The Best of the Sports Shop

The Best of the Sports Shop

The Sports Shop with Reese and K-Mac: The best urban sports talk show heard weekday mornings from 7 to 10 on Buzz Sports Radio, 99.3 FM in Raleigh, NC, 96.5 FM in Durham, 99.9 HD2, and always streaming through WRALSportsFan.

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The Best of the Sports Shop
Guest: Alex Gibson (A-Town) - The Parting Interview

Reese, Kmac and Pam speak with Alex Gibson (A-Town) as he leaves the producer chair at The Sports Shop.

Thank you Reese, Kmac, Pam and the Sports Shop callers, listeners and family. I enjoyed this experience. FYI the trees are still treein'

- Alex (A-Town)

00:15:11
Aug 13, 2026 11:54 AM
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More Episodes

The Best of the Sports Shop
Mike From Cary Makes A Case For A Jersey Retirement: Is He Right?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Mike From Cary.

Michael Shelton's (M-Sheezy) producer jersey is in the rafters, and rightfully so. Does Alex (A-Town) deserve a jersey retirement?

- Thank you Mike! It's always a blast when you call in!

~Alex (A-Town)

 

00:04:06
Aug 13, 2026 11:46 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Dishin' It Up w/ Dr. Deborah Stroman: "Goodbye A-Town, Hear Is Some Wisdom"

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Dr. Deborah Stroman.

Dr. Stroman gives Alex (A-Town) a wonderful sendoff while also sharing sound, wise parting words.

- Thank You Dr. Stroman! I appreciate your mentorship, support and wisdom.

~A-Town

00:12:24
Aug 13, 2026 11:43 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Russell Westbrook Announces Retirement: What Is Brodie's Legacy?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Russell Westbrook's retirement and his legacy.

00:10:11
Aug 13, 2026 11:39 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Legacy Eye Care's Dr. Robert Foster Shares Parting Gifts For Producer Alex A-Town! - Is Michael Jordan Really The Goat?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Dr. Robert Foster and discuss Russell Westbrook's legacy.

Dr. Robert Foster joins the Sports Shop to share parting gifts with A-Town.

- Thank You Dr. Robert Foster. I appreciate your appearance on the show and the wonderful gifts. Maybe Michaal Jordan really is the GOAT!

~A-Town

00:15:12
Aug 13, 2026 11:38 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Bob Iger, Joshua Kushner Agree To Buy Los Angeles Lakers For $12.5 billion

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers sale has been a pretty remarkable turn of events. In 2025, Mark Walter bought majority control of the Lakers from the Buss family at a then-record valuation of $10B. The Buss family kept a minority stake, and Jeanie Buss remained involved as the team’s governor. Now, just about 14 months later, Walter has reportedly agreed to sell controlling interest to a group led by Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for $12.5B, which would set another record for the most valuable sports franchise sale. The deal still requires NBA approval. Walter would make about $2.5B in value on the transaction in a little over a year. There has also been reporting about federal scrutiny surrounding some of Walter’s financial dealings, leading to speculation that financial or liquidity concerns could have played a role in his decision to sell, although that has not been established as the reason. Under the proposed deal, the Buss family would remain a minority owner, while Iger and Kushner’s group would take control of the franchise.

00:16:16
Aug 13, 2026 11:34 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
NFL: Evaluating The Vikings, Falcons, Browns QB Rooms + If Lamar Jackson Would The Narrative Be Different?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the latest NFL quarterback storylines surrounding the quarterback rooms of the Minneosta Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons and whether race plays a role in how Lamar Jackson is evaluated and criticized. 

If Lamar Jackson was white or had a lighter complexion, would the narrative surrounding his career be different? Would he face the same level of scrutiny and criticism, particularly when it comes to his passing ability, leadership and playoff performances?

The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy for the 2026 season. McCarthy was expected by many to take over after being drafted 10th overall in 2024, but injuries slowed his development. The The Falcons’ QB room is centered on Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa, creating a competition for the starting job. The Cleveland Browns’ QB room features Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, with Dillon Gabriel also somewhat in the mix. Cleveland has not yet settled on its Week 1 starter but is leaning heavily towards Watson or Sanders.

