The greatest driver in the world tries to prove it this weekend. Also: The NASCAR fight, Timberwolves is a great name, and Joe Kelly’s return timing.
Joe’s Notes: The Post-Superteam NBA
With a new generation comes a return to team identities. Also: The Timberwolves’ depth, what went wrong for the Nuggets, and signs of renewed arrogance from the NCAA.
Stu’s Notes: Moonshine
Time to get back in? Then: Scottie Scheffler finally arrived, Paul Skenes might be good, and the refs at hockey worlds look like even bigger dorks than usual.
Joe’s Notes: Is the PGA Tour Going to Let LIV Win?
Where things currently stand on the merger that wasn’t. Also: Mystik Dan’s Preakness chances, more goalie interference, and the David Fletcher wrinkle to the Ippei Mizuhara scandal.
Three Things: NASCAR Adds Its Own NIT
Plus: The Oilers might need to change their name, and Burnley got relegated again.
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.
Stu’s Notes: The Other Other Tom Brady Story
Is Tom Brady about to vaguely cheat again? Also: Noses vs. tongues, F1 might be interesting again, and Rudy Gobert procreated.
Stu’s Notes: Ranking the Names of 2024’s Kentucky Derby Horses
Then: Why the Derby got so big, Kyrie Irving might be growing, and Pat Beverley played chess with the media.
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.
Stu’s Notes: Is Josef Newgarden Becoming the Villain IndyCar Needs?
Newgarden has made a bad situation good. Just not for himself. Also: The LeBron James hour, theories about Sean Payton, and a theory about Michael Penix Jr. and Robert Kraft.
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.
Joe’s Notes: One-and-Dones Aren’t Just Freshmen
So far, first-year transfers come with a firm ceiling. Also: Mason Miller and the trade deadline, fuel savings and crash avoidance, and where the Bulls go with LaVine and DeRozan.
Today’s Best Bets: Sunday, April 21st
An MLB moneyline, NASCAR at Talladega, and NBA and NHL futures.
Stu’s Notes: Which NHL Playoff Teams Are Real?
Six of these teams shouldn’t exist. Also: Who most deserves a Stanley Cup, hoping the Utah hockey trademarks were a prank, and NASCAR goes to Talladega.
Joe’s Notes: Should the NBA Playoffs Be Smaller?
Checking in after a rote Game 82. Then: Kentucky loves Mark Pope, the Coyotes are (probably) moving, and a case for believing in the Bulls.
Stu’s Notes: Caitlin Clark vs. Swaggy P
The math adds up. Also! A moonshine cave, the sports calendar’s inherent beauty, and NIT Final Four ticket prices.
Joe’s Notes: The Big East Will Be Just Fine
Plus: Justin Fields & Drew Brees, short track tires, and how our bracketology model performed.
Joe’s Notes: Why Is the MLS So Bad?
Theories. Also: How’s Jerome Tang liking Kansas State? With Bellinger back, who’s the Cubs’ biggest threat? And what’s going to happen with NIL now that it’s even more legal?