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It is. The J.R. Sport Brief Show. on the Infinit Sports Network. I'm coming to you live from Atlanta, Georgia.
Thank you so much to everybody listening all over North America. Happy Monday to you. Hope you had a great start to your week. I'll be hanging out with you for the next two hours. This show gets started every weekday at 6 p.m.
Eastern. three, Pacific. I'm in Atlanta on a street called Peachtree. and thank you so much to our producer, Ryan Botcher. He's in New York City on a street called Hudson, okay?
We'll be rolling with you. That we've been talking about a lot. Hey, we got a Monday night football game going on right now. The Lions lead the Bucs seven to nothing. It's about seven minutes to go until half time.
We're waiting on the Buccaneers to show some life. Mike Evans is back, Ameka Obuka is back. We'll keep you up to date on that one. And two hours from now we got another. Monday Night Football matchup.
Yes, it's a doubleheader. We have the Seattle Seahawks. Hosting the Houston Texans. We'll talk about that game as it gets closer. And then, how about this?
Coming up in a matter of minutes, we have first pitch between the Mariners and the Blue Jays. It's a game seven. The winner advances to take on The Dodgers How how exciting for them Yeah, probably uh not. We discussed some NFL injuries, guys like Jaden Daniels dealing with a hamstring issue. Lamar Jackson also dealing with a Hammy.
He's not back to practicing yet. We don't know if he's going to play against the Bears.
So we have discussed a lot and we have more to get into. The NBA returns to morrow. We got Michael Duarte joining us in about 20 minutes to talk about the Dodgers from NBC LA. The Eagles, they bounced back. Albert Pouhols is is he going to be a manager?
We got a lot to do, okay? If you want to call, you can. 888-710-4ISN. That's 888-710-4ISN. Thank you for listening on the Free Odyssey app.
On your local Infiniti Sports Network affiliate, You got Sirius XM, it's channel three hundred seventy five, and if you have a smart speaker, be smart. Ask the speaker to play the Infiniti Sports. network man we were hoping for a uh A big match up here, high scoring affair. between the Lions and the Buccaneers. We haven't gotten it Yet.
There's still plenty of football. I mean, if we go by what we saw yesterday with the Denver Broncos coming out in the third quarter and dropping. 33 points like it's nothing to win the game. We know anything is possible, so still plenty of time for these teams to just Throw the rock around. The Detroit Lions started the scoring.
Early? Amon Ross St. Brown with a 29-yard touchdown on the opening drive for these Detroit. Lions. 888-710-4ISN.
That's 888-710-4ISN. Let's get to the phone lines. Before we do anything right now, let's talk to Alex. Calling from Miami. Alex, you're on the JR Sport Ree Show.
What's up? Happy Monday, JR. To you as well. What's going on? It's a beautiful night here in South Florida.
I'm in my backyard on an extension chair. consuming of Monday Night Football. I'm going to get ready to split the screen in a minute.
So I can watch the last game of of of the um American uh the American League playoffs. But what's not beautiful here in South Florida is the state of football mantle. But As we all know. Um The dolphins are falling apart, man. They're It's incredible.
Um the Sad part is is that They're not going they're not going to go anywhere fast. and Mike by Daniel is probably going to be around the rest of the year. As we unlock this pen new litigation going on, Chris Greer, Chris Greer is is not going to be fired. I have a feeling that they're going to go ahead and move them within the organization, still pay them a salary. And make maybe make him the head of cleats and jockstraps because the thing is that if he's not happy.
You're going to speak against the Dolphins once. No. Yeah. floors And and my and the dolphins um come up So therefore they won't fire a mic McDaniel either. Because Floors was a Mostly responsible.
We're bringing them in, and for now, they want to keep them happy. But go ahead, JR.
Well, let let's let's put it this way, Alex, and thank you so much for calling from Miami. Uh enjoy you you sit in the easy chair, you said? Extension share. Extension share backyard. Consuming JR Sports Free.
cocktail in hand and watching the T V, man. Good luck.
Well, have have one for me too, Alex. Thank you for calling from Miami. You're welcome, GR. No doubt about it. Unfortunately, Alex says that the Miami Dolphins are falling apart.
They're already broken. Like, they're cooked. They're done already. and they're just going through the like there's nothing that's going to change. You know, why upset the apple cart?
Like, okay, they're dealing with an injury to Tyreek Hill. Tuatanga Valoa is throwing interceptions.
Okay, Mike McDaniel is a coach who's basically walking the plank. Right now, and he's done. Every single week, Mike McDaniel is having to answer questions about his job security. And it's kind of comical at this point in time. He's like, hey, if I'm focusing in on my job, then I'm not doing my job to coach the players.
