OverDrive - OverDrive - December 31st, 2024 - Hour 2

Episode Date: January 1, 2025

Join Al's Brother and Dave Feschuk for the final hour of OverDrive in 2024! The kick off the hour with another edition of Confirm or Deny before welcoming in OverDrive host Bryan Hayes to discuss Team Hayes & Bro locking up the regular season title for OverDrive NFL Picks. Al's Brother then closes out 2024 with his best bets for tonight, powered by FanDuel.

The Weeknd brings Hurry Up Tomorrow to Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles on January 25th for one night only. Get there with iHeartRadio. Two tickets to the show, flights and hotel from TripCentral.ca, plus $500 cash. For your chance to win, enter every day at iHeartRadio.ca. You guys are beautiful. An iHeartRadio experience. The Weeknd in L.A. Jump! Jump! Powered by TripCentral.ca. You guys are beautiful. An iHeartRadio experience. The weekend in L.A. Powered by TripCentral.ca.

The smarter way to book travel. Hour three of Overdrive off and running. Mike DiStefano in for Brian Hayes. Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star in with me for the usuals, noodles, and the O-Dog. And Hazy B going to join us in about 30 minutes, my partsy, the captain of Team Hazenbro, which locked up the Overdrive Picks championship last night with a victory. We took the Lions to cover the number at minus 3.5.

They did so with ease with an absolutely dominating performance, offensively at least. Defensively, well, there's definitely some cracks there for sure going into it. with ease, with an absolutely dominating performance, offensively at least. Defensively, well, there's definitely some cracks there for sure going into it. But, hey, they held them off enough, and they ended up covering because that's what the great teams do, right? Right, Dave? Good teams win, great teams cover. Hey, buddy, I got to hand it to you.

Congratulations. It's a huge win. You guys came back from minus nine down. Like, I was worried about you. You guys were at the bottom of Everest without a Sherpa, you know, shivering in the cold, looking like you were lost in the wilderness. And somehow you climbed the mountain. It's an Oscar retreat to find my way.

Amazing. It's inspiring. He'll be by in about 30 minutes, and we'll get to the bottom of it. We'll ride the wave, which was the 2024 season, together once again and gloat and celebrate. But then, you know, starting in a couple of weeks, it's the playoffs, and then you've got to get back to work. Because as the great, late Kobe Bryant once said, job not finish.

Job finish? I don't think so. I don't think so. I don't think so. Are you going to pull the Leafs? We've got playoffs to win. Are you going to pull the Leafs, have a great regular season, and then just do what the Leafs do when the postseason is around? I'm hoping not.

I'm hoping that I can have that Mamba mentality. I'm hoping I can go out and win a championship. Speaking of LeBron James, actually, did you hear what he had to say yesterday? So 40 years old now, and LeBron James coming out here. I think we have the clip if we can play it here. LeBron James, he was asked yesterday his thoughts on how much longer he thinks he could play after turning 40. How much longer of a leap play does he have left in him?

It won't be because I can't play this game at a high level. It won't be because of that. Because, to be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level about another... weird, I might say. About another five or seven years if I wanted to. But I'm not going to do that.

Is there any chance you'll walk away and miss it? Of course. Hell yeah. What? And come back. Brady did it. Jordan did it. Oh, and come back?

Oh, no, no, no. No. I will miss the hell out of it for sure, but no, I won't walk away with it. I'm back. No. No. Five to seven more years of elite play left in LeBon james what do you think dave well i mean it's hard to argue with lebron i mean you know he's averaging what 24 points uh eight and seven

or something crazy like that this year playing 35 minutes a night after turning 40 yesterday it is kind of amazing like it's it's it It's an incredible run that he's on and we haven't seen any fall-off, really. He's not obviously what he was at the peak of his powers, but he's still a great player in this league. I'm with him. I wouldn't want to put a limit on

when he's going to fall off because we haven't seen a significant fall-off yet. He still still like last year still made an all nba team at 39 years old it was the third team granted so he's not perennially on the all nba number one team he's not a perennial mvp favorite anymore like he was back in the day but like he's still one of the best in the nba and he's still out there and he still sells the game the nba wants this guy to play as long as possible.

We talked about this a lot this week. And again, as the new year comes to, or the current year comes to an end, and the new year is upon us, we always kind of look back and reflect and then look forward, and it's like, man, what we've seen the last 20 years from LeBron James, I mean, he's been in the league now for 20 years. It was 2003 he came into the league. It's been 20, 21 years since that he's been in the NBA, and he has been just a beacon of consistency.

