Rare NBA Brawl, Doc’s Frosty Philly Return, Celtics: Another Level? Time To Ban Rushing College Courts? Patrick Kane’s Warm Homecoming. Cody Bellinger Re-signs. What About Snell & Co.?

As we get through the month of February, the sports world stays consistent with enough topics to uncover as the latest episode has arrived. On deck:

(3:00) The sports landscape is crawling to the end of the month, but the NBA will lead us into the next fifty minutes or so. There was a rare brawl in the Association as the Heat-Pelicans had a melee to where four players were ejected and five players were suspended Including Heat star Jimmy Butler. Doc Rivers made his first appearance in Philadelphia after being fired by the Sixers last spring as the Bucks blew out Philly yesterday afternoon. Then the Celtics have been on a nine game winning streak. Veteran Al Horford stated that the team needs to hit ‘another level’, even with them having the best record in the sport. Is it championship or bust for this proud franchise? I’ll see what else is going on (including a key injury to Hawks G Trae Young and Coach Steve Kerr’s record breaking contract).

(17:47) Is it time for the NCAA to ban fans/students rushing the court after wins? This is due to the upset of Wake Forest beating #8 Duke on Saturday night and Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski getting injured during the celebration. Will the powers that be act upon this from happening again in the future? St. John’s got back in the win column this week after coach Rick Pitino ripped into this players & coaches with a huge win over #15 Creighton yesterday. Will this propel them to a tournament bid next month?

(24:04) Quite a few things have transpired on the ice as there was a warm reception of former Blackhawks great Patrick Kane, making his first visit in the Windy City since being traded last year to the Rangers. He had a storybook ending with the game winning goal in OT to beat the Blackhawks, 3-2. Is Lightning forward, Nikita Kucherov, an MVP candidate? He’s the first player to eclipse 100 points this year as they beat the Islanders and Devils over the weekend. Then the Rangers had their 10 game winning streak stopped as they lost to Columbus last night. The big news of the past week is the debut of tough guy, Matt Rempe. How his impact (three fights, even a goal in his first five games of action) has injected some life into the sport with some anticipation as he makes his way throughout the league. I’ll check the latest in the wild card standings and even bring you up to date on my NHL over/under point totals.

(39:59) Baseball’s exhibition schedule is underway and we finally got some activity when it comes to the top free agents have are unsigned. Cody Bellinger re-ups with the Cubs (three years/$80 million). What about Blake Snell? Matt Chapman? Or Jordan Montgomery? Is this a situation where the agent (in this case, Scott Boras) is not doing his job, inflating the market to where his players may sit out until March? Then the Saga of Senga as Mets pitcher Kodai Senga won’t throw for three weeks because of the PRP (platelet rich plasma) shot in his shoulder. When will he possibly return?

(45:19) There isn’t much happening in the NFL (and why would there be?). I won’t spend a lot of breath on the combine that’ll take place this week in Indianapolis. Or Cam Newton getting into a scrap with a few gentlemen at a football camp. Some players cut (Dolphins Xavien Howard & Emmanuel Ogbah) even with the salary cap increasing $30 million this year. Russell Wilson wants to stay in Denver as he mentioned in a recent podcast, but does Denver want him?

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Sports - ProfessionalJason NazarioFebruary 26, 2024Sports, Sports Talk, Sports Podcast, Podcast, Podcasting, The JAYREELZ Podcast, NBA, Basketball, Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers, Milwaukee BucksComment

Trust In Celtics? Can OKC/T-Wolves Take Next Step? Lakers/Dubs Staying Power Lead NBA Second Half? UConn Loss: Concerns? Rangers Cup Threat? College’s 12 Team Playoff. Mahomes Rule? Ohtani Overload?

Inching closer to the end of another month, but also the beginning of the latest podcast as I dive into all that’s happening in sports. On deck:

(2:53) With the ‘second half’ of the NBA season tipping off tonight, I’ll get into a breakdown of what to expect in both conferences as we march on to mid-April before the start of the playoffs. Are the Boston Celtics to be trusted to finally win an elusive championship? Can the Cleveland Cavaliers be a threat in the East? What about the Milwaukee Bucks? The Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers? How about the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat? Out west, can the Minnesota Timberwolves or Oklahoma City Thunder represent in an NBA Finals? Will the Denver Nuggets defend their title? How about the LA Clippers getting to their first ever NBA Finals? You can’t forget about the LA Lakers or Golden State Warriors. Do they have staying power if they get into the postseason? So much to answer and I’ll have an in-depth look as to how this’ll play out over the last couple of months.

(26:00) As for college basketball, #1 UCONN suffers a rough road loss at #15 Creighton. Any concerns or worries about the Huskies? Also, #17 Kentucky loses to LSU on a last second shot as the unpredictability of this college season continues to rear its ugly head.

(31:18) On the ice, the New York Rangers are the hottest team in the NHL, winners of eight straight. Is this the year that they finally get to a Stanley Cup Final, considering what’s taken place over the last two seasons? I know the Florida Panthers are nipping at the heels of the Bruins and Rangers in the conference, winners of six straight as they try to get back to a Final. Auston Matthews has been on a goal scoring tear (had two last night in Arizona. Currently 51 on pace for 75). Alexander Ovechkin scored two goals vs. New Jersey the other night as he’s 56 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky all time in the sport’s history. How many will he need to get this season in order to reach him next year? I’ll check on what else is going on in the league as they’re past the two-thirds point of the regular season.

(43:33) College football has their 12 team playoff format mapped out, but now there’s some discussion about expanding it to 14 in 2026? What!?

(48:57) In the late 1980’s, early 90’s, we had the Jordan Rules, where the Detroit Pistons did their best to defend Chicago Bulls legend, Michael Jordan. Fast forward thirty some odd years later, Las Vegas Raiders coach, Antonio Pierce, has the self proclaimed, Mahomes Rule after beating them on Christmas Day, their last prior to running the table winning the Super Bowl. Has he found the formula to slow or stop the Chiefs QB? Was this premature of him to say?

(54:12) Spring training is well underway throughout the MLB. Can we please stop with ALL of the attention regarding Shohei Ohtani’s batting practice home run in his first camp as an LA Dodger? Seriously!? Then there were the comments by Angels 3B, Anthony Rendon, stating that baseball isn’t his priority. WHAT!? Is there any concern in Yankee-land over Aaron Judge’s comments regarding his big toe that he injured in Dodger Stadium last June? Saying that he has to manage it over the upcoming season. You had former Royals 1B, Eric Hosmer announce his retirement. And here we go with the Mets. Projected ace, Kodai Senga has to be put on the shelf due to arm fatigue. ARM FATIGUE!? (It has been announced after the recording that he’ll likely be on the IL to start the season) As a diehard fan, you can’t make it up!

