June 14, 2025 • 10 mins
This week, US sports correspondent Leon Busby joined Piney to recap the action from the States, including the NHL finals, the NBA finals and the NCAA players pay ruling.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks, Be Busy.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Old Time and the United States as far as sport
is concerned. With finals in both the NHL and NBA,
plus lots of other storylines to chat about. Let's bring
in our American sport expert, Leon Busby. How you doing Leon?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Good afternoon, Jason. It's great to be back. Make it
the sex some of our headlined American sports. But first
and foremost, I'm just gonna hold you right there. Congratulations
on your continued success at the highest level. Now, your
loyal listening audience have often heard you say that the
Blackburn's Woman seven steam of the standard of excellence in
their field. Well, I'm more than justified to say one.
(00:49):
Jason Pine falls into that same narrative as the benchmark
here and his inner sports journalism. Well done, mate, on
you deserved award. Once again. Hey, now that we've got
the important stuff out of the way, let's get into today.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I think we should have left that till lastly on
but thank you very much. It's greatly appreciated. Now we
come to you as the NHL playoffs for the Stanley
kupp are going on the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida
Panthers that was tied at two games apiece. Game five
is in its final stages in Edmonton. How's it looking?
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Yeah, not looking too good for the home team at
the moment of the Oilers are down four to two
as we speak. Now, in a way, it's sort of
muss up my notes of it, but but I'll try
and get there. Now, there's one thing that separates these
two teams because over the series so far, three of
the first four games were resulted resulted in overtime, so
(01:43):
their boat teams are quite evenly matched. But there's one
real factor that separates these two teams. Now, what I
want to talk about quickly and I'll explain this to
your audience. Finally that may be unfamiliar with this term.
It's called a power player. Now. Power player is a
situation where one team is a numerical advantage on the
ice due to a penalty caught against the opposing team.
(02:06):
So when a player's center the penalty box, usually for
two or five minutes, depending on the seriousness of the indiscretion,
their team plays shorthanded while their opposing team gets a
power play. Typically five on four or even five on
three if multiple penalties are called. So think of it
as a yellow cart and rugby. The chances of the
team with the pack of a significant chance of scoring
(02:27):
while the penaltized player players are off the ice. So
if we look at this series again, Florida has done
today on a couple of power players. Florida has a
huge advantage in terms of the power play and have
punished all as on numous occasion. This would be well
their key going back to back. However, statistics aside, I
feel that Edmonton are still with a very good chance
to win it all as they have the best player
(02:49):
in the game, Colin McDavid, and also showed real resilient
in Game four, the last game, and they became the
first road team in the Stanley Cup Final to come
back from a three goal deficit since get this nineteen nineteen,
a mere one hundred and six years ago. So the
series is lookinguckly to go to seven games as it
did last year. But at the moment, yeah, not looking
(03:09):
too good for their Edmonton.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
I'm afraid all right, we'll move to the NBA playoffs.
This has been rarely compelling Staff Oklahoma City Thunder Indiana
Pacers OKAC came back from eighty seven eighty down at
three quarter time to win Game four yesterday one eleven,
one oh four in Indiana. So we're tied up at
to a piece. We go back to Oklahoma City for
(03:31):
Game five on Tuesday. Can you pick which way this
series is going to go?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah? So much like the Stanley Cup Finals, this series
has quite every balance. Are two games all at the
moment either side. I've never won the Lario Broke Brian
Trophy before, so this is new territory for them. So
were the first four games Pony Oksee of average one
hundred and thirteen points well Indiana one hundred and nine
point five, only three point five points difference in Game
(04:01):
three won by the Paces one sixteen one oh seven.
Indiana's bench was a big factor here. Okaysee's bench only
scored a combined total eighteen points while the home team
bench contributed forty nine, showing their superior depth outside of
the starting five. That really was a telling difference in
the end result. Now, if we wandered back to yesterday's
(04:21):
pivotal Game four, the Paces, like you you alluded to, Piney,
the Pace has led for most of the game, and
we're up by seven at the end of the third quarter. Unfortunately,
they only scored seventeen total points in the fourth quarter
and capitulated down the streets, losing at home one four,
one eleven. Now, I believe it. If indi Enda had
won that game yesterday, the chances of winning the series
(04:42):
would have been almost hard to bet. Again, so I
feel in a way, the Pacers blew their chances of
taking the commanding and seemingly understandable leading the series. But
I'll look back on Game four and realized that this
loss was defining. But we can also look at the
remainder of the series and say it's now our best
of three when it takes all. However, although I've got
no skin in the series, and I know you use
their term often, I'm leaning slightly towards Okase, who have
(05:06):
home court advantage should it go to a deciding game seven,
Like you said, Poney, a compaigning series.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Nonetheless, indeed, we know Americans love to watch their sport.
