Before we can see narratives pushed about whether this season’s title team needs an asterisk attached to it or not, the NBA first needs to make sure some lore gets jammed into the fabric of the league’s space and time.
Following Game 4 of the NBA Finals, during which the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat, we received such… ugh… fantastic world-building by way of a two-word text sent by superstar LeBron James.
This must be one helluva text. A message sent from one of the best basketball players of all-time to his teammates that impacted them so much it set the tone!
Let’s see what that text message read.
“Must win,” Lebron James texted his teammates after his pregame nap.
Oh?
The entire context is rather funny. At least to me. The result gets to dictate just how much this very benign, unoriginal text message gets to matter, but it’s objectively hilarious a message Bron Bron sent after taking a nap is allegedly the catalyst for setting the tone.
But hey, a man with a singular eyebrow claimed it worked.
"We see the message from our leader," Anthony Davis said after the Lakers' 102-96 Game 4 victory over the Miami Heat put them up 3-1 in the NBA Finals. "And he just left it at that."
AD! My man! He had to leave it at that. He just woke up from a nap. LeBron had to wipe the eye boogers out and go to the bathroom!
For his part, James played magnificently, playing (well in) the entire fourth quarter, finishing Game 4 with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. He did commit six turnovers; though five of them came in the first half, highlighting his brilliance when it mattered most down the stretch.
If we wanted to hit this subject with a blunt force: James had a 7-5-2 box-score in the fourth quarter alone, making all seven of his attempts from the charity stripe.
Him playing well, however, is not the story. Nor are the other very real players and things contributing to the outcome of Game 4. No, sir! It was a two-word text message.
I am kidding, of course. If this is the narrative everyone is going to push to highlight James’ leadership, so be it; although his Game 1 style is my preferred cup of tea.
Nevertheless, let’s all marvel at LeBron James’ ability to send a text message after a nap. I don’t believe it truly set the tone, but I also know family constantly nags me for my inability to properly respond to texts in time.
If for nothing else, The King’s ability to use his phone immediately after a nap places him one notch above Michael Jordan, making him the greatest player in the history of the NBA.
Sorry. Those are the rules in 2020. And1 slogan inspired text messages matter that much in this environment.
That’s Not The Reason, But OK!
Derrick Rose took to social media to explain why people shouldn’t idolize him. Here’s what the veteran guard had to say.
“Please don’t idolize me. I’m not your typical hooper/celeb or whatever you want to call it. Find out who you are, master something and find a way to express whatever you’ve mastered. It’s all about your perception. Once you do that I SWEAR it’s easier to see this game everyone is playing. Don’t be apart of the magic show. Look away! Spurious love please pls stay away!!!! Thanks for all the Gday wishes. Stay blessed King & Queens.”
To be honest, this is probably not the reason people should avoid idolizing Derrick Rose. I can think of a few other, more nefarious reasons. Eh, but maybe that’s just me.
In general, though, we don’t really need to romanticize sportsball people. We can enjoy their talents, value their opinions, and the like, for sure. However, they are as qualified to do most things as you or I. They just so happen to be excellent at a thing we all enjoy consuming.
Blind, over-the-top sports fandom is something I’ll never fully understand. Having favorite teams and players is, naturally, harmless. But now that the world is much smaller, showcasing fans’ thirst for brushes with fame on social media, it’s a bit gross to see just how “in love” fans are with their favorites.
I can, unfortunately, go on and on about this subject, but no one came here to watch a man scribble words on top of a soap-box.
Just, you know, remember your favorite celebrity isn’t worth your blind and unwavering support. You can, given context and circumstances, waver from time to time. It’s okay! It’s healthy! I promise.
Aaron Rodgers Knows He’s Good
If you don’t mind, please come closer to whatever you’re using to read this newsletter, because I need to whisper a secret to you.
Shh… Silence.
No, friend. Get a bit closer. Others might hear.
Closer. Closer. Closer.
Fine. Right there is good…
So, here’s the thing: Aaron Rodgers is good at football and he knows it.
Say what now?! Arguably the greatest gunslinger in the history of using gunslinger as a noun/synonym to quarterback and not cowboy-murderers is good at football? No! But… Yes!
"I sometimes laugh when people talk about down years for me,” Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee show. “Because a lot of times down years for me are career years for most quarterbacks."
This is a great flex for several reasons and there’s no reason to overthink it. The best aspect of this, though, is that he’s shitting all over media and other quarterbacks in less than 30 words.
That’s some real efficiency.
So far this season, Rodgers has thrown for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns (zero interceptions) while leading the Packers to a 4-0 record.
It’s rather weird to say this only one subjection below another suggesting we shouldn’t worship people just because they are good at sports; HOWEVER, I’d be cool with Aaron Rodgers being my father, even though he’s 100 percent the guy who would remind me each day why he’s better at everything than I am.
“Son,” my new dad says to me in 2045. “Really proud of you that you became President of the United Colony of New Pennsylvania, but I once completed 27 out of 33 passes for 327 yards and four scores against a shitty Falcons team. You have a lot of work left to do.”
“I’m trying day,” future-me relies.
“There is no such thing as trying,” new dad says. “Either you do it or you don’t.”
“Yes, new dad.”
“Also, do something about these zombies that all look like Al Pacino. Can’t believe this is really happening. A legit zombie invasion.”
“Dad, how many times do I have to tell you? Those aren’t zombies. We all look like Al Pacino in 2045.”
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Joseph used to write a bunch of things for places like Forbes, FRS and others. Now he’s ‘the man’ in management. A big old loser. A washed, leathery face, too. Here’s his own newsletter.