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Here we go. It is a Wednesday drive right here on WSJS. News Talk Sports for the Triad. I'm Will Dalton, the WD. Joining you for the next couple of hours.
However you're watching, however you're listening, we appreciate that. Pop in our YouTube stream on the drive at Will Dalton. Pop into our stream on X at WSJS Radio and let's get this party started. What a busy night in Raleigh last night. What a busy night.
If game one is any indicator, uh we are in. For a heck of a series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas. Golden Knights. Obviously, if you were watching last night, did not. Exactly go the way Caroline well Parts of it went exactly how Carolina drew it up.
I mean. First of all, The vibes last night around the Lenny, Lenovo Center, Just immaculate, man. You couldn't have had it any better. The Kaniacs were out in full force. You had the fans obviously inside the arena, towels waving the whole nine yards.
But then outside, you had concerts going on, you had the tailgates, you had the grills fired up. Like somebody who covers hockey nationally. Uh who was there last night. I guess it was their first time going to a Hurricanes game, and they tweeted out. Yeah, whatever you think Carolina tailgating is, it's better.
And we already knew that.
So The vibes outside. Terrific. And then, of course, inside you had Lord Stanley. They brought out the trophy right there before the national anthem. Seeing that environment that we All know.
Especially, I mean, if you've been to a Hurricanes game, at least we know. What? that building sounds like. When it's When it's all. And I mean, it's all so.
That sounds like that in November, but having that shared with the entire sports world on the Stanley Cup final stage. It's a pretty cool thing to see for us that, again, already know what it's all about there in Rollywood. You had the Rod Brenda Moore fist bump when they were introducing the lineups, when they introduced him. And then it Mm-hmm. when it got on the ice.
It did go exactly how Carolina probably drew it up. They scored. Nikolai Ehler scores. 25 seconds into the game. In the blink of an eye.
In fact, So we have a clip. But it's not the clip you probably saw.
So where did this happen, Morgan, where like there was no play-by-play commentary on the broadcast? Indianapolis. Indianapolis, they had no commentary for whatever the reason. I don't know how that works.
So all they got was just straight. Game audio, just game vibes, and here's how it sounded. Just listen to the pop. of the Lenovo center when Nikolai Ehler scores that first goal. It's just incredible.
And then he does it again. As if that wasn't enough to like get the party started, he does it again. He did. That first goal that he scored twenty five seconds in was the third fastest goal in Game One of a Stanley Cup final, the fastest since Reggie Leach had won for Philly in twenty one seconds in nineteen seventy six. That's moving.
So up to that point, it was just immaculate vibes, but then... Vegas woke up. You poke the bear a little bit, it wakes up. You poke at the beast, it's gonna come get you. Because Vegas is a ra listen.
Vegas is not Montreal. Vegas isn't Philly. Vegas isn't Ottawa. They're not. And Rod Brindamore.
I thought he spelled that out. Pretty well. After the game. Yeah, I mean it's again this is a totally different team and that may be part of it too. You know we got to get up to speed on how this game and this series is going to go and I think we certainly got a taste of that now.
And you know, s similarly we made a lot of mistakes in that first game. the cost us but uh Yeah, you can't make 'em. Can't make 'em. Yeah. Vegas is a different animal.
So they respond. You know they They were a little off at the start. But they got going. And then it just became... A back and forth affair.
And Vegas is the type of team if If they get space. If they get some of that, they're gonna make you pay. Here was a little bit more from Rod Brendemore on mistakes last night. It was a great start. You know, we had a pretty bad turnover to get them back in the game when there's really no reason for it.
That was the. It's one thing when you're underseas, we were underseas there and we just kind of tossed it away. and then they made us pay on it.
So You know, it's listen, you got to give them credit. That's a great team, and we were right there. We made a few mistakes that we got to try to clean up. And we've got to have a little better execution. Again, you're not winning this thing if you have those kind of errors and lack of execution.
Vegas answered. Then the canes went back up. Then Vegas answered again. Then they went up. Then the Kanes tied it.
And ultimately, it was Tomas Hurdle with a late goal. To make it A 5-4 final, and that was it. I mean, it was like a great boxing match almost, just back and forth. Um So You might recall though, the Kanes did take a punch. From Montreal in game one.
Now, as we just described, and as Rod Brindemore did, this ain't Montreal. But the Kanes did look better in this game one than they did the last time when they got handled by Montreal in that one.
So. I think last night was an indicator of what this series could and will likely look like.
So Kane's in six, I still say, but we did. Morgan and I, we both had Vegas in game one and caught a little flack for that yesterday. You know, how could you pull against your team?
Well, I got to be objective when I'm. behind this thing. And I thought it was gonna be a back and forth, high scoring affair. With Vegas winning. Here we are.
Vegas looked amazing last night. Man, they did not back down from anything that Carolina was giving them. No. And Carolina did not back down when Vegas Scored three straight. It was an amazing game.
I mean, I turned it on a minute late and they were already celebrating. I'm like, well, we're back at this again. But it couldn't have been a better game one. It wasn't a blowout. One team didn't dominate the last two periods.
It was very even throughout the game. And Carolina almost got it there late. They had a few good shots that don't remember Vegas' goalie's name off the top of my head here. But he did a phenomenal job with some last-minute saves there in the last three minutes to keep it. Keep em up one, but Carolina's looked phenomenal, way better out the gate than it did against Montreal.
Yeah, Vegas, uh, Carter Hart. was a net for them.
So It was a terrific game. It was fun to watch. And If this is any indicator, it's going to be a great series. Game two in Raleigh. Tomorrow night.