Everybody knows you're done, bro. Listen to this from today, actually. I don't really... I I I have a there's a piece of me that's From an integrity standpoint, that I just refuse to go into that world of of speculation when When I'm Currently, I'm holding the job. I think that's kind of irresponsible.
I do. recognize uh And you know the the hard part is um the residual consequences I think of you know, other o other staff members, players, just the uncertainty of that. But at this point, I don't think. Um anybody uh really is focused on Um any of that now. Oh, my goodness Every time he opens up his mouth to speak, I have to say to myself, This this is the head coach.
I mean, he can't even sh I how is he leading a group of of twenty, thirty something year old men. When you can't even communicate your thoughts to the media without sounding nervous, man, come on. And then he gets to questions about Stephen Ross. Stephen Ross likes him. That's why he hasn't fired him.
Well, Stephen Ross doesn't want to give him the boot. It's going to happen eventually. And so today, again, Mike McDaniel had to tell everybody how he spoke to the owner. The owner is not happy, but he still has his job. Listen.
As far as talking to Mr. Ross, talking to him right after the game and we talk about the game. And it was a Uh you know, there's a lot to talk about. um within that that particular game, that that outing. Um definitely didn't see it.
playing out that way so Um you know, we we talked about that and then we um then I came here off the off the plane.
So Um Yeah, that's that's I can't speak on all of the uh Yeah. all the speculative s things that um aren't real. Um we h we have a lot. of a lot of things to focus on. Um and uh none of which is Uh Speculating on speculation.
Man, it just sucks that this guy has to answer these questions. Every Single Weak. Enough of red like just The Dolphins, if there was one team besides them and the New York Jets that needed to just pack it in for the season. It'd be those two teams. There's no reason.
To sit down and watch the Dolphins. There's no reason to see the Jets. There's no reason to sit down and see the Raiders. They're all. Cooked.
Now, how about this? We were looking for some action. The Lions just scored again. A Jameer Gibbs. Man, he he rushed for it.
Baccho, what was that? S uh sixty-nine yards, seventy-nine yards? Seventy-eight, I think it was, or seventy-seven. seventy eight yard rushing touchdown by Jameer Gibbs. I like Bacha.
Did you see the guy came over offered him oxygen? He's like, I don't need it. Yeah, I just saw that. It just popped up. Yeah, he's like, yeah, hey, you need oxygen.
You just ran a lot. Jameer Gibbs is like, nah, bro, I'm good. It's not bigger. Say again? Oh, well playing oh, is it that's what they did, right?
They uh They said the elevation got to them and made them tired. Yeah, in the fourth quarter. Got one. Yeah, just to go out there and historically. What about all the other teams I have to go and play?
You know what? It's pretty hilarious. You are not joking at all. You know, they one of their defensive players, Rakeem Anunez Rochez, He went out there and actually blamed the air. Maybe he needs oxygen.
Listen to what he had to say about the Giants blowing that game. You blame the air. That could have been a factor, that could have been a part, to be honest with you. Uh we were getting used to being thrown out so we weren't tested. When it came to the altitude, so when it started, you know, putting plays back to back and getting a drive.
Maybe that's why guys felt, you know, short winded or whatever. But at the end of the day, we have guys and we have depth.
So if you feel any type of winded, sub out. Oh boy. Yeah, sub out. He's like, Yeah, yeah, we were tied. This everybody is uh Out there tired.
That's why the Giants, well, they're getting it together. They got a little bit of a future with Jackson Dart, so they need to be appreciative of that. Yeah, Jameer Gibbs, 78-yard rushing touchdown, and now Detroit leads Tampa Bay 14. To nothing. We were looking for some action and we got it.
Now the Buccaneers, still plenty of time for them to get back in this one. We're getting ready for first pitch game seven of the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays. It's going down in the skydome. We saw the Blue Jays yesterday, forced game seven, going out there and beating Seattle. Six to two.
You know, I'm disappointed. I'm glad that we got seven games. I was actually looking forward to this one being called a wrap. Especially when the Mariners went up two games to nothing, and it's going to be very, very disappointing if the Mariners don't pick up a victory. They've never been to a World Series.
They have been so damn close. We got George Kirby on the mound. We got Shane Bieber on the mound on the other end for Toronto. And we we gotta see what happens in this one. Cal Raleigh, I mean he hit that big home run two games ago.
He says, look. I feel good about my guys. Big time players show up in big time games.
So, you know, I think uh it won't just be George, obviously, it's gonna be everybody tomorrow, you know, everybody showing up and and doing their job just like, you know, we do every day and and we've done all playoffs.
So uh I'm really excited to get after it and you know get locked in tomorrow with him and and hopefully you know he's going out there, you know, with uh the stuff we know he has. Yeah, we know today is well Today is well, yesterday's now today. Uh George Kirby. Getting ready to go out there. Gave up eight runs and gained three.
