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 --> 00:00:12,787 Speaker 1: from News Talks Edby. 3 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:15,107 Speaker 2: A regular feature on the show this year is going 4 00:00:15,107 --> 00:00:17,267 Speaker 2: to be state Side, as we keep you up to 5 00:00:17,347 --> 00:00:19,787 Speaker 2: date on a regular basis with the big sporting stories 6 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:23,387 Speaker 2: coming out of the United States of America. Leon Busby 7 00:00:24,027 --> 00:00:26,427 Speaker 2: is our state side man. He's with us now. Thanks 8 00:00:26,427 --> 00:00:27,427 Speaker 2: for joining us, Leon. 9 00:00:27,547 --> 00:00:29,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, Pine, it's great to be back on your show 10 00:00:29,347 --> 00:00:31,467 Speaker 3: and now appreciate you making the time for me. We've 11 00:00:31,467 --> 00:00:33,387 Speaker 3: got a lot to cover, so let's get straight into it. 12 00:00:33,827 --> 00:00:36,107 Speaker 2: Let's do that, mate. Look, you're sounding more like me. 13 00:00:36,827 --> 00:00:38,467 Speaker 2: Try to get things going. 14 00:00:38,507 --> 00:00:38,907 Speaker 1: I love it. 15 00:00:38,987 --> 00:00:42,747 Speaker 2: Let's start, okay with the NBA around what fifteen sixteen 16 00:00:42,787 --> 00:00:46,147 Speaker 2: games to go in the regular season before the playoffs. 17 00:00:46,187 --> 00:00:50,267 Speaker 2: Who's standing out in each of the Western and Eastern conferences? 18 00:00:51,307 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 1: Yeah? 19 00:00:51,547 --> 00:00:54,947 Speaker 3: So in the Association. In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers 20 00:00:54,987 --> 00:00:57,987 Speaker 3: are dominating, have the best record on the NBA. They're 21 00:00:58,027 --> 00:01:00,467 Speaker 3: fifty six and ten and are on a sixteen game 22 00:01:00,507 --> 00:01:03,827 Speaker 3: win street sick in behind them are the defending champion 23 00:01:03,867 --> 00:01:07,507 Speaker 3: Boston Celtics for the forty eight and nineteen record. Now, 24 00:01:07,547 --> 00:01:12,427 Speaker 3: over in the West, the o OC SORR Oklahoma City 25 00:01:12,507 --> 00:01:15,387 Speaker 3: Thunder have a fifty four and twelve records, so they're 26 00:01:15,387 --> 00:01:18,027 Speaker 3: about THREEEN wins better than the second place Denver Nugget 27 00:01:18,067 --> 00:01:21,027 Speaker 3: two on forty three and thirty four. So although the 28 00:01:21,107 --> 00:01:23,867 Speaker 3: Cavaliers and Thunder will most likely finish top seeds of 29 00:01:23,907 --> 00:01:28,227 Speaker 3: their conferences with home court advantanced throughout the postseason, there 30 00:01:28,267 --> 00:01:30,187 Speaker 3: are a lot of lingering doubts whether they can win 31 00:01:30,227 --> 00:01:33,147 Speaker 3: it or due to their lack of playoff experience. The 32 00:01:33,267 --> 00:01:35,907 Speaker 3: huge difference between the regular post season, as they'll both 33 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:36,707 Speaker 3: soon find. 34 00:01:36,507 --> 00:01:40,427 Speaker 2: Out, which is the stronger conference overall? Leon if you 35 00:01:40,467 --> 00:01:43,227 Speaker 2: look at the you know, the overall strength of the 36 00:01:43,267 --> 00:01:47,707 Speaker 2: East and the West, which is more competitive, Which is stronger. 37 00:01:48,347 --> 00:01:51,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, you'd have to say that, Yeah, the West is 38 00:01:51,747 --> 00:01:54,867 Speaker 3: probably more top heavy than the East, so they've got 39 00:01:55,107 --> 00:01:58,067 Speaker 3: probably more content. It's going to be a real battle 40 00:01:58,067 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 3: between those top teams to get through to the conference final. 