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.

rss_feed RSS Feed

Most Recent Episode

The Best of the Sports Shop
Nick Saban Takes NIL Debate To Congress: Does College Football Need More Regulation?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Nick Saban's testimony before Congress regarding NIL in college football.

Recently, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban testified before the U.S. Senate in support of bipartisan legislation aimed at bringing more structure and oversight to college athletics. Saban argued that the current landscape of college sports, driven by NIL (name, image and likeness) payments and the transfer portal, has become increasingly difficult to manage and needs national regulations. The proposed bill would establish federal guidelines for athlete compensation, limit players to one unrestricted transfer during their college careers, and create restrictions on coaches leaving programs during a season. While supporters believe the legislation would help restore competitive balance and stability, the proposal faces opposition from the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference, which argue that the bill does not adequately address key concerns and could limit their flexibility. What does the Sports Shop crew think about Saban's testimony?

00:18:00
Jun 5, 2026 10:14 AM
Clean

More Episodes

The Best of the Sports Shop
Always Bet On Black w/ Ian Parks: Carolina Hurricanes, NBA Finals Picks, WNBA Picks

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Ian Parks to discuss Carolina Hurricanes hockey, his NBA Finals picks and some WNBA 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: San Antonio Spurs or New York Knicks? Dallas Wings or Los Angeles Sparks?

The New York Knicks are up 1-0 in their NBA Finals series against the San Antonio Spurs after winning Game 1 by a score of 105-95 last night. The Spurs will host the Knicks in Game 2 of their series tonight. Who will win?

00:19:51
Jun 5, 2026 10:0 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
New York Knicks Look To Take Control In Game 2: What NY Must Do To Beat The San Antonio Spurs Again

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex preview Game 2 of the NBA Finals and discuss what the Knicks need to do win.

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 Wednesday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks scoring 30 points but needed 31 shots to do so. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds and played solid defense on Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks were able to steal Game 1 on the road. Did the Spurs beat themselves in Game 1 or did the Knicks take care of business? What adjustments can the Spurs make for Game 2? What must the Knicks do to win Game 2 tonight? Who will win Game 2? Who will win the series?

00:16:40
Jun 5, 2026 9:57 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Carolina Hurricanes Even Stanley Cup Final At 1-1; Seth Jarvis Scores OT Game-Winner

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex and one of our summer interns, Houston Hooker, discuss Carolina Hurricanes hockey, their win over Vegas last night.

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 last night in overtime of the Stanley Cup Finals. Seth Jarvis scored on the power play in overtime to give the Canes a win in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final last night. Game 3 of the NHL Finals is in Las Vegas tomorrow night at 8pm. Can the Canes build on the momentum? Will the Canes win the Cup Finals?

00:13:46
Jun 5, 2026 9:51 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Reese Reflects On Cristo Rey H.S. Mass + Hurricanes Rally In OT + Raleigh Firebirds Fall At Home

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Reese's experience at Cristo Rey High School's mass, the Hurricanes win, last night's Raleigh Firebirds game and more. 

 The Raleigh Firebirds played the Tri-City Tide at 7 p.m. at John Chavis Memorial Park in Downtown Raleigh last night. Unfortunately for the Firebirds, they suffered a 106-102 loss to the Tide.

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 last night in overtime of the Stanley Cup Finals. Seth Jarvis scored on the power play in overtime to give the Canes a win in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final last night. Game 3 of the NHL Finals is in Las Vegas tomorrow night at 8pm. Can the Canes build on the momentum? Will the Canes win the Cup Finals?

00:10:00
Jun 5, 2026 9:49 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
New York Knicks Take Control In Game 1: Should Stephon Castle And Dylan Harper Have Played More?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Knicks’ Game 1 victory over the Spurs in the NBA Finals, breaking down whether New York won the game or San Antonio lost it, while also questioning the Spurs’ rotation decisions, including why Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper didn’t play more while Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox saw heavy minutes.

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 last night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks scoring 30 points but needed 31 shots to do so. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds and played solid defense on Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks were able to steal Game 1 on the road. Did the Spurs beat themselves in Game 1 or did the Knicks take care of business? Why were Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox getting so many minutes? Should Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have taken their minutes? Who will win Game 2? Who will win the series?

