The Rundown: Speed Demon
A new record was set this weekend - 4.22 seconds. We investigated what else happens in less than five seconds? Well, McDonald's sells 365 burgers, 205,000 Facebook posts are posted and 21 babies are born.
It happens in a flash,
The Last Night's Game Team
Soccer
- All rise. U.S.A. soccer has adopted a new policy stating that players must stand for the national anthem. Some players previously took a knee during the song to protest social injustice.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Global games. The World Baseball Classic started this morning with Israel taking on Korea in Seoul, South Korea. The Classic is essentially the Olympics for baseball. Teams representing their respective countries compete every four years. Stay tuned for more on the World Baseball Classic in Wednesday’s Five Things to Know.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Slow down speedy. In the second race of the season, Kevin Harvick led the majority of the race but was penalized for speeding on pit row (that’s where the cars receive new tires, gas and/or quick maintenance). The added time from the penalty caused Harvick to lose to Brad Keselowski.
Overtime
- If you thought the Kardashians had family drama, wait until you hear this story. Jim Buss was the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers until he died and then the team went his kids. Daughter Jeanie Buss fired her brother Jim as the team’s head of basketball operations two weeks ago. Her two brothers then called a meeting to elect a new board of directors that didn’t include Jeanie. A restraining order followed. Something tells us this is just heating up.
Sideline stat
- At the NFL (National Football League) Combine John Ross from Washington broke the 40-yard dash record, which stood for nine years, running it in 4.22 seconds. Although, Ross missed out on the option of a private island or a $1 million prize offered by Adidas because he was wearing Nike cleats. No island for you. (Missed out on what the NFL Combine is? Here’s our Five Things to Know).
Coaches’ corner
- There is no police radar gun in NASCAR and the cars do not have speedometers. So how do the authorities know how fast the car is going to hand out a speeding penalty? Speed is determined by sensors that calculate how fast the car moves through zones.
The Rundown: And The Winner Is...
There were winners and losers in the weekend’s sports. Unlike last night’s Oscars, there was no confusion on who took home the win. La La Land…Moonlight…same same but different.
#EnvelopeGate please,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- No looking back. The famed Daytona 500 started the NASCAR season off with a bang. In a race plagued by crashes, Kurt Busch led only one lap, the last lap. His rearview mirror fell off with 30 laps to go so he couldn’t see behind him, but he didn’t need to because he cruised into his first win at Daytona.
NCAA Men’s Basketball (College)
- Cinderella story no more. Gonzaga was the last remaining undefeated men’s college basketball team in the nation. They lost to BYU (Brigham Young University) on Saturday in the last game of the season. You’ll still see them on your March Madness tournament bracket which will be released soon.
Overtime
- ESPN Films won its first ever Oscar with the documentary “O.J.: Made in America” based on Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson. It also took a look into the culture of celebrity, race, media and the criminal justice system in America.
Sideline stat
- In the final game of her college career, University of Washington senior Kelsey Plum set the all-time scoring record for women’s college basketball with 3,397 career points. That would take us 3,397 days to achieve, hence why we write about sports.
Coaches’ corner
- Ever wonder what ESPN stands for? We did. The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (hence ESPN) was started 38 years ago and reporting sports has never been the same.
The Rundown: Presidents' Day Edition
Today is not the day to hit the bank or the post office as it's President's Day. Or as many of us call it – Monday.
At least there’s less traffic,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- We believe he can fly. The slam dunk contest thrust relatively unknown Indiana Pacers’ Glenn Robinson III into the spotlight. Robinson jumped over three members of the Pacers’ team (a teammate, the mascot and a cheerleader) to successfully slam dunk the ball and the win. See it here.
- Reunited and it feels so good. All eyes were on disgruntled former teammates Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors) this weekend. Westbrook avoided questions about the feud by deflecting to the fashion on the runways at Fashion Week. The two made up on the court when Durant provided Westbrook with a perfect assist.
PGA (Professional Golfers Association)
- Life’s good. Golfer Dustin Johnson had a big week. Fiancé Paulina Gretzky (daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky) announced the couple is due with their second child and with a win at this weekend’s tournament, Johnson became the #1 ranked golfer in the world.
Overtime
- Countless showstoppers graced the court at the NBA All-Star Game (hello Beyonce) but Craig Sager’s young son Ryan stole the show. Ryan made the final basket, with the assistance of Hall of Famer Shaq, to solidify TNT’s $500,000 donation to the Sager Strong Foundation for cancer research. Craig Sager was a famed sports reporter who passed away from cancer in December.
Sideline stat
- In the NBA All-Star Game the West beat the East 192-182, the highest scoring game in NBA history. Hometown hero Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans (yes that’s a team) took home the MVP honors, breaking a 55-year-old scoring record. Davis received another huge surprise that night when he was traded. That makes for a night he won’t forget. Here’s more on the trade in case you’re interested.
Coaches’ corner
- The first race of the NASCAR season, the Daytona 500, is this weekend and for the second year in a row Chase Elliott will be starting in the pole position. Having pole position or pole means the driver is starting the race in the best position possible. See you on Wednesday for five things to know about the legendary Daytona 500.