The Blue Jays won that one 13-4. George Kirby doesn't want to be terrorized again by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Listen to what he said. He's a good hitter. Um you know, we have ideas how to attack him and um No, we just gotta get inside a little bit, make them feel uncomfortable.
Speaking of attack, Mike Evans just went deep. On a pass, Looks like he fell on the ball. And everybody's uh real concerned about what Mike Evans has not moved. Oh, he's now on his back, uh hopefully. he only got the wind knocked out of him.
He went down. I immediately thought about his hamstring. Baker Mayfield looking down a field at his his biggest target and he's just like, Well, damn, what the the heck do we do next? And Mike Evans's Let's see. Hey, botch, what happened?
He got the air knocked out of him, I hope. Ah, it was either that or he hit his head, one of the two. Yeah, yeah, he came down on his side. Yeah, it came down on his shoulder. ball was on his side, so thank God he didn't fall on the ball.
He he might be uh F forget the air knocked out of him. Yeah, his head hit hard there. I don't know if Mike Evans, if we'll see him here in this game. He was he wasn't moving until the equipment staff came over. He's currently getting checked out.
favouring his arm a little bit, on the side. Ugh. Damn, he is slouched. Bacha, he's Who am I to say? He just looks out of it, right?
Yeah, he looks dazed. He's not really cooperating, it looks like, with the. Neurologists, so I don't know. It's that probably looks like a bad concussion. Yeah, well, he's he's he's now on one knee.
He has his his hand on his knee. He's he's tryin' to make his way up. I don't know if they're gonna have to you know, get a card out there. Let's kind of get him up off the field. Baker Mayfield on the sidelines, you know, taking a look at the.
the plays that he has in front of him right now, Well, this would really suck for Mike Evans. He he immediately comes back after Missy's standing on his feet right now. You know, after missing a few games with that hamstring issue, There's a lot of concern for Mike. He's standing all the way down the field with the the doctors and training staff. and he's taken that slow walk.
Off of the field. Yeah, he he looks like he is uh Nocka next week, so I don't know if we're gonna see Mike Evans. uh for the rest of this game. Yeah, his eyes are Yeah, he he is not nobody's home right now, so And this is really gonna suck for them. He's now off the field and so the Buccaneers are gonna Keep things rolling back.
So Mike Evans comes back for a uh A half of football, not even a half. And we'll keep you up to date as to whether or not he gets back into the game right now. It's sure as hell. does not look good, given the state of his Is just well-being walking off the field. It's the JR Sport Re Show here with you coast to coast.
On the Infiniti Sports Network. 888-710-4ISN. That's 888-710-4ISN. We're gonna keep you up to date. On game seven of the American League Championship Series between the Blue Jays and the Mariners.
We'll keep you up to date on this Monday night football, this first game between the Lions and the Buccaneers. We got a lot to do. We're gonna take a break though, and when we come back on the other side, we're gonna have a conversation with Michael Duarte. Who covers all things Dodgers for NBC Los Angeles? We'll get his thoughts on these Dodgers as they await the winner of tonight's Game 7.
We'll come back with Michael on the other side. You're locked in, you're listening. It's the JR Sport Reef Show, coast to coast, on the Infinity Sports Network. Listen up football fans, you won't want to miss this. Right now, new Bet365 customers bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets win or lose.
So you could turn that $200 into something bigger when you bet on Money Live, Spread, Totals, Player Props. $200 in bonus bets when new customers bet $5. I know where I'm going to bet from now on. Everordinary FBET365. Gambling problem?
Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TNC Supply and app only. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, Celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue.
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You may know me better as the voice of Bart Simpson. On Simpsons Declassified, we're diving into the mysteries that keep The Simpsons forever young. Have you ever wondered how The Simpsons regularly predicts future events? Who better to ask than the show's creators, performers, and writers? The celebrity guests.
Be sure to follow and listen to Simpsons Declassified wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief. It is the JR Sport Brief Show here with you, coast to coast. on the Infiniti Sports Network. We got Game seven of the American League Championship Series that's already underway.
The Mariners not wasting any time. Julio Rodriguez, he doubles. He gets singled in. RBI singled by Naylor. And so Seattle already has a one to nothing lead here against Toronto.
In this game number seven, we know the victor of this game is going to move forward to take on the Dodgers in game one of the World Series starting this Friday. We know the Dodgers, they're just waiting. Just resting and joining us right now to talk about these Dodgers who are trying to go ahead and get this repeat is someone who covers all things sports in LA, including the Dodgers. You can catch them on NBC. It is Michael Duarte.
