Better Together
The Cavallari-Cutler divorce, a looming restart for the NBA and a new side hustle for one athlete.
Even with social distancing, you still need a way to connect. Why not with sports?
We’re in this together,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball association)
There might be light at the end of the tunnel. On May 1, the NBA will allow players of teams in cities that have lifted quarantined restrictions to use the practice facilities again. Teams will not practice together, but players can engage in individual workouts. The season was originally scheduled to be wrap up in June but was stopped shortly after the all-star break (i.e. halfway through the season). No word on a restart date. IT’S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Overtime
Could quarantine have been the breaking point for Kristin Cavallari and former NFL (National Football League) quarterback Jay Cutler? The two announced that they’re divorcing after 10 years of marriage. The last time the world saw them together they were quarantined in Turks and Caicos with their children and friends. SAD NEWS
Sideline stat
The NFL Draft saw massive viewer numbers this year with over 55 million people tuning in to the three day extravaganza. Those numbers are up 35 percent from last year. Proof that even though it looked different with players and coaches participating from their living rooms and basements, the world is starved for any sort of live sports. FILLING THE VOID
Coaches’ corner
Tom Brady has had a rough start in Tampa Bay. First, there was the park incident and then he walked into the wrong house while looking for his new team’s offensive coordinator. That trespassing incident may have landed him in hot water. The NFL set strict quarantine rules and players cannot have face-to-face meetings with their coaches. Other teams are not happy about it and the NFL may punish the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for it. REBELLIOUS STAGE
What to watch
Recently retired NBA player Dwyane Wade is following in Steph Curry’s footsteps and is producing a documentary about the “Redeem Team,” the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team. They were called the Redeem Team because in in the prior Olympics, the 2004 U.S. men’s team took home bronze after years of gold medal success. Wade shared on a podcast how Kobe Bryant was a “cold-blooded” competitor and would talk trash to other teams in their native languages. A MAN OF MANY TALENTS
I Dare You
An anniversary gift for the ages, tennis’ big 3 step up big time and the woman who is changing the world for so many.
Sports talk is easy when it’s pop culture and sports combined.
What like it’s hard?
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
The sports world lost its mind last night with the airing of “The Last Dance,” the 10-part docuseries about Michael Jordan. It went from letters Jordan wrote to his mom in college requesting money and postage stamps to the G.O.A.T. walking out on a drug-fueled Chicago Bulls party as a rookie to arguments with Bulls general manager Jerry Krause. The moment everyone is talking about this morning? Producers labeled former President Barack Obama as “former Chicago resident” during his interview. SOMEONE HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR
Overtime
Saturday would’ve been Vanessa and Kobe Bryant’s 19th wedding anniversary and one of his former teammates stepped up big time in the wake of Kobe’s death. His former Lakers’ teammate Pau Gasol and his wife sent Vanessa flowers to mark the occasion, saying “We love you V! You are so loved. Happy anniversary mama!” Kobe, his daughter Gianna, two of her basketball teammates and their families all perished in a helicopter crash earlier this year. SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS
The WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) also recognized the three girls as honorary draft picks during the WNBA draft on Friday night. ALL THE FEELS
Sideline stat
The big three of men’s tennis – Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic – are working together for a common cause. The three are working with the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) to help ease the financial burden for lower ranked players since the sport is suspended until July. They’re raising upwards of $3 million to help players ranked No. 200-700 in the world. Since mid-March, 21 ATP tournaments, including Wimbledon, have been suspended. MAKING A DIFFERENCE WHERE IT MATTERS MOST
Coaches’ corner
Sabrina Ionescu could be the best college basketball player, male or female, of this generation. She was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, going to the New York Liberty. Within minutes of her selection, her jersey sold out. If you’ve never seen her play, she’s amazing but you might also recognize her as a speaker from Gianna and Kobe Bryant’s memorial service. INSPIRING GIRLS EVERYWHERE
What to watch
The NFL (National Football League) Draft begins this week on April 23. This three-day affair looks a little different than previous years since it’ll be virtual. We’ll see what happens when a bunch of “old football guys” use modern day technology to determine the future of their team. We’ll have more in Wednesday’s 5 Things To Know About The NFL Draft or check out the podcast which will be released this afternoon. SNEAK PEEK
Living It Up
Simone Biles’ mic drop moment, who had the most epic weekend and this hot head is a man of his word.
New week, new outlook, same yoga pants.
Let’s not get too crazy,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
It was a mic drop moment for Olympian Simone Biles in the latest internet challenge. The handstand challenge went viral after actors Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal both put on a shirt while in a handstand (using the wall as a prop). The world’s best gymnast showed them a thing or two by removing a pair of sweatpants and providing commentary while in a prolonged free standing handstand. G.O.A.T
Overtime
In countries where live sports are happening, they’re getting creative when it comes to creating an atmosphere for the players playing in empty stadiums. Yesterday, we saw a soccer team in Belarus play in front of mannequins with fans’ photos on them. Now the Rakuten Monkeys, a team in the Chinese Professional Baseball League, is putting robots and mannequins in the stands to cheer on their players. QUEUE THE KISS CAM
Sideline stat
Phoenix Suns (NBA – National Basketball Association) standout Devin Booker has had quite the momentous quarantine. First, he was named a Special Olympics Global Ambassador, which is a huge honor as the organization is one close to his heart. (His sister suffers from microdeletion syndrome). Saturday night he won the NBA 2k video game tournament against his teammate DeAndre Ayton. Besides bragging rights, he receives $100,000 to donate to a charity of his choice for coronavirus relief efforts. SELFLESS SOCIAL DISTANCING
Coaches’ corner
Australian tennis star Nick Kygrios is known for this short fuse and trash talking. But when he’s off the court, he’s a man of his word. He posted on Instagram that he would personally deliver food to those affected by COVID-19, whether that’s job loss or illness. He said "Please don't go to sleep with an empty stomach. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to send me a private message. I will be more than happy to share whatever I have.” He posted photos of deliveries in progress over the weekend. SPECIAL DELIVERY