The Sport Blokes

the Sport Blokes talk Basketball: NBA Conference Finals and NBA Finals preview/picks

Recorded 6 July 2021.

 

Basketball: NBA.

NBL/NBA Connection: Former Brisbane Bullet Torrey Craig to receive championship ring regardless; John Mooney signed by Milwaukee Bucks Summer League Team (and also drawing interest from Utah Jazz) - we provide a scout as Perth Wildcats fans who saw a lot of him in the NBL.

 

NBA Conference Finals:

Milwaukee Bucks defeat Atlanta Hawks 4-2; Phoenix Suns defeat LA Clippers 4-2.

Very brief preview and picks for NBA Finals

 

Listen to the full episode out soon! Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com

56. Blokes Banter I - A (Slightly Self-Indulgent) Trip Down Memory Lane

Recorded 27 April 2021

[00:00] Prologue

[02:10] Introduction

[03:20] How did we become Sport fans? (Nath talks about the time he met Shane Warne)

[07:10] How did we choose our teams?

[13:30] Oui We - Is it ok for fans to refer to their team as 'we'?/The power of negative thinking

[20:05] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[26:04] Best Live experiences Part 1 - Matty Hayden scores 380 against Zimbabwe at the WACA (and Gilly has 100 in a session); Cricket World Cup 2007 (with a cautionary tale about booking flights!); CWC 2011; CWC 2015.

[53:00] What are You Amped for?

55. The Curious Case of Benjamin Simmons

Recorded 22 June 2021.

 

[00:25] What Caught Your Attention and Whatdya Miss?

[04:51] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[05:43] Olympics

[10:17] Basketball: NBA

[40:38] Basketball: NBL

[55:12] This Week in Sport History

[59:47] Football: AFL

[1:07:27] What Are You Amped for?

the Sport Blokes talk Basketball: NBA Playoffs (22 June 2021)

Recorded 22 June 2021

 

Basketball: NBA Playoffs.

Hawks defeat 76ers 4-3 (Ben Simmons' woes and candid thoughts from those in the team); Bucks defeat Nets 4-3 (Durant hits amazing shot to force OT but is spent by the time he gets there); Clippers defeat Jazz 4-2 (without Kawhi Leonard in the final 2 games);

Picks for Conference Finals

 

Listen to the full episode out soon! Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com

the Sport Blokes talk Basketball: Ben Simmons skipping Olympics? / NBL Grand Final Series

Recorded 22 June 2021

 

Basketball: Olympics.

Ben Simmons to skip Tokyo 2021 Olympics after horror series against Atlanta Hawks?

 

Basketball: NBL.

Recap of games 1 & 2 of NBL Grand Final series between Melbourne United 2 - 0 Perth Wildcats.

 

Listen to the full episode out soon! Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com

54. Get the Buck Out of Here!

Recorded 17 June 2021

[00:25] What Caught Your Attention/Whatdya Miss?

[06:14] Basketball: NBL Playoffs

[29:42] Basketball: NBA Playoffs

[54:56] This Week in Sport History

[59:17] Tennis: French Open at Roland Garros

[1:06:20] Football: AFL

[1:15:43] What are you Amped for?

the Sport Blokes talk Basketball: NBA Playoffs (17 June 2021)

Recorded 17 June 2021

 

Basketball: NBA Playoffs.

Suns sweep Denver (A bit of a surprise it was a sweep? Reflections on Jokic as point centre most valuable player - or PC MVP - after his monster game 3 and bogus ejection in game 4; Denver's injuries and poor performers from nearly everyone not named Nikola; Praise for the 'Why Not Now?' Suns; Chris Paul dramas.

Milwaukee chokes away game to heavily undermanned Brooklyn to go down 3-2 (Kryie out, Harden underdone. Championship or bust for Budenholzer as he's completely out-coached; Durant's all-timer; Jeff Green bobs up ... as predicted)

Philadelphia chokes away game to Atlanta to go down 3-2 (second consecutive game to blow big lead; Ben Simmons troubles - is he over-rated? Do we need to rethink how we look at him?; Few of 76ers supporting cast performing; Trae Young's exceptional debut playoffs).

