Tradition's Finest Episode 145.5 - The "Late-Life Jordan" Episode

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 145.5 - The "Late-Life Jordan" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "A Corporate Partnership:" The Ohio State University athletics department is entering a new corporate partnership with JPMorganChase that includes jersey patches for all 36 of the Buckeyes' teams and will yield nearly $17 million per year for the athletics program, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel last week — It is believed to be one of the biggest non-apparel corporate deals in college sports - - **NOTE: The yearly income generated by the worn jersey patches is financially greater than many NBA [i.e., a professional sports entity] jersey patch deals - as OSU's deal also includes NIL opportunities for athletes - - Uniform patches were approved in January by Division I leaders as a means to generate additional income to fund athletic departments that are looking for new ways to pay their players - - In addition to the logos already allowed for the uniform manufacturers, teams can place up to two patches of no more than four (4) square inches on uniforms for regular-season games - - The College Football Playoff has also been looking into how to incorporate additional sponsors (i.e., patches, etc.) for that sports' postseason, and now it seems that the CFP will reap the rewards, much as programs such as Ohio State will, as well. . .Q: What are your thoughts on OSU's corporate partnership with JPMorganChase that will ultimately yield an additional $17 million for the University's athletic department?. . ."Offensive Coordinator of the Game:" The University of Akron Athletics announced a new fan promotion, "Offensive Coordinator of the Game," giving one football season ticketholder the first-ever opportunity to help script the opening drive of the Zips' 2026 season opener at home — The selected fan will work directly with Zips head football coach Joe Moorhead to help design the offensive plays that open the game - a first-of-its-kind experience for the Akron program - - The winner will be selected in a random drawing held on August 19 - as the winning fan will then meet with Moorhead ahead of the season opener to help script the plays for the Zips' opening drive - - Applicants will also receive an extra chance to win with every new season ticket holder they refer. . .Q: If you satisfied the requirements and could enter this contest at Akron, what are you drawing up for the Zips' opening drive: Four (4) Verts? A Hail Mary? A Tush-Push?. . . - NBA - - "LeBron's Final [Surely. . .Most Likely. . .Quite Possibly] Decision:" LeBron James, after saying he seriously considered retirement from the NBA, is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced last Friday - - James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania - - In a series of posts on social media, James addressed his decision-making, writing that he initially thought he was done playing after the 2025-26 NBA season before taking time to decide on his future: "I was honest at the last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game," he wrote — After deciding "I still truly love this game, and I have more to give," James chose the 76ers, committing to a fourth NBA team as he searches for a fifth NBA championship before retirement - - James will hope to break a 43-year championship drought for the 76ers, much the same way he erased a 52-year streak without a title for the city of Cleveland when he led the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2016 — And, according to James, this will be his final free agency choice as he enters a record-breaking 24th season in the league: "This is my last decision. I'm not going for money. I'm not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?" James wrote on X. "I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time." - - Per multiple reports, the Sixers came at James from all angles: President of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who was a Cavaliers' executive during James' second stint in Cleveland, and competed against him when they were high school players in northeastern Ohio, and they remained in constant communication - as well as with Bron's agent, Rich Paul - behind the scenes, sources told ESPN - - Meanwhile, a trio of players - Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and the newly acquired Jaylen Brown, another surprising addition for Philadelphia this offseason - worked on James directly, sources informed ESPN - as that effort was led by Maxey, a fellow Klutch Sports Group client, who has referred to James as a "big brother" in the past - - Shortly after James' announcement was public, Brown posted "#throwtheballup" on X - which is also what he wrote in his introductory note to Philadelphia, and it has already been branded on billboards throughout the city - - Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro even proclaimed Friday [7/24] as LeBron James Day in the state - - James returns to an emergent Eastern Conference that includes two of his former teams that also heavily pursued the four-time MVP this time around: Donovan Mitchell & the Cavaliers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo & the Heat - - As for the Sixers, they went 45-37 last season and lost to the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks 4-0 in the second round of the playoffs -- **NOTE: It has been more than four (4) decades since the Philadelphia 76ers last won an NBA title (1983), and as a franchise, they only have two other conference finals appearances and one other NBA Finals appearance in that particular span: The furthest they have advanced into the postseason with All-Star C Joel Embiid is Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors in 2019, when Kawhi Leonard's fading-out-of-bounds, last-second shot bounced around the rim, prior to ending the Sixers' season in a devastating way - - Following James' announcement, the 76ers' odds moved from 20-1 to +900 to win the 2026 NBA Finals, and from +750 to +370 [essentially, that's an "even money" bet] to win the Eastern Conference at DraftKings Sportsbook - - James' decision puts an end to a free agency frenzy of speculation about his options over the past several weeks, one fueled in part by his agent, Rich Paul, going on a media tour to discuss James' prospects, notably drawing out a list of potential suitors on a whiteboard for an episode of his podcast - - All the hoopla muted the fallout of James' departure from the Los Angeles Lakers after an eight-year run with the NBA franchise - which included the 2020 championship in the bubble, and was his longest consecutive tenure with any team throughout his 23-year NBA career -- James' departure from the Lakers ended the historic pairing in which he got to play alongside his son, Bronny - as Paul, who represents both players - attempted to halt the speculation surrounding Bronny's next steps in the league, by telling ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that "[LeBron and Bronny] are not a package deal," and furthermore, there is no current plan in place and/or request for Bronny James to join his father in the "City of Brotherly Love." . . .Q: On a scale from 1 to 10, how shocked were you to learn that LeBron James had announced that he was joining the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8-million deal? Following an impressive NBA offseason that included the acquisition of former Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, and now LeBron James from Los Angeles, where do the 76ers fall in next year's Eastern Conference race next season? The 2026 NBA Finals? Should Philly be considered "legitimate" NBA title contenders?. . . - NFL - - Zay Flowers has quickly established himself as the most decorated WR in Baltimore Ravens history, and now, he's the highest-paid WR in franchise history, too: Flowers agreed on a four-year extension with the Ravens on Tuesday, the team announced — The deal for the two-time Pro Bowler is for $140 million and includes $108 million fully guaranteed - both of which are records for a Ravens WR - per his agency, Win Sports Group, who informed ESPN's Adam Schefter - - **NOTE: The average of $35 million annually ties him with Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson as the NFL's fourth-highest paid WR, meanwhile, he becomes the second-highest paid player on the Ravens roster behind QB Lamar Jackson - - The contract extension had been expected after GM Eric DeCosta expressed optimism this offseason that a deal would get done - as Flowers, who was not made available to the media on Tuesday, said in June that he would love to finish his career in Baltimore - - Flowers, who will turn 26 next month, solidified himself as Jackson's most trusted target last season: his 1,211 yards receiving accounted for 36.9% of the Ravens' total receiving yards on the season, which was the second highest share by any player in 2025 behind Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (44.1%) - - **NOTE: In 2024, Flowers become the Ravens' first player to make the Pro Bowl as a WR in the franchise's 29-year history - - He again reached the Pro Bowl last season, when he set career highs with 86 catches for 1,211 yards - as no other Baltimore WR had more than 25 catches or 400 yards in 2025 - - Previously under contract through 2027, now with the contract extension, Flowers is under contract through 2031 - - The No.22 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Boston College, Flowers overcame the knocks on his 5-foot-9, 183-pound frame by totaling 3,128 yards in his first three (3) seasons, which ranks third among WRs from the 2023 Draft, trailing the Rams' Puka Nacua (4,191) and Smith-Njigba (3,551). . .Q: The main question here is. . .Is Zay Flowers' value to the Baltimore Ravens necessarily worth $140 million w/ $108 million guaranteed?. . ."Diggs to WSH?:" Free agent WR Stefon Diggs is set to sign a one-year deal worth up to $12 million with the Washington Commanders, giving the team a proven WR opposite Terry McLaurin, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter - - Diggs strengthens a WR group whose depth had improved from 2025 but was still facing questions at the top, aside from McLaurin - - Diggs, 32, will be joining a new team for the third time in three (3) seasons - as he gives Washington a stronger second option alongside McLaurin, whose string of five (5) consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons was snapped last year due to injury - - Diggs has been voted to the Pro Bowl four (4) times - the last one occurring three (3) years ago, and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2020 when he led the NFL with 127 receptions. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of Stefon Diggs in Washington?. . . - MLB: Trade Deadline - - The Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday added former All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league right-hander Carlos Duran — Bubic is on the 60-day injured list with shoulder and elbow issues, but the Royals had expected him to return in late August, which would put him in line to pitch out of the bullpen for Los Angeles during the start of the MLB playoffs - - He was an All-Star last season, when he went 8-7 with a 2.55 ERA in 20 starts - as he is 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA in nine (9) starts this season - - **NOTE: In seven (7) MLB seasons, all with the Royals, he is 22-38 with a 4.14 ERA and 495 strikeouts in 522 innings - as the 28-year-old lefty, who has been on the IL since May 18, will be a free agent after this season - - Duran, on the other hand, is 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City - - Los Angeles also traded for a pair of catchers in Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia while placing regular starter Dalton Rushing on the injured list, as the Dodgers got Rortvedt for the second year in a row, this time from the New York Mets for right-hander Chayce McDermott — The Dodgers also acquired Feduccia and right-hander Jacob Kmatz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for OF Jack Suwinski and international bonus pool money. . . .The Boston Red Sox acquired three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, one of three (3) moves the MLB's hottest team made ahead of the MLB trade deadline on Monday — Rutschman, currently on the IL with left wrist inflammation, gives the Red Sox a big bat at a position in need at catcher - but it came at a cost: Top right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson was part of the return for the Orioles, along with OF prospect Enddy Azocar and another young right-hander in Kyson Witherspoon - - The Orioles will also receive catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later or cash considerations, while catcher Jake Rogers is also headed to the Red Sox - - Rutschman, who earned his third All-Star nod with the Orioles this season, provides elite defense and has regained his old form at the plate; however, he became expendable in Baltimore when the Orioles signed young slugger Samuel Basallo to a long-term deal prior to this season - - **NOTE: A former No.1 draft pick, Rutschman, 28, is under team control through the 2027 season - and given the rigors of the catching position - this switch-hitter is good at almost everything in the batter's box, with his expected on-base average at the All-Star break being the second-best rate of his career behind only his 5.5-WAR season in 2023 - - The con?: He has been on the injured list three (3) times this season: once with left ankle inflammation (April), after suffering a concussion (June), and with wrist inflammation (July) - - Nonetheless, Rutschman is hitting .251 with eight (8) HRs and 47 RBIs this season - and overall, in his five (5) season in the majors - all spent with Baltimore - he has a career .254 average with 69 HRs and 277 RBIs. . .The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants in a trade that has the second baseman joining his fifth team in five (5) years - - The Phillies also received right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian in the trade, while the Giants acquired two minor leaguers: top pitching prospect Ramon Marquez and reliever Marty Gair - - Arraez, who is slated to become a free agent following this season, returned to second base with the Giants - and his defense at the position is among the best in the league - but he also has experience at first base, having played there for the San Diego Padres in 2024 and 2025 - but he has made it very clear that he doesn't want to move from second base - - Multiple outlets reported Monday that the Phillies plan to use Arraez as their primary second baseman, meaning multiple other everyday players would potentially have to change positions - Bryston Stott, Philadelphia's current regular second baseman, could shift to third base in a move that could sent Alec Bohm to first base and Bryce Harper to the outfield - - **NOTE: Arraez is having his best offensive season since 2023, hitting .324, which places him at the top of the National League and in second place in the majors behind the Astros' Yordan Alvarez (.330) - with four (4) HRs and 43 RBIs - and though he doesn't bring much over-the-fence power or many walks, nobody is better at putting the ball in play than the four-time All-Star, who will likely lead the MLB with the lowest strikeout rate in the majors for a fifth consecutive season - - He was traded from the Miami Marlins to San Diego back in 2024 - as he won his third straight batting title, with three (3) different teams, by hitting .314 that season - as he left as a free agent after the 2025 season and signed with San Francisco on Feb. 10 of last year. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the MLB trade involving three-time batting champion Luis Arraez between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants?. . .The New York Yankees acquired infielder Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals in exchange for four (4) right-handed pitchers, the teams announced on Sunday — In return, the Nationals received Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, Ben Grable and Jack Cebert in the deal - - Garcia, who is under club control through next season, gives the Yankees' scuffling offense a much-needed jolt as it navigates August without Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton — **NOTE: The 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic leads the National League (NL) in slugging percentage (.560) and is batting .283 with a career-high 23 HRs, an .873 OPS and 134 wRC+ in 104 games played this season - - Garcia, who also has a career-high 76 RBIs, is however, not a seamless fit on the Yankees' roster as it is currently constructed: While the Yankees have sought a right-handed hitter on the trade market, Garcia bats left-handed — Defensively, he primarily played second base over his first six (6) seasons before moving to first base this year, meanwhile, the Yankees have Ben Rice & Paul Goldschmidt - a potential Hall of Famer - splitting time between first base and designated hitter, whereas Jazz Chisholm Jr., a two-time MLB All-Star, is entrenched at second base — So, what should the Yankees do?: It's actually quite simple. . . . .The Yankees could have Garcia start against right-handed pitchers either at first base or DH, with Ben Rice occupying the other spot, until Stanton returns from the IL - - Garcia's breakout - as his 18 HRs since June 1 are second in the majors behind Hunter Goodman - helped a Washington offense that has scored the most runs in baseball, fueling a significant step forward in the standings after a 96-loss season in 2025 - but the Nationals, whose staff ERA is 27th in baseball, signaled a willingness to flip major league position players for pitching help last week when they traded third baseman Curtis Mead, whom they acquired from the Chicago White Sox in March after he was designated for assignment, to the Boston Red Sox for left-hander Connelly Early - - **NOTE: By acquiring Luis Garcia Jr. from the Nationals, the New York Yankees now have the second- and third-ranked players in slugging percentage in the MLB this season. . .Q: What overall grade would you give this particular MLB trade between the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees?. . ."A Sku[bal] to the MLB:" For as much as they might have downplayed the possibility behind closed doors, the Los Angeles Dodgers were long seen by rival executives as overwhelming favorites to land generational ace Tarik Skubal - as their farm system was too good, their goals were too lofty, their rotation had become too uncertain — On Saturday night, a day & a half before the MLB trade deadline, they pulled it off: The Dodgers acquired Skubal, the reigning back-to-back American League (AL) Cy Young Award winner, from the Detroit Tigers for a package of three (3) prospects: OF Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan & Brady Smith - - Skubal, a 29-year-old pending free agent, will now headline what was arguably already the best pitching rotation in the sport; Alongside him will be the following pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is making a strong case for a Cy Young of his own, followed by Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow - all of whom are in varying stages of returning to the mound from injury - - **UPDATE: Tarik Skubal didn't have his best stuff in his Los Angeles Dodgers debut on Tuesday evening, but he managed to keep his team in the game, but unfortunately, the Dodgers provided little run support as they dropped their fifth consecutive game and second straight to the Chicago Cubs, in a 5-1 loss. . . 2026 College Football Season Preview & Predictions: Week #3: The Big Ten Conference: In this week's 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer break down & analyze the Big Ten Conference for the upcoming 2026-27 College Football season, as well as provide their independent/individual predictions regarding a potential "dark horse" contender in the Conference and which member they predict to win the 2026-27 Big Ten Conference title/championship, and ultimately receive an automatic berth to this year's College Football Playoff. . .             Thanks for Listening!