Hang Up and Listen: The Cross Between Akili Smith and Aaron Brooks Edition
Slate’s sports podcast on the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, the NBA playoffs, and stereotyping black quarterback prospects.
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In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about the sports world’s response to the Boston bombings and how marathons will change going forward. Next, they discuss the NBA playoffs, including the starless Denver Nuggets, Chris “Birdman” Andersen’s emergence, and Derrick Rose’s absence. Finally, they talk about the NFL draft and the stereotyping of black quarterback prospects like West Virginia’s Geno Smith.
Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:
- There was increased security at this weekend’s London Marathon.
- Mike’s NPR piece explaining how the marathon’s openness creates security challenges.
- The Nation’s Dave Zirin fears an overpoliced 2014 Boston Marathon.
- In Slate, Josh spoke with four-time Boston Marathon champion Bill Rodgers after the bombings.
- Luke O’Neil’s Slate story on the over-the-top coverage of New England pride.
- Boston turned to its sports teams after the tragedy, writes New Republic’s Marc Tracy.
- Video of Bruins fans singing the national anthem.
- David Ortiz told Red Sox fans “This is our fucking city” before Saturday’s game.
- Tamerlan Tsarnaev was the subject of a photo essay, “Will Box for Passport.”
- Video of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev wrestling with friends.
- Neil Diamond singing “Sweet Caroline” live at Fenway.
- Home teams won the first eight games of the NBA playoffs.
- Tom Haberstroh’s ESPN Insider article on the Knicks’ high-variance offensive strategy.
- Mike talked about the Nuggets’ deep and starless roster on NPR.
- Basketball Prospectus predicted Denver to finish atop the Western Conference.
- Chris “Birdman” Andersen scored 10 points in 16 minutes in the Heat’s Game 1 victory over the Bucks.
- Derrick Rose won’t play until he’s comfortable dunking off his left foot.
- Rose is being sued by an obese man for negligent behavior.
- Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki called Geno Smith a “cross between Akili Smith and Aaron Brooks.”
- Jon Gruden said Smith is “a preparation freak.”
- Nawrocki bashed Cam Newton in 2011.
- USA Today’s Jarrett Bell says Newton, Smith, and Robert Griffin III pay a “black tax.”
- Research by Eugenio Mercurio and Vincent F. Filak suggests the media stereotypes black quarterbacks.
- Judy Battista’s New York Times story on the Player Assessment Tool, a new psychological test for NFL rookies.
Hang Up and Listen’s weekly Festuses:
Mike’s Festus: Damian Lillard is the third rookie to lead the league in minutes played, which is a convenient excuse to bring up Wilt Chamberlain’s durability records.
Stefan’s Festus: A journey through biting history, from Tree Rollins to the tender, affectionate Francisco Gallardo.
Josh’s Festus: Was Pop Warner’s “point for each first down” suggestion the origin of crazy spring football scoring systems?
Podcast production and edit by Mike Vuolo. Our intern is Eric Goldwein.
You can email us at hangup@slate.com.