Clippers win in Utah to go up 3-2 in spite of Kawhi injury (Playoff P!!!!! Jazz missing Conley).

 

Listen to the full episode out soon! Find us on twitter @sportblokes or write to us sportblokes@gmail.com

53. Missy Higgins (with Alex Loughton)

Recorded 9 June 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

 

Recorded 5 June 2021.

[03:46] Interview: Alex Loughton (Basketball). Shyla Heal's early WNBA exit; Cairns fire Mike Kelly and thoughts on the Taipans season (including the impact of a slow start/not having DJ Newbill, Mojave King's development, Cam Oliver's departure to the NBA, Nate Jawai's renaissance and impact of injuries); and Award picks. (Check out our last interview with Alex! https://spoti.fi/356apCm)

 

Recorded 9 June 2021.

[36:57] Basketball: NBA. Playoffs

[1:00:49] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[1:02:50] Football: AFL

[1:14:14] What Are You Amped for?

52. Holding Onto Their Willie

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[06:23] Tennis: Naomi Osaka withdraws from the French Open on mental health grounds and other early story lines at Roland Garros.

[09:50] Basketball: NBL: Kings @ Wildcats (future of coaching careers of Adam Ford & Trevor Gleeson, Luke Travers lovefest and Norton shuts down Casper Ware); Sydney Kings defeat Melbourne United in double OT; Exciting run home with nearly every game for the rest of the season with potential playoff implications; Cairns Taipans sack Mike Kelly; Trivia without notice. [20:50] NBA: RIP Mark Eaton; Julius Randle wins Most Improved Player; Fans being uncivil (and criminal?) in several cities. Series updates: Bucks sweep Heat (will Jimmy Butler flee Miami?); Nets-Celtics (Jayson Tatum has a 50 in Boston’s only win); 76ers only loss against Wizards pinned on Ben Simmons, Embiid hurt; Atlanta handling the Knicks (MIP Julius Randle struggles); Utah win 3 straight over Memphis after the Griz won game 1 (Ja Morant has a 47); Suns & Lakers locked up (Chris Paul and Anthony Davis injured); Denver and Portland heading for 7?; Away teams always winners in Clippers and Mavericks (Porzingis far too passive, Kennard glued to the bench).

[53:02] This Week in Sport History.

[56:33] Football: AFL: Tips; West Coast Eagles retain Willie Rioli but then lose to Essendon at home; Dreamtime at the P? Melbourne Demons unable to use Indigenous jersey for Sir Douglas Nicholls round due to perceived clash with the Doggies jumper.

[1:02:49] What Are You Amped for?

51. Toky-OhNo!?

Recorded 25 May 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss? (the Sport Blokes do Eurovision)

[05:32] Tokyo Olympics going ahead no matter what?

[07:57] Mailbag

[12:19] Basketball: NBA: Jordan Clarkson wins 6^th Man of the Year; Reflections on the play-in ‘tournament’; Tips for Philadelphia v Washington, Brooklyn v Boston, Utah v Memphis and Phoenix v La Lakers with brief updates on other series. [34:20] NBL: State of play; Bryce Cotton out for remainder of regular season (and possibly playoffs too?).

[36:45] This Week in Sport History.

[40:20] Football: AFL: Tips; COVID cases in Melbourne wreaking havoc on the schedule?; Brisbane Lions continue their upwards trajectory (with weird historical coincidences); More horrible decisions by umpires and Match Review Panel (Adelaide upset Melbourne); Swans @ Dockers thriller; Yet another chapter in the Collingwood and Port Adelaide rivalry (Sir Douglas Nicholls jersey rip-off); Is the Bont the best player in the AFL?

[59:55] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[1:01:39] What Are You Amped for?

