When the issue was hot, I didn't keep up well, but with US-Iranian tensions still bubbling, I feel compelled to form a better understanding of the deal and why it was as divisive as it became.

Edit: Took out a word I didn’t mean to leave in. Also really enjoying everyone’s input, some excellent, thoughtful observations and insights, as well as direction to some great sources to start my own investigation. Glad I thought to post here, y’all are awesome.

Media members and the NBA subreddit will tell you our dynasty is over, however if you take a closer look, this franchise has one of the brightest futures in the NBA. I’ve had some free time on my hands so I decided to do some investigation on what moves Bob Myers & Co might make to keep us in contention. After all, they have been vocal about keeping our championship window open as long as possible.

This post is long so feel free to jump around. I broke it up into three sections with a TLDR at the end

1. Current Roster Construction
2. How we should use our 2020 draft pick
3. Free Agency and the TPE

First, Roster Construction: Looking Ahead

G: Stephen Curry- Age 31 (Almost 32)

• Super Max Contract Through 2022 (will be 34)
• Bird Rights (check out this wikipedia for info on how all parts of the salary cap work)
• 2020 Minutes Prediction: 68 games @ 30mpg

Curry is our franchise linchpin and until proven otherwise, the best point guard in the league. With that being said….......fuck…….... Steph is getting older. Injuries, wear and tear, and playoff minutes will all be factors in his eventual decline. Curry is under contract for two more years and the front office will probably extend him with another max deal.

The Future: There is a good chance these next two seasons are Curry’s last as a superstar, although his skill set will translate well into his mid 30’s. I’m praying we get 3-4 more years of MVP level Steph. We probably see regular season load management for the rest of his career.

G: Klay Thompson- Age 30

• Max Contract Through 2024 (will be 34)
• Bird Rights
• 2020 Minutes Prediction: 75 games @ 32 mpg

Klay is locked up under contract and in the middle/late stage of his prime. He is in the sweet spot of mental & physical development and we should see peak Klay for at least a couple more seasons. ACL tears are almost always 100% recoverable with current medical technology, so I’m not worried about a production decrease until the 2022-23 season.

The Future: Standard Klay for the next 2-3 years.

F: Andrew Wiggins, Age 24 (almost 25)

• Max Contract Through 2023 (will be 28)
• Bird Rights
• 78 Games @ 34 mpg

Andrew has been a hot and controversial topic since he was traded last week. Take a look at our official trade thread.Emotions have now settled, and it looks lik

I watch tv at night and if I’m having problems falling asleep, I turn on this episode and it works. Just one of the reasons why I love this episode and here are the rest. What's your favorite?

It starts with one of Angela’s best rants where half of it is bleeped out and the other half is her repeating the same phrase. She later reminds Michael that she is an “AMERICAN” and she only bows down to Jesus. In this scene I wish that Michael would just say “Well sorry it didn’t work out - goodbye” and go back to his mom’s.

I fast forward through the very scripted and boring “Family Libby” scene with a quick stop to admire the amazing spread Mother Andrei prepared.

After Coltee makes the weirdest noise after he’s hit by his drone, I fast forward to the best part - the South African Braai. This is where Tania eats a never-ending steak, talks about her bringing up and has a breakdown in front of her in-laws. She can’t keep her mouth shut even after the step dad told her to give them a gap. I want some of that grilled cheese. I think we know that Syngin’s dream is to live off his own land and be happy, but for all the talk about goals and plans, I still don’t know what Tania wants to do and why she can't just start working her goals regardless of what Syngin is doing.

I only watch the Larissa scenes to count the times that she inconsistently adds an “e” to the end of words. I know that is her flair like Paul’s running and Angela’s bra toting, but it’s tiring. She has obviously seen Ericee’s bank account and will be with him until she gets deported.

Next we move on to the Samoa rumble on the bridge where we learn again that the mom really only wants money. So scripted, but I really wish they would have gotten into a fight.

Back in Nigeria, Michael supposedly slept on the couch even though we all know there are two bedrooms (where Sissy slept), Angela comes out with a nice dress and the most memorable jewelry that I believe I’ve ever seen on this show. Did she buy that in Nigeria or Georgia? Again, I so wish Michael would just call her bluff.

I usually don’t watch the commercials but I had to rewind it because I couldn’t believe there was a car ad with a story line of leaving your dog in the desert. r/CommercialsIHate

Back to the Braai and Tania’s comes back to start another fight, finally acknowledges that she is crazy, grabs her plate and eats her endless steak in bed. She later tells Syngin that she hates it when he drinks when she has obvious

II'm sure we all find ourselves stuck in casual conversation whenever an academic or philosophical disagreement comes up and I'm not sure how to resolve those elegantly.

I see two options to proceed, none of which I like:

-Retreat in into a perfunctory Google session, which will, at best, only come up with superficial evidence and is highly prone to be led by confirmation bias.

-One of the parties manages to make a more eloquent argument, and we thus proceed under the assumption of its veracity.

