The Proof Is In The Pudding
Why one football player is running with the bulls, this is it for Wimbledon and the NBA has the experts all confused.
No question, it’s Friday. Take your weekend to the next level with today’s wisdom.
Knowledge is power,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In another blockbuster trade, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded away their star player, Russell Westbrook, to the Houston Rockets. Why is this a big deal? The tides keep shifting for next season with big moves from the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers (to name a few) and now the Rockets. There’s no telling what could happen next season. THE EXPERTS ALL AGREE…THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON
Overtime
The off-season workout routine for Josh Norman of the Washington Redskins (NFL – National Football League) is a little more ballsy than most. Not sure how this doesn’t violate the “things you shouldn’t do so you don’t hurt yourself too badly” clause in his contract, but watch Norman run with (and hurdle) the bulls in Pamplona, Spain this week. AT LEAST THE PILATES MAT WON’T GORE YOU
Sideline Stat
Rufus the Hawk is going to be very busy protecting the skies over Wimbledon this weekend. First the “Big 3” - Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are playing in the semifinals today. Serena Williams will play Simona Halep in the women’s singles finals on Saturday. If Williams wins, she will tie the all-time record for the most Grand Slam titles at 24. (There are four major tournaments that qualify as “Grand Slams” in tennis. Wimbledon is one of them). WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ROYALS SIGHTING?
PS – Don’t know why Rufus the Hawk is such a big deal? Check out Five Things You Need To Know About Wimbledon.
Coaches’ Corner
Because why not? Robot umpires debuted at the Minor League Baseball All-Star Game this week. The robotic system is thought to speed up the game because there will be a consistent strike zone so players won’t waste time arguing balls and strikes. Imagine all of the carefully choreographed heckling that is now going to fall on deaf (or no) ears. WHAT’S NEXT? A ROBOT BEER VENDOR ROAMING THE STANDS?
Give The People What They Want
Whether you're at the office or lying on a beach somewhere during this holiday week, today's conversation starters are a universal language.
Whether you're at the office or lying on a beach somewhere during this holiday week, today's conversation starters are a universal language.
Who needs Rosetta Stone?
The Last Night's Game Team
PS – We heard you! The Sports Curious podcast is now live on iTunes, with new content every week. Tune in to be in the know because you never get a second chance at a first impression. LISTEN
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When Hollywood is calling your name. On Friday LeBron James said peace out to the Cleveland Cavaliers and last night he said hello to the wild west. He signed a deal for $154 million over four years with the third team of his career, the Los Angeles Lakers. His new locale has some calling him LA-bron. Also interesting about the deal? The coach of the Lakers, Luke Walton, was drafted the same year as James (2003). TWITTER WENT CRAZY
Overtime
In the wake of LeBron’s signing, Lakers ticket prices have skyrocketed and all Cleveland Cavaliers fans have to look forward to next season are free TUMS, which the company will giveaway to fans to calm their heartburn from the King James rejection. ALWAYS A SILVER LINING
Sideline stat
Wimbledon starts today and the main attractions are Serena Williams and her daughter Olympia, who took some time off to visit friend Duchess Meghan Markle this weekend. The Wimbledon seeding committee used their discretionary powers to seed Williams at #25, even though she’s not among the top players in the world after her maternity leave. Who to watch on the men’s side? A #1 seeded 36-year-old Roger Federer, who hasn’t been seeded that high in a decade. SCHEDULE
Coaches’ corner
While traditional powerhouse countries like Germany, Portugal, Argentina and Spain have been eliminated from the World Cup, host country Russia has advanced. In one of the two games yesterday that came down to penalty kicks, Russia became the lowest ranked team to ever advance with their win over Spain. BUT THEY DIDN’T PARTY LIKE THE CROATIAN FANS
What to watch
In a battle for the ages, Brazil and Mexico play each other this morning in the World Cup. We’ll find out if Brazil will advance to the next round under the leadership of Neymar, the last of the notable global soccer superstars still standing after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s teams were both eliminated.
The Rundown: Fashion-Forward
It’s the weekend to wear white in honor of the Wimbledon finals. Just make sure you plan your undergarments accordingly to avoid a situation like a few Wimbledon players.
Sports are always in fashion,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Wimbledon
- Fashion faux pas. As we mentioned in this week’s Five Things To Know, players at Wimbledon are required to wear all white, skivvies included. In an awkward dress code enforcement situation, a men’s double team was forced to change their underwear before a match.
- One for the books. Venus Williams has advanced to the Wimbledon finals on Saturday where she will take on Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza. Williams will be playing for her sixth Wimbledon championship. If Williams wins, the 37-year-old will be the oldest woman to win in the Open era.
- Reaching for the stars. Roger Federer and Sam Querrey are both playing in the semifinals this morning (in different matches). Querrey is the first American to advance this far in the tournament since 2009. On the other hand, if Federer makes it to the finals on Sunday, he will play for his record eighth Wimbledon title.
College Football
A fearless pioneer. Kansas State football player Scott Frantz has come out as gay. Franz decided to speak out because wanted to "reach out to all the other kids who are just like me." He came out to his teammates and coaches last year and said “I’ve never felt so loved and so accepted ever in my life than when I did that.”
While it’s hard to believe this is news in 2017, there has still never been an openly gay player to play in a regular season NFL (National Football League) game.
Overtime
- Things have gotten a little out of hand at the press tour stops for the Floyd Mayweather (boxing) vs. Conor McGregor (UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship) fight in August. Yesterday, while fans taunted Mayweather about paying his taxes (he owes a reported $22 million), McGregor took it too far using racial slurs and other degrading language.
Sideline stat
- Forbes released its annual list of most valuable sports franchises. The Dallas Cowboys (NFL) tackle first place, worth $4.2 billion. The New York Yankees (MLB - Major League Baseball) are in second at $3.7 billion. They are followed by international soccer powerhouses Manchester United ($3.69 billion) and FC Barcelona ($3.64 billion). How much is your favorite team worth? Find out.
Coaches’ corner
- What is the ‘Open era’ in tennis? The Open era is when the four Grand Slam tournaments opened up to professional players, not only amateurs, in 1968. Players who travel tournaments and claim prize money are considered professionals.
