In The Zone With Anthony

Episode 189 - Rodgers' Last Dance, AFC North Chaos, and Historic Postseason Masterclasses

On this packed, hard-hitting edition of In The Zone, host Anthony Smith breaks down a week of seismic shifts, historic comebacks, and ruthless front-office execution across both the gridiron and the hardwood. First, we head to the NFL where the football world is still reeling from Aaron Rodgers' announcement that the 2026 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers will officially be his last ride. Anthony dives deep into the numbers of a legendary career, the poetic reunion with Mike McCarthy, and what this farewell tour means for the black and gold. Staying in the AFC North, we look at the quiet confidence brewing in Baltimore as new head coach Jesse Minter shrugs off early voluntary absences, while Joe Burrow issues a terrifying warning to the rest of the league, declaring the Bengals have "everything they need" to take over. Then, we transition to the court for a wild look at the NBA postseason and executive shakeups. Jalen Brunson puts on a superhero cape to lead the New York Knicks back from a grueling 22-point deficit against the Cavs, exposing a glaring defensive weakness in the process. Finally, we break down the ultimate luxury-tax power move down in Texas, where new Team President Masai Ujiri ruthlessly clears out the old regime, cutting ties with Jason Kidd to build a brand-new empire centered entirely around the future of rookie phenom Cooper Flagg. No filler, no filters—just pure sports analysis. It’s time to get In The Zone. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Grids, Courts, and Final Runs 2:15 – Segment 1: Aaron Rodgers' 2026 Retirement Bombshell 8:45 – Segment 2: Voluntary OTA Drama & Joe Burrow's Loaded Deck 16:30 – Segment 3: Jalen Brunson's Historic 22-Point Comeback Masterclass 24:15 – Segment 4: Masai Ujiri Cleans House in Dallas for the Cooper Flagg Era 31:40 – Final Thoughts & Closing: The Myth of Longevity in Modern Sports Make sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and let us know in the comments: Can Aaron Rodgers capture one final ring before heading to Canton? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Episode 188 - Pressure, Power Moves & Playoff Separation

Young stars are taking over the playoffs as the Thunder and Pistons grab commanding 2-0 leads, while the Sixers face questions over their playoff ticket giveaway strategy against invading Knicks fans. Plus, the Jets reward Breece Hall with a major extension as In The Zone with Anthony Smith breaks down the pressure, power moves, and playoff intensity shaping the sports world today. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Episode 187 - Boston Backlash, NBA Playoff Madness & The Big 12’s Big Money Shift

“Chaos in the NBA. Pressure on Boston. And a money move that could change college football forever. We’re breaking down the Celtics’ collapse without Jayson Tatum, the rise of new playoff contenders, and the Big 12’s billion-dollar play. This is In The Zone with Anthony Smith — where the game meets real insight.” Cover art photo provided by Davide Aracri on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/ [https://unsplash.com/]@davieees?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Episode 186 - Contracts, Controversy & Playoff Pressure

In this episode of In The Zone with Anthony Smith, we break down a packed slate of basketball headlines shaping both the present and future of the game. The Las Vegas Aces make history by locking in A'ja Wilson to the largest contract in WNBA history, while the Indiana Fever invest big in rising star Aliyah Boston—signaling a major shift in player value and league growth. Over in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons finally snap a historic home playoff losing streak, while tensions rise as Devin Booker calls out officiating in a heated postseason matchup. We also dive into Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant 37-point performance powering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 2-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns—and what that means for the balance of power in the West. Plus, we discuss the potential impact of Jalen Williams’s hamstring injury and how it could shift the momentum of the series moving forward. From historic contracts to playoff intensity, this episode delivers sharp analysis, real conversation, and everything you need to stay Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Episode 185 - "65-Game Snubs & WNBA Draft Fire: Fudd to Dallas, Johnson Trade Drama & Big Grades"

In this jam-packed episode of In The Zone, Anthony Smith breaks down the NBA’s controversial 65-game rule and which superstars got left out of end-of-season awards contention — including Luka, LeBron, Giannis, Cade Cunningham, and more. Then we go full WNBA Draft mode: Azzi Fudd taken No. 1 by the Dallas Wings, the Flau’jae Johnson pre-draft trade to the Seattle Storm, Olivia Miles to Minnesota, Lauren Betts to Washington, full ESPN report card grades, winners & losers, and why several teams aced this draft. Plus, listener Q&A, Azzi Fudd’s perfect fit analysis with Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale, and closing thoughts on where the league is headed. 🎧 Tune in for sharp hoops analysis, draft breakdowns, and real talk on the biggest stories in basketball right now. Drop your thoughts in the comments — who had the best draft? Should the NBA change the 65-game rule? New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe, rate, and stay In The Zone! 🏀 Available now on all platforms. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].