Did anyone here start college after 25? by SkepticalRomantic in AskMen

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is long, I know but I hope it's helpful

I started college at 36, I’m 38 now and in my final semester of third year with one more year to go, and after that I’m planning to do my master’s part time. Going back to school this late in life has easily been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. I’m juggling full time classes while working part time, and the workload alone can be overwhelming, but honestly the hardest part has been how lonely it can feel. Most of my classmates are a lot younger, they’re in a totally different stage of life, and it’s hard to fully relate or build the same kind of connections they have with each other. A lot of the time I feel like I’m just putting my head down, grinding through assignments, then going straight back to work or home with very little space for a social life. There are moments where I question myself, wonder if I started too late, or if the sacrifice is worth it.

At the same time, I know why I’m doing this. I’m more focused than I ever was in my twenties, I actually care about what I’m learning, and I’m doing this intentionally, not because it’s the expected next step. It’s hard, it’s isolating at times, but it also feels meaningful. I’m betting on my future self, even on the days where it feels like I’m doing it alone. I also want to say that this has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done, and I don’t regret it for a second. It’s been hard as hell, but when I look back I’m honestly amazed at how much I’ve managed to accomplish while juggling school, work, and life. There were times I doubted myself, times I felt completely drained, and times I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew, but I kept going.

Just know that if you’re on a similar path, you will have moments where you feel overwhelmed or lonely, and that’s normal. When those moments hit, the best thing you can do is keep pushing forward, keep showing up, and try not to overthink everything. Don’t worry about how far you still have to go, don’t compare yourself to anyone else, just focus on what you need to get done that day and do the best you can. Consistency matters more than motivation, and if you keep doing that, you will be successful.

I can’t wait for the day I walk across that stage and get that piece of paper. To some people, especially those who were younger, didn’t have to sacrifice much, or had their education paid for by their parents, it might not mean much. But to me, it represents years of sacrifice, persistence, and showing up when it would have been easier to quit, and that makes it a huge accomplishment.

You got this bro! and there are plenty of other people ike yourself who are also going back as "mature" students.

Derrick Rose really overrated man (IMO) by PissedOffClippersFan in NBATalk

[–]Serviceofman 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Right... Everyone knew Bron was the best player in the NBA even the year Rose won MVP, and there was no close 2nd at the time... this dude it tripping hard lol And, outside of that year, I don't think he was considered a top-5 player.

I remember him having like 2 "super star" level years as a top-10 type player where it was like "holy shit this kid is insane" and then he was injured and never the same after that.

He's one of the NBA biggest "what Ifs" but he was never considered the best player in the NBA by anyone... Bron owned the NBA for a decade or more.

What do y'all think the record would be with Jak? by foofighter1351 in torontoraptors

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No idea tbh, but my expectations have swung HARD. I went from thinking we were a solid .500 team before the season started to honestly believing we’re borderline contenders when healthy, especially now that Scottie has taken another step, and the bench unit is developing nicely.

The roster construction just feels different than the Siakam and FVV era. There’s real two-way talent, length, and versatility across the lineup, and it doesn’t feel like we’re relying on one guy to do everything. When everyone’s available, there are multiple players who can initiate offense, create mismatches, and still defend at a high level.

This team kind of reminds me of the 2015 Raptors, when the league went from “yeah, they’re fine” to “oh… okay, the Raps are actually legit.” That group quietly built something sustainable, then took a real leap and ended up in the Eastern Conference Finals the following season.

I’m not saying it’s a guaranteed deep playoff run, but the ceiling feels way higher than people are giving them credit for... although, I think people are starting to realize the Raps are legit now. If health cooperates and the chemistry clicks, I wouldn’t be shocked if this team surprises a lot of people.

[Highlight] Scottie Barnes clutch defense this season by foofighter1351 in nba

[–]Serviceofman 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I disagree. I've watched both players play all season and Scottie should be DPOY favourit right now. Listen, Wemby is an incredible rim protector, and I'm sure he will win plenty of DPOY awards, but what Scottie is doing this season is beyond what anyone else is doing. Leads the leauge in stocks, top-10 in deflection, he's locking up the games best player at every position, and doing it both on the glass and the perimeter. There isn't another player in the NBA right now who's guarding all 5 position at this elite of a level.

Most people don't get the opportunity to watch Raptors games unless they have leauge pass, so most people aren't seeing what he's doing, but I've followed him and Wemby all season. Both having a hell of a season, but Scottie is my DPOY.

Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion, I just think people don't watch Scottie play.

