Sacramento NAACP Sues Former Leaders For Misuse Of Funds During Pandemic
Sacramento NAACP seeks to hold former members accountable for misusing Covid relief funds.
The Sacramento branch of the NAACP filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court against former members of the organization for fraud.
Filed Aug. 29, Sacramento NAACP v. Williams et al., accuses three former officers of misusing Covid-relief funds for personal gain. The complaint cites alleged financial misconduct tied to two county-sponsored meal delivery programs.
The defendants named are Betty Williams; former president, Salena Pryor; and Lorraine Moore, former treasurer. Also named are several businesses connected to the former NAACP leaders. The NAACP claims the fraud was conducted using two of its assistance programs “Dine at Home,” and “Dine-In 2.” Dine at Home is supposed to aid seniors confined at home and Dine-In 2 was created to help food-insecure families and local restaurants during the pandemic. The filing pulls no punches when detailing the nature of the crime:
“This case is a story about individuals who chose one of our country’s bleakest periods to line their pockets at the expense of vulnerable seniors living in isolation and families suffering from food deprivation. But unlike many other COVID–related schemes, the perpetrators hid behind the name and reputation of the nation’s premiere civil rights organization to carry out their wrongdoing.”
According to the lawsuit, Sacramento County allocated about $2.75 million for the “Dine-In 2” program. Approximately $2.1 million of that was designated for meal kits, the rest for administrative costs. The complaint alleges more than $700,000, nearly one-third of that budget, was directed to businesses owned by the defendants or to the defendants themselves.
Specific allegations include that Williams paid herself $150 per hour in the role of executive director. Additionally, she hired her administrative assistant at $24 per hour. Pryor is said to have billed over $60,000 in reimbursements plus nearly $19,000 for accounting services. This includes one invoice billed at $1,000 per hour. Moore is accused of collecting payments for administrative services. The lawsuit also claims there were duplicate invoices, inflated billing after programs should have winded down, and missing documentation.
A separate Sacramento County audit released earlier this year found that the NAACP may have to repay nearly $948,000 in disallowed costs. If the group cannot provide adequate documentation, the county may demand another $1.7 million in additional expenses.
Congressional Black Caucus And Democrats Oppose Charlie Kirk Resolution
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), one of the Democrats who voted no, noted who Kirk actually versus the figure that the Republican Party aimed to lionize.
House Republicans, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA, put forth a five-page resolution co-sponsored by 165 of his colleagues, praising white nationalist Charlie Kirk as a “courageous American patriot” who wanted to “elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic.”
According to The Guardian, the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), informed Democrats in a closed-door meeting that leadership would vote in favor of the resolution, but the vote as it regards other members, was left up to individual members.
In the vote, 95 Democrats, including Rep. Jeffries, ultimately voted along with the Republicans.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), one of the Democrats who voted no, noted who Kirk actually was.
“We should be clear about who Charlie Kirk was: a man who believed that the Civil Rights Act that granted Black Americans the right to vote was a ‘mistake,’ who after the violent attack on Paul Pelosi claimed that ‘some amazing patriot out there’ should bail out his assailant, and accused Jews of controlling ‘not just the colleges –it’s the nonprofits, it’s the movies, it’s Hollywood, it’s all of it.’ His rhetoric and beliefs were ignorant and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans–far from ‘working tirelessly to promote unity’ as asserted by the majority in this resolution,” Ocasio-Cortez noted.
The Congressional Black Caucus also noted its disagreement with the vote via a Sept. 19 press release. CBC Chair Yvette D. Clarke echoed some of AOC’s concerns in her own statement.
“We strongly disagree with many of the beliefs Charlie Kirk promoted: including his belief that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended racial segregation, was a mistake; his denial that systemic racism exists; his promotion of the Great Replacement theory; and his offensive claims about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee lacking adequate cognitive ability.
“The resolution introduced in the House to honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy is not about healing, lowering the temperature of our political discourse, or even ensuring the safety of members of Congress, staff, and Capitol personnel. It is, unfortunately, an attempt to legitimize Kirk’s worldview—a worldview that includes ideas many Americans find racist, harmful, and fundamentally un-American,” Clarke said.