Michael, how are you? Yeah, I'm good. I'm about 10 feet off third base here at Dodger Stadium as they are all watching on the video boards here at the stadium. Game seven of the Blue Jays and Mariners and that throw that just ran off Naylor's helmet. Yeah, well we know that uh yeah Dodgers are lucky enough to sit around and watch right now.
And I know you're there at Dodger Stadium for the workout. What could you glean from today? All the conversations, everyone that you spoke with, obviously there's anxiousness, there's waiting, they're trying to repeat something we haven't seen since the Yankees. What did you learn from today? Yeah, what I learned, especially talking to Mookie Bats and Freddie Freeman, some of the veterans and obviously superstars on this team is.
I I guess there's a song, right? The waiting is the hardest part. That's what they have to do right now. And for the hitters especially, they're worried about their rhythm at the plate. They were in such a good rhythm over the course of these playoffs.
Keep in mind, they didn't have the traditional five, six days off before the NLDS like they've had the last several years. They went straight into the wild card game, only two days off from the regular season before that series with the Reds, and then just kept playing every single day essentially since.
So now you're going to have six days off. Between Game One of the World Series on Friday, and they're just worried about getting their rhythm.
So, right now they're hitting in the cage, they're taking BP. They're going to do some sort of simulated game here in about an hour or so face-live pitching. And this is right now, you know, no one knows the formula on how you stay ready for these things because game action, obviously, JR, is a lot different. than simulated action like we're seeing today. Absolutely.
Well, Michael, knowing that they don't even know where they're going to play at on Friday, it depends on who wins this game. They can play a simulated game today. What else are the Dodgers doing over the next several days? Are they playing more simulated games, or how are they going to stay sharp? Yeah, they're going to be playing more simulated games.
Today was a pre-planned activity to watch. This game seven to see who their opponent will be. Obviously, I think the Dodgers, they're not going to say that they prefer any team. And as far as matchup, they don't care which team they play. But if it is the Mariners, they do hold the better record over the Seattle Mariners, which means Game One would be here at Dodger Stadium on Friday.
So I think these players would love to stay with their families. sleep in their own bed. not have to get on a plane and travel and pack their bags.
So that might be who they're rooting for as far as being able to stay home. But as far as what you just asked, that's what the players told me is they get these few days to rest their bodies and minds.
Some of these guys have some ailing injuries that they can rest up and heal up. And they get to spend a few more days with their family because about five, six weeks ago after that series, In Baltimore, a road trip that was Pittsburgh in Baltimore, they lost Will Smith on that trip, and obviously the famous game was. Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a no-hitter through eight and two-thirds and lost it to a home run on the final out. Since then on, they made a pact to stay together as a team, as a unit, to keep that edge, to do everything together, to get to the stadium early. to hang out together, to go to dinners together on the road and make their family for the next six weeks or so be their teammates.
And so they're going to get a few days to actually spend with their real families here as they await their opponent. That's a good thing. Michael Duarte is here with us, covers all things Dodgers for NBC, Los Angeles. I mean, we all saw the country saw the performance from Shaw Hail Tani. On Friday.
It's one for the ages. God only knows if he'll top that. He will have other opportunities in the postseason and moving forward. What has the reaction been from his teammates? Because watching on television, even his teammates were in awe about what he was doing.
Absolutely.
I'm glad you asked and brought that up. One insight behind the scenes Tid, that I'd like to share with you is I walked into the Dodgers Clubhouse this afternoon. It was open from about three to four p.m. Pacific time here, and sitting on a table in the Dodgers Clubhouse, was Johe Otani's NLCS MVP trophy that he won just a couple of nights ago on Friday night. Instead of his name and the NLCS MV2 trophy on the placard in front, It said team efforts.
And according to my sources, Shohei Otani himself asked one of the clubhouse reps to put that on there and display it in the locker room so that he could let his teammates know that even though he was the winner of the MVP award for that last series against the Brewers, it was a team effort, whether it was Blake Snell's dominant outing facing the minimum through eight innings in game one or Yoshi Nobu Yamamoto's complete game in game two. Or the bullpins effort with Tyler Glass now in game three. He wanted to know it wasn't just his historic game four, a legendary performance, obviously. He wanted to know it was a team effort. Far as what his teammates have told me, Mookie Bett said it best, I think he said.
The Dodgers are like the nineties Bulls. And he's Michael Jordan. Max Muncie told me, it's like that little league game when we were all kids playing little league and there was just one guy bigger, stronger than everybody else, who could hit home runs, he could pitch from the mound. Only Shohei Zotani is doing it on the biggest, highest Most difficult stage in the world, and that's Major League Baseball. He's just like a little league out there dominating the sport, but it's at the highest level.
That's what they told me. And most of them said at some point This was inevitable that Shoheiotani inevitably would have a performance like this.
