Photography Credit – Brooks Brothers
Apologies. It took me a while to muster the strength to write this post. Nonetheless, I want to congratulate NBA champion and Finals Most Valuable Player Jalen Brunson for winning his first championship. Flowers are indeed deserved – salute. And even though my hometown team – Detroit Pistons – was bounced in the second round this season, surely both teams will see each other on the court in the near future. That is neither here nor there. Today, you are owed all the praise. To be honest, I have always admired your professional, humble demeanor. Seriously – how can I hate on a brother with a Brooks Brothers endorsement deal? Brunson presents as a class act both off the court and on the court. An alleged undersized point guard who was drafted 33rd overall in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson was repeatedly lowballed on contracts and ultimately opted not to sign him despite his burgeoning status as a star.
And so, after 8 years in the league, 4 years removed from the Mavericks, and now with the New York Knicks, he put the team on his back to secure the team’s first championship since 1973. Salute. I can’t hate on that at all. Brunson displays a tireless work ethic, incredible resilience, and unwavering mental toughness. He sprinted toward greatness and never shrank from the moment. And winning a championship with your father as an assistant coach on the team? Chef’s kiss. Pure cinema was the outcome. I watch the old clips of Daddy Brunson coaching up Jalen when he was a young kid. I watch them with my own son. The videos are truly inspirational. So, yes, salute to my brother. Wish you nothing more than all the success you deserve – unless you are facing the Pistons on the court!
Well, it would appear that Old Man Winter has relinquished his seemingly perpetual, frosty grip on the temperatures outside – at least here in Michigan. Sure, every few days, he will stage a futile resurgence with a couple of nippy days thrown into the mix, but the picture is crystal clear; spring is an inevitability. And so, on those warm days that call for appreciation of nature, the seasonal spring yard clean-up is a necessity. Now, sprucing up one’s yard involves a lot of dirty work. Dethatching the lawn, trimming back dead flowers, removing animal waste (we have a ton of deer), and pulling these gangly monstrosities (pictured above) from the surrounding area. Ah, yes, the dandelion weed. I swear, in the event of a nuclear holocaust, I declare that only roaches and these unsightly plant aliens will stubbornly survive.
The Gentlemen's Standard 