On today’s podcast, The Basketball Jones break down the NBA's second-round series, including: the Pacers' depth and balance, Dwyane Wade's atrocious Game 3, Erik Spoelstra's job security, whether the Lakers or Clippers can survive the weekend, and the resurgent Kevin Garnett. We also discuss the Bulls' Rose-less future, SI's cover story on Tim Duncan, Rookie of the Year and Executive of the Year voting results, Mario Kart 64, JaVale McGee's platypus, Leigh's "Tweet of the Weak," softball, dirt, and much, much more. Enjoy!
This one is more of a podcastito. Jalen had a spare 15 minutes between taping ESPN studio shows to give the people what they want. We talked about the Lakers, how people make too much of who takes the last shot in games, retiring the word "swagger," and — most important — the rumors that Rihanna is dating none other than the New York Knicks' J.R. Smith.
Oh yeah, Jalen also went off about something that made him want to stick both his hands down his throat and "just vomit.” I apologize in advance for the 30 seconds of laughter that followed that statement — not very professional on my part, huh?
The United States is unequivocally the best place in the world to watch football. With all 10 of the final Premier League matches available on television or online, even England couldn't hold a candle to the coverage of The Sport of the Future here in America. Look out, competitive camel jumping — soccer is on the move.
And what a day it was. By beating 10-man Queens Park Rangers in a frantic finale, Manchester City won its first league title since 1968, shed their long tradition of self-harm, and validated the business savvy of sheikhs with money to burn getting involved in football. In this week's pod, Michael Davies and Roger Bennett attempt to make sense of it all, while taking stock of the rest of the league — everything from Arsenal maintaining third position to Bolton vanishing through the trapdoor. But the football doesn't stop here. It never does. Just days before the Champions League final, the Blazered Men preview Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea — a day of delight for Davo but a Sophie's Choice for Rog.
This week, Jalen quickly offered his thoughts on the big NBA playoff games from this weekend and then turned his attention to his predictions for the second round. Although it seemed encouraging for Sixers and Pacers fans for a while there, Jalen says there is no chance either fan base will be cheering on its team in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jalen doesn’t see the Staples Center hosting any of the Western Conference Finals, either. When the conversation turned to flopping, Jalen declared Dennis Rodman the O.G. flopper (which I believe) and says he never flopped in his career (which I don’t believe).
Check back next Monday for the next Jalen Rose Show, and throughout the week for other Grantland Network podcasts.
On today’s show, The Basketball Jones break down the NBA playoffs, including the return of Metta World Artest, Vinny Del Negro's decision to keep Chris Paul in Game 5 post-injury, and a preview of the Heat-Pacers and Celtics-76ers second-round series. We also say good-bye to the Knicks, wonder if Nash would be a good fit in New York, and predict whether Woodson, Lin, & Co. will be back.
All that, plus Rondo yelling at a cameraman, Sixth Man of the Year love, Greg Oden's darkest days, round two of our one-on-one coach vs. coach tournament, softball updates, and Leigh Ellis makes his triumphant Overdose return with a "Tweet of the Weak."
Entering the final weekend, Manchester City's Roberto Mancini is poised to win both the battle of the minds with Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and the Premier League title, even though he's loath to admit it. A storybook ending for "The Little Train That (received a multibillion-dollar overhaul and) Could." The crosstown rivals both eked out wins Sunday, but one of the victories wasn't like the other. In this week's pod, the Men in Blazers recap both the wins in the penultimate weekend, take stock of the battle for third and fourth place, and then bid Blackburn and their fowl farewell as the second team to cement relegation to the Championship next season.
Lastly, if these weekly musings have provided even the slightest inclination of entertainment, we at Men in Blazers would be honored if GFOPs would take a few moments to vote for MiB as soccer podcast of the year. We're up against all the big boys in England, and finishing last is something we simply can't stomach. Please don't make us Wolverhampton.
Look, aside from the Clippers/Grizzlies series, Round 1 of the NBA playoffs is pretty much a wrap. With that in mind, Jalen and I looked ahead and previewed the potential (by potential I mean very-soon-to-be actual) second-round match-ups. In addition to the usual astute analysis, entertaining delivery and off-key singing Jalen always provides, this week he was in an educational mood. He gave the people a lesson on how to develop as a basketball player for anyone that thinks that could grow to be taller than 6-foot-9, a lesson on his counter-intuitive approach guarding a player like Rajon Rondo and a lesson on how to handle women on the road for young NBA players. Oh yeah, we also spent about 10 minutes talking about Justin Bieber's new role as Money Mayweather's belt boy. Methinks you will enjoy this one.
