Lacey Holsworth and Adreian Payne are cutting down the nets in heaven. That, I am sure.
I was shocked when I opened my computer this afternoon and read that former Michigan State standout Adreian Payne has died at the age of 31. According to a statement from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, Payne died in a shooting early Monday morning. Like so many basketball fans, I enjoyed watching Payne develop as a player and leader on the court. He was a player that you couldn’t help but root for to be successful. Even when they were playing Michigan, I wanted Payne to have a good game. He played with a passion for the game and for his teammates. Once again, violence takes a young man way too early.
Beyond that, he will long be remembered by Spartan fans for his kind heart, as his friendship and genuine bond with Lacey Holsworth touched the nation.” Payne’s friendship with Holsworth captured the attention and hearts of the basketball world in 2014. The 8-year-old Holsworth was suffering from cancer and had become close with Payne after the team had visited her during a hospital stay. Their friendship was followed closely throughout Payne’s senior season — a feature on the Big Ten Network revealed the bond the two had — and he carried Lacey onto the Breslin Center court on Senior Day. Holsworth died on April 8 of 2014, just weeks after Michigan State’s season ended and two months before Payne became a first-round pick in the NBA Draft. SEE MY VIDEO OF THE DAY. IT IS WORTH EVERY MINUTE. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT NEITHER LACEY OR ADREIAN ARE NO LONGER WITH US.
I am still trying to make sense of U of M’s Comeback Commencement which occurred on Saturday May 7 with Dr. Anthony Fauci the commencement speaker. It was appropriate for Fauci to be the speaker because Covid-19 took away the opportunity for the graduates to walk down the aisle, get their diploma, and have pictures with family and friends. According to the reports, approximately 4,000 graduates came back for the ceremony. It was great for Ann Arbor business as it helped make up for some of the revenue they lost with the last two ceremonies being cancelled. To me, it says something about our society that feels the need to make sure no one loses out on some pomp and circumstance when they are thrown a curveball. Furthermore, what does it say about the graduates who felt a need to comeback two years later so they could get their 10 minutes of fame. I guess I am just getting old.
I had a friend tell me this week that if Trump was still in the White House, Putin would never have invaded Ukraine. When I asked why, he said because Putin knows the current president is soft and doesn’t have the strength to stand up to Putin. I then asked another friend if he thought it was true that Putin wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine if Trump was still in the White House. He responded that absolutely Putin would not have invaded Ukraine because he would have been hesitant of Trump and how he would react. I guess I am blind to the power of Trump.
Last year at about this time, I talked about how pitiful the Detroit Tigers were as only a few players were hitting above the Mendoza Line (a batting average of .200). This year’s team is not any better as there are currently five regular players at or below the Mendoza Line. The team is ranked 13 out of 15 teams in hitting in the American League. Unlike last year’s team, this team has solid pitching. The team is ranked 6 out of 15 teams. I know that Tiger fans are frustrated, but I am confident that water always goes to level and this team is much better than last years team. Look for the hitting to pick up while the pitching will remain somewhat close to where it is. There are still 135 games left so there is plenty of time to right the ship. If it doesn’t look for the hitting coaches to be fired sooner rather than later.
Pray for peace and tolerance. What are you doing to stop the violence? Get vaccinated and get your booster.
Quote of the Day: “Adreian was loved by his teammates and coaches, who respected his development as a player and a person. He came to Michigan State with a ton of raw talent and put in the work to reach his goal of becoming an NBA player.” MSU men’s basketball coach, Tom Izzo
Orchid of the Day: Adreian Payne for the passion you showed on the court, and the love you showed for Lacey Holsworth. The pictures of the two of you are priceless and should be a lesson to all.
Onion of the Day: The person who shot and killed Adreian Payne
Questions of the Day: What are you doing to stop the violence? How many more young lives are going to be lost before we get mad and get serious?
Video/Song of the Day: Lacey and Adreian
With reference to the comments about Trump and Putin, you’re NOT the one who’s blind. Ask President Zelensky.
The story of Adreian and Lacey should give us hope even in these tumultuous times. The story of Adreian’s death let’s know there is much work to do IF we are ever willing.
Sharon,
Thanx so much for your comment. It is scary how many educated people are drinking the Trump Kool-aid. The story of Adreian and Lacey shows what can happen when two people who have nothing in common, can come together and love each other for who they are. It breaks my heart that neither are now longer with us.
Biggs