Jock Talk! Another one bites the dust.
S/0 Queen, that track rocks to this day.
The Toronto Raptors advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third consecutive season. This time beating the Washington Wizards in six games. The series was never really in doubt. The Raps welcomed back PG Fred VanVleet, who spearheaded the second unit to success. DeMar and Kyle showed up of course in closing out them D.C. boys.
Now the home squad awaits LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. I want redemption this year! Tired of these guys from The Land sending our team fishing season after season. Raps need this series like 80’s Bulls needed to finally beat the Pistons. Time to dethrone the so-called king. I expect and plan on putting money down on the Raps to win this series. I say it’ll go six-seven games. We got this!
The Toronto Maple Leafs had an amazing season. Unfortunately, the Boston Bruins had a better one. Tough first-round matchup for the Buds, still they left it all on the ice. Sure, there were times in that Game 7 the team looked fazed. But hey, this is a young squad that will only learn from this experience. And even though Jake Gardiner was -5 in the deciding game, I respect the way he handled every question in the locker room afterwards.
It’s not easy to take the brunt of the blame for what seemed so evident to many. The truth is, they lost as a team, and no one man is responsible for the loss. Win together, lose together. Hats off to the Leafs brass for putting out a good brand of hockey for the blue and white die-hards. The suffering has come to an end. Somewhere Pat Quinn is smiling down on the guys. I mention Pat, because that was the last time the Leafs had a good run for several seasons. Let’s hope moving forward as they trek on in their quest to win the Stanley Cup.
Again! Three words – The Salah Show! The true gift from Egypt. The man put on a dynamic display of technical ability and team play. Which subsequently put the Scousers one foot in on the road to the Champions League final … And I know better to count Roma out, as they just overturned the same deficit against a top Barcelona team in the last round … Real Madrid lurk as they prepare to change the history books for the unprecedented three peat.
In the Europa League, Arsenal and Athleti set up a good final showdown in the Spanish Capital this week. Arsenal’s Champions League dreams now hinge on winning the cup, as Manchester United just knocked them out of the top four while securing Champions League football for themselves next season in the EPL … It was business as usual in La Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid taking three pints each … Meanwhile Juventus tornadoed back against Inter Milan to set up a tight race with Napoli for the Serie A Scudetto.
MLB quick hits. Finally! The Braves call up 20-year-old phenom OF Ronald Acuna. The sure shot rook is about to go on a MLB run similar to Mike Trout. Early results thus far indicate he’s the truth … The Blue Jays have decided to demote Devon Travis to Triple-A Buffalo. The young 2nd baseman has struggled out of the gate this season hitting a dismal .148 in 18 games. This now opens the door for Lourdes Gurriel to be the primary option at the keystone for the time being … Says here Dodgers Dave Roberts will regret benching young star Cody Bellinger for a lack of hustle. Watched the reply several times, listened to Cody’s reasoning post-game, and I’m sold he was used as a tool.
Nice big league debut for Pirates Nick Kingham. The kid carried a perfect game into the seventh inning. He joins Johnny Cueto as the only pitchers in the past 100 years with one hit allowed, at least nine strikeouts, and no walks in their debut … Back at the ranch the Diamondbacks have won nine straight series’. Patrick Corbin is gonna cash out big time this off-season … Cubs starting pitchers are hitting their stride. Jake who? And I don’t mean the guy from State Farm. Though, Arrieta is off to a great start with the Phillies … The Nationals are starting to get healthy, Adam Eaton, Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon are due back this week. Bryce Harper needs the protection that Ryan Zimmerman isn’t offering in the lineup.
The NFL Draft was a success. The best story of the draft just keeps on getting better. The Seahawks with the 141st overall pick, decided to draft LB Shaquem Griffin. Thus reuniting the twin with his brother CB Shaquill. “I couldn’t breathe,” upon hearing the good news. Griffin had his left hand amputated at age four because of amniotic band syndrome, a congenital condition. A no excuses mentality, heavy on faith and lots of heart. Salute! … Good luck to the 1st pick in the draft. Baker Mayfield you are now the face of the Cleveland Browns. Yikes!
Lamar Jackson should thrive as a Raven when given the opportunity to do so. Never one to shy away from letting it be known how he feels, the former Heisman Trophy winner is already talking Super Bowl. Safe to say Joe Flacco can see the writing on the wall … The Bills seem to have solved their QB dilemma by drafting Josh Allen with their first pick … The Colts built their frontline to protect Andrew Luck … Cardinals are ecstatic to have drafted ex-UCLA standout Josh Rosen … Welcome Leighton Vander Esch to Cowboys nation … Last but not least, shout out Shaquon Barkley! The new Giants running back had the top selling jersey of any rookie on the first night of the draft. The second overall pick is about to set the league on fire.
NBA Playoffs: Terry Rozier made sure Eric Bledsoe knows his name. The gritty PG stepped up and had a great series. Not easy running the show in Beantown USA. Yet he did just that in leading the Celtics to a Game 7 series win over the Bucks. Giannis is nice, but until his jimmy sticks opponents will continue to lay off of him and clog the paint … Pelicans moved onto the next round and found out quick time the Warriors aren’t the Trail Blazers. When Steph gets back it’s on like Donkey Kong … Rockets rinsed the Timberwolves and immediately took it to the Jazz. Lots of respect for how Donovan Mitchell has walked his talk. The man embraces the moment.
That being said, where was Playoff P? And hey, Melo! Maybe coming off the bench isn’t such a bad idea. Glad Russell Westbrook defended himself from confrontational fans. Man just played an amazing game in doing every possible to propel OKC to a win, loses, walks off and fans gonna go off on him like that? Nah B! That ain’t cool, and as Russ stated, “I don’t play that sh*t.” … Philly easily disposed of the Heat. S/O Meek! Free to be as he rang the bell for a Game 5 clincher. Ben Simmons, yea he’s that guy! … Hey Manu, please return for another season … Pacers fought the good fight but in the end, LeBron and his henchmen defended their home court in Game 7 with a big time effort. We all know now, Victor Oladipo is ‘bout that life. I rate him! His stock has gone way up after these playoffs.
NHL Playoffs: Penguins vs Capitals. Cage vs Travolta. With the Caps advancing past the Blue Jackets, story-lines were set in play as their familiar nemesis yearned at the bits to get it poppin’. Pretty impressive is the fact the Caps have now killed off 22 consecutive penalties. Still, I’m rooting for the Pens, Sid the Kid is my guy from time. This series is 1-1 now, ought to go 7 … Finally! The Golden Knights drop a game. The Sharks showed up for Game 2 after looking lost at sea in Game 1.
Predators, Jets series has been bananas. Up and down at a tenacious pace. Scoring chances galore. Let’s go Jets! … Who ya got? Lightning or the Bruins? This series is another barnbuster in the making. I like the Bolts, especially with the B’s being responsible for Leafs being sent home.
Jock Talk with JD: Track of the Week
My track of the week comes from my brother, none other than the wordsmith out of the east-end of Toronto, Richie Sosa. Now known as SOHS. This man sends me voice notes almost daily, full of bars.
His new album is set to drop this summer. You can bet it’ll be full of knowledge and truth. Here’s a oldie but goodie from the Scarborough vet. “Easy to Please” with the Boy. From that Comeback Season album.
Thanks for reading. Have a great week.
Stay up like layup. Peace!
Your boy,
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