Sports Wrap: NFL News, the Return of the NBA & More (Bonus Podcast)

What’s up Refined Hype nation! Turn off your Drake CD, put that bottle of moscato or whatever trendy girly drink you have down, and be happy because the NBA is back and it’s time for College Bowl games and NFL playoffs soon.

NBA

Early morning November 26th, ESPN reported that the NBA lockout was officially over and a 66-game regular season schedule was agreed on. Even though you didn’t get the news until about noon because you’re lazy, it was an early Christmas present the majority of men (and women who want to try and impress men) could all appreciate.

Right off the back, ESPN has already reported trade talks, with Chris Paul and Dwight Howard being the big names. Chis Paul has allegedly told his agent that he refuses to play for anybody but The Knicks while Dwight Howard has told his agents he’s not limited to but would like to play in L.A. (The good team in L.A. not the Clippers) While the Hornets have a tougher decision to on their hands, the Magic have an interesting one with Dwight. The new NBA regulations state that there is no more salary hard cap, meaning contracts can be worth a million dollars if owners are willing to fork it out. One of the teams really eyeing Superman is the New Jersey Brooklyn Nets. While no one would want to go to or play for the Nets (especially since Kim Kardashian isn’t courtside anymore) y’all are probably saying why would Dwight go and why would Orlando trade him?

Let’s look back at the Magic in the good old Penny/Shaq days for a second. If you recall, at one point Orlando had the most dominant big man in the league. However, when the big diesel became a free agent, he took off for Hollywood and it only took Orlando a good 12 years to be a NBA title contending team again. Following the path the Celtics did with Kendrick Perkins, if you know the player won’t be back when the contract expires, then getting something is better than getting nothing at all. The Nets owner is either the second or possibly the richest owner in the NBA. Already offering Lopez, two first round picks, and probably a contract for Dwight that no one could refuse; maybe it’s time for Orlando to start rebuilding.

The season starts on Christmas day, and the games include Boston Celtics vs. the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat vs. the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls vs. the L.A. Lakers. There’s also been a rumor that the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors will also be televised that day as well (Blake Griffin is the bright star on the top of the NBA Christmas tree) David Stern may be Jewish, but that’s one hell of an Xmas gift!

NCAA Football

Does it honestly matter what team the BCS chooses to go against LSU? I live in Atlanta and would really like to avoid a weekend of drunken frat boys barking into my ear. While we’ve always known LSU had hands down the best defense in the NCAA, did you see their offense against Arkansas? The Razorbacks are an actual good team but LSU made them look like my high school team that didn’t win a game in 3 straight seasons. (True Story)

To hear more about the horrible BCS system and the other championship games, make sure to check the podcast at the bottom of the page.

NFL

Because most of the podcast is about the NFL I will spare you the reading and just state 5 things I noticed in the past week.

• Norv Turner is an idiot. You call a running play to the side on 3rd down when you just got into field goal range, instead of just QB sneaking or running it to the middle for a better kick? Well those 4 yards you lost on that play resulted in your kicker missing by literally 4 feet. You just lost the division and your job with that one buddy.
• Desean Jackson won’t be an Eagle next year…Andy Reid won’t likely be one either. #Dreamteam
• Stevie Johnson’s dance was funny, the NFL is an entertainment business and he’s entertaining! There was NO reason to fine him!
• Raiders Linebacker Rolando McClain was arrested for firing a gun during an altercation at which one point “He held the gun to a man’s head and made him beg for his life.” You get paid how much?! At least Jamarcus Russell threw his career away on purple drank.
• Matt Sanchez has more game winning drives over the last two years than any other quarterback in the league, can game winning drives be a whole 60 minutes then?

Soccer (The Part the majority of you will skip!)

I like Soccer, but since most of y’all don’t, so I’ll make this quick.

• Liverpool’s Lucas tore his ACL and is out for the year. Look for the top 3 to be Man City, Man U, and Tottenham this year. And yes, the Spurs are the real deal this year!
• Napoli vs Juventus was one of the most exciting matches of the year. Including the most hilarious goal celebration for a goal that didn’t count.
• Didier Drogba is thinking about coming to America Eddie Murphy style, to play for the MLS after this season. Which proves the MLS is where superstars come to die.

Even though I’m pretty sure it’s fun to listen to me rant, make sure to check the podcast below to get a real experts take on the NCAA and NFL. Matt Miller of Bleacherreport.com joins me, as we talk about what happened to the Eagles, if the Packers going undefeated, and why people need to stop giving Tebow so much damn credit.