On today’s show, The Basketball Jones break down the young and unpredictable NBA Playoffs: Which series has been the most surprising? Which has been the toughest to watch? Which players have risen to the occasion? And will this postseason be remembered for anything but injuries?
We also discuss the merits of the Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player award winners, debate new additions to the Team USA pool, and create a hilariously pointless one-on-one, coach vs. coach tournament.
All that, plus Chris Bosh's baby, fire extinguishers, Deion Sanders, Roscoe's, JD’s "Tweet of the Weak," some pun-gun fun, and surviving a zombie apocalypse.
Story lines abound as the English Premier League enters the sharp end of the season. On Monday, Americans everywhere feigned illness to slip out of work and into the nearest Irish pub to watch the seismic Manchester Derby. City's victory nudges them ahead in the tightest title race finish in 23 years, and the Men in Blazers couldn't be happier. In this week's pod, Michael and Roger review the crap game of football that yielded managerial handbags, Vincent Kompany's winner, and the appearance of soccer's most famous father-in-law, Diego Maradona.
Plus, they take a look at the moral victories that weren't for Liverpool and Chelsea, welcome Reading and Southampton, the first two sides slated for a return to the Premier League next year, and analyze the appointment of Roger's DadRoy Hodgson as England manager.
No overreacting! That was the rule that Jalen and I set for today’s podcast. It is shortsighted to write off a team after a Game 1 loss in a series. Remember after Game 1 of the NBA Finals last year? Admit it, you thought the Heat were going to win the whole thing. We all know how that played out. One thing that will never change about the NBA playoffs is that in a matter of minutes, a comeback, an injury, or a suspension can drastically change a series. Today on the podcast, Jalen addressed how all of those momentum-shifting events have already altered Round 1 of the NBA playoffs, and we looked ahead to the rest of the week.
Oh yeah, we also did the whole singing of B.I.G. songs, calling out NBA analysts, and talking about Kanye and Kim … you know, the usual Jalen Rose Show thing.
On today's show, The Basketball Jones break down all eight series in an NBA Playoffs preview podcast. Do the Mavs have any magic left? Are the Spurs a Finals lock? Are the Bulls stronger than last year going into the postseason? Can the Grizzlies smother Chris Paul? And is there any chance the Knicks can upset the Heat?
All that, plus a look back at the funniest Metta World Peace suspensions, Brian Scalabrine psych-up speeches, Brad Miller's tears, Leigh's "Tweet of the Weak," some pun-gun fun, and much, much more.
At some point later today, we'll be posting my NBA playoff preview column. Why? I don't know. It's not like I have any credibility left. During a podcast with Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea (a die-hard Lakers fan), we were arguing about the Lakers and Clippers when Flea objected to my prediction of a less-than-stellar 2012 Lakers season. We went back and forth. A bet was made.
A bet that … I lost.
A bet that … makes me physically ill.
A bet that … I guess I'm going to have to pay off, as much as it kills me.
After years of groveling and complaining, I've finally weaseled my first awards ballot from the NBA. That's right, I finally get to pick the Kia Most Improved Player Award. It's really a dream come true. There was so much pressure that I decided to call my buddy and consigliere, Joe House, to get his advice on the MVP, Rookie of the Year, the All-NBA teams and everything else on the ballot. We ended up getting into a bunch of arguments and I nearly hung up on House three times. We squeezed in a little Caps-Bruins and decided not to talk again until a full week after the series ended, and also went over the results of our NBA "Closest to the Pin" over/under game from before the season. Let's just say it's coming down to the wire.
NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi joins Bill Simmons to discuss the upcoming 2012 NFL draft. Simmons and Lombardi talk about the Vikings' pick, the Trent Richardson dilemma and whether Justin Blackmon is the poor man's A.J. Green.
This week, Jalen and I broke down the upcoming NBA playoffs and spent at least 20 minutes talking about the Metta World Peace/Ron Artest elbow that found its way to James Harden’s neck/head. Why did he do it? What was he thinking? How long will he be suspended? Why did he tweet that he didn’t see Harden? What does this mean for the Lakers?
Also, Jalen explained why rich people seem to have tax problems … and it actually makes sense.