And who knows, maybe the Kanes are leaving this thing up, going back to Vegas. We'll give you a prediction for that one on tomorrow's program. But I want to hear from you. I want to hear what you thought. 336-777-1600 as you watch just a back and forth battle.
Between the two, I mean, it's fitting because these are the two hottest teams in hockey. I mean, they are. Vegas swept Colorado, who was supposed to come out of the West. And Kanes, they were 12-1 to get to the Stanley Cup finals.
So these were the two hottest teams. And boy, they look like it last night. 3-3-6, 7-7-7, 1-600. Do you have concerns about the Carolina Hurricanes after a game one narrow loss?
Now, We transition to the NFL. Bye-bye. Aaron Donald to the Rams is picking up steam. Like You know, we had fun with the Pat McAfee audio yesterday of Pat having texted Aaron Donald, and he's like, Yeah, it kind of got me thinking. And Aaron was literally in the gym, I believe, when he responded to that.
But it's legit picking up steam and momentum. Like, this is no longer just a, hey, that would be kind of cool if. It actually looks it smell it smells Like this is going to happen. It's just a matter of. Win, win, that's that's it.
So NFL insider Jordan Schultz apparently texted Aaron Donald yesterday. And the quote that he got from him that he posted on his ex: I'm sure flirting with the idea, hell of an opportunity for the Super Bowl in SoFi this year. It's another fun nugget. If I can find the fire, it's a possibility. You also had Dan Orlovsky.
He was on with Mina Kimes and her podcast yesterday, I want to say. And He weighed in on this. After hearing the exchange with Pat. My gut tells me this is more than likely going to happen. Um I think the timing will be interesting.
I would imagine it is a late October, early November thing. He's not going to go into camp. He's not going to play 20 games. But if this team is where they are. and or where they should be.
And he has to give them eight to ten games and make a run, I think it's more likely that it happens than it doesn't now. Mm-hmm. The steam's picking up. But That wasn't all.
So You had the GM of the Rams, Les Sneed. He was doing some media today, he was on several different shows. As well. Today And Here he was. He was on with Colin Cowherd.
You can listen to at six o'clock every day after we go off, right here on WSJS. Here was the GM of the Rams talking about Aaron Donald. I do think, I don't think Aaron's truly been tempted to come back since he's retired. I do think, right, let's call it the excitement around the Miles Garrett trade. I'm thinking he's tempted.
He's really tempted for the first time.
Now, whether that temptation leads to, you know, comes to fruition or not, time will tell. That's just how Aaron is. I think, hey, if Aaron were to come back, I'm like you. If Kaylis can do it at 39, Aaron can do it at 35 in some form or fashion. I know this about Aaron Donald at his core.
He wouldn't come back unless he thought, you know what, I could really, really, really. Help the Rams. Mm-hmm. That was the GM of the Rams, less sneeze. But lastly, the last one to drive this home, as if we haven't enough.
And I'm going to give you a visual for this one.
So This is Sean McVay yesterday at a press conference being asked about this. And I wanted to give you the visual of this. And this is a great time to go to our YouTube stream, our ex stream. Because his reaction to this. His reaction as he's being asked the question about Aaron Donald, he lights up like a kid on Christmas.
He lights up like a Christmas tree. Here he just look how big his eyes get and the smile as the question's being asked. Of Arizona coming back, that is that a possibility? Have you thought about it? Listen, if he's interested, you know, there is no.
Here's what I'd say: you talk to Aaron and you see what he's saying about that. But here's what I would tell you guys overall, too. You know, Aaron's a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect that he has for Miles. Talk to him about the opportunity to be able to bring him on board. If Aaron decides he wants to dust him off at the age of 35, I bet you he could still do it at a pretty high clip.
There it is.
So that's all the most reliable sources. The head coach, the GM, insiders around the league. Methinks Aaron Donald eventually, and I kind of agree with the timeline that Dan Orlovsky laid out there, probably not till later in the year. And also, that would help you kind of see: all right, what do the Rams really have here? and really make him make a decision.
But Aaron Donald to the Rams. It's not just a rumor. It's... There's real smoke there. And where there's smoke, there's fire.
That's all I'm saying. We say what you're yelling at your radio. Yeah. Brian Geisinger of 24-7 Sports. Gonna join our cause at 5.30.
Also got the Madhouse Minute at 5.30 as well. We'll talk to Austin Schuford. He runs things over at Bowman Gray Stadium. A lot of good stuff coming your way on a Wednesday drive. Glad to have you in, however, you're watching, however you're listening, YouTube X, that's where you can watch us on our streams.
Okay. Kind of getting back to the theme of like, this is an incredible sports week. Like, we just talked about the Kanes and the Golden Knights, Stanley Cup last night. We just talked about one of the hottest topics in the NFL happening right now, and Aaron Donald likely going back to the Rams. But then.
The NBA Finals starts tonight. Knicks, Spurs. San Antonio. You got the Larry O'Brien trophies back out on the court where they belong. Um I saw The Knicks were running practice yesterday listening to nothing but Michael Jackson, so they're inevitably going to win, right?
Is that what that means? You know. You got the king of pop on your side. I mean, what can you say? It's like.
How do you fight Wimby? King of Pop. That's what you do. Getting to the game, though. Wimby He's on the final stage for the first time in his career.
And You've got him bringing along this new version of San Antonio after they just had a dynasty back in the day, or not back in the day, back in the 2000s to 2010s, winning five titles. Tony Parker, Manu Geno, Tim Duncan, Coach Pop. And don't kid yourself, Coach Pop is still right there in the background, a mastermind of a lot of this stuff. You see what a bond he's already formed with Wimby. See, that's the thing.
