I love how NBA "fans" take an adversarial position to any team other than their own and can't just enjoy amazing players.

The current story line about OKC and SGA being loved by officials and the NBA is so laughable. The fact is, the Thunder have been on the other side of this so long its hard to even explain.

What I'd first point out objectively to anyone is that NBA refs suck as a whole and generally are inconsistent at best.

Secondly, the officials seem to commonly "blow a call" early in a game to force coaches to use their challenges, which smart coaches do when the situation warrants it. This disarms the coach by taking away their ability to use it later. This happened to both teams last night in the Clippers game - First, the foul on SGA and later, the pass that went out of bounds. Both coaches had to use their challenges fruitlessly.

Finally, the Thunder very rarely finish on the top side of the free throw battle. They are generally in the bottom 5 of teams getting to the line, despite being one of the most drive heavy, mid range game, teams in the entire league. How does that work? I haven't figured it out.

As a closing thought, SGA is generally a good dude. He interacts with kids, signs every autograph he's ever asked to and so far, hasn't ever been in any trouble.

Fans need to swallow the hate and just watch this dude. Just like other greats around the league, he makes NBA ball a ton of fun to watch. Just relax and enjoy greatness. This dude is rare!

I’ve been watching Tesla evolve as a business since the Model S debuted in 2012. My initial thought probably echoed many others: “This will never work.”

I’d first seen the Tesla Roadster—built on the old Lotus Elise platform—on Top Gear. To say I was underwhelmed would be a massive understatement. I couldn’t fathom how anyone could build an electric car with adequate range and the infrastructure to support it. Then Tesla did exactly that.

The Model X began to shift my perspective. Beyond a luxury sedan, Tesla now offered a luxury SUV, appealing to a population that had largely abandoned sedans for bigger vehicles. My opinion evolved as the company continued to grow and innovate. As a tech enthusiast, I started paying closer attention. Cars, charging infrastructure, home energy storage, and software—all from one company. It became clear this wasn’t just an environmentalist gimmick. Tesla was real, and it was changing the world.

Opinions and Misinformation

I followed the flood of articles about EVs on major news outlets like Fox News and CNN. Comments often fixated on range and charge times. Sorting through the facts—and stripping away the emotion tied to the seismic shift EVs represent—became essential.

Conservatives and car enthusiasts frequently criticize EVs for range limitations, an easy target. Charge times are another hot button; gas cars refuel in 3-4 minutes at stations on every corner. Oddly enough, what once repelled conservatives is now a massive draw. Misunderstandings about battery tech and “filling up an EV” persist, with commentary often focusing on edge cases—like road trips requiring hours to charge. But for most people, road trips happen a few times a year at most. Planning a car purchase around something so infrequent always struck me as absurd.

Over time, these criticisms have dwindled. EV adoption, driven primarily by Tesla, has become the norm.

Liberalism and Tesla

From 2012 to 2024, EVs were championed mostly by left-leaning audiences. This fueled resentment among conservatives, with the most extreme declaring, “I’ll never own one of those”—often from older voices. As wild as it sounds, the debate over EVs was never about technical merit; it was political.

That’s why Tesla’s challenges in 2025 feel like complete lunacy to me. The company laid out Master Plans detailing its business strategy and executed them near flawlessly: start with a low-volume, high-priced car for a niche audience, then use the profits to build the next one, and so on. Thanks to Tesla’s efforts, you can’t swing a dead cat in a parking lot without hitting an EV—whether it’s a Kia, a Ford, or a Mercedes-Benz. Tesla forced them into existence.

If you believe EVs benefit the environment, you owe Tesla a huge thanks. Nothing has changed with Tesla in the past year. They’re still making cars—better than ever, with the new Model Y hitting the road and refreshes of the S and X on the horizon.

An American Company

Tesla is the most American of car companies, with every vehicle sold in the U.S. built in California or Texas. But Tesla isn’t just building cars. Its engineers are shaping the future. Cars might ultimately be the least of Tesla’s legacy, given the innovation in robotics, AI, and software.

The Tesla charging network remains the most reliable, and the NACS port is becoming the industry standard, now integrated into more and more vehicles. Essentially, Tesla accomplished what the government couldn’t: it built the infrastructure to make EVs viable.

Conclusion

The attacks on Tesla are beyond insane. People bought cars from a company in good faith, and Tesla provides support not just for its own brand but for others through its Supercharger network. Full Self-Driving technology continues to advance rapidly, promising greater freedom for individuals with disabilities. Plus, Tesla generates massive revenue and delivers immense returns for shareholders—likely including your 401(k).

Damaging Tesla means damaging the United States. The madness must stop. Personal property isn’t fair game for protest. Boycotting a brand—like Bud Light or Target—is fine; that’s always an option. But burning buildings and keying cars? Never acceptable.

Let’s find better ways to express our views and unite for positive change. Attacking American brands and private property isn’t the answer.

Spilling Ink is Always a Challenge

After nearly 40 years in technology, I’ve learned life’s about blending passions and pushing through. Welcome to my Substack, where I’ll share insights that blend books, food, tech, and resilience. I’ll talk about what drives me and hopefully hear what sparks you as well.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi: Celebrating Indie Authors

I’ve been hooked on fantasy and sci-fi since I first first read Raymond E. Feist’s Magician and journeyed into Middle Earth with Tolkien. Over the past decade or so, I’ve become a big fan of indie authors such as Chris Tullbane, Richard Raley and Michael J. Sullivan. I love that creative folks like this have been able to disrupt an entire industry and found an outlet for their work.

Other platforms such as Royal Road have recently caught my attention. There are so many great stories being told, if you just bother to go look for them. Most of them are free to consume, but the authors sure do need our support. Be sure to leave a review if you’re diving into these worlds. If you’ve got a favorite author, highlight them below or chat with me on X!

Foodie Life: A Taste of Joy

Being a foodie keeps me grounded. I love visiting local restaurants where ever I go and will often drive well out of my way for good BBQ or Mexican. Nothing beats a great bowl of gumbo, except maybe a donut. As I’ve traveled for business, I’ve found many local restaurants such as the Steamhouse Lounge in Atlanta or great deep dish pizza in Gilbert, AZ. I can’t wait to find another awesome local venue to add to my list.

Tech Journey: 40 Years of Change

I’ve spent nearly 40 years in tech—starting with my Atari 800xl all the way until now with this crazy AI stuff. I caught computers on fire, installed OS/2 from floppy and lead businesses throughY2K; I’ve seen it all. One lesson? Adaptability is king—whether it’s a new operating systems, cloud migration or a health curveball. I’ve learned tech’s not just about innovation; it’s about solving human problems and helping customers. Got a tech story? Drop it below—I’m all ears.

Conclusion & Call-to-Action

This is me—blending my views of fantasy novels, food, tech, and triumph. I’ll be posting here on cubertnine.substack.com about indie authors, sports, tech insights, and personal wins. Follow me on X (@cubert9) for quick takes, and let’s chat there too. What inspires you to overcome? Let’s start the conversation!