…Well, some people are. Like the Deion Sanders’ CU Buffs, who will hold a secret practice where fans and media have to turn in their phones to ensure nothing is filmed or posted. Do we think Coach Prime is following Phoebe Bridgers’ lead here? 

Sure, some NBA players love wine, but none of them loves wine like CJ McCollum loves wine. On August 22 he’ll officially open the doors of the sprawling 300-acre McCollum Family Vineyard in Oregon’s Willamette Valley to the public. It’s fine, I’m not even upset I’m not going. It’s whatever. 

We all love the Advent Calendar, but what about The Advantage Calendars? The Athletic is sending merch-filled coolers to lucky fans (who enter to win). There will be 12 boxes in the cooler to help fans count down the days until the most wonderful time of the year: the NFL’s first Sunday. I entered, but if I don’t get one and one of you does, you legally have to give me half of it.

Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes’s podcast wants all the baseball smoke, too. The former hoopers released some cool a** baseball streetwear, because as I’ve said before, baseball is cool now. And while you’re buying baseball stuff, grab Anthony Rizzo’s coffee.  

Still waiting for the white smoke on which footwear retailer will land Mbappé after he didn’t renew his Nike contract, but we’ve got theories. Daniel-Yaw Miller, in his newsletter, SportsVerse, covers why he might be headed to checks notes On??? 

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you probably know I’m one of Russell Westbrook’s biggest supporters. I have been since you were all in diapers (that was 10 years ago, right?). 

His retirement announcement, made by the Voice of God aka Michael B. Jordan, and posted on IG Reels, Twitter, and probably all the other platforms on Wednesday, was an emotional one. I imagine I wasn’t the only one crying watching it. Though, I haven’t forgotten those of you who called him names I won’t repeat, who are now trying to give him his flowers. I hope he hasn’t forgotten either. 

Some people think that because of his copious on-court beefs with my other favorite MNBA player, Damian Lillard, I would hate him. Absolutely not. Russell Westbrook is one of the most alive people we have in sports — I will never disparage someone for living. 

Speaking of his past foes, Kevin Durant’s tribute made me cry, if you’re interested in doing the same, click here. 

If you’re looking to go down memory lane, here are some of my favorite Russ stories ever. Because he has never been interested in convincing you to love him — he just showed people he loved them. He’s a man who loves pushups.  And PB&Js. He’s a man who has never shied away from defying traditional masculinity and convention. And whose clothing brand, which is a love letter to the city of LA, has some amazing sales throughout the year. He was also a man who could have stuck around, but understood it was his time — not many players are as brave. A man who adores his kids and wife and where he came from. He’s a man worth defending (thank you Katie Heindl for always doing that).

He’s a man who has always danced like no one was watching (and loves to post it so everyone can watch). 

In a time where players have become increasingly precious about being too much of anything. Russ is a man who has, and always will be, fiercely himself, and it’s not an exaggeration to say the NBA won’t be the same without him. And I haven’t even touched on his high-flying dunks, Mach 5 speed, or his triple double MVP days. I can’t, I simply don’t have the word count.

By the way, to my former former former boss who saw my copy of the ESPN magazine with Russ on the cover and took it upon herself to CUT IT UP FOR A COLLAGE in 2018, I’m still mad. 

It’s been an interesting 24 hours for Jaylen Daniels, and LSU and Washington Commanders fans. Yesterday news broke that former LSU Heisman winner and current Commanders QB, Jayden Daniels, sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU, urging them to stop using his name and likeness. ESPN reported that he was upset the school gave his number to incoming defensive back, DJ Pickett. A few hours later reporter Matt Moscona said Daniels was requesting LSU send the replica of his Heisman Trophy back. 

LSU fans are pretty upset, but maybe memeing through the pain helps. 

Here’s Jayden’s official statement on the matter. 

And because as this might play out and get nasty on both sides, here’s a palate cleanser for Jayden fans. 

Seattle folks: Join Natisha Hiedeman’s Run Budz run club.

Men, do yourselves a favor and buy a purse. 

Lobby for an NWSL All-Star Weekend.