Nunnie on the Sideline

By Nunnie Robinson, WG Sports Editor

My prognosticating suffered a deflating blow after the Oklahoma City Thunder fell in dramatic fashion to the youthful but talented San Antonio Spurs, led by budding superstar Victor Wembanyama. If you recall, I had picked the Celtics to represent the Eastern Conference. The lengthy season and injuries to key players definitely impacted the final outcome. However, I fervently believe the best teams—the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs—are in the NBA Finals, led by head coaches Mike Brown and Mitch Johnson, two African American coaches of whom we should all feel great pride.

Some of you may be old enough to recall that in 1990, Michael Jordan’s mother appealed to him to endorse the Black Democratic Senate candidate running against staunch segregationist Jesse Helms. Jordan famously responded, “Republicans buy sneakers too,” choosing to remain nonpartisan.

Faced with a similar political dilemma, Wembanyama was reportedly implored by Spurs management and the team’s public relations staff to remain silent regarding 47’s immigration policies and the tactics employed by ICE. Despite his status as a French citizen working in America on a visa, Wembanyama chose to speak publicly about what he viewed as harmful and inhumane policies affecting immigrants with legal status. Mr. Wembanyama, I salute you.

The Carolina Hurricanes face off against the Vegas Golden Knights to determine the NHL champion and claim the 2026 Stanley Cup.

The Cleveland Browns traded the NFL’s best defensive player, Myles Garrett, to the Los Angeles Rams for starting defensive end Jared Verse, along with first-, second-, and third-round draft picks in 2027, 2028, and 2029. The Rams are trying to win the Super Bowl now, while the Browns appear to be looking toward the future. Only time will tell which team benefited more from the trade.

One of my favorite players, quarterback Russell Wilson, has decided to retire, causing speculation about whether he merits Hall of Fame status. Some will point to his overall career, prolific statistics, and Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks. Others, however, will remember his disappointing later years with Denver, Pittsburgh, and New York, as well as the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. The untimely play call and subsequent goal-line interception sealed a crushing defeat.

First, it was a terrible call, one that Wilson could have easily rectified with a simple audible by handing the ball to the Beast, Marshawn Lynch. Perhaps his ego clouded his judgment. A victory in that game would have made any debate over his Hall of Fame status a nonissue.

Politically, Democrats must win decisively; otherwise, Republicans may challenge unfavorable results, alleging cheating or voter fraud. The January 6 insurrection has been compared by some observers to historical episodes of political violence in American history, including events in Wilmington, North Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; and Rosewood, Florida. Violence has too often been used throughout history as a means of resisting political and social change.

Vote, my friends—VOTE!!!!

My prognosticating suffered a deflating blow after the Oklahoma City Thunder fell in dramatic fashion to the youthful but talented San Antonio Spurs, led by budding superstar Victor Wembanyama. If you recall, I had picked the Celtics to represent the Eastern Conference. The lengthy season and injuries to key players definitely impacted the final outcome. However, I fervently believe the best teams—the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs—are in the NBA Finals, led by head coaches Mike Brown and Mitch Johnson, two African American coaches of whom we should all feel great pride.

Some of you may be old enough to recall that in 1990, Michael Jordan’s mother appealed to him to endorse the Black Democratic Senate candidate running against staunch segregationist Jesse Helms. Jordan famously responded, “Republicans buy sneakers too,” choosing to remain nonpartisan.

Faced with a similar political dilemma, Wembanyama was reportedly implored by Spurs management and the team’s public relations staff to remain silent regarding 47’s immigration policies and the tactics employed by ICE. Despite his status as a French citizen working in America on a visa, Wembanyama chose to speak publicly about what he viewed as harmful and inhumane policies affecting immigrants with legal status. Mr. Wembanyama, I salute you.

The Carolina Hurricanes face off against the Vegas Golden Knights to determine the NHL champion and claim the 2026 Stanley Cup.

The Cleveland Browns traded the NFL’s best defensive player, Myles Garrett, to the Los Angeles Rams for starting defensive end Jared Verse, along with first-, second-, and third-round draft picks in 2027, 2028, and 2029. The Rams are trying to win the Super Bowl now, while the Browns appear to be looking toward the future. Only time will tell which team benefited more from the trade.

One of my favorite players, quarterback Russell Wilson, has decided to retire, causing speculation about whether he merits Hall of Fame status. Some will point to his overall career, prolific statistics, and Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks. Others, however, will remember his disappointing later years with Denver, Pittsburgh, and New York, as well as the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. The untimely play call and subsequent goal-line interception sealed a crushing defeat.

First, it was a terrible call, one that Wilson could have easily rectified with a simple audible by handing the ball to the Beast, Marshawn Lynch. Perhaps his ego clouded his judgment. A victory in that game would have made any debate over his Hall of Fame status a nonissue.

Politically, Democrats must win decisively; otherwise, Republicans may challenge unfavorable results, alleging cheating or voter fraud. The January 6 insurrection has been compared by some observers to historical episodes of political violence in American history, including events in Wilmington, North Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; and Rosewood, Florida. Violence has too often been used throughout history as a means of resisting political and social change.

Vote, my friends—VOTE!!!!

The post Nunnie on the Sideline appeared first on The Westside Gazette.