The Grammys brought us a battle between Kendrick Lamar (five gold gramophones) and Taylor Swift (three gold gramophones) for top billing, and great energy from the cast of “Hamilton.”
Lady GaGa, Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, John Legend and Pitbull raised the roof in Los Angeles (home court of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers). The sports world also had some great performances this week…
National Basketball Association (NBA)
The NBA bundled up, and with some saying I “Can’t Feel my Face,” headed north to Toronto for its All-Star Weekend. Canadian Drake was the unofficial host, and the stars were out in TO.
Rising Stars Game
Young and talented. In a battle of up-and-coming NBA stars, Team USA beat the World Team 157-154 led by Minnesota Timberwolves’ Zach LaVine (stay tuned…he wasn’t done for the weekend) who scored 30 points. In the loss, New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis also scored 30 points giving Knicks fans reason to smile.
3-Point Shooting Contest
“Born In The Echoes”…In the 3-point shooting contest, Golden State Warriors teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, both sons of former NBA players, battled in the Finals with Thompson ultimately winning.
Dunk Contest
The high flyers took the court Saturday night in one of the most exciting Dunk Contests ever. The young studs blew up Twitter, Instagram, North America and the basketball world. Remember Minnesota Timberwolves’ Zach LaVine? Standing at 6’5” he repeated as Dunk Champion squeaking by Orlando Magic big man Aaron Gordon, who measures 6’9”. Check out how some entertainment and NBA stars reacted to the dunks.
All-Star Game
The marquee event of the weekend was Sunday’s All-Star game. Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, playing in his final All-Star game, was deservedly honored but the “Blank Space” was filled in by Russell Westbrook. The Oklahoma City Thunder standout repeated as All-Star Game MVP scoring 31 points and adding eight rebounds, leading the West to a 196-173 victory over the East. If the score seems crazy high to you, you’re right. This was an all-time ASG scoring record. #NoDefense
College Basketball
Who doesn’t “Really Love” college basketball’s March Madness for all its excitement? The chaos has begun early this season.
In another week of Top-5 carnage, #2 Maryland, #3 Oklahoma, #4 Iowa and #5 Xavier all lost this past week. Only #1 Villanova emerged unscathed and retained its top overall ranking.
In the weekend’s top matchup, #6 Kansas traveled to Norman and beat #3 Oklahoma 76-72. Despite playing poorly in the first half, player-of-the-year frontrunner Buddy Hield gave his best shot and almost made it “Alright,” scoring 24 points.
The new AP Top-5 teams are:
#1 Villanova
#2 Kansas
#3 Oklahoma
#4 Iowa
#5 North Carolina
Keep an eye out for #20 Duke who has won four games in a row, including victories over #7 Virginia and #13 Louisville, to re-enter the Top-25. Saturday’s home win over Virginia came on a spectacular final shot by sophomore Grayson Allen, though some say it should not have counted. Allen and Freshman Brandon Ingram, one of college basketball’s best new artists (a la Meghan Trainor), are leading the defending champions back to form. In the next chapter of college basketball’s biggest rivalry, Duke face #5 North Carolina on Wednesday.
Remember at TINK Sports we watch the games so you don’t have to.
See you next time…
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