00:18:31
Jun 4, 2026 10:23 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Rams Land Myles Garrett: Should Aaron Donald Come Out of Retirement? What Would an Aaron Donald Return Mean for the NFL?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss whether Aaron Donald should come out of retirement following the Los Angeles Rams' blockbuster acquisition of Myles Garrett and what a potential return would mean for the Rams' Super Bowl chances and the NFL landscape.

The Los Angeles Rams made headlines by acquiring star pass rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade, immediately strengthening an already talented defense. Garrett, who is coming off a dominant season and is widely regarded as one of the NFL's premier defensive players, now joins a Rams team with Super Bowl aspirations. The move has also sparked speculation about the possible return of retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald. After the trade, Donald admitted that the addition of Garrett "got me thinking," fueling rumors that he could consider a comeback. While Rams head coach Sean McVay has said he believes Donald could still play at a high level if he chose to return, there has been no official indication that the future Hall of Famer plans to come out of retirement. Should AD unretire? What would an Aaron Donald return do for the Rams and to the NFL?

00:12:28
Jun 4, 2026 10:18 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Dishin' It Up w/ Dr. Deborah Stroman: Can Anyone Stop Jalen Brunson, Is Wembanyama Soft? + Does God Favor Athletes?

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

Dr. Stroman breaks down Game 1 of the NBA Finals and challenges the Sports Shop crew with several thought-provoking questions: How do you defend Jalen Brunson? Is Victor Wembanyama being unfairly labeled as soft? What would a Knicks championship mean for Karl-Anthony Towns' legacy? And does God favor athletes in competition?

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, stealing home-court advantage in the process. Jalen Brunson led New York with 30 points, though he needed 31 shots to reach the mark. Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 points and 12 rebounds while playing a key defensive role against Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but the Spurs came up short as the Knicks took a 1-0 series lead.

00:23:00
Jun 4, 2026 10:14 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
New York Knicks Take 1-0 Finals Lead Over Spurs: Is New York Getting Enough Credit For Game 1?

Reese, Kmac, Pam, and Alex discuss the Knicks' Game 1 victory over the Spurs last night, breaking down whether San Antonio beat themselves with costly mistakes or if New York simply imposed their will and earned the win.

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 last night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks scoring 30 points but needed 31 shots to do so. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds and played solid defense on Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks were able to steal Game 1 on the road. Did the Spurs beat themselves in Game 1 or did the Knicks take care of business? Who will win Game 2? Who will win the series?

00:07:42
Jun 4, 2026 9:49 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
New York Knicks Beat San Antonio Spurs In NBA Finals Game 1: Did The Spurs Beat Themselves?

Reese, Pam, and Alex discuss the Knicks' Game 1 victory over the Spurs last night, breaking down whether San Antonio beat themselves with costly mistakes or if New York simply imposed their will and earned the win.

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 last night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks scoring 30 points but needed 31 shots to do so. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds and played solid defense on Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks were able to steal Game 1 on the road. Did the Spurs beat themselves in Game 1? Who will win Game 2? Who will win the series?

00:15:43
Jun 4, 2026 9:40 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Spurs vs. Knicks Predictions + Draymond Green's Critique of New York

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex preview Game 1 of the NBA Finals, make their predictions for tonight's matchup and the series as a whole, and react to Draymond Green's criticism of the Knicks by debating whether New York is a legitimate championship contender or if Green is unfairly downplaying the team's impressive postseason run.

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of their Western Conference Finals series over the weekend, winning the series 4-3 and advancing to the NBA Finals. Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in San Antonio tonight. Who will win Game 1? Who will win the series?

Despite the Knicks' run to the NBA Finals, Green questioned whether the team has what it takes to win a championship. On his podcast, he argued that New York still lacks a true "1A" superstar and challenged the team to prove him wrong. His most controversial remark came when he said, "You're supposed to get out of the East," suggesting that reaching the Finals from the Eastern Conference shouldn't automatically earn a team championship respect. Is Green offering a fair assessment of the Knicks, or is he simply hating on one of the NBA's biggest success stories this season?

00:21:55
Jun 3, 2026 10:14 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Peabo Bryson Dies At 75: Does Anyone In This Era Compare To Bryson?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Peabo Bryson's passing, reflect on his lasting legacy, examine the impact of his timeless music and debate whether any modern artist compares to the talent of Bryson.