He's been the best player. He's been a role model for a lot of people out there. And, I mean, the NBA wants him to play for as long as possible. I don't know if he wants to. You know, it sounds like for years it seemed like he was going to, he wanted to stick around to play for as long as possible. I don't know if he wants to. It sounds like for years it seemed like he wanted to stick around to play with his boy, and Bronny James finally got to play with him

this year. They did have that opportunity to play, and we're only halfway through the season. Maybe he gets called up from the G League at some point, and we get to see those two back on a court again. But man, what a career it's been. If he gets five or seven more years of solid play i mean that's that's awesome i don't i don't see it happening um

but i would love to see him continue at least a couple more years i think he still has a couple more years of of solid basketball that's for sure all right i think you hit it on the head though the nba wants him to play and they need him to man, because there's no show like the LeBron and Steph show. And those guys, the next generation just hasn't been able to build the same kind of profile and following that LeBron and Steph have built in this league. And neither team have really been competitive this year. They're both kind of middle of the road, middle of the pack. Neither the Lakers or the Warriors seem like they're going to be in contention for a championship at any time soon you know maybe the the time has come and gone for both of those guys

to to star in the nba finals and it is uh it's it's unfortunate because it's it's it's been a great you know 10 15 years between those two battling each other out. The 2010s, that was the decade, the Steph versus LeBron. That, to me, is what that decade was all about. We're only halfway through this 20s decade, but I can't really put my finger on something that has defined the 20s quite yet. We're halfway to this point, Dave. Is there anything in the NBA that maybe defines the 20s? Possibly Nikola Jokic, but he's not a needle mover that much.

But he has been three straight MVPs. Yeah, he could win four out of five. If he wins this year, four out of five. The only other guy to do that, of course, is LeBron. And right now, Jokic is the frontrunner to do it. So, yeah, you're right, though. He's not a mainstream guy. Like, Jokic is a basketball aficionado.

He's a basketball aficionado's dream because he makes the game seem so easy. But he doesn't do anything that's particularly spectacular that the average fan can really glom onto, like in the way Steph shoots three-pointers, the way LeBron has just been so physically and mentally dominant in the sport. You're right. You know, in a lot of ways, like the Olympics last year or this summer told us everything when LeBron and Steph were, you know, the alpha dogs of that Team USA and all the best players in the world were still deferring to them even at their advanced age.

And I think that answers your question. They're still the defining players of this era. Is it the era of failed superstars? I don't know why, and maybe it's unfair to throw out there, but the name Zion Williamson pops into my mind. He was supposed to have a chance to be that next LeBron James, just big guy, he's coming out of Duke. He's the number one overall pick. Massive frame.

He was powerful as all hell, and he was expected to dominate the NBA for the next decade plus. He's been in the league for five years and hasn't done anything. His pelican's been hurt. I think he's played like five or six games this year. He's always been hurt. That's been the biggest story with Zion Williamson his entire career. But that team is garbage.

They're dead last. They might end up with Cooper Flagg by the end of this thing, those Pelicans, if they can't get their act together. Think about him. John Morant, there's been a lot of praise about Morant and how good he could be if he just stayed out of trouble but has not really been able to do so. I guess this year he's stayed out a little bit,

but he had those gun issues last year. Maybe it's this decade so far, maybe it's been more defined by the failures than the successes of basketball stars. Yeah, and you throw that list, on the top of that list is Joel Embiid, right? An MVP caliber player who's won an MVP, but who just can't stay healthy

and can't keep his mouth shut to stop alienating the fan base that's made him rich. And talking about not wanting to play back-to-backs and, you know, I've done so much for this bleeping city that blah, blah, blah. I mean, it's just embarrassing stuff. And, of course, he hasn't been able to back it up

with a performance on the court. And the Sixers have been a mess most of the year. You feel bad for our old pal Nick Nurse who's had to be on the bench for all of it and watch it kind of disintegrate in front of his eyes but yeah your point i think you're really hitting the nail on the head there i was brother in terms of so much promise that's been flushed down the toilet in this league and nobody really has emerged as the next great thing behind LeBron and Steph. And throw Luka Doncic in there, too, another guy who,

with all the talent in the world, has had durability issues. And there's always talk about, what's this guy doing? We always talked about LeBron putting a million bucks into his body a year to stay healthy, to remain at the top of his game. It doesn't seem like Luka's putting a million in. Maybe $100,000, maybe $50,000, maybe nothing. But it's not working out for him. He's got to get himself right because Luka's got that star quality, that ability to be a mainstream star,

but he can't stay on the floor at a high level long enough. Yeah, and we wonder why the NBA continues to dwindle in terms of the ratings. We're talking about the failures being the main storyline of the league over the last five years. Maybe that's got something to do with the bad TV ratings down in the US of A. Want to get to some confirm or deny, Dave? Can't wait. All right, let's get to it.

I can neither confirm or deny that this is in fact a segment. Austin trades Andrew Raycroft to Toronto in exchange for the rights to Tuca Rast. It's been my honor and a privilege to serve as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club. It's time for Confirm or Deny. Do you regret giving all those gentlemen the no trades or no movement clauses? I can either confirm or deny that. I can't confirm or deny. All right, Dave, you've played this game once or twice in your career.

I have as well. It's a pretty simple concept. I'm going to make a statement, and we're both going to either confirm it or deny it. We'll start with some resolutions for the big three Toronto sports teams here. Confirm or deny. The Maple Leafs' New Year's resolution should be to make the conference finals. I'm going to deny that. I mean, let's aim higher here.

What are we talking about? Why is this the only city on the planet where a deep playoff run that doesn't end in a championship would be hailed for a parade and endless praise and statues out front the building? I don't understand the mentality of the fan base. Now, look, I think those things are true. I think people would react that way if they made it to a conference final. But that can't be the limits of your ambitions and dreams, house brother. are true i think that people would react that way if they made it to a conference final um but that that can't be the limits of your ambitions and dreams house brother you got to think bigger you got to think 57 years in county you got to think about that the cup that you and hazy b have been

sipping from uh after winning the overdrive picks pool uh i just i just don't see how the conference finals can be your dream yeah i i guess i'll i'll deny it as well for much of the same reasons. I do think that it would be celebrated if this team can finally win two rounds. I mean, it's been, what, 20 years, 22 years since they've won two rounds in a playoff setting. So it's been a long time since we've seen that happen. So if they did get there, I think it it'd be celebrated but should that be the goal no the goal should be to win the stanley cup and that's what the resolution should be let's go into 2025 and have a parade up and down young street that's what this fan base has been craving for since 1967 dave 1967

we're six hours away from 2025 and we've've yet to see that championship back on this soil that hasn't sat inside of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Let's get that thing inside Scotiabank Arena, and I think that should be the resolution. Not a conference final. That's a good consolation, but you aim for the moon, and hopefully they're aiming a little bit higher than a conference championship. I think they want to win a Stanley Cup. That should be the resolution for the year.

I think the team, what you've seen from them so far this year, which is interesting because as of now, I think at this very moment, after winning today 3-1 against the Islanders in an afternoon affair, they ended up picking up two points, and now they sit atop of the Atlantic Division. So you have to think, this team's good enough to compete for a Stanley Cup. There's other teams out there that just aren't good enough. The Leafs, at least, you know they are. And if they can stay healthy, obviously health is a big factor here, you finally have some

defense and some good defending. It looks like they're playing the right way and if the goaltending stays healthy they've been one of the best tandems you've been getting the best goaltending in the nhl and you know what your firepower can do up front uh if given the opportunity so they do have an opportunity and a chance to at least win this year so it should definitely be the resolution and that should be what they're aiming for. I'm with you, Dave. Hey, buddy, it's like MJ said, you know, like just whatever it takes to get Austin Matthews healthy,

that's the other resolution, right? If LeBron's spending a million on his body, the Leafs should be spending a million-plus on Austin Matthews' body, just trying to get it healthy. And I like MJ's other suggestion, tie Joseph Wall's groins together. Like whatever it takes to keep that dude from being on the IR, just do it, man. Like, just do not allow the tweaks to happen for Joseph Wall because they've already got one goalie down and they can't afford another one. Yeah, thank goodness he was able to kind of battle through.

We'll probably have to wait until tomorrow to hear exactly if there's an issue there. But, yeah, luckily he did finish the game. All right, next one. Confirm or deny, the Blue Jays' New Year's resolution should be to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to an extension at all costs. Well, I'm going to deny it because I don't like the idea of at all costs. Okay? I don't think it's at all costs. Does that mean

that we're going to spend so much money that we won't have anything else to spend on any other players? Then I don't want to do that. Highest bidder. They have to be willing to be the highest bidder for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. My problem with that is if they wanted Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed to a long-term deal they've had plenty of opportunities to step up to the plate and take a swing and for whatever reason and i think we know the reason because they haven't been sure they've wanted to sign vladdy guerrero jr to a long-term deal at big money they haven't done it so i'm not sure why

they want to do it now at the 11th hour other than just to save face when they've got a last place team and a newly renovated ballpark and their most popular player is a pending unrestricted free agent. That's the reason they're doing it, and I'm not sure that's the best reason to sign a guy. Well, I think you're willing to sign the guy because he's the best player in your organization. He's the best player your organization has seen in 20 years. I mean, think back to probably, what, maybe Roy Halladay, you could say, has been a better player or as comparable as a player as what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been for the Blue Jays. I mean, Josh Donaldson won an MVP, so he had that really good season, but it was like two or three years

then he was gone. He was done. Vladdy, you know, he's been doing it now for six seasons here, and he's had two MVP-worthy seasons. He hasn't won them, but he's been in the mix and in the conversation. And I think the Blue Jays love this kid, and Toronto loves this kid. And I think if you want to get going and set yourself forward as an organization, it starts with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signing an extension here. Because if you don't sign Vladi, this team is going to be garbage for the next five years. That's the truth.

They may not be good anyways, but at least they've got Vladi. And baseball doesn't have a salary cap, so signing Vladi doesn't necessarily mean it's going to cost you other things. In Toronto, you talk about signing a guy like Austin Matthews, a Nylander, a Marner. It's like, okay, you've signed all these players. Now you don't have a defense. And now all of a sudden, okay, now you can't pay $11 million

for a goaltender like Igor Shosturkin, so you've got to have this ragtag bunch. That's not the case in baseball. There's no salary cap. You can do whatever you want. And the Blue Jays, if they want to be a competitive team going forward, they've got to make sure they get Blatty signed to an extension, or that's just not going to happen.

