"The Stack" 2-1-17

You're looking live at Brent Musburger's last ever game he called for ESPN. Musburger will be hosting a sports betting radio show on Sirius-XM satellite radio from Las Vegas. He will be missed in the booth.
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Barkley was not offended by LeBron James' criticism of him saying that James did his homework on him when James went off Monday night.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Stack is back on this Wednesday and once again we really don’t have a whole lot to talk about today like on Tuesday.  There are a few things though we can discuss so let’s get right to it and see what’s in “the stack” for today, Wednesday, February 1st (what the first day of February already?):

 

Brent Musburger calls final game on ESPN

 

Legendary announcer Brent Musburger called his final game Tuesday night.  It was an overtime men’s college basketball game between Kentucky and Georgia.  Kentucky won in overtime 90-81.  Malik Monk scored 37 points.  He is fun to watch.  No what has been even more fun though?  Listening to games Musburger has called for my entire life.  He’s been doing it for close to 50 years and while I am not quite 30 years old nor was I watching from the moment I was born, I have enjoyed games that Musburger has called.  He has been a part of some huge games.  His catchphrase, “You’re looking live…” is synonymous with his name.  In some blog in the near future I will put together my Mount Rushmore of sportscasters and announcers.  If Musburger isn’t on there, he would be the first or second one left off.  He will be hosting a sports betting show in Las Vegas on Sirius/XM Radio.  I sure will miss Musburger as will millions of other fans around the country. Here’s to one of the best.  Here’s to you Brent, looking live one last time.

 

Charles Barkley laughs off LeBron James criticism

 

NBA on TNT analyst Charles Barkley had some harsh words for LeBron James Monday night saying he was tired of the whining and that maybe James just didn’t want to compete anymore.  You don’t say that about an athlete, especially not an athlete like James.  So James came back with a flamethrower and torched Barkley telling ESPN on Monday, “I'm not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas.  I never said, 'I'm not a role model.' I never showed up to All-Star Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying.”  Barkley did an interview an ESPN Radio Tuesday and laughed it off saying James, “did his homework.”  Barkley is often times loquacious with his comments and analysis, but he never shies away from criticism.  I like Barkley a lot and I’m glad he said what he said. James is a little whiny, but after seeing what Golden State has done this offseason and just going through the worst month of his professional career with a record of 7-8 in January.  It’s not good.  Cleveland is in danger of being embarrassed by Golden State in the NBA Finals. 

 

Super Bowl storylines

 

A couple of quick storylines today regarding the Super Bowl.  #Deflategate has been restored again this week, because of course Tom Brady and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell may indeed meet on the field after the game and Goodell may have to hand Brady the Lombardi Trophy and the MVP award should the Patriots win.  In all honesty, I believe that is one of the main reasons why more people want the Patriots to win is to see that uncomfortable moment when Goodell has to shake Brady’s hand.  After this game, perhaps finally #Deflategate will go away for good, but until Sunday, we will definitely be hearing about it.

 

Tomorrow I will talk about why this game should be dubbed the Cleveland Browns bowl.  One other story to look at though is that Tom Brady has more Super Bowl experience than the entire Atlanta Falcons team combined.  That’s right, Brady, playing in his seventh Super Bowl has more appearances than the entire Falcons team.  Defensive end Dwight Freeney has played in two Super Bowls (both with the Colts if memory serves me correct), linebacker Philip Wheeler (also with the Colts I think), safety Dashon Goldson and  defensive tackle Courtney Upshaw all have one appearance.  The experience may not be too much of a factor, but if the game is close late, in the biggest game of everyone’s lives, I may lean towards the guy who has more experience in crunch situations and that is Brady.  Then again, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn will be coaching in his third Super Bowl (he was the defensive coordinator for Seattle in their two Super Bowl appearances) so maybe the Falcons will be just fine.

 

Coming up Thursday: Super Bowl storyline plus other top stories in sports