1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB. 3 00:00:12,587 --> 00:00:15,907 Speaker 2: It's the expert on Weekend Sport to take us state side. 4 00:00:15,987 --> 00:00:16,867 Speaker 2: How are you mate? 5 00:00:17,907 --> 00:00:20,787 Speaker 3: Afternoon? Jason stays favory back, got hitch to cover, So 6 00:00:20,867 --> 00:00:21,547 Speaker 3: let's get into it. 7 00:00:21,467 --> 00:00:25,427 Speaker 2: I mate, Let's go. NBA Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico 8 00:00:25,507 --> 00:00:30,707 Speaker 2: Harrison fired recently after probably the worst trade in NBA history, 9 00:00:30,707 --> 00:00:31,947 Speaker 2: getting rid of Luka Doncic. 10 00:00:33,027 --> 00:00:35,667 Speaker 3: Yes so amidst all of the betting scandals that recently 11 00:00:35,747 --> 00:00:38,947 Speaker 3: camped to Lights. About three weeks ago, then Dallas Mavericks 12 00:00:39,067 --> 00:00:42,867 Speaker 3: general manager and president of basketball Operations Niko Harrison was 13 00:00:42,907 --> 00:00:45,987 Speaker 3: fired due to the fallout from the stunny Luca Dontrich 14 00:00:46,027 --> 00:00:48,867 Speaker 3: trade to the LA Lakers in February. The twenty six 15 00:00:48,947 --> 00:00:51,867 Speaker 3: years Slavinian and a generational talent now in his prime, 16 00:00:52,347 --> 00:00:54,907 Speaker 3: was reluctantly shifted and I would be the worst trade, 17 00:00:54,907 --> 00:00:57,227 Speaker 3: as you alluded to in the NBA let alone in 18 00:00:57,267 --> 00:01:00,627 Speaker 3: all of professional sports. Dallas was due to paid Dontrich 19 00:01:00,667 --> 00:01:04,027 Speaker 3: a super Max contract extension, but Harrison thought they had 20 00:01:04,067 --> 00:01:06,947 Speaker 3: more options available in a three team deal. Remember that 21 00:01:07,067 --> 00:01:10,347 Speaker 3: doncas had just led the Mavericks to the finals, even 22 00:01:10,427 --> 00:01:13,187 Speaker 3: though they originally lost to Oka. See now, just prior 23 00:01:13,227 --> 00:01:16,267 Speaker 3: to Dallas competing in the twenty twenty four NBA Finals, 24 00:01:16,667 --> 00:01:20,067 Speaker 3: Harrison signed a contract extension with the Mavericks for an 25 00:01:20,147 --> 00:01:23,627 Speaker 3: undisclosed sum. He was earning five million annually as part 26 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 3: of the front office. So how has that all worked out? 27 00:01:26,467 --> 00:01:29,027 Speaker 3: The Lakers are second in the Western Conference while the 28 00:01:29,067 --> 00:01:32,107 Speaker 3: Mavericks are panking and sit fourteen out of fifteen. An 29 00:01:32,107 --> 00:01:35,787 Speaker 3: absolute disaster for Dallas and no surprise in hindsight that 30 00:01:35,867 --> 00:01:38,347 Speaker 3: Harrison was eventually shown the door poning. Yeah. 31 00:01:38,347 --> 00:01:40,947 Speaker 2: I think most of us, you included, could have predicted 32 00:01:40,947 --> 00:01:45,347 Speaker 2: this a long way out lyon. But for that one, no, 33 00:01:45,467 --> 00:01:46,067 Speaker 2: you do not. 34 00:01:46,267 --> 00:01:46,827 Speaker 3: You do not. 35 00:01:47,387 --> 00:01:49,827 Speaker 2: Well, interesting to see that it played out that way. Ah, 36 00:01:49,907 --> 00:01:52,427 Speaker 2: the NBA itself, now you sent me notes. What had 37 00:01:52,507 --> 00:01:56,507 Speaker 2: the NBA Cup? Now this sits inside the NBA regular season? 38 00:01:56,547 --> 00:01:56,907 Speaker 3: Is that right? 39 00:01:56,947 --> 00:01:57,947 Speaker 2: Can you explain this to us? 40 00:01:58,827 --> 00:02:01,507 Speaker 3: Yes? So, the third edition of the NBA Cup, formerly 41 00:02:01,547 --> 00:02:04,307 Speaker 3: known as the n Season Tournament, has introduced one of 42 00:02:04,307 --> 00:02:09,067 Speaker 3: the most risually striking annovations and professional basketball exolic hardwood 43 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:12,467 Speaker 3: courts designed specifically for Cup games. These courts don't just 44 00:02:12,507 --> 00:02:15,747 Speaker 3: look different. They're built to signal that these matchups stand 45 00:02:15,787 --> 00:02:19,747 Speaker 3: apart from regular season games, given the tournament it's own identity, 46 00:02:19,947 --> 00:02:22,627 Speaker 3: energy and broadcast appel. Now, before I give my own 47 00:02:22,667 --> 00:02:24,507 Speaker 3: thoughts on the NBA Cup, I wanted to share this 48 00:02:24,587 --> 00:02:28,267 Speaker 3: Cobey Piney, you have a responsibility to this city to 49 00:02:28,267 --> 00:02:31,427 Speaker 3: bring that championship banners where they belong. You have to 50 00:02:31,587 --> 00:02:36,027 Speaker 3: understand that nothing else matters. This franchise does not hang 51 00:02:36,227 --> 00:02:40,067 Speaker 3: division banners. It does not hang conference championships. We hang 52 00:02:40,147 --> 00:02:43,427 Speaker 3: one banner and one banner only, and that's NBA titles. 53 00:02:43,547 --> 00:02:45,547 Speaker 3: Do you have a guest, Piney who said that quote? 54 00:02:45,747 --> 00:02:48,827 Speaker 2: I know, I love the quote. Who said it? 55 00:02:50,107 --> 00:02:52,787 Speaker 3: Yes? So that was famously said by NBA legend Kobe 56 00:02:52,827 --> 00:02:55,787 Speaker 3: Bryant of the Lakers, who in a storied career, delivered 57 00:02:55,827 --> 00:02:58,827 Speaker 3: five titles to LA and seven finals appearances. Now, the 58 00:02:58,907 --> 00:03:01,747 Speaker 3: reason I share that quote is because the twenty twenty 59 00:03:01,747 --> 00:03:05,787 Speaker 3: three Lakers won their inaugural in season tournaments and sacrilegiously 60 00:03:05,867 --> 00:03:09,907 Speaker 3: hung a bad alongside the seventeen NBA titles. Now, I'd 61 00:03:09,947 --> 00:03:12,187 Speaker 3: expected there was a lot of fan backlash, and in 62 00:03:12,227 --> 00:03:14,627 Speaker 3: a way I feel the same. The NBA Cup is 63 00:03:14,627 --> 00:03:18,347 Speaker 3: an excuse for the Associate Association to try woodback viewers 64 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:21,747 Speaker 3: from an otherwise dwindling TV audience. A bit like eye 65 00:03:21,787 --> 00:03:23,387 Speaker 3: candy for lack of a better term, But I'm not 66 00:03:23,427 --> 00:03:25,307 Speaker 3: a huge fan of it for the most part. I 67 00:03:25,307 --> 00:03:28,587 Speaker 3: feel their die hard NBA fans like Andy really care 68 00:03:28,627 --> 00:03:31,627 Speaker 3: about one thing. Who gets to hoist the Lario O'Brian 69 00:03:31,707 --> 00:03:34,867 Speaker 3: Trophy's NBA champions There, I said, a pony, And hopefully 70 00:03:34,987 --> 00:03:36,987 Speaker 3: I haven't upset too many of your younger listens with 71 00:03:37,027 --> 