The Utah Jazz were (and, I guess, currently are) the fourth seed in the Western Conference before the NBA shutdown and went on an indefinite hiatus that is still ongoing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the plans for a potential NBA restart are still fuzzy, there’s a chance that if able the league will resume play with a brief run of games before starting the playoffs with seeding as is. That means the Jazz would be a top-4 team in the West with homecourt for the first round, but if the season does start back up, they’ll be without a key contributor.

Bojan Bogdanovic will apparently have wrist surgery that will end his 2019-20 season and cause him to miss the playoffs, should they happen, per a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

It’s a major blow to the Jazz, as Bogdanovic was their second leading scorer on the season, averaging 20.2 points per game and shooting a robust 41.4 percent from three-point range. The injury had apparently lingered since January and with the uncertainty facing this season, Bogdanovic made the choice to do what’s best for the longterm and have surgery. The hope is that he can return to full form by next season, whenever that may start, and the Jazz can build on what was a solid, even if at times frustrating, 2019-20 campaign.

Over the past two months, John Oliver has dedicated seven episodes of HBO’s Last Week Tonight to the coronavirus, because, I mean, what else is there to talk about? Not sports, the disappearance of which due to COVID-19 was the topic of Sunday’s taping (just because Oliver looks like a guy who would rather bet on cricket than throw a baseball doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch). Another recurring Last Week Tonight topic in the at-home-era: Adam Driver. “Step on my throat, Adam Driver, you rudely large man. Break my fingers, you brooding mountain,” Oliver said in one episode; in another, “Sneeze in my McFlurry, you pensive bison.” And most recently, “Chokeslam me to hell, you nasty shed. Jam your mandible claw down my throat, you irredeemable steer.”

But why Adam Driver and not, say, Jason Momoa?

“A lot of you might well be wondering where I’m going with this bit,” Oliver said. “If you’re anything like my staff, you’re asking questions like, ‘Is this sexual or is it violent?’ And then you’re unsatisfied when the answer comes back, ‘Yes.’ If you’re like my wife, you might be asking, ‘Should I be worried about this?’ with your concern only growing when the answer is, ‘Only if you want to be.’” Oliver then wondered if Driver, a “f*ckable redwood” who is also a “big unwashed buffalo,” is aware of his (satirical?) obsession:

“Is he bothered by this continued sexualization? He seems like a fairly private guy who’s generally uncomfortable with attention, making what I’m doing possibly some form of harassment. He might actually have pretty good grounds to have me reprimanded legally. To which I say, do it. Slap a restraining order on me your forlorn block. Beg me to stop, you menacing obstacle.”

Driver should repay the favor to Oliver. “Keep going, you skinny Richard Scarry character come to life.” (Everything Adam Driver says sounds like a flirt. He can’t help it.)

The final episodes of The Last Dance brought the Bulls rivalry with the Utah Jazz to the forefront as the documentary wrapped up with the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals. As such, it became time to discuss Jordan’s “Flu Game” performance in Game 5 of the 1997 Finals, which was really (at least as it’s told by Jordan and his friends) an issue of a bad pizza.

As Tim Grover, George Koehler, and Jordan recalled, he was very hungry at 10 p.m. and they could not get room service from the hotel, so they called the only place open in the area which was a pizza joint. Grover recalled five guys delivering the pizza to the room, raising some suspicion as to whether something had been done to the pizza, but Jordan apparently shrugged off those questions and ate the entire pizza by himself.

There have long been theories about the Flu Game that Jordan was actually hungover, but given that Jordan was not shy about going out and enjoying himself prior to games and never had issues, that doesn’t totally track. Food poisoning makes sense, but the way this story was told just seems a bit fishy and there are some holes in the story that are hard to get by. Jalen & Jacoby had Jason Hehir, the director of The Last Dance on after the finale and Jacoby pressed him on this story, which led to Hehir offering up further details about the context of that night and the act of Jordan spitting on the pizza when it arrived to ensure only he ate it.

I wish this had been included in the documentary because that part of the story absolutely tracks with Michael Jordan’s behavior and I would fully believe he would spitefully eat an entire pizza because his friends ate dinner without him. This should have made it into doc because this explains this part even better and makes it more believable. I have the same question as Jalen, which is why it was ordered and made fairly clear it was for Michael when they’re in Utah, and I’m not fully buying Hehir’s theory that they found out from the desk it was Jordan’s room (because why would five folks have showed up to the lobby to deliver it before knowing that).

