Donald Trump will be sworn into office for the second time soon. Two months ago, the Republican won the 2024 election against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Before the president-elect takes office again, his supporters want to know more about the 2025 presidential inauguration, including the date, how to attend the event and more.
Before an inauguration takes place, members of Congress tally up the electoral votes that were submitted to Congress in December. On Monday, January 6, 2025, Senate and archivist Harris and Collen Shogan will oversee this counting of votes.
Additionally, four years ago, the insurrection known as the January 6 United States Capitol Attack took place after Trump supporters tried to stop President Joe Biden‘s victory.
Learn more about Trump’s inauguration below.
What Date Is the 2025 Presidential Inauguration?
Trump’s presidential inauguration will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025.
What Time Is Trump’s Inauguration?
According to multiple outlets, Trump will be sworn into office at around 11 a.m CT.
Where to Watch the 2025 Inauguration
The presidential inauguration typically airs on cable channels, including ABC, CBS, CNN, CSPAN, NBC, Fox News and PBS. Viewers should be able to stream the coverage after it airs live.
How to Get Tickets for the 2025 Inauguration
Not everyone can attend the presidential inauguration, but the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies provides a limited number of tickets to the general public through members of Congress. Tickets are no charge, and many can watch the inauguration proceedings from the Capitol building, according to usa.gov.
How Many Votes Did Trump Win By?
In terms of Electoral College votes, Trump won 312, and Harris won 226. As for the popular vote, Trump won 77,303,573, while Harris won 75,019,257, according to the Associated Press.
Julie Bowen has stated that even though she identifies as straight, she has had an experience in which she fell in love with a female. No, I’m not gay. I have never been gay or bisexual. The actress from Modern Family disclosed this information in the most recent edition of her podcast titled “Quitters.” During our conversation, she said, “I was in love with a woman for a time, but she did not love me back.”
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She had a thing for ladies but didn’t feel the same about me. Continued Bowen, who was 52. Since it never took off, I was never forced to question how I conceived of myself in terms of my sexuality.
Following the guest alumna of The Bachelor, Becca Tilley’s statement that coming out was a stressful experience for her, particularly after appearing on two seasons of the ABC show, the actress decided to declare her sexual orientation.
The reality TV star, who is 34 years old and is dating Hayley Kiyoko at the moment, shared with Bowen that he is attracted to people.
One day people won’t be forced to come out, as doing so adds a lot of extra stress and weight to their lives. She said that given how challenging life is, falling in love should be a simple, beautiful experience that no one should feel the need to justify to anybody else.
When individuals ask others to define themselves, they frequently inquire about a person’s sexual inclination and what they do in the bedroom, according to Bowen, who portrayed Claire Dunphy on the television show Modern Family.
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She stated that what you do with your body should not be the first thing that we learn about someone or be concerned about because it is none of our business. I share your wish that people won’t need to leave their homes all the time.
Around 90 years ago, the tiny village of Belchite, near Zaragoza, northwest Spain, stood as a stunning example of ancient history, with settlements located there as far back as 75 AD.
However, with the outbreak of the guerra civil in 1936, it now stands as a testament to the ravages of war and a living museum of this troubled time in Spanish history.
Found on the border between the republican state and fascist forces, Belchite became the centre of a 15-day siege – one of the bloodiest and most important battles of the whole war – one that all but destroyed the village.
Eventually the village fell to General Franco’s forces in 1939, who left its razed remains to stand as a reminder of his power and a warning to any future rebels.
Today, Belchite is frequented only by visitors wishing to walk its bullet-riddled streets and learn more about this troubled period of Spanish history, which saw between 500,000 and 800,000 deaths.
Belchite is located in one of the driest areas in Aragon, with temperatures often remaining around the low-to-mid 30s in the summer.
Easily accessible by car via the A-222 and just 30 miles from the provincial capital, Zaragoza, Belchite boasts a history that dates back thousands of years.
