The Hobby Hound

05/05/2025

I appreciate Nikola’s DGAF attitude. But there had to be better photos to choose from. 🙄

02/09/2025

This is going to be a raw rant a little off the cuff. I know not everyone will agree with this, but as an old-timer and a sports fan, I am a little worried about the future of sports. Moreso the NBA, but sports as a whole are being forever changed. The landscape of professional sports, gambling, billionaire oligarchs, and those who will suffer the most (the fans) are sadly the ouroboros feeding the inevitable demise of the institution of sports.

I am sure many of you have seen the situation involving the Luka Doncic trade, the 26-year-old face of his franchise being sent to the L.A. Lakers. I'm not a huge conspiracy nut, in fact, I mostly shun the idea of them. But this one, this one right here is a doozy!

The narrative by ownership, management, and coaches has been that this trade was only about strengthening defense for the Mavs. Picking up Anthony Davis can add to your defense, but the Mavs already had a solid defense and were 7th in the league. In the finals, they held the Celtics to 101 points per game, and we know what a powerhouse Boston was in 2024. Mentioning "defense" 10 times in the press conference was their justification. But why would they throw out the baby with the bath water and trade away their self-described Nowitzki clone?

This is where ownership comes in. The now majority owners in Dallas are the Adelson family. The Adelsons own the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Okay, so why does this matter? Well, Las Vegas will be the next city to get an expansion team, commissioner Silver has already said that this will be the next destination. But why would you buy a team in Dallas if you could just wait and be owners in the city where you already do business? One reason could be that current owners will receive more consideration for a future team. But the main reason this conspiracy makes sense is this would allow the Sands Corp to expand their area of influence. Texas has a buster symbol over the word gambling built into its constitution, it has been staunch in its stance not budging on its position. In fact, the Adelsons spent 14 million on lobbyists to try and get this changed last year. They failed, and now won't have a chance to change this law for another 2 years.

Failure of course didn't mean "game over" it most certainly meant "game on." This is where the idea of sabotaging the ream comes into play. The NBA would not consider allowing such a huge market team to move to Las Vegas after its past success. Unless the fans were so disgusted with the team and owners that they no longer wanted to support them. If the Adelsons hold Dallas hostage and threaten this move they will have far more power with politicians in getting the now anti-gambling state to reconsider its past stance. Thus giving the Adelsons exactly what they want, gambling in Dallas and expansion of their hotel and casino empire.

This is of course speculation, and in the end will any of this matter? Is the horizon already in sight and is the league and sports itself secondary to everything else? I dunno, but to use a Star Wars quote, "I have a bad feeling about this." In my opinion, the sphere of influence of gambling has ruined sports. The fact that this conspiracy is one of the more plausible reasons why this trade happened pretty much confirms that both are connected and that gambling and sports are intertwined and it is now impossible to separate the two. This allows for corruption on levels that may surprise us in the future, making the odds further in the favor of the house. Which in this case will be the corporations that own the teams, casinos, sports betting books and so much more.

I may resemble Chicken Little right now, but I really do see a darker future. I may be dead by the time I am proven right, but that quote from Macbeth always comes to mind. "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

07/01/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos announced their Training Camp schedule. Click the link below for the schedule.

Rockies played the Astros in Houston this week. They lost on Tuesday 2-5 and lost on Wednesday 1-7. They also played the White Sox in Chicago this week. They lost on Friday 3-5, lost on Saturday 3-11 and won on Sunday 5-4 in 14 innings. They are now 28-55 overall and are last in the NL West.

Rockies also made some moves this week. They sent RHP Geoff Hartlieb outright to Albuquerque, placed RHP Jake Bird on the 15 day IL, recalled RHP Riley Pint from Albuquerque, designated INFs Elehirius Montero and Alan Trejo for assignment, sent Trejo outright to Albuquerque, purchased the contract of INF Aaron Schunk from Albuquerque, activated C Elias Diaz and OF Charlie Blackmon from the IL and optioned INF/OF Sean Bouchard to Albuquerque.

Avalanche announced F/C Nathan MacKinnon has won the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league MVPs.

Avalanche had the NHL Draft this week. Here's who they selected:

Round 2: Ilya Nabokov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (RUS)
Round 3: William Zellers, LW (Maple Grove, MIN)
Round 4: Jake Fisher, C, Fargo
Round 5: Louka Cloutier, G, Sherbrooke QC
Round 5: Ivan Yunin, G, Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
Round 6: Tory Pitner, D, Youngstown (USHL)
Round 7: Christian Humphreys, C, Pittsburgh
Round 7: Nikita Prishchepov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

Avalanche also made some trades during the NHL Draft. They traded their 1st Round draft pick to Utah for picks 38, 71, and a 2025 second-round pick, traded their 3rd round pick to the Sabres for pick 76 and pick 16.

