THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF TUFTS UNIVERSITY EST. 1980 THE TUFTS DAILY VOLUME LXXX, ISSUE 44

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS. Thursday, November 19, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Youth voter turnout in 2020 presidential election proves instrumental in Biden victory

NICOLE GARAY / THE TUFTS DAILY The Tufts cannon is pictured on Election Day on Nov. 3 painted in support of President-elect Joe Biden. by Jack Maniaci Jen McAndrew (LA’96), direc- “Youth of color, in particu- “We found that [for] a lot said that an important part of Contributing Writer tor of communications, strategy & lar, are really the driving force of youth, their top priority CIRCLE’s research is the Youth planning at the Jonathan M. Tisch behind youth turnout and and their top concern was the Electoral Significance Index The Center for Information College of Civic Life, described behind young people’s sup- pandemic. And for youth that (YESI), which researchers & Research on Civic Learning the importance of youth turnout. port for Biden and Harris,” did experience a family mem- use to determine the impact and Engagement (CIRCLE) “In a few key states … young McAndrew said. ber or relative [who] died of young voters have on elec- recently published data on people really made the difference According to Lauren Soherr, the coronavirus, those youth tions in different areas. young voters and their role for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” a Tisch Scholar working with were more inclined to vote for “[YESI is] an index in that in the 2020 election. The McAndrew said. “That would be CIRCLE, the research also Joe Biden,” Soherr, a sopho- we take multiple variables, research found that turnout in Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and tracked issues that had a large more, said. “And we also saw and we bring them together among young voters increased Pennsylvania, among others.” impact on young voters. Among that a big issue among youth to find a score that we use significantly and played a She added that Biden’s vic- young Biden voters, these for this election was racism.” to rate different congressional vital role in determining the tory also relied on the turnout included both the COVID-19 Research Program election’s results. of young people of color. pandemic and racism. Coordinator Peter de Guzman see TRACKS, page 2 Tufts to launch new graduate initiative designed to connect data science, policy by Jack Hirsch disciplines to better inform faculty members and over Tufts’ data science research graduate students to analyze Contributing Writer policymaking. 140 graduate students from and education programs. data in a specific context. The National Science across disciplines and schools “The grant allows you to “It’s one thing to learn Tufts will launch a new pro- Foundation (NSF) is funding at Tufts, according to Islam. explore new ideas [and] come about data in the abstract — gram called “BigData@Tufts: the program through a grant “This is about re-inventing … up with new paradigms that ‘here’s some data to go play Educating Policy-Savvy Data amounting to almost $3 mil- graduate education in the data then have to be institutionalized with.’ It’s quite another thing Experts and Data-Proficient lion; it was awarded under sciences,” Abani Patra, director of and sustained,” Patra said. “One to learn about data in con- Decision Makers.” This inter- the NSF’s research trainee- the Data Intensive Studies Center of the goals [of the grant] is rais- text,” he said. disciplinary initiative aims to ship program. Led by Shafiqul at Tufts and one of the co-princi- ing institutional capacity in data In their proposal to the NSF, bridge gaps between science, Islam, a professor of civil and pal investigators of the grant, said. science education and training”. Islam and his team detailed technology, engineering and environmental engineering, Patra believes the grant will Patra further explained math (STEM) and non-STEM the project will include nine be instrumental in building that BigData@Tufts will equip see SCIENCE, page 2

NEWS 1 WEEKENDER / page 3 SPORTS / back THE TURF MONSTER / back WEEKENDER 3 Malcolm Turvey shares NFC playoff picture gains Suns, Thunder both see excitement for upcoming some clarity in Week 10 beneficial trades FUN & GAMES 4 COVID-eo Film Festival OPINION 5 and Competition SPORTS BACK 2 THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Thursday, November 19, 2020 tuftsdaily.com THE TUFTS DAILY BigData@Tufts invites data scientists to use formal knowledge, Alex Viveros Editor in Chief thoughtful practice EDITORIAL Rebecca Barker Hannah Harris Managing Editors

Jake Freudberg Associate Editors Jilly Rolnick

Alejandra Carrillo Executive News Editor Maddie Aitken Deputy News Editor Jessica Blough News Editors Tom Guan Liza Harris Alex Janoff Matt McGovern Sara Renkert Sarah Sandlow Anton Shenk Carolina Espinal Assistant News Editors Sam Klugherz Alexander Thompson Alicia Zou

