Tag: Politics

The 10 funniest sports jokes about Kevin McCarthy’s struggle to become House Speaker

So many jokes here.

As of Friday morning, there is no Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Congress has been through 11 attempts to vote over the past few days on who will take the position as a group of Republicans continue to draw a line in the sand in an attempt to prevent Kevin McCarthy from becoming Speaker.

And that continued failure to vote McCarthy — or anyone else nominated — has produced a heaping amount of jokes on Twitter, including many that fold in the sports world.

We’ve collected those to share as we head into another day that could be filled with more rounds of voting:

Celtics star Jayen Brown opens up on his meeting with Boston civil rights pioneer Jean McGuire

“It was amazing,” said Brown. “I wasn’t familiar with her before and the things that she’s done in her career in education and civil rights.”

Boston Celtics star wing Jaylen Brown has long been a champion of using his platform as an NBA player to promote education as a means to help underserved communities and individuals. Speaking at Harvard, working with MIT’s Media Lab and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Program, and even giving TED Talks to such an end since joining the NBA in 2016.

Brown’s interest in the spaces where the fight against structural racism and other forms of inequity meet opportunities through education taking root in the city of Boston has been an ongoing affair since the Celtics selected him third overall in that year’s draft.

And after hearing about how local education advocate and civil rights pioneer Jean McGuire was the subject of a brutal attack on her usual walk in Franklin Park, the Celtics star made a point of connecting with McGuire to learn more about her efforts to promote education in the greater Boston area.

LeBron James endorses Stacey Abrams in Georgia Governor race

Dave McMenamin: LeBron James endorses Stacey Abrams vs. her opponent, Brian Kemp, in the Georgia Governor race Source: Twitter @mcten What’s the buzz on Twitter? Michael Pina @ MichaelVPina for @ringer i wrote about how father time is starting to …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
for @ringer i wrote about how father time is starting to win its battle against lebron james. which is reasonable, considering lebron james has been less efficient than russell westbrook: theringer.com/nba/2022/11/8/… – 10:39 AM
Matt Williams @StatsWilliams
Stephen Curry scored 20+ points in each half of a game for the 22nd time in his career on Monday.
Only other players to do that as often as Curry in the last 25 seasons:
Kobe Bryant (36)
James Harden (30)
Allen Iverson (28)
LeBron James (22) – 9:39 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Between two games against the Jazz on Friday and Monday, spot the differences.
The biggest one was no LeBron. Otherwise, there weren’t many contrasts: ocregister.com/2022/11/07/sho… – 2:06 AM
Ryan Miller @millerjryan
Jazz rout LeBron-less Lakers to win 3rd straight, have best record in West ksl.com/article/505119… – 12:38 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Jazz 139, Lakers 116
The Lakers fall to 2-8 and have lost three straight games. Anthony Davis had 29 points. Russell Westbrook had 22 points and 5 assists. Kendrick Nunn had 18. No LeBron, Pat Beverley or Lonnie Walker tonight.
Up next: at the Clippers on Wednesday. – 12:30 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
FINAL: Jazz 139, Lakers 116.
Lakers finish with the same point total as four nights ago, while Jazz improve on their Friday mark by nine. Obviously was always going to be tough without LeBron and some more missing, but Lakers now 2-8, a half-game out of last in the West. – 12:28 AM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
Jazz beat Lakers 139-116. They’re now 9-3 on the season. 1st in the Western Conference.
The Jazz have as many wins as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons combined. – 12:28 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Lakers — without LeBron, Lonnie or Pat Bev — get blown out in Utah, 139-116, to fall to 2-8 on the season. AD 29p on 11-of-18 4r; Westbrook 22p on 8-of-14 5a; Nunn 18p on 7-of-11; Reaves 11p; Damian Jones 10p 7r 2b; TBJ 10p. – 12:27 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Lakers starters in Utah:
Kendrick Nunn, Austin Reaves, Troy Brown Jr., Wenyen Gabriel and Anthony Davis
(LeBron, Walker IV and Beverley are all out) – 9:45 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Darvin Ham says LeBron James is being given off tonight because of his foot discomfort. As far as future back-to-back situations, Ham said he will be “fluid” in how he manages James’ availability – 8:55 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Darvin Ham said Russell Westbrook will still be coming off the bench tonight despite three starters — LeBron, Lonnie, Pat — not playing against the Jazz. Says he likes Russ’ rhythm in that role. – 8:49 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Darvin Ham says the Lakers will lean on Austin Reaves, Wenyen Gabriel, Kendrick Nunn and Max Christie to get more minutes with LeBron, Lonnie and Pat Bev out. – 8:48 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Load Mismanagement is LIVE @Underdog__NBA w/@jphanned
• The Colossus 15-game NBA slate is here
• LeBron Out/Dame In/Giannis In/Embiid?
• Lineup news for all 30 teams
• Justin’s Fastest 5 Minutes
• Picks/Q&A
Making sense of it all, now through tip!
📺https://t.co/WSLBz72FZX pic.twitter.com/bAtZtbyxq9 – 6:33 PM

Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
For the sickos who like to watch, Monday’s @LockedOnLakers pod, YouTube version. We discuss the Cavs loss, Anthony Davis’ invisible 4Q’s, LeBron’s frustration, the mental toll of anemic offense and more. @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
youtu.be/0w1bQHZCwIo – 3:59 PM
Ethan Strauss @SherwoodStrauss
NEW POST: Maybe the Pedestal Was a Mistake? (Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Adam Silver and the NBA’s PR Malaise) $ houseofstrauss.substack.com/p/maybe-the-pe… – 3:12 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
LeBron James injury update: Lakers star out vs. Jazz with foot issue as L.A. stares down 2-8 start
cbssports.com/nba/news/lebro… – 3:08 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Really disagree with the LeBron declining narrative making the rounds. The only major dip for him as a scorer compared to the 2020 title has been 3PT shooting.
2PT%:
2020: 56.4
2023: 55.6
FTA:
2020: 5.7
2023: 4.9
Usage%:
2020: 31.5
2023: 31.7
3PT%:
2020: 34.8%
2023: 21% – 2:39 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron James will not play the second night of the back to back tonight in Utah, per the Lakers pic.twitter.com/j9LbbuLBq3 – 1:58 PM

Eric Walden @tribjazz
LeBron James is OUT tonight vs. the Jazz pic.twitter.com/4fCq5Yjxzg – 1:56 PM

David Locke @DLocke09
No LeBron James for the Lakers tonight against the Utah Jazz. Patrick Beverley and Lonnie Walker also out for the Lakers. Three of their starters this season. Anthony Davis is listed as probable – 1:46 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
No LeBron tonight against the Jazz. pic.twitter.com/zUtp9OMVlu – 1:44 PM

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
LeBron James (left foot soreness) is out tonight, Lakers say. – 1:43 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron James (left foot soreness) will miss tonight’s game at Utah.
Lonnie Walker IV (Non-COVID illness) is also out, as is Patrick Beverley (Non-COVID illness) for the second straight game.
Anthony Davis (low back tightness) is probable. – 1:42 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Fenway Group (& Lebron) selling Liverpool for $3 billion
Hello new frontrunners for an NBA Las Vegas expansion team…? – 1:33 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Monday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! We discuss the Cavs loss, Anthony Davis’ 4th quarter disappearances, LeBron’s frustration, how the Lakers’ scoring issues are hurting the defense, and more. #FirstListen @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… – 12:19 PM
Eric Pincus @EricPincus
From Sunday night @BleacherReport As LeBron James and Anthony Davis Struggle, Does a Trade Still Make Sense for Lakers? bleacherreport.com/articles/10054… – 12:15 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
About nine months ago, LeBron James praised #Cavs turnaround. So I asked him last night about his view of them now, after adding Donovan Mitchell and beating him for the first time since he went to LA.
They’ve got his attention.
cleveland.com/cavs/2022/11/c… – 11:45 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
There’s no galaxy brain solution to the Lakers’ problems.
They’re either going to give up the two picks to put a coherent supporting cast around LeBron and AD or they aren’t. It’s that simple. There’s no sidestepping that question. – 11:19 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on LeBron James: I don’t think I see that spark in Bron
sportando.basketball/en/kentavious-… – 11:10 AM

More on this storyline

Kass Sports Media: Joakim Noah on JJ Redick’s podcast says he tried to recruit LeBron, Wade and Bosh to Chicago before they decided to join the Heat. “Chris straight up told me he was f**cking coming to Chicago.” -via Twitter / November 8, 2022
Ham said James hoped to play and that Monday’s absence wasn’t strictly because the team is on a back to back. “It’s nothing structurally wrong with the foot. It’s just, it gets irritated,” Ham said. “But he’s stepped on people’s feet here and there the last couple of games and he’s tried to manage it the best he can. And we saw tonight as a good opportunity to just rest it.” The plans for future back-to-back games remain fluid, Ham said. -via Los Angeles Times / November 8, 2022
Justin Kubatko: Paolo Banchero is just the fifth teenager in NBA history to record consecutive 30-point games. He joins LeBron James, Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, and Zion Williamson. Want more? Have it delivered to your inbox tomorrow morning: statitudes.substack.com -via Twitter @jkubatko / November 8, 2022

Celtics’ Malcolm Brogdon to receive Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Respect

The former Indiana Pacers guard broke down what motivated him to get involved with the efforts, and how much of an honor the recognition for those efforts garnered.

New Boston Celtics point guard Malcolm Brogdon is set to be honored for his foundation’s work in Tanzania and around the globe with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Respect Award. The head of the eponymous Brogdon Family Foundation, the Celtics floor general works at creating increased access to clean water and good education for all in the areas it works.

Brogdon recently linked up with team reporter Amanda Pflugrad to talk about the work his organization did that earned him the honor from the foundation of Boxing great Muhammad Ali.

