Toilet Nation Premier Confirms "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck" Convo With Protectorate Governor, Affirms Continued Cordiality
The leak of the phone call was not strategic. Nor will it chill Crusader aggression against Muslims.
Toilet Nation Premier Confirms "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck" Convo With Protectorate Governor, Affirms Continued Cordiality
The leak of the phone call was not strategic. Nor will it chill Crusader aggression against Muslims.
Trumpanyahu: The View From the Muslim Mid-East:
Analysts say ‘strategic leaks’ aim to influence public perceptions amid diplomatic impasse in US-Israel war on Iran.
6:43 pm:
Trump Regime Abandons $1.8B Slush Fund for Jan. 6 Coupsters
Reach Out and Touch Someone
“What the fuck are you doing? You’re fucking crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
This warm moment between butt buddies resulted from Israel Protectorate Governor Benjamin Netanyahu's order to his military to resume bombardment in southern Beirut, Lebanon, which put a (temporary?) kibosh on an agreement being negotiated by Foreign Minister Marco Lu with Iran to cease Crusader aggression. Toilet Nation Premier Donald Trump delivered the touching remarks.
There is widespread agreement, constituting ontological certainty, among the Toilet Nation intelligentsia that "Everybody hates Israel" is a true statement of fact, e.g. Axelrod. Premier Trump also said, and I quote, "I had a very good call with Hezbollah..." which led to an acute shortage of anti-diarrheal agents in the Protectorate, as Hez is a (one of many) sworn enemy.
-More-
Netanyahu’s Critics Accuse Him of Heading a U.S. ‘Vassal State’
Critics pounced on the Israeli prime minister after President Trump claimed on social media he had persuaded him to call off “a major raid” on Hezbollah in Beirut.
“A total vassal state,” said Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel’s opposition, in a post on social media.2002: "Who am I going to root for now (that the Miami "Fusion" folded)? I sorta liked that sport. Eenie meenie...Nah. My buddy from the "Fusion" message board, MANCITY FAN! I'll adopt his team like he adopted my team!"
That's how I became a City fan."When I arrived, my first interview was with Noel Gallagher [band Oasis]. I walked out thinking, ‘Okay… Noel is here? This will be fun.'
“And what a time we have had together. Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal, if it was, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.
“This is a city built from work. From graft [work, labor in Britain]. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. (1) The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.
“We worked. We suffered. We fought. And we did things our own way. Our way.
“Hard work comes in many forms. Trips to Bournemouth, when we lost the Premier League, and you were there. Trips to Istanbul, when you were there, too.
“Remember, the Manchester Arena attack,(2) when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger. Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.
“Remember, losing my mum during COVID and feeling this club carry me through it. The fans, the staff, the people of Manchester, you gave me strength when I needed it most. Cris, my kids, my whole family, you were there as always. Khaldoon (3) you were there too.
“Players don’t forget - every single instant, moment, me, my staff, this club, everything. What we have done, we have done it for all of you. And you have been just exceptional. You don’t know it yet, but you are leaving a legacy.
“So as my time comes to an end, be happy. Oasis are back again. [band's favorite team is City.]
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for trusting me.
“Thank you for pushing me.
“Thank you for loving me.
“Tony Walsh said in his unforgettable poem this is the place. (4) I’m sorry, Tony: this is my place.
“Noel…I was right.
“It has been so f****** fun.
“Love you all.”
(1) Emmeline Pankurst, Manchester native, organized first suffragette movement. One of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 20th Century.
(2) May 22, 2017, nine years to the day. Islamic terrorist bombing that killed 22, injured 1,017
(3) Khaldoon Al Mubarak, City Chairman; UAE Presidential Special Envoy to Peoples Republic of China 2018-present.
(4) British poet. Tribute to Manchester after Manchester Arena attack. Listen:
Garrett belongs in Cleveland forever. He was at home among his fellow low-lifes there, the wretched refuse, the forever losers, the liars and deniers, the punks and the scum. Trash takes itself out.
