🏀The Bucks are Champs (kind of), Yankees Make Another Move, + More!

Good Morning Blitzers,

Hope you’re having a great week! This is your final reminder to get your holiday shopping done. We’re starting to cut it close, get it done now so you don’t have to battle people in-person. Let’s get into things!

WTF Stat: Does the NBA Cup matter? No, not really, but this is still a pretty interesting stat:

🏀The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the NBA Cup, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Bucks also hit 17 three-pointers in the victory. Damian Lillard contributed 23 points, and Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. added 13 points each.

• 🔥Take: I want to get excited about this, but I just can’t. The stakes are not high enough. It’s great for the players, they get $500k each for winning a title. I’m sure the bench players are elated. But as a fan, what does it mean? Here are three changes they could implement to raise the stakes:

  • 1) Teams that win the NBA Cup should get to turn five away games into home games. Players would love this (less travel), owners would love this (more money), and fans would get to see more games (I know this would be a logistical nightmare).

  • 2) Teams that win the NBA Cup get an uncontested halfcourt shot to start every game for the remainder of the regular season. They get a chance to start up 3-0 every game, add some entertainment, maybe even have a random fan do it each game. I know it’s kinda dumb but so is the NBA Cup.

  • 3) All the of the losing NBA teams chip in and pay for 50% off concession prices for the remainder of the season for the winning team. You know what gets fans excited more than anything? Discounted or free stuff. Win-win for everyone.

🏈 The Atlanta Falcons have named QB Michael Penix Jr. their new starting quarterback, replacing Kirk Cousins. Head coach Raheem Morris announced the change after the Falcons’ 15-9 victory over the Raiders, which ended a four-game losing streak. Over his last five games, he has thrown 9 INTs and just 1 TD.

• 🔥Take: This one is tough because I’m a big Kirky Cousins fan. But I also loved Michael Penix coming out of college. It’s sad to say, but this is the right move. Penix gets to face off against the Giants at home, so a pretty good first game to start, hopefully he can deliver.

⚾️ The New York Yankees have acquired outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs in a trade. In exchange, the Cubs receive right-hander Cody Poteet. The Yankees also get $5 million in cash from the Cubs to help cover part of Bellinger's $27.5 million salary for 2025, with additional funds potentially going toward his 2026 salary or a contract buyout if he opts out.

Free Forum Wednesdays

Free Forum Wednesdays continue - we'll be writing a bit more outside-the-box, fun content, hope you enjoy it!

The Worst Part About Living in California

No this isn’t about the rising and unsustainable cost of living, the gas prices, the lack of seasons, the fires, or the many other issues that Californian’s complain about. This is for the California transients. Those that come from New England (like myself), or Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. Those modern day Lewis and Clarks that were sick of the cold and the three months of sunshine and ventured to the land of golden opportunity.

The worst part about living in California occurs when you travel back to your cold-weather state. Whether it’s for a wedding, to visit family, or for the upcoming holiday. The same interactions happen every time and on numerous occasions. It goes down something like this:

Person 1: Hey Keith, how’s it been, long time no see! Are you still out in California?

Me: Yup, I’m still out there.

Person 1: Looks me up and down whilst frowning Oh… But isn’t it sunny year round there?

Me: Yeah…

Person 1: But you’re still pale…

Every time. To translate this conversation it’s essentially the person saying, “Hey you live in California now right? Why are you still so ugly?” Not only are they disappointed in me, they’re disgusted. They are upset by everything I am and represent.

See, the promise of California is tan skin, long hair and six pack abs. My milk colored complexion, receding hairline, and body built by Cali-Burrito’s really extinguishes what they imagined. I understand why they’re upset, seeing me crushes their dreams. It’s like I’ve unknowingly catfished them.

The Fix

Now, I’ve been called translucent, whiter than snow, Casper the ghost, a sun reflector, an eye hazard, and everything in-between. So, none of this is new. But the resentment, that’s new.

What is the solution? Am I going to start working out, maybe take up surfing, try to grow my hair out, dye it blond? No, I’m not going to do any of that. Instead, I’m going to try and get tan the old fashioned way. Not by actually tanning since that’s impossible. Instead my 2025 New Years Resolution is to get so many freckles that that they all merge into one freckle, a golden tan freckle. 2025 is the year. Wish me luck.

Have any good New Years resolutions? Send them our way!

Top NHL Games

Blackhawks 3, Capitals 2: Ryan Donato scored a late goal to lead the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory, completing a three-goal. Donato's goal, his team-leading 11th of the season, came with 2:18 left in regulation. TJ Brodie tied the game at 2 with 5:53 remaining, and Ilya Mikheyev scored Chicago’s first short-handed goal of the season just 51 seconds into the third period, sparking the comeback.

Bruins 4, Flames 3: David Pastrnak scored 4:22 into overtime, leading the Bruins to a 4-3 comeback victory. Former Flame Elias Lindholm had a goal and an assist, while Morgan Geekie and Marc McLaughlin also scored for the Bruins, who have now won six of their last eight games. Jeremy Swayman made 20 saves for Boston, winning five of his last six starts.

Penguins 3, Kings 2: Rickard Rakell scored the game-winning goal in overtime, leading the Penguins to a 3-2 victory. Rakell deflected Erik Karlsson's shot past Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper for the win. Evgeni Malkin scored earlier for Pittsburgh, and Matt Grzelcyk tied the game at 2 with his first goal as a Penguin, forcing overtime.

See full NHL scoreboard here, and standings here.

On this day in 2022, Argentina beats France, 4-2 in penalty shootout to win the World Cup. It was a game that lived up to the hype with Lionel Messi scoring 2 goals for Argentina and Kylian Mbappé scoring 3 for France.

Yesterday’s Trivia Time Answer

Who has the most rushing yards playing on Monday Night Football in their career?

A) Emmitt Smith - Not too shocking, Smith has 2,434 yards on Monday night football in 25 games played, 4.7 YPC, and 23 rushing touchdowns (also the most for MNF).

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's trivia question and more info!