Lightning Strikes In Tampa. Are They Cup Bound? Celtic Sloppiness/Warrior 'D' Evens Up Finals. Angels Freefall/Braves Shake Hangover? Swiatek/Rafa Win Subpar French Open. Latest NFL Retirements
I'm feeling a little feisty today as I share my thoughts, opinions and analysis on the latest in what's happening in the world of sports. On deck:
(4:15) The Tampa Bay Lightning showed some championship DNA as they pulled out a much needed last second win in Game 3 to get back in the series vs. the Rangers. Will they draw even to bring the series back to New York tied? More importantly, what will convince me that the Lightning are back to their usual Cup winning selves as they try to go for a three-peat? In the West, the Avalanche are in a great position as they look to sweep the Oilers in a Game 4 tonight and make it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 21 years. Can they do it?
(17:20) We are two games into the NBA Finals as the series shifts to Boston come Wednesday night. The Celtics were able to steal Game 1 with a 4th quarter barrage of 3-point shots. Game 2 was quite the opposite as the Warriors had another overwhelming 3rd quarter, but did not give back the lead the way they did in Game 1. I'll break down what took place over the first couple of games and what to possibly expect as we get to the middle of this series and beyond. Also, some news coming out of Utah as Jazz coach, Quin Snyder steps down from his eight year tenure with the team. Their franchise player, Donovan Mitchell, wasn't too happy about the news. Is there damage control that needs to be done between their star player and the front office?
(32:32) Quite a bit has happened in baseball over the past few days. I'll start with the Angels as their free-fall has them in an eleven game losing streak. The latest loss to the Phillies was a back breaker as they blew two big leads late. What does this mean for the manager, Joe Maddon? Does he survive? Considering former Phillie manager Joe Girardi was let go on Friday. They have hit the skids and may not be long for any pennant race before July 1st. Watch out for the Atlanta Braves as they look to be over their World Series hangover. The Padres win 3 of 4 in Milwaukee as the Cardinals have inched closer to the top of the NL Central with winning 3 out of 4 themselves in Chicago against the Cubs. The Mets salvaged a split with the Dodgers in LA as they got out of dodge with a wild 5-4 victory on Sunday. And the Red Sox have heated up as they're back to .500 after a sluggish start.
(44:48) The French Open concluded with a thud as the #1 women's player in the world, Iga Swiatek defeated Coco Gauff as she's now won the first two Grand Slams of 2022. And Rafael Nadal coasted to his 14th French Open win and 22nd Grand Slam overall in convincing fashion at Roland Garros. CORRECTION: I mentioned that Iga Swiatek has won the first two Grand Slam tournaments of 2022. Ash Barty won the first major (The Australian Open) back in January.
(49:07) You had four players retire from the NFL this past week. Frank Gore, the NFL's 3rd all time leading rusher. Alex Mack, the longtime center of the Browns, Niners and Falcons. Stephon Tuitt, defensive end of the Steelers and journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, which leads to...
(51:33) ...my Hero and Zero of the Week.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.