Golden Knights halfway to the Stanley Cup
The Golden Knights dominated the Florida Panthers to win Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final 7-2 for a commanding 2-0 series lead.
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1. Golden Knights halfway to the Stanley Cup
The Golden Knights dominated the Florida Panthers to win Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final 7-2 for a commanding 2-0 series lead, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Steve Carp.
Going into the Stanley Cup Final, I had a few reservations concerning the Vegas Golden Knights and their ability to beat the Florida Panthers and win the Stanley Cup.
I thought Florida’s forecheck would negate the Golden Knights’ speed and limit their transition game. I believed the Panthers had the edge in goal with Sergei Bobrovsky and I even believed destiny and the hockey gods were siding with the Cats, who have made the most improbable of runs in the NHL playoffs to get to this point.
Florida was the last team to qualify for the playoffs and needed some help to leap over Pittsburgh for the final spot in the Eastern Conference. Then they beat Boston, the Presidents’ Trophy winner, got by Toronto, then eliminated Carolina. In doing so, Paul Maurice’s team had played some exceptional hockey.
But after the Knights took care of business in Game 2 with a convincing 7-2 performance Monday at T-Mobile Arena and a 2-0 series lead in the Cup Final, I can honestly say I was wrong.
2. Kareem on LeBron: ‘He doesn’t have to prove anything’
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talked on Monday about LeBron James considering retirement. "It’s up to him. Certainly, he doesn’t have to prove anything." The Sporting Tribune’s Mark Medina has more on his conversation with “The Captain.”
Nearly three months after embracing LeBron James for breaking his league’s all-time scoring record, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar offered another olive branch to James on another important development surrounding his 20th NBA season.
After the Lakers’ post-season run ended with a four-game sweep to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, James told both ESPN and Bleacher Report that he will consider retirement.
“It’s up to him. Certainly, he doesn’t have to prove anything,” Abdul-Jabbar said on Monday. “It’s just what he wants to do at this point.”
Those around James expressed skepticism to The Sporting Tribune that he would ultimately retire. He has two years worth $97 million left on his contract. Although James has won four NBA titles with three different franchises in Miami (2012, 2013), Cleveland (2016) and the Lakers (2020), any additional titles would spark more favorable comparisons to Michael Jordan. And James has stated he hopes to play in the NBA with his son, Bronny, who just committed to play at USC next season.
3. Legislative insider gives A’s stadium in Vegas 50-50 chance
A veteran legislative insider tells The Sporting Tribune’s Norm Clarke that the A's stadium in Vegas has just a "50-50" chance of happening now. "It doesn't seem to be a priority."
There’s a 50-50 chance the Oakland A’s bid for a new home in Las Vegas goes into extra innings.
A special session seemed to be a growing likelihood Monday as the legislature enters the final day of the regular session. Passage would provide the A’s with a $380 million subsidy for their proposed 30,000-seat $1.5 billion ballpark with a retractable roof on Las Vegas Boulevard.
“I’d give it a 50-50. It doesn’t seem to be a priority,” a veteran legislative insider told The Sporting Tribune.
At a hearing last week, most of the opposition came from Battle Born Progress, Nevada State Educators Association (NSEA) and the Progressive Leadership Alliances of Nevada (PLAN).
The pushback, the source said, “is based on the idea that stadiums are bad bills for the public. Some of them called it ‘Billionaire welfare,’ some argue that the money should go to education, housing or other social services.
4. Leroux returns but Angel City falls to the Red Stars, 2-1
Sydney Leroux played her first game in 311 days, but Angel City lost, 2-1, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Kamran Nia.
For Angel City, at No. 10 in the NWSL standings and with no wins in the last five games (in all competitions), three points against the Chicago Red Stars could have gone a long way. However, Angel City’s comeback efforts fell short, losing 2-1 at home.
Forward Ava Cook scored two goals in the first 28 minutes, both from set pieces to give the Red Stars the early lead. Angel City rallied to pull one back 88 minutes into the game, but their efforts fell short.
Despite the loss, Angel City fans were cheering in the final moments because forward Sydney Leroux returned to the team. After being sidelined for 311 days due to an ankle injury, Leroux entered 75 minutes into the game to loud cheers from the crowd.
“Sydney, Sydney, Sydney,” they chanted.
5. Cronin looking to combine old and new school as next Ducks head coach
Greg Cronin’s vast coaching experience includes stops in New York, Toronto and Colorado. He will now lead the Anaheim Ducks, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Derek Lee.
With a lid sealed tighter than a new Monster energy drink, general manager Pat Verbeek made sure no one knew who the Ducks were hiring to be their next head coach until the introductory press conference was announced.
“I wanted to (tell people) when Pat and I agreed (to be the head coach),” said Greg Cronin, who became the 11th head coach in franchise history on Monday. “Pat locked it down, that’s why nobody heard. Guys were texting me, ‘I hear a rumor you’re going there’. I ghosted them.”
The press conference––which lasted about 30 minutes––highlighted Cronin’s vast experience at the coaching level, which includes stops in New York, Toronto and Colorado. The latest stop lasted five years and was spent as head coach of the Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate for the Colorado Avalanche.
6. Justin Herbert contract talks still ‘ongoing’; ready for 7-on-7 this week
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert keeps facing contract extension questions, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Fernando Ramirez.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will face contract extension questions until he signs his new deal.
He is next in line.
During the Chargers annual charity golf tournament on Monday, he and head coach Brandon Staley were asked about the negotiations. Staley called them "ongoing."
Herbert reiterated what he said during the NFL Draft that he has faith in the organization to get this done.
"They've done such a great job of taking care of us, and my message really hasn't changed," Herbert said. "It's been an honor to be a part of this team. It's great to come to events like this, and whatever happens, happens, and it's out of my control at this point."
7. Odds and Ends presented by Circa Sports
Here are some odds at Circa Sports if you’re thinking about placing a wager today:
8. Ticket Time presented by TickPick
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game today.
6:30 p.m. – Cubs at Angels – $6
6:40 p.m. – Mariners at Padres – $16
9. On the Air prdreresented by The D Las Vegas
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today.
4:00 p.m. – Dodgers at Reds – SportsNet LA
6:30 p.m. – Cubs at Angels – Bally Sports West
6:40 p.m. – Mariners at Padres – Bally Sports San Diego
7:00 p.m. – Sparks at Storm – CBS Sports Network
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi is joined by Brandon Deutsch and Ji Hae Wiley to talk about reports that Kyrie Irving is trying to recruit LeBron James to join him in Dallas. The crew also talks about Miami tying up the NBA Finals in Denver and if the Vegas Golden Knights can take a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers.
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.
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That’s it for today. Talk to you on tomorrow!