Ryan Shaffer Executive Features Editor Sid Anand Features Editors Amelia Becker Jillian Collins Claire Fraise Evelyn McClure Kayla Butera Assistant Features Editor

Megan Szostak Executive Arts Editor Devina Bhalla Arts Editors Ryan Eggers Steph Hoechst Tuna Margalit Chris Panella Yas Salon Elizabeth Sander Colette Smith Rebecca Tang Geoff Tobia Drew Weisberg Assistant Arts Editor

Liz Shelbred Executive Opinion Editor Priya Padhye Op-ed Editor Paloma Delgado Senior Editorialists Amulya Mutnuri Mike Wilkinson Caroline Wolinsky Abhilasha Bhasin Editorialists Eliza Dickson Sara Kessel Milli Lu Emily Nadler Grace Prendergast Faye Thijssen Sam Wilner Julia Baroni Editorial Cartoonists Carys Kong Annabel Nied Valeria Velasquez NICOLE GARAY / THE TUFTS DAILY Juju Zweifach Colorful trees are pictured near Tisch Library on Oct. 22. Sruthi Kocherlakota Executive Sports Editor Tim Chiang Sports Editors doing, and then the other side He further explained that the discuss a particular problem, Matt Goguen Jeremy Goldstein SCIENCE is the social science, human- program will be weaved into and they will subsequent- Aiden Herrod continued from page 1 ities sorts of people … [the] courses as “modular course ly create a project to address Pranav Jain Ananda Kao the disconnect between those kind of folks who can con- elements,” which will allow the problem. A student who Delaney Tantillo Arpan Barua Assistant Sports Editors with a deep background in data struct narratives but don’t students to complete the pro- completes this component will Jacob Dreyer Henry Gorelik science and those with more have a sense of the concepts gram without lengthening the receive a certificate. Ethan Ling policy-oriented expertise. in data science,” Hammer time it takes to graduate. Hammer illustrated how Arnav Sacheti Alex Sharp “The failure to bridge said. “And so the idea of this Islam elaborated on the problem-focused immersion Eric Spencer the gaps between numbers is to build up something that four integrated data skill would function, using COVID- Austin Clementi Executive Investigative Editor and narratives creates sig- brings those together.” areas that make up the mod- 19 as an example. Arlo Moore-Bloom Executive Audio Editor nificant bottlenecks to evi- Islam noted that the pro- ular course elements. “Analyzing and making rec- Anne Marie Burke Executive Photo Editors Nicole Garay dence-based, interdisciplin- gram intends to train stu- “If you want to be a data ommendations for [COVID-19] Aidan Chang Staff Photographers Patrick Milewski ary decision making, espe- dents into two types of pro- scientist, you need some for- policy could be an example of Menqi Irina Wang cially at the ‘messy’ interface fessionals: “policy-savvy mal knowledge, you may need such a problem which is an Austen Money Executive Video Editor between human and natural data experts” for those with some practice techniques, area for data science … what is systems,” the proposal reads. a STEM background to gain you need some thoughtful affecting the rate of infection, PRODUCTION David Hammer, a co-prin- ground on policy analysis, as practice and you need some how much of it is urban density, Kevin Zhang Production Director cipal investigator, chair of well as “data-savvy decision wisdom,” Islam said. how much of it is mask-wear-

