The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss round 2 of the NFL Draft and if Henri Veesaar will stay with UNC.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Ian Parks to discuss the first round of the NFL Draft and his NBA Playoff picks.

Ian Parks from Always Bet On Black w/ Ian Parks joins the Sports Shop to share his picks for this weekend in the NBA Playoffs. Who will win this weekend: Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets? San Antonio Spurs or Portland Trail Blazers? Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers? Atlanta Hawks or New York Knicks? The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference First Round playoff series. Will Jayson Tatum record more than 16.5 combined rebounds and assists?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss round one of the NFL Drfaft and last night's NBA Playoff games. 

Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft featured a mix of expected picks and a few surprises at the top. The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, followed by edge rusher David Bailey going to the New York Jets and running back Jeremiyah Love landing with the Arizona Cardinals. There were also some unexpected developments, including the Los Angeles Rams taking quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 despite already having Matthew Stafford, suggesting a focus on the future at the position. Teams like the Chiefs and Cowboys made aggressive trades to move up the board, while others such as the Buffalo Bills opted to trade out of the first round entirely to accumulate more picks. The Alabama Crimson Tide had a lighter presence in the early rounds than usual in this year's NFL Draft, with more mid-round and developmental prospects rather than the high volume of first-round picks they’ve typically produced in recent years. Ty Simpson went 13th. Is this surprising?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss round one of the NFL Draft night and last night's NBA games.

Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft featured a mix of expected picks and a few surprises at the top. The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, followed by edge rusher David Bailey going to the New York Jets and running back Jeremiyah Love landing with the Arizona Cardinals. Early in the round, wide receiver Carnell Tate went to the Tennessee Titans and linebacker Arvell Reese was taken by the New York Giants, highlighting a strong group of skill and defensive talent. One of the more notable moves came when the Dallas Cowboys traded up to select safety Caleb Downs at No. 11.

There were also some unexpected developments, including the Los Angeles Rams taking quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13 despite already having Matthew Stafford, suggesting a focus on the future at the position. Teams like the Chiefs and Cowboys made aggressive trades to move up the board, while others such as the Buffalo Bills opted to trade out of the first round entirely to accumulate more picks. Additional notable selections included wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to the New Orleans Saints, pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and edge defender Akheem Mesidor to the Los Angeles Chargers. How did your team do?

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

Dr. Stroman discusses why the NBA is better than college basketball and gives the Sports Shop crew a quiz on Sports acronyms. Which is better: NBA Basketball or College Basketball? How did you do on the quiz?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss last night's NBA Playoff games.

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Phoenix Suns to take control of their series, using their pace and defense to stay ahead for most of the game and securing a key win. Devin Booker kept Phoenix competitive, but the Suns couldn’t generate enough late momentum to close the gap. With the win, Oklahoma City now leads the series 2-0, giving them a clear edge moving forward and putting pressure on Phoenix to respond in the next matchup.

In the other game, the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons in a physical, closely contested battle to take a 1-1 series lead. Orlando leaned on its defense and interior presence, with Paolo Banchero playing a key role down the stretch, while Cade Cunningham led Detroit’s scoring effort but fell short in the closing minutes. The win gives Orlando momentum in a tight series and shifts pressure onto Detroit to respond quickly to avoid falling into a deeper deficit.

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the biggest storylines heading into the 2026 NFL Draft in Detroit, including what to watch on draft night, the contrasting roster-building approaches of UNC and Duke in the transfer portal, fan reactions across both programs and whether Henri Veesaar will return to UNC or declare for the NBA Draft.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins tonight and runs from April 23-25, 2026, with the first round on Thursday, rounds two and three on Friday, and rounds four through seven on Saturday. The event is being held in Detroit, Michigan, as part of the NFL’s rotating host city format. What should we be looking for in the NFL Draft tonight?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the biggest storylines heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, including its start in Detroit, the controversy surrounding Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini, Fernando Mendoza’s decision to skip the event and Alabama’s unusually thin group of top-tier prospects compared to recent years.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins tonight and runs from April 23-25, 2026, with the first round on Thursday, rounds two and three on Friday, and rounds four through seven on Saturday. The event is being held in Detroit, Michigan, as part of the NFL’s rotating host city format.

One of the major storylines involves Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini. After photos surfaced in April showing the two together in Arizona, Vrabel initially downplayed the situation but later acknowledged it had created personal and professional fallout. He said he’s had difficult conversations with his family and organization and will briefly step away during the draft to seek counseling, while the NFL has said it is not investigating the matter.

On the player side, Fernando Mendoza will not attend in person, choosing to stay in Miami with his family due to his mother’s health. Despite being projected as a top pick, he will experience the draft privately, reflecting a growing trend of prospects skipping the event.

