A favorite 2024 Olympics story for me was the US basketball team was on a bus to the Village and Steph Curry knew one of the table tennis competitors for the U. S. The Olympic Village puts all sorts of people together, a big plus for the experience. Anthony Edwards was with the team and asked her what her event was. When she told him he said he was something of an accomplished player himself. Steph lightly mocked him and Edwards said “Well I could hold my own”. He is 6-6, long arms, superb athlete, great reflexes, peak condition and so on so I am sure he rarely loses. After some give and take they parted. 2-3 days later the table tennis player had advanced to a match approaching medal status. Steph, Edwards and several Bball players attended. Afterwards someone asked Edwards about his chances. “No chance bro, No f’in chance."
Correction: Curry told Edwards he would be skunked and Edwards disagreed. She was not on the bus. The story is in the NYTimes and elsewhere. Memory is elusive.
Loved your ping pong story, Tommy. I shared it with my 27 year old son. His best friend died 4 years ago and in my son's remembrance of him he wrote in part ..."What I would give to play one more ping pong game with you. See you have another hot streak and risk your momentum for an under the leg shot (low percentage, but a morale crusher when they hit). Having witnessed these games in my backyard, this line always makes me smile.
I'm enjoying the Tirico story. Them saying they have a storyline power ranking rings true. Most networks approach games this way, and I understand why. I just loathe when the story is quarterback A going against quarterback B, because they don't play against each other. They play against the other team's defense. But the powers that be don't think we are smart enough to understand that ...
more excellent commentary by T T
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
A favorite 2024 Olympics story for me was the US basketball team was on a bus to the Village and Steph Curry knew one of the table tennis competitors for the U. S. The Olympic Village puts all sorts of people together, a big plus for the experience. Anthony Edwards was with the team and asked her what her event was. When she told him he said he was something of an accomplished player himself. Steph lightly mocked him and Edwards said “Well I could hold my own”. He is 6-6, long arms, superb athlete, great reflexes, peak condition and so on so I am sure he rarely loses. After some give and take they parted. 2-3 days later the table tennis player had advanced to a match approaching medal status. Steph, Edwards and several Bball players attended. Afterwards someone asked Edwards about his chances. “No chance bro, No f’in chance."
Love that story! Thanks for sharing.
Correction: Curry told Edwards he would be skunked and Edwards disagreed. She was not on the bus. The story is in the NYTimes and elsewhere. Memory is elusive.
The rest of the story, true.
Loved your ping pong story, Tommy. I shared it with my 27 year old son. His best friend died 4 years ago and in my son's remembrance of him he wrote in part ..."What I would give to play one more ping pong game with you. See you have another hot streak and risk your momentum for an under the leg shot (low percentage, but a morale crusher when they hit). Having witnessed these games in my backyard, this line always makes me smile.
I'm enjoying the Tirico story. Them saying they have a storyline power ranking rings true. Most networks approach games this way, and I understand why. I just loathe when the story is quarterback A going against quarterback B, because they don't play against each other. They play against the other team's defense. But the powers that be don't think we are smart enough to understand that ...
Enjoyed my first Writing Shed newsletter. Go Dog(land)s and good luck in Savannah.