MLB's Deadline: Deal Or No Deal? 76ers/Nets Set To Take Off In East? College Basketball's Slaughter Saturday. NHL's Lightning: Under The Radar? Surprising NFL Retirement. Lefty's Sponsors Say Bye!
Another month comes to a close that leads us to a brand new episode #240 delivering everything that's happening in the world of sports. On deck:
(4:12) A couple of housekeeping notes to begin the podcast. First, acknowledging the horrific events that are taking place in Ukraine. Second, on the eve of the podcast's fourth anniversary, I give a shout out to my supporters with a heads up on a couple of changes to the format in the weeks to come.
(7:12) MLB is up against the clock as it tries to hammer down a new collective bargaining agreement by midnight tonight. If not, the start of the baseball season will be delayed. Which side is yours truly on? Will the players blink? How will this play out?
(19:12) The two big stories in the NBA are focused on both the momentum of the Sixers and Nets. No, not just because of their blockbuster trade a few weeks ago, but the early returns of the James Harden/Joel Embiid marriage is going as wonderful as expected. Can this Sixer team rely on how Harden performs in May and June, not February and March? As for Kyrie Irving possibly coming back to start in home games, Kevin Durant about to come off the injured list and the long awaited debut of Ben Simmons, the Nets could look to rebound and get close to the top of the Eastern Conference if all falls right. Plus, I have some chatter on the Suns without Chris Paul. Can Devin Booker be the leader that his team needs in CP3's absence? What about the Lakers? Will they even qualify for the play-in tournament? I wrap up with the disappointment that is the Knicks.
(38:05) A historic day in NCAA Men's Basketball took place on Saturday as seven of the top 10 teams, including the top SIX teams in the nation, all lost. Is it early to tell who'll be the top four seeds in the country come tournament time? Is this year as wide open as we've ever seen in the sport? Is there such thing as a Cinderella story?
(45:53) Are the two time back to back Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning flying under the radar? Sounds crazy, but I'll explain. Also, I'll show some love to Islanders D Zdeno Chara for becoming the all time games played by a defenseman in league history. With the trade deadline just three weeks away, it'll be interesting to see which teams will acquire key pieces to a championship puzzle.
(56:03) There was a surprise retirement announcement over the weekend that Buccaneers Pro Bowl G, Ali Marpet, called it a career after seven seasons in the NFL. Early retirements have played a huge part in the league over the course of the last decade or so. Should this come as a shock to the football fan? I'll also share some sad news as two former NFL offensive players have passed away over the past week (Oilers WR Ken Burrough and Chargers RB Lionel James)
(1:01:34) I have a few words on Phil Mickelson, who was my Zero of last week, as sponsors have severed ties based on his comments from an excerpt of a book that's being released that were derogatory towards the people of Saudi Arabia.
(1:03:35) To close out, my Hero and Zero of the Week.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.