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It’s been a great NFL Wild Card opening round for me so far. All of my teams have won… and won easily with the exception of the Detroit Lions’ 24-23 narrow win over the LA Rams in what has been to date the only competitive game so far this MLK week-end.

Since childhood…the Green Bay Packers have been my team despite my proximity to the Dallas Cowboys and their foolish fanbase. I read all three of Jerry Kramer’s bestselling books on Lombardi and the Packers as a kid and still to this day those three books are ingrained in me as part of my sports and life upbringing.

Instant Replay, Winning is the Only Thing, and Farewell to Football all written by offensive left guard Jerry Kramer to this day remind of the lessons one can take from sport and apply to everyday life.

The Packers are different than any other franchise in American professional sport as far as I’m concerned. There is literally ownership of the team by the fans in Green Bay. Going to an early season game next fall at Lambeau Field is high on my chart of must do’s or the Bucket List if you will. I’d love to see them play the Detroit Lions there if possible given how these two young teams seem headed towards the top of the NFC simultaneously.

Jordan Love and his buddy RB Aaron Jones just basically eviserated the once again over-hyped Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon at Jerry’s World. The score was 48-16 when the Packers pulled back and showed some mercy on the most over-hyped team in all of our four major league sports leagues in America.

This one looked eerily similar to the Longhorns’ recent rout of the O State Aggies in the Big 12 Dr. Pepper Championship Game. As in…neither set of Cowboys actually got a stop in either game when the Longhorns and Packers were still trying to score.

On to San Francisco for QB Jordan Love and his mates as they become the first 7th seed ever to make the Divisional Round. Keep this in mind…these red-hot Packers since Thanksgiving have now defeated both the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowyboys on the road during the second half of this season.

Green Bay is finally healthy with RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson finally healthy at the same time….this is team hitting its stride at just the right time.

To me…as a Packer fan…I’m thinking let’s game plan all about Brock Purdy throwing under duress every time he goes back in the pocket and see if he’s equal to the task. I would be coming at this guy with every imaginable blitz package in the defensive playbook. Make Brock Purdy prove he belongs on this stage under these bright lights.

As far as the Packers…they obviously have found their QB moving beyond the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay. This worked out perfectly for the Packers in this transition year. You know…the Packers have absolutely nothing to lose in San Francisco. As in nothing. Let it rip and see if you can catch some lightening in a bottle and beat the No. 1 seed is the way I see it.

MJ

Winning is a big deal…make no mistake about this salient fact. But it’s how you go beyond winning off the field which in essense defines you as a human.

My life idol Vince Lomardi would agree.

It’s how we treat one another. It’s looking for the best in others. It’s beyond going up on a stage like some some half-wit dumbshit at a Donald Trump rally, but instead looking for ways to unite the human cords which exist in all of us.

We’re all basically the same.

We just want dignity.

For however long I live I hope I see Coach Saban’s Foundation providing dignity to those truly in need.

With the dipshit Trump movement in parts of this country seemingly not going away regardless of whatever Donald Trump does to divide this country…all of us need to look for ways to bring out the best in one another.

Enough of the nonsense.

America….grow up and be great again.

Start showing the world why America is still the best bet going for democracy and freedom.

Do kind things.

Have a nice NFL Wildcard Weekend.

MJ

This doesn’t shock me at all. He’s 72 and what’s left to prove especially in the NIL… transfer portal Wild West era of college football.

Enough is enough.

Nothing to left prove and plenty of good deeds which can be accomplished on the horizon.

This OU fan loves Coach Saban and hopes he takes the time to enjoy every second of hs retirement and life beyond.

He literally has nothing left to prove.

And this happened on the same day as iconic coach Pete Carroll was ‘reassigned’ or whatever in Seattle.

We all think we know people, but sometimes we really don’t.

One of the many things I have learned on my cancer journey is that people are genuinely good and love is all around us every day if we just take the time to observe it.

Coach Saban and Miss Terry…take the time to soak in every sunset.

Best wishes.

MJ

Big basketball night for me as No. 9 Oklahoma hits the Big 12 road to take on TCU in Fort Worth. This is a conference road game I think the Sooners could perhaps steal if they play the right way and hit the open looks.

I was in Norman last Saturady for both the women and the mens’ games in the span of six hours. It has taken me three days to recoup, but it was worth it. I sat on the floor for the womens’ game as they beat Cincy in a close game. Very nice crowd considering the students were still on break.

Then I had to leave the building and return after having an early dinner at the best Mexiacn restaurant in the state of Oklahoma as far as I’m concerned. That restaurant being…Tarahumara’s Mexican Cafe on Porter Blvd.

I had great seats for the mens’ game as well. Just being two rows off the floor. I wore my fake ESPN media black pullover and made several disparaging comments about Pat McAfee as several security people were giving me a discerning look as I came out of the elevator into the main tunnel from which the players from both teams enter the floor.

