Last to arrive at the basketball party
The last thing I needed in old age was a new sport to follow - but on the back of Bill Simmons' fantastic podcasts, I've kind of got the basketball bug.
Like many out of touch New Zealanders, my previous basketball knowledge came from Woody Harrelson, so it's a giddy, devil-may-care sensation following a sport where you've no idea what's going on and no skin in the game. It's how I imagine it feels writing a Mike's Minute.
The playoffs are on right now most days on SKY, and almost all the games are close, with plenty of lead changes. It's basically the anti-Super Rugby.
I won't offer any takes, to avoid insulting those more knowledgeable than I, but I like the Philadelphia 76ers' story - they took Moneyball to the extreme by getting rid of all their players, aiming to rebuild after hitting rock bottom.
If you haven't been paying attention, it's worth having another look at one of the most popular leagues in the world, while all-time great LeBron James is still playing, dragging his journeymen team through.
In another sport I don't know much about, the Warriors' new owners have promised, well, basically more of the same. I want to give them a chance, but it doesn't sit right with me that after years of underperformance, now the team has won a few games in a row then yeah, nah everything's sweet.
The other bidder, an American consortium talking about building a world class fan experience sounded like a fresh approach. I wish the ARL all the best, but wonder if this is another missed opportunity at Mount Smart.
Thanks for reading - Richard
NZ's best sport writing and content this week
Hamilton's Elliot Collier has arrived the hard way in Major Leaue Soccer after a false start in England - playing with Bastian Schweinsteiger and playing FIFA as yourself is certainly living the dream. [Fairfax]
Andrew Alderson on Nick Willis running through an era of drug cheats - one of our most complicated athletes, who has an outside chance of a golden upgrade. [NZ Herald]
Katrina Grant talks post-games review - sounds like she's got a few questions herself. And her endorsement for Janine Southby is as ringing as the bell on the Titanic. [TVNZ]
Quite possibly the greatest tweet by a national sporting association ever - from Iceland Cricket, if you will. [twitter.com]
Video nasty
Urban mountain biking from Columbia - not many soft bail-out spots here.
Long read
To 2009, for Tracey Cooper's yarn about Shane Cameron preparing to meet David Tua. Hat tip to Ben Stanley, guest-editor of the always-excellent Featured newsletter.
Selected fixtures this weekend
NBA playoffs include Celtics v 76ers today at 12.30pm and Raptors v Cavaliers on Sunday at 12.30pm, both on SKY
In the rugby, the mighty Chiefs play the Jaguares in Rotorua tonight at 7.30pm, while Hurricanes v the SA conference leaders on Saturday night at 7.30pm will be tasty, rugby's all on SKY
Chelsea v Champions League finalists Liverpool is 3.30am Monday morning on BeIN
In the IPL, The Battle of Mount Maunganui (ahem) takes place at 2.30am Sunday when Kane Williamson's Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Trent Boult's Delhi Daredevils on SKY
Bring back the gif
When you challenge the guys from the A-Ha video to a match and they turn out to be rubbish.