00:03:37,907 Speaker 3: that hot tape. 72 00:03:38,027 --> 00:03:39,947 Speaker 2: I don't think you wold have, Leon, I think most 73 00:03:39,987 --> 00:03:41,867 Speaker 2: listens would feel the same way. So let's go to 74 00:03:41,907 --> 00:03:44,627 Speaker 2: the regular season. You mentioned the Lakers doing well in 75 00:03:44,667 --> 00:03:47,187 Speaker 2: the West. Who else is standing out in the regular 76 00:03:47,227 --> 00:03:50,187 Speaker 2: season in both the Western and Eastern conferences? 77 00:03:50,787 --> 00:03:52,827 Speaker 3: Yeah? So the regular season has already a quarter all 78 00:03:52,827 --> 00:03:55,307 Speaker 3: the way through, with some teams showing up. In the East, 79 00:03:55,747 --> 00:03:58,667 Speaker 3: the Detroit Pistons, who were the punchline of the league 80 00:03:58,667 --> 00:04:02,347 Speaker 3: only two years ago after twenty eighth straight losses, are 81 00:04:02,427 --> 00:04:05,347 Speaker 3: leading the conference with the fifteen and four record, followed 82 00:04:05,347 --> 00:04:08,587 Speaker 3: by the Toronto rap Miami Heat, New York Knitt's and 83 00:04:08,627 --> 00:04:11,267 Speaker 3: the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rounding out the top five. Now in 84 00:04:11,387 --> 00:04:14,707 Speaker 3: the West, the defending champion ok Sees Thunder are looking 85 00:04:14,747 --> 00:04:18,347 Speaker 3: ominous and they're leading all contenders with an impressive nineteen 86 00:04:18,387 --> 00:04:21,747 Speaker 3: to one record, followed by the Denver Nuggets, LA Lakers, 87 00:04:21,787 --> 00:04:24,347 Speaker 3: Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. 88 00:04:24,747 --> 00:04:26,587 Speaker 2: I know we're early, Leon, but have you started to 89 00:04:26,627 --> 00:04:29,667 Speaker 2: think about who the MVP candidates might be or is 90 00:04:29,667 --> 00:04:30,427 Speaker 2: it too early for that. 91 00:04:31,547 --> 00:04:33,747 Speaker 3: No, it's never tally mate. So in terms of players 92 00:04:33,747 --> 00:04:36,627 Speaker 3: boiling out right now and then the MVP narrative are 93 00:04:36,627 --> 00:04:41,867 Speaker 3: the usual suspects last season's MVP okcs Ka Gilders Alexander 94 00:04:42,187 --> 00:04:46,187 Speaker 3: and three time MVP winner Denvers Nicola Jokis. It's a 95 00:04:46,227 --> 00:04:48,547 Speaker 3: toss up between them both, with Luca Dontrich or the 96 00:04:48,627 --> 00:04:52,307 Speaker 3: Lakers not far behind. Then Milwaukee Bucks superstars Gianna Senter 97 00:04:52,347 --> 00:04:55,667 Speaker 3: to Compo and Tyrese Maxi from the Philadelphia seventy six 98 00:04:55,747 --> 00:04:58,907 Speaker 3: is rounding out the top five. Most bidding agencies are 99 00:04:58,987 --> 00:05:02,547 Speaker 3: leaning towards either Jokis, Sga or Dontries to be league 100 00:05:02,627 --> 00:05:06,067 Speaker 3: MVP predicated upon this didn't stand healthy throughout the season. 