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South Florida vs. The World? MIA-DEN. FLA-Vegas Finals Preview. Liam Hendriks's Return From Cancer. Yankees-Dodgers On Deck. Major Upset & Controversy At The French Open!

June is here and so is the latest podcast as I share all that's happening in sports. On deck:

(2:40) The sports landscape gets into the homestretch. Despite two championship rounds in the NBA & NHL are upon us, there isn't much else that's percolating (other than baseball) as far as what I love to talk about. I'll get us rolling on the NBA Finals which begins tonight. A few big storylines heading in, keys to both teams winning a title and who'll come out on top as I prepare you for what's to come between the Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets. Of course, I'll spend a few minutes on the postmortem of the Boston Celtics as they flopped in making history at home on Monday night. What lies ahead for a team that has a big decision regarding Jaylen Brown, coming close to another Finals appearance, but has lots to prove as far as being a team that's capable of winning it all.

(24:42) As for the Stanley Cup Finals, can the Florida Panthers continue their torrid pace after more than a week off? Or is Vegas that much better and primed to win their first Cup? What about Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky? Can he deliver one more time and pull off a big upset? I'll answer all of those questions and predict who'll raise Lord's Stanley Cup when it's all said and done.

(31:40) All is quiet on the MLB front as we're at the 1/3 point of the season. The big story (and most inspiring one) of the past few days was the return of White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks who has recovered from cancer, stepping on a mound for the first time this season vs. the Angels. I'll check the schedule to see what series to take a peek at over the weekend, highlighted by the titanic matchup between the Yankees vs. Dodgers in LA.

(36:24) The French Open hasn't generated a lot of news on the court, except for one big upset. #2 men's player in the world, Daniil Medvedev was bounced in the first round. You've had some startling comments from Novak Djokovic in regards to what's going on in Kosovo. Will that be a distraction as he continues to march on in this tournament? And Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus was snubbed from a postgame handshake by Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. Was that warranted by Kostyuk? Should she have handled that differently?Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Biggest Game In NBA History? Heat-Celtics: GM 7. NHL's Stars Aligned For 0-3 Comeback? Padres A Pretender As MLB Is One-Third Into Season. Novak A Shoo-In For French? D-Hop To Baltimore?

On this Memorial Day Monday, we pay tribute to those who served, fought and sacrificed their lives for our freedom in this country, as well as, those who participate in the sports universe as there's a lot to dissect as the latest podcast has arrived. On deck:

(3:15) Is tonight's Game 7 between the Heat and Celtics the biggest in NBA history? You can argue that being the case, but this is something that in the 76 year history of the league that no one has witnessed. A team winning a series after being down 0-3. I'll get into this matchup, the psyche of the Heat, as well as, the epic ending of Game 6 as Derrick White's put back with 0.2 seconds to go pushed this series to the brink and on the precipice of making history. I'll also get into the Nuggets having to wait patiently for who their opponent will be and how not playing has thrown off their rhythm? There's also a new coach in Milwaukee as they hire Adrian Griffin to succeed Mike Budenholzer. And Phoenix has narrowed it down as to who'll patrol the sidelines next year. Will it be Doc Rivers? Nick Nurse?

(25:20) The Dallas Stars are trying to take a page out of the Celtics textbook this postseason as they've cut their 0-3 deficit to 3-2 as they'll host Vegas in a Game 6. Do they have what it takes to get this to a winner take all Game 7? How big of a game is this for the Golden Knights, even with a potential final game looming on their home ice?

(30:42) As baseball hits the 1/3 point of their season, I'll go through the big series over the weekend (Dodgers-Rays, Phillies-Braves, Padres-Yankees) and which teams are in the mix to make it to October. You'll be surprised how many teams I have in contention at this point in both the AL & NL. And why is there NOT a full slate of games on this Memorial Day Monday is beyond me!

(46:29) The French Open has begun, as the second Grand Slam of the tennis year is here. I'll preview what may be an easy road for Novak Djokovic and a toss up on the women's side as to who'll come out of top as champions at Roland Garros.

(52:35) Former Cardinals wideout, De'Andre Hopkins has been released and is now a free agent. Does he sign with Lamar Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr. and the Ravens. What would that mean for a team that's looking to pass more and run less? One time Steeler running back, Le'Veon Bell had a few things to say about him being high on marijuana before games and some not so flattering words toward former Jets coach, Adam Gase. Is this alarming news?

(57:24) The Indianapolis 500 has come and gone. Your winner? Josef Newgarden wins his first ever Indy 500 in his twelfth attempt.

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Panthers Unexpected, Magical Run To Cup Final. Nuggets On A Mission To NBA Title? Will Celtics Win Game 5? MLB Memorial Day Weekend. NFL 'Flexing' Their TV Muscles. Indy 500 Thoughts

Entering into the holiday weekend, firing on all cylinders as yours truly is prepped, primed and ready to go as I deliver the latest and greatest in what's going on in sports. On deck:

(2:57) What can we say about the ride that the Florida Panthers are on? They have been on Cloud 9 ever since the monumental comeback and upset of the record setting, regular season champion Boston Bruins in the first round of these Stanley Cup Playoffs. As of this moment, they have punched their ticket to their first Cup Final since 1996 as they swept the Carolina Hurricanes and did it in dramatic fashion with a game winning, series clinching goal by conquering hero, Matthew Tkachuk. Is this team destined to win it all? We'll have to see who they'll play, which in all likelihood, will be the Vegas Golden Knights who can send the Dallas Stars packing tonight with a sweep and a trip to meet the Panthers for Lord's Stanley Cup. The sad part in all of this? The start of the Cup Final, which'll commence TWO WEEKS from today. You know I'll have something to say about that.

(20:01) Don't look now, but the Denver Nuggets are on a mission to win an NBA championship as they took care of business against the LA Lakers. I'll even make a prediction as to how many games they'll WIN in the Finals, which begins a week from today. The Celtics are still alive as they saved face and won Game 4 to bring the series back to Boston for Game 5. Will they extend this conference final to a sixth game? You'll be very surprised as to what my take is and how confident I am when it comes to tonight and possibly a Game 6 on Saturday night?

(32:52) To think, baseball is just about two months into their season. They'll reach the one-third juncture of 2023 by early next week for most teams. I'll take a look at some of the series that have taken place over the past few days (Orioles-Yankees, Dodgers-Braves, Blue Jays-Rays) and what to look forward to this weekend (Dodgers-Rays, Padres-Yankees, Phillies-Braves) on the schedule.

(39:55) The NFL made some news this week regarding Thursday night 'flex' games during Weeks 13-17, a rule being instituted this year which will allow fair catches on kickoffs and a Wild Card playoff game to be streamed on Peacock?

