Quick Thinking: Game Theory

So I'm playing basketball again. And, admittedly, that statement in and of itself is certainly not newsworthy. I mean, the NBA draft was weeks ago. 

I missed my window.

What is newsworthy, however, was the immediate feeling my 40-something self recognized so quickly after lacing up a pair of high-tops for the first time in 7 years and trying to compete with the 20-something crowd: I'm too old to play.

There, I said it.

My wits on the court are still fully intact, of course. With the exception of some instances where my competitive fire trumped sound decision making, I've always been a "high basketball IQ" guy...a thinker. 

[SIDE NOTE: START]

Outthinking the competition started at a very young age for me. I couldn't match the physicality of my older brothers and their friends when I was younger (and undersized), so outthinking them was my only chance to be effective. 

Battling older friends and family as an undersized youth is also where I developed that chip on my shoulder and my sharp tongue, but that's another story for another time.

[SIDE NOTE: END]

The sad reality is this 6'4" frame isn't athletic enough to contribute effectively anymore. Not even close. Some may find this hard to believe, but my first-step quickness, athleticism, and jumping ability were a big part of my game -- a BIG part -- and their absence has made my margin for error too small. 

Luckily, the vivid memories of being faster than most of my competition or being able to easily dunk a basketball don't cloud my thinking to overcome the current reality that I can't do either anymore. They simply serve as a healthy reminder that any thoughts of the past live exactly where they need to: in the past. After all, Father Time is one competitor I can't outthink.

Mother Earth, on the other hand...

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Quick Thinking
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-- Big ups to HBO for being innovative (read: pretending to be Netflix) and releasing every episode of The Defiant Ones on their streaming services HBO GO & HBO NOW.

-- The 4-part series, chronicling the careers and relationship between Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine and how they sold Beats by Dre to Apple, Inc. for 3 billion dollars, is worth the watch.

-- And as binge-worthy as it gets.

-- The best song you don't know about right now is Gettin' Old by 6LACK. 

-- R.LUM.R's Frustrated is a close second.

-- The toughest part about getting older is the whole getting wiser that comes along with it.

-- Trust me.

-- Of the two, I'd take my youthful ignorance over my youthful body any day.

-- You know, because Viagra.

-- Speaking of Viagra, Wild Thoughts, Rihanna's latest collaboration with DJ Khaled, will undoubtedly be the jam of Summer 2017.

-- Doesn't hurt that it samples Maria Maria, one Santana's best from Supernatural.

-- The accompanying video also solidifies Rihanna as the sexiest woman in show business right now.

-- Not to be mistaken with the most beautiful one, of course.

-- Who is obviously Gail Gadot.

-- Try and disagree. 

-- I dare you.



-- Wonder Woman, indeed.