101 00:05:06,467 --> 00:05:07,947 Speaker 3: Here's a stat of the day. I wanted to cheer 102 00:05:07,987 --> 00:05:12,067 Speaker 3: regarding the Joker, the College Gookis finish were seventeen points, 103 00:05:12,227 --> 00:05:16,267 Speaker 3: sixteen assists and ten rebounds to a tenth triopble double 104 00:05:16,267 --> 00:05:18,747 Speaker 3: of the season in a recent win, the fastest to 105 00:05:18,787 --> 00:05:21,787 Speaker 3: reach ten triopball doubles in the season in the last 106 00:05:21,827 --> 00:05:24,587 Speaker 3: forty years. It's crazy to think, pinally that Gokis is 107 00:05:24,627 --> 00:05:27,547 Speaker 3: almost expected now to average a tripball double every time 108 00:05:27,627 --> 00:05:30,067 Speaker 3: he starts, and he makes it look so easy. 109 00:05:29,827 --> 00:05:32,067 Speaker 2: And day got it so hard to do it even once. 110 00:05:32,587 --> 00:05:34,947 Speaker 2: As you say headline as many times as that want 111 00:05:34,987 --> 00:05:37,387 Speaker 2: to move to football to the NFL shortly. But college 112 00:05:37,427 --> 00:05:40,867 Speaker 2: football the regular season winding down. So who is looking 113 00:05:40,907 --> 00:05:42,707 Speaker 2: good for the college football playoffs? 114 00:05:43,547 --> 00:05:46,027 Speaker 3: Yes, so, as you alluded to, College footballs into its 115 00:05:46,027 --> 00:05:48,107 Speaker 3: final week of the regular season, and a few days 116 00:05:48,107 --> 00:05:51,027 Speaker 3: ago the latest rankings were released with the top five 117 00:05:51,067 --> 00:05:54,187 Speaker 3: pretty much unchanged for the last month. The College Football 118 00:05:54,227 --> 00:05:57,587 Speaker 3: Selection Committee leaned towards teams that dominate at the line 119 00:05:57,627 --> 00:05:59,947 Speaker 3: of scrimmage. They sitting the top of the standings unbeaten 120 00:06:00,267 --> 00:06:03,187 Speaker 3: on twelve and oh are two teams, the defending national 121 00:06:03,267 --> 00:06:07,867 Speaker 3: champion Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Users, followed closely 122 00:06:07,907 --> 00:06:10,947 Speaker 3: by the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas A and m Aggie's and 123 00:06:10,987 --> 00:06:13,587 Speaker 3: Oregon Ducks, and with three other teams on eleven and 124 00:06:13,627 --> 00:06:16,067 Speaker 3: one rounding out the top five. Now. The schedule for 125 00:06:16,107 --> 00:06:18,707 Speaker 3: the twenty twenty five to twenty six College Football Playoff 126 00:06:19,027 --> 00:06:21,707 Speaker 3: Brackett begins in mid to late December. This is the 127 00:06:21,747 --> 00:06:24,707 Speaker 3: second year the CFP is using a twelve team format. 128 00:06:24,987 --> 00:06:28,227 Speaker 3: Games are scheduled to start December nineteenth, culminated with the 129 00:06:28,307 --> 00:06:31,867 Speaker 3: National Championship Game on Monday nineteen, twenty twenty six in 130 00:06:31,947 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 3: Miami Gardens, Florida. For me, it's hard to go past 131 00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:37,547 Speaker 3: the Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A and m and Georgia 132 00:06:37,547 --> 00:06:39,787 Speaker 3: to left the National Trophy as champions. Pinting. 133 00:06:40,267 --> 00:06:41,827 Speaker 2: You and I have talked a lotly on about the 134 00:06:41,947 --> 00:06:46,027 Speaker 2: eye watering money that is around, particularly in coaching roles. 135 00:06:46,227 --> 00:06:48,187 Speaker 2: There are some elite coaching roles I think to be 136 00:06:48,227 --> 00:06:50,267 Speaker 2: filled in college football. 