About legends like that that stay in the building. Man, that's such a. That's such a weapon. Whether it's Pop in San Antonio, whether it's Coach K, who's still in the building at Duke, it's like. It's like the Godfather's in there somewhere, still pulling the strings in their own way, which is, again, you're pretty fortunate if you have something like that.
But then on the next side of things, You know, they're back on the final stage since they met the Spurs in 1999 when Tim Duncan beat Patrick Ewing's Knicks. Nix looking for their first chip. And over a half a century, So, this is a pretty that, you know, this isn't last year. You had the Thunder Pacers, small market. Oh, this is a gross finals debate.
Not this time. This is this is a good 'n. This is a good one.
So The Knicks are hot. One of the hottest teams in the postseason, on one of the best postseason runs we've seen. They've won 11 straight. They've set a record margin of victory in these playoffs. You know, you look at A lot of those other teams, most recently the Warriors in 2017, that had this kind of margin of victory, they won titles, a lot of those teams.
In fact, I think. All of those teams that had like this type of margin of victory. went on the win at all. Decades of disappointment for the Knicks. in the Dolan era.
leading up to this. And they're finally back. MSG back as a stage of the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson, as hot as it gets right now, embodying that blue-collar New York energy. Uh on the court.
And they went 2-1 against the Spurs this year.
Now the good news is Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks.
So he broke his pinky. That's not the good news. But he is going to play and good on him because Knick fans were going to let him hear it if he did not play because of a broken pinky. Had to have surgery on it. Nick fans were about to let him hear it.
I'm just going to say that. It's like, we finally get back to the finals. We need all hands on deck to go up against Wimby, and you're not playing? Not pretty good, not good. Not good.
The Spurs They're just blossoming right in front of our eyes. I mean, Wimby, I believe, has taken the mantle right away from SGA as the best player in this league. If you believed SGA was the best player in this league. Jokic is a con is a is a possibility as well. Is that who you believe it is, Morgan?
I'd say Jokic is number one. It's not Kawhi Leonard, Clippers fan. Goodbye. He's not in it. Yeah.
Well, Wimby, I think, is taking the mantle. And I think he's done it right here in front of our eyes in these playoffs. Which of course means the Spurs have the best player in this series, which is a massive factor. And there's only a few players that we've seen in history that really. Put the NBA on notice.
And just put the NBA on lockdown is the better way to put it. It's Bill Russell and it's Michael Jordan. I those are really the two. I think Wimby's about to do that. I do.
I really do. And he hasn't even won the title yet, which is the crazy part. And you got this young, up-and-coming, supporting cast: Stefan Castle, Dylan Harper.
So Looking at all those factors for both sides. Gimme the Nicks tonight. The Michael Jackson part is just too strong. That's not what it is. I just think.
The Knicks. They take one on the road here in game one because I think. They're still riding this all-time heater. Me they're more rested. They're more healthy, although the Mitchell Robinson thing.
But I still think overall they're still more healthy.
Meanwhile, The Spurs just emptied the bucket. against the Thunder in a seven-game thriller. That's mentally, physically taxing. I still think the Spurs win this series in six, which is my prediction for that. But right here at game one at the start Nick's being fresher, riding a lot of momentum.
Spurs a little emotionally drained potentially. I think the Knicks take game one tonight. Gonna be a great game, though. Your thoughts, Morgan. I don't have many thoughts.
I don't know. Full transparency, haven't watched the Knicks very much.
So I don't know exactly what they're going to run. What have you been watching? A lot of dirt track racing. Nice. But Um Just just the Knicks are a very good team, though.
You don't just win in that fashion and coast your way. No, no, no, they're a very good team. They had an easier path. Boston got knocked out early. Few other major teams got knocked out early, but They they're still a phenomenal team.
And they have the pieces, I think, if they play it right to shut down Wemby, enough to make it a competitive series. And that's what scares me if I'm a Spurs fan. Nix. Spurs. Game one tonight.
Fire that up. Fire that bump. Good bump. Good bump we're going to see tonight. Good bets about to be placed right now in Dalton's dollars.
Stack it up, stack the stack, gotta stack it up. Get the money, get the money, all the time up. It's time to cash in. Welcome to Dalton's Dollars. Yeah.
Show me the money. Breaking down the board and building the bankroll. Jay Davis writes in on our comments here: Morgan, you haven't really had a chance to watch the Knicks, they've been chilling. That's why I think they win game one tonight. That's a big factor there.
He also says, Aaron Donald's wife said, We, and I guess everybody that thinks. Aaron Donald's gonna come out of retirement are hilarious for that. Yeah, well. Aaron Donald seems to be entertaining it. That's all I'll say.
Seems to be picking it up. That's all I'm saying. Last night we placed four bets. Put four on the card for Kane's Golden Knights. Went two and two.
Split.
So Coming in. 17 and 15.
So still in the green. But Logan Stankoven took him for an anytime goal. didn't get it. And I threw in Seth Jarvis last minute, and you know what really frustrates me? As I was scanning the app, My eyes glazed across Nikolai Ehlers, and I almost did it.
I almost went, No, let's go, Jarvie. Nikolai Ehler scores the first two goals once you know it.
So those two didn't hit. But we did. Yes, I bet against my team because my pocket wanted me to. And I'm glad I did. Vegas Moneyline Cash.
Don't be divided! Yeah. We also thought It would go over five and a half. Total. And boy did it.
Show me divided! 5-4 final. A lot of goals scored last night.
So, 2-2 split as I punch my mic. That's great. Um.
So we're 19 and 17 now on the summer bets. Tonight, it's all NBA Finals game one. We're taking the Knicks money line. I get it at plus 154. Show me the Mikael Bridges or Mikhail Bridges.
