Monday's A.M. Hot Clicks
Scenes From Sochi
Nelli Zhiganshina and Alexander Gazsi :: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
The Olympics have taken over the world, and there are roughly 10,000 stories I could link to. In the interest of brevity, here are my five favorite items from the first weekend: Estonia’s Grete Gaim competed with these freaky contact lenses ... These women body painted Russian president Vladimir Putin and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev onto their bodies ... Russia should win a gold medal for its curling pants (or at least finish second to Norway) ... The halfpipe used for the Games "is garbage" according to U.S. snowboarder Danny Davis ... Germany's Alexander Gazsi (pictured above) liked the view of partner Nelli Zhiganshina during the ice dance competition.
The Ugly Side of the NBA
Kevin Durant played a near-perfect game yesterday, pouring in 41 points to go with 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Thunder's 112-100 victory over the Knicks. Unfortunately, not every player is as talented as Durant and not every team as loaded as Oklahoma City. Case in point: The 76ers, who trailed 52-15 early in the second quarter and lost by 45 points to the Clippers. The game included this Globetrotters-Generals sequence in which Blake Griffin scored on windmill dunks on consecutive plays. Sadly, it wasn't the worst play of the night. That distinction belonged to Celtics forward Kris Humphries, who tried to imitate Griffin on this play and failed miserably.
The Ugly Side of the NFL
Have you purchased your favorite NFL team's ugly Christmas sweater yet?
Lovely Lady Of The Day
UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer wore this dress to the 6th Annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards over the weekend.
The Force Was With Him
Two months ago we reported that Georgia receiver Chris Conley planned to make a Star Wars-inspired film on the school's campus in Athens. Conley proved true to his word and filmed over the weekend, even convincing coach Mark Richt to make a cameo.
Coach Rasheed? White House Says No
The Pistons fired Mo Cheeksyesterday just 50 games into his first season as coach. This led some industrious fans to start a White House Petition to make assistant Rasheed Wallace the team's new coach. The pettion, however, was quickly taken down. This led me into the abyss of checking out White House petitions, where I found this gem asking them not to deport Justin Bieber. Here's the text of that petition:
"Instead of looking at all the horrible events that Justin Bieber has been through why not the good? People only look at his bad boy aura and not everything that he has done to help around the world. He has donated so much money to charity's but people over look that fact. Also, what about all these celebrity's that have done so much worse. For example, Chris Brown was charged for Women abuse but was let off the hook. Just because he's Justin Bieber and not some rapper doesn't mean he deserves this."
SI Vault Photo of the Day
John Calipari :: Courtesy of UNC-Wilmington
John Calipari turns 55 today. Kentucky.com has a great piece on Calipari's success at UK and what motivates him to succeed. But long before he walked the sideline in a designer Italian suit, Calipari played point guard for two seasons at UNC-Wilmington before transferring to Clarion University.
Odds and Ends
The Wolf of Wall Streethas one glaring historical (sports-related) mistake ... Johnny Damon is still looking for a job in the majors ... Chad Johnson gave Terrell Owens some marriage advice. T.O.'s new bride is looking for a divorce after two weeks of marriage ... The Thai Department of Mental Health says selfies are threatening the nation ... Uproxx celebrates sports and Legos ... Don Henley does not like bands covering his music.
Feel-Good Video Of The Day
Bensalem (Pa.) High senior Kevin Grow, who has Down syndrome, buries four three-pointers and scores 14 total points on senior night over the weekend. This is tremendous.
You Were Saying?
Deadspin posted this gem from KOIN-6 in Portland, Ore. A girl discusses how the snowy ground is "the perfect texture for running" and then wipes out a few seconds later.
Toddler Boxing
Yes, this was a thing back in the early '40s. (HT Mandatory.com)
Flashback: Calipari vs. Cheney
Remember that time Temple coach John Chaney stormed into UMass coach John Calipari's press conference and tried to start a fight?