Well, look, man, I agree with everything you're saying, except that my point is he just had a great year, and they finished last. And the point is they could have had him at a much lower price for a long deal many years ago and they chose not to and sometimes now you're now you're paying the premium for you know not doing it not locking up younger not locking up earlier because you the jury was out within the organization you make the mistake and not pay him twice you make the mistake and don't pay him twice though well my thing is like now you're gonna have to pay a premium and then i wonder can you fill out the roster around him can you actually be a good team with vladi making the money he's gonna make i i want to know the answer to that question i hope it's yes but my fear is

that it's no all right well moving on next one confirm or deny or deny, Austin Matthews will finish with fewer than 30 goals this season for the first time in his career. Matthews currently with 11 goals on the year. I'm going to confirm it, and not because I don't believe he could come back and score a bunch of goals, because right now he's on 32-goal pace or some such pace if he scored at the pace he scored at so far for the remainder of the available games. My thing is I don't think he's going to play the bulk

or all of the remaining games available to him, Ellis, brother. I think the Maple Leafs are going to be smart and they're going to hold him out until he is 100%. They're not going to bring him back to where they like they already have done once this season after that trip to munich i think they're going to really prioritize his long-term health here instead of getting him back for the short term good of the team so i think he'll probably come in under 30 but i think if the leafs are smart and i think they are i think they're going to hold him out a lot longer than anybody probably likes, but it'll be for the betterment of the long-term picture.

Yeah, I'll confirm it as well for much of the same reasons that you made. At this point, you just can't really have a lot of faith that he's going to remain healthy and play in the rest of the games to get there. And it may be for the betterment of the team, as you mentioned, and get him healthy. Matthew scoring 30 is not important if it ends up in an injury and he can't play in the playoffs or he's not at 100% come playoff time or close to it. So those numbers do not matter to Austin Matthews.

They do not matter to the Maple Leafs. What matters is his health. So I'm with you. I think that they'll kind of nurse it a little bit, give you a little Kawhi Leonard action possibly the rest of the year. See some load management maybe creep in here with Austin Matthews if he's got to nurse this. What could possibly be a back injury is what is kind of being reported.

I'm with you. I think he finishes less than 30, but with context, you understand, and it's not going to be a blemish on his career when you look back on it. I don't believe so, at the very least. Speaking of GOATs, Dave's talking about goal-scoring GOATs and the best of the best. Confirm or deny, Alex Ovechkin will break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record this season.

I'm going to confirm that, brother. I think there's going to be a great push from that organization, from Ovi's teammates, and of course from Ovi himself to get this done this year. And it's doable, right? He needs 25 goals to do it in 46 remaining games. That's like a half a goal a game,

a little more than half a goal a game, which is below his career average per game. So he actually has to score below his career average to get the job done here. And given how great Strom is playing as his centerman, doing a lot of the heavy lifting to get him set up, given how great the protist kid is on the other wing, given how good Spencer Carberry and the Washington Capitals have been this season,

I love his chances here to do this, and I think he will. Yeah, he's been, I mean, that team, I think they're second in the league in goals scored this year, and that's without Ovechkin for 16 games. And he's done nothing but score since he's come back. I mean, we're talking about a guy who's got 17 goals in, what, 20, 21 games so far this season? That's right. I'm going to confirm it as well, and for a couple of reasons. I think, A, unlike Austin Matthews, Ovechkin has proven to be a very durable player,

so I think he'll play in, if not all, a majority of those 46 games that's left in the Washington Capitals season. But I remember we were chatting earlier this week. the Washington Capitals season. But I remember we were chatting earlier this week. I talked to Bruce Boudreaux, and he was talking about how I think he's been energized by a good team and the players around him, which are helping elevate his game again. The last couple of seasons, he's had to play with an injured Nick Backstrom, and then he hasn't really had a number one center alongside him to allow him to flourish and score. Now he does, the way that Dylan Strom is out there playing.

So I think he's got the teammates that are helping him get there. And I think also, too, this is a team that is playing for something. Like this is a legitimate, they're number one in the league in terms of points percentage in the NHL right now. They're a legitimate chance to win a President's Trophy and compete for a Stanley Cup. And I think that could energize Ovi also to keep him playing at this elite rate for the rest of the season and he's just you know he wants to break that record this year he does not want to

take that in and like you saw against the maple leaves anytime there's an empty net opportunity for the washington capitals number eight will be on the ice so it doesn't matter how he gets those 25 i think he just wants to get them and i think they'll have a lot of chances to get there i think Washington Capitals, number eight will be on the ice. So it doesn't matter how he gets those 25. I think he just wants to get them, and I think they'll have a lot of chances to get there. I think he does it too. So I'm going to confirm that one as well, the Dave Festchuck. All right, next one for you.

Confirm or deny, the New York Rangers are going to regret giving Igor Shostakhin his massive contract a few weeks ago. I'm going to deny that. I mean, I know he's had some struggles. But to me, looking at the metrics and talking to people in the goalie community, as I often do around the league, people are pointing to one thing and one thing only when they look at Shesterkin's alleged struggles, and that's the team in front of him.