She concluded, “In the wake of this tragedy, President Trump has senselessly threatened to go after the political left. The American people are tired of this kind of cynical politics. It’s disheartening to see a tragedy used to further divide the country and suppress honest debate. As the conscience of the Congress, the CBC has a responsibility to speak out against this on behalf of our communities, and we are calling on each of our colleagues who share our values to follow suit. Enough is enough.”
Today, I voted against the Charlie Kirk Resolution.
While I condemn his violent murder, this resolution sought to elevate Charlie Kirk as a role model.
Like the Congressional Democrats, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson released his own statement noting that although he disagrees with the violent murder of Kirk, he could not, in good conscience, support the resolution.
“The fact is Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric was divisive, disparaging, and too often rooted in grievance,” Thompson said in a part. “The beliefs he evangelized normalized fringe views on race, sex, and immigration. Unfortunately, his rhetoric resurrected dangerous prejudices of a dark past.”
The promotional stunt was part of the rollout of her long-anticipated sophomore album, Am I the Drama?
The record was verified by Guinness Senior Executive Kylie Galloway, according to TMZ. Cardi and her team partnered with Walmart, and worked with Wing Drone Delivery and Atlantic Records to make the marketing strategy work.
The promotional stunt debuted the same day Am I the Drama? dropped. Adding to her inventive rollout pre-release, the stunt transformed release day into a spectacle. Physical copies were delivered via UAV drones to fans across multiple locations, marking an unconventional twist on traditional album launches.
Cardi shared the moment on X.
“I can’t even believe this getting my album from my album has been literally flying off the shelf from Walmart, because Walmart has been delivering my album in drones in the Fort Worth part of Dallas, Texas. . .I’m so thankful because we even broke the most deliveries in one hour.”
While the record pertains to album marketing rather than sales or streaming performance, it still adds a fresh layer to Cardi B’s reputation. Also, the marketing strategy seems to be working well for the “WAP” rapper.
According to Fortune, “Am I The Drama?” hit number one on its first day of release, beating out a wide array of industry veterans such as Nine Inch Nails, Miley Cyrus, and Ed Shereen.
As “Am I the Drama?” begins its climb up the charts, the drone delivery record stands as a vivid reminder that innovation, not just sound, can make a cultural impact in 2025.
Raja Jackson, Rampage Jackson’s Son, Arrested After Viral Beating Of Wrestler
The livestreamed altercation, in which Jackson was seen beating wrestler Syko Stu, led to a felony battery report being filed.
Raja Jackson, 25, the son of UFC legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, was arrested on Sept. 18 after a Los Angeles Police Department investigation into a viral incident at an Aug. 23 wrestling event.
The livestreamed altercation, in which Jackson was seen beating wrestler Syko Stu (real name Stuart Smith), led to a felony battery report being filed.
According to CNN, although they were unable to independently confirm the video, Jackson’s account has since been banned from the service and he has been charged with a felony.
The exact charge has not yet been specified in the records of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Per a report from The Los Angeles Times, some people who made calls to the police regarding Jackson’s actions in the ring referred to it as an attempted murder, but his father noted that Jackson was told by some of the wrestling talent that he could get his “payback” in the ring, a wrestling move restricted to a stiff punch or two.
The pair also appeared to squash whatever beef had arisen, but Jackson’s actions in the ring betrayed a lingering hostility.
I want to clear up the misinformation about my son Raja. I’ve been confirmed that the wrestler ( Stewart Smith aka Syko Stu) is awake and stable. Raja was unexpectedly hit in the side of the head by him moments before Smith’s match, Raja was told that he could get his “payback”in…
“I thought it was part of the show,” Quinton Jackson wrote on his X account. “It was bad judgement, and a work that went wrong. Raja is a MMA fighter not a pro wrestler and had no business involved in an event like this. I don’t condone my son’s actions AT ALL!”
