NPR’s Scott Simon talks with ESPN’s Howard Bryant approximately the Stanley Cup, the NBA, and the Minnesota Twins making records.SIMON: You were given to suffer in case you need to sing the blues. And the St. Louis Blues certain have. But in any case, those years, they are within the Stanley Cup Finals. Also, who’ll face the fearless Golden State Warriors? And what about the Twins? Howard Bryant of ESPN joins us. Morning, Howard.
HOWARD BRYANT, BYLINE: Good morning, Scott.
SIMON: The Stanley Cup Finals between the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues start Monday. This is Cinderella as opposed to Godzilla. BRYANT: (Laughter) In a manner, they weren’t that far aside in terms of the normal season – simplest genuinely a sport. But in terms of records, genuinely. The St. Louis Blues have not been to the Stanley Cup since 1970, once they lost to the Boston Bruins – and the famous shot of Bobby Orr leaping through the air, giving the Bruins their first Stanley Cup 1929, I assume. It turned into simply a splendid moment if you’re a Bostonian.
However, that is – going to be a laugh matchup. I definitely kind of experience what the Blues have accomplished. And they – they’re so hard. They have been down two games to at least one against San Jose. And then they just went on a tear. The Bruins are the hottest team in hockey. They’ve gained seven instantly. So you have got this outstanding clash. And the Blues are so tough. And they may be difficult on the street.
They play higher on the street than they do at home. And I’m genuinely looking ahead to seeing what this matchup brings, specifically, the two lines – Tarasenko and Schwartz and this – these guys are gambling simply, definitely excellent hockey. I failed to think they were going to take out the Sharks the manner they did. And then again, of the route, the Bruins – that Boston City keeps prevailing championships in their pinnacle line in there – whether it is Bergeron or Pastrnak or Marchand. And then, of course, they have got the hottest goalie in the global, as properly, with Tuukka Rask. So it’s going to be an outstanding matchup. SIMON: OK. NBA Eastern Conference Final – Game Six this night among the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee
Bucks.
BRYANT: (Laughter).
SIMON: My bleat of worry the deer might also have…
BRYANT: You’re the jinx, Scott Simon.
SIMON: I – exactly.
BRYANT: You’ve ruined it for each person.
SIMON: So I actually have a cheer for Toronto, OK? I want – the producer of our display is from Toronto. So I want to provide him an awesome one. Ready for this? Abhor the dinosaur.
BRYANT: (Laughter).
SIMON: What do you suspect?
BRYANT: I think it really isn’t perfect, Scott. I do.
SIMON: (Laughter).
BRYANT: I think the north is a lot extra suitable and amusing. You realize, once they made this deal ultimate yr – because buying and selling DeMar DeRozan was no longer a famous flow, considering that he felt lied to. He had committed to the business enterprise. The organization then traded him go to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, who occurs to be one of the top three players in the game. It wasn’t a top-notch circulate, considering that you need to reveal loyalty. And – but right here’s the deal, Kawhi Leonard, is that correct. He’s been carrying this crew. He’s been brilliant.
He’s – among he and Kevin Durant – among Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and LeBron James, they’re as proper as it receives in the game. And whilst you watch Kawhi play basketball, he has carried this crew to a place that they have got never been. They’ve by no means been this near the NBA Finals earlier than. And Milwaukee, meanwhile, they have got to win a basketball sport. They’ve been the fine team in basketball all season, lengthy file-wise.
They won 60 games. And now they’re going through it. Now they’re facing the adversity of having to visit Toronto on the street and winning a recreation to convey it again for a Game Seven. And sooner or later, within the playoffs, you discover who you’re. And the Milwaukee Bucks are going to discover after they get to Toronto. SIMON: Let’s notice our manner out in only a few seconds; the Minnesota Twins have already hit a hundred home runs this season. What are they eating for breakfast?
BRYANT: Spinach, like Popeye.
SIMON: (Laughter).
BRYANT: It’s wonderful. I assume they have got a high-quality record in baseball. You’ve were given guys you’ve by no means heard of – Rosario, Kepler – simply hitting the ball out of the ballpark. And we will see if they may be constructed for 162. But proper now, it’s the tale in baseball. It’s a variety of amusing.
SIMON: Howard Bryant, thanks a lot.
BRYANT: Thank you.
