Jumble Spoiler – 11/30/13

English: Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics Larry Bird in Game two of the 1985 NBA Finals at Boston Garden (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visual Description:  Hoopster hitting Chi-town, via charter flight.

MULAQ  =  QUALM,  VELLE  =  LEVEL,  NATLEG  =  TANGLE,  RICNOM  =  MICRON   —   Giving us:  ALEVTGIRN

Clue/Question:  Basketball players enjoy away games because this is allowed.

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell during a basketball game (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Answer:  TRAVELING

(Nice pun.  But, the truth of the matter is these days – in the NBA, at least – that refs rarely call traveling infractions.  Not that many of these prima donnas actually have the balls to take it to the hoop these days, but when the few do, they all take three or four steps, and the refs allow it!  Because now they say it’s part of making their move.  Bullshit!  By the rules – that most of us learned the game by – it’s still traveling, but the game has devolved over the years.  In my opinion, the three-point shot has made the game nearly unwatchable, anyway.  Too little mixing it up means too little defense means too many three-point attempts means too many over-inflated rebound numbers means they’ve lost me as a fan.  Real fans want more action in the paint, and more taking it to the hole.  Oh, by the way, most of my basketball opinion comes via being a Knicks’ fan.  Maybe I should just switch my allegiance to a team that plays a more all around kind of game.  Does that even exist anymore???

Guess what, kids?  There were two brand new clue words today!  Hoyt gave us both “qualm” and “micron” for the first time.  I had to pen them in lightly at first to see how the letters would work with the final answer.  THEY WORKED!  ralis95 has a little work to do, updating his clue word database.  The answer letter layout was also very impressive.  It took me a couple of minutes to put it together.  Very likely due to my feelings about the state of the sport.  Cool cartoon, Knurek.  It wouldn’t surprise me if some of you had some difficulty with today’s Jumble.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR

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