I always. You ever do that where you read something and you say it as you read it, and it looks like it should say one thing, but it actually. Mikhail Bridges. I did that one time. I was ordering some bourbon salmon from a store.
And as I'm saying and I'm reading it, I said bourbon salmon. And my best friend has never let me forget it. Uh Mikael Bridges. I've got him at minus 126 odds to score over 15 points or 15 or more. Show me divided!
Last nine playoff games, he's averaging 18.7. I like my odds. Um On the Spurs side of things, I like Wimby to go 12 or more rebounds. STROWVEN DEVELINE!
So get that at minus 113. And Dylan Harper Who in the last three games Has had at least three assists.
So I'm going to take him to go over two and a half assists. Strophy divided!
So that's the. We had four last night for that final game one between the Kanes and the Golden Knights. We have four tonight between the Spurs and Knicks. Knicks money line. Mikhail Bridges to score 15 or more points.
Wimby, 12 or more rebounds. Dylan Harper over. Two and a half assists. That's been Dalton's dollars. It's where you need to be.
It's where you need to go. If you want a trainer. A personal trainer can help you out. Cause I mean if you've been out of fitness for a long time And you're trying to get back into it.
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So Would you go to the YMCA? They're gonna help you with that. And What they're also going to help you do... It is to give you some 24-7 access. Because if you are going to the Alexander, Davie, or Stokes County YMCAs, 24-7 access, you can work out whenever it suits you.
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So more flexibility, more convenience, and fitness on your schedule, only at the Y. Jay Davis chiming in again here on YouTube. W D, you're young, but trust me Wife. Wife has more say-so than anybody else, probably even Aaron Donald. Yeah.
I guess it depends on who you ask. That's all I'll say about that. Check this out. We're on in five. We've got opinions hotter than your car seat right now.
You're on the drive. Back at it on the drive, right here on WSJS. Where we do something called the no rules top five. It's where we. Tank.
Five of anything. We've done breakfast foods. We've done... you know, uh cookout foods. A lot of food around here.
We've done race car schemes. That's Morgan's forte. Bojangles. Bojangles. We've done a lot.
But Sometimes we actually do want to rank something sports-related, and we do that.
Now, it is. The top five offseason NFL moves. For this year. In the No Rules Top 5. The No Rules Top 5.
And this is show business. Mixed with a little monkey business. Rank it. Huh? What?
Run it. Uh Morgan. Knock him dead.
Alright, here we go. At number five, the Panther sign Jalen Phillips. I didn't originally have this on my top five. And I changed it about five minutes before show start. Because While it isn't a big blockbuster move, Such as Trey Hendrickson.
It is a culture changer for the Panthers. Not in just of the sense that you're adding a big player to your roster. Yeah. No. He actually wanted to come to your team.
This is the first time since Cam Newton that you've actually attracted big-time free agents that you haven't had to pay way over the market cap for. And you paid his actual, like... valued salary. This is a huge deal for the Panthers. I mean, it was a big need for them, too.
It was, and it filled a huge hole on that front seven. The Giants add John Harbaugh as head coach at number four. People aren't giving this enough attention. Culture changer. Culture changer, but.
Six playoff appearances in the last eight years on a struggling Ravens team. that we can say it's been on the downfall while he was there in the last eight years. The Patriots acquire AJ Brown at number three. I mean, they didn't even give a first-round draft pick for this year. That's what makes it so big.
They gave away next year's first round draft pick. Kind of crazy. At number two, Kenneth Walker to the Chiefs. How can you support your quarterback coming off an ACL injury then with less pressure? How about a thousand-yard rusher that he hasn't seen in his career?
Patrick Mohomes has not had that. That's the largest active drought in the NFL. That's true. Hopefully, gonna be resolved at the end of this season. But I don't think people are talking about this one enough with Kenneth Walker to the Chiefs.
And number one, I mean, Rams for Miles Garrett. Yeah, I feel like that has to be like default, number one. Yeah, I mean, yeah, they gave Jared Vurse, who's in his third year, so he's still very young. He's not gonna be Miles Garrett by any means, but you also got a first pick and a second round pick for him. Browns are still adding up on those picks, looking to make some moves, maybe for a new quarterback in this upcoming offseason.
What better way to do that than add up on more picks and get another star rusher?
So, in review. Jalen Phillips at number five, John Harbaugh, number four. AJ Brown to the Patriots, number three, number two, Kenneth Walker to the Chiefs, and the Rams get Miles Garrett. It's a good list. Very quality list.
Oh no. Shea Davis writes in Makai Lemon just got hurt. I guess out at Eagles Camp. We'll have to find the details on that and dig into that. Um.
So I actually had three honorable mentions. That just couldn't quite make the cut. One of mine is Jalen Phillips to the Panthers. Um For a lot of the reasons that you said. I mean, he.
First of all, it was the need that Carolina most needed to address. And a lot of us thought they were going to maybe do it in the draft, but that it. Instead they went out and they got one of the best rushers out there on the market. Trey Hendrickson to the Ravens. It didn't make the cut just because I like these five that I have a little bit more so.
But I really toyed around with putting this in there, mainly because the Ravens. Did not have to give up any draft picks to get him. Yeah. Didn't have to do that.
Now he is three years older than Max Crosby. He is.
Okay. And listen. The offense is going to have to do their part, which... I think they I I tend to think they are, but... We'll see how it all plays out, but...
If the offense does do their part. And this leads to a deep playoff run, maybe even a Super Bowl run. Who knows? We're going to be talking about this move. A lot.
Also, Fernando Minoza drafted by the Raiders. You shake your head, you eh. I I think that is a franchise altering move. In the sense that the quarterback, I mean, it's a quarterback-driven league. And Fernando Mendoza, I believe, is going to be a culture changer there, or part of a culture changer with how he goes about his business, his work ethic, and the things that are around him.
