The Loop
5 things to talk about on the course: The big fight, the big race and a big Game 7
From sports to TV to politics (OK, so mostly the first two), we offer five hot topics that are sure to liven up your round of golf:
1. Mayweather/Pacquiao: Five years ago, even I -- a non-boxing fan -- would have been super into this fight. But now? I'm glad they're finally both fighting, but wouldn't pay the $99 to see it even if I was splitting it with four buddies. Mayweather is heavily favored to win, but a tough-to-take combo of Justin Bieber and Stephen A. Smith are his biggest fans. That tells you all you need to know about who you should root for.
After the Clippers' dramatic Game 6 win in San Antonio, Charles Barkley remarked: "Why is he crying? Doesn't he know he has $20 billion?" Great point, but it seems like the former CEO of Microsoft would trade half of his fortune for an NBA title. Sadly, only one of these two great teams will even advance to the second round. Now that's a crying shame.
3. Kentucky Derby: Saturday really has the potential to be an all-time sports day with the start of horseracing's Triple Crown being relegated to an undercard for the two events mentioned above (Oh yeah, there's also the WGC Match Play! Amazing). I haven't heard much about the race or any of the horses, but that doesn't mean I won't place a wager. Let's see (*scans names of the horses). . . hmm. . . Far Right? Sounds like my miss off the tee. I like it. 30-to-1 odds? Even better. Book it!
4. NFL Draft: Only the NFL could spread such a boring event out over three days and still have people tune in and watch like it's the Super Bowl. That said, it's always fun to talk about Jameis Winston and to discuss who your favorite team drafted -- well, unless you're a Giants fan like me and your team picked an offensive lineman in the first round. Yawn. No, I'm happy with the boring-but-disciplined decision to fill a need. You can't draft an Odell Beckham every year!
5. "Game of Thrones": For four-plus years, I resisted watching this HBO fantasy/drama, but less than two weeks after starting it, I'm nearly caught up to the current fifth season. Yes, I have a problem, and it's obviously extremely entertaining and very good, but I'm not putting it on the Mount Rushmore of TV dramas ("The Wire," "Breaking Bad," "The West Wing," and "The Sopranos") just yet. Sorry, it's just not in that class. But I'm pretty sure "The Mountain" could take Mayweather and Pac-Man in a fight.