Reacting to the reaction to Doug Gottlieb’s hiring at Green Bay. Then: The Astros? Cheating? And the PGA Championship is a problem.
Stu’s Notes: Why Isn’t It Utah Yetis?
Ranking the 20 potential Utah hockey names. Then: The Panthers and Bruins might kill each other, Robert Kraft might have taken one for the team, and UCLA humiliated Cal.
Joe’s Notes: Is Paul Skenes Good or Famous?
Separating the player from the phenomenon ahead of a hyped MLB debut. Also: What makes hockey attention hard, some conference realignment, and the playoff weekend ahead.
Stu’s Notes: Ippei Mizuhara and the Real Housewives
Of course Bravo is involved. Then: Robert Kraft found a Black person, LSU might be out on Brian Kelly, and who can throw fireworks at whom.
Joe’s Notes: College Basketball’s Players Era Festival, the NIL MTE, Is a Terrible Business Model
Why not keep the nine million dollars? Also: Baseball players dodging the draft, hockey players being exciting, and Knicks getting hurt.
Joe’s Notes: Anthony Edwards, and a Difference Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
What Ant and MJ have and had that LeBron doesn’t. Also: America doesn’t like Arena Football, the Wolves are a serious contender, and Jeremy Swayman does not allow goals.
Joe’s Notes: What Is the College Football Players Association?
A look at the burgeoning field of college football labor organization. Also: The duality of Cubs pitching, why the Stars might be overvalued, and the Marlins did something smart.
Joe’s Notes: Doc Rivers Has Lost With Some Great Players
The best championship-less players these last 15 years all played under Doc. Also: Details on the potential House v. NCAA settlement, Cubs vs. Brewers, and Braves vs. Dodgers.
Stu’s Notes: We Were Right. Beekeepers Belong in Sports.
Also: Joe Kelly’s groin, these Brewers’ first real scrap, and why we stopped liking Georgia.
Joe’s Notes: Will the 2025 NFL Draft Be Deeper Than 2024’s?
Our best guess at Howie Roseman’s reasoning. Then: A potential settlement in House v. NCAA, Mike Trout’s knee surgery, and is LeBron worth the hassle?
Stu’s Notes: Which NBA Teams Are Deserving of Respect?
Four of them are still in action. Then: Which NHL teams should exist? Is Arizona the most tortured sports state? And take a look at baseball players’ privates while the opportunity is there.
Joe’s Notes: The Toronto Maple Leafs Are Rich and Bad
Uniquely so. Also: Will the Suns and Kevin Durant part ways? Should the Braves be World Series favorites? And how good will UConn’s latest additions be?
Joe’s Notes: Big 12 Football Needs a Juggernaut
The New Big 12 just produced only one first-round draft pick. Also: Which first round series are over, Jackson Holliday’s demotion, and the Bears’ real accomplishment.
Joe’s Notes: What Conventional Wisdom Gets Wrong About Home-Ice Advantage
The good thing about getting a series to 1–1 is not stealing home-ice advantage. It’s avoiding going down 0–2. Also: The problem with “hit rate,” the good thing for the Celtics, and Iowa State’s going to Dublin.
Stu’s Notes: Is Luka Dončić Soft?
Soft-type vs. Dog-type. Then: What to do about the Jokić brothers, why NIL’s not that relevant with Reggie Bush’s Heisman, and celebrating Nelly Korda.
Joe’s Notes: A Better Idea for a Group of Five Playoff
Why November makes sense for a mid-major FBS championship. Also: Will the Bears stadium get built? Will Pete Crow-Armstrong produce? And that weird IndyCar scandal.
Stu’s Notes: Three Terrible Ways to Lose
How do you bounce back if you’re the Sixers, Lakers, or Islanders? Also: Caleb Williams and Eli Manning, designated scapegoat Zach Wilson, and April’s place among the sports months.
Stu’s Notes: At Talladega, Michael Jordan Seemed Happy
Good for him. Also: Grounding the Rockies, the Broncos’ bad look, and Joe Kelly’s bad luck.