"I was frightened, because I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never. I don't know what happened. As I watched it, I thought, 'Oh, my God, he's having a stroke.' And it scared me to death."
Jill Biden then (June 2024):
"Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question, you knew all the facts," and she joined the crowd in chanting "four more years."
Thank you, Jill-Off!
PoJo said he was to be a "bridge" to the future. By the time he got out of the race he was a collapsed bridge to nowhere. Fucking moronic piece of shit."They're young, they're talented, well-coached, play the right way, play together, seems like they like each other," said back-to-back regular-season MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278073/shai-gilgeous-alexander), who had his best performance of the series with 35 points and nine assists to give Oklahoma City a chance in Game 7. "They have the makeup for sure. You don't beat us without the makeup, and we're here. They got the makeup to go get [a championship]."
Jake Weinbach
@JWeinbachNBA
Julian Champagnie was the true difference-maker for the Spurs in Game 7.
20 points on 6-of-10 shooting from 3 and a team-high +16 to help take San Antonio to the NBA Finals. Champagnie has been such a pivotal role player at $3M per year.
10:53 PM · May 30, 2026
·415 Views
And that CRITICAL block on SGA, Jake! Biggest play of the night. *OH THEY CHANGED THAT CALL TO A CLEAN SGA MISS!
Wembanyama catching up, now with 22 pts in 35' to SGA's 31 in 35'. Mitch Johnson is doing a LOT right.
A sloppy, disorganized 3Q from my read ends with the margin as it was end 1H. I got the impression SGA tired a bit in that quarter.
I'm FLABBERGASTED that San Antonio is not only still in this game, but now has its biggest lead since the 1H. Mitch Johnson is doing something right!
Wemby 23', 12 pts
SGA 24', 24 pts
Folks...you know what I'm gonna say, ain't no way San Antone is winning this game unless Wembanyama gets real hot.
But my, how SGA dominated to get back in this game.
Wembanyama 20', 10 pts, 4/9 (1/2), 1/1 f.t.s, 3 rebs, 1 ast. 1 t.o., 1 steal, 0 blks, 2 fouls
Gilgeous-Alexander 21', 19 pts, 8/11 (1/2), 2/4 f.t.s, 4 rebs, 5 asts, 2 t.o., 0 steals, 1 blk, 1 foul
From reading the play-by-play, I didn't like the way this game was called by Mitch Johnson in the 1H. I thought he sat Wemby too long in the first quarter (NOTE: I may be ENTIRELY wrong). Wemby in my read got cold, while SGA heated up big time. Yes, "Spurs" have the halftime lead. My feel is that it's the "Thunder's" game to lose.
Star Watch:
Wemby 5', 4 pts
SGA 5', 4 pts
This is cool:
2h ago
Punziee
emoji:CAN: Canada
The various adjustments made by the Spurs and Thunder building up to WCF Game 7
Hi like many of you guys I've been enjoying this physical as hell, intense WCF and want to catalogue all the adjustments that each team has put forth throughout the series and to show as much as its individual performance, its also how the coaches adapt and adjust the game plan to meet whatever the other side puts out.
Game 1:
Spurs used their Wemby zone (Wemby in the paint, covering corner shooter), Spurs also doubled SGA, asking the help defenders to sprint to recover. Only Caruso could hit from the corner, rest of Thunder struggled.
Thunder used Caruso and JDub [Jalen Williams. Out for G7.] to deny Wemby post touches, perimeter defenders pressured on-ball to create turnovers off bringing up the ball and intercepting high post passes.
[My simplified, whichever-superstar-has-best-game metric. G1 went 2OT. "Spurs" won in OKC.
[Wemby: 49', 41 pts, 14/25 (1/2), 12/13 f.t.s, 24 rebs, 3 asts, 3 t.o.s, 1 steal, 3 blks, 4 fouls.