He continued, “He (Raja Jackson) suffered a concussion from sparring only days ago and had no business doing anything remotely close to physical contact. As a father, I’m deeply concerned with his health AND the well-being of Mr. Smith. That being said I’m very upset that any of this happened, but my main concern now is that Mr. Smith will make a speedy recovery. I apologize on his (Raja Jackson’s) behalf and to KICK for the situation.”
A day after the event, KnokX Pro Entertainment & Academy, the company that organized the event, released a statement noting that none of what occurred was actually scripted but “turned into a selfish, irresponsible act of violence against [Stuart] Smith.”
The company added, “This egregious act is reprehensible and never should have occurred. In the 17 years of operation of KnokXPro Wrestling Academy, there has never been anything as heinous take place such as this and we apologize to our patrons and fans.”
According to Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and now the president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, Jackson’s actions crossed a line. “No one is going to consent to broken bones, broken teeth,” Rahmani noted.
According to NBC News, it is not clear if Jackson has retained any legal services, but he is currently being held on $50,000 bail. Although the LAPD did not confirm that the arrest is related to his assault of Smith in the ring, a reasonable assumption can be made given what is already public knowledge based on news reports.
Smith did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment on Sept. 19.
The elder Jackson does not appear to be looking to use his status as leverage for his son, as he noted in an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
”I think he should do a little [jail] time. Do a little community service, and go to anger management class, get some therapy,” Quinton Jackson stated.
Olivia Matthews, Award-Winning Playwright, Killed In Intentional House Fire
Investigators confirmed Matthews sustained additional injuries inconsistent with the fire.
The Atlanta theater community is mourning the loss of award-winning playwright Olivia Matthews, who died Sept. 3. She was 32.
Matthews died in an apartment fire, which investigators say was intentionally set.
Investigators also confirmed Matthews sustained additional injuries inconsistent with the fire. Furthermore, security cameras at the property had been removed prior to the incident. The case is being investigated as a homicide.
Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta posted an announcement of Matthews’s death on Facebook. The organization is offering a $10,000 reward for more information.
Friends remembered her as warm, stylish, and deeply devoted to her craft.
Daisy Bentley, a close friend, told WSB-TV, “Liv was perfect, and I can’t imagine why somebody would want to harm her.”
Matthews, originally from Clermont, Florida, had built a reputation as a bold and creative voice in theater. Her works included Absentia and The Nativity Story Starring Keisha Taylor.
Absentia won the 2020 Jane Chambers Student Playwriting Award. The piece was later named a Wayward Voices Panel Favorite in 2022. The Nativity Story Starring Keisha Taylor became a finalist for the prestigious 2025 Eugene O’Neill Center National Playwrights Conference.
Her plays were staged in cities including Atlanta, New York, Houston, Miami, and Omaha.
“My characters are working against people and situations seemingly immovable or inescapable but ultimately, they find the strength in themselves to push until something, or someone, breaks,” Matthews said on her website. “And more often than not, that strength also comes from those family and community members they once felt stifled by. My characters are independent and bold but are a part of a much larger, loving whole.”
Loved ones also shared that Matthews adored the color purple, carried a unique sense of style, and hoped her story would inspire others to channel grief into creativity.
Authorities continue to investigate and are urging the public to share any information about suspicious activity near the Smyrna apartment complex.
Award-Winning Black Screenwriter Says He Was Pulled From Train Because White Woman Objected To How He Sat
O'Keefe is best known for his work on FX's 'The Bear' and as a speechwriter for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Alex O’Keefe, an award-winning screenwriter best known for his work on FX’s The Bear and as a speechwriter for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), said he was pulled off an MTA train headed for Connecticut by the police because a white woman on board complained about his posture.
According to a video posted to O’Keefe’s official Instagram account on Sept. 18, “I was arrested on the MTA train to Connecticut today, pulled off, handcuffed, and detained. An old white woman got on the train and immediately pointed at me and told me to correct how I was sitting. I refused, so she went to the conductor and complained. The conductor called the police and stopped the train. While waiting for the police to arrive, the old Karen’s friend said, ‘You’re not the minority anymore.'”
