"Three-Pointers" - January 7, 2022 (MMXXII)

[Jeffrey]

Dear Mike,

Nice grid and excellent metanism. Am a fan of the logic.
Please pass along my best to Steph Curry at your next Michelangelos-R-Us meetup.

See ya next week.

[Bob cruise director]

The basketball theme made me think back to the great Boston Celtics teams, and when we would wait and watch, with a 20 point lead in the fourth quarter, for Red Auerbach to light his cigar. And "High above courtside" Johnny Most, who was the biggest homer, call the games with his raspy voice. "And Havlicek steals the ball! Celtics win! He stole it!" is one of the greatest calls of all time.

Those were the days when you would put the game on TV, turn off the sound, and listen to the great home team radio announcers make the calls. There are still some great sportscasters, but none that hold our hearts the way Johnny, Curt Gowdy, and others did.

Posted earlier that I solved this puzzle very quickly, which might say something about how my mind works. Feel free to DM me for a nudge.

They broke the mold after Red and Johnny Most.

[Bob cruise director]

Sorry I missed the Zoom, although my contribution would mostly have consisted of blank looks.

We had quite enough blank looks and empty rabbit holes. You would have fit right in with the majority of us.

[Katianalt1029]

Onshore for the first time ever! The answer was right in front of me the whole time. It was the very first basketball term I wrote down as I brainstormed but I just couldn’t make it work until finally stepping away and coming back!!

[rjy]

Ashore! Took way too long, w many rabbit-holes, but phew! Nice to get a nudge-free solve

[Jedimaster]

Can you help with a nudge?

[DrTom]

Muggle Zoom solving session! Quite different than the Tuesday Zoom, but if you ever get a chance, tune into one even if you have solved. To watch all of those very analytical minds go through the possibilities and observe as someone inevitably gets the mechanism because the rabbit holes are collapsed - well I imagine that the Manhattan project was only slightly less productive (though eminently more destructive).

[JJD]

Hmmm… promising rabbit hole is staring at me with lots of possibilities, but no next step. Will I get to shore with this approach, or just get dirty hands in this dark hole?

[DrTom]

Wait.... Solved the WSJ contest puzzle. Solved the MGWCC. So... what do I do with my weekend? Book? What's a "book"? Hobbies? I gave those up years ago for meta-puzzles. Oh, those guitars over there? Yeah, but I lost my callouses in 2021. Shovel snow? Nah, I'll just stay in. Still plenty of wine.

I'll figure it out.

Wine is a hobby....well depending on how you do it. I've been specifically banned from buying more until we drink some of what we have.

Hmmm,,, "oh NO, please don't throw me into that briar patch....!"

[JJD]

Wait.... Solved the WSJ contest puzzle. Solved the MGWCC. So... what do I do with my weekend? Book? What's a "book"? Hobbies? I gave those up years ago for meta-puzzles. Oh, those guitars over there? Yeah, but I lost my callouses in 2021. Shovel snow? Nah, I'll just stay in. Still plenty of wine.

I'll figure it out.

Wine is a hobby....well depending on how you do it. I've been specifically banned from buying more until we drink some of what we have.

Hmmm,,, "oh NO, please don't throw me into that briar patch....!"

I’ll help you with the wine if you help me with this puzzle. Lol

[vandono]

I"ve finally taken my leave of our friend Isaac and rowed to shore singing "A-ha ha y una botella de Negra" which doesn't quite fit the rhythm of the famous pirate song but when you've solved a Mike Shenk meta for the first time in your long life you really don't care about that. Point me to the cabana, mateys!

Edited to add: Thanks to Joe Ross for his link to the SAD meta. I don't think I'd have made it to shore without that.

[mattythewsjpuzzler]

Ashore! This is one you just have to see. Am taking dry January so unfortunately...herbal tea please!

[HunterX]

Wait.... Solved the WSJ contest puzzle. Solved the MGWCC. So... what do I do with my weekend? Book? What's a "book"? Hobbies? I gave those up years ago for meta-puzzles. Oh, those guitars over there? Yeah, but I lost my callouses in 2021. Shovel snow? Nah, I'll just stay in. Still plenty of wine.

I'll figure it out.

Wine is a hobby....well depending on how you do it. I've been specifically banned from buying more until we drink some of what we have.

Hmmm,,, "oh NO, please don't throw me into that briar patch....!"

Look, Br'er Rabbit, I can help you out. Just send me half of your wine and you'll be able to buy more. Win-Win!!!

Or is that Wine-Wine? Definitely better than Wine-Whine. Or the dreaded Whine-Whine.

[bzkfrl@gmail.com]

Ashore. Nice grid and meta!

[whimsy]

Looking at the puzzle again now but remain On the Ship.
Totally missed the call to the Zoom -- would have at least popped in to wave.
Kept busy most of the day helping to shovel after the snowblower wouldn't start --
And also dis-mantel-ing (literally, in some instances) Christmas.

[Joe Ross]

I"ve finally taken my leave of our friend Isaac and rowed to shore singing "A-ha ha y una botella de Negra" which doesn't quite fit the rhythm of the famous pirate song but when you've solved a Mike Shenk meta for the first time in your long life you really don't care about that. Point me to the cabana, mateys!

Edited to add: Thanks to Joe Ross for his link to the SAD meta. I don't think I'd have made it to shore without that.

Uh-oh! What have I done? I hadn't solved (well, had it solved for me) when I posted that...

:::checking that SAD post:::

Hopefully, the 5th of whiskey was your inspiration, not some spoiler which is too clever for me to spot.

Hey, since the bottle is out, I'm buying!

[vandono]

I"ve finally taken my leave of our friend Isaac and rowed to shore singing "A-ha ha y una botella de Negra" which doesn't quite fit the rhythm of the famous pirate song but when you've solved a Mike Shenk meta for the first time in your long life you really don't care about that. Point me to the cabana, mateys!

Edited to add: Thanks to Joe Ross for his link to the SAD meta. I don't think I'd have made it to shore without that.

Uh-oh! What have I done? I hadn't solved (well, had it solved for me) when I posted that...
:::checking that SAD post:::

i think it just made me look at it in a different way - and follow up on something i thought was a coincidence/rabbit hole.

[JeanneC]

*sigh* Basketball…why did it have to be basketball…!
Grid done, meta nowhere in sight. Fill ‘er up, Isaac.

[Dow Jones]

On the ship. No "Hail Mary" this time...it will be a "Buzzer Beater".

[ship4u]

STEPS TO SOLVING THE WEEKLY WSJ META
(For Newbies who also want to have a fun time.)
1. Sit in a comfortable chair with adequate lighting, a notepad, pen and highlighter.
2. Create a mindset of enthusiasm, determination and confidence.
3. Jot down mechanism possiblities and highlight clues on the grid.
4. Contact fellow muggles to talk about it and whatever other topics come up!