Sports Conversation Starters for Your Week

Just a reminder that you can make a sports conversation anything you want it to be. You can dive into numbers, the matchups and the coaching strategies or you can paint with a broader stroke and talk about your own fandom. 

• Are you more likely to cheer for the underdog or the crowd favorite? 
• Which venue would you travel to for a sporting event? 
• Who do you think gets the most credit for team success?

Use these topics as a starting point and branch out to the conversations that interest you the most. 

P.S. One programming note - I'll be spending less time watching sports the next couple weeks while I'm on an adventure. See you at the end of the month!

French Open

Alexander Zverev captured his first grand slam title by winning the French Open. He had reached the finals of a grand slam three previous times without winning. On the women's side, 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam title since Monica Seles in 1992. The next Grand Slam tournament is Wimbledon at the end of the month.

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: What did you enjoy about the wild outcomes throughout the tournament?

NBA

The New York Knicks extended the playoff winning streak to 13 straight games by winning the first two games against San Antonio. They became just the third team in NBA history to win the first two games of the Finals on the road. The previous two teams went on to win the series. The series shifts to New York Monday night. 

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: How much of a mental advantage does a 2-0 series lead give the Knicks? Has your fandom shifted at all during this series?

NHL

The hockey playoffs continue to deliver jaw-dropping performances, like Golden Knights double overtime win against Carolina Saturday. Mitch Marner recorded the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup history, netting three goals in six minutes and 10 seconds for Vegas. The Golden Knights lead the series 2-1 heading into the week.

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: Mitch Marner also set a franchise record for the most points in a single postseason. His playoff productivity this year far outpaces what he accomplished in the post-season while in Toronto. Why is he a better fit in Vegas? Are you more or less likely to cheer for a player who finds success with a new team?

Belmont Stakes

Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo rallied from last to first to win the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first female to win two Triple Crown races.

Talk Sporty Convo Starter: The win helped silence critics who thought Golden Tempo lucked into a Kentucky Derby win. Did you think his first win was a fluke? What was most impressive about his rally in the Belmont Stakes?