Like Tom Brady was out there watching him throw at practice the other day. You've got Max Crosby now back there again, and I think he's bought in to Fernando Mendoza. Brock Bowers, Aston Genty. Like, they've got some dudes. And Kirk Cousins there to mentor Fernando Mendoza and potentially not throw him right into the line of fire.
If because they don't have to. I think there's a really good situation there. And I think that move drafting him number one overall. That's an honorable mention. I spent way too much time on my honorable mention.
Number five, Kenneth Walker to the Chiefs. First time, you said it. First time they've had, or Mahomes has had a thousand-yard rusher. They haven't had a thousand-yard rusher since Kareem Hunt in 2017. And Having a legit threat I mean, no shade to Pacheco Isaiah Pacheco, but.
Kenneth Walker, he's fresh off of a Super Bowl MVP, winning a title, so he knows what that feels and tastes like. A legit threat coming out of the backfield for Patrick Mahomes. That's serious business. Number four, Trent McDuffie. Being traded to the Rams.
From Kansas City, no less. He's a physical corner. He can create fumbles and sacks. He's in his prime. But mostly.
You add a guy like that to a room, a secondary room, that was just bad last year. They were bad. And that was a big. Problem for them in the playoffs last year. There's a big reason why.
You know, things didn't go so well. Ultimately, in the NFC title game. 3, A.J. Brown to the Patriots. I believe that move right there is going to change everything about this offense.
I think You pointed out the other day, Stephon Diggs did not do overly much in the playoffs, so that might not be as much of a loss as people think. Especially the other day when you thought AJ Brown was coming, but it hadn't been done yet. And now it's like you look around and Say whatever you want about Will Campbell. Who's the other? Didn't they bring in another tackle?
Draft another tackle or something? They did, yes.
So they're trying to get him protected. They've given him weapons. They've given him some good receivers stacked up over the first couple of years. He's working with Mike Brabel. And They've given him what he needs to succeed, I believe.
And now, after going to a Super Bowl. Bye. I think they should be right back in the AFC conversation again with this move. I really do. I like it.
I like it a lot. I mean, you see this with some of these quarterbacks, like whether it's Bonix in Denver, Caleb Williams in Chicago. What are some main goals? Protect him and get him weapons. Get him some toys to play with.
And that's what they're doing in New England. Number two: the Bengals trading the 10-pick for Dexter Lawrence. I was I For a couple of reasons. One, yes, it addresses And fixes the defense that was one of the bottom in the league last year. But it also keeps Joe Burrow from potentially requesting a trade.
Because I'm not convinced he wouldn't have requested a trade if they had not made a splash like this in the offseason. I love this move. I think the Bengals are a contender as well. But number one, it's the default Miles Garrett to the Rams. The Rams taking a swing.
Probably why they drafted Ty Simpson. Number 13 instead of Makai Lemon, or somebody else, or a linebacker, or a tackle, or whatever. It's like they've got. The insurance and the future plan that they're going to be working on in the background, but right now they're all in. They address the secondary with McDuffie, as we mentioned at number four.
Miles Garrett might start the chain reaction that brings Aaron Donald back. This has got legs, this has got tentacles. And now they're a winner go they're a winner bust. They're the Avengers right now. Just disgusting group.
So. Number five, Kenneth Walker to the Chiefs. Number four, Trent McDuffie to the Rams. Number three, A.J. Brown to the Patriots.
Number two, Bengals. Uh, picking up Dexter Lawrence in number one. Rams getting Miles Garrett. Yeah. No love for Jalen Waddle.
That was uh Yeah, that's probably an honorable mention. It is an honorable mention. I mean, I was gonna put Trey Hendrickson in mind, but there's still too many questions around the Ravens for me to say that that's as big of a move as it is. Todd Munkin says he's very pleased with uh where the Browns are at right now out at camp today. We're gonna Nah, I actually think they got a pretty solid team, believe it or not.
Browns might be sneaky this year.
So I am reading that Mikai Lemon is injured at the moment. A right hamstring injury, soft tissue kept him out of spring OTAs and potentially mandatory minicamp. They're just being a little cautious and expect him to be ready for training camp in July. All right, that That's optimistic. That that's a that sounds okay.
Jay Davis writes in on YouTube, No love for Mike Evans to the Niners. Listen, that could be an honorable mention, too. There were a lot of options here, man. I had to get it down to five. I would have loved to have done a top ten less, but.
You know. You do what you can with what you got. I mean, as long as they've got that plant next to the stadium, they're not getting anywhere.
So. Turf is gonna hurt them all. Oh, geez. I mean, there's a lot of things you could have done. Jalen Waddle was one.
I like that Jim Harbaugh. I like that. Going to the Giants. OBJ. Can't stand the Giants.
Can't stand them. But uh. They they're gonna be a contender. For that division. For the division, yes, not the Super Bowl.
Not yet. For that division. Which I that's plenty good enough right now. The Drive, the triad's longest running live sports talk show. Lock out, buckle up, and let the takes fly.
Backhanded on the drive, right here on WSJS. Where it's time to give away some concert tickets, your chance to win. All you got to do is call in at 336-777-1600 and give us a prediction. for the Knicks and Spurs series. I got Spurs in six.
Morgan, did you give an official prediction for the series? Or you were just like, nah. I didn't at the moment, but I might as well now. Let's go, uh.
Now let's mix it up. Spurs. No, you said Spurs, right? I said Spurs. Let's go, Knicks in five.
Okay, Nick. Oh, gee, Louise. Boy, if that happens. New York might explode. Uh So you say Nixon five, I say Spurs in six.