(44:39) After a brief mention about the French Open starting on Monday, the auto racing fan can look forward to Sunday's Indianapolis 500. Sadly, it flies under the radar and consciousness of the sports fan, but brings back memories of how this event was very popular and one we paid attention to dating back to the 1970's.

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The NBA's Disastrous Last 11 Days, Topped By An Epic Celtic Meltdown. NHL's Panthers: Hockey's Miami Heat? MLB Under The Radar? Jim Brown Tribute. Koepka's 3rd PGA Win. Nadal Out For '23

(3:04) The NBA will never admit it, but I will. The last eleven days have been an out and out disaster evidenced by how these Conference Finals have unfolded. Denver looks like a team on a mission to where the Lakers have fallen short. Whereas Miami has undressed and embarrassed the Celtics making them look small. I'll have a complete breakdown as to why the Association has been deplorable over the last week and a half and share my utter disdain for how this Celtic team has shown up in this series.

(28:15) There are similar parallels between the NBA & Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Finals. In the East, you have an upstart #8 seed in Florida (Sounds familiar) take a 2-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes. Out West, you have the #1 seeded Vegas Golden Knights up 2-0 vs. the Dallas Stars who are kicking themselves as they've had opportunities to tie or even have a 2-0 lead as well.

(38:18) Is it me or has the baseball season been below or under the radar as we're almost two months in? I'll bring you up to date on the MLB, whether it's the Orioles sweeping the Blue Jays in Toronto, with the Yankees up next. Same for the Astros now that they have Jose Altuve back. The Padres have hit on hard times early on, but the Arizona Diamondbacks have overachieved. Can they make a push in the NL West as the Dodgers starting pitching staff has fallen on hard times? Will the Oakland A's threaten the 1962 Mets for the worst record ever in a regular season?

(47:21) An NFL legend and sports icon has passed away. I'll pay tribute to the late, great Jim Brown who died at the age of 87 on Thursday. I'll get into the impact he made both on and off the field as the greatest football player in the history of the sport transitions.

(51:28) Brooks Koepka won his third PGA Championship over the weekend as he hung on to beat both Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler in the final round as the second leg of golf's Grand Slam is in the books.

(55:18) Rafael Nadal, the king of the clay court with the French Open kicking off next Monday, will not play for the rest of 2023 due to a hip ailment. In fact, he stated that 2024 will be his last year on the tour. What does this mean for the sport with three more Grand Slam tournaments on the docket over the next four months?

(58:06) The Belmont Stakes are an afterthought as Kentucky Derby winner Mage came in third at the Preakness on Saturday (National Treasure was victorious) so the horse racing season will come to a quiet close.

(58:37) Controversy over a decision in the sport of boxing? We saw one Saturday night as Devin Haney retains his lightweight title unanimously to the chagrin of the corner and management of Vasiliy Lomachenko. Is a rematch a foregone conclusion? What about a bout between Haney and Gervonta Davis?

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NBA Conference Finals: Sloppy Celtics, Heat Attitude, Nuggets Time? Laker Adjustments. Unglamorous NHL Semifinal Matchups. Yankee 'Chirpgate'/NY Walk-Offs. PGA Championship Preview

Another week concludes with a fiery podcast as I deliver all the heat that the sports world has to offer. On deck:

(2:35) The Celtics sloppy play rears its ugly head in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals last night. They lose Game 1 at home to the Miami Heat as turnovers and missed shots doom them and lose home court advantage in the process. Will they be able to get the series even at 1-1? Denver's Nikola Jokic had a monster Game 1 as they hung on to beat the Lakers. Have the Lakers figured out a few things in preparation for a possible Game 2 upset? I'll also discuss the firing of Sixers coach Doc Rivers and how I'm still fuming over the Spurs winning the Draft Lottery and the probability of securing the next generational prospect, Victor Wembanyama.

(26:07) The Conference Finals in the NHL commence tonight. By any means, both of these matchup will likely not draw eyeballs to the sets, but I'll preview Florida-Carolina and Dallas-Vegas as to who'll make that next step to get to a Stanley Cup Final. In fact, which is the best draw that the NHL would want for a championship?

(34:43) As the MLB is more than a quarter into the season. The Dodgers are holding their collective breaths at the right arm of starting pitcher, Dustin May, who had to leave a game earlier this week with a right forearm strain. The Yankees have had an interesting week as you had 'Chirpgate', Aaron Boone's inexplicable ejection, the suspension of Domingo German and getting walked off in extra innings up in Toronto. Where the Mets had their own walk-off in their biggest win of the season vs. Tampa Bay. Will that be what the doctor ordered for a team that's severely underachieved this year at 21-23? How about the Padres, who have been just as bad as the Mets. And the Oakland A's light at the end of the tunnel will be in Las Vegas as they've purchased land to build a new stadium, set for 2027.

(43:20) Kentucky Derby winner Mage will race in The Preakness on Saturday. Is it possible that another victory is on the horizon, so there could be some Triple Crown buzz heading into The Belmont Stakes?

(44:42) I'll preview and discuss a couple of storylines (i.e. Rory McIlroy) the second Grand Slam golf major this year as the PGA Championship takes place up in Rochester, NY over the upcoming weekend.

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A Familiar NBA Final Four. Monty Williams Jobbed. Ja Morant Not Again! A Ho-Hum NHL Conf Finals On Deck? MLB Weekend Of Comebacks, Sweeps & Near Brawls. An Unfavorable NFL Schedule

Playoff fever in the NBA & NHL continues to rise as baseball, the NFL schedule and the Preakness will follow as another jam packed podcast has arrived. On deck:

(3:04) We're down to a familiar final four in the NBA as the conference finals are set. Jayson Tatum & the Celtics were able to overcome a 3-2 series deficit as they defeated the Sixers to move on and play the Miami Heat for the third time in four years for an Eastern Conference Championship. The Nuggets and Lakers advance to the Western Conference Finals which sets the stage as these four teams were also the last ones standing the year of the bubble in 2020. I'll recap the recent events for these said teams, as well as, the aftermath for the Sixers (including another James Harden meltdown), Knicks, Suns (Coach Monty Williams got a raw deal as he was fired) and Warriors (the end of a dynasty? Was this really a dynasty?) I'll preview both series with predictions. I'll talk about Ja Morant's indefensible behavior as another video surfaces of him holding a gun on a social media feed which drew a team suspension. And the NBA Draft Lottery which'll take place tomorrow night to see who will have the #1 overall pick with potential generational player, Victor Wembanyama on the horizon.