O’Keefe did not indicate where he was traveling from to get to Connecticut.
O’Keefe continued, “The police told me to leave the train, I refused and asked what was I doing illegally. They said I was disturbing the peace by not leaving the train. They pulled me off the train and arrested me without even talking to the Karen who reported the one black person on the train. On the platform, the police detained me and interrogated me. Only Black folks stayed nearby and recorded the arrest. When I demanded a lawyer and reminded them they didn’t even take a statement from the woman who complained they eventually released me. This country is growing more psycho by the day. What will you do about it?”
O’Keefe’s ordeal reflected a familiar pattern of white individuals weaponizing the police, driven by racial bias and the assumption that Black people are inherently criminal, even when the targets are law-abiding citizens.
The incident was recorded by another rider and is going viral on TikTok.
@MTA will you be removing the conductor who acted like an attack dog for a racist old woman while using your transportation? or is it your official policy to call the police on people for being Black on the train? inquiring minds would like to know. #mta#trumpsamerica fascism #jimcrow#racism
According to Muhammad, “Our current president ran as a ‘law-and-order’ candidate in a country with a long history where the notion of using the police as the foot soldiers of controlling African-Americans, limiting their freedom, deciding that they are indeed second-class citizens and enforcing those laws when they were legal in this country is a really big part of the problem. And to evoke that mantra, to run on that mantra, to elicit the support of the entire community of professional police agencies means that we’ve now got citizens who are playing out this policy choice—this set of politics.”
Muhammad’s analysis remains relevant. During Trump’s second campaign, he made fewer direct references to being a “law-and-order” candidate, though some observers contend the theme was already well established by then.
Although a couple of states have since passed laws criminalizing calls to the police that “unlawfully discriminate” or target “protected classes,” as Brian Levin, a criminologist who directs the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino, told The Washington Post in 2020, the better solution is confronting the latent racism within American society.
On Sept. 18, the Historically Black College or University made the announcement. As the school is celebrating its 150th anniversary, the donation is a fitting amount of $150 million. Given by the Moody Foundation, the gift marks the single largest donation given to an HBCU.
In a statement, President and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University, Dr. Melva K. Wallace, praised the “goodness” of the Moody foundation and thanked its trustees.
“This gift is a testament to faith, prayer, and the genuine belief in the goodness of others,” Wallace said. “I am forever grateful to the Moody Foundation trustees Ross Moody, Elle Moody, and Francie Moody-Dahlberg. Their donation will completely transform Huston-Tillotson, as well as the city of Austin, and set us up for success for another 150 years.”
The funds will be allocated toward a broad range of institution-building priorities. These initiatives include new and improved student housing, upgraded academic spaces, and research labs and expanded scholarships. Additionally, the university intends to enhance its infrastructure. Elle Moody, trustee and senior VP of the Moody Foundation, spoke about the decision to award the Texas HBCU.
“Our commitment to the future of Texas education is at the core of our Foundation and fundamental to this gift,” said Elle Moody, trustee and senior vice president of the Moody Foundation. “We believe in the power of education and its impact on students, Huston-Tillotson, and Austin. Fueling student success is at the heart of the missions of both Huston-Tillotson and Moody Foundation. We are proud to support this historic institution and hope this gift can inspire others to join us in learning about Huston-Tillotson’s immense contributions.”
Huston-Tillotson is a private HBCU founded through the merger of Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College in 1952. The original Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute was chartered in 1877 and initially served approximately 100 students. Today, the university serves just over 1,000 students and offers more than 19 degree programs.
Prior to this gift, the Moody Foundation consistently donated to the institution. Their cumulative efforts since 1968 is approximately $1.3 million. The Moody Foundation has also committed to making $1 billion in educational investments across Texas by 2035.
University leadership sees this donation as a turning point. Board Chair Rev. Dr. Vanessa Monroe called it “an inflection point in our history and a powerful statement about the value of Huston-Tillotson.”
