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.
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.