#MNR: Points of View

#MNR: Points of View
 

“Hold up, wait a minute. Y’all thought I was finished?”

Meek Mill

 

I’m pleased to report that I feel good all over, sorta like Stephanie Mills in 1987. Not only am I free of the pain which has kept me in perpetual discomfort (literally, no hyperbole) for the past two weeks, but I am also going on three weeks sober. I no longer have the desire to twist up green trees in succession [on the daily]. Sobriety has never felt this organic; my other attempts to shake the tree were forced and at times felt torturous. And trust, I’ve got PLENTY on deck (IYKYK). It doesn’t matter. For the first time since I was fifteen-and-three-quarter, my high is all natural, and I love the feeling. This is the part where I’d usually issue a disclaimer to shield the element of hypocrisy should I fall off the wagon at some point, but I meant what I said. I love being sober. It feels great. I’m a MF king. I don’t need stimulation to enjoy life…anymore.

 

I’m not about to become anyone’s local D.A.R.E. resource officer. If you still love the feeling of getting higher than Keith Richards on the Stones’ 1975 Tour of the Americas, do your MF thing. I’m neither judge nor jury. Just respect my sobriety and don’t attempt to pass me a J on some immature high school shit. I just may smack your lips off your goofy ass face. Respect mine and I’ll respect yours.

 

Crime in NYC subways is spiraling out of control. There are reports of one or more subway assaults EVERY single day on the news. Stabbings have increased by 35% in a year. Mayor Eric Adams has deployed 1,000 cops to network in an attempt to curtail the soaring crime rate on MTA platforms and trains. The Subway Safety Plan calls on officers to step up enforcement of subway rules and empty trains at the end of line routes. The officers will be accompanied by health workers who will assist the mentally ill and point them to the city’s support services. Governor Kathy Hochul said the state will provide 1,100 beds for psychiatric and homeless shelter use as part of a $39.5M statewide initiative. 600 of the beds will be placed in the city. The state will also invest $9M a year to recruit mental health workers. Even though the mental health crisis and homelessness have been issues within the city for a while now, they were certainly exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. And although the statistics are nowhere near the dreadful 1980s, the sentiment is quickly mirroring the dismay of the long-gone era. I sincerely hope the mayor and others can mitigate the subway issues efficiently. I still use the MTA to commute when I’m home. I’m a certified outsider now, and a keen eye can discern. I’d hate to catch a buck-fifty and/or have to beat the living shit out of a deranged MF thinking I’m food when I’m riding MTA. But I ain’t been scared since 1996, so it is what it is. Y’all be safe on those trains. Stay well behind the yellow line on the platform. Keep one ear free of pods/headphones. Make sure your head stays on swivel, especially in the late night.

 

Juwan Howard – come take this walk with me…

 

IDGAF what that pilgrim assistant coach from Wisconsin said in the post-game handshake line. IDGAF about a timeout being called with 0.000002 seconds left. None of that matters. You CANNOT do what you did yesterday, slapping that man and damn near inciting a riot. Race doesn’t matter. Emotion doesn’t matter. Professionalism is a must when you’re one of the state’s highest paid public employees. In comparison, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer makes $159,300 annually. You signed a five-year extension last November worth $17M. Few state employees earn more than you are annually. That list includes fellow alum Jim Harbaugh, coach of the Michigan football team, MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo, and MSU head football coach Mel Tucker. You’ve always been a standup individual. This is a pretty serious blemish on your legacy. I’d expect this from others, but not you. And no, I’m not giving you some ignorant ass pass because you’re a brother and you put hands on a pilgrim. You were completely out of line. Your team is on the bubble and now they are without your leadership for the rest of the regular season. I pray the university doesn’t decide to cut you that $5M severance check and tell you to get the fuck out of Ann Arbor when the season concludes.

 

For those of you without a firestick or too cheap to pay the damn $5.32 monthly after taxes, Peacock’s Bel Air is one helluva show. I don’t care about the 60% Rotten Tomatoes rating. The latest Saved by the Bell reboot is hovering near 90%. It’s a decent show, but ain’t no damn way it deserves its RT score. I’m almost certain that the lukewarm rating is from pilgrims who were TOTALLY into the original Fresh Prince of Bel Air and tuned in hoping for a revival of the almost slapstick routine of yesteryear. Sorry. Will doesn’t crack on Uncle Phil (for one because he’s ripped), Jazz doesn’t get thrown out on his neck by Uncle Phil, and so on. Bel Air took a dark and dramatic approach for the reboot and is almost the polar opposite of its predecessor. I love it. The first four episodes have been must-see TV IMO. My guy Eazy da Block Captain from battle rap fame was given the role of Rashad Denton, better known as the man who ran Will out of West Philadelphia, and as a battle rap fanatic, I’m damn proud. I don’t want to give anything away. All I can say is find a way to put eyes on the new product. The casting is spot-on, and the visuals are stupendous. I’m hooked like a crackhead junkie. But don’t take my word; see for yourself. Drop a comment in my inbox or when you see me in the streets.

 

Big ups to New Jerusalem’s own Karl-Anthony Towns for winning the 3-point contest this past All-Star weekend. You spoke confidently throughout the process and backed your words up with a W. I’m impressed, young fella. Big ups x 2 to my guy Obi Toppin for winning the slam dunk contest. Yeah, the contest was pretty mid, but Obi got the only victory that I can be proud of in this tremendous disappointment of a Knicks season. And while I’m on the topic of disappointing seasons and as much as I hate to say it, Coach Thibs, it may be time for you to step the fuck off. Defense is your calling card, yet we couldn’t stick gorilla glue to a Velcro wall. You were never the offensive savant, and it shows. We are a trash team, and aside from Julius Randall, I place the blame on you. You’ve been a shitty head coach in 2021-2022, and it may be time to part ways. I deserve waaaaaay better than this as a loyal, lifelong fan. Fuck y’all.

 

DISCLAIMER: As much as I’d like to go on for like two more pages, I’m tied (tired). I need my beauty rest. I’ll holla.

 

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