Tradition's Finest Episode 142 - "The Breaking Barriers Episode"

Tradition's Finest Episode 142 - "The Breaking Barriers Episode"

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 142 - "The Breaking Barriers Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NFL - - "T.Swift & T. Kelce Get Hitched:" On a swelteringly hot summer day in New York City, an elated coupled tied the know — The glowing bride walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of Taylor Swift's iconic "Love Story" and read emotional vows paying tribute to her husband's kind spirit - - The groom, beloved for his charismatic and happy-go-lucky personality, wore a white tuxedo and asked a friend of his to officiate the wedding ceremony: It was, by all accounts, a "traditional" wedding, save for one rather un-traditional component: The bride was none other than the 14-time Grammy Award winner, Swift, herself: On July 3, she and Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce said "I do," at Madison Square Garden before an estimated 1,000 guests, which included hundreds of A-list celebrity friends and industry tastemakers — The wedding list, in particular, ran the gamut from actors, such as Brad Pitt, Emma Stone & Tom Hanks, to NFL stars like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski & Chiefs' teammate Patrick Mahomes, to musicians, such as Sabrina Carpenter, Miranda Lambert and members of Swift's band & Eras' Tour dancers - - And though Swift has long been known for having a close group of friends within her inner circle, she and Kelce elected to skip a customary bridal party - instead, the singer's brother Austin, 34, served as her Man of Honor, while Kelce's brother Jason, 38, served as his best man - - Actor & renowned comedian Adam Sandler, a childhood hero and recent costar of Kelce's athlete cameo in the film Happy Gilmore 2, officiated the ceremony, and Kelce & Swift, both aged 36, exchanged vows they wrote themselves (Sandler's best advice to the newlyweds?: "Keep kissing," according to Chiefs HC Andy Reid) - - As the couple prepared for their big day, so did The Big Apple, a place that's long been special to Swift, who actually owns an apartment in the Tribeca neighborhood - - Dozens of vendors and staffers were seen heading in & out of MSG in the days leading up to the wedding as they worked around the clock to prep the venue, and revamping the Garden into. .well, "a garden" was likely no small feat, according to the celebrity event designer Edward Perotti: Calling the transformations a "Herculean effort," Perotti - who has created events for A-list stars like Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas among others - estimated that the cost of renting the venue at $1 million per day, and when totaled, this placed the wedding price tag somewhere in the vicinity of $35 million to $50 million - - Shortly after the wedding ceremony, Swift's mom, Andrea, invited everyone into a reception room, where a large stage was set up for musical performances - and what a FLEX it was to be able to say that Stevie Nicks [of Fleetwood Mac] and Paul McCartney - performed at your wedding reception - - Following their three-year relationship, Kelce has not only become the pop star's husband, but her muse, as well, as much of her most recent record-shattering album, The Life of a Showgirl, was inspired by their relationship. . .Q: What is your thought on the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift wedding at Madison Square Garden? And, despite the significant disparity in total net worth (i.e., Kelce w/ an estimated net worth of $90 to $100 million, while Swift has an estimated net worth of $2 billion), do you think Travis Kelce ever allows Taylor Swift to pay for any of their meals at restaurants? If you were in his shoes, would you allow your billionaire wife "pick up the check?". . . - NBA - - The Sacramento Kings have waived DeMar DeRozan, the team announced on Monday, making the six-time NBA All-Star one of the top free agents on the NBA market - - DeRozan had a partial guarantee on his contract for next season, but he and Sacramento negotiated his release, allowing him to hit free agency and potentially sign with a new team - - Multiple contenders are expected to share mutual interest in the veteran guard, including the leftover suitors that eventually strike out on their current pursuit of LeBron James - - The Los Angeles Lakers, however, won't be one of them as they are not considered a potential landing spot for the Southern California native, according to multiple league sources - - DeRozan was a cap casualty for a rebuilding Kings franchise that desperately needed to trim money, as only $10 million of his $25.7 million contract for next season was fully guaranteed - - DeRozan, who will turn 37 in August, continued to prove his worth on the court this past season as one of the most reliable scorers in the league in his 17th NBA season, in which he averaged 18.4 points on nearly 50% shooting for the Kings - he also appeared in all but five (5) games, continuing a career-long trend of availability - as he appeared in at least 70 games in each of the past five (5) regular seasons. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Sacramento Kings waiving six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan on Monday? What are a few potential landing destinations for DeRozan to play in his upcoming 18th season in the league?. . .The New York Knicks have their Mitchell Robinson replacement: The reigning NBA champions have agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with veteran big man Andre Drummond, according to ESPN's Shams Charania - as Drummond figures to work as the team's backup center behind starter Karl-Anthony Towns - - The deal is New York's answer to the only major departure from their championship squad, as Robinson's rebounding and interior defense were invaluable off the bench - and fortunately for Robinson, it was this package that earned him a three-year, $47.4 million payday with the Boston Celtics - - In Drummond, the Knicks get a player who is four (4) years older, but has a game fairly similar to Robinson's -- **NOTE: Drummond did make 35.6% of a career-high 90 3-point attempts last season, whereas Robinson has NEVER attempted a single 3-pointer in an NBA game - - Instead, both men make their money off crashing the boards, and Drummond - even at the age of 32 - still rebounds at an elite rate, however, he is a step behind on defense, but those are the sacrifices made when one player costs $15.8 million per year and the other costs $3.9 million - - The Knicks will be Drummond's seventh career franchise after two seasons in Philadelphia, where he backed up Joel Embiid. . ."The LeBron James Sweepstakes:" LeBron James is, by far, the biggest & most polarizing name on the free agent market, as he contemplates where he'll spend his 24th NBA season after announcing that he will not re-sign for the Los Angeles Lakers following eight (8) years in L.A. - - When James announced that he was hitting free agency, the quickly speculated short list of suitors included the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat - two teams he's starred for in the past and one that presents him with the chance to play alongside his good friend & longtime rival, Stephen Curry - - However, James and his agent, Rich Paul, have been abundantly clear that they're willing to hear pitches from everyone around the league and that, in the right situation, a veteran minimum deal is not out of the question - - On Friday [7/3], Paul put out a new episode of his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, for which he revealed a list of 10 teams on a whiteboard for James' next potential destination; this list included the following teams: the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and San Antonio Spurs - and he also outlined what he saw as the 'pros' and 'cons' of each potential destination - - All of James' free agencies have been different but carry some of the same fundamentals - as James routinely kept his circle tight and his choice private in 2010, 2014 and 2018, and successfully controlled the release of his decision — But historically, teammates, friends and business partners had a feel for what he might do based on vibes, not intel — The same seems to be taking place this offseason: Teams pitching James have reported mostly one-way communication, whereas James' recent walk down memory lane with his 2016 Cavs' teammates and spending extra time in Akron this summer have definitely contributed to the notion that he might be leaning toward a return home to Cleveland - - Naturally, teams hoping to secure James' services have noticed - - But while there is a "vibe" pointing toward the Cavs, coming off their best non-LeBron season in more than 30 years and signing Donovan Mitchell to a four-year maximum contract extension, other teams are not counting themselves out - - The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers each believe they have a compelling case, per sources, but per ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat & Cleveland Cavaliers seem to be the frontrunners in the race to sign LeBron James during NBA free agency. . .Q: Which NBA franchise does LeBron James sign with in 2026 NBA free agency?. . ."Out Like I'm [mike] Lowry:" Kyle Lowry delivered on his final promise as a player: he long vowed to re-sign with the Toronto Raptors so he could retire as a member of that franchise — And on Tuesday [7/7], he made it happen: Lowry - one of 12 players in NBA history to play 20 seasons in the league - announced on social media that he is signing with the Raptors and will retire, ending his career with the team that he helped lead to the 2019 NBA championship and in the city he considers home - - It's a ceremonial one-day contract, and Lowry confirmed that plan before a scheduled news conference in Toronto later Tuesday: The date of the announcement - July 7, or 7/7 - is a clear nod to the No.7 jersey he wore with the Raptors - - Tributes immediately poured in after Lowry posted the video, many paying homage to the player whom Toronto fans call the GROAT: the greatest Raptor of all time — "This was home," Lowry said of Toronto. "Home is a feeling. It's a comfort. It's a place that you continue wanting to be there. Over and over again. It's a place where you feel like you just belong." - - The 40-year-old Lowry is a Philadelphia native who played in college for Villanova before entering the NBA in 2006 - For now, he's one of only two point guards (PG) to play 20 seasons - Chris Paul is the other, and Mike Conley Jr. will join that list this season - - Lowry ended his playing career in his actual hometown, spending this past season with the 76ers and appeared in 14 games - as he formally called it a career in the city that he considers home, Toronto, the place where he became both an All-Star and a champion - - Lowry is a six-time All-Star, with all of those appearances coming during his nine (9) years in Toronto - - He won an Olympic gold medal with the United States at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, was an All-NBA selection in 2015-16 and had a new job even before his playing days ended: he was announced last year as an analyst for Prime Video - - Lowry was the No.24 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, and throughout his 20-year career, he also played for the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat, along with the 76ers and Raptors: he averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists over 1,187 regular-season games, and his 2,209 made 3-pointers ranks 14th in NBA history - - **NOTE: Lowry reached the playoffs in 12 of those 20 seasons, averaging 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in postseason play. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Kyle Lowry delivering on his final promise as a player, and retiring as a member of the Toronto Raptors? Where does Kyle Lowry stack up for you in terms of the all-time greatest point guards in NBA history?. . ."A Six-Team Trade:" The Washington Wizards are bringing back veteran Khris Middleton on a three-year, $17.6 million contract via a sign-and-trade deal, agent Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports Management told ESPN's Shams Charania - - The Dallas Mavericks are sending the 14-year veteran to the Wizards as part of a larger six-team deal that includes, in total, the Mavericks, Wizards, LA Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies: it encompasses previously agreed-upon deals involving John Collins, Gary Harris and Taurean Prince (Detroit), Isaiah Stewart (Memphis), Santi Aldama (Mavericks) and Caris LeVert (Bucks) - - As part of the elaborate six-team trade, the Wizards are sending D'Angelo Russell, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies, sources told ESPN - - Middleton, 34, averaged 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 63 games last season - as he was traded from the Wizards to the Mavericks as part of the Anthony Davis deal before the February deadline — Middleton's 12-year tenure with the Bucks ended when he was traded to the Wizards at the 2025 deadline - he was a three-time All-Star in Milwaukee and co-starred alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo during the Bucks' run to the 2020-21 championship - - Middleton has 80 games of playoff experience and a history of increasing his production in the postseason: he has career averages of 20.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in playoff games, all of which are higher than his regular-season numbers. . Q: Who are the clear winners and losers of this six-team NBA trade?. . ."Like Sr., Like Jr:" Tim Hardaway Jr. always would follow the same routine in his 15 visits to Miami as an opponent: Walk into the arena, take a look into the rafters, gaze at one specific banner – “Hardaway 10” sways, commemorating his father's time with the Heat and the jersey they retired in Tim Hardaway Sr.'s honor. . .It's his jersey now: The Heat formally introduced part of the family Wednesday, with the 34-year-old Hardaway getting his welcome-back-to-Miami news conference - and getting handed a No.10 Heat jersey, only this one with “Jr.” after the family surname on the back - - “This is really bizarre,” said Heat president Pat Riley, who coached the elder Hardaway in Miami - - Tim Hardaway Sr. previously said he wouldn't let his retired number come back into circulation for the Heat, noting to WQAM radio in Miami last week: “My legacy is my legacy, and [my son is] doing it his way.” - - But Hardaway Jr. told the media Wednesday that things changed after some family discussions: “I think the first go-round was a personal decision,” he said of his father's initial thoughts. “The second go-round was a family decision.” - - The younger Hardaway used to run around the Heat practice floor as a kid while his day played games or hang out in the family room partaking in video games - - As Hardaway Jr. got older, Riley would ask someone on the staff to put his through workouts on the practice court - and that staffer was Erik Spoelstra, now the Heat HC. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Tim Hardaway Sr. allowing Tim Hardaway Jr. to wear his No.10 jersey as a member of the Miami Heat?. . . - Miscellaneous - - "Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest:" Once again, Joey Chestnut reigns supreme in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest -- Chestnut, 42, devoured 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to take his 18th Mustard Belt title at the annual July 4 contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn - - He beat out the next closest competitor, Patrick Bertoletti, by 15 dogs - as Bertoletti finished with 51 eaten for second place, and James Webb ate 47.5 for third place - - Temperatures during the contest were 92 degrees with high humidity - but that didn't stop Chestnut from taking one hot dog and bun roughly every nine (9) seconds - - Those 66 dogs are 10 short of the record 76 Chestnut consumed in 2021 - but that was his second-highest total since then, and still plenty enough to win and take home the $10,000 first-place prize - as last year, Chestnut came close to his career high with 70.5 - - Chestnut won his second consecutive Hot Dog Eating Contest after missing the 2024 competition due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating, the organization that oversees the Nathan's event and competitive eating contests around the world (Bertoletti won the 2024 contest in Chestnut's absence) - - Prior to 2024, Chestnut won eight (8) straight Nathan's Hot Dog Contests before losing to Matt Stonie in 2015 - as he proceeded to win the next eight (8) of the next nine (9) competitions - - Chestnut's run of success at Coney Island began in 2007 after defeating six-time champ Takeru Kobayashi - as Kobayashi's six (6) Mustard Belts are the next highest total after Chestnut's record, which appears unlikely to ever be beaten. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Joey Chestnut winning his 18th Mustard Belt after deleting 66 hot dogs & buns? - - In the women's competition, Miki Sudo won her 12th title and fifth consecutive pink belt - as she bested her total from last year, eating 38.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes - - Michelle Lesco, the 2021 champ, once again finished as the runner-up with 22 eaten, who barely beat out Domenica Dee, who was credited with 21.5 dogs - - **NOTE: Sudo has won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 12 of the past 13 years - In 2021, she did not participate due to pregnancy, opening the path for Lesco. . .Q: As strange as it may sound, is it time for us to stop pretending that Joey Chestnut is not the most successful “athlete” in professional sporting event?. . .2026 FIFA World Cup Recap: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss & analyze each of the following Knockout Stage matchup(s) from over the past week; a complete list of matches discussed within this segment are listed below: Round of 32: South Africa vs. Canada Brazil vs. Japan Germany vs. Paraguay Netherlands vs. Morocco Ivory Coast vs. Norway France vs. Sweden Mexico vs. Ecuador England vs. Congo DR Belgium vs. Senegal USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina Spain vs. Austria Portugal vs. Croatia Switzerland vs. Algeri Australia vs. Egypt Argentina vs. Cape Verde Colombia vs. Ghana Round of 16: Morocco vs. Canada France vs. Paraguay Norway vs. Brazil Mexico vs. England Portugal vs. Spain USA vs. Belgium Argentina vs. Egypt Switzerland vs. Colombia              Thanks for Listening!

