What a week!

The Knicks fired Thibs.

Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh.

Magnus Carlsen lost a chess match.

The Rockies crossed double digit wins.

Mt. Etna erupted.

NBA Finals start tonight.

Oh, and Trump & Elon apparently broke up and the timeline went nuclear.

Everybody online right now:

But - through it all, my friends, you can always count on Jon Rothstein, our favorite NCAA basketball reporter and friend of the show, to stay locked in:

Despite being completely mesmerized by the leader of the free world and the richest man alive bickering, we’re sticking to the script: curated experiences in sports, entertainment & hospitality…

Why “Inside the NBA” was so good 📺

I realize I’m not taking a bold or contrarian stance by showing love to Ernie, Shaq, Kenny & Chuck, but I can’t ignore this tweet from my friend John Karalis:

John (a great basketball analyst) is missing the point of the show entirely.

Everyone loves it because they forget names or don’t know who plays where. That adds to the charm.

Not a single person on that show takes themselves too seriously. Their careers both on & off the court speak for themselves and their chemistry is unmatched.

They command eyeballs, respect, and dollar signs for their authenticity and goofiness underpinned with extensive knowledge and experience.

It is a seemingly effortlessly curated viewing experience that even my fiancé enjoys watching (hard to do).

It combines the three RP WEEKLY pillars of greatness:

• Sports: Basketball

• Entertainment: “Churros in San Antonio”

• Hospitality: Ernie knows exactly how to guide the conversation and corral the boys when necessary. An elite host.

Finally, It is a direct contrast to ESPN coverage - which often feels uptight and forced.

“Inside the NBA” captured the magic of feeling invited into a cigar lounge with hall of famers after a game.

Sure there’s some analysis, but more than stats and numbers (which you can find plenty of elsewhere), there’s a warmth and camaraderie that makes you feel a part of it as a viewer.

Let’s hope it stays that way!

Food for thought…🍒

Cherries: They’re in season and tastier than ever. The perfect summer treat. Go buy some now.

Goat Cheese: The perfect cheap trick for just about any dish.

Pear & Pecorino: The best pairing you’ve never heard of.

Tucci in Italy: Is Stan the new Bourdain? No, but he (and this show) is so good.

Summer Soundtrack 🌊

If you listen closely, great songs are everywhere…just waiting to be shazam’d.

Also, thanks to friends for sending their favorites!

Here’s this week’s playlist:

RP WEEKLY!!!!