05/15/23 ARE YOU KIDDING, JA? – Radically Rational

05/15/23 ARE YOU KIDDING, JA?

At first, I thought some Sunday staffer at ESPN had accidentally re-aired an old story. But, no, turns out Ja Morant really is that much of an idiot. Are you kidding? Again? That dude appears to have a problem with guns, videos, social media and Saturday nights.

Doc Rivers says he intends to return as the Sixers’ coach next season. Sorry, buddy, this isn’t going to have one thing to do with your intentions. Rivers is a good coach. But he’s lost ten Game Sevens, which if you’re keeping track is twice as many as any other coach in NBA history. Optics.

Dang, Jayson Tatum! Fifty-one? As well as 13 boards? Now it’s on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the C’s, who will face the Miami Heat for the second straight year.

I consider perseverance to be the master virtue, the one from which all others flow. Veteran defensive end Shane Ray is back in the NFL for the first time since 2019 after signing with the Bills. Ray was a stud with the Broncos until a series of injuries and surgeries interrupted his NFL career. Now he’s back. Perseverance.

That goes for golfer Jason Day, too, who won the Byron Nelson Sunday to post his first tour victory in five years. Day has battled through injuries, illnesses and the death of his mom. His final round nine-under-par 62 was a statement.

Yes, I love watching college softball, especially the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Love it. Au Jus is the top seed. That probably has something to do with the Sooners’ 51-1 season record.

The ‘Stros took two out of three from the White Sox in Chicago. Young blood was the fuel for Sunday’s victory, as Yainer Diaz hit his first MLB homer and rookie pitcher Hunter Brown upped his record to 4-1, allowing three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings while fanning eight. Now the Astros just head to Chicago’s north side to face the Cubs.

You know who could get pretty good pretty quick? Your Houston Texans. More on Tuesday.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.