IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT WITH GRANT NAPEAR

How is Japan supposed to host the world for the Olympics in two months despite only 2% of the population being vaccinated? And I'm only referencing the Japanese population.  This is a global event and worldwide, Covid is still a major pandemic.  Look at India, Indonesia, Brazil to name just a few.  And they're going to field teams for the Olympics?  What will that bring to Japan?  What will those athletes possibly take with from Japan and bring home?  Could the Olympics become a super spreading event of global proportion?  Who wants to find out?  The Japanese population at large, apparently do not as they have a petition circulating that already has over 300,000 signatures.  So what to do?  It's not too late to make a change in the interest of safety.  But... will anyone make that call?   We'll have to wait and see now, won't we?  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerry Reynolds recaps the Sacramento Kings season and potential plans for the future of the team and, of course, that means a discussion that includes Marvin Bagley and Buddy Hield. On defense, "they went from Godawful bad to bad". And , by comparison to the other losing season teams last year, only the Kings didn't improve while the other 5 are either playing in or have made the play-offs already.  Always a witty conversation and today does not disappoint.  And what about the coaching ?  You'll have to listen to find out what he thinks.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The White Sox are hot and leading the Central Division in the American League.  Some things typically stay in the locker room but Tony La Russa was critical of Yermin Mercedes swinging on a 3-0 pitch when they were up by a large margin in the 9th against the Minnesota Twins.  I mean 16-4 is a pretty secure win.  So the controversy starts about why the manager is critical of his own player.  The team seems to have rallied around Mercedes at this point and Tony being Tony is holding his line.  If nothing else, this is all an unnecessary distraction to a team that is playing very well, and while I think the world of Tony, he's an old school guy and this seems to be an old school ploy.  If nothing else, let's hope it doesn't unsettle whatever is working.  Let me know how you feel about it after listening to today's podcast. Is it baseball protocol to back off ?  Or is that the "old school" mentality? 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is anyone actually rooting for Lebron and the Los Angeles Lakers, besides Lakers fans of course?   I'm with Scott Brooks, head coach of the Washington Wizards who loves this process.  The excitement it generates is second to none and something sorely needed for the league as a result of the Pandemic.  Scott gets it.  Lebron does not.  And that's only because the Lakers are having to play in.  You and I both know if they were seeded at the top, Lebron would think it was genius to have the play in.  As I'm sure you have guessed by now, I will not be rooting for the Lakers tonite.  Enjoy the game! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So do I think the Los Angeles Clippers dropped the last two games on purpose?  You bet I do. Do I have an issue with it?  Normally, yes.  I do.  But in this instance, no, I don't.  So they lose a seeding position but the intention was to avoid having to play a healthy Lakers team in the first round.  Smart move.  It gives them a chance to see what the Lakers are going to look like in the play in.  They'll play Dallas first and hopefully advance from there.  So for keeping it interesting, LA Clippers, Tank You!  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We met in Sacramento when Damon Hack was working for the local paper, the Sacramento Bee.  But from there his career has blossomed to Sports Illustrated and Newsday and The New York Times and we'll learn the story of how he ended up at The Golf Channel.  You'll learn about his passion project, Goats and Grapes, we'll talk about golf play, players and the future of the sport.  What golf discussion would be complete without a conversation about Tiger Woods?  We go there as well and talk about other star players including Rory Mcllroy, Bryson De Chambeau and more.  And if you've ever played, seen or wished you played St. Andrews old course, we'll talk about our experiences there.  An honest, no BS guy, Damon shares his reality of what he sees as the future of the game, the players and the experiences we can come to expect.  Golfer or not, you'll enjoy the conversation.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, they did it. The Sacramento Kings managed to make it 15 years in a row of losing seasons.  Hard to believe but it is what it is.  Interesting to see how well they played a few of the last games without De'Aaron Fox, Halyburton or Barnes.  Seems as if they really didn't even miss Fox.  And that's part of today's rant as well as what to do with Bagley, what to look forward to and why don't they just change the name to the Sacramento Lottery's?  Every year, that's what they're all about and finishing where they did brings the team and the city, yet another failed season.  Oh, and Walton, I have my suggestion for that too.  It's all in today's rant.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks star Spud Webb is my guest today.  Not only is he a former star of the game, he's also been a friend for over 30 years.  We talk stories of old and Spud's playing days as well as catch up on what he's doing today in Dallas.  Not one to mince words, you'll also get his perspective on today's players vs players from 20-30 years back.  You may be surprised at what he has to say.  But the biggest surprise comes when you hear his accomplishments and scratch you head as to how a guy only 5'6" could have been so competitive in a league of players over a foot taller.  Not to mention that slam dunk capability of his too.  He also has an opinion on that as well.  Join us.  I think you're going to have some laughs. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, this is going to be a fun weekend of basketball.  As a result of the play in tournament, players are going to have to hustle to get their teams into the playoffs.  And that means some folk are going to be happy this weekend and some are going to be not so happy.  Good job to the NBA for the play in tourney because the games mean something. And I have to acknowledge the Atlanta Hawks  who are currently fourth in the East after firing their head coach with a lot of dissent from Rick Carlisle.  Nate McMillan was the choice in the interim and he has done one helluva job.  Incredible.   I can't wait to see how far they can go.  All that said, looking forward to talking about the weekend next week as we head into the playoff season with every game counting.  Have some fun and enjoy the competition.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So here's the deal.  Don't get yourself all wound up on "easy" schedule or "challenging " schedule.  There's no way you can determine that in May.  Or June.  Or ever.  Just look at what would have likely been considered a tough schedule if you were playing the San Francisco Forty Niners last year.  Yeah.  How did that turn out?  Injuries. They're not predictable.  They ruin your day, or weekend, or even your year if your team gets wracked.  Even all the way to the Super Bowl, ask Kansas City about schedules.  Coulda, shoulda, woulda but didn't.  Injuries.  So, like I said, don't get too fired up about the schedules...yet.  Let's see who stays healthy and then start to draw some conclusions about what's easy or not.  You'll save yourself a lot of angst.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices