Funny Because We All Know Its True

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Djokovic, Irving, and Rodgers as Modern Day Muhammad Ali's?

Clay Travis makes the argument that the refusal to get vaccinated in the face of great public pressure makes Novak Djokovic, Kyrie Irving, and Aaron Rodgers modern day heirs to Muhammad Ali and his protest against the Vietnam War.

At first I thought this comparison to Vietnam was ridiculous but now I think Travis has a better point than maybe he even knows.

• The were 53,220 US servicemen killed in Vietnam. The excess total mortality deaths from vaccines in the US may well eclipse that number. The increased all cause mortality in Israel for after when vaccines were introduced in 2021 and 2022 (up to July) is almost 6,000. And Israel is about the size of New Jersey.
• During Vietnam men could get deferments by going to college or flee to Canada. Now colleges required proof of vaccination to attend and Canada's restrictions were even harsher than the US's.
• Just like PTSD from Vietnam continued to claim many lives after the war was over - science has no idea how many additional deaths could be traced back to the changes brought on by the introduction of mRNA into the body or from psychological damaged caused by lockdowns

Kyrie Irving Clown Nose

Kyrie Irving has now surpassed Roger Goodell as the number one sports villain in Boston. Saw many vendors selling the Kyrie Clown Nose shirts but none of the Roger Goodell ones.

Also prominent was the classic "LeBron James is a Douche" t-shirts. That's always a big seller.

Stay classy Boston!
 

Want This Made into a Painting for Christmas

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Kyrie Irving vs the NYC Vaccine Mandate

The drama surrounding the NYC vaccine mandate and Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving not getting the vaccine is getting juicy. The NBA and the Players Association are siding with the City by adopting a "no jab - no pay" policy.

In 2020 the teams and unions were understanding and supportive of any player who wanted to opt out due to COVID concerns. In 2021 it is "conform or else!"

At this point I also wonder if a Kyrie Irving for Ben Simmons trade straight up would solve both teams problems? Does Philadelphia have a vaccine mandate?

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations. 

A reminder to Celtics fans - two years ago you all were 100% in favor of giving Kemba Walker a 4-year max contract. 100% of you (me included)... Someone should write a satire book Nancy Pelosi and the Echo Chamber of Secrets... The Gnomon (One Who Knows or Examines) would be a good name for a blog... 100% true... Hillary remains the worst possible name for a stripper. Clamidia is a distant second... As an aside - you will find more Aaron Hernandez Patriots jerseys in Boston than Kyrie Irving Celtics jerseys. That's how disliked the guy is in Boston... 

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

One silver lining if Joe Biden gets elected President then America can pretend the homeless problem doesn't exist for four years just as we did during the 8-years of the Obama Administration... Tyler Cowen's China- U.S. fact of the day. "China is asshole" and you can't trust assholes... "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin... I really want this painting... Kyrie Irving is an entitled douche. Just ask fans of either the Cavaliers or Celtics... Maybe the NBA's return won't be as simple or easy as it seemed. If the NBA has further delays it could clear the way for the NHL and hockey to have to sports world's attention all to itself... Good for the law enforcement officers protecting the Alamo. Don't mess with Texas...

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Maybe, just maybe, and hear me out here - maybe the reason no shots were fired at the Virginia Second Amendment Rights protests is maybe because legally owning a gun isn't a sign of mental illness. It's like maybe, just maybe, the image of crazy, bitter, clingers is just a media creation. Gun Grabbing Democrats on the other hand - yeah that's very real... "The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." - Isaac Asimov... Heh Heh - too funny... Out of curiosity has Kate Upton commented on the Astros cheating yet? I mean she comments on everything else it seems. And her being married to Astros ace Justin Verlander would make this a subject she might know something about... If I were a player in the Super Bowl I'd answer every question on media day with "Hodor" and nothing but "Hodor." And I'd be the star of the day... Thank God he's out of Boston. Seriously thank God... The Babylon Bee is on a roll!... If CNN just replaced their "news" coverage with a live camera showing a banana taped to a wall - would their ratings improve? I think we all know the answer to that...

