Seven Wonders, Vol. 06
The best things I’ve read in sports
It’s one of the best times of the year in the sports world. We have March Madness, the NBA playoffs, MLB Spring Training, the NHL playoffs, and the final stretch of European soccer all colliding. If you still need an even bigger dose of sports content beyond watching the endless options we have this spring, look no further. I have hand-picked some of my favorite sports reads from the last few months.
But first, I want to look back on some of the soccer predictions I made back in August for Football Wrapped by
. You can check them out here. Looking back, I think I did pretty well.I pointed out the probable struggles of Manchester United and Erik ten Hag (who was eventually fired).
I thought Savinho would be one of the best signings of the year. He’s been ok, but not great with only two goals to his name in all competitions for Manchester City.
I also predicted that Arda Güler would request a transfer from Real Madrid. It’s looking like this prediction may come true given his lack of playing time and the swirling rumors surrounding a possible move.
I also said Arne Slot would be a breakout star. Until the loss in the Carabao Cup Final to Newcastle and an earlier-than-expected exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSG, everything was looking up for the new Liverpool manager. I expect him to be pacing the Anfield sidelines for years to come.
Lastly, I predicted the winners of the five major European leagues.
Premier League, Arsenal: Not going to happen. Liverpool are going to stroll away with the hardware
La Liga, Real Madrid: This one will be a nail-biter until the last weekend of the season
Serie A, Juventus: They haven’t done enough–too many drawn matches that should have been wins
Bundesliga, Bayern Munich: Still close, but they should probably pull it off
Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain: Yep, the easiest pick of the bunch
Champions League, Manchester City: Nope, they already have been eliminated at the hands of Real Madrid
And now, here are the seven best things I've read in sports recently:
NCAA upsets are happening more often by
. Upsets are happening at a higher clip and the margins of victory are declining. Check out the numbers behind the Madness we all love.The Other Disastrous Mavs Trade by
. It was less than a year ago when I praised the Mavs for making pay-increase-worthy trades (PJ Washington & Daniel Gafford). But Gozlan breaks down the handcuffing trade (not the Luka one) the Mavs made, which killed their cap space and chances to compete for a championship.Why Big-Name Athletes Are Launching Newsletters by
. How athletes are turning to new media formats to connect with their fans and build their personal brands.. A fascinating read on the circumstances surrounding the death of an Olympic wrestling champion.Brazil: The centre-back goldmine about to explode by
& . How Brazil’s defenders may now be the most valuable position coming out of the country once dominated by forwards.. An analysis of Egor Demin’s game and polarizing viewpoints of his potential at the next level.. Why we should continue to be patient as the former #2 pick in the draft, Scoot Henderson, quietly continues to develop into a productive NBA player.And in case you have missed any of my recent posts:
Top March Madness Moments, Part 2: The Best Games. Ok, this one isn’t recent, but it is timely. Take a look back at some of my favorite tournament moments.
More Than A Game. Sports are a reflection of our lives, which is why we love them so much.
Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good. How the NBA jersey influences the game, society, and culture.
I Admit It, I’m a Lakers Hater. The Luka trade and why teams should never do business with the Lakers.
Neymar, Santos, and the Art of Football. Why we should root for Neymar’s success and not focus on the feats he hasn’t accomplished.
There you have it. Enjoy this time of year. The weather is getting warmer and sports are hitting its peak. Take care, everyone.
Thanks for the shoutout! Glad you enjoyed it.