Let’s Dance
The Jordan tweet no one saw coming, bored sports commentators do weird things and so much love for healthcare heroes this weekend.
Excuse us as we recover from our slight depression due to the fact that the “Last Dance” is over or maybe it's simply the fact that it’s Monday.
Either way, we're wearing our Jordans in solidarity,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
The world is feeling a void this morning with the end of the the Michael Jordan documentary “Last Dance.” It kept non-sports fans and sports fans alike on the edge of their seats, even though we all knew how it would end. One story that surprised many last night was the tale about how Michael Jordan was poisoned by a local pizzeria in Salt Lake City while the Chicago Bulls were in town playing the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals. DiGiorno Pizza used that moment to give us one of the greatest tweets of 2020. MJ - STILL GIVING THE WORLD WHAT IT NEEDS
Overtime
During the break in live sports, commentators are looking for ways to hone their craft. Look no further than this BBC commentator’s hilarious play-by-play of penguins heading to their burrows. MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
Sideline stat
Yesterday’s “Driving Relief” match between four PGA (Professional Golfers Association) golfers was a huge success. Not only did the four players - Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Matthew Wolff - practice social distancing while carrying their own clubs (no caddies allowed), they raised $5.5 million for the CDC Foundation and the American Association for Nurses. It also gave golf fans got their fix to hold them over until the season starts back up next month. FOR THE WIN
Coaches’ corner
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is back in a big way with Kevin Harvick winning the first race post-quarantine. His “Real Heroes 400” victory was his 50th career win. It was bittersweet as he honored Dr. Joshua Hughes, an emergency medicine physician in the Charlotte area who is on the frontlines fighting covid. Drivers will race Wednesday night on the same track in Darlington. Then they’ll race the same track once again over Memorial Day weekend. DRIVING HOPE
Manic Monday
The newest power couple, an unexpected twist to having no fans at games and a huge oops by ESPN.
After celebrating mama with hopefully far too many mimosas, here we go into another week of legendary proportion.
All yours,
The Last Night’s Game Team
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
UFC returned on Saturday night and it gave us a glimpse of what sports might look like without fans. With no background noise from the stands, fighters were able to hear the broadcasters when they made suggestions on how to win, and they took the advice. That wasn’t the only excitement. One fighter tested positive for COVID-19 and wasn’t allowed to fight and then there was Henry Cejudo. The two-time champion won his fight and then promptly retired at age 33. SNEAKY STRATEGY
Overtime
Q: What do you get when you cross Vampire Diaries with a Flying Tomato? A: The newest hot couple in Hollywood. Olympic snowboarder/skateboarder Shaun White and actress Nina Dobrev have been spotted talking walks and sanitizing groceries together (we never thought we’d say that….) IN THE TIMES OF LOVE AND LYSOL
Sideline stat
You might remember that 30 MLB (Major League Baseball) teams' employees offered to be a part of a nationwide COVID-19 antibody test. Turns out the numbers were less than experts expected. Only 60 of the 5,754 tested had the antibodies. Of that small number, 70% of those who tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies were asymptomatic. Regardless of the results, the league will be submitting a proposal to the players’ association this week on how to start the season. PLAY BALL
Coaches’ corner
Outspoken pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds (MLB) Trevor Bauer, joined the ESPN broadcast of Korean Baseball League games this weekend. During the broadcast, the network accidentally put Bauer’s phone number on TV. Bauer made light of the sticky situation, turning the mistake into a giveaway. He decided to give away a pair of signed cleats and an autographed baseball with all of the giveaway details in his voicemail. MAKING THE BEST OUT OF A STICKY SITUATION
What to watch
The familiar voices of Booger McFarland (yes, he willingly goes by that name) and Joe Tessitore from Monday Night Football on ESPN are out of a job and football fans had plenty of jokes. ESPN has been trying hard to hire a big name like Peyton Manning to headline the broadcast booth on Monday nights but Manning turned them down. No word on who will take the mic but we’ll be watching. ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS
Truth Be Told
Who’s shaking what their mama gave them, the unsuspected hero of the “Last Dance” and ingenuity at work?
Sports, because everyone wants to talk about anything besides COVID.
Bring it on,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In last night’s episodes of “Last Dance,” the Michael Jordan documentary on ESPN, we had a chance to see inside Jordan’s relationship with Kobe Bryant. From his trash talking at Bryant’s first all-star game to the big brother and mentor Jordan became to Bryant. After his deadly helicopter crash earlier this year, it was bittersweet for so many fans to watch Bryant’s humble interview when discussing Jordan. WISH YOU WERE HERE
Overtime
Although it seems like the Super Bowl was a year ago, Jennifer Lopez shared behind the scenes footage to celebrate the three-month anniversary of her big halftime performance. Part of the video shows Shakira and JLo practicing their now famous booty-shaking routine. JLo’s word of advice to Shakira? "I do it with my knees, I shake my knees" – a secret she learned from her mama. NOTE TO SELF
Sideline stat
One German soccer fan is getting creative when it comes to using all of the boxes from his Amazon deliveries. With the return of German pro soccer league Bundesliga on the horizon, the fan had an idea to sell cardboard cutouts of a fan’s likeness for $20.60 to help local businesses. It’s a win-win because proceeds will benefit struggling local businesses, the local printer gets the work and the players will have “fans” in the stands when games resume. INGENUITY AT WORK
Coaches’ corner
Last week Baltimore Orioles (MLB - Major League Baseball) player Trey Mancini revealed that he was fighting stage three colon cancer. On a team call his teammates surprised him by holding up signs of support (literally) and pledged to “#F16HT” alongside him. The hashtag incorporates Mancini’s jersey number – 16. Mancini is currently undergoing chemotherapy and wants to see baseball return soon, even though he can’t play, so he can spend time with his teammates. IN IT TO WIN IT
What to watch
The unlikely hero of last night’s “Last Dance” episodes was the security guard at the United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls) who gambled with Michael Jordan in the locker room. With his curly blonde mullet and his victory dance moves, the scene where he takes Jordan’s money over a game of throwing quarters will make you smile. WINNING IS EVERYTHING