In 1122, Alfonso the Battler (the King of Aragon and Navarre, 1104-1134) founded the Confraternity of Belchite to defend the frontier between the Christian kingdoms and al-Andalus – the Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian Peninsula. It stood as an experimental community of knights, who vowed to devote their lives to fighting pagans.
Over the centuries, it was built up with some breathtaking medieval churches and monuments, including the arc of San Roque.
In June 1809, during the Peninsular War, French and Spanish forces also fought in the Battle of Maria near Belchite.
However, during the Battle of Belchite which would see the end of life in the village as residents knew it, houses were bombed, churches were razed and the townspeople were slaughtered.
One of the most vivid descriptions after the battle was written by historian Cecil Eby: “[The journalist] found a town so totally ruined that often people could not tell where the streets had been. People were digging under piles of mortar, bricks, and beams pulling out corpses.”
“Belchite was less a town than a nasty smell.”
The scenes were reminiscent of the destruction seen in Guernica a few months earlier, one which was immortalised in Pablo Picasso’s iconic painting of the same name.
Some parts of the village have since been rebuilt, and a population of around 1,600 remains, though many parts have been left as they were during the war.
Belchite has also been used as the setting for period films such as The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) and Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), as well as used in the opening scene of a 1983 ITV documentary on the civil war.
There are two tours of Belchite available – one during the day, and another at night, for those visitors brave enough to explore the spooky rubble and the shells of the buildings. You can get tickets for a guided tour of Belchite from the tourist information office or buy tickets online, while the Ethnological Museum is open on Saturdays and Sunday mornings.
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The viral cottage cheese flatbread is a must try! It’s made with just cottage cheese, eggs and seasonings! It’s packed with almost 20 grams of protein. Use it to make delicious sandwiches or wraps for an easy lunch!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
Versatile: This cottage cheese flatbread is a great alternative to traditional bread and it’s perfectly pliable for making any type of sandwich or wrap.
Quick and Easy: Made with just two key ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes!
Nutritious: This flatbread is high in protein but is low carb and low in calories. It’s also a great gluten-free option!
Delicious: Light, fluffy and full of flavor! Serve it up with these super easy air fryer potato chips and fruit salad for a lunch you won’t forget!
How to Make Cottage Cheese Flatbread
This cottage cheese flatbread recipe is incredibly easy to make! With just a few simple ingredients, you can have it prepped in minutes. Blend, cook and enjoy! There’s no kneading, rising or complicated steps, making it perfect for any day of the week.
Combine: Preheat the oven to 350ºF, then line an 18 x 13 x 1-inch baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Add the cottage cheese, eggs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to a food processor or blender.
Blend: Blend until smooth and combined.
Bake: Pour the cottage cheese mixture into the prepared pan, then carefully shake the pan to evenly spread the mixture onto the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and set. Once it has finished baking, let it cool completely then enjoy with sandwich toppings!
Cottage Cheese Flatbread Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and tricks for a simple, high protein cottage cheese wrap that you’re going to want to make on repeat!
Parchment Paper: You don’t need to spray the pan because using parchment paper prevents the flatbread from sticking.
Seasonings: I love the added flavor of garlic and Italian seasonings but feel free to season it to your heart’s desire. You could try onion powder or everything bagel seasoning. You can even ditch the seasonings and just keep it simple!
Let it cool: Once the flatbread cools, it becomes pliable and easy to use for sandwiches! Allowing it to cool prevents it from breaking apart.
Serving Ideas: Sandwiches are our favorite way to enjoy the flatbread. Top it with turkey, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, spinach, and whatever else you like! It’s also a great base for your favorite pizza toppings or to make burritos. One of these days I want to try using them as tortillas to make enchiladas. I’m always looking for ways to get more protein!
How to Store Leftovers
While cottage cheese flatbreads are best right after being made, you can make them ahead of time and store for later. Here are my tips for storing and reheating your leftovers.
In the Fridge: Cottage cheese flatbread is best fresh, but you can place it in between 2 pieces of parchment paper in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container or sealed Ziplock bag for 1-2 days.
To Reheat: Cottage cheese flatbread is delicious served cold, but if you prefer it warm you can reheat it! Pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds, or in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350ºF.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 18 x 13 x 1-inch baking sheet pan with parchment paper.
