Jeffrey Stout

If I’m reading correctly, Texas just invaded Illinois, and Walter Cronkite just turned over in his grave.

This period of Roman history began in 49 BCE when Caesar took his army across the Rubicon into Rome itself, which by tradition was a demilitarized zone of public deliberation.

Shortly thereafter, Caesar was declared dictator for life and a god. Mark Antony was named the priest of the Caesar cult. Then came the Ides of March.

Romans were uneasy when Caesar’s 4th triumph (a victory ritual in 46 BCE) displayed arms taken from citizens his army had massacred in a civil war. But when his 5th triumph (45 BCE) openly celebrated his defeat of fellow citizens in Spain, it “vexed the Romans as nothing else had done” (Plutarch).

The Summer League coach was a holdover. Brown was just appointed. The loss did give him some evidence about the tail end of his roster and about the Post’s unprofessional headlines. Welcome to New York, Coach.

He’s acknowledging, as he should, that it was a joint decision to accept the job. He’s also signaling to the team that he appreciates each player’s family and significant others, consistent with his policy of permitting family members to travel with the team in Sacramento.

Excellent, insightful article, as usual. And fresh air, compared with what many others are writing and saying.

Mikal is has the size and length to guard Hali but gives him too much room. Deuce could pressure him for 90 feet, but the passing lanes would open up. It’s worth a try given Mikal’s failure.

Start Deuce on Hali, match Wright with McConnell, stagger KAT and Brunson, bring Mitch off the bench in 7-minute spurts. That’s what the game is telling the coach to do.

Your second point is the key. NY won game 3 because foul trouble forced Thibs to stagger KAT and Brunson. In game 4, he mainly paired them, with roughly the same net rating we’ve seen since January 1. The 2 big pieces of Leon’s roster don’t fit, and Thibs refuses to compensate.

There’s nothing KAT and Mitch can do to match the Pacers’ pace. And Mitch can’t overcome the defensive disadvantage of the KAT/Brunson pairing. For Wright, Deuce, and Shamet, it was too few minutes too late.

Taunting runs in the family.

When JB and KAT play together, the Pacers force them to defend pick and roll actions as a pair, which is disastrous for the Knicks. NY's best lineups in this series include either KAT or JB plus 4 decent defenders, at least 2 of whom can shoot. That's how the games are unfolding.

It’s working and legal but not fun to watch.

Wow

Gotta cite that one. By the way, I am working on a history of “religion” in Western politics since Cicero. The project is as daunting as your history of rock music and similarly concerned with particular works and shifts in the meaning of a word. Thanks for the inspiration. Wish me luck.

@fredkatz.bsky.social taking some heat from Thibs today.

Mitch is good at shutting the barn door after the horse is gone.

Two of those are former advisees of mine, making me proud!

I chaired a student strike at Brown after the invasion of Cambodia and the Kent State shootings. The Naval War College in Newport invited me to meet regularly with officers studying there. Unlike the top brass, they read widely and wanted to learn. Now Butler, Glaude, and Dyson are banned.

Think it’s safe to trust the numbers?

The current series (I am halfway through part 4) is amazingly interesting and detailed. An awesome accomplishment. Hats off to Andrew! How do you do it?

The DOGE Axe Comes for Libraries and Museums The Institute of Museum and Library Services has long received bipartisan support. But after years of trying, President Donald Trump has delivered it a crushing blow.

www.wired.com/story/instit... The same holds for museums and libraries.

WIRED - The Latest in Technology, Science, Culture and Business We bring you the future as it happens. From the latest in science and technology to the big stories in business and culture, we've got you covered.

Wired.com continues to be a crucial source of news in the Musk era. In this case, health-related news, because the scythe is digital.

This story ought to go national. Anyone who isn’t troubled by the cruelty and arbitrariness of mass kidnapping should at least be made aware of the policy’s terrible effects on food costs, housing, health, and social security. Why have Dems said so little about all this?

Josh’s new thread about the assault on cancer research is must reading.

Mallory is right about the need for new leadership. Step aside old guard. Hear this citizen out.

Shhhh

OG is attacking the rim with Randle-like power. A massive leap.

We will need to break free from grip of oligarchs if we are going to speak freely on freedom’s behalf.