This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Goooood morning, folks! Welcome back to the Morning Win! Thank you so much for reading this morning. We appreciate you.
Let’s talk about the scoring bonanza we saw in the NBA last night. Wasn’t that wild?
In case you didn’t see, five teams around the association scored at least 140 points on Wednesday. It’s the first time that has happened in NBA history.
Another four teams scored 130 … in losses. Let’s quickly run down the scores.
— Pacers 142, Bucks 130
— Hawks 141, Thunder 138
— Jazz 154, Pistons 148 (OT)
— Cavaliers 140, Wizards 101
— Kings 138, Magic 135 (OT)
Now, look. Let me make this clear: This is not one of those “Where has all the defense gone?!” posts. I don’t think those are fair. The NBA’s defenses are as good as they’ve ever been across the league even if the numbers might not say it.
It’s just harder than ever to defend. Today’s offenses are just so smart. JJ Redick breaks it down perfectly here.
.@jj_redick on the modern NBA offense and why it's becoming harder and harder to defend 👇
Watch the full episode of Islands in the League, our monthly series with @DKSportsbook: https://t.co/hIVTmKiZtW pic.twitter.com/7GnlsjZWyP
— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) December 30, 2023
The gist is this: Teams are making 12.5 3-pointers a game on average in the 2020s. That’s more makes per game than there were in the 2010s, according to StatMuse. They’re also driving into the paint more leading to more shots at the rim and more kick-out 3-point attempts. Those are the most efficient shots in basketball and we’re seeing them constantly. That’s why scoring has continued to increase year after year after year.
I just don’t know if that’s actually a good thing? It’s not that the quality of these games are bad — they’ve actually been great and fun to watch. But these numbers just feel a little too gaudy. These scores don’t feel normal, but we’re seeing them with regularity today. And it isn’t helping with the NBA’s overall ratings problem.
I don’t know what the solution here is or, honestly, if this is even a problem. I want to know what you think.
How much is too much scoring in the NBA? Drop your answers in our poll here. I’ll share the results with you for next Monday’s newsletter.
McAfee responds
Remember yesterday when we told you that Pat McAfee’s latest Aaron Rodgers interview would not go unchecked? Looks like somebody made a call to the Pat McAfee show.
McAfee responded to Rodgers’ baseless claim connecting Jimmy Kimmel to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by trying to explain the situation away with an “I think he was just joking?” explanation. Of course, that’s the excuse.
This probably isn’t going to cut it. Our Andrew Joseph has more here.
“He essentially said that Rodgers was just trying to talk smack to Kimmel after Kimmel had joked about Rodgers on his late-night show. But there’s a big difference between making fun of a conspiracy theorist and accusing someone of being a pedophile.
It’s hard to imagine that ESPN will be pleased with how McAfee addressed the situation. We’ll have to see if Rodgers is back with his regular appearance next Tuesday.”
This is why it’s hard for me to believe the Pat McAfee show will work at ESPN in the long-term. It’s hilarious at times, sure. And McAfee will certainly bring the network some wins with the free-wheeling interviews he manages to grab.
But those same free-wheeling interviews are also clearly what’s going to bring a ton of trouble to the company’s doorstep. I just don’t know how long that lasts.
It’s a shame we keep having to talk about this
Hey, folks. For the 50-leventh time, when Caitlin Clark leaves Iowa she is not taking a pay cut.
That incorrect notion was made again on ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption on Wednesday when Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser were discussing the Hawkeye’s phenom.
Our Mitchell Northam did his best to shoot it down. None of this is going away for Clark. Our Mitchell Northam explains why:
“She will still be a household name with more than 825,000 followers on Instagram, and her profile could grow even more should Iowa make another Final Four run or if she competes in the Olympics this summer.
Those brands are more than likely going to stick with Clark, continue to back her and continue to reap the rewards from endorsing an athlete of her caliber. Gatorade has already committed to this, as its deal with Clark is a multi-year one. In a statement announcing a partnership with Clark, State Farm Chief Marketing Officer Kristyn Cook said, “We can’t wait to drive progress forward together with Caitlin for years to come.”
So, no, Clark – or any other women’s basketball star with national NIL deals, from Deja Kelly to Paige Bueckers – won’t be taking a pay cut. The reality is that, whenever Clark decides to enter the WNBA, she’ll be making even more money. Because Iowa isn’t paying her to play basketball. Those national endorsement deals will come with her to the pros, and she’ll combine that with a rookie salary of at least $74,000.”
We told you this back in November when it came to Angel Reese. We’re telling everyone again when it comes to Caitlin Clark. This imaginary “pay cut” does not exist.
Please, for all of the talking heads out there, stop trying to make it a thing.
Quick hits: Fireable coaches … Pro Bowl Snubs … and more
— Christian D’Andrea has you covered with all the NFL coaches that could be fired here.
— Here’s Charles Curtis with six Pro Bowl snub reactions from the players left out. Justice for Derek Stingley Jr.
— Here’s Meghan Hall on Giannis Antetokounmpo thinking about the Pacers even when he’s “about to get freaky at night.” Yes. You read that correctly.
— Lamar Jackson’s lefthand dropback worked! Andrew Joseph has more.
— There’s no Thursday Night Football game tonight (Thank goodness!). Charles Curtis has more on why here.
— Apparently, folks, you can beat Tetris. Who knew?!? Here’s Charles again with more.
That’s all, folks. Thanks so much for reading the Morning Win today! We appreciate you. Have a fantastic Thursday. Don’t forget to fill out our survey on the NBA’s scoring boom.
Let’s chat again tomorrow. Until then, peace.
-Sykes ✌️