You wanna know in a nutshell what’s wrong with America beyond Donald Trump and his rabble…how about the fact ESPN paying Pat McAfee 85 million to do what he does ranks somewhere in my top five.

Nero is fiddling my friends. Nero is fiddling.

Anyway…the OU-Iowa St. game was a street brawl from wire to wire in what was an official sellout. The crowd was magnificent. Being that I was an inaugural member of Billy Tubbs Baseline Bunch back in the 80’s…I was extremely proud of the crowd.

This is what the guys need in the rugged Big 12 moving forward. They need that Sixth Man with them on every possession. The league is that tough. Maybe even tougher than the SEC is in football currently.

OU just made winning plays the last four minutes of the game. Different guys just made plays. Every one of them.

OU won 71-63 and is now back at No. 9 in the polls. But that means nothing in this league as it appears the only easy nights in the league might be when you’re playing either O State of UCF. But even those games will be tough. It’s a tough, tough league.

I hung around after the game near the floor and oberved Sam Godwin and family. What a great group which made me proud to be a Sooner hoops fan. All the kids on this team have great family support.

Let’s go, boys. Let’s see if we can steal one tonight in Fort Worth.

This is what I’d like to see Joe C have the Sooner Game Day crew start doing right after the anthem. It would be awesome. I almost sat down next to Joe C on Saturday, but I didn’t want to push it too far on the opening conference game of the season.

MJ

I’ll be back in the cockpit tonight here at the premier OKC Thunder underground blog in the world tonight as the surging Thunder visit the Hawks in Atlanta.

But first…I want to congratulate the woeful Detroit Pistons for breaking their historic/ pathetic 28 game losing streak the other night.

I watched every bit of this game on the NBA Network and it was emotionally moving to see these guys finally win another NBA regular season season.

Several Oklahoma ties to this historically bad Pistons’ team.

Cade Cunningham…the very same O State national player of the year who I covered on this blog with my astute and spot on takes in the Cade Cunningham Journal.

Monty Williams…the former OKC Thunder assistant and former Phoenix head coach who took the Suns to their magical NBA Finals appearance a couple of years ago. And, of course, Troy Weaver, the same Troy Weaver who learned the art of tanking shamelessly from Sam Presti to rebuild a roster depleted of winning NBA talent.

We all thought those days of tanking shamelessly were going to be behind the Pistons this year, yet here they stand at 3-30 or something near that on January 3rd.

Pray for the Pistons.

I’m amped to be back for the Thunder’s game tonight in Atlanta. I know Little Nick Gallo and sports brodcasing’s biggest homer Michael Cage are already visualizing the championship parade in downtown Oklahoma City…so maybe a mature, heady presence will help keep some of this in perspective.

Keep it up, Thunder.

I thought the Nashville Country Music Bash on New Year’s Eve was pretty good, but too much Lainey Wilson. This one below caught my eye as the best presentation and I’ve included it into my workout music list. Elle King did Tom Petty proud. Go girl.

MJ

Simply…live every day to the fullest.

Be kind. Be gentle. Be strong when needed. Be giving to others.

To remember this nine month journey and all the new and previous human connections I’ve made along the way.

To laugh at least once every day.

To cry once every day.

To learn something new every day.

To experience every little thing I previously took for granted.

To wake up every day and become a better person than I was the day before.

To take the time to notice every beautiful sunset which comes your way.

Hope you have a a wonderful 2024.

MJ

Just a great week for me personally. Friday morning was my last visit of the year at the Integris Cancer Center. It boggles my mind it was a short nine months ago Dr. Showalter closed the door and told me I had two months to live. Told me to get my affairs in order.

I didn’t cry. I didn’t feel sorry for myself. I did excatly what he told me to do and gave it my best shot….and got my affiars in order.

I worked hard and put faith in God’s hands.

This was a journey. But in reality it has made me a better person with a more giving heart and a broader sense of human empathy.

My blood lab tests on Friday were just about perfect. I feel like I’m about twenty-eight years old again.

I was given a brand new pair of state of the art terrain hiking poles for Christmas by my wife. Another game changer. The poles Dorthy gave me are now in a corner. The state of the art walker is now used only as a food transporter for food from the kitchen to the living room.

Sundays are now my hiking days when I take on a new challenge each week just nudging the bar a little further each time.

I’m doing a two and a half mile walk today Pauli and I used to do together along the walking paths out here at the Deer Creek ranch.

Tomorrow I’ll idle back a little and do one mile cool down stroll at this great park in Prague, Oklahoma.

In January… I plan on taking hikes around both Lake Fayetteville and Lake Sequoyah.

The latter being a seven mile jaunt.

I fell so blessed. So fortunate.

Have a wonderful 2024. I know I plan on doing so.

MJ

Myself…and my executive producer here at okcthunderground.com have finally come to terms with the soon to be Thunder Return to Relrvance podcast.

Firstly…I put my tail between my legs and agreed to not hacev the Warriors in the name of the podcat itself because TCullpepper is an even bigger homer than Michael Cage or Little Nick Gallo.

In return…I will cover the Thunder for 40% of my NBA content on here and go 30% to my Warriors, 20% to my Nuggets, and 10 % to Austin Reaves.

We also agreed on the type of music content we want leading in to the podcast itself. So there’s all that.

So now we just need to get to work with what will surely be a podcast worthy of an Emmy or Osacr in the podcast world.

Peace

MJ.

I didn’t watch the entire game because I don’t view the NY Knicks as a legit contender, and right now on my blog I’m primarily interested in covering Thunder games when the opposition is a Top 12 team in the league.

But still.

Over a month ago on here or so…I posted a piece entitled J-Dub Is A Dude and since then nothing has diminished that view.

This kid is not only a baller, but he’s bright and has the overall body type to defend all five positions on the floor.

Sam Presti hit gold using a 12th pick to garner Jalen Williams. Absolute gold.

If I did a Power Poll on the entire league right now…I’d probably have the Thunder at No. 5 falling in behind…. 1 Denver, 2 Philly, 3 Boston, 4 Milwaukee, and then the Thunder.

In the West…moving beyond the Western Conference Top Ten Poll I did last week….as of this moment…I’d go 1 Denver, 2 Thunder, 3 Minnesota, and maybe at No. 4 the Sacramento Kings.

A week before the season started I wrote on this blog, “The Thunder’s primary goal this season is to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves for second place in the Northwest Division.” I wrote that. Pretty good, right.

I’m still sticking with that paragraph, but little did I think at that time Denver and the OKC Thunder could conceivably be the two best teams in the West. Now…I’m considering that possibity.

Back when OKC nudged the defending champs Nuggets 118-117 with KCP as a DNP scratch, the Thunder’s eternal homer beyond Little Nick Gallo, that being Michael Cage…gushed, ” This is not only a huge win for the Thunder, but a seismic shift for the NBA as a league.”

I kind of rolled my eyes and muttered, “F–k… is this guy on drugs every game?”

But you know what…on this one I have to give Michael Cage a little fist pump. The West is going through a seismic process with OKC, Minnesota, Sacramento, Houston, and New Orleans ascending while at the same time as LeBron, Steph, and KD are getting old.

Kind of like when Kobe, Timmy, and Dirk all got old in the 2012-13 season.

So is this achanging of the guard, but with the Denver Nuggets in place as the defending champs? Maybe.

Who would have thought…that for the first time in three years the Thunder are going to be a team I can write about on my little blog.

Have a great Thursday.

MJ

With the exception of the lollipops Little Nick Gallo lobs up through every Thunder presser…I love listening to this group of Thunder players. This Thunder group one through the two way players playing in the G League… all strike me as very smart dudes with Basketball IQs off the charts.

These dudes are basketball precocious …just lay it on the line with them and I think they on their own would be miles better than anything coming from the OKC sports media group.

Ask questions beyond the obvious box score drivel. Please.

So that’s enough of that.

A great game by the Thunder as they routed the ‘current’ No. 1 seed in the West by a score of 129-106.

Let me get my box score drivel out of the way…. the Thunder shot 60% from the field, made 18 threes, had a season high 35 assists, created 24 turnovers, and scored from the perimeter, in transition, and in the paint whenever they wanted against a Minnesota team which ranked No. 1 defensively in the league coming into Monday night at the PayCom Arena.

You usually win games when you do they things like that in a basketball game.

Shai played like the guy I currently have at No. 2 on my fake ESPN vote sheet for regular season MVP. At No. 1… I have Joel Embiid, at No. 3… I have D-Fox, and at No. 4…. I have Anthony Edwards.

I know I don’t have a Denver Nugget on the list yet. We’ll see when I start seeing Jokic and Jamal bringing their lunchpails in March.

The Young Guns in the West is where it’s gonna be at this season for NBA junkies like myself.

Coach D, who I refuse to call Coach Mark on my adult blog, was my No. 3 star of the game, Kenrich Williams was my No. 2 star of the game….and Lu Dort was my No. 1 star of the game.

Why? Because defense wins ‘ships. And Coach D did a brilliant thing…he went small with Kenrich playing the five and basically took both Karl Anthony-Townes and Rudy Gobert ot of the lane defensively. It was like Rocky trying to chase down chickens.

And when the T-Wolves had the ball…the Thunder defense collapsed beautifully with off the ball help evert time KAT or Anthony Edwards got into the paint.

Absolutely perfect. As in picture.

Coach D can bench coach. Not a doubt in my mind. I loved what he did in the 118-117 win at Denver. What he basically at the 9:32 mark with his Thunder down by eight points…was sit Josh Giddey or the remainder of the game. That’s what he did and I red circled that on my fake ESPN notepad to use at a later time. Which I just did.

Great win for the Thunder. No time to feel entitled as the dangerous at times NY Knicks visit PayCom Arena.

Winter has arrived in Oklahoma. But for the first winter in three years…I actually have a Thunder team I can write about on my underground blog.

Stay warm.

MJ