1. Faithful readers of Traina Thoughts know that we are pro celebration in a big way. We love choreographed celebrations, we love the use of props and we even love taunting.
Sports need more celebrations. Life needs more celebrations.
Today we have a celebration that will brighten the day of even the most miserable people, and it comes from a classroom.
Here’s what we know: One student had the task of answering a math question correctly to get her free time. The teacher did an outstanding job of building up the reveal. You could feel tension in the air.
When the youngster revealed the correct answer, the classroom exploded. It was pure pandemonium and it was beautiful.
But here’s the key to watching this video. Keep your eye on the young boy in the background, middle of the screen, wearing a Nike sweatshirt.
This has so many qualities that make up a good celebration: Tears. Hugging. Disbelief. And who can blame him. No matter your age or profession, there’s nothing better than free time.
2. Furman’s upset win over No. 4 Virginia in the first round of the men’s NCAA tournament led to some amazing reactions from play-by-play man Kevin Harlan and analyst Stan Van Gundy, who, at the very end of this clip, looks like he saw a murder.
3. I’ve never understood why this play doesn't happen more often in the NBA, but Kings point guard D’Aaron Fox treated us to it Monday night against the Jazz.
4. There’s a lot here in this clip of Jeff Passan’s appearance on Tuesday’s Dan Le Batard Show.
First, it's also O.K. to love Major League Baseball and not be interested in the WBC, despite Twitter trying to shame people who don't watch the WBC. It’s also O.K. to love the WBC and not care about Major League Baseball. Everyone should just like what they want and be left alone about it, but sports fans have this weird thing where they get mad if someone doesn't like a sport or event that you like.
Lastly, Passan saying Shohei Ohtani is better than Babe Ruth is quite a take.
5. Here's a little something to get you guys all angry today.
6. The latest SI Media With Jimmy Traina features an interview with ESPN NBA analyst Richard Jefferson.
Jefferson, who also hosts a podcast and calls Nets games for the YES Network, discusses his rise in sports media, what his ultimate goal is in broadcasting and how important social media is for his career. Jefferson also talks about how he approaches TikTok and accumulated 1.4 million followers, why he hates Twitter, the load management controversy, Ja Morant, his ongoing feud with Knicks fans and much more.
Following Jefferson, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week we discuss filling out NCAA tournament brackets, the World Baseball Classic, two highlights from the Oscars and the overall movie-going experience in 2023.
You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.
You can also watch the SI Media with Jimmy Traina on YouTube.