What do you say? 336-777-1600. Call in now. For a chance to win some tickets to go see the Black Crows, Whiskey Myers, it's the Southern Hospitality Tour. And It's going down in just three days.
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At 336-777-1600, and give us a prediction for the NBA finals between the Knicks Spurs. It's Black Crows and Whiskey Myers, the Southern Hospitality. Tour.
Okay. Got Brian Geisinger coming up, hour number two. And We'll have the Madhouse Minute. In and out. 25 minutes or 20 minutes.
25 minutes. That's right. I can tell time. Austin Schufert is going to join us. He runs things over out at Bowman Gray Stadium.
But staying in the NFL Man, it's been an N NFL heavy show, but I love it. I wouldn't have it any other game. Yeah. Caleb Williams, The Leaks. We're true.
Caleb Williams is your Madden 27 cover athlete. Your thoughts, Morgan. Why? Why? There are so many you could have put Kenneth on it.
Drake, Drake, May, May, could have put him on there. There's always options. You could have put so many other players that were so much better than. Caleb Wilson. Williams, you mean?
Williams, yeah. Yeah. Speaking of Caleb Wilson. We might have to get to some audio from him today or tomorrow.
So They had NBA Finals media availability the last day or two. And Caleb Wilson might have a future as a reporter. if the basketball thing doesn't work out. Spoiler alert, I think the basketball thing's gonna work out. Uh but he's got a great personality on him, so kudos to NBA media, whoever, you know, whoever runs that.
Getting him a microphone and getting him out there. He was talking to Harrison Barnes, former Tarheel, of course. Asking questions. He was asking Stefan Castle questions like best Atlanta rappers. It just, we're going to bring you that audio.
I don't know if we'll have time for it today, but on tomorrow's show, Kayla Wilson, the reporter, takes over at NBA Media Day. Um But nah, man, like, I'm going to put this up on the screen. And if you're following us on YouTube or our X stream, it might be time to do that now. The Drive with Will Dalton on YouTube, WSJS Radio. on X and You know, we already had one picture.
That was the leak turned out to be accurate. That was the deluxe version. But we got the standard edition as well. release today and I'll put this on the screen now because, I mean, this is just dope. This is the Bears.
The post that they had about it. He's in the game. That's like the That's the motto, I guess, for the Madden stuff. And essentially, what it is. The standard edition on the left part of the screen here, it's The Chicago skyline.
And it's Caleb Williams doing the jump throw that he had. They liter they kinda like with um Kind of like with uh last year's Edition with Saquon Barkley. They recreated that backwards hurdle. I really like that they're doing this now. They recreated the backwards hurdle for um Saquon Barkley and that was the standard cover.
And then of course you had the jump throw, just an incredible all-time highlight. against the Packers in the playoffs. the Bat Bears Packers game. And they recreated that. And that's him doing the jump throw over the Chicago skyline.
A lot of people had problems with this because they thought it was AI, like with the Chicago in the background. I don't know if it is or isn't. I also really don't care. I think it looks cool. People just love to complain.
You know what I like to complain about? People that complain. Can I complain? Sure. All right.
It looks like he's doing jump man, kind of. It goes hard. It's a great cover. But why Caleb Williams? Like, he had so many other great players I feel like he could have thrown on there that had amazing years alongside him.
Matthew Stafford. I don't know if he's had one yet. Valid. Miles Garrett. I don't know if they really do defensive players since Richard Sherman.
But I mean, some of these other players deserve recognition, I think, a little more than Caleb Williams. But he did have that incredible play, and that deserves a good art. And he got one. I'm surprised Jay Davis isn't writing and saying, why don't you put Mike Evans on there? We love Jay Davis.
Jay Davis did not deserve fat slam. I'm sure he appreciates it. It's all in good fun. Screw the Niners. No, I mean, there were options.
There were a lot of people you could have gone with. But Caleb Williams, he's an up-and-coming player. Probably going to take another step this year. He's a trendy player. He brings juice.
Just Make the graphics better. I always like to see the graphics get a little better each year. It sometimes feels like it's just the same game the last several years. Let's just make the graphics a little better. Back to the Triad's longest-running live sports talk show, The Drive.
Live, local, and not afraid to ruffle feathers. Back at it on the drive. Right here. On WSJS. Where we welcome in our resident hoot nerd.
It is Brian Geisinger of 24-7 Sports. B guys, how are we doing, man? I'm good, man. How about yourself? Can't complain.
I'm excited about this Spurs Knicks series that gets going tonight. And I'll just pose it to you right here at the top. I mean, What If anything. Could the Knicks do to possibly slow down? I don't know if they don't think they can stop Wimby, but what could they potentially throw at him to slow him down?
Well, they've got a pretty darn good player to throw at him. And I'm not talking about Mitchell Robinson, who I'm sure will be, you know, banged up as he is, will spend some time on. I'm not talking about Carl Anthony Towns, though I think he will also spend some time on Wembinyama. Talking about OG and Anobi, who's maybe the most ferocious wing defender, industrious, strong, one of the most impactful defenders on planet Earth. and is sort of In some ways, the like archetypal defender to throw at Wembinyama in a universe where there is not another Victor Wembinyama, right?
But someone that is athletic and fast, which OG and Anobi is. And someone who is Strong in Burley and can bump and knock Wimbinyama and force him off of the spots and keep him further away from the rim. There's a space on the floor where only Victor Wembanyama can play, and that's above the rim. But the further you keep him away from that, the more you force him to try to go isolate and drive through someone like OG Ananobi. Um the tougher you're gonna make it.
