Today on Just Wondering with Norm Hitzges, Norm tackles three stories that couldn’t be more different — but all revolve around one word: fairness.

First, the NBA’s double standard.

Norm breaks down why tanking teams like the Utah Jazz are fined heavily for sitting players, while championship contenders routinely rest stars late in the season with zero consequences. Is there really a difference between protecting draft position and protecting playoff legs? Or does the league simply protect the powerful?

Then Texas Rangers legend Eric Nadel joins the show to talk Rangers baseball — from the Mackenzie Gore acquisition to bullpen concerns, the departure of pitching coach Mike Maddux, and whether Seattle has officially replaced Houston as the team to beat in the American League West.

Eric also discusses his 14th Annual Birthday Benefit at the Longhorn Ballroom, supporting the Grant Halliburton Foundation, and reflects on a broadcasting career that nearly became a law career instead.

Finally, Norm closes with what may be the most bizarre Winter Olympic controversy in years — allegations that male ski jumpers are using hyaluronic acid injections to qualify for larger competition suits and gain aerodynamic advantage.

Yes. That happened.

It’s sports integrity, roster construction, broadcasting nostalgia, and an Olympic scandal that makes your skin crawl — all in one episode.

⏱️ Chapters 

00:00 – The NBA’s tanking double standard

02:35 – Utah fined $500,000 vs Indiana’s $100,000

04:49 – Why contenders rest stars without punishment

05:47 – Sponsor: Bob’s Steak & Chop House

06:41 – Full Moon Healing Balm

07:58 – Eric Nadel joins the show

09:53 – Mackenzie Gore trade analysis

10:51 – Rangers bullpen concerns

14:14 – Is the lineup better this year?

20:56 – Losing pitching coach Mike Maddux

22:37 – Eric’s Plan B: unhappy lawyer

25:27 – Cuba travel challenges

28:04 – Mel Allen, Marv Albert & career inspiration

31:37 – Winter Olympic controversies

34:10 – The ski jumping hyaluronic acid allegations

36:44 – Final thoughts

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

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