Author: Mike

I feel kind of silly writing this recap on my blog. Because evidently I missed the game’s biggest storyline somewhere in that disastrous third period in Oakland.

I missed it and I feel bad about it as a blogger.

I missed the part where a black van drove up to the Thunder bench somewhere along the point when Carmelo Anthony barked at Draymond Green for brushing against his headband. Because that’s what I was watching in what up to that point was a tough back and forth grinder of a basketball game.

I missed the part when several hooded men dressed in that black van then leaped out of that van then beat Billy Donovan senseless with multiple blows to the head with a lead pipe. I missed the fact he was then coaching the Thunder in the throes of acute head force trauma. My bad.

I didn’t miss the part though where the Warriors took the Thunder’s lunch money and bullied them like Trump did with Little Marco Rubio in multiple GOP debates. I didn’t miss the part when these men rendered the Thunder heartless and unable to fight any longer or any tougher.

Another part I missed is why Alex Abrines was allowed to set foot on the floor for 20:19 of play against the two time NBA champion Golden State Warriors while scoring only three points and going -30. I also wish I had a better understanding of why the Thunder are the league’s biggest underacheivers this season.

By the same token, I had no idea Nick Young had suddenly transformed himself into the second coming of Ray Allen and could be this pivotal in scoring 16 points in 18 minutes of play and going a +23. I had no idea even though I’d seen him do some goofy things while playing for the Lakers. But I have to admit I didn’t see any of these two things on the horizon as the things to watch in this game because I assumed any NBA level coach could never be stupid enough to allow Alex Abrines this much time on the floor against the offensively explosive Warriors.

I saw some things with Scott Brooks which had me shaking my head a few times, but this one may have ‘trumped’ any of those just for the sake of mind numbing coaching things.

Now, I will admit I didn’t see Zaza Pacuhlia fall on Russell Westbrook with intent to injure. I didn’t see it even though we all know Zaza plays on the edge like he’s a bodyguard for the Russian mafia assigned to protect their boy Donald Trump.

But having admitted I didn’t witness some of the above…I know this. Sam Presti will need a smarter coach and a more mentally tough team if he ever wants to beat these Warriors in post season play. I know that.

Granted, you’re not going to beat these Warriors scoring 80 points and it would be tough, next to almost impossible, to beat the Warriors with Westbrook and Paul George going a combined 5-29 from the field, but I would have at least tried something different than allowing Alex Abrines to play anything beyond three or four minutes in this game. I would have challenged my stars.

I would have played Westbrook and Felton together more. I would have loaded up on more Josh Huestis minutes. I would have even gone more with Jerami Grant even though he had a tough night… but I never would have rolled with Abrines like this in the midst of that third period run by the Warriors…Zaza’s intimidation non-withstanding

But enough of that. Maybe that’s why Kevin Durant is in Oakland and maybe that’s part of why the Warriors are still the odds on favorite to win their third NBA ring in the last four years. Maybe.

Roll the storylines however you like, but what I took out of this game was the Thunder don’t have enough toughness or smarts to win an NBA championship unless they suck it up from a grit, smarts, and coaching standpoint.

That’s it. That’s my recap.

The Thunder drop to 34-27 and host the Orlando Magic on Monday.

Hopefully, none of the Magic players brush up against them or fall on them when the game gets tough.

Recap over.

It’s a night game. Shit. I need another song.

Big game. I need another song.

Beautiful play, beautiful execution. I would think the Thunder will be amped to play the Warriors later today on the ABC Saturday Game of the Week. I’m jacked. I hate the fucking Warriors. I truly do. This is the game I’ve been waiting for since OKC beat their ass on February 6th.

To me, Adams is the key when the Thunder play these guys. Adams not getting that second foul too quickly is something I’m watching closely today. I would think Huestis will start as he did on Feb. 6th and I pray to god Billy Donovan will have a short leash with both Abrines and Ferguson. This is a game you go eight men deep if possible. Anything Donovan gets beyond Felton, Grant, and Patterson coming off the bench are gravy minutes today. I would expect Billy Donovan to coach this like a playoff game and the simple truth is OKC will be for the most part an eight man team in post season.

Let’s go. If you’re not up to play these guys on national television then you’re never going to be up for a game.

Go beat their ass again.

The Thunder banner is already draped prominently in my game day Thunder war cave. Pauli has her Thunder sweater on. My wife already knows she’ll need to be away from me for three hours. I’m assuming it’s either Jeff van Gundy or Hubie doing the color. I’m amped. I hate these fucking guys. Let’s go, boys.

LET’S GO THUNDER!

As we meander towards an ending which will be much bumpier than Watergate given the sheer stupidity of the Trump followers and their idiotic leader—I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself from a legal standpoint.

Nixon finally knew when it was time to resign, but Nixon wasn’t a complete empty glove as far as intellect as is Caligula. Nixon knew when to cover his ass and steer the country away from a constitutional crisis this nation hasn’t experienced since the Civil War and the subsequent era of Reconstruction.

One thing we never were allowed as a nation to witness was how if Lincoln hadn’t been assassinated by John Wilkes Booth was how he would have steered the Union through the early phases of Reconstruction with more nuance and polish than the rogue outlaw Andrew Johnson.

I don’t see Trump resigning unless Mueller has enough on Ivanka and his dipshit son-in-law to the point where they could serve time. Perhaps, at that point, he might resign. But always remember, Roy Cohn was Trump’s legal mentor and that Cohn DNA is what will probably drive Trump from a legal strategy standpoint unless he fears his beloved Ivanka could go to jail. This almost has an ancient mythic feel to it, no?

If only we had someone with Lincoln’s wisdom driving this bus for the nation as we drift towards the realities of the New Confederacy, the Deplorables, and a rogue president all in place heading into a perfect storm of sorts.

As I’ve written on here before, I don’t think we lock up 20 million or so Deplorables for their actions in this election or more importantly their continued support of the rogue insurgents. I have no idea what we do with these people other than maybe roping off Montana and creating a state of sort for the Deplorables as we’ve done in Utah for the Mormons. I mean, you’ve still got the shell of Trump University—so maybe that’s something to consider. Make Steven Bannon czar of the Montana Wingnut Republic. Be creative. Use your geopolitical imagination. Think on the edge because this bullshit in place isn’t working.

Anyway, a truly fascinating time for historians. Every day brings a revelation even to places like Oklahoma, Alabama, West Virginia, and other outliers of the New Confederacy where the constitution has been ravaged the past decade by the Koch Brothers, the Mercers, Breitbart, the American Freedom Caucus, and the Citizens United ruling.

You can’t rush history. It will unfold at its own pace and ultimately expose if this country has the character to do the right thing in order to save itself from itself.

Oh, Michael Flynn—what do we do with you, bruh? What a piece of work you are. What would Abe Lincoln do with you? Tough call.

Abraham Lincoln, 1856

‘As a nation, we begin by declaring that “all men are created equal.” We now practically read it all men are created equal , except negroes. When the Know-Nothings ( a party based on antagonism toward immigrants, Catholics, and African Americans) get control , it will read “all men are created equal, except negroes and foreigners and Catholics.” When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty–to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.’

So, even back in 1856 as the Republican Party was emerging, Lincoln had in essence the forerunners of the American Freedom Caucus to deal with. So–if you’re at a family function with some Know Nothings in attendance be patient with them. Suggest they stop watching the swarmy gargoyle Hannity, the Bitch Twins, the Trump Fox Network overall, and tell them to start reading okcthunderground.com. Just saying.

Here’s an illuminating History Channel video on Washington. One would hope, even if you’re a Know-Nothing, this might give you a clue as to why Washington is at the top of historians list and why our own Know-Nothing Caligula is at the bottom of every list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzxOXjF5f1k

Learning isn’t a bad thing. Books won’t hurt you. What could it hurt? Fill the little empty tumblers of your mind with substance and you will be amazed at what this does for you. It won’t hurt. Reading will not hurt you.

