Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Hour 1: Shedeur's Slide

Release Date: April 27, 2025

Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf
Produced by: ESPN Radio
Description: Join Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf every Sunday morning as they delve deep into the world of sports, offering analysis, insights, and lively discussions to kickstart your weekend.

1. Kickoff: The Overlooked Kentucky Derby

Timestamp: [00:33]

Myron Medcalf opens the episode by highlighting the Kentucky Derby, lauding it as "the most exciting two minutes in sports" ([00:33]). Despite its prestige, he laments the lack of media coverage, stating, "The Kentucky Derby gets the same amount to watch it as watch the NCAA tournament finals and more than the NBA Finals, and gets like one tenth of the coverage" ([00:33]). Matt Jones acknowledges Myron's persistent advocacy for more Derby coverage, adding, "the real story... is that Bob Baffert is back" ([01:25]).

2. NBA Playoffs Heat Up

Timestamp: [02:00]

Transitioning to NBA news, Myron introduces "Off the Top," a new segment focusing on current sports stories ([02:06]). The hosts discuss two major playoff highlights:

• Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Despite missing key player Jimmy Butler, the Warriors secured a surprising victory ([02:06]).

• Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Aaron Gordon's buzzer-beater redeeming the Nuggets after a nail-biting finish ([02:06]).

Matt emphasizes the uniqueness of the Nuggets' win: "It's like a unique situation when nobody knows the rule... But that was fabulous, man. I mean, I've never seen anything like that" ([03:21]).

3. Denver Nuggets' Turbulent Path

Timestamp: [03:36]

Myron expresses skepticism about the Nuggets' recent coaching switch before the playoffs, describing Aaron Gordon's decisive dunk as "the worst play I've ever seen out of a timeout" ([03:36]). The hosts debate the implications of the Nuggets potentially having to rebuild their team under the new CBA, with Myron questioning the stability of the current roster ([05:40]).

Matt adds, "Remember, we thought Denver could be a dynasty, but the money makes that challenging" ([05:54]), highlighting financial constraints affecting team composition.

4. Houston Rockets' Struggles and Draymond Green's Influence

Timestamp: [07:09]

The conversation shifts to the Houston Rockets, focusing on their lack of a standout star and overreliance on young talent. Myron compares Draymond Green to Dennis Rodman, questioning both players' impact: "I find him to be... Draymond is the worst" ([07:40]). Matt counters by criticizing Draymond's choices, asserting, "I'm not making a character judgment. I just don't like watching him or listening to him" ([08:36]).

5. Guest Insights with Quentin Richardson

Timestamp: [10:40]

Quentin Richardson, ESPN's NBA analyst, joins the conversation to dissect recent playoff performances:

• Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Richardson emphasizes the Lakers' dependency on LeBron James and Luka Doncic, questioning their depth and ability to advance without additional star power ([13:57]).

• Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics: He praises the Magic's defensive strategy under Jamal Moseley, noting their disruptive play as a key advantage over the Celtics ([15:49]).

• Houston Rockets' Playoff Challenges: Richardson highlights the Rockets' inexperience in clutch situations, suggesting a reliance on Jalen Green and Shane Goon ([17:20]).

6. Focus on the NFL Draft: Shador Sanders' Unexpected Selection

Timestamp: [24:07]

The hosts pivot to a deep dive on the NFL Draft, centering on Shador Sanders being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round (144th pick). Myron and Matt analyze the factors contributing to Sanders' slide:

• Media Hype vs. On-Field Performance: Matt argues that Sanders' media spotlight, courtesy of his father Deion Sanders, inflated his draft stock prematurely, leading to unrealistic expectations that ultimately hindered his draft position ([27:24]).

• Character and Locker Room Dynamics: Myron notes, "the worst thing you can have is that hype machine as your backup," emphasizing concerns over Sanders being a distraction rather than an asset ([29:42]).

• Draft Board Realities: Both agree that the NFL is adept at evaluating quarterback talent, with Matt stating, "If you look at the Hall of Fame since 1980, there has not been a player selected in the third round or beyond at quarterback who became a Hall of Famer" ([28:18]).

7. Audience Engagement: Debating Shador Sanders' Draft Position

Timestamp: [35:15]

The hosts encourage listener interaction, posing the question: "Would you have drafted Shador? Why do you think he didn't get picked?" ([35:15]). They present their perspectives:

• Matt's Take: He critiques the decision-making process, highlighting Dion Sanders' overt influence and the subsequent ostracization by NFL teams ([31:44]).

• Myron's Take: He underscores the pitfalls of limiting Sanders to specific teams, leading to diminished draft appeal and labeling him as a "second or third-round talent" with potential distractions ([36:53]).

8. Call-In Reactions and Further Analysis

Timestamp: [38:23]

Listener calls provide additional viewpoints:

• Russell from Ohio: Agrees with the hosts, attributing media backlash to fear of Dion Sanders' influence ([38:49]).

• Dave from Albany: Suggests that Sanders' lack of diverse coaching experience raises concerns about his adaptability in the NFL ([40:32]).

• Tracy from Pennsylvania: Highlights technical flaws in Sanders' play, such as holding the ball too long, questioning whether these issues can be mitigated by future coaching ([42:02]).

9. Conclusion: Navigating Draft Decisions and Future Implications

Timestamp: [44:07]

Matt and Myron wrap up the segment by reiterating the complexities of draft decisions, especially for quarterbacks with significant media attention but uncertain on-field performance. They caution against letting hype overshadow tangible talent and emphasize the importance of organizational fit and character in franchise-building decisions.

Notable Quotes:

• Myron Medcalf ([00:33]): "The Kentucky Derby gets the same amount to watch it as watch the NCAA tournament finals and more than the NBA Finals, and gets like one tenth of the coverage."

• Matt Jones ([01:25]): "The real story, though, about what you said and what you left out is that I know you all were trying to banish him unfairly, unjustly. And all the schemes, they didn't work. Bob Baffert is back."

• Matt Jones ([03:21]): "It's like a unique situation when nobody knows the rule… But that was fabulous, man. I mean, I've never seen anything like that."

• Myron Medcalf ([07:40]): "I find him to be… Draymond is the worst."

• Matt Jones ([27:24]): "Shador Sanders not a martyr, right? At the end of the day, he ain't Lamar Jackson. Please, man, please stop throwing out the black quarterback card for this kid."

• Myron Medcalf ([36:53]): "Nobody's owed a draft pick… Shador Sanders went into the draft as a second or third-round talent."

Final Thoughts:

In this episode, Matt and Myron provide a comprehensive analysis of current sports narratives, from the underappreciated Kentucky Derby to the high-stakes NBA playoffs and the contentious NFL Draft decision involving Shador Sanders. Their discussions emphasize the delicate balance between media influence, player performance, and organizational strategy in shaping sports outcomes. Listeners gain valuable insights into the complexities behind major sporting events and draft decisions, making this episode a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking depth and clarity.