Tradition's Finest Episode 141.5 - "The un-seld, SOLD! Episode"

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 141.5 - "The un-seld, SOLD! Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a new five-year, age-based eligibility model on Tuesday -- Under the new rule, athletes in all sports will be given five (5) years of eligibility over five (5) seasons once their college eligibility clock begins -- The clock starts upon initial full-time enrollment in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first - - The move is meant to eliminate the need for redshirts and waivers, which have drawn scrunity in recent years as athletes have sued the NCAA challenging eligibility rules - - Athletes who just completed their fourth season of eligibility without a redshirt would not be granted an additional year, while schools will have the flexibility in determining whether to use previous eligibility rules of the new age-based model for athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NCAA D-I Cabinet's unanimous approval of the new five-year age-based eligibility model on Tuesday?. . .NCAA College Football: The NCAA Division I Cabinet also voted to eliminate the bowl transition penalty, paving a pathway for North Dakota State and Sacramento State to be eligible to participate in a bowl game immediately in 2026, sources told On3 - - Previously, the NCAA had a two-year transition penalty prohibiting programs from playing in bowl games that moved and/or transitioned from the FCS to the FBS level: North Dakota State and Sacramento State will need to finish with a 6-6 record or better this upcoming season and can fulfill one of their conference's bowl commitments - - In March, the FBS Oversight Committee recommended the elimination of the two-year postseason probationary period - - Interestingly, according to preliminary reports, NDSU is projected to be favored in all 12 of its' games in 2026, which includes an eight-game Mountain West conference schedule: The Bison, who have won 10 of the last 15 FCS titles, could now realistically make a run at a College Football Playoff berth in their debut FBS season. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NCAA D-I Cabinet voting to eliminate the bowl transition penalty?. . .NCAA College Baseball: Men's College World Series (MCWS) Review & Catch-Up: Game 1: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Oklahoma Sooners - - Deiten Lachance hit a pair of HRs as Oklahoma continued it's offensive barrage with a 9-3 win over No.5 North Carolina in the opening game of the Men's College World Series championship best-of-three (3) series on Saturday [6/20] in Omaha, Nebraska. . .Game 2: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels (0-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) - - The Tar Heels forced a winner-take-all Game 3 that would take place the following Monday after taking down the Sooners 6-2 in Game 2 of the MCWS on Sunday [6/21] afternoon - - It was a similar game to Saturday's Game 1, just with two different winners, as Oklahoma was held scoreless after the 1st inning. . .. . .Game 3: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels (1-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (1-1) - - The Oklahoma Sooners, who finished the college baseball regular season in 11th place in the SEC Conference standings, captured its' third College World Series championship Monday [6/22] night, defeating the No.5-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in a convincing 13-2 victory of the decisive Game 3 of the championship series. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Oklahoma Sooners capturing its' third national title after defeating UNC in Game 3 of the MCWS?. . . MLB - - "Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!:"It's July 1. . .and that means it's time for New York Mets fans everywhere to wish each other a "Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!". . .Why?. . because, on Wednesday [7/1], 63-year-old Bobby Bonilla received a check for approximately $1.2 million dollars from the New York Mets organization, as he has and will every July 1 from 2011 through the year 2035. . .Q: Do you consider yourself an avid celebrator of "Bobby Bonilla Day?". . .Because of baseball's unique salary structure, Bonilla's annual payday is often more than some of the game's current young stars will make in a given year - - The Mets are certainly not alone in handing out deferred payments to star players long after they last suited up for the team, with past MVPs and Cy Young winners among the notable names still collecting annual paychecks from their previous employers - - In recent MLB offseasons, deferred money became an even bigger talking point with the Los Angeles Dodgers frequently opting for this payment structure, highlighted by a deal with superstar Shohei Ohtani that will delay payments for $680 million of his $700 million mega-deal - as he'll start receiving $68 million per year in 2034. . .Q: Will this eventually lead to the formation of a "Happy Shohei Ohtani Day?". . .So, how did Bobby Bonilla's payday and/or deferred yearly payment(s) come about?. . .In 2000, the Mets agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million on Bonilla's contract, however, instead of paying Bonilla the $5.9 million at the time, the Mets agreed to make annual (or "deferred") payments of nearly $1.2 million for 25 years starting July 1, 2011, including a negotiated 8% interest - - Under Mets' new owner Steve Cohen, who mentioned the possibility of celebrating Bonilla at Citi Field annually soon after taking ownership of the team, as the MLB franchise have fully embraced Bonilla's annual payday - - Bobby Bonilla last played for the Mets in 1999 and last played in the MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001, but he will be paid through 2035 (when he'll be 72 years old) - - Oh, and that's not all, folks. . .believe it or not, but this is not Bobby Bonilla's only deferred-money MLB contract: a second deferred-contract plan with the Mets and Baltimore Orioles agreed to pay him $500,000 a year for 25 years, with those payments beginning back in the year 2004. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Bobby Bonilla's annual $1.2 million payday? If you received a payment every July 1 for the amount of $1.2 million - which is just a few days prior to the Fourth of July - would you invest a significant amount of fireworks like Spencer would if he was in that position? [**Let Us Know what you would do if you were in Bobby Bonilla's position financially: Share your answers with us via X - @TraditionFinest or Send Us an email at Traditions.Finest@gmail.com!]. . . - NFL - - "No Supplemental Draft for Sorsby:" The NFL has informed teams that it will NOT be holding a Supplemental Draft this year, meaning Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby will not be eligible to enter the NFL in 2026 - - The NFL's decision came down to its' right to decide whether to hold a supplemental draft, per the collective bargaining agreement, as league officials said they believed it would ultimately become a distraction to teams as they begin training camps - - The NFL's Management Council issued a letter to Brendan Sorsby notifying him of the league's decision, and to summarize the letter: it indicated, that, based on timing - and the league's inability to investigate the gambling issues in time - and the hope to avoid a distraction for teams prior to the 2026-27 NFL season, there would be no Supplemental Draft, and in other words, there is no other avenue available at this time for Sorsby to enter the league and/or play in the NFL for the upcoming 2026-27 regular season - - - - Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler's reaction/response to the NFL's decision to not hold a Supplemental Draft in 2026, was: "It is a violation of the CBA and the law. We will pursue this with the NFLPA immediately.". . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL's decision to not hold a Supplemental Draft this year, as well as their statement to QB Brendan Sorsby?. . ."The Terrion Arnold Story:" Per the Tampa Police Department, this all started after Lions CB Terrion Arnold and several others had property stolen from an AirBnB Arnold rented in Largo (FL) in early February - - Investigators say Arnold believed some of the eventual victims were responsible, even though police later determined they were not involved in that theft - - - - On February 3, police say Arnold and Boakai Hilton, who investigators say helped coordinate the alleged setup - directed Arianna Del Valle and Jasmine Randazzo to contact one of the victims and lure him to an apartment in Tampa - - Around midnight on February 4, investigators say the victims arrived at the apartment, and once they entered the bedroom, police say Christion Williams and Lyndell Hudson, two of Arnold's associates - who had been hiding in the closet - jumped out, grabbed the victims, held them at gunpoint, and attacked them - - Investigators say the incident was streamed to Arnold, Hilton and Freddie Hughes while they were traveling to the apartment - - Police also say there was a group chat involving the defendants, and that Arnold and Hilton gave directions through that chat while the attack was happening - - About an hour later, police say Arnold arrived at the apartment with Hilton, Hughes, and another person, and that he directed them to go inside while the robbery was still going on - - Investigators say property was stolen from the victims during attack - - At around 1:40 a.m, police say the victims were escorted out of the apartment by armed suspects and forced into their vehicle before leaving the scene - - The victims later reported the incident to Tampa Police and identified the suspects - - After search warrants were executed and the investigation continued, detectives arrested multiple people in the case over the next following weeks - - Police say Arnold was the primary conspirator in the alleged robbery/kidnapping plot, as he turned himself on Wednesday [6/24] night and is now facing 4 counts of kidnapping and 4 counts of armed robbery, and is potentially facing a life sentence if convicted of all charges - - **UPDATE: The Detroit Lions have released CB Terrion Arnold after he was arrested last week on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, the team announced Monday - - Arnold had his bond set at $1 million Monday by Hillsborough County (Florida) Judge Christopher Sabella, who added the following conditions: (1) he is not allowed contact with the six (6) co-defendants or the witnesses in this case. . .(2) He must surrender his passport within 48 hours. . .(3) And he was ordered confined to his residence in Tallahassee, Florida, except when he would be playing, training and traveling with the Lions or making court-related appearances or legal appointments - - The state asked the Judge to require Arnold to wear a GPS-tracking device, but his attorneys argued that he would not be able to play football with such a device - - Sabella said that although the charges are serious - four (4) counts each of kidnapping and assault that could bring a life sentence if Arnold is convicted - prosecutors are "not there yet" in showing a strong case for Arnold's guilt - - Arnold, 23, has been in custody since Wednesday night, when he turned himself in - - Per a new local report, Arnold believes that he will "sign with a new team within the next 30 days,". . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Detroit Lions organizations' decision to release CB Terrion Arnold despite him being released on bail? Did they jump the gun on this one? If so, why?. . .Three-time Pro Bowl RB Chris Johnson (aka "CJ2K"), who formerly played for the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS - also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease" - in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" that aired on Monday morning - - Johnson, 39, told GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan that he was diagnosed with the disease in 2025: "There's no history of ALS in my family," said Johson, who was using a speech-generating device based on recordings of his voice to speak - - Johnson played ten seasons in the NFL with the Titans (2008-13), New York Jets (2014) and Cardinals (2015-17), as he earned the nickname "CJ2K" after he rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009, which still ranks seventh in NFL history - - **NOTE: He broke the NFL's single-season record for yards from scrimmage that season (2,509) and was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Players of the Year - - Titans owner and former & current players around the league reached out to Johnson via social media to express their support for the former star RB, as the Jets organization and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) also released messages of support for Johnson - - ALS is a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body - as it became known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the star baseball player was diagnosed in 1939, and unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for the disease - - Johnson, who is taking part in a clinical trial as part of his treatment, told Strahan that he first started noticing symptoms when he had a weaker grip - - Johnson said he was going public with his ALS diagnosis to raise awareness, but also to let people know that he is the same person from his NFL career. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding former NFL RB Chris Johnson's diagnosis being revealed on "Good Morning America" on Monday morning?. . . - NBA - - The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Minnesota Timberwolves lead assistant Micah Nori as the franchise's new head coach, the team announced Tuesday - - Nori, who is widely regarded as one of the league's top assistants, has been in the NBA coaching ranks since 2009, as sources confirmed to ESPN that Nori's deal has just one guaranteed year, with options on the second and third year - which has drawn much speculation among other NBA coaches - - Additionally, sources told ESPN that Nori's contract features a sliding-scale salary based on incentives and team success - - Portland hired Nori after Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin led a comprehensive search of over a dozen coaching interviews: The finalists for the job beyond Nori were Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook and former interim coach Tiago Splitter, who was hired by the Chicago Bulls as their new HC last week - but Portland zeroed in on Mori due to his strong communication & relationship skills - - Nori has spent the past five (5) seasons in Minnesota under HC Chris Finch, a stretch that has seen the team post the fifth-best record in the NBA and included five (5) postseason appearances. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Portland Trail Blazers' hire of Minnesota Timberwolves' assistant Micah Nori as the franchise's new HC?. . .Dusty May's meteoric rise through the basketball ranks is continuing in a seismic way: Following a two-season stay at Michigan, during which May masterfully maximized the NCAA transfer portal to return the Wolverines' basketball program to prominence by winning a national title, agreed to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks last Tuesday [6/23], in an axis-shifting move that significantly altered the college and NBA landscapes - - May, 49, led Michigan to a 64-13 record over two seasons in Ann Arbor, and led the Wolverines to a national title in 2026, whereas at his previous job as HC at FAU, he led them to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, including the 2023 Final Four - - In his last four (4) seasons as a head coach in college, May went 124-46 - - **NOTE: May becomes the first college HC to take an NBA job since former Michigan HC John Beilein took the Cleveland Cavaliers job in 2019, whereas the last to leave college immediately after winning a national title, was Kansas' Larry Brown in 1988, and Florida's Billy Donovan was the most recent NCAA title-winning coach to depart for the NBA in 2015 - - The move puts May in charge of the Mavericks' next generation, which is being crafted around Cooper Flagg, the NBA's reigning Rookie of the Year after leading Dallas by scoring 21.0 points per game last season, meanwhile, the move puts Michigan in a sudden state of flux after the Wolverines' dominant run to the NCAA title - after the Wolverines appeared well-positioned to repeat - - May's departure means that Michigan's players can explore their future options, as under NCAA rules a 15-day transfer window will open five (5) days after a new HC is hired or publicly announced: **UPDATE: Michigan named former assistant Mike Boynton Jr. as its' interim HC - as Boynton brings head coaching experience from Oklahoma State and will attempt to keep a talented roster in place - a roster that includes Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau, talented rising sophomore Trey McKenney and a new crop of talented transfers, that includes J.P. Estrella, Moustapha Thiam and Jalen Reed - - In Dallas, May will replace former HC Jason Kidd, as the Mavs went 205-205 in five (5) seasons under Kidd, highlighted by Dallas' runs to the 2022 Western Conference finals and 2024 NBA Finals - - League sources told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that Dallas also gauged the interest of Duke's Jon Scheyer, who coached Cooper Flagg during his lone season in college at Duke, as they searched for Kidd's replacement. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Dallas Mavericks' hire of former Michigan Wolverines coach Dusty May to become the NBA franchise's next HC? Thoughts on ESPN's report that Dallas first gauged the interest of Duke's Jon Scheyer prior to inquiring with May about the open head coaching position?. . .2026 NBA Draft Review: The 2026 NBA Draft will be remembered for its' immense star power at the top and a relative lack of early trade activity or major boneheaded decisions: While the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls believe they each landed potential franchise players at the top of the lottery, none of the top 12 picks changed hands, and the first round unfolded without any shocking revelations - - With that said, 29 of the NBA's 30 teams made at least one selection in the first round of this year's NBA Draft: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer evaluate a few of the most notable picks of this year's NBA Draft, as well as discuss a few of the clear "winners" and "losers" of the 2026 NBA Draft. . . .The NBA Trade Market & Free Agency: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss NBA free agency, elaborate on a few of the NBA's most noteworthy trades from across the league, more specifically, those listed below, discuss each trade's impact on the NBA , as well as provide their individual insight and/or thoughts on each of the following trades: [**Be Sure to Tune in for This Discussion!] "An Awkward Saga:" The Milwaukee Giannis Antetokounmpo & Bobby Portis traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Ke'lel Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kaspara Jakucionis, three (3) first-round picks, one pick swap and one second-round draft pick. . . "Melo to Minnesota:" The Charlotte Hornets traded star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reis and a series of draft picks. . . "The Klaw is Back in Toronto:" The LA Clippers have agreed to trade All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 & 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round pick swaps. . . "Ja, a Trail Blazer?:" The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. . . "A Blockbuster Trade:" The Boston Celtics agreed to send former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in blockbuster trade Wednesday in exchange for star forward Paul George in addition to two first-round picks as well as two second-round draft picks. . . - Miscellaneous - - 2026 FIFA World Cup Catch-Up & Knockout Round Review: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss the following topics relative to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: (1) a couple of the "strange" storylines surrounding this year's World Cup; (2) the Results from the World Cup's Group Stage; and (3) a comprehensive review of Round of 32 matchups from the past week's Knockout Round (**the matchups discussed are included in the list included below): Canada vs. South Africa Brazil vs. Japan Paraguay vs. Germany Morocco vs. Netherlands Norway vs. Ivory Coast France vs. Sweden Mexico vs. Ecuador England vs. Congo DR Belgium vs. Senegal USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina Thanks for Listening!

Tradition's Finest Episode 140 - The "Reign Man" Episode

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 140 - The "Reign Man" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "The Saga Continues:" The Big 12 on Monday morning made it clear it did not want to be pushed around in court in the case surrounding Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby. .and it seems to have worked: Hours before sources told ESPN Monday night that Sorsby plans to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, a decision later confirmed by a university statement, the Red Raiders' conference filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas seeking both a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief to allow the league the authority to use its bylaws to potentially punish Sorsby, who admitted to betting on college sports - - Sorsby's and TTU's decision to “mutually part ways” should quell the conference's concerns for the time being. . .Q: What are your thoughts on QB Brendan Sorsby & Texas Tech University mutually parting ways following this media spectacle? - - The Big 12, a league won by Texas Tech last season, was chief among those critics, as Monday's move by the conference was a legal counter to a letter from Texas attorney general last week, which warned that any sanctions imposed by the Big 12 would be “unlawful” and countered by legal action, with the Texas AG, Kenneth Paxton, listed as a defendant, along with the chancellor, president and AD of Texas Tech - - This all played out in the wake of a judge granting Sorsby a temporary injunction on June 8 that essentially cleared the way for him to play for Texas Tech in 2026 - that came after Sorsby admitted that he broke NCAA rules by betting thousands of times, including 40 times on Indiana football while he was on that team's roster - - Before Sorsby's decision to leave the Red Raiders, the Big 12's presidents met Monday to discuss potential punishments with no definitive outcome - - The Big 12's federal suit included a request for an injunction to allow the league to enforce its own rules - and at the heart of this was Big 12 Bylaw 3:6, which allows the league via a supermajority vote to decide whether Texas Tech's conduct warrants sanctions: The suit sought to bar Texas Tech from “seeking to deter, coerce, prevent, or punish the Big 12 for exercising its rights under its Bylaws to sanction TTU related to its handling of the sports betting activity discussed in this Complaint, including if TTU fields a student-athlete in Big 12 competitions who has engaged in collegiate sports betting activity.” - - The measures discussed by the Big 12 executive committee last week in a call included both financial penalties to the school and penalties related to eligibility, as the Big 12's filing alludes to barring the school from the conference championship game as a potential sanction – The suit also acknowledged the near unanimity in the college athletics industry that Sorsby should not be allowed to play and mentioned bans on playing Texas Tech by the athletic departments at Georgia and Nebraska - as the suit was a highly unusual action from a conference and it came amid a volatile situation: Big 12 ADs were outspoken, both publicly and in meetings, in saying they don't want to Sorsby to play - - For the first time since 2019, the NFL supplemental draft is interesting!. . .Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby has announced his intention to enter the supplemental draft, which will be held sometime in July once the league approves his application: The supplemental draft allows all 32 teams to bid blindly against one another for the rights to a player – Any team wishing to add Sorsby must submit a bid for the round in which it would be willing to draft him, as the team that submits the most valuable bid wins the rights to the player, but its pick in that specific round is forfeited in the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft - - As such, NFL teams are now doing all of their due diligence on Sorsby: A much-larger-than-normal piece of that diligence will consider his serious sports gambling transgressions, but it's still the job of scouts and coaches to watch the tape and grade his current play and NFL potential - as league evaluators were excited to see Sorsby play another season at Texas Tech; even if he had declared for the 2026 draft, before the sports gambling was exposed, he was considered a high-ceiling prospect worthy of a solid pick. . .Q: Do you think that an NFL franchise will use their draft pick to select QB Brendan Sorsby in this year's Supplemental Draft? If so, which NFL franchise or franchises might take the risk & draft Sorsby?. . .NCAA College Baseball: Bracket #1: Men's College World Series Game #11/Semifinals: No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0) vs. No.16 West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1) - - The Tar Heels exploded for 12 runs, jumping out to a 12-1 lead and holding off No.16 West Virginia, 12-7, to advance to the championship series of the College World Series on Wednesday afternoon at Charles Schwab Field - - **NOTE: With the victory, their fifth in a row, the Tar Heels advanced to the CWS championship series for the third time and the first time in 19 seasons, joining the 2006 and 2007 squads -- They improved to 3-0 in games to send themselves to the championship finals, as the final, best-of-three (3) series for the NCAA championship will begin in Omaha on Saturday on ESPN - - **NOTE: UNC has started 3-0 in the CWS for the first time since beginning 4-0 in 2006 and is a scorching 8-1 in the 2026 NCAA Tournament - - Carolina scored eight (8) runs in the first four (4) innings to take control early and allowed only run through 6.2 innings, whereas WVU scored five (5) in the bottom of the 7th and added another in the 8th, but Caden Glauber slammed the door by striking out three (3) and allowing just one run in 2.1 innings of relief to finish the game - - **NOTE: Carolina's 12 runs were its most since scoring 13 against Pitt on May 23 in the ACC Tournament - - as the Mountaineers had allowed only a combined 10 runs in their first three (3) games in Omaha prior to Wednesday - - UNC improved to 53-12-1 with the victory and has won 17 of its last 20 games, whereas the Mountaineers saw their season come to an abrupt end at 47-17 - - Owen Hull went 4-for-5 at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs to set the tone for the Tar Heels. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the No.5 North Carolina Tar Heels advancing to the Men's College World Series best-of-three championship series?. . .. . .Bracket #2: Men's College World Series #12/Semifinals: No.3 Georgia Bulldogs (1-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0) - - Freshman pitcher shutting down maybe the nation's most potent lineup. . .Check!. . .HRs by the record-setting handful?. . .Check!. . .Otherworldly defensive genius with the leather?. . .Check! - - Oklahoma's unlikely run at the College World Series continued on Wednesday night at Charles Schwab Field as the Sooners emphatically eliminate No.3 national seed Georgia 11-4 - - OU (41-22) hit five (5) HRs, got another startingly precocious performance on the hill and layered in plenty of fabulous defense to shut down the Bulldogs (53-14) and advance to the CWS Championship Series for the second time in a five-year stretch - as Oklahoma will play No.5 North Carolina (53-12-1) in a best-of-three (3) series starting Saturday - - Oklahoma won its eighth game in a row - and barely gave the crowd of 24,446 time to catch their breath before another Sooner smacked a ball over the fence - - But it was fellow freshman pitcher Nick Wesloski, who was up to the challenge of taking down the Bulldogs despite the lack of starting experience this season - as his only other start on the college level was two weeks ago in the Atlanta regional against The Citadel, when he threw 105 pitches over seven (7) innings and gave up five (5) runs on six (6) hits and a pair of walks - and picked up his first collegiate win - - When the red-hot OU hitters staked him to a four-run lead early, Wesloski was able to relax, settle in and find the strike zone without much trouble - - Jason Walk enjoyed his first career two-HR game, Dasan Harris had his second, and Trey Gambill homered as well, his 11th - as Walk & Harris had hit just four (4) HRs all season, but they lived beyond the wall against Georgia's pitching. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the College World Series best-of-three (3) championship series between No.5 UNC and Oklahoma? Who do you predict to win this series?. . . - NFL - - Former NFL DL Aldon Smith has died in the Bay Area at the age of 36, the San Francisco 49ers announced and confirmed on Saturday afternoon, however, there was no cause of death given - - Smith played six (6) seasons in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, as the Niners selected him with the No.7 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft: Once viewed as one of the NFL's top young players, Smith's star-crossed career ended in 2020 after one season with the Cowboys - - As a rookie, Smith burst on the scene with 14 sacks and 27 QB hits on his way to finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting - - He followed with his best NFL season in 2012, posting 19.5 sacks and 29 QB hits as he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors - as those 19.5 sacks still stand as a 49ers' franchise record for a single season - - Smith's rapid ascent to NFL stardom was slowed by a series of off-field issues that included 10 arrests in nine (9) years, as the NFL eventually suspended Smith for nine (9) games in 2014 for violation of the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policies - - Amid suspensions that kept him out of football from 2016 to 2019, Smith appeared in nine (9) games for the Oakland Raiders in 2015 and was conditionally reinstated by the NFL in May 2020: he appeared in 16 contests for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, for which he had 3.5 sacks for the Raiders and five (5) for the Cowboys, with his last one coming against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 1, 2020 - - Smith attempted one more comeback with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 but was arrested on a second-degree battery charge in Louisiana soon after signing with Seattle, after which point, the Seahawks waived him on Aug. 11, 2021 - - On the "I Am Athlete" podcast in 2023, Smith announced he was retiring from the game, saying "I'm done with ball." - - Smith, who was born on Sept. 25, 1989, in Kansas City, Missouri, played collegiately at Missouri - - The family of Aldon Smith has decided to send his brain to medical experts at the Boston University CTE Center to see whether chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) played a role in the former NFL DL's death - - Smith passed away on Saturday at age 36, hours after he had delivered pizzas to a homeless charity in the San Francisco Bay area - and while no cause of death has been given, Smith's family has hired attorneys to help investigate his death - - CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans and others exposed to repetitive head trauma - as it has been know to cause violent mood swings, impulsive behavior & depression - but it can only be diagnosed after death - - According to the family, Smith suffered numerous concussions during his NFL career. . .Q: What are your thoughts on former NFL DL Aldon Smith's untimely passing? What do you think the results of Boston University's assessment of Aldon Smith's brain is going to determine: he did or did not have CTE?. . . - MLB - - Chicago Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong on Monday night became the first player in the MLB to hit for the cycle this season: Crow-Armstrong homered to lead off the game against the Colorado Rockies, then hit a triple in the 3rd inning, a double in the 5th and a single in the 7th inning - - Crow-Armstrong's first three (3) hits came off Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen, and the final one was off reliever Antonio Senzatela - - **NOTE: Crow-Armstrong is the first player to accomplish the feat since Twins CF Byron Buxton last July and the first Cubs player since teammate Carson Kelly last March - - **NOTE2: Crow-Armstrong is the 13th player in franchise history to hit for the cycle and the youngest since Randy Hundley in 1966 - - Crow-Armstrong has been hot lately, collecting 13 hits in his past six (6) games, including the four (4) Monday - - Of those 13, eight (8) have gone for extra bases - as his OPS rose to .845 after his cycle -- The Cubs erased a 4-3 deficit in the 9th inning as Matt Shaw scored the game-winning run on a bases-loaded walk, as it was Chicago's ninth walk-off win, the most in the majors - with no other team having more than six (6) walk-off victories - - However, the Cubs have been struggling to consistently win for well over a month, and lost a series to Colorado last week, as their last three (3) wins at Wrigley Field have all been walk-offs - - This was the second time in three (3) games that Crow-Armstrong had a chance at a cycle after singling, doubling and homering Saturday against the San Francisco Giants: **NOTE: He became the fourth player in the divisional era (since 1969) to complete the cycle in reverse order: HR, triple, double and single. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Chicago Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong batting performance on Monday night against the Colorado Rockies, becoming the first player in the majors to hit for the cycle this season?. . . - NBA - - 2026 NBA Playoffs Review: NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs [NYK leads series 3-1] - Game 5: Jalen Brunson and the "Comeback Knicks" did it again. .And now, they're the "Champion Knicks." - - For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA: Brunson scored 45 points, including 13 straight for New York in the 4th QTR, and the Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night - - The Knicks won the series 4-1, rallying from double-digit deficits in all four (4) of those victories, as the deficit was 16 on Saturday night, but Brunson and the Knicks were never fazed - - **NOTE: Brunson set a Knicks record for points in a finals game: it had been 38 by Willis Reed against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the 1970 series - but now it belongs to the left-handed PG who changed the franchise's fortunes when he arrived four (4) years ago - - Knicks coach Mike Brown, who was hired a year ago - making him the franchise's 24th coach since the franchise's last championship in 1973, said of his team winning the championship "It's surreal." - - Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart - the other two parts of the "Nova Knicks" trip that also includes Brunson, three (3) players who were NCAA champions at Villanova and teamed up in New York to try to do the same - combined to score 27 points, as Bridges had 14, Hart 13 - - New York got to the brink of this title by rallying from 29 points down in Game 4 to win 107-106 on OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds left on Wednesday night, as it was the largest comeback in NBA Finals history and the biggest comeback in any game this season, regular season or playoffs - and by comparison, then, a 16-point raly in this one seemed relatively simple, whereas San Antonio had to shuffle off into the offseason following their Game 5 collapse - - Rookie Dylan Harper scored 25 for the Spurs, who got 19 points, 14 rebounds & five (5) blocked shots from Victor Wembanyama - as the Knicks improved to 4-0 in closeout opportunities this season, winning them all on the road, but it didn't feel like the road, though - not with thousands of New York faithful having made the trip to Texas to witness a moment 53 years in the making - - And back home, on the streets of the Big Apple, celebrations broke out everywhere: Jubilant Knicks fans flooded the streets of New York on Saturday night, crowding into intersections and climbing light poles and buses as they celebrated the team's first NBA championship in over 50 years - but the celebration turned chaotic as the night wore on, with five (5) school buses set ablaze in Times Square, five (5) police cars damaged on Sixth Avenue and a 17-year-old boy shot in the foot near the heart of the festivities - - A total of 63 people were arrested overnight in connection with the Knicks game, the NYPD said, as charges include assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration, police said - - Police also reported four (4) stabbings overnight. . .Q: How many more championships do you think the NYPD are prepared for in New York City? What are your thoughts on the New York Knicks becoming the 2026 NBA Champions after a 53-year drought? - - "Bing Bong, No Respect:" It seems the oddsmakers didn't learn their lesson after underestimating the New York Knicks throughout their NBA championship run: **NOTE: The Knicks entered the NBA playoffs with the eighth-shortest offs (+2200) to win the title - and even after they steamrolled their way through the East, they were heavily doubted against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, with oddsmakers giving +180 odds to end their 53-year NBA championship drought. .The disrespect continues: Entering next season, the Knicks have the fourth-shortest odds to repeat as NBA champions, trailing the San Antonio Spurs (+250), Oklahoma City Thunder (+250) and Boston Celtics (+550) - as the odds are shocking since the Knicks handily beat the Celtics and Spurs in the last two playoffs and are expected to return with the same roster next year. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the 2026-27 NBA titles odds as the Knicks will enter the season with the fourth-highest chance to win next year's title?. . .Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was arrested early Saturday morning in Houston and has been charged with a misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a weapon - - According to Harris County court records, Harden was taken into custody at 3:41 a.m. when a handgun was observed on the seat of a car he owns: The gun was not holstered and was in plain view, according to the records - Harden was booked at 4:57 a.m. and later released after paying a $100 bond, and his arraignment is scheduled for June 22 - - Harden is potentially going to be a free agent at the end of the month, as he had a $42 million player option decision he must make by June 29, but only $13.3 million is guaranteed - - It has been expected that Harden would opt out of the contract and sign a new multiyear deal to remain in Cleveland, where he was traded in February, as he helped lead the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals. . .Q: What do you make of Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden's arrest in Houston early Saturday morning? Will his arrest have any type of negative effect on his upcoming contract negotiations with Cleveland?. . ."Master Splitter:" The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hiring of Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new head coach, sources told ESPN on Monday - - Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls' HC after stepping into the head coach job in Portland last season and excelling: Splitter, 41, guided the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and a postseason berth as the No.7 seed in the Western Conference amid adversity stemming from Chauncey Billups' federal charges - - **NOTE: Splitter became the first Trail Blazers head coach to have a winning record in his first season with the team since Maurice Cheeks in 2001-02 and the first to win a playoff game in his debut season in Portland since Mike Dunleavy in 1997-98 - - Splitter led the Trail Blazers to a top-10 defense in their final 51 regular-season games, with a 30-21 record during that span, as Portland also led the NBA in second-chance points per game under Splitter last season - - The Bulls conducted a search that spanned a double-digit number of candidates before narrowing the process: they landed on Splitter due to his ability to lead the team's player development, organizational alignment on the franchise's direction & vision, and his leadership and knowledge base as a coach who has risen through the ranks since 2018 and played in the NBA for seven (7) years with one championship with the San Antonio Spurs - - Splitter played overseas before the Spurs choses him with the No.28 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft - - He played in San Antonio, Atlanta and Philadelphia across his NBA career - - After retiring, Splitter joined the Brooklyn Nets as a scout and player development staff member in 2018, whereas he spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant for the Houston Rockets under Ime Udoka, and then he took a job as HC of Paris Basketball for the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign before returning of the NBA as Billups' lead assistant in Portland, as the Trail Blazers will now have to hire a new coach after Splitter, one of their finalists, has accepted the Chicago job: Nori and Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook are the two candidates remaining to become the new Portland head coach. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Chicago Bulls' hire of Portland Trail Blazers' interim coach Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new HC?. . . - Miscellaneous - - 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final [CAR leads series 3-2] - Game 6: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes - - Carolina spent the first part of the Stanley Cup Final surviving, finding ways to overcome deficits and play a high-scoring game that didn't fit the Hurricanes' typical style - but when it came down to doing what it takes to win the Cup, the Hurricanes' defense put its stamp on this series, shutting down the Vegas Golden Knights and not letting up: The Hurricanes held Vegas to five (5) total goals in Games 4 and 5 and used a suffocating defense in a 3-0 shutout in Sunday night's clinching Game 6 to win their first NHL championship in 20 years - - Jordan Staal was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs, becoming the oldest player to ever win the award at the ripe age of 37 - - Brandon Bussi, whose entrance late into Game 3 helped turn around the series for Carolina, recorded his first career playoff shutout in stopping 22 shots, while Jackson Blake had a goal & assist, Taylor Hall scored just 3:47 into the game to set the tone, and Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal - - The Golden Knights, who made an unlikely run just to reach the final, struggled badly to muster in any kind of offense in Game 6 and went 18:37 between shots on goal in the second and third periods - - **NOTE: This was the first time that the Golden Knights have been shut out, after playing in their third Cup final - - This clinching game was what many observers expected the series to be like between the defensive-minded teams, but each side watched leads of two-plus goals disappear in the first three (3) games - - Now, the Cup belongs to the Hurricanes, led by coach Rod Brind'Amour, who also captained Carolina to its 2006 title. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Carolina Hurricanes winning their first NHL championship in 20 years? - - **UPDATE: John Tortorella, who guided the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final, will not return as head coach next season, the team announced Tuesday, less than 48 hours after losing the final series, 4-2, to the Carolina Hurricanes - - Tortorella, who was a surprise hire when he was brought in with eight (8) games remaining in the NHL regular season, after the Golden Knights had fired Bruce Cassidy, who had one year remaining on his contract, while the team was in playoff position - - Tortorella's deal with the Golden Knights was only through June 30, the end of the league calendar - - Tortorella, who went 21-8-1 with Vegas (including playoffs), indicated that he would like to coach next season, sources told ESPN. . .Q: What was your immediate response to the news that Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella would not be returning for the NHL franchise following their Stanley Cup Final run this season?. . .2026 FIFA World Cup Recap: That's 24 games featuring 48 teams in the books - Or, as FIFA would put it: the biggest first matchday ever, at the biggest World Cup ever - - And despite FIFA's best efforts, the opening slate of matches was about as good as it gets, as we had hosts showing up, favorites falling off, players speaking out, stars stepping up, puppies pooping on platforms, and much, much more! - - Of course, soccer is more random than any of the major American sports: favorites win way less often, as there are barely any shots, let alone goals - but regardless, the World Cup occurs only once every four (4) years, so we decided to discuss a few of the most notable games of the Group stage from the first week of action; In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss the following World Cup matches from the opening week of the Group stage: Thursday, June 11th: Group A: Mexico vs. South Africa Friday, June 12th: Group D: United States vs. Paraguay Sunday, June 14th: Group E: Germany vs. Curacao Monday, June 15th: Group H: Spain vs. Cape Verde Tuesday, June 16th: Group I: France vs. Senegal Group J: Argentina vs. Algeria Thanks for Listening!

Tradition's Finest Episode 139 - The "oster-Tag, you're it!" Episode

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 139 - The "oster-Tag, you're it!" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - Women's College World Series (WCWS) Finals: Game 2: No.2 Texas Longhorns vs. No.11 Texas Tech Red Raiders - - Teagan Kavan struck out five (5) in the final two innings to back a strong start from Citlaly Gutierrez, and Kayden Henry homered to lead Texas to a 4-1 victory over Texas Tech last Thursday night at the Women's College World Series (WCWS) for a second straight national championship - - Kavan earned the Most Outstanding Player award after becoming the first pitcher with two shutout & two saves in one WCWS - - Henry homered off Red Raiders ace NiJaree Canady - in what was her final game at the collegiate level - to begin the 7th inning and Leighann Goode singled to drive in the final run - - Meanwhile, Texas Tech did put up a fight, as the Red Raiders jumped in front in the 3rd inning on an RBI single by Lauren Allred, as Canady retired 11 in a row after Henry singled to begin the game before disaster struck in the 5th - - Kaiah Altmeyer and Ashton Maloney led off with singles before Logan Halleman made a leaping catch in left field with one out to save at least one run, and Canady walked slugger Katie Stewart to load the bases and appeared to escape the jam before Toney's error - - Halleman also robbed Altmeyer of an extra-base with a runner on 1st base in the 6th to keep the score at 2-1 - - Gutierrez (11-3) allowed one run on three (3) hits in 4 1/3 innings, while freshman Hannah Davis got two outs in the 5th inning prior to Gutierrez re-entering the game with the bases loaded to get the final out - - Kavan fanned Mihyi Davis to wrap up her fifth save of the season, whereas Canady (29-7) went the distance, allowing just four (4) runs - two earned - on eight (8) hits with three (3) walks - - **NOTE: Coach Mike White led Texas to the program's second title in his eighth season, meanwhile, second-year Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco has led the Red Raiders to their only two, but consecutive nonetheless, WCWS appearances: Texas Tech fell 7-3 in this year's WCWS finals series opener the prior Wednesday. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Texas Longhorns earning back-to-back WCWS national championships under HC Mike White?. . .NCAA College Football: The West Virginia Mountaineers are set to honor a college football legend this upcoming fall: On Friday, the program announced plans to retire Pat White's No.5 jersey at a home game that will be determined later this summer - - White, who played at WVU from 2004-08, is widely considered to be the greatest football player in program history and one of the most electric players in college football's modern era - - White is also currently on the Mountaineers' coaching staff, serving as the assistant QBs coach and assistant to the head coach, Rich Rodriguez, whom he played for throughout his playing career in Morgantown - - White finished his West Virginia career with more than 6,000 passing yards and 4,480 rushing yards, and he recorded 103 total TDs in his three (3) seasons with the Mountaineers: A three-time First Team All-Big East selection & two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year, White led WVU to its' best season in program history in 2007, as the Mountaineers were ranked as high as No.2 in the BCS rankings and were just one win away from a guaranteed spot in the BCS National Championship Game, and now, White - originally from Daphne, Alabama - is being immortalized in Morgantown for the legend that he is - - There is but one caveat, here. . .Q: Did West Virginia miss an ideal opportunity to retire White's running mate - and arguably the best RB in Mountaineers' program history - Steve Slaton's No.10 jersey? What are your thoughts on West Virginia's announcement that the program will retire former star QB Pat White's No.5 jersey this summer?. . ."A Disgusting Day for the NCAA:" A judge in district court in Lubbock County, Texas, has granted the temporary injunction requested by Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, and in result, he is now eligible to play for the Red Raiders next season, according to the temporary injunction filed against the NCAA, granted Monday morning by visiting District Court Judge (*and Texas Tech alum) Ken Curry - - The NCAA had earlier ruled Sorsby ineligible, after he acknowledged that he gambled on sports, which included placing approximately 9,000+ bets estimated at a value of $90,000, some of which were placed on Indiana University, while Sorsby was on the program's football team as a redshirt (RS) freshman - - The request was approved after Sorsby completed a 35-day gambling rehabilitation program in late May - - Judge Curry ruled in Sorsby's favor, stating that the transfer QB "has demonstrated [that] he will suffer a probable, imminent, or irreparable injury," if the court did not grant and/or issue his request for a temporary injunction, primarily because he would not be eligible to play for the Red Raiders throughout the 2026 college football season - - The injunction is effective immediately and will remain in effect until a final judgment is signed or until there is another order on behalf of the court: The order states that the NCAA may not prevent Brendan Sorsby from practicing, playing or otherwise participating on the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team in 2026, however, Judge Curry couldn't allow Sorsby to obtain a "Get Out of Jail-" free card, so he decided to proverbially slap him on the wrist by granting his attorney's penalty that was suggested at the initial hearing: Sorsby is barred from playing and/or participating in game day activities for the program's first two games of the 2026-27 season, which includes a home game versus Abilene Christian on September 5th and a trip to Corvallis in Week 2 to face off against Oregon State on September 12th - - Background: According to court documents filed by the NCAA, Sorsby placed thousands of sports bets from 2022 to 2026 while at Indiana, Cincinnati & Texas Tech - as the NCAA's filing states that Sorsby placed bets on college sports, including on Indiana football, for which he attended, as well as bets on the performance of his teammates - - The NCAA says that Sorsby later moved to other people's accounts and apps to place bets, including after his transfer to Texas Tech, where online sports betting is illegal under Texas law — Defense attorney Jeffrey Kessler said at the June 1 hearing that the temporary injunction should be granted because the NCAA failed to uphold its' reinstatement process, as he cited the NCAA Constitution & bylaws, including Article 1 Section D, which states ' student-athlete well-being is designed to protect their physical and mental health,' while the NCAA's representative/attorney Taylor Askew rejected Kessler's claims that the NCAA does not care about the mental health of student-athletes, as their legal team described this as a "Hail Mary" attempt to be reinstated - - Askew said even if Sorsby would have placed just one singular bet on Indiana football back in 2022, he would still be in violation, and he also said that Sorsby should've never been allowed to transfer from Cincinnati to Texas Tech because he was already breaking the NCAA's "cardinal rule," - - A few days ago, prior to Judge Ken Curry's ruling, the NCAA rejected Texas Tech's appeal to reinstate Sorsby, however, this particular action was separate from Sorsby's lawsuit filed against the NCAA - - **UPDATE: A trial date has been set for Sorsby's injunction against the NCAA, and according to ESPN, the trial is set to take place on Feb. 8 in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County, Texas, the same court that granted Sorsby a temporary injunction on Monday - with the scheduled date being two weeks after the 2026-27 College Football Playoff National Championship Game - meaning Sorsby seems likely to play the entire season without at least intervention from the courts - - Reactions to the Ruling: The judge's decision to rule QB Brendan Sorsby eligible on Monday morning roiled college sports, with reactions ranging from doomsday predictions to informal chatter about Big 12 schools attempting to not play the Red Raiders this upcoming season: The reaction around college sports was nearly unanimous, with the idea of Sorsby playing in 2026 after admitting to placing thousands of bets on sports - including 40 of which were placed on his own team/program - representing the latest crossroads for an industry that has faced a dizzying number of them in recent years — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormak released the following statement Monday afternoon following the ruling: "The ramifications of today's ruling are significant and could have broad impacts across college athletics, creating great concern amongst our membership. I've been consulting with our key stakeholders and have scheduled a meeting with our Conference ADs and our Executive Board this week. We are also in touch with [NCAA President] Charlie Baker and anticipate the NCAA to appeal the order in the next 24-48 hours. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation." - - ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips told ESPN the ruling represents a "horrendous pattern," that is "eroding the integrity of our process." - - A Big 12 AD told ESPN that they were "disgusted" by the ruling and added "We officially lost our soul." - - TCU HC Sonny Dykes inquired with ESPN as to "How is anyone ever going to trust the outcome of a game again?" - - Nebraska AD Troy Dannen told ESPN that his school's teams are, similar to what has been reported for Big Ten programs, not allowed to schedule the Red Raiders for any type of sports contest - - University of Florida AD Scott Stricklin told ESPN that he was "stunned," by the ruling, even comparing it to the MLB's 1919 'Black Sox scandal,' when eight (8) professional baseball players from the Chicago White Sox took bribes to lose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the district court judge out of Lubbock County (TX) granting Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby's request for a temporary injunction against the NCAA, allowing him to become eligible for the 2026-27 college football season? Thoughts on the two-game suspension penalty imposed? Is there a legitimate possibility that, because of this particular ruling, that the NCAA forbids its' collegiate programs and/or universities from playing or participating in games/contests against Texas Tech athletics (i.e, football, softball, baseball, etc.)?. . . - NFL - - Da "Indiana Bears:" The Chicago Bears announced last Friday that their board of directors has voted to advance their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with a specific site to be determined, and thus, pushing the franchise closer to leaving the state it's called home for more than 100 years - - Hammond is roughly 25 miles from the Bears' current home, Soldier Field, and sits just next to the Indiana/Illinois border, as a departure from the state itself and a move to a state that already has an NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts, is a development that's somehow stunning yet surprising - - Friday's news dropped after the Illinois House adjourned on the last day of the state's spring legislative session last week without taking up a measure that would have cleared the way for Arlington Heights and Chicago to create local stadium authorities, creating a pathway for the Bears to avoid paying property taxes on a new stadium in the state of Illinois - - The Bears said at the time that they were finalizing their evaluation of possible stadium sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana - - The twists & turns during the final days of Illinois' spring legislative session were consistent with what has been a laborious stadium process for the Bears, a charter NFL franchise - - Amid lingering efforts to secure tax incentives in Illinois, along with as much as $855 million in public money for infrastructure at the Arlington Heights site, in May 2025, the Bears began to take a closer look at possible options in Northwest Indiana - - More recently, the Bears said on May 21 that Hammond and Arlington Heights were the only sites under consideration, but some Illinois state lawmakers kept pushing for a plan that they hoped would make Chicago part of the conversation once again - - **NOTE: The Bears have played their home games in the state of Illinois since the team's founding in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys - - Since moving to Chicago in 1921, the Bears have never owned their stadium, whether playing at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 or Soldier Field since. . .Q: What do you think about the possibility of the Chicago Bears, a historic NFL franchise, possibly relocating to Hammond, Indiana, thus becoming the "Indiana Bears?". . . - NBA - - 2025-26 NBA Playoffs Recap: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review & provide a detailed analysis on each of the NBA Finals games from the previous week; this includes the following games as listed below: 2026 NBA Finals: Game 2: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks   [NYK leads series 1-0] Game 3: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks   [NYK leads series 2-0] Game 4: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks   [NYK leads series 2-1] - Miscellaneous - - 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes [VGK leads series 1-0] – Game 2: The 2026 Stanley Cup Finals has been marked by wild swings, so it's probably appropriate that the two teams, the Vegas Golden Knights & Carolina Hurricanes, have split the first two games in Carolina, but if history is a guide, the winner of the following Saturday's Game 3 would have an enormous edge, but this series has been, if anything, unpredictable: **NOTE: NHL teams that took a 2-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final went on to win 46 of 57 times (or 80.7% of the time) - - Mini-Recap: The Hurricanes couldn't have gotten off to a better start in the series opener, as Nikolaj Ehlers scored just 25 seconds into the game and soon afterwards, he added a second goal to take a 2-0 lead early - but unfortunately for Carolina, the Golden Knights rallied with three (3) consecutive goals to begin a back-and-forth finish, as Vegas ultimately won Game 1, 5-4, as Tomas Hertl scored with 3:24 remaining off a sensational backhand pass from Colton Sissons - - Back in Game 2, the Golden Knights appeared to take full control of the series, taking a 2-0 lead deep into the third period - but Carolina scored three (3) goals beginning with 9:40 left before Mark Stone forced OT with a six-on-five goal with 1:21 remaining - but it was Seth Jarvis' power-play goal 3:56 into OT that gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 victory and evened the series at 1-1. . .2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes [Series tied 1-1] – Game 3: What was largely expected to be a high-checking, low-scoring championship round has been wide open at times, with each team capitalizing on the other's mistakes: **NOTE: The teams have combined to score 25 goals, the highest total through three (3) games in the Stanley Cup Final since the New York Islanders and the Minnesota North Stars had 30 in 1981- - There have been blown leads of at least two such goals in each game, as Vegas rallied from such a deficit in Game 1 and Carolina did it in Game 2 - - Then came the real doozy in Saturday night's Game 3 when the Golden Knights led 4-0 well into the third period before the Hurricanes scored three (3) goals in a record 39 seconds, as Carolina eventually forced OT, but the Golden Knights won it in double OT when Shea Theodore bounced a puck off the boards that caromed off goalie Brandon Bussi's skate - - Bussi, who hadn't played in two months, entered in the third period after coach Rod Brind'Amour had seen enough of Frederik Andersen - and the Golden Knights couldn't figure out Bussi until that final wacky shot - - After Vegas took a 2-1 series lead, there was plenty at stake for Game 4: Should the Golden Knights have won and took a 3-1 series lead, they would have been almost an unbeatable position: **NOTE: Teams with such an advantage (i.e., leading a series 3-1) in the Stanley Cup Final are 38-1, with the one defeat occurring 84 years ago when Detroit lost a 3-0 lead and fell to Toronto - - On the other hand, a Carolina victory would not only have evened the best-of-seven (7) series, but the Hurricanes would have regained home-ice advantage with potentially two of the three (3) remaining games scheduled to occur in Carolina. . .2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes [VGK leads series 2-1] – Game 4: Another two-goal lead went the way of the landline on Tuesday night, the go-ahead shot came from a 37-year-old player on his stomach on one of the great runs in Stanley Cup Finals history, and the winning goalie made his first start in two months and doesn't know if that will be his last one this postseason: None of it makes sense and yet it all somehow does in this series that is now even at 2-2 through four (4) games - probably aptly so - because of Jordan Staal's second goal at 6:32 of the third period that come while sprawled on the ice in what became a 5-3 Hurricanes victory over the Golden Knights - - Next, the series would head back to Carolina for Game 5 the following Thursday night, where the Hurricanes would have two games on home ice to win their first Cup in two decades, for which their coach, Rod Brind'Amour, captained that team - - The same applies at the other end, where the 9-year-old Golden Knights chase their second championship in four (4) years - - Whichever team loses the series can point to a number of costly mistakes and moments that could have drastically changed the outcome of the series, as each game - until Game 4 - was decided by just one goal — A two-goal lead has disappeared in all four (4) games in what has been a remarkable series in which momentum often changes at a moment's notice - as each team has led by at least that many twice - - **NOTE: Through the first four (4) games, the 33 combined goals are tied for the third highest in a Cup final with the Islanders-Flyers' series in 1980 - - **NOTE2: Jordan Staal became the first player in 44 years to score at least one goal in each of the first four (4) games of the Stanley Cup Final and the ninth overall, as Mike Bossy in 1982 with the New York Islanders against the Vancouver Canucks, was the last player to score in the first four (4) games of a final - - Brandon Bussi started in place of Frederick Andersen in goal for the Hurricanes and made 18 saves, and including his work in relief in Game 2, Bussi has 36 saves on 40 shots - - Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Brett Howden scored goals for the Golden Knights, and Carter Hart made 23 saves, but the Hurricanes came out blazing in Game 4, taking a 3-1 lead in the first period, and while Vegas nearly cut it to one, but Brayden McNabb's goal came right after the period ended, and thus, didn't count. . .Q: While neither of us are "Hockey Bros," we are both fans, and have respect for anyone who will toss their gloves, mask & hockey stick, and throw a punch, we like that shit, but what are your thoughts on the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals through the first four games?. . .2026 FIFA World Cup/Soccer: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally arrived and the opening match of competition was set to get under way on Thursday (6/11), as Mexico hosted South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, in the first of a total of 104 matches at this expanded World Cup in what is also, a repeat of the 2018 curtain raiser - There was also the first of three opening ceremonies that took place in the Mexican capital on Thursday, and in the early hours of the morning UK time on Saturday, the United States will get their World Cup campaign up & running in Los Angeles, as Maurice Pochettino's team hosts Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium and in the third and final opening ceremony, where Katy Perry is the headline act - - Per major sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel, Spain (+450) and France (+475) enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the consensus tournament favorites, with the outright champion odds for the top contenders being highlighted by a tiered field (listed below). . .Q: Which nation(s) do you think have the best overall shot at winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup?. . . Top Tier Favorites: Spain (+450) France (+475) England (+650 to +700) Leading Contenders: Portugal (+800) Brazil (+800 to +950) Argentina (the reigning World Cup champions; +800 to +1000) Dark Horses & Co-Hosts: Germany (+1400) Netherlands (+2000) United States (+5000) Japan (+5000) Mexico (+6000 to +6600) Canada (+17500)                   Thanks for Listening!