As Huston-Tillotson embarks on its next century and a half, the $150 million gift arrives not just as a commemoration of past achievements, but as a solid foundation for future growth.
The museum is unveiling the BlueCross Healthy Place at Founders Park, Oct. 4. The museum intends to bring forth a revitalized community space that blends history and reflection. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation partnered with the National Civil Rights Museum to secure funding. The grand opening will feature live music, wellness activities, food trucks, and more. Registration is recommended but not required.
The park, located on South Main Street and Mulberry Street, connects visitors to the museum’s entrance. Additionally, the space also introduces the new Legacy Terrace. The terrace overlooks the site from which Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.
In a statement, Dr. Russ Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum, emphasized the importance of the project.
“This is more than a park — it’s a space where memory fuels movement, where the community can connect not only to Dr. King’s legacy, but to each other,” Wigginton said. “Founders Park is a bridge between past and present, and we’re proud to open it as a living, breathing extension of our mission.”
The design includes a reflective plaza, walking paths, educational signage, and spaces for rest. Entry to Founders Park will be free to the public, though regular admission applies to museum exhibits.
Dalya Qualls White, executive director of the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, said the collaboration is a manifestation of the foundation’s goal of creating spaces that bring communities together.
“We’re honored to partner with the National Civil Rights Museum to bring this shared vision for Founders Park to life,” she said. “BlueCross Healthy Places are about connection, and we look forward to seeing museum visitors and community members alike gather in this meaningful public space.”
The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the historic Lorraine Motel, has been a Smithsonian Affiliate since 1991 and attracts visitors from around the world. Furthermore, the institution received the 2019 National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, established in 2005, has awarded more than $120 million in grants statewide.
Documents revealed Noreen Khan-Mayberry and her husband, Christopher Mayberry, fabricated income statements and manipulated loan paperwork over multiple transactions, according to federal filings. Noreen previously worked as a technical manager for NASA. Christopher had been employed by a NASA contractor, the Houston Chronicle reports. NASA’s Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations carried out the inquiry, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter is prosecuting the matter.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the defendant admitted to using phony pay stubs and other false representations to secure mortgage loans for a luxury home valued at approximately $850,000. In court documents, she acknowledged submitting fake employment and financial paperwork to lenders to inflate her income. The fraud enabled the scientist to obtain loan terms she would not have otherwise received. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the couple continued to commit fraud multiple times over in an attempt to cover the crime.
“The couple attempted to dispute the debts, claiming to be victims of identity theft. Khan filed a false police report, submitted a false report to the Federal Trade Commission and sent letters to credit bureaus seeking to have loans removed from her credit. As part of the scheme, the couple signed three separate loan agreements with mortgage lenders related to the financing of their home from 2017 to 2021,” the news release states.
The couple admitted to submitting false employment documents and tax statements to lenders and currently face up to five years in prison along with $276,709 in restitution.
Under the plea, they face up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. In addition, they must pay $276,709 in restitution prior to their sentencing, scheduled for Dec. 18, before U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge.
Remembering Through Art: BUTTER Artists Honor Black Stories On Canvas
This year’s festival surpassed last year’s total in two nights, logging $143,000 in sales, including a $15,000 acquisition by Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
The fifth annual BUTTER Fine Arts Fair returned to Indianapolis over Labor Day weekend, drawing more than 10,000 attendees to the historic Stutz Building and highlighting the work of 50 Black visual artists from Indiana and beyond.
Organized by cultural advocacy group GANGGANG, the four-day event ran from Aug 29 to Sept 1. It brought together artists from Houston, Los Angeles, New York, London, and other cities alongside Indiana-based talent. This year’s theme of “remembrance” saw artists draw from Black history and community to create their pieces, bringing buyers like Tyrese Haliburton and John Green to the fair.
Since its launch in 2021, BUTTER has positioned itself as “America’s equitable fine art fair,” designed to dismantle systemic inequities by ensuring Black artists can showcase and sell their work without commissions.
This year’s curatorial team—Jacqueline “Jac” Forbes, Janice Bond, Malina Bacon, Alan Bacon, and Samuel Trotter—assembled the largest and most diverse exhibition in the fair’s history, expanding the scale, style, and price points of the works shown. The theme, remembrance, invited attendees and artists alike to reflect on culture, unity, and community.
Long-time BUTTER associate and self-taught artist FITZ has been working to improve year after year. Drawing from his cartoonist, surrealist, and pop culture influences, he’s been pushed to higher levels of innovation with his piece titled “Community Outreach,” which blends colorful textures with acrylic on canvas.
FITZ explained, “It’s called Community Outreach. I really just kind of wanted to show, for lack of better terms, us serving our community; taking care of our grass, taking care of our environment, watering our flowers, you know, enjoying our environment, and taking care of it.”
FITZ. Photo Credit: Deon Spiller, @111lens
Paul Bacardi Smith, a Detroit-born artist who’s currently working in Indianapolis, said he embodied the theme of remembrance in his piece “Watermelanin” by drawing from the pain of the 2018 resurgence of Black Lives Matter in response to police brutality killings.
Smith toldBLACK ENTERPRISE at the BUTTER festival, “I was upset about a lot of stuff that was happening with police brutality, things like that, like all the different killings and stuff. And I was just like, man, how could I voice my disdain toward what’s happening to black people? So I started doing a deep dive. And one thing I did was I started looking at historical images, and I came up with the drawing of the slave ships, right? And when I first looked at the drawing of a slave ship, when I looked at it, the first thing I saw was a watermelon.”
He continued, “It’s like a play on words. I’m from hip-hop culture, so it’s all about double, triple entendres. When people were being kidnapped or sent off [to slavery], they didn’t have many possessions. So what they would do is take watermelon seeds, put them in their pockets. So when they get to these new lands, they would throw the watermelon seeds on the ground. So there’s a statement that goes with that. They didn’t know we were seeds when they tried to bury us. This is a layered piece about the transatlantic slave trade. It’s about economics. It’s about reparations.
“And if you look here, it’s also about the commodification of Black bodies, right? Yeah, you buy a piece of fruit, you get what you want. You discard it. Same thing with people. They treat us like livestock. So, it’s so much layered into this piece. And when I painted it, I’m like, man, I’m going to rock with that.”
Paul Bacardi Smith. Photo Credit: Deon Spiller, @111lens
For the past five years, the fine arts fair has grown rapidly, from $65,000 in sales its first year to over $900,000 in non-commissioned art by 2024. This year’s edition broke records early, surpassing last year’s totals in just two nights, with $143,000 in sales logged, including a $15,000 acquisition by Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton purchased two works, one from Chicago artist Blake Lenoir and a second from Indianapolis artist Israel Solomon.The 25-year-old two-time NBA All-Star told BLACK ENTERPRISE that the passion was tangible while walking through the fine arts fair on opening night.
“To meet all these people who have not just so much passion about the Indianapolis Pacers and this city, but also in their art, is really cool,” he explained. “It’s always cool to see people enjoying their passion. I think [BUTTER] is just immersing myself in the community. You can buy art from different places, but I prefer art with meaning, and I think that’s a really cool part of being able to come here and meet the artists and see all the artwork. Being able to get their stories means the world.
Other notable buyers included author John Green, who collected pieces by Houston-based artists Kaima Marie Akarue and Lovie Olivia, and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, which acquired Nanna’s Kitchen 2, 2025, by Kevin West. London artist Sonia Barrett sold seven works, while Indianapolis native Gary Gee, a five-time BUTTER participant, sold a record 34 of his hand-carved sculptural pieces.
This year, the fair carries more weight than ever at a time when artists nationwide face new political and cultural pressures.
Beyond sales, the event served as a cultural touchstone: 35 schools participated in BUTTER Education Day, and more than 360 creatives—including musicians like TI’s son Buddy Red, DJs, and photographers—were involved. To kick off the weekend, artist William Minion unveiled a mural of Haliburton at a local barbershop, honoring the Pacers’ recent playoff run to the NBA Finals.