Well, we were kind of joking about it on Friday. How many more home runs can he hit? And he went out there and he cranked three of them and struck out ten. But we know that this team High priced. Big money, lots of personality, future Hall of Famers, arguably the greatest player of all time.
What is the locker room like? It seems like they actually get along. This is a lot of personalities, a lot of money in here. Yeah, and you know what? That's what goes unnoticed.
And I I look, I know a lot of people say the Dodgers are ruining baseball. They had the highest payroll. They sign all these guys to deferred contracts. They don't have to pay them for. ten more years.
We hear all that. But look, the New York Mets had the second highest Payroll in all of baseball. They weren't too far behind the Dodgers. They didn't even make the postseason. The Yankees have a very high payroll.
The Red Sox have a high payroll. You don't see these teams right now playing in the World Series.
So I think what goes underrated in what Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes, the front office, building this team, JR, is Is that they tried to find blue guys, guys that are good in the clubhouse, get rid of guys that maybe are all about them or about ego or selfishness. Or don't want to spend time with their teammates, remove those guys from the equation and find the guys in the clubhouse that care about each other. that embrace each other, that take their teammates. Put their arm around each other and carry them when things are not going straight, lift them up, and then also help them when things are going well and teach them and mentor them. And they've somehow assembled a Perfect mix of veterans who do that with young players who are hungry and ready to learn and want to learn.
And they all kind of take on the personality of Dave Roberts, who's Kind of like that uncle at the barbecue, right, that teaches you everything, that loves you, and kind of is like a father figure to them, like a second father figure. That's Dave Roberts, and the team kind of takes on his identity. And Michael Duarte is here with us from NBC Los Angeles. You know, we got the Dodgers well, not the Dodgers, excuse me. We got Seattle and then we got Toronto trying to beat each other up for a chance to take on these Dodgers.
Regardless of who advances, what are your thoughts on the Dodgers' chances of going out there and getting a repeat? I mean, I think everyone believes their chances are very high, regardless of who their opponent is. As we just saw with the Brewers regular season doesn't necessarily matter so much. Milwaukee had beat them six straight, swept them in the regular season. Obviously, the Dodgers sweep them when it matters the most.
Four straight in the playoffs. They swept Seattle at the end of the year, their final series of the regular season. Clayton Kershaw, who's walking right past me right now, it was his last regular season start of his historic career. Uh, in Seattle, they swept that series, but both teams weren't really playing for anything at that point, they had their position and seating locked up. And then earlier, the Dodgers were one bullpin blowout by Blake Trynan away from sweeping Toronto here at home in July.
So that's another series that you could say maybe favors the Dodgers. But I think ultimately, what it comes down to, JR, is The Dodgers have four aces on their starting pitching staff. You can go with any single one of them, they're all interchangeable, they've all been dominant, and now that you just gave them six extra days to rest. Plan and strategize how they're going to attack either these Mariners or Blue Jays hitters. And I wouldn't want to face Blake Snow, who's Legacy hunting right now.
He's a two-time Cynthia award winner ever, but he's never won a World Series, so he's hungry. Yamamoto, who's You know, trying to go out there and be dominant and refuses to lose. Tyler Glass now, another guy from the Rays in 2020, like Blake Snell, who faced these Dodgers and lost to him, was trying to win a World Series, this time contributing like he was unable to do last year. And then obviously Otani, who has never pitched. in the World Series.
We're going to definitely see him on the mound and have to plate, and he wants to win one as a pitcher now on the mound. Those guys are all hungry, and those starting four, those four aces I just mentioned, they're nasty. And when you have them, I think you have to give the Dodgers a nod no matter who they play.
Now I agree with you on that one, Michael. To kind of wrap things up here, just hitting the fast forward button a little bit. The Dodgers, yeah, they're favorite to repeat, regardless whether it's Toronto or Seattle who's moving forward. Who and what? Can stop this team moving forward.
Okay, you got Freddie Freeman getting older, you got Mookie Betts getting older, but still, who stops this team? Is it just a lockout in a few years? How does this team slow down? Yeah, you said it, a lockout might be one way to stop them. But for me, I think this team, as we saw throughout the regular season, They're susceptible to beating themselves.
And I think that is the one opponent. that could beat this kind of juggernaut dodgers. And that is themselves. If they don't stay locked in, if they don't stay focused, if they get distracted, if they lose that edge that Dave Roberts has been talking about, right? They're playing the role of villains.
They're now the heels of Major League Baseball, and they know it. And so if they were to. Uh like I said not play up to their capabilities, to the talent level that they know this team has. That is how this scene could be knocked off. Other than that, like you just said.
