https://youtu.be/4Zeo8AAWmMk
Since I entered semi-retirement roughly half a year ago, I have been very choosy with the performances I upload to my channel on a given day. My minimum point threshold (MPT) is considerably higher than it has been in the past. In fact, by my rough estimate, my current MPT is somewhere between fifteen and sixteen points, whereas in the past, my MPT as low as nine, with certain exceptions going even lower than nine (Greg Oden scoring six in his NBA return, for example).
The mathematically-inclined of my viewership will note that Ignas Brazdeikis’ total of fourteen points is less than my current MPT. That is because I have granted an exception to Mr. Brazdeikis owing to the exceptional nature of this scoring performance, and the fact that he is Lithuanian, which means I have to upload his videos if I want those sweet sweet Lithuanian views on my channel (Jonas Valanciunas was banished some time ago, and Deividas Sirvydis isn’t really doing much these days). It’s somewhat embarrassing to admit, but all my rigidly-applied rules for the conducting of DTB channel business get thrown straight into the trash as soon as the possibility arises of uploading videos involving Euros. Just straight into the trash.
Brazdeikis (who I have taken to calling “The Wizard of Braz” or, if I’m feeling feisty, “Brazzers”) hasn’t had a very notable career up to this point. He started out with the Knicks, but only scored nineteen points for them total across parts of two seasons. His time in Philly was even less notable, appearing in one game for eight minutes and scoring no points. But now he has nearly eclipsed his career scoring output to date in this single game with the Magic, which is notable as heck, TBH be honest. Since the Magic don’t care about winning games anymore, and, in fact, don’t really have any individual players who deserve to be prioritized in the offense, this is the perfect chance for Brazzers to solidify his spot in the league.
Will he still be back in Europe next year? Probably, but if he can get a twenty-burger in the NBA before that happens, I would be the happiest man in the world. Well, maybe not quite as happy as his thousands of adoring fans from Lithuania, but close.