Author: timslim7pm

Experience v. Youth/Knicks v. Spurs

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By Anthony J.T. West
Natchez Early College

The 2026 NBA finals isn’t just a battle for a championship, it is a clash between two totally completely different identities. The New York Knicks represent experience, leadership and composure, while the San Antonio Spurs bring youth, energy, and hunger. This series shows how different paths can lead to the same stage, but only one approach will come out on top. This series has shown us (so far) that it will be based on who can stay calm under pressure. Right now the 2026 NBA finals may go down in history for one simple reason.The New York Knicks are putting together one of the greatest comeback performances the league has ever seen, while the San Antonio Spurs are showing signs of being one of the weakest second-half teams on the biggest stage.

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The Knicks have built their Finals run on resilience. No moment has been too big, no deficit too large. Their ability to come back from massive leads, most recently a historic 29-point comeback, shows a level of toughness that separates good teams from great ones. When the game gets tight, they don’t panic. They stay cool, calm, and collected while at the same time executing every possession to slowly chip away the lead that any team has during that time of a game. This is a team that believes that until the clock hits triple zeros in the 4th quarter of a game that it’s not over until it’s over.

On the other side, the Spurs are telling a completely different story. For a team with so much talent and potential, their second-half performances have been their biggest weakness. Time after time, game after game, night after night, they would build leads early only to watch them disappear after halftime. Whether it’s poor shot selection, defensive breakdowns, or simply losing composure, the pattern is hard to ignore. This is a team that has defeated last years NBA champions the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the whole series they were relaxed, stayed composed, and made smart decisions. However, when you go to the NBA finals it’s a different setup and you have to find how you are through all the chaos and not lose site of who you are in the process. Sadly, the San Antonio Spurs have not been the team that we have seen all year.

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The difference between these two teams is not skill it’s the mentality. The Knicks play like a team that expects to win no matter the situation. The Spurs, at least right now, look like a team still learning how to handle pressure when everything is on the line. That’s why the Knicks’ comeback ability feels historic. It’s not just one game anymore, it’s starting to become a consistent identity. They absorb runs, stay disciplined, and strike when it matters most.

Meanwhile, the Spurs’ second-half struggles raise a bigger question. Are they really ready for this moment yet? Talent alone isn’t enough to win a championship. You need focus, composure, and the ability to FINISH. That’s exactly where the Spurs’ have fallen short multiple times during this series. Last night in game 4 they have just blown the biggest lead in the history of the NBA Finals. “To me that shows that they probably are not ready for the stage yet even though they are extremely talented.” a person I interviewed said. “There is no excuse for the Spurs’ as good of team as they are to blow a lead like that on the biggest platform basketball has to offer.” he continued.

This series is proving one thing clearly. Great teams don’t start strong, they play strong the entire game and finish the game strong as well. Right now, the Knicks are doing exactly that, and it’s why their comeback run may be remembered as one of the greatest in NBA history. “The Knicks are showing us who they are and why they are finally showcasing us what they can do when they make it to the greatest stage in basketball.” he said. It has been 53 years since the Knicks has won the NBA championship. During that time my granddad was in middle school and my grandma just entered middle school. “The Spurs’ have a lot of learning to do this offseason”. he says. “Knicks in 6” he continued putting emphasis on have he believes this series will end.

“The Knicks are making history by never giving up, while the Spurs are learning the hard way that in the Finals, a great first half means nothing if you can’t finish.”

The Impact of the Transfer Portal In College Football

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By Anthony J.T. West
Natchez Early College

College football used to be about staying loyal to one school. Players would commit, grow, and finish their careers in the same place. Now with NCAA Transfer Portal, things have changed. Players can leave and join new teams much easier, and that has had a big impact on the game.

On a college football team, a jersey used to mean everything. When a player chose a school, it felt like a promise something that would last for years. However, that promise isn’t staying the same. With the transfer portal, players now have the chance to leave one team and join another whenever they feel it’s the right move. The transfer portal created by the NCAA, allows college athletes to enter their name into a system where other schools can recruit them. “This means that we are now living in a world where more than 25 percent of all the scholarship football players in FBS are entering the portal annually!” This phenomenon has given players more freedom than ever before. If they are not getting playing time or feel like they don’t fit, they can find a better opportunity somewhere else.

This change has helped many players. Some athletes who were once overlooked have transferred to new schools and become stars. It gives them a second chance to succeed and shows what they can really do. However, the transfer portal has also changed how teams are built. Instead of only recruiting high school players, coaches now look for experienced players in the portal. Teams can improve quickly but adding new talent, sometimes rebuilding their whole roster in just one season.

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At the same time, this can hurt smaller schools. They may develop a great player, only to lose them to a bigger program. This creates an unequal system where stronger teams can keep getting stronger. When I interviewed a person he says that he feels like “the transfer portal has improved and helped college football.” He also goes on to say that “bigger schools can build their teams easily and be more competitive against other teams.” The last thing he said was that “this can help the fans be able to be more engaged with the team and the players that are on the field on Saturdays.”

Another impact is the loss of team chemistry. When players are constantly coming and going, it can be harder for teams to build strong connections. Fans also find it harder to follow players when they don’t stay at one school for long. Now with players transferring from different school have less time to adjust, which can lead towards miscommunication and inconsistency on the field. It also affects leadership, since experienced players may leave and new ones may not be ready to step up right away. While the transfer portal creates more opportunities, it can make teams feel less stable and connected.

The transfer portal has completely changed college football in ways we never thought it would. It has given players more control over their future, allowing them to leave situations that don’t benefit them and find better opportunities in other places. At the same time, it has made the game faster and more competitive, with teams able to improve quickly by adding experienced players. However, this constant movement can also make college football fell less stable, as rosters change often and teams have less time to build chemistry. While the transfer portal creates new chances for success, it also brings challenges that continue to reshape the way the game is played and experienced.

Joe G. Dennis: Joe Knows

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By Anthony J.T. West
Natchez Early College

This is a man that wears many hats mainly Fedoras. Behind that hat is a very impactful man who has had an incredible journey in journalism. This a man who has encountered multiple politicians, major sports figures, and civil rights leaders. If you name them he has pretty much met someone that is major in whatever field you want to talk about. This is a man who has a long career that can be summed up into one word “opportunity”. No matter the circumstances or the obstacles he has to face he is a person that remains humble, dedicated, and passionate about his job in the field of journalism. I am talking about the one, the only Dr. Joe G. Dennis. “This is my job I need to do this” Joe said. “I really wanted to do something in the field of journalism”.

Joe Dennis went to a college named North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. It all started when he became fascinated by the uniqueness of people and wanting to know more about their stories. “Every person has a story, and I want to discover it” Joe says. When he discovered Journalism this became a passion that would have given him experiences with people he probably had no idea he would even meet. During the time he was at college his orientation lead was a sports editor of a college newspaper, and he needed a volleyball reporter. Little did they know that this would set him up for a woman (who played volleyball) he would be with for the rest of his life.

“The stories I heard, wrote and even lived through shaped who I am today and the hats I wear. I became an organ donor after profiling a man’s unsuccessful wait for a new liver. My respect for police officers grew immensely after spending 20 hours with a unit during a meth-lab drug bust. My compassion for the poor — especially children — was reinforced after visiting the blighted home of a slum-lord victim.” Joe said. This shows to me that not only does he do journalism to ask questions to people. He also does it because genuinely cares about people and their well being and I feel that is one of the most important things you need to have to be successful in this industry.

“My career has given me the opportunity to hang out with several “stars,” such as musician John Mayer, WWE superstar Chris Jericho and basketball legend Isiah Thomas. I’ve met several historical figures including civil rights leaders, war heroes and prominent politicians.” Joe says. Not only does he interview regular people on a day-to-day, but he also has talked to, interviewed, questioned, and met some of the most famous people in the world. How many people can say that they have met some of the most famous people in history while having a one on one with them asking questions? This man has lived a life that people can only dream of. It maybe even became a surprise to himself that he would have been able to get the opportunities that would have changed his life forever.

