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.
Good morning, Winners! Thanks so much for reading the Morning Win today. We appreciate you all taking the time. I hope you had a fantastic weekend.
It surely went better than the Warriors’ weekend did after the Celtics completely trounced Golden State by 51 points on Sunday. Boston’s 140-88 win was one of the most thorough efforts of domination I’ve ever seen in my life. By halftime, the Warriors were down by 42, which was actually more points than they’d scored (38).
The loss was so bad it had Steph Curry talking about the good ole days. “That’s what we used to do to teams,” Curry told reporters after the game. And, yeah, that’s true. It is. Now, it seems, it’s Boston’s turn to be one of the greatest teams ever. That should be a terrifying thought for the league.
All season long, we’ve been talking about the Western Conference and how good teams are over there. Rightfully so — the defending NBA champion is in the West. Plus, the race to the top of the conference is so tight that it’s become the most compelling story in the league so far this year.
But let me tell y’all something. This Celtics team? This squad should be a lock to win the title right now coming out of the West.
And, look. I know Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are over there on the other side. So are the Thunder and the Clippers. The Timberwolves, too. There are plenty of formidable opponents out there. But with the way these Celtics are trouncing teams right now? I’m just not sure any of that matters.
Boston has had three 50+ point wins so far this season. This is the first team in NBA history to accomplish that. EVER.
There’s more. Boston currently has the 5th highest point differential in NBA history at +11.42. The only teams above them are the 1972 Lakers, the 1971 Bucks, the 1996 Bulls and the 2017 Warriors. Guess what? They all won championships.
Obviously, all that math doesn’t guarantee anything. Just behind them on that point differential scale are the 2016 Warriors and the 1972 Bucks — neither of which won a championship. You still have to play the games and the Celtics still have to win in the playoffs. That’s part of the deal. Nothing matters with this team until it reaches the mountaintop.
But, man. It sure does seem like Boston will have a pretty easy time climbing there this season.
A historic weekend of hoops
Two absolute legends did their thing this weekend.
First, on Saturday, LeBron James became the first human on the planet to score 40,000 points in a basketball league. Insane.
James got the record against the Nuggets on Saturday in the most classic way — a layup right at the rim.
LeBron James scores the bucket to become the first player in league history to score 40,000 career points 👑
DEN-LAL Live on ABC pic.twitter.com/I84Xd5hiWf
— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2024
Everyone is asking if James’ scoring record will ever be broken. Honestly, I don’t know. We can’t say — mostly because he hasn’t finished playing yet. I will say this: We thought Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record would never be broken either. Yet here we are.
Next, on Sunday, Caitlin Clark became the all-time leading scorer for the NCAA after breaking Pete Maravich’s 3,667-point record.
The funny part is she did it in the most antithetical way ever — with a technical free throw. Shoutout to everyone who bet on that.
Despite not seeing the record christened with a 30-foot 3-point attempt, it was still quite the moment for Clark in what turned out to be an amazing day. She met her idol (and my personal GOAT), Maya Moore. Travis Scott and Jake from State Farm came through. Nike dropped an amazing commercial after.
It takes a once-in-a-generation player to break a record that’s stood for generations.
Congratulations to @caitlinclark22 — the new owner of the all-time NCAA scoring record. pic.twitter.com/bgbmu4cmC8
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) March 3, 2024
It was an incredible day for an incredible player who made incredible history. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes on the next level.
RIP Mort
The weekend also brought a bit of terrible news. Longtime ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen died on Sunday morning.
The ESPN legend was 72 years old. Last year, he’d stepped down after the NFL draft to focus on his health and his family. He’d become such an inspiration to so many while battling cancer and somehow still doing the tremendous work he did.
The tributes poured in on Sunday and you’d be hard-pressed to find a bad word anyone had to say about the guy. This Adam Schefter tribute will have you in shambles.
The life and legacy of our beloved friend and colleague Chris Mortensen.
Produced by @VinnyColadonato pic.twitter.com/PhYiSFHYln
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2024
RELATED: NFL Analyst Daniel Jeremiah pays tribute to his late mentor, Chris Mortensen
If you’re like me — which, let’s face it, we all love sports here — then Mort was an essential part of your experience in watching sports. Mortensen stayed on my screen growing up. I wouldn’t know the NFL without him. I’m so thankful for him.
I did not know this man personally. But this news still hit me like a ton of bricks, as I’m sure it did for most of you.
But don’t fret, folks. That feeling that you feel only means life was a job well done by Mortensen. That’s a good thing. Rest well, Mort.
Quick hits: The top NHL players on the trade market … NFL Combine winners and losers… and more
— Our Mary Clarke has you covered with a list of the best NHL players on the market ahead of Friday’s trade deadline
— Here’s Robert Zeglinski with winners and losers from the NFL Draft Combine.
— This moment between Nikola Jokic and LeBron James is hilarious. Robert Zeglinski has more.
— Could J.J. McCarthy go in the top 10 of the NFL draft? This latest mock draft says it’s possible. Charles Curtis has more.
—Wrestling legend Sting’s retirement was a doozy. Christian D’Andrea has more here.
— Xavier Worthy’s NFL record 40-yard dash time at the combine was great…but it’s even better when you line it up against Patrick Mahomes. Andrew Joseph has more.
That’s all, folks! Thanks so much for reading today. We appreciate you. Tap in again tomorrow! Until then — peace! We out.
-Sykes ✌️