This team has been a dumpster fire of dysfunction, trading away the captain, trading away Capo Caco, obviously having Chris Kreider feel like he's on the verge of being sent out of town. The Rangers have been a mess. And if you look at the metrics, Shesterkin's actual goals saved above expected are really good. He's not keeping it out of the net, but that's not necessarily all on him. He is still talented. He is still a top-ranked goalie. Now, I'm always a little worried about goalies making a lot of money

just because, look, we've seen it at Toronto. They get injured. They have hip problems. They have groin problems. They have knee problems. It's an epidemic in the goaltending industry. We've seen it at Toronto. They get injured. They have hip problems. They have groin problems. They have knee problems. It's an epidemic in the goaltending industry. But outside of that, I don't think this is anything more than a blip,

and this guy is still a top-ranked goalie that any team would love to have as their number one. I think I'm going to – I think I'm going to, I'm going fur, I'm almost furry on this one. I think I'll confirm it, though. I think I'll confirm it. I think they are going to regret giving him the contract, honestly, because, look, this is a team, eventually, I think they're a team that's aging out, ultimately, and if they don't get it done this year, which it doesn't look like it, the team has gone in a very self-direction ever since they put out that little post that they were looking to make a couple of trades.

They moved out on Trouba. They traded Capocacco. Chris Crider, who knows what's going to happen with him. This year kind of seems like a lost cause at this point for the New York Rangers, and I just look at him and I'm thinking that's a lot of cap space to be giving up for a goaltender. We haven't seen it before, right? We haven't seen a goalie make that much money and see them have that much success.

So we'll see what happens. But the New York Rangers, I'm sure they were hoping once they gave him that deal, because that came down like the same day as the Jacob Truba trade. It was like legitimately an hour after they traded their captain, Jacob Truba. They handed out that contract to Shusterkin, and I bet they were hoping that that was going to kind of paper mache over kind of the nonsense that had been going on in New York, and people would celebrate the Shusterkin contract,

and they could look forward into the year. But the team has continued to lose since then, and now you're looking back and you're like, you've got a goalie making 11-1, you've betrayed away your captain. I just think optically this entire season has been a mess for the Rangers. Look, I agree. It's a lot of money. There's no doubt about it.

But there were moments where everybody said, you know, Sergei Bobrovsky wasn't worth $10 million. But guess what? Sergei Bobrovsky has won a couple of Vezas. He's now won a Stanley Cup. He's been the backbone of a Florida Panthers team that's had a great resurgence after people have, you know, written them off. So I think the minute you lose a goaltender like Shusterkin,

you go looking for one, right? And you've got to pay the piper when he's got legitimate numbers that tell you he is the elite of the elite, which he is. And I think that you have to you have to hold your nose and figure out how to make it better in front of him so that he becomes worth it because you need that goaltender if you're going to win anything and he is that guy all right dave good stuff that brings it close to confirm or deny the final confirmer deny of 2024 coming up next hazy b the captain the host of overdrive gonna join us here on overdrive i'm mike di stefano with dave festruck up on tsn4 and listening on tsn

1050 the weekend brings hurry up tomorrow to rose bowl stadium in los angeles on january 25th for one night only get there with with iHeartRadio. Two tickets to the show, flights and hotel from tripcentral.ca plus $500 cash. For your chance to win, enter every day at iHeartRadio.ca. You guys are beautiful. An iHeartRadio experience.

The weekend in LA. Powered by tripcentral.ca. The smarter way to book travel. Yes, that is true. We are the champions. Al's brother, Brian Hayes, now with us here on Overdrive. Dave Feshuk of the Toronto Star as well. Look at that hat.

I've got to get my hands on that hat, Hazy B. I've got one for you. Your name is all over it, Al's brother. I will see you on Thursday. I cannot wait to see you. I haven't slept a wink in 24 hours. Champagne pouring through the streets of Toronto. It's just been an epic, epic afternoon.

Great to see you, boys. Partsy, you're the best. Dave, you're great, too. You're spectacular, Dave. I know behind the scenes,'re always rooting for Hayes and Bro, and we appreciate that support. But what a ride. The idea that we're going to take a knee week 18. We might have to take a knee, a ceremonial knee.

We'll let them get some wins. Luke and O, not surprisingly, no class, right? They couldn't show up and congratulate. They have absolutely no class. Just an epic run. Epic run. There's no other way to put it. Well, congratulations, boys.

I think I'm asking questions for all of the fans of Hazenbro. When I say, where is the Hazenbro merchandise website? What are you guys doing here? You're squandering a great opportunity not to be selling these hats like hotcakes as we speak. It's a great point, Dave, and it is something we're looking into. Believe me, we're businessmen, right? You and I were winners. Oh, yeah.

We're businessmen. These have been the hottest hats going, right, for the longest time. This is the original. This was what we were off the bat, Hayes and Co. And then we said, that's not going to work. Then we went to Hayes and Bro. Now we're the champs. Al's brother, you've got this hat.

