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I’m honored to welcome in a new partnership to the podcast. Are you familiar with Olipop soda? If not, you’ll definitely want to acquaint yourself with this healthy, crisp and refreshing beverage that has no GMO’s, organic with natural ingredients that you can read. They have the classics (Vintage Cola, Root Beer, Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime) as well as new flavors that are irresistible (Banana Cream, Watermelon Lime and my favorite, Tropical Punch) Please go to www.drinkolipop.com, type in SODALOVE for 15% off of your purchase.

It’s another full bodied, sports rich podcast that’ll have your cup runneth over. A jam packed, hour and fifteen minute show I’m honored to deliver. On deck:

(3:59) The Conference Semifinals in the NBA and NHL have begun, but I’ll tip off with the Association to recap a few series (Knicks survive in Philadelphia. The Mavericks wrangle the Clippers. What’s next for the Clips as a long offseason looms? Indiana puts Milwaukee out to pasture. What’s the after effects of another disappointing playoff exit? And Patrick Beverley’s fate for inexplicably throwing a ball at a fan? Orlando pushes Cleveland to the brink, but Donovan Mitchell wills his team to the next round to set up a date with the top seeded Celtics. We already have one game in the books as the Minnesota Timberwolves steal the home court advantage with Anthony Edwards scoring 43 points in beating the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Is Edwards on the verge of being the ‘face’ of the NBA? I’ll preview the other series (CLE-BOS, IND-NY and DAL-OKC) as we get one step closer to crowning a champion. I’ll get into some coaching moves and what the Lakers will do after firing Darvin Ham after two years.

(34:33) On the ice, there were a couple of Game 7’s to unpack. One was thrilling and went into OT as the Bruins avoided back to back first round series ousters, delivering a gut punch to the Maple Leafs ending their season. What do the Leafs need to do to regroup? Dallas rallied back from an 0-2 deficit to hang on and beat the defending Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights at home. The Canucks dealt another tough loss to the Predators in Game 6 to advance and face the Edmonton Oilers in the next round. I’ll review the Rangers Game 1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes and preview the other three matchups (BOS-FLA, COL-DAL & EDM-VAN) as Round 2 has commenced.

(49:47) MLB has a few things cooking into the new month. The best team in baseball is not the Atlanta Braves, LA Dodgers or Baltimore Orioles. It’s the Philadelphia Phillies! They have the top record in the sport. Could this team be in the running for the top team in the NL throughout the summer? I’ll get into Aaron Judge getting ejected for the first time in his career. The Mets get swept in Tampa and closer Edwin Diaz has sputtered of late. What about the Marlins trading their best player (Luis Arraez) on May 3rd!!?? Why are they in operation? I’ll peek to see what else is going on in baseball as we march into a new month.

(1:05:25) I have just a few transactions in the NFL, highlighted by Odell Beckham Jr. signing a one year deal in Miami.

(1:07:28) The 150th Kentucky Derby was a thriller, to say the least. It was a photo finish between three horses with 18-1 Mystik Dan being the winner. Is it possible that he’s going to pass on running the Preakness? What will that do for the race, even the sport overall, if that’s the case?

(1:12:44) Canelo Alvarez retains his title beating previously unbeaten Jaime Munguia Saturday night in Las Vegas. Did anyone watch? Does anyone care?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audacy, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

For daily shorts, weekly vlogs and then some, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMucZq-BQrUrpuQzQ-jYF7w

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast  

Many thanks for all of your love and support.  

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

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A new month commences with new hope as I have plenty to unpack with the podcast and all that's going on in the world of sports. On deck:

(2:54) I have some housekeeping to share as the podcast is going to add another element, starting February 12th. Here's a hint: it involves a video component. You'll have to tune in to hear exactly what I'm talking about.

(5:10) With the Super Bowl ten days away, I'll pass on early storylines, matchups or predictions until next week. There have been coaching hires and assistants staying throughout the NFL. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will remain with the team for another year, which is a plus. As for Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, he leaves for the Pacific Northwest to patrol the sidelines for the Seattle Seahawks. Was it wise for him to take a head coaching job at this early juncture of his football career? The Pittsburgh Steelers hired former OC of Tennessee and head coach of Atlanta, Arthur Smith. Is this an upgrade for a team that mostly struggled this past year? Lastly, there is one coach that's out there without a job. That would be Bill Belichick. An owner recently commented on the friendship and intimated how he would work well with the six time Super Bowl champ. Of course, I'm talking about Jerry Jones. Why can't he stay mum? Or stay out of his own way?

(18:56) Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards had some gripes about the officiating after a WIN vs. OKC. Was this warranted? Will the lack of maturity hurt them in the long run as the top team out West? There were two returns for a couple of players back to teams they've recently played for. Kevin Durant made his first trip to Brooklyn after the trade to Phoenix last year to mild applause. The same can't be said for Damian Lillard as he visited Portland in his first appearance there since the trade to Milwaukee right before the start of the season. It was a rousing, warm welcome back to where he played for eleven years. Lillard suggested that he wants to wear the Blazer jersey again before his playing days are done. Was that premature to say, considering he's in a Bucks uniform? Then you have Mavericks coach Jason Kidd state that Luka Doncic is the greatest Maverick in the history of the franchise. Is he better than Dirk Nowitzki? Kidd also mentioned that he's in the same class as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Was that preposterous for Kidd to say? I'll also see what else is happening in the Association (Tyrese Halliburton scoffed at the notion of playing less than 65 games to not be qualified for NBA awards) as we're two weeks away from All-Star Weekend.

(39:22) It looks like this is going to be another unpredictable, topsy-turvy college basketball season. There were three top-10 teams to lose over the past few days in North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. Will this be the theme heading into March Madness next month?

(43:20) In a surprise development, the Angelos family are selling a majority stake of the Baltimore Orioles to a private equity group, along with the likes of former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg and one time NBA great, Grant Hill. Is this a good thing for the organization as they expect to be a team on the rise for years to come? There was a trade between the Mariners and Twins, where INF Jorge Polanco goes to Seattle for a package of pitchers and prospects. Aaron Hicks finds a home in Anaheim with the Yankees on the hook for most of his salary. And sad news as former Blue Jays & Red Sox manager, Jimy Williams, passed away at the age of 80.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audacy, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

For daily shorts, weekly vlogs and then some, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMucZq-BQrUrpuQzQ-jYF7w

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast  

Many thanks for all of your love and support.  

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

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Come join me as I celebrate Episode 100 on this Thanksgiving Week with tons of sports talk to get into. On deck:

All that was Week 12 of the NFL, including Who Wants to Win the NFC East? Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’s candid thoughts, can Carson Wentz stand and deliver? Top crowded top of the NFC. The crowded bottom of the AFC. What Freddie Kitchens must do this week? Retribution in Pittsburgh? Fascinating Week 13 as I go around the league.

The college football season concludes with Rivalry Weekend as I highlight the Jim Harbaugh era at Michigan with their matchup against Ohio State at home, plus the rest of the slate this weekend.

Is this the beginning of the end for Penguins great, Sidney Crosby? Also, the surprise team in the NHL thus far.

The Lakers lead the pack in the NBA, but it’s Luka Doncic’s world in Dallas. Has he become the leagues best player at the tender age of 20? Plus, AD’s first visit to NOLA, as I go around the Association for the latest and greatest.

Plus my Hero and Zero of the Week, (including is Bills RB Frank Gore a future Hall of Famer?)

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Music by Bensound.

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