Key NBA Injuries Impacting Playoff Chase? NHL’s Red Hot Panthers: Peaking Too Soon? Big Time Trades Upon Deadline. Will Red Sox Flirt With Snell? NFL Preps For Free Agency. Paul-Tyson Fight Hype?
Getting through the dread of this slow time in sports, but nevertheless, I’ve got you covered as the latest episode has arrived. On deck:
(2:51) The Association has had a quiet week (well, the Celtics blew a 22 point fourth quarter lead, snapping their 11 game winning streak) but there have been a few injuries that could affect the final stretch of the regular season. You have LeBron James, Karl Anthony Towns, Evan Mobley, Victor Wembanyama to a lesser degree, even Ben Simmons (who was shut down due to his ongoing back issues). How vital of a role will these injuries be for the first three players listed as far as the long term is concerned? The Orlando Magic have played well, winners of five in a row and is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference. Besides that, all is status quo in the league.
(18:54) As for college basketball, there isn’t much to discuss as there haven’t been any upsets, big losses or anything newsworthy over the past three days. I’ve received a lot of blowback from fans regarding Caitlin Clark’s NCAA scoring record, that it should have an asterisk.
(21:54) On the ice, the trade deadline in the NHL is tomorrow afternoon. There’s been plenty of transactions that have taken place this week. Tops in the sport at the moment are the Florida Panthers, who have been on a torrid stretch over the last couple of months. They have the most wins and points the league as of today. They’ve also acquired reinforcements by brining in Vladimir Tarasenko from Ottawa for another Cup run. Have they peaked a bit early? Any potential dangers of not going far in the playoffs? Several contending teams (i.e. Avalanche, Rangers, Golden Knights, Oilers) have made moves. What about the Jets, Stars, Hurricanes, Bruins and Maple Leafs jumping into the fray of making a key move before the deadline?
(34:30) The Red Sox main acquisition this offseason (pitcher Lucas Giolito) will be sidelined for the entire 2024 year with a partial torn elbow ligament. Will ownership, whose priorities seem to be elsewhere other than their own ball club, consider adding either Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery to their anemic pitching staff? Yankees hurler Carlos Rodon hasn’t had a good spring to compound his awful first year in pinstripes last year. Aaron Boone still sees some positives after his not so stellar performance yesterday. Is anyone else tired of the managers act? Reigning MVP Ronald Acuna Jr’s knee is doing fine and won’t miss a ton of time. There were two retirements over the last 24 hours or so. Former MVP Josh Donaldson called it quits after 13 years. Same for catcher Mike Zunino, who had a solid career in Tampa Bay, Seattle and Cleveland, walks off into the sunset after 11 years.
(42:18) NFL fans, get ready! The ‘new season’ commences on Wednesday as teams continue to cut payroll/players. The big one being soon to be former Broncos QB Russell Wilson. Where could he end up? We say goodbye to Eagles center Jason Kelce as he retires after 13 seasons in Philadelphia. I’ll take a peek on who else has been let go as teams gear up for free agency.
(47:17) It’s been reported that Jake Paul will fight Mike Tyson in an exhibition match on July 20th, to be streamed on Netflix in Arlington, TX (aka Jerry’s World/AT&T Stadium) They’re hyping this as the biggest boxing match in history. Does anyone really believe that?
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.