NBA 2nd Half: A Wide Open West & Top Heavy East. Leafs Cup Pressure With Big Trade. Bieniemy's Lateral Move To DC A Plus? Machado Pulling An Aaron Judge? Tiger's Return! A Historic Daytona 500
It may be a holiday today, but there are no days off when it comes to talking sports. You're in the right place to get your fill on passionate, energetic and opinionated sports talk as the latest podcast has arrived. On deck:
(3:15) After a brief mention of another anniversary/milestone for the podcast come next week, the NBA just completed its All-Star Weekend, we can look ahead to the 'second half' and what to expect. I forecast it simply this way. The West is a bit more wide open. We're uncertain about the Nuggets, Grizzlies and Kings proving themselves in a big spot. Whereas the Suns, Clippers and possibly the Warriors could make that push to threaten those at the top of the conference. Then there are the Lakers on the outside looking in at the moment. LeBron James has stressed that these are the "most important games in the regular season" of his career. Is that a stretch? As for the East, it's the Celtics, Bucks, maybe the Sixers and everyone else. We'll have to wait a few more days for the season to resume, but the rigors of the Association will march on as we monitor how this'll unfold until we get to mid-April.
(25:08) As for what's happening in college basketball, there have been a couple of losses with top 10 teams (i.e. Tennessee and Purdue). #5 Kansas exacts revenge on #9 Baylor with a win at Allen Fieldhouse. This topsy-turvy, unpredictable college year will be the theme, I think, over the next seven weeks, as it's going to be wild and crazy as we get closer to the Madness in March.
(28:29) On the ice, the Maple Leafs have made a substantial trade to put them in position, as per GM Kyle Dubas stated, to get to a Stanley Cup. Is that too much pressure to put on a team that hasn't gotten out of the first round of the playoffs in over 20 years? And won a Cup in 56 years? Let's see if Ryan O'Reilly could be the guy to lead them to a promised land. I'll touch on the outdoor game in Carolina where the Hurricanes beat the Capitals, minus Alex Ovechkin. The Rangers keeping pace in the division, despite having their seven game winning streak snapped in Calgary. I can't forget the Pacific Division as it's a three team race (i.e. Golden Knights, Kings and Kraken) for first place as those teams are separated by two points at the moment.
(38:27) Former Chiefs offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy leaves the shadow of Andy Reid to take the same position in Washington with the Commanders. Why I feel this is not a good move, but a GREAT one for him and his future. Although he's not bringing Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce with him. Is anyone interested in the XFL? I didn't watch a second over the weekend as they've re-opened for business after bottoming out after COVID in 2020. Will it gain any traction at all?
(44:04) I remember the life of former MLB catcher and legendary broadcaster, Tim McCarver, who passed away last week at the age of 81. Padres 3B Manny Machado has come into spring training declaring that he will opt-out of his current contract at the end of 2023. Is he taking a page out of Aaron Judge's stance from last year? Was this presumptuous on his part? You'll be surprised of my take as position players start to trickle in to training camp.
(49:59) Tiger Woods made his return to golf for the first time in seven months. It came with mixed reviews as he made the cut, performed well on Thursday and Saturday, but Friday and Sunday wasn't as favorable for him. The bigger story was Jon Rahm, who became the #1 player in the world with his win over Max Homa at the Genesis Invitational out in Los Angeles.
(52:51) To conclude, the Super Bowl of Racing took place yesterday as the Daytona 500 ended in historic fashion. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was your winner for the first time as it took double overtime, 212 laps and 530 miles in the longest race ever of the 65th edition down in Florida.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.