00:12:35
Aug 12, 2026 11:19 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Reese's Black Card & Pam's Water Well

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss whether Reese’s Black Card should be revoked, plus Pam’s water well back home.

We started this conversation yesterday. Should Erroll Reese have to surrender his Black card until he sees Love & Basketball, House Party, Friday, Martin, etc?

00:12:48
Aug 12, 2026 11:12 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Should Erroll Reese Have To Surrender His Black Card? + Seth Trimble Headed To Louisville

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Seth Trimble committing to Louisville and whether Erroll Reese should have to surrender his Black card until he watches Love & Basketball and House Party.

Should Erroll Reese have to surrender his Black card until he sees Love & Basketball and House Party?
 
Seth Trimble, the former UNC guard, has committed to Louisville for the 2026–27 season. Trimble entered the transfer portal after last season, but a recent federal court ruling gave players from the 2022 recruiting class an additional year of eligibility, giving him a chance to play another college season. He averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24 games for the North Carolina Tar Heels last season and became a fan favorite. How do UNC fans feel about this?
00:17:07
Aug 12, 2026 11:8 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
UNC Tar Heel Seth Trimble Commits To Louisville + Vikings Name Kyler Murray Starting QB

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Seth Trimble’s commitment to Louisville, what it means for UNC and Tar Heel fans, and the Minnesota Vikings naming Kyler Murray their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy.

Seth Trimble, the former UNC guard, has committed to Louisville for the 2026–27 season. Trimble entered the transfer portal after last season, but a recent federal court ruling gave players from the 2022 recruiting class an additional year of eligibility, giving him a chance to play another college season. He averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24 games for the North Carolina Tar Heels last season and became a fan favorite. How do UNC fans feel about this?

The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy for the 2026 season. McCarthy was expected by many to take over after being drafted 10th overall in 2024, but injuries slowed his development. Although McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter last season, the Vikings believe Murray’s experience and current readiness give them the better chance to start the season. Is Minnesota making the right decison?

00:19:57
Aug 12, 2026 11:1 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
UNC Tar Heel Seth Trimble Commits To Louisville: Are They The ACC Favorite?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Seth Trimble committing to Louisville and what it means for UNC and Tar Heel fans.

Seth Trimble, the former UNC guard, has committed to Louisville for the 2026–27 season. Trimble entered the transfer portal after last season, but a recent federal court ruling gave players from the 2022 recruiting class an additional year of eligibility, giving him a chance to play another college season. He averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24 games for the North Carolina Tar Heels last season and became a fan favorite. How do UNC fans feel about this?

00:10:46
Aug 12, 2026 10:58 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Minneosota Vikings Name Kyler Murray Staring QB + Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White Faces Backlash After Sophie Cunningham Foul

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Vikings naming Kyler Murray the starting quarterback, the controversy surrounding the foul on Sophie Cunningham and the backlash against Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White.

The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy for the 2026 season. McCarthy was expected by many to take over after being drafted 10th overall in 2024, but injuries slowed his development. Although McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter last season, the Vikings believe Murray’s experience and current readiness give them the better chance to start the season. Is Minnesota making the right decison?

Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington hit Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham high around the head and neck during a game. The foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2, but some Fever fans felt head coach Stephanie White didn’t defend Cunningham strongly enough. White said she hadn’t seen the play live and didn’t believe Carrington intentionally tried to hurt her. After receiving backlash, White pushed back against the criticism, saying her team was united and that everyone else could “go to hell.” Some Fever fans then booed her during pregame introductions. Caitlin Clark defended White, saying the booing “made me a little sick” and that the players support their coach. What does the Sports Shop crew think?

00:10:40
Aug 12, 2026 10:53 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
NBA Schedule Release: Did They Get Opening Night & Christmas Day Right?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the upcoming release of the NBA’s 2026–27 schedule, whether the league got its Christmas Day matchups right and the Cowboys’ decision to lock up Quinnen Williams with a $105.9 million contract extension.