137 00:06:50,507 --> 00:06:52,907 Speaker 3: Yes, Off the field and college football, there's still a 138 00:06:52,987 --> 00:06:55,867 Speaker 3: number of marquee head coaching positions up for grabs, with 139 00:06:56,027 --> 00:06:58,827 Speaker 3: the top paid coaches in college football now earning close 140 00:06:59,227 --> 00:07:02,307 Speaker 3: to what the NFL counterparts do. So the top five 141 00:07:02,387 --> 00:07:06,227 Speaker 3: vacancies at the moment include LSU, Florida, benn State. I 142 00:07:06,427 --> 00:07:09,787 Speaker 3: can store in UCLA. What with nil money and boosters. 143 00:07:09,787 --> 00:07:13,067 Speaker 3: Open checkbooks quite often dictate where perspective coaches will land. 144 00:07:13,587 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 3: So in the college ranks, you look at the top coaches, 145 00:07:16,347 --> 00:07:19,627 Speaker 3: they're getting around twelve to fifteen million dollars, which is 146 00:07:19,627 --> 00:07:22,427 Speaker 3: equivalent to what the NFL coaches get as goalfinding. 147 00:07:22,947 --> 00:07:26,267 Speaker 2: Just incredible money, incredible money right to the NFL. Yeah, 148 00:07:26,507 --> 00:07:29,067 Speaker 2: Thanksgiving in the week past, of course, and that's always 149 00:07:29,067 --> 00:07:33,027 Speaker 2: big around NFL circles. Tell us about the Thanksgiving Day 150 00:07:33,227 --> 00:07:35,387 Speaker 2: matches that have already occurred in some of the key 151 00:07:35,427 --> 00:07:37,107 Speaker 2: games tomorrow as well. 152 00:07:37,307 --> 00:07:39,627 Speaker 3: Yep, So we're now into week thirteen with four games 153 00:07:39,667 --> 00:07:43,427 Speaker 3: already competed over the Thanksgiving weekend. On Beansksgiving Day alone, 154 00:07:43,507 --> 00:07:46,187 Speaker 3: last year there are one hundred and forty two million 155 00:07:46,267 --> 00:07:49,187 Speaker 3: TV viewers, and this year that's expected to be similar 156 00:07:49,227 --> 00:07:51,667 Speaker 3: numbers or even substantially more. So we'll have a quick 157 00:07:51,667 --> 00:07:53,627 Speaker 3: look at some of the key matchups for no less 158 00:07:53,667 --> 00:07:56,627 Speaker 3: than thirteen games left to salivate over the In the 159 00:07:56,667 --> 00:08:00,027 Speaker 3: early window, there are seven games. The most compelling matchup 160 00:08:00,107 --> 00:08:04,027 Speaker 3: is an AFC showdown with Houston away to Indianapolis. The 161 00:08:04,067 --> 00:08:06,667 Speaker 3: surprising Colts will look to bounce back from their last 162 00:08:06,667 --> 00:08:09,827 Speaker 3: game loss, but will be sorely tested against arguably the 163 00:08:09,867 --> 00:08:13,667 Speaker 3: league's best defense and the Texans, who terrorize reigning MVP 164 00:08:14,227 --> 00:08:17,187 Speaker 3: Bill's quarterback Josh Allen, sacking them a record eight times 165 00:08:17,267 --> 00:08:19,947 Speaker 3: last week, the most in his career. Now, another game 166 00:08:20,027 --> 00:08:22,747 Speaker 3: of been just early is the Cleveland Browns hosting the 167 00:08:22,747 --> 00:08:26,067 Speaker 3: San Francisco forty nine Ers. Quarterbacks with the Browns should 168 00:08:26,107 --> 00:08:28,067 Speaker 3: do a sand as one as first start last week, 169 00:08:28,187 --> 00:08:30,947 Speaker 3: or be it against the awful Las Vegas Raiders. Now, 170 00:08:30,947 --> 00:08:32,867 Speaker 3: the forty nine Ers will certainly be a big step 171 