Add 1 cup cottage cheese, 2 large eggs, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ⅛ teaspoon Kosher salt, and ⅛ teaspoon cracked black pepper, to a food processor or blender.
Blend until smooth and combined.
Pour the cottage cheese mixture into the prepared pan. Carefully shake the pan to evenly spread the mixture onto the pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and set. Let cool completely then enjoy it with your favorite sandwich toppings!
Taco salad used to be my go-to dinner when I was working 9 to 5 every day. It was really easy to throw together based on whatever was in my pantry. Also, I usually cooked enough taco meat to have some as leftovers to make the next day’s lunch or dinner even easier. Here I have adapted the classic taco ingredients into a salad for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.
Taco night was a weekly occurrence when I was growing up, with all of the toppings set out for everyone to assemble their own. My taste in tacos has come a long way from when I was a kid though. I used to assemble some meat and cheese topped with sour cream, wrapped up in a tortilla. Yikes. My taco preferences have certainly taken a turn for the better, no more cheese or sour cream or even tortillas necessary. The key is in the creamy dressing.
The avocado dressing provides some extra healthy fats and brightness to the salad. The lime juice and cilantro provide a refreshing flavor that really brings the taco salad together.
It takes about a minute to blend, and tastes good either at room temperature or chilled. You can store any extra dressing in the refrigerator for the next meal. Just wait to dress the salad until right before you’re ready to eat it so that the lettuce doesn’t get soggy on you. The taco seasoning can also be made ahead of time in large batches and stored, or you can combine the different seasonings while you cook the meat.
This substantial yet simple salad can easily be a filling lunch or dinner. It can also be made vegetarian by simply omitting the ground beef, though I would perhaps add more veggies, such as tomatoes. It takes very little time to assemble, which is great for rushed lunches, or weeknights when you don’t feel like cooking a big dinner. This salad is easy to put together no matter what your schedule.
More Good Taco Salad Recipes
Chicken Taco Salad
Chicken taco salad can be a simple but filling lunch or dinner. If you would like to make the salad vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and replace it with more of the fresh tomatoes, black olives, and avocado. The dressing is kept light and brightened with citrus. Requiring little assembly time, this recipe is a favorite for quick weekday lunches.
Ingredients
2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded 12 oz. Romaine lettuce, shredded 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 avocado, diced 1/4 red onion, diced 1/4 cup pitted black olives, sliced 2 green onions, chopped
For the dressing:
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 tbsp orange juice 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp lime juice 1/4 tsp cumin Pinch of salt Pinch of freshly ground pepper
Instructions
1. Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. In a separate large bowl, add the shredded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and olives. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat. Top with green onions to serve.
To make Korean grocery shopping easier for everyone, me and my readers have been making a list of local Korean grocery stores around the world. We started in 2010 and it’s grown bigger and bigger every day. Want to find a store near you? Look here. Want to add your local Korean grocery store? Do it here! I use my own website no matter where I go, to get my Korean ingredients. : )
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have transformed from mere sales events into cultural phenomena, driving millions of shoppers into a frenzy of deals and discounts each year. Originating in the United States, these shopping bonanzas have grown into global events, influencing how businesses and consumers approach the holiday season. In 2024, these twin pillars of consumerism once again captivated the world, delivering record-breaking sales figures, showcasing cutting-edge shopping trends, and redefining the boundaries of retail innovation.
This year, the stakes were higher than ever. With advancements in e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and payment technologies, consumers can access unprecedented levels of convenience and personalization. On the other hand, retailers competed fiercely to stand out in a crowded marketplace, employing aggressive marketing strategies and irresistible offers to capture consumer attention.
