Lakers/Sixers Darkhorses? Celtics Scars. OKC Title Threat Headline NBA 1st Round. NHL’s Quirky Schedule. Rangers, Leafs, Oilers & Wide Open Cup Race As Playoffs Loom. Deaths In MLB
Playoff mode is activated as I’ll uncover what the NBA & NHL has in store for the next few days. Plus, anything else that’s happening in sports as the latest podcast has arrived. On deck:
(4:00) We’re two play-in games from the NBA playoffs tipping off on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers and Sixers have punched their tickets as #7 seeds in their respective conferences. As unconventional lower seeds that they are, could they be darkhorses to make deep runs in the postseason? I’ll preview tomorrow night’s do-or-die #8 seed games between Bulls-Heat and Kings-Pelicans. I’ll unpack the top storylines of this year’s playoffs (ex. Celtics scars/trustworthy, OKC title worthy?, Bucks expectations/fortitude and more) and preview the opening round of all the matchups as the quest for the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy commences this weekend.
(41:15) Due to a strange quirk in the schedule, the NHL has a half dozen games out West today, but the East has completed all 82 of their games. I’ll share my disdain for that, discuss the storylines of what may lie ahead (Rangers Cup threat, Leafs pressure, Oilers time to shine, a wide open field for a champion) as well as preview the East matchups since the West hasn’t been settled as of yet. Hence, quirky schedule.
(59:41) Sadly, there were a few deaths in baseball over the past few days. Hall of Fame manager of the Royals & Cardinals of the 70’s & 80’s, Whitey Herzog passed away at 92. The last living Brooklyn Dodger, Carl Erskine, died at 97. And former Oakland A’s champion pitcher, Ken Holtzman died at 78. The longtime radio voice of the New York Yankees, John Sterling abruptly retired this week. I’ll have a good thought about him and his career. I’ll even get into how the Mets have won 10 of 13 after an 0-5 start. They’ll have a litmus test this weekend as they go to LA to play the Dodgers for three games. I’ll also take a look at the schedule to see if there are any interesting series on the docket.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.