Screen Shots: Saturday, July 27th, 2024

Welcome to Screen Shots! This is where I tell you what you should watch on TV. It’s going to be a very sports-centric list since that’s really the only thing we have left that you simply must watch live. Speaking of watching things, you should watch me on YouTube! Have your own suggestions? Shoot me an email at [email protected]!

The 1996 Games in Atlanta were the first Olympics that I remember watching. I was already a serious NBA fan who was somewhere between aware of and interested in baseball and football. However, this was my first exposure to all the other sports the world had to offer, and I cannot think of a better introduction than the one I got.

It was iconic moment after iconic moment for Team USA. From the men’s and women’s basketball teams blowing everyone out to Kerri Strug’s heroic vault for gold on an injured ankle to Michael Johnson’s golden shoes carrying him to a world record in the 200m under the Georgia night sky. These are just a handful of my memories from those Games that have helped shape my view of sports. I should write about them, but not right now because there’s not enough time.

We only have a couple of weeks of Olympic glory to soak in before it’s gone and we’re stuck waiting another 4 years (I don’t do Winter Olympics). As a public service to help all of us maximize our Olympic experience, I’m going to go through day-by-day and tell you which events you need to prioritize in your Olympic watch schedule.

This list will be in chronological order. Some events will overlap. It’s up to you to flip through the channels. I will almost always prioritize events where a medal takes place because that’s where you get the most special moments. I’ll also include a quick tidbit about why you should watch and be honest about my knowledge level of each sport. Alright, let’s get to it!

Men's Basketball: Australia vs. Spain at 5 a.m. ET on CNBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com 

Why you should watch: If you’re up this early, I’m assuming you need a little excitement. Well, Patty Mills is caffeine in the form of a basketball player. He always shows up and shows out for Australia. This is his 5th Olympic Games and he’s averaged at least 20 PPG in 3 of them. The Boomers have been a tough Olympic opponent as long as I’ve watched, but never medaled in men’s basketball until Patty led them to the bronze in Tokyo. Does he have one more run left?

Men's Basketball: Germany vs. Japan at 7:30 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

Why you should watch: Japan features Keisei Tominaga, hailed as the “Japanese Steph Curry,” who just led the Nebraska Cornhuskers to their 1st NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade this past season. He’s my pick to become the next generation’s Patty Mills. Some Japanese basketball trivia to impress your friends: in 2004, 5’8” Yuta Tabuse became the first Japanese-born player to play in the NBA. 3 more players have joined him. The record for most points scored in an NBA game by a Japanese-born player is 47 set by…Cam Thomas. No, he’s not on the roster.

Women's Water Polo: Greece vs. United States at 9:35 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

Why you should watch: Perfect example of a sport the majority of the world only pays attention to every Olympic cycle despite it being awesome. The concept is easy to pick up. Teams are trying to throw a ball into a net while their opponent is attempting to drown them. That’s all you have to understand to enjoy what’s going on. The storylines here are endless. The United States squad is going for their 4th straight Olympic gold. Maggie Steffens has been on the team for the previous 3 and is widely considered the greatest water poloist ever. Goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson is once again on the team. She was the first Black woman to make the US Olympic Water Polo team back in 2016. She’s developed into the best goalkeeper in the world. Oh, and their spokesperson is none other than Flavor Flav. Set the alarm on your clock necklace for this one!

Men's Basketball: France vs. Brazil at 11:10 a.m. ET on CNBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

Why you should watch: Victor Wembanyama.

Men's Swimming: 400m Freestyle Final Medal event at 2:42 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

Why you should watch: Aussie Ian Thorpe dominated this event back in the day. He’s the only swimmer I know who has a cool nickname (“The Thorpedo”). Australia sends 2 more decently named competitors in Sam Short and Elijah Winnington to try and bring the gold back to the land of the Bloomin’ Onion. However, they have to get past German Lukas Martens, who has the fastest time of any competitor. Will the world record be broken? Why are there no German-themed casual dining chains? Tune in to find out!

Women's Swimming: 400m Freestyle Final Medal event at 2:55 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com 

Why you should watch: Katie Ledecky is the GOAT and I’m 97% sure if she wins gold in this event she will tie Jenny Thompson for the most swimming gold medals ever. The US Swimming Foundation has an awards ceremony called “The Golden Goggles.” Katie is a 9-time winner of the Golden Goggles for Female Athlete of the Year. This sounds like a lie, but I promise it’s true.

Men's Handball: Denmark vs. France at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

Why you should watch: Do you want to like water polo, but the risk of drowning is too much for you to bear? Well, here you go! Every 4 years, I watch handball and think “This is the coolest sport in the world!” then I forget about it. I’ve even gone so far as to tell myself that I’m going to check into learning how to play. That hasn’t happened yet, but it’s always a fun watch. It looks like these are the favorites to win gold, so probably a good place to start.

Women's Swimming: 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final Medal event at 3:37 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com 

Men's Swimming: 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final Medal event at 3:50 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

Why you should watch: Swim relay finals always slap, and I believe this is the shortest and fastest one which is even more exciting.

Alright, as I watch more events I’ll get better at pretending to know what I’m talking about! In the meantime, enjoy the Olympics!