The Pulse newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse straight to your inbox.
Good morning! Keep the gloves on today.
Dichotomies: The uncertain legacy of Nikola Jokić
The NBA always announces its MVP award at such a strange time. Not right after the regular season, when the playoffs are still theoretical and no one’s heart is broken yet. Not after the championship either, because the playoffs are just too long for that to happen.
This means that the award is usually given to a star who is focused on winning a ring. But there are also much more uncomfortable scenarios, like the one Nikola Jokić was voted MVP last nightseeing as he’s currently getting his ass kicked by an outsider.
Two pillars of this awkward moment:
- This is Jokić’s third MVP in the last four seasons, a stunning feat for the unassuming Serbian who seems to love horses more than basketball. He is the ninth player to win three MVPs and, as John Hollinger wrote last night, would be one of the 30 greatest players in NBA history if he retired today. At 29, he still has prime years left; a place in the top 15 seems assured. I invite you to read John’s full article, especially since John relates his GOAT point stats to Jokić’s career thus far. It’s Jokić versus Giannis Antetokounmpo right now in the standings.
- And yet, a season after he and the Nuggets looked unstoppable, the Timberwolves eviscerated him. so far in their series. Tony Jones pointed out that Jokić doesn’t look like the second or third best player in this series, much less the league MVP. The Joker shoots poorly, turns the ball over, and simply fades away when his team needs him most (he only took 13 shots in the must-win Game 2 blowout loss). For the Nuggets to have a chance in this series, he must become MVP again.
Does the price lose its luster if the Nuggets lose this series? This shouldn’t be the case, but fans will criticize it anyway. All this reminds of Dirk Nowitzki’s 2007 MVP, which was – just like Jokić’s – deserved, but came after the juggernaut Mavericks lost to the “We Believe” Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. Nowitzki even said he didn’t want to win the prize.
I doubt Jokić cares that much about this perception (especially since it has nothing to do with horses). But a fragment of his legacy could be at stake in this series, which resumes tomorrow.
Scrappin’: Everyone is crazy
We had an eventful night in the NHL and NBA playoffs last night. We had two fights – a physical altercation and a verbal altercation with the referees. Quickly:
Late last night: There were no big fights in Vancouver, but a noisy crowd prompted the Canucks to an inspiring comeback 5-4 victory against the Oilers in the first game of their second round series. Vancouver was down 4-1 in the second period. Youza.
PASTRNAK AND TKACHUK DROP THE GLOVES! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/RQqDxyOO2F
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2024
News to know
The shocking escape from Madrid
For 87 minutes, it looked like Bayern Munich were headed to the Champions League final in London. It would be a journey home for Harry Kane, the England striker who left Tottenham Hotspur with the sole aim of winning trophies. Then the 34-year-old journeyman Joselu slipped a shot past Manuel Neuer in the 88th minute. Three minutes later, a minute into added time, Joselu – who had actually come on in the 81st minute – scored again, a crushing turnaround that sent Real Madrid to London. It was a breathtaking match, which you can read more about here.
Mizuhara pleads guilty
Ippei Mizuhara, the former Shohei Ohtani performer accused of stealing millions from the superstar, will plead guilty to bank fraud charges, the US Department of Justice announced yesterday. Mizuhara could serve more than 30 years in prison, although officials said they would recommend a lesser sentence if Mizuhara “demonstrates acceptance of responsibility.” See our full update here.
Promoted #1 pick
Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in last summer’s MLB draft (and #1 pitching prospect in baseballaccording to Keith Law), will make his big league debut Saturday against the Cubs in what could be the most anticipated pitch start since Stephen Strasburg’s first outing in 2010. Skenes has managed to reach Triple-A thus far, posting a 0.99 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 27.1 innings of work. Keith also wrote yesterday about how Skenes changed the way he threw in pro ball. It clearly works.
No more news
Watch this match
NHL: Rangers vs. Hurricanes
7 p.m. ET on TNT
So much pressure on Carolina in this one. The Canes must feel abandoned after losing two tough games in New York. A loss here probably means their season is over. Can the Canes regain their identity, as Cory Lavalette writes? Or did Igor Shesterkin have another “Igor-esque” evening In him?
NBA: Mavericks at Thunder
9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Huge, huge game here for Dallas. I’m not ready to end a series featuring Luka Dončić after two games, but if he fight against Lu Dort & Co. Again? Difficult. OKC looks incredible through five playoff games.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse selection
For any athlete, sign this first big contract should be a glorious day. A reward for decades of work. And yet, the moment pen hits paper, that big number can become a punching bag for fans. Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Fluto Shinzawa wrote today about the NHL yo-yo game of love and hate when it comes to these deals. Super interesting.
Sarah Shephard writes about Sam Lornethe old NFL wide receiver who bought a pub in rural England – and saw his livelihood collapse because of it.
I really enjoyed Mike DeFabo’s story on Steelers second-round center Zach Frazier, which has a “Paul Bunyan-esque” legend in the area. He could be the perfect center for the Steelers.
In fact… the AL Central Things are good now, a year after being one of the worst divisions in baseball history. Zack Meisel and Cody Stavenhagen wrote about the fun twist (sorry, White Sox) and how the numbers actually back it up.
Most clicked in the newsletter yesterday: That winning goal by Vincent Trocheck Tuesday. So good.
Most read on the site yesterday: Will Caitlin Clark make Team USA’s Olympic roster? Chantel Jennings think she would be a wise – but perhaps divisive – add.
Subscribe to our other newsletters:
The rebound 🏀 | Liquidation ⚾ | Full time ⚽ | Athletic FC ⚽| Main tire 🏁 | Until Saturday 🏈 | City Scoop 🏈
(Photo: Bart Young/Getty Images)