(44:19) As for the NHL, the conference finals won't have the same sex appeal that the NBA has. We're still awaiting the winner of an upstart Seattle Kraken team vs. Dallas Stars as they have a Game 7 to play tonight. Whomever comes out victorious there will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the West. In the East, you have division rivals squaring off, but it's Carolina vs. Florida. Not the sexiest matchup, to say the least. Will this generate any interest to the casual sports fan?

(51:43) MLB had a very interesting weekend as you had comebacks (Yankees rally from 6-0 deficit to beat the Rays on Saturday) a near miss comeback (Aaron Judge missed a game tying HR by thismuch) a couple of surprising sweeps (Blue Jays over Braves, Cardinals over Red Sox) and benches emptying in Colorado between the Phillies-Rockies.

(58:10) I share my displeasure on a few dates of the upcoming 2023 NFL schedule. THREE Monday night doubleheaders? You know I'll go off on this, the Thanksgiving & Christmas Day slates, opening night in KC and why the Packers are on primetime aplenty?

(1:06:40) In a bit of a surprise, Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness this coming Saturday. Is it possible that this horse is primed for a Triple Crown run?

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Celtics Coaching/Toughness Headline Four Game 6's In NBA 2nd Round. Panthers Facing Leafs Cataclysmic Comeback? MLB Weekend Matchups. NFL Schedule Leaks With Little Appeal

Back to close out a busy week on the podcast as we get set for a thrilling weekend of playoff competition and the like. On deck:

(3:03) All of the NBA second round series are at 3-2. I start off with my beloved, but battered Celtics as they've played their worst game of the postseason, losing an awful Game 5 at home. Do they have what it takes to win an elimination game? Yes, indeed. But how they'll go about it this time around will be different? Will Marcus Smart show up in this series? What about the rookie head coach, Joe Mazzulla? Can he make certain adjustments on the fly? A fascinating Game 6 for their season awaits in Philadelphia this evening. The Nuggets can put away the Suns with a win tonight. Do the Suns have what it takes to force a Game 7? Then you have what the Knicks and Warriors did last night. Do the Knicks have what it takes to win a huge game on the road? And will the Warriors championship DNA rise in Game 6 in LA vs. the Lakers? Four intriguing Game 6's (is it possible to have four Game 7's?) which will lead us into the weekend as to who will play in the Conference Finals next week.

(23:13) The Stanley Cup Playoffs second round has played out much differently than its NBA counterparts to date as there hasn't been a lot of drama. The Hurricanes seem to be on the inside track to winning in five games over the Devils, but the one storyline that could gain some traction is the Maple Leafs. They showed some pride, saved face and won with a backup goalie to bring the series back to Toronto for Game 5, down 3-1. Is this the time for the Leafs to get on a roll, win a home game which they haven't really done this postseason and put some pressure on the Panthers to avoid a cataclysmic disaster of having Toronto get back in the series? I'll also see where we're at with the Kraken-Stars and Oilers-Golden Knights as they're deadlocked at 2-2 in their respective series. There'll be a new Rangers coach next year as Gerard Gallant was let go. Joel Quenneville, anyone? Hmmm! Not this guy. And the Blackhawks win the Connor Bedard sweepstakes as they'll have the #1 pick in this upcoming draft, thanks to winning the Draft Lottery a couple of nights ago.

(38:27) There isn’t much to discuss in baseball, but there are a couple of things to chew on. The Rays will invade the Bronx for a big four game series with the Yankees. You'll have the Braves-Blue Jays, Padres-Dodgers & Pirates-Orioles over the weekend. The Mets will play the Phillies in the London Series next year. Am I a fan of this? And will Braves starter, Max Fried have to face Tommy John surgery as he left with a forearm strain earlier this week?

(44:25) NFL fans are geeked up as the 2023 schedule will be released tonight. I'm not crazy about the London & Germany games, but the Black Friday game and all of the networks and streaming services that need to be fed has become overkill for yours truly.

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Embiid's Return, Butler's Health, AD's Importance, Suns Done Leads NBA. Pesky Panthers, Upstart Kraken, More Leaf Pressure? Scherzer's Demise? Cashman's Plea To Fans. The Abolishment Of Horse Racing?

The sports month of May is off to a flying start. Here to keep you apprised on all of that and then some, you know that I've got you covered as your trusted favorite little podcast host. On deck:

(2:45) Unfortunately, I have a mea culpa before I kickoff the pod as there is some construction (or a woodpecker, I jest) that may be heard in the background for the first 10-15 minutes or so. If you're able to hear it, my sincerest apologies ahead of time.

(3:20) The NBA Playoffs are officially in the second round. Newly minted MVP of the regular season, Sixers center Joel Embiid, returned to the lineup in Game 2 against the Celtics. Was it a good thing? Or should he have waited until Game 3 in Philadelphia? The Heat and Knicks are tied at 1-1. The big question is the health status of guard Jimmy Butler. Will he be in the lineup in Game 3? Denver is out to a 2-0 lead on Phoenix as the next two games will be in the Valley? Are the Suns done? Or can they still rise and be heard from? Then you have the Lakers-Warriors, with LA up 1-0 at the moment. Is Anthony Davis the key to the Lakers success and not LeBron James?

(22:05) Things are heating up on the ice as the Stanley Cup Playoffs head into their second round as well. The Devils stepped up and disposed their bridge and tunnel rival Rangers on Monday. Could this be a long offseason for New York as so much was expected heading into this year? New Jersey got off to the same start they did against the Rangers, at Carolina in Game 1 last night. Vegas took a 1-0 series lead vs. Edmonton, despite sniper Leon Draisaitl scoring four goals vs. the Golden Knights. Those pesky Panthers did not let down after their overtime heroics in Boston as the won Game 1 north of the border in Toronto. Is the pressure mounting after just one game for the Maple Leafs, considering they finally got out of the first round since 2004? And the Kraken have continued their winning ways, winning in Dallas to get a leg up on that series.

(34:29) Should Met fans (including yours truly) be concerned that Max Scherzer's best pitching days are behind him? I have quite a bit to say here, so you won't want to miss this. Yankees GM Brian Cashman had a state of the union on his ballclub, reassuring the fan base not to count them out. Was this necessary? I'll get into the latest of what's taking place on the diamond as baseball is more than a month in.

(49:47) The first leg of Horse Racing's Triple Crown kicks off on Saturday as the Kentucky Derby is just about here. Unfortunately there's been some news recently about horses that have been euthanized over the past week over at Churchill Downs. Is it time to consider that this archaic sport needs to be abolished? Meanwhile, I will preview what I know about the 149th Running of the Roses. Will we see another long shot win such as Rich Strike did last year?

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Pujols Joins 700 Club! Judge Stuck On 60! Mets-Braves Armageddon! NFL Week 3 Snorefest Despite Wins By JAX, MIA & IND. New Blood In College Top 10. Udoka Suspended! Termination On Deck?