Rachel Hsin Executive Layout Editors the Department of Education makers” for those from non- Hammer also shared that ing, how much of it is local Yanqing Huang and a professor of education STEM disciplines to acquire in addition to these elements, policies,” Hammer said. “[That Laura Mogannam Campbell Devlin Layout Editor and physics and astronomy, rigorous quantitative skills. the program includes anoth- could become] a problem-based echoed the statement. Graduate students at er component named “prob- immersion for a team of people Tys Sweeney Executive Graphics Editor Sam Farbman Graphic Designers “There are the engineers Tufts will be able to enroll in lem-focused immersion.” with complementary expertise Freya Gupta Helen He who can calculate things but BigData@Tufts concurrently Islam explained that the ini- to be working on.” Kristina Marchand can’t construct compelling with their graduate degree pro- tiative will invite its students Islam said he expects the Calisa Sana Ethan Schreiber narratives about what they’re gram, according to Hammer. to meet every other week to program to start fall 2021. Ethan Steinberg Executive Copy Editors Colton Wolk Brendan Hartnett Deputy Copy Editors Julian Perry Mariel Priven CIRCLE continues to compile election data, determines Kate Seklir Abigail Zielinski Mykhaylo Chumak Copy Editors barriers to voting Justin Yu Aedan Brown Assistant Copy Editors voting, voting registration and our poll showed that they were “Snapchat is another com- Elizabeth Kenneally trying to better understand the most politically motivated pany that used our research Makenna Law TRACKS continued from page 1 access for different groups, — we’re able to also see how to design [its] voting engage- Michelle Li Executive Social Media Editors Tiffany Namkoong and how to break down those youth were very involved in ment platform in this election districts and states for senate, barriers to make the election social movements.” and I think that they regis- BUSINESS presidential and congressio- more accessible.” McAndrew said that tered well over a million peo- Robert Kaplan nal races,” de Guzman said. In addition to recognizing CIRCLE’s findings are also ple to vote.” Business Director Soherr explained how these barriers, CIRCLE uses used to help ensure that According to de Guzman, Devina Bhalla Account Managers Coley Goren CIRCLE’s research allows surveys to track youth politi- young people are able to vote. the COVID-19 pandemic has Sharan Bhansali Business Managers it to compile election data cal behavior, which includes Companies like Snapchat and changed the primary method Norice Lu Evelyn McClure and determine barriers to the the activism that many took Lyft have used information of voting for many people, Patrick Milewski ability for young people, and part in this year. from CIRCLE to provide ser- leading to the expanded use Luke Allocco Outreach Coordinators Sam Russo often young people of color, “We also look at attitudes vices to increase participation of mail-in ballots. to vote. so there’s that question of among young voters. “We’ve seen, in the past 10 Contact Us P.O. Box 53018, “We try to examine [how] trust and a political process “As a result of that data, years, an expansion of laws that Medford, MA 02155 those polls relate to things and interest to be politically Lyft actually offered free and do offer more options to regis-

[email protected] like access and looking at bar- motivated,” Soherr said. “We reduced rides to the polls in ter and vote. So some of these riers, particularly for youth were able to see groups that 2018 … many other rideshare are in response to the COVID- thetuftsdaily of color,” Soherr said. “For expressed a significant interest companies, Uber and the 19 pandemic and we’ll see if tuftsdaily Please recycle this example, access to informa- in political motivation. Young bike shares, they all followed there’s public support for them tuftsdaily newspaper! tion on absentee voting, early Black and [Latina] women in that lead,” McAndrew said. to stay after,” de Guzman said. WEEKENDER 3 tuftsdaily.com Thursday, November 19, 2020 Weekender: Malcolm Turvey previews COVID-eo Film Festival and Competition

