Triple Zeros Sports Podcast

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is slated to start in Week 11 versus the Detroit Lions so the comments of the day after practice are key. Elsewhere in the NFL, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is out for the season with a shoulder injury. If only they still had Josh Dobbs.

On the NBA side, Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls are both open to exploring a trade this season. And Philadelphia 76ers F Kelly Oubre's harrowing tale is under scrutiny.

Plus more!

After recapping the Chicago Bears week of practice and hearing from running back D'Onta Foreman, we take a spin around the NFL as the Kansas City Chiefs are under the microscope, Joshua Dobbs made waves with the Minnesota Vikings, and Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith had choice words about his old team.

On the NBA side, the league is discussing some interesting changes to the draft, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James makes a legitimate complaint, and the Phoenix Suns possibly landing another former All-Star.

Plus more!

Reacting to a wild NFL trade deadline that saw the Chicago Bears land Montez Sweat while their division rival, the Detroit Lions, added to their wide receiver corps. Who were the winners and losers at the deadline? And, Week 9 picks!

On the NBA side, reacting to the James Harden Saga finally concluding, with the mercurial star landing with the Los Angeles Clippers.

+ More

The Bulls, Hawks, and Lakers all lost their season openers -- what does that mean for their season outlooks? Then, Victor Wembenyama posts historic stat line, Wizards a beautiful car wreck, and more!

On the NFL side, hear from Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on their Week 8 matchup vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, and we go over some trade rumors with the deadline just days away.

After a brief introduction to new Chicago Bears quarterback Trace McSorley featuring audio from after today's practice, take a quick spin around the league in search of a juggernaut.

The Kansas City Chiefs re-united with Mecole Hardman via trade. Is that enough? Injuries continue to be a thorn for the Las Angeles Rams and the NFL's trade deadline is fast approaching.

On the NBA side, the Eastern Conference is a race to the No. 3 seed. But the Western Conference has two teams that could finish anywhere when all is said and done.

The Chicago Bears got a big win in Week 5 and are looking forward to Week 6. Take a listen inside the locker room and hear from new wide receiver Collin Johnson and safety Elijah Hicks. Also, recapping a lengthy injury report.

Then, Kanas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce finds himself mired in a "war" with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

On the NBA side, the preseason is rolling so we recap the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers' games so far and take a quick look forward to the regular season.

Edwin "E-Dub" Powell of the "Hawksbeat Podcast" joins the show to preview the Atlanta Hawks 2023-24 season.

We look back at an eventful offseason, make predictions for the campaign, weigh in on the John Collins trade, take stock of the current roster, and offer our biggest sources of excitement and concern!

Follow E-Dub on X at @HawksBeat and be sure to check out the "Hawksbeat Podcast"!

Josh shakes the rust off with a mea culpa for Nikola Jokic and the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets as they get set to face Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. That leads to deep thought about the current state of the Chicago Bulls after a quick look-ahead for the Boston Celtics' budding duo and Los Angeles Lakers' aging stars. Then, a quick trip around the NBA with hits on the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and coaching carousel (pre-Monty Williams to the Detroit Pistons.

Things switch gears to the NFL as OTAs kick off around the league as we check in on the Chicago Bears who have made no secret about their plans for the roster ahead of a season full of expectations. A surface-level attempt at picking a surprise team for the NFC (other than the Bears) reveals disdain for one division in particular.

A quick recap of the NFL Draft -- reviewing the Bears' class, likes/dislikes from around the league -- and then taking a spin around the NBA Playoffs after looking at what the Bulls, Hawks, and Nets are all facing this offseason.

Returning from the long layoff to get into the slew of roster moves by the Chicago Bears this offseason and what more is to come, the Chicago Bulls resurgence and Parick Beverley's real impact, plus all of the latest around the NBA (the MVP race), NFL (Jets-Packers standoff)!

Happy to welcome Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) of NBC Sports Chicago and the "Bulls Talk Podcast" to the show! Rob shared his thoughts on the Bulls' surprising season-opening win on the road over the Miami Heat led by DeMar DeRozan's 37-point effort. He also shared his thoughts on the suddenly murky health status of Zach LaVine, the emergence of Ayo Dosunmu, and the quality additions of Goran Dragic and Andre Drummond. All of that and much more!

Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@JoshGBuck, @3ZerosPod, @ClockerSports), and check out ClockerSports.com today!

Happy to welcome Ryan Taylor (@rytay_), Digital Content Producer for NBC Sports Chicago, to Triple Zeros! Ryan joins us to discuss the Chicago Bulls on the heels of a very revealing and eventful Media Day and the first day of training camp. We talk about the impact of Lonzo Ball’s surgery and absence as well as the effect the entire situation appears to be having on him. Ryan later shares who he expects to start in Ball’s absence – and who he would start – after Billy Donovan hinted at a training camp battle

Then, we shift towards how the offense is expected to look after Patrick Williams alluded to major changes this season. Could we see him unlock a new level of playmaking alongside the Bulls’ Big 3? Ryan also gives his assessment of the Arturas Karnisovas-led front office and their approach leading up to and including this offseason. Will their decision to “run it back” pay off? All of that and much more on this episode of Triple Zeros!

Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@JoshGBuck, @3ZerosPod, @ClockerSports), and check out ClockerSports.com today!

Happy to welcome Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago to the show to talk all things Chicago Bears. Training camp and the preseason are now over and Week 1 of the regular season is right around the corner. Alex shared his thoughts on the differences between the new coaching staff led by Matt Eberflus and the old one led by Matt Nagy. He also spoke on the state of the wide receiving corps beyond third-year man Darnell Mooney and what to make of the chatter about Teven Jenkins getting traded while he’s manned the starting right guard position.

Things switch over to the defense as Alex gets honest about his expectations from the Bears' pass rush. Will Trevis Gipson take another step? Can Robert Quinn turn in another signature season? What about the secondary with two rookies at cornerback (Kyler Gordon) and safety (Jaquan Brisker)?

Triple Zeros returns with a slew of updates from the Chicago Bears training camp. We’ll go over who the standouts have been, how the team has looked, and what to expect this coming season. We also recap the preseason opener – a 19-14 Bears comeback victory – and get into how much we’ll see of the starters the rest of the summer. 

Then, things switch to the Chicago Bulls whose offseason has gone from boring to action-packed. Their stars and young guys have all made been making headlines for all of the right reasons including showing out in pro-ams and training together. But there are some rumors that force us to ask the tough questions about the head coach. 

All of that and more from around the NBA and NFL!  

Kenneth Davis of The Under Center Podcast and WARR Media joins Triple Zeros to talk about his journey and, of course, the Chicago Bears. We go over what to make of wide receiver David Moore’s arrest while making a run for the border. Also, are general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus completely sold on quarterback Justin Fields? If so, have they done enough to support him? We also touch on why fans should continue to trust, not rush, the process and so much more.

Be sure to follow Kenneth on Twitter @ThatsDavis and keep up with all of the great work that he and the rest of the crew do for NBC Sports Chicago on the Under Center podcast and all of the great content being created over at WARR Media.

Dropping in to do an extremely late draft review and trying to catch up on all of the happenings in NBA free agency. Favorite pick is easy: Paolo Banchero going No. 1 overall. But also, which team had the best draft? Who had the worst? The Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls went in surprising directions. Were they the right ones? 

The news of the day was Kevin Durant requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets just one day after teammate Kyrie Irving opted into the final year of his deal. Can either of the Bulls or Hawks land the 12-time All-Star? Atlanta already made the blockbuster of the offseason (so far) acquiring Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. Will the Bulls get in on the action? The New York Knicks made quick work of Jalen Brunson's free agency despite reports he would take other meetings. All of that and free agency has not even officially begun!

It was a pleasure to welcome NBA writer, Jack Simone to the show! We covered his unique journey into the world of sports journalism and just how he finds time to cover all of the beats that he does. He gave his take on the Boston Celtics' loss in the NBA Finals, what happened to star forward Jayson Tatum, and on the job Boston's Ime Udoka did as a rookie head coach. How did the Golden State Warriors' experience impact the Celtics and, ultimately the series? Also, Jack sends a strong message on Marcus Smart's ideal role on the team going forward.

Then, we get into the Hornets hiring Kenny Atkinson to be their head coach only to have him back out days later. How big of a surprise was it and in what direction will they go now? Also, what draft prospects make the most sense for the Hornets in Thursday's draft? Could they make a move for a young upside player to fill a big need?

Lastly, what does Jack make of all the rumors surrounding the Bulls? Hear what he thinks of that and what Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert would have if the Bulls traded for him this summer. Plus, what should they do with youngsters Patrick Williams and Coby White?

Follow Jack on Twitter (@JackSimoneNBA) and read his work for Heavy, Celtics Blog, At the Hive, and Enjoy Basketball. Also, check him out on the "From the Rafters" podcast.

A tip of the cap to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. That makes four titles in the last eight seasons and seven overall. That and his first Finals MVP should put the legacy talk to bed. Klay Thompson ethered Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. for something that happened during the regular season. Jayson Tatum may be the Boston Celtics' best player. But he is far from the Kobe Byant replica he fancied himself to be. The latest Chicago Bulls rumor finally brings some positive news while Atlanta Hawks management is pumping the breaks on rumors of sweeping changes. How will Christian Wood getting traded from the Houston Rockets to the Dallas Mavericks impact the trade market this summer? Apparently, nobody wants to pick after the first three selections in the June 23 NBA Draft.

On the NFL side, second-year quarterback Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears wrapped an up-and-down mandatory three-day minicamp. Will the front office do more to surround him with weapons? They could always try to flip disgruntled EDGE Robert Quinn for a pass-catcher. The Bears joined the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Washington Football Team in being fined for excessive hitting in offseason workouts. Chicago (this offseason) and Dallas (next offseason) both lost practices. The New Orleans Saints revealed their new alternate helmets. New York Jets rookie and 10th-overall pick, Garrett Wilson, got a reality check during his appearance on Ryan Clark's "The Pivot". Deshaun Watson's camp is anticipating severe punishment from the league as the result of his 24 lawsuits for sexual misconduct.

Triple Zeros is happy to welcome Pat Benson Jr. of Sports Illustrated's All Hawks to the show. We get into everything from his journey to journalism, his love for sneakers leading to his authoring a book about a basketball icon, and how personal tragedy played a part. All of that before we even got to the Hawks who appear set for an active offseason. Hear what Pat thinks of the season that was, some of the trade rumors buzzing around the Hawks, and what to make of recent injury revelations. 

This episode of Triple Zeros kicks off by updating the latest buzz around the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. The Rudy Gobert rumors took a big blow with a report of the core expected to be back including Nikola Vucevic. But we did get an interesting nugget about their free agency plans. The Hawks have been linked to Utah Jazz center as well as Detroit Pistons forward, Jerami Grant. Will they move John Collins? Will Bogdan Bogdanovic's knee hold up after another surgery? Zooming out, Stephen Curry put on a Herculean performance in Game 4. But he needs his co-stars to start co-starring going forward. Where will the next Boston Celtics or Golden State Warriors come from? Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns are negotiating in public. And if Phil Knight's money is not good enough, who's is?

On the NFL side, Chicago Bears quarterback, Justin Fields, has both impressed and struggled in camp. While that is expected, the team should do this one thing to help him out this season. Former Bears and new Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman, Akiem Hicks, took a shot at the quarterback history in Chicago. Man, was he spot on. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp just secured the bag this offseason. Cleveland Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson, is facing yet another allegation. That makes 24 now. Lamar Jackson's contract situation has devolved into a one-sided PR battle. Wal-Mart's money is better than Nike's apparently.

Drew Stevens (@LookWhatDrewDid) of Bulls On Tap and WARR Media joined the show to talk about all of the rumors surrounding the team. We get into Zach LaVine's free agency, what to do with Coby White and Nikola Vucevic, and whether or not the Bulls should go after Utah Jazz center, Rudy Gobert. Plus, hear what Drew would do if he had full control of the team this offseason including who he would target in free agency to help round out this roster.

Then, things zoom out to the playoffs as a whole. Drew talks about what surprised him the most this postseason. Hint: it was in the first round, but it was not the Bulls. We also talk about expectations for the NBA Finals ahead of Game 3 between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. Can Boston take advantage of homecourt to bounce back? Be sure to follow Drew on Twitter and read his work at Bulls On Tap and WARR Media.

The NBA Finals start on Thursday, who ya got? While Golden State has the experience, Boston matches up well. And you can never underestimate youthful exuberance. The Chicago Bulls will have some work to do if Zach LaVine leaves. They also have to get Lonzo Ball healthy. A similar story is brewing with the Atlanta Hawks who are ready for wholesale changes in search of a second star, possibly even LaVine. LeBron James became the first active player to reach billionaire (with a “b”) status.

On the NFL side, the Chicago Bears have a couple of routes they can take to help fill out their wide receiver room. If they do it right, they might be able to do enough to sneak into the playoffs this season. Kyler Murray showing up to camp means one of two things. Either he knows he has a new deal coming or he will soon experience a vague injury until he gets what he wants. All that and more!

Taking stock of the NBA Conference Finals, Jimmy Butler delivered on his promise. The Miami Heat took care of business in Game 3 versus Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. Bam Adebayo and Jaylen Brown both had stellar performances on the evening. In the Western Conference Finals, the Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors just keep coming at Luka Docic and the Dallas Mavericks. Zach LaVine's future is becoming more of a debate than is comfortable. But are we just overreacting to the typical process of a first-time free agent?

On the NFL side, the Chicago Bears are starting to push back on narratives. Second-year quarterback Justin Fields came out in defense of his receiving corp. Will they catch some teams by surprise next season? Also, look for Robert Quinn to be a hot ticket item around the trade deadline. The Cleveland Browns took one option off of the board re-signing Jadeveon Clowney. The league also seems to be turning against Washington Commanders owner, Daniel Snyder. But will something actually be done, or is this just more posturing?

This episode of Triple Zeros starts off picking winners for the two Game 7s taking place on Sunday. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo and the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks advance on the road against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics? Then, can the Dallas Mavericks pull off the upset against last year's NBA Finals runner-up in the Chris Paul-led Phoenix Suns? Secretly, there are a couple of Finals matchups that would be more intriguing than others both for basketball and marketing reasons.  Chicago Bulls free agent Zach LaVine's name came up in discussion of yet another team ahead of free agency. Draymond Green had something to say to Kendrick Perkins after the Golden State Warriors knocked off the Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies.

On the NFL side, the Chicago Bears are going with a strength-in-numbers approach at wide receiver. But there is still upside among the unheralded group led by Darnell Mooney. Former 16-year veteran running back, Frank Gore, celebrated his 39th birthday with a knockout in his professional boxing debut. A hearing to determine whether Jon Gruden vs Roger Goddell will be heard by an arbitrator or in a trial has a date set. New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston spoke about what his return to football means to him.

This episode of Triple Zeros starts off marveling at the Milwaukee Bucks' comeback win over the Boston Celtics before checking in on the other four playoff series. Joel Embiid has a point about narratives affecting voting. Did he actually benefit from the media push more than Nikola Jokic? Free-agent guard Zach LaVine has gone from a lock to return to possible flight risk. But the grass is not necessarily greener elsewhere after the season the Chicago Bulls put together. The Atlanta Hawks are heavy in trade rumors with everyone but Trae Young on the table after a disappointing finish to the season. As Lakers' ownership draws lines in the sand, could we see Kyrie Irving make his way to Los Angeles this summer?

On the NFL side, the Chicago Bears have not gotten the benefit of the doubt. That is what happens when your organization has gone through decades of futility. Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said he would not go out of his way to mentor rookie Malik Willis. It is his right to be a poor teammate and will ultimately be his downfall. The Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens should do whatever it takes to ensure Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson are with them, respectively, for a very long time.

This episode of Triple Zeros kicks off with some NFL Draft discussion as the Chicago Bears made some interesting choices with their Day 2 and 3 picks. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Mitchell Trubisky found themselves as clear losers despite both being veterans and former high draft picks themselves. A.J. Brown and Hollywood Brown both find themselves in better situations after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals, respectively. What does it mean for their old teams? New Minnesota Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah got flamed after his trade with the Detroit Lions netted less than expected.

On the NBA side, wrapping up the first round of the playoffs. What is next for the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks after varying levels of disappointment in their first-round matchups? The Utah Jazz appear headed for a Rudy Gobert-Donovan Mitchell break up while the Minnesota Timberwolves need Karl-Anthony Towns to put up or shut up. Nikola Jokic needs Jamal Murray back from a rehab process the guard has admitted has been mentally challenging. The Toronto Raptors have a brighter future than the Brooklyn Nets. Plus picks for the second round!

This episode of Triple Zeros starts off talking about Zach LaVine's Chicago Bulls and how their season has been a success regardless of what happens in the playoffs. Then we move on to Trae Young's Atlanta Hawks who are still battling for positioning in the Play-In Tournament on the final day of the regular season. Joel Embiid has led the Philadelphia 76ers to the four-seed in the Eastern Conference, but that doesn't mean the voters "hate" him if he doesn't win MVP. That award should go to the guy who just recorded the first 2000-point, 1000-rebound, 500-assist season in NBA history. Finally, Commissioner Adam Silver is concerned with the amount of games star players are missing, but his plan for extra incentives complicates a simple problem.

On the NFL side, the New Orleans Saints and Philadephia Eagles made a big trade to swap picks, but was it too soon for the former to truly take advantage? Colin Kaepernick threw at the University of Michigan pro day. It is hard to imagine that it will be enough to get him more than lip service from an NFL team after all this time, though. Former New York Jets and current Panthers quarterback, Sam Darnold, had some interesting things to say about his short NFL career. And Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, bet on himself and cashed in this offseason.

This episode of Triple Zeros wonders if the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era has run its course for the sixth-seeded Utah Jazz. Then, could Gobert make sense for a Chicago Bulls team that is sliding and has clear weaknesses? The Atlanta Hawks have won five straight to take over the eight-seed -- no team wants to face them in the postseason. Kevin Durant is right about the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder having to retire his number, you cannot tell the story of either organization without mentioning him. Both Los Angeles teams have dealt with injuries but the Lakers are sliding while the Clippers have done better than expected. And Zion Williamson's workout videos come off as more of a demo reel than a notice to the New Orleans Pelicans front office.

Switching over to the NFL, the new overtime rules aren't bad but it is good that they are keeping it to the postseason (for now). Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay lit into Carson Wentz but that is nothing compared to what is being alleged about Washington Commanders owner, Daniel Snyder regarding ticket sales. Bruce Arians may or may not have been made to step away from the sidelines, but he leaves an indelible mark that the league is still trying to emulate through rules changes. The Los Angeles Rams have signed Bobby Wagner to a big deal begging the question, once again, is the salary cap real? Finally, Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin proved once again why he is a certain host's favorite NFL head coach.

In this episode of Triple Zeros, Udonis Haslem let Jimmy Butler know exactly how what would happen if they had to come to blows during a recent Miami Heat loss. Any talk of the Memphis Grizzlies being better without Ja Morant because they have a great record (17-2) without him is missing the big picture. They're also just flat-out wrong. Patrick Beverley has had more of a positive impact on Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves than a former teammate who is still bumping heads with people. Whether or not you agreed with his stance, Kyrie Irving stood firm and has outlasted what devolved into a war of words with politicians. The rest of the East should be on notice. It isn't a surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers are guaranteed their first losing season in three years. It is disappointing, though.

On the NFL side, Tyreek Hill goes from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins and made it very clear he wasn't considering the New York Jets despite rumors. On top of that, there is some buzz that Tom Brady could try to force his way down to South Beach after his 40-day retirement brought him back to Tampa. Could a riff with head coach Bruce Arians be the reason? The Cleveland Browns introduced Deshaun Watson and it went just as you would expect with the focus now back on the league and any possible suspension. On a related note, while there may be some interest with soon-to-be former Browns QB Baker Mayfield, teams are smart not to pony up draft capital just yet. That includes the Carolina Panthers who have also been linked to Arizona Cardinals passer Kyler Murray.

This episode of Triple Zeros kicks off wondering why Toronto Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes was asked how he felt about LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers before entering the league. Also, just as the Golden State Warriors got the band back together, Stephen Curry gets hurt. Things then shift over to the Eastern Conference as the James Harden-Ben Simmons trade will end up as a push for the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, but not in a good way. Still, Kevin Durant knows exactly what fans want (even if he doesn't care). And does Detroit Pistons wing Saddiq Bey having a 50-point outing prove the accomplishment isn't what it once was?

On the NFL side, operation "No Days Off" is in full effect with Deshaun Watson getting traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Chandler Jones and then traded for Davante Adams leaving the AFC West incredibly loaded. Still, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the team currently "winning the offseason". Tom Brady is trying to recruit Julio Jones to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pete Carroll brought up Colin Kaepernick for no reason (again).

This episode of Triple Zeros kicks off talking about the return of Zion Williamson to the New Orleans Pelicans this week to complete his rehab. Then, which one is a contender and which one is a pretender between Kevin Durant's Brooklyn Nets or Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers? Their lopsided head-to-head matchup certainly saw Kyrie Irving look like a better sidekick than James Harden. Former Sacramento Kings guard Jason Williams said Kobe Bryant arguably wasn't in his top-five all-time Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA world celebrates Gregg Popovich after he passed Don Nelson for the most coaching wins in NBA history.

On the NFL side, the offseason doesn't mean a time for rest. The Chicago Bears traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers which could mean a big opportunity for third-year EDGE Trevis Gipson. Russell Wilson is now a member of the Denver Broncos after Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks agreed to a deal, but is it too late? Carson Wentz showed enough to convince the Washington Commanders to give up draft capital for his services. And, whatever Aaron Rodgers says, the opposite is probably true. Deshaun Watson could soon have a new address too after his criminal trial was dismissed, though, he still has to deal with civil litigation as well as the league's investigation.

This episode of Triple Zeros kicks off wondering just how much of the New York Knicks woes are on Tom Thibodeau and how culpable Julius Randle is after the latter blew up on Cam Johnson of the Phoenix Suns. The Philadelphia 76ers have won five straight and four in a row with James Harden in the lineup. What’s their ceiling? The Ja Morant-Derrick Rose comparisons are unfair to the Memphis Grizzlies superstar point guard. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers struggles were predictable, injuries and all.

On the NFL side, QB chatter once again rules the discussion with Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson – who the Washington Commanders attempted to trade for – all earning their fair share of the headlines. The New York Giants have made running back Saquon Barkley available while the New England Patriots are letting cornerback JC Jackson test free agency. Plus, new Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels is either not sold on Tua Tagovailoa or in over his head and possibly both!

This episode kicks off with the NBA as the league returns from the All-Star break. Hear what Draymond Green had to say about Rudy Gobert and why he was right. But first, The Chicago Bulls have been even better than expected despite being banged up all season long. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks can't overcome the inconsistent effort that has played a large part in their disappointing season to this point. James Harden made his debut alongside Joel Embiid in a Philadephia 76ers victory. Ben Simmons is not as close to returning as Kevin Durant is for the Brooklyn Nets but the even bigger story is that Kyrie Irving may soon be a full-time player. And what should we make of Zion Williamson's situation with the New Orleans Pelicans?

On the NFL side, Russell Wilson is the Kyler Murray of Aaron Rodgerses after his social media antics this week. It's time for the Seattle Seahawks to move on even if it's a year late. Matt Nagy (and Ryan Pace) landed a new job; his old one! He'll be the senior assistant and quarterback's coach for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Brian Flores landed an assistant role in Pittsburgh and it might not be too far-fetched to believe that Deshaun Watson could join him. Teams are reportedly still lining up with trade offers even with his sexual assault cases still ongoing.

The Super Bowl ended just as predicted, sort of.  The Los Angeles Rams did get the win, but the thought that they would blow the Cincinnati Bengals out was always a bit of an overstep. Now Joe Burrow and Matt Stafford are both facing legacy questions. They aren't alone, though, as quarterbacks are once again poised to dominate the discourse over the offseason following Tom Brady's retirement (for now?), Aaron Rodgers' future, as well as re-visiting Russell Wilson's and, yes, even DeShaun Watson's situations. This is as Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals try to mend their relationship and the Las Vegas Raiders contemplate extending Derek Carr.

On the NBA side, the All-Star break is here, and...it needs work. The skills competition, like much of the weekend's festivities, has been revamped many times over only to continually fall short of the expectations set in years past. Karl-Anthony Towns won the three-point contest but even that came with three straight misses on his final rack. He still set a record so there's that. No contest has suffered more from the lack of star power and personalities than the dunk contest. New York Knicks F Obi Toppin won it but, in all honesty, his first dunk was far more impressive than his last.

Super Bowl LVI leads the show as the Los Angeles Rams should close as four-point favorites. So why are we taking the Cincinnati Bengals with the points? It's not just Joe Burrow! Also, can Matthew Stafford his Detroit Lions days behind him or will he make a commit a turnover that turns the tide? Lovie Smith makes his return to the big chair as the new head coach of the Houston Texans, an opportunity he deserves even if he did get the job after the optics around the Texans interest in Josh McCown only became worse. The Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings both hired offensive-minded head coaches except neither has called plays. 

The NBA's trade deadline certainly didn't disappoint with the Brooklyn Nets finally prying Ben Simmons, among other pieces, out of the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for James Harden who insisted he wasn't disgruntled until, of course, he was. The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers all made solid trades at the deadline. Only one of the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks responded poorly after standing pat at the deadline but both teams could ultimately come to regret that decision come playoff time.

Scott Lewis (aka Barberchair Scott) is the founder of The Barber's Chair Network, co-host of the 79th and Halas and 3rd Pick podcasts, as well as the host of 'I'm Not Gon Hold You'. He's also one of the best follows on Twitter and he joined me to talk about the Chicago Bears after they've hired their new regime. We talk about expectations, roster moves, and the team's search process. Perception versus Reality also came up after the Bears received a lot of attention throughout the entire process.

Our attention turns to the first-place Bulls who have won five of their last seven despite a slew of injuries to key players. Scott shares his thoughts about the DeMar DeRozan-Zach LaVine dynamic, Nikola Vucevic finally settling in as a third option, and what he expects with the trade deadline just days away. Be sure to follow him (@BarbChairScott) and all of his work for @BarbersChairNet.

Tom Brady reportedly retired from the NFL after 22 seasons. Except, his lawyer came out and said the quarterback has yet to finalize his decision and will be the only one to officially make that announcement. Elsewhere in the NFL, the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants all hired general managers while the Bears, Giants, and Denver Broncos all hired head coaches. Sean Payton officially stepped away from the New Orleans Saints and Antonio Brown is stumping to join his cousin Hollywood in Baltimore. Odell Becham Jr reportedly warned Von Miller about Cleveland. And, of course, picks!

The NBA's trade deadline is just under two weeks away and rumors are swirling. But at what point are the moves not worth the hit to a team's chemistry. Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony has committed to participating in the dunk contest during All-Star weekend. Meanwhile, Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins sounded less enthusiastic about his chances of heading to Cleveland. Joel Embiid paid for Jose Alvarado's fine and it's possible the Chicago Bulls need better health and more health to reach their potential.

The NFL is bracing for what many call the best weekend in pro football, the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Derrick Henry is back and starting this weekend. But do the Tennesse Titans have enough firepower to keep up with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals? Can Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers finally overcome his 0-3 history against a San Francisco 49ers team that might be the best-coached outfit in football? Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have rediscovered an actual running game. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have rediscovered their balance too, though, and the difference could be the experience. That's why it would be foolish to count out Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Los Angeles Rams. Aaron Donald probably disagrees.

Then, as the Baltimore Ravens fire their long-time DC following an injury-riddled season, the New York Giants have hired a general manager, and while the Houston Texans want teams to want Josh McCown as bad as they do. 

On the NBA side, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons need to make amends, there is no better fit for each other. Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers need to stop their rumored trade talk too but for entirely different reasons. Kyrie Irving's return would make the Brooklyn Nets the favorites if they could be guaranteed health and that James Harden was fully bought in (instead of eyeing a partnership with Embiid). Also, the Chicago Bulls will take a hit but should be able to survive Lonzo Ball's absence and, don't look now, but the Atlanta Hawks are getting hot again.

We kick things off by flipping the script and making picks first ahead of Super Wild Card Weekend on Saturday. The Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals might just be too much for the great story that has been the Derek Carr (and Rich Bisaccia) Las Vegas Raiders season. Home teams should rule the weekend but don't be surprised if the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals make it interesting. The same could be said for Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers who certainly won't be intimidated by Arrowhead against the Kansas City Chiefs. Plus, we touch on the most intriguing head coaches and openings around the NFL including why one team is getting a bum deal for their search.

On the NBA side, the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks kicked off #TradeSZN but will that solve the problem for either team? Josh Richardson of the Dallas Mavericks used a viral phrase to let Matisse Thybulle know what he thought of them as the two had a minor dustup in the Dallas Mavericks-Philadelphia 76ers game on Friday. And while the Chicago Bulls appear to have avoided serious issues with Zach LaVine's knee, they still need to make a move to protect themselves going forward.

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Denver Broncos while recording this, the Chiefs have one thing other teams simply do not: Patrick Mahomes. Antonio Brown made quite the exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sideline against the New York Jets. But after he threw Tom Brady under the bus, he better hope he's right about Bruce Arians and the Bucs treatment of his ankle injury. Do the Cincinnati Bengals run the AFC North now? Having Joe Burrow under center sure helps. The Las Vegas Raiders should give Rich Bisaccia a legitimate shot at the head coaching job. And Jim Harbaugh could still come to Chicago if the Bears give Ryan Pace the proper role with his anticipated new title. Plus, which division leaders can we trust heading into the NFL Playoffs next week?

On the NBA side, Klay Thompson announces his return this Sunday when the Golden State Warriors take on the Cleveland Cavaliers while there is a chance the Los Angeles Clippers get Kahwi Leonard back this season too. Meanwhile, finally healthy and playing well, DeMarcus Cousins got cut by the Milwaukee Bucks in a move intended to maintain roster flexibility (he's since signed with the Denver Nuggets). The Chicago Bulls are getting All-Star love while the Atlanta Hawks got some tough love from their general manager.

As we wrap the second full year of Triple Zeros, I wanted to share a couple of my favorite moments. I joined Andrew Donaldson (@four4thefire) on his podcast, Heard Tell (@HeardTellShow), a little while back to discuss Jon Gruden's unceremonious exit from the Las Vegas Raiders and if there would be more fallout. We also got into the dangers of the current media environment where being first if rewarded more than being right and what things we can do, as content creators and consumers, to avoid those pitfalls.

I was also fortunate enough to be invited onto the World Class Hoops Podcast (@WCHPNetwork) by host Chris Rouse (@KingRouse21). On top of the great show, Chris calls games for the Windy City Bulls, Chicago State University, and has been seen on ESPN+. We talked about the Chicago Bulls and our early impressions as they were still getting a feel for each other. Also brought up were the doubters who seemed very off-base in their assessments even in the preseason.

Does Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley trust the analytics too much? He certainly doesn’t think so even after opting not to kick it likely cost his team the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. Urban Meyer’s tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t end soon enough judging from the statement by rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. As hard as it might be for Chicago Bears fans to hear, Aaron Rodgers probably isn’t going anywhere. Plus, is Baker Mayfield right about the NFL’s handling of COVID testing after several games get re-scheduled this weekend?

