Rod, Justin, and Karen discuss listener feedback, the NBA gambling scandal, the Giants fined for breaching concussion protocols, Jalen Brown’s hair malfunction, AJ Brown might be a diva, Jalen Duren elbows his teammate’s twin brother, Russell Wilson calls out Sean Payton, Ryan Clark defends having Stephen A. on his show, and James Franklin’s weird contract clause.
Balls Deep Sports: (Protected Content)
Hi Rod, Karen, and Jeve Ballmer,
Just when you thought the Kawhi cap circumvention story would go out with a whimper, now Pablo Torre reports that a lawsuit has been brought by Aspiration investors against Steve Ballmer for fraud. While I would love for this case to go to discovery so we could force Ballmer and the Clippers to produce all the files, most likely he will settle before then. However, I think it’s a very bad look for the league. Between its lackadaisical investigation into Ballmer, and then clearing Rozier in the gambling scandal, it is clear the NBA employs no oversight over its own league. It is only because the FBI, a journalist, and some swindled investors have gotten involved that the NBA will now have to be accountable for both these incidents. Not a good look at all.
On a happier note, since Karen has the Hornets Corner, I nominate myself as your on-site Lakers Correspondent. We are 6-2 with no Lebron, and sometimes no Luka or AR. My funnest surprise is how well Ayton has played – 17 points and 8 rebounds, more than serviceable. Vic is gonna cook him tonight tho lol.
Lastly I know you don’t follow baseball. But the Nike-Dodgers ad was perfect. Drake takes another L while Kendrick stays on a victory lap.
Glad you’re back!
Mary
It’s just in the rumor mill at the moment, but after the two turnovers returned for touchdowns by Winfield last weekend which were overturned on extremely questionable calls and other games having similar issues across the league, it seems like NFL refs may be under the microscope for gambling scrutiny… I don’t pay that much attention to the sportsball, but have you heard anything about this?
Rod, Karen, & Jhoran Mamdani,
I have been trying to get some sport news other than what I get at BDS, and found some articles about Zhoran Mamdani backing the WNBA Player’s Union. While I understand he is not your representative, it is always good to see politicians supporting labor unions. I’m hoping that we see more of this in the future!