You know that feeling when sports content just hits different? Every month, I round up the best articles, charts, videos, and audio I’ve consumed. “Seven Wonders” is a Butterflies series where I share my favorites.
The NBA is back! We can all start overreacting to a handful of games again. I know I did when my Blazers beat the Lakers. Between the new basketball season and everything happening in European football (I’m trying not to overreact to Arsenal’s loss to a 4th tier side, Fleetwood Town), there’s plenty to keep up with. I have a number of great reads from the last four weeks for your consumption.
But first, seven of my past posts that are relevant to current events:
How the NBA Divides its Minutes. I look at ten seasons of playing time to see who gets the minutes, how rotations change in the playoffs, and how those minutes add up over a career.
The Fouling While Up Three Problem. Here’s a breakdown on why the final seconds of a basketball game can take forever. I review what the research says and give my two cents on why it’s not very entertaining.
The Evolution of Unethical Hoops. Yes, we’ve already seen our fair share of foul baiting in this young NBA season. This video breakdown traces the evolution from flopping to offensive players creating contact and getting rewarded for it.
The Indiana Pacers’ Future Rests on Hope. Championship ambitions can disappear in the blink of an eye. Or in the modern NBA, a pop of a ligament. I looked back at Indiana’s 2025 Finals run and the uncertainty that remains, even as Tyrese Haliburton has recovered (well, from his Achilles at least).
Replays, Vol. 06: “That’s a bad shot.” Thirty-seven feet and the wave goodbye. I revisited the shot that changed the trajectory of the Oklahoma City Thunder and eventually propelled them to a championship.
Football’s Financial Glass Ceiling. Manchester City’s financial breaches raises a macro question about winning in world football. I break down how football’s spending rules work and the challenges it creates for smaller clubs.
How England’s Top Flight Became Europe’s Super League. The European Super League may already exist. It just goes by a different name. I compare transfer spending and payrolls across Europe to show how the Premier League has pulled away financially and what that means for everyone else. This one is a year old, but it applies more than ever today.
And now, here are the seven best pieces of content I’ve consumed in sports as of late:
One takeaway from every team’s opening 2026-27 game by Mike Shearer. If you couldn’t watch every team’s opener, Mike has you covered. Tap in to get one take on each team after the first few days of the new NBA season.
The Lowe Post Is Back—and It’s a Newsletter Now by Zach Lowe. We are so back. Zach Lowe is writing again, and this is his introductory article. It’s not entirely about the NBA, but it might make you nostalgic for his days at Grantland.
Analysing Raphinha: What Makes the Brazilian A Perfect Number Nine for Barcelona? by Ahmad Gondal. A great analysis on Raphinha’s game and his impact on Barcelona’s success. The clips are a great reminder to watch what a striker does before the ball gets to him.
Manchester City’s verdict and the bonus fallout by Jacob Whitehead. An inside look into the Man City financial breaches that rocked the footballing world.
Is possession football dying? by Lawrence Ostlere. In today’s Premier League, having more of the ball doesn’t necessarily mean more winning.
Ukraine’s stadiums of war: Interview with Ostap Sip by Outside Write (Chris Lee). This is a pretty sobering and moving read with visuals of Ukrainian stadiums impacted by war.
How Myles Lewis-Skelly Used Data Scientists to Turn £4,000 a Week into £45,000 by Martin Angelov. An analysis of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s impact and how his pay raise compares to other teenagers and those who rise through the academy. MLS has grown into one of my favorite players, so I was glad to see this piece on him.
Thanks for including my post, much appreciated 🙌🏼
Thank you for the shout-out ! 🙏