Daily News Sports Talk

The Popcast continues its local NFL State of the Unions this week by welcoming on Daily News Giants beat and columnist Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN). Things are looking a little more positive for Big Blue than they are for the Jets. Leonard and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) discuss rookie tight end Evan Engram, expectations for one of the best defenses in the league last season, concerns over the offensive line, Brandon Marshall’s fit, and much more. Also, in this week's Popping Off, Popper reminisces on the greatness of Usain Bolt, who ran his final individual race last week in London.  Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

The Popcast returns after a two-weeks break, and with NFL training camp in full swing, Daily News Jets columnist Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) joins the program for a Gang Green state of the union. Mehta and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) discuss the precarious situation for Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan entering this season, Christian Hackenberg’s development, the team’s young defense and much more. In this week’s Popping Off, Popper once again takes aim at the NCAA after UCF kicker Donald De La Haye was ruled ineligible because of his YouTube channel.   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

Daily News columnist Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) joins the Popcast this week for another Botte Shots special. Botte and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) do a lengthy recap of a tremendously exciting Home Run Derby, won by Yankee Aaron Judge Monday night, before jumping into other topics like the potential of juiced baseballs in MLB, the Tim Hardaway Jr. signing, and who holds the throne as worst owner in New York City. Also, in this week’s Popping Off, Popper asks why the International Olympic Committee isn’t held more responsible for its actions.  Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

Host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) welcome Daily News MLB columnist John Harper onto the Popcast this week to discuss the Mets and Yankees at the midpoint of the season. Is the Bombers’ starting staff good enough to contend for a title? What trade option will Brian Cashman have? Why won’t the Mets call up Amed Rosario? Harper answers these questions and more. Also, in this edition of Popping Off, Popper explains why NBA free agency doesn’t really matter, despite all the hype.   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

The Popcast’s coverage of the NBA offseason rolls on this week, as Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) joins the program in studio to break down Thursday’s draft. Fischer and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) give their takes on all the blockbuster trades, including Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves and D’Angelo Russell to the Nets. They also talk the Knicks taking Frank Ntilikina and whether Markelle Fultz’s nine wins in college last season should be a concern for the Sixers. Also, in this week’s Popping Off, Popper gives his thoughts on Ryan O’Callaghan, the former NFL offensive lineman who came out as gay last week in a wonderfully crafted piece on SB Nation’s Outsports.  Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr  

Kenny Ducey, a social media producer and NBA writer for Sports Illustrated, joins the Popcast this week to recap the Finals. Ducey (@KennyDucey) was in attendance at all five Finals games in Oakland and Cleveland, and he and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) diagnose where things went wrong for the Cavaliers, and who — if anyone — will be able to stop the Warriors from winning 10 straight titles behind the core of Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. Also, in this week’s Popping Off, Popper explains why he’s so ridiculously excited for the Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather boxing match on Aug. 26.   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) of The Record joins the Popcast this week to preview the U.S. Open, which begins Thursday at Erin Hills Golf Course, about 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Vasquez played Erin Hills a year ago, and along with host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper), he provides some insight on what it has to offer, its intricacies, and how players will approach the course, which is hosting its first-ever professional tournament this weekend. Also, in this week’s Popping Off, Popper discusses Christian Pulisic, the 18-year-old who may already be the greatest American soccer play who’s ever lived.   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

Carron Phillips (@carronjphillips), the new race and sports columnist at the Daily News, makes his debut appearance on The Popcast this week to discuss his new beat, his approach to the intersection of race and sports, and some of the incidents we’ve encountered over the past few weeks, starting with the vandalism of LeBron James’ home. Also, in this week's Popping Off, host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) gives his take on why general manager Sandy Alderson deserves a fair share of blame for the Mets' disappointing season.  Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

With the NBA Finals beginning Thursday, Daily News NBA and Knicks writer Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) joins The Popcast for a preview of the series between the Cavaliers and Warriors. Bondy and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) offer predictions and discuss LeBron’s legacy, which team has more at stake, and how Nets fans should feel about Deron Williams playing for an NBA title. Plus, in this week’s Popping Off, Popper analyses the tone-deaf comments Giants owner John Mara made about Colin Kaepernick and how it relates to the Josh Brown domestic violence situation.   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

Daily News columnist Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) makes his debut appearance on the Popcast this week. Peter writes a regular web column called Botte Shots, where he offers his opinions on a variety of hot topics in sports. Host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) modeled this episode after the Botte Shots column and jumped around the sports world to get Peter’s thoughts on the issues of the day, including the NBA's lack of parity, the Mets' freefall and the NHL's decision to not suspend Ryan Getzlaf. Popper also tells you the most impressive part of LeBron James’ career. Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

On this week's Popcast, host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) begins by addressing Roger Goodell's hypocrisy when it comes to the NFL's policy on marijuana use. Then Daily News NFL writer Seth Walder (@SethWalderNYDN) joins the program for a wide-ranging discussion, starting with Tim Tebow's baseball endeavors before moving to an NFL Draft recap. Popper and Walder discuss the Giants’ decision to take Evan Engram in the first round and draft Eli Manning’s potential heir in the third round in Davis Webb. They also delve into the Jets’ peculiar draft, and how it may impact Todd Bowles’ job status. Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