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Southern California and North Korea have roughly the same populations (about 24 million) and it could honestly be argued that Southern Cal actually is the bigger existential threat to America... What was the worse preseason bet - Mitch Trubiski as NFL MVP or Kyrie Irving as NBA MVP? (Note just asking I didn't make either of those dumb wagers)...  The 9 most badass Bible verses... It should be remembered that perhaps the main reason ESPN purged itself of any politics a while back was to protect the launch of their new streaming service Disney+ (they didn't want to give any excuse for half the country to not want to buy a Disney product). It's amusing that many who loudly decried the "muzzling" of people like Jemelle Hill at the time are the same people who remained oddly silent over Daryl Morey's right to free speech when it came to the NBA and China... When I find myself in times of trouble or doubt I ask "What would Tim Tebow do?" and the path is made clear... I don't own any sports jerseys (because I'm a friggin adult) but I might make an exception for a Number 6...

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon backs Trump on healthcare transparency. This transparency would help drive down the costs of healthcare. Wonder what Dimon, who identifies as a Democrat, thinks of his Party's candidates supporting free healthcare for illegals which would increase premium costs for everyone paying into the system?

- This always makes me chuckle

- A reminder for when watching the Democrats debate - "Medicare for All" would cost $32.6 TRILLION over ten years Not even DOUBLING existing taxes would be enough to pay for it.

- Jackie Mac has an interesting look into the issues behind the Celtics issues last season. She warns not to put all the blame on Kyrie - but I'm blaming Kyrie just the same.

- Heh Heh

- To the villain, it's a zero sum game

- The best explanation I've read for why Gandalf didn't just use the eagles from the start in LoTR.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Just saying but you may find more Aaron Hernandez than Kyrie Irving jerseys in Boston next year... There should have been an episode of Magnum PI where Magnum witnesses Higgins murder his ex-wife and a waiter but decides to keep silent about it for years... Can you imagine how different the history of the Knicks would have been if Pat Riley was given full control of the franchise instead of being allowed to bolt for Miami all those years ago... Still firmly believe that "sticktum" should be a word. It is more pleasing to the ear than either "anus" or sphincter". Make it so... Jack Dempsey said the only man he ducked fighting when he was heavyweight champion of the world was Ernest Hemingway. He didn't want to hurt the great writer who was insistent on proving his manhood... When did we start calling 70's soft rock Yacht Rock? Did I miss the memo?... MMA Jesus would be a good name for a Christian rock band...

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

So on the bright side - the final tally of the Celtics trade with the 76ers was Jason Tatum and Romeo Langford for Markelle Fultz which is a win... Getting a Ph. D. like a boss!... Reminder - if a pro player comes to your hometown team and professes (or pretends) to believe that the Earth is flat - that is a gigantic RED FLAG! Caveat emptor Brooklyn... If reincarnation is real I'd like to come back in the next life as a brown bat. They sleep 19 hours a day... Another reminder - over the past 15 NBA seasons only 8 franchises out of 30 have won the championship and only 7 have made multiple trips to the finals. The Celtics are on both of those lists. Boston fans should chill out... I'm just hoping that none of the players picked by the Celtics last night picks Rich Paul as their agent..

The State of the Celtics

Tonight is the NBA Draft and even though the Celtics have first round picks at 14, 20 and 22 (plus a second round pick at 51) - Boston fans are in a panic. They are in a panic because it looks like both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford are choosing to leave the team as free agents.

C'st la vie - chill out. Things are still very good.

Right now the Celtics could start the following players:

Marcus Smart (PG), Jaylen Brown (SG), Jason Tatum (SF), Gordon Hayward (PF) and Aron Baynes (C). That's a pretty good - and young (except Baynes) - starting five. Plus they'd be very fun to watch. And when you have Robert Williams playing at center - that's one of the best defensive lineups in all of the NBA.

Most Celts fans would like Kyrie Irving to leave at this point. The most common sentiment is "I'd be happy to drive him to the airport." Al Horford deciding to leave was a surprise and I for one will remember him fondly as a pro's pro who did all the little things and did them right. But going forward don't be surprised if the most common description of Horford in Boston will be "33-year old" Al Horford. But that's getting ahead of ourselves because Horford hasn't left for sure. He could just be testing the waters (unlikely but possible).

