Billionaire Athletes & “Wristers in Traffic”
Billionaire Athletes & “Wristers in Traffic”
This week on “Dialogues”, we discuss the NBA Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics (BOS) and Golden State Warriors (GSW), a rundown of the “State of the NFL” as Mini-Camps begin, with a dash of LIV Golf, MLB Headlines, and Stanley Cup Preview
Celtics vs. Steph Curry
We preview the remaining NBA Finals games after Boston dominates in Game #3. Boston’s defense has been stifling over 3 games, with clutch performances from Smart, Tatum, and Brown on the offensive side of the ball. The Celtics weathered a 3rd Quarter storm from the Warriors and eventually went on a 20-8 run at the end of the third and start of the fourth that gave them a 102-91 lead, and it cruise-control from there.
GSW and Curry need to play better defense all-around to better contain the weapons Boston has through the lineup, and we both agree on that one! Steve Kerr needs to change up Draymond’s usage, and Klay Thompson needs to get more involved for GSW to have a chance to get back into this series.
Even more important than basketball though, is that everyone knows how much Tom dislikes the discourse around Steph Curry. He thinks Steph deserves the same criticism Lebron takes in similar situations, when he “doesn’t have help” or “he’s tired”. Steph Curry is not in the GOAT conversation, the Warriors are the villains, and Tom is tired of acting like he is and they’re not!! I think it’s safe to say, Boston has support from the “Dialogues” crew moving forward; and Tom hates the Celtics.
MLB 60-Game Mark
Major League Baseball is at the 60-game mark and we take a quick look at the hot clubs throughout the league . The Phillies and Braves are streaking right now in a loaded NL East; Atlanta has won 8 straight and Acuna’s return boosted the clubhouse.The Phillies have turned it around since Girardi’s departure and Bryce Harper getting healthy has changed the feel in Philadelphia. Buck Showalter’s Mets are #2 in the Power Rankings behind their NY neighbors and don’t look like they’re stopping anytime soon.
The Dodgers and the Padres are playing phenomenal baseball in the NL West, and the Padres stand to get Fernando Tatis back soon. Dare we say it? The Padres could take the division from the Dodgers if they stay healthy.
The Cardinals are playing their usual brand of solid baseball in the NL Central. The Astros in the AL West are in the same boat, and Verlander may be the most adaptable pitcher we’ve ever seen. The Chicago White Sox are also getting healthy and could reach their potential, that is, unless “Pop-Pop” Larussa intentionally walks them out of it.
The Angels just remain confusing! It’s the Trout & Ohtani show over there and we’re just here for the performances.
NHL Playoffs
The Eastern Conference Finals are in full swing and this is Tampa Bay’s series to lose at this point. Game #3 was a big swing game where the Lightning really took control after being down in the series 2-0 to the NY Rangers. Tampa Bay looks seasoned; they look like they’ve been here before, and they have. Stamkos and Palet are firing on all cylinders and Vasilevskiy is standing on his head. After two great games, and a heartbreaker in Game #3, the Rangers are showing some of their youth and inexperience.
The Avalanche cruised through Edmonton to sweep in the Western Conference. The offense is on absolute fire scoring a total 22 goals over 4 games to get a few days off before the beginning of the Stanley Cup Finals.16 of 20 skaters logged at least a point in the series and 10 of those 16 had a multi-point series.
Looking forward, if Tampa Bay can close out the series, the Lightning will be looking at back-to-back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, and as Chris likes to say “Wristers in Traffic, that is what Wins Games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs”
NFL Snapshot
Mini-Camps begin soon so we take a quick look around the league and share some opinions on the current goings-on for a few hot divisions
AFC North
The Bengals take a step back, according to Tom. Super Bowl teams do typically struggle to reach the same level, but the team looks largely the same. They’ve upgraded on the O-Line (on paper), and still hold the division crown, so they’re the team to beat. The Ravens are flying under the radar even with the noise of Lamar skipping OTAs. The defense is healthy and slightly upgraded in the backfield. The O-Line is healthy and upgraded (on paper) which will be vital for a successful season.The Pass Rush is a question, so someone will need to step up. The Steelers are in-flux on offense, but snuck into the playoffs with “a corpse at Quarterback” on the back of a top 10 defense and a great run game; a dark horse in the division. The Browns are definitely doing something. Cleveland’s fortunes depend on who lines up under center to start the season. If it’s Watson the division gets a lot scarier. If it’s Baker, well, they should have at least invited him to the Bahamas!
AFC South
The Colts and Matt Ryan look like a good move. Indy’s defense was in the top 15 last year and that unit remains largely intact. Jonathan Taylor is poised for another big year and the division is basically a two-horse race. The Tennessee Derrick Henrys are ready for another 340 carries this season, and Tannehill has a few new weapons around him in Robert Woods and Austin Hooper, but Malik Willis is waiting for his shot. Jacksonville is going to play a season full of games and there might be a win in there. The Texans are rebuilding after the Watson-grenade with Lovie Smith at the helm, but they don’t look to be a threat here.
NFC East
The Commanders…have the ingredients for a competitive football team? A stellar defense, a solid running back, and Carson Wentz! Let’s be realistic, the division is lackluster, and 9 wins could really take the thing. There isn’t a logical reason the Commanders can’t put together a decent season, but let’s just wait and see on that one. The Cowboys are the clear favorite to take this division.They’re talented enough to make a run, but it all relies on performances from their franchise players in Prescott and Elliott. The Eagles are mediocre at best and still have some growing to do with Hurts under center, and the NY Giants are a professional football team that also plays in this division.
AFC West
This division is LOADED with a capital LOADED! The Chiefs and Broncos are the early favorites here. The Chiefs lost Tyreek Hill, but picked up Juju Smith-Schuster and still have Mahomes, Kelce, and Andy Reid. The Broncos have their QB, finally, which according the the world means they’ll definitely win a Super Bowl, but we’re a little cool on that take. The Chargers with Justin Herbert at the helm are no easy win, and a dark horse to cause trouble in this division. The Raiders are also no easy win in the desert these days. This division is a minefield of talent and will be exciting to watch this season
SIGN OFF - LIV GOLF, ZION,
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Greg Norman are taking a run at the PGA Tour. We may disagree a bit morally here, but it’s simple, “Money Talks”. These athletes are free to take their talents to wherever, and whoever pays them the most. As Chris said, “we can’t have that level of expectation for these athletes, if we don’t have it for our politicians”. There’s a chance the Majors take a hit, but some athletes don’t care about prestige.
Zion Williamson, is a TANK! Y’all shouldn’t have made those fat jokes!