You know what? I'm going to show you guys something that is actually very depressing. And I know a lot of people are listening online right now and listening to the radio and all that. So it's not something that is necessarily going to translate in terms of the radio and the podcast and all that. But I was a man of integrity. We are men of integrity. And I made sure to get these hats. I can't even say that I had these hats made.

My man Chris made them, right? Shout out to Chris. He's been doing this for years. Chris is an awesome guy. And I said, listen, I feel very good about where Hazenbro is at. We are in a very good position. We are seeing the board so clearly. TG is coming together. Tremendous information together tremendous information gut instinct we can't be beat but just in case

can you make a few other hats that make sure the other guys are covered and i just got i just talked to canada post shout out they're back in the swing of things these will be shipped i don America, Asia. Pacific Mall. Ship it up to the Pacific Mall. That's where they're going. You can find these Owen Wilson 24-25 champs at the Pacific Mall. They'll be there by the weekend. These things

it's too bad. They can't stick around for long. The merch will be available. We've got to find a way to make that happen. A lot of support. Lots of support. Lots of support. Lots of support. Got a lot of texts and phone calls and tweets and all the bot army out there. Happy to see Team Hazen, bro.

The good guys come through. And it's been a wild journey. We were down by nine games at one point. We were getting on the horn talking. Remember that Baker Mayfield box game? And we're thinking, do we just go opposite George? And do we just pick the opposite game? Because we haven't been able to pick a winner.

I think it was like six or seven in a row. And we said, no, we'll stick to the process. Let's stick to the process and go with the team, go with our gut instinct, and go with the tremendous information. And we did, and we got that pick correct. That was the TSN turning point. instinct and go with the tremendous information and we did and we got that pick correct i thought that was the tsn turning point that was the tsn turning point for us this year i think i agree i think there were so many ups and downs i mean it was a roller coaster year there were times where

you'd open the fanduel sportsbook app and i would be like i i can't look at this anymore because i can't see it i can't see the lines nothing is going to work for us. We are not going to pick a winner. These guys were so over the top in terms of being obnoxious, in terms of just completely lacking any sportsmanship whatsoever. They were saying they want to forfeit the season. They want a mercy rule. We've got to bring in other people to start making picks. And then all of a sudden the pendulum swung to the point,

and this is what is crazy about what's happened even the last couple of weeks, and I appreciate that people have taken this ride with us because it's been so much fun. We pick games, we have fun, and we're talking NFL, you can't beat it. There was a point last Saturday, I believe, where they retook the lead, Al's brother. We were down nine, and then we swung up to plus five or six, and then we cooled off for a few picks, and they went on a heater,

and Luke started talking about Rick Barry and started posting that stupid picture where he throws the free throws underhand and 62% of the time he makes it. All that kind of stuff. They swung it back to a point where I'm like, we're in trouble here, and then the two of them could not pick a winner for their lives. They made some of the worst picks in gambling history and in football picking history. And we got red hot

to the point where, again, we're going to take a knee in Week 18. In Week 18, we're resting the starters. JP and Doogie can make the picks for us. It's completely irrelevant. We're preparing for the playoffs. We're Kansas City. It's Mahomes and Andy Reid, man. It's just an incredible scene we're in right now.

And that's it, Hazy B. Like a lot of people out here, we're going to celebrate this championship because this does mean something. It does mean something. It means a ton. Love it. We get home field advantage. Love it.

Go ahead, Dave. Guys, I'm trying to put this in context because I don't think it's not a president's trophy. It's bigger than that. We got to give this more respect because to me, the regular season of this particular endeavor is impressive. If you can win over the 18-week campaign, it's way more impressive than anything else. This feels more like a premiership thing. That's right. That's a major trophy. Winning the regular season in english soccer huge that's way bigger than

winning the president's trophy in hockey that's it we're manchester city that's what we are you know i don't even know who they are who would they be who's way down the you know they're they're west ham or something like they're not even in the they're getting relegated they're getting relegated that's exactly it they're they're they're getting relegated and um yeah i guess we're man city and that's exactly what it is this is like the premiership playoffs are important we've been there we've done that we won the playoffs last year we fully intend on doing it again this year but uh yeah it's exciting man in the nfl season i can't believe we're already into week 18 and even last night like i'm sure you guys have been talking about it you know throughout the afternoon i give i give detroit

a lot of credit like they had no reason to do anything last night and al's brother you and i were texting earlier i thought their defense who did get torched like purdy was basically carved out yeah he was basically perfect telly threw those two picks and they were bad picks and you know that's what det Detroit has done all year. They've capitalized, and they've caused a lot of turnovers. But that was my concern was Detroit, specifically on the defensive side, just were not going to close. Like, they clearly had their eyes on the prize of Week 18 when they host Minnesota.

And what a game that's going to be on Sunday night. And luckily for us, we get to put our feet up, Ellis Brother. We just get to watch as fans, right? We're fans in Week 18. It's a thing of beauty. We are, and it's perfect, too, that game 272 out of 272 is going to decide the AFC North and the number one seed in the NFC. Unbelievable how this is all kind of turning.

