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Good morning! Could you score at least a 45 in the NBA Dunk Contest?
Entertainment factor
Did a G-Leaguer save the dunk contest?
Mac McClung, who wasn’t even in the NBA this time around last week, surged with last night’s dunk contest. He was almost perfect on four efforts, all executed on the first try. It helped electrify television at the end of an otherwise uncertain night.
So, one has to wonder: is the dunk contest back? (Steph Curry thinks so.) Could we see some bigger names again next year?
Alternatively, it seems entirely possible that the prospect of being introduced by a fringe NBA player – McClung has said he’ll be back next year if the league gets him – could scare off the players we really want to see. . I mean…just look at his final dunk:
A few other thoughts on the night:
- The skills challenge was kind of a failure. The main energy from Giannis’ dad on the sidelines was a highlight. Jordan Clarkson, how are you?
- Three-point contest: Condolences to the son of Julius Randle, who seemed very unhappy with his father’s exit (he was a last minute replacement, let him go!). But it seemed fair that Dame finally got a W on his third try (he’s now retired from the contest, he said.)
- Cringe: Jericho Sims dunk. It was close to being smart, but the execution wasn’t quite there.
The main event is tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Don’t forget: the teams are drafted shortly before kick-off, and… the reserves are chosen first? So okay.
Pulse crystal ball
NFL SZN Offseason Predictions
It’s been seven days since the Super Bowl, so naturally it’s time to start talking about the NFL again. Mike Jones has offseason predictions that range from mild to Carolina Reaper on the Scoville scale of spicy takes. Here is a tasting tray:
- Aaron Rodgers to the… Packers: In a way, it’s both a 3 and a 9 on the hot plug scale. Rodgers spending four days in a dark retreat to return to the only team he’s ever known would be the biggest domino of the offseason to fall.
- Derek Carr goes to Broadway: After his visit with the Jets this weekend, New York lands the ex from Vegas with a look of young weapons and a solid defense.
- Texans trade up to No. 1: Remember Lovie Smith’s game-winning 2-point conversion as a Houston exit gift? It will cost the Texans as Chicago reclaims a spot in that prediction and Houston snags Bryce Young.
- And the Colts trade up to No. 2: Jones’ crystal ball says the Bears aren’t done trading, as the QB-needy Colts trade and send Chicago even more draft equity. Indy offers new coach Shane Steichen a young, athletic CJ Stroud to design an offense around.
new beginnings
Your XFL Intro
The Reboot Reboot finally arrived yesterday for the XFL, and now it’s Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson’s turn to direct it. The league may not be a formal development league for the NFL, but it does have a formal relationship to serve as a sort of experimental petri dish. A few quirks you’ll see in games:
- Workout Challenges: Coaches may challenge any referee call on any game once per game.
- Additional points at several levels: After a touchdown, an extra point from the 2-yard line is worth one point, two points from the 5-yard line, and three points from the 10-yard line.
- Broadcast game odds: The league’s heavily promoted angle of play will feature live over/unders and betting lines included in the TV score box.
In addition to unique rules, league rosters feature a slew of names that make you say “Oh, This guys!” Some notables:
- Brett Hundley was once branded as a potential successor to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and is now the Vegas Vipers’ quarterback.
- Vic Beasley was an All-Pro after leading the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2016. He’s also looking to resurrect his career with the Vipers.
- AJ McCarron went from Alabama legend to NFL clipboard hauler for five teams. He will play for the St. Louis BattleHawks.
- Josh Gordon led the NFL in receiving yards 10 years ago, six teams and two football leagues. Now in his third league, he is part of the Seattle Sea Dragons.
- Paxton Lynch is a name that can make Broncos fans shiver. The 2016 first-round pick has four starts in two years and will now play for the Orlando Guardians.
For everything you need to know, read here.
Briefs
Photo: Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today
Tiger looks… sharp!
Tiger Woods had a promising third day at the Genesis Invitational and could even crack the top 10 today. Woods birdied three, added an eagle and shot 4-under 67 yesterday. A stat to melt your brain: The score marked its lowest in any round on the PGA Tour in 848 days. Woods’ eagle at No. 1 was his sixth career eagle on the hole, the most on any hole in his career. He begins Round 4 at 11:16 a.m. ET today.
Mercury refill
Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, as expected, re-sign with the Phoenix Mercury. Notably, the 19th season for Taurasi, 40, will be the first of a new multi-year contract. What does this tell us? The Mercurys plan to compete for the championships until the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer retires, writes Ben Pickman.
Bieniemy in motion
The commanders have hired Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, reports Ben Standig. Bieniemy’s title with Washington would be assistant head coach/OC, and he is expected to sign a multi-year contract with Washington. Bieniemy has been with the Chiefs since 2013, first as a running backs coach and then, from 2018, as an OC. Standig explains why the move isn’t just sideways and gives Bieniemy a chance to step out of Andy Reid’s shadow.
Pulse choice
Alabama, Houston, Kansas and Purdue were seeded No. 1 on Saturday by the NCAA’s Division I men’s basketball committee in its top 16 preview.
Warriors hype man Franco Finn was invited to host the Friday and Saturday festivities during All-Star Weekend. Here’s why his booming voice matters.
What the Bally Sports saga means for NBA, NHL and MLB broadcasts.
The USWNT takes on Japan at 3:30 p.m. ET today in their second match at the SheBelieves Cup. Keep up to date with Crystal Dunn’s latest position changes ahead of him.
After signing a record contract, Mets closest Edwin Díaz is one of the few baseball players unwilling to change anything this season.
David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson broke down Marvin Gaye’s iconic NBA All-Star Game national anthem: ‘He turned this thing into his own’
Kevin Love completed a buyout with the Cavaliers yesterday and the Heat are favorites to land him. Cleveland said his jersey will one day hang in his rafters.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said there is “medical data” to support the current practice of load management and disagreed with the idea that too many players – especially stars – are absent from games without injury.
Alex Bowman will start on pole for the 65th Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET today) alongside Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in the front row. Follow our live updates here.
(Top photo: Kyle Terada/USA Today)
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