Good To Great
The NBA bubble looks like a frat party, the football team who said never is making a change and you can be a part of the hockey playoffs.
Sports news you can use.
Like a boss,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In case you’re wondering, life inside the NBA “bubble” at Disney World looks a bit like a millionaire sleepover. Teams are hunkered down as they prepare for the season to restart. Life on the inside includes golf, fishing, video games, regular COVID tests and shotgunning beers for retweets. Other big news in the basketball world is the suspension of ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski after he responded to a senator via email with “F-You.” Players are speaking out on his behalf so maybe that’ll help him get reinstated sooner. BLAME AUTOCORRECT?
Overtime
After decades of a lot of talk, the Washington Redskins have decided that now is the time for action. The team, who previously said they’ll never change their name, announced that they will be changing the team’s name in the next few days. This change comes after big sponsors like FedEx (the dollars behind their home stadium – FedExField), PepsiCo and Nike asked them to change their name. NEVER SAY NEVER
Sideline stat
You might remember that Wimbledon had an insurance policy that paid them out $141M when they cancelled the tournament for COVID reasons – the first time they cancelled the tournament since WWII. Well they’re using that money to pay out over $12.7M to the 620 players who would’ve qualified for the famed tennis tournament but never had a chance to compete for the prize money. PAYING IT FORWARD
Coaches’ corner
The NHL (National Hockey League) will return to the ice on August 1 but without fans. To combat the sounds of playing in an empty arena, the NHL has enlisted the teams’ season ticket holders. They’ve asked them to submit a 30-second audio recording of them cheering their team along. Those clips will then be played in the arena and on the broadcast to fill the crowd-free silence. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
A glance at the week ahead
July 15 - NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) All-Star Race
July 16 - The Memorial Tournament (A BFD because it's Tiger's return to golf)
July 18 - Start of the Major League Lacrosse Season
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?
The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About Life As An NBA Referee
The NBA playoffs are in full swing and since we’ve been yelling at them from our couch, it has us thinking…what do these refs actually do in their day job besides cause coaches and fans a lot of frustration?
We’ve seen better eyes on a potato,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Things To Know About Life As An NBA Referee
- While you’re going to have to work your way up through the system, the 64 NBA (National Basketball Association) referees on payroll make anywhere between $150,000-$550,000, depending on experience. They receive bonuses for officiating playoff games at the tune of $4,500 - $24,000, depending on the importance of the game (i.e. you make more money working the finals).
- Remember Billy Crystal traveling the nation as an NBA referee in the movie Forget Paris? It wasn’t his best flick but like his character, referees travel every two days, working 25 days a month. That equates to calling 65-70 games in an 82 game season, not including playoffs.
- Imagine being called out by your boss every time you present in a meeting. That’s what happens to the referees in the NBA’s two minute reports. The report critiques the referees’ calls within the last two minutes of the game and overtime.
- It's not all mental. They have to be physically fit too because they’re running up and down the court for the entire 48 minutes alongside the players. Referees work on their fitness regimen in the off-season like any athlete would.
- Instant replay is a big part of the game. The referees have a centralized replay command center in Secaucus, NJ that provides them with assistance in tough situations. They’re efficient even from afar, averaging a result in a quick 42.1 seconds.
Overtime
- Former MLB player (Major League Baseball) player and boyfriend of Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, is joining the panel on Shark Tank. The head of A-ROD CORP is the all-time leader in career earnings in baseball history at $399 million.
Sideline stat
- There were a whole “lotto” surprises at yesterday’s NBA Draft lottery. Usually the worst teams get the first pick in the NBA Draft but thanks to a massive trade with the New Jersey Nets, the Boston Celtics (who finished with the best record in their conference and are in the playoffs) will receive the #1 pick in the upcoming draft. Here’s more on the lottery.
Coaches’ Corner
- Nico Marley, grandson of music legend Bob Marley, signed with the Washington Redskins (NFL – National Football League). Hopefully the underdog can sing a “Redemption Song” and make the final roster.