2024’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday weren’t just about record sales—they reflected broader trends shaping our society. From the growing emphasis on sustainable shopping and ethical consumption to the integration of virtual reality in online stores, these events showcased a retail ecosystem that is evolving rapidly. But alongside these advancements came questions about their impact, from supply chain challenges to environmental concerns raised by the surge in shipping and packaging demands.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the origins and evolution of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, providing historical context to these modern retail giants. We’ll also explore what made the 2024 events so unique, analyzing key takeaways, trends, and sales data from around the world. Finally, we’ll conclude with a reflection on the environmental implications of such massive retail events and propose ideas for a more sustainable future in shopping.
Photo by sarah b
Black Friday and Cyber Monday – Origins, History, and Key Facts
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become synonymous with frenzied shopping sprees, doorbuster deals, and an annual spectacle transforming how the world approaches the holiday season. To understand their significance, it’s essential to explore their origins, history, and the fascinating facts that have shaped these events into what they are today.
The Origins of Black Friday
The term “Black Friday” originated in Philadelphia during the 1960s, when local police used it to describe the chaotic traffic and crowded streets that followed Thanksgiving. By the 1980s, the term had shifted to a more positive connotation, reflecting the financial success of retailers who moved “into the black” (profit) thanks to the surge in holiday shopping. Over time, Black Friday became a cultural event, with stores offering steep discounts to attract shoppers eager to kickstart their Christmas shopping.
The Birth of Cyber Monday
As online shopping gained traction in the early 2000s, retailers noticed a spike in e-commerce sales the following Thanksgiving. This phenomenon was attributed to consumers returning to work and using high-speed internet connections to shop online. In 2005, the National Retail Federation coined “Cyber Monday” to capitalize on this trend, marking the beginning of a digital shopping revolution.
Key Facts Over the Years
1. Global Reach: Black Friday and Cyber Monday are no longer exclusive to the U.S. Countries worldwide have embraced the events, adapting them to their local markets.
2. Record Sales: In 2023, combined sales exceeded $200 billion globally, showcasing their economic impact.
3. The Shift to Online: Cyber Monday consistently outpaces Black Friday in online sales, reflecting changing consumer preferences.
4. Environmental Impact: These events generate significant environmental concerns due to increased shipping and packaging demands.
From humble beginnings to worldwide phenomena, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have reshaped retail, creating opportunities and challenges for businesses and consumers.
2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday – Unprecedented Sales and Emerging Trends
The 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday events have again underscored their significance in the global retail landscape, setting new records and highlighting evolving consumer behaviours. This year, they witnessed remarkable online and in-store sales growth driven by technological advancements and shifting shopping preferences.
Record-Breaking Sales Figures
Black Friday online sales in the United States reached $10.8 billion, a 10.2% increase from the previous year’s $9.8 billion. Cyber Monday continued its dominance as the most significant online shopping day, with sales projected to hit $13.2 billion, reflecting a 6.1% year-over-year growth. Collectively, U.S. retail sales from Black Friday to Cyber Monday were forecasted to reach $75 billion, a 5% increase compared to 2023.
Global Expansion and Participation
Originally U.S.-centric, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have evolved into global phenomena. In the United Kingdom, major retailers like Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon launched early discounts, contributing to a significant surge in consumer spending. In France, the events have been widely adopted, with numerous merchants extending offers beyond the official dates to maximize consumer engagement.
Emerging Trends in 2024
1. Mobile Shopping Surge: Mobile devices accounted for 80% of U.S. traffic to retailer sites and apps, with 73% of orders placed via mobile, underscoring the growing importance of mobile optimization for retailers.
2. Influencer and Affiliate Marketing Impact: Influencers and affiliate marketers drove 20% of U.S. Cyber Monday e-commerce revenue, a 7% increase from the previous year, highlighting the effectiveness of social media in influencing purchasing decisions.
3. Artificial Intelligence Integration: Retailers leveraged AI-powered chatbots and personalized recommendations, leading to a 9% higher conversion rate for digital retailers utilizing AI technologies.
4. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Adoption: The BNPL option contributed $686.3 million to online Black Friday sales, reflecting an 8.8% year-over-year increase, indicating consumers’ preference for flexible payment options.
Top Performing Retailers
Amazon maintained its leadership position, with significant Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, contributing to a notable rise in its stock value. Traditional retailers like Walmart and Costco also reported strong performances, attributed to their strategic embrace of e-commerce and technology enhancements.
