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A Bold New Beginning For The Bucks Oct 20, 2023

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The Milwaukee Bucks became the favorites to win the NBA title the moment they swung the blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard. But along with all the excitement from that trade, Milwaukee is also facing some big questions. How will this team respond to the loss of one of its most popular players, Jrue Holiday? Can they break the trend set by some recent super teams, with a first-year head coach in Adrian Griffin? And, after an unsettling summer, will Lillard's arrival calm concerns in Milwaukee that Giannis Antetokounmpo has one foot out the door?

Guest: Eric Nehm, The Athletic

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Can The World's Fastest Man Save His Sport? Oct 18, 2023

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U.S.A. Track and Field star Noah Lyles caused quite a stir back in August when he called out NBA players for referring to themselves as “World Champions" after winning their league title. Several NBA All-Stars -- and even Drake -- took issue with his words, and did some verbal sparring online. But Lyles's comments were part of a wider campaign to elevate himself and his sport to new heights. Today, we take a closer look at one of track and field's brightest stars, why he attracts so much attention, and how he hopes to both resurrect and transcend his sport.

Guest: Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times

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Greatest Show On Surf: The Dolphins' 'Revolutionary' Offense Oct 13, 2023

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Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins have unleashed an offense that has taken the NFL by storm, with some of the fastest players in the league (including Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert) powering them to point totals we haven’t seen since the 1960s. Today, we look at three key factors fueling the Miami offense, and whether the comparisons to the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” are valid.

Guest: Mike Sando, The Athletic

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'Just Play, Man': The NBA's Crackdown On Rest Days Oct 11, 2023

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The NBA has been wrestling with a thorny issue for several years now – star players sitting out regular season games, even when they’re healthy. Fans are mad about it. TV broadcasters are mad about it. And now, the NBA has put new rules in place to try and prevent it from happening. Will the rules work? Could they potentially backfire? And what's at stake for the league?

Guest: Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic

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Inside Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Season For The Ages Oct 06, 2023

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Ronald Acuña Jr. has had a season unlike any other in Major League Baseball history, becoming the first player with 40+ home runs and 70+ stolen bases in the same year. But leading up to this dream season, the Atlanta Braves outfielder endured a stretch of his career that was anything but a fairy tale. Today, we look at how Acuña went from his lowest point as a player, to heights that no one has ever reached. And, after a disappointing early exit last season, what can Acuña and the Braves do differently to bring another World Series back to Atlanta?

Guest: David O'Brien, The Athletic

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The Terrifying Moments After Bronny James' Collapse Oct 04, 2023

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What exactly happened when Bronny James collapsed on a USC basketball court in late July? How were his teammates impacted? Ryan Kartje of the LA Times brings us some new details, and discusses what all of this mean for Bronny's -- and LeBron's -- future.

Guest: Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times

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Cowboys + Navy SEALs = Super Bowl? Sep 29, 2023

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For months now, a single date has been etched into the minds of Dallas Cowboys players – February 11th, 2024 – the date of Super Bowl 58. And this year, the team looked for inspiration from a rather unlikely source: ex-Navy SEALs. Today, we look at why quarterback Dak Prescott organized this mental mission for his team. And, after a shocking loss to the Cardinals in Week 3 — and the loss of a star player – can their training give them the mental edge they need to still be playing in February?

Guest: Jori Epstein, Yahoo! Sports

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'Let Me See Your Phone': A Coaching Legend's Bizarre Demise Sep 27, 2023

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The NHL season doesn’t begin until next month, but we might have already seen the most bizarre story of the season. Mike Babcock, one of the most accomplished hockey coaches in history, resigned as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets last week, after making his players show him private photos from their phones. Today, we go inside the strange downfall of a coaching legend, try to separate fact from fiction, and explain why, in the end, justice was served.

Guest: Aaron Portzline, The Athletic

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Shohei's Empty Locker: How The Angels Failed MLB's Biggest Star Sep 22, 2023

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The Los Angeles Angels have had arguably the two biggest stars in baseball, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, on their roster for the past six years. And yet they have failed to make the playoffs -- or even record a winning season -- during that time. Today, with Ohtani on the verge of free agency, we explore his complicated relationship with the Angels, where he’s likely to land next season, and why the Angels may have ultimately failed MLB's brightest star.

Guest: Sam Blum, The Athletic

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Why Brock Purdy May Be Kyle Shanahan's Dream QB Sep 20, 2023

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The San Francisco 49ers are 2-0, and looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender, heading into a matchup with the Giants on Thursday Night Football. And on a roster filled with stars, the guy who’s in charge of keeping the high-powered offense running is the former Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy. Today, we look at why Purdy has given himself a chance to stick as San Francisco’s long-term QB when so many others have failed to live up to Kyle Shanahan’s lofty standards. And, after moving on from C.J. Beathard, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Trey Lance, has Shanahan finally found his new Kirk Cousins?

Guest: Matt Barrows, The Athletic

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