[SGA: 51', 24 pts, 7/23 (2/7), 8/9 f.t.s, 3 rebs, 12 asts, 4 t.o.s, 5 steals, 1 blks, 3 fouls.
[Verdict: Duh.]
Game 2:
Thunder adjusted by attacking with the shooter left open by the Wemby zone, using multiple shooters off the bench to find the best shot, harder to recover to 2 good shooters instead of 1 average and 1 good.
Thunder adjusted to Hartenstein single coverage and Chet help defender, while maintaining ball pressure, specifically using Mitchell/Wallace/McCain to intercept entry passes from help position. Wemby denied high post pass often, struggled with physicality.
[OKC won in OKC.
[Wemby: 37', 21 pts, 8/16 (3/7), 2/2 f.t.s, 17 rebs, 6 asts, 4 t.o.s, 1 steal, 4 blks, 3 fouls.
[SGA: 38' 30 pts, 12/24 (0/3), 6/6 f.t.s, 4 rebs, 9 asts, 1 t.o., 1 steal, 2 blks, 5 fouls.
[Verdict: SGA significantly outscored Wemby, who was still a monster on the glass, OKC wins.]
Game 3:
Spurs added Fox back, limiting live ball and post pass turnovers, and played high pick and roll to get Wemby more involved in on-ball action.
Spurs adjusted SGA coverage to 1 strong defender (Castle, Carter) and closeby help defender to trap when he gets by.
McCain attacked on weak side kick out, Thunder shooters wide open due to help defender doubling, hit many open threes.
[In Alamo. Thunder win.
[Wemby: 39', 26 pts, 8/15 (2/5), 8/10 f.t.s, 4 rebs, 3 asts, 2 t.o.s, 1 steal, 3 blks, 2 fouls.
[SGA: 36', 26 pts, 6/17 (2/4), 12/12 f.t.s, 2 rebs, 12 asts, 2 t.o.s, 1 blk, 2 fouls.
[Verdict: This game was an OKC blowout, yet the two superstars scored equally and shot similarly. SGA had the much better game, dishing 12 asts. Jared McClain had 24 pts in 27', 6 Rustless Thunder Bolts were in double figures. Wemby, a monster on the glass in the first two games, had only fo' here.]
Game 4:
Spurs adjust pick and roll to incorporate flare screens to get 2 people open (2 picks, 1 Wemby, 1 shooter). Wemby attacks on roll collapsing defense, opens up shooter or ball handler.
Thunder lack offense due to poor outside shooting. Spurs single coverage on SGA + Wemby help defense forces difficult lineup decisions; more shooters to abuse weak side defense, need corner shooters but IHart [Isaiah Hartenstein] is not a good shooter, IHart is only center able to stop Victor in single coverage but offensively paint is more congested.
Lack of perimeter help defense also forces Thunder role players to make good passes under duress, but no second side creator results in a lot of turnovers.
["Spurs" blowout, also in Alamo.
[Wemby: 31', 33 pts, 11/22 (3/7), 8/9 f.t.s, 8 rebs, 5 asts, 4 t.o.s, 2 steals, 3 blks, 2 fouls.
[SGA: 31', 19 pts, 6/15 (0/1), 7/7 f.t.s, 4 rebs, 7 asts, 4 t.o.s, 2 steals, 3 fouls.
[Duh. Wemby 33 pts-19 pts. Wemby more than point-a-minute.]
Game 5:
Thunder adjust and play McCain in starting lineup. Single coverage on SGA allows McCain to use space created to attack or pass out for better offense.
Poor foul discipline on Castle and Carter results in high foul rate on SGA and Spurs struggling to contain his drive and kicks.
Wembanyama over stressed on interior as SGA cannot be stopped in single coverage, forcing hard contests from Wemby into immediate recovery into McCain drive or big rolling to basket.