Environmental Considerations
The surge in online shopping has raised environmental concerns due to increased shipping and packaging demands. Consumers and retailers are becoming more conscious of sustainability, emphasising eco-friendly packaging and carbon-neutral shipping options.
The 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday events set new sales records and showcased significant consumer behaviour and retail strategy shifts. The integration of technology, the influence of social media, and the expansion of flexible payment options have redefined the shopping experience. As these events evolve, balancing consumer demand with environmental responsibility remains a critical consideration for the future.
To Conclude,
The 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday events have again demonstrated their unmatched influence on global retail. With record-breaking sales figures, groundbreaking technological integration, and expanding global participation, these shopping phenomena have redefined consumer behaviour and retail strategies. From the dominance of mobile shopping to the power of influencer marketing and the rising popularity of flexible payment options like Buy Now and Pay Later, the trends emerging this year are a testament to the evolving demands of modern shoppers.
Yet, amid the excitement and convenience of these events, there is a growing awareness of their environmental footprint. The surge in online orders has increased the demand for shipping and packaging, raising significant concerns about sustainability. While some retailers are taking steps toward eco-friendly practices, there is still a long way to go in balancing consumerism with environmental responsibility.
Looking ahead, retailers and consumers alike must find a way to enjoy the benefits of these shopping events without compromising the health of our planet. Whether through embracing sustainable packaging, prioritizing carbon-neutral delivery options, or simply making more mindful purchasing decisions, there are steps we can all take to create a more balanced future.
As we reflect on the incredible milestones of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024, it’s clear that these events are more than just sales—they’re cultural markers of our time. However, as the world shifts toward sustainability, perhaps the next evolution of these shopping extravaganzas will be defined not just by profits but by their contribution to a healthier, more conscious world.
José Amorim The author sourced the information for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted, and reproduction rights are not available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
The 82nd Golden Globes is now in the books, and two nominees, in particular, have a lot to celebrate — Emilia Pérez and Shōgun. Both the film and television series led the night with four Golden Globes wins each.
Emilia Pérez came into the Awards show with a whopping 10 nominations, so its success shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, and Shōgun was the second-most-nominated television series behind The Bear. However, Shōgun won each of its four nominations — Best Television Series – Drama, Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Drama, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama, and Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television. Notably, both the acclaimed film and television series are already on streaming platforms.
As a Netflix original film, Emilia Pérez has been streaming on the platform since November 13, 2024, following its limited theatrical run just a couple of weeks earlier. Meanwhile, the FX hit Shōgun is streaming on Hulu (or Disney+ for those with connected Hulu accounts). The first season of Shōgun is reaching the end of its award run; the acclaimed drama already won 18 Emmys last Fall. Now, eyes are on the film industry leading up to the Academy Awards.
‘Emilia Pérez’ and ‘Shōgun’ Tied for Most Golden Globe Wins
With four wins each, Emilia Pérez and Shōgun led film and television, respectively, at the 82nd Golden Globes. In the film category, The Brutalist came in a close second with three wins for Best Director – Drama, Best Performance by Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, and Best Motion Picture – Drama. In television, the next closest contenders were Hacks and Baby Reindeer, each with two wins a piece.
The biggest party in Hollywood brings the Award Season into 2025. Here are all the winners.
Of all the films and television series mentioned above, The Brutalist is the only one not currently available on streaming as it is still in its theatrical run. Like Emilia Pérez, Baby Reindeer is available on Netflix, and all three seasons of Hacks are available to stream on MAX.
Netflix is a great place to binge some of the Golden Globe-nominated films and television series. Series and movies such as Squid Game, The Diplomant, Nobody Wants This, Dune: Part Two, Ripley, Black Doves, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, and a handful of stand-up specials join Emilia Pérez and Baby Reindeer as nominees that you can watch on the streamer right now.