Do you have any ratings for the NHL or the
NBA postseason?
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Yeah, but who's all I want to say that, As
you know, Poney, I'm one who loves to extend you're
at the positive. But there's something that I really need
to address in terms of this, and it's a real
concerent and I'll quickly cover this. So have you managed
to catch any of the NBA or NHL games the
past couple of weeks?
Speaker 2 (05:38):
By the way, I've been watching the NBA ice hockey's
not read in a sweet spot, but I've been watching
a bit of the NBA.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Yep, not fair enough. Well, then you're not alowing there
because in terms of TV ratings the NHL Final, when
the US is averaging only two point four to two
instituents excuse me, viewers per night, down of wapping twenty
eight percent from last year. Now in Canada, though the
numbers are much more respectable at four point two million,
mainly because many Canadians are backing the Edmond and Orders,
(06:06):
jumping on their band bag and to finally break, hopefully
break that thirty two year who do for a team
north of the border to finally lift the coveted Stanley Cup. Now, worryingly,
the NBA final numbers are also tanking, mainly due to
a combination of small markets with both OKC and Indiana.
Then in that mix, you mix that with two teams
(06:27):
that are relatively anonymous, they have anonymous players. Most who
follow the NBA wouldn't be able to name another player
from both sides outside of OKC MVP Shi Gildris Alexander
and Indiana star Tyre Telliburton. Earlier this week, the NBA
Commissioner tried his best to down play the poor TV ratings,
but with only two percent watching the actual final series,
(06:47):
it's no wonder that NBA hu have legitimate concerns player
salaries are going to the roof, but unfortunately this doesn't
translate with TV audience numbers. Now, the overriding problem seems
almost contagious, and that the NBA, NHL and other sports
leagues are facing said challenges despite competitive games for most part,
and that viewing habits and how we consume live sports
(07:11):
have changed over the last decades because of rapid advancements
and digital technology. This is a global challenge plining and
there's no easy fix. Those in control need to evolve
with the times and must address this challenge much more
sooner than later.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Just while we're on the NBA, it's trade season. I
guess you can call it a lot of NBA trade
talk at the moment. What are the big storylines for you?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yes, so two of the biggest names in the league,
former MVP and two time champion Kevin Durant and two
time MVP and former champion Jiannis and at Coompo, both
future Hall of famers. Both players are elite and would
command top dollar from many franchise to move now. There's
a lot of speculation at this point about where both
players may land, with the LA Clippers now throwing their
(07:55):
hat in the ring for Kd's services as well as
a blockbuster trade that could involve future NBA draft picks.
As for Giannis, again, a lot of rumors in speculation,
but the bidding money is on him staying in Milwaukee,
as he has not yet requested a trade. It's well
known that he longs for another ring after his success
in twenty twenty one, but it seems more likely that
(08:16):
the Greek Freak will stay a Buck for now at least. Also,
just to quick side note Piney and breaking news from
earlier this morning, eleven year NBA veteran Stephen adams An
inked a new three year extension worth a reported sixty
six million New Zealand dollars fully guaranteed through twenty twenty
eight to stay with the Houston Rockets. He turns thirty
(08:36):
two next month and was slated to become an unrestricted
free agent. The big key we expressed a desire to
stay with the franchise, who had a very successful overall
season finishing second in the West. He was a significant
priority for the Rockets after playing a key rotation and
leadership roll with season and Houston's first playoff run since
twenty twenty. The team roster is quite young with good depth,
(08:59):
and there's a lot of expectation that the Rockets will
be a genuine contender in a top heavy Western conference
for years to come.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Yeah. Great to see Steven Adams secure his immediate future.
And the biggest name of the women's game Caitlyn Clark.
Now she's been out with a quad injury for the
last five games, she's back with a vengeance. By the
looks of things, leon.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Oh for sure. Earlier today, She's now known as the
faith of the NBA superstar Caitland Clark made her a
highly anticipated return for the Indiana Fever against the reigning
champion New York Liberty. He showed little rust in an
impressive all round performance, recording thirty two points, eight rebounds,
and nine assists. After suffering a quad strain injury on
(09:41):
May twenty four, Clark missed five games and the Fever
clearly struggled to a two to three record during her absence.