And I don't think that's gonna happen. But other than that, a lockout would be stopping playing the actual games would be the only thing that stops them. And one question I ask these guys. J.R., before they take the field before every game, I try to find anyone who has come out of the dugout a couple hours before a first pitch, and I say, finish this sentence for me. The Dodgers will win tonight if.
And they all say if we take the field. And that just tells you what their confidence levels are right now. Yeah, that's one. That's a lot of confidence. If we go on the field, we'll go out there and win.
Hey, Michael, thank you so much for sharing your first-person perspective. You're there at Dodger Stadium, you've watched this team. And you know, uh, well one last thing, not Dodgers related, for the Lakers. I know you cover all things LA sports. What's the level of enthusiasm or or is there trepidation around the Lakers, this LeBron thing?
How's that playing out right now in LA? Yeah, I'll be there tomorrow night, Tuesday night, for the home opener. It's on our network. NBA is back on NBC, so I'll plug that. Uh but yes, the routing is like there's a lot of excitement and enthusiasm that they went out and got.
a guy like DeAndre Ayton, because they that's what they were lacking, size on the front court after they traded away Anthony Davis once they ran into a bust on Anthony Edwards and the Timberbolts in the playoffs last year.
So being able to add Aiton, I think they're really excited about, especially when it comes to the postseason for them. They're also excited about Marcus Smart, another lockdown wing defender they think is going to make them better on the perimeter. But you're right, there is some trepidation around LeBron James. He's going to be out until my guess is around mid-November at the earliest before he gets reevaluated for what's going that sciatica going on right now in his right leg. He has not had an opportunity to share the court with Luca and Austin Reeves and their new players, Marcus Smart and DeAndre Ayton.
So, as you know, as well, in basketball, you got to have some time to gel. You know, know where guys like the ball and where they want to be on the court. That's going to take some time.
So you're looking at maybe not until January. you know, if they can all play together with this starting unit and it's the unit that would essentially be closing games down the stretch. to get a chance to play together and work out. Those things you need to do to get that chemistry.
So that's what they're all talking about as far as trepidation, when LeBron can get back and they can start working on those things.
Well, at least for right now, everybody in LA can focus on the the Dodgers and we'll get to the Lakers when that the season starts tomorrow. Hey, Michael, thank you so much for the time. Tell everybody where they can follow you and all your work with NBC LA. Yeah, I appreciate you, Joe. You guys can follow me at my socials, which are every single thing: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, TwitterX, at Michael J.
Duarte. Uh and then just Tune on NBCLA. Either turn on Channel four if you're here in Southern California and watch me there or go to the website NBCLA and follow our coverage, stories, videos, everything there. And we'll be at the stadium giving you guys behind the scenes access. Hey, thank you so much, Michael.
Enjoy the series. We'll catch you soon, okay? You too. Have a great show. Thanks, Jared.
Thank you so much.
Now, big shout outs to Michael Duarte for coming through, talking about the Dodgers and then even the Los Angeles Lakers. Yeah, I mean, I don't care what happens in this Game 7 American League Championship Series. I think most people, most Are going to go with the Dodgers, and I think they got good reason to go ahead and do so. It's the JR Sport Brief Show here with you, coast to coast, on the Infinity Sports Network. Speaking of the NBA, as you just heard from Michael, yeah, the season gets started tomorrow.
We're going to take a break. When we come back, we're going to get into some hoops. But right now, to get an update on everything going on in the world of sports, we're talking NFL and Major League Baseball. Here he is with a news flash. It's Rich Ackerman.
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Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TMC's apply and app only. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue.
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Some exclusions apply to instant rewards in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts. This content is not investment advice and trading crypto involves risk. For more details on rates, fees, and other cost information, see rates. and fees, the Gemini credit card may not be used to make gambling-related purchases. Did you know that parents rank financial literacy as the number one most difficult life skill to teach?
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You may know me better as the voice of Bart Simpson. On Simpsons Declassified, we're diving into the mysteries that keep The Simpsons forever young. Have you ever wondered how The Simpsons regularly predicts future events? Who better to ask than the show's creators, performers, and writers? The celebrity guests.
Be sure to follow and listen to Simpsons Declassified wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief. It is the JR Sport Brief Show here with you, Coast to Coast on the Infinity Sports Network. This portion of the show is sponsored by Square. More than 4 million neighborhood businesses run on Square.
To learn more, go to square.com. Or just stop by your favorite local business. See you in the neighborhood. Square. Hey, thank you so much to Michael Duarte for joining us to talk about the Dodgers.
They're waiting around like the rest of us. you know, to see what takes place here In this ALCS, game number seven. Right now, Seattle and Toronto. They're tied at one run apiece. Seattle currently threatening to put some more runs on the board against Shane Bieber.