VIA TUFTS FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES PROGRAM A poster for the Tufts film and media studies program “COVID-eo Film Festival and Competition” is pictured. by Tuna Margalit thought that we would do one of interesting or innovative ing things about that epidemic, of those students aren’t [FMS] Arts Editor in the very near future. And way, on life under COVID. given how many people [were] majors. [They are] students then this opportunity present- As this is a competition, killed and how lethal it was, is who are interested in some sort For the first time in its six- ed itself. So we decided, it’s there will be prizes for select just how little trace it left on of career in the [FMS] indus- year existence, the Tufts film time to start this. So I think we filmmakers. First and second culture. It’s very hard to find tries,” according to Turvey. and media studies (FMS) pro- do hope that it will be a regular places will receive $200 and references to it within novels He also highlights the fre- gram will hold a student film event. Obviously once the pan- $100 prizes, respectively. and plays and poems and films quent film screenings and guest festival and competition. demic … has passed us by, it Winners will be chosen by and so on. Remember, by 1918, lecturers that the FMS program Tufts students will have will no longer be a “COVID-eo” a panel of judges, made up of Hollywood is going very strong has brought to campus. their short films screened to film festival and competition. various FMS staff. Though all already, so it’s not as if there MT: My colleague, who the community on Thursday, But now that we have a critical in the FMS program, some of isn’t a film industry. I wonder teaches in the filmmaking part Dec. 3 via Vimeo and mass of film production stu- the judges will not have a film- whether, you know, it’s been of the [FMS] program, Jennifer Facebook. Students from every dents and a general film pro- making background. Turvey, such a … depressing and diffi- Burton … has a whole series Tufts campus can submit their duction culture at Tufts, along for example, who teaches film cult time that people will want of women-in-movies events, work, as long as it is two min- with the requisite equipment history but not filmmaking, to move on pretty quickly. That where women who are film- utes or shorter. Aside from the and facilities and so on … I will be a judge. would be my guess. Now, of makers, cinematographers, edi- two-minute limit, there are think we are in a place where MT: We want a kind of range course, I’m sure there will be tors and so on … they come to no restrictions on the form we can hold a regular festival of views. We don’t just want films and television shows, et campus to give talks. That kind of these films. As the event of some kind. filmmakers to judge these films. cetera, that make reference to of event does draw in a wider webpage states, “We wel- Though the hope is that only TD: You want the Rotten it or even are about it, but I community, because it’s not come all forms of filmmaking, this year’s festival is COVID- Tomatoes critic score and the have a sneaky feeling that we’re just people who are interested including narrative fiction, 19-adjacent, Turvey explains Rotten Tomatoes audience score. all going to want to put this in filmmaking who will come to documentary, experimental, that the unique experience of MT: That’s a good way of behind us as quickly as pos- an event like that. It’s also peo- animation, or hybrid forms– being a college student and putting it. sible. Again, I could be com- ple who are interested, perhaps, whether polished productions living through a pandemic is Turvey emphasizes that pletely wrong. But it is inter- from the more theoretical point or iPhone footage.” a solid raison d’être for such a the judges are not looking for esting to think about that prec- of view. They’re interested in The Daily had the oppor- film festival. anything in particular in the edent of the [1918] influenza the issue of women in the film tunity to sit down and discuss MT: The primary impetus shorts, aside from an honest epidemic and how little impact and entertainment industries. this exciting event via Zoom for the festival was a sense of representation of how COVID- it had on culture. Ultimately, Turvey attributes with Malcolm Turvey, director disconnection from students. 19 is affecting day-to-day stu- The competition will much of the bright future for of the FMS program and pro- This current situation pres- dent life. This is not to say that undoubtedly be a fresh way the FMS program to its recent fessor in the Department of ents a lot of challenges to all the films have to be non-fic- to cultivate a film presence at move into Barnum Hall. History of Art and Architecture. of us. One of the challenges it tional, documentary-style Tufts, but it is not the only MT: We’ve always had to The Tufts Daily (TD): [Why presents to faculty and staff is accounts. The point is that the event the FMS program hopes borrow other people’s spaces haven’t there been] Tufts stu- that, when you see students, films should strive to be as will do so. to [put on events] in the past. dent film festival competitions you’re either on a screen … true to their creator’s COVID- Turvey points to a biannual But now that we have our own like this in the past? or you are seeing them in a 19-altered psyche as possible. industry night, where “[the FMS spaces, [our own] environ- Malcolm Turvey (MT): It’s lecture hall or a large room at Turvey provided some film program has brought] back typ- ment, all of this will become only really in the last couple of some distance, and everyone’s history knowledge when asked ically between … 20 to 25 alums much easier. years that we’ve had a critical got a mask on, right? So the about how he thinks COVID-19 who have high profile positions To quote Tony Soprano, “It’s mass of students coming out sense of … both disconnec- will affect professional cinema in the film and media indus- good to be in something from of our program, who would be tion and not really knowing in the coming years. tries, in journalism, in public the ground floor.” Tune into willing and able to do a festival how students are doing in the MT: One of the interest- relations and marketing, in tal- the COVID-eo Film Festival on and competition of some kind. current situation was what ing … things that people talk ent management, in filmmak- Thursday, Dec. 3, and watch — So, last year, we almost did really prompted the festival. about in the current situation ing, in TV and so on. That event or maybe even join in on — what one, and for various reasons we So we really are looking for is the influenza epidemic of usually attracts between 100 looks to be the awakening of a decided not to, but we always films that reflect, in some sort 1918. And one of the astonish- and 150 students … and many wonderful, creative part of Tufts. 4 THE TUFTS DAILY | Fun & Games | Thursday, November 19, 2020 tuftsdaily.com LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY F&G Liz: “I just dropped a whole nalgene on my computer so I am ~ Fun & Games going to bed.”

