Happy Hour Sports Talk

Happy Hour Sports Talk’s Mark and Jared open with their thoughts on the James Harden deal (2:40), recap and analyze the NFL’s Quarter Finals games and (re)predict finals matchups.  Will James Harden become an MVP candidate with the Brooklyn Nets (4:59) and are they destined for greatness (7:38)? Switching gears, they break down the “Elite 8” in the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs starting with the Ravens and Lamar Jackson's dire need for WR help (21:21) before discussing whether running quarterbacks are the way of the future. Mark and Jared make a $100 bet (30:20) and rank their biggest fails/disappointments of the past weekend (31:52). Questions about Mahomes’ injury and a possible return (36:23), whether Andy Reid is a crazy man or a calculated genius (42:33) and if Drew Brees’ impact will be felt long term (44:44). Jared recaps Saints vs. Bucs Round 3 (46:57) whilst Mark analyzes the Packers vs. Rams matchup and how Matt LaFleur creatively is putting his players in positions to win (50:50). Mark and Jared also look at the upcoming Conference Finals games and make their finals predictions, albeit very different, which leads to another bet (56:24)!

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Happy Hour Sports Talk’s Mark and Jared discuss the NFL/NBA tanking culture that has been created and feasted upon by teams throughout the time of the leagues. They converse over two types of tanking approaches (6:35) and how the NBA draft lottery was introduced, and has ultimately morphed, as a result of one team’s attempt (10:07). Does bringing in free agents to a destination disregard a team from tanking consideration and what purpose does it have in the tank attempt (17:47)? For contrast, the NFL draft structure is discussed (21:47) before taking a deep dive into the Philadelphia Eagles and whether Doug Pederson overtly disregarded the integrity of the league (25:48). They converse over the concept of resting players and if it, in theory, is the same as tanking (31:55). Jared and Mark also look at some possible solutions the NFL/NBA could incorporate to help fix the tanking epidemic (43:45) as well as bring to light some of the biggest successes and failures teams have had (53:10). 

Happy Hour Sports Talk’s Mark and Jared discuss the 2020/2021 NFL playoff landscape with some hot takes on who beats who, and Mark’s feelings are hurt when breaking down how Philadelphia tanked the Sunday night game to eliminate the NY Giants from contention (2:20). They converse over whether Kansas City will be able to repeat (15:33) and preview the Titans vs. Ravens matchup (18:30). What will be the Chiefs’ hardest playoff matchup (19:24)? What could be Mahomes biggest hurdle to climb (23:09)? They preview the Colts vs Bills (26:22) and Steelers vs. Cleveland (33:38).   What’s in store for the second round and who’s jumping on which bandwagon (39:39)? Also, Bears vs. Saints (41:58), Rams at Seahawks (45:23) and Tampa Bay travels to Washington (50:51). Is it good for teams to help each other hit salary bonuses (52:58)? Will Brady and the Bucks have bumps to the finals (55:38)? Mark and Jared finish with their bold, or maybe not so bold, Super Bowl predictions (1:00:18). 

Happy Hour Sports Talk’s Mark and Jared discuss the 10 NBA players that signed their rookie extensions before the 2020/2021 season. They explain some of the major differences between the NFL and NBA rookie contract language (2:20), if Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum can lead their respective teams to the promised land (6:35), whether Bam Adebayo can continue being THAT athletic for 5 years (16:35), and if the Kings HAD to resign De’Aaron Fox because of where they play (22:35). They converse over the non-max rookie extensions and answer the questions of whether Jonathan Isaac can stay healthy (25:45), if Derrick White’s 24mpg scale (32:18), does OG Anunoby have what it takes to take a leap (36:40), is Markelle Fultz progressing to his potential (43:40), and who the better LA signing was in Luke Kennard or Kyle Kuzma (49:50). Jared and Mark also break down 3 players who didn’t sign their rookie extensions in Lonzo Ball, John Collins, and Lauri Markkanen (57:30).

Happy Hour Sports Talk’s Mark and Jared discuss the NBA Eastern Conference landscape and preview which teams are ready to make the jump to number 1 and which are lottery bound. The rising of the Eastern Conference (3:37) has led to some fierce competitions. Can the East compare with the West? (4:10). Mark and Jared agree on the top four, and make cases for the Heat (6:13), Bucks (10:39), Nets, and Celtics. How will Doc Rivers fair in Philly? (17:50) Does Ben Simmons’s roll need to change? (24:05), Mark runs down the Atlanta Hawks, do they have a chance to make the playoffs? (28:24). Jared discusses his Toronto Raptors outlook, is Chris Boucher playing the wrong position? (35:45). Mark and Jared also breakdown the projected bottom feeders Cleveland (42:17), Chicago (44:20), Charlotte (45:57), and Steve Nash with the Nets (48:48). Jared finishes with a bold take on the Celtics (54:53).

Happy Hour Sports Talk’s Mark and Jared discuss the NBA Western Conference landscape and preview which teams are primed for a deep playoff run and which are sitting on the bubble to fight for the last few seeds. Outside of agreeing on the two top seeds in the Lakers and Clippers (2:40), they debate who reins supreme in the next tier between the Nuggets (10:03), Mavericks (15:02), Warriors (19:50), and Jazz (30:58). They answer questions about whether bubble teams such as, “Portland: Why has Robert Covington been moved so much?” (30:58), “Do the Suns have a Big 3?” (39:54), “Are the Grizzles still two years away?” (43:55), “Will all the man-meat in New Orleans be enough?” (47:00), and “Will the Rockets roster looks the same 3 months from now?” (51:15). Also, Mark and Jared break down one thing that must happen for each bottom-dwelling team to get out of the cellar (56:30).

Happy Hour Sports Talk’s Mark and Jared discuss the formation of super teams in the modern and historical NBA. They debate what makes teams “super”, if homegrown teams epitomize the definition of super team, and whether Big 3’s qualify (2:30). They converse over some of the super team attempts, specifically the 2007 Celtics (6:10), Jordan’s Bulls (8:40), 2010 Heat (11:17), 1996 Rockets (16:40), 2016 Warriors (26:00), and Greg Popovich’s Spurs dynasty (32:00). Jared and Mark also break down some of sacrifices players must make to form super teams (36:00) and two of the worst super team attempts in history (43:20).