00:08:32,947 --> 00:08:34,707 Speaker 3: up for the rookie, but there's a lot of hope 172 00:08:34,787 --> 00:08:38,067 Speaker 3: for long suffering Cleveland fans that Sanders will be their 173 00:08:38,107 --> 00:08:40,827 Speaker 3: missing piece. And there's still one of only four teams 174 00:08:40,827 --> 00:08:42,787 Speaker 3: to never play in the Super Bowl. I feel that 175 00:08:42,827 --> 00:08:45,027 Speaker 3: Cleveland need to build their roster up front on the 176 00:08:45,067 --> 00:08:47,067 Speaker 3: offensive run of the ball, and they're still a few 177 00:08:47,107 --> 00:08:48,867 Speaker 3: years away from making a playoff appearance. 178 00:08:50,347 --> 00:08:53,147 Speaker 2: I just want to move quickly to the Chiefs, the 179 00:08:53,227 --> 00:08:55,667 Speaker 2: Kansas City Chiefs before we knock it on the head. 180 00:08:55,867 --> 00:08:59,947 Speaker 2: Lyon is there dynasty overall? I see they're basically they're 181 00:08:59,947 --> 00:09:02,547 Speaker 2: basically six and six, six one six losses that ain't 182 00:09:02,627 --> 00:09:04,187 Speaker 2: championship winning material, is it? 183 00:09:05,507 --> 00:09:09,227 Speaker 3: Yesday? Surprising m Kansas City Chiefs dump into the last 184 00:09:09,227 --> 00:09:12,027 Speaker 3: three Super Bowls. Now, they currently, as you said, have 185 00:09:12,067 --> 00:09:14,107 Speaker 3: a five hundred records six and six and will have 186 00:09:14,227 --> 00:09:16,987 Speaker 3: to run what they call run the table after any 187 00:09:17,067 --> 00:09:20,147 Speaker 3: chance of making the postseason. So in their remaining schedule 188 00:09:20,187 --> 00:09:22,507 Speaker 3: they have a good chance to win all five with 189 00:09:22,667 --> 00:09:25,867 Speaker 3: three harder matchups at home and two easy road games. 190 00:09:26,267 --> 00:09:29,387 Speaker 3: Since Patrick Mahomes began the starting quarterback for Kansas City 191 00:09:29,387 --> 00:09:32,907 Speaker 3: in twenty eighteen, he's led the team to an unprecedented 192 00:09:32,947 --> 00:09:36,507 Speaker 3: seven straight AFC championship games, which has never been done 193 00:09:36,587 --> 00:09:39,027 Speaker 3: before on the Super Bowl era. It looks like the 194 00:09:39,187 --> 00:09:42,027 Speaker 3: dynasty may finally be over though, or on hold at 195 00:09:42,107 --> 00:09:44,267 Speaker 3: least for the meantime. But with head coach Andy Reid 196 00:09:44,307 --> 00:09:47,267 Speaker 3: still at the helm and my home's under center, let's 197 00:09:47,347 --> 00:09:49,947 Speaker 3: not throw dirt on their proverbial grave just yet. Finding 198 00:09:50,027 --> 00:09:51,707 Speaker 3: Thanks Ma me O, mate. 199 00:09:51,387 --> 00:09:54,227 Speaker 2: Oh, Leon, It's always a pleasure to have your analysis, 200 00:09:54,267 --> 00:09:59,107 Speaker 2: your expertise, your wide ranging insight into US sport. Thanks 201 00:09:59,147 --> 00:10:02,427 Speaker 2: so much, indeed, Leon Bosby stateside our US sports expert 202 00:10:02,467 --> 00:10:03,867 Speaker 2: here on Weekend Sport. 203 00:10:04,547 --> 00:10:07,907 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Fine, listen live to 204 00:10:08,027 --> 00:10:11,227 Speaker 1: news talks at b weekends from midday, or follow the 205 00:10:11,267 --> 00:10:12,787 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio