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SALT LAKE CITY — Former Utah Utes basketball star Jakob Poeltl is ready for his close-up, a fan invades the pitch and bows to Lionel Messi, and Steph Curry's dad, Dell, gets dabbed on after Game 7. More fun stories from the world of sports in today's From Left Field!
1. Former Runnin’ Ute Jakob Poeltl auditions for ‘Space Jam 2’
In May, it was reported that Warner Bros. was interested in making a sequel to the 1996 kids hit “Space Jam” starring Michael Jordan. The sequel will reportedly star LeBron James, who signed a content creation deal with Warner Bros. last year.
After LeBron’s legendary performance in the NBA Finals, it’s no surprise there’s a revamped buzz about “Space Jam 2” — even some current NBAers are interested in being a part of the flick, including Dwyane Wade.
With the NBA draft approaching, it should be no surprise that even future NBA players are already “auditioning” to be a part of “Space Jam 2.”
Former Utah Utes basketball star Jakob Poeltl is ready for his close-up.
The 7-foot-1 center recently took a part in a “Space Jam 2 auditions” skit for Bleacher Report along with other expected NBA draftees.
For his audition (at around 1:08), Poeltl chose to portray William Wallace from Mel Gibson’s 1995 classic “Braveheart.”
Stick to hoops, Jakob, and leave the bad acting to Kevin Durant (do yourself a favor and never watch “Thunderstuck,” please).
2. Fan invades soccer pitch to bow to Messi
FC Barcelona forward and Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi is a soccer god playing amongst mere mortals. On Tuesday, Leo led Argentina to the Copa América Centenario final, scoring a golazo and grabbing two assists in Argentina's 4-0 beating of the U.S. in the Copa semifinals.
Just before the start of the second half, a fan/loyal servant to Messi invaded the pitch and bowed to his king.
A fan gets Messi's autograph on his shirt, bows down to him, hugs him twice. Just beautiful.... pic.twitter.com/yTD2dFC7qq — Neymar Stats (@NeymarJrStat) June 22, 2016
> A mortal ran onto the field during [\#USAvARG](https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAvARG?src=hash). > > This is how a soccer god treats his subjects. (h/t [@teamLionelmessi](https://twitter.com/teamLionelmessi)) [pic.twitter.com/C4YmpXbTg9](https://t.co/C4YmpXbTg9) > > — HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) [June 22, 2016](https://twitter.com/HuffPostSports/status/745451998946828288)
Messi actually signed the fan's jersey and hugged him twice. Leo's kindness is one of the many reasons he's the greatest.
Sure, that fan may be on his way to jail for the night or banned from NRG Stadium for life. But hugging Lionel Messi is absolutely worth any jail time or ban.
3. Steph Curry’s dad gets dabbed on after Game 7
It wasn’t a great Father’s Day for Dell Curry. The former Charlotte Hornets player watched his son, Steph, disappoint in the fourth quarter, as the Golden State Warriors lost Game 7 of the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.
To add salt to the would, someone decided to be a joker and pull the “Fake out dab” on Dell.
That look on Dell’s face says it all: “Are you serious, man?!”
The dab died with Cam Newton in Super Bowl 50. Now that I think about it, Steph Curry is a Panthers fan, being raised in North Carolina. The University of North Carolina men's basketball team lost the national championship on a buzzer-beater to Villanova as well.
It’s been a bad year for everyone in sports from and/or representing The Tar Heel State.
