Times have been tough, there’s no two ways about it. Even as the global pandemic shut down society a few months ago, we wondered how soon it would be before we could get back to normal. But after the murder of George Floyd triggered widespread social protest across the nation, the very definition of normal seems to be changing. Even as society slowly starts to reopen for business, a clear call goes out demanding an end  systemic violence against people of color and for a new era of opportunity for those who have traditionally been left behind by society. Among the loudest voices calling for change have been those of professional athletes, and as we excitedly look forward to the return of the NBA, it’s important that we hear the words the athletes say. Not as role models, not as exceptionally skilled athletes, not as heroes, but as human beings. And these are human beings saying that they are hurting, that the people that they love are hurting, and asking you to listen to those whose voices aren’t heard. If you’re excited about the NBA coming back like we are, if you’re counting the days til play resumes, 52 for what it’s worth, remember what Jalen Rose wished for a few weeks ago, when he said: “I wish America loved black people as much as they love black culture”. Words to remember as we welcome black athletes into our homes this summer as we watch the Playoffs. Maybe we can really listen to what they’re saying while we enjoy the games. So sit back, times have been tough but a new day is coming, and spoiler, it includes real NBA action, and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .

The one where we learn not to stay in our lane. . .

22 years after his sixth and final title, Michael Jordan’s star shines just as bright as always. In the continued absence of live sports, The Last Dance has been a saving grace, providing sports fans with appointment viewing and for the most part, hitting all the right notes. Whether it’s the game highlights, the behind the scenes footage or simply the storylines that grab your attention, there’s been something to see for both avid hoops fans and casual observers alike. For those new to the story, there were plenty of plot twists to accompany all of the visual evidence anyone could possibly need to realize that they were watching the greatest of all time. For seasoned fans who saw it all go down the first time, 22 years is long enough to necessitate a refresher course in the story of His Airness. And what a story it was. Good enough to capture our attention and help us fill the void until the games return. In the meantime, sit back, social distancing goes on but we’ve had The Last Dance to break the monotony, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel, and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .

If there was ever a sign of the times for sports fans it’s this; every Sunday I prepare to watch The Last Dance like it’s the NBA Playoffs. I’ve got my beverage of choice, a whole menu lined up, and absolutely nothing else on the docket. And then, over the next few days, I’ll tune into my favorite sport podcasts and listen to a painstakingly detailed analyzation of everything I just watched, just like we were breaking down a game. That’s just where we are right now. Ten hours of historical documentation on the Greatest of All Time, Michael Jeffery Jordan, is keeping sports fans going while we wait for live action to resume. The NBA, NHL and MLB are all in holding patterns, planning for the moment to be right to get things going, but it’s just still too early to set any firm dates. And that’s how it is in the Covid-19 era. You learn to be patient, to accept that a virus doesn’t abide by our timetables, and to make the best out of what we have. For the next few weeks we get more MJ and the Bulls, we already got some Kobe and some Sir Charles, and we’ll look forward to some Reggie and some Shaq. For two hours each of the next two Sundays, the magic will be back, and after that, who knows, maybe we’ll get some good news. But in the meantime, sit back, social distancing goes on but The Last Dance is here to break the monotony and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .

Let’s face it, after weeks of self-quarantine and with so much uncertainty from day to day, a little escapism can sure do a lot of good. Sports fans got to enjoy some healthy anticipation, and a good deal of pay off, from what these days passes as an eventful week. Whether it was reminiscing about His Airiness and Co. with a look back at the '97-98 season in the Bulls documentary, welcoming Gronk back from retirement, or looking ahead at the future of the League through the lens of the NFL draft, even in the absence of live action sports, fans got a break from the present. If we’re lucky, this MJ doc might help us through these next four weeks and maybe we’ll see a light at the end of the tunnel. . . So sit back, social distancing goes on but The Last Dance & the NFL Draft are there to break the monotony and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .

Pandemic update, self-quarantine week 4, and there’s still no end in sight. It’s hard to believe that less than month ago our biggest concerns on this show were who was the true MVP of the NBA and which team could win 16 Playoff games. Today, it’s a new world, and we’ve all had to make some adjustments in a collective effort to right the ship. Physical distancing is the new reality, an all-too necessary inconvenience, but one that can, hopefully, stem the spread this Covid-19 pandemic. For sports fans, this new paradigm had demanded a shift in priorities, as we lose the games we love but accept the bigger picture. We miss the games, we want them back as soon as possible, but we’ve also had to accept that there is no timetable and that when they do return, things will be different. In the meantime, we wait out the storm, do our best as a society to protect our neighbors by doing everything we can to flatten the curve. But we can still dream, of 2-on-1 fast-breaks off the rebound, of long-range pull-up threes, of rookie phenoms and of unicorns winning rings, and we can hope beyond all reasonable hope, for MLB and NFL seasons that just might come to be, and maybe even some NBA Playoffs. So sit back, it’s a state of emergency, but sports still lives inside us all and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .

We said last week that things were getting real, and with some time to acclimate to this sudden departure from all normalcy, we’re all adjusting to our new harsher realities. Life as we know it has changed, and for how long, no one can really say. It could be weeks before we see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, it could be months, but when it comes down to it, all we can do is take it moment by moment, make the best out of each day and do our best to slow this virus. For sports fans, this means the games won’t be returning in the immediate future, but it doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to talk about. The start of NFL Free Agency was a welcome reprieve from more serious topics, providing sports talk shows desperate for content plenty of fodder for speculation, and for fans, something to look forward to; the idea that normality will return. There was some criticism out there that the NFL should have postponed Free Agency until the disaster had subsided, and that’s valid, but as a sports fan, just getting that glimmer of hope from seeing the teams start to form for the 2020 season, that we were preparing to move froward at some point, that was invaluable to me. So sit back, it’s a state of emergency, NFL Free Agency is somehow helping us get through it, and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .

I had a whole segment prepared for today’s show about NBA teams playing with something to lose come Playoff time, but as it turns out, there’s more on the line in the world today than rings and titles. The NBA has postponed the season, with good reason, and it makes sense that the rest of the sports world follow their lead in order to prevent even more widespread contagion. After all, sports are a mere diversion, and with real lives on the line, priorities must shift. I’m not sure where we’re going today, this obviously won’t be a normal show, but in the spirit of using this forum to follow the sports world, we’re gonna try to make some sense of everything that’s going on, so let’s keep on rolling . . .

If you want to understand why Luka vs Zion, Part 1 was so intriguing, just do the math; as Gaber texted me last night, Luka + Zion = Heaven. ‘Nuff said. Elsewhere in the Association, with around 20 games left to play in the regular season, Playoff seedings are coming down to simple mathematics and teams just need to add wins in order to move up. All credit to Giannis and his Bucks, but we’re looking at the potential for the most competitive title race in decades and every edge could count, so if you want that home court early on, it’s put up or shut up. With a 10 game lead in the East, the Bucks have wrapped up home court advantage, but expect a lot of shuffling in the 2-8 seeds and some statement wins down the stretch, as contenders build up momentum towards that inevitable trip to Milwaukee. In the West, things are a little more tight, as the Lakers have left a slight opening for the Nuggets or Clippers to make a move, however unlikely that might be, but what’s really intriguing about the Western Conference race is that only 4.5 games separate the 2 and 7 seeds. Any of these teams could realistically end up a top 4 seed with home court in the first round, and I’m betting on Luka and the Mavs to make that push. And that brings us to the 8 seed. Ja and the Grizzlies are sliding but Zion and the Pelicans haven’t been able to make up any ground, and time is running out for all of us for the chance to catch our first glimpse of Playoff Zion. Let’s go Pelicans, pick this kid up, carry him to the Playoffs, for fulfilling all of the prophecies while exceeding all expectations, and for all he brings to the game. It’s only fitting. This has, after all, become the Season of Zion. So sit back, it’s the NBA, all NBA and nothing but the NBA, and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .

Man, it’s good to have the NBA back. How is it that the three days without hoops after the All Star Break felt like weeks? It can only be that the product is so darned good. Regardless of how interminable the wait seemed, things picked up right where we left off, with Giannis & his Bucks and LeBron & his Lakers continuing their winning ways as frontrunners, and that’s all for the good, that’s where we are right now, but who might win the title is just one of many intriguing NBA storylines. Night to night, I find myself tuning in to watch some pretty middling teams with no real championship hopes just to catch a glimpse of the future. Right out of the break, for our viewing pleasure, Trae Young dropped 50 points on 25 shots to further validate his All Star selection, Luka Doncic keeps putting down 30 point near triple doubles every night and 6’6” Zion Williamson is posting up every big man in the Association at a historic level of efficiency, and every one of these phenoms are 21 or under! I’ve said it before, with all of the established talent and star power, we’re already in a Golden Age in the NBA, but when you look at all of the emerging young players, you can’t help but wonder if the best is yet to come. The NBA, it’s still FANtastic! So sit back, it’s the NBA, all NBA and nothing but the NBA, well, almost, and we’re breaking down how it’s all unfolding, next on the Roundup Podcast, so let’s get rolling . . .