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Wednesday’s Solutions

CROSSWORD Opinion 5 tuftsdaily.com Thursday, November 19, 2020

Jack Clohisy ence, Barrett’s political stances using her platform to endorse is to unite people — it is the ences always have to separate The Weekly Rewind are disappointing. President Trump. language everyone speaks — so artists from their art? With an outpouring of sup- Despite her political views, when Barrett chooses to publi- No, they do not. port from artists for President- “I Hope” is a growing hit. After cize her harmful political opin- Barrett is responsible for the Should we elect Joe Biden, artists who sitting for 46 weeks on the U.S. ions, she is effectively writing impact she leaves by publiciz- support President Trump in chart, her single with Puth com- off fans. ing her opinions, so audienc- separate mu- the mainstream seem few and pleted the longest trip to the At the 2018 national es are allowed to boycott her far between. Barrett has been top five in Billboard Hot 100 tree-lighting event in the White music. Sure, she can make a sicians from less vocal about her stance in history. Though “I Hope” sus- House, President Trump invit- great song, but her stances are the 2020 election, but if there’s tained momentum on the chart ed Barrett to perform. Barrett hindering much of the progress their music? any place to dig up information for nearly a year, it is evident said she was “honored” to per- still needed in this country. No about an artist, it’s Twitter. that Barrett has not used her form at the event and that it one is obligated to favor an abby Barrett and Barrett has liked pro-Trump platform for good during a time “was an amazing opportunity artist based solely on musical Charlie Puth’s duet tweets, including “Trump is ask- when social issues need to be to represent America and the ability; it is the character of art- “I Hope” (2020) ing all Christians to pray today discussed. Lord.” Trump’s presidency has ists audiences choose to invest reached No. 3 on the at 4 CST (5pm Eastern time) Barrett’s stances have the been one of controversy, divi- in. In Barrett’s case, it’s com- GBillboard Hot 100 this week, a when they go to the Supreme ability to alienate fans who may siveness and turmoil to say the pletely acceptable to change feat for Barrett, an “American Court” and “President Trump think differently. For example, least, and for Barrett to go up the radio station when “I Hope” Idol” alumna. However, during announced this morning that Barrett’s public support for on stage, ignorant of the issues comes on. a politically divisive time, it he intends to sign the Born tweets about restricting abor- plaguing this country, was a is important to bring to light Alive Executive Order to pro- tion rights outwardly demon- distasteful act. Jack Clohisy is a sophomore Barrett’s public support for tect babies born alive after failed strates her criticism of those Listeners can agree that “I who has not yet declared a President Donald Trump. As a abortions.” With over 88,000 who choose to undergo such an Hope” is popular based on its major. Jack can be reached at musician with a massive influ- followers on Twitter, Barrett is operation. The intent of music chart performance, but do audi- [email protected].

