The basketball star of the NBA Golden State Warriors did it again: broke and set a new record. He has been MVP now for 2 seasons in a row, raising the bar for all the NBA players. His scoring ability has transformed the game and the entire mindset of game theory and practice. How does a team defend against a player who can score from almost anywhere, literally, on the court? He has so many options available that even the most astute defender can be a victim of his immense talent(s).
In a game last week, Mr. Curry did not score a 3-point goal, breaking a streak that extended for over 100 games. The very next game, he scores 13 3-point goals, setting a new single game record. He was relentless during the game, scoring almost at will from all over the court. He is an absolute joy to watch as he dances around defenders who have the misfortune to draw him as their target. He catches the defenders unawares by a pattern of moves and fake steps that leave the defender in the dust. The poor defenders play catchup, hoping against hope that they do not look awkward and confused; but that becomes the usual outcome.
After the record-breaking basket, Mr. Curry did a strut-walk that marked his effort, the walk more pride than taunt. His winning smile dotted the performance as the crowd rose to its feet to help him celebrate the event. Warriors' fans take great pride in the efforts of Stephen Curry, the Michael Jordan of this era.
Last night, the Warriors played the San Antonio Spurs at home and fans were treated to the spectacle of the the Curry brothers playing against each other. Seth Curry plays for the Spurs, and, while he looks similar, he is not Steph by any stretch.
Enjoy the season; about 70 games to go.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Turkey: Erdogan Takes it to the Next Level
Turkey appears to be ready to go off the rails any minute. The Prime Minister, Mr. Erdogan, seems to be carrying out a policy of repression to thwart any more efforts to redirect his administration toward a functional democracy. His actions have been duly noted in Brussels and in Moskova. Internal tensions have been exacerbated by recent arrests and a takeover of the country's largest independent newspaper. Such actions spell trouble for the citizenry at a time when the 5+ year old war in neighboring Syria reaches critical mass. The siege of Aleppo has dragged on for months with no end it sight.
Mr. Erdogan appears to be indifferent to criticism from his European allies or former allies. EU leaders have called for a review of all agreements with Turkey. This recent spate of arrests and takeovers is shocking in the eyes of experienced observers. Is this the beginning of a long slide into an Islamist state? Will secularism be sent packing into oblivion?
The silencing of opposition news organizations is a chilling habit of dictators and repressive governments. The arrests of thousands of intellectuals and teachers is another blow to the country. Many thousands of teachers have lost their jobs since the "coup" was put down. This action is always reported as necessary for the security and stability of a country's situation. The Western European countries who had considered Turkey for EU membership are now calling for review, if not outright denial. Mrs. Merkel of Germany is in a tight spot: she has made an agreement with Turkey to have migrants from Syria and other Middle East nations stopped in Turkey, short of their goal of Western Europe. A package of financial assistance was agreed to as part of the deal. Now what?
A vocal minority could be Erdogan's key to success, or, it could be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Before the year is out, the end game should come into view. Clarity will improve after the elections in the USA on Tuesday, November 8.
Mr. Erdogan appears to be indifferent to criticism from his European allies or former allies. EU leaders have called for a review of all agreements with Turkey. This recent spate of arrests and takeovers is shocking in the eyes of experienced observers. Is this the beginning of a long slide into an Islamist state? Will secularism be sent packing into oblivion?
The silencing of opposition news organizations is a chilling habit of dictators and repressive governments. The arrests of thousands of intellectuals and teachers is another blow to the country. Many thousands of teachers have lost their jobs since the "coup" was put down. This action is always reported as necessary for the security and stability of a country's situation. The Western European countries who had considered Turkey for EU membership are now calling for review, if not outright denial. Mrs. Merkel of Germany is in a tight spot: she has made an agreement with Turkey to have migrants from Syria and other Middle East nations stopped in Turkey, short of their goal of Western Europe. A package of financial assistance was agreed to as part of the deal. Now what?
A vocal minority could be Erdogan's key to success, or, it could be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Before the year is out, the end game should come into view. Clarity will improve after the elections in the USA on Tuesday, November 8.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Game 7 2016: the Greatest Game 7 Ever?
The pundits will be rehashing the play-by-play for a generation. The merry-go-round of players, especially pitchers, will provide fodder for columnists for years to come. Watching that contest was to watch history in the making. 108 years of waiting kept fans glued to their seats and their TVs.
Many predicted that the outcome was a tossup. But a come from behind catch-up, a rain delay at a critical juncture? Nobody knows how it affected the end results. But, as Cub player Jason Heyward said in a team meeting he called during the delay, " we solidified our position to stay on point and go out and do what we came to do:win".
