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The BulleTin • Wednesday, June 9, 2021 A7 NBA DEAR ABBY Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Dear Abby: My college se- nior daughter, “Lisa,” insists on inviting her “significant other” to every holiday and to our home when she’s on break. This is Lisa’s first girl/ girl romance, and she thinks she’s in love. This girlfriend has zero personality and adds nothing to our family dynamic. None of us can stand her. How can I nicely explain to my daugh- ter that although she feels one way, we feel another? She honestly thinks she’s going to marry this girl and is VERY pushy when it comes to in- viting her wherever we are. Also, this girlfriend is only going into her junior year. She has two more years of school left. Once Lisa gradu- ates this year, she will be five hours from the girlfriend. She makes my daughter very weird and not in a good way. I’m praying this relation- ship will end after she grad- uates. It’s horrible. If the girl isn’t with her, Lisa calls her 10 times a day. Help! — Mom Knows Better in New Jersey Dear Mom: Be patient. Be- cause of the circumstances you mentioned in your letter, there is a good chance your daughter’s fixation on her “first love” will lessen. I as- sume that when she returns from college she will be so- cializing with other people. Cross your fingers and gently encourage it, because it may give her a different perspec- tive. Absence does not always make the heart grow fonder. Dear Abby: My husband and I have been together for 18 years (married for 14). He has recently been hanging around a female friend who supposedly made a move on him while I was away, but he said he turned her down. He sends her private messages, looks her up on social me- dia and “likes” every photo she puts up. Most of them are sexy. Now he wants to try new things in the bedroom. Should I be concerned? I have an uneasy feeling about this. When I told him I was go- ing to confront her, he got upset with me. He has deleted messages because he said he didn’t want me to get the wrong idea if I read them. I’m not sure how I should be feel- ing about this whole thing. — Something’s Up in New York Dear Something’s Up: Right now you should be “feeling” your husband’s re- lationship with this female “friend” is a threat. There’s nothing innocent about de- leting conversations that he knows would give you the “wrong” idea. His preoccu- pation with the sexy photos she is posting is hardly reas- suring, and that he suddenly wants to try “new things” in the bedroom is a huge red flag in light of what else is go- ing on. Quietly talk to a lawyer about what your options are as a wife of 14 years in New York, gather as much finan- cial information as you can, and then raise holy heck with your husband. You have a right to be upset. Dear Abby: I have been with this man for more than 20 years and we still haven’t tied the knot. When I told him that because I’m not his wife, I’m not willing to do wifely duties anymore, he got really upset. Do you think I should give him an ultima- tum? — On Hold in California Dear On Hold: I think you already have! YOUR HOROSCOPE By Georgia Nicols Class of 2018 is showing up in playoffs BY TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton had Guy Fieri leaping out of his courtside seat with a thunder- ing dunk. Atlanta’s Trae Young had Spike Lee leaving early in disappointment. Dallas’ Luka Doncic impressed Paul George so much that the Clippers’ vet- eran insisted on trading jerseys with the youngster. They’re all part of the NBA’s draft class of 2018. And that group, so far, might be the class of these playoffs. Doncic is gone, but plenty of others — Young, Ayton, Mi- chael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, Kevin Huerter, Bruce Brown and more — from the group that got drafted three years ago remain. And they’ve seemed right at home in this postsea- son, even though for many it’s the first time on this big a stage. “I think it’s the best class in NBA history,” Ayton, the Phoe- nix center who went No. 1 overall in that class three years ago, said after the Suns won their first-round series over the 2020 NBA champion Los An- geles Lakers. “That’s how I feel. … Guys like Luka, MPJ and Trae, it’s been great to watch us young guys go at it. We’re not backing down.” Quite the contrary. They’re showing up. Entering Tuesday, those drafted in 2018 had combined for 21 games of at least 20 points in these playoffs. The only draft class with more so far in these playoffs was the 2011 group — which has 22, led by the likes of Kawhi Leon- ard, Kyrie Irving and Tobias Harris. Doncic, whose Dallas Mav- ericks lost a seven-game series to the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1, had six of those 20-point games. Young, whose Atlanta Hawks took a 1-0 se- ries lead into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia on Tues- day, also had six — in his first Stars show the kind of day you’ll have DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important deci- sions today. The Moon is in Gemini. Kelenic HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021: You are optimistic, determined and intelligent. You are also witty and colorful. You can be distracted because you don’t like to be bored. Personally, you are caring and compassionate. In this year ahead, you will get along with people and make friends more easily as well. Some of you might begin a new rela- tionship. Work successfully with others. Continued from A5 ARIES (March 21-April 19) You feel sober and serious about life today. Because of this, you might not share your feelings with others, but if you do talk to someone, it will likely be someone older and more experienced because they can give you advice. Tonight: Do mental work. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) When it comes to money today, you will be careful and conservative. You will view financial deals with care and concern. If shopping, you won’t be extravagant. Instead, you will focus on buying long-lasting items (impres- sive). Tonight: Count your assets. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Today both the Sun and Moon are in your sign, and the Moon is dancing with Saturn, which makes you see things as serious, sober and realistic. However, it also makes you patient and ready to deal with adversity. Tonight: Make future plans. CANCER (June 21-July 22) You will be happy if you can find some solitude today to work alone or behind the scenes. You’ll be pleased to go off by yourself and evaluate your life and what’s happening all around you. It feels good to take stock. This gives you a baseline so you know where you are. Tonight: Enjoy solitude. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Welcome the opportunity to talk to someone older or more experienced today, perhaps a female. You know you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Why not stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before you? Save yourself a decade! Get any advice that comes your way. Tonight: Talk to someone. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) People will admire you today, especially if you can offer practical advice. You might make some wise observations about the past and how the past might play out in the present or even in the future. Others sense your confidence and willingness to face reality. Tonight: You will impress someone. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) A teacher, professor or guru-like figure in your life might have some wise advice for you today. Or perhaps this person will teach you something. This is also an excellent day to study and work on an existing paper, because you’re willing to slog away at the nuts and bolts of it all. Tonight: Learn some- thing new. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) This is an excellent day to take a look at your finances, especially your debt. Because you’re in a realistic, practical frame of mind, you will welcome knowing the facts. When it comes to money, information is power. (So, how bad does it look?) Tonight: Someone will help you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A serious discussion with someone close to you might be productive today. If you have a problem, they might help you with practical suggestions. You also might be introduced to someone older or more experienced or, pos- sibly, a person who is from your past. Tonight: Listen to others. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today someone is willing to help you in a physical, practical sense. Don’t reject their help even though you feel you can do the job. Not only might it make your life easier, but by accepting their help, you’ll make them feel useful. Tonight: Improve your health. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) This is a good day to teach young people. It’s also an excellent day to hone a particular technique, whether it’s in the arts (perhaps a musical in- strument) or in sports. Tonight: Seek improvements. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) You might discuss memories about the past or old family matters with a relative today. Or perhaps an older relative will help you with a problem. What you need is a practical solution today, and you will find it. Tonight: Lis- ten to someone’s story. Throw in the fact that he didn’t get to play in the minors last season due to COVID-19, and the conditions for Kelenic’s debut were far from ideal. “He certainly is struggling right now. He is putting a little bit of pressure on himself, like all guys do when they struggle. It’s no different than anybody else,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “He’s a good base- ball player. He’s just not getting a whole lot of hits, and a lot of luck.” This was a necessary de- motion, and one that could be beneficial. It’s a chance for Kelenic to take a breath and not feel as though he has to single-handedly save this fran- chise. He is only 21. He can mash in Tacoma for a few weeks (he hit .370/.414/.630 in the six games he played there this year) and get his mind and swing right. Of course, one never re- ally knows if the difference between Class AAA pitching and MLB pitching will be an enduring hurdle for a talented prospect. I remember cover- ing Angels infielder Brandon Wood when he led all of base- ball in home runs while at Class A Rancho Cucamonga. The hype for him was a moun- tain to Kelenic’s molehill. He ended up hitting .186 for his career with a -3.8 WAR. This is baseball, where you take educated guesses on play- ers you hope will bloom in two, three, five years — often lon- ger. One knows only so much based on what they see at the lower levels. Dustin Ackley was the sec- ond overall pick in the draft and never made an All-Star Game. Mike Piazza, a Hall of Famer, was picked in the 62nd round. This is a wait-and-see situ- ation for Kelenic. The start to his MLB career was obviously inauspicious, but shouldn’t spike anxiety levels just yet. This is where everybody needs to be patient. Especially Jarred Kelenic. Matt Slocum/AP Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young (11) goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Matisse Thybulle (22) during Game 1 of a second-round playoff series on Sunday in Philadelphia. just so beyond his age,” George six playoff games. said of Doncic. “He pretty “I’m not satisfied,” Young much can pick up and read al- said after Round 1, a series most any defense. against New York “I think it’s the best … He’s going to that he punctu- great. He’s got ated with a the- class in NBA history. be a big, huge future atrical bow at ahead of him.” Madison Square That’s how I feel. … Doncic is far Garden. “Win- from the only ning feels good. It Guys like Luka, MPJ one in the class feels better.” and Trae, it’s been of 2018 that’s has Doncic leads a big, huge fu- — and will likely great to watch us ture — and some finish — as the young guys go at it. big, huge pay- playoff scoring checks — await- leader this sea- We’re not backing ing him. Young son, at 35.7 points is averaging 30.2 per game. He’s in down.” points entering line for a rookie — Deandre Ayton, extension this Phoenix Suns center who Tuesday’s game summer that will went No. 1 overall in 2018 in Philadelphia. Ayton, in his exceed $200 mil- first playoffs, is lion, and there’s shooting 78% from the field, little doubt that the Mavericks something nobody in NBA will slide that piece of paper history with more than 50 shot his way. attempts has done in their first “He just plays with so much trip to the postseason. confidence, and his game is Suns guard Chris Paul has said all season that Ayton has all the tools — and no one would argue that now. “It’s great to see it coming to- gether for him,” Paul said. Some of the class of 2018 are full-time starters in these play- offs, like Young for the Hawks, Ayton and Bridges for Phoe- nix, Porter Jr. in Denver. Oth- ers, like Brown with the Nets, got called upon to be a spot starter. And some have the closer role; Huerter, for example, has been on the floor for most of the fourth-quarter action for the Hawks in the postseason, and his brilliant pass to John Collins late in Game 1 of the win in Philadelphia led to a clear-path foul that helped the Hawks seal the victory. “I’m just trying to impact winning and that’s any way I can right now in the playoffs,” Huerter said.