Medal-Worthy Monday
Break the ice this President’s Day by talking sports. If basketball or the Olympics aren’t your thing, bringing up golfer John Daly hitting a hole-in-one while dressed like an American flag should do it.
Break the ice this President’s Day by talking sports. If basketball or the Olympics aren’t your thing, bringing up golfer John Daly hitting a hole-in-one while dressed like an American flag should do it.
Hail To The Chief,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When taking a risk pays off. Last night, the NBA All-Star Game came down to the wire, with Team LeBron (LeBron James) defeating Team Stephen (Stephen Curry) by three points. It seems the NBA has finally found a format that makes the all-star game competitive. ICYMI – the teams were selected like an old-school kickball game with the two captains picking their teams, regardless of conference.
When you try but fall flat on your face. Not everyone’s performance was as stellar as game MVP LeBron James. During the pregame, there was an odd rendition of the national anthem by Fergie that gave some players the giggles. Top that off with bizarre player introductions by actor/comedian Kevin Hart. Maybe it’s just not Hart’s year to be at sporting events between this and the Super Bowl incident.
Overtime
America’s newest star, figure skater Adam Rippon, has made a name for himself in these Olympics. He was offered a job as an NBC correspondent for the final days of the Games, now that his competition is over. He initially agreed but then changed his mind once he realized he would have to give up his athlete credentials and move out of the Olympic Village.
Sideline stat
Driving the #3 car just like Dale Earnhardt Sr. did in his first and only Daytona 500 win 20 years ago, driver Austin Dillon took home the first win of the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) season at Daytona yesterday. There were accidents galore with only 25 of the 40 cars that started the race crossing the finish line. Sadly, one of those crashes involved Danica Patrick, who was driving in the final NASCAR race of her career. She’ll drive one last race in the Indianapolis 500, which is not a NASCAR race, on May 27.
Coaches’ corner
Last week we talked about the Swiss free ski team and their unconventional escalator ride. Clearly unconventional runs in the family becauce Swiss free skier Mischa Gasser’s dad decided to ride a bike more than 10,500 miles from Switzerland to South Korea to watch his son compete. His mom took the conventional route and hopped on a plane.
What to watch
Keep an eye on American Olympian Justin Olsen in tonight's two-man bobsled race. Two weeks ago, he underwent an emergency appendectomy in South Korea. He'll not only pilot the two-man sled tonight but the four-man one later this week as well.
More Fun Than A Barrel Of Monkeys
While the Olympics may be dominating your newsfeed, this weekend in sports brings us a whole lot more besides downhill and spandex.
While the Olympics may be dominating your newsfeed, this weekend in sports brings us a whole lot more than downhill and spandex.
It’ll still be fun, we promise,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
There’s a first time for everything. This Sunday is the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles and for the first time the teams are not divided up by conference, but chosen by two captains (Steph Curry and LeBron James). The best in the league were narrowed down by a vote and then drafted old school P.E. class-style by the captains. On the line? $300,000 and $150,000 for the teams’ selected charities.
If you believe you can fly. Saturday night features a variety of all-star weekend skills challenges, including the slam dunk competition as well as the three-point shooting contest and the skills competition, which shows off the player’s versatility. Be prepared to be impressed.
College Football
A little feel good for your Friday. During the college football season, the Iowa Hawkeyes started a tradition where their fans wave to the kids at the neighboring children's hospital, which looks into the stadium, at the end of the first quarter. The team has taken it a step further during the off-season, drawing a giant hand in the snow on the field to "wave" to the kids at the hospital.
Overtime
No one is having more fun in PyeongChang than the Swiss freestyle ski team. If their team announcement video didn’t convince you that the Swiss really do have more fun, then watch the video of skier Fabian Bösch taking an unconventional ride on escalator. More proof that Olympians are not human.
Sideline stat
NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing) kicks off its season on Sunday with the Daytona 500. Some familiar faces will take the track including former NFL (National Football League) quarterback Peyton Manning, who will drive the pace car. The one to watch? Danica Patrick, who will drive in this race and one other this season before retiring. And yes, her boyfriend, Green Bay Packers quarterback (NFL) Aaron Rodgers will be there cheering her on.
Coaches’ corner
Ever wonder what the difference is between the slalom, giant slalom and downhill ski events? We did too. We break it down for you in less than one minute. WATCH
I'm On A Roll
It’s Monday and that means it’s a new week for you to conquer the conversation by sharing a little something about sports.
It’s Monday and that means it’s a new week for you to conquer the conversation by sharing a little something about sports.
Rolls off the tongue,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Winter Olympics
If you’re ready to dominate your Monday. The U.S. Figure Skating Team picked up a bronze medal in the team skate event. Their score was boosted by Mirai Nagasu’s free skate in which she did something no American has ever done. She successfully landed a triple axel in the Olympics. What is a triple axel? 3.5 rotations in the air. No big deal.
Because breakfast beers are perfectly acceptable at the Olympics. Red Gerard, 17, became the first American to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. Before the competition, he received early morning Snapchat videos from his family shotgunning beers on the way to watch him compete for gold. Too bad he’s not old enough to join them.
When there are never enough spirit fingers in your day. Overshadowing the athletes themselves are the North Korean cheerleaders. This handpicked crew of young women has more spirit than a remake of “Bring It On.” Their dances and cheers were on display at the Korea - Switzerland hockey game, where the joint Korean team was handily beaten by the Swiss team.
Overtime
The Westminster Dog Show begins today and so many people in the competition will be living out their doggie dreams including Hall of Fame NFL (National Football League) player Shannon Sharpe. He’ll be joining the long line of fantastic correspondents covering canines with names like Tickle Em Jock and Starfire’s Spank Me Hard Call Me Crazy. (Those are not names used to describe your former boyfriends, but in fact names of real dogs that have competed in the show).
Keep an eye on Sonnito, a Chihuahua that could be the first of its breed to claim the title of “best in show.”
Sideline stat
This weekend, a very emotional Paul Pierce became the 22nd player in Boston Celtics (NBA - National Basketball Association) history to have his jersey retired. Pierce wore #34 and was part of the team that brought the city of Boston a championship. (Unsure what it means to retire a jersey number? Here’s your answer).
Coaches’ corner
If you’re looking for a way to stay calm this Monday, look no further than Finnish snowboarding coach Antti Koskinen. You can find him in zen mode, knitting away while standing next to his athletes who are getting ready to take on the mountain. Who knew Grandma was a trendsetter?
In tonight’s Olympic coverage, look out for Chloe Kim, another 17-year-old American snowboarding prodigy, on her quest for gold.