Hour 2: Headlines!

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Hour 2 - Headlines!

Release Date: February 23, 2025

Hosted by ESPN Radio’s Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf, Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron offers an engaging deep dive into the latest happenings in the sports world. In the “Hour 2: Headlines!” episode, aired on February 23, 2025, Matt and Myron navigate through a series of compelling sports stories, offering insights, thoughtful analysis, and their characteristic banter. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, notable quotes, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

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1. Women's Basketball: Senior Day Scheduling

The episode kicks off with a conversation about the scheduling of Senior Day for the Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team. Matt raises a pertinent question about the tradition:

Matt Jones [00:34]: “Can Senior Day not be your last home game?”

Myron Medcalf explains the reasoning behind the scheduling change, emphasizing the importance of convenience for attendees, including family members:

Myron Medcalf [01:21]: “If more people can get there on a weekend, I'm fine with that.”

The hosts deliberate whether altering traditional schedules might impact the sentimental value of Senior Day, balancing tradition with practicality.

2. Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers' Struggles

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Joel Embiid’s ongoing injury issues and their ramifications for the Philadelphia 76ers. Matt outlines Embiid’s concerns and the team's precarious position in the Eastern Conference:

Matt Jones [04:43]: “Joel Embi is not playing great. The Sixers now have the seventh worst record in the league.”

Myron underscores the seriousness of Embiid's knee problems and their long-term impact:

Myron Medcalf [06:52]: “Sometimes guys that size get into a rhythm where, like, he can't stop the cycle of injuries even if he closes.”

They discuss the financial and strategic dilemmas the Sixers face due to Embiid’s hefty contract and injury history, pondering the future viability of building the team around him.

3. Tony Meola’s Heart Attack Recovery

Listener James shares news about former USMNT and MLS goalkeeper Tony Meola experiencing a heart attack. Matt and Myron reflect on Meola’s legacy and the importance of health awareness:

Matt Jones [15:45]: “When I think soccer in America, I think Tony Meola.”

Myron adds a nostalgic touch, recalling Meola as a pivotal figure in American youth soccer:

Myron Medcalf [16:19]: “He was definitely the guy in the face.”

The discussion emphasizes the importance of regular health checkups, resonating with Meola’s public message.

4. Innovative Pep Talk: Wrestlers Inspire Omaha Basketball

An intriguing segment highlights how wrestlers Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum delivered motivational speeches to the Omaha men’s basketball team, leading to their impressive victory:

Matt Jones [17:02]: “So that was their pregame speech where he said, if you're anything like me, and I know I am...”

Myron expresses admiration for the creativity behind this unconventional motivational strategy:

Myron Medcalf [19:29]: “I love the innovation. I love the idea.”

The hosts commend Omaha’s ability to leverage unique methods for team motivation, celebrating the team’s Summit League title win.

5. Duke Miles’ Aggressive Play and Injury

The discussion shifts to Oklahoma guard Duke Miles, who sustained facial injuries during a game:

Matt Jones [20:44]: “Would you have kept playing if you had lost three to four teeth?”

Myron highlights Miles’ toughness and the potential long-term implications of such injuries:

Myron Medcalf [20:59]: “It’d be hard. That’d be a lot of pain...”

They reflect on the physical demands of basketball and commend Miles for his perseverance despite severe injuries.

6. Ellie De La Cruz Shines in Spring Training

Ellie De La Cruz’s remarkable performance during spring training is another focal point. Matt praises De La Cruz’s ability to hit home runs from both sides of the plate:

Matt Jones [21:36]: “He went left handed and then right handed and hit a home run on the first pitch in both at bats.”

Myron expresses enthusiasm about De La Cruz’s potential, contemplating his future as an MVP candidate:

Myron Medcalf [21:57]: “I'm not ready to hear you talk about it every day.”

The hosts discuss how standout performances in spring training can set the stage for a player’s successful season.

7. Musical Banter: Lead Singers and Eclectic Tastes

A lighthearted exchange ensues when the hosts delve into the topic of bands changing lead singers and discuss Myron’s musical preferences:

Matt Jones [24:58]: “Genesis had success with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. That's a good one.”

Myron asserts his eclectic taste but humorously defends his stance when criticized:

Myron Medcalf [34:53]: “These are white people texting you though, right?...I think I have a pretty eclectic, you know.”

The banter showcases the chemistry between Matt and Myron, balancing sports discussions with personal interests.

8. San Antonio Spurs Face Health Challenges

The Spurs are in the spotlight as Victor Wimbanyama and coach Gregg Popovich face serious health issues:

Matt Jones [28:31]: “The Spurs will be without both their superstar and their head coach for the rest of the year.”

Myron expresses concern over Popovich’s absence, highlighting his significance in the NBA:

Myron Medcalf [29:40]: “Pop has been a constant. He'll be a huge loss if he doesn't come back.”

The conversation delves into the potential long-term effects on the Spurs’ performance and Popovich’s enduring legacy in the league.

9. Record-Breaking NHL Four Nations Championship Game

One of the episode’s highlights is the discussion of a historic NHL game between the USA and Canada, which achieved unprecedented viewership figures:

Matt Jones [38:03]: “This week was maybe the biggest week for hockey since like the 1980 Miracle on Ice game.”

Myron analyzes the factors contributing to the game’s success, including star performances and nationalistic fervor:

Myron Medcalf [39:27]: “I think there are a lot of factors involved... The first matchup, when you had three fights in the first nine seconds, just elevated the attention on the rematch.”

The hosts commend the NHL’s ability to create a captivating event that resonated with a broad audience, discussing its implications for the sport’s future popularity.

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Conclusion

In this episode of Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron, the hosts navigate a diverse array of sports topics, from individual player struggles and triumphs to innovative team strategies and groundbreaking events. Their insightful analysis, interspersed with engaging dialogue and humor, provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current sports landscape. Notable moments include the deep dive into Joel Embiid’s injury woes, the nostalgic reflection on Tony Meola, and the excitement surrounding the record-breaking NHL game. Matt and Myron successfully blend detailed sports commentary with personable interactions, making this episode both informative and entertaining for sports enthusiasts.

Transcript

[James]

My dad works in B2B marketing. He came by my school for career.

[Matt Jones]

Day and said he was a big roas man.

[James]

Then he told everyone how much he loved calculating his return on ad spend. My friends still laugh at me to this day.

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[Myron]

This is Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

It is Sunday morning on ESPN Radio with Matt Myron, presented by Progressive Insurance. He's Myron. I'm Matt. It's Sunday. It's beautiful where I am. I hope it's beautiful where you are. If it's not, I'm sorry. But what are you gonna do? We are getting ready for big day of women's basketball. My Kentucky Wildcats play lsu. They're doing this thing at Kentucky, Myron, which I. Which is they're making Senior Day now, like the last time you play on a weekend just to make it more convenient. So, like, Kentucky's women are having Senior Day tonight even though they have another home game against Tennessee next week, but they're having Senior Day today just to make it more convenient. Do you like that? Can Senior Day not be your last home game?

[Myron]

I mean, I understand traditionally that's what it's supposed to be, but I also think, you know, if more people can get there on a weekend, I'm. I'm fine with that. You know, Sunday game's probably easier than a.

[Matt Jones]

Can you just have it? Like, what's the earliest you could have it? Could you have it, like, during Christmas break? Could you have it in January?

[Myron]

Oh, no, no.

[Matt Jones]

When do you get to have it?

[Myron]

I mean, you have it at the end of the season. Yeah. And whatever day. I mean, whatever day's convenient for everybody, man. People coming from around the country.

[Matt Jones]

So you're just worried about convenience. It doesn't need to be your last home game.

[Myron]

Now travel. You know, Grandma's trying to get there, like. Yeah, think about that thing over the last game.

[Matt Jones]

It's about grandma at the end of the day, right?

[Myron]

It is. It is. That's what it's about, man.

[Matt Jones]

So I got you. Well, I understand. You're. You're. You're all about convenience. One person writes, I'm not surprised that Matt, or excuse me, that Myron did not know about the hair bands. I feel like Myron's musical interest is very narrow. That's why I like you two. It seems like you teach each other. Do you agree with that? That you're.

[Myron]

I'm not narrow at all. I'm not narrow at all. I'm quite eclectic. I mean, I know music of all genres, but yeah, I don't. But I also don't like, want to be a fraud and pretend like I was listening to this stuff when I was a kid or something like that, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Here you go. All right. Here's one person says. One person writes, I love you and Myron's dynamic so much. I'm 35, white, and I was raised by a 78 year old black stage stepdad. You guys sound like.

[Myron]

Don'T.

[Matt Jones]

It's like, no, it's like different strokes in reverse.

[Myron]

Yeah, like you don't just give that to the world, man. Write that script like, whoa, that is interesting.

[Matt Jones]

78 year old black stepdad, 35 year old white kid. Yeah, it is. It's different strokes in Webster, but just reverse it.

[Myron]

Like you're just nine years old and you walk to the house like, whoa, what's going on?

[Matt Jones]

Macaulay Culkin and Red Fox star here.

[Myron]

Like, whoa, that's a sitcom, man. Don't. Don't put that idea out into the world. You gotta write that memoir, man. Yeah, write that memoir.

[Matt Jones]

Says, you guys sound like me and my cousins going back and forth. So there you go, Myron. That's nice, isn't it?

[Myron]

That just being like 11 and all of a sudden you get like 15 black cousins. That'd be a story. I'd watch that movie. Like, so you're saying a kid.

[Matt Jones]

Take a kid that lives in like Connecticut and all of a sudden his mom falls for a guy that's got like seven siblings in Chicago and they all move in together. You like that as a show? Yeah.

[Myron]

I mean, you just trying to get an invite to the barbecue. Now you're actually preparing it. You hosted it. Like, that's gotta be a. That's gotta be a shock to the system a little bit, honestly. You should write that book, though.

[Matt Jones]

That's a show. Like I'm thinking about.

[Myron]

That is a show.

[Matt Jones]

That is a show.

[Myron]

I'd watch it. I would watch it, man. That's a comedy waiting to happen.

[Matt Jones]

You should write that. Sunday Morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. And now a progressive ad brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Drivers who switch to progressive could save big with progressive. Let me say that word some more. This has been a Progressive ad from Progressive. See if you could save it 1-800-progressive or progressive calm. Why do they do that? All right, Joel, I don't know why.

[Myron]

You paused like that. Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I'm just that. All right, so Joel Embi, he is not playing great. And the Sixers now have the seventh worst record in the league. And their chances of making the playoffs, even making the play in game, continue to go down. As of this very moment, they are 12th in the East. They are a game, but only a game and a half back from the 10th seed, which is the play in. But nevertheless, things are going on the wrong way. They have lost. They have lost, let's see, seven in a row and just not playing well. Now, Joel Embiid last night said that as he's come back from his injury in his knee, he still doesn't totally feel right about it. Here was what he said. I don't know. I'm sure you can figure it out. Where I was playing a year ago, it's not the way I'm playing right now, and it sucks. But I believe probably need to fix the problem and then I'll be back at that level. But hard to have a trust when you're not yourself. And I'm not as dominant as I was a couple months ago. But that doesn't mean I still can't have a lot of impact on the game. So he doesn't totally trust his knee. He acknowledges he's not what he was recently. If you were kind of an advisor to him, what would you say that he should do, Myron?

[Myron]

Well, he's got to fix the knee. You know, he's got to figure it out and sit out as much time as he needs to sit out to prepare his body to play going forward. But here's the problem. There aren't a lot of seven footers, especially his size, who've played well into their 30s, right, because of the wear and tear. And that's kind of like what we're looking at with Joel Embiid, who Matt has been hurt since he was at Kansas, right? Like, his injury history literally goes back to his college days. And now here we are and he's in his early 30s and he's still dealing with the same issues. I just think sometimes guys that size get into a rhythm where, like, he can't stop the cycle of injuries even if he closes.

[Matt Jones]

There are people who tell you. There are people who tell you that when a dude that's seven foot tall gets hurt below his waist, it'll never be the same. Now, there are Some exceptions. Anthony Davis, I think, has kind of been a little bit of an exception, but generally speaking, a big dude that ends up with problems below his waist, those problems just kind of linger. And they keep coming back. And they keep coming back. And then you take somebody like Embiid, who I think, to be fair, is always kind of in and out of shape, and so you're putting that weight on the leg. I mean, there's a reason, Myron. There's a reason to believe. Right. That we'll never see the Joel Embiid that we've seen the last few years again. Do you believe that's possible?

[Myron]

Yeah. I mean, and maybe that's been possible this whole time. Right. I mean, he gave us an MVP year and then another one that could have been an MVP year. And then it was like, all right, the body starts breaking down again and again. He's going to be, you know, I think 31 this year. And that just changes everything in terms of how you look at him, because even the big guys who were smaller had a hard time going into their early 30s. But here's the challenge that the Sixers have, because I'm sure a lot of people are like, all right, time to move on from Joel Embiid. How do you do it, Matt? He just signed a three year, $192 million extension this season. So in 2026, that's when it kicks in. Not. Not next year. 20, 26, 27 is when it kicks in, they owe him 59.5 million. The year after that, he'll be 33. 64 million. The year after that, in 2028, 29, he'll be 34 with a player option for $69 million. So how do you move Embiid and get something in return for him with that injury history? But if you hold on to him, the anchor of your team, at least financially, is going to be a guy that might not be able to play consistently.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. You've given him a lot of incentive to even try being hurt, right?

[Myron]

Yes. I mean, the amount of money he's not giving up. $200 million.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, what, $200 million? That's a lot. Like, more than 2. I mean, it's a lot of money. I think they've signed a contract that makes it almost impossible for them to be good long term.

[Myron]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Right. Like, I mean, if you're a Sixers fan, do you just look at that and go, we're not going to be good for the next four years?

[Myron]

Yeah. I mean, Tyrese Maxey is really good, but they got to start building around him. I mean, Paul George is a podcast host who plays basketball sometimes. You know, that's kind of what he's become.

[Matt Jones]

A Paul George should be studied. Right? I mean, like, you get a podcast, and now you should call him maybe Podcast P. Because that's really.

[Myron]

I like that.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, that's what he is now. I mean, he's a much more of a podcaster than he is a player.

[Myron]

Yes. No. And it just, you know, it did not happen the way anyone had anticipated. Like, you hear Paul George, Embiid Maxi, and you think, wow, those are all stars who can lead a team. Now you're trying to fight to get into the playing game, and you're starting center is basically saying, I don't have it anymore. They're in a bad spot, man. And I don't think there's an easy fix. This is one of those things where you go, a decade from now, the Sixers could still be impacted by everything they're dealing with right now.

[Matt Jones]

Text machine is 772-774-5254. One person writes, Matt, my mom spent 30 years in Los Angeles working on scripts. That could certainly be. Be a script.

[Myron]

The.

[Matt Jones]

The situation the guy mentioned. There are all kinds of ways it could go. As a matter of fact, does this man care if I write it?

[Myron]

That's what I'm saying. He shouldn't put it out there.

[Matt Jones]

You can't just steal the guy's idea. Well, I don't think he thought it was a script. He was just talking about his life story.

[Myron]

Can't you steal it? Why can't you steal it? People do it all the time.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, there's going to be some proof that maybe, like, there's someone would play the audio of this that, like, it was. It was like said, and he just kind of took it. Right.

[Myron]

Well, I know you're into the legal stuff, I guess, but, I mean, were you asking it to be stolen?

[Matt Jones]

So I'm just giving it.

[Myron]

But I think people steal ideas all the time. But, I mean, it's. You don't hear it that way. I mean, that would be a fascinating.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Think about all the things that could happen with that family. Right? Like just all the.

[Myron]

Who's in it, who's starring, who's the kid? Like, who's the. Like, the young man.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know the kid. Because it's probably, like, I don't know, kid actors. But think about a young Macaulay Culkin. Like, Macaulay Culkin when he was in Home Alone. Right?

[Myron]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And then all of a sudden, the stepdad is.

[Myron]

The stepdad.

[Matt Jones]

Ildris Elba.

[Myron]

Well, this is. He's older now, so the stepdad.

[Matt Jones]

Stepdad, though, like, it's an older stepdad. So it's an older stepdad who already has kids on his own.

[Myron]

It's gotta be Martin Lawrence. Probably. It's gotta be like Martin maybe Gotta be Martin Lawrence.

[Matt Jones]

I think Ildress Elba's too old. You're bringing in Martin Lawrence.

[Myron]

I think it's 60. Yeah, I think it's Martin Lawrence. And then I think the kid is your comedian friend Berghazi. I think it's Nate Bergazzi.

[Matt Jones]

He can't be the kid. He's a grownup.

[Myron]

No, no, he's a young man. No, the guy. It's a younger guy, like. So it's gonna be Martin.

[Matt Jones]

Lorenzo Bergazzi is my age.

[Myron]

No, but he's gonna play a guy in his 30s. So it's gonna be that dynamic, I think.

[Matt Jones]

No, we need a kid.

[Myron]

You can't have a grown up.

[Matt Jones]

You need a kid.

[Myron]

Okay, well then Idris album isn't funny enough though, to be the dad.

[Matt Jones]

You're not.

[Myron]

It can be.

[Matt Jones]

Not very good at. This is why we don't let you cast for things. There are other stories outside of the big sports. We will give you headlines from around the sports world. And Myron will continue his terrible casting.

[Myron]

Is it Bieber? I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

Justin Bieber. He's 30. Here on ESPN Radio.

[Myron]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.

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[Matt Jones]

ACDC Day here on Sunday morning Matt Myron, ESPN Radio he's my metcalf. I'm Matt Jones. You can give shout out, say espn. You know, it's not just the big games, not just the NBA, not just the NFL. There's other things going on in the world of sports and that's why we give you Sunday morning headlines. All right, James, tell me what's going on in the world of sports outside of this.

[James]

Yeah, sure. Let's start with this. Former USMT and MLS goalkeeper turned broadcaster Tony Meola suffered a heart attack Thursday but is expecting to make a full recovery, according to several reports. Insider Tom Bogert reported Friday that Meola is in good spirits and doctors have said he'll be okay. But meola, who turned 56 on Friday, shared this message. Go get frequent checkups. This is something you brought up earlier this morning, Matt. What do you have to say about.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, so for people of a certain age, Myron, when you think soccer in America, you think Tony Meola. When I was a kid, when they started the whole thing where you played soccer out in fields like, I think my generation was the first to have you soccer and Tony Meolo was the goalie, was the face. So when I saw this story, I thought to myself, wow, Tony Meola. There's a name from the past. There's a whole generation of people that when we learned soccer, we learned Tony Meola. So I hope he recovers fully. Good memory from my youth, Myron.

[Myron]

Yeah, yeah. Glad to see he's, he's recovering. Definitely a name you knew growing up as a youth soccer player. He was definitely the guy in the face.

[Matt Jones]

Do you remember the others from that you had Kobe Jones and Alexi Lawless.

[Myron]

What's the name yeah. Lexi Lawless.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Myron]

Was the guy whose name started with a K. Maybe.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. You don't know. But nevertheless, those were kind of the initial faces of American soccer. So hope Tony does well. What's next?

[James]

Yeah, this is something you brought up to me. I. I saw it on social media yesterday and I can't wait to. For you guys to listen to these two clips. The Outrunners and an AEW tag team.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, these are wrestlers, the Outrunners.

[James]

Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum are their names. Gave up. Gave up. Pep talk to Omaha men's basketball team ahead of their game event, South Dakota. Their speech inspired the Mavericks to beat the Coyotes 93 to 85. So here are two. There's two little.

[Matt Jones]

Let me give a little context here. These are wrestlers who, for whatever reason, and I don't know what it is, Myron. They were hired by the Omaha basketball team to give a pregame and a post game speech. Omaha ends up winning the game. They win the Summit League title. And now you will hear a little bit of their pregame speech and then what they did after. Go ahead. If you're anything like me, and I know I am. Oh, nice. You woke up this morning for one reason and one reason only.

[Myron]

What is it given to him?

[Matt Jones]

I'm gonna tell them you woke up to get the dub and to beat up some trash cans. Tonight. Yeah, that's right. Who the hell are we playing tonight? I'm looking at a bunch of guys from Omaha that I really enjoy. So tonight I won't rest until we beat the he double hell out of a few trash cans.

[Myron]

What do you say?

[Matt Jones]

So that was their pregame speech where he said, if you're anything like me, and I know I am, which is a great line. Then they win the game. All right, they win the game, and then they go in the locker room after the game, and here's what they said. Here we go, boys. What have I been saying since day one? In order to win, right, you gotta beat your opponent. You guys just show the world that nothing succeeds like success. What did we want when we got into the building today? Win. We wanted a win, but what else did we want to be?

[Myron]

Where is it?

[Matt Jones]

And now they all fall on the floor. Myon. And beat up the trash can. I don't. It is my favorite set of videos. These two guys, the Outrunners, I'm. I'm partial to them because they're from OVW, my wrestling company in Louisville, and they're in their 40s. They've succeeded and they helped bring home a Summit League title yesterday.