Peabo Bryson was one of the most celebrated R&B balladeers of his generation, known for hits such as “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” and for his Grammy-winning Disney duets “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle. He died yesterday, June 2, 2026, at age 75 after suffering a stroke. His smooth, powerful voice and timeless love songs left a lasting impact on music and continue to be cherished by fans around the world. What is Peabo Bryson's legacy? How great was he? Does anyone in this era compare to Bryson?

00:20:52
Jun 3, 2026 10:10 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Carolina Hurricanes Fall To Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 In Game 1: What Went Wrong For The Canes?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex and one of our summer interns, Houston Hooker, discuss Carolina Hurricanes hockey, their loss to Vegas last night and the French Open.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 last night in the Stanley Cup Finals. What went wrong for the Canes last night? What adjustments do they need to make? Game 2 of the NHL Finals is back in Raleigh tomorrow night. Will the Canes win the Cup Finals?

00:11:51
Jun 3, 2026 10:8 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Peabo Bryson Dies At 75: Remembering The Voice Behind Timeless Love Songs And Disney Classics

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the passing of Peabo Bryson and reflect on the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.

Peabo Bryson was one of the most celebrated R&B balladeers of his generation, known for hits such as “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” and for his Grammy-winning Disney duets “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle. He died yesterday, June 2, 2026, at age 75 after suffering a stroke. His smooth, powerful voice and timeless love songs left a lasting impact on music and continue to be cherished by fans around the world. What is Peabo Bryson's legacy? How great was he?

00:18:32
Jun 3, 2026 9:48 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights Defeat Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 In Game 1

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Hurricanes loss to the Golden Knights last night.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 last night in the Stanley Cup Finals. What went wrong for the Canes last night? What adjustments do they need to make? Game 2 of the NHL Finals is back in Raleigh tomorrow night. Will the Canes win the Cup Finals?

00:11:12
Jun 3, 2026 9:40 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Championship Chaos: Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, Spurs-Thunder Set for NBA Finals + NFL Trades Shake the League

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss whether it truly feels like a Stanley Cup Finals city in Raleigh, break down the Carolina Hurricanes’ historic run and what a championship would mean for the Triangle, debate if the Los Angeles Rams are now Super Bowl favorites after acquiring Myles Garrett in a blockbuster NFL trade, and preview the NBA Finals as the San Antonio Spurs prepare to host Game 1 against the Knicks.

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 Friday night in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning the series and advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. With Game 1 of the NHL Finals taking place in Raleigh tonight, excitement is building across the Triangle as fans prepare for one of the biggest sporting events the city has ever hosted. But does it feel like a championship city right now? Is there the same buzz, energy and anticipation that cities experience during an NBA Finals run, or is the excitement more subdued despite the magnitude of the moment? The crew debates whether Raleigh has fully embraced the Hurricanes' historic run and what a Stanley Cup championship would mean for the city. 

Yesterday, the Cleveland Browns sent reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade package that included edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. The moves signal a major shift in the balance of power across both conferences and have NFL fans and analysts debating which teams improved the most heading into the 2026 season. Are the Rams the Super Bowl favorite?

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of their Western Conference Finals series over the weekend, winning the series 4-3 and advancing to the NBA Finals. Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in San Antonio tomorrow night where the Spurs will host the New York Knicks.

00:12:46
Jun 2, 2026 10:50 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Stanley Cup Finals: Do The Carolina Hurricanes Have Raleigh Feeling The Energy And Excitement?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss whether it truly feels like a Stanley Cup Finals city in Raleigh.

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 Friday night in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning the series and advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. With Game 1 of the NHL Finals taking place in Raleigh tonight, excitement is building across the Triangle as fans prepare for one of the biggest sporting events the city has ever hosted. But does it feel like a championship city right now? Is there the same buzz, energy and anticipation that cities experience during an NBA Finals run, or is the excitement more subdued despite the magnitude of the moment? The crew debates whether Raleigh has fully embraced the Hurricanes' historic run and what a Stanley Cup championship would mean for the city.

00:15:10
Jun 2, 2026 10:45 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Which NFL Team Would You Want To Retire Your Jersey? + Are The Rams The Super Bowl Favorite?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss which NFL team they would want to retire their jersey, big moves made in the NFL yesterday, including multiple blockbuster trades involving Myles Garrett and if it makes them the Super Bowl favorite.

Among the biggest deals, the Cleveland Browns sent reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade package that included edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. The moves signal a major shift in the balance of power across both conferences and have NFL fans and analysts debating which teams improved the most heading into the 2026 season. Are the Rams the Super Bowl favorite?