And it's more about who loses the game, clearly, right? Obviously, the buildup is what's at the end of the road if you win the game not only do you get a buy you get the one seed you get home field advantage if you if you lose that game you're on the road like you gotta go on the road and you may never play a home playoff game like so if you're the owner you're sitting there thinking this is this game is what is this 15 million dollars 20 what is it okay i don't know i mean it's a lot of money to know yeah because you know i i think i think philly's likely going to win their playoff game i think the rams are in a pretty good position to do that so i mean the the seating is going to be is really going to jam up one of

these two teams like they're going to have to likely go on the road all the way to the Super Bowl based on this one game. And, you know, both of them have been phenomenal stories. They've both been great this year, Detroit, Minnesota. I think it's a really difficult game to cap. I haven't seen the line. I'm not sure what the line is. I'm looking at it right now.

I thought yesterday when I looked before the game, it was at three. So I was at three yesterday before they played and it is still currently at three so lions minus three at home yeah lions are minus three lions minus three yeah yeah that's i'd i'd i'd lean taking the points i think at this point i mean with the way minnesota's played and it's gonna be a great game to me i think think Detroit needs to win more. They need that bye week desperately. Like, this team is decimated with injuries. And you saw, I mean, like, they allowed Brock Purdy and that San Francisco offense to look like they were John Elway out there and the Broncos.

Like, they look so clean throughout the entire game. And they were missing Brandon Ayuk. They're missing three of their top offensive linemen, including Williams. No CMC. Like they were missing top offensive pieces and still moving and grooving, being able to move the ball. So Detroit, they need that week off to get healthy and to prepare and get that defense ready to go.

Because whoever they end up playing in the divisional round is definitely going to be a better offense than that 6-19 they saw last night. And they've got to be ready to go because they can't really afford any slip-ups. I agree with you. But what do you think Minnesota's going to be a better offense than that 6-19 they saw last night. And they've got to be ready to go because they can't really afford any slip-ups. I agree with you, but what do you think Minnesota's going to do? Like, Darnold, they just carved up Green Bay. I know the Packers made it close at the end just like they did earlier in the year. I watched every snap of that game. It was not close.

Like, Minnesota dismantled Green Bay in terms of possession, in terms of yards. They look, they are so legit. Sam Darnold is so dialed in right now. I agree with what you're saying that I think based on the injuries and based on Detroit in a way leaking oil, although they've only lost two games all year, it's kind of hard to really suggest that that's the case. I think that defense, with what purdy and company just did

i think this could be a shootout like i don't see minnesota getting stopped man i think donald is going to really charge down the field they're going to put up numbers because their their offense in minnesota is clicking man that that coach out there o'connell he is phenomenal like the way that he sets that team up the way that they're playing and obviously on defense they've been really good in Minnesota. That's the story of the year. I cannot believe they're in the situation that they're in. Sam Darnold doing what he's doing. J.J. McCarthy blows his knee out in camp. So at that point you're thinking, okay, they're probably just going to punt on the season. I thought they were completely transitioning and they have a chance to be the number one seed in the NFC

and they would deserve all of it I mean Minnesota's been they've been phenomenal full credit to them so I I would not be surprised at all if Minnesota won that game I would not be surprised at all and I don't see how anyone should be at this point Dave considering what we've seen through 17 weeks no for sure I you know I wanted to just turn it to a little Toronto sports talk, Hayes, because I wanted to get your reaction. Speaking of suspect defenses, we just saw the Toronto Raptors lose by the most amount of points they've ever lost by.

54-point loss to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics scored 80 points in the second half, Hayes. The Raptors scored 71 in the entire game. What do you make of what's going on in Raptorland? Well, remember opening night, how ugly it was? And I remember teeing up the season and reading a bunch of different people that are either covering the team up close, like in Toronto, like the beat reporters in Toronto or columnists or what have you in Toronto,

and then even the national media. And there was this sense that if they were healthy, they might surprise some teams, and maybe they'd chase the 9th seed, the 10th seed. I wasn't preparing for that based on what Masai said. You know, when Masai came out and said rebuild, that is a crazy comment from an executive. Dave, you know this.

Alex, brother, you know this. That is a word that they are all allergic to like no one wants to say that on the record i think it speaks to either my messiah security here or maybe you know that he doesn't care i don't know yeah it could be more of the latter yeah it might be the latter maybe the latter but the fact that he put that out there like rebut that was to me put the shield up these guys are in trouble and when they got beat by 30 opening night i'm like this team is not winning 17 or 18 games like i just didn't see it let alone i think the win total on fando was like 27 and a half or

something yeah i remember resetting immediately and being like there's no chance i guess what i'm getting to is you can prepare as much as you want but when you see something like today it makes you take it an even bigger step back you're like i can't believe how awful it is like they are they are horrible horrendous they they are they legitimately i was looking it up earlier this week they have never finished dead last in the nba at any point in their history i want to say year one i think they finished like second last they finished second or third last a couple times in those 90s seasons and there were a couple of others you know in the mid 2000 kind of transition years where they were at the bottom of the east but there was always a team or two that was substantially worse they legitimately might finish dead last.