As for college programs, the Alabama Crimson Tide are expected to have a lighter presence in the early rounds than usual, with more mid-round and developmental prospects rather than the high volume of first-round picks they’ve typically produced in recent years.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if they would rather have Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson.

Last night’s NBA playoff action had a little bit of everything, but the Los Angeles Lakers were the main storyline, beating the Houston Rockets 101-94 to take a 2-0 series lead. LeBron James finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, but it felt more like controlled production than a dominant takeover. For Portland, Scoot Henderson had a breakout performance scoring 31 points to lift the Portland Trail Blazers to a comeback win, showing real star potential. Has Scoot Henderson arrived? How impressive is LeBron James? So far, has Scoot Henderson been the star of this year’s NBA Playoffs or has it been someone else? If you were the Charlotte Hornets, would you rather have Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller?

If you were the Charlotte Hornets, would you rather have Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Lakers win over the Rockets and the dynamic between LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

Last night’s NBA playoff action had a little bit of everything, but the Los Angeles Lakers were the main storyline, beating the Houston Rockets 101-94 to take a 2-0 series lead. LeBron James finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, but it felt more like controlled production than a dominant takeover, while Marcus Smart had an unexpected 25-point outburst that looks tough to count on consistently. Luke Kennard stayed hot with 23 points, continuing his scoring run. For Portland, Scoot Henderson had a breakout performance scoring 31 points to lift the Portland Trail Blazers to a comeback win, showing real star potential. Has Scoot Henderson arrived? How impressive is LeBron James? So far, has Scoot Henderson been the star of this year’s NBA Playoffs or has it been someone else? Can the Lakers keep it going? Is Kmac a Laker fan again?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the performances of LeBron James and Scoot Henderson last night and who has been the best star of the NBA Playoffs thus far. 

Last night’s NBA playoff action had a little bit of everything, but the Los Angeles Lakers were the main storyline, beating the Houston Rockets 101-94 to take a 2-0 series lead. LeBron James finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, but it felt more like controlled production than a dominant takeover. For Portland, Scoot Henderson had a breakout performance scoring 31 points to lift the Portland Trail Blazers to a comeback win, showing real star potential. Has Scoot Henderson arrived? How impressive is LeBron James? So far, has Scoot Henderson been the star of this year’s NBA Playoffs or has it been someone else?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss what UNC, Duke and NC State Basketball did in the transfer portal.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss what UNC Basketball did in the transfer portal. 

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss last night's NBA Playoff action including the Lakers, Trail Blazers, 76ers and the performances of LeBron James and Scoot Henderson.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the NFL Draft, tonight's NBA Playoff games and more.

Tonight’s NBA playoff slate features pivotal matchups as several series continue to develop and pressure begins to rise across the league. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in a high-stakes Eastern Conference battle, out west, the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets in a matchup featuring LeBron James and potentially Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs face the Portland Trail Blazers in another key contest. Who wins tonight's games?

The NFL Draft begins Thursday, setting the stage for one of the most unpredictable nights of the offseason as teams look to reshape their futures with franchise-changing talent. The Sports Shop crew takes a look at who teams may be drafting in the first round.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if Ty Simpson is better than Brock Purdy RIGHT NOW.

Since it's NFL Draft week, do you believe Alabama QB Ty Simpson is a 1st round pick? Is Ty Simpson better than Brock Purdy RIGHT NOW?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Knicks’ collapse against the Atlanta Hawks after blowing a double-digit lead in Game 2, breaking down whether the Hawks and CJ McCollum’s clutch late-game shot-making can actually swing the series and the NFL Draft.

Since it's NFL Draft week, do you believe Alabama QB Ty Simpson is a 1st round pick? Will the Washington Commanders get Jeremiah Love?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Minnesota Timberwolves’ big comeback over the Denver Nuggets and whether Anthony Edwards and company can finish the job in the series, the Cleveland Cavaliers taking control against the Toronto Raptors and if anyone is really paying attention to that matchup and then turn their focus to tonight’s slate.

The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a strong comeback win over the Denver Nuggets last night, taking Game 2 by a score of 119-114 to even the playoff series 1-1. Anthony Edwards led the way with about 30 points and 10 rebounds, helping Minnesota erase a deficit that had grown to nearly 20 points earlier in the game. Julius Randle added a big scoring night as well, while Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić put up strong numbers for Denver. The difference came late, as the Timberwolves dominated the fourth quarter and made key plays down the stretch to complete the comeback and steal momentum heading into the next game. Who wins this series?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the ongoing uncertainty surrounding North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball as the program undergoes a major offseason reset, breaking down, the coaching staff shake-up involving Michael Malone, Kim English’s sudden reversal that left questions about what went wrong and where UNC goes next, while also shifting to the bigger NCAA eligibility conversation and what the gradual fade of the COVID-era “super senior” effect could mean for roster building and competitive balance moving forward.