And the Knicks also have a variety of wing defenders outside of OG and Nobi that you can load up into gaps on, too. Mikel Bridges, with Josh Hart. You have guys that can, when he tries to face the basket and drive, can be a real deterrent. You're going to need Mitchell Robinson to be a presence around the rim when they try to go pick and roll. And um and look for Victor on the dive and on the lob.
New York's going to be able to switch some of those actions depending on where they put Michael Bridges and where OGN and OB is and what the primary assignments are.
So They have some tools at their disposal for a young player in Wimbinyama who, as amazing as he is, It's still figuring things out. Uh in terms of his own offense. And he is still figuring things out in terms of his own physicality. Like he's not all the way quite there yet. and is also playing with a collection of guards that while very, very good and Dylan Harper is going to be a superstar, are nineteen, twenty years old, if you're talking about Harper and Steph Castle, or they're guys that are also dealing with injuries, which Harper and De'Aaron Fox have too.
So I see a pathway to New York's defense having success in this series, but certainly it's going to be difficult. Brian Geisinger with us here on WSJS of 24-7 Sports.
Now, getting to the Knicks specifically here, I mean, they're on one of the more dominant runs in the playoffs that we've seen. You know, 11 double-digit wins this postseason that they've had. Do you put that into the conversation of this is just a little bit of a weaker East, or is this just really good Knicks? I think the fact that you used to kind of said one of the key words, which is like the phrases, the Double-digit victories because that's not just sliding by, you know, and that that that is that is a like convincing resounding victory against teams that, yeah, look, you know, in three years from now, we're not going to be talking about the 2026 Atlanta Hawks, you know what I mean? But these are still good basketball teams.
And maybe they got they maybe they lucked up a little bit. You got Philadelphia, you know, the week after, you know, the week that Joelle and B's body starts to break down again after he played, you know, pretty well against against Boston, but you gotta line up and play who you can who you who you know who who the what the bracket dictates. They've done that, they've dominated, and they've won so in truly convincing. uh fashion and look I know the calves were um A bit of a mess this season and never quite figured it out. And even in the playoffs, still seemed to be.
still hunting for an identity. But that is a team that's got like multiple future Hall of Famers on it.
So it's like they haven't beat tier slouches. And obviously the real test will start tonight. But I think they've played a schedule that probably deserves a little bit more credit than it's getting. That it's received, and again, the key pieces that they've been so dominant and convincing in those performances. It's not even just the margin of victory.
If you've watched those games, you You've seen how systematically they just dismantled those teams too.
So very impressive stretch of play over the last month. That's also the key word, too, right? This hasn't been like a two-week stretch or what this is. This is a month of basketball in which they were just like, you know, destroying their competition.
So very impressive, but all of it will be for naught or most of it will be for naught if they don't, you know, really get the job done and play a competitive finals series against San Antonio. Getting to the Western Conference finals that we just saw, like an incredible seven-game series between the Spurs and the Thunder.
Now, a lot of these games, most of them didn't end up being close, whatever the result ended up being. But I mean, the Thunder, they're the defending champ for a reason. They just happened to go up against a team that had Wimby and a bunch of budding stars on it. It was like the shortest window of like, this is the best team by default in the NBA that we've seen. And now here come Wimby and the Spurs.
So I'm curious. As somebody who watches these things very closely, What is a move that the Thunder could make this offseason that could really kind of. You know, put them back in the mix of, all right, they, they have like a legit threat, they have an opportunity here to pose problems to the Spurs for years to come. Yeah, it's like I think that you we don't have time to get into all of the scenarios, but like I think there are like Broadly speaking, like Two or three paths to go. And there's like the one path, which is the one that everyone's talking about now.
Which is like the... Blow up the core, trade a lot of your young pieces. or or a couple of your young pieces plus a bunch of your pickings go try to get Giannis. Right. I mean, that's sort of the one.
And the Thunder have such an impressive collection of young players, future drafts capital, salaries to match, including some team options that they can pick up on players that they could then turn into expiring trade ships. like they have all the tools to to win a you know a a negotiation or a a trade war or whatever uh against an opposing team. I think there's a chance or more likely the chance that they and this is the one that if I were like advising them, I would be telling them to like sit pat. Like I like I like I know what happened with Chet Holmgren. That was bad.
That was that was bad. Like there's no sugar coatings that. But he was just all NBA and runner-up to Victor Wimiyama for the defensive player of the year. My hope would be: can you have an offseason to get this guy's mind right? Ultimately, I think he's mostly fine if he's your third option, but you've got to get Jalen Williams and A.J.
Mitchell healthy. If those two guys play, then maybe they beat San Antonio in seven. And we're talking about you and I are having this conversation, but we're talking about a dynasty right now, not like, oh, God, what do they need to do to get Giannis and bring him in into Oklahoma or whatever.
So my thought would be Don't hit the panic button yet. Try like heck to get Jalen Williams healthy. You need him so badly, but he's one of the top 15, 20 players in the world when he's going right. Get A.J. Mitchell going, he's on maybe the best contract in the league.
All of a sudden, you've got two extra creators and a guy like Jalen Williams that's a. Do everything wing. You know, you're gonna have to figure out what you want to do with guys like Lou Dort, who I believe has a team option for next season.
So they're gonna have to end up moving off of some sort of like rotational players the last couple of years. But they've got guys waiting in the wings on the roster, you know, high first round picks that have barely played the last couple of years that are itching for a chance, like Thomas Sorber, the center out of out of Georgetown, who I really liked in the 2025 draft. And they've got they're going to have another lottery pick this year too to maybe bring in Jackson Lendenborg or Mares Johnson or something like that, someone that could could give them even more pop in the front courtroom.
