Morning Hot Reads: Back with a bang

The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES writes for sports, '21 has been the "gift that keeps on giving." It has been a "year of unimaginable surprises." From Phil Mickelson to the Suns, "Everywhere you turn lately, odds are being defied and expectations wildly surpassed." We "can all agree that 2020 was one of the worst years in sports, but is anybody else starting to believe 2021 is one of the best?" Fans are "returning to most venues," and teams are being "unburdened of COVID-19-related restrictions." And "unimaginable outcomes" have become "so wonderfully commonplace."

Also:

• Nassau Coliseum "leaves UBS Arena with a lot to live up to."
• Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore's deal to buy T'Wolves is "about to get tested."
• Teenage basketball stars can cash in earlier than ever, "but at what cost?"
• How stadium architecture "will change in a COVID-19 world."