00:11:49
Jun 2, 2026 10:38 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
"You're Supposed To Get Out Of The East": Is Draymond Green Right About The Knicks?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Draymond Green's recent comments about the New York Knicks.

Despite the Knicks' run to the NBA Finals, Green questioned whether the team has what it takes to win a championship. On his podcast, he argued that New York still lacks a true "1A" superstar and challenged the team to prove him wrong. His most controversial remark came when he said, "You're supposed to get out of the East," suggesting that reaching the Finals from the Eastern Conference shouldn't automatically earn a team championship respect. Is Green offering a fair assessment of the Knicks, or is he simply hating on one of the NBA's biggest success stories this season?

00:11:36
Jun 2, 2026 10:31 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
AJ Brown Traded To Patriots: Was A.J. Brown Made By Jalen Hurts Or Did He Make Hurts Better?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss big moves made in the NFL yesterday, including multiple blockbuster trades involving A.J. Brown, Myles Garrett and several other players. There were many big moves made yesterday in the NFL, reshaping rosters across the league and creating major storylines heading into the upcoming season.

Among the biggest deals, the Philadelphia Eagles traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, giving New England a proven No. 1 target for quarterback Drake Maye. Which team won the trade: The Eagles or The Patriots? Did Jalen Hurts need Brown or did Brown need Hurts? 

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns sent reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade package that included edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. The moves signal a major shift in the balance of power across both conferences and have NFL fans and analysts debating which teams improved the most heading into the 2026 season. Are the Rams the Super Bowl favorite? Is there anything good about Cleveland?

00:16:10
Jun 2, 2026 10:29 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
NFL: Myles Garrett Traded To Rams, AJ Brown Traded To Patriots - Are The Rams The Super Bowl Favorite?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss big moves made in the NFL yesterday, including multiple blockbuster trades involving A.J. Brown, Myles Garrett and several other players. There were many big moves made yesterday in the NFL, reshaping rosters across the league and creating major storylines heading into the upcoming season.

Among the biggest deals, the Philadelphia Eagles traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, giving New England a proven No. 1 target for quarterback Drake Maye. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns sent reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade package that included edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. The moves signal a major shift in the balance of power across both conferences and have NFL fans and analysts debating which teams improved the most heading into the 2026 season. Are the Rams the Super Bowl favorite? Is there anything good about Cleveland?

00:12:43
Jun 2, 2026 10:17 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Spurs Advance To NBA Finals: What Went Wrong For OKC And Is Chet Holmgren To Blame?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Spurs' Game 7 victory over the Thunder, whether anyone expected San Antonio to advance to the NBA Finals, what went wrong for Oklahoma City, how much blame Chet Holmgren deserves for the loss and more.

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of their Western Conference Finals series over the weekend, winning the series 4-3 and advancing to the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama won WCF MVP honors. Did anyone expect the Spurs to win Game 7? What went wrong for OKC? How much is Chet Holmgren to blame for Oklahoma City's Game 7 loss? Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in San Antonio Wednesday night. Who will win Game 1? Who will win the series?

00:23:40
Jun 1, 2026 10:16 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Good Look Bad Look Monday: Spurs Advance To NBA Finals, Hurricanes Advance To Stanley Cup Finals

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss their Good Looks and Bad Looks on this Good Look Bad Look Monday.

It is Good Look Bad Look Monday! What are your Good Looks and Bad Looks?! The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of their Western Conference Finals series over the weekend, winning the series 4-3 and advancing to the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama won WCF MVP honors. Did anyone expect the Spurs to win Game 7? What went wrong for OKC? How much is Chet Holmgren to blame for Oklahoma City's Game 7 loss? Game 1 of the NBA Finals is in San Antonio Wednesday night. Who will win Game 1? Who will win the series?

00:15:13
Jun 1, 2026 10:0 AM
Clean
The Best of the Sports Shop
Hurricanes Roll Into The Stanley Cup Finals: Can Carolina Finish The Job Against Vegas?

Reese, Kmac and Alex and one of our summer interns, Houston Hooker, discuss Carolina Hurricanes hockey and how the Canes will do in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 Friday night in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning their ECF series and advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 1of the NHL Finals is back in Raleigh tomorrow night. Will the Canes win the Cup Finals? How about Game 1? How do the Hurricanes matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights?

00:15:50
Jun 1, 2026 9:56 AM
Clean