The Milwaukee Bucks continue to cruise. It seems like this is a team, and seemingly franchise, that has proven to be quite stable of late. There has been little roster turnover; the “deer district” is growing. This stability gives the Bucks a big advantage right now because of a few key events that have taken place.
These two key events have varying levels of difficulty to explain. So, let’s start with the easy one.
James Harden hurt his foot and is out for a month. Joel Embiid has also been struggling with injuries. The 76ers seem really down.
Now onto a harder one.
What is at the root of the latest Kyrie Controversy
Kyrie Irving has many views that are outside of mainstream thinking. That is important in the anti-Semitism conversation because his past actions seem to dictate public response. He has discussed in the media his belief that the earth is flat; he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and was very public about that. Now he has been accused of being an anti-Semite ( having negative beliefs against the Jewish ethno-religious group.) Recently he tweeted support of a film called Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.
Per Kyrie, “whether you want to go watch the film is up to you.” Of course he is right; we all can do things we choose to do. But why this film? Irving discussed that the reason he had initially found interest in the film was the etymology of his name. So he either watched it, or didn’t, and tweeted a link out to the movie. Because of that tweet, he seems to have an ongoing debate with local media in New York and New Jersey about whether he is promoting the film and whether or not that even matters. Ultimately he has been suspended five games by the Nets for his response to his self-made controversy.
Talk to me like I’m in Kindergarten
The film, released in 2018, is based on the 2015 book and teachings of Ronald Dalton Jr. While living in Detroit Ronald experienced a self-proclaimed religious encounter with God, telling him the truth and the real reason why African-Americans in this country have been oppressed through the American Slave system. The aim of his work is to tell us what that is. After having watched the film and read some of the book, I am still confused.
This is where I need to be clear: I’m not 100% sure I understood some of the conspiracies exposed in the film (and even the book). It is filmed documentary style. There are many “flash jumps” and quick cuts throughout the film, lending its style to much more of a music video. But while the way it was filmed matters, what ultimately matters more is the film’s theme and message.
According to “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake up Black America”, Jewish people are a root problem for Black people and Black culture.
The film is available for purchase on Amazon Prime. Irving has used that as justification for the film being reliable and valid in its premise.
Stability = Bucks
So, while Giannis tells Dad jokes and Bucks players go trick or treating, the 76ers continue to struggle with injuries. Meanwhile, the Nets continue to implode, having fired their coach, suspended one of their top players and seemed to be locked in a belief that the presence of secret societies exists and we all are lying to people of color and to underrepresented groups.
At this point of the young NBA season, it really seems like the Eastern Conference will come down to the Bucks, the Celtics and the Cavaliers.
The best ability this team may have is stability.
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