Whatever the case, whether the pizza was spiked or something else took place we aren’t hearing about, it only builds the legend of that night and the following game in which Jordan put on a performance for the ages.

TMZ reports that two people drowned at the home of former MLB star and 1501 Certified Entertainment label owner Carl Crawford over the weekend. During a get-together of six people — Houston’s stay-at-home orders allow for gatherings of under ten people –, a boy wandered into the pool in the backyard. When a woman who was taking care of him followed him in, both drowned. Crawford was inside but came out and tried to revive them unsuccessfully.

Crawford retired from Major League Baseball in 2016 after his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers expired and started 1501 Certified Entertainment to highlight hometown talent from his native Houston. In 2018, he signed Megan Thee Stallion, who was just beginning to receive major exposure after a series of viral freestyle videos. Since then, 1501 has been in the news after reportedly trying to block Megan from releasing new music due to a contract dispute which snowballed into a lawsuit and a very public feud between the two parties and Houston rap impresario and rumored strongman, J. Prince.

While Crawford maintained that the terms of 1501’s contract with Megan were fair, Megan and her new management at Roc Nation believe that not only are the royalty splits unfairly weighted in favor of the label but that Megan deserves to be released from the contract.

Read the full story on TMZ here.

Whether you love basketball or not, everybody needs at least one pair of Air Jordans in their lives. Stepping out in a pair of these historic kicks is a magic feeling. Emphasis on the “feeling” more than the “magic” though. A pair won’t give you MJ’s unshakable confidence, tenacious work ethic, and unmatched skill. But they can provide your wardrobe with a cool factor. Start a conversation. Enhance your vibe a little.

Simply put, the sneaker world will probably never see a phenomenon quite like the Air Jordan ever again. Scores of basketball players have gotten their own sneaker silhouettes since Jordan paved the way, but none enjoy the type of singular branding and worldwide renown of the Air Jordan. Nike literally created a whole company just to dress Jordan’s feet. Even Kanye West couldn’t get that level of respect from the Swoosh.

As if his fame needed a boost, ESPN’s docuseries The Last Dance thrust MJ back into the middle of the cultural conversation — which might have left you itching for a fresh pair of fresh airs. But where to start? There are 34 different Air Jordan silhouettes, and they aren’t all great. So we narrowed it down to the 10 best silhouettes in the 35-year history of the brand. Remember, we’re not talking about shoes for hooping, we’re talking about wardrobe-essentials. Ankle support is not a parameter.

Before we jump in, a quick pause for props to sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield is a legend in the world of sneakers, and aside from being the lead designer of every Air Jordan from III to XV (then returning for XX, XXIII, and XXX), he continues to serve as the Vice President For Design and Special Projects at Nike. Not every sneaker to make this ranking is designed by Hatfield but he definitely gets a lot of love.

10. Air Jordan VIII — Black And True Red

The last design worn by Jordan before his first retirement, the VIIIs signal the beginning of the drastic change in design that would eventually lead to the legendary Air Jordan XI Concords. The general utilitarian shape is there, but the VIIIs are a far cry from the sleek elegance we’d see when Jordan eventually returned to the court in the mid-90s.

A departure from the VII Cardinals, the VIIIs are cool if perhaps too maximalist for their own good. Especially if you’re picking shoes to step out in. The chenille tongue, the straps, the overly busy graphics near the midsole — it’s all a little extra.

The best colorway of the Air Jordan VIIIs is the Black and True Red makeup (readily available on StockX) worn by Jordan in the 1993 NBA Finals. During the All-Star Game, MJ wore a purple and teal version that are so tacky they feel offensive.

9. Air Jordan X White Black

Michael Jordan returned from his first retirement in ’95 rocking a fresh pair of Air Jordan Xs emblazoned with his temporary number 45 on the side. He didn’t shoot well but scored a cool 55 points in his first game back, which has since been dubbed the “double nickel” game. The most distinct design flair of the Xs is the sneaker’s tiger-striped sole, which features 10 stripes meant to represent each yearly milestone of MJ’s then 10-year career.