Nuggets had the NBA Draft this week. Here's who they drafted:

Round 1: F/C DaRon Holmes II, Dayton University

Denver’s longest stretch of open practices comes after the opening weekend, as the Broncos will hold open practices on six consecutive days from Monday, July 29 to Saturday, Aug. 3.

06/18/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos did not do anything this week as they prepare for Training Camp.

Rockies played the Twins in Minnesota this week. They lost on Monday 0-5, won on Tuesday 5-4 and lost on Wednesday 9-17. They also played the Pirates this week. They lost on Friday 2-5, won on Saturday 16-4 and lost on Sunday 2-8. They are now 25-46 overall and are last in the NL West.

Rockies also made some moves this week. They placed C Elias Diaz on the 10 day IL with a calf strain and activated INF/OF Nolan Jones from the IL.

Avalanche did not do anything this week as they prepare for the NHL Draft and free agency.

Nuggets did not do anything this week as they prepare for the NBA Draft and free agency.

06/10/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos did not do anything this week as they prepare for Training Camp.

Rockies played the Reds this week. They lost on Monday 3-13, lost on Tuesday 1-4 and lost on Wednesday 7-12. They also played the Cardinals in St Louis this week. They won on Thursday 3-2, lost on Friday 5-8, won on Saturday 6-5 and lost on Sunday 1-5. They are now 23-42 overall and are last in the NL West.

Rockies also made some moves this week. They placed INF/OF Sean Bouchard (sprained ankle), INF/OF Kris Bryant (rib injury) and INF Brendan Rodgers (left hamstring strain) on the 10 day IL, recalled RHP Angel Chivilli and INF Adael Amador from Hartford, and INF/OF Greg Jones and 1B/OF Michael Toglia from Albuquerque, optioned RHP Peter Lambert to Albuquerque, purchased the contract of RHP Geoff Hartlieb from Albuquerque and designated RHP Matt Carasiti for assignment.

Nuggets did not do anything this week as they prepare for the NBA Draft and free agency.

Avalanche did not do anything this week as they prepare for the NHL Draft and free agency

06/02/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos signed 4th round pick WR Troy Franklin to his rookie contract.

Rockies played the Guardians this week. They won on Monday 8-6, lost on Tuesday 7-13 and won on Wednesday 7-4. They also played the Dodgers in Los Angeles this week. They won on Friday 4-1, lost on Saturday 1-4 and lost on Sunday 0-4. They are now 21-37 overall and are last in the NL West.

Rockies also made some moves this week. They purchased the contract of LHP Josh Rogers from Albuquerque, placed RHP Justin Lawrence on the IL, recalled RHP Peter Lambert from Albuquerque, designated RHP John Curtiss for assignment, sent him outright to Albuquerque and resigned him to a new Minor League deal after he elected free agency.

Avalanche did not do anything this week as they prepare for the NHL Draft and free agency.

Nuggets did not do anything this week as they prepare for the NBA Draft and free agency.

06/01/2024

Just hit 700,000 views on YouTube. Although it may not sound like a lot to some it's tougher than you would think. Thanks to all of you who have helped me hit the milestone.https://www.youtube.com/

Woohoo! Hobby Hound reached the 700,000 Views milestone on May 26, 2024 | via

05/20/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos announced their regular season schedule. Click the link below to see their 2024 schedule.

Rockies played the Padres in San Diego this week. They won on Monday 5-4, won on Tuesday 6-3 and won on Wednesday 8-0. They also played the Giants in San Francisco this week. They lost on Friday 5-10, lost on Saturday 4-14 and lost on Sunday 1-4. They are now 15-31 overall and are last in the NL West.

Rockies also made some moves this week. They placed RHP Jake Bird on the IL with right elbow inflammation, purchase the contract of RHP Matt Koch from Albuquerque and designated INF Julio Carreras for assignment.

Avalanche continued their Western Conference semifinals playoff series against the Dallas Stars. They lost game 4 on Monday 1-5, won game 5 on Wednesday in Dallas 5-3 and lost game 6 on Saturday 1-2 in 2OT. They will now prepare for the NHL draft and free agency.

Nuggets continued their Western Conference semifinals playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They won game 5 on Tuesday 112-97, lost game 6 in Minnesota on Thursday 70-115 and lost game 7 on Sunday 90-98. They will now prepare for the NBA draft and free agency.

The Broncos’ 2024 schedule is here, so we’re diving deep into the upcoming slate.

05/14/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos signed 2024 1st Round draft pick QB Bo Nix to a 4 year contract, WR Phillip Dorsett and college free agent CB Quinton Newsome, waived WR Lincoln Victor and released NT Rashard Lawrence.