Spurs pick and roll is countered by Thunder sending an extra defender from the weak side on Victor rolling to the basket, leaving an open shooter but all the Spurs were shooting rather poorly.
[OKC 13-point dub in OKC.
[Wemby: 38', 20 pts, 4/15 (0/5), 12/12 f.t.s, 6 rebs, 1 ast, 2 t.o.s, 2 steals, 3 blks, 2 fouls.
[SGA: 37', 32 pts, 7/19 (2/3), 16/17 f.t.s, 2 rebs, 9 asts, 6 t.o.s, 2 steals, 1 blk, 3 fouls.
[Duh. SGA 32-20 pts. Teams played hack-a-star. Third straight game Wemby limited to single-digit rebs.]
Game 6:
Spurs force Thunder adjustment to defensive coverage by spamming threes and attacking Thunder over indexing on Wemby. Spurs used Wemby to initiate offense and attack IHart/Chet in space (generated by their hot shooting) which causes defensive attention that can be used to make even more outside shots. Their heavy emphasis on denying Victor rolls to the basket changed from only taking threes to also driving into space/close outs and hitting layups or mid range shots
Spurs also used more flare screens as distractions, getting Thunder help defenders to chase shooters off screens and away from Wemby to give him more space.
Spurs started out man to man and let OKC initiate their sets. If they stopped the initial action and used up the OKC shotclock, Spurs transition to a Wemby zone and there's no time to adjust anymore. Credit to u/VeniceRapture
["Spurs" biggest blowout of series. In Alamo.
[Wemby: 28', 28 pts, 10/21 (4/9), 4/4 f.t.s, 10 rebs, 2 asts, 3 t.o.s, 2 steal, 3 blks, 0 fouls.
[SGA: 28', 15 pts, 6/18 (0/5), 3/3 f.t.s, 1 reb., 4 asts, 2 t.o.s, 1 foul.
[Verdict: Another Duh.
[This was a cool post. You can adjust your ass off, if your main guy doesn't get the better of the other team's main guy, YOU'RE GONNA LOSE! There is no game, not one, that was not decided by the simple metric of whichever-team's-superstar-has-the-best-game-wins. The only game in which you had to go beyond points scored was G3.]
I'm very excited to see what Mark Daigneault has prepared for Game 7. Hoping for a great game from both teams. Let me know if I missed anything I'll try to add them
I had to get her strawberry shortcake because SWINE PUBLIX WAS OUT OF KEY LIME PIE. She likes the strawberry.
[Zach] Kram: Role players and schemes and strategic adjustments matter, but sometimes playoff basketball reduces down to a battle between stars. In this series, the Thunder are 3-0 when Gilgeous-Alexander scores at least as many points as Wembanyama, while the Spurs are 3-0 when Wembanyama outscores the two-time MVP. It's reasonable to expect that trend to continue in Game 7.
...
The Spurs will win Game 7 if ______.
[Ben] Golliver: Wembanyama continues to outplay Gilgeous-Alexander, their hot perimeter shooting travels and their guards take better care of the basketball. Still, this will be a tall order: Oklahoma City is 6-1 at home during the 2026 playoffs after going 11-2 at home during last year's title run. Remarkably, the Thunder's only loss this year came in double overtime -- in Game 1 against the Spurs -- and their 2025 losses were both on last-second shots.
Getting the chance to host Game 7 at Paycom Center is why Oklahoma City never let its foot off the gas during the regular season despite a list of injuries to key players. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson should remind his young team that it dealt the Thunder one of their seven home losses during the regular season.
Obviously, I agree with the first, having written it repeatedly here. I also agree with the second implied answer. OKC dominates at home, the games there are, maddeningly to me, called by the officials differently, and going back to the first question, I expect SGA to out-score Wemby. OKC will win.
Wembanyama 28', 28 pts, 10/21 (4/9), 4/4 f.t.s (only FOUR free throws), 10 rebs, 2 asts, 3 t.o.s, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 0 fouls, + 13, tied for 6th high on "Spurs".