50. Raising the Bat (and Reopening old Wounds)

[00:25] A slight bat raise for 50*

[01:05] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[03:55] Cricket: Cam Bancroft reopens old wounds about Sandpapergate in interview with the Guardian; Ashes schedule released (Marnus to stay and play county cricket in England in preparation rather than joining the ODI squad in the West Indies.

[13:34] Just Not Cricket.

[16:03] Basketball: Reflections on newest NBA Hall of Fame Inductees; Early NBA Play-In results and predictions for other play-in games and match-ups we know. NBL: Josh Giddey shuts it down with Adelaide 36ers out of playoff contention; Melbourne win in Perth in top of the table clash; State of play heading into the playoffs.

[43:34] This Week in Sport History.

[49:33] Football: Trent West still goes alright. AFL: Tips; Officiating issues: Holding the ball; Spotlight: GWS @ Richmond; Western Bulldogs @ Port; North Melbourne & Hawthorn; Fremantle @ Essendon; Adelaide @ West Coast.

[1:00:46] What Are You Amped for?

49. Bar Brawls

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[05:14] Basketball: Liz Cambage threatens to boycott Olympics over lack of diversity in photo shoots and continues Twitter spat with Andrew Bogut; Giddey gets 3^rd triple double in 4 games; NBL Finals race for spots 3 & 4 as fixture heats up; Cam Oliver signs with Houston Rockets and performs on debut; [14:22] NBA: Run home heading into play-in tournament (and our predictions); Russell Westbrook breaks Oscar Robertson’s record with 182 triple doubles and more crazy stats (is he a top 5 PG of all-time?); Duelling stats.   

[32:25] This Week in Sport History.

[38:24] Football: AFL: Tips; Port changes into prison bar jumpers after Showdown win; Ned Guy steps down as List Manager; More inconsistency at tribunal; Shai Bolton takes a screamer then breaks his wrist in a bar fight; Willie Rioli caught with marijuana at airport; Melbourne stay undefeated after beating Swans and Doggies dodge a bullet against Carlton; More shocking umpiring.

[59:24] Just Not Cricket.

[1:04:41] What Are You Amped for?

48. Giddey Up

Recorded 5 May 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[06:08] Basketball: Josh Giddey declares for NBA Draft (We provide context about his dad, the league and insights as locals who have watched a lot of him this season; comparisons to some other former NBL players who have recently played in Australia/New Zealnd: LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton, Mojave King, Harry Froling, Jae'Sean Tate). [18:13] NBA: Comparing the top teams in the NBA 5 years ago to now; Kevin Porter Junior goes off for 50 & 11; Has Jokic sewn up MVP?; Luka's Ts; Halliburton done for the season; play-in ponderings;  dueling stats. NBL: Perth end Melbourne's winning streak at 11; Hawks cut Deng Adel; Pinder speaks out against decals; Will Magnay to the Wildcats?; Andrej Lemanis to leave at season's end.

[38:07] What Made Stu Say Boody Hell?

[39:08] Cricket: IPL suspended indefinitely; Stuart MacGill briefly kidnapped.

[45:37] This Week in Sport History.

[49:00] Football: AFL: Tips; Collingwood and Port Adelaide in jumper wars; Spotlight on: Dogs & Tigers, Cats @ Swans (Nath rants about marks again); Are Brisbane back?/Should Port be concerned?; Tim Kelly dominates in derby; Brisbane and Freo trade fixtures; Dogs undefeated streak over; Benny Brown gets a win against his former team (in a brief scare) but Adam Tomlinson done for the season; Petracca signs on till 2029; Bayley Fritsch and Paddy McCartin lucky at the tribunal?; Jesse Hogan has dream start at GWS/Toby Greene re-signs till 2026.

[1:04:12] What Are You Amped for?

47. Unsuper League

Recorded 27 April 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[05:57] Football/Soccer: Fall-out from European Super League as EPL teams pull out of competition after less than 2 days. Liverpool fans still not happy with ownership and how they handled things. Comparison to proposed PGA slush fund.

