Kudos to the Spurs and the Raptors (and Cheers to the Commercials)

3.2.2019

First, it’s pretty impressive the that red and white traditional Raptors court in Toronto transformed into a black and gold cursive arena tonight for the opening game of the NBA on ESPN. A Raptors Blazers game may go overlooked in this attention craving NBA on a Friday night (I missed it), but Kawhi’s game winner – and his plays throughout – that clenched fist in those black and gold uniforms was a nice sight to see.

And why? Because two teams decided to have a fair trade – a trade done in business and improvement spirit, and hitting the reset button while still allowing your organization to play ball. Both teams have done just that, and even with the 2nd record in the East, and a Pop team in the playoffs, neither is really getting talked about. What is though? A sub-500 Laker team, the weirdest shit going on with Anthony Davis, and Kobe weighing in on Zion (which honestly you have to love that – “Finish your Commitment”).

The story of the night was really the content on TNT. A sit down on the couch to turn on Four Brothers – we won’t call it an absolute classic, but it has the characters and the plot line to make any 17-21 year old guy enjoy it. Have probably seen it 15 times, but even with every other word bleeped out, it didn’t disappoint.

Given it was on tv, had to “deal with” some commercials (I’ll get to those), so was flipping back and forth to the Lakers Bucks game on ESPN (game 2 of the doubleheader). Seeing some sights of Staples made me miss that city a bit – the way you look at that non-skyline and all those lights in the distance and know that there’s a lot of good random shit happening around you. And Staples is a theatre – whose stage was set tonight for Lebron vs. Giannis. But more importantly, Doris Burke.

I kid you not, her in-game analysis was SPOT on. On Bledsoe, on fouls, and the lot. But her analysis on the Eastern conference – the inexperience of the Bucks, the Raptors having the highest ceiling, and the Philly best starting 5 – was what really stood out and what I was 1000% on board with. I guess I didn't love Doris initially, but I found myself tuning into the game to listen to her color (and her partner was doing a lot of listening and nodding his head too it seemed).

As for the game, Lebron and the Lakers still are finding ways to lose in dramatic fashion, I literally have never seen a more stressed out coach in my life than Luke Walton forcing his fingers through his curly hair and cussing under his breath after an absolutely inexcusable out of bounds pass to a double-teamed Lebron to essentially lose the game.

But what triggered this write-up, was naturally, a commercial. Was planning to hit the hay a touch earlier, but Safe House (a movie I had never seen) came on next. Thought I’d catch the beginning and nod off, but it was good. It features a classic Denzel - that John Q and Remember the Titans flavor. And a Ryan Reynolds that was 1000% different than his Deadpool series. Not better or worse – just a bit more authentic before he really confirmed his infamy.

And there it was – that voice and that brand of commercials, that no matter what time of day, what programming, always makes me smile – Arby’s.

If you’ve stayed with me, you’ll do whatever you can to open the Mail Drop attachment at the bottom of the email to see that pure whateverness of comedy.

And THEN, this one came on in the next round of commercials, and that was it. I called it. Email had to be sent.

Geico Pie commercial (for some reason unavailable now due to probably how funny it was)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NpUs7T1FPY

So, from Four Brothers into Safe House, both GOOD movies, to absolutely great commercials, on this Friday night from my 10003 couch to my friends across the country, there you have it.

It's been a busy week - some 1am and 2amers humpday into Thursday, but let me tell you, writing this is a bit more calming than that 75 page internal deliverable.

And those “concluding” thoughts…

The world’s a crazy place. And getting crazier. Don’t forget the importance of mental relaxation – standing and sitting on those rocks that sit 30 feet from the shore. Remember the ground you stand on and the calmness of a nighttime gentle wave. It’s one of most peaceful sounds in this 25,000 mile green and blue oblatic systematic sphere.

Welcome to March.