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What Had Happened Was

What Had Happened Was: 5/26/16

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    Raptors Cavaliers Basketball
    Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry watches during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Wednesday, May 25, 2016, in Cleveland. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP
    By Ryan Cortes Rhiannon Walker Kofie Yeboah

    GAME. BLOUSES.

    Was that a basketball game or just a another back-alley beatdown? Yeesh.

    A day after headlines and talk shows were asking the question — Should the Cleveland Cavaliers be worried with the series tied 2-2? — LeBron James answered back with two words: Nah, bruh. Cleveland led by as many as 43 (!) Wednesday night and the 31-point margin after the second quarter marked the largest halftime lead in conference finals history.
    Let’s be real here: The game was a tough watch, so huge props to Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Mike Breen for keeping the broadcast call interesting. The trio discussed the best television shows of all time, Ernie Johnson giving Charles Barkley that work in a 3-point contest, and even whether the Philadelphia 76ers might still be playing right now if they had James. Also, they were honest:

    SOCIAL STATUS

    With apologies to Canada on the front end, we’re just going to leave these right here.

    BLESSINGS!

    * Cue “My Boo” by Ghost Town DJ’s *

    The University of Maryland-College Park community sat on pins and needles as it awaited word of what two-year starter Melo Trimble would decide to do. Would he stay for his junior season or would he go to the NBA draft?

    Well near the 22nd hour, word came down that he decided to stay. Trimble is the face of the Terrapins’ program and led the team in scoring (14.8 points per game), assists (4.9), free throw percentage (.868) and steals (44). Maryland looks to have a solid backcourt with Trimble, Dion Wiley returning from injury, Jaylen Brantley and incoming freshman Anthony Cowan.

    Kofie and Rhiannon may have to partake in the Running Man Challenge — it’s only right.

    TRYING TO CATCH THAT FADE?

    Y’all remember Rougned Odor, right? The man with the furious fists.

    Well, despite giving Jose Bautista fat lips and generating tons of coverage, not much was known about Odor after the fight … other than his past fight(s). Now though, thanks to our ESPN comrade Calvin Watkins, we do know more. Much more.

    Watkins spent time getting to know the player’s family in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where Odor was born, and learned about his upbringing, how he learned the game and why his teammates love him so damn much. Here’s some more from Watkins:

    He learned the game at an early age from two uncles, one of whom played briefly in the big leagues, and a grandfather who played professional ball in his homeland. One uncle, Rouglas Odor, is the hitting coach for the Columbus Clippers, the Cleveland Indians Triple-A affiliate. His other uncle, Eddie Zambrano, played with the Chicago Cubs in the early 1990s and minor league ball with Banister in the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ farm system.

    “I’ve always been like that, even when I was a little kid,” Odor said. “My dad always told me and my uncles to play hard all the time, respect your teammates and play hard. That’s what I do.”

    FOR THE CULTURE

    TOP THREE TWEETS

    Every morning we’ll hit you here with the best of what we saw on social media the previous night. Why? Why not?

    1. OH MY GOD!

    2. BARBER CHRONICLES

    3. ALLS MY LIFE…

    #ICYMI

    Before there was social media, folks had to write op-eds and give public speeches to challenge one another’s points of view. And that’s exactly what our own Justin Tinsley chronicled in his document of the war of words between MLB Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson and civil rights leader Malcolm X.

    “I disagreed with Malcolm vigorously in many areas during his earlier days, but I certainly agreed with him when he said, ‘Don’t tell me about progress the black man has made. You don’t stick a knife 10 inches in my back, pull it out three or four, then tell me I’m making progress.’ ” – Jackie Robinson

    PICTURE PERFECT

    Ryan Cortes is a staff writer for The Undefeated. Lemon pepper his wings.

    Rhiannon Walker is an associate editor at The Undefeated. She is a drinker of Sassy Cow Creamery chocolate milk, an owner of an extensive Disney VHS collection, and she might have a heart attack if Frank Ocean doesn't drop his second album.

    Kofie Yeboah asks for Sweet Tea at every restaurant and recites approximately 2.5 Spongebob lines per hour.

    This Story Tagged: 2016 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James Toronto Raptors What Had Happened Was