41 00:02:01,467 --> 00:02:05,587 Speaker 3: But yeah, if you look at the Eastern Conference, Boston 42 00:02:05,627 --> 00:02:08,787 Speaker 3: and Cleveland deffinitely blight years ahead of all the other teams. 43 00:02:08,787 --> 00:02:10,747 Speaker 3: So it's it's pretty likely that those two are going 44 00:02:10,747 --> 00:02:11,907 Speaker 3: to meet in the conference finals. 45 00:02:12,027 --> 00:02:13,787 Speaker 2: All right, We'll look forward to seeing what plays out there. 46 00:02:13,827 --> 00:02:16,027 Speaker 2: What to add off the court, there's always some storylines 47 00:02:16,307 --> 00:02:18,147 Speaker 2: happening off the court and all the sport we talk, 48 00:02:18,627 --> 00:02:21,227 Speaker 2: what about basketball? What are the big off court stories 49 00:02:21,267 --> 00:02:21,747 Speaker 2: at the moment? 50 00:02:22,747 --> 00:02:25,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, so in the MVP rate, okay, see point guard 51 00:02:25,827 --> 00:02:28,267 Speaker 3: Shi Gilder, Alexander is the clear odds on the favorite 52 00:02:28,307 --> 00:02:32,267 Speaker 3: winner's first major award for MVP despite three time winner 53 00:02:32,347 --> 00:02:36,587 Speaker 3: Nikolay Yokochov. Again the Nuggets putting up historical numbers. So 54 00:02:36,707 --> 00:02:39,507 Speaker 3: rounding out the top five, we've got giannath and its 55 00:02:39,547 --> 00:02:42,347 Speaker 3: compo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jatson Tatum of the Celtics, 56 00:02:42,947 --> 00:02:44,867 Speaker 3: and Karl Anthony Towns of the New York Nook. So 57 00:02:44,907 --> 00:02:46,667 Speaker 3: there's been a lot of debate around that that even 58 00:02:46,707 --> 00:02:51,067 Speaker 3: though they call him SGA had put up some really 59 00:02:51,107 --> 00:02:56,347 Speaker 3: good numbers this year, should really be the MVP winner 60 00:02:56,387 --> 00:02:59,467 Speaker 3: even though his team doesn't have a better record. But 61 00:02:59,587 --> 00:03:02,147 Speaker 3: so there's a lot of debate around that argument as well. 62 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:08,507 Speaker 2: And what about load management the player participation policy. I've 63 00:03:08,507 --> 00:03:10,307 Speaker 2: seen this talked about a bit in recent times. 64 00:03:11,347 --> 00:03:13,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, so this is a bit of a slightly negative 65 00:03:13,107 --> 00:03:15,467 Speaker 3: note in terms of the NBA. So the front offs 66 00:03:15,627 --> 00:03:19,027 Speaker 3: is also cracking down on teams that are bleedingtly violating 67 00:03:19,027 --> 00:03:23,227 Speaker 3: the player Participation policy, more commonly referred to as load management. 68 00:03:23,227 --> 00:03:25,507 Speaker 3: So a number of teams are currently being investigated for 69 00:03:25,587 --> 00:03:29,187 Speaker 3: sitting star players even though they're not injured, denying pain 70 00:03:29,307 --> 00:03:32,507 Speaker 3: fans opportunity to watch their favorite players up placemen attending games. 71 00:03:32,507 --> 00:03:35,787 Speaker 3: So this is unfortunately butted the game in recent years. 72 00:03:35,947 --> 00:03:39,147 Speaker 2: Yeah, what a shame. Just before we move on a producer, Andy, 73 00:03:39,227 --> 00:03:41,267 Speaker 2: As you know, I was a big Pelicans fan. They're 74 00:03:41,267 --> 00:03:43,027 Speaker 2: not going to be in the playoff picture. I think 75 00:03:43,027 --> 00:03:45,587 Speaker 2: the record's eighteen and forty nine, so that's not playoff 76 00:03:45,627 --> 00:03:49,547 Speaker 2: basketball by any stretch. But are they coming to Melbourne? 77 00:03:49,627 --> 00:03:50,067 Speaker 1: Is that right? 78 00:03:51,427 --> 00:03:53,547 Speaker 3: Yes? So, news earlier came out this week that the 79 00:03:53,547 --> 00:03:55,827 Speaker 3: New Orleans Pelicans will be heading here in Melbourne in 80 00:03:55,827 --> 00:03:59,347 Speaker 3: October for a historic series of games against Melbourne United 81 00:04:00,027 --> 00:04:03,107 Speaker 3: and the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix. This announcement was on the 82 00:04:03,107 --> 00:04:05,307 Speaker 3: back of news at the NFL and NFL will also 83 00:04:05,347 --> 00:04:08,507 Speaker 3: be playing games in Melbourn. So been organizers are hoping 84 00:04:08,547 --> 00:04:11,947 Speaker 3: that New Orleans Stars Zion Williamson will be healthy and 85 00:04:11,987 --> 00:04:14,867 Speaker 3: make the trip down. Since entering the league, he has 86 00:04:14,947 --> 00:04:17,747 Speaker 3: unfortunately been plagued by injury but will undoubtedly be the 87 00:04:17,787 --> 00:04:20,867 Speaker 3: main attraction for a Pelican. So just the heads up, Lass, 88 00:04:20,907 --> 00:04:22,667 Speaker 3: and I'm sure you know that a certain producer will 89 00:04:22,707 --> 00:04:25,467 Speaker 3: be submitting a red form sometimes seen to coincide around 90 00:04:25,467 --> 00:04:25,827 Speaker 3: the time. 91 00:04:26,107 --> 00:04:28,947 Speaker 2: Yes, I will take it under consideration. Leon, I'll take 92 00:04:28,947 --> 00:04:33,067 Speaker 2: it under consideration. Can we stay with basketball because March 93 00:04:33,187 --> 00:04:38,747 Speaker 2: Madness is upon us NCAA basketball College basketball for those 94 00:04:38,787 --> 00:04:41,627 Speaker 2: who are unfamiliar with it's starting on Tuesday to find 95 00:04:41,627 --> 00:04:44,747 Speaker 2: the top mens and women's college teams. First of all, 96 00:04:44,867 --> 00:04:48,027 Speaker 2: how big has March Madness become. 97 00:04:49,387 --> 00:04:52,947 Speaker 3: Here in the States. It's huge. Most people that obviously 98 00:04:52,987 --> 00:04:54,747 Speaker 3: a lot of people that went to their certain college 99 00:04:54,747 --> 00:04:57,587 Speaker 3: that they call them that Alma mado really connected with 100 00:04:57,667 --> 00:05:01,027 Speaker 3: their schools. I wanted to comment on this, but yesterday 101 00:05:01,027 --> 00:05:03,547 Speaker 3: I just want to make a quick comment about I 102 00:05:03,627 --> 00:05:05,507 Speaker 3: knew I knew a Tate Jones and how he did 103 00:05:05,507 --> 00:05:08,187 Speaker 3: a fantastic job breaking down the competition the young Kiwi 104 00:05:08,267 --> 00:05:10,827 Speaker 3: boy there. I was really impressed by the the in 105 00:05:10,907 --> 00:05:12,827 Speaker 3: depth knowledge of the college game, but even more so 106 00:05:12,947 --> 00:05:16,187 Speaker 3: it's great work ethic and humility which will undoubtedly take 107 00:05:16,267 --> 00:05:18,307 Speaker 3: him far in his career. So after one look forward 108 00:05:18,347 --> 00:05:20,987 Speaker 3: to following his career believing I feel like a lot 109 00:05:21,027 --> 00:05:23,427 Speaker 3: more of your listeners will be back in UC San 110 00:05:23,507 --> 00:05:26,507 Speaker 3: Diego that they already didn't have a team in NCAA tournament, 111 00:05:26,587 --> 00:05:29,507 Speaker 3: so go to Tritons. I also just reminded the audience 112 00:05:29,547 --> 00:05:32,987 Speaker 3: pointy that March Madness referred to the NCAA Division