Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Hour 2 - Circling Back (Released July 22, 2025)

In the "Hour 2: Circling Back" episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" on ESPN Radio, hosts Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf delve deep into the current state of the NBA, special sports events, heartfelt tributes, intriguing state facts, and ongoing controversies in the sports world. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their engaging discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

1. Analyzing the Los Angeles Clippers' Prospects

Matt and Myron kick off the episode by scrutinizing the Los Angeles Clippers' roster and their potential for success in the upcoming NBA season.

• Roster Composition: The Clippers boast a star-studded lineup featuring Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Chris Paul, and Bradley Beal. Myron humorously remarks at [02:55], "Every single star on that team has had a BlackBerry before. I think that's the age they're at." highlighting the team's veteran nature.

• Potential Success: The hosts debate whether the Clippers can emulate the success of iconic Hollywood films where seasoned characters embark on a final adventure. Myron muses at [03:14], "Will they succeed?" while Matt counters with optimism about their contender status if the team remains healthy.

• Kendrick Perkins' Perspective: A notable highlight is a quote from Kendrick Perkins at [04:33], where he bluntly states, "The Los Angeles Clippers have officially become the nursing home for the NBA for the players that are on the back end of their career." Perkins critiques the team's age and depth, questioning their competitiveness against younger, more dynamic squads like Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

• Health Concerns: Myron emphasizes the significance of health and durability for the Clippers' success, noting at [06:40], "Bradley Beal is coming off injury issues. Kawhi Leonard has had injury issues his entire career..."

2. Special Sports Events: MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway

Transitioning from basketball, Matt introduces an exciting crossover between baseball and NASCAR at Bristol Motor Speedway.

• Event Details: The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are set to compete in the MLB Speedway Classic on August 2. The unique aspect lies in the specially designed uniforms that pay homage to NASCAR aesthetics. At [16:05], Matt describes, "The jersey numbers include bold outlines, shadowing and movement meant to represent NASCAR vehicle designs."

• Uniform Design: The Reds opt for white custom numbers with checkerboard patterns on their caps, while the Braves maintain their traditional colors with flame-inspired details. Myron adds enthusiasm at [16:52], "Yeah, I like this... baseball knocked it out of the park with the Field of Dreams game."

• Venue and Experience: The hosts appreciate the innovative approach to integrating different sports, with Myron suggesting that other sports could adopt similar strategies to enhance fan engagement.

3. Tribute to Malcolm Jamal Warner

A somber moment unfolds as Matt delivers the news of Malcolm Jamal Warner's passing.

• Announcement: At [18:39], Matt shares, "Malcolm Jamal Warner, who played the son Theo on the Cosby Show, died at 54 after drowning on a family trip."

• Legacy and Impact: Myron reflects on Warner's influence, stating at [19:17], "To see that image, it meant a lot... Malcolm Jamal Warner was sort of like everybody's big brother, little brother..." The hosts honor Warner's contributions to television and his personal character, expressing heartfelt condolences.

4. 50 States in 50 Days: Spotlight on Arizona

Engaging in their "50 States in 50 Days" segment, Matt and Myron explore fascinating facts about Arizona.

• State Highlights: They discuss Arizona's nickname as the "Valentine's Day State" due to its admission to the Union on February 14, 1912. Myron shares at [24:12], "I've been in Arizona but have not been in the Grand Canyon yet. So, my bucket list."

• Unique Facts: Matt reveals, at [32:02], "The London Bridge... is in Arizona." They delve into quirky state traditions, such as Arizona's official state neckwear, the bola tie, and intriguing natural phenomena like scorpions that glow green under UV light.

• Local Records and Trivia: The discussion includes records like Trenton Hayward's 1,700 tennis serves in an hour and Corey Nielsen's million-penny pyramid, reflecting Arizona's diverse and unique contributions to both sports and culture.

5. Sports Headlines: Memphis Tigers' Conference Realignment

The conversation shifts to college sports, focusing on the Memphis Tigers and their recent conference affiliations.

• Conference Announcement: Matt highlights Memphis' tweet celebrating their status in the American Conference, despite their unsuccessful bid to join the Big 12 with a $200 million offer.

• Humorous Take: The hosts humorously compare Memphis' eagerness to secure a conference spot to someone desperately trying to impress a date, with Myron jesting at [14:13], "Memphis is like buying drinks for a group of women at the end of the ball."

• Skepticism About Commitment: Matt expresses doubt about Memphis' commitment, suggesting their declaration might be a pre-scheduled statement rather than a genuine association.

6. Controversy Over Team Names: Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians

A heated discussion ensues regarding the potential renaming of the Washington Football Team and the Cleveland Guardians back to their original names.

• President Trump's Intervention: Matt brings up President Trump's recent remarks urging teams to revert to "Redskins" and "Indians," tying it to stadium approval for Washington. He asks Myron for his stance on reinstating these names.

• Myron's Stance: At [38:08], Myron firmly opposes reverting to the offensive names, stating, "You can't bring back any of those names for a lot of reasons... I hope they don't bring the name back. It would be silly to do it no matter what anyone is calling for."

• Listeners' Unity Through Sports: Ian emphasizes the unifying power of sports, questioning the necessity of reigniting such controversies and pondering the lack of positive outcomes from changing longstanding team names.

• Imagined Press Conference: The hosts entertain the idea of how Myron, as an owner, would handle press inquiries about the name change, humorously suggesting he would simply say, "No."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Myron Metcalf at [02:55]: "Every single star on that team has had a BlackBerry before. I think that's the age they're at."

• Kendrick Perkins at [04:33]: "The Los Angeles Clippers have officially become the nursing home for the NBA for the players that are on the back end of their career."

• Myron Metcalf at [19:17]: "Malcolm Jamal Warner was sort of like everybody's big brother, little brother..."

• Matt Jones at [32:02]: "The London Bridge... is in Arizona."

• Myron Metcalf at [38:08]: "You can't bring back any of those names for a lot of reasons... I hope they don't bring the name back."

Conclusion

In this episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," the hosts provide insightful analysis on the Clippers' prospects, celebrate innovative sports events, pay homage to a beloved actor, explore intriguing facts about Arizona, scrutinize conference realignments, and engage in a meaningful discourse on the sensitivity surrounding team names. Their balanced perspectives and engaging banter offer listeners a comprehensive overview of the current sports landscape, enriched with personal insights and relatable humor.

Tune in Next Week: Matt and Myron continue their "50 States in 50 Days" journey, exploring new states with the same enthusiasm and depth. Don't miss their next episode as they head to Arizona, unveiling more sports stories and state-specific trivia.