Well Played

EDITOR’S NOTE

I took some birthday PTO last week with one goal: be deeply unserious. So my friends and I hit an arcade, where I attacked the claw machines and tried to channel this level of hand-eye coordination. Apparently, I wasn't alone in embracing the silly because my algorithm later served me a truly unhinged (and wonderful) sibling rivalry showdown — as a younger sister myself, I have never picked a side faster. Then, ESPN’s The Ocho returned with proof men will do literally anything with soap except clean, and a 14-year-old dart player landed a trick shot so absurd I briefly considered a new side hustle. Somehow, he still got upstaged by a guy whose job was simply to celebrate with confetti. It did not go according to plan. Consider this my birthday reminder to never outgrow playtime. Now, let’s get to the rest of the sports world…

— Mallory Simon / Writer / New York, New York

Let's Discuss

All Eyes on Sue

What’s going on: Sue Bird spent years helping Team USA basketball collect gold medals. Now she’s tasked with picking the next generation of players who can hopefully do the same. And that's a pretty big departure from how things used to work. Last year, USA Basketball named Bird the women’s national team’s first managing director. Her position replaced the committee that previously selected players and it makes Bird largely responsible for building the team. Her 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup roster gives us our first real look at what that means. Seven players (Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, and Jackie Young) will make their event debuts next month in Berlin, while Paris gold medalists Jewell Loyd, Alyssa Thomas, and Brittney Griner are staying home. So is rising star Olivia Miles, whose omission quickly landed her on the snub list. Bird called Miles a “great young player” who will “undoubtedly be in the mix” for future teams. But she says team construction isn't about evaluating one player “in a silo.” She wanted players who complement each other, have a cohesiveness, and fit with coach Kara Lawson’s style of play — which emphasizes defensive intensity, disciplined execution, and a structured, team-first offense built on ball movement and versatility.

Our take: Bird told us this was coming. When she took the job, she said she’d lean on her two decades of experience with Team USA and her understanding of what makes for a good mix on the court — spoken like a true point guard. Bird has described basketball as five players needing to be “on a string,” connected whether they’re directly involved in the play or not. Her first roster puts that philosophy into practice while keeping an eye on what comes next. Bird was once the youngster getting her first international reps, experience she says “paid dividends” later. The newcomers will now get that chance alongside veterans (A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum) who already understand how to win on an international stage. That makes Berlin more than a title defense. It’s Bird’s first chance to show what Team USA can look like on her watch.

Pick Six

More sports talkers you don't want to miss.

📣 Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Reece Weaver revealed her first major gig since hanging up her boots — and let’s just say she’s not done performing.

🏀 Ever wonder how Paige Bueckers gets her ponytail so slick? She finally shared her multistep process (and favorite wax stick). We may need to adopt her method in this humidity.

💦 Tom Brady's Mediterranean travel insanity continues, but does his athlete card deserve to be revoked for this move? We have thoughts.

🗽We anticipated changes to the NYC Marathon entry guidelines wouldn’t go over so well, but we did not expect such outrage.

🤣 Ted Lasso star Juno Temple showed Kylie Kelce how she tackles different American accents — including the truly hilarious logic behind her Fargo one.

🤔 Coco Gauff has an off-court obsession with a surprisingly wholesome hobby. It sounds kinda intense to us, but she swears it’s how she unwinds.

In Our Rotation

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A little extra vitamin C serum a day keeps the dark spots at bay. That’s how the saying goes, right?

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On Our Calendar

Thursday, August 13

⚾ MLB Field of Dreams game

The Phillies and Twins are taking the field in Dyersville, Iowa — yep, that Field of Dreams. Watch live on Netflix at 7:30 pm ET, with throwback uniforms to match.

Saturday, August 15

🏀 Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony

This year’s class includes three WNBA players (Candace Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Elena Delle Donne), one NBA player (Amar’e Stoudemire), and the entire 1996 US wome’’s national team, to name a few. Watch how the ’'96 team paved the way for the WNBA.

Sunday, August 16

⚽ NWSL: Angel City vs. Washington Spirit

Sarah Gorden (who swears by this pregame meal) and Angel City FC take on Trinity Rodman and the Spirit at home. Catch it on ESPN at 9pm ET.

Monday, August 17

🏸 World Championships of badminton start

The 30th edition of the tournament kicks off in New Delhi, India — and the stadium’s team got crafty with a fix to a potential distraction. No monkeying around here.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.

Timeout...

Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.

Who’s the gymnast being name-dropped with Simone Biles?

When you start showing up next to Simone Biles’s in the record books, people tend to pay attention. This past weekend, 18-year-old Hezly Rivera won her second straight US all-around title, becoming the first American woman since Biles to go back-to-back. At just 16, the New Jersey native was the youngest member of Team USA’s gold-medal-winning squad at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Now, after a historic comeback from fourth place to defend her national title, Rivera is quickly making a name all her own. Likely next stop: the World Championships, where a stellar performance could help establish her as the one to watch in US women’s gymnastics.

In Our Rotation

Our shopping editors just dropped the best sales happening this week. Don’t miss out.

A short-sleeve dress you can wear to the gym then straight to brunch. Plus, it’s under $25.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

No Notes

Tell Us

What record-breaking amount did Bob Iger and Josh Kushner reportedly just agree to pay for the Lakers?

A. $10 billion

B. $12.5 billion

C. $15 billion

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