So, fate played a role: a storm cell descended over the park and the game was stopped until the rain moved on. It was only a matter of minutes, but it gave the Cubs a chance to regroup and absorb the new task ahead as the game went into the 10th inning. Orvoldis Chapman, the ace reliever, was done; he would not be part of the game now. But he got credit for the win. Two more bullpen relievers would face the Indians in the bottom of the 10th after the Cubs took a 2-run lead. Joe Maddon kept his stoic appearance as his decision looked suspect at first, then brilliant at the end.
Ben Zobrist, the veteran, was named MVP of the Series. His clutch hit in the 10th made the difference. He'll always be Chicago's hero of heroes until he's gone from the world we all live in.
Many predicted that the outcome was a tossup. But a come from behind catch-up, a rain delay at a critical juncture? Nobody knows how it affected the end results. But, as Cub player Jason Heyward said in a team meeting he called during the delay, " we solidified our position to stay on point and go out and do what we came to do:win".
So, fate played a role: a storm cell descended over the park and the game was stopped until the rain moved on. It was only a matter of minutes, but it gave the Cubs a chance to regroup and absorb the new task ahead as the game went into the 10th inning. Orvoldis Chapman, the ace reliever, was done; he would not be part of the game now. But he got credit for the win. Two more bullpen relievers would face the Indians in the bottom of the 10th after the Cubs took a 2-run lead. Joe Maddon kept his stoic appearance as his decision looked suspect at first, then brilliant at the end.
Ben Zobrist, the veteran, was named MVP of the Series. His clutch hit in the 10th made the difference. He'll always be Chicago's hero of heroes until he's gone from the world we all live in.
Aluminum: An Attractive Metal- to China
Americans, among others, have been used to aluminum in the environment for generations via the ubiquitous soft drink can. The vessel found its way around the world filled with Coca Cola and its many imitators. It gave rise to the recycling business, creating armies of entrepeneurs who scour the landscape with it s trash containers brimming with empties. Aluminum smelters/refiners were cranking out tons of the lightweight metal to satisfy the demands. Bauxite miners bought new carriers and ever larger rigs to extract the ore to feed the smelters. All of this activity caught the wandering eye of the Chinese government whose leaders saw opportunity. Enter Chinese aluminum product.
Since the year 2000, 15 of 21 American aluminum smelters have shut down, displacing over 5000 workers in the eastern US. The remainder sites are in jeopardy. The prices of Chinese imported aluminum product directly led to these closures. Now a Chinese company wants to directly takeover a US company that produces here at home: Aleris Corp., based in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Indians and LeBron's Cavaliers. 12 U.S. senators have sent a letter to the Obama administration asking to halt this acquisition. The company, Zhongwang USA LLC offered the highest price ever for a US metals company. Liu Zhongtian, who controls the company, is founder and chairman of Chinese aluminum giant China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd. The letter sent was addressed to to Secretary Jacob Lew sighting the effect of certain defense-related aluminum products. It has been a topic of concern when it was revealed 2 months ago that Mr. Liu was routing Chinese aluminum product through Mexico to avoid US import quotas and tariffs, given Mexico's trade status.
Apparently, Mr. Liu thinks the investment in a domestic facility will make his entry into the American market legitimate. Hmmmm. Is this the country that is trying to intimidate the Phillipine Islands into submission in the South China Sea? Is this the same China that is rousting political opponents in Hong Kong who espouse more independence? Is this the same China that harasses Tibets on all issues? Is this the same China that chases Muslims from their homes in the far western provinces? Is this the same China that looks away from its client state of North Korea when the porky madman at the helm test fires another missile into the Sea of Japan? Why, I believe it is.
Concurrently, Germany is also dealing with a Chinese attempt to score a significant asset in that country: chip maker Aixtron. Germany has withdrawn its approval of the purchase, sighting the issue of defense contracts and industrial secrets. Chinese officials then criticized the move as "detrimental" to China/Germany trade agreements.
Nice try, Mr. Liu.
Since the year 2000, 15 of 21 American aluminum smelters have shut down, displacing over 5000 workers in the eastern US. The remainder sites are in jeopardy. The prices of Chinese imported aluminum product directly led to these closures. Now a Chinese company wants to directly takeover a US company that produces here at home: Aleris Corp., based in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Indians and LeBron's Cavaliers. 12 U.S. senators have sent a letter to the Obama administration asking to halt this acquisition. The company, Zhongwang USA LLC offered the highest price ever for a US metals company. Liu Zhongtian, who controls the company, is founder and chairman of Chinese aluminum giant China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd. The letter sent was addressed to to Secretary Jacob Lew sighting the effect of certain defense-related aluminum products. It has been a topic of concern when it was revealed 2 months ago that Mr. Liu was routing Chinese aluminum product through Mexico to avoid US import quotas and tariffs, given Mexico's trade status.