[Myron]

Myron, I love, man, I love the innovation. I love the idea. Like, how do you arrange that? That's my question. Like, how do you actually make that happen? The story behind that would be fun to know, man. I love that.

[Matt Jones]

I do love college basketball teams. Get some media attention. Bring in wrestlers to come and speak to your team. Nice shout out to Omaha. I'm pulling for you in March. Maybe my sleeper in the brackets. What's next? James. James.

[James]

Sorry, lots of stuff going on in here.

[Matt Jones]

Oklahoma, where's the show? Let's get that one, too.

[James]

Yeah, that's. It's, it's, it's a. It's about the show. Later on. Oklahoma guard Duke Miles made an aggressive move for loose ball against Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon and ended up slamming his face on the floor of the court, losing multiple teeth in the process. With roughly seven minutes left in the second half, Miles was going for the ball alongside Bulldogs guard Riley Coogel when he dove for possession and ended up smacking his face on the floor. Trainer soon rushed over to tend to him while an announcer can be heard saying, those are teeth they're picking up.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Did you see Myron, did you see this? The guy lost. I did see that on the floor. He came back and played, but they say three to four teeth out of his mouth. Would you have kept playing if you had lost three to four teeth?

[Myron]

It'd be hard. I mean, that. That'd be a lot of pain. The good news is because dental work is very expensive, they're going to take care of it, you know, so, I mean, at least he can get all that done and underneath his scholarship. But man, it looked like it hurt. But hey, kudos to him for playing that hard.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, listen, three to four teeth. I. There was a UK game a few years ago where a guy went up to dunk and he got one of his teeth stuck in the net and the net pulled it out. That seems like in a game.

[Myron]

Oh, no, it was awful. I couldn't. If I saw that, I couldn't take that.

[Matt Jones]

I couldn't take the one yesterday. And what's our last one?

[James]

One more. Reds all sharp All Star shortstop Ellie De La Cruz is not easy his way into spring training. That was made clear Saturday when the switch hitting De la Cruz went 2 for 2 in the Paris solo home run slugs from each side of the plate during the Red 6 to 3 victory over the Guardians.

[Myron]

Here we go.

[James]

We're ready to go. De La Cruz says left side Right side. It always feels good. The home run, Ellie De La Cruz.

[Matt Jones]

Yesterday, first two at bats of spring training. Left handed home run, right handed home run. I've been telling you about Ellie De La Cruz since he was in double A. Myron, are you ready for this year's mvp?

[Myron]

I'm not ready to hear you talk about it every day. Yeah, just, I mean, I guess he's Babe Ruth or something to you or whatever. I mean, it's cool to see spring training, but isn't everybody homer in spring training? Like, isn't that the whole thing?

[Matt Jones]

He went left handed and then right handed and hit a home run on the first pitch in both at bats. Come on, just get on board the daylight cruise train. You know you want to.

[Myron]

Well, the Red should get on the playoff train at some point, right? That's got to be the goal, you think, right?

[Matt Jones]

You need to be more excited. Ellie De La Cruz. Heard the news about Ellie De La Cruz. You should love him. Spurs will be without both their superstar and their head coach for the rest of the year. We'll talk about it next here on Sunday Morning.

[Myron]

Matt and Myron the podcast get the Angel REEF Special at McDonald's.

[Matt Jones]

Now let's break it down.

[Myron]

My favorite barbecue sauce, American cheese, crispy bacon, pickles, onions and a sesame seed bun, of course. And don't forget the fries and the drinks. Sound good?

[Matt Jones]

Ba da ba ba ba.

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[Matt Jones]

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[Myron]

Of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent.

[Matt Jones]

To $15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] you know, you know ACDC, Myron had two lead singers. One of them, One of them died and then they got a new lead. Very few bands have changed lead singers and still been able to persevere. Can you name any others that have have been very successful with two different lead singers? It's a rarity. The Temptations, is that right? I don't know.

[Myron]

Is that.

[Matt Jones]

There were two different temptations.

[Myron]

David Ruffin was the lead singer and then he had a falling out with the group. So at one point there were two Temptations. So at one point the group split and they had a legal battle.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, there were two Temptations.

[Myron]

There was a. There was a David Ruffin led Temptations and then there was a Temptations with Otis Williams and the other guys. So they would tour. But were they both Temptations while they were sort of.

[Matt Jones]

We're both Temptation. Okay, well, they were playing.

[Myron]

They were playing the same songs for a while and then eventually sorted out where like the Temptations got to keep.

[Matt Jones]

So the others I can think of. Van Halen was successful with David Lee Roth and with Vince Neil. Right. So I think that. I think you could say they were successful with both. I don't know, Mikey.

[Myron]

James, did the Beatles. The Beatles switch from George Harrison to Paul McCartney at some point, right?

[Matt Jones]

No, the Beatles early years.

[Myron]

I think in the early, early years.

[Matt Jones]

The Beatles were always the Beatles.

[Myron]

I know John, Paul, Jordan.

[Matt Jones]

There was no lead singer. They all said, look it up.

[Myron]

James, look up. In the early years. They were all in the Beatles in the early years. I think George Harrison was the lead singer and then Paul McCartney became that.

[Matt Jones]

They all sing, all of them, even Ringo.

[Myron]

I'm just look it up. He can look it up, man.

[Matt Jones]

Help me look what up.

[Myron]

Why you get so frustrated with me?

[Matt Jones]

Well, I just don't know what you're saying. Like the Beatles were a four. Pause. The lead singer. There's no lead singer in the Beatles.

[Myron]

People know Paul is the lead singer.

[Matt Jones]

No, John Lennon was to the extent there was a lead singer. He was the lead singer.

[James]

John. John Lennon sang, was. Was the lead singer on 109 Beatles songs. McCartney was lead singer on 98, George Harrison was lead singer on 39 and Ringo was lead singer on 14.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that's what. That's exactly. That's exactly what I would have guessed. There is no lead singer of the Beatles. Have you. Look, to be honest, have you ever listened to the beatles For Rio? Myron?

[Myron]

100, man. Yeah, yeah, I know.

[Matt Jones]

The lead singer, Paul McCartney. Right.

[Myron]

Look it up.

[Matt Jones]

Google it. He did look it up. Say espn. I can't think of can. Is there another one? Is there another band that switched lead singers besides AC dc, The Temptations and Van Halen? How about A Journey? Didn't they have Steve Perry? Yeah, but they're not. Well, but I mean, Steve Perry was the only one successful. Now they're like a cover band of themselves.

[Myron]

Oh, that was successful with two lead singers.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, there's a lot of that have had them, but that were successful. Did you say Van Halen? I'm Sorry, did you say Van Halen? Yeah. Are you all there? Are you listening in the studio? Like it's, it's, it's ac.

[Myron]

Everybody's here. We're just all trying to follow, you know, this. You, like, Matt will be like, are you all here? And then he'll go from, okay, what's going to happen with Joel Embiid to can you name the bands that had two lead singers and just expect everybody to keep up?

[Matt Jones]

Exactly right. That's what this show is to some extent. Now we'll. While we're thinking of other ones, if you have one, 772-774-5254 with two lead singers that worked. You can send us a text. When the spurs have in one week lost Victor Wimbiyama and Greg Popovich for the season. Victor Wimby, both serious issues. Victor women. Yama with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, which can be a very serious condition that Victor says he believes he will be able to play next year, but he is out for the rest of this year. And then Greg Popovich had a mild stroke, apparently had it in November, but is now spending the rest of the season recovering. League sources told Shams. How do I say his last name? Sharnia on Saturday. I've never heard anyone call him anything but Shams. This is for the Spurs. There are a couple games out of the wild card. I get it. Or the play in. I get the decision. But I guess I would ask you, do you think we see Popovich again and do you think that when be like, are you worried about this long term for Wimby?

[Myron]

Yeah. I mean, both serious situations, life altering situations. It sounds like Wimby, they caught it early enough to where he'll be back. He'll be okay. I mean, a lot of people don't understand, like why he can't play. It's not the condition, it's that he can't play on blood thinners. Like the NBA won't allow you to play on blood thinners.

[Matt Jones]

Is that right? I'm sorry. Yeah. So that's the issue. I didn't know that.

[Myron]

So that's the issue with why they're shutting him down. Obviously, Chris Bosh, blood clots changed his career. So that can be an issue for big man. Hopefully with Wimby, he's back and he's 100% pop. It sounds, you know, like this could be it. He's obviously been out most of the year. And then you hear information like this and it makes me wonder what his Future is if he ever returns. And that makes me sad because Pop has just been. If you've been an NBA fan For the last 20 plus years, Pop has been a constant. He's been the voice of reason in so many situations and just universally respected. So for him to be in this situation, it makes me sad more than anything to get that report.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, so I didn't know that about the blood thinner with. With Wimby. You know, I. That is a. Is an issue that I have in my family quite a bit. And there is, you know, it can be. It's a dangerous situation because it's not like an injury you can just point to, you know what I mean? Like, it's a, it's a, it's a condition you have that you often have for a long time. So I would guess just, just guessing. I didn't know the rule about no blood thinner in the NBA. So, you know, there are people who spend their whole lives. Byron. On blood thinner due to deep vein thrombosis. I guess that means he will have to at times not be on it and at times be on it. And, you know, I don't really know what that means exactly. There are players who have had that happen and then never came back. And then there are players like Brandon Ingram who had it and have come back and played and been fine. So I guess we don't really know Myron. But it does add a little uncertainty to a player that most people see as being the face of the league in the next year or so.

[Myron]

Yeah, especially as a big man. I mean, taller people are more vulnerable. Vulnerable to it, you know, and the recovery will be something that everyone will watch again. Chris Bosh is probably the name that everybody thinks of first. Chris Bosh never fully recovered from it after he was diagnosed. It changed his career, changed his life. So more than anything, you think about Wimby's health and you know, beyond the basketball. But for such a young guy, to your point, how do they manage it going forward? Does it become a reoccurring issue? And then how is that managed as a team? They got to figure out a lot with their future. Now it feels like it pops out.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, now they're tanking, right? Like now you're just trying to. You gotta, you got, you got a draft here where you could end up getting a pick that you could pair with Wimby. I mean, I feel like that's where they're headed, right?

[Myron]

Yeah, but the problem is you just traded for De'Aaron Fox, who I don't think De'Aaron Fox came to San Antonio tanking, you know, idea. So, I mean, they asked him the other day about kind of future De'Aaron Fox sounds like he's gonna compete because that's why he's here in San Antonio. So it puts him in an interesting position, man, because you don't want to win to the point where you hurt yourself in the draft, you also can't, like, tank legally in the NBA. So how they handle things in the weeks ahead I think will give us some insight on what their plan is.

[Matt Jones]

As far as Popovich, you mentioned what a part of the NBA he's been. I mean, let's just think about. Just think about the players he's coached, right? David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili. And now you're going to throw in Victor Wimbanyama one day. I mean, that's like. That's a big chunk of NBA history right there. Right. The success he's had. He's also seemed. Always seemed to me almost like the elder statesman of the NBA, the guy who sort of almost speaks for the league in some ways. So he. He'll be a huge loss if he doesn't come back. I hope he does. I wanted to see him get a run with Wimby and Fox to see what might happen, but obviously, his health is the most important.

[Myron]

Yeah, no, I mean, you could point to him in terms of just the evolution of the big man in NBA history. I mean, David Robinson was sort of a unique player, got that strong playing at that position. And then Tim Duncan comes in, and just the finesse and the skill set that we saw with him won championships with him. And then Wimby, you know, a guy who could change the position forever. My favorite Popovich story is with Shaq. And Shaq, early in his career, saw Greg Popovich. He's beaten his team, was beating the spurs. And he starts trash talking Pop. And, you know, he gets home, and his dad, who was a military guy, influential in Shaq's life, just goes at him, chews him out. And Shaq's like, why is my dad so mad? And he says, well, you know him as Pop the coach. But when you were in high school, he told Shaq, shaq at like, 15, 16, too poor to buy customized shoes. You know, he had like a size 18, 19, 20 foot or something like that. So somehow his dad connected with Greg Popovich, who sent Shaq shoes that he could wear in high school. So Shaq was wearing shoes Provided by Pops and didn't know it in high school, he. Because his dad never told him until that moment. You know what I mean? So, like, that's the kind of story you hear, man, that makes you, you know, just understand like who he was on and off the court.

[Matt Jones]

I messed up and I said David Lee Roth and Vince Neil. It's David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar. I don't know why I said Vince Neil. People are telling me other bands with two lead singers, Bad Company had success with two singers. Genesis had success with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. That's a good one. I didn't no Peter Gabriel was in Genesis. I knew Phil Collins. One person writes Matt, I usually want to defend Myron because I think you pick on him sometimes. But after hearing him talk about the Beatles, I now I'm not sure I can defend him again. He does not have eclectic music taste as much as I love him.

[Myron]

These are white people texting you though, right? So I think in the black community, my music, that's really all I'm worried about. I think I have a pretty eclectic, you know. So I mean, how do you know.

[Matt Jones]

These are not black people that are texting me? Black people could have texted the text machine. What do you mean?

[Myron]

White people? Probably. There's nothing against it.

[Matt Jones]

I'm just saying there are black people who text me. Don't act not mad about.

[Myron]

Ain't nobody black mad about the Beatles. Nobody black's mad about the Beatles. So I think we could all agree.

[Matt Jones]

We will talk about something else. Black people text me about hockey. That's next here on Sunday Morning with.

[Myron]

Matt, Matt and Myron. The podcast. It's winter and you can now get almost anything you need for the coldest months of the year delivered with Uber Eats.

[Matt Jones]

What do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a ski slope.

[Myron]

Delivered, but you can get dish soap delivered. Sunshine, that's a no. But a bottle of wine, that's a yes.

[Matt Jones]

A snow angel.

[Myron]

Sorry, no, but angel hair pasta. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol and select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See out for details. I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Hey, find a keto friendly restaurant nearby.

[Matt Jones]

And text it to Beth and Steve.

[Myron]

And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more.

[Matt Jones]

Squats anywhere I can.

[Myron]

1, 2, 3.

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[Matt Jones]

Credit.

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[Matt Jones]

Compatible with select apps. Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input. Check responses for accuracy. So this is one you thought after the break. New Edition had two different lead singers and worked it.

[Myron]

Did Bobby Brown left go solo. They brought in Johnny Gill down. New Edition had big success.

[Matt Jones]

One person writes, matt deserves or excuse me, Myron deserves top billing on this show. And a co host. That's not so hard to listen to. Well, Nobody likes you anyway. 228209. I'm not gonna read his whole number. But nobody like you could. That was mean. He said. He said nobody likes to listen to me. Myron. Yeah. You're supposed to take up for me there.

[Myron]

We don't do that. We don't do that. Name my four New Edition songs though.

[Matt Jones]

Candy Girl and then there's other ones that are really good. Okay, I know Bobby Brown songs. I don't know.

[Myron]

Oh, that's not New Edition though. That's solo.

[Matt Jones]

It's not.

[Myron]

No, he's solo.

[Matt Jones]

He prerogative.

[Myron]

That's not New Edition prerogative. But that's like that's him. That's not New Edition. It's like naming Michael Jackson songs and not Jackson 5.

[Matt Jones]

The new edition was a little before is a little before my time. That's like What? Not really 80s, mid-80s?

[Myron]

No. Yeah. Bit 80s into early 90s though. It was my time. So you're older than me. It was our time.

[Matt Jones]

No, you're older than me now. This week, this week was maybe the biggest week for hockey since like the 1980 Miracle on Ice game. I mean it really probably was the four nations championship game between us and Canada was the largest audience for a hockey game outside of the Olympics ever. I want you to think about that for a minute. Was the largest audience for a hockey game outside of the Olympics ever. Canada beat the USA 3 to 2. There were 10.4 million viewers at the peak. It got 9.3 million viewers. Just to give you a sense that's almost the same as the final round of the Masters last year. Only NFL, some college football playoff games, the NCAA tournament and like the Kentucky Derby, like that's all that beat that number. It was a number that's in line with NBA finals games and beat World Series games. It's pretty amazing. It was the largest audience for a non NFL game on ESPN plus in history. And it's like a made up event. Like it wasn't even a real thing. It's like the four nations, like they just created it for this. Myron are you surprised at how this thing took off and why do you think it did?

[Myron]

I mean, I'm surprised because it felt like it happened really fast, organically. I mean, I think there are a lot of factors involved, right. A, this was the best on best, which to have the best stars from both sides represent all these countries. I think that elevated everything. It's during All Star breaks. I mean, it's the only thing happening in NHL. I do think the Canada, United States, some things that are happening politically probably added some spice to it.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron]

And then I think the first matchup, when you had three fights in the first nine seconds, just elevated the attention on the rematch. So I think all of those factors came into play to make this an incredible event, man. And I think the NHL should take about. I hate. You know, we don't have to assign meaning to it. When I hear, like, Miracle on Ice, like, that was a whole nother thing. You know, Russia, United States. That was gigantic. There were movies made about this. But this was a fun All Star event with a big spotlight, and I hope they do it again.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I think you hit. I think there's like, five things that all came together. One, maybe most important, when they played in the first game, they fought three times in nine seconds. So I think that led to people. That was the entryway for people, right? They go, hey, did you see that hockey game where they fought three times in nine seconds? So that was the way a lot of people found out about then. I think you're right. The whole USA, Canada, Trump, 51st state thing, booing the national anthems, that added some, like, nationalism part that I do think tends to bring people into it who may not have cared otherwise, then it is a best on best, like you said. They also ended up, Myron, at a time where there kind of was nothing else going on. Right. It was right after the Super Bowl. The NBA All Star game was disappointing to people. The Daytona 500 is not what it once was. College basketball tends to be a Saturday night thing now. And so you ended up with this situation where their games were kind of there for the taking. Then you throw in the fact that it was uber exciting when they played, that it seemed to matter to people. And you get this moment where everything rallies to this perfect situation. And then to hockey's credit, it ends up being a great event. Like, the game is close. The. The overtime in the. In the third period was just wildly exciting, and I don't think you could have asked for it. Now there are people going, well, how do you recreate this, Myron? You can't. Like, if you, if you do this every year, it'll stop being special. But I do think it's a chance for people to discover that hockey can be fun to watch. Right. And that hockey can be something that matters. I think that the comparisons to the NBA are not fair for a variety of reasons that we could talk about, mainly the nationalism part of it. The NBA can't really do that, but I think it could not have worked out better for the sport of hockey.

[James]

No.

[Myron]

And I think you hit it, Matt. Like that's how we should talk about it. I thought the NBA comparisons weren't fair because it's just a completely different event. It's not like the NHL said, here's our traditional all star weekend and 10 million people tuned in. They did something that was almost like a mini Olympics. Right. That the NBA can't do. I don't know if another sport can do it. I don't think baseball can do it. NFL can't do it. I mean, NHL is unique because of all the countries that are represented. Because of the history of, you know, from juniors all the way up to the professionals. These guys are representing their country. So there are a lot of factors involved in there. But I thought for what it was, it was an incredible mid season event that set up the end of the season. I think more eyeballs will be on the NHL as a result.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, that's the next question is, do we think that'll happen? I'm a huge. I enjoy the NHL, but I enjoy my team. I enjoy the Carolina Hurricanes. I think hockey and baseball have become unique in the sense that they're sports that are popular on the local but not the national level. Which is really weird where people love their teams but don't really care about the other teams. And I don't know that that's. Do you think that'll ever change for either of those sports?

[Myron]

I think it. I mean, this helps. The best thing that happened to the NHL was the worst thing that happened to American fans. And that was Connor McDavid with the game winning goal. Right. Like, because he's already a superstar, but he's not a household name, you know, for casual fans. And I think that to me is what NHL needed, you know.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, they got some stars out of this. I mean, Connor McDavid gets a higher spotlight. How many people in America before this do you think knew who the Tkachuk brothers are? Now they do, right? Now they do. Auston Matthews is a guy that now might actually, actually be a name people have heard of, whereas they probably have it. Jacob Slavin, who, who was the defenseman who made all those stops, people may have heard of. Like that's good for Myron, that there might be some names that come out of this.

[Myron]

And I think that's the most important thing because outside of the NFL, every league is personality driven. Every single league, it's all about your stars. That dictates how people tune in. And I think this could shift the audience and make people go, okay, I want to know what the Chuck brothers do the rest of the way. I want to know what Connor McDavid does the rest of the way. So the NHL is going to try to capitalize.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I don't know if we're going to see a huge immediate thing with ratings. I think it's probably unlikely, but I do think people got reminded for a day that hockey can be fun to watch. Right. And I think you could see a scenario that when you get to the Stanley cup finals, more people tune in. I saw. I don't know if they're going to tune into regular season games, but I do think people got reminded. Hey, hockey is a fun watch. In the right situations, we will turn our attention back to the NBA, a league that didn't have a great all star weekend. That's next here on Sunday Morning with Matt Myron.

[Myron]

Matt and Myron the pod.

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