BROKEN PLAY | NAVV GREENE FT. K DUBB & REGGIE BALL | S04 | EP 19
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Trey Young's trade to the Washington Wizards is seen as a move for money and a low-pressure environment, where he can get paid without high expectations.
- ❖Atlanta Hawks games struggle with fan engagement, with the loudest cheers often reserved for t-shirt giveaways or local personalities like DC Young Fly.
- ❖The hosts argue that older players (22-25 years old) in college football, benefiting from NIL deals and extended eligibility, possess a significant physical and experience advantage over 18-year-old freshmen.
- ❖The influx of money into college sports (NIL) has fundamentally changed player motivations, making the rush to the NFL less urgent for some.
- ❖Michael Irvin's frequent presence at Miami Hurricanes games is speculated to be a paid role or community service, following a defamation lawsuit settlement.
- ❖The hosts criticize the constant turnover of offensive coordinators for NFL quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, arguing it hinders team identity and player development.
- ❖Isiah Thomas's enduring animosity towards Michael Jordan is framed as a genuine, deep-seated hatred, contrasting with the more amicable rivalries seen in modern sports.
- ❖Social media often amplifies negativity, with positive interactions receiving less attention than critical or controversial comments.
Insights
1College Football's Age Advantage and NIL Impact
The discussion highlights a significant shift in college football where older players (22-25 years old) are competing against 18-year-old freshmen. This is attributed to NIL money and extended eligibility, allowing players to gain years of experience and physical maturity, creating an unfair advantage. Teams like Indiana are noted for having a high percentage of older players, while Georgia has many freshmen.
Greg pulls up stats showing Indiana has 47 players between 22-25, and Georgia has 46.5% freshmen. The hosts argue that a 25-year-old 'grown man' has a clear advantage over an 18-year-old. Ty Simpson turning down $6.5 million to stay in college is cited as evidence of NIL's financial draw. (, , )
2Trey Young's Career Move: Money Over Pressure
The hosts interpret Trey Young's hypothetical trade to the Washington Wizards as a strategic move to secure a large contract in a low-pressure environment. They suggest he prioritizes financial gain and a less scrutinized role over competitive success, especially given the perceived lack of intense fan support for the Hawks.
K Dubb states, 'He just want the money, huh? That was the best place for him to go to get paid.' Navv adds, 'And it ain't no pressure.' They note that 'nobody in Atlanta right now saying, 'Come on, Hawks. We need more.'' (, , )
3The Enduring Jordan-Isiah Rivalry: A Generational Divide
The hosts discuss the deep and lasting animosity between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas, contrasting it with the more friendly rivalries of the modern NBA. They argue that Thomas's hatred for Jordan is genuine and stems from specific past actions, like Jordan allegedly keeping Thomas off the Olympic team, reflecting a 'blood on the floor' era of competition.
Isiah Thomas's interview clip is played where he questions why people 'talk about the guy that gave you some [__]' (referring to Jordan's shoes/endorsements) instead of current players. The hosts emphasize that Jordan 'banned Isiah from joining the Olympics' and that in their era, players 'going to hate you till they die.' (, , )
4Social Media's Bias Towards Negativity
The conversation touches on how social media platforms tend to highlight negative comments and confrontations over positive interactions. This is illustrated by the positive reception of a Jacksonville reporter's encouraging words to a losing coach, which stood out precisely because it defied the typical negative online discourse.
A clip of a female reporter offering encouraging words to a Jacksonville coach after a loss goes viral. The hosts note, 'people are mad that she doing that, bro. We live in a world... She did nothing wrong reporters talking about that's not real reporting.' They conclude, 'The world, see the world like confrontation. They like, if you notice, they like negativity.' (, )
Bottom Line
The increasing age of college athletes due to NIL deals and extended eligibility could lead to a 'JV NFL' league, where the physical and experience gap between players becomes too wide for fair competition, potentially diminishing the appeal of early-career college football.
This trend fundamentally alters player development pathways, potentially delaying NFL entry for younger talent and creating a less dynamic college game. It also raises questions about the 'amateur' status of college sports.
Develop specialized training and recruitment programs for 18-year-old athletes to bridge the physical gap with older players, or create new competitive tiers that group players by age/experience rather than just school affiliation.
The shift in player motivation, from striving for the NFL to maximizing college earnings via NIL, indicates a re-evaluation of career paths in sports. Players are now more willing to stay in college for substantial financial packages, even if it means delaying professional aspirations.
This challenges the traditional narrative of college sports as a 'stepping stone' and could lead to longer, more financially stable college careers for top athletes. It also means NFL teams might be drafting older, more developed players directly from college.
Sports agents and financial advisors can specialize in long-term college NIL strategies, helping athletes build wealth and brand equity during their extended college careers, rather than solely focusing on the NFL draft.
Opportunities
Independent Streaming Service for Niche Content
The 85 South Show launched 'Channel 85,' an independent streaming service offering early access to podcasts, live shows, specials, and merchandise discounts. This model allows creators to monetize directly from their loyal fanbase and control their content distribution.
Direct-to-Consumer Merchandise for Podcast Brands
The podcast promotes its own '85 apparel' hats and merchandise. This demonstrates the viability of podcasts and content creators building their own e-commerce presence to sell branded goods directly to their audience.
Lessons
- Prioritize genuine human connection over online negativity, as demonstrated by the Jacksonville reporter's positive interaction with a losing coach.
- For content creators, consider establishing an independent streaming platform to gain more control over content distribution and direct monetization from your dedicated audience.
- When evaluating sports talent, account for the age and experience disparities in college sports, as older players with NIL deals may have an unfair advantage over younger, less developed athletes.
Notable Moments
Discussion about the 'booty box out' in basketball, where a player uses their rear to foul an opponent.
This comedic segment highlights the hosts' unique and often explicit humor, using a bizarre sports clip to generate laughter and commentary on unconventional tactics in sports. (1:18:48)
A female reporter offers encouraging words to a Jacksonville coach after a loss, which goes viral and sparks debate about journalistic ethics.
This moment serves as a powerful example of positive human interaction contrasting with the typical negativity in sports media and social media, prompting a discussion on the value of empathy. (1:27:18)
The hosts discuss Michael Jordan's alleged role in keeping Isiah Thomas off the 1992 Olympic 'Dream Team'.
This specific historical event underscores the depth of the Jordan-Thomas rivalry and is used to illustrate how personal animosity in sports could lead to significant career impacts, contrasting with modern player relationships. (1:43:42)
Quotes
"Sometime, you know, bringing bringing a good player in mess up the okay players little routine."
"People don't want to see [__] right. They want to see [__] talk crazy and argue at the TV. That why Stephen A so big."
"When you 25, you don't have to be no five star. You is a grown man going against a 18-y old."
"It's hard for a woman to find fault in a cute [__] [__] with some money. It's just it's just hard for a woman to find fault in them."
"Jordan banned Isaiah from joining the Olympics. That [__] don't give a [__] about the country, [__] we beefing so bad, [__] I don't want you on the team on the country."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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