Le Batard & Friends Network Lebatard & Friends

The NBA and NHL are down to the final four teams. Jordan and Peter break down everything you need to know about the conference final match ups in both leagues. Then…is Women’s College Softball the next big breakout sport? Jayna Bardahl from the Athletic joins the guys to preview this year's Women’s College World Series.
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No, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are not a government psy-op. But Shaun Raviv from "Sports Explains the World" joins us to tell the story of a sports figure who actually was: The CIA sent Jay Mullen to Uganda, undercover, in the 1970s. His job was to spy on the Soviet Union. But when one of the most notorious dictators in world history made Mullen the head coach of the Ugandan national basketball team, a different mission presented itself. So did The Russian Hulk.
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Today’s word of the day is ’7 billion’ as in NBA as in ESPN as in Amazon as in NBC as TNT. Is TNT left out of the NBA game because it got a little too cocky? What does this mean for the players? What does this mean for the WNBA? (15:36) The NHL and NBA playoffs are going on right now. The Panthers took down the Rangers at MSG. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks held off the Timberwolves in the NBA. (29:45) Review: Parenthood. (33:45) Why is Hal Steinbrenner still talking!? The Yankees are winning! You don’t have to say the quiet part out loud! (42:18) NPPOD. (47:45) Private equity has come for college sports. College football is an expensive game. Lawsuits are an expensive game.
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Charlotte and Amin begin the show recapping what it was like to be in attendance for game one of the Eastern Conference Finals. From Tyrese Haliburton's circus shots, to Jaylen Brown's game-tying three with seconds left in regulation, to Jayson Tatum's clutch shots in OT, Charlotte was a glass case of emotion throughout the game. She also has strong words for Celtics fans who left the game early. Ahead of game one of the Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte and Amin discuss whether or not Anthony Edwards is the best player left in the playoffs. They also unveil how Edwards telling Charles Barkley "bring ya ass" made it all the way to the Minnesota governor's desk. Amin closes the show saying he thinks something is up with recent contract rumors about Jalen Brunson.  
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Today’s word of the day is ’Hader Rules’ as in Josh Hader as in rules to pitching as in the Brewers as in the Padres as in the Astros as in arbitration. What were the Hader Rules and could any other MLB player use them? (17:05) The Boston Celtics stole Game 1 vs the Pacers in OT. A thriller! (27:01) NPPOD. (31:28) Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. (35:31) Is the NFL finally entering the modern world? Is it time we finally retire the chain gang? Is it happening!? (43:45) Aaron Rodgers is back. So his quotes are back. (46:20) It’s NIL talk again. We have our first giant lawsuit. Yay!
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The Minnesota Timberwolves had a historic comeback to beat the Denver Nuggets, but Charlotte-Damus knew predicted this outcome weeks ago. Anthony Edwards is on his way to becoming the new face of the NBA, and Amin agrees the ascension is upon us as long as they keep winning. This is the 6th consecutive NBA Finals where a new champ will be crowned, but the question is, is that good for the NBA? The Knicks were running hot but collapsed in Game 7 in one of the unluckiest runs ever, and Amin thinks the fans may have brought that on themselves. Amin and Charlotte also preview the upcoming Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, along with the Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves. 
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