I suspect that the real answer here is not to treat conversations such as these as information gathering and a sharpening of your epistemology, but as an anecdotal exchange; someone's positions on, say, raising a child, may not be backed by rigorous research, but are nonetheless valuable pieces of information, both as an expansion of your understanding of the topic, as well as an insight into your interlocutor's personality.

What are your thoughts? For the sake of argument, let's charitably assume that all parties are interested in a having a conversation in good faith.

Can we all agree to this.

I'm currently whole heartedly conforming my acts to this truth for all our sakes.

no one comes to church to make an enemy. neither do i ever come here to accidentally make an enemy out of another member of the church.

I'm posting this here because I'm seeing a small rise in contention among us.

and it worries me.

Paul taught:

23 ...But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves..."

Avoid contentious situations online as-well.

If we are learning to walk in his way, would it not be so much more edifying to the soul to let our conversation be subject to the dictates of charity, than act contrary to our divine nature in letting contention lead our conversations?

"But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

-1Corint. 11:16

We should be better. because we are His disciples, we can be better.

let us be the peacemakers we were meant to be, try to be graceful when defending the truth, and walk in the light to remain beacons for those lost in mists of darkness.

tldr? "Love one another."

I leave this small spiritual thought with you in the name of Jesus Christ.

amen.

Basically it seems like the strong favorites right now are LAL, LAC, MIL and maybe TOR but after that it's kinda up in the air . . . . a couple teams projected to be successful are under-performing, i.e. HOU, PHI, POR and of course I'm not sure what SA projections were but they are a perennial playoff team whom are certainly struggling . . . .

anyway . . .

Which team out of contention for the top couple seeds do you think has the best chance to win it all?

DEN?

DAL?

HOU?

BOS?

Based on my “research” Whitecaps have played 29 games. If they somehow win all 5 games, they’ll be at 42 points. Seventh place in the playoff race is at 40 points (FC Dallas). If they win against FC Cincinnati (which they should, but MLS is gonna MLS) they’ll be at 43 points. If San Jose Earthquakes win against Orlando (which again, they should) they’ll be at 44 points. If Minnesota United draws or ties on the road against LAFC, they’ll be at 43 or 45 points. Finally, if LA Galaxy wins or ties against Seattle Sounders on the road, they’ll be at 43 points or 45 points. If all of these results happen, all teams will be above or at 43 points. Remember Whitecaps can only get to 42 points at most. Am I missing any facts or information? Obviously, Vancouver is probably eliminated no matter what because 50 points is probably going to be the deadline. *Oh yeah, or Vancouver just has to lose to NYCFC. * silly me.

Next 11 games:

@ Warriors, @ Kings, @ Blazers, @ Lakers

vs. Knicks, vs. Grizzlies, vs. Kings, vs. Magic, vs. Hornets

@ Hawks, @ Knicks

We are currently 2.5 games back of the 8 seed, despite losing 7 in a row and being 8 games under .500. Current standings:

7. OKC 15-14

8. Port 14-17

9. SAS 12-17

10. Sac 12-18

11. Phx 11-19

12. Mem 11-20

13. Min 10-19

We need Ayton back ASAP. We need to get healthy. We can make this run.

All I need is the Chiefs to not get the bye and then lose in the first round and I'll be a happy camper about our craptastic season.

The concept of a "happy" or "good" life is often thrown around as a counter to antinatalism, yet it refuses to admit that there can be no "happy" or "good" life without the existence of others for its support: psychologically, physically, emotionally, and even nutritionally in the case of preying on non-human animals. Yet others existing (being born) is the bone of contention. It merely evades the obvious truth that since no ONE individual can exist in of itself its birth, and consequently existence, is of decidedly negative value.

Did fans/pundits have Raptors down as one the favourites to win the championship or were they seen as a team that would be lucky to get to the final, simply put, have Raptors overachieved or is the fact they’re in the final not surprising

TRICK PLAYS!!! Every single one of them we might as well have some fun before opening day in 182 days. I want to see hidden ball tricks, the whole nine yards.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/268433/sponsors/new?token=8HOfa8eSIhKS9SXkB6T

Kidnapping of critical dissidents, use of triads against civilians, there is no place the CCP will not go to eliminate freedoms. The people of Hong Kong need our help. That means we must pressure the CCP in every way possible and show the world is ready to defend the rights of all.

With their 1-4 loss to the Washington Nationals this afternoon at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, the Philadelphia Phillies have been eliminated from 2019 postseason contention.

The Phillies have 6 games remaining in their season, they are at 79 wins, and the NL Wild Card holders currently have 87 wins (Nationals) and 86 wins (Brewers). As a result, it is mathematically impossible for the Phillies to make the postseason.

#FADE 'EM, MODS

With 3 games left in Hockey East play UConn cannot catch UNH for the last position in ther hockey east tourni. UConn sits at 48th in the pairwise and no scenario places them in NCAA tournament at large position.

Congrats to UConn on their season

Would have been nice to have guys like KCP and McGee play better when we were still in the playoff picture, but at least we've seen the Bald Eagle take flight.