If Horford does leave then suddenly the Celtics have about $30 million in cap space (assuming Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier also leave as free agents) to use on one or two solid players. Add in whatever player(s) Danny Ainge drafts tonight and suddenly you are looking at a pretty deep 9-10 player roster. Sure they won't be top heavy with stars like Kyrie and Anthony Davis but it will be a solid lineup that will hopefully be (mostly) drama free.

Plus Boston still have Memphis' top pick in either next year's or the 2021 draft. That should end up being one of the best picks in the draft. Things are good in Boston. Celtics fans should all take a deep breath.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

So the Boston Bruins are going to the Stanley Cup finals and last night right after the game I checked for ticket prices for Game 1. Tickets start at $549 per with the best seats going for $2,300 each. Guess I'll be watching the finals from a bar (as usual)... I am convinced that Irish Car Bombs were invented by a bartender who hated gullible young people. What a terrible drink choice... Many fingers of blame are being pointed for the disappointing season turned in by the Boston Celtics but lost in many of the discussions is the awful "C us Rise" motto they tried foisting on the fans. Let's hope that motto is tossed into the dustbin of history... "Lillies that fester smell far worse than weeds." - Shakespeare... Speaking of lillies that fester - statistically Kyrie Irving had the best season of his career yet the Celtics only finished 4th in the Eastern Conference. Pretty sure Boston could finish 4th (or better) without him. Now firmly in the hope Kyrie packs his bags and leaves camp... You can go to jail for renting a car from Hertz. I crossed them off the list of companies I'll do business with long ago... There are 3-month old babies in New England who have never known the joy of a championship parade. Won't someone please think of the children? Go Bruins!...

Boston Celtics Thoughts

The Boston Bruins are just 6 wins away from their 7th Stanley Cup but I can't help stop thinking about the Boston Celtics.

Tonight we'll find out if Boston has 3 or 4 first round picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. And more importantly, where that 3rd and possibly 4th pick would be in the order.

Best case the Celtics will get the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th pick. Worst case they will have two picks in the teens and 2 picks in the 20's (20 and 22 to be exact). As far as worst cases go - many teams would love to have Boston's worst case scenario. Plus there's a lot of time between tonight and the June 20th draft - plenty of time for Danny Ainge to try and work some magic.

Most of the oxygen in any Celtics discussion is still getting used up with the Kyrie Irving will he stay or will he go back and forth. After reading an article like this I honestly am leaning toward the hope he leaves camp.  I do want to stress that the trade for Irving was absolutely worth it. Worst case Boston traded Collin Sexton (the 8th pick in the 2018 draft via New Jersey's pick) for two seasons of Kyrie Irving. Best case Irving stays and combined with Anthony Davis they bring another banner to Boston. I'd do that trade again in a heartbeat.

Even if Irving leaves Boston is still in great shape. Toronto plays Milwaukee for the right to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA finals but once the season ends and Kawhi Leonard leaves as a free agent the team will be left in rebuilding mode. Philadelphia? Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Reddick are all free agents. Chances are they lose at least 1 out of 3 (and maybe all 3). If that happens will the rest of the roster be enticing for another free agent to choose Philly? I'd take Boston's core over Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid every day (even without Kyrie).

However, having said all that, as long as Milwaukee has Giannis they remain the Beast of the East.

2020 Boston Celtics

What the 2020 Boston Celtics look like is completely down to if Kyrie Irving wants to come back and if the Celtics want him back.

If Kyrie comes back then Danny Ainge has some moves to make. I really hope his first move is to sign Al Horford to a cap-friendly extension. And then maybe do the Anthony Davis trade.

If Kyrie decides to leave then the Celtics pretty much might be bringing back the rest of the roster as is (plus whatever new draft picks come to camp). Boston has no cap space and if Kyrie leaves the Celtis don't have the room to sign a top free agent. So keeping the team as is would have to be the course.

You'd be surprised at how much more popular option B is to many Celtics fans right now. Let Kyrie walk and keep the rest of the guys together. My head says keeping Kyrie is the right move but I'm honestly torn. Though I must say that I'm really fine either way. There's much more important things in life to fret over besides where Kyrie Irving decides to play basketball next year..