North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball IS navigating a major offseason reset as the transfer portal reshapes the roster and coaching staff under new head coach Michael Malone. Multiple players have entered the portal, part of a broader trend across college basketball, leaving UNC with significant roster turnover as it looks to rebuild with new additions and a redefined identity. Kim English was briefly expected to be part of that rebuild after accepting an assistant role, but in a surprising twist he backed out just days later and will not join the staff, creating another layer of uncertainty. With both roster movement and coaching changes happening simultaneously, UNC is in the middle of a pivotal transition period where transfer portal decisions and staff stability will play a huge role in shaping the program’s direction heading into next season. What will happen? What went wrong with English?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss a wild night in the playoffs, from the New York Knicks collapsing late against the Atlanta Hawks to the Carolina Hurricanes grinding out a double-overtime thriller over the Ottawa Senators.

The New York Knicks suffered a tough 107-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks last night, blowing a double-digit lead in Game 2 of their playoff series. CJ McCollum led Atlanta with 32 points and hit the go-ahead shot late, while Jalen Brunson paced New York with 29. The Knicks controlled most of the game but struggled badly in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 28-15 and shooting poorly down the stretch. A missed buzzer-beater sealed the loss, tyiing the series 1-1 as it shifts to Atlanta.

The Carolina Hurricanes picked up a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime win over the Ottawa Senators last night, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Jordan Martinook played the hero, scoring the game-winner deep into the second overtime after earlier missing a penalty shot, capping off a tense, back-and-forth battle. Carolina also got goals from Logan Stankoven and Sebastian Aho, while goalie Frederik Andersen came up big with key saves to keep the game alive.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex preview tonight's NBA playoff games.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss whether Dirk Nowitzki being ranked No. 17 on ESPN’s all-time 76 list is too high, too low, or just right, which other players Reese believes are misranked and discuss the NBA award finalists.

Dirk Nowitzki is on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and in the ESPN ranking he lands at No. 17 overall on their “76 players ranked” list. Reese hates it. Is Dirk ranked, too high, too low or just right? What other players does Reese think are incorrectly ranked?

The 2025-26 NBA awards finalists are headlined by the MVP race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to elite success, Jokić continues his all-around dominance for the Denver Nuggets, and Wembanyama’s two-way impact for the San Antonio Spurs has him in contention for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, where he’s joined by Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson.

The Rookie of the Year race between Cooper Flagg, V. J. Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel is wide open, while Most Improved finalists Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Deni Avdija and Jalen Duren highlight player development. The remaining awards, featuring names like Anthony Edwards and Jamal Murray for Clutch Player and coaches J. B. Bickerstaff and Joe Mazzulla, underscore a league balancing established excellence with rising young talent.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the biggest takeaways from the opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs, including standout performances, early series momentum shifts and which teams are already looking like true championship contenders after Game 1.

The NBA Playoffs began this weekend! The 2026 NBA Playoffs opened with a strong weekend of Game 1 action that mostly saw higher seeds take control, though there were a few early surprises. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers opened their series with a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets, led by LeBron James in a historic moment that also marked the first father-son playoff appearance with Bronny James. The Denver Nuggets also handled business with a Game 1 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, while other top Western teams largely held serve and set the tone early.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers began their rivalry series in a tightly contested opener, while the New York Knicks took control late in their Game 1 win over the Atlanta Hawks. The Cleveland Cavaliers also secured a solid start against the Toronto Raptors behind balanced scoring. The biggest shock of the weekend came when the Orlando Magic upset the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on the road, never trailing in the game and immediately putting pressure on the series favorite. Did you watch? Which teams stuck out?Who looks like a real championship contender?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if the Charlotte Hornets can win with LaMelo Ball.

On Friday, the Charlotte Hornets’ season came to an end in the play-in tournament against the Orlando Magic. After a dramatic win over the Miami Heat earlier in the week, Charlotte was eliminated in decisive fashion as Orlando controlled the game from the start and never looked back. The Magic won 121-90 to secure the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The loss officially ended Charlotte’s season and sent the Magic into the playoffs. Can the Hornets win with LaMelo Ball? Can they make the second round? Can the Hornets even get a star better than Ball?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the NBA DPOY finalists, AJ Brown potentially being traded, the Charlotte Hornets and they preview the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame's 2026 induction class.

Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson and Victor Wembanyama are the finalists for NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Who should win?