Osaka Sadness and Etc

 As an athlete who's played at the highest level of his sport, I found Naomi Osaka's interview heartbreaking, particularly the part about not being happy with winning, only relieved. Winning tennis no longer makes her happy, she said. Osaka has recently opted out of the last two tour tournaments and chose not to compete in the Olympic games for her country, citing mental health issues. It was very brave of her to share what her problem was. Could she have some back too early for the US Open? I believe her body language on the court proved it even more than the mistakes she would have never made had she been mentally ready and engaged in the game. 

Serena Williams, when asked how she deals with the pressures of professional tennis (the constant attention of media, the demands on one's personal life) she said she had "thick skin." Clearly, Naomi could use a thicker skin. Naomi Osaka's depression and anxiety could have had more to do with her empathy for the suffering in the COVID world around her and her horror over the greedy and power MAD politicians that endanger humanity. Need I mention the environment, the racial divisions, the violence, and the rapidly growing separation between the rich and the poor? Osaka's skin is  not thick enough to withstand such inhumanity. For that, she has lost heart. It will take her time, meditation, love, and support to find her way back to tennis so that she can once again feel the joy of victory. 

Etc:

If Daryl Morey doesn't become more realistic about Ben Simmon's value, he'll wind up out thinking himself. He better ask himself if the 76ers can start the season with this problem still unresolved. Simmons has already said, he's a no show for training camp. 

The Sacramento Kings should take a flyer with Simmons, but only if it requires giving up Heild and Bagley and maybe a first round draft choice down the line. No more. Simmons defense and athletic skills would help to change the defensive culture of the Kings who sorely need to get tons tougher in that category. Not to mention that Simmons at close to 7 feet can run like a deer and finish at the basket. The speed of a Fox Simmons, Davion Mitchell, Terese Haliburton would be impressive and effective. They'd have virtually no consistent 3 pts scoring without Buddy, but at this point in Kings history they need Big D before Big 3

To the PGA, adjust your split screen policy and give a larger screen to the match and a lesser screen to the commercials. Ask yourselves, are you selling products or providing sporting entertainment? 

A lovely little poem for you fly fishermen   by Philip Raisor from his book of poems, Headhunting.  

from Four Legal Weapons.

Before the art comes the hook,
disguise, let's say, as a Wooly Bugger.
I attach a sliver of marabou to the shank
and wrap the hackle feather tighter
than most. Beautiful, yes, but remember:
downstream is the hunger waiting to fry.