Joe G. Dennis has had an extraordinary career built on curiosity, hard work, and a passion for telling people’s stories. His journey shows us how journalism can open doors to incredible opportunities while also teaching valuable lessons about compassion, empathy, and understanding. Whether interviewing ordinary citizens or world-famous figures, Joe has always remained committed to learning about others and sharing their stories. His career is an amazing example of how dedication and a genuine interest in people can lead to a meaningful and impactful life. “Just being nice.” He says, “Communicating with everyone nicely. Just try to be a nice person and a good human being. By taking an active interest in other people and it will pay-off.”

Anthony West

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What’s going on everybody my name is Anthony West, and I am a 16 year old rising senior at Natchez Early College Academy in Natchez, Mississippi. I am the oldest on my mom side and I am the youngest on my Dads’ side. Born and raised in Natchez, I have been shaped by a strong family legacy, passion for sports, and a desire to make a positive impact on the world around me.

Since 2009, Natchez has been the place I have proudly called home. Although it is a small city of around 14,500 people, it is rich in history, and my family’s contributions have played a crucial role in its’ history. As I got older, I have developed a deeper sense of appreciation for the legacy that generations of the West Family has built in our community.

My great-granddad, George Ferdinand West Sr., was a major civil rights leader and he eventually became the first African American elected to Natchez Board of Aldermen since the Reconstruction era. Following his passing, my great-grandmother, Artimese Tarlton Morris West, continued that legacy of public service by becoming the first African American alderwoman in the City of Natchez. Their leadership helped pave the way for future generations and demonstrated the importance of courage, service, and perseverance

My granddad, James Tolbert West, is the owner of West Gate Funeral Home. A family business that has served the people of Natchez for generations. Originally known as West Funeral Home, the business was closed for several years before my granddad purchased and reopened it on July 4, 2013. Since then, West Gate Funeral Home has continued its tradition of serving families throughout the community with compassion and professionalism. The moto that we stand by is “Legacy & Care” because the rich history of the funeral home is from the “Legacy”, and the “Care” is because everybody is somebody no matter who you are and where your from. We all need a shoulder to lean on during a time of need. Growing up around a family business that values service has taught me the importance of dedication, hard work, responsibility, and caring for others.

Education has also played a huge role in my journey. I have attended Susie B. West Elementary School, which was named after my great-great-grandmother. Having a school named in honor of a member of my family has always reminded me that we have so much history with our last name. We must cherish it and build upon it just like my ancestors did during their time. Following elementary school, I went to Robert Lewis Magnet School for sixth grade during Covid, before going to Cathedral School for seventh and eighth grade.

In middle school I was finally able to play football. A sport that has a tremendous influence on my life. My love for football began when I was six years old. It all started when my granddad gave me a Dallas Cowboys T-shirt. At the time, I had no idea that a simple gift would spark a lifelong passion. Football has provided countless memories with family and friends and has taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, discipline, determination, leadership, and life itself.

My passion for the game of football never faded. My parents challenged me to play with greater intensity and commitment. When I stopped playing, I continued to dream about being involved in the sport in some way. Overtime I realized that if I could not play football I wanted to talk about it, write about it, or work within the industry. Whether that be as a sports journalist, broadcaster, analyst, or sports agent. I hope to build a future connected to the game that has inspired me for so many years.

Outside of football, I am actively involved in track and field and choir. I have competed in track since middle school, and each year I have worked hard to improve my speed and performance. Track has taught me the value of consistency, discipline, and perseverance. In addition, I enjoy singing in the choir, which many people would consider my hidden talent. Music has given me another outlet for self-expression and personal growth.

As I prepare to enter my senior year of high school, I am motivated by both my family’s legacy and my own ambitions. The West family has made meaningful contributions to Natchez through leadership, service, education, and community involvement. I hope to honor that legacy by pursuing my goals with the same determination and commitment that my ancestors demonstrated before me. No matter where life takes me, I want to continue making my family proud, serving my community, and creating a legacy of my own for future generations.