The former Indiana Pacers guard broke down what motivated him to get involved with the efforts, and how much of an honor the recognition for those efforts garnered.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear all Brogdon had to say about the award and what went into being tabbed for the honor.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Jaylen Brown meets recovering local civil rights icon Jeanne McGuire

“Thank you for the work you continue to do, and have done in our community,” tweeted Brown recently.

Star Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown recently met up with local civil rights legend Jean McGuire after the 91-year-old METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity) program co-founder had been stabbed while out with her dog in Franklin Park early in October (h/t NBC 10 Boston’s Jake Levin).

“Jean McGuire,” Brown tweeted his appreciation of the local desegregation leader recently, “thank you for the work you continue to do, and have done in our community. I admire you. Your strength/resilience is amazing it was an honor to spend some time with you. I am looking forward to working with METCO and talking more about the community.”

METCO, now the second-longest existing and largest school desegregation program in the United States, and was helmed by McGuire for over four decades beginning in 1973 in a community infamous for its struggles with desegregation in the 1960s and 70s.

Notable METCO graduates include athletes like Bruce Brown and AJ Reeves, pop stars like Bell Biv DeVoe’s Michael Bivins, and politicians like Tito Jackson, Kim Janey, and Marylyn Mosby, to name but a few.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum wants to open a school in St. Louis

The Celtics star had plenty to say about how he wants to use his platform and the Jayson Tatum Foundation to give back to greater St. Louis.

By now, most fans of the Boston Celtics know plenty about the interest of star Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown in promoting education in his community. But fewer know the Georgia native shares this interest with his fellow star wing Jayson Tatum, who recently shared that he also wants to help his fellow St. Louis natives get a better education.

The Duke product sat down for an interview with the eponymous host of the “In Depth with Jason Bensinger” show and spoke on his desire to open a school in his hometown to promote education in the city he grew up in.

The Celtics star had plenty to say about how he wants to use his platform and the Jayson Tatum Foundation to give back to greater St. Louis, so take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what he had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jaylen Brown faces widespread criticism for response to Ye controversy

The Celtics star has found himself in the news for what many are characterizing as his inadequate response to West’s comments.

Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown was one of the first star athletes to sign with Ye (formerly Kanye) West’s Donda agency to represent his non-NBA interests, and in the wake of the antisemitic diatribe that embroiled West in scandal in recent weeks, he has also been among the first to feel the effects of what many are criticizing as his inadequate response to West’s comments.

Unlike West’s own talent agency CAA or his former sneaker partnership with Adidas — both of which have distanced themselves from West, breaking their business ties — Brown has eschewed doing so in a recent interview with the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn.

“A lot of time goes into creating an entity or organization,” said the Celtics wing regarding his decision to remain with Donda.

Why everyone’s talking about resigning British prime minister Liz Truss and a head of lettuce, explained

There’s a weird and funny reason behind this.

Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Are you confused as to why you’re seeing tweets and memes about a head of lettuce and resigning British prime minister Liz Truss? We’re here to help.

Liz Truss, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, is resigning, just weeks into the job, which isn’t as surprising as it sounds given some of the political turmoil over there.

But we’re here to talk about lettuce. Why? Because you’re wondering what the heck is up with the lettuce and Truss. And we’ve got answers:

Rep. Ayanna Pressley on Jaylen Brown’s leadership in Boston and beyond

The Celtics star has taken a page from Bill Russell’s book to use his platform to make Boston better for all its citizens.

Simply getting into the NBA is more than many professional basketball players manage, never mind using the platform such an achievement provides to help pull others up in life while trying to grow one’s own career as an athlete.

Cut from the same cloth as his trailblazing predecessor, Boston Celtics Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell, however, star Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has been hard at work doing both since he came into the league in 2016.

And his excellence on the court juxtaposed with his commitment to making a difference off it has not gone unnoticed. Even the elected officials have noted how he uses his platform for the greater good — and we know, because one told us!

Speaking with the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast, Massachusetts’ Representative in the House Ayanna Pressley had plenty to say about the Boston star, the closest thing we have to Russell in the league today.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what the foursome had to say about Brown taking up the mantle set by Russell as a leader far beyond the confines of the parquet.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Speaking at MFA panel, Celtics’ Jaylen Brown challenges Bostonians to better city

“A lot of people are like, ‘what are all these complaints about,” said Brown. “I would push for them to see the other side of the coin.”

The Boston Celtics and the precedents set by Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell as a basketball player unafraid to use the platform his excellence in his sport of choice gave him reverberate through history up into the present, with so many in the sport today following his lead.

And perhaps no more emblematic of that tradition is the Celtics’ own Jaylen Brown, who has made a name for himself by bending his platform to a number of causes seeking radical change for the better of society’s more precarious. Speaking at a panel at his adopted city’s Museum of Fine Arts called “The City Talks: Leading From Anywhere,” Brown explained why he does.

“I try to use my platform to elevate other people’s voices,” he suggested via Boston.com’s Khari Thompson.