We read or watched stories related to the NBA Finals, the billionaires who charter jets to the games, Spike Lee, University GenAI, Contagion, Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White, Castaway, The Bourne Ultimatum, Yellowstone, and the new Obama Library in Chicago.
Stories Bill Read or Watched the Week of June 1, 2026…
NBA Story: “2026 NBA Finals: Storylines, Matchups that will define Knicks-Spurs”
- By Zach Kram, ESPN, click here.
Now that the Knicks are up two games to zero and heading home, how can I apply what Zach wrote to what’s happened:
- These two teams played in the finals in 1999. Average final score back then was 85-80.
- Jalen’s Brunson’s dad played for the Knicks then. Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson was in middle school.
- Knicks were better head to head during regular season and NBA Cup and now they are again.
- KAT has done most of the defending on Wemby and he’s doing great. KAT has attacked Wemby on offense and took it right at him. Players have attacked Wemby in a way I didn’t think was possible.
- Thought was Wemby might roam and Hart might have a lot of open shots. Hart had a big rebounding game in game 1 and his minutes were way down to 18 in game two. Shamet has played those minutes and hit enough threes.
- Spurs won Wemby minutes by 6 last game.
- Spurs won by 12 when Harper played.
- Some of these stats come from Basketball Reference, a great site that I am not a pro at using. Click here to access.
Do you remember your NBA Finals pick?
- I think you said Spurs in six and I said Knicks in seven.
- ESPN writer Zach Kram said Spurs in Six.
Wemby is Going Down by Spike Lee
From the Spike Lee Article:
- Since that 1999 series, a lot of terrible things happened to New York: 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, the pandemic and the recent ICE raids targeting immigrants, a direct affront to Ellis Island.
- I dreamed a vision that it’s going to happen in Madison Square Garden. I don’t believe that the basketball gods are going to let us win the deciding game in San Antonio. By the decree of God, Jehovah, Allah and Black Jesus (that was Earl “The Pearl” Monroe’s nickname), whatever you want to call it, on this day, June 16 in the year of our Lawd 2026, the New Yawk Knickerbockers will defeat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 at da world’s most famous arena to win the N.B.A. championship. New York is Fun City again.
“Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White say all is good while Downplaying Sideline Spat Video”
- By Michael Marot on AP news click here.
- I watched a good win over ATL and Angel Reese. White and Clark looked good.
- Fever did lose to NY 83-75.
- Fever are in last playoff spot, 8th. Lynx are on top without Collier. Wings are 4th. Valkyries and Fire are in 6th and 7th.
Castaway the screenplay by William Broyles JR.
- You can get the script on Script Slug here.
- I’m writing Hurricane Drive about our drive home from dad’s funeral to Boone during Hurricane Helene. I wanted to look at how Boryles handled all of that no dialogue time. (Wilson the volleyball and mom with dementia).
- Came out in 2000.
- Zemeckis directed and he directed Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Contact, and The Polar Express.
- Broyles wrote Apollo 13, The Polar Express, and Jarhead. (he’s 81).
The Bourne Ultimatum starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass. 2007
- I own all the Bourne movies. I watch them running on the treadmill.
- This is the third one, in 2007. (Damon wasn’t in the 4th one).
- Has that Waterloo Train Station scene early with the reporter that is killed by the CIA.
- Has Julia Stiles, who you said you liked.
- The “I doubt that” comment. “We’d be having this conversation face to face.”
- Awesome ending where Bourne starts swimming in the river, and we know he’s alive.
Yellowstone on Peacock starring Kevin Costner
- Written by Taylor Sheridan who lived in rural Texas and Wyoming.
- This is set in Montana.
- Jeez: inspired two prequels and spin offs Marshals and Dutton Ranch.
- 5 seasons
- The first season has two big stories: Costner’s kid has married a Native American and lives on the reservation. The ranch and the tribe are arguing over cattle and property lines. Also, there’s a guy who wants to build a big condo development.
“Obama Center’s Two Sides: A Lovely Park and a Forbidding Tower” by Michael Kimmelman.
- 850 million dollars in private fundraising. Write is negative about outside appearance, “Obamalisk.”
- Complimentary of the grounds and inside
- https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/arts/design/obama-presidential-center-library-chicago.html
Stories Anne Read or Watched the Week of June 1, 2026
Whatever NBA finals article you read here. (prob wait until after first two games?
- “The Billionaires Booking Private Jets to See The Knicks” by Adriane Quinlan in Curbed
Delta Sky 360 club (ca. 150 people) or Suite 200
Spike and Ben Stiller pay for their tickets
San Antonio the city
- Went overextends – compounding an error by trying to make a great play to make up your error
- https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7337180/2026/06/06/victor-wembanyama-nba-finals-game-2-mistakes/?redirected=1
- A University System Went All in on AI Now Its Tearing Itself Apart by Linda Kinstler in NY Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/magazine/ai-university-college-california.html
Highlights that we just don’t know what future is. Fear loss of job, critical writing and thinking skills.
- Contagion – kind of ho hum since we lived thru it? On Max
- National Treasure – old throwback, it was fine On Prime
- Tuned – pretty good about a piano tuner / safe cracker. Leo Woodhall, Dustin Hoffman
Some of the writers on X: @zachkram @AdrianeQ @lindakinstler
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