In this episode, Amin and Izzy delve into the NBA’s Most Improved Player race, wondering if a former #1 pick like Cade Cunningham can ever win the award, even after an impressive season with the Detroit Pistons. Plus, we look at other contenders like Dyson Daniels, Tyler Herro, and Christian Braun, and the broader implications of the Most Improved Player award. We also talk about the NBA and FIBA exploring the creation of a new 16-team basketball league in Europe set to rival the Euroleague. Is an NBA expansion coming? Click play to find out!

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Today’s word of the day is ‘fool’ as in April Fool as in Jurickson Profar as in the Atlanta Braves as in disaster. That’s right we have our first PED suspension of the big league season and Profar is done for 80 games. Fool! Can the Braves rebound from this dreadful start? (13:00 ) Rafael Devers still can’t hit. Still can’t make contact. Historically bad start. But the team did sign Garrett Crochet for a record deal! Happy! (21:25) Athletics played in Sacramento. Minor league ballpark. And they got crushed. And a drone stopped the game. And the media center is a tent. (33:00) Review: The Room Next Door. (35:13) Browns owner Jimmy Haslam finally admitted what we all know… the Deshaun Watson trade as a disaster. (42:40) Woody Johnson met the media and said the Jets moved on from Aaron Rodgers but wasn’t his choice! Also talked about buyouts for employees. Also mentioned the NFLPA being a joke. What a guy! (50:08) NPPOD.

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Hank Azaria created more than 100 voices for The Simpsons, including Moe the Bartender, Chief Wiggum and (formerly) Apu. So why is the single most talented voice actor of his generation, at 60 years old, suddenly the lead singer of a Springsteen tribute band? Because — in recovery from the fear that helped originate his superpower, the failure that forced him to embrace "character acting," the cancellation that became a case study, and the threat of A.I. — he was overtaken by Bruce Juice. And today, inside PTFO's studio, he takes the stage.

• Catch Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band on Tour

https://www.ezstreetnyc.com/

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Today’s word of the day is ’damn’ as in Damn the Torpedos are is Yankees as in baseball as in new bats. What do you think about these new bats? Aaron Judge doesn’t use them. A bunch of other Yankees who homered did. Is MLB going to get rid of these? (18:20) Max Scherzer is hurt. Max Scherzer told us he was going to get hurt. (24:40) Rafael Devers has been historically bad to start the season. Strike outs everywhere. Can’t hit. Can’t make contact. (34:21) Review: Reacher Season 3. (36:00) Let’s talk about what MLB did about Opening Day. They gave customers who missed out due to some tech issues a discount on merch. (42:40) NPPOD. (45:00) The Final Four on the men’s side is set. It’s all top seeds. (48:00) The Memphis Grizzlies fired its head coach with 10 games left. A 4/5 seed in the NBA. Why now?

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Did the late George Foreman's merchandising millions almost go to Chuck Norris instead? What aren't influencers selling to men these days? And is this season of The White Lotus actually good? (Spoiler alert for later in this episode: If you've seen through Episode 6, you're good.) And more from Pablo's trip to L.A.: the neck hammock, erect rods, and OnlyEyes.

Further content:

George Foreman Turned a Home Grill Into a Culinary Heavyweight (Kim Severson)

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/dining/george-foreman-grill.html

It's Bait (Rebecca Jennings)

https://www.vulture.com/article/ashton-hall-morning-routine.html

Let's Talk About the [Spoiler Alert] on The White Lotus, with Help From Some Experts (Eliana Dockterman)

https://time.com/7269550/the-white-lotus-incest-lochlan-saxon/

Subscribe to The Mina Kimes Show (featuring Lenny) podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@minakimes

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Today’s word of the day is ’undefeated’ as in who is rooting for a team that won yesterday? (Except the Cubs) Dodgers win again. Yankees started with a win. Juan Soto had a chance for the Mets and didn’t get it done. The Orioles looked hot. Baseball is back! (10:43) Vladdy Jr reportedly got a new deal offered to him by the Blue Jays. (18:20) MLB had a problem. Streaming was down. App was down. Uh oh. (23:30) The media problems never end! What about the Yankees and Comcast? More problems! (35:00) Review: Last Breath. (38:20) NPPOD. (43:00) Adam Silver had to meet the media yesterday and he had a lot to say. All Star Game problems. Expansion. 

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We've reached the Odds of March, that mythical time on the NBA calendar when truth is put on hold and chaos reigns. The Bulls, Suns, and Clippers are among the hottest teams in the league, while Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum are on the bench. Bronny is putting up star numbers (don't ask who he's playing) and Anthony Davis' return has given the Mavericks new hope. Plus, Amin and Izzy share some highlights from their trip to Miami with Akbar Domestique. Does Jimmy Butler deserve a statue? Which design is your favorite? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter or Threads @oddbalhoops.

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A full house on Mystery Crate this week as the crew discusses commercials driving them crazy during March Madness. Later, they examine the rise of Amir 'Aura' Kahn and the dramatic fall of Hawk Tuah as Amin claims that she stepped out of her box. Izzy has trouble deciding what to eat for dinner every night, Billy regrets not learning how to play the piano during COVID, and Jessica relives a terrible take out moment.

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Billy, Mikey A and Fuentes run through the latest headlines including; Russell Wilson signing with the New York Giants and Stefon Diggs getting a three year contract with the New England Patriots. Bracket Bonanza is back and bigger than ever as the Selection Committee seeded all 32 NFL teams. More Mikely's hit on AFC East wide receivers, comeback players and huge 2025 seasons.

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Thirty years ago this month, Michael Jordan shocked the world with a two-word transmission: "I'm back." But the rise and fall of this especially nostalgic technology is inextricably hard-wired to the sports world, from frantic prodigies to foul-mouthed coaches and fans glued to FaxCam. Pablo communes with a relic between himself and J.A. Adande — the Hall-of-Fame sportswriter and long-suffering fax-sender — for a jam session on innovation and increasingly epic fails that plunges PTFO into the literal depths of modern communication.

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