The NBA Conference finals are here! James, Matt and Kyle breakdown the Lakers/Nuggets and Celtics/Heat matchups. First, how much of a chance do we give the Nuggets to beat the Lakers?(9:00) And how unbeatable is LeBron in the Conference Finals?(14:00) Then, we look at the Eastern Conference finals - can Miami win the series the same way they did game 1?(21:25) What do the Celtics have to do win this series?(26:00) Lastly,the crew turns their attention to the NFL to address the biggest overreacti...
Sep 17, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 57
Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs was excellent. We go around the horn and talk about the best performers of the first round (1:00). Then, we give shine to the best players who didn't advance in the playoffs with our "All-Exit Team" (22:20). Finally, we get into NFL talk with the season right around the corner - things that will shock you this NFL season....but shouldn't (26:00).
Sep 04, 2020•47 min•Ep. 56
As the NBA, WNBA and players from the other U.S. sports leagues boycott their games to take a stand against social injustice, we take a brief moment to address the social climate in the country. We then get back to sports - as Luka Doncic is on a historic tear in these playoffs (7:00). Paul George bounces back in game 5, but can we expect him to stay at this level? (12:30) Next, we let our guy Kyle Syrek have his victory lap as Donovan Mitchell seems to emerging as a superstar in these playoffs ...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 55
The NBA Playoffs started on an unexpected note as both #1 seeds (Lakers & Bucks) lost the first game of their opening round matchups. We first go into how the magic were able to beat the Bucks without Aaron Gordon (3:30). Then...it's Dame Time - how Portland was able to get the best of the Lakers and if LeBron can rely on Anthony Davis at all in these playoffs (6:00). Finally, we take a shallow dive into the other intriguing first round matchups.
Aug 20, 2020•40 min•Ep. 53
The NBA season continues in the bubble and two Eastern Conference teams have caught our attention - the Pacers and the Raptors. James, Matt and Kyle detail why the Pacers shouldn't be too overlooked, besides Bubble MVP T.J. Warren (2:13). Then they took a look at the Raptors: Why Kyle Lowry deserves a lot of recognition (15:00) and how they've been able to be just as good, if not better, without Kawhi this year (18:00).
Aug 06, 2020•52 min•Ep. 53
As we near the restart of the NBA regular season. James, Jake and "Stat" Matt take a look at the 5 Western Conference play-in teams: First up, the Phoenix Suns. What are the chances the Suns make the playoffs? And if not, what is there upside for the future? The crew then breaks down who they think the top 4 starting lineups are for the NBA Bubble Teams.
Jul 27, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 52
James, Kyle and "Stat" Matt are hype about the NBA restart! They talk about the new look Philadelphia 76ers - How will Shake Milton improve the offense as the new point guard?(3:00) Is Ben Simmons better off at power forward?(7:00) They then take a look inside the NBA Bubble to talk about the most entertaining stories from Orlando so far (27:00).
Jul 17, 2020•52 min•Ep. 51
Houston Texans Linebacker Jake Martin stops by Straight Facts: - His reaction to the Deandre Hopkins trade - What's it like to be traded in the NFL - The reason why so many Temple football players make it to the NFL
Jul 16, 2020•52 min•Ep. 50
We get into our fourth rendition of Trivia Time (4:30). This time James wagers wearing a Cowboys jersey to a Philadelphia bar during a Cowboys vs Eagles game. Then, the gang plays "start/Bench/Cut" (23:50), focusing on All-NBA Point Guards, Drake's viral songs, and terrible sports owners!
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 49
The documentary "The Last Dance" has been everything sports fans could have imagined and more. It inspired an entire Michael Jordan themed episode this week. First. the crew answers an important question: Which Bull's 3-peat was better, '91-'93 or '96-'98?(2:30) After that we try and tackle the impossible and settle the age old debate of Michael Jordan vs LeBron James. We break this debate down into 5 categories: 1. Teammates they played with (13:28) 2. Competition played against (28:13) 3. Clut...
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 48
A lot of moves were made this offseason in the NFL. We name our top 5 improved NFL teams - the Broncos (17:00), the Bucs (20:00), the Cardinals (24:00), the Dolphins (27:00), the Ravens (31:00) - and which key pieces are taking them towards contention.
Jul 16, 2020•55 min•Ep. 47
As the virtual 2020 NFL Draft approaches we dive into what could be the most interesting draft in modern NFL history. The crew breaks down this year's wide receiver draft class: is this better than the historic '96 class?(1:15) How does Chase Young stack up against the previous Ohio State defensive ends before him?(10:42) And is Joe Burrow the best option for the Bengals - we'll let you know (18:00).
Jul 16, 2020•36 min•Ep. 46
On Lockdown Episode #3 and this time we host the owner of the famous NBA instagram account @nba.nation, Max Gordon. If every team in the NBA was fully healthy - who has the best squad?(5:30) Is LeBron still the best player in the world - if not, then who?(23:03) If you had to choose one PG - Allen Iverson or Steve Nash? (29:32)
Jul 16, 2020•36 min
It's Lockdown Episode #2 and this time we welcome on NBC Sports Philadelphia host, Danny Pommells to Straight Facts. Jake, James, and Danny first take a look at the shortened Sixers season - as it a disappointment?(5:15) We then shift to the Eagles' offseason moves and if Danny thinks the team got better...or worse (13:00). And lastly, what is your #QuarantineGame? (27:00)
Jul 16, 2020•36 min
College basketball wasn't the only collegiate sport that was affected by the outbreak of Coronavirus. Head Coach of Villanova Football, Mark Ferrante, joins the show and tells us how COVID-19 has affected his program and college football in general (1:00), how he would convince someone that Villanova is actually a football school (11:00), and how Villanova grads like Howie Long and Brian Westbrook are examples of how Villanova prepares its players for he next level (15:22).
Jul 16, 2020•35 min
Unfortunately, Coronavirus has forced a lot of sports to stop - not NFL Free Agency. Jake and James breakdown everything that happened (from a safe distance of course). We first give James a chance to react to his Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing Tom Brady (1:30). The two then take a look at the other QB signings around the league (20:00). Finally, Jake and James tell you why they think the Dolphins are now a team to look out for (45:00).
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 44
Although the MLB season has been suspended - we ae still excited for it! We detail the top 5 things to be on the lookout for this season (1:00). We then bring NBA Draft analyst and former NBA Agent Matt Babcock to help us breakdown top draft prospects (28:00), and try to wrap our heads around how to handle the sports world with the spreading of the Coronavirus.
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 43
Former Villanova basketball player and NCAA Champion Darryl "D.Rey" Reynolds stops by Straight Facts to talk Big East basketball. D. Rey tells us who he thinks will win the Big East Tournament (2:30). We then highlight one of the beasts of the Big East: Seton Hall and the stellar season they are having (7:00). We then address a hot topic, is Jay Wright leaving for the NBA? And if so, which team would be the best fit for him?(16:00) D. Rey stays with us for a fan favorite - Speaking Facts (29:00)...
Jul 16, 2020•57 min•Ep. 42
Oregon's Women's Basketball star Sabrina Ionescu became the first D1 basketball player to achieve 2,000 career points, 1,000 career assists, and 1,000 career rebounds (3:00). We compare her to other NCAA greats to see who truly is the greatest college basketball player of all-time (8:00). As the NFL Combine nears, we have a serious discussion - does the combine really matter?(20:00)
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 41
After one of the best All-Star Weekends in NBA history, the crew looks back on what happened in Chicago to see what this means going forward in the NBA. Do big men winning the Skills Competition mean small ball is coming to an end?(6:00) Why was CP3 in at the end of the All-Star game instead of Luka Doncic?(13:20) Should we get used to Giannis disappearing in the 4th quarter?(22:00) We then turn our attention to college basketball and look at the three mid-major schools in the top 25 - are these...
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 40
As the All-Star break approaches or the NBA, the crew dives into which teams they are most EXCITED for in the second half of the season (5:00). We then take a look at some teams in particular (The Raptors, Mavs, and Heat) to see if they're real contenders or not (18:00). - which then sparks a serious debate: is Andre Iguadola a Hall of Famer?(32:00) We then end the episode with James trying to avenge his loss to Jake in yet another trivia battle (38:00).
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 39
Jake, James and "Stat" Matt recap their most striking takeaways from Super Bowl 54 (5:26), break down the impending NBA Trade Deadline and who could benefit the most (16:43), and draft the NBA All-Star Starters (30:41). To close out, they check tape to see who was right and who was wrong about some of their takes (34:49).
Jul 16, 2020•55 min•Ep. 38
The Chiefs and 49ers are getting ready to square off in Super Bowl LIV in Miami and the crew breaks down what should be an intriguing match up. First, we look at the Niners success running the ball - can they repeat what they did against Green Bay?(2:00) Also, how can the 49ers pass rush affect this game?(10:50) We then flip to the Chiefs' side to discuss just how electric their offense has been (19:00) and how does this Super Bowl play into the legend of Andy Reid (24:00). We then all take a mo...
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 37
The vacant coaching jobs in the NFL are getting filled - and quickly. We go around the league and evaluate each head coaching hire. Will Mike McCarthy have success in Dallas?(3:00) How will Joe Judge and Jason Garrett fair in New York?(9:00) We then head to the NBA and debut the "Straight Facts Awards." Who/what has been the biggest surprise in the league (23:00), the "I'm definitely getting traded" award(33:00) and more! We then introduce a new segment "Jewel's Weekly Wrap-up" where our host Je...
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 36
The baseball world was rocked when it was found out that the Astros were caught stealing signs in their 2017 championship run. James, Jake and Jewel break down the details of the scandal (2:40) and put it into context - is this the worst cheating sandal in sports history?(11:33) We then turn our attention to the NFL as we gear up for the Conference Championship games (14:00). We wrap it up by dipping into our mailbag and seeing what the Straight Facts fans have to say (35:45).
Jul 16, 2020•54 min•Ep. 35
Jake, James and Matt dig into what to expect in the NFL's divisional round this weekend, as well as wha we learned from the Wild Card games last weekend (1:58). We also gauge the College National Championship Game and give our predictions (31:54) and to close out the show, we ask if Jerry West is Speaking Facts when he says Luka is better than Dirk (38:00)
Jul 16, 2020•54 min•Ep. 34
It's no secret the NFC East has been terrible as a whole this season...but is it the worst division in NFL History? We take a good look and answer that question (2:00). We then take a look at what is possibly in-store for the New Orleans Pelicans if Zion Williamson were to miss half the season as expected (20:15). Finally, we know Ben Simmons an Joel Embiid are good, but are they better separately than together?(28:00)
Jul 16, 2020•54 min•Ep. 33
It's Championship Week in college football. We take a close look at two teams - Utah and Oklahoma - who has the better chance of making the College Football Playoff? (1:36). We then transition to the NBA and discuss the hot start Luka Doncic is off to. Why doesn't he get the same criticism as Russell Westbrook?(20:44) Finally, once LeBron leaves, who is the next face of the NBA?
Jul 16, 2020•56 min•Ep. 32
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are more than putting the NFL on notice. Jake, James and Jewel detail exactly what makes them a Super Bowl contender (3:00). We then go through and touch on the most likely teams to make the Super Bowl out of the NFC (8:47). We wrap up the episode with some College Basketball; which conference is the best in the country?(21:00)
Jul 16, 2020•57 min•Ep. 31
LSU vs Alabama gave us what may have been the game of the year in College Football. We breakdown if Bama's playoff hopes are done or not (2:50). With the shaking of the CFP comes the shaking of the Heisman race as well, who is now the front runner for the award(10:00)? We then go to the pros to talk about the biggest games of the past week and what it means for the overall NFL landscape (18:00).
Jul 16, 2020•45 min•Ep. 30
