Golden Hour
Simone Biles - will she or won’t she, why Chicago is waking up heartbroken and the microstate, which you’ve likely never heard of, that won a medal.
While diving deep into sports may not be your thing (ours either), it’s a perfect foray into a conversation and making a connection.
Something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
All eyes are again on Simone Biles, with the individual events (uneven bars, vault, floor, etc.) beginning on Sunday. In her Instagram stories, she said she is struggling with the 'twisties' – her "mind and body are simply not in sync." She has been very open about her struggle and even answered questions in her stories from fans about the twisties. There has been no word if she will compete in any of those events. HANG IN THERE
Overtime
Hearts broke all over Chicago last night when news that the Chicago Cubs (MLB – Major League Baseball) traded away fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and his BFF, Kris Bryant, played together on the Cubs since 2015 and were part of the team that broke the Cubs' championship curse. The two, dubbed Bryzzo, are known for picking up fan's dinner tabs and being all-around good guys. They will now be rivals as Rizzo was traded to the Yankees ahead of the MLB trade deadline. WELCOME TO NEW YORK??
Sideline stat
History continues to be made in Tokyo. This time, San Marino claims the title as the least populated country to win an Olympic medal at the Summer or Winter Games, a record previously held by Lichtenstein. Alessandra Perilli won the bronze medal in women's trap shooting for San Marino, which is in Northern Italy. The microstate has a population of around 34,000. Their entire population wouldn't even fill Wrigley Field. SMALL COUNTRY, BIG DREAMS
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, with her teammates, including Simone Biles, in the stands, American gymnast Suni Lee, 18, became the fifth straight gold medal winner for the US in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around. Lee has a great story herself. She is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. Her dad, who has since been paralyzed from a freak accident, built her a balance beam in their backyard so she could practice.
FYI, track and field coverage continues to ramp up as swimming and gymnastics start to wrap up.
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Draft was last night, and the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rules may have already made an impact as 88 early entry candidates (players who still have eligibility) withdrew from the 2021 draft. Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University was drafted in the No. 1 spot to Detroit Pistons. However, the headlines were the blockbuster trade of veteran Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook, like new teammate LeBron James, is involved in the Hollywood movie scene. The NBA pre-season begins in early October. HOOP DREAMS
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Spice up the sports-related small talk before the sun goes down.
Spice up the sports-related small talk before the sun goes down.
Make it a double,
The Last Night's Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When you’re so good that details aren’t important. For the first pick in the NBA draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton from the University of Arizona. Ayton had a big few days, first joining Jimmy Fallon and fellow draft prospects in a 90s themed skit. Not to be outdone, he was another athlete to fall victim to not reading a sponsored social media post before tweeting it. TWEET FAIL
When you have a fashion moment you regret. The newest members of the NBA attempted to emulate fashionable veterans LeBron James and Russell Westbrook at their big debut. Not only did University of Oklahoma’s Trae Young, who was the fifth player drafted, show up in a maroon suit…with shorts (maybe he couldn’t find pants that were long enough)? but the night’s fashion included jackets lined with logos, “Black Panther” inspired Gucci and a grandma inspired suit coat. DRAFT FASHION
Overtime
TV personality and chef, Ayesha Curry, wife of Golden State Warriors (NBA) star Steph Curry, is opening a new restaurant in Houston much to the dismay of some Houstonians. Still bitter that the Warriors knocked their Houston Rockets out of the playoffs, fans took to Yelp to rip apart the restaurant before it even opened, posting over 550 reviews. SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Sideline stat
Superstar Lionel Messi couldn’t save his once favored Argentina from a World Cup loss to Croatia yesterday. Their 3-0 loss could make it hard for his team to make it out of the first round, depending on today’s Iceland vs. Nigeria game. WHAT A MESSI
On the other hand, Messi’s rival, Cristiano Ronaldo is having a stellar World Cup, setting the European record for international goals scored in his team’s win over Morocco yesterday. SCORE
Coaches’ corner
Rules were made to be broken at least for one reporter. The NBA frowns upon insiders releasing draft picks before they’re announced. An ESPN reporter found a way to get creative with the way he revealed who teams would be selecting, using phrases on Twitter like the teams have “zoned in on,” “grown comfortable with,” or “focused in on” a certain player. SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT
5 Strange Summertime Sports Superstitions
When routines cross the line.
When routines cross the line.
Off-the-wall and conversation ready,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Strange Summertime Sports Superstitions
1. Just in time for the World Cup, England’s Jamie Vardy ditched his habits of nicotine pouches, drinking half a bottle of port wine on the night before a game and his concoction of Skittles and vodka. Although, he won’t break his routine of three Red Bulls on gameday and black coffee. NO ONE IS PERFECT
2. Mississippi State’s baseball team is all about the rally banana. One of their players ate a banana in their big win in a regional qualifier game and now the team is playing in their first College World Series. The demand for banana themed merchandise in the state has gone through the roof and even Dole and Chiquita have jumped on board the banana wagon, showing their support for the team. THIS SH*T IS BANANAS
3. Hockey’s Sidney Crosby has so many ‘traditions’ that we can’t list them all. Some include wearing the same jock strap for years and not calling or seeing his mom or his sister on gameday because every time he does, he ends up with an injury. PHONE HOME
4. Portugal captain and soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo must be the last one to leave the locker room and he always puts his right foot on the field first. BEST FOOT FORWARD
5. Anyone who has ever slipped into a pair of Spanx knows a good undergarment is the foundation of success and that brings us to the golden thong. The golden thong was worn by former MLB (Major League Baseball) player Jason Giambi to help him break out of hitting slumps. Rumor has it that said tiny undergarment was left in the lockers of his teammates and they all began to hit well. WASH ME
It’s getting good now
What do nudity, a Russian beer shortage and the future of a sport have in common? They’re the top three things everyone is talking about in the sports world today. READ