The twenty twenty four w NBA Rookie of the Year
was clearly unimpeded by her recent injury today and was
a catalyst and a fourteen point statement win over the
previously unbeaten Liberty. Clark is vitally important to Indiana's chances
(10:01):
this year if they hope to be a genuine contend
to come to playoffs, but even more also for the league,
as we know she's the place and the start of
the league financially moving forward.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
They'll be very very pleased to have her back. Got
to leave it there, Leon, but I can tell you
that the Florida Panthers of one game five in the
Stanley Cup by five goals to two, they've moved to
within one game of winning the Stanley Cup. Leon Busby
stateside with us here on News Talks, EDB and Weekends.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to news talks edb weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks, Be Busy.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Old Time and the United States as far as sport
is concerned. With finals in both the NHL and NBA,
plus lots of other storylines to chat about. Let's bring
in our American sport expert, Leon Busby. How you doing Leon?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Good afternoon, Jason. It's great to be back. Make it
the sex some of our headlined American sports. But first
and foremost, I'm just gonna hold you right there. Congratulations
on your continued success at the highest level. Now, your
loyal listening audience have often heard you say that the
Blackburn's Woman seven steam of the standard of excellence in
their field. Well, I'm more than justified to say one.
(00:49):
Jason Pine falls into that same narrative as the benchmark
here and his inner sports journalism. Well done, mate, on
you deserved award. Once again. Hey, now that we've got
the important stuff out of the way, let's get into today.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I think we should have left that till lastly on
but thank you very much. It's greatly appreciated. Now we
come to you as the NHL playoffs for the Stanley
kupp are going on the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida
Panthers that was tied at two games apiece. Game five
is in its final stages in Edmonton. How's it looking?
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Yeah, not looking too good for the home team at
the moment of the Oilers are down four to two
as we speak. Now, in a way, it's sort of
muss up my notes of it, but but I'll try
and get there. Now, there's one thing that separates these
two teams because over the series so far, three of
the first four games were resulted resulted in overtime, so
(01:43):
their boat teams are quite evenly matched. But there's one
real factor that separates these two teams. Now, what I
want to talk about quickly and I'll explain this to
your audience. Finally that may be unfamiliar with this term.
It's called a power player. Now. Power player is a
situation where one team is a numerical advantage on the
ice due to a penalty caught against the opposing team.
(02:06):
So when a player's center the penalty box, usually for
two or five minutes, depending on the seriousness of the indiscretion,
their team plays shorthanded while their opposing team gets a
power play. Typically five on four or even five on
three if multiple penalties are called. So think of it
as a yellow cart and rugby. The chances of the
team with the pack of a significant chance of scoring
(02:27):
while the penaltized player players are off the ice. So
if we look at this series again, Florida has done
today on a couple of power players. Florida has a
huge advantage in terms of the power play and have
punished all as on numous occasion. This would be well
their key going back to back. However, statistics aside, I
feel that Edmonton are still with a very good chance
to win it all as they have the best player
(02:49):
in the game, Colin McDavid, and also showed real resilient
in Game four, the last game, and they became the
first road team in the Stanley Cup Final to come
back from a three goal deficit since get this nineteen nineteen,
a mere one hundred and six years ago. So the
series is lookinguckly to go to seven games as it
did last year. But at the moment, yeah, not looking
(03:09):
too good for their Edmonton.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
I'm afraid all right, we'll move to the NBA playoffs.
This has been rarely compelling Staff Oklahoma City Thunder Indiana
Pacers OKAC came back from eighty seven eighty down at
three quarter time to win Game four yesterday one eleven,
one oh four in Indiana. So we're tied up at
to a piece. We go back to Oklahoma City for
(03:31):
Game five on Tuesday. Can you pick which way this
series is going to go?
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah? So much like the Stanley Cup Finals, this series
has quite every balance. Are two games all at the
moment either side. I've never won the Lario Broke Brian
Trophy before, so this is new territory for them. So
were the first four games Pony Oksee of average one
hundred and thirteen points well Indiana one hundred and nine
point five, only three point five points difference in Game
(04:01):
three won by the Paces one sixteen one oh seven.
Indiana's bench was a big factor here. Okaysee's bench only
scored a combined total eighteen points while the home team
bench contributed forty nine, showing their superior depth outside of
the starting five. That really was a telling difference in
the end result. Now, if we wandered back to yesterday's
(04:21):
pivotal Game four, the Paces, like you you alluded to, Piney,
the Pace has led for most of the game, and
we're up by seven at the end of the third quarter. Unfortunately,
they only scored seventeen total points in the fourth quarter
and capitulated down the streets, losing at home one four,
one eleven. Now, I believe it. If indi Enda had
won that game yesterday, the chances of winning the series
(04:42):
would have been almost hard to bet. Again, so I
feel in a way, the Pacers blew their chances of
taking the commanding and seemingly understandable leading the series. But
I'll look back on Game four and realized that this
loss was defining. But we can also look at the
remainder of the series and say it's now our best
of three when it takes all. However, although I've got
no skin in the series, and I know you use
their term often, I'm leaning slightly towards Okase, who have
(05:06):
home court advantage should it go to a deciding game seven,
Like you said, Poney, a compaigning series.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Nonetheless, indeed, we know Americans love to watch their sport.
Do you have any ratings for the NHL or the
NBA postseason?