They got two guys on, runners on first and second. with no If you missed the conversation we just had with Michael Duarte, go ahead and hit rewind on the free Odyssey app. I mean, amongst everything going on, the NFL and Monday Night Football, and then also This American League Championship Series game seven. We do got the NBA that starts tomorrow. And how about this?
It is back. on NBC. Yeah, this is something that we haven't seen in in a little bit more than than twenty years. I know everybody is waiting on that iconic music and and round ball rock. And we got some got some good matchups.
Unfortunately, we got some stars. Or who are gonna be out? What else is new? It is the NBA. It's still a sports.
Opening things up. We got the Houston Rockets. Taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder just won a championship. Shea Gilgis Alexander won every award that he could potentially win.
MVP, finals, MVP. One guy that we will not have in action. It's Jalen Williams. Yeah, Jalen Williams, the other all-star. On that Oklahoma City Thunder team, Jalen is still dealing with that wrist injury that he had surgery on right after the postseason.
He was favoring that wrist. All the way through, he was still able to perform, but he will not be in action. Uh tomorrow. Also A big deal in the fact that Kevin Durant is going to be returning and he'll be making his debut. With the Houston Rockets.
We know about that. Crap show that took place in Phoenix with both he and Bradley Beale, and then also uh Booker. And now he's kind of free to play with some young players. Fred Van Vliet tore his ACL, but the Houston Rockets are still going to be a team to watch for. As Kevin Durant at 37 years old, last year at 36, still playing at a ridiculously high and efficient level, one of the game's best shooters, one of the game's best clutch players.
Seven feet tall, moving like a shooting guard. Uh his mid range, his three point shot, forty percent from deep, he is still absolutely lethal. Kevin Durant asked a lot about his time in OKC. Going back on the day that they will hoist their banner, Kevin Durant does not give a damn. One thing that I can tell you.
Is Kevin Durant?
Well, he may not care because he just he's going to make some more money.
Okay, he just signed a two-year, ninety million dollar extension. And as it stands right now, all salaries included, Kevin Durant has now made more money and will make more money in contracts in the NBA than any player. Player Ever. Kevin Durant was asked about his deal, two-year extension with the Rockets, and this is what he had to say. Yeah, I'm excited.
I mean No, that's what the intent was when I came here, was to Try to build with this group as long as possible. No. It was a no-paying drive. Sign on that line. No brainer to to sign on that data line.
Now, he signed a two-year ninety million dollar extension. He left $30 million on the table. You know, obviously you've been around as long as he has. He has more than five hundred will have more than five hundred million dollars in career earnings at this point. What's thirty million dollars for Kevin Durant?
You might as well try to go out there and compete. The guy has multiple investments. Why just snatch up all the money? This is what Kevin Durant had to say about taking less money to help the team. I mean just talking to Rafael and Emay and how they wanted to build the team and how I see myself in In this organization, I just thought it was a perfect contract for us.
So, you know, I'm glad we can get that out the way, we won't have to worry about. Um you know, external noise throughout the season if I didn't have a contract signed.
So you just worry about focus and worry about basketball and focus on the season. Yeah, focus on the season. I mean, if he's healthy.
Well, the the expectation is that this Rockets team with him Kind of being the main guy, the closer, they're going to go some places, especially with the growth of Amen Thompson. You have Singoon. They're going to be in a good position to try to compete for a championship over the next few years. Kevin Durant will certainly be asked to help close things out. But I think as the years go on, as the season goes on, Kevin Durant, that's one thing.
He is not a selfish basketball player. He's going to go out there and make sure that the young guys elevate and that they just don't look at him. To go out there and do it all. uh himself so that that that'll be fun To kind of go see what Kevin Durant does throughout the course of the year. Also, we mentioned this.
The second game Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Lakers We know that there will be no LeBron James. LeBron is going to be out until mid-November, as you just heard from Michael Duarte from NBCLA, as LeBron James is still dealing with. uh the sciatic nerve issue in his back in his leg. And it's unfortunate. LeBron James is about to be 41 years old at the end of December.
Luca is basically gonna go out there and run the show. And I think for the Lakers, they don't they just don't have The depth You know, I don't I don't think this is a team that Has enough depth to do anything right now. Who's the biggest guy off the bench? Marcus Smart? You know, we're going to rely on him to.
go ahead and do anything? I I I I think not.
So uh I'm glad that the NBA is back. And and speaking of LeBron James, uh, Botcher, did you see the excerpt from that book out? About the Lakers? I did not. I is it is it trashing LeBron?
Mm-hmm. Because I wouldn't be surprised.
