Sports Conversation Starters for Your Week

Everyone knows I love football season, but when it comes to the sports calendar, this is my favorite time of year. The NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Finals, French Open and a Triple Crown race are scheduled this week in addition to baseball, WNBA, college baseball and softball. 

The number of big sporting events taking place makes it even easier, and more expected, to include sports in your conversations. Here's what else is cool about this time of year - if you haven't paid attention to basketball or hockey at all, the announcers are going to recap everything about the season and the matchups. Essentially you get the CliffsNotes version of the season and jump straight to the good stuff. 

As always, if you want at few talking points and questions to get the conversation going, keep reading. 

French Open

There have been a number of unexpected outcomes at the French Open throughout the last week. Upsets of past French Open champions ensure there will be a first-time champion in both the men's and women's brackets. It's the first time since 1968 no former Grand Slam champion reached the round of 16.

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: Do you think the tournament will end up cementing the up and coming talent in the sport?

NBA

The NBA Finals start Wednesday. The San Antonio Spurs knocked off the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night and will face the well-rested New York Knicks. The Knicks enter the Finals having won 11 straight playoff games. They've outscored opponents by nearly 20 points a game. The Spurs, however, are favored in the series. 

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: Who are you picking to win the series? Do you agree in giving the edge to the Spurs? 

NHL

The Las Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes will play for Lord Stanley's Cup starting Tuesday. The Hurricanes are in the Finals for the first time in 20 years. It's the third time in nine seasons that Vegas has been in the Finals. Pretty impressive for a team that fired its head coach with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season.

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: How much credit does current Vegas head coach John Tortorella deserve for getting the team to the Finals? Who do you like in the series?

Belmont Stakes

The final race of the Triple Crown takes place Saturday. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is expected to be in the field for the Belmont Stakes after skipping the Preakness. 

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: Do you anticipate a strong showing from the horses who skipped the second leg of the Triple Crown?