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Release Date
November 13, 2024
Runtime
130 Minutes
Cast
Karla Sofía Gascón
, Zoe Saldana
, Selena Gomez
, Adriana Paz
, Edgar Ramirez
, Mark Ivanir
, Eduardo Aladro
, Emiliano Edmundo Hasan Jalil
, James Gerard
, Eric Geynes
, Agathe Bokja
, Chun-Ting Lin
, Stéphane Ly-Cuong
, Line Phé
, Pascal Toussirot
, Karla Lazo
90 Day Fiancé star Jasmine Pineda has revealed her real relationship status with Matt Branis amid multiple sources claiming that she is having a baby. Jasmine from Panama married Gino Palazzolo from Michigan in June 2023. The couple had been together for 18 months before the wedding and their entire relationship was documented in various 90 Day Fiancé spin-offs. Jasmine always seemed dissatisfied in the relationship, often showing her disappointment in Gino, who never made her his priority. After they married, Jasmine complained that Gino was not showing her intimacy.
Jasmine revealed that Gino had not touched her for nine months and that she was open to exploring an open marriage.
Jasmine was linked to a man named Matt who she introduced as a friend during 90 Day: The Last Resort. Matt was supportive of Jasmine and wished for therapy to be able to fix her marriage with Gino. However, online reports claimed Matt was her boyfriend and possible baby daddy, and she had been living with him for a year, since December 2023. Jasmine has not commented on the matter yet. Instead, she posted a comment, “My bestie” with an angel-face emoji on Matt’s latest Instagram upload. The selfie shows Matt in a light blue t-shirt posing with a serious expression.
What Jasmine Claiming Matt Is Her Friend & Not Boyfriend Means For Her
Jasmine Could Be Throwing Fans Off The Scent
Jasmine has also sparked pregnancy rumors lately. Fans noticed she had a baby bump in her red dress during Between The Sheets. Jasmine has also been posting pictures of herself on Instagram where she hides her tummy area. Bloggers have found pictures of her where Jasmine, who is known for her fitness, has a bit of roundness in her mid-section. Jasmine also included baby furniture in her Amazon Wishlist. Bloggers received anonymous messages from people claiming they’d spotted Jasmine in Florida with a baby bump.
Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.
It appears Jasmine may have moved from Michigan to Hollywood, Florida, recently. She’s not alone, and she has been enjoying the company of Matt. It is rumored that Matt is a mechanic and a struggling actor. He met Jasmine at the Planet Fitness gym which she often visited in her first year in the U.S. Jasmine supposedly cheated on Gino with Matt, who believed that Matt was not interested in women. The most difficult part about these rumors is that nothing has been discussed on the show yet.
Our Take On Jasmine Trying To Hide Her Relationship Amid Pregnancy Rumors
Is Jasmine’s Boyfriend & Baby Rumor, Just A Rumor?
Gino and Jasmine are still pretending to be together on social media, despite their once-in-a-while passive-aggressive comments on Stories. Gino even has their wedding photo pinned on his Instagram page. It ends up looking like these rumors about Jasmine having a boyfriend and a baby might be something Jasmine and Gino concocted to get 90 Day Fiancé fans interested in their storyline. They’ve seen Angela Deem and Michael Ilesanmi’s popularity soaring after news of Michael going missing and could be trying to create some imaginary drama to become the next king and queen of reality TV.
90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on TLC.
90 Day Fiancé is a reality TV series that follows the trials and tribulations of Non-U.S. citizens who travel from abroad each season to meet their potential spouses utilizing a K-1 visa. This three-month visa gives the pair 90 days to determine whether or not their romantic and life goals are aligned before they’re forced to return home unmarried. Drama and tension unfold as the couples navigate the tricky dynamics of international marriage.
That was coach JJ Redick’s halftime message Friday night to the Lakers, his frustration with the team’s lack of attention to defensive details boiling over first into a couple of rage-induced timeouts and later into a challenge to his group to be better.
The timing, which came with the Lakers leading a game they’d eventually win 119-102 against Atlanta, indicates something that’s been percolating behind the scenes over the last month, that the Lakers might actually be on to something worth investing in.