Speaking of, over 70 players have gone into health & safety protocols in the last week with the number growing every day. Are we nearing a period where, if not a stoppage, a pause for a couple of weeks is in order for teams to get healthy? Kevin Durant isn’t here for the backhanded compliments Skip Bayless tries to give him despite the latter’s insistence he “loves” the MVP hopeful. As for the award, Zach Lowe of ESPN thinks it is stupid for Nikola Jokic to be left out of the discussion. And, with Zion Williamson needing an injection to speed up the healing process in his foot, things are murky as ever with regards to the future for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Chase Claypool’s biggest mistake in NFL Week 14 wasn’t celebrating the late first down and the Pittsburgh Steelers let Ben Roethlisberger hold them hostage and are paying the price in the win column. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings have gotten all that they can with Mike Zimmer as their head coach. Was Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy even saying what Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera was overreacting to? There is a new report detailing how players and coaches have had just about enough of the Urban Meyer experience.

On the NBA side, the Chicago Bulls are dealing with an outbreak of COVID at a tricky time. C.J. McCollum is dealing with a collapsed lung while his Portland Trail Blazers teammate Damian Lillard is fighting rumors he is looking to get Ben Simmons traded to the Northwest. We are officially on Stephen Curry-watch as he nears Ray Allen’s three-point record. The Indiana Pacers are already blowing it up and looking to move one or both of Domatas Sabonis and Myles Turner. All of that and much more!

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys had their fair share of struggles before running away from the New Orleans Saints who could be facing some major changes in the future. In other NFL Week 13 storylines, it's time for Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks to part ways as neither side is what the other is looking for anymore. Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is just the latest example of why you shouldn't invest heavily in the position. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians didn't mince words with regards to the three-game suspensions for Antonio Brown and Mike Edwards for falsifying their vaccination status.

In the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers have parted ways with Neil Olshey after an investigation confirmed reports of a toxic/hostile work environment after hiring a new head coach this summer. Why haven't they hit the reset button on this roster; namely, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum? LeBron James "beat COVID" in two days, but the  Los Angeles Lakers still fell to the Clippers. It took Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors to snap Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns (without Devin Booker) winning streak at 18 games. And the Chicago Bulls biggest critics have changed their tunes while the team has raised expectations. 

The NFL kicked off Week 12 on Thanksgiving with the Chicago Bears beating the Detroit Lions and delaying what most believe is to be the inevitable firing of head coach Matt Nagy though, per ownership prior to the game, the two things were never related. Also from this game, Dan Campbell has many likable qualities, but is coaching one of them? In the best game of the day between Derek Carr’s Las Vegas Raiders and Dak Prescott’s Dallas Cowboys, the biggest takeaway could be that both teams are enigmas. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills trounced a group of players claiming to be the New Orleans Saints. How much stock can we put in this win after the losses they’ve had?

In the NBA, the Chicago Bulls have shown an impressive level of adaptability as they sit near the top of the East. Meanwhile, Trae Young’s Atlanta Hawks have gone streaking in a good way to get themselves back into the thick of things. The Golden State Warriors are still atop the standings as is Stephen Curry in the MVP race. But the Phoenix Suns and Devin Booker have won 15 straight and are the reigning Western Conference champions. And the Los Angeles Lakers are finding new ways to struggle.

Mac Jones and the New England Patriots shutout of Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons to kick off Week 11 in the NFL was so lopsided it put me to sleep. Why did Ryan/Atlanta run it back again? Elsewhere in the NFC South, Cam Newton is back with the Carolina Panthers and Antonio Brown is denying claims that he had a fake vaccination card his former chef says he received from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammate. Derrick Henry could return this season. Plus, Matthew Stafford's wife is giving Patrick Mahomes' a run for her money in the bleacher food wars.

On the NBA side, Zach LaVine's Chicago Bulls and Bradley Beal's Washington Wizards are spearheading two of the NBA's most surprising teams. Steph Curry has the Golden State Warriors looking like a true contender once again while he should be the (way-too-early) favorite for MVP. Players impacted the most by the league's new shooting foul rules like James Harden and Trae Young have begun to figure it out. Tristan Thompson had a strong message for his Sacramento Kings teammates while the Staples Center gets a new name. Also, is Giannis Antetokounmpo already planning to leave the Milwaukee Bucks?

In this episode of Triple Zeros: Week 10 in the NFL kicked off with an upset as Tua Tagovailoa came off of the bench to help the Miami Dolphins topple Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Aaron Rodgers took a much different approach to his second appearance on the Pat McAfee Show in two weeks. Russell Wilson is set to return for the Seattle Seahawks as they take on the Green Bay Packers after missing half of the time expected with his fractured finger. 

On the NBA side, Damian Lillard joins the chorus of players unhappy with the enforcement of the league's tweaks to shooting fouls. Rich Paul says the Philadelphia 76ers are making Ben Simmons' mental state worse. And the Chicago Bulls could be without center Nikola Vucevic for the next 10 days as he goes through health and safety protocols. All of that and much more!