So I think that they should my my thought would be that this thing they're closer to being um To being like a real, true, true, like true blue, you know, championship contender for years to come. They really should just try to sit pat. And the only time I would really be looking to sort of like blow up my young my young core, because if you trade for Giannis, you're going to get older too. Is it is the time when all of a sudden having Shay, Jalen Williams, and Chev Longgren on max contracts? Once that becomes sort of like cost prohibitive, and maybe they're going to get there sooner rather than later.
Um then I would be looking to shake things up, but but not not until then. I'm I'm still feeling too good. uh even even uh even as disappointing as the Western Conference finals was. Brian Geisinger of 24-7 Sports with us here on WSJS. Few more things for you.
On the way out.
So, LeBron James is about to be a free agent at 41 years old. And it feels like there's really three paths that people are talking about. Like, there was the report yesterday that Golden State is a live option that's very much in play. You got Cleveland, which. I felt made a lot of sense.
But if they signed James Harden to a multiyear deal, I don't know if it works financially. And then you got the Lakers potentially just running it back there. Where do you think makes the most sense? Where would be the best fit for LeBron James at this point in his career? I gotta say, I mean, my hope would be if you could get him to.
buy into the role that he was really playing in the back like third of the season, you know, before Luka Doncic And Austin Reeves got hurt, and the Lakers were, you know, maybe not. At full hum, but we're looking pretty darn good. The version of LeBron that's leaning into being a cutter, a secondary creator, a full open floor connector. Um I feel like that's kind of the move in part because Right now, I kind of think like Cleveland has larger existential things to figure out, like what they're doing with. Arden, Donovan Mitchell, can you roll out the Mobley, the Evan Mobley, Jared Allen, Frontcourt?
They've got big foundational stuff to figure out. It'd be one thing if you could say, like, Look at all this stuff we got going for us.
Okay, we've got the salary slot. We can just fit LeBron in right here. Boom, let's do it. And who knows? Maybe they get to that place.
I kind of like the thought of him playing with Steph in Golden State just for the I mean, I don't think that's going to be a title contending team, but just for the MEMS, as my fiancé would say, for the MEMS, like that is something that would be pretty fun to see. I gotta think he's sticking in, or my prediction or my suggestion would be stay in LA, play with Luca, play with Austin Reeves. live in one of the coolest cities in the world and just continue to lean into this role of being like the third wheel who can take over a game or take over a quarter when he needs to, but is really out there to be an athlete and be a connector and really just like help uh usher in the the Luka Doncinch era of the of the Lakers. All right, BG. I've got Knicks tonight taking game one.
I think they're going to ride this hot streak. Into San Antonio, where the Spurs they just kind of emptied the bucket against OKC. I think that could play a bit of a factor here.
So I got the Knicks tonight taking game one. Who do you have tonight? Oh, Nick's on the road. Yeah. I like it.
They've got they've certainly they have the rest advantage too. I'm going to go San Antonio at uh at home at home tonight. Um I just think that that's an important game for them. It's going to be a fascinating there are so many different matchup pieces to keep an eye on here. What how San Antonio deploys Wembanyama, how defensively, how New York guards him, all that sort of stuff.
But I will go with San Antonio for game one. All right, Brian Geisinger, 24-7 Sports. Give him a follow. Check out his work on X, B guys underscore bird, his sub stack as well. BG, we appreciate the time as always, and we'll stay tuned throughout the NBA finals.
Absolutely. Appreciate you guys having me. All right, there he goes. Brian Geisinger 24-7 Sports joining us. Looking at our YouTube comments here, Jay Davis chimes in, says Geisinger just echoed everything I've been saying about the finals and OKC.
Well, you must be smart then, because Brian Geisinger is smart about these things. Yeah, I liked his perspective on LeBron coming back to LA and being a Laker. It's not popular. A lot of people don't feel that way. But It might be the most practical, who knows?
But my only concern with what he was saying is, does LeBron even want to be the third guy on his roster? And if he is going to be the third guy on the roster, will he pick a third guy a third man on the roster's pay cut? And that's what concerns me. I don't think he's taking the number three pay cut. I don't either.
I think he would take the role, I don't think he would take the cut. And that's what the money is what concerns me for him returning to the LA Lakers. Golden State. I'm going to echo it. I don't like the move for Golden State.
I love it for ratings. Hate it. Hate it for Golden State as somebody who's, they've said, trying to transition to a new era. If this was LeBron when he was coming from the heat. Yeah, take LeBron.
But it's not. You're not going to get him for five more years. You're going to get him for one, maybe two at the most if he feels like he's 30 again. I gotta do some thinking. I gotta make a final call on a prediction on what I think is gonna happen there because.
I felt Cleveland pretty strongly until they said, hey, we're probably going to give James, or at least Brian Winhorse reported, James Harden, probably going to sign a multi-year deal. And then on the same day, he also reported LeBron's not going to take a pay cut to join Cleveland. Then that kind of was like Yeah, I don't know if that's going to work. And I mean, there are a lot of things to figure out there as. B G laid out.
It might be Lakers or Golden State. It's not going to be Cleveland. Cleveland needs a defender. I mean, James Harden's defense is softer than soft serve ice cream. Like.
Can't stop a cold. Yeah, I can't. And I'm actually. Can I change my series prediction for the. Tell right ahead.
For the NBA finals, I don't like Nixon 5. Yeah, I'm glad you don't like Nixon 5. That's a bold one right there. I don't want to echo you, Spurs and 6. I mean, you do what you got to do.
If you feel it, you feel it. But but that's what I'm feeling. Spurs so we both have Spurs in six and we both have canes in six. And we both had Vegas last night winning game one. Who do you have tonight winning?
The Knicks? Knicks.
Okay, well I'm You gonna take the Spurs?
Well I'll I'll mix it up. I'll take the Spurs at home.