We're just days away from a new month and approaching the final quarter of 2022. Before we get there, here's the first of two podcasts this week to bring you all of the goods as far as what the sports world has in store. On deck:

(5:30) MLB is in the homestretch as we're just nine days away from the conclusion of the season. I begin by acknowledging the achievement of Albert Pujols as he is the fourth player in baseball history to hit 700 home runs. We're still waiting on Aaron Judge to match the AL & Yankee team record of 61 as he was unable to hit one out of the park over his last five games. Is the pressure starting to mount for the future league MVP? The Guardians clinch the AL Central for the first time since 2019. Can they be a sleeper this postseason? The Mets and Braves are gearing up for a big series that will determine who'll win the NL East. I'll talk about who they'll play leading up to Friday's armageddon. And I'll have an up to the minute assessment on the AL/NL wild card mix as we get closer to October baseball.

(22:08) NFL Week 3 was nothing much to write home about although you had a couple of surprises, which lead into the weeks winners (i.e. Colts & Eagles) and losers (i.e. Chargers & Buccaneers) You had a defensive struggle but an eyesore of a Sunday night game between the 49ers and Broncos. The Dolphins win a big game vs. the Bills. The Raiders are the only 0-3 team in football. And when will the Steelers see Kenny Pickett starting in place of Mitch Trubisky? We can say goodbye to the Pro Bowl, but now we have to deal with The Pro Bowl Games? And worse, a flag football Pro Bowl? And who is your halftime performer for Super Bowl LVII? It's one that a lot of people will be anticipating, that's for sure.

(45:12) College football has some more turnover in the top 10 as both #6 Oklahoma and #10 Arkansas both drop out with key losses. Clemson survived with a double overtime win at Wake Forest, but what about their defense moving forward? Also, what teams are laying in the weeds that could be part of the discussion for the college football playoff just a month into their season?

(51:17) Disgraced Celtics coach, Ime Udoka, has been suspended for a year due to violating an organizational policy for engaging in a relationship with a staff member. There actually may be more to the story than just that. If so, should Udoka be terminated?

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SEA, BOS, PHI & SF Flounder Out Of All-Star Break. HOU: Baseball's Best Team? Kyler Gets Paid. Is Lamar Jackson On Deck? NHL's Blockbuster Tkachuk/Huberdeau Trade. Kevin Durant To Boston?

The summer heat has been intense over the past week. The same could be said when yours truly will turn the temperature up even higher as I delve into what the sports world has to offer on this latest edition of the podcast. On deck:

(4:18) Baseball picks up from where it left off before the All-Star Break as the 'second half' of the season begins. There were some interesting storylines with teams that we've kept an eye on, in particular, the Mariners laying a dud vs. the Astros after winning 14 in a row. The Astros gunning for the title of the best team in the sport? The Red Sox floundering. Can they be sellers at the trade deadline? The Orioles monster series vs. the Rays after losing 4 of 6 since their 10 game winning streak. The Phillies were embarrassed by the Cubs at home with the Braves looming in their next series. The Giants were a no show in LA as they were swept in four games. And then, there are the Mets. Any concern as they're slowly losing their grip on first place? Could they be in second place after their series against the Yankees? All of the above, plus the latest wild card races in the AL & NL as we inch closer to the dog days of August.

(31:54) Kyler Murray signs a huge extension with the Arizona Cardinals, to no one's surprise, but what about Lamar Jackson as the Ravens seem to be half-stepping on an extension with their former MVP? Will he get signed before the season begins? As for the college circuit, national champion coach, Kirby Smart of Georgia signs a 10 year/112 million dollar contract? Is that insane for a college coach? Also, where is Jimmy Garoppolo going now that Cleveland has inked both Josh Rosen and AJ McCarron to their roster?

(42:52) There was a blockbuster trade in the NHL as the Calgary Flames send Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau, players and a lottery protected first round pick in 2025. Does this make the Panthers a favorite in the East? Does Tkachuk change the culture of a team that won the President's Trophy last year?

(47:28) Are the Celtics really engaging in discussions for Kevin Durant? Why is this a possibility? I'll explain why I'm not in favor of bringing him onto the team. (CORRECTION: I mentioned that if a trade between the Nets and Celtics were to take place that the Celtics will give up their first round picks in 2025, '27 & '29. NOT '15, '17 & '19 like I mentioned. My apologies for the gaffe.)

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Avalanche Slide Into Tampa As Lightning Seek Comeback. Curry's Legacy. Warrior Dynasty? Celtics Postmortem Caps Finals. 2022 Yankees Over 1998 Team? Fitzpatrick Wins/Zalatoris Loses US Open?

Back on the scene after a quick respite last week, I'm ready to rock and dissect the sports landscape for you as I have plenty to unpack. On deck:

(6:42) I begin the podcast discussing the past few days as I didn't release a mid week podcast. I'll explain why. I'll jump right into what's currently happening as the Stanley Cup Finals turns its attention to Tampa Bay as the Lightning have to dig themselves out of another 2-0 series deficit. Will they respond with a big effort and win tonight? Or does the Avalanche have too much going for them as they look to take a commanding series lead? I'll share my thoughts on what this could mean for Colorado, as well as, Tampa as the next two games will be played at Amalie Arena. There were a couple of coaching hires (i.e. Philadelphia and Vegas) that could mean a turnaround is in store for two franchises looking to get back to the playoffs. And what about former Islander coach, Barry Trotz?

(19:27) The NBA Finals l didn't live up the sadly didn't live up to the hype as the Golden State Warriors were able to capture the championship, winning the last three games, securing their 4th title in eight years. Steph Curry is your Finals MVP. Has he now put himself in the category of a top-10 all time player? Can we say that this team is a dynasty? On the flipside for the Celtics, a tough defeat for a young squad as Jayson Tatum has lots to answer to after an underwhelming Finals performance. What do the Celtics need to get themselves over the hump this offseason?

(43:10) Baseball's big story at the moment is the play of the New York Yankees. They had their nine game winning streak snapped yesterday. Since their 7-6 start, they're 42-11. Is it premature or out of the question to hear whispers of comparisons to the 1998 Yankee team? I'll definitely get into that as well as what else is happening in Major League Baseball as we're less than a month away from the All-Star Break.

(57:11) The third golf major (US Open) of the year is already in the books. Matt Fitzpatrick is your winner. Or did Will Zalatoris lose it? Also, Phil Mickelson's poor effort as he didn't make the cut. Did the LIV Golf League cloud over his head play into his

(1:01:21) My Hero and Zero of the Week takes a week off. Or will it?

