MidValleySports.Com

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

If you want to attend Game Four of the NBA Finals tonight at Madison Square Garden, you’ll need $130,000 to sit next to Detective Oliva Benson near the New York Knicks bench.

If you only want inside of MSG, it will run you about $4,700.

If you’re looking for something a little more economical, seven bucks will get you a seat to see the Los Angeles Sparks play the Seattle Storm tonight in the Emerald City.

Under-reported reason the Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs Monday night? New York lost by four, 115-111, and Landry Shamet only scored three.

In the first two games of the series, Shamet averaged 13 on 46% shooting beyond the arc. Monday night, he was 1-for-7.

And role players generally play better at home than on the road–at least that’s the thought.

Note to Knicks HC Mike Brown: Stephon Castle is a beast. You’ve got to get the ball out of Jalen Brunson’s hands. Someone else needs to initiate the offense—and that’s KAT.

I did a whole opening monologue on RamView Monday about how the key to this golden age of Rams football is the character of the guys they bring in.

It’s true, arrests and scandals involving Rams players over the last ten years are usually equal to an offseason for the Chiefs and Bengals.

“RamView” is LIVE today on YouTube

But yesterday, Alaric Jackson, starting left tackle, under contract through the 2027 season, got popped and cuffed on charges of domestic violence.

Yes, sometimes these things are lies and fraud—see Trevor Bauer—but not always. Jackson got grounded for two games last year for something we were never told about.

The Rams have had a great offseason, Puka Nacua looks like he’s screwed his head back on straight, and there’s talk of Aaron Donald coming back.

All that is good, but left tackle is a choke point. I’m not saying Jackson won’t be a Ram going forward, although he will miss some time this season. But come 2028, I believe the Rams will think twice about extending him.

I’m not going to excuse Jackson if he slapped his girlfriend or wife around, but it’s hard to see a guy who was undrafted and worked so hard to become a starter at left tackle for the Los Angeles Rams throw it all away.

After all that work, how do you give all that up? I don’t know, but I do know, bad company corrupts good character.

Great hockey game last night, but do you realize the Vegas Golden Knights have had three goals in the last two games taken off the scoreboard because of reviews?

(Note: Those reviews were correct.)

I literally wrote in a college column back in the 1980s when the Kings were making a playoff run, that nothing seemed so final as a goal scored in hockey.

Not anymore, and I’m just wondering if any of you feel like we lost something in going to the review?

Of course, this has nothing to do with me rooting for Vegas and wanting to declare to the world that I was a Mitch Marner fan when he played in Toronto.

(And I kind of was, I do have a Maple Leafs sweater.)

Last Add Hockey: I can definitely get into more 4-on-4 action. That should be the setup when a game goes into overtime.

I like 3-on-3 for regular-season OT… but 4-on-4 seems more reasonable when dropping the puck in postseason.

But what do I know? I’m still sore about the Marty McSorley shafting in 1993.

How excited am I about the World Cup?

I’m rooting for Argentina, against Team USA, and 75% of the time, I’m going to choose a Seinfeld rerun over a soccer match.

And 85% of the time, I’m going to choose Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever, and Dallas Wings over soccer.

Still, (for family harmony) Go Messi!

One MLB Add: As I ignore the Mets and the greatness of Freddy Peralta, I noticed the only Dodger who didn’t get a hit last night was Lee Lacy.

#63—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

The Dude abides…

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