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- This letter is awesome - be sure to read until the end

- Mother Jones - A century of fire suppression is why California is in flames (and this was written a year ago!)

- Trump's sanctions are crushing Iran's job market and potentially destabilizing the regime. Keep the pressure on! That's what you deserve when your biggest export is terrorism.

- Awesome - farting controversy "clouds" dart championship. Let he who hasn't cropdusted while playing Cricket cast the first stone.

- Why you should always take the high road

- Interesting - Lebron James specifically asked Cleveland not to trade Kyrie Irving and especially not to the Celtics

- Outstanding!

Kyrie Irving

On this day exactly one year ago the Boston Celtics traded for Kyrie Irving. The trade was Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round pick (which ended up being the 8th overall which they used on 6'2" point guard Collin Sexton from Alabama).

The trade was a big win for Danny Ainge and the Celtics (despite what others predicted).  Looking back I stand by my immediate assessment of the trade.

The Celtics have Kyrie under control for this season and then he becomes a free agent. Even if he leaves Boston has Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier as back-ups. My big fear, however, is somehow Knicks find the cap room to sign both Irving and Kevin Durant to add to Kristaps Porzingas. That's a potent Big Three but realistically I don't see it happening. More likely Kyrie re-signs with Boston.

The Celtics will be very good this season. And Kyrie Irving will be their best player.

State of the Celtics

The State of the Boston Celtics right now is good. Very good. The future is so bright Celtics fans need to wear shades good.

It can be argued that the Celtics have the second best team in the NBA. Their starting five are Kyrie Irving (26), Jaylen Brown (21), Jayson Tatum (20), Gordon Haywood (28) and Al Horford (32). I put their ages in parenthesis just to show how young this team is.

The Celtics may also have the deepest roster in the league with the following regular rotation players coming off the bench; Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Aron Baynes, Marcus Morris, plus Semi Ojeleye, Daniel Theis, and Guerschon Yabusele. This year's first round pick Robert Williams may not even make the NBA roster and instead might have to spend the season with the Maine Red Claws. This deep roster should keep the team fresh for the playoffs and be good insurance against any major injuries.

Of course Boston being Boston some drama has to be drummed up to satisfy sports talk radio and that drama comes from two subjects. First Kyrie Irving is a free agent after this season and there is speculation he may want to play in New York. Anyone following the situation, however, knows that the Celtics can offer him much more money than any other team because of his "Bird Rights". Not sure why Irving would want to leave a situation where he'd be competing for an NBA championship, have perhaps the best coach in the NBA and would be getting a ton of media exposure playing for one of the NBA's marque teams.

The other point of "discussion" has been the contract signed by Marcus Smart. Celtics fans are happy to have Smart back. The man always gives his all and his scrappy play makes him a crowd favorite. The "complaints" stem from arguments that the Celtics overpaid a  guy who won't even be a starter. And yes that's true but Boston is home to an incredible 6th Man legacy including Hall of Famers like John Havlicek and Kevin McHale (who started off his career backing up Cedric Maxwell). I think Danny Ainge did the right thing in giving Smart a contract that more reflects his true value to the team than the number of minutes he might play each night.

It has to be noted how excited Celtics fan are to watch Jasyon Tatum continue to develop. And now that it's been pointed out how eerie he looks like a young Kobe Bryant I'll never get that out of my head.

Let's not forget that Danny Ainge has a couple more high draft picks coming in the next couple of years and for Celtics fans this truly is a great time to be alive.

LeBron James

So LeBron James has signed with the Lakers as a free-agent for $154 million over 4-years. Who could have seen this coming? Oh yeah - everyone!

Last year I suggested that Cleveland should be trading LeBron James and not Kyrie Irving. I still stand behind that.

If the Cavaliers had traded James last season this year their core would have been Kyrie, Kevin Love and Brandon Ingram. Any half decent GM would be able to make that core into an Eastern Conference contender.

Instead Cleveland will be in shambles for the foreseeable future. They might not even have their own draft pick this year having traded it for Kyle Korver (Top 10 Protected).