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- 🏀 A CAVALANCHE in Miami!
Good Morning, Stumpers!
The Cavs and Warriors both got massive playoff wins last night! Is it 2016 or what?! A lot to go over from yesterday in sports. We’ll go over the CAVALANCHE in Miami, and the gritfest in Golden State. After that we’ve got an underrated move for the Cleveland Browns, and what the future holds for the Milwaukee Bucks, could Giannis be gone? Also, just going to spoil it for you…our GLUE GUY is SHANE BATTIER! But the reason is something you will love!
Today’s Rundown
What’s in today’s edition?
🏀 The Future of the Milwaukee Bucks!
🏀 A CAVALANCHE Sweeps the Heat
🏈 Under the Radar NFL Move
🏏 When Cricket First Came To America!
On This Day
On This Day…
🦗 Cricket in America for First Time
I know that the emoji is a cricket as in the insect, but I’m talking cricket the sport! The game originated in England and dates back to the late 16th century. But when did it come to America?
On this day in 1751, the New York Gazette and Post Boy carries first public report of a cricket match played in America. New York XI vs London XI, on the site of what is today the Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan, New York City!
Today’s Trivia
🧠 Test your sports knowledge…
Which NHL legend has the most goals in Stanley Cup playoff history? |
Yesterday’s Trivia Answer: A. Toronto Maple Leafs! At a whopping 57 years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the longest Stanley Cup trophy drought in the NHL (at least they won in ‘67). The Sabres and Canucks are right behind them at 55 years, the year they both joined the NHL.
Before We Dive In…
👀 Yesterday’s Must See’s
🔍️ Stump Spotlight
Injury Bug Catches Milwaukee
😢 Future of Bucks After Dame’s Torn Achilles
News broke yesterday that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks. The Achilles tear is one of the more dreaded injuries in all of sports, as the extensive recovery time and severity of injury put players futures in jeopardy.
The Milwaukee Bucks turn the NBA world on it’s head in the offseason before the 2024 season when they acquired Trail Blazers All-NBA stud Damian Lillard. The Bucks, with the duo of Giannis and Dame, have certainly had their ups and downs but the two combine to be one of the most feared combos in the whole league. Lillard had missed extended time this year due to blood clots, but had just returned for the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
Now, with the Bucks down 3-1 in their first round series, and Dame out for this year and most likely the vast majority of the 2025-26 season, their future is in question. Lillard, who turns 35 in July, is owed $113 million over the next two seasons, a guaranteed year in 2025-26 with a player option for the 2026-27 season. No matter where this goes, it’s safe to say that this injury could not have happened to a better human and this is just brutal for Dame. He’s arguably one of the best humans in the game. He’s an extremely hard worker, humble, works in his community, and is just an amazing person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dame.
As far as basketball goes, I don’t know where the Bucks go next. They just committed long term to their GM Jon Horst, signing him a two year contract extension, and have Giannis under contract. But Giannis has already came out and said that if he doesn’t think the Bucks are trying to be competitive, he won’t hesitate to leave. He cares about one thing and one thing only, winning championships. If Giannis requests a trade, pretty much every team in the NBA will come calling. He’s that desired.
The Bucks biggest problem this year was their disability to score points via anyone not named Giannis or Dame. Without one half of that equation, where does this team go? Who scores for them? Giannis is unreal, but he’s not superman, he can’t take this team to the finals by himself. He needs help. If he looks around the locker room right now, there isn’t much help there.
This Bucks team may be in for a radical change to the makeup of their roster over the next couple of years. I see them getting younger, with more high-potential, low-cost players as they prepare for potential life without Dame, and even without Giannis.
The Hot Stove
🏀 NBA Playoffs Review
Cavs def. Heat, 138-83 (WIN SERIES 4-0): The only way to describe this game would be a CAVALANCHE! My god did the Heat come out flat today. Any end of quarter score will shock you. The first ended 43-17. It was 72-33 at halftime. This series was 3-0 and it seemed the Heat were ready to go home. The Cavs move on, and they will play either Indiana or Milwaukee in the second round! No doubt they looked dominant across their opening series.
Warriors def. Rockets, 109-106 (GSW lead series 3-1): If you watched this one cover to cover, it was a tale of two halves. The first-half was more wrestling than basketball. The two teams’ hatred for each other was on full display to start. Draymond got a tech and a flagrant. Jimmy Butler and Dillon Brooks were going bar for bar at the free throw line. And it seemed every other minute something was being reviewed for an aggressive act. After that cleared up, it was an absolute treat of a game in the second half. The Rockets had Alperen Sengun and Fred Vanvleet as their main scoring forces, but it wasn’t enough to stop Batman and Robin. Brandin Podziemski had a massive 26 points that helped the dubs get the WIN!
⚾️ Altuve Asks Out of Leadoff Spot
In a curious move, Houston Astros star Jose Altuve asked manager Joe Espada to move him out of the leadoff spot and into the second hole in the batting lineup. Why? Well that’s even more interesting. Altuve moved into the outfield for the first time in his 14 MLB seasons, after spending his whole career at second base. Altuve said that he, “needs more time to get ready”, after running from left field to the dugout and having to go up and bat. When they play at home, Altuve has to run in from the outfield to bat first in the bottom of the first inning. I guess he needs more time to prepare, “I just need like 10 more seconds,” Altuve said. In his place, the Astros moved Jeremy Pena into the leadoff spot for the first time. In his first game as leadoff Pena had two hits and three RBIs. An end of an era in Houston.
🏈 Diontae Johnson Signs with Browns
This was NOT on my bingo card for Monday afternoon in the NFL. This one kind of snuck under the radar after a big weekend in the draft, a weekend where the Browns did not address one of their biggest needs: a wide receiver. So instead, their taking a chance on a very interesting player in Diontae Johnson. A couple years ago, Johnson was the star wideout for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but then drama broke loose. That resulted with him being traded to the Panthers before last season, where he led the team in receptions and yards in the first two months. He was THEN traded to the Ravens and only lasted seven weeks there, recording just one catch to go along with a one-game suspension for refusing to play in a game in December, and was then cut. But wait, there’s more! He then signed with the Texans, and was visibly upset after only playing 15 snaps in their Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Shockingly, the Texans cut him. Now, he’ll head to Cleveland where he’ll have a chance to compete for a starting spot alongside Jerry Jeudy.
⬇️ Quick Links
What To Watch
🏀 NBA Playoffs - QUADRUPLE-HEADER!
TNT Doubleheader: Pistons @ Knicks (7:30 PM ET - NYK lead 3-1), Clippers @ Nuggets (10:00 PM ET - Series tied 2-2)
NBA TV Doubleheader: Bucks @ Pacers (6:00 PM ET - IND lead 3-1), Magic @ Celtics (8:30 PM ET - BOS lead 3-1)
⚾️ Major League Baseball
MLB Network: Diamondbacks @ Mets (7:10 PM ET)
More To Watch: Yankees @ Orioles (6:35 PM ET), Red Sox @ Blue Jays (7:07 PM ET), Giants @ Padres (9:40 PM ET), Marlins @ Dodgers (10:10 PM ET), full schedule
🏒 NHL Playoffs - Quadruple Header
Senators @ Maple Leafs (7:00 PM ET - TOR lead 3-1), Devils @ Hurricanes (7:30 PM ET - CAR lead 3-1), Wild @ Golden Knights (9:30 PM ET - Series tied 2-2), Oilers @ Kings (10:00 PM ET - Series tied 2-2)
⚽️ Soccer
UCL Semi-Finals: Arsenal vs PSG (3:00 PM ET - Leg 1)
The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For
Glue Guy OTD Shane Battier Former NBA Player Literally has a podcast called “Glue Guy”. Doesn’t get more glue than that. | Quote OTD “How little do they see what really is, who frame their hasty judgement upon that which seems.” Daniel Webster Had to read it twice, but man this one is good. | Song OTD Flower Shops Ernest, Morgan Wallen A little Morgan and Ernest collab to start your day. |
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