The NBA is set to release its full 2026–27 regular-season schedule on Thursday, August 13 at 3 p.m. ET. The league has already announced its opening-night and Christmas Day matchups, with the NBA Cup schedule coming tomorrow. The regular season will officially begin on October 20, giving fans a chance to see the full slate of games, including key matchups, road trips and nationally televised contests, later this week. When does your team play? Did the NBA get the NBA Christmas Day games right?

The Cowboys made a major move to strengthen their defense when they acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets last season in exchange for Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick. Williams quickly became an important part of Dallas’ defense, and the Cowboys have now committed to keeping him long term. Dallas recently agreed to a three-year, $105.9M contract extension with Williams, including $101M guaranteed, keeping him under contract through 2030. Is this a good move for Dallas? Is this the year for the Cowboys?

00:07:58
Aug 11, 2026 11:12 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Is Enes Kanter Freedom Serious About Entering The WNBA?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with some callers about the controversy surrounding former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White entering the WNBA Draft, the state of the WNBA and more.

Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, saying they identify as transgender. The announcements appear to be aimed at challenging the WNBA’s policies on transgender athletes rather than launching legitimate basketball comebacks. The controversy raises questions about what the league’s eligibility requirements would be, particularly given that Kanter is 6-foot-10 and White is 6-foot-8. Neither player has been drafted or signed, but their announcements are putting pressure on the WNBA to clarify its policy on transgender participation. What does the Sports Shop crew think? Is Kanter serious?

00:12:59
Aug 11, 2026 11:8 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
WNBA Controversy & Hall Of Fame Debate: Who Deserves It Most?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the controversy surrounding Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White entering the WNBA Draft, as well as which quarterback is most deserving of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger or Cam Newton.

Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, saying they identify as transgender. The announcements appear to be aimed at challenging the WNBA’s policies on transgender athletes rather than launching legitimate basketball comebacks. The controversy raises questions about what the league’s eligibility requirements would be, particularly given that Kanter is 6-foot-10 and White is 6-foot-8. Neither player has been drafted or signed, but their announcements are putting pressure on the WNBA to clarify its policy on transgender participation. What does the Sports Shop crew think?

Which player is most deserving of the Hall of Fame: Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger or Cam Newton?
00:20:49
Aug 11, 2026 11:4 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Enes Kanter & Royce White Enter WNBA Draft + NBA Schedule Release Nears

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the controversy surrounding former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White entering the WNBA Draft, as well as the upcoming release of the NBA’s 2026–27 schedule and the biggest games fans should look out for.

Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, saying they identify as transgender. The announcements appear to be aimed at challenging the WNBA’s policies on transgender athletes rather than launching legitimate basketball comebacks. The controversy raises questions about what the league’s eligibility requirements would be, particularly given that Kanter is 6-foot-10 and White is 6-foot-8. Neither player has been drafted or signed, but their announcements are putting pressure on the WNBA to clarify its policy on transgender participation. What does the Sports Shop crew think?

The NBA is set to release its full 2026–27 regular-season schedule on Thursday, August 13 at 3 p.m. ET. The league has already announced its opening-night and Christmas Day matchups, with the NBA Cup schedule coming tomorrow. The regular season will officially begin on October 20, giving fans a chance to see the full slate of games, including key matchups, road trips and nationally televised contests, later this week. When does your team play?

00:12:22
Aug 11, 2026 10:59 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Does Reese Need His "Black Card" Taken? + Ben Simmons’ Comeback, Caitlin Clark Controversy: What’s Really Going On?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Ben Simmons’ potential NBA comeback and whether teams should take a chance on the former All-Star, as well as Caitlin Clark’s recent controversies, including her rescinded technical foul and the heated play involving A’ja Wilson.

Ben Simmons is looking to make an NBA comeback after missing the entire 2025–26 season because of back and other injuries. The former No. 1 overall pick is reportedly healthy and recently participated in an Australian national-team mini-camp without restrictions. Several NBA teams have shown interest, and one Western Conference team has reportedly offered him a non-guaranteed contract. The biggest question now is whether he can stay healthy and return to the form that made him a three-time All-Star. After appearing in just 18 games for the Clippers in 2024–25, Simmons is hoping to prove he can still contribute at the NBA level. Should teams want Simmons?