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Yeah, but who's all I want to say that, As
you know, Poney, I'm one who loves to extend you're
at the positive. But there's something that I really need
to address in terms of this, and it's a real
concerent and I'll quickly cover this. So have you managed
to catch any of the NBA or NHL games the
past couple of weeks?
Speaker 2 (05:38):
By the way, I've been watching the NBA ice hockey's
not read in a sweet spot, but I've been watching
a bit of the NBA.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Yep, not fair enough. Well, then you're not alowing there
because in terms of TV ratings the NHL Final, when
the US is averaging only two point four to two
instituents excuse me, viewers per night, down of wapping twenty
eight percent from last year. Now in Canada, though the
numbers are much more respectable at four point two million,
mainly because many Canadians are backing the Edmond and Orders,
(06:06):
jumping on their band bag and to finally break, hopefully
break that thirty two year who do for a team
north of the border to finally lift the coveted Stanley Cup. Now, worryingly,
the NBA final numbers are also tanking, mainly due to
a combination of small markets with both OKC and Indiana.
Then in that mix, you mix that with two teams
(06:27):
that are relatively anonymous, they have anonymous players. Most who
follow the NBA wouldn't be able to name another player
from both sides outside of OKC MVP Shi Gildris Alexander
and Indiana star Tyre Telliburton. Earlier this week, the NBA
Commissioner tried his best to down play the poor TV ratings,
but with only two percent watching the actual final series,
(06:47):
it's no wonder that NBA hu have legitimate concerns player
salaries are going to the roof, but unfortunately this doesn't
translate with TV audience numbers. Now, the overriding problem seems
almost contagious, and that the NBA, NHL and other sports
leagues are facing said challenges despite competitive games for most part,
and that viewing habits and how we consume live sports
(07:11):
have changed over the last decades because of rapid advancements
and digital technology. This is a global challenge plining and
there's no easy fix. Those in control need to evolve
with the times and must address this challenge much more
sooner than later.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Just while we're on the NBA, it's trade season. I
guess you can call it a lot of NBA trade
talk at the moment. What are the big storylines for you?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yes, so two of the biggest names in the league,
former MVP and two time champion Kevin Durant and two
time MVP and former champion Jiannis and at Coompo, both
future Hall of famers. Both players are elite and would
command top dollar from many franchise to move now. There's
a lot of speculation at this point about where both
players may land, with the LA Clippers now throwing their
(07:55):
hat in the ring for Kd's services as well as
a blockbuster trade that could involve future NBA draft picks.
As for Giannis, again, a lot of rumors in speculation,
but the bidding money is on him staying in Milwaukee,
as he has not yet requested a trade. It's well
known that he longs for another ring after his success
in twenty twenty one, but it seems more likely that
(08:16):
the Greek Freak will stay a Buck for now at least. Also,
just to quick side note Piney and breaking news from
earlier this morning, eleven year NBA veteran Stephen adams An
inked a new three year extension worth a reported sixty
six million New Zealand dollars fully guaranteed through twenty twenty
eight to stay with the Houston Rockets. He turns thirty
(08:36):
two next month and was slated to become an unrestricted
free agent. The big key we expressed a desire to
stay with the franchise, who had a very successful overall
season finishing second in the West. He was a significant
priority for the Rockets after playing a key rotation and
leadership roll with season and Houston's first playoff run since
twenty twenty. The team roster is quite young with good depth,
(08:59):
and there's a lot of expectation that the Rockets will
be a genuine contender in a top heavy Western conference
for years to come.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Yeah. Great to see Steven Adams secure his immediate future.
And the biggest name of the women's game Caitlyn Clark.
Now she's been out with a quad injury for the
last five games, she's back with a vengeance. By the
looks of things, leon.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Oh for sure. Earlier today, She's now known as the
faith of the NBA superstar Caitland Clark made her a
highly anticipated return for the Indiana Fever against the reigning
champion New York Liberty. He showed little rust in an
impressive all round performance, recording thirty two points, eight rebounds,
and nine assists. After suffering a quad strain injury on
(09:41):
May twenty four, Clark missed five games and the Fever
clearly struggled to a two to three record during her absence.
The twenty twenty four w NBA Rookie of the Year
was clearly unimpeded by her recent injury today and was
a catalyst and a fourteen point statement win over the
previously unbeaten Liberty. Clark is vitally important to Indiana's chances
(10:01):
this year if they hope to be a genuine contend
to come to playoffs, but even more also for the league,
as we know she's the place and the start of
the league financially moving forward.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
They'll be very very pleased to have her back. Got
to leave it there, Leon, but I can tell you
that the Florida Panthers of one game five in the
Stanley Cup by five goals to two, they've moved to
within one game of winning the Stanley Cup. Leon Busby
stateside with us here on News Talks, EDB and Weekends.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to news talks edb weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.