20-06-2025
Hey, Smash Mouth. Why can't we be friends?
Hey, Smash Mouth. Why can't we be friends?
Well, folks. I don't really know where to start this, so I guess I'll begin by ripping the Band-Aid off: Today is my last day here at For The Win. With that, this will be the final Morning Win I write for you all. It still doesn't quite feel real yet. I can't believe it.
I've been here for five and a half years now. I've been writing this newsletter for just two of those years, and it's unbelievable how attached I've grown to it. It's so special to me. I believe it's a conduit, really. Not just for me to spout takes into the ether of the internet, but it's a place for me to share my colleagues' work and sharply shape the voice of this website alongside them. I hope you all believe I've done a good job of that in the time that I've been here with you. I think I have. I certainly have no regrets.
Er, well. Um. I have one.
Okay. Maybe this isn't exactly a regret. I'm not sorry that this happened, but I do wish it didn't. What I'm referring to is Smash Mouth deciding that I'm public enemy No. 1. Yes, I'm referring to the band, early aughts band Smash Mouth. No, I'm not joking.
Last NBA season, when Draymond Green inexcusably choked out Rudy Gobert in a chokehold, I wrote about it in the Morning Win. I said that allowing Draymond Green to be Draymond Green had become the Warriors' biggest problem. I stand by that. Green was on a nasty streak of just completely losing his mind on the court and it all seemed to stem from that Jordan Poole punch. Not only did it break up what had been a championship-winning core with the Warriors, but it also resulted in multiple ejections and suspensions for Green. I wasn't wrong!
But Smash Mouth — a big Bay Area sports entity, apparently! — decided that what I wrote was nothing more than a hit piece. That I'd just targeted Green for the sake of a click. Here's what the band's account said on X (formerly Twitter):
He protected his player, that's what's up with Draymond! Take it case by case and in this case Dray was in the right. And nice hit piece on him dude, you obviously don't know how the Ws work and why they work.
They say good journalism will sometimes make people mad. The truth sucks sometimes, gang. Criticism can be harsh. It is what it is. Again, I don't regret it. I need to be super clear about this. This is not an apology whatsoever.
With that said, if I could use my last gasp here in the Morning Win to do something personal, I'd like to extend an olive branch to Smash Mouth. I don't want you guys to hate me.
Like every other '90s kid out there, I grew up yelling "HEY NOW, YOU'RE AN ALL-STAR. GET YOUR GAME ON. GO. PLAAAAAY," from the top of my lungs. I love Digimon: The Movie. I love Shrek! Those movies shaped me in ways I can't describe. I think I watched Shrek at least once a day from 2005 to 2007. It was my baby brother's favorite movie for a long time. I can sing I'm a Believer word for word.
I also think about Wendigomon swaying in the wind to All-Star fairly often. Why? I don't know. Truthfully, this movie isn't great. But I don't care. I love it.
I can't watch these things the same way knowing that Smash Mouth has beef with me. Especially not over Draymond Green, of all people! It's just not worth it.
So, Smash Mouth, can we please consider this squashed? As a wise man once said, the years start comin' and they don't stop comin'. Life is too short for beef. As you once sang: Why can't we be friends?
The Pacers are unbelievable
The Team of Destiny vibes from the Indiana Pacers are just undeniable at this point. You couldn't go into Game 6 feeling great about Indiana's chances to extend the series. The Thunder had just dominated Indiana at home and Tyrese Haliburton's calf seemed to be a major problem.
So, naturally, with all odds against them, the Pacers play their best game of the series in Game 6.
TJ McConnell becomes the great white hope, in Tyrese Haliburton's words. The Thunder throw the ball everywhere on the court except in the basket. And, now, here we are with a Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Sunday. Honestly, it's unreal that we're here.
Now, we should probably expect a classic heading into Sunday.
Whew, man. Game 7. Let's get it.
Shutting down Caitlin Clark
If Natalie Nakase isn't the best coach in the WNBA right now, she's certainly up there with the best. The Golden State Valkyries legitimately look like one of the best teams in the league, and they're doing it without a star player on the roster.
Golden State got yet another win against the Fever on Thursday, holding the team overall to 77 points and locking up Caitlin Clark. The Fever star only scored 11 points on 3-14 shooting from the field. That's one of her worst games in a long time.
How'd they do it? Charles Curtis says Nakase let us in on the secret. It's physicality.
Take note, WNBA. This is the playbook.
Photo Friday: Can't stop the Tush Push, baby
Since this is my last Morning Win, I figured I'd pick by favorite photo ever. This is so hilarious, yo. Big shoutouts to whoever made this sign.
Fly Eagles, Fly.
Quick hits: WNBA to Philly? ... Shedeur, please chill ... and more
— Dawn Staley and Kylie Kelce have hatched a plan to bring the WNBA to Philadelphia. I love it. Caroline Darney has more.
— Sheduer Sanders doesn't seem all too worried about his speeding tickets. Charles Curtis has details.
— T.J. McConnell's dad was so proud of his son for his performance in Game 6. This was awesome. Robert Zeglinski has more.
— Pascal Siakam's vibe pre-game should've let us all know the Pacers were winning this thing. Bryan Kalbrosky has more.
— Drake absolutely cursed the Thunder. Smh.
— Please read Prince Grimes on the Kendrick Lamar and SZA show. He captured it perfectly. What a story.
Well, folks. This is it. It has been an absolute pleasure working on this newsletter and writing to this audience for years. I can't thank you all enough for indulging me. Thanks to everyone who opened this thing. Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply or sent kind words. Thanks to everyone who sent in thoughtful critiques, too. You all made me better and you made For The Win better. And I know you'll continue to do that when I'm gone. I'll be right there with you as a fan.
Prince Grimes will be here with you on Monday. That's a wrap. Love you guys. Peace.
-Sykes ✌️
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