You won’t read me ranting these last twenty-three post the NBA All-Star Game Thunder basketball games. I’m done with it. This basketball team has worn me down. There’s no point in over analyzing or over thinking. Just watch the games and try to be that honest adult writing about this Thunder basketball season.

I’ve written multiple times this is a superstar driven league and the player always makes the coach. That will never change in the NBA and it was never more evident than on Thursday night in Sacramento when Russell Westbrook nailed a three from the right side of the key with less than a second remaining to allow the Thunder to escape with a 110-107 win over the youthful yet still hapless Kings.

Just win, baby. Winning is fun. That’s what we always wrote on the chalkboards with our hockey teams. Just win because that’s the stat which matters.

I’m not heavy into stats and never will be. I obviously look at stats, but I look more into a player’s heart and as we all know don’t underestimate Russell Westbrook’s heart PER rating because his is off the chart.

I’m going to surprise you here maybe. Billy Donovan did almost exactly what I would have done with this game as a coach. He started Huestis. He finished with Jerami Grant. He only allowed Alex Abrines to see the floor for 6 minutes. He gave Terrance Ferguson some roll. Perfect. Fuck. I’d be a complete phony to write anything critical about Billy Donovan related to this game.

But what I really liked was even though Westbrook was having a bad shooting night was the fact Billy Donovan looked deep into his star’s eyes… I guess during that last timeout and drew up a play for Westbrook… then said, “You’re my guy, Rickey. Go get him.” Then Carmelo said, “This is the out you’ve been waiting your whole life for.” Pretty simple. No?

And Russell Westbrook nailed it.

So instead of me writing some stat heavy bullshit overthought recap that’s it. If you want the faux millenial slant with shot charts go wear yourself out… there’s always Daily Thunder.

Russell Westbrook summoned his inner Kobe and made the shot.

Ballgame.

Thunder improve to 34-26 and head to Oakland to try and beat the Warriors for the third time in a row. And you know what’s crazy, I’m having to pinch myself to not get overconfident because I know the Warriors have no answer for Steven Adams. None. Other than Draymond Green kicking Kiwi in the balls.

Thunder vs. the Warriors on the ABC national game of the week. Quite frankly, I love the ABC Saturday game because I know Hubie Brown will be there doing his thing. Hubie calms me. He makes me calm.

BTW… I had the volume on with the Fox telecast tonight and I was good with it.

I’ve come to terms with the season. Actually…Leslie and Antonio are very cute together.

LET’S GO THUNDER!

The last two nights I watched some of the Winter Olympics. My two favorite events are the downhill and the hockey tournaments. It was nice to see Lindsey Vonn medal in the downhill in honor of her grandfather. Then last night, the U.S. womens’ team beat Canada 3-2 in an overtime shootout to win gold. Just a great hockey game. Kudos to the U.S. womens’ hockey program. I mean, I’m a hockey fan. That’s a good hockey team. Very skilled. Their power play wasn’t much, but the rest of their team was rock solid. Great win. Hope my Boston Bruins make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think they might.

Thirty-eight years to the day, these women did what the men did in 1980 with the miracle win over the Russians at Lake Placid. Like that Russian team, this Canadian team was one win away from winning their fifth Olympic gold medal in a row. A great day for America. Maybe if numbnuts can pull himself away from his love for the NRA and the Russians long enough today…he might want to tweet something for the American womens’ hockey team.

From the movie, Miracle. I still get goosebumps when I see this.

Those kids and parents. My heart aches for them. I’m sure they know the odds stacked against them. I would have spit on Trump today if that had been one of my kids. I’d be in jail.

Again, it’s almost always about the money.

In the election of 2016 the NRA donated around $12.5 million to Donald Trump. The NRA then paid around $19.5 million to run specific negative ads against Hillary Clinton. Do the math, that’s approximately a net + of $32 million to make sure Hillary Clinton didn’t win the presidency. You think there’s any correlation to her husband enacting a ban on military assault rifles and this money? Ya think? Those were rhetorical comments.

