NFL Super Wild Card Flop! NBA First Half Surprises & Disappointments. Baylor Bails From #1 Seed. Bruins Rolling In NHL East. Novak Sent Packing. MLB Negotiations At Standstill?
Fasten your seatbelts, because your trusted little sports podcast host comes out firing with some spicy hot takes as Episode #233 has plenty of sizzle! On deck:
(4:35) NFL Super Wild Card Weekend is in the books, but it was anything but super as your boy HAS LOTS to rail against how these games weren't intriguing or exciting. I'll get into the hot Bengal offense, the overrated Patriots defense, how Jalen Hurts isn't the answer in Philadelphia? How the Cowboys were at fault on the final drive and not the officials? Why the Chiefs are the team to beat in the AFC? I'll look ahead to the Divisional Round matchups and the Wild Card finale (i.e. pressure on Ram QB, Matthew Stafford) in LA between the Cardinals-Rams. I'll also share my thoughts on the post Black Monday firings of head coaches in the league (i.e. Giants and Texans)
(41:37) The NBA regular season has surpassed the halfway point of their schedule and there have been plenty of surprises and disappointments to date. I'll break down who's hot (i.e. Cavaliers, Grizzlies) and who's not (i.e. Lakers, Hawks) I also like how there's been some competitive balance throughout the league which has been refreshing unlike years past. I'll go through both conferences and keep you abreast on some of the big injuries (Bulls, Zach LaVine and Nets, Kevin Durant) and how Durant's absence could affect the Nets at the top of the crowded Eastern Conference? Plus, I have to revisit and reinforce my displeasure of the play in tournament involving the 7-10 seeds in the East & West.
(54:54) Baylor takes a double hit as they finally lost their first game of the year, but then followed that up with another loss (both at home, and in historic fashion) in the same week. They lose their grip at the #1 seed in the country, but will this affect them long term as March Madness awaits?
(57:35) The NHL keeps slogging through their schedule with tons of games that need to be made up, but the big stories coming from the ice are the returns of Lightning forward, Nikita Kucherov, Jack Eichel of the Golden Knights and Bruins goaltender, Tuukka Rask as they've been on fire as they make their way toward the top of the East.
(1:03:48) The Novak Djokovic saga didn't end well for the three time defending and nine time overall Australian Open champion. I'll put that situation to rest, but does this kill any buzz of the first Grand Slam of the year? There are plenty of interesting storylines even without the likes of Roger Federer, Serena and Venus Williams participating in the tournament down under.
(1:09:35) With pitchers and catchers on schedule to report four weeks from today (i.e. barring a Collective Bargaining Agreement finalized by the owners and players), all is quiet on the MLB front as discussions are at a standstill with no agreement in sight. When can we possibly expect some progress?
(1:12:45) In closing, my Hero and Zero of the Week.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.