Monday, February 21, 2022
Michigan University Basketball found themselves in hot water again. Unfortunately, this time it again involves Juwan Howard and his team ending up with a L. If you aren’t aware of what took place yesterday just Google Juwan Howard….and you’ll see a video of the altercation that took place in the handshake line after the game (yes, the same handshake line that was created as a way to model good sportsmanship….ahhhh the irony). This was a low for both Michigan Basketball and Juwan Howard. Juwan later stated how he was upset for what he deemed as unnecessary timeout calls at the end of the game from Wisconsin head coach. Regardless of whether the timeouts were kosher or not, you can’t lose your sh*t like that. Especially when you’re the head coach! You are literally role modeling to these kids how to respond to adversity. This was not a good look. Juwan Howard looked like a fool instead. Michigan Athletic Director was spot on when he said there is “no excuse” for what went down. Maybe the silver lining is at least this was the first incidence of it’s kind for Juwan and Michigan? Wrong. Last year he had an altercation with the head coach of Maryland DURING the game where he was ejected and had to be held back by several people from further escalating the situation. All that to say…..I was a HUGE Fab Five and Michigan Wolverine’s fan growing up. And this whole situation isn’t that big of a deal. We’ve seen much worse go down in sports. #lookingtheotherway
Discounts are disappearing and prices are increasing…..yes, both things can be true. Thanks to how the supply chain issues and chip shortages are impacting the car industry. The largest dealerships in the US warn that discounts on new cars could be a thing of the past. Of course they do…..just great!! The tighter inventories have allowed both the automakers and the dealerships to recognize PHAT profits by selling cars above sticker prices. AutoNation CEO, Mike Manley, stated on their investor call on Thursday….. “We will not return to excessive high inventory levels that depress new-vehicle margins. Significant discounting and high incentives can also damage a brand, which is another reason for our industry to balance appropriate supply and demand.” Car shoppers apparently paid above MSRP in more than 80% of new car purchases last month, according to Edmunds. This is great news if you’re on the manufacturing/dealership side, but not such great news for the consumer…..again!
A huge cargo ship carrying thousands of Volkswagen Group vehicles, including over 1,100 Porsche’s and close to 200 Bentley’s, was left floating in the Atlantic Ocean Friday……BURNING ON FIRE. The ship departed Germany on February 10th and was heading to Rhode Island before a fire broke out. All 22 crew members were forced to abandon the ship (all were safely lifted out via helicopter). But what in TF happened? How does a fire like this break out with such luxury cargo on board? I very much look forward to more details coming out. Regardless, I may have a way to help…if a few of you reading this would A) ever call me back and B) buy more ammo. Because under maritime law, whoever salvages the ship is entitled to compensation based on the value of the cargo and condition of the ship. That’s correct. You read that right. Imagine the epic story we’d have. We could also brag how we didn’t have to pay over MSRP for our Porsche either…..while sipping tea with our pinkies up obviously. Unfortunately, this is more bad news in an already unfavorable automobile supply & demand situation. Either way, holler at your boy and lets finalize a plan!
**BREAKING NEWS** The closing ceremonies for the Beijing Winter Olympics wrapped up yesterday. Which also means that the Winer Olympics was actually happening before that…..who knew? Apparently, no one based on the ratings. Here are a few fun facts supporting 2022 being a disaster of an Olympics:
Was basically buzz-free, nothing noteworthy ever really took place.
It was literally a hermetically sealed event hosted in an authoritarian country.
Many US athletes underperformed versus the expectations they carried heading into the Games (arguably not their fault).
With the exception of the one American athlete who dominated in Freestyle skiing…..for China. #EileenGu (yes, I’m still upset about it.)
Only around 12.2M people watched the Olympics on NBC, cable or Peacock streaming service.
That’s down 42% vs the 2018 Winter Olympics (down 47% for the average of just NBC viewers alone.)
Those numbers are also slightly inflated given it also aired directly after the Super Bowl!
As bad as the Olympics was for viewers, it was way worse for the US media outlet NBC. They originally inked an 18 year deal to ensure the American media rights to air the Olympics through 2032……for a whopping $7.75B.
What may have seemed like a great contract to win at the time, is hard to see the bright side now if 2022 is any indicator.
Let’s wrap on the NBA All Star Weekend. Which to me was about one thing and one thing only……the GOAT. Michael Jordan. His sheer impact and presence just can’t be overlooked. As soon as he came out after being introduced as one of the Top 75 players of all times you knew you were watching something magical. You can sense it by how your body subtly reacts in the moment. And you can even sense it by seeing how everyone else reacts when he walks near, bumps shoulders with them or daps them with his fist. There was footage of MJ in the back/locker room area surrounded by players while he was talking smack to Magic Johnson challenging him right there to lace up and go one on one. Again, look around at everyone’s faces in that moment. Everyone in just complete awe that we get to witness and experience him still. He’s the greatest for what he accomplished on the court for all those years. And for his unquestionable work ethic. Or his competitive fire that never dies. And perhaps most importantly, how he still leaves everyone who gets to experience him, both near and far, in complete awe. MJ, hit me up….willing to bet you $100k I could beat you in a free throw contest.
Deuces. ✌️