Caitlin Clark has been at the center of two recent controversial moments. Clark received her eighth technical foul of the season against the Chicago Sky after making contact with an official, which initially put her in line for a one-game suspension. However, the WNBA later rescinded the technical, meaning Clark will not miss a game. Separately, during a game against A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces, Clark was involved in a controversial play where Wilson appeared to make contact with her while they were battling for a loose ball. The contact was not called a foul, but the play sparked plenty of debate among fans and analysts over whether Wilson pushed Clark. What happened?

Evidently, Reese has not watched quite a few Black movies. Does Reese need his "Black card" revoked?

00:17:56
Aug 11, 2026 10:53 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Dodgers’ Historic Slump + Quinnen Williams Signs $105.9M Extension With Cowboys: Is Dallas All In?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss whether Dodgers fans should be worried after the team’s historic seven-game losing streak, the Cowboys’ decision to make Quinnen Williams one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL and whether Dallas has what it takes to make a serious run this season.

The Dodgers’ seven-game losing streak was far more alarming than a typical midseason slump. For a team that has been one of baseball’s most dominant and consistent franchises, losing seven straight was an unusually long and shocking stretch, especially because many of the losses came after the Dodgers had leads late in games. They finally snapped the skid in extra innings on Satruday, but the collapse served as a warning that their bullpen could be the biggest factor in determining how far they go in October. Should Dodgers fans be worried?

The Cowboys made a major move to strengthen their defense when they acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets last season in exchange for Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick. Williams quickly became an important part of Dallas’ defense, and the Cowboys have now committed to keeping him long term. Dallas recently agreed to a three-year, $105.9M contract extension with Williams, including $101M guaranteed, keeping him under contract through 2030. Is this a good move for Dallas? Is this the year for the Cowboys?

00:10:32
Aug 11, 2026 10:49 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Good Look Bad Look Monday: Who Will Make The 2027 Football Hall Of Fame Class?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex share their Good Looks and Bad Looks on this Good Look Bad Look Monday and look ahead to the potential 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

It’s Good Look Bad Look Monday! What were your Good Looks and Bad Looks from the weekend? The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend took place from August 5 to August 9 in Canton, Ohio, bringing together football legends and fans to celebrate the start of a new NFL season. The centerpiece of the weekend was Saturday’s Enshrinement Ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where five legendary players: quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri and running back Roger Craig, took their permanent places in Canton. With the 2026 class now enshrined, the attention turns to 2027. Who will make the cut and which former NFL stars have the strongest cases to join football’s greatest legends in Canton?

00:08:29
Aug 10, 2026 10:52 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Cam Newton, Eli Manning Or Big Ben Roethlisberger: Who’s A First-Ballot Hall Of Famer?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the significance of the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend and debate the Hall of Fame cases for three accomplished quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton and Eli Manning.

With Cam Newton becoming eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, the question is whether his career deserves first-ballot recognition. The conversation also looks at Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP and Ben Roethlisberger, who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl victories. Are Newton, Manning and Roethlisberger all Hall of Famers? And if so, which, if any, deserve to be first-ballot selections?

00:17:35
Aug 10, 2026 10:46 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
NFL Training Camp Battles Heat Up As Players Fight For Roster Spots + NCAA Eligibility Debate

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss NFL training camps, the poll question and more.

NFL training camps are getting increasingly competitive as teams move closer to the preseason and players battle for starting jobs and roster spots. Position competitions are heating up across the league, with coaches using practices and preseason games to separate players across all positions. The intensity has also spilled over into several heated practices. The Raiders recently held quarterback Kirk Cousins and pass rusher Maxx Crosby out of practice after a fight, while the Chiefs had multiple fights during a chippy practice. The Bills also had a fight break out after a late hit during camp. With roster spots on the line, the physicality and emotion of training camp are clearly ramping up as players fight to prove they belong. How does your team look?