Released in 1994 (while Jordan was out of the game), the Air Jordan X is notable as the first model not directly approved by its namesake, leaving the design entirely in the hands of Tinker Hatfield and Nike. If you’re looking for a pair, the Air Jordan X Retro Red Steel colorway best resembles the pair Jordan could be seen in during the early 95 season and is readily available on aftermarket sites for a modest markup.

These are certainly distinctive and wear well if you rock the sweatsuit look. They’re probably a little clunky for a club.

8. Air Jordan XII — Flu Game

It’s a little tough to improve upon near perfection, but that’s just what Tinker Hatfield and MJ shot for with the release of the followup to the Concord Jordan XIs with the release of the ultra-durable Air Jordan XIIs. The most distinct design flourish here is the quilted leather panels that drape across the entire upper.

Were they able to improve upon the Jordan XIs? Definitely not. But the XIIs hold their own special place in history as the pair that Jordan wore during his infamous Flu Game (Bad Pizza Game), in which a visibly ill Jordan still managed to score the game-winning basket in game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.

The black and red Flu Game colorway are still readily available on aftermarket sites for a slight markup. You’ll sometimes see these getting worn with jeans (sort of works) or suits (sometimes works). With a sweatsuit, they’re bold enough to draw a lot of eyes.

7. Air Jordan XIII — BRED

I’ve you’ve spent any time with The Last Dance you’ll recognize these kicks instantly. Worn during Jordan’s 97-98 season, the Air Jordan XIII continues the chunky shape movement started by the XIs and improves upon the XII greatly by swapping out the quilted leather for a more textured and punctured patent leather look. One of the classiest Tinker Hatfield Jordans, the XIII sees the designer operating at the top of his game, matching Jordan in skill and very much the product of someone with undeniable vision and confidence.

The Air Jordan XIII was designed with Jordan’s “Black Cat” alter ego in mind, and the texture of the upper along with the holographic heel accent is meant to resemble a panther’s paw and eye, respectively. The BRED colorway can be found on aftermarket sites for a slight markup from the retail price. This is another pair that’s sleek enough to be worn when you’re dressing up, but you might just want to play off the variety of textures with a little velour loungewear.

6. Air Jordan II — White Red

It’s easy to forget all about the Jordan IIs because they are bookended by arguably better — and certainly more recognizable — designs by way of the debut pair and the legendary IIIs. But don’t pass these up, the IIs attempt to combine sportswear with high-end fashion 20 years before people like Kanye made the practice cool. They’re sleek with a low profile silhouette, adorned with faux lizard skin and luxurious accents, and have the benefit of being not nearly as popular as other classic Jordans, meaning you’ll be stepping out looking slightly different from the rest of the pack, which is never a bad thing.

The OG Air Jordan II White Red colorway sells on aftermarket sites for just above $200 (more for the larger sizes). They are almost unarguably the second-best pair of Jordans to wear with jeans.

5. Air Jordan VII — Cardinal

The Air Jordan VII Cardinal was all over the courts in the 91-92 NBA season, worn during Jordan’s second championship win and most famously during the Olympics when MJ led the Dream Team to a Gold medal. Notably, the VII’s make use of Tinker Hatfields Nike Huarache technology, which stripped down the silhouette to its bare essentials, added straps for increased stability, and a neoprene sock-liner for increased comfort and cozier fit.

The Huarache style still enjoys popularity today and can be considered the first example of sneaker deconstruction, a trend started by Hatfield and continued through Virgil Abloh in his Nike “The Ten” collection. The most recent reissue of the VII Cardinal colorway dropped in 2011, but aftermarket prices remain fairly low on this one. These are probably (this is speculative, but trust us) the third most common Jordan to see wedding parties wearing. And they can definitely work with dressy clothes.

4. Air Jordan I — Chicago

Does it get any more classic? There is a reason the Air Jordan 1 gets re-released in this original varsity red, black, and white colorway on a regular basis — the sneaker and colorway are entirely emblematic of Jordan Brand. When someone says “Jordans” this is likely the sneaker that comes to mind (especially after this silhouettes strong resurgence through rereleases). Mike famously rocked this colorway when he scored 63 points in a single game against the Boston Celtics on their home turf in 1986.