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Cup Final Has Lightning's Quest For 3-Peat, Avalanche Rest Or Rust? Curry's Brilliance/Waiting On Tatum. Yanks/Braves Flying, Dodgers/Brewers/White Sox Skidding. LIV Golf, Rich Strike, Rams Cap Magic.

Grateful to have you stop by to get my insight on what's happening in the sports universe as the latest episode has dropped! On deck:

(3:45) Are we surprised that the Tampa Bay Lightning have made it back to the Stanley Cup Finals? They sure made me look like a fool (if you've listened to my takes over the past year plus) They will go for their third straight Cup championship which hasn't happened in almost 40 years. I'll discuss their series win over the Rangers, as well as, a postmortem on the Rangers postseason. Then preview a Final that will have a rested, high powered Avalanche team against the two time defending champs with a prediction as to who'll raise the Cup when it's all said and done.

(23:36) The NBA Finals have been quite the battle as the Warriors led by Steph Curry, had a Game 4 for the ages in bringing the series back to the Bay Area tied at 2. What could we possibly expect over the next couple of games at the very least? Will the Celtics continue their perfect record after a loss? Same for the Warriors? What about Jayson Tatum as he's been subpar this series and needs to have that signature game? A lot to uncover as we get closer to crowning an NBA champion. Also, a new coaching hire in Charlotte (former Nets coach, Kenny Atkinson) Was it a good move?

(34:54) As I turn my attention to baseball, the Yankees and Braves are flying high, while the Dodgers, Brewers and White Sox (a tough few days for manager, Tony LaRussa) are sliding a bit. The Yanks have won 11 of 12, but the competition will heat up over the next two weeks. The Braves have a soft schedule as they chase the Mets in the NL East. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have lost 9 of 13 and will lose a key member to their starting rotation, the Brewers snapped an eight game losing streak and what was Tony LaRussa thinking about intentionally walking a batter with TWO STRIKES?? I'll cover the baseball landscape as we're a little more than a month from the All-Star Game.

(44:18) The first ever LIV Golf League event took place over the weekend where Charl Schwartzel was the winner pocketing almost more than half of what he would make at a major, let alone a regular golf tournament. With the PGA suspending players who've defected to the LIV league, not playing in any future events, will the current players on the Tour not make the jump and keep their Tour status in tact?

(47:27) I'll briefly discuss The Belmont Stakes and how Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike showed us who we exactly thought he would be, ending up in sixth place as Mo Donegal was your winner to close out the Triple Crown of Horse Racing.

(49:21) I'll cap off the pod with some news and notes in the NFL. Whether it's the ongoing Deshaun Watson saga, the Broncos impending new ownership and how do the Rams do it when it comes to manipulating the salary cap as they re-sign both Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp to big extensions to go along with Matthew Stafford, Bobby Wagner, Allen Robinson, etc.

(53:17) Of course, there's my Hero and Zero of the Week.

(54:33) And a programming note for the podcast this coming Thursday that I'll keep you up to date as we get closer. Follow me on any of my social media accounts which are connected below.

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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

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Celtics Grit, Steph's Injury As Pivotal Game 4 Looms. Lightning Momentum Or Ranger Home Cooking? Braves Creeping On NL East. Golfers Loot Chasing To LIV League! Latest Deshaun Watson Saga

Get ready for a jam packed, fun filled hour of sports talk dripping with fire and passion as yours truly brings the pain on what’s going on in the world of sports. On deck:

(4:35) The NBA Finals sets up for a pivotal Game 4 on Friday night as the Celtics were able to withstand another third quarter blitz by the Warriors in a 116-100 victory. The big focus is whether or not Steph Curry will be in the starting lineup as he suffered an injury in the fourth quarter last night. What does this mean for the series moving forward? What is a huge key for them winning their first championship in 14 years? Can the Celtics penchant for winning games after a loss continue?

(19:05) With a Stanley Cup Final on the horizon, I'll recap the Avalanche's Game 4 series victory as they sweep the Oilers and punch their ticket to the Finals. I'll have a little postmortem on this Edmonton playoff run and will the long layoff (potentially 11 days for Colorado) be a blessing or a curse? In the East, the Rangers have let the Lightning back in the series as it's deadlocked at 2-2. Will the Rangers rebound and push Tampa Bay to the brink? Or will the two-time defending Cup champs figure out a way to win Game 5 and close out the Eastern Conference at home in Game 6?

(31:24) Don't look now but the Atlanta Braves are in hot pursuit. They've gotten over their early season slumber/World Series hangover as they are starting to creep up in the NL East standings. Should the Mets start looking over their shoulder as they still have FIFTEEN GAMES against their longtime rivals? The Angels have jettisoned their manager, Joe Maddon as the team is mired in a current 14 game losing streak. Was it a move they had to make? And the Yankees have gotten off to the best start in the sport since the 2001 Mariners. I'm sure a distinction the Yankee fan doesn't want to be associated with since it was their beloved team who beat Seattle in the playoff that year.

(39:30) What's currently taking place in golf has taken the sport by storm (NOTE: Since this recording, the PGA has suspended golfers who've transitioned over to the LIV from all events) as Dustin Johnson, Bryson Dechambeau and Patrick Reed have made the leap over to the LIV Golf League. I'll discuss the various effects (i.e. from players jumping ship just for money, the lack of history and iconic courses they'll pass up on playing) and even lay out an example using yours truly on why I wouldn't make an extreme move as such.

(48:24) I'll make a brief mention of The Belmont Stakes which'll take place on Saturday to see whether or not Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike will either A) race or B) not turn out to be a one-hit wonder.

(49:26) The saga of embattled Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson has really taken on a life of its own. A recent New York Times article has uncovered 65 women involved with Watson over a 17 month period, on top of, the Houston Texans renting hotel rooms for Watson to get treatment? How could such a thing take place outside of the teams training facility? Also, what is the NFL waiting for when it comes to handing down a suspension under the leagues' conduct policy? A story that's beyond sad and one that you can't make up as I share my thoughts on this never ending soap opera.

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Lightning Strikes In Tampa. Are They Cup Bound? Celtic Sloppiness/Warrior 'D' Evens Up Finals. Angels Freefall/Braves Shake Hangover? Swiatek/Rafa Win Subpar French Open. Latest NFL Retirements

I'm feeling a little feisty today as I share my thoughts, opinions and analysis on the latest in what's happening in the world of sports. On deck:

(4:15) The Tampa Bay Lightning showed some championship DNA as they pulled out a much needed last second win in Game 3 to get back in the series vs. the Rangers. Will they draw even to bring the series back to New York tied? More importantly, what will convince me that the Lightning are back to their usual Cup winning selves as they try to go for a three-peat? In the West, the Avalanche are in a great position as they look to sweep the Oilers in a Game 4 tonight and make it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 21 years. Can they do it?