My two GOP boys from Oklahoma didn’t require as much coin.

Jim Inhofe got a paltry $66,758. Our oil and gas youth minister James Lankford is on rookie scale and only got $18,955. He’ll do better when he becomes a restricted free agent.

So who were our top GOP-NRA players in the United States Senate?

1 Thom Tillis North Carolina Tar Heels $1,971.55 ACC
2 Tom Cotton Arkansas Razorbacks $1,968.74 SEC
3 Roy Blount Missouri Tigers $1,488.50 SEC
4 Bob Portman Ohio State Buckeyes $1,472.78 Big Ten
5 Cory Gardner Colorado Buffalos $1,231.75 PAC 12
6 Ron Johnson Wisconsin Badgers $1,015.17 Big Ten
7 Little Marco Rubio Florida Gators $1,012.98 SEC
8 Mitch McConnell Kentucky Wildcats $820,375.00 SEC

That’s the NRA-GOP Power Poll. Same deal as in college football…the SEC is the dominant Bubba in the group. These guys just can’t not cheat.

My two least favorite lawmakers weren’t all that impressive. Lyin’ Ted Cruz a scant $77,450 and Devin Nunes an almost invisible $23,830.

I don’t know if these kids have a PAC, but they might need one. If you know what I mean (rhetorical)?

I’ve read several Trump books, including the Art of the Deal. I’ve yet to see a ‘deal’ for the American people thirteen months into his rogue presidency. As I write, the kids from Parkland, Florida are finishing up their day of speeches and protests to the ‘president’. Good luck with that.

Time will tell if this president, this attorney general, and this ATF has it in them to affect any meaningful change to American gun laws. There is no way this GOP will have the courage to address this issue. They can’t because they’re owned by the NRA pure and simple. Once a whore always a whore. Much like legislators in oil states like Oklahoma will never address any issue which is detrimental to the oil and gas lobby.

This has never been about doing the right thing, it’s always been about following the money. Duh.

Color me skeptical for this reason. In American politics the axiom is simple…follow the money. Money affects change and these kids have this working against their honorable cause, but again if they march in Oklahoma I’ll be with them. At some point the adults in this country have to start behaving like adults.

In no way should this just be a minor change. This should be the complete reinstatement of the automatic rifle ban which Bill Clinton had in effect and then was allowed to expire under Bush 43.

I have absolutely no respect for either Donald Trump or Jeff Sessions. None. In my lifetime they are the weakest most unqualified duo of a President and Attorney General ever assembled. As in ever. It is a disgrace of historical significance. Sessions shouldn’t be the AG in Alabama, let alone the United States of America.

The ban on automatic assault rifles should be the starting move. A no brainer. I’ve already written on here what Scalia wrote in District of Columbia vs. Heller. The precedent opinion is already in place. What is at stake now is if America can assemble a viable collection of lawmakers to deal with this country’s real problems.

We know the answer in Oklahoma. The answer is no. The Oklahoma state government looks like a group of fourth graders trying to run their first lemonade stand on a street corner. No hyperbole…ask David Boren off the record. Ask Burns Hargis off the record. Ask Frank Keating off the record. Know what I mean?

This is very simple if you don’t participate, this is what you get. This is what you get. Again, only 18% of America voted for Donald Trump.

Again, other than the passage of the Robber Barons Gilded Age Tax Reform Act…not one piece of viable legislation has been passed. No healthcare reform. No trade reform. No infrastructure reform. No immigration reform. No educational reform. No serious discussion about the debt. No serious discussion of entitlement reform. Just a sea of nothingness except giving the richest Americans a tax break they didn’t need in that we live in an age when the economic disparity in this country is greater now than it was in the Gilded Age of the Robber Barons.

So I’m sitting here to see if in some fashion if the self-proclaimed Art of the Deal zenmaster can show up at the plate and at least put his bat on the ball.

Here’s Trump spreading his legs for the far right in 2015 at the annual NRA convention. You make the call.