The colorway gets its name from Nike’s attempt to deliver a sneaker that met court regulations at the time, after the original black and red colorway (BREDs, another great colorway) Jordan wore angered the NBA and broke uniform regulations. Prior to the Air Jordan 1’s debut, Michael Jordan also rocked a black and red pair of Nike Air Ships, which influenced the Air Jordan 1s design heavily.

Because of The Last Dance, the popularity of this colorway has skyrocketed and now sells on aftermarket sites like StockX for close to $1,000. That’s too high — don’t buy those. Wait it out and Nike is sure to drop the popular colorway again soon. Unless they don’t want to make money, which, c’mon.

3. Air Jordan XI — Concord

The legendary Concord Air Jordan XIs are a pair of shoes that come freighted with so much hype that they can cause sneakerheads to salivate, regardless of where their brand loyalty lies. They’re about as legendary as a sneaker can be, and are hands down Tinker Hatfield’s greatest contribution to sneaker design. Famously debuted in Space Jam in an all-black colorway, Jordan wore the XIs often when he returned from retirement during the 95-96 season.

Design-wise there’s a lot to love here — the high profile silhouette, the shinning patent leather against the white upper, the icy translucent sole, and the elegant Jumpman branding on the upper heel speak to his Airness’ court royalty. They feel like a sneaker fit for a legend, and their own legendary status in sneaker circles proves that they’re fit for kings.

The latest reiteration of the Jordan XI Concords hit retailers in 2018, so pairs are still readily available for a small markup on StockX and aftermarket sites. These shoes legit work as dress shoes, whereas many of the others on the list are sort of “if you can pull it off”-type margin calls.

2. Air Jordan III — Cement

The Air Jordan 3 began the Tinker Hatfield era of Jordans (he’d worked on the 1s with other designers) and is the first Air Jordan to feature the now iconic Jumpman logo. The III featured closer input from MJ himself and included a marketing campaign that would give fans a more intimate look into Jordan’s personality (with an assist from Spike Lee). Depending on who is making the case, the III could easily be considered the definitive Jordan behind the debut pair and marks the moment when Jordan as a brand truly became its own thing, separating itself stylistically from Nike.

The Cement colorway tones down the red in favor of a mostly white leather upper that is accented by elephant skin paneling that helps to make the pair instantly recognizable. As far as the resale market, the original Cement colorway is on the expensive end, hovering around four to five hundred. A black iteration dubbed the “Black Cement” is more readily available at about half the price. We’d suggest waiting it out until Nike releases a refresh.

Stylistically, this is the most versatile Jordan cut by a mile. They can be worn with jeans, a suit, casual clothes… they just sort of work.

1. Air Jordan V — Fire Red

A favorite amongst sneakerheads for the 30 years nowt, the Fire Red Air Jordan 5 was rocked by Jordan while he played one of the greatest games in his career. In a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1990, MJ would claim a career-high of 69 points in a single game. The Fire Red colorway gets its name for its crimson fire-like midsole accents and matching red collar and branding. Rounding out the design is a strikingly stark black midsole that contrasts nicely with the pure white leather upper.

We’re going to give the Fire Reds the top spot here, not just because they’re incredibly pretty (yes I know we’re talking shoes here) but because Nike just dropped a rerelease of the colorway just last week, which mean they’re readily available for you to pick up for a cheap price. You step out in these, people know you’re wearing Jordans right away. But you’re also repping the 90s and making a statement. They may not be as versatile as the IIIs, but they’re even more eye-catching.

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After five weeks and ten episode — along with however many other countless hours went into putting it all together — The Last Dance reached its conclusion on Sunday evening. The final two editions of our look back on Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls focused on both of their NBA Finals victories over the Utah Jazz, and in between, we got a whole lot of Reggie Miller, pizza, and Steve Kerr.

As we’ve done all series, we’re taking a page out of the playbook from our friends over at With Spandex and borrowing the Best and Worst format as we recap the episodes. For the final time, at least until we get a docuseries on another NBA dynasty, let us dive in.

Best: Reggie Miller

It has become very popular to hate Reggie Miller, the broadcaster, which is a bad take because Reggie Miller genuinely loves basketball and makes that clear during games, something that cannot be said about most color commentators on national broadcasts. Part of this is also because Reggie Miller made it very easy to hate him when he was a player, as he was the ultimate irritant. He flopped and talked and hit preposterous shots before preening and jumping around at the crowd. Reggie was a tremendous nuisance, but he also was an incredible player and is an excellent storyteller.

Having Reggie open this week’s episodes by talking about his battles with Michael Jordan — and having Jordan watch his 1993 fight with Reggie — was terrific. No one is more comfortable with admitting how annoying they were than Reggie, who happily smiles and notes he gave Jordan “a little shove” before his incredible game-winner in the ’98 conference finals. Reggie was a terrific sports villain but that only worked because he was so good as a player, all while being obnoxious, that you wanted to see him get his comeuppance. Unfortunately for Reggie, that happened often in the postseason, but to his credit he’ll always talk about those moments with a rather clear perspective that’s rarely given by those that have been in his position.

Best: Black Jesus

Imagine, for a moment, being so good at anything that you can call yourself Black Jesus and then Reggie Miller refers to you as such for the rest of your life. That’d be pretty cool, right?

Best: That one Pacers fan who is NOT related to Luke Kornet

Hey we got a meme out of all of this that did not involve Michael Jordan! This one Indiana Pacers fan, who is not Chicago Bulls center Luke Kornet’s mom, Tracy, despite a joke that she made on Twitter. Some examples:

Good meme!

Best: Destroying Larry Bird

I don’t really have anything else to say about this other than there’s nothing more pure than a friendship that involves two people that can say things like this two each other, mid-dap, and keep it moving.

Worst: Pizza

The “Flu Game” is, as Jordan, his trainer, and friend insist, really the “Bad Pizza Game.” I’m very skeptical of believing this is the truth, if for no other reason than some of the details of this whole thing seem fishy. For one, Jordan insists he ate the whole pizza and “no one else” did.

In a vacuum, this is understandable. Hell, it’s downright relatable right now in quarantine-land. However, Tim Grover says he thought it was fishy five guys delivered the pizza and even said so, so you’d think Mike would have one of his buddies take one for the team and see if the pizza was OK. Beyond that, why did they order a pizza and make it clear it was for Jordan while in Utah, knowing that would open them up to some potential foul play. Either they were all terrible decision-makers or something else was in play here. Who is to say?

Worst: Bryon Russell

He trash talked Michael Jordan while Jordan was still playing baseball.

[oh no baby what is you doing dot jpeg]

Best: Scott Burrell

You will never believe this, but there were multiple instances of Michael Jordan ripping on Bulls teammate Scott Burrell in this, including this:

God bless Scott Burrell for putting up with MJ for years and laughing the entire time. I am very glad that he is a normal, well-adjusted human after all of this.

Best: Steve Kerr

It can sometimes get lost in the fact that he’s the coach of the NBA’s current evil empire, but man, Steve Kerr rules. As a player, he was exactly what the Bulls needed for that second three-peat, a perfectly respectable role player who was always there for the team when called upon, no matter how rare that may be. He also got punched in the face by Jordan and seemed relatively cool with him, so god bless him.

Episode 9 dove a bit into Kerr’s backstory, which not enough people know, because it is tragic. Kerr’s father, Malcolm, was a fascinating man, as Dave Zirin of The Nation explained in a quick thread. The fact that Kerr’s family went through a tragedy the magnitude of his father’s murder (do a quick search for “Steve Kerr Arizona State,” it’s not great!) and did not become a total misanthrope, instead becoming one of the league’s more graceful and thoughtful people, really is stunning, and I’m glad he got some time to tell his story here. Also: dude’s got jokes.

Best: Gus Lett

It was really cool to see Jordan make sure his lead security guard Gus Lett got some shine in this documentary. Jordan opened up about how Gus was like a father figure to him after his dad died and Gus’ wife explained how he would sometimes go see Jordan in the middle of the night when he was struggling. It was a rare glimpse at the human side of Mike, which was something the documentary offered a few times and it was those moments that were some of its strongest. Seeing Gus get the game ball after Game 7 of the conference finals and then them dedicate that episode to Gus and his other members of the security team — including John Michael Wozniak — that have died was a very nice touch.

Best: Rodzilla

The Dennis Rodman-NWO story during the 98 Finals isn’t new, but it’s always a delight to hear the people involved discussing that bizarre couple of days. The best part of how The Last Dance handled it was showing the practice footage from the next day, with Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan both joking about it. Jordan even broke the practice huddle with “1-2-3 Rodzilla,” referencing the name Hulk Hogan had given to him.