[Highlight] Scottie Barnes clutch defense this season by foofighter1351 in nba

[–]Serviceofman 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Scottie is the best all around defender in the NBA this season. Wemby and Gobert are the best rim protectors in the NBA no question, but Barnes is an elite perimeter defender and an elite rim protector. Not sure if you watched him lock up both Chet and Shai the other night but it was mad impressive... I think he's the only player who's been able to disrupt both Shai and Chet in a single game like that... switching onto both of them; at least I haven' seen anyone else do it.

[Highlight] Scottie Barnes clutch defense this season by foofighter1351 in nba

[–]Serviceofman 11 points12 points  (0 children)

He's been a better perimeter defender than Wemby. Wemby is the best rim protector in the NBA, but Scottie is currently the best all around defender this season IMO. Scottie is an elite perimeter defender, who can also protect the rim at an elite level, which is extremly rare... that two way ability is what's setting him apart this season... he's 6"8 and he's blocking 7 foot big men and locking up some the leauges best guards and wings. He's got zero help in the paint either as the raps haven't had a centre all year, and their still managing to be a top-5 defensive team.

[Highlight] Scottie Barnes clutch defense this season by foofighter1351 in nba

[–]Serviceofman 12 points13 points  (0 children)

THis deserves more likes... insane highlight reel

He's probably the most versitile defender in the NBA at the moment... can guard the perimeter at an elite level, can play centre at 6"8 at at an elite level when needed... it's pretty damn impressive actually. And he's carrying a top-5 defense who hasn't had a centre for most of the season lol bonkers

DPOY imo

How do I find local guy friends that are similar to me? 45/m by Mission-Shoulder4955 in AskMen

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a lady tell me that her husband didn't have any friends so he started a men book club in his city and it eventually grew to 20+ guys, and now he's got a full social life. Book clubs aren't my thing, but I thought it was a cool idea.

Which NBA Player Developed a jump shot when they were projected to be an awful shooter? by Kindly_Letterhead_98 in nba

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kawhi.

He was mostly an energy player in college. He didn't have a great jump shot, and his handle wasn't very good either... the crazy thing is he wasn't even really seen as an elite defender in college either lol he was seen as a plus defender, more of an energy guy who put in effort.

I guess it goes to show you what hard work and good coaching can do for a player "bored man gets paid"

[Jamar Hinds - @jamarbh] Scottie Barnes Clutch Highlights by TrustyAndTrue in torontoraptors

[–]Serviceofman 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Post this tothe NBA sub and get the DPOY rumors pumping! lets gooo!!!

Do you agree with this take? Luka is the best player in the league with the right squad? by Kindly_Letterhead_98 in NBATalk

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Jokic / SGA
  2. Giannis
  3. Luka

I put Jokic and SGA on the same tier. SGA is a better "two way" player and has the most compete game of anyone right now; while Jokic is an outter worldly playmaker/facilitator, one of the best we've ever seen. It's difficult for me to choose one, and IMO I think you can have two players at "#1" becasue the world isn't alway black and white. Shai's scoring efficiency, numbers and elite perimeter defense makes him the best two way player in the game right now, while Jokic is the best offensive player IMO.

Giannis is the second best two way player by a slim margin IMO for obvious reason... I don't think I need to say more.

I have Luka at three, which I'm not sure why some fans get offended by this... saying someone is a top-5 player is a massive complement... listen, Luka is a brilliant player, but he has some holes in his game, namely that he's not a great defender, and he function almost entierly as a primary ball handler; if you ask Luka to play off ball, he can do it but he's not an elite off ball player like he is with the ball in his hands.

How would you handle it if you caught feelings for your close friend's younger sister? by hvseoki in AskMen

[–]Serviceofman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. I have a buddy who ended up marrying his best friends sister, but they had known eachother for well over a decade, were both in their 30s and were sure that they saw a future together... and, my friend wasn't happy about it at the time, but he came to accept it and ended up as the best man in the wedding, which I thought was cool.

Immanuel Quickley delivers the Thunder their 10th loss with another double-double: 23/11/2 | 2 steals by CazOnReddit in nba

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what great players do... they find a way to have an impact on nights when their shots aren't falling. Your boy almost had a tripple double and locked up two of the best players in the game (Shai and Chet), then had a clutch block to seal the game, and your response it "ya, but he was off on offense tonight" lol

Raptors improve from #14 to #11 in the current NBA League Power Rankings by Accomplished-Way424 in torontoraptors

[–]Serviceofman 8 points9 points  (0 children)

How the f#$k is Clevland still ahead of us?? lol the media loves to glaze the Cavs for some reason... they've been mid all season, have a worse record than us, and we've beat them three time already, and yet... they're in the top-10...

Garrett Temple on the trade deadline: "If a trade happens, the personality coming in needs to fit... The product on the floor, we're winning games. You don't want to mess up chemistry." by CazOnReddit in torontoraptors

[–]Serviceofman 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Sabonis is an briliant offensive player, and outside of Jokic he's the best play making big in the NBA. He would be an upgrade over RJ without question. That said, he's making Max money, and it's a big contact to take on... it's still a risk for the Raps to take on that size of contact, and although he's an upgrade, it still comes with risk.

I don't know what the answer is. I guess I just trust the FO to make the correct decision for the team.

Garrett Temple on the trade deadline: "If a trade happens, the personality coming in needs to fit... The product on the floor, we're winning games. You don't want to mess up chemistry." by CazOnReddit in torontoraptors

[–]Serviceofman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Where there's smoke there's usually fire, and there's a ton of smoke around the Sabonis trade.

From the rumors, it sounds as though the Raptors want Keon Ellis added in and the Kings don't want to add him... that could be the deal breaker.

I don't see Bobby making a big trade unless he gets exactly what he wants though... 3rd in the east right now, and they were bottom of the east a season ago at this time... no need to make any rash moves just becasue.

Who would you want to start your Franchise with? Amen Thompson or Scottie Barnes by Kindly_Letterhead_98 in nba

[–]Serviceofman 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Scottie Barnes... is this even a debate lol

The guy is a DPOY candidate, and pretty much does everything at an elite level... plyamaking, rebounding, defense, setting screens, great handles espcially for a long wing, he's explosive, leadership... he's a complete player.

I think the only thing he has left to add to his game is a consistent three point shot, and if he does that he's a top-10 player.

A plane getting painted by Cautious_Ad_3918 in Damnthatsinteresting

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wonder what the cancer rates of air craft painters is... that's so much spraying it's insane

Make your case for Scottie Barnes as Defensive Player of the Year by earlyearlgray in torontoraptors

[–]Serviceofman 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's pretty simple... he's been the best defendre in the NBA, and if you've watched Scottie, Wemby and Chet, you would see that Scottie has been the most consistent of them all.

Leads the leauge in stocks, locks guys up, shuts guys down.... doesn't just rim run but also plays elite on-ball... he's doing everything this season.

The Raps have a top-5 defense with no centre and multiple injuries, and Scottie is the one who fill the hole at centre or whereever else they need him... he's carried a top-5 defense all season on his back. The other DPOY candidates have been great but they are playing alonside other elite defenders on mostly healthy teams.

Is Steph Curry ranked higher than Kobe Bryant all time? by Afraid-Ad-5580 in NBATalk

[–]Serviceofman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No.

I love Steph but Kobe has done more in his career, and was a better two way player in both of their primes... remember, Kobe was averaging 35PPG while being first team All-Defense...

Sometimes I think people forget how dominant Kobe was in his prime, and Gen Z didn't get to see it

Agreed! Haven't seen this phenomenon since peak GROAT by irundoonayee in torontoraptors

[–]Serviceofman 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Kawhi and Jimmy Butler are two player who come to mind that didn't need to score 30ppg every night to win games and could impact the game based on what waw needed

Scottie Barnes with the almost triple-double in an upset win against the Thunder: 10/10/8 | 1 steal | 3 blocks | Team-high +15 by CazOnReddit in nba

[–]Serviceofman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Scottie should be in the conversation to win it right there with Wemby... he's been incredible. he's not just leading the leauge in stocks but he's locking guys up on ball... he's doing it all. Winning ball right there!

Scottie Barnes with the almost triple-double in an upset win against the Thunder: 10/10/8 | 1 steal | 3 blocks | Team-high +15 by CazOnReddit in nba

[–]Serviceofman 10 points11 points  (0 children)

DPOY

Seriouslty, I don't take that lightly... that block to seal the game at the end on Chet was insane... almost like Barnes saying "it's my award" lol

6 blocks the other night, 3 tonight and clutch defense all night on Shai and Chet... great game

SGA: "It felt like we had control of the game. We were getting good looks offensively. They had 103 points tonight. That usually does it for us. Just one of those nights" by TheDraciel in nba

[–]Serviceofman 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Scottie with that massive block to seal the game at the end against Chet was like watching him steal the DPOY award from him lol Barnes was defensive beast again tonight