The Tufts Daily is a nonprofit, independent newspaper, published Monday through Friday during the academic year, and distributed free to the Tufts community. The content of letters, advertisements, signed columns, cartoons and graphics does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tufts Daily editorial board. EDITORIALS Editorials represent the position of The Tufts Daily. Individual editors are not necessarily responsible for, or in agreement with, the policies and editorials of The Tufts Daily. OP-EDS The Op-Ed section of The Tufts Daily, an open forum for campus editorial commentary, is printed Monday through Thursday. The Daily welcomes submissions from all members of the Tufts community; the opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. Opinion articles on campus, national and international issues should be 600 to 1,200 words in length and submitted to [email protected]. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, space and length. All material is subject to editorial discretion and is not guaranteed to appear in the Daily. Authors must submit their telephone numbers and day-of availability for editing questions. ADVERTISING All advertising copy is subject to the approval of the Editor in Chief, Executive Board and Business Director. 6 SPORTS Thursday, November 19, 2020 tuftsdaily.com NFC Week 10 Recap: Brees, Brady, a bonanza by Arpan Barua naut offense, and we may have Assistant Sports Editor ourselves a real Super Bowl contender in the making. Final This previous weekend saw score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 46, the continuation of the most Carolina Panthers 23. unusual and strange NFL season Could the Giants really win to date. With rising COVID-19 the NFC East? numbers and empty stadiums, In a year where nothing can fans braced themselves for what be guaranteed, the NFC East con- would be another hectic Sunday tinues to show its consistency in the NFL for the NFC side. With and reliability with another hor- some teams cementing their ror show over the weekend. The consistency and others in free Philadelphia Eagles and the New fall, Sunday helped us see with York Giants battled it out for what even more clarity the playoff could be a pivotal game for the picture for this expanded play- winner of the division. Yes, the off season. Here is your recap of 3–4–1 Eagles and the 2–7 Giants Sunday’s NFC games. were competing for the top of an Tom Brady is still elite NFL division. You read that right. Coming off the back of a The game started with Daniel humiliating defeat to their divi- Jones scoring an eye-popping sional rivals, the New Orleans 34-yard touchdown to put the Saints­, Brady and the Tampa Bay Empire State up 7–0. Excluding a Buccaneers were eager to bounce massive 56-yard touchdown run back with a victory against the from the lightning-quick Boston ALL-PRO REELS / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Carolina Panthers. Early in the Scott, the Eagles’ play on both Evan Engram of the New York Giants catches a pass during a game on Sept. 29, 2019. game, a check down pass to run- sides of the ball was disoriented ning back Ronald Jones II was and disorganized, and Giants QB attack. Rams quarterback Jared Other scores from around bruised San Francisco 49ers on caught with some butterfingers Daniel Jones ate them alive for Goff lobbed throws after repeated the NFC: Sunday which saw the Saints cruise and eventually fumbled, allow- it. Throughout the entire game, play-action plays which saw the Packers squeak out a win to a victory. The big news coming out ing the Panthers to scoop it up. Jones dropped dime after dime, Rams go up 17–7. The second half against the Jaguars of that game was the injury to Drew Minutes later, former Saints finishing with 244 yards and saw an unusually muted Seattle Yes, top of the NFC Green Bay Brees who broke his ribs and suffered quarterback Teddy Bridgewater eventually a Giants win. This puts offense unable to break Aaron Packers had a surprisingly tense and a collapsed lung after a nasty hit from threw a touchdown pass to put the Giants in a striking distance Donald and his defense of angels. rigorous Sunday against a team cur- 49ers defensive end Kentavius Street. the underdog Panthers up 7–0. of the division title and a playoff Wilson and the Seahawks only rently competing with the New York Final score: New Orleans Saints 27, The two teams went into the berth. However, with a possible scored three points in the second Jets for the No. 1 pick in next year’s San Francisco 49ers 13. break tied 17–17. Ronald Jones wildcard game against either the half as the Rams cruised to victo- draft. The game remained close An NFC North battle for the II defined the third quarter with Buccaneers, Saints, Cardinals, ry, giving both teams a 6–3 record. throughout, with Green Bay having (mediocre) ages a breathtaking 98-yard touch- Rams or Seahawks, both teams However, in a generationally gift- to deal with explosive plays from The Minnesota Vikings went down run. From then on out, could be in for brutal losses. ed division which consists of the Jacksonville Jaguars punt returner up against the Chicago Bears. the Buccaneers began clicking Final score: New York Giants 27, defending NFC champions along Keelan Cole. Heading into the final Scoring only two field goals in on both sides of the ball, with Philadelphia Eagles 17. with two teams now situated at stretch of the fourth quarter, the the first half, the Bears offense Brady, Brown, Fournette, Pierre- Seattle in free fall 6–3, losing three of the last four Jaguars were actually winning the appeared absolutely devoid Paul, Gronkowski and the rest Once deemed a top Super games is simply not good enough game 20–17 before a 75-yard touch- of any sort of coherent plan. of the 2015 NFL all-stars find- Bowl contender led by the MVP for a Seattle team with major down drive led by Aaron Rodgers Quarterback Kirk Cousins broke ing their entire rhythm. The favorite Russell Wilson, the Super Bowl aspirations. With the sealed the deal for his Packers. The his Monday night curse to bring Buccaneers ended up outscor- Seattle Seahawks looked pedes- Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Packers now sit atop of the NFC. his Vikings a morale-boosting ing the Panthers in the sec- trian and average as they geared Rams and Seattle Seahawks all Final score: Green Bay Packers 24, victory. Meanwhile, the Windy ond-half 29–6, with Brady finish- up to face the Los Angeles Rams. tied for the top of the division, Jacksonville Jaguars 20. City’s playoff chances seem grim, ing with a vintage 341-yard and Hipster NFL fans’ prodigal son, neutrals should get their popcorn Brees gets injured in a game especially after the injury to three-touchdown performance. Los Angeles head coach Sean out to see how this division finish- that was a breeze starting quarterback Nick Foles. Should the chemistry begin to McVay, lined up play after play es. Final score: Los Angeles Rams Drew Brees and the New Orleans Final score: Minnesota Vikings click even more for this jugger- to release their Hollywood aerial 23, Seattle Seahawks 16. Saints battled the battered and 19, Chicago Bears 13.

