Hang Up And Listen

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by the Wall Street Journal’s Ben Cohen to talk about the latest on the coronavirus and sports. They also interview Cohen about his book The Hot Hand: The Mystery and Science of Streaks. Finally, they assess a chaotic week in New York professional basketball.   Coronavirus (1:52): When will our sense of American exceptionalism end and reality set in?   Hot hand (19:35): What the latest research tells us about the elusive “zone.”   Knicks and Nets (39:24): James Dolan is beefing with Spike Lee and Brooklyn just fired its coach. Yowza.   Afterballs (59:48): Stefan on team handball and Joel on Carl Crawford. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on Hang Up and Listen each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the rise of Zion Williamson. They also discuss the legends and myths of the NFL’s scouting combine and assess how the spread of the coronavirus will affect sports around the world.   Zion (3:59): Understanding the might and charisma of the teenage NBA superstar.   NFL combine (19:49): Is pro football’s annual scouting carnival actually useful as an evaluation tool?   Coronavirus (36:08): How teams, leagues, and the Olympics might be affected. Afterballs (49:35): Stefan on a historic Penn collapse and Josh on a fateful kick over the uprights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the push for a 17-game NFL season and John Beilein’s short, tumultuous tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joseph Bien-Kahn also joins to discuss ultrarunner Jim Walmsley’s quest to qualify for the Olympic marathon. NFL (01:42): The pros and cons of a longer professional football season. Beilein (17:31): He was a great college basketball coach. How did it go so wrong in the NBA? Ultramarathon (33:30): Can the world’s best super-long-distance runner hang with the best for 26.2 miles? Afterballs (51:26): Stefan on Little Leagues and major-league nicknames and Josh on segregation at the Sugar Bowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and special guest Lindsay Gibbs talk about the fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. They also discuss WNBA free agency and the rise of Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu. Finally, they review the Netflix docuseries Cheer. Astros (03:13): What should we make of baseball players’ anger toward their Houston brethren? Women’s basketball (19:53): What’s the deal with all the player movement in the WNBA? And is Sabrina Ionescu the sport’s next huge star? Cheer (38:16): What makes the Netflix docuseries great and why it’s often disturbing to watch. Afterballs (01:01:00): Joel on the Knuckleheads podcast and Lindsay on the pioneering Immaculata women’s basketball program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the opening weekend of the new XFL. They also discuss the Houston Rockets’ small-ball experiment and review ESPN’s new Michael Vick documentary. XFL (01:57): Is the latest iteration of Vince McMahon’s NFL competitor built to last? Rockets (22:48): Is playing super-duper small a smart idea, a desperate ploy, or a smart idea that’s also a desperate ploy? Vick (37:11): Assessing the quarterback’s contrition 13 years after he pleaded guilty to a dogfighting charge. Afterball (58:02): Stefan on one of Bobby Knight’s most memorable meltdowns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Chiefs’ win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Stefan and Josh are then joined by the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas to discuss the wins by Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin at the Australian Open. Super Bowl (01:31): The great Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a comeback victory as Andy Reid outcoached Kyle Shanahan. Australian Open (24:34): How Novak Djokovic controlled his mind and body to beat Dominic Thiem, and what you need to know about the latest American woman to win a grand slam title. Afterballs (46:05): Stefan on “Proud to Be an Astro” and Josh on the tragic story of Jim and Martha Tyrer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Kobe Bryant’s on-court and off-court legacies with NPR’s Gene Demby and Lindsay Gibbs of the Power Plays! newsletter and the Burn It All Down podcast.   Kobe’s shocking death (00:50): What we felt when we heard about the helicopter crash, and why his peers thought Kobe was Michael Jordan’s heir.   Kobe on the court (14:09): Why so many fans loved his game and so many didn’t.   