🏀 Rookie Season Complete ✅

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One whole year.

We started Enjoy Basketball last April with the goal of uplifting the game and the people who play it through positive content while fighting back against the hot take culture that’s so often centered around negativity.

So far, it’s been more than a success. 41,000+ newsletter subscribers, multiple apparel drops and a mini hoop, collabs with NBA teams, interviews with players, none of it would have been possible if you all didn’t believe in our mission. So seriously, thank you for all the support in our rookie year. We’re so excited to grow together as a community in the seasons to come. Here’s to many more years of Enjoying™️ basketball.

We’d love to hear from you on our big day! Reply to this email wishing us a happy birthday and tell us your favorite moment from the first year of Enjoy Basketball. Now let’s talk hoops. 👇

Today’s Lineup

The C’s Make a Statement 🍀 Boston dominates Milwaukee in possible playoff preview

And then there were 4️⃣ Previewing the men’s and women’s final four

Our Highlight Tape 📷 The top five moments of our rookie year

PrizePicks

On the one-year anniversary of Enjoy Basketball, it only makes sense to have our most consistent sponsor riding with us. PrizePicks is the go-to spot for daily fantasy hoops and a great way to add a bit of extra Enjoyment™️ to your basketball viewing experience.

What puts PrizePicks head and shoulders above the competition is how easy it is. All you have to do is choose between two and six players, guess if they will get more or less than their projection for a given stat, then sit back and watch the action unfold.

Don’t know who to pick? Don’t worry, we got you with some official Enjoy Basketball picks for tonight’s games.

And if you come up with some money 💸 picks of your own, make sure to share them with us on Twitter!

Sign up HERE and use promo code ENJOY to receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100! With the chance to 10x your money in 60 seconds or less by testing your basketball knowledge, what are you waiting for?

*PrizePicks is available to residents 18+ in AK, AR, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MI, MN, NE, NY, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY. 19+ in AL. 21+ in AZ, MA.

Last Night’s Action

We only had two games on last night's slate, but if you'd like to pore over all the numbers, you can find the box scores here.

Celtics blow the doors off the Bucks in 140-99 demolition

The Celtics (53-24) don’t just have the Bucks’ (55-22) number, they have it on speed dial.

Boston took full advantage of Milwaukee coming off the second night of a back-to-back by storming into Fiserv Forum and practically burning it to the ground. The defense was stifling from front to back, holding Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 24 points on a whopping 27 shots, thanks to a swarm of double and triple teams. The offense was humming like an eight-cylinder engine, burying 22 threes at a ridiculous 51% clip. And the cherry on top? A magnificent performance from the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum (40 PTS, 8-10 3PT) and Jaylen Brown (30 PTS, 5 AST). Just pure basketball poetry.

Jokic-less Nuggets falter at home against Pelicans 107-88

CJ McCollum dropped a smooth 23, and Jonas Valinciunas chipped in with 15 and 12, but this win for the Pelicans (39-38) had Brandon Ingram’s fingerprints all over it. The rangy forward did a little bit of everything on his way to a 31-point triple-double, all with only one assist. And this tough fader should count for bonus points:

Gong into battle without Nikola Jokic was trouble enough for the Nuggets (51-25), but an 0-18 shooting night from beyond the arc by everyone not named Jamal Murray ended up being the killing blow.

Monday Night Notes

The curse of having a scheduled newsletter, because Monday brought us one of the best nights of hoops we’ve had all year!

For starters, HUGE congratulations are in order for the Kings, who finally broke the longest playoff drought in American sports with their 120-80 win over the Blazers. We can’t think of a fanbase that deserves it more. 💜 And to ease the pain of last night’s defeat for Bucks fans, don’t forget that Jrue Holiday just dropped 51 (!!) in a 149-136 W over the Pacers, and Grayson Allen also did this. Oh, and that Russell Westbrook guy that everyone likes to clown on? He dropped 36 and 10 in a massive 141-132 Clippers win over the Grizzlies without Kawhi and PG. And shout out to the rook Jalen Williams for the clutch putback to keep the Thunder's playoff hopes alive. Ice in his veins already. ❄

Other notable moments included Kevin Durant’s return to the Suns in a win over the Timberwolves, Joel Embiid sending a Luka Doncic shot to the shadow realm to seal a win for the Sixers, Anthony Davis dominating the Bulls to get revenge for the Lakers, a huge Knicks win in the garden despite losing Julius Randle early, and last but not least, a hustle-filled career high for Talen Horton-Tucker.

College Corner

Our focus might be on the NBA, but it’s important to love and appreciate all levels of the game. So today we’re doing a little preview of the men’s and woman’s final four as the college basketball season heads down to the wire. Let’s dive in.

Men’s

9. Florida Atlantic (35-3) vs. 5. San Diego State (31-6)

The FAU Owls might technically be a cinderella but don’t be fooled by their seed. This is a well-oiled machine of a college basketball team who run nine deep and can get buckets from anywhere on the court. But they’re going up against one of college basketball’s most fearsome defenses in the Aztecs, who’ve held opponents under 60 points in three of their four tournament games. That being said, FAU got the better of another elite defense earlier in the tournament, and we think they have what it takes to keep the run going and make an appearance in the national title game.

Prediction: Florida Atlantic Wins

5. Miami (29-7) vs. 4. UConn (29-8)

Led by two top-tier bucket-getters in Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller, the Hurricanes' offense can run with just about anyone, and they’ve proven it on their way to a surprise Final Four appearance. It’s too bad that they’re running into the absolute buzzsaw that is the University of Connecticut. UConn has beaten every opponent by at least 15 points on their run, including a 28-point dismantling of Drew Timme and Gonzaga. Despite Miami’s deep scoring arsenal, it’s impossible to bet against a Huskies team that’s this unbelievably locked in.

Prediction: UConn Wins

Final: UConn Wins

The Huskies looked like one of the best teams in the country down the stretch in conference play, and they’ve looked even better in March. This FAU run will go down in the history books, but there’s nobody stopping this UConn squad.

Women's

3. LSU (32-2) vs. 1. Virginia Teach (31-4)

Led by legendary coach Kim Mulkey and dominant big Angel Reese, the Lady Tigers have made a name for themselves by bullying opponents around the basket and playing stifling defense. They’ll be facing off against the ACC champion Virginia Tech, who are making their first-ever Final Four appearance. The Hokies have some great sharpshooters in Georgia Amoore and Kayla King, along with a talented center of their own in Elizabeth Kitley, but we think they just don’t quite have the interior defensive prowess to take down LSU.

Prediction: LSU Wins

2. Iowa (30-6) vs. 1. South Carolina (36-0)

Whatever plans you have for tomorrow night, cancel them, because you NEED to watch what’s perhaps the most hyped matchup in women’s college basketball history. If you haven’t been living under a rock the past few weeks, you’ll know that Iowa is led by the incredible Caitlin Clark, a dazzling guard with eyes in the back of her head and shooting range that would make Damian Lillard blush. Just look at this ridiculous performance she had to even get Iowa to this point.

So it’s too bad she has to run into the absolute juggernaut that is South Carolina women’s basketball. Dawn Staley runs one of the deepest rotations around, anchored by the iconic Aliyah Boston. Unstoppable around the paint and with a lockdown defense that leaves opponents struggling for space, the Gamecocks are a truly special team who we think have what it takes to end Clark and Iowa’s run.

Prediction: South Carolina Wins

Final: South Carolina Wins

LSU and South Carolina share many strengths, but the Gamecocks just seem to do all of them a little bit better. Add in the fact that the Lady Tigers have less depth, especially down low, and we think Staley and co. have what it takes to bring the title back to Columbia for the second year in a row.

Top Five Fridays

In this special edition of Top Five Fridays, we’re breaking down our own best moments from a full year of spreading basketball positivity. Let’s look back on how far we’ve come, shall we?

5. The First Merch Drop

Our first drop and our biggest hit, the Origin Collection sold out in just four hours thanks to your incredible support! Alongside our uplifting newsletter, we’ve loved providing you all with quality apparel (and even a mini hoop that one time) to help support the movement.

4. Kenny on Pat McAfee

We wouldn’t be where we are today without the boss himself, Kenny! His appearance on the Pat McAfee show was the first time our mission was broadcast to a national audience and brought us a ton of new Enjoyers in the process. And, as usual, Kenny crushed it.

3. Enjoy x Houston

It takes things to a whole new level of legitimacy to work directly with NBA teams, and our collaboration with the Houston Rockets for Elvin Hayes' jersey retirement was a true milestone moment for the community that we couldn’t have achieved without your help. Since then, we’ve gone on to team up with teams including the Knicks, Nuggets, and…

2. All-Access in Detroit

Getting locker-room access for 313 Night in Detroit the other week was the first time we got to spread our message to pro hoopers in person (shout-out Isaiah Stewart) Also, the casual Tee Grizzly appearance was an incredible added bonus.

1. The Enjoyers take NYC

But, above all else, there are no better moments than getting to hang out with you all, the people who make this community so special. That’s why our Shopify pop-up shop last fall in NYC has to be our favorite Enjoy Basketball rookie moment. We should do that again sometime…

Frozen Moments

• Austin Reeves hits Pat Bev with the ‘too small’ and LeBron’s postgame reaction is hilarious

• Jimmy Butler is too busy talking to the refs to dap up Josh Hart after the game

• Mikal Bridges wasn’t feeling KAT copying his celebration

Good Reads

Mike Conley is the Key to the Timberwolves’ Postseason Viability - Jack Borman (Cannis Hoopus)

Shaedon Sharpe could boom or bust for the Trail Blazers - Mat Issa (SB Nation)

The Twins Who Went From “Best-Kept Secrets” to Likely NBA Lottery Picks - Mirin Fader (The Ringer)

What We’re Enjoying

MLB The Show 23: Baseball is back! MLB The Show 23 just dropped earlier this week, and we can’t get enough of it. Whether it’s the best career mode in the industry (without all the crazy microtransactions) or their incredible new Negro Leagues storyline, San Diego Studio crushed it once again with an immersive baseball experience.

Signing Off

Thanks to everyone for riding with us in year one! Keep on Enjoying Basketball and spreading positivity, especially in the middle of this crazy MVP race. We really appreciate every single one of you.

Until next time,

-Spencer Poole

Trivia Answer: The answer to today’s trivia is Ryan Anderson! The underrated sniper led the league with 188 triples during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.

Before you go…

Happy birthday to our main man Armaan! If you want to help us make the newsletter better and get a birthday shoutout of your own, take our survey below.