on par with Magic Johnson and Kareem, Jordan and Pippen, Shaq and Kobe, and Moses and his broseph back in the day. This isn't to exclude Stockton and Malone, either.
Conley Jr. and that young man whose name I dare not mention are viable forces in the league. D.M. is a monster. But carrying a series against a LeBron led team, with Anthony Davis, and a slew of seven footers is different.
Why we beat the Clippers -
They're not mentally tough. They're overrated and buy into their own hype. Paul George is mercurial and sometimes so anti-clutch it hurts. The depth of the Clippers is overrated and the depth of the Lakers is underrated. LAC ran away with the first game between the two teams. Other than that the Lakeshow either won the game or just gave it away. The Clippers are supremely talented but have never proven to be the juggernaut they were advertised as.
The Rockets - they are a two-headed monster. Harden having someone to help carry the load has kept him fresh. But, the Lakers versatility is too much with AD and LBJ. I also just don't believe in the Rockets. I know that CP3 is gone, and the makeup of the team is different, but I can't find a compelling reason to view them as the winning team here. I've seen this team and this coach falter too many times to believe in them. They're going to get killed on the boards, killed on hustle plays, and have two star players who either don't/can't play defense at a high level anymore.
The Nuggets - the scariest matchup for us might be the one we don't see. Thank god.
The Mavs - lol lakers in four lol wtf is this shit get Luka a consistent running mate and then we'll take another look.
PS - this is going to/should be moved to the politics section...
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