Since the team moved Max Christie into the starting lineup on Dec. 8, the Lakers are 8-3. They’re sixth in the NBA in defensive efficiency during that stretch. Over the last seven games, their offense has awoken. And their acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith, one of the premier role players available on the trade market, not only gives clues to the type of team they’re trying to build, but also cleared a runway for Austin Reaves to try to become the team’s third star.
All of it has sort of uncluttered things for Redick, general manager and vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and the organization. With a month until the NBA trade deadline and a favorable schedule, the next move has people around the league curious about what direction the Lakers will go in the build to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Instead of frantically hunting for a third star or pushing chips in on a starting-caliber center, the Lakers, rival executives believe, will move in different ways than it might’ve seemed earlier this season.
The emergence of third-year guard Max Christie (12) as a starter has allowed Austin Reaves (14) to become more of a third weapon on offense.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Christie has given the Lakers the kind of defensive speed and shooting they wanted in their backcourt, playing himself out of any marginal trade conversations. And the Lakers’ resistance to a third maximum-salary contract has only gone up since their failed Russell Westbrook experience, the constraints of the new salary-cap rules making that kind of roster construction more of an albatross than a luxury. (Sorry, Jimmy Butler fans.)
There had been some early-season consensus that the Lakers would be aggressive in their pursuit of a center to either play with Anthony Davis or behind him, but the Finney-Smith acquisition makes that seem unlikely.
Long linked to a player like Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, a target for the team this summer in free agency, it’s become clear that the Lakers’ needs to get bigger aren’t as important to them as their desires to get faster, more athletic and more dynamic.
While teams have expressed interest in Utah center Walker Kessler — the Lakers included — the belief in NBA circles is that he’s not available in any realistic trade scenarios, Utah electing to keep one of the NBA’s top rim protectors through the deadline.
The team also probably used its most practical trade chip — D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract — in the Finney-Smith deal.
Multiple rival executives have said that they don’t think the Lakers should invest some of their limited draft capital (and tradeable contracts) for a player who slows them down — and one who, in a playoff series, would have a limited role considering the overwhelming bulk of center minutes will still fall to Davis.
While the Lakers, and Redick has said it, do need more toughness, finding it on the perimeter instead of in the paint seems to be the goal.
Even as the Lakers’ offense has spiked over the last seven games, they’ve done it while still being in the bottom half of the league in three-pointers attempted and made. Targeting shooting and athleticism on the perimeter — particularly in the form of a player who can operate off the ball — is something the Lakers should have their eyes on. Rival scouts and executives who agree with that are always quick to point out that virtually every contending team is trying to add athletic shooters to their roster.
Instead of rushing into a deal for a backup big man, the Lakers do have a real desire to see what their second unit looks like once Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are on the court together — something that happened just once a season ago.
And Finney-Smith is a tough, switchable, defensive-minded player who can make corner threes at a high volume. He’s very much the kind of player Redick wants to have in his system, and even after three games (and zero real practices), it’s obvious how comfortable Redick is in coaching his former teammate in Dallas.
He challenged him by name after the win over the Hawks, directly holding him to accountability for his first-half defense while going out of his way to praise him for how he recovered in the second half.
There’s also the recent run of play from LeBron James to consider, his week absence at the start of the Lakers’ 8-3 stretch leading to a run of All-NBA-level play from him while passing his 40th birthday last week. If this level is sustainable to some degree, the Lakers’ chances at working themselves into a “great” team go up.
“We’re a ways [from being great] to be honest with you,” Reaves said after the Lakers beat Atlanta. “But everybody’s working in the right direction to becoming that.”
Sunday’s game at Houston will be a real challenge, the Lakers having to conquer what’s become a bad matchup because of the Rockets’ size and athleticism. And Tuesday, against a short-handed Dallas team playing without Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ defense will have to consistently handle the types of details they messed up early on Friday.
After that, the Lakers play their next eight games in Los Angeles — a real chance to cement these last four weeks as more than a blip in their season.
The changes the Lakers have already made to their roster will ultimately dictate the ways they decide to move next — if they move at all.
