Liverpool are essentially playing the same shape, but with Origi playing more of a true nine in place of Firmino’s false nine, resulting in more gaps and vulnerabilities, forcing the midfield to work a lot harder, which results in more difficulties for this young defense.

Things aren’t looking great so far for Liverpool against Atalanta through the first twenty minutes. With basically three new defenders on the pitch for LFC, Fabinho needs to be out there as support from the midfield.

With Mank hitting Netflix soon, I figured it’s about time I finally give Citizen Kane a go…

Jota has been absolutely brilliant for Liverpool. And not just the goal scoring, but he has brought a fire that they’ve missed since basically securing the PL before project restart last year. There’s also nothing better than a Firmino goal for Liverpool.

Since I’ve been in Seattle, I’ve seen what I assume are three different people woodworking in random places. One just outside my apt building, one across the street, and one on the median in the middle of a major street.

Not feeling great about Liverpool’s chances against Leicester City today given everyone that’s out…

I was super stoked for the Memphis Grizzlies draft until I realized they traded up and actually got Tillman instead of Woodard. Woodard was on my long list for the Bulls, a solid 3 and D wing with size. Tillman will be a good backup at the 5, but Ja, Bane, JJJ, Justice, Clarke, and Woodard would be a great six guys to have. Defense, shooting, size, the whole nine across the board.

I like (don’t love) Patrick Williams at 4. He was on my long list, but behind his teammate Devin Vassell and Saddiq Bey.

I guess the good news from the 4D chess playing wizard Sam Presti, is that basketball survives to 2050. No idea about the US, the world, or the climate though. They may all be playing basketball in a Mad Max: Fury Road world.

Sam Presti is a wizard from the year 2050 playing 4D chess right now in order to secure all draft picks when he returns to his native year.

If the Bulls trade Wendell Carter Jr. and the fourth pick to move up to the second pick in order to draft James Wiseman I am going to go crazy. I thought we got rid of Gar/Pax?!?!? What is happening…?!?!? Bulls should be trading down, if anything.

The best and worst thing about being on the west coast so far is pacific time. US sports start so much earlier and it’s lovely not to have to wait between the end of the day and start times. European sports start waaaaaay too early though, which makes it really tough to watch.

And then if the Bulls could swing Hield for LaVine, you have Coby, Buddy, Vassell, Lauri, and Wendell as a your five for the future. Plus Gafford and Dunn off the bench. I think The 2 spot still ends up being the one spot you look to upgrade to be a serious top 4 seed.

Vassell would slot in wonderfully at the 3, with my assumption being Porter Jr. isn’t long for this team. He’d be the best defender on day one, and while he has a slight overhead shot-put to his shot, the tools are there with a slight adjustment to be a great shooter.

After watching some film, I’ve settled on Devin Vassell for the Bulls to take with the fourth pick in the draft. I really hope they don’t trade up, and if anything, trade down where Vassell might still be available.

We have a bed!

The Ringer/Grantland have done a great job of finding unique voices, the most recent being J. Kyle Mann, IMO, but I never feel like they really have the space to do their thing without constraints or being muddled by other posts.

I haven’t read anything on The Ringer basically all year, but I’d kill for a Jason Concepcion, Rembert Browne, Wesley Morris, Lindsey Zoladz, Danny Chau, Shea Serrano paid blog/Substack/Patreon publication.

Mac Mini!!!

When Great Notion opens their taproom in Ballard I’m going to go poor (and probably destroy my liver). Had a couple of their sours from Georgetown and they are out of this world. Only had one IPA and it comes nowhere close to Hop Butcher, but I’m willing to keep an open mind.

Well I guess real life starts again tomorrow. The drive to Seattle was beautiful, the getting settled part was a bit rough, mostly because the movers still haven’t shown up and we are going on night number two of sleeping on the floor.

That moment you realize you can’t watch the Bears on local TV anymore… and then the next moment when you realize you get to watch a real QB during the local game.