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.
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.
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: Even LeBron Is Out on Bronny James
Tough look. Then: Appreciating the Calder Cup, appreciating the Riverside Stride, and is the advertising industry ok?
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?
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.
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.
Stu’s Notes: If the Bears Don’t Draft Caleb Williams
It would be a great joke. We offer some alternatives. Then: The Astros might hate America, the White Sox might make history, and Sean Dyche still has it.
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.
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.
Joe’s Notes: The WNBA CBA Is Holding Back Caitlin Clark
The league and its union did not account for a generational superstar. Also: What Jimmy Butler’s injury does to the Heat, Reed Sheppard goes pro, and Jameson Taillon prepares for his season debut.