Gilgeous-Alexander 28', 15 pts, 6/18 (0/5), 3/3 f.ts (only THREE free throws!), 1 reb, 4 asts, 2, t.o.s, 0, steals, 0 blks, 1 foul, -28. Team LOW. -28 is tied for the ALL-TIME low by a league MVP in a close-out game in the tracking era (1970's?)
Let's look at the TEAM foul shots. G5 OKC 25, SA 37; G4 OKC 38, San Antone 32. Eight FEWER foul shots given in the G5 closeout than in G4.
What is it refs? G4 in OKC, SGA went to the line 17 times, G5 TWEE times; Wemby G4 12 times, tonight fo'. The defenses are just more violent, more rule-breaking in OKC than Alamo? WE NEED AN EXPLANATION!
Now, we're going to go back to OKC Saturday for G7. I will wager you Trump's new $250 bill (which needs to be approved by Congress so isn't real yet) that SGA gets substantially the better of Wemby, that SGA goes to the line in the teens, and that OKC wins and advances.
Let's shake on it. 🤝
Wembanyama 8', 11 pts, 4/6 (3/4), 5 rebs, 1 ast, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 1 blk.
Gilgeous-Alexander 12', 6 pts, 3/7 (0/1), 0 rebs, 2 asts, 1 turnover.
I don't get it. I don't get why these two teams lurch between containing the other's superstar and letting him go off.
U.N. Annual Report on Sexual Violence in Conflicts "puts Israel on the same blacklist along with Hamas, ISIS and the most depraved terrorist organizations in the world"
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — An annual United Nations report documenting sexual violence in conflicts worldwide has included Israeli forces for the first time since the review began more than 15 years ago for their treatment of Palestinian detainees. Israel denies the accusations.
...
The report said in 2025 the U.N. was able to document “patterns of sexual violence” against Palestinians detained in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and verified multiple incidents of conflict-related sexual violence, including as a form of torture, inflicted on 14 men, seven women, nine boys and one girl from Gaza and the West Bank. It said 13 cases occurred in 2025 and 18 in 2023 and 2024.
“Violations consisted of rape, including with objects, gang rape, attempted rape, physical violence to the genitals, instances of targeted shooting of the genitals, touching of breasts and genitals, strip and cavity searches conducted without apparent security justification, forced nudity and threats of rape,” the report stated.
“We are done with this UN Secretary-General,” Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the U.N., said in a statement on social media. “Guterres has put Israel on the same blacklist along with Hamas, ISIS and the most depraved terrorist organizations in the world.”
Israel ramps up war in Lebanon
Foreign policy
Talarico supports a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He has condemned what he called Israel's "atrocities in Palestine" and "war crimes" and has criticized its role in the Gaza Strip famine. He opposes offensive U.S. aid to Israel and supports banning the sale of offensive weapons to Israel. Talarico is a critic of the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC. He criticized Democrats for supporting Israel's war in Gaza during the 2024 presidential election. He called the war "the moral test of our time".
That is important and personal for me. I have called Israeli genocide "the defining issue of our time" and have been mocked and scorned by Jewish Democrats.
SGA 37', 32 pts, 7/19 (2/3), 16/17 f.t.s, 2 rebs, 9 asts, 6 t.o.s, 2 steals, 1 blk, 2 fouls
Wemby 28', 20 pts, 4/13 (0/5), 12/12 f.t.s, 6 rebs, 1 ast, 2 t.o.s, 2 steals, 3 blks, 2 fouls.
Trump administration raises US refugee cap, but only for white South Africans
KEN PAXTON CRUSHES INCUMBENT SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R) IN TEXAS
Gilgeous-Alexander 19' 19 pts (game high), 4/10 (1/1), 10/10 free throws, 1 reb, 3 asts, 5 turnovers, 2 steals, 2 fouls.
