After the Horn: Tom Green & Ron Zappolo on NBA Finals Chaos, Avs Questions, World Cup Fever & Sports Gambling
This week on After the Horn, Tom Green and Ron Zappolo are in the host chairs, with Natasha Vukonich joining as usual, for a loaded sports conversation presented by RedBird Farms Chicken.
Tom and Ron start with the NBA Finals, where the Knicks’ 13-game winning streak comes to an end against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs at Madison Square Garden — with a presidential courtside appearance adding even more noise to the night. They break down the physicality of the series, the Spurs’ response, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and whether Denver Nuggets fans should feel encouraged watching these Finals teams.
Then the conversation shifts to the Avalanche, as Joe Sakic prepares to address the media and major offseason questions loom around Jared Bednar, Chris MacFarland’s departure, and where the Avs go from here. Tom and Ron also dig into the wild Stanley Cup Final, including Carolina’s stunning comeback and the unpredictability that makes playoff hockey so compelling.
The crew also discusses the World Cup coming to the United States, the rising cost of sports tickets, FIFA, the growing divide between real fans and premium-event pricing, and how sports leagues risk turning live games into studio television.
Later, they hit the Rockies’ ongoing struggles, what Colorado should do at the trade deadline, and why the franchise needs to think differently about player development and roster-building.
The episode closes with a deep discussion on the Brendan Sorsby gambling controversy, the NCAA’s fading power, NIL money, college athletes and sports betting, plus the latest Broncos headlines — including Jonathan Cooper’s legal situation, Jaylen Waddle’s arrival, Marvin Mims’ role, Courtland Sutton, Bo Nix, and where Denver stacks up in the AFC.
Presented by RedBird Farms Chicken.
Chapter Markers / Timestamps
00:00 — Intro: Spurs stop the Knicks’ 13-game winning streak
00:35 — Tom and Ron open the show; Woody expected back next week
01:19 — Knicks-Spurs reaction, President Trump at Madison Square Garden
03:31 — Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Finals matchup
06:05 — NBA Finals physicality and what Game 4 could mean
07:52 — How the Nuggets match up with the Knicks and Spurs
10:06 — Nuggets roster questions, trades, salary cap and the second apron
12:39 — Avalanche offseason: Joe Sakic, Jared Bednar, Chris MacFarland
16:50 — Stanley Cup Final chaos and Carolina’s comeback
20:36 — RedBird Farms Chicken sponsor segment
22:32 — World Cup preview and ticket pricing frustration
25:28 — The rising cost of live sports and fans being priced out
29:04 — USA vs. Paraguay and World Cup favorites
30:28 — Golf, softball, college baseball and Colorado sports viewing
31:51 — Rockies struggles and trade deadline possibilities
37:24 — Brendan Sorsby gambling controversy and NCAA backlash
42:18 — NCAA power, NIL money, gambling and college athletes
44:08 — Jonathan Cooper legal situation and possible Broncos impact
46:49 — Broncos minicamp, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims and wide receiver outlook
49:22 — Broncos AFC odds and where Denver stacks up nationally
51:59 — USA-Paraguay prediction and closing thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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