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When it comes to pop culture phenomenons, so much of it is about being in the right place at the right time. The smash hit Netflix series Tiger King, for example, benefited tremendously from perfect timing when it landed on the streaming service just as millions around the world were sheltering in place amid the coronavirus outbreak.

ESPN likewise saw an opportunity with their upcoming docuseries, The Last Dance, about Michael Jordan and the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls. It was originally set to air in early June during the NBA Finals, but after fans mobilized on social media to move up the premier date — with a little nudge from LeBron James — the producers opted for a much earlier release.

Of course, that wasn’t without its obstacles. Director Jason Hehir and his production crew had only completed three of the 10 episodes at the time, and the quarantine presented a logistical nightmare as they were forced to conduct editorial meetings via Zoom and edit the episodes in five different locations, sharing their work with one another via Vimeo.

According to Arash Markazi of The Los Angeles Times, they’re still in the process of finishing up the final two episodes.

Hehir believed he could finish the final episode by mid-May, so airing one episode per week for 10 weeks was discussed before the decision was made to premiere on April 19 and close on May 17, with two episodes airing every Sunday.

Contrary to the usual practice of having an entire series complete before it debuts, work on episode 9 was finished Friday and the final is scheduled to be done by May 10, as viewers watch episodes 7 and 8.

So far, the first four episodes have been a mega-hit with fans as the series offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the iconic figures that comprised one of the most compelling sports teams of all-time, in the process managing to rekindle some bitter and long-simmering rivalries between the Bulls and Pistons of the era.

With six more episodes still to come and so much story left to tell, there’s plenty to look forward to, and Hehir has assured us that there’s a number of surprises in store. Editing on the fly like this probably isn’t the most ideal way to finish a project like this, but through the first two weeks of the event, it’s been an unmitigated success.

(The Los Angeles Times)

Love them or hate them (and there’s plenty of reasons for the latter these days), no one can argue that WWE has been trying to think outside the box since the COVID-19 outbreak has put the kibosh on their traditional wrestling model. We’ve had Boneyard Matches and Firefly Funhouse Matches, plus plenty of empty-arena anti-comedy (remember 3:16 Day? You’re better off not).

Keeping in this tradition, WWE has already announced that this year’s Money In The Bank ladder matches will take place inside (and on top of) WWE’s corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. But during tonight’s episode of Smackdown, Michael Cole made an even bigger announcement: Both the men’s and women’s MITB ladder matches will take place at the exact same time.

That’s right: When the bell rings (or hell, maybe there will be a starter pistol or something — why not?), 12 competitors will begin the mad dash through the lobby of WWE headquarters, headed toward the rooftop where two Money In The Bank briefcases will be suspended. Here are the currently announced participants of the matches:

• Asuka
• Shayna Baszler
• Nia Jax
• Carmella
• Dana Brooke
• Lacey Evans
• Otis
• Daniel Bryan
• Rey Mysterio
• Baron Corbin
• Aleister Black

One final male competitor will be added to the match this Monday on Raw. It will probably be Triple H, because why not? (He probably has access to a special elevator that takes him right to the rooftop or something.)

With both matches taking place simultaneously, there’s a legitimate chance we could see intergender combat, a rarity in WWE. I for one would love to watch Shayna Baszler choke out Baron Corbin, or Otis and Nia Jax furiously bumping as they try to push through a narrow doorway. How insane will this actually be? We’ll all find out on Sunday, May 10.

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Here are your quick and dirty, editorial-free WWE Friday Night Smackdown results for May 1, 2020. This week’s show featured the rare occurrence of champions being pinned in a non-title match, as well as two Money in the Bank qualifiers, Daniel Bryan vs. King Corbin, and more. Make sure you’re here tomorrow for the complete Best and Worst of Friday Night Smackdown column.

WWE Friday Night Smackdown Results:

1. Daniel Bryan defeated King Corbin. Before the match, Bryan cut a passionate promo about being hungry and wanting to win Money in the Bank. Bryan defeated Corbin by disqualification when Corbin hit him with a ladder. After the match, Bryan briefly got the Yes Lock on Corbin, but Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro attacked and tossed Bryan into a pile of ladders.

– Bray Wyatt interrupted Braun Strowman with a Firefly Funhouse about black sheep.

2. Sheamus defeated Leon Ruff with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus wasn’t impressed with the latest Jeff Hardy video, and said he’ll be here when Hardy returns to Smackdown next week.

3. Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Carmella defeated Mandy Rose with a superkick after a long promo distraction from Sonya Deville. After the match, Sonya attacked and screamed at Mandy.

4. The Forgotten Sons defeated New Day with help from Jaxson Ryker. Miz and Morrison were on commentary. The Forgotten Sons have pinned the Smackdown Tag Team Champions!

– A Tamina interview was cut short by Sasha Banks and an attack from Bayley. Lacey Evans made the save. Next week it’ll be Tamina and Evans vs. Banks and Bayley.

5. Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Otis defeated Dolph Ziggler. Otis hit the Caterpillar on Ziggler to win the match.

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The NBA season may currently be on hold as the world tries to stem the spread of COVID-19, but that won’t stop teams from doing a little future-scaping for when everything inevitably gets back underway. Now is actually the perfect time for teams to re-evaluate their long-term plans.

Any and all transactions have likewise been suspended while the league is on hiatus, but front offices are undoubtedly doing their due diligence when it comes to personnel decisions that will need to be addressed eventually. Count the Indiana Pacers among those who will face some tough decisions in that department.

That specifically refers to Victor Oladipo, who before the shutdown had failed to come to terms on a contract extension on his current deal, which would expire at the end of next season. The team is already close to being capped out with their current roster, and Oladipo could end up being a casualty of financial prudence.

According to Ian Begley of theKnicksBlog, the Knicks are among several teams who could make a push for Oladipo if he should become available.

Per SNY sources, at one point in the extension talk between the club and Oladipo, the idea of a four-year extension for around $80 million was broached. Discussions about an extension didn’t progress much from there, sources said.

***

The Knicks, Nets and plenty of other teams are in position to be aggressive if a player of Oladipo’s caliber becomes available via trade.

Oladipo had been sidelined for more than a year after recovering from a ruptured quadriceps tendon. He had made his long-awaited return to action for the Pacers in January and was still working his way back to from before the season was put on pause in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

He’s been using his time in quarantine to continue his training and focus on some of his favorite hobbies, like fashion and ping pong.

(theKnicksBlog)

As states across the country start making the initial steps toward reopening their economies and loosening their social distancing protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA and other pro sports leagues still face an uphill battle in their bid to try and resume their current seasons and plan for the future.

The NBA has continued to explore the logistical nightmare of playing its remaining regular-season games and/or postseason under quarantine, estimating on Friday that it would include up to 1,500 people who would have to be sequestered in a single locale to just for the games to happen with a bare minimum of personnel.

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando has been floated as a potential solution, as the Wide World of Sports has the facilities to make it happen and the theme park features enough hotel space to house everyone involved. Still, there’s no clear path on how or when this might happen as spring slowly turns to summer.

Amid all the uncertainty, the league’s board of governors are reportedly preparing to delay the start of next season until potentially December, regardless of whether the current season continues. And that also doesn’t factor into whether fans will be able to return. Via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

If this season is resumed and completed sometime in September — or even October — the delay of the 2020-2021 season is inevitable.

Talks have been centered on a season that would start prior to Christmas and extend into late July/early August. The NBA draft and free agency would follow the end of the season.

On Friday, the league announced that it was postponing the NBA Draft Lottery and Draft Combine, both of which were scheduled for May. There’s been no official word on the Draft itself, which is usually in late June, following what would’ve been the NBA Finals.

(ESPN)

Finding the best tequila in the world right now is no easy task. There are a lot of tequilas on the shelves and a good number of them are … just okay. Still, there are people out there fighting the good fight to find the best tequilas on earth for you to drink. In this case, it’s the judges of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. They recently dropped their list of best tequilas for 2020 and we’re here to break it down.

There’s a lot of variance in tequila from how and where the blue agave is grown to how that plant is processed. Purists will scream to the heavens about diffusers versus autoclaves. In case you don’t know, a “diffuser” breaks apart the uncooked agave with high-pressure water before fermentation and results in an almost neutral spirit. An “autoclave” cooks the agave by using high pressure and steam. Traditionally, blue agave would be slow-roasted in earthen or brick ovens and then crushed by stone. As a layperson, you probably don’t care about any of this, especially if the end product is drinkable.

This year, there were eight double gold medal winners in the tequila category. That double gold medal is the highest award the group can bestow and those are the bottles we’re looking at today. We also decided to add this year’s best mezcal at the end to round out the list.

Single Estate El Sativo Reserve Blanco (Best Tequila Overall)

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Tequila Las Americas, Amatitan, Jalisco
Average Price: $40

The Tequila:

This organic tequila has been making the rounds at trade shows, competitions, and the bar community for a while now. The big selling point is the four-generations of family distilling behind the brand, alongside the fact that it’s certified both organic and kosher. It’s a legitimate crowd favorite, especially if you’re looking to build a cocktail.

Tasting Notes:

Sweet notes of roasted agave are pronounced. The sip leans into peach orchards with a clear sense of the grassy floor. Minor notes of florals dance with the vegetal agave on a brisk, mineral-rich, and lush finish.

Cutwater Tequila Reposado (Best Reposado Overall)

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Tequila Orendain de Jalisco, Tequila, Jalisco
Average Price: $40

The Tequila:

This is a sourced tequila for distiller and bottler Cutwater down in San Diego. They source tequila that’s been brick-oven roasted, open-fermented, and double-distilled to their aging facility. The juice is then loaded into their used whiskey barrels for an undesignated amount of time.

Tasting Notes (from the bottler):

“The rich cooked agave flavor melds perfectly with hints of vanilla and oak to create this distinctly Cutwater Tequila Reposado.”

Dano’s Dangerous Añejo (Best Añejo Overall)

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Casa Reyes Barajas, Tequila, Jalisco
Average Price: $47.99

The Tequila:

This is another solid expression from a classic still in Tequila. The process is very typical of tequila at this level: Hand-harvested agave pinas, slow-roasted in an oven, and open fermentation. But it’s really the two distillation runs through Casa Reyes Barajas’ old copper stills that bring out a unique … little something. The hot juice then goes into new French oak to rest for nine months.

Tasting Notes (from the distiller):

“Aroma: Gently toasted agave. Taste: Hints of almond and vanilla, with a soft oak flavor on the finish.”

Excellia Blanco

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Tequila Orendain de Jalisco, Tequila, Jalisco
Average Price: $47.99

The Tequila:

This tequila marries French winemaking with traditional tequila-making to create a truly unique line. This expression is a rare aged blanco. The expertly crafted spirit spends time mellowing in grand cru Sauternes (wine) casks and Cognac barrels before being blended into this deeply satisfying sip.

Tasting Notes:

Roasted agave is met by a sense of peppery spice and crisp, tart green apples. The vegetal nature of the agave takes a backseat to the fruit as it edges between sweet and tart and the spice brings heft to the body of the sip. A moment of fresh herbs arrives late as the sweet apples bring about a very mellow end with a touch of vinous oak.

Hotel California Reposado

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Hacienda Capellania, San Jose de Gracia, Jalisco
Average Price: $45

The Tequila:

Handcrafted from the agave to the actual bottle, this tequila cares about the process. They only use 100 percent organic blue agave from Jalisco’s Highlands. From there, this expression spends around six months in ex-bourbon barrels before going into hand-blown bottles.

Tasting Notes (from the distiller):

“Aged for a minimum of six months in former bourbon barrels, revealing elegant florals, with sweet, lightly toasted vanilla. Deep toned in both appearance and taste, boasting rich, fragrant aromas. Its smoothness will charm connoisseurs and tequila newcomers alike.”

Los Arango Blanco

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Tequilera Corralejo, Abasolo, Guanajuato
Average Price: $45

The Tequila:

This tequila is a rare one that’s made outside of Jalisco. The Guanajuato tequila — named after Pancho Villa — uses the purist-dreaded pressurized steam of an autoclave to cook its blue agave before stainless steel fermentation and double-distilling in copper pot stills.

Tasting Notes:

Thin tropical fruits and roasted agave mingle upfront. There’s a real pineapple sense that leads towards more agave with a hint of brininess and vegetal pepper. The sip ends quickly with the salt and fruit lingering on the senses.

Rey Supremo Gran Reserva Silver

ABV: 40%
Distillery: Unknown Source (Canadian Brand)
Average Price: $75

The Tequila:

You’re probably not going to find a bottle of this stuff south of the (Canadian) border. The juice is handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico and very little else has been released about the process or juice.

Tasting Notes (from the brand):

“Aroma: Youthful notes of pepper, hints of honey, citrus and herbs. Initial Taste: Sweet, creamy fresh agave and fruit, light citrus. Body: Citrus and pepper. Finish: Spiced lavender with a warm mouth feel.”

Storywood Tequila Speyside 14

ABV: 40%
Distillery: La Cofradia, Tequila, Jalisco
Average Price: $26

The Tequila:

Here we have Mexico and Scotland coming together to create a hell of a sip. This tequila asks what would the stuff taste like if aged in single malt whisky barrels instead of the usual old bourbon or Cognac barrels. Turns out that spending 14 months in a whisky cask is great for tequila.

Tasting Notes:

That oak comes through with a toasted edge and a hint of orchard fruit next to clear signs of roasted agave. Rich, fatty nuts with a smidge of salt accompany a sweet sense of whisky toffee as hints of spice marry the oakiness. The sip lingers with the toffee, spice, and roasted agave lasting the longest on the senses.

BONUS: Best Mezcal — Mezcal Carreño Ensamble 7

ABV: 45%
Distillery: Hacienda Carreño, Oaxaca
Average Price: $119.49

The Mezcal:

The traditions of Hacienda Carreño go back to the 1840s with earthen ovens, clay/copper stills, and a real agave-to-glass focus. Carreño Ensamble 7 is mezcal made with seven different wild agave varietals that are roasted together. In this case, that’s Espadín, Tobalá, Tobasiche, Tepeztate, Coyote, Lumbre, and Cuishe agave plants that have aged five to 25 years on the surrounding hillsides. The stone-ground roasted agave then goes into pine vats for open fermentation before double distilling in clay/copper stills heated with wood fires.

Tasting Notes:
There’s no denying the boldness of the roasted agave on the opening. There’s a rich sense of grilled pineapple with a nice pinch of salt next to a clear billow of dry wood smoke. The sip lingers and warms as the pineapple and agave fade away.

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