Well, one of the pieces in the book, and this is the excerpt that was just kind of widely distributed today. was about how Russell Westbrook just could not deal, all allegedly, With LeBron James and felt that LeBron James was fake, that he wasn't authentic. Um basically call LeBron a phony. See, I fully believe Westbrook is that type of person to say that just because you see how it went with. Durant.
with the Thunder when he left for the Golden State.
So Westbrook does have beef with a lot of people who do wrong him. And on top of that, I think I saw a clip too. where Westbrook was sending autographs. in the Kings last preseason game. and he signed every single jersey of his except for the Lakers one.
Yep.
So th th this definitely has some truth to it.
Well wh w what has some truth? His beef with the Lakers or the fact that LeBron is phony? I think you get you have to Look at it. in a big perspective, where LeBron's been uh around for so long. where he has to be a little bit fake.
to keep his image up. Yeah. Like he could he could still be tired and other stuff, but he has to keep it. looking like he's not.
So, the book that came out, Yeron Weizmann's book, it's called A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers.
Okay? And the excerpt that we got was about how we know things were. pretty bad for Russell Westbrook with the Lakers. He was being blamed for everything. People were calling him Westbrook.
He came over from uh Washington and just things hit the skids. I I mean, it was widely shown at one point in time Both he and LeBron were at a summer league game together, and Russell Westbrook, after their first season together, didn't even acknowledge. Lebron James. They did not acknowledge each other at at all. And so apparently there's one instance, this is probably the biggest anecdote here.
Uh the Lakers were bringing in celebrities to talk to the team. and Will Smith was in the building. And apparently Lebron James and Anthony Davis did did not care. And so they left the room prior to Will Smith walking in, and Russell Westbrook was just like.
So, are we all leaving? And Patrick Beverly had to tell him that LeBron and Anthony Davis could do whatever the hell they want. And Russell Westbrook's going, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute. I didn't win a championship here, but I'm an MVP, I'm a future Hall of Famer. Why do they get a different set of rules.
And apparently You know, Lebrun wanted no interest in hearing from Will Smith. And then, when Will Smith was brought into the room, Lebrun and Anthony Davis were back, And at that point Lebron James, apparently spent, uh allegedly, you know, in almost an hour Yeah. Quizzing Will Smith like he was the most enthusiastic when a few minutes before he walked in, he wanted nothing to do with him.
So we've seen over the years. LeBron James, as you mentioned, Bacher, you know, he tries to be very forward. Are with the media. I'm not going to put him in the Russell Wilson phony category. LeBron certainly doesn't try to come across as a goodie two-shoes.
But he does. He's asked about books that he reads and movies. He's not shy in exaggerating. And so to hear that he's phony.
Well that he could be this way. I'm not. I'm not shocked. I mean, how many jokes do we get about LeBron James trying to trade guys and You know, he's never voiced any public support for Wes Brooks.
So we know that those two dudes. Don't get along. We know that they didn't get along. And I can't wait to hear Russell Westbrook not answer questions about this because Because you know it's eventually going to come. Russell, what do you think about the excerpt in a book that says you and LeBron don't get along?
Westbrook will hit you with the next question very quickly. Or maybe you have a little bit sharper of an answer. The NBA. is Back. Looking forward to it.
It's the JR Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. We're going to take a break when we come back. I'll give you an update on the American League Championship Series Game 7. I'll give you an update on Monday night football between Detroit and the Bucs. And then we got another matchup getting started in about an hour.
There's a lot going on. We'll keep you up to date. It's the JR Sport Brief Show, coast to coast, the Infinity Sports Network. Listen up, football fans. You won't want to miss this.
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Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TNC Supply and app only. This episode is brought to you by Progressive. Most of you aren't just listening right now.
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Some exclusions apply to instant rewards in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts. This content is not investment advice and trading crypto involves risk. For more details on rates, fees, and other cost information, see Rates and Fees. The Gemini Credit Card. Card may not be used to make gambling-related purchases.
Hi, I'm Nancy Cartwright. You may know me better as the voice of Bart Simpson. On Simpsons Declassified, we're diving into the mysteries that keep The Simpsons forever young. Have you ever wondered how The Simpsons regularly predicts future events? Who better to ask than the show's creators, performers, and writers?
The celebrity guests? Be sure to follow and listen to Simpsons Declassified wherever you get your podcasts. Hey everyone, I'm Josh Radner, and I am so excited to tell you about How We Made Your Mother, a rewatch podcast looking back at how I met your mother. And I'm here with Craig Thomas, who co-created the show along with Carter Bays. Hi, Craig.
Hey, Josh.
Somehow, it has been 20 years since the show premiered. That's, I'm going to check the math on that. 10 years since it went off the air, and we thought that made this a perfect time to look back, see what the hell we did, and why the show still seems to resonate with fans around the world today. Follow and listen to How We Made Your Mother, wherever you get your podcasts.
