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We are officially activating our Special Event Protocol! Don’t remember what that is? Well, that’s not your fault because I just made it up. So what is it? I try not to overlap timeslots with multiple events. However, that’s not possible in a week like this, where we have two separate leagues in their Conference Finals. Therefore, I will include all of the NBA and NHL Conference Final games, and let you, the reader, decide what you are going to watch.

Speaking of what you are going to watch, I dropped an episode of Beyond The Arc since I last saw you! A lot of early-season WNBA headlines to cover. Which ones are going to be long-term issues for the teams in question? Also, let’s talk about the teams and players that have come out of the gates hot! Plus, a quick NBA Playoff update! Tap in!

Now, to the sports!

Cleveland survived yet another 7-game series to make its first non-LeBron-led Conference Finals appearance since 1992. They might need another 7 if they’re going to take down this Knicks team. New York dominated the 76ers last round as they appear ready to march all the way to the NBA Finals. Can the Cavs get in their way, or are they just another speed bump?

We’re still learning hockey over here! Honestly, this series is pretty similar to what we just talked about with Cavs-Knicks. The Canadiens survived a 7-game showdown with Buffalo, beating the Sabres on their home ice to advance. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes haven’t dropped a game all postseason as they appear, well, ready to march all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Can Montreal get in their way, or are they just another speed bump?

It’s not a huge surprise to find last year’s runner-up, the Red Raiders, in the super regional, but it wasn’t exactly a breeze for them to get here. Down by 8 runs with just 1 out left against Ole Miss, they appeared headed to the do-or-die elimination bracket before staging one of the most incredible comebacks in all of sports. Ole Miss survived their surprise elimination bracket appearance to face Texas Tech again, but the Red Raiders run-ruled them 14-2 in 5 innings. Can Ole Miss’ SEC colleague have better luck?

Did you watch my hockey episode last week? You should have, because it’s the reason I’m writing about hockey right now. My old friend/guest on that episode, Nick Fogle, is so serious about me getting back into the sport that he snagged me a ticket to the South Carolina Stingrays game last week. We used to go as kids, and one of the fan favorites was a defenseman by the name of Jared Bednar. Long after I stopped paying attention to the Stingrays, Bednar took over as their coach and led them to the Kelly Cup (the ECHL’s championship). Well, guess who is the head coach of the Avalanche?

Bednar led Colorado to the Stanley Cup in 2022, and the Avalanche just completed their best regular season in franchise history as they look to bring home another title. I also used to play with them way back on my OG PlayStation. Unfortunately, for Vegas, they didn’t exist back then and don’t appear to have any Stingray connections. I know who I’ll be pulling for!

Game 1 was absolutely nuts. If, for whatever reason, you’re still not sold on Victor Wembanyama, why not? The Spurs shocked the Thunder at home in double overtime behind Wemby’s monster 41-point 24-rebound performance. It was Olajuwon-esque in that it appeared to be inspired by having to watch SGA receive his 2nd straight MVP trophy before the game. It felt like the nation rejoiced, too, as the Thunder have managed to become the most hated small-market team in league history. Seriously, tell me one nice thing about a single player on that roster. You can’t! Tap in to see if the Spurs can make you happy again!

I had a whole paragraph typed out about the Sky falling ass backwards into a good team when news dropped about Rickea Jackson’s torn ACL, so that’s a bummer. However, most of my thoughts are still true! While Rickea has the highest ceiling of the players the Sky acquired this offseason, there is still a ton to work with here. Now, my attention turns to Jacy Sheldon and rookie Gabriela Jaquez. Both have started the season strongly, and with Jackson’s absence, their opportunities will only increase. How will they handle the extra responsibility?

Game 2! Fun fact: Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon also owns the Portland Trail Blazers, who just laid off 70 employees because he’s cheap! Well, maybe that’s not so fun. But he is cheap, though! He’s already come under fire for lowballing coaching candidates and not paying for two-way players to travel with the team in the playoffs. Now, Tom took a similar approach with the Hurricanes, so I’m sure he thinks this is the way to go. However, I don’t know about you, but I’m anti-cheap rich guy.

I’m trying not to say too much about these repeat games to keep this newsletter from getting bloated, but what I just watched in game 1 was an absolute travesty. The Cavs blew a 22-point 4th quarter lead because Kenny Atkinson is the only person in the universe who trusts James Harden not to embarrass himself in the postseason. How many points does one man have to give up to another before you make an adjustment? Apparently, for Kenny, the answer is more than 38. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a player as talented as Harden look as silly in big games as often as he does. It’s incredible in the worst way.

If you were wondering what the Liberty were going to do with Sabrina Ionescu out with an ankle injury, Pauline Astier wasted no time letting you know. The French rookie simply doesn’t miss, putting up 16.8 ppg on 45.5% from 3 and 62.5 % overall. France just keeps churning out hoopers. She wasn’t even on the 2024 Olympic squad that almost gave me a heart attack. What can she do against a Wings team that has struggled defensively but responded well to being called out publicly by coach Jose Fernandez?

Well, this is awkward. Inter Miami finally got a win in their new stadium, but did so in silence as their supporters’ group, La Familia, refused to cheer for them. Why? They were protesting what they feel is a lack of appreciation from the players. The group claims that players don’t acknowledge them on the way to the locker rooms after games. Seems like an easy fix. Not sure when it will happen, though, as big-name stars such as Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi decided to acknowledge every other part of the stadium except for the La Familia section, essentially protesting the protest. Let’s see if things are less frosty!

Game 4!

Game 3!

Aaron Judge just showed more personality in one at-bat than we’ve seen in his entire career combined, and we have ABS to thank for it! This is the ABS version of a batflip. I imagine Judge was so confident because he’s had this happen to him way more than anybody else. Since 2017, leads MLB in low strikes called against him with 368. That’s 135 more than the next closest batter. Also, I would pay to know the umpire’s innermost thoughts as this was happening. They should make them apologize on the field mic. Tune in to see if Judge does anything else this cool!

Game 4!

Game 3!

As of right now, Boston has 3 players in the bottom 15 in OPS. Pretty sorry! They’ve been a little better under interim manager Chad Tracy, but they are still battling to stay out of the AL East basement. A series win against one of the best teams in all of baseball in front of the Fenway Faithful would be a nice little confidence boost. However, they have somehow managed to be significantly worse at home than on the road. Good luck!

Game 4!

I spend a lot of time talking up the Rays’ offense, but their pitching staff needs some love, too! Shane McClanahan did not play in 2024 or 2025 as he underwent a second Tommy John surgery and dealt with a nerve issue, but he looks pretty close to the form that made him an All-Star in 2022 and 2023. Speaking of extended absences, 35-year-old Nick Martinez is second in the Majors in ERA. He took a 4-year hiatus in the middle of his career to pitch in Japan, and has been much better since coming back stateside in 2022. And then there’s Drew Rasmussen, who has maintained an ERA under 3 since coming to Tampa Bay in 2021. Combined with the explosive bats they have, it’s no shock that the Rays are the best team in baseball.

Game 4!

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