Thursday's A.M. Hot Clicks: Belichick, Letterman Talk Deflategate
Lindsay Applebaum here again filling in for Andy, who's busy taking photos of Swimsuit models kissing and playing hockey. Please send him your #thoughtsandprayers during this difficult time.
Belichick Smiles an Actual Smile
CBS
Bill Belichick continues to stick to his blame-the-weather/science story when it comes to Deflategate, but the Patriots coach gamely entertained questions about the ball-deflating scandal last night on the Late Show With David Letterman, even managing to crack a smile and [gasp!] laugh. Hope he's OK.
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aqXfF1iPdo]
Karl Malone's 'Standing' Offer to Fight Kobe
During Karl Malone's guest appearance on Huffington Post Live yesterday, host Marc Lamont Hill asked if Malone was "cool" with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant now that it's been a decade since Bryant accused Malone of making a pass at his wife, Vanessa. Malone said he doesn't hold grudges and doesn't want trouble, but added that he does "prepare for war if I have to," and that he's a "hunter," and "old-school western," and that Bryant has a standing offer to "knuckle up and get it over with." So, it's totally cool.
SI Swimsuit Launch Week Diary
Andy's keeping a diary during Swimsuit launch week. Today's edition includes a Kings of Leon concert and a visit to the Nashville Predators, where Kate Bock and Emily DiDonato show off some impressive skating skills:
Lovely Lady of the Day
Today's LLOD honors go to Emily Ratajkowski, who is always lovely but not always SFW. (Click here for full-size gallery.)
A few readers have suggested that because I'm the first woman to do Hot Clicks, I should be featuring a "LMOD" in addition to the LLOD. Seems a little weird, but I thought it over, and I guess I'm up for it. So here we go...
Lovely Mascot of the Day
That's the 'M' you all meant, right?
Today's LMOD honors go to Mrs. Met, wife of Mr. Met. Numerous rival mascots claim to have had extramarital affairs with Mrs. Met, but she's taken the high road and neglected to address the rumors. According to her Twitter bio, Mrs. Met is "working on [her] phone skills."
Lovely Mascot of the Day: Mrs. Met
Drake Feels All the Feels at Wizards-Raptors
The Raptors' "global ambassador" experienced highs and lows at Air Canada Centre last night during Toronto's eventual 95-93 victory. Here's the lowest low:
And here comes the sun...
For the Friend Who Has Everything...
Consider this hand-drawn RGIII portrait, a steal at only $450 (CASH ONLY).
Matt Harvey's Sabbatical
The Mets ace details his post-Tommy John surgery trip to Laos. Also notable: The Players' Tribune has given him the title of "New York City Bureau Chief." Hopefully his next piece details late nights keeping tabs on the crime blotter.
Matt Martin Secretly Takes Photo With Fan Wearing His Jersey
Islanders teammate Michael Grabner tweeted this photo from the mall yesterday. If follow-up tweets are to be believed, the fan actually saw the photo and might get a signed jersey out of it. What a world.
Top-Secret Gigglefest
LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade exchanged some hilarious inside jokes they didn't want anyone else to hear or lip-read after Cleveland's 113-93 win. Guess that means Bosh forgave his old teammate for doing this to him earlier in the night:
#https://vine.co/v/OPaVVgQgU1U
Odds & Ends
Shabazz Muhammad dunks in his own face ... Ezekiel Elliott is a trophy polygamist ... Jordan Brand is bringing back the Space Jam campaign ... Gronk plays dodgeball at minor league hockey game ... Bill Walton spent a whole lot of time talking about Bob Dylan ... Minor-league baseball team hosting "Brian Williams' Pants-on-Fire Night," which seems rather mean-spirited ... Here's a super-chill "Whiplash" parody about steel drums ... Kanye West says "the voices in my head" told him to jump onstage at the Grammys. ... Supposedly, solar energy can now be converted into liquid fuel.
Well, This Is Adorable
Reggie Jackson tucks in Kevin Durant's jersey.
Jennifer Aniston is 46? NOOOOO!
Kings of Leon Swimsuit Concert
Watch the Kings of Leon perform at the 2015 SI Swimsuit launch in Nashville from Wednesday night.
Song of the Day
Courtesy of the Alabama Shakes.
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