Rockies played the Giants this week. They lost on Tuesday 0-5, lost on Wednesday 6-8 and won on Thursday 9-1. They also played the World Champion Rangers this week. They won on Friday 4-2, won on Saturday 8-3 and won on Sunday 3-1. They are now 12-28 overall and are last in the NL West.

Avalanche began their Western Conference semifinals playoff series vs the Stars. They won game 1 on Tuesday in Dallas 4-3 in OT, lost game 2 on Thursday in Dallas 3-5 and lost game 3 on Saturday 1-4. They trail the series 2 games to 1 in this best of 7 series.

Nuggets continued their Western Conference semifinals playoff series against the Timberwolves. They lost game 2 on Monday 80-106, won game 3 in Minnesota on Friday 117-90 and won game 4 in Minnesota on Sunday 115-107. The series is tied at 2 in this best of 7 series.

05/07/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos acquired DE John Franklin-Myers from the Jets for a 2026 6th round pick.

Rockies played the Marlins in Miami this week. They lost on Tuesday 6-7 in 10 innings, lost on Wednesday 1-4 and lost on Thursday 4-5. They also played the Pirates in Pittsburgh this week. They won on Friday 3-2, lost on Saturday 0-1 and lost on Sunday 3-5. They are now 8-26 overall and are last in the NL West.

Rockies also made some moves this week. They purchased the contract of OF Jordan Beck from Albuquerque, place INF/OF Nolan Jones on the 10 day IL, transferred LHP Lucas Gilbreath to the 60 day IL, placed RHP Justin Lawrence on the Paternity list and activated him from it, and recalled RHP Angel Chivilli from Hartford and optioned him back to Hartford.

Avalanche continued their first round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets. They won game 5 in Winnipeg on Tuesday 6-3. They win the Series 4 games to 1. They will next play the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference semifinals.

Nuggets continued their first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. They won game 5 on Monday 108-106. They win the Series 4 games to 1. They then began their Western Conference semifinals Series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They lost game 1 on Saturday 99-106. They trail the Series 1 game to 0 in this best of 7 series.

04/29/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos had the NFL Draft this week. Here's who they selected:
Round 1: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Round 3: Edge Jonah Elliss, Utah
Round 4: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Round 5: CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
Round 5: RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Round 7: WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
Round 7: C Nick Gargiulo, South Carolina

Broncos made a trade during the draft. They traded picks 121, 136 and 207 to Seattle for picks 102 and 235 in the draft.

Rockies played the Padres this week. They lost on Monday 1-3, won on Tuesday 7-4, lost on Wednesday 2-5 and won on Thursday 10-9. They also played the Astros in Mexico this weekend. They lost on Saturday 4-12 and lost on Sunday 2-8. They are now 7-21 overall and are last in the NL West.

Rockies also made some moves this week. They optioned RHP Noah Davis to Albuquerque after the doubleheader last Sunday vs Mariners, optioned 1B/OF Michael Toglia to Albuquerque and recalled INF/OF/C Hunter Goodman from Albuquerque and recalled Toglia from Albuquerque as the 27th man for the series in Mexico.

Nuggets continued their playoff series vs Lakers. They won on Monday 101-99, won on Thursday in Los Angeles 112-105, and lost on Saturday in Los Angeles 108-119. They are up 3 games to 1 in this best of 7 series.

Avalanche continued their playoff series vs Jets. They won on Tuesday in Winnipeg 5-2, won on Friday 6-2 and won on Sunday 5-1. They are up 3 games to 1 in this best of 7 series.

04/15/2024

Weekly Denver Sports Update: Broncos did not do anything this week as they prepare for the NFL Draft.

Rockies played the Diamondbacks this week. They won on Monday 7-5, lost on Tuesday 2-3 and lost on Wednesday 3-5. They also played the Blue Jays in Toronto this week. They won on Friday 12-4, lost on Saturday 3-5 and lost on Sunday 0-5. They are now 4-12 overall and are last in the NL West.

Avalanche defeated the Wild on Tuesday 5-2, lost to the Jets on Saturday 0-7 and lost to the Golden Knights in Las Vegas on Sunday 3-4 in OT. They are now 49-25-7 overall with 105 points and are 3rd in the Central Division of the Western Conference.

Nuggets defeated the Jazz in Utah on Tuesday 111-95, defeated the Timberwolves on Wednesday 116-107, lost to the Spurs in San Antonio on Friday 120-121 and defeated the Grizzlies in Memphis on Sunday 126-111. They finish the regular season 57-26 overall and finish 2nd in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.

Nuggets will be the number 2 seed in the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference.