CP3, Suns Set With Epic Playoff Flop. Celtics Dethrone Champs. Conference Final Preview. Leafs Foiled Again As NHL 1st Round Concludes. MLB Roundup. NFL Holiday Schedule Stinkers. Rich Strike Bows Out
I'll cap off an exciting and loaded sports schedule over the weekend as the latest podcast arrives! On deck:
(4:38) After a brief review of a big sports week that lies ahead (i.e. PGA Championship & Preakness, I'll dive in on the two Game 7's in the NBA yesterday. The shocker being what took place in Phoenix as the Dallas Mavericks eviscerated the Suns on their home floor, sending them into the offseason with lots of questions and not enough answers. The legacy of Chris Paul takes a huge hit as his teams have blown another 2-0 series lead, with countless other foibles on the back of his playoff basketball card. What about Devin Booker? DeAndre Ayton? The Mavs deserve some credit as well as Luka Doncic had a close out game on the road in a big spot that he couldn't dream of. Then there are the Celtics, as they came back from a 3-2 series deficit to blow the game wide open in the second half as they move onto another Conference Final in a 'Bubble Rematch' against the Miami Heat. I'll preview the NBA's Final Four with predictions and what would be the sexiest Finals matchup that ABC/ESPN is hoping for?
(29:31) The Stanley Cup Playoffs have been thrilling, to say the least. Five Game 7's over the weekend as I discuss the following: the Flames overcoming the heroics of Stars goalie, Jake Oettinger. The Rangers 3-1 series comeback leading to the OT winner by Artemi Panarin over the Penguins. The Hurricanes hang on to win a close hard fought seventh game against the Bruins. And then you have the Maple Leafs. Another first round exit. Another massive disappointment as they lose at home to the two time defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning. Will there be wholesale changes in Toronto? We cannot forget the President's Trophy winning Florida Panthers as they escape with a series win, thanks to Carter Verhaeghe's heroics in the final three games. Which sets the stage for a preview of the second round as I'll predict who'll win between the Battle of the Sunshine State (Tampa Bay-Florida), Battle of Alberta (Edmonton-Calgary), St. Louis-Colorado and NY Rangers-Carolina.
(43:51) As for the MLB, the Yankees continue to fire on all cylinders, but it's their pitching that has been a surprise (i.e. Nestor Cortes) as they have the best record in the sport at 25-9. Their nemesis, the Astros have also been hot as a team that contend in the American League. The Mets finally lost their first series of the year as the Mariners take two of three, with the Cardinals coming to town after brushback pitches and fireworks a few weeks back. Will we see more of the same this week? The NL Central is led by the Brewers and a very competitive NL West led by the Dodgers as all teams in that division is at .500 and above. What about the achievement the Reds had over the weekend? They pitched a no-hitter and LOST! Although it doesn't count, as I'll explain further.
(51:14) The NFL schedule was released on Thursday and I have a gripe about the Thanksgiving and Christmas Day slate which isn't going to make the egg nog or pumpkin pie go down any smoother. We'll have a Super Bowl LV rematch at Tom Brady will go at it against Patrick Mahomes in early October in primetime.
(58:01) Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, will not race in the upcoming Preakness on Saturday. I have a theory as to why, which is a shame because the sport needs any good press it can get. And without the horse with the long odds who won at the Derby, the second leg of the Triple Crown takes a huge hit.
(1:00:23) In closing, my Hero and Zero of the Week.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.