I know Washington's awful. I know Utah's been bad. Charlotte. New Orleans is bad. Yeah, New Orleans is not good. Two games out of last place. You've got the Pelicans, who are 5-28, and then the Wizards at 5-25, and then the Raptors, 7-26 this season.

They're almost at the halfway point. Again, I think it's going to get worse down the stretch, if that's possible. Because usually there is separation. And you're playing the champs, and Boston's great, and they jack a ton of threes, and when they hit them, you're in big trouble. But I guess this is just another example before we turn the page on 24, that by the end of 25, it won't be much better unless they win the lottery and at least you have something like Cooper Flagg

or one of those top two or three guys that are going to give you some hope for the future. But today's another day, a stark reminder, and I don't think Raptor fans necessarily need it. Again, they've won seven games. They got blown out on opening night. They haven't been healthy a ton, but still, they've won seven games. They got blown out on opening night. They haven't been healthy a ton, but still,

they really are getting outplayed a lot, and especially recently. They've had some bad losses, like bad, bad losses the last week or two. That it's going to get uglier before it gets better, and they are years away from competing. Years away from competing. Even if they get flagged, Dave. Even if you get the number one pick,

next year, what are they winning, 22 games, 25? Yeah, there's a 17-year-old kid. He's 17. Exactly. They're years away. They're years away. And I don't know. I mean, I don't want to get to a point where you start asking, you know,

what happens with the coach, because I think we all know. Darko's not going to be here when they turn this around. No. It just doesn't happen. He's Charlie Montoyo. That's what it is, and Darko's going to come in and try to establish a culture and be a good guy and a player's guy and teach some sort of technique

that they can carry on as they move forward. But when does it get to a point where Scotty is drained? When do we get to a point where you wonder, what are you going to do with Purtle? We've seen reports that, again, they're asking for the world for Purtle. For what? Like, for what? Yeah.

Like, really, you're not going to trade Purtle unless you get multiple picks or something? Like, at some point, you've just got to cut bait and realize that was a stupid trade. They should not have done it. And you've got to move off, and you've got to move on. And it's a plan where, when it started, you were hoping it was a three-year plan. Days like today and games like today make you realize it's probably a five-year plan, maybe a six-year plan. A little longer than that.

It's tough, man. It's tough for fans. It was a great ride prior to it, too. I know I'm going on here a long, rambling here a little. I've been on the air in a week. But the previous decade was phenomenal. And I heard you guys in confirm or deny if the Leafs got to the conference final, would that be enough?

And you're right, Dave. Like only in Toronto would you say let's get the parade route going for that. I think with the Raptors, you've got to have some perspective. Everything comes and goes. They had a great decade and they won a championship. And they were very competitive for a long time. Now they're swinging the other way. And it's going to take them a while to get back up.

That's just the reality. Yep, no doubt about it. Wasn't a good one tonight, and I don't expect it to be great moving forward into 2025 either, Hazy B. No. But appreciate you taking the time to come on. We had to get you on. I wanted to get a glimpse of that hat. It's coming for you, Al's brother.

I got it for you, buddy. It's right here. Let me show you. Where is yours? Here's coming for you, Ellsbrother. I got it for you, buddy. It's right here. Let me show you. Where is yours? Here's yours right here, Ellsbrother. It's in the bag. It's being protected. That has your name written all over it.

I cannot wait to see you guys. It's going to be phenomenal. You guys should be moving units right now. You're right. The click-through rate would be tremendous. You're absolutely right. You're right about that. It would be.

Anyway, happy New Year's, guys. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it. Happy New Year's. We'll see you Thursday. We'll chat then. You're absolutely right. You're right about that. It would be. Anyway, happy New Year's, guys. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it. Happy New Year's. We'll see you Thursday. We'll chat then. You got it. See you, boys.

Absolutely. See you, boys. Hazy B, joining us here up on Overdrive. Best Bets coming up next. The Weeknd brings Hurry Up Tomorrow to Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles on January 25th for one night only. Get there with iHeartRadio. Two tickets to the show, flight and hotel from tripcentral.ca,

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It must be 19-plus and physically located in Ontario. Dave, any New Year's plans tonight? Low-key, baby. Keeping it inside the house here. I'm not venturing out into the wilds of, as they call it in Partyville, amateur night. Yeah, no. The original plan was to go out, and I said, let's not do that.

The plan was to go out somewhere near the casino. I'm back in Niagara, and the friends are like, oh, let's have a night at the casino. I'm like, do you know the zoo that happens near the Fallsview Casino on New Year's Eve? That entire area of Clifton Hill, it's absolutely insane. I want nothing to do with it. So I think we're all just going to kind of have a night in and enjoy ourselves and bring in the New Year with the friends.

But, Daveave it's been a pleasure as always that's it for us here in 2024 for dave festchuk of the toronto star i'm mike de stefano thanks to everyone behind the scenes for another strong year on overdrive and here's to many more thank you to the listeners and i hope everyone has a happy new year enjoy the games tonight overdrive will return on thursday at 4 p.m in the year 2025 we'll chat then