(17:20) We are two games into the NBA Finals as the series shifts to Boston come Wednesday night. The Celtics were able to steal Game 1 with a 4th quarter barrage of 3-point shots. Game 2 was quite the opposite as the Warriors had another overwhelming 3rd quarter, but did not give back the lead the way they did in Game 1. I'll break down what took place over the first couple of games and what to possibly expect as we get to the middle of this series and beyond. Also, some news coming out of Utah as Jazz coach, Quin Snyder steps down from his eight year tenure with the team. Their franchise player, Donovan Mitchell, wasn't too happy about the news. Is there damage control that needs to be done between their star player and the front office?

(32:32) Quite a bit has happened in baseball over the past few days. I'll start with the Angels as their free-fall has them in an eleven game losing streak. The latest loss to the Phillies was a back breaker as they blew two big leads late. What does this mean for the manager, Joe Maddon? Does he survive? Considering former Phillie manager Joe Girardi was let go on Friday. They have hit the skids and may not be long for any pennant race before July 1st. Watch out for the Atlanta Braves as they look to be over their World Series hangover. The Padres win 3 of 4 in Milwaukee as the Cardinals have inched closer to the top of the NL Central with winning 3 out of 4 themselves in Chicago against the Cubs. The Mets salvaged a split with the Dodgers in LA as they got out of dodge with a wild 5-4 victory on Sunday. And the Red Sox have heated up as they're back to .500 after a sluggish start.

(44:48) The French Open concluded with a thud as the #1 women's player in the world, Iga Swiatek defeated Coco Gauff as she's now won the first two Grand Slams of 2022. And Rafael Nadal coasted to his 14th French Open win and 22nd Grand Slam overall in convincing fashion at Roland Garros. CORRECTION: I mentioned that Iga Swiatek has won the first two Grand Slam tournaments of 2022. Ash Barty won the first major (The Australian Open) back in January.

(49:07) You had four players retire from the NFL this past week. Frank Gore, the NFL's 3rd all time leading rusher. Alex Mack, the longtime center of the Browns, Niners and Falcons. Stephon Tuitt, defensive end of the Steelers and journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, which leads to...

(51:33) ...my Hero and Zero of the Week.

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Celtics Toughness, Warriors Experience/Curry's Legacy Headline NBA Finals. Rangers Roll Into Conf. Finals. Mets Tough Trip, Soto's Future In WSH? Gauff's Big Opportunity. Rams Donald Retiring?

There will be no June swoon when it comes to me delivering my thoughts, opinions and analysis on the entire sports landscape as the mid-week podcast has lots to indulge in. On deck:

(4:52) Game 1 of the NBA Finals commences this evening. I'll have all of the juicy storylines, Stephen Curry's legacy if he wins, key matchups and prediction of who'll be the last team standing in capturing the Lawrence O'Brien Trophy, crowning an NBA champion in 2022.

(24:25) The upstart Rangers have had a phenomenal week. First up, winning a Game 7 on the road in Carolina where they tempered the Hurricanes to a soft breeze. Then, in Game 1 of the Conference Final, they put the hammer down on the Lightning to a 6-2 win in their best of seven series. Do the Rangers have what it takes to dethrone the two time champs? Or will the Lightning bounce back with all of their experience and know how to get back to a third straight Stanley Cup? Out West, it was a wild shootout in Denver as the Avalanche prevailed 8-6 in Game 1 vs. the Oilers. Can we expect to see this type of offensive output throughout the series? Also, what matchup would the NHL really want for a Stanley Cup Final showdown in two weeks?

(37:56) Baseball turns the calendar into June as I briefly highlight Lou Gehrig Day, as we remember his life and address ALS, the condition that the Iron Horse succumbed to many years ago. As for the game itself, the next eleven days will be an interesting stretch for a Met team that is 35-17 and have beaten the pulp out of their division foes (i.e. Phillies, Nationals) over the past week. Now, they head West to Southern California for games in Los Angeles, San Diego and Anaheim as this will be their toughest stretch to date. How will they fare? What could we possibly expect? The Nationals GM, Mike Rizzo, has declared that his star player, Juan Soto, will not be traded as he's looking to build around his only asset. Is that a bluff? Are they going to fork over a potential $400-$500 million dollar contract? And Josh Donaldson is unhappy as he did not get the support of his team following his comments toward White Sox SS Tim Anderson. Could this be the beginning of chemistry issues in the clubhouse?

(47:32) Coco Gauff has made it to the semifinal of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. There is a possibility that she may face the #1 women's player in the world in Iga Swiatek. What could this opportunity mean for the 18 year old, not just in tennis, but as a household name State-side if she goes on to win the French Open? Also, Rafael Nadal had an epic win vs. his longtime rival, Novak Djokovic. The stage is set for him to win his 14th French Open. Can he do it?

(52:17) Is Rams DT Aaron Donald flirting with the idea of retiring, as he mentioned in a recent podcast that he would be "at peace" if he wasn't offered a contract extension. Could he step down? Will he play this year? Sadly, there were a couple of untimely deaths in the league this week. One with a current player (CB Jeff Gladney) and a former player (RB Marion Barber) as I discuss in detail.

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Steve Kerr's State Of The Union. Celtics On Verge Of Finals? Lightning Half Way To 3-Peat. TB Rays Identity As They Host Yanks. French Open Update. Indy 500 Memories. A Colin Kaepernick Sighting?

On the eve of the Memorial Day Weekend, my mid-week pod will bring you up to speed on all that's going on in the sports world. On deck:

(4:24) I usually have my Hero & Zero of the Week segment on Monday, but today, I give a hero shout out to Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. For voicing his thoughts on the senseless and tragic shooting outside of San Antonio on Tuesday that left 19 children and four adults dead at an elementary school. I'll spend a couple of minutes sharing my thoughts on whether or not this could be a turning point for our country when it comes to gun control.

(11:42) The Warriors weren't able to complete the sweep over the Mavericks on Tuesday night. They have a chance to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals with a win tonight. Will Dallas extend the series? Does Golden State wrap it up? Meanwhile, the Celtics have put themselves in position to seal the deal at home and participate in their first NBA Final since 2010. They climbed out of a 2-1 hole to win the last two games with suffocating defense and big production from their two stars (Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown). Can the Heat stave off elimination and bring the series back to South Beach for a Game 7? Will the Celtics put the finishing touch on Miami as they limp into Boston for Game 6?

(24:01) How about the Tampa Bay Lightning? They're looking like the team to beat, not just in the East, but the entire league. Can they and will they three-peat? The Rangers & Hurricanes are deadlocked at 2-2. Can the Rangers breakthrough and win on the road? Will Carolina continue its home dominance? St. Louis comes from behind in Game 5 to win in OT vs. Colorado. Can they push the Avalanche to a seventh game? And the Oilers are one win away from beating the hated Flames. Is Edmonton about ready to move on to the Conference Finals? Or does Calgary have what it takes to extend this series another game or two?

(36:33) As baseball heads into the holiday weekend, the Yankees and Rays will meet for the first time this season with four games down in Tampa. Do we really know the identity of this Rays team? Is this a litmus test for a team that's played very well against the Yanks over the past few years? As for the Mets, they suffered a brutal loss after another tremendous comeback in losing their first series on the road in San Francisco.

(44:25) I'll update the latest from the French Open as two top seeded women (Naomi Osaka & Barbora Krecjikova) have been ousted from the tournament.

(46:04) The Indianapolis 500 is set to take place on Sunday. I'll take a trip down memory lane to discuss that dating back to my childhood.

(47:06) A workout is scheduled for former Niners QB, Colin Kaepernick as the Las Vegas Raiders will give him a look. Does he have an actual shot to make a roster in the months to come?

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Celtics/Mavs Look To Even Up Series. NHL's 2nd Round: Battle Of Alberta/Florida, Rangers Psyche? Judge/Yankees Torrid Stretch, Scherzer On Shelf? Tiger/Scheffler: A PGA Preview

Back on the scene for a mid week pod to bring you up to speed on all that's going on in the sports world. On deck:

(4:16) The Conference Finals have begun in the NBA as the Warriors and Heat jump out to 1-0 series leads. Will the Mavericks and Celtics get the equalizer? Can they come back and even each series down 0-2? The evolution of the Heat's Jimmy Butler as a top player in the league. I'll have answers to the questions above and lots more as we get a bit closer to an NBA Final.

(17:28) The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs commenced on Tuesday night as we've already had a couple of thrilling overtime games as the Hurricanes come back late in the third period and win in the extra frame vs. the Rangers. What will that do to the psyche of a team with a young goaltender in Igor Shesterkin? The Blues couldn't upset the Avalanche as they lose in OT. The Battle of Alberta should be a barnburner, as evidenced by a 9-6 shootout win for the Flames. And The Battle of the Sunshine State goes to Tampa Bay as they win Game 1 as they look to go on a deep run and defend their two time Cup winning status. Can the Panthers win this series if they were to go down 0-2? Plus, my thoughts on the new Islanders coach, Lane Lambert. I'll share what they really need as they go into the offseason looking for reinforcements to get back to the postseason next year.

(32:45) I've been singing the same tune when it comes to baseball over the last few podcasts, but the Yankees continue to mash and run roughshod over the American League as they could potentially be 20 games over .500 before they've played their 40th game of the year. Aaron Judge has been the story as he has his sights set on a monster season and a monster payday when it's all said and done. So far, that's coming up roses on his part. What does this mean for the Yankee front office when the time comes to pony up? On the other side of town, the Mets are dealing with some health issues regarding their pitching staff. In particular, free agent prize Max Scherzer, as he had to remove himself from the game last night. Should the Met fan start to worry? I'll also check the landscape of the sport and deliver the latest of what's going on as we're eight days away from Memorial Day weekend.

(42:11) The PGA Championship begins today at Southern Hills in Tulsa, OK. How will the weather and golf course play out over the next four days? Does Tiger Woods have a shot to win or stay close to the top of the leaderboard? What about #1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler? Can he win back to back major tournaments? I'll predict who'll raise the trophy come Sunday evening and also get into the recent demise of defending champion, Phil Mickelson, who is not participating due to some personal issues swirling around him.

(50:33) Unfortunately the Preakness will have no buzz on Saturday as Derby winner, Rich Strike has withdrawn from the race. I have a theory as to why they're holding back this horse from attempting to chase history.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music 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.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Celtics/Mavs Look To Even Up Series. NHL's 2nd Round: Battle Of Alberta/Florida, Rangers Psyche? Judge/Yankees Torrid Stretch, Scherzer On S" on Spreaker.

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Celtic Meltdown/Why The NBA Needs A Game 7? Lightning On The Brink/Leafs Playoff Demons, Six Game 7's? Yankees Rolling/Guardians COVID Issue. NFL Schedule/Brady's Mega FOX Deal

Another mid week podcast to get you to the weekend as I'll share my thoughts on all that the sports world has to offer. On deck:

(3:23) The Bucks-Celtics series has been quite a battle, as evidenced by a Game 5 that went down to the wire. The Celtics face extinction in Milwaukee. Will they prevail? How about the other series that are 3-2 to date? Can the Mavericks, Sixers & Grizzlies after their annihilation over Golden State push it to a Game 7? Which leads to a commentary on why the NBA NEEDS a Game 7 in this round, especially if it's Bucks-Celtics. I'll also talk about the passing of former Pistons & Bucks center, Bob Lanier who died at the age of 73.

(23:44) It's quite possible that the two time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning could be ousted from the postseason as early as tonight. The Toronto Maple Leafs with their baggage of recent playoff misery can send the champs off on an early vacation. If not, they'll have the cloud of another Game 7 and a chance to erase some of the first round demons on Saturday night. How will impact the Leafs? Will Tampa survive and extend the series to a decisive seventh game? I'll also recap the other storylines in this first round including, the Flames rebound to take a 3-2 lead over the Stars. The Rangers were able to stave off elimination vs. the Penguins and they may be without Sidney Crosby as he suffered an injury. Will they be able to overcome him being out of the lineup? The Panthers resiliency. The Hurricanes hold serve at home again. The Blues look to clinch vs. the Wild. Are the Kings primed to upset the disappointing Oilers? Is there a housecleaning in order if they're unable to upend the Kings? This first round has the chance to produce seven Game 7's. Will it happen? Plus, my thoughts on the shocking decision by Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello on the firing of coach Barry Trotz.

(41:17) In baseball, things are mostly low key, but there were some stories that I can highlight. The Yankees have the best record in baseball (22-8). There was another no hitter, this time by Angels Reid Detmers. Justin Verlander was flirting for his fourth no hitter, but fell short. The Guardians dealing with COVID and the Brewers Christian Yelich ties a major league mark for cycles in a career.

(49:04) The NFL schedule will be released tonight. I'll discuss the Monday night doubleheader matchup on Sept. 19 that I do not like. And then there's Tom Brady signing on as an analyst/ambassador to a mega 10 year/$375 million dollar contract with FOX. Is Brady ready for the broadcast booth? How do we know if he is?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music 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.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Celtic Meltdown/Why The NBA Needs A Game 7? Lightning On The Brink/Leafs Playoff Demons, Six Game 7's? Yankees Rolling/Guardians COVID Issue" on Spreaker.