Tradition's Finest Episode 138 - "The Bust of All Time Episode"

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 138 - "The Bust of All Time Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Posthumously, Mike Leach is on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, following an adjustment to eligibility criteria for coaches - - Leach, whose use of the Air Raid offense, widespread coaching tree and distinct personality left a significant impression of the sport, had been kept off previous ballots because his career winning percentage at Texas Tech, Washington State and Mississippi State - 158-107 (.596) - fell just below the previous threshold of .600 - - In 2025, the National Football Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame, announced that the winning percentage required for coaching eligibility would be adjusted to .595, whereas the other requirements for coaches to become eligible for selection, including ten or more years as a HC and at least 100 games coached, have not changed and/or remain the same - - Leach died in December 2022 at the age of 61 from complications related to a heart condition, while still coaching at Mississippi State - - **NOTE: He won division titles at both Texas Tech and Washington State, where his 2018 team finished the season ranked No.10 nationally, and guided teams to bowl appearances in all but two seasons at his three (3) head coaching stops - - Leach's previous ineligibility for the Hall of Fame garnered extensive criticism of the process involved in selection, from many coaches, media members & fans - as Leach coached or hired many notable coaches throughout his pristine career, including USC's Lincoln Riley, TCU's Sonny Dykes, Oklahoma State's Eric Morris, Baylor's Dave Aranda & Tennessee's Josh Heupel, among others - - Similarly, Jackie Sherrill, who had a career winning percentage of .592 at Washington State, Pitt, Texas A&M and Mississippi State, also appeared on the ballot for the first time, as Sherrill had six (6) AP top-10 finishes, including a No.2 overall ranking while at Pitt in 1980 - - Other notable players on this year's ballot include Auburn QB Cam Newton and Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2010 and 2011, respectively, as well as Ohio State LB A.J. Hawk and Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon, both national award winners - - **NOTE: The 2027 ballot includes 80 players and nine (9) coaches from the FBS level, and 99 players & 39 coaches from other NCAA or NAIA divisions, while the next Hall of Fame class will be announced in January 2027, during the College Football Playoff. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the late Mike Leach being included on the HOF ballot for the first time after the career winning percentage for eligibility was adjusted to .595?. . ."You Can't Make This Up:" Jordyn Adams spent the better part of eight (8) years pursuing one sports dream, but now he's returning to another: The former five-star football recruit & first-round MLB draft pick has enrolled at SMU and plans to join the Mustangs football program, a source confirmed to CBS Sports - - Adams was once considered one of the country's premier high school athletes - a standout WR at Green Hope High School in Cary, North Carolina - he finished his prep career ranked as the No.3 WR in the 2018 class and the No.14 overall prospect nationally - - **NOTE: The only WRs ranked ahead of Adams in the Class of 2018 were future NFL stars: Amon-Ra St. Brown & Ja'Marr Chase - - While in high school, Adams signed with North Carolina and intended to play both football & baseball, but those plans changed when the Los Angeles Angels selected him with the No.17 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and signed him away from college on a deal worth more than $3 million, which was a decision that launched a professional baseball career that stretched from 2018 up until just a couple weeks ago, when he last appeared in a Triple-A game on May 20 with the Nashville Sounds - - Adams made his major league debut in 2023, as he appeared in 17 games for the Angels that season and returned for 11 more games in 2024, after which point, he departed the Angels' organization, spending time with the Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers' organizations - - In total, Adams played 38 MLB games, collecting 13 hits, six (6) runs scored, one HR and five (5) RBIs - as he spent the bulk of his career in the minor leagues, appearing in 678 games and accumulating more than 2,400 at-bats, while showcasing the athleticism that once made him one of the nation's top football recruits - - After his baseball career came to a close last month, rather than continuing to pursue another opportunity in the MLB, Adams has elected to revisit the sport many believed could have carried him to a professional career as well - - As for now, Adams remains eligible to play college football for SMU, but the NCAA continues to debate significant eligibility changes, for instance, last month Division I leaders discussed an age-based "five-for-five" model that would give athletes five (5) years to compete beginning immediately after high school graduation or their 19th birthday - whichever comes first, as this type of proposal could impact cases like Adams in the future - - Adams never enrolled, however, at UNC after signing with the Angels, and so, because he went directly into the MLB and never played college football, his eligibility situation differs from that of a traditional college athlete. . .Q: What is your most current take (or stance) on a situation such as that of Jordyn Adams? Should Jordyn Adams, a former eight-year MLB player, be considered eligible by the NCAA to play college football for the SMU Mustangs next season? If so, why?. . .NCAA College Basketball: Former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, the No.1 player in the NCAA transfer portal this spring, has committed to Kentucky, he announced on Monday - - Momcilovic chose the Wildcats over Louisville and Arizona, meanwhile, St. John's was also among the schools in pursuit as recently as last week, but the Red Storm bowed out after landing Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou - - Momcilovic, a 6-foot-8 junior, was the best shooter in college basketball last season: he averaged 16.9 points and shot 48.7% from 3-point range, leading the nation in 3-point percentage and ranking fifth in 3-pointers made - - **NOTE: In his three (3) seasons in Ames, Iowa State won 83 games and made two Sweet 16 appearances, as Momcilovic earned second-team All-Big 12 honors last season - - It's impossible to overstate the significance of Momcilovic's addition for the outlook of the Kentucky Wildcats - as well as for head coach Mark Pope, who is entering a pivotal season, coming off a campaign in which the Wildcats struggled for long stretches and finished 22-14 with a second-round NCAA tournament exit despite having the nation's most expensive roster - as with Momcilovic in the fold, and after starting center Malachi Moreno withdrew his name from the NBA Draft last week, Pope now has a top-25 roster on his hands entering the 2026-27 college basketball season - - Kentucky has leaned heavily on the portal this offseason, as Momcilovic will likely join fellow transfers Alex Wilkins (Furman) and Zoom Diallo (Washington) in the Wildcats' starting lineup - - After announcing his intent in early April to enter the transfer portal and the NBA Draft, he went through the entire draft process, earning an invitation to the combine, as he cemented himself as one of the elite shooters in the pool of players, shooting nearly 69% across the four (4) shooting drills, but removed his name hours before the draft's early-entry withdrawal deadline. . .Q: What do you make of Milan Momcilovic's decision to remove his name from the NBA Draft and to transfer to the University of Kentucky?. . .NCAA College Softball: Women's College World Series (WCWS) Semifinals: No.2 Texas Longhorns vs. No.7 Tennessee Volunteers - - Teagan Kavan pitched her fifth career shutout in the Women's College World Series and Texas defeated No.7 seed Tennessee twice on Monday to advance to the championship series - - The No.2 seed Longhorns, who had to advance through the loser's bracket after falling to the Vols in the tournament opener, won Monday's first game 5-2, and then rolled again 4-0 behind Kavan's gem - - **NOTE: Texas joined Oklahoma as the only other NCAA program to reach three (3) consecutive WCWS championship finals - - Texas had the pitching, as Teagan Kavan, who surrendered three (3) runs before being pulled after three (3) innings in the WCWS opener, rebounded to cruise past the Vols, outdueling Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens, as Kavan surrendered only two hits and struck out 10 batters in the deciding game - - The Longhorns also got a sterling performance on the circle from Citlaly Gutierrez in the first game, as the senior went 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one earned run, before handing the ball off to Kavan, who picked up the one-out save - - **NOTE: With her performance, Kavan passed Cat Osterman for the most WCWS shutouts in Texas history, and she has now allowed one or fewer earned runs in nine (9) of her 11 career WCWS starts - - Women's College World Series (WCWS) Semifinals 2: No.1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No.11 Texas Tech Red Raiders - - In just a matter of hours, Alabama went from the winners' bracket to ending its season in the WCWS semifinals: The No.1 seed Crimson Tide (56-9) fell 2-0 to the No.11 seed Red Raiders (60-8) to solidify its fate in a do-or-die game after suffering a first 5-4 loss to Texas Tech on Monday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City: In Game 1, Texas Tech forced the winner-take-all game with a walk-off win in Monday's opener, thanks to a 7th inning HR by Mia Williams - - In Game 2, the Red Raiders picked up right where they left off after the first game, as Texas Tech started the second game with a hit in its first at-bat, and by the end of the 3rd inning, the Red Raiders tallied four (4) hits, whereas Alabama, prevented Texas Tech from capitalizing on any of them while the Crimson Tide was trying to get its offense going - - Alabama finally got a hit in the bottom of the 3rd, but it couldn't turn that into a run - but then, to open the 4th, Texas Tech's Jasmyn Burns rocketed a pitch to center field, giving the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead, and while the lead did not seem like much, it almost felt insurmountable with the way NiJaree Canady was pitching: Alabama struggled to get into any type of groove offensively against her, and she pitched all seven (7) innings of the second game, allowing only two hits, no runs, one walk & striking out six (6) batters - - Meanwhile, by the 6th inning, Alabama ace Jocelyn Briski was running out of steam, and after she gave up an eighth hit for the game with two runners on and no outs, the Crimson Tide swapped Briski out for Vic Moten, as the freshman pitcher got Alabama out of the jam without allowing another run or hit, however, Texas Tech added to its lead in the top of the 7th when a single up the middle allowed Mihyia Davis to advance to 3rd base, after which a Crimson Tide throwing error opened the door for her to run home & increase the Red Raiders' lead to 2-0 - - Alabama got the tying run to the plate after Audrey Vandagriff doubled down the left-field line, but Ambrey Taylor popped up to left to end the game, and send the Crimson Tide home three (3) wins short of a national title - - Shockingly & overall, the Red Raiders out-hit the Crimson Tide, 10-2, but Alabama's inability to get much anything going at the plate in the second game ultimately ended the Crimson Tide's spectacular season. . .Q: What were your thoughts on a Texas-Texas Tech WCWS Finals rematch? - - Women's College World Series (WCWS) Finals: Game 1: No.2 Texas Longhorns vs. No.11 Texas Tech Red Raiders - - Teagan Kavan pitched a complete-game three-hitter, Katie Stewart hit her fourth HR in as many games, and Texas opened the WCWS championship round with a 7-3 victory over Texas Tech on Wednesday night - - The No.2 seed Longhorns (52-12) could potentially wrap up their second consecutive national championship with a victory in Game 2 on Thursday night - - **NOTE: Winners of Game 1 have gone on to win the title 80% of the time since the best-of-three (3) series format began in 2005 - - Tech took a 1-0 lead on a solo HR by Mihyia Davis with one out in the 1st inning, but that lead didn't last long as Texas scored five (5) runs in the bottom of the 1st, as Stewart's two-run homer that cleared the bleachers in center field gave Texas a 2-1 lead - it was her seventh career HR in WCWS, including one in each of the past four (4) games, which is the first time that's ever happened in WCWS history - - Teagan Kavan cruised into the 5th, not allowing another hit until Mia Williams went deep to straightaway center field for her 27th HR of the season, a two-run blast that made it 6-3 - as Kavan (29-6) , the WCWS most outstanding player in the Longhorns' run to the 2025 championship, finished with six (6) strikeouts, two walks & a hit batter, as it was her 10th career win in WCWS, tied for the most all time - - Meanwhile, Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco took NiJaree Canady, the two-time national pitcher of the year, out of the game after she faced six (6) batters in relief in the 1st and 2nd innings, however, she was listed as the Red Raiders' presumptive starter in Game 2 of the series - - This was the first WCWS championship rematch since UCLA defeated Cal in 2003 and 2004, the last two title games before the championship was implemented. . .Q: Following the Longhorns' win in Game 1 of the WCWS Finals, did you think that No.2 seed Texas would close the series out in Game 2? Or would the series go three (3) games?. . - NFL - - "CBS Country, Let's Ride:" Ten-time Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson confirmed Wednesday in a video posted to social media that he's retiring from the NFL to take a job with CBS Sports - - Wilson, who also had an offer on the table from the New York Jets to join the franchise as a backup to starting QB Geno Smith, decided to embark on a new career path as an NFL analyst - - Wilson, who won a Super Bowl and the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award during his career, is now set to leave the NFL as a player to become an analyst on the network's pregame show that includes James Brown, Nate Burleson & Bill Cowher - - Wilson will replace Matt Ryan with CBS after the former QB left the network this offseason to return to the Atlanta Falcons as the organization's president of football operations - - Wilson, 37, has thrown for 46,966 yards, 353 TDs and 114 INTs during a career which includes 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, two with the Denver Broncos, one with the Pittsburgh Steelers & last season with the New York Giants - - **NOTE: His passing yardage is the fifth most in the NFL since 2012, when he was selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, trailing only Matthew Stafford (56,676), Tom Brady (49,235), Aaron Rodgers (48,908) and Matty Ice (48,554). . .Q: What was your initial reaction to the news announcement Monday that QB Russell Wilson was leaving the NFL as a player to become a sports analyst on CBS?. . ."A Blockbuster Trade:" The Cleveland Browns have agreed to trade two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year & DE Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Jared Verse and multiple draft picks, the teams announced Monday - - The Browns receives a first-round draft pick in 2027, a second-round pick in 2028 and a third-rounder in 2029 in what is one of the biggest or most significant trades in NFL history involving a defensive player - - The shocking trade, however, is completely "on brand" for the L.A. Rams, who made a similarly seismic move in the 2021 offseason when they completed a trade with the Detroit Lions for QB Matthew Stafford - - The Rams' interest in Garrett sparked shortly after the Browns modified the contract of the seven-time Pro Bowl DE in March, pushing back the option bonuses from the 15th day of the league year in March to a week before the start of the NFL regular season, making it easier to trade him, while the Browns at the time, had zero interest in trading Garrett - but the Rams refused to give up what one source referred to as their "persistent pursuit" of Garrett, just kept calling & calling - as it was the sole franchise that tried to pry loose a player the Cleveland Browns' front office once deemed "untouchable." - - **NOTE: The trade not only lands Garrett in Los Angeles - and with a winning franchise - but also relocates the two-time DPOY to the city where his girlfriend resides - and it also marks a homecoming for Jared Verse, who was born in Dayton, Ohio - - Meanwhile, Sportsbooks reacted quickly to the reported trade, with DraftKings moving the Rams from 8-1 to 13-2 to win the Super Bowl. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL's blockbuster trade that landed two-time DPOY Myles Garrett in Los Angeles and Jared Verse in Cleveland? Following the trade, are the Rams now the clear favorites for you to win Super Bowl LXI?. . "[Worst] Kept Secret:" The Philadelphia Eagles agreed Monday to trade star WR A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots for a first-round pick in 2028 and a 2027 fifth-round pick - - The fifth-round selection will be the better of New England's two picks in that round of next year's draft, sources told ESPN - - The trade, which has been discussed and anticipated across the NFL for months, reunites Brown and Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel - - Brown, who turns 29 on June 30, gives Patriots QB Drake Maye a true No.1 target as part of a revamped top of the WR depth chart alongside free agent signing Romeo Doubs - - The Eagles, likewise, have planned for Brown's departure all offseason, trading up in this year's draft for USC WR Makai Lemon, while also trading for Green Bay Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks and signing Hollywood Brown & Elijah Brown as free agents - - Since entering the league as a second-round selection of the Vrabel-led Tennessee Titans in 2019, Brown is fourth in the league in both receiving yards (8,029) and TD catches (56) - - Although Brown left his mark in Philadelphia, where he recorded the highest single-season receiving yards totals in franchise history in 2022 and 2023, his frustration with the Eagles' offense continued to grow, especially over the previous two seasons - - The Patriots inherit Brown's contract, which runs through the 2029 season and averaged $32 million per season, which is the seventh highest in the NFL among WRs, as New England was one of Brown's preferred trade destinations, in part because of his on- and off-field relationship with Vrabel, whom of which he played for in Tennessee from 2019 to 2021. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Eagles-Patriots trade that landed WR A.J. Brown in New England?. . ."Madden NFL 27:" Caleb Williams had an unshakeable premonition that his time with the Chicago Bears would take the franchise to heights it had rarely seen, and he took a step toward that promise Wednesday when EA Sports announced he will be the cover athlete for “Madden NFL 27,” the first player in Bears history to earn that distinction: Williams enters the 2026 season with a 90 overall rating - - In his first season playing under Bears HC Ben Johnson, Williams threw for 3,942 yards and 27 TDs - setting a franchise single-season passing record - while leading Chicago to its first divisional title since 2018 and first playoff win in 15 years, and in doing so, he emerged as one of the NFL's most exciting QBs - - He and the aptly named “Cardiac Bears” made history with their seven (7) comeback wins, including playoffs, after trailing in the 4th QTR - - The Standard Edition cover features Williams' signature jump pass, remembered best by a 4th-and-8 throw to Rome Odunze as the Bears fought back from an 18-point deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, with the Chicago skyline in the background - - The 2025 NFL Moment of the Year - Williams' 46-yard walk-off TD pass to DJ Moore to beat Green Bay in OT in Week 16 - will be represented on the Deluxe Edition in the form of Williams' “Iceman” celebration - - “Madden NFL 27” is set for a full release on all consoles on August 13. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams being the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27?. . . - NBA - - 2025-26 NBA Playoffs Recap: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer review Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals as well as Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals (list included below): Western Conference Finals: Game 7: No.1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No.2 San Antonio Spurs  [Series tied 3-3] 2026 NBA Finals: Game 1: No.2 San Antonio Spurs (Western Conf. champ) vs. No.3 New York Knicks (Eastern Conf. champ)    [Series 0-0] - NBA (cont'd) - - "Magic [in] Me:" The Orlando Magic have announced the hiring of San Antonio Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney as the franchise's new HC - - Sweeney, who has spent this season as San Antonio's lead assistant, will replace Jamahl Mosley, who was fired after the Magic lost 4-3 to Detroit in their first-round series and has since become the HC of the New Orleans Pelicans - - Sweeney will finish the remainder of the postseason on the Spurs' bench with San Antonio hosting the New York Knicks for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night - - Former Chicago Bulls HC Billy Donovan and LA Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy were also finalists for the Magic's coaching vacancy - - A decision was finally made to offer the job to Sweeney, who blew Orlando away during his interview process and meeting with ownership Wednesday in San Antonio, sources added - - Sweeney ran San Antonio's defense for Coach of the Year finalist Mitch Johnson this season, guiding an improvement from 25th to third in the NBA's defensive efficiency rankings and garnering praise from the team's young stars Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle - - **NOTE: The Spurs also ranked top-five in defending isolations, on-ball screens, drives and rim protection, according to ESPN Research - - Under Sweeney, the Spurs made a 28-win improvement to a 62-20 campaign - tied for the third-most wins in franchise history - and have advanced to the conference finals, as Sweeney has served as a lead assistant to a conference finalist in three (3) of the last five (5) seasons - - Sweeney's first head coaching job will be with a Magic team built to contend in the Eastern Conference with one-time NBA All-Star Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs - - Orlando has failed to make it out of the first round for three (3) straight seasons - - The Magic led top-seeded Detroit 3-1 but didn't have enough offense to close out the Pistons, especially after Wagner suffered a series-ending right calf strain in Game 4 - - Sweeney broke into NBA coaching as a video coordinator in 2011 for the then-New Jersey Nets, before moving on to the bench in Brooklyn for the 2013-14 season, and he also had stints as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks (2014-18) and the Pistons (2018-21). . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Orlando Magic hiring Spurs' assistant coach Sean Sweeney as the franchise's new HC?. . .Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has signed a 10-year, $400 million endorsement contract with Chinese company Li-Ning, ending a drawn-out recruitment process following Curry's departure from Under Armor in November - - Curry announced the end of his sneaker free agency Monday with a landmark deal at Li-Ning that expands his Curry Brand venture globally, as the agreement will include basketball products, athleisure lifestyle wear, the ability for Curry to sign male & female athletes under his brand, and a full golf line - - One factor in Curry's ultimate decision was his comfort while testing the shoes of two Li-Ning signature athletes - - Li-Ning plans to build Curry Brand stores in the United States and in China, as Curry's agent, Jeff Austin, finalized negotiations with in recent days, while the partnership was announced on social media Monday, but terms were not disclosed - - Curry split from Under Armor after a 13-year partnership, announcing a mutual divorce in November and expressing gratitude despite what industry sources said was growing frustration about the underinvestment from a brand decreasing in valuation. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Stephen Curry's decision to sign with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning on a landmark 10-year deal?. . . - Miscellaneous - - NASCAR: A member of Michael Jordan's NASCAR race team was arrested after allegedly plowing over a 77-year-old man with a golf cart she was driving at a famed race track in North Carolina: 23XI Racing employee Evanna Howell got into big trouble on Saturday, according to The California Post - - Police reportedly say Howell was driving a golf cart in the wrong direction at Charlotte Motor Speedway when she swung around, hit a curb, pushed an elderly man into a fence, and ran him over - - The alleged victim was reportedly taken to a local hospital after suffering several serious injuries, meanwhile, Howell was booked in jail on one count of assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury - - Michael and Denny Hamlin co-own 23XI Racing, where Howell works as a senior account manager - - NASCAR says Howell had been “indefinitely suspended,” and online records show she was released from custody Tuesday on a $125,000 bond and is due back in court June 16. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding the 23XI Racing team member being arrested after allegedly plowing over an elderly man on a golf cart?. . .2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes – Game 1: It took just one shot and 25 seconds worth of game action for the Vegas Golden Knights to find themselves in a hole in the Stanley Cup Final, and midway through the opening period, they were down two goals against a fast-skating Carolina Hurricanes team riding the energy from a buzzing home crowd. . .No matter, and no panic. . .Not with these tested Golden Knights: Tomas Hertl took a backhand pass from Colton Sissons and beat Frederik Andersen from the slot with 3:24 left in the third period, lifting the Golden Knights past the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in Tuesday night's opener of the Stanley Cup Final - - Game 2 of the best-of-seven (7) series is Thursday in Raleigh, with Vegas already having taken home ice away from the Hurricanes as it chases a second Cup title in four (4) seasons - - Hertl's finish off Sissons' feed from the right faceoff circle broke a 4-4 tie and pushed the Golden Knights ahead in an entertaining, back-and-forth start on the sport's biggest stage, as it marked Vegas' seventh straight win of the playoffs, starting with the last two games of the six-game second-round series against Anaheim and then the shocking four-game sweep of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche - - That series included Vegas erasing a 3-0 deficit to take Game 3, and now the Golden Knights have followed by rallying from another multi-goal deficit - this time 2-0 in the opening period - against a team that finished second only to the Avs in the regular season - - Things changed after Vegas coach John Tortorella gathered his team around the bench during a TV timeout after the Hurricanes had sprinted out to their lead, coming as Vegas had a slow start out of its six-day break while waiting for Carolina to close out Montreal in a five-game Eastern Conference Final - - Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev and Brett Howden also scored for Vegas, with Howden's postseason-leading 11th score giving the Golden Knights a 4-3 lead just 1:21 into the third period, while goalie Carter Hart finished with 23 saves - - Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice for the Hurricanes, the first coming 25 seconds into the game when he got loose on a rush and blasted one past Hart from the left side on the game's first shot - and he followed with a breakaway that gave Carolina a 2-0 lead and sent a charged home crowd into an eruption in the team's first Stanley Cup Final game in two decades - - Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere each scored tying goals after Vegas had pushed to a lead - - The Hurricanes went 12-1 through three (3) rounds to get back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since now-coach Rod Brind'Amour captained them to the title in 2006, and it also comes amid an eight-year playoff streak that has included at least one series win every time as a regular postseason contender: Carolina swept through Ottawa and Philadelphia before taking the last four (4) games of a five-game win against Montreal to punch through an Eastern Conference Final roadblock – **NOTE: That made the Hurricanes the first team since 1983 to reach the Stanley Cup Final with one loss, and the first since the NHL went to best-of-seven (7) series in all four (4) rounds in 1987 - - Meanwhile, Vegas has been getting stronger with every playoff round, winning for 19 of 24 games going back to the unexpected late-season firing of Bruce Cassidy and replace him with Tortorella - that included the shocking result against the Avalanche, who managed just seven (7) goals in four (4) games - - Defense had been the standout feature for both teams, in fact, with Carolina having allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of 13 playoff games - but that wasn't the case in Tuesday's fast-paced series opener, with both teams capitalizing on their chances in an entertaining back-and-forth game before Hertl got Vegas the lead for good. . .Q: Although neither of us are major NHL fans, after we covered last year's Stanley Cup Final, it almost seems as though we are compelled to discuss this year's final as well, so let's do just that: What are your thoughts on Game 1 of this year's Stanley Cup Final?. . .                   Thanks for Listening!