The sexual assault allegations and Kobe’s support for women’s basketball (35:48): How the case against him is and isn’t remembered, and how to reconcile it with Kobe’s post-retirement life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about how the Chiefs and 49ers made the Super Bowl. They also discuss the new Netflix documentary Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez. Finally, Fatsis and Mike Pesca interview the greatest Jeopardy! player of all time, Ken Jennings. Chiefs and 49ers (02:49): On Patrick Mahomes, the 49ers’ running game, Andy Reid, and Kyle Shanahan. Aaron Hernandez (20:50): Does the new Netflix doc have any reason to exist? Ken Jennings (36:20): The greatest Jeopardy! player of all time tells all. Afterballs (01:03:02): Joel on Marshawn Lynch and Stefan on the Memphis Kings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and new Hang Up and Listen co-host Joel Anderson revel in LSU’s win over Clemson in college football’s title game. ESPN’s Jeff Passan talks about MLB’s punishment of the Houston Astros. Finally, Daniel Engber discusses his story on a rape accusation against three New York Mets, and how those players were never charged. LSU-Clemson (04:21): How the Tigers from Baton Rouge won it all. Astros (20:34): What signal was commissioner Rob Manfred trying to send with the penalties he imposed against Houston for sign-stealing? Mets (40:52): A woman accused three New York Mets of raping her in 1991. Those players weren't charged. She was forgotten. Afterballs (1:10:05): Stefan on the NBA trillion (or is it a quintillion?) and Josh on a Sporcle quiz that made him sad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Slate’s Seth Stevenson to discuss the Patriots’ playoff loss and the post-NFL life of Rob Gronkowski. ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan also joins to talk about the legacy of NBA commissioner David Stern. Finally, they interview Theo Anthony about his documentary Subject to Review.   Patriots and Gronk (01:39): Why couldn’t Tom Brady and Bill Belichick pull it together this year? And should we pity Rob Gronkowski or feel happy that he got out of the NFL at 29?   David Stern (17:41): How we should think about the legendary commissioner, who had a reputation for meanness but made the NBA a corporate giant.   Subject to Review (42:31): A heady, trippy documentary about replay in tennis.   Afterballs (57:48): Stefan on the origins of “trash panda” and Josh on decibel readings at football games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Spencer Hall to talk about the College Football Playoff. They also interview Matthew Goodman about his book on the CCNY point-shaving scandal, The City Game. Finally, they review the greatest sports moments of the decade.   College Football Playoff (01:45): How LSU destroyed Oklahoma and Clemson squeaked out a win over Ohio State.   The City Game (23:36): A new book about the point-shaving scandal that rocked college basketball 70 seasons ago--and remains relevant today.   Sports moments of the decade (53:42): LeBron, Serena, the USWNT, the Kick Six, and a lot more.   Afterballs (01:18:41): Stefan and Josh on their personal sports moments of the decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Ringer’s Bryan Curtis to discuss the Dallas Cowboys’ demise. Power Plays’ Lindsay Gibbs also joins to talk about WNBA owner and incoming GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler. Finally, “barking dog” Jason Holt on his moment of basketball glory.   Cowboys (01:24): Why has owner Jerry Jones accepted mediocrity for so long? And what’s next for one of the NFL’s showcase franchises?   Kelly Loeffler (20:17): How will the league and its players handle having a Trump-supporting U.S. senator as an owner?   Barking dog (36:01): Breaking down an iconic moment in sports history and everything that came after.   Afterball (56:41): Josh on Egypt’s squash dominance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Undefeated’s Lonnae O’Neal to talk about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Sports Illustrated’s Emma Baccellieri also joins to discuss baseball free agency. Finally, author Damon Young chats about the rise of Bronny James.   Lamar Jackson (01:24): What’s the larger significance of this particular black quarterback?   MLB free agency (18:47): Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, and Anthony Rendon have all signed huge deals. What do those contracts say about the state of the game?   Bronny James (33:50): There’s a lot of pressure on LeBron’s son. Over the weekend, he lived up to the hype. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Banner Society’s Spencer Hall to discuss the college football playoff. The Athletic’s Wosny Lambre also joins to talk about the surging Los Angeles Lakers. Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Louise Radnofsky explains skaters’ strange obsession with Schindler’s List.   College football (01:53): Why Clemson is mad, how LSU got good, and other playoff-related matters.   Lakers (24:18): Everything is going very well for LeBron and the Lakers. What could go wrong (and when will it go wrong)?   Skating and Schindler’s List (44:56): Why do figure skaters perform Holocaust-inspired routines?   Afterballs (01:00:15): Stefan on a soccer team named after hard liquor and Josh on a Supreme Court justice remembering some guys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a live show in Washington, D.C., Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by NPR’s Gene Demby to discuss the state of sports media. Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson also joins to talk about her comeback as a mother. Finally, Demby, Lindsay Gibbs, and Dave McKenna ponder ethical dilemmas in sports.   State of sports media (01:38): How have our consumption habits changed since the death of Deadspin and the partial zombification of Sports Illustrated?   Dawn Harper-Nelson (16:36): The hurdling champion on the highs and lows of her career and the challenges of returning to the track after having a baby.   Ethical dilemmas (44:12): Would you report on an NCAA violation if you think NCAA rules are immoral?   Afterballs (01:00:42): Stefan on the sad fate of wonderfully named minor-league baseball teams and Josh on a peeing dog at the Egg Bowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin interviews the Athletic’s John Hollinger about his career inside and outside the NBA. Topics discussed include the rise of Luka Doncic, how Hollinger came up with player efficiency rating, his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, and trading Marc Gasol.   Luka Doncic (02:15): How the 20-year-old became a star and how he could keep getting better.   PER (07:55): The birth of the NBA’s most popular all-in-one statistic.   Grizzlies (24:15): The highs and lows of the 2013 and 2015 playoffs.   Marc Gasol (44:17): The ins and outs of trading one of the Grizzlies’ franchise players.   Afterball (51:25): Josh on the inventor of the Nerf football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Nate Jackson to discuss Colin Kaepernick’s workout and Myles Garrett’s helmet smash; the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh assesses the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scheme; and Asif Kapadia talks about his documentary Diego Maradona. Kaepernick and Garrett (02:58): Did Kaepernick hurt his chances to play in the NFL? And what should we make of Garrett’s burst of anger? Sign-stealing (24:59): Did the Astros do anything that other teams didn’t do? How effective is sign-stealing anyway? Diego Maradona (49:49): The director of Senna and Amy on how he made a film about Diego Maradona and what he learned about the soccer legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Banner Society’s Spencer Hall to discuss LSU’s win over Alabama; by Slate’s Joel Anderson to chat about the NCAA going after Ohio State’s Chase Young and Memphis’ James Wiseman; and by the New York Times’ Lindsay Crouse to talk about runner Mary Cain’s allegations of abuse against Nike and coach Alberto Salazar.   LSU-Alabama (02:17): How the Tigers broke their losing streak against the Tide.   NCAA (22:51): The foolishness of amateurism enforcement is on display in the Young and Wiseman cases.   Mary Cain (43:53): How the young runner’s allegations could change women’s sports.   Afterballs (01:05:16): Stefan on Jeff Bezos and the NFL and Josh on Don Cherry’s “you people” rant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by former Deadspin staffers Megan Greenwell, Tom Ley, and Barry Petchesky to discuss the site’s demise and what caused it. Topics covered include the conflicts between writers, editors, and management; journalism and private equity; and how Deadspin evolved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh to discuss the Astros’ massive World Series comeback. Deadspin’s Laura Wagner also joins to talk about Houston’s front office debacle, and the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham assesses Week 1 of the NBA season.   World Series (03:37): How Houston turned it around and how Max Scherzer’s neck undid Washington.   Astros front office (22:34): What the Astros’ arrogance reveals about the culture of baseball.   NBA (39:22): Overreacting to the Warriors’ awful start, rookie Ja Morant’s star turn, and more.   Afterballs (57:16): Stefan on the last gasps of segregation in baseball and Josh searches for a seven-game series without a home win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices