The Chris Rawle Show

Every year, one of the most interesting parts of the playoffs to monitor is this: who has room to grow, how do we give that to them, and when do we truly understand what a player is? We have those answers for players like Lebron James and Russell Westbrook. But what about the growth curve of younger players like Ja Morant, Karl Anthony-Towns, Trae Young, and Donovan Mitchell?

For most, the world of professional basketball revolves around a simple team-building strategy: the accumulation of talent trumps everything. As we are seeing in the first round of the NBA playoffs, however, this is not always the case.

In a team sport, situation matters. As teams downshift in the playoffs to small-ball lineups—maximizing their mobility and versatility—individual defenders are stressed in different ways. What is fair to ask of any one player?

The playoffs are a pressure cooker. Some players are built to withstand adversity—others are not. Some possess an innate feel for what is required in each individual moment—others do not. The opening games of the playoffs provided plenty of examples, including Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, and the team defense of the Boston Celtics.

What works in the regular season and what works in the playoffs are not always the same thing. How much versatility is required to win four playoff rounds?

The Masters and Augusta National are universally praised for creating the best possible golfing experience for players and fans alike. Why does the PGA Tour struggle to mimic their recipe?

The Masters is in full swing and Tiger has returned to the world of golf. What are the differences in what we want in our own lives vs what we desire from athletes?

A long, winding discussion about the NBA and NHL, and how neither can find the balance between protecting their star players without lying down for them.

The race for NBA MVP is boiling down to Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. How much should team success be factored into an individual award?

This is a reading of “Falling Out The Other Side,” an essay written by Chris Rawle about becoming a college football fan early in life and sustaining that love into adulthood.The full text can be found here: https://www.chrisrawle.com/falling-out-the-other-side/