Who do you side with regarding the NCAA 5th year of eligibility: the Courts & Players In favor of It or the NCAA & Coaches Against It?
00:14:57
Aug 10, 2026 10:37 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan’s Crash, Waymo’s Rise: Are Self-Driving Cars Ready For The Road?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Kyle Shanahan’s recovery from his recent car accident, his plans to return to the 49ers’ sideline, and the growing debate over self-driving vehicles as Waymo continues to expand its robotaxi service.

Kyle Shanahan is on track to return to the sideline for the San Francisco 49ers’ preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans after recovering from injuries sustained in a July 14 car crash in Palo Alto. Shanahan suffered broken ribs, a broken left hand, a facial laceration and a concussion. He recently spoke publicly about his recovery, saying he is “doing real good” and that his head feels much better, although he is still experiencing some headaches and fatigue. During Shanahan's presser he spoke to the media about the accident, what happened and what responsibilty he had. Shanahan has returned to working with the team and plans to coach the preseason opener. 

Waymo is continuing to rapidly expand its driverless robotaxi service, with Dallas recently becoming available to the public without a waitlist. The company is also preparing to expand in additional markets, including San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa and Denver. At the same time, Waymo’s relationship with Uber is facing increased attention as competition in the robotaxi industry grows, with Uber making major investments in autonomous transportation. In wake of Shanahan's accident, do you trust self-driving cars?

00:17:19
Aug 10, 2026 10:31 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Luke Kuechly, NFL Legends Honored At 2026 NFL Hall Of Fame Weekend As Roger Craig Shares Health Battle + Don Nelson Dies

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the significance of the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend, highlighting the achievements of the five players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the lasting impact they have had on the sport. They also reflect on Roger Craig’s decision to speak publicly about his vascular dementia diagnosis and the passing of Don Nelson.

The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend took place from August 5 to August 9, 2026, in Canton, Ohio, bringing together football legends and fans to officially open the new football season. The festivities kicked off on Thursday, August 6, with the annual Hall of Fame Game, where the Carolina Panthers faced off against the Arizona Cardinals to start the NFL exhibition season. The centerpiece of the weekend occurred on Saturday, August 8, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during the formal Enshrinement Ceremony. This event saw five legendary players: quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri and running back Roger Craig, take their permanent places in Canton. 49ers legend Roger Craig, 66, revealed a diagnosis of vascular dementia, which doctors believe is linked to concussions from his 11-year NFL career. While cognitive changes were initially mistaken for aging, Craig shared the news to encourage other retired players to prioritize their brain health. The celebratory weekend concluded on Sunday, August 9, with the annual Concert for Legends music event.
 
Don Nelson, died yesterday, Sunday, August 9, at age 86. A five-time NBA champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, Nelson became one of the league’s most influential coaches, winning 1,335 regular-season games and earning three NBA Coach of the Year awards. Known for his innovative “Nellie Ball” style, Nelson left a lasting impact on the modern game.
00:12:08
Aug 10, 2026 10:22 AM
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The Best of the Sports Shop
Good Look Bad Look Monday: Weekend Recap, 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend, WNBA

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the significance of the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend, highlighting the achievements of the five players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the lasting impact they have had on the sport. They also reflect on Roger Craig’s decision to speak publicly about his vascular dementia diagnosis and how his experience brings attention to the serious, long-term effects that concussions can have on former NFL players.

The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend took place from August 5 to August 9, 2026, in Canton, Ohio, bringing together football legends and fans to officially open the new football season. The festivities kicked off on Thursday, August 6, with the annual Hall of Fame Game, where the Carolina Panthers faced off against the Arizona Cardinals to start the NFL exhibition season. The centerpiece of the weekend occurred on Saturday, August 8, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during the formal Enshrinement Ceremony. This event saw five legendary players: quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri and running back Roger Craig, take their permanent places in Canton. 49ers legend Roger Craig, 66, revealed a diagnosis of vascular dementia, which doctors believe is linked to concussions from his 11-year NFL career. While cognitive changes were initially mistaken for aging, Craig shared the news to encourage other retired players to prioritize their brain health. The celebratory weekend concluded on Sunday, August 9, with the annual Concert for Legends music event.
00:11:15
Aug 10, 2026 10:10 AM
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