Best: God, this will never not be cool as hell

Best: Sing Us A Song, You’re The Piano Man

Michael Jordan getting drunk and smashing keys on a piano in his hotel room with no regard for the sounds actually being played was the most relatable he’s ever been. Never mind that this was in celebration of his sixth NBA championship, but who among us hasn’t gotten very drunk and tried their best to lead a sing-a-long.

Best: Young Leo

Michael Jordan was so excited to meet the Man with the iron face In The Iron Mask! Leo telling Jordan that his play was “poetic” was adorable as well.

Worst: Scottie Pippen’s Back

My back also hurts really bad as I write this sentence so solidarity with Scottie during Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals for his stupid idiot back acting up. Fun fact: I once played pickup with a bad back, then went home and laid down for 20 minutes and when I got up to go get a drink I quite literally collapsed. It hurts like hell, man! I have no idea how Scottie Pippen played a basketball game with a bad back, even if there was a championship on the line.

Best: Barack Obama on Michael Jordan and the Bulls

One aspect of this that I wished The Last Dance was afforded more room to dig into was the cultural impact of these Bulls. We get into this a lot with Jordan specifically, and I think Dennis Rodman gets some shine in this regard, but the Chicago Bulls were the biggest team in the world during these years, and I felt it would have been an interesting thing to explore a little more.

As it turns out, I’m just impatient, because while the late David Stern laid out how the league expanded worldwide during the Jordan era, one Former Chicago Resident summed it up quite well at the end of Episode 10.

“There are great players who don’t have an impact beyond their sport,” Obama said. “And then there are certain sports figures who become a larger cultural force. Michael Jordan helped to create a different way in which people thought about the African-American athlete, a different way in which people saw athletics as part of the entertainment business. He became an extraordinary ambassador, not just for basketball, but I think for the United States overseas, and part of American culture sweeping the globe. Michael Jordan and the Bulls changed the culture.”

Worst: Jerry Reinsdorf

Jerry Krause gets painted as the primary antagonist in all of this, but the end of Episode 10 gives a pretty good glimpse into how Reinsdorf thought it was “suicidal” to bring everyone back for a bevy of reasons. Jordan, in response, said he believes everyone would have come back if the opportunity presented itself, and he is still visibly upset at not getting a chance to go for title number seven. Hey on that note…

Best: Giving Michael Jordan an iPad

Some of the best moments of the entire documentary came from someone’s brilliant decision to return to Michael Jordan after interviewing everyone else, handing him an iPad, and letting him react on camera to what they said. Every single time they did it, it was gold. His facial expressions birthed new memes, as, if nothing else, Jordan asserted himself firmly as the meme GOAT with this documentary.

I want them to produce an entire documentary that’s just Jordan reacting to people talking about him. It’s television gold.

Worst: The Washington Wizards

Episodes 11 and 12 are gonna be LIT. [holds fingers to earpiece] ah, well, nevertheless.

Best: Michael Jordan and The Last Dance

This was fun! There were some elements of this doc I wasn’t particularly huge on, and it brought back a bunch of dialogue around Jordan that I find kinda insufferable (see: here), and while I did not particularly care about this, I can see why people had gripes with Jordan having editorial control here, although in fairness, director Jason Hehir went onto SportsCenter after the series ended and challenged folks to point out instances where this hurt the product he put out.

But listen, we’re all locked inside because of a pandemic and this doc, if anything, gave us something to look forward to for five weeks. That something was endless clips of Michael Jordan, a fascinating subject regardless of the lens through which his story is told, and the greatest dynasty in NBA history. I, for one, and very glad it existed and that we all got to experience it with one another.

Psychedelic Texas trio Khruangbin have just begun to gear up for the release of their third record. Announcing their upcoming album Mordechai, the group shared the lead single “Time (You And I)” last month. Continuing a reflection on the passage of time and memory, Khruangbin unveil the smooth track “So We Won’t Forget.”

Directed by Scott Dungate, the “So We Won’t Forget” video chronicles an unlikely friendship between a man and a giant stuffed animal. Riding around on a bike with his fluffy friend, the man brings the massive toy all around town. Only later the visual reveals that the man is holding on the animal as a way to memorialize his daughter, who is no longer with him.

The visual touches on the themes of time and memory, which were important influences on the single itself. “Memory is a powerful thing,” said Khruangbin in a statement about the song. “Now more than ever it’s important to tell the people you love that you love them, so that they don’t forget.”

The group’s Mordechai announcement follows their breakout sophomore effort Con Todo El Mundo. If the first two singles are any indication, Mordechai boasts similar groove, soft percussive elements, and world music influences. But the group has expanded on their lyricism, as their last record featured a handful of instrumental tracks.

Watch Khruangbin’s “So We Won’t Forget” video above.

Mordechai is out 6/26 via Dead Oceans. Pre-order it here.

Heartbreaking news out of California this morning as former WWE star Shad Gaspard is missing after being pulled underwater as lifeguards attempted to help a group of Venice Beach swimmers caught in a rip tide. TMZ says that Shad and his son were part of the group, with Shad being lost after insisting rescuers help his son first.

Gaspard’s son was rescued — but the 39-year-old pro wrestler has not been located.

One official working with the L.A. Fire Dept. told media they believe the 39-year-old “did submerge.” Divers were sent to scour the area. Helicopters were searching from above. One witness at the scene tells us … when lifeguards raced into the ocean, Gaspard directed rescuers to help his son first, which they did.

During the rescue, we’re told another big wave crashed down on Gaspard — and that’s the last time he was seen.

A CBS report adds that rescuers looked for Gaspard until calling off the effort at 7:30 pm, and that they will, “continue searching the surrounding land areas throughout the night before also resuming underwater operations Monday morning.” Shad’s wife has made posts on social media asking anyone with any information on his whereabouts to contact 911 or the family (which you can contact here).

Shad joined WWE in 2002 after making it to the finals of Tough Enough 2, and performed there until 2007. He would return in 2008 and remain in the company for two more years. Shad’s best known as one half of the tag team Cryme Tyme alongside JTG, although his post-WWE career has seen him do everything from motion capture for Kratos in God of War for PS4 to playing Muhammad Ali in The Last Sharknado.

We’ll keep you updated on the story, and will hopefully follow up with a relieved post about how he’s been found, and everything’s okay. We’re sending our best thoughts and as much love as we can.

Ventura, California rapper Kyle is back with more soul-searching music after a long hiatus. “What It Is” is Kyle’s latest single after taking a break in the wake of his debut album Light Of Mine and his Super Duper Tour in 2018. Since then, he debuted his animated sketch comedy show Sugar And Toys, released two singles in preparation of his new album, “YES!” featuring Rich The Kid and K Camp and “F You I Love You” with Teyana Taylor, and hosted a virtual prom for the class of 2020.

The video for “What It Is,” directed by Jakob Owens, sees a forlorn Kyle recording his new song in a beach house as a love letter to an ex who departed in the opening scene. He wanders from empty room to empty room pondering the lyrics before setting up his recording software and cutting loose. The video ends with both Kyle and his ex, who has parked her car along the coast to watch the sunset, looking up at a skywriter’s message in the clouds: “See you when I’m famous.” Could this be the title of Kyle’s upcoming project? It looks like we’ll find out soon, according to a press release for the video in which the rapper details his new album:

So where do I start… I initially was going to wait until after the pandemic to release any of the songs I made for this album. I made this album to be enjoyed outside in the sun in the company of friends, but it seems we may not be outside for some time, and you (my fans) need this music now more than ever. I was so afraid of COVID-19 keeping me from having smash hit songs that I was gonna push it ‘till next year. I feel this enormous pressure to deliver chart-topping songs every time and somewhere down the line I’ve convinced myself it’s what you (my fans) want from me too, but that was never my mission in the first place. I came to Earth to make feel-good music to make you happy when times are tough. Well, times are pretty tough, and people need some sunshine. I’m putting the cape back on. I’ve shed the fear of not having commercial success and replaced it with the mission of not leaving m fans high and dry in their time of need. So, I’ve decided to continue with my album roll out and I’ll be dropping a new song next Monday (my birthday). Hopefully, it can help you build an endless world as big as the great outdoors in your mind. You’re not alone. I’m with you.

Watch Kyle’s “What It Is” video above.

Kyle is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.