Winning Formula

Based on a recent post, here, I believe I’ve come up with a winning formula for blogging. Statistical analysis shows that one post in particular had more reads than any other over the past several months, and I attribute that fact to the following: If you start off with a couple of nature shots from a daily walk, then segue to a serious topic, people tend to get  initially drawn in by the scenery, then stick around for the later stuff. In the previous case, the nature shots were geese and seals along the Sacramento River, and the relevant follow-on topic was the seemingly intractable human dilemma of homelessness.

So, having learned my lesson, I’m starting off with a couple shots of big birds I saw yesterday while I walked the Mary Carter Greenway Trail between C-470 and Mineral in Littleton. You won’t have to tell me if this is a winning formula or not, because stats don’t lie – only people do. Ahem. Anyway, on with the show.

 

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“Eaglewatch Lake” is more of a pond than anything. But on today’s hike, this bird had me ducking for cover when it buzzed me coming in for a water landing. I swear it was more of a Flying Fortress than any lil’-ole shore bird.

 

The gobbler was in no mood to let me get back to my car in the parking lot. Turkeys can be mighty mean. Who knew?

 

Encounters with two avian species today set me to thinking about sports, specifically about the NBA playoffs. OK, full disclosure: It was a text from a friend that triggered these thoughts during my hike. And his question: Should Jamal Murray have been suspended for his actions in the previous game? As for the birds, well, they definitely reinforced some kind of message about intimidation. “How so?” I hear you ask? Well, sit back, relax, and I’ll tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth – so help me… well, you know.

 

Setting the scene.

 

Round 1 of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs between the Nuggets and Lakers. Denver’s Nikola Jokic was his usual brilliant self. And LA’s ageless wonder – the oldest player in the league, 39-year-old LeBron James – was sucking air in the 4th Quarter. Not surprising then that the Nuggets advanced with a 4-1 near-sweep. But the big story was guard Jamal Murray who not once, but TWICE, stuck a dagger into the Lakers’ hearts with a game-winner.

Round 2, a match-up between the #2-seeded Nuggets and the #3-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves so far has a couple of subplot-lines which nobody expected. The T-wolves took the first two games in blowouts – IN DENVER. Anthony “Ant-man” Edwards averaged well over 30 points a game. And in game 2, not only did Jamal Murray go 3-for-18, but he got fined $100K for throwing a towel and a heating pad onto the court – at a referee. Out-of-character? Maybe. But if I’m Nuggets coach Mike Malone, this is my winning formula for a pre-game speech before Friday’s upcoming Game 3….

 

Winners step up and do the necessary. Losers complain about the officiating. So, the refs have decided to let this be a physical series? They want us to play hockey instead of basketball? So be it. That means somebody here has to step up and cut Anthony Edwards off at the knees when he goes in for a layup. Nothing short of a complete ACL tear will do. So, who’s it gonna be, fellas?

Joker, you’re a 3X MVP. You got the wife and the kids. Plus, you got your horses and a long-term NBA legacy to worry about now. So – no, it’s not gonna be you. We need you on the court. And Jamal, not to put too fine a point on it, but you’re already on thin ice with the league office. Plus, you’re a pussy. So, no, not you either.

Aaron Gordon? Yeah, looks like it’s gotta be you, Big Fella. Sure, maybe you get ejected. Maybe you get a little fine from the commish, plus maybe even a little jail time from the Minneapolis PD. Maybe there’s a little blood that finds its way onto your uniform. But hey, jerseys will wash. And our owner’s got deep pockets. We will make it up to you. Don’t you worry one little bit. Hey, we’ll even send someone to bail you out if need be. Besides, if worse comes to worst, there’s always Zeke Nnaji.

 

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Go ahead and laugh. But back when I was in high school, I played with two brothers named Barry and Greg Myers. Barry was in my class, a year older than Greg, and a whole lot wilder. Barry had a seizure disorder, and no fear whatsoever. Today he’d probably come to school every day wearing a helmet. But back in those days he just got into fist-fights in the parking lot after school at least once a week. Any time he’d fall down and start foaming at the mouth – during gym class or a basketball game or a dance – basically every time he got a little bit dehydrated – we all knew to give him plenty of space. Just make sure he didn’t swallow his tongue and choke to death. It was a simpler time.

Greg was the better baller of the Myers clan, probably the 2nd or 3rd best on our team. Barry sat way down on the end of the bench and rarely played. And me? I was some hot shit. Or at least “hot” for some Class C also-rans in the back-water Blue Mountain League. We were a bunch of farmers’ kids who went 6-14 that year. Since we played each team twice, we had two wins each over Biglerville, Greencastle, and some other team besides us with mostly farmers’ kids as players who spent more time in the fields and less time in the gym. Against everybody else? We got creamed.

Anyway, I led the league in scoring that year. And the reason was Greg Myers. Here’s the backstory: 3 games from the end of the season, I was in a nip-and-tuck battle with Ed Temple of Gettysburg for the league lead in scoring. First game of the season, Gettysburg had beaten us 100-something to 60-something – not even close. But the next time, it was much tighter. And sometime near the end of that game, Ed Temple went in for a wide open layup, and Greg Myers took his legs out from under him and…. yeah, you guessed it: ACL tear. Gruesome. I’m not sure if Ed ever played hoops again. But it handed me the scoring crown. And for that, I’ll always remember Greg Myers fondly.

 

The point is…

 

Not to play dirty. And not “win at any cost.” But “do the necessary?” You bet your Big Bird ass-cheeks, Bubba-cakes. Are you in or out, Nuggets?  Is Coach Malone’s pregame rant the winning formula? Guess we’ll have to find out on Friday night.  And Anthony Edwards, beware. If the League wants to make this into a goddamn hockey contest, then maybe somebody from the Nuggets gets the message and comes primed to play hockey. Somebody’s gonna pay, sure as shootin’. Jamal already paid his $100K fine. So now it looks like you’re the next victim, Ant-man. Waddayasay? In or out?