The Popcast returns after a one-week hiatus, and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) welcomes on MLB.com reporters Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) and David Adler (@_dadler) for a progress report on the season thus far. The trio discusses the biggest surprises and disappointments, the Mets’ ongoing dysfunction, the Yankees’ run to the best record in the league, and how players are embracing launch angle in their hitting approaches. Also, Popper discusses Adam Jones, Sulley Muntari and the importance of athletes speaking out on racism in sports. Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

On this week's Popcast, Daily News features and enterprise writer Kevin Armstrong (@KevinGArmstrong) calls in from Bristol, Connecticut to share his thoughts and observations on the death of Aaron Hernandez. Armstrong has spent the past four years reporting extensively on Hernandez's two murder cases, as well as the ramifications those cases have inflicted upon Hernandez's family and hometown. Along with host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper), Armstrong discusses what may have led Hernandez to take his own life in his prison cell last week, and why the former Patriots star went down a path full of so much heinous and unnecessary violence. Also, Popper gives his thoughts on even more Mets injury troubles, and why it might be time for the organization to re-evaluate its training program.  Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tum

The NHL playoffs are in full swing. And with the Rangers facing a 2-1 deficit to the Canadiens in their opening round series, the Daily News' Blueshirts beat writer and columnist Justin Tasch (@J_Tasch) comes on The Popcast to discuss the concerning performance thus far. Along with host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper), Tasch also breaks down where the Rangers need to improve to avoid an early exit for the second straight season. Then Knicks beat writer Stefan Bondy joins the program for an emergency discussion on the sorry state of the franchise. Popper and Bondy talk about Kristaps Porzingis’ decision to skip his exit meeting with Phil Jackson, possible landing spots for Carmelo Anthony and what this latest disaster means for Jeff Hornacek. Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tum

The NBA playoffs start Saturday, so Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) returns to The Popcast this week to break down the matchups and offer his Finals pick. Fischer and host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) discuss which team in the West can challenge the Warriors and if the Cavaliers are in deep trouble because of their defensive problems this season. Also, Popper gives his take on LaVar Ball, and criticizes the outspoken basketball dad for creating unfair expectations and pressure for his three teenage sons.    Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

The Record’s Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) is welcomed onto the podcast this week to preview the first major of the golf season, The Masters at Augusta National. Host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) and Vasquez discuss Tiger Wood’s decision to skip the tournament for the second straight year and third time in four years because of lingering back issues. Will Tiger ever return to the course for another major? Do we even want him to? Also, Vasquez offers his picks for possible winners and sleepers. And Popper begins by explaining why Morgan William’s buzzer-beater to topple UConn in the NCAA Final Four was the most important shot for women’s basketball in his lifetime.  Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

Opening Day is less than a week away, and the Daily News Sports Talk Podcast — A.K.A. The Popcast — has your local teams covered. Both Mets beat writer Kristie Ackert (@Ackert_NYDN) and Yankees beat writer Mike Mazzeo (@MazzNYDN) call in from Florida to discuss all of the juiciest storylines entering the 2017 season. Can the Amazin’s pitching staff stay healthy? Who will start in right field for the Bombers? Is Travis d’Arnaud the answer at catcher? All that and more in this week’s episode. Plus, host Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) offers his thoughts on the U.S. women’s hockey team opting to boycott the World Championships in an effort to receive better pay and support. Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

Is your bracket busted? Having a tough time figuring out where it all went wrong? Well, you’re in luck. Host Daniel Popper welcomes in Daily News bracket guru Ian Powers onto this week’s Popcast to rehash the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. Topics include: underperformance of the ACC; biggest surprises; a plethora of poor refereeing; shady seeding from the committee; and much more! Popper also gives his take on the World Baseball Classic, and why MLB and players’ association should continue to work to improve the event, which has World Cup potential.   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

March Madness is upon us, and the Daily News Sports Talk Podcast — A.K.A. The Popcast has you covered. First, Daniel Popper dissects and critiques the exploitation of college athletes, which is unavoidable during the NCAA tournament. Then New Mexico State video coordinator and analytics expert Jordan Sperber joins Popper to get the perspective of a mid-major program as it prepares for the Big Dance. Sperber and the No. 14-seed Aggies — who earned their bid by winning the Western Athletic Conference tournament — take on No. 3-seed Baylor in the first round Friday.  Sperber also offers a potential Cinderella team. Listen to find out who it is!   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr

On this edition of the Daily News Sports Talk Podcast — A.K.A The Popcast — host Daniel Popper tells you why the Sixers’ Joel Embiid must be awarded Rookie of the Years despite him only playing 31 games this season. Then Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) of Sports Illustrated and Baseball Prospectus stops by for an extended and wide-ranging MLB preview. Popper and Ducey start out by debating which teams possess the talent to challenge the Cubs and Indians. They also discuss MLB and Rob Manfred’s desire to change the rules and address pace of play. Spoiler alert: They both vehemently disagree with the commissioner’s agenda.   Produced by Daniel Popper Edited by Frank Posillico For more from the Daily News find us on: iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr