Stuff to See!
De Orbum Natura
Lots of balls on the mind recently.
For the first time in many years (probably since 1994), I found myself watching a basketball game, specifically game sevens of the NBA Finals. Having grown up on Kareem, Magic, Bird, and Jordan, it was strange watching the new generation go through the motions. Like most game sevens, the actual play wasn't all that great, what with the feelings of immediacy and the extra pressure imparted by a one game to win it all mentality. Detroit and San Antonio came into the series as number 1 and number 2 in the league in defense, so a high scoring affair was not to be expected, nor did it in fact occur. Watching the first half, I'm not sure whether defense or poor shooting prevailed.
The third period was where the game was won, even considering that the score was tied going into the final period. Detroit had lost their momentum and San Antonio, led by Tim Duncan, was taking control. Duncan is probably the best player in the league right now, and while he didn't show it in the first half, the third period belonged to him. It was one of those times when a superstar athlete puts the rest of the team on his back and carries them to victory. It began with a strong offensive rebound that turned into a mere two points, but on such things championships are decided.
The Orioles are now 2.5 games out of first place. They're in the midst of a murderous 20 games in 20 days, having lost many of their key performers (Javy Lopez, Eric Bedard, and Melvin Mora among them). There's noise about whether or not Lee Mazzilli will be retained, or whether the two-headed GM (general monster) will continue. This uncertainty may be infecting the team, and may certainly be infected the desires of other players Baltimore may need to remain in the hunt for a wild card or AL East title. Right now, they're hurting bad. Hopefully they can turn it around before Boston (or even New York) starts to run away with the East. The groundswell of good cheer surrounding their great start is beginning to fade under the summer heat. That would be too bad. It's been good to hear the buzz again.
The United States is still suffering, though quietly, in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's curious how the news on these fronts, having turned bad, has become next to nonexistent. I certainly don't want to see our young people get killed, but I have a hard time getting behind our presence in those far-flung areas, at least on the reasons given, especially in the case of Iraq. The cold logic of the situation, that the U.S. needs to have a strong foothold in the Middle East (Iraq) in order to mitigate against the elements that want to see our civilians die horrible deaths, appeals more to me than a bullsh*t search for weapons of mass destruction. The Afghanistan matter is similar, but has other far-reaching implications, like keeping an eye on Russia. That's right, Russia. All is not well between the former enemies of the Cold War. That's another fact that people seem to miss.