ralsaph (4-4)

Wanna know why young people are livid? Imagine they froze the NBA draft… no Wemby, no Cooper Flagg, no Caleb Wilson, Peterson, Boozer etc. Those guys can’t find an NBA job. Can’t get an interview. Can’t get past AI screening. “Not enough experience.” “We hired Bronny James.” “Andre Drummond went to college and has 12 years experience. Sorry Wemby.” The 20 years of life’s work… the promises of a meritocracy that rewards hard work and aptitude… an illusion. Wemby’s working a construction gig and 3 other jobs to make ends meet. Wondering why he can’t have the trajectory of Wilt, Kareem, etc… who he knows he’s every bit capable. Andre Drummond gets richer and richer, while Wemby is out here with Ballsacksports on the line as a cook. Ballsacksports says, “You’re better than all these guys.” Wemby knocks his head on the heat lamp, sweating profusely, sweat glistening on his beautiful forehead, and says, “I dropped 232 in a pro-am league yesterday after my 16 hour shift, but Rob Pelinka thinks there’s no proof that I’m not just another Thon Maker…. Says he wants eight years experience.” Cooper Flagg joins the shift. Came in on his bike to work his 6th double of the week. Says he stays off social media. Kyle Kuzma tweeted “just work harder like Drummond and I did, the economy is not that bad.” Yaxel gets ready to clock out. Takes off his apron. Shouts to Wemby, “why don’t we just start promoting gambling and prediction markets? All the rich NBA guys do it.” Wemby responds, “That’s unethical. It’s damaging to the youth.” Yaxel retorts, “but it’s easy money. We’re out here doing productive jobs for society. We can’t afford health insurance, housing, rent, groceries… we can’t afford life, and yet we’re working 60 hours a week. My physical and mental health are in the gutter. I’ve got 120k in student loans.” Wemby takes a deep breath…. Sweat still glistening on his beautiful forehead. He pauses, and says, “We’ll find a way… but we won’t go that way. We must not give up the good fight, even if it costs us the little comfort we could have.”