has and not expect some playoff line. Paul proved he can still play Warriors for the third through For the Suns, I give this trade an Aiden Herrod success. This coming season will at an immensely high level, and fifth seeds in the NBA. A-. There’s risk in trading a lot of The Turf Monster be make-or-break for Phoenix as Phoenix rightfully saw that and Oklahoma City, meanwhile, assets for a 35-year-old player, but they fight to keep their young went all-in with their exciting has an almost comical stash Paul has proven he can maintain a star, who is widely regarded as a young core by shelling out a draft of draft picks now. General great deal of value. The risk is min- top-20 player league wide. haul to the Thunder. Manager Sam Presti feels like an imized by the presence of a young, A symbiotic Enter Chris Paul, fresh off an For the Suns, Paul immedi- NBA 2K player taking the MyGM surging cast around the Suns’ exclamation point of a season ately makes them a top-5 team mode to its wildest extremes. stars. And the bottom line is that Suns-Thunder where he took the rebuilding in the West, provided he can They played the Russell Booker can remain in Phoenix, Oklahoma City Thunder on a stay healthy and avoid that Westbrook for Chris Paul trade happily playing on a higher-end trade wild playoff journey that saw the dreaded aging cliff. His play- perfectly, getting one haul from contender. Keeping a young star team go seven games against a making on ball will give Booker Westbrook and flipping Paul for like him separates the good fran- he biggest trade of the loaded Rockets team. The suc- plenty of opportunities to shine another. They certainly seem chises from the miserable. shortened NBA offseason cess of Oklahoma City this season as the lead scorer. The Suns to have won the Westbrook For the Thunder, I give this is genius for both sides. may have led to speculation that also have a steadily improving trade given the turmoil he’s trade an A+. This comes to show Let’s start with the oft-ma- they could keep Paul, a perenni- big man in Deandre Ayton, who going through in Houston, and just how incredible the front Tligned Phoenix Suns, fresh off a ally underrated point guard with should see benefits in spades the Thunder now have end- office is at managing its assets, surprising undefeated run in the endless accolades and one of the as he caught lobs and dimes less options as they gear up to and not being blinded by a rag- Bubble, marked by clutch perfor- best IQs and playmaking abilities from Paul. This has the poten- rebuild. They could use most, tag group making a surprise mances from blue-chip star Devin in basketball. tial to be a scary big three if if not all, of the picks and flood playoff appearance. They have Booker and a very Suns-esque But Paul is 35, and the Thunder Ayton can make another jump, their team with young talent, a focus on the future, and they ending which still saw them miss has been stockpiling draft picks and if nothing else, the Paul- or shell out picks to acquire are squeezing as much value as the playoffs despite an 8–0 record like a hoarder since it traded Paul Booker combo will be a force on exciting young stars from the possible from every meaningful in the restart. George and Russell Westbrook. offense. If the supporting cast trade market. It will be exciting asset they have. Booker has often been, and An aging point guard, whether can keep up its recent success to see what Presti does here, has continued to be this offsea- or not they are still a star, doesn’t in the Bubble and not fall back and Oklahoma City should feel Aiden is a junior studying film and son, the subject of trade rumors. fit in the timeline of a team that to earth, I project them to com- great about its future and great media studies and entrepreneurial No player can stay with a sin- looks to use its draft picks to pete with teams like the Denver about its recent asset manage- leadership. Aiden can be reached gle franchise for as long as he contend a few years down the Nuggets and the Golden State ment given the circumstances. at [email protected]