One 113 00:05:33,067 --> 00:05:37,267 Speaker 3: Men's and women's basketball championship tournaments. So in recent years, 114 00:05:37,307 --> 00:05:40,547 Speaker 3: the phenomenal rights and influence of one Caitlin Clark is 115 00:05:40,547 --> 00:05:44,107 Speaker 3: how popularized women's basketball, a trend known as the Caitlin 116 00:05:44,147 --> 00:05:47,347 Speaker 3: Clark Effect. It's worth mentioning that name, image, and likeness 117 00:05:47,427 --> 00:05:50,587 Speaker 3: more commonly referred to as nil and the student transfer 118 00:05:50,707 --> 00:05:54,427 Speaker 3: portal has completely changed the college forty landscape exponentially in 119 00:05:54,427 --> 00:05:58,147 Speaker 3: recent years, especially in regards to basketball. So both NCAA 120 00:05:58,227 --> 00:06:02,067 Speaker 3: tournaments consist of sixty four teams for the women and 121 00:06:02,147 --> 00:06:04,147 Speaker 3: sixty eight teams for the men, and they're known for 122 00:06:04,187 --> 00:06:08,067 Speaker 3: their thrilling, single elimination format where teams compete to determine 123 00:06:08,107 --> 00:06:11,627 Speaker 3: the national champion and collegiate basketball. Millions of Americans watch 124 00:06:11,667 --> 00:06:13,987 Speaker 3: their college teams on the biggest stage and take part 125 00:06:14,187 --> 00:06:16,227 Speaker 3: and what's known as the Bracket Challenge, trying to pick 126 00:06:16,227 --> 00:06:18,427 Speaker 3: the teams they think will advance to the Street sixteen, 127 00:06:19,107 --> 00:06:21,507 Speaker 3: the Elite eight to the Final four, and the eventual winners. 128 00:06:21,867 --> 00:06:24,547 Speaker 3: The event itself as a rich history, having started way 129 00:06:24,547 --> 00:06:27,507 Speaker 3: back in nineteen thirty nine and has become a significant 130 00:06:27,507 --> 00:06:29,747 Speaker 3: cultural phenomenon in the US and now globally. 131 00:06:29,827 --> 00:06:31,467 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, I know it's big news in our house. 132 00:06:31,707 --> 00:06:34,147 Speaker 2: My son Johnny is going to be glued to March Madness, 133 00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:37,107 Speaker 2: as are many around the world. So looking forward to that. 134 00:06:37,427 --> 00:06:40,787 Speaker 2: Can we move to Major League Baseball? The new season 135 00:06:41,467 --> 00:06:43,707 Speaker 2: is almost upon us. In fact, I think it starts 136 00:06:43,707 --> 00:06:46,867 Speaker 2: in the weak ahead. Any big preseason stories from Major 137 00:06:46,947 --> 00:06:47,627 Speaker 2: League Baseball? 138 00:06:48,587 --> 00:06:50,987 Speaker 3: Yes, So the season open is taking path in Tokyo, 139 00:06:50,987 --> 00:06:53,147 Speaker 3: which they've done over the last few years. That's only 140 00:06:53,267 --> 00:06:56,267 Speaker 3: a matter of days away. Spring trainings wrapped up and 141 00:06:56,307 --> 00:06:58,907 Speaker 3: the current World Series champion LA Dodgers are taken on 142 00:06:58,947 --> 00:07:02,027 Speaker 3: the Chicago Cubs and a double header. Now, the Dodger 143 00:07:02,027 --> 00:07:04,707 Speaker 3: has spent a boatload of money bossing their roster, which 144 00:07:04,787 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 3: is already a men's The strong in the off season 145 00:07:08,507 --> 00:07:11,307 Speaker 3: are like clearly the favorites to repeat. Now they're widely 146 00:07:11,347 --> 00:07:14,107 Speaker 3: considered the so called villains of basketball because they have 147 00:07:14,187 --> 00:07:16,507 Speaker 3: all this money and they're just throwing it around Willy nilly, 148 00:07:16,947 --> 00:07:19,907 Speaker 3: their closest rivalry they've beaten the World Series. The New 149 00:07:19,987 --> 00:07:22,387 Speaker 3: York Yankees are already in trouble though, even before the 150 00:07:22,387 --> 00:07:25,307 Speaker 3: first pitch of the season is thrown. The Bronx Bombers 151 00:07:25,347 --> 00:07:27,507 Speaker 3: have a number of their key starting players injured or 152 00:07:27,507 --> 00:07:30,707 Speaker 3: even out for the whole season. With the grueling schedule 153 00:07:30,747 --> 00:07:33,707 Speaker 3: of one hundred and sixty two regular season games, it 154 00:07:33,827 --> 00:07:35,947 Speaker 3: really is a war of attrition before the playoffs even 155 00:07:36,027 --> 00:07:39,107 Speaker 3: roll around, So maintaining their healthy team is paramount for 156 00:07:39,147 --> 00:07:41,307 Speaker 3: success in the sport, and other teams to keep an 157 00:07:41,307 --> 00:07:44,507 Speaker 3: eye on a serious contenders are the Atlanta Bays, New 158 00:07:44,547 --> 00:07:48,747 Speaker 3: York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Ashirt and the 159 00:07:48,747 --> 00:07:49,907 Speaker 3: San Diego Padres. 160 00:07:49,987 --> 00:07:53,187 Speaker 2: Looking forward to a new season of MLB Underway soon 161 00:07:53,427 --> 00:07:55,307 Speaker 2: And can we finish with any Can we finish with 162 00:07:55,427 --> 00:07:59,947 Speaker 2: NFL that is obviously in its off season, Any big 163 00:07:59,987 --> 00:08:04,267 Speaker 2: stories around trades or contract extension? Free agency? 164 00:08:04,387 --> 00:08:07,347 Speaker 3: Leon, Yeah, definitely, there's some big stories I'm going going 165 00:08:07,387 --> 00:08:10,507 Speaker 3: to share with the audience right now. Free agency is 166 00:08:10,547 --> 00:08:12,427 Speaker 3: fun and said it with some recent big moves, so 167 00:08:12,507 --> 00:08:16,507 Speaker 3: the quarterback carousel began with Super Bowl winner Matthew Stafford 168 00:08:16,547 --> 00:08:19,147 Speaker 3: of the La Rams re signing with the franchise despite 169 00:08:19,187 --> 00:08:21,507 Speaker 3: a number of other big offers on the table. So 170 00:08:21,667 --> 00:08:23,507 Speaker 3: he was the first Domino to fall an e hectic 171 00:08:23,587 --> 00:08:26,547 Speaker 3: free agency period. In the Minnesota Vikings, you I know 172 00:08:26,587 --> 00:08:30,187 Speaker 3: you're done for as Jason traded their quarterback Sam Donald 173 00:08:30,227 --> 00:08:33,707 Speaker 3: to the Seattle Seahawks after Korea best season last year. 174 00:08:33,827 --> 00:08:35,827 Speaker 3: Donald inked a three year deal with one hundred and 175 00:08:35,907 --> 00:08:38,747 Speaker 3: ten million with fifty five million guaranteed. It is a 176 00:08:38,747 --> 00:08:41,347 Speaker 3: gamble of thoughts for Seattle, give him the statu of 177 00:08:41,347 --> 00:08:44,787 Speaker 3: their offensive line and a new offensive coordinator. Some other 178 00:08:44,827 --> 00:08:48,467 Speaker 3: big trades or Super Bowl winning defensive tackled. Milton Williams, 179 00:08:48,747 --> 00:08:50,987 Speaker 3: who was a major fact in Super Bowl fifty nine, 180 00:08:51,027 --> 00:08:53,867 Speaker 3: traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Pattriod. 181 00:08:54,667 --> 00:08:56,587 Speaker 3: He agreed to terms on a four year deal with 182 00:08:56,587 --> 00:08:59,587 Speaker 3: one hundred and four million, including a twenty four million 183 00:08:59,627 --> 00:09:03,267 Speaker 3: signing bonus, sixty three million guaranteed, and an average annual 184 00:09:03,267 --> 00:09:05,507 Speaker 3: base salary of twenty six million. As you can see, 185 00:09:05,547 --> 00:09:07,507 Speaker 3: plinty of these numbers are staggering. If we put that 186 00:09:07,547 --> 00:09:11,107 Speaker 3: into context, Currently, the fifty highest paid players in the 187 00:09:11,267 --> 00:09:15,507 Speaker 3: NRL delectively earned forty five million Australian dollars, which equates 188 00:09:15,507 --> 00:09:18,547 Speaker 3: to about twenty nine million dollars US. It's almost as 189 00:09:18,547 --> 00:09:22,027 Speaker 3: if the NFL are putting their own money. It's crazy incredible. Yeah, 190 00:09:22,067 --> 00:09:23,707 Speaker 3: so what Probably one of the biggest stories to come 191 00:09:23,707 --> 00:09:27,467 Speaker 3: out of the NFL was Buffalo Bills quarterback and regular 192 00:09:27,507 --> 00:09:30,987 Speaker 3: season MVP Josh Allen got has bag that people use 193 00:09:31,067 --> 00:09:33,507 Speaker 3: that phrase to refer to, you know, people getting paid. 194 00:09:34,267 --> 00:09:36,827 Speaker 3: He signed a sixty extension on a record setting deal. 195 00:09:37,667 --> 00:09:40,227 Speaker 3: They get this, He'll received three hundred and thirty million, 196 00:09:40,307 --> 00:09:43,467 Speaker 3: including a record two hundred and fifty million guarantees. And 197 00:09:43,507 --> 00:09:45,707 Speaker 3: he's not even the highest paid player in the league. 198 00:09:45,867 --> 00:09:47,907 Speaker 3: That his numbers are staggering. In a sport that is 199 00:09:47,907 --> 00:09:51,667 Speaker 3: a hard salary cap and true free agency, the NFL 200 00:09:51,667 --> 00:09:53,987 Speaker 3: has been structured in a way towards parody compared to 201 00:09:53,987 --> 00:09:57,107 Speaker 3: any of US professional sports league, so the sort of 202 00:09:57,107 --> 00:10:00,387 Speaker 3: money being thrown around as unprecedented. Finally, the betting market 203 00:10:00,387 --> 00:10:03,947 Speaker 3: has already released the odds for Super Bowl sixty. No surprise, 204 00:10:04,027 --> 00:10:07,787 Speaker 3: as defending champion Philadelphia Eagles are clear favorites. After they 205 00:10:07,827 --> 00:10:10,827 Speaker 3: just mentled Candidcy in the recent Super Bowl. The Chiefs 206 00:10:10,867 --> 00:10:14,427 Speaker 3: are second favorite sister, ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, Films 207 00:10:14,467 --> 00:10:15,747 Speaker 3: and Detroit Lyons. 208 00:10:16,147 --> 00:10:18,787 Speaker 2: So much going on Stateside, Leon, Thank you so much 209 00:10:18,827 --> 00:10:21,227 Speaker 2: for your comprehensive rap of it all. We look forward 210 00:10:21,227 --> 00:10:24,267 Speaker 2: to catching up regularly across the year here on Weekend Sport. 211 00:10:24,587 --> 00:10:27,267 Speaker 2: Always some terrific storylines coming out of the United States, 212 00:10:27,267 --> 00:10:29,707 Speaker 2: and we look forward to you keeping us up to 213 00:10:29,787 --> 00:10:31,187 Speaker 2: date with all of them. Thanks for your time. 214 00:10:31,707 --> 00:10:33,187 Speaker 3: Thank you for having me on today, Jess and I 215 00:10:33,267 --> 00:10:35,627 Speaker 3: look forward to doing it again. Sometimes seem cheers mate. 216 00:10:35,507 --> 00:10:37,387 Speaker 2: Now good on you, Leon. Thanks and day, Leon busby 217 00:10:37,427 --> 00:10:40,227 Speaker 2: Stateside a big part of our Weekend Sport agenda for 218 00:10:40,307 --> 00:10:41,227 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five. 219 00:10:41,907 --> 00:10:45,067 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 220 00:10:45,187 --> 00:10:48,467 Speaker 1: to news Talks ed b weekends from midday, or follow 221 00:10:48,507 --> 00:10:50,147 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.