Is It Time For NATO To Impose Their Will? The NBA Playoffs. JLo. Real Comedy.
- Define Boris Johnson, the U.K.’s Prime Minister, in any manner you see fit. The one characterization of Johnson you can define is bravery. Yesterday, Johnson visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital city of Kyiv. Zelenskyy and Johnson, obviously escorted by a very imposing squad of Ukrainian special forces, took a long walk through the streets of the city, greeting and engaging with both their armed forces and civilians who decided to remain in their homes.
After arriving in Poland, Johnson’s trip in Kyiv was accomplished by a ‘secret’ train ride into Zelenskyy’s country, some of the territories demolished by Vladimir Putin’s Russian forces. After his walkabout with Zelenskyy, Johnson announced that the U.K. would no longer stand down with their tangible support of Ukraine, and though the balance of NATO support is tricky, he would authorize the immediate deployment of eight hundred additional anti-tank missiles, Javelin anti-tank systems, and an additional Starstreak air defense system. Zelenskyy’s call for immediate action was emphasized with the statement: “Freedom does not have time to wait” has been answered by Boris Johnson and the U.K. Though the balance of powers and the hint of Putin’s nuclear weapons have kept NATO in check, is it time for President Joseph Biden and other NATO countries to stand up to the crazed leader of Russia? Yes, it is.
My top of mind things I think:
- JLo is back in the news again. This time it is Ben Affleck. Does anyone care about the ongoing romance of JLo? Seriously?
- I have been a big fan of basketball, both college and the NBA, for a very long time. I go back as far as the American Basketball Association and the Miami Floridians, who not only touted the ‘world’s tallest Cuban’ in Al Cueto, but Mack Calvin, who I still consider one of the best point guards ever to play the game. Professional basketball has exploded worldwide, with top leagues not only in the U.S., but in Europe, South America, and the Pacific Rim. Understanding that television rights are the big driver of revenue for leagues, it is amazing to me how the NBA has devised their playoff scheme and the ‘play-in’ round even to make it into the playoffs. Living in Atlanta before moving to Orlando over 4 years ago, I was and still am a big supporter of the Atlanta Hawks. As the regular season comes to a close later today, here is an example of the Hawks’ ‘play-in’ scenario: The Hawks get the ten seed tomorrow with: Loss + BKN win + CLE win + CHA win OR Loss + BKN win + CLE loss + CHA win OR Win + BKN loss + CLE win + CHA win OR Loss + BKN loss + CLE win + CHA win. Obviously, the NBA employs high level mathematicians and actuaries. 🙂
- The drama with Will Smith and Chris Rock is hopefully over. The ten-year ban the Academy imposed on Smith has somehow overshadowed how talented and funny great comedians can be, whether scripted or not. Here is an example of Eddie Murphy’s impromptu (and brave) delivery at a ceremony celebrating Sammy Davis Jr. So good. (Excuse the video quality).