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.