[12:48] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[13:44] Cricket: QLD takes home the Sheffield Shield defeating NSW behind great performances from Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser (albeit to little fanfare); Surprises and disappointments as new Cricket Australia contracts are handed out. IPL: Royal Challengers explode out of the gate but concerns as COVID runs rampant in India (Pat Cummins donates for the cause). South African cricket saved (for now).

[27:16] Just Not Cricket.

[29:02] AFLW: Brianna Davey’s letter to Andrew Demetriou as an 8 year old begging for girls to play footy surfaces after her Best & Fairest co-win. AFL: Tips (‘twas a round of teams starting well but finishing poorly); ANZAC Day crowd for Collingwood and Essendon biggest post-COVID sporting crowd in the world; History on the side of the remaining undefeated teams Melbourne and Western Bulldogs; Team outlooks after 6 rounds; Should Lachie Neale be suspended for contact with the umpire?; Adelaide Crows sub debacle against Hawthorn.  

[40:25] This Week In Sport History

[46:45] Basketball: NBL: Adelaide 36ers sign Kai Sotto (Josh Giddey becomes youngest Aussie to get a triple double in the NBL at age 18); Charges against Mitch Creek dropped; First time in NBL history every team has played in at least one OT game. NBA: New York Knicks continue to impress, Julius Randle an NBA First-teamer?; Chris Paul appreciation; Joel Embiid’s best miss in NBA history?; More random stats.

[57:06] What Are Ya Amped For?

46. Own Goal

Recorded 20 April 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[7:11] Football/Soccer: European Super League announced less than 24 hours before UEFA announcement.

[23:13] This Week In Sport History.

[28:08] Footy. AFLW: 3rd times a charm for the Lions as Brisbane defeat face Adelaide in Grand Final; Kiara Bowers and Bri Davey share in Best & Fairest for 2021; Mark & goal of the year. AFL: Dogs and Dees only undefeated teams left, Sydney to fall back to earth?; Collingwood phone saga (amongst injuries to Howe and De Goey)

[44:56] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[45:00] Basketball: WNBA: Shyla Heal picked #8 to Chicago Sky. NCAAM: Brad Stevens turns down monster offer from Indiana University. NBA: LaMarcus Aldridge retires due to health; Steph Curry's tear continues; Didi Louzada to New Orleans Pelicans. NBL: Spotlight on Adelaide 36ers and Cairns Taipans; Cam Oliver returns to USA (but still signed).

[57:05] What Are Ya Amped For?

45. Not Out, Wicket!

Recorded 13 April 2021.

 

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[3:50] Golf: Hideki Matsuyama becomes first Japanese man to win a major at the US Masters. 

[09:56] Cricket: NSW win Marsh Cup over WA in a canter; Did Sam Harper obstruct the Field?; The Hundred moving further and further away from traditional cricket in England.

[16:29] This Week In Sport History.

[21:34] Footy. AFLW: Brisbane to face Adelaide in Grand Final (Crows skipper Chelsea Randall to miss under concussion protocol); AFL: Huddo’s faux pas?; Tips; Frantic finishes and umpiring controversies in Richmond @ Port Adelaide and Essendon @ Sydney.

[43:39] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[45:00] Basketball: NCAAM: Roy Williams retired (to be replaced by Hubert Davis). NBA: DeMarcus Cousins signs with the LA Clippers; Jamal Murray and James Wiseman suffer season ending knee injuries; Steph Curry passes Wilt as Golden State Warriors all-time leading scorer; Kevin Durant cops $50000 fine for comments directed at Michael Rapaport; and loads of random stats. NBL: Mitch Creek playing due to no stand down policy; Perth Wildcats’ winning streak ends at 9; Illawarra Hawks steadying the ship?; Brisbane Bullets first team to score less than 10 in the first quarter and still win (Nathan Sobey continues to impress); Dejan Vasiljevic and Vic Law done for the season.

[59:40] What Are Ya Amped For?

44. Sweet & Sour Bears

Recorded 6 April 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[03:52] Cricket: Southern Stars extend ODI winning streak to 23*; Chadd Sayers hangs up the boots in 1^st class cricket; Marnus’ catch (or not?); Quinton de Kock’s run-out of Fakhar Zaman (for 193).  

[12:05] This Week In Sport History

[16:37] Basketball: NCAAM: Baylor win men’s college championship (after some dark days in recent history) making Gonzaga fall one win short of a perfect season; UCLA and Gonzaga one of the all-time great Final 4 games (Jalen Suggs draft stock rising/Corey Kispert’s falling?). NCAAW: Stanford edge Arizona Standford in a nail-biter in the women's championship; Baylor women lose to UCONN in controversial Elite 8 game; other crazy stats. NBL: Thoughts and prayers for Alex Pledger (and for those in NSW/QLD battling floods/COVID-19); Mitch Creek still allowed to play whilst facing assault charges; Nathan finds an NBL mag from 1995; schedule changes; Colton Iverson dominates (with trivia). NBA: More random stats; Paul Pierce kills his media career?

[40:45] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[42:33] AFLW: Melbourne and Collingwood punch their tickets to the prelim; AFL: Tips; Forwards kicking bags of goals again; Spotlight on: Brisbane @ Collingwood, Sydney @ Richmond and Port @ West Coast Eagles.

[59:54] What Are Ya Amped For?

43. A Tale of 4 Garys

Recorded 31 March 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss? (with apologies)

[05:23] What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[07:19] Basketball: NBA: Season 2021 post trade deadline (LaMarcus Aldridge to Brooklyn Nets; Aaron Gordon to Denver Nuggets; Nikola Vucevic to Chicago; Evan Fournier to Boston; Victor Oladipo to Miami; Rajon Rondo to LA Clippers; George Hill to Philadelphia 76ers; JJ Redick to Dallas Mavericks; Norman Powell to Portland/Gary Trent Jnr to Toronto). Russell Westbrook has an all-timer and other random stats.

[37:13] This Week In Sport History

[44:08] AFL: Tips; Massive fall-out from Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions (horrendous umpiring; Gary Rohan suspended for two games; Chris Scott has words with Lions players at quarter time); Sam Reid also gets 2 weeks!?; Thriller in West Coast Eagles and Western Bulldogs.

[1:01:08] What Are Ya Amped For?

42. Divine Intervention

Recorded 23 March 2021.

[00:25] What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[03:20] Just Not Cricket

[05:10] AFL: Tips; Rule Changes; Crows and Swans in huge upsets and Hawks make huge comeback; Injuries & Dangerfield’s suspension; a look ahead for round 2.

[23:40] This Week In Sport History

[27:42] Basketball: We reflect on the quiz we went to. March Madness: More huge upsets. NBA: RIP Elgin Baylor; Triple Doubles.

[55:05] What Are Ya Amped For?

41. Nanny Pick

Recorded 16 March 2021.

[00:25] - What caught your attention and Whatdya miss?

[05:30] - Tennis: Novak breaks Federer's record for most weeks at #1 but continues not to take COVID seriously; Medvedev first non-big 4 person to crack top 2 since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.

[09:39] - What Made Stu Say Bloody Hell?

[11:33] - Basketball NBL: Wildcats win more silverware (and more thoughts on NBL Cup and NBL season generally); Injuries; Transactions/import carousel (including Lamar Patterson back to Brisbane); March Madness: NCAA bracket set (history, odds of picking a perfect bracket, seeding/favourites, NBA draft prospects. NBA: The forgotten Ball brother; Aldridge officially on the block; Aleksej Pokusevski; Colin Sexton's twitter game.

[41:28] - This Week In Sport History

[48:39] - AFL: Our predictions for the season ahead of round 1.

[59:35] - What Are Ya Amped For?