Apparently, Mr. Liu thinks the investment in a domestic facility will make his entry into the American market legitimate. Hmmmm. Is this the country that is trying to intimidate the Phillipine Islands into submission in the South China Sea? Is this the same China that is rousting political opponents in Hong Kong who espouse more independence? Is this the same China that harasses Tibets on all issues? Is this the same China that chases Muslims from their homes in the far western provinces? Is this the same China that looks away from its client state of North Korea when the porky madman at the helm test fires another missile into the Sea of Japan? Why, I believe it is.
Concurrently, Germany is also dealing with a Chinese attempt to score a significant asset in that country: chip maker Aixtron. Germany has withdrawn its approval of the purchase, sighting the issue of defense contracts and industrial secrets. Chinese officials then criticized the move as "detrimental" to China/Germany trade agreements.
Nice try, Mr. Liu.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Stephan Crane, American Author: Happy Birthday
"The cold passed reluctantly from earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting. As the landscape changed from brown to green, the army awakened, and began to tremble with eagerness at the noise of rumors. It cast its eyes upon the roads, which were growing from long troughs of liquid mud to proper thoroughfares. A river, amber-tinted in the shadow of its banks, purled at the army's feet; and at night, when the stream had become of a sorrowful blackness, one could see across it the red, eye-like gleam of hostile campfires set in the low brows of the distant hills."
The opening line of the classic novel, The Red Badge of Courage. (1895). Stephen Crane was born in Newark in 1871, 5 years after the end of the American Civil War, on November 1st. This tale of redemption of a soldier struck a cord with readers, especially among Civil War veterans, some of whom claimed to have served with the lad. He was 24 years old when he wrote it. Henry Fleming, the character, was the embodiment of the foot soldier stuck in a conflict he did not fathom with people he did not know, in places he had never been. Welcome to war.
The opening line of the classic novel, The Red Badge of Courage. (1895). Stephen Crane was born in Newark in 1871, 5 years after the end of the American Civil War, on November 1st. This tale of redemption of a soldier struck a cord with readers, especially among Civil War veterans, some of whom claimed to have served with the lad. He was 24 years old when he wrote it. Henry Fleming, the character, was the embodiment of the foot soldier stuck in a conflict he did not fathom with people he did not know, in places he had never been. Welcome to war.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
World Series: Game 6 in Books
The Cubs came out swinging-with their bats, that is. It started early in the 1st inning: a couple of hits, a fielding error(misplayed flyball), and aggressive base running. 3-0, Cubs.
A short time later in the 3rd inning, Addison Russell got a hold of a pitch with the bases loaded: GRAND SLAM- Cubs up, 7-0. They were rocking in Chi Town.
Cleveland finally got on the board with a solo shot, and added another, 7-2. Coach Joe madden went to his ace reliever in the 7th inning: 2 pitches, inning over. Chapman pitched the 8th after Rizzo hit a 2 run homer, Cubs 9-2.
Chapman started the 9th and the lead off Indian got a walk. New pitcher. Out No.1. Then out No.2. Then game over.
There will be a game 7 tomorrow: always a thriller. Loser goes home, winner goes home. Season 2016:Over.
Don't miss this game: coaches will hold nothing back. Every chip will be put in the pot: All In.
Edge to Cleveland, the home team. Gut feeling: Cubs, momentum with back-to-back wins after being down 3-1. Energy to Chicago.
A short time later in the 3rd inning, Addison Russell got a hold of a pitch with the bases loaded: GRAND SLAM- Cubs up, 7-0. They were rocking in Chi Town.
Cleveland finally got on the board with a solo shot, and added another, 7-2. Coach Joe madden went to his ace reliever in the 7th inning: 2 pitches, inning over. Chapman pitched the 8th after Rizzo hit a 2 run homer, Cubs 9-2.
Chapman started the 9th and the lead off Indian got a walk. New pitcher. Out No.1. Then out No.2. Then game over.
There will be a game 7 tomorrow: always a thriller. Loser goes home, winner goes home. Season 2016:Over.
Don't miss this game: coaches will hold nothing back. Every chip will be put in the pot: All In.
Edge to Cleveland, the home team. Gut feeling: Cubs, momentum with back-to-back wins after being down 3-1. Energy to Chicago.
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