Wembanyama 19' 11 pts, 2/6 (0/2), 7/7 free throws, 1 reb (! He's 7' 4"!), 0 asts, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 foul.
Advantage (HUGE) OKC.
It is clear to me (though not watching and with 20/400 vision) that Mark Daigneault won the G5 adjustment "chess" match (ESPN's pre-game lede). Somehow (not watching or listening) Daigneault managed to neuter a unicorn. Mitch Johnson's HT move.
That's a relief, if you're a Rustless Bolt fan. "Spurs" led for 67% of the quarter, and by 8 at one point. Two is the "Thunder's" largest lead.
His primary defenders:
Stephon Castle 6' 6", 215 lbs
Devin Vassell 6' 5", 200 lbs
Dylan Harper 6' 5", 215 lbs
San Antonio has elite perimeter defenders who are being extremely physical with Gilgeous-Alexander and, for the most part, proving they can stay in front of him one-on-one. We're talking about Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper, specifically.
Stellar Individual Defense
Wemby's Shadow: Wembanyama's presence nearby alters how SGA approaches the rim. His length makes SGA highly hesitant to drive into the lane, disrupting his rhythm and finishing ability.
The "Hot Stove" Approach: San Antonio defenders subtly touch SGA to maintain body contact as he initiates his drives—without committing blocking fouls—before getting square into his path and showing their chest.
Watch the stars: 2XMVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama. Whoever has the bigger night, his team will win.
Watch if San Antonio is physical with SGA. If he is going to get to the foul line, and you know he will, make each trip memorable for him. No aoft fouls.
After three years of law school, and when you have been practicing for several years, you have at least a very good idea what the law is, or what it SHOULD BE, on any legal issue that you encounter. When writing your legal brief, write your argument first, then do the research on the case law to support your argument. You will find it.
Robert Griffin III
@RGIII
The Cleveland Cavaliers are being told to take it and like it by the Knicks down as much as 41 POINTS on their home court in a close out game in the Eastern Conference Finals to get swept. This is EMBARRASSING.
10:20 PM · May 25, 2026
·205 Views
Bryan Curtis
@bryancurtis
If you’re the Cavs, you want to get to within 25 by the end of the quarter.
9:51 PM · May 25, 2026
·380 Views
Art Stapleton
@art_stapleton
Analytically, the Cavs are only down 10.
9:45 PM · May 25, 2026
·969 Views
Brian Geltzeiler
@BGeltzNBA
Jarrett Allen’s casual jogging back on defense is galling and should earn him a benching. Shameful
8:55 PM · May 25, 2026
·18 Views
Dana O'Neil
@DanaONeilWriter
The Cavs might want to .... try ?
8:51 PM · May 25, 2026
·448 Views
Joe DeLeone
@joedeleone
This Cavs team does not want to be here. Save us some time and just end the game at halftime
8:51 PM · May 25, 2026
·82 Views
Vivek Ramaswamy
@VivekGRamaswamy
Date night in Cleveland. Let’s go Cavs…all the way back!
8:49 PM · May 25, 2026
· 1,901Views
"Cavs" shooting 50-38
"Knicks" 43-29.
Donovan Mitchell has 10 in 6'.
Bridges leads NYC with 6, KAT has 5.
Kenny Atkinson: Cavs 'analytically' winning series vs. Knicks
They used to call these shots "half-court" shots, which were more precise, "See the center line?" The problem with "logo threes" is that the logo is some humongous amoeba-like splotch that goes half-way to both three-point arcs.
Not Victor Wembanyama's logo three" that ended the first half last night. Nor was Wemby's a "Hail Mary", a two-handed push-heave prayer that happens to go in the way a blind man playing darts sometimes hits the bulls eye. No, neither of those. Wemby called for the ball on the right wing as San Antonio inbounded. The handler saw his impossibly long arms raised and fired a cross-court pass to him. Wemby took two or three steps and squared up--as you can see plainly in this screengrab!--like a good shooter does shooting a jumper. And he was right on the center line 47 feet from the basket when he released. As we said a generation ago, "Nothing but net." Or, as the Unicorn himself said post-game, "I was just thinking shoot to score. I wasn't messing around."
*A physical and defensive first half ends with San Antonio leading Oklahoma City by 50-38...
ESPN
8:40 pm:
Opposing clubs bitch that SGA gets too many foul shots. Make him earn them. If you're going to get called for a foul anyway, make sure he feels it.
Superstar Comparison
Wembanyama 18', 22 pts, 7/16 (2/5), 6/6 fts, 5 rebs, 3 asts, 1 t.o., 1 steal, 2 blks. Those are the stats of a GUARD.
Gilgeous-Alexander 19', 10 pts, 4/10 (0/0), 2/2 fts, 2 rebs, 6 asts, 2 t.o.s, 1 steal. Those are the stats of a pedestrian guard.
The key to this game, and this series, has been really simple. Whichever superstar has the better game, his team wins.
They played like Oklahoma City's machine Saturday night. They have won ten straight playoff games; they are 11-2 in these playoffs, their only two losses by a combined two points.
But that is in the Least.
During the Cleveland series they have evolved as a living organism does: when Cleveland targeted Jalen Brunson he evolved into a point guard; Josh Hart became a dead-eye shooter; Karl-Anthony Towns morphed into Kevin Durant.
But that was against Cleveland.
They swept Philadelphia--when the "76ers" were fully healthy; when Philly had just beaten BEANS.
Do the "Knicks" have a reasonable chance to bring an NBA championship to Mecca for the first time since 1973? Do they have a realistic shot at defeating San Antonio or, in greater likelihood, Oklahoma City?
Magic Johnson says yes. I say no. I would be gobsmacked, delighted but befuddled, if the "Knicks" took down the Rustless Thunder Bolts.
Everything that I have written about Cleveland and its people--it began in 2010 with "The Devil and LeBron James"--has been how I honestly feel. I began reading cleveland.com's sports writers, which reinforced and deepened my contempt. I did odd bits of research here and there, the Cuyahoga River fire was lived history for me, I remember it--and everything that I read over sixteen years confirmed my feelings. Nothing contradicted them. Sometimes when I got on a Cleveland jag and wasted time I would develop self-contempt and turn the damn computer off.
I don't know when Cleveland became a condition rather than a place or people, but that specific thought, "condition", came to mind only in the first post this morning. I had written previously that people who are life-long residents have it, and people who move there get it, but people who leave leave it behind. It's "self-limiting", a medical term, that is, it's not "contagious" as e.g. a virus is. You can visit Cleveland and not contract "Cleveland"--At least I think you can--I've never set foot in the place, not even the airport. I was good friends with a guy from Cleveland in Miami and I didn't get it from him. But there is something there, something that when you're exposed to it over some length of time, when you are only around Cleveland people, you get as long as you are there and are and around them. Cleveland people are aware that they have it.
I don't know what it is but this morning I just feel BAD for them, not contempt, and here I've just wasted another half hour on it and on them.
Even ESPN's casters noted it:
One particular sequence by the Cavaliers late during the fourth quarter of the game drew ire from both fans and commentators alike. With the Knicks leading 116-102 with just under two minutes left, the Cavaliers appeared to simply stop playing, allowing New York star Jalen Brunson to get a completely uncontested layup.
That led to criticism on the air from ESPN’s Mike Breen (who said that the Cavaliers “just stopped playing on that possession”) and from Breen’s broadcast partner Richard Jefferson (who added that Cleveland had even stopped playing on the possession prior to that as well).
I momentarily FORGOT that there was a Game 4! They have to show up.
...and I just feel BAD for Cleveland people. First time I can ever remember feeling empathy for them. On national television, in their home town...Oh my God how painful.