Roundup: Brink of War; Another Jeffrey Epstein Associate Found Hanged; Brian Flores Back
By Kyle Koster
The NBA's Slam Dunk Contest should be one of the most exhilarating and entertaining nights on the sports calendar. But more often than not, like it did last night, it falls short. Everyone is going to tell you they alone have the idea that can get the event back on track. Mine is pretty simple.
Give each player a 10-minute window in which to perform their coolest dunks and judge the totality of their work. That's plenty of time to do the elaborate setups and brick attempt after attempt. It's also plenty of time to just throw down a few great slams. The idea is simple: the player who proves themselves the best dunker will win the contest.
Crazy enough to work.
Putin oversees nuclear drills, U.S. says Russian forces 'poised to strike' Ukraine ... Kanye West is like bizarro Santa, making a list and checking it twice ... Brian Flores joining Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff ... The Mummy really holds up ... Clyde Drexler has ‘no idea’ what the Portland Trail Blazers are doing trading CJ McCollum ... Four key takeaways from the NCAA's early bracket reveal ... Actor Lindsey Pearlman found dead after going missing in LA ... Federal judge rejects Trump effort to toss Jan. 6 lawsuits ... Harry Kane plays hero ... Hornets guard James Bouknight ejected from courtside seat at UConn game ... Kris Jenner continues to appear in headlines ...
DK Metcalf seems serious about competing in the Olympics. [BroBible]
Jeffrey Epstein associate Jean-Luc Brunel is found dead in a French jail cell. [NPR]
The many dimensions of DeMar DeRozan. [The Ringer]
Why can't fans own a slice of their favorite teams? [The Score]
Brock Lesnar negotiates elimination chamber to become a champion. [CBS Sports]
Looking back at Stephen A. Smith-Chris "Mad Dog" Russo's epic debut.
It's Hard to Say I Do, When I Don't — Fall Out Boy