The NHL playoffs are in full swing and buckle up because the NBA playoffs start on Saturday. Don’t get too excited because the basketball playoffs are like a Power Point presentation, they go on forever. (Seriously, they’re over mid-June).
Here’s to brevity,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Just the facts. The Golden State Warriors (Western conference) and Boston Celtics (Eastern conference) are the #1 seeds this year in the playoffs. Although you could have a case of déjà vu because the Warriors and LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers (who won last year) have met in two straight finals, will this be the third? Here’s the playoff schedule.
- If you’re into great basketball. Watch the Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder series which features two MVP candidates in Russell Westbrook (Thunder) and James Harden (Rockets – who dated Khloe Kardashian).
- Shoe snooze. Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry tops the NBA’s list of the most popular jersey sold for the second consecutive season. While fans may like his jersey, they don’t love his new shoes. One fan mocked the leather basketball shoes calling them “the La-Z-Boy 7s” for their couch-like look.
Overtime
- Arizonan Becca Longo became the first female to sign a national letter of intent to play for a Division I or II football program. A kicker, Longo committed to Adams State where she also intends to play basketball. A woman of many talents.
Sideline stat
- 50/50 raffles are big fundraisers at sporting events. Of the money raised by selling tickets, 50% of the pot goes to a fan and 50% goes to a charity. Even though the Edmonton Oilers (NHL - National Hockey League) lost their playoff game, a couple left the game happy winning $254,000 in the raffle. The cherry on top of winning one of the largest 50/50 prizes in sports history? Canadians aren’t taxed on these winnings.
Coaches’ corner
- Longtime chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dan Rooney, passed away yesterday at the age of 84. Rooney had a huge impact on the NFL (National Football League) by helping settle